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Posts by Ann Henry:

20231225_102635

Melancholy Christmas 2023

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 2023 Christmas Eve

Last night as I laid snug in my bed the skylight over head featured a bright amazing clear moon. So, I began to reflect on Christmas past. My parents did not have a rich life and I now realize they were poor. But they did create Christmas magic for me and my 2 brothers and sister. I do not know how they pulled if off but all of our Christmas wishes magically appeared under the tree early Christmas morning. We would silently creep down stairs and exclaim to each other  “Santa Clause came”! Then my dad sprang into action with his movie camera that had a  glaring bright light that  would blind you. So all of the movies feature wide eyed kids trying to make their way to the Christmas tree and each find their special spot that contained all our wishes and desires for Christmas. My favorite gift as a young girl was the Christmas I received a transistor radio and another time the coveted Madame Alexander “My Fair Lady Doll”. All of the dolls were displayed at the neighborhood Motts Five and Dime and the “My Fair Lady Doll “was perched on top of a pyramid of dolls. How did my parents know this was the doll I wanted since I never mention it to them since it was way to expensive? Later I belief if was my favorite grandmother “MaMa” that bought this for me but in reality it was was once again my childhood Santa Clause Christmas magic.

Christmas Day

Fast forward to my Christmas today. Bill is sick with the flu and we have had to cancel Christmas plans with friends. So I have Tim Janis Christmas playing softly on the television in the background as I write this blog. This morning with my morning coffee I sampled a few bites of my freshly make German Stollen.

https://www.biggerbolderbaking.com/stollen-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-41482 Living in Ecuador stretches my ability to try and make things I have never made which I simply used to pop into the bakery or store to buy. This was my first try at stollen and required that I make candied fruit and believe it or not marzipan. All of this took several days but it really was simple steps and the outcome was heartwarming  and yummy bringing back memories past from my time in Germany.  Then  I played EPOCH “spot the difference” and a few rounds of “Candy Crush”. Boring Christmas morning but with no regrets. Life has been so busy this past month that I cherish the simple moments to just relax and reflect.

I found these Christmas Cotacachi photo’s posted by David Sasaki and enjoyed seeing our little town decked out for the holidays,

Poppy Poo Christmas

Later I will dress Poppy Poo in her Christmas dress and give her stocking stuffed with a few toys. She will hate the dress but it is mainly a time for me to take pictures.

Dogs have taught me to  try to live in the present even as I reflect on Christmas past and what the future holds. Poppy Poo experiences each moment as it arrives with enthusiasm and joy especially when I throw her the coveted ball. She in turn will be happy when the Christmas dress is taken off and then explore her new toys.

Later I will roast a turkey breast and make Bill’s favorite dressing. Maybe this will make him feel a little better. Even though our families are far away we have friends that have become like family. So no regrets.

Click on the red link to hear the Christmas song….enjoy!

Merry Christmas- Feliz Navidad

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Amici Cannis: needs your donation support

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I did not have any idea when moving to little Cotacachi, Ecuador that the Amici Cannis Animal Hospital here provided state-of-the-art veterinary health care for our precious pets. Using a combination of Ecuadorian Veterinary medicine coupled with state-of-the-art USA health care provides the best care for street dogs and those who simply cannot afford to provide the care that their pets require.

When my Winky Boy became blind and then an insulin-dependent diabetic. Amici Cannis was by my side every step of our journey. We were provided 4 bonus years with our pup. He went on this journey to the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 14. If you have in your heart to donate you will be helping so many dogs and cats here. A donation is a nice memorial for a beloved pet by helping others in so much need.

Please click on the link below for a video about Amici Cannis and its mission to provide health care to those who need it most.

Please Donate Now

 

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The Great Pretender

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I just cannot get the lyrics’ of “The Great Pretender” by the Platters out of my head. Do you remember how it begins?

Oh-oh, yes, I’m the great pretenderPretending that I’m doing wellMy need is such, I pretend too muchI’m lonely, but no one can tell

A friend in the hospitality arena told me that many people take the opportunity to reinvent themselves when they move away from their homeland to another country. While I found this rather crazy I have learned that it is so true. Sometimes, reinventing yourself is good and they have learned from past mistakes and now taking the high road. I have personally met good folks that have spent time in prison and openly talk about what happened and now are not ashamed. But then there are others that pretend so much that I think they start to believe it is true.

In my previous position one of my jobs was to check the credentials of applicants. So my MO is always rather suspicious of stories that just to not match the person. But even I can be fooled. The following is just some of the categories I use:

The Halleluiah’s: folks that boast a religious background but their actions just do not match their story.

The Thief: steals from friends when given the opportunity. Their friends have shown them nothing but generosity and kindness. So very disappointing.

The mutton  dressed as lamb: in this case an older woman that dresses like she is still young. Doesn’t she realize that she is making a fool of herself and cannot compete with the real lambs.

The Medical Person: they may have actually had some medical experience but the credentials that they boast about just do not seem creditable.

The Real-Estate Tycoon: these folks boast about all the real estate they own world wide and granted this could be true. However, my friend in the hospitality arena just rolls his eyes. Maybe it is the boasting that makes one wonder?

The Celebrities’ : this can really be legit and I do know for a fact that this is true regarding one person I know. However, there are others that boast about their status in the entertainment field that does make you question.

The Want A Be: this is a sad person because they just try to compete with others and really have nothing to show for it materially. They try to dress very nice and flaunt that they are better than others. But just look behind the mask.

So, does it really matter if someone reinvents themself and pretends to be something  else as long as no harm occurs?  I guess it does not matter but does point out insecurity in their real self behind that mask that they wear. Honestly, if my friend in the hospitality arena had not pointed it out I could have been easily fooled. He has lived here a long time and has seen it time and time again. Funny to watch him roll his eyes when the discussion comes up.

So have you encountered a “Great Pretender”?  Just have fun with it and never be mean spirited since these folks enjoy wearing their mask. You never know until you walk a mile in someone else’s  shoes.

 

 

 

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