🍾🥂 Cezar, best first guest ever and our growing farm and fun!
Posted: Thu May 28, 2026 7:34 pm
Meet Cezar—Cezar loves food, which made every meal a delight. His visit rather descended on us as we scrambled to get Casa Sierra minimally habitable. Cristian worked long hours to get the electric lines installed and hook up the water. I would have preferred to have been able to put some final touches on the place but let go of that idea as meeting Cezar was awaited with bated breath. He's Romanian though has been living in Toronto for many years which has westernized his perspective.
While not particularly of a spiritual bent he definitely has the soul of a gypsy and the heart of a shaman. Our conversations ranged wide and far, always intriguing and our differing perspectives only added to the intellectual gambit of finding common ground. His month long visit was so much fun as looking through the eyes of a first time visitor to Mexico always reminds me of the magic this country still emanates.
While rejecting AI for the most part it became apparent that there are some fun uses for it. You see, Cezar works all day with AI building inventory and delivery systems for different companies. The conversations we had were an eye-opener for me because AI came home to roost. He expresses amazement at its problem solving abilities while at the same time having to constantly watch what it is doing as it can run awry of the task asked of it. On the other hand he feels an innate distrust and finds his work tasking at best. For myself I received an inside view of the developing world of AI involvement which included his take on a younger generation growing up with the digital world. Included in my education was a better than bird's eye view of a multi-cultural liberal society that is Toronto. To sum it up I am finding a level of tolerance that previously eluded me, it sure helped that we enjoyed Cezar's company so much.
Meet Cezar — Cezar loves to cook and every meal was truly a gourmet's journey
We spoke of doing a mushroom journey but never found the right moment and our time together was psychedelic enough.
A few highlights of his visit included our evening walks to the lake where the Romanian boys surprised me with a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne for my birthday, crystal glasses included. That evening we had a lovely dinner at a rooftop restaurant, San Miguel is rather known for them and everything served was superb. Moments like these always bring me into a state of profound gratitude. It is a gratitude for the many blessings in my life, more poignant than ever because the backdrop of suffering being inflicted on thousands of human beings, animals, and all life is never far from my consciousness.
Moments that will be remembered, thank you Cristian for being you
Cheers to all our friends both near and far
Magical San Miguel from a rooftop on a glorious evening sunset.
Another hike took us down into a canyon that narrows into a ravine with a deep pool of water, a hidden place that we've visited before. To go up the narrowing ravine includes a scramble over boulders and one swim in a pool of chilly water shaded by the rock walls. On our way out I got hypothermia on emerging from the water with wet clothing. The wind was blowing and the sun was going down. Honestly I didn't know what was happening to me, so out of body and shaking I some how managed the 30 minute hike out of the canyon feeling like I would pass out any minute.
Lesson learned, take off your clothing before swimming in cold water
The month came to a close rather quickly as our outings around town and environs kept us on the move. Cezar must have taken over a thousand photos as each narrow street, old door, church interior, and iconic scene fascinated him.
Really too many photos to post for this blog and it's about time to introduce our friends to a growing feathered flock. We started with three hens; Betty, Lola, and Wilma. If you have never raised hens it is hard to describe how they work their way into your heart and the real joy of finding eggs every day inspired us to purchase more ladies.
Sadly, on the work crews last week when we were out to town for dinner and they didn't replace the temporary wire closure securely so when we arrived home the three girls were dead. Probably not hard to guess what happened—Sierra the wolf had gotten into the enclosure and hunted them down. Mixed emotions ran through us both, anger turned to outrage at Sierra at the same moment comprehending she was only expressing her nature. Sadness at our loss that mingled with a new understanding of what farm life is all about—losses come with the joys. Acceptance wasn't too difficult to find plus realizing we are a bit too enthusiastic and need to be better prepared. ie: real gates are now installed.
What is behind the secret garden gate you ask. . . a growing animal tribe of hens, ducks, and rabbits.
On our next visit to the tianguis, the town's big market on Tuesdays we couldn't resist Jeepster our first duck. We also brought Lourdes and Fatima two new hens home.
Jeepster the duck who was afraid of water. Today she paddles around and dives in the big tub.
To date we have the two girls, Jeepster plus Mathilda, Freckles, and The Donald the ducks. Kerry and Sammy the ducklings, one new hen, Billy Jean plus Apollo and Angela our first rabbits.
We are getting five eggs a day non-stop, too many for us to eat so the extras go to the shop to sell or give away. We do live in abundance from our homestead and the organic market a fifteen minute walk from the house. Simplicity plus a lot of work keep us grounded in the real. With so many people in the world being consumed by fear of scarcity it is a humble reminder to stay in gratitude for each moment and gift as it presents.
Wire chicken egg basket will travel
Shopping basket at the local organic store
Will end here for the time being. The intention is to keep updating the journey we are on. Having some extra moments available I find myself pulled back into writing. The fields are more subtle now, not always easy to put words to the inner perceptions though the muse is pushing me to try.
And why not—have some fun with AI. In long discussions with friends we talk about using it or not, most are. For myself making a few fun images feels right though I do note that several friends have fallen through the floor and find it too enticing up to the point of personalizing "their AI assistant". Staying watchful of oneself in these interactions is more important than ever.
Christine the fairy with Nacha the little baby donkey that follows her around on the evening walkabout.
Cristian with his cowboy hat and pistol at his side—transported to Tombstone
While not particularly of a spiritual bent he definitely has the soul of a gypsy and the heart of a shaman. Our conversations ranged wide and far, always intriguing and our differing perspectives only added to the intellectual gambit of finding common ground. His month long visit was so much fun as looking through the eyes of a first time visitor to Mexico always reminds me of the magic this country still emanates.
While rejecting AI for the most part it became apparent that there are some fun uses for it. You see, Cezar works all day with AI building inventory and delivery systems for different companies. The conversations we had were an eye-opener for me because AI came home to roost. He expresses amazement at its problem solving abilities while at the same time having to constantly watch what it is doing as it can run awry of the task asked of it. On the other hand he feels an innate distrust and finds his work tasking at best. For myself I received an inside view of the developing world of AI involvement which included his take on a younger generation growing up with the digital world. Included in my education was a better than bird's eye view of a multi-cultural liberal society that is Toronto. To sum it up I am finding a level of tolerance that previously eluded me, it sure helped that we enjoyed Cezar's company so much.
Meet Cezar — Cezar loves to cook and every meal was truly a gourmet's journey
We spoke of doing a mushroom journey but never found the right moment and our time together was psychedelic enough.
A few highlights of his visit included our evening walks to the lake where the Romanian boys surprised me with a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne for my birthday, crystal glasses included. That evening we had a lovely dinner at a rooftop restaurant, San Miguel is rather known for them and everything served was superb. Moments like these always bring me into a state of profound gratitude. It is a gratitude for the many blessings in my life, more poignant than ever because the backdrop of suffering being inflicted on thousands of human beings, animals, and all life is never far from my consciousness.
Moments that will be remembered, thank you Cristian for being you
Cheers to all our friends both near and far
Magical San Miguel from a rooftop on a glorious evening sunset.
Another hike took us down into a canyon that narrows into a ravine with a deep pool of water, a hidden place that we've visited before. To go up the narrowing ravine includes a scramble over boulders and one swim in a pool of chilly water shaded by the rock walls. On our way out I got hypothermia on emerging from the water with wet clothing. The wind was blowing and the sun was going down. Honestly I didn't know what was happening to me, so out of body and shaking I some how managed the 30 minute hike out of the canyon feeling like I would pass out any minute.
Lesson learned, take off your clothing before swimming in cold water
The month came to a close rather quickly as our outings around town and environs kept us on the move. Cezar must have taken over a thousand photos as each narrow street, old door, church interior, and iconic scene fascinated him.
Really too many photos to post for this blog and it's about time to introduce our friends to a growing feathered flock. We started with three hens; Betty, Lola, and Wilma. If you have never raised hens it is hard to describe how they work their way into your heart and the real joy of finding eggs every day inspired us to purchase more ladies.
Sadly, on the work crews last week when we were out to town for dinner and they didn't replace the temporary wire closure securely so when we arrived home the three girls were dead. Probably not hard to guess what happened—Sierra the wolf had gotten into the enclosure and hunted them down. Mixed emotions ran through us both, anger turned to outrage at Sierra at the same moment comprehending she was only expressing her nature. Sadness at our loss that mingled with a new understanding of what farm life is all about—losses come with the joys. Acceptance wasn't too difficult to find plus realizing we are a bit too enthusiastic and need to be better prepared. ie: real gates are now installed.
What is behind the secret garden gate you ask. . . a growing animal tribe of hens, ducks, and rabbits.
On our next visit to the tianguis, the town's big market on Tuesdays we couldn't resist Jeepster our first duck. We also brought Lourdes and Fatima two new hens home.
Jeepster the duck who was afraid of water. Today she paddles around and dives in the big tub.
To date we have the two girls, Jeepster plus Mathilda, Freckles, and The Donald the ducks. Kerry and Sammy the ducklings, one new hen, Billy Jean plus Apollo and Angela our first rabbits.
We are getting five eggs a day non-stop, too many for us to eat so the extras go to the shop to sell or give away. We do live in abundance from our homestead and the organic market a fifteen minute walk from the house. Simplicity plus a lot of work keep us grounded in the real. With so many people in the world being consumed by fear of scarcity it is a humble reminder to stay in gratitude for each moment and gift as it presents.
Wire chicken egg basket will travel
Shopping basket at the local organic store
Will end here for the time being. The intention is to keep updating the journey we are on. Having some extra moments available I find myself pulled back into writing. The fields are more subtle now, not always easy to put words to the inner perceptions though the muse is pushing me to try.
And why not—have some fun with AI. In long discussions with friends we talk about using it or not, most are. For myself making a few fun images feels right though I do note that several friends have fallen through the floor and find it too enticing up to the point of personalizing "their AI assistant". Staying watchful of oneself in these interactions is more important than ever.
Christine the fairy with Nacha the little baby donkey that follows her around on the evening walkabout.
Cristian with his cowboy hat and pistol at his side—transported to Tombstone