It's about TIME!

After almost a year of not writing, I have decided, at the urging of several people to 

catch you up with what has been going on since my last post in August of last year!

 

 At that time I was in a "panic mode" trying to find a place to live and from March 

until August it was only possible to see five places that were within my budget,

one story, unfurnished and hopefully had outdoor space.  To me that doesn't seem like a lot

to ask, but indeed it was.  The budget, the one story and outdoor space were the issue.

Also many places were furnished and even though I was ready to sign a multi-year lease,

most would not remove the furniture!

 

Sheesh, by the end of August with my need to move my the first of October, I was 

definitely freaked out.

 

The end of September, a very astute and hard working realtor took me to see a one

story place in La Canada which is only about three minutes by car from where I

was currently living.  It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath but not as much square footage as

was in the current residence.  But, it did have outdoor space and the owner was

willing to remove the furniture.  No views, no yard, but the price was right and

it was only about three minutes from my son John and the grand kids.

So, even though it was/is dark and no views, I took the place.  Moving in the first week

of October.  Oy vey!  

 

Several modifications were done by my "handy dandy" handyman who is worth his weight

in gold, truly!  One was building two handrails and a step down into the "secret garden"

which is adjacent to the two bedrooms on the back of the house and not visible to anyone

but me.  That area is my salvation! 

 

After seven months of hating it, acceptance has finally been reached.  The thought of moving

again is worse, ha.

 Here are a few photos of the interior and garden area.

It's a little place but it is now semi-comfortable.

 

John and the kids live about three minutes away by car or five minutes if walking which they 

do from time to time.  BUT, now that Mati and Seb are growing up and have social lives,

I sure don't see them as often as I would like to.......... 

Here are a few photos of all of them!

This photo of Seb was taken when I was staying with them for ten days after a four day hospital stay!

Mati is now in high school!  And Seb has become the Chef de Cuisine around the house!

John is still in real estate. And even though he has been at it a long time and San Miguel is

growing, there are now close to 300 real estate agents in SMA!!!  He is still with CDR

San Miguel and if interested or looking for a house or investments, give him a call at

52  415 - 124-4755.  The 52 is if calling from the USA.  If local drop the 52.

Being a single Dad keeps John busy, busy, busy!  I remember being a single Mom

with three teenagers and felt like I was running a taxi service.  Add to that the cost

of private education and it is a roller coaster ride for him.

Here are a couple of photos of Thanksgiving last year when John cooked the entire meal.  WE

all love that he loves to do that meal and oh, my it is so good.!

No, I haven't been to the USA for five years now!  A scheduled ride to Texas was

planned but "the best laid plans of mice and men" were torn asunder when I ended

up, amazingly, in the hospital with blood clots in my lungs!  No one was more

amazed then I.  It was a very expensive experience since Medicare doesn't cover

expenses outside the USA.  Four thousand dollars for four days has knocked me for

a loop since it all had to be paid before I left the hospital.....Wowza!

Recovery from that shock plus different meds that are very expensive have led to

a four month recovery period, physically and financially.  Hopefully it is nearly over  - the meds 

anyway.

And hopefully it will be possible for me to go to Texas in the Fall for an extended

visit with family and friends.   

It will be an interesting adventure as my means of transportation now are via walker, 

wheelchair and/or cane.  Yup, the Universe decided it was time to "slow me down".

Soooooo, I don't get out much and don't get to see friends very often but somehow,

thanks to the computer, the cellphone and intrepid friends who come to get me from

time to time, life is okay.

How about you?  Many of you have read this blog from the very beginning.  It's wonderful

to stay in touch with many of you but there are some I don't hear from.  If you happen

to be reading this, hopefully, please let me hear from you.

To bring this to an end, I won't promise that I will write as frequently as I used to but

I do promise to write more often.

Take care........and hopefully I'll see you on down the road!

 

Life Rolls on Even When There are Shocks and Surprises!

 The first news is that I was told in March that the owner of the property that I live in  has now decided to sell the house I have lived in for four years.  It was a shock and bombshell, to put it mildly!  Luckily I have a lease so I don't have to move until November 5th, thankfully. I thought I would live here for the duration.........no such luck!

It has been an eyeopening experience looking for another place to live.   First of all, it must be a one story place with no stairs.  Second, unfurnished and third some outdoor space for all the plants and shrubs that I brought from the other house.  BUT, worst of all is that rents have exploded here in SMA as well and since I live on Social Security I have a limited, to  put it mildly, budget.  My max budget for housing is $700USD all inclusive of utilities, or 14,000 pesos.  (I only live on the first floor of this house)

Finding a one story with no stairs and the budget are the problem.  In two months I have only seen four places.  None of which were suitable due to timing or budget.  Landlord would not let me out of lease early when I found a place in May so I missed out on a perfect place living right down the street from friends.......c'est la vie.  

Yikes, I'm at the "almost panic" stage now with only two months left to find something SOON.  Why soon?  Well, when the snowbirds start arriving the first of October the town will be full to overflowing and so........now is the time!

IF you are in San Miguel and know of anyone in a place as I have described who is moving in the next month or so, please tell them about me or send me information to contact them.  That is how I found this house was knowing the people and making arrangements as soon as I heard they were  returning to the USA.

On to other news since I haven't really posted a blogpost in quite a while.  Life goes on!

The Bolton High School Reunion was in April.  No, I didn't get to go but these are several friends who were in Alexandria having fun and seeing the "old gang".  It was our delayed 60th reunion.  Yes, these lovely people are in their 80's.  Pretty darn good looking at this point!  I was there in spirit!

Other changes that are going on in the area around San Miguel is the opening of around seventeen wineries!  Many have restaurants and accommodations to stay on the property.  It's an amazing thing to see as I haven't been out of town in quite a while.

But friends made reservations for lunch a month or so ago and off we went for an absolutely delicious lunch and to tour the grounds.  There are also amazing accommodations for weddings and large parties
It was incredibly fun to get out and to experience time with good friends.

On another note, a jazz note, John and I attended an outdoor concert at a private home of our friend, Doug Robinson with a trio.  Absolutely delightful to be out in the cool evening air with a beautiful sky full of stars overhead.

 

 And, I don't even have to leave home to have an "experience"!  This snake was curled up initially in the flower bed and then crawled or slithered or whatever out to the parking pad!  I opened the big gate about three hours after we initially saw it and it slithered out and went "who knows where".  It was truly astonishing to see such a large snake here.  Josefina, the housekeeper, was totally freaked out.  It was about five feet long.  My son said it was a rat snake. Very cool!

The grand kids and John are fine.  They had a great summer. I wanted to share photos of their trip to Tamasopa where they repelled and ziplined and jumped in waterfalls but for some reason those photos won't post, darn.  If I ever figure out how to, I will share at a later date. They went with a whole group of friends and their parents for a few days.  Great fun for all.

School starts back on Monday!  Here are a couple of recent photos.  Matilda with her horse and Seb, just being Seb.  Love them both so much.  They are definitely growing up!

It's hard to believe Fall is just around the corner!  Where or where has this year gone?  Do you feel the same way about this year? Two grandchildren in the USA have birthdays this coming weekend.  Jessica turns 31 and Christopher turns 24!  No longer grandchildren but just "grands"!  Haven't seen either one in four years!  Oh my........

Take care and DO stay in touch!

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL~

 

From Venus Flytrap to Orchids

 Time flies!  Always............Since I wrote on January 13th, I now have a new system on my

computer.  I can hardly wait to see what happens with this blog!  Hopefully, my attempt to

keep it from screwing up is over and you will see the whole thing along with photos.  I can't

promise anything!

 

January, as usual, was relatively quiet!  Some cold days and nights - 30's at night and low 70's

during the day.  A few cloudy days which drops the temps about another ten degrees during the

day and sends me scurrying for the heater, the heavy slippers and multiple layers of clothes. Inside is 

usually ten degrees colder then it is outside so one must plan accordingly.  I do!

 

In February all kinds of things have occurred!  First off I received a message telling me that my email

account had been "breached" and to act accordingly, which I did!  It was from someone in California!

I know this because the breach message said so!  Then that same evening someone from Fremont, 

California called on my Vonage line.  I tried to call the number back but it blocked me.......wow. I still 

didn't think much of it until I tried to access my Netflix account.  I couldn't reload the password because

the hacker had changed my account name and password.  No, I wasn't smart enough to figure that out.

My computer guru and twelve year old grandson figured that out. 

After an hour on the phone with Netflix Mexico, the matter was straightened out by the computer guru! 

Thankfully.

At the same time, he also took the computer to install something to "speed it up".  That has worked 

wonders.  He also installed Windows 10.  THAT has been an interesting episode for me to relearn

where things are and how to get to things............yikes.  I know I should have had Windows 10 a long

time ago.  C'est la vie.

Candelaria, the ceremonial event for the blessing of seeds, and the giant flower sale in Parque Juarez

happened this year.  Last year it was cancelled.  This year instead of only having it for 10 days they 

extended it for three weeks.  I was DETERMINED to get there.  So, on the tenth, the kids and John

loaded up the wheelchair that I have only used two or three times into the car and off we went to the 

park.  

Surprisingly and miraculously, there is ONE parking place for handicapped and it was empty.  Although

John didn't have a handicap sticker on his car, the police woman allowed us to park there!  Incredible.

Then as we got to the wall to go into the park, we realized there were more then six giant stairs to go 

down.  You've gotta laugh!  

Eventually we got through that, and Sebastian started pushing me down the aisle.  John took over as we

got to inclines and declines, thankfully.

To ride up and down the aisles and see all the orchids, bromeliads, bedding plants etc etc etc

was a joy to behold.  I have written about this in the past and if you want to see photos of all

that this show provides, go to search on the blog and put in Candelaria.  What was so humorous

about seeing all these exquisitely beautiful tulips, hydrangeas and other plants was that Sebastian

became fixated on a Venus flytrap plant............gross, I said.  But, no, he even negotiated with the

seller to get the plant while Matilda was looking at rosemary, succulents and the hibiscus that

one of the vendors gave to her for free.  I was just enjoying all the silliness of it all!  In the photo

above of John and I, he is holding Seb's plant!  And yes, when they got home they "fed" the plant!

YUK!  We spent almost two hours there.  Every second of it was a joy.  However, I question how 

long it will be before the family offers to push me around in that thing again.........it wasn't easy.

February is always a month of birthdays.  Two in fact.  Emma, who lives in Colorado and will turn 22 

next week and Matilda, here in San Miguel who turned 14 just yesterday.  (I will get to see Emma in

April in Texas).  Mati had a fun day yesterday with her favorite food, sushi, and then coming over here

for carrot cake which they bought at a bakery.  Nope, I didn't bake a cake.  First time in a long time that

I didn't.  Felt weird to have a store bought cake.  It was a low key event as she is having a BIG party

next week. Such a sweet, sweet granddaughter!

Speaking of granddaughters.........my FIRST granddaughter, Jessica who lives in Austin is getting 

married in April!  Excitement reigns to put it mildly. 

I haven't been to the USA in five years but, of course, am planning on heading up for a month to spend

time with all the family.  Those in  Colorado will be coming to Texas and so it will be a grand time!

I will be riding to Texas with my long time, good friends, Ron and Fred who I met in Puerto Vallarta

shortly after Jessica was born thirty years ago.  Actually, Ron and Fred are more then good friends.

They are really family as they have experienced my family and I theirs over these years.  

Isn't life GRAND?  GOOD friends!  GREAT family!  Spring weather now in the 80's and LIFE just

keeps plugging along...........Hope you feel the same.

 

 

Better Late then Never!

 I have reverted back to my former method of crossing over from one year to the other.

 

In the past, I wrote my Christmas Letter while lolling on the beach in Puerto Vallarta or

some beach village along the Pacific Coast.  With a bit of humor I would say that it was

the first Christmas letter of the coming season.

Well, here I am on January 13th and ready to tell you a bit about what has been going on

in Mexico and in San Miguel with the family and myself since my last post.

 

We are so busy during the holidays because not only do we have Christmas but we have 

two birthdays - John's, a few days before Christmas and Sebastian's a few days after 

New Years!   Woo hoo, a busy time.

 Here's John, Mati and Seb decorating their Christmas tree.  Note a new member in the 

family is assisting.  More on this in a bit!

The day of John's birthday it was raining so I didn't meet them at a restaurant to celebrate for 

fear of my cane slipping on the wet sidewalks and streets.  But, they did come by here afterwards

for John's favorite lemon cheesecake that I had made for him.......yes, they took the leftovers 

home!.

The above pictures are Mati and I along with Seb making Christmas cookies!.

Seb and Mati in their new Christmas gifts - warm jammies!

And the four cats looking out the window at all the activity outside.

Add to the four cats, now there is an amazing dog named Kali.  A friend needed to find a 

home for her and she has definitely found a home with John and the kids AND the four cats

who keep Kali in line.  Can you imagine?

I have had a lot of dogs and cats through the years, but, I must admit this is the smartest and

best trained dog that I have been around in a long time.  She and John have bonded and take

long walks up in the mountains almost daily, very early in the morning.

Last, but not least, for Seb's birthday he did NOT want a party but instead wanted to

go to this place in Queretaro, which is about 45 minutes away, to play games.  As

you can see, they were the only people there but they dutifully wore their masks.

No, I didn't get to go for that day but I did see Seb a few days later to give him his

present.  In true "modern" fashion, their words not mine, instead of a cake we had

treats from a new, delicious bakery here in San Miguel.  

If I remember correctly, there was a scone, an eclair and a fruit tart! C'est la vie,

no, I didn't get to bake a cake for him..........maybe next year!

So, in spite of Omicron and masks and tippy toeing around to stay safe, we managed to

have family traditions.  Some different then usual, but still enough to honor the holidays

and the birthdays.

Onward into 2022.  Who knows what lies ahead?  I certainly didn't expect that we would

all still be wearing masks, using sanitizer and distancing from each other.  Every day I hear

from another friend who has covid!  It is really shocking and disconcerting.

Me, I'm staying home and happy to do so.  Yes, every now and then I get a little cabin fever.

So I get in the car and ride around just to see if there is still life out there! I did have to go to

the bank one day.  On the way home, during the holiday season, the traffic was so bad that 

I tried using a short cut to get back home and got LOST in San Miguel. Can you believe I

was somewhere that I had never been on a one way street as narrow as a car?  And, since

tourists are lost all the time, someone in a car was coming on the one way street heading

toward me!  Well, that was an interesting experience.  He had to back up because I'm

not good at doing that and the arrow was in my favor.

I laugh now, but to tell you the truth, I haven't gotten in the car and driven around since

that incident.

Life in Mexico can almost always be a grand adventure, even when you don't expect it.

Onward into 2022!  Stay safe ya'll.............

On both sides of The Wall!

 The talented and knowledgeable computer man came and hopefully the blogpost

will not be messed up with little bits of sentences everywhere and some places

single spaced and others double spaced.   We'll see - hopefully it is fixed.

As the title above says, this post is about two sides of "The Wall".  The one

here at my house, not the infamous one in Texas............

In November, November 22nd to be exact the big ditch diggers, jackhammers

and whatever else is necessary to dig a hole down the entire length of our street

arrived to begin work.  None of us had any idea how long this would take or if

we would be able to access the "outside" world on foot or by car.  It didn't take long

to realize that neither was going to be possible as seen by the photos below.

This was prior to Thanksgiving which was the first week.  The sidewalk was still usable.  It went 

downhill from there and by the third week, some of us needed groceries. etc and those who delivered

did so on foot, very carefully as there were big holes everywhere.

 

No it was not possible to leave by vehicle and if I had wanted to "walk out" I would have had to 

somehow make it to the corner..........not possible.  So, I was home non-stop for three weeks!

 

One learns, living in Mexico, to go with the flow.  My hope was that it would be over prior to 

Christmas.  And, actually my hope was realized when ALL was completed by December 9th.

Everyone on this block was astonished and relieved.

 

We are so used to the quiet and of not even hearing cars on the street that the noise was probably 

the most uncomfortable part of it all.

 

On this side of the wall, I could still enjoy the garden during their lunch breaks or when they left to go 

home late in the day.  Here are a few photos of the gardens.  Enjoy, I sure do!

 

Amazingly, the photos have posted.  The sentences appear to be posting correctly.  Maybe

all the snafus have been taken care of and I can start writing more posts now!

That would be wonderful................let's see what happens when I hit "Publish"!
 

Seventeen hundred and eighty-three! That's the number of posts..........

It's been since 2006.  The year that I started writing the blog.  It was an attempt to document and to

maintain my sanity at that point.  It worked.........well most of it!

 

Today I happened to notice the amount of posts that there have been to date.  I compared it with the

book I just finished reading by Ken Follett entitled "Never".  It was 800+ pages and it took quite a

while to reach the conclusion which I did last night about midnight.  The story was definitely a page turner

and I'm glad I'm finished with it. 

So, to keep it in context if I turned all the blogposts into a book, it would cover two 800 page books!

Quite amazing but it would not have been half as much fun as keeping up with all the daily events such 

as trips, adventures, family, activities in San Miguel and a myriad of things.  

In fact, if I wanted to see what I wrote about Day of the Dead over the years, I just put it in the Search 

Box on the blog and voila all of the photos and musings appear.  Now I see it as not only a digest but a 

journal of sorts of the last fifteen years.

In the last twenty months of covid with not much going on then daily life, it seemed rather blah to 

write.  But just recently I seem to be getting out a bit (nothing like in the past), still masked but at least

getting out to meet friends for lunch or whatever.

Every time I do go out I notice so much because there is a time lapse between times.  The other day I 

noticed the trees are turning yellow and orange.  It's lovely.  I am also noticing the advance of 

construction projects and the amount of traffic even though I try to stay on the back roads going 

through town.

My forays have been brought to a screeching halt today with the news that the street that I live on is

going to be closed for three weeks while they install a new sewer line.  In the past, I went through that 

up at the house on the hill but at that time the trench was about 12 inches outside my door and to leave 

house, the workers had to put down a plank over the deep trench and then hold onto me so I didn't fall

in the trench.  Luckily this time it is in the middle of the street so I can peek out from time to time to 

see the progress.  Here are a few photos of things that have been happening since I last wrote the blog.

                                                        Street scene in Los Frailes

                                                      The Resident Squirrel in the bird bath.

                                                            Now there is a baby as well!

Seb and Mati on Halloween along with........

The flowers on the porch where I spend a LOT of time reading or gardening or whatever.  

And, last but not least a spectacularly beautiful sunset last week.  Breathtakingly beautiful.

                                                       It was hard to believe it was real!

I will try to write more frequently.  With the holidays starting next week, there will be much more to 

read and write about.

Stay safe and Stay masked...........