Chapman Kids Blog

"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." –John 16:33

Month: November 2023

Art show in Guadalupe, NL

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On Friday, November 10, 2023

In Art, Mexico houses

Tío Lauro took Lorena and Grandma Conchita to an art show in Guadalupe last night. The show featured engravings and Tío Lauro was one of the invited artists. The mayor of the municipality opened the show which served wine and other drinks. There was live music (saxophone, of all things–played well enough so people danced) and a good attendance. A great time was had by all. After the show, Lauro gave Lorena an incredible book on the art and techniques of throwing pottery on a pottery wheel. Now Lorena and I are scheming about how to get here a wheel and a kiln to get started after she takes some classes in Fort Worth.

Lorena at INE

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On Thursday, November 9, 2023

In Mexico houses

Lorena had to get some paperwork done at El Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE). My understanding is that her “official” residence is whatever is on her voter credential and has an impact on how property taxes are assessed and also for how much sales tax has to be paid when you sell the house. We are going to make the apartments our official residence until Lynn is able to finish up the remodel on the house up on the hill, at least to the point where it is livable. We are really looking forward to spending some time down there.

Later today, Lorena is going to take some pictures of both places that I will try to put up if any of them are any good. Not much progress has been made on the house on the hill because Lynn has been finishing up the apartments so renters can move in over the next few days.

Tacos Atarantados

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On Wednesday, November 8, 2023

In Cooking, Health

There is a new restaurant in San Pedro Lorena claims is the best one yet. It is just down the hill from our places and the believe it is better than our previous which is, honestly, very hard to imagine. The name of the place is Tacos Atarantados. That, I am sure, will be my first stop the next time I am in town. The last think I need right now for my current nutrition plan is another place that makes tacos I cannot resist.

Thrive, Harry & David’s, and Thanksgiving

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On Monday, November 6, 2023

In Business, Friends

The CEO of the company where I work, Thrive Bioscience, often sends gift packages out for different holidays. They are amazing. We get authentic Vermont Maple Syrup and Harry and David’s pears from Southern Oregon often. I never want to take these for granted. They are great gifts and fun to share with others. The pairs arrived this morning, quite unexpectedly and we are grateful again!

A lazy Saturday in Granbury

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On Sunday, November 5, 2023

In culture, Entertainment

Lorena and I drove into Granbury yesterday for lunch. It was a spectacularly beautiful day. After lunch, we drove over to the public library and visited the bookstore there. I bought a couple of audio books on CD for $6 each and, on a whim, bought a couple of Louis L’Amour books because I had not read one for decades and thought it might be fun. Lorena wanted to do some antiquing, so she dropped me off at the Oz Coffee Bar right off the historic town square. I sat there for a couple of hours, read my book, drank my coffee, and enjoyed the day. It truly was relaxing. After I had been there for awhile, an old guy (maybe my age) showed up, just another customer, and proceeded play the piano right beside me and sing. He was there for maybe half an hour, was very talented, and everyone in the place applauded and was sad when he stopped.

Month 2 WEIGHT: 203.7 lbs. BMI: 31.9

Cabbage instead of rice?

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On Saturday, November 4, 2023

In Cooking

Last night, Lorena made me beef stir fry, but replaced the rice (or sometimes noodles) with sauteed cabbage and onions. It was nothing short of spectacular. We are planning to try something similar tonight, but this time with chicken. It makes great sense for my current nutrition goals, too, with not so many carbohydrates and a good bit of protein.

Lauro invited to another show–an engraving this time

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On Friday, November 3, 2023

In Art, Family, Mexico houses

My gifted brother-in-law Lauro Pedraza was invited to show one of his engravings at an event in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Here is how it is described:

76 artistas y sus creaciones gráficas en exposición. Están cordialmente invitados a la III Edición de la Reseña de la Gráfica Nuevo León – 2023. Inauguración el jueves 9 de noviembre a las 7:00 p.m. Museo de Guadalupe N.L. Mtro. Israel Cavazoa Garza

Lauro is getting invited to these kinds of events more and more often and at a higher and higher level. He did the above ink drawing of our son, Christian, when he finished his Ph.D. at Arizona State. I hoping to commission him to make it into an engraving for our house in San Pedro.

Christian in Big Sur

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On Thursday, November 2, 2023

In Entertainment, Exercise, Family

Christian gets in a well-deserved day of hiking at Big Sur after his big presentation on Monday. I hope he gets a chance to see the aquarium in Monterey (the other, less famous Monterey with only one r). That is truly a beautiful part of the world. He is getting together with friends for a few days next and then head on back to Boston.

Planning for Thanksgiving

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On Wednesday, November 1, 2023

In Family, Friends

November 1 is not too early to start planning for Thanksgiving. We are hoping, God willing, that this year’s Thanksgiving will be one for the ages. Our expected visitors this year include Grandma Conchita (Lorena is flying down to pick her up in Monterrey next week), Tio Rigo and his family (driving up from Austin for a couple of days), our dear friends Ralph and his beautiful and talented daughter Olivia (flying out from Atlanta), and, of course, Kelly and Christian (flying in from Washington, D.C. and Boston). Most of the crew will be here to visit some of the amazing Fort Worth offerings (The Kimbell, The Fort Worth Zoo and Botanical Gardens, etc.). I found this photo of Lauro and Conchita from almost exactly 20 years ago when we all visited Cabo San Lucas together. It would have been great to have them both here for this Thanksgiving, but having Conchita is a huge blessing on its own.

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