PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.
Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/
Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:
http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/
or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa
******
Old friends, new friends, ... that is the main topic of today as we visit with so many here in Cuenca, Ecuador, and we do so appreciate the efforts they make to meet and renew acquaintances, and work hard to make sure we are not feeling alone...
The new wonderful photographer at Joes' Secret Garden, Janet Engelhard, is very good in keeping me supplied with photos taken there, this time from Christmas Day (see below).
Today, I went early to retrieve Pixie at MaryAnn's and to enjoy another slice of my Birthday dessert, the lemon pie with raspberries..... another of life's little pleasures.
Then I motored over to Dr Duane Connell's office for another chiropractic treatment and made another appointment for Monday.
And, I really hate to admit this, I spent most of the day confirming that I had been the victim of an online scam. I didn't want to involve anyone else in this scheme which I saw here:
Please don't click on any links if you look at this.
I thought that my due diligence showed that BitProGain and Crypto.com were legit but I was so very wrong. If it sounds too good to be true........
So, I was caught, and I am dealing with my bank to try to mitigate the damage. Crypto.com insists that I contact local authorities to report the scam before they will help, so I need to wait until I return to Canada, with my tail between my legs. I am just so thankful that I did not pass this onto anyone else until I knew it was legit and actually worked.... GRRRRRRRR
In the evening of a totally grey day, I rode Pixie over to Fabiano's on Unidad Nacional to meet my successor of the Oldies But Goodies Dances that I started here so many years ago. George and Rene Fedyna continued the dances for many years at Common Grounds, actually right above the restaurant Fabiano's. Covid and sickness killed the crowds and the dances, and the Gringos seem to prefer live bands now.... So we caught up on things and had some really delicious pizzas that were much larger in size than our North American smalls and mediums.....
As we finished our meal, the heavens opened, and we waited quite a while. George and Rene squeezed under a single umbrella and finally managed to flag a taxi at the corner. I waited on the outer covered patio and finally ordered a glass of wine to while away the heavy rain. The waiter kindly lit a fire next to me for welcome warmth. As my glass emptied, the rain abated and I managed to get Pixie back home without getting too wet. The old Herederos de Cuenca motorcycle jacket (windproof, waterproof) donated to me by Gustavo certainly proved its worth!
Then I had an invitation to visit Graciela's house where she lives with her mother and son. I caught a cab and we drank the Merlot that I had brought as we listened to a ton of favourite songs and many oldies.
Her old papa dog, Monchi, really needed a trim, but the puppy daughter, Isabel, kept us entertained all night playing fetch with a small rubber chicken. Then I caught a cab back home after midnight.
So, I am glad that I am not alone here and my friends look out for me. I can't say enough about the hospitality of Teresa and Billy, where I have the use of that lovely, large casita. Life is good here, and it certainly drives home the many requests that I return here.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.
Al
******
© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.
If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.
NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.
Thanks Janet for the photos 
Graciela will be running in February govt elections 
Gustavo, MaryAnn, Mark, Graciela and a tourist 
Johanna & Bob Cox, old friends 
I am so proud of Sandra 
George & Rene Fedyna 
Pixie out in the rain 
A warming fire 
Graciela ready for the Merlot 
Isabel was so much fun 
Monchi badly needs a clip 
A twofie with Graciela 
A lovely evening with doggie entertainment
