All Aboard the Mexican Train

Life currently feels like the game Mexican Train.

So, where was I?

Oh yes, fourteen dominos. Some have been loaded onto the Mexican train. A couple of them were lined up and toppled were unable to trigger a run with so many random pieces lying askew. Let’s review our status. Domino numbers may have changed to preserve my sanity.

D1 (Domino 1): We want our own place.

              Status: unchanged. By “we” I mean each and every one of us. Blue Boy is home for the summer, transitioning from an apartment in Tucson to a dorm room in Flagstaff. He shares his mother’s passion for cooking with spice blends and sauces. Opening the cupboard door to retrieve my morning vitamins, the sight of a cabinet packed with containers of all sizes floored me. Although we are all generally compatible, sharing common spaces can be taxing.

D2: Current house and yard require constant maintenance

              Status: unchanged. It has served us well for family get-togethers, parties, and children’s activities. We no longer need a park with a large pool to entertain. Although Mike enjoys maintaining the property, it is expensive and time-consuming.

D3: I want to live near action and variety.

Status: unchanged. This really hit home while spending a few days in Anthem, a planned community north of Phoenix, and seeing only one African-American couple (I assume American, could be Jamaican, German?) and one A-A young man despite several walks in the park. The young man was cleaning up trash during a community concert. No Asians, no Hispanic. Pure White. I also love walking to a local coffee shop or wandering tree-lined streets.

D4: Mowgli will live with Mom

              Status: unchanged. All agree with this plan. It doesn’t affect us, so the tile goes on the Mexican train.

D5: Misha’s (formerly known as ED) house

              Status: SOLD! The first tile to topple. It was the closing from hell but is done, finished, Fini!

D6: Mike’s sister (S-iL)

              Status: fluid. I get information about my sister-in-law via Mike and Misha. Mike is a guy, in case you haven’t figured that out, so he can have lunch with his sister and report that she is fine or not, omitting crucial details. Details shared are often inaccurate.

Reminds me of a story about a group of men meeting for poker while their wives went out for dinner. Sharing information later, the men reported everyone doing well. The wives shared news of cancer, death, and wayward children.

The only reason this is an issue is Misha would like to buy the house from her aunt who could benefit from a smaller abode. Until those two events are completed, we cannot move. Misha meets regularly with S-iL and keeps me up to date. Why don’t I go to the source myself? Good question. Misha is encouraging S-iL to purge but S-iL less than enthusiastic about packing and moving. Who isn’t? That last bit of information was straight from the source.

D7: Misha’s job

              Status: the tile toppled! She is now working full time and developing an assisted-living/memory care facility. We pray that the powers that be don’t dismantle Medicaid and throw all those old people onto the streets. If you think only single welfare moms are on Medicaid, read the link. Also, have some compassion for those single welfare moms. Statistics bely the disdain shown them.

D8: move to Chicago

              Status: fluid. I am in touch with a realtor to study options. In a few days Mike and I will road trip to Chicago. From there, I have several excursions planned (methinks I have picked up the lingo of too many tours). I don’t plan to return until late October to once again host JW-Jones. Mark your calendar for November 1, 2025 for a second final tour concert (ours, not J W’s).

D9: The family is close

              Status: unchanged but moving onto the Mexican train. Although we enjoy time with extended family, the reality is the move of Big Bro and Baby Sis from the neighborhood and the expanding branches are making it difficult to get together. Time to focus again on the immediate family.

D10: C-boy and P-DiL need space

              Status: unchanged. They opted to renew their lease on the compact two-bedroom condo in Chicago, mostly to save money and decide on their next step. I say two-bedroom generously. More like 1½. The location is perfect, though, for their current jobs. The discussion will continue when I get to Chicago this summer.

D11: Nini Dair (formerly SD) and MB-DiL, her wife, would like a different condo.

              Status: unchanged but it’s their problem. They chose the current space with a yard for Piper the dog. Piper the dog is dead, allowing them more leeway in their choice. I will load that domino onto the Mexican train.

D12: Misha to Chicago

              Status: See D7. No longer a consideration. Off to the Mexican train.

D13: P-DiL’s father moving out of Chicago

              Status: unsure but not an issue. We entertained the possibility of taking over his lease since his adorable condo is only a block from the babies. My last communication with him indicates he is not leaving. Another block for the train.

D14: Maybe we should all move to Canada

              Status: always up for discussion. The current global political climate is a newbie for all of us, and we aren’t sure how to handle it. For Mike and me, it means living our lives fully while we can, supporting the kids as needed. As much as I would love to leave the country, it is unlikely that we will emigrate permanently. To be clear, my desire to leave the country is not exclusive to political unrest. I am a European at heart.

Based on this review, active dominos are 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, and possibly 14. Until D6 is settled—Mike’s sister moving and selling the house to Misha—not much else is happening. I’m staying out of it. Thus D8: I am not moving to Chicago but getting out of town for the summer while Misha, Mike, and S-iL figure it out.

I am now replacing D5 Misha needs to sell her house with Misha’s needs a house. D7 Misha needs a job will be replaced with S-iL is contemplating an extended visit to France, which may slow down her relocating. I say it again: I am staying out of all this and getting the heck out of town. When Misha and boys move out, Mike and I still have a large piece of property to prepare for sale. That will become D12.

Our final tour is dragging on.