Monday Meditation

It is the first Monday in May and I am enjoying my coffee on the deck. The wake up temperature was a breezy 60 (15 C) degrees and looks like it will be another beautiful day in the Ozarks.

As I sit and sip my coffee, I am contemplating the simplicity of my life and wondering if I would benefit from a more active appreciation of it. I'm wondering if I should be seeking things to enjoy rather than just passively enjoying what comes my way. 
In truth, I should be doing both. It's just that I haven't ever really considered actively pursuing appreciation of the world around me. 

What would that look like?
Is planning to go to the river or lake with my kayak a more active appreciation of nature if my purpose is to enjoy nature? Is it different from kayaking for exercise and then realizing the beauty that surrounds me?
I think that I am generally appreciative of the good things in life. I'm not sure that I ever really seek them out. Also, I'm not really sure that I need to. Maybe finding good in tough situations is something to consider.

It is easy to sit here in the peacefulness of the morning and appreciate the sights and sounds of the morning. 
It's easy to work the soil and "see" the future flowers that will bloom in a few weeks.
But sometimes it feels too easy. Sometimes it feels like I should have to do something to earn the right to experience the beauty that surrounds me.
Maybe that is a part of the gift -- the beauty exists whether or not we recognize it. Maybe it doesn't matter if we seek it out or if we notice it in passing. The moment that we find it or recognize it is the same. Either one is enough to steal our breath for a moment and force us to pause to admire both the simplicity and complexity of the world around us. 
Maybe just being aware enough to notice the beauty around us is the key.

It's just stuff I'm thinking about this morning.

John

Shhh...

One of the things that really stands out when returning home from time in Puerto Vallarta is the quiet.
Since it is a mere 40 (4C) degrees outside and I am enjoying my coffee inside, it seems especially quiet. I am looking forward to the quiet days and even quieter nights that my rural retirement allows me to enjoy.
With the exception of re-adapting to the cooler temperatures, settling back into the simple routine of an overweight retired guy living in the Midwest will come quite easily.

The yard definitely needs some attention and I think I will get right after it today. The afternoon promises to be sunny and warm, without the humidity that I've been experiencing in the tropical beach area around Puerto Vallarta. 
Sitting on the mower for a few hours seems like a fine way to ease back into the daily yard work routine. The weeding, tilling, and planting can wait for another day.

Another noticeable thing about returning home is how much greener it is than when I left just a few weeks ago. Perhaps the bright green is more noticeable because the tropics are at the end of the dry season and much of the vegetation is brown and anxiously waiting for the summer rains. 
The trees here are so green, the flowers are blooming, and the hummingbirds have returned. In spite of the cool nights, I am convinced that summer is on its way! 

While it is true that I would be happy living in a tropical ocean area, it is also true that I have an incredibly good life here, in the Ozarks of Southwest MO (SWMO).  I'm sure that adding a swimming pool and some kayaking to the mix will make this summer even better.

Just another day in the life of ...

John

 

Travel Day!

It's travel day.

Need I say more? 

I am hoping for no delays, smooth TSA/Customs interactions, and an empty seat next to me. Or maybe some big bucks to swap flights with someone that just has to get back to the US.

Being retired can have bonus perks.

Air travel is a wonderful thing...right up until it isn't!

Wish me well!

John

¡Hasta proxima mis amigos!

It's May!
That means we are half way through spring and well on our way to summer!

If my 3 weeks in Puerto Vallarta are any indication of what is to come, we are in for a hot summer this year! The warmer than usual Pacific waters mean we could be experiencing a Super El Niño event this year. 
Oh boy!

I am ending my short stay in PV tomorrow. Yesterday we took a trip to Guadalajara with a stop in Tequila. In Tequila we toured the Arette distillery and then continued on to Guadalajara for the Chivas women's play off game. It was my first professional soccer game and we got to see a winner! One of the women scored and set the all-time record for career goals scored by any Chivas player -- men or women!
I wish them well as they continue in their post season play.

I'll write more about the tour and trip in a later post.
Today we'll be driving back to PV and tomorrow I will be heading home.
It will be great to see Chris and I know there is plenty of work ahead of me. I am also looking forward to going to some local ballgames and maybe breaking out the inflatable kayak for some summer paddling. While I do love the time I get to spend in Mexico, I also know that I am fortunate to live where we do and I enjoy the life we have there, as well.

¡Hasta proxima, mis amigos!

John

Too busy doing nothing...

It has been pretty rare that I have been on my Chromebook or browsing on my phone for these past couple of weeks. While I am certain to have missed many interesting posts and pics, I can't imagine that I would have gained any life changing information. 

I also cannot say that I have been busy because I have done very little in the way of being a productive human being.
I have been to the beach a couple of times and managed a few long walks.
Yesterday we went to the botanical gardens and spent most of our time swimming in the river. I'll post a few pics at some point. 
I have met with friends for lunch, dinner, and drinks, and a night of karaoke.
I have been to the ballpark for the kids' softball games.  
I did finally get the crowns for my dental implants, which was the main reason for this particular trip.
And I have been in the kids' pool every single day and will be in it again today. I am definitely going to have to get one.

This morning's coffee is at another neighborhood shop -- Providencia Cafe. I find it interesting that many of the coffee shops don't open until 8 AM. A few, like this one, open at 7. 
I have been back and forth between a hot or iced Americano each day and am thinking it might be time to start cold brewing coffee when I get back home.

The springtime garden work is piling up at home and I'm not doing anything here other than lounging in the pool, tormenting the kids, and disturbing their normal life rhythm, so I have shortened my stay to just three weeks and will be going home on Saturday.
I really need to make a plan to get some regular walking or exercise when I get home. That kind of activity has been good for me these past two weeks. I am hoping that I have lost a few pounds on this trip. I have been more active (in spite of my time in the pool) and I am pretty sure that I have been eating less. I guess I'll see next weekend.

It's another beautiful day in Puerto Vallarta. 
I wonder what gems are in store for us today.

John

Retirement does not suck.

It's just another day.
It has been some time that coming to Mexico doesn't really feel like vacation. In fact, any travel since I retired just feels like being retired someplace other than at home. I don't feel like I have a life that I need to get away from, so being away from home isn't like a necessary escape.

I managed to talk myself out of a 2+ mile walk this morning. I had an iced Americano at the coffee shop around the corner from the kids and read a chapter or two in my new Kindle book. I had initially planned a walk to A Page in the Sun bookstore/Cafe but decided to Uber here instead.

I'll enjoy a second Americano, this one hot, and spend some time on the Chromebook. I'll check out some of the shops here in the Romantic Zone and then meet a couple of friends for lunch. I have a late afternoon follow up appointment with my dentist and then Aaron has an evening softball game. If I am going to keep my pool day streak alive, it will have to be a nighttime swim -- and that is actually quite likely.

It is a little weird that I am thinking about the gardening work at home that isn't getting done. If my dental appointment goes as well as I am expecting it to, I may consider cutting my time here a little short and returning to the comfortable routine of home a few days early. I am sure that sounds a little weird, but I truly am a homebody and cherish my quiet and peaceful life. I will need to research getting a pool, though. A daily swim throughout the hot summer will be something to look forward to.

It's not quite the hot, humid rainy season just yet, but it is getting close. The tourist season is dying down and the local shops are gearing down for the "low" season.
We have hot and humid in SWMO but without the ocean. We do have lakes and rivers and plenty of humidity adding trees. I need to make use of my inflatable kayak this year. That would be a decent summer activity.

It's time to enjoy the sun and enjoy my day.
I hope yours is wonderful.

John

Happy birthday, Aaron!

I took a casual walk this morning. I grabbed a cold brew coffee at Emmana Cafe on the way and enjoyed a pretty easy walk to my current location --  A Page in the Sun. It's a little coffee shop and bookstore on the square in the Romantic Zone. On the way here I passed by the finish line area of the ultimate marathon that is this weekend in PV. 
I am amazed -- not only at the runners completing it, but at how good they looked at the finish. 
Wow!

And I was going to be proud of myself for walking a little over two miles for my coffee this morning!
smh

     * * * * *

In an hour or so I will be meeting up with the kids and some of their friends to celebrate Aaron's birthday. It's hard to believe that this pic was taken 37 years ago!

The kids (Aaron and Jenny) have a pretty good life, here in Puerto Vallarta. 
In addition to living in a tropical beach city, they travel frequently and have made visits to Great Britain, Spain, Morocco, Bolivia, and Australia in the past few years. Plus they went on a Caribbean cruise with a friend this past winter.
You have done well, Aaron!
I am happy I get to celebrate with you this year.

John

Poolside

I am blogging poolside today!
I had originally thought about an early morning walk to a coffee shop/book store in the Romantic Zone, and then to hang around until possibly meeting some friends for lunch. Since we decided to meet for lunch next week, I decided that I would wait until tomorrow to make the long walk for coffee and then meet up with Aaron and Jenny's friends for a birthday brunch for Aaron.

Today I just had coffee around the corner and have been chillin' in the pool and occasionally reading a few pages in my book. The late morning sun is beginning to make its way over the pool and will be full bright for several hours before slipping behind a building and casting a shadow over the pool in the late afternoon. 

I have a little bit of shade on the east side of the pool for a little longer and thought I would type out a few words.

I am very happy that Aaron and Jenny have this place and a wonderful community surrounding them. They have several diverse friend groups. Some overlap a little and others remain separate. While many are expats, they also have local friends and non-US expat friends.
Between weekend beach days, weeknight softball games, and occasional game nights at a local brewery they stay busy and connected with the people from their different groups.
Naturally,we have a much smaller circle of friends here, but I do look forward to spending time with them whenever we are around.

Maybe I need to work on building some friend groups back home.
Meh -- maybe not.

John

No Thursday Theology

And maybe no more Thursday Theology.
I mean if the Pope's theology is being corrected by neophyte Christian Vice President Vance what chance does a self-educated person like me have?
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth quotes fictional Bible verses in prayer, President Trump depicts himself as Jesus, and conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians rush to worship them.

There is no theology to address such anti-Christian worldviews.
Should one even try?

I am quietly living out my own theology -- study of God.
I am no longer trying to convince others to follow any religion, but would encourage people to examine their own thoughts and beliefs of the nature and ways of God.

I am going to finish my coffee and enjoy the day.
I am going to be grateful.
I am going to try to be kind.
And at some point, I am probably going to get in the pool -- just because I can.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

Desire leads to suffering.
Attachment leads to suffering.

We are addicted to suffering.

The first two statements are often associated with Buddhism.
The third is from the Toltec shamans of Mesoamerica.

I mention these things because a part of my own self awareness is realizing that we are probably not going to be moving to Mexico -- and that's okay. We can certainly visit here often.
And we have a wonderful home in the semi-rural community of Highlandville MO.

I like our home. I really enjoy the flowers and the limited isolation that we have. The climate is pretty moderate and easy to endure, no matter the season. And we do have four pretty distinct seasons -- I could just do without two of them (fall and winter).

I thinks it is funny to listen to our friends here in Mexico talk about their boring lives. We generally see them at a local bar's karaoke night. They are quick to say that is the only night that they regularly go out and they are otherwise boring homebodies.

I get that. We are also boring homebodies.

That's not to say that I am ever bored. Chris likely gets bored from time to time, but I am content to sit and observe the world around me or read a book. There are always flowerbeds to be worked or things to do that I actually do enjoy doing.

And if I do find myself in a rare bored moment, civilization is just a short drive away.

I am better at being friendly than I am at being a friend, but I'm okay with that and others just need to deal with it.

Hmmm...

That doesn't sound too friendly, so maybe I'm not as good at being friendly as I think.

In any case, I am trying to live life with fewer attachments and fewer disappointments. I am working through the addiction to suffering, although I really don't see that as a problem for me.

A good cup of coffee

A smooth sip of bourbon 

A relaxing cigar

A well written book

A hummingbird at the feeder or flowers

Butterflies and bees surrounding the flowerbeds

The quiet way the sun sets at the end of the day 

These things are as present at home as they are here and they make me happy.

What makes you happy?

Are you addicted to suffering?

What would your intervention or recovery program look like?

Be well, my friends!

John