A Quiet Week. . .NOT!

Friday, March 31
Playmate Marie left today to return to Wisconsin. It won't be the same without her!

Saturday, April 1
Today the entire town turned out to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the local priest's admission to the priesthood. The malecon was transformed into an outdoor church, complete with raised altar, an almost-life-sized crucifix, masses of (artificial) flowers, plus offerings of coconuts, bananas, mangoes and other fruits. Long rows of chairs were set up to accommodate the mobs that attended. This priest has served churches in the states of Jalisco, Colima , Michoacan and Guanajuato so there were celebrants from all over. After mass there was a big feast at the Siete Mars restaurant, a sort of free-for-all buffet that went on late into the afternoon. The uestos along the beach were also doing a brisk business. There were a couple of mariache bands strolling along the beach on into the evening. I walked down to survey the wreckage about 6 PM (before daylight savings) and it was getting dark. At the far north end, on the beach, was a cluster of umbrellas and canvas sling chairs with a good crowd of people. A band was standing just on the edge of the surf, pant legs rolled up, and playing and people were dancing on the beach. All of this I saw in silhouette against the evening sky. It was like something out of a Fellini movie.

Sunday, April 2
We went to dinner at the newly built home of the delightful Canadians who stayed in out house last year while we were on our great European adventure. Their house, a large open and covered pavilion by the seashore, has a glorious ocean view, lovely breezes, and cries out for parties. And since daylight savings began this morning, we had a lingering sunset that kept the pavilion awash in a pinkish light until well past 9 PM. Good food, good fellowship, good time.

Cat Update
There was still one female cat we had not been able to catch to take to the vet's for her little "procedure". This afternoon, by ruse and deception -- the old cat-food-leading-into-the-carrier trick, Jack managed to get her locked up. She goes for her life-altering visit tomorrow.

Monday, April 3
If it's Monday, it must be tianguies. I found, among other things, some gorgeous Impatiens at the vivero stand where I get plants. These folks always have lots of nice plants, mostly for about 15 pesos (about $1.40). They last us through the season and then keel over from heat, salt, and too much water. I still have the poinsettias I bought at Christmas; they are thriving now and just may summer over. I'll try planting some and see if they make it.

Also in the market now, mangoes. The trees are laden with them, and they are cheap (about 60 cents a kilo) and delicious.

Tuesday, April 4
Pre-Easter clean up and repair continues, now in a higher gear. Only a week before the mobs start to arrive.

Another hemorrhage in my left eye. This turn of events if most annoying. Second occurrence in about 6 weeks. No reading. Too bad, as I had just started Arthur Phillips The Egyptologist and after only 40 pages I was totally hooked.

Wednesday, April 5
Up to Colima to have appointment with retinal specialist. There is nothing to be done for at least two weeks, as he can't see into the retina through the blood. He did a sonogram on my eye. Very strange procedure for what purpose I have no idea, but I have the photos to look at. This second episode has been a real downer for usually ebullient spirit!

Thursday, April 6
No further hemorrhages. That's the most that can be said about the situation right now.

Friday, April 7
Vision probably 10% improved.

This would have been my mother's 91st birthday. Happy Birthday, Virginia.

We made our annual trek into Manzanillo today to shop and lunch. The traffic gets worse every year, the various overpasses and go-around more confusing, the buildings more garish, the developments more elaborate. I paid a call on the silver shop I have patronized for over 15 years. It is still managing to stay open, probably on my yearly purchases, small though they may be. Then onto a hunt for a particular kind of tile (fruitless), to one of the super markets where we can get Italian salami (successful) and finally to lunch at a seafront place we had not tried before. OK, but it will be back to El Caribe next year -- better food and ambiance.

Saturday, April 8
I have been listening to books on CD since reading is still impossible, despite some further improvement. I sit propped up in bed with my eyes closed listening to some strange voice read a book about Healthy Aging. This was not a choice of topics; it was left here when the owner returned to the US. After listening to this book, it's a miracle I'm still alive!

Cat Update
The kitten came home today, all fixed and healthy, but still so spooked by human contact that she has promptly disappeared. At least she won't come wandering home in a week or so with a pregnant belly. So the saga of the Cats at Jack's House has drawn to a successful close. It only took six people, two cat cages, several cans of mackerel and sardines, chicken livers, dried cat food, and about 5 weeks to get it all accomplished. To say nothing of quite a bit of money.

Sunday, April 9
Jim has been laid low by some germ or other. I think it was the fish he ate for lunch on Friday, but who knows.

This has not been the best week of our lives.

Oh my Lord! The disco fired up for three hours tonight! Peace and quiet? Se fueron!

Monday, April 10
After more than 18 hours of sleep, Jim is feeling better. One of our Canadian friends has been dealing with a siege of stomach parasites; since he is recovering nicely, he probably does not have that problem.

Reading group discussed "Heir to the Glimmering World" by Cynthia Ozick. It was an almost unanimous hit. That is the last book we will be reading as a group this year. More goodies to come next year, however. Afterwards, we all trouped up to Morelos for comida. I walked through town and was amazed by the number of people who are already here for the Easter holiday. There are stalls set up on both sides of the main street, there is terrible traffic, no place to park, and there are even police directing traffic. And this is only Monday. Wait until Thursday when things really get going!

Eye still improving. It is always much better when I wake in the morning, but as the day progresses, my vision gets progressively more obscured. I can now read big print, however. Progress.

Disco Report: It started tonight at 7:30 and shut down at 2 AM.