Migracion for that visa

There I am Friday, getting fingerprinted by Migracion in Cancun. Finally! Because I was 2 days late applying for my visa renweal, it inexplicably took 5 months to get the visa!
 Maurico Mendoza, my lawyer, is picking up today (no telling why they couldn't give it to me then and there) and I will go to his house tomorrow afternoon and pay him for his service.
 Getting this FM document took the original letter Mauricio wrote, which included an apolgy, another letter with an apology asking about the status of my renewal,  an interview  in which two Mexican nationals who've known me a long time to sign, another requested letter of apology, which Mauricio produced promptly, but that meant another trip to Cancun. So, this is about a 5 trip renewal process and I might actually be starting over at the higher level of being here.
 I logged on last night and noticed my accountant, Leidy Sosa was filing my annual tax declaration (digitally). And it's due today.
 I spoke to the Migracian agent in Spanish and answered all her questions in Spanish.Still, she wrote that I speak only English. Why I asked? She whispered as she fingerprinted: "If there is every any trouble. you don't have to say a thing until Mexico produces an English speaking official to help you."
 No hablo Espanol! Thank you.

Facebook neurologist

Dr. Jose Yupit is a Facebook friend. He was my neurologist nearly three years ago when Dr. Salas admitted me to Galenia Hospital in Cancun for a suspected exacerbation of multiple sclerosis. He also is certified in Internal Medicine. So he was the man my surgeon, Dr. Jose Manuel Mendoza, wanted to do a work up on me. And he sure did! Best physical I've had in a decade!
I did not mention any of the aches and pains and annoyances I am having. He diagnosed a sinus infection and inflamed kidney the old fashioned way, without scans or specific X-rays. And I have had flank pain and an annoying post nasal drip which he discovered by poking and looking. So...
He has given the go ahead for the surgery, with the stipulation that the anesthesia be "regional" and not general. That translates to an epidural spinal block under sedation. He thinks this will be less of a shock to my nervous system, more kind to the dopamine receptors. So I will see the surgeon, Dr. Jose Manuel Mendoza, again on Monday and will will discuss the prices at the various facilities he uses. I talked to Mendoza a bit last nighton the phone, so I know what we will talk about.
From the 70 dollar x-rays and 100 dollar lab work, to the 35 dollar EKG, it has been a pleasure. I paid Dr. Yupit 90 dollars for his thorough work up and written report to Dr. Mendoza. I would have spend more on my Medicare co-pay in the US. It is reassuring to know my ticker is fine and what my dosing for Avonex (beta interfeon 1a) the MS drug should be before and after surgery. No one at the Cleveland Clinic paid attention to that detail for the last two procedures I had there.
It is also reassuring that Dr. Yupit has not entered the pages of Facebook for two months. Facebook friends know that kind of detail about each other. "I mean to, but I get too busy,
he says.
And another Facebook friend, Tammi Lewis, returns from Sandusky in time for the New Year with three months of that MS drug. Life is good here in Mexico.

Also contributing

Jose was amused when he found me yesterday, still in the same dress as the day before. The famous "almost Maya dress" from Dollar General. I nearly hadn't slept as my pal from Cleveland had tracked me down.

"Between your vaunted siestas, snorkels, 30 peso haircuts (how much is that in euros?) and unusual dishes, are you going to be in the book?

John Tidyman

A pleasant man, but still a wise ass."

And John knows how to suck up to this woman. He enclosed a photo. John and Harry, friends for a lifetime.
John is the author of two golfing books and "Cleveland Cops," an 'as told to' book which many of the guests at Zina's Guest House have had pushed on them because it's a great read with lots of little passages organized by subject and attributed to the teller. Stories cops tell to each other. Well, that's how he's doing the newspaper reporter book.
I am with my clip books, digging into the recesses of my brain for the stories behind the stories. When I took the buyout, I left the newspaper where it belongs on Superior Ave. in Downtown Cleveland.
But since I was the first buyout of about 450 and 38 more jobs being cut this week, I owe my stories. The book is almost an advance obit, biography written while the subject is still alive, to be hauled out when it's time. Well, it's still got some years and appears to be doing well on line, but its heyday is clearly over.
So, I'm up in the middle of the night, reading and thinking again, answering questions in emails as passages of an "as told to book."
John, meanwhile, is organizing the retirement party for Emil Ceilic, Cleveland's oldest cop for a decade now, who at the airport 5 years ago, said, "Buy the book!!" He, his son and brother are all in it.
Emil and I met at an accident scene that was also a shooting scene. For decades, he was in the accident investigation unit. He noticed I walked funny.
"Do you have MS? Because my daughter does." That started a longtime friendship in which I coaxed his daughter into taking the weekly injection that has kept me walking, albeit kinda funny, for nearly 20 years.
From the day I met Emil, I had no trouble at crime scenes. Cops would let me into their cars to warm up, chauffer me around during their investigations and treat me like a sister. Maybe that should go into the book!

Almost a miracle!

When Jose ran to Marma late in the morning for $70 more of cement, sand and gravel, we wondered if we'd see it later in the day since Saturday is a half day. It was at the house within an hour, casi milagro - almost a miracle.
With Lora's supervision, Debora helped - whether Eriso needed another bucket of cement or a trowel.
Debora also cleaned up outside the posts so it would be easier to slide the tube molds off. And Eriso and I got to talking and what they heck, go for it. He'll used cement posts for the front now too, rather than wait for the wood to rot in a year. We have neighbors who have asked for it.
Lora's girlish figure after 2 weeks of high protein, high fiber food. She's almost never hungry now either. But she's still a long way away from becoming a spokesdog for healthy living. With her muzzle on, she came home after her first out of the day with a box of cream gangling from a tooth behind her muzzle.
No more free, unsupervised outs! Word on the street is that the municipality is rounding up what they consider street dogs. Oh no, callejera! So I broke out a 25 foot lead I got in the states yesterday and latched it to a thingamajig intended to lock the bicycle to, which by the way, Jose serviced yesterday. Lora will still be able to supervise at a distance.
For lunch, I made a mixed greens salad with Swiss cheese and Catalina style French dressing. Jose kicked it up a few notches for himself with red habanero salsa.
The big question of the day - Will fishermen go out this morning and report back to Eriso for fish fries, or will Eriso detail the side fence?

Happy Birthday, Mio!

Today is the birthday of my friend since our school days. Emilio Vincent Anthony Castellucci is finally 54. His mom Nancy schemed to get him into school months after the month he would have been allowed to enter.

He has spent most of the week helping his dad Dominic clear the garden, readying for another fall and getting ready to make wine for the coming year. And at American Legion Post 375, which has a new commander, Mio has been in charge of two dinners. Yesterday's fish fry and tonight's steak fry. No rest for the weary.
In his honor, and that of Nancy, I planted some dandelion seeds in a planter. Nancy has never been able to get them to grow in Florida. As someone with some experience forcing bulbs and refrigerating seeds, my theory is that after three months in the fridge, these seeds will spout and I will have luscious bitter greens soon and will be able to make Italian wedding soup and jazz up salads. To each his own, right?

Party Animal!

Lora has been working on invitations to her 100 peso fundraiser anniversary-with-Zina party! Anna Douglas of PEACE, the community foundation, has done the flier layout and we'll be distributing them the rest of the week. And since the anniversary isn't until 7pm Sunday, there's plenty of time to get the word out!
The 100 peso event will benefit the community foundation, PEACE, and Amigos los Animales.
Tomorrow Jose and I will go to Walmart to get some pet treats to resell at the event, so vacationers will have access to better treats for their favorite strays.
Jose did more painting and cleaning yesterday before we got out the bucket and dog soap. Yep, the anniversary girl will be sporting a better look than two brushings a day can give.
I watched Sun Dogs again last night, the movie we'll be showing. Those are street dogs used in the Jamaica Dog Sled team and one looks a lot like my doggie.
But as Jose remarked, Lora has enjoyed a house dog life now and probably wouldn't take to pulling someone else's load! !