January 17, 2019
As we finish one year and begin a new one I realize I have not written forever awhile. December and January have been crazy busy.
We took a four day Christmas trip to San Jose del Cabo in Baja. We were in a situation where if we did not use our time-share we would have lost the days so we went ahead. I have previously written on how passionate I am about the people, colors, textures, landscape, and flavors of Mexico. But, am terrified and absolutely abhor their corrupt government in which personl enrichment has always been central to Mexico’s political system.
We had a quiet lovely relaxing time; where we planned and did absolutely nothing. These are my favorite times when we allow ourselves to just be. The highlight of our trip was our luncheon to the latest farm to table restaurant, named Acre. Augie and I were both impressed with their design-forward development, food and cocktails. Diners come to enjoy dishes like chicken liver mousse with chicken chicharrón and pickled turnip. I ordered the delicious kale salad and Mi Corazon had the tuna poke salad and agnolotti pasta, perfectly paired with a bottle of Cuilleron 2016 Viognier. We had the added delight of meeting Chef Fernando. Acre is a 25 acre piece of farmland situated 7 minutes from the quaint, scenic, “old town” of San Jose del Cabo. The first phase of the development is a restaurant and bar set within a natural palm grove and mango trees. Five acres of organic crops will provide fresh produce and ingredients for the restaurant and bar. It also has tree-houses for your accommodations.
We also made a trip to my hometown; the Central Valley of California in early January. Unfortunately, I lost a precious young cousin. I am not ready to write about Linda. Perhaps, one day I will. It was a very difficult time for all of my family.
From the funeral we drove to visit our children in Fort Bragg, California. It is a long 8 hour drive allowing for much time to ponder and reflect on Linda’s life and the beautiful woman she was. I also thought about my family and everyone I had seen and visited with. Way too much time to ponder! I was happy to finally arrive in Fort Bragg, although exhausted. We were able to stay at a beautiful lodge overlooking the harbor, that is managed by an ole friend from the Central Coast. It’s what my soul needed. We had an enjoyable time visiting our girls and grandchildren.
We also snuck in an early anniversary dinner, which is January 21st.
And, finally we finished our California trip with a visit with my 83 year old mother in law, Lynn in Folsom, California. I have always had a special love for her, for bringing into this world, such a special son just for me.
Our final night in the San Joaquin Valley we joined my cousins Henry and Judy Garza for a pleasant dinner at an old Fresno establishment, named the Elbow Room.
All in all, it was a much needed, fast and furious trip, similar to most of our California trips, since we only have a few days until Augie must return to work, in Texas.
We are finally home, Augie and I always bring up the fact that as much as we both love traveling. Nothing compares to your home. Thank you, Father, I am so grateful to You.
Clothespins
I realize this may seem trivial to many, I truly like clothespins, and like many things I have fond memories of them; they are not trivial to me. I like their look, their feel in my hands, the sleekness of the wood and even the colorful plastic ones grab my attention. I like them all, but I especially like the older wood ones. I think of the people who have handled them before me. When hanging my family’s clothes as a child I would challenge myself to grasping as many clothespins as I could hold in one hand while hanging clothes on the clothesline. Without dropping them. Mi Mama had definite patterns and ideas to washing and hanging her clothes. She felt that we did not have a lot of money and she/we had to take care of our clothes. Which really makes sense. We were instructed to shake them as soon as they came out of the washer to help release wrinkles. And they were hung out on the clothesline in a definite pattern in groupings. I’m sure this was just to satisfy Mi Mama’s organizing skills. In retrospect it makes sense to hang all undies in a group and all t-shirts in a group for folding purposes, I guess. I was more of a free-spirit and just wanted to hang clothes rapidly and haphazardly, to be done with the whole process, as quickly as possible. So I could go out and play. Many years ago I wrote a story for my siblings on how the clothespin is obsolete. I can’t help but wonder, if children or teen-agers would be able to identify what these are or their use. In fact, so many things we grew up with are obsolete! Home phones, clothesline’s, 8 tracks, drive-in speakers, etc. I still have a few of Mi Mama’s and Aunt Lupe’s collection. I know there are still women who much prefer freshly hung laundry, like myself, to the lifeless dryer clothes we have become accustomed. I realize it’s a matter of convenience. I just wish the clothespin had not become obsolete!
February is looking to be somewhat quieter and a time to “take care of business” in preparation for our trip of a lifetime to Israel in March. Thank you, Father, I cannot await to see all of your majesties that await me/us.
The day after we arrived we met up with old friends, we have known for over 21 years, from Cambria, the Bassetti’s and Wagner’s, who were on a Texas roadtrip. What a beautiful pleasant surprise.
Abrazos y Besos
