15th Anniversary

If my doctor had not suggested WATER aerobics for my joint issues, Marco and I would never have met.

And I have finally, after fifteen years, figured out why Marco does not remember the very first time we spoke to each other at the pool. He had been swimming his daily laps and came over to where I was splashing around wearing wrist and ankle floats. He offered to teach me how to swim. I said no, that I was not interested. He turned a flip in the WATER like a playful otter and said but it's easy! I said, laughing, easy for you maybe, but not for me!

We chatted a bit and then he went on his way. And when I went home that day I told my Dad that a real swimmer had come to talk to me. You see, I had been watching Marco for quite some time. He swam so pretty! He was part of the WATER, he did not fight it, and he obviously loved what he was doing. I remember being all giggly when I was telling Dad about him. I was always sorry that Dad passed away a few months before Marco and I moved from shy smiles to conversations that we both remembered. I think they would have been great friends.

Meanwhile, what is the reason that Marco does not recall that first chat? Probably because I had refused to take swim lessons! I only caught his interest later, when we would see each other on the streets of town: him on his bike or running, and me walking around with my little Saturday Garage Sale Day backpack. I had a small one so I would not get carried away and bring home more things than I could carry. Sometimes that plan even worked.

The first big connection between us also occurred in the WATER, this time in the therapy pool. I had found that soaking in the warm bubbles helped me more than trying to exercise in the big pool, and one day Marco also came in to soak after finishing his laps. I remember it was very soon after I had celebrated my 50th birthday and I was still glowing over that day. Marco congratulated me for the milestone and we spent a long time talking about many different topics, the same way we have ever since that day. We can always find something to talk about, to wonder about, to puzzle over. Marco is the only person I have ever known who has as much curiosity for the world as I do. Being able to share such a feeling with someone is a priceless treasure. From the moment of that conversation to this very day, I wanted to tell Marco everything and listen to him tell me everything. Even though
there are times when our communication wires get crossed and we end up laughing over what each of us thought the other said, these experiences simply add stories to our personal history book.

WATER introduced us, but EARTH sealed our bond. On our very first date we walked for seven miles. I have always loved to walk, but I had only gone around town and for some laps in the parks, I had never ventured into the desert here. I was nervous about being there alone. Years before I had ridden horseback alone for hours every day in the west Texas desert, but I was always braver on my stallion Patton than I ever was on my own two feet. So it was a thrill for me to walk past the edge of town, past the park near the airport, up the hill a short distance, and then finally sit to rest and look back over the valley. But I didn't look for long. That was where we shared our first kiss, sitting on a concrete ledge by the side of the road.

Our first walk together was definitely not the last. We kept going every Sunday, adding distance each week until the big day when we reached the nine-mile marker east of town. There are so many lovely memories of our desert walks! Finding the little stunned bunny the weekend we got married, carrying it along with us while we climbed to the top of D Hill and sat looking down at man-made borders on an EARTH that does not believe in such things. Taking the same bunny back down to put him where we had found him, now all recovered from his encounter with a truck and hopefully wiser, maybe even with his own story to tell someday.

The hidden lake, with the usually dry wash that led to it; the ducks that lived in the lake when it was full. That dry wash was a great picnic spot. We were eating cold chicken once when I was lucky enough to see three deer bounding across the wash not too far from us. If I had not turned my head just at the moment they were crossing I never would have seen them. Marco missed them and I still wonder if he really believed me when I said Deer, deer!

Once we saw a Gila monster. And then there was the big walk we took on the north side of the road. We wanted to be clever and explore nature in that area, it looked so inviting. But the mesquite and creosote bushes turned out to be so close together that we had a heck of a time getting anywhere. It was a good lesson in the beauty and variety that the EARTH offers anyone who takes the time to see and appreciate what is there. Just by crossing a road we had gone from fairly easy walking to having to go from point A to point Z in order to get to point B. It was hilarious.

Those desert walks showed me a man who appreciates our poor abused planet EARTH the same way I do. I think some of our happiest moments were spent walking in the desert and then later in some of the empty places near our little house in Mexico, just exploring our planet, listening to its heartbeat. But whether it is desert or farmland or along a river or even on a city sidewalk, Marco and I find adventure and joy in every step. Even if we do not walk together physically these days, we still maintain a matched pace and we are closer in spirit than we have ever been.

One more thing about the EARTH and how it connects us. I had never worked with plants: I was used to handling animals in veterinary clinics and horses on a dude ranch and also on a breeding farm but I never did more with plants than mow grass and trim firethorn until we got to the Blue House in Mexico. I loved working in the garden, talking to the roses and fruit trees and figs; clipping the grass, pulling weeds, feeling the power and magic of the EARTH and the spirit of Abuelita helping me to help what used to be her garden come back to life after years of disuse.

Marco is in charge of the garden now. It is changed, it is not quite the park it used to be, but my spirit is still there, along with Abuelita's and Don Bamboo's and even Rasham's. We are all a part of that patch of EARTH. I carry it with me every time I go out to play in the yard here. Thanks to Marco and to Mexico I no longer merely maintain the plants around this house, I commune with them and through them with the garden at the Blue House and the EARTH itself. It may be a tiny gesture of healing, but a small caress can make anything feel loved, even something as big as the EARTH.

I am a Nature Baby who prefers to keep both feet firmly on the ground, unless I am on a horse or at the top of the pyramids at Teotihuacan. Marco could spend 24 hours a day in a swimming pool, but he is also a creature of the AIR. I have to say that even though I have sworn I will never actually fly
with Marco in a real plane, life with him has kept my imagination soaring. We both see the world in our own special style, and play with life in ways that other people don't seem to realize are even possible.

We have team projects that challenge us both: if he sends an appealing gif in an email, I try to find a song to match it, then he creates a video incorporating both elements. We tend to create personalities for the items around us: Delia and Holly, Georgette, Handy Dandy, Lorena, and my dear friend Igor who used to sit heavily in the garden with me while I was watering the plants and reading my books. We have Book Day three times a week during our daily phone calls. I read, Marco listens, we both fly.

These are just a few of the ways we keep our lives fresh and fascinating. We can still look at the world with childlike wonder and enthusiasm, even on dark days when the chaos threatens to make everyone on the planet crash and burn. We do feel the torment of current events, but we try never to
let that man-made sorrow drown out our deep LOVE for life. That LOVE and the joy that comes with it are vital elements of the way we feel we should be living: we believe in a simple life guided by the Universe; a life that blends the souls of two people into a vibrant piece of sparkling CRYSTAL that
will endure beyond the end of time.

Debbie Zapata
October 20, 2023
Written for our 15th anniversary
coming up on October 30, 2023

Debbie, THE GREATEST LOVE

When I met Debbie, for me she was a TENDER,SWEET AND UNATTAINABLE GIRL, in addition to being very elegant because she wore old-style gloves that shocked me, at that moment I felt that I DIDN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO SUPPORT HER, nor was I prepared to have a relationship with her, In me "THE GREATEST LOVE" grew and grew.

As time went by she became essential, I NEEDED HER, without her it was like “VIVIR SIN AIRE”. From our first meeting our talks were really interesting, there was a fluidity in our conversation topics, as if we had prepared them in advance. The most surprising thing was that there were subject matter that were difficult to address, since they are for truly open minds, without borders (in my personal experience, people with “Master's Degrees” and/or “Doctorates” were taboo topics), but with her they became easy to "DIGERIR", and most of all there was MUTUAL RESPECT from the beginning, WE BOTH KNEW HOW TO LISTEN.

“TE QUIERO AMOR”, THE PRINCIPLES of Grandparents and Parents have never left me, so with Debbie from the beginning I protected her as “MI NIÑA” (My years of experience with my brothers and later with my children was more than enough), When walking through the desert I always I was alert for some special situation (only one occasion was a dog).
Our LOVE has its contrasts, PACIFICO COMO MAR EN CALMA, ARDIENTE Y FOGOSO COMO UN VOLCÁN, EMBRIAGANTE COMO UN ELIXIR, FUERTE COMO UN TERREMOTO, that rainbow of hues chains our SPIRITS to the depths of INFINITY.

“YO TE QUIERO MI CORAZÓN”, Debbie made me feel the most powerful and great feeling, LOVE, that overcomes any obstacle.
With her I have re-learned to live with SIMPLICITY, HUMILITY, CONNECT with MOTHER EARTH, RESPECT THE IMMENSE STRENGTH OF NATURE, we are the 3 musketeers (WERITA, PILONCILLO AND FIDEL) who fight together to keep our corner healthy.
SHARE JOY with people, LIVE INTENSELY every moment and enjoy it to the fullest, keep our COMMUNITY HEALTHY (MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL). In addition to PRESERVING OUR IDENTITY (Customs, Clothing, Food, Toys, Traditions).
and helps to understand this “MUNDO LOCO”.

“OH CHERIE CHERIE”, From the beginning Our relationship is based on the MAGICAL WORLD OF SYMBOLISM, which is born from the INNATE CURIOSITY that identifies us.
Day by day we let “OUR IMAGINATION FLY” like a Couple of Kids, new challenges appear such as a reading club, pairing video with music (with independent ideas), radio station “RADIO TIBURÓN” (“with good music around the world with its slogan “Rhythm: King of the Movement, Motor of Life”, create natural and healthy dishes, development of TECNOLOGÍA DE PUNTA PRÁCTICA in all genres.
We have PETS that identify with our experience, ARTESANÍAS, DEITIES, CRAFTS, elements of ARCHEOLOGY related to the STRENGTH OF THE UNIVERSE, Musical Instruments, relevant LOVE STORIES, CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY, it is an INFINITE WORLD in which we are immersed.

Our Relationship “MAKES US FEEL MIGHTY REAL” and DANCE WITH THE RHYTHM OF LIFE, not just these 15 years, this will be “PARA SIEMPRE”.

Sincerely
Marco Antonio Zapata
October 22, 2023
Written for our 15th anniversary
coming up on October 30, 2023

The Greatest Love

The Greatest Love

Song by Hugo Montenegro
Released: 1971

You have a love that buys you pretty clothes
And all the fine things heaven only knows that I wish I could
You have a love that dances and sings,
Swings, says all the pretty things that a playboy should
Mmm he's got money he's got charms
and when you're walking on and on
It hurts me so, but I just want you to know
It's not easy, heaven knows I try
to wish the best to you and push myself aside
Well it takes the greatest love that you'll ever find
to let you walk away, leaving me behind
And that's the greatest love, yes it is
You have a love, he's got the power
to do anything each and every hour of the day and night
You have a love, he's got the ways and means
to show you all the wild scenes when the lights are bright
Mmm love should never possessed
so don't you cry and be depressed
You're free to go, but I just want you to know
It's not easy, heaven knows I try
to wish the best to you and push myself aside
Well it takes the greatest love that you'll ever find
to let you walk away leaving me behind
And that's the greatest love, yes it is

Vivir Sin Aire

Song by Maná
Released: 1992

Como Quisiera
Poder Vivir Sin Aire
Como Quisiera
Poder Vivir Sin Agua
Me Encantaría
Quererte Un Poco Menos
Como Quisiera
Poder Vivir Sin Ti
Pero No Puedo
Siento Que Muero
Me Estoy Ahogando Sin Tu Amor
Como Quisiera Poder Vivir Sin Aire
Como Quisiera Calmar Mi Aflicción
Como Quisiera Poder Vivir Sin Agua
Me Encantaría Robar Tu Corazón
Como Pudiera
Un Pez Nadar Sin Agua (No, No, No)
Como Pudiera
Un Ave Volar Sin Alas
Como Pudiera
La Flor Crecer Sin Tierra (Oh, No)
Como Quisiera
Poder Vivir Sin Ti (Oh, No)
Pero No Puedo
Siento Que Muero
Me Estoy Ahogando Sin Tu Amor
Como Quisiera Poder Vivir Sin Aire
Como Quisiera Calmar Mi Aflicción
Como Quisiera Poder Vivir Sin Agua
Me Encantaría Robar Tu Corazón
Como Quisiera Lanzarte A Dormido
Como Quisiera Guardarte En Un Cajón
Como Quisiera Borrarte De Un Soplido
Me Encantaría Matar Esta Canción

Te Quiero Amor

Song by César Costa
Released: 1985

Que Si Me Miras Me Matas
Que Si Me Hablas Igual
Que Si Algun Dia Me Abrazas
Me Convierto En Brasas
Me Vuelvo Volcan

Que Si Me Besas Me Muero
Te Quiero Enterate Ya
Que Por Las Noche No Duermo
Vivo Un Infierno
Ya No Aguanto Mas

Cuando Te Encuentro En La Calle
Me Olvido De Respirar
No Se Que Pasa En El Aire
Que Al Verte Mi Niña
Me Pongo A Temblar

Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
La,La,La,La

No Se Que Tienen Tus Labios
Que Son Peor Que Un Iman
Me Besas Y Me Emborrachas
Tendre Que Hacer Algo
Ya No Puedo Mas

Cuando Te Encuentro En La Calle
Me Olvido De Respirar
No Se Que Pasa En El Aire
Que Al Verte Mi Niña
Me Pongo A Temblar

Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
La,La,La,La

Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
La,La,La,La

Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
Te Quiero Amor
La,La,La,La

Corazón

Song by Carole King
Released: 1973

Corazón Mi Corazón
Corazón Mi Corazón
Yo Te Quiero Mi Corazón
Corazón Mi Corazón
Yo Te Quiero Mi Corazón
Corazón Mi Corazón
Yo Te Quiero Mi Corazón
Espero Que Tu Me Quieras También
Corazón
Corazón Mi Corazón
Corazón Mi Corazón
Ayúdame Mi Corazón
Yo Te Quiero Mi Corazón
Ayúdame Te Quiero, Te Quiero
Corazón

Oh Cherie Cherie

Song by Ricchi E Poveri
Released: 1981

Oh Cherie Cherie
El Verano Es Así
Soy Un Souvenir
Un Recuerdo De Mí
Sólo Porque
Tú Te Acuerdas De Mí
Oh Cherie Cherie
Esta Noche Es Así
Esta Noche Es Mía
Sólo Para Mí
Y Tú Cherie
Sólo Dime Que Sí
Oh Cherie Cherie
Dam Dam Dame Tan Sólo Una Música
Dam Dam Dame Un Amor
Dam Dam Dame Una Noche De Fábula
Dam Dam Dame Tu Amor
Dim Dim Dime Que Cantas
Este Es Souvenir Para Mí
Oh Cherie Cherie
Dam Dam Dame Tan Sólo Una Música
El Amor Es Así
Dam Dam Dame Un Amor
Amor Así
Dam Dam Dame Una Noche De Fábula
Un Amor Para Mí
Dam Dam Dame Tu Amor
Amanece Ya
Dim Dim Dime Que Cantas
Y Estamos Aquí
Este Es Souvenir Para Mí
Oh Cherie Cherie
Si Te Quiero
Sin Dinero
Si Te Quiero
Sin Dinero…
Este Mar Azul
Dam Dam Dame Tan Sólo Una Música
Y Este Cielo Gris
Dam Dam Dame Un Amor
Serán Para Ti
Dam Dam Dame Una Noche De Fábula
Souvenir Para Ti
Dam Dam Dame Tu Amor
Espero Aquí
Dim Dim Dime Que Cantas
Souvenir Para Mí
Este Es Souvenir Para Mí
Dam Dam Dame Tan Sólo Una Música
Dam Dam Dame Un Amor
Dam Dam Dame Una Noche De Fábula
Dam Dam Dame Tu Amor
Dim Dim Dime Que Cantas
Este Es Souvenir Para Mí
Oh Cherie Cheire
Si Te Quiero
Sin Dinero
Si Te Quiero
Sin Dinero
Si Te Quiero
Sin Dinero…

You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

Song by Sylvester
Released: 1978

You mean I've been dancin' on the floor darlin'
And I feel like I need some more and I
Feel your body close to mine and I
Move on love it's about that time
Make me feel - mighty real
Make me feel - mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
When we get home darlin' and it's
Nice and dark and the music's in Vienna
Still your hot and you kiss me back and it
Feels real good and I know you love me
Like you should
Oh you make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
Make me feel - mighty real
Make me feel - mighty real
Make me feel - mighty real
Make me feel - mighty real
I feel real - I feel real, I feel real - I feel real
I feel real - I feel real, I feel real - I feel real Huh
I feel real - I feel real, I feel real - I feel real
Huh I feel real, huh I feel real
I feel real - I feel real, I feel real - I feel real
You make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
Oh you make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
I feel real when you touch me
I feel real when you kiss me
I feel real when you touch me
I feel real when you want me

Sexy Lady

Song by Jumbo 77
Released: 1977

Las Mañanitas By Pedro Infante

Werita

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!, WITH YOU I AM VERY HAPPY!!!!

The Card That “MY SEXY LADY” Sent Me Inspired Me To Show “LA CASITA AZUL” Built With LOVE AND PATIENCE, It Represents Our SOLID UNION, No Matter The DISTANCE..

HI mi amor ~~

Happy Anniversary!

I am a little late getting here, and I have not yet seen the emails because I wanted to say Good Morning before I did in case you make me cry. ;-))

La Werita at 452 is wondering.......cake or no cake?
Piloncillo: Here is the Cake


Anis
Feliz Aniversario
Hola!!!
Muchísimas felicidades!!! Que se la esten pasando increíblemente feliz y que primero dios cumplan muchos aniversarios más.

Disfruten al máximo este y todos los días de su vida.

Los quiero muchisimo

Werita
I came on to tell you we just cut the pie! Mother really like it, and .....wait......oh, yeah. My first bite is definitely a success. Good Pie!

And the cake is very pretty!

Piloncillo
Werita
Also for you, dinner was delicious, Congratulations.

Werita
How nice of Anis to send such a sweet message. I got it as an email from her also, and when I finish my pie get a chance to think a bit, I will send her a gracias.

Well, I guess that is about it for now. Thanks again for today, it was fun! I love you, and I am looking forward to the second fifteen years of life with you!

Besos besos!!

La Werita at 607pm singing with Jose Cuervo

Piloncillo

Werita
This SPECIAL DAY, GIVES US MORE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH BABY!!

HI mi amor ~~

I wanted to say good night.

I hope you have a peaceful night.

Thank you again for the beautiful day.

I will have to save the videos for more watching tomorrow morning. I don't want to contaminate them with a background of Ancient Aliens. jejeje

I am on my second time through the Drown The Tele music. I thought I would just play it all the way through at least the first time and it was so easy not to have to go and click replay that I will just play it straight through all the time. I have not played any of these songs for quite a while, since I was enjoying either my movies or my random videos or my peace and quiet all summer. So I have been singing along and floor dancing like crazy tonight. It's been fun!

I miss you tonight, Marco. I would love a little cuddle right now. I will send you big hugs and at least 15 besos. besos!!

La Werita feeling lonesome for her problema numero uno at 822pm
Piloncillo
Werita
I feel the same, at least I send you MANY HUGS WITH A LOT OF LOVE!!!!!

BUENAS NOCHES BABY

THE 3 MUSKETEERS CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT LIKE INVINCIBLE WARRIORS....

Werita
That looks delicious!!

I opened the card Mother gave us, it is really pretty. All White background with two white flowers on the front and the words Happy Anniversary in gold.

The message inside reads:
As you celebrate
your special day,
may you enjoy
the fond memories
of moments past, the love and good times
that surround you today, and the hopes and dreams
of many happy tomorrows.

It is signed 'Much love, Mom'

=================================

Hi mi amor ~~

I am waiting for Mother to finish her breakfast and the mail to come (she just went up the street) then I will do my second viewing of the videos without getting distracted for any reason.

Except for thinking about the postre. jejeje

We took the pie out of the freezer and it is sitting in the fridge saying "ven a verme"......but it has to wait until after Mother has finished her dinner tonight. That was the plan she and I agreed on last night, but the pie only needs two hours to thaw out, according to the box.....we just might end up attacking it sooner than we thought.

I feel a little weird knowing that you are going to copy some things I say for the chat page. la la la la la la la ;-))

Besos besos etc etc until you reach 15 plus one

La Werita who loves you, at 1137 and for all time