Monday, April 27, 2015

The Lying Shelf


This is a photo of a wooden shelf that is lying. It lies about why it isn't installed on the wall and it is lying because it is just sitting in the corner on the floor - unhung. We found it a year ago at Julio's Down by the Schoolyard. We call it that because Julio owns the antique shop and it is across the street from the schoolyard. That was when Terry learned to play "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" on his guitar.
This shelf keeps telling me it will hang itself mañana. You and I both know what that means. I have picked out the perfect spot for it. I hoped to have it hung up above the stove and the tiled archway. I was going to use it to hold spices and other things that seem to accumulate on the countertop for no particular reason. 
The shelf acts as if it is getting heavier and can't lift itself into an upright position. I agree, it is solid wood with wrought iron decorative hangars that are old and heavy. But, a big strong, good-looking shelf shouldn't have trouble lifting itself into place. 
At first the shelf said it was just too tired to be hung. Since then the shelf has gotten a lot of rest and muchas siestas. In fact, the shelf is in the middle of a siesta right now. 
The shelf has told me it is too hot and it will get hung later in the day. It doesn't really cool off until late in the day. That would be after sun downers on the mirador. That is not a good time for a shelf to hang itself. I don't really want a crooked shelf.
Upon our arrival to Mérida, the shelf said it was waiting on the electric drill to charge. It used this excuse on day 2 and again on day 3. I am quite sure it doesn't take 72 hours for a drill to charge. 
So, this shelf is really the lying, lying shelf. I can't wait to hear the excuse it gives me mañana.
 

Friday, April 24, 2015

Gaspar and the Heineken Cooler

Yesterday afternoon we went to the neighborhood Cerve Frio. Gaspar is the man's name that sells beer there. Gaspar is Mayan and he is very small in stature. He stands on a box so he can see his customers over the counter. Lupita was also there. What Gaspar lacks in size he makes up for in the size of his heart. He was glad to see us. Likewise. His corner store is very small. He sells beer and snacks. But he sells a lot of beer and snacks. We usually buy a 12-pak...cans. He mostly sells liter bottles of beer and takes back the bottles for refunds once a customer buys the first one and pays the deposit. 
He used to laugh at Terry's Spanish but now that Terry has gotten so much better at it, he no longer laughs at his Spanish but just laughs because he's glad to see us. 
He had a brand new upright beer cooler behind his counter. It's very large like the size of a jumbo refrigerator. It is made to look like a Heineken beer bottle. I don't recall seeing many people in our neighborhood drinking Heineken. They are all Sol drinkers.  The jumbo beer cooler makes Gaspar look even smaller behind his counter.
We came home and sat up on the mirador with the Sol and some Anejo and had a war on the wasps that have built nests while we were away. There were more of them dead than us when the lights went out. 
 

Thursday, April 23, 2015

No Words of Wisdom Here

Terry worked like a banshee to get the new tin roof on the barn out at La Ermita (the "other" hideaway). He worked, alone, and fought the rain for several weeks but he got it done. Then Craig, Kim and Harbor came for Easter and the guys built a loft for Jack and Harbor in the barn. No guhs allowed! This past weekend Hugh came out and brought his guitar. All I can say is wow! He can really play. He isn't a strummer, but plays it like it was a keyboard. While listening you forget it is a guitar. We had a most excellent visit with Hugh, Kim and Harbor and then said "Adios". 
We were up early on Tuesday and took a rental car to HOU. Folks, they are coming along beautifully on the new Southwest Airlines International terminal. We flew from Houston to SAT and into CUN. The SAT to CUN is a new route for Southwest and there were only 31 passengers on board. We each got a nice thick SW inscribed beach towel. Well, it wasn't that thick really but I used it to cover up with in that cold bus air later in the day. Took the ride to the bus station and then caught a bus for the 4 hour ride into Merida. We sprang for a GL bus so we had more leg room, 2 restrooms instead of one unisex one, earphones and reclining seats. Oh, and a "private" waiting area at the bus station. We actually thought it was well worth the difference in the price! Then, we walked the six blocks or so to the house. It isn't that bad because we travel lightly. We didn't arrive at the front door until after 9, but we were met with a super clean house. We always have to walk around, look, smell and get re-acquainted. Thanks to Y. and A. for managing the house while we are away. I don't know what we would do without them. Then, it was up to the mirador to celebrate with a nice Anejo and lime. Three each, actually. 
View from the Mirador

Don't forget to check prices and routes at Southwest.com before booking your next international flight. We sure are excited about their new routes. 

Yesterday was a wind down day. We went to the supermarket and stocked up. Last night we cooked mixto with some of the fresh carrots we have grown to yearn for when we are gone. I never knew carrots could be so good. I spotted the nopales and they are already cleaned and spikes removed so when I came home I started to search for recipes. While visiting and eating at Baldemar's, somebody in his family had made an ensalada with nopales and gooey cheese. I want to make it! 
Cactus Salad

This morning it was yoga...promised myself I would keep it up while I am down here. Then we got dressed and took a walk all the way over to  Paseo de Montejo to pay our fideicomiso at the bank. We pay it annually. It is rather strange because you go to the back of the bank, into the parking garage, and have to ring a bell and tell them why you need to be let in. They release the door latch and you go upstairs. There are several offices and lots of papers...lots! But, they put in a few numbers and our name into the desktop and print off the record. Then, we take the paper and go downstairs and enter the bank and actually pay at the teller window where the paper is stamped as 'paid'. 
We stopped off at the art store and bought some canvas, paint and new brushes. I couldn't find a brush one anywhere in the house. Now I am waiting for some inspiration to kick in.
We have already lounged in the hamacas several times, took siestas, and eaten well. We took our SW towels and went up to the mirador for a snooze. Tomorrow, we are thinking about going to the beach. 
If you happen to be reading this and wish you were kicked back down here in an hamaca enjoying cheap Anejo and lounging on the mirador, you may want to reconsider if you don't like hot weather. Right now it's 102 degrees...and I am not talking that "feels like" temperature stuff. We aren't running the mini-split, but we do have all the windows open and the ceiling fans going...it is rather pleasant with a nice breeze at the moment. But, such is the life in the Yucatan!