Because all the usual suspects were partying in San Miguel de Allende, at RB’s casita. For such a small town, Pt Townsend contributes a lot to the winter migration to San Miguel.

It makes sense, because both are small towns with a high percentage of what they call “cultural creatives.” (I recommend that book highly, and yes, I read the whole thing.)

We (all of the above, plus other cultural creatives, including TMIML- the man in my life) had a terrific lunch, and then the pattern shifted, as it always does. Someone comes to town, someone leaves town.

Our next adventure was to Guadalajara, Sayulita & Tlacqepacque. Now we’re back in San Miguel, and not only the cast, but the weather has changed. Last night and tonight, we’re having major thunderstorms, which I love (once all the computers are unplugged.)

And we’re getting ready for visitors… My sister from NH has a friend coming down, and TMIML’s musical partner arrives Thurs for a few days. In the meantime, I’m going to try to make lemon curd. Stay tuned!

* Oh, mom update! She’s back to almost normal, just using a cane until her muscle mass is back. But she can drive & cook & do all the things she did before.  (Still can’t play the violin.) Hooray!

So, as of last night, I’m a grandma! Here’s the scoop, from Parker’s dad who is a PR guy- of course a very tired and excited one, but he works well under pressure.

Isn’t this a great picture of the new family? They are all three so beautiful. I’m feeling so fortunate that I was able to share in the excitement thru the miracle of internet/skype/and all that.

As much as I love Mexico, my heart is in Seattle right now. Welcome to the world, Parker James, and I’ll be there to hold you in April. XOXO

View from the Ancha

So, I’m in San Miguel (as of 12/28.) Mom is doing much better; she’s got lots of support in place, and home visits by a nurse & PT guy, so we decided it would be ok for me to leave. I still check in almost daily, and things seem to be going well.

I usually get to San Miguel before the crowds, but this time I arrived with the crowd. The season is in full swing, with parties, plays, concerts, films, benefits… way too much for one person to do.

One funny note… My former landlady from Pt Townsend is down this year, with another friend from PT. We all went to “Women’s Night Out” last night (the best networking event in SMA) & were laughing about how well PT was represented. It turned out that sitting next to us was ANOTHER PT woman, whom none of us had met. I know of about 8 PT people here right now, and that’s from a town of about 8,000.

I’m heading for a day spa this afternoon & dinner w/friends followed by a production of  Inherit the Wind at the Biblioteca. Had to miss knitting group at St Paul’s to wait for the internet guy… (yes, this is a typical sort of day… except for the day spa.)

Tomorrow, after Bodega de Sorpresas (little shop of surprises) at the Biblioteca, (weekly thrift shop), I’m hoping to head for El Charco del Ingenio, the botanical garden.

So quick change, pack all the long sleeved shirts & jump on a plane. Mom is doing well- a slight fracture, so no operation, only bed rest. Easier said than done w/a lady who’s used to running all kinds of things.

Not least of the fact is that she’s opening a B&B on the farm, there are deadlines looming & she’s doped up on Vicodin. Every time she comes to, she adds to the punchlist until I’m carrying a purse that looks & feels like a boulder.

We’re working it out, and everything will work out. I’m actually amazed @ her support system. People are coming out of the woodwork offering help of all kinds (which is greatly needed.)

In the meantime, I’m keeping the animals alive, the house cleaned & learning to use a Mac (!) Each day I go to see her, she’s looking better.

She’s already chomping at the bit to come home, so I’ll be here until she’s back & settled in, then off to MX as planned.

All in all, I feel fortunate to have the sort of lifestyle that allows for quick changes in plans, and the kind of people in my life who make that possible.  And thank you to the weather gods who are holding back the snow.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tomorrow we fly from Arusha, Tanzania to Nairobi for one more night & then back to Toronto. It has been one heck of a trip & I’ve seen things that are completely indescribable. I’ll post pix (lots) but no camera can really capture this experience. It’s been quite strenuous, but well worth it.

Hakuna matata…

Factoids:

1. It takes about 10 hrs to drive from NoVA to Toronto in perfect weather & with very little road construction.
2. CH has an amazing spatial sense & can fit an amazing amount of stuff into a car.
3. For an aspiring minimalist, I have an amazing amount of STUFF.

OK, off to do more laundry. Did you know that in Toronto, electricity costs less after 7 PM & on wkends? Me neither…

IMG_0497, originally uploaded by sbmilagros.

Well, I’m at Sea-Tac airport waiting for the flight to take me to Virginia… It’s been a great visit to the PNW.

I got to visit with family & friends, found a great new home for my Prius, got to see my older son receive his MA, lived in an anarchist intentional community and discovered Ethiopian food- in Spokane of all places. Also alienated the affections of several cats & dogs.

Chickens seemed to be a strange theme on this visit. Two of the homes I stayed at had backyard chickens & I also attended a “chicken talk” in Pt Townsend.

I feel so fortunate to have the sort of friends & family who “get it” & are so welcoming when my travels take me to their area. Thank you all!

Now, it’s off to Virginia  to check in with the farm. It sounds as if there’s been a lot going on out there!

Hasta luego!

Spring garden II, originally uploaded by sbmilagros.

Spring in Seattle means lots of flowering shrubs & trees, and days alternating rapidly between grey/wet and shining blue. In fact, the only day this yr that I’ve needed the down jacket I’ve been dragging with me was yesterday. And I was grateful to have it!

I stayed a few days with my older son & his wife in West Seattle. They bought a house last yr & have been working hard on fixing it up. I’m absolutely amazed by all the projects they’ve completed. I stayed in West Seattle last yr for a while, so it felt a bit like home. (That is, I know where to shop, eat, buy gas & park.)

Now I’m staying on Capitol Hill with my other son & his friends, and this is a new n’hood for me. It’s full of old mansions, and twee shoppes, and hipsters. Just down the street is the Episcopal cathedral & Bishop’s manse.

But in the middle of all this is a growing geek/hacker subculture… Two related shops, Metrix Create:Space and Ada’s Technical Books have located here, and their clientele is following.

I toured Metrix Create:Space a couple days ago. It is absolutely amazing. They are building & creating kits for 3D printers. What that means is (my understanding…) the printer takes a 3D file, created with a program like Blender. It then melts plastic & sprays it in the pattern of that 3D object. And viola, you have a plastic 3D object. There is also a laser burner, and user-members can buy time to use the machines. Take a look @ their website, b/c I’ve barely touched the surface.

This is the closest I’ve seen to a living version of the world Cory Doctorow describes, especially in Makers. If you haven’t read Makers, go down  to Ada’s Technical Books about a block away, and buy it. Or a book (new or used) in just about any scientific or math-related field. Or a gift for your favorite geekish person.

Check out the photos…

View from the window, originally uploaded by sbmilagros.

Yes, I know it’s been a while! And it’s becoming apparent that 1) I need to write and 2) if I don’t, no one, including myself, knows what I’ve been up to.

I’m spending the next couple weeks in Seattle and Port Townsend, reconnecting with family & friends, revisiting my storage unit to swap things out, and selling my car.

That’s right… Max, the wunder-Prius is most likely going to be sold. The way I’m living, having a car is nearly as silly as having a pet (which I don’t.) It’s funny, but somehow not owning a car (even if it’s not in the same country or time zone) is a tough call. One of my sons has NEVER owned a car. It’s a lifestyle choice. And as an American, it’s a pretty radical one.

But I’m thinking that for my needs, zipcar (with branches in DC, Seattle, Toronto & SF) and renting the occasional car makes a lot of sense.

Anyway, I’m having a great time in the PNW. I’ve been staying with each of my sons (we’re not talking couch-surfing… they have real guest rooms!) and my former landlords in PT have offered me a guest room as well. And I hope to be seeing lots of friends in the area. Life is good!

(Next stop, VA May 11. VA friends… get ready!)

El Quixote sin Mancha, originally uploaded by sbmilagros.

What does don Quixote have to do with a lavanderia (laundry)? Well, mancha means stain & sin means without. So it’s the laundry without stains… Even in Mexico, there are punsters- beware!

So Candalaria is winding down… The Organic market has moved to the Ancha for a couple wkends. The chili cookoff was last wkend… Friends & friends of friends are arriving daily.

Yesterday, we took some FoF’s around & showed them the ropes. I’m starting to feel like an old hand here, although I still have a lot to learn.

I’ll be out of touch for the next wk or so. Senor is going to Cuba for a wk, which- as he is Canadian- is perfectly legal. He promises to come back w/lots of info & pix for my readers.

Here are some links to cheer us all up:

• Bike parking lot
• Cats in sweaters. Lots of them.
• Yoga that you & I can do- Thx Stephanie!