Tag Archives: hurricanes

Oct25

Buenas Tardes

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Buenas Tardes

Between following the world news, American politics and hurricane warnings here in Mexico, it’s been an eventful couple of weeks since I’ve been back. It’s peaceful here in Aguascalientes and I’m quite content to remain here for a while before venturing out to travel again.

Romina’s birthday party was fun and I enjoyed being with Gloria and her family again. Lunch with Lorraine and Victor at Country Break was a must. Joanne and I had breakfast at Palapa de Charly and caught up on seven months of activity. Other friends are starting to arrive in Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta as well.

I’m not one for routine but I do have a couple of things I do regularly. Every morning I say good morning to four friends on What’s App. We’ve been doing this for a while. Lorraine and Victor are here in Aguascalientes, Angie is in Pachuca and Adriana is in Guadalajara. We send each other GIFs and text as well.

I first met Lorraine and Victor two years ago through a mutual friend who no longer lives here. Lorraine is a few years older than me and spent part of her life in Chicago. She likes to speak English with me as she is Mexican and I’m one of her rare friends who speaks English. And she does not want to forget her English. Her son Victor is a few years younger than me and is also Mexican. They came to Aguascalientes from Mexico City a couple of years ago. Our usual meeting place is Country Break.

Angie and I met back in 2010 on a train ride up in the Copper Canyon. She is Mexican but was also an English teacher, also retired now. I’ve gotten to know her family and last year we were all together to celebrate New Years in Jilotzingo. Angie and I are planning to get together somewhere in Mexico in January this winter.

Adriana is a former student as well as an accountant. Never fond of grammar, she arranged for tamales and other food to be delivered to my classroom at just the right moment. Adriana also introduced me to the fine art of sucking candy through a straw. Occasionally we also send each other good night GIFs.

Another routine that is new to me this year is practicing Tai Chi at night before going to bed. It’s a great way to relax and I’m hoping that in time it will have the same effect as the Doozies that are not available down here.

Dia de Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is coming up next week and I can hardly wait. It’s one of my favorite holidays here in Mexico and has quite a unique view of death and the spirit world. Partying in the cemetery is very different from the somber atmosphere in cemeteries in the USA and Canada. Creating alters and organizing parades are also characteristic of this holiday. I’ll likely write a post about it next week.

Tomorrow is my daughter’s eighth anniversary. Can’t believe it’s been eight years since we were all together in Punta Cana celebrating her wedding. Happy Anniversary Kimmy and Tarrant!

Sep20

Countdown

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Countdown

Less than three weeks and I’ll be back in Mexico. I finally booked flights the other day. While I prefer to fly inland to Guadalajara, the direct flight to Puerto Vallarta from Sea-Tac caught my eye. A bonus is that I can fly out of Pangborn here in Wenatchee so I can avoid TSA at Sea-Tac. Now we just hope there is no hurricane barreling up the coast.

This morning was my last writers’ group meeting until April. I’m really going to miss this group while I’m gone. I know. I’ve said that before. But everyone is such a great source of encouragement and inspiration. Two of our members are currently on the verge of publishing books. New people are coming to our meetings and our membership is growing. And we all write in such a variety of genres too. Today’s pieces ranged from science to memoirs and everything in between.

I spent the weekend with friends in Leavenworth. On the agenda was binge-watching Virgin River. This season isn’t quite as riveting but it is addictive nonetheless. Now I need to finish off the second season of Lincoln Lawyer and I’ll be ready to head south. In Mexico I tend to watch very little TV. When I do watch, it’s primarily in Spanish. Many of the programs and movies I watch are geared towards kids. I’ve never been able to get into the soaps that people recommend for practicing vocabulary and grammar. Of course I’ve never really gotten into soaps at all up here. The only exception is Guiding Light. I got hooked on that when I was pregnant and on bedrest and watched it until the show was cancelled back in 2009.

Today is a rather dreary rainy day and I think fall is here. The timing is actually perfect because I need to sort through clothes and decide what to take to Mexico. So I’ve gingerly moved my fall clothes to the front of my wardrobe along with some warmer hoodies. It will be hotter flying into Puerto Vallarta than into Guadalajara so I’ll have to figure that one out. Footwear will be easy. I’ll have to choose between pairs of New Balance. I think back to the days when I had a walk-in closet with shelves full of shoes. Now it’s just tennis shoes and sandals.

I registered for an online writers’ workshop out of New York. It happens next week and I remembered to put a reminder on my calendar for it. The topic is about writing powerful emotions. Now I just keep my fingers crossed that a conflict with the time won’t arise. New York is three hours ahead of Washington. I am sent a copy of the recording if I do miss it but doing it live is always better.

The Autumn Leaf Festival happens this weekend in Leavenworth. I’m debating going to the parade on Saturday but that will depend on the weather. I’m not quite sure how she does it, but Alexa seems to forecast better than the local weather apps. I’ll have to check with her later.

Happy Humpday!

Aug22

Oh No! They’re Gone!

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Oh No! They’re Gone!

In my last post I mentioned how the view of the mountains relaxes me and makes me feel at home. Well that was very short-lived. The smoke has rolled in and it’s time to get out the n95s again. The air is thick with smoke and the hills and mountains are now memories.

We went on a shopping marathon for a couple of hours today. Costco, Safeway and Happy Crop. Yes the groceries came first. But it was interesting to see who was at the pot shop today. No young people at all. Just us old people looking for comfort from the aches and pains as we age.

I’m looking forward to Tai Chi tomorrow. I really missed those classes when I was away in Canada. None of my friends up there are into that, although a couple are into walking. Right now it’s way too smoky out there to walk outside so I appreciated the walk through Costco today.

I dropped down a level in Duolingo. I just couldn’t find that half hour a day while I was away. It was more like only 5 to 10 minutes. But I’m back in there now and am determined to make it back up into the diamond league again this week.

There was an interesting article in my CNN newsfeed today about how airports have evolved into shopping malls with the advent of numerous restaurants and stores vying for space. Dallas got the award for the longest walk of just over two and a half miles to the gate. Of course security screening takes up an abundance of space as well. With the limited food options available on flights there is a demand for more restaurants. Air Canada…are you listening? I’m tired of your bottled water and juice when what I really crave is coffee. Starbucks is always a must when I’m in any airport.

I wonder if there are any deserts left in California today. Hurricane Hilary literally drenched the air and left quite a muddy mess. Floods and landslides are predicted for Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The weather is definitely getting nasty on both the Pacific and the Atlantic sides. And then the rest of North America is a smoky mess due to all the wildfires.

What will I be dodging when I head back to Mexico in October? Hmmmmmm…………..

You have outdone yourself with this limerick today, Alexa. Corniest one ever.

I once met a ninja who sings

When in through a window he swings

He picks air guitar

With his throwing star

But a concert is not what he brings.

Hope you’re having a marvelous Monday!

Oct2

Oh Oh October

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Oh Oh October

Where did summer go? The weather is still unseasonably warm for this time of year. But it’s already October. And a week from today I’ll be back in Mexico.

More goodbyes in the past few days. More last meals with friends in favorite restaurants. More classes have ended until next spring. More last minute shopping to do and of course the dreaded packing.

My characters have been talking up a storm. I hope they keep it up once I get back down to Mexico. They really didn’t have much to say last winter.

The fatigue is easing off and I’m glad I only teach two days this week instead of four. Fatigue seems to be a common symptom after the second Pfizer booster.

I’ve taken quite a few pics of my tree in Cashmere this past week. The leaves are changing color daily and I hope that brilliant red will be visible before I leave next weekend.

The smoke is still around, some days more than others. Highway 2 is closed again near Snohomish with no detour through the pass. Fires near Entiat have been contained.

Hurricane Ian devastated Florida and is headed inland to wreak more havoc. And a hurricane south of Mazatlan is threatening the Mexican coast. Glad I decided to fly into Guadalajara.

Off to Sage Hills for the last time until next spring. Then Clairesse and I will have one final brunch together. I’m sure we’ll find another shopping adventure this afternoon. We always do.

Happy Sunday!

Sep1

A Week From Now

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A Week From Now

A week from now at this time I will be landing in Guadalajara. I usually make this trip in late October, but nothing about this year has been usual.

When I booked my flights just over a week ago, my initial thought was to fly to Puerto Vallarta and spend some time on the beach. Thanks to Covid beach time has become more of a distant memory. But I opted to fly inland instead.

Flying inland seems to have been the wisest choice. Hurricane Nora tore into Puerto Vallarta this week, collapsing hotels and damaging bridges. Nora then made her way up the coast and caused extensive flooding in Mazatlan. It appears that once again my beach time has been put on hold.

That’s okay. I’m looking forward to getting back to Aguascalientes and seeing my friends. It’s been just shy of a year instead of the usual six months.

There has been so much talk of the new normal since Covid invaded our world. I’m trying to view it as the new usual. That seems a bit more positive.

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.