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"Meat first, THEN soccer!" - Kicking and Screaming - Umberto (Joseph Sicari)
When in Rome…or South America…
It's FIFA World Cup Soccer time and the games are in Brazil. All of the world (excluding the United States) goes crazy this time of year, rooting for their country's soccer team. Although married to a German and having dated a weekend soccer player in Houston, my excitement level for soccer was right up there with stepping in dog poo.
This time it's different. Everyone in Uruguay is excited - and it lasts for weeks! I have found myself watching game after game.
La Celeste is the Uruguayan soccer team - ranked 7th in the world. The day of Uruguay's first game, last Saturday, I went into town to buy groceries and building supplies. Flags were flying everywhere, on cars, motorbikes, horses, and even people. In the air was a contagious - firecracker - 4th of July - feeling. Streets, sidewalks, and shops were all crowded with everyone buying the equivalent of "tailgate party supplies." In Tienda Inglesa (sort of a Target-type store) the employees wore blue wigs, giant Cat in the Hat things, and La Celeste jerseys. There are even Lay's potato chip bags dedicated to the Uruguayan team. I caved and bought an Uruguayan car flag - which caused my husband to keel over in laughter.
Sadly, Uruguay lost their first game to Costa Rica. Another match today though against England and soccer's newest fan will be right in front of the telly, watching and cheering for La Celeste.
When in Rome…or South America…
It's FIFA World Cup Soccer time and the games are in Brazil. All of the world (excluding the United States) goes crazy this time of year, rooting for their country's soccer team. Although married to a German and having dated a weekend soccer player in Houston, my excitement level for soccer was right up there with stepping in dog poo.
This time it's different. Everyone in Uruguay is excited - and it lasts for weeks! I have found myself watching game after game.
La Celeste is the Uruguayan soccer team - ranked 7th in the world. The day of Uruguay's first game, last Saturday, I went into town to buy groceries and building supplies. Flags were flying everywhere, on cars, motorbikes, horses, and even people. In the air was a contagious - firecracker - 4th of July - feeling. Streets, sidewalks, and shops were all crowded with everyone buying the equivalent of "tailgate party supplies." In Tienda Inglesa (sort of a Target-type store) the employees wore blue wigs, giant Cat in the Hat things, and La Celeste jerseys. There are even Lay's potato chip bags dedicated to the Uruguayan team. I caved and bought an Uruguayan car flag - which caused my husband to keel over in laughter.
Sadly, Uruguay lost their first game to Costa Rica. Another match today though against England and soccer's newest fan will be right in front of the telly, watching and cheering for La Celeste.
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“I can’t just be a guest in my husband’s house.” - Giant - Leslie Benedict (Elizabeth Taylor)
Building again, again, again. Drywall, tile, plumbing, gas…so far so good. The most difficult thing about building in another country is the language barrier.
This time around, no one speaks English, so we are using what my husband refers to as the "hands and feet" method of communicating. Wave hands around, speak a little Spanish, and walk around like you know what you're saying.
Hmmmm…
Building again, again, again. Drywall, tile, plumbing, gas…so far so good. The most difficult thing about building in another country is the language barrier.
This time around, no one speaks English, so we are using what my husband refers to as the "hands and feet" method of communicating. Wave hands around, speak a little Spanish, and walk around like you know what you're saying.
Hmmmm…
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"Get used to disappointment." - The Princess Bride - Westley (Carey Elwes)
April and May were busy, slow, and disappointing months. Busy, in that we purchased all of the supplies to finish our house. Slow, in that we had many discussions, but no work start on the house. Disappointment reared its nasty head with the need to finish the inside of the house. Ahh…seems so easy, since the outside of the house is done. Not so. Think about it. The inside of a house entails all of the detailed, intricate work that you live with and see on a day to day basis. All the little things that will annoy the heck out of you if they are flawed.
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"Once upon a time your mama knew what it meant to shine." - Hope Floats - Birdee Pruitt (Sandra Bullock)
My life has changed again. My mom passed away last night. She was a grand old dame and 100 years old! I'm posting her obituary here, as her life was incredible:
"Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother passed at the age of 100 after a long and full life of devotion to her family. Her memory will be cherished by her four children, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Mama was born in 1913 on a small farm in Mississippi. After graduation from high school, she moved to the Gulf Coast to take up a career as a hairdresser, which she loved. Shortly afterwards she met and married our father. The first time she met him, he turned to a friend and announced, "I'm going to marry her!"
After the birth of her first child, she gave up her career to dedicate her life to being a loving and devoted wife and mother. Mama was enormously proud of her children’s successes and accomplishments, in particular the fact that they all graduated from college. For Mama, education was paramount - she always told her children, it’s not IF you go to college, it’s WHEN you go to college.
Mama enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilt-making, reading, crossword puzzles, Elvis, baseball, and, perhaps most of all – ICE CREAM! She attributed her love of ice cream to a family tradition: every Sunday afternoon her mother would bake a cake and her father would churn up ice cream in a hand-crank ice cream maker as a special treat for the family. Mama loved ice cream so much that she ate it for breakfast!
The daughter of a great cook, Mama always looked forward to family gatherings where she could exhibit her own mastery of cooking. Her fried chicken, French fries, fried shrimp, gumbo, pies, and German Chocolate Cake were all legendary.
A lifelong Methodist, Mama cherished her women's Church Circle meetings, which she attended regularly until Hurricane Katrina forced her from her home. After Katrina, she lived in Austin, Texas and Gautier, but often commented about how much she missed living in her own home and attending Circle meetings with her friends.
Thank you, Mama, you lived a life full of love, laughter, and service to your family and that family will miss you forever!!
(Quite a lot of content borrowed from my big brother, Charles!)
My life has changed again. My mom passed away last night. She was a grand old dame and 100 years old! I'm posting her obituary here, as her life was incredible:
"Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother passed at the age of 100 after a long and full life of devotion to her family. Her memory will be cherished by her four children, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Mama was born in 1913 on a small farm in Mississippi. After graduation from high school, she moved to the Gulf Coast to take up a career as a hairdresser, which she loved. Shortly afterwards she met and married our father. The first time she met him, he turned to a friend and announced, "I'm going to marry her!"
After the birth of her first child, she gave up her career to dedicate her life to being a loving and devoted wife and mother. Mama was enormously proud of her children’s successes and accomplishments, in particular the fact that they all graduated from college. For Mama, education was paramount - she always told her children, it’s not IF you go to college, it’s WHEN you go to college.
Mama enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilt-making, reading, crossword puzzles, Elvis, baseball, and, perhaps most of all – ICE CREAM! She attributed her love of ice cream to a family tradition: every Sunday afternoon her mother would bake a cake and her father would churn up ice cream in a hand-crank ice cream maker as a special treat for the family. Mama loved ice cream so much that she ate it for breakfast!
The daughter of a great cook, Mama always looked forward to family gatherings where she could exhibit her own mastery of cooking. Her fried chicken, French fries, fried shrimp, gumbo, pies, and German Chocolate Cake were all legendary.
A lifelong Methodist, Mama cherished her women's Church Circle meetings, which she attended regularly until Hurricane Katrina forced her from her home. After Katrina, she lived in Austin, Texas and Gautier, but often commented about how much she missed living in her own home and attending Circle meetings with her friends.
Thank you, Mama, you lived a life full of love, laughter, and service to your family and that family will miss you forever!!
(Quite a lot of content borrowed from my big brother, Charles!)
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"Live spherically...in many directions." - Under the Tuscan Sun - Katherine (Lindsey Duncan)
Finally! We have a name for our chacra. After many hours of thinking, hair-pulling, and endless questioning of friends, we have a decision. Drumroll, please…..BESO DEL SOL. This means sun-kissed or kissed by the sun. It seems appropriate, with our chacra's full view of the sun - sunrise and sunset. The sun is even on the Uruguayan flag, complete with human face - the better to kiss you!
The sun on Uruguay's flag is the May Sun, named for the May Revolution of 1810 when Spanish Colonies along the Rio de Plata gained independence from Spain. It is said when freedom was proclaimed, the sun came from behind the clouds.
The symbology of the May Sun dates even further back in time to Inca traditions (think Peru and Machu Picchu) and the Incan sun god, Inti, the son of Viracocha, the creator god.
In the weird cosmos of our lives, one of the reasons my husband and I visited Uruguay was the love of South America induced by our trip in 2012 to Peru. We attended the Inti Raymi Festival in Cuzco, Peru (see above photos) and visited Machu Picchu with friend and archaeologist, Dr. Ed Barnhart (www.mayaexploration.com).
Yet another moment of serendipity: for many years I had an iron wall hanging of the May Sun next to the door of my classroom. I bought it at an antique store in Texas, painted it, and hung it, not consciously thinking that it may be the key to my future. Kissed by the sun!
Finally! We have a name for our chacra. After many hours of thinking, hair-pulling, and endless questioning of friends, we have a decision. Drumroll, please…..BESO DEL SOL. This means sun-kissed or kissed by the sun. It seems appropriate, with our chacra's full view of the sun - sunrise and sunset. The sun is even on the Uruguayan flag, complete with human face - the better to kiss you!
The sun on Uruguay's flag is the May Sun, named for the May Revolution of 1810 when Spanish Colonies along the Rio de Plata gained independence from Spain. It is said when freedom was proclaimed, the sun came from behind the clouds.
The symbology of the May Sun dates even further back in time to Inca traditions (think Peru and Machu Picchu) and the Incan sun god, Inti, the son of Viracocha, the creator god.
In the weird cosmos of our lives, one of the reasons my husband and I visited Uruguay was the love of South America induced by our trip in 2012 to Peru. We attended the Inti Raymi Festival in Cuzco, Peru (see above photos) and visited Machu Picchu with friend and archaeologist, Dr. Ed Barnhart (www.mayaexploration.com).
Yet another moment of serendipity: for many years I had an iron wall hanging of the May Sun next to the door of my classroom. I bought it at an antique store in Texas, painted it, and hung it, not consciously thinking that it may be the key to my future. Kissed by the sun!
Minutes before a solar eclipse at sunset!
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"The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too." ~ Samuel Butler
If you read my last post, you'll have met Pake, the visiting Border Collie and you'll have learned how much we respect and adore the breed. Our resident Border pups are shown above with Sam on the left and Gracie on the right.
Sam and Gracie are very special to us, since we've had them since they were both 8 weeks old. They are about as neurotic as they come, but we still love them. Gracie is terrified of loud rain, thunder, and fireworks. Sam goes berserk when hearing a drill, hammer, or tape measure. (He's had a hard time while our house-building progresses!)
They safely made the trip from Texas to Uruguay on United Airlines after months of planning. One doesn't just put pets on the plane - there are loads of forms and physicals to complete, as well as some kennel-training. We had lots of help from www.petrelocation.com out of Austin, Texas. They handle moves in the U.S. and world-wide; we were lucky to have them right on our doorstep to help. Our longtime vet was also fantastically helpful and patient.
After reading dozens of horror stories regarding pet moves, we did prepare our pets with lots of kennel-training, long talks, and weeks of nail-trimming (in case of scratching on the kennel wires). The folks from Pet Relocation provided us with loads of helpful info and walked us through the entire process.
Sam and Gracie flew a week ahead of me in August (yes, August in Texas). United Airlines "Pet Safe" program was wonderful. They emailed pictures of Sam and Gracie along the way, especially in the air-conditioned pet center at Houston Intercontinental Airport.
Sam and Gracie traveled from Austin to Houston to Buenos Aires. In Buenos Aires they were picked up by a kennel owner, who took them through Customs and on to his kennel for the night. He emailed pictures and a video of them playing outside! The next day, he took them by Buquebus ferry to Montevideo and through Customs once more. It was a long, expensive journey, but so worth it to have them with us safely.
They've adjusted well to Uruguay and are well-loved by builders, neighbors, and friends. Uruguayans are natural dog-lovers!
Sam and Gracie are very special to us, since we've had them since they were both 8 weeks old. They are about as neurotic as they come, but we still love them. Gracie is terrified of loud rain, thunder, and fireworks. Sam goes berserk when hearing a drill, hammer, or tape measure. (He's had a hard time while our house-building progresses!)
They safely made the trip from Texas to Uruguay on United Airlines after months of planning. One doesn't just put pets on the plane - there are loads of forms and physicals to complete, as well as some kennel-training. We had lots of help from www.petrelocation.com out of Austin, Texas. They handle moves in the U.S. and world-wide; we were lucky to have them right on our doorstep to help. Our longtime vet was also fantastically helpful and patient.
After reading dozens of horror stories regarding pet moves, we did prepare our pets with lots of kennel-training, long talks, and weeks of nail-trimming (in case of scratching on the kennel wires). The folks from Pet Relocation provided us with loads of helpful info and walked us through the entire process.
Sam and Gracie flew a week ahead of me in August (yes, August in Texas). United Airlines "Pet Safe" program was wonderful. They emailed pictures of Sam and Gracie along the way, especially in the air-conditioned pet center at Houston Intercontinental Airport.
Sam and Gracie traveled from Austin to Houston to Buenos Aires. In Buenos Aires they were picked up by a kennel owner, who took them through Customs and on to his kennel for the night. He emailed pictures and a video of them playing outside! The next day, he took them by Buquebus ferry to Montevideo and through Customs once more. It was a long, expensive journey, but so worth it to have them with us safely.
They've adjusted well to Uruguay and are well-loved by builders, neighbors, and friends. Uruguayans are natural dog-lovers!
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"It don't care whether I'm good enough. It don't care whether I snore or not. It don't care which God I pray to. There are only three things with that kind of unconditional acceptance: Dogs, donuts, and money." - Other People's Money - Lawrence Garfield (Danny DeVito)
We are in our fifth day of ten in our dog-sitting for Pake, our friends' twelve-year-old Border Collie. Pake has an interesting story, to say the least. Sadly, in Uruguay many sheep and cattle ranchers abandon their herding dogs, as the dogs become too old to work. Pake was one of these older dogs.
In June of 2013, my husband was driving to the market near Portezuelo Beach when he saw a beautiful Border Collie running alongside the highway. The dog looked to be brown, hungry, and dirty, but very noble-looking. This was nearly 20 kilometers from our home.
On the way back from the market, he saw the dog again and pulled over. Said dog wanted nothing to do with my husband! To clarify the context, my husband had been separated from our two Border Collies, Sam and Gracie, for several months and was missing them terribly. He was instantly in love!
On another day, one of our friends saw the same dog, still traveling in the general direction of our chacra, but still about 12 kilometers away.
Lo and behold! Hubs was driving down a different country highway about 7 kilometers from our chacra and there was the same Border Collie in a field, looking as regal as could be. My husband decided right then and there if that Border Collie showed up anywhere nearer, he would be ours! A trip was made to the pet store to stock up on dog food, leash, collar, toys, and shampoo. On the way home, he stopped, took a picture of the dog, and called him to come, but still no luck. Heartbreak...
A week or so later, we heard that “our Border Collie” showed up at the home of friends living at least 10 kilometers away from us. (17 kilometers from the last spotting in the field). When they bathed the dirt from Pake, he turned out to be black and white, not brown. In all, Pake traveled over 35 kilometers from where he was first seen to his new home!
Pake hit the jackpot at the end of his search for a "forever" home. His new home comes complete with a four-year-old Border Collie playmate, Chico, and two loving parents. Pake adores the name our friends chose for him and responds to it every single time. Like his new "parents," Pake is now retired, lives on a 7 hectare chacra, and has lots of time to soak up all the sunshine, love and attention he deserves in his elder years.
We are so honored to have Pake stay with us. Our two Border Collies, Sam and Gracie, are quite jealous, but adjusting. What a great dog Pake is! What stories he could tell! He is brilliant at understanding every command, no matter that we speak English. He and I have started to go on two walks a day; he is teaching me about nature and the patience that should come to us all when growing older. No matter how old I grow, I will never understand how someone could abandon such a noble friend.
We are in our fifth day of ten in our dog-sitting for Pake, our friends' twelve-year-old Border Collie. Pake has an interesting story, to say the least. Sadly, in Uruguay many sheep and cattle ranchers abandon their herding dogs, as the dogs become too old to work. Pake was one of these older dogs.
In June of 2013, my husband was driving to the market near Portezuelo Beach when he saw a beautiful Border Collie running alongside the highway. The dog looked to be brown, hungry, and dirty, but very noble-looking. This was nearly 20 kilometers from our home.
On the way back from the market, he saw the dog again and pulled over. Said dog wanted nothing to do with my husband! To clarify the context, my husband had been separated from our two Border Collies, Sam and Gracie, for several months and was missing them terribly. He was instantly in love!
On another day, one of our friends saw the same dog, still traveling in the general direction of our chacra, but still about 12 kilometers away.
Lo and behold! Hubs was driving down a different country highway about 7 kilometers from our chacra and there was the same Border Collie in a field, looking as regal as could be. My husband decided right then and there if that Border Collie showed up anywhere nearer, he would be ours! A trip was made to the pet store to stock up on dog food, leash, collar, toys, and shampoo. On the way home, he stopped, took a picture of the dog, and called him to come, but still no luck. Heartbreak...
A week or so later, we heard that “our Border Collie” showed up at the home of friends living at least 10 kilometers away from us. (17 kilometers from the last spotting in the field). When they bathed the dirt from Pake, he turned out to be black and white, not brown. In all, Pake traveled over 35 kilometers from where he was first seen to his new home!
Pake hit the jackpot at the end of his search for a "forever" home. His new home comes complete with a four-year-old Border Collie playmate, Chico, and two loving parents. Pake adores the name our friends chose for him and responds to it every single time. Like his new "parents," Pake is now retired, lives on a 7 hectare chacra, and has lots of time to soak up all the sunshine, love and attention he deserves in his elder years.
We are so honored to have Pake stay with us. Our two Border Collies, Sam and Gracie, are quite jealous, but adjusting. What a great dog Pake is! What stories he could tell! He is brilliant at understanding every command, no matter that we speak English. He and I have started to go on two walks a day; he is teaching me about nature and the patience that should come to us all when growing older. No matter how old I grow, I will never understand how someone could abandon such a noble friend.
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"It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage."
- Raiders of the Lost Ark - Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
Today I celebrated my first birthday in Uruguay! I have to say, we have partied like nobody's business this weekend. Thursday night was an impromptu party with a friend who stopped by, Friday night was a dinner party for another friend and his family, and Saturday was a double-doozy with a dinner party for a neighbor and then on to a big neighborhood gathering at 9:30. Yes, 9:30! I have to take naps and drink coffee before partying with these night-owl Uruguayans. Today a neighbor stopped by with a bottle of wine for me and an invitation for lunch tomorrow. Whew! Who knew other hemispheres could be so entertaining?
The rains that would not stop in January have led to much erosion and a large sinkhole on the road to our chacra. Since we are on a private road with 23 other chacras, all the neighbors are responsible for road maintenance. Last night was a neighborhood party/meeting to discuss the road work needed. We were able to meet most of our neighborhood. The warmth and kindness of Uruguayans never ceases to amaze me. Kisses and hugs all around, of course.
The meeting was better than a movie! There was much discussion about the road. (I love it when grown-ups raise their hands to talk!) One man seemed to be in charge, but every once in awhile the system broke down with people getting up and walking around for unorganized breaks. At that point, much clapping for attention and a little yelling got people back on track.
My Spanish is not good, but I kept hearing my name in the discussion. Finally, I asked a neighbor sitting next to me to translate. Seems like someone nominated me as bookkeeper for organizing the road work funds. Good heavens - what were they thinking? Thank goodness, the party host volunteered his services for that.
I am grateful beyond belief for the new friends and neighbors.
Today I celebrated my first birthday in Uruguay! I have to say, we have partied like nobody's business this weekend. Thursday night was an impromptu party with a friend who stopped by, Friday night was a dinner party for another friend and his family, and Saturday was a double-doozy with a dinner party for a neighbor and then on to a big neighborhood gathering at 9:30. Yes, 9:30! I have to take naps and drink coffee before partying with these night-owl Uruguayans. Today a neighbor stopped by with a bottle of wine for me and an invitation for lunch tomorrow. Whew! Who knew other hemispheres could be so entertaining?
The rains that would not stop in January have led to much erosion and a large sinkhole on the road to our chacra. Since we are on a private road with 23 other chacras, all the neighbors are responsible for road maintenance. Last night was a neighborhood party/meeting to discuss the road work needed. We were able to meet most of our neighborhood. The warmth and kindness of Uruguayans never ceases to amaze me. Kisses and hugs all around, of course.
The meeting was better than a movie! There was much discussion about the road. (I love it when grown-ups raise their hands to talk!) One man seemed to be in charge, but every once in awhile the system broke down with people getting up and walking around for unorganized breaks. At that point, much clapping for attention and a little yelling got people back on track.
My Spanish is not good, but I kept hearing my name in the discussion. Finally, I asked a neighbor sitting next to me to translate. Seems like someone nominated me as bookkeeper for organizing the road work funds. Good heavens - what were they thinking? Thank goodness, the party host volunteered his services for that.
I am grateful beyond belief for the new friends and neighbors.
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"Hug hug, kiss kiss, hug hug, big kiss, little hug, kiss kiss, little kiss." - Nacho Libre - Nacho (Jack Black)
Kisses all around, of course. I am charmed and smitten with the traditions of hugs and kisses (even when you first meet someone). There is a pecking order here - seems like if you are known to them (as in they know you are their neighbor), you get hugged and kissed at the introduction. And of course, when you depart! If you are meeting a delivery man or a complete stranger, no kisses.
Kisses all around, of course. I am charmed and smitten with the traditions of hugs and kisses (even when you first meet someone). There is a pecking order here - seems like if you are known to them (as in they know you are their neighbor), you get hugged and kissed at the introduction. And of course, when you depart! If you are meeting a delivery man or a complete stranger, no kisses.
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"Yellow-black, yellow-black, yellow-black, yellow-black… Oh, black and yellow. Yeah, let’s shake it up a little." - The Bee Movie - Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld)
Bees, bees, bees… On a warm spring afternoon in November we had a bee incident at our house. As the builder and I were going through some receipts in the house, we noticed a bee inside with us. He promptly killed it; then we heard a very loud humming noise.
Immediately, we saw another bee and another and another. What happened next was right out of a horror movie! Bees started swarming into the house from vents in the wood stove. We quickly put old newspaper and wood chips into the stove, smoking the bees back up the chimney. We went outside and saw hundreds flying around the chimney vent on the roof. Apparently, spring is great for bees.
Our next bee sighting was in summer. The bees were out once again, looking for a place to nest for fall and winter. We saw a few at the corner of the porch eaves. During the night, we saw them circling the opposite porch corner. Lo and behold, when we got up the next morning, what a sight to behold. (The picture above shows what we discovered.)
Those busy bees had started forming a hive overnight; it looked like an upside-down bowl. It was about 20cm in diameter! The builder and Hubby successfully smoked them out. Friends who stopped by later in the day said they saw them swirling around the neighbor's house. Uh oh!
Bees, bees, bees… On a warm spring afternoon in November we had a bee incident at our house. As the builder and I were going through some receipts in the house, we noticed a bee inside with us. He promptly killed it; then we heard a very loud humming noise.
Immediately, we saw another bee and another and another. What happened next was right out of a horror movie! Bees started swarming into the house from vents in the wood stove. We quickly put old newspaper and wood chips into the stove, smoking the bees back up the chimney. We went outside and saw hundreds flying around the chimney vent on the roof. Apparently, spring is great for bees.
Our next bee sighting was in summer. The bees were out once again, looking for a place to nest for fall and winter. We saw a few at the corner of the porch eaves. During the night, we saw them circling the opposite porch corner. Lo and behold, when we got up the next morning, what a sight to behold. (The picture above shows what we discovered.)
Those busy bees had started forming a hive overnight; it looked like an upside-down bowl. It was about 20cm in diameter! The builder and Hubby successfully smoked them out. Friends who stopped by later in the day said they saw them swirling around the neighbor's house. Uh oh!
