Another great day

Yesterday was another eventful day. Seems like most are down here for us.
First, we were visited by a neighbor DaLeigh, an American who lives here year around. She was walking a dog that we had not seen before. DaLeigh asked if we could do her a favor. Seems that she was dog-sitting a rescue dog named DeeDee. DeeDee and her dog, Max, were not getting along. So she asked us to watch DeeDee for a few hours. DeeDee is a Sharpei who was used as a puppy mill momma until she was rescued. DeeDee looks pretty intimidating, but is a shy sweetie who is pretty well behaved. She seems to bark at appropriate times for a guard dog. She barks at garbage and water trucks and stares at people walking by. However, she dissolves into a tail wagging puppy if someone stops to talk to her. Her only flaws are that she occasionally jumps up on people and she slobbers when she nuzzles you. It bothers Peggy, but I’m used to that trait- the slobbering, that is. I’ve spent a lot of years with Peggy while she sleeps in the car! Anyway, DeeDee has become a fixture for at least a few days here.
Secondly, our friend Rigo, the wrought iron man, came over to install our house plaque. Folks down here name their house. Ours was named by a previous owner. It’s known as Casa Bella (beautiful house). Houses around us include Casa Calypso, Casa Corona (that’s right, it’s named after the beer!), and Casa Patricia. Many locals have plaques on their gates or sides of houses to identify the house or the family who lives there. We had a ceramic plaque made in the US and thought that we could cement it to our arch, but we found that wouldn’t work. So, Ed visited Rigo and had him make one. So, the house is now officially named.
And lastly, we heard about a free jazz concert that was being held on the beach at Playa del Carmen for 4 nights. So, last night, we took the 6:00 PM ferry over to Playa and listened to Iraida Noriega, a Mexican jazz singer, Earl Klug, and just a bit of David Sanborn, as we had to catch the last ferry back to Cozumel at 11 PM. The concert was well attended, probably several thousand people. We put down our blanket on the sand and enjoyed the music and the stars. Earl Klug was just great, as we’re sure Sanborn was. On the ferry back home, we talked with the vibraphone player in Noriega’s band. Ed recognized him and he sat right behind us. He was travelling to Cozumel to see a friend and spend the night. He had to take the early morning ferry back to Playa, as the band had to leave for another gig in Mexico City. Nice young man. Pleasant to talk with on the 40 minute journey. Gave him our email and he said he’d send us some music.
Peg’s off to her killer yoga class this morning. It’s actually beginner’s class, but it’s killer to Peggy! And, Ed needs to finish his coffee, water plants, listen to some jazz and pet DeeDee! Hola to you all.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day. After swimming in the afternoon, we went over to Dick and Gwen’s house for dinner along with 34 other folks. Wow! 2 Carolina turkeys, over 20 pounds each, dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, pureed carrots, bread and ,for dessert , a Cuban lime pie. Dick and Gwen had the entire menu under control and we were just supposed to bring wine or beer, but Peggy made a gazpacho fruit salad of mango, mandarin oranges, cucumber, cilantro, papaya, and hicama with a touch life lime juice and chili powder. Yum! Dick and Gwen had been cooking for several days. Dinner was an absolute delight. Perhaps the best –ever tasting turkey!
Seating was at 5 different tables. We were joined by Lynn, a nurse from Minnesota, who along with her husband Bob owns a house and spends the winter here. Also sitting with us was Sergio, who operates a large scuba/snorkel operation called Aqua World and Miguel, along with his wife Faviola, both local photographers. We had met Sergio several times over the years at Dick and Gwen’s house. Miguel looked familiar and sure enough, we had met him years before through Eco Divers. Miguel was making underwater videos for scuba divers. Everyone at our table spoke English so conversation flowed along with the wine. Sergio shared great stories about growing up in Mexico City and Sunday dinners that lasted for hours.
We also talked with an American named Kevin and his wife Pavla. We had briefly met them last year. Dick and Gwen had them care-take their house this past summer. This year we discovered that Kevin had been a long time resident of Vail and owned a business there. Come to find he knew and actually worked with our friend Roxanne Yates. In fact, when he left Vail, Roxanne took over his property management business. Small world! We emailed Roxanne and hopefully she and Kevin will communicate. Just a small example of Peggy and Ed trying to bring the world closer together! Peace and love, dude!

Thanksgiving Eve

We seem to enjoy about every day down here. But, you know, some days are real red letter days as far as accomplishing things and discovering what’s happening to folks here. Today, if not a red letter day, was certainly a pink one!
It started off as pretty normal. A brief cold front had moved in last night and the temperature was in the low 70’s and cloudy. And, as it threatened to rain, Peggy hiked off to the fruit store, La Milpa, for fresh juice. Sure enough, it rained on her, while Ed made coffee. On her way to the store, she saw Kevin who, for some years, has managed his friend’s house on the island. Last year, right before we left in April, he was told that there was a problem with the title to the house and that the sale to his friend could be negated. We’re not sure of the exact circumstances but we only knew that he could be evicted at any minute. Seems that yesterday was the day. The Federales came and gave him and his paying guests 2 hours to get their stuff out and vacate the premises! Evidently the cops came back brandishing machine guns (we take that to mean they’re serious!) and did indeed evict them. This AM when Peggy saw Kevin, he was nursing a pretty good hangover (“crudo” as it’s known down here). Evidently, all his stuff was out in street and later that AM he was hoping for friends to wake up/show up and help move. In the meantime, he was walking in the rain to breathe some oxygen. We’ve come to learn not to question statements like this down here. Anyway, Peggy asked if Ed and she could help. Kevin declined, feeling confident that this situation was under control.
Ed had an early Christmas today. In order to fix our outside faucet, he needed to get up on the roof. Now, in the past, we have prevailed upon Burak and Rita to use their ladder. But really, we need to have our very own to be real residents here. It’s either own a ladder or be part monkey and climb up like the man who set up our internet. Ed, not being the monkey sort, took his bike and went scouting around for the best deal. He found a gem, came home to get some pesos and took off on foot to bring the new addition home. What a treasure – the ladder can either be used as a 6 foot step ladder or as an extension ladder. The possibilities are limitless. One great use could be a clothesline holder upper. Another could be for removing the coconuts from the tree in the backyard so they don’t fall on our heads. Or, cutting down the several stalks of bananas when they’re ready to harvest. This is exciting! Feliz Navidad!
Burak and Rita had a sunset cruise this afternoon so they asked us to feed their three dogs and take them for a walk. We just love their dogs but they are a little nutso on their leashes. Greta, the blonde dog has no concept that she is attached to anyone or anything. She waltzes around with abandon. Rex, as you may recall from last year, is a pussy cat dressed in a huge Doberman’s body. All Rex wants to do is find something nasty to roll in. Bonnie is normally the ringleader but on a leash she is transformed into the meekest, mildest mannered animal in Cozumel. Peggy is especially fond of Bonnie’s alternative persona.
On our way home, we saw Kevin and his friend Mike sitting on a curb across the street from Kevin’s couch and other household items. They were still patiently waiting for their friends while partaking of a little “moving helper”. They had a makeshift pitcher (a “sawed off” plastic liter bottle with a clear liquid and ice in it). They were not at all fazed that it had been several hours since the help with the truck was due to arrive.
So, big events today. A banner day. Tranquillo vida por los todos! Feliz Dia de Gracias manana.

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Here is our fine dining set that we purchased last year. We love its versatility! The table certainly can be moved for a picnic outside and the chairs serve as our living room seating as well.

Here is the daybed we bought from our neighbor last year and recovered. We try to coordinate with our many colors when we dress in the morning.

Can you see the bananas in our trees? They should be ready in a few weeks.

Our giant lillies and our front gate. Our neighborhood dogs show up often and stick their noses through the wrought iron for treats.

We are here!

Yes, we're here in Cozumel and are hoping fervently that we can handle this high tech form of communication. We thought a blog might be a little less intrusive than a newsletter. Please let us know what you think. We're a little nervous.

We tiptoed out of daughter Jamie's house at 4:30 AM last Sunday. We've decided our kids truly are grownups. Between being shushed by Adrienne for waking baby Ellie and Jamie getting up of her own accord and without staying up all night, this realization came to be.

We arrived in Cozumel with our four 50 lb bags and bicycle in fine shape. Our friend, Rita, was waiting outside of Customs to take us home to Casa Bella. We were amazed by our garden as we drove up. The lillies we planted last year are now 8 feet tall and the clippings that Ed took on our walks are now bushes and trees!

Thanks to Ed and the Friends of the Cedaredge Library book sale at Applefest, we now have more than enough books and painted crates in which to proudly display them. We are still impressed by our paint job both inside and out from last year. The Easter egg colors are as endearing as ever.

Rita swung by in her pickup early in the week to ask if we wanted to experience the Mega store with her. Wow! It's an amazing Target-like store with wonderful produce, breads, meats, frozen foods, baby aisles galore- way too many items to name. The store is an easy walk or bike ride for us but it was wonderful to have the ride for our first visit.

The Milpa fruit stand continues to be a great way to start the day. After having fresh grapefruit juice the first few days, we now moved on to orange-carrot juice. YUM!

Speaking of food, we have had a few wonderful meals out already. We went to Otates with Burak and Rita. It is a taco and posole place that was packed midweek. On Friday, we were invited to Dick and Gwen's house for homemade pasta with homemade pesto. Now, the juice YUM doesn't hold a candle to our YUM experienced at Dick and Gwen's house. It truly is a wonderful thing to have friends who enjoy doing this type of thing. We are invited there for Thanksgiving. We are thankful, indeed.

Peggy went to power yoga class today with Lynn, Gwen and Becky. Oh my gosh, never ever have I sweated so much. Amazing what 50% humidity will do. The place was packed and I know that I shouldn't compare myself to others but I need extreme improvement. I did survive though and plan on returning next Saturday - who said that?

We have been going on some nice bike rides in the morning and evening. It's great to ride by the shore but riding in the neighborhoods is also a treat. People are actually outside talking with each other, kids are playing and there are little neighborhood stores everywhere. Most are eyeing Ed's 15 year old REI bike, which has no rust on it- yet! By next year it'll look like all the other bikes here.

Our new computer just blows us away. We were listening to KVNF (Paonia's community radio station) the other day while we were reading the DCI. We are loving our Skype account that Damian told us about. We actually have a phone that we can use to make calls. And Peggy has talked with the girls every day. Amazing. Clear, normal phones calls from Mexico. For $3 a month. We're also loving the 4000 songs that we have on the computer courtesy of Eric. Peggy is cleaning windows to Beethoven and Ed is all about Gorrilaz and Mickey Mouse Fun Clubhouse.

We'll be having churros for dessert tonight. A very nice little man sells these custard filled pastries at our gate about twice a week. 10 pesos (o.75 each). Speaking of eating, this may be a very good time to sign off. Dinner is about ready and a cold Leon beer awaits.