Tag Archives: audiobooks

Apr17

My Mind Is Wandering

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My Mind Is Wandering

Yesterday afternoon I was chatting with a friend online. I told her I might have to come back to Winnipeg to take care of a legal matter. She told me that my life would make a great book. Today another friend told me to forget the book. Just go after the screenplay.

I actually began writing some memoirs a few years ago when I was living in Leavenworth, inspired by a course I was taking at the time. I thought they might be nice to leave for my granddaughter. But the more I got into it, the more I realized that there were a lot of things that had gone on in my life that I didn’t want her to know about, especially since my children didn’t even know about them.

I once contemplated writing an autobiography. But if I wrote an autobiography, no-one would believe it. People would think it was fiction. In all honesty, I’m living this life and I have a hard time believing it. But my close friends who have been there for me throughout the years continue to assure me that my life is very real and is definitely not fiction. They’ve seen the crazy things that have gone on, especially in the last couple of decades.

And that brings me back to the legal issue which is a daunting dilemma. My close friends know about it and that’s enough for now. There won’t be anything in my blog until the matter is resolved. And that will take time.

It’s a glorious spring day out there today. The sun shines brightly in the sky and the temperature is hovering around 90 degrees. I went out to the flea market on my street very early this morning in order to avoid the stifling heat later on in the day.

My neighborhood has taken on a very different feel this week. La Feria de San Marcos begins on Saturday. Three weeks of music, rides, vendors and celebration. Thousands of people throng here not only from Mexico but from other countries as well. Hundreds of worker have been at it for weeks now setting up. And I am living a mere two blocks away from one of the main stages!

Emiliano came unexpectedly for an English class today although the kids are off school this week for Semana Santa. We talked about the solar system and watched a short video. He is looking forwarding to seeing Minecraft over the holidays. He enjoys the game and is excited about seeing the movie. So we watched the trailer together in English.

I’m still listening to audiobooks but this morning I have a music playlist on in the background as I write this. Everything from Backstreet Boys to Marianas Trench. Actually it’s great music for writing memoirs, but I’m not going there today, or anytime soon.

Time for lunch. Ricardo made lasagna. Yummy!

Apr13

Sunday April 13, 2025

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Sunday April 13, 2025

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, or Semana Santa as we call it here in Mexico. It actually overlaps this year with the Jewish Passover which began last night. Whatever you are celebrating, I hope it is a blessed time spent with family and friends.

Religion has been on my mind these days. I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction. Kristin Hannah has become one of my favorite authors. I’ve also read books by Kristin Harmel and Georgia Hunter. And I still have several more on my “to read” list. As an aspiring writer of fiction, reading the works of other authors is an important tool for me.

I belong to a book club back in Washington. Thanks to North Central Washington Libraries, I’ve been able to read books on Libby and Hoopla and keep up with the group. Actually, I more listen to them than read them. While I much prefer to hold a book in my hands, I find myself listening to audiobooks. I have more than enough screen time with my writing.

I first became interested in reading as a young child. It began with Golden Books and then moved on to Dick, Jane and Sally books I read at school. My Aunt Anne lived in Regina but she was the one who introduced me to Dr. Suess and The Cat In The Hat. She also encouraged me to read other books, such as Charlotte’s Web and Winnie The Pooh. And when I was older she recommended the series of Agatha Christie books. I became enthralled with Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Decades later when my aunt was in a personal care home struggling with Alzheimer’s, I visited her regularly. Remarkably, our conversation often shifted to books.

Rosamunde Pilcher is another of my favorite authors. I first read The Shell Seekers when I was in Florida visiting my mother. I was recuperating from surgery and reading was a most welcome activity. In the years after that I went on to read all of Pilcher’s books.

When my children were young, I used to take them to programs at the libraries in Winnipeg where I encouraged them to experience the joys of reading. It is amazing to immerse yourself in the many different worlds of other people and to share in their adventures. And I am pleased that my daughter has carried on this tradition with my granddaughter.

What books are on your nightstand?

Feb6

It’s Thursday

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It’s Thursday

I started off my day as usual sipping coffee in bed and watching a movie in Spanish. The movie this morning was about hoarders. It was a nice change from the usual kidnapping, stalking and murders. Gracias Lifetime channel.

I strolled through the tianguis on my way to breakfast. Fruit, vegetables, clothes, housewares, tools; you name it and it was there this morning. But the shoppers were far fewer in number than they were before Christmas. I was surprised, as Valentines Day is coming up and that is big here.

I arrived at Chili, one of my favorite breakfast places, and ordered my usual chilaquiles, huevos revueltos and frijoles. I chatted with people at neighboring tables, always eager to practice speaking Spanish. I noticed that others were bundled in sweatshirts and jackets, while I wore my usual short sleeve t-shirt. Early morning 70s are just fine with me.

My upcoming trip to visit my friend Angie in Pachuca is now in place. Yesterday I went to the bus station. Of course the website doesn’t resemble the schedules that actually exist, so it’s always fun when it comes down to actually buying the tickets. I’m not taking my preferred ETN, but I do get to bypass Mexico City so that is a plus.

I’m listening to an audiobook on Libby as I try to stay current with my book club in East Wenatchee. I like listening to audiobooks. It’s a nice change from staring at a computer screen. And I get to color and relax at the same time. But I do miss holding an actual book in my hands.

I have a student coming later today. I’m trying to get him to speak more in English rather than just write. We’ve discussed videos we’ve watched about airplanes, helicopters and cars. His special request for today is a video about tanks. We will be comparing the Bulldog with the Spartan.

I’ve been taking photos of my neighborhood, Las Flores. When I look back at old photos, not too much has changed around here in the last six years. I’ve always maintained that living here is like stepping back in time to an era of mom-and-pop restaurants and shops. And it’s nice to see families frequenting the parks together rather than large indoor shopping malls.

And now it’s time to do some editing.

Feb2

Avocados and Audiobooks

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Avocados and Audiobooks

And I thought January was the month from hell. But it has now extended into February. World War III has begun with tariffs and retaliatory tariffs. A convicted felon can be president of a country but immigrants with offences as minor as traffic violations are still being deported. And a jet catches fire on the runway before takeoff. Thankfully all passengers were evacuated safely.

But back to avocados and audiobooks.

I limit my intake of bread here in Mexico as the sugar content is way too high. This morning as I tuned in to my online church service I realized that I would have to substitute something for bread as we were doing communion. I reached for a slice of avocado. I found my mind wandering to the price of avocados now that all these tariffs have been implemented. They were expensive enough last summer when I was in Washington. I wonder how expensive they will be this year. Will guacamole still be as popular?

These tariffs are ugly. How can people eat healthy foods when they almost have to mortgage their homes in order to afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables? Sorry but I do not sympathize when it comes to the imported alcohol. As far as the fentanyl goes, we’ll just have to wait and see.

On to the audiobooks. I belong to a book club in East Wenatchee. While I can’t attend the meetings in person while I’m in Mexico, I am able to access the books through the North Central Washington library system. Sometimes I read the books but lately I have resorted to the audiobooks. Staring at a computer screen does not have the same comforting feel as holding a book in my hands. By listening to a book, it leaves my hands free to color, one of my favorite pastimes when it comes to relaxing.

I think it’s time for some humor, as corny as it may be.

Why can’t you trust atoms? Because they make up everything.

Thanks Alexa.