MISCELLANEOUS RAMBLINGS
As you might guess, we are at our winter home in Bucerias. About now the weather in Ohio is heavily trending to real winter - we don't miss it. We have not been there for more than fifteen years in the winter and have grown quite comfortable in the warm sun of our winter residence in Mexico.
Getting here was only a slight challenge really. Although COVID was beginning a second season in Ohio as well as Mexico, the bigger issue to departure was Mrs.T's ongoing treatments for cancer. During her last one in mid-October she did not awaken well from the procedure and needed to be hospitalized for a few days. Part of that incarceration involved examination of a substantial kidney stone - she was even slower to wake up from that exam's anesthesia. We nearly had to forcibly extricate her from the hospital to board the plane. But we made it here, although with Rebecca now on a dose of oxygen. She is disheartened that for now scuba is off the agenda. We are currently debating whether to have her next endoscopy here - we did last spring - or postpone it until we return, a bit beyond the protocols.
As noted, COVID is a dire situation in both the US and Mexico. However, our little corner of paradise appears to have been spared the full brunt of this scourge. Masks are required at stores, restaurants, and other indoor establishments. Temperatures are taken upon entry, even at most smaller venues. We try to restrain our adventures. We eat out occasionally but not much. Our shopping is mostly at our neighborhood minisuper Mary Paz. When we do go out we are prudent - we wear masks and keep the distancia in stores. And some of the Wednesday market vendors are kind enough to deliver every few weeks. [Nick's presence upped our consumption of sweet goodies for a couple of weeks!] Thanks Sasha, Alejandra, and the Argentine guys. And Juan Carlos has started delivery of fresh fruit to our front door!
Your editor nudged Mrs.T into putting together a newsletter. Here are her random thoughts,
When I look in the mirror my grandmother looks back at me. How weird is that? I remember when Mama having Alzheimer's thought that I was her Mother. I of course had never seen my grandmother's younger self, but with family resemblances and or reincarnations or some kind of connections anything is possible. When my grandmother was thirteen her mother died of measles. I remember the photo of Leah Humphrey (Great-grandmother -dt) and I also see my resemblance to this strong woman who died many years before I was born. (We have that photo of her; she looks tough as nails. -dt) When I was about seven my Mother was very sick with measles but she came through it. My family is full of strong women. (Including Mrs.T -dt)
When I was thirteen my grandmother taught me to make bread from scratch. Making bread of course is a very basic part civilization. When many peoples welcome you to their land or homes they offer you bread or sometimes bread and salt. I have made bread with my daughter and with my son and I wonder what their memories are. (Mrs.T has not baked in a while and not attempted bread here. However she does make Buckeyes; yum, yum. -dt)
Dan is going up the steep hill to the bank to get money. He watches the exchange rates and changes our dollars to pesos like an arbitrager. (The rate is way down from last spring. -dt) Lately we have to step over Lucy who has stationed herself outside our door like a private watch puppy. I think she has adopted Dan but she pretty much resents me. Her attitude is: What do you think you are doing going in my door? Humph!
I am working on a Christmas jigsaw puzzle. Nick helps me a little. Edgar, our handyman, and Jose, the gardener, help me a bit. When I begged Edgar to help me he looked at the puzzle and took out four pieces I had put in the wrong places. It actually helped a lot but was disconcerting. Estella does not help but does give advice. " Necesssito Yudy," she says. Of course she is right. I need Judy! (AKA The Puzzle Doctor -dt) My friend Judy is from Canada and their government has advised them not to come to Mexico. I miss her a lot. Of course our government wasn't too crazy about us coming to Mexico but we pretty much ignored them. (A couple of puzzles have been completed. -dt)
They sold the lovely little property behind and are turning it into condos. Bam! Bam! Bam! All day long except for half a day Saturday and all day Sunday. (Most weeks, but not always. -dt) We have two small black iguanas whe live in the walls behind us. Fred lives in the wall behind the kitchen and Alfonzo lives in the wall behind our bedroom. Fred and Alfonzo and I disapprove of the new construction. I am worried about where Fred and Alfonzo will go when the building is finished.
Nick has been visiting us for a couple of weeks. He and I spent a lot of time going down to the ocean and watching the waves. We picked up little shells and trailed our toes where the waves washed ashore. We both have always been beachcombers.
One day I rode a horse along the beach. Mounting was something of a challenge. I somehow managed to get my foot in the stirrup but after two or three failed attempts the guy took over. "I will count to three and then you jump," he said. I obediently jumped on three. He gave me a shove in the butt which surprised me so much I jumped a little higher and ended up on the horse. The horse turned his head and looked at me sarcastically. Well you got up there I suppose I will have to carry you, he thought.
The beach has been mostly deserted. A few Indian children wandering aimlessly around selling trinkets. A few gringos skipping stones along the tops of the low waves rolling in. A few shore birds chasing the waves out and back - or are the waves chasing them? The sea returns back and back until it meets the distant sky. We (with Nick or Brenda -dt) sat at a little restaurant drinking lemonade and coke. Speaking of nothing in particular. And then we walk back.
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While here one of Nick's major activities is the consumption of orange juice. He thought he would provide some thoughts on that topic for the newsletter. -dt
Ode to Orange Juice:
You are sweet and fresh
Cold and pulpy with vitamin C
Totally unlike the grocery store sour imitation.
Squozen every morning at Mary Paz
Ready to refresh and make me happy
One bag at a time.
Also, the ice maker - I - will be getting a bit of a break.
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And here are a few photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/9151458@N07/f15C7t
May the Christmas message of hope give you strength for 2021; it will be a better year.
Hope you are staying warm.
Dan and Rebecca
www.casa-de-terrible.blogspot.com
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