Sparky's 1st Christmas with us - excerpt from A Surprise Gift

          Sparky in his golf cart on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Chapter 8

It’s Christmas!

“¡Feliz Navidad! said Driver.

“Merry Christmas, everyone,” Servant said, and then she kissed Driver. “Happy Christmas, my love.”

Tucked into the king-sized bed, between our humans, Tommy sleepily opened one eye. Being the most senior animal in the family, he was allowed to sleep in their bed.

Chica stretched and yawned. She liked her cozy little nest on the nightstand beside Servant. She jumped onto the bed to say good morning.

I was curled up in my comfy bed on the floor beside Driver. It was a good place for me to sleep because I could keep an eye on both entrances: the bedroom door and the patio door. As the only dog in the house, it was my job to protect everyone.

Christmas Day. I had forgotten this was the day I had planned to hide outside in the bushes, in case the cats were going to play a trick on me. I quietly slithered towards the entrance, hoping I could zip past when someone opened the bedroom door.

Servant hopped out of bed and opened the patio door. “What a beautiful day, warm and sunny. Just look at that view!” she said, pointing towards the turquoise Caribbean Sea. “I’ll go get our coffees and be right back.”

“Sparky, where are you going?” Driver asked. “Come here, little buddy,” he patted the bed.

I tucked my tail and slunk back towards Driver.

“¡Feliz Navidad, Sparky!” Driver said as he scratched my ears and rubbed my tummy. “We have presents for everyone, including you.”

Presents? For me? I gazed hopefully at his kind face.

Servant returned with a tray holding two cups of coffee and a pile of goodies; some were for our humans and some were for us. She handed one cup of coffee to Driver, then distributed the treats to everyone.

“Okay, time for presents!” Driver said, pulling several objects out from their hiding place. Two were wide red sacks that were filled with colorfully wrapped items. Two were long and looked like oversized socks, and another was shaped like a large red paw.

Servant held up the fuzzy red paw, “Sparky, it has your name on it!”

For me? Just for me! I carefully took it from her hand and then set it on the floor. I grinned happily, as my tail swished back and forth. A present. A red fuzzy paw, with my name on it.

Tommy looked over the edge of the bed to see what I was doing, “Silly dog, open your gifts,” he said.

“I did. It’s a big red paw.”

“That’s just the container. The gifts are inside.” He reached into his sock and snagged a brightly decorated parcel with his claws. Then he pulled it out and ripped off the paper. “See, this is a bag of cat snacks, and there are more things inside.”

I stuck my nose deep inside the fluffy paw and pulled out a stuffed toy. Oh my, I’d never had a toy. It was beautiful, a black and white dog that looked like my younger brother. We hadn’t seen each other since we were puppies, and I hoped he was having a good Christmas too.

Chica said, “Look inside again, Sparky. I think you have another present.”

I put my nose inside again, and yes, there was another toy, a silly yellow cat. This one didn’t have big, sharp claws. Two toys!

I really like Christmas.

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The second anniversary - Widowhood 101

In Paris, 2012

It has been a rough few days leading up to September 3rd, the second anniversary of Lawrie's passing. My emotions have been like a ride on a soon-to-be-condemned roller-coaster. Up, and down, and slamming sideways around the corners.

Over the past two years, I have made some progress in managing my grief, although the special occasions continue to be a problem. Halloween was our favourite fun celebration, and Christmas. Other dates, such as the anniversary of when we moved in together, our wedding anniversary, my birthday, and Lawrie's birthday, continue to haunt me. 

San Miquel de Allende

I also made some life-changing decisions this past year. First, I sold our home on Isla Mujeres to a very nice couple from Wisconsin. Then, Sparky and I moved to San Miguel de Allende in December 2019. San Miguel is a beautiful colonial city in the mountains north of Mexico City. It is a paradise for writers, artists, and historians. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring my new surroundings, camera in hand, for hours at a time. It seemed to be the perfect place for me to heal. 

But the world had other plans. COVID-19 arrived in North America, creating economic and emotional hardship for millions. As a new arrival to San Miguel de Allende, and without a strong support base like I had on Isla Mujeres, things could get a bit tough. So, I packed up my few belongings and returned to Canada on March 20th.

For five weeks, my best friends since elementary school days, let Sparky and me live at their house in the Vancouver area. Their two doggies played with Sparky, while the three humans tried to remain sane during the lockdown. We entertained ourselves with good food, wine, and numerous 'remember when' stories from our high school days.

Fortunately, son John and his family live nearby, and I was able to sneak in a few visits during the lockdown, and more regularly since the rules have loosened up a little. It's fun to spend a bit of time with an adult granddaughter and two grandsons. Where have the years gone?

Naramata Bench, Okanagan, BC.

In late April, I decided to move to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, where we had lived for many years before moving to Isla Mujeres. It's peaceful and beautiful here. Vineyards. Orchards. Lakes. Rivers. And people who remember both Lawrie and me. The transition was easier, and my heart has been slowly mending. I am finally able to savour a cup of coffee on my own and listen to music without turning into a mess. 

In the meantime, I kept writing and self-published three more novels: Temptation Isla, Terror Isla, and Twisted Isla. I am now working on the next idea. Writing keeps me from endlessly obsessing over my loss.

But then something happens, and my emotions run amok again.

A very nice man, whom I only knew tangentially, recently died from a rare bone cancer. He and his wife were happy together for twenty-one years, and now she is a widow. Her grief has sharpened my grief.

And, more recently young woman that Lawrie worked with years ago at Magnum's Restaurant in Penticton wrote to tell me of her chance encounter with him in April 2018 at the Penticton Regional Hospital. 

We had returned to Canada to double-check the medical diagnosis, and the specialist had just informed Lawrie that he had only a few months to live. The young woman was on her way to visit a family member in the hospital and accidentally got off on the wrong floor. She didn't know we were in Canada, or that Lawrie was sick. When she saw him, she stopped to chat, and he told her why he was there, sitting in the hallway of the hospital, contemplating life.  

This is part of her email to me, "When we were finishing up the conversation, I asked the woman at the desk where the room I was looking for was, and she told me I was on the wrong floor.

Lawrie and I just looked at each other. I said, "Well, I guess that it was meant to be."

He said, "Life's funny like that, isn't it?"

Had I not followed another nurse off the elevator that day, I would've never seen him or known he was ill. I was so unbelievably grateful for that serendipitous moment."

The young woman went on to tell me of the good memories she had of Lawrie as her boss and her friend. How he had been a strong and positive influence on her life. Lawrie told her that he had had a very full life and had no regrets, and how much he loved me. Stories like this are treasures.

My Widowhood 101 posts have connected me with others who are also suffering and just want to chat. It's good to talk and not keep the pain bottled up inside.

The downside is, my frankness rips open the partially healed wounds of others who love Lawrie and miss him.

It's difficult.

Lynda

Sparky and Lawrie, Isla Mujeres Mexico

101 things to do on a beach

Locals enjoying the sunrise

What can you do when you are surrounded by the beautiful turquoise Caribbean Sea?

Start your day with the sunrise, or maybe you are headed to bed after being out all night dancing. After all, it's Mexico and the parties last until dawn.

The sunrises here are usually spectacular unless it happens to be one of those rare cloudy days, and even then, the sun might give you a multi-coloured light show as the glowing orb clears the horizon before disappearing into the clouds.

Enjoying the beach before the crowds arrive 

Go for a walk on the beach while enjoying your morning coffee, smoothie, or whatever other beverage you want to start your day with. 

While you are out enjoying the early morning calm, you might see the beach cleaning crew raking the sand, sifting for discarded cigarette butts and bottle caps, picking up trash and removing potentially dangerous overhead coconuts. 

If you happen to have an extra bottle of water with you, pass it along. These folks start work at sunrise to make the beaches clean and tidy for the next round of sun-worshipers.

Coconut removal crew 

Get your towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a bit of money for food and drinks, and don’t forget your reading material. 

May I recommend some enjoyable beach reads? My Isla Mujeres Mystery novels are entertaining mysteries set on this fabulous little island. Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance.

Head to the beach and claim your favourite spot.

Order lunch from one of the many beachside restaurants and bars. 

The wait-staff with happily deliver it to you. Don’t forget to tip, but please no foreign coins, including American or Canadian. Coins are only valuable in their country of origin. 

Find your favourite spot

For instance, American coins are only good in the USA, and occasionally in Canada and then only at face value. Canadian coins are only good in Canada; Americans will not accept them. 

Euros are only good in Europe; Americans and Canadians don’t accept them. 

Okay, you get the idea. Using the currency of the country you are in is always the easiest solution.

Great place to people-watch 

People watch to your heart’s content. 

There are beaches for sunning and swimming, beaches where fishermen repair their nets, clean and sell their daily catch, beaches for surf-casting, beaches to investigate the under-water inhabitants, and beaches where on windy days the enthusiasts for kitesurfing, bodysurfing and regular surfing play in the warm waves.

Windy day - surfs up

Then wrap up your day with a long leisurely dinner at a beachside restaurant while watching the sun sink into the ocean. 

If you are lucky, you will get another vibrant display, the kind that we refer to as a “Tony Garcia Sunset.” 

Captain Tony seems to have a natural instinct for when the light, clouds and atmospheric conditions are optimum for producing the best technicolour displays.

The peaceful beauty of a tropical sunset

Okay, so not exactly 101 ideas, but we’ll leave you to come up with your own plans as you enjoy the white sand, the turquoise ocean, and the clear blue sky.

Hasta Luego, Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Max

           Isla Mujeres Mystery series! 
                    Available as e-books, paperbacks, and hardcovers.

Living on the beach not for the faint of heart!

Sparky - checking the weather situation

Yesterday, history was made. An out-of-season hurricane, Hurricane Alex, was named as the first storm of the 2016 hurricane season, which incidentally doesn’t officially start until June 1st.  

Historical! Who needs it? Or wants it? 

The good news is Alex is a long way out in the Atlantic, more of a problem to the American Eastern Seaboard than it is to our tropical paradise. 

Sparky, Perla, and Lawrie - M.Watt photo

The possibility of lots of snow and high winds is a big concern for anyone living on the eastern side of the USA and Canada. Living on a tropical island in Mexico, on the other hand, we have our challenges.

There is the ever-present sand sifting across the floors, sticking in hair, collecting in clothes, and beds. The two dogs, one cat, Lawrie, and I have sixteen paws or feet between us. We track sand into the house, car, and even the golf cart. The space under our computer desk is always gritty with sand, left behind by Sparky, who likes to nap at our feet while we write. (Yes, two dogs! We are fostering Perla until we find her a new home.) 

Stump the iguana, snacking

Critters like iguanas and hermit crabs surround us as soon as we appear on the beach; mooching for food. 

Okay, maybe we are to blame. We like to feed the critters.  

Then there are the beach dogs and feral cats who move in at any opportunity.  Yeah, they like food too, but want love and attention more.  

The more serious stuff is the salty ocean spray, called salitre in Mexico. It sneaks into everything, oozing into computer ports, appliance wiring, light fixtures, door and window lock mechanisms, and the sliding wheels on patio doors. 

That damn sand! 

Eventually, the salt spray causes the demise of all electronics.  It coats stationary objects, including, much to our surprise, our inside Christmas tree.  

When we took the tree down this year, the branches, lights, and decorations were wet with salt and condensed humidity.  

Everything had to be washed and dried before storing for the next Christmas season. 

Lawrie - suffers from Beach-Inertia Syndrome

However, one of the biggest challenges with living on the edge of the warm, salty sea is Beach-Inertia Syndrome, the desire to never live in cold climates again. In the advanced stages of this condition, you lose the desire to go back north to visit family and friends.  It’s just so much work to find real clothes and real shoes; besides, the shoes just won’t fit after wearing sandals for months. 

And the final challenge of living in paradise, the ever-present salitre will taint your wine unless you quickly drink it. Okay, maybe it won’t happen that fast, but it might!  So, you see, just packing up and moving to a tropical island should be thought out carefully, without alcohol involved, or you might find yourself a victim of the dreaded Beach-Inertia Syndrome. (BIS)

Happy sunny thoughts!

As for Alex, that grumpy weather system that is threatening the Atlantic Coast of America and Canada – maybe we can all think happy sunny thoughts, as our new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau likes to do, and make the hurricane go away.

Hasta Luego

Lawrie, Lynda, Sparky, Perla, & Thomas

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

Or

Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

Beautiful illustration by Diego Medina, 

from our children's book written in both English and Spanish: 

The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky

Bitch of the Day, Isla Mujeres Mexico

Playa Norte early in the morning

Darn auto correct!  

It’s supposed to be Beach of the Day!

For those of you enjoying the minus whatever temperatures in other parts of the world, here's a quick tour of our world of sun, sand, and fun.  

On our little 7 km long island in the Caribbean, we are fortunate to have a variety of wonderful beaches to choose from, depending on the day of the week or your mood.  

So pull on your bathing suit, sandals, and sunglasses. Add a t-shirt or tropical wrap, and let’s get started:

Fenix Lounge on Sunday Funday 

On Sunday mid-afternoon, the crowd starts to gather at Fenix Lounge to enjoy live salsa music with La Barby and the guys.  

Located on the north-eastern side of the island near Na Balaam Hotel and the renovated Mia Hotel, you can dance your socks off to the Cuban beats.

Monday - a good day to just chill on the beach

Monday, you’re probably moving a little slower after Sunday Funday, and it’s time to relax.

Rent a beach lounger, tuck under a palm tree, and nap the morning away on Playa Norte with turquoise water gently lapping against soft white sand.  Several restaurants and beach bars will be happy to deliver food and more drinks to your sun lounger.  

Designated as a world-class Blue Flag Beach, Playa Norte is one of the best in all of Mexico.

Sunset on Playa Centro - Playa Posada

Tuesday, just slide around the corner of Playa Norte, on the western side, and enjoy Playa Centro, another Blue Flag-designated beach.  

More sand, turquoise water, food, and drinks!  It’s a great place to hang out and people-watch.  

Life is tough.

Killer Margarita at Soggy Peso

Wednesday, it’s time to get a bit more active and hit the Soggy Peso Bar & Grill on Rueda Medina, about a third of the way along on the western side of the island.  A small private beach, with three or four loungers, is located on the ocean side below the main part of the bar.  

It’s a relaxing place to chill for an hour or two while you enjoy one of their killer margaritas.  If you intend to walk out of the Soggy Peso without falling in their large swimming pool, limit yourself to a maximum of three Margaritas.  "Don’t Step on the Blue.”  You’ve been warned!

Playa Tiberon great place to chill

Thursday is a good day to explore the various beach clubs along Sac Bajo: Playa Tiberon, Zamas, or the Ice Bar at Playa Mexico, where you can freeze your tushy off in below-freezing temperatures while enjoying a beverage.  

These are private beach clubs where you pay a small entry fee or consume a certain amount of drinks and food to use the beach and facilities. Oh darn, eating and drinking at the beach, again. 

Friday it is on to Playa Lancheros, near the Royal Palace all-inclusive hotel at the roundabout where you turn north towards Sac Bajo, or south towards Punta Sur. Playa Lancheros is famous for its traditional Mayan Tikinxik grilled-fish lunch, cold beer, and a nice beach.  

Little further south at Capitán Dulché Restaurante and Museum is a huge restaurant and funky bar. The owner loves old marine artifacts.  He purchased a battered 1930s sailboat that, years ago, had been sailed single-handedly from South Africa. He has had it restored, and it is the centerpiece for the bar.

Garrafon de Castilla - Isla Mujeres Info

Saturday, Garrafon de Castilla great place for simple, old-time fun with easy beach food, and super snorkeling.  It costs much less than the bigger all-inclusive park next door, Garrafon Natural Reef Park. 

Garrafon de Castilla is a great place to recharge your batteries, because you know, the next day is Sunday! And you can start all over again!

Just another week in paradise.

Lawrie, Lynda, Thomas, and Sparky

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

Or

Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky

 

Remember when?

Having fun at Marina Paraiso 

No, I don’t mean the sandy streets or the quaint little stores scattered around Centro on Isla Mujeres, I am talking about your memories of being a child, growing up in Canada or perhaps the United States.

You played all weekend with your friends, cowboys and Indians (yes, it was okay to say Indians then), scrub baseball, street soccer, and all you had to do was come home when your dad whistled, or the street lights came on.

Softball, team sharing mitts (in the air)

You struggled home, dirty, tired, scraped, bruised, and worn out from laughing. As you got older, you ventured further afield, on your bicycle, exploring nearby neighbourhoods or, in our case, the next town. No helicopter-parenting here. You just knew you had to be home for dinner, or you were in big trouble. That was what it was like for me and my siblings when we were kids – a few years back – okay, many years ago.

So, where am I going with this? Here on Isla Mujeres, it is like stepping back in time. Kids are allowed to be kids. No safety helmets or tracking devices, no daily schedule of planned activities, just day-to-day adventures.

Fooling around near their families' boats

We were in the local grocery store the other day when two young sisters, about six and four, came in holding hands.  They were on an errand for their mom.  The girls made their purchase and headed home, about a block away from the store. We remember doing errands like that for our moms.

But, in the USA or Canada, the parents can be sentenced or fined under the Child Abandonment statutes for letting their little kids walk to the store alone. 

Some of our favourite local kids fishing

We think the island teenagers grow up to be more self-sufficient and responsible, being allowed more freedom to make their own decisions.  We get to see a lot of them as we live near the high school. Yes, they all have their status-symbol smart phones, but they still flirt, and giggle (the boys) and shriek (the girls). They talk, joke, and interact with each other much more than their northern counterparts. The Mexican culture seems to encourage this type of communication, and we think it’s great. At their homes, the local kids are like any other kid, perhaps a little more respectful of their parents, but if Grandma tells you to do something, you had better do it. It’s the norm for grandparents to live with the family and help out with child-rearing.

Dancing to her own beat.

My grandparents lived with us when we were kids.  It was frustrating at times, but now that I look back and remember what they taught us about manners, family history, and good judgment. It was worth the frustration.

So, if you miss the good old days of being a kid without worries, come to paradise, on Isla Mujeres. No matter what your age, you can still be a kid here.

Cheers from paradise!

Lawrie, Lynda, Thomas, and Sparky

Pretending to drive - M. Watt photo

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

Or 

Death in the Vineyards Mysteries