Gordy, the skinny street dog

Gordy is too skinny. He got the name because of the Mexican penchant for giving nicknames that are opposite of a physical trait. Gordo is fat in Spanish so I named this street dog Gordy, an American name, because this dog also happens to be a guero or blonde.

Gordy's has a few scars, no doubt from a few street battles.  But he doesn't even seem aggressive because as starving as he is, he allowed another dog to share his food yesterday.  He won't let me near.  He is wary.  But he's always at my gate waiting for me to come home.  

Did anybody love him when he was a puppy, but now they've forgotten to feed him?

Is this a sidewalk or a stairmaster workout?

I had to start walking again even though this is a scary proposition in Reynosa. My CVI (chronic venous inflammation) is acting up again in my left leg so I need to get out and get my circulation going. The best way is to walk.

And getting around Reynosa is exercise.  Just like the stairmaster at the gym.

Scary, Scary Mexican Clowns

Mexico must really love clowns.  Every comedy program on television has a clown. Maybe if I understood the language better, I would think they are funny.  Instead I think they are lame.

Or scary.  I swear every street corner in Reynosa has a clown.  I think most of them woke up that morning and decided, "Hey, I know how I can make a few pesos. I'll dress myself up in a clownish way and beg for money."

One, in particular, scares me the most. He usually hangs out on the center in some mismatched dirty clothing, and a little white paint on the face with a red nose. The store where he hangs out is always playing some loud, thumping music so he kind of dances along with the noise.  Actually to say "dancing" is too far fetched. He kind of squirms along with the noise.

Sparkles

I don't hate all clowns.  Any child of the 1960's should remember Bozo the Clown.  In my hometown I know of 2 local clowns.  Sparkles the Clown makes awesome balloon figurines but he doesn't make a sound. That's because Sparkles is deaf. Literally. But the clown I really loved was Mombo.  He was on the Dr. Max Show, a local children's program from the 1960's and 1970's on Channel 2 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The show was awesome since it included Three Stooges, Bugs Bunny and all Looney Tunes, David and Goliath, and Gumby,   We were out of school at 3:30 and parked in front of the television from 4 to 5. Any child of that era will recognize Mombo.  I even had an autographed photo of Mombo that I received when my Bluebird group appeared on the show.  Mombo was a foil for Dr. Max and always in trouble.  But what I really loved was Mombo's magic tricks.  Mombo's real name was Fred Petrick, a graduate of my alma mater, Coe College, and by all accounts a wonderful person. He died in 2001 at the age of 94. RIP Mombo.

Mombo

Anyway, the point is while I was growing up my clown contact was minimal.  Sparkles, Mombo, Bozo and the occasional circus clowns.  Here in Mexico one could have hours of clowning around daily whether it is on television, birthday parties, or just down the road at the next corner.

That's just too scary.

Thievery

I'm fuming so it's a good time to post another blog, right?  I had friends over on Friday night. I won't say who because all of them except one are innocent.  I've had my share of rat bastard thieves like Eddie but this one really ticks me off because I thought these were my trusted friends.

I am missing a container with Bella Pierre makeup.  Seriously, folks, who steals makeup?  Apparently one of my friends didn't think I would miss it.  This makeup belonged to my sister who is now deceased so it was special to me.  No, I didn't misplace it. It's always in my makeup basket in the bathroom and goes right back after I use it.

It's a choice of one of the 5 women (or three men) who were in my house. Now I am suspicious of everyone that was here and that's not fair.  Seven of them don't deserve to be clouded with suspicion, but that's what is going to happen whenever I see one of them.

Whoever stole it, I hope you go to hell along with Eddie (aka Edward Cadena, Edward Mendez Cadena, Edward Rhodes... I just wanted to make sure I get his name out there again so everyone knows he is a thief and no one should employ or trust this jerk.)

P.S.  After rereading, I realized I need to add this post script.  Many people know I have several gringa friends here in Reynosa who also write blogs.  They were NOT at my house on Friday.  I want to be clear about that!

Gunshots or Fireworks?

Last night I went to a nice local bar inside a casino with a couple friends.  We enjoyed a couple beers, the singer with the full band wrapped inside his synthesizer and later the mariachis.  They were handing out free shots of tequila, free food, and I also received a nice hair clip in the flag colors.

When we were leaving and walking to the car, we all heard something like a gun shot. BOOM!  And then another BOOM! Followed by another BOOM! My friends said, "Oh, God, they are shooting again."   But the BOOMS were too rhythmic.  Look up in the sky... It wasn't a bird. It wasn't an airplane.  It wasn't Underdog.  It was FIREWORKS.

It was nice to see celebrations instead of fighting. Viva Mexico!

Nicknames

Mexicans love nicknames.  Most of them don't resemble the given name.  For instance, Paco or Pancho is a nickname for Francisco.  But I never did understand how we English speakers get Bob from Robert. Here's a few others I've learned.

Lalo = Eduardo

Pepe = Jose

Nacho = Ignacio

Chuy = Jesus

Many nicknames are given for a person's characteristics. Some of them aren't flattering to us English speakers. How would you like someone calling you "Gordo" AKA "Fatty"?  In Mexico, the recipient of this name is not insulted.  A friend's 5-year-old son is called Gordo. The boy's real name is Carlos, but the poor child is on the chunky side. The politically correct side of my brain is telling me they are traumatizing this boy to a lifetime of teasing because he is too heavy. One of my friend's husband is called "Chino" which is "Chinese", but he is called Chino because of his curly hair.  This makes absolutely no sense to me.  When is the last time you've seen a Chinese person with curly hair?  I've been called gringa (obviously), guera (white girl), gabacha (English speaking white woman) and, my personal favorite, bollila (white bread). 

The only person I know that has no nickname is Sergio.  I'm sure we could come up with one for him.  Any ideas?  

New House Photos

The house is still a wreck but getting better day by day.  Yes, I had kitchen cabinets when I moved.  I still had to bring over a free standing cabinet because I've got too many gadgets.... not that I use them much. I am not a big time cook.  It's like a rule... when women hit 50, they retire from cooking. My mom always cooked but gave it up for her 50th birthday. I must have hit 50 about 20 years ago.

I know it is amazing to find a home with cabinets in Mexico. Or toilet seats. Sergio had an apartment in Mexico City that had a kitchen sink and nothing else in the kitchen.  Freaked me out the first time I saw it.  And so did the toilet minus toilet seat. What's up with that?  When people move, they take the toilet seat and cabinets with them?  

Anybody have any ideas on what to do with the yard??  It's nothing but dirt.