Sequim Daily Photo

Just look up!

We are in Tuxtla Gutierrez visiting my daughter’s grandmother.

The gate to a lovely little garden in any season.

We left Tuxtepec and headed south this morning.

As you enter Carrie Blake Park, on the left hand side is a beautiful pond with a pagoda on a tiny island. Last week a seagull found the top to be a perfect spot to perch. The pagoda and many things in the garden were gifts from our sister city, Shiso City, Japan. Tomorrow I will post a picture of the gate leading into the garden.

Today I meet my family at the airport in Mexico City. We will rent a car and head south towards Tuxtepec.

December 12th was the annual Celebration of The Feast of “Our Lady of Guadalupe”. This is followed by the 12 days of “La Posada”. Our local folkloric dancers came and performed after mass. It was wonderful to watch these young people perform dances from the many different areas of Mexico.

I am continuing to enjoy the hospitality of a local family.

Looking for that last minute gift…or something very special? Something to Crow About on Front Street in PA is the perfect place to shop. I couldn’t figure out where the white lighting was coming from after I got home and had a look at the picture, until I remembered getting in my car and starting it…before I decided to take the picture. The lighting is from my headlights.

Today I travel to a very small town south and east of Poza Rica in the state of Vera Cruz.

Who would think you would have some place named “Texas” in Washington State…but sure enough, travel up Taylor Cut Off to Lost Mountain Road and you will end up in a beautiful little spot high in one of the local mountains. You may have to travel through clouds…and make sure you have good weather. It’s beautiful there.

Today is the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe. I am sure we will see signs of the celebration.

Once there were a group of teachers who worked together in Panama, then some of them were together in Okanagwa. Amazingly enough, many of them ended up retiring and living at Diamond Point…hence the name “Diaokapan”. They enjoy getting together, singing and performing. During this season they perform at local assisted living, retirement and nursing homes as their gift to the community. Today was my first time to hear them… I went because I love music and I work with one of their members. I was blown away by their talent. I also loved their Olympic Peninsula version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”…the parts I could remember are listed below for local viewers.

1st…a bald eagle in a Douglas pine tree
2nd..2 sockeye salmon swiming
3rd…3 Dungeness Crabs
4th… 4 forks from Forks (as in the town)
5th…5 bottles of Working Girl Wine
6th…6 miles of Spit (as in Dungeness Spit)
7th…7 Lavender Sprigs
8th…8 cougar sightings
9th…???????
10th..10 hungry Elk
11th..11 miles of hiking trails
12th..?????

How would you re write this Christmas song for your local area?

I am missing seeing my friend perform. Next year! Not sure where we are today.