Month: December 2020

Published on the 26th of December, 2020. Yes, they are out of order; continue.

Over the weekend of December fourth, we were in the car, on our way to Veracruz. By “we”, I mean Of course, not long after starting out, I was ready for a nap. Ugh.

When I was growing up, and our parents took all of us on a vacation, my younger sister, Nancy, and I, would fall asleep, within ten minutes of listening to the tar strips, on the pavement, through the floorboard of the car. (Nancy got one side, and, I got the other. Heaven. Truly).

The roads were considered highways by nineteen sixties standards; I can, however, safely say they were just paved roads.

The highway was a toll road so it was in better shape than the public highway. And the scenery was beautiful. So much of it resembled the states up North. One of the areas we passed through resembled Oklahoma, going through the foothills.

Later, we had traveled about an hour and a half, with dormant fields on either side of the road. The only thing growing, then, were scrub trees, cacti, and agave.

We left the four lane highway about thirty minutes later, winding our way through small town after small town, on two lanes.

Then, there was construction. The pavement was gone, completely; the road was rough, and it was exactly what I was hoping not to see.

We were back on paved two lane, a few kilometers farther, and there were plowed fields, growing cauliflower and broccoli.

NOW, we can see clouds coming over the tops of the mountains, in the distance. Gorgeous.

When we get back to town, and have internet, I will download some photos. It could not be more majestic, in this little village.

Until I can upload photos, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

Post script: I wrote this post on our way, to and from, the very small city of Los Altos, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, three and a half weeks ago. The posts that will follow, are the things, good AND bad, that have transpired in the several weeks hence. Thank you for your patience. The photos are some incredible views of another part of this beautiful country. Please come back.

Recently, we went to Los Altos, Veracruz, to visit the homes of our friends, Jesús, and, his wife, Lizbeht. Here, they live on the rooftop of the condo, in a small, (I really mean tiny), one and a half rooms dwelling, with their four year old son Gaby.

Right now, Liz’ mother is living with them, because, on the sixth of December, at six and a half months gestation, Jesús and Liz’s baby girl died while they were trying to get to a hospital that would take them.

Each of the hospitals said they were unable to take them, for various reasons; too full with CoVid19 patients; not enough staff; you do not have insurance. The denials were the same, just different reasons.

Liz went into labor after traveling the four hours from Veracruz to Mexico City. She has had, in the past few years, a few miscarriages, so this pregnancy was welcomed, but guarded.

It has been very hard to put this behind all of us, (obviously for them more than for us), but, we had been doing so many little things, in the background, to welcome her into the “family”; our family; the family we chose.

While we were in Veracruz, we met both of their families; many live very near, or, in the house of Jesús’s parents. The house is very small from the outside, but is built deep, and, on three levels, giving it much more space than it appears. Here is their house, from the road.

While we were there, Liz’s dad drove us, about an hour outside the city, up into the mountains, to a place that we consider very close to our Shangri La. Let me show you just a few photos. (There will be more photos to come, as we will probably be buying a house there, sort of a “vacation” home. Here goes.

We have not spent a more wonderful day than we did on this day. I have many more photos to show you, and will, when I am able to upload them.

For now, enjoy these while you stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and, protect your loved ones.

I have tons of photos to share with you, but it will take time, as there are about two hundred photos from our travels. I hope you will be patient and enjoy them.

This will be short, and to the point.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, (with less than ten people gathered in your homes), and, an even more SPECTACULAR NEW YEAR, (also with less than ten people).

PLEASE! Do not have too many people in your homes for the holidays; I implore you.

That is what both of our governments are requesting, even though, they will, probably, all be having parties with multi-generations of families, their favorite constituents, favorite lobbyists, etc. What are the rest of us to do?

Here, the country of Mexico is in a state of “red” regarding the virus. We cannot go out to the stores; assemble with more than ten people; there are fewer hospitals available for help; we cannot buy alcohol!!!!! (We have Mercado Libre! Hahaha)

People. Use your common sense. If your people have all been taking care of themselves, and their families, and you feel comfortable having them in your homes, do so. We will be doing the same here.

On that note- stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and, protect your loved ones.

May the spirit of God, yours, and mine, fill you with love, and compassion for the world around us. God bless us, everyone!!!

We had our turkey last week, no sweet potato, beans, pie, just turkey. It was not that good.

Now we have leftovers. I am going to vacuum seal them as breast, thighs, and legs/wings.

We put garlic butter, and pineapple chunks under the skin before roasting it but it took hours to cook, probably six, as I recall. Unbeknownst to me, I did not have the temperature set properly on the oven. This F to C is not easy. Well, the computation is easy, just finding that particular tiny little number on the oven dial is a whole other matter.

The taste of the breast was ok, however, the thighs, legs, and wings were amazing.

Now, we are on to making more menudo. The panza, (stomach), at Costco, here, is so clean we do not have to do much of anything to it except cut it up and boil it.

I am looking forward to the bacalao we will make closer to Christmas. It originated, I believe, in the Middle East, so you can imagine the combination of flavors. Mmmm.

We have turcos to make, also Middle Eastern. The best way I can describe them is a sweet pork meat mixture in a pastry turnover. Again, the above few dishes are traditional foods only during the holidays.

We hope you all had a pleasant start to the holiday season. And, we hope the season progresses uneventfully.

In the mean time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.