Debi in Mérida: July 2010

we have a barn owl in our garden

posted Monday, July 26, 2010

One of my neighbors has 2 large Ramon trees in his yard. Ramons are very large, very thick limbed, and heavy with leaves and nut/seeds trees. He yearly has the trees 'trimmed'; meaning he hires a couple guys with machetes and saws to climb the trees and thin them out. He does this in early hurricane season; presumably to help prevent breakage in case of extreme wind.

This year the 'cutters' took two very large trunks from high up and in the center of the tree. I believe one of these trunks had housed a barn owl. Why do I think this - Well, about the time all this cutting was going on (July 22) we suddenly spied a large barn owl in a tall tree in our yard. The owl looked to be in distress the first day I saw it, but now seems quite content and healthy.

I check on the owl several times a day, it's always there in the treetop

We've been experiencing quite a bit of rain and quite gusty winds. Yesterday we were having a particularly gusty blow and I went to check on the owl, it was up there, just going with the flow, up - down - left - right... at one point it switched it's position to be head on to the wind.

This first photo is as taken, no modifications, the others are blow ups of the same photo!

The owl is very attentive when we walk out, it watches us, especially the dog; who is just a bit to big to become a snack.

Rod S. Hubble, artist

posted Friday, July 23, 2010

I am fortunate to have many talented friends; Very talented friends, in a multitude of arenas.

One in particular, A painter friend, who I've known and love since about 1976 is Rod Hubble. He is an incredibly talented painter. And even more than that an incredible human being. Not to mention he's gorgeous!

He has a website of his beautiful paintings, and he is currently offering quite a few at sale prices. If you've been to my house, well any of my houses you've seen his work. I have the great good fortune to enjoy several of his paintings in my home.

Anyway, this is a proud plug for my friend, and here is a link to his webpage http://rshubble.com/

Korean Cooking 101

posted Sunday, July 18, 2010

Tom and I were in Houston recently; Tom was taking care of his annual VA requirement.

We also did some shopping, and eating, ok lots of eating, AND we were staying with and catching up with friends Walter and Suk.

Suk, being Korean, and an excellent cook had offered to teach me to make a few things. So one evening I had my Korean cooking lesson. We decided to make bul go gi for dinner, what with it being one of Tom's favorites.

In order to prepare the meal we had to go to the Korean market. We had many oriental markets in Colorado Springs, but nothing like the market Suk took me to. If I lived in Houston, it would have to be near this market.

Back to the cooking lesson - We started by making cucumber kimchi with those lovely crunchy fingerling cucumbers.

We made the marinade for the bul go gi, then coated each slice of paper thin beef with marinade, cover and let rest for several hours.

Thank goodness we were able to purchase already prepared so many of the side dishes that accompany Koren feasting.

Just look at all these tasty treats - it would take us days to make all this stuff....

Suk has a fabulous slow/rice cooker, so with rice in the cooker,
lettuce cleaned and drained, table set with lots of side dishes and sauces,
table top grill waiting for the marinated meat,
we enjoyed a lovely La Crema pinot noir before dinner.

Just look at this fabulous table

the meat is cooking...

With dinner we had a Veuve Clicquot champagne -
champagne goes perfectly with Korean food -
who knew?, well Suk knew!

and then there was dessert,
we had dark chocolate covered pomegranate candies
to accompany the after dinner 2007 Dow's vintage Port.

It was a fabulous evening!

Thank you Walter and Suk!!!!!

Travel Time; New Orleans and Houston

posted Sunday, July 11, 2010

Just spent 3 days in New Orleans - What a great place for a short vacation. It's been probably 8 years since we were last there, we used to go frequently; Although I can't believe how expensive things have become; And they really nickel and dime you for every little thing - Our hotel wanted 12.95 a day for wifi, AND they charged us 1.25 to make a phone call to a local restaurant for a reservation., a different restaurant added a 1.50 surcharge for oysters on a dish that was supposed to come with oysters because they claim oysters are so hard to get right now...Ridiculous!

We hooked up with friends passing through from Florida to Colorado; it was great to see them and have a short visit.

I was trying to find a cool photo to take to represent New Orleans, but N.O. is so many things. We didn't see much Hurricane damage but then we were only in French Quarter, CBD (Central Business District), and Garden District. A man on a trolley tour told us if we wanted to see the damage we should go to the 9th Ward; we didn't.

It was really so strange, tall buildings, vistas, vehicles that stopped to let you cross the street, English being spoken everywhere, iced tea, the variety and volume of food choices, the frigid air conditioning, fresh brewed coffee, wonderful chewy flavorful bread...

We are now in Houston, oh my gosh, this place is huge, mammoth. We only ever pass through the airport. We ran to a Wal-mart tonight to get stuff to make a salad, so many ethnicities, so many languages, I love it!

Can't wait to experience more of the richness of this culturally diverse city!

Evolución Albergue y Santuario need our help

posted Tuesday, July 06, 2010

The Good Folks at Evolución Albergue y Santuario Dog Shelter here in Merida have been tossed a new challenge.

Read this most recent request for help directly from Jill

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends of Evolucion,

Today we literally received a "bucket of puppies" at the shelter (see attached photos). They were born within hours of coming to the shelter - they all still have their umbilical cords. The local police brought them to us and they did not know the status of the mother.

There are 7 of them and I currently have them at my house for home care, but it would be great if someone would be willing to help out. They are cute as can be, but I promise if you take this on, you will get no sleep. They need round the clock care for the first week - with feedings every 3 hours. If you are interested in taking on a couple of these guys, or, even better, if you know of a female that has recently has pups and may nurse these little guys, please let me know.

Thanks so much!!!

Jill Benson
snjbenson at yahoo dot com

Evolución, Albergue y Santuario

Blog: http://www.santuarioevolucion.blogspot.com/

Website: http://evolucion69.spaces.live.com/

_______________________________________________________________

What these babies really need is for several lactating moms to each take a few, if any of you know off any or have one, please contact Jill.

Thanks,
Debi

tis the season, fa la la la la, la la la laaaaa........

posted Monday, July 05, 2010

The season is upon us,

well actually the Seasons, multiple, are upon us...

The Rainy Season, took a while to get here but it's here! We are getting spotty afternoon rains which is great, it cools things off, but it brings the mosquitos; ergo it is also mosquito season.

Mosquito Season requires much diligence, screens in good epair, keep doors ad windows shut, mosquito repellent, ... My current choice for mosquito repellent, other tthan the dryer sheets stuck though the string in my hammock is a light cologne sold here locallly called 'Flor de Naranja' pleasant smell and seems to be doing the job! I filled an old hairspray bottle and just spritz myself all over.

Hurricane Season is also upon us; June 1 through November 30, mas or menos! The NOAA webpage is one of my computer home pages during this particular season.

La Temporada, July 1 through August 30, this is when everyone (that can) relocates to the beach. What also really shocked me, and I only found this out just days ago, guess it's because I don't 'do' nightclubs, the nightclubs here in Merida pack up and open up shop on the beaches of Progresso. Who knew?

Schools out! Schools are closing for the summer, on varied schedules, depending on level, etc. I don't really know for how long, cuz I don't keep up with kid stuff, so there will be kids out everywhere...especially late at night up at the park.

It's also Travel Season; those that can travel! We're off soon for a few days to connect with friends in New Orleans, then to Houston for some more friend face time!

We're going to try to do more travelling - I want to see more of Mexico, and Tom wants to see more of the World! Hmmm, should be interesting!