Heading To Canada

My mom didn't have a very good day yesterday. Her blood pressure keeps going up high and they are having trouble controlling it.
I have booked my flight out of Guaymas for this afternoon and am going to Saskatchewan to be with her and my family.
I won't be returning to Mexico until July 22, 2009 as my son is getting married on the 11th of July.
I probably won't have much or any computer access while I am with my mom so I don't expect to be online much.
Hope everyone enjoys their summer. See you later.

Haven't Felt Much Like Blogging

We haven't been doing much besides the regular errands, chores, etc.. This weekend was supposed to be the Calamar Festival; but we haven't gone. We have been staying close to home and the computer for the reason below.
I got news on Thursday that my mom in Canada had had a stroke. Details were sketchy at first. My sister who lives in Lloydminster, Alberta headed down to Saskatchewan where my mom lives and has been there ever since with the rest of my siblings.
At this point my mom is still in intensive care; but appears to be out of danger.
She can swallow some; but cannot speak. She can move all parts of her body; but has no feeling of sensation. Her right side has been affected; but she is trying to communicate by writing things down. She is right handed so this is difficult for her as she doesn't have much strength to properly grip the pen. She misses letters in words; but is getting her points across to people. She is of course, frustrated. She recognises everyone and her long and short term memory don't seem to be affected much.
She managed to swallow some thickened ginger ale yesterday and they are going to try feeding her some pudding next. She has been up to sit in a chair and also took a short walk with a walker yesterday.
It is looking hopeful; but is going to be a slow process.
I have been staying close to the computer and have been spending a lot of time on the computer telephone, getting updates from my sister and then relaying them to my sons.
At this time it looks like I will be sticking with my scheduled plans to go to Canada in July for my sons wedding and will just expand the time I am there to be with her for longer than I had expected; but this is written in the sand. If she shows any sign of deteriorating, I will be on the next plane out of here.
Keep your fingers crossed for her continued improvement.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Last night we decided to go to a ball game. The local team is called the Ostioneros de Guaymas and they play in the Liga Norte de Mexico. Teams in the league are Agua Prieta, Magdalena, San Luis, Ensenada, Caborca, Mexicali and Empalme. Guaymas right now is sitting in third place in the league. The have a website: http://www.clubostioneros.com/ where you can look at the standings, find out when the next game is, etc.. Tickets were 35 pesos each.
The game started right on time with a sparse crowd in attendance. I was surprised as I thought because they were playing the neighboring town of Empalme that the stands would be full. As time went on the stands did get fuller.
Vendors were selling the usual drinks, beer, chips, etc..
Guaymas was doing fine in the first couple of innings and had a lead of 5 - 0, then things started to go bad. By the 4th inning (which was never ending) Empalme was on its 3rd pitcher and Guaymas was on its 2nd. Empalme started hitting and the score board soon registered 9 - 5 for Empalme. Guaymas was making a comeback though. By this time 2 1/2 hrs. had gone by and our butts were sore from sitting on the hard seats so we decided that we were heading home. At the rate they were going we figured they might finish by midnight!
We did enjoy it and will probably return another time, with some seat cushions. On the way home we had the taxi driver drop us off at the torta stand for a torta before heading home.
Watering down the infield before game time.

The Dangers Of Living In Mexico

The post title is rather tongue in cheek, as we feel quite safe here where we live; although there are some dangers. Such as, if you are over 6 ft. tall and have a mango tree growing right beside your staircase. Every time Roy would come up the stairs lately he would have to remember to duck or risk being beaned in the head with 2 or 3 mangos. I thought it was pretty funny, him not so much.

Yesterday morning he decided that it was time for a pruning job. So being a good blogger I had to record the before and after.
Before the mango pruning.

After the pruning, safer for tall people now.

Mexican Hot Dogs

Too hot to cook? Or to lazy? Want a quick and easy tummy filler? Walk out of your home in Guaymas and within a block or two you are sure to find a hot dog vender or 2 or 3.
We have tried a couple close to home and so far they good, hard to pick a favorite. Hot dogs here are nothing like what you get in Canada when you order a hot dog. They are filled with all sorts of things and are a messy thing to eat; but tasty.
The fellow shown below does the following to his "dogs". First he wraps the hot dog with bacon and then grills it. Then into the bun it goes with whatever you want. We say "con todos", with everything, and he loads it up. Bacon wrapped hot dog, fried onions, tomato salsa with peppers, cheese sauce, guacamole sauce, mustard, ketchup,and mayo.. He also adds a big smile as he hands it to you. Roy says that it is impossible to eat more than 2. They are good.
It took us a long time to try one as we don't particularily care for the hot dogs down here when we had made them at home. One night we decided that all those people at the stands couldn't be wrong and tried one and then 2. We were hooked.
So if you have never tried a hot dog at a stand down here, go to your nearest stand soon. Bet you can't have only one.