It was now week five. Isabella and Liam still went for a walk to the beach everyday to surf and play volleyball. During the week, the beach was not as crowded and the friends that they had acquired for the summer were there each day as well. By now, I was getting quite the tan. Brady wouldn't have liked me getting this much sun, but it was hard not too; as the sun had been intense, and I lackadaisical about my sunscreen use. Nonetheless, my tanned body looked good enough that even I was turning some heads at the beach at nearly sixty years of age.

I was only a summer-and-a-half away, and I would reach that milestone. It didn't bother me; my age that is, as much as it bothered me that I was widowed. I figured in my own mind that it was time to venture out into the brave world again, but I would need to be courted; and it it would have to be someone wonderful...someone special.

We decided to do something a little unorthodox that Wednesday. We went to where we could lie down on the grass in a field where the planes from the San Diego Airport took off. It was close enough that we could feel the wind turbulence and the drag as the planes took off for their destination. While illegal, we were not the only ones who had ever done this, so we figured since we were not the first, we would certainly not be the last. "What was the harm", I thought? At any rate, if one exploded we would be "goners" in a flash; but, with that be the worst and only plausible 1 in 1,000,000 chance, we were all willing to stomach the risk.

After a few hours, we went to Coldstone Creamery. One of our favourites, we had come to love the evenings when ice cream was on the schedule. It was typically three to four nights a week, and no one ever had a complaint if it was a few nights in a row. We continued to add flavour after flavour to our own personal lists. Isabella didn't stray far from her favourites, and Liam even more so; so it seemed that I had once again become the adventurous one. I was now up to twenty-seven for the summer.

We returned to Casa Amor on Sunday. We had spent the better part of a week in Mexico and it was time to return to the beach. Isabella and Liam were exhausted; as was I, and we slept in till nearly noon on Monday. The beach was our safe haven, and it was a beautiful day that Monday. It was the beginning of our fourth week, and I knew that time would begin to fly. On Sunday, we would have just eight weeks left.

We spent every day in the fourth week at the beach. Liam and Isabella had made a few friends that were close to them in age, and they played volleyball each day until time for dinner. In the morning they would try their hands at surfing, and they each had become a master at the "boogie board" or waveboard, as I would call it.

I did cook some as well; as I have always loved being in the kitchen. It was one of Brady and I's pastimes, I guess you might say. His specialty was Italian, and mine French, so we each had something of value to add on any given night. He had even taken the time to teach Bella some things and Liam would someday be a master on the grill. We all loved and adored asparagus, as Brady had showed me the perfect way to cook it. And if I have shared my secret previously, please keep it "under your hat".

The week flew by; as I knew it would, and we spent Saturday and Sunday at home relaxing. While the beach was our playground, Casa Amor was our respite.

While I wanted to visit Oaxaca, it was not going to happen on this trip. We had already driven northwest to Guadalajara, and the next sound destination would be Monterrey. I felt sure we would find more treasures there.

We would travel on I-80 N. Villa de Cos was about halfway on the atlas, so I determined that it would be a good place for lunch. We left at the crack of dawn, allowing Isabella and Liam to sleep thru the early morning hours as I drove. The sun was beautiful as it came up over "My Mexico" that day, and I dreamed of Brady whom I had watched the sun rise with on many occasions.

We arrived in Villa de Cos about 11:30 AM, just in time for a bite. I was quite famished myself; and having just awaken, the children shared my sentiments completely. Arus offered Mediterranean cuisine, and seemed to be appealing; as anything would have at that point. Liam and I ordered the fish of the day and Isabella had a salad with Greek dressing.

Back on the road, it was now about four hours to our destination; Monterrey. Flush with universities; as was Guadalajara, Monterrey also offered museums of various kinds, a park, a riverwalk, and Cerro de la Silla, or a name for the landscape and it famous saddle-shape.

By mid-afternoon, we were cruising the riverwalk. It was bustling with people that day, and I could feel the excitement in the air. "My Mexico" had lifted my spirits once again. Now why exactly I had named the Villa we were staying in "Casa Amor" and for just a few days the State of Mexico, "My Mexico", I'm not sure...but I somehow knew that I would have to connect to my surroundings in a real and meaningful way for this summer to remain important and memorable. It was not only the children that needed healing; but even more so, it was me. 

The next day would be spent in Guadalajara. It would be nearly a six hour drive from the Mexico City, City Center; so we started early about 6:00 AM, hoping to get there by high noon. Along the way, we would pass many beautiful cities. The road was a two-lane road; very passable, and it would be considered a major thoroughfare in Mexico. In countries such as this, the road conditions can be less than desirable; however, Route 55 seemed very passable.

We arrived in Guadalajara around 1:00 PM. La Franca was one of the first restaurants that we came across, so I parked the Suburban and walked up to the sidewalk menu to have a look. From what I could gather, this was a Mexican Contemporary restaurant. It suited the kids and I, and from the outside facade, it looked appealing. We would soon find out that the food and service we also as such.

The item on the menu that seemed to resonate with all of us was the Steak La Franca. Three orders were made and we were pleasantly surprised. After chomping down the steak like rabid dogs, we had flan and ice cream. Finally, a Margarita for me, and aged-root beers from Isabella and Liam. We left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. The valet brought the Suburban back around, and we left to see the sights.

There are four large colleges, and a handful of museums, along with many cathedrals in Guadalajara. The stained-glass windows were impressive, so we took quite a few photos. At nite, as the sun went down and the lights came on, they were even more impressive by the light of the stars.

The Casa Montore Botique Hotel would be our resting place for the evening. Turn-down service was appealing, and after seeing the room and the price at just $74/nite, we decided to stay for two days and tour more of the city. On Friday, we would head to another destination and return to the States on Sunday.

We arrived in Mexico City in the early afternoon. We were all getting kind of hungry, so we decided we would eat around 5:00 PM. Prior to that, we would make a few stops at different places and maybe a snack would be in order. We started in the City Center, where I knew we would find plenty of things to do an look at. Centro Historico; as it is called, can accommodate over 100,000 people at any one time; so I am told.

Over the years, Centro Historico has been home to protests and governments overthrown, rally's and  fights among the people. On a more positive note, it is home to some of the most beautiful buildings, churches and museums that I have ever seen. We decided to do the museums which would be an educational and relaxing thing to do prior to dinner.

It is always amazing to me how ancient city's like Mexico City have come into fruition. Who were the architects of the 16th Century Spaniards. What was their thought process. And how did they rally the people and get them to work long and tireless hours to make this place what it is; a true gem in the history of South America; or Southern North America, I guess.

As we toured the City Center square, I decided on Bistro Mosaico. This place seemed to have not only a Mexican, but French flair as well. I reasoned that this would be a wonderful place to try both true Mexican and French Fusion. The combination of two countries. I ordered pate as an appetizer, which the kids had only had one other time at a restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina, with their father after a meeting that he had. The enjoyed this succulent duck liver on both crackers and homemade bread. The menu needed to be translated to us, but looked absolutely amazing. Having enchiladas and burritos and chimichangas, we were all stuffed by the time we left. Finally we enjoyed fried ice cream to top it off.

I found suitable accommodations for the evening and we laid down to rest.

The beds and bedding at "The House of Love" or "Casa Amor" were amazing. I intended to get a line item by line item list of what Silvio had purchased when he returned from Italy. Silvio and his lovely bride spend the summers in or near the Tuscan Region of Italy, and that is why they rent the Villa in Coronado Beach. I just happened to be the current; and hopefully future, key holder for the moment; and perhaps for many summers to come. Have I mentioned that once.

Well, I love this place. After only two weeks, it has become intoxicating. The beach is immaculate and not overrun, the house is immaculate and on a corner of a "not" busy street. My children have accommodations fitting of royalty, we have room for all the company we need and NO room for those we do not want, and I can relax here. Whew! That was a mouthful!

At any rate, our third week was about to begin. I suggested another history lesson. Since we all had our passports, why not slip down thru San Diego into Tijuana, Mexico, and just see what is going on these days. To the best of my knowledge, Mexico is at peace internally at the moment. Sure, there are gangs and guns and fighting, but "citizen vs. BIG Government" is currently at bay.

That Friday, at the end of the third week, we ventured across the border and into Mexico.I suggested staying a few days and going to Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Monterrey and Mexico City. Certainly we would find some cultural and historical events and places to learn a bit about Mexico.

What I have always appreciated about Brady and his short, but sweet, vacations was that he was always able to provide us with "fun facts" along the way. Not only was he handsome and intelligent, he was knowledgeable. He knew many things about many places and the World in general. In fact, in our hometown, we could barely go to a restaurant where he hadn't at one time dated a waitress who still did, or who had worked there. He liked to eat, and the waitresses always seem to like him. I wonder why.

After crossing the border, I decided we would drive directly to Mexico City to start our few day tour of this politically unsound (historically speaking), but beautiful country.

We spent everyday of the first week at the beach and ate out occasionally. We found a local pizza place that we enjoyed, a local Chinese place (a staple for sure), and for me a local brewery and wine bar. It was not as if I would sneak out on the kids for an evening cocktail; however, when I needed to unwind from thoughts of Brady, I retreated to either my local brewery or wine bar. The Gas Light District in San Diego also had plenty to offer, and we  would frequent it often throughout the summer.

In the second week, Isabella decided that she wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo. This was amenable to Liam and I, so we went on Tuesday. It seemed like a good day to meander slowly and catch the best of what the zoo had to offer, as most people besides mother's without jobs would be at work. No summer vacations/breaks for the weary. I can remember distinctly how hard it was to get Brady to even take a week off from his job. He enjoyed it, and it provided for a wonderful living for me and the kids.

The zoo lived up to expectations. As they always said in the movies, "Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my"! We even had a decent meal there and it took us from opening until 6:00 PM that evening to catch all the attractions, brief seminars and the animals, of course.

We decided to go out to eat to the Cheesecake Factory that evening; one of my household's favourites. We have a system that may seem uncanny, but now that I have let out the secret, I feel sure that others will be doing it. At the Cheesecake Factory, you eat your desired dessert first. This way, if you have leftovers from your meal, there is plenty of ways to reheat the item(s) to your satisfaction. Cheesecake in the fridge overnite; however, just does not have that same, fresh taste, the next day.

Retreating to the patio once again, we would spend just about every nite there in the evenings at what I called "Casa Amor", or "House of Love". It would become my Italian Villa of Love for the summer, and perhaps many more to come.