Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Heat Stroke



When I arrived in Houston, Texas last Thursday afternoon, the "rains" started within an hour.  There was no sunshine until late Saturday afternoon.  Also, a front had come through town, so it was cooler.

That is, until Monday.  I drove to Galveston for a very brief visit on Monday.  With the seabreeze, it was tolerable.  Then I crossed the causeway bridge for another brief visit where there was no sea breeze.

Holy Toledo!  You had to have a cloth to wipe the sweat off your face.  At 8AM!

I drove back into Houston yesterday afternoon.  Dressed in lightweight black slacks and a black tanktop, I walked over to the Farmer's market held on a asphalt parking lot adjacent to Rice University.  The time, 3:30PM. The temp, 92F.  By 4:30 when I arrived back at the house, my face was beet red.I was drenched in glistening perspiration.  I had to lay on the bed to cool off!

Obviously I am no longer acclimated to the mid 90's with 90% humidity in Houston.  I showered, and reclined for at least an hour to cool down.

I used to laugh at the term "heat stroke".  No more.  Not that that happened, but I sure felt funny for a while.

Today I scurried out at 9AM to get errands done.  I've been back in the air conditioned house since 1PM with no plans to leave til dusk.

NOW I remember how I used to live.............Air conditioning..

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Sans photos...............

I'm writing from beautiful, almost downtown, Houston!  Yup, you can't keep a wacky woman at home.

It was an on again, off again deal. Should I?Shouldn't I?  And, I did!

I headed out last Wednesday morning after checking every possible weather resource for days. I even found a website through a good friend to check the conditions of the Mexican highways.  Then a fellow blogger in Monterrey gave me his personal cell phone number just in case I encountered any  highway or weather related issues that would stop me dead in my tracks.

I even made two sandwiches for the trip (tuna) just in case I got stranded in the Chihuahua desert and had to have food.  (I'm not kidding).

The trip was as smooth as a baby's butt.  No traffic. No rain.  Only one road check.  Didn't even see
standing water until I was north of Monterrey.  No rain until I was at the Laredo US Customs checkpoint!

Whew!

The drive was exquisitely beautiful.  The desert was lush green. The wildflowers were blooming.
When stopped at the checkpoint for about twenty minutes, I took photos.  I'll share them later  as I'm
having issues with my ancient laptop and have not been able to download photos.

Flying low, I arrived in Houston about 1PM on Thursday after spending the night in Laredo.  The rains from Hurricane Manuel hit here about an hour later..........booms of thunder, heavy rain and some flooded roads on Friday night.  It rained from Thursday at 2PM until Saturday at about the same time.  Approximately six inches.

The rain is over.  Sunshine is in abundance.  The humidity is low.  Houston today was spectacular.

Off to Galveston and Omega Bay tomorrow.  Hopefully Clear Lake on Tuesday and then back here for a delightful wine dinner on Tuesday evening.

Side trips are always good for the soul.   Houston is always fun.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Hummingbird Festival Gala


Ten days ago, in the downpour of rain that was going on, 250 people
attended the Gala held during the First Annual Hummingbird Festival.

It was sponsored both by the Audubon Society, San Miguel Chapter and Camino Silvestre which is a retail store with garden and home furnishings and accessories.  Their specialty is hummingbird feeders.  Fabulous hummingbird feeders.

For two days there were all kinds of activities - nature walks, seminars, lectures, art classes
all regarding hummingbirds.  Ironically this year I have had very few.  Unusual since I usually have at least 20 to 30 in the gardens.

The Audubon Society here is the only chapter in Mexico.  I was involved early
on but in the last six years or so, not. 

I was surprised at the large turnout and must confess I hardly knew many of the people.
Guess it was lots of newcomers or people from out of town.

No ones spirits were dampened by the deluge of rain, nor the water dripping inside the building.
I believe their auction went well although those of us at one end of the room couldn't see or hear
the auction items, unfortunately.

The decorations were lovely.

It appears from the success of this first event that this will become an annual tradition to benefit nature and the botanical gardens.  A very good thing.
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Sunday, September 15, 2013

Not ONE but TWO Hurricanes in Mexico

I've been tracking Hurricane Ingrid since it was called an Invest and was south of the Yucatan!  Why you ask?  Well I was thinking that I had a window of opportunity to drive up and back to Texas before the first of October if I left on Tuesday, the 17th.

                                                                  It isn't going to happen!

When  I saw that Ingrid was potentially going to turn into a storm heading for Tampico, which is to the North East of us and continue across the path that I would be driving, I hesitated.  As it grew and actually became a hurricane, I knew and know that I'm not going to be able to go that way until much later in the week.

Then Manuel popped into the picture.  Now there is a Hurricane watch for Manzanillo and parts North of there.  For some reason, we always get rain from storms that hit in that area.  Not as much as they get, but
quite a bit for these parts.

Since Friday, we've had 2.8 inches of rain!  No let up in sight.  A couple of years ago a Hurricane or Tropical Storm came in on the path Ingrid is taking and caused road and bridge washouts along with bad flooding in the Monterrey area.  An area that I have to traverse, if I drive up.

I believe in "signs".  One sign from the Universe causes me to pause.  Two signs, as in the format of two hurricanes, has stopped me dead in my tracks.

So, another lesson in patience begins.  I could be ready to go, IF I can find out the roads are okay by Wednesday.  But ONLY if I know that for sure.  I'm a sissy.  I don't want to have to ford streams, creeks or torrents of water.  NOR do I want to be sitting on top of my car.  Something I've never done and don't intend to start now.

I say all the time that I so love living in San Miguel because we don't have hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or floods.  I think I'm going to stop saying that!  No, it won't be hurricane strength when they both arrive or skirt here.  However, tropical depressions can be just as disastrous.

Ask all the people who lived in Houston in 1979 when we had 42 inches of rain in 24 hours.  I lived one block from the Bay and by the time it was over, I almost lived ON the bay.  It was merely a tropical depression.

So patience is the password for today and probably the next couple of days.  IF I don't get to go now for a short visit, I'll go up in November, for sure............hurricane season will be over!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Willow's New World


We have a very new resident in San Miguel de Allende.  Her name is Willow.

She's 12 years old and has moved from Nashville to spend time with my dear friend
Carolyn and go to school as well as live here.

Thursday night, her Grandma invited a lot of the town to meet Willow, because as she says, "It takes a village".  I so agree.  What a turnout there was of honorary aunts and uncles.  It says a lot about Grandma and how much she is loved as well as how welcoming people are in San Miguel.

Willow has poise beyond her years.  She had never met me, but greeted me at the front door and when I asked if I could photograph her for a possible blog post, she easily posed for this photo in her Grandmother's living room.  What a super young lady.

Willow arrived late Monday night, started school, I think on Wednesday and by Thursday evening already had eight friends at the party.  She is going to be just fine.  I'm thrilled for her.

As people started arriving, and there were LOTS of them, I turned to her and said, "Willow was there ever this big of a party for you in Nashville?"  She smiled the biggest, most beautiful smile and said, "Never".  Can you tell she has already won my heart?  She so reminds me of all my teenage grand kids.

What was so great was Carolyn said to everyone, "Well, IF you want to bring some food or drinks, do so"  There was a veritable feast.  Three tables full!  It was casual, relaxed and such fun.  I didn't know a lot of the people but I did meet a couple that I intend to connect with again.

        Buzz and Duck.  Now with those names how could you not want to get to know hem?                    Cool people from Portland, Oregon. This is the way we roll here in San Miguel.
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Friday, September 13, 2013

Mexico is NOT for the Faint Hearted


When on the roof terrace of Chelo's store, I looked toward Col Guadalupe and saw all the electrical
lines up at this level.

For those people who have to live with everything neat and tidy, Mexico is not the place for you.
Things that are necessary, but unsightly are not always hidden.  I like the honesty of that.

As you can see, transformers just hang out along with multitudes of wires.

This photo at the back of the shop of Chelo's is the real winner.

I stood and marveled at the intersection of this many wires.  What workman can
determine which wire is for what?  Somehow they do.  Not with a cherry picker or some
fancy machinery, but with a long ladder, they climb up to repair these lines.  I can hardly
watch for fear they'll fall.

It's the way things were done about fifty years ago in America.
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Thursday, September 12, 2013

A Shopping Trip in San Miguel de Allende


A month or so ago, a person who reads the blog sent a comment saying he and his wife were going to be in town to find decorative accessories for their home in Patzcuaro.  Could I tell them where to find mirrors?  In non-typical fashion, I said that I would take them to one of the best tin and mirror makers in Mexico.

They flew in from California, called and we met at my house yesterday morning to go to a taller
What a lovely couple!  She originally from Cuernavaca, he from the USA.  I felt like we immediately connected.  Steve Cotton, the infamous Steve of Mexpatriate - In the Key of Steve, went with us.

The above photo made me laugh.  It is tin images of the owner of the shop!  He also is a musician.  I've known him about fifteen years.

We arrived to see his brother at the little shop.  He too previously lived in California and speaks English, which for me, is always helpful.  However this turned into a bilingual exchange as the lady of the pair, of course, speaks Spanish.  I'm so envious of her fluidity of her native tongue.

The couple was astounded at the diversity and beauty of the creations.  From furniture to mirrors to chandeliers.  It is a treasure trove.  We even went upstairs to the private areas to see more.  I spied the painted headboard above on a terrace covered by some boxes.  Oh, if only I had someplace to use a headboard that is so colorful!  I absolutely loved it.

As I turned to leave and go back downstairs, I looked down Calz de La Luz.  I'm always driving on this street but never am still to see it as a whole.  What REALLY caught my eye were the clouds in the East.  The direction of the tropical disturbance.  Menacing would be my description.

Believe it or not, even with clouds that looked like that, we had no rain yesterday!

Isn't that amazing? 

As we descended the stairs and returned to street level, all kinds of negotiations about color, size, dimensions and texture were going on.  It brought back memories.  It was apparent to me that this was going to go on for quite a while.

Steve and I excused ourselves, left the couple in good hands, and scurried back to our paradise on the hill.

What a fun experience for the day - meeting new people, introducing them to a true artisan, and helping all of them to conduct business.

Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider the suggestion to assist people coming to San Miguel for shopping tours since I know so many factories in San Miguel, Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Patzcuaro.

Hmmmm.
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Brotherhood of Bloggers


Last week Calypso over at Viva Veracruz & Viva Puerto Escondido blog (you can find it in the blogroll to the right) threw down the gauntlet as to what each of our work areas look like - the area where we write our blogs.

His was a veritable room full of monitors, computers, electronic wizardry and gadgetry that defies description.  It looked like a CIA outpost.

Then Steve over at Mexpatriate in the Key of Steve  (he's on the right in the blogroll also) showed his work space.A table with the computer, speakers and other stuff.  He too is a gadget guru.

Then there is me.  I'm in a one bedroom, one bath house with no extra space.

I'm in a little corner downstairs in the bedroom next to the window so I can have the door open to listen to the birds and children at recess and have sunlight.  All the gadgetry is hidden under the tablecloth.

There is a matching table on the other side of the bed.  So the room has symmetry.  Always the designer, you know.

It's not a problem for me as long as there isn't a problem.  If there is, I throw up the tablecloth and get under the table to fix it.  No big deal.

I DO have a new monitor which I'm loving.  Other then that, everything is just a basic setup.
It suits me fine.

I'm not a gadget kinda girl.
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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

"Every "NO" Is One Step Closer To A "Yes"""


If memory serves me correctly, and that is an iffy thing, I believe Zig Ziglar said the above quote.
I went to several of his seminars in the 70's.  This sentence has always stuck with me.

When I had my businesses and was trying to find that interesting, profitable, large design project, often
many others went by the wayside before the right one came along.

I used that phrase as my mantra.  Especially when I was in semi-panic or disappointed that I didn't get something that I wanted to design.

I have said this phrase over the last couple of months while trying to find a tenant, the right tenant, for the guest house.

It has been a teeth-gritting experience to put it mildly.

From questions like, "What time of the day does the sun cover the entire roof terrace?  Is the air tranquil in the house?  What, it only has one bedroom, one bath?  How do you get down the hill?
Those are just a few of the less arcane questions. 

I just knew, if I could be PATIENT the right person or people would appear.
Voila, yesterday it happened.

Actually two separate groups wanted it.  What a dilemma.  I certainly had not anticipated that experience.  I regretted having to call a lovely woman and tell her that I was renting the house to someone else.

The new tenants are a couple, Frederick and Gilberto from Mazatlan.  They were very interesting to talk to (or interview if you will).

It was a good fit - them and me.  I felt it the whole time we were talking.  They said while they were here that they definitely loved the house, wanted the house and would sign a two year lease!

They even called about an hour later to make sure that I knew they really wanted it.

We completed the business side today. When they arrived, they brought a gift to me.  I was speechless.
In all these years, that has never happened before!  I told them so and thanked them profusely.

Rick and Gilberto signed a two year lease.  I can now exhale.

And, the "Yes" finally came. 
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Sunday, September 08, 2013

A Wacky, Wonderful, Fun Birthday @ Pizza Pig


I knew it would be fun.  EVERYTHING you do with Dogie is always FUN!
Yes, her name is Dogie..........like "get along little doggie". She's originally from west Texas.

When she said we're going to have pizza and champagne, I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
Even rain (lots of it), fog and an empty gas tank did not deter me from being there at 1:30 on
Saturday.

As you can see, it did start with champagne.....in plastic cups.

Then the fun began.  Gifts, absurd and glitzy.  A back scratcher....or wherever you want to scratch, was aptly demonstrated as only Dogie can, to hilarious laughter.  In\the big black
plastic garbage bag, however, was the piece de resistance.

A crown for the queen of fun!  Its made out of recycled juice cans with
appropriate gems and glitz on it.

Of course it became necessary to do queenly things.  Like showing us how
to wave.

Add to that husband Frank, on one knee as he was 44 years ago, kissing her hand.

This is my all time favorite photo.  Dogie in all her glitz and glamor.
Oh yes, and notice she got a second crown which she said is more for wearing to bed!

She loves, loves, loves glitz and glamor.  She is a glamorous woman, after all.

Add to that, the fact that she has been a dear friend to me for at least twelve years.  I was thrilled to be part of her birthday celebration.  Believe me when I say, she is one of a kind.

Irreverent, funny, full of life, has her priorities straight, and is oh so kind........that last part is only found out after knowing her for a while.

Laughter reigned throughout the lunch.  All thanks
to Dogie and her high jinks.  What fun she is!
At 85, she still can work the room!

Even the visiting minister and his wife (on the left) were laughing at all the funny comments
throughout the meal. 
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Friday, September 06, 2013

A Five Minute Walk


After visiting son John this morning at Bajiogo Travel, I headed for the jardin.  A five minute walk.
I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings, which I usually do, but thinking more about our conversation.

I actually walked by this VW.  Something halted me and I walked back.  Oh my gosh, another Art Car.
Have these cars always been here and I'm just noticing them or is this a new trend?
I have no idea.  I've never seen this VW before.

As I turned to take the photo of the Volkswagen, I saw the fabric flag.  It's not anything fancy.
Just some green white and red fabric pinned to the window facade.
They have beautiful things in that shop on Calle Jesus. 
I only look in from the door rather then tempt myself.

As I turned the corner toward the jardin, it was obvious that I wouldn't be sitting on the bench for long today.  I was right.  I did have my two Friday newspapers - Atencion which is written and prepared by the staff of the Bibliotecha.  It comes out on Friday to let us know all the events going on and what has happened during the past week  - sort of.

The other paper I read every chance I get is The News.  Published in Mexico City in English, it has more international news then the Houston Chronicle does in 100 times more pages.  The News only has a very, very few ads.  Mostly just news.  It is pricey 15 pesos which is about $1.20USD. I splurge.

And to my right as I headed to the jardin, more decorations on a popular restaurant/bar/upstairs patio with magnificent views in all directions.

The bench seat was too cold.  I sat a few minutes and headed home.
Luckily I did.  It has been raining all day.  Thanks to a tropical disturbance that crossed
somewhere between Tampico and Tuxpan which is about six hours due east of us, more or less.

So much for Friday evening outdoor activities.  But, as every San Miguel resident says every day of rainy season, "We need the rain".  So far we've had sixteen inches in 2 1/2 months.  We need another ten inches to be happy for the coming dry season.  The dry season starts in about four weeks.


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Thursday, September 05, 2013

Life is a Choice


There are a couple of views from my house that are less then enchanting.  The first is the motorcycle shop that started out as about eight or ten bikes parked on the hill.  Now it is about 50 bikes and a tent with people working in it at all hours of the day and night.

To add to the eyesore, they pour gasoline and oil on the hillside which obviously leaches into the presa which when flooding goes all the way through town.

Someone in the neighborhood said, "If you threw a torch down there, it would be like a fireball".  This place is located right across from the kindergarten!

And, to add to the aggravation, they start revving the motors on these bikes at 8AM.  I'm awake and usually up but in this quiet, tranquil neighborhood, it is very noticeable.

I've contemplated for months and months contacting the City government.  However, I'm afraid of repercussions.  I'm convinced he is paying someone off to have this "shop"!

So I do nothing......and fume.

The abandoned hotel that was started by Club Med in 1982 sits like an archaeological ruin.
It waits for the next flood to see how high the water gets as it flies over the presa walls and goes through the hotel that was never completed.

I choose to ignore looking at it.  I wish they would blow it up and let the land return to a watershed as I'm sure it was previously - thirty years ago!

I choose instead to look at the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis rather then the two eyesores.

The above photo was taken this morning, early, on the roof terrace of the flower filled presa and the flowers in a wall basket that had not even opened yet.

Or I marvel at the gifts that the birds bring to the garden with seeds of blue morning glories.
These vines and flowers are so delicate.  I have heard in the past that they have a large significance to the lore of the indigenous peoples. 

The hillsides on the south side of town are covered with these blooms.  The color is so intense and one of my favorite flowers.

Waving grasses in pots, with the sun back lighting them are another beautiful thing.

Along with the moss rose that was just opening this morning along with the sun.

Blessed blue skies and sun.

By the time I finish photographing all the beauty around me, I'm in such a positive state of mind, that the little eyesores become insignificant.

Isn't that what life is all about?  Making a choice to focus on the negative or to surround yourself with the positive, no matter how little it is?

Enjoy the beauty of life.
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Wednesday, September 04, 2013

New Sights in San Miguel


While the USA, and parts of Mexico too, are busy putting up displays of Halloween and Christmas decorations in their stores, the displays of Mexican flags and paraphernalia show up on street corners all over town to prepare for one of the biggest celebrations annually in Mexico.  Independence Day on September 16th.

People display flags above their homes, on the hood of their cars, on the roof of their cars, on the front of the buses or the back.  Well you get it - anywhere and everywhere.

Having only lived in the USA all my life, I thought Americans were the only ones with pride in their country but I have to tell you, I see just as much in this country.

I need a new Mexican flag this year.  My other one was shredded by the winds!

The interesting thing about the above display is that in all previous years it was at the corner of the glorieta on a gravel parking lot. 

The gravel parking lot is no more and now the display is exactly where it has been for the last ten years, however now it is perched in front of a new Auto Zone store!

The town is growing.  Especially on the outskirts.

This statue and pedestal at the glorieta is new as well.  It was installed by the
new administration who took office last December. 

In the past it was definitely not eye-catching.  It was just a bunch of sculptures with out plantings or a water feature.  Just something for traffic to circle around on the glorieta.  A glorieta is a round-about which save us from having to have street lights.

This isn't a great photo.  You can't see all the mass plantings or the gleaming sun off the statue.
I promise, if and when the sun comes out again, I'll get much better photographs.

Of course, no matter how hard I tried to get a photo without a taxi in it, it was not possible.
This one snuck in when I wasn't looking!  It too is a sybol of Mexico.

Viva Mexico!
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