Elenora and Hugh 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
Eulogy for my Father
Thank you for being here, for everything you have done for my Father and all your efforts here today.
For a lonesome cowboy he sure managed to lasso a lot of love in his life, demonstrated by those of us gathered here today to bear witness to his long life and grand legacy.
A solo farmer, rancher, machine operator ( none too big or too small ), mechanic, engineer,
modifier and fixer of all things. Old school, old timer the very last of his family, of his generation to leave us.
Build the barn, brand the cows, baste the Turkey, he could, and did, do it all. Figure it out and then make it happen, that's my Dad. From his favorite old hair with pencil and ruler, under the hood of my car, me holding the umbrella, or patrolling the job site in his white hard hat, he was in his element - being useful - the fixer of all problems.
One thing though, that he couldn't figure out, is how to be in more than one place at the same time, and I know he wished he could have.
He followed his calling, which took him around the world. He followed his dreams and his ambition, and in the 25 years I got to spend with him, he encouraged me to do the same.
His heart was broken, but mended, he made many sacrifices, but he kept his strength and resiliency. He kept joy in his heart and a passion for life - regardless.
He turned out to be my hero after all. My Warrior, my Robinson Crusoe.
When we were first getting to know each other, I would take the Greyhound out to the Hinterland of Aldergrove. He said he'd make me a cozy bed in the Chicken Coup!
I had no idea what to expect ! I was quite relieved and grateful I wasn't actually in with
the birds, but in a small, charming loft above them. It was just like in a story book.
From then on he had my complete trust.
He took my sister Norma and I on a camping trip to Vancouver Island in the old mini minor, with a trailer hooked to the back, loaded with tents, supplies, tools and food for a month.
We were going for the weekend ! Neither she or I had much camping experience, and ....
had no idea what to expect !! The adventures we had that weekend are with me forever.
Over the years we'd joke it was more like a trip across Country, and no one would believe
half our adventures !
Years later he took his Granddaughter Andrea and I on a trip in the RV to Whistler. He was our sole entertainment, and we laughed all the way. Life with my Dad, aka Uncle Hughie,
was never , ever, boring.
He was a great story teller, but a great listener too. Curious, concerned, generous with all things. I loved him deeply.
On behalf of Greg, Norma, Leigh and Carmen, I say our final : Goodbye Dad.
Hasta Luego Padre. Que te veja bien.
For a lonesome cowboy he sure managed to lasso a lot of love in his life, demonstrated by those of us gathered here today to bear witness to his long life and grand legacy.
A solo farmer, rancher, machine operator ( none too big or too small ), mechanic, engineer,
modifier and fixer of all things. Old school, old timer the very last of his family, of his generation to leave us.
Build the barn, brand the cows, baste the Turkey, he could, and did, do it all. Figure it out and then make it happen, that's my Dad. From his favorite old hair with pencil and ruler, under the hood of my car, me holding the umbrella, or patrolling the job site in his white hard hat, he was in his element - being useful - the fixer of all problems.
One thing though, that he couldn't figure out, is how to be in more than one place at the same time, and I know he wished he could have.
He followed his calling, which took him around the world. He followed his dreams and his ambition, and in the 25 years I got to spend with him, he encouraged me to do the same.
His heart was broken, but mended, he made many sacrifices, but he kept his strength and resiliency. He kept joy in his heart and a passion for life - regardless.
He turned out to be my hero after all. My Warrior, my Robinson Crusoe.
When we were first getting to know each other, I would take the Greyhound out to the Hinterland of Aldergrove. He said he'd make me a cozy bed in the Chicken Coup!
I had no idea what to expect ! I was quite relieved and grateful I wasn't actually in with
the birds, but in a small, charming loft above them. It was just like in a story book.
From then on he had my complete trust.
He took my sister Norma and I on a camping trip to Vancouver Island in the old mini minor, with a trailer hooked to the back, loaded with tents, supplies, tools and food for a month.
We were going for the weekend ! Neither she or I had much camping experience, and ....
had no idea what to expect !! The adventures we had that weekend are with me forever.
Over the years we'd joke it was more like a trip across Country, and no one would believe
half our adventures !
Years later he took his Granddaughter Andrea and I on a trip in the RV to Whistler. He was our sole entertainment, and we laughed all the way. Life with my Dad, aka Uncle Hughie,
was never , ever, boring.
He was a great story teller, but a great listener too. Curious, concerned, generous with all things. I loved him deeply.
On behalf of Greg, Norma, Leigh and Carmen, I say our final : Goodbye Dad.
Hasta Luego Padre. Que te veja bien.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Summer Vacation
If you are one of those yelapa lovers who really, really want to experience a summer here, well, what can I say but what others told me; don't bother, it's too hot and too humid and
bugy and the ocean gets grungy , a lot. But i came anyway, i knew it wouldn't make a difference. And i stayed, but that was the whole point, but to come for a vacation, well, a week is plenty, better 4 days , and get out !
You'll hear the sound effects, frogs and crickets especially, and the alarming array of birds.
Listening to some of their calls and whistles makes me laugh out loud, to myself !
The rain of cource, if you are lucky there will be a storm with sheets and sheets of rain, and thunder smashing directly over your head, you can feel the earth shake under your feet, and lightening shows that are wonderous and glorious and frightening at the same time.
It all makes you laugh, eventually, from relief, amazement or shock !
Once you stop seeing the lighter, brighter side of it all, it would be hard to go on ....
soaking up the rain blowing in with the wind, wringing mops and towels and sweeping ,
and sweeping, and sweeping .... living with crabs, and mice, and insects ... in the house !
It could all get a little much, but 4 days would be perfect !
I am not complaining. I am learning how to relax, how to pace myself, how to let go.
There is so much to be done, and so much i want to do, but no sane person would/could work in this heat, the humidity, so get in the hammock and read, sketch, listen.
The village is so quiet, a very different vibe, more time to meet and greet, even though everyone is on slow-right-down time, Yelapa Summer Time !
Today the ocean is clear and bright, more thunder and lightening last night but little rain to speak of. Didn't cool us off much.
It's hot everywhere i'm told, there's flooding, also fires and chaos going on and on ...
I will be leaving for Canada this week, so I won't post again until first Monday in Sept.
Enjoy and Be Happy this Summer everyone ... wear a hat in the sun !
bugy and the ocean gets grungy , a lot. But i came anyway, i knew it wouldn't make a difference. And i stayed, but that was the whole point, but to come for a vacation, well, a week is plenty, better 4 days , and get out !
You'll hear the sound effects, frogs and crickets especially, and the alarming array of birds.
Listening to some of their calls and whistles makes me laugh out loud, to myself !
The rain of cource, if you are lucky there will be a storm with sheets and sheets of rain, and thunder smashing directly over your head, you can feel the earth shake under your feet, and lightening shows that are wonderous and glorious and frightening at the same time.
It all makes you laugh, eventually, from relief, amazement or shock !
Once you stop seeing the lighter, brighter side of it all, it would be hard to go on ....
soaking up the rain blowing in with the wind, wringing mops and towels and sweeping ,
and sweeping, and sweeping .... living with crabs, and mice, and insects ... in the house !
It could all get a little much, but 4 days would be perfect !
I am not complaining. I am learning how to relax, how to pace myself, how to let go.
There is so much to be done, and so much i want to do, but no sane person would/could work in this heat, the humidity, so get in the hammock and read, sketch, listen.
The village is so quiet, a very different vibe, more time to meet and greet, even though everyone is on slow-right-down time, Yelapa Summer Time !
Today the ocean is clear and bright, more thunder and lightening last night but little rain to speak of. Didn't cool us off much.
It's hot everywhere i'm told, there's flooding, also fires and chaos going on and on ...
I will be leaving for Canada this week, so I won't post again until first Monday in Sept.
Enjoy and Be Happy this Summer everyone ... wear a hat in the sun !
and more
somewhere .....
nice view round the point
nice view of The Pavillion at Casa Isabel
new house almost finished,on the rightcasa estrella palapa
... a magic kingdom built of rocks ...
yelapa tips and tricks
use your ripped up hammock as a trellis ...
soooo hot ....
Photos
flowers at my gate
flowers along the path
the garden at Casa Vieja
more Casa Vieja
birds of paradise !
incredible smell ... white ginger ...
Bananas at Casa Delfin ... 3 bunches in total
Hibiscus at Casa Amarila
Monday, July 21, 2014
Graduation 2014
There is no fooling around when you are marching with the flag !
Graduation 2014
Everyone knows their steps and hold their hearts
Waiting her turn ...
I love the dancing , they are so serious and dedicated and
it doesn't look easy !!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Home Sweet Home
Hola friends and Yelapa lovers ... I've been home for 9 days and going non stop ...
until my ankles swell up enough I have to stop !!
You know what I'm dealing with, besides a bodega full of too much stuff !! Water ! won't come in won't flush out ! We're working on it though, and everything will be in working
order in a Yelapa minute !! or two. I manage just fine, with 1/2 a tank of water still and an
extra banos upstairs, so I'm sitting pretty, down here in the jungle !!
We have seen the moon the last few nights , gorgeous.
The last storm knocked out the spotlight on the beach, so we don't have that distraction.
It also snapped off a main branch of the Buganvilla at the top of the back hill.
Fell right on top of the two 2,500 litre water tanks that feed both houses,
but no damage done !!
Just a 4 day job to clean up ... it is as bad as blackberries to get close to !!
But Silverio did it !
The view up there has really opened up, the neighbours will be happy.
I lost one lime tree, and the other had to be cut right back but will survivie... gave me a bunch of limes beforehand.
Now the water tanks hover over the casita patio, couldn't see them at all before. Another
place for a garden...more bananas & papayas ??
No mangos on the tree this year, not a one ! A few bunches of bananas waiting to be cut from the tree, then hung in a plastic bag for a few days, and they're ready.
The avocado tree coming along fine, ( my umbrella trick helped ? ) and the Tapachine has
tripled in size, it's gorgeous, and in the perfect place.
The vine along the fence at the path has numerous flowers, vibrant yellow, filling in more
and more of the barb wire... it climbs up the " stick trees" and pulls them down in the heavy rain, so everything down there has been cut back too ...
And so it goes ... I will post photos for next week.
Life in Yelapa ... my little piece of it anyway ...
Ocean is so so warm, and looks clear to me . Not a lot of tourists around, but some, the
die hards like the flier from Calgary I met on the path, Karen, with her huge pack
resting next to Mimi's. Pick a sport she could have been on the Olympic Team !
She was making jokes about the heat and humidity ... I wasn't sweating yet ... did i live here? and how much she loved Yelapa, that she must be crazy ?? She looked really happy, even though she was very very hot and sweaty ...
Manana manana is Kindergarten Graduation at the Casino ! 9 am.
There'll be a big performance, and cake for breakfast ...
I'll try my best to get good pictures. I've enjoyed all the holas from the kids I've been running into the last few days ...
I'm going to start tutroring on Tuesday mornings at Pollo Bollo.
Hope to get out to the point today, visit the neighbours garden, admire their lawn and so forth. Jump in the ocean while I'm at it ...
Dear Dad, Don Hugo, home from the hospital, resting comfortably on the lazy boy chair out on the deck ... thanks for your well wishes ..
Everyone have a great summer day and more to come ...
peace and love
k
until my ankles swell up enough I have to stop !!
You know what I'm dealing with, besides a bodega full of too much stuff !! Water ! won't come in won't flush out ! We're working on it though, and everything will be in working
order in a Yelapa minute !! or two. I manage just fine, with 1/2 a tank of water still and an
extra banos upstairs, so I'm sitting pretty, down here in the jungle !!
We have seen the moon the last few nights , gorgeous.
The last storm knocked out the spotlight on the beach, so we don't have that distraction.
It also snapped off a main branch of the Buganvilla at the top of the back hill.
Fell right on top of the two 2,500 litre water tanks that feed both houses,
but no damage done !!
Just a 4 day job to clean up ... it is as bad as blackberries to get close to !!
But Silverio did it !
The view up there has really opened up, the neighbours will be happy.
I lost one lime tree, and the other had to be cut right back but will survivie... gave me a bunch of limes beforehand.
Now the water tanks hover over the casita patio, couldn't see them at all before. Another
place for a garden...more bananas & papayas ??
No mangos on the tree this year, not a one ! A few bunches of bananas waiting to be cut from the tree, then hung in a plastic bag for a few days, and they're ready.
The avocado tree coming along fine, ( my umbrella trick helped ? ) and the Tapachine has
tripled in size, it's gorgeous, and in the perfect place.
The vine along the fence at the path has numerous flowers, vibrant yellow, filling in more
and more of the barb wire... it climbs up the " stick trees" and pulls them down in the heavy rain, so everything down there has been cut back too ...
And so it goes ... I will post photos for next week.
Life in Yelapa ... my little piece of it anyway ...
Ocean is so so warm, and looks clear to me . Not a lot of tourists around, but some, the
die hards like the flier from Calgary I met on the path, Karen, with her huge pack
resting next to Mimi's. Pick a sport she could have been on the Olympic Team !
She was making jokes about the heat and humidity ... I wasn't sweating yet ... did i live here? and how much she loved Yelapa, that she must be crazy ?? She looked really happy, even though she was very very hot and sweaty ...
Manana manana is Kindergarten Graduation at the Casino ! 9 am.
There'll be a big performance, and cake for breakfast ...
I'll try my best to get good pictures. I've enjoyed all the holas from the kids I've been running into the last few days ...
I'm going to start tutroring on Tuesday mornings at Pollo Bollo.
Hope to get out to the point today, visit the neighbours garden, admire their lawn and so forth. Jump in the ocean while I'm at it ...
Dear Dad, Don Hugo, home from the hospital, resting comfortably on the lazy boy chair out on the deck ... thanks for your well wishes ..
Everyone have a great summer day and more to come ...
peace and love
k
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