* Stopping to Breathe

It is an evening for me to stop.  Stop to breathe.  Stop to appreciate.  Stop to ponder.  Stop to give gratitudes.  It is an evening to "allow", to "just be".  Just a little over five weeks from now I will be winging my way back to clear up all the clutter.  So much has happened here in seven weeks.  I want to stop and say thank you.  Thank you to everyone who has come into my life.  Thank you for all the magical events which have taken place here in SMA.  There are no coincidences.  I am supposed to be here.  It simply feels 'right'.   It's a 'knowing' deep in my soul.  

I want to stop and appreciate that part of myself which has found the courage to 'fly solo' and enjoy it.  It has been hard work and an interesting journey to arrive at this place.  I have not known this feeling of 'rightness' since I fell in love with the man I married.  When that relationship dissolved, a part of me dissolved with it.  I wasn't sure I would ever find the missing parts.  I was so afraid I would die with all that 'life', all that 'music' still in me.  I am awake.  I am alive.  I remember what it feels like.  I am so very blessed!

I experienced a wonderful day today, which I will fill you in on, perhaps tomorrow.  In the meantime, all of you who are following these chronicles of my journey ..... Thank You for joining me.

PS:  Funny.  Just when I said I had to 'stop and breathe' the power went out!  No lights, no power, no water, no internet, NADA!  In the dark for two nights, and nearly heading into a third.  I always write my blog the 'day before I post' - so the power has been off since Jan. 17th.  It just came back on with a 'bang' ... fireworks and sparks flying up and down the power lines.  Quite frightening really!  Also quite spectacular.  So .... I'm back!

 

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Thursday, January 18, 2010

Feb 18	PM Rain Hi: 59°  Lo: 47°	Day: Cloudy skies. High 59F, humidity 50%. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 5
		Night: Drizzle. Low 47F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

"There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude."  ~Robert Brault

* Another 'interesting' day in SMA

This place, this time in my life, this adventure, this change for the better, this crawling out of the deep cool dark of the earth to absorb, and indeed to invite the warmth of the sun again continues to leave me just a little breathless.

Today, I met Joanna.  No, I had never met her before.  Joanna invited me to come with her to 'an old door place' after I placed a note on an SMA forum list.  I met her in front of Bonanza (the smallest most fantastic little grocery store in the entire world).  She rolled up in her ford aerostar van, I hopped in, and we continued to chat and laugh like old friends until she dropped me off some 4 hours later.  Joanna and her Mom have renovated two houses.  Joanna is creative, loves junk yards, garage sales, and creating something out of nothing.  I think this could develop into something!

We were going to go to the Tuesday Market, however decided to go to the door place first.  When we arrived at the house, Senor said the "stuff" had been moved to a better location.  Senora came out, hopped in the van with us and off we went down the highway.  Senora chatted away in Spanish, I got some of it, and what I didn't get, Joanna translated.  Senora loves to chat.  My head was spinning.

We arrived at the new location.  Just off the highway.  Much better location for business.  Doors, doors and more doors.  Other great stuff too.  The nicest doors I have seen.  Old colonial doors, four hundred years old.  Old hacienda doors, only two hundred years old.  I won't bore you.  I was over the moon!!!

I found a door.  Rather, two doors which they will put together to make one door.  It will be ready in a couple of days.  It is a new door, only two hundred years old.  From an old hacienda.  The photo I took isn't that great, however it will give you a hint.  When it is hung, it will be awesome.  Take a peek.

Senora knows my architect, Juan Carlos and is taking care of the measurements, and having it delivered to the house.

Back in the van.  Senora continues to 'chat' directly to me, as if I am able to understand every word she was saying.  Somewhere during the conversation she offeres to take me to Queretaro to shop for the applicances I need for the house.  I was shocked.  I asked Joanna to reply 'perhaps', and tried to change the subject.  The subject, however, was not to be changed. Consequently we are all traveling to Queretaro to shop for my appliances next Friday in Senoras' truck so we can bring them home with us.  I'm still in 'stunned mode' .... no just simply was not the correct answer!  Lucky I packed my Costco card!

This is Senora.  Many hugs and kisses, a tour of their wonderful house, and we were back on the road.  Decided to skip the market and went straight for lunch.  A little restaurant off the beaten track.  Wonderful food and a young woman selling long stemmed roses.  A dozen for $3.64 Cdn. to be exact!  Obviously we both came home with a bouquet.

Joanna dropped me off and I rushed to change my cloths and walk to art class.  Art class today is another story.  Look what has evolved in my painting!  Lots of work to be done yet.

 

And so, another interesting day draws to a close in SMA.  What else can I say!

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Feb 17	Sprinkles Hi: 56°  Lo: 48°	Day: Cloudy with drizzle. High 56F, humidity 65%. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 5
		Night: Cloudy skies. Low 48F. Winds light.

Hebrews 13:2:   (Somehow I feel as though it is I who have been entertained by angels unawares.  Everyone has been so kind to me.  They have never met me before.)

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

* Art ....

I've been walking around town attempting to transport my paintings in my shopping bag.  Not a good idea.  Brainwave .... make a portfolio out of a cardboard box.   Cardboard box flattened, lots of masking tape, and plastic bags for handles wrapped in, again, masking tape.   It worked.  Pure class!  Since then I have been walking to and fro with what I refer to as my "Mexican Portfolio".  It's actually very functional.  Keeps my paintings flat, and when it's raining I can put them in a plastic bag in the portfolio which keeps them dry.  Looks like this.

The problem was .... I really hated the look of it.  Got the idea to collage it.  I've only finished one side, however, tomorrow, I can walk which the collaged side out.  Not so bad.  Looks like this.

At least it's more fun than before.  Not wanting to spend any money on this recyclable, biodegradable, portfolio, I went to the tourist information office.  They gave me brochures on San Miguel.  I have used the contents of these to cover one side.  I shall have to go in disguise next week and ask for more!

Tomorrow I am going to the "Tuesday Market".  I have not been there before because the time of my art class conflicts.  However, I have been invited by a lady here who is also renovating a house.  She has offered to take me to the market and then we are going to look at 'old doors' and have coffee!!  More Fun!  I've delayed my art class until 3:00 pm.

Speaking of which, I have done more work on my abstract.  I don't pretend to know what I am doing.  I am trying to balance the positive and negative space!  I think I might be getting it, however the big piece of red in the middle seems to be stopping my eye which I don't like.  I think perhaps if the bird was more dominate, more flamboyant (which I would like) it might balance the red bit!  I'm also debating whether the purple across the painting is cutting it in half!  I think I'm going to stop messing with it until class tomorrow.  Quit while it can (maybe) still be saved!  lol

Today when I was out beginning the procedure of obtaining my FM3 Visa to live here, it began to rain (illuvia).  Then it began to hail (granito).  I didn't stop on the way home to food.  I have one egg and some tortillas in the house.  Will I survive?  Will one egg and a tortilla be enough?  Will I grow weak in the night and not be able to get up in the morning?  Tune in tomorrow.  I'll keep you posted.  .... The saga continues .....

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Feb 16	Sprinkles Hi: 68°  Lo: 47°	Day: Cloudy with drizzle. High 68F, humidity 40%. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 9
		Night: Cloudy skies. Low 47F. Winds light.

"Abstract art:  a product of the untalented sold by the unprincipled to the utterly bewildered."  ~  Al Capp    (that's how I feel ... it simply does not speak to me .... I don't get it!)

* Doors and other interesting 'stuff'

A land of 'possibilities'.  A land where anything can happen.  A land of surprises just waiting to be created and materialize.  A land where I can allow my imagination to wander the gambit.  A land where there are no limitations.   Can't wait to get back there with my measuring tape.   I won't have much room in my new kitchen for a table.  Perhaps the answer might be a long fairly narrow old door panel with glass on top.  This sort of thing (with the right piece of wood) could also be great for a small coffee table.
Old Iron beds abound ... great looking in your garden for plants to climb on - or on the walls for decoration.  Fabulous pieces of old metal to make house signs with - old stove chambers for outdoor fireplaces .... my imagination explodes and runs wild.  I was eying an old wooden pig trough - great for a coffee table or table behind a sofa.  You could fill it will all sorts of interesting collections.  If I find a door I love and it's not quite the right size, it seems easy here to have it altered to fit.  So much talent around.  Some photos.

Some of you are going 'WHhaaaaa??????'.  Some of you who know me will be saying 'There she goes again."  I'm saying .... can't wait to get picking through this stuff and see what I can do with it!

By the way, here's what's happening with the 'abstract' I was working on awhile ago.  I've been doing it at home as homework.  Don't have a clue.  Will take it to class on Tuesday and see what's what.  

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Monday, February 15, 2010

Feb 15	Showers / Clear Hi: 60°  Lo: 40°	Day: Rain. High 60F, humidity 60%. Winds light. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 7
		Night: Cloudy skies. Low 40F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves."
Carl Jung

* What a day this has been ...

You know the old song .... What a day this has been.  What a rare mood I'm in.  Why it's almost like being in love.  That's sort of how I feel about today.  Every teensie moment, every fleeting second was enjoyable.  I wanted to box it!  How do you box magic?

I spent the day with folks I had never met.  A couple invited me to go with them to Delores because of a post I put on a SMA forum site.  I said Yes!  I am getting so brave!  I arrived on their door step at 10:00 AM this morning as instructed.  Rang the bell.  Was buzzed in.  ..... in to this most incredible house where this lovely family lives.  Their names are Cavanaugh, Blanca and Blanca's father Carlos.  Originally from El Paso, Texas, they now reside part of the year here and part in Aspen.  Blanca's Papa still lives in El Paso, however, is on his way to Peru because he loves archeology.

The house is a Mexican mansion ... let's call it like it is.  It sits high in the hills of SMA overlooking the entire town and country side.  It is exquisitely decorated in Mexican colours and style.  Outdoor, indoor living areas intermingle and you wander in and out of the house at will while gazing over SMA from three different views.  Toller Cranston art, huge pieces, decorate the walls.  The upper terrace overlooks a larger terrace below where the pool and hot tub are located.   In the kitchen, Senora (a permanent part of the family, housekeeper, cook, etc.) fusses over breakfast and a fire burns happily in the beautifully hand carved fireplace.  I fall instantly in love.

I fall in love, not only with the house itself and its incredibly warm charm, but with the people of the house with the same traits.  Blanca a beautiful dark haired, dark flashing eyed woman, is warm and welcoming.  Taking me by the arm and ushering me to the table I am made to feel very much at home.  Senora brings me coffee.  Papa and I chat about our adventures while Blanca and Cavanaugh get ready to leave.

Then we are on the road.  Chatting and laughing merrily as though we were old friends.  I enjoy the journey to Delores.  Leaving the hills of SMA and getting out into the flatter dessert of the surrounding area.  Soon we are at the 'door' place.  I call it 'the land of possibilities'.  Everywhere I turned I saw something which could be made into something else, or something I adored just the way it was.  Endless, endless creativeness all in one place.  Oh My!!

I'm absolutely too tired to tell you more tonight.  Later this evening I attended an absolutely world class concert with an incredible tenor and pianist.  Felt like I was back in Europe.  Will fill you in on the rest tomorrow.

Here's a photo of the 4 of us having fun at a 'pork' restaurant.  Will explain in the next post.

 

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Sunday, February 14, 2010

	Fair Hi: 69°  Lo: 48°	Day: Cloudy skies. High 69F, humidity 30%. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 9
		Night: Mostly clear skies. Low 48F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend -- or a meaningful day."       ~    Dalai Lama

* Mexican Folk Art ...

Guess What?  I know nothing about Mexican Folk art or this handsome fellow.  I only know, he lives with me, and keeps me company in my temporary lodgings. He performs in the early morning between 3:00 am and 3:23 am.  It's something I have been exposed to before, however, have never studied, or learned much about it.  I would like to, and probably will now that I am here.  I'm sure it's a fascinating subject.  I have seen this sort of dress at festivals .. years ago in Mexico city.  I remember them dancing in a circle, lots of fire works and of course, music!                                                      Very quiet day today.  I think I needed it.  My mind was a little boggled last night and I was cranky.  Usually a sign I need to take a breather.                                           I didn't budge out of bed until 2:00 pm!!!  Oh, I was awake.  Calculating budget for the house, what I would need to purchase.  Answered e-mails.  Wrote e-mails.  Talked on the phone.                                              Finally at 2:00 I felt like moving.  It was a glorious day.  Clear blue sky onward and upward forever.  I took a lovely walk.  Down to the Jardin.  Spent an hour of so having a "Limonada" in an outdoor cafe people watching.  Eye Candy was available today.  Mexican policeman riding his horse .... hmmmm.  I walked the long way home.  Stopped for some fresh avocados and mangoes.  Yum.        Tomorrow I am going to Delores (the ceramic and tile city) with people whom I have never met.  Last week I put a note on one of the popular San Miguel sites asking for advice on where to look for old doors.  Consequently, I was invited to go to Delores with a couple who are taking their father in law there for the day, will be going to the factory shops and are stopping at a wonderful place outside Delores who stocks old doors!  What could be better!  This place is amazing.  So, tomorrow I will be going on a little adventure.          I'm still tired tonight.  It's early to bed, and up early in the morning.  I will report on my excursion tomorrow.

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Saturday, February 13, 2010

	Partly Cloudy Hi: 70°  Lo: 49°	Day: Mostly clear skies. High 70F, humidity 40%. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 9
		Night: Mostly clear skies. Low 49F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Let me say, there was a time in my life, not that long ago, when the quote below scared me spitless!  Only now, am I beginning to 'get it'.

"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads.  Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it."  ~ Rosalia de Castro

* Still Life

This is where I got to at home.  I really don't like still life.  I have always struggled with it.  I can't seem to get any 'energy' into it.  And ..... as I said, I have never really been drawn (no pun intended) to still life.  It would never be my choice to hang on my walls.  Nevertheless, I did learn a tremendous amount from this painting.

This is the finished painting.  I still don't like it.  Nina thinks "It is a pretty little painting, Donna. It's better than I've seen in some of the galleries."  My critic is pretty loud about this one, however, I do think it has something to do with the fact I don't like the subject matter.

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Friday, February 12, 2010

Feb 12	Cloudy / PM Sun Hi: 68°  Lo: 45°	Day: Mostly cloudy skies. High 68F, humidity 30%. Winds light. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 10
		Night: Cloudy skies. Low 45F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.

I will leave you with a quote which was sent to me by one of my blogging friends, Patty.  It is soooo true and I will hold it close to my heart as I move forward and learn my life lessons.  It will help me to 'Be Brave'.  Thank you Patty.

"Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity or your curiosity. It's your place in the world. It's your life. Go on and do all you can with it and make it the life you want to live".  ~ Mae Jemison

* The Hood ...

Ave. Santa Rosa.  The street where I live.  Some photos.

The taller building on the right is the 'General Store'.  It has everything one would need to survive.  The owners live above.  If you need anything and they are not open, you simply knock and they come down to assist you.

A house getting 'fixed up' across the street.

Yes, we have graffiti!  I hope when I plaster and paint my walls they don't do this to me!!  However, such is the way of the world these days.

The neighbourhood has everything I need to live a comfortable life.  A few doors down, the general store.  Everything from light bulbs to fresh produce.  Around the corner a bakery.  Down the street, a hairdresser.  A couple of blocks away the butcher.  End of the street the bus.  Other end of the street, quite a ways away, the highway or ring road which makes easy access to everything around San Miguel.

I met with Bill, my real estate agent today.  Everything is in order.  I cannot tell you what a huge help he and his office manager, Paulina have been to me.  The bricks, sand and cement have been ordered for my wall.  They will be delivered tomorrow.  Paulina has gathered all the documentation together for my FM3 requirements.  They have made it so easy for me.  I am so very grateful.

May came over for lunch today.  In the afternoon we made Nichos and laughed.  Had fun.  She left around 7:30.  Here are the Nichos we started.  Need more glitz!

My unfinished Nicho

Mays .... yep .... we both need more glitz.  May still has things to put into the inside of the Nicho.  Don't know what they will be.

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Thursday, February 11, 2010

Feb 11	Cloudy / PM Sun Hi: 70°  Lo: 49°	Day: Cloudy skies. High 70F, humidity 45%. Winds WSW at 20 to 25 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 9
		Night: Cloudy skies. Low 49F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

"Don't buy the house, buy the neighbourhood."  ~  Russian Proverb

* Santa Rosa

Are you ready???  Brace yourselves.  Remember this is not Canada.  This is not America.  This is Mexico.  I have purchased property in a very Mexican neighbourhood.  Wrap your head around it.  This is a developing country.  Ready?  Remember to breath.  Here are some visuals ....

See the 'sold' sign?  This is the view of my property from the street.  The left hand side of the photo are the double doors.  I can drive my car through and park inside the wall.  On the right, the door into the actual building.  This door will be bricked up and a window in it's place.  This will be the bath laundry area.

Eventually, I will plaster the outside walls and paint them.  Inside first.

This is inside the wall, looking to the right.  You can see about half the building

This is the outside of the building.  It will be transformed.

The lot looking toward the back.  Where the Senor (the gentlement I purchased the property from) is standing you can see it is terraced.  There are about 5 steps down.  The tree is the back of my lot.  There will be an 8 ft. tall wall built across the back of the property there.

This is looking to the left as you come in the double doors.  The wall will need painting.  It actually is not my wall, it is the neighbours.  In time, I will build my own.

This view looks straight ahead.  Again, behind the tree is the end of my property.  A tall eight foot wall along the back will complete the 'walling' of the property.

This is the rest of the family I purchased the house from.  The money from the purchase will allow them to build a complete house for themselves on the other half of the property.  They were using this structure as a kitchen and two bedrooms.  You can see, they live very simply, but well.  This family is well fed, they have shelter and good food.  Everytime I have been to the property the place has been spotless, the grounds swept and neat.  The father is a builder.  He will be building my wall.

I would like you to meet my architect, on the left, Juan Carlos.  The foreman for the job on the right, Carlos.  They both speak wonderful English.  One of my requirements for this first renovation was that I be able to communicate in my own language without struggle. Juan Carlos speaks 5 languages!  We had a great meeting this morning.  We are off to a wonderful beginning.  Work will commence on February 18, 2010, the day after closing the real estate transaction.

I have a vision for this place.  A garden, with cactus's and tropical plants, fruit trees (fig, lemon, orange) a fountain, colourful vines climbing the walls.  In a couple of years, if I am still in love with San Miguel, I may consider building on.   Little by little, over time it will become my own creation.  I am thrilled.

I deliberately purchased property in a very Mexican neighbourhood (not many gringos, but some). I will experience the culture at a level I could not if there were more expats surrounding me.  I will never be totally accepted.  If I am lucky, with time, I will make some friends there.  I will, however, always be a gringo.  I want to experience what it feels like to be an immigrant.  Coming to Canada as an immigrant is not easy.  We are very flippant about it at times.  I say it is one of the hardest things to do, leave your homeland, go to a foreign land in order to better yourself without the benefit on knowing the language and then try and 'fit in'.  It takes generations.

I am in San Miguel for different reasons than an immigrant would come to Canada.  I'm here because I want to immerse myself in a different way of life, enjoy and learn about the culture, learn a new language, and like other expats, enjoy the Mexican sun. Supporting the community in which I live is important to me.  I will be shopping at the general store (has everything) about 3 doors down, the baker around the corner, the hairdresser down the street and the butcher not too far away. If in some way I can give back to this community I will.  There is an orphanage in the area for example.   I want more than the gringo community. Many people come here and never leave the expat circle.  I'd like a balance.  I don't yet know if that is possible.  It will indeed be a very interesting exercise. 

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Feb 10	Cloudy / PM Sun Hi: 69°  Lo: 48°	Day: Partly cloudy skies. High 69F, humidity 50%. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 10
		Night: Mostly clear skies. Low 48F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.   ~ Napoleon Hill

* Walking, Walking, Walking

I'm truly exhausted tonight.  Think I may have overdone the walking.  Had a lovely day though.  Beautiful weather.  Went to the market for food, ordered wine (very important) and bought flowers.  Came home, had lunch then went hunting for old doors.  My little hacienda is a very open space.  You can view the bathroom door.  I thought an old interesting door might be fun.  It would be an architectural detail, a piece of art instead of 'just another door'.  I did find some doors.  I want to look around more however.  I now think I could hang an 'old panel' on the new door.  It may be more reasonable and just as 'funky'.  Some of the smaller panels were beautiful carved, some had Saints sitting on little shelves.  Perhaps I need some Saints in my house! Ideas, Ideas.  We will see.

Tomorrow morning, I am meeting with my architect and his head man who will be overseeing the renovations.  I still have to make a list of questions for him tonight.  In the afternoon, my art class.

I witnessed a Mexican Funeral today.  I was very moved and decided I would love to go out that way.  Flowers, flowers, flowers.  And a Mariachi Band. Like having a Jazz Band in New Orleans.  I always thought was so cool, however I can really relate to the Mariachi Band.  They followed the casket out of the church to the waiting cars and continued to play til the procession was ready to leave.  Then they went to the burial site with the mourners to play some more.  It was beautiful!

So tonight is an early night.  Talk to you tomorrow.

Grumpy Marshall Weather Report for San Miguel de Allende for Tuesday, February 9th 2010

Feb 09	Partly Cloudy Hi: 69°  Lo: 45°	Day: Mostly cloudy skies. High 69F, humidity 45%. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 10
		Night: Partly cloudy skies. Low 45F. Winds light.

"I deeply believe that a beautiful decor can have a beneficial influence on our live." ~ Albert Hadley