December 30, 2009. San Antonio, Tx. Playing.

It has been fascinating to watch and listen to the six girls play. They make up games and activities just from the air. Yesterday morning it rained at the ranch, so the girls built a fort in their bedroom. This bedroom is quite small, especially as it holds three bunk beds and one large dresser. By using quilts and blankets they divided up the whole room into several 'rooms' with a spa in one area and a store in another, a church in one corner and a bank in yet another. Each girl switched from one task to the other, from teacher to student or from priest to parishioner. They just made it all up from their heads, with no one really in charge but everyone adding their ideas. Every so often Mary Frances would go out and check on the fire and report back to the group, but for the better part of three hours they just played.

In the evening at the party, we all went to the Top House for the main course, which was stew made by Ken. The girls sat at the table to eat, while the adults, who came a few minutes later, were organizing their drinks. With no instructions from anyone, the girls asked if they could play upstairs after they finished eating, which they did for the next hour or so. I don't know what they were doing, but I know they all had books with questions and answers to ask each other and themselves. Whatever they did, they kept themselves amused. Then back to the ranch house we all went for dessert, where after a short DVD on the computer, they all came into the living room in pajamas to say goodnight to the adults.

Marilyn commented to Suzanne that mostly she does not enjoy a bunch of children, but that watching those children play and work was a pleasure for her. It is still amazing to me, to see them manufacture and play for long periods of time that they just make up. It has been fun watching these girls age eight to twelve play together.

December 29, 2009. Harper, Texas. Cousins.

We drove into the driveway at the ranch to see Samantha and Allison racing to greet us.  Actually, they were racing to greet Kate and Mary Frances, who they have not seen since our 50TH in Nova Scotia in August 2008.   All yesterday and today those six girls played.  They played all together and they played in pairs.    They even got a good night's sleep.     This morning it snowed and they all made a Texas sized snowman, about ten inches tall!!  Mary Frances drove the Mule when she was out on an excursion with David, her first time to drive the Mule and she reported to me that she drove very well.  Today when it was raining,  they made the bedroom into one gigantic fort.  Their bedroom has three bunk beds which meals they all sleep in the same room.  They love it and were so tired last night that they were asleep by ten.   The same thing tonight.

Tonight we had a party at the ranch.  Five friends from the ranch along with Marilyn and Richard who are visiting from Houston were our guests.  With the ten of us and our seven friends we made up a lively party.    It turned out that Richard when he was a Doctor in Fredericksburg deliver three babies for Royce Anne who was at the party.  They have not seen each other for many many years.  Jan is a widow who runs her  ranch on her own and is an interesting feisty lady.  David and Suzanne enjoyed getting to know our friends a bit better.  The little girls helped to serve and talk and were an asset to the party.  David and Suzanne with their energy and friendliness and helpfulness are a huge help at any party.  The evening started out with cocktails and appetizers in the ranch house.  The main course made by Ken we served at the Top House with dessert and coffee back in the ranch house, so the girls could make sa'mores by the fire.  It was a fine party, enjoyed by all.

Tomorrow morning we will serve breakfast for all at the Top House.  The girls love to come up to our house for breakfast, so Ken will cook bacon and pancakes  to six girls wearing pajamas.  The adults will not be in their pajamas but we six will enjoy breakfast at the Top House.

Miss(issippi) Condo

December 27, 2009. Jewett, Texas. Driving.

Once again we are on the road, this time heading for the ranch to meet up with David and Suzanne and the girls. The weather is wonderful for driving, cool and clear so the miles just flew along. We left at eight o'clock from Andrew and Christina's home. The girls were ready and waiting when Ken and I arrived, in fact they are still very excited to get to the ranch. David and Suzanne will get to the ranch today, while we are staying overnight in this little town in Texas, then we will get up early and arrive at the ranch shortly after lunch. Kate has already asked me how early we can start out for the drive tomorrow morning, but Ken and I really only like to drive in the daylight, so our plan is to get up at six, breakfast here and then hit the road.

The back seat was silent the whole time on our trip today. The girls were so pleased to be in charge of their I Pod that we did not hear a peep from either girl. Ken and I listened to classical music all morning, then to the Steelers football game all afternoon until we arrived at our pre-set motel in Jewett. We were not sure how long the girls could tolerate the longer trip so we made the decision to decide where and when to stop for the day. Now we will have an early dinner and an early bedtime. So far our trip has been a success. The box of snacks is available to both the front and the back seats, so as the girls watched and listened to their new toy, they munched the goodies from the box, while Ken and I took turns driving and ate along with them. We had a happy day.

December 26, 2009. Jackson, Ms. Good Ideas.

It seemed like an innocent question. "Do you need any more meat for your freezer?." I really thought they were going to say no, but to my great surprise, they said "yes, two coolers full of meat will fit into our freezer". Ken and I had such an easy drive from Texas to Mississippi the last time, we wondered if Mary Frances and Kate would like to take a quick trip to Texas to visit their cousins, right after Christmas. Of course I asked Christina if it would be OK with the both of them, before we asked the girls. Unfortunately, Kate could hear me on the other end of the phone and as I was asking Christina, I could hears of shrieking saying "Yes, we will be quiet in the truck and yes, we can drive with Grandma and Grandpa." But Andrew and Christina had to talk and approve and then the girls had to realize how long a trip they were going to be taking, but finally everyone agreed that it was a good idea for us to go to Texas after Christmas to visit David and Suzanne and the four girls. I had previously asked both David and Suzanne for their approval.

Then Ken and I realized that we have no DVD in the car and as we drive with only a short stop every two hours to switch drivers, we wondered how the girls would thrive, so Ken suggested giving the girls a small individual DVD for each girl as part of their Christmas bag. As is our custom, we asked Suzanne. Her suggestion was to buy each girl a Nano IPod, and she would give them a small gift card to get them started, so that was what we did. You can not imagine the surprise on the face of Kate when she opened her gift. She was stunned and elated and thrilled. Mary Frances was right behind her. They could not thank us enough.

Andrew has started his own business and both Andrew, Christina and the girls are being very frugal. They expect from us a large bag from The Dollar Store, and when they opened the IPod that was in their bag they were speechless but delighted. It was fun watching their eyes and squeals of joy. It was a wonderful suggestion from Suzanne. It was worth every penny, all started with our decision to drive to Mississippi.

December 25, 2009. Jackson, Ms. Christmas Day.December 23, 2009. Jackson, Ms. Sweets.

There has never been a better day in the year than Christmas. Tonight at dinner and using the good silver that was Christina's grandmother, I commented that at a time like this, I always hoped and wished that our loved ones who are deceased could look down from heaven and see us at dinner. Sitting around the table were the three lovely girls, Linda Christina's Mother, Andrew and Christina and Ken and I. We were a happy group. I knew that my parents and Linda's parents would be pleased to see the scene, this Christmas 2009.

Andrew cooked the meat, venison stuffed with chives and creamed cheese. Christina fixed cheesy potatoes and sauteed spinach with garlic. The dinner was delicious. Breakfast casserole was served during the opening of the presents which we snacked on all morning. Tea in the afternoon, with ginger cookies were served while we admired the gifts. Dinner was early so Molly could join us for Christmas dinner. I almost forgot the trifle for dessert, prepared by Christina, made of ginger bread cake, cranberry curd and whipped cream. Such a treat.

The best part was watching the girls open their gifts. I have always subscribed to the policy that children enjoy lots of gifts rather than just one large gift, so with my own children I showered the boys with gifts, even tho the gifts were inexpensive. Now with the grandchildren, I do the same thing. Each child is given a large bag, full of stuff that mostly comes from the dollar store, with a few other objects added with some value. Every year the girls receive things necessary for the year. Pens, pencils, hairbrush, socks, paper, scissors, paper, books, post-its, underwear, candy, crackers, hair-clips,and note cards. They love it. This year was special for Kate and Mary Frances and they received something that for them was totally surprising. I will relate that tale tomorrow.

Christmas Day is the most wonderful day of the year, as we have observed all day long.

Overnight Snow @ the Farm 12/09

December 24, 2009. Jackson, Ms. Traditions.

In Texas they have a wonderful tradition. On Christmas Eve, families gather together after the early evening church service to eat Mexican food in their own homes. This is a custom we always enjoy when we spend Christmas in San Antonio with David and Suzanne. The good part is that the food is wonderful Tex Mex food, enchiladas, tamales, rice, re-friend beans. The best part is all the food is ordered from the restaurant near by, so when you order the food a few days ahead of time, you just pick up the food in the afternoon, and after church and a quick heat in the oven, dinner is served. It is a great tradition. And the Mother of the home does not have to cook.

Tonight at Christina and Andrew's home in Mississippi, we did the same thing, thanks to David and Suzanne. They sent the food to us via Fed Ex. It arrived at three o'clock today, and when we came home from Christmas Eve Service, Andrew put the food in the oven to re-heat, and we sat around casually and enjoyed the delicious food. It was the Christmas gift to Andrew and Christina from David and Suzanne, and Ken and I were just along for the ride. It is a great gift and much appreciated by all. This Texas tradition is a good one.

December 23, 2009. Jackson, Ms. Sweets.

Christmas brings many blessings. Included in that list is the amount and quality of the sweets. Yesterday afternoon, upon our arrival, we all drank a cup of tea, accompanied by freshly baked ginger cookies, made by Christina. The cookies were delicious and I ate three. This afternoon we were invited to Christina's Mother for a Christmas tea. Christina's brother Peter was there, along with his wife Bethany and baby Evelyn. Ken was in hog heaven. We ate cranberry cake, fudge, cheese and crackers, pecan shandies, all once or twice. It was wonderful.

Dinner tonight ended with a choice of fudge, cranberry cake or ginger cookies, all by Christina. Kate and Mary Frances and Christina have been baking for several weeks, all preparing for the holiday season. Last night for dessert we ate carrot cake, again made by Christina and the girls. My birthday gift from Christina has always been carrot cake, so Christina made it for me for our arrival. I know more goodies are in store for us. It is a treat.

Many years ago when Andrew was in Japan, Ken, David and I spent Christmas with Dave and Irene in Hamilton. The three of us still speak of how well we were treated. Basically we ate the whole time we were there, eating the best sweet goods in the world. Every one invited us to visit and everyone laid out a large spread of good food, which of course we ate heartily. It was amazing and wonderful.

Now we will enjoy every blessing of the Christmas season, including all the sweets!!

December 22, 2009. Jackson, Ms. Arrival.

Six hours later, we were home in Jackson. It is a wonderful thing to have your granddaughters help so efficiently. The first thing upon arrival we drank a cut of tea. It is the age old custom of welcoming friends and relatives that immediately seems to make you welcome. Next Kate and Mary Frances, Christina and I set out to bring in the Angus beef from the truck to the freezer. By arranging the belongings in the back seat of the truck, the girls came with us to the apartment to unload the truck. Andrew came to help with the heavy lifting. With everyone helping, the Christmas decorations were installed, the dishes put away and all our clothes taken up to the bedroom. The girls were a huge help. It is somehow very reassuring when the youth can complete tasks better than we oldsters.

Our apartment could hold all the stuff from the truck. It even looks like our home. The quilts are the first clue. Now tomorrow morning we will hang pictures and change sheets and towels. Tonight, friends of Andrew and Christina's, Jim and Eleanor and three of their children came to dinner. She is an artist and he a doctor, who entertained us in their home the last time we were here. I was delighted to see them again. Tomorrow we will take tea with Linda at her home, so will see more friends, and then Church service on Thursday will be at four o'clock. Our days will be busy and happy. Our Christmas season has begun.

December 21, 2009. Chattanooga, Tn. Driving.

We lost the snow all of a sudden. I expected to see the snow diminished bit by bit and then finally, see no snow at all, but all of a sudden, there was no snow anywhere, just like a line in the sand. But the snow stayed with us all the way through Virginia and into Tennessee. But today the sky was clear and sunny and the highways were dry, so we drove for two sessions each of two hours at time, leaving Winchester at 7:30, and arriving in Chattanooga at 4:30. It comes as no surprise of course, but our room last night was fine and we enjoyed it, but the room tonight is much better and bigger. No surprise, it costs more money. I still don't know how it can be done. Last night we stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn. It cost $74. which comes with a full hot breakfast and a lovely room, which is equipped with computer line. All included. Tonight we are on the outskirts of Chattanooga, staying in a Marriott Suites Hotel. The space is twice the size, and includes a full kitchen along with a sitting area and a dining table and a desk. All for $135.

Friday at the farm we loaded the truck, in fact we filled the truck. Just like the Okies heading West, our car is full. I don't know how on earth all this stuff will fit into our small condominium in Jackson. I guess it is a bad idea to pack up some stuff now and other stuff another day. When it was finally all organized and collected together, I probably have brought too much stuff. Five large bags are also in the truck, but those Christmas gifts are but a pittance when compared with all the rest I have stolen from the farm and the apartment. I will be very interested to see how it all gets done.

This will be our first Christmas in Mississippi. We are excited to see the girls. Tomorrow we have about six hours of driving before arriving at Christina and Andrew's house so we can unload the two coolers of good Angus beef. Next we recruit help to unload the truck!! Tonight we will find a good restaurant, then watch the Redskins a bit before having a good night's sleep.

December 20, 2009. Artemas, Pa. Snowbound.

Eighteen inches in one long session, that is how much snow we had at the farm. For once the forecast was accurate; snow was to begin at six on Friday, stop at some time late evening, then begin again and continue all the next day, and that is exactly what happened. We went to bed with the snow falling and we woke up to snow falling, and it snowed all day, until six. It was beautiful and we were stuck in a nice safe place.

Friday with the forecast of snow, we packed up the car for Mississippi and we stayed in the old farm house which is on the bottom of the hill closer to the barns and sheds. It is a charming old house and we have left us a bedroom and small number of clothes and personal objects just in case we could not get to the house on the top of the house. In Hancock on the way up we purchased food supplies to stock the pantry so we were ready for all emergencies and feeling smug. We knew Alan or Bryan would not plough our driveway until the snow stopped, so we knew we were in for the duration. It was a lovely day. I stayed in my nightshirt all day, reading, organizing closets and eating.

Only one difficulty; our cell phones do not work at the farm house and the computer is in the Hill House. We were without any means of communication with the outside world. This morning while we were eating breakfast Alan came up the long driveway and ploughed us out, right up to the Hill House. The scene here is beautiful but I am pleased to get around once again!! Now we know why we have two houses at the farm, one when it snows and one when the weather is fine. We are very lucky people.

December 18, 2009. Artemas, Pa. Celebrations.

Last night we celebrated. Actually, we were about to celebrate anyway at our annual Holiday Party, but when we broke the Billion Dollar mark we really celebrated in earnest. It was four o'clock, when Carol E. received another ratified contract that put us over the Billion Dollar Mark for the fifth time. It is a bit of a puzzle to other agents and other offices as other offices have more agents and other offices are situated in Bethesda, but our volume is much greater. It is all a puzzle to them.

Our part ywas wonderful of course, with the agents very pleased to have made our goal for the year. It is really quite an astonishing feat in this year of gloom and doom in the economy, to have achieved this volume of sales. I must say thought, this year has incredibly difficult for the agents. Every case was fraught with issues needing resolution from the beginning to the end of the transaction. Great patience and expertise was required. But the agents help each other, even though they really are true competitors, and that spirit of helpfulness won the day. So last night we ate and drank and made merry, something we are very good at doing.

Last evening everyone talked all night. Very little dancing, which is unusual, but people sat and talked. Good food, good friends, ample refreshment means for a fine time. And of course, we always like to pat ourselves on our backs. Humble but proud. Is this an oxymoron?

December 16, 2009. Chevy Chase, Md. Staff Lunch.

We do it twice a year, in June and December, to celebrate and give thanks for the staff. April is the normal day to celebrate the staff, but we do things differently, first by accident and then by design. In the early years of my life as a manager, I always forgot about this special day in April. Then some staff person asked me what I was doing to do about the staff this year. At our weekly staff meeting, I apologized to the staff, and we collectively decided to go out for lunch in June, when the restaurants were not as crowded. This has been our routine ever since. Over the years we have added the Prosperity Mortgage and the Insurance staff join us.

One June we were having a wonderful time having a lot of fun at Clyde's in Chevy Chase, when I suggested that we do the event twice a year, once in June and once in December to celebrate my birthday. Today we had the best time we have had. The Panetaria was the restaurant. Eighteen of us enjoyed the wonderful Italian food and toasted each other with water!!

December 15, 2009. Bethesda, Md. Dinner.

There is something special about having dinner with old friends. Last evening Ken and I had dinner in the home of Wendy and Clausen. Mary and Clif were there too, driving all the way over from there home in Annapolis. We have been friends since the early 70's and have watched each others children grow up, so one of the topic of conversation is to catch up on on the children and grandchildren. Nova Scotia has become the summer place for all of us, so we always catch up with news from there. Mary and Clif stay later into the Fall and attended The Celtic Colors in Cape Breton Island this year so we all needed a report. The evening just flew away, and then we had to go home.

Wendy cooked the main course, a wonderful french dish made of potatoes, sauer croute, bratwurst, chicken, and lots more. It tasted great. Mary brought appetizers and I bought pies from the Belle Grove at the farm. Home made pie is always a treat, especially for Clausen. With three helping, no one is left with all the work. But Wendy and Clausen have the biggest task. Oh yes. Clausen made a delicious salad with all the goodies you like in a salad.

Another topic is the dogs. The puppy Tenor is growing up in size but still acts like a puppy. Wendy is teaching him tracking because he loves to work and he needs a lot of activity. The greyhounds are both wonderful still, even Clem who is old. Roulette is gracious and majestic, a wonderful combination in a dog.

Our evenings together are few and far between, except when we are in Nova Scotia, so it is a real treat to be together. We enjoyed every minute. "No friends like old friends."

December 14, 2009. Bethesda, Md. The Hill.

It was pure ice, top to bottom, so we left the truck at the bottom of the hill and walked up to the hill house. The air warmed up in the afternoon so we chanced the hill in the truck in order to visit our friends Helen and Alan, but by the time we got back home, the temperature had fallen so now everything was once again frozen solid. Fortunately we could walk on the side of the road in the snow because we would never have been able to walk on the road. Once in the house we organized our belongings and drove down the hill in the gator, the same one that drove over Ken's leg. We kept one wheel in the snow and one on the road. Slow driving got us safely to the bottom. Also we did not buckle up our seat belts to be ready to bale out!!

We stayed overnight in the old farm house. It was re-assuring to know that everything was in place in our bedroom, ready for our next visit. Nightshirts in the drawer, also underwear and deodorant!! The old house was very pleasant, reading in the living room. The next time we come up we will provide provisions for the pantry, although peanut butter and toast tasted pretty good. Even the shower worked well with everything necessary to function. I was pleased.

This morning we drove into town, arriving home at eleven and at work in time for lunch. This will be our new system, coming back to Bethesda on Monday morning. Today it worked well.

December 12, 2009. Artemas, Pa. The Farm.

It is very cold here; twenty degrees F. when we arrived at ten o'clock this morning. The place is a winter wonderland. The fields are covered with ice. The snows had fallen, then the sun melted the top of the snow so all the fields are shiny and bright with a layer of ice everywhere.

The Top House heats up quickly when we arrive. With all the windows facing south and west, the sun heats up the house even without much heat, so when we turn up the thermostat and also turn on the gas stove, the room is toasty warm very soon. It is always nice to have everything work properly.

The road coming up to the Hill House is also covered with ice. By the time the Jay's came to plough the roads, the hill was already solid ice. It was a little dicey driving up this morning but with the four wheel drive on the truck we were fine. Then this afternoon Ken spread sand and salt on the hill. But we are not going to go down the hill and back up tonight in the dark. We are invited to have dinner with the hunt group at the Jay's butchering parlor but I think we will stay home all cosy and warm.

Ken did comment this afternoon while walking gingerly back to the truck from the Road Kill Cafe that it requires more care and effort living in the cold lands. He is correct. To some extent, climate impacts character!!.

December 11, 2009. Chevy Chase, Md. Landings.

It was a bit disconcerting. The journey from Houston to Washington was quick. With a hundred mile an hour tail wind we arrived in under two hours. thirty minutes sooner than normal. All seemed fine, except arriving at National airport is always a bit difficult because you must all of a sudden drop down , slow up and land, just like that. Three sides are water and the runway is short. So we were landing and out the window I see the river almost parallel to me, except it felt as if we were going too fast. All of a sudden the plane engine powered up and we took off up to the sky, only to circle around and try again.

The second landing was fine, except with a big bump. As we were waiting to get off the plane, the man in front of me commented that he did not care how many times the pilot needed to practice the landing, as sure as he got it right!! No explanation was given to the passengers which I thought was interesting.

Now we are home, opening mail and getting ready to drive to the farm tomorrow. The minute we are here in Washington Ken starts coughing again. The air to me feels fine but not to him. It will be better at the farm, I am sure.

December 10, 2009. Mexico. Moving Time.

Tomorrow we leave for Maryland. In some ways the time has flown away and in another way we seem to have been here many months. Today we dined at lunch just up the street at a new restaurant that has turned out to have an excellent chef. Also, today I have spent packing away all our stuff into our lockers. Our boarding passes are in my pocket and we are ready to leave bright and early Friday morning., first to Houston and then on to National Airport in Washington. We like to be able to arrive at National because we can use the Metro to Bethesda, then pick up my car from work.

I am always excited about a travel day and I am not quite sure why. Lost of reasons please me. First off is the lack of anything to do except watch the people. All I am required to do all day is eat, drink, walk and sit... and watch the world go by. Secondly, I am thrilled to be home to organize our next jaunt and complete my Christmas preparations. Soon we will drive to Jackson with a truck full of dishes and clothes and towels to outfit our new place, along with two coolers of Angus beef for Andrew and Christina. The biggest issue for me is the clothes for me to take to Jackson to leave in the condo. It is complicated, but I bet I can figure it out.

Tomorrow we leave after a very happy stay here in Playa Royale. We have enjoyed the walking and the weather and the reading. We will return!!

Vallarta

Malecon Art

December 9, 2009. Mexico. Art Galleries.

We saw three wonderful pieces of art today, but we came home empty handed. Puerto Vallarta used to be a sleepy little fishing village, but not any more. Now it is full of hustle and bustle and cars and tourists. But they have retained the old historic section, along with the cobble stones and narrow streets and ancient construction. I like to go there because people live right in the town, upstairs from the stores and restaurants and some times right next to the stores and galleries. While ambling along the sidewalk you can look into the living room or the court yards. It is hotter than in Nuevo Vallarta where we live, but we like to go there anyway, at least every now and again.

Today our plan was to visit sixteen art galleries. Wednesday evenings, these galleries conduct an art walk. They provide a map and serve wine and snacks, and stay open until nine o'clock, hoping that people will come by and purchase art. We picked up a brochure but did not wish to go at night, so today we made our own tour. Ken thought the galleries would not open until noon, but we left by taxi and arrived at 11:15 to find the first one open. It was fun, visiting each gallery in turn, seeing the art and chatting with the gallery owners.

After nine galleries, we needed a break which turned out to be a mistake, as the galleries close at two and re-open at five!! Stupidity in action. "Fusion" was the restaurant we chose for lunch, but had we known the galleries were soon closing we would have delayed lunch. Instead we walked along the Malecon/boardwalk, then headed home in a cab. The art world in Puerto Vallarta is alive and well and we enjoyed our day, except we did not buy a thing.

Topiary 2

Topiary 1

December 8, 2009. Mexico. Topiary and Birthdays.

In my mind, this place seemed an unlikely place to see it. Now I know the foliage is lush and well tended, but I certainly did not expect all this topiary. On the half mile walk from our apartment down to the hotel/time share, these fancy shaped trees and bushes are all along the road, in every resort. It comes as a big surprise every time I see them. There are hats and boats and birds, but my favorite is the bird house. The whole tree has been cut in the shape of a bird house, with openings in the front and side for the birds to enter. I love it. I wonder if any bird every makes his home there? They are all so whimsical and fun, that every time we walk by I smile.

Birthdays are lovely. Your children phone you and talk a long time, just to me alone. My brother and sister call with greetings. The grandchildren all call to sing Happy Birthday and chat with me, one at a time. And several friends called, wanting to share in my big day. I am always so impressed when folks remember my birthday. Allison my 8 year old granddaughter was the one who remembered first in their family. She found it on her calender!! Clever child. I had a wonderful day but next year I will celebrate with family and friends.

December 7, 2009. Mexico. Kimberley, B.C.

Kimberley is a small town on the east side of British Columbia. It is a lovely spot, in a valley, surrounded by mountains. Neighbors here live there most of the year. They have been to their condo next door three times when we also had been here, so we had chatted a bit in the past, and this time we invited them over for a drink. David and Margaret were born and raised in England but have lived in Canada for many years. She works part of the time. She is a Doctor and does 'locums' for other Doctors who need a vacation. They own five acres of land, two horses and one dog. Margaret rides the horses while David makes sure the fences are in good order. They are nice folks and we have enjoyed chatting with them.

Margaret went to medical school in England, then did her internship at McMaster University in Hamilton. It is a small world indeed.

December 6, 2009. Mexico. Football Games.

The room erupted in cheers when the New York Giants scored a touchdown. Just a few minutes earlier, a small number cheered when The Dallas Cowboys scored. And then the Giants scored again and the Dallas fans left for home. I asked the man if he was from Dallas, but he said that he cheers for anyone except a New York Team. Ken and I had gone for a walk and ended up at the bar in the hotel for Happy Hour. The place is lovely with glass everywhere. It was great fun watching the game and the people so we happily snacked on nachos and drank our two for one drinks, before walking home after that game.

It is interesting to note who people cheer for during the games. Almost everyone cares. In fact, even the college games have their own fans. Obviously the folks cheer for the home team and for their college team. But in addition, people follow other teams specific to something else. I have heard people tell me they follow specific players and always cheer for that player's team, or they follow the coach from team to team. It often seems they cheer for no real reason except they like that team. I suspect that one of the great facts of life in the US is the teams and their groups of fans. My group today had many folks from Canada but they cheered along with everyone else. It was great sport and very enjoyable on my birthday.

December 5, 2009. Mexico. Another Book.

It is a very unusual book, written as a letter to the Premier of China from a businessman living in Bangalore, India, telling of life in India. It sound boring but it is not; it is a good read. Aravind Adiga is the author and "The White Tiger" is the title. I know nothing about the author and I can not remember why I loaded the book on my Kindle, but I am glad I was able to read it. I know that India is doing well in the world. Recently, I have read several articles discussing the problems down the road for India. This book discusses them all, but in an interesting, humorous way, so it seems to be reading a book rather than a sermon. I am not prone to reading sermons!!

The problems for India are still with them; the caste system and poverty and corruption. They are all there in the book. It is well worth the reading.

Tomorrow we will celebrate my birthday at brunch. The golf course hosts a magnificent brunch every Sunday, so we will attend, and I be grateful for turning 72.

Local Color

Flora of Bucieras

December 4, 2009. Mexico. Expedition.

It was a good thing we were all by ourselves. Innocently, our plan for the day was to take the trolley over to the newer hotels, then walk for an hour before returning home via bus or taxi. What we ended up doing was walk the whole time, leaving home just after nine and returning at four. Fortunately we had applied sun screen and fortunately our legs stayed steady, but we really did not intend to walk the whole time.

But it was an interesting day. Always a new decision, leading to more walking. The trolley only starts at 11:30, so instead we took the Riu bus right to the end of the new fancy hotels. We discovered that the fence had been removed and a path opened to walk over to Bucerias, so we did, then walked from one end of town to the other. On the path we saw an extended family of small creature that I must look up, also wild orchids. And we discovered a wonderful market of hand crafted goods, some of high quality in addition to the normal tourist stuff. Two new restaurants are now on our list to visit, along with with three lunch spots. Luna was where we ate lunch.

By now we are ready for home, so we walk up to the main road and caught a very crowed bus, getting off at the road down to Nuevo Vallarta. Ken is convinced that if we walk a quarter mile, we will arrive at the spot where we can meet the trolley. I am equally convinced that the distance is closer to three miles than a quarter mile, but I lost, and in the full sun, at the end of a long walk, we walked that two miles down to the gate of Paradise Village to board the Trolley. It was fun and funny, but the best part was that we had no trouble with our feet or legs. And it was a very interesting expedition. It was just fortunate that we were by ourselves!!

More Sunsets

December 3, 2009. Mexico. Books.

"The Forgotten Garden: A Novel" is a wonderful book. Written by Kate Morton, it involves your brain as well as your emotions to try to figure the whole thing out. It is well worth reading. The Greg Mortenson book is a bit problematic in my opinion. I know, I don't look as if I am a cynic, but I am, especially towards those who do so called good deeds. The book was well reviewed but it seems to me that Greg did exactly what he wanted to do at a time when he did not know what to do at all. He had the choice of attending Medical School, but for some flimsy self serving reason he turned it down, then proceeded to do nothing except climb mountains for the next five years. If his task was to be helpful eventually, he certainly could have done it easier with his medical degree.

I have seen many people in my life who went off to do good deeds for others, when really they were doing more interesting work in their new place than in their old position. Why pretend. Just say "I am bored and need a new challenge", rather than paint themselves as some kind of a martyr and garner all that good will. I have no patience for it. It seems to me that Greg has done just that without regard for his responsibilities at home. It is remarkably selfish behaviour, wrapped in the guise of a saint. I did find the book interesting and a quick read, but time will tell the results of his labor, long term. Certainly Afghanistan and Pakistan are in a mess still. The "Kite Runner" is a much better book, also"Infidel", which is excellent, especially for women.

Marina at the Condo

December 2, 2009. Mexico. Nothing.

I am learning how to do nothing and enjoy it. Every stage of life, there is a whole new set of skills necessary for success. Always, every step of the way, is the requirement to try to figure out what is needed to obtain expertise to accomplish the task at hand. When young, there is a temptation to think that when you are an adult, all difficulties will cease, but the fact is that every ten years or so a whole new set of circumstances arises to force you to figure out a way through the present situation. It makes sense of course, because we get older and loose and gain competence. But it always comes as a surprise, how much we have to try to change our behaviour for every situation of your life.

Now I am getting good at doing nothing. Sunday, we stayed in the apartment all day, and did not even get out of our night shirts until mid afternoon. I watched tennis in the morning, and a football game in the afternoon. The rest of the time I read. The day was beautiful, but we stayed at home. I finished reading "Plain, Honest Men", by Richard Beeman, a book about the writing of the constitution. It is especially interesting today, as everything those good souls were fearful of happening in the country has happened. Hoe did it happen that the States who were powerful are now merely dancing to the Federal officials? And today I finished "Three Cups of Tea" by David Oliver Relin, the story of Greg Mortenson, who builds schools in Pakistan.

The most important thing we did today was have a massage!! You see, I really am getting good at doing absolutely nothing... and I am enjoying every minute.

La Playa

Hand Net Fishing

Wildlife at Paradise Village

December 1, 2009. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Light.

All of a sudden, the lights went off. There we were, feeling fat and happy after eating a bowl of ice cream and watching the first play of the football game, when the lights went off. Total darkness. As we sat in the dark, we discussed our preparations for life without light and discovered to our horror that we had no provisions. No candles, no oil lamp, no flashlights, not even any matches. I remembered that Ken brought a reading lamp, battery operated, that you clip on your book and I reminded Ken that he usually brings a flashlight in his back pack. At first we just stayed in the dark and talked, and when no lights returned, we figured that we should do something. The apartment was pitch black at first, but soon we realized that there was still a bit of light outside so we could get around a bit, so we put on our night shirts and Ken found the book light. We were set.

For the next hour, we squeezed together reading from our Kindle, using one small light. It worked quite well except your neck got a bit of a crick!! The battery operated computer worked well as a night light as we groper around the apartment. Finally, we decided to go to bed. This was the first time without power in our apartment. Also it was the first time we have experienced rain. In the late afternoon, we had gone walking on the beach. It was spitting rain when we headed out but, as we know it does not rain in December, we kept walking, and returned to our home with no trouble. Within minutes, the skies opened up and the rain fell hard. Thunder and lightning everywhere, all evening.

The moral of the story is 1. Travel with two flashlights and 2. Stay home when it is raining.

November 29, 2009. Mexico. Grocery Shopping.

Here in Mexico, we have two options for obtaining groceries. This trip we have returned to our first method which is to use the local market for our food. It is a walk of about a quarter of a mile so it is no problem to get there and back and in fact it is a very nice walk along a shaded road with a new stone sidewalk. Tuesday morning, our first morning here, Ken and I ate breakfast in the Mall, then brought a limited amount of food home. Our plan was to walk to the Market, which is in the Mall, every few days. What really happened is that we ate very peculiar meals, amounting to the left over food from yesterdays restaurant meal. It was fine, but clearly we were not eating a balanced diet.

The problem is that I do not like that Market, but last evening we had no choice, so we took our back packs with us and shopped for food. Our back packs were heavy walking home but we ate well today.

The other option for grocery shopping is to shop at Mega, a very large modern store in Buciaras, then take a taxi home with all our food. Next time we are here we will use that method, so we can shop only once. I have made up my mind. Of course, I made up my mind the last time and was convinced that the local Market would be fine. But it is not fine, so next visit, I will shop at Mega.

November 28, 2009. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. 281.

I spotted it in a book on drives to take in the Hill Country, and right away, I wanted to drive the Highway from on end to the other. Highway 281 is the only highway in the US with the same number from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. When I first read it I dismissed it, until I looked at the atlas, and sure enough, there it is, all the way to Canada on 281. That was two years ago and it has takes that long to figure out how to organize the trip.

At first Ken was enthusiastic until he realized the distances. We have talked through every different arrangements. At first we thought about doing it in thirds, but the complication there is where to start from and when, so we scratched that. Next plan was to drive straight up from Texas in the Spring, leave the car with Keith and Wilma in Brandon for the Summer, then fly back to Brandon before driving down to Texas. We would use our Texas car for the trip. But that plan soon got scrapped too. I was beginning to think that Ken really did not want to take this trip.

Yesterday, after many different options, it is settled. In the Fall of 2010, we will fly to San Antonio and after a visit with the kids, will drive north all the way on 281, until we arrive in Brandon, Manitoba. It is a 1500 mile drive. A Time Share has been arranged at a lovely resort just north of Brandon, so Keith and Wilma will join us for a week. Our route back south to Texas will be further west, closer to the mountains. We'll take another break after our long journey, before flying home to Bethesda. I am thrilled with the plan. It took us awhile to figure out all the options, but now we have a good plan for driving Highway 281.

Playa (Beach) Market at the Condo

November 27, 2009. Mexico. The Beach.

A walk on the beach provides an unending interesting events. A large pail was sitting on the beach, and upon inspection, saw that the pail was half full of small fish, each about six inches long. It was a amazing, the competence of the fisherman. He stood in mid thigh water, but of course the waves kept coming in, so often he was mid-chest in the water. He fished with a circle net, and threw out the net, and quickly pulled it tight. When the bag attached to his waist was full, he walked into shore to put the fish in the pail. I would have liked to find out how long he had been fishing, but all the while I watched, he stayed in the water. A pity.

I over heard a four year old to her Mother, the child saying "But it is better for me to eat ice cream before my lunch. It feels better in my stomach". My sympathy entirely, but I bet she won't win that argument.

The man was playing with his two girls, making sand castles. The Mother was standing watching. Actually, she was watching the girls go in and out of the surf collecting buckets of water for their construction. The man was intent on his construction, speaking to neither the girls or the wife. He was concentrating on his castles, paying no attention to anything except his own project. Each girl worked alone too. His diligence was remarkable and unusual for the beach. Most Dad's talk with their children and their projects including his own, but this Dad had a Mission and he was intent and motivated. I watched for ten minutes. Ken even took pictures of him but he never raised his eyes. It was very impressive.

A walk on the beach is never dull.

November 26, 2009. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Thanksgiving.

It is unusual to spend Thanksgiving on your own. Of all the celebrations held in any year, Thanksgiving is the one where most folks spend time with their families. Certainly more than at Christmas. Without looking up, both Ken and I think that this is the first time we have every celebrated Thanksgiving all by ourselves, without either family or friends. My brother when he called with greetings, wondered if we were feeling lonely all by ourselves in Mexico, but we assured him that we had a lovely day.

Last Thanksgiving Day we dined with Gary and Diana at their home and with their family, just before we flew the next day to Jackson. The dinner surpassed our dinner this year!! In other years we had been in Nova Scotia and Mary and Walt always invited us to celebrate in their home. In fact, we have celebrated both Canadian and American Thanksgivings with them, just not on the same year. The farm is a wonderful place to celebrate Thanksgiving and have done so many times with Andrew and Christina and the girls. Christina baked a cranberry cake the first year we celebrated at the farm, and it has remained a staple of the holiday. I would like a piece tonight. When Kate was five, I asked her what she liked best about the Thanksgiving holiday. After a moment she said "The desserts we ate after every meal and for tea". I must agree. Pumpkin pie and apple pie and cranberry cake will leave you with a whole new set of memories!!

November 25, 2009. Mexico. Estudio-Cafe.

We intended to take the Trolley, the free tourist vehicle that wanders around the area, but after walking down to the Market and waited a few minutes, we were told that the Trolley only runs on Friday to Monday. We were out of luck. Our intention was to take the Trolley to the other side of the river to check out the construction of the Marina and to have lunch. As the free trolley was not working, our next plan was to take the first bus arriving at the bus stop and get on and find a lunch spot. Fortunately for us, the first bus took us to the same place we intended to go to, so we just got lucky. For fifty cents each, we were there, and wandered around looking over the constructed marina. Ever since we have been coming here, the first floor of a condo is being restored, so every time we check out the progress. Unfortunately, the construction is being done, but not very quickly. It is a pleasant walk, seeing all the boats and birds.

We have seen the artist and his work twice, but had never dined at the restaurant. It was worth the wait. The special of the day begins at 3:00, but it was 1:30 when we arrived, so we asked the lady, who is the wife and in charge, if we could drink beer until we could order the fish dinner for lunch. She spoke little English and we spoke little Spanish, but she understood enough to know that we were not leaving until we ate the fish dinner. She laughed and asked the cook and proceeded to serve a wonderful simple meal; mushroom soup, fish and rice and salad, apple strudel or chocolate cake. It was the best meal since our arrival.

In addition, we saw huge pelicans roosting in nearby trees and one large iguana eating flowers in their flower boxes. The young ladies from the kitchen came out to send away the lizard, but he was not to be denied. He liked eating their flowers. The large lizard turned to face her and pumped up his throat and hissed at her. She went for the broom and he retreated, hissing all the way. We will return to the Estudio-Cafe but next time with our camera!!

Sunrise

Sunset reflection & shadow

November 24, 2009. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Hurrah.

Why do we enjoy Mexico? Ken and I discussed it last night over dinner, sitting at the Marina restaurant, El Pescatorie. Here are the three reasons.

1. The Weather. It is perfect. You keep the windows open or sit on the balcony, it is all the same. Dining outside by the boats was comfortable. I call it "in door outdoor" weather. Eighty degrees during the day is comfortable with seventy in the evening a delight. No snow, no rain, no wind, no ice. The weather here is perfect.

2. The People. They are pleasant and helpful and hard working, also neat and tidy. They are exactly opposite to their image, who Americans think are lazy.

3. The Responsibilities. Here we have none. Ken has no chores needing to be done. Our only tasks are to keep interested, so we explore and read and wander and exercise. Last time we were here last April, after two weeks we were ready to leave, but we are trying it again and will be here for nineteen days. A life time with a to-do list leaves us vaguely uncomfortable, but also exhilarated too.

There are more reasons that we love coming to Mexico, but the three most important ones are at the top of our list. What is most interesting to us is that no one else seems to want to come to visit us. It is fascinating, but true.

Farm in November A

Farm in November