Shanti Marg

there is no there there

bretts — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:39:37 +0000

The other day a young ex-pat couple came out to Shanti for

lunch, and we had a brief conversation about life in SMA.

Now, as you may or may not know, the ex-pat population in

SMA is mostly retirees–it’s fairly unusual to meet someone

younger than 55–I sometimes describe SMA as summer camp for

grown-ups. It is more recreational hobbyist, than serious artist.

And it came to me, that like most small towns, SMA does not have an “it”.

The town is charming, there are many places to shop and stroll and eat–there is a good amount of cultural activity–but there is no one thing that defines SMA. For example, Aspen is defined by skiing, and everything grows around that. Marfa is around art and light…Berkeley starts with the University.

So, then, what can we do?

And it seemed to me, the idea of having a sort of Ragdale or Chattauqua retreat environment would be the optimum–at least for me.

Any thoughts–or anyone interested in joining forces to make that happen?

frog escapes…again

bretts — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:03:41 +0000

This morning (for the third time) we found this denizen of our lily pond leisurely stroking his way in the swimming pool

How he (or she–how does one tell?) manages in the stealth of night to hop out of the pond and infiltrate the swimming pool, despite its cover, is a mystery none of us can fathom.

Of course, we all understand that the frog is looking for a bigger arena to practice–but we think the normal (human) occupants of the pool may be upset by the presence of an alien life form.

If, however, we find the frog in the pool one more time–I vote to let it stay.

Deepen your practice

bretts — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:26:57 +0000

my ship comes in…

bretts — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:26:03 +0000

In my last post, I resigned myself to the abandonment of a fabulous shipment from India…because of Mexico’s incredibly convoluted and protectionist and esoteric import restrictions.

However, at the same time I, with the help of my ever- tactful manager, was negotiating for my other (equally fabulous) shipment from India which was stalled in Veracruz.

And, will wonders never cease, it has finally cleared customs, and will be wending its way to me….it only took 6 months and various dubious practices…

Amongst the treasures that are not for sale are two saris….that I couldn’t resist buying (despite my beloved brother’s fervent cri de coeur that he hoped I wasn’t going to turn into one of those idiotic western women who go around swathed in a sari with a bindi…(actually, that had been my plan…)).

Anyway, I can’t wait!

why math is important and your tax dollars at work

bretts — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:23:13 +0000

As you may know, you can apply for social security benefits three months before your birthday.

I was born in the 12th month of the year (December), so I called the U.S. embassy in Mexico in September (the 9th month).

The woman I spoke to at the embassy told me that I was applying a month early–because it was 4 months until my eligibility.

I am sending her a calculator.

my buddhist moment

bretts — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:23:38 +0000

When I was in India in December I went to my favorite antique dealer,

Crafters in Kochi and bought some wonderful things that I ordered shipped to Mexico (with the plan that I would sell them in the store in Shanti).

Well, they finally arrived in Manzanillo, and after a lot of paperwork, I finally found a broker, and after a lot of back and forth, they quoted a sum of $7000 to do the work to release the shipment. And I don’t have it. And they won’t take a partial payment or a credit card.

So after many sleepless nights, I realized I’ll just have to abandon my shipment.

As the Buddha said, “wanting what you cannot have creates unhappiness.”

So I no longer care (well, maybe just a tad). And I can sleep.

you can’t go home again

bretts — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:15:56 +0000

I went back to Chicago for a wedding last weekend; the first time I’ve been back since I moved to Mexico.

And I missed Mexico every moment. And when I got back here, Christobal suggested that perhaps I’d like to keep the baby foal when he’s old enough to be parted from his mom, because I might like to raise horses.

And you know, I might. And if I do, I’ll name him Vishnu.

on the one hand

bretts — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:39:29 +0000

This morning I was standing on the roof looking out over the countryside. I heard before I saw them, Eric and Cristobal racing to work on Tequila and Christina, with Tequila’s foal trying to keep up. In the distance, I could see the staff car, stopped on the road while the shepherd urged his flock of goats and sheep on ahead. The sky was an incredibly clear blue, without a cloud, and I could see the mountains clearly in the distance. Can life be better than this?
Yesterday was not a good day. The previous night, we had a torrential rain storm which knocked out the transformer and resulted in both the water pump at my house and the pool pump at Shanti burning out. Clearly, both of them had to be fixed–and immediately. In Mexico, that means cash on the barrel head–it’s as if credit cards had never been invented.

I remember years ago in Chicago when I had to put a new roof on my restaurant and it cost about $6000 (which I charged). And for weeks I couldn’t sleep wondering how I would pay for it. And now, years later, I’m worrying about scraping together $600..

how do you want to live?

bretts — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:09:56 +0000

A recent article I read suggested that it would be useful to think what you would be doing if you had no financial constraints, and you had already helped your friends and family financially, and established a foundation that gave grants to the causes you believed in.

And I realized that I would be doing exactly what I’m doing now, except that the specter of debtor’s prison wouldn’t be lurking over my head…which would be very liberating–but possibly not quite as adrenaline producing.

It’s said that it’s the journey that matters more than the destination. I hope I can remember to enjoy the struggle.

employee of the month

bretts — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:17:04 +0000

Alejandro (the handyman) and I were walking along the barbed wire fence that separates my property from the surrounding ranches, when two young boys rode up on their horses, asking if there was any work to be had.

We are in the process of putting in a vegetable garden, and my other employees were helping haul rocks away from the designated area, when Felipe (the cook) went tumbling down the hill when the wheelbarrow overturned, and I decided that possibly this was an unwise use of labor…so the boys showed up at the right time.

And since their horses were going to be hanging out with us while their owners were working, why not put them to use as well by offering rides around the property? (And they also provide the best possible fertilizer for free!)

This is a picture of Tequila and her month old foal–so if you come to Shanti, we now offer horseback riding–the only caveat is Tequila has never worn a saddle or a bridle…