News from Lake Chapala
Living and Writing in Mexico
Hello from Lake Chapala! Happy Holidays!
Another sunny Christmas here in Mexico.
I’m still editing novel number two. Honestly, I stop often to do something else. I have to get with it and finish this project; I have another one waiting in the wings.
How about you? How’s your art going, whatever it is? And your life? Let me tell you about some extraordinary friends here in town.
Conchita, Ives, & Tim
Several years ago, I saw Conchita two afternoons a week as I drove down the dirt hill to park along the lake. I was going to meet friends for coffee and a chat.
Conchita sat on the ground barefoot, dressed in colorful skirts and shawls, weaving. She had strung ropes between trees, on which hung beautiful rugs and bedspreads. I always thought about buying something, but I don’t think I ever did. As I drove down the hill past her, sometimes I would take the bump too fast, and she would yell at me about my driving.
I used to see her lugging this huge cart of rags up the hill to her workspace (I assume.) Conchita is a large woman; she would have to stop halfway up the hill to rest. The street is narrow, so if you were driving there, you’d just have to wait.
She is really from another era.
One rainy season several years ago, the rainfall was much heaver than usual. Homes collapsed; streets became rivers. When I drove to meet my friends, not only was my parking spot under water, but so was Conchita’s work area.
Oh, no, I thought. Where’s Conchita?
After a while, I saw her sitting on the curb on the way to the coffee shop. I would stop and hand her some money. I didn’t know where she was living, and I still don’t.
A friend who owns a restaurant over on the west end of town put a donation box in his restaurant for her. It sits on a table near the entrance with donation boxes for his rescue dogs, donkeys, and cats. You see, Yves’ isn’t just a restaurant; it’s also an animal refuge. You may see him on the Malecón (board
walk) with several dogs of all sizes following him. Or maybe on the lateral (frontage road) walking his donkeys to their day care.
Then something terrible happened. Conchita was severely beaten and was in the hospital.
Ives (pron. Eve) began to post about her condition on Facebook. She was in the hospital for at least a week. That is when my friend Tim, a local artist, stepped up. His art is unique. As I understand it, he takes photographs, blows them up, and silkscreens in various colors, one color at a time. The results are gorgeous. He had created a lovely print of Conchita, which he took to art fairs, and donated the proceeds to Conchita.
You see why I love Mexico?
If you read The Sheep Lady and liked it, here is an interview with Alex Wells: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/wn0lton3bg
