Siege of Scorpions

As I was getting ready to leave San Miguel de Allende in the dusty, hot weather, I KNEW to be watching for scorpions, squirrels and other assorted creatures - none bother me though like SCORPIONS!

I wrote previously in a blog called "Animal House" about a wily scorpion.  I can call him wily now.  At the time I thought he was just sinister.

So, I've been watching.  Especially at night when you flip on the light.  My eyes scour the ceiling and walls.
If I see one my heart races and I grab something and smash it to bits.  Or use spray starch to freeze it in place while I find something to kill it, for sure.

One appeared a couple of weeks ago.  He's gone to where dead scorpions go.  THEN the day before I left I noticed a shadow in the drapes in the bedroom.  What the heck?  It didn't move so I figured it was dead....
NOT!  I grabbed something and squished it between the drapery lining and the drapes.  Heck, this is NOT rocket science.

I left a post-in-note on the drapes that morning as I left for the airport,   saying "Muertos"...........hopefully Josefina, the maid or my son John will get rid of it.........or if not, I'll be faced with a dried, dead scorpion.

I'll face that when I have to..........hopefully the rains will have come and the scorpions will stop looking for a cool place to go (inside my house).  I have no idea where they go or stay when the rains come.  Hopefully far, far away.

Hanging in Houston

Hanging in Houston is a fun time! 

I arrived last Thursday afternoon by air, an unusual thing for me.  Usually I make the trek by car.  This time however, I decided to use some of those miles I have saved.  I must admit, a two hour flight, was delightful versus a fourteen hour drive.  Of course, the time from when I left the house until I arrived at my friend's house was 7 hours...........but, since I wasn't driving, it was a delight.

I might even decide to do this kind of travel again sometime.  I've been saving those miles forever for a BIG trip, but, this has opened my eyes to an EASY trip.  Nope, I didn't have to take my shoes off and nope I didn't have to pay for my checked bag.  Smooth sailing.

I no sooner arrived here then I swiftly changed clothes, freshened up and was out the door to hear music and prose from Ramblin' Jack, a cowboy blues singer.  He is a contemporary of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and a few others he has entertained with.  He, and his sidekick, John Bonet, a  Cowboy poet, were driving cross country for gigs.  Next stop was Baton Rouge.  I just shook my head that two 80 something year old guys had that much energy and were having that much fun!  A delightful evening.

It's been a series of lunches and dinners with friends, including one early morning (8:30AM!) meeting with another..........It warms my heart that I still have so many friends here even though I've been gone for 12 years.

The piece de resistance was Sunday for Mother's Day.  I spent it at my daughter and son-in-law's house with four of the seven grandchildren.  They didn't let me do a thing and had roses for me.  This getting older stuff works out pretty good sometimes.  Sure seems strange to just sit back and have someone do things for me!

I'm heading off to Galveston tomorrow to spend a little time enjoying friends, staring at the Gulf and eating seafood.  Gotta have my Galveston fix!

Since I flew up, my dear friends Sue and Vandy lent me Sue's Cadillac to drive.  It's big and long.  I feel more like a ship's pilot then a driver.  Sure rides smooth after an SUV.  I'm looking both ways multiple times before pulling out anywhere as I'm paranoid driving someone elses car..........They drive FAST in this town.
Everyone everywhere is in a hurry!  Not me.

Looking forward to the slower pace in Galveston for a while - kinda like San Miguel.

See you on down the road with more adventures...........

Outtahere for a While!

I'm heading NOB to see family and friends.  It's THAT time of the year when its dusty and hot!
Kinda like living in a semi-arid place, which I do.  At least til mid-June.

I'll keep you informed of shenanigans as they occur and evolve.  The next five days will be chock-a-block full of all kinds of unique and different fun.

Tonight, the Mucky Duck for live music.  Tomorrow to Galveston for the day. Saturday is the Art Car Parade.  Sunday is Mother's Day and.....ta ta, Monday is Martha's "mumblesomething" birthday and a Greek outdoor party that night!

Whew.

I'm outtahere - more from the other side.

#1100 and counting!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is my  1100th post!

To me, that is a milestone.

In my wildest dreams when I tentatively started to write six years ago, I couldn't possibly have envisioned that I would still be writing.  I certainly couldn't have envisioned how much
this would have enriched my life.

The readers I've met from all over the world!

The readers who  have become my friends!

It has been one of the biggest and most delicious surprises of my life.

At present there are almost 10,000 readers a month.  I so wonder who you are?  Where you are?  Why you read the blog?  What is it I say that touches you?  It's a real mystery.

Now that I'm at the 10,000 mark, I'm considering adding some discreet ads of local businesses here in San Miguel.  I certainly would like your opinion on this before I do that.  Let me know.  I'm hesitant, but living on Social Security is not that easy and a few pesos would help.  I truly care what you think.

It's been a fun ride.  I intend to keep on rollin' as long as you're there reading..........and I still have something to say!  Okay, old friends, I saw those eyes rolling back in heads, ha.

Thanks for the memories, my friends.

Dining in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

I couldn't decide whether to tempt you with the photos of the Chocolate Truffle Cake or Creme Brulee at Hansen's.  Or the Roast Beef sandwich with all its garnishes.  Or...........well  you get the idea! So, I've provided a humble plate of guacamole with freshly made chips.

We have a plethora of restaurants in this town that leave little to be desired.  Since we have 90 nationalities living here, there is something for everyone!  We are a true international village
with whatever your heart desires. 

Here are some of the food categories.  Japanese, Lebanese, Intercontinental, Thai, Chinese, American BBQ, German, Italian, Indian, Mediterranean, Argentinean, Spanish, Cajun, Noodle shops, and of course Mexican - not Tex-Mex.

We have chefs who have come from the finest dining restaurants throughout the world.  They came looking for a more casual lifestyle, found it and stayed. We have graduates of Restaurant Management programs in the USA that operate well run and delicious restaurants here.

When I came twelve years ago it was common to see men in blazers and ties at dinner in the evenings. Some women in long dresses.   Seldom is that seen today.  Luckily life has become more casual.

You noticed in that list there is not USA cuisine in any restaurant, although many do have on their menus things that are enjoyed in the USA such as club sandwich, ribs,  hamburgers, salads of every kind and description, Prime Rib, Osso Bucco.  You name it, it is probably here somewhere. 

No we don't have chains or fast food.  Well, I take that back.  We have a Domino's that delivers on a motorbike.  We have a  McDonald's on the outskirts of town.  That's about it, that I can think of.
We had a Subway but it didn't last long.  Maybe a year or so........

Add to the restaurants all the moving taco stands, breakfast stands and other stands and you've got a wonderland of food choices.

When people complain to me about the restaurants in San Miguel not having good cuisine, I look at them like they are crazy.  I challenge them to go stay in any other city in Mexico, other then Mexico City, and see if they can find this diversity of cuisine.

Add to that that many of the restaurants adapt their menus to the international taste buds.  That too is unique.

Therefore, the 234 restaurants in San Miguel give you another reason to come visit.  You can schedule it for the Paella Fest, the Wine and Cheese Festival, the Beer Festival or none of the above.

Just come.  You'll be glad you did!

The WEIRDEST Sale Ever!

We were ready!  EVERYTHING  was priced!  Coffee and pastries ready.
Six people ready to handle the crowds............

Can you believe anyone could have THIS much stuff to sell.  Well, there
were three of us selling "treasures"!

In the past, when the gate has been opened, people streamed in.
At 10AM we opened the gate and one woman came in.
WHAT?

All this stuff.............all this work........  What the heck?

I had sent emails to about 150 people.  Had posted it on the San Miguel forum called the Civil List, twice.  Had a friend send an email to her customers.  Made a sign for at the end of the street.
Posted it on the blog

Four people came for security, assistance and to collect money.

No more then twenty (20) people showed up.  Hardly anything sold.

We all scratched our heads.  Asked each other many times, "What else is going on in town today?"
We never came up with any answers.

Last sale, last year, at least 300 people were here.  I've had many, many sales over my lifetime but never anything as WEIRD as this!

REALLY.

BANNED for a while!

I've noticed in the last few months that I don't like what I see in the 5x magnifying mirror in the mornings.  It is disconcerting, to put it mildly.

WHO is that person?

Well, now, with a band aid strapped on my face between my nose and lips - kinda a band aid mustache, I'm avoiding this thing until this latest episode is over.

The dermatologist told me it would fade eventually.  Really?  Let's hope.

There are five stitches.  I probably will be heading to Houston looking like the "Band aid Bandito".

I'm trying diligently to find the humor in this latest saga.

Today while having the sale of stuff, I acted like there was nothing wrong as people did a double take as they came in the garden.

A thing of beauty?  Not.

I tried a Sponge Bob Square Pants band aid but THAT was not even funny.

The magnifying mirror has been banished until the purple, yellow, stitched space has faded.  At least somewhat.

No photos were made for this post of me.  Did you notice?