Las Lagunitas eBulletin Board

Amazing how History is repeated!

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What you can help me with: Does anyone have Ed Freeman’s current email address? The one I have used in the past is not functioning so wondering if someone has an updated current one. ??

Three weeks ago, I posted a photo of a single broad tailed hummingbird on the feeder hanging from my front porch roof. In defiance of common sense, scores more individuals have joined him even as the temperature plummeted. It’s below freezing at dawn and yet there are aerial battles going on in the streaming sunlight…. and my feeders are drained. I cannot relax until they are again full of warm, sugary water. I am going through a pound of sugar a week but am rewarded with the ability to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures.

Did you know that hummers have several one-of-kind super abilities? They can not only hover, they can fly backwards as well as upside-down. Their wings beat at between 70 and 200 strokes per second. Only the males generate the high-pitched zooming sound; a sound generated by wind blowing through their tail feathers. They normally cruise at 30 mph and can dive at speeds exceeding 60 mph.

They are able to remember the location of every individual flower encountered along their migratory routes, some of which are thousands of miles long. They can also recognize individual humans, especially those who are likely to refill their feeders at 6:30 on a Mother’s Day morning.

Hummers must eat every ten minutes and consume three times their body weight every day. They weigh about the same as a nickel and will consume not only nectar but small flying insects which they stalk and capture near open water. But what amazes me is how they survive the freezing temperatures at night. They are able to dial down their metabolism to almost nothing, allowing them to cling to a branch and puff up their feathers, awakening with the promise of morning to fly off, seeking nourishment. Along this line, they have more feathers per inch than any other bird except the penguin.

I love hummingbirds. My mother loved hummingbirds. Ancient American cultures revered hummingbirds. And I would like to think my hummingbirds love me. I know that is not terribly scientific, but hey, it’s Mother’s Day; I can dream what I want today.

It has always been apparent to me that we have a distinguished population of residents at EDM. We have nurses, doctors, businesspeople, electricians, bankers, construction workers, teachers, and artists, just to name a few. One of our own has put her time at our little paradise to good work indeed.

Behold the Quarantine Quilt Collection.

Clara, you are an inspiration and spiritual leader for us all. Namaste! 🙏

And hope.

I have wintered on Isla de la Piedra since 2009 in the RV Park, Tres Amigos. It came to my attention in early April that its residents needed some serious help. Dallas Jewall is an American and his wife Rocio ( a local born on the Isla ), along with her family, own Restaurant Cerro los Chivos on Stone Island. As a couple they have been giving for many years to those in need on the Isla including Christmas hampers. Dallas had been doing fund raising but was out of money and contacts to provide more food during this pandemic. Having heard about the need I first wrote a blog post and then the next day I sent a copy to every person that I know, who lives on the Isla, that I had an email for. Within ten days I had raised enough money to feed 130 families for one week and now there is enough money to feed them for a second week. After that I don’t know where the money will come from. Rocio being a resident all of her life, knows who has the greatest need. She also speaks with the leaders in each section of the colonia to get more input of the neediest.
This is the article that I emailed April 15th. If you read to the end you will see a recent update of the despenses ( food packages ) being given out as well as a few photos.
Can you please help feed the Isla?

The state of Sinaloa had asked everyone to stay home, no walking in the streets, in parks, nor beaches and certainly not the malecon between 4:00PM and 8:00AM ( although that may even be closed now ). There are to be no home parties, no gatherings and no alcohol sales. Restaurants are closed and can only offer home delivery. Residents are being asked to stay home and only venture out to purchase groceries but they must wear a mask.

Mexicans can no longer go to work which means that they are unable to earn pesos. For many families and especially those in the Colonia on Isla de la Piedra that means no food. Many work every day just to earn enough to feed their families. Now they are going to bed hungry.

The above exert came from an article published on April 11th.  Please click here to read that article which goes into more depth.

Most of us are home and safely waiting out the Covid- 19 virus.  We have enough money to purchase groceries and to spend hours online and to watch movies, read books, etc. These people are worrying every minute of the day if they will have any food to feed their children at the end of the day.  Many of you have been following my blog for years and enjoying the photos of the Isla and especially the magnificent sunsets. I am asking you to please donate something to help, even $10.00 would be of great help. More if you can.

Dallas and Rocio have asked those on the Isla to donate what they can and they have even received donations from people living in the city of Mazatlan, people who come often to enjoy Stone Island. They have asked all who they know to please help. Two days ago they had 50 kilos of beans delivered as well as 50 kilos of flour delivered.  They are hoping for rice, pasta and cooking oil to be delivered tomorrow.  As soon as they gather food they give it away to those who are in need.  Once that is gone they have nothing left to give.

Can you please help the Isla?  Any amount will be welcomed and used to help the neediest.

I am asking Canadians to e-Transfer their donation to me @ contessa549@gmail.com.  I will then send the entire amount to Dallas, my contact on the Isla, in one transaction thus saving a $3.00 fee per donation.

Americans have a few options. If you have a PayPal account you can make your donation via PayPal directly to Dallas Jewall @ dallasyrocio@yahoo.com. There is no additional fee attached to this donation as it is a direct US to US transaction. For those who do not have a PayPal account you can still make a donation again via PayPal using your credit card as directed on the site, but you will incur an additional approximate $2.00 or $3.00 service charge. If you prefer, you can always simply e-Tranfer your donation directly to me but there will be a bit of loss because of the US funds going to CAD funds and then back to US funds but it is still a huge help. However you choose to do it, please donate.
This is a photo of one of the 50 despensas that Dallas and Rocio delivered before I got involved. Every package contains one kilo each of beans, rice and flour and one litre each of milk and of cooking oil plus a small package of pasta and of tomato puree. A small bag of onions, potatoes and carrots are also included. Just this past Friday because of my donations the same package was delivered to 130 hungry families with the addition of one kilo of masa flour used to make tortillas. Each despensa should feed a family for a week depending on the size of the family.

EDM friends,
We hope all of you are safe and healthy. Life here is still wonderful with no real issues, weather has been amazing. Masks are being worn by most everyone, can’t get in Sam’s, Walmart and many stores without one. No liquor sales! Hotels, beaches, restaurants, golf courses in Mazatlan, all closed til end of emergency period of May 30.

Sending this link of the newest Tourism video for Mexico created for Canada market. Don’t cry….. https://youtu.be/3qf4KS9nEq8

Wishing the best for all!
Cheers, L & J

A bear walks into a bar. “Give me a beer………………………………… and a shot,” he says.

“Sure,” says the bartender. “But why the big pause?”

“I don’t know. I guess I was born with them.”