* I'm in a little bit of a panic ...

This was the title of an e-mail I received from Sylvia the night before last.  When I opened it, the message was short and sweet.  "I've lost my wallet!"

I must say that is enough to put anyone in a 'little bit of a panic' anywhere in the world today.  We talked on the phone.  It seemed reasonable there were only two possibilities.  Either she had dropped it or set it down when we were at the garage sale (a private showing by the way).  Or it had fallen out of her bag in the taxi.  Ruben was called.  No, nothing in the taxi.  Carol (the lady whose home we had been at) was not home.  Red alerts were sent out.  "Call me when you get home, no matter what time it is."

The phone rang at Sylvia's house.  It was Carol.  Pitch black in the yard, she and a friend searched with flashlights and came up empty handed.  Sylvia, wise woman that she is, decided to 'let it go'.  After all, stewing about a lost wallet can make a body sick.  And so, we hung up the phone, and with nothing else to be done, went to bed.

Early the next morning, I received another e-mail entitled:  "CAROL FOUND MY WALLET!".  Happy days are here again.  Such a relief.  Celebrations were at hand.  Sylvia took us both out to breakfast at the Sierra Nevada - such a treat.  It was one happy morning!  Breakfast and good company were enjoyed by all.  Carol turned out to be such a lovely interesting woman.  I would like to get to know her better.

I've come to the conclusion it's a good thing to celebrate life at any opportunity.  Finding Sylvia's wallet was a great excuse.  Thanks Syl!

Me, Sylvia, the infamous Pink Wallet, and Carol

Across the street from the Sierra Nevada are the old public laundry facilities which are still used regularly by the local women.  San Miguel was founded in 1542, and I'm sure the laundry was not far behind.  I have passed the laundry on a day when nearly all the stone tubs were in use,  the atmosphere busy and abuzz with local gossip.  Today, one lone woman enjoyed her chores in peace under the warm Mexican sun.

Laundry day in San Miguel.  Historical Public Laundry

I enjoyed a walk through Parque Juarez.  The entrance decorated with crepe paper flowers.  Beautiful.

A good day.  Sylvia and her wallet were reunited.  We celebrated the little gifts of life.  Met a new lovely lady.  Walked in the sun.  All is right with my world.

"Think big thoughts and relish small pleasures."  ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr., Life's Little Instruction Book