Jovita Meling

In 2007 we were working Honda pit 3 as part of the Baja 1000 race, near Rancho el Coyote. After the race Alfredo suggested that we move our camp closer to the ranch house. At the ranch house a lady said we could have dinner for US$10 each. I asked what dinner would be and she looked me straight in the eye and said “You will like it!” I had just met Jovita. Dinner turned out to be Swiss steak followed by lemon meringue pie. The dinner was excellent and my young grandson said it was the best meal he had ever eaten.

After breakfast the next day Jovita asked me if I would like to stay for coffee. As we drank coffee she told me that she would like to practice English with me. She said while her husband had been alive he told he would do all the talking to the Anglos and she did not need to learn English. She had first come to the ranch to take care of Johnson’s five children the summer his wife had died. At the end of summer he asked her to marry him. She declined telling him he was twice her age and had five children. A year or so later she reconsidered and came back to the ranch to marry him. Together they had 5 children and she ended raising 10.

Jovita had traveled to Europe and told me she had trouble understanding people in England and I told her I also had difficulty understanding them as well. She had also traveled to Asia and told me she always wanted to return to Rancho el Coyote home in the hills. Jovita told me they often had 120 people at the ranch for Christmas. What a gathering that must be, children, horses, dogs, goats, geese, and music.

Jovita passed away in 2015. One of the impressive ladies that I have been lucky enough to meet.

Wonderful story... thank you so much for sharing it!