Lunch With the "Lunch Bunch"

As my departure date nears, people are asking “will you miss Mexico?”  Yes, of course.  I’m so glad that I came, faced the negative parts of living here for four years, and relaxed into what I love most about this area.  There are the givens: temperate climate, flora and fauna, the beach four hours away, and a relaxed, affordable lifestyle which allows for a maid and a gardener every week.  But it’s the people that make the difference.  We gringos are all retired; we enjoy one another’s company and make friends easily and quickly.  It’s like one big extended family.  As in most families there’s squabbling, gossip, and grudges but that just makes us all normal!  Most residents have led very interesting lives.  There’s the odd celebrity sighting—well, the celebrities aren’t odd, that I know of, but you know what I mean!  People are left alone to live out their lives in a way that suits them.  Mexico is not a rigid country with a rule book.  Manana, while often frustrating, has its place.  I would bet that blood pressure is lower here than in the US/Canada.  Once you are acclimated to the high altitude and the hot months, the weather becomes your best friend.

A cross-section of humanity can be found at the Writer’s Groups which meet every Friday, come rain or shine.  Floods are the only reason for canceling the gathering.  People line up to read their stories or works-in-progress or prose/poetry, or tanka…you name it, someone’s writing it Lakeside.  I will miss the Friday readings, the gloriously long lunches that follow, and the oral storytelling that goes with “one more round” (see below).  I’m proud to be one of the published authors whose books are lovingly displayed at various shops in the village. 

I delight in being able to speak enough Spanish to “get along” and vow to learn how to ditch the hand gestures in favour of a properly constructed sentence.  Not all foreigners learn the language;  in fact, some of them should just not try to speak Spanish at all!  The Mexicans laugh along with us as we struggle to make our wants and needs known.  I’d just like to be able to hold a decent conversation and honour them by speaking their language.                                                                                                                                            

Being gluten/wheat intolerant has made some purchases expensive here….my GF bread is equiv. $6.50;  I can only eat corn tortillas which I buy and make my quesadillas at home.  Eating out is “no problema, senora” when I explain I can’t eat wheat.  This “no problema” attitude is one I will be working on.

We hear so much about violence in Mexico…the drug cartels, mass murder.  This causes family and friends to question why one would go to Mexico.  Yes, it happens and headlines TV news every time.  As my friend and fellow writer, Dru Pearson says: “The only violence I saw was when the hummingbirds fought for their space at the feeders.” They get quite vicious.

So what did I schedule for my last week?  Converted to $$, here’s the list: $3, hand car wash; $18,  500 biz cards;  $8, haircut;  $7 each for manicure-pedicure;  $38, oral hygiene. I’ll be doing a reading at the Writing Group, packing in several lunches with friends, enjoying the pool for three more aquacize classes, and experiencing an Aztecan massage.  Before I know it I will standing at the luggage carousel in Vancouver, after a midnight landing on Sept.2,  longing to be in my owm bed.   Days will spent moving back in to my compact, comfortable space after a two-month absence.  I’ll need to buckle my seat belt for a very busy fall schedule which begins in the second week.  Lots of exciting things are in the works.

I can’t wait to return to Lakeside next spring…YES, I’ve already got a house/cat sitting job lined up and am working on another so I can stretch my time here in Mexico to maybe 3 or 4 months.

This has been an inspirational retreat for me, with several surprises along the way.  I learned early on to set my “agenda” aside,  stop fussing about the “to do list”,  and just meet each day anew.  When I go through customs in Vancouver and am asked “do you have anything to declare”, I will be so tempted to reply “just a different perspective”.

To my amigos in Mexico, Hasta luego….and Happy 16 de Septiembre!  Viva Mexico!

Independence Day Costumes

The Boys on the Plaza

A normal morning routine.  I backed out the long drive through the black iron gates, approached the highway, looked to my left to check for oncoming traffic ……and there she was.  The road kill count has gone up by one…a beautiful dark brown mare was hit by a vehicle overnight.  The sad thing is I saw this horse yesterday on my way home;  she’d bitten through the rope that tethers her to a certain spot where she can eat the high grasses.  When I saw her eating at the edge of the highway I just had a feeling.  What a tragedy.  I suppose the only plus is that she will be hauled away sometime today by who knows who.  When we lived here before, that didn’t happen…for days.

The owners of this casa return home next week.  I guess the maid thought “it’s now or never” and attacked every cupboard and drawer in the kitchen, hauling out the contents, washing them all by hand, washing the interior and placing clean paper liner in before re- stocking the shelves. I casually inquired if she found any cockroaches; she smiled and replied “oh, muchas senora.”  I wasn’t wanting a head count but I did think back to how many times I’d just stick my hand in the silverware drawer to get a utensil….. Useless information: a cockroach can live for days without his head attached;  he can survive on one kernel of rice for days.  Hearty little creatures, aren’t they.  I rejoice when I see them lying on their back on the floor every morning.  I know they’re here but I’m grateful they wait until I’m in bed to come out and play.

La Senora

I have a new neighbour!  A goat.  I first heard his/her bleating last week.  I’ve peered through the hedges but can’t see him;  I hear him on and off throughout the day.  The other house down the way keeps chickens and is the proud of a recent acquisition, a rooster, that delights in announcing the new day before the sun has even partially revealed itself.  Thank goodness I brought a package of gel earplugs.  I’m a light sleeper and without the earplugs I wouldn’t be getting such good, deep sleeps.  However, sheet lightning and thunder shows are enough to wake the dead…even those wearing plugs!

I’m relieved to announce no more scorpion sightings!  Mind you the torrential downpours of July have abated so they are back in their usual digs, outside where they belong.

I made my last trip to the tianguis (outdoor market) the other day.  Most people like to go early and get out so the traffic jams around 10:00am are horrendous.  I waited until 11:30; it’s much more civilized and I found a parking space only a block away which is unheard of.  The market sells everything–in addition to the usual fruit and veg, there’s meat, fish, clothing, hardware items, pirated CD and DVDs’ hand painted bowls, plates, vases, Huichol beadwork, “art while you wait”, juices, food stalls, leather goods, purses. You name it, you can buy it at the market….well, let me clarify that. You can buy it if it’s dead;  no live creatures are sold.  No, that’s not true either.  Sometimes you can buy a puppy on market day. I was told that some Mexicans breed their dogs so they can entice the gringo population to first come over to“ooh and ahh” over the pups with the hope of selling one or all.  It’s a business.

Beautiful Tile Exterior Door

I’m going to miss my aquacize classes at the club pool, with piped in thermal waters!  From 9-10am women and men are stretching, jumping, jogging….“do what you can” is our motto.  We’re all way past 50!  Not only have I got an upper body tan, I feel so much better after that hour. The bottom half of me is still “winter white” so I won’t be wearing capris when I return to Canada!

Rush Hour Downtown Ajijic

 To be continued….

Dedicated to "Sadie", a beautiful pit bull and homeless mother of eight

  Today is the 19^th INTERNATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMALS DAY. Nothing to celebrate but lots to ponder.

According to the Humane Society, 6-8 million animals enter shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted and tragically half are euthanized.  That’s 3-4 million cats and dogs killed each year.  While most are mixed breeds, an astonishing 30% of homeless dogs are purebreds, proving that just because a dog has papers doesn’t mean it should be bred. Animals are abandoned for a variety of reasons but the end result is still the same. The animal suffers needlessly.

In the last week I’ve watched a bull jump into an audience during a Spanish “bull-taunt”–not a bull fight– but clearly the bull was “mad as hell and wasn’t going to take it anymore.”  Then we heard about the deplorable conditions of animals in Russian zoos ….from lack of food and water, to filthy living conditions, and no medical care hundreds of captive animals died miserable deaths.  More people are mobilizing forces to say ENOUGH.  I join them; we don’t need to see animals in captivity.  The National Geographic Channel has wonderful documentaries; watch and marvel at the beauty of the animal kingdom on your flatscreen!   The “protection of endangered species” pops up regularly as a reason to bring animals to the zoo.  If we humans would stop interfering with their habitats perhaps there would be no endangered animals to “protect.”

Here in this small village in Mexico there are two differing opinions.  The Mexican population keeps dogs for protection (many roof-top dogs never experience earth, grass, rolling in mud) or for breeding (to sell those cute puppies to the foreign population here). The dogs are not spayed or neutered –the operation is free to any Mexican pet owner –and if they are “pets” they are often left to wander, form packs, mate, and more often than not get hit by a car and die a painful death by the roadside.  Local advocates here comment that Mexican dogs are pretty well socialized.  They work hard to take care of themselves and their pack. They’re not neurotic, territorial, or barkers (except the roof dogs–it’s their job).  Local advocates say that their primary focus is on spaying and neutering.  In early July, Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, launched a spay/neuter campaign in Latino areas, in the U.S. and Mexico. 

The foreign population has reduced the homeless pet population tremendously by taking in dogs who have been abandoned.  Once spayed/neutered, they are brought back to health, and then adopted out.  I facetiously ask people I see with two or three dogs if pet adoption was mandatory to live here, in paradise!   But thank God for their generous hearts and their loving souls. They give these dogs a good life.

Did you know that owning animals is good for your health?  Counterintuitive at first but recent studies have shown that kids growing up in a house with furry friends will have less risk of asthma or allergies.  Seondly, pets reduce stress--ours.  Interacting with a dog or cat who loves you unconditionally reduces your stress levels considerably.  Third, cats lower the risk of a fatal heart attack.  The mere act of petting your cat can lower YOUR blood pressure!  Fourth, dogs lower our blood pressure and cholesterol.  Taking care of a dog increases your daily physical activity and facilitates social interaction which in turn enhances physiological and psychological wellbeing.  Fifth, pets can help those who live alone and need companionship.  The act of caring for a pet helps the owner take better care of themselves.  Lastly, dog walking helps with weight loss.  As a dog walker myself, I can attest to this.  When I’m working I get more exercise every day, whether I feel like it or not.  A dog waits for no one!  When I’m pet sitting I’m fitter and weigh less. This means I’ve gotta keep working!!!

Thanks for listening….here are a few beautiful quotes I recently came across:

A dog was created especially for children.  He is the God of frolic. Henry Ward Beecher

 And one more:

Compassion for animals is intimately connected to goodness of character and it may be confidently asserted

that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.   Arthur Schopenhauer, German Philosopher

Amen, twice!

The Crew...Augustin's Viva Mexico kitchen

  The countdown has begun.  Somehow days and weeks have raced by, while I still sit with so many unfinished projects scattered around the desk.

I can always write and organize projects when I return to Canada but I can’t spend relaxing hours watching the hummers war over their juice, share meals with old friends, greet a new flower that’s opened overnight, make new friends, admire art and weaving from talented locals, and chat with Max-bird who has his own cult following!

A small corner of this fantastic, colorful Studio;

MaxBird & Azetec Studio Crew

 And did I mention the local writer’s group where writers can bare their souls, confident that listeners will give fresh insight, constructive criticism, and praise, sprinkled with the encouragement every writer needs to keep going.

 I came here to not only work on writing projects but to see if I could indeed “go home” again!  Ajijic was home for four years and in spite of getting terribly sick here, I wondered how I would feel returning.  Of course, I wanted to see friends, enjoy the summer on my own terms, and see if I could overlook the old negatives while collecting new, positive experiences. And that’s just what happened.

Luisa is still painting, Edith is still operating an expanded beauty shop, Salvador is still serving good food. The Wednesday tianguis (open market) is full to overflowing with goods and people.  The Lake Chapala grounds are more beautiful than ever.  The Posada’s outdoor dining remains unchanged, with the addition of a full Lake.  Many local children crowd around the Gonzalez studio learning how to create their own art. New businesses and restaurants have opened. Dogs still roam the streets and people still come to their aid.  There’s a feeling of prosperity now that wasn’t here before. It feels good.

Viva Mexico's Art Gallery/Restaurant

Do I want to return again? Yes!

 So, from mi casa, Boama-cat and I wish you a restful, peaceful weekend! Hasta luego!

Ajijic's Landmark

I can be found here every morning!

I’m a week into my second month here in Mexico; and, yes, I’ve neglected posting something..anything.. on my blog. Not because there’s nothing happening; quite the contrary, too much has been happening! So here are some rambling thoughts and observations:

*since the Lake filled up, the malecons (piers) are straining under the weight of people who come by the bus load from Guadalajara to marvel at the beauty of Lake Chapala and enjoy the ambience and fresh air.

*Too many buses and cars equals gridlock on the carretera, the only road in/out of this sleepy village.

*It’s not a sleepy village anymore!

*Four stoplights is two too many.

*40,000 expats now live here in Ajijic/Chapala area; in ten years, it’s estimated that number will swell to 200,000.  Where will they all live?  One obvious answer is across the lake!

Love these guys!

*If you have enough money you can buy a mountain…someone already has!

*Mexican drivers are maniacs behind the wheel; ok, most….well, many.

*Unfotunately all these vehicles are bound to kill animals…the count since my arrival: one horse, one mule, one dog..and that’s what I can see on the side of the road.

Friend hand feeding our Sadie, a homeless nursing pit bull mix.

*While many Mexican residents and business owners prosper from this population explosion, there are others who struggle, sending their children out to sell a handful of beans or a bag of berries to foreigners who are eager to press a few pesos into grimy little hands.  I should be used to it the second time around, but I’m not. 

*Topes…bumps in the road, all across the road; what I refer to as speed bumps.  They seem to appear in new locations overnight!

*After a six-year absence, Mexico isn’t so inexpensive anymore.  Sure you can get your hair cut for $8.00, a pedicure for about the same; meals are inexpensive but other newer locales are downright expensive!  Phone, internet and electricity service are all subject to interruption.  Gas is not cheap.

*One can never be bored here in the expat community.  No matter your interest, there’s a group willing to embrace you as a member. Writing, bridge, table tennis, book club, music, gardeners, culinary arts, good deeds……there’s something for everyone.

*Smokers puff away on the street contentedly, knowing that “back home” they would be hassled to move on or, in many cases, outright banned from their habit.

*Alcohol? I have no personal knowledge but there are many AA groups that meet regularly.

Whew….I could go on but will leave you with a few more pictures.  Hope you enjoy!

Oh, yes, writing.  Am I writing?  How’s it going?  Let’s just say that agendas are subject to change.  I am reading at the next writer’s gathering so that must mean something, eh?!  I’m also just enjoying my time here.  Making hummingbird nectar takes up a lot of time, really.  Then there’s the cat and the dog next door….oh, yes, I have to eat!  Some daily chores stay the same; they just feel different down here.  P.S.  OK, so I bet you twice about the cockroach!  I cannot for the life of me figure out to erase the bet that doesn’t belong!  Hasta luego, amigos!

One of many wall murals

Wrinkly swiss chard....yummy!Bet my cockroach is bigger than yours!

Bet my cockroach is bigger than yours!

I carried my precious cargo to the car and made a pit stop at Walmart for a few essentials.  The doors opened and I was hit by the lovely A/C and more customers than I’d seen ever in that store.  Seems that on Tuesday there are some great in-store specials for the benefit of locals from outlying communities who are bussed into Walmart!  I moved my cart around like the energizer bunny hoping to get to the checkout before either running over a child or the lines got too long.  I have now marked “ NO WALMART” on my calendar on every Tuesday until I leave!

As if it couldn’t get any better, I stopped by the local health food store to pick up some Stevia sweetener.  I noticed a sign “gluten free bread”.  Be still my heart.  It seems a local baker makes this bread for the health food store, requested by others living here who are gluten and wheat intolerant.

I took a loaf in my hands, slowly caressing it,  feeling for freshness and pliability (some GF breads could be used as hockey pucks), and asked “cuanto questa?” 700 pesos…a little under $7 for one loaf.  Just over a dollar more than I would pay in Vancouver!  I reluctantly put it down and told the proprietor that I would return after my own bread ran out.  Yes, I did bring my own bread, frozen and packed in an insulated bag inside my suitcase!  I have gone so far as to count how many pieces I have left and I know I won’t have enough to last me until I leave in September.  Now I know where to go once my freezer here is bare.

Oh, yes.  An avid blog reader sent me an email asking me whether or not I’m eating fish while in Mexico.  The answer is yes and no.  I don’t eat fish from Lake Chapala because it is rumored to have high mercury counts.  I did, once, have tasty, plump shrimp salad in an avacado.  Yummy. But generally, I’m going to stay away from it.  There are lots of fresh fruit/veggie choices, beautiful greens, those avacados and mangos that I eat daily, plus new organic choices.  In fact, there aren’t enough hours in the day to eat everything I want!

Signing off now to eat, again.  I think I’ll have a whole meal of sliced tomatoes today!

Travel poses real problems for celiacs.  Most airport food is off limits.  If you’re celiac and you want to eat you bring your own or go hungry.  My insulated lunch bag held frozen power bars, a few snacks, some cheese, and small cans of tomato juice.  Customs officers would invariably ask what was inside.  Before I could unzip the bag they stopped me saying “just tell me.”  I wondered why they didn’t want to look inside.  Don’t they realize that white-haired females of a certain age are more than capable of creating mayhem?  Some of us have a lot to be angry about.

So, what do I eat and drink here?  Breakfast is no problem; fruit, fruit, and more fruit, topped with yogurt and gluten-free granola.  Lunch, the main meal of the day, has been totally vegetarian; I’ve decided not to eat any meat while I’m here.  I must say I feel much better.  Dinner is pretty simple: homemade Mexican salsa with avacado and/or corn tortillas filled with refried beans and cheese…yum-oh!  I’ve found no problem eating out as I only choose 3 and 4 star restaurants from the local guidebook.  For the most part, though, I cook my own food and enjoy my fill of mangos and avacados every day.

Water?  You won’t believe this but I brought a small ionizer with me!  I couldn’t do without my alkaline/ionized water. 

Two months of the same old-same old gets, well, old.  The main problem I face here in Mexico is the unavailability of certain rice-based foods I’m used to— rice pastas, rice cakes, rice crackers/cookies.  I suspected that if any of these were available they would be pricey.  The first time I went into the local grocery I spotted rice cakes.  I was dancing in circles because rice cakes with almond butter is a favourite snack.  My excitement stopped abruptly once I looked at the price tag–the equivalent $6 for one package!  Thank goodness I stuffed a small rolling suitcase full of safe food.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have room for rice cakes or almond butter but I did bring pastas, granola, my gluten-free flour mix, as well as a few other essentials.  I’m confident I won’t be bringing anything back with me.  I even packed frozen GF bread and bagels which I’m now rationing at one piece per day to last me until I return to Canada in September.

I think I’ll go have lunch now; all this writing is making me hungry!

Count how many hummingbirds you see!

 A walk through the Lake Chapala Society grounds on July 3^rd brought me back to our first introduction in July 2000 to this tranquil haven that has supported the expatriate community since 1955.  Founded on the solid foundation of “people helping people”, their mission is to help the local Mexican population, especially in education; assist expats from over 20 nations to adjust to living in Mexico; and provide recreational, social, health, and educational services primarily for expatriates

We were eager to begin Spanish lessons so we signed up.  Soon thereafter, I joined the local Writer’s Group and was privileged to have three articles published in the local English magazine El Ojo del Lago.  The society grounds were always buzzing with activity, lively conversation, and coffee.

As I roamed the grounds that day, I felt dejected. I didn’t see anyone I knew. Perhaps my expectations were a bit high?  Of course I envisioned throngs of friends, overjoyed to see me, their arms open wide, welcoming me back into the fold. In reality, the people I passed were all strangers. I wondered where my friends were.  Suddenly, in the distance, I spotted Tod who gave me one of his signature hugs. Laughter and tears flowed. Then I saw Barbara, Marileese, and Kenee!  At last, familiar faces with the greeting I so desired.

The “rules” of living came back easily.  The rainy season is my favourite time of the year but care needs to be taken in case of flooding; electronics must be unplugged during thunderstorms; and driving curtailed unless you’re heading to the hospital emergency.  There are many new restaurants I’m eager to try, along with events I’ve already penciled in on my calendar.  Dead cockroaches don’t scare me so it’s no problem to scoop them up and into the garbage.  The owner of this house told me he’s never seen a scorpion but one can’t be too careful so I shake my covers every night!

The language is even coming back.  My new game is to identify everything in the house in Spanish, hoping that I can speak intelligently with the maid when she comes.  Understanding HER replies…well, that’s something I need to work on. If I am able to pick up a few words, then I can confidently (?) nod in agreement!

The most glorious part of re-entry is the quiet.  The birds wake me up with gentle chirps at the first sign of light while hummingbirds start their day at the feeders.  Clouds roll off or on the mountain.  Peaceful, glorious silence, balanced by sounds from nature. Is it possible to hear the grass grow?

The view from my laptop is lush and green.  The giant jacaranda tree speaks to me of strength and perseverance each time I sit down to write; prickly cacti reach towards the sun, ensuring onlookers keep their distance, while sweet fragrances encourage deep breathing.  If this doesn’t spark creativity I don’t know what will.

 So, here I am at the starting gate.  Living (again) in Mexico 101 has been completed.  I have the perfect picture window view.  There’s absolutely nothing I must do, except the daily chores so I guess it’s time to begin book number two.

Just a small part of owner's garden--my inspiration!

Overcast day, mountains in the background.

On July 1^st,  Canada Day,  I set off for Mexico to spend two months house and cat sitting for residents of Ajijic, a small village on Lake Chapala, about 30 minutes out of Guadalajara.  The most difficult part about travel to Mexico was getting through US customs and immigration at the Vancouver Airport.  It took over 1 ½ hours!  The rest of the flight via Phoenix was uneventful and I landed in Guadalajara, thankful to be on solid ground after a bumpy ride courtesy of Hurricane Alex.

After leaving Japan in 2000, Takeshi Fujibe and I were married in Portland, honeymooned in the Rockies, and flew to Guadalajara to retire in Ajijic.  It was always my dream to live in a place where the indoors and outdoors was one, a place where the weather was temperate and a winter wardrobe was a thing of the past.  I’d taken four years of Spanish in school;  surely that would bode well for living comfortably?  Unfortunately, Mexico was bad for my health—heavy metal poisoning, parasites, Lyme disease, typhoid, scorpion bites, and a concussion. Now, that’s way too much to put on a t-shirt…”I went to Mexico and all I got was….”.   Sick and miserable I was anxious to get out of Mexico and back to Canada so I could concentrate on getting well.

I tearfully resigned my position as President of Viva la Musica, said goodbye to dear friends, opened our doors for a giant garage sale, packed up a small trailer, and took off on our journey north.  We were given patient instruction on how to drive pulliing a trailer but neither of us could conquer backing up!  Our choice of hotels was dependent upon an easy exit. The left turn signal didn’t work so we only made right turns unless we could avoid it.  We had one near accident, on the LA freeways, but felt we were in good company…who hasn’t had a near miss or two on that freeway?  We always left our hotels early, drove only about 5 hours a day, and stopped to rest and resume the same itinerary the following day. Destination: British Columbia.

Seventeen days later we pulled up to Canadian customs where documents were scanned, a few questions asked, a visitor visa secured for Tak, and a heartfelt “welcome back Ms. Kool”  from the customs officer reduced me to tears.  I mumbled something, feeling emotionally vulnerable but full of gratitude for his words and ever so happy to be home.

You might wonder why I would want to return to a place that held so many bad memories?  It’s a good question.  I never thought I would return to Mexico;  I certainly didn’t have any desire.  I have a wonderful life living just outside of Vancouver; I write, I have good friends, and a full calendar.  However,the invitation came at a time when a two-month writing retreat was exactly what I needed.  Maybe I could do this.  It’s been six years,  I’m stronger and healthier.  Perhaps it would work.  So, I accepted.  As the days wound down I got more excited about the trip.  I wondered about the changes in the village?  Would anyone remember me?  Would I adapt to living there again, knowing that it sometimes takes patience, hard work, and a flexible attitude.  Was I up to the challenge?

….read more as I continue to blog about my time here in Mexico

It seems like months since I’ve blogged even though it’s only been six weeks.  What could possibly have kept me from blogging?  Life.  Yes, life got in the way.  Coupled with that “day job” of mine,  learning Excel so I could keep my organization’s books in order,  tax preparation,  and assorted other interruptions blogging didn’t stand a chance.  Then there’s all the organizing and packing required for a two-month trip.  YES! I’m going away for two whole months.

Earlier this year a friend telephoned and asked if I wanted to live rent-free in Mexico for the summer.  There was no hesitation.  Two months on Lake Chapala;  water and mountain views,  no “real life” to deal with,  and reuniting with friends I left behind in 2004 when we left Ajijic (Ah-hee-hik) to return to live in Canada.  Of course I said yes.  The house comes with a car, a cat, a maid, and a gardener.  How could I say no.  I’ve been dreaming of a writer’s retreat.  Somewhere I could go and work on writing projects.  Somewhere that would give me inspiration and allow creative juices to flow again.  Somewhere warm and sunny every day.

On Canada Day, July 1^st, I leave for Mexico.  I found a local couple to sublet my apartment for the summer.  There’s a bit of work involved in subletting.  For example, making room for the renters.  Clearing out the closets and a few cupboards.  Cleaning the fridge….and eating up whatever’s in it.  Not quite “turn key”.  I’ve been doing a little every day for the past month so I’m not in a panic.  I’ll be ready to go.

Keep checking every week throughout the summer.  I’ll be blogging; I promise.  It’s been six years since I saw this area;  I hear much has changed.  I look forward to sharing those memories, the changes, the writing, and the friends with you.  I began writing in earnest while living in Ajijc.  I joined the Writer’s Group which met weekly.  Writers and wanna-be writers met and shared their work with others.  I had two articles published in the local “El Ojo del Lago” (the eye of the lake) and began working on Fly Catcher Boy while living there.  Nostalgic?  You bet!

So, Suzanne, Linda, Kenee, Judy, Jeanne, Kay…..and all the rest of you I hope to meet on the cobbled streets–I’M ON MY WAY!!!!