Thursday, March 31, 2011

Aries - A Force to be Reckoned With

I'm an Aries, through and through. No denying it. Direct, but not rude. Love challenges. Open to life. Always worked in male dominated industries - defense contracting, aviation, design and construction. Generous to a fault. Quick to decisions, too quick sometimes. Also loyal to a fault.

Interestingly, on my calendar starting mid-March til mid-April, there is someone's birthday posted each day to remember to send them a birthday message. It didn't occur to me til yesterday that that is unusual. The rest of the year isn't that way. It seems that many of my friends are Aries also. Very interesting.

In looking at the names of all of them, they are all very individualistic people. Upbeat and fun to be with. Usually have a quirky sense of humor.

So, as much as my personality used to embarrass me, I guess I'll just accept who I am and hope that I'm not too much of a force to be reckoned with.........

Happy Birthday Sue, Heidi, Gayle, Debbie, Jean, Dennis, Kay, Gisele, Ryan and on and on! Oh, and Happy Birthday to myself on April 7th........

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Waking Up Early!

No matter how hard I try, I cannot sleep late. I have tried. I even got the room darkening drapes made in hopes that darkness would prevent me from waking somewhere in the 6AM range. It is aggravating.

I usually don't get out of bed until around 7AM because, what the heck are you going to do that early in the morning, especially when you're alone?

I've even tried staying up til midnight, but, alas, to no avail. You would think by this time in my life, at my age, that I would be worn out. Not have so much energy.

Well, I guess I shouldn't complain. At least I AM waking up!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Photos of Lunch at Le Crepe and Sunset





I was determined somehow to be able to publish these two photos that should have been posted with the post this morning. This is a test - we'll see if they post!

How to enjoy Sunday

 

 



A great way to enjoy Sunday is to gather people that you care about, who are great conversationalists and dine. That's exactly what happened yesterday. La Crepe was selected. The patio is exquisitely beautiful. Jacaranda blossoms float through the air. The food is divine. Crepe La Mar for me and a tiny salad.

The piece de resistance however, is the friends and conversation. Three of the people in the photo are my traveling buddies. We've been to Cuernavaca, Taxco, Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla and Oaxaca just to name a few. The other lady in the photo is the new resident of the guest house until June 1st.

The conversations at lunch were enlightening and fun. One of the gentlemen had just returned from Cuba. It was discovered that three of the five of us had been to Cuba. The other gentleman had just returned from his three or four months in Zihuatenejo.

I especially wanted to include the new resident of the guest house as she is a Brit as is one of the men. It was fun to hear the two of them discuss where they came from and the fact that they both left Britain in the mid 60's.

After lunch we went to the home of one of the men for dessert. A lovely affair. As we sat around eating raspberry tart, I mentioned that my friend had left Britain to go to Hong Kong. And, the resident of the guest house said that her former husband had lived in Hong Kong at about the same time.

Now, what are the odds of this? My friend and the husband of the resident of the guest house KNEW each other. Good grief. This six degrees of separation thing goes on and on here in San Miguel. But it never ceases to amaze me every time it happens.

The day was capped off by the photo of the sunset through the bourganvilla tree which is now about two stories high.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Saturday Morning........and the living is easy!

 


Saturday mornings in San Miguel are oh so tranquil. Even though I can hear bugles down in the jardin, there is no noise up here on the hill. Of course the church bells ring every fifteen minutes too, but, you get to the point that you hardly notice them. Not a good thing. Not noticing the church bells.

Coffee this morning was up on the roof terrace looking out over the canyon and the road to Delores Hidalgo. In the distance, very few cars on the road. That was at 7:30AM.

For some reason, I'm waking earlier and earlier. Not because I have anything to do or anywhere to be early. It's just happening. The temperature was 62 degrees on the window thermometer. That's nice. Except for the fact that it will be very warm from about 2 - 4PM today. Ahh, but the humidity is around 19% so it doesn't matter. No need for socks in the mornings anymore. Yee ha.

Our summer is here. Even though in other parts of the world it is spring. Our summer ends when the summer rains come and the temps drop about 10 - 15 degrees giving us low 80's and low 60 's at night.

Warmth brings a smile to my face. In fact my whole body is happy when it isn't cold.

Viva Mexico!
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Friday, March 25, 2011

Living in the Desert?

 

 

 

 

 


It sure didn't seem that way when I went to see a new home and its gardens here in San Miguel on Tuesday! My oh my, it was lush and luxurious and GREEN. However, I think San Miguel qualifies as a semi-arid area with rain only from mid-June through September. Then nada

The interesting thing and ecologically sound practice is that the stream is recirculating water. The pool is heated by solar panels located on the roof. Since it gets so cold at night here, heating a pool with electricity is extremely expensive and seldom is done. But now, with the knowledge of solar, that situation is resolved.

Even though these gardens look established, as though they've been here for a long time, in fact they were planted about two months ago. Obviously, the budget was generous allowing for large specimen trees and plants to be used.

It was an "aaaaaaaaaaah" moment to sit under the portico and look out at the waterfall, the stream and the large palm trees.

An interesting aside, the landscape designer is from Texas. Graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a degree in ecological science. I can't wait for him to meet my son, the "Gypsy Kid Dad" who now lives here in San Miguel and graduated from SFA as a wildlife biologist. They'll have a lot to talk about, I think.

Ain't life grand?
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Thursday, March 24, 2011

June, July and December

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above months are the only openings left for the Guest House in 2011.

For those of you who are just now beginning to experience Spring, remember those hot, sweaty days of summer will not be far behind. Our weather in San Miguel is Spring-like with temps in the high 70's and humidity still in the 20 - 30 % tops. A rainshower for about an hour in the late evening cools everything off and we sleep in 60 degree temperatures at night. It is heavenly.

So, jump on the bandwagon and rent the Guest House for one of the above months. The rent is below market. It is inclusive of all utilities, telephone, satellite TV and once a week maid service. It is totally furnished with above average furnishings and accessories. Even the bookshelves are full! All you need are your clothes and a smile. It rents for $800US for the month. Weekly rates are different.

Contact me at babsofsanmiguel@yahoo.com, if you're interested in renting this little bit of tranquility.
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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Feast of St. Joseph

 

 

 

 

 


Typically in the past, the Feast of St. Joseph has been a celebration in our colonia because the name of the main road up the hill is "Cuesta de San Jose". A statue of Joseph comes up the hill on a bier with about six or eight men carrying him. He is carried to the tiny church that clings to the side of the hill. It is a simple ceremony but has grown in recent years to include fireworks (of course) and now drummers and dancers during the night.

However yesterday I went to another Feast of St Joseph. What a festival! It was prepared and provided by Americans of Sicilian descent. Some from New Orleans and Louisiana previously. Most people don't know that Louisiana has LOTS of Italians.

It was obvious that they had worked long and hard to prepare delicious food. Lasagna, pasta, breads, cookies. My goodness what a lovely feast for about eighty people. I was thrilled to be included. The altar with all of its symbolic items reminded me very much of the Day of the Dead altars and their symbolism. The altar was blessed by the pastor of the Episcopal church here in San Miguel with incense and holy water.

In addition the group had prepared fliers explaining the history of the Saint Joseph Altar, and of the Festival. It was very meaningful. The bag of cookies included a fava bean. It seems that when the droughts occured in Italy, the only thing they had to eat was the fava bean. Now it is said that it is a lucky bean. Some believe that if you keep fava beans in your pantry that it will never be bare.

St. Joseph has always been important in my life. My dad's name was Joseph and even as a little girl I remember the Polish celebrations at our Catholic church among others. That was in Chicago. I don't remember any celebrations after we moved to Lousiana. We lived in the northern part of the state at first where most people were Baptists - hence not many festivities.

Imagine my surprise when moving to Mexico to see the festivities in honor of Joseph - the patron of those in need. It seems appropriate.

I raise my hands in applause to those who keep these traditions alive for all of us to learn from and experience.
Thanks to my friends - Darlene and Tony, Bruce and Mary for including me in yesterday's celebration.

Viva Mexico! Viva Italia!
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Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spring in San Miguel

 

 

 

 

 



We ALWAYS know when spring has arrived in San Miguel - it's the PRIMAVERA PARADE. Kindergarteners dressed as bumble bees, frogs, butterflies, bunny rabbits. You name it, they dress for it. Precious doesn't even begin to describe it.

They walk for about a mile and a half in this parade. These wee little ones. Very few quit. They're getting their first taste of all the desfiles that they will march in in their lifetime. Parades are almost a monthly event in San Miguel.

This parade is a "not to miss" event as was evidenced yesterday by the amount of people lining the parade route to stand and smile and photograph these adorable children.

I'm always amazed, every year, at the creativity of the parents and teachers. One whole class was dressed like Woody from A Toy Story - not quite spring, but cute anyway.

Ahh, youth and innocence.
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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Herb and Dorothy

I read about them about ten or fifteen years ago. This odd couple who was donating their 4000 piece collection of contemporary art to the National Gallery.

I was enthralled with their story. He was a postal worker for thirty years. She was a librarian. They lived in a rent controlled one bedroom apartment in Manhattan. They also lived on only one of their salaries. With the other they bought art.

It was their passion. They enjoyed immensely "discovering" new artists and buying works from them. Always, at first, something they could carry home in a taxi as they had no car. Still don't.

They started collecting in the mid 60's just when minimalist was under appreciated and under priced. Often it would take them many months to pay off a piece of art.

Some of the artists they met during that time will be names you recognize now - Donald Judd, Richard Tuttle, Sol Le Witt, Christo of the draped fabric in the canyons of the West and Manhattan among a few.

They are two tiny people. Very unassuming and focused. They became part of the art scene in Manhattan within ten years of the start of their collecting.

There is a DVD that documents their life, their collection, their friendships with the artists and even shows their jam packed apartment before the collection was given to the National Gallery. At the time they gave the collection it was valued in the millions. They did not want a penny but rather wanted the people of the world to be able to enjoy it.

The National Gallery however, knowing they were getting up in age felt they should have some kind of a monthly annuity and sent a check every month to them. What did they do with it? They started another collection!

The purity of the couple, their devotion to collecting and their knowledge of art is inspiring and refreshing. To see people who aren't in something to make a fortune, but, for the pure enlightenment and enjoyment of it is uplifting.

If you can rent or buy this DVD, do so. It will uplift your spirit.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Entering My 70th Year........SOON

 


I'm approaching my 69th birthday soon, which means I'm entering my 70th year! Holy moly. It's a daunting task.........

I've frolicked through my sixties enjoying the freedom of retirement.

Living in Mexico has added significantly to the enjoyment. The solitude has been deliciou. Retirement has been waaaaay better then I could ever have imagined.

The freedom to do whatever you want, when you want, wherever you want. How delicioius.

But now, reality is settling in and as I approach my seventies, I wonder how will things change.

My curiosity relentlessly wonders, will I ask the same question in ten years as I enter my eighties? OR do I only have this decade to complete my life? If so, what will my end be? Oh my, it's too scary to think about.

So, I'll be like Scarlette and say, "I'll think about that tomorrow"....or maybe not at all!
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Sunday, March 13, 2011

From Ancient Times to Today

 

 

I love tianguis - the traveling markets of Mexico. Not necessarily to go to buy anything, just the ritual. Of course, I DID buy a few things.

Imagine my delight while at the beach to look out the bungalow window to see the tarps being set up, the metal frames of the booths being put together and all the goods being laid out for sale. From mango bread to used clothing. New clothing also. It was all there. About six blocks of it!

The first week, I bought a round blue plastic bowl which was used as a mixing bowl since nothing like that existed in the kitchen at the bungalow - 5 pesos.

Next week it was a loaf of mango bread and a loaf of delicious banana bread. Oh and a silver ankle bracelet.

But the next week was the best - fuscia pink irridescent Princess shoes for Matilda for her birthday and navy Crocs for Sebastian that are made to look like little cars. Total for the two pair, 200 pesos, around $16US The most costly purchase I made.

It is strolling shopping - you stop and talk to the vendors - you don't feel obligated to buy anything and deep in your soul you know that this tradition has been going on for as long as Mexico has existed.

I read that malls in many places in the USA have declining sales, not as many customers. It seems people like places where they can walk up or drive up and go into that store. Maybe if they set up tables in the parking lots of these malls, their sales might increase. You know, get back to the people.

Of course, it IS a lot of work. The tianguis start setting up at 7:30AM, having driven heaven only knows how far. Then they sell all day and at about 8PM they tear it all down, load it all up and get ready to do the same thing the next day - in the next town.

What a tradition!
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Thursday, March 10, 2011

It Started with a Lampshade!

 

 

 

 



I will be starting my tenth year in Mexico and in this house next week. I had lived with my lime green walls and pastel bedding and chair all of that time. I was ready for a change.
However, I didn't expect this BIG of a change.

It started with the fact that I needed another lamp in the bedroom.......and a new down filled comforter, which of course, would need a new duvet cover. Lordy, it just rolled on.

I found the lamp first. You can see it next to the newly upholstered chair in the photo. I loved the shade. But, it was not in any colors that I had ever used in my home before - ever. "Oh well", I thought, "I'll use white accessories and maybe it will blend". I was kidding myself. So I pulled in the background color of the lamp, the blue-gray color in a throw at the foot of the bed. Then decided to use that color for the walls.

Even I, the colorist, was astonished at the difference it made in the room. Calm, serene, tranquil was what happened, instantly. It is true that paint is the least expensive decorative element to gain the most impact. I lectured on that many times to groups when I was in the business of design.

The bookshelves had previously been stained wood which I had always disliked. They were a focal point, the wood, not the books, and they made the room seem smaller then it is. So, now everything is painted the same color. The room has expanded visually.

I also decided to redo the drapes. The previous ones were white and it was bright at sunup every morning. So, I bought a linen like drop cloth at Home Depot (the ones that painters use) for $32US and used the old drapes as lining. Labor to sew the two together and the drop cloth purchase - $92! Least expensive way to get the most fabric, other then bed sheets.

I had only intended to paint the bedroom. But looking out to the sink area and the bathroom with its yellow and blue walls was yucky.........so, the rest of it has been painted.
I'm thrilled with it. It's like I'm in a new house.

Total cost for the transformation - less then $500 - which included paint, labor, upholstery of chair and stool with suede fabric, drapes, lamp (the least expensive thing at $32!)and bedding.

Life is good - my spring cleaning is done.

It was fun to do - I haven't done any redesigning for myself or others in a long time.
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Monday, March 07, 2011

San Miguel Street Scene

 


Walking down Cuesta de San Jose early Saturday morning, this scene made me laugh. I kind of did a double take. The other burro, was tied to a telephone pole, but this guy was sticking his head in the tienda.

The herder came out of the tienda and took some food to the burro that was tied up, but this other guy steadily stared into the store. Strapped on his back is the load for the day. Tierra. Dirt to sell to homeowners to use in their gardens.

The dirt sellers come out of the mountains surrounding San Miguel. They walk for hours and can't go home til they've sold all that they have brought. I'm told that is because they live so high up. I don't know if that is a fact.

In the cold months they come down with loads of firewood. It is piled high on their backs. And again, they don't go home til it is all gone.

I do usually see them heading home late in the afternoon. It is a long day.

So, maybe this burro was looking for a snack - to help him carry his load for the day.
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Friday, March 04, 2011

IF you have nothing to say - DON'T

 



I guess you've noticed I've been pretty quiet lately. Unusual for me. Well, I just haven't had anything to say!

That reminds me of 1985 when my son had just returned from Europe for the first time. He had backpacked all over.
He Ended up in Greece where he worked as a disc jockey to get enough money to get back to London to fly home. I wanted to know his impressions - the one that came to his mind first.

I thought it would be some grand cathedral or city or.........girl he met. But no, he said, "You know Mom, the people I met and observed didn't talk unless they had something to say." Wow, what did he mean? He continued, "You know all those people here, meaning the USA, who talk just to fill the void and to be heard".

I've never ever forgotten those words of wisdom.

So, I'll work back into it, but for the time being, I'll just be quiet a little longer.
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