Monday, November 28, 2016

Amanpour on Trump

One of my favorites 

I was chilled when Trump’s first tweet after the election was about professional protesters incited by the media. First the media is accused of inciting, then sympathizing, then associating. And then suddenly they find themselves accused of being full-fledged terrorists and subversives. And then they end up in handcuffs, in cages, in kangaroo courts, in prisons, and then who knows what.

Amanpour is not alone in hear analysis of what American freedom will look like with Trump as president. The Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement in October which said Trump is, “An unprecedented threat.” Thomas Burr, the president of the National Press Club, said, “We find this renewed pattern of journalist intimidation to be unacceptable and dangerous to our democracy.”

The fight for American democracy, freedom, and dignity for all people has only just begun and will continue as long as Donald Trump stays in power. The time is now for all individuals to recognize this grievous impending battle to put on their war paint, because the fight has only just begun and it will get much worse before it gets better.


Sunday, November 27, 2016

Day on the beach


Last week we met at Tito's in west Melaque. The closest couple are building a house nearby that I've been helping with. Not helping much this year. The couple in the back are Glen and Evy who are staying in Barra. Glen comes down every year and this is Evy's first time. Sadly she is hopping a plane today because she's not doing well with the heat. 

Monday, November 21, 2016

Killer Mushrooms

A very sad lime tree

Fungus looked similar

I was so proud of my little lime tree that came up as a volunteer. A little over a month ago I noticed a growth on the trunk at ground level. I knocked it off and cleaned it up a bit. Two weeks later it was back. Lorena did it again about a week ago but it was too late. Guess I'll have to dig it up soon.

Soap and water and/or nitrogen fertilizer are suggested ways to kill the fungus but the tree was too far gone by the time I hit the Internet. Gonna have to keep a closer eye on the rest of my trees. It also says to completely dispose of the mushroom or it could spread in the yard. All I did was throw it on the compost. Hope I'm not in for trouble.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Seasoning a cast iron pan


A friend brought down a new unseasoned 12" cast iron pan. I've never had a new one before so this is a new experience. I've been all over the internet looking for directions. Answers are all over the place for temperature, time and type of oil. From 225 to 450F or from a 1/2 hour to 2 hours. Flaxseed oil is recommended but any vegetable oil should do. There is a Lodge brand that comes preseasoned but it was considerably more expensive. Even one in a second-hand store was more. So now I'm just thinking.

I left it on the stove top and Lorena washed it while doing the dishes so she soon gets a lesson. All her pans like one of mine are ex-Teflon with no Teflon left. Think she scrubs with a metal pad. 


I do have a cast iron Comal that I really like but after reading I think it's ready for a reseasoning. Maybe I'll start with it. 

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Amazed at this maniac Trump

I was going to skip the politics but these appointments drove me to it. These jerks are so far right I'm looking crosseyed. I mean just read some of their quotes. Sickening !! 

Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn, and Jeff Sessions

Government by the Worst Men

Donald Trump’s appointees represent a coherent ideology and perspective, one that should terrify all Americans.

What would it look like to live under a kakistocracy, Greek for “government by the worst men”?

After this presidential transition, we are going to find out. Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump said he would hire “the best people” to staff his administration. If “best people” means experienced politicians, dedicated experts, or even skilled businesspeople, then he’s stretching the truth. Few people with those qualifications are on board for an appointment to the Trump White House. But if “best people” means the hangers-on of the Trump campaign—the white nationalists, petty authoritarians, and conspiracy-mongers—then we’re on target.


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Sandias in Pinal Villa


Get ready for watermelon season. Plants are only 3-4 inches but with all the moisture lately they should grow fast. This "patch" is only two blocks away. There are melons in the markets but not from around here. The local kids love to go through the fence and then sell the melons on the street. When the time comes the owners will have guards (veladores) in the field but at night can't stop the kids.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

They're back



Haven't seen these plant-eating ants (Hormigas) for many months. A couple days ago I saw some damage and we followed their trail of leaves and thought we found the nests in my yard. We put the poison powder on two holes but the next night they were back. This time I found a trail that went out the front gate so they are somewhere out there. Problem now is it's been raining for two days and the powder does not work when it's wet. As soon as the rain stops I'll be out looking for the nest. Good news is plants come back fast here.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Trump Tren

Reserven sus boletos

Not my President

Agree 100 percent

Tuesday, November 08, 2016

Pendejo Trump


Ɖl piensa pendejo significa buen amigo

Latinos love me so much they gave me this hat. From what they told me, I understand "pendejo" means really good friend

Thursday, November 03, 2016

Nahima's favorite Halloween video



CanciĆ³n Infantil Tumbas por aquĆ­, tumbas por allĆ” 

Tuesday, November 01, 2016

Melaque Prepa DoD display tonight





Between playing soccer and skateboarding the Prepa students are preparing the last of the three school displays for Day of the Dead. Last week was the first display by Primary schools. Saturday was done by CECyTE (local technical college) ... and today the Prepa (Highschool) is preparing for tonight. Lorena says this is the largest but they are only using half the Plaza and I've seen it full.

I haven't seen one for quite some time but they are spectacular at night with all the candles and sometimes a small religious fire.Here's a foto I took in 2008

Day of the Dead display on Melaque plaza - 2008


The construction of the house finished in April 2011 and I'm pretty much settled in. As of March 2014 I'm in preparation for rain mode for this coming summer. That includes sealing and painting things and dealing with drainage issues from last year.

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