tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91555142139224912672024-03-14T01:18:01.198-05:00The Odd EssayWebster's Dictionary:
................. ODD (od) adjective 1) eccentric; strange 2) occasional; casual
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ESSAY (es'a) noun 1) literary composition 2) an effort or attemptThe Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.comBlogger847125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-64894430231587786822017-08-26T12:48:00.000-05:002017-08-26T12:55:00.228-05:00From Maine to Texas in One Sitting....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've gotten a couple of messages lately wondering if we're still alive and kicking.... so thought I'd put together a post to let y'all know that we certainly are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I've slacked off on blogging, I'll quickly recap the summer... We arrived at Aroostook NWR near Limestone, Maine on May 21. It was a cooler and wetter summer than any we've had there before, but that didn't stop Bill from playing on the big toys. I did some mowing this year, but a local volunteer who works year-round has found his niche mowing and maintaining the trails, so I just mowed around the visitor center and the maintenance shop. That took only one day a week, so I worked the visitor center at least 3 days a week. We both kept busy and the time just flew by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course I spent a lot of time roaming around the refuge with cameras in hand. Below are my favorite photos of this summer. Some are favorites because of the critters, but a few are just because they kind of remind me of the "essence" of our time there....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Mama Bear and her triplet cubs... watching me as I'm watching them on a foggy morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A young bear watching me take his photo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Mama Moose with her twin calves.... at the edge of the lake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Bill taking a break from work. He spent many hours digging up old culvert and making a gentle slope out of a steep hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Did I mention we had a lot of rain? There are even hail stones coming down here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> One of the Cedar Waxwings that like to hang out over the lake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Another shot of Mama Moose and her twins... Early morning with dew and fog...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Not the clearest shot, but I caught this Yellow-rumped Warbler stretching to reach a morsel on this spruce tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's lookin' at ya, baby...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Bucky Beaver Pond... early morning reflections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> An Eastern Kingbird with a dragonfly...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBgeH5XNpPCJobHbpVkYrkGeKqfFjo_RK8rHV4LjZov2Gh9AxphE4WS1kVEFf3gKM3Rq-goJyxBzEW4wykxbDaZxwDfBZie0UxA9Bzp61Z-wR_Pkl92VzuGJpdgQAgbMuV77KRXsFbuM/s1600/0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="800" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBgeH5XNpPCJobHbpVkYrkGeKqfFjo_RK8rHV4LjZov2Gh9AxphE4WS1kVEFf3gKM3Rq-goJyxBzEW4wykxbDaZxwDfBZie0UxA9Bzp61Z-wR_Pkl92VzuGJpdgQAgbMuV77KRXsFbuM/s640/0092.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> More landscaping... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A Tiger Swallowtail on a flower. (I can't remember what)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC44RTCnV9SG4iXtqgqnlGDPkcuoaD3XwhyphenhyphenKtEuGq6oPTQyGjW6PSXJG2jrsHFpMjZPkkSOLaxr1-klQNgVUXjTXG8I2pD-tgYPJidMJQ_mpPSe80g53O-tBN7tCgsKWIT46tCUoq9VX8/s1600/062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC44RTCnV9SG4iXtqgqnlGDPkcuoaD3XwhyphenhyphenKtEuGq6oPTQyGjW6PSXJG2jrsHFpMjZPkkSOLaxr1-klQNgVUXjTXG8I2pD-tgYPJidMJQ_mpPSe80g53O-tBN7tCgsKWIT46tCUoq9VX8/s640/062.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We had several porcupine sightings... a couple of times one wandered right through out yard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And what would a summer be without at least one sighting of a skunk? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Lupines were gorgeous this year!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcbDv2MBwH82h9nESALNjkA2YJnai1-fw44IJpWEsAHgX0_ypX6nSTuyLYG-CAMfdhyphenhyphenpJ5RDISTPKhf9BBJiTexCm7cdehWlWnbV5-gnQSJozeU-H0iCx88e6HW5YaJWQUM-5ZrDCSiU/s1600/0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcbDv2MBwH82h9nESALNjkA2YJnai1-fw44IJpWEsAHgX0_ypX6nSTuyLYG-CAMfdhyphenhyphenpJ5RDISTPKhf9BBJiTexCm7cdehWlWnbV5-gnQSJozeU-H0iCx88e6HW5YaJWQUM-5ZrDCSiU/s640/0021.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A Mama Moose with her calf.... another early morning shot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodqRMwLI0UX6zd-n5O0Q_K_DvGEW5o2V-r4DUbQnP0kLXnRi7OQ6JTzuz_tePiXhencJBfww4xCQCAeNW_PBchaYvjhq1Dtlg3_JtDC8eFWd9E4pvpoZ6ewm2Vt3iXxXk6NjepC1PIkI/s1600/042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodqRMwLI0UX6zd-n5O0Q_K_DvGEW5o2V-r4DUbQnP0kLXnRi7OQ6JTzuz_tePiXhencJBfww4xCQCAeNW_PBchaYvjhq1Dtlg3_JtDC8eFWd9E4pvpoZ6ewm2Vt3iXxXk6NjepC1PIkI/s640/042.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Mama Merganser with a whole herd of young'uns.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV_VTZ7uWLgwr03yIjmsqX5lX1okSiyzXVEUotpd4kqSUtydlLTUmKkJ1qK81wqpfOYswszsn_PhX8glR1x5po-MtOnIRYNpgmTOzvsQx6dXZQl8fy2H9eQr9vbAnbOw4w8EBu_FIpRs/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="574" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV_VTZ7uWLgwr03yIjmsqX5lX1okSiyzXVEUotpd4kqSUtydlLTUmKkJ1qK81wqpfOYswszsn_PhX8glR1x5po-MtOnIRYNpgmTOzvsQx6dXZQl8fy2H9eQr9vbAnbOw4w8EBu_FIpRs/s640/1+a.jpg" width="454" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Another bear checking me out...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3xFF2v5a2MohNXv9Tj5P-rR14yG__Ck5Ul66wOswahXMH5JIMxK5BHV6aThsOMzuJ5homoTbzx9F7EWqR_CHmoW6cEY9fVSyVQXG6gefNKWhkfchyphenhyphenbeo5X83k2nucYMSbc_jgyCJrRg/s1600/036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3xFF2v5a2MohNXv9Tj5P-rR14yG__Ck5Ul66wOswahXMH5JIMxK5BHV6aThsOMzuJ5homoTbzx9F7EWqR_CHmoW6cEY9fVSyVQXG6gefNKWhkfchyphenhyphenbeo5X83k2nucYMSbc_jgyCJrRg/s640/036.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A loon on the lake.... I'm still hoping that someday a pair will nest there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOT0W74o0-4WKS2CKZg72zFS8ZEJQZLFfnG75gARVWZW4xXsRrinfQhyphenhyphenXRNqN4K1206aNjmJrx02wSInU-T2-d2gCGhjD3-RuSVWu_0nSMJPlL2mLaVJwr_mnqKkS-umqvt33kRHhZzU/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOT0W74o0-4WKS2CKZg72zFS8ZEJQZLFfnG75gARVWZW4xXsRrinfQhyphenhyphenXRNqN4K1206aNjmJrx02wSInU-T2-d2gCGhjD3-RuSVWu_0nSMJPlL2mLaVJwr_mnqKkS-umqvt33kRHhZzU/s640/007.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill and Kirk discussing refuge issues... sitting in the visitor center. Note that there is a jigsaw puzzle set up here. Lots of our visitors will stop and try to fit in a piece or two while browsing through the exhibits. Sometimes folks who don't feel like hiking the nature trail will hang out and work on the puzzle while their family goes hiking.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39BDGGRVUWz33g_ccCNr63U7SAb-2NJp-YYMenCb2rIIxyyw4B_gjAev4PAt6JITUWmIQ07rwYoqhvTAof_IBbhwZfqujxC3mQaR1d8ynQC2b0VjPrfb2kgIDyKoooXC7gqDY1v5PwlM/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39BDGGRVUWz33g_ccCNr63U7SAb-2NJp-YYMenCb2rIIxyyw4B_gjAev4PAt6JITUWmIQ07rwYoqhvTAof_IBbhwZfqujxC3mQaR1d8ynQC2b0VjPrfb2kgIDyKoooXC7gqDY1v5PwlM/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This young bear found my bird feeders one day.... he knocked down the hummingbird feeder and the sugar water just coated him. He sat down to lick it off. I chased him off before he did more damage.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0exszMQbuFK5cXx6fjD_GWXwv-XB6q_fpxbvjKvAaOSlFtHZit9IlQE76enooPHt-WBJs23pQVWENxoneFD8MoLLeRfQ7J0QZ33EOIGYAJrG64Btqf48MKgYYZRIosVSPuOWOLQc29Hw/s1600/019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0exszMQbuFK5cXx6fjD_GWXwv-XB6q_fpxbvjKvAaOSlFtHZit9IlQE76enooPHt-WBJs23pQVWENxoneFD8MoLLeRfQ7J0QZ33EOIGYAJrG64Btqf48MKgYYZRIosVSPuOWOLQc29Hw/s640/019.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I thought I had a scratch on my camera lens. See the spider web on the lichen at he end of this twig the Kingfisher is sitting on?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnG3ctjy8q1G67hRy5_1BwnKIU5Vrc-DMqEqjoSs24MNY0YbjcFx6fs0x9tK1FMOTWluxDgh7QRnryEIxJgE6Vzhm2VlfymL_ecPCaSr9aKryo5W2Dx4R7VDfi3Rv-cWyNNkTO7OO4n8/s1600/0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="800" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnG3ctjy8q1G67hRy5_1BwnKIU5Vrc-DMqEqjoSs24MNY0YbjcFx6fs0x9tK1FMOTWluxDgh7QRnryEIxJgE6Vzhm2VlfymL_ecPCaSr9aKryo5W2Dx4R7VDfi3Rv-cWyNNkTO7OO4n8/s640/0241.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Another early morning, very foggy shot of Mama moose and her twins.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAXCSufbQFTScys-P2agnHsBapwkehIA0S4mjQz0B9StZqGYamta1IL9WytOWfvaB4wrVB8z3twjlkcriyk3104ywdHgppNbeSimJk2ygH1jq_7M6oVMOW3x5XA0c_aT86TQXfxgGt5I/s1600/0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="800" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAXCSufbQFTScys-P2agnHsBapwkehIA0S4mjQz0B9StZqGYamta1IL9WytOWfvaB4wrVB8z3twjlkcriyk3104ywdHgppNbeSimJk2ygH1jq_7M6oVMOW3x5XA0c_aT86TQXfxgGt5I/s640/0701.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Kirk erected this stand for an eagle nest years ago. While this guy does stop by and sit there for a while, so far there's been no takers to build a nest. Maybe one of these days...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw7IfySR6L5jKDsubdfD422jGkr9dffPWocjBuaYYMDDknWsLtByBET_JgSug_I2bl31AyttJbv9_Ddcjepsluulxo3CglIPJQ-vnmrZpnhxnZ1igts1zTvNv6m_1LBcp_pLsDvwhOdg/s1600/Lady+Slippers+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw7IfySR6L5jKDsubdfD422jGkr9dffPWocjBuaYYMDDknWsLtByBET_JgSug_I2bl31AyttJbv9_Ddcjepsluulxo3CglIPJQ-vnmrZpnhxnZ1igts1zTvNv6m_1LBcp_pLsDvwhOdg/s640/Lady+Slippers+010.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Yellow Lady Slipper.... I know a couple very special places to look for these and am never disappointed. They are gorgeous!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZLw-uyeT77YvBRmmJXtiGXOESOOaO7bBLHcpGAAAzIgu5wdFWuuLw2p_678TjeJvH3RHZa40chwO6kR5h136zyRuVn5AUSdskVLB8sX4LTb7-Ie8rZCjbGmPAWma7qL3vuU_9AhDSMU/s1600/0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZLw-uyeT77YvBRmmJXtiGXOESOOaO7bBLHcpGAAAzIgu5wdFWuuLw2p_678TjeJvH3RHZa40chwO6kR5h136zyRuVn5AUSdskVLB8sX4LTb7-Ie8rZCjbGmPAWma7qL3vuU_9AhDSMU/s640/0271.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorites... that Great Blue Heron fits right in with those old weather-beaten trees .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We left Maine on August 13... headed to NY to visit our daughter and family, then on to Ohio where our son and my sister live. We were there just a few days then on August 21, headed to Texas. We were going to leave the day before until we realized that we'd be very close to Nashville around 2pm on Monday and we didn't want to deal with that eclipse traffic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did see a partial eclipse...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrZTi0uZNIlhRrKt-fcBMak0xJMdhdIeQ2uh2RFxEo3qUrEoq6osTkrUSvVn-Rtulot7ywxsb8j451zYYV4svWJsCm7NutrxpxzwOPNr0zxHwd5pdTqL3zICv5jaPF1E_P9inaAK4iLA/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrZTi0uZNIlhRrKt-fcBMak0xJMdhdIeQ2uh2RFxEo3qUrEoq6osTkrUSvVn-Rtulot7ywxsb8j451zYYV4svWJsCm7NutrxpxzwOPNr0zxHwd5pdTqL3zICv5jaPF1E_P9inaAK4iLA/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took this from the RV window (no filters, no special settings) as we were heading down the interstate. Not sure what that crescent is above the sun... but I think this is a good time to end this blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're got to our daughter in Texas' house yesterday and will be here for about a month before heading on to Mexico. I just might get ambitious and get another blog together before then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-51094775075633512342017-07-04T09:55:00.000-05:002017-07-04T09:55:04.300-05:00Me and My Friend Wish You a Great 4th of July!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm working the visitor center today... been here 2 hours and so far no visitors...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So... here I am with my new best friend...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYhdzYShZBM4hNLRzXuDT_Z0y9LMLUXJedHqUYApb29npRFE8HPO3yxNegKDu4BiwSsHZzpAtlVW5oErU7j0zxjawXuR-uVVVj93vnv7MLGluX-ZWhg7eotWioJGE25o32egGXUQKLFU/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYhdzYShZBM4hNLRzXuDT_Z0y9LMLUXJedHqUYApb29npRFE8HPO3yxNegKDu4BiwSsHZzpAtlVW5oErU7j0zxjawXuR-uVVVj93vnv7MLGluX-ZWhg7eotWioJGE25o32egGXUQKLFU/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Except for all the other "stuffed" (taxidermy) animals on exhibit, my only companion on this anniversary of our independence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the way, all the critters here in the Visitor Center were either road kills, poached animals or in some other "natural" way met their demise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of these days I might get caught up with blogging again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxMnaVfBeI_TzGX8eZFRhXaOiHq-Z_tHObr6Ahk6vgMVsNVdef3UsZWMWs1gWpuZvrLDrc93U7qAoMtihwPk6yu0g1rQ-iE-smYRqQPmM6DtlnFEtUIG-Dci4KcskqZPTXh27Q7pSQRY/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxMnaVfBeI_TzGX8eZFRhXaOiHq-Z_tHObr6Ahk6vgMVsNVdef3UsZWMWs1gWpuZvrLDrc93U7qAoMtihwPk6yu0g1rQ-iE-smYRqQPmM6DtlnFEtUIG-Dci4KcskqZPTXh27Q7pSQRY/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The End</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(I took this photo this morning before coming to work)</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-36206901015258737062017-06-11T12:39:00.000-05:002017-06-11T12:39:19.221-05:00Getting Settled In....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We've been here at Aroostook NWR, near Limestone, Maine for 3 weeks. Even though this is our 9th summer to volunteer here, each year changes and the "routine" is always a bit different. Last summer Bill had cataract surgery in Ohio so Maine wasn't in our plans. One of the biggest changes since 2015 is that a local person volunteers several days a week. He did mowing and trail maintenance all last summer and while that has been one of my "duties" in the past, I am happy to reduce my mowing time to just some of the public areas here. My carpel tunnel or tendonitis symptoms are happy too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoHizMEeXZFkDo8LUl7vLv-qyOiAwqVzLNuwkOeAZ-vQ1iMAvvWVObuq-SO6AqTTSR8RsZPgQjJNq3_FqIjpXsYRnbzXRbylSZAbMPywi0d4ADPxR3VLSyIopLGJM-bI9nUzygcrCKrA/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1067" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoHizMEeXZFkDo8LUl7vLv-qyOiAwqVzLNuwkOeAZ-vQ1iMAvvWVObuq-SO6AqTTSR8RsZPgQjJNq3_FqIjpXsYRnbzXRbylSZAbMPywi0d4ADPxR3VLSyIopLGJM-bI9nUzygcrCKrA/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wayne, the local volunteer, also gives refuge tours. Here he is with a group of 8th graders, showing them his "pet" skunk. That little polecat is really just a pelt, but when draped over his arm, he can make it seem very realistic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So... mowing and tours are pretty much taken care of... What do we do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well... Bill is still on the heavy equipment...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyueAT4a2Dcy6b1akqGs14JB_69kcY9nzm5b_qf95NRA3df62x0H5a0egJUSXaQNAk_YndqbtmB0QerWa5sktrNEFEHhq7MSyTZJRrkMuX2wJ9OyBSj42fMXqoyGary8hY3vf6LOSN0VI/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1092" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyueAT4a2Dcy6b1akqGs14JB_69kcY9nzm5b_qf95NRA3df62x0H5a0egJUSXaQNAk_YndqbtmB0QerWa5sktrNEFEHhq7MSyTZJRrkMuX2wJ9OyBSj42fMXqoyGary8hY3vf6LOSN0VI/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The road that he helped build a couple of years ago is done, but the areas along the bunker roads need landscaped so that the slopes can be mowed. This job will take several weeks and keep Bill busy for a while.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKinkzeOgeW3EwyjH1c9RVPC2jzIBJCE1V1avyv-p5OUBHVXyoVZonlrEdNu-53adk1B6_2sy8y5wjyBVVkiB5qJYcfwRssfhG4t4ZZUQwNFSzam-DVXQyrIpGIZjN2_dUopbc7mlgBY/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1089" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKinkzeOgeW3EwyjH1c9RVPC2jzIBJCE1V1avyv-p5OUBHVXyoVZonlrEdNu-53adk1B6_2sy8y5wjyBVVkiB5qJYcfwRssfhG4t4ZZUQwNFSzam-DVXQyrIpGIZjN2_dUopbc7mlgBY/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the where the Nuclear Bombs were housed during the Cold War of the 1950's and 60's. Next to the Loring Air Force Base, the Caribou Air Station was top secret and most of the military at Loring were not even aware that it existed. That large concrete building (the vault) on the left was were the detonators were kept. It is mostly just a cube of solid concrete with 4 rooms, each about 6' x 6', in the center. That's a guard tower along the road. At the end of the road you'll see a bunker with a tall vent pipe. That's where the tritium was stored. Tritium is an element that enhanced the power of the bomb. The earth-covered bunker just this side of the vault (and also one on the other side) is one of the 50+ bunkers that remain here. They housed the bombs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the AFB was decommissioned, the government "gave" the land to National Guard, the Loring Development Commission (to make into an industrial park), the MicMac Indians, and to create Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1998,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_4XfBYG-_VvNVFFd7du4wUlcttKaNOriE_uU6dHNHmQz-qL50kUSCOOwEc1XnLMu0w8i7OpB0bd0ow6Vg7QhX3WyQEaMOMufP5Pl-jvVEwx4U0VXyF_VCrk3Uh_WJcn_UeHq7M8-f3M/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1078" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_4XfBYG-_VvNVFFd7du4wUlcttKaNOriE_uU6dHNHmQz-qL50kUSCOOwEc1XnLMu0w8i7OpB0bd0ow6Vg7QhX3WyQEaMOMufP5Pl-jvVEwx4U0VXyF_VCrk3Uh_WJcn_UeHq7M8-f3M/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, when the military pulled out of this part of northern Maine (and there were many military bases around this region), the economy plummeted. Many of the locals were from potato growing families and are still potato growers today. Not a great photo (taken through the vehicle window), here's what a potato field looks like just after it's planted. This was taken a few miles from the refuge.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfvJVZ8YYcPI60KjCr0jRyXwZMjNqJE-ap79Y5mpSw9HdpmhtfPzbvyWM_bDo-uc5e4KOf9JXMzIsKzw5SySseOEmWs9ad6m7KUhjWZm4VReZw9p-ZYsWDbPMjCRFMtyb9txRndOhyr4/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1081" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfvJVZ8YYcPI60KjCr0jRyXwZMjNqJE-ap79Y5mpSw9HdpmhtfPzbvyWM_bDo-uc5e4KOf9JXMzIsKzw5SySseOEmWs9ad6m7KUhjWZm4VReZw9p-ZYsWDbPMjCRFMtyb9txRndOhyr4/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This lake was created by the military and still exists today. That dark area that looks like a dam was a footbridge at one time. Now it is unused and in disrepair.... and the beavers have decided to build a dam right behind it. There are usually at least 1 pair of loons here during the summer... so far I haven't spotted any. But....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjGoWF5RLmqYZ5BALkdli4DuTuSousEz4jo88Pr_PVV_XYruzGqYi1hVvcNsDIBM-pxRd3LuBlIwHb8QToKh8ciA1FND4g5dkAkrK8dX8J9E3X7E1krTXqe-RFxALTkVORKcrqDmzNEw/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1083" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjGoWF5RLmqYZ5BALkdli4DuTuSousEz4jo88Pr_PVV_XYruzGqYi1hVvcNsDIBM-pxRd3LuBlIwHb8QToKh8ciA1FND4g5dkAkrK8dX8J9E3X7E1krTXqe-RFxALTkVORKcrqDmzNEw/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This merganser was swimming around there.... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu5TQSSxr3ByY-UsflZHE234F0wLS5g65tAXN0hueXFJJ6ZN04JwNWXgfuShvX7ZIwBtU6N_rjybO0HFedXxG_WQ4IZDUhPxeqwyj2-ratMQQ-XHfV0l6r6YJ5lI1pggcz6h8hmi-LGM/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="832" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu5TQSSxr3ByY-UsflZHE234F0wLS5g65tAXN0hueXFJJ6ZN04JwNWXgfuShvX7ZIwBtU6N_rjybO0HFedXxG_WQ4IZDUhPxeqwyj2-ratMQQ-XHfV0l6r6YJ5lI1pggcz6h8hmi-LGM/s640/1+a.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This cow moose seems to be checking out the greenery...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've seen 3 different bull moose and a few cows, but don't see any of them often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, on the other hand...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w8zPTzDaeda-osr0W7DjssLm3CkIYz7oyyKa2SM4TLB1-A2upAV_fEpnRf_4sdW1B34ffk98W6t7TRDbV-ACw31TPCe-IrTKGVeZ3RD0k8M130PP2GmIdH5A9K451aCB74Bab7KI3Is/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1064" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w8zPTzDaeda-osr0W7DjssLm3CkIYz7oyyKa2SM4TLB1-A2upAV_fEpnRf_4sdW1B34ffk98W6t7TRDbV-ACw31TPCe-IrTKGVeZ3RD0k8M130PP2GmIdH5A9K451aCB74Bab7KI3Is/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We see bear nearly every day. Often as many as 3 or 4 sightings a day. Bill has seen two different Mama Bear with 3 cubs each. I'm hoping I'll get some photos of them soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is only 1 full-time employee here and everyone else is a volunteer. The Friends Group keeps the Nature Store open year-round, and during the summer would like to keep it open every day. Since I'm not spending as much time outside mowing or painting or the like, I work the Visitor Center 3 days a week... sometimes more if needed. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj4vwKaQzmwQCEG8lsCgWU09i9Acv0yWYBFnJX86Z2lM4A5xDa0X-TjVvz1nKLY7wIXh9CeZl7xKPA9-E9PYZ6G_q2DpPvYnniuL9hbGGqY2Ypb28DdrJtp2TryiiDM04rzd1VmII51U/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1091" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj4vwKaQzmwQCEG8lsCgWU09i9Acv0yWYBFnJX86Z2lM4A5xDa0X-TjVvz1nKLY7wIXh9CeZl7xKPA9-E9PYZ6G_q2DpPvYnniuL9hbGGqY2Ypb28DdrJtp2TryiiDM04rzd1VmII51U/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were 75 eighth graders in this school group... and so well behaved and polite kids! It was a pleasure to welcome them to the refuge!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What were they working on?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwef_5sr6Pe7as_UaHUZMxHtDB-yHxpsoGI_imPQSB4QnnFq1SH5VM22g-yzhWReAOcCZgYZNjODmgtSRlH9uxCWyofa5uZ59D5llaLtbRzJY00voLxLBQ4MtErheQ4EWvbKBwc3ExqI/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1081" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwef_5sr6Pe7as_UaHUZMxHtDB-yHxpsoGI_imPQSB4QnnFq1SH5VM22g-yzhWReAOcCZgYZNjODmgtSRlH9uxCWyofa5uZ59D5llaLtbRzJY00voLxLBQ4MtErheQ4EWvbKBwc3ExqI/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This owl puzzle was started around Christmas... finally completed yesterday! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The weather has been cool and often rainy since we've been here, and the mosquitoes have been horrendous...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love it here and am so happy to be back!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-67305493538605391482017-05-24T07:38:00.000-05:002017-05-24T07:38:03.900-05:00Mainly Maine<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I got a message from a friend today wondering if we are okay. Made me realize how long it's been since I've posted and that I should catch up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We left Texas, headed our favorite route up the Natchez Trace, got to Ohio... visited with family and caught up with a few friends. Bill did some work on one of the rentals, but it was pretty much a whirl wind trip there and we moved on...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJPNaG9wiofLNLcnwTgLo1Qv_ILz1EB1X5kJ4YzQglzts3RqUo2momCeLOjtQ0Y5kUqtoTeVEWFfyB9p9qH_9Lk35fW4D6MRuiRjNAcGgdZpLeA6VMAVnj5FTb4f750xzr_xPVR78VTw/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJPNaG9wiofLNLcnwTgLo1Qv_ILz1EB1X5kJ4YzQglzts3RqUo2momCeLOjtQ0Y5kUqtoTeVEWFfyB9p9qH_9Lk35fW4D6MRuiRjNAcGgdZpLeA6VMAVnj5FTb4f750xzr_xPVR78VTw/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Son Daniel and Yvonne.... came out to the farm on their Blue Beast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nice weather in Ohio most of the time, but got cold and rainy before we left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On to New York to visit daughter and family...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGhBDpyXCrK0RZGHxeWLsgl-2z6D1SGaZoDWavwI3A91clcVz51luK4HBYUFX1Vk1bhcn32XdlIF1t994iFswV0l5SADMPWqjK8PwzIAs1cJE9vrE-7LvX9uLrTDSHB5WKNFEkKq-S5U/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1159" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGhBDpyXCrK0RZGHxeWLsgl-2z6D1SGaZoDWavwI3A91clcVz51luK4HBYUFX1Vk1bhcn32XdlIF1t994iFswV0l5SADMPWqjK8PwzIAs1cJE9vrE-7LvX9uLrTDSHB5WKNFEkKq-S5U/s640/1+b.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me, my daughter Donna, my granddaughter Heather, and my Great-granddaughter Evie</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We always take a photo this way... we started this tradition years ago, when my Mom was alive and Heather was a baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill bought a new toy at the Cabela's in Hamburg, PA...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmyPwu-piJsLaLUWja1QDubywsYD4LNtkldan_K9rC1ELu3H47K3J9EJ8n9FlHIT8uT0tmYrA7LXA4UOhpjcKh-xd010-2WfP9QLc0_7txTxsncb_D3mjWBdUlgF89LUgHiMnYiONUv4/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmyPwu-piJsLaLUWja1QDubywsYD4LNtkldan_K9rC1ELu3H47K3J9EJ8n9FlHIT8uT0tmYrA7LXA4UOhpjcKh-xd010-2WfP9QLc0_7txTxsncb_D3mjWBdUlgF89LUgHiMnYiONUv4/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Glenn, our son-in-law, and Bill figuring out how to fly that Drone. There's Evie in the background. They got it off the ground but the wind was too strong to get much practice in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On to Maine...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEFq-gdLmqOTln3spKv7d3zfpbG0WWqGdPZ2aiN-hYydivY1drIbQfY5Wog28rB3nyMPuTpSagr_xjTaNeQtGjWoJff1b0cTe0rJ5e7LOexTjt-jeDTtT3yU3cZ__PwPhkDR6EapALp4/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEFq-gdLmqOTln3spKv7d3zfpbG0WWqGdPZ2aiN-hYydivY1drIbQfY5Wog28rB3nyMPuTpSagr_xjTaNeQtGjWoJff1b0cTe0rJ5e7LOexTjt-jeDTtT3yU3cZ__PwPhkDR6EapALp4/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Great visit with our friend Karen outside of Portland, Maine before heading on up to the County.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUsXzfc1e7dqG6N6LYLC0YX0XQY1viLxP-is0Io1_K1KchvNHvHdwYEjLaSTLbKVwOFWb1SgfGY6g0npr6N62C2Nq9_8JsTJMqUXUzDsDYilm2WE6TNcC5T_W3HBs9ljHID-AxHQcR8M/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUsXzfc1e7dqG6N6LYLC0YX0XQY1viLxP-is0Io1_K1KchvNHvHdwYEjLaSTLbKVwOFWb1SgfGY6g0npr6N62C2Nq9_8JsTJMqUXUzDsDYilm2WE6TNcC5T_W3HBs9ljHID-AxHQcR8M/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Yellow-rumped Warbler</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I headed for the photo blind overlooking the lake and was rewarded with a whole bunch of these warblers flitting around in the trees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A very shaggy looking young moose. We've seen at least 2 moose so far... one we've seen several times. But they still have some of their winter coat and look pretty bad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This black bear was the first critter we saw when we got here... Bill hadn't even parked the rig when he spotted this guy up in the field. It worked its way down the field and was visible off and on all day long. Not especially big, it's probably a couple years old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We've seen at least 2 pairs of Ring-necked ducks on one of the ponds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And the Merganzer is hanging out near a wood duck nesting box... Hope it makes it home to raise some young!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Odd Couple?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, this Canada Goose and Mallard Duck were hanging out in this pond, but their mates are probably somewhere close by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is where we live when here at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our address is Limestone, Maine, but we're about 5 miles from Limestone, and maybe 10 miles from Caribou. The refuge is home to Upland Sandpipers, which is an endangered species up here in Maine. To the left of the building you can barely see a post in the yard. That's where I hang my bird feeders (which I have to take inside at night because of bear activity), and that dark spot above the open garage door (on the left) and dark spot just to the right of the farthest right garage doors are bluebird boxes. No bluebirds, but swallows have already moved in and are starting nests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see that we've already settled in (got here Monday) and are quite at home. I think this is our 9th summer to volunteer here (not consecutive) and it's truly home to us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-17139981811712089442017-04-05T09:23:00.000-05:002017-04-05T09:23:57.069-05:00Texas Wildflowers....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The wildflowers along the highway near our location here in Texas (about 60 miles south of Ft Worth) are exceptional this spring. We've been told this past winter was fairly mild and I believe there's been more than the usual amount of rain. In any case, the roadsides are alive with a whole rainbow of colors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know how long these flowers will be blooming, but I'll enjoy them as long as they last!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-19081313706360163292017-03-26T14:12:00.000-05:002017-03-26T14:12:36.942-05:00Mexico... then Texas<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our last week in Lo de Marcos was crammed full of last minutes things. Most we didn't have much control over... like the new sewer line....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyKcaJ8WTvwS4WvV6Mg87gzshsUQVeHA16vGSBTUev8ppOyGvMO5FoGkpWmfoogb2CuBO3W7oY9d2CLmmnWaNNvO53Sxp14l5L5pRJhr-lnMyvZ2p0M2b-Nk6cFSGkqlNrd9jrS74O5A/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyKcaJ8WTvwS4WvV6Mg87gzshsUQVeHA16vGSBTUev8ppOyGvMO5FoGkpWmfoogb2CuBO3W7oY9d2CLmmnWaNNvO53Sxp14l5L5pRJhr-lnMyvZ2p0M2b-Nk6cFSGkqlNrd9jrS74O5A/s640/1+b.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we arrived here early October, 2016, the work laying the new sewer line began almost immediately. We applied for the permits, paid the fees and jumped through all the hoops. But all that did not make the connection from our property to the main sewer line at the street happen an faster. Finally, the week before we headed back to the States, the city worker came and dug this trench... and then laid the pipe from our line (just in front of our gate) to the city line... in the lower middle of the photo. So it's done... right? Wrong.... But when we get back this October we will hire the man who laid the line in our yard to come back and do whatever needs to be done to get us off the septic tank system and actually hooked into the city system. Yes, things take time here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At least the worker didn't use a barricade like this when the street was torn up...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wouldn't OSHA have a fit if they saw something like this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made several trips to the water office in Bucerias (that's where you apply for the permit) and that's where I saw this cat asleep just inside the door...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U2yHH_VNAk114ZQByFuw0-wmNC2JoQLcVZs4ghoRiN0trImaKdJcNE5nIgJmgiWG8l6atS0Yjo1Zq8l8H6ecsD6rApuXaMASrsoNbc6xDA76VMP1BGUIingW_UQTtejFYLtI2y0p80s/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U2yHH_VNAk114ZQByFuw0-wmNC2JoQLcVZs4ghoRiN0trImaKdJcNE5nIgJmgiWG8l6atS0Yjo1Zq8l8H6ecsD6rApuXaMASrsoNbc6xDA76VMP1BGUIingW_UQTtejFYLtI2y0p80s/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've seen a lot of beat-up, bedraggled tom cats in my day, but this guy topped them all! Both ears were nearly gone... he had only one eye.... he had scars and patches of hair gone all over his body. His hair was dirty and matted in places. Of course I had to squat down and pet him. He was ecstatic... kept purring and rolling over. He may be rag-tag and tougher than nails, but he still likes a little attention.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We waited until the last day to disconnect our fountain and store it in the bodega. And I'm glad we did...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Zk9iLY0lVT1rVhgJIvZh1N6P54gf02_RMUyoZyzmtZyIhplDIstoX-jFW76VO7_BRWMNpcq6btW3CRjpl6h26zLP0eXmp69gRKD0iCJgG0XuzdatqkfawAnGmMwW0FhSyyLsEv1VVo/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Zk9iLY0lVT1rVhgJIvZh1N6P54gf02_RMUyoZyzmtZyIhplDIstoX-jFW76VO7_BRWMNpcq6btW3CRjpl6h26zLP0eXmp69gRKD0iCJgG0XuzdatqkfawAnGmMwW0FhSyyLsEv1VVo/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had this pair of Streaked-back Orioles and the male Painted Bunting come to it at the same time. What gorgeous colors!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We managed to get in a few last-minute walks along the river. The bridge isn't finished yet... maybe by the time we return. We weren't disappointed with the birds...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeOt1j7s06L7f-Nof0L4spKXXvtHHiD7eefemfpx2Su3Ccog9lTRriUtYJRqIg9Ja3xpCYx1FzVos4Ai-gCf2hUXZ7W9xEQyWfQ942RL7bVJw661S_i-Mx54B6LOvJd6X5235Rzz2W5M/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeOt1j7s06L7f-Nof0L4spKXXvtHHiD7eefemfpx2Su3Ccog9lTRriUtYJRqIg9Ja3xpCYx1FzVos4Ai-gCf2hUXZ7W9xEQyWfQ942RL7bVJw661S_i-Mx54B6LOvJd6X5235Rzz2W5M/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Wood Stork... kind of flopping around at the edge of the Lagoon</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFlYFk6wVnpymGd76I9xhX39-PS7zBROt6lmXoZG4Bl9wDQYEubVDVIWs8HBTZt_eOP8zcGsiRTqXC-C-fc_PQm6ZKerZ_B6bnHqUFEQGWchttuOz5JnSOPx-dNW9J83Guhnnwt4b7IM/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFlYFk6wVnpymGd76I9xhX39-PS7zBROt6lmXoZG4Bl9wDQYEubVDVIWs8HBTZt_eOP8zcGsiRTqXC-C-fc_PQm6ZKerZ_B6bnHqUFEQGWchttuOz5JnSOPx-dNW9J83Guhnnwt4b7IM/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little Green Heron along the bank of the river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It will be months before I see these birds again....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One evening, just before leaving, Santos brought over a real treat...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJItxDH3Hq95Z6mNIiaXZD2m6SAwlMEmhaYzuP51zj1dPOrZ3yPBeEAEXQEcD_etGzLHrZyChpTJPBDyTTNYdkfkCNfNVvr2-XkzsxXKtC_qdPLgA0o3EfP_-TCQRVqU0AbM5xu0Vrtw/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJItxDH3Hq95Z6mNIiaXZD2m6SAwlMEmhaYzuP51zj1dPOrZ3yPBeEAEXQEcD_etGzLHrZyChpTJPBDyTTNYdkfkCNfNVvr2-XkzsxXKtC_qdPLgA0o3EfP_-TCQRVqU0AbM5xu0Vrtw/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here he is... shucking oysters fresh from the sea!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We slurped them down nearly as fast he he shucked them. He even brought over some limes to squeeze the juice on them. They sure didn't need anything else... they were delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We worked the Sterilization Clinic one last time last Sunday. Thirty dogs and cats were spayed or neutered. It was a long day, but everything went well... two dogs did not have surgery due to poor health, but hopefully they'll be better soon. Don, who is in charge of the clinic, might be able to arrange a summer clinic. Mostly they are held when the winter folks are there as they need volunteers. My job is to heat buddy bags in the microwave to use around the critters as they are in recovery. The surgery tech didn't show... so I learned how to secure a dog to the table, clean the area being cut, hold "body parts" in forceps for the Vet and all manner of things. Just a few things I never dreamed I'd ever be doing... at least I'm not squeamish over blood and guts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like I said, the last few days just seemed to pass faster and faster...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it was time to go...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVmN6zGs0cI7ozmUlWnUrbYZmoPQEFk7OYwoXfaN1YZkZy0Z5_moDsy0Df_zt0qz9v-56KFhYtuburfbz33UMS2fVNoX0NM6sFQ1M3caH06ddixctcovCk__5PzpQ21e04fgnX-i8XrU/s1600/1+aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVmN6zGs0cI7ozmUlWnUrbYZmoPQEFk7OYwoXfaN1YZkZy0Z5_moDsy0Df_zt0qz9v-56KFhYtuburfbz33UMS2fVNoX0NM6sFQ1M3caH06ddixctcovCk__5PzpQ21e04fgnX-i8XrU/s640/1+aa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had to say goodbye to Pirate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's been my favorite dog for the past 2 years. This year he's had some hard time as he was hit by a car in November and nearly died. After finally getting his health back he'd gained weight and energy. But he's never been to the Sterilization Clinic... he got in a dog fight and his ear was badly torn and got infected. With care from the local vet he got better. Then about a week later he was limping... but this time recovered quickly. Here he looks good. Hopefully he'll get through the summer without anything major and I'll see him again. Yes, he does have an owner and is fed and cared about.... but Mexican culture is different in how dogs and cats are viewed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill & I decided to take the bus to Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday. Relax a little, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09eqt0HmfEnn-37IAD62Cq3P8RV7QK3g9g41BEtuyCju7sNQZ_YpFMPZlTAufI8Uc4Ebz2QDfgH4uXWGWchZAYDSnyBMeR96uAqtyl1UFKdL7vMnjKuT2k4OOztyhx54BOqBeLJTTpzU/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09eqt0HmfEnn-37IAD62Cq3P8RV7QK3g9g41BEtuyCju7sNQZ_YpFMPZlTAufI8Uc4Ebz2QDfgH4uXWGWchZAYDSnyBMeR96uAqtyl1UFKdL7vMnjKuT2k4OOztyhx54BOqBeLJTTpzU/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">go to the Mariana area (very touristy and up-scale)... look at all the expensive boats in the harbor...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">have a beer at the Beer Barn</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Bill likes a really dark, hoppy beer)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfSWnbAa6rO6294vKky7OCJudlwiLYvuOFfdQ-_MUHVvzZy3XHfvB1bZlxVKXq4QATOLuxX8CJEhAwQ7YHB2bqfEF3FH4C5oh2MemtWwh9Ex6Lsr6S4MA4WAldH32dNz1t8bYbTJA8-I/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfSWnbAa6rO6294vKky7OCJudlwiLYvuOFfdQ-_MUHVvzZy3XHfvB1bZlxVKXq4QATOLuxX8CJEhAwQ7YHB2bqfEF3FH4C5oh2MemtWwh9Ex6Lsr6S4MA4WAldH32dNz1t8bYbTJA8-I/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and even find a Geocache in a phone booth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ate out, went back to our hotel, and Wednesday morning headed to the airport to fly back to Texas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our daughter and son-in-law picked us up at DFW...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nice direct flight... no problems getting through customs or immigration... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">collected our bags and we all headed down the road.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our daughter lives about 5 miles out of town (about 60 miles south of Ft Worth), and there's plenty of wildlife to see here, too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEVqHjx8x4lU-bQc_Sxh-zDq25NTb9hPNMg2u2NVBtN_8HKROcXpDOBa8gY7q32f7lNDgO_P9aL3Ib_rRkM1V4e9BE_4pfgFm_sFKg5P_srtdR5YgkQOOVEFd7SejAC-S7h47Wpaxj80/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEVqHjx8x4lU-bQc_Sxh-zDq25NTb9hPNMg2u2NVBtN_8HKROcXpDOBa8gY7q32f7lNDgO_P9aL3Ib_rRkM1V4e9BE_4pfgFm_sFKg5P_srtdR5YgkQOOVEFd7SejAC-S7h47Wpaxj80/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This big Tom Turkey has a whole harem he herds along...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK61ndWIPXoHlsIVImAKXzcepiXkgZoZ6bHe3X0lSp47zr_vb46ZQB7x-eBYPHG5ZhjKwgFRCNFt8cSil3z7I0QwpkTPgJiKIq_ioOb4vqZwQXjIlvlM0yeJ6OKN5Zmua7Cbxm9_mXEwI/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK61ndWIPXoHlsIVImAKXzcepiXkgZoZ6bHe3X0lSp47zr_vb46ZQB7x-eBYPHG5ZhjKwgFRCNFt8cSil3z7I0QwpkTPgJiKIq_ioOb4vqZwQXjIlvlM0yeJ6OKN5Zmua7Cbxm9_mXEwI/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In full display, he's quite impressive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We see flocks of turkeys at least twice a day moving across the yard. And there's a single Tom who travels alone. I love hearing them gobble and watch the strut!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD18xV7pcvwNNiuUKZfpwdICK_GTf3tTY396rX-QR296TKYmKxWDz7hTBHwNjOgp3y3o_TFEflgH-uJDZD8t0-BBi_BelUs2SeyAOAwpqy03EdYOUUzrvzyjvDkzFVdw9GfAE9pYxQnE/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD18xV7pcvwNNiuUKZfpwdICK_GTf3tTY396rX-QR296TKYmKxWDz7hTBHwNjOgp3y3o_TFEflgH-uJDZD8t0-BBi_BelUs2SeyAOAwpqy03EdYOUUzrvzyjvDkzFVdw9GfAE9pYxQnE/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's a pair of Roadrunners that live a couple hundred feet across from our motorhome. Kind of far away to get a good photo, but we see them off and on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are cardinals, titmice, mockingbirds, Eastern bluebirds and goldfinch, to name a few species here. As well as cowbirds, house sparrows and others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrush are in bloom...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENQLwBGgdFLYRBijxmJGLSQCeM33tT2FJZU_hVg77sn4XjfUzoMgI1dPHAnGFkvvo487PXoJG7ID1UyDgT_sckfiMF8_zHXKsXHd0rRbDP7dnqV2Gah8yXl99QNrIBug-1_cOUBvWIOo/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENQLwBGgdFLYRBijxmJGLSQCeM33tT2FJZU_hVg77sn4XjfUzoMgI1dPHAnGFkvvo487PXoJG7ID1UyDgT_sckfiMF8_zHXKsXHd0rRbDP7dnqV2Gah8yXl99QNrIBug-1_cOUBvWIOo/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The roadsides are lovely with the wildflowers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ladybird Johnson, you will always be remembered!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was quite hot when we got here Wednesday evening, but we got a little rain and it cooled things down. I think we've made the transition from Mexico to Texas quite well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'll be here until late April... again, we have a lot to catch up on. It took hours just to sort through 5 1/2 months of mail! I think we're ready to send out tax stuff to the CPA in Ohio tomorrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so, another adventure begins!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-37123409338528013682017-03-16T12:22:00.000-05:002017-03-16T12:22:02.330-05:00Lo de Perla.... A Walk in the Orchid Garden<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last week I had the opportunity to go on a guided tour through Lo de Perla, an orchid jungle just a few miles south of Lo de Marcos, where we live. My friend, Memo, does a lot of public relations for Galvan Realty, and he often writes about local attractions for their website. He was asked to do a blog about the Orchid Jungle, and he asked me if I'd be interested in going along as his photographer. Of course I was more than happy to. We arrived at the designated "pick-up" area at 9:00 am where we met up with 2 women who were also going along on the tour.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQr49UK5R6woU_HWsXtiutBQL_Byy7W7HlczHHQF_75gEddMl8NO6-wdUnN-oTmZqmqAqKnzpw3OUpwgcSbon4X_g1JUtQ9lvA832b2s2iu-JLhChPCPuTN2hy1XUXG2S4VFWlwua84A/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQr49UK5R6woU_HWsXtiutBQL_Byy7W7HlczHHQF_75gEddMl8NO6-wdUnN-oTmZqmqAqKnzpw3OUpwgcSbon4X_g1JUtQ9lvA832b2s2iu-JLhChPCPuTN2hy1XUXG2S4VFWlwua84A/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The entrance to the Lo de Perla...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyg-NpLrhEg7gi207bGD9KRajD-acr6IgyiRs_Agx3sXEKBbpOio9m0Fy5vTQSklmc8InzDKKLYSZkYgUKpEDve7ZAA3qpeCxW1K7OQd3Lp16r01FTgvUCpJhoFOFEaBufBE4mSyM4qc/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyg-NpLrhEg7gi207bGD9KRajD-acr6IgyiRs_Agx3sXEKBbpOio9m0Fy5vTQSklmc8InzDKKLYSZkYgUKpEDve7ZAA3qpeCxW1K7OQd3Lp16r01FTgvUCpJhoFOFEaBufBE4mSyM4qc/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's Memo, with the founder and owner, Alejandro de Perla. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is advertised to be a 2 hour walk through the jungle where you'll see orchids, bromelias and cacti in their natural habitat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alejandro is totally chemical-free, and collects only "pure" species of plants. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0B3OGMIsNyl2DLO5vbWeQwHTF-v7ym2a6LZANvjuW5tt897g1lcUy1huJBL3BZLRZv3C8UQ0UKVpzXwUMaiPxtcZzSvH6RbjoFQ5VHGYEK96bNos7zNUw4lVcLe5GDPHwEr74ancTpo/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0B3OGMIsNyl2DLO5vbWeQwHTF-v7ym2a6LZANvjuW5tt897g1lcUy1huJBL3BZLRZv3C8UQ0UKVpzXwUMaiPxtcZzSvH6RbjoFQ5VHGYEK96bNos7zNUw4lVcLe5GDPHwEr74ancTpo/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Memo, holding a Shelf Fungi (also known as "Artist's Fungi") that grows on a lot of the trees here. While this is primarily a showcase for orchids, the jungle is just right for many kinds of mushrooms and other fungus. Alejandro told us how many species of trees and birds have been documented in this area, and he could easily conduct a tour about a lot more than the orchids that he loves.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-8rDGEXzu6QoY1SjGQ_66PU6waorvyvk6rpFANziLqmyK4_O0XHa5zY_k8sAVopO8x3FM2XwQ1Umj7rSSl61jDpge2_r-LFRJGkPHWm7vZ5TlB_Acb9ixufZrhzxdFAQ-A0vwaptD0I/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-8rDGEXzu6QoY1SjGQ_66PU6waorvyvk6rpFANziLqmyK4_O0XHa5zY_k8sAVopO8x3FM2XwQ1Umj7rSSl61jDpge2_r-LFRJGkPHWm7vZ5TlB_Acb9ixufZrhzxdFAQ-A0vwaptD0I/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you walk along the tour route, you'll see artwork and other artifacts pertaining to the people and the culture here. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmheYuLXLKFNNNBelZ3gfQGH_dWgqpEqaMqwx45DWnmcOkOhMIrl0vNS7wWtX_qMCh0kTNEnUJa-ecxkMcGArgvGPFplb3tROjVupNQmP7tTItNEOFPoOHUIMKGfGqpnJdkNUEbD1qN4/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmheYuLXLKFNNNBelZ3gfQGH_dWgqpEqaMqwx45DWnmcOkOhMIrl0vNS7wWtX_qMCh0kTNEnUJa-ecxkMcGArgvGPFplb3tROjVupNQmP7tTItNEOFPoOHUIMKGfGqpnJdkNUEbD1qN4/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Many of the orchids and bromelia you see have been attached to the trees with twine. While the conditions are perfect for their growth, they need some help getting started in places along the trail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNymgKpEg1yO_3tvS87VuF2B74ZHGtVnJyvVMuktT7ZuYCr_by0kF8WZYCYU3vKOzhG5nzeEwhsrIdJOjtPTU_Hmo-O5GJlOkYy186bgQ06sxf9FgJwyGr1xYEyi1p_v3Dl_dpz2VX6pg/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNymgKpEg1yO_3tvS87VuF2B74ZHGtVnJyvVMuktT7ZuYCr_by0kF8WZYCYU3vKOzhG5nzeEwhsrIdJOjtPTU_Hmo-O5GJlOkYy186bgQ06sxf9FgJwyGr1xYEyi1p_v3Dl_dpz2VX6pg/s640/1+f.jpg" width="466" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I know... this wasn't a bird-watching tour, but of course I'm always on the lookout for bird sounds or movement. I wasn't disappointed... saw this Brown Creeper soon into the walk. There are over 130 species of birds here, so there's a lot more than orchids to see.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOnG2qLCA2Y2fw9k-9WRoFYWk4EE5anJnrf-IlG_qXRkE5VKjO43nOe2b0fkJVzqzcnXbMtvlSWF5ecMpeZkLOln6zpozNGDXkjWLdKx3UXp0RS26bBvkAXKU1DJJiUR2HLW40WIzUs8/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOnG2qLCA2Y2fw9k-9WRoFYWk4EE5anJnrf-IlG_qXRkE5VKjO43nOe2b0fkJVzqzcnXbMtvlSWF5ecMpeZkLOln6zpozNGDXkjWLdKx3UXp0RS26bBvkAXKU1DJJiUR2HLW40WIzUs8/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know how many of species of plants Alejandro pointed out to us, but most plants in the jungle are not in bloom at this time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuSVmXge1zCKRU0IaJoF9jtjODmM7hcFq5PL52ntYGA7NHGOLM6SCmWA3l0YgpyVt3i6E5ffkP7p7BdpGIvX7kSxcF90f-x_Da4LKmQKe580VNk5m7NiBqi4J7MBYmQFQe9-Q6uQsa9M/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuSVmXge1zCKRU0IaJoF9jtjODmM7hcFq5PL52ntYGA7NHGOLM6SCmWA3l0YgpyVt3i6E5ffkP7p7BdpGIvX7kSxcF90f-x_Da4LKmQKe580VNk5m7NiBqi4J7MBYmQFQe9-Q6uQsa9M/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Not part of the Gardens, but doesn't this view of the coast look like it should be in a fairy tale? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfT5DbBZ71j3_eOAHSvv1g9ZHkVQ9AqssktqkBQv0_7wi-ejwLtX8wG9JODDhPdoUN1HhFHn4vqXJj2ONEaJYCQoisbieC2QXBAODRi91YCfH6e_YavxHZ4cHTcUJJox9ARWEwSodKuU/s1600/1+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfT5DbBZ71j3_eOAHSvv1g9ZHkVQ9AqssktqkBQv0_7wi-ejwLtX8wG9JODDhPdoUN1HhFHn4vqXJj2ONEaJYCQoisbieC2QXBAODRi91YCfH6e_YavxHZ4cHTcUJJox9ARWEwSodKuU/s640/1+i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many of these plants won't be in bloom until April... and again in October, when, we were told, the jungle will be ablaze with color.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSXlwUY7zyD5oMHUXiI4pREHUrNON9dIkO46sVVnaP8WYgtOZNtVExdZNVidTKesdwfj_LkMrBdBn3aHiKHfyL0Fg08wMg2-rgrZ5OjsFBEfEAh9Ft0xOSkg6BrXhT5LU3XpoaJCucdU/s1600/1+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSXlwUY7zyD5oMHUXiI4pREHUrNON9dIkO46sVVnaP8WYgtOZNtVExdZNVidTKesdwfj_LkMrBdBn3aHiKHfyL0Fg08wMg2-rgrZ5OjsFBEfEAh9Ft0xOSkg6BrXhT5LU3XpoaJCucdU/s640/1+j.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I loved the way the sun high-lighted his huge leaf!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2FDfazgde6bXJNoHAzcp1NxFisQfmGGCFeJhrEVlHbyoLeqw9Oj_Dqvksf3l-Dm5x3cmSXUkpUpNXF9OFHHpajM70IJZaSTSrdQoehcbKTWzHVxH0chHYsj0l6WHBfs7SfEkzAUW7vc/s1600/1+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2FDfazgde6bXJNoHAzcp1NxFisQfmGGCFeJhrEVlHbyoLeqw9Oj_Dqvksf3l-Dm5x3cmSXUkpUpNXF9OFHHpajM70IJZaSTSrdQoehcbKTWzHVxH0chHYsj0l6WHBfs7SfEkzAUW7vc/s640/1+k.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did see several orchids in bloom. Most quite small and easy to miss unless you look closely. Alejandro explained how commercial orchids are often hybrids... bred for size or other attributes that are not the "natural" state. His plants are all without modification.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc56zUdbC-0VxbFU95GrLpmgo3AeGbenAuZBoNrSKm0XvnLUUm7SwfIZ5hJJ7BaQ2EMsmY15dfzqFSkmlsBI1s7b_NuouVOXIlnXzQ6jOmc0EtoO_jm5JwUPvC8pJQlsGocP2pow2luxY/s1600/1+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc56zUdbC-0VxbFU95GrLpmgo3AeGbenAuZBoNrSKm0XvnLUUm7SwfIZ5hJJ7BaQ2EMsmY15dfzqFSkmlsBI1s7b_NuouVOXIlnXzQ6jOmc0EtoO_jm5JwUPvC8pJQlsGocP2pow2luxY/s640/1+l.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The two women on the tour had a great time taking tons of photos and getting up close and personal with the flowers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMzuryoo-eew5WnV9KXlqZNEOxAGlZjyDU8flXthn98Kqa9v3SSN9Q0D-I8tF7RK5HFJ6JwHSotcoSXgC6vx91vXCHICdIBGw8pITjXRGrZPRxhy6LdtBSyN0QgPktTzpjF6my4WCElc/s1600/1+m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMzuryoo-eew5WnV9KXlqZNEOxAGlZjyDU8flXthn98Kqa9v3SSN9Q0D-I8tF7RK5HFJ6JwHSotcoSXgC6vx91vXCHICdIBGw8pITjXRGrZPRxhy6LdtBSyN0QgPktTzpjF6my4WCElc/s640/1+m.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Another sprig of tiny orchids.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3P-ZX-SRCV3iZXK50ZE7atn6BHHeY-BFrTi9O6XMQ_LO5_wZpv0LFVR15Y0XWdVDHVpNBDEFUWyWbYB94KzEr29ZO-nzkGxa87F5e_WPbdcR4I9Rk0BEivsOZk12G0E1cMK3yvu6dsA/s1600/1+n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3P-ZX-SRCV3iZXK50ZE7atn6BHHeY-BFrTi9O6XMQ_LO5_wZpv0LFVR15Y0XWdVDHVpNBDEFUWyWbYB94KzEr29ZO-nzkGxa87F5e_WPbdcR4I9Rk0BEivsOZk12G0E1cMK3yvu6dsA/s640/1+n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We saw so many species of plants I couldn't keep track. I think Alejandro said that there are around 40,000 different species of orchids in the world. I don't know how many of species he has here, but there are a lot. (the brochure says he has more than 1,000 species of exotic plants)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg430yDuotoISUv5O1NV7w0zw4x-s2Xc35ZvuHfoMEqjr1EY00yK-H64j8c8iss6BvDjYhmfYi57N57s4-zYbzz5qruB4w5UB09lR8MlekQ_eez5uv97vzvln-a1ZN5S758HN_6Idv2Cr4/s1600/1+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg430yDuotoISUv5O1NV7w0zw4x-s2Xc35ZvuHfoMEqjr1EY00yK-H64j8c8iss6BvDjYhmfYi57N57s4-zYbzz5qruB4w5UB09lR8MlekQ_eez5uv97vzvln-a1ZN5S758HN_6Idv2Cr4/s640/1+o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And only about an inch across. It's amazing how much detail can be seen in something so tiny.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmDc9d8gUREzghfi9geYTsW1Qo6vkHhY2ycA9ikaspVn0zpm8VDbz6TEoJHbnBzaRXsVDzfMJmvlNuG53I271h2cKG4WCUgohFwsVRu6fG5-6Y79AmMMA3PD6hnTGe9Lc8G4uovbF97s/s1600/1+p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmDc9d8gUREzghfi9geYTsW1Qo6vkHhY2ycA9ikaspVn0zpm8VDbz6TEoJHbnBzaRXsVDzfMJmvlNuG53I271h2cKG4WCUgohFwsVRu6fG5-6Y79AmMMA3PD6hnTGe9Lc8G4uovbF97s/s640/1+p.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's Memo... standing at the base of a fig tree. More on this later....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrD_6w1unJEE2TgENCF39QuF4HBIWmltcxA-tVxvmM_lTSu1iPhxVcpZjYoYOWh6a2nyJvJHuH4dK43IdrJYeKIbx32q4F78ezR7hElgU6_JGxc7pEBwks8INTIPdg1E6x6JKowOhPvY/s1600/1+q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrD_6w1unJEE2TgENCF39QuF4HBIWmltcxA-tVxvmM_lTSu1iPhxVcpZjYoYOWh6a2nyJvJHuH4dK43IdrJYeKIbx32q4F78ezR7hElgU6_JGxc7pEBwks8INTIPdg1E6x6JKowOhPvY/s640/1+q.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's what happens when you give your camera to someone else to take photos. Alejandro took this one of our group as we're standing on the bridge. The stream was dry here, but during the rainy season the water will cascade down creating waterfalls and deep pools.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoj5YsFKqrYUUN_y6cleWqVRfMGv4IB29S31nQ90e_E5wKRijAUMoxwZ1uGkCn_akSLlur9KTUMFJG3WAvNUCVco4o-o63-wt3fYsgPIND9pX5b9gLCao8NX_h9pzN6OqwwLpEC7mO80/s1600/1+r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoj5YsFKqrYUUN_y6cleWqVRfMGv4IB29S31nQ90e_E5wKRijAUMoxwZ1uGkCn_akSLlur9KTUMFJG3WAvNUCVco4o-o63-wt3fYsgPIND9pX5b9gLCao8NX_h9pzN6OqwwLpEC7mO80/s640/1+r.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the Fig Tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The original (host) tree is in the middle. That vine is started from the top of the tree... usually because a bird ate the fruit.. passed the seed into the nest... it sprouted... started sending out tendrils... clear to the ground. There it took root. Over time the tendrils and roots criss-cross around the original tree and eventually kill it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnVHIL9fMWt_hZlK3atcK7CDpY80tpY3dNCTB-A6w2Pp6KfDXsjAW-pIZE86isZabH-9JY24j3kC8yb2c2Wk3vrHTORPNgE9Ne0F2rP-0q_UiwNDppAIRKTjueAuDn-yrj4b7K3049Ks/s1600/1+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnVHIL9fMWt_hZlK3atcK7CDpY80tpY3dNCTB-A6w2Pp6KfDXsjAW-pIZE86isZabH-9JY24j3kC8yb2c2Wk3vrHTORPNgE9Ne0F2rP-0q_UiwNDppAIRKTjueAuDn-yrj4b7K3049Ks/s640/1+s.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The tour winds through the jungle, up to a huge greenhouse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is where the color is today...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPZeZ3x2frNMBYjuQxNWmGM5VgntFe8WuAkk6i8_UCaH9528g3IVoOIrexa66nJDk9PPT_wO81Wdgktu2KNz1p9Um0v_aNAI7UJmge_boJg1hoV6X2-0pPzw0ufUU7G2DJOSxApA-2vk/s1600/1+t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPZeZ3x2frNMBYjuQxNWmGM5VgntFe8WuAkk6i8_UCaH9528g3IVoOIrexa66nJDk9PPT_wO81Wdgktu2KNz1p9Um0v_aNAI7UJmge_boJg1hoV6X2-0pPzw0ufUU7G2DJOSxApA-2vk/s640/1+t.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of these flowers are large and quite showy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some even had a lovely smell... not at all like those hot-house orchids you used to get in a corsage for the prom!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslnro4nj1c1rOyeYAxcuQi07FvKTnKOFii_2vLsM8ftwfeJasFF3K937H4oGD_pVdJLBfORHgM8G8Cn-KqkkG4LH5_RcdDx_Pza9r3BaKzxiHFkTbH8l2cHBLGPKBwgYQefCPn1jgSWo/s1600/1+u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslnro4nj1c1rOyeYAxcuQi07FvKTnKOFii_2vLsM8ftwfeJasFF3K937H4oGD_pVdJLBfORHgM8G8Cn-KqkkG4LH5_RcdDx_Pza9r3BaKzxiHFkTbH8l2cHBLGPKBwgYQefCPn1jgSWo/s640/1+u.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Alejandro has a lot of different plants in his greenhouse area. He's standing beside a huge Angel-wing Begonia here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd_8JAYNDlqa_t1mnzOYKhUVuFD8k9_mIaRjG2EcWePuYAGZJtkIH6FdTWvWUqv90z6rG1t5V4WVMDH8mYJXEDKHEKybMARICFRdBNXIT0o2Nshre7rXzS6d2JZzST-2ZxApTZliY3o0/s1600/1+v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd_8JAYNDlqa_t1mnzOYKhUVuFD8k9_mIaRjG2EcWePuYAGZJtkIH6FdTWvWUqv90z6rG1t5V4WVMDH8mYJXEDKHEKybMARICFRdBNXIT0o2Nshre7rXzS6d2JZzST-2ZxApTZliY3o0/s640/1+v.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In November, he is planning to have a fund-raiser to help his efforts in saving the habitat and his beloved orchids. He plans to offer a tour of the gardens, followed by a short drive to this area, where there will be drinks and hors d'oeuvres served. This is a perfect spot to relax, enjoy the view and meet others who are also interested in his work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxi2_g0-q6EQ2BuD-V8Y5n0QTfWXXCVnMYs7CZLZQqZT5sLEWXZRdb0BapRUEft3KcBfevrGvmS98ezWdIAr2S0ckvs58z-j73wi3iiR37GwjoJz-IQjSBqc66OzJXq9eaVrnWblG7Dg/s1600/1+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxi2_g0-q6EQ2BuD-V8Y5n0QTfWXXCVnMYs7CZLZQqZT5sLEWXZRdb0BapRUEft3KcBfevrGvmS98ezWdIAr2S0ckvs58z-j73wi3iiR37GwjoJz-IQjSBqc66OzJXq9eaVrnWblG7Dg/s640/1+x.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As it happened, we stopped at a couple of spots before heading back to Lo de Marcos, and our "two hour" tour lasted almost 6 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a great tour, and I enjoyed every minute of it, and come October, Bill & I plan to go back to see all the glory when the jungle is in bloom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-86770548367724994652017-03-09T16:40:00.000-06:002017-03-09T16:40:51.425-06:00Counting Down and Adding Up....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We'll be flying back to the States in less than 2 weeks. Our winter here is almost over. I really should write "season", because winter, as I know it, doesn't really exist here. It has been cooler here these past couple of months than we've had in the past, but I've had to wear a long sleeve shirt only a few times in the early morning. And the only reason I wear shoes other than sandals is because I've found that my sneakers are easier to take long walks in. Seems my sandals just attract little gravels (that feel like boulders) and I'm constantly shaking them out. I look like a cat that's stepped in rain or snow and is letting the world know she's unhappy. Enough of that... let's move on to the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since this was our first season here in our "new" house, I've looked around to see what changes we have made. The biggest things have been fairly subtle. Tearing out the concrete and brick planter, along with about 30'-40' of concrete and laying new sewer line took a couple of weeks, but now you'd hardly know it happened. Same with upgrading the electric. We now have 2 circuit breaker boxes and several more plug-in outlets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house has a full bath next to the bedroom and a half-bath/laundry room off the main room. Fernando, a man Bill met last year, works with aluminum. He custom made new windows (1 each) for those rooms...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhx1QS1dSe0TLGSkr-vFjiujz9Gf3KgVxdxWrjtKR8YpTBTrjRcDN8jkibIORQ8O_PwS82fwcEKC48FGKtjG7qvkDe7tX2Hg7WYDjwzAXc8QzsKt07mSbc9uzHFYmvjYGL1U2GQhDSfc/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhx1QS1dSe0TLGSkr-vFjiujz9Gf3KgVxdxWrjtKR8YpTBTrjRcDN8jkibIORQ8O_PwS82fwcEKC48FGKtjG7qvkDe7tX2Hg7WYDjwzAXc8QzsKt07mSbc9uzHFYmvjYGL1U2GQhDSfc/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the one in the shower....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As it turned out, neither window was exactly plumb, so Fernando had to make them fit. You might think that the shower is big. It sure is! It measures around 5'2" X 6'. I guess a really hefty person could take a shower comfortably there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think in a past blog I showed photos of the mirrors Fernando fabricated for this bathroom They added a lot of light as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One big thing we bought that lives in this bathroom...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa_BYMVO99NRD4QAnqAF9vVLahppztuvImFo4Q69mlBoYLFv8IJfgeG-YOMcIBKFwCDzw6W4mrN0i50GNeXcl9uDpdnuzWrzLQpLZ4DmRPZ4sGyVfZ7q83lW0aJR7IcVOIVp1x-B3_3U/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa_BYMVO99NRD4QAnqAF9vVLahppztuvImFo4Q69mlBoYLFv8IJfgeG-YOMcIBKFwCDzw6W4mrN0i50GNeXcl9uDpdnuzWrzLQpLZ4DmRPZ4sGyVfZ7q83lW0aJR7IcVOIVp1x-B3_3U/s640/1+a.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Dehumidifier</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's sitting on a floor drain, so if we leave it on this summer, it doesn't need someone to drain the pan. See how big it is? Well... except for a few of the biggest things, we carried almost everything home from the stores on the bus. Bill carried this dehumidifier from Home Depot to the bus stop (about 3 city blocks). It was quite a feat just getting it home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We bought some other things for the bathroom... a bathroom scales as well as lots of new bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On to the bedroom... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRYCFqP4e-cixjZ50CzWaDTjLnPK9N76WsPfN1uOkfqkuEu6x7WuWqfQFo-r3FrahCg7wOqzo1TcAL6Wi96yP6m0rO4VmhssZ1suCdzi_n8RnniwqzEpcy3XlUK6oRdbsp2DQAf2qiw8/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRYCFqP4e-cixjZ50CzWaDTjLnPK9N76WsPfN1uOkfqkuEu6x7WuWqfQFo-r3FrahCg7wOqzo1TcAL6Wi96yP6m0rO4VmhssZ1suCdzi_n8RnniwqzEpcy3XlUK6oRdbsp2DQAf2qiw8/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Air Conditioner was the biggest expense.... costing $500 US dollars... installed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old AC still works... sort of.... but it groans and clunks all night long, and we figure it's going to crash soon. So far, we've only needed the AC from our arrival (early October) through mid-December. We only use it at night in the bedroom... but those nights can be pretty miserable without one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill also took down the old, dead ceiling fan and installed a new one he bought at Home Depot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We bought a few sets of sheets and 2 new pillows. The existing mattress does not need replaced yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest room is just off the bedroom... a combination Living Room/Dining Room/Kitchen. I posted photos of the beautiful dining room table with 6 chairs we bought early on. It's made of a very heavy wood... barcino. We wanted a book/curio shelf to match and had one made through a furniture store in La Penita. After it was delivered, we felt it needed more....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLclycZ1oY4LWSIvduKght_bmX24eJIrL7m-ZbrPqxpt-1R9VORtIb05H-NJwICae-PhDuSATpLQvh8J9uTf3As6Nh-dcoy3L-4aSeFMn3gqqaGPi6BoZrqSseB9t5MCVvSfIP0IWdezA/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLclycZ1oY4LWSIvduKght_bmX24eJIrL7m-ZbrPqxpt-1R9VORtIb05H-NJwICae-PhDuSATpLQvh8J9uTf3As6Nh-dcoy3L-4aSeFMn3gqqaGPi6BoZrqSseB9t5MCVvSfIP0IWdezA/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The center tall part is the original purchase. We went back and had the lower shelves (on either side of the tall part) made to match. They, too, are made of that heavy wood. Eventually we'll have our special treasures displayed here... right now there are some photos, a couple of Catrina sculptures and my cameras and binoculars. The whole bottom sections are filled with games for the neighborhood kids. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have already posted photos of the wall hanging and throw pillows we bought to make the place "ours". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spend a fair amount of time using our computers... so a printer was needed... and...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbPxZhH2Au1jUnHS6LfcymGD1RRX5l5KfEA1pc517uQIVzc14rN0FaLlVLq_9Qk-WLXsDiErWIfMl_XRAZ_M4p7ZbCSYqImCi4Z7QESWNOk3Y-NEOCcZU91YIKATv9qnCXwKJEfyVpGA/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbPxZhH2Au1jUnHS6LfcymGD1RRX5l5KfEA1pc517uQIVzc14rN0FaLlVLq_9Qk-WLXsDiErWIfMl_XRAZ_M4p7ZbCSYqImCi4Z7QESWNOk3Y-NEOCcZU91YIKATv9qnCXwKJEfyVpGA/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill installed this light over my chair and computer area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That conduit you see at the left is the common way to run electric here as the walls are concrete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I posted a similar photo before... but..</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH27BsxBSm07GAQ7pPy5vhfX49OQkqieGxI3cNMbhlm5Zqcsid1H-ftWCO7x9GFpt7RAeN7mYPvHHS3ZQ77p2sGGIdPEgb3HiUgwNL3m8EKAU8S3bnHTSRLbAsdSEZ63cBwceBPccKfg/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH27BsxBSm07GAQ7pPy5vhfX49OQkqieGxI3cNMbhlm5Zqcsid1H-ftWCO7x9GFpt7RAeN7mYPvHHS3ZQ77p2sGGIdPEgb3HiUgwNL3m8EKAU8S3bnHTSRLbAsdSEZ63cBwceBPccKfg/s640/1+f.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was where the refrigerator used to be. It took up way too much space and made it impossible to use the counter on either side. We moved the fridge to another area and bought this utility shelving for the microwave and other uses. The kitchen was fairly well furnished, but we added a coffeepot, more silverware, plastic keeper bins and other small items. When our daughter visited in January she brought an oven thermometer and a kitchen timer... neither of which I could find here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are starting to personalize our home and one thing I wanted was some of the dishes from the tile shop in Puerto Vallarta...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvwODzLIfzkLHbOD_6FI_QSPCyldcdDH6bQSO_kfbroQHjK0hT91G7-N8WuJvN4_jhgyR0JCyA7kj27h0UDp5BAPFnpY7F6_NIUgHznCj2YzoiH9P6B7QHPEjxLzVGbkHHnjetapcDX4/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvwODzLIfzkLHbOD_6FI_QSPCyldcdDH6bQSO_kfbroQHjK0hT91G7-N8WuJvN4_jhgyR0JCyA7kj27h0UDp5BAPFnpY7F6_NIUgHznCj2YzoiH9P6B7QHPEjxLzVGbkHHnjetapcDX4/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of the dishes we bought to place on the top of the kitchen cupboard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually we'll repaint the walls so the background is nicer. Bill took down 2 (useless) lights that were located up there. The plate holders aren't very sturdy... I'll replace these by next year.... and buy enough to hold a few more dishes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aren't they colorful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The porch is where we spend the most time. It's like the dining room, family room, all-purpose hang-out. There is often a breeze.. it's shady... and we have a great view of what's going on along the street. Bill built a bookshelf, using bricks and some plywood and it holds everything from books to jars of dog biscuits (for the dogs next door)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv5hOdIGwufKRbPLXqug8I6moQIc8_UYZzNcRF3BflLB5gy_EruDR_FcH38LIM4VUqOY-zB3ZSYs2Jo2IJXj1MH8OsRvJcWtvaCz-beJa0cT3ee93eGeGqBiabSRkeuDwzoz-t552Cvk/s1600/1+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv5hOdIGwufKRbPLXqug8I6moQIc8_UYZzNcRF3BflLB5gy_EruDR_FcH38LIM4VUqOY-zB3ZSYs2Jo2IJXj1MH8OsRvJcWtvaCz-beJa0cT3ee93eGeGqBiabSRkeuDwzoz-t552Cvk/s640/1+l.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Could you resist these big, brown eyes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill had a permanent brick stand made for the Weber Grill... we bought a hammock and some additional cushions for the couch. He installed a new ceiling fan out there as well. With the big table and about a dozen chairs we can enjoy quite a crowd right on the porch.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqAa7Sfq96XjeKT0A3lfUxUIqmh3NNl0p5EiiP9J6ah9BZErkmyd251e-r3S3RlNi1QwrUMTkCFSSXbEgCxeTAA7Grawd8BQVG3qPF49AqrYSeh6KkkJIVTftWVqfjq8_VwfJqZXvFRA/s1600/1+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqAa7Sfq96XjeKT0A3lfUxUIqmh3NNl0p5EiiP9J6ah9BZErkmyd251e-r3S3RlNi1QwrUMTkCFSSXbEgCxeTAA7Grawd8BQVG3qPF49AqrYSeh6KkkJIVTftWVqfjq8_VwfJqZXvFRA/s640/1+j.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view across the porch...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See my Fish Mobile? It's not a wind-chime, but just a colorful ornament to enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill found a locksmith in Bucerias and took the innards of each lock down to him. He changed all the pins and now instead of each door having it's own key, All the "house" locks use the same key... All the security gates have the same key.... and the utility room and bodega (shed) have the same key. WoooHooo... only 3 different keys for about a dozen or more doors!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of the bodega... Bill bought shelving and organized that area. He's got tools hanging neatly on the wall, tools in their place on a shelf... and a few new tools to make his life easier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've left the best for last!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-fM2T-LEJXzY6eLkNy18HzSTscf6LsZ_K9-pmWXxcnIzD76neBzFBqkDujWtKUS8zBmLa1mlLEWEjpR7aPj5bBfGVMvL6Wph2fSbA4HpLQadtwai3gNfG3XR928Cd5ukcQ9RHZa_uPU/s1600/1+hh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-fM2T-LEJXzY6eLkNy18HzSTscf6LsZ_K9-pmWXxcnIzD76neBzFBqkDujWtKUS8zBmLa1mlLEWEjpR7aPj5bBfGVMvL6Wph2fSbA4HpLQadtwai3gNfG3XR928Cd5ukcQ9RHZa_uPU/s640/1+hh.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fountain and the flowers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can barely see the fountain here (on the wall at the right)... and the flowers don't show up so well either, but that planter along the wall is filled with everything from hibiscus to bird-of-paradise, to at least a dozen species I don't even know the names of. We're planting to attract birds and butterflies. In fact... about 2' out from the wall, a whole row of Lantana was put in just today. You can just see kind of a shadow where they are. And about 2' to the left of those is another row... hydrangea, roses, gardenias and some more hibiscus. By this fall, when we return, these should be fantastic!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HqzIjqm8Xjr_IOX_PjKWn_ETOfP89l14yJT6Won5G7uoAtqRXX3gUumv45rxt2i9nSBy_fFRyRAgT2XJTXsP-ywxV5VS1kHdSGxBKdRKaGa4zCOkiazberWOOUaXtsZMmJ3FEHPTe-A/s1600/1+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HqzIjqm8Xjr_IOX_PjKWn_ETOfP89l14yJT6Won5G7uoAtqRXX3gUumv45rxt2i9nSBy_fFRyRAgT2XJTXsP-ywxV5VS1kHdSGxBKdRKaGa4zCOkiazberWOOUaXtsZMmJ3FEHPTe-A/s640/1+i.jpg" width="486" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where we took out that flower planter and concrete to put in the new sewer line is now filled with at least 8 different colors of bougainvillea. There's also some Mexican petunias, some herbs, a few tomato plants and other things along this wall. That yellow flower you see about in the middle is growing on our neighbor's side of the wall... between us, we'll have gorgeous bowers of colorful flowers in time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the back yard we've put in 3 new Traveler's Palms, an African Poplar, a Moringa Tree and a few dozen more flowering plants and shrubs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We bought everything paying in pesos... and we never kept exact records of what we spent. The total for the major items was around $3,000 US dollars. We probably spent another $1,500 on the stuff like bed linens, kitchen wares, and miscellaneous things. Mas o menos....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before the last photo, I'll add that we will have a gardener take care of the yard and flowers while we're gone. Santos and his wife and son already come a few times each week to water, weed or whatever needs done. We don't plan to rent the place to others at this time, so it will be good to have someone around to see that all is still okay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And... here's the tile we ordered from the World of Tile in Puerto Vallarta...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMwnynFQvQ7K6pr-FCeukZYVoLkgqHJlT7-qN3t1GNmeK2AhkmdUjLB6pakSf_jIPIPjVvN2Sf_kx6t1s0Gdmp2EpRzJkyP5PAxIWMf7exD-2m6OhDsWYZjCyZwlrPoiVHu2niEMqRNk/s1600/1+aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMwnynFQvQ7K6pr-FCeukZYVoLkgqHJlT7-qN3t1GNmeK2AhkmdUjLB6pakSf_jIPIPjVvN2Sf_kx6t1s0Gdmp2EpRzJkyP5PAxIWMf7exD-2m6OhDsWYZjCyZwlrPoiVHu2niEMqRNk/s640/1+aa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is the photo they sent us when it was finished... We have since picked it up, but will wait until this coming October to have it set into the wall in front of our house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone calls this the "McBride House", as that was the former owner. We have renamed it "Hummingbird House".... hopefully it can live up to its new name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-48981739060657655332017-03-01T13:24:00.000-06:002017-03-01T13:24:32.295-06:00Folklorica etc...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been nearly 2 weeks since I last posted.... Bill has recovered from whatever hit him and is doing well. Thanks for all your concerns. There is a woman here who makes natural yogurt (just plain, unflavored, no additives) and while some folks think it's a bit sour, I love it and think it's especially good for stomach ailments. Anyway... all's well now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last week we went to the annual fundraiser at the high school. If you were traveling with me last year the following photos might look familiar as the event is basically the same each year...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHGh0vBmxevBDmnHULj7jdCXzNGH1ySTNfzZ82IkCMhiJy-y-S7inqdRrJjaGY1loZgjwchy_eCRHicwwXRuZxJnNELSc5ZMS-hK6hmjZ51zcKC130zTQWfnYYCwxfG2Pu3kWpDSKchA/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHGh0vBmxevBDmnHULj7jdCXzNGH1ySTNfzZ82IkCMhiJy-y-S7inqdRrJjaGY1loZgjwchy_eCRHicwwXRuZxJnNELSc5ZMS-hK6hmjZ51zcKC130zTQWfnYYCwxfG2Pu3kWpDSKchA/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The meal they serve is typical of this area.... pozole (hominy stew), rice, chile rellenos (stuffed chile pepper) and a salad. They also serve a rice drink that is delicious. There are deserts available for an extra charge. You can take your own wine or beer as no alcohol is served. The food is delicious and very filling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know how many people attend... my guess is around 250. The event is held in the courtyard of the school... right in the basketball court... with lots of long tables with plenty of seating. We were seated just in front of the stage, so had a good view of the whole evening.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRt_l35uHLMp6vdMUZ8wnZO6yqQN4bVEfeVu5wlMXS_w_a6Rt5ZfsEin9vASyFMIQobawQCIFT5WI_ysHYJ4lirGqYSUSRC-uIWBGhDYIJXGSOLgNFaoE9iytxvHjCPgT9-LpOthGAkA/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRt_l35uHLMp6vdMUZ8wnZO6yqQN4bVEfeVu5wlMXS_w_a6Rt5ZfsEin9vASyFMIQobawQCIFT5WI_ysHYJ4lirGqYSUSRC-uIWBGhDYIJXGSOLgNFaoE9iytxvHjCPgT9-LpOthGAkA/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These kids played and sang various music pieces while folks were eating. As you can see, there are several guitarists as well as quite a few singers at the back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a small town and several of the kids who live here attend high school at larger nearby schools, so I don't know how many kids are enrolled here. But they definitely have talent...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzBzycyjC1BdyXGQm0_kJzk9Pmx7Ud2GMtPycSKa5_FcsnttbSKgxgo6ZSHq8CMt0oQ1YfzQc_Coe3p-r3wWbKipkgfNTHZ0VnKsHHu6GXzDS1i1ue6oQNpw5v8smV9nYQ7WX5JAzbSY/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzBzycyjC1BdyXGQm0_kJzk9Pmx7Ud2GMtPycSKa5_FcsnttbSKgxgo6ZSHq8CMt0oQ1YfzQc_Coe3p-r3wWbKipkgfNTHZ0VnKsHHu6GXzDS1i1ue6oQNpw5v8smV9nYQ7WX5JAzbSY/s640/1+c.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This young lady sang with gusto....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And did a professional job of it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6zbiKCv1L-2xm_IHhvImlVs7geYTOFgvLeBPgOMLXOUYKpBPka6tXn4YN4_A5jrSpdX5lcNKKNGsfW1mWjf4FjEsjgcnyBVo-5pDQzMqMhnSpn3LS4rhj1G3-lQ3APfjZDylBptH6uc/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6zbiKCv1L-2xm_IHhvImlVs7geYTOFgvLeBPgOMLXOUYKpBPka6tXn4YN4_A5jrSpdX5lcNKKNGsfW1mWjf4FjEsjgcnyBVo-5pDQzMqMhnSpn3LS4rhj1G3-lQ3APfjZDylBptH6uc/s640/1+d.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This young man also had a great voice and was quite good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have no idea what opportunities kids here have to go out into the musical world, but both could have a successful career in the music field, they were that good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids did most of the the musical entertainment, but this lady also sang...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVDAdOQgrWIdct7BIgZrfpLhMnr8Lnrq-UOroJrzcJ6brmdDsQ3TzWVkOIfE7gTrx38I-6fn_T3vPpLHIfk9aOlD26txoTvsD7lC1WDO6cqaCbgz6YDaIbOUFjsrr_kC1lQhbcfNqRPo/s1600/1+ff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVDAdOQgrWIdct7BIgZrfpLhMnr8Lnrq-UOroJrzcJ6brmdDsQ3TzWVkOIfE7gTrx38I-6fn_T3vPpLHIfk9aOlD26txoTvsD7lC1WDO6cqaCbgz6YDaIbOUFjsrr_kC1lQhbcfNqRPo/s640/1+ff.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were told that she's the mother of one of the students (possible the mother of the young man pictured above). I have no idea if she sings professionally, but we all enjoyed her performance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A group of young girls performed the "pineapple dance"...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ap6arQEN69N84iNhgO9W4c1mg68lBfhSBo3Z45wLd8Acz25f-fTJf3aMxOrYDsQmkeK35WN6goeiWX-8sxhm3qARyGhGgFWRup8_mJytpoSLu4mk5GeFtLZZfCkJ1bQ3l4x9GDGYqk4/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ap6arQEN69N84iNhgO9W4c1mg68lBfhSBo3Z45wLd8Acz25f-fTJf3aMxOrYDsQmkeK35WN6goeiWX-8sxhm3qARyGhGgFWRup8_mJytpoSLu4mk5GeFtLZZfCkJ1bQ3l4x9GDGYqk4/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All with precision and purpose....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As dinner was over and the plates were being cleared, another type of entertainment was on the agenda....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PBUDlY7YCMEpJuN6JgWGkLuNMZSMqHluS_AJLqMR9UMizHNTwvY5_eK1CerCYKiZhOYDQDg5PbL5Nuj7ERbIt7e8W9T2H81KBdcX7HVqklCOIyMQEiAGYZgS7rHbx0lBiI6x-YGR6aE/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PBUDlY7YCMEpJuN6JgWGkLuNMZSMqHluS_AJLqMR9UMizHNTwvY5_eK1CerCYKiZhOYDQDg5PbL5Nuj7ERbIt7e8W9T2H81KBdcX7HVqklCOIyMQEiAGYZgS7rHbx0lBiI6x-YGR6aE/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The audience is called upon to come on stage and play some games. On the left are folks who have balloons tied to their ankles. The object of this game is to break everyone else's balloons and keep yours intact. The person with the last inflated balloon is the winner. It started out fairly innocent, but I swear... some of those guys were way too competitive for my idea of fun. That's our friend Nancy in the tie-dye dress... one guy actually stepped on the hem of her dress to stop her from moving so he could break her balloons. Oh well... The upper right... well, that guy has a jalepeno pepper tied to a string hanging from the back of his belt. These guys (yes, they were all men) had to get the pepper into the beer bottle without using their hands. And the lower right... musical hat..... kind of like musical chairs only when the music stops, if you're caught wearing the hat, you're eliminated. All fun games and very entertaining for the audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And... what everyone loves to watch!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbsn-XneKdLL36aHdy_C8YOD_ERzpnyhpzgMo04I888AUR1RVlGAfD_izmv1czUQQUMkfJmgCJlw0_UZ-55xtW1-iRBTCXqtiRJmu3-GPegikwQYLQ-N27TqFSGZL3j6jdzyYFslLTek/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbsn-XneKdLL36aHdy_C8YOD_ERzpnyhpzgMo04I888AUR1RVlGAfD_izmv1czUQQUMkfJmgCJlw0_UZ-55xtW1-iRBTCXqtiRJmu3-GPegikwQYLQ-N27TqFSGZL3j6jdzyYFslLTek/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Folklorica!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These young folks, dressed in traditional clothing of this part of Mexico, danced the old historic dances. They were quite good and looked every bit like it must have been all those years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And... the grand finale!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s9hehFv8u5sFfKX35-ZNtF3Sio4yL_pkOVveybAYJAFQlKXjfTem322QidjjGEjOPX4_HxRL3eNsHzMREpwa_1bNUvRYemuNJnVISQlFu5GERdXUrEtBHKOzfSTAWwIm78i8hGAWhBI/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s9hehFv8u5sFfKX35-ZNtF3Sio4yL_pkOVveybAYJAFQlKXjfTem322QidjjGEjOPX4_HxRL3eNsHzMREpwa_1bNUvRYemuNJnVISQlFu5GERdXUrEtBHKOzfSTAWwIm78i8hGAWhBI/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the regional dances were done, the kids went down into the audience and found a partner... </span><span style="font-size: large;">then... back on stage where some new/old/good (and probably pretty funky), dancing was done. I saw a couple of young men pick their mothers as a partner... but there were lots of gringos up there giving it their all as well. Lots of cheering and clapping from the audience too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It started at 6pm and we were home around 8:30 or so. It was a great evening and we loved it all. You can just about bet that you'll be seeing another post very similar this time next year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of such... as of today, March 1, we have only 3 more weeks left here this season. We'll be flying back to Texas on March 22, stay with our daughter a couple of weeks and be back in our motorhome... then head to Ohio by the end of April. We'll be there a month or so, then head on to Maine to volunteer at Aroostook NWR for the rest of the summer. Those are our plans... but we all know that nothing's written in stone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our time here has just flown by. I'll have to write a re-cap of what all we got done... what all we hoped to get done but didn't... and what doesn't even matter anymore. You know... just the way life is. But...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-5201082104143419912017-02-16T18:46:00.000-06:002017-02-16T18:46:57.727-06:00Thursday Feel Bads...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In all our (35) years together, Bill has been "under the weather" maybe 2... 3 times. Once he did break his leg and had to be in a cast for a while... but he improvised the riding lawnmower with a trailer on the back and got around just fine. Once he got part of a finger cut off because of a malfunction of a power mower... had to be off work for over 2 months... but... again... did fine. Early on, he had an upset stomach... (I'd probably have been in the ER)... but a glass of wine and a couple hours of relaxation... and he was tiptop shape again. So... today... early on, he said he didn't have any energy. No big deal... heck... we really don't have to go, go, go... every day. We even went for a noonday walk along the river. But as the day went on, he ended up on the porch lounge... and finally in bed. Being the frugal person I am, I drank the wine he'd left on porch table... But... I did lay cool wet washcloths on his head and give him a couple of aspirin. Really, though... it's so rare that he even has a hint of the "feel bads", that it's hard for me to know what to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So.... instead of providing a photo of him stretched out on the bed, I'll show you what else we did today...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyGK8FlsFdulLkhNMp9M3nPs3IZvPwFDOmLlXf3MST_HA0HGu8z-nacF7rGnDY2hzRtP6UqRKbvJWVoy5MGoXBXOZr_4h_T1cMBbac8anJqhwE-3ifyliOIcFKxXkHepc099dxmDMDn4/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyGK8FlsFdulLkhNMp9M3nPs3IZvPwFDOmLlXf3MST_HA0HGu8z-nacF7rGnDY2hzRtP6UqRKbvJWVoy5MGoXBXOZr_4h_T1cMBbac8anJqhwE-3ifyliOIcFKxXkHepc099dxmDMDn4/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did walk down River Road to the ocean... saw these Terns....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think migration season is very much in progress now...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our hummingbirds are few and far between.... the Painted Buntings are passing through... even the seabirds dynamics have changed drastically... Every day is a new experience.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfcPHKN7dSWzYbqgyQjc0pv8qBOAcToZcPzIF9dnKQO2Jmrpbhp0clFwUPW7UK4ak33Liyjrq01q2577BqfguzpLZRBLs5iABm-uHd2Xu2q2YpIXsAnxKdMUIfnZaTgduXzjpAaSJew8/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfcPHKN7dSWzYbqgyQjc0pv8qBOAcToZcPzIF9dnKQO2Jmrpbhp0clFwUPW7UK4ak33Liyjrq01q2577BqfguzpLZRBLs5iABm-uHd2Xu2q2YpIXsAnxKdMUIfnZaTgduXzjpAaSJew8/s640/1+g.jpg" width="468" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think this is a Tri-colored heron... I finally learned that "Garza" is Spanish for heron or crane. My little Angelina friend down the street is helping me learn from her own 9 years of experience.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihAgYTitGu8b71ixKFix3J_FdA2nkpk8QMvXZrIVk4uXLjnO43A7SusO1Xu-wFyg3zOzGZ_KnzoPAr5rXk5Ae3PawuNWvtlaFNpTGFCAORqQj2HxM0tc0m-P7esEBWGEmXgkV-5eEmhg/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihAgYTitGu8b71ixKFix3J_FdA2nkpk8QMvXZrIVk4uXLjnO43A7SusO1Xu-wFyg3zOzGZ_KnzoPAr5rXk5Ae3PawuNWvtlaFNpTGFCAORqQj2HxM0tc0m-P7esEBWGEmXgkV-5eEmhg/s640/1+f.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This dove looks very much like it has Zebra stripes because of the shadows from the sun. We see at least 3, probably 4 species of doves every time we walk to the river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qf5gi_YPRay4J7hSR2vUMwSCtcRLxK1IYp2Fvm1XRofLsUAftsYqhYRiJ2XOBvTxadDv-Wp6VBiDxuCMUIa7xYgXZD6ydOCHVFqNJ_z5ZJzehv3ZUFylX1whX5Jo-IFLQZ6ni11VeY8/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qf5gi_YPRay4J7hSR2vUMwSCtcRLxK1IYp2Fvm1XRofLsUAftsYqhYRiJ2XOBvTxadDv-Wp6VBiDxuCMUIa7xYgXZD6ydOCHVFqNJ_z5ZJzehv3ZUFylX1whX5Jo-IFLQZ6ni11VeY8/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were 2 Roseate Spoonbills in the river today. But their diet must not be fortified with crustaceans these days... they are barely pink, let alone ROSE. Oh well, they are still a delight to come across.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw-hSy3VEU8PqdtuOUz11CVdrh-8sksUJqVjRRYJBLn8dRBGmbh7rPeM6cwoP9TOiOCmZdHe_Nugm-cF_wH3AzRX6b11g8y6ZMxdAw6MuYgWomcWl4xRXKOTEH9_91ifiClOWevFapac/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw-hSy3VEU8PqdtuOUz11CVdrh-8sksUJqVjRRYJBLn8dRBGmbh7rPeM6cwoP9TOiOCmZdHe_Nugm-cF_wH3AzRX6b11g8y6ZMxdAw6MuYgWomcWl4xRXKOTEH9_91ifiClOWevFapac/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've seen a few horses in those "islands" beside the river, but never seen a herd of cows before. This big girl, with the crooked horn, was with about 6 or 8 others. There was a bull with them, but that's another story. See the bird on the ground in front of the cow? Well, that's a Groove billed Ani... and every cow had at least one Ani following it around. I think that as the cow ate, it disturbed the vegetation and stirred up flying critters that the birds quickly snatched up. Still... they were fun to watch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we got closer to home, we realized that school had just let out. And... who should we see?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MYgxzkVfgEe-JSr8WTS9Lk-iyzaQdJYYft-BmyJUYKS0aEbyxgRbZXfvW7VEaZOWs_7ycDh9fj-jcSPtBWFI3h0cwcn08FMZq2qyN9yND9sJFENiEOuCj_opj_wu1mP723bMAAZ_3U4/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MYgxzkVfgEe-JSr8WTS9Lk-iyzaQdJYYft-BmyJUYKS0aEbyxgRbZXfvW7VEaZOWs_7ycDh9fj-jcSPtBWFI3h0cwcn08FMZq2qyN9yND9sJFENiEOuCj_opj_wu1mP723bMAAZ_3U4/s640/1+a.jpg" width="614" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes... that's Angelina... riding her bike home...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped to talk and saw that she had a gorgeous new hair-do...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOe3i7hgQ7YwgTWupnFO0JsrRgp4PZabV3heq1Afy2TPbovJ3EbNzfK-f13J8_XGKVlFRgFcdu8A23Uxxc4xjlfvhPz99Ci4_meTCDr6jvlLnJXWB1xdKt2dvDYcVaCLUceABi19dCM/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOe3i7hgQ7YwgTWupnFO0JsrRgp4PZabV3heq1Afy2TPbovJ3EbNzfK-f13J8_XGKVlFRgFcdu8A23Uxxc4xjlfvhPz99Ci4_meTCDr6jvlLnJXWB1xdKt2dvDYcVaCLUceABi19dCM/s640/1+h.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes... her abuela (grandmother) had done some more magic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My photos just don't do justice to the artistic talent that lady has!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am always just amazed with her abilities!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next 2 photos are from yesterday...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi08_yVeI0nxJd5nPudvQeINCHkstYnHx74v2TNFRYbgHrIZ6Pi_Z2BbJBTP691qIH-OofFpavqi4nX1d_wyjkIXUW1LF4cyrfuI5L62WlUGmvnrQQ94gWfcpMEH1jTYm4IDVkSAH1MQ/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi08_yVeI0nxJd5nPudvQeINCHkstYnHx74v2TNFRYbgHrIZ6Pi_Z2BbJBTP691qIH-OofFpavqi4nX1d_wyjkIXUW1LF4cyrfuI5L62WlUGmvnrQQ94gWfcpMEH1jTYm4IDVkSAH1MQ/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When I was a kid and went to Rufus Putnam School in Athens, Ohio, I learned to play "Pick Up Sticks". I saw this game for sale in Walmart and had to buy it. Now the "sticks" are blunt edge plastic... but that's okay... the rules are the same. Here's Angelina, (who, by the way, is a quick learner!!!) using the black stick to wriggle out some other. If you've ever played the game, you know the rules... and it ain't easy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lower shelves on our bookcase now house games, crayons, chalk and other stuff for kids. One of the favorites is a jigsaw puzzle...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wmM62UsD4ZOq22b8lOzJuFO_oU39PvGZuGQ-kyc-hiyUNepfzoQx_NiVoPj-U2tHKaEXnHJrcSf9zNwM_Sz4OeLt6yqzwYD44ZVru2QoGPdUuACOxyWaEc8wCcHhqB1E6Ofaelk2yAo/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wmM62UsD4ZOq22b8lOzJuFO_oU39PvGZuGQ-kyc-hiyUNepfzoQx_NiVoPj-U2tHKaEXnHJrcSf9zNwM_Sz4OeLt6yqzwYD44ZVru2QoGPdUuACOxyWaEc8wCcHhqB1E6Ofaelk2yAo/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Usually "our" kids are in age from 7 to 10</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I try to buy stuff appropriate for those ages. Today we had a 3 year old come to play with his primo (cousin).... I have some fat crayons and a coloring book that lines don't really matter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What else is an abuela going to do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I write, Bill is laying down with a cool washcloth on his head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like I said, he is NEVER sick... he's definitely one of those folks who will let mind conquer matter... So... tomorrow should be fine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But... a shot I took of a Painted Bunting in our fountain this morning...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9hwV8hfD0NwM54Nrq8jTSjr3D5QPjLjlo19BULjn-Ihk9XvIMJsix98PsSMHu9dKGSuy5ncxmHxqfymk8H5A2DQRqikhyKgP_aqynFLpQdElbUjsn43rhtq5a0KNpcQhFMKhs06yEaU/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9hwV8hfD0NwM54Nrq8jTSjr3D5QPjLjlo19BULjn-Ihk9XvIMJsix98PsSMHu9dKGSuy5ncxmHxqfymk8H5A2DQRqikhyKgP_aqynFLpQdElbUjsn43rhtq5a0KNpcQhFMKhs06yEaU/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The End...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Colorful Ending to a pretty good day... despite the "feel bads".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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<br />The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-79024349400755660602017-02-11T15:36:00.000-06:002017-02-11T17:45:57.883-06:00A Typical Saturday....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One thing we really want to do with the small yard that is both in back and in front of our house here in Mexico is to make it attractive to birds and butterflies. We are constantly buying flowers and sometimes trees to plant what they like. Water is also important... the small fountain we put in beside the front wall gurgles and bubbles all day long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It took a while, but now several species of birds visit it off and on throughout the day. Early evening seems to be their favorite time...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgcKpiJfB1NecIfj5rcW88KgcB1YImMcRQL3lxdlRRUanP37K0wH9CfiEzsYYqeMnqMi5uZtO2juE0a6HrsllG66CorDonzjsd_fS9W1VAkVWoCFzT2OFqmFpcBzzbUV8SUTBTY_J4xo/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgcKpiJfB1NecIfj5rcW88KgcB1YImMcRQL3lxdlRRUanP37K0wH9CfiEzsYYqeMnqMi5uZtO2juE0a6HrsllG66CorDonzjsd_fS9W1VAkVWoCFzT2OFqmFpcBzzbUV8SUTBTY_J4xo/s640/1+c.jpg" width="610" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This pair of Painted Buntings are enjoying the water...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R3gVLxAzjIfB0nOxOJQNHnPGggXxBzOeJnhXsx48v9s6xz00drq4eZqZL7l2ssmR_Lbao5tI1Dw3OshyL-pF4eShC5aZ7hJa0x7XtIvRlHprjM7Pi0pp1zzDIxAZClYxANdistafTUs/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R3gVLxAzjIfB0nOxOJQNHnPGggXxBzOeJnhXsx48v9s6xz00drq4eZqZL7l2ssmR_Lbao5tI1Dw3OshyL-pF4eShC5aZ7hJa0x7XtIvRlHprjM7Pi0pp1zzDIxAZClYxANdistafTUs/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The male spent quite a while bathing... splashing water everywhere!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lNluOZf6ZXInfyDwq9z_1sdFLNLKisFRgv1QzSMnqPQkfmGkTot-HhSejdGJhruSFwoBBqoxjTPijB2qEr1nC6SP5OkWnZGaDbh9N4F7nmqSGWlIBXk1hGqKYOxkE-6CTpXtSsSGQW8/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lNluOZf6ZXInfyDwq9z_1sdFLNLKisFRgv1QzSMnqPQkfmGkTot-HhSejdGJhruSFwoBBqoxjTPijB2qEr1nC6SP5OkWnZGaDbh9N4F7nmqSGWlIBXk1hGqKYOxkE-6CTpXtSsSGQW8/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's beautiful at any time, but his bath made his feathers stand out in all their glory! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeT-bqt1_PzAhP97E9paI7qrGKcjnP-YBS6IZxsawA7LbMQtv6sT7FNwSwDpdU-dOrQk0T7yAlbplvQrOpOeIrRMexoOC7I14_KAN0iiXLMd2zd1YsXMmiXNp_BkRtG7yH2ZLjmIqZa8/s1600/1+ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeT-bqt1_PzAhP97E9paI7qrGKcjnP-YBS6IZxsawA7LbMQtv6sT7FNwSwDpdU-dOrQk0T7yAlbplvQrOpOeIrRMexoOC7I14_KAN0iiXLMd2zd1YsXMmiXNp_BkRtG7yH2ZLjmIqZa8/s640/1+ee.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I'm not sure of this bird's species... he/she flies down to the fountain... will spend some time taking a bath.. fly into the nearby bush and preen... then back to the fountain, back to the bush... back and forth several times before it's done for the day. There are other birds... probably the females who come around the same time... they are fairly nondescript, although they have yellowish bodies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have our dinner out on the patio each evening, then often just sit and enjoy the flowers, fountain... and birds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Several times each week we walk the River Road... we're always interested in the progress being made on the bridge...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20hlFzkRFOy2QhEFvc_E5FfqPrMe3gHuyZZEdAqEZWzkZ5jFlms-Q_qo4Nqk_2OhccC0Nd1BHBdMpKloPH3TkLs585mBKPjp_Yihoo-0GFumjZPwpsnUFHj40JIa7r5OYcBrKar1TYWQ/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20hlFzkRFOy2QhEFvc_E5FfqPrMe3gHuyZZEdAqEZWzkZ5jFlms-Q_qo4Nqk_2OhccC0Nd1BHBdMpKloPH3TkLs585mBKPjp_Yihoo-0GFumjZPwpsnUFHj40JIa7r5OYcBrKar1TYWQ/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The workers have gotten used to me walking along... and taking pictures of their progress. Now some of them wave or shout a greeting. There has never been a bridge at this location... I just hope all this work holds up when the summer rains come and the river runs wild.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While the birding along the river doesn't seem as abundant as it did last year, we're never disappointed as we always see something... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF_ss7HN58-gc-GXdMZsMEmrh5uqTII5M7Lk3_8jl7wI7rJkVe47KfW2m7mZjkftmWJN8NUTrDNfdZSkmGqb2bXRM6Qbl3DN4IFcD9zO-MHgPBZ6YvtnjpzIxwTgV70-PEY19JXYPPjg/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF_ss7HN58-gc-GXdMZsMEmrh5uqTII5M7Lk3_8jl7wI7rJkVe47KfW2m7mZjkftmWJN8NUTrDNfdZSkmGqb2bXRM6Qbl3DN4IFcD9zO-MHgPBZ6YvtnjpzIxwTgV70-PEY19JXYPPjg/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Today this Black Hawk was perched on a branch hanging over the river.... watching for something below that might be dinner later.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_6yFUiJNAFy-26HFdhPjYO8VjuC4ePeQpA9fWtetb23qzg4Bm2I53WPFuNKGN1sdMEBtxJlHB-2xHRRhKlEbgimU9eXrvWWyJI-AtNNx2_T7GYq6kk5TdV9KW9mIdwlSFB3S-Z6CEX4/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_6yFUiJNAFy-26HFdhPjYO8VjuC4ePeQpA9fWtetb23qzg4Bm2I53WPFuNKGN1sdMEBtxJlHB-2xHRRhKlEbgimU9eXrvWWyJI-AtNNx2_T7GYq6kk5TdV9KW9mIdwlSFB3S-Z6CEX4/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And this little Green Kingfisher stayed still long enough for me to snap this shot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kingfishers are very illusive... flying off when anyone walks by even hundreds of yards away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a tiny little guy... and look... his head is almost as big as the rest of his body!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked along the river....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66Wd78Hb9_OF6XxhgP86bVbiGrBLfp17sBkDgQ1Rw98ztvH4fUnHeM3Y_Jg2nOs_uF5aZJR1D7EyZpUderl2wn9_48y2s8iuBqOX8K26pzqtR-sCYztR2OXbdbUZ6phvyYQimCNquMyE/s1600/1+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66Wd78Hb9_OF6XxhgP86bVbiGrBLfp17sBkDgQ1Rw98ztvH4fUnHeM3Y_Jg2nOs_uF5aZJR1D7EyZpUderl2wn9_48y2s8iuBqOX8K26pzqtR-sCYztR2OXbdbUZ6phvyYQimCNquMyE/s640/1+i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was fog today... it's hard to see the mountains...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To the ocean... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaIgIAd8iZ7bDCPD7z0ILi4IotbSeeX_Lqz5lQFiS12nePk5BBIMAciS2_zuEB4r-lKAgHCssStpzlYygo6RGy6v-LKeePExRM-8X3I992KL0qGFr87GXRBalSxOeJNL0Nv5u8BZ_yU4/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaIgIAd8iZ7bDCPD7z0ILi4IotbSeeX_Lqz5lQFiS12nePk5BBIMAciS2_zuEB4r-lKAgHCssStpzlYygo6RGy6v-LKeePExRM-8X3I992KL0qGFr87GXRBalSxOeJNL0Nv5u8BZ_yU4/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So overcast you can barely see the shrimp boats... out there past the rafts of sea gulls...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then turned and headed towards the plaza. We stopped and I checked on Pirate, my favorite dog, who was recently in a dog fight... I'll write more about Pirate later.... From the plaza we headed to the Tianguis... the outdoor market held in Lo de Marcos on Saturdays.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6aAPhShFmiCfEsQ7kh102dYalD7pibJa-BYGFSRXFYBJeR4HyaNrvAFOYNiGANnTxqqqxQKT0vhiB8BBZUnNTvOYoRW1q8XzBr-ODFqsF2T5RjDlp7LKlfUcG2AHyNtqPbdmVABX19M/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6aAPhShFmiCfEsQ7kh102dYalD7pibJa-BYGFSRXFYBJeR4HyaNrvAFOYNiGANnTxqqqxQKT0vhiB8BBZUnNTvOYoRW1q8XzBr-ODFqsF2T5RjDlp7LKlfUcG2AHyNtqPbdmVABX19M/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've posted photos before of the various stalls... all the artwork, jewelry, pottery, glasswear, clothing, food ... and more.... in the past. Today my favorite photo is of this group of kids (probably belong to various vendors) playing a game near one of the booths. It was kind of chilly this morning so most of these kids have on long pants and sweaters. When I say "chilly"... it was probably 80 degrees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill & I had lunch at the tianguis... stopped and bought some veggies from Letty's Market... then headed on home...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC85vgEWJ6bMijjpL45kRZJf6eZuKhYJ8P0Wt4kIdJ4MditrHDExNMI_jkkZKWer9ASFd7pr0CphahGP5EqZtdtc2amjKhPC1hYbKqjhh6olN3QVaLW7b8G9t00dC0R5yBGUa6yzzbAQ/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC85vgEWJ6bMijjpL45kRZJf6eZuKhYJ8P0Wt4kIdJ4MditrHDExNMI_jkkZKWer9ASFd7pr0CphahGP5EqZtdtc2amjKhPC1hYbKqjhh6olN3QVaLW7b8G9t00dC0R5yBGUa6yzzbAQ/s640/1+f.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill looks like a pack horse, doesn't he?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's wearing one of the shirts sold at the tianguis.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill is always looking for long-sleeved tee shirts, which are really hard to find here. The folks in the tee shirt booth got some the next time they ordered. How about that! People here are just fantastic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've written about our little neighbor kids. Well, the family with 3 kids moved to a nearby town last week. Now we just have one little girl come to play. I miss those other kids, but am glad we still have Angelina to work puzzles with or play tic-tac-toe or the like. Maybe some others will move into the neighborhood....</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not likely we'll head back into town this evening. We're kind of homebodies... even on a Saturday night. There is always activity in the Plaza, but we are happy being on our patio... watching folks go by in the street... or birds in the fountain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It may be quiet, but it's never boring!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-81359791716300030652017-02-09T14:37:00.000-06:002017-02-09T14:37:26.816-06:00Day Trip to Puerto Vallarta....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't remember the year Bill & I first landed in Puerto Vallarta... I say "landed" because we were on a cruise and that was one of the stops. Then, and in the other times we've stopped there while on a cruise, we took excursion trips... I'll never forget the Zip Line tour... that's the one that Bill did the zip thing and I chickened out and waited in the bar.... And one trip we were both sick and all we managed to do was get off the ship, walk across the street to Walmart to buy some meds... back to the ship and back to bed. And then, of course, the times we've flown into PV... to the airport and then got transportation to our final destination. Even Home Depot and the airport, which we've been to many times are located just on the edge of the city. So, in reality, we'd never really spent any time in Puerto Vallarta.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our house has a ceramic plaque out on the wall, showing the house number and street where we live...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZbt8H9XybBY8ipc4k6xdgk9eLodaRXEMyNA1CBLo3ufIj2mKOvAdM01SBV0mVJLZMG1N8ywS0p0l-PfAPIF52UkMproPP2Wqb1BPWIWVgn9xuE4QQBOx2il5WTlg9pf0qTn0oRHz8qI/s1600/1+aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZbt8H9XybBY8ipc4k6xdgk9eLodaRXEMyNA1CBLo3ufIj2mKOvAdM01SBV0mVJLZMG1N8ywS0p0l-PfAPIF52UkMproPP2Wqb1BPWIWVgn9xuE4QQBOx2il5WTlg9pf0qTn0oRHz8qI/s640/1+aa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the plaque....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The former owner's name was "McBride" and most people still call it the "McBride" house. It's time to change that... We have named our house "Casa Colibri".... "Hummingbird House"... as we hope to attract birds, butterflies and other insects by planting colorful flowers and shrubs, and providing water and food for them. Our friends Elaine and Don have a ceramic plaque on their front gate and we asked them where they had it made.... At the World of Tile, in Old Town, Puerto Vallarta. Bill had already found this and a few other tile shops in the area and circled them on his map.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So Tuesday we set out on a mission....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took the Compostela bus out of Lo de Marcos to the end of the line. It dropped us off in PV in a really up-scale part of town. Nothing like an hour bus ride to whet the appetite...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6yIPT76U0aC35A9_gJ2iOCBuswWDy79Ryec_YbL9JCWvO0e-mChv5JhFTp4IAsIFXV91kKL-NNak9G7xwSO3HmQxrst9qh7xGSYd3A1Zi9ummrmZxNjlWjyZKajmmWpz27CwVGXLr_U/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6yIPT76U0aC35A9_gJ2iOCBuswWDy79Ryec_YbL9JCWvO0e-mChv5JhFTp4IAsIFXV91kKL-NNak9G7xwSO3HmQxrst9qh7xGSYd3A1Zi9ummrmZxNjlWjyZKajmmWpz27CwVGXLr_U/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And nothing like a hearty desayuno of huevo divorciados (divorced eggs) and huevo poblano... along with beans, rice and tortillas .... to give us the energy to walk through PV.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Actually, we took a "blue bus" from the end of the Compostela line into the old section of PV...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill had printed a map off the internet so he knew exactly where to head...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_zSUyVxJ837E_9mMAAKPE01_olE24mU95iW75SnGNYJ-AEdmrmFojcS-o6TZAf3VLpvvfrdCv9_zkNUQk663ObHe9vcYZOYZXYG_olX-V_5BPmo0UyMuRtynw9frXSVvR61WS4VR_oc/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_zSUyVxJ837E_9mMAAKPE01_olE24mU95iW75SnGNYJ-AEdmrmFojcS-o6TZAf3VLpvvfrdCv9_zkNUQk663ObHe9vcYZOYZXYG_olX-V_5BPmo0UyMuRtynw9frXSVvR61WS4VR_oc/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The outside of the World of Tiles.... displaying some of the beautiful work inside...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr4E7a3TTuZpWaxdsUjq8sV3EbqfcQGO-Ji6qE86bg_yoNg7Tok8zr9scvlB8XJv0L5HwFJzhJxk_iP7D5ECHoZ6KhpOLs7wa4lNaiboRzUsblN-oFIPWGafSUTTd5phqP0iQJRWufCQ/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr4E7a3TTuZpWaxdsUjq8sV3EbqfcQGO-Ji6qE86bg_yoNg7Tok8zr9scvlB8XJv0L5HwFJzhJxk_iP7D5ECHoZ6KhpOLs7wa4lNaiboRzUsblN-oFIPWGafSUTTd5phqP0iQJRWufCQ/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The floor, as you walk in, has this mosaic tile entryway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's just the beginning of all types of colorful ceramic work within. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few years ago Bill & I lived in the section of Seville, Spain that is famous for ceramic tiles. This store reminded me so much of that place. In fact, many parts of this old section of PV, like the cobblestone streets, the flowerboxes on balconies, the narrow streets leading up hills from the sea, reminded me of cities we visited along the Mediterranean Sea.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVw5rRn68Xgurq9W96i1XmEONMo7Mn3m-6DkB4rcSWj0pJanatoFW6o_cnFFiwG1ikEQN_x79x-uiRFEpECJruU3Xw4ho3VeW4EbNoF23BRKQCvCKcT7o_-ELRbvtFMqfAduM5eBRH9U/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVw5rRn68Xgurq9W96i1XmEONMo7Mn3m-6DkB4rcSWj0pJanatoFW6o_cnFFiwG1ikEQN_x79x-uiRFEpECJruU3Xw4ho3VeW4EbNoF23BRKQCvCKcT7o_-ELRbvtFMqfAduM5eBRH9U/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The showrooms had displays of dishes, bowls, water jugs and works of art that are just to enjoy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLc2eevBoxRVfKRLpA4T8jGJs38QKHJQc3YKkVq9njCdBiIO80eHJXpPCE7pqxJ4H31MpPMUxkYRGbhJytEvD_oe6GLZ-i8DiHEhVs9r3O66mn1AqpJEgZQmZpVhiztvHCW7YYrH6gzs/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLc2eevBoxRVfKRLpA4T8jGJs38QKHJQc3YKkVq9njCdBiIO80eHJXpPCE7pqxJ4H31MpPMUxkYRGbhJytEvD_oe6GLZ-i8DiHEhVs9r3O66mn1AqpJEgZQmZpVhiztvHCW7YYrH6gzs/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next year we plan to have a 2nd floor added with a bedroom and bath. I looked at all these basins.... it will be fun to pick out one for that upstairs bath!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsthgp-iupjYXOEqFk-1VtpWICiOb9ZlkaGTI8x1u7c5d8bUVOthkWmDoq1scmaAbHHUAehz6hhBzDLcj5R2Mlmh79VQV0cuctLvxksq-FsANLbX84hG3WqOR_5kj3wnaBNYM3xNPVd4/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsthgp-iupjYXOEqFk-1VtpWICiOb9ZlkaGTI8x1u7c5d8bUVOthkWmDoq1scmaAbHHUAehz6hhBzDLcj5R2Mlmh79VQV0cuctLvxksq-FsANLbX84hG3WqOR_5kj3wnaBNYM3xNPVd4/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The upstairs part of the store not only houses more ceramic displays, but also has an area you can watch the artists at work... painting tiles with custom made designs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We talked with the salesperson about what we wanted and when we got back home, I sent him some photos of hummingbirds that they could use. It will be a couple of weeks before our plaque will be done, but I'll be sure to take photos of it to show you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We continued wandering through the streets... checking out various shops...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEptvMGyYremGX_XUwL23MI5tqeNfSnjzrUW8bG83BEeRmsKZphrouX7_VuG8VaB6BkVy0HrMS4K1lcDHMIe3RzPzTKaxvTBKSZ6E_-GvWajt3qBUWowB26puBD6AVFqrt6_rm9FtfVU/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEptvMGyYremGX_XUwL23MI5tqeNfSnjzrUW8bG83BEeRmsKZphrouX7_VuG8VaB6BkVy0HrMS4K1lcDHMIe3RzPzTKaxvTBKSZ6E_-GvWajt3qBUWowB26puBD6AVFqrt6_rm9FtfVU/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We came across this shoe store..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot see huarache sandals without thinking of our friends Paul and Kathleen Smith. Years ago, when we all were on an RV caravan traveling through Mexico, Paul bought a pair of huaraches.... he wore them only a few hours before they totally fell apart. He got teased a lot... and it's just one of those stories that make a trip memorable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is an island on a river that runs right through a main part of Puerta Vallarta </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQbJME5Va0b90pzYn8KaQtgI8fLEtKQYaJoekF17tuiMo9caCPRpfVKaJXTGf07ZAKhKqP4PPHAtPXkvhoZ1NiE-OLv84jaKy-zEprNAW9L7Srs5w_6ujMJ1c7Q6krphKpKMHmoSrz4A/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQbJME5Va0b90pzYn8KaQtgI8fLEtKQYaJoekF17tuiMo9caCPRpfVKaJXTGf07ZAKhKqP4PPHAtPXkvhoZ1NiE-OLv84jaKy-zEprNAW9L7Srs5w_6ujMJ1c7Q6krphKpKMHmoSrz4A/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are restaurants, lots of shopping stalls, outdoor artwork, and even a tequilla tasting store. It reminds me of Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Not really in looks, but more because of the ambiance... the quaintness... the magical feel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From that area we walked up some steps to the Malecon...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX09WCa1MJbaXMvDxw2sbs-sAwryF1Nmrjd93SdbuXy79pFogky-KpNl4xa80y3qqokOJrb5hTJLpWUfzz6dXYfE9qg50urRah-6Ww1_G1n-42RTF-ecGogc7jR4T_LKUJWo6EtP_jxc/s1600/1+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX09WCa1MJbaXMvDxw2sbs-sAwryF1Nmrjd93SdbuXy79pFogky-KpNl4xa80y3qqokOJrb5hTJLpWUfzz6dXYfE9qg50urRah-6Ww1_G1n-42RTF-ecGogc7jR4T_LKUJWo6EtP_jxc/s640/1+j.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The walk alongside the ocean...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can walk a long way... stopping at shops and boutiques, looking at the artwork and outdoor sculptures... have your hair braided (upper right).. look down onto the beach and out into the ocean... you can stroll or power walk... you can stop and have a beer or tacos at an outdoor cafe... Or... like me... you can just watch all the people who enjoy being there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At one point, we left the malecon and headed onto a city street...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUpJbw6U94mGxemiu7oPTeyshAepReU0AqgEIjKa3PAa_pBPV9OFFFbvAPM8Rw33GMItgoeDXtAnsiF35gi4dazkCEYLte-GyHoPV2MpNY5ec_4gB4fJvocMmRUKo-CZ7ya8Zg6JJzH8/s1600/1+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUpJbw6U94mGxemiu7oPTeyshAepReU0AqgEIjKa3PAa_pBPV9OFFFbvAPM8Rw33GMItgoeDXtAnsiF35gi4dazkCEYLte-GyHoPV2MpNY5ec_4gB4fJvocMmRUKo-CZ7ya8Zg6JJzH8/s640/1+i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to see the cathedral...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's beautiful inside and out... A huge church with exquisite decor and artwork. The altar was banked with flowers making it especially lovely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is an Information Center right across the street from the cathedral...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKevfaCuEvrYKODfdrLq769TuwMjmKQpyVn8wfE18e4pUsU7ZeBndwKbr3-eoXo-_iLlHOqCNFQUJZoHlHQT_ei0bA65AWu8mEqAnkZt3ptVoXQdujlVyQmtZSsXMHy8q4wggRVYgS8jk/s1600/1+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKevfaCuEvrYKODfdrLq769TuwMjmKQpyVn8wfE18e4pUsU7ZeBndwKbr3-eoXo-_iLlHOqCNFQUJZoHlHQT_ei0bA65AWu8mEqAnkZt3ptVoXQdujlVyQmtZSsXMHy8q4wggRVYgS8jk/s640/1+k.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope these folks didn't ask the couple next to them for directions...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll write another post about the Catrina figures...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">they are the skeletons especially popular around The Day of the Dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We wandered around the streets...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uA2-QpQeu13ZqM9w1edeW0ghRKDbvrxVoevtaSYsm3tUORNVnNCoe8_MdkrPedJI5wC4JBLHK-opFIP8hW-NiWGNrp2YB-_7_vZ7ZwcRlIyLJfP4D92j4Z93sMajHaxcX8iDYZo3Xb8/s1600/1+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uA2-QpQeu13ZqM9w1edeW0ghRKDbvrxVoevtaSYsm3tUORNVnNCoe8_MdkrPedJI5wC4JBLHK-opFIP8hW-NiWGNrp2YB-_7_vZ7ZwcRlIyLJfP4D92j4Z93sMajHaxcX8iDYZo3Xb8/s640/1+l.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Admiring the architecture... the balconies... the colorful flowers and banners.... the cobblestone streets and the steep hills leading from the main street into the hills up from the ocean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually we caught a city bus and headed back into the more modern part of PV... back to the marina area....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPOf-yWcmYnH7RryWx2p_VWPuRQh6nctz6UL5-EZV4ElvsjI9R9oD6ncPMos35wCgITwrOsQL5nJ6oUF_nd3CFfpijJS0L_dnGq6zVdKnlwsXpNqw-YfQW4f-9lPdNAxjDckW-UbdI2k/s1600/1+m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPOf-yWcmYnH7RryWx2p_VWPuRQh6nctz6UL5-EZV4ElvsjI9R9oD6ncPMos35wCgITwrOsQL5nJ6oUF_nd3CFfpijJS0L_dnGq6zVdKnlwsXpNqw-YfQW4f-9lPdNAxjDckW-UbdI2k/s640/1+m.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this Princess Ship... Ruby... had docked in a slip in the cruise ship area while we were in town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And across the street...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimg-dMab1Zl7e2wHXzlyqJipMzrL96P70X8-SmWw1ZhJX7Rgu5dk0an18UCdJQVp1wBL_VKx2-u3-mL2RleuVPWGKFwrFZD1NiEole9CGZQs9n032kefOXtWnd7AbBeG7PelgPqi_BDc/s1600/1+n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimg-dMab1Zl7e2wHXzlyqJipMzrL96P70X8-SmWw1ZhJX7Rgu5dk0an18UCdJQVp1wBL_VKx2-u3-mL2RleuVPWGKFwrFZD1NiEole9CGZQs9n032kefOXtWnd7AbBeG7PelgPqi_BDc/s640/1+n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Walmart that we stopped in to get some meds several years ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This time we didn't need any medicine and we didn't have to board that cruise ship. We used the ATM then went back outside to the bus stop and caught a Compostela bus which took us back to Lo de Marcos... home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we were here a few years ago I never would have dreamed that we'd be back here to live and have the life we have today.</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-15419074007422068592017-02-06T09:49:00.000-06:002017-02-06T09:49:38.026-06:00More Amigos....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My last post was about a party we had to celebrate how happy we are in this town... and the friends we've met and come to know and care about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have met some others as well... very special friends....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill and I walk past their Grandmother's (Nena) house everyday. We started out being friends with Citlali, who is Nena's daughter-in-law. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2dRbYRiupHR6MZ6noeqeM2ZVz3_C4CubUaJ67dGLI68ZmzVPihUSxlocZjVX6eJU74R20lbb8eEs3-q5dHVeVY97ayCtDCkDvJnLZWfb37QIdJAGp2C60HKJystHRLSSl4siXP-hiyo/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2dRbYRiupHR6MZ6noeqeM2ZVz3_C4CubUaJ67dGLI68ZmzVPihUSxlocZjVX6eJU74R20lbb8eEs3-q5dHVeVY97ayCtDCkDvJnLZWfb37QIdJAGp2C60HKJystHRLSSl4siXP-hiyo/s640/1+a.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's Citlali with Ruvi. Ruvi was one in December and we've watched her learn to walk. My favorite thing is when she sees us, she waves... and blows kisses. She's afraid of my camera here, so this isn't her best look. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After Citlali, we met some of her nieces. They'd run out and give us hugs as we walked past their house. When they started visiting us at our house (just a block down the street), it was time to find ways to entertain them. Actually, they do a fine job of taking care of themselves, but...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNbSTRDbPvzukWwoulQhyphenhyphenTUGDZ1lbAIY92MWzLhDrwrMqEpOGqtpYJQO-m49MzTRUKNCNfE5zAphgYWln0k-8ir6J4ndToBeevx-rO-CB7GwhkTEaa-MmKzi99jHEWzIS0qNg9Byb9_g/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNbSTRDbPvzukWwoulQhyphenhyphenTUGDZ1lbAIY92MWzLhDrwrMqEpOGqtpYJQO-m49MzTRUKNCNfE5zAphgYWln0k-8ir6J4ndToBeevx-rO-CB7GwhkTEaa-MmKzi99jHEWzIS0qNg9Byb9_g/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We almost always play "lotteria".... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Melony on the left and Angelina in the middle... and, of course, Bill on the right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is kind of like Bingo... only now, when we each draw a card, the girls tell me the Spanish meaning and pronunciation, and I tell them the English. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Frankly, they're learning a lot faster than me...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOFamy994e8HVT8K4DOHTJJ4_AlpsnhdJYgZrqQwlyJjsjYm7iIUZ_b69SV846zRUztsRbg3Z-p6iORiqGupB_lFp0obZ9zvPayv_VUd8H9zxKD49VVj7YVyN-zy6xbgcw2SLgxrk-RY/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOFamy994e8HVT8K4DOHTJJ4_AlpsnhdJYgZrqQwlyJjsjYm7iIUZ_b69SV846zRUztsRbg3Z-p6iORiqGupB_lFp0obZ9zvPayv_VUd8H9zxKD49VVj7YVyN-zy6xbgcw2SLgxrk-RY/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drawing and coloring are favorite things to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crayons, colored pencils, coloring books and those dry-erase boards have now taken over the lower shelves on our bookcase. When Bill & I go to Walmart now I'm always looking for a game or puzzle I think "our kids" will like.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFOw25py3dHqY-F2FCBkpuaMSqeIlFSHPC6MuwESsxmOUUPWiQUFcV-ZI6Qu1SPfRmZROhh-GXsqvou9JV-qCtKIUNsl1XC11Ezl8ENvsvqSaHATakeMId8DAM6GUdYAoPezB5_4TLkc/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFOw25py3dHqY-F2FCBkpuaMSqeIlFSHPC6MuwESsxmOUUPWiQUFcV-ZI6Qu1SPfRmZROhh-GXsqvou9JV-qCtKIUNsl1XC11Ezl8ENvsvqSaHATakeMId8DAM6GUdYAoPezB5_4TLkc/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sidewalk chalk is fun... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids love to print out Bill and my names...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hearts and Roses are favorite subjects, but Tic-Tac-Toe is always a given.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnQbmfzR2usNuDJVAerCJ1M7LqR9f67L-2q4Zb0Dh1TiaDfIC16cr-rS6u3ImvXGVN8O0JRqeILDYjlhmfb-204Mm_yX4uyBMIvs3qGHqrISOYeL60JmhOw7YckRh8eFK9p_fOVxtZSk/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnQbmfzR2usNuDJVAerCJ1M7LqR9f67L-2q4Zb0Dh1TiaDfIC16cr-rS6u3ImvXGVN8O0JRqeILDYjlhmfb-204Mm_yX4uyBMIvs3qGHqrISOYeL60JmhOw7YckRh8eFK9p_fOVxtZSk/s640/1+a.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill's birthday was last week... and darned if these kids didn't bring him a present. They gave him a lovely picture frame. So, of course, I quickly took this picture, printed it and put it in the frame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Melony and Angelina have been visiting us for several weeks, and then David, Melony's little brother started coming with them. He's 5, Melony's 7 and Angelina is 9. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Melony and David's older sister, Bechi, is 10.... now she's joined the others, so we have a full house playing games or doing artwork.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNOM9gROR-D1zVKPr2fyFGuyggtLEcZ-7nUX99UAgOLAgmOo7kMcWN0xjQDnvT5GNtPt3yI84stcrfqzFDHz4YxycvVhF1vuAN-X0VItft5BKSik6rlDE8swG-rhkQmGLYdNP-HiNEZM/s1600/1+aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNOM9gROR-D1zVKPr2fyFGuyggtLEcZ-7nUX99UAgOLAgmOo7kMcWN0xjQDnvT5GNtPt3yI84stcrfqzFDHz4YxycvVhF1vuAN-X0VItft5BKSik6rlDE8swG-rhkQmGLYdNP-HiNEZM/s640/1+aaa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not to be outdone, I wanted my picture taken with the kids...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just know that our own great-granddaughter, Evie, would love to be here playing with us. Wouldn't that be fun!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF_leApnqZOlCabUQ3QbqS3IBDGn7iZVQdQSTgtd0iffgJeFmf7AXWzlXzIYEEL-LIZ3v8xieADyvJC-S-DQXQckKvz1Qvu6ArvqyKa7NiMTL-imIb6qltdh5NmN_JaAWgPj3TVZ_BCI/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF_leApnqZOlCabUQ3QbqS3IBDGn7iZVQdQSTgtd0iffgJeFmf7AXWzlXzIYEEL-LIZ3v8xieADyvJC-S-DQXQckKvz1Qvu6ArvqyKa7NiMTL-imIb6qltdh5NmN_JaAWgPj3TVZ_BCI/s640/1+a.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, as Bill & I were walking home, we passed Angelina's house...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She was outside... getting ready to go somewhere special. Look at how lovely she is! What a beautiful little lady!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then... she turned around...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV774BAK7SQxHlUYU7G4L9vBH77n3rzs_bugkcvUo5XArKX1E63D5jvFD1ZbX_vv8ehAaFas-OK2zBp42MMeLWSX04dlNl4ISZxtn2x8a8ysLCBaA1QtztsJVBp8Unv6m-QjHr0_Z7ck/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV774BAK7SQxHlUYU7G4L9vBH77n3rzs_bugkcvUo5XArKX1E63D5jvFD1ZbX_vv8ehAaFas-OK2zBp42MMeLWSX04dlNl4ISZxtn2x8a8ysLCBaA1QtztsJVBp8Unv6m-QjHr0_Z7ck/s640/1+b.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh My!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her grandmother created quite an artistic hairdo! Isn't it beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just wanted to keep looking at it and since I have no talent with hair at all, I was just amazed at how it was done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Nena, the kids' grandmother in the background.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids often draw pictures and write stuff on the "erase" boards...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdC8jj0x6oxKkVytgwsB5TCtghSTEGSDFW7d5h_k-aRR1VnW4nF8ZgpskIIYVTy_wQVFYxcjS7NwZJf0ZHp_wme6mtBbOynvMoh6-Ze-Zi_bFxtNXiSAm4mZE0OeXROerznG-r80OpTs/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdC8jj0x6oxKkVytgwsB5TCtghSTEGSDFW7d5h_k-aRR1VnW4nF8ZgpskIIYVTy_wQVFYxcjS7NwZJf0ZHp_wme6mtBbOynvMoh6-Ze-Zi_bFxtNXiSAm4mZE0OeXROerznG-r80OpTs/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you read it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Hello Grandparents... I love you a lot</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I also love my family...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Melony, David and Angelina</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We love you so much"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that's Bill and me... holding heart balloons...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I mean, really... could a person have better friends?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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<br />The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-30207832433826683752017-02-05T10:56:00.000-06:002017-02-05T10:56:21.074-06:00Una Fiesta Para Nuestros Amigos....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tradition has it that whoever finds the "Baby Jesus" in the Rosca cake (on Three King's Day) has to buy the tamales on Candlemas Day. Candlemas Day is February 2.... that's also Groundhog Day in the United States, and Bill's birthday is February 3. Many of our friends hadn't yet visited us here in our "new" house.... So what better reasons could there be to have a party?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And.... party we did!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill & I had fun decorating our patio and the driveway. We expected about 40 guests so we rented extra tables and chairs. Our friend Nancy brought these strings of banners to add to the festivities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Juan ... Paisa</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Juan can often be seen playing music... entertaining folks on the beach. He plays traditional Mexican songs, and just a few days ago he came to our Spanish class and we all sang the State song of Nayarit (the state we live in). We asked him to play for an hour or so at our party... I think he played non-stop for several hours! We all loved it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tamales are traditional food on Candlemas day.... and tamales we had!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's Ari, a local caterer. She not only served tamales but also chile rellenos, arroz, and frijoles.... along with Atole, a traditional flavored corn drink. Ari set up her steam table at the end of the driveway... she must have cooked for days to serve such a wonderful meal to us all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Judy who's being served here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of beer and wine... lots of food... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But best of all... lots of good friends to share a great evening!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Gunn, Elaine and Don, and Andreas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Petra, Don, Andreas, Rosa and Celia</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know why they all look so serious....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0gvfr6SMMLrghgL6kK_A_ho88y6dtV9E0Bd5Apjzvaas6UwHvoUo0pAvXQr5bOHWedV7PgtkvYtH7qOF2tlDfyFFSvsFLGdFHDjG8XHZMQL3H1DRJieqlFkO8I1Z4tQoVgr2Pw1Sc_8/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0gvfr6SMMLrghgL6kK_A_ho88y6dtV9E0Bd5Apjzvaas6UwHvoUo0pAvXQr5bOHWedV7PgtkvYtH7qOF2tlDfyFFSvsFLGdFHDjG8XHZMQL3H1DRJieqlFkO8I1Z4tQoVgr2Pw1Sc_8/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> That's Don in the background... Kathryn and Sherry chatting before dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Many of the guests brought salads, snacks or deserts.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We all enjoyed the "starters" before Ari arrived with the dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Ed, Judy and Petra...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Armando's mother Norma had just gone back to Colima the day before, so she couldn't attend. I think Robert is showing me how well he and Armando ate while Norma was here. That's Nancy and Flacco (Skinny) in the foreground. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My camera got passed around... I know Bill had it for a while... also our friend Pia.... So I'm not sure who to credit these with. All I know is I'm glad they did. Also, Santos (who has his back to the camera) took photos and videos. He posted them on Facebook and I loved them! I tried to post my videos, but haven't been able to so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's Rosa, her son, Carol and Patty with Celia and Santos on this side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we danced!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Juan (Piasa) played dancing music... that's Juan, Patty, Nancy and Santos out there now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made a couple dozen copies of the State song of Nayarit... and everyone sang that. Makes me smile just to think of it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Pia pointing out something to Ed...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Memo and Suzanne....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Jim Juan, Bill and Kirk</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When Juan (Piaso) played at our Spanish class I recorded a video. I played it for him at our party. I just loved watching the expression on his face as he watched himself play. Priceless!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Gary, Suzanne, Juan, Pia, Armando, Robert and LeeAnn</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Ed, Jim, Don, Elaine, Kirk, Kathryn Chris... and some others...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQn3kiPol00OaE02VBWWjeyMtIFDRo8cy0EDaoEt-tTJ-XGeYEJWGouoi3FBIW1kMLQl5sio_Hmf8KpnxLiBH_bgWekNRzcJGrBlaM5prA2Rm6Qokvcd6ml4knNvo7xPYKhKiKLQ3VY/s1600/1+u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqQn3kiPol00OaE02VBWWjeyMtIFDRo8cy0EDaoEt-tTJ-XGeYEJWGouoi3FBIW1kMLQl5sio_Hmf8KpnxLiBH_bgWekNRzcJGrBlaM5prA2Rm6Qokvcd6ml4knNvo7xPYKhKiKLQ3VY/s640/1+u.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The evening turned into night...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We partied on....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6Dc_zsBKLjTv3N62q6GoF6p-V2i97xMYV61bl2wHWtGw-cxYOG8c4GCYebLZpWz_ggUt2kaWgRmREcX8FFDYi68uYxITWiDOmCAu4RDKLsJkqm1337fUGtUemCq0Nir7B45Jmu1UB54/s1600/1+v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6Dc_zsBKLjTv3N62q6GoF6p-V2i97xMYV61bl2wHWtGw-cxYOG8c4GCYebLZpWz_ggUt2kaWgRmREcX8FFDYi68uYxITWiDOmCAu4RDKLsJkqm1337fUGtUemCq0Nir7B45Jmu1UB54/s640/1+v.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Okay... back to daylight... Don and Elaine, and Gunn and Elaine's friend...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2FVzmeRxGcy8d-5D6fPZqBo-wULKav3VedYT4Nwxva5Xv4d5u7AGXHlEBBNEvfJijpupCNdt_vUKlqUxVdEvblf83fvFZkEloPDVX3T15oLPY3sTS97O2pmm2N_uyrq6skSYioxCjj0/s1600/1+zz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2FVzmeRxGcy8d-5D6fPZqBo-wULKav3VedYT4Nwxva5Xv4d5u7AGXHlEBBNEvfJijpupCNdt_vUKlqUxVdEvblf83fvFZkEloPDVX3T15oLPY3sTS97O2pmm2N_uyrq6skSYioxCjj0/s640/1+zz.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is me... holding a birthday cake (with the candles burning brightly)... Bill ready to blow them out... Juan playing the birthday song and everyone singing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One parting shot...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY8xkqNhsBTVaT0lilTi_of9-uIBJ21odZTm1d1v2HZrODugCKdJkYzK8cb0YQlDnhS1wNZQGA-lwVP2I0l5R1QFmiMi3zAq1sPdb6Hu0Cr65SGf6iEL6YujWBxn-mjVnjbVuREBKHB0/s1600/1+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY8xkqNhsBTVaT0lilTi_of9-uIBJ21odZTm1d1v2HZrODugCKdJkYzK8cb0YQlDnhS1wNZQGA-lwVP2I0l5R1QFmiMi3zAq1sPdb6Hu0Cr65SGf6iEL6YujWBxn-mjVnjbVuREBKHB0/s640/1+s.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Chris... waving to the camera...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We feel so fortunate to have made so many friends here in our "adopted" town. And there are even more who aren't among these folks. So, whether you celebrated Candlemas Day, Groundhog Day... or even someone's birthday, it would be hard to top the joy we had here. It was a great fiesta with our friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All for Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-47678290203909950402017-01-30T06:31:00.000-06:002017-01-30T06:31:52.472-06:00Mostly Birds...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One thing that has "inspired" me to post more often is that I have a new camera. Back in early December my Leica camera broke. Actually, what broke was the sliding off/on button. I don't know how many thousands of photos I've taken since I purchased this camera several years ago, but I do know that I've turned it off and on hundreds... probably thousands... of times. I plan to have it fixed when we get back to the States, but know that will take time. When our daughter wrote that she and her husband were coming for a visit in early January, I started looking for a new camera... ordered a Nikon from Amazon, had it sent to Donna and she and Glenn brought it with them a couple of weeks ago. I'm just learning how to use it... it does produce really good photos... the biggest problem I'm having is that it doesn't seem to have much of a stabilizer, and since I don't use a tripod, I need all the control I can get. My little Canon Powershot is a good camera and takes good photos, but it doesn't have a viewfinder (just that screen-like thing that is hard to use outdoors), so it is really "hit or miss" taking pictures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think most... or maybe even all... of today's photos are with the new Nikon....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj1vGq2vJYLMUJY4iJ5XcFauSGV1rH3lX-RS0BT3ocs5VVK1dmI6Wz7LGXUSFMxVmv4lpQjo0ryirbFpVFoHSAkjQI1e4O9YJe9zWpMPiYeBC5IiSZrVehxT6K05wsPT86wj9mHHjhJ0/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj1vGq2vJYLMUJY4iJ5XcFauSGV1rH3lX-RS0BT3ocs5VVK1dmI6Wz7LGXUSFMxVmv4lpQjo0ryirbFpVFoHSAkjQI1e4O9YJe9zWpMPiYeBC5IiSZrVehxT6K05wsPT86wj9mHHjhJ0/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This male Painted Bunting was checking out our fountain. There were 2 or 3 here, but none stayed very long.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLHEt_PgwG9d2ylEEAz3ICtSRv29065uJJjwOdl8N9AGt9CkGRaXlp0KWTmknKu45drk5iDr7KG-lb1svQ2GT5zr-MkdI8U_SulO4QO4yIfZWx2UNlM0u-gNyqSaS1oZb_yR2iws7rTI/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLHEt_PgwG9d2ylEEAz3ICtSRv29065uJJjwOdl8N9AGt9CkGRaXlp0KWTmknKu45drk5iDr7KG-lb1svQ2GT5zr-MkdI8U_SulO4QO4yIfZWx2UNlM0u-gNyqSaS1oZb_yR2iws7rTI/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We haven't seen nearly as many herons along the river as we did last year. This little Green Heron is watching the shallow water for something good.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu9W2H1TVfxGQ23GYnziIqqq2iIQWRRhpu7AdRBD5Z915J_5-ZlGjTmcG4fbuCZEQcPfx0S74UcIm2GZv1kugVlZofCJnhXgLwNBxJbmM8tfVSCZy0IFPy3W40YrjjNY6JJl7xUYSnHw/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu9W2H1TVfxGQ23GYnziIqqq2iIQWRRhpu7AdRBD5Z915J_5-ZlGjTmcG4fbuCZEQcPfx0S74UcIm2GZv1kugVlZofCJnhXgLwNBxJbmM8tfVSCZy0IFPy3W40YrjjNY6JJl7xUYSnHw/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Laughing Falcon was perched in a dead tree way across the river. It never did turn around so I could get a good shot of the front. And... we didn't hear it laugh either... which is kind of an eerie call.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZDggGOJK06-UQyd5eDQjADP8eLOWsgbB2I3rTgDfEXsD6CbGF8d7ECRXgHteNs8YjDOGtupYps3-9tC2UEihzKaEfsD_7QGwEU4AE6QXavSfxIttCIeBsOFeJlS1uqJGv_TMJAlU8D4/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZDggGOJK06-UQyd5eDQjADP8eLOWsgbB2I3rTgDfEXsD6CbGF8d7ECRXgHteNs8YjDOGtupYps3-9tC2UEihzKaEfsD_7QGwEU4AE6QXavSfxIttCIeBsOFeJlS1uqJGv_TMJAlU8D4/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year we've been seeing American Wigeons on the river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At first we were thinking they were Gadwalls... but are slightly smaller and have the green stripe on their head. But they all hang out together so you have to look closely.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ffIcV1Enc-T2MyISGQbZLuFGsvai8JSvvc4qClLy2Jx3sAk51DTmHemv1_Mas8gNBM23xtnZw_22TPJUkOcdxVq5dULTj6SznpSOK95etoV2i-4EcdGbR_SCM93SlSDcUQj8ECVanA/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ffIcV1Enc-T2MyISGQbZLuFGsvai8JSvvc4qClLy2Jx3sAk51DTmHemv1_Mas8gNBM23xtnZw_22TPJUkOcdxVq5dULTj6SznpSOK95etoV2i-4EcdGbR_SCM93SlSDcUQj8ECVanA/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ocean has had really high waves the past few days. It's fun to watch the pelicans dive down and hit the water. But I enjoy seeing them just floating out on the water just as much.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RlwJpIMjsRx6a0A5Qpv3nUnyjXGezQKe_-7zmIn45zvzSUIOVSSKwr6824hbZUXNxG9oQccbqga2vYNCPgujkIh_wuhaHvpL1xpMFXW32OG7QWJfrV10Euxr9lLtdKVfwwjHmVxR5mg/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RlwJpIMjsRx6a0A5Qpv3nUnyjXGezQKe_-7zmIn45zvzSUIOVSSKwr6824hbZUXNxG9oQccbqga2vYNCPgujkIh_wuhaHvpL1xpMFXW32OG7QWJfrV10Euxr9lLtdKVfwwjHmVxR5mg/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have both Cormorants and Anhingas here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Often you'll see just the head and a few inches of neck above the water... the body completely submerged. They look like a snake swimming along in the water.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj141akY_ObfQB9Uc_916O1t-kEK66eKs_c_k-AN3DL8jcertxA9dWu24vSQGs5AXbTA_a4ZheyykeSdnQP0ajNW5y0QiGNVNGDC8smsSVqzOVMV6vnX0x6-6uMC0AMukEbo0FJsTVjymo/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj141akY_ObfQB9Uc_916O1t-kEK66eKs_c_k-AN3DL8jcertxA9dWu24vSQGs5AXbTA_a4ZheyykeSdnQP0ajNW5y0QiGNVNGDC8smsSVqzOVMV6vnX0x6-6uMC0AMukEbo0FJsTVjymo/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay... not a bird picture... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How many people can ride in a vehicle?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure the cab of the truck is packed like sardines!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not just pick-up trucks are like this... it's nothing to see a whole family riding on a motorcycle... Dad, Mom, 2 or 3 kids tucked between and around them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also... not a bird photo... but so funny...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjrdEVsajzvGNbE530m4mUFT622hpc_meU_fZb0ZkzamOWMe7MLPdNXnHUGvkFV_aJxzpmNrFdpHv7G6JutAwx2VpdzrQjm9TdOMPpv57FfaPfP4yTVK6Btg5PPkDL27k0y2UY5QBfjc/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjrdEVsajzvGNbE530m4mUFT622hpc_meU_fZb0ZkzamOWMe7MLPdNXnHUGvkFV_aJxzpmNrFdpHv7G6JutAwx2VpdzrQjm9TdOMPpv57FfaPfP4yTVK6Btg5PPkDL27k0y2UY5QBfjc/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing happier than a dog rolling in a nice, squishy pile of something gross...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the smellier the better. I had plenty of opportunity to get several shots here as this guy spent several minutes in pure joy! I'm just glad he isn't mine!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was asked why the internet service is so bad here. Well, when we arrived early in October it was pretty fast. Very few "winter folks" had come back yet and the only users were the locals. Around Christmas the RV parks and rentals really started filling up. The town population swells from around 1,000 to over 3,000 people. Most winter folks here are retired and have a lot of time on their hands. Kids get out of school early in the day. By noon there are probably a lot of users... or those of us who are attempting to use... and by evening everyone and his brother must be trying to get on Facebook or whatever program of choice. One of our friends uses VPN Express and seems to have better luck... but the phone system that the internet ties into is the same, so I don't know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway... our answer is to do anything important early in the morning and avoid the frustrations of afternoon and evening. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVPToZqsIribHybk89L2BlHVMGz_x24-DA9Oc5bKNwR2VF8IMBceg0tL3-MnXWUFzD01d-zW49GUlibFoYZr-9M152ipqN1D47DBYEx3tKylIB_i7eDE3T9NeIkpWNSkjgYfC3K1b2es/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVPToZqsIribHybk89L2BlHVMGz_x24-DA9Oc5bKNwR2VF8IMBceg0tL3-MnXWUFzD01d-zW49GUlibFoYZr-9M152ipqN1D47DBYEx3tKylIB_i7eDE3T9NeIkpWNSkjgYfC3K1b2es/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The End....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-47271674555748889802017-01-28T06:41:00.000-06:002017-01-28T06:41:33.295-06:00We've Been Busy...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aside from spending my time as a Happy Woman, Bill & I seem to always be doing something. Our Spanish classes are twice a week, and we both spend quite a bit of time studying at home, but that isn't our whole life. Before inundating y'all with a bunch of photos, I must add that the internet here is the pits. We're early rising folks... good thing, because by 8:00 AM, we're lucky to be able to maintain a connection or have a strong enough connection to get our e-mail the rest of the day. Reading Facebook posts is pretty much impossible. I know this has dampened my spirit for the blogging world... not only do I seldom post these days, if I am able to read my friends posts I almost never am able to comment. That said, I'll attempt to show some of the things that have been happening...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY50ZUCAl-8UMF4Fgqo4BloSXkFBG6OtOSv_9SypvlJ75OKIiEWMrPRnIjEcrD9jPqakKwqqONr-b8_NJxYYxrbg2rCHGKfjRWEchlD3XWUk9oXVMiWFs7V83JF9RowuN6BMu-3Pzon-Y/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY50ZUCAl-8UMF4Fgqo4BloSXkFBG6OtOSv_9SypvlJ75OKIiEWMrPRnIjEcrD9jPqakKwqqONr-b8_NJxYYxrbg2rCHGKfjRWEchlD3XWUk9oXVMiWFs7V83JF9RowuN6BMu-3Pzon-Y/s640/025.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Pirate... the photo below shows more clearly how he got his name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, some of my friends here think I don't like dogs... not so... it's usually the owner's fault if the dog creates problems... like barking or biting. Pirate has been my special doggy friend for over a year now. He has an owner and a home, but he lives right across from the Plaza and often hangs out with folks at the the bus stop across the street. He used to go on walks with the Monday Morning Walkers. But sometime around Thanksgiving, Pirate got hit by a car... got rolled under and was in pretty bad shape for quite a while. I took this photo December 11... it really doesn't show how thin and bone-y he'd gotten. I tried to get him some "vet" help, but with my limited Spanish and reluctance to offend the owners, time moved on. So every day I started taking him cooked chicken meat along with the fat and broth....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2hvyMQaNrzEdBB8m-V6Ymv5iC0Mnb38Kx21wKG4PkwReVEeWBKi-rQ7PVfqmQ5aCZIGnx6DPsdYKyET5sSoa1Q0Xto-IzXBynqmXpkVVFD_tDfq_XET_NrtdVapZGnpSjUTwKujhQgQ/s1600/1+aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2hvyMQaNrzEdBB8m-V6Ymv5iC0Mnb38Kx21wKG4PkwReVEeWBKi-rQ7PVfqmQ5aCZIGnx6DPsdYKyET5sSoa1Q0Xto-IzXBynqmXpkVVFD_tDfq_XET_NrtdVapZGnpSjUTwKujhQgQ/s640/1+aa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think you can see how much his body has filled out, but it has... and see how much more alert he is. But... he's not been neutered so he keeps getting into fights. This past week I saw that his ear was about the size of a bowling pin (really, it was huge). I did manage to arrange for a vet to see him... he did, and now Pirate has staples in his ear... antibiotics every day and seems to be on the mend.... again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnHgPffJ6iluge23feMNQ-2aX_pK7IpQTKTrxtKPkIO97yBAGfNwvDAvu87_NrmfcFhyphenhyphen-amfvTg2YTrMIrmepPZ_MSskc1QbFcK-eU7hD0mhFpGcu9JC-0KqG0q4zyNeOprXBjJOSjX0/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnHgPffJ6iluge23feMNQ-2aX_pK7IpQTKTrxtKPkIO97yBAGfNwvDAvu87_NrmfcFhyphenhyphen-amfvTg2YTrMIrmepPZ_MSskc1QbFcK-eU7hD0mhFpGcu9JC-0KqG0q4zyNeOprXBjJOSjX0/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would never admit this to anyone, but that big chicken is going into a pot and be divided into about 5 days worth of good, fat (no bones) chicken stuff for Pirate. His owners feed him and care about him, but ole "bleeding heart" me wanted to build him up more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are a couple (that I know of... maybe more) places around us that sell chickens "entero" (entire). I went there to buy one the other day and the lady said she'd have one in about a half hour. I joked with Bill that she'd probably go into the chicken house and select one. But that's exactly what happened. I got back when she was still plucking the darned thing. No problem... I've killed and dressed more chickens than I could ever count so I'm very familiar with all that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That chicken went from cackling around with the other hens to my stew pot in just a few hours... talk about fresh!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcCSRu_UpCsp74828i_v4qA1GlAJGurcRJB0Opx8TUEDvDQL_2xCvS4IUUg7FeUJB3GkQ02v6s40VqATjkGRnf8I3fv5zOTXcPRq_kfDZ7SZ3nwWTad1II_ieQhvTBXm2fjmj1hT1Wgc/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcCSRu_UpCsp74828i_v4qA1GlAJGurcRJB0Opx8TUEDvDQL_2xCvS4IUUg7FeUJB3GkQ02v6s40VqATjkGRnf8I3fv5zOTXcPRq_kfDZ7SZ3nwWTad1II_ieQhvTBXm2fjmj1hT1Wgc/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lo de Marcos Amigos sponsors a sterilization clinic 3 times during the winter months. It's a free service (donations are appreciated) and the hope is that the locals will have their pets spayed or neutered. Bill & I work at the clinic... last Sunday 28 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> For the February clinic, 21 critters are already scheduled. Unfortunately, Pirate is not among these. Sometimes it's difficult to get people to understand how much better off their pets would be. I don't know how many more fights Pirate can survive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxNcuwm0gKeNLimK5pBPOf1SLWfQEpmnLcgUvcZtPWigvkR-2UBhzehXoMNxmPbz7Llb2FN8orlNb93Y7Nb_Tg5cMUoxgL4Uar6A7K5munEuuGz0jDL42sn308ji2pAc3DebQJQZdClo/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxNcuwm0gKeNLimK5pBPOf1SLWfQEpmnLcgUvcZtPWigvkR-2UBhzehXoMNxmPbz7Llb2FN8orlNb93Y7Nb_Tg5cMUoxgL4Uar6A7K5munEuuGz0jDL42sn308ji2pAc3DebQJQZdClo/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is our friend Christian. He spends his days on his surfboard or fishing. He brought us this Toro... a big ocean dwelling fish.... filleted it and now we have at least 4 meals in the freezer. It's a dark meat kind of fish ... doesn't taste a lot like fresh tuna, but is similar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't have a scales, but there is a lot of meat on these guys!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVuiiEZXXrVx6xVpYIK-O3fTHAe4bVETyzIQ_goQYLXAKY0guTn1V5CVQn7tUGlwpspKyNOHGkQsw_AImmwpsU4iqDpMYJwgAoqpBICjiRp5A_ELnFjzcmZ9gZ2wf21JspUe0k1FEG04/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVuiiEZXXrVx6xVpYIK-O3fTHAe4bVETyzIQ_goQYLXAKY0guTn1V5CVQn7tUGlwpspKyNOHGkQsw_AImmwpsU4iqDpMYJwgAoqpBICjiRp5A_ELnFjzcmZ9gZ2wf21JspUe0k1FEG04/s640/1+a.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our friend Citlali stopped by this week to visit and brought her daughter, Ruvi to see us. Ruvi is just 13 months old and starting to walk really well. In fact, she has a "boo-boo" on her face from falling when she was running. Ruvi was afraid of my camera... but usually she waves to us and even blows us kisses. Citlali moved to a nearby town recently so we don't see her as often now.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI88y2K4LEV8-9gjzMbLkYOFrl-oWjL-pLOAry_FkFxGrN-4JUyAWdQwjbRwDQvjLDwtnphr5hOVknuDVG9UiJU8pGMgsSfL8DK1ZGY6sdnfyAC8s1BG12081grYCSkcyGnIu15a5qtZo/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI88y2K4LEV8-9gjzMbLkYOFrl-oWjL-pLOAry_FkFxGrN-4JUyAWdQwjbRwDQvjLDwtnphr5hOVknuDVG9UiJU8pGMgsSfL8DK1ZGY6sdnfyAC8s1BG12081grYCSkcyGnIu15a5qtZo/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is St Mark's... the church I go to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, a Mariachi band played at the 7:00 am Mass. For me it was totally unexpected and I enjoyed it immensely. Much more lively than the Latin masses I attended as a kid! You can see most of the Mariachi members at the upper right of the photo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZTwY_5UMmNRkNh6Xg-BgjuAQ8S_xVMfAGUjx7GF5dfYhyrAUzChkppzrr7Il2_ILAX-7sXsvpJ3umngmFwuksLxW0GnNIaDAcICMIpGi8_cqk6oBeYdbOvpE4DA9AyH_dD1VHznfCp4/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZTwY_5UMmNRkNh6Xg-BgjuAQ8S_xVMfAGUjx7GF5dfYhyrAUzChkppzrr7Il2_ILAX-7sXsvpJ3umngmFwuksLxW0GnNIaDAcICMIpGi8_cqk6oBeYdbOvpE4DA9AyH_dD1VHznfCp4/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And... speaking of music...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill and I are now going to the Monday evening Salsa Dance classes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! What rhythm! Wish I had even a teensy bit of the rhythm and "moves" our instructor has!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill and I are like 2 marionettes... jerking around like we're on a string...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh well... we have fun and the music is great!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwMl4gnm5a_kFWiBJZk0UPw3NEZGOIZsusAtPu9OZLWXB1Xoz7oHm6cLdQcntyx0avZG9Jdnazzipa_IiihA536CB24vwq8JIVBwzvh9g7Fx3dbnQZOoxtc6zDrD4kzxC56Ts1MUH9Z8/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwMl4gnm5a_kFWiBJZk0UPw3NEZGOIZsusAtPu9OZLWXB1Xoz7oHm6cLdQcntyx0avZG9Jdnazzipa_IiihA536CB24vwq8JIVBwzvh9g7Fx3dbnQZOoxtc6zDrD4kzxC56Ts1MUH9Z8/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We still go on long walks.... just not every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were walking down this road the other day and got behind these brothers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The little guy was supposed to hold his big brother's hand... and I watched as the big brother gave him a finger to hold on to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But here you see a lot of young kids watching over their little sibs...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we see little girls, not older than 5 or 6, carrying around their younger sibling, and there doesn't appear to be any prejudice about boys being the caregivers. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTIHXHPxw-QmvwH0NroFtgojnljbAElhZbqs0TUu8dRi_z3KmGirqGox_ss__wokETSUWMTCl6R6I6vNz0PhBsL5_Cd49egWBoPvs6GUBwTnvNyL1h3Rh0ZrYOhqkOkjen4oSROIOQbs/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTIHXHPxw-QmvwH0NroFtgojnljbAElhZbqs0TUu8dRi_z3KmGirqGox_ss__wokETSUWMTCl6R6I6vNz0PhBsL5_Cd49egWBoPvs6GUBwTnvNyL1h3Rh0ZrYOhqkOkjen4oSROIOQbs/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We saw this iguana hanging out high in this tree the other day.... look... his tail is as long as his body!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_QXziJ03MXF4ljf8KbJupdH8ajzUVjBELyeJghQjTGGQbzzGgIT6uyZiddMdQ2ksdoUUnQ3Vt3HCWDnud3JACvMrNHKpzmVz1eascDso9vN02CJCqVUDVLWBIYrAdUYrnWlCmVnzZaA/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_QXziJ03MXF4ljf8KbJupdH8ajzUVjBELyeJghQjTGGQbzzGgIT6uyZiddMdQ2ksdoUUnQ3Vt3HCWDnud3JACvMrNHKpzmVz1eascDso9vN02CJCqVUDVLWBIYrAdUYrnWlCmVnzZaA/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want one of these trees in our yard!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's an African Tulip... not native to Mexico, but because the flowers form a cup that holds water it attracts hummingbirds and others. Aren't the flowers gorgeous!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwW9FtpN7rrt1zLDBucgrnezES0MZJoJ2YlbUJsd5Ghnor_KWrjmZuPLfrjqtCIxxcQus5FeJGqleTGgjdveOJNIEu4V0sM0RaOqg5uKazqqynibQhMwIS8vopjCo_KnJU1mDHkiEEJ8/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwW9FtpN7rrt1zLDBucgrnezES0MZJoJ2YlbUJsd5Ghnor_KWrjmZuPLfrjqtCIxxcQus5FeJGqleTGgjdveOJNIEu4V0sM0RaOqg5uKazqqynibQhMwIS8vopjCo_KnJU1mDHkiEEJ8/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another of our walks we saw this Purple Gallinule</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's the first one we've seen here so we watched it for quite a while. We've spotted a few other "new" birds this year as well, and while the birding hasn't been as prolific as last year, we are seeing some new species.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Melany and Angelina... two more frequent visitors to our house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Melany is 7 and her cousin (primo) Angelina is 9. They live down the street but come to our house to play. Not having had kids around for years I had to stock up on crayons, coloring books, sidewalk chalk and the like. Here we're playing "lotterio"... kind of like bingo. Right now Bill & I are trying to learn enough Spanish to talk with them, but maybe soon we can interest them in learning the English words as well. I just know our great-granddaughter, Evie, would love to be here playing with these little girls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our fountain burbles and bubbles every day. I had hopes that the running water would attract some birds...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-3FvSpJGvQfzzL825q49Zl0y-UB357OptMOMxIZfXZt2VXlbmEG97fi7yJy8eFZg7I0cTPu4hVd7xMZ48jkZNzI61muJ6b7kAQRr18Doy-7eNTlFm4bnovATsvzF_LhH_awn_506htk/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-3FvSpJGvQfzzL825q49Zl0y-UB357OptMOMxIZfXZt2VXlbmEG97fi7yJy8eFZg7I0cTPu4hVd7xMZ48jkZNzI61muJ6b7kAQRr18Doy-7eNTlFm4bnovATsvzF_LhH_awn_506htk/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And... I have not been disappointed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really don't know what species this little guy is, but he/she really enjoyed taking a bath yesterday. I know it looks like a drowned rat here, but it was great just watching it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7aMDDN3Wxhtc3uoltXvIRGDC5OdW8eOvHmJaV8Csa2SwMr5Ha7FcIDy3la17510qw5xLwK3NlWTqDA2RLXWbp4VTInhcL67tAmP51_hhvE-cu278nb9sSWvMzL0AfPkBDAgaNI9Rsr4/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7aMDDN3Wxhtc3uoltXvIRGDC5OdW8eOvHmJaV8Csa2SwMr5Ha7FcIDy3la17510qw5xLwK3NlWTqDA2RLXWbp4VTInhcL67tAmP51_hhvE-cu278nb9sSWvMzL0AfPkBDAgaNI9Rsr4/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another new bird for us... A MacGillivray's Warbler</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While it didn't bathe in the fountain, I think it was the water that attracted it. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It didn't stay around long enough for me to take many photos, so I felt lucky to get a fairly clear shot of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see, we seem to always be busy. Busy, but in a very good way. We're more "social" than we've ever been (when you live on a farm way off the road, folks don't walk down the road and just stop by).... This may be a small town but there is a lot to see and a lot to do. It's easy to get more involved with the people (and even the dogs) around you... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not a new bird at all, but one we see in many states throughout the USA...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3eKYdcIk93HQf9HVvcQ7Rs6VWHP9I3ZfdNQJz7kwpYCR0BEyfEEou4oYTRFogssD0ZrPwGPyVZyMktlTYY4niXeBui1zWd8z-J-cyHs4Ly55Si8xuZguPJrXGaXK7M2vE8okK7RXZnw/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3eKYdcIk93HQf9HVvcQ7Rs6VWHP9I3ZfdNQJz7kwpYCR0BEyfEEou4oYTRFogssD0ZrPwGPyVZyMktlTYY4niXeBui1zWd8z-J-cyHs4Ly55Si8xuZguPJrXGaXK7M2vE8okK7RXZnw/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mockingbird...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So if I can put my frustrations with the internet aside, I hope to post a little more often in the couple of months we have left here this winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But for now... it's "The End"</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-26227814010330874252017-01-26T07:09:00.000-06:002017-01-26T07:09:38.205-06:00A Happy Woman...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things Bill & I wanted to pursue while here in Mexico this winter was to (for me) learn to speak Spanish, and for Bill to improve his rusty skills. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWozDyqH_lo0SBbp3JKA2PP9W9NPjEDPyYU93uNfOk2hFJ6xC17V4XG5x1HnP8J5PpVX1aNr96yMBvctNayRd3YHbUpEdOinFhqDhj3Naa6p5VG-HlVexk-9kLbyT2tTUOQKfTT4HyeGY/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWozDyqH_lo0SBbp3JKA2PP9W9NPjEDPyYU93uNfOk2hFJ6xC17V4XG5x1HnP8J5PpVX1aNr96yMBvctNayRd3YHbUpEdOinFhqDhj3Naa6p5VG-HlVexk-9kLbyT2tTUOQKfTT4HyeGY/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was one of our first lessons... taken back on November 2, 2016.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were 8 of us in that class......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZECqXweSzWI7e8OFmGHTQIKuE83UrXUVO-RTaRi6EOTTmUDYOJaq7O28FCzD7QKQykrW9ywrLhXHrAFDFBYFa_c1YupsFKdTWnWsxFbITelbPuEOb-0AgUf17AS0DZwnL7c-TIfILkL0/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZECqXweSzWI7e8OFmGHTQIKuE83UrXUVO-RTaRi6EOTTmUDYOJaq7O28FCzD7QKQykrW9ywrLhXHrAFDFBYFa_c1YupsFKdTWnWsxFbITelbPuEOb-0AgUf17AS0DZwnL7c-TIfILkL0/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> with Molly, our teacher, sitting on the floor with her dry-erase board beginning our instructions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Learning a new language doesn't come easy to me... I've made attempts to learn Spanish in the past. A few years ago Bill & I enrolled in an Enforex school in Seville, Spain, attending class 5 hours a day, 5 days a week for 2 months. I didn't get very far in class, but sure had a great time in Seville.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While the going for me is still very slow, this time is different. There are plenty of English speaking folks here, but most of the shop keepers speak limited English and we have lots of opportunities to talk with local people who speak no English at all. The incentive to learn just to be able to communicate is really strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started lessons back in November with classes held once a week. Molly also taught an English class to folks who spoke only Spanish. She invited our class to sit in on those classes, and we not only benefited from the language lessons but established some new friendships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of those students were artisans who work the tianguis (street markets) during the winter months, and after a few weeks, fewer and fewer attended class as they were busy selling their jewelry and other artwork at nearby towns.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh53O6QrrfQFQeWZuopk3bQgLttbjTO4ETkOjYw8e6Kqxz0SsSuw-ciFioBg2FXRBlMAL18QHczZN0bSbeWPIUihRwszzg1hgRrjyZDkEmaf3-hzV6JXHG1I_veoVuK3trMVJ3HqZHboY/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh53O6QrrfQFQeWZuopk3bQgLttbjTO4ETkOjYw8e6Kqxz0SsSuw-ciFioBg2FXRBlMAL18QHczZN0bSbeWPIUihRwszzg1hgRrjyZDkEmaf3-hzV6JXHG1I_veoVuK3trMVJ3HqZHboY/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Molly rearranged the "classroom"... hanging the chalk board on the wall where she was able to better direct her attention to all of us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav_ns0eF3usjYwoQ_k-lykknKrDqiNPOPueLGhclcPNdgTmkPJI2l4571YbFKiVhwWyaB_YKfhWHuASuWqEr4iXqSOThcXHp91nbA-xrDnQr5v7tcyHPDpA4bRDpqm8IA8XcBeICInz4/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav_ns0eF3usjYwoQ_k-lykknKrDqiNPOPueLGhclcPNdgTmkPJI2l4571YbFKiVhwWyaB_YKfhWHuASuWqEr4iXqSOThcXHp91nbA-xrDnQr5v7tcyHPDpA4bRDpqm8IA8XcBeICInz4/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Molly's lessons aren't just learning to conjugate verbs... yeah, we're learning when (and how) to use "soy" and "estoy", but often we'll spend half the lesson time talking about local expressions, about words we've heard or the such.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Molly decided to discontinue the English lessons for the time being... and we asked if she'd consider teaching the Spanish class twice a week. So now lessons are on Wednesdays and Fridays... they're supposed to be an hour or 1.5 hours, but often run into 2 hour classes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RyVzLZ-nB3zUQsyjUrJhoaKl-2Z3wQmX98OK6lT0ZfqX5J5WbpUeNIk6IFc98TK4oAAjRoyETfMPEodzRc_9xcO__tTri8kG7utNkN5t1kAlBbjEXGE2pI27biUAB424CbmDPZfI3OU/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RyVzLZ-nB3zUQsyjUrJhoaKl-2Z3wQmX98OK6lT0ZfqX5J5WbpUeNIk6IFc98TK4oAAjRoyETfMPEodzRc_9xcO__tTri8kG7utNkN5t1kAlBbjEXGE2pI27biUAB424CbmDPZfI3OU/s640/1+a.jpg" width="456" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the official song for Nayarit (the state where we live). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have fun trying to sing it when we start each class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We usually have homework, and often it's to do three things...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) Listen for certain words or phrases when out and about (like... Que te vaya bien, which is an expression meaning "Have a good day").</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) Write out 5 sentences using the verb we're learning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) Have a Mexican friend check your sentences for accuracy. (this encourages us to get out and meet the locals).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess I didn't have my sentences checked the other day... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were learning the difference between "I am - (permanent)" and "I am (temporary)", and I used the sentence "I am a happy woman". Well, whatever I wrote, the interpretation was... I was saying I'm a slut. The whole class just cracked up laughing (with me laughing the hardest!).... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's so easy to mispronounce or just plain use the wrong word, and, boy! can it backfire on you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I look forward to each class... I may be a slow learner, but I'm sure having fun along the way!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-72626345963784124852017-01-15T12:44:00.000-06:002017-01-15T12:44:14.347-06:00Great Family Time...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Bill and I have 4 kids... biologically speaking, 2 daughters are Bill's and I have a son and a daughter. But they are all "our" kids and have been for... oh my gosh... I just looked at the date and today is our 35th anniversary. Our kids live in New York, Ohio, Louisiana and Texas... our grandkids live in Michigan, California, New York and Texas... and there are great-grandkids as well. Our "extended" family are all over the USA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last week, when our daughter and son-in-law who live in New York came here to Mexico for a short visit we were thrilled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were supposed to have a direct flight from NY, but as it happened, the Puerta Vallarta airport closed for several hours and their flight was diverted to Houston to wait for the fuel spill here to be cleaned up. So despite the 3 hour delay, they did arrive safely and we happily began our visit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1-yLyYO2s5u6wEnJB7-ogWiPNOreB70zxg8O-BpBq8lCS1h9b7giZa1Ph0kHRpGjXFdMQxz-zoq1dZLIKif8v1q_0grh3cw2ZI5iKidW0dgdJtCp30yj37rt4ytUieB0LXFDi6VLUDc/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1-yLyYO2s5u6wEnJB7-ogWiPNOreB70zxg8O-BpBq8lCS1h9b7giZa1Ph0kHRpGjXFdMQxz-zoq1dZLIKif8v1q_0grh3cw2ZI5iKidW0dgdJtCp30yj37rt4ytUieB0LXFDi6VLUDc/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Glenn and Donna </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We wanted them to see our new home, but we also wanted them to see the things that we like here so much. Walking to the beach in the sun and wading in the Pacific Ocean is part of what we like so much.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6epFNX6V8WJv8RCKzOy9CKn2UhgIxtsap0f5rOAmyqcp2rttRvxX3pU_XAAHxcioSzGYkeXXQlSCwwl8meLWIBWEuQyxPnIwj4bCGwa3KD-IAIOcSFIRbna4QKK3o-77ZOGmj8Nnun9A/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6epFNX6V8WJv8RCKzOy9CKn2UhgIxtsap0f5rOAmyqcp2rttRvxX3pU_XAAHxcioSzGYkeXXQlSCwwl8meLWIBWEuQyxPnIwj4bCGwa3KD-IAIOcSFIRbna4QKK3o-77ZOGmj8Nnun9A/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's Bill, taking a photo... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt148azy2YdytZlz4U3dxcplK4fEj18fc616_6-jgc4XHVFMV-i5dST8WK5AXTwoizPYATaG6IVksBTwiNM8gFhbwbT6UVwhjlmouOltcT4sg9U28LYeSVHADwwigBsDfvfG92NijTkc/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt148azy2YdytZlz4U3dxcplK4fEj18fc616_6-jgc4XHVFMV-i5dST8WK5AXTwoizPYATaG6IVksBTwiNM8gFhbwbT6UVwhjlmouOltcT4sg9U28LYeSVHADwwigBsDfvfG92NijTkc/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My Leica camera broke a month or so ago. I ordered a new Nikon on Amazon, had it sent to Donna, and she brought it along with her this trip. Donna took this picture of a whale, rising out of the water way off in the distance. We stood on the beach and watched the whales coming out of the water and of them blowing water way high in the air. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We went to the Tianguis (street market) both in the nearby town of Sayulita and in our own town of Lo de Marcos. Donna bought several gifts at the market to take back with her.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxK85_MSCUtPQ5nuD1StyLuGkeg69lf_7ZLUgzuymQ4pFFqZYPOCJdmE3SlhBLVmlWBeP6wHx5yrT5OWm5QejWNNjpAnMd65-CCMFR4k2qknZYQZTHlmzxEkWYz1Q9vcBqypP9GBAlR-Q/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxK85_MSCUtPQ5nuD1StyLuGkeg69lf_7ZLUgzuymQ4pFFqZYPOCJdmE3SlhBLVmlWBeP6wHx5yrT5OWm5QejWNNjpAnMd65-CCMFR4k2qknZYQZTHlmzxEkWYz1Q9vcBqypP9GBAlR-Q/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The town just comes alive at dark... at the plaza these folks were selling Churros (think of a long, skinny funnel cake). There was a long line waiting for them to be made, but it was worth the wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the beach at Sayulita, which is much more popular than Lo de Marcos... the surfing is better and it's more suited for folks who want to be around the tourist attractions. While Bill and I seldom visit this beach, it's a "must see at least once" and of course we took the kids there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">January 6 is the "Three Kings" Day... the day the 3 kings finally got to Jerusalem. It's a religious holiday here in Mexico, celebrated by a Rosca de Reyes cake, which has a small plastic "baby Jesus" embedded in it. Our King's Cake had THREE little baby Jesus's. Tradition has it that whoever finds the infant has to buy the tamales on February 2nd. (Dia de la Candeleria). Donna told us that Evie, our great-granddaughter loves these kind of things, so not only did she take the 3 little figures home to Evie, she also bought her a miniature cake so Evie can find her own.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAn2nLU2fNHOZdDmC20L5b-kmVOmFDi-GZ18jbl6XgCMCK3mxih7fFcdayquzjV5i_GcLQxFai9ydjH80wELcbF3YCSzOLtd0borgJwQI7gz8d_-XjzZyvn4rI-Y8sofOXcE4TDtPKlg/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAn2nLU2fNHOZdDmC20L5b-kmVOmFDi-GZ18jbl6XgCMCK3mxih7fFcdayquzjV5i_GcLQxFai9ydjH80wELcbF3YCSzOLtd0borgJwQI7gz8d_-XjzZyvn4rI-Y8sofOXcE4TDtPKlg/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course we ate out a lot... traditional Mexican foods, but also...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A great meal at an Italian restaurant just outside of town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guys that have the restaurant are only here during the winter months... during the summer they go back to Italy for their business there. The food was excellent!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypsMH6FdbF0haRMPhUmLSh9pp1RI2jS4d-dK1tE5YfDOL4Re1aiRhg1uOABz2G7O176BSo4oDCjHPxWfgUduvgIxyAHsAiUcznd89tDYFld-Q1dApqesBW7aBhj2kl7B-SOcePzQ5BYY/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypsMH6FdbF0haRMPhUmLSh9pp1RI2jS4d-dK1tE5YfDOL4Re1aiRhg1uOABz2G7O176BSo4oDCjHPxWfgUduvgIxyAHsAiUcznd89tDYFld-Q1dApqesBW7aBhj2kl7B-SOcePzQ5BYY/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's Glenn with my favorite dog. Pirate lives up near the plaza and frequently hangs out with us at the bus stop or goes on our Monday walks. Around Thanksgiving he was hit by a car... lost a lot of weight and looked like he was a death's door. His owners feed and take care of him, but I thought he needed something extra so often give him chicken and rice. Of course he made right up with the kids... he's everyone's friend. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-_OjtIKiVHt3bB2dZ3LutRpACtJsRPVjUHHGPJKTMsMVPKdcA84StNAKGI0U1GyPXlJ2vpdJRxmtAMVu815bdNR-L-2VaJhuqyhdwLLKwCUSC3MxL-q5j8CEzU1j-YkNiVOs_TYB9t4/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-_OjtIKiVHt3bB2dZ3LutRpACtJsRPVjUHHGPJKTMsMVPKdcA84StNAKGI0U1GyPXlJ2vpdJRxmtAMVu815bdNR-L-2VaJhuqyhdwLLKwCUSC3MxL-q5j8CEzU1j-YkNiVOs_TYB9t4/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's my kid!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it great to see that your kids can enjoy life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(and, yes, she's a Grandmother... but a kid at heart!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqvU0NSTSed6R3JFZ1uCA_9bOIRZVuAg0pFejgivKqQ0tpa37fynyvnjRjVYuJPgrinMp9m_A-QUSAglpyhMoGPk2YtR1maB04JmxQ2KEZPX1cjgeUGr7kkWsliKcU9bhFRVOJz6f8I4/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqvU0NSTSed6R3JFZ1uCA_9bOIRZVuAg0pFejgivKqQ0tpa37fynyvnjRjVYuJPgrinMp9m_A-QUSAglpyhMoGPk2YtR1maB04JmxQ2KEZPX1cjgeUGr7kkWsliKcU9bhFRVOJz6f8I4/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Too soon it was time for them to go back to New York...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had 3 full days together, and we really made the most of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spent most of the time in our own little town and still didn't see and do all the things we wanted to. One thing... Bill & I are taking Spanish lessons, and the kids went with us to class on Friday. Truth is, Glenn conversed in Spanish better than us! His high school Spanish came right back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did have a wonderful time... it just passed all too quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They are back in NY now... maybe the other kids and their families will be next!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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<br />The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-79030067222589274972016-12-30T13:44:00.001-06:002016-12-30T13:47:00.908-06:00Last Post of the Year....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We've lived here in our house at Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, Mexico almost 3 months already and the days just fly by. I don't think I mentioned in a previous post that my Leica camera broke last month and I've been using my "back-up" Canon Powershot. It's a good camera but is difficult for me to use because it doesn't have a view finder.... locating anything in that flat screen thingy is just by chance. So I don't take very many photos these days. Well... I take photos but I'm lucky if I even get my subject in the shot. But that will all change... next week our daughter and son-in-law from New York will arrive for a visit... and they are bringing a new camera for me. I'm thrilled they are coming to visit and the camera will be a bit of icing on the cake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The contractor and his crew left a few weeks ago, but there's still work to be done. Bill works some each day on things... like installing a light above the place I use my laptop, painting things, organizing his workshop, and stuff I don't even know about. We go to Spanish lessons twice a week. We both spend a lot of time studying... Bill's much further along than me, but I love it when I actually understand parts of a conversation and can say a few words.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA8lAoAkD7ggtfSUmLL8if_w65TDDk-x-yF8UDBKmvyjb5__8hWhBsLHsALYCVp1vSPsit2jvXsKr4eGJmmUtaneTJdqHvMUx9AIiu64wbDdMShYWvFEeFJvPolVWdLMFuhgHjONKiVM/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA8lAoAkD7ggtfSUmLL8if_w65TDDk-x-yF8UDBKmvyjb5__8hWhBsLHsALYCVp1vSPsit2jvXsKr4eGJmmUtaneTJdqHvMUx9AIiu64wbDdMShYWvFEeFJvPolVWdLMFuhgHjONKiVM/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't he beautiful? This young Broad-billed Hummingbird comes to our feeders several times a day. I keep trying to capture the iridescent colors on his breast. A mature male will have a totally green/blue front.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zjYX8_RmOrSe869IWvnUK80ogxXeo0jtVCj_Pi54WtBEQrZdQGNkNTEd5p3lcIj7U9WzG-b9Ak8ylLSUuytS-zmsgg3wh1kA7H-TlPPMcmwLdm0gvJcWRylIh0uSn_o6jaeI13s2LJc/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zjYX8_RmOrSe869IWvnUK80ogxXeo0jtVCj_Pi54WtBEQrZdQGNkNTEd5p3lcIj7U9WzG-b9Ak8ylLSUuytS-zmsgg3wh1kA7H-TlPPMcmwLdm0gvJcWRylIh0uSn_o6jaeI13s2LJc/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Can you guess what species this guy is? He's a Cinnamon Hummingbird. He arrived before any other species and has already claimed all 5 feeders in the yard. When not chasing any interlopers away he can usually be seen on this tiny perch in a tree just in front of the veranda.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2KJEmFvwSrW8xz5uQ-WgluDcke677yRX3LOKd8aJrtOB3lPeIDLviotkg7yY5pvy-3tuG4GqJxK5j47ynU_DchxLrpHLAGGDXBrqI9Ya8ATIQ28dPgxJl9tdQ0Il7xL6x-gHHzcF5Ro/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2KJEmFvwSrW8xz5uQ-WgluDcke677yRX3LOKd8aJrtOB3lPeIDLviotkg7yY5pvy-3tuG4GqJxK5j47ynU_DchxLrpHLAGGDXBrqI9Ya8ATIQ28dPgxJl9tdQ0Il7xL6x-gHHzcF5Ro/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We have 2 red hibiscus plants... one fairly large and one we just bought. The blooms open up in the morning, close in the evening... then drop off... only bloom for 1 day. The flowers are quite large... 6"or more across.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR-Bb1l0KCtUszPCrUUYKSmDQs2ZVA2jqOlnplK3roHggWAdiC7lqLqd4SEttOGnWdSpX5mtR52UhSk31sReCmG7ApFotl6P5FJi0a6jq_SCDta7ln05k43iiKb57SbJcdgb09Ui_h9w/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR-Bb1l0KCtUszPCrUUYKSmDQs2ZVA2jqOlnplK3roHggWAdiC7lqLqd4SEttOGnWdSpX5mtR52UhSk31sReCmG7ApFotl6P5FJi0a6jq_SCDta7ln05k43iiKb57SbJcdgb09Ui_h9w/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When walking along the River Road the other day I saw some splashing going on across the river. I could see color, and thought these were Painted Buntings. I couldn't see well enough what the camera was catching, but when I got home and downloaded my memory card, I saw that these were about a half dozen Striped-back Orioles taking a bath. While not a very good photo, I really liked it because it looks almost like a watercolor painting.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEonSdIj41rgtGCit_SDTztgIZHGdnoI_FrnoaU8NWkAloyeeVwSQC2mDd9f_O0aoIkNt1yny-dvDohvTG-9zVvlwZsx83YIE0VUHN9IM39k5L2CFm6z27Ot1kJFC6bg8zh516IFg75zE/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEonSdIj41rgtGCit_SDTztgIZHGdnoI_FrnoaU8NWkAloyeeVwSQC2mDd9f_O0aoIkNt1yny-dvDohvTG-9zVvlwZsx83YIE0VUHN9IM39k5L2CFm6z27Ot1kJFC6bg8zh516IFg75zE/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been hoping that the fountain we put in our yard would attract birds... and finally this beautiful female Bunting flew in and spent about a half hour at the fountain one day last week. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f_Gp9iCTHZwZW5T4WFJekBK5uU-6OaUPS-morDhlskHAcILdATfvUlJSokFND3aV0STVFcpLrW30UAUjaHXMADS9sQT1kwy_sjQLgbz__XV5XM0W1Y3EyBJlIA_LOx5BLnYvR5r6Ghk/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f_Gp9iCTHZwZW5T4WFJekBK5uU-6OaUPS-morDhlskHAcILdATfvUlJSokFND3aV0STVFcpLrW30UAUjaHXMADS9sQT1kwy_sjQLgbz__XV5XM0W1Y3EyBJlIA_LOx5BLnYvR5r6Ghk/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I believe this is one of the "Sisters", but those spots are definitely yellow-orange with not even a hint of red. I'll look it up later...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxfpXECfCnUWNYuGkrAy5oZ-Rto7Uq5rO1UPmkDcpho7LEvxCP13lDpr-i5wXFJKF22E7SAnv_JlC2gPTYgn8XgG9l1PBqMXK2vwbng9N-J5cRWK5L1Y8QYs0nhN_sWucTSVL_5eWIIU/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxfpXECfCnUWNYuGkrAy5oZ-Rto7Uq5rO1UPmkDcpho7LEvxCP13lDpr-i5wXFJKF22E7SAnv_JlC2gPTYgn8XgG9l1PBqMXK2vwbng9N-J5cRWK5L1Y8QYs0nhN_sWucTSVL_5eWIIU/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> These guys are harvesting coconuts. There really is a man way up in that tree using his machete to hack loose bunches of coconuts. Coconut milk is a very popular drink at roadside markets, on the beach and from street vendors. They just slice off one end, insert a straw and there you are! A drink with it's own disposable container.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliFprIYKbdpYOwZc8G9UZskrdlxiwyplwJjSVD-NM3pKBKq8csu1HxDgjjsBOpKWYLzvies8rUHXLHQeOIWhh4vs8Ya2XtEwAiL-Q2m3rJ0JmtngtO7oJCKWkYQp6W1EA9b3yiaj_Q0U/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliFprIYKbdpYOwZc8G9UZskrdlxiwyplwJjSVD-NM3pKBKq8csu1HxDgjjsBOpKWYLzvies8rUHXLHQeOIWhh4vs8Ya2XtEwAiL-Q2m3rJ0JmtngtO7oJCKWkYQp6W1EA9b3yiaj_Q0U/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Malachite butterfly was on my "must see" list for years. They don't live in the USA (maybe sometimes wander into the very south of Texas) and I finally saw them in Mexico over 10 years ago. We had them in our yard when we stayed in Costa Rica, and now they visit us here in Lo de Marcos. I find it interesting that butterflies, as beautiful as they are, love things like old fruit, piles of horse manure, yucky mud puddles and other really gross things.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKQXOUQEwX9lNoCQnPE8syx_oSDrSQzjrBjZVqr9dGkZemNotBVsEdXO3CHYnjrDTNCn-5n6CpIxZzAFgFrLp7dU4UJViye8cctG1Sv-IyZTgc-I_ynYXUaIYqGsHrqaCwVEoqO8BZ5c/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKQXOUQEwX9lNoCQnPE8syx_oSDrSQzjrBjZVqr9dGkZemNotBVsEdXO3CHYnjrDTNCn-5n6CpIxZzAFgFrLp7dU4UJViye8cctG1Sv-IyZTgc-I_ynYXUaIYqGsHrqaCwVEoqO8BZ5c/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Speaking of liking old fruit.... this Casique is having lunch on a banana from one of our trees. As we expected (but hoped wouldn't happen)... the whole bunch (50+) of bananas all ripened the same day. And, as I wrote, I totally dislike bananas, Bill ate his fill, and we gave away all we could. So, even the birds and butterflies enjoyed our crop.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWp7_A46nHtsPHzqZwPP7yIo1464DxQLaD-mL5R6EfD3N3FuIumY8VsopmWECMSuByR2FkMTs2KdMv9H1olGbXwL7VozjxRnUiAGTdJjkrBbWrXjgRAP_dgnsFE9joiVjCaKpQsA-gkw/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWp7_A46nHtsPHzqZwPP7yIo1464DxQLaD-mL5R6EfD3N3FuIumY8VsopmWECMSuByR2FkMTs2KdMv9H1olGbXwL7VozjxRnUiAGTdJjkrBbWrXjgRAP_dgnsFE9joiVjCaKpQsA-gkw/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We closed on our house back in July. But, as is the norm in Mexico, we didn't get our deed and title then. Finally, December 24th, Armando (left) and Robert (right) were contacted by the Notario (lawyer) that our paperwork was complete. They picked it up and I just had to take this photo of them presenting it to Bill. Yeah! Now we're the official owners!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now our quiet little town is hoppin'! While we're not the resort towns that Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita are, (I counted 12 tour buses waiting on the road leading up to Sayulita the other day), the beach and hotels here are crowded with folks from Christmas through New Years. Most of the tourists here are Mexicans who live in big cities like Guadalajara and the like... some actually have homes here that they only stay in a couple times a year... some just take their vacation and rent hotel rooms or bungalows. But come this coming Monday it will all be quiet again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This man probably has a trail ride lined up... maybe a ride along the beach or up into the jungle into the mountains. We might do that one of these days... But for now... this is...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXfgZyCH5WI7LYqNpJernBYTgbBftdPFSvczdrfdjCHGqouZU1GnzBpy6hrUDT45BGJzRrBF2iCtPt8zbQIfUHZ_dtoosFrXXSQTtvIuCRzry1ARB26EEsm2C1mLNh8sH5e2pHEOm2ag/s1600/1+z4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXfgZyCH5WI7LYqNpJernBYTgbBftdPFSvczdrfdjCHGqouZU1GnzBpy6hrUDT45BGJzRrBF2iCtPt8zbQIfUHZ_dtoosFrXXSQTtvIuCRzry1ARB26EEsm2C1mLNh8sH5e2pHEOm2ag/s640/1+z4.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-724570100418875662016-12-17T10:11:00.000-06:002016-12-17T10:11:31.333-06:00Everyone Loves A Parade!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The annual Christmas Parade here in Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, Mexico, is a highlight of the year. It is organized by the <i>Lo de Marcos Amigos</i>, a group comprised of Snowbirds (winter residents), year-round Canadian and US residents, and local Mexican residents. The parade was this past Thursday.... it started at the Oxxo station at the edge of town on Rt 200, traveled up the main street and ended at the plaza. Lots of photos... with short explanations below each...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJo874B7FNVIaLwuD4h4lU8RYmUfGSaklH4HyNUThl8erAsIrjt18q1nitawRapxNnpayL71baC2aR7LZY61ZyMXanpQHUIQ2eTkfTG2875-I7QWuiPcU8AaVFJjZhFqEI0vhN9mICHc/s1600/1+aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJo874B7FNVIaLwuD4h4lU8RYmUfGSaklH4HyNUThl8erAsIrjt18q1nitawRapxNnpayL71baC2aR7LZY61ZyMXanpQHUIQ2eTkfTG2875-I7QWuiPcU8AaVFJjZhFqEI0vhN9mICHc/s640/1+aa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Parade Begins!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of music... lots of colorful clothing and decorations!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you didn't already have the Christmas Spirit, this will certainly give it to you.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeQjp-aUC3m_D34OJwid6WMpiP0Up1DZ_ccDnk1OJ9JTX37aCpag-cEFLXLKzhj0M2aWWHex6W-rzLDvNW_1PSEWhyphenhyphenAltaRRkTp_SawO6L-fPBLXXNIHmlJrTAEQuF6tNdg5QFFK5bDg/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeQjp-aUC3m_D34OJwid6WMpiP0Up1DZ_ccDnk1OJ9JTX37aCpag-cEFLXLKzhj0M2aWWHex6W-rzLDvNW_1PSEWhyphenhyphenAltaRRkTp_SawO6L-fPBLXXNIHmlJrTAEQuF6tNdg5QFFK5bDg/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This group of children danced and sang all the way down the street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of the floats further back had folks throwing candy to the crowds. I bet these kids were happy they were the first group so they could run back and get candy after they finished at the plaza!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0luoYViSPTB_FF6s7FG-i6tCpSP1g-jxDd77202cGquR4cVy-6weqmbUbdP6b-gGoIL5KqGpj1sKmMIVeCQrngeLYE7emqoyhXRY36Tf9kUTOCGvhLcv295y-uzc2NPH8J6VT04jbPs/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0luoYViSPTB_FF6s7FG-i6tCpSP1g-jxDd77202cGquR4cVy-6weqmbUbdP6b-gGoIL5KqGpj1sKmMIVeCQrngeLYE7emqoyhXRY36Tf9kUTOCGvhLcv295y-uzc2NPH8J6VT04jbPs/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little cowboy is riding his Shetland Pony along side the kids dancing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDIxLccac3yvtyjAcJg4rb1ui-aueS8IXpK88t2NmzX4i9EUHnVbSwjDd5jtWhXA2S1FN1GB8e3x1Gafr2ikxTgcnOvB4hUEvFVIsd2-qly7l0ytoO8LRXuqUYxSZv_A7S6HDrEh_UY8/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDIxLccac3yvtyjAcJg4rb1ui-aueS8IXpK88t2NmzX4i9EUHnVbSwjDd5jtWhXA2S1FN1GB8e3x1Gafr2ikxTgcnOvB4hUEvFVIsd2-qly7l0ytoO8LRXuqUYxSZv_A7S6HDrEh_UY8/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the back of the cab, it looks like a Princess and Prince.... along with the teen controlling the music and the elf throwing candy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q8-jPF5G0e6Y5Yfz5xZcNmYh2MIfLdc7YrbBye0eJMqxIHNdDVhWkady7rENrPN1VqLlB0pLBxyDEaUUc8j8q3Ono9UKDdmhVzUQwN4NZlC3j-aw4B84rUYXjHpyGB34FeJe6CEViRk/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q8-jPF5G0e6Y5Yfz5xZcNmYh2MIfLdc7YrbBye0eJMqxIHNdDVhWkady7rENrPN1VqLlB0pLBxyDEaUUc8j8q3Ono9UKDdmhVzUQwN4NZlC3j-aw4B84rUYXjHpyGB34FeJe6CEViRk/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah Yes... the dancers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They sure could rock to the Christmas Music!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqWpUU3QOimV1VT0DE9TrS_0bWrlqp4QoPVfh1geosb9fPXIeWT1mxqucuepl9xHHic_XRd8ubDgRq0V_5qRT4mSUCuVnH8l9VpGkzJN_e-IMYAy4t1rDXQkJiXAsj7kIWx1So9sADCs/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqWpUU3QOimV1VT0DE9TrS_0bWrlqp4QoPVfh1geosb9fPXIeWT1mxqucuepl9xHHic_XRd8ubDgRq0V_5qRT4mSUCuVnH8l9VpGkzJN_e-IMYAy4t1rDXQkJiXAsj7kIWx1So9sADCs/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More of the kids...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSWUyli9keXHOoMvnCx8M9jkNr2EjuSzZPT1F-vZ1jCCNGSrC0HZghWLun7lriFsOWzCqhRsIVYtEyeU-J02-7Ml6VXYTAq3ICgYglsuePEo1UjPd83RmCbZbOCqDD_NXbZZAg1e6rnI/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSWUyli9keXHOoMvnCx8M9jkNr2EjuSzZPT1F-vZ1jCCNGSrC0HZghWLun7lriFsOWzCqhRsIVYtEyeU-J02-7Ml6VXYTAq3ICgYglsuePEo1UjPd83RmCbZbOCqDD_NXbZZAg1e6rnI/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of folks here have golf carts to get around town. They really decorate them great for the Christmas parade!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjgMFPeepasT0vHGf8FCAMkqhLOtnUbNnxh7Vugcu7wfxDGpwKFFUbUiQSVDpEeOReQGujVOz9nzo0A6h2fRtUBnRLtC9ITeive5CN8Ovt_iE8oJr5YRol1hmqFfpVA11XZyhvyneEeM/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjgMFPeepasT0vHGf8FCAMkqhLOtnUbNnxh7Vugcu7wfxDGpwKFFUbUiQSVDpEeOReQGujVOz9nzo0A6h2fRtUBnRLtC9ITeive5CN8Ovt_iE8oJr5YRol1hmqFfpVA11XZyhvyneEeM/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids on the left are picking up wrapped candy...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigumJGrgIUD9XFLuIqVC5xD6mWYFi6W0r9W9p-qK4doUZPLxMv8UwIDl3X8Q3qPqfHuaiqLEZblT9QpYwPsnhhQ7g0wrwtCZZ0DO_u0ti2BTV73xY03o9l3g7Qz3VZyfEr3-Ktbxfd4yw/s1600/1+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigumJGrgIUD9XFLuIqVC5xD6mWYFi6W0r9W9p-qK4doUZPLxMv8UwIDl3X8Q3qPqfHuaiqLEZblT9QpYwPsnhhQ7g0wrwtCZZ0DO_u0ti2BTV73xY03o9l3g7Qz3VZyfEr3-Ktbxfd4yw/s640/1+i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everything here is so colorful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The parade started around 4:00 pm.... you can tell White Christmases are never gonna happen here!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF8a1D5TuVUsl0GJsEtZFbahBw9HSAgfDZQnWBBNXMT0lkEw4MulBIntUb4bmnI86oCYekHbdpR9V6li3G_klwUac5suJRhAgDQ8eaXFoMzpvcAumiBYtnZHCukg8MQVXTUec-NNd7ts/s1600/1+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF8a1D5TuVUsl0GJsEtZFbahBw9HSAgfDZQnWBBNXMT0lkEw4MulBIntUb4bmnI86oCYekHbdpR9V6li3G_klwUac5suJRhAgDQ8eaXFoMzpvcAumiBYtnZHCukg8MQVXTUec-NNd7ts/s640/1+j.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That looks like a parrot to me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that little kid looks like he's having a fun chat...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5pW6d9wgRGBZHlxMJZmCEb9aESPIwMoqUoyjd4EnG0-iEy9vqRD3vUfSdX0mfial3D9HMpgqog6XgxGqn64UCW6LWFpld5rzJCRMwNM5Yq5lL4NoS0SMp1fCfIEE1XgKPNj7_cEXxm8/s1600/1+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5pW6d9wgRGBZHlxMJZmCEb9aESPIwMoqUoyjd4EnG0-iEy9vqRD3vUfSdX0mfial3D9HMpgqog6XgxGqn64UCW6LWFpld5rzJCRMwNM5Yq5lL4NoS0SMp1fCfIEE1XgKPNj7_cEXxm8/s640/1+k.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Merlin on the left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He had a good time teasing the kids and pretending to perform magic.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lZcRUzc0INmQebB8svLhlHuBXBGHfmpnG4RMUyXR_-bT1OxzgQqXQHbSeQtf_yNeg3t-xu72JtGAKwUZjtEN6Ou-ayLMiX_FCUrKbAuK3-Qqf8TW38x2eQJSp-iILQdB5dip_bhj8iI/s1600/1+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lZcRUzc0INmQebB8svLhlHuBXBGHfmpnG4RMUyXR_-bT1OxzgQqXQHbSeQtf_yNeg3t-xu72JtGAKwUZjtEN6Ou-ayLMiX_FCUrKbAuK3-Qqf8TW38x2eQJSp-iILQdB5dip_bhj8iI/s640/1+l.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think that might be a Christmas tree? Or maybe a birthday cake? I really don't know, but it was colorful and fit right in with the festivities!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjina4bCuI2fztKMzgHdrHc-eEyETZ5lrREu1ba65HcXAZJaz6ExH_5yae2TD8qHNSmMXFdJqXdzBKyLX_lDDKrUtOwEXOPRdQO9R70ZfwIQ8dJYWexo85bEdc2tsnwKWRnAA3ydV35uV8/s1600/1+m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjina4bCuI2fztKMzgHdrHc-eEyETZ5lrREu1ba65HcXAZJaz6ExH_5yae2TD8qHNSmMXFdJqXdzBKyLX_lDDKrUtOwEXOPRdQO9R70ZfwIQ8dJYWexo85bEdc2tsnwKWRnAA3ydV35uV8/s640/1+m.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's Frank, the guy who rented our house last year before we bought it. I told him later that he'd be just perfect for the Rose Bowl Parade. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX-MhdhEbwcthD-73TeBFLWPWsZppJe5NBXMOuaNXyAxRUDH7W74pmzLurfiv1cgeuq55x2FHcXfFUydmwqCWi1T7_GIS3-CBX8Mse2Br14_bHBlxrV_5CMU7WiIai-DIAGux0Cn6JiM/s1600/1+n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX-MhdhEbwcthD-73TeBFLWPWsZppJe5NBXMOuaNXyAxRUDH7W74pmzLurfiv1cgeuq55x2FHcXfFUydmwqCWi1T7_GIS3-CBX8Mse2Br14_bHBlxrV_5CMU7WiIai-DIAGux0Cn6JiM/s640/1+n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another golf cart... I believe that that's the Queen he's got in the back.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjARmMO5rS0rHKCSYD_Zhbr_RiW9QriRJ5Xfh4LsIo19PA3ntRRNKxNRsSy2bqVWfrrfTQeqmGTj5D6sZFo7VXrnKb7k5pDyEdtCkDq2IdO-x_sUNcGRS9hC4JvX_uAYubcrK6oEGbYU/s1600/1+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjARmMO5rS0rHKCSYD_Zhbr_RiW9QriRJ5Xfh4LsIo19PA3ntRRNKxNRsSy2bqVWfrrfTQeqmGTj5D6sZFo7VXrnKb7k5pDyEdtCkDq2IdO-x_sUNcGRS9hC4JvX_uAYubcrK6oEGbYU/s640/1+o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah.... the horses </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There'll be more as the parade progresses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I'll tell you... the saddles these guys have are something else!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hand tooled leather... lots (and I mean LOTS) of silver.... really beautiful!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgiNpwp9Cchs4-c-PiWTvNgvMkNAH6raCJXN2yR6qWrpEOU1Frok-GYM-jVKm6h6UWWhiCJaE1uHmAQTO00swi_H_ur1rq6AUb9VPbujCe89cJdEW2IqACmuif9TxaA5yhx89NUrG19w/s1600/1+p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgiNpwp9Cchs4-c-PiWTvNgvMkNAH6raCJXN2yR6qWrpEOU1Frok-GYM-jVKm6h6UWWhiCJaE1uHmAQTO00swi_H_ur1rq6AUb9VPbujCe89cJdEW2IqACmuif9TxaA5yhx89NUrG19w/s640/1+p.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes... that's the queen of the parade...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYrpfEKTSngyK24IjMrnjPWWNjQ3uEioqjoedqW5YA3HQayyYxG3eERO-NxSeK7CYP8gT6VIKnasdUUjcvpoSd8XXjv3HSeSKhnbQOY_v2ZtWdjn0bvC3otj02yN7l2dHExUNl7Q2NXQ/s1600/1+q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYrpfEKTSngyK24IjMrnjPWWNjQ3uEioqjoedqW5YA3HQayyYxG3eERO-NxSeK7CYP8gT6VIKnasdUUjcvpoSd8XXjv3HSeSKhnbQOY_v2ZtWdjn0bvC3otj02yN7l2dHExUNl7Q2NXQ/s640/1+q.jpg" width="608" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And some little princesses!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WmjF67N5bG6HwcuQA3rGcgqRNtGzaQebGNvwaS1NWyTyc0-SjhOq5WKnxc-YyouzPD-rDWjnq9j0sM6c3s5pwEVrtJWHZV0t77VH8VFqe_go98bncEFsRoZXvZ7GJ6r6ER0fgsZCme8/s1600/1+r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WmjF67N5bG6HwcuQA3rGcgqRNtGzaQebGNvwaS1NWyTyc0-SjhOq5WKnxc-YyouzPD-rDWjnq9j0sM6c3s5pwEVrtJWHZV0t77VH8VFqe_go98bncEFsRoZXvZ7GJ6r6ER0fgsZCme8/s640/1+r.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some balloons got loose from a float..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But they won't go to waste.... these little guys will grab them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqofVgnX1kLfZGps8g0_NjYuawTzq1llz2jMiqTlgPO5D8OjBacreH6R4017E1c2LoXqZcUpGalS0tu8OCspwXCsVtrR8cLwMNNQhnR8khm5UJ8ADYIReyiVjbddLSJbmC-Ckkf3UY04/s1600/1+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqofVgnX1kLfZGps8g0_NjYuawTzq1llz2jMiqTlgPO5D8OjBacreH6R4017E1c2LoXqZcUpGalS0tu8OCspwXCsVtrR8cLwMNNQhnR8khm5UJ8ADYIReyiVjbddLSJbmC-Ckkf3UY04/s640/1+s.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A really lovely Christmas Tree!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk9ctSLspghAIC0gfN7xRbKRTLxrwzmJmHvhV1aeXanZoYoUNzMStyAl1w7mVUpA6RQA1J7xx6_EAdBZhmJLr-SQbMbWIQUmRoLEn6g-zcko7S1Gwctt9hxIZInjRhyUP835tAgWIcrg/s1600/1+t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk9ctSLspghAIC0gfN7xRbKRTLxrwzmJmHvhV1aeXanZoYoUNzMStyAl1w7mVUpA6RQA1J7xx6_EAdBZhmJLr-SQbMbWIQUmRoLEn6g-zcko7S1Gwctt9hxIZInjRhyUP835tAgWIcrg/s640/1+t.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know what make this vintage automobile is, but it's all decked out for Christmas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvDD2_wReh63_E1mHQ5UFELRsPi7JzHLkeiVZCYPif2V3cA9ZszwpLyq8xbi5sqxtRgm5ugmvbGkjALYcAwVqueGU-aWVHEiU7lfhzdQoWtER98oCgvwEux0PQoesTVN6AZTMldMfYeA/s1600/1+u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvDD2_wReh63_E1mHQ5UFELRsPi7JzHLkeiVZCYPif2V3cA9ZszwpLyq8xbi5sqxtRgm5ugmvbGkjALYcAwVqueGU-aWVHEiU7lfhzdQoWtER98oCgvwEux0PQoesTVN6AZTMldMfYeA/s640/1+u.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't you just love the expression on this little girl's face?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fyTuXNrfEiN0T3ix7Qb0sZn1bEneFRL9m15DLeK10ZYWeYag5bQbDGr8S4P5g2vvG-jh1_PWgPch8KGbVxvYDXw_cD79Up70VuZTPhCcBnIf5a_DbKlaC88IcyQ-2g1aPKByz3HR6U0/s1600/1+w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fyTuXNrfEiN0T3ix7Qb0sZn1bEneFRL9m15DLeK10ZYWeYag5bQbDGr8S4P5g2vvG-jh1_PWgPch8KGbVxvYDXw_cD79Up70VuZTPhCcBnIf5a_DbKlaC88IcyQ-2g1aPKByz3HR6U0/s640/1+w.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one's for my son, Dan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He has one of these 3 wheelers back in Ohio. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHby6KmMRYHchOC9AcbQ4IMK3GLhIRqw20lJoYYzcs-OA8UoJx3znnTQXOmcpndipkjrjDvIlfSJrz_oe_8DGvyQs5cYe-H6v3y-H_Bvlubhl8_1HD0dQSzp11a990x1idIRjEHff-70/s1600/1+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHby6KmMRYHchOC9AcbQ4IMK3GLhIRqw20lJoYYzcs-OA8UoJx3znnTQXOmcpndipkjrjDvIlfSJrz_oe_8DGvyQs5cYe-H6v3y-H_Bvlubhl8_1HD0dQSzp11a990x1idIRjEHff-70/s640/1+x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The band!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't have any information about who they all are or anything else... just know that they play great music... and the horses will start dancing when these guys play the first notes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTJOpOabtBgPGGCOTdVE8giEFtsPHDYmLSu-7Tl_wztzVQ1nDShcELTqnXiNPmSWw3SIzUv4KKwHrREZcXRXSN9AE9EtbBZ-m4zjI5IAZgRBfnifWrdo8NUmyu5G-y-HhzBgV6-g2xEI/s1600/1+y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTJOpOabtBgPGGCOTdVE8giEFtsPHDYmLSu-7Tl_wztzVQ1nDShcELTqnXiNPmSWw3SIzUv4KKwHrREZcXRXSN9AE9EtbBZ-m4zjI5IAZgRBfnifWrdo8NUmyu5G-y-HhzBgV6-g2xEI/s640/1+y.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The horses and riders...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are the Dancing Horses... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've seen them before, but I never tire of watching them perform. And... they never seem to tire of dancing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrf4hHetUbPijtt1VU3YoH2LiFaRnfqrFPgNNPjVccxJpXKWQ4_gyCvAOCF30chSwC8XxfAss_pENiQIFnL8ZBnGczo9mTUtp3A2P8q-DgiXSOMDGsCMsMvFUPF4KqWkku5bbrXYOqSI/s1600/1+z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrf4hHetUbPijtt1VU3YoH2LiFaRnfqrFPgNNPjVccxJpXKWQ4_gyCvAOCF30chSwC8XxfAss_pENiQIFnL8ZBnGczo9mTUtp3A2P8q-DgiXSOMDGsCMsMvFUPF4KqWkku5bbrXYOqSI/s640/1+z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at the mane on that horse!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lovely braid that must take real skill to fix.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8Rw9sNgQTslC5iU-BIRq6B-VGwvzcLf4YrScNQgRxBBHkkxGUZU3FVpIdfWDU33HZ2cUEF6-rpRhp47k7DLo07IIncthJhRcsSslaHk-fxJr8AistZdNzxhmuTMOMG0JVuSGO_226sM/s1600/2+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8Rw9sNgQTslC5iU-BIRq6B-VGwvzcLf4YrScNQgRxBBHkkxGUZU3FVpIdfWDU33HZ2cUEF6-rpRhp47k7DLo07IIncthJhRcsSslaHk-fxJr8AistZdNzxhmuTMOMG0JVuSGO_226sM/s640/2+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, like all Christmas Parades...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Santa Claus and Mrs Claus at the end!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ30pKSiY2lfomUvF98EjPV8OyP9-qJzwt0pQN6-ohcQG-tGD4rfNhKIPffonr5JHU2wEPc4x5CVwyhTpr3z2sxZLXn5oR9CwHil9Q-Zt_JiU479pAu9NsPTbpO2zudZzwfkhzaPkqQ0/s1600/2+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ30pKSiY2lfomUvF98EjPV8OyP9-qJzwt0pQN6-ohcQG-tGD4rfNhKIPffonr5JHU2wEPc4x5CVwyhTpr3z2sxZLXn5oR9CwHil9Q-Zt_JiU479pAu9NsPTbpO2zudZzwfkhzaPkqQ0/s640/2+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We followed the parade down the street... stopped to watch the horses dance some more...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtyCtI8TgIisuy4j6LwJBkM_l6md9jw8CtINhGmtY6Y6bfJRFHRyWCPsMCeYeeC2qOy6zZ1JTlQWwBNtUeS8NrLesw9SOjsv7b7XoI30_vCU2YwuwcpEpy-C5S5jDmdgfRrJIeg5Kmf0/s1600/2+cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtyCtI8TgIisuy4j6LwJBkM_l6md9jw8CtINhGmtY6Y6bfJRFHRyWCPsMCeYeeC2qOy6zZ1JTlQWwBNtUeS8NrLesw9SOjsv7b7XoI30_vCU2YwuwcpEpy-C5S5jDmdgfRrJIeg5Kmf0/s640/2+cc.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Got a sweet smile from this young lady...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She's carrying her "goody bag" to keep the candy in that she collected from the floats.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_vMsbmYPmlWcW81r2k-qO1luzA8uvkUP3-9UAA6OQg8GvkBge1vowI4PPl6gUa6f9Wgg1VNKoiTHFQzAU2dsTTxv__UJae28Py_atGSbhdQy5bRjw7V1PmwoChe8Qdhk0dh5iyuteks/s1600/2+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_vMsbmYPmlWcW81r2k-qO1luzA8uvkUP3-9UAA6OQg8GvkBge1vowI4PPl6gUa6f9Wgg1VNKoiTHFQzAU2dsTTxv__UJae28Py_atGSbhdQy5bRjw7V1PmwoChe8Qdhk0dh5iyuteks/s640/2+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked around the Plaza... more festivities there...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgeNCEblvfg4ogjwQM4EqMRslucFy0xfGuEHawVN1xlIaqAgz9w2pOOmGGSduK0RTi0pgB7D64MKpcE4hrIpqOtG8XSGUQxby8OIaNLVX-BJ2RYtWRsS09Zk4xipaM-Cj57sJ9fUq-kc/s1600/2+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgeNCEblvfg4ogjwQM4EqMRslucFy0xfGuEHawVN1xlIaqAgz9w2pOOmGGSduK0RTi0pgB7D64MKpcE4hrIpqOtG8XSGUQxby8OIaNLVX-BJ2RYtWRsS09Zk4xipaM-Cj57sJ9fUq-kc/s640/2+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These ladies were in the parade... all decked out in traditional folkloric clothing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXfyLdQhN1Fqjp9HuqCPZWgxBdYYZDX2NrkwIHrBKZ1jsfIruub35IP28w4sjHwWXEfCSTPw3ZSvdsQhQaJVMd88Szte1APu0Ox73ae75C841vHuqlHYD4UYsEPCnmVmFadHWTM0M8NY/s1600/2+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXfyLdQhN1Fqjp9HuqCPZWgxBdYYZDX2NrkwIHrBKZ1jsfIruub35IP28w4sjHwWXEfCSTPw3ZSvdsQhQaJVMd88Szte1APu0Ox73ae75C841vHuqlHYD4UYsEPCnmVmFadHWTM0M8NY/s640/2+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well.. what's this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Amigos had bought and wrapped 600 gifts for the kids!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were age and sex appropriate... and there was one for every kid there!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZozjgtI2AGvS2QW13T6_GheRqEeU7w4Df9rhNTRliFRkQSG7NdOljNrqA9-fCRpZVrkUyCPMhtZMUghhqCH5akWWzGYQtZSodkE1XP6zXGxUdz1UWQw1yvfQATtfoGSfD5QXTYHHXcuw/s1600/2+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZozjgtI2AGvS2QW13T6_GheRqEeU7w4Df9rhNTRliFRkQSG7NdOljNrqA9-fCRpZVrkUyCPMhtZMUghhqCH5akWWzGYQtZSodkE1XP6zXGxUdz1UWQw1yvfQATtfoGSfD5QXTYHHXcuw/s640/2+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure what these 2 little guys got, but they were happy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-SvKfOe-F-Cx5Rpgj5SFp2wVCs0LkjyRieqlS0t7-d-2u5-oERw24sfGFeUVPuMiivVPSO5q6jc_meoIVtr5yBa8FZyhn3JqnWL7ruZwPBqp6Z5300q-gl2O_LOFOFCgmZp63cau6Fw/s1600/2+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-SvKfOe-F-Cx5Rpgj5SFp2wVCs0LkjyRieqlS0t7-d-2u5-oERw24sfGFeUVPuMiivVPSO5q6jc_meoIVtr5yBa8FZyhn3JqnWL7ruZwPBqp6Z5300q-gl2O_LOFOFCgmZp63cau6Fw/s640/2+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw a lot of Barbie Dolls... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And a lot of happy kids!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z-DGS8iNPO68YE8PFe_DLBv42YDBIuqHKvatpe9gx0H9z_0aPgpUm6nLmslqWGC-LVMo3SMhOergHwJ9lOtddAMYputhqkLpoePAFOyqEbg18VX77A4CAbZLBDBA1riojPY0P7DRplc/s1600/2+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z-DGS8iNPO68YE8PFe_DLBv42YDBIuqHKvatpe9gx0H9z_0aPgpUm6nLmslqWGC-LVMo3SMhOergHwJ9lOtddAMYputhqkLpoePAFOyqEbg18VX77A4CAbZLBDBA1riojPY0P7DRplc/s640/2+i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked around for a while - did a lot of "people watching", listened to the holiday music and just kind of soaked in the Holiday Spirit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I can honestly say... A Good Time Was Had By All!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All for Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-7832318940361169952016-12-08T15:38:00.000-06:002016-12-08T15:38:34.216-06:00Making Our House Our Home.....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I posted before about the electric and sewer being upgraded. Most of that work is done now except for the final hook-ups, which involve the electric company and the city utilities department. The contractor and his helper worked only 2 weeks total, which, in my mind, seemed real quick, especially for Mexico. There's still a lot of work to be done, like painting, refinishing the floors and ceiling... things that will take a lot more time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But gradually, Bill and I are making our house into OUR home. We bought a dining table and chairs and are in the process of having a matching book shelf made. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year, Bill made friends with Fernando. He's the guy who made new buckles for Bill's sandals. He works with metal and glass.... our bathroom needed a decent mirror... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf_p3-FZG9jvom1E2c0PiZZnozBL2dCZvHgo4BfmNiCjzIKXa0tUq9W1i2b2ufKtWLvdgXfNdnojXKrla7HHmw-Y6TDIlyy4avOmMvy6lOX62gOSZM-a1p6zmDbsYc26Mg7oSPrnH6YU/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf_p3-FZG9jvom1E2c0PiZZnozBL2dCZvHgo4BfmNiCjzIKXa0tUq9W1i2b2ufKtWLvdgXfNdnojXKrla7HHmw-Y6TDIlyy4avOmMvy6lOX62gOSZM-a1p6zmDbsYc26Mg7oSPrnH6YU/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fernando made us not one, but two!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Custom made sizes.... and installed exactly where we needed them. The photo on the left is in the bathroom... the photo on the right is the door leading from our bedroom into the bathroom. I haven't had the luxury of a full-length mirror in years! So long, in fact, that I just groan when I catch my "these days" image as I'm heading into the bathroom. Not sure it was a good idea ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note the towels hanging in the bathroom...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69v0T6mKq4KvFPmUvebJT24V8krL47IVNg5bbRB7GdMeyjq_FSNFeiCz4JviYvP4i0l6B6J5mdCX7uFLNyD9VwOB2sw2dt2lHp_59qAulxXlAXHTzr9_rOfXBYiGAWkiMaQ8eIfQhb2k/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69v0T6mKq4KvFPmUvebJT24V8krL47IVNg5bbRB7GdMeyjq_FSNFeiCz4JviYvP4i0l6B6J5mdCX7uFLNyD9VwOB2sw2dt2lHp_59qAulxXlAXHTzr9_rOfXBYiGAWkiMaQ8eIfQhb2k/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We needed to replace the towels and sheets that came with the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What fun it's been to buy colorful linens! I've got orange and pink and green and blue and yellow towels... and dark orange sheets and a set of light brown! I'm replacing the linens gradually as we have to carry our purchases home on the bus.... a set of towels can be very bulky to carry!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjzurJONEZlA1cBcCYJuDE7Uic6yGPWw47oQ0a8Py01Mt06SDo6V2XHrvGgA5Is7cR-lHlWK2tE2isA8gmY5wp6BJXQ1z8PR13qLc8MyIqeeZac01xc7qELD_3AU0Ak0G4-eYJdQypfY/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjzurJONEZlA1cBcCYJuDE7Uic6yGPWw47oQ0a8Py01Mt06SDo6V2XHrvGgA5Is7cR-lHlWK2tE2isA8gmY5wp6BJXQ1z8PR13qLc8MyIqeeZac01xc7qELD_3AU0Ak0G4-eYJdQypfY/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We haven't done much with the bedroom yet. That's a king size bed, and the bedspread that was here works just fine until I find something I like better. There were no curtains at this window and we really need to replace the curtains on all 7 of the windows in the house. So, until I'm ready to look for the curtain material, we bought this ... well, I think it's a "throw".... or maybe a bedspread? Anyway, it's dark orange and white striped... I have it doubled over on the curtain rod because at night I can look up through that gap below the fringe and see the stars.. Orion is bright and clear these nights!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7A5XjlBc8XmTc-i05cmloS5TsFrTxi2D-gNtnjzxpxwghWUq7cSGjaI8MRAKtYRwbZR3KC6vAtsHXaQ8AAdjVjo39gpTaU7mha06gHEVvcuEtJoxdB-4NXp7NS0JcLUNcy0kXpXFZNw/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7A5XjlBc8XmTc-i05cmloS5TsFrTxi2D-gNtnjzxpxwghWUq7cSGjaI8MRAKtYRwbZR3KC6vAtsHXaQ8AAdjVjo39gpTaU7mha06gHEVvcuEtJoxdB-4NXp7NS0JcLUNcy0kXpXFZNw/s640/1+c.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This area between the sink counter on the left and the kitchen range counter on the right used to house the refrigerator. But the fridge is huge and there was so much wasted space on and in the counters and cupboards on both sides. We moved the fridge to another area and bought this 4 shelf utility stand. It's perfect for the microwave and some of the kitchen stuff I use every day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSTSMk3Q250fzZB1tSVBJFhkLNOusDCfSoiGf2zpgbLSZ-tQYO9-Ih3T1XoJiddnaMGNOCL470aQ5b13TKMblIAB0utyCjUqb00TvjHIZYGMf6-EKxT4Cc1cwz3SBwBG2xWYTkPZ760o/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSTSMk3Q250fzZB1tSVBJFhkLNOusDCfSoiGf2zpgbLSZ-tQYO9-Ih3T1XoJiddnaMGNOCL470aQ5b13TKMblIAB0utyCjUqb00TvjHIZYGMf6-EKxT4Cc1cwz3SBwBG2xWYTkPZ760o/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The couch is built in... concrete base covered with huge cushions. Neither of us really care for the cushions, but that's something else we want to think about before replacing. But we did buy some accent pillows.... traditional regional embroidered covers... so colorful! We bought the hand woven rug to use as a wall hanging..... those are lovely birds woven in the pattern. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of our personal things, like photos, artwork, souvenirs and knick-knacks are in storage in Ohio. At some point we'd like to bring those here to include in this home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's a water cooler at the left.... everyone buys their drinking water in Mexico. Those 5 gallon bottles cost about $1 US, and while some folks put a pump on the bottle, and some folks put the bottle in a metal "hammock-like" contraption that tips, we like having cold drinking water. These coolers are inexpensive and available in many kinds of stores.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The inside of the house is quite comfortable as is, but I'm sure that our personal touch will make it more home-like to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, we went to another garden center.... bought 25 more plants (had bought 28 a few weeks ago) ..... plants to attract birds and butterflies... like Lantana and other colorful flowers and shrubs. The fountain we got at Home Depot is now in its permanent place and there is even an electrical outlet closeby for the pump.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxs3PSZyn53PJzWhMOeVaaD_6_Vu5aaMdc5VhYzmsEuTehmsiYceA2h2vsV8qJ1JmZyIdYcqXZoIcF9jEciunS_j___CUlIU111OBnMSdOkosAKYcW5E7F63QW5c1qaHcjV71y_3n3sQ/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxs3PSZyn53PJzWhMOeVaaD_6_Vu5aaMdc5VhYzmsEuTehmsiYceA2h2vsV8qJ1JmZyIdYcqXZoIcF9jEciunS_j___CUlIU111OBnMSdOkosAKYcW5E7F63QW5c1qaHcjV71y_3n3sQ/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That white patch on the left is a scar on the bricks where there used to be something attached to the wall. Either we'll work on aging the bricks there or maybe the flowers Bill planted will grow tall enough to hide it... At any rate, this isn't the best photo and I'll be showing better ones later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are enjoying making this house into our home.... while shopping has never been much of a thing I liked, it's fun here in Mexico, where colors are vibrant and lively and extravagant does not have to mean expensive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One last photo...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPqQS18JVaaoP9fL9Yoj6ZBk7xN-RD8UKp_yUE-JPl1paeQeHgOmRCFsHVgDs06SSKMFpKxFgdFEjEgkCPxVu5RMpWWKwzsKdXoEJy8u8mpeooywbE4vREsnkrj4RViTY1dPalo5aZEM/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPqQS18JVaaoP9fL9Yoj6ZBk7xN-RD8UKp_yUE-JPl1paeQeHgOmRCFsHVgDs06SSKMFpKxFgdFEjEgkCPxVu5RMpWWKwzsKdXoEJy8u8mpeooywbE4vREsnkrj4RViTY1dPalo5aZEM/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tiny clay Nativity Scene I bought to welcome the Christmas season...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today</span></div>
The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-22565643249603609702016-12-01T09:35:00.000-06:002016-12-01T09:35:06.999-06:00Yes! We have no bananas...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I bet you've heard that old song about the Greek grocer.... well, I've been singing it a lot lately, only changing the words a bit...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBebRcfmq9SiR6lBeSMB7G7NAeNeHV69FU4q3OIWCM2Lo3U4-tUOR_hZiK3m2HmEJ3C10i8qpDDzZz8ZjclMMu_GcbNCyH-ooF-8K_dfwH5WRQ9oh3uScRzjMhcjACQzjqvatw7OSRzk/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBebRcfmq9SiR6lBeSMB7G7NAeNeHV69FU4q3OIWCM2Lo3U4-tUOR_hZiK3m2HmEJ3C10i8qpDDzZz8ZjclMMu_GcbNCyH-ooF-8K_dfwH5WRQ9oh3uScRzjMhcjACQzjqvatw7OSRzk/s640/1a.jpg" width="468" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago the gardener cut off this hand of bananas from one of the "trees" in the back yard. We hung them in one of the arches of the veranda to ripen. I never did count how many bananas there were but there were at least 50. Of course we were hoping they'd ripen a few at a time, maybe the bottom tier first and a week later the next tier.... you know...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrUxnp3i546ABEhhNe0uObFHD5ke7lesDutQNxUlsZ157cIDV4bMWV4dreR6Y2vCVD1_o33wY9mIepzgaMuIujRf4WcBXP05E57TdEsXaXUkueN6Swz3ivLdCICYkNu89kEm0TVyjIO8/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrUxnp3i546ABEhhNe0uObFHD5ke7lesDutQNxUlsZ157cIDV4bMWV4dreR6Y2vCVD1_o33wY9mIepzgaMuIujRf4WcBXP05E57TdEsXaXUkueN6Swz3ivLdCICYkNu89kEm0TVyjIO8/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> At first it looked like that night happen. Those at the bottom did indeed seem to be ripening faster than those above. Actually, they hung in that arch nearly 2 weeks before they even began to turn yellow.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPCOybGxBEdJId_elgqViE0pbNk5YTzwcuRJrSyqWf1NmWWbW0XYDiiQ1OwnTHcHJMw8byxBUONXB9440sW_sy4Xw40QBdrbjBPf65rnRB2r7nhz26l78bATUAXgIaC5MuXbej00SFtw/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPCOybGxBEdJId_elgqViE0pbNk5YTzwcuRJrSyqWf1NmWWbW0XYDiiQ1OwnTHcHJMw8byxBUONXB9440sW_sy4Xw40QBdrbjBPf65rnRB2r7nhz26l78bATUAXgIaC5MuXbej00SFtw/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then.... WHAM! Yes! We have ripe bananas! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They all were yellow overnight!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are a smaller banana than what we usually see in the Ohio grocery stores. Bill likes them a lot, but even he can't eat 50 bananas in a few days. We considered leaving them in folks cars, but we don't know anyone who has a vehicle here. Leaving them on doorsteps doesn't work... like us, most folks have an iron gate in front of their home. But we had our ways...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJM5rKIMFXVKKQ7Yf0NNjCeeNI_D2rpwOlMfm-9h2xnsEd_QyA2CjoOeW_PaogHF5_nmK17nymzQMqLhukTV53ebJdVALzaDnPS8CpX_1_LVIeVo8_PsAJCGaFvpV-JOIz5PDt7KNyOY/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJM5rKIMFXVKKQ7Yf0NNjCeeNI_D2rpwOlMfm-9h2xnsEd_QyA2CjoOeW_PaogHF5_nmK17nymzQMqLhukTV53ebJdVALzaDnPS8CpX_1_LVIeVo8_PsAJCGaFvpV-JOIz5PDt7KNyOY/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After buying our pulpa and camerones from the fish monger, we loaded him up with a few bananas before he drove off. And there's the gardener who brings his young son with him to work... that kid loved his treat. And Citlali, who is the maid (more on that experience later)... she has 2 little kids... hey, she can use about a dozen bananas! And the men who are working on the plumbing and electric... they are here everyday this week... wonder how many bananas they can take care of? Our next door neighbors... yeah... they can use some. Wonder if their dogs like bananas? Nah... better not.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZuIioBUHLsCvIQwcKL19uLNzkAq-AOphE1KWyRu-cxHviUmOTi97pmq4yS5mMIE56_6FF5hHdDo3snt26bXCHWLAwLDh8oKlh7duDQHFD7pAY02TNCVHlRZUNPMUbPzt7bLlHVzH4BM/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZuIioBUHLsCvIQwcKL19uLNzkAq-AOphE1KWyRu-cxHviUmOTi97pmq4yS5mMIE56_6FF5hHdDo3snt26bXCHWLAwLDh8oKlh7duDQHFD7pAY02TNCVHlRZUNPMUbPzt7bLlHVzH4BM/s640/1+a.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hmmm.... looks like there might be a couple dozen left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We may have to get creative about using them. I don't like bananas nor do I like anything made from bananas, so smoothies, banana bread etc. aren't in my repertoire of recipes. So far none have gone to waste... they've all found homes.... But...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_7LiXwJFA6BsNsOFTJxA-3Ur8F2n-wwHpDFzJuNAmU49uVIQqh3ubu8MfTHLqOiN8OHza9VFY8XfJtvD4rk2EY2m58nbrNMUssHKYn_eaww7NDpuRWi5uXdMWy8lxIooAbMw3XZZDWs/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_7LiXwJFA6BsNsOFTJxA-3Ur8F2n-wwHpDFzJuNAmU49uVIQqh3ubu8MfTHLqOiN8OHza9VFY8XfJtvD4rk2EY2m58nbrNMUssHKYn_eaww7NDpuRWi5uXdMWy8lxIooAbMw3XZZDWs/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We better hurry.... more are getting ripe on another plant!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wanna few bananas? Just stop by...</span></div>
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<br />The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-88211623905968055812016-11-26T15:57:00.000-06:002016-11-26T15:57:55.789-06:00The Work Begins....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When we bought our house we knew it had a septic tank in the back yard and it did not connect to the city sewer system. Part of our negotiations were that the former owner would pay to have the connection put in, and that money was put into an escrow account, held by our Notario (lawyer). We still don't have the final papers for ownership of our house, which we have to take to the "city" office to get the permit to connect to the city sewer system. But we can have the work done at the house and when the paperwork is in order, all that has to be done is hook into their system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had the opportunity to hire the contractor who has been working next door and since we need both plumbing and electric upgrades, wanted to get started on the work. Last week he told Bill he'd start on Monday. Well, Monday was a National Holiday, so we didn't think he'd work. However, a friend here said if Johnny (the contractor) said he'd be here, he would. Another friend said something like.. "No way is anyone going to work on that holiday... everyone is still celebrating!".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guess who was right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Johnny and his helper showed up around 7:30 <b>Tuesday</b> morning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L0vr_h8GX2bfjIxkQFBtLEwxTdexvUfCyQF4LS0IXqpWhBlzBlDkV4JUML2zbsvBCeG71alrkN2sA9CY3Eu7wAa8krhHocFiPm4CrunhGmwDm12iGmxb9nOQuooH8r_x09oalaGzlBo/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L0vr_h8GX2bfjIxkQFBtLEwxTdexvUfCyQF4LS0IXqpWhBlzBlDkV4JUML2zbsvBCeG71alrkN2sA9CY3Eu7wAa8krhHocFiPm4CrunhGmwDm12iGmxb9nOQuooH8r_x09oalaGzlBo/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Bill has built a couple of houses and has always done our maintenance work. He had some ideas of how he'd like the work to be done. Johnny, who doesn't speak English, had his own ideas. That's Armando, our next door neighbor and good friend, on the left. Translating back and forth... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to say that Johnny totally had his own way (Bill can be very diplomatic) but there have been several times this week when Bill comes back into the house kinda shaking his head and muttering to himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Basically, the new sewer line will run alongside that fence line, with a junction close to where the wheelbarrow is sitting to connect the kitchen and laundry. It will turn at the back, where the green grass is, and run along the sidewalk and connect the bathroom. Currently we don't have hot water in the bathroom and so that needs work. Our electric needs upgraded and while everything is dug up and trenches are open, Bill wanted conduit also put down for electric wire. I'm simplifying it all, but this isn't an overnight job... Johnny and his helper will probably be here for a few weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The work begins...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlmmd14vdM14aCmYL1sVPpcIo1HLzUDkdpAfRbrcBAPe6o6p_jDNptWcsixYsmfDJYPN4l-psRau2PiKHlB7AH8adFQV79q_nizFnSmAZzu86S3mbxuHsGtu9xZlnTcZ3EI_yXLbs_TI/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlmmd14vdM14aCmYL1sVPpcIo1HLzUDkdpAfRbrcBAPe6o6p_jDNptWcsixYsmfDJYPN4l-psRau2PiKHlB7AH8adFQV79q_nizFnSmAZzu86S3mbxuHsGtu9xZlnTcZ3EI_yXLbs_TI/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> That long brick and concrete flower bed was demolished and hauled off...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aHu19vUBV22IicvOjcbM4fLvu6knR1g_M8-915PjEwxkl-dBwvhASG61F9ySOlHKFdcn7z9BilL61Ee6XXZTPbRDqkc8dRoYQhHzaRUFWYxCZJp72c0uXtEWDlY6rXLbIDiJq36BqVs/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aHu19vUBV22IicvOjcbM4fLvu6knR1g_M8-915PjEwxkl-dBwvhASG61F9ySOlHKFdcn7z9BilL61Ee6XXZTPbRDqkc8dRoYQhHzaRUFWYxCZJp72c0uXtEWDlY6rXLbIDiJq36BqVs/s640/1+d.jpg" width="484" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then the concrete was jackhammered in pieces and the digging began!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLR68jXUbxCp6TxvN_Oi8stnqPOspgvtRw4cHCD5pG174hlre2KDwB5j94VY2Wu3Mc60eWx6RUmnB7pGBXFjHrGreVXEJswGvKutsE3VEHDK48QU8JGot2mAC73nmFF2cq_OCMLgnkYI/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLR68jXUbxCp6TxvN_Oi8stnqPOspgvtRw4cHCD5pG174hlre2KDwB5j94VY2Wu3Mc60eWx6RUmnB7pGBXFjHrGreVXEJswGvKutsE3VEHDK48QU8JGot2mAC73nmFF2cq_OCMLgnkYI/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the trench was dug, (that's Johnny's helper) they had a unique way of determining "plumb". They had a piece of hose; poured water into it.... measured a spot on the wall... and the guy on the other end saw where the water was in the hose on his end. Sure, they had a plumb rule, but that was pretty neat!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN0JTyHaYMO3DC0vTtNFOQcKrDuFxLavYru9hd80-LC6vGkkE3V19Lhru-vJ5N3zIWhPg9m0pqXVj4Jftq_f8J2vCLK3VGR3y-v_ItfCU-gYW8WNDuHGdrJjhAP00MmIfqlXXBQTV-Fg/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN0JTyHaYMO3DC0vTtNFOQcKrDuFxLavYru9hd80-LC6vGkkE3V19Lhru-vJ5N3zIWhPg9m0pqXVj4Jftq_f8J2vCLK3VGR3y-v_ItfCU-gYW8WNDuHGdrJjhAP00MmIfqlXXBQTV-Fg/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They left the little planter at the gate since the electric is currently coming through there, and the box for the sewer connection is just on the other side of the gate.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1hH-TYtceGJaLyxQTXYuoQw1A1vikwcULjMg3hQYu-IbRkFkCBYks3oSdEDGI18tK-YKVyupvtmO0QMschQgtp2M7dlEQefxQmnjJfnKtF7mrli_7h8wbnxckODQ_kxqRNh7qCAwFIY/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1hH-TYtceGJaLyxQTXYuoQw1A1vikwcULjMg3hQYu-IbRkFkCBYks3oSdEDGI18tK-YKVyupvtmO0QMschQgtp2M7dlEQefxQmnjJfnKtF7mrli_7h8wbnxckODQ_kxqRNh7qCAwFIY/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the trench across the driveway that will house the pipes connecting the kitchen and laundry to the rest of the pipes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidteKyxtrcn9pR9CYQF55m8ZybECZvth9QPJoG4TFxo1CVCkJQ42rDnX6gXh4XZwvTIjyiWcaCCKUpLGbQwnJ3JYisK56Sii2xqbC-20stIHj9DmPw43AYDXiEwz_3ScpeybOGHT1C3jQ/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidteKyxtrcn9pR9CYQF55m8ZybECZvth9QPJoG4TFxo1CVCkJQ42rDnX6gXh4XZwvTIjyiWcaCCKUpLGbQwnJ3JYisK56Sii2xqbC-20stIHj9DmPw43AYDXiEwz_3ScpeybOGHT1C3jQ/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What happened to all that broken concrete? Well, here it's okay to just pile it in the street (or in this case, right across the street from our house) until you're done and then haul it all away. A truck came and delivered a pile of sand (to mix concrete) which you can see at the left of the pile.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VmTkhAKeaVScTMQYDYeQ6bSAUkeB7C1CCcOOdRrAGOiijUoy66dV5CWl1KZ5Xitv5LHzY9dkhlpSHnnPsjqN22Tgxqn4D07_4jGaHRWhYIDbXPtQxM_7kBGGGU8A1PuQas8ws7Q01no/s1600/1+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VmTkhAKeaVScTMQYDYeQ6bSAUkeB7C1CCcOOdRrAGOiijUoy66dV5CWl1KZ5Xitv5LHzY9dkhlpSHnnPsjqN22Tgxqn4D07_4jGaHRWhYIDbXPtQxM_7kBGGGU8A1PuQas8ws7Q01no/s640/1+i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still digging.... this is where the connection box will be.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZCfXb0m9Dp5TjkIlXuQJD0qn7MtxWfIRvtcSQlAsH73cb22gWfVN0lFzdKEHqGSm5mqGVKqmOxXryy0uzTa_LiQfzGqV8d4Q7vEdQ3PLjoZvopA621O4r2rJQExGPLLM0t5I2j2Su5Y/s1600/1+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZCfXb0m9Dp5TjkIlXuQJD0qn7MtxWfIRvtcSQlAsH73cb22gWfVN0lFzdKEHqGSm5mqGVKqmOxXryy0uzTa_LiQfzGqV8d4Q7vEdQ3PLjoZvopA621O4r2rJQExGPLLM0t5I2j2Su5Y/s640/1+j.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pipe is delivered!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill inspected it... Hmmm... not as heavy weight as he'd like. The diameter is okay, but to get a heavier grade pipe it would have to be ordered from Guadalajara and would take several weeks to arrive. This will do....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrBFkQCUqAsyLgFzClgtaln0vJBkUVlKQqNl31gqJeXo5pwnBAcNZHuAn_T0Z2jOo7i_SHSpxZIIjHCUtexVxrNCygP23A5JE3jCsW522qPE09YHGVhvEP_XqXKwky0oVoMdzD_RkTe4/s1600/1+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrBFkQCUqAsyLgFzClgtaln0vJBkUVlKQqNl31gqJeXo5pwnBAcNZHuAn_T0Z2jOo7i_SHSpxZIIjHCUtexVxrNCygP23A5JE3jCsW522qPE09YHGVhvEP_XqXKwky0oVoMdzD_RkTe4/s640/1+k.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However... another little conference...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Johnny wanted to put a clean-out box at the junction. Since neither span is more than 50' Bill didn't want an extra concrete box in the driveway. The work went on without the box.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHWBs6mdkK8Pguor6SibmHY6JoigXWTSJiAggqskYf3qG_ZsfdAiLP7wE8Dz8aAlUi_QGN6ExRV5mu9jIsVCE3f48tmGZ5AE_0t99DvxGITLcHDdvRWj58JX1jwWKkeOy9exrOqtKQIY/s1600/1+m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHWBs6mdkK8Pguor6SibmHY6JoigXWTSJiAggqskYf3qG_ZsfdAiLP7wE8Dz8aAlUi_QGN6ExRV5mu9jIsVCE3f48tmGZ5AE_0t99DvxGITLcHDdvRWj58JX1jwWKkeOy9exrOqtKQIY/s640/1+m.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A pile of fittings to connect the junction....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAsmToLlR2dxiYhV8_AO1k2eLMOO2A2XxReX5DLe_SiT2D4xhKpvWUnvPH6dRL4VlXLCZUb3B5xGNN-bZzSLGGSVvDThkY1BV7yYohOXANuhrkJ4E9_phYPIPcGxVL5t__Nb7I5TYZAo/s1600/1+n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAsmToLlR2dxiYhV8_AO1k2eLMOO2A2XxReX5DLe_SiT2D4xhKpvWUnvPH6dRL4VlXLCZUb3B5xGNN-bZzSLGGSVvDThkY1BV7yYohOXANuhrkJ4E9_phYPIPcGxVL5t__Nb7I5TYZAo/s640/1+n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guys threaded 2 new electric wires through that red pipe. Bill has bought a new circuit breaker box to upgrade our electric.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGcQer5KDN5PkKjD9oMgHaoTcP7c2Zo7i7QIts85y-bGg6leR2R8WdJMaiVi7hbXBgqLjK6BXpRdfUfQWNzVJqBbGT0RZduqvgXVtTNjKfeLtRlGXJyht1Fxw5xWKUwfEFZ7XeNmkrlw/s1600/1+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGcQer5KDN5PkKjD9oMgHaoTcP7c2Zo7i7QIts85y-bGg6leR2R8WdJMaiVi7hbXBgqLjK6BXpRdfUfQWNzVJqBbGT0RZduqvgXVtTNjKfeLtRlGXJyht1Fxw5xWKUwfEFZ7XeNmkrlw/s640/1+o.jpg" width="486" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sewer line is underneath the electric conduit... all ready to be covered with dirt. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeRLFCB8bi_QU4mwSAdzf6A_4_6JTvgED0WBzr0yrtuytorU-AbCXBjFopFas20Vns9mkYWOUdR2Q1kdPllPlHpkN29MZrFHYubS7bidB2u5MeTTy626uHgJX7FYqyxXIyy2eb9yL8mg/s1600/1+p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeRLFCB8bi_QU4mwSAdzf6A_4_6JTvgED0WBzr0yrtuytorU-AbCXBjFopFas20Vns9mkYWOUdR2Q1kdPllPlHpkN29MZrFHYubS7bidB2u5MeTTy626uHgJX7FYqyxXIyy2eb9yL8mg/s640/1+p.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And at the street.... the pipe is ready for city connection. But there'll be a lot more work here later...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFvjK0n13FYVmrlbEl3fzZ-PT05NmMsUx1q2hwv-ZzRVyoF-Huug0BzhqwUwmCAb6cvtZR_OnPb9GgFKdIr7lV_3wvz90uOKwmuHNgSfBArcv0pW5dxO5H1MYDXuPf7CDqz00PhhNKpo/s1600/1+q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFvjK0n13FYVmrlbEl3fzZ-PT05NmMsUx1q2hwv-ZzRVyoF-Huug0BzhqwUwmCAb6cvtZR_OnPb9GgFKdIr7lV_3wvz90uOKwmuHNgSfBArcv0pW5dxO5H1MYDXuPf7CDqz00PhhNKpo/s640/1+q.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been wanting a fountain in the yard - hopefully attract more birds and just for enjoyment. Since we had such a big order from Home Depot in Puerto Vallarta that we knew we'd have to have delivered in some way, (there's only so much a person can carry home on the bus) we added this fountain to that order. Bill set it up about where it will eventually be just to see if it works. It just recycles water with a submersible pump, but will need an electric source when permanently there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujctAjkiDZgEi9vw6OFpCA08VoCVa9Jt5OyWQDZqGtp4iw8HMy7Xf_X3ecPq9qd2puHHe4mybiKWNomjqCVdrZkl6SPFzoK0FoZ0bCcbRYsbfWOI2EaGcyH1hAGOHJLkVdRSfbB1z_b4/s1600/1+r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujctAjkiDZgEi9vw6OFpCA08VoCVa9Jt5OyWQDZqGtp4iw8HMy7Xf_X3ecPq9qd2puHHe4mybiKWNomjqCVdrZkl6SPFzoK0FoZ0bCcbRYsbfWOI2EaGcyH1hAGOHJLkVdRSfbB1z_b4/s640/1+r.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 8 different colors of Bougainvillea are set into the trench, along with the Mexican petunias. It will take a couple of years for them to really do their thing, but that's okay.... they are still quite attractive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgXpuowHHpSYzEaiuLK12Sa493-AE8NZ_ZadwwBzkxpUdMMzqKGWUrgMcePqY35VAcXtxWOP_j4sBYc4GoIopKOaqWR5r3Y4JoRSY3hg5T5mBScodRyoUs4KOcsCPHb9eGMKswl50KS4/s1600/1+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgXpuowHHpSYzEaiuLK12Sa493-AE8NZ_ZadwwBzkxpUdMMzqKGWUrgMcePqY35VAcXtxWOP_j4sBYc4GoIopKOaqWR5r3Y4JoRSY3hg5T5mBScodRyoUs4KOcsCPHb9eGMKswl50KS4/s640/1+s.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lines are all buried, the plants are in place... Bill's watering them to give them a good start.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwlzgSJNkShFj4SjUCwyHQm8rvbnpWwMKRS1yy2WsikKQsKJRBA57Ly9WxFlczXtJZ8-n6Vh1qO775gPMSFEkH9uzppzOPXwy_ZYvwi0pCOpzUEQc2700JNk8ojt7bWXIkN0Sqfjji9E/s1600/1+t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwlzgSJNkShFj4SjUCwyHQm8rvbnpWwMKRS1yy2WsikKQsKJRBA57Ly9WxFlczXtJZ8-n6Vh1qO775gPMSFEkH9uzppzOPXwy_ZYvwi0pCOpzUEQc2700JNk8ojt7bWXIkN0Sqfjji9E/s640/1+t.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guys move into the back yard... cut a trench for the bathroom sewer line...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilJm24vIuSeO6kqL9Aprkh_Sh58Iww9Gw8hmlhBETb2grkGPbmpCGbqj6Worjh2kBTzKc6JkoK6nu2h4gZWV8LlTErMYExKBsyWFA_Kb3ULZRnsGHqszQYMUg3GTE1RwtGToHYdvAdqw/s1600/1+u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilJm24vIuSeO6kqL9Aprkh_Sh58Iww9Gw8hmlhBETb2grkGPbmpCGbqj6Worjh2kBTzKc6JkoK6nu2h4gZWV8LlTErMYExKBsyWFA_Kb3ULZRnsGHqszQYMUg3GTE1RwtGToHYdvAdqw/s640/1+u.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The junction of the kitchen line into the main line...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwchM4I8TJzq6WwhLUwZjSeRsdvkYL100uM-sIEVeLrlsICUBGj9ucKjzYJOMz1wcM-JT92XNsXb-aoaQA8rgdnnYyNhoUzXfqIViFWvOVjL4P-p6W0Z3k3VTvicdAXap83SypjB30gkI/s1600/1+v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwchM4I8TJzq6WwhLUwZjSeRsdvkYL100uM-sIEVeLrlsICUBGj9ucKjzYJOMz1wcM-JT92XNsXb-aoaQA8rgdnnYyNhoUzXfqIViFWvOVjL4P-p6W0Z3k3VTvicdAXap83SypjB30gkI/s640/1+v.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the bathroom sewer line all covered up. That's an RV sewer</span><span style="font-size: large;"> hookup you see.... while we don't know if we'll be bringing our own motorhome down, we may have RVing friends visit and could use an RV dump.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwv3u5slFASNqVhWhlZZ5u2IFNCWEmZKLv4olU1IqNvf0WFp5FavTbVE4KoG0iGUAx0L-tKlZh2wM-Upc43zGf9aNx65927-AoI8ZZ5G9cFT2ZAN81hHeDX5BCcQd69FRO2aCWebR_qmw/s1600/1+w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwv3u5slFASNqVhWhlZZ5u2IFNCWEmZKLv4olU1IqNvf0WFp5FavTbVE4KoG0iGUAx0L-tKlZh2wM-Upc43zGf9aNx65927-AoI8ZZ5G9cFT2ZAN81hHeDX5BCcQd69FRO2aCWebR_qmw/s640/1+w.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the street...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This brick box will have a concrete cover. This is where the junction is that will hook us up to the city. We would like to have a shut-off valve here, but Bill hasn't been able to find one yet. We'll see... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0i1XhMZ8wHIp_MtFAZdlPzU-22uXxeA_mzW6hwGB32zu4GdurNuTDLNLfE7q67c8y9Cj6Hmr3vnqGHlwYkPyKyVh8LJ0KiAzO9YcP71Bu3qQh1FORF7FFdD9p8Gejr7h3taHrNvKC_Q/s1600/1+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0i1XhMZ8wHIp_MtFAZdlPzU-22uXxeA_mzW6hwGB32zu4GdurNuTDLNLfE7q67c8y9Cj6Hmr3vnqGHlwYkPyKyVh8LJ0KiAzO9YcP71Bu3qQh1FORF7FFdD9p8Gejr7h3taHrNvKC_Q/s640/1+x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is where the fountain will stay. Although it will need more work to "permanentize" it, Bill had the guys go ahead and use some of the dirt here. I'm already thinking of ways to make it more attractive... but that's a "future" project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After those 50+ photos in my last blog, I decided to limit this one - the work will continue, and I'll keep on documenting it with photos... but... for now, you get an idea of what's going on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-9367389727378592512016-11-22T10:29:00.000-06:002016-11-22T10:29:59.421-06:00Mexico Revolution Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was the day Mexico celebrates the start of the Mexican Revolution. A struggle that lasted over 10 years in all, to overthrow the dictator and gain political independence. While officially the day is November 20, the 3rd Monday in November is the day the schools and government offices close as well as many businesses. But the holiday is celebrated all weekend... at least here in this area. You can feel the holiday spirit on Friday... the parties have begun. On Sunday, here in Lo de Marcos, there is a huge parade. The parade starts at the school, goes down several blocks towards the highway, crosses over a side street, then goes back up the main street towards the plaza. At the plaza there are food vendors, music, games for kids, dancing, music, lots of photos taken... more music... </span><span style="font-size: large;"> and did I mention there's lots of alcohol involved?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, this post is mostly photos... lots and lots of photos. You can stop now... or you can scroll quickly through... or you can even stop and read some of the captions. It was a very festive day... so much going on.... the parade and then the dancing horse competition.... it was wonderful!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqg4-3mW_KFtx9tBrHdoFnb310DiyDcbQJAMg639_z8WzZDvmKwDxyuBlu-asgTzxDGDOUc1gq3GhMqxuNglf5dFq7YD45qiRl8OSvOq6jP40MfQPgPOLTX7IqddlrK0QngOU65UIFAs/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqg4-3mW_KFtx9tBrHdoFnb310DiyDcbQJAMg639_z8WzZDvmKwDxyuBlu-asgTzxDGDOUc1gq3GhMqxuNglf5dFq7YD45qiRl8OSvOq6jP40MfQPgPOLTX7IqddlrK0QngOU65UIFAs/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Parade Begins! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHb16SkBqVlsPe2e-Vf4lyteCZd_nF84rcBWMUHWnmQ_A0763H-8awcZ8YE_3_Pra3j00E7KMUROh0_nwMmolkyovJPRsxrDI7RWPtPqoZnUE6F5RH1JxRo2BboJgLve2OyVeyOiDPhew/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHb16SkBqVlsPe2e-Vf4lyteCZd_nF84rcBWMUHWnmQ_A0763H-8awcZ8YE_3_Pra3j00E7KMUROh0_nwMmolkyovJPRsxrDI7RWPtPqoZnUE6F5RH1JxRo2BboJgLve2OyVeyOiDPhew/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the schools participated in the parade... some in their school colors...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NbSU6M9c4slAkAQ5zsoSiMXjPgJTCGZ0R3PmbNQI79HxiLvOEPUfnZVdyB0ExcFq7UQNmgSnVnKdHODUoTEvrLmewxxJnBQgn2M1Z3kNUIJFkVlgyg7IzMTtjkmm3GNk6HhYOqPGou8/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NbSU6M9c4slAkAQ5zsoSiMXjPgJTCGZ0R3PmbNQI79HxiLvOEPUfnZVdyB0ExcFq7UQNmgSnVnKdHODUoTEvrLmewxxJnBQgn2M1Z3kNUIJFkVlgyg7IzMTtjkmm3GNk6HhYOqPGou8/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some dressed as they would have during the Revolution...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4nbavsMzVJXHK1dIRhrSpfFuRHd0hSGxdl2yrcvEqv4ZrpwrD71YEOnGHgFHDhQG8HPDwVaadRzSwX2p_ABZTQCAJOAAKM2daUeoq6smUVL1xAODBc4YGQ-xe82n-BS3vopOsSCQ2Wg/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4nbavsMzVJXHK1dIRhrSpfFuRHd0hSGxdl2yrcvEqv4ZrpwrD71YEOnGHgFHDhQG8HPDwVaadRzSwX2p_ABZTQCAJOAAKM2daUeoq6smUVL1xAODBc4YGQ-xe82n-BS3vopOsSCQ2Wg/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of signs depicting the principal people involved... as well as important dates to remember.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqgXGiQN1z6vNcaUzPpy3KbTc-WYJhyphenhyphenVzNnRg__W9Wr-ghazfipZp4-c9p_xUGbYOxoFcMBPNczG35oPMMpuvZVVU-V6hAXVVJnDZKUvbKMT5pYpLKkvCd6nReRQdO_T96NHm5BiN6kA/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqgXGiQN1z6vNcaUzPpy3KbTc-WYJhyphenhyphenVzNnRg__W9Wr-ghazfipZp4-c9p_xUGbYOxoFcMBPNczG35oPMMpuvZVVU-V6hAXVVJnDZKUvbKMT5pYpLKkvCd6nReRQdO_T96NHm5BiN6kA/s640/1+e.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of portrayals of those who fought the fight...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiajo-wgRmRMzym0-gHVyoM_NfsPTZ2UjTRLdjYx0pzL6MWN0nxzIF4470NESb_UjBVr6nbLiQhsFy6ji7FUw0uKOV55w4yPJQ1J88U0mWFq3fy3ZgAXSnW6hCR-Ia4Zs560XzfMicNn0/s1600/2+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiajo-wgRmRMzym0-gHVyoM_NfsPTZ2UjTRLdjYx0pzL6MWN0nxzIF4470NESb_UjBVr6nbLiQhsFy6ji7FUw0uKOV55w4yPJQ1J88U0mWFq3fy3ZgAXSnW6hCR-Ia4Zs560XzfMicNn0/s640/2+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are obviously very important men who were involved...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrybA09Lu9PZpKfVdxGjHddj5tFrFYcYoY36B6zJb469S48Q4ps8zbCs87KmP1VYxMFwYLZw42gOGK6BqWaaYmrfCnxLu5pCiYE7j6JkZEeq0pXomOPvd_yZlsE7ff5leBiAqowMtde5E/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrybA09Lu9PZpKfVdxGjHddj5tFrFYcYoY36B6zJb469S48Q4ps8zbCs87KmP1VYxMFwYLZw42gOGK6BqWaaYmrfCnxLu5pCiYE7j6JkZEeq0pXomOPvd_yZlsE7ff5leBiAqowMtde5E/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More kids in character... note the bandoliers... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1aaoOBfpguBs9JMdEMCkDVrnP96GCAXMLH_xUJYWTkab0Wxu-M9iyWvFiGmRt5AQ1lQidpitKndR-yxJKyxUd7pPajlPR1tJyrR9rWrE84uvMvlE7AUtjz2AyJakt8WUy-y6AtLtiK0/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1aaoOBfpguBs9JMdEMCkDVrnP96GCAXMLH_xUJYWTkab0Wxu-M9iyWvFiGmRt5AQ1lQidpitKndR-yxJKyxUd7pPajlPR1tJyrR9rWrE84uvMvlE7AUtjz2AyJakt8WUy-y6AtLtiK0/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw several "Pancho Villas".... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujcAEPUIUyXf53WGtNAvzjg-b2fZ3jZdAR9qeWNBk_Gg9KzcccPIzeYQgwlRiKCOUMwuOyz6N2mZyB1bcPR8O2AE1MMSjTooQQxvIdQ0PyBhNRbJxBwinu0IX-79uGG9_Tp01Yvhwd4Y/s1600/1+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujcAEPUIUyXf53WGtNAvzjg-b2fZ3jZdAR9qeWNBk_Gg9KzcccPIzeYQgwlRiKCOUMwuOyz6N2mZyB1bcPR8O2AE1MMSjTooQQxvIdQ0PyBhNRbJxBwinu0IX-79uGG9_Tp01Yvhwd4Y/s640/1+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Same little kids... but I just loved this little girls expression!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2_wL2Jb9XdFY_SBIxSFnZ1f1wZBokXcneEag9HDp6gBLVWAkx6JTV-WJyeTk0gXIC5SjM27D871fU4OAMMFgxTrogMeHwiMNec_ZJb1kjjCwQKAbNIlUVNupC7qkmYaduKV21FoUHzg/s1600/1+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2_wL2Jb9XdFY_SBIxSFnZ1f1wZBokXcneEag9HDp6gBLVWAkx6JTV-WJyeTk0gXIC5SjM27D871fU4OAMMFgxTrogMeHwiMNec_ZJb1kjjCwQKAbNIlUVNupC7qkmYaduKV21FoUHzg/s640/1+i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some dancing to celebrate the end of the revolution...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivmhArnpilQfnhwlG-dvEXn6GMdNacSuOiB6zuDz8R8kM6Cat6pnuWxr4W3m-xAlbwc8GTU03FMWRDkJfucqTx0bEpPJlNK0CcGeNZYLRPd1HT7y-K7gFpHi3mUY_uIUYy5ZxHLAfZE8/s1600/1+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivmhArnpilQfnhwlG-dvEXn6GMdNacSuOiB6zuDz8R8kM6Cat6pnuWxr4W3m-xAlbwc8GTU03FMWRDkJfucqTx0bEpPJlNK0CcGeNZYLRPd1HT7y-K7gFpHi3mUY_uIUYy5ZxHLAfZE8/s640/1+j.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even the soldiers need a drink of water....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5iSrJCWNWBavEVR2FVjszqd9053f0V5xaK1BOKEKBafNWPk2NfsbXpYWkoGjT14rqn5S7Qg7LKPi_yccvvArzR88vjR6NeQs57zd5wpB2KvGZXEIeYLxS6IrdMjCPKVb3dW7n8280iA/s1600/1+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5iSrJCWNWBavEVR2FVjszqd9053f0V5xaK1BOKEKBafNWPk2NfsbXpYWkoGjT14rqn5S7Qg7LKPi_yccvvArzR88vjR6NeQs57zd5wpB2KvGZXEIeYLxS6IrdMjCPKVb3dW7n8280iA/s640/1+k.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were a lot of Moms and Dads seeing that their kids walked all those city blocks without mishap. And lots of teachers directing the action!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb3EhVEcbtbZZ_L8gISDJ4D7ia18LjkPC6GISxF2pY8kKjqh-oWW08LVaVhpfLrZxHz7SAxelQOBkddAHgme4az0S0bjW4Fjdn0CB_E7KlPlRNsWT1xqjPaz3_nbtiljb8rKuKq8AE8s/s1600/1+m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb3EhVEcbtbZZ_L8gISDJ4D7ia18LjkPC6GISxF2pY8kKjqh-oWW08LVaVhpfLrZxHz7SAxelQOBkddAHgme4az0S0bjW4Fjdn0CB_E7KlPlRNsWT1xqjPaz3_nbtiljb8rKuKq8AE8s/s640/1+m.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at all the mustaches and beards!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38QTKo2z8IF2NtmUWbjmF1iKvDVEAFZd8c_pUsDT-9Ti8RIBIL1hu9aJgcBT9vHaBb3zK-F7RMgJA8CA89gK4FBLfapTCkqTxGwe9YI_K3Jfd3Q1TFq7FkU3A6yjC360gHfCXDj48jsA/s1600/1+n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38QTKo2z8IF2NtmUWbjmF1iKvDVEAFZd8c_pUsDT-9Ti8RIBIL1hu9aJgcBT9vHaBb3zK-F7RMgJA8CA89gK4FBLfapTCkqTxGwe9YI_K3Jfd3Q1TFq7FkU3A6yjC360gHfCXDj48jsA/s640/1+n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The parade started with the little kids and moved up in age as it progressed...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These kids are high school age... looks like they did well in their Mexican History class!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zYeSkNaHpKVqNA9tVQSlbL_qJ0TjndAvYCz07k8IyWgWpo95j2L6wXx8Yr_mU56jZNGLlQdmWcBqGXYJROHT9hV5eUZLekbFc-g2mRNdfRaaJaDAdiBayKLK4kW2Rh9vscf-PgUyjfk/s1600/1+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zYeSkNaHpKVqNA9tVQSlbL_qJ0TjndAvYCz07k8IyWgWpo95j2L6wXx8Yr_mU56jZNGLlQdmWcBqGXYJROHT9hV5eUZLekbFc-g2mRNdfRaaJaDAdiBayKLK4kW2Rh9vscf-PgUyjfk/s640/1+o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This group of girls show us that it wasn't just the men who fought for their independence...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_meuLidcJCW_VT7c0kHOXoWTgd8bX2jdYIclwrehZrz5PACMk3Y9LqkJejPtr-_ARFciqyxTgZ5_WXDZ7SYICPF9rBiq8h7_MLuhXzZciHkdEYQnAmn8cNKcJn3_2CpWnqSg5tlvgA7o/s1600/1+p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_meuLidcJCW_VT7c0kHOXoWTgd8bX2jdYIclwrehZrz5PACMk3Y9LqkJejPtr-_ARFciqyxTgZ5_WXDZ7SYICPF9rBiq8h7_MLuhXzZciHkdEYQnAmn8cNKcJn3_2CpWnqSg5tlvgA7o/s640/1+p.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, they did a Re-enactment of battles between the different sides...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GruVuAtOWKrRfRmV4wIRI19yzrg9h8XS5_qn48TmetCmd6bNHrl5uF811fMBy0UaZSAeKuSHn3DA1P85yN_-QBHBz2xLFQE-rkcF08oI0tN8mTEwapN59Bo2Fc8eg_j9xehFPbyTw3c/s1600/1+q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GruVuAtOWKrRfRmV4wIRI19yzrg9h8XS5_qn48TmetCmd6bNHrl5uF811fMBy0UaZSAeKuSHn3DA1P85yN_-QBHBz2xLFQE-rkcF08oI0tN8mTEwapN59Bo2Fc8eg_j9xehFPbyTw3c/s640/1+q.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is probably the "new" president, elected after the dictatorship fell.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilbCS-Xtp39ZFlrG4t6yii9Q4etIl9LjSDYWPKhkarubh-2JSTGlwmHnlO2kpsKjbLpZpz-LU_0O5esiYzu81s0mUVWNS7Ppfy3v5_p-Wk-XmhNxIIpAmQVfoWivgNOAKfBlNA5kdRFk/s1600/1+r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilbCS-Xtp39ZFlrG4t6yii9Q4etIl9LjSDYWPKhkarubh-2JSTGlwmHnlO2kpsKjbLpZpz-LU_0O5esiYzu81s0mUVWNS7Ppfy3v5_p-Wk-XmhNxIIpAmQVfoWivgNOAKfBlNA5kdRFk/s640/1+r.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This group of horses and riders were also "soldiers"....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc2CUHw8tKxebVPA0RdwhnN-jYsGm_n8cXn5qm4kd74q-r5Hp3HXUaZULeYLBIYZ8pNDTFwnsj_gdjABXOx7Ap6ZkHOeQaRT_c_e-nz1GBohrwVD4r54EfO-jsLkvU12JB6WblLZMb3Y/s1600/1+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc2CUHw8tKxebVPA0RdwhnN-jYsGm_n8cXn5qm4kd74q-r5Hp3HXUaZULeYLBIYZ8pNDTFwnsj_gdjABXOx7Ap6ZkHOeQaRT_c_e-nz1GBohrwVD4r54EfO-jsLkvU12JB6WblLZMb3Y/s640/1+s.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A more "up-to-date" group of girls, I think a gymnastic group...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6hJcVya7lFEXnJJfvS6XZtZlRjbtld4EQNzdC7qRDpjdfQ_YnJ5N-jvPv4h-XnVtYPo7Gil2fhXZ_1cp160hpkdzJA_0xfJAyfKijO1BRnPbb94X9MrnHOS_v1a4E1OrHA9SE02M4eM/s1600/2+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6hJcVya7lFEXnJJfvS6XZtZlRjbtld4EQNzdC7qRDpjdfQ_YnJ5N-jvPv4h-XnVtYPo7Gil2fhXZ_1cp160hpkdzJA_0xfJAyfKijO1BRnPbb94X9MrnHOS_v1a4E1OrHA9SE02M4eM/s640/2+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These boys stopped several times along the parade route and performed gymnastic feats!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzvxEgJiIab54O8Y50xKrCbHZcnPZfxThTt-m8-cfPXMncRm7wphnBeqsv7mEc_f5GZ9NVA4ry5mytoRYIuE0tEtMlt35vrHlpnUeXc8zk-6WkHvYudU-UdjVxDWUownCRPW6zAbh0-M/s1600/1+t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzvxEgJiIab54O8Y50xKrCbHZcnPZfxThTt-m8-cfPXMncRm7wphnBeqsv7mEc_f5GZ9NVA4ry5mytoRYIuE0tEtMlt35vrHlpnUeXc8zk-6WkHvYudU-UdjVxDWUownCRPW6zAbh0-M/s640/1+t.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All festivals need a Queen... and this little lady was a very regal princess!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLeFg4TYSvHrHbM6k_gst38nushNGCa6bs4WT8Dsh8ToFBXVyg7whi9fJ0UG7Ue1n0H0sGRmDk20iFcbaw3y1r5V05OOsuTgooxXqRl-ie5wS76zlV7AXLQE4G-ps4praJeAhr-0011A/s1600/1+u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLeFg4TYSvHrHbM6k_gst38nushNGCa6bs4WT8Dsh8ToFBXVyg7whi9fJ0UG7Ue1n0H0sGRmDk20iFcbaw3y1r5V05OOsuTgooxXqRl-ie5wS76zlV7AXLQE4G-ps4praJeAhr-0011A/s640/1+u.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More sports... these boys had boxing matches along the route. They had a good time feinting and ducking.. and laughing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1-2yvNZ-zQOpJyGFvLRWXkKWhnaIa_76dV6nsC2XH_GzwliPfXJaGQWtxT9xjgK83C86Hk7hQQtpLqNi8R6IeuVlFyah_KNKGdtEdmrmA-vx9CUdp8btVgW-dTAsSA9PrC0qUPhVwLM/s1600/1+v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1-2yvNZ-zQOpJyGFvLRWXkKWhnaIa_76dV6nsC2XH_GzwliPfXJaGQWtxT9xjgK83C86Hk7hQQtpLqNi8R6IeuVlFyah_KNKGdtEdmrmA-vx9CUdp8btVgW-dTAsSA9PrC0qUPhVwLM/s640/1+v.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now... along came the adults. This band played traditional music and were joined by friends and family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKIl21hKZEqfIyV2d7oKbESPcta-xyMJCv7WkhfRA0CNbnr-KHB40JqRKLto428VKdclNqcx1OIZUbLnJVQnGz2nJosVLfA33IGHb7GUAIlnGMHSS8WXIkNJT9JeReX4x-qcmY9PZWHo/s1600/1+w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKIl21hKZEqfIyV2d7oKbESPcta-xyMJCv7WkhfRA0CNbnr-KHB40JqRKLto428VKdclNqcx1OIZUbLnJVQnGz2nJosVLfA33IGHb7GUAIlnGMHSS8WXIkNJT9JeReX4x-qcmY9PZWHo/s640/1+w.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really don't know if this is the Queen float... these ladies were not teenagers. But they definitely were regal!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuHIt7qdToOG4_c9RtBeTEH6mSFnPXbBDuNi02coeAvqSpRWKThe_-8OWF6AFhgUHrSb0-Aob7ZTKq6DeuGKBgXwieAuKvZ6vmemt2TmiszxC2r0Bv_tMGFaRuddDMfxogyeaAV5Yk18/s1600/1+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuHIt7qdToOG4_c9RtBeTEH6mSFnPXbBDuNi02coeAvqSpRWKThe_-8OWF6AFhgUHrSb0-Aob7ZTKq6DeuGKBgXwieAuKvZ6vmemt2TmiszxC2r0Bv_tMGFaRuddDMfxogyeaAV5Yk18/s640/1+x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And following them was this group of guys. Maybe local ranchers? Maybe a social group? I don't know, but they shuffled along to the very end.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFIYkYmIO_9No2rRVV0xed5wFjIEY5eTIyZBWmVozq0eT658FccRFyRO_SW-Bf5lxD-_Hc81xj7W1cnVymdHe4aHl1ui0-4MDsN7rNC2byOzZe3axnuhLhicfRCzV_e9c8Sjd8STDPjU/s1600/1+z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFIYkYmIO_9No2rRVV0xed5wFjIEY5eTIyZBWmVozq0eT658FccRFyRO_SW-Bf5lxD-_Hc81xj7W1cnVymdHe4aHl1ui0-4MDsN7rNC2byOzZe3axnuhLhicfRCzV_e9c8Sjd8STDPjU/s640/1+z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Mariachi Band!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Great music! And, an important role later as they played the music for the Dancing Horses.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qs-0h-E_R_42S_0r4OHIfRYNbbLjeXYN3TpV8LAEfMpWZiyaV83Pd7_J2foQ84Jr0WQaSUQhgn4Eiq00-fi7j6Wacgk0XN8WDH4MehRrf3j7KBe6iEjlOqGDkSAMqR5FRygXSou31mM/s1600/1+zz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qs-0h-E_R_42S_0r4OHIfRYNbbLjeXYN3TpV8LAEfMpWZiyaV83Pd7_J2foQ84Jr0WQaSUQhgn4Eiq00-fi7j6Wacgk0XN8WDH4MehRrf3j7KBe6iEjlOqGDkSAMqR5FRygXSou31mM/s640/1+zz.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are those horses and their riders! After the parade and many photos are taken, they'll perform - and compete - showing off their fancy footwork.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAQGadxbriAhVoikzutDM7KBuULsXVihqGYhMLi5u1_rv225twaOdfsciK66DhzEp5i8VoZpDSuqlgGhjuXKjtXc-B9sGKW-DIvhTGosHFKSYjX8vU6ZuxSoYW3W2y1uaAFmKRvsP42w/s1600/2+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAQGadxbriAhVoikzutDM7KBuULsXVihqGYhMLi5u1_rv225twaOdfsciK66DhzEp5i8VoZpDSuqlgGhjuXKjtXc-B9sGKW-DIvhTGosHFKSYjX8vU6ZuxSoYW3W2y1uaAFmKRvsP42w/s640/2+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photo shows how big and massive these horses are... (later, when I was looking down from a balcony taking photos, the perspective makes them look smaller than they really are)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFviXNumcGc-LLpEYqhV6EU-wzXKPSmYLBpOx6rhg0VqpdY9QXWegflnITuZ2RaRxWW27vIEiyKoqfrRaH8sR0ItYaUPjyFMKnLvEGVlOsv44YGVQ147_BcKtnJ6p4xVZfLROTE_i_Rs/s1600/2+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFviXNumcGc-LLpEYqhV6EU-wzXKPSmYLBpOx6rhg0VqpdY9QXWegflnITuZ2RaRxWW27vIEiyKoqfrRaH8sR0ItYaUPjyFMKnLvEGVlOsv44YGVQ147_BcKtnJ6p4xVZfLROTE_i_Rs/s640/2+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little guy didn't participate in the dancing horse competition, but isn't he cute!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv_EgGZeDCXXZzrrjld9oWrcnpApi97Ibz7MNzI_aD2WGE-YWwSCpp43-JJ-97oKAX2-Rfc8awXnONUNVTYnWzxz4KZMh6PWz_mtXIA2w3ftbJ59Kt3z87tomM_JtP6ntsxCjJ8X_o-U/s1600/2+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv_EgGZeDCXXZzrrjld9oWrcnpApi97Ibz7MNzI_aD2WGE-YWwSCpp43-JJ-97oKAX2-Rfc8awXnONUNVTYnWzxz4KZMh6PWz_mtXIA2w3ftbJ59Kt3z87tomM_JtP6ntsxCjJ8X_o-U/s640/2+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've shown mostly the parade folks... but the sidewalks were lined with people and many of them dressed in traditional Mexican attire... and so colorful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The parade ended at the Plaza.... you can see some of the horses at the far left lined up getting their photo taken. Those golf carts were in the parade, carrying little princesses and other folks along the route.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the plaza there were activities for kids... like this plaster and paint project.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXMUS7_jp1FryKK9mOehSgRi77Vc2-mIVa04Abrs5wbZLy0m7K00gEsP8qlHJo4t_A5Ks7iiUBbVDTsIrqiZ-SDuyHYo4cNMs3E6Jathr4V1E157Qpl8swq0gegUfp_J9qUh0PcvksDo/s1600/2+q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXMUS7_jp1FryKK9mOehSgRi77Vc2-mIVa04Abrs5wbZLy0m7K00gEsP8qlHJo4t_A5Ks7iiUBbVDTsIrqiZ-SDuyHYo4cNMs3E6Jathr4V1E157Qpl8swq0gegUfp_J9qUh0PcvksDo/s640/2+q.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And... all kinds of food!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMMYY5JFAhnN-ClrrBHoA2-E3Xm6P3V8qWnd6D1GzLIH37_0kQqQXN1mCFyI7H1vysxLS6dfZU3bvU1SkOaw5vb7xEH_ASGdWwlQb1b-IJgOFQZVWN8nlBvoKy2vUb2bsJ2JeTqTO_xc/s1600/2+r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMMYY5JFAhnN-ClrrBHoA2-E3Xm6P3V8qWnd6D1GzLIH37_0kQqQXN1mCFyI7H1vysxLS6dfZU3bvU1SkOaw5vb7xEH_ASGdWwlQb1b-IJgOFQZVWN8nlBvoKy2vUb2bsJ2JeTqTO_xc/s640/2+r.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We even saw this vendor... selling Tuba, a drink made from the palm tree. - I still don't know what part.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRdCS8pxwjnX72_exA6TVT2iyRYhHHLmam00qHGqnNSvd7oaMU9d6QFLE5n_5duRhMR5VKlAoNUtEkyZjK9BI2FRdY6QVGxekdTS9FsfsLPUIa8ccu35TpAfjUabAM-9pK-d8aQ_pcT0/s1600/2+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRdCS8pxwjnX72_exA6TVT2iyRYhHHLmam00qHGqnNSvd7oaMU9d6QFLE5n_5duRhMR5VKlAoNUtEkyZjK9BI2FRdY6QVGxekdTS9FsfsLPUIa8ccu35TpAfjUabAM-9pK-d8aQ_pcT0/s640/2+s.jpg" width="462" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This guy is selling oysters on the half shell...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looked pretty good, but I was up on a balcony and he was too far below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is our friend Molly and one of her neighborhood kids. She is our Spanish teacher for our Wednesday lessons... but she also teaches the kids (and now teaches adults) English. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Molly and her husband Sasha, teach yoga, languages, meditation and have other projects going... and just opened their coffee shop... which is where the balcony is where I am taking the horse photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here's Memo with Christian standing behind him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We caught up with them during the parade and a bunch of us all headed to the coffee shop to watch the festivities from above.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG5J6M3GuFjkVXzy980_WncyiVs_OpRXn_sIr-4RXe7rXGrkZFEOXrRUmEivaHm1ehZVDxZJV7WzU5W0xGi5HHThoZZyoPDCTc00kH3j0UZkaLLLGsDmdQUyzHMtVRwxN8tD5GQvPijw/s1600/2+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG5J6M3GuFjkVXzy980_WncyiVs_OpRXn_sIr-4RXe7rXGrkZFEOXrRUmEivaHm1ehZVDxZJV7WzU5W0xGi5HHThoZZyoPDCTc00kH3j0UZkaLLLGsDmdQUyzHMtVRwxN8tD5GQvPijw/s640/2+i.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Dancing Horses!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What was really interesting here is that while the man in the grey suit was performing, the horse in the foreground (who doesn't even have a mount) heard the music and danced the whole time it played. He competed later, but he certainly put on a show all by himself!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGGV0Nxn9mFPrEt6JWtUqk-SzyULJD2eDDrHR-n2kK3Z-0jGnCA77j8bEJTdMqr4EXmOZjY1KR981xsKaPzATXsiX_KiIkoj1h5RhZN93bb-qiVo2rpOxRBjwVBkUgiHPjBx3ndS72Os/s1600/2+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGGV0Nxn9mFPrEt6JWtUqk-SzyULJD2eDDrHR-n2kK3Z-0jGnCA77j8bEJTdMqr4EXmOZjY1KR981xsKaPzATXsiX_KiIkoj1h5RhZN93bb-qiVo2rpOxRBjwVBkUgiHPjBx3ndS72Os/s640/2+k.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't even begin to capture the movements this horse did... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ13DBV9mROjqbfw5NxCLmiOaQNx96d-yybq68Gf0ERG-hA5p_hwX-q05hgEwwvJb8bzhypfk_gI9rdFwxjZxBEL0CdD99qkRj1p02BGDGEI9sefALcvEIQ-6-bzY1pxqhIkohBS8ZJ2k/s1600/2+kk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ13DBV9mROjqbfw5NxCLmiOaQNx96d-yybq68Gf0ERG-hA5p_hwX-q05hgEwwvJb8bzhypfk_gI9rdFwxjZxBEL0CdD99qkRj1p02BGDGEI9sefALcvEIQ-6-bzY1pxqhIkohBS8ZJ2k/s640/2+kk.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Again... I tried.... it was just amazing. I have no idea how these horses are trained, but to be honest, they seemed to enjoy performing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKy2-PXRhhg2QEk_Cbk7kJrIfNY-N-XUtGbcXvE8M9H0VeldyNnZWTuStcmE0jkjggVwxrswXK8QEx1-aCqi1Pn7w4dpdECqg-Crsgf3LUU8x3HU8yhENPNDFPGUXdk-3HPOem9DrDVs/s1600/2+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKy2-PXRhhg2QEk_Cbk7kJrIfNY-N-XUtGbcXvE8M9H0VeldyNnZWTuStcmE0jkjggVwxrswXK8QEx1-aCqi1Pn7w4dpdECqg-Crsgf3LUU8x3HU8yhENPNDFPGUXdk-3HPOem9DrDVs/s640/2+l.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see the band in the background playing while this lady rode.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid68HoMGZem4QxjrkLnneAO4yWMIWRj2gHfstYs89xrLoe7cWOmETbeTLSc0fGWoG3TnFFpaOJnnJSbvHzCeAbwc29w5UckXNpE-pQLRTMyraZgYiMkDd-DwKp51UvirP_Ud4_bIX3SEs/s1600/2+n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid68HoMGZem4QxjrkLnneAO4yWMIWRj2gHfstYs89xrLoe7cWOmETbeTLSc0fGWoG3TnFFpaOJnnJSbvHzCeAbwc29w5UckXNpE-pQLRTMyraZgYiMkDd-DwKp51UvirP_Ud4_bIX3SEs/s640/2+n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A collage of hooves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can almost hear them on those cobblestones!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYeImZiJwuzlq5Rl4x0fCb_pNS6bUCTbqW5xfN6F-qBb9s2LF5yX5PD7C66NCMx9kknFHLLyGTY6Wvvwk1SXac4nxXqx9DP2AF9BDp29xsp_HlKpIRr_NKp38wcHrxlspwi54L3KMbRk/s1600/2+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYeImZiJwuzlq5Rl4x0fCb_pNS6bUCTbqW5xfN6F-qBb9s2LF5yX5PD7C66NCMx9kknFHLLyGTY6Wvvwk1SXac4nxXqx9DP2AF9BDp29xsp_HlKpIRr_NKp38wcHrxlspwi54L3KMbRk/s640/2+h.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yep... you're seeing this man give his horse a beer. Guess even horses get thirsty doing all that work!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iOrbrml1eHq9EDEkxaKmyjfGrvFs0SbuINM3Z0bQQ0nOkQadx6-ccsIZKOkvtvM__idb3rOllYTag8m7ii5mFKfyBv8CspJ0_DdlNx38OQvlFCqe_lcV5oCobC8YQPJaZhazGMNuYwI/s1600/2+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iOrbrml1eHq9EDEkxaKmyjfGrvFs0SbuINM3Z0bQQ0nOkQadx6-ccsIZKOkvtvM__idb3rOllYTag8m7ii5mFKfyBv8CspJ0_DdlNx38OQvlFCqe_lcV5oCobC8YQPJaZhazGMNuYwI/s640/2+j.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The beer and tequilla flowed freely!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, this guy dropped his tequilla bottle... quickly picked it up and saw the bottom had broken. He poured what was left into a paper cup... there had to be glass slivers in it.... and just kept on drinking.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8KPG7P9Hfm3Vnk9n9HYQq28524E2CJfR47U9Nb-ecTlGYRFjAU5Kd9BO0qW_3_7BItToB5NZFO6TnIr7Mw16wqe7VOm-sEgD7R95w79t76HcZu7to0AOf-qHQwQoOLWmbCc8isNHcgY/s1600/2+m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8KPG7P9Hfm3Vnk9n9HYQq28524E2CJfR47U9Nb-ecTlGYRFjAU5Kd9BO0qW_3_7BItToB5NZFO6TnIr7Mw16wqe7VOm-sEgD7R95w79t76HcZu7to0AOf-qHQwQoOLWmbCc8isNHcgY/s640/2+m.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the folks who were watching the dancing horses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The parade started at 9 am.... we watched it at it's beginning area, then after it passed, we walked to the other side of the block and watched it all over again. We thought the festivities were over, but found they were just beginning! We spent the next couple of hours wandering around the plaza, watching the horses and just watching the people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, they sure know how to celebrate their Revolution!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155514213922491267.post-29141364560409688402016-11-19T14:55:00.001-06:002016-11-19T14:55:33.814-06:00Super Moon, Temporary Evacuation and Other Stuff....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Super Moon was this past Monday night and Memo decided that instead of having a Monday morning walk, he'd lead a beach walk, through the sand at the ocean starting at 7pm. I think there were 15 of us in all.... meeting at the Plaza arch to begin our trek in the dark.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9psKBPPAv3cgYFalExvwE880CYObOQU0dpi4rttS9TXBHn15elWIoYaTIr19XnCC2xbXBMz_PcwXWws1b6A7WLkr_2KIe4Xl9kEJF7qS7F43Wv1e21DhnupymHcVnxJKAG82vU7aBjM/s1600/1+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9psKBPPAv3cgYFalExvwE880CYObOQU0dpi4rttS9TXBHn15elWIoYaTIr19XnCC2xbXBMz_PcwXWws1b6A7WLkr_2KIe4Xl9kEJF7qS7F43Wv1e21DhnupymHcVnxJKAG82vU7aBjM/s640/1+e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had already met most of these folks, but there were a few who don't usually join us on the morning walks, so we met some new friends.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pJtrrnVvVlRIKqE1ij5UJPPnJbwQK3dusTfIJoOfK5H6g3hxxSHALg6XT4PVeJodEcQX177z2_7qBXQh61LR-aQda52qep2WmBD_sfdWpJPL36lJkn8X6frNAbWrjONHTpt2TS_bQrI/s1600/1+ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pJtrrnVvVlRIKqE1ij5UJPPnJbwQK3dusTfIJoOfK5H6g3hxxSHALg6XT4PVeJodEcQX177z2_7qBXQh61LR-aQda52qep2WmBD_sfdWpJPL36lJkn8X6frNAbWrjONHTpt2TS_bQrI/s640/1+ee.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took a few photos... we watched the moon rise up over the mountains to our east and it was bright enough to cast our shadows as we walked.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQY7eyYdpcRnzfbve631ylUGEojMks84Tiwpe90zfulBANYNqwkuz14qNz4WDoTSPzgnAVQmaVj7wYL9fXwno6LvZkU-G_8IlaNhSCVgog30X7NxT4jqHwhtUdgjSJrVG2I4SBRq_1cSc/s1600/1+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQY7eyYdpcRnzfbve631ylUGEojMks84Tiwpe90zfulBANYNqwkuz14qNz4WDoTSPzgnAVQmaVj7wYL9fXwno6LvZkU-G_8IlaNhSCVgog30X7NxT4jqHwhtUdgjSJrVG2I4SBRq_1cSc/s640/1+f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I realized after taking several shots that I hadn't changed the settings on my camera from trying to capture the hummingbirds in action, so I never did get a sharp photo of the moon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite photo of the evening wasn't even at the beach...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u-ZlSv52WWmoI8zh9tWGo8BXpG-a23eFtOrlDMTcdzBSv8h_LlNKnNmKWUDvsFI-lk-fzN143GqbDeHyQ4LC8P6P4yCLz3OswVwx8flPrQJiB-hzw_VzbNuvAKdYyYK_Dba0qyRcTrU/s1600/1+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u-ZlSv52WWmoI8zh9tWGo8BXpG-a23eFtOrlDMTcdzBSv8h_LlNKnNmKWUDvsFI-lk-fzN143GqbDeHyQ4LC8P6P4yCLz3OswVwx8flPrQJiB-hzw_VzbNuvAKdYyYK_Dba0qyRcTrU/s640/1+g.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our way home after the walk, I took this photo a few blocks from our house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It kind of shows this little town the way I like it... so quiet and peaceful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been able to get some photos of our hummingbirds...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRbqyskmFGh12zf1CnhsiJE-rGx1IWF1tCICwMM9bnO-LKqLUML-bjYy3zGqevIGdIGuPNSocaKXjWHn79_PLgrDNaHIXav8b0qyjqYSFfb2VA_YIvmMi2zM_tLisEkDEAe8ypSBe-Ls/s1600/1+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRbqyskmFGh12zf1CnhsiJE-rGx1IWF1tCICwMM9bnO-LKqLUML-bjYy3zGqevIGdIGuPNSocaKXjWHn79_PLgrDNaHIXav8b0qyjqYSFfb2VA_YIvmMi2zM_tLisEkDEAe8ypSBe-Ls/s640/1+b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This looks like a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have other species here... and have seen at least 3, maybe 4 of them so far.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BeqUP5huWFbv19t6-J9EQ1JReCyZzTLscyZ3iqKWTYsjL9Xdv78I9CHxtRMYgaHjIayyb8ueVQH3RLUi8xusCx2YL5duWm1anJDmQ1LzeF2OB5JaJeby9LgAVA4ZYkFCLRmD607m3dE/s1600/1+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BeqUP5huWFbv19t6-J9EQ1JReCyZzTLscyZ3iqKWTYsjL9Xdv78I9CHxtRMYgaHjIayyb8ueVQH3RLUi8xusCx2YL5duWm1anJDmQ1LzeF2OB5JaJeby9LgAVA4ZYkFCLRmD607m3dE/s640/1+a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my view as I sit on our front veranda.... looking out at the bird feeders, and beyond the wall, to the constant activity in the street. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not constant as like around the town plaza... but there are folks walking, bicycling, driving vehicles... sometimes riding horses... there's a man who takes his 2 sheep (on a rope) several blocks to graze at the ball field.... there's the occasional vendor, selling everything from fish to mattresses. Mostly it's a quiet street... it makes sitting on the front porch very pleasant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really appreciate our quiet street after the past couple of days. The insect exterminator came to do his job on Thursday morning. We had to leave for 36 hours while this was going on. We rented an apartment right on the plaza to stay overnight. There was a huge party at an open-air restaurant across the street and it was very festive. This weekend is a National Holiday and there will be a big parade Sunday morning. I think around 9:30 or so a man rode his horse onto the cobblestone street and practiced his (the horse's) dance steps for a half hour or so. If you've never heard a horse tap-dance on a cobblestone street, you probably don't want to when you're trying to sleep. And there were the occasional fireworks going off... very loud... very, very loud... probably in the plaza. Some little kid started screaming (kids are up and about at all hours here) and like to never got calmed down. And of course, the music.... which you'd have thought would have drowned out all the other noise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We only had to vacate our own house for 1 night, so I guess it wasn't too bad.... but it sure made me appreciate our own place!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, speaking of our own place...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiW7ztkRyK37ziZOQFHSL2c7QGHA0O2FAz66d7kZ7WdqT9g96nghtdcnNDxN9qXVkyoUd2kg8347ejrbNI9PC-JLQ1sBjZpWYaq4ouehStgpTF4DnwrewGCOYSR6BnW245Hm03GAXSgE/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiW7ztkRyK37ziZOQFHSL2c7QGHA0O2FAz66d7kZ7WdqT9g96nghtdcnNDxN9qXVkyoUd2kg8347ejrbNI9PC-JLQ1sBjZpWYaq4ouehStgpTF4DnwrewGCOYSR6BnW245Hm03GAXSgE/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our own bananas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are from one of the banana plants in our backyard. Once the "tree" produces a hand of bananas, it is cut down and another is planted. We're told that the bananas hanging at the bottom will ripen first... good thing they don't all ripen at the same time. We have another banana plant that is starting to flower... I'll have to record its growth as it progresses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(the bananas are really hanging upside down in the photo above... you can see where the stem was cut)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXVsWky7dSrOK2sF7qE9SEeIlY_8NfoYm0zV-K7q3Jjw3ACn_joXkm3ILFidYthTwX680ynL08SKq_ZzPOXWleDaUI5gbak4tjZUMy6YFnYnBRNTKCgVhMFAX3sogH7k_0vh00Dl0Z9s/s1600/1+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXVsWky7dSrOK2sF7qE9SEeIlY_8NfoYm0zV-K7q3Jjw3ACn_joXkm3ILFidYthTwX680ynL08SKq_ZzPOXWleDaUI5gbak4tjZUMy6YFnYnBRNTKCgVhMFAX3sogH7k_0vh00Dl0Z9s/s640/1+d.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Streaked-back Oriole often comes to the tree across the road from our house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, like here, it ventures over this way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We bought a lot of flowers and other plants at that nursery last week... most have already been planted, but some have to wait until the new sewer line is put in, hopefully next week.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Wx05eG2RCRuaq1wstiXjSTKXol1uZi8jIwY4LEsJ7MbAtSEQBZa1gpwtikwF0AgmUJLVz038qycHu9QYOHwmaoFr7iRHFza8XGg3lSDAuoeDeZ0kUz7dRIZBhCwK0tlP1SH3BYShm8/s1600/1+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Wx05eG2RCRuaq1wstiXjSTKXol1uZi8jIwY4LEsJ7MbAtSEQBZa1gpwtikwF0AgmUJLVz038qycHu9QYOHwmaoFr7iRHFza8XGg3lSDAuoeDeZ0kUz7dRIZBhCwK0tlP1SH3BYShm8/s640/1+c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But this Hibiscus, which is now in front of the porch, bloomed beautifully earlier this week. The hummingbird did indeed visit it several times while it was at its peak!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One last photo...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X0-c4Ol7bts6zzbbyDJktKplSAuhzgd4BlzCmukIlvK8NJhrCCM1fRGeZ0SNqf72NwdqNFcO6Ztf-bZBuSRNto-v926jtBkNZXLAZQtnJxuRc-xQOhC7RSqyZDrPzkSVqiqXJxni4CI/s1600/1+aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X0-c4Ol7bts6zzbbyDJktKplSAuhzgd4BlzCmukIlvK8NJhrCCM1fRGeZ0SNqf72NwdqNFcO6Ztf-bZBuSRNto-v926jtBkNZXLAZQtnJxuRc-xQOhC7RSqyZDrPzkSVqiqXJxni4CI/s640/1+aa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That gourd-like jug at that man's feet holds something to drink. I don't know what it is, but the man walks around and sells glasses full of it. You can see him handing these folks a glass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to have to find out just what it is... but I believe I'll just continue drinking the bottled water that is readily available here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's All For Today!</span></div>
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The Odd Essayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17168404014947652773noreply@blogger.com9