Hi Pat, Love the opening pic on today's installment! And want also to say how much I enjoyed seeing your photo a few days back of the beautiful folkloric dancer in her gorgeous embroidered dress. Trying to recall, would that be the traditional folkloric costume of Puebla?
We've had a few days rain break here in the coastal redwoods, even a full day of actual sunshine. It's been a rough slog this winter, I can tell you. I've done a little pruning and "yard work" on my ten acres, but confess there's little joy in this project when days are chilly and overcast. Your blog and pics are a welcome tonic for what ails me!
By the way, I am always cheered by your periodic blogs with produce and grocery report, and yesterday I had to groan in the grocery checkout line paying over US $110.00 for two full bags. For that amount I got: ten lbs. of organic black beans, a dozen organic oranges, an ounce of cumin seed, a pork shoulder roast, six bulbs of garlic, 24 fresh jalapeno peppers, a half pint of organic whipping cream, and two dozen organic eggs. Can you even imagine that...
Oh, how I wish this seemingly impossible task of downsizing, repairing, painting, etc. was complete and I could head back your way. It's beautiful (and quiet) here, but it is getting to be too much for me to keep up with anymore, let alone afford. California, especially this area, just two hours from SF, is just too expensive for retirees without deep, deep pockets.
Sending you warm regards and hope you're feeling chipper and enjoying yourself. !Vaya! Fay
Hi Fay, Good to hear from you again. I don't know anything about that dancer or her costume. I just took her picture. Sounds like you could live like a queen down here on what it costs you up there. I know how expensive it is anywhere near San Francisco. I have been feeling under the weather with a cold coming on so I have been sitting at home. This morning I left the water running in my bathroom for my cat. She loves to drink it as it flows out of the faucet. Spent an hour mopping it up. This evening I left the water running in my kitchen sink and spent another hour mopping. And thinking it might be time to check into an Alzheimer's home . Hopefully it is just being sick that has caused me to be so forgetful. P
Hola otra vez, Don't worry about forgetting the running water. Everyone does this. Three mornings ago, after refilling the stock tank, I neglected to turn the hose off. It's been at least six years since I last did that, and when I tried to use the kitchen sink and found NO water coming out, I initially panicked. Could it be my well pump had quit? This is always a constant worry in rural areas, as pump replacement runs well over a thousand dollars. Then it dawned on me. It's a shame to have pumped so much water onto the already saturated ground, but a relief nonetheless...
I'm sorry to hear you've a cold coming on. I used to get one really lousy cold ever winter. I remember the last one especially. I had just driven from CA to San Miguel and barely arrived when the cold came over me. Woozy, sinus pain, cough, the whole works. From then, I boned up on the use of vitamins and supplements and since then have been taking them daily. That last cold in SMA was in 1999 and I've not had a sniffle or flu since. If I even suspect I may be a little "under the weather" I double up on Vitamin C and also use Echinacea, zinc, and Goldenseal in extra amounts. Do you us Vitamins? If not yet, there is lots of good info on the internet to get you started. It can not be a coincidence I've been perfectly healthy for 18 years since I began. Pay little attention to the recommended dosages on the bottles; instead hunt for a good website and follow the advice as to dosage. I hope you will be feeling much better soon. With a cold coming on it's no wonder you left the water running. You're not ready for a "home" yet, Ha Ha. You are fine!
Thank you Fay. I appreciate your concern and sharing about your life. I do have vitamins here and will start taking them thanks for that reminder. I hope you have a great day. P
Hi Pat, I hope my "pen pal" style correspondence is not inappropriate. It's just that I find you such a genuine and authentic human being who bravely and honestly confronts life head on. I admire you and enjoy our correspondence. (I only got my computer recently and am baffled by its' systems. Picture me: tearing my hair out, LOL.)
I tried setting up email, but was unsuccessful: got a message saying my "cookies" were not enabled. I gave up. I am "old school" and prefer face to face or telephone contact. I have no family, thus see no need or advantage to the added headache and privacy issues of email.
I moved to this rural area decades ago, before it had been "discovered." My goal was to live simply and inexpensively in a small cottage with a wood stove for heat, a vege garden, chickens, milk goats, and a dozen fruit trees. All this was accomplished with my own sweat equity. Now taxes have risen, redwood trees overhang my roof, and on a small fixed income I can no longer afford hired help or services. I am dealing with a great deal of deferred maintenance. Local plumbers charge $80 and hour.
Recently, in a windstorm, a tree limb smashed a window pane; I spent half a day up an eight foot ladder replacing it. And so it goes! The firewood I bought last year ran out a month ago, so no heat since. I bundle up and, at night, am toasty under my down comforters. But it's not emotionally cozy inside. I miss that. But I had to choose: food or firewood for the rest of the winter.
Living "like a queen" would mean sunshine & warmth, affordable fresh food, friendly Mexican neighbors, and access to a good library.
Do you do any volunteer work Lakeside? I will want to get involved in some volunteer programs when I get back. Years ago I was an active volunteer in an orphanage and enjoyed it immensely. And since I love animals, perhaps I'll get involved with one of the dog rescue groups. Just looking forward to these things keeps up my spirits.
Are your plans for a little trip shaping up at all? Does your friend who is coming for dental work have a firm date yet? I've always found anticipating travel is a great pleasure in itself. Did you check out Jilquipan on the web? Feel better soon, Pat. Fay
Hi Fay, if you don't mind everyone reading your messages it is fine with me. If you do get e mail set up you can write to me at petwalker40@yahoo.com I have decided to go back to San Blas. I went there many times before discovering this area. I have friends there and it always makes me feel like I am home again. I don't volunteer here because I write for Alex and my blog and swim. That leaves me very little time and since I don't have a car it takes me a long time just to do errands. I have a house in McKinleyville and a year ago a storm blew over a tree in my front yard. The tree man charged me a thousand dollars just to haul it off and I am sure he sold the wood for firewood. So I understand your situation. It is beautiful weather here now. I think it is the best time of the year. Before the hot months and then six months of rain. Thanks for writing. P
I'm curious about your comment indicating forthcoming "hot months and then six months of rain" I assumed the weather remained temperate all year ...wrong? I live in northern california (sierra foothills) where we have that exact scenario except during drought years
Hi Marilyn, it is already getting hot, mid eighties, here in the afternoons but soon it may even go into the mid nineties for a couple of months. April and May mostly. Rainy season is often overcast during the day or it rains.. People say it only rains at night. That isn't true. P
Pat I love thoe postsed photos---Both---On this Blog and Access Lake Chipala. Are you really movong back to San Blas or for a visit??? I know you will do what is best for your HAPPINESS.
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteLove the opening pic on today's installment! And want also to say how much I enjoyed seeing your photo a few days back of the beautiful folkloric dancer in her gorgeous embroidered dress. Trying to recall, would that be the traditional folkloric costume of Puebla?
We've had a few days rain break here in the coastal redwoods, even a full day of actual sunshine. It's been a rough slog this winter, I can tell you. I've done a little pruning and "yard work" on my ten acres, but confess there's little joy in this project when days are chilly and overcast. Your blog and pics are a welcome tonic for what ails me!
By the way, I am always cheered by your periodic blogs with produce and grocery report, and yesterday I had to groan in the grocery checkout line paying over US $110.00 for two full bags. For that amount I got: ten lbs. of organic black beans, a dozen organic oranges, an ounce of cumin seed, a pork shoulder roast, six bulbs of garlic, 24 fresh jalapeno peppers, a half pint of organic whipping cream, and two dozen organic eggs. Can you even imagine that...
Oh, how I wish this seemingly impossible task of downsizing, repairing, painting, etc. was complete and I could head back your way. It's beautiful (and quiet) here, but it is getting to be too much for me to keep up with anymore, let alone afford. California, especially this area, just two hours from SF, is just too expensive for retirees without deep, deep pockets.
Sending you warm regards and hope you're feeling chipper and enjoying yourself.
!Vaya!
Fay
Hi Fay, Good to hear from you again. I don't know anything about that dancer or her costume. I just took her picture. Sounds like you could live like a queen down here on what it costs you up there. I know how expensive it is anywhere near San Francisco. I have been feeling under the weather with a cold coming on so I have been sitting at home. This morning I left the water running in my bathroom for my cat. She loves to drink it as it flows out of the faucet. Spent an hour mopping it up. This evening I left the water running in my kitchen sink and spent another hour mopping. And thinking it might be time to check into an Alzheimer's home . Hopefully it is just being sick that has caused me to be so forgetful. P
ReplyDeleteHola otra vez,
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about forgetting the running water. Everyone does this. Three mornings ago, after refilling the stock tank, I neglected to turn the hose off. It's been at least six years since I last did that, and when I tried to use the kitchen sink and found NO water coming out, I initially panicked. Could it be my well pump had quit? This is always a constant worry in rural areas, as pump replacement runs well over a thousand dollars. Then it dawned on me. It's a shame to have pumped so much water onto the already saturated ground, but a relief nonetheless...
I'm sorry to hear you've a cold coming on. I used to get one really lousy cold ever winter. I remember the last one especially. I had just driven from CA to San Miguel and barely arrived when the cold came over me. Woozy, sinus pain, cough, the whole works. From then, I boned up on the use of vitamins and supplements and since then have been taking them daily. That last cold in SMA was in 1999 and I've not had a sniffle or flu since. If I even suspect I may be a little "under the weather" I double up on Vitamin C and also use Echinacea, zinc, and Goldenseal in extra amounts. Do you us Vitamins? If not yet, there is lots of good info on the internet to get you started. It can not be a coincidence I've been perfectly healthy for 18 years since I began. Pay little attention to the recommended dosages on the bottles; instead hunt for a good website and follow the advice as to dosage. I hope you will be feeling much better soon. With a cold coming on it's no wonder you left the water running. You're not ready for a "home" yet, Ha Ha. You are fine!
Cheers,
Fay
Thank you Fay. I appreciate your concern and sharing about your life. I do have vitamins here and will start taking them thanks for that reminder. I hope you have a great day. P
DeleteHi Pat,
ReplyDeleteI hope my "pen pal" style correspondence is not inappropriate. It's just that I find you such a genuine and authentic human being who bravely and honestly confronts life head on. I admire you and enjoy our correspondence. (I only got my computer recently and am baffled by its' systems. Picture me: tearing my hair out, LOL.)
I tried setting up email, but was unsuccessful: got a message saying my "cookies" were not enabled. I gave up. I am "old school" and prefer face to face or telephone contact. I have no family, thus see no need or advantage to the added headache and privacy issues of email.
I moved to this rural area decades ago, before it had been "discovered." My goal was to live simply and inexpensively in a small cottage with a wood stove for heat, a vege garden, chickens, milk goats, and a dozen fruit trees. All this was accomplished with my own sweat equity. Now taxes have risen, redwood trees overhang my roof, and on a small fixed income I can no longer afford hired help or services. I am dealing with a great deal of deferred maintenance. Local plumbers charge $80 and hour.
Recently, in a windstorm, a tree limb smashed a window pane; I spent half a day up an eight foot ladder replacing it. And so it goes! The firewood I bought last year ran out a month ago, so no heat since. I bundle up and, at night, am toasty under my down comforters. But it's not emotionally cozy inside. I miss that. But I had to choose: food or firewood for the rest of the winter.
Living "like a queen" would mean sunshine & warmth, affordable fresh food, friendly Mexican neighbors, and access to a good library.
Do you do any volunteer work Lakeside? I will want to get involved in some volunteer programs when I get back. Years ago I was an active volunteer in an orphanage and enjoyed it immensely. And since I love animals, perhaps I'll get involved with one of the dog rescue groups. Just looking forward to these things keeps up my spirits.
Are your plans for a little trip shaping up at all? Does your friend who is coming for dental work have a firm date yet? I've always found anticipating travel is a great pleasure in itself. Did you check out Jilquipan on the web?
Feel better soon, Pat.
Fay
Hi Fay, if you don't mind everyone reading your messages it is fine with me. If you do get e mail set up you can write to me at petwalker40@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI have decided to go back to San Blas. I went there many times before discovering this area. I have friends there and it always makes me feel like I am home again. I don't volunteer here because I write for Alex and my blog and swim. That leaves me very little time and since I don't have a car it takes me a long time just to do errands. I have a house in McKinleyville and a year ago a storm blew over a tree in my front yard. The tree man charged me a thousand dollars just to haul it off and I am sure he sold the wood for firewood. So I understand your situation. It is beautiful weather here now. I think it is the best time of the year. Before the hot months and then six months of rain. Thanks for writing. P
hi pat,
DeleteI'm curious about your comment indicating forthcoming "hot months and then six months of rain" I assumed the weather remained temperate all year ...wrong? I live in northern california (sierra foothills) where we have that exact scenario except during drought years
thanks for your reply,
marilyn
Hi Marilyn, it is already getting hot, mid eighties, here in the afternoons but soon it may even go into the mid nineties for a couple of months. April and May mostly. Rainy season is often overcast during the day or it rains.. People say it only rains at night. That isn't true. P
DeletePat I love thoe postsed photos---Both---On this Blog and Access Lake Chipala. Are you really movong back to San Blas or for a visit??? I know you will do what is best for your HAPPINESS.
ReplyDeleteHi Larry, good to hear from you. I am just going to San Blas for a week or so. A short beach vacation. P
DeleteGood for YOU--Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Larry. Nice hearing from you. P
Delete