beer o'clock

Hello, all!

I thought you'd all deserve an update from our lovely little place in Mexico.

If I learn to post pictures, I'll also try to do that soon, and entice you all into coming (it looks like Toks and Essie already are?!?!?!)

So, as I said, it's lovely. The sunshine has done me a lot of good after snowy Maine and gloomy Seattle. We've been sharing the place with Anika's parents for a while (her dad left a week ago, and her mom heads out tomorrow), so it's been a bit cramped, but we've been working on things here to make it more comfortable. We've successfully created a fire pit from stones found alongside the road, and even cooked a meal on it a few nights ago, so I am of course pleased with the prospect of becoming a master griller. We've also made some gardening spots (which is terrifically difficult, we actually had to sift the dirt to get larger rocks out of it. sifting dirt. we didn't even find any gold); tomatoes, cucumbers, and watermelon are planted, and I think we'll be working on the herb area soon, as well as a strawberry hill. Wish us luck!

The garden, of course, is Anika's influence; under my leadership, we've been doing lots of reading, crosswords, word games, and working on our hacking skills (I must admit we've also watched more than a few episodes of Bones). And drinking lots of Pacifico ballenas. Anika has (under the influence of more than a few of these whales of beer bottles) even created a ballena dance, which perhaps you shall all be lucky enough to see.

We've also spent time relaxing on beaches, and meeting lots of people, sort of randomly, and exploring the little town we're in. There's a lovely place up the road that I want us all to experience together called Art & Beer (actually the ampersand is a treble clef, but I'm not quite sure where to find that on a keyboard) where the margaritas are GIANT and the view of the ocean is absolutely astounding. There are also dogs, everywhere, and a little goat that wanders near the house and bleats and bleats all day long in this adorable way, and a rooster farm that is WAY LESS ADORABLE AND FAR MORE ANNOYING.

So. I've been enjoying the sunshine, and the exploration, and having all of these great goals, and I'm excited for things to settle down a bit and for the garden to grow (I don't know that I'm patient enough for that) and to read and to learn, and I'm extremely excited to see those of you who are coming, and I love all of you.

Also, yes, the email address Maggie wrote is the best way to get to me. I don't get to the internet super often, but all of you have huge places in my heart and I promise I'll always get back to you ASAP, and I'll try to put more tales and pictures and joy on here. And I'll keep sending you sunshine and good vibes.

- Lizzy