Time for a break

Just a note that I will be gone for the next week. I am expecting a friend from overseas to visit for the holidays, plus I am entertaining my whole family at my house for Christmas dinner. It will be a busy two weeks. So I am going to take that bit of extra pressure off my own shoulders and allow myself to take a break from the blog thing here so I have time to enjoy myself.

I hope you give yourself a similar gift. ;)

I don't have any images to post on my blog right now, but I will leave you with this link for Luminarias Photos by Deanna Nichols, a talented photographer I know through Flickr. :)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, best wishes to you whatever holiday you may be celebrating at this time. :)

God Bless.

Preparing for the Big One

Christmas is almost here! I will not deny this is one of my favorite holidays of all time. The Christmas Holiday season in New Mexico is the most festive and celebrated event of the year.

A wonderful mix of Anglo, Hispanic, native American and other cultural traditions, Christmas holidays in the Southwest can be very different from the rest of the world.

Soft warm light is cast from little brown bags with sand and candles are lit and line sidewalks, walls, and building tops, called Luminarias (Loo-MIN-ah-ree-ahs) or Farolitos (fah-RO-lee-tos) depending on the part of New Mexico you are in.

Chili peppers are one of the things that the state is most famous for. "Red or Green" is the state question, referring to weather you want red or green chili on your meal (not to be confused with Texas chili or any other). Even McDonald's offer green chili on their sandwiches. If you want both, you just ask for "Christmas".
(Image courtesty of Heather Buna, CapriShine.com)

And while the chili is certain tasty on your food, it goes far beyond the dinner table. Used to make decorations such as Ristras (dried red chilies strung on long pieces of twine or in a wreath to hang outside the home) hung on Christmas trees and more.

Bizchochitos (Bees-ko-chee-toes)the delightful cookies which I covered in October here, are traditional both as something to make for your own home and to give away a seasonal gifts. Amazing with Tea or Coffee, I can't say enough how wonderful these are.

Tamales are simply amazing. Wrapped in a cornmeal breading (Masa) and filled with meat and spices, the wrapped and steamed in a corn husk before steaming. Fragrant and full of flavor, these are traditional to eat on Christmas and/or New Year day.

Las Posadas is a traditional Spanish outdoor play, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a room on Christmas Eve. It is a process that leads door to door, that any and all are invited to participate in. Las Posadas represents the troubles that Joseph and Mary faced in Bethlehem while trying to find a room. The procession is made of groups of adults and children who go door to door singing and requesting lodging (posada). Each door they go to represents an inn, and the owner represents the innkeeper who then refuses the request.(As in the story of Joesph and Mary.) Eventually the procession ends at a preordained place, where the owner recognizes Joesph and Mary and Allows them to come in.


Posole is a stew made withcorn (hominy), pork and spices, and sometimes potatoes which is sevred steaming hot year around, but particularly on Christmas Eve and New Years Day. For some it is the good luck equivalent of eating Cabbage, Black- eyed peas or rice on New years day.

All this and more. Native American dances, celebrations all over the state, good food, great decor, and all wrapped up in the tradition of joy. :) If I missed any, email me and let me know!

Albuquerque at Night

I lived in Albuquerque as a child, I had the best room with the best view of the city in the entire house, perhaps the entire neighborhood. I was particularly proud of my view. My parents often brought guests upstairs to look out my window so they could ooohh and awww.

I've never had a view quite like it since then, though I guess the view from my terrace in Sicily came close. (You could see both the Mediterranean Ocean and the volcano, Mt. Etna from there.) Albuquerque has grown a ton since then as well.

But the lights still draw me, reminding me of a poster my cousin once had, an illustration of Albuquerque depicted at night with it's lights in a swirl, much like the milky way, a universe of gorgeous stars. I'd kill to have a copy of that poster now. ;)

These aren't as good, but I though I'd share anyway. :)

The Bosque of Albuquerque

It's easy to take for granted what you see every day.

I know, because I live around people who no longer, if they ever did, notice the lovely blue of the Sandia Mountains which rise above the city, the tranquil meandering of the Rio Grande or the gorgeous wildlife which we are so fortunate to find all around us, especially in the bosque down at the river.

These are some photos of the Sandhill Cranes I photographed last year right about this time. I still find it stunning (the bosque, not my photos). There is so much to see here. Take a moment to enjoy your surroundings. They are beautiful.

A Culture of Bones

My friend and photography assistant, Crystal, recently abandoned me to move to Idaho with her boyfriend, Joey. ::sniffle::

Joey is originally from Virginia, a place where I have also lived. Though we both are from the same country, it is hard to appreciate the differences in cultures of the south and the west when you first examine the little things like clothing styles and culinary dishes.

It wasn't until Joey came for a visit last summer and remarked (in a purely horrified fashion) about my bleached cow skull I had in my garden that I truly began to see how far removed we are from a great many places. I tried to explain to Joey that skulls and bones were not unusual here. As a matter of fact you see decorated skulls everywhere, painted, adorned with gems and rocks and material, in gardens on fences, and as a part of jewelery (Native Americans have used bones in jewelry forever. It's not garish to us. It's... using what we have I guess.

Quaint and cute to me, a possible sign that we are mass murders to him.

Just another example of how diverse we all are in the huge country we call home :)

Remember When?

There is an old gas station on the corner near my home, no longer operational, just a part of someones front yard.



He hasn't torn down the fuel pumps or removed the cars, so it makes for great pictures. Also is a grim reminder of fuel prices these days.

Day of the Dead

Otherwise known as "Dia De Los Muertos" in Spanish, a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated also in some parts of the U.S. is a three-day Mexican holiday to honor occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November, in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saint's Day and All Souls' Day which take place on those days. Day of the Dead celebrates loved ones who have passed away, and is not a morbid but a joyful holiday.

Colorful and celebratory, it is a fun holiday filled with flowers, food, images of skeletons and family get together.

I didn't make it to any festivities this year due to my surgery, however, my friend Crystal humored me and let me paint her up and do photographs.

Enjoy.

A Halloween Treat :)

Next Wednesday is Halloween, and I will be too busy to post. I had thought to do something with the holiday in mind, but I can't think of much. Instead, with the thought of the sweets to be exchanged, I thought I'd post this recipe for Biscochitos, (bees-ko-CHEE-tohs) a popular and traditional cookie, also our state cookie. They are fantastic, and easy to make. Traditionally you use lard in the recipe, but shortening is easier to find on some places and these are very good. If you want to try a more traditional recipe, try this one: Biscochitos

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 cups shortening
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons anise seed
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
2. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. Cream shortening with sugar and anise seeds until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in flour and brandy until well blended.
3. Turn dough out on a floured board and pat or roll to 1/4 or 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into shapes (the fleur-de-lys is traditional). Dust with a mixture of 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Camel Rock Trading Post

When I was a kid growing up in the Land of Enchantment, I didn't know how lucky I was.

I watched the old westerns and played afterward in the desert surrounding my house or near my grandmothers house pretending to be the characters in Gunsmoke or Big Valley with no idea other kids in other parts of the U.S. might not have some of the same experiences. I had the double fortune of my father usually living in Texas or Mississippi or somewhere like that, so I spent many a summer playing in the deep green woods, so I had the best of both worlds.

Where my Grandmother and Grandfather, James and Rainey Snyder, lived at the time was a particular treat. (This was probably around 1973) Just north of Santa Fe and South of Pojoaque Pueblo there is a camel shaped rock formation just off to the side of the road. For many years my grandparents lived across the highway where they owned and operated both a mobile home sales and a trading post. As kids we sometimes walked across the road to climb on the camel rock, (this was before they built the low adobe wall surrounding it and a fence to protect it from erosion, something no one considered back then,) and scout the surrounding areas. Rattlesnakes and other dangers abounded so we were always old to be careful. Though at that age I was still invincible in my own mind, so I am amazed I am alive after some of the stupid stuff we did.

My twin uncles had dirt bikes and would fly all over the place with their BB guns and I was so envious I could have made myself sick from it. Surprisingly, my favorite memory was be able to get a cold rootbeer from the refrigerator my grandmother kept in the trading post and sip the suds from the top of the can. Often by watching this bobbing roadrunner toy thing she had, which bobbed because it had mercury it is body and it's beak dipped in cool water. long story, believe me when I say to a kid it was as cool as hell.

The Pojoaque Pueblo down the road both fascinated and scared me at the time, I had not seen many Navajos much back then, or recognized them for being Native American. My one memory was when a group of children from the reservation came to visit our school in their traditional clothes made of colorful velvet that I instantly fell in love with. I was so proud to be from a state that had such an interesting culture in it. I knew even then that not every place had such wonderful things in it.

The trading post itself was magical to me, with glass cases full of handmade jewelry made from silver, coral, turquoise and so much more. I will try and find more photos down the road of this great time of my life, I have Googled everywhere and there is no record of the trading post anywhere. It's kinda sad. But it's all still here - in my head- and I'd like to share it with all of you :)

The New Mexico State fair

I mentioned the State Fair in my last post, and I had forgotten to post any images, here are a few, I can't find them all, but I enjoyed these :)

Autumn Musings

You have to love Autumn. Brilliant colors, crisp cool air, a total change of attitude with the changing of seasons as people ready themselves for the coming winter and holidays just around the corner.



Fall in new Mexico is all this and more. Green chili roasting on every corner, Native American celebrations. The state fair with the smell of Indian Fry Bread, tamales and roasting corn.

If yu love tyhe outdoors, this is the time to be here. It's gorgeous. Come see.

It's a Bird...It's a Plane....

It's the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!



Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
We could float among the stars together, you and I
For we can fly we can fly



Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon



The world's a nicer place in my beautiful balloon
It wears a nicer face in my beautiful balloon
We can sing a song and sail along the silver sky
For we can fly we can fly



Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon



Suspended under a twilight canopy
We'll search the clouds for a star to guide us
If by some chance you find yourself loving me
We'll find a cloud to hide us



We'll keep the moon beside us
Love is waiting there in my beautiful balloon
Way up in the air in my beautiful balloon
If you'll hold my hand we'll chase your dream across the sky



For we can fly we can fly
Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon
Balloon...
Up, up, and away.....



(Lyrcs : Up Up And Away

by 5th dimension)

Why I Blog Here

My original intent when I began this post was to share images and stories from my many trips around the state. But since then my trips have dwindled, (much because of my work and often because my kids are in school) so I haven't had as much to share. My new goal is to post something at least once a week and discuss or share something about New Mexico worth looking at, be you from the area or someone from far away who might be interested in our fantastic little piece of Heaven here. :)

I grew up here, playing amongst the tumbleweeds and cacti, exploring the mesas and the arroyos, traipsing the mountains and dry river beds. I moved far away more than once, but I always came back, either in person or in my aching heart which has always loved this area no matter where else I might be living at the time.

That may sound as if I just haven't traveled enough, and let me tell you that's not true. I've been to thirty two of the United States, and lived in eleven of them. I've been to four countries not including the U.S., and lived in Sicily for three years. I've found much to love about the world wherever I have been, and called many places home that i miss even now. But none of them were New Mexico. With her gorgeous landscapes, amazing food, and her unusual mix of cultures I have never found a place like the Land of Enchantment.

Spreading the Word

I decided today to find ten links to other blogs/ sites that talk about New Mexico that I think are worth taking a second look at: Here's what I found today:

Albuquerque Blogs: A free community blogging site for Albuquerque that also provides free forums, free classified ads, free job postings for employers and more. Good stuff here.

Alblogquerque: Local Blogger with good pics and lots of interesting topics.

Albuquerque Rising: A personal blog that offers often humorous and interesting insights and observations on the city of Albuquerque.

Buggs' Blog :This New Mexico Blogger and motorcyclist has an eye for photography that makes you stop and say ..."Wow..."

Moyen Age: Santa Fe Blogger "A personele blogge: (medieval) history, reading, writing, philosophy, folklore, slow living, nature..." Fun to read, great photos....

My Strange New Mexico: A neat column/ blog that discusses New Mexico's unusual history and lore.

New MexiKen : Great Blog, tons of wit and eclectic topics.

Picturing New Mexico: A New Mexico Photoblog, excellent.

Only in New Mexico: Former Albuquerque Mayor, Jim Baca blogs about New Mexico topics.

Tenacious Flog: Great read, tons of great recipes, what more can you ask for?

Summer Fog

New Mexico is notoriously dry, but every now and then we get moisture every now and then, and sometimes when the weather is just right, like this morning, we get fog....

Billy Joel and New Mexico

While scavenging the internet for good music which relates to New Mexico (not that I don't love the song I have had... Sting is great and Desert Rose is wonderful, but it isn't really about New Mexico, ya know?) I found some Lyrics by Billy Joel which I love... can't find the song yet... but I'm looking... so we'll see. ;)

I also found some lyrics that claim to be the State Song, (I have to check into this, as I have thought "O Fair New Mexico" to be the state song, bnut I like these lyrics better... ;)

New Mexico Lyrics
Artist(Band):Billy Joel

Today I'm living like a rich man's son
Tomorrow morning I could be a bum
It doesn't matter which direction though
I know a woman in New Mexico

Worse comes to worse I'll get along
I don't know how but sometimes I can be strong

And if I don't have a car I'll hitch
I got a thumb and she's a son of a bitch
I do my writing on my road guitar
And make a living at a piano bar, oh

Worse comes to worse I'll get along
I don't know how but sometimes I can be strong

(Ooh ooh ooh) Lightning and thunder
Flashed across the roads we drove upon
Oh, but it's clear skies we're under
When we are together, when we sing this song

Worse comes to worse I'll get along
I don't know how but sometimes I can be strong

Oh, fun ain't easy if it ain't free
Too many people got a hold on me
But I know something that they don't know
I know a woman in New Mexico

Worse comes to worse I'll get along
I don't know how but sometimes I can be strong
(Ooh ooh ooh, ooh, ooh)

Land of Enchantment - New Mexico

Official State Ballad
Song by Martin Murphy, Chick Raines and Don Cook
Adopted 1989

I met a lady in my drifting days
I quickly fell under the spell of her loving ways
A rose in the desert I loved her so
In the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico

As we watched the sunset by the Rio Grande
A mission bell rang farewell she took my hand
She said "come back amigo no matter where you go"
To the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico

From her arms I wandered, far across the sea
I often heard her gentle words haunting me
"Come back amigo, I miss you so"
To the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico
So come back amigo no matter where you go
To the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico.

Enchanted

Monday, November 7, 2005

I have been away. My son had pneumonia, and I have had some illness myself. But funny thing, when I step outside to go to work on a cool morning and see the beauty around me I am soothed. When I go home in the evening and see the bast wondrous stars above me I am uplifted.

The world is wonderful, and I live in the Land of Enchantment. :) What more can I ask for?

Red or Green?

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Hola! I'm back! While I was away taking photos, taking notes, and every opportunity to sample and sup as much New Mexico cuisine as possible I pondered what I wanted to share and talk about in my journal when I finally got back.

In case the previous line didn't give hint... I decided to delve deeper into the topic of food.

New Mexico food is a country of it's own. It has it's roots, as one might suspect, in Mexican food, but if you sample the wares of our south of the border friends, or even our neighbors (Texas, Arizona, Colorado) around us, you'll realize that we have a flavor and a flair that is all our own. Part of it is because of Navajo food influences (Navajo Fry Bread and Blue Corn are two tiny examples) and other cultural influences as New Mexico has grown and changed over the last two hundred years.

New Mexican foods are present at almost every festival, celebrated occasion, and event. You can find evidence of it on almost every Native New Mexican table. Two staples you almost always find at a meal here are Tortillas, and chili. (red or green).

In June of 1999 New Mexico adopted the State Question: "Red or Green?" This does not refer to the traffic lights. It refers to our chili. (Read about the adoption of the Official Question, as Well as Our State Motto) Fabian Garcia, a horticulturist, is given much of the credit for the roots of what New Mexican's consider Our Chili. In the early 1900s Senor Garcia experimented with chili seeds. In 1907 he developed chili which became the standard chili for New Mexican chili. This is now known as the Anaheim. The chili has evolved since 1950 and is now considered a variety under the New Mexican pod type category. Understanding the difference between New Mexican Green and Red Chili's and other chili you may be able to purchase is hugely important because of flavor and results. Believe me when I say please don't try and use Bell Peppers when a recipe calls for Anaheim or New Mexican Green chili. Many a poor soul gave up on the wonders of New Mexican food because they used the wrong chili in a recipe.

So ... if I were going to host a dinner/buffet and have you all over to sample some of my favorites ... what would I serve you?

Green Chili Stew
Posole (Hominy Stew)
Tortillas (Mexican Flat Bread)
Sopapillas (Puffed, Hollow Bread)
Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
Chili Relenos
Tamales
Navajo Fry Bread Tacos
Biscochitos (Anise Seed Cookies)
Flan Caramelisado (Carmel Custard)

Many of these recipes I gave links to come from the same site, but I tried to show you a few sites where the recipes are authentic. Really, if you are going to cook a lot of New Mexican food you should get a cookbook, and the one I love is called Simply Simpatico. (this link is to Barnes & Nobles).

Hope ya try a recipe ... if you do, I hope you drop me a line and tell me what you thought, ask questions.... lemme know what you think of our world famous cuisine here. :)

Great Links:

New Mexico Cuisine
Cosinas De New Mexico
Chili Information (The Chile Pepper Institute)
Hatch Chile Express
New Mexico Chili

Going to be away for awhile...

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

Hey folks, I have been away from computer access for the past week, and will be for another week. My postings will be few, if any.

The good news is, I'll have more photos, and some great changes to the journal... so peep in in about a week and see what I have. :)

Since I'll be away I have a recipe for ya. It's not much... but it's yummy and might tide ya over!

See you soon!

Acapulco Salad

Avocados festively accented with oranges, grapes and Jicama are dressed with a tart dressing to make an unusual salad that is beautiful, delicious and nutritious. The salad should never be made more than one hour in advance, but the basic preparation of the fruits can be done ahead.

Yield: 16 servings

5 large, ripe Haas or Fuertes avocados
¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 heads fluffy leaf lettuce
5 seedless oranges, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
2 jicamas, peeled and coarsely shredded
1 large bunch (about 2 cups) seedless white grapes
Acapulco Dressing (recipe follows)

1. Halve and peel the avocados and slice into long, thin wedges. Sprinkle lime juice over all, carefully stirring to coat each piece evenly.
2. Arrange the lettuce leaves on chilled plates or in a large bowl. Alternate wedges of avocado with slices of orange. Surround the edge of the salad with shredded Jicama. Sprinkle grapes across the top.
3. Prepare the dressing and drizzle over the salad just before serving.

Acapulco Dressing

2 ripe Haas or Fuertes avocados
2/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
½ cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon caribe, or other crushed dried red chile

Place all ingredients in a blender jar and process until smooth.

YUM!

Beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Thursday, July 22, 2004

This is the last of the photos for the day.... just a smattering of some of the beauty. Later I'll send photos of the trip home, the Mesas, plains, and sunsets. Rain and storms... barbed wire and soft clouds.

Photo descriptions:
1. Horses abound here. Many people bring their own equines, or rent for the day. There are even campsite just for horse owners.

2. Gorgeous wildflowers are abundant. The colors so bright they seem unreal.

3. Rocky cliffs provide shadow and landscape for the walls of this valley. Shrubs grasp where they can.

4. The water is shallow here in the mountains, but the rocks and logs make for beautiful falls.

5. Tiny bees, ladybugs, and other beauties light on flowers to partake in the feast of pollen.

6. It is hard to catch a photo of these fragile butterflies, they light so fast and are gone before I can blink!

7. Wide creeks and tiny streams weave their way down the mountainside.

8. Flower buttons and long grasses make the area lush and peaceful.

9. So many trails, and horses... it is like the old west everywhere.

Church and cactus...

Friday, July 9, 2004

Thanks for all the great comments! :) Such nice peeps out there. I'll visit everyone's journals soon, I have been really enjoying some of the ones I have visited. Almost like having a passport to someone else head and home, hey?

Yesterday was my birthday, (I am 39 now, but my horrid little family keeps wishing me a happy 40th. They evidently want to live in squalor and hunger. Heh.) So I didn't do any posting. This evening Aude arrives, and we've been making her welcome sign and getting things clean. It's been hectic.

I am going to separate my journal into two journals next week, one for New Mexico, and one for the family. I'll link em both here, so you can see what you are interested in. More room, and more focused.

Just a couple of photos today, more Monday if I can, maybe some this weekend. The first photo here is a Church in Golden Colorado. It is a favorite of mine. The front of it has this little cemetery that looks like something out of an old western movie. People still leave flowers, toys, signs, etc. Decorations are often colorful and festive. The second photo is a cactus in my front yard that is in the process of flowering. I didn't plant it, it came with the land. I love cactus,. because I can rarely kill it by accident. (::grins::) Some of the cactus I have flower yellow or orange. I'll show you more as I get them.

Thunderstorms and winds have been blowing through. No water, but what a great reprieve from the heat.

Have a great weekend everyone, I'll see ya later!

The famous white adobe church just outside of Madrid, New Mexico

A brilliant pink Cactus bloom opens, awaiting pollination.

Old Town Albuquerque

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

If you ever visit Albuquerque, be sure and see Old Town Plaza. Old Town is the heart of Albuquerque's culture and heritage, with roots going back 500 years. Founded in 1706, Albuquerque he center of an area that has known a European presence for over 500 years, in a city that was founded in 1706. The flags of Spain, Mexico, the United States fly in the plaza representing the past where each of these countries have governed the city. During the Civil War the Confederate States of America controlled Albuquerque for a few short weeks. Buildings around the Old Town Plaza and on the side streets are authentic adobes up to 300 years old, many built in Albuquerque's distinctive "Territorial Style."

Settlers built their first homes here, near the banks of the Rio Grande. The area
served as a farming community and a military outpost. The settlement was a
traditional Spanish town, with a central plaza surrounded by a church, homes and
government buildings. The buildings are adobe, a type of mud-clay brick covered by more of the same. Many of these "territorial" style buildings still stand today,
including the church. Some have been transformed into businesses, others are
still homes.

On holidays and special occasions the are parades, which our family loves to see. Of course the luminarios at Christmas are the most beautiful sight. These paper bags with sand and a candle inside glow beautifully and decorate the plaza.

We'll be taking Yann and Aude to the plaza soon, so I'll have more photos to show you.

If anyone has a special request for photos, or local history or information let me know. :) It'd be a pleasure to get it up here for you.

As for the temperature today, it is still a scorcher. Weather man says we can expect much of the same for a while, though we may get some clouds and thunderstorms by the weekend. One can only hope.

Other things you have to look forward to in the next week or so are:
New Mexico Flowers
Wildlife in New Mexico
Yummy food
Churches
Walking tour of Santa Fe
Native American Art
...and more.

Come by and check in, lemme know whatcha think, and if there is anything I am missing!

See ya laters!

Old Town Albuquerque combines beauty, history, and great shopping. This is the Church of San Felipe de Neri, on the square.

The Church of San Felipe de Neri has been used as a parish church for over 200 years. You can still attend a service today.

Heat Wave

Tuesday, July 6, 2004

It is hot today. The difference between dry heat and humid heat seems to me to feel like opening an oven door a feeling your skin draw tight against your face, and stepping into a sauna and feeling your clothes stick to you. I don't suppose I sweat as much here, but it is still very hot. Days like this I miss living next to the ocean so I can go dip my feet in the cool water and feel the ocean breeze on my face. The Mountains would be nice today. It is cooler up there, and really only about 30 minutes from where I work to where the temperature drops enough to enjoy it. Not to mention the Pine and Aspen trees provide a cool shade and the calm of the wilderness I've been in hotter places. Phoenix and Sicily get to temperatures that I didn't know it was safe to live in. It's not that this is unbearable, I just feel like whining. ;)

Logan left, as I already mentioned, on his way to Florida yesterday I have been worried about him traveling alone, because though he's flown alone before, he was young enough to have the airlines help him. This year he's just old enough to be on his own. My worries were not groundless as he had a change of flights in Dallas, and kept time on his own watch, which was an hour behind. Gratefully American Airlines put him on another flight and he lucked out and met a friend and his Mom who were also headed to the tournament. So not only did he arrive, but he had an adult to help him get there, get his bags, and get him to the hotel. I haven't heard from him today, but I am anxious. It's hard to let go and let them grow up, but I have to trust that he'll be okay.

I am off to help my father with his computer today, it's one of those afternoons where I have too much to do, but I am going to opt for a movie with my son instead just because I want to.

We're planning a camping trip to Colorado soon. That should be a bit cooler, eh?

Is this my poor dry skin or the dried earth at the end of my driveway? The heat is really in the WOW degrees today.

Welcoming Yann

Friday, July 2, 2004

Friday again. Wow how the weeks pass so fast. So much to do...

Yann arrived last night, and our garrulous gaggle was there to greet him. My whole bunch plus Kimberly. Must have seemed like he'd stumbled into Mardi Gras unexpectedly. :/ He is so tall! Brian seems like a giant to my 5'4" because he is 6'3". Yann, however, seems to tower over him. And he is a very handsome kid. We are going to have to beat the teenaged girls in Albuquerque off. :)

We took him to dinner, at one of our favorite places, The Frontier Restaurant across the street from the University. I was surprised Yann wanted to try the enchiladas that Kimberly and I are so fond of. We have them with cheese, but he had his with chicken and red chili. He seemed to enjoy them... I think this young man will be very pleasant company this summer!

My all time favorite flower is the sunflower, and they grow wild and thick here in midsummer. For all that New Mexico has a reputation for being a desert, there is an abundance of color, weather, life, and differing climates that truly make this a place of surprises and beauty. I always tell people that this place is unusual because it is not simply another place in the US. Even other bordering Southwestern sates don't have some of the cultural aspects like we do. It's like a whole country of it's own.

A surprising percentage of the state is reservation properties belonging to Native Americans. Hispanic and Native American cultures are very predominant, and flavor the food, the architecture, the language, the holidays, and more. Combine the people and their culture, traditions, and dreams, with the beauty of the land and you have magic. Simply enchanting. :)

This is my first wild sunflower of the year. Popped up right next to the driveway, saying hello to everyone driving by! :)

Rain is scarce here, but the results are always welcome.
Never a storm I don't want to photograph.