Holly

We just finished dog-sitting Holly for a week while our friend Jerry was out of town. Holly is a Bull Terrier.  She is very solid and a strong girl! She would get a little excited and bark when George watered the plants in the morning, otherwise she is pretty mellow.

Holly is a sweet dog and it was fun to get to know her better.

 My sister asked if we thought we might want to get a dog now. I answered "No. But we did enjoy her company." It's the same as with kids for us, we enjoy them once in a while but it's nice to give them back to their parents.

I also wanted to share this one photo I found, in memory of Conrad.

esquinas decorativas

 It's nice to look around the house and enjoy more  aesthetically pleasing areas.

Jean D'Arc, our patron saint of traavel

 An insulation project begins this week which we hope will add to keeping the house more comfortable on these hotter days ahead. George already added some tinted glass to the front, and thermal energy curtains to help deflect heat from the front area. Poco a poco.

Un día en la vida

(Andrea posting)
It always amazes me how I can start a week with no plans and then, suddenly,  the days fill up. Here is a glimpse at this past week for me:

Monday I had a job interview which was a good experience, even though I didn't get it.
George and I took a guided tour of La Casa Museo Montes Molina, a beautiful, preserved mansion built circa 1902. (Sylvia, you will love this!)
Tuesday I joined a couple of friends for a private yoga session at Maxine's house.
I joined the Merida English Library because I <3 books.
Wednesday I painted on my 'kitchen canvas wall'

Thursday we joined some friends for dinner at an Indian restaurant Saboreando Comida, in Progresso which we all enjoyed.
Friday, I had a foot reflexology session at UK Reflexology because I love alternative treatments. Samantha from the UK is passionate about reflexology and I enjoyed my hour with her.

This was also a sad week for us. We learned that we lost a beloved member of our community.

The social life, the activities, the learning, and adventures have been an amazing life experience for us. But when you make more friends and have more people in your life that you care about, you open yourself to more vulnerability. And truly, the people we have met here, have made it easy to open our hearts.

As I shared in a toast this week, I said that knowing Conrad for the short time of a year was worth more than never moving here or knowing him. George and I both welcomed his charm, humor, and wisdom and that has impacted our lives.

I am proud to be part of a community not only has a lot of fun together, but that rallies around and finds ways to support one another.

With love and in memoriam of Conrad

A Thousand Words

George reporting...

Sometimes I like to pick up the small camera and take a few pics around the house.   


This is a typical scene.  Sometimes, when the house is really quiet, I wonder what Andrea is doing.  Usually, I find her working on something creative at the new art desk I recently made for her.

This pic says much to me.  Of course the rug on the wall is from Turkey we picked up last year.  The table and chairs are made by a local Yucatecan craftsman.  However, sitting on the table are two unopened bottles of Guinness beer which I found for 30 pesos a piece at Plaza Dorada here in Merida.  I only open these when we want to relive our wonderful experiences from Dublin, Ireland.

I realized something after taking this pic.  The subject (Kori) in the Smartphone artwork by Jacob is stretching her arms upward with the umbrella as if trying to reach the sky.  And the house plant in the corner is stretching out towards the archway.

This newly repaired vase sits in the corner waiting for something to make it complete. What could that be?

Thanks for stopping by!

Something About Merida

We are heading back to the U.S after being away for all of 2016 and most of 2015.


The culture and friendly disposition of nearly everyone we encounter is one of the key reasons
why we like to live in Merida.  The vibe of the city feels generally calm and pleasant which
is a sharp contrast to the experiences I often have back in the U.S.  In Merida, it is quite
natural and easy to say 'Good Day' to passersby on the street.  It's also rare to hear a siren
of any kind.

Here are just a few other things I saw in Merida that still stick in my mind:

A local business woman/acquaintance of ours once closed up her business just so she could transport
us (and our luggage) to our casa on a particularly rainy day.

I once saw a local policeman stop and help a guy change the tire on his beat up old Volkswagen.

I love how people don't ask you for any personal information when you drop in to order a custom
made piece of furniture or mirror.

Once, I dropped by the local wood shop. The guy busily cutting wood stopped what he was doing
and helped me immediately find and cut the small piece of wood to my specifications. He then
didn't even want to charge me for the materials or his service!
-g
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diversion con amigos

Two weeks into 2016 and good friends have come to visit Mérida from Chicago and Jacksonville. 

GandA with Kori & Jacob

 Below are some inspirations our friends have left upon me:

• to continue exploring Merida, and attend more of the free events it offers
• learn the differences between the local inexpensive food, like a salbute and a panucho

GandA with Adam at Loltun Cave

Adam - Oxkutzcab

GandA, & Adam - Oxkutzcab

• write poetry 
• start a meditation practice

George & Adam at Cuzuma cenotes

Walking to the chocolate museum near Uxmal

Shredded chicken wrapped in tortillas covered with mole, and a chopped salad
made by Gosia & Sebastian

•  try new recipes, and cooking with more local ingredients
• wear more color

GandA dining with Gosia & Sebastian

Artist in action

Beginning of an archway mural by Gosia

I am grateful for all the wonderful people we know. The love, kindness, humor, music, painting, photography, poetry, style, (and more) they contribute, makes life

Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Our amigo Adam is visiting from Chicago.

Feliz Ano Nuevo! 

F

We crashed Maria's restaurant reservations to share a NY greeting.

 Great time at NY day party at Jerry & Conrad's. Friends, food, and fun.

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Jerry y Linda