012915 - Madge McHugh; Cotacachi Garbage Trucks

Yesterday was the 94th anniversary of my mother's "cumpleaños". She was born on Jan 28, 1921. Here is her Cradle Roll Certificate at Taylor Presbyterian Church, Montreal, and a picture of her, in Montreal; I'm not sure exactly where it is - people moved around a lot within the city, Verdun, Rosemount  -  and I'm guessing she is about 6 or 7. She is sitting with her mother, Margaret Harker Angell.

Here she is at about age 21, in Montfort, Quebec

And here she is with my father in 1972 at my brother Allan's wedding to Sheila Parsons

I left Canada in 1967, age 21. After that, I saw my parents maybe once a year. I didn't really know them. The image in my mind of my mother is somewhat mythological. She represented, and still does, gentleness and a natural kindness, and, somehow, vulnerability, as well as a certain strong inner sense of reality. It was good to think of her yesterday!

Getting to know another country and culture and people is really interesting. Dennis and I now live in Cotacachi, Ecuador. Lots of other "expats" live here too, and in this town of (I am told) about 8000 people, English is heard a lot on the streets. All my Life, I have embraced the maxim Comparison is odious. Here, I try hard not to compare what's here to what it is like other places I have lived. Yesterday someone was "complaining" that the local lunches were "the same", and why couldn't restaurants do things differently .... meaning why can't they make food the way "WE" would like it. I say nothing. I just want to be open to the way it's done here.

Ecuador is a Catholic country .... though there are many other forms of religion. Every Wednesday early evening, over loudspeakers that can be heard throughout the town, there is the recitation of the Rosary, accompanied by "contemporary" music. It goes on for about a half hour. Loudspeakers are part of life here! Many things are part of public life here that just aren't in most of North America.

The other thing are garbage trucks. They start collecting before 6am around town ..... and they play loud music! Someone told me that it's to warn people that the trucks are coming, and to get their basura out if they haven't already. Good idea; for one thing, if you out it out early or the night before, the large packs of dogs that roam Cotacachi have it all over the place! Interestingly, one seldom sees cats. Someone told me that cats are eaten here .... that may be an "urban legend"! Guinea pigs are apparently eaten in Ecuador ... but I haven't seen it on a menu yet!!

So:  Happy 94th Mum. I hope your atoms are enjoying their journey being redisbursed throughout the Universe. And Ecuador:  I'm looking forward to living here and learning about and getting to appreciate the way Life is lived here!