Memorial Day, 2009

"I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country. Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the sight before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die for them."

~~President Ronald Reagan May 31, 1982

My new roses

I have always wanted to have a rose garden. Last summer when I was sick, my 83-year old Mom sent me a get well card with some money in it. I told her we were going to plant a rose garden with it.

Last weekend we picked out three pink antique rose bushes at Santa Fe Greenhouses (High Country Gardens.) John chopped and dug away horrible soil to get a hole big enough to plant the roses.

Roses do well here in the Santa Fe area, so we will see what kind of success we have.

Sugar loves the rose bushes. You can see her in two of the pictures sniffing around the new bushes.

Clouds over the Sangre de Cristos

John recently took this series of photographs on a cloudy morning in Eldorado, looking northeast at the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from our front courtyard:

The Republican Party of Santa Fe County

Last night John and I went to the first annual meeting of the Republican Party of Santa Fe County. There were about 50 people in attendance.

The people who are getting this up and running already have a slate of officers, a mission statement, a platform, and some basic good ideas to get the ball rolling.

We know we are tiny, and the task is daunting, and progress here in Santa Fe is going to be very slow. But there is a two party system in this country that works pretty well, and we all believe we need a two party system here in Santa Fe.

The BEST PART about the meeting last night? The enthusiasm of every single person who was there. People did not wait for the “open mike” session at the end of the meeting -- this group wanted to talk and vent and make suggestions - maybe for the first time in Santa Fe, they felt like they have a place to make their voices heard … and a way to start making an impact on the future?

We are facing a lot of work to do … a lot. And we will be needing every single Republican we can find who wants to get involved. For us in this newly organized GOP local party, everything is about the future -- and right now it is a clean slate and we begin forging a new chapter in Santa Fe politics. We exist, we’re here -- and we’re ready to roll!

Eldorado Studio Tour 2009

This past weekend was the annual Eldorado Studio Tour. We were just moving in last year and we missed it.

Yesterday we went to two of the 96 Eldorado homes where there were studio tour stops. One was next door, where our neighbor Letty does colorful and creative tapestry, as well as pastel water colors. She has an interesting history as an art teacher at the high school and then university level. She has a wonderful little studio in her home, and has very impressive talent. Here is one of her tapestries:



Letty's friend James Koehler lives just down our road, and she encouraged us to go down and visit his stop on the studio tour. He lives in an absolutely stunning contemporary adobe style home and he has built a huge studio on the back of his house where he does his work and teaches weaving students. The best part was, he is such a genuinely nice man who was so happy to meet a couple of neighbors. He took us for a tour of his home, and asked us to come back and visit his studio at any time. His weaving seems to be done in basically primary colors; here is one of his pieces:



I would love to have a tapestry from either one of these two really talented artists, but frankly it was out of our price range.

Judging by how impressed we were with the two visits we made, maybe on the 2010 tour, we can go to more of the 96 stops on the tour. We continue to marvel at the creative and interesting people we have met who live out here in Eldorado.

HAPPY NEW MEXICO TO US!

It was one year ago today that we arrived in New Mexico and became residents of the state.

ONE YEAR! How quickly the time passes and what a wonderful year this has been. We feel more at home with each passing day, and I know I want to live out the remainder of my life in this place that feels like paradise.

Today we celebrate ... then we go on to hopefully many more years of life as residents of the Land of Enchantment.

(The bear belonged to my daughter when she was younger. When he arrived in New Mexico with us, we placed him in one of the dining room chairs until we could find a suitable place for him. 365 days later, he is still there.)

Okay, it's time for planting

I started my spring planting this week. I planted geraniums in two pots for the front portal, and tomatoes and a sweet pepper plant which are on the back portal. I am new at container gardening for vegetables, so we'll see what happens.

The annual Eldorado flea market

Last Saturday was the annual flea market in Eldorado. I didn't even know Eldorado HAD an annual flea market.

That's part of the fun of living in this community, there is always something going on. The community association puts a lot of importance in holding events that promote a community spirit, and get residents together.

I love flea markets. We did a lot of looking, but not much buying. I bought a Sue Grafton hardcover novel for $1.00. That's a bargain!

More flowers

More Mother's Day flowers at La Casa de Towanda...

The top flowers are from my son Brian and daughter in law Katy...

the bottom ones are from John.

This place is looking like a florist shop!

The little white flowers

We have a lot of these flowers around our backyard. They open up in the morning, then close in the afternoon. They have been around for a week or more, so I think they bloom for quite a while in the springtime.

I am guessing they are a wild mallow native to this part of the country. I saw some growing along the roadside between here and Albuquerque last weekend.

My Mother's Day Plant:

When we got home from the Eldorado Flea Market today, this hydrangea plant was waiting on our front doorstep -- from my daughter, my son in law and my grand-daughter:



Oooooh, I love potted plants!!!!

More truck pictures

Here ya go, Buck!

I was wondering why John was taking pictures of that truck. Now I realize it might be a man thing.

The New Mexico State Fairgrounds, Albuquerque

I love the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque.

We were down there today, and got some good pictures of the neat pueblo style architecture and the tall trees.

The last time we were here was in 1970 at the State Fair. It was just a few blocks from our house on Chama Street, and I walked over there with my friend Maxine, and our kids. Brian was a baby in his stroller at the time.

The fairgrounds were full of booths and tents, food and exhibits. I had my very first taco here!

Knitting projects

There are always knitting projects going on in my life. Sweaters for Knit for Kids, hats and scarves for my friend Bonnie to give to children on the Zuni Reservation where she works, afghans in various stages of progress, baby things for present and future grandchildren and nieces and nephews, etc.

I don't knit anything fancy; I just knit to pass the time and for gifts for family and friends, for charity and to keep the arthritis in my hands at bay. I enjoy the projects I am working on, and I am always looking forward to the next item, the next pattern, the next yarn color.

The above hat and scarf are my latest finished items; they are going into the box I will send to Zuni, NM next fall.