Pic-of-the-Month for March 2023

 Hola Amigos,

Rich Malpass, a few years ago...

This month started out tough for me (Harriet).  I shared with you in last month's letter about my brother Rich being very sick.  With circumstances being what they were, and him getting worse, I traveled up to Junction City, Oregon Tuesday February 28 to be with him and help him out.  I saw him Wednesday morning, after he had been to the hospital again on Monday.  He was on oxygen, and had been assigned Hospice care, thank goodness.  Every day I was there, one or more Hospice people arrived to check him over and help him.  While they were there, I managed to get appointments with Veterans Affairs to talk about assisted living, buy him a burial plot, talk with the local mortuary, talk with neighbors who offered to help in any way, and meet with two men who had been helping him a lot in my absence, Donn D and John S.  I was able, with the help of some prayer warriors, to get an awful lot done in the time I had with him.  I found which bank he had directed his Veterans' benefit so he didn't have to worry about that, found many important papers in his "hidden" brief case, including his military dismissal papers.  Every appearance of Hospice people confirmed that he only had hours to live. Thankfully, they showed me how to administer his medications to help him be more comfortable, and he passed away peacefully Friday evening March 3.  Our sister Shelley flew in from Montana later that evening, so she didn't get to say goodbye to him, but it sure was nice to have her there to help me.  

Shelley and I spent the three days she was there cleaning out his RV, and moving his car out of the RV park where he'd been living.  We also went through 6 grocery bags full of old mail and receipts and miscellaneous papers, and got it down to one neat stack, unhooked all his computer gear and peripherals and packed it up, cleaned out the fridge and freezer and pantry and donated much of the unopened food items.  We froze two bank accounts, re-routed his mail, and talked with the mortuary.  We asked for a rush on the Death Certificates, since I hoped to leave on the 11th.  Shelley left early Tuesday morning, and that afternoon, I was able with the help of a very nice neighbor of Rich's, to get his motor home started (a new battery helped) and moved to storage.  I was able to contact the correct people at Veterans and get his Disability benefits stopped (yes, the same ones I'd just "found" for him again!)  And believe it or not, I was able to get the Death Certificates on Thursday afternoon.  I scanned them for my computer files, and they have been very helpful since then!  I'm planning on having a Memorial Service for Rich in July when we are back in Oregon.

While in Oregon, I was graciously offered the use of my cousins Tom & Karan's nice Ford pickup to get around (heated steering wheel and seats were wonderful in that weather!!), and a place to stay and to be picked up and dropped off at the airport (Ben's brother Dan and his wife Laura).  It was a crazy busy time, and the weather was unusually cold for that time of year (at least it seemed like it to my Baja bones), but I was able to get around with no problems.  I was well fed, had a comfortable bed, and had packed almost enough warm clothing!! (I did have to buy a pair of jeans and some warmer socks at Goodwill!)  

I got back to Baja Sur on the afternoon of the 11th, greeted friends and relatives at my casa, and went to a Lack Family concert that night at our favorite beach restaurant, La Playa!  I was exhausted but so happy to be back home.  And the music was wonderful. 

 While I was gone, Ben did a bang up job of keeping the beans picked, as well as tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, and whatever else needed harvesting.  He even canned two canners full of green beans after I sent him the instructions!  First time he's ever done that!!  

We have now done 4 canners full, and our normal shelf is full and overflowing, and we have beans still blooming!!  We've also got a ton of tomatoes with which Ben has been making a delicious salsa (used for Huevos Rancheros), and I canned some tomato sauce.  We've given some away and are trying to keep up; it's a real challenge, but a nice one!

We really enjoyed the times we got to spend with our friends Tony and Janet, who were staying down here at a friend's home for a couple months.  They've just recently left and are almost home to Oregon, waiting for some clear mountain passes.  We didn't get to do any boating, like we talked about with them, but maybe next time!  Janet, who owns GypsyWind Clothing in Sisters, Oregon, sold some clothing down here that was very popular with all the ladies!  (Yes, I managed to find a few new things, too!)  

Our drinks are Jamaica, a very popular (non-alcoholic) drink, Hibiscus flower tea. 

We've also been having fun with cousins Tom and Karan, who come to visit us regularly from La Paz, Centenario area, where they're building a new home.  And of course, Katie and Mel are still here; longer than normal for them, but we're taking advantage of them being here!  (Still having fun and eating good food!)  And, we have some company coming for a few days this next week from Oregon.   

I got behind on my walking while I was in Oregon, so I've been trying to catch up.  I'm pretty sure I'll manage to get my 60 miles in before month end next week, but it will be close! 

We have a new partial wall (from the road to the north about 40 feet) and Ben got it painted.  Our neighbors' new home is a-m-o-s-t done; they are waiting for a few doors and some cabinets and granite counter tops.  It is looking very, very nice. 

Photos for the month are in March 2023 album.  

We hope you are all well, and that spring is about to spring wherever you are.  We are not on Daylight time in Mexico, and not going on it, so we are now the same time as Pacific Daylight time.  

Sitting here with the door open, sun shining, and thinking about dinner.....

Tus amigos de Baja,

Harriet, Ben & Zoey