Tuesday Market

I haven't written or been to the Tuesday Tianguis since last October when I was looking for "cold weather gear" for my winter trip to Colorado in December. Today I went for an entirely different reason.

Remember those "tight" jeans I wrote about in March when I had lost 32 pounds. Well, they are now baggy jeans. Yup, now it's 42 pounds! They say in Texas that if what you say is true then it's not bragging - so I'm NOT bragging, I'm just telling the truth.

I went in search of white jeans or some lightweight pants since I'm heading to the "water" and a few other places. Ha, this is what I came home with - three swimsuits, two of which look good. AND four shirts, one a beautiful cornflower blue color. NO pants. Guess I'm going to have to get those in Texas where I can try them on. Total spent about $23 US.....such a deal. Great brands too.

All this was accomplished in about an hour! I did stop and look at birds, bunnies, and a few other assorted animals. I should take photos, but it never occurs to me til I get back home. I promise I'll do it soon - well, when I get back here in June.

I sure was happy I wasn't buying anything for COLD weather - like coats and mittens and hats. All of which I left in Colorado!

WHAT a relief!

Yesterday I bounced out of bed and headed for the gym arriving at 8AM - locked doors. I sat in the car searching my brain trying to imagine what holiday, saint's day or whatever would keep it from being open (there are a lot of those). So, I got out, walked up to the door and discovered the gym doesn't open til 9 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. Can you imagine that? Back in the old days I used to be at the gym in Houston at 5:30AM (that's when I was working). So I harummped myself back into the car and drove home by going through town - which I usually avoid.

As I passed the jardin I did a double take. It was fenced and had a gate with an electronic monitor. I almost ran up onto the curb. Luckily at 8AM I was the only car on Calle Sollano.
Good grief I couldn't believe my eyes. And then I remembered Morelia last September and thought it was for Holy Week. I was so dismayed thinking that would be there to see for a week.

So, I reluctantly walked down the hill with my digital camera today to go to a friend's house to watch the Palm Sunday parade. I have never gotten up and seen that parade in all the years I've been here. Well, lo and behold - no fence, no eletronic gate, nada. What a relief.

Here's the real story. The President flew in for the dedication of the restoration of Allende's home into a museum and therefore the tightened security. It appears from grousing taxi drivers that they don't want the President, whoever he may be, to come here if "that kind" of security is used in San Miguel - their words, not mine. Interesting.

So, it was all light and airy today - no signs of anything amiss and San Miguel was back to its open and charming self.

What a relief!

Lunch in the Country

Last week eight of us met at La Terraza out in the country - about a 30 minute drive from San Miguel. The journey to get there is around potholes and over dusty roads into the middle of nowhere. I mean there is nothing around this place and as you turn in it is as though you have arrived at an oasis. Lunch is served around a man made pond which is inhabited by ducks, geese and whatever else shows up of the flying variety.

A family from Mexico City built Casa Aves, an environmentally sensitive boutique resort along with the restaurant. They always greet us as though we are long lost relatives. The clientele is 50-50 - Mexicans and expats. I love to go there because it is a "place in time" where you don't care that you sit around, eat and talk for about 3 hours. Lovely. Time is irrelevant, as it should be.

The chef has been at many great resorts and hotels in Mexico and we know some of the same people. He is very talented. It's always a delight when he comes to the table to make suggestions. This time it was a special trout dish - yum........and his arrachera is the best on earth, I promise. Oh and before you think this is a "hoity-toity" high price place, my entire meal was about $14 US. Go figure.

As the group strolled back to where our cars were parked, we noticed the first greening of the trees and all said, "Aah, spring is coming". Life is good.

Josefina and Javier

They come three times a week. Always smiling, always kind and happy to see me. I too, am always happy to see them. They make my life so easy - no cleaning, no ironing, no sweeping, no watering. Good grief who ever imagined such a life? I get to do only those things I want to do after many, many years of doing all those things I didn't want to do but had to do.

I love them. I revel in the growth of their children. I enjoy the fact that the littlest child of Josefina's, Cesar, is now almost three. And that the TV I gave to Javier's son, Rafael, is thrilling him so much. I know Josefina's whole family. I see them on the street from time to time and all always, no matter what, stop to talk to me. Josefina remarried in November and much to my dismay, I wasn't here for the big wedding. But, I certainly received a beautiful invitation!

Josefina in her kind, gentle way brings me a gift each Mother's Day! And asks about Matilda and if she is walking yet and always ends each comment with "Muy precioso" referring to the new baby in Colorado.

I can't imagine my life without them. Not because they do the work, but because they enrich my life.

Snippets from the Day

The Doc decided that I needed a stress test so I headed off to do that yesterday - convinced of course, since I'm a Drama Queen, (sometimes), that I would die on the machine or end up having a quadruple bypass as others have had happen. Well, it was a zip - and he told me I have the stamina and heart of a 40 year old! I, of course, begged to differ with him. I also told him I had lived in a perpetual "stress test" for the last ten years so that was why I passed with flying colors. A little inside joke.

But the cool thing that happened was when I went downstairs at the clinic to pay. I assumed that I could pay with a credit card or American check - no, not possible. So the receptionist called the Dr. upstairs and this is what he said "Oh just bring the money buy when it is convenient for you". Would or could that happen in the USA? I don't think so. Don't you just love it?

Then I went to my favorite little funky place to eat a Texas brisket sandwich and coleslaw. YUM. When I came out, my car was blocked by a BIG truck unloading at the OXXO store. I couldn't even begin to imagine that I could get out without the big truck being moved. The truck driver came over and offered to move my car for me! He did! He was so good at maneuvering my car out of that tiny little spot - all with a sunny smile. Would that happen in the USA? I don't think so. Don't you just love it?

Oh, and then this morning on the way to the gym I sideswiped a parked panel truck - no one got excited, not even me and I just went on cause I didn't hurt the truck - just a little scratch on my Pathfinder. Well, I'm not going to say...........Don't you just love it.......but I did realize that I could care less about those little scratches. A BIG step for me.

An "unplanned" Adventure

I was minding my own business at the gym the other day and THEN my friend Deb said "Let's go out to the ranch so you can see where I live." Ok, that sounded great - I did remember that I had a committment to be at a friend's house at 4Pm but heck it was 11AM - no problema. I wanted to take my car but she said "No ride with me". She did NOT say, "Ride with me and four dogs who have shed 392 pounds of dog hair all over my car"! But, being the adventurer that I am, I swallowed my fastidious nature and jumped in. It also turned out that it wasn't a direct shot to the ranch because multiple stops had to be made before we got there...........I am surreptiously watching my watch.............and the dogs. It seemed to me that I MUST be in all of their favorite place to sit because they were surrounding me.

Note the edge of me in the photo below trying to give them their space. YUK. Deb is trying to hold them back while she talks on her cell phone, counts out money to pay the guy who is putting horseshoes on the horses at the ranch, and probably three or four other things. All of this while we are careening around the libramento at breakneck speed.

Well we got there - alive - after fording a creek (which I've done before many times). As we arrived the horses, multiple ones, and the burros and the dogs all started letting us know that they knew that we were there. Good grief it was really a symphony of sounds. (I'm being polite). Just so I could get a closer glimpse, I presume, Deb let the burros out. How cute............

The black one delighted in coming up behind me when I didn't expect it and butting me from behind. Deb thought it was hysterical - I, not so much. I realized in a few short minutes that I am NOT a cowgirl, a horsewoman or even a country girl. Lordy, you learn something new every day, don't you?

It was fun to go to the country but it was a long, long trip back............... Needless to say, I did NOT get to my 4 PM appointment.

Dancing in Her Shadows

I desperately try on Fridays to sit in the jardin for an hour or so just to watch "the world" in all its glory pass by or to see the innocent happenings of the children. I was not disappointed today.

My friend Angie and I were sitting and oooohing and aaaahing over a catalog of women's sexy clothes and contemplating what we would like to buy when a young man sat down on the wall and began to play his accordion - although I don't think that small instrument is an accordion - someone out there who is musically inclined correct me, por favor.

It is unusual for someone to sit down and just begin to play here. So that was a delight, and even more delightful was that his lilting voice was singing in French. Aaah, a language that is so seductive to my ear. He sang softly, but not too, and not many people paid any attention to him.

Then, this little girl appeared and started dancing spointaneously with her arms oustretched and it so touched my heart. That children are so uninhibited and so aware of their surroundings - while adults just kept on going spoke volumes to me. I sat captivated. Then finally I snapped to and got out the camera and caught her dancing not only to the music, but her shadows that she was watching carefully.

The highlight of my day, and it didn't cost a dime. Life is good.

Fernando Montes de Oca Escuela

Across the dirt road from my house is the escuela primeria (primary school). It is a large, but nondescript school. However it is a GREAT landmark to give to a taxi driver to get to my house - they allllll know where it is. I love the sound of the handheld bell that rings to start and end school. And add to that the laughter and happy sounds of the kids and the whole place gets an A+ from me for a good neighbor award.

A month or so ago this new "architectural element" was added atop the entrance gate. It sure looked strange until this past week when a painter appeared, climbed up onto a ladder and gave the new element a purpose.

No pattern or line drawing was used, but this young man just stood on the ladder and free handed the illustration of Sr. Montes de Oca.
When I asked if I could take the photos, he answered me in English with "Sure". Don't you just love it?

Backing Up!

Wow, when I moved to Mexico, I could not back a car down a street. I could back up a little to parallel park, but not down a whole street. Now I can.

The first time it happened that I HAD to, I had turned on a dirt road to go to a friend's house - about eight years ago, and on the other side of the rise the road ended and it went straight down into a ravine. This was within the city limits of San Miguel! OMG, I freaked. I started backing up at about 1 MPH. There were deep ditches on both sides and a little tiny bridge just to add to the fun of it all.

I was a wreck when I pulled back onto the highway and went another way. I needed a drink when I got to my friend's house a longer way. But heck, now I can back up just like the taxicab drivers who take GREAT pleasure in backing up a block or two, at 20 mph.

I was reminded of this story this morning when I saw a van with Washington State plates on it going down Cuesta de San Jose where it had become one way and they were going the wrong way. There was a giant Coca-Cola truck and other trucks coming up the hill. I walked up to the driver and passenger, which were young gringoes and said "You'll have to back up the hill". The look of panic on both their faces reminded me of what I must have looked like lo those many back-ups ago.

"Dish"ing for Music

Well, without the cd's that I lost - which I also played on my cd player, I've turned to Dish Network. Don't get me wrong - I DO have other CD's - Cleo Laine, Earl Klugh, Ottmar Leibert and bunches of others BUT, anyway, I decided to see what is on Dish.

There is, in my opinion, a good blues station and a good one for classical music. Imagine my surprise when I found something new - well new to me. Texas Honky Tonk Music @ Willie's Place. Guess you can take the girl out of Texas but not the Texas honky tonk out of the girl.....as "they" say.

So, for the last couple of days I've been sunbathing, reading and listening to Texas Honky Tonk. Hey, this is my way of attempting to rest and get well, ,plus work on that tan I didn't get at the beach. I have to tell you what finally got to me, besides the good ole music, was the titles of so many of these songs.

How about "Here I am in Dallas.........Where the Hell are You?" or "Sliding Off Silk Sheets" by Johnny Paycheck, just to name a couple. I mean I could go on and on. What I love about these songs is the lack of pretention and the humor or pathos whatever is called for. These kinds of things make me miss Texas - the simplicity of the Texas Hill Country where the best honky tonks are located.

So, don't be upset for me and the loss of my favorite cd's - I've moved on to other things.......Life is a new adventure EVERY day.

First Theft in Thirty Five Years

I've been living or doing business in Mexico for thirty-five years and I had my first theft in the last couple of weeks. Much to my sadness and dismay. I evidently failed to lock the car one day or night, and lo and behold, while driving to the beach, I discovered that the book of CD's (my favorites) was gone. Upon checking other things, I found that the cell phone charger for the car was gone and some new brake pads that I had just brought back from the states for the car mechanic to install. Darn.

More then anything though, I was grateful that they had not damaged the interior of the car or taken the paperwork that was in the glove compartment.

I am sad that cd's that can't be replaced are gone. As I began, in my cleaning frenzy this week, to throw away the empty plastic cases I realized that the commerative cd from my class reunion in 2000 of those rock and roll songs we used to dance to was gone. Also an old Tish Hinojosa cd, Eva Cassidy who is deceased , an old, old Merle Haggard cd and my entire four cd series of Doo Wop Music. Yes, I do have an eclectic taste in music. I know I can track down these cds and replace them, but geez, how much trouble is that? I will really, really miss the Eva Cassidy cds. In my humble opinion she had the purest voice I've ever heard.

Oh well, just another lesson in the fact that possessions are temporary often in life.

Spring Cleaning...........in February

I'm sorta confined to the house trying to get well and so little projects have been popping up for me to do. I decided to clean the bookshelves in my bedroom and get rid of books I've read, have no intention of reading or that are hopelessly out of date. Like the 1990 B & B Guide for the USA. I have cleaned all the drawers in the bathroom, kitchen and in the sideboard in the dining room. I've gone through old magazines and old recipes that I'll never cook. It's all going!

There is a second impetus for this cleaning frenzy. I've got company coming in March. A "Man".
Yes, my internet dating possibly has come to fruition. We'll see. I'm all atwitter. I even considered painting the bathroom and then stopped myself dead in my tracks when I remembered the story of the Senora who painted her whole apartment when a new beau was coming to visit..............It worked - they are happily married.

I'm not going into any details about "the man" - don't want to jinx it BUT, if all works out, I'll be shouting it from the rooftops. So, keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer, make an offering to the gods - I probably need all the help I can get!

HOPE springs eternal.

2009 San Miguel Calendar

Even before I moved to San Miguel, I always bought the San Miguel Garden Club calendar. The photos of street scenes and fiestas, not to mention unique photos, always were excellent. A committe reviewed those submitted and selected the best of the best. They sold well. For some unknown reason, the ladies of the garden club decided for 2009 that they would do postcards instead.

Enter the female business owners of San Miguel who decided to have their own calendar in a "cheesecake" fashion. Gutsy move, in my opinion. Many are friends. They are all hard working women. Tastefully done, tongue in cheek, some of the proceeds go to "organizations that work with the blind and vision impaired". For more information you can go to sightforsoreeyes@gmail.com if you wish to purchase a calendar. I, of course, bought one in support of the women.

Then, enter the outraged citizens, whoever they many be, who deluged the local newspaper saying it is pornography and presents a terrible image of San Miguel. Honestly people - get a life. It reminds me of the people who complained when the City of Houston used cowboys in their tourism literature, saying that it didn't give a "sophisticated" image of Houston. HA.

We'll see if the Garden Club returns next year with their scenes of San Miguel - albeit not quite as fleshy, oops flashy. AND how many women line up to be in the next "ladies" calendar.

Noise in the 'Hood

With apologies to Calypso, where today on his blog I commented that I don't have noise in my hood. I must confess TODAY I do............and I have had a bit off and on for a couple of weeks. I had forgotten. For you see, when the primary school lets out every day, there are a few dedicated new bugle players and one drummer trying desperately to be instrument players - not musicians.

There must be three or four bugle players. Very funny. They remind me of the kid in my son's Boy Scout troop who was the designated bugle player and was so shy that he played taps and every other bit of musicthing from behind the bathroom door of their boy scout hut. THAT's what this group sounds like - shy, scared to death kids, but DETERMINED.

The noise certainly doesn't bother me because they only practice for about 45 minutes. Every now and then the drummer chimes in but never does it sound like he was supposed to do so.

Hopefully whatever they are practicing for isn't going to happen for a very long time!

Chili Cookoff 2009

My first outing of 2009 turned out to be the Chili Cookoff

which benefits a local charity.

This is the third year of this event. The first year was held in a teeny, tiny dirt parking lot. This year there were 55 cookoff booths!
And, judging by the charros there and the amount of people sampling chili at each booth this was a huge success. It was the perfect
place for me to go today to let everyone know, all at once, that I'm home and alive. Above is my friend Deborah who is a beautiful
horse woman and delightful friend. And the photo below is me with one of the few Americans who is allowed to be a charro. It is a very exclusive thing to be a charro in Mexico..

Also, along with about 500 other people, were the "other" grandparents of Matilda. Lisa's parents. So, of course, I thought lets get a photo together.....why not? Lisa's mother rides almost daily.

And, one more fun photo of me with two charros. Glad I got out and saw everyone! It was a beautiful day - in the mid 70's.

Slow travel in San Miguel

These wonderful "beasts of burden" are seen on the streets of San Miguel year-round carrying either tierra (dirt) in the spring and summer or firewood in the winter. I hope we never stop seeing these creatures! One of the joys of living in Mexico!