Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving And Some Interior Pictures

Happy day after Thanksgiving to all our friends and we hope you are as stuffed as we are!  Last year we spent Thanksgiving at the Yucatan state fair scarfing tacos.  This was because our rental house had no oven in which to roast the bird.  This year we were determined to put together an American Thanksgiving which proved to be a shade difficult.  Here there is no cruising to Safeway or Albertson's for one-stop shopping.  One has to search-out the detailed products such as cranberry sauce or stuffing mix...things that are not part of the Mexican diet.  We found most of it.
  The table was set, the turkey roasted, and our friends arrived.

This is Cari, who is from England.  She actually has a farm in Spain, but has rented it out so she could spend some time at the beach.  Sadly for us, she will be returning to Spain next February.

This is Cari's boyfriend Vidal.  Vidal is a local and makes his living
creating jewelry he fashions from natural materials which he
sells in Merida at the public market.  And, he is a huge fan
of blues music!  He taught himself to play blues harmonica and after
dinner, entertained us much to our delight.






Our third dinner guest was Mario.  Mario was our neighbor when we lived at the rental house and works for CFE which is the electric company.  He came straight from work in Motul, and grabbed the maracas to get in on the music.
 
I realized the other day that there were a few areas of the house I hadn't shared.  For those who are interested,  here are some shots of our living room:
  
And here is why it helps to have a logical, analytical  type when working with an architect.  Of course I'm talking about Indra.  We were struggling with the logistics of where to put the computer, printer, scanner, computer desk (which we didn't even have), etc. when Indra noticed a closet in the plan right behind the front door.  We needed computer space more than a closet so....
Pretty clever of her,eh?
Outside, we have begun the landscaping which is going to take some time.  We planted a couple of Bougainvillas, a fan palm (they grow wild all over our property), and for her birthday I got Indra what is called a Ponytail Palm.  Just the beginning.
 
Again, we hope your Thanksgiving was fun and tasty.
More later,
Larry 



Tuesday, November 25, 2008

¡Lalo!

I have known Ned Neltner for 40 years.  I worked for Ned in two bands in the late 60's:  The Gas Company, and The Northwest Rock and Roll Band.  We spent our time at some of the legendary rock palaces of the day such as the Burlington Roller Frolics, the Evergreen Ballroom, Parkers, the Oak Harbor Roller Barn, and a memorable New Year`s Eve at a hotel in Trail, B.C. entertaining the local lumberjacks.   Then, in 1970, Ned formed Jr. Cadillac and this band has been rockin' the Pacific Northwest ever since.  They play a variety of venues such as community celebrations, casinos, corporate events, private parties, and the like.

Nice looking group of lads, aren't they?
Here is the Jr. Cadillac website should you wish to book them or check out their performance schedule for next summer when it is released:
In the winter months, Ned heads south...way south...to his home in Barra de Navidad (Christmas Bay), on the Pacific coast of Mexico where he has lived part-time for many, many years.  And it is here that he morphs into his alter-ego Lalo.
This is the cover the latest of 7 CD's Lalo has released.  Produced by his son Richard and recorded in Mexico, the music almost defies categorization.  It's a little bit of reggae, a little good-time rock and roll, a little blues, and the songs are a combination of Lalo's original compositions along with re workings of songs by the likes of Willie Nelson and Ron Holden.  Now, I've listened to a lot of music in my day and I can vouch that Lalo's CD's merit many repeat playings.  Let's call it Mexican Beach Music for now.
Not only that, but Lalo holds forth at live, solo performances at clubs such as Piper's  Blues Bar and Grill' in Barra de Navidad entertaining the locals as well as tourists who arrive on cruise ships from around the world.
I would urge you to visit this site for some samples of Lalo and to order CD's.  You'll be pleased, trust me:
More later,
Larry