Springtime activities in Cincinnati

Since I wrote last, I’ve gone to an event at the Cincinnati Zoo called Blooms and Tunes. The Zoo is filled with tulips and there’s live music.

I also led a hike and went on another hike at Spring Grove Cemetery and Devou Park.

I went bicycle riding with a friend and had a bite to eat afterwards. I went to another friend’s home for dinner one evening.

Last night I took my brother and his wife to Playhouse in the Park in Mount Adams, next to downtown Cincinnati. They have a brand new theater and we saw “A Chorus Line”. It was their Christmas gift.

I have a second date this evening for dinner and then to see the butterfly exhibition at Krohn Conservatory. Hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather.

Dates, Hiking, the Gym & Cooking

My activities for the past week have included meeting two new potential dates, hiking, working out at the gym, cooking, and meeting a new girlfriend for happy hour.

I drove an hour north to the historic Clifton Mill for my first date, had lunch, a short hike along the Clifton Gorge, and browsed the shops in a quaint town called Yellow Springs, Ohio.

There’s a weekly hike at Spring Grove Cemetery through a hiking group I belong to. As you can see from the photos below, it’s a beautiful place to walk. It’s mostly active people in their 60s.

I can tell my body is responding to my workout regimen at the gym. I’m getting some guns on me 😅. In my quest to eat healthy, I made homemade roasted minestrone soup, and then treated myself to a root beer float.

I had a first date (now I call them meet and greets) yesterday for a bite to eat in Covington, Kentucky and then a walk along the river front in the Licking Riverside Historic District. When you get to be in your 60s, many people don’t like to have their photo taken, but I always say today’s the youngest you’ll ever be, and in 10 years, if you’re still alive, you’ll think gosh I really looked good.

I met a new girlfriend through hiking. She’s a nurse. We met for happy hour and appetizers last night. It was nice getting to know her better. As we left, the setting sun was beautiful.

I have another meet and greet today. Tomorrow for Easter I’ll be spending it with my brother, his wife and others that are like family.

Hope everyone has a Happy Easter! 🐰

Keeping busy during Retirement

In the last couple of weeks I’ve been out on four first dates. One was for lunch and a walk along the Ohio River in the Licking Riverside Historic district in Covington, Kentucky. That’s not my date. 😊

Another was for dinner and the Leo Sayer concert at the Ludlow garage venue.

There was another one for lunch and a walk along the Ohio River in Warsaw, Kentucky. The most recent was the Contemporary Art Museum in downtown Cincinnati, followed by an early dinner nearby. I did a mini photo shoot with my phone of my date at the museum.

I also played indoor sand volleyball, racquetball, and worked out at the gym a few times per week.

I went on two hikes. One was at Spring Grove Cemetery and the other in the wooded section of Devou Park.

I saw a movie with my brother and his wife. I went out with a girlfriend. She and I took a short urban walk, stopped at a brewery and then had an early dinner in the Dayton/Bellevue, Kentucky area.

My friend Sherry

The pizza was yummy!

Saint Patrick’s Day 2023

For St. Patrick’s Day this year my friend Linda and I went to a few bars in Covington, Keystone, Blinkers Tavern, and Smoke Justis. They were situated close together so we weren’t out in the cold too long. I asked random people if I could take their photo, everyone seems to love to have their photo taken.

We had a drink at Blinkers Tavern, the least busy of them all.

Next we drove 20 minutes to a party at my brother’s house. There were about 30 people there. That’s my brother and his wife below.

It was a nice time, but I prefer one-on-one versus parties nowadays.

My last day in Mexico City

This morning I went to Starbucks and purchased a croissant sandwich along with some sweets to go. I found a bench to sit on to people/dog watch.  Some were in a hurry, some taking a leisurely stroll. There were solitary walkers and couples. Most had dogs.

I’m tired of Mexican food. Yesterday I went to a restaurant that a blogger recommended and it had been 6 hours since I’d eaten breakfast. They brought some chips and three different varieties of salsas.  They were all spicy but one in particular was very oily and had large chunks of something in it.  I began to feel ill. They brought my food, a salad and I’m not sure what the other dish was. I asked them to box it up to go, went to the restroom and vomited. On the walk home I was sweaty and vomited a few more times. Once home, I felt back to normal.

Paramo Restaurant

Although I have seen beautiful places and had some amazing experiences, I’m not cut out for city life.  When you’re gone from home in a foreign country for extended periods, you become more grateful for what you have at home. I miss taking a shower that doesn’t run out of hot water. I miss being able to brush my teeth with regular tap water. I miss my cat, and I know he misses me. I purchased some cameras so that I could check on him while I’m gone. I didn’t realize that when I clicked on one of the buttons that he could hear me. I thought it would be comforting for him but it just confused him.

I miss my patio, my dishwasher, and the ability to hop in my car and go somewhere. I miss being understood… not having to use Google translate.  I miss the quiet.

Guillermo Tovar de Teresa Museum and Skulls & Art Exhibition in Mexico City

On my quest to see as many museums as possible (within reason-there are 150) here in Mexico City, a few days ago I cycled one mile to the Guillermo Tovar de Teresa Museum. It’s very small, but the entry is … Continue reading

Airbnb Experience: Sights, smells and tastes of Puebla on two wheels

Yesterday’s Airbnb experience: Sights, smells and tastes of Puebla on two wheels was okay. There were four other people on the tour, grandparents with a 12 and 9-year-old. The bicycles were a bit wobbly, with no gears, and initially there was a lot of time spent adjusting the seats for the children and also myself. My seat wasn’t able to be adjusted high enough. The two tour leaders were very accommodating and sweet. The pedal came off of one of the participant’s bicycle, photo below.

We made a number of food/drink stops. I wasn’t feeling well, Montezuma’s revenge, ugh, so I ate part of each meal. I forgot to take photos of the last two food stops, one of which was churros. I had them make it “to go” for me and had it for dinner.

A few of the sites we saw…

The walk back to my Airbnb, after the tour ended, was only 7 minutes. I took a 3 hour nap. I’m feeling about the same today, I have some Cipro at the Airbnb in Mexico City so I will take it when I get back today.

Two nights in Puebla City

I planned a two night trip from Mexico City to Puebla City, located 2 hours south of Mexico City, via bus. I arrived at noon, ubered 3 miles to my Airbnb, dropped my bags and went out to explore. I … Continue reading

Museo Nacional De Arte (MUNAL)

The third museum I visited today was Museo Nacional De Arte (MUNAL). The architecture of the building itself is amazing! It’s a large museum and I kept getting lost, haha. I love color, and these were some of my favorite … Continue reading