Living through the Pandemic

We are republishing this, hoping the video will play this time. Apologies if it doesn't work...above our pay grade.

Cherry Creek Walking Trail near our apartment

We have been back in Denver for a a couple weeks now.  We are grateful to be back home, where we can shelter in place in more comfort and ease.

Our trip home from Mexico was quite easy and uneventful. Our apartment here in Denver, though small, has all that we need.

It is almost a guilty pleasure to be enjoying our time here, when so many selfless medical workers, first responders and even our grocery stores clerks are risking their health, and, for some, even their lives, to help the many who are in need during this crisis.

Our last night in Mexico, we spent a delightful farewell to Mexico at the Camino Real Hotel at the Juarez Airport with our friends, Mart & Bob and Jennifer & Steve. All of us made our decision to leave rather quickly.

A roving Mariachi Duo really made the evening memorable for us all.  They serenaded us with some favorite of our Mexican songs.

Mart and Bob on our balcony

The Larsons came on to Denver with us, as they no longer had a permanent residence, since selling their long time home in Alexandria.

It has been such a treat to have them with us during our transition back to the States and the onslaught of the Pandemic.

The cocktail hour--usually a gin & tonic, although at times we have substituted Margaritas or a Jameson on the Rocks--have often been the highlight of the day. With the unusually fine weather, we have been able to share drinks and conversation on our balcony. They have now moved to their own apartment in our building--just two floors directly below us, but we still share Happy Hour and visits.

Dinner time

Taking turns to make the evening meal has also been a nice luxury.

Despite the Pandemic, getting food and other necessities has not been difficult--there are a number of grocery stores and pharmacies within walking distance. And if we buy too much--there is always Uber to get us & our booty home.

We have also found a great wine and liquor store, The Argonaut, which is happy to deliver.

Sparrows on a bush beside Cherry Creek

Our governor, Jared Polis, was among the first governors to issue a stay-at-home order which we have tried to follow as closely as we can, but a daily walk has come to be almost a necessity for us.

On a recent walk, we noticed a group of sparrows who hadn't gotten the social distancing memo--but that's fine with us.

They certainly made a lovely chorus.

St. Cajetan Church

Since so many people no longer are able to work or go to school, the streets and sidewalks are nearly empty and often eerily quiet.

Walking on the CU-Denver campus, just a couple of blocks away, has made for a nice change. Students, faculty & staff are gone, but it is nice to stroll thru the campus and admire some of its interesting landmarks.

St. Cajetan, a deconsecrated Catholic Church, is a lovely architectural gem on the campus. It was the first Hispanic diocese in Denver, but when they created the campus in the fifties--the congregation moved elsewhere.

Golds Meir House

Another campus landmark is the Golda Meir House. Born in Kiev, her family moved to Milwaukee when she was a child, but she spent her teenage years here in Denver and learned a lot about community development, politics, and human rights while she lived here.









The Coronavirus seems not to have phased Mother Nature. The daffodils and other early flowers are springing up and some are in full bloom.

Of course, in early April here in Denver, we almost certainly have a number of snow storms in our future. But we can still enjoy the sunshine and blue skies.

We hope that Spring is visiting you and bringing you much joy.

Today we got to see Bryn & Charlie for the first time in more than two months.  We didn't hug and wore masks--but what a joy to be with them for a few precious moments.

Stay safe; stay healthy. Much love.

The new way to take a family walk

San Miguel in the time of Coronavirus

Hola from San Miguel de Allende in the time of Coronavirus.

We are still here but every day we are monitoring the situation. Several friends were scheduled to visit with us this spring, but all, unfortunately, felt the need to cancel their trips.

We totally understand, but are so sorry that we were not able to share this wonderful city with them. Perhaps some day soon when this is all over.

We feel safe here for the meanwhile; cases in Mexico are still low and there no confirmed cases here in San Miguel, but we know that it is only a matter of time.









The experts tell us that the US is two weeks behind Italy, and today I had a Mexican friend tell us that Mexico is a month behind Spain.

This Pandemic is truly universal and will most certainly affect us all.

Until this Pandemic reared its awful presence, we were delighted to be back in San Miguel.

We arrived back in town in mid-January, and as always, have so enjoyed getting re-acquainted with the town and its people and culture.

Walking the streets, occasionally coming across an anachronistic reminder of times past, is a good way to readjust.

Like the swallows to Capistrano, we return each year to the same small apartment located in the heart of the town, just a block from the Jardin, the main plaza.

Our lovely Mexican landlady, Maria Louisa, is so kind to have us back and always includes us in family activities & celebrations.

We love our rooftop terrace, with its flower boxes and a view of San Francisco--a 17th century church and monastery that is still a central part of life for many in the town.

Connecting with friends is always a joy & delight. Some of them have chosen to settle here and make San Miguel their home.

The cultural life here is so rich and varied. One of our friends, John, recently produced and directed a play he authored about John of Arc.

We thought it was one of the best nights of theater we have ever enjoyed--so much so that we went back for a second night just a week later.

Other friends, like Mart & Bob Larson seen here with us in the Jardin, also come back year after year.

We look forward to their arrival and know that they are always willing to drop whatever they are doing and join us for a meal in a favorite restaurant or join in a festival or celebration.

And there are always festivals and celebrations ...one of our favorite coincides with Carnival and Marti Gras, but is much less raucous and far more child-friendly. We call it Dia de las Cascaras...though not sure what it is officially called?

Vendors sell bags full of colored egg shells, each stuffed with confetti and glitter. Children run around the Jardin trying to break an egg over a friend's (or better yet an unsuspecting adult's) head. Look closely at the picture above. We were all happy to let the children practice on us.

It's low key and very kid oriented & this year we had the opportunity to sit in the Jardin and watch the controlled bedlam and bask in the laughs and smiles of hundreds of children running and chasing each other with abandon. Our favorites were three young sisters, who willingly posed for us.

A parade of mojigangas--giant puppets carried on the shoulders of their young puppeteers--was just this spring added to the celebration.

The mojigangas are a common sight around town--tourists love to have their picture taken with them, and there are always a few at any of the many destination weddings that go on about town every weekend.

The parade too was low key and seemingly spontaneous, and over in a matter of minutes but it made a nice close to the Cascaras.

A couple of weeks ago, we got to revisit El Charco del Ingenio, a privately funded and operated nature conservancy and botanic garden, just on the edge of town.

Like no other botanic garden we know, it provides a respite for us humans and a haven for thousands of birds and rescued indigenous plants, especially cacti and succulents.

Always worth a visit or two!



Live music seems to be the life's blood of San Miguel.  Everywhere you go, you hear music--mariachis, often dueling, in the Jardin; folk singers, violinists, and guitarists in the cafes and restaurants.

Our favorites by far, however, are Media Luna, a young group of talented and dedicated musicians started by Caleb and Jair Cabrera, 27 and 25 year old brothers.

Sue first saw them more than six years ago, playing for tips in the Jardin.  They have now become so polished and entertaining & will soon be touring Canada. We go to see them whenever and wherever we can.

But all these activities were before the Coronavirus.  We feel as if we have stepped into a dystopian novel and can't get out. 

Some of you might remember Nevil Shute's On the Beach? Different story, different time, but I vividly remember reading it & seeing a TV adaptation. As  the rest of the world gradually succumbs to radiation poisoning and goes silent, the people of Australia go about their daily lives, but listen with disbelief to the reports from around the world of dying cities & cultures and experience a dawning realization that this too is their fate. 

The coronavirus is stalking us. As we still go about our daily lives--strolling through the city streets and gardens, shopping and eating at favorite restaurants (always trying to remember to keep a safe social distance), watching the news from China, Europe and now the States, we know its coming here--the next day? Certainly the next week.  What will it bring?

PS: I just finished writing this post yesterday, and then all hell seems to have broken out here in San Miguel and the world.  This morning we received notice via the NYT that the State Department was issuing a notice for all Americans abroad to return to the States immediately or risk having to "remain in place for the foreseeable future." 

We consulted with our daughters, who have long been urging us to return, and decided that despite conditions still being better here in Mexico than at home, it was best to return home.  So tickets are booked and transportation is arranged; we fly home to Denver on Saturday.  

Our good friends, Mart & Bob Larson, who like us had planned to stay in Mexico for a few more months, have decided to join us.  They just sold their long-time home in Alexandria and are without a permanent abode at present, so Denver is as a good a place as any to alight, for now.  So we are all off to Denver in a couple of days.

Wish us luck, and for all of you, we hope that you and yours are able to weather this Pandemic, staying in good health. Let us pray that America and the entire world is spared the awful predictions that are being bandied about.  Stay well!  Keep in touch !

Boyer Clan in The Bahamas

Charlie in front of a Junkanoo entry

After a wonderful week here in The Bahamas, Bryn, Joel & Charlie have returned home to Colorado. During their time, thanks to Erin's generous hospitality & planning, we experienced so many wonders of this lovely island nation.

One of our favorites was Junkanoo--the Bahamian national celebration centered around Christmas & New Years.  

Its origins trace back to colonial times when the only time the enslaved peoples had off were during that time. Highlights include parades both on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, featuring beautifully and flamboyantly dressed dancers and band members and elaborate floats. 

Parades start in the middle of the night--12:00 midnight or so and go on to 11:00 or 12:00 in the morning.  Seems like the entire nation participates. Erin secured us front row balcony seats to see the New Years' Day parade. We all especially loved the music--hard to describe but with a wonderful & lively beat.

Bryn and Charlie at Nirvana

You would expect an island nation to have gorgeous beaches, and The Bahamas doesn't disappoint.  The sands are soft and white and the water is crystalline blue. After Junkanoo, we all got to relax on one of the beaches appropriately called Nirvana.

It was Charlie's first time ever seeing or swimming in the ocean; he showed no fear--we adults would have perhaps preferred just a little dose of fear at times.

The weather this time of year is so delightful--little humidity and temps in the 70's and low 80's--the turquoise blue waters are delightful to view and inviting to enjoy.  Cool but not cold.

Bryn, Joel and Charlie in the beautiful blue ocean

Larry and Charlie in the sun

Boarding the catamaran

After the beach day, Erin planned an even better water adventure for us--a cruise around the islands on a catamaran sailboat.  

Swimming near the anchored boat

Erin invited some friends and work colleagues to introduce us to and to share the experience. 

The boat was incredibly comfortable and graceful and easily accommodated our large party of more than 20.

We swam at a private beach and then snorkeled at a turtle preserve. You could sometimes get within just a few feet of the turtles.

It was a tremendously fun day, filled with new experiences and with the opportunity to meet and to get to know the people Erin knows and works with.

Some of Erin's friends included a British family with two young girls--Amy who is 11 and her sister, Rosie, who is almost 8 and just one day younger than Charlie.  They became fast friends.

You can see that we all had a wonderful day--adults and children.

Atlantis Day with the Brits

Another day took us to Atlantis to enjoy their huge water park and aquarium.

Rosie and Amy and their family, including grandparents, joined us for the day.

Aquarium at Atlantis...simply amazing

Our gang with Jazz, our guide

On a day when Erin had to work and Oma needed recuperative time, the rest of us visited Clifton Heritage National Park to learn a little about Bahamian history.

Preserved home

The park preserves parts of four colonial plantations where you can see some 18th and 19th century ruins, including enslaved peoples' houses and hear about their history.

Slavery was abolished in 1834 but learning about the evils of this system is very important to understanding the Bahamian nation of today. Our tour guide, Jazz, was fantastic.

Charlie found a treasure

That evening, Erin took some of us to one of the more famous resorts on the island, Baha Mar, where we enjoyed some adult beverages and listened to good music. Large & luxurious, it was almost overwhelming in its grandeur and opulence.

A weary traveler

Meanwhile, Oma and Charlie spent a quiet evening at home and an early bedtime... for Bryn, Joel and Charlie, it was back home on the following day.

Oma, Charlie and Teddy

With Bryn, Joel and Charlie gone back to Denver, we will miss them..but will enjoy our extra special time  for one more week with Erin in her lovely home away from home.

Golden Anniversary

Ben and Lauriece 50 years ago

In late August, we traveled to San Antonio, TX to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration for our good friends, Benigno & Lauriece Aguirre.

We met 49 years ago in New Orleans, and fortunately have been able stay in touch

Their Wedding Day

We weren't there for the wedding...sorry to have missed it, but happy we were able to help them celebrate 50 years together, along with many family and friends.

John, Lois and Martin with us at the Celebration

Together with our friends, John Cunningham and Lois and Martin Simpson.

Carlos and Benny Aguirre

Lauriece & Ben's sons--Carlos and Beny--hosted the party.  It was so great to see them and have the opportunity to spend some time with them.

Adelina and Papa

Full of life 

The star of the party was Adelina, the Aguirre's granddaughter, and Carlos's daughter,

Lauriece and Ben beginning their "First Dance"

The honorees, Lauriece & Ben, beginning their anniversary dance.

Laauriece and BFFs

Lauriece with her best friends whom she has known since they met in First Grade--just a couple of years ago!

On a River Walk tour:  Sue, Martin, John and Lois

After the celebration, we took the opportunity to tour San Antonio and its famous River Walk.  Unfortunately, it was incredibly hot and humid   --98 degrees with matching humidity.

We had a wonderful time with our long time friends from our NOLA days (49 years and counting) whom we call "The LAS-ers: met taking the Latin American Studies program.

We even got them to commit to visit us in San Miguel de Allende in April.  Can hardly wait !!

John & Bonnie Visit Us in Denver

High Tea at The Brown Palace celebrating both couples' Wedding Anniversary

Our November started off with a great visit from John and Bonnie.  We had long since wanted them to visit us here in Denver (now we need to get them to Mexico).

But anyway we are so happy that they traveled all this way to share some time with us.

It was not easy for them--they originally started off for Denver on Tuesday, October 29th, but after a long and frustrating day at BWI, their flight to Denver was cancelled because of an early and unseasonable snow storm here in Colorado.  But ever game, they returned to their motel and waited for the weather to clear...finally getting here late on Wednesday.  We were happy to meet them at DIA and shepherd them back to our apartment.  We love showing people the Train to Plane and how convenient it is to get to and from DIA.

Witches of Halloween (a tradition at The Brown Palace)

On Thursday, we took them to the Byers-Evans House, a 19th century mansion located downtown, a few blocks from us.

We also took them to one of our favorite museums, The Kirkland, that is filled with 20th and 21st century decorative arts and featuring the art of Vance Kirkand. We finished up the day with a formal tea at the Brown Palace; we shared the Dining Room with a number of "witches."

Martha Birney, Sue and Larry

During the weekend, we took a three hour drive to Salida, a 19th century mining town now home to lots of galleries and restaurants.


We were joined by Martha and John Birney.  We had a lot of fun exploring the town and eating at some of those restaurants.

During the evenings we all enjoyed playing Wizard, a new to us card game, and Mexican Train dominoes.

John and Larry manuevering snow street of St, Elmo, CO 

One of the activities we enjoyed most was touring St Elmo, a ghost town, set high in the mountains outside of Salida.

 It was once one of the richest towns in Colorado; today there are no permanent residents. A couple of days before our arrival, a snow storm had covered the town--making driving there and then exploring the town a challenge, but John and Bonnie were really up to the challenge.

One of Monet's famous Water Lily paintings

Upon our return to Denver, we finished the week with a Monet Exhibition at the Denver Art Museum.

A really wonderful exhibit featuring 110 of Monet's paintings and outlining Monet's long career.

The visit was over all too soon; we were so sorry to see John & Bonnie return home & hope they will come back soon--perhaps when the weather is a little bit warmer.  We still want them to  see San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

John, Sue and Bonnie leaving The Denver Art Museum