Procrastination

You might wonder, after the long lapse of ten days, why all of a sudden I'm posting daily again.  It's because I have a little extra time.

You see, I procrastinated about going to the eye doctor and now I sit waiting for the elusive contact lense to arrive.  It's been a week.

I have no one to blame for this delay but myself.  I have NEVER been a procrastinator until the last few years.  In fact, when I had the business I would pre-plan and do things in advance, often having to redo them when a client changed his mind, not realizing that I had already completed the project.

So this trip, I left getting a new car permit until I arrive at the border rather then ordering it when I first arrived.  I certainly hope I don't live to regret it.  And, the contact lens debacle.

Yesterday, just yesterday, I finally finished completing the long "Houston list" by deciding some of it wasn't necessary and just writing it off. 

So, now with a little time on my hands I'm going to the Museum of Fine Arts with a friend to see the Prado Museum exhibit which I wanted to see a week ago but didn't have time.

It's called making the best out of an aggravating situation.  I vow not to procrastinate again.

National Margarita Day in Texas

I purposely put Texas because I don't know if this is a national phenomena or just something thought up by F&B people in Houston (food and beverage). 

At first I thought it was just one Tex-Mex restaurant having this event, but, as last week progressed, I saw more and more ads.  Included in that was a story on this day although nothing about its history or whether it is national or local.

I had been invited to partake in this endeavor and delicately declined by stating that I think I'm allergic to tequila.  My friend was astounded.  Really?  Yes, I replied.  In fact I haven't had tequila in about 35 years.

The reasons are now hilariously funny, although, they were painful 35 years ago.  Painful in a terrible hangover along with interesting tales of my behavior.

After a couple of incidents of this nature, I just decided never to let my lips touch the stuff again.  I haven't.

Even though I designed a gazillion Tex-Mex restaurants in the 80's and 90's, I always carried a glass of water at their grand openings.  Who knew?  No one but I.

So, although I chuckled at the thought of a Margarita Day in Houston last week, I gratefully didn't participate.

One of the articles in the paper was about different tequilas.  Some are $350US a bottle.  Good grief.  That was an education for me.  All in all, I'm glad I'm allergic.  Now..........pina coladas and rum is a different story!

Ten Days and No Post!

IF I tried to tell you all that has gone in the last ten days, you wouldn't believe that that much could happen in the life of one person.  It would seem it should take a year, at least.

Life has interrupted my joy of writing.  Oh, but, I have so much to share with you over the next month when I return home to San Miguel.  Lots of photos too.  Some from January and many from February.

The latest epic weekend was ALL family.  To be more specific, it was the THIRTEENTH birthday of the youngest of four in Kingwood.  It was definitely a chock-a-block weekend.  Whew, when I left there yesterday to return to my aerie on the 19th floor in Houston (Kingwood is a northern suburb of Houston), I had to have a siesta!

I laughed when I commented to my daughter, Julie on the fact that she had no more "wee ones" in her house.  I asked if she was sad.  She looked at me and said, "No, are you kidding?"  I remember the same feeling, vividly, some 33 years ago............

I can't even begin to tell you how many miles I've driven.  Or how many meals I've eaten in various places and delicious cuisines.  However, believe it or not, there are many friends I haven't been able to see or even talk to.  There just isn't enough time. 

It's been a wonderful time to reconnect, reminisce, laugh and since I'm such a softy, tear up at certain memories.

I've seen my grandchildren in different ways.  I acknowledge their growing maturity.  Their kindness, love and thoughtfulness toward me humbles me.   I've gotten enough hugs to store up to last me for a few months and so......

Hopefully I'll be heading home in the next couple of days.  That is if my contact lense arrive manana.  If not, who knows. 

Sometimes, even things in the US can be unpredictable.  It's a good thing Mexico has prepared me in many ways for that eventuality.

See you on down the road.........in Mexico!

It's Always a Delicious Time!

While in Houston, I always enjoy going to some favorite haunts and trying new places!  I'm a small place kinda diner.  That's kinda funny since the restaurants I designed, in many instances, were large and some were for chains.

Last week, the dining experiences ran the gamut.  Monday was a place, which now has three or four locations, called the Tasting Room. The yellow squash soup and salad were delicious, filling and remarkably inexpensive.  I looked at the dinner menu and those prices were more what I expected - more pricey.
That same night it was dinner with friends at Backstreet.  My choice.  Always good - always great service.
The crab cakes served as an appetizer were enough for me. 

I met a friend at a relatively new French restaurant, L'Olivier.  Well designed interior in what once was a retail establishment.  Great waiter.  Very unique and interesting menu.  Pate' was on as an appetizer.  Oh my it had been so long - too long.  I had that and only that as my lunch, along with the creme brulee'.  Perfect.  My friend had foie gras and creme brulee'.  We were both content and happy.  Later that day I met someone else at Los Cuco's just to catch up.  We had a couple of appetizers and drinks.  French and Mexican all in one day!  How fun..........

The journey continued the next day at a place I've passed by so many times and never went in.  What a shame!  Epicurean Bakery has a lovely ambiance, great coffee and good food.  Again, the next day I ate at a restaurant that I had heard about before I ever left Houston but never got to - Charivari on Bagby.  A delightful surprise. 

The chef/owner trained in Europe in the Black Forest area.  An extremely different and extensive menu.
Many dishes were of a German origin and since I'm of German descent, I had the sausage and potatoes.
Delicious.No need for dinner that night.........

I rounded the week out at a couple of funky places.  Tookie's in Seabrook which has handmade hamburgers and the best onion rings in the world!  I know, I know, but I don't eat them but once or twice a year. Add to that with Sonny's in Galveston that night - a really funky place that "locals" go to for great oysters, shrimp and coney dogs.  The owner is always there. It's in a former grocery store with living accomodations upstairs.
No decorator ambiance in this place - just great food and fun people.  Love it.

I realize the week covered many types of cuisine - each and every one was extremely enjoyable.  With 14,000 restaurants in the greater Houston area, one can dine on whatever cuisine strikes your fancy.

And I did!

NO Love Letters Today!

It's been quite a while since I've celebrated Valentine's Day with a lover and partner.  I'm astounded here in Houston, at all the ads and Valentine items for sale.  EVEN the Dollar Store had an advertisement in the paper yesterday.

Last night my grandson Christopher, 14, and I went to Walgreen's to get some chocolate candy that he wanted.  The store was full of men running around with a somewhat harried look. Kinda like that look you see on Christmas Eve when some men do all their Christmas shopping while women have been shopping for months.  It made me chuckle.

So Christopher and I looked at all the Valentine candy.  Then he said, "You know Grammy in two days all this will be half price.  Let's wait!"  I was impressed with his reasoning.  So then he decided he wanted Oreo cookies.  That is until he spied something else on the shelf and made a beeline for the bag. 

What bag?  What was in the bag?  It made my heart flip.  It was frosted animal cookies.  I used to buy those for the grandchildren, at least 11 years ago.  BUT he remembered and said, "Remember Grammy when you used to have these for all of us?"  Indeed, I do.  I was so surprised that he remembered.  It reminded me that you never know what thing you say or do that is going to leave a memory for a child.

That comment and gesture was better then any Valentine's Day gift I've ever gotten!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.

Hannah and I!

When I'm in Texas I try to spend a day with each grandchild.  Yesterday was my day with Hannah.  It's up to the teenager to determine where we go and what we do.........for Hannah it was shopping.  She had a gift card from Christmas that she wanted to spend.  Off we went with an itinerary of stores and then, lunch at Hannah's favorite restaurant, Red Lobster.

At the first store she found a darling dress and a cute reddish-orange blouse to wear with jeans and her cowboy boots.  I was impressed with the fact that she found two really special things within her budget.

By this time, it was lunchtime and we headed across the freeway to Red Lobster.  Hannah is a no drama kid. She knows what she wants and in a mild mannered way asks for it.  So, she ordered the appetizer immediately.  Again I was impressed with her sense of herself.  These are the things you notice when it is one on one.

She mentioned that she was happy that her favorite waiter was there.  I immediately thought it must be a 20 year old good looking guy - Hannah is 15.  But, no Darrell came to the table even though we weren't in his  table section.  He greeted Hannah and her sweet smile beamed from ear to ear.  He said he was glad to see her and that she and her family were his favorite customers.  I was touched.  Darrell is a middle aged black man with a beautiful smile also.  He later came over to tell us goodbye at the end of our meal.  My opinion of Red Lobster went up 100%.

The great conversations you can have with a grandchild alone are priceless.  She is glad she's NOT going to a Valentine Dance.  Yes, she has a friend who is a boy, but, doesn't consider it a big deal.  She's glad she doesn't have to wear makeup.  But, most of all, she was worried about her friend Haley who is in FFA.  Haley has raised a pig for a year and yesterday, as Hannah said, Jimmy was going away forever.  She was worried about how Haley would feel.

That's Hannah.  She doesn't talk about things much, but she feels deeply about people.  Her parents are to be commended for raising such a loving, kind teenager who doesn't act like those spoiled kids you see on TV.

Hannah is a "special needs" girl with Fragile X Syndrome.  That means she wasn't born with an x chromosome.  Her twin brother Andrew also was born without an x chromosome.  It is the leading cause of retardation in boys.  Hannah luckily  has her own X chromosome so her needs are not evident.  She is mainstreamed in school along with some special need classes.

I'm honored to have all the grandchildren I have.  Each is special in their own way.  Hannah is very special.

Hannah was ready to come home after lunch and a few more stops.  I was glad.  I too was ready.  We had a great day.  Special memories.

It's an Epidemic

I have never seen such a preoccupation with something as I now see with phones in the USA.  I'm profoundly afraid that in 10 years people will have forgotten how to look in someone's eyes who is
speaking to them and be able to answer.  I exaggerate a little, but, not much.

In my humble opinion TV was the beginning of the demise of the family.  Now I think the phone will end any last vestiges of connection.  Will anyone read books anymore?  Develop a comprehensive vocabulary?
I'm serious.  It's distressing.

Maybe because I just arrived "cold turkey" from Mexico and it's an apparent obsession to me.  I don't know but it is an amazing sight to see people with a phone in their hand all the time.

I know this post will rankle some people, but, only those that it applies to, I presume. 

Glad I still have my $18 little cell phone that only allows me to occasionally make a phone call........

Ok, I got that off my chest, ha.

Hangin' with the Houston Family

This household is like a well oiled machine.  People coming and going.  Schedules equal to a major airline!  And trying to figure out what "the plan" is, is a moot point.  There are many plans.  One for each kid - there are three still at home.

I know I lived this life once.  It boggles the mind.  My daughter is the master mind of all schedules. Such as, is Hannah going to be home for dinner or is she going to still be at Haley's house since her pig is being slaughtered today at the Rodeo...........Does Emma have a basketball game tonight or what?  And, Andrew, what about Andrew?  And, don't forget that Hannah has a choir concert tomorrow night.  Add to that maintaining the house, studying for her college degree, luckily online and making sure that dinner is ready at 5:30 so everyone can sit down together for the evening meal when Dad comes home.  Whew!

The household starts stirring at about 5AM with Rich getting ready to leave at 6AM.  Then Andrew and Hannah have to leave somewhere around 6:45 for school and I haven't figured out yet what time Emma leaves........I'm in a fog! 

Actually I'm trying to stay out of the way with coffee cup in hand.  I don't want to get swept into the car in slippers and robe for one of the forays to one of the schools.  Oh yes,  Emma goes to the Jr High and Hannah and Andrew go to the high school. 

I remember the days when I had three in three different schools.  I wanted to paint my car yellow, have a flag for additional fares and possibly a mini fridge.  It seemed like I lived in the car!  I see my daughter living the same life.

It's amazing to watch and wonderful to be part of.........last night we had movie night and watched Life of Pi.  We collectively sighed, hid our eyes and enjoyed the movie together.  Then all talked about it when it was over. 

There is nothing like hanging with family.  As Julie says, "This is how we roll!"  ha..........

Reflections on Road Trips

The year 2013 has been road trips.  First was the drive to the beach the end of December.  From the mountains of San Miguel de Allende to the shores of the Pacific.  It's a lovely drive through the terrain of semi-arid countryside around Leon to Guadalajara.  One notices the change in dirt color about an hour out of Guadalajara.  That rusty red dirt is perfect for making ceramics.  One of the most beautiful crafts that the State of Jalisco is known to produce.  In addition,  there are HUGE boulders strewn about from time to time.  I always wonder how in the world they got there and how in the world would you ever be able to move them.

Driving through Guadalajara is quite an experience - always.  One wrong turn or one missed sign and you are definitely on your own to traverse a city that I was recently told has over 10 million people.  I did not verify that.  I spent a lot of time in Guadalajara when I was exporting from there and I do know landmarks and some streets, but, it doesn't matter anymore, I still can get lost.  I'm so busy watching the traffic that I can't even tell you if it is still beautiful in the centro or not!  I'm just busy praying that I make my turn!

Once I'm through that episode,  I exhale and head off either West to the beach or East to home.  Interestingly going West are the salt flats for miles and miles and miles with a background of the mountains.  Then  upon coming close to Colima one sees the volcano with its own ecosystem.  Mexico has lots of volcanoes.  Always an awesome sight whether they are spewing or not.

From the semi-arid terrain to the lush and tropical is always a sight for sore eyes.  Just after Colima are the fields full of sugarcane, banana plants, mango trees and, of course, coconut palms.  Green, green, green.

It's all a visual feast.  It jolts me to travel.  I always see things I didn't notice before. 

Heading North this past couple of days was the same thing.  From the semi-arid to to seeing mountains in the distance is always a delight.  Near Matahuala, the mountain that designates Real de Catorce must be at least 10,000 feet high.  I've never been there, but its on my bucket list.  After all Queen Victoria was there lo those many years ago so I guess I can brave that tunnel through the mountain some day to see this village. 

Around Matahuala the mountains show paths where they used to extract silver prior to the Revolution.  The mines in that area were all flooded around 1910 and extraction is too difficult, I'm told. 

As I travel farther north, the mountains get higher and higher.  The roads now skirt the mountains in most instances - at least the toll roads do - the free roads go right through it.

The improvement in the roads in the last thirty years is astounding.  Back in the early 80's they were two lane and often one would come to a town where the road was unpaved.  One would follow the ruts made by the trucks and heaven help you if you needed to make a turn out of those ruts. 

Nowadays, the toll roads are four lane divided highways.  Fabulous - much less traffic then our interstates.
So one just puts the car on cruise control and heads out.  Due to little traffic, I do enjoy looking at the yucca forests, the snowcapped mountains around Monterrey and the shepherds on the sides of the road with their herds of goats.  Or, someone in a wagon pulled by mules heading somewhere.  Such a step back in time.

I always know when I've crossed into Texas.  Faster drivers, less polite and more of them.  I10 yesterday was exhausting.  Beltway 8 in Houston was like an autobahn.  NEVER doing that again.

Aaah, but I'm in the piney woods of Kingwood today.  Lovely soft rain.  Quiet views and birds were singing before the rain. 

Traveling certainly moves one out of their comfort zone.  That's a good thing.

Sunrise Manana - Outtahere Again

I took many, many photos of the sunsets overlooking the Pacific.  Only took one
sunrise.  I'm no longer a "morning" person unless I have to be!

However, manana at sunrise, instead of heading West, I'll be heading due North to the
Texas border to visit family (lotsa grandkids), friends, and do a little shopping for
February.

It's been eight months - waaaaaaaaay too long to go without hugging grandkids, breaking
bread with friends and perhaps getting in a little sailing.  Probably more stuff that I have
no idea will even happen yet.

I'll be writing blogs.  Have lots to share with you from the past month and other stuff.
Stay tuned!  And, stay safe.

Joy in San Miguel!

It had been a month since I had seen Matilda and Sebastian.
If I say I'm going to take a picture, Matilda always wants Sebastian in the photo too with her
arm around him.  So sweet.

During the time I was gone, Sebastian turned 3 and Matilda will be 5 in just a few weeks.
I was still bringing them Christmas presents yesterday.  This time - just clothes.
Now I KNOW little boys could care less, but, little girls LOVE clothes. 

Matilda swiftly looked through her stash and found this navy blue velvet dress with a snowflake.
As a Grammy I knew she would like it because it is "soft and sparkly in the sunshine".  She
immediately changed from her clothes she had on to this.  Sebastian, not to be outdone found
a Batman shirt and chino shorts!  He was happy, sorta.

Happy?  He was joyful.  Joyful because his daddy
was doing something that had both Sebastian and
Matilda giggling with glee.

Sebastian finally fell over in the grass just laughing out loud!

This photo just makes my heart sing!

Returning to Reality

The 186 photos that I downloaded upon arriving back in San Miguel started with
the above and below photos of the live manger scene at Christmas time and

ended with sunsets.  After 30 days of no responsiblities
and activities such as sleeping late to the sound of waves,
reading books, eating seafood and drinking copius amounts
of pina coladas and Capt. Morgan's rum, it is quite a shock
to return to "to do" lists and all the things that went wrong
here in the 30 days that I remained unaware.

It is nice to see the grandkids.  The above and below photos are
of Sebastian and Matilda with a few of the Christmas gifts we
shared with them at DIF on December 27th when we had
Christmas with them.

As you can see they were happy with all things.

Staying in the country on the shore of the Pacific Ocean brings forth
cattle drives down the middle of the street of the little "Ranchito" that
I travel through on my way to the dirt road to the house.  New
babies in the crowd this year.

It rained for three days!  One morning this is the color of the atmosphere
that greeted us.  This color is not manipulated.  It is truly the color of everything
I took three photos just to prove it to myself.  It was actually chilly (in high 60's)
during the day during the rains.

THIS is the way it was the rest of the time.  Glorious blue skies.  Gorgeous
water and fabulous views.  This photo is in La Manzanilla.  A village
north of Melaque.

From the patio where I was staying the sunsets this year were
beyond exquisite.  This is looking toward the mountain that
abuts the property to the west.

The bay at Barre de Navidad has a large expanse to see the sunsets.
So going over there one night, I must have taken twenty photos
of this one sunset.  Each more beautiful then the next.  Again,
these were the actual colors - no manipulation!

Added to the joy of the continual breezes off the ocean is the wildlife
where I stay.  Instead of two horses this year, there was an addition.
This little frisky colt.  I watched her often leap in the air like a baby goat.
Just adorable.  As a city girl, I never knew when horses "whinney" that they are
talking to each other.  But, when this Mama "whinnied", Palooza the male and the
baby came to her side right away.  More stories on this and other things at a later
date.

I end this post with this sunset photo.  This sky changed color over and over for about
twenty minutes.  It was incredibly beautiful. 

This was a full moon night.