MeXscape

Okay, I'm exaggerating a little. Well, more like a lot. But that's what went though my head when I first laid eyes on the sleek, black scorpion in the garage last night. I had never seen one before, except in pictures, and seeing one in real life, even if it was from a prudently safe distance, was enough to induce an immediate fear reaction and conjure up images of H. R. Giger. That thing was creepy.

A Mazatlan sunrise is like no other I have ever experienced. Our position here, nestled in between the ocean and the mountains, does some strange and amazing things with time and light. I don't particularly like to be up early enough to see the sunrise – it's not really my style – but, whenever I am, I never regret it.

The other night, Chuck and I were on the way home when I remembered we needed ice. Buying ice is a necessity this time of year. I am a person who likes my drinks cold, which means many cubes per drink. I own three ice trays – that's the limit my freezer can hold. With the indoor temperature at 90°F, my poor little freezer cannot make ice quickly enough to keep up with my need, so we buy it.

We've reached that time of year. The temperature is up. Humidity is at it's worst. It is still. There is not a puff of a breeze to be found anywhere. The rain has pretty much stopped, so there are no sudden storms to bring relief.

I know I complain, so I thought I should mention some of the things I love about all the rain. The field across from the house is in full bloom, which means it is covered with thousands of butterflies in glorious shades of red, orange, yellow, and white. The temperatures have been low enough for cozy socks and soup. And I certainly have had the time to get some pleasure reading done. But the very best thing about the rain has been the sunsets. I took this picture just a few minutes ago from our terrace: