Author: iagardener55

While we were in Los Altos this passed weekend, I saw, in the corner of one of the stairwells, a lonely plastic pot that contained one of my all time favorite plants. Unfortunately for me, it has been difficult for me to find. Not any more!

The botanical name of this plant is Chlorophytum comosum. The common names include the Spider plant, airplane plant, spider ivy, ribbon plant, or Bernard’s lily. And, believe it, or not, this is the first one I remember seeing since we moved here.

The plastic pot, which held the three “babies” that I was given, held six, maybe seven, plants that were viable, and able to be divided. The soil was sandy, and dry as a rock; yet they were all surviving just fine, as you can see in the first photo. Maria gave me the three you see in the photo just above. I repotted them as soon as we got home.

Seriously, I have not had an airplane plant in my home for thirty years. I am not sure why not, but there it is. It is one of those plants that brings a smile to my face every time I see it, and is one of my favorites.

I remember someone, I think it was my sister, Martha, having a beautiful, healthy, full airplane plant at some point in the past. It had the long tendrils coming off of it with the little baby plants at the end of each of the tendrils. The guy that used to cut my hair had one as well. He always said he was going to give me a shoot, but never did.

Now, I have my own. I told Maria that, when we return, next, I will bring her a cutting from a plant that I have. I think it will be a Sansevieria. She just does not have the time that I do to take care of plants.

That is so disheartening, I think; to be given something, from someone, that requires more of anything than you have to put towards it; be it time, energy, what have you. I would not give her a plant that requires being watered morning, and evening, when it is obvious she does not have the time to do that.

The primroses that I bought a few weeks ago, love a drink at night, and in the morning; both times of the day when it is cool here. The leaves of the primrose are all we have left of them, at the moment, as the flowers have all faded, and died back. The leaves are so beautiful, however, that I will continue to water it until it no longer wants to live.

I say that, because I have read that people discard them after they have bloomed; they are no longer wanted. That is ridiculous. The leaves look primeval, almost; almost like dinosaur kale.

While we wait to see what happens to the primroses, please, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

Ivan reminded me, this morning, that we needed to “cure” the terracotta pots before using them. To the computer. Research!

Little did I realize, but, they actually need to soak in room temperature water for several hours; the large pots twelve to twenty four hours, and the small mugs, etc., only four to six. I set out to do just that.

I got out our tamale steamer, which has a seventeen inch diameter, and filled it, halfway, with water, then, in went the pots. They will sit in the water until tomorrow morning, when I will remove them, and replace them with the bean pot/lid, the oval server, and the mugs. They only need to soak for a few hours. They can do that while I am making some bread.

My bean pot has to be my all time favorite cooking vessel, second only to the Instant Pot. They serve two completely different purposes, and both do their respective jobs well.

While the Instant Pot cooks things quickly, the terracotta cooks things more slowly, more gently, with a touch of love, and, soul. The terracotta also keeps things warmer, longer, when served in the vessel. Lovely.

Now, I just have to have the patience to wait for everything to cure, then I will be able to use them. Until then, please, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

It has been over a year now, that I have been using the day of quarantine as the title of each post. I am going back to actual titles. I am tired of being reminded what evil has been done to us; to the whole world.

Yes, we are still in quarantine, I am sorry to say, and, probably, will be thus far into the future. However, as long as I am able to type the words of our adventures, here, in Mexico, and abroad, I am going to only acknowledge this heinous act in my closing paragraph; that will stay constant. I do not ever want anyone to forget the encouragement it offers.

Having said that, I want to tell you about the wonderful time we had, as always, in Los Altos, this passed weekend. It is called La Semana Santa, or Holy Week. It is a part of the world that is simple, earthy, friendly, and, basic. I do not know if you can imagine it, but try, if you will.

They live lives of, as I just said, simplicity. Babies are bundled up in at least three baby blankets, and I do mean the heavy, fuzzy ones, so as not to get sick. There is electricity, to be sure, but it is used, for the most part, in recreation. If one is done with ones chores, feeding whatever livestock one is raising, or, washing ones clothes, by hand, mostly, and hanging them on the line to dry, then one might sit, for a bit, have a cup of coffee, or, watch an old, but good, movie.

Or, one might take a well deserved nap. Washing the clothes, and, dishes is done in ice cold water, this time of year anyway, so one comes away with immobile fingers. The warmth of a coffee mug is quite useful after that.

Watching Maria this passed weekend, was enlightening. She, and Jesús’ brother, Juan, were up and outside Saturday morning, feeding the sheep, and watering the pig. Yes, they have a sow, actually, who is going to give birth in the next two, or three weeks. They expect six to eight piglets. I call her Charlie. I did not realize she was a sow until this weekend, as she is never out of her pen. (Which is perfectly ok with me because she is huge.)

Life there is idyllic, to say the least, at least from the standpoint of a visitor. I am not sure, that, just yet, it would be a way of life for us. We thought about selling the condo next year, and buying a home in Los Altos, but have tabled the idea for now. We are not ready to commit to such a monastic lifestyle. Not just yet. We still have much to do, places we want to see, things to experience. Maybe some day.

Until then, my beloved family, and friends, please, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

We are on our way back to the city. Time goes on so quickly when it is amongst people who love you, and, with whom you love.

We always have such a wonderful time in Los Altos, with Jesús and Liz’ families. They understand how much we appreciate what J & L do for us, but also understand what we are able to do for them.

Jesús’s mom, Maria, feeds at least four adults, and several children, every day; taking whatever is in season, and in the pantry, and making unbelievable meals. With all of us, she needs to double that. Children are abundant, here, as well. Grandchildren, that is, as well as her sons, and daughters in law.

The boys have different portions of their parents home that they are building for their future. Juan, and his wife, have the right side of the house, while Jesús and Liz have the left side. Both sides include all three available floors. Liz’s dad is a builder, therefore, helping everyone with their building. It is exciting, watching their homes developing over each of our visits.

We stopped, on this trip home, in a city called El Carmen Tequexquitla, though, it is simply referred to as Carmen, and bought several pieces of terra cotta; five cooking vessels, and serving dishes, two salseras, and six mugs; all for thirty five dollars. I was given a terra cotta mug, without a handle, that I am using in my “office”.

Those prices are in dollars, not pesos. We could not believe how inexpensive all of the things we bought were. If they break, they will be easily replaced. Here is what we bought with our money.

While we are on our way home, please, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

I cut my hair. It feels great. Anyone that knows me, knows that there is absolutely nothing I can do with my hair. It is too …… thin, too sparse, too thin. Now, no more hair, floating around the house, the kitchen, the car, even; getting into things it should not be getting into. Yay for me.

Well, here I am, shorn to my desired length, almost. It is about a centimeter long; not quite. Longer than I will have in the future, once it “thickens up”. It has to thicken. If not, I just might shave my head, like Ivan.

We are spending this Easter weekend with Jesús, Lizbeth, Gaby, and “the family”, in Los Altos. It was amusing, the looks I received, when we got here. Not only did I not have any hair, but I actually had on makeup. This haircut really works best, for me, when I wear makeup.

Of course, no different than any of the other times we have come here, I have packed, for the most part, all the wrong clothes. As I am always so warm in the “city”, here, it is about twenty degrees colder; I do not care which system you use.

We got here about eight thirty, Holy Thursday, and had a few hours of talk, drink, coffee, etc.. When we went to bed, finally, about one thirty in the morning, neither of us could sleep! First, it is about forty degrees Fahrenheit, with no heat. (You change, from warm clothes, into freezing cold pj’s, just once, and you will see what I mean). The bed was equally cold, however, Lizbeth always makes sure we have plenty of blankets with which to cover ourselves. God love her! Second, it is so quiet, that takes some getting used to.

Here we are, though, Good Friday; relaxing after a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs in a red sauce; a fava bean croquette in a spicy mole sauce, if you will; black beans, and, best of all, coffee. Hot, unending coffee. Warmed the chilled bones, I am here to witness.

I must tell you, also, that it is so nice, talking with everyone, getting up in the morning, drinking a cuppa coffee, eating whatever is being served for breakfast, without being nauseous, or, having hands that shake, being thick headed, from too much tequila the lifetime before. Take it from me; do not try this at home. I have, so you do not have to.

I almost forgot; one of the ewes had a baby sheep, though, I am fairly sure a baby sheep is a lamb. Research ensues.

Research concluded: Results are thus- a female sheep, called a ewe, has a baby which is called a lamb. Goats, on the other hand, have kids. Moving on. As soon as I am able to upload a photo of her, I will. She is just as cute as can be. She will not be dinner this year.

As we wait to see what is for dinner, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

I am cutting my hair today; a buzz, to a half inch, actually. I cannot wait.

I just washed my “long” hair, for the last time. I just pulled out the last of my “long” hair. No matter how thin my severely short hair will be, now, it can only get fuller, over time. I cannot wait.

I am tired, my spirit is tired, of pulling out so much of my hair, just by the brushing of it. If I am not balded by pulling it all out, then, cutting it short should be a boon; allowing it to grow out, and become fuller.

Ivan, and, I have discussed it, and he is in full agreement with me. He has seen, first hand, how pathetically thin it is becoming. My hair is so thin that pulling it all out with a brush seems to be counterproductive. So, off it comes. I cannot wait.

For me, with the thinness, even with any kind of length, all it will do is go into a ponytail, then a bun. Wow. It does not get more exciting than that.

This will also give me impetus to get outside, and exercise. I will not have to worry about having to do something with my hair, before, and, after, going out. I cannot wait.

The blasted shears are charging, and, I cannot stop going to them, to see if they are ready. It feels like it is taking forever! Kind of “the watched pot never boils” way of thinking.

In the meanwhile, I have cleaned all my “hair things”, and will give them to Lizbeth, as she has long, beautiful, black, thick hair. She will keep what she wants to use, and give the rest to her family of female cousins, and, in laws.

I am finishing my breakfast, though it is close to noon, and then I will …… do something. What? I cannot say, just yet.

While I think of something to do, (the Lord knows I have plenty from which to choose), stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones. Please.

I started riding my bike today; finally. I rode it over to our cousin’s house, delivering a half loaf, each, of the last two loaves of bread I made.

I am so glad I did not have to watch myself ride away; it had to be comical. It felt comical; like I had not ridden a bike in years. Oh, that is right; I have not ridden a bike for almost three years. It was perfectly obvious to whomever had been watching.

I decided, when I got home, that I will try to ride at least thirty minutes every day; earlier in the day, though. By one in the afternoon, it is getting up in the upper seventies. That does not interest me.

I discovered how to pick up the bike, carrying it down the steps without falling down them. It is smaller than most, as it is foldable, and does not weigh all that much either. When I pick it up, I have to grab it at the base of the frame, in front of the pedals, resting the horn of the seat on my right shoulder. After that, it is balanced well enough that I can move around, using only one hand to carry it. Good to know. Right?

Tomorrow, I am scheduled to repot some of the bigger plants. I bought a few larger pots on line, and want to get these plants into some good looking homes as soon as possible. I have a bit of trepidation, but, as they say, in for a penny, in for a pound.

So far, they are all surviving, in spite of me. I did quite a bit of research before buying them, then, again, after they had been delivered. Now, I feel it is best just keeping an eye on them. I can tell when they need watering, when the leaves need to be wiped off, and when they need more, or less,, light. “I don’t need no stinking research!”

In this apartment, we have plenty of light; hence the jungle. I felt that, since we are not to go outside all that much, I would bring the outside inside. That is just what I have done. Now if we could just get rid of all of the totes, we would have a real living room.

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

I slept so very little last night, that I laid down for a “nap” this afternoon.

I do not know why I bother; I never actually sleep. My mother used to say, when she would tell me it was time for a nap, and I did not want to nap, that if I would lay down, it was only to rest my eyes, not sleep. Back then, I was asleep in minutes; now, I just rest my eyes. Bummer.

Today, however, while I was laying there, I noticed the very slightest of breezes coming in through the window. I could just feel it, lightly, caressing my skin while I was trying to relax.

It was wonderful, however. To have the time to lay back, relax, and enjoy some peace and quiet is something I have longed for; and now, I have it. Yay for me.

In the last few days, I have baked several loaves of bread, and made a dozen bottles of Kombucha. I made two loaves of artisanal style bread, one loaf of sandwich bread, and one loaf of banana bread.

The Kombucha was made using three different fruits, but all have ginger and turmeric. There are four bottles each of pineapple, blue berries, and blackberries. I am so thirsty for some right now, but have none, I want to shout. Not very good timing on my part, I can tell you. I will have to figure out a better schedule so I do not run out again.

Now that the really warm weather is coming upon us, I think that if I make a new batch every two weeks, that should be about right for supply and demand. After they are bottled, remember, they need to sit out on the counter for at least a week, to develop the carbonation. Once they are in the fridge, the carbonation slows down to a fizzle. Timing is everything.

But you know what happens now; we wait. And, while we wait, what do we do? We stay happy, we stay healthy, and, we stay safe. We remember to wash our hands, cover our mouth, and protect our loved ones, the best way we can.

We are getting our Mercedes inspected this morning, two months late.

How fun, though, to drive through the city at nine thirty in the morning, seeing people opening their small kiosks, getting ready for the day’s sales. We both think it looks like a border town, this area. It reminds us of walking around the streets of Nuevo Laredo.

We drive to the East side of town only for our car inspections. It is not the best part of town, but it is nothing dangerous, that I can see. Simply, there is nothing there we need.

Of course, we do not have everything they want to complete the inspection; that simply does not happen. We have another fine to pay; for whatever reason is beyond us. Nevertheless, to the bank we go.

Evidently the inspection is every six months, even under quarantine. Who knew? We can look it up on the government’s website, but it is very difficult to navigate. Not just because of the Spanish, but all of the departments are there, and what they do, etc., except the one that tells us how much we owe.

Once we found that department, and downloaded the information about the vehicle, it gave us a link to print out the form to pay at the bank. After that, we go back to the inspection place, and see what happens.

I have to wait outside the inspection center, on the sidewalk, as they only allow one person inside per vehicle. I am afraid that, standing out here, alone, being as lovely, and voluptuous as I am, someone might steal me for the sex trade. Hahaha. 😂😂😂 Sorry. I could not help myself. (It was funny.)

CoVid. I am sick of your constraints.

While we wait to see what happens next, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

Post script: I am done five point two kilos. Finally. And, have not been sold into the sex trade.

Have you ever cooked with a Middle Eastern spice called Turmeric? It is used, not only to flavor a dish, but to change the color to yellow, or orange, depending on the amount used. Here is it called cúrcuma, (COOR coo ma).

This is what Turmeric looks like before it is dried, and ground into the powdered form most often used in cooking. I know, they look like cocoons, but, really, they are small knobs of the spice.

The white mesh that you see is a reusable produce bag that we use to put our produce in at the store. We try not to get many plastic bags, if we can help it. We have about a dozen, or more, of the mesh bags. They come in different sizes; small to large.

I wash them, then cut them up to be put in the Kombucha. They give the drink flavor, color, and nutrition. I use them with fresh ginger, and pineapple; they combine to make the most carbonated drink yet. It foams like a beer, poorly poured. (It has been so long since I typed the word “poured”, I had to look it up 😉

Here are a few herbs, you may, or may not know by sight. Let us see how many you can identify. The answers will be at the end of the post. So, the next time you use the dried form of any of these herbs, you can see what they looked like in their natural form. (I cannot make the answers go upside down, but that would be fun.)

Since it will take a few minutes to upload the photos of some different herbs, I want to show you a photo of the hearse, in the form of a converted Mustang. Shield the photo, from the swath of the funeral logo, and you will see that it truly was a Mustang. I chuckle every time we drive by it. (I just realized that I have been typing the word ‘past’, when it should have been ‘passed’. What a dufous.) Anyway, here is the hearse.

I am done waiting for the photos to upload, and you are too, I suspect. So, continue to stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.

Answers to which herbs are which? L-R. Basil, Oregano, and Thyme. Bay laurel, Chives, and Thyme.