If you don’t know A Visit to Don Otavio, Sybille Bedford’s delightful book about Mexico, all told with love of foible and with sly humor, I am here to prod you into filling this local-color lacunae, as did praise from the most prestigious publications, which fell over themselves at its 1953 publication. Born in Germany […]

First of all, in Mexico, almost everyone has them: flat rooftops. They are reached by stairs or by wrought iron ladders attached to the side of the buildings or by tightly spiraled metal staircases. Many serve the purpose of a security system by serving as home for the family “roof dog.” These dogs, not as plentiful nor as

I know I am a newbie in Ajijic. But I keep hearing this phrase in conversational-passing, “The fallen-women of Ajijic”. I keep hearing it. The first time I heard it, I thought, “It must be some adult-literature” I began looking into it. Nothing. Nothing online, nothing at the LCS library, not one book, not one

Psoriasis Psoriasis – an autoimmune skin condition. It is a long-term (chronic) disease with no cure, in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing skin cells to multiply too quickly. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed in a month. Psoriasis skin cells, instead of shedding, on average over 7 to 14 days pile up

By George Friedman This is a profoundly wise book. And in many ways a shocking one. According to Friedman’s prediction (the book came out in 2020), who would win the 2024 presidency would be irrelevant. No matter which party won, it would be a failed presidency. Combining the skills of political and cultural historian with

José Vasconcelos He was known as the “cultural caudillo” (great cultural leader) of the Mexican Revolution and the “Apostle of Education.” A lawyer, philosopher, educator, and politician, he was a charismatic visionary; and, as with most Mexican leaders, he was very controversial. José Vasconcelos supported the liberals in the Mexican Revolution, lived in exile twice,

A.I., New Applications We were planning the holidays on FaceTime with my stepson, and our granddaughter kept popping energetically into the screen. She had questions about an art project she was working on, wanted to see her Poppy and I on the screen and wanted to see if I’d stick my tongue out when she

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”  William Shakespeare  “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” I once had a best friend named Lexi. Lexi’s father was a German shepherd, and her mother was a Siberian husky. Lexi was intelligent, precocious, independent, stubbornly focused upon her own private agenda.

What other side is that? Why, the south side of Lake Chapala, my home. Most of the north side of Lake Chapala is known as Lakeside. Folks I know over here call our side simply the Southside. The two opposing shorelines share a completely different experience and vibration. I am speaking from a foreigner’s view,

We each have our individual reasons for coming to Mexico. Some come to visit, while others come to stay. It is not an easy thing to pull up roots and move to another country, especially when we are older; yet so many of us have. I think it takes a certain type of personality to