Month: March 2020

It is incredibly hot down here, in the upper eighties by two o’clock in the afternoon. Our “cold” weather did not last very long- not by my standards, anyway.

However, everything is blooming, and the colors, of the trees, bushes, plants, are all breathtakingly beautiful. But, you already know this, if you have been following this blog.

The smells that accompany the blooms are just as magnificent as the colors. When driving, or walking, there is usually a nice breeze, (the only redeeming thing, in this heat), and on that breeze you can smell the forsythias, jasmine, and, the oleanders.

In our park, alone, we have all of those, plus the ever gorgeous jacaranda trees. Their flowers are a beautiful, bright bluish purple, like the lilac bushes up North. There is a large jacaranda tree right outside the terrace, here at Juan’s house, and, when we walk out of the bedroom, onto the terrace, it is a sight to behold. In fact, it is just about the only thing you see, out most of the windows on that side.

Still nothing of interest to write about. Our friend, Enrique, has a cough, and sore throat, went to Clinic, but tested negative for CoVid19. He was instructed NOT to go to the CoVid clinics, because he would probably pick it up there, in his decreased condition. He was also told, what? DO NOT TAKE IBUPROFEN!!! He is currently in another two week isolation, so we will not be seeing him until mid April. We miss him already.

Ivan’s cousin, or, more easily understood, Juan’s older brother, Pancho, and his wife, Alma Laura, delivered some lovely groceries this evening- things we will need over the next few weeks, if we are going to continue to stay here. (Good idea, we think).

They brought eggs, tortillas, a couple of different kinds of meat, cheeses, jellos, Chocolate milk mix, salsa, a BIG bag of sweet bread, (pan dulce), some of the things one needs to cook for “the boys”. (They did not know we were here, already stockpiling food for the next few weeks).

Ivan grilled out some beautiful sirloin steaks the other night, and, since we are only six here, and, really, no one eats very much, I froze, then vacuum sealed them, so, we will have steak meat for awhile yet.

Also, I made about four kilos of pork, in the Instant Pot, (you know, with the onions, and beer), and have frozen most of it, and, again, shrink wrapped it for later use. Not to mention the two pounds of pinto beans, also in the IP, that we are consuming small amounts of daily. (I am not even going to mention the gas)!!! My rice has improved tremendously in the past few weeks, as well my sopa de fideo. Fresh veg, is a bit more difficult to obtain, except at the kiosk about two blocks away.

Also, Ivan, and Juan’s youngest brother, Marco, put up the wall mounted TV in Juan’s room today. It took about an hour and a half, and it looks amazing. A great job by both of them. Yes, I started to help, but I had dinner to prepare. That is my specialty, not winding my way through a list of visual instructions. They did an excellent job without my help. Rest assured.

Ok, so a few things did happen today, however, it sure did not seem like it while it was happening. We hope all of you and yours are safe, and virus free. Let me know how you are doing. Please.

Not much to report today folks. We went to Costco this afternoon and bought some beautiful steaks. Ivan is in the grilling mood so who am I to object. Have not eaten very many steaks I did not like.

We have purchased about nine steaks, and plan to freeze, then vacuum seal the leftovers, to have a ready protein throughout the time we are going to be here. If we do not get them eaten while we are here, they will have them after we leave.

Everyone here seems in good spirits, and, more importantly, good health.

It is about ten thirty, and Ivan’s dad has just come up to go to bed. It is so heartwarming to watch Ivan help his dad finish his ablutions. At this particular time of year, it is quite warm here, so none of us sleep with much on. Ivan is explaining to his dad about the virus that is keeping us here, as well as the heat we are experiencing, that it is ok to sleep in his underwear.

We never expected to have Juan with us, at this time in our lives, but he is, and we enjoy every minute his is with us. We have to show him how to do simple things, things that he used to know how to do by rote, and it makes us think that, someday, this will be us. Someone will need to show us how to use a fork, or a knife, even a spoon. The circle of life.

We have been working, putting things away, for the past seven weeks, and, I have to say, we have done a really good job of it.

It has been twenty years since we have had to “put moved things” away. I must, also, say that if we do not have to do this again, ok, in this lifetime, it will be too soon.

However, the compactness of this living space is so much more conducive to making us happy, it is worth the work. The brightness of the condo, now that all of the dark tile is gone, is one of the things I enjoy most. That and the nearness of the laundry!!!

From the first photo, to the second photo, was seven months. From the second to the third, took seven weeks. Obviously, we are not done, but we have come a long, long way in seven weeks.

We are no longer in self isolation- only because of necessity, however. I had stockpiled enough food at the condo for us to easily last the two to three weeks. With the Barajas’ family gone up north, we felt our place was with, (we loving call them los dos Juanes), the two Juan’s. So, we packed up, and moved back into Juan’s house for the week.

This has always been our first home down here, a sanctuary, if you will. We cannot repay them for allowing us to live there, not just yearly, while on vacation, but for the seven months it took to remodel our condo.

We are on our way to Juan’s house for the next week. His brother, Pepe, along with Paty, and their son Arturo, are going to go on holiday for a week, to visit their oldest son, Pepe, in northern México. Everything is packed up and ready. There was a lot to pack, too.

When one uses a CPAP, as I have, for about seven, or eight years now, plus, I have the SoClean2, a machine that keeps the entire system clean, daily, it is quite the setup, and take down. Worth every minute, do not misunderstand me. I felt my life come back to me when my friend, Lynn K., let me have her CPAP machine. She did not care for it, and could not get used to it. Thank you, again, Lynn. It has saved my life.

After a horrible, not to mention sleepless, night during a sleep study several years ago, they noted that I actually stopped breathing more than twenty times in one hour. Stopped breathing. No wonder I was so tired all of the time. Since I have become reliant on the CPAP, I am completely unable to sleep without it. So, to prevent nightly panic attacks, the whole system goes where I go.

I digressed, again. Not sure what food will need to go with us. Thinking we will find out soon enough. Will let you know how the day progresses.

I hope and pray all of you stay safe, and sane, in your homes. I am thinking about all of you, everyday. I am trying not to worry too much about you.

I am, also, trying not to worry about the little vendor man, at our favorite Mercado, who will not be able to sell his produce. And, what will happen to him, not having his few pesos everyday? My heart hurts for all of you, those reliant on a paycheck. I thank the good Lord everyday for my retirement.

As boring days go, this one has been, without measure, the most boring day ever. We have done absolutely nothing today, not even walk. Tomorrow, I hope, will be different. I am going to walk in the morning, when we get up, then do some laundry.

How are all of you spending your time in isolation? Oh, we are also going to continue to watch Game of Thrones- again. It is such a good show, with some excellent acting, that it is easy to watch it again.

Anyway, everyone in our circle, here, is well, and healthy. Wash your hands people. Do not become a statistic.

Upon awakening this morning, it felt like a scene from the book/movie called “The Day After”, which is an apocalyptic tale that takes place the day after a nuclear holocaust. There were no sounds of people in the garage, going to work. No sounds of anything, really. Strangely, eerily silent. Peaceful, actually.

I have been busy, however. I spent the day making an Instant Pots full of frijoles borachos, (drunken beans), a large batch of arroz rojo, (red rice), and, pork leg with onions, garlic, beer, and dried chipotle peppers. All done in the IP!! Oh, that was a lie. The rice I did in a heavy skillet. I should try it, though, in the IP. Hmmm.

As for the two of us, we walked to Enrique’s condo, and took some of the food we prepared over to him. He lives just two and a half blocks from us, so it was a nice walk, in the heat of the day. He is a bachelor, who lives alone, so we like to share stuff with him. He appreciates, and, even likes, my cooking. As does my husband, do not misunderstand. But to have someone else cook for you, especially when you live alone, would, I imagine, be somewhat of a treat.

On our way home from Enrique’s, we took a leisurely stroll around the park, his, and, ours. Then, when we got back, I decided that I had done enough for one day, and got back on my computer to play some WordScapes. Fun. Keeps my brain running, even when I am trying to sleep.

How interesting is this? Our power went out about thirty odd minutes ago, and, as I mentioned to Ivan, I wondered if there was anyone working today, as it is the first full day of the city services being shutdown, due to the CoVid19 virus.

I am using my iPad Pro, but it is not saving anything that I am typing- not until power is restored, and we have WiFi again. I have typed two posts now, that I am hoping will be saved once the electricity is restored.

We got to listen to a wonderful downpour, but, as there are three floors above us, the rain comes straight down, not at much of an angle. One side of the condo gets pelted while the other side does not.

It has stopped raining now, and some of the other cave dwellers are out in the hallway, talking, and laughing. Just wish someone would restore the power. The night is dark, and full of terrors.

Ask, and ye shall receive. The power has been restored. Now, to get the internet up and running again will be another twenty minutes, or so.

Never mind. It just went off again. Ok, now it came back on. Oh, for the love of Mike!!!

Down here, for us anyway, it is very easy to self-isolate. We are a couple that enjoy each other’s company more than “outsiders”, if you will. We have always been more interested in each other than, say, running over to someone’s house, to watch a movie, or TV show, have a cook out, etc.

Right now, there only twenty one cases of the virus, here in Mexico City. I have the feeling that the CoVid 19 virus will probably not affect us, as we always wash our hands upon leaving any place we have been- the Metro, the grocery store, a taxi. It is second nature to us. It is unfortunate that so many have been affected by this virus. People need to start washing their hands. You can not have any idea who has touched something before you did. And, what was on their hands, that they did not wash off before touching it?

You can really start to see how germaphobes get to be that way, once you start thinking of the possibilities. Gross.

One last thought- why do people not understand the importance of the simple task of washing their hands? So many epidemics, pandemics could be lessened, or stopped altogether, by simple hand washing. What is it that makes people forget something this important? Laziness, that is my guess. People think they have so many more important things to do, they do not have time to wash, with soap and water. You do not need to use hand sanitizers all of the time. In fact, you should not use them too frequently as they remove all of the helpful flora from your skin. But a minute or two, to save the world from this kind of madness- not asking too much.