The Joys of Grammyhood

 

 

 

 

You would think after you have a few grandchildren that the newness and excitement would not be as strong. THAT is not the case. Each child is another amazing gift to observe, love, laugh with and hug. To see them grow and become people is miraculous.

I recently was in Colorado spending time with Matilda Isabella and her new brother Sebastian Woodrow. I only put in the middle names because that is how Matilda now refers to she and her little brother. Cracks me up! My "love" from West Virginia tried changing the names around with her to see how she reacted. She, at two years old, became slightly indignant and let him know, in no uncertain terms, just what was right. I wish we had videoed it because we were all laughing so hard before the scenario was over. It's pretty impressive to see a two year old who is not intimidated by a retired Colonel. She is feisty............wonder where she gets that from?

And smart! I mean really, really smart. I have to remind myself that she is only two. Her speech is clear and very extensive. Her memory is amazing. In addition, her reasoning capability is about that of a 4 or 5 year old. A Mensa baby.

So, one day when I had the opportunity to take her over to the park we dressed and headed out. What fun! She picked out her clothes. She wanted her red hat with a ladybug on it and then started looking for her ladybug backpack. She wore it.

Off we went, hand in hand, The playground has all kinds of climbing things. She's fearless - not me - I was holding on to her for dear life. Then she wanted to go through the tire. All I could think is - "Lordy, don't let her get stuck cause how the heck will I be able to climb in there and get her". Swinging was never high enough. Determination was on her face as she said "Higher Grammy, higher". A thrill seeker at 2 years old. Oy vey.

This was the day that after I sang "zip a dee doo da" four times, she had memorized the song and sang it all the way home.
Precious.

The last night there we went to Old Town in Fort Collins for dinner at a rather upscale place. It was interesting to see how well she behaved - as long as she had food. No fussing, just happy.

Can you tell she likes hats? First the red one and then the pink beret? It's those little things that are the treasured memories of a grandparent.

I know the next time I see Sebastian that there will be a little person with a personality and unique traits. I can hardly wait.

In the meantime, next month I'll get to see the other five grandkids in Houston! The oldest, Jessica, will be graduating from high school and going off to be a Texas Aggie. I'm so proud of her! It will be fun to see the culmination for her of her high school days and the beginning of a new season of her life.

The others, Andrew, Hannah, Emma and Christopher are growing up fast too. Oh my gosh, at this rate they'll all be adults and not little kids much longer...........stop........I LIKE when they are little kids.

The life of a Grammy is a special thing I could never have anticipated would be so wonderful!

Hibernation and Holidays

 

 

I'm here to confess that I haven't left the house, until today, since last Wednesday afternoon. What a joy. The tourist buses were rolling in on Wednesday. The traffic was becoming horrendous and I just decided to take the easy way out. I stayed up on the hill in peace and tranquility.

Enjoying the garden, resting.........and oh yes, cleaning out tons of stuff. It's that time of year when I switch out the closet and put the winter things away and take out the summer things. Since I've lost a goodly amount of weight in the last year - 8 bags of clothes went to a good cause. Then I tackled other hidden storage areas. My goodness, I'm a packrat and didn't even know it. What a sense of accomplishment to complete this spring cleaning.

My tenant in the guest house has moved to Ajijic so I need to find a new tenant for that wonderful one bedroom, one bath stone house overlooking the canyon. Do you know any writer, artist or someone who likes peace and quiet who might be looking for a place? It will be ready the 15th of April.

So, although I haven't left the house - all kinds of things have been going on. BUT, in a slow, quiet, peaceful way.

It seemed relatively quiet today when I headed out to the country for lunch. Hopefully tomorrow I'll stick my head outside the gate again and see if "the coast is clear". If so, I'll head down the hill.........

Hmmm, first year I've missed all the Semana Santa pomp and circumstance. But, that's all right. I've seen it for nine years now. I have enough photos to fill two boxes. Happy memories.

Word Verification

A couple of months ago it started to happen. Any blog that has "word verification" was not coming up with anything to verify. How frustrating, to put it mildly.

One lovely blogger actually removed that step from his posts so I could comment. But to those of you who have that, for some reason some of us can't comment. My comments come through with an identity through Google.

If anyone can tell me how to fix this I will be SO happy. Then I can get back to commenting on BillieBlog, Life's a Beach and many, many others.

You know I'm NEVER at a loss for words - or comments. Ha........

Hair

It occurred to me this morning that hair seems to be very important to most people. It used to be for me.

Men worry about going bald and women worry about their hair always looking good. Is their cut right? Is the color right? Is the style dated? Etc. etc. etc. I don't think men worry about any of that other then going bald. In truth, I think bald is sexy as do many women.

So the subject comes up for me to write about because I went for "maintenance" on my hair last evening. I go to my hippy dippy hair dresser here. It is a happening every time. He's funny, full of information and fun to know.

The funniest part of going to get my hair done - colored, trimmed, curled - is that I never, and I mean never know what color I'm going to be when I leave.

Now there was a time when that would have really, really bothered me. But not any more. I look at it as a "life adventure". I'm supposed to be auburn. I seldom am now. Today I'm almost a brunette - funny.........

You see, all of this used to be important before my daughter had cancer and lost her hair. It was very traumatic when her beautiful blond tresses disappeared. But what we learned was that was the least of our worries. It was only hair and it would grow back some day. What a learning experience that was for all of us. We all cut our hair short at the time. It was a show of support and it really didn't matter to me if I did or didn't have much hair.

So, I diddy bop into Jose's and let him play and work his magic.

"Life is a either a daring adventure or nothing" Helen Keller

Little Altars Everywhere

 

 

This time of the year, during the Easter season, there are little altars everywhere. There are other times of the year also, but this, to me, is the most symbolic. The sweetness of the chamomile, bitter oranges, wheat grass and often gold stars appear so innocent.

On Saturday, after having been gone off and on for almost four months, I walked down to have a little maintenance done on my fingers and toes. A manicure and pedicure.

As I turned into the courtyard of the building where the beauty shop is housed, there was this decorated courtyard fountain. THEN I turned into the beauty shop and this small altar was set up on the counter next to where I would sit for all my maintenance.

It's so significant to me that it doesn't have to be elaborate or costly for these altars but that they are done. Period.
When I photographed the one in the beauty shop, the owner came over with a big smile on his face. He was honored that I thought it pretty enough to want to photograph. He told me it was in honor of his mother who had died many, many years ago.

To digress, the beauty shop owner is a very interesting man who is a Philosophy Professor at the University of Leon. There is a branch here in San Miguel. I can always tell the days he is teaching. He is impeccably dressed in a beautiful suit, white shirt and tie. How nice.

Symbolism is all over Mexico. Each item used on these altars has great significance. The bitter oranges signify the tears of the Virgin of Sorrows at the impending death of her son, Jesus. The chamomile and wheat grass signify renewal.
I'm sure there are more symbols that I'm not even aware of.

However, each year when I see these altars, I'm again touched by their sweet innocence.

It Was a Hoot

 

 

 

On my last day drive around West Virginia for a little "stop and start" photographing, I spied this red barn that I had admired many times on our treks to town. I liked the juxtaposition of the horses against the barn and the forest in the background. So I asked my trusty driver and "man" to stop so I could get out for a photo op. He obliged.

While photographing the horses, I was reminded of myself as a little girl making a clucking sound that used to bring the horses running for apples or sugar cubes. I had none but I clucked anyway.

All of a sudden this white donkey came determinedly toward me. I mean head down and hunkered. "Oh my", I thought. Now what. I don't have anything to feed him. But, he kept coming. I kept photographing.

I'm now standing straddled over a ditch where the night before the frogs were so loud that I thought the tires on the car were blowing out or something. Then we rolled the windows down and listened to a frog symphony all the way home.

Anyway, the thought of a frog jumping up my pants DID occur to me, but heck, I had bigger things to focus on - like this approaching donkey. So, when he stuck his head over the fence, I snapped a photo and jumped back. I felt so bad that he had come all that way and I had no gift.

I didn't look at the photo until we got home. And then we laughed. I swear he is grinning and has his eyebrows raised! What a hoot.........what fun.

I'm Home........in San Miguel de Allende

 

 

 

 

Rolled in late, late, late last night after a stressful day of long security lines, delayed flights, a ten minute run through Terminal B with two minutes to spare to catch my connecting flight to Mexico. Oy vey, I'm getting waaaay too old for all those shenanigans.

I admit, not even reluctantly, that it's 10:30AM and I'm still in my robe and jammies. What's a girl to do?

Anyway, it is magnificently beautiful here with bourganvilla, daisies, azaleas, butterfly lilies and a myriad of other flowers all blooming. Lovely.

However, I took a little ride on the backroads of West Virginia the day before I left, and the photos on the blog were of a few of the sights I saw. Forsythia, the yellow plant, must be the state flower. It is everywhere. It is an old fashioned plant that I haven't seen in years. They have even used it in that area as boundary markers. Extremely etheral and colorful. In addition, the jonquils or daffodils planted on old homesteads were growing wild in many places even though the dwellings were long gone.

West Virginia and Virginia are certainly beautiful places - especially now that the snow is gone. I kinda wished I was staying a few more weeks so I could see all the peach, apple and cherry blossoms. There were buds on the trees as you can see in the last photo of the golf course, but very few full blooming trees, yet.

In the past, I have always longed to get back home - sometimes cutting my trips short. Not this time. I'm here but also missing there. Hmmm, very interesting.

Budget Rent A Car

I seldom get mad. I seldom stay mad. But, when I do, I do. The scam, known as Budget Rent A Car took us for a ride to the tune of $691.52! It wasn't a tune, it was a major rip off.

Here's the scenario. We went on-line to rent a car. We had a confirmation # for a weekly rate for an economy car that was to cost us $253.38. We also had a coupon for a free upgrade. The Budget bus picks you up at the terminal and takes you to the car lot to finish all the paperwork. This is a key element of this story. The lot is in the middle of nowhere and if you don't like the "deal", you're screwed. In more ways then one.

So we get there - before the sentence could be finished we were told, (A) no economy cars and (B) no next car class upgrade. We would have to take a Mercury SUV. Well, there we are.....in the middle of nowhere and we swallow and agree - to the horrible tune of $509.00! We were mad enough about that. I mean totally mad. But whatcha gonna do? So off we drove.

We enjoyed the car but it was waaaaaay more then what we needed. A six passenger SUV with bells and whistles we couldn't figure out because there was no operator's manual in the car.

Our week ended. We turned in the car at 6AM. They rush you through and hand you a receipt which, we stupidly did NOT look at until we got home. Stupidly and luckily as we would have both fainted.

I would have thought we were the only ones this happend to but, not true. A passenger on the shuttle to the airport told us a story of how they charged him $128 per day for a Ford Focus (an economy or compact car class)! How can that be? His bill was over $700.........THAT should have been the clue for us.

But, who in their right mind would think that a CONFIRMED reservation for an economy car in the amount of $253.38, would end up costing $944.90? Not me and probably not you either.

So, what to do? Well, we did charge the amount. So, we did call the credit card company and tell them to put a "hold on the charge" as we wanted to challenge it.
We intend to call Budget and attempt, through customer service, to get some relief.

After all, that amount is almost as much as my total social security check that I live on for a month. Anybody have any other ideas of how to resolve this dilemma?

My suggestion to you is DON'T use Budget Rent A Car - EVER. It was an oldfashioned "bait and switch". I thought that was against the law? Hmmmm, your thoughts would be appreciated.

Zip-a-dee-do-da!

 

 

 

 

To say that the last three months have been at different elevations and in different terrain would be, as usual, an understatement. December was the blizzard of the Northeast. January was the beautiful warmth of the Pacific Ocean with incredible sunsets. Then February and part of March have been again in the Northeast going through another blizzard. However at this time, it is in the 70's and EVERYTHING is green and breathtakingly beautiful.

To add to the everchanging elevations and terrain, we headed West to see the Gypsy Kids last week. Oh, what fun! I did my normal "on the floor" playing with Matilda. But, there was more, much, much more. The Gypsy Kids new addition, Sebastian Woodrow and I met. A hunk at two months - he weighs close to fourteen pounds. Very alert and a happy baby. He fits right in with the family.

Matilda Isabella, which she has now shortened to Mati, and I played and walked and sang. Zip-a-dee-do-da has almost replaced Patty Cake. More on her later. A whole blog of photos - you've been warned, ha.

In fact, as you can see, we all went hiking one day in the Poudre Canyon which is near Fort Collins. ALL of us. Even Dusty the Dog. Sebastian was in the baby carrier on Mom. Matilda was in the backpack carrier on Dad along with holding the leash for Dusty. I and my man were following closely behind once we all got going.

A beautiful canyon trek. Fording streams, watching for ice and little bits of snow. We found an abandoned homestead of a family who lived there in the 20's with their ten children. A true definition of hardy folk.

Mati was watching for "balled up eagles", her phrase. She has seen them before when she and Dad have gone hiking. Cute, cute.

The weekend we hiked was the first warm weather (60's) that they had had in a looooooooong time so as we headed back there were lots of climbers and dogs heading up the trail.

The very next day we drove to Boulder and it snowed! Not much. Just enough to be cold and miserable. Then sun and warmth for the rest of the visit.

We returned to West Virginia on Thursday. The transformation was astounding. We left to snow on the ground in places and a few buds on the trees. But now it is ALL green and everything is budding out. A month ago I wondered if there was grass under the snow. Now I know there was and is. A happy thought.

My time here is almost over. With reluctance I head back to San Miguel. I guess it is because I want to see the rest of the transformation here - the flowers from the buds - the trees blooming. And, of course, my continued transformation.

Aren't I a lucky lady to have had such a great year? So far? I think it has been so much fun and I look forward with great anticipation to the rest of it.

Transitioning

 

 

 

 

It is amazing that in three weeks, this area of West Virginia has gone from blizzards to flower buds. I arrived on the 14th of February to blizzard like conditions. That is somewhat of an understatement since it had been record snowfalls the previous week with Dulles Airport closed on the day I was supposed to arrive. The scene of the stop sign buried in snow was one of the signs of the aftermath.

Then in a quick trip about 20 miles from the house to the Potomac River to check on the "river house", I was literally astounded to see the Potomac River frozen. I had never seen anything like that in my life - except in photos. So, imagine my surprise last Saturday when we again went to check on the house to see the beautiful blue water of the Potomac - no more ice - at least not on the river. But, there were still plenty of banks of snow.

And just yesterday while parking in a lot next to a tree, I just glanced up and was so surprised to see buds on a maple tree, only six days after the last snow fall.

The seasons and weather are transitioning - hmmm, maybe I am too!

An "intriguing" Time

This time of attempting to develop a relationship has been very interesting.

As many of you know, I was widowed thirty-three years ago. Now, that, of course, does NOT mean that there haven't been men in my life. But, it has been a number of years since I have been in a full-time situation.

Things I've learned - some good, some surprising, some not so good and some irritating as "all get out", as we say in Texas.

First, the good. It is so much fun to share funny stories, funny experiences and just laugh with someone again. I've enjoyed that so much.

It is extremely enjoyable to sit and talk about intellectual things - current events, philosophy, books. A myriad of things. To me it is always interesting to hear other people's perspective, whether I agree or not.

Of course, it goes without saying, that the little kindesses - a cup of coffee brought to you or my doing that for him or whatever. That is always good.

The surprising are odd things. Like thinking someone understands what you just said or did, but then realizing that you're coming from different backgrounds. Things can definitely be misinterpreted without intending to do so.

Surprising can be a good and fun thing too.........and has been. I like not knowing what to expect, most of the time.

The not so good have been disagreements about things that really weren't important enough to disagree about. I'm usually bewildered about why things get to that stage.

The irritating, of course, are when my way isn't the right way. I say that tongue in cheek. Someone said last week, "If he would just understand that I'm always right and do it my way, it would be so much easier". I broke up laughing.

I realize that being a strong woman is not always the best thing. So, I'm trying very hard to enjoy all the different experiences and not get irritated very often.

It's never too late to learn and change - I'm discovering!

Cloud Dust

The humor of this time in the "frozen tundra" has finally sunk in.......it took a while. I must admit it is NOT always humorous. Take for instance last week when coming home over the mountains. I looked up and saw a dark cloud in the distance. I asked, "What the heck is that dark cloud?". I was informed it was "cloud dust". Hmmm, my logical mind thought. "How can there be "dust" when the ground has been covered in snow for as long as I've been here?" So I began to ask questions about that thought. In a few minutes I got my answer as more snow began to fall and I was informed that was/is cloud dust. I DID NOT think it funny at the time, but I have since related it to the great snipe hunts that used to, or are still, fostered on the uninitiated boy scouts every year.

Among the other things I now "get", is why there are big hoods on outdoor jackets. I learned first hand yesterday while trying to load groceries in the car while snowflakes were falling on my hood and head.

I've also learned that one does NOT just walk out the door in their shirt sleeves. Geez, it is a process to leave the house. Socks, more socks, boots, sweaters, coats, hats, gloves just to name a few things. Those things are in addition to your regular clothes! I feel like I could fall over and never get hurt or that no one could possibly know by my shape if I'm a man or a woman. Bah humbug........

Three weeks and counting until I'm heading back to the balmy high 70's of San Miguel.
Of course in the meantime, next week we head to Colorado to see the grandbabies and kids. What's wrong with this picture? Well, it might be that I'm definitely doing this at the wrong time of the year.

I'm obviously making a mental note to never, never do this again at this time of the year. Life is always about lessons, isn't it?

By the way, I have great photos to share - of the Potomac River frozen solid, snow, deer, snow, more snow etc. but I'm using someone's computer and can't figure out how to download the photos from my camera. Stay tuned.

Mexico Follows Me Wherever I Go !

Mexico is always in my heart and mind, wherever I go! There are things that I see that make me want to be home and there are situations I see that make me compare them to what I see at home in San Miguel.

Tonight, imagine my surprise, when I went to a birthday party, in the not so large town of Martinsburg, West Va. An Italian restaurant. The meal was good. The service was excellent. There were 14 of us and it all went off without a hitch.

After the gift giving had ended and the framed Mexican bark painting that we had given to the birthday girl was sitting on the table, the surprise happened. The waiter asked where the gift had come from.

He then walked over to me and said that his dad, the owner of the restaurant, was from Celaya. He, the son, was so thrilled to meet someone from near his family's home. So, as we left, I met the owner. He and his wife, who is Italian from Tuscany, have been in the USA for 30 years. But, he said, home is Mexico! We smiled at each other knowingly.

We chatted for quite a while and I felt my heart swelling with our connection and the fact that he was so happy to talk with me. I totally understood.

Even though he has been in the USA for so long, his gentility and manners were still intact. The conversation ended with him wishing me safe travels.

VIVA MEXICO!

"Velcro" has a message

 

 

"Oh no, not again". Velcro the cat seems to be saying. She might be saying, "Take me with you!", but I doubt it. After all she is the scout of the canyon. Always on the lookout for something that moves.

I think it is so interesting that animals let you know, without words, but by actions what they're thinking. Velcro sure does. My dog Flash used to do the same thing. But her way of letting me know she wanted to go was to hop in the passenger seat of the car the minute I opened the door to load the car. It was so darn funny. She would sit like a person straight up looking out the windshield. The WHOLE time, just hoping she was going. She usually was - she was a great co-pilot.

But cats are different. I can't imagine subjecting Velcro to being in a different environment from the canyon, the school and all her normal haunts. I see her leave in the morning with a purpose. She returns mid day, stretches on the chaise in the sun and eventually, after a good siesta, comes in to eat. What a life!

Come to think of it, it's MY life!

See you on down the road..........

Destruction at the Kindergarten

 

 

The destruction of approximately twenty trees on the kindergarten schoolground ocurred while I was gone. I absolutely could not believe my eyes upon return. Huge trees. Old trees. Eucalyptis, pine, jacaranda to name just a few. My photos are not very good but if you look for sticks sticking up, through my trees, you'll be able to see the loss.

The grounds were so beautiful and sheltered the children at play. I, for the life of me, cannot understand what possessed someone to make the decision to cut the trees in the manner that they have. In fact, in San Miguel, it is against the law to cut down trees without a special permit. I'll wager anything that no one got permission for this act.

In my life I try not to judge. I also try not to get angry at things I can't change. But, it has heen ten days and I'm still angry and judging the people who did this to the trees.

What a horrible example for the young children to see that the environment and the sanctuary for many, many birds in this area does not matter. There are two pines left and hopefully they will not destroy those as I have watched the monarchs cover those pines when they are migrating back north.

To me it is like someone died. It can't be reversed. It's too late. What a shame.

The Weather Gods

Well, those gods definitely wanted all of us to get the message that they are in charge. Virtually the entire East Coast of the USA is shut down. Closed. Not moving.
Airports that are closed are LaGuardia, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Reagan And Dulles.
All until 11AM on Thursday. WOW, I'm definitely not going anywhere, along with a whole lot of other people.

I am rescheduled, for Sunday. Hopefully by then things will have settled down. The roads will be reopened and the US government will be ready to restart all their silliness.

In the meantime, I'm here in San Miguel noticing all the new license plates around.
Places like Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New York State, Delaware, etc. etc. etc. Yup, when the weather gets bad, they head this way. Good for the coffers of Mexico.

I too will enjoy the sunshine and the warmth. It didn't get below 49 last night. That is way higher then the highs in cities north of the Mason Dixon Line. In fact, since I have a few days more here, I think I'll go back to the Candelaria show and enjoy all the flowers again.

See you there?

Heading to Frozen Tundra

 

 

 

 

I'm attempting to leave the beautiful warm sunshine of San Miguel and head north, first to West Virginia and then on to Colorado to see the Gypsy Kids and the "new kid on the block", Baby Sebastian. The "weather gods" are NOT cooperating. I won't be going to Colorado until March 11th, but I'm attempting to go to West Virginia via Dulles this Thursday, the 11th.

Here's the runaround I got from the airlines tonight when I "attempted" to see if I needed to change my reservations from the 11th to another day to avoid the backup at Dulles. First I got a robot who was useless and finally said there would be a 5-10 minute delay. But, me, I said, "Aha, I'll call international Mexico City since I'm flying out of Leon". I actually got a human, a man. And very nicely he told me that the penalty had been waived if you were flying the 8th through the 10th. I'm flying the 11th, or attempting to do so. So, he DID suggest I wait and call tomorrow and see if the penalty is waived for the 11th. Otherwise I must pay the difference in what I paid for the ticket and what the price is now. What ever happened to the $100 change fee? Wouldn't you think that since they have a bazillion people sitting around in DC that can't get anywhere that they wouldn't want any more people flying in there? What is the logic?

Ok, ok, I'll calm down and focus on the prize. That will be holding Baby Sebastian and playing with Matilda - among other things, good things. Isn't that new baby cute and look at Ms. Matilda with her arms crossed......makes me laugh.

I'll focus on deer in the snow and icicles hanging from the eaves of the house. A Big roaring fire in the fireplace and someone to share it all with. I just hope I don't have to plow through snowdrifts to do so. Or worse, sit on a tarmac somewhere!

Strolling on Sunday

 

 

 

 

LOTS going on in San Miguel on sunny Sunday. I was up and out by 10AM so I could partake of as much as possible. My destination was Candelaria in Juarez Park and the Art and Crafts Fair at the Instituto Allende. I wasn't disappointed in any of that along with a few other stops.

Heading down the hill that early was interesting. No one else heading up the hill as usual. Since the sidewalks are not even wide enough, in some places, for one person it was an easy stroll. Arriving at the jardin, which I always try to head through, much to my delight and surprise, a large contingent of local citizens were exercising and dancing. I know there is a name for it, I think Zumba or something, but it was fun to stop for a minute and watch all the laughter and fun. NEVER a dull moment in centro.

Candelaria is the annual Flower show held in the park with vendors from all over Mexico bringing their most beautiful flowers, plants, bromeliads, orchids, cacti, pots. You name it - it was there. It is such a beautiful setting. Kids are there with wheelbarrows and will follow behind you as you pick up this and that to purchase. Before you know it, you have a full wheelbarrow! Not yesterday for me. I went in search of a certain flower pot that I needed one of and I enjoyed, but didn't linger at the various booths. I knew that if I did, I would weaken. No flower pot like I wanted and for the first time in nine years, I didn't buy one thing. Whew, that was difficult.

Brunch was at Sappo's which is a delightful courtyard restaurant located between the flower show and the arts and crafts fair. I stopped in and midway through my coffee an old friend came over to talk and I ended up having breakfast with his group. Delightful. I saw some other old friends who had just arrived in town. San Miguel is like that. You're always running into someone who just got back or is just getting ready to leave again.

The Arts and Crafts Fair was packed with people and vendors. Beautiful jewelry, folkart, clothing, food. Oh my, it was a feast for the eyes. Too crowded for me and so I headed home.

Nice outing on a Sunday - especially a sunny, warm Sunday.

"Who dat?" THE SAINTS!

Having grown up in Louisiana from the age of 10, there is a bit of the zany in me. Ha, that's an understatement!

Imagine my delight to hear this story from fellow friends from Louisiana. It seems that a sportscaster in Nawlins years ago said that if the Saints EVER got to the Super Bowl that he would walk through the French Quarter in a dress. Well, he died before it happened. His successor took up the challenge and said he would fulfill the pledge.

Six days ago 5000 men walked through the Quarter in dresses. It's hysterical. Here is the video. IF this doesn't make you smile, nothing will!

http://www.vimeo.com/9131842 Boy, I'm proud to say I'm from Louisiana.


GO SAINTS!

Round Top Antique Fair

This blog is usually about Mexico, but today, because someone sent me a YouTube segment on the big antique happening in Texas twice a year, I decided to share it with you.

To me it is fun to read or see an event that was never intended to be anything big or successful, that, because of its very nature, takes on a life of its own. The Round Top Antique Fair definitely fits that category.

It was a semi annual pilgrimage for me when I lived in Houston to drive out the country roads every April and October just to wander around, watch the people, look at all the antiques, have a bite to eat, and visit with old friends.

Well this show covers about five or six towns now! It is so amazing the rest of the year to see open fields but at antique time, there are tents and booths set up for as far as the eye can see. Year after year, vendors from all over the USA come to sell. And, year after year, we all went travel to see, if not buy.

There is definitely something for everyone. Lots of old farm implements, old tools, old gee-gaws and some fine, fine furniture and jewelry.

My Mexican connection to this whole thing is a really likable and sharp guy named Lou Christine. He's a former Philly guy who has several enterprises here in San Miguel. The VIP card, which gives you discounts on all kinds of goods and services along with being involved in putting on the Craft Fairs here in town several times a year. In addition, Lou is a fine writer. I see his by-line often in publications and newspapers. But, he does disappear a couple of times a year and heads to Round Top. We always talk about it in the jardin and I always tell him to say hello to friends of mine up there. When he returns, if it was a good show for the vendors, he is glowing. If there was bad weather and no customers he is gloomy. He is always rooting for the little guy. I'm happy to call him my friend.

Here's the You Tube info. Get a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy. It takes a while to see all the segments but to me it is fun and worth it. http://www.youtube.com/user/ShowDailyMagazine

Niagra Falls in San Miguel de Allende

 

 

 

I first heard the sound on Wednesday night. By then it had been raining forty-eight hours, non-stop. It NEVER rains non-stop in San Miguel. A couple of hours at night is the norm. NOT this time. It started during the night of Monday and finally stopped late on Thursday afternoon. Did I mention it was non-stop? Eight inches is what the statistics show.

And these photos, which I ventured to take from the roof terrace last evening, tell the story even more vividly.

The sound I heard Wednesday night was the floodgates being opened up in the botanical gardens and the waterfall or torrent cascading down the mountain side into the presa (reservoir). It was more then it could hold and it has been overflowing for about 36 hours now! I pray that the walls of the presa will hold or it will be more of a disaster then I could even imagine.

The water is running through the old abandoned and never finished hotel. Club Med started it in 1982 and it still stands there as a silent reminder that someone didn't do their "due diligence". It is beginning to look like a ruin at this point. A BIG gray one.

The sunshine is out - halleluia - and I'm going to finish this post up and get the heck out of the house. I did that on Wednesday. Walking through rivers of water just to get from one side of the street to the other. In addition I lost my house keys and that was another soggy saga that now is funny, but sure wasn't at the time.

I came home. Got in the gate. Thanks to an additional key in my wallet for the gate and then tried to kick the house door open. Well, heck, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. THAT didn't work. Finally I had someone who had a key for the door bring it over and let me in. It was like adding insult to injury to have been wet all day and then have that happen. I'm sure my keys have floated downstream by now. What a mess!

My life is NEVER dull..........

A Body Job

I had a body job done in Melaque - dents, scratches and rust spots all removed. Bumpers were reattached. My old 1998 Nissan Pathfinder looks brand new - all for approximately $142US.......such a deal. The paint job is masterful.

I can hardly believe my eyes. I had intended for six years to have the sideswipe on the passenger side repaired. I called it my "Flash gash" because I sideswiped a panel truck the day that Flash my dog was killed. I didn't care. Then from then on, heck I still didn't care. It just added to the mystique and the lack of worry about driving in Mexico.

Now, I have to be careful again. Geez, I'm backing up like an old Granny - very carefully - and going forward in the same manner, well sorta.

I got back from Melaque yesterday. Made all the correct turns. In some instances with no help from the lack of signage and no dents.

You'll just have to take my word for it. I was too busy photographing beautiful sunrises, sunsets and beach scenes to worry about before and afters of the Pathfinder.

Let's see how long the unscathed car lasts.