bajalera
Super Nomad
Posts: 1875
Registered: 10-15-2003
Location: Santa Maria CA
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You've adjusted to life in Baja when . . .
you buy a hanging plant in a pot that's suspended by three sort of sleazy wires whose ends are twisted into a hook, and you remove the wires and put
the pot in a decent looking macrame plant hanger.
But there might come a day when you need sleazy wires and God only knows where they are to be found, so you stash them away in a drawer instead of
putting them in the trash.
bajalera
\"Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest never happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.\" -
Mark Twain
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
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Life in Baja
Hell, I do that on the northern side of the border. Having just moved I can PROMISE you I NEVER threw anything away my entire life.
But, speaking of planters, in the '60's and '70's at Rancho Sonora, an hour south of El Rosario and after you've dropped into the central desert, they
had a small garden apparently supported by grey water just in front of their tiny cafe (that served the VERY BEST salsa in the central desert).
Suspended just above the garden and inside the palapa there was an old, exhausted tire. Someone had somehow twisted the tire such that the lower
portion was formed into a widened configuration and planted flowers there.
I have thought through the image in my mind for decades now and still can't imagine how they did it.
I guess I can't say that this strictly falls into your posting point. There were no saved planter wires. Just memories. Maybe it's the memories
that are the most difficult of all the items we get rid of.
Thanks for recalling one of mine.
bajalera if you haven't read Tony Cohen's "Living On Mexican Time" book you would surely enjoy it!
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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Lera - We also save string and plant wire and other odds 'n ends... I just KNEW I oughta be living in Baja. 
And I sure agree with Mike regarding the book, which I believe is titled simply "On Mexican Time". Pleasant read with lots of smiles.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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Lera
For sure! A Mexicans treasures are a lot of others trash.
It is interesting how so many gringo's do not understand this basic fact of Mexican life. Sorta like a bank account for those unforeseen events in
life.
How is the book coming?
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
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Adjusted
When your heart doesn't pound when a cop in Tijuana or Ensenada pulls you over. Instead you look at this as an opportunity to see if you can screw
him out of his mordida.
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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I see about 5 van and trailer loads
of things I have saved and will move down south. Probably to save some more.
But, one day they will be used for sure.
Carol doesn't seem to understand, but my neighbors sure do!
I think that an important part of living somewhere that doesn't have much, is using what you have to make up for it.
Keep on collecting!!
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mcgyver
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 8-22-2003
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Murphys Law!
Isn't that what its called? If you throw it away today and there is not another available anywhere then that is the one you will need!
Never fails for me.
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
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Guarandangteed
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Mexray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1016
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: California Delta
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Mood: Baja Time
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I'm reminded of....
the late Granville King, who wrote a monthly column in 'PV4' magazine, and lived his later years on a Sea of Cortez Playa, below San Felipi...
This particular column relived King's earlier days around a garage, where all the spare bits of mechanical stuff, nuts, bolts, fittings, washers, etc.
would end up in a 'goodie-box'. He wrote how these bits would seem to multiply in the wee hours when no one was around...and when needed, would
give-up just the right part that was needed.
The 'goodie-box' needed nurturing, from time to time, and sometimes it would be necessary to 'caress' these bits and pieces, several times in order to
find the required item!
I just know that when I need a few of a particular sized washer from my own 'goodie-box' - it takes time...maybe find a couple now, and then return in
an hour to find some more...dang!, those weren't there when I looked the 1st time!
Of course, it's been said many times, you won't need an item till the day after you haul it to the dump!
[Edited on 20-8-2004 by Mexray]
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Mexray
yer not the only one. I have truly been amazed at what turns up when you need
it. Almost magical!
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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This post immediately brings two things to mind;
One of Don Jimmy?s favourite sayins:
Murphy?s Law ? If it can go wrong it will.
Martinez?s Law ? That Murphy was an optimist. Jejejeje, Hay que mi Poppie, still leaves me chucking.
And:
Just the other day, I was at my silk screen masters studio out in the boonies of El Tule, and I spotted in the yard a couple of pieces of broken
decortive talavera tile of a pattern that I had never seen before. I scooped up this special find in total glee and with my eyes shinning at my good
fortune, I asked him if I could have them. ?Claro Que Si?, he said.
Of course being an artist himself, he understands better than anyone else that one man?s trash is another?s treasures.
Saludos a todos, Sara
[Edited on 8-21-2004 by Eli]
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Markitos
Nomad
Posts: 218
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Location: San Diego/La Paz
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Mood: let me check
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# 1 Ice chest
# 2 Shade cloth
# 3 Fuel can
# 4 Pcv pipe
# 5 Pair of flip flops
# 6 o never mind you get the idea. All road side finds 
All that wonder are not lost
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Eli,
you and everyone else that had the pleasure of spending no more than a few minutes with him !
One of a kind.
Uness of course, he had some kids!!!
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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I can just see Jimmy...
sitting in his chair on the front porch issuing witticisms. Some of us don't care about recognition. To some of it comes too late. To a very few it
comes naturally and on both sides of the Great Rainbow. I know many of us miss him and he was absolutely right about his 2 laws.
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3528
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Next you're at Gecko ask Doc the story of how he 'found' 2 parts for Gecko III.
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Tucker
Senior Nomad
Posts: 664
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: El Centenario, BCS
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You've adjusted to life in Baja when . . .
you don't raise an eyebrow:
When you see an old lady pushing a wheelbarrow down the street.
When you see an old man riding a 20" bike with dignity.
When you see a person from a large household buying one roll of toilet paper.
\"I think it would be a good idea.\"
-- Mahatma Gandhi, when asked what he thought of Western civilization
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gonetobaja
Nomad
Posts: 286
Registered: 1-4-2004
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Adjusted...
When it dosent suprise or anger you that the answer to most of your questions is...
"Were gonna do that manana"
GTB
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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I personally don't think you ever adjust to Baja. It's changing so fast. Every time I think I've got it all figured out - something new arises -
outta nowhere. Ya know what I mean?
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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