This is a story in two parts; separate but connected by a common thread – the female population. It actually began some time ago as I began looking for the “gaz” refilling station capable of filling small portable tanks. After being told by three different people in two different languages success still eluded me and yesterday Margaret purchased a new heater with empty tank, so the pressure was mounting.

After the 4^th futile attempt this morning I decided to reward my inability with lunch at the Blue Agave; highly recommended. It’s a wonderful place on the lake front and I was apparently the first customer today as I had my choice of tables out on the terraza near the lake. Now to be honest, the one thing I used to hate about traveling when I was selling was eating alone – and now here I am again in another chapter of life, eating alone. Beyond being depressing it leaves you little to do, as you’re not talking to anyone, but listen to others talking around you.

Apparently this was ladies day (no one told me) at the Blue Agave as they began to arrive in clusters of two, then a chattering gaggle of four joined by more etc. and there I am trying to enjoy my lunch while NOT listening to trials of mature ladies who seem to have little more to deal with than their husbands medical problems, their children’s unworthy spouses etc. Now let’s be totally honest and drag out the real me here to leave no doubt. I’m not against and might even find it amusing to be surrounded by (shall we say) somewhat younger ladies more intent on giggling about what to wear next Saturday night or maybe even how gorgeous the guy was they hope will ask them out – in other words – CHICKS. But no, I get the geriatric set discussing the pros and cons of their husband’s Viagra? Lunch was good, but I ain’t going back alone and never on Tuesday (just in case) – actually I’m going to take Margaret and introduce her to chicken fried steak, being a Canuck she’s never experienced the heart and soul of Texas on a platter.

I made my escape and headed home to chill out. Margaret was at the casita as I came in and so I told her of my propane quest and she said “did you ask?” – which brings us to the second part of the story.

She called and asked where they were located and uncovered a previously unknown clue, it was across from the Aqua (something) plant. Ok, I knew where that was so we piled into the Jeep and headed out. We arrived at the water plant and there was nothing across from it but a field? – so she “asked” a young guy and he said take the road across from the plant, we did and still nothing, now I had taken the road a ways yesterday, found nothing and turned back, but she insisted we keep on. There were two young boys riding a horse and she said “stop and ask them” – there is was again “ask”, apparently she doesn’t know that real men don’t “ask!” – however, to humor her I relented and rolled down the window and asked “gaz?” – Si, Si and they point on down the road and sure enough a ways further is a big propane plant. We got the tank filled and headed back to the carretera howling; mainly at me.

It was only yesterday on the way back from Tonala we were talking about why women live longer than men and I said a large part of it was that when we’re in a checkout line at the store women wait until their purchased items have been rung up before opening their purse, digging through to find their check book, writing the check, showing ID, then finally repacking all the items – all as we men are struggling to restrain ourselves from running screaming from the store minus our needed items. Her comment was “LET IT GO” – what do you mean let it go? – this is serious stuff and one of the primary reasons we die early – really!

So, today as we pulled onto the carretera, and we’re still howling, she says she’s going to do a couple of needle point pillows for me, one says “Let It Go” and the other “ASK” – well, I guess we did get the gaz, but “let it go” – I don't think so.