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 now, the challenge is to use a walker in a house that’s not set up for it. We’ve battened down (or removed rugs), rearranged furniture, etc. But lots of little things crop up.

Still  no weight bearing on the right foot, so there are lots of things she just can’t do, or are much harder than they normally are. So there’s an attitude adjustment, as well. I’m not sure if my experience being “differently abled” is of any help. But she’s sharp enough to figure out workarounds for most things.

The biggest problem is for someone used to doing for herself to stop & ask for help. And we’ve had a couple go-rounds on that topic.

But we’re both coming to terms with it (the magic words seem to be- this is for 2 wks out of your whole life!) And I’ve got a big shopping list for tomorrow, to do some quantity cooking that can easily be heated. No prepared foods- some things just aren’t negotiable.

Mom is doing really well with her walker & wheelchair, and even learning to do steps. Still no weight on the right leg; one of the fractures is in a weird place, so the surgeon is being conservative.

This Tues, they’re having a home evaluation (the Occupational therapist) and bringing mom along, so it’ll be the first time she’s been home since Nov 17. Even just a short visit will do her good. They’ll tell me what equipment & modifications she’ll need, and then I’ll get busy rounding it up. Then a “safe discharge” meeting, and we can actually set a date. I keep mis-speaking & calling it “safe release.”

After the comments we made about the food (honestly, you wouldn’t believe what they serve sick people!) I’m sure they’ll expedite things

Considering how independent Mom is, and how much she enjoys quiet, she’s done really well at the convelescent hospital. But she’s really looking forward to getting home.

Sophia the cat came through her spaying well, and is also eager for a safe release. But she’ll stay in the kitchen until she’s ready to play with the big girls.

Thank goodness Mom doesn’t sit by the window and yowl like Sophia does, but I’m sure there are times she wants to.

I’ve been waiting for the migrating robins to swing by, and it looks like today’s the day. The trees are full of them, and when the frost melt, the lawn will be full of them. They really are quite deafening. I guess they do this each winter.

That’s it for now…

The funniest thing I saw this week was my horoscope, from Free Will Astrology:

“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home,” wrote philosopher Dagobert D. Runes. Your assignment, Virgo, should you choose to accept it, is to refute that assertion. In other words, I’m inviting you to travel to all of your usual haunts and treat everything that happens there with the attitude of a first-time visitor. Just assume that the familiar people and places in your life have stimulating gifts to give and lessons to impart. Remember, though, they can’t do that to the fullest unless you expect them to.

OK….

News:

1) Mom’s gained another 2#. Which doesn’t sound like a lot, except that she started at 88 & is now pushing 100. She looks great, and when else can you compliment someone on gaining weight? She’s looking (and says) she’s feeling a lot better. Tonight she discussed all the ways she could have used the same ingredients to make a much better & healthier meal, so you know she’s mending.

2) Almost all the paperwork for the B&B license is in. Everyone is really doing their best to make this happen. Big health inspection is Tues AM. Cross your fingers, light a candle… this WILL happen. I have a bottle of prosecco chilling & ready to sneak into the facility.

3) The rock band turned out to be 6 very nice young people who called me ma’am and didn’t stick tape on anything or steal or break anything at all. Ghost Child shot a video here today, based on a book called House of Leaves. If this has anything to do with a haunted house, please do not tell me. Even more, do not tell my mother.

That’s it for now…. Thank you all for the supportive messages, calls & wishes. I’m relaying them to Mom so she knows just how many people are rooting for her.

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!

Suddenly fall is upon us, with crisp mornings and leaves beginning to color. And before you know it, the holidays will be gearing up.

I keep hearing about this incredible gefilte fish loaf recipe, which is a mainstay at the family get-togethers, so decided to try my hand at it.

It’s a little difficult, because I’ve never actually eaten gefilte fish, so I have no comparison point. We did go to United Bakers’ specifically to get me some, but theirs wasn’t done yet, so I had to make do with split pea soup (which I highly recommend) and kasha w/bows & friend onions.

What a place; they call it the “yoo-hoo” restaurant because half the time is spent saying hi to old friends. The walls and ceiling are lined with mirror so that you don’t have any excuse for missing anyone. This was my premier visit, so I was vetted by Ruthie, who co-owns with her brother.

So far I’ve had 2 thumbs up on the gefilte fish loaf from the MIML (man in my life) and another family friend, and they should know, so I’ll post the recipe here, in case you’d like to give it a try.

Note that in Toronto, you just call ahead to Nortown & they’ll have your ground fish waiting for you. If you’re not in Toronto, I guess you’ll have to catch, clean, de-bone & grind your own fish. Have fun.

Gefilte Fish Loaf

• 2 lb ground mixed fish
• 2 carrots, chopped into 2″ chunks
• 2 large onions, in 2″ chunks
• 1/4 C mild oil
• 3 TB matzoh meal
• 2 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 TB sugar
• 1/2- 3/4 C club soda
• 3 eggs

Line a loaf pan with lightly oiled aluminum foil. Make sure foil extends above the rim. Put loaf pan on jelly roll sheet to catch any overflows.

Grind the carrots, and then the onions, in the food processor. They should be in bits, smaller than if they were grated. Saute in the oil until most of the moisture evaporated. Cool this mixture down.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and add matzoh meal and seasonings and mix thoroughly.

Add fish and carrot/onion mixture. (I found this easiest to do w/hands.) Gradually add the club soda. Be careful- you don’t want it soggy. 1/2 C was plenty for mine.

Put into prepared loaf pan. Place pan on rimmed cookie sheet to catch drips.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr and 10 minutes. When cool, wrap and store in refrigerator.

Before serving, unmold & allow to come to room temperature, slice and serve with strong red horseradish and a pepper grinder on the side. Accompany with challah, rye or during Passover, matzoh.

Driving between national parks, we passed through lots of little villages in Kenya, with their version of strip malls.

The business names were a little… different. We started writing down the funniest ones. Note that somehow the word “butchery” is funny, no matter what goes with it. Strangely, Tanzanian business did not have the same quirkiness.

Here are our favorites:

• Amazing Funeral Services
• Caskets Galore
• Late Chemist
• Double Vision Bookshop
• Waki Motel
• Amazon Accommodations
• Plan B Highway Shop
• Happy Go Butchery
• By Faith Agrochemicals
• Twine Towerz
• Highway Butchery
• Divine Providence Computers
• Best Lady Hair Salon
• God’s Power Shop & Cafe
• Pivot Cool Bar & Butchery
• Silent Bar
• Travellers’ Butchery
• Nairobi Hardware (in a tiny village)
• Precious Dry Cleaner
• Bull Head Butchery
• Club Destiny Cafe & Butchery
• Kaka Butchery
• Meet & Greet Cafe & Butchery
• Honey Pot Bar
• Anointed Candy Shop

Cheetah, originally uploaded by sbmilagros.

Sorry, I’ve been taking another break from blogging. The safari was incredible, and also pretty strenuous. I’m happy to say that even with transAtlantic flights & a few 10 hr rides over bumpy roads, my leg (and the rest of me) did pretty well.

I’m getting ready for the 2nd trip to BC since we’ve been back, this one to Salmon Arms’ Roots & Blues festival.

In the meantime, I’m trying to catch up on posting all the Africa photos. Here’s a start… (Check out the sets: Safari, Nairobi and Africa, on the right-hand side.)

Lala salama (Swahili for “Sweet dreams.”)

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…