Our Art Opening

Matt finally finished the last of his murals in our terrace and everyone wanted to see.  On Saturday, August 16th we hosted an open house to view his work....but really just sounds like an excuse to have a party.  We had lots of fun with our friends and Matt received a lot of compliments....but unfortunately no commissions....such is the life of an artist.  Our friends Joe and Sharon presented Matt with a beret...every artist should wear a beret, right?  It was personalized with his name "MattVan Gough" so he's got a new nick name.  Much better than what this group calls me "vaquetona". We were playing Mexican train one day and I was kicking some butt.  Couldn't seem to loose.  Two of my Mexican friends, Ceci and Ana, started calling me vaquetona.  They said it sort of meant brat, but others I've asked said it's somewhere between a scoundrel or a cheat....hmmmm.  But I guess it's all in the delivery.  They usually say when they greet me "me preciosa vaqui", so it sounds nice, right?

Here's a mural I saw in San Miguel Allende.  I was hoping Matt was use this as an inspiration for his next work!`

Every September in Ajijic, one of the biggest events is the Globo Fest.  A globo is a balloon and for this fest it refers to miniature, homemade hot air balloons.  They are made from tissue paper, the heat comes from a basket under the balloon where a tee shirt soaked in kerosene is lit.  If all goes well, this contraption actually launches and drifts off before it falls somewhere in the mountains...and hopefully doesn't start a fire.  If all doesn't go well, it burns up at launch.  I understand there are hundreds of these globos and they are all launched from the soccer field.  The kids all love when a globo burns up during launch as they run and stomp out the fire.  No one ever said safety was a high priority in Mexico.  Mostly it's Mexicans that build globos, but Matt plans to build and launch one this year.  His friend Vern always has a globo in the fesitval so he's teaching Matt.  The past week or so they've been building a prototype and I was there for the test launch.  Kathleen and I of course celebrated the launch with jalapeno jamaica margaritas.

Sad news here.  On Monday, August 18th, Lola suddenly refused to eat.  Very unusual for this sweet girl.  On Thursday, after four days not eating, I took her to the vet and she ran blood work.  All Lola's liver function tests came back with terrible results.  The vet said her liver was so damaged there wasno treatment, and to just take her home and keep her comfortable.  Matt and I moped and cried for the rest of the week (OK I cried, Matt moped).  We tried to coax her to eat anything we could think of; occasionally she'd take a few bites but couldn't keep anything down.  Then miraculously Sunday she seemed a bit better.  I got her to eat some pieces of beef and she kept them down.  Monday I fixed her a stew of hamburger and rice and she actually ate a meal.  Right now she's eating chicken and rice.  Her jaundice is much better and she seems to be regaining her energy.  So we are cautiously hopeful.  The vet says to wait another week or so and we'll repeat the blood work.  If her results are improved we can maybe consider some treatment options.  So please, need prayers and good thoughts for our sweet Lola.

Our Chapala Summer!

Summer is beautiful Lakeside.  The rains started a bit early this year and by mid-June everything was starting to green up nicely.  A good rainy season is much appreciated here as the water level in the lake has been very low for several years.

Cara, Me, Kathleen & Louracia

For the fourth of July weekend I went to San Miguel de Allende for a two night girls trip.  What a beautiful city!  Kathleen, always the adventurer, was the driver and she did a great job.  The trip was about 4 1/2 hours each way and we saw some beautiful parts of Mexico.  We stayed at a wonderful B&B that served some of the best Chiliquiles ever for breakfast.  Each room had a fireplace and the room Louracia and I shared had a beautiful view of the cathedral and each morning we'd watch hot air balloons drift over the city.  The town of SMA is shaped like a bowl with the main shopping

The Square in San Miguel

area at the bottom surrounded by hills.  We trekked down the street every day to shop, eat and sightsee.....and then back up the street each night to our hotel.  Well, at least Kathleen and Cara did.  Sometimes Louracia and I grabbed a cab!  We actually closed down the bars both nights....or actually I think we closed down two different bars in the same night.  But whatever, we had a great time.  On the way back, we went through Dolores Hidalgo to shop for pottery and briefly saw Guanajuato....which will definitely be out next trip!

Beautiful San Miguel

The beautiful breakfast table at our B&B

Shortly after I returned from SMA, Matt had a family emergency and needed to return to Kansas City.  He was very much missed here, but this is an easy town to be alone in.  The dogs and I kept up our daily routine and the only thing that really suffered in Matt's absence was his beautiful garden.

I do think Matt has finally finished with the murals in the garden.  Originally, he was going to paint one...but he enjoyed it so much now there are five.  It's been a great project for him and they look great!  We're very happy with our beautiful terrace!  Everything is growing so fast - this is the perfect climate for plants.  Not too hot, not too cold.

Our best surprise was that Ryan and Brandee came to see us.  They arrived last week for a six day visit and man did we pack in the activities!  We went to the markets here in Ajijic, Tequila (yes there is a pueblo named tequila...and they makes lots of tequila there), Guadalajara, Talaquepaque, Tequila Fest in Chapala and we had some incredible meals and lots of fun.  Ryan took most of the pics, and has promised to send them to me soon, but for now here's a pic of Ryan, Brandee and I tase testing the tequila at Herraderra distillery.

My one bit of sad news is that Buster, the pup I'm fostering that I talked about in last blog entry, had to have more surgery.  He had nerve damage in his right rear leg and it became apparent he would never be able to use it.  Vet said best to amputate.  Buster did pretty well with this surgery although he did have an infection but recovered quickly.  And yes, he's still staying with us.  Originally it was going to be a short foster for a week or two - now two months later he's still here.  But I'm taking him to the next adoption day and hopefully he'll charm someone like he has me.  He is a sweet heart and has so much spirit.  Hermann actually loves to play with him....and Herm never plays with anyone.  Lola, she'd rather he just leave her alone.