maggiemae

Yes....Jose speaks passable English. He actually trained as an attorney but changed careers because he could not tolerate the corruption in the legal system.

Last Thursday night...yes, the night before Good Friday....my refrigerator died. I bought bags of ice from OXXO, then began making calls. Gualberto did not answer his cell phone or his home phone. My pumber/electrician agreed to come the next morning, but he said he might not be able to fix the refrigerator. He was right. He called a friend who repairs appliances, His name is Jose Morando. His cell phone number is 332-965-8298. He lives in Chapala and has a workshop/store with refurbished appliances on the Libremiento.

Jose came to my house in west Ajijic on Good Friday. He determined that the circuit board had died. Unfortunately, the are no replacements for my 15-year-old refrigerator; but Jose said he had a similar GE fridge at his store. He went back to his shop, then drove back to  my house where he successfully switched the circuit boards. This was a temporary fix to get me through the Easter weekend. He did not want to charge me anything, but I insisted on paying him.

On Monday I checked out new refrigerators at Tio Sam's and another appliance store. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the prices. I called Jose. On Tuesday Jose returned to  mi casa with a helper and a two-year-old, side-by-side, GE, stainless steel refrigerator....just what I had wanted...complete with ice and water dispensers....at a price much lower than what I had seen in other stores. Jose even returned that afternoon to give me a tutorial on how to use all of the buttons on the control panel. I plan to use Jose Morando for all of my appliance needs in the future!

A friend called me and said the movie theater in Centro Laguno has closed. All signage is gone. The doors are closed and locked. My friend saw a man sweeping inside. He asked the man if the theater had closed forever and if so, why. The man just shrugged. What is going on there?

Last Wednesday I was in Walmart when I saw a friend who is on the Board of El Parque. Her cell phone was constantly ringing. She told me a major water pump in SAT had broken two days earlier. She had been ordering deliveries of water for El Parque residents.

Where is Luis Ruiz Ruiz? He's the rug vendor who hangs his merchandise from the tree at the Carretera and Revolucion? I had wanted to buy some rugs for my guest bed and bath rooms in late February. He was missing then, but I remembered he would exhibiting at the annual crafts show in Guad, followed by a trip to Oxaca to restock his rugs. Since then I have seen him under his tapete tree two or three times. Do you know where he is? Is he okay?

Fresh Market is a generic name such as grocery or pharmacy. Usually each fresh market has another name on the sign. The fresh market nearest me is owned by Tres Amigas. It was pointed out earlier that there are more than one Lopez markets.

My heart goes out to you, Fred. I was in the same situation that you are in when my vet asked me, "Are you keeping Miss Pepper alive for your sake or for her sake?" One of the greatest gifts you can give your beloved pet is a dignified exit.

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle."

Costco sells a couple of brands. I think Freestyle Libre is one of them.

331-738-1814

I buy mine at Farmacia Maskaras in Riberas.

I have lived here for almost 13 years. Every rainy season we have a lull in August, which is about half-way through the season. This lull lasts about two weeks, during which time there may be a sprinkle/shower or two. Newbies tend to panic, fearing the rainy season has ended. Never fear! The rains will return. Meanwhile, I have begun manually using my sprinkler system and watering my potted plants. In addition, rain in "other spots" is typical because the north shore appears to be composed of many, many micro climates. I live just west of Ajijic. My best friend lives in Riviera Alta where they often have rain while we don't....and vice versa. Meanwhile, I hope  you are enjoying the cool nights and the gorgeous flowers and the mountains that look as tho' they are covered in green velvet. Such wondrous beauty!

What is the latest status on auto emissions testing? Is a testing facility in Chapala open? If so, what days, hours & location.

You may also want to contact Nurse Josefina Contreras Mendoza at (cell) 331-115-9615 or josefina84@yahoo.com. She is a wonderful nurse who has a care-giving service as well as owning assisted living/rehab facilities. I highly recommend her.