2020...NOT A Very Good Year

This year is not going well.  Pandemics, protests, travel restrictions, etc.  We don't go out much.  We haven't traveled anywhere as a family for a while now.  I have been going to Supermaxi...usually on Tuesdays.  It is nice that there are extended hours but the procedure is still the same.  Temperature checks, spraying people with industrial-strength rubbing alcohol, masks, social distancing, rubbing alcohol on our hands, etc.  Gloves are no longer required at the Supermaxis.  The four Supermaxis are in Cuenca.  One Supermaxi (El Vergel) is still being renovated.  People age 60+ are advised to self-quarantine for at least one to two more months.  It is rumored that the Paute Canton will be Green starting tomorrow (Monday, June 8th).  Shorter curfew (12 am [midnight] to 5 am) but people still have to wear masks and practice social distancing.  More businesses will be open.  May this come true.  I am looking forward to Ecuador allowing international travel once again.  Along with COVID-19 has been Black Lives Matter (BLM).  The protesting of the unjustified death of George Floyd.  Some people believe it's real and some people believe it's not.  There are no BLM protests here in Ecuador as far as I know.  Anyone here in Ecuador who would like to participate has to do it virtually.  Let's just say the reality is people of all colors get attacked and killed.  It is not a crime to focus on one group at a time...in this case black people.  I am glad that people of all races are tired of racism and violence just like myself.  Violence against blacks has been ignored for too long.  I hope that people will not allow all the bad things going on in the world to divide us but bring us together.   The one bright spot for us is our son Kobe.

We consider Kobe a high school graduate as of Monday, June 1st even though he does not have his high school diploma.  The plan has not changed.  Kobe will obtain his GED in Osaka or Tokyo (he prefers Osaka), Japan in October.  Japan is not allowing many countries to enter because of COVID-19.  May Japan opens its borders before Kobe and I are scheduled to go to Japan (September 26th).  Tomorrow, Monday, June 8th, Kobe will be learning how to code on the Codeacademy website just like me.  When it comes to technology, Kobe and I are tech-savvy.  Randy is not as tech-savvy as us but he has other talents.

Randy is doing a great job of improving on our property.  We have lots of flowers and other plants on our five acres (2 hectares).  Our driveway is looking even better now.  He keeps coming up with great ideas on our house and property improvements.  Now I hope Randy can get our hot tub working again.  We have the help of Rodrigo Saca, Jaime Tamay (Maestro), and Alexander Parra (Alex)...along with some gardeners.  An electrician will be helping out with our home and property improvements soon.  We are so grateful we have a place where we can feel safe and comfortable.

Freddy Rokano of Paute drew and painted the Flat Earth on the roof of our stage.  Randy came up with the design.  

Here is our high school graduate, Kobe (age 18).  He is now wearing his hair longer but would like a trim.  

The inviting entrance to our property at the top of the driveway.  The full name of our place is Happy Trails de Los Andes.

This is halfway up our driveway.  The gardeners are planting trees and flowers.  Randy will also have the trail along our highway extended.

These are the beautiful flowers at the beginning of our driveway.  Flowers make every place look even more inviting.

Randy and Freddy Rokano of Paute.  Freddy is an artist and his work is just amazing.  I helped Randy find a picture of a Flat Earth and Freddy did the artwork on the roof of our stage.

This the entrance to our house (the bottom of the driveway).  This is before the walls were painted and the flowers were planted.  Walking down the driveway is Jaime Tamay (Maestro).

Here I am photobombing Randy on the road next to our house.  Our dogs Lucy (girl) (left) and Cookie (girl) (right).  

The beautiful and majestic Paute River.  Living next to a natural river makes life even sweeter.

Between the wires is the cuy (guinea pig) farm of our neighbors, Napo and Doris Once.  The cuyes are a delicacy here in Ecuador.  

This is the view of the hill on the other side of the river.  The homes on the hill are in the Gualaceo Canton.  

This the view from our scenic spot.  No pollution.  It is sunny and the sky is blue and the clouds are white.

Staying healthy is easy.  I use nothing but fresh aloe vera (sabila) on my skin and hair.  I never felt better.