I met Rita when I was staying down at Casa Andrea in PV, for a 2 week vacation from the cold in Portland, Oregon. My family refers to it as 'dog central' but we loved going there with all the dogs, Mia, Rita's favorite, would follow her around, and if Rita was out late and Andrea had already gone, little Mia would yap until Rita would come and rescue her. I chatted with Rita at breakfast, and a few times when I was down there, after happy hour, we would go to dinner, sometimes Vi Tea to watch the sun sets, and they always had small portion dinners. Rita liked that. Rita would tell me about her many travels, her family that she loved, her husbands and I recall her telling me about Pilar and a book about Mexico Through Foreign Eyes, which I never did find her in the states. She talked about Pilar and how successful she was, and what she was up to. I believe she was living in PV when I last saw Rita, and I always hoped that I would be able to meet Pilar sometime when I was down there. And yes, Rita was stylin' looking good at the pool, or for dinners out, or for a walk to get some ice cream. I loved that about her. I know her eyes were getting bad the last time I saw her in PV and that's why I would try to accompany her out for a bite. She really was very sweet, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet her and spend some time with her. I am heading to PV on Monday if the snow will let my plane take off, and so I will light a candle, have a cocktail and watch the sun set from LaPalapa, and smile remembering some great times chatting with a friend.