We just returned from Mazatlan. On a tip from Dennis y Diann it was the destination for this year's holiday vacation. I'm not ready to place it at the top of the list for south-of-the-border destinations, but a nice break was had by all. The weather was warm, people sweet, and the food was always full of rich flavors and twists in the tummy. Memphis loved it all.
Yet unlike Central Mexico last year, Mazatlan didn't have the full expression of Navidad taking over the daily rituals leading up to December 25. The beach and general resort attitude were dominant for this sleepy fishing town turned tourist oasis.
I would rather spend Navidad in the Mexican interior OR home with the family; which is why we flew home on the eve of, December 24. Now we're back in the northwest, staying warm with the love from sharing little treasures. Thank you Rhonda for the tree. Thank you Ethan for the ride home from the airport. Thank you Deborah and Memphis for another great vacation.
We tried to call Chula for her birthday, but AT&T wireless couldn't seem to connect calls to the USA. Feliz Cumpleanos Senora Martinez!
Friday, December 24, 2004
Monday, December 06, 2004
Can U keep a secret?
It might have been a former carpool buddy who introduced the idea of giving a train set to a little girl... and the idea stuck. But before we go down the road on why girls shouldn't get boy toys, let's talk about giving for a moment.
I will be the first [always] to need more work in this area of our lives. Giving is hard, not because we don't want to give, it's usually the case that we're afraid to give. Giving means you have to accept thanks from the recipient, you have to believe [even a tiny bit] that the person deserved to receive something from you. Giving is like the last frontier for a society [USA] full of individual emphasis, built on the backs of societies which understood the giving to them from all of creation.
This year we started to burn more fires in the fireplace, as a way to save a few pennies due to less than cheap oil prices. In a perfect demonstration of partnership, Deborah unloaded a half cord of wood into our meager little wood shed, during a rain storm, in the dark while I sat inside nursing a cold. It's that giving thing. Sometimes I forget to wrap my gifts, but they're always sincere - or I just don't give [kind of learned that from Chula].
So what do we all want to give this year, as part of a season full of generous spirit? My list is short but hopeful:
I will be the first [always] to need more work in this area of our lives. Giving is hard, not because we don't want to give, it's usually the case that we're afraid to give. Giving means you have to accept thanks from the recipient, you have to believe [even a tiny bit] that the person deserved to receive something from you. Giving is like the last frontier for a society [USA] full of individual emphasis, built on the backs of societies which understood the giving to them from all of creation.
This year we started to burn more fires in the fireplace, as a way to save a few pennies due to less than cheap oil prices. In a perfect demonstration of partnership, Deborah unloaded a half cord of wood into our meager little wood shed, during a rain storm, in the dark while I sat inside nursing a cold. It's that giving thing. Sometimes I forget to wrap my gifts, but they're always sincere - or I just don't give [kind of learned that from Chula].
So what do we all want to give this year, as part of a season full of generous spirit? My list is short but hopeful:
- Constant trust and devotion amongst the greater family; where we communicate openly, respectfully and frequently for the greater good of each generation
- Always serve the best interests of our children and our elders, our family is blessed with a rich mix of both
- Build a prosperous future we can all be grateful for; sharing as a community in a public expression of love - no games or secrets, there's enough to go around
Now back to that train set.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Spread Across Miles
One of the amazing aspects of this family is how spread across America we are. The concentration is on the west coast, but there are family members in the south and northeast too. We litter the population from Seattle to New York City and many places in between.
Yet this geographic distribution doesn't prevent us from being whole, being one pulse on the landscape that is America. Our family represents a wide range of beliefs and influences with a common history. For everything that makes us individually unique, there is a core set of attributes which holds us together.
Today is Thanksgiving. I could write many paragraphs listing what to be thankful for. Instead, let it be known that the simple things - a crayon drawing with Memphis, tea with Deborah, a phone call with Chula - are most precious in the heart. God has been so generous with our family, giving us the full experience of life.
We were with friends the other night, celebrating a birthday, when one of the parents talked about having to do countdowns with their daughter, when she misbehaves. Apparently she only has to count 1, 2 then her daughter gets that it's time to straighten up. I have to believe God is still counting with us.
Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.
Yet this geographic distribution doesn't prevent us from being whole, being one pulse on the landscape that is America. Our family represents a wide range of beliefs and influences with a common history. For everything that makes us individually unique, there is a core set of attributes which holds us together.
Today is Thanksgiving. I could write many paragraphs listing what to be thankful for. Instead, let it be known that the simple things - a crayon drawing with Memphis, tea with Deborah, a phone call with Chula - are most precious in the heart. God has been so generous with our family, giving us the full experience of life.
We were with friends the other night, celebrating a birthday, when one of the parents talked about having to do countdowns with their daughter, when she misbehaves. Apparently she only has to count 1, 2 then her daughter gets that it's time to straighten up. I have to believe God is still counting with us.
Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Kids Do Grow Up
Cousin Krystina was married this past weekend to Alvin. The wedding ceremony was private [she feared a Mexican mob might scare the new in-laws] but the reception was open to kin folk. Those of us who attended ate the goodies and danced with little ones. Krystina looked great, sounded confident in her new path with Alvin. Diann [Mother] will hopefully post a few pictures of the ceremony here.
Across town, the day before, cousin Quia graduated from massage school. Likewise this was a private affair. It was nice to see new healers enter the world - God knows we need it. Quia also follows her own tribal path, since many of her elders were healers. There was this fussy guy in front of us who didn't like the noise Memphis was making... he needed a massage.
What's cool is I remember attending both Krystina and Quia's high school graduation a few years back. It was one of those years in our family where there was 7 graduates in the same year. We are a large tribe.
Congratulations Quia and Krystina!
Across town, the day before, cousin Quia graduated from massage school. Likewise this was a private affair. It was nice to see new healers enter the world - God knows we need it. Quia also follows her own tribal path, since many of her elders were healers. There was this fussy guy in front of us who didn't like the noise Memphis was making... he needed a massage.
What's cool is I remember attending both Krystina and Quia's high school graduation a few years back. It was one of those years in our family where there was 7 graduates in the same year. We are a large tribe.
Congratulations Quia and Krystina!
Friday, November 19, 2004
So close, yet not quite NYC
We were entered, second hand, into a contest to fly to New York City for a U2 album-listening party. This morning the winner was announced, and it wasn't us :[
First, need to thank our dear friend Ethan who got us into the finalist drawing. He called into the radio station, as the tenth caller, and got our names on the list. But in the end they chose someone else. It's disappointing, as Deborah pointed out "would have been fun to pack a bag and go".
Every day is an adventure, every day is a unwrapped gift, waiting to be opened. Every day we are thankful for the gifts, and the wrappings. We're not going to NYC but we are attending cousin Quia's graduation ceremony, to celebrate completion of her massage therapist training. This is big stuff, we'll be honored to be there. We might even bring a U2 mix.
I'll post pictures of Quia's graduation here later. Adios.
First, need to thank our dear friend Ethan who got us into the finalist drawing. He called into the radio station, as the tenth caller, and got our names on the list. But in the end they chose someone else. It's disappointing, as Deborah pointed out "would have been fun to pack a bag and go".
Every day is an adventure, every day is a unwrapped gift, waiting to be opened. Every day we are thankful for the gifts, and the wrappings. We're not going to NYC but we are attending cousin Quia's graduation ceremony, to celebrate completion of her massage therapist training. This is big stuff, we'll be honored to be there. We might even bring a U2 mix.
I'll post pictures of Quia's graduation here later. Adios.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Con Sueno [not suerte]
Is anybody else tired? There are some weeks time is not on your side AND the end of the day feels like a short rest before another load is dropped on the back. Not complaining - would mess with my yoga practice to do so, but it's hard to ignore how flat out tired folks are these days.
People laugh at all of us kin living in the northwest, drinking all the coffee we do. But you take away the black stuff, it's like a zombie march. I need my thrill each day, and lately it's without the foam - just pour the espresso into a small cup and let me shoot it.
Well let's all perk up because next week there's a celebration. We're all going to say a collective "gracias" to many a worthy cause. Get some rest; kiss a friend, and let the fatigue roll over the back.
Now where's that shot glass?
People laugh at all of us kin living in the northwest, drinking all the coffee we do. But you take away the black stuff, it's like a zombie march. I need my thrill each day, and lately it's without the foam - just pour the espresso into a small cup and let me shoot it.
Well let's all perk up because next week there's a celebration. We're all going to say a collective "gracias" to many a worthy cause. Get some rest; kiss a friend, and let the fatigue roll over the back.
Now where's that shot glass?
Friday, November 12, 2004
Cookin
Anyone have a better idea than Turkey? Let's here it. Drop your recipes here; share the good stuff that makes you sleep bad, you're so full from eating more than you needed. What's my favorite recipe for the holiday? It starts with re-heated tamales, Chula's of course. Then you add that sweet potatoe pie Deborah does so well.
And don't forget the drinks. Good teas, or a fruit shake. Anything to get the pipes moving in the right direction. A fiesta always includes glasses, full to the brim, raised in celebration. This year, perhaps more than any other in recent time, deserves a toast, a blessing - gracias El Senor!
Bring on the treats; share the smells of your kitchen. We're ready.
And don't forget the drinks. Good teas, or a fruit shake. Anything to get the pipes moving in the right direction. A fiesta always includes glasses, full to the brim, raised in celebration. This year, perhaps more than any other in recent time, deserves a toast, a blessing - gracias El Senor!
Bring on the treats; share the smells of your kitchen. We're ready.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Muy Incredible!
We took Memphis to see "The Incredibles" last night. First of all, this is a great movie; and I generally reserve praise for only exceptional films. Pixar did a nice job of weaving a story with a lot of complex themes into an easy to enjoy tale. You can get lost in the animation because it's so good, so full of emotional hooks. And before the movie, there's a short film which gives a nice uplift after the long week we all had.
What was also great was Memphis sat through the entire movie - this is a first for her. She made it from previews->credits; almost two hours! And she had a ton of fun watching it [it's not hard because "The Incredibles" is such a fun movie]. It's not like we'll be taking her to the movies every week, but when there's something special to see, we have confidence she can watch it entirely without fuss. I guess the trick is picking the right movie.
Other news... Fran just sent mail about Ray's new treatment, amen!
What was also great was Memphis sat through the entire movie - this is a first for her. She made it from previews->credits; almost two hours! And she had a ton of fun watching it [it's not hard because "The Incredibles" is such a fun movie]. It's not like we'll be taking her to the movies every week, but when there's something special to see, we have confidence she can watch it entirely without fuss. I guess the trick is picking the right movie.
Other news... Fran just sent mail about Ray's new treatment, amen!
Friday, November 05, 2004
Canada? What about Mexico?
Now everyone wants to move to Canada. Not me. It's too damn cold. What about Oaxaca? The chances that all of you will visit us in Oaxaca, as opposed to Toronto, are very high. There's sun, great food, tons of Mexicans and Catholics, and it's cheap.
But back to why we would move... let's not run away because of one election. It's true USA has been kicking Mexican butt from the beginning; and yet today many of us are prosperous and healthy in the "land of the free". Who wants to go back to picking fruit, or living like a third world peasant? Moving to Mexico [or anyplace else outside the USA] doesn't solve problems here. Let's stay home and fix what needs fixin.
Now if I can just find that tamale vendor from Redmond...
But back to why we would move... let's not run away because of one election. It's true USA has been kicking Mexican butt from the beginning; and yet today many of us are prosperous and healthy in the "land of the free". Who wants to go back to picking fruit, or living like a third world peasant? Moving to Mexico [or anyplace else outside the USA] doesn't solve problems here. Let's stay home and fix what needs fixin.
Now if I can just find that tamale vendor from Redmond...
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
What I don't need for CHRISTmas
Chula always makes these great bags, with nuts and fruit; brown paper bags. It's very country, like a piece of the farm you can't embrace other than to admire it. It's a tradition we hope to continue with Memphis.
There's this new smartphone that has all kinds of nutty features. Most important is the integrated MP3 player, so instead of having a cell phone AND an MP3 player I have one device, only one, to carry in my tight jeans. But then there's the problem of mystery phone calls, which is triggered by walking with the cell phone in the pocket of aforementioned tight jeans. I have called more people accidently... oh the stories my phone will tell.
Chula never gave me a red wagon for Christmas... but I'm thinking Memphis needs one.
There's this new smartphone that has all kinds of nutty features. Most important is the integrated MP3 player, so instead of having a cell phone AND an MP3 player I have one device, only one, to carry in my tight jeans. But then there's the problem of mystery phone calls, which is triggered by walking with the cell phone in the pocket of aforementioned tight jeans. I have called more people accidently... oh the stories my phone will tell.
Chula never gave me a red wagon for Christmas... but I'm thinking Memphis needs one.
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