The Only Attitude To Happiness

22 Mar

Waking up daily in the jungle of southeastern Mexico is a dream for some and a reality for me. Depending on the time of year, the sun clears the horizon and hits me right in the eyeball in bed! Then there’s the cacophony of birds, (doves, parakeets, brown jays, chachalacas and more). The sound of the teapot heating water for coffee and dogs demanding “outside” and their breakfast, is also part of the wake-up call. It does beat an alarm.

Rise and shine.

The morning routine continues with a trip to the roof to practice my version of sun salutations and a quick check on the baby birds who are almost as big as their parents and will be flying the coop soon enough. I will miss them

The roof sanctuary. They’re doves, not pigeons 😂

I lean into my morning routine with meditation, exercise and vacuuming up the dog glitter left on our blue concrete floors.

The shedding maniacs.

There are so many possibilities for surprises in my day-to-day life, such as this week alone, smelling gas from the new stove, threats of severe weather, a trip to get MRIs for me and Lisa, and health concerns with Lisa’s mom who is 82. Morning routine is the cornerstone of my life.

Sometimes art just shows up. Not sure where this came from.

Having recently been diagnosed with anxiety, I scheduled a massage and gave a massage (I am a massage therapist) both of which got me out of my head. Getting a massage has been a way that I have dealt with anxiety in the past. Time for a reboot.

More art. Lots of circles.
Postcard sized paintings. Touch to enlarge.

I am still playing my ukulele (badly) and furiously making art. It’s good to have a plan. And then I try to be aware of all that I have to be grateful for. There’s just so much. This blog and my community here are included. Thank you for showing up, leaving comments and hanging with me through the ups and downs. I appreciate it more than you can know.

DOS TORTAS

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The Trials And Tribulations of Pain

15 Mar

However you cut it, living with pain is not fun. For those of you who have been dealing with chronic pain for years or even a lifetime, my sympathies. If you have never experienced chronic pain, read on, life turns on a dime at any age. At seventy-four I am new to the game and surprised by it.

Life drawing class provides a lovely distraction.

I’ve learned that pain medication is a god-sent but a double edged sword. Even thinking about it makes me want to sleep (or cry.)

Medication handles the pain so I can exercise, walk or be halfway human. I have to be careful however because it can also eats holes in my stomach.

Models choose some interesting props.

So if you are waiting patiently for the doctor’s pronouncement, drum roll please…HIP REPLACEMENT. Yes the old hip is in pieces and barely able to keep me upright. An appointment has been made for yet another opinion and hopefully to schedule surgery, April 23 in Austin. Finally time to take advantage of all that health insurance I worked so hard for.

I added color later.

Until then, the meds keep it tolerable, as does my artwork. Carry on.

DOS TORTAS

My gastroenterologist has declared that my stomach pain is due to anxiety. And now I understand.

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The Sun The Moon and a Thruple

8 Mar

Take a peak this week into the lives of retired lesbians living in the jungle of southeast Mexico.

Lovely sunrise view from our roof.
Full moon and lunar eclipse.

It’s been a bustling week which included an early morning lunar eclipse, a visit from our friend Michelle, and annual doctors’ check-ups (ortho, gastro, dermo and pulmo). Getting old is a full time job.

Stella loves Auntie Michelle

Michelle adds sparkle. She is an avid bird watcher, lovely conversationalist and pitches in with Mom, the dogs and household tasks. No drama just life divided by three instead of two.

Identified by our bird App this week on the roof.
Lots of colorful visitors.

One doctor’s visit was particularly helpful, a second opinion on my leg. I went for a scan and will return on Monday to come up with a plan. He said I should not be in this much pain a year and a half later. I left hopeful.

Hopefully there is more bone growth since this last xray in December.

Unfortunately Michelle has returned home but the mental health break she gave us provided respite and a vow to take better care of ourselves, as we all need to do.

The thunk thunk is the toucan.

DOS TORTAS

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But I Don’t WANNA Exercise

1 Mar

Celebrating my birthday is not optional for me. Since I am not a big fan of the usual fawning, gift buying and everything that goes with it, I make a plan for what works for ME. This year I bought tickets to see Shakira in Merida, Yucatán. My wife played a supporting role so I didn’t have to worry about the details. We had a blast, learned a lot and were not awakened by dogs at six am.

Returning home to Bacalar, I found myself exhausted, (it’s amazing how vacations can be so tiring) with little motivation for anything, especially exercise. I used every excuse under the sun to deflect, sidetrack and put off. However, my education and lifelong interest as a Health Educator means I knew better. Time to do better.

My triathlon days. If only I had that energy today.

Back in the day, when counseling was my paid gig, I was a broken record. “Walk! Just walk, 15 minutes. Put on “X” on the calendar. Increase frequency, then increase time. Keep track, you can do it!”

People’s excuses were consistent, no time and I don’t like exercise. But leading the pack was, EXERCISE HURTS. My pat answer was, “it hurts if you do and it hurts if you don’t”.

And now I find myself in the, but it hurts camp. Pain can be a good motivator but so can lying in bed.

This week, I came across a clip on my YouTube channel from a trainer I used to follow during Covid quarantine, many moons ago.

https://youtu.be/D6q7Cfkgf-4?si=F8tfaD1Brx834Dy8

Not only is he cute, but his motivational banter was just the kick in the pants I needed today. Exercise helps the body and the mind. I needed both.

Swim competition in Bacalar about ten years ago.

Some other habits I have developed in the past to keep me motivated.

  1. I wear trainers to support my feet. No working out in flip flops as folks like to do in MX.
  2. I wear gym clothes including a sports bra, even at home.
  3. I work out on a trampoline which provides a handle for balance and low impact.
  4. I track with an “X” on the calendar. Keeping a streak going in any kind of journal motivates me. At least for awhile lol.
  5. I give myself permission to switch things up. Walking, swimming, chair yoga, tai chi, videos, as long as I move.
  6. I do whatever it takes to remind myself of the importance of exercise. My body gives me way too much push back.

I’d love to hear from you what keeps you going. I find exercise to be a life-long challenge which only gets harder with an aging body.

Three years ago before the music at the gym made my ears bleed.

DOS TORTAS

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I Didn’t Used To Be So Scared

22 Feb

There was a time when I was fearless, hitchhiking across Mexico in my 20’s, climbing pyramids, swimming underwater into a cave, or staying out all night dancing.

Danskin Triathalon, Austin TX

Maybe it’s because I am now old (this week marks 74 years) and disabled (walking with a cane) that I find myself anxious about the unknown. Whether the world has become a scarier place or I am having trouble with my limitations, I don’t know. Either way, I am ashamed and embarrassed of my fear.

Big Bend on the TX/MX border.

We have tickets on Tuesday to see the one and only Shakira. It’s my birthday and what a way to celebrate, right? We have someone staying with my mother-in-law and a sweet hotel reservation in Merida. And yet I am ready to cancel it all over an unfamiliar concert venue, fear of not finding a taxi, long bathroom lines and staying out most of the night.

Cave exploration, Belize

I have read that writing is cathartic so here I am baring my soul. I know you won’t try to fix me. You might think I’m a little bonkers, but heck I think I’m a LOT bonkers.

Tikal, Guatemala

Thanks for listening, or reading, or whatever it is we do here. I appreciate your support. Writing it down beats lying in bed with tears in my ears (as my dad used to say) any day.

DOS TORTAS

Released in 1952, the year I was born.

I’ve Got Tears in My Ears https://share.google/hMd6hIh5FY4NDWR9M

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Privilege And A Bullet Proof Vest

15 Feb

Last week was the much awaited Rendezvous, watercolor painting in Mérida, Mexico. Besides the five finished paintings I had committed to, I had one other goal for the week, to watch the half time Super Bowl show ie, Bad Bunny.

El Gran Santiago Restaurant and Bar

To be clear, I am not a music person. When Lady Gaga showed up on the screen of the sweet little neighborhood bar down the street, I didn’t know who she was at first. I know, don’t stone me. I did know Ricky Martin immediately.

I was intent on listening to the music but the mostly non-Mexican bar patrons, WOULDN’T SHUT UP.

The only painting I sold.

I realized that they weren’t any different from folks I’ve spoken to in the States, the only history is OUR history, the only music is what I like and understand, and the only culture is white US culture (whatever that is).

Sunrise behind Santiago church.

Because of my algorithms, I have since learned about the history of Puerto Rico and how Benito (BB) schooled us on the world’s biggest stage. What an amazing show of unity, family and love.

I also found out that Benito wore a bullet proof vest to the Grammy’s and had a hospital-on-wheels parked outside “just in case.”

How have we come to this?

DOS TORTAS

Thank you Bad Bunny

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Bad Buneee

8 Feb

A busy week watercolor painting to capture the beauty of Merida, Mexico.

Displaying our work.

Five days of painting the diversity of parks, churches, fountains, fruterias, even trains, culminates tonight in a party with music, dancing and food. People will come to peruse and hopefully purchase at silent auction.

Iglesia Santiago (Saint James)

No pressure here, just an agreement to produce five finished paintings in five days.

Ready to go.

However, my plan is to exit the party early to see Bad Bunny perform in the Super Bowl half-time show. I want a packed, rowdy bar where everyone is drunk and cheering. Mexicans love US football. The show will be epic with every Spanish-speaking country glued to the tele. Let’s do it!

https://youtu.be/T-wQdXONYEo?si=6EJrC4zrBeFQTZdg

This man has so much heart as he tells the audience that we don’t know what tomorrow brings, live today and love one another. You don’t need to speak Spanish to understand that.

DOS TORTAS

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Silence = Death

1 Feb

The AIDS activists of the 1980’s coined the motto Silence=Death to protest the government’s non-response to thousands of gay men dying of an unknown disease, HIV.

It wasn’t until I went to work for the City of Austin Health Department that I paid much attention. When my job was testing anyone and everyone and later giving out HIV results both negative and positive, that I was really aware of the crisis. I once gave positive results to a pregnant woman who didn’t speak English. I probably wasn’t the best person for the job but I was it.

More marching in the 90’s weren’t we cute?

This week I’m seeing influencers of all stripes, comedians, chefs, artists, exercise trainers, dancers and athletes etc speaking out against the horror that is going on in Minnesota USA. Silence surely equals death. The pressure is on not to stay quiet.

Lisa and I could not have predicted any of it, but we knew long ago that we did not want to live in the US. I feel guilty for not protesting or being able to take action. After all, I’m an old hippy who marched in New York City with thousands, protesting the Vietnam War.

Diversion Equity Inclusion

My effort to do our part has been awareness of political contributions by various companies to Trump and refusing to give them a nickel, including Amazon, Whole Foods, Target, and Home Depot. It’s time to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak. I know it’s not a lot but every bit helps, at least I’d like to think so.

A veterans hospital nurse who tried to help.

So this is Dos Tortas not being silent. I’m sorry it took two white people being killed for people to take to the streets. Here in Mexico we have met numerous people who were evicted or self deported. Their lives have been turned upside down. Some have no family, and don’t speak Spanish. Others like us are relieved to be away from the chaos.

Please look around your sphere of influence. Speak up or at least get to know your neighbors. Let’s do what we can to put a stop to it. We owe it to future generations.

DOS TORTAS

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Make Art To Survive

25 Jan

I have always been a creative of one sort or another. I’ve crocheted hats, knitted socks, doodled, quilted, painted, gardened, baked, sewn clothes, danced, kept a diary and written this blog.

Baby socks I made for no particular reason.

And still I tend to think of my art as secondary, inconsequential, and not terribly important. When in fact it is who I am.

Texas Star, A gift for my mother-in-law that was returned to me when she died.

While recently in Austin I got to see lithographs by Salvador Dali priced at six figures. Some of his drawings don’t look that much different from mine. Maybe you have to be dead to have your art appreciated.

Visiting the Salvador Dali exhibit with my niece.

And then this TED Talk by Amie McNee came across my screen. The Case For Making Art When The World Is On Fire. None of us would argue against the world being on fire, but make art? That seems like fiddling on the Titanic.

One of my wilder creations.

My suggestion is to take the time to listen to her passionate message. It has made me committed to putting down the phone and iPad. This week I dusted off and tuned the ukulele I HAD to have and has sat in a corner for too many years. Perhaps struggling to play it is just what this old brain needs.

Dusted and tuned.

Next week I will be in Merida, Yucatan, for five days, watercolor painting on site around the city with a group of fellow artists. I remember how scared I was the first time I joined this group. There was a wide range of talent, including one woman who had never picked up a paint brush in her life. Her fearlessness inspired me.

Rendezvous 2018

Whatever your interest or skill or lack thereof, just do it. We need your creativity. The world needs it.

DOS TORTAS

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Traveling Home

18 Jan

It’s been a lovely visit with friends and family in Austin, Texas. Here are some photos from the week.

My great nephew Dart. He should be named Tank.
Such a good boy when he’s sleeping.
Austin Public Library
An architectural marvel.
Great place to people watch.
The Sistene Chapel Experience
Bringing Michaelangelo to Austin.
Lots of looking up.
Austin’s new to me skyline.
Nothing like Tex-Mex.
My eldest son.
Viewing Salvador Dali prints with my niece.

We will return to our regularly scheduled program next week.

DOS TORTAS

Connecting to people who matter.

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