Tag Archives: Spirit of America

Jul31

Tsunami. Flash Flood. Cinnamon Buns. Gnomes. Costco. Yale.

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Tsunami. Flash Flood. Cinnamon Buns. Gnomes. Costco. Yale.

The week began with tsunami warnings for the coastal areas in Washington State. Flash flood warnings for the northern Cascades. Heavy rainfall in the northern part of the state. Hence the flash flood warnings. Hopefully no thunder boomers. Lightning tends to hit trees and start wildfires.

Tuesday morning. Stopped in at the Sure to Rise Bakery in Cashmere for a cinnamon bun. Strode down to the Spirit of America 9/11 Memorial for some quiet contemplation.

Gnomes. Cashmere is known for its gnomes. Pick up a brochure at the visitor center and go on a hunt for these creatures. I actually did that once. Now I just glance at them along with their cute little homes.

Did I say gnomes homes? On Tuesday afternoon I volunteered at a program at the library where I fired a glue gun for a couple of hours. Kids eagerly built homes for gnomes. This is an annual activity at the library that is always so well attended. There was an abundance of craft materials ranging from birchbark to feathers and everything in between. And these kids are all so creative!

I did it again. I signed up yesterday for another online course from Yale University. Psychology this time. The videos this week are all about the brain. Interesting and at the same time a little scary.

Extremely hot and muggy here in East Wenatchee. Rain early this morning. So far just isolated drizzle this afternoon. And the 90 plus degree heat wave is forecast to continue for another few days.

On a cloudy and gloomy afternoon it’s a good day to go out for lunch and then cruise through Costco. So we did. Fall clothes and Halloween decorations have no appeal to me, not where I go in October. But I do enjoy browsing. It brings back fond memories of when my kids and I used to decorate our house for Halloween.

Bye Bye July!

Sep15

No I Haven’t Yet

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No I Haven’t Yet

It’s crunch time but I still haven’t booked any flights. I’ve been too busy doing other things. Of course yesterday I did take a cursory glance at available flights but decided to delay the frustration a while longer.

My granddaughter Madeline started kindergarten this week. We did a video call yesterday and she looked very tired. She goes to day care after kindergarten so it’s a long day. And she has finally given up her afternoon nap. As I recall her mother gave up that afternoon nap when she was just a few months old. Very different. But Madeline is doing the same activities her mother did at her age – ballet, swimming lessons and Sparks. Seems like just yesterday….

On Monday I volunteered at the 9/11 service at Spirit of America in Cashmere. When I first came to Washington state back in 2016, this was one of the first places I checked out. And I’m amazed at how many Washingtonians I’ve met who have never been here. I’ve brought friends here for the first time. And many have never actually even attended the event on September 11th.

This has also been the week for Mexican food. I normally don’t eat Mexican much while I’m up here. After all, I get the real thing when I’m down south in the winter. But on Sunday after church we went out for Mexican. And on Tuesday after Tai Chi we checked out a new restaurant. My favorite restaurant in Cashmere just opened up a place in Wenatchee. How convenient!

I have my story for writers’ group done and printed and it’s a week ahead of time. Bittersweet though. It will be the last meeting I attend before I head back to Mexico. We come from all walks of life and the talent in this group is amazing. I will miss our discussions over lunch and will attempt to keep in touch by email. But it won’t be the same.

Today I got a ride home from Tai Chi with new friends who have led quite an interesting life. Originally from California, they came here back in the eighties with two very young children. When they retired, they traveled by motorhome and motorcycle for five years. Did they ever have adventures!

Time to visit Duolingo.

Hasta luego!

Dec25

2022 Part 2

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2022 Part 2

I spent the entire month of July in Winnipeg. I’ve written about it in other blog posts so I’ll just touch on this month briefly. July 4th I found myself out at a cabin rather than celebrating with parades or fireworks as I usually do in the USA. It was nice to get out of the city. I enjoyed spending time with my son and my friends but on a more sad note I attended a funeral. I also replaced my laptop finally. The old one had died during Covid back in 2020 and my tablet had become my best friend.

The first week in August I was back out at the cabin and the following week I flew back to Washington. Leavenworth Summer Theater was in full swing and I enjoyed The Music Man and The Sound of Music. The latter production is a favorite and I try to see it every year. The mountain setting makes this show even more spectacular. I also began teaching four SAIL classes a week instead of the usual two in Leavenworth. The two new ones were in East Wenatchee.

The September long weekend this year was really special as my daughter and granddaughter came from Kelowna. I enjoyed showing them some of my favorite places in Leavenworth and Cashmere. The County Fair began right after they left and I hadn’t been to one in three years due to Covid. September was also the 9/11 Ceremony in Cashmere and Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth. Sadly it was also time to start thinking about returning to Mexico for the winter. Every year it gets harder to say goodbye to friends for six months of the year.

Three flights and a short bus trip and I was back in Aguascalientes. I love my neighborhood. Las Flores doesn’t change much even though I leave for several months every year. It was nice seeing friends again and catching up. I really dived into my writing too. The lure of the new laptop was definitely a factor. My characters were also quite talkative and that certainly helped as well. The internet has also been much better this year too.

November began with the celebration of Day of the Dead. This is one of my favorite holidays in Mexico. The catrinas are always outstanding and even the tiniest shops have colorful decorations. The alters in remembrance of loved ones are also prominent. This year I opted not to go to a cemetery but merely admired everything as I strolled through the streets. The entertainment was amazing and venues were set up throughout the city.

Suddenly it was December and the last month of the year. Festivities were now geared towards Christmas and the Centro area turned into a magical fairyland of colorful lights. Music was an integral part of this celebration and I saw dancers, heard bands and watched children performing. The tienguis was larger than usual with more vendors. I didn’t trim a tree this year. Just didn’t get around to it. Writing occupied much of my time instead. I went to Christmas posadas and Christmas Eve was spent in church. The inevitable fireworks lit up the sky in Mexico as well.

A new year is just around the corner. Here’s to a fabulous one filled with Health and Happiness for all.

HAPPY 2023!

Sep14

It’s Smoky Out There

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It’s Smoky Out There

The featured image for this post is a photo my daughter sent me from Kelowna last year when they were evacuated. But there are areas in Washington state that look like that today. Highway 2 is closed due to the fires raging at Stevens Pass. That’s about one hundred miles away from where I live, but the smoke is thick here in East Wenatchee. The mountains have all but vanished. And it may be time to once again start using a mask.

In Cashmere on Sunday the turnout for the 9/11 service at Spirit of America was much lower than in past years. The air was thick with smoke. Combine that with the extreme heat warnings and it was definitely not a good day to be sitting outside. But it was a very moving experience for those of us who did attend.

I still haven’t booked my flights yet. I know that I’m going back to Aguascalientes for the winter. But right now I need to decide which airport to fly into. Last year I flew into Guadalajara and was happy I did. It’s hurricane season now on the west coast and flying into Puerto Vallarta could be tricky. I’ve flown in there before in the aftermath of a hurricane and it was not a good experience. Likewise for Mazatlan. Flying directly to Aguascalientes means going through Dallas, not one of my favorite airports. Okay, Alaska Airlines. You’re my favorite airline so I’ll check out the connections through LAX.

Tomorrow is Thursday and it’s our last binge with Virgin River to finish off the season. When I’m in Mexico I only watch TV in Spanish. English is reserved for my time here in Washington. Speaking of Spanish, time to get back to Duolingo. I’ve taken a break over the summer.

Interesting the impact of Queen Elizabeth’s death on some of my American friends. In all honesty, it had more of an impact on some of them than it did on me. And I’m Canadian. I still have haunting memories of singing God Save The Queen back in elementary school. But her death marks the end of an era. And she has definitely left her mark in history.

That’s it for humpday today. Hope you have a good one.

Sep11

9/11

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9/11

Amber Alert. Silver Alert. Extreme Fire Alert. Air Contamination Alert. The smoke is rolling in.

We went to the Chelan County Fair on Thursday. My friends here tease me because I get so excited when I see kids getting ribbons for their prize pigs. They grew up with 4H and animals. Yours truly lived in a city and was never even allowed to have a dog or a cat. The craft displays are also amazing. I especially marvel at the quilts. There is even a building where kids display their creations. There’s a building with fruits, vegetables and flowers. Of course there are jars of jellies, jams and pickles. The rides do not appeal to me but there are so many other little booths to check out. The Chelan County Fair is one of the smaller ones in the state, but it’s just my size. I was already back in Mexico last year, and then Covid was around. So it was nice to be able to attend the fair this year.

Today is 9/11. I still recall that day in 2001 when the world changed forever. Not that the world was ever really a peaceful place. There was always a war going on somewhere. But terrorism became all too common a word. And if people weren’t suspicious of their neighbors before, it became even more pronounced. Personally I detest stereotypes. Unfortunately far too many people don’t. Nonetheless, being here in the USA on 9/11 has become even more meaningful to me over the years.

I’m going to Cashmere today, home of The Spirit of America. At 11 am a memorial service is held every year on this day. Hundreds attend and there is never a dry eye in the crowd. I’m at a loss to find the words to adequately describe this event. You really have to be there to experience this for yourself, surrounded by others who are also overwhelmed with emotion.

The first time I ever attended one of these services, a man was distributing small capsules containing dirt gathered at the sight of the destroyed twin towers. That was a few years ago, and this capsule is one of my most treasured items I’ve accumulated over the years. I hope that someday I will have the opportunity to view that rebuilt area and the memorial in New York.

Never Forget. 9.11.01

Sep21

Things To Ponder

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Things To Ponder

The sheep reelected the wolf again in 🇨🇦. The decision in the 🇺🇸 was to keep the land borders closed. Here in 🇲🇽 the entire country has been declared green or yellow on the stoplight.

Please take the time to check out the link. A very moving service was held at Spirit of America in Cashmere, Washington on September 11th. I usually attend in person but this year I was already back in Mexico.

We have been getting these incredible thunder boomers at night. After being up in Washington rampant with wildfires and drought, the rainy season here is most welcome. Iracema and I went out for dinner in the pouring rain. By the time we finished eating, the rain had stopped and off we went for a walk in the park.

Talking to friends in Canada this week, it appears that flights to Mexico are still chaotic. Canceled, rescheduled and extremely expensive. I’m so glad I decided to fly down from the USA. Great connections and reasonable fares. Alaska Airlines is the best!

INM is starting to crack down on people with expired tourist visas. They are checking regularly in bus stations and stories are circulating of people being held in detention and/or deported. Original documentation is required and a photo on a phone is not sufficient.

I have finally taken out my gel pens and started coloring again. Now if only King could fix the glitch with Jelly Queen on Candy Crush Friends…..

Aug28

In Case You’re Wondering

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In Case You’re Wondering

I’m into the home stretch. Saying goodbye to people and places.

My Tree. This spectacular red maple captured my heart back in 2016. Right now it’s still very green and I will miss the vibrant red leaves this year. I’m counting on my friends to send me pics. I know they will. After all, they visit my tree when I’m away for the winter.

Something else I will miss is the 9/11 service at Spirit of America. This is always a highlight of my time in Washington and sadly I will be far away in another country on September 11th.

The Chelan County Fair in Cashmere and the Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth are two more favorite events I will miss this year.

Yes I will be thousands of miles away but I will be in time for Independence Day celebrations.

So now have you guessed where I’m going?

Mar3

A Morning In Cashmere

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A Morning In Cashmere

The weather here has been incredibly mild and sunny. Tuesday was a great time for a day trip to Cashmere.

I bid a fond farewell to my ski jacket and boots. No need for a toque or gloves either.

First stop was the outdoor ATM at Cashmere Valley Bank. And then it was off to the Sure To Rise Bakery. I discovered this amazing bakery the first summer I came to Washington. This place is home to the best apple fritters on the planet. To my delight this year they also began making cinnamon buns, Texas size.

Just down the street is a new bakery that specializes in cookies and cupcakes. We each bought a cookie and our verdict was that this bakery won’t be around too long. No way can they compete with Sure To Rise.

Next we walked down to Spirit of America. If you’ve read my previous blog posts, you’ll know that this is a very special memorial that I visit often.

We then walked down to Aplets and Cotlets. In addition to all the wonderful candy they make it is also home to a quaint gift shop.

No snow was in view anywhere and it was a perfect day for a walk through town.

Sep30

Yesterday

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Yesterday

Yesterday morning I went to Cashmere. I remember vividly the first time I visited this town and a flood of memories of other visits came to mind as well.

I’ll start with Spirit of America. And the 9/11 memorial services I’ve attended. And the many times I’ve come here to just think and reflect.

I wandered through the downtown. I went to the bakery for an apple fritter and had a lovely visit with staff who remembered me, the Canadian who has adopted Leavenworth as a summer home. I went to the bank. I passed by the library. I noticed a few minor changes as a result of Covid-19. My favorite Mexican restaurant, Agave Azul now offers takeout and curbside only. Scarecrows have begun to appear as October is just around the corner bringing with it Scarecrow Days.

My favorite pastime is walking the streets and admiring the trees as they change color. My favorite red maple is just beginning to show its fall color.

Here are some other photos of trees on Cottage Avenue.

October also means Halloween is on the way. Decorating has begun early this year.

It’s the end of September and some flowers are still blooming.

Later in the day a walk through downtown Leavenworth was on the agenda. Front Street is closed to traffic now in order to provide additional outdoor seating for restaurants due to physical distancing practices. It was sad to see that some shops and restaurants are now permanently closed as a result of Covid-19. The usual celebrations and festivals have all been cancelled this year as well. But even the virus can’t stop the glorious fall colors of the leaves.

The beautiful hanging baskets add to the charm of this Bavarian village.

The park and gazebo area are also favorites of mine.

I’m here. I’m back. Very different from where I was living ten days ago. It’s nice to be back home.

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.