Springtime. Who doesn’t like it, wherever you are in this world. It’s a time for growth and new beginnings. And a new beginning was unfolding for the 3 S’s (Seven, Stella and I). When I returned home from my brief visit to Canada for mum’s birthday, I was excited to get back into my routine. A routine of doing what I want, when I want, basically livin’ the dream. Which I did. There is always something going on if one wants to participate. I had become selective and even that filled my days. There were special cakes to bake, flowers to plant, dogs to play with, zentangling to do, weekly jaunts to town to catch up on gossip over wine and beer, parties to go to and visits from friends. Life is never dull in Ixcatepec.

What I was not expecting was a proposal from Fabian, the water guy, Siete’s dad. No, not a marriage proposal, read on. As I have said, my house is big and there are three bedrooms, with a big kitchen, dining room and living room sitting on almost an acre of land with just me, Seven and Stella, our little piece of paradise. Fabian asked if he could take one of the bedrooms and all expenses would be split down the middle. Now I have lived by myself with my dogs and cats for the past 25 years and kinda set in my routines, so the thought of having a roommate needed some thought, some serious thought. He works hard, 8 to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week purifying water and delivering the same so he would not be in my way and damn I could even think of saving some money. What a novel idea, saving money, livin’ the dream and perhaps even learn to converse in Spanish other than the basic get by words. It did not take me long to think about it and I suddenly I had new roomies – Fabian, Siete and Tai. Springtime is full of changes.

Seven has always liked his frisbee, loves to play catch and create circles. Stella was catching on that if she returns the toy, it gets thrown again but her favourite thing was to run around like a mad women hoping Seven would play chase. Not his thing. Now Siete, all she wanted to do was grab every toy, take them and guard them. So I had to make a toy box and keep it out of reach of the dogs other wise all the toys would be lost somewhere in the garden. They are not expensive, that was not my concern. It was the lack of availability in Tepoztlan. It’s getting better but still very limited. I did in the past do very little if any shopping online which changed a great deal when I moved to Mexico. Hardly a game breaker having to buy the dogs toys on line but there was no PetSmart round the corner. I could deal with that. Tai, the cat settled upstairs away from the dogs, well mainly Stella because she would chase her and that would start Siete doing the same. Seven, no problem. He had grown up with cats and had learnt how to respect them and give them their space.

I have mentioned before that Stella is an escape artist supreme and a gypsy at heart. It was only after my return home that Fabian told me the tale of when Stella escaped and he went running like a bat out of hell after her. He feared telling me while I was visiting mum as he knew it would really upset me which of course it would of. The perimeter of the yard had to be checked on a regular basis to see if there were any escape routes. I thought all was secure. Then one morning I heard Stella and her frantic cries for help. She had made it over the wall to the neighbour’s yard where they had 5 german shepherds and a pug who all attacked anyone and anything that came uninvited into their space. She made it out but was hurting and there was no way to get her over the fence Luckily Fabian had not yet left for work and we managed to rescue her. But a trip to the vet was necessary. Poor girl had multiple wounds and had to wear the collar of shame. We found where she escaped and quickly fixed that exit. Now it was necessary to thoroughly check all the time. No other dog but Stella tried to get out and I did not want to loose my Stella.

Fabian is an animal lover like myself. One night he tells me the tale of this dog who would probably end up in some really bad place, and asked if he could bring her home. I was reluctant but I caved. Why not? There was ample space for another dog. So welcome Eight to our fold. She really is a big beautiful baby. When Seven was little there was one word I used to get him from moving his body so I could sit down – OFF. All the new dogs had to learn that word. When I said OFF to one of the newbies so I could sit down, Seven was right there making sure they obeyed. He would not hurt them but they all knew instinctively, oh shit guess I better get off. I’m sure Seven thought, hey I had to learn it, its your turn now! There was one day in particular I wanted to sit down on the sofa and relax. There was no space for me. OK I said the word rather loudly and all 4 dogs not only got down off the sofa but exited the room. Don’t get me wrong, they are allowed on the couch, on the bed, in my lap but they gotta learn that mama is the boss, well mostly.

There is so much to buy in Tepoztlan as far as art work or little things to brighten up your space. One has to be careful though. Many of the items that are on sale in the market are not from locals or even Mexico – they are from China or India. This piece though is special as it was made by my dear friend Pascal and it found a perfect spot in the house. The flying lion.

The climate in Mexico is home to a wide variety of bugs and many will find their way inside your home. I don’t kill them. I find away to move them safely to the garden and as far away from the house as possible, except scorpions. Sorry they just give me the creeps, so if one gets in my path, I show no mercy. Mostly though they disappear out of sight. I learnt to never walk barefoot, check my bed and shake my clothes. It becomes a natural habit after awhile.

Life continues in my little piece of paradise. It is expanding and life is good.