Tag Archives: Writing

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!

Sep9

It’s Friday Again

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It’s Friday Again

I really should be practicing Spanish on Duolingo or researching flights to Mexico but I’ve been in writing mode most of the day. This morning I actually slept in despite the fact that there is a war zone outside my window. They’re putting in new water pipes and the whole street is torn up and there are piles of dirt everywhere. There are also at least a half dozen pieces of heavy equipment clogging up the street. But that extra hour of sleep was most conducive to writing today.

I sorted through mounds of poetry I found when I was back in Canada last month. Apparently I used to write a lot of it. But somehow I stopped when I got pregnant with my son and then I never wrote another word after. And I still don’t write poetry. I wrote exactly one poem about fifteen years ago for an artifact for one of my college courses.

This afternoon I wrote a story about my experience renewing my passport this summer. It needs some editing and then will be ready to present to my next writers’ group meeting. I’m really going to miss this group when I’m in Mexico over the winter. I plan on keeping in touch with some of the members. We always go out to lunch after the meeting where we continue our discussions. I will really miss those while I’m gone.

Yesterday was Chelan County Fair. My American friends tease me because I still get excited about going to a county fair. They all grew up with them but I never had that experience. I love looking at the animals and fruits and vegetables and quilts all vying for ribbons. However, I must admit that I’ve tried funnel cake and don’t see what all the fuss is about. Just give me a good old American Hershey bar and I’m happy.

I watched TV for a while today which I don’t do often unless bingeing on Lincoln Lawyer or Virgin River with friends. Today was two episodes of The Rifleman. Both were from 1960 in the days of black and white. Chuck Connors was very young back then and the story lines were corny. And the shows are a little on the violent side with lots of shooting and killing. But back in the day those were considered fine for kids to watch. Brace yourselves… I’ve mentioned before that I was a tomboy but I actually had a cap gun which was one of my favorite toys growing up. Toys? Hmmmm.

Duolingo is calling.

Have a great weekend!

Sep1

Friday, My Day

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Friday, My Day

This morning I was lazing in bed with coffee playing word games on my tablet, music by Phil Wickham in the background. It’s the first chance I’ve had to do that since I returned from Canada. Usually I’m up and out the door early. Saturday was Waterville, Sunday was church, on Monday I was out with Ann, on Tuesday I had a workshop with my writers’ group and then Tai Chi, on Wednesday I was off to Linda’s in Leavenworth and yesterday I was off to Leavenworth to teach a fitness class and then back to Wenatchee for Tai Chi. It’s so nice to have one day this week with absolutely nothing on the calendar.

Of course there are things I need to do today, among them online banking and catching up on emails. I also need to come up with something for my writers’ group meeting next week. And it’s also time to start checking out flights back to Mexico. So much for nothing on the calendar today.

My street looks like a war zone. New water pipes are being installed. Piles of dirt and heavy equipment make traveling down the street an obstacle course. They’ve been at it since back in May. We have the same two seasons here in Washington that they do in Winnipeg…..winter and construction.

Linda and I have been binge watching The Lincoln Lawyer. Last night I caught an old episode of Perry Mason. Those were the days when lawyers actually got innocent people off rather than getting guilty people off on technicalities. Our world has changed.

I’ve been watching the crazy weather and have pretty much decided to stay away from the coastal airports when I fly back to Mexico next month. I’m leaning towards Guadalajara again. I detest Mexico City anyways and have been reading about all the expected cancellations due to cutbacks on the number of daily flights allowed. I’ve been in Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta when there have been hurricanes and it wasn’t fun.

Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Aug25

Why do you blog?

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Why do you blog?

Why do you blog? This was one of the writing prompts on WordPress this week. I decided to give it some thought.

I was living in Guadalajara when I started blogging on WordPress. Two of my housemates, Sean and Omar, were computer geeks and helped me get set up. Both of them were working remotely while living in Mexico for a while.

Before I started my blog, I used to send out mass emails to friends I’d left behind in Winnipeg. But now that I was living and teaching in Mexico, I found myself keeping in touch with others I’d taught with or lived with over the years. It’s true that a one-liner on Facebook got the word out and was easier than writing emails, but I could write in more detail in a blog.

I also used to include a lot of photos in my blog posts. I do a fair amount of traveling and there are always new museums, art galleries and parks to explore wherever I go. I made a lot of new friends and we often went on adventures together. But that changed when Covid arrived.

My blog posts became more introspective when I sought asylum in Mexico in March of 2020 when my FMM expired. I had given up my work visa when I retired back in 2016 so I was now counting my 180 days again. When I finally made it to Leavenworth at the end of September, I had a lot more freedom and fewer restrictions. Life was a lot more normal than it had been in Mexico. I was able to be vaccinated and was able to obtain medication I required that had not been available in Mexico.

My 180 in the USA was almost up in March of 2021. Do I go to Canada and pay $2000 for a two night hotel stay in isolation and then have nowhere to live once I got out? Do I go back to Mexico and take my chances in a third world country during a pandemic? Thank you to the CDC for coming to the rescue and issuing a level 4 travel advisory against travel to Canada. I retained an attorney and successfully sought asylum in the USA.

It’s now 2023 and I’m pretty much back on track with winters in Mexico and the other six months in the USA and Canada. But my blog posts are very different than the ones I wrote when I initially began the blog on WordPress. One featured photo and more writing. I write about life rather than travel. I occasionally write about family. I still tend to shy away from politics and religion.

I can’t remember the last time I sent out a mass email. Instead I encourage people to read my blog. I have followers around the globe and am grateful for all your support. I’m not the least bit interested in making money from this blog although I know several people who do just that.

I blog because I enjoy writing. I blog to give others some insight into my nomadic lifestyle. I blog in the hope that what I write may impact someone else’s life. I blog for me and I blog for you.

Jul21

Two Days

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Two Days

Wednesday morning I attended the writers group at the Wenatchee Senior Center. I just love this group and will miss them when I’m away. I’ve met some fantastic people with amazing stories to tell about where they’ve lived and travelled. They have truly inspired me and I am so appreciative of their encouragement and support. Now if only I could take them to Canada next month and to Mexico in the fall.

I went into Leavenworth yesterday to see another production by Leavenworth Summer Theater. This time it was Cinderella and it’s one of the best I’ve seen yet. The characters were all so well-cast and the music was fabulous. This time the venue was the outdoor stage at the Fish Hatchery and thankfully the heat had subsided and it was quite pleasant being outside.

Last night I also had the opportunity to see the Space Station fly over and that was exciting for me. I’d never seen it before. The sky was so clear and the stars were all shining brightly. A big change from when the skies are smoke-filled from the usual wildfires at this time of year.

And speaking of wildfires, I received an alert on my phone a half hour ago that helicopters were dipping into the river near the bridge to get water to fight the fires. I even got the warning in Spanish on my other phone that still had my Mexican chip in it.

Today is Thursday and that means it’s Tai Chi day. This class is most beneficial for working on balance, and at this age I do have concerns when it comes to balance. Neuropathy merely complicates things and I am grateful for any type of exercise that may help when it comes to fall prevention.

According to the display in the car today, it was a balmy 106. I guess earlier in the week when we had one day of only 84 that was just a tease. I’m staying home in air-conditioned heaven tonight.

I have this crazy Barbie theme on my Alexa this week. Really corny jokes. Where is Barbie’s boyfriend from? Ken-tucky.

Jul10

It Finally Rained Last Night

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It Finally Rained Last Night

Finally some relief from the heat and the fire risk. Thunderstorm overnight. Of course now the sun has come out again and the temperature is sure to soar. Summer in Washington.

On the nightstand. Finished reading Too Much And Never Enough and almost finished The Reckoning. Both excellent reads from Mary Trump.

I watch ME TV occasionally. This morning I was watching an old Perry Mason, the days when attorneys defended the innocent and didn’t spend their time finding loopholes to get the guilty off. Quite refreshing. And then there are the old Leave It To Beaver shows. Life was more wholesome and more simple back then.

We went to see The Little Mermaid on the weekend. Very different from the original animated Disney version. But the music is beautiful and the coral reefs and other scenery were also spectacular. Not sure if I’d want my five year old granddaughter to see this one though. For now I think the old animated version might be the way to go.

Last part of my travel reservations is done. Booked the shuttle from Wenatchee to Sea-Tac. Three weeks from today I’ll be on my way.

I’ve been struggling with the perfect tenses on Duolingo. I wish I wasn’t such a grammar freak. Mexicans don’t have good grammar so I don’t know why I work at it so much. Probably because I used to teach English grammar. And I’m afraid even that is lacking now because I’m not in the classroom anymore.

Time to do some writing – editing my novel and working on a piece for my writers group.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Jun30

Friday June 30

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Friday June 30

In another lifetime I’d be taking my kids to pick up report cards and then we’d be off to Chuck E Cheese. Why does it seem like just yesterday when it was decades ago?

I had a Bible study on Zoom this morning. Then I edited the piece for my next writers group meeting. A productive morning. One more thing on the agenda and I need to stop procrastinating. I’ve been looking at flights to Winnipeg and the times and connections are awful. It’s easy to get to Mexico from Sea-Tac but not to Canada, especially not Winnipeg.

It’s a holiday weekend. Canada Day tomorrow. July 4th here on Tuesday so sadly no Tai Chi. It’s hard keeping track of what’s open and what’s closed. But fireworks are definitely on for Tuesday, as long as there are no more fires close by again. There have been a few already although it’s early in the season.

Yesterday I did my recertification as a SAIL instructor. Hard to believe I’m in my seventh year teaching. I subbed again in Leavenworth for two weeks. Although it’s not a big class it’s still my favorite class. Three of the ladies have been in my class for six years. They live in Mountain Meadows now but are still very active.

I was just outside with the munchkins and it is hot out there. They weren’t interested in staying out there very long. They were quite content to come back in and crash on their doggie beds in the air-conditioned house.

Who’s going to see the new Indiana Jones movie? I plan on doing that.

Happy Holiday Weekend! Stay hydrated and stay safe!

Jun24

Saturday Sentiments

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Saturday Sentiments

I just spent the morning taking photos off my phone and backing them up to two of my three external hard drives. The third one I left in Washington when I returned to Mexico last fall and it hasn’t resurfaced yet. While I enjoy taking photos, I despise the tedious task of organizing them into folders afterwards and backing them up. Alexa, why can’t I train you to do that?

It’s been quite a week. The main headline this week was all about the implosion of the Titan. A horrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with people who lost loved ones this week. Another terrible accident claimed the lives of sixteen seniors in Manitoba and nine still remain in hospital in serious condition.

Yay Washington State! It’s official. We have the highest gas prices in the nation!

I had a busy week. Two trips to Leavenworth to teach SAIL. Tai Chi classes and writers’ group. My characters have been quite animated so I’ve been doing a fair amount of writing this week as well. I’ve also had to do some medical research related to my book.

I’m halfway to my 180 so I’m starting to think about traveling. Canada is on my mind once again this summer before I return to Mexico in the fall.

Happy Birthday Kelsey. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow.

May31

Time For A Change

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Time For A Change

For the longest time I’ve been posting twice a week, Sunday and Wednesday. I write about whatever happens to come to mind at the time. I’ve decided to change it up for a while. There will be one post a week for sure and the day will vary. If you’re a follower of my blog you’ll be notified in the usual way. If you’re not a follower, I’ll still be sharing to Facebook so you’ll see the announcement there.

I’m much busier here in Washington than I am in Mexico. I’m finding it hard to devote the time I want to the book I’m writing so I have to cut back somewhere. Giving up fitness classes or Tai Chi is not an option. My health is a priority at this stage of the game.

My social life is busier here as well. I have more friends, many of whom have become family to me over the years. I’m in year eight now in Washington. Yes we do go to fitness classes and Tai Chi together, but there are also activities like Leavenworth Summer Theater that I enjoy.

It also looks like a trip to Canada is in order again this summer. I’m hoping to actually be with both of my kids at the same time, something we haven’t done in almost eight years. And of course I’m looking forward to seeing my granddaughter. I enjoy the video calls but what I really want is to hug her and hold her in my arms.

Last week I was out at Lake Chelan for the day. The weather was wild. Windy and rainy when I arrived. Then in a matter of minutes it cleared up and was sunny. The museum is always interesting and they revamped it over the winter. A video about apples was added and some of the displays were changed around.

Fire season has begun. We had a Level 1 warning over the weekend over a 250 acre brush fire out near the airport, about a ten minute drive from where I live. Thankfully it was brought under control quickly. We could really use some rain here but there doesn’t seem to be any in the forecast.

I’m headed into Leavenworth today. That’s where my hair stylist is. Yes, I know there are hair stylists here in East Wenatchee. And I’m reluctant to change that. I discovered Shears during Covid and Lisa knows my hair well although I’m only up here six months of the year.

Jurassic Quest is coming to Wenatchee and I’m contemplating checking it out. The movies were all pretty great and I’ve seen them in English and in Spanish. Now to see those dinosaur up close. I remember a ride at Disney where we were surrounded by dinosaurs. That was back in the 80s and I’m sure the special effects are greatly enhanced now.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

May10

Five Things You May Not Know

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Five Things You May Not Know

A friend challenged me to write a blog post about myself. He asked me to write about five things that most people don’t know about me. Obviously some people may know these things, but most people don’t. I have followers from all over the world who do not know me personally at all. So here goes.

One. As a young child I was double-jointed. Yep, I could do the splits among other things. Of course I’ve also been arthritic most of my adult life so I wonder if that might be why.

Two. If I ever accidently eat anything that contains liver it triggers a gag reflex. Yuck!

Three. A boyfriend once gave me a dog for Chanukah……a big dog even though it was a puppy. I was living at home at the time and my parents strongly suggested I give it back to the breeder after it chewed everything in sight and wasn’t the least bit interested in being paper trained.

Four. One summer I took a merit typing course in summer school. I wanted to learn to type and because I was in a university entrance program, typing was not offered during the regular school year.

Five. I prefer living in small towns rather than in large cities.

There you have it. Five things you may not know about me.