usual tropical blahs

I don't know what happens to us nortes when we get down here in the tropics but it's utter ennui and sapping fatigue.  Last Sunday and Monday, right after arrival, we were as busy and bustling as ever.  But as of Tuesday, it's a huge chore just to roll over in bed.  I rested Tuesday morning so I would be at least semi-conscious for the afternoon domino game.  I was, but it was a true miracle.  Here's the view from the domino table; you can see the ruination of the beach and the umbrellas, but the view is spectacular!  Chuy suffered a lot of damage but has managed to put most of it all back together.  We'll go to Dago's for dinner tomorrow night and see how he fared.

We learned from Omar the Gardener that the missing oleander was NOT, in fact, destroyed in the storm nor did it meet a "plant death" but instead was "liberated" from its place against the wall.  Here's another picture of the wall, taken from the balcony.

Now I need to go inside the wall and paint it so I don't see ANY grey cement.

Friends Blanche and Bob arrived yesterday afternoon and unloaded our two big boxes of vital belongings.  Thanks again, you two!  Now Mr. C has his peanut butter and I have my Christmas lights.  I'll put them up tomorrow (if I have the strength!!)

One other change this year.  The owners of the house across the street planted a row of palm trees when they built their place.  The trees obscured our view of the sea but I knew that eventually they would grow up and we'd be able to glimpse the surf again.  Well, this year it has happened!

Tomorrow it's back to Tecoman to try to do the bank business again.  I hope I have enough energy for this.  I know the blahs will pass and I'll be my usual energetic self.  I can hardly wait.

some firsts

First time I've really looked at "the wall" since we arrived.  We lost one oleander, which we will replace as soon as we get to the vivero.  Part of the wall could probably use another coat of paint but otherwise, it looks quite good.  I can tell you that it's a whole lot nicer to look out of the window and see a blue wall than a dull cement gray one.

NOTE:  This one's for you, NPW.  The house is available for you, the Mrs., and the girls any time!

Last night was the first evening sky of this trip.  The angle is not good for seeing a real sunset but we get to see the glow nonetheless.

And this morning was the first tianguis of the year. Fruits and veggies at the usual spot, meat (castillos de cerdo (pork ribs) and colas de res (oxtails) at our wonderful butcher shop,

Then it was off to Tecoman to try to pay our annual property fees but the bank was jammed so we'll try again on Friday.  To the Bodega for household necessities and then home.  All this running around is not conducive to a relaxing day.  I napped, Mr. C trolled the internet.  Salsa, tostadas, left over chiles rellenos and now it's time to turn off the lights and declare this day's party over!

¡Hola! from Beach Headquarters

We went from the sleek, streamlined terminal in Sacramento to the utter chaos of perpetually-under-construction LAX to the poster child of disorganization in Manzanillo, all in a matter of a few hours.  A note about our final stop:  it was pouring rain when we landed in ZLO.  The plane parked out on the tarmac and passengers walked from there to the terminal.  Once inside there was a lot of milling around that eventually ended up in a long line of tired travelers waiting to have papers and documents scrutinized, stamped, and approved.  Then on to the chaos ~ and I mean CHAOS ~ of the baggage claim.  In this hall there are sniffer dogs roaming around looking for any sort of contraband ~ one sniffed at my carry-on and I had to dig around to find the plastic bag of crackers/peanuts I had, but I didn't have to surrender them.  I forgot about the coffee but so did the dog.  Meanwhile, luggage is s-l-o-w-l-y being loaded from the plane onto baggage trolleys and ferried, in the pouring rain, to a carousel outside where more rain was dousing it while dogs walk on top of each bag, sniffing and barking.  The bags wend their way through the hall and, if unclaimed, out into the rain again.  We were among the first passengers off the plane and through the documents check and among the last to claim our bags.  Then once you get your bags you get into one of two or three haphazard lines to have your bags screened once again.  These various and several lines must eventually form into one line and there is a lot of jockeying and glaring along the way.  Mr. C picked up his thrice x-rayed bags and made it outside.  I got stopped at the door by another gentleman looking for food.  Again I produced the bag of crackers and had it promptly snatched away.  This guy evidently went to a training class with more stringent "dangerous food" training.  By the time we were out, there were still many people waiting for their bags, especially those who had gate-checked.  What that airport needs badly is an efficiency expert who has traveled enough to have some idea of how these things should work. 

But we made it home, thanks to Fernando, by about 6 PM through a heavy rain most of the way.  The house has withstood whatever Hurricane Patricia could throw at it and looks wonderful.  No cracks or water stains on the beautiful sala walls.  The garden is lush and green but we did lose our huge philodendron on the upstairs terrazzo in the Patricia winds.  There was dinner on the stove, the furniture all arranged, chotskies on display, and the bed made.  Chuy knows this house ~ and where everything goes ~ better than I do.  A delicious dinner and so to bed.  We could hear the rain in the palms trees outside the window and the sounds of the surf; lovely lullabies for our first night.

This morning is still grey and cool and, occasionally, showery.  First glass of fresh orange juice, my usual Sunday treat; not as sweet as it will be in a month or so but still mighty good.  Now it's time to unpack and get the kitchen organized ~ where ARE the knives?? ~ and start a list for tomorrow's street market and first foray to the super.  I guess we're here.

  

¡LISTOS!

The papers have been stopped, Netflix notified, the pool guy and the garden guy and the no-bug guy have all been paid for several months.  We've almost eaten up all the left overs so the fridge will be empty.  The cars have been plugged into the "battery minder" gizmos that prevent dead batteries from lack of use (a usual malady when we return). We'll see how that works.   I've had a pedicure, seen the wound doc for the last time ~ healing nicely, thank you ~ and today I'll get my last massage.  Our friends who are driving down to the beach from Canada arrived last night to pick up the boxes of  our "essentials" that we MUST have, and they went on their way early this morning.  And finally, I'm actually packed and ready for tomorrow's early departure.  If everything is working as it should, I'll be able to send a post tomorrow evening or Sunday morning.  So until then, bien viaje to us!

and then she wrote . . .

As usual, there's good news and bad news.  First, the good:  I'm just fine, according to my wonderful doc and all the tests she ordered for me.  What's supposed to be low is low, what's to be high is high.  I suggested I was "cured" and no longer a diabetic but, alas, she did not agree.  OK, that's the good news.  The really, really bad news is that she is retiring in April.  She has been my medical guardian for more than 15 years.  The last thing I want to think about is telling the whole story all over again to someone else (who will then retire, etc.).  Not only has she been my doc but we have become good friends.  So post-retirement we have planned to see one another ~ she lives in Davis, too ~ and she has told me to feel free to contact her any time for medical reasons.  How great is that?  For Mr. C, good news only.  His cataract surgeries have been a complete success and he can now even see to drive at night!

It's pack-up-and-go time around here. We have one week to get it all done.  The shuttle will come to fetch us at - GASP! - 3:30 AM for a 6 AM flight.  It has several other stops along the way which is why it's so early.  Flight leaves from LAX at 10:15 AM so we'll have plenty of time to schlep bags from one terminal to another and then sit and relax before flying on to Manzanillo.  We should be sitting down for one of Mr. C's marvelous margaritas by around 6 PM.  Chuy will fix our favorite chiles rellenos picadillo to get us in the mood for the next few months.

We've had beautiful weather up here in the valley; cold nights, bright days, a bit of rain with more expected on Sunday.  Lots of snow up at Tahoe, a very good thing indeed.  Erin and I have been walking when we can and most times, Daisy comes along.  Here she is at 4 1/2 months.

She has lost her "foxy" face and is looking like a real Golden Retriever.  Her coat is beginning to curl and wave and lose its downy softness.  She is a very well behaved, smart, curious and friendly creature.  Wow, by the time we get back she'll be at least double in size!

Put this one on your Flix® list:

It has a scene in it you'll want to watch twice; I did.  You'll know it when you see it.

So now it's back to packing, sorting, tossing out.  You'd think by now it would be the work of a moment.  Apparently not.

the post-feast wrap-up

It was perfect, start to finish.  Everything came out as it should have and on time.  For all of this I am, yes, very thankful!

The table, set with my mother's wedding china

The bird.  Diestel raised this tender, tasty beauty!

Sides; potatoes, brussels sprouts, roasted veggies, gravy, cranberry relish

Roasted celery root, turnips, parsnips, garlic, shallots, beets, carrots

Mr. C's rum pumpkin pie

The ice bucket for the prosecco and the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Emily, a bit out of focus (sorry, Em!)

Andrew, Alex, Mr. C

 Today is another absolutely gorgeous fall day; very cold (it was 30º last night).  But the sun is out, the sky is a beautiful clear blue, and the last of the colorful leaves are just about to let go for the season.  Here's what it looks like in out back yard.

The red trees are our neighbor's Crepe Myrtles.  Beneath them are the trumpet vines that have turned this bright chartreuse green that contrast with the dark green of the oleanders.  A beautiful palate. The guests have all gone up to the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Garden on the UCD campus.  Mr. C is puttering around in HIS kitchen, dealing with left overs that will be dinner later on.  Andrew returns one to SF on the the 7:25 train.  Alex and Em leave tomorrow afternoon. And then it will all be over for another year.  I must say that Thanksgiving 2015 was a very nice event.  So until next year . . .

Happy Thanksgiving to all

It is a crisp, clear and sunny day here in the valley on this Thanksgiving day.  The house is full of good smells and good cheer.  Daughter Alex is here as are Andrew and Em.  No Bozeman this year, although reports from that front are that it, too, is clear and bright but with the added treat of snow. on.  I have been readying the house for this fine holiday for the past couple of weeks; beds have flannel sheets, silver all polished, firewood at the ready, prosecco chilling, festive breads made and in the freezer, and the cleaning ladies worked their magic on Monday.  As I write this Mr. C is busy getting the cornbread/wild rice dressing ready and heating his famous tomato soup.  I roasted the veggies earlier ~ I'll add the precooked beets and mushrooms at the end.  The turkey has been moved from the indoor refrigerator to the cold outdoors and is now back indoors in preparation for cooking.  Lordy!  This is a lot of work but well worth it.  I have so very much to be thankful for, not the least is that at least part of my family can be here today.  I don't get to see those kiddies nearly enough so two or three days at once is such a treat.  What would be perfect would be to have the Bozeman contingent, complete with granddogs, sharing our feast tonight.  But I'll take what I can get!  I hope for all of you, dear readers, a joyous joining of hands around your table, wherever you are.

THE BIG REVEAL 

I've been asked about "the coat" that was my big splurge purchase in Paris last month.  Here it is.  I hope you like it.

This coat is made of felted cashmere; so, so soft and warm.

MEDICAL UPDATES

Our various and several medical issues have been attended to and we are now recovering.  Mr. C  had double cataract surgeries and can now see like a teenager.  My leg is healing slowly but nicely.  I think the wound will be closed by the time we head south.  I have been diligent in my care taking and that's paying off.  Dr. V the Dentist gave me a blue ribbon report so that little chore is out of the way.  All in all, we are holding up just fine.

ON THE LIGHT SIDE

Two delightful amusements over the past weeks.  First is a really terrific book that I can recommend without reservations!

 Author Patrick DeWitt has a fantastic sense of humor and of the utterly absurd and ridiculous.  He has a new novel out ~ Undermajordomo Minor ~ that I will read as soon as the LOC has it available.  He does have a knack for titles, doesn't he?

Second is this delightful, heartwarming little movie.

(This title is not to be confused with the documentary about a hospital!)  Produced in 2007, it's a sweet, mostly quiet story set in London, with an excellent cast.  Throw a log on the fire and enjoy!


AND FINALLY, PARIS

There has been such an outpouring of both outrage and sentiment about the events of November 13, so many photos of both the carnage and the eternal glory and beauty of the city.  I, too, am outraged that my beloved city has been so wounded and so viciously attacked.  I think about the parents and spouses and friends who bid concert-goers and sporting fans a "S'amuse bien!" and never saw any of them again.  But, beautiful Paris, like New York City,  will recover although will be forever scarred by such a violent  event.  I will go back soon to see how she's doing.  Meanwhile, Marchons!  Marchons!