Monday, December 31, 2012

Good-Bye Snow...Hello, Mexico

So, the 20 inch snowfall on the day before we planned to go did not help preparation plans. We still did leave last Sat, and arrived yesterday, the following Sat.   It seems amazing that we even did it, with pretty late plans formulating for this whole endeavor.  We had thought of driving a year ago; then, also in the fall; also, even this winter, but never truly thinking we would do it; So, when we did decide, we just went with it, and somehow pulled it off.  Guess it was meant to happen.


We 'escaped' from WI  (I think 'Escape TO WI' was a slogan once...) around noon, with Grandma and Frida (the dog) in tow. Bruce, the other dog, is having some vacation time at the neighbors. hope it's ok. Since he's scarier looking, it would probably have been a plus to have him along, but dealing with one dog was enough.

But anyway...from WI with a stay w/friends in MO, and then Steve's sister Sall in Fort Worth, Tex, where we left Gram for a stay.  Here is the day before Xmas eve photo of Gram with her kids!
(her photo request  :-)



 and, Sall with her 2 dogs, Buffy and Sweetie....very sweet I'm sure, esp without extra company in the house. But, they had to give up some of their precious space for us--intruders into their lifestyle.  And then, even more limiting, there was a snowfall right after we left which meant they couldn't even be out in the yard much.  They gave up a lot of freedom, to accomodate guests!


 Here we are parked outside Sall's place in Fort Worth, Texas.
She lives around TCU in a nice neighborhood.

And then, again in Laredo, where we finally felt warmth.   And wow! palm trees....




 
  So, we got to Laredo in 3 days and stayed there to cross the border early in am of 25th, figuring it would be a slow day.   I think I was too freaked out around Immigration to even get any photos.  Plus, it would probably not have been allowed, and we didn't want to push it.



After crossing the border, we had to do a hairpin turn and swing into the Immigration station to process paperwork, show documents, etc.
Bienvenido a Mexico.....Welcome to Mexico!

Really, not as bad as we thought.  But, once underway and out on highway, we did have a heart stopping pullover, where they questioned the documents, with somehow did not show we had a small trailer.  After reassuring we had no 'armas' (guns) and no motorcycles stuffed in there...and offering a bribe, and debating the price, even raising it from 500 -800 pesos...think we just exhausted the policia guy's timeframe, and our (my) frantic state must have convinced him to let us go on. 
 

 The drive to the next city of Monterrey was, to me, rather bleak. Between dry parched areas, some mountains, maybe some surface mining of ? something that's probably used in road contruction...it was just an area to get through. And then there was a lot of ugly industrial production stuff--probably Wal-Mart plants, etc... and large lots of minimal looking housing to put the workers needed....just overall, not pleasant to look at, and actually more to feel bad about, as how factories are taking advantage of minimal employment of a desperate job force...who are willing to live in such conditions to have work. Sorry I didn't get photos of the housing...I was probably just too appalled.
 The mountains were not bad, but after awhile, it just added to the bleakness of the whole scene.

Mountains we saw later in the trip were much nicer.

So, after maybe 200 miles, we got to Saltillo, which turned out to be a nice place, and we found an old hacienda which had been recommended by other... El Murillo.  The weather, esp the evening, was more chilly, and guess Saltillo is called the 'Denver of Mexico' being quite high. It is the high plains area, or 'altiplano' of Mexico, which we continued in for quite some time even after Saltillo.


There were just such pretty plantings all over...nicely maintained--it made everything feel so natural and fresh after the bleak landscape we had just driven through.

And the most memorable part was Maria Elena, who was born and raised in the area. She was our total hostess--checked us in; took the 700 pesos (reasonable, for an hacienda!), and made us an evening meal, as well as breakfast...and made the fire for both!
A total new age woman, I'd say... so gracious.

More later....but, we made it.  A total of 8 days....too many miles, a few shakedown, a few bribes, but no breakdowns.  I was lucky to be in the hands of a great driver, and grateful to have made it to our destination.  Not sure it's a trip I would do again... But, as is our motto---'now for something completely different,'  (a Monty Python quote), it lived up to the billing.  A bit adventurous, a bit 'pushing the envelope' and the best part is....it's behind us!   whew!           

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Bizarro Blizzard

Maybe it did seem like the end of the word yesterday...Or, at least the beginning of a new world...

We're in a new white wolrd...all white...all over...all the time...
 plowing, snow blowing, cars not starting, house cold, fingers numb, branches on wires,
electricity out....  yes, Beautiful to look;   Difficult to deal with.    Hard to rationalize being here....


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Focus...Focus...

 That is sometimes what Sofi says to the dogs when they are acting crazy and needing to calm down...
"Hey Guys....Focus!"     It's really cute that she's transferring things she hears at 4 yr old Kindergarten, and recycling these phrases.  Am sure the teacher tells the kids to 'Focus' fairly often.   They DO need to focus...and me too!  (and the dogs, too!)

It's esp. daunting right now as we're between Thanksgiving and Xmas...days are short...at 7pm it feels like at least 10pm, since it's already been dark for like 3 hours...so it's hard to think of staying here longer, yet paralyzing to think of getting ready to get on the road..

I should be doing Xmas cards, but I find myself doing crosswords...a new obsession...or maybe, just procrastination.  Then, there are several birthdays thrown in...mine (which followed my mother's by 2 days, & it's one less we celebrate, now that she's not with us...except to tip a glass in her honor), and mine we just now lump with Sofi's, which was the 14th...and we celebrated the day after.  I wanted to just lump Xmas right in there, & distribute gifts early...but held off, so she could have her day to herself.  And yet...too many things remain to be done in the limited time available....
And maybe my real problem is...I'm going to be going away...and MISSING MY FAMILY HERE!!!
   How do people do that?     (Steve says I just need to get to Mexico...then, I won't want to leave...
He has more of a problem coming back here!)

Here is Evie with her newly acquired lineup of Nutcrackers, which I 'willed' to her, in downsizing.  She is a huge 'Nutcracker' fan.  She  has already attended many showings of the Nutcracker, and also The Christmas Carol and knows dialog, characters, etc. from both, and songs.

Here's Gram with her newest little granddaughter, Olivia.  Never enough huggin' for gram.
It's fun to watch the little ones at their birthday parties, and how they share (or don't) with their invitees. 
There is nothing like a well prepared, birthday dinner with family.  Somehow I missed getting the cake & candle blowing.
The train...absolute hit, as Sofi is a total train nut.  Everyone has their specialty.

For Violet, happiness is a nice, bendable snake which can fit into a used box.

Photo
I did find a photo of the birthday girl & her cousin Evie, shared from a facebook post by Nat, w/ Rachel.
yay! for blowing out the birthday candles....they did mine too!




Well, I count my blessings to have a wonderful family... and, with what's in the news, I know we all want to spend every precious minute with our families.  We are so blessed.
----------------------------------------



Having choices just makes life more difficult sometimes.
It's hard to go away.
I'm not sure about being a
snowbird...
Focus...Focus...

 

...and Hocus, Pocus.
I guess it might happen.



I'll sort it all out somehow.
I want to get away, but I want to bring my family with me.....I'm going to work at that!



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12-12-12

TWELVE NOTABLE TWELVES

12 months in a year.
12 hours on a clock face.
12 inches in a foot.
12 strikes to bowl a perfect game.
12 people have walked on the moon.
12 face cards in a deck.
12 days of Christmas.
12 apostles of Jesus.
12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
12 jurors in felony trials.
12 signs of the Zodiac.
12 pairs of ribs in most humans.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer

I guess  the WI  legislature also made it a special day for #12, Aaron Rodgers, Packers Quarterback.
And as for myself, born on this day...I just had a nice, simple, day including a swim at the local YMCA, 
water walking with a granddaughter in the Lazy River , and a nice book club meeting in the evening with friends. 
I've always thought my mother chose a good day for my birthday;  I've always loved the number twelve. Thanks, Mom.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Maya Doomsday Myth

Well, thinking about Dec 21st coming, which so many have built up into an event...
I was at one time thinking I'd want to be on Isla, and participate in...whatever...but, now I don't care so much. I won't quite make it by then, and that's okay.

Ironically, just tonight, on the Jian Ghomeshi show, Q, from CBC  he had a guest discuss the whole thing, and put it in the proper perspective.  I really appreciate shows like this.
Lately, most of my education comes from Public Radio...and Wisconsin Public Radio is a leader in that regard, and also NPR, IPR and now I'm appreciating what Canadian Public Radio has to offer also.

I'm referring to the first part of the podcast, 'Misreading the Mayans'  and if you just go down to click on the audio, wait for him to announce the other topics, he'll get to guest & Mayan expert, Robert Sitler who discusses the Maya Doomsday Myth.


  • Sunday, December 9, 2012 11:00pm
    Latin-American scholar Robert Sitler on why the myth that December 21st marks the end of the world persists, despite being a complete misreading of the Mayans' intent. Journalist and author Caitlin Moran on her new collection of music and pop culture essays, "Moranthology." A look at the enduring appeal of James Bond, with ex-Bond director John Glen.



Sunday, December 9, 2012

Hanukkah, Snow, Xmas...& all that...

'Tis the season...
I guess listening to 'A Prairie Home Companion' with Garrison Keillor is kind of getting me 'in the mood' for these things.  And turns out the broadcast of Dec 8, 2012 is/was Hanukkah...and he was live at the Town Hall in NYC...so, there were a lot of references to things we just saw recently saw and did there, which keeps the city alive for me...

     ( note...upon revisiting, & checking these links, they don't seem to open exactly to the piece indicated. Although, I'm working w/a slow computer, & maybe it's just me...but, ? a note of caution...)
 
shopping at Zabar's, taxis, subway, Brooklyn...     listen to:      I Walk Everywhere
I Walk Everywhere - Pat Donohue and Shoe Band

 and  then, this is really fun, timely, and just hits me right now, with some things we're dealing with...
    Hanukah in Santa Monica
      The whole PHC broadcast this week is fresh and fun, so if you can get it & listen, you will be rewarded.  There are more fun songs, skits and stories in his best tradition, with a modern twist.

      here's a cute Xmas tree skit    Trees


      in fact, you should listen to the whole darned show...darned good this week. I think he saves his good material for when he's in NYC   ;-)     the Minnesota and prairie stuff does get rehashed a lot....
                  http://prairiehome.publicradio.org


      and the fact it was Hanukkah...well, let me just say that while not Jewish, lately I'm having several connections there...I'm getting a membership at the Jewish Cmmty  Center, which has a nice ozone-filtered pool, for one son's family (who could pass for looking Jewish...and have names to go with it; the other son has told me most took him to be Jewish by his name...in fact, thinking we fled Germany with such a name... who would have thought?  the things we deal with!
      Furthermore, we may be doing some real estate business with an Israeli connection...I won't say more.

      Maybe in another future post I can say how we've been mistaken for other ethnic identities...in China, in Merida, and around...

      Today, it is snowing...our first snow...it is beautiful and fresh.  I do love it.
      Here are some pics of outdoors here, and then some snowflakes made by Sofi for school.
      (they were a homework assignment...to make a snowflake out of a paper coffee filter...a skill not ever learned by her mother, adopted at age 13 from India...just one of the many cultural things she missed!


      and here is a snowman Sofi made today!






      and nice snowy pics from around the farm....

      Wednesday, December 5, 2012

      December already ?

      I'll post some pics of post-Thanksgiving cookie making with the granddaughters....joy and life & love.  Learning & creativity. Good times.



      Even though Thanksgiving was early, and we had more month left afterward, it seems December is
      whizzing along...and I'm not ready!   It's just too stressful to think of everything that needs to get done...and frankly, I'm starting to feel like a grinch.  I'm just not into the happy holidays anymore...including the gift giving, the shopping, the wrapping, the 'festivities' or whatever... I can see why some people suffer depression at this time of year...it's hard to get up for all that! 

      I guess I do like the natural things...the woods, food, making cookies, even making a wreath, which I used to do a lot, and still make fresh wreaths for graves, and doors. But, not as many as I used to...

      The cold weather, the dark days with sunset coming now before 4:30...what's to like about that?
      I'm dreaming of Isla...and I even blame Isla.   Isla has ruined me in so many ways... ruined me for any other water...for any other beach...for winter here....and not only me, but Mr. S even more so.
      It's tough;  there is guilt.  Being a lapsed Catholic, I'm familiar with that. And now it just seems compounded...
      well, there is the end of the Mayan calendar coming... OR...the 'fiscal cliff' --take your pick!