Monthly Archives: October 2015

Two More Videos of Hurricane Patricia in La Manzanilla, Mexico

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Here are two more of Daniel Hallas’s live cam videos of Hurricane Patricia.  The first is the last 15 minutes before he headed for higher ground. The porch you see is the house I rent and I imagine all the debris you see flying by may be thatch from it’s roof:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UH0D2lIEGk The two long benches that are being surrounded by water in the second video is where everyone sits for Daniel’s nightly tequila sunset soirees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCQzbo8Tofo

(Thanks to okcforgottenman for locating all these videos.)

DSC09139 (1)This is the porch you see in the videos on a day with much better weather almost a year ago!

DSC09192And this is Daniel, whose cam pictures of the hurricane were used around the world, conducting his nightly Sunset Tequila Soiree. He is the one bringing more chairs for the newest arrivals.

DSC09195And the benches you saw in the videos, surrounded by water, are the ones being used as tables in this picture.  Thanks, Daniel, for giving those of us far away a view of one of our favorite places thankfully not being blown entirely away!!!

Prized

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 Prized

“Prize” has a double meaning—a valuable thing won and to pry away.  My most “prized” possession meets both definitions.  As the last possession purchased by my husband and me together, it was the culmination of 14 years of doing arts and crafts shows, traveling cross-country and working long hours making the art we both loved.  It was also the culmination of our mothers’ lives, since they both passed away in the months before we bought it and it was money we inherited from them that helped us to buy it.

The second meaning of the word came when my husband died before we could move into it.  In this way, our home was “prized” away from him much as he was “prized” away from me and our future together.

In the final months of his life, both Bob and I poured all of our future dreams into the house.  Because I was the only one of us to actually live that dream, it has been important to me to fill it with all of the beauty that he helped to bring out in me.  It feels like an ongoing collage to me, which is why it is important to try to make everything I put into it comfortable, welcoming and beautiful.  The newest addition, the doggy domain, is a part of that.

DSCF3572

DSCF3575Bob and I bought these male and female terracotta pre-columbian replica sculptures the day we bought the house.  We put them in storage when we went to the states to have our moving sale and load up the van for our trip down to move into our new house.  I took them out of storage when I moved down alone and they were the first thing of beauty that I put into the house.Version 2

prize 1 (prīz) n. 1. Something offered or won as an award for superiority or victory, as in a contest or competition. 2. Something worth striving for;
prize. 2: to extract, detach, or open with difficulty

(In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Pride and Joy.” What’s your most prized possession?)

Rain-heavy Hibiscus:Flower of the day 10/25/15

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                                              Rain-heavy HibiscusIMG_7052For Cee’s Dahlia and other flowers, go HERE.

La Manzanilla after Hurricane Patricia

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                                           imgo Yesterday, the center of Hurricane Patricia made landfall about 20 miles northwest of La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Mexico, where I usually vacation and for the past four years have  spent two months a year. In this picture taken five years ago, the palapa to the right is the ocean-facing porch of my home away from home in La Manzanilla, on the Pacific coast, before Patricia. That is my friend okcforgottenman, blogger extraordinaire, making a “V” for “Very Pale.”

For La Manzanilla during Hurricane Patricia go HERE to see a  4-second video directed at my palapa rental from the back as the winds finally knock the webcam to the ground.

For La Manzanilla after Hurricane Patricia go HERE to see  a video made today. It looks like the house I rent is still standing on the street side (at 2:14 into the video), but I haven’t seen it from the ocean side. Thanks, okcforgottenman, for sending it to me.

Three Questions

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Three Questions

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Trick Questions.” A Pulitzer-winning reporter is writing an in-depth piece — about you. What are the three questions you really hope she doesn’t ask you?

What do you weigh?
What country is Tegucigalpa in?
Where is your extra set of car keys?

Bougainvillea: Animal Games–Cat Watching Bird––Cee’s Flower of the Day 10/24/15

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Bougainvillea: Animal Games–Cat Watching Bird

Version 4You probably can’t see the cat or bird yet.

IMG_7201Still can’t see them?  Look below.

IMG_7201 (1)If you still can’t see them, try clicking on the picture to enlarge it. These photos have not been altered or added to in any way except for cropping and sharpening.

Hurricane Patricia

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I’m back home and all is well after a harrowing 24 hours.  We were lucky on this one!  I’ve been without electricity at my friend’s house so I’m still just going on second hand reports, but I am back in my house after being told to evacuate yesterday because of fear of landslides.  I’ll tell the story when I get it written but was asked by a friend to just post this fast post saying all is well.  Rain started up again but the 100 mph winds threatened never happened and barely a breeze now.  More later.  Thanks to all who inquired!  Judy

Nosegay: Cee’s Flower A Day Challenge 10/12/15

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Nosegay

Version 2Where did I find this nosegay?  Not real, but pretty?

Version 2On this sugar skull made by one of the few kids who braved the threat of the weather to come to the sull decorating yesterday. The afternoon session was cancelled, schools shut down and I was advised by Proteccion Civil to leave my house as they feared landslides.  I’m back in my house after a big and frustrating adventure which I am about to write about.

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/10/23/flower-of-the-day-october-23-2015-dahlia/

Judy & Hurricane Patricia

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Many of you know that Hurricane Patricia hit Mexico last night. It skirted Lake Chapala, where Judy lives. She and her dogs evacuated to a friend’s house at the urging of civil defense officials. I got word that all are doing well this morning, but she is currently without electricity and internet.

Unrealized Toys

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Unrealized Toys

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Out of Your Reach.” Was there a toy or thing you always wanted as a child, during the holidays or on your birthday, but never received? Tell us about it.

I have written to this prompt before.  go HERE to read about what toy I secretly yearned for but never received.