On December 18th we left Lizzie (our puppy dog) in Mexico and traveled to the States for a month.

Leaving our dog in Mexico felt very weird, yet we knew she was in good hands.

We found the best pet sitters through a Facebook group called House/Pet sitters in Mexico. Christina, Tony & William (their 2 yr old son) took great care of our house, and loved on Lizzie till we returned Jan 19th.

We’ve been here three months.

Wow! That went fast.

The first 6 weeks in Merida were a blur of immersion in culture, language and sights and sounds and tastes of a place completely new to us. Exciting, wonderful, stretching, thought and discussion provoking, we were breathless.

Coconut water everywhere and not a drop to drink! That is, until our neighbor Aaron stopped by and asked us if we liked it. Si!

The next day he comes with three coconuts and his machete and we have coconut water.

I wonder what Chicago would look like if we could see it after it had been abandoned for 600 years. During that time, invading groups occasionally pilfer what’s left to build their own structures. Finally, future archeologists attempt a restoration so “modern” people of that day could surmise what life was like back then.

Seashore sounds. Seashore smells. And, one of my honey’s favorite: Seashore shells!

Not only this, his artist eye for beauty, shapes, lines and colors comes out in his most recent activity - beautiful seashell arrangements - all from items found at the beach.