Tag Archives: weather

May2

Last Post From Mexico

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Last Post From Mexico

A week from now at this time I’ll be back in East Wenatchee. I just glanced up at the calendar on my wall and noticed that it’s already started to fill up with activities. I’ve missed Apple Blossom and May Day but there won’t be many blank squares on the calendar for long.

Now that I’m down to my last few days in Aguascalientes, there will be more goodbyes to friends. I strolled through the Thursday tianguis on my street yesterday and on Sunday will be going to a swap meet for the last time. I went to one last mass at a Catholic church last night and am looking forward to getting back to my church in East Wenatchee. And of course I want to make one last visit to La Feria.

And I need to pack. By now you’d think that I’d have that one down to a science. But I don’t. I remember the first time I left Tlaquepaque and returned to Winnipeg. In the time it took me to pack up my bathroom, Alfredo had completely filled my suitcase with everything from the drawers and closets in my bedroom. I also remember the days when I used to leave a suitcase in Mexico and only take one with me back up north. But I haven’t done that in years. Instead I started leaving a suitcase in Leavenworth. And now in East Wenatchee my closets and drawers are full as well as a suitcase full of craft supplies.

But I’m getting better. I now travel with only one Samsonite and even that has been downsized. My Baggallini laptop bag is the best carry-on ever invented. I love all the compartments and side pockets. And it fits under the seat on the plane.

The dilemma of what to wear for travel is always a concern. I’m leaving sunshine and 90s and headed to overcast skies and 60s, with a 12 hour layover at LAX. Layers are always a major pain going through TSA. But it’s usually cool on the plane. Time to pull out the sleeveless quilted vest and jeans.

Time to go outside and visit with my neighbors, an elderly couple. My Spanish has improved dramatically and I am quite comfortable sitting and talking with them for a couple of hours. I recall the days when I’d feel overwhelmed after only a few minutes. Now we talk about a lot more than just the weather or their dog.

Have a great weekend and a great week to follow. I’ll post again once I’m settled in East Wenatchee.

Apr2

Ho Hum Humpday

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Ho Hum Humpday

Don’t ask me why but I was wide awake at 6:30 this morning. This is NOT my norm. Consequently I found myself actually eating breakfast at 9:30 am, long before I usually do. My norm is lingering in bed with coffee for a couple of hours while watching a movie in Spanish and scrolling through newsfeeds and emails, throwing in a few games of Candy Crush.

I feel so disoriented. I hate when that happens. I think I’ll blame it on my protagonist. He was on my mind when I fell asleep last night. I’m doing the final edit of my third draft and I’m still trying to tweak that one part that just isn’t quite what I want it to be. YET.

It’s going to be another hot one. Yesterday the temperature soared to 89 degrees. My friends in Washington assure me that it’s warming up there too. In a little over a month I’ll be on my way back. And I don’t want to see snow.

The other day one of the members of our Conversation Club sent me a video of tranquil ocean waves. So calming and peaceful. He is currently somewhere in the Caribbean for a week, a professional musician and entertainer who is currently working on a cruise ship. One other member of our group, another musician, is on a flight to Barcelona today. He will be working on a cruise ship for 6 months.

Cruises. I have friends who love them. They’ve been all over Europe, Alaska, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean. Me? Nope, although I once did go on a cruise in the Puget Sound for a few hours. That’s more my speed. I’d rather vacation on the beach or in the mountains.

I’ve learned some really interesting trivia from my newsfeeds this week. Apparently Vincent Van Gogh didn’t cut off his entire ear. He only cut off the lobe. The Blue Lagoon in Malta attracts over 10,000 tourists every day, although it’s only 1.4 square miles. Steve Martin once received a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. His instrument of choice was a banjo. And the East Wenatchee Macy’s store is not on the chopping block.

Do you know what alambre de puerco is? It has now become one of my favorite foods. When I put it on the translator it came up as pork on a wire. A wire? Shish Kabob comes to mind. Nope! Ricardo, the guy who cooks for me, sent me a pic. So I ordered it. And it’s amazing! Tender pieces of pork and delicious vegetables in a tantalizing sauce.

And now on to Alexa. Why can’t you trust atoms? Because they make up everything.

Yesterday was April Fool’s Day and today is Humpday. Double whammy this week. I guess that’s why the off-the-wall post today.

Jan12

What Snack Would You Eat Right Now?

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What Snack Would You Eat Right Now?

This prompt works for me today. As I write this, the wind is howling, the rain is falling and the temperature is far below normal for this time of year. No. I’m not in Washington. I’m in Mexico. And I am about to have a snack.

The water is heating in the microwave for my cocoa. And the bag of popcorn is next in line for the microwave. This is definitely not my usual afternoon snack here in Mexico.

Usual snacks include guacamole, fruit or veggies. Some flavor of an electrolyte drink is also common, or a Coke or a beer. But it’s not usually anything hot.

I’ve also been drinking a lot of herbal tea in the past few days. Yes, it’s been that cold here. Mid 60s instead of mid 70s. But I can hear my friends up north chiding me as they are submerged in snow, so I’ll stop complaining.

And now it’s time for my snack………

Daily writing prompt
What snack would you eat right now?
View all responses
Nov20

It’s Different Here

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It’s Different Here

Looks like I got out just in time. I missed that bomb cyclone in Washington with hurricane force winds, downed trees and powerlines. Friends in East Wenatchee are reporting power outages and more than six inches of snow. I’m shivering just thinking about this.

Here in Aguascalientes the temperature has been far above the norm for this time of year. I’m back to taking walks early in the morning and then again later at night.

Now that my room is organized, I have more time for writing. In addition to the novel I’m working on, one of my online writers’ groups gave an interesting challenge — “Write the story of your life as a narrative rather than as a collection of stories for a book of memoirs.” Seeing as I’ve struggled with the latter, it’s tempting to take up the challenge.

Last weekend Gloria and I went out to Tres Centurias. When I first got here five years ago, I took way too many photos of the trains so this year I only took photos of the catrinas. They hadn’t been taken yet although Dia de los Muertos was November 2nd. Then we walked over to Malva and had a delicious lunch of cochinita pibil.

Yesterday I went to my favorite bakery where I was greeted enthusiastically by the owner, “Maestra!” Somehow that name has stuck. The first time I went there I told her I was a retired teacher. Of course the word “retired” was eliminated immediately.

I also went to another favorite store where I buy a few things I don’t find at my corner tienda. And once again the staff remembered me. This store has a variety of meat and cheese as well as crepes and hotcakes.

My Spanish is getting a workout. Raul is pretty much the only one I speak English to. Of course I still have to tell my neighbors “mas despacio, por favor.”

My Spanish must be improving. I watched a crime show on TV the other day and actually picked up on most of the subtle cues although I’d never seen this episode before. And I don’t use subtitles.

Happy Humpday!

Aug24

Today I Took A Day Off

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Today I Took A Day Off

Today I took a day off from the world, a much needed break. I turned the ringer off on my cellphone. I ignored texts and voicemails. I didn’t read my newsfeed or check my emails. I lay in bed sipping coffee and watching a movie in the morning.

Then I took out my gel pens, sharpies and paints. I lost myself in a fantasy world of color. It was so peaceful and calming. It was so relaxing. And I wonder why I don’t do it more often.

I listened to music. Classical. Rock. Folk. Country.

Next on the agenda was writing. My characters have been speaking volumes lately. I’ve done a lot more than merely editing. I lost myself in their world, in their life.

And now I’m sitting here with my window open listening to the rain. It started off as a soft patter and is now a deluge pounding down on the roof.

But I know I have to return to reality. I need to check my texts, voicemails and emails. I need to read my newsfeed.

My day off is over.

Aug11

Already August

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Already August

It’s been a very different summer. I’ve been to Canada twice; once for 2 months and once for 2 days. Mindfulness is my mantra, especially last weekend when I was with my six-year-old granddaughter.

I spent two magical days in West Kelowna last weekend. I played board games and read books with Madeline. She showed me her treasures from her Sparks trades. We watched a movie together. I watched her swim and jump into the water off platforms at the beach. She delighted in taking tons of pics with my phone. And I miss her constant chatter, her hugs and smiles and am sad that I only get to see her once a year.

This weekend is much quieter. I’m back in East Wenatchee. I’ve been writing and working on my WIP. Today we went to a movie and out for coffee after. And now I’m back to writing again. Tomorrow night I’m looking forward to a concert by Gladsong. Then the weekend will end and Monday will be here, beginning another week.

The only constant this summer has been the hot weather. But it’s cooling off. The high today was only 94.

At this point in the summer I’m usually thinking about flights to Mexico. But not this year. Because I spent so much time in Canada, I’ll be here in Washington when the leaves turn all their glorious fall colors. And that’s something I haven’t seen since before Covid.

As I sit here looking out my window at the hills, I reflect on how blessed I am to lead the life I do, both here and in Aguascalientes. I have friends who have become family, opening their hearts and their homes to me. Times spent with these people are the true treasures in my life.

Collect moments not things.

Jul29

Ambassador Karen

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Ambassador Karen

Yesterday I was an ambassador. I spent six hours down by the river near the Icicle Bridge volunteering. It was hot and sunny but we were shaded under a canopy. Statistics were requested by the Chamber of Commerce in Leavenworth. Clicker poised in my hand, I counted just under 1700 people arriving at the site with boards, tubes and miscellaneous other flotation devices. Needless to say, traffic was extremely heavy at the 5 minute loading zone.

I call it a successful afternoon. Not one 911 call was needed and no wild animals invaded our area. I got to talk to a lot of interesting people who were only too eager to float down the river despite the high temperature and the sun mercilessly beating down on them. No. I didn’t talk to all 1700 of them but I did talk to quite a few. Also, many brought dogs with them and these animals happily frolicked in the water in the shallower areas.

Today was more relaxing and quite a bit cooler. We hid inside an air-conditioned movie theater and watched Twisters. It was quite captivating and the special effects were one thousand per cent better than in the original movie Twister.

What did you do this weekend?

Jul5

From One Extreme To Another

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From One Extreme To Another

I was in Winnipeg for two months. It rained at some point every single day and the temperatures were cool with the odd 70 degree sneaking in. Here in Washington it’s sunny and temperatures are in the 90s predicted to reach 100 in the next few days. I prefer to be here.

Last weekend I volunteered at a book sale in Cashmere on Founders Day for Friends of the Cashmere Library. We raised just under $1000, up from last year’s $600. The money goes towards funding the amazing programs this library offers. I’m actually registered for a woodburning coaster event this coming week. Other programs I’ve attended in the past have included such activities as pastels and painting with acrylics.

It was great to be back at my writers group the other day at the Wenatchee Senior Center. What a variety of writing was presented at this meeting! Members come from all walks of life as well as very different places. Poetry, memoirs, fiction, non-fiction……………it’s all here and the two hours flies by quickly.

Another highlight of the week for me was going back to Shears in Leavenworth to have my hair done. I know. There are salons in East Wenatchee. But Lisa knows my hair and I don’t mind going a few towns away every few weeks to pamper myself. Another bonus is that Linda and I pick up lunch at Dan’s and then go back to her place to visit and binge-watch Netflix.

And yes, I’ve been back to Costco a couple of times and we won’t even discuss clothes or the bag of Hershey kisses I bought. But I did pass on the dark chocolate sea salt caramels LOL.

Cashmere Valley Bank I am annoyed with you. I got a new debit card from my Canadian bank and you wouldn’t accept it at your ATM. But Numerica did. I guess I have a new favorite bank now.

Please pray for my friends in Mexico as Hurricane Beryl bears down on them today.

Jun1

A Glimpse of the Light

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A Glimpse of the Light

I’m beginning to see a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. After scanning photos for a month, I’m actually getting close to the end. Of course there are two bins still at my son’s and I haven’t a clue as to what’s in them. But I believe the majority of the bigger albums are almost done.

This morning I was at Kyle’s first day of kindergarten, Kimmy’s first haircut, Kyle’s fifth birthday party at the bowling alley and a vacation in San Diego. I’m not doing the albums in any type of chronological order so it’s been fun to skip around and see my kids at different ages.

And of course there are the pet albums. Kelsey and Koal had no idea that they were dogs. They were kids just like Kyle and Kimmy. Kelsey was around for a few years before Kyle was born. My kids had labelled him the geriatric dog. After he went to doggy heaven we got Koal. And he was quite a mischievous puppy and very different from Kelsey.

I really miss having a dog. But it’s bad enough that I have to deal with three different immigrations every year. I cannot fathom having to do that with a dog when constantly travelling from country to country. But if I ever do settle down, I would love to have a dog again.

In a way it’s been good that the weather has been so bad since I got to Winnipeg. When it rains every day I don’t feel so badly about holing up inside and going through photos. But I must admit that I miss that big, bright yellow ball that should be up in the sky instead of the ominous clouds.

And I’m still hoping for an ETA in Washington of mid-June.

May28

Way Too Many

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Way Too Many

For the past month I have been scanning photos. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are way too many. Why on earth did we take so many pictures? Why are there so many albums? The albums have been sitting in waterproof bins in my son’s basement for fourteen years. Has anyone even looked at them? This is 2024. Digital is the way to go.

In roughly the past ten years, I’ve had four surgeries in three different countries, sought asylum in two foreign countries during Covid and have moved from city to city in foreign countries. But none of this has been as stressful and gut-wrenching as going through these photo albums. I hope this doesn’t sound too crass but so many people in these photos are now divorced or dead.

I think I need a new project. But first I need to finish this one so I can get back to East Wenatchee. I need some normalcy in my life again. But I think I still have to wait a while for that to happen. My new ETA to the USA is now mid-June. End of May was unrealistic.

Caution to my readers. If you ever decide to do what I’m doing, you better hope that you’re in a place where it rains every single day so you don’t mind being holed up in a room with a computer and a scanner for hours on end. So far that’s been my experience this May in Winnipeg. Rain, rain and more rain.

But I’m strong and I can do this.