A Traveller's Joy

Traditional Moccasin

2011-12-03T17:46:00.003-07:00

A few weeks ago I met a young man from San Felipe Pueblo
Ray Lucero makes custom-made moccasins in the traditional method.
He traced my left foot, ("your left foot is always the biggest"),
and about a week later I was enjoying my fawn-colored low-cut moccasins.
Ray is self-taught;
"I watched other make them over the years and figured I could try".
And I quickly decided to become one of his dedicated customers
after looking over a wide array of turquoise, dark blue, black, white, and wine-red samples
at a craft show held at my hospital.
I purchased a low-cut fawn-tone pair. I wear about an 8-1/2; so the moccasins were $85.

He makes infant, toddler, children and adult-sized moccasins; both low-cut and high-top.
He specializes in high-top white moccasins for the Pueblo/Native dancers.

This past week, I met his sisters.
They were quick to ask if I liked my moccasins
(Yes! Very much!)

asked if I would be wearing them to work at the hospital
(Heavens NO! Too much wet and slimy, scary stuff on the floors!)
and to give me information for a local shoe repair shop;
to have my leather-soled moccasins protected with rubber soles.

I'll probably pass:
I can appreciate protecting the shoes to last longer, and being able to wear them outdoors.
But I'd like to think I am more traditional in my style sense.

These moccasins will stay inside; on our warm rug, padding across our stone or tile floors,
or simply resting on the leather footstool near my reading chair.

Ray Lucero lives in San Felipe Pueblo; between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
This are a traditional Pueblo;
and many are working to bring back their language, "Keresan",
a lilting, soft, breathy language that is a joy to listen to.
I listened to his sisters and his mother talk and laugh for a good 30 minutes,
hearing words like "therapist", medicine", and "Albuquerque"
sprinkled through the conversation, and not understanding anything else.
One sister told me about volunteering at a language school the Pueblo has recently started.

Ray doesn't have email or a website. He doesn't own a computer.
He doesn't drive much; (his mom says, "that old truck doesn't run too well"),
and he doesn't handle credit cards.
He will take cash once the moccasins are done,
(he doesn't have a bank account; so it may take a little time to have a check cashed),
but he is a sweet young man with a quick, shy smile.
And wonderful hand-made moccasins.

Traditional Moccasin
Ray Lucero
PO Box 4062
San Felipe Pueblo, NM 87001
(505) 274-5565

Please tell Ray that "Marty from Kindred Hospital in Albuquerque" told you about him.

Rain! Rainbow!

2011-07-11T18:39:00.002-06:00

I-25 descending "La Bajada" Santa Fe to Albuquerque

WWIT?

2011-06-28T18:06:00.005-06:00

I grew up in a town where flooding was a real possibility.
I knew the terms "flood stage" and "sandbagging crews" from an early age.
I remember the flood of 1965; because our rowboat was tied to our porch
and the water created our front and side yards.

Now I live in a state where fire is a real possibility.
I'm learning the terms
"fire edge"
"air tanker"
"controlled burn"
"hotshot crew"
"red-flag day"
"let-burn policy"

and the term which gives fire an evil personality:
"fire behavior"

(Fire fighting terms)

The Los Alamos "Las Conchas" fire is approximately a 60 mile drive from Santa Fe,
(and about 45 miles as a raven flies or smoke blows).
The good news is that evacuees are being directed toward Santa Fe.
The bad news is those evacuees only had 24-48 hours to leave their homes.

Albuquerque Journal

after looking at the dramatic photos I realized:

WWIT?

What Would I Take?

All living breathing things:
family and pets with sufficient food and water.
Photos and documents
impossible or difficult to replace.
Electronics: computer, cameras, phones and chargers.
Clothing.
Paintings.
Hard to replace books.
Generational keepsakes/jewelry.

I would hope to have time to photograph all belongings "staying behind"
for insurance purposes.

I would try to only take what was necessary, and try to offer space in our cars to others.

And I would hope that none of it was necessary.

I hope I never find out WWIT.

And I send out silent prayers as I watch the smoke blow by.

It Is Good To Know

2011-06-25T17:39:00.004-06:00

2011 Gay Pride Parade in Santa Fe

Happy to see so many happy
AT the parade today
and
IN the parade today;
families, teenagers,
politicians, church members,
seniors, cowboys and cowgirls...
Smiling, waving and enjoying the weather
in glorious Santa Fe.

"Es Mejor Saber"
"It Is Good To Know"

It is good to know:
I live in a city that accepts others
I live in a city where I am a minority ("white")
I live in a city where all generations come together
I live in a city with a "Rodeo" and a '"Gay Rodeo" in the same week
I live in a city where people in love hold hands
I live in a city where everyone; all colors, all religions, all beliefs - laugh
I live in a city that is relaxed
I live in a city that loves "The Arts"

I live in a city where people want to visit me.

I live in a city I love.

Unfortunately
I live in country
where some people continue to be persecuted
and where documentaries are still made
and stories are still told
of young people murdered for their beliefs.

"Two Spirits"

Tells the story of a young, native boy
from the southwest,
who struggled with two identities
and died trying to believe in himself.

During Gay Pride Week
please know
many in your circle of friends and co-workers and relatives
may be struggling with an identity
and trying to live their lives
in the only way they feel free.

It is good to know:
Rainbows are a good thing.

Priceless

2011-06-19T16:07:00.003-06:00

Thirtieth High School Class Reunion registration check mailed. "Check"
Purchased airline ticket across four states/high season $400+. "Check"
Initiated "social network" connections with high school friends. "Check"
Considered diet and decided good food is more important. "Check"
Called friend to crash on her couch during reunion - she agrees. "Check"
Contact initiated with friends from MORE than 30 years ago. "Check"
Throwing an "Elementary School Reunion" for 32 classmates. "Check"
Reserved "Pizza Joint" for Elementary School Classmates. "Check"
Planning Memorial for 4 Elementary School friends we've lost. "Check"
Expensive "outfits" for reunions? I like Goodwill better. "Check"
"Mom,can I borrow your car?" "OK, but fill up the tank!" "Check"
Going home again?
Listening to 80's music again?
Seeing old friends again?
Priceless.

Beautiful and Unusual

2011-06-15T20:35:00.003-06:00

Airport carpet; Phoenix.

Beautiful and unusual sights:
Phoenix Airport carpet that brought a smile when I saw it,
unusual (at least to my mid-western and south-western eyes)
flowers blooming all around San Diego,
and guerrilla art; a life-sized mosaic "Surfing Guadalupe"
mounted on a wall under an overpass
"under the cover" of broad daylight during a midweek afternoon
in June
in Encinitas, California.

I just love to travel and see the beautiful and unusual stuff out there!

Thank You Joe

2011-06-01T19:47:00.011-06:00

I Love Horses.
Horse Crazy since about age three
and fascinated by horse books
plastic Breyer horses
playing imaginary horses with my friends, Lisa and Kathy;
three little girls running through the yards and neighborhoods...

... with cowgirls on mustangs jumping cactus somewhere out in the old west
or strong horses carrying packs across windswept snow-covered mountains
or draft horses with heavy carts on cobbled roads in 17th Century England
or regal Arabian stallions running across foreign deserts
(with horses of every size, color and breed;
Pintos, Palominos, Appaloosas, Shetland Ponies, Wild Mustangs, Morgans -
the list was everlasting),
and running free
everywhere.

My room was filled with horse books, 12-inch tall Breyer horses,
horse statues, horse bookends, horse posters, horse-covered clothing...

And when I was nine;
Joe, a friend from my tiny elementary school
(who had always known of my "horse-craziness")
moved with his parents and four brothers
from a tiny house in our tiny town
to a lovely farm
big enough for all those boys to grow and play and thrive.

Telling his parents and mine,
"now Martha can get a horse and keep it here".

When I turned ten; my parents brought a big wonderful Appaloosa
to the McBurney farm.
Shadow had a new home and a little owner.

Joe and I
were probably more like brother and sister;
and over the years
I would come to the farm twice a day
to brush and curry and spoil and ride
my big gentle horse,
Joe would stand on the other side of the stall,
and practice feeding carrots to Shadow
and talk about his day
or tease (but in a nice way),
and was always careful not to scare or startle the horse.

He helped load hay into the hayloft in the fall
and sometimes would help to muck the sloppy stalls in the spring.

We went to the same tiny elementary school and the "big city" high school,
and would wave as we passed by each other
along their long driveway at the end of the day;
he was probably headed to work or playing basketball with friends,
I was on my way to see my horse.

He went to college and moved out of town,
and I continued to go to the farm
every day to see my horse
and enjoyed chatting with his mom and dad and brothers.

I went to that farm for more than 25 years,
(Joe's dad had NO idea how long a horse could hang around a farm!)
And sometimes I would house-sit for Joe's parents
and sometimes they would babysit my horse.

A friend of my named John
bought a horse and kept his horse with mine;
and the two horses became friends
and John and I became husband and wife.

I don't think I ever thanked Joe
for offering his parent's farm.

And a few years ago he died of cancer.

It is belated, but no less heartfelt:
Thank You Joe.

Verbal First Aid

2011-05-21T18:20:00.013-06:00

The traffic in front of me had slowed to a stop, and I noticed a tow truck driver ahead had turned on his flashing lights got out of his truck and began directing traffic around the car accident.

As I passed the three-car accident, I noticed a few teenagers talking on their cell phones near their totaled car, an older man getting out his crumpled large truck and walking to the tiny compact car that had been folded nearly in half; a young man was getting out of the passenger side of the tiny car, limping to the center curb area, and an older woman was sitting in the driver’s seat; her airbag had gone off, and the haze from the powder within the airbag was blowing through her open windows.

No one was with the older woman. No one was comforting her.

I immediately pulled off, parked, grabbed my first-aid bag, (rubber gloves, alcohol wipes, bandages, tape, CPR mask), and ran to the tiny car. The older man was standing about 10 feet from the car, telling the older woman “don’t move, just don’t move!” Her door was open; putting on my gloves, I knelt near her, introduced myself, asked for her name, explained that I’m trained in first-aid and CPR, and I would be happy to stay with her until rescue personnel arrived. The older man yelled, “don’t move her, I didn’t move her and neither should you!” I explained I was not going to move her, but I would help her stay still and check her vitals. The lady, who introduced herself as “Clara”, said “thank you dear, yes, I would like it if you would stay with me”.

“Clara, I want you to stay as still as you can. I can see the airbag probably hit and startled you, and I need for you to hold your head still until the medics come and can protect your neck further. Will you do that for me?” Clara’s eyes got wide and she began to nod; I told her – “Clara, just tell me yes or no; that way we can talk over how you’re doing and I can get a clearer picture of how you are feeling , OK?”

She said yes, and I noticed her right arm had bruises forming from her wrist to past her elbow, she had blood on her face, and she was breathing rapidly. She did not have on a seat belt, but her windshield was not cracked; indicating she may have been wearing her seat belt and may have injuries from both airbag and the seat belt.

“Clara, were you wearing your seat belt?” She replied, “Oh yes; my grandson and I always wear seat belts, I just unhooked it after I stopped my car because I thought I should get out of the car”. “Clara you did everything right; the seat belt probably helped you stay safe, and the airbag probably kept you from hitting the glass of your windshield. Can you breathe OK?” Clara noted, “It hurts a little bit when I try to take a big breath”. I nodded, “well let’s just take small easy breaths together first, OK?”

“Clara, does it hurt anywhere else?” She paused, and looked at her legs, “my legs feel like they hit under the dash, a little stiff, I guess, and it is hard to move my right arm”. I directed Clara to look at me and asked “how about your left arm; does it feel OK?” She looked at her left arm, moved it without difficulty and reached to hold my hand, “yes it feels fine”.

I held her left wrist and explained I would take her pulse and see how her heart was beating, and told her, “Clara, I need your help; I want you to begin thinking about how well your heart can move your blood to help you to heal any areas that are injured, and I want you to picture your healthy blood moving to your legs, the area where it is hard to breathe when you try to take big breaths, to your right arm, and to anywhere else that you notice pain. Will you do that for me while I’m checking your pulse?” She smiled and said, “of course I can help you with that".

I began the conversation trying to match the speed of Clara’s breaths, and during my conversation I was slowing my breaths and noticing that Clara appeared to slow her breaths, too. Her pulse was a little rapid; and I asked her, "can you think about making your heart beat with a slow powerful rhythm to help pump your blood more effectively to those areas we talked about?” She agreed and continued to watch me.

“Clara, is there someone we need to call, or anyone I need to check on who was with you?” At this point Clara seemed to remember her grandson had been in the car. “Michael! My grandson; is he alright?” “I need to call my daughter!" I calmed her and explained, “Clara, I saw Michael get out of your car and walk to the curb, he should be fine; there are others there who are keeping him safe and checking on him”. I called to one of the teenagers standing near Michael, “did he have you call his family?” The teenager indicated she had called Michael’s mom, who would be arriving soon. “Clara, your daughter will be here soon, and Michael is being cared-for; he will feel better knowing that you have already begun healing the areas that have been injured”.

I could hear the sirens of the ambulances and police, and soon paramedics arrived. As the paramedic walked up I was able to let them know Clara’s name and that she had been doing a good job of holding her head still. I reviewed her pulse rate with the paramedic, and that Clara indicated having some breathing difficulties. The paramedic approached Clara as I stepped away, and said, “Clara, my name is Jane and I’m a paramedic, I know this lady has been helping you and now I’m going to continue to help you”.

Clara smiled at me - I waved at her and said a silent prayer as I walked away.

"The Worst Is Over"

Read it and consider helping more when help is needed.

Melancholy

2011-04-30T19:19:00.002-06:00

April has been melancholy:
Looking forward to new life and regrowth
for the too many close friends;
I know the heaviness in my heart is from my hundreds of prayers
going out all over the country.
Tears spill as I remember; I remember so many great friends,
and I try to smile while calling back in my memories
to the many times we smiled together.
To Janet,
and Mojo,
and Chick,
and now Armin...
Hoping it was a comforting and painless move to a better place.
I send continued prayers to other friends
who are in current struggles;
in the hope they will know of my prayers and my smiles
when I think of them and wish them...
Peace.

-M

Surf's UP!

2011-04-24T17:09:00.011-06:00

"The sea was angry that day, my friends
- like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.
I got about fifty feet out and suddenly the great beast appeared before me.
I tell you he was ten stories high if he was a foot.
As if sensing my presence, he let out a great bellow.
I said, "Easy, big fella!"
From George; speaking of the ocean and whales...
"Seinfeld"

Classes,
surfing lessons
and a few sailboat trips
while in San Diego;

Yep that WAS a submarine
off our port side...

Great welcome home sign, John!
Thanks Trish - you are a great action photographer!
Enjoyed the stay!

Filling the Bucket

2011-04-10T10:36:00.011-06:00

I watched "The Bucket List"
and enjoyed the concept
of making a list of things to complete
a "filling of the bucket of life"

I have adjusted the premise to
get-it-done-before-you-get-too-old/set-in-your-ways/grumpy-to-try...

My
Fill-Up-The-Bucket-List.

Because I don't plan on kicking the bucket anytime soon.

So here's my draft version of
the the first ten of
Filling the Bucket:

1. Ocean Surf
- Lessons are NOW booked on Monday 4/18/11.
http://www.alohasurfergirls.com/
I saw "Soul Surfer" this weekend, and STILL want to surf.

UPDATE! Did "OK" for my first try,
and will take an additional lesson
with a friend-of-a-friend
when I'm back to San Diego this June.
I laughed the whole time I was trying
(except, of course, when I was spitting out sand/sea water)
and realized
THIS
is the importance of "My Bucket List":
I will try to
keep a "Beginner's Mind"
remain relaxed
smile and play
and enjoy experiences.

2. Meet more people from Santa Fe, and make some more local friends.
- I've joined the Santa Fe Time Bank
with people "banking" time helping others in order to
"withdraw" help from others. (An hour for an hour)
- I've contacted a lady who lives here and wants to learn to swim.
http://www.santafetimebank.org/SF_Timebank/Home.html

UPDATE!
I have gotten several responses and met my first
Santa Fe Time-Banker;
a sweet lady who had recently undergone heart surgery
and can no longer handle the grime/dirt
of dusting or vacuuming.
She needed a little Spring Clean.
Enjoyed the quick conversation
before she left for a "not often enough"
shopping trip with a friend,
while I stirred up the dust
and proceeded to
suck it up in her monster vacuum.
She called later;
happy (!)
to come home to
"a sparkling clean home"
It is good to help.

3. Water ski again on the Mississippi River.
-It has been more than 20 years since I've been on the river.
Any offers while I'm home in July would be greatly appreciated.

4. Travel to Europe again.

5. Learn another language and USE it consistently, so I DON'T loose it.

6. Go on a horseback weekend camping trip.
Hasn't happened for about THIRTY years, so I think I'd enjoy this one!
-The trip may happen this fall - crossing my fingers.

7. White water rafting

8. Snow skiing

9. Connecting with old friends and having great conversations
-Facebook has been a huge help with this one;
and two class reunions this summer should help!

10. Make it to the top of Atalaya
A seven mile hike to an altitude of 7,53 in Santa Fe;
I've been close to the top, but just haven't cleared the summit.

I'd love to hear what YOUR Filling The Bucket List would look like!

-M

Birthday Socks

2011-02-13T14:45:00.004-07:00

Birthday Socks?
But of course.

Normal

2011-01-31T20:01:00.003-07:00

A friend of mine recently posted a list of
"What Makes Me Feel Normal"
on a day that she felt out of sorts.

I'm in:
(In no particular order)

Opening one of my Dr Seuss books;
and reading like it is the first time.

Wooden clothes pins,
wet laundry on a clothesline;
middle of summer.

Painting my toenails "Summer Purple".

Laughing on the phone
with family and friends.

Receiving snail mail;
personal postcards, small boxes and letters!

Dusting off my
grade school/high school yearbooks
and smiling at our hair.

Playing with the
wedding ring on my finger
in a ray of sunlight.

Sitting outside with a breeze on my face,
reading with a radio on nearby.

Rubbing the belly
of either of our cats.

Holding John's hand.

San Diego/Hillcrest Rock and Walk

2011-01-25T17:31:00.008-07:00

I will be traveling
to San Diego
about
every two months
for continued
Feldenkrais training:
Whale watching was on
"my list of things to see and do"
during this trip.
Surfing lessons
next trip!

-M

"127 Hours" - Whew.

2011-01-11T21:37:00.003-07:00

I've enjoyed a few movies in the last few weeks.
In my humble opinion; they all rock:
"True Grit" - more wonderful than the first version,
(which was among my "favorites of all time").

"The King's Speech" - a history lesson,
a lesson in learning about others,
and a lesson in friendship.
Uplifting and eye-opening.

And just this evening:
"127 Hours"
Whew.
Glad I didn't take along
anyone who would have freaked;
because they WOULD have freaked...
And to those others in the auditorium:
You really SHOULD
read reviews
and possibly
READ THE BOOK
before you view a movie based on a
TRUE STORY
in which a
lonely hiker gets into trouble;
and a part of him
is trapped by a rock
with only one way
he can complete escape
and survive...
This ain't Disney, folks.
But it was a fine movie,
and almost as good as the book.
(And I apologize to those
who started IN the auditorium,
and could not stomach
staying IN
and had to leave
during the
very
painful,
time-consuming,
excrutiating
portion).

I'm packing a big, sharp, serrated knife
on my next hike...
-M

Why?

2010-12-27T18:07:00.001-07:00

To the stranger
(from near my hometown)
who sent me the lovely
Craftsman-style table lamp:
Thank you
and
Why?

Who Will Help On Boxing Day?

2010-12-26T12:24:00.006-07:00

Boxing Day:
(Wikipedia)
A clue to Boxing Day's origins appears in the Christmas Carol, "Good King Wenceslas". Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, was surveying his land on St. Stephen's Day, 26 December, when he saw a poor man gathering wood in the middle of a snowstorm. Moved, the King gathered up surplus food and wine and carried them through the blizzard to the peasant's door. The alms-giving tradition has always been closely associated with the Christmas season, but King Wenceslas' good deed came the day after Christmas, when the English poor received most of their charity.

A plan for today:
You know all the NEW stuff
you will use and enjoy in 2011?
Now think of
the older stuff...
Box up those clothes,
old blankets and towels,
dented pot and pans,
and all the things
you don't use
you haven't used
that don't fit
that went to the back of your closet
deep in your cupboards
gathering dust and cobwebs in your garage...

Take time
TODAY;
pack them up
drive to your nearest
Goodwill
Salvation Army
Homeless Donation Area
Humane Society

and give
to those who
WILL
use them.

To New Traditions...

2010-12-24T15:11:00.003-07:00

John and a friend from the studio
spent Thursday making
tamales.
What a great tradition to begin!

Plaza Holiday Season

2010-12-18T17:28:00.002-07:00

Arm Rests

2010-11-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

Cat a pult

2010-11-08T18:25:00.003-07:00

Where once Cisco was banished to the outer porch to eat...
He and Luna now (somewhat behave and) eat within whiskers of each other.
Cisco does, however - continue to enjoy hanging on doors
looking in windows...
and yowling.

San Diego #1

2010-10-04T08:42:00.014-06:00

San Diego, California:
(A slower pace than I expected...)

Hillcrest neighborhood,
Balboa Park,
La Jolla Beach, and
walks around the neighborhood.
I liked the mellow vibe,
the ocean breezes,
the friendly residents,
and the wildlife!

Thanks to the instructors and classmates
at Feldenkrais Institute of San Diego;
you all made me feel welcome
and a comfortable part of the group.
I look forward to continuing my training
over the next few years.
And to San Diego;
yours is a wonderful city,
Hillcrest is a warm and mellow place,
and during my future visits I will plan
exploring all of Balboa Park,
checking out the San Diego Zoo,
finally learning to surf (!),
and getting to know more about your great city.

And yet,
arriving in Albuquerque...
I smiled when I looked through the doors
as I exited the airport...
It is nice to get home again.

Ten Surprises

2010-09-26T11:03:00.007-06:00

A friend in China was challenged to blog "10 surprising things" about herself.
She then challenged her readers to do the same.
Sounds like a nice way to rack my brain.

Ten Surprises:

#1 Both my mom and dad were in the military during WW II.
They both recommended I NOT join the military.

#2 I like spiders.

#3 I wish I could wear my crazy flip-flops year-round,
because I'm not a fan of socks.

#4 My grandmother loved to travel, my mom is outspoken,
my father perfected mellow; and I hope I am a good mix of all three.

#5 Life is too serious; I hope I never lose my sense of humor.

#6 I wish I were a more adventurous eater. I'm picky.

#7 In another life I was probably a cab driver. In Chicago. In the 1920's.

#8 I love Halloween. I love creating costumes.
I love candy corn. And caramel apples.

#9 I hope I never stop driving a stick shift.

#10 My dad probably saved me from drowning at a very young age,
(age 2-3, fell in the river; he pulled me out).
I will always love, and yet respect bodies of water.

#11 BONUS! My first spoken word as a baby wasn't " ma-ma" or "pa-pa"
it was a perfectly pronounced "Airplane"... go figure...

Now your turn - you have my list - share yours!

Patients/Patience

2010-09-14T16:31:00.001-06:00

I work with patients in a hospital every day.
And every day
I get frustration
hopefulness
inspired
laughter
crying...

I get drug-addled confusion
combativeness
crazy conversations
forgetfulness
and child-like trust.

And sometimes
I get no response at all.

But every day I attempt
to remember that each patient
is terrified they will die
or terrified they may live
confused
worried about finances
worried about their families
worried about their pets
worried that life as they knew it
may never happen again.

And I attempt to remember
and to share
kindness
truth
support
encouragement
faith
strength when they feel weak
confidence when they feel hopeless
and joy
when they go home.

Remember that all health care workers
nurses
therapists
cleaning staff
doctors
and even people working in the cafeteria...
We all wish that we could go out of business;
wish that no loved-ones would ever be ill
that there would never be a reason for surgery
that no one was sick
or injured
or failing
or dying.

And we are sorry that patients
must have
patience
while they are here.

Santa Fe Farmer's Market 7/31/2010

2010-08-01T08:25:00.003-06:00

Met a friend of a friend
at the Santa Fe Farmer's Market yesterday:
Sherri Brooks Vinton has written a fun book about canning
"Put 'Em Up!"
for more information: sherribrooksvinton.com

Enjoyed the sunny squash blossoms ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Cisco #2

2010-07-18T11:03:00.003-06:00

Several friends and family have asked for
closer, clearer photos of Cisco.
Well, good luck with THAT request.
He moves at 100 mph;
and is usually trying to eat anything within reach.
Here's the most recent result.
Closer? Yes.
Clearer? You be the judge...

M

Competition

2010-07-12T22:08:00.000-06:00

Cisco Kid

2010-07-11T07:35:00.001-06:00

Kitten

2010-07-10T16:44:00.002-06:00

Update:
Kitten is
a boy
5-6 weeks old
gray with occasional visual sightings of stripes in the right light
likes "Kitten Chow" (damp) and Kitten Replacement Milk "KRM"
does not yet have all of his teeth
likes to have his belly rubbed frequently!
Full name: Cisco Kid

Still waiting on return of repaired camera,
but will be posting photos taken by fans, soon!

Found

2010-07-06T22:03:00.001-06:00

Found a kitten tonight.
He/she has been too nervous for me to know if it is a he/she.
6-8 weeks old.
CUTE AS A BUTTON.

Need a kitten?

International Folk Art Market - 2010!

2010-07-06T18:46:00.001-06:00

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
is coming up this weekend!
Photos from the last two years should
tempt you to attend
THIS year!

Wanna join us?
We're going Sunday morning...
Check out July 2010 "Oprah" Magazine
for a nice story
about items available for sale
on-line!

Swan Dive or Belly Flop?

2010-06-23T18:30:00.007-06:00

Update on our old, trusty Canon Camera.
Date of "birth": 2005.

Current medical status:
Possible life support via Canon Repair Hospital located in California

Estimated hospital bill:
Approximately $90

Cause of injury: Fall from height greater than my head...
Onto concrete.
Camera not wearing a helmet;
had on minimal protective case,
with resulting internal trauma.

Prognosis:
Good.

Planned recovery date and discharge from repair hospital:
Late July?

Past Medical History:
Exploring Chicago 2005-2007.
Wonderful adventure to France and Italy 2007.
Travels around Illinois and New Mexico,
and road trip between the two states.
Family, friends, life, fun and food.
Always willing to work hard within seconds
and put up with car rides, bike rides, canoe rides, purse rides.

Medical Treatment Plan:
Surgical repair and full recovery.

Family Support:
Considering adopting a younger, faster, highly intelligent sibling
for possible apprentice support.

.

Bummer...

2010-06-19T08:52:00.000-06:00

Broke the camera.
Bummed.

Yard and Casita Stuff

2010-06-08T22:09:00.006-06:00

My friends and family
always wonder what is new
at the "Howlin' Dog Bunkhouse".
Thought I could update
their imaginations!

As the garden took shape
mid-May
and the two or three nights
below freezing
did not kill them;
they stayed warm and huddled
on a sun-warmed
stone and concrete bench.

And now:
Itty-bitty tomatoes on the vines in my garden!

Futon - seating...

Futon - bed!

Thanks, Maggie! Direct trade of chiminea for hammock...
Just have to build a roaring fire some evening!

No more lavender walls - now we have
"toasted waffle"...

Outdoor (human) cafe
near the garden
and the hummingbird cafe.

Krista; so many of your things
now resting in my window
waiting to become sun-drenched still-life paintings.

Very Long Roadtrip

2010-06-06T19:42:00.003-06:00

Wow, a month has gone by and I have no idea where I've been...
Except this past weekend!
Carlsbad Caverns National Park near Carlsbad, New Mexico
is about a 5-1/2 to 6-1/2 hour trip from Santa Fe.
Thus the reason we rose, (with our bleary-eyed friend Dianne),
and got on the road at 5 a.m. Saturday morning.

We tried to limit flash photography,
and tended to look more like
deer in headlights
or surprised moles
when facing THAT much light...

If you consider a trip to Carlsbad Caverns,
I highly recommend taking the guided tours.
We were lucky to get tickets (a few weeks in advance!),
to King's Palace and Left Hand Tunnel;
the Left Hand Tunnel is via hand-held candle-powered lanterns
over un-paved various surfaces
a MUST in my opinion.

The other areas we visited were all paved with
safety railings and artificial lights
making them more glorious and awe-inspiring
while viewing each cavern.
Other guided tours are available,
including getting down and dirty
with headlamps, elbow and knee pads
into itty-bitty tiny crawlspaces;
when you exit those tours
you all look like miners.
Maybe next time...
For more information about Carlsbad Canyons...

And don't forget!
Rosewell, New Mexico is along the way...

Shrieking!

2010-05-05T19:06:00.003-06:00

Everything is blooming most recklessly;
if it were voices instead of colors,
there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.
~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke
from quotegarden.com

Day Two , May, 2010

2010-05-02T10:42:00.003-06:00

HB are Back!

2010-04-25T10:04:00.002-06:00

Bird feeders are up!
Three varieties of hummingbirds visited last year,
and the year before.
(Including a few rouges who came IN the house!)
How soon before they arrive again...?

Ummm Bread ( and Mariachis!)

2010-04-18T22:16:00.004-06:00

A glorious day
at the campus of
Santa Fe Community College
"Bread Making Basics" class,
And an afternoon rain rolls in...

Evening brings an
all-female mariachi band
for a birthday celebration.
Tim & Michelle in town for a few days
in the "City Different"
via New York,
and France!

15th April

2010-04-14T18:02:00.015-06:00

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet

Taxman!
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

Don't ask me what I want it for
(Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more
(Taxman! Mister Heath!),
(Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

And you're working for no one but me
Taxman!

"Taxman" is a song written by George Harrison and released as the opening track on The Beatles' 1966 album Revolver.

PS

2010-04-11T01:07:00.002-06:00

They're Coming!

2010-04-02T19:39:00.002-06:00

Sculpt Across America

2010-03-21T16:01:00.008-06:00

Karen Cope is traveling across North America
teaching sculpture techniques.
She was classically trained at the Florence Academy of Fine Art,
Florence, Italy, and is embarking on a grand adventure
traveling the roads in search of artists
who want to learn about sculpture.
This funny, passionate artist may be traveling to a town near you!

(I've added her blog to my favorites!)
M

OK Again

2010-03-09T09:43:00.002-07:00

A few notes about becoming a Feldenkrais Practitioner:
I was enrolled in a Feldenkrais Training Program;
but following some professional differences,
have resigned from one program
and am looking into other programs of study.
Feldenkrais Training Programs
are held all over the world;
but I am limiting my search to areas
where I am fluent in the language
can afford the tuition
can afford lodging or have friends nearby
and am greatly impressed with the instructors.

Although Milan, Italy sounded like fun,
and I've always wanted to travel to Australia.

California
here I come.

NOW I can think about wearing those socks...
M

OK

2010-03-07T12:38:00.002-07:00

Still sad
bummed
gray-day
partly cloudy
down-at-the-mouth
dull
down.

But getting better:
Had been enrolled in a 4-year program
and following
differences
have resigned after 2 years.

Now
looking
searching
hoping
talking
checking
sending-out-feelers
getting a gut feeling
composing letters of introduction
and
looking
at California...

I haven't been
since 1966.
Wonder if things have changed much?

I hear it is sunny
too.

I'll let you know.

Sad

2010-03-03T20:36:00.003-07:00

Sad
at odd hours and when doing everyday things.
Just sad.
Sadness washes over me,
crashes down around my ears
and I feel like I can't
breathe
think
smile.
Tears fill my eyes;
shopping for groceries
taking a shower
driving down the road
petting the cat
talking with friends
sleeping (!)

I've lost an opportunity
walked away from an education
-have left the building...
for my own sanity.

Sanity is good.
But I'm still
sad.

So when you see me
and see sadness
know...
I'm healing as I cry.

Happy Toes

2010-02-16T08:52:00.001-07:00

Thanks Krista - good choice.
M

Cheryl's Lament

2010-02-14T09:01:00.003-07:00

My sister in-law
is sad about winter and hoping for an early Spring.
Cheryl - in your honor:

First a howling blizzard woke us,
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus -
Crocus.

~Lilja Rogers

http://www.quotegarden.com/spring.html

B Day

2010-02-13T11:04:00.006-07:00

Ten Thousand Waves (a.k.a. "10,000 Steps")
Japanese-style spa and baths in Santa Fe.

Plaza Cafe in the center of town for lunch.

Emile's Basque Chicken

And Tina and Krista's creation...

I'm calling it:
"Pandora's Surprise"

Immersion

2010-02-03T18:32:00.007-07:00

Immersion language courses excite me.
I remember back to high school and college;
"traditional" Spanish and French classes,
and my sorry attempts to learn another language.

This week, my current instructor cut through the crap
of what could be a boring first class.

Reminding us:
Many visitors attempt to memorize 400 "new" nouns in the language-of-choice;
to "speak fluently" in a foreign country,
but are forced to use (a whole lot of) sign language to communicate.

But properly armed with correct verbs, (maybe 50-100),
correct use of verbs,
and not only one verb per sentence - but many;
strung into beautiful, specific, jewel-like necklaces of structure and form
joined with only 50-100 nouns...
Opens the clearest path to be understood, to understand others,
and work with the correct tools and material,
toward the proper respect of people and languages in the countries we visit.

I am on a journey in Santa Fe
- for more beautiful Spanish.
My best friend begins her journey this weekend in the Midwest
- for the passion of Italian.

Dive in and do your best.
The shiniest rocks are in the deepest pools;
and are worth the most work.

Haggis-Hype

2010-01-30T10:35:00.006-07:00

Welcome: The haggis.

David and Eliza; our gracious hosts for the merry-making evening.

The haggis reading.

Scottish accents: Always a crowd-pleaser!

Poems to food.

Dorthy's amazing salad; like a wonderful still-life.

Reading and singing Burns' works with Scotch Broth and Rumbledethumps.

Scotch Broth with veggies and lamb, and the magical golden sauce for the bread pudding.

Hmm... A bit out of focus at this point in the evening.

Happy Birthday Robert Burns.

Snow Day

2010-01-19T18:15:00.006-07:00

Snow day today
Approximately 6" of wet stuff greeted us this morning
it had blown in toward the northwest
(as evident from my antennae topper...)

Chivalry was alive and well.

Two more storms due before the weekend.

No blue sky until later this afternoon.

And somewhere under those clouds ahead - are the mountains.

Winter Sustinance

2010-01-17T08:17:00.003-07:00

Roasted poblano soup with cotijo cheese
Green chile-chicken enchiladas
Margaritas
Laughter and conversation
Dinner with old friends and re-newed friends
And the start of a new Ryder Studio School session.

Welcome back.
M

Guts and Trials

2010-01-12T20:43:00.006-07:00

New Year's Guts

A few ideas for Challenge 2010:
"Something New" once a month;
A class-never-before-tried
A book-never-before-EVER-considered
Cooking AND eating something non-habitual
Lessons in a musical instrument to the point of playing an entire song
Some-sort-of-aerobic-activity-once-a-week...

Upcoming winter challenges that have been reserved and paid-for:

January/February: Spanish Immersion classes - 2x/week for 5 weeks
February: Aikido - 1x/week for 6 weeks
March: ?
( A Hint? Let's just say I received a book
that I would NEVER had purchased for myself...
- I should read it and give a truthful book report, eh?)

Upcoming spring challenges:

April: Cooking class
May: Music lessons?

Ongoing challenges:
Did I mention that I have a fitness center membership?
And I tend to only use it to work as a therapist
in their therapy pool
with 2-3 patients
once a week.
Perhaps the rowing machine
once or twice a week?
I know how to
row,
row,
row.

Get your guts right here.
M

Guts

2010-01-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

We spend January 1
walking through our lives,
room by room,
drawing up a list of work to be done,
cracks to be patched.
Maybe this year,
to balance the list,
we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...
not looking for flaws,
but for potential.
~Ellen Goodman

New Year's Day:
Now is the accepted time
to make your regular
annual good resolutions.
Next week
you can begin
paving hell with them as usual.
~Mark Twain

I checked my thesaurus
for "resolution"
and found the term "guts".

Shorter
simpler
more to-the-point.

My plan for my
New Year's Guts?

Find a challenge:
Hourly?
Daily?
Weekly?
Or a little less regular?

Decide
on a specific number
of challenges
to be completed
before the end of 2010,
and write like the wind
to describe them.

Gotta find some guts.
M

Waiting...

2009-12-24T16:39:00.001-07:00

Miles To Go

2009-12-18T20:56:00.004-07:00

I love this poem...

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost
New Hampshire
1923

Igor and Snowflakes

2009-12-17T19:58:00.005-07:00

I work in a hospital;

and a friend sent me a poem

after hearing me discuss

the ugly and beautiful

side of familes

in hospitals

during the holidays.

Her Long Illness

Daybreak until nightfall

he sat by his wife at the hospital

while chemotherapy dripped

through the catheter into her heart.

He drank coffee and read

the Globe.

He paced, he worked

on poems, he rubbed her back

and read aloud.

Overcome with dread

they wept and affirmed

their love for each other, witlessly,

over and over again.

When it snowed one morning Jane gazed

at the darkness blurred

with flakes.

They pushed the IV pump

which she called Igor

slowly past the nurses' pods,

as far

as the outside door

so that she could smell the snowy air.

(By Donald Hall

From a collection compiled by Garrison Keillor)

Anyone?

2009-12-15T17:44:00.001-07:00

Wanted:

Christmas Memories
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Anyone?

Anyone?

Spirit of Christmas

2009-12-10T07:55:00.006-07:00

Does an 8 year-old boy have the Spirit of Christmas?

My brother Pat, was 8.
I was 5.

He and I were always fascinated by my father's basement workroom;
his place of quiet
and wood dust
and exotic-colored paints and pungent varnishes
of fine and grand pieces and parts
of model airplanes
built of light-as-a-feather tissue-thin papers
and fine balsa wood
layers of paint and varnish
and hours and hours of tender ministrations.

A workshop also crowded by large-and- heavy tools-of-the-trade
sheet metal cutters
wrenches and sledge hammers
table-top vises
for the fire-filled furnaces
and boxy air conditioning units
that were the work behind the man.

And dust and cobwebs
and nails and screws and bolts
CB radios
old broken television sets
two to three ashtrays filled with gray powder
pipes and boards
and "projects" to be fixed for my mom;
toaster-not-toasting
radio-with-no-music
lamp-of-no-light-and frayed-cord
broken bird house

And in early December
as Pat and I crept into
the dark and dusy cave
of my father's workroom;
there on the workbench

a wooden structure;
3' tall, 4' wide (!)
house-shaped,
and yet
huge
green exterior walls
a red roof
(looks like our house!)
and the front of this house
hinged and open
to expose internal
tiny
separate
rooms
with blue walls
pink walls
yellow walls
red (!) walls
and soft-warm-and-sweet chocolate walls.

It was lovely
and I gasped with the beauty.
While my brother's eyes grew wide
(and frightened ?!)

"What IS it?", I asked.

He paused.

And thought.

And pondered.

(Remember the scene from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas",
when Grinch is questioned by Little Suzi-Who
about why he is taking the tree from their home?
And the look on the face of the Grinch as he
comes up with the whopping lie?)

My brother had the same look on his face...
Smiling
(evil - or good?)
charming
sweet
innocent...

"Why, it is a BIRD HOUSE,
with separate rooms for each
little bird
to live and sleep in",
he proclaimed proudly;
and swore me to ultimate secrecy
not to tell Dad that we knew.
NOT to tell mom and ruin the wonderful surprise.

And I promised
and forgot about the
large bird house,
happy to be "old enough"
to be entrusted by my
older and wiser
brother
with such a good secret.

Christmas morning:
We woke
crept downstairs from our bedrooms
to the tree and
all the wonderful sights.

(No birdhouse in sight?)

And as we completed unwrapping.
My father brought out the surprise
not to my mom -
but to ME!

Yes,
a wonderful dollhouse.
A wonderful secret.

And an 8-year old's
Spirit of Christmas.

M

Time #2

2009-12-09T07:43:00.003-07:00

Three Challenges to everyone:

Favorite Christmas Memory

Worst Christmas Memory

Spirit of Christmas

300 words or less per entry/per topic.

I will have mine (and hopefully yours, too) posted before the 25th.

Time

2009-12-08T21:29:00.001-07:00

Treezup!

We Should Change The Name

2009-11-28T07:33:00.007-07:00

The people of the United States
should consider the history behind
the Thanksgiving holiday,
and petition the courts for a name change.

Perhaps change the name to:
"Thank a Native American for Helping Strangers Survive-Day"

I don't see Hallmark picking up on that opportunity.

Maybe change the name to:
"Sharing Food With Friends-Day"

Yes; much less politically charged.

I'll call Hallmark and the courts,
right after you pass more turkey and dressing left-overs.

Lost in Iowa and Now?

2009-11-21T13:49:00.005-07:00

I have had to post an advertisement on Craig's List:

Following a Yard Sale advertisement in an Iowa newspaper a few weeks ago:
A family member in Iowa had an estate sale in early November,
and accidently sold two items that were NOT to be in the sale.
This yard/estate sale was held on Brown Street in Davenport,
and at the nearby park pavillion behind the house.

I am hoping the two people who purchased these items will contact me;
so their money can be returned, and the items returned to me.

----A 1920-1930's style lamp with cloth cord.
The lamp is approximately 20-24" tall.
I have been advised that this lamp was re-sold
by the dealer who purchased it at a recent antique sale in Des Moines, Iowa.

----An Eastlake style small dresser with mirror.
The dresser and mirror was refinished 20 years ago,
has brass teardrop dresser pulls,
three obvious drawers and 1 "hidden" drawer at the bottom.
It is believed the dresser was purchased by a gentleman
who may live in a nearby Davenport neighborhood.

Both items belonged to my late grandmother;
the dresser was refinished by my late father,
and both were stored at my family member's home
until I could find safe transport to my new home.

They were both sold by mistake.
If you recognize either of these items,
please call me.

Celebration #2

2009-11-15T19:36:00.001-07:00

A cosy spot to curl up and read a good book.
Just in time for the holidays.
M

Celebration #1 and Other Events

2009-11-08T09:21:00.005-07:00

Celebration #1:
Consisted of some good tequila and triple sec,
fresh limes, crushed ice, and salt for the rims
of the margarita glasses;
purchased while in Guadalajara, Mexico.

We are celebrating the successful sale of our Illinois home.

Our Illinois house was in the need of
someone who could enjoy the warmth and comfort
on a more regular basis:
More than we were able to offer
the last few years.

In 2005-2006 we were in Chicago most weekends,
300 mile round-trips, which limited "home time".

In 2007 we were in France for 100 days;
also limiting "home time".

In 2008 we traveled to Santa Fe for 9 months;
also limiting "home time",
and within our first few months here;
realized we were destined to move to Santa Fe "for good"

Early 2009 we prepared our house for sale;
found a great realtor,
and a nice electrician,
chated with a cement flooring repairman,
painted and spackled in all the rooms,
and put in shiny new appliances,
and a shiny new furnace,
and a shiny new A/C system.
Paid someone else to climb the 30 feet up
to scrape and paint all outside wooden areas;
including all 30+ wood frames around each window,

and all other wooden touches found on our craftsman-style house.

And on the 2nd of November:
A new person took ownership
of a warm house with many happy memories.
I'm planning on sending him a Thank You card.

Other news of note:
Thanks to Deb & Wayne who shared the idea of "date night";
Wednesday is now our offical night.

We are still planning Celebration #2;
maybe by December.

Luna -vs- Human

2009-11-02T21:24:00.003-07:00

Catalog

2009-11-01T08:47:00.003-07:00

Catalog:
Words
in common?

avocation

beatification

catapult

duplicate

excommunicate

fantasticate

glorification

hepcat

intoxicate

justification

locate

mystification

nonvocational

obfuscate

personification

qualification

reallocate

staccato

typification

unsophisticated

vilification

wildcat

YAWN

zombification

(My thanks to www.morewords.com)

Costuming Thoughts

2009-10-31T08:42:00.002-06:00

Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite,
All are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon's silver ray,
Thrives their helter-skelter play.
~Joel Benton

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
~Scottish Saying

Where there is no imagination there is no horror. ~Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.

May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright
Of soft and golden hue
Pierce through the future’s veil and show
What fate now holds for you.
~Author Unknown

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. ~Mason Cooley

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.
~Author Unknown

There is nothing that gives more assurance than a mask. ~Colette

We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. ~Kurt Vonnegut

What a strange power there is in clothing. ~Isaac Bashevis Singer

Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. ~Epictetus

Souls wouldn't wear suits and ties, they'd wear blue jeans and sit cross-legged with a glass of red wine. ~Carrie Latet

If I were a cat, what would make me purr? A pair of really comfortable blue jeans, and massages. ~Cinnamon Stomberger

If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater... suggest that he wear a tail. ~Fran Lebowitz

Never wear anything that panics the cat. ~P.J. O'Rourke

Shidoni

2009-10-29T18:54:00.005-06:00

Shidoni Bronze is a wonderful foundry in Tesuque, New Mexico.
The foundry offers tours, including observation of the bronze "pours"
two to three times per day on Saturdays.
Cost of the tour? $1.

Experience? Priceless.

Kasha-Katuwe

2009-10-17T17:19:00.007-06:00

Tent Rocks National Monument
at Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico

Certain advantages to having a friend in town:
We get to explore
more.

M

Abiquiu

2009-10-13T17:42:00.003-06:00

Anniversary Road Trip

2009-10-04T08:06:00.006-06:00

To El Rito, New Mexico...

Go in Beauty

2009-09-27T21:57:00.004-06:00

The other morning
while working with a patient,
I heard a quiet song being sung
in another patient's room, nearby.

There are several things I do not know:
Was the patient Navajo,
or from another tribe?
Were there several others in the room,
or only the patient and the singer?
Were there other sacred ceremonies
occurring between the songs?

What I do know
is that the singer
was preparing the patient.

The song was
of harmony
with all things
held sacred.

And of preparedness.

To go in beauty.

I can only hope
the patient found
peace
before the final journey.

Cat-Faced Orb Weaver (a.k.a.) "Charlotte"

2009-09-23T18:49:00.002-06:00

A note about our little "family member":
Charlotte, the Cat-Faced Orb Weaver spider
first appeared
building a web in our front window
this past spring.
she has more than doubled her size,
(and I believe her younger relative
is now working construction near our front door...)

She is helpful;
keeping our insect population
(including large flies)
to a minimum.

She is dependable;
if someone visits who has a fear of spiders
she waves from the other side of the window,
and if someone is curious to see her - she hides.

She is athletic;
springing from one side to another of her
3 foot wide web
in seconds.

She is NOT poisonous
and will not bite
(humans)!

And soon she will hibernate
and come to visit
next spring.

September Cobweb

2009-09-20T19:39:00.003-06:00

Joy of Travel - Answers (#1 and #2)

2009-09-17T17:55:00.002-06:00

From Amy:
"With less than $5k apiece,
we are going to Thailand to work on the
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity.
If Scott's work allowed, I suppose we could spend the rest of the $5k
to stay there a bit longer and site see.

With a bit less than $500, we went to MN over Labor Day,
saw an awesome "Bodies" exhibit,
went to Como Park Conservatory,
shopped and visited friends.

$50 and a full tank of gas and some maps,
I'd still like to see the Lincoln Library in Springfield".

From Lisa:
"$5,000 - I'd hit the gathering in Scotland
and retrace the steps of all those Lockhearts, Morrisons and Maitlands
who left home for the new hope of America.
I'd still have money for beer and scotch with that budget!

$500? Well, that's easy. Santa Fe is nice, I hear.

$50? Reexploring Highway 20,
or Highway 52 North to Decorah,
where all the autumn leaves will be blazing - that would be WAY cool.

Hmm. There are some wineries up north..."

Joy of Travel

2009-09-15T14:18:00.004-06:00

Imagine
if you had $5000
to spend on a spur-of-the-moment
vacation...
Where would you go?
What would you do?
How long would you stay?

What about $500?

What about $50, 2-3 days,
a full tank of gas, and a couple of maps...

Imagine it,
and tell me about YOUR
travellers joy.

M

Zozobra #2

2009-09-11T07:33:00.005-06:00

Old Man Gloom
burned last night...

Feel better now?

Zozobra #1

2009-09-10T22:16:00.004-06:00

The fire?
Manana!
(Tomorrow!)

Gloom & Doom

2009-09-06T09:31:00.006-06:00

Gloomy thoughts?
Doom-y dreams?
Pissed-off prose?
Grumpy greetings?
Sad and bad memories?
Funky food?
Moldy musings?
Negative nodding?
Reckless rants?

If you feel the need to
lighten this load...
Please send your gloomy thoughts to me,
and I will happily add them to
Zozobra's stuffing.

Notes and drawings
will be accepted up until the morning of
this Wednesday, September 9th.

And by the 10th of September:

Like a pine tree
releasing tired things;
shedding dead needles and
old pine cones
at the end of summer...
Hoping for growth
of stronger and better life.

All gloomy thoughts
will become smoke and ashes.

M

New Job

2009-09-01T18:24:00.000-06:00

My husband is a male model.

Worry Harvest

2009-08-30T22:02:00.003-06:00

Every year in Santa Fe
a large flammable puppet
(around 40' tall)
representing "Old Man Gloom"
is build and brought
to a local park.

The puppet ("Zozobra"), is filled and stuffed with contributions
of frightening drawings
and worries
and gloomy thoughts
and dark ideas
and sad memories
and anything bad
that is needed to be rid of.

On Thursday, September 10th
following a fun-filled and rowdy day
of dance and music and general merry-making
just around sunset...
Old Man Gloom
is burned,
and along with his image;
all of the gloomy thoughts
are removed from those lives
they were troubling.

If you wish to contribute;
I will be delivering
any and all gloomy thoughts
that need to be erased.

I'll be dropping off a collection of
"burnable-stuffing"
on Wednesday, September 9th.

For a more complete history
check this site at:
ZOZOBRA

Tomato & Gorgonzola

2009-08-23T09:37:00.001-06:00

First Harvest

2009-08-21T19:10:00.001-06:00

First Tomato

2009-08-20T21:04:00.002-06:00

I started a tiny garden
(from seed packets!)
back in mid March;
planted tiny individual seed-starter pots
placed the trays in the sun of two indoor window boxes
carefully sprinkled drops-of-water-at-a-time
on almost a daily basis,
moved the trays outside in late May,
and nursed the little plants into the ground in June.
Watering once to twice-a-day since then...
And now
first
tomato
on my kitchen windowsill.

Waiting for other tomatoes
and peppers
and two types of lettuce
to join the harvest.

Maybe...
If I bring the plants
back
inside
(because it is getting cool at night)
put the plants in sunny
indoor window boxes...

Maybe...
October;
we will have a harvest.

We slice into the
first
tomato
tomorrow.

We Still Have...

2009-08-11T22:25:00.007-06:00

Magic
Laughs
Joy
Hope
Inspiration
Great clouds
Silliness
Puns
Roasted Hatch Green Chile
Glorious Weather
Water in the Santa Fe River
Did I mention the great views - in all directions?

And yes,
We Still Have Magic.

Care to join us?
The Howlin' Dog Bunkhouse
has a few autumn and several winter reservations available.
We love to share the magic that IS
SANTA FE.

Cleaning the Porch - With Help...

2009-08-09T17:25:00.006-06:00

Yesterday
was "let's clean the porch day".
I spent the day
hauling everything off our porch,
(2 bikes, 2-3 boxes of tools,
art supplies, art easels, paint cleaning supplies,
litter box, bike supplies, cat supplies, hiking supplies,
car supplies, 2 very large suitcases filled with "stuff",
shinkendo equipment, watercolor supplies,
camping equipment, gardening equipment,
"Obama for President" sign, lawn chairs,
clip lights, flashlights, light bulbs, extension cords,
2 of the 3 shelves,
... And on and on)

As as I was making my third or fourth trip from inside
to outside with arms-full of stuff,
I had a sweet friend
stop by to help.

Bob the cat
whose real name is "Edghar the Great" -
at least that is the name
engraved on the tag
of his new harness.
He was not a huge help,
but his "mom"/owner was amused ,
when I called her,
that he would come back to visit
that mean lady who had thrown him in a carrier
and hauled him off to the Humane Society
for a week-long adventure.

He stopped by again today
but he decided he would not help me this time:
Bob/Edghar does NOT do windows.

M

Luck In My Eyes

2009-08-08T10:26:00.006-06:00

Beautiful day yesterday
(after visiting the doctor
and the pharmacist,
and spending $45
between the two...
Good health insurance
was a relief).

I had my car windows down
and was singing,
(probably badly;
by the other drivers' estimations)
this K.d. Lang song:

I can feel a mountain rain
that'll wash away and shine again
empty my pockets
that were weighing me down
sift through my soul
to see what's lost and found
gonna walk away from trouble
with my head held high
then look closely
you'll see luck in my eyes

All my troubles, all my troubles,
gone
with luck in my eyes
all my worries all my worries,
gone

I can hear a howling wind
that sweeps away the pain that's been
take all my sorrow
and I'll cast away
the worries tomorrow
that I had today
gonna walk away from trouble
with my head held high
then look closely
you'll see luck in my eyes

All my troubles, all my troubles,
gone
with luck in my eyes
all my worries all my worries,
gone

K.d. Lang "Luck In My Eyes" lyrics

Awake, Again - Naturally

2009-08-07T03:31:00.004-06:00

A warning to my readers:
If medical conditions
(and stories about blisters)
make you uncomfortable;
please do not read this post.

1-1/2 weeks ago
I was exposed to poison ivy;
no big deal to most people,
but I have severe allergic reactions to the stuff.

Most who have allergies
will develop an obvious reaction
within 1 week of exposure ("check").
Raised blisters will appear in curving lines
from brushing up against the leaves of the plant ("check").
These areas will itch like a sun of a gun ("check").
Sometimes Benadryl will help ("nope"),
and sometimes it will only make the person drowsy
with no relief ("check").

The good news?
A person with an allergic reaction to poison ivy
is NOT contagious to others.
Poison ivy can not be spread from person to person.
Only the direct contact
with the oil of the plant
can cause the reaction.

The bad news?
If the exposed areas are thoroughly washed
in the first few minutes
you can remove up to 90% of the oils
before they are absorbed by the skin...
But a 10 minute wait before washing
may only remove 5-10% of the oils.
-I (my dear readers) washed my hands
within about 5 minutes;
I was wearing gloves
a hat
3/4 sleeves
long pants
and it was not enough.

Calamine or Caladryl will usually dry the blisters,
but needs to be applied 2-3x/day,
may take more than a week
for the areas to dry
to finally heal
and for the itching to stop ("still waiting...").

Cool compresses may help ("nope").

Then again the blisters may be slow to heal
very slow to dry out
may continue to itch like
convention-sized groups of several
sons of a gun.
(Is that the correct term? Unsure at 4:01 in the morning)
Where DO convention-sized sons of a gun
hold their conventions, anyway?
And where exactly did the term
"son of a gun" come from?

The blisters may be evident
all over both forearms ("check"),
all over both ankles and calves ("check")
and near my eyebrows ("check - but healing the best so far").

I itch
and therefore
I bitch.

And I also wonder; (at 4:02 in the morning)
if Universal Health Care
(AKA "socialized medicine" in the USA)
was currently available:
Would I have been carefree about
visiting a doctor
or a dermatologist
a week ago,
(when the blisters first came to visit),
with no worries of co-pay cost
if I had the "correct" insurance,
and no really big worries about
the "whole enchilada of cost"
if I was without insurance,
... Had received a prescription for Prednisone;
also free or at a very low cost with
"socialized medicine",
but somewhat expensive
with prescription insurance,
and probably very expensive without insurance,

would I be sleeping right now?

Hmmmm.

I may visit a doctor
this weekend.
I am a health care worker
who works with
doctors, nurses and pharmacists
every day of the week,
with health insurance provided through my employer,
(at a moderate cost to myself),
and I am concerned
how much money I may have to spend.

I will let you know.

M

Father of Waters

2009-08-02T17:41:00.004-06:00

There was a marketing ad
used in the late 70's and early 80's
about my hometown.
I lived along the Mississippi River
and the story went like this:
When the Father of Waters first formed this river,
he created it in a straight, strong line
running through the middle of the nation
from northernmost states
to the southern states;
but along the area of my hometown
the Great Spirit was so taken with the beauty of the area
that he stopped, and turned for a second look...
And it is at this point the Mississippi River
turns from its north-to-south route
and flows from east -to-west;
formed by the beauty of the countryside.

and yes -
the beauty of my hometown
forces one to stop and turn
for a second look...

Take Me To The River...

2009-07-24T18:19:00.001-06:00

I'll be in the QC 25th of July, for a week...
See you there!

2 Events in 2 Weekends

2009-07-19T13:35:00.010-06:00

Santa Fe International Folk Art Festival
at Museum Hill, Santa Fe

Second Annual Viva Mexico Charreada Rodeo and Mexican Market
at El Rancho De Las Golondrinas

La Danza de la Pluma

Mole Tasting with Chef Fernando Olea of Bert's Taqueria
(Pink mole made with pink pinon nuts and beets;
green mole made with green chile;
and traditional mole poblano with cocoa)

Charreada Rodeo

These women from Mexico wear traditional dresses
consisting of more than 16 yards of fabric
for skirt and petticoats;
while riding high-speed sidesaddle
choreographed patterns between and around each other.

Antique clothing - style show

Jell-o Thoughts

2009-07-11T21:40:00.003-06:00

"Raising a teenager is like nailing Jell-o to a tree".

What is it about Jell-o?

We enjoyed a lovely evening meal under the trees
and bid a fond farewell to Deb & Wayne as they head back to Texas.

Dinner conversation veered
from people getting struck by lightning...
Lost and found (and lost) cats...
To a new and wonderful Santa Fe Italian restaurant.

And somewhere in the middle
we began to discuss
Jell-o.

Comparisons of strange combinations
of unusual food groups
mixed with various fruity-flavored Jell-o;
church-basement secret Jell-o creations,
unusual and inappropriate Jell-o molds
meat mixed into Jell-o,
and Jell-o shots in college (and beyond).

What does Jell-o mean to you?
Cool summer treats?
Creepy Jell-o molds with who-know-what inside?
The 1950's?
Or 60's?
Or 70's?
Or 80's?
Or last week?
The ultimate hospital food?
Something to be mixed with Cool Whip?

And what food truly belongs together with
this quivering mountain of gelatinous goo?

Here is your challenge:
Report the BEST and WORST combo with Jell-o in the mix.

Happy Jell-o hunting!

-M

Not Bob

2009-07-09T21:21:00.005-06:00

I found a brand new collar
(small enough for a cat)
today in our backyard;
blue with a hand-made tag
"Edghar"
and a phone number...
I called and left a message,
she called back;
"My cat keeps slipping out of the house...
He lost his last collar and was gone for five days...
I finally found him at the Humane Society...
Then I bought him a new (blue) collar...
And hand-made a tag with his name and my phone number...
He's a little guy, tiger-striped
kind of looks like a bobcat with a scar on his face
(!!!)
His name is Edghar
and he is missing again".

Yep - same cat.
J and I and our neighbor
are now (again)
on the lookout
for
Bob-Edghar.

Hopefully
he will come back
to be reunited with his collar
and his owner
again.

Frolic

2009-07-06T18:07:00.008-06:00

"The dog was created specially for children.
He is a god of frolic."
- Henry Ward Beecher

"Dogs are our link to paradise.
They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent.
To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon
is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace."
- Milan Kundera

Looking For A Home Now

2009-06-30T16:51:00.004-06:00

Bob
(the cat)
was instructed by me to stop by the house early this morning
so that I could take him to a safe and wonderful place:
Santa Fe Humane Society
SFHS

First; he stopped by (our bedroom window) at 4:30 a.m.

Then; he came back at 7:30 a.m.

He does not wear a watch, so I can't be too mad...

After a loud and yowlie car ride,
Bob is enjoying life at the Humane Society.

The next five days will be spent
checking for ID chips,
checking reports of lost cats,
enjoying a bubble bath,
visiting with Dr. Vet for shots,
seeing if he has a cold, or flu, or fleas
and to be "tutored" (OK - it only RHYMES with "tutored"),
and after five days Bob will go out and meet the public.

Let me know if you want to be first on the list.
M

Homeless

2009-06-28T21:08:00.003-06:00

Bob survives
without a bed
(for the most part) without people
without regular meals.

He has learned that every day
he must protect himself
from fierce opponents.
He is probably less than a year old.
Weighs less than 10 pounds.

But he has a big heart,
and a nice singing voice.
I hope to convince him to come with me
to the local Humane Society.
Unless you can help?

M

To Do List - Weekend

2009-06-24T20:41:00.003-06:00

Note to self:
Clouds have been amazing lately....

To do this weekend:
Find a quiet comfortable place
outside
kick back
look up
enjoy.

Care to join me?

M

New Hometown

2009-06-21T16:15:00.001-06:00