Tag Archives: blogging

Sep6

Are We There Yet?

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Are We There Yet?

No we’re not. There are still four more months left before the year from hell is over.

Topping the list of disasters is COVID-19. It’s closely followed by race riots, typhoons, cyclones hurricanes and wildfires.

Politics? I usually shy away but today feel the need to rant. The United States will soon have to change its name to The Divided States as both parties are intent on ridiculing and condemning the tactics of each other. And as if Canada has not attempted to control our lives enough they are now issuing directives about how to conduct our sex lives. And I’m still here in Mexico where conflicting reports as to the status of the virus have become the norm.

All three countries have totally lost sight of the true concept of democracy and keeping the best interests of the people in mind. Instead they have succeeded in creating a world filled with panic and anxiety.

The effects of this trauma on children will be huge in the future. While the younger ones think internet classes and masks are part of an interesting game, older children are fearful of all the uncertainty in their lives today.

Children today are already too addicted to technology. Interpersonal communication is a skill that is seriously in jeopardy more today than ever before.

Can Zoom or FaceTime ever replace in person contact?

Can a virtual hug replace a physical hug in terms of nourishing feelings of love and security?

I highly doubt it.

Sep3

9/11

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9/11

We all have memories of 9/11. I was watching the news on TV before heading to work that day. What I initially thought was a replay of the first plane crashing into the towers was actually a live version of the second aircraft hitting the building.

Disbelief. Shock. Confusion. Fear. Anxiety. Anger. Overwhelming sadness. These were a few of the emotions I struggled with that day.

Back then I managed a group home for mentally challenged adults. I was riveted to the TV set until they returned from their day programs. I delegated staff to take them out for dinner so that I could continue watching the coverage.

When I got home that night my kids wanted to talk. They were young and their experience of the day’s events was quite different from mine. That made it even more complicated as I didn’t want my fears transferred on to them, especially seeing as I was scheduled to fly to the USA on a business trip less than two weeks later.

For the past four years I have been in Washington state on September 11th. A highlight of my time there is attending a memorial service at Spirit of America in Cashmere. This year the memorial service has been cancelled because of Covid-19. But I know in my heart that when I am finally able to return to Washington state, Spirit of America is one of the first places I will visit.

Sep2

Try To Remember The Kind Of September

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Try To Remember The Kind Of September

Try To Remember The Kind Of September

This song captured my heart when I heard it live for the first time decades ago at a performance of The Fantasticks at the old Playhouse Theater in Winnipeg. I love live performances and much prefer them to movies.

With September’s arrival this year it reminded me of this song. Then other September memories resurfaced.

September was synonymous with going back to school after summer holidays. It was never a favorite time when I was going back to school myself, but once I had children it sure became one. I was exhausted from juggling year end at work and chauffeuring my kids around all summer to their many activities and play dates.

The past few years I’ve really enjoyed the month of September. In Washington state the leaves on the trees begin to change color. The temperature cools down. I look forward to Autumn Leaf Festival, Chelan County Fair, Apple Days and Scarecrow Days. But this September I’m still in Mexico.

September 16th is Independence Day. And I wonder what type of celebrations will be held here in Aguascalientes. Will crowds of people gather to hear the gritto? Will there be fireworks? That has been my experience in the past in other areas of the country. Of course COVID-19 wasn’t around back then.

I’ll have to find a more patriotic-looking mask than the one in the above photo.

Aug30

I’m An Addict

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I’m An Addict

I admit it. I’m an addict. I am hopelessly addicted to chocolate.

In another lifetime I had a collection of thirty-five cookbooks loaded with yummy chocolate recipes. And I recall my kids complaining to me, “Can’t you ever bake something without chocolate?” Yet somehow they always attacked the cookies, fudge and cheesecakes with vigor. And I often did humor them and bake items that didn’t contain chocolate.

I suppose that as an addiction chocolate is a relatively harmless one as compared to drugs or alcohol. But nonetheless it has its dangers.

My biggest concern is that chocolate contains caffeine. And I really watch out for caffeine. I drink real coffee only in the mornings and limit myself to a maximum of two cups delay.

Chocolate is not usually a breakfast item. Chocolate is something I crave later in the day.

A candy store near me sells a variety of individually wrapped chocolate items. Perfect! No temptation to eat an entire chocolate bar.

No Bulk Barn here in Mexico so that rules out an overabundance of numerous chocolate items.

Whenever I head to the USA my first purchase is an American Hershey bar. Hershey bars made in Mexico or Canada just don’t taste as good.

However I now have a new favorite here in Mexico. There is a bakery a mere 10 minute walk away that has chocolate truffles the size of a baseball. They cost only 10 pesos, less than 50 cents, and I nibble daily. And it lasts me an entire week!

Doesn’t it look amazing?

Aug22

Hurricane Genevieve

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Hurricane Genevieve

An active hurricane season was in the forecast for the Pacific coast of Mexico. This prediction has definitely been put to the test this season.

This past week Genevieve grew quickly to a Category 4 but thankfully remained out in the ocean and did not make landfall. Warnings were issued for high surf and dangerous waves along the coast, along with strong winds and torrential rain.

Aguascalientes is inland but nonetheless it is the rainy season. The effect of Genevieve barreling up the coast resulted in substantial rainfall here.

Torrential rain usually seems to begin at around 5 o’clock and pounds away for four or five hours, causing streets as well as some homes and other buildings to flood.

Sharon and I had just finished lunch at Osteria the other day when the rain started. We were sitting in the covered patio area but were forced to move indoors when the overhead canopies could not support the weight of the water.

Walking home was not an option so we opted for Uber. Instead of the usual two or three minute wait it was close to a half hour. Safe and dry inside the car, we were amazed by the water in the streets that had overflowed the curbs.

Note to self: The next time a hurricane charges up the coast, it is imperative to be home by 5 o’clock.

Aug22

I Still Collect Dolls

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I Still Collect Dolls

When I was a child I always loved playing with dolls. At night many of them shared my bed with me.I remember one rag doll I received from Kellogg’s. I vaguely recall saving up boxtops from cereal for her.My grandfather brought me a doll from New York. When you squeezed her hands together her lips puckered and she blew kisses.I had another doll that walked with me. She stood almost half my height and even had brown hair like mine.I also had a collection of Barbie, Ken and Midge dolls. My mother was an amazing seamstress and sewed beautiful clothes for them.My children had cabbage patch dolls. Other than that I don’t recall my daughter spending much time playing with dolls.When I was in Kelowna last summer I brought my granddaughter a Minnie Mouse doll. She really loved her and my daughter tells me she still plays with her.Four years ago I was in a thrift shop in Wenatchee and came across this precious little porcelain doll. Small enough to travel with me in my suitcase, I eagerly purchased her that day.A couple of years ago I found another porcelain doll even smaller than the first one. Perfect company for each other.Years ago when I was in Winnipeg, my friend Audrey gave me this little darling with a suitcase. She said she thought of me when she saw her as I’m always traveling and living out of suitcases.The other day I was out for lunch with my friend Sharon and she gave me this little treasure. More memories created.I wonder if I ever really settled down in one place how many more dolls would be in my collection.

Aug19

When Are You Coming Home?

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When Are You Coming Home?

I’ve just begun to research travel health insurance in the hope that I might still get home to Leavenworth this fall. But for the time being I’m staying here in Aguascalientes, even though our state went from orange to red this past week. I don’t believe any of the statistics we are fed down here and have little faith in the ones up north. COVID-19 has invaded our world and we need to learn to live with our despicable new neighbor.

So other than the question of where to go when my FMM expires for a second time, I’ve been trying to figure out why the time is going by so quickly even though I seem to be doing so little.

I have an extremely laid back life here. My big dilemma yesterday was should I pick up chicken for dinner or try out the new Argentinian takeout place. Big decision.

The calendar on my wall seems to fill up with video calls and phone calls. I go out with friends here occasionally and I take courses and do church online.

There is no such thing as a typical day. My blog posts are up on Wednesdays and Sundays. That’s about the only routine in my life. Even my daily walks are not consistent in terms of time of day or distance.

What I really enjoy are the conversations I have with the locals when I’m out and about. Being the only gringa does have its advantages. ( Even though I’m Canadian I’m still labeled a gringa.) People are always curious as to why I’m here in Ags rather than basking on a beach in Puerto Vallarta. And when they hear I’m a retired teacher, they seem to forget the word ‘retired‘ and want to know where I teach English classes. So a five minute trip to the pharmacy for toothpaste often takes close to an hour. And my Spanish gets a workout!

I do video calls with my daughter in Kelowna. I get to watch my granddaughter Madeline do such things as eat olives and decorate cupcakes. She’s almost 2-1/2 now and no longer a baby. Vocabulary and dexterity are growing right along with her. And I hope she doesn’t think that I live in a phone!

I am now doing regular video calls with one of my grandsons in Culiacán. These calls are in English! I am really proud of the progress he’s made in learning a second language. Schools are still closed here in Mexico, so I’m delighted that I have the opportunity to help him with his English online.

Some of this month’s news from friends……..Audrey became a grandma for the first time! She has a beautiful new granddaughter. Rita’s son and family moved back to Winnipeg from Montreal. Joan is adjusting to life in a personal care home but is disappointed that she is unable to go out due to COVID-19 restrictions. Deborah in Toronto is enjoying going out cruising on a new boat her partner just bought. Becky in Indiana is starting a new job this month. David is still in Winnipeg separated from his wife in Cuba due to COVID-19. Lise has been back at the office in Winnipeg working for quite a while now. Cheryl is disappointed that cases are rising in Manitoba and is staying home mostly as she has COPD and is awaiting a transplant. Carolyn is delighted that visitors are now allowed to come to the personal care home where she lives in Winnipeg. Carole in Minneapolis is working from home and is quite concerned about the race riots that all started where she lives. And on a sad note my condolences to Rochelle in Arizona who lost her father recently.

I talk to my friends in Leavenworth regularly and hear all about life there pretty well on a daily basis. I only wish I could be there with them as they struggle with health issues and other concerns. Of course we always talk about COVID-19 and how life has changed, and the conversation often drifts to politics and the upcoming election. But the following question is a constant.

When are you coming home?

Aug15

Writing An Obituary 101

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Writing An Obituary 101

On Saturdays I read the obituaries section in The Winnipeg Free Press, my hometown newspaper in Canada. I often recognize familiar names of people in my past, many of whom I’ve lost touch with over the years.

Decades ago I took a Creative Writing class in college. One of our assignments was to write our own obituary. At the time my children were young and I recall struggling with this concept.

Eight years ago I actually did write my own obituary. It was just before I had my first knee replacement. My mother had died from complications after having that surgery, and I was terrified that the same fate awaited me.

Well, I survived that first surgery and the following year I had my other knee replaced. That obituary was tossed long ago.

My children and I live thousands of miles apart in different countries. They know very little about my life, other than that I divide my time between somewhere in Mexico and Leavenworth, Washington. They have never visited me in either place and have not met many of my closest friends, nor have they seen the places where I’ve lived. I don’t think either of them can quite understand why I chose to stay in Mexico rather than return to Canada during a pandemic. And they have voiced the idea that I must have a death wish if I want to go back to Leavenworth rather than return to Canada.

Recently the topic of obituaries has arisen when I talked with friends who also live far away from their families and have similar circumstances. Perhaps a bit on the morbid side, but we wonder what our children would say about us if they had to write our obituaries today.

In all honesty, I have trouble just keeping up with holographic wills because I move around so much. Writing an obituary is the last thing on my mind right now.

Aug5

Challenges Of A Teacher

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Challenges Of A Teacher

I’m retired now, but I’m often asked what kinds of challenges I faced while teaching English here in Mexico. I basically divide them into two distinct areas….. actual English teaching in the classroom and the challenges associated with the difference in the culture here from up north.

In the classroom, aside from the obvious grammar and pronunciation, there were the more abstract things included in the curriculum. I always found the topic of white lies versus black lies a challenge. There was always that one student who insisted that his steady girlfriend of so many years didn’t need to know about the new woman in his life because he wasn’t sure which one he wanted to be with until he got to know the new one better. He’d tell his girlfriend he was going out for a beer with the guys instead. In his eyes this was no different than telling a friend his new shirt was amazing even though he really thought the shirt was hideous.

Classroom management was definitely an adventure. Teacher aides for students with behavioral issues such as autism simply do not exist here. At one private school where I taught I had one student who consistently tried to climb out of a second story window when he wasn’t interested in the topic we were studying at the moment. Needless to say, his behavior always disrupted the entire class.

As a teacher, students rely on you for far more than just teaching them English. They often came to me with personal problems. The culture here is different, and I was always cautious, especially when it came to teenagers. Many problems students struggle with are really quite universal, adults and children alike, no matter which country you live in.

But these challenges pale in comparison with what teachers face today in light of COVID-19. The additional responsibility for providing safety from infection to students is huge, not to mention that teachers are putting their own lives at risk the moment they step into the classroom.

There is so much controversy about whether or not schools should open again when the virus is still surging. Here in Mexico the schools will not open this month. My heart goes out to teachers everywhere else in the world where schools are reopening. I admire your dedication and I pray for your safety.

Aug5

Zoning Bylaws? You’re Kidding, Right?

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Zoning Bylaws? You’re Kidding, Right?

One of the things I love about Mexico is that you never know just what you’ll find right around the corner. When I go for my daily walks I always venture down different side streets and explore new territory. One morning I headed towards Expoplaza but instead of veering off to the right towards Centro I walked in the opposite direction down Lopez Mateo. Here is a statue of a matador that caught my attention.A little further down the street I noticed some puppies for sale.Here is one of the many interesting signs I saw. The 1950 date intrigued me.Next I passed by an office furniture store.And of course mixed in with all the shops are private homes. There is always an OXXO or two as well. I also came across this shop specializing in cleaning supplies. Yes that’s a hazmat suit hanging in the doorway.Other side streets offered these colorful blooms.This is how a neighbor spent his Sunday afternoon.On another day my walk took me to Centro. Here is a landmark at Plaza Patria.As I strolled down Madero I encountered this man in front of a shoe store.I passed by this lavenderia the other day. When dryers are not available the sidewalk will suffice. Thankfully the lavenderia I frequent has both washers and dryers.There does not appear to be much in the way of zoning bylaws here. It is common to see people living above stores and offices. In some cases they live in the same building directly behind the store or office. Pet stores next door to restaurants, a stationary store next to a place that offers wheel alignments, a preschool next to a car wash……anything goes here.