Back from Michigan and so much going on and so much to do. I'm no longer used to this much activity in my life!
We have decided to replace the broken into window in the back bedroom with a sliding glass one. It will let in more light and, when open, hopefully more air. We are also having a custom made aluminum gate installed over it. This will be lockable and recessed so that we can open it to clean the windows. (read: so the cleaning lady can open it!) That will also allow us to cover it with 3/4 inch plywood, should another hurricane or two head our way.
Our best friend these last 6 years on the island is getting married July 3 in the Yucatan. His wife to be is a sweetheart and we are pleased as punch that they are getting hitched. Of course we were going anyway, but they have also asked us to be their witnesses at the civil ceremony. I feel quite honored. For their wedding present, we are allowing them to live rent free in our cabana until we have guests arriving in November. This gives them a slightly nicer place to live for now and the ability to save some money and, hopefully, get a nicer apartment later on for the three of them. Yes, you read that right!
The computer front has me really busy and bogged down. Not only did the thief steal my computer, sans power cord so I don't know what he is going to do when the battery dies after 2 hours, but he also stole my backup CD with all my pictures and stuff on it! Ridiculous. At any rate, I do have a new computer (as does Bob now too) and I am having to recreate all of my blog list. So be patient if you have not had a comment from me lately. I am slowly getting all of you added and read!
I had just begun to repost on my other blog about my car trip all over Mexico in 2007. The pictures from that trip that I use to illustrate the story were also on my old computer. I was really pissed about loosing them. Then I had a revelation while lying in bed awake a few nights ago. (listening to every strange sound that came along and jumping up to look out the windows!) My original CD with all of the pictures from that trip is safely locked away in the safe! I was glad to remember that and to now have all of the pictures again. Now to find time to write!
I'm not feeling quite as bitter and down in the mouth about the island now as I was just after hearing about the 14th break-in. Still not totally happy with it, but adjusting. Wish me luck on that front!
Have a great week!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Goodbye To Michigan
As the sun sets on another Michigan night, it's time to reluctantly say goodbye.
For now.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
From The Deck
It's the stillness I noticed first. But it's not quiet. If you listen, there is sound all around. But certainly not the sounds that I am used to hearing.
The breeze stirs the leaves and it sounds like somebody is whispering to you. You hear the voice but can't make out the words.
Somewhere a bird is proclaiming it's right to ownership of it's piece of land. Nature's No Trespassing sign.
Somewhere over on the road a car passes. A loud whisper that is here. Then gone.
Wildlife abounds here. The house sits on a cleared knoll that was once part of an apple orchard. Bordered on one side by 35 year old apple trees. Way beyond their productive years and abandoned to time and nature. They are now gone thick with unpruned foliage and branches gone crazy. The perfect haven for critters of all kinds.
Birds think that they have found their own piece of paradise here on Earth. Orioles, Robins, Cardinals, Finches and even the common Sparrow flit and call among the branches.
Piercing the silence, I hear a bleet. A sound totally unfamiliar to me. I look and see a solitary fawn, ripe with white dots, making its' way along the tree line. Disturbed from its' mothers' chosen hiding spot by some unknown danger. Now frantically calling for help as it searches for its' lost mother. My heart is breaking at its' dismay as I watch it disappear into the long grass of a bordering field.
Rabbits appear on the freshly mown lawn. Playing a madcap version of leap frog. Hopping, attacking and leaping over each other. Tired of the game, one takes flight and the other follows in hot pursuit. They too disappear into the long grass.
On the deck, I sit a mere three feet from a feeder. Like jet fighters approaching, I hear the incoming hummingbirds. They look at me with disdain as they hover, trying to decide whether or not to land. Using whatever thought process it is that they have, they finally decide that feeding is more tempting than I am dangerous. They poke their long beaks in and out of the plastic flowers, gorging themselves on fake nectar. Satiated, they once again take to the sky.
All of these things seem so strange and yet so familiar to me. Long forgotten memories of days in the country stir and awaken.
I am grateful for this experience.
The breeze stirs the leaves and it sounds like somebody is whispering to you. You hear the voice but can't make out the words.
Somewhere a bird is proclaiming it's right to ownership of it's piece of land. Nature's No Trespassing sign.
Somewhere over on the road a car passes. A loud whisper that is here. Then gone.
Wildlife abounds here. The house sits on a cleared knoll that was once part of an apple orchard. Bordered on one side by 35 year old apple trees. Way beyond their productive years and abandoned to time and nature. They are now gone thick with unpruned foliage and branches gone crazy. The perfect haven for critters of all kinds.
Birds think that they have found their own piece of paradise here on Earth. Orioles, Robins, Cardinals, Finches and even the common Sparrow flit and call among the branches.
Piercing the silence, I hear a bleet. A sound totally unfamiliar to me. I look and see a solitary fawn, ripe with white dots, making its' way along the tree line. Disturbed from its' mothers' chosen hiding spot by some unknown danger. Now frantically calling for help as it searches for its' lost mother. My heart is breaking at its' dismay as I watch it disappear into the long grass of a bordering field.
Rabbits appear on the freshly mown lawn. Playing a madcap version of leap frog. Hopping, attacking and leaping over each other. Tired of the game, one takes flight and the other follows in hot pursuit. They too disappear into the long grass.
On the deck, I sit a mere three feet from a feeder. Like jet fighters approaching, I hear the incoming hummingbirds. They look at me with disdain as they hover, trying to decide whether or not to land. Using whatever thought process it is that they have, they finally decide that feeding is more tempting than I am dangerous. They poke their long beaks in and out of the plastic flowers, gorging themselves on fake nectar. Satiated, they once again take to the sky.
All of these things seem so strange and yet so familiar to me. Long forgotten memories of days in the country stir and awaken.
I am grateful for this experience.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
It Really Is Worse
First, the good news. My brother's chemo went well. This was his second round and he knew better what to expect. I can't believe how extremely positive he is being. He is an inspiration.
As for the island...
Somebody asked why we had computers sitting out. Truth of the matter is, Bob was home when all of this took place. He was taking a siesta and heard nothing. Not the sound of them climbing over the aluminum gate. Not the sound of them breaking out boards from the windows. Not the sound of them pulling the window out of its' frame. Not the sound of them going through the dresser drawers that are only about 2.5 feet from his head.
There is a trend among burglars in Cancun to spray gas into a home before they enter it to knock the residents out. I have not heard of it happening on the island, but we can only guess that they may have looked in the window, saw him already asleep and shot some kind of gas into his room. I don't care how soundly a person sleeps, nobody would have slept through all of that racket and have been as discombobulated as he says he was when he was finally able to arouse himself from the stupor. Scary.
Right now, I have no plans to put my house on the market. I don't know what is going to happen when I get back. Maybe retro fitting all the windows with bars is going to be the only answer. I know that no matter what we do, short of the bars, I will no longer feel safe in my own home. A horrible feeling.
Thank you all for your words of concern and encourgement. Both for me and for my brother. It is appreciated more than I can tell you.
As for the island...
Somebody asked why we had computers sitting out. Truth of the matter is, Bob was home when all of this took place. He was taking a siesta and heard nothing. Not the sound of them climbing over the aluminum gate. Not the sound of them breaking out boards from the windows. Not the sound of them pulling the window out of its' frame. Not the sound of them going through the dresser drawers that are only about 2.5 feet from his head.
There is a trend among burglars in Cancun to spray gas into a home before they enter it to knock the residents out. I have not heard of it happening on the island, but we can only guess that they may have looked in the window, saw him already asleep and shot some kind of gas into his room. I don't care how soundly a person sleeps, nobody would have slept through all of that racket and have been as discombobulated as he says he was when he was finally able to arouse himself from the stupor. Scary.
Right now, I have no plans to put my house on the market. I don't know what is going to happen when I get back. Maybe retro fitting all the windows with bars is going to be the only answer. I know that no matter what we do, short of the bars, I will no longer feel safe in my own home. A horrible feeling.
Thank you all for your words of concern and encourgement. Both for me and for my brother. It is appreciated more than I can tell you.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Uncle!!!!!
I'm currently in Michigan. My baby brother has been diagnosed with some serious cancer and the family has gathered. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I will be spending the entire day with him as he receives his second chemo treatment.
As if that weren't enough on my plate right now.........
In the continuing saga of THERE IS NO CRIME ON ISLA MUJERES, our house was broken into for the 14th time on Sunday. Got two laptops, a video camera and some loose cash. Including the Project Warm Hearts donations that were sequestered in my bedroom dresser drawer. I thought the place was pretty much impenetrable, but a thief, like a rat, will find a way to enter if they are desparate enough. They broke out one of the back windows and just helped themselves.
The amazing thing is that this occured in broad daylight, sometime between 4pm and 6pm while Bob was running a quick errand. His return home must have scared them away before they could take more. And even more amazingly, the neighbors at Fatso's house were having their usual Sunday Drunken Party in front of their house AND saw nothing nor nobody. Nope, nothing. Mmmmmm.
So, when I get back to the CRIME FREE island late next week, there will be some changes made. Up to and maybe including a for sale sign. I have about had enough.
UNCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As if that weren't enough on my plate right now.........
In the continuing saga of THERE IS NO CRIME ON ISLA MUJERES, our house was broken into for the 14th time on Sunday. Got two laptops, a video camera and some loose cash. Including the Project Warm Hearts donations that were sequestered in my bedroom dresser drawer. I thought the place was pretty much impenetrable, but a thief, like a rat, will find a way to enter if they are desparate enough. They broke out one of the back windows and just helped themselves.
The amazing thing is that this occured in broad daylight, sometime between 4pm and 6pm while Bob was running a quick errand. His return home must have scared them away before they could take more. And even more amazingly, the neighbors at Fatso's house were having their usual Sunday Drunken Party in front of their house AND saw nothing nor nobody. Nope, nothing. Mmmmmm.
So, when I get back to the CRIME FREE island late next week, there will be some changes made. Up to and maybe including a for sale sign. I have about had enough.
UNCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Going, Going, Gone
I am currently in Michigan for a family emergency. I will try to do some posting from here, but can't promise anything. Otherwise, I will be back on the island at the end of the month.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
The New Hospital
Directly across the street from the Hacienda Mundaca entrance that you saw yesterday, is where the new hospital is being built on the island. This will supposedly be a teaching hospital. Which should mean that all kinds of specialties will be offered. This island needs a good hospital facility.
Too bad that construction has now stopped for an undetermined amount of time because they have run out of funds.
Too bad that construction has now stopped for an undetermined amount of time because they have run out of funds.
Monday, June 07, 2010
Something Of Interest
My good friend, Dougie, from NOB, is an antique dealer who frequently visits our beautiful little island. He is also my most frequent mule! He deals only in small items and some of them are doozies.
Like this recent find of his.
It is a book with orginal paintings of Mexican native dress, suitable for framing. Take a look.
Like this recent find of his.
It is a book with orginal paintings of Mexican native dress, suitable for framing. Take a look.
Each plate is identified as to costume and which people of Mexico sport this wear. To view the whole thing, read about the prints, and see what this book is worth, go visit his eBay listing here.
Have fun!
Friday, June 04, 2010
Sunrise
Before I get to today's post, I want to give you a quick reminder.
My good friend and fellow blogger, Kelly, of CancunCanuck fame, has entered some of her photos in a contest. If she wins, she'll get an underwater video camera! Her photos of the Riveria Maya are excellent anyway so I can hardly wait to see what she does with a video camera! But first, she needs to win! You can help by taking 2 seconds and click on this link and vote for her. It should open in a new window and then you can come back and finish your day here! Thanks!
We are very lucky in many ways here on Isla Mujeres. I know, I know. I complain a lot. Well, actually I try to tell things like they are rather than always sugar coat this paradise.
At any rate, we are fortunate in that we get both the sunrise and the sunset here on the island. I've posted many sunset pictures before, but few, if any, of the sunrise. I was up early this week and caught this one on film.
So enjoy two minutes in the birth of a sunrise. Then go have a great weekend!
My good friend and fellow blogger, Kelly, of CancunCanuck fame, has entered some of her photos in a contest. If she wins, she'll get an underwater video camera! Her photos of the Riveria Maya are excellent anyway so I can hardly wait to see what she does with a video camera! But first, she needs to win! You can help by taking 2 seconds and click on this link and vote for her. It should open in a new window and then you can come back and finish your day here! Thanks!
We are very lucky in many ways here on Isla Mujeres. I know, I know. I complain a lot. Well, actually I try to tell things like they are rather than always sugar coat this paradise.
At any rate, we are fortunate in that we get both the sunrise and the sunset here on the island. I've posted many sunset pictures before, but few, if any, of the sunrise. I was up early this week and caught this one on film.
So enjoy two minutes in the birth of a sunrise. Then go have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Not All That Bad
That structure in front of Hacienda Mundaca is finally finished. Well, the palapa part has been done for a bit now, I just hadn't gotten around to taking pictures of it yet.
I think they actually did a great job on it. It is very impressive and elegant looking.
That painted stone archway in the background is the actually entrance into the grounds.
The shapes, shadows and lines of this structure I found quite pleasing to the eye.
All in all though, a very pleasing spot has now been constructed out of just a piece of dirt parking lot. If they put in some benches, I would have no complaints about it all.
I think they actually did a great job on it. It is very impressive and elegant looking.
That painted stone archway in the background is the actually entrance into the grounds.
The shapes, shadows and lines of this structure I found quite pleasing to the eye.
What I don't understand is the why of it. There are no benches for people to sit and just enjoy this structure. It is covering nothing but a concrete slab. I think maybe it is just an attention getter. Trying to get more tourists to stop here.
And why should they stop here?
To buy even more souvenir stuff at these yet to be occupied stalls is my guess.
All in all though, a very pleasing spot has now been constructed out of just a piece of dirt parking lot. If they put in some benches, I would have no complaints about it all.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
The Race Is On!
Every year at this time, the island celebrates "Marine Week" in honor of the water around us. All water activities, as well as some non-water ones, are celebrated throughout the week.
One of my favorite annual events is the 10K swimming marathon. It always starts from a point in Cancun and swimmers have to make their way over to the island. I greatly admire these people. Not only for their dedication to the sport of swimming and for their endurance, but for their bravery. No way would I ever attempt a swim like that. Even though it is a bay they cross, it still is open water to me!
When I looked off my front porch last Saturday morning, I was pleased to see that it was a nice, sunny, calm day. Great for the swimmers. It would have been awful if they had had to compete in swells.
I grabbed a spot on the overlook over Garrafon Park. I was surprised to see that I was the only person there to observe this event. In this picture, they are still so far away that you can only really see them through binoculars. The little white dots that you can just barely make out are follow boats. They had started the swim from that tall hotel which is the left most building in this picture.
This is where they had to swim to. The Garrafon Reef Park. The ending spot was the group of palapas at the bottom right.
Even with the naked eye, it was hard to see the swimmers. It was only the motion that allowed you to spot them. Wherever you see a boat, there is a swimmer close by.
As they got closer to the finish line, they started to bunch up a bit.
Kick! Not far to go now!
Putting out that last burst of energy before hitting the finish line.
All in all, I was disappointed in this year's race. There did not seem to be as many contestants. But the thing that really burned my butt is this: Normally the finish line is at one of the public beaches. It is easy to see the racers arrive and to cheer them on and congratulate them. This year it was help at the Garrafon Reef Park and you had to pay to get in to see the racers finish. Not very sportsman like of them.
One of my favorite annual events is the 10K swimming marathon. It always starts from a point in Cancun and swimmers have to make their way over to the island. I greatly admire these people. Not only for their dedication to the sport of swimming and for their endurance, but for their bravery. No way would I ever attempt a swim like that. Even though it is a bay they cross, it still is open water to me!
When I looked off my front porch last Saturday morning, I was pleased to see that it was a nice, sunny, calm day. Great for the swimmers. It would have been awful if they had had to compete in swells.
I grabbed a spot on the overlook over Garrafon Park. I was surprised to see that I was the only person there to observe this event. In this picture, they are still so far away that you can only really see them through binoculars. The little white dots that you can just barely make out are follow boats. They had started the swim from that tall hotel which is the left most building in this picture.
This is where they had to swim to. The Garrafon Reef Park. The ending spot was the group of palapas at the bottom right.
Even with the naked eye, it was hard to see the swimmers. It was only the motion that allowed you to spot them. Wherever you see a boat, there is a swimmer close by.
As they got closer to the finish line, they started to bunch up a bit.
Kick! Not far to go now!
Putting out that last burst of energy before hitting the finish line.
All in all, I was disappointed in this year's race. There did not seem to be as many contestants. But the thing that really burned my butt is this: Normally the finish line is at one of the public beaches. It is easy to see the racers arrive and to cheer them on and congratulate them. This year it was help at the Garrafon Reef Park and you had to pay to get in to see the racers finish. Not very sportsman like of them.
I think they should have let spectators in for free and then charged to use any of the facilities, like the pool. Hopefully next year it will be held on a public beach again. These swimmers deserve all the warm fuzzies they can get from the spectators.
SPECIAL UPDATE: My good friend, Kelly, of CancunCanuck fame, has entered some of her most excellent photos in a contest here. She could win a fabulous underwater camera to make it possible for her to give us even greater shots on her blog. Please take a quick second to click on this link and go vote for her. Thanks!
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Closed For The Day
In honor of my first (and hopefully last!) colonoscopy today, I am taking the day off. Join me again tomorrow for the race from Cancun last Saturday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)