Homeward Bound - Adios San Miguel

Homeward Bound - Adios San Miguel

Doug Coombs
Diary, Food, Food & Drink, Musings

The Demographics of San Miguel de Allende (SMA): It is not a sprawling metropolis, and after a few days of settling in, the navigation and orientation became relatively straightforward. The local populace is reportedly augmented by an estimated 10-15% of expatriates, placing the non-native population in the vicinity of 15,000 souls. One does observe a significant presence of gringos, and it is a known fact that many members of the local pickleball fraternity have established long-term residency in SMA.

Third Week In SMA Is A Charm

Third Week In SMA Is A Charm

Doug Coombs
Diary, Food & Drink, Musings

As the third week unfolds, I find myself, much like at home, trying to understand,“What day is it?” It’s a normal occurrence for someone my age, but here, the beautiful weather is the real culprit. Since every day seems to follow the same script—cool, crisp mornings followed by bright, warm, postcard-perfect sunshine in the afternoon—time has truly lost all meaning. I suspect I might be living in some kind of highly enjoyable, sun-drenched "Groundhog Day."

Week 1 - In San Miguel Is In The Books

Week 1 - In San Miguel Is In The Books

Doug Coombs
Diary, Food & Drink

As the days melt into each other, I’m clocking in almost a week here in San Miguel de Allende. Life is blissfully, utterly slow, which is pretty much the default setting for my existence these days. I’m finally finding my apartment-legs, locating the coffee stash without a flashlight, and generally feeling comfortable with the surroundings.

Hola - Greetings from San Miguel

Hola - Greetings from San Miguel

Doug Coombs
Food & Drink, Diary, Musings

 "Saludos desde San Miguel de Allende" – Greetings from San Miguel de Allende. I am currently on the fourth day of a month-long sojourn in Mexico.

Should you have read my previous blog post, you would be aware that I was preparing to depart for this retreat from the cold weather. I left the frigid conditions of Toronto several days ago, following a period of record-setting snowfall, making the timing quite opportune. The journey was extensive, comprising a flight of over five hours, followed by a car transfer of approximately three to four hours to my accommodation. I arrived while it was still daylight, and the driver facilitated a curbside drop-off.

I Think It's Time to Leave

I Think It's Time to Leave

Doug Coombs
Diary, Musings

I think it’s definitely time to get out of here. I mean it this time, I swear on all my winter boots. I’m looking out the window, and it’s a terrifying tableau of swirling snow, wind, and the dreaded "code orange" snowfall alert. According to today's reports, a staggering 65% of flights out of Toronto Airport have been cancelled. It's not just a snowstorm; it's another full-blown Snow Armageddon. Sigh… My life it seems is being held hostage by Mother Nature, who seems to have a wicked sense of humour and an overabundance of snowflakes.

2026 Keeping It Real with Resolutions

2026 Keeping It Real with Resolutions

Doug Coombs
Diary, Musings

It's that time of year. You know what I mean, don’t you? The annual appointment with self-improvement, where we attempt to draft some *meaningful New Year's Resolutions. Ideally, this would also be the moment we dust off last year’s list and tally our magnificent successes (or spectacular failures). Since my previous list was apparently scribbled on a cocktail napkin and lost to the ages, we’re starting fresh!

Leaving 2025 and Ready for 2026

Leaving 2025 and Ready for 2026

Doug Coombs
Diary, Fitness, Musings

I had fun playing with a rotation of partners, including: MD (pickleball princess, who since removed me off her speed dial), CM (taco belle, because she's a bit spicy), JC (younger version of Brad Pitt...LOL, he knows it, too), LE (can’t play on Fridays, which is inconveniently when all the good tournaments are), ED (we won the Provincials, but I should apologize to), PB (lefty, which is both a blessing and a curse), SJ (hit hard and harder, dink?  What's that?), CC (every ball is coming back, like a terrifying boomerang and JH (it’s not badminton out there.).  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention SA or SM (the same person - the Queen B of organizing) - tries to include the old man when she can.  

Another Summer Coming to an End

Another Summer Coming to an End

Doug Coombs
Diary, Musings

September is also US Open tennis time, and it's my favorite tennis tournament to watch. I rarely ever sit and watch any type of sports for hours on end, but I have had tennis on the tube most days, much to the chagrin of my significant other who now believes our television has a strong preference for yellow fuzzy balls. I find myself grabbing my phone and checking for scores – who is up, and who is on their way home, probably already planning their revenge for next year. I won’t bore you with images of trips to NYC (mostly because I haven't been recently), but I could sure use a slice of great pizza from one of the many great red sauce joints in the city. A New York slice is basically a hug in carbohydrate form.

The Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer

Doug Coombs
Musings, Food & Drink

And finally, the food. While there were a few fleeting moments of pizza perfection, the real highlight was a pilgrimage to Sunny's in Kensington Market. This place is so hot right now that getting a reservation is like trying to win the lottery. My original dining partner, Ms. Sheila, had other plans, so I enlisted my trusty backup, Ms. Sarah. Finding Sunny's is an adventure in itself; the address leads you down a dark alley, and you feel like you're about to stumble into a secret society meeting before finding the restaurant door.

I'm Okay - Are you Okay?

I'm Okay - Are you Okay?

Doug Coombs
Musings, retirement

I’m okay - are you okay?  A look backwards.

After 30+ fun and rewarding (mostly!) years of working retirement hit me like a perfectly aimed…. Well, not a tennis ball anymore (more on that later!), but definitely something unexpected. When I say nudged, it was something that had been brewing for a number of years.  Although we were profitable, it would seem that it was never enough.

 The never-ending "increase your EBIT!" chant – a financial voodoo spell that baffled the masses – was the company's broken record. For ages, the higher-ups were whispering about shake-ups (and I had my ear to the keyhole!). Turns out, sticking around forever, while noble, can also make you feel like a dusty museum piece. My chats with the young guns hinted that my old-school wisdom wasn't exactly the hot new gadget anymore.   

Joined a New Club!

Joined a New Club!

Doug Coombs
Musings, Diary

Ah, yes, the "golden years" they promised! Turns out, "golden" might just refer to the color of my simmering rage. And the leisurely strolls? More like a hobble punctuated by involuntary noises of discomfort. Yelling at squirrels isn't an inexplicable urge; it's a public service announcement to those furry little menaces.

My body's rebellion tour is less Cirque du Soleil and more "Weekend at Bernie's," except Bernie is a collection of protesting joints. Sleep? It's a mythical creature I vaguely recall from a bygone era, replaced by nocturnal negotiations with my bladder and the insistent whispers of "things I should be worrying about." And the world? Don't even get me STARTED on the "newfangled nonsense." My internal monologue sounds like a broken record stuck on "Back in my day..."

A Few Weeks of Life

A Few Weeks of Life

Doug Coombs

Indeed, pizza has been a recurring theme, and we've managed to indulge in a few delightful slices over the past month. From the casual, quick bites at Badali on Dovercourt to the full dining experience at Danny's on College. Our daughter, Sarah, recently graduated university and was visiting for a few days, so we endeavored to fill her schedule with some culinary highlights, including a last-minute reservation at Danny's. Despite its constant popularity, we were fortunate to secure a table. We opted for an early dinner, which suited us perfectly.

The Highs and Lows of Pickleball: When the Game Gets Frustrating

The Highs and Lows of Pickleball: When the Game Gets Frustrating

Doug Coombs
Fitness, Diary, Musings

Let's be honest: pickleball can be incredibly frustrating. I’m putting it out there because I know I’m not alone. Anyone who's tried to learn a new skill, whether it's a sport, cooking, or building something, understands that progress isn’t always linear. Some days, it clicks; other days, you just shake your head in disbelief. And yes, there's also a thing called "pickleball politics," which we'll delve into later.  

“Annex’s New Tex-Mex Gem”

“Annex’s New Tex-Mex Gem”

Doug Coombs
Diary, Food, Food & Drink

Okay, maybe that’s a bold claim, but hear me out. We recently discovered a new spot on Bloor Street West, just a few blocks from Spadina, and it might just be a contender.

According to BlogTO, this place is part of a chain from out west, and this is their first Toronto location. The photos from the article looked inviting, the reviews were positive, so we decided to check it out on a chilly Friday night—also known as date night :)

The Life of a Amateur Pickleball Player

The Life of a Amateur Pickleball Player

Doug Coombs
Fitness, Musings

One and done and its in the books.  I have now officially played my first “outside” pickleball tournament and it was an interesting experience.  Lot of great observations from playing it.  So…where to begin.  When I say first outside event, I mean that its the first event not played at the club where I am a member.  One that would involve playing people you have never played again

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