The birds in my new ‘hood begin singing their Hallelujah Chorus before dawn. But they don’t wake me. I’m already awake, sitting up in bed with my coffee tray beside me, watching the Sky Show from my bedroom windows. It’s glorious.
I watch as the sky lightens – from coal black, when the shimmering lights of San Miguel look to me like low-lying stars (my very own Milky Way) — to royal purple, to a hazy blue-gray with a slash of peachy-pink along the horizon. Then, from this pink blanket, the sun emerges slowly, and a new day has begun in SMA.
I have yet to learn how to operate my new digital TV (I don’t even know how to turn it on), but I don’t care. The Sky Show is entertainment enough for me.
On my first night here in my new apartment in Colonia Independencia last week, there was a full moon nearly filling up the sky. The other morning I saw in the distance three hot-air balloons rising along with the sun. And on Monday evening, just before sunset, in the midst and mist of a pre-seasonal rainfall, there was a magnificent rainbow arching over the cityscape. With such natural, captivating beauty, I think, who needs TV?
Now for your mini tour: One wall of both the bedroom and the living room area of what I’m calling mi hermoso refugio (my beautiful refuge) is all glass, leading onto the terrace, all overlooking San Miguel de Allende down below. Just beneath the terrace is a bright, new children’s park, resonant with children’s laughter during the day, a basketball court to the right of it, and a well lit, well loved soccer field to the left, in which the older boys play exuberant fútbol nearly every night.
I’m already unpacked and pretty much all settled in. It’s a small apartment by San Miguel (but not by NYC) standards, and I don’t, after so many moves in my lifetime, own much stuff. I’ve managed to keep only the most functional and sentimental items and to buy only bare necessities. But taken together, everything seems to fit like jigsaw puzzle pieces here. I guess you could say I’ve become a minimalist in my older age.
I hope never to move again as long as I live. I have arrived, gracias a dios. The neighborhood birds and I are all singing now from our respective nests, “Hallelujah!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For the backstory, please read previous WOWs from the past six months about this move:
www.blog.bonnieleeblack.com/here-we-go-again/
www.blog.bonnieleeblack.com/the-table/
www.blog.bonnieleeblack.com/a-new-view/
find me on facebook
FANTASTIC! Home sweet home! Many happy years in this place! xoxoxo
Thank you, dear Carol. Yes, this place is the sweetest! I’m over-the-moon happy. — Best to you, BB xx
WELCOME to your permanent home!!! Bonnie, it looks glorious, and me thinks you have earned every sunset, rainbow, and bird song. Write on, and I’ll continue to read. I depart from Cri Cri on Tuesday, but hope our paths cross sometime in this glorious city of SMA.
Thank you, Carol, for your kind words. Yes, I hope our paths cross here in the future. — Best wishes to you and happy travels, BB
I love this story and your values ❤️
Thanks so much, Connie!
Felicidades Bonnie! Can’t wait to see it!
Gracias, Querida Kim! Pronto! — xx
All the scenes of nature, including the manmade hot-air balloons, seem to be saying Welcome Home, Bonnie Dear! You belong to us, and we to you.
Your sweet words brought tears to my eyes, BeDear! I can’t wait for you to come and visit to see it all in person. — BB xx
Your new digs look great! Happy for you!
Thank you, dear Helen! I hope you, too, are doing well.
Hallelujah. May it remain perfect, safe, and a place where you can stay until the end of days. I am SO delighted for you. Truly. Best wishes.
Amen to that, BriA! 🙂 Thank you for all your good wishes.
So glad you’re in your new home. Enjoy all the wonders of SMA from a new perspective. I’m very happy for you. God’s blessings
Thank you, Joni! Yes, it feels so good to have a more secure perspective. 🙂
So happy for you Bonnie! I share your appreciation for the beauty of sky and light. Judy Hadlock
Thank you, Judy! So much better than TV, don’t you think? 🙂
Congratulations, Bonnie querida! It is muy hermoso! What a view!
Gracias, querida Te! Yes, as everyone who sees it says, “The view is to die for!” — BB xx
Oh, dear Bonnie, you’ve arrived indeed! What a magnificent birds eye view you have! It’s so YOU, and you’ve clearly mastered Marie Kondo’s theory! It looks like your home (and terrace!) is filled with things that bring you joy! I often think of the beautiful passages you’ve shared about the theatricality of sunsets Vs. the new beginnings of dawn. It thrills me that you can watch it daily! Now get one of those soccer players up there to show you how to turn on that TV!
Thank you, dearest Michael! I hope someday soon you and Tony will come down here so I can give you the in-person tour. And as for those cute, young soccer players… I suspect they’re way too engrossed in their game. 🙂 — BB xx
How beautifully you have adorned your bijou forever home, Bonnie! Wishing you health and contentment in it – as well as good neighbours. Bless you. Sandra.
Thank you, dear Sandra (b’day girl)! Blessings on you, too. Your “sister” across the seas, BB xx
Wonderful article, Bonnie! Looks like you have arrived “home”! Congratulations! Xoxo❤️♥️❤️
Thank you, dear Beth! I think you’re right — I’m HOME now. Good to bump into you today at La Comer! — xx
Hooray, Bonnie. You are finally HOME! I know you will fill it with love and light, creativity and grace.
Felicidades!
Thank you, dear Barbara, for your lovely sentiments. Sending love your way, BB
Home Sweet Home! Enjoy every sunrise, sunset, and all the in between ❤️
Thank you, Mary Jane. I hope all is well with you.
I am so happy for you. Even better than I imagined with your daily sky show. Disfruta!!
Yes, Suzanne, who knew about the Sky Show? 🙂 I’m so happy I could weep. Come and visit when you get back from Chiapas.
It’s beautiful, Bonnie.
Thanks so much, Helaine!
Congratulations on all your patience and now the settling in! So happy for youth be there and to have those views!
Thanks so much, Rae! I appreciate your kind words.
Oh Bonnie, it is absolutely lovely. I know you’re happy to finally be settled. I hope we can visit again some day.
Thanks, Donna. As a fellow Taurus, you know how much HOME means to us! Yes, I hope you and Steve can visit one day soon. Best, BB
Felicidades dear Bonnie. Can’t wait to see it in person!
Gracias, Kharin! You’ll be seeing it very soon! — xx
So, so happy for you that you followed the “road” and are now in the perfect place! I read your blog but seldom comment. I so remember our meeting at the Writer’s Conference before you made the decision to move here. It’s wonderful that it has worked out for you.
Muchísimo gracias, Babs! Yes, I remember that day too. You must have inspired me to retire to SMA. Best wishes, BB
Congratulations Bonnie.
Thanks so much, Lyn!
Home SWEET Home! Enjoy your cozy home and the beautiful view of sunrises and stars!
Thank you, Marcia. Yes, I’m SO enjoying this big sky! Last night there was a bright crescent moon. Gorgeous!
I join the hallelujah chorus celebrating your new abode! Seems perfect for you! My fave of your pics is the h-o-r-i-z-o-n-t-a-l stretch of your lampshade! I’m sure by now you’ve heard that the writing group you founded finally stopped, with the awful covid death of Margaret and the finishing of Lucy’s and Sallie’s books. I’m soldiering on, in the second full draft of “Notes From a Rolling Stone: Frank Farrington From the Comstock Lode to Japan to Europe, 1861-1875.
Hola, Steve — Yes, I can hear your “hallelujahs” from here! 🙂 You know that that stretch is the lampshade’s shadow, right? No, I didn’t know that the CNF workshop ended. 🙁 (And no one told me about Bob’s passing either. Do you have the link to his memorial service, by chance?) Best wishes for your book-in-progress. Soldier on! — BB
Oh Bonnie! I am so delighted that it is all you wanted and perhaps even more. I asked for pictures and here they are. Looks positively wonderful and the VIEW!
Yes, dear Carol — and even more! Come and see asap. — BB xx
Felicidades, Bonnie. The place looks wonderful, and clearly you’ve found the key to making minimalism warm and welcoming.
Thanks so much, Monty dear. Seems I’ve been inspired by your minimalism; but I’m more wedded to primary colors than you are. 🙂 Come down and visit asap. — BB xx
Lots of happiness and contentment in your new home Bonnie. Best wishes, Pam
Thank you for your beautiful wishes, Pam. I appreciate hearing from you and hope all is well with you and your family.
Dear Bon,
Congratulations! Your new apartment looks warm, inviting, and lovely. I wish you every joy and happiness there, including never having to move again! Your view is just delightful. New settings are always inspiring, so it all combines into a perfect writer’s haven.
Love,
Paul
Thank you, dearest Paul! Yes, I hope never to move from here. This is IT for me! Come and see as soon as you are able. — xoxoxox