Good day, Downhome, and greetings from Ottawa –

My wife, Elaine McArdle (from Bathurst, New Brunswick) and I were in State of Jalisco, México, these past few weeks as a three-stop celebration trip for a milestone birthday anniversary (mine … 60!).

While there, we stopped in:
1/ the state capital, Guadalajara (billed as the most Mexican of México’s big cities. Home to mariachi, Mexican rodeo, & “mucho” culture *Mexicana*
2/ nearby Tequila, home to the namesake national beverage that bears its name … Tequila! Especially noteworthy was that it was during International Day of Happiness. ?
3/ sunny Puerto Vallarta on the state’s beautiful Pacific west coast where we stayed at the aptly named “Sunset” plaza & beach resort. While in PV, I took the opportunity to catch up on the past year’s worth of Downhome.

[My late dad, Ron Kelland, hailed from St. John’s. Prior to his 2015 death, Ron always passed his Downhome subscription on after he and my mom, Marge (living in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario), had thoroughly enjoyed the read. Following Dad’s Earthly departure, Mom has annually renewed that gift subscription to me.]

Elaine snapped me enjoying an in-pool beverage & Downhome read in the glorious sunshine of the “Sunset” resort.

Cheers/Saludos!

Steve Kelland
(5 April 2026 – Ottawa)