roof cats – Zihuathyme

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY AND NOW IT’S ALMOST TIME TO GO

The March weather has been the best of the entire season being about 82 day time, but upon occasion a light wrap, if you are out at night, might be enjoyed.  Also quite a bit of wind sometimes needing to close one door or another to keep every thing from blowing around inside my apartment and no need to use a fan.  Ocean water temperature has definably dropped some, a little chilly as one enters.

This has been the most fun season ever.  A continual whirlwind of parties, potlucks, beach get togethers, dinning out, dinning in with friends, more beaches and more friends.  I have not posted about all of it or taken many pictures of all the events as they are not of much interest to anyone but those involved. I have acquired so many good friends here in Zihuatanejo.

Afternoon with good friends at the lovely Casa Roja

I spend a lot of my personal time reading. Looking back through my kindle I’ve read 20 book on my kindle and one hard bound book and a couple of paperback books.  I prefer reading on my kindle, no reading light needed at night and my favorite feature is the dictionary.  I’ve always been to lazy to stop and open a separate dictionary and look up words I’m not sure of.  But with the kindle one touch brings up my word and all it’s meanings and pronunciations.

I’m always hesitant to recommend books as everyone has their personal taste, but the ones that stuck with me as super enjoyable are Devoted by Deanne Koontz, The Tender Bar by JR Moerhinger, Sooley by John Grisham, and the Kite Runner, by Khalid Hosseni, and I read anything and everything by Ken Follett.

Now I am in my last few days as a “visitor” to Zihuatanejo, When I return in October Zihuatanejo will become my home. As soon as I get back to Washington I will file for temporary residency which will allow me to stay more than 180 days and gives me a few extra perks.

I will miss the three roof cats that hang out on my balcony. They have provided  me with great entertainment and enjoyment this year. While I have been supplementing their diets, one has shown me they will have no trouble returning to hunting as she leapt two feet in the air to bring down a pigeon mid flight.

Signing off KO

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

The cutest birthday party ever took place at the Beauty Salon across from Eloinia’s Bar at the Fish Therapy Salon. I once had a pedicure done there by hungry little fish. These cuties were having such fun at a “spa” birthday party getting their manicures and pedicures all in their spa pink robes.

I have the pleasure of celebrating my birthday during my time in Mexico each year. I’m am so fortunate to be in this wonderful place with good friends new and old. I’m so thankful that I am physically able to still enjoy life to it’s fullest, have new experiences and am looking forward to “keeping on”. Since none of us know our “pull date”, I believe it is important to go, do, see and enjoy every aspect life has to offer you.

Good friends and good times dinner at La Principal

My Christmas poinsettias are thriving, lots of new growth, but my fern tree is not. I know I’ve had some issues with it and cats. But I thought that problem was resolved, I’m just not sure how best to take care of it, how much water it needs and how often. But it’s growing, just not looking lush like so many do. Any suggestions?

Signing off KO

STREET DOGS, ROOF CATS, AND OTHER CURIOSITIES

Hard working lady cleaning the La Madera path and beach

Zihuatanejo is much quieter now that the Mexican tourists have returned to their homes. The morning path to La Madera is no longer crowded with the health seeking runners, soon to be replaced by different tourists as more and more American and Canadian visitors arrive fleeing from the cold climes. I often have the feeling that here in Zihuatanejo if you are willing to work, there is work to be found. I marvel at how hard the lady who cleans the path to La Madera works, it’s not a glamour job, but it’s honest work and one whose labors we reap the benefits of. I’m amazed at the piles of sand she sweeps off the path, and the wheel barrows of litter she removes each day. Same with the daily street sweepers who appear early each morning and clean up the careless, thoughtlessness of others. Definitely unsung heroes!

My gentle little street dog was not at the bridge to meet me this morning, I don’t think I’ll tell her that I gave her breakfast to a friendly street cat. Actually “Luna” is not a true street dog as she does have an owner and a home, but I doubt she is being fed a High protein

Street cat enjoying the Senors left-over chicken

Science diet formulated for lactating mothers. She belong to the coco man who owns the chickens I feed. There are many street dogs here vying for scraps from the garbage sacks or the kindness of strangers. There are many of the yellow “anywhere” dogs of which Luna is one. There are many of very questionable parentage that have produced some very odd-looking dogs. The one common trait they all seem to share is a gentle nature.

Cats tend to be roof cats, traveling blocks without touching ground. But also found along the fisherman’s walk, and the occasional shop cat. We have planters anchoring each end of our balcony which tends to attract the roof cat population cats for their nature calls. We know as we see kitty tracks across the balcony, and occasionally , in the wee hours of the morning we have even heard their loud discussions. Just before day light last week I heard a cat on the tile overhang just below us, my flashlight has a laser light on it and I couldn’t resist a game of laser tag . But the laser scared the hell out of this cat. She ran as I chased her with the light. She didn’t understand what a fun game it can be.

There is a curious library kiosk in the artist park, it looks quite similar to the one just erected on the campus of the college I attended, with the main difference being this one is locked up tight and the one at home is open for anyone to take or leave a book. Maybe it is used by the school once the children return to school?

Today is 3 Kings Day, I’m not sure if it is a true holiday or a day of celebration, I don’t know if the children wake up to their gifts or if it happens later tonight. But I’m curious to find out. Signing off KO

GETTING SETTLED IN

I’m an early riser. I think sunrise is one of my favorite moments in the day. It always reminds me of a line from an old song by Melodyen”watch a baby day be born.” Each day holds such new promise. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on the balcony where we were entertained by a roof cat. I swear they go miles with out ever touching the ground.

Today is a busy day, well not really busy as I’m on Mexican time but I did get our phones restarted. This is so the Senor and I can stay in contact with each other. The Senor is very content to just relax at the apt,me I need to be doing something so I run most of the errands do the majority of the shopping and now he can track me down. After the phones on to try to find a microwave turntable plate. No luck, but after going to the local internet message board I have several suggestions to follow through on. One of which was have one of your friends from north of the border bring one down to you. I think this is a great idea, any volunteers?? Of course enroute I stopped by the local fabric stores. They are fantastic places with huge varieties of fabric and very reasonable. Last year I made a pants and tunic set I wear when I perform wedding ceremonies which cost about $23 american.

I returned in time for lunch and siesta. We eat our breakfast and dinners on the balcony, but lunch is inside and with the air conditioner going.

Thats the Senor watching from our balcony

We cooked in tonight and as we were finishing our dinner 5 young Mexican youths were setting up their band instruments on the pedestrian street directly below our balcony. As they tuned up we kinda wondered what we were in for, but 3 guitars, a drummer an a gal on keyboards began pumping out CCR and other vintage rock and roll and were really quite good. And very respectfully quit promptly at 10 pm.

I get restless in the evening and want to get out and see what is happening. When you have alzheimer’s they call it “sundowning”. Maybe I have an early symptom,but the evenings are so lovely here i just can’t bear to be inside and love to walk about as do so much of the Mexican population.

I had hoped to see Jimmi Mamou play at Don Memo’s, but he wasn’t there so I headed to the Barracruda where the “Steve Allen” Show was in progress. They are both local boys, Kitsap and North Mason counties. It’s now 11 PM and from my balcony I can still hear them play music from the Barracruda as it is only a 1/2 block away. While there I ran into friends Charlie and Christine. While visiting with them I learned that other friends, Will and Sylvia from Canada won’t be coming this year. It’s disappointing that folks we had hoped to see this year just aren’t coming for one reason or another. We have plans to meet with Charlie and Christine at Juan’s place on Ixtapa Island tomorrow. I’m anxious to get in the water, it’s been a week since I’ve been swimming and Saturday is my big ocean swim event. Well I guess it’s time to call it a day, signing off. KO

THE MOON, DOGS, CATS AND LOUD MUSIC ALL PART OF THE CULTURE

Setting moon 1 27 13 over hills of Zihuatanejo

Moon set on 1 26 13I’ve been so busy trying to capture the sunrise here that I’ve missed a site of exceptional beauty. Yesterday I discovered if I looked the other direction there was a bright orange full moon rapidly setting. In less than 2 minutes it was gone and I was so excited my shots are blury but it was breathtaking. I tried again this morning, while beautiful it wasn’t quite the same bright shade of orange.

I enjoy the many differences in the way of life here, that’s why I come to Mexico. If I just wanted warm weather I could go to Palm Desert or Honolulu. I enjoy the culture and life style here and am fascinated by the many things that are so different.

This roof dog is clear out on the tile awning

Roof dogs for one. The first time I saw a roof dog I thought he got accidentally trapped on roof and was going to jump off to get out of his predicument. At home I would have been calling the humane society or the fire department to have the dog rescued. But I learned thats their security system. One that is always on duty.

Street dogs are sad. So many of them have very sweet dispositions and would make great pets, but no one wants them, no one takes care of them, they have scars and sores that speak of their tough life, yet none are agressive, except with each other.

Roof cats seemed to have it pretty good.

I've seen this cat slip into buildings through small cracks — I’ve seen this cat slip into buildings through small cracks

They travel the town from building to building, no danger from people, cars or street dogs. They know where the cracks and the holes in the walls and ceilings are and slip into their favorite buildings at will. Although one one them is making themselves an unwelcome mid nite visitor to our planter boxes on our balcony. We can always tell when he has visited us as the dusty paw prints show his route

The only part of the Mexican culture I find fault with is the all night bar in El Centro. Tequila town has been going strong for more years than I’ve been coming here, but it is basically an indoor venue and while some of it spills into the street it’s not keeping us awake at night. On the other hand the one that is across from Zorros and Murmello’s dosen’t start ther LOUD music until 200AM and it is an out door venue. They pump out what they believe is music until 6AM. Then they roll out into the streets, make a lot of noise, drop a lot of trash on the streets and are barely out of town before the churrch bell rings calling the faithful to mass. I just don’t understand why they continue to operate in an area that caters to mature tourists, has many apartments and hotels that cater to an older clientel We’ve learned that no door or window can be left open on Friday or Saturday night, run the air conditioner as it’s hum helps drown out the noise. Ear plugs and “sound canceling ” airplane ear phones all help reduce the sound to a level conducive to sleep, while we entertain diabolical thoughts and ideas on how the establishment could meet it’s demise.