Week #15 January 13 - 19, 2019

Week # 15, January 13 - 19, 2019

Is anyone else having trouble changing the year? It is hard to  convince myself we are in  the 2019th year.

 Sunday January 13th was the second day of the pet sterilization clinic here in Puerto Morelos.

Our sweet friend and neighbour Claudia was taking registrations for pets to be done. She is one busy lady working at her own business in graphics and design and volunteering within the community.  People like Claudia are so important to this village.

Pet owners patiently await their turn to have their pets neutered or spayed.

The veterinarians have also volunteered their time during this clinic. There were just a little over 255 pets done during the two days. Another clinic is scheduled for early in February with the hope of doing that many again.

Look at this big boy - hanging over  both ends of the ironing board having his surgery.

Nails were clipped and ears cleaned.

These wee angels are waiting their turn under the knife.

This exhausted lady is Diane - she is in charge of the Cause4Paws animal shelter and rehab centre here in Puerto Morelos. Diane is definitely dedicated to her volunteer work, often going without herself to provide food for her fur babies. She will help you arrange to have a pet readied for bringing back home with you if you like. They send many cats and dogs in particular to Canada. Can you imagine the temperature shock these animals must experience leaving Mexico and going to Canada? That first year must be very difficult for them. 

We had our friend Maurice (from Winnipeg, Canada) visit one afternoon and he treated us to a Coconut from our neighbours tree. The nuts are easy to access and it was a great treat - the Coconut meat and milk are both full of nutrients.

He drained the milk then cut the Coconut up for us to eat - tasty for sure.

We are on our own personal cat sterilization program again this year. Last year we spayed and neutered 11 cats, this year we are not going to be doing as many because last years fixing has certainly reduced the cat howling during the nights.

We set up a live trap, catch a cat, take it to the vet for surgery then we bring it back home and hold it in the cage until it is safe to release it. We don't want to release any too soon as they may still be under the influence of the anaesthesia and wonder out in front of a car or even get too close to a dog. Either way could mean death.

Up on the roof this week we saw something shining in the sky - looks like a weather station which came from the 

direction of the Cancun Airport.

We see a lot of birds flying overhead which will remain nameless for a while, at least until we get on the computer to find out what they are.

Then there are our Great Kiskadees - they put on quite a show in our pool. That novelty has not worn off for them, and we look forward to their many visits each day.

These photos are taken down from up on the roof - this one looks like a giant spider in the pool but it is a Great Kiskadee.

Drying off and preening its feathers after the swim.

There - done!

"One of Mexico's Most Wanted!" Perhaps it should read "One Of Mexico's Most Wanting." LOL What a funny girl!

Allan helping or neighbour and dear friend Claudia (the one from the pet registration desk) prepare a stand for her booth at the My Paradise Market where she sets up a table of crafts for sale to raise money for Cause4Paws.

Allan doing his morning chores. Those dang Chachalaca birds do poop a lot, as they fly over they let it go and it splatters down the walls. Quite a mess - some days more than others.

Time for the Great Reveal!

The circular stair case has been installed!

You step off the stairs and onto the roof top of our house.

The roof top has been covered in a patterned and coloured cement; we have installed a sunshade to keep the sun's rays  at bay during those hot afternoons.

There are chairs in the shade,

 chairs in the sun,

and loungers for lounging and/or suntanning.

It is unbelievable how much more living space this gives us along with a beautiful view of surrounding trees, skies and birds. We love it.

A view of the pool from our upstairs patio

and a view of our front yard - on the right the 

large set of doors is on our laundry 

bodega and the smaller door is our second bathroom.

The second bathroom is not large but it works and is such an added convenience when we have company.

It is complete with a shower and HOT WATER! 

I just love the talavera tiles and sink - friends come to 

visit and often take the opportunity to use this bathroom instead of the one in the house. 

Another week has passed, it has been a wonderful winter in Paradise - not looking forward to having to return home to those cold, cold temperatures.

Take care everyone, stay warm and stay safe. Until next time keep smiling!

14th Week January 6 - 12 2019

Week # 14   January 6th to 12th, 2019


This is the regular Sunday Market in the Colonia - so much for sale.....

Clothing, 

jewellery, I bought Stainless Steel Earrings. Great to have here because the air doesn't  react with the metal.

Shoes in every size, 

Toys,

Fruit,

and Hardware.

Aren't these two little tykes adorable. 

 - she was doing the chatting and he was doing the listening. I expect there are many men out there that could make comment here. LOL

We have not seen many iguana here this year - it is not that they have become scarce - it is because we just have not been in the right place at the right time.

We have a new restaurant in the Colonia, it is on the corner of Calle Chaca and Calle Mangel, they serve great fish dinners and the staff are very attentive to your needs. They are closed on Monday but open all other days of the week.

Rosca de Reyes is a sweet bread, which is a special food for Three King's Day, known as "Día de Reyes" in Spanish, and celebrated on January 6 in Mexico. You will find more on  the religious holiday, "Three Kings Day" at this site and others 

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/three-kings-day/

January 7th, 2019 we had the steps to our roof top delivered and installed. It was a  day of mixed emotions - they were 9 weeks late, therefore not here of Dwayne and his family's visit nor that of Mary Lynn, Greg and Jennifer. For their visits we had to climb a ladder in the back yard to get to the roof. 👎

All said and done, we are very

 pleased with the steps and the welder's workmanship. They are in place for Clinton's visit on February 5th - we are really looking forward to his visit.

We went to El Camplanario on the port side for a delicious dinner - they always serve great food and we love to ring the bell letting everyone know how much we enjoyed it. Kris joined us for dinner - she is our property manager, our guardian angel and good friend. She has done so much for us since we first came here to Puerto Morelos in 2008. She guided us through a property purchase and has stayed by our side to assist us in any way she can. Not only has she provided us with needed guidance she has also taken Howard and Theresa ( Allan's brother and his wife) under her wing and is their guardian angel as well. What an amazing person she is.

The local vet and animal rescue groups held a 2 day sterilization clinic for pets this weekend. The support for this clinic was provided by donations from local businesses, vacationers to Puerto Morleos and residents wanting to make a difference to their community

Over 250 animals were sterilized in the 2 day clinic 

at no cost to their owners!

People were very attentive to their animals prior to surgery. It was a long wait - registration started early in the morning so it was a long sit for everyone.

Animals were prepped for surgery.

Some of the animals reacted to the anesthesia by  vomiting. 

Here are a number of cats in recovery following surgery. Volunteers stayed with them until it was time for them to be moved to the next level of care.

Pet owners waited patiently and watched as their pet was moved from one level of care to the next.

Did you know that Female cats can breed three times a year and have an average of 4 kittens per litter. Dogs can breed twice a year with litters of 6 – 10 puppies. In just seven years, one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens; one unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce 97,000 puppies. This is why sterilization of your pets is so important.

There will be another clinic in February to spay and neuter cats and dogs for free. They are trying so hard to get a handle on the  animal situation in this area.

There are many little markets held here. I used to bring suitcases of used clothing to Puerto Morelos and recommended any friends coming to the area did the same.  We find now that the standard of living is better now than it was when we first came to Puerto Morelos 11 years ago, so we do not bring anything other than school supplies now. However I understand that neighbouring communities inland (away from the tourism industry) are in need of clothing, school supplies and personal hygiene items. There are people in Puerto Morelos who will see your donated items get to those in need in other communities.  Private message me at allanelliott@hotmail.ca if you wish to donate to these communities and I will put you in contact with the right people.

I love the simplicity of this community.

Our back neighbour's dogs watching us on our roof top.

Some Mexican oriels hang out in the trees near us - very pretty.

We enjoy our roof top - there are so many birds flying to and from the jungle. Many stop near us on their way to and from.

I will be back again soon with next week's happenings, so until then take care, stay safe and may God Bless each of you.

Week #13 December 30th 2018 to January 5th, 2019

Wishing all family, friends and Blog watchers a very Happy Prosperous, Safe, Healthy and Blessed New Year!

December 30 th was a special day, Allan and Howard's niece Jennifer Wright was married to Evan Farquhar at an all inclusive resort in Cozumel. Jennifer is Greg and Mary Lynn Wright's daughter.

In Cozumel Theresa was looking for new line dancing boots - I think she found a pair. The polka dots matched her dress so she wore them to the wedding.

   This church is the  Iglesia de San Miguel

in the city of Cozumel

I don't often pass by a church without going inside to sit for a moment and listen to the quiet. Peaceful. 

The day started out with the promise of precipitation and we were not disappointed.

Bride and Father

The afternoon was constant periods of rain, rain and

 more rain however it did clear just long enough for 

the 5 p.m. wedding nuptials.

It was a lovely wedding attended by over 60 family members  and friends either from the Island or with Island connections. It is safe to say there was not a dry seat in the house.

Immediately following the wedding and our champagne toast to the Bride and Groom the torrential rain began!

There was no escaping it, everyone was drenched! They say rain on your wedding day is good luck - not so much for the Bride's father though I would say.

December 31, 2018 - New Year's Eve was celebrated with a nice crowd of friends at Louise and Gaston Begin's house. Everyone had a wonderful time because "The Begin's know how to throw a party!"

One afternoon we went into  (The Micheladas)  restaurant on the Highway, Colonia side just by the exit of Chedraui .  They serve great draft beer, this is going to become a watering hole for us on our grocery shopping trips. I hear the food is good too.

Wow that week flew by quickly - seems to be the norm for our time here in Puerto Morelos.

Take care everyone, stay safe and keep smiling!