Chain, chain, chain.....

As Aretha says, "Chain of Fools" or it coulda been Etta James' "At Last," but in this case, chains are a beautiful thing.  Finally, a real playground metal net and what a dream it is to shoot now.  Not quite the sound of a swish, but a nice reassuring and recognizable chunk. 

The rims here are a solid 1/2 inch steel hoop with no way to attach a net, but with S clips and some vice grips, that baby is there to stay. 

It's a beautiful thing...

BB

Holiday decorations?

Festive colors, but with a nasty bite.  While pruning the banana trees, I bumped into one of these beauties and got a nice sting through my shirt.  Well, hello!  Looks like garlands.

They feast on the leaves and soon will turn into the most beautiful blue butterflies.... I think. 

I feel lucky to have them here even if the sting was a bit painful.  Look, but do not touch.

Name that tune... sorta

These days, everything I see seems to bring a song to mind.....   Yesterday's post could have been "Blue Skies" and "Stormy Weather."  Today, it's "When I was 70, it was a very good year"... well, not so much for many, but it was a bountiful year for some. 

It was a good rainy season and the final harvest is in.  The work never ends... but, "The sun'll come up Tomorrow...."

Proof of life....

 

At least the vistas are exciting,  My life, not so much.  It continues to be.... riveting?  Uh, no.  Kinda the "same ole same ole" day after day.  I don't venture out unless I absolutely have to, which might be once every ten days. Of course, I do have some good walks to take to get me out of the house.  Hey, is that a ray of hope?

Plenty to do around the house and garden, things that would be low on the priority list if it weren't for the 'rona.  Now, everything gets addressed. Am I blue? 

No, but look at that mid-morning sky with the moon.  "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille..."

"And so it goes...."

The day the music...paused

"You don't miss your water, 'til the well runs dry." One of the many things I love about Oaxaca is the music that seems to be a constant here.  Brass bands are everywhere from the city's streets to the most remote villages.  The house I live in overlooks a vast area.  It is in the foothills of one set of mountains and I can look across a wide valley to the next range, miles off to the west.  Normally, I can hear these bands playing or practicing, as the sound carries remarkably far.   I hear music for danzas, fiestas, weddings and funerals.  Many pieces are recognizable and traditional and then there are the absolutely kick-ass tunes that make you want to jump up and move. I've been back from self-isolating in MA to doing the same here.  There is much work to do, so I spend most of the day outside and I've not heard one note since I've been back.  Of course, I've always believed that anything that goes in your ears is music, I still have the birds, the winds and the sounds of everyday life as a soundtrack, but I sure miss the music.

I did not come for this!!!

Are you kidding me?  I guess not.  A bit different from my usual hoops setup. 

Ay!  I want to go back to Oaxaca!

The deed is done

I braved the "long" lines at the Newton Public Library.  As to those long lines.... they were all of six people.  I was in and out in minutes. This was my primary goal for this trip north.

It sure give food for thought as I watched others in different states wait for up to eight hours to vote. 

That was fast.... test results

I just received the results for my covid test yesterday.  There were negative as I hoped and suspected they would be.  After all, I've been isolated out in the country for close to seven months, only going out for errands and to shoot hoops... alone.  Results in one day... here in little ole' Oaxaca!  Gotta love it.  One thing... They did cost $75 US and that's a cost most oaxaquenos could not afford.  I know there are other places to get tests for the locals. but I needed to get results fast to meet MA's requirements and so had to go this route.  Glad it all worked out..... thus far.

I took the test....

I'm headed north to vote and to check on things.  In order to get into MA smoothly, I needed to take a covid test. which I did this morning.  I should get the results in time for my flight on Sunday.  Then I'll fill out the required online travel info for MA.  The test went very smoothly and Laboratorios Juárez Oaxaca in Colonia Reforma had all the proper protocals in place.  I was impressed with the whole process.  With all that behind me, I wonder what I'm headed into.  I'm leaving a tranquil life out in the country where I've been alone for seven months and headed into...uh... the most advanced country ever.

"I'm sure there won't be any culture shock." said he foolishly.

S(He) works hard for the money...

In so many ways, this shot epitomizes the way some work gets done here in Oaxaca.  As it has been for thousands of years, it is pure manual labor. We see it all the time in construction sites.  This worker, working with minimal tools, has gotten the job done.... and what a job it was. 

A work ethic off the charts.  And often the work is done for the minimum wage which is $123 MX a day!  And those days can be very long.  Today that works out to $5.82 US...... and Coca Cola cost the same here as in the States.

Caught on Camera - Boat loaded with pot!

 They just couldn't be more blatant..... and on the Pan-American Highway, no less.

Hair - Where? - There Hair!

I was touched by all the people who shared my lament about the disappearance of two local figures of note.  The closings of the peluquerias, barbershops, of Don Jesus and Don Pepe, barbers who cut the hair of thousands of oaxaqueños and visitors over many decades really hit home. 

Fortunately, people had suggestions as to where to go to lose seven months of locks.  It was like the reverse Samson effect. A great haircut.  "I feel better than I did twenty years ago."  

Where hair? -There hair!

Hair! - Where?

 

After close to eight months of isolating, I was psyched to finally get a haircut yesterday.  However, my rare trip into the city left me at a loss.... and I mean a real loss. My usual peluquero, a Oaxacan institution, had been closed for months.  I had checked the last time I was in, but at least there was a phone number to call.  Now, his place is still closed and it has a feeling of finality.  

 

My other barbero, a backup, was Sir Pepe, who I saw all the time and spoke with regularly.  He ribbed me the last time saying, "It's time, don't you think?"  

 

I agreed and said I would be back if the other was still closed.  Well, by the time I returned, a few weeks later.... he was gone, too.  I know it may sound strange, but some of my fondest memories of Oaxaca are getting my haircut by a master and listening to classic vocal trios from the early days.  Often, not a word was spoken.  It was sublime.  

 

And, he made my day when he said he had seen the blog posts about him.  I hope they are both well and enjoying life.  I miss them both.

Into the garden - Butterflies

 

And just to show where it all began...

It filled in a bit.

But baby, I loves ya!

I guess it is that time of year... but when isn't it the right time for a little procreation?  And I don't know about the birds, but the bees are into it. 

It really has been a great butterfly year and for that matter, a great year for all the gardens.  Plenty of rain and perfect temps, at least where I live. 

I know elsewhere the rains have been destructive.  But for now...

Farfalas, mariposas....

Las Canchas - Hoops

One thing I can do by myself to get some exercise is shoot baskets.  The great thing about Oaxaca and, probably Mexico in general, is that there is a cancha or basketball court in almost every village and neighborhood. 

There are a few in my neck of the woods that I enjoy visiting.  I've always shot baskets, maybe since I was ten and have a good setup in MA.  Here, I have to jump in the car and within minutes....  and I'm home.    

And each cancha or court has a different feel or vibe. And all of the rims are just brutal, no give at all.    But what a setting!  Look at the size of that tree. 

I taught for many years and some of my favorite memories are shooting with students.  "Aw, he's just the music teacher.  He can't shoot." Bang! Bang! Bang! All from downtown! 

Uh... a little help here, please.

Masks done right!

Here in Oaxaca, between 90 to 95% of the people I see on the streets and in markets are wearing masks. 

Out a bit to the north of the city where I live, it is much the same.  It makes one wonder what's the big deal with non-compliance in parts of El Norte?  Imagine a president (Benito Juarez) masked and armed with hand sanitizer!

There, it is Labor Day and the beaches and bars appear to be packed with people not wearing masks.  

Here. it is just another day of labor and everyone, for the most part, is masked. However, it is always permissible to remove your mask to enjoy some mezcal.

Markets in the time of covid....

I am lucky to have the nearby market in Etla to shop for food.  It is eerily quiet these days.  

I am used to the place bustling with people, shoppers, vendors, tour groups, but now.... 

There is hand sanitizer at the two entrances. I always go mid mornings and visit my normal vendors.  I am in and out quickly. I also avoid Wednesdays and Sundays when it is busier, but it is easy to see why I go.

Flutter by, Butterfly

It is a really good mariposa year.  The garden is full of them.

 

I always plant things to attract them and with all the rain this year, everything has just exploded. 

One of the best times of the year. 

 

Do you know the Italian word for butterfly?  Faralla!  A perfect word.  And the Monarchs are migrating.