A day in the life of retirement

Who ever said that retirement would be boring; this week I've canned 15 quarts of tomatoes, that my 87 yr old mother and 66 yr old sister grew, and there was so many that tomorrow I'll freeze another 1o lbs. I also made over 30 jars of cherry chutneys from bing cherries that my friend, Gustavo, gave me.  This was after eating and giving away as many as I could; then from the box or 2 of apricots I bought, I made a couple dozen jars of apricot jelly, and a couple dozen of apricot, jalapeno, red pepper spread, which is great with cheese and crackers. Then today, sis, Von and I (don't know how I managed so much without her help) added oak trim to the posts at the top of the stairs that the finish carpenter forgot to do 6 years ago.  vonnie is an awesome carpenter and they look better than most wood workers would do! Now I just need to stain and clear coat them and that project will be done.  Then, we repaired the new murphy bed that had to be taken apart when I had water damage....more about that later.....All this, cleaning the kitchen after a week of cooking and canning...dinner for company last night....Oh yeah, must water the pots outside the front door 2 times a day as they aren't on the auto. system that's everywhere else.....Larry always said be careful what I plant, as it all has to be taken care of, and now I really know that.
The grapes (most of them) look awesome and I should have table grapes in next few days to share with friends and family.  We should be making Syrah wine in a couple of months.  It's still very hot, low 90's all this week.
Last week I participated in the local Art Show in Chelan; it's a small show, but very enjoyable; just wish I could find more time to paint and figure out how to market the paintings.

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Mexican views in December

Where in the world is gwen: 10-10-10

Back in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, after traveling to the beach by Bus. Buses are very different than in USA. Very luxurious, big windows, seats like first class on an airplane. We first went to mazatlan, where we stayed in the luxury hotel 'Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay' which I own a timeshare, Lovely time, laying by the pool, drinking Margaritas, enjoying the company of 2 good friends, then Carol had to return to Washington and the cold, and Michele and I went on to Puerto Vallarta, where we stayed in a 50 year hotel right in the village; ate tacos, fish, walked the Malachon every day and mingled with other tourists and the natives. A local bus off to a little beach town, Sayulita, surfers, and very local with few tourists, was a hi-lite.
Now back to Ajijic, where I'll spend the winter. I've been able to paint with my new friend, Victor, nearly every day. Learning lots of new things and have created a couple of lovely paintings, and now working on some mexican kids, which is fun. Yesterday (New Years) we walked the village, and happened onto a parade put on by one of the local communities. So colorful and charming, and everything (lots of trucks decorated) is done by hand; one of the most interesting and fun are the young men, with lots of face paint, fake boobs, and butts,all wearing blond long wigs, dressed to the nines like women, dancing down the street together. They are having such fun, it is contagious. A lot like a Mardi Gras parade, with less fanfare; but everyone comes out to watch. The new apartment we just moved into has huge windows, view of lake, grounds covered with vegetation, including banana trees, orange trees, lime trees, palm trees, many more, turkeys and chickens running around. Very charming, and I'm learning the roosters crow all day. Well off for a walk to see what's going on in the village today.