I haven't heard from my tenant in New Orleans for more than 10 days. Last time we talked I thought that we were on track with the sale--that we'd be closing somewhere around October 1st. Now, I don't know what to think.
I haven't been to New Orleans in more than two years and am curious to see how much has changed since my last visit. Am looking forward to putting Weight Watcher points aside once or twice and indulging in a couple of great meals, strolling down Esplanade, perusing the Quarters and the Garden District, hoping that the little corner cafe is still on Magazine, serving up its mouthwatering blueberry cobbler. I'm not looking forward to seeing how little has happened in the Ninth Ward, living in my empty house for several weeks with just an air-mattress and Internet or the tremendous additional expense required to stay anywhere in the States compared with Mexico.
In preparation for this starkness, I savor my little house here. Afternoons are cooler now so I pull myself out of the dim office and work under the umbrella in the front patio, when I don't need to use the computer; when I do, I work in the living room where I can gaze at the garden. At night, I have dinner on the back patio under that gaze of the Black Madonna acquired at my friend Sandy Lawrence's garage sale when she moved back to Texas. A little prematurely, I prepare my garden for winter--feeding and trimming the plants, repotting those that have grown too big for their containers.
For the coming week, my last full week here before I leave, I'll take advantage of all the things I won't be able to afford when I'm in the States. I'll take at least 3 yoga classes, only 35 pesos at Belles Artes, OD on organic produce, have my hair trimmed and my feet pumiced, enjoy one last night of music, have my energy re-balanced with acupuncture just before my departure.
I still hope for the best, that the sale will materialize, while preparing for the worst, that I'll have to dip into my saving to fluff the house so that I can get it back on the market and cover the expenses of the house until it sells.
