Random observations of an opinionated woman

Birds: Karen from Floweree reported to our girl-group that she heard her first meadowlark singing from atop a fencepost in her garden. We who no longer live in Montana sighed as the meadowlark’s unmistakable and beautiful song rang in our refreshed memories.

Here in Jalisco, as everywhere else in spring, the skies crisscross with bird travel, some heading north, some arriving to build nests in which to plant new baby birdy eggs. Especially in early morning and late afternoon, the air resonates with birdsong, some familiar from year-round residents, some from seasonal nest-holders.

I love it. Here on the rancho we are overhung with umbrellas of trees. Without binoculars and a blind, it is difficult for me to match birds with birdsong. A few I know. Many I cannot identify.

But, hey, listen. Not all birdsong is pretty. Some birds squawk like fingernails down a chalkboard. When the bird population sings in concert, it truly is symphonic. Other mornings, cacophony. Why? No se.

Dogs: John said, “I think dogs have a sense of humor.” I replied, “Of course, dogs have a sense of humor. They hang out with humans.”

Travel: I broke loose from my moorings and went all the way into the Big City of Guadalajara for the first time since before the pandemic. Whew! I survived. I went along with Ana and Michelle, more for the experience than for shopping.

Their main focus was pool supplies. Across the street from the warehouse is a tiny tienda that sells coffee beans from various Mexican states. I brought home a taste of Vera Cruz and of Oaxaca.

No amount of shopping could compare with the experience of rollicking conversation and lunch at a French Bistro and Bakery. I also bought an almond croissant for morning coffee.

Weather: Boring. Sunshine every day. No rain since September. Not a complaint, just an observation.

Friendships: When I first visited Rancho Esperanza, Lani and Ariel were the only residents. Everyone else had gotten older and moved on, in various ways. My second visit, cousins Nancie and Pat were buying one of the casas. By the end of my visit I bought another. Kathy and Richard came while I was here just because I said it’s pretty wonderful, you should see it. They bought a place. Then Kath’s sister Crin came and she bought one. Meanwhile John, Carol and Jim succumbed to the allure, soon followed by Julie and Francisco, then Tom and Janet.

I think it is something in the water.

Three years ago, long-time friends from Washington, Steve and Theresa, came to visit. They bought a place, a stripped down empty shell, and began work to make it livable. For me this is all exciting, to have more good friends here from time to time. Then the pandemic hit, Steve had surgery for cancer, then another surgery, along with accompanying treatments. They decided, understandably, that the casita was one thing too much in their lives right now.

They asked me to keep my ears open and if opportunity knocked, be their agent. After weeks, nay, months of thought, I contacted a couple from another state who’ve visited here several times, who keep coming back.

I swear, there is something in the water.

I can get, perhaps, excessively excited about all the good things here — for me — key words — for me. Many years ago, I encouraged an acquaintance to go into business for herself. I painted a rosy picture but forgot to list the downfalls and forgot to emphasize those two key words. For her, it was a disaster. I learned a lot.

Carefully, very carefully, I told my friends about the casita, listed the known warts and blemishes, promising there were undoubtedly some I didn’t know. They are seriously considering taking on the project.

The push-pull for me is that both couples are good friends and I love them all dearly. I want them all to be here, but must accept that is not to happen. Now is wait-and-see time.

Opinions: A couple weeks ago I read that we all might be happier if we gave up having opinions. Amen to that, I said, having stumbled and fallen hard over some of my opinions, right or wrong or indifferent. Lent is almost over but I determined to give up opinions for Lent, along with ice-cream, my other addiction.

As you can see, I’m failing in letting go of opinions but I’m acing the ice-cream. Does that count? I’ll continue to strive for progress, however, and decided to extend Lent, for the opinions, only for opinions, and to keep working on wiping out opinions, especially those that exit my lips.

However, Easter Sunday, I’m eating a big bowl of ice-cream. Maybe two!

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Sondra Ashton grew up in Harlem but spent most of her adult life out of state. She returned to see the Hi-Line with a perspective of delight. After several years back in Harlem, Ashton is seeking new experiences in Etzatlan, Mexico. Once a Montanan, always. Read Ashton’s essays and other work at http://montanatumbleweed.blogspot.com/. Email [email protected].