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“Cats choose us; we don't own them." ~ Kristin Cast
Well, they say that cats choose you. We've been chosen! While sitting on the porch a couple of nights ago, minding our own sweet business and sipping a nice glass of wine, a young cat appeared from nowhere and jumped up in my lap.
I picked it up and put it back down on the porch decking. Up it came again, down it went, up it came.... There was a pattern here.
After about the 5th attempt to remove the cat from my lap, I turned to hubby and said, "I guess we now have a cat."
Gracie, our older Border Collie was raised with our cat, Franz, from the time she was a baby. They got along well. Franz passed away long before Sam came on the scene. Sam has only ever seen (and chased) the neighbor's cats in Texas. This will be an experiment for certain!
IT's a SHE! We brought her (now named Sophie) into the laundry room to get the dogs used to her. Gracie was over the whole thrill in about 15 seconds, completely ignoring Sophie, the cat. Sam was Mr. Curious. We decided to give Sam a job; he is, after all, a Border Collie! His command was, "Sam, guard Sophie." Sam took it to heart. He follows Sophie everywhere,stares at her endlessly, licks her, and herds her.
Turns out our neighbor was present when Sophie was born to a neighborhood stray in the barn next door. So we have her "birth" photo!
I picked it up and put it back down on the porch decking. Up it came again, down it went, up it came.... There was a pattern here.
After about the 5th attempt to remove the cat from my lap, I turned to hubby and said, "I guess we now have a cat."
Gracie, our older Border Collie was raised with our cat, Franz, from the time she was a baby. They got along well. Franz passed away long before Sam came on the scene. Sam has only ever seen (and chased) the neighbor's cats in Texas. This will be an experiment for certain!
IT's a SHE! We brought her (now named Sophie) into the laundry room to get the dogs used to her. Gracie was over the whole thrill in about 15 seconds, completely ignoring Sophie, the cat. Sam was Mr. Curious. We decided to give Sam a job; he is, after all, a Border Collie! His command was, "Sam, guard Sophie." Sam took it to heart. He follows Sophie everywhere,stares at her endlessly, licks her, and herds her.
Turns out our neighbor was present when Sophie was born to a neighborhood stray in the barn next door. So we have her "birth" photo!
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Before we moved to Uruguay, we sold our beloved Kawaii grand piano. Although we both played it for many years, my husband was truly in love with it. I have so many fond memories of listening to him play.
One summer in Texas, I was repainting several rooms in the house and his music was my accompaniment. Many nights, I sat by the fireplace, listening to him play. When I was tired, he played after I went to bed and it put me to sleep. When I was angry, his music soothed my soul. It really hurt to sell it, but we didn't think it would do well moving on a ship.
So it's been two years since we've owned a piano. It was high time to change that. We found a 100-year-old Steinway that was rebuilt and refinished by a wonderful father and son team in Montevideo. They found the piano sitting neglected in a synagogue for a very long time after the church had purchased a newer one.
It was meant to be ours! Our house will once again be filled with music. Words can't express how happy that makes both of us.
One summer in Texas, I was repainting several rooms in the house and his music was my accompaniment. Many nights, I sat by the fireplace, listening to him play. When I was tired, he played after I went to bed and it put me to sleep. When I was angry, his music soothed my soul. It really hurt to sell it, but we didn't think it would do well moving on a ship.
So it's been two years since we've owned a piano. It was high time to change that. We found a 100-year-old Steinway that was rebuilt and refinished by a wonderful father and son team in Montevideo. They found the piano sitting neglected in a synagogue for a very long time after the church had purchased a newer one.
It was meant to be ours! Our house will once again be filled with music. Words can't express how happy that makes both of us.
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"My mother always said, life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." - Forest Gump (Tom Hanks)
Just a little something about the women in your lives - whether they are your mom or not!
Mother’s Day is Sunday. Recently, I've read several articles on the Internet portraying Mother’s Day as self-serving and even boring. The authors were mothers. Tell me it ain’t so!
I believe that many, many women, whether they have children or not, have attributes often used to describe motherhood – loving, nurturing, caring, compassionate, and wise.
Until I was 45 (when I gained a wonderful bonus-son), I went through many a childless Mother's Day and endured countless baby showers. Yes, it is difficult to be child-free on those occasions, especially when the subjects of childbirth pains and breast-feeding dominate the conversation. Spell A-W-K-W-A-R-D.
Once upon a time, as I was having my own personal childless Mother’s Day pity party, my sweet mama reminded me that - I was, of course, a mother. I questioned her statement, so she asked me to explain what I did every day at work as a teacher. I stared at her strangely, for she knew darn well what I did.
I thought about the question and realized the answers: I ask my "kids" (students) about their interests; I ask how they feel; I sympathize with some and laugh with others; I dry tears and shed a few; I find lost items before, during, and after the school day; I try to make them feel better when they are ill; I accept and give hugs; I lift up their spirits and confidence.
After contemplating my answers, I realized that Mama was right - I am a Mother. I also realized those same answers applied not only to my students at school, but to my nieces, nephews, my friends' children, and my pets. Oh yes!
Thanks to Mama, I rarely felt left out, jealous, bitter, or sad on Mother's Day. In fact, I love Mother's Day. I love my mother and remember with joy her last Mother's Day when she turned 100 (the same day!)
Happy Mother's Day to all those women who care for others - regardless in what capacity! Mothers or not, and no matter what your occupation, your age, or your life situation – you are a strong example to those who love you.
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"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around." Vanilla Sky - Sophia (Penelope Cruz)
Well, it's been quite a few months since writing my last post. My hair has grown waaaay past my shoulders. Our house is finally finished and we are all moved in. I've made some new friends and miss my old ones terribly.
My family has endured several happy and some not so happy milestones. Where have I been?
I've been busy - moving into a new house, decorating, sewing, cooking up a storm, and entertaining.
I've been gazing at stars and walking in the sun.
I've been dancing at the local village Zumba class and relaxing at the yoga class.
I've been visiting beaches and listening to birds sing.
I've been lazy - sitting on Facebook for much too long, stroking my puppies' fur and listening to their hearts beat pure love.
I've been sitting on the porch, watching neighborhood kids frolic and listening to cows and sheep.
I've been taking naps, lying in the sunlight which shines on the sofa.
All in all, it's been a fantastic few months.
Well, it's been quite a few months since writing my last post. My hair has grown waaaay past my shoulders. Our house is finally finished and we are all moved in. I've made some new friends and miss my old ones terribly.
My family has endured several happy and some not so happy milestones. Where have I been?
I've been busy - moving into a new house, decorating, sewing, cooking up a storm, and entertaining.
I've been gazing at stars and walking in the sun.
I've been dancing at the local village Zumba class and relaxing at the yoga class.
I've been visiting beaches and listening to birds sing.
I've been lazy - sitting on Facebook for much too long, stroking my puppies' fur and listening to their hearts beat pure love.
I've been sitting on the porch, watching neighborhood kids frolic and listening to cows and sheep.
I've been taking naps, lying in the sunlight which shines on the sofa.
All in all, it's been a fantastic few months.
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"Holy Mackerel!" - Arsenic and Old Lace - Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant)
In my quest to learn Spanish AND to get in shape, I joined the village yoga class. I still go to Zumba class, but I can't learn Spanish there. Everyone gasps for breath instead of talking.
My Yoga teacher however, never stops talking. Her voice is soothing and slow; maybe she knows I'm struggling to understand Spanish while pushing myself into weird shapes.
This morning was cold in UY. Did I take socks to class? NO! Yoga teacher was so sweet - wrapping my frozen feet in my jacket one minute and pushing them over my head the next. She kept trying to throw in English words, and I think I heard something like, "Relax your boobies" at one point. Hmmmm...maybe I need to keep working on the Spanish.
In my quest to learn Spanish AND to get in shape, I joined the village yoga class. I still go to Zumba class, but I can't learn Spanish there. Everyone gasps for breath instead of talking.
My Yoga teacher however, never stops talking. Her voice is soothing and slow; maybe she knows I'm struggling to understand Spanish while pushing myself into weird shapes.
This morning was cold in UY. Did I take socks to class? NO! Yoga teacher was so sweet - wrapping my frozen feet in my jacket one minute and pushing them over my head the next. She kept trying to throw in English words, and I think I heard something like, "Relax your boobies" at one point. Hmmmm...maybe I need to keep working on the Spanish.
Welcome Sign in the Village
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There truly is no feeling like finally being home. Our sense of home since 2013 has been disrupted with a new country and building. Our two Border Collies truly became my "anchor" to what home is - it's a feeling of love.
After two long years, we are finally settled in our new home! There are still boxes all over the house to unpack, boxes in the barn, and boxes in the casita (little house).
There are still some spots to finish or tweak - kitchen cabinets for one! I'm just proud of not having a fit of the funnies, a mental breakdown, or giving up and booking a plane ticket back to Texas!
After two long years, we are finally settled in our new home! There are still boxes all over the house to unpack, boxes in the barn, and boxes in the casita (little house).
There are still some spots to finish or tweak - kitchen cabinets for one! I'm just proud of not having a fit of the funnies, a mental breakdown, or giving up and booking a plane ticket back to Texas!
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We received a little more than expected for Christmas…
Merry Christmas! Thanks to Skype, we were able to watch our grandbaby open her present from us; watch our son assemble it, and view the end result of TK sitting in her little red wagon! Thanks to our daughter-in-law, for taking the pictures.
On Christmas morning we took a walk on the beach with Gracie. We ate grilled chicken, potato salad, and watermelon for dinner - after all, it is summer! We missed family and friends, but making new traditions and memories are nice.
- One baby armadillo walking in the driveway;
- Two tegus slinking by the garden hose;
- Three skunk family members climbing under the woodpile;
- Four parrots chattering all night;
- Five loose sheep...
Merry Christmas! Thanks to Skype, we were able to watch our grandbaby open her present from us; watch our son assemble it, and view the end result of TK sitting in her little red wagon! Thanks to our daughter-in-law, for taking the pictures.
On Christmas morning we took a walk on the beach with Gracie. We ate grilled chicken, potato salad, and watermelon for dinner - after all, it is summer! We missed family and friends, but making new traditions and memories are nice.
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"Oh! I wouldn't do that. I really wouldn't." - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - Willy (Gene Wilder)
(I am the one about to fall backwards laughing in the above photo!)
My Dutch friend persuaded me to go to a Zumba class in the nearby village. Those of you who know that I am allergic to exercise are falling out laughing right about now.
Our teacher, complete with belly button rings, was actually delightful. However, in one weird moment when she ripped off her t-shirt while dancing, I thought that was a dance move and I was supposed to copy it! Thankfully, she had on a sports bra. After quickly looking at the others in class, I realized I did not have to shed my clothes. Whew!
I survived Zumba, but our truck did not. Coming home in my exhausted state of mind, I misjudged the distance between the truck and our gate. Crunch. One new truck door will be ordered soon by a very patient husband. He is a saint!
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The nearest village to us is tiny Pueblo Edén, with an international population of about 85, including expats from Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, France, United States, Holland, Germany, and Argentina.
I love panoramic views of hills as you drive into tranquil Pueblo Edén. Hand-painted signs all around the village tell visitors to "Go Slowly; Don't Fly" and "This is a quiet town".
Pueblo Edén celebrates their founding anniversary with a gaucho (cowboy) parade and festival every August.
I'd recommend a gaucho celebration any day, any time. Gauchos are skilled horsemen (and women) and are both a symbol and a tradition of Uruguayan culture. The Pueblo Edén parade is made up of the Sociedad Criolla of Maldonado and other departments in Uruguay.
I love the hoopla and everything about the celebration. Aromas abound, such as meat grilling on the parilla and horse poo mixed with Uruguay's fresh air. LOTS of horse poo! The eyes behold sights of beautiful horses, colorful dresses for the ladies, and traditional gaucho clothing for the men. It's loud; horses whinnying, dogs barking, children laughing, gauchos yelling directions, and even a symphony orchestra playing in the background.
(Look in the Photo Gallery in the Menu for more photos of Gauchos!)
I love panoramic views of hills as you drive into tranquil Pueblo Edén. Hand-painted signs all around the village tell visitors to "Go Slowly; Don't Fly" and "This is a quiet town".
Pueblo Edén celebrates their founding anniversary with a gaucho (cowboy) parade and festival every August.
I'd recommend a gaucho celebration any day, any time. Gauchos are skilled horsemen (and women) and are both a symbol and a tradition of Uruguayan culture. The Pueblo Edén parade is made up of the Sociedad Criolla of Maldonado and other departments in Uruguay.
I love the hoopla and everything about the celebration. Aromas abound, such as meat grilling on the parilla and horse poo mixed with Uruguay's fresh air. LOTS of horse poo! The eyes behold sights of beautiful horses, colorful dresses for the ladies, and traditional gaucho clothing for the men. It's loud; horses whinnying, dogs barking, children laughing, gauchos yelling directions, and even a symphony orchestra playing in the background.
(Look in the Photo Gallery in the Menu for more photos of Gauchos!)
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"Boy, I got vision and the rest of the world wears bifocals." - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - Butch (Paul Newman)
One short year ago I packed up everything I thought I would need in three suitcases and headed off to the Houston airport to begin a new adventure in Uruguay. Never in my wildest imagination could I envision the next 12 months. Stress, love, tears, friendship, death, joy, terror, growth, self-doubt, enlightenment, heartache, and finally fulfillment have marked the past year.
Always a bit of a drama queen (I admit it!), even my most dramatic moments could not compare with the emotions filling the past year. I might be a tad too old for this!
Pros: new and wonderful friends, old friends and family who still love me, an amazing view from our front porch, a front porch (!!), a 25 minute drive to the beach, opportunities for compassion, generosity of strangers, freedom, and building a dream home
Cons: language difficulties, doubting every decision, being cheated by others, driving amongst the motorcycles, missing family and friends with every piece of my heart, building a dream home in a foreign country
It has been one heck of a year. Would I do it again? Probably. However, if there is one thing I have learned during the past year, it's that life takes us where we belong. There is no hindsight.
One short year ago I packed up everything I thought I would need in three suitcases and headed off to the Houston airport to begin a new adventure in Uruguay. Never in my wildest imagination could I envision the next 12 months. Stress, love, tears, friendship, death, joy, terror, growth, self-doubt, enlightenment, heartache, and finally fulfillment have marked the past year.
Always a bit of a drama queen (I admit it!), even my most dramatic moments could not compare with the emotions filling the past year. I might be a tad too old for this!
Pros: new and wonderful friends, old friends and family who still love me, an amazing view from our front porch, a front porch (!!), a 25 minute drive to the beach, opportunities for compassion, generosity of strangers, freedom, and building a dream home
Cons: language difficulties, doubting every decision, being cheated by others, driving amongst the motorcycles, missing family and friends with every piece of my heart, building a dream home in a foreign country
It has been one heck of a year. Would I do it again? Probably. However, if there is one thing I have learned during the past year, it's that life takes us where we belong. There is no hindsight.