Priest Lake resident’s blog an insider’s guide to Mexico

In another life in another time in another country far, far away, Pecky Cox understood that everyone on the street who called you amigo wasn’t necessarily your friend. Especially in a tourist town in old Mexico. In the past four years, Pecky, short for “pequena” (little) and a nickname for Rosario Gomez Cox, has become a fixture at Priest Lake since marrying Fred Cox and starting her blog, As The Lake Churns ( www.peckycox.com). “The life I had in Mexico is so different than the one I have now,” she told Huckleberries on Friday. Pecky lived a life of luxury, surrounded by body guards, in Mexico City, where she was born and raised. But she enjoys the relaxed pace at Priest Lake. She has become the community’s virtual town crier since starting her blog in February 2006 as a means to keep neighbors posted about local weddings, other milestones, and who’s staying where during the summer. As The Lake Churns has evolved into a news source that attracts 600 viewers per day. Now, Pecky has found another means to serve her growing cyber community – a second blog, Casa Cox (GimmeMexico.com), which tells gringos how to enjoy Mexico visits to the max. The concept that most Idahoans have of Mexico “is so not right,” Pecky said. “They think everyone drinks tequila with balloons on their head.” Casa Cox warns about scams and discusses restaurants, hotels, night life, art, tradition, language and Mexican cuisine. Also, Pecky provides tips, including why Mexicans are insulted by gifts containing silver. Pecky isn’t selling anything. She views her Casa Cox blog as a way to thank Americans for welcoming her so warmly. As Pecky sez of the real Casa Cox on Priest Lake, “mi casa es tu casa.”