I'm Baaaack!

NOTE TO SELF: Another 'found' draft. I must have been waiting for photos. And never returned.

I know, it's been a while. A long while. I needed a break, I guess. But writing is therapy, and goodness knows I need therapy this year. Not sure how often I will be able to post, but it will surely be more than in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

So even though 2017 has brought way too much drama into my life, it also has brought some new adventures. We haven't done any international traveling since we moved up here to heaven on earth. Until now. Before we knew it was going to be worst winter since we arrived in 2007, we planned an 11 day escape to Baja California, like a good number of other folks who live here. Now we know why everyone does this.

1. It's sunny.
2. It's warm.
3. It's laid back.
4. Food is good, and cheap.
5. Margaritas and beer are good, and cheap.
6. Alaska Air flies to San Jose del Cabo nonstop from PDX.

And that's just for starters.

We snuck out between snow and ice storms on Feb. 2nd, and in 4 hours or so we were in Mexico, clearing customs quickly, and ordering our first of many margaritas at the bar outside.

Thursday is Art Walk night in San Jose del Cabo. The galleries were wonderful, open late, and full of people enjoying the evening. Rooftop bars, open air restaurants, and a quaint little city hotel for the night with a French Bakery next door for breakfast. What's not to like?

We spent several days in Todos Santos at a wonderful B&B called Serendipity, where we had our own little casita just 2 minutes walk from the beach. Sharon was a fantastic hostess, and the breakfasts were excellent, with many choices each morning. I was very fond of the fresh passionfruit juice, huevos rancheros with salsa verde, bacon, and home fries, but alternated with yogurt, fresh fruit and granola, or an omelet.

The beach had a turtle hatchery and release program, so at sunset folks would gather to watch the hatchlings of the day head into the sea. You can volunteer to man the beach for your vacation if you like. Check out their website here. Not a swimming beach, but beautiful to walk, and listen to the waves crashing at night.

We also spent a few days in La Paz, where we hit the beaches, went snorkeling with whale sharks. We could have used wetsuits, that water was COLD!

On a day trip out to Isla Espirtu Santo, we got to snorkel with sea lions (with wetsuits this time)!

Birds from as far away as the Galapagos stop here, and we spotted a blue footed booby.

The frigate birds were mating, and the male displays were awesome.

Fresh ceviche on the beach, with cold Modelo Especials, what a life!

We even took a bus back to Todos Santos, a 90 minute ride for $5. Such a deal. Got to watch cartoon in Spanish on the little video screens.

The last weekend we went to a geology talk, a geology walk, and to artist open studios. What a busy and vibrant town. And ate. And drank. Including a flight at a mescaleria!

All good things must come to an end, though, and we rolled back through the Gorge between storms to settle back in at home. Buddy was happy to see us. 

New News for the New Year

NOTE TO SELF: Why did I not hit PUBLISH? Found in drafts when I was dusting the cobwebs off my blog. Boy, do I have a lot of catching up to do. 

2013

I got to thinking about the NEW things that happened last year to make this New Year start off on with the right attitude.

New Dog
After almost 10 months of dogless life since losing Brindle in Nov 2012, we adopted Buddy from the Home at Last shelter in The Dalles. His shelter name was Bucket. That would not do, because he seemed to have had a history of being beaten and possibly kicked. We went nameless for a while, to get the feel of his spirit. Meanwhile, we'd say, come here buddy, let's go buddy, etc. At the vet for a first check up, he asked what the dog's name was. We looked at each other and said "Buddy". And he has been a good one. He looked like a cartoon dog, with a head too big for his estimated 2 yr old body. Weight at intake in Yakima was listed as 25 lb. We got him at 40 lb. He now weighs in at 60 lb, about right for this heeler-husky mix. His head fits his body now. And he is fitting in just fine.

New Graduate
Daughter Keara completed her MEd in Higher Education Administration at UT-Austin and graduated in May. We made the trip to Austin to participate in the graduation activities. It was worth the trip. All the graduations we've been to, we have NEVER been to one with fireworks. And I loved the tower lighting up in the colors of the schools that make up the university.

New Job
After about 6 months of serious searching around the country for a job befitting her skills and talents, Keara landed at the University of South Carolina in November, as a Program Manager for Study Abroad in the International Studies Department. She lives close to campus in a house with a couple her age and three dogs, much to her delight. Lloyd flew down to Austin to help with the move and road trip to Columbia.

New Apartment
Daughter Alina and Conor moved from Davis Sq and Allston, respectively, to the up and coming South End of Boston. Both are now much closer to jobs, and love living downtown.

New Graduate Student
Alina has started working on her MEd at Boston College part time, after her day job teaching preK at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill. She'll apply to the graduate school this year with four courses in hand.

New Niece
Nephew Kevin married his longtime love Heather in September on the Cape, the first family wedding of the 'next generation'. We are all thrilled to have her officially in the family. They live and work in Boston.

New Business
Niece Layla opened her own beauty salon called "The Bobby Pin" in Portland. This venture has been years in the making, and we are very excited for her.

New Hip, New Eyes
My 86 year old mom had a makeover this year, with two cataract surgeries and last month's hip replacement. She's good for another 100,000 miles, just like her 1991 Camry.

New Manager, New World Series Trophy
I would be remiss if I did not mention the awesome 2013 Red Sox, worst to first! What an exciting year for fans of The Pahk. I was lucky to see them in person as they beat the Mariners in Seattle in July.