Plantas Y Maderas - Garden Benches

This is such a classic celebration here in Mexico.  It has taken me 3 years going to kindergarten in La Playita with my children to start to get it...how classic is that, one year to go and I may even graduate from kinder ...  if I'm lucky  :)

The schools have a big fiesta para los ninos. This has been building up for weeks, they choose a king and queen maybe even a month ahead of time, these chosen children dress up and are escorted in the back of decorated trucks on thrones, throwing out candy on the streets of La Playita...somewhat like a parade.  For this day each parent has donated a small amount 20 pesos/50 pesos equivalent of a few usd for   ......pinatas, pastels (cakes) balloons, pizzas, hot dogs, whatever that classroom decided to use the money for....each classroom  (ages 6 to 12 at the primeria) has it's own separate fiesta...but all together it is one big party!   At the kinder they have a hot dog cart a clown, music and other festivities.  At both schools each classroom has two pinatas...one for the girls (girls first) then one for the boys.  What a classic event.

We went to McDonalds after school to treat Fort and Ellie...what a worldwide concept, every kid loves Micky D's!  While in San Jose I caught myself saying feliz dia de los ninos to various ages of folks, even the 60 year old woman lit up...yes, we are all children.  "That's Right!"  Disfruta!...Enjoy...Happy Children's day to all  :)

 I have come to find in my short lifetime, there are few people you can truely count on.  This woman was surely one of them.  Willie Terry aka Granny, lived to be 102.  I took this photo shortly after I returned from living in Europe at the ripe age of 25 after residing there for over a year, unsure of where my path was leading me, she took me in under her wings... here she is at a youthful 97 in Raton New Mexico.  Yep, no doubt anything is possible.  Age is only in your mind....I am thankful this was the strong woman that my folks chose to name me after...On this date the 25th of April regardless of the year, she always holds a candle in my heart...this is her birthday celebration.  Forever Young and  always remembered

Irony. 

Today is a local anniversary for us here in Los Zacatitos.  It was 2 years ago to the date 25 April 2008 that our community experienced our last noted landfill burn from the local municipality landfill for all of San Jose del Cabo.  Our community gathered together and worked apart...going about it in our own individual ways...but all for the same goal .......to put out the continual fires coming from the landfill, which were creating creating toxic smoke which was exposed to  our elders, ourselves and children..... documented since December 2000.  The goal  1. Put out the fire.  2.  Stop future burning  3. Introduce recycling to the San Jose area to reduce garbage, either toxic or yard trash going to the already over saturated Palo Escopeta Landfill.  For archives see www.loscaboscontamination.com   and/or   www.loszacatitos.net

We strongly encourage to preserve the native plants, working around what mother nature has provided.  Why not transplant.  Why not compost yard waste?  It makes good soil, it's simple. 

"Understanding how to make and use compost is in the public interest problem of waste disposal climbs toward a crisis level.  Landfills are brimming, and new sites are not easily found.  For this reason there is an interest in conserving existing landfill space and in developing methods of dealing with waste."  article from Compost guide 2/19/2006  see  www.compostguide.com

No doubt when Fort Ellie and I saw the smoke today, "here we go again"  these munchkins are on it, after all...this has been an issue for them their entire lives.  It is well documented that "Children can be at much greater risk.  Because of their body size, they inhale more air per pound of body mass than do adults, and can absorb a proportionately larger "dose" of toxins."  As a mother, no doubt I have taken this subject to heart, perhaps I should apologies to anyone I may have offended along the way for speaking out with such verve, but hey....these children are worth fighting for...even if it is for air that is clean and healthy to breathe!  So be it.

The above photos are of a local burning yard waste.  He has been coming and going since 1988, 15 years before my arrival.  It is always a humbling experience to speak my mind...but I feel that being honest, truthful and upfront with an individual is the best way to go about a confrontation.  I want to thank this person for their respect and response...perhaps their is another way, but until we find easier solutions...burning is not a option of choice.

By no means are any of us perfect, I am definitely not...just looking out for what I think is best for my family and myself...I have much to learn and feel humbled daily.

This post is dedicated to my Great Grandmother Willie Terry.  This woman...undoubetly in my lifetime put the letter V in the word verve....thank you for that lesson at a youthful age....., Gracias A Dios!  translation...Thank You God. !

I have passed these murals done by children countless times...It always is a beautiful site!  Yesterday I stopped and took some photos after dropping off the recycling (on the way to the airport....take a right directly after Calle Ernesto Arambaro, directly before the overhead walkway.) recycling top of street..now taking plastics    :)  !!!!!
These Murals are on going...the latest day celebrated was Dia de la Agua...  basically these are about the values/valors we are educating our children/ or perhaps they are educating us...Paintings done by children ages 6 thru 12.  These are some courageous children and no doubt their educators have a heart of gold.  Escuela Primeria Justo Sierra T.M.

Today is the 40th annual celebration of Earth Day in America. This by far was one of my most favorite holidays while living in the states!!! On my Calendar here it shows on this day ...22 April 2010... Earth Day is celebrated in United States, Canada and in Mexico.  Although It is my view through the eyes of the La Playita Kinder these past 3 years, this day is not world wide recognized, at least not yet.  We have more or less a similar celebration in early June.... We are in America too, actually North America,...there is Central America, there is also South America...we together are connected as a continent....So, somehow it amazes me to think on what day throughout our planet do all of the countries specify an exact date to Celebrate our Mother Earth...I can only imagine....

 Can you imagine....... if we gathered together in the Americas alone, then poco a pocito throughout our planet to celebrate...What A World Party that could be...

Just in case you missed that last photo above...here it is again.  Because the whales are one of my most favorite creatures on this planet...I have no problem in saying it would be a tragedy to see them being killed for any reason... Period.  Here is an e mail from Avaaz informing us of the threat of the Whale population in our waters here on this planet.  Please take an opportunity to take a small moment of your time today and sign your name, like anything worth fighting for, nothing worth having comes easy. 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/whales_under_threat/?vl

 Each one of us is small, but we do have a voice and together united we are a powerful army...empowering us as a whole to fight for the truth, justice and in a non-violent manner.  Join the good fight...there are so many good things to stand for.  http://cpaf.repoweramerica.org/page/invite/earthdayremix?utm_source=crm_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20100422bizremix&utm_content=linkbox



"In wildness is the preservation of the world"  Henry David Thoreau

Here we are in Mexico, coming on Dia de los Ninos. ....It is a celebration for the children, like one big birthday party that goes on for all of the children for a good week and a half.  Today at Ellie's school the students (age 4 to 6) had a field trip to a soccer field, where the coach let them have at it...and play soccer for real, on a beautiful outdoor turf field.  When I picked up my daughter, her coach said she is very athletic, which no doubt makes me proud.  Ellie showed me her ribbon and said she won...then I asked "are you the only one that got a ribbon"  she reply's  "No Mom, everyone got a ribbon, we all won"  : )  I love that.  That is a great lesson, and builds such confidence and respect amongst all those playing.  Nicely done coach. 

On the other hand, our Son Fort is taking his monthly exams.  Yesterday was Spanish, tomorrow Math...thank goodness Math is universal.  Although he is the only one in his school that speaks English, I must say he is doing exceptionally well with his spanish...he is confident and glowing.  I couldn't be prouder of him.

My husband Gene continues to build amazing pieces of art into wood with his CNC Shopbot Machine.  The only limitations I forsee is our mind...anything is possible. 

Just tonight I find myself chatting with one of his friends he has gained from his newfound art CNC MACHINING.  I have never had a conversation with this individual before, but Gene has spoke highly of him.  Technology is amazing...here we are 12 hours difference typing in words which instantly appear on the screen infront of me.....purely amazing.

He designs incredible programs and is only 18 years of age... and here I am sharing with him one of my favorite quotes, half a world away.... "Whatever you dream you can do, do it...boldness has genius power and magic"  Goethe

And Santosh Raja types back "I have nothing new to teach the world, truth and non violence are as old as the hills."  M.K. Ghandiji

IT//////////////is a small world.

"These Pics were taken at the Sand dune between Yuma and El Centro California, during and after the recent earthquake in Baja Ca.
1st one is of the sand dunes during earthquake" 
These shots were sent to my husband Gene, found on the internet by long time friend Johnny Warren  on the 8th of April, I received 12 April 2010. 
See http://rocknfish.com for just some of his incredible accomplishments.

So they say we will be an island some day...hmmm  According to these photos looks like we are on our way.  It is my understanding that the  Aztec calender predicts the end of the world as we know it is coming 2012....hmm, could be.  This year they say is the El Nino, hmm....everything is a little off kilter, imagine that.  Are we experiencing global warming?  Is the island of plastic in the Northern Pacific a direct result of the human race's actions as a whole on the planet?  As Pirsig quotes in so many words "The truth is knocking at the door, I said, go away I am looking for the truth...and so it did" I guess anything is possible.  Guess we better prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  We still have just shy of 2 years to wake up....and do some good.  My question is "What are we waiting for?"

Leading into Semana Santa I got my first glimpse of Yo Reciclo at work, they are
now accepting recycling first Thursday of every month in town between the bike shop and The Dorado Pharmacy from 8 am to 3pm sharp..they are working with the municipality.  Beautiful to see....one of the individuals working said the week before people were asked to leave a donation of 15 pesos when leaving a battery...he said folks were walking away with their batteries...hmm then he made a statement, guess where those batteries end up.  Yo Reciclo also has a booth at the Saturday Organic Market...please stop by with any questions you may have.

Easter is sure to bring back home some good folks that have been calling this place home long before I ever first set eyes on the Sea of Cortez or even crossed over the Tijuana border.  Photos below:Mickey coming down to the beach to say hi and catch up on what's happening since our last encounter, aways great to see him, no doubt some good stories to share.  Elllie got her first official surf session in, photo below of her with her new surf board, proud as can be.,,,after gaining confidence watching her big brother show her the ropes of our big surf summer cove.  As we were unloading our beach toys a beautiful lady that we haven't seen for years came down to greet us.  I don't believe she ever saw Ellie, if so Ellie was just a newborn.  As we were talking, Ellie comes running up..."Mom, Mom..come on, I want to go surfing"  ...Come on Mom"...Dawn looks at Ellie and said something like .."you want to go surfing, today?  the surf is big"  Elllie kept on tugging at me..alright that's my exit cue...gotta love it.  

The skies were once again ominous, perhaps from the effects of the earthquake in Northern Baja....  We were also experiencing incredibly strong winds.  In Southern California they call these winds the Santa Anas...where I have heard "all bets are off and anything goes".  When I lived in Verbier Switzerland '91/92.....I had experienced the same kind of winds, as I recall, they called these strong warm winds (coming from South Africa) the Foehn Winds ..pronounces phoon. You can declare legal insanity during these winds, if you got married you could get an anulmant, in so many words...they make you crazy.........imagine that.  I don't know what they call it here yet?...anyb

Photos to come of earthquake taken by unknown photographer, sent to me indirectly....compliments of Johnny Warren of San Clemente Ca area.
see http://rocknfish.com  He also has some amazing iron gates here in Los Zacatitos.  Check back soon, photos to come.  

Fort and Ellie are growing up...it's beautiful to see their friendship and how they play together....It is fun and amazing to watch.  My cup runneth over.  

Along with the Mexicans and their traditions, our family has adopted the custom to take a holiday during the Easter break.  Afterall, we are Mexican citizens...as well as American Citizens, our family has dual citizenship.

In years past we have camped out on the beach in front of some of the high end homes here in our community.  We are close enough to walk or bike home for supplies (just in case we forgot some TP :) or other essentials) but far enough so we can get away and enjoy the beach, desert evening skies, sound and visual of the lapping water and/or the pounding surf...

Setting up camp....involves pulling up the truck, throwing out everything but the kitchen sink...attach a cloth tarp to one side of the truck, the other side is held down with sticks, sand and rocks.......voila, there you have it.

As the evening nears, we scout for drift wood, prepare to build a fire to keep us warm and cook our dinner.  Days are spent playing in the surf, looking for shells on the beach, football,soccer, climbing on the rocks, building sandcastles, somersaults in the sand.

....If we are so lucky the surf isn't too big, Fort and Ellie will hop into our panga the Redneckprincess and Gene and I will push it down the beach into the Sea of Cortez and off we go, with buena suerte we get hooked up and it's "chicken tonight", perhaps we will be eating the catch of the day Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna.....  Land the panga on the beach, clean the fish and put it on the grill.

Then it's Descansar, relax and enjoy ....... Only to awake before the crack of dawn..."whoever wakes up first gets to start the fire and put on the coffee pot on and cook breakfast" (note:  don't forget to soap outside - to avoid a black kettle when we return it to the casita)  Imagine that.

....then there's the cast iron pan for toast, bacon and eggs...yes in that order.  Heaven forbid we actually cook eggs with bacon grease like our abuelitas. 

One of my favorite simple pleasures is to take a vacation at home...relax and enjoy what so many people come down here to escape from their monotony in their lives, this is our paradise too...yet we also work here...everyone deserves a holiday.

.....coming soon Post #3....our Semana Santa this year

Semana Santa is hands down my favorite holiday celebrated here in Mexico.  It is even bigger than Christmas...makes sense if you think about it, Jesus Christ has risen fromthe dead...Que Milagro!  Translation....What a Miracle!

My first experience here was Easter 2003, when my husband Gene and I were driving home down the coast road while 1 1/2 months pregnant with Fort. We look over to the tapestry of families camped out on the normally deserted section of the coasal beach and low and behold there was an entire bed, matress, pillows, blanket, tall wooden posts smack down in the middle of a family camp.  I could not believe my eyes, I think even Gene was suprised to see it as well even though this was his 9th or 10th Easter here...classic.

Well, here we are seven years later, photos above of the "Vamos A La Playa"  grand exodous from the monotony of everyday work to a few days to 2 weeks of tranquility on the beach with the entire family.  That's one thing I respect about the Mexicans here, they have a tight family unit....seems to me somehow along the way, at least in my lifetime, that bond has loosened with our youth and curousity, venturing out to explore the world...no longer do we live with our grandparents, neices and nephews...but we have lost our simplicity...only to keep connected with family vacations meeting one another from thousands of miles away.  Luckily, we have internet to keep us somewhat connected, for this I am so greatful.  One of the most classic things I have heard come out of my 6 1/2 year old sons mouth  "Just like in the old days, huh Mom".