A Man of Years

He smiles with slight of grin
A gate of hesitation walks in him
He understands friends' abuse
For life is that of no recluse
He sees the world which has been used
And travels the land with amuse
Knowledge comes from years of use
Which has passed with hope of no disuse
Years of strength have passed away
For his last years are on the way
And meeting his maker will come to pass
And talk to God with a quiet repast
While tears will fall upon his passing
He with God will smile, in the ever lasting

Remember God only gives us a certain number of days. I don't plan on wasting the ones I have left.

Until we talk again.

Mike

The Street Vendor

What you sell is a bother to me
Whether it's fruits are vegetables,
or art or pottery
You are but a seller on the street
Vendor you are unimportant to me
For my life is important you see
Truly the fault is mine, not the sellers you see
For God created both the vendor and me

Mexico has given me a perspective that I have needed far a long time. When I return to America I hope I don't loose the gift's Mexico has shared with me.

Remember: God only gives us a certain number of days. I don't plan on waisting the ones I have left.

Until we talk again.

Mike

The Trash Man

The trash man walks and rings his bell
Behind a truck of which little is well
As I ride behind, he my passing to impede
Does he have a story which he might plead
Of wife or children or maybe family
Which I chosen never to see
For I am most busy with self you see
As I pass through this world
I have thought little of others
Or what there needs could be
For others are of much importance
If I will only open my eyes and see

Mexico has given me a new perspective I have needed for a long time. When I return to America I hope I don't loose the gifts Mexico has shared with me.

Remember: God only gives us a certain number of days. I don't plan on wasting the ones I have left.

Until we talk again.

Mike

Day of the Dead ... Dia de los Muertos

Before I came to Mexico I thought Mexico's Dia de los Muertos was some macabre practice. Boy, was I wrong! Actually it is two days not one, November 1-2 each year. They are All Soles' Day November first, and All Saints Day November second. The first is not as big of an event as the second, my first mistake, I have learned. Day one is for the infants and small children who have died, while day two is for those older ancestors, family and dignitaries who are deceased. I am not sure of the exact age for demarcation. Both are days of remembrance, prayer and conversations about the deceased. While they are not official sanctioned government holidays, they are probably among the biggest observances in Mexico.

Day one is for the families who have lost children. On the way home from the cemetery the family will drop cookies or candy in hope of the child finding the way home. This to me seems so very sad. It is similar to day two, but more subdued.

I am told that day two has by far more participation. On day two, many families who don't set up shrines or altars go to the cemeteries for the entire day and part of the night. Here the family will make an altar for the deceased. Many are quite elaborate and very expensive. Usually there is the favorite food, drink and things the deceased loved, candles, pictures, skulls made from sugar, and flowers, usually marigolds, hoping for the love one's return. I am told there is much conversation about the persons life; what the love one enjoyed, things they accomplished. It appears much time is spent in celebration of a life well lived. The families and friends sit and wait for the appearance of the love one. Many are hoping that the prayers and conversations will stir the soul to appear. This time is also used to clean and repair the grave. At some point, I'm not sure when, the food which has been prepared, along with the drink (many times tequila) is consumed.

On the evening of the November 2, Kay and I went to see the many shrines which were set up at homes along the 4-5 blocks of Cinco de Mayo street in Chapala. Lots of people come out to see the shrines. At several shrines the families were offering pan dulce; a semi sweet bread. The entire street scene reminded me of a carnival; lots of teenagers with faces painted and dressed up to look like skeletons, music everywhere, many taking pictures, laughter and celebration. Many of the shrines included family members representing the ancestor in skeleton makeup and dress.

I see many of the little blue and white flags hung across the small streets from house to house, plus blue and white ribbon bows. It is my understanding this represents the Catholic church. At dusk the shrines were lit by candles.

Jose Guadalupe Posada: (1852–1913) is the Mexican artist that most Americans think of when Dia de los Muertos images come up. He created the famous lady skeleton with the large fancy hat and dress; called "Katrinas" now. Many skeletons and sugar skulls are a part of these two days of celebrations.

It is not my desire to made you unhappy with this blog. My hope is that you have found some information which will expand your knowledge. Remember, Dia de los Muertos, is a "remembrance celebration" of the loved-one's contribution to life, not a grieving of loss. The mood is very festive.

Remember God only gives us a certin number of days. I don't plan on wasting the ones I have left.

Until we talk again.

Mike

Four Months in Mexico

As I write this blog I pause to look out the window. Good, Kay is not packing the Venza for a move back to the US. That's a positive. Neither of us were sure what a move of 2,500 miles from Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA To San Antonio Tlayacapan, Jalisco, Mexico would do to our marriage of 27 plus years. Would things work out? Let's just say, I haven't seen any cards from an attorney fall out of her purse lately. That's always a good sign.

If I have any advice for those contemplating a move to Mexico, spend some time here. The old timers say that the 4-5-6 rule seems to work. First, a four week visit. Then later a, five month commitment. If this seems to work, stay a while. One can get to most any where in the US within 5 hours from most parts of Mexico by plane. Many travel to the states to see family 2 to 3 times each year. Plus some live 6 months in their home country, then 6 months in Mexico. Those that have been here a long time say, many who stay for six plus years do finally return home, however it's usually in a pine box.

Does Mexico work? Yes, it may not work like we think it should, or could, or even might, but work it does. Now in our forth month south of the border we must remind ourselves of a term: "The Ugly American". It is our sincere desire not to be one of those people. Mexico doesn't need us to fix it. It did OK before we arrived, it will do fine after we are gone. The good news here is I have time to read, write my blog, children's books, plus my novel. I exercise six days a week. Here, I have time to truly smell the roses, or is it the bugambilia (bougainvillea) in English ... or French ... or whatever that word used in the USA is)? I forget.

I have learned the important places one needs to go: Walmart, church, the Pemex gas station, Kay's hair dresser (Paty's), plus the best place to eat in town, the La Nueva Posada. Today I found the post office. I knew it existed, I just had not gotten around to looking for it. Being retired, as most Americans and Canadians seem to be, helps. My advice, don't get in too big a hurry. Most things work out over time. I check my blood pressure every day, I am not sure why any more. My numbers are down 10 on the first and 20 points on the second. Maybe it's time to put the BP tester in the cabinet.

Many, even most, countries are not like the USA. I have had an opportunity to live in three countries; America, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. I have had the privilege of traveling in many parts of the world. Each is different, all have good and bad. Embrace the good, avoid the bad and you will be happier.

Remember, God only gives us a certain number of days. I don't plan on wasting the ones I have left.

Until we talk again.

Mike

Mexican Mirador's

I spoke of miradors in an earlier blog. I said then I would deal with the miradors later. Looks like that time has arrived.

Think of a patio on the roof of your house. Not a regular roof, a flat roof. Most of our neighbors here in San Antonio Tlayacapan have miradors. We can see other miradors from ours.

Different people seem to enjoy miradors at different times of the day. Kay likes to go up early in the morning to catch the sunrise and listen to the roosters with her coffee and a good book. I go later in the day or at sunset. This is the place to watch the weather change. They can provide a great deal of peace and solitude.

Ours is on the third level and the climb is worth the effort. On ours are a number of comfortable chairs, a table plus a Mexican swing. As far as flora is concerned Kay has arranged four large elongated flower pots with different types and colors of flowers and plants. Really quite pretty. Plus this is home for the famous lime tree which I devoted a complete blog to some time ago.

The humming birds really like a certain type of yellow flower called a cameron. It looks a bit like a shrimp. That's the only one we have that seems to attract them. The humming birds are quite a lot of fun to watch. They are very colorful, but don't stay long. Maybe 30 second at best, then they're off.

If there is little breeze this is the place one can catch it. The mirador is the best place to nap, too.

Remember God only gives us a certain number of days. I don't plan on waisting the ones I have left.

Until we talk again.

Mike

We're different; you and me.

Equal or unequal, we look to see,
then we judge other's with plea.

Many voices rise, both loud and soft.
Should we listen in times of wroht?

Or turn them off, never to be raised,
voice's at times, that should be praised.

Offen we hear, only that we want to be,
while others listen and are set free.

Some are slight, while others tall;
our physical bodies mean little at all.

Our skin tone is different, some say with glee;
are we so different you and me?

Bereft of sight, some will see.
For some sighted, this shall never be.

Many are in bondage, while others walk free.
Some dream of walking, others dance with glee.

Many are locked within their minds;
medicine perhaps, there fetters to unbind.

We don't look or act the same;
perhaps our DNA is to blame.

We are different; you and me,
which I believe sets us free.

Remember God only gives us a certain number of days, I don't plan on wasting the one I have left.

Until we talk again.

Mike