Tag-Team Babysitters

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of joining my friend Faye for a babysitting gig. Here’s how it went.

 

You are invited: to help me babysit

Honorees: 2 adorable grandchildren (Amaya & Selma)

Location of Venue: Richmond, VA

Time: Wednesday ‘till Friday

 

I gotta say, I never hesitated.   Faye and I always have a good time…wherever we’re headed, whatever we’re headed into.  So off we went to Richmond with an open itinerary.  Our charge was to deliver and pick up the girls from school, feed them and put them to bed.  There were no long lists (left by their mom) as to what to feed, when to bed down and how to spend the afternoon hours until lights out.  The details were left up to us and  

we tackled the task with creativity and enthusiasm.

Our location was picture perfect.  The girls live (with their parents) in a beautiful old 3 story townhome in the heart of Richmond known as the Fan District.  Here the streets fan out like the spokes of a wheel, and the traffic roundabouts are adorned with massive statues of mostly Civil War heroes.  (There is one renegade statue of hometown local Arthur Ashe)  Tree lined sidewalks, quaint coffee and bake shops dotted about, and every house spit-spot, make this neighborhood totally charming.  

We walked the girls to school both mornings.  The scene on the school yard corner is truly Norman Rockwell; mothers with strollers, children with scooters, daddies on bicycles and folks just milling about talking and visiting with one another.  They are waiting for a connecting bus to the pre-school, or waiting for the morning bell to ring signaling it’s time to bring the children inside.  And indeed they do.  When the bell rings, everyone…mothers, fathers, grandmothers and fathers and sitters and nannies all escort their darlings into the building, down the halls right into their respective classrooms.  Where, I will add, the teacher is at the door to greet everyone with a cheerful good morning!  It was wonderful!

By 8:45 in the morning, we had adeptly performed our duties and were foot loose and fancy free until 3:15.  It goes without saying (or maybe I should) that we used our time wisely, or at least used it to our liking.  Our “to do and to see” list was much longer than the hours we had to fill.  The only task we had promised to do while in Richmond was to locate a particular beer supply store, and buy George the ingredients needed for his next brew batch.   It took a bit of time to find the tiny hole-in-the-wall, but once we did, the well informed fellow behind the counter took charge, and while we shopped the antique/thrift shops across the street, he pulled things off his shelves, mixed up concoctions and totaled it all up for us.  One swipe of the credit card and we were out of there with two bags full. 

We had a blast.  We shopped ‘till we dropped at every thrift shop in the west end.  We swung by Trader Joes and stocked up on specialty items.  We lingered over sweet, rich coffee at Kuba-Kuba and had French fries for lunch.  Oh, what decadence. 

We found a couple of real treasures…a red leather chair and a wooden porch bench.  Fitting it all into the back of the car was a real jigsaw puzzle, but we were determined.

It was 3:15 before we were half way down our list, and we sped back to pick up the girls.  That’s when the fun really started.  We drove over to Maymont, a breathtakingly beautiful park with 100 acres of gardens, fountains and waterfalls.  The impressive Victorian mansion on the grounds was built in 1893, and the entire property was given to the town of Richmond by the owners for future generations to enjoy.  The park also serves as a sanctuary for injured birds and animals or otherwise endangered species.  We got up close and personal with an enormous pair of black bears, and shared a moment with a fox being served his evening meal. 

In spite of the late afternoon heat, we had a blast.  Selma gave us a solo performance of “It’s a Hard Knock Life” while standing in the middle of the dome topped pergola. We all marveled at the “surround sound” effect the architecture afforded.  We enjoyed several repeat performances. 

A pizza dinner, ice cream cones and bedtime stories topped off our busy day.  Everyone had fun.

I gotta say, I think we handled our job in a responsible and trustworthy manner.  We may even have performed it with a bit of style and grace.

 Humm, just a glimpse into what may lie ahead.   Maybe I’ll need Faye to tag-team with me some day.   Raleigh here we come!

 

 

San Miguel - A Magic Tonic

A few days in San Miguel is like a magic tonic that sharpens the senses at the same pace it eases you into the slow lane.  The only things moving fast are the wings of the hummingbird I’m watching through the open veranda doors.  The terrace walls are dripping with bougainvillea, and the giant terra cotta pots sprinkled about are bursting with color. 

Our long-time friends, Barbara and David, have set up residence in this bucolic, way south-of-the-border town.  Founded centuries ago, San Miguel de Allende is a charming city of narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful churches, and warm hues of brick and stone buildings.  The markets, plazas and jardins are always busy, filled with locals and tourists alike.  Everyone mingles, everyone offers a friendly greeting, and the air is charged with life.  New smells are offered up as you walk past vendors.  I haven’t been tempted or brave enough to try any street food except for the ice cream – la lima – delicioso!

Barbara and David are true locals and know all the best restaurants and where to shop.  Their wide circle of friends, artists, musicians and actors include many fellow Americans (all ex-pats) and Mexican residents as well.  David plays in a band (his brain child) and Barbara belongs to several acting groups doing a bit of everything from improv to miming.   This wonderful group of folks has made us feel quite included and welcome. 

San Miguel is steeped in a rich history of family, religious rites, celebrations, and revolution.  The Virgin of Guadalope is the symbol of all that is holy and good, and her image emblazes everything from shopping bags to stained glass.  There are daily celebrations of parades and fireworks following the religious calendar.  It takes a few days to sleep though the boom of fireworks that begin at midnight on the eve of the honored birthday of any given saint or national hero….and there are hundreds of saints and heroes.  Some obviously don’t rate as high as others…say Christopher Columbus.  The only quiet night we had was Oct. 13….eve before Columbus Day.  The word’s out - he wasn’t such a nice guy after all.   Then there’s Ignacio Allende (hence the Allende of San Miguel de Allende), Captain of the Mexican Army who led the downtrodden masses in the revolution against Spain.  Caught and beheaded, his legend lives on in the hearts of every Mexican.  During the huge Independence Celebration, canons are fired, dancing and music fill the streets, and fireworks light the sky all night.  Festival de los Locos, to celebrate the arrival of spring, is a huge favorite with most persons. 

In age-old tradition, men dress as women, dancing and music fill the streets, and my favorite, the Mojigangas  (stilt-walkers) parade with their elaborate, enormous puppet-like costumes.  Oh, to be in San Miguel on a festival day!

We’ve got five days to take it all in.  Hurry up to slow down.  There’s the market (I’m addicted), the churches, the hot springs, art galleries, botanical gardens, scenic drives, parties, breakfast engagements, lunch engagements, dinner plans, and open houses.  In between, we soak up the sunshine; wander the narrow streets and mill around el jardin.  

      It’s all good.