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February 1, 2006 Wednesday, February 1, 2006 Bob and Kathy Home Alone. All day. Jeepers, here it is February, and we have had no traces of cabin fever. All the snow is gone. The newspaper reports that people are playing golf. The weather is like early spring. Birdwatching. Catwatching. Woodstove feeding. Ourselves feeding. And finally, calling it a day. ................... Thursday, February 2, 2006 Bob and Kathy A quiet, warm wood cookstove morning. Than errands to the library, tax filing. shopping, and finally, our dance classes, sponsored through the local technical college. Ninety minutes of swing dance classes. And, we did do our share of swinging. Followed by ninety minutes of Beginning Foxtrot classes under the ballroom dancing umbrella. We are hoping to do some regular dancing in our Sunrise Room, perhaps in May. After all the indoor herbs are moved back outside, AND, after we have burned most of the woodpiles, currently stacked in our dance space. We began bringing lots of wood indoors, months ago, for our housesitter. If she gets snowed in, she will not even have to leave the house for wood. Nor will we, until sometime in the early spring. ............ Friday, February 3, 2006 Bob and Kathy Bob wheelbarrowing extra wood from the woodshed to the kitchen, for the wood cookstove, which is usually burning all weekdays, five days a week. Kathy baked a big fat chicken inside the wood stove's oven. It was soooooooo tasty! As was the spinach rice dish. And Chef Roberto's french fries, from extra large potatoes. And we do mean large potatoes. An unusually large potato last week, made enough french fries for 4 people! And the chicken rice soup, made from the drippings? It was sooooooooooooo good! ........................ Saturday, February 4, 2006 Bob and Kathy Our highlight today was the card playing shootout at Mom's O.K. Corral. We picked up flowers for the three ladies (Mom, Aunt Eva, and Flossie), and then had lunch at Bob's Mom's house. An incredibly tasty, meat, onion and tater tot casserole, with all the acessories. Then Kathy and Flossie drove off into the sunset together to kick up their heels in various stores. Mom, Victor, Eva, and Bob, drew their cards and started the card-slinging shootout. By midafternoon, the superior weapons (luck of the draw), of Mom and Eva had riddled Victor and Bob rather thoroughly. Kathy and Flossie showed up, so we all six took a break and ate from mom's homemade jello cake, and Eva's homemade cherry pie (cherries supplied by Victor), with cherry ice cream. Then the four card slingers, drew their cards, and the battle was on. The two ladies continued ventilating the two fellows for the balance of the day. Shortly after dark we saddled up and left for the home ranch, keeping an eye out for the wild critters that made night driving, a little more hazardous. (But, not as hazardous, as drawing cards against those two ladies. They sure had quick draws and accurate shooting, for a couple of eighty something year olds!) ....................... Sunday, February 5, 2006 Bob and Kathy Phil and Mary showed up for our 10 a.m. "quiet" service. The discussion afterwards was warm, inspiring, humorous, and thought-provoking. Then we worked on our chicken rice soup, tuna sandwiches, french fries, salad, and oven baked squash. After the dishes were off the table, we saw the movie, WAKING LIFE, which presented a great variety of interesting perspectives on "waking life." It is a thought-provoking movie that is worth seeing more than once. Somewhat akin to WHAT THE BLEEP.... After Mary and Phil left, dishes and the dancing flames of the Sunrise Room stove, clamored for our attention. ...................... Monday, February 6, 2006 Bob and Kathy E-mails, vacation planning, hauling wood in, and cooking a new batch of about 12 quarts of venison chili on the wood cookstove. That cookstove ate a lot of wood today. Our e-mailing of A WISE OLD OWL went out to over 400 people today. Responses began trickling in during the afternoon from friends in New York, Montana, and Colorado. These were very touching e-mails by great souls. We were very moved. We worked on leftovers today. But did hit the chili pot a few licks, just to make sure it was palatable. Of course, Chef Roberto samples while it's simmering, to make sure it's seasoned properly. This usually takes about about four or more samplings, as the Chef fine tunes the flavor with additional seasonings. Two of the key seasonings in todays batch of chili were (and here the reader must pause in awe, before hearing carefully guarded culinary secrets), first a discreetly used amount of VERY HIGH POTENCY CAYENNE POWDER. This potent powder is not on the shelves at the Amish store. It must be requested. And then one of the Amish goes to another part of the building for this powdered dynamite. It is about ten or more times as strong as regular cayenne pepper. And it must be used sparingly. Else it eats a big hole in the bottom of your chili pot. And the other secret chili ingredient? COARSE, black pepper. Again, from the Amish General Store. Coarsely ground black pepper. A substantial pinch at a time. Until you begin to taste it in the chili. ................... Tuesday, February 7, 2006 Bob and Kathy Is it night already? What happened to the day? Wheelbarrow, wood, stove, food, e-mails, phone calls, letters, etc. A quiet day of household and budget chores. But we did get the invitations out to invite the whole world here for the third weekend of March. If you didn't get an invitation, you're invited. We are thinking about making it a monthly get- together, and encourage people to come early and stay late. Remember, you are always welcome here, anytime. ................... Wednesday, February 7, 2006 Kathy and Bob Kathy shared with one of the Pathways of Light ministerial students that she is training, about their experience of embracing the lesson in her life. It is an extraordinary opportunity to look at one's life, and be very grateful for the guidance to let Holy Spirit show that peace is the natural place to live and BE. In this, is joy and freedom. Bob brought loads of wood into the ever expanding wood piles. It is such a blessing to have such a willing mirror, to do these things, so joyfully. Kathy helped him a bit, with this. Phil stopped by, when Bob was finishing making some venison chili. We invited Phil to have some, and we had a delicious lunch. We looked at a Spanish section in the book that Bob is working with Kathy in, to capture the meaning of the language. That came together smoothly. The trip to Mejico is getting ever closer, and we are getting excited. We moved the furniture back in the kitchen, and danced the afternoon away. It was a lot of fun, and very helpful. We embraced the miracle of BEing in the experience of joy that we are sooooooooo blessed with here at Bumpity Road. Thank you God! ---------------------------- Thursday, February 9, 2006 Bob and Kathy Another Spanish lesson completed for Kathy, (from a Spanish Textbook used in 1964 by ProfesorThompson at St. George's Christian Brothers' High School, formerly in Evanston, Illinois). We're zipping along at a pretty good pace because Bob gives the English equivalents, for new vocabulary, or review, Kathy does the Spanish, and away we go, learning conversational Spanish and pronunciation. Kathy is an exceptional student in that she will use Spanish words throughout the day. And night. Our last two dance classes, sponsored by the local technical college satellite, were tonight. We practiced swing dance steps for the first class, and then ballroom steps for another hour and a half. Then we filled a big can of gas to give our horses (the two tractors),an energy boost, and away we slid thru the falling snow and slippery roads at a feverish 28 miles per hour. Visibility was rather limited. Driving through the big flakes with the high beams on, was like travelling at the speed of light (28 mph)..... through galaxies. ........................... Friday, February 10, 2006 Kathy and Bob A call came in from the octogenarian card sharks, asking their main card master to meet them on the deck, at the O.K. Corral. Celebrating a reinactment of the famous shootout, in the Old West, at the O.K. Corral. Bob rounded up the wagon, to pick Aunt Eva up, and go to Mom, Helen's, for the match. Bob enjoyed himself, and when he got the worst hand that he could, he sat and laughed, IN JOY. That's because he knew that he was there to have fun, and the cards didn't matter. That is exactly what happened. Bob says that he got some of the worst hands of cards that he's ever had, in one day. Though, he came home happy and laughing and grateful, for the time he spent with Mom and Aunt Eva. Far and away, the top gun slinger today, was Mom. This made her very happy. We dealt her some very big bullets, and she gracefully ventilated all of us. All three of us smiled and laughed a lot. It felt very good to walk away from the table and go home. ----------------------- Kathy decided to stay home, and do things at Bumpity, before the big Mexico trip. It was great, as I was able to get a lot done. Thank you. --------------------------------- Saturday, February 11, 2006 Kathy and Bob We enjoyed the luxury of not starting the wood stoves, and using electric heat (because of low weekend, off peak, electrical costs, on weekends). Kathy started to load an online telephone service that Kirsten suggested that we do, so we would be able to talk with her, over the internet lines. She is now in Australia. Sooooooo, Kathy did that, and we sang and talked with Kirsten and her friend, Nicole, in Australia. We sang "Ice Cream Angel," as Kirsten is the one who requested that Bob write a "love song about ice cream," and that is what brought the song forth. This was the first time that Kirsten got to hear the song. We also sang: "I Know Just What to Do," and Kirsten requested for us to also sing: "I Like Your Style," as she said that she really likes that song. It was great to connect with them, and join in love and laughter. Kathy and Bob did some packing for the trip to Mejico. It is getting closer and closer. ---------------------------- Sunday, February 12, 2006 Kathy and Bob We welcomed Mary and Phil home by singing: "Hey J.C." They laughed their way in, IN JOY! It was a great experience that we shared with these friends, whom we have known eternally, in Spirit. We are all so comfortable to share the Christ, or inner light with one another. A phone call came in from Randy, Kathy's dad, to give us a bon voyage on our trip to Puerto Vallarta. It was great to talk with him. We cooked many treats, including a vegetarian vegetable soup, venison chili, coucous with a veggie and bean sauce to compliment it. Plus, bread, fruit, and lots of peace and love. Then, Kathy continued to pack, while Bob rested. Thank you God, for this quiet place, in which to be peaceful and embrace the miracle of the moment. Kathy's mom, Newell called to give us travel blessings too. Sooooo, we're very grateful to all these angels, for surrounding us in the light of joy. ---------------------------- Monday, Februrary 13, 2006 Bob and Kathy Kathy picked up some food and did a little shopping in Portage. We continued packing for our seventeen day absence, and also readying things for Barb W., our housesitter. Extra refrigerator and freezer space, lots of firewood for both stoves, stacked within easy reach, and lots and lots of kindling for starting the woodstoves. (And hundreds of food items for anyone who stops by with a hunger.) ................................. Tuesday, February 14, 2006 Bob and Kathy Phone calls and e-mails. Plus a quick trip into Portage to finalize our taxes. Kathy did some counselling via e-mail during the day, (about an hour). And then Bob and Kathy were in a joint counselling session in the evening with a second person, that also went for an hour (which included lots of silence on the phone). As always, whenever we reach out to assist another, it is always a simultaneous blessing of receiving guidance for ourselves also. ..................... Wednesday, February 15, 2006 Bob and Kathy Kathy made labels for the 12 songs Herb put on CDs for us. Kathy made up 41 CDs of those songs. Just in the past few days she has packaged CD gifts for very dear friends in Kentucky, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This afternoon, Bob picked up Aunt Eva for a card playing marathon at mom's, that lasted until late evening. Helen is in a lot of discomfort and has a great deal of difficulty walking. But the card game, as always, takes her mind off her aches and pains. She appreciates our time together, and it is made special whenever her only remaining sibling (of the original eight), Aunt Eva, is there with her, as she was tonight. Lots of snow flurries necessitated extra slow and cautious driving, to get "Mother Superior" safely to her country home, and then for Bob to continue home to unite Bob with the KaT. So, the BobKats caught up on all that had transpired during the past seven hours, and then sat down to eat a very late supper together. ..................... Thursday, February 16, 2006 Bob and Kathy This is our last day home. We will be leaving Bumpity Road on Friday morning. We anticipate getting home on Monday, March 6th, at which time we will begin updating this journal. Our intent is to periodically e-mail the vacation entries to our e-mail address, then save them by storing them there, and then cutting and pasting them into this website after we get home in March. "Our bags are packed and we're ready to go, but our driveway is all filled up with snow..." Madison has cancelled school, and businesses have close for the safety of their employees and clients. Lots of snow has fallen, and to think that just a few weeks ago, people were playing golf in Wisconsin! Our house sitter, Barb W., is sitting in her own housing complex, watching people get stuck trying to get out of the parking lot. Bob walked to the mailbox, about 400 feet, and that was really hard work, trudging through the snow. We are snowed in! This is a part of winter that we love! It's beeeeeeeeeeautiful! All we do is just keep the wood stoves burning and watch the snow fall. :-) Fortunately (every, and any moment is a fortune), we do have to leave tomorrow, so, Bob's first task tomorrow is to plow out the driveway so that we can load our car and then get down the driveway. Bob prefers being snowbound with KatKat, but ....."though the snows are lovely, bright and deep, we have promises to keep, and miles to go before we sleep," (and a tip of the hat to Robert Frost). Many miles.... to go before we sleep, during our 18 day trek to Puerto Vallarta, Mejico, and back. It began snowing, before dark last night (when Bob was dodging the card slingers bullets, but, he did finish out as the top card slinger), and it is still snowing! "I hate to leave but we have to go, when the driveway's plowed we'll leave this snow for beaches and sand and lots of fun leaving ice and snow for a tropical sun..." ................................. Friday, February 17, 2006 Bob and Kathy We woke to a jingling sound of movement, as if Santa Claus had come to visit us! And so it was! A plump and jolly Saint Nick, dressed in Amish clothes, plowing with a pair of large horses down the driveway. He waved and smiled, turned the horses, and raced back down the driveway, snow spewing off the driveway in waves! After three or four round trips, back and forth to Monthey Road, he waved goodbye and jingled off down the driveway! What a cheery morning! ........ After packing our little horse, we drove to Libertyville, Illinois, where five little angels babysat us, while their mom and dad (son Gary and his wife Edna), went out on a date! ................................................................ Saturday, February 18, 2006 Bob and Kathy We woke before dawn to a bitterly cold Illinois morning, probably around zero. Our Bulgarian cab driver delivered us to Chicago's O'Hare Airport and offered to give us a free ride because he was 45 minutes late picking us up, but we declined, paid full price and tip, which made him very happy. We really felt a sense of accomplishment by the time four of our bags were checked through all the way to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Then we had several hours (as we had planned), to dally and doze, awaiting our flight to Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta to Puerto Vallarta, and then an incredible cab ride to Don and Mary's. Hector, the cab driver, called himself the second best cab driver in Puerto Vallarta, second only to his father, a policeman. It was like participating in the Indianapolis 500 through downtown Chicago, during rush hour traffic. Hector, frequently imitated a police whistle, to encourage other drivers to pull over and get out of his way. In addition to being delightfully insane, Hector was also a very creative stand-up comedian, inflicting his humor on drivers and pedestrians alike. Later, our late night view from Don and Mary's patio, of Puerto Vallarta at our feet, lots of tropical trees, and miles of ocean spreading along Bandera Bay which is Puerto Vallarta's shoreline. And we slept verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry soundly! Until late morning! ....................................................... Sunday, February 19, 2006 Bob and Kathy We hiked higher up the hills with Don and Mary, and went to an interesting and colorful video orientation of many opportunities for entertainment in the Puerto Vallarta area, which included a complimentary continental breakfast. Then off on a bus (50 cents) to get down town and stroll in the city. Among the many interesting people we met, were visitors from British Columbia. That evening we had dinner at the Restaurante Cuale Paradiso (Paradise), with our tables right on the Cuale Rio, which goes downstream through Puerto Vallarta and then into the ocean. Four old friends were Don and Mary, fellow Wisconsinites, Betty and Tom from Illinois, and new friends Linda (from Iowa) and Bill (from Chicago). We enjoyed a nice hike through the city to the Restaurante, and also, a slow stroll, back into town. We all visited at Tom and Betty's, which is on a high hill overlooking the city (140 steps to climb up, to their front door!) This was the first of many nights that we witnessed the dramatic finale of the huge pirate ship for its diners and audience (200 people), as fireworks, like canons, exploded over the ocean and the city, highlighting the pirate ship out in Banderas Bay. .................................................. Monday, February 20, 2006 Bob and Kathy We made our first purchases of what we refer to as miniature prayer shawls, which we wear during ordination services, weddings, etc. The Mexicans call them "cintos" and sometimes, like the tourists, use them as a dress belt. Later, we entered the ocean near Don and Mary's, and were promptly flattened by a modest looking wave. It was a refreshing experience, and we were both scrubbed extra clean with all the sand that the waves bounced us along on. Later, while taking a shower, before plopping in the pool, we discovered that we had brought quite a bit of the sandy beach home with us. That night, the seven friends (Bill had returned to Chicago), went to Machi's BarBQ. The food was outstanding with large chunks of vegetables of tasty, slightly steamed vegetables, and great entrees. Bob had the best pepper steak of his life. But that did not keep Bob from eyeballing Tom's two inch thick "chuleta" (porkchop). ........................................... Tuesday, February 21, 2006 Bob and Kathy Kathy and the other three ladies went out to lunch together at The River Cafe. Kathy and Mary went downtown, and saw Betty and Linda heading toward the cafe also. We caught up with each other and finished the walk there, together. We got a table, which overlooked the River Cuale. Our table sat outside, shaded by trees, and it was really beautiful. It was fantastic, to talk, and look over at the river easily. This was a refreshing opportunity to talk about our life experiences, while in this beautiful place. We each shared about something in our lives, and what being in Puerto Vallarta felt like, for us. It was a very refreshing experience. When we left, Mary and Kathy rode a bus back to the condominium. It was a fantastic experience, for which I'm very grateful. ........ Later we went to a dentist where Kathy had some work done, and we made a new friend in Dentista Marta. Seven years ago, a tourtist from Seattle got off the plane in Puerto Vallarta with a toothache, looked in the phone book for a dentist, and picked Marta, simultaneously choosing his future wife! That night, seven of us had dinner on the ocean at Mi Pueblito (My Dear Little Town). Some of us "buffeted" our way through the buffet, a "few" times. Bob got permission from the star singer for Bob to sing a song for Kathy. Kathy joined Bob on the stage, Bob introduced them (Kathy and Bob), to the audience, and then sang the song: La Historia De Un Amor (History of a Love), which Bob had learned in La Republica De Panama, over 50 years ago! It was a fantastic experience for both of us. We hope it was, also, for the 200 other diners. And then we danced, and danced...... .................................... Wednesday, February 22, 2006 Bob and Kathy We went to a banco and use a TYME machine to get 3,000 pesos (for under 300 USA dollars), and then went shopping for a lilac or lavender sombrero for Kathy, and a purse/bag of the same color. That evening we visited about four art galleries with Don and Mary. This was also our first night on the "malecon," which is a cement sea wall and wide walking area, about a mile long, with many kinds of food and art vendors, as well as groups of musicians, mimes, clowns. and other entertainers. A fantastic place for people watching, which we returned to, almost every night, thereafter. ................... Thursday, February 23, 2006 Bob and Kathy Mary and Kathy did meditations, while Bob watched Don cut different colored glass for a wooded picture Don was making. Later Bob and Kathy went to a big "mercado" (market),that had umpteen stores on the first floor, and 13 little restaurants on the second floor, frequented mostly by Mejicanos. There we met Tia Maria (Aunt Mary), who has managed Tia's Restaurante there, for 16 years. Bob made up an impromptu song in Spanish, based on a popular Spanish melody: "In the kitchen, the food is so much more tasty, in the kitchen, I love you even more, with the chicken, the rice, and the tortillas, in the kitchen, everything is joyful here! It loses something in the translation, because Spanish is a much more musical language with its consistent musical vowel sounds. Anyway,Tia Maria, must have liked the Spanish version, because when friends visited her, she would ask me to sing. It became our most frequented eating place, because the food was so tasty and inexpensive. And Tia Maria was deliiiiiiiiiiiiiightful! ........................... Friday, February 24, 2006 Bob and Kathy Fruit breakfasts have become a habit. Today, followed up by a dip in the pool and then the hot tub. Kathy visited a dermatologist (no charge). And then the four of us joined another quartet, Tom and Betty, and their guests,Tom and Pat (from Ohio), for dinner at El Restaurante San Lucas. Later, the eight of us watched the pirate ship fireworks bombardment from high on Betty and Tom's patio, overlooking the city and ocean. It was, as usual, a spectaular. As were all our friends, old and new. .................................. Saturday, February 25, 2006 Bob and Kathy This was our last morning residing with Don and Mary. It has been a full of week of great friends and spectacular views of the city sprawled at our feet. Tropical foilage, losts of palms, and an ocean stretching off into eternity. We saw a whale come unusually close to shore, and then playfully follow the shoreline for quite a distance, gracefully breaking through the surface of the sea, every ten seconds. Possibly watching tourists? We had reservations for four days at El Rio Hotel, just a block off the ocean, and four those four days, it became our starting point for several forays each day onto the beaches, into the city, and especially, on the boardwalk. The two of us took a bus ride south, to the end of the line, La Boca (The Mouth) de Tomatlan, a little fishing village where the river enters the ocean. It was a very bumpity bus ride, as all drivers in Mexico are in training for the Indy 500, and have no regard for potholes and other bone jarring street imperfections. But we survived! Twice! :-) ...................... Sunday, February 26, 2006 Bob and Kathy We went to the morning church service at the central plaza. Every seat was filled with about 300 people, and about another 200 were standing at the sides and back. Three priests, two altar boys, and two women, made up the entering procession. The service was bilingual, with all three priests, and three women, speaking to the multitude. At least a third of those attending were non-mexicans. Mexicans from other Mexican stats were present, as were quite a few Canadians and other Norte Americanos. The 200 or so without seats, which included us, remained standing until the end of the service. It was quite impressive. Later we ha lunch at El Restauante Margarita. One of the waiters there told us that the locals who had been born in Puerto Vallarta, and grew up when it was only a fishing village, were proud of their ocean fishing heritage. Theyp proudly referred to themselves as "patas saladas," "patas" for feet, and "saladas" for salty. Thus they who returned from the ocean were those with the salty feet. That night we bought an entire baked chicken to go with all the trimmings a la Mejicano. The chicken was about 4 pounds. We went to a park and had supper, but it was much more than we could eat, including way too many roast potatoes. But it was sooooooo tasty! ........................... Monday, February 27, 2006 Bob and Kathy Daytime on the boardwalk, is mostly tourists. But the evenings, a majority were Mexicans. We met lots of people from many different provinces in Canada, and also, from all over the United States. And also, Mexicans from other Mexican states, on vacation in Puerto Vallarta! Everyone was friendly, and very willing to talk about their current and past experiences in Mexico. Many of the singing and musical groups during the evening, provided free entertainments every evening on the boardwalk along the ocean, and also in a nearby park. All of them were quite good. Whether it was keyboards, violin, guitars, drums, or flutes, they were quite impressive The different flutes, guitars, and violin, were especially moving. All of these entertainers had good attendance. But the greatest attendance, every night, was in a little natural amphitheater on the ocean front which seated about 500 people. Every night, hundreds of people were left standing. The big attraction? Mimes. A non-verbal white face, that enchanted the crowd with their antics, acting, and dramatics. Over 90 % of this crowd was Mexican. Lots of couples, seniors, and children all over the place. It was a treat to see so many people enjoying themselves, with an entertainer, who never said a word! ........................ Tuesday, February 28, 2006 Bob and Kathy Over breakfast at the very popular Pancake House, we met an interesting couple from California who lived about a half hour drive, north of Puerto Vallarta. They had just sold their home in Mexico, and were currently building another new, 4,000+ square foot home, closer to the ocean. The reasons they gave for spending most of their lives in Mexico, were typical of the comments we heard from many others. Much less expensive to live in Mexico. Better climate. Friendlier people Flexibility and freedom... to have fun and enjoy a lot of things. We visited some of our favorite venders, including Tia Maria (also,more singing). Before sunset, we were back to eat at Mi Pueblito, on the ocean front. We finished the night, as usual, on the boardwalk. What a fascinating place it is! With a jillion vendors of special foods, and all kinds of artists and entertainers. And lots of benches and places to sit by the seawall. And most of the couples cuddled together along the seawall were young. Most, but not all. To sit, anywhere, on the "malecon," and just watch people walking by, was very entertaining and thought provoking. Tonight was our fourth and last night at El Hotel Rio. We had the good fortune to have the bedroom directly above the hotel's bar, which included loud music EVERY NIGHT, until 2 a.m. The music and the singing was always enthusiastic and very well done. We looked at all the music, as a personal serenade, done especially for us. One of the singers had a late night routine that included many popular songs that had been translated to Spanish. Thus, every night, in the wee hours, we heard a very stirring rendition of Frank Sinatra's. "I Did It MY WAY," in espanol. .......................... |
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