winifredcreamer

Walmart with Mom

My mom is 97 this year, and though she’s still mobile with her cane or her walker, she doesn’t go out much, apart from medical appointments. On my visit to her last week, I mentioned needing to stop at Walmart to buy a new case for my smartphone. Mom perked up and said she’d likeContinue reading “Walmart with Mom”

Getting a Visa: Peru 1

We need to obtain residence visas (carne de extranjeria) for Peru in order to be able to open a bank account. We are back in the US for about 90 days with the goal of obtaining the necessary paperwork here. When we return to Peru, we will use a service to process the paperwork forContinue reading “Getting a Visa: Peru 1”

Mardi Gras? In Chicago, it’s Paczki Day!

I knew nothing of Paczki until we moved to the Chicago area years ago. For those who haven’t heard of them, think: filled donuts. Originally a Polish specialty, paczki are now deeply Chicagoan. Available all year round at certain bakeries, their big day is Mardi Gras, when everyone with or without Christian heritage can haveContinue reading “Mardi Gras? In Chicago, it’s Paczki Day!”

Back in the USA

I am among the world’s most fortunate people. I can travel, though if I want to, I can stay home. I am warm, dry, and fed. My life is not threatened. I am retired and on a fixed income, but I have more than enough. As I was about to embark on this post, focusingContinue reading “Back in the USA”

Best laid plans are hard to follow

We did pretty well when you take in the big picture, but on our final Sunday night in Peru, we both were about to have our heads explode. Too many loose ends needed tying up and we were running out of time. Most of our luggage was packed, but we still didn’t know whether weContinue reading “Best laid plans are hard to follow”

Time to Pack Up

We’ve been taking our daily walk down the beach and back, with comfortable silent stretches as we each admire the view and think our own thoughts. I suspect we’re mulling over similar topics. How much will we miss Peru? We’ll miss the beach and our daily walk, the glorious sun and breeze, the sand underContinue reading “Time to Pack Up”

Having Guests During the Pandemic

Back before the Omicron variant had infected so many of our friends and neighbors, we invited my sister Paula and her partner, Wayne, to come to Peru for a visit. Paula has been here twice before, but this would be Wayne’s first visit. Peru is a good place for a mid-winter visit, and they wouldContinue reading “Having Guests During the Pandemic”

I’ll Stay Until the Wind Changes

We’ve owned our house in Peru for twenty years, quite a long time by any reckoning. We never tire of watching the sun set over the ocean, or sitting in the garden listening to the birds in the trees. We’ve gone from being here with a cast of about 40 people, leaving to work onContinue reading “I’ll Stay Until the Wind Changes”

Start Fresh in 2022

Happiness is a choice. I’m deciding to think positive in 2022, starting with things around us that I have admired recently. As usual, I like our walks, watching the birds along the shore, and in our yard. There isn’t much overlap, as the herons like the sandy edge of the water. Most of the herons,Continue reading “Start Fresh in 2022”

2021: Black Hole

When we rushed home from Peru at the beginning of March 2020, it was to get Jonathan’s shoulder mended, though inadvertently, we escaped getting locked down for Covid in Peru. Last year, 2020, was the year of quarantine, when we all stayed home, wore masks, washed hands, and kept away from other people, awaiting developmentContinue reading “2021: Black Hole”