Monthly Archives: May 2021

May30

Just A Number

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Just A Number

Last weekend I celebrated another birthday. At this stage of the game, age is just a number. It does not dictate what you should or should not be doing. It also should not rule your life.

I live a very unconventional life. It’s never what I envisioned my life to be at this age. In fact, four years ago I was living a more conservative life. I was living and teaching in Mazatlan. I had been there for four years.

The fall of 2018 brought many changes. I flew from Seattle to Guadalajara, where I extended my stay to two weeks. Then it was off to Mazatlan for a long weekend. Next came a week in Culiacan with my family.

I wound up in San Ciro de Acosta and somehow extended that stay to just under three months. I then discovered Aguascalientes and stayed there for three months.

Covid curtailed my travels. Eleven months in Aguascalientes and eight months here in Washington state and the travel bug has hit. I’ve been vaccinated and things are opening up in America and this nomad will finally once again be on the move next weekend.

I get really mixed reactions from my friends. I have encouraging friends who say “Go for it! Live your dream!” Many of these friends envy what I’m doing as they aren’t able to.

And then there are the friends who say “I could never do what you’re doing. Isn’t it about time you settled down? You’re not getting any younger.”

EXACTLY! I’m not getting any younger! So while my health permits, I intend to keep traveling. There are so many amazing new people to meet and incredible new adventures to be had.

Age is just a number.

May26

Taking A Break

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Taking A Break

Courtesy of The Winnipeg Free Press I am sent daily emails updating the status of Covid statistics and restrictions in the province of Manitoba as well as across Canada. I’m done. I’m not reading this garbage anymore. It’s too depressing and it makes me angry. Here in the USA 50% of all adults have been vaccinated while Canada lags far behind. The USA has a much higher population than Canada and a federal election was held at the peak of the pandemic. Canadians are reluctant to hold an election. And as for living in a police state, I think this Canadian is in no hurry to return home when I can enjoy the freedom I have here in the USA.

As I’m writing this, I’m looking out at the river and notice the growing Canada Goose population on the lawn. Even the geese are quite content to stay here and not fly farther north up into Canada.

I celebrated another birthday on the weekend. While I had a wonderful day with friends, I had hoped to be with my kids. However they are in Canada. Maybe next year.

I downloaded the Amtrak app on my phone last night. I’m planning on taking off for a while and doing some traveling in June. While I’ve taken Via Rail in Canada, I’m a rookie with Amtrak. But I am definitely looking forward to it. The mountains and the ocean will provide some fabulous views.

As far as flying goes, the attraction was lost long before Covid. Airports the size of small cities and long lineups in security have become my norm. Did you know that the airport in Dallas has its own zip code? No, I don’t plan on flying anywhere for a while yet.

Then there are the ferries. I’ve taken a few of those in Washington state. I find looking out at the water quite relaxing. The shorelines are also interesting. I’ve taken ferries around the San Juan islands, to the peninsulas as well as to Stehekin. And I’ve enjoyed all of those rides.

The Memorial Day weekend is coming up. Attending a barbecue as well as a maskless church service are only two of the activities already lined up. Hopefully the forecast of 80s and sunshine will be accurate.

Time to practice my Spanish with Duolingo. Hasta luego!

May23

Reflections

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Reflections

July marks five years since I retired from teaching ESL in Mexico and first came to Leavenworth. The routine of six months in Mexico and six months in Leavenworth with side trips to Canada to see my kids was comfortable. Until the advent of Covid. Eleven months in Mexico has been followed by eight months in Leavenworth with no side trips to Canada.

When I first arrived in Washington State, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the mountains. I still am. Names such as Peshastin and Wenatchee roll off my tongue easily now, as do expressions such as “the other side” and “up the Icicle.” Maifest, Apple Blossom, Autumn Leaf and Octoberfest are just a few of the many festivals I’ve celebrated here when there is no Covid.

I have memories of attending a homecoming football game and racing at the oval track. Events at Snowy Owl Theater as well as Leavenworth Summer Theater productions were most enjoyable. I dressed up in pioneer costume to volunteer at Apple Days in Cashmere. And the 9/11 memorial services at Spirit of America always bring tears to my eyes.

I have memories of volunteering at the senior center, having lunch with friends, craft afternoons and music nights. I miss the entertainment at the gazebo on the weekends. While I did enjoy seeing the colorful trees this year, there was no tree lighting ceremony or ice festival.

While the library has reopened, book club has not yet resumed and neither have the craft activities. There is still some speculation as to whether the pool will open. And just this past week we were given the go ahead to start teaching fitness classes again.

It’s Faith Promise weekend at Leavenworth Church of the Nazarene (LCN). On Friday night we headed out to the orchards at McDivitt’s and had dinner with some eighty other people. I remember the first time I went out there almost five years ago for another church barbecue. I didn’t know a soul back then. And now I know so many people.

Five years ago today, May 23rd, I was living and teaching ESL in Mazatlan. Retiring and becoming a snowbird were never on the radar. Yet now I can’t imagine any other way of life.

May19

Hodge Podge

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Hodge Podge

Two phones and just over 1500 photos since May 2020, the month my ASUS laptop went to hell finally. I hated that computer from almost day one. I arrived in Mexico about a week after buying it in Canada and had nothing but problems with it.

I got a tablet shortly after arriving in Leavenworth last fall. I love it and use it for everything. That is, everything but pictures. I need a computer to get those onto my Seagate backup.

I am so grateful for my friend Gene who graciously took on the task of getting the 1500+ photos off my two phones and onto my Seagate. He is an angel!

I know I will buy a new laptop before I head back to Mexico, but the pressure has subsided since I now have all those photos backed up.

Of course I have no idea yet when I’ll go back to Aguascalientes. Right now Canada still isn’t on the radar. But I do intend to start traveling here in the USA next month.

Where am I going? The only hint I’ll give you now is that it will involve Amtrak and that I’ll be taking lots more photos. You’ll just have to keep reading my blog to find out more.

Tomorrow we start teaching fitness classes again. Everything is really opening up here in Washington state, although we’re all confused about the mask situation. I just wish that vaccination card wasn’t such a weird shape and would fit in my wallet.

Later today I’m off to the hairdresser. I can’t believe it’s been two months since my last haircut. But then again I’ve been in the USA for eight months already.

Yes, it’s definitely time to think about traveling again. The nomad is getting restless.

May16

J’ai Fait Une Erreur

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J’ai Fait Une Erreur

I usually publish a post on Wednesdays and Sundays. This past week I woke up extremely very early on Tuesday, hadn’t had my morning coffee yet, and for some absurd reason I published a post, thinking it was Wednesday.

But today really is Sunday, so we’re back on schedule. Today I’ve decided to write about an afternoon I spent in Waterville this week. A half hour away from the hustle and bustle of Wenatchee, this quaint little town is quiet and peaceful.

First stop was the museum. Although the website stated it was open, the sign said closed.

Waterville Museum

The last time I was there we spent several hours there with a very personalized tour given by a local. I enjoy conversations with locals when exploring new towns. And on this visit we had two really interesting ones with locals.

We were walking toward the Douglas County Courthouse when we met a retired couple who were eager to strike up a conversation with tourists.

Douglas County Courthouse

They were preparing for a community wide garage sale taking place this weekend. They have lived in Waterville forever and had a small art gallery with a cafe and bakery. They have now converted this into their residence. This is one of the artistic pieces still adorning the entrance.

On our walk past Pioneer Park we saw the remains of a business destroyed by fire. In the antique store one of the staff provided us with the details. It had been a car repair garage. A car being worked on backfired, resulting in a fire. The owner went back into the building in an attempt to get the sprinkler system activated. Unfortunately he died and the building burned to the ground.

We were also brought us up to date on the historic Waterville Hotel. The only way to see the inside is to actually book a room and stay there. Unfortunately it closed last season due to Covid and there are no plans to open it this season.

Waterville Hotel

Here are pics of the thrift shop and the antique store.

I also had to add these pics of the lilacs. Note the two colors.

I hope to return to Waterville again and find the museum open. And I’d also like to book a room at the hotel and see if it is indeed haunted!

May11

Dryden Days

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Dryden Days

I’m living in Dryden for the month of May. This is a small town between Cashmere and Peshastin. Here is a pic of the house where I’m staying.

The house is surrounded by orchards, along with a lovely view of the mountains .

My bedroom has a spectacular view of the river, including a fish ladder, and the mountains.

It’s quiet and peaceful here. While Leavenworth is a quaint Bavarian village only ten minutes away, I do not miss the constant tourist traffic. I enjoyed a walk along a back road yesterday and marveled at the beautiful trees and wildflowers.

I have truly found a piece of heaven on earth here.

May8

Mother’s Day Memories

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Mother’s Day Memories

My earliest memories of Mother’s Day date back to my childhood in the form of handcrafted cards created in the classroom. Friday afternoon after recess out came brightly colored craft paper and crayons. Of course there was the obligatory verse to copy from the blackboard.

I also recall getting together throughout the years with grandparents and other extended family members to celebrate this special day. But then things got complicated. I got married and now there were two sides to the family. Naturally I wound up hosting these holiday dinners to keep the peace in the family.

I never really felt special on Mother’s Day until my son Kyle was born. He was just over five months old and I was now actually a mother. Here is a four generation photo taken with Kyle, my mother and my grandmother.

Mother’s Day 1981

In 2021 I had hoped to be with one of my kids on Mother’s Day. But somehow plans just never seem to work out, which is why I despise making long range plans.

I’ve spent Mother’s Day in several different places in the last decade……Culiacan, Tlaquepaque, Tototlan, Mazatlan, Puerta Vallarta, Aguascalientes, Winnipeg, Leavenworth, Cashmere and Wenatchee. This year I’ll add Dryden to the list.

Four years ago I was still in Mexico and had this really deep gut feeling that I should go back to Winnipeg and be with my son on Mother’s Day. And I’m glad I did. I haven’t seen him since then and I am long overdue for a visit. My alternating visits to my kids were thrown out of sync when my daughter had a baby. But even now with Covid it’s been almost two years since I’ve seen them either.

My laptop packed it in last spring in Mexico and I still haven’t replaced it, but thankfully I do have access to some of my photos on my phone. Here is one of my daughter and I on her wedding day.

October 26,2015

Here is my favorite photo of my mom and I on my wedding day.

June 17,1973

The featured photo on this post is my kids on Mother’s Day in 2016. They were at a Blue Jays game in Toronto and texted it to me in Mexico. It was a beautiful gift knowing that they were together that day. My son lives in Winnipeg and my daughter lives in Kelowna so it’s quite difficult to get us all together. But I can always hope that maybe next year we may have a family reunion. Maybe it won’t be on Mother’s Day……but it will certainly make this mother’s day.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone! Enjoy your day!

May4

My Long Range Plans

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My Long Range Plans

I have no long range plans. My short range plans never seem to work out. So why bother with long range plans? I can’t even blame it on Covid either. If anything, I can thank Covid because these days I don’t think any of us can really make long range plans. So my friends have stopped bugging me about what comes next in my life.

I actually do have a few things in mind of what I’d like to have happen. Whether these will come to fruition or not is up in the air. Just for fun, I’ll share them with you. If nothing else, this post will be amusing when I look back at it some time in the future.

It’s a given that I’m not ready to settle down yet. Since I arrived back in Washington state in September I’ve lived in Peshastin, two different homes in Leavenworth, Wenatchee and I’m now in Dryden. I have done some traveling but before I leave the state in about a month, I hope to go on a couple of short train trips.

Then my travels get longer. I have friends in other states that I’d like to visit. In all likelihood, I’ll be returning to Mexico sooner than later unless things change drastically in Canada. I want to see my kids and my granddaughter. But right now that seems like an impossibility.

My friends marvel at how I thrive so well in a continual state of limbo. In the beginning, it was more an issue of survival. But as time goes on it has just become one great adventure after another, and has given me more of an appreciation for wherever I may find myself living or whatever I may find myself doing. And isn’t that what life is all about?

Perhaps I should change the term “long range plans’” to “long range dreams.” But I don’t even think that’s an appropriate expression. Somehow the word “ideas” may be a better word. It offers far more flexibility.

May2

Yep! I Did It Again

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Yep! I Did It Again

I moved. For the month of May I’m living in Dryden, a small town about 10 minutes down Highway 2 from Leavenworth. I’ve become the master of packing and unpacking and was quite comfortably settled in within hours. I even found the time to dive into my craft bag and play with acrylic paints yesterday.

The air is so fresh out here and of course the traffic is much lighter than in Leavenworth. The house where I’m staying is nestled in nicely between the river and the orchards. And of course the mountain view is outstanding.

I’m looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing month here.