Columns

Of all the jobs I’ve had, my favorite remains my first – lifeguarding. Forget bigger paychecks, mental challenges, or even the luxury of spending every day in a bookstore. Never mind the occasional sunburn, the hassle of sunscreen, or the wrinkles from all the years I didn’t know I needed it. Just give me that tall chair in the sun.

I don’t know if this is common in Guadalajara or just my neighborhood, but several times a week, while out walking, I hear cowbells ringing. When I first followed the sound, I discovered a garbage truck with workers trailing behind, collecting trash and wearing cowbells attached to their belt loops.

There used to be a game show in the United States called, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.” I don’t think it’s still on, but I don’t really know. I never watched it. Because, frankly, I didn’t want to know.

When I came to Guadalajara, my car and most of my possessions followed behind by a couple of months. I arrived with whatever essentials I could fit inside two suitcases, which ended up being too much underwear and not enough books.

We arrived in Guadalajara in mid-August with my three-year-old grandson who remembers every detail of the trick-or-treating he did once, nearly a year ago.

Anybody else getting the impression that Mother Nature is getting cranky about all the abuse and indignities modern mankind has inflicted on Planet Earth?

Records show 11 earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.0 or greater in 2026, on top of 14 such events last year. Most have occurred in the Eastern Hemisphere along the Ring of Fire, which encircles the Pacific Ocean.

• February 22, 2026: Magnitude 7.1 near Kota Belud, Malaysia

• March 24, 2026: Magnitude 7.5 near Vava’u / Neiafu, Tonga

• March 30, 2026: Magnitude 7.3 near Sanma, Vanuatu

• April 1, 2026: Magnitude 7.4 near North Maluku, Indonesia

• April 20, 2026: Magnitude 7.4 near Iwate/Sanriku, Japan

• June 7–8, 2026: Magnitude 7.8 near Soccsksargen/Kablalan, Philippines

• July 28, 2026: Magnitude 7.1 near Japan

• August 14, 2026: Magnitude 7.7 in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.