Happy New Year One and All

.... and so it goes ... I received word the other day a dear old friend died, much too soon.

He is the second one this year, two 54 year old men, gone but not forgotten.


I count 13 pleasure boats in the cove.  Nine are pretty good size cabin cruisers.  I hope they

are all in the restaurants and stores spreading some money around to the women selling

on the beach and at the waterfall as well.


New Years eve will be in Yelapa, and the Yacht Club puts on a great party.  I did start a 

tradition a few years back, to do an Irish Jig before we left the house, so I shall see if I can

resurrect  it tomorrow.  I'll dance for those of us still here, moving into 2013 together.

I also plan to recite  The Cremation of Sam McGee, something my Mothers brother John

would act out from memory for us all, at family gatherings.  I can't do it by heart, but 

practice makes perfect.


I have to get back online and investigate the birds in this area.  There has been a Hawk or is 

it Osprey, or small eagle, soaring over the house for days, with a loud, constant chirping.

There are two of them living in the tree behind the house.  The pelicans have been very 

active too. flying in circles above the village, then out to sea, and back.  The other day, sitting

at the kitchen table, a group of 12 or 15 of them were flying right at me !  It looked like they

were going to fly straight into the house, but of course they didn't.  

On my to Casa Delfin on Friday a whale was breaching off in the distance.  I saw it jump

4 or 5 times, until a boat got too close and she went down. 


It rained on Thursday.  Very little at first, but then actually rained enough to give the yard

a good drink.  It's all dry again now.  Good dirt is hard to come by around here.  We are

experimenting with a large round black plastic compost er , but it's days are numbered, I 

can tell.  Santiago brings us 2 bags of  " soil " , on his mule, for 100. pesos. Sometimes it's

better than others, but it's something.  There is no Garden Center or Nursery in town,

at least not yet.  There is a lot of sharing of clippings and roots especially during the

summer. 


Saturday I saw the most beautiful sunrise, ever.  From my swinging bed, the sun rises over

the hills and everything is illuminated, sky, sea, jungle, for less than a minute, it was

stunning.  I am receiving it as a gift for the coming year, a sign of what lays ahead.


I wish that the world would stop fighting so we could all share the peace of a beautiful

sunrise.  I know you do too.


Cheers and very best wishes for a New Year ....

  

Christmas in Yelapa

Feliz Navidad Amigos ....


A perfect day at the beach yesterday.  I don't get over there very often anymore, but it

used to be a Sunday ritual.   It's about a mile walk, through town and across the river.

We crossed at the bridge yesterday, and watched the birds and the horses bathing.  So

tranquil, especially compared to the constant music of the waves. The river is our source of

water piped into the house, so we are always relieved to see a good amount of water still

running, coming down the waterfall in town as well.  It's really quite a sight to see all the 

pipes, both plastic and galvanized, criss-crossing the path, the rocks and gardens, heading

into each house along the way. There is always work to be done, as the summer rains can 

move or damage pipes.  We pay a yearly fee to have a man on stand by to fix any problems

that arise.  It isn't an easy job, and can also prove to be very dangerous.  We have 2 large

holding tanks, that we have to check every so often, to be sure they are filling up and 

working properly.  So far so good this year.


I'm very sad to say that just as we arrived at our favorite spot at Hotel Lagunita an older

gentleman who had been swimming, suffered an apparent heart attack, and was pulled

from the water by another swimmer close by.  People were preforming CPR, and pumping

his chest, but could not get a pulse.  A ponga arrived quickly and transported the man and 

his wife to Boca, where an ambulance had been called to meet the boat.  So tragic.  

It isn't the first time we have had tourist die in the water here.   I'm thankful we weren't

there to be a witness.  Especially since my Father in Law, Joe Velardo, died only 11 days ago.

He was 85 years old.

A lovely man, who had a long and happy life.  But still, a great loss.  He will live in our hearts

forever.


We are carrying on as best we can.  A few decorations up in the house.  Many people in town 

have spectacular trees and lights.  Tonight we will go out and about to admire all the effort

people have put in to making Yelapa beautiful.  Many family members, who are away in the

USA or Canada come to visit this time of year, and you can feel the excitement and the  

joy of these families.  Many times the visitors returning have not seen their families for many 

years, and you can see in their eyes and their smiles how happy they are to be back in this

little paradise of Yelapa. 


I wish I could just click my heels and be with my Dad over the Holidays, and another click

to send me to Ottawa for a little egg nog with my beautiful nieces, but I know life is about

making sacrifices and choices, so I carry on here, happy to be in a home I love, and to feel

the love of my family and friends, both new and old , living and dead, many gone too soon.

I am grateful for the peace that lives in my heart and I wish the same happiness to all.

Merry Christmas, from my palapa to yours !!

Every nights a party ....

I am having trouble signing in to my blog, but I'm here now, somehow.

What a treat to have people you love come and visit.  So fun to see peoples reactions to all 

the birds and bees and butterflies.  Not to mention sleeping on a swinging bed, next to the

ocean.  It's particularly nice when it isn't their first trip and they know their way around 

town a little, how to get to the beach, and the town waterfall, and the stores.  It takes a while

but the looking is half the fun.  It's also important to know how to live in this environment,

and treat it with gentle care.  As in Septic System, for example.  My guests had to endure

some major inconvenience with that one, but came out smelling like roses !!

First job in the New Year is replace the 30 year old Septic System here.  Much of the

problem comes from roots and sand, but it's past due. What a good way to start 2013 !

I'm relieved my guests left when they did, only because I had assured them we have very

few snakes here, but upon coming home the night they left, there was a snake.

I didn't see it until it was too late and I crushed it's head when closing the door.  It was an

accident.  When I went to the kitchen to turn on the light to access the damage a large

toad jumped over my feet, and I screamed.  I try not to scream anymore, but this was all

happening in the dark, and Lily the cat was not helping matters .... you have to go with the 

flow and let it roll off your back around here, or you'd be a nervous wreck !!


Debbie got married on Wednesday.  What a fantastic time we all had.  To bed at 3:30, and

i was not the last one standing.  There were most of the population of two villages in

attendance, there must have been at least 100 coconuts sliced opened and consumed ...

either pure or mix your own Pina Coladas etc.  Someday I will know all about posting photos

on this machine ! 


A very busy week, gearing up for Christmas, ( though it's hard to get the feeling with the

palm trees swinging in the breeze )  The ocean is still rough and many visitors are getting a

wet welcome.  We can only hope it will calm down soon, and the sun will shine for those

looking to work on their tan over the holiday.

For me, I must get back to scrubbing the grime off the rock wall in the living room.  It's

only 2.5 ft. high, but the salt collects and turns brown in some places....not good.
  
Not a big job, and i only do it once a year, so no complaints from me.   I'll have a cold Corona

to celebrate another job well done in my Palapa in Yelapa ...

much muchness to us ALL !!  
especially Nicole & Donna who have birthdays today ....and make the world a better place !

Winter in the Tropics

Winter has arrived in Yelapa.  It's not cold enough for my beautiful woolen mexican sweater,

but I don't think it will be long. Two mornings in a row it was a little chilly.  20 c. at 7 am

The ocean has cooled and the wind that blows tells us, Christmas is coming !!

The sun still shines most days, all day, but the intensity of the summer heat is gone, and

I can actually sit on the deck and enjoy some rays, at least for a little while.

Growing tomatoes, basil and mint, with cilantro and sunflowers to come.  Planted 3 more 

pineapple tops.  The yard is looking good.  Such a challenge planting on the side of a hill !
My favorite so far are the Bird of Paradise, and the Bella Donna I planted this summer have taken hold, but no flowers yet.

Big ocean today.  Stormy all along the west coast I understand, all the way to California,

and maybe even B.C. 

The tides are high this time of year.  Getting on the Water Taxi in Boca with Mimi on Friday, we had to load on the beach, as the pier was in the sand.  A newborn rides with us. His Mom

carried on to the boat by her husband, and all the men around pitch in to help get them safe

and comfortable.  The Baby is passed, from woman to woman, to be admired, before being passed back to Mom.  No wonder the children are so relaxed with all their extended relatives. They get broken in pretty fast around here !

Many of our regulars arrived on the 28th.  Yelapa has turned back into the tourist town, but

there are not enough people to support  all the restaurants.  Hopefully traffic will pick up in the New Year.  Hopefully for my local friends who rely on the business. 

Yelapa is a popular place for weddings, and I signed up with the Universal Life Church to be

a pastor.  I had thought about it many times after Isabel died, and officiating Taylor & Kayley's wedding Nov.4th was a great experience.  I look forward to doing more, as well as 

memorials and baptism. 

Nicole is arriving on Sunday, as well as a move in to Casa Delfin, ( my house keeper job ) so I doubt I will post next week.  

I have had a quiet week.  Still unpacking and organizing and enjoying watching The Voice.

The marvels of the internet.  It has certainly expanded my world down here.  I even have

Netflix now !!  

Yelapa has jumped one century, maybe 2 in less than 15 years .  No more bathing in the river, although a few still do, no more washing clothes on the rocks.  The first purchase

for any family who could, was a washing machine, and we were all so proud.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Yelapa is no exception.

Sunday night Ranchero music blasting from different locations, roosters, dogs, children

playing. The sounds of a contentment.  The sounds of home.