Ojo Del Lago

MARGIE HARRELL—In a League All Her Own   As of this past September, we celebrated a milestone that will probably never be equaled—Margie Harrell’s 100th published article (as against regular monthly columns) in the Ojo. Her first article was published in August of 1997, and since then she has also contributed two cover stories for

THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY By Gloria Palazzo   With an anxious smile Beryl fingers her long black hair. Adjusting the plunging neckline of her scarlet blouse and releasing a deep throaty breath, she applies lip plumping gel to her pouty lips. Beryl adjusts her shoulder bag. She thought it was stylish, but on her tiny

Feliz Navidad By Margie Harrell   Each year as December approached and my warm-and-fuzzy holiday feelings began, I would dream of making a trip to Bethlehem to experience a once in a lifetime Christmas Eve. My first holiday season spent in Mexico told me I need look no further to enjoy a deep spiritual bond

Tapalpa: The Land Of Colors By Stephen Stanton   Nestled in a quiet valley on the Tapalpa Mesa, this first “Pueblo Mágico” of Jalisco, Tapalpa, is still the living image of a lifestyle lost and even forgotten by many Mexicans. The quiet cobblestone streets, the traditional architectural style, the aroma of wood stoves and fireplaces

History and Vision for the Lake Chapala Society By Arthur Melby   (Editor’s note: Arthur Melby, 92, is a longtime resident of Lakeside and was president of the Lake Chapala Society from 1989 to 1991. A native of Chicago, he served in military intelligence in Central and South America during World War II, owned a

YOUR BLACK BRAIDS NEATLY DRAPED By Bill Frayer   Your black braids neatly draped  You sit attentive  On the white plastic bucket  In the sheet metal shade.  You love your family, I can tell. You sit so still, back to, In the lee of the Blazing desert sun. I worry in that instant Through the

JANICE IN WONDERLAND(Tales from Mexico) By Janice Kimball, M.F.A.   I thought it didn’t matter what happened to my body after I was dead. For me, dead is dead. That was before I discovered my cemetery plot was in the wrong neighborhood. I bought the plot in the old Ajijic Panteon. Teo’s daughter arranged it.

THE HEMINGSES OF MONTICELLO By Annette Gordon-ReedBook Review by Alice Hathaway   The sub-title of THE HEMINGS OF MONTICELLO is “An American Family.” The first known member of that family was a young African woman who was impregnated while being transported to slavery in America in the 1730’s, She named the daughter she bore Elizabeth

Agave Blood, Poems by Bill Frayer Reviewed by James Tipton   Popular Lakeside author Bill Frayer has just published another fine collection of poetry: Agave Blood. The first, and longest, section, “Mexico,” celebrates Bill’s deepening connection with Mexico and its people and his discovery of the “delicious now,” where he is learning “That my present