SISTERS BY HEART

We’ve shared so much laughter,
Shared so many tears,
We’re a spiritual kinship,
that grows stronger each year,

We’re not sisters by birth,
but we knew from the start,
God put us together
to be sisters by heart.

I have mentioned my brave friend Dolores before.  On January 14, 2012 she let go of her struggles in this world and moved on.  I was fortunate to know and love this beautiful person for over 50 years.  We first met at age 5 or 6 in our weekly religious classes.  Since both our names started with “F” we were in the same classes for the next 10 years.  We did not live near each other or go to the same elementary schools.  So, until we went to the same High School, our paths only crossed at church functions.  After High School, our friendship grew even more and we spent more and more time together.  We had so many wonderful adventures together over the years.  We were room mates for a time in college and made other wonderful life long friends.  Sue, Sharon, Melinda, Rebbie, Terry, myself and Dolores continued to share our lives after college

I sat with Dolores three days before she died.  She was still so full of life and so full of happiness for the Holidays she was able to spend with her family.  I am thankful for the time I had with her, thankful for the opportunity to tell my friend how much I loved her and how much I would miss her. And to say thank you for being my friend for all these years.

Tomorrow, there will be a Celebration of Life at the elementary school where she taught Kindergarten for most of her career.  Sue, Sharon, Melinda, Rebbie, Terry and I have lost one of our sisters, but she will always be in our hearts.

Goodbye my friend.

Today is our last day in San Carlos, MX.  It is also our 35th anniversary.  This trip to San Carlos was a wonderful gift to ourselves: part Christmas present, part Anniversary present and part vacation.  Add to this my four weeks of private Spanish classes and I would say it was a great month!

Some people, Tom included, would say this is enough time in Paradise, it is time to go home.  But those of you who know me, know that I would love nothing more than to make this a permanent arrangement.  Add that to my bucket list.

I had my last Spanish class yesterday with my wonderful teacher and friend, Dolores.  I will miss her so much.

Kyle and Dolores at La Manga.

I will also miss all the wonderful food we have eaten here.  Some of my favorite places:

Soggy Peso

Agave Azul

La Palapa (Hector)

I also need to mention…LaManga, Charlie’s Rock, Jax Snax, Don Mario’s and Captain’s Club.  And of course there are so many we did not even get to try.

The first couple of weeks here were a bit chilly, but the weather warmed up Christmas Day and has been beautiful ever since.  I even managed to get a bit of a tan.

We still haven’t experienced the night life here in San Carlos. ( I did go out one night with Dolores and her friend Gale, but there were only 7 of us in the place).  I guess we were too tired from all the beach walking and margarita drinking during the day.  And then there is the fact that I had so much difficult, mind boggling, time consuming homework assigned by my task-master teacher. —just kidding about the homework, I loved every minute of it.

Tom has started packing up, so I better get with the program and do the same.

Adiós San Carlos.  Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar

Life is good in San Carlos Mexico.

Have you ever eaten sugar in it’s purest form?  I am talking about sugar cane.  I think once when I was a kid, my mom bought us a piece of sugar cane from the store.  We really did not know to eat it. We tried chewing on the tough outer skin of the cane but it was not a sweet treat as promised so it was tossed aside as a sweet disappointment.

Well…on New Year’s Eve, we invited my Spanish teacher (and friend), Dolores over for lunch.  She brought a piece of sugar cane.  Let me tell you, this stuff is wonderful if prepared properly.  Dolores explained that the cane has to be peeled of it’s tough outer layer.  Once this is done, you can just chew on the pulp of the cane, or cut it into bite size pieces.  This is what Dolores did for us.

Peeled and cut sugar cane

To enjoy the cane, you put a piece in your mouth and chew like you are chewing gum.  It is sweet, juicy delightfulness.  One piece is only good for about 4-5 chews and then you have to get rid of the pulp left in your mouth so have a napkin or garbage can handy.

In Mexico, you can buy a long cane in the stores.  They sell for $2 pesos.  That is about 14cents for a cane that is about 5 feet long.

I do not recommend this sweet as a normal part of your diet, but it is a fun treat.  Especially, if you can get someone else to do the work of peeling and cutting the hard cane.

Learning something new everyday here in San Carlos, MX

Feliz Navidad.

Christmas Morning Sunrise, San Carlos, MX

This morning I woke early, as seems to be my habit whenever I am in San Carlos.  4:30 this morning.  I fixed myself a cup of tea and sat down to check my email and face book.  I could hear the sound of the waves outside my casita and a few early birds chirping.  As it got closer to sunrise, I wrapped myself in my Tinkerbell blanket, and wearing Tinkerbell pj’s and purple slippers, I went out side to see what Christmas morning would bring.

I was joined in my morning tryst by my favorite walking partner.  I don’t know his name, but he joins me daily when I walk to Spanish school.  He is a red headed gentleman of unknown breeding who sports a simple red collar.  Today he had a companion with him.  A little girl in a Christmas sweater who looked a lot like the movie star, Benji. Together, the three of us walked down to the end of the street to watch the sun come up.  And we were not disappointed.  Although, I do believe, I was more awed than my friends who were having more fun frolicking together and playing chase than watching the sunrise with me.

Benji look alike in Christmas sweater. Red headed friend did not want his picture taken. I had to respect his wishes.

Today looks to be a beautiful day in Paradise.  Merry Christmas to all.  I pray your day be as blessed as mine.

Life is good in San Carlos MX on Christmas Day.