Musings

Wrapping Up 2020, A Year Of Introspection

January 2, 2021

As we enter the new year,  I thought I would reflect on the old, the horrible year of 2020. That, in retrospect, wasn’t too horrible for us.

We started it off in Merida. We had escaped the cold weather in San Miguel in November 2019 headed to the beaches and finished with hosting friends.

Glenn and I had a lot planned for the year, culminating in a six-month trip to South East Asia in September.

Little did we know what actually awaited us.. I should have had an inkling when I got as close to a manic episode as I had been since we moved to Mexico in April 2018. I was teetering on the edge, trying to stay away from tipping entirely. Maybe that was an unconscious prelude to what was to come. Continue Reading…

Musings, San Miguel de Allende

I Live In A Place Of Worship

December 23, 2020

It is Christmas time and in this crazy, whacked-out year of 2020, many are thinking about their place in the world, their beliefs, and their god.

My parents raised me Catholic, I went to Sunday school, first communion, and confirmation. And then I stopped.

I have never been religious, but I have definitely felt connected to something bigger than I am. I kind of have to, being such a small part of everything. I have reigned in my Bipolar disorder and no longer feel I am the anointed one. But more often than not now, I feel a spiritual connection to that which surrounds me.

I have felt it in the great outdoors, in the cathedrals of Europe, at the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Giza, and settling in at the beach with a good book on a summer’s day. Continue Reading…

San Miguel de Allende

A New Facebook Writers’ Group In San Miguel

December 11, 2020

San Miguel is such an incredibly creative town. The lack of in-person social gatherings has tempered our spirits a bit, but many are still occupying our time with artistic endeavors.

For writers, the San Miguel Writers’ Conference is still offering amazing keynotes, literary events, and workshops.

Blogs are still being written. Books published and released. ZOOM meetings called to order.

In keeping with the need for outlets, and offer a group where San Miguel authors and writers can find each other and support, encourage, and network. I have started a Facebook Group – Writers Of San Miguel De Allende.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sanmiguelwriters

Continue Reading…

Calls For Action, Musings

Just Don’t Fly, The Petrie Dish Of Travel

November 17, 2020

CRAMMED!! And Miserable.

That is what we were. Our Volaris Leon to Tijuana flight was almost full, mine returning to Leon from Oakland; not an empty seat anywhere.

We weren’t flying to California for pleasure. It was something Glenn had to do.

There was no social distancing, although we tried to create some space around us. They say flights should be safe. The filters used, I guess. But being at an airport or on a plane is just not what we should do right now.

In our minds, we believed we would be ok with flying. We were nervous, but circumstances required us to come to California. The reality was not something we prepared for. We had the masks and the face visor, the sanitizing gel, and the alcohol spray. Who cared if we looked ridiculous. When COVID started a friend of ours flew in a hazmat suit. Looking back, that isn’t a bad idea. Continue Reading…

San Miguel de Allende, State Of Guanajuato

La Parroquia, The Sentinel

October 6, 2020

In San Miguel de Allende, our Parroquia, or parish church, stands proudly sentinel over the main town square, the Jardin, like a pink tiered wedding cake.

Its Gaudi like design and pinnacles are a point of reference, a beacon, and the eyes over town.

A stalwart on a hill in Centro, we can see it above or peeking through small lanes and alleyways guiding residents and visitors to our heart.

This year, 2020, our heart is going through a bypass.

In the beginning, San Miguel indulged, as it always does.

Splashed out weddings and Quinceaneras brought forth a parade of finery.

A horse-drawn carriage, a vintage car.

Thrown rice, and balloons let loose from hands made sticky from the tostilocos. Continue Reading…

Musings, San Miguel de Allende

Not Everyone Can Take A Stroll

September 18, 2020

My husband and I woke up this morning and took a stroll down to Rustica, one of our favorite cafes in San Miguel.

There, among the plants and trees and tinkling fountain, I thought about how lucky we are that we can amble along and that we have such a lovely place to do it.

Not everyone can do so.

Almost everyone can walk. Some plod or trudge along, some power walk, others move quickly forward with long purposeful strides.

Many are doing it to get somewhere.

Walking is a necessity for some, they have no other way of getting around. Bus routes don’t work in their neighborhood, or along the route they need to take. The timetables don’t coincide with what they need to do. A car has broken down or is non-existent in the first place; for whatever reason. Continue Reading…