August 17

BACK IN PITTSBURGH
The below (August 17) is just now being posted (September 9!!) because I’ve been trying to figure out how to either place pictures in the blog or link to our Picassa album. Since I’d don’t seem to have any luck doing either, I’ll just go ahead and post … for now.
This is a ‘speaking of …’ blog!
It has been some time since my last blog update which is evidence that when Bev is around there seems to be more going on and I’m less inclined to squirrel away to update the blog … though it only takes a few minutes!

Speaking of time (it is valuable and shouldn’t be wasted), a few days after Bev arrived I went to my first bullfight! Yes, it is true the pacifist and non-meat part of me gave way to the curiosity of the bullfight. This coupled with the tremendous description of the ‘meaning’ of the bullfight as described in Michner’s Mexico prompted me to go along with Remy. We bought seats En Sol (in the sun) with the rest of the Mexicans and cheapskate foreigners! Too, seating in the sun was part of my effort to not be overly self-indulgent with what I knew was going to be a display of gruesome animal killing. (Sorry, but I just couldn’t get my favorite principle of the UU’s out of my mind: “…the interdependent web of life of which we are all part”.)

With this introduction I suppose you can figure out already that I found the whole experience of the bullfight rather stupid entertainment and mostly a waste of time. There was the very occasional moment of the heroic display of the matador, but for the most part it was so heavily favored toward the six or seven men and two horses engaged in each ‘fight’ and the mostly confused bulls were made so tired as part of the early stage of the ‘fight’ that the whole thing could hardly be described as a ‘fair fight’. So what exactly is the point of seeing six bulls killed and unceremoniously dragged out of the ring by a team of horses? I’d compare it to the stupidity of ‘professional’ wrestling. And, I suppose the audience that gets a kick out of it would also fill the arena to watch the wrestling jerks in the ring throw each other around!

Whew, now let me tell you how I really feel about bullfighting! Unfortunately, a still photograph hides the fact that the bull has most likely taken about four or five steps and turned around for another four or five steps. In other words, he is too worn out to get up a full head of steam and charge the matador. It is sort of like watching boxers forever tangled in the clinch!) Bullfighting won’t be on my ‘things to do in SMA list’!

This takes nerve!

Hiking will be on the list. We (Erica, Bev, our neighbor, Myron, and me) hiked the Picachos again for what was another tremendous opportunity at some fairly strenuous hiking with spectacular views. Part of the hike was on the rim of this canyon with a big waterfall. I’ve posted a couple pictures from this hike and the canyon. To give some sense of dimension, if you look carefully at the photo you’ll see a couple people swimming in the pool beneath the falls!

Speaking of tremendous views, I took my first flight in an ultra light last week and have posted a couple pictures of our house and the "neighborhood" during the fly-over. Juan Corral (Santiago’s brother) was the pilot and an excellent one! Though when I arrived expecting to go up with Santiago he was already up with a student and Juan was about to take-off. Juan offered to take me up and, having only met him once before (he’s visiting from LA) I must admit that I had a momentary hesitation. We flew in Santiago’s ultra light (a French built ‘Cosmos’) which he describes as “the Volkswagen of ultra lights”. There is not much to it: an aluminum extruded frame forming a ‘tricycle’ with a Bombardier built 45 hsp. Air cooled four cylinder 2 cycle engine with a three blade prop behind and about a 20 liter gas tank below. Above is basically a hang glider wing arrangement pivoting on a central pole and controlled by a horizontal pole held onto as in hang gliding. The pilot controls the throttle with one foot and has a brake on the other foot (for use on the ground!). The front assembly is turned with two feet for steering on the ground. This model has a simple altimeter and not much else, but what a blast!

We done helmets, strap in (waist belt only), and takeoff with the two of us (both weighing 215 lbs.) within the 500 lb. limit of the craft. A total thrill! Yet, Juan is an extremely cautious and capable pilot - he used to test pilot ultra lights for Cosmos in France – who maintains the attitude that “I’d rather be down on the ground wishing I was flying than be flying and wishing I was on the ground”. He’s been flying since he was 12 years old (hang gliders) and has enough close calls to know the constant potential for danger (some very close … one when his camera flew out of his hand into the prop necessitating an emergency landing!). After the all too brief flight, I find myself wanting to do this more often. I could easily get hooked into this sport, but at this stage in my life I realize that I’ll likely not be able to do all the things that I’d like to do! That said, Santiago has offered to take me up anytime (he’ll use any excuse to fly). And, of course, I’ll teach Santiago to row … decidedly more safe!

Zoom in on the above pictures and see if you can find Casa Tecolote!!

Speaking of rowing, I’ve been a couple more times and am looking forward to rowing this weekend.

Two weekends ago friends, Paco and Ana (they own tons of land along the Presa) and Eric, Wendy, and daughter Sabina went out rowing. The occasion was to ‘christen’ Paco and Ana’s new little rowboat (sort of a floating ‘Big Wheel’). Remarkably, Eric’s first time rowing was pretty unusual! After his very brief ‘lesson’ we went out and was on the water for a half hour doing quite well. He’s a natural! I think he’s hooked on rowing! (Now all I need to do is persuade him to be my business partner importing and selling boats down here … maybe something along the line of the Maas Aero would be most appropriate for the conditions on the Presa when one ventures out of the wind-protected ‘bays’)

Speaking of Paco and Ana, they along with Gayle (one of the new members of Amigos de la Presa as a result of the article I wrote on rowing for the local paper) were the only ones that showed up for our meeting! Admittedly, there was a pretty big rain storm that began shortly before the meeting, but out of a possible 20 or so people it was a bit of a disappointment to have only five of us including Bev and I!

Still, the meeting was a good one with Ana (the consummate voice of wisdom) pointing out some of the ‘realities’ of the Mexican way. One of the conclusions was the we need to be long on action and short on meetings and that even with this as a modus operandi we shouldn’t expect huge turnouts until things ‘catch on’. So, last Sunday, we’ve invited everyone to the Presa for a 10:00 AM, Sunday row/paddle. A half dozen folks showed up which was a pleasant surprise. A couple pictures of the event including a space that we cleaned up are below! I remain very optimistic about the possibilities and my desire to increase the benign recreational use of the Presa while raising visibility and working on water quality issues. We’ll see.

Saul checking out the Presa ...his first paddle there even though he's been in SMA for 3 years!
Note all the 'junk' along the shore BEFORE we did a clean-up!

A 'cleaned up' shore line looks a lot better!

Saul and Jesse (in my boat)

Speaking of Sunday, last Sunday, we are having our first comida … a really big (17 – 20 people) gathering of friends for a mid-afternoon meal! Heretofore, we have enjoyed these comidas at Alan and Flora’s (they often refer to them as, FF’s or Family Fiestas!). This will be our first big gathering and, if the weather isn’t too hot, we’ll have it on the roof! Guadalupe (or current housekeeper) is coming to help Bev with the cooking, etc. The menu: chicken with vegetables, ‘green’ rice, salad ….bread, cheese, wine, and beer! (I have this idea of building a ‘dumb waiter’ – from the back door of the kitchen to the roof -out of a garage door opener, but it wasn’t ready for the weekend so I got the call!) A couple pictures also show are new rooftop structures! The meeting was held at Casa Tecolote in Riconada de Los Balcones ...our house!

And, speaking of Alan and Flora they are now very happily, Mr. and Mrs. Grishman proving that true love can happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone and a life lived without love is a life lost. We went to the civil ceremony held in el Centro which was an interesting display of the complexities of the Mexican beaurcracy and one of the few examples of third world operations! That said, it was made happy by the almost 20 of us who crammed into the second floor office!

A couple days later (last Sunday – August 12 – exactly one year after Alan and Flora ‘fell in love’), there was a big celebration at Alan and Flora’s with about 50 guests. Great food, music, dancing capped off Alan and Flora’s celebration! (They will continue the celebration by some upcoming travel including a trip with Bev and I to the cabin in a couple weeks followed by … a month in Paris!)

Speaking of dancing, Bev and I have had the opportunity to view arguably some of the best flamenco dancing in Mexico featuring our friend, Angela (Santiago’s partner) and the beautiful Christina and her incredible dancer/singer husband, Antonio! Powerful. Passionate. Rhythmic! See a couple photos at: We invited our neighbor’s Russy and John to go with us and it turns out that John has a full recording ‘studio’ in his house and as offered to help Antonio to make a much-needed CD of his signing. John, a retired graphic designer from Texas will do the liner notes for the CD including, hopefully the words in English (John and Russy said that if Bush was elected they were leaving the states and thus they live fulltime here in SMA across the street from us).

Speaking of dancing, Bev took her first flamenco dance lesson … with Christina … last week. Bev said, “…there is nothing like looking in the mirror and seeing a bow-legged flamenco dancer somehow subtracts from the elegance of it!” Bev, is being too hard on herself, and enjoying a good workout, will take another lesson before we head for our northern home!

Speaking of dancing, Bev and I took our first lesson with Christy! Christy (of Adrian and Temo) is so happy in their new house (just down the street from Alan and Flora) as it has a great dance space on the second floor. She’s a great teacher and it is easy to see how she and Adrian are champion salsa dancers! Christy is sure to enjoy a successful career as a dance instructor here in SMA. As for our first lesson, we learned some basic steps of the Foxtrot, Salsa, Swing, and Meringue! (I guess I’ll need to make the transition from just moving around to the beat to actually knowing what I supposed to do … not an easy change …) Bev, of course, has no problem with any of it! Anyway, it will be fun practicing here and when we get up north (Christy gave us a ‘cheat sheet’ and a CD of selected songs that she made).

Here are some shots from inside the house taken the day we left.





This is the outside front wall ...!

Living and dining room.

Letter from San Miguel de Allende

August 8, 2007

Hello Everyone,

It has taken me almost two weeks to write for a few reasons. First getting Internet access is a challenge for me. Though Mike has his laptop and can piggyback off our neighbors’ access, I find it easier and more fun to go to an Internet Café and have a delicious café Americano and croissant while I do the e-mail thing. This requires a walk downtown, which is no problem, but when I choose to do that there are many other wonderful things to attend to down there and the day flies by.

Since we are supposed to be working on the house, studying Spanish, socializing etc, my days lolly gagging around el centro are limited. Second, this trip is different in character than previous ones. Usually the experience is all wonder, excitement, and opening doors. This time, with the focus so much on the house, and much time spent up in the confines of our space, I’ve felt a little disoriented. The usual self definition issues, tasks, relationship vies a vie husband in house, structure of time etc. kind of got to me. Aside from walking and depending on Mike for transportation, my mobility is kind of limited. That puts a crimp in my style, when I’m used to going and doing what I please and when I please. Strangely enough, these kind of weird adjustments clouded my usually upbeat mood when in San Miguel. But as this letter attests, my mood has shifted back to one of enchantment.

The house is looking wonderful. When I first got here with our friends Ana and Remy, who came to San Miguel and Mexico City for their honeymoon, the roof still leaked and we had thunderous, dazzling, spectacular storms. Up here in the mountains above the town, the rolling thunder reverberates and multiple vertical bolts of lightening dance across the horizon. It’s like being in Disney Land or some fake fantasy place putting on the show for the spectators. The consequence of such power was very wet floors all over. Fortunately our erstwhile architect came to the rescue and solved the problem. Now we just have to fix the leaks under the doors.

Mike has done a fabulous job on staining the floors and building cabinets from old Mexican wood. He also created hanging lights out of Pennsylvania stained class pieces which he encased in wood. The house is definitely getting the Mike and Bev feel with rustic, hand made, colorful, and funky, the evolving Gestalt.

While you all are cooking and/or sweating up in the states, the temp here is a cool 50’s in the am and evening and 70-80s during the day with the intermittent hard rains, usually at night. Consequently the entire area is green, green, and green with wild flowers everywhere. You would think you were in the midst of West Virginia. The Botanical Garden, next to us has a canyon with the water rushing, causing torrents, waterfalls, and whitewater cascading over and around the rocks. From our roof you can hear the sound of the turbulence bounding toward the “Presa” where Mike has taken his shell to row. It is now at least twice the size it was the last time we were here and he has been having a grand time rowing his home made shell in the beautiful space. There are black and white ibis, white herons, and pelicans sharing the space with him. Also kids ride along the shoreline on horseback, gawking and laughing at the strange dude out in the water.

I took my first flamenco dance class and realized I could never be in this kind of dance---too bow legged…The teacher is one of the dancers from a great group we saw the other night. It’s fun to try different styles. Tomorrow evening, Mike and I will have our first salsa dance lesson with our friend.

This is getting too long, so I’m going to stop. More later, I hope.

Love to you all and hope you are well and not too hot.

Bev (and Mike)

August 3, 2007

One thing I've learned about myself (which is probably not any different than anyone else!) is that I'm very much less attached to place ... location ... than I thought! I feel very much at home here in Mexico! I hope that you are (or will) plan a trip to San Miguel!

August 1, 2007


Bev, Remy, and Ana arrived last Thursday and we've been on the go since! (Remy and Ana left yesterday for a couple days in Mexico City before heading back to Pittsburgh). I actually never thought I'd miss the time I had to work on the house! Bev and I have begun to settle into a 'routine' assuming such is possible here in SMA! I routine will most likely include at least one walk a day in the Botanical Garden. We can hear the water rushing down the canyon from our house and it sounds like the ocean ... it is truly fantastic especially when one considers that the entire presa had dried up months ago! I'll be posting some pictures in the next few days on Picassa.

July 20, 2007

July 20, 2007

Emily said, “Gee, your last entry sounded kind of sad” and upon re-reading, I guess she’s right. It was a bit of a frustrating week.

This week has been much better … mostly because I can NOW count the days until Bev’s arrival …six days from today!!

I’ll be working as much as possible over the next several days to accomplish as much as I can, but one thing I’ve learned here in Mexico: things have their own pace (slow and steady…usually) and it is best to adjust accordingly especially if one’s work interrelates in any way with Mexicans.

Fortunately, we have had basically no rain though violent storms threaten each day. Therefore, roof leaks have been non-existent. If only I could have predicted this I could have stained more floors. The roof is ready to be re-sealed with is supposed to happen next Monday. It better be successful as I plan to hit as many of the floors that I can …notwithstanding that workers tramp materials (and dirt) in each day.

I haven’t really done anything interesting this week …except work related stuff and a Sunday hike. I’ve shopped some more for wood and have found that interesting (but I’ll spare you the details!).

I spent last Saturday night in a very rustic cabin in the foothills of the Los Picachos that a friend is renting. It comprises two adobe structures with several bedrooms (as the woman who lived there did so with 5 children!). It is totally surrounded by high dessert greenery and very remote. No running water (catch basins for rain water only), an outhouse, and solar electricity. My night’s sleep wasn’t the best because of the two scorpions (little) I killed on the floor …where my mattress was. Nevertheless, we were able to get a relatively early start and spent nearly 7 hours in the mountains. We got into the oak forests which is what is on most of the summits. It is almost an entirely different eco-system. Spectacular views!

This week, Carole loaned me her guitar and one night I played for e straight hours. It’s great to have one around!

I’ve written an article for the local Mexican/gringo paper, The Atencion. The editor really liked the story and is eager to run it as soon as I get it translated along with a picture. Since blog readers may not see it, I thought I’d put it up here in case you’re interested.

Rowing on the Presa Allende

I left Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a few weeks ago to drive all the way to SMA carrying on my truck rooftop a one-person rowing shell (commonly referred to as “a single scull”) that I had just completed building. Its maiden voyage was on Saturday morning, June 30, on the Presa Allende, and it was a good row! The water was flat and the temperature just right. No one was on the water except a couple fishermen casting their nets from their own boats. As we spotted each other we eased our boats together. We felt a commonality in moving our vessels across the water with oars as we exchanged admiration of each other’s craft. His, totally utilitarian frames of naturally bent mesquite and oars tied into their chocks with bailing twine; mine at 24 feet, a beam of a mere 12 inches, with sliding seat, and carbon fiber oars. We could not have been more different, yet alike. He said he liked to row as much as fish. For me, rowing has been a lifetime passion.

You may ask, “Rowing on the Presa Allende?” That has been a calling since my first visit to San Miguel three years ago. It was then that I felt the determination to join efforts with others to improve the quality of the Presa, and also help to raise consciousness by promoting rowing and similar activities. Access to rowing shells similar to the sleek ones in the States may be more difficult to come by here, so I chose to build one. Further, a significant part of my hope is to work with others, adults and young people, who may want to learn how to build and row their own boat. Using mostly common lumber-yard materials, I’m pleased to say it is a relatively easy shell to build and row. It would make a great project involving young people and a parent or guardian.

The Presa is actually a beautiful place to row! The water in the Presa is much cleaner than many believe, despite the fact that it is not clear. This is due in part due to the stirring up of mud and silt - a consequence of the near constant turbulence and shallows. Local, State, and Federal government agencies and others, including volunteer groups, are working to improve water quality on a long-term basis. While it still has a way to go, it isn’t unrealistic to hope that one day it will be possible to swim in the Presa and even see an increase in fish species as well as an improvement of the quality of fish.

To help support the work of others with shared goals for improved water quality, a new group has formed, appropriately named, Amigos de la Presa, whose objective it is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the Presa. Launching my home-made rowing shell is actually part of the effort to encourage more people to discover the possibilities of the recreational use of the Presa through environmentally benign activities such as rowing, kayaking, and sailing.

Local architect, Eduardo Arias, regularly kayaks on the Presa and, has remarked, “One of my favorite activities is to explore the ruins of the Presa especially the Church of Saint Augustine, the three haciendas, and the bridge that was destroyed by dynamite in the 1930’s.” Mr. Arias reminds those who may want to paddle on the Presa to remember to take appropriate safety gear such as a PFD (personal flotation device).

You may have noticed a Hobie Catamaran on the Presa on a fairly regular basis. That is most likely Timoteo Wachter and friends, during their weekly sail. Tim says, “There is something magical about it. Maybe it's the combination of the desert light and air with the added fun and excitement of Hobie sailing that brings me out there time and again.” (Tim is the owner of that castle-like tower that can be seen on the southwest shore of the Presa.)

Others, experienced or not, who may be interested in rowing are invited to be in touch with me. The shell I built can be completed in about 50 or 60 hours and at a relatively modest cost. I am available to supervise and guide construction as well as to give rowing lessons, if needed. Rowing is great fun and one of the best physical exercises there is.

All those interested in learning more about Amigos de la Presa are urged to drop an email of inquiry to: MichaelPLambert@gmail.com.

Check out pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/MichaelPLambert/LivingInMexico

On losing track of time

July 12, 2007

On losing track of time

Wow, that sounds serious: losing track of time. I’ve not watched the news or anything since I’ve been here. I haven’t a clue on what’s going on in the world. From time to time, I think I ought to tune into Democracy Now, but it seems whenever I go to a neighbor’s or friends to pull down my email, I’m always in a ‘rush’! I have to look at my watch to know the date. Even the time of day often seems to elude me. I more or less go from event to event, project to project, etc. For most of you that are reading this, I wonder how this strikes you? Chances are you may be frequently finding that you don’t have enough time!

On reflection, it isn’t a particularly satisfying way to live as it feels a little too directionless. At the end of the day, I much prefer the feeling, I think, that I’ve accomplished something that day.

I think that part of my frustration is that it seems hard to find focused time. It seems there are always workmen pounding here and there and walking through the house with materials, etc. I start something and I need to run out for something or someone. Or worst of all, Ricardo says he’ll be over, I wait, and he doesn’t show.

I think I need to figure out a better way.

Progress on the house seems to move forward slowly. Sacramento has worked on the terrace covers for a week: basically making six roughly 2x2 feet square concrete covers over the various tanks buried beneath the terraces. Since he’s working alone, it goes slowly, but today he finished and it looks good. (The holes where he built the covers were not all necessarily square with the tiles, so it took him quite awhile to cut the tiles so that they matched all the others). Today he moved (FINALLY) to the job of working on the leaky skylights. This appears to be a very slow going project necessitating the chipping away of the concrete by about two inches all around each skylight and redoing them. He got two mostly done today. Only about 30 to go.

Estephen has been here working on the enclosure needed for the bathroom water heaters (as the wind blows the pilots out!). If I could describe the process (which I could if anyone is interested!), you would soon see why it takes forever to do the work that they do. One thing is certain, that work very steadily.

Fun?

Well, let’s see:

I’ve had four or five meals with Alan and family which are always really enjoyable. The “comidas” or “family festivals” are often to celebrate something. The biggest was the announcement that Alan and Flora will get married on August 12 and I get to be the best man!

The festival of Santa Cruz was last weekend. It is a local festival for many of the surrounding communities and has been adopted as the official anniversary festival of the Botanical Garden … now 16 years old! Fireworks nearly all night! Fantastic traditional dances, lots of foods, bands, etc. The feature is when a whole line of members of the community carry a cross to one of four little shrines at each of the cardinal points. A different community takes each point. The solemnly carry the cross, flowers, incenses, gifts of different types, and play music. They make prayers of thanks and solemn sounding speeches. Notably, there isn’t a priest, but rather the community shamans. The festival, like so many others is a convergence of native traditions and rituals and those of Christianity.

I went wood shopping and found some good stuff. The price is high compared to the US, but they plane it for ‘no charge’!

The high point thus far was a Flamenco performance I went to last night featuring this fantastic male flamenco dancer from Spain, his wife, and our friend Angela. The dance floor was about 3x5 feet and we sat on the same level … about 25 or 30 people. Apparently, this is how authentic flamenco is done and it was totally out of sight. So powerful, so filled with passion. The guitarist, percussionist, and singer were amazing. The male dancer (extremely well known in Spain) danced almost as it in a trance!

I went for a long hike in the Botanical Garden today which was good for the soul! It is an amazing place especially now that the water is rushing down the canyon!

I hope to be somewhat productive over the next two days and go for a long hike up the mountains on Sunday.

On retirement

It has been an interesting couple months since stopping my work at the boathouse. The preparations for Mexico consumed a lot of time and energy … particularly emotional energy. Let’s face it, I love Pittsburgh and Crossing Creeks...they are ‘home’ and knowing that I’d be without Bev in a foreign culture (despite the very good friends we’ve made) brought up much anxiety that I tried to deny! Also the rush to finish my boat so that I could take it to Mexico consumed more time than I’d rather admit and kept me on a pace not dissimilar to work!

It was working on the boat, however, that gave me one of the greatest early experiences of what retirement is about: rather than get on myself about how long it took to do this or that on the boat I found me self stepping back and asking, “What’s the rush?” I know this seems like a relatively minor revelation, but it really was a great feeling to know that I could take as much time as I wanted! It changed the experience of working on the boat to a real pleasure!

Progress on the boat on the deck of my workshop in West Virginia:

Nearing finish - in the back yard in Pittsburgh:

Mexico … week one!

So much has happened in just one week that I think I need to just summarize the highlights even though there is a real story behind many of the occurrences

This was the second time we drove down to Mexico and in many ways; it seemed easier even though I did all the driving. Bev was willing to drive, but hauling a trailer and a truck load of stuff was a little tricky.

Loaded in Pittsburgh and headed for the border!

Bev’s company made all the difference for the first two days! She kept me entertained, fed, and awake! What a woman!

We parted in San Antonio, Texas from where she flew back to the ‘burgh. The ‘plan’ was that I’d mosey down to Laredo (about 3 hours), hit up Home Depot, buy Mexican auto insurance, go through customs, spend the night just over the border in Nuevo Laredo, and get a fresh start for the remaining 11 hours drive to San Miguel. (Customs had caused a fair about of anticipation due to all the stuff I was hauling and just the general sense that Mexico must be …should be… really pissed at the way we are dealing with immigration).

Best laid plans …

One needs to ‘register’ one’s car immediately after crossing the border. No big deal. We’d done it in January and knew the routine…except for one thing! It seems like we missed the fact that one my ‘de-register’ one’s car when leaving Mexico (that way they know we’re not taking cars into Mexico to sell!). Foreigners are not allowed to have more than one car in Mexico. Problem: I’m driving the Nissan pick-up and the Subaru is sitting in the garage in Pittsburgh!

I plead with two agents who basically shrug and say there is nothing they can do. I cannot take the Nissan into Mexico unless the agents first de-register the Subaru which they can only do by physically seeing the car! You got it: I’d need to drive the car down to the border so that the guy in the little white shack in the lot can see the car and physically remove the little sticker!

I think I’ll skip the details as I don’t want to get into trouble … but suffice it to say, I left the car registration area and directly headed for San Miguel driving all night arriving at 4:30 AM!

Needless to say, I have an issue that I need to somehow straighten out.

Sunday I went to a great fiesta at Alan’s to celebrate Flora’s birthday. What a great time! We feel very lucky to be part of this Mexican family!

Monday I began staining the floors and I must admit it is going to look great! Except I came to an abrupt stop when the first of the daily rains came. You may recall that we’ve said we have 72 skylights? Guess how many leak? Hint: more than 20 and less than 72!

The calls to our architect began on Monday and to my great delight, he showed up on Thursday and his guys commenced work Friday on fixing what is likely to be a sizeable problem. Monday others will be here (so I’m told!) to begin working on the 25 or so items on our ‘punch list’.

So far,

one hike in the Botanical Garden (http://www.laneta.apc.org/charco/news_vol2no7.htm),

an aborted trip to row on the Presa when to road became impassable due to the heavy rains, three meals out with good friends, several short ATV trips to the grocery and hardware stores, and one tutoring class in Spanish. Lots of floor mopping! Tomorrow (Saturday) may be the first real row on the Presa …

The first real row on the Presa was today, Saturday, June 30. Santiago Corral, a good friend, arrived on a very broad expanse of grass (at various times of the year underwater) in his ultralite with his student (after 20 hours of instruction one can pilot an ultralite here). I took a short row and gave Santiago a short rowing lesson. After he left a rowed for about another hour stopping frequently to adjust the rigging. I think it is right now and I look forward to future rowing on the Presa.

Saturday night there is a full moon ceremony at the Botanical Garden which I plan to go to…so watch out!

Today (Sunday), I took a fantastic hike up a hike up into the Los Picachos Mountain range which we see clearly from our house. At its core is an ancient volcano the crater of which can be made out via Google earth. The hike was definitely a challenge especially with the elevation at 7,000+ feet. The views from the summit were breathtaking. Check out some pictures at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/MichaelPLambert/LivingInMexico

The Begining

This is entitled, ' The Beginning' mainly because I need a place to start... it really is only the beginning of my very first blog!
I don't really know very much about blogs. This one begins because Emily suggested it to me this morning during her father's day call! She said email gets lost, but I can always send friends and family to my blog. Too, I can post selected pictures and friends and family can comment and contribute! That sounds like fun!
So, here it is, creatively named, mike and bev!
I suspect that all entries will be similarly straight forward and interesting only to a few... nevertheless, enjoy and thanks for stopping by!