Journaling, Yes, Journaling!!

Yipppppppppppie . . . I've nearly caught up my journal from the Mexico trip. Sorry, but if you were following that trip with just my journal entries, I believe I left you up somewhere in the mountains above Guadalajara. Hope you've stayed warm all these winter nights, but now . . . I'll begin to bring you at least up to the present.

These pages are from November 17, 2010. The upper left image was a lovely memory of a day trip we took to the west end of Lake Chapala,

where a supposedly large RV campground named "Roca Azul" was located. We'd considered staying at this location when we were "interviewing" places in the area. But as we drove into the development - we were more and more grateful we landed where we landed. The property was a big development with a housing area first before you reached the RV area, which huddled up against the lake. Decent houses, but so many were run down and/or vacant that it just didn't make up for the nicely kept ones. Once we reached the RV grounds, we were impressed with the "potential" that was originally there, lovely community rooms, restaurants, volleyball courts, swimming pools and picturesque grounds. But with lack of occupancy left an eerie feeling to this attractive area. The sketch I chose here, was a charming walk way leading around the lake with cool turquoise wrought iron benches gazing at a concrete peer and it's lookout tower. We were entertained by grey herons and egrets aplenty. We left with almost a sadness that this place hadn't "taken off", it had such a marvelous location and grounds.

My next entry was one of total respect. These are replications of the Ajijic artist, Efren Gonzales, whom I stumbled upon early in our Lake Chapala stay. We parked in front of his Art Center and, of course, went in. Amiable, personable, warm and talented, we talked about art, his philosophies and he handed me this "business card" which he wrote out on a scrap of matte board. Later, my mind had an idea of getting Efren up to Oregon to instruct at the Ashland Art Center. So, that is in the works now. And, as I sketched these portions from his works, I just became more impressed with the underlying skill and development therein. Then, the more conversations I had with this gentleman, the more I admired him. Not only is his artwork captivating, but the way he leads his life is such that I want every artist, every person to hear it. He talks about following his talents and his inner direction despite outer influences. His soft confidence that what he needs will be provided fulfills spiritual teachings I yearn to emulate. The one quote from his mother which he lives by, that so touched me is scribbled down and stuck on my journal page, "Life should be indebted to me because of all I give"! How many of us are living with that thought? So here is my humble tribute to Efren Gonzales.

The final entry was from the lovely garden at the La Nueva Posada Hotel and Restaurant. Nestled in the heart of downtown Ajijic, this historic and charming hotel was the lunch meeting place. It was one of the serendipitous event on this trip . . . a dear friend who moved from the Bay Area of California about the same time I did, ended up traveling to Lake Chapala at the very same time Roland and I were going. So, naturally, we met for lunch. The patio of this hotel is fronted by the shimmering Lake Chapala and sprinkled with sculpture and gardens. For hours we sat and shared Mexico experiences and just caught up on life with this gracious statue peering over our table. Just another day in paradise . . .

Stay tuned for more of my journal entries . . .