Posts

September blog

September Blog I lived in the Midwest, in Arkansas and in Phoenix, but I can say, summer is different in Ajijic from any of those places.   In summer we get most of our rain for the year.   Starting in June, the Catholic faithful gather for a celebration to bring on the rain and apparently it works.   We have had nearly 30+ inches in the past three months.   Days are dry but late in the afternoon, beautiful thunderheads begin to form on the mountains. Dark clouds seem to threaten and looking at the weather forecast on the phone it usually says 80% chance of rain from about 11 pm til 3 am.   We have learned this is just an estimate to make the weather watchers happy.   Sometimes the rain does not get over the mountains, but when it does we have some of the most beautiful lightning and glorious rolling thunder one could imagine.   In the morning we usually have cloudy cool days and a repeat performance the next day.   It may have touched 80 degrees a few times but still remains t-s
Post a Comment
Read more

Singin' in the RAIN

Image
The Mexican people are mostly Catholic…very strong Catholic…therefore there is usually a Patron Saint for almost everything.   To that it was not unusual that the first week of June, between five-thirty and six am bombs could be heard.  No fireworks, just projectiles sent into the air and a flash bomb explosion.   My inquiring mind wanted to know what was waking me up.   Had Trump sent ICE down to take me back to the US… No,   this was a celebration of the Saint who will deliver the rain.   As close as I can tell, it is Saint Tlaloc….he is the Saint who brings rain for the farmers and growers…further checking is required…. The bombs (usually about 20 in number each day) continued daily for a week followed by a final celebration with more fireworks, music and dancing each night until about 2 am.   Our home is far enough away to let us hear the music and bombs but after three days, you hardly do more than jump on the first explosion and then roll over and go back to sleep.  As ment
1 comment
Read more

Six month anniversary

Image
The six month transformation June 1, 2018 will be our six month anniversary and we are going to celebrate…well, celebrate may not be the proper term, but will acknowledge all the wonderful adventures we have experienced.   Two terms have become buzzwords at our home…the first is TIM (THIS IS MEXICO) and we use it in an affectionate way.   We have learned to be patient and understand activities, products, etc. do not come as quickly or in abundance availability as we would expect.   A package mailed from the US took nearly a month to get to me.   (TIM).   The main road running from town to town in Mexico is called the Carratera. Busses, semi trucks, and cars clog the road.  One man, with a single orange cone behind him, a bucket of yellow paint, and a brush, bends over, painting the yellow center stripe through Ajijic  (TIM) We recently stopped at a restaurant for lunch and after being seated, we ordered three beers.   Two came to the table right away and then we saw the w
Post a Comment
Read more

Two Days in Tequila

Image
Two Days in Tequila…. Almost sounds like a Clint Eastwood Western… Since in Mexico EVERYWHERE one goes, tequila is king.  Many people like to drink it straight while others enjoy it with a little coke or squirt, the latter the more refreshing drink.  At our house, I have learned to make a good (occasional) margarita for the women, but do not enjoy them myself.  First of all, it takes a village to make one….squeezing limes, salting the glass rims, ice, plus three or four additional ingredients, putting everything into a shaker just to get two drinks. Much easier to open the bourbon bottle, pour into a glass and consume.  What we did find on our trip to Tequila, (about an hour and a half from Ajijic) is there are numerous varieties of tequila and the ones that are good are quite good for sipping and are as smooth as my favorite bourbon.  The distillation process seems to be the key.  Each time the juice goes through a distillation process, it gets smoother.  In addition tequila
1 comment
Read more

RETIRED....Yea right!

Image
The old saying about when you retire you suddenly have more to do than ever is quite true.   We look at our calendar and really have to plan in order to get everything done.   Monday, we had somewhat of a free day so we took a guided tour to Mazamitla, a Swiss looking village across the lake and up the mountain.   Sitting in a very nice van from 8 am to 6 pm was an experience we were not looking forward to but with frequent stops to sight  see, some interesting expats and a fun guide, it was quite doable and we have our eye on another one in the near future.   Our trip began with a visit to a small farm where milk and cheese and a surprise awaited.   Here is the recipe for the surprise. Time for a recipe...the El Pajarete …..begin with a large Styrofoam cup,   Add a spoonful of instant coffee                Spoonful of cane sugar                Spoonful of Cocoa power                A shot of Mexican vanilla                Three shots of tequila               
Post a Comment
Read more

More amazing acts of kindness

OK! OK! OK  !   So I have been somewhat lax in my posting about our Ajijic adventure.   So much is going on that it is difficult to get the time to write.   I hear from both Angie and Trish frequently,   “You need to put that in your blog yada, yada, yada"…so here goes. I will preface this by saying Ajijic is a typical Mexican community....not rich in money but rich in attitude, family, work ethic and the understanding that they may not have much, but they are willing to share with others who need help.  Unlike a portion of the American Society, they are embarrassed to ask for help of any kind if they truly do not need it.  Most times if one sees another needs help, they do what they can to help, looking for nothing in return.  Someone may help you fix a car and in return, the recipient  may bring you a bunch of tortillas and a chicken in return. We can’t get by random acts of kindness.   For people with very little, there is always time to celebrate something.  C elebra
1 comment
Read more

Holiday Happenings in Mexico

Image
Our first Christmas in Mexico So refreshing…. Christmas in Mexico starts about the end of the first week in December.  None of the US stores starting Christmas decorating starting right after Fourth of July.  Even Wal-Mart waits until the first of December to put out the decorations, wrapping paper etc.  Christmas in the state of  Jalisco  is all about family.  People are stretching their budget to get toys for the kids and are all about smiles when shopping. Working people get creative asking to wash your car in the parking lot at Wal-Mart, selling trinkets, colorful wreaths and are grateful for any spare change you might with to donate.  A very old woman who sits by the grocery store and embroiders kitchen towels, has captured my heart and is always the recipient of a few pesos.   My Mexican Sweetheart Since Judd, Shari and the two Grandkids were coming, we found a small family who specialized in Mexican  food for family parties  They brought a whee
1 comment
Read more