March 2025 Newsletter

Mar 24 min read

Another month has flashed by and once again with less than two days to go I still had not found my idea for this newsletter. On the evening of the February 26 a “Mad Man” friend called. He is writing a book about his life in advertising and wanted some views and history from me. Theshort call turned into more than two hours of discussion on our many travails. Going to bed I was concerned that this quick sojourn into the past would be dominating my night. Well. Not so.

You see, many years ago I had a problem staying asleep and would wake up during the night. Rather than struggling to fall back asleep, I developed the habit of picking up a book and reading until I naturally fell back asleep. Now I read every night usually after three am.

Waking up on the early hours of the 27th, as expected, the dominating first thought was about the Mad Men days. Immediately I picked up the book I was reading “Hope” by Pope Francis. I began reading the book before his current hospital stay. I am not an overtly religious person, nor do I wear any religion on my sleeves and believe me when I say I am pro all religions, but I am against all dogma. I should also state that I graduated from a Jesuit university and have a minor in theology as well as five other minors inclusive of philosophy, clearly certified to confuse anyone!

Reading “Hope” brought me back to what I love about the Jesuits the order to which Pope Francis belongs. Given his style I felt he was talking to me, recounting his entire life in a way that made me feel as if I was on his shoulder walking through his life, getting to know the man, his family, and his personal journey.

Last Night I had more than a few chuckles as I read. The following excerpt shows his sense of humor.

“I remember the one about the rather vain Jesuit who had a heart problem and had to be treated in a hospital. Before going into the operating room, he asks God: “Lord, has my hour come?” “No, you will live at least another forty years,” God replies. After the operation, he decides to make the most of it and has a hair transplant, a facelift, liposuction, eyebrows, teeth…in short, he comes out a changed man.

Right outside the hospital, he is knocked down by a car and dies. As soon as he appears in the presence of God, he protests: “Lord, but…you told me I would live for another forty years!” “Oops, sorry!” God replies. “I didn’t recognize you…””

On a more serious note, I found many things in the book applicable to my life and the way I think, indeed internally I am a very religious person, and I loved this passage and it happened to me!

“I came to know her in my family, she was my playmate as a child. I embraced her as a young boy, and I wedded her in that spring that changed my life forever. As an adult, on several dark days I lost sight of her, I thought she had gone away and abandoned me, but it was I who had lost sight of her; and then I promised once more that I would follow her forever: because her heaven is already on earth.”

He is writing here about “hope”!

A passage which hit even closer to home

“Being dissatisfied, above all with ourselves, is only human, and in the right measure it is also a good antidote against the presumption of self-sufficiency and conceit, but we Christians must live in the awareness that our best days are yet to come. And we must strive, we must play our part so far as it is within our possibilities, our abilities, for this to happen.

The fundamental task that is required of men and women is to make good use of their time on earth and to build the future.”

And more

“If you are thinking about the next year, plant corn; if you are thinking about the next ten years, plant a tree; but if you are thinking about the next hundred years, educate.”

So as Susan and I continue to make use of our time, having planted our trees and always planning the future we ask you to join us in welcoming, Antonio and Farid two very well educated bilingual young men who will transition in taking the helm of Finca Luna Serena and driving it to its grand future. We will continue to consult and guide and still live on our property as the future arrives. Their presence is already taking effect with the revamping of our website, labelling, Mexican e commerce, conversion of our casita into “Posada los Olivos” (The Olive Grove Inn!) and much more to come.

Here is what we are planning for March

Events

· Our Open House – March 6

· Apple Fest – March 15

· Parasol Painting March 18

· Asian Vegan Fest March 19

· Woodfired Middle Eastern Feast March 28

· Follow the following link for more information

· https://www.fincalunaserena.com/event/

Cooking Classes

o Mole Class March 3, 2025

· More Details