Round Up of 2018

Christmas cards aren’t part of my year-end routine…in fact they aren’t part of any time of the year routine for me. But, my half-sister, herself a blogger and columnist, sent out her annual ‘letter’ and I liked the format so I decided to follow her example.

Trust me, this will be brief (11 paragraphs), and mostly true.

January

I made no new year resolutions, but instead spent the month attempting to avoid falling on my face on the cobbled streets of San Miguel de Allende. It worked, no broken bones…yet.

February

Attended a  writers’ conference and after a day of listening to tales by top book authors I abandoned any thought I had of writing a tome that probably would not interest anyone. Common sense told me it is easier to read a book than to write one. And I’m into ‘easy’.

March

Oops…I tripped over my own feet and broke a bone in my right foot. The good news was I was crippled for only a few weeks. The bad news was I was crippled and in a wheelchair for my 76th birthday celebration,

April

Ended my six month stay in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and was able to shuffle 5 miles getting from Point A (arriving gate) to Points B, D, E, and back to C (departing gate) in the Mexico City airport. Not certain whether my Spanish hearing was limited or the plane kept changing gates in order to make certain I got my daily walking quota in between flights. Nice of ‘them’ (whomever ‘them’ is) to help me stay in shape.

May

Spent the month catching up on local La Grange gossip and hopefully making some colorful memories in the process. Met the mother of my half-sister and shared stories about my Dad neither of us had known before, and perhaps didn’t want to know. He was a lovable fellow with a propensity to play.

June

Returned to San Miguel with renewed determination to stay vertical, as I walked the streets. Relocated to a casita uphill from everything ensuring my legs got a daily workout, and exploring new parts of town. Lost my quiet and peaceful world when I added a rambunctious and teething Radar to the household, guaranteeing the replacement of anything not placed 10 feet above one’s reach. “Able to leap tall buildings” took on a whole new meaning when this doglet joined the clan.

July

Surprised myself and bought a condo in San Miguel. Property ownership in Mexico is not for the faint of heart, or for those in a hurry. Can’t guarantee how strong my heart is, but what else do I have to do but watch a new home being built the old fashion way: manual labor with tools from the 1500’s?

August-September-October

Strolled the streets, stretched my ‘Caliente’ taste buds, made new friends, and soaked up the vibrant yet tranquil life style of SMA. Worked on perfecting my ability to stroll. Sounds boring, but life begins when one opens one’s heart to peaceful existence.

November

Day of the Dead enlivened my imagination and expanded my understanding of remembering our ancestors. Skeletons took on a whole new meaning! Watch the movie ‘Coco’ to grasp the basis of the wonderful festivities and salutes to those who have gone before us.

December

And here we are at the end of 2018, jumping into a new life of unknowns. I’ve emptied my house in La Grange, giving away treasures I have clung to, items I’d forgotten I had, and bringing to an end an important phase of my life.

So, with arms wide open I bid farewell to what I have known, scream hello to new adventures, and send best wishes to you and yours as we continue to offer assistance, peace and love to all people of this fragile world.

Happy 2019!