La Casa de Towanda

Happy Birthday New Mexico! 100 years of Statehood..

2012-01-05T23:08:00.008-07:00

New Mexico was admitted to the union 100 years ago today, on January 6, 1912, as the 47th state.

When John and I moved here in 1970, New Mexico had already been a state for 58 years. We fell in love with this land of enchantment, and dreamed for 38 more years of returning here to live. In 2008, we made our dream come true, and New Mexico became our adopted home by choice. I have never been disappointed one single time about our decision to move to this state - it turned out to be far better than we even dreamed it would be.

HAPPY STATEHOOD, NEW MEXICO!

2012-01-01T08:12:00.001-07:00

Great blessings and much happiness to all my blogger friends in the New Year!

May 2012 be a good year for all of us!

December sunrise

2011-12-16T08:08:00.002-07:00

A particularly beautiful sunrise earlier this week:

Our first snow - 2011

2011-12-14T17:29:00.002-07:00

Last night we had our first measurable snowstorm of the winter and this morning everything looked so pretty. Nice to have snow right before Christmas to get into the holiday spirit.

Most of it melted throughout the day, though.

Here are some pictures around my property:

The snow covered mountains in the late afternoon sunlight today:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2011-11-24T08:58:00.003-07:00

To all of my blog friends and faithful readers of La Casa de Towanda, I wish you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. I hope you will be spending the holiday with loved ones, enjoying good company and good food.

I will be going to my friends' house and we will have 12 people there, most of whom I know, and several other new ones to get to know.

This has been a tough year, but there is still much to be thankful for ... and I count ALL OF YOU among my blessings!

Enjoy your day!

Love, Sharon

New wheels

2011-11-17T22:16:00.003-07:00

My old Buick Century was 13 years old and in deteriorating shape ... it was time to get a new vehicle.

My son Brian came out to Santa Fe last week. We made a trip down to the Chrysler-Jeep dealership in Albuquerque and picked out a nice shiny brand new Jeep Liberty to buy.

It's perfect! It's wonderful! I have wanted a Jeep for years and years and finally here I am an old geezer and can drive around in this cool SUV.

Thank you to our veterans

2011-11-11T10:32:00.002-07:00

To all the military men and women who have worn the uniform of our country, and preserved our liberty.

And especially to

My husband, John Hosenfeld
My son, Brian Hosenfeld
My Dad, Bernard Davis
My Brother, Jake Davis
My Brother, Steven Davis
My Uncle, Frank Davis
My Uncle, Patrick Russo
My Uncle, Arthur Lippens
My great-grandfather, John Couse
My Great-Great Grandfather, Leonard Davis

A grateful family salutes you all ...

God Bless you all for your service to this country ...

Entering cancer care

2011-11-02T10:43:00.006-06:00

Starman recovered very successfully from his episode of cluster seizures. Started on medication over ten days ago, he has had no seizure activity, and is acting like his old happy, contented self.

HOWEVER...the MRI and spinal tap indicate that something is in his brain, and the veterinary neurologist and oncologist have not been able to determine the exact cause. The test for lymphoma, the most common brain cancer in dogs, came back negative. It may be a more rare cancer ... or it might be an erratic immune system which is causing encehpalitis and swelling in the brain. So they are treating both, in hopes we can hit whatever the problem is.

Yesterday we had our first visit at the Cancer Center, which is adjacent to the Emergency and Specialty Clinic.

I am so impressed with everyone I have met and everything I have observed so far. They are professional and caring, and they do a lot of teaching so the pet owner does not feel lost in the dark. It was explained to me that the focus of chemotherapy in dogs is not to hit the animal so hard that they suffer effects from the chemo. The goal is to give low doses of chemo which shrink the tumor or prevent it from growing, while the dog lives a normal, happy life with no ill effects from the chemo.

So, Star started on his chemo treatment yesterday. I am to watch for side effects, but so far have observed nothing except his normal behavior. He is on the chemo drug, prednisone, an anti-seizure drug, and two antibiotics. We are getting used to being on a strict medication schedule.

Right now, we are taking one day at a time, waiting to see what happens. And so far, I have my sweet dog to hug and love.

Fighting for my best friend

2011-10-24T10:06:00.000-06:00

I may not be able to blog very much for a while.

My dog Starman is sick and we are waging a fight for his life here.

After a long period of seizures early last Friday morning, he was treated at the very WONDERFUL Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Santa Fe, and had several tests which show something ominous going on inside his brain - either some form of cancer, or a rare immune response. The clinic has a fabulous neurology clinic with all the latest treatments. The neuro vet told me both conditions are treatable with meds and are affordable. So -- right now we are waiting for the test results to get a definitive diagnosis.

Star is home. He is acting like normal again. Eating, drinking, running around the yard, taking his medications. No seizures in 48 hours. I still feel like I must watch him every single minute, and I cannot leave him here alone at all.

The vet told me that other than the brain disorder, Starman is in excellent physical condition in every other aspect, and could live for four or five more years. Since he has been my main companionship since John died, I have decided to give him a shot. I will know if and when the time comes to let him go.

2011 has been a horrendous year for me, and if John were still here, it would be so much easier to go through this. But he isn't and I must suck it up and realize that life is not fair ... and try to go on. I keep reminding myself that God does not give us more than we can bear.

Happier times:

Beautiful bloom

2011-10-15T21:50:00.002-06:00

I received many beautiful flowers and plants when John died. After 5 1/2 months, this lily I received from the Parrish family is blooming for the first time.

It is a symbol of life to me.

Chamisa!

2011-10-11T11:26:00.003-06:00

Nothing says autumn in New Mexico like the chamisa plants that are in bloom everywhere. They are at their peak right now, creating a golden landscape all over this part of our state.

Chamisa is also know as "tall rabbit brush" and is related to the sage family. It has a sweet aromatic fragrance.

Here are some chamisa blooming at my daughter's property in Santa Fe:

Roundhouse Art

2011-10-10T11:05:00.003-06:00

The New Mexico State Capitol Building is just full of wonderful pieces of sculpture.

Here are two of my favorite statues on the grounds:

The Western Sculpture on Museum Hill

2011-10-08T09:52:00.006-06:00

Up on the entrance to Museum Hill from the Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe is this wonderul multi-piece bigger than life size sculpture. It is such a great depiction of the Old West and the arrival of settlers to New Mexico and other western states.

For Jake and Debbie, it was the last stop in our great sightseeing tour that spanned ten days. And we only stopped the sightseeing because we ran out of time.

I still have a long list for their next visit.

Fiesta Santa Fe

2011-10-05T12:42:00.000-06:00

Our annual Santa Fe Fiesta was going on during the week my brother and sister in law were here. We went down to the Plaza on Sunday, the day of the Fiesta parade. It was fun walking around, checking out all the crafts and food booths, etc. Lots of local Fiesta color happening and a short memorial service commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11/2001.

When the time got closer to parade time, the Plaza got very crowded and we had been there for several hours, so we left before the parade. Still, it was an enjoyable morning. I guess I was too busy looking at all the sights to get many pictures.

Indian attack on Eldorado?

2011-10-04T09:05:00.004-06:00

These approaching Indians have been in Eldorado all summer, right at the edge of the La Tienda shopping center.

I have no idea why they are there, or what they are used for.

But they were interesting as a photo op.

Valles Caldera

2011-10-03T09:21:00.005-06:00

Ever since the first time I saw Valle Grande over 40 years ago, I love going there, and especially taking visitors there. The sight of the immense volcanic caldera (over 1 million years old) is stunning. After visiting Los Alamos, I went there with Jake and Debbie on Sept. 10.

On this visit, for the first time, we went down into the caldera on the paved road that goes back a little ways to allow visitors to actually enter the basin.

The views, as always, are just spectacular, but on this visit, we had an added bonus -- we spotted a herd of elk, with the male elk guarding his herd of probably 50 females as they grazed in the caldera. It was really something interesting to see!

The elk herd:

Watching the elk herd with a nice young family we met:

Areas of burned trees were all over the Jemez area near Los Alamos; it was a heartbreaking sight to see:

Hanging out at the Legion posts

2011-10-02T11:06:00.003-06:00

My brother is a Vietnam vet, and he's active in his American Legion post back in western New York.

So on his trip to New Mexico, we visited several Legion Posts. Jake had Legion license plates from his post in NY, and there is a tradition of trading plates with other posts around the country. He was able to visit posts in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, and exchange plates with them.

The fun part was the nice people we met in the Legions in both places. Local people were interested in striking up conversations with us, and were instantly friendly to us as strangers. We had some great conversations with some good people.

Here is Jake outside the Montoya y Montoya Post in Santa Fe:

Cross of the Martyrs

2011-10-01T10:36:00.006-06:00

On top of a hill overlooking downtown Santa Fe, near Otero Street and Paseo de Peralta, is a simple white cross which commemorates the 21 Franciscan priests killed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

My visit there with Jake and Debbie several weeks ago was the first time I have ever visited this place. I was really impressed with the spectacular views of the city. The Jemez Mountains are to the west, and I have heard the cross is a great place to view the Santa Fe sunsets.

Visiting the Governor's Mansion

2011-09-30T09:53:00.004-06:00

The New Mexico Governor's Residence is a beautiful territorial style public and private home on a hill close to the city of Santa Fe.

The director of the Mansion, Marian Lewis, welcomed Jake, Debbie and I for a visit one afternoon several weeks ago. She is so gracious and so full of a wealth of information about the history of the home.

The New Mexico Governor's Mansion is open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. It is well worth a visit if you are in Santa Fe.

The view from the Mansion:

Breezing through Red River

2011-09-29T08:42:00.004-06:00

I think we were tired by the time we got to Red River, because we opted not to stop for any shopping or sightseeing.

Just stopped long enough to get some pictures of horses at the riding stable, and then on through town and on our way home.

At the Laguna Vista Saloon in Eagle Nest, NM

2011-09-28T08:46:00.006-06:00

Well, the business is not just a saloon. It's also a restaurant and an old partially restored brothel from the 1890's. Built along the Santa Fe Trail, it was a busy place in the old wild west days as a stop halfway between Santa Fe and Raton. It was also apparently kind of infamous for the brothel there which attracted cowboys, miners, and probably an outlaw or two. Luckily the old building remains, still looking much as it did many years ago.

And ... oh yeah ... the place is said to be haunted.

On the day we were there, the bartender (manager?) took us on a tour of the old brothel rooms downstairs and upstairs.

And I have recently learned that the town was once known as Therma; the name was changed to Eagle Nest in the 1930s.

The Laguna Vista Saloon was an unexpected fun stop on our travel around the Enchanted Circle.

Low-hanging clouds near Eagle Nest:

The saloon:

The brothel:

The Restaurant:

The St. James Hotel in Cimarron

2011-09-27T09:19:00.003-06:00

The St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico is a totally wonderful place to visit.

The hotel was built as a saloon in 1872 when Cimarron was a wild west town, back in the days when law and order was non-existent; the town had a reputation as a place of violence. Well known outlaws such as Jesse James, Clay Allison and Black Jack Ketchum were frequent guests at the hotel, which was the scene of at least 26 murders. There are still 22 bullet holes visible in the ceiling of the hotel saloon.

Guest rooms were added in 1880, and the hotel had a reputation for elegance, and was a popular stop for visitors traveling to Santa Fe. The hotel had many famous guests: Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Bat Masterson, Kit Carson, Wyatt Earp, Frederick Remington, NM Governor Lew Wallace, and Zane Gray.

The hotel has been remodeled and is a showplace to the style of the 19th century. There are guest rooms decorated in period furnishings and named for famous (or “infamous”) people who have stayed there.

The hotel claims to have half a dozen ghosts who live in the building, as well as numerous “restless spirits” who pass through. There are many many stories of ghost sightings, unexplained sounds, smells and occurences. Visitors are encouraged to take pictures of any ghost sighting they are witness to.

We spent a long time talking to the manager of the hotel, who loved telling us stories and was full of information and history.

What a great place! An excellent stop on our trip around the Enchanted Circle.

Scenes around Cimarron

2011-09-26T09:26:00.004-06:00

Cimarron, New Mexico is a sleepy little town packed full of the history and characters from the Old West.

On the day we were in Cimarron, we walked around and enjoyed some of the sights in the town:

The old Cimarron jail:

Deer spotted along the Cimarron River:

The Palisades Sill near Cimarron

2011-09-25T10:53:00.000-06:00

I have posted pictures of the Palisades Sill before - it is on my list of favorite scenes in New Mexico. I am going to post the pictures we took at our stop there several weeks ago, since it was part of the trip we took around the Enchanted Circle, and I never get tired of photographing it.

The Palisades are located along the Cimarron River between Cimarron and Eagle Nest. Suddenly arising along the quiet, scenic drive along the river, they are a stunning sight - especially the first time you see them.

Talking to some people from Missouri:

Another pilgrimage to Angel Fire

2011-09-24T09:21:00.004-06:00

I have been to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Angel Fire many times. Every time I go there, I am as moved emotionally as I was the first time I went there. I especially wanted my brother Jake, who is a Vietnam veteran, to visit there.

Debbie and I looked through the grounds, the chapel and the museum together, but we left Jake to go off by himself, where he could be alone with his memories and thoughts.

When Dr. Victor Westphall chose a spot to build a memorial to his son David, who was killed in Con Thien, Vietnam in 1968, he chose one of the most beautiful spots in New Mexico. The memorial is worth a visit. And then another. And another.

Rainbow at Taos

2011-09-23T08:38:00.002-06:00

As I posted yesterday, there was heavy rain the day we visited Taos two weeks ago.

The best part of that was the rainbow that followed:

Visiting Taos

2011-09-22T10:15:00.004-06:00

Jake, Debbie and I spend an afternoon and an overnight in Taos two weeks ago.

We did shopping on the plaza, drove out to the Rio Grande Bridge, drove up to Taos Pueblo (which was closed to visitors when we were there) and stopped at Taos Mountain Casino for a little gambling and dinner. There was some heavy rain during the afternoon.

I guess we were having a great time, because I forgot to take many pictures.

At the Taos Plaza:

At the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge west of Taos:

Up on the High Road to Taos

2011-09-20T20:38:00.004-06:00

There are two routes to take to Taos..one meanders along the Rio Grande from Española up to Taos, and is generally called the low road to Taos.

The other, winds up and over the mountains between Chimayó and Taos, and is popularly referred to as the High Road. It is the way I prefer to go, especially with visitors, because the scenic vistas and the quaint little northern New Mexico Spanish villages are breath-taking.

Here are a couple pictures I took at one of the highest points along the High Road:

A Stop at El Santuario de Chimayó

2011-09-20T08:05:00.002-06:00

I love to take visitors to El Santuario in Chimayó. I like to see their reactions when they hear the story of the miracle church and the healing dirt.

Jake, Debbie and I visited Chimayo on a beautiful day several weeks ago on our way to Taos. They liked the little church and the interesting grounds.

Old Santa Fe

2011-09-18T12:06:00.001-06:00

While Jake and Debbie were here, we had lunch with friends at Upper Crust Pizza in Santa Fe. Right next door is the oldest church in the United States, and the oldest house in the U.S. Both were closed when we were there, but we wandered around outside.

San Miguel Mission Church was built by Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico in the early 1600s, under the direction of Fray Alonso de Benavides. The reredos (or altar screen) in the Mission dates from 1798 and is the oldest wooden reredos in New Mexico.

Street in front of San Miguel Mission:

The oldest house in the U.S., built in 1646, is right next door to San Miguel Church:

Tea Partying at the Roundhouse

2011-09-17T11:53:00.006-06:00

Tuesday, September 6 was a brilliant sunshiney early fall day in Santa Fe. It was also the opening day of the special session of the state legislature.

The combined tea party groups from around the state gathered to petition the legislature to pass a law repealing New Mexico driver's licenses for illegal aliens. We had a good crowd,and some excellent speakers.

Jake and Debbie enjoyed taking part in the tea party rally. Debbie and I wore T-shirts that said "Santa Fe New Mexico Tea Party" and got a lot of attention.

I saw one Democrat legislator in the crowd, my own representative, Brian Egolf, and Debbie and I had fun engaged in a lively political discussion with him. I don't agree with him on nearly anything, but he is fun to talk to and always a good sport.

There was another group taking part in the opening day event, a pro-illegal immigration group who were supporting the right of illegals to get New Mexico driver's licenses. THEY didn't have to meet outside; they held their rally right in the rotunda of the building. One of the speakers even said, "I am an illegal resident of the state...." My brother said, How can someone stand in the state capitol building and confess to being illegal and not get arrested? Two words: "sanctuary city."

Here are some pictures of OUR rally at the Roundhouse entrance:

Jake and Debbie at the rally:

Sherry Morrison and Orlando Baca:

Therese Cooper of the East Mountain Tea Party:

Lt. Governor John Sanchez:

Scenes around Cerrillos

2011-09-16T10:15:00.001-06:00

One day during Jake and Debbie's visit, we took the Turquoise Trail from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. The highlight (and everyone's favorite) of the drive was our stop in Cerrillos, New Mexico.

Cerrillos is such a cool little town, untouched by development or modernization, a step back into the past. We wandered around the town, took lots of pictures, met a few interesting characters, and found ourselves hoping that tiny little Cerrillos will remain unspoiled.

The hanging tree:

Labor Day weekend at the Santa Fe Plaza

2011-09-14T09:03:00.004-06:00

I went with my brother and sister in law on Labor Day weekend to the Plaza in Santa Fe. It was a busy weekend there - an arts and crafts fair was going on, the Queen and her Court for the upcoming Fiesta were there, and as usual, the shops were colorful and fun to visit.

Here's a few pictures I got:

Santa Fe National Cemetery

2011-09-13T08:57:00.002-06:00

Jake and Debbie's visit would not have been complete without a visit to John's grave at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The gravestone has been installed and grass has been laid in the section, and it is a beautiful setting for John's final resting place, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising in the background. Jake cleaned up John's stone and the one next to it, and put an American flag on John's grave.

The Santa Fe Farmer's Market

2011-09-12T09:59:00.001-06:00

My brother Jake and sister in law Debbie were here for the past ten days, and we had a wonderful time. We were busy every minute, seeing the sights of northern New Mexico and meeting many interesting people along the way.

Our first stop of their visit was the Santa Fe Farmer's Market on Sept. 3.

Chile roasters:

Oh those Santa Fe sunsets!

2011-09-01T08:33:00.003-06:00

There is nothing like a sunset here in northern New Mexico to lift one's spirits.

This is a recent sunset behind the Jemez Mountains, looking from my backyard.

Around my house

2011-08-30T09:29:00.000-06:00

It's been a long summer for me, and writing posts for my blog has just not been possible as I try to adjust to a completely new life.

Lately friends have been asking me when I am going to post again ... and because of them, I realize that it's the right thing to do to get back to my blog posts.

Here are some pictures I took around the house in the past week:

Made by my friend Kathy:

Made by my friend Rena:

From our friends Rob and Jenny Jones:

Plant from the Parrish family, teddy bear from my friend Sandy:

From my friend Laurel:

The Las Conchas fire just never ends.

2011-07-15T20:41:00.002-06:00

I just took these pictures tonight at sunset. The Las Conchas fire in the Jemez Mountains is still sending up a huge plume of smoke.

The 2011 Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

2011-07-11T08:13:00.005-06:00

The annual Folk Art Market here in Santa Fe was held this past weekend.

I went to the event on Sunday morning with two of my friends and we had a great time. It was the first time I have ever attended. We beat the heavy crowds and the July heat by going early in the day.

The market was wonderful - big, colorful, and full of beautiful crafts from all over the world. We loved looking at everything, and seeing so many of the vendors in costume was maybe the best part.

The people who run this event every year do a fantastic job. We had a great time.

The Las Conchas Fire.

2011-07-02T10:47:00.005-06:00

This huge wildfire in the Jemez Mountains (largest fire EVER in the State of New Mexico) has been burning for less than a week now, and is now up to nearly 114,000 acres, affecting the town of Los Alamos, Bandelier National Monument, Santa Clara and Cochiti Pueblos, the Dixon Apple Orchard, and the Valles Caldera, as well as many other scenic forested areas and canyons throughout the Jemez Mountains.

The fire was believed to be started last Sunday afternoon when a tree limb hit a power line on private property near mile marker 35 on N.M. 4.

1,200 firefighters are now battling the blaze, which has resulted in the town of Los Alamos being evacuated and the National Lab being closed for the entire past week. Smoke from the fire has been settling over many areas of northern New Mexico, depending which way the wind is blowing, and dealing with the smoke smell and ash has become a common occurence for us.

Containment as of this morning is only about 4%. The firefighting experts are telling us the fire is likely to burn until the summer monsoons arrive, hopefully very soon.

An announcement from The Los Alamos National Laboratory this morning said: "At no time were nuclear or hazardous materials in harm's way, thanks to immediate and effective action taken by fire and emergency crews, apart from safeguards in place before the conflagration."

Watching this fire has been fascinating and heartbreaking. I can get a clear view of the smoke plumes and even flames from my west window of the house. The Jemez Mountains are one of my favorite places for sightseeing and visiting in the state, and I dread seeing one day how things look up there, and imagining how long it will be for the forest to regenerate.

I took these pictures last night from my house:

The Pacheco Fire

2011-06-26T08:45:00.002-06:00

The Pacheco fire in the Santa Fe National Forest up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near the Santa Fe Ski Basin has been burning for over a week now.

The fire has consumed over 6,000 acres of steep rugged forested land, and at last report was 18% contained.

I took these pictures yesterday afternoon, when the visible smoke plum from my house appeared to have gotten much larger:

My tomatoes 2011

2011-06-25T11:39:00.003-06:00

Despite the sadness and upheaval in my personal life, planting tomatoes makes me feel good, so I am considering this year's tomatoes a healing exercise. It is nice to have something healthy and growing on my portal.

June 2, the day I planted my tomatoes:

Today, June 25:

My first tomato:

Tony Hillerman's Landscape

2011-06-11T14:02:00.000-06:00

I love this story ... it comes from the book "Tony Hillerman's Landscape" by Anne Hillerman ... this story is told by Hillerman and ocurred some years ago:

"Traveling on a train to Los Angeles, I walked to the observation car to take in the full expanse of the same landscape. The tracks parallel the highway for much of the route from Albuquerque to Gallup. Towering cumulous clouds cast deep shadows that moved across the plan and canyons. A thunderstorm growing over Mount Taylor looked ominous and powerful and the low angle of the late afternoon sun made the desert glow red.

I shared the car with two men from elsewhere wearing suits and ties. The businessmen stood silently for a moment, looking at the sight. Then one said to the other, 'My God, why would anyone want to live here?' From the tone of voice, I knew that he couldn't imagine it. But I was thinking, 'Why would anyone want to live anywhere else?'"

My husband John 1945 - 2011

2011-05-15T12:19:00.000-06:00

My husband John died on May 5, 2011 after being healthy his entire life and then experiencing the brief illness that took his life. He was only 65 years old when he died. We thought we had many years left, and had many plans for adventures in the future.

He was a good man. Quiet, thoughtful, generous, and patriotic. He loved me and his kids and grandkids, and he loved the rest of his family and his many friends. He loved this country. I think he had a good life, and accomplished many things.

He spent many years as a research chemist at Midwest Research Institute and was always very busy on projects and business trips. Many of his research studies added to the base of knowledge of water and air pollution in this country.

In 2008, he retired and we moved to New Mexico, and I think the best part of his life began. He really blossomed as a community activist, a member of the Republican Party, and was chairman of the Santa Fe Tea Party. He worked on various local and state issues. He learned to speak in public, and to testify at the State Legislature. He gave his first interview to the press on April 16, and did a good job. He was committed to working for his country until his last breath, and he did just that.

He had two grandchildren, Victoria and Alessandro, whom he adored. They brought a new dimension to his life and brought out the playful kid in him. I regret deeply that he will not see them grow up and that they have lost a grandfather.

His funeral mass was at the St. Francis Cathedral Basilica here in Santa Fe on Tuesday, May 10, followed by a military ceremony at the Santa Fe NAtional Cemetery, where he was buried.

Oh, I will miss him! We were married for 42 years, and I never dreamed his time would come so quickly to be called by God to Heaven. I envisioned many wonderful years together, growing old here in New Mexico.

I have already learned some lessons: Do not wait a moment to tell the people you love how much they mean to you and express to them the good things they have done in your life. They need to hear while they are alive what impact they have made on you and the world around them.

And remember, life can be extremely fragile. Do the things you are planning to do. Make every single day and moment special in little ways and in big ways.

Rest in peace, my beloved husband. We will see each other again.

Santa Fe Tax Day Tea Party 2011

2011-04-28T14:11:00.007-06:00

The Santa Fe New Mexico Tea Party held our 2011 Tax Day rally on Saturday, April 16 at the Plaza in Santa Fe.

It was a perfect spring weather day, we had excellent speakers and an enthusiastic crowd.

Got a few pictures, but not as many as other years:

Our veterans:

Suzanne J speaking:

Todd Hathorne speaking:

Brigette Russell speaking:

Up on Rowe Mesa

2011-04-26T08:24:00.006-06:00

Rowe Mesa is located in San Miguel County, southeast of Pecos, New Mexico, just south of the tiny town of Rowe. The mesa climbs to a height of 8,048 feet.

The top of the mesa is ranchland, with piñon and juniper studded hills rising to pine trees at the higher location.

At the peak of the mesa, you can look out over miles of the Pecos Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

We drove up to Rowe Mesa on my birthday on Easter Sunday. It was an unusually cloudy day with scattered showers around northern New Mexico, which were dropping rain in the valley and snow up on top of the mountain peaks.

The views were excellent. Here, take a look:

Scenery at top of the mesa:

Fresh snow on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the north:

From the top of the mesa, views to the north looking across the Pecos Valley to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains:

HAPPY EASTER!

2011-04-24T08:18:00.001-06:00

A blessed Resurrection Day to all of my blogger friends and all the readers of my blog!

We're brewing up some tea in Santa Fe

2011-04-15T17:37:00.005-06:00

Tomorrow is our third annual Tax Day Tea Party here in Santa Fe.

We're assembling on the Plaza at noon, to petition the government for the redress of our grievances.

If you are in or around Santa Fe, and you see this, we invite you to join us. It will be a good time bringing our smaller government, lower taxe and less spending on all levels of the government, personal responsibility and free market capitalism message to the public arena. We are a non-partisan grassroots organization, and everyone is welcome to join us as long as you aren't there to disrupt our party.

We have a great slate of excellent speakers, partiotic music, tea party signs, U.S. Constitutions available for a small donation.

Wear your patriotic clothes, bring your flag and a sign (or get one at our table up by the bandstand), your camera, and a chair if you will need one.

The event will last from noon - 1:30 p.m.

LET'S RALLY!

Tea Party 2010

New Mexico State Representative Jeannette Wallace

2011-04-09T11:22:00.005-06:00

We just received word that New Mexico State Representative and our friend, Jeannette Wallace, died this morning, after being in poor health for several months.

Jeannette served the NM legislature from District 43, which included Los Alamos County, and parts of Sandoval and Santa Fe County, since 1991. Among the committees she served on was the important Legislative Finance Committee. She was a whiz at assessing the stte government and how to improve it.

We knew Jeannette for several years, since moving here and getting involved in state politics. She was smart as a whip, such an interesting person, and just as feisty as they come. In 20 years, her enthusiasm as a legislator did not seem to have diminished. She worked hard to make our state a better place.

In 2010, she was in a tough race for re-election, and we worked hard to get her re-elected to the NM House.

I really liked her personally, and enjoyed the times I got to converse with her. She will be missed greatly in New Mexico.

Rest in peace, honorable lady and my friend.

Hydrangea year three

2011-03-26T10:40:00.005-06:00

My hydrangea plant is still alive. This will be the third year, and we didn't think it would survive the first summer because it is so dry here and the hyrdangea loves moisture.

It's been hibernating inside all winter, and putting out new growth and is waiting the move to outside in a couple months.

I guess the woman at the florist shop knew what she was doing when my daughter requested a plant that would do well in Santa Fe's climate.

End of the Session

2011-03-25T09:04:00.005-06:00

As I said in my last post, the 2011 New Mexico legislative session has ended.

For us, that means no more trips to the hearings and various committee meetings, and more free time.

I have a few pictures that I took at the Roundhouse that I have not yet posted, so I am putting them in this final blog post for the year's session.

I am admittedly a political junkie, and I love all the activity that accompanies the annual sessions in Santa Fe, but I also like wandering around the building looking at the artwork and taking pictures.

More next year!

This peaceful sitting area is outside of the House Majority Office:

John looking at one of the many statues on the NM State Capitol grounds:

The North Capitol Annex

2011-03-24T08:55:00.006-06:00

We have been spending a lot of time at the New Mexico State Capitol Building in the last two months, watching the legislature in action and attending committee meetings.

For us, one of the bonuses of living in Santa Fe is that we are a 20 minute drive to the Roundhouse and can go there frequently to keep an eye on the goings on.

Another bonus is that the NM State Capitol is like a museum, just full of wonderful artwork, furniture and architecture. There is no end of things to take pictures of. As New Mexicans, we can be proud of having such a grand facility.

A long walkway connects the Roundhouse with the North Capitol Building, which houses the Secretary of State's office as well as office for many state legislators. The Annex hallway is a beautiful walk filled with natural New Mexico sunlight and interesting art. Here are some of the sights:

The Annex hallway:

Several of the more "unusual" art pieces in the annex:

The Secretary of State, Dianna Duran's office is in the North Capitol Building:

This is a portion of the rotunda seen from the top floor:

This wall hanging in the North Capitol Building depicts New Mexico themes and is completely done in needlepoint:

Blanket for Preston

2011-03-23T11:54:00.005-06:00

My cousin Tiffany back in New York just had her first baby, a little boy she named Preston. I got this baby afghan for him finished just in in the nick of time, as he decided to arrive several weeks early:

Espanola Day at the Roundhouse

2011-03-16T11:03:00.005-06:00

John and I have been spending so many hours at the New Mexico State Capitol Building that it has begun to feel like our second home. We have attended countless committee meetings, followed proposed bills that are important to us, met some really good people who are working hard to fix this state, seen some of the most outrageous behavior from legislators that you can imagine, and experienced many more disappointments than victories. We're tired. The annual session ends this weekend and we get our lives back.

The nicest part about our days spent hanging out watching the proceedings, is that every day at the Roundhouse there are exhibitors there from many New Mexico organizations, cities, colleges, etc. I love wandering past the exhibition tables, talking to people from all over the state, and picking up little goodies they are giving away. Just last week, at the Navajo Nation Diabetes table, they gave me a potholder, a back scratcher, a fan, and a set of measuring spoons. A week before that John and I got really nice small leather bound calendar/appointment books from a medical clinic in Espanola.

Speaking of Espanola, a couple of weeks ago they were having an Espanola Day at the Roundhouse, with lots of interesting exhibits. A girl from Northern New Mexico College gave me some fresh bulbs of garlic from their college garden.

I got a few pictures that day:

The House of Representatives chamber taken from the visitors gallery:

Frost in Eldorado

2011-03-09T13:00:00.006-07:00

We had heavy fog last Friday night -- and in the morning everything was covered with a layer of frost. It looked surreal for a while before it quickly melted:

(Pictures by John)

La Plazuela Restaurant at La Fonda

2011-03-07T08:25:00.006-07:00

On Friday night we went out to eat with our good friends Mary and Kent; a rare and special treat for all of us. We went to La Plazuela, the restaurant at the La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza in Santa Fe. (I forgot my camera, so the picture above come from the La Plazuela website. )

What a beautiful restaurant! It is designed to look like an outdoor cafe, and the skylights above give it an outdoor feel. I especially loved the small handpainted windows that surround the room.

The wait service was good and the food was excellent. It was fun watching the waiter prepare our guacamole right at our table. It was nice to find a treasure in Santa Fe that we had not discovered before. We will be returning, especially to bring out of town visitors to show off one of the nicest restaurants in our city.

More scarves and hats off to Zuni

2011-03-06T14:20:00.002-07:00

I didn't get too much knitting done in the past year for my friend Bonnie who teaches out at the Zuni pueblo, but I packed up and mailed off to her the few things I got made this past year. My goal for next year is to complete at least twice as many items!

Galisteo Basin Preserve

2011-02-20T12:39:00.009-07:00

Yesterday we went out to the Galisteo Basin Preserve for the first time, about 5 miles south of Eldorado. The Preserve is a land conservation and community development inititative of Santa Fe County that is designed to protect and restore 13,000 acres of open space. Fifty miles of public hiking, biking and equestrian trails are planned for the preserve. Approximately 14 miles have been created so far; there are three trails in the public area for hiking.

62% of the preserve will be for public use; 35% is private conservation land, and 3% will be developed into home lots.

I love the Galisteo Basin for the vast sweeping vistas, and scenic surroundings. We will definitely go back there to hike often.

The East Well trailhead:

Out on the trail:

Saw a lot of these tracks; not sure if they were dog prints or some wild animal:

View to the south - looking towards the Ortiz Mountains:

The Cowboy Shack trailhead:

Scenes from the Roundhouse

2011-02-19T08:57:00.007-07:00

We spent quite a few hours this past week at the New Mexico state capitol building attending hearings on the Photo Voter ID bill, which Republicans felt strongly is needed in the state, but the Democrats rejected Thursday in a party line vote. I think our strong presence was noted though, and another similar bill is waiting on the schedule to be debated in the coming week.

Anyway..... while we were there, I wandered around and got some pictures of the artwork at the Roundhouse. All four floors are full of New Mexican art, and I will get more pictures in the future.

Looking down at the rotunda floor from above:

Committee Room 307 - where the hearings were held:

Some of the art work in the capitol:

Painting by R.C. Gorman, noted New Mexico artist:

February full moon

2011-02-18T08:17:00.002-07:00

The moon has been putting on quite a show for us this week.

These pictures were taken last night from our front portal at sunset as the moon was rising in the eastern sky:

The Jemez at sunrise

2011-01-24T09:01:00.002-07:00

John took this picture yesterday morning from our backyard.

The view is looking west towards the Jemez Mountains under a sky of low clouds.

"We The People".......are watching them

2011-01-22T11:03:00.013-07:00

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 was the opening day of the current session of the New Mexico State Legislature.

John and I were there with tea party patriots from Santa Fe and around the state to let the legislators know that we are going to be watching them in the upcoming session....and that we want some basic things ... cutting spending, getting the state out of our $500 million deficit, fighting corruption, enacting laws to curtail voter fraud in the state, making New Mexico business friendly again.

It was a cold day, made more chilling by the always-present wind on the west side of the Roundhouse. But the crowd was enthusiastic and hopeful, and it was another successful tea party.

Young descendent of Patrick Henry reading his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech:

Marita Noon of CARE (Citizen's Alliance for Responsible Energy):

Todd Hathorne, activist for reducing voter fraud:

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson:

Radio guys Bob and Bob from Ruidoso:

Tea Party tables inside the Roundhouse:

Abiquiu in December

2011-01-11T09:26:00.002-07:00

We rode up to Abiquiu several days before Christmas. Usually when we are there, the sky is a brilliant blue and reflects on the water of the lake.

Not so several weeks ago. There was a winter sky, with a promise of cold and some snow in northern New Mexico:

Christmas on the Plaza

2011-01-07T08:33:00.002-07:00

Our daughter Karin got a good picture of John and I with our grand-children Victoria and Alessandro when we visited the Plaza during the week before Christmas:

The Inaugural Ball

2011-01-04T08:48:00.004-07:00

John and I didn't take any pictures at the Inaugural Ball on New Year's night, but our friend Orlando did, and he has given me permission to post them here:

~~~~~

Governor Martinez and her husband the First Gentleman Chuck Franco:

John and I, the Morrisons, the Lewis's, and Orlando at the ball:

Our friends Miles and Laurie:

Our friends Joann and Christine:

Martinez inauguration and reception - Orlando's photos

2011-01-03T21:34:00.011-07:00

Our friend Orlando Baca had a better vantage point at the inauguration than we did, and he has given me permission to post some of his pictures of the event.

The first 5 pictures were taken at the inauguration ceremony on the Plaza in Santa Fe, the last 4 were taken at the public reception at the NM Museum of Fine Arts on the Plaza.

~~~~

The helicopter flyover beginning the inauguration:

One of the Pueblo Indian dancers:

21 Gun Salute:

Governor Susana Martinez, carrying the Blankets of Authority, a gift from the Pueblo Indian governors, and First Gentleman Chuck Franco. Behind them is their son Carlo:

Governor Susana Martinez and her husband the First Gentleman Chuck Franco:

Our new Secretary of State Dianna Duran with a young visitor to the public reception:

Our friend Orlando with the new Lt. Governor John Sanchez and his wife Debra:

Our friends Miles & Laurie with Governor Martinez and First Gentleman Chuck Franco:

Orlando with the Governor and the First Dude:

Governor Susana Martinez is inaugurated

2011-01-03T09:14:00.014-07:00

Saturday, January 1 was a bitter cold day in Northern New Mexico. Temperature in single digits. Wind chill -21º.

On the Plaza in Santa Fe New Mexico, our new governor Susana Martinez was inaugurated in a beautiful ceremony that included a Blackhawk helicopter flyover, a 21 gun cannon salute, Pueblo Indian dancers performing a prayer dance, Rep. Steve Pearce as the Master of Ceremonies, and the swearing in of the new governor, the new Lt. Governor John Sanchez, and our new Secretary of State Dianna Duran.

We were chilled to the bone standing there in the crowd in the brutal weather, layered in the warmest clothing we all had. But the spirit in the crowd was was warm, and jubilant and hopeful.

This was the first time a New Mexico governor has ever been sworn in outdoors on the Plaza since New Mexico has been a state. We estimated there were approximately 1500 people who gathered in the cold to see Susana take the oath of office. We thrilled to the stirring and optimistic words of our new governor, who is the first woman governor in New Mexico, and the first Hispanic woman governor in the United States. This day was historic for so many reasons. It was just very cool to be there and be a part of it.

We were pretty far from the bandstand, so all of John's pictures were taken from a distance, but I want to share them on my blog.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Susana taking the oath of office. Her husband First Gentleman Chuck Franco at her side. Also in picture: John Sanchez and Rep. Steve Pearce.

Governor Martinez giving her inaugural address. Also in the picture: Sec. of State Dianna Duran and Lt. Gov. John Sanchez.

Lt. Governor John Sanchez taking the oath of office. His wife Debra is at his side.

Dianna Duran taking the oath of office as Secretary of State, her husband at her side:

One of the Pueblo Indian dancers:

The press contingent at left:

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS!!!

2011-01-01T01:09:00.000-07:00

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MAY 2011 be a GOOD YEAR for us all!

Dinosaurs? In Santa Fe? Yup!

2010-12-31T09:25:00.003-07:00

We like to call Santa Fe "The City Different". One of the most "different" sights in the city is the dinosaurs south of the city near I-25 and NM 14. They have been there for many many years, and the city has developed on the southside around them.

Our grandkids had fun visiting them several days before Christmas.

Christmas at Chimayó

2010-12-30T14:18:00.008-07:00

We love to go to Chimayó, to visit the little miracle church nestled there in the hills of this simple little Hispanic town. My daughter loves it there are much as I do, and perhaps we kindled a spark in my grand-daughter's heart the day we went there just before Christmas; she seemed especially thoughtful during our visit.

At Chimayó, John and I always seem to find new things to photograph. (I wish we could take a picture of the interior of the church, or the miracle room full of handmade written prayers and abandoned crutches and walkers, baby shoes, and pictures of those for whom family members have requested prayer...but that is not allowed.)

At Chimayó it is easy to believe miracles happen.

In the room where pilgrims scoop out portions of the famed Chimayó dirt to take with them, I found a poem which a pilgrim from Las Cruces, G. Mendopa, had left at some time when he visited. The last two lines of the poem touched me:

"Of all the places in the world
This must be Heaven."

Indeed.

Christmas ... over too soon

2010-12-29T08:41:00.008-07:00

We had a wonderful Christmas here at our house ... lots of gifts and food and noise and confusion. And as usually, the week was over too soon. The memories will remain....

It took four adults and one child to craft a not-so-great-looking gingerbread house ... we're blaming it on the bad glue ...

Saying goodbye ...

Merry Christmas everyone!

2010-12-24T12:33:00.005-07:00

To all of our friends around the country ...

We wish you a wonderful Christmas celebration!

----------------------------------------

El Santuario de Chimayó

La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe

Alessandro

Carlos, Victoria, and Alessandro

Snow! Finally!

2010-12-19T09:02:00.007-07:00

We've been waiting rather impatiently for snow for several months now. The weather experts said we would not be getting much because we are in a "la niña" weather pattern this year.

Dryness here was becoming a problem. Our winter snows ensure a successful ski season up on the mountain, replenish our water table, cut down on the chance for forest fires, and provide moisture for our wildlife.

Then last week they told us we would have a winter storm on Thursday, Dec. 16, but they never told us it would be a monster. We had 18" of snow here in Eldorado, with drifts much higher. How beautiful it has looked! To us snow lovers it feels like an early Christmas surprise gift!

It's melting fast, and with warmer temperatures, it probably will be gone by Christmas, but right now, we are enjoying it!

Christmas in Santa Fe

2010-12-06T09:03:00.006-07:00

Last August, John bought me the book, Christmas in Santa Fe, by Susan Weber, at a silent auction here in Eldorado.

The author owns Susan's Christmas Shop just off the Plaza in Santa Fe, which is one of my favorite Santa Fe gift shops, mainly because Susan herself is so nice and carries such unusual and reasonably-priced Santa Fe gifts. I love to browse around in the tiny shop looking for just the perfect ornament or gift.

Her new book is just as festive as her shop - a beautiful picture of Santa Fe at Christmas, the history, the traditions, and the customs unique to our city. The book is full of gorgeous photography which will put you into the Christmas spirit.

Santa Fe is a special Christmas town, and this is a wonderful book. I recommend it.

Unintended Ice Sculpture

2010-12-04T08:25:00.004-07:00

It was very cold here in New Mexico during the time we were in Texas over Thanksgiving weekend. When we can home, we found that a dripping faucet had created an ice formation on our wall.

Warning!

2010-12-03T23:31:00.004-07:00

We actually didn't take this photo in New Mexico, but at a rest area in NW Texas near Childress on our way home from Dallas last week.

But it could have been in New Mexico or Arizona or any of the southwestern states where such warning are ubiquitous:

We're ready for winter weather here.

2010-11-22T20:55:00.004-07:00

Got a new supply of oak for our fireplace last week:

Protection of Property.Religion.Language

2010-11-22T17:06:00.004-07:00

This very cool mural is in the chambers of the Santa Fe County Commission, behind the desk where the County Commissioners sit. I would like to find out more about it - who painted it, who designed all the art work and symbolism and history on it:

The interesting thing to me were the words "Protection of Property, Religion, Language."

We went to a public hearing on Nov. 9 concerning the proposed Sustainable Growth Management Plan for Santa Fe County, and, after many county residents spoke opposed to what the plan could mean for the county, the commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the plan. In the view of many of us, this plan will gravely decrease the property rights of county landowners, and violate the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And yet their own mural says they are going to protect property.

I don't see that this plan will have ANY positive effect on property rights in the county, so if they violate their promise to protect property, how long will it be before they violate their promise to protect religion and language as well?

The pledge to our New Mexico flag

2010-11-16T08:16:00.002-07:00

Who knew we had a state pledge to the flag in New Mexico?

I have live here for 2 1/2 years now and just learned this last week.

Anyway ~~ here it is:

“I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico and the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures.”

Brujas, Bultos, and Brasas

2010-11-13T15:14:00.007-07:00

There are many interesting books about New Mexico. I have read Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather, and Bless Me, Ultima and other novels by Rudolfo Anaya. And I have read all the Tony Hillerman and Michaer McGarrity novels. Each one is completely different, yet each presents an interesting facet of life in New Mexico.

Last night I began reading a book that has been on my list for a long time now: Brujas, Bultos, y Brasas: Tales of Witchcraft and the Supernatural in The Pecos Valley, by Nasario Garcia (1999, Western Edge Press). I believe this one will prove to be the most different of all. Mr. Garcia has compiled a collection of stories he gathered from elderly Hispanic residents (los viejos) of El Valle, a 25 mile stretch of the Pecos River from San José to Villanueva, New Mexico, south of Interstate 25, and between Pecos and Las Vegas, NM.

The stories are not merely tales of growing up in the early to middle 20th century in La Valle, but mainly the recurring themes of magic, superstition, and folklore. There are stories of brujas (witches), bultos (ghosts), el Diablo (the devil), and el mal ojo (the evil eye). There are stories of animals with supernatural powers: el burrito (the donkey), the coyote, and el tecolote or la lechuza (the owl).

Mr Garcia’s intent in writing the book was to interview the people and capture the stories from los viejos before their generation is gone, and those stories disappear. To me the stories present the folklore of a people I want to learn more about.

La Valle is within an hour of our house, and we have driven down winding New Mexico state road 3 and through these villages. It is an area of incredible natural beauty, and now as I am learning, an area rich with the northern New Mexico Hispanic culture.

Here are some pictures we took along the Pecos River Valley between San José and Villanueva in October 2007:

Congratulations to Brian Moore

2010-11-07T09:37:00.003-07:00

Brian Moore from Clayton, former New Mexico Sate legislator, former candidate for Lt. Governor, one of the nicest men in NM state politics, and one of our dear friends, has been named to work on Governor-elect Martinez's transition team as Director of Policy Planning.

This just demonstrates to us that the governor-elect is making some very wise choices in setting up her new administration.

Congratulations to Brian!

OH HAPPY DAY!

2010-11-03T01:33:00.008-06:00

Tonight we have three Republicans who were elected statewide in New Mexico and one new U.S. Congressman. I would say it was a good day for our small but enthusiastic party here.

SUSANA MARTINEZ, OUR NEW GOVERNOR, AND HER HUSBAND CHUCK FRANCO:

JOHN SANCHEZ, OUR NEW LT. GOVERNOR:

DIANNA DURAN, OUR NEW SECRETARY OF STATE:

STEVE PEARCE, THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE IN NEW MEXICO'S 2nd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT:

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Today is November 2 ~ Election Day

2010-11-02T07:40:00.002-06:00

BE SURE TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

It is your precious privilege as an American citizen.

Oh Susana la Americana!

2010-11-01T22:33:00.027-06:00

Susana Martinez's opponents in the 2010 Gubernatorial campaign here in New Mexico have tried to belittle her by calling her a "tejana". They do this to accuse her of being an outsider, though she has lived in New Mexico nearly all of her adult life, and has been a successful prosecutor in Doña Ana County for 13 years, during which time she defended the law in New Mexico. Many of us, including some of our recent former governors have come to New Mexico from other places, so the attack that Susana is a "tejana" is unfair. Susana herself, at a rally in Santa Fe in early October, called herself "la Americana". I like that!

On Sunday, Halloween afternoon, Susana came to Santa Fe for her last rally of the campaign season. With her were Matt Chandler, Matt Rush, John Sanchez, and Dianna Duran, all candidates for statewide office. Also in Santa Fe for the rally were some of our local candidates, and Tom Mullins, the District 3 candidate for the U.S. Congress.

What an afternoon it was! Exciting, joyous, upbeat and optimistic, as we celebrated a remarkable team of candidates that we can be extremely proud of.

John got these wonderful pictures during the rally:

CHUCK, SUSANA, DIANNA DURAN, DEBRA AND JOHN SANCHEZ:

CHUCK, SUSANA, DEBRA AND JOHN SANCHEZ:

CHUCK AND SUSANA:

THE CROWD:

ROSE FROM LOS ALAMOS:

DIANNA DURAN:

TOM MULLINS:

MATT CHANDLER:

MATT RUSH:

TOM MULLINS, DIANNA DURAN, MATT CHANDLER:

JOHN SANCHEZ:

JEANNETTE WALLACE:

BRIGETTE RUSSELL:

LEROY CANDELARIA AND PAUL MORRISON:

SUSANA AND CHUCK WITH THE SANTA FE VOLUNTEERS:

MATT RUSH:

TOM MULLINS AND MATT CHANDLER:

DEBRA AND JOHN SANCHEZ:

DIANNA DURAN:

BRIGETTE RUSSELL:

MATT RUSH, TOM MULLINS, MATT CHANDLER:

ME with LEROY CANDELARIA:

BRIGETTE RUSSELL AND TOM MULLINS:

TOM MULLINS, MILES LITTLEFIELD, AND SUSANA:

ME WITH SUSANA:

The crosses in my house

2010-10-21T16:47:00.006-06:00

I have been accumulating cool little crosses for my house ... here are some of them:

From the Plaza in Santa Fe:

This cross is made from tin from the roof at the church at Chimayó:

Cross from my friend Clara in Kansas as a going away gift:

Cross from my friend Patrick in Ireland:

Rallying at the Roundhouse

2010-10-15T08:36:00.007-06:00

We had a spirited rally Wednesday afternoon with a group of our Republican candidates in this November's election.

We heard from John Sanchez, candidate for Lt. Governor, Dianna Duran, Secretary of State candidate, Matthew Chandler, who's running for NM Attorney General, Ned Fuller for Court of Appeals Judge, and Brigette Russell, 47th state congressional district.

Less than three weeks to go until the election, and our candidates are in high gear, presenting a message of change, lower spending, and anti-corruption in giving the voters of New Mexico a choice on November 2.

JOHN SANCHEZ, CANDIDATE FOR LT. GOVERNOR:

DIANNA DURAN, CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE:

MATT CHANDLER, CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL:

BRIGETTE RUSSELL, CANDIDATE FOR NM HOUSE DISTRICT 47

NED FULLER, CANDIDATE FOR COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE:

GREAT TEAM!

TOO YOUNG TO VOTE YET:

Our house through Susie's eyes

2010-10-13T09:31:00.003-06:00

When my friend Susie was here a month ago, she took some pictures of our house and property. It's fun to see our place through someone else's point of view. I love this pictures, and I am sure she won't mind if I post some of them here:

Susana comes to Santa Fe

2010-10-10T09:05:00.008-06:00

Yesterday was our Susana Martinez rally in Santa Fe at the GOP Victory Office.

It was one of those gorgeous fall days in northern New Mexico, and we estimated that 350 people attended the rally. The crowd was enthusiastic and it felt like a party atmosphere.

I was pleased to see how many Latinos were in the crowd, and also the number of people with “Democrats for Martinez” signs. That is a clear sign that her support reaches across ethnic and party lines. Susana spoke and spent a lot of time talking with people in the crowd, posing for pictures that voters will cherish. I had a chance to greet her and also Chuck Franco her husband, who a such a nice man.

Matthew Chandler, the Republican candidate for Attorney General spoke, as well as some local candidates and dignitaries.

Here are some of our pictures:

Getting set up:

Matthew Chandler speaking:

SUSANA:

Matt Chandler and a colorful citizen:

The Constitution Ride Across America

2010-10-09T08:05:00.008-06:00

Daren Gardner is a 50 year old Virginia businessman who became committed a year ago to doing something for his country. He decided on a motorcycle ride across the United States, stopping at every state capitol to give a speech on the U.S. Constitution, and getting an elected official in every state to sign a petition pledging to uphold the Constitution.

On Wednesday, October 6, Daren rode into Santa Fe, accompanied by 6 riders from Gallup, NM. It was a gorgeous New Mexico early fall day, and a small but enthusiastic crowd was there to greet him and hear his speech.

(The elected official that he got to sign his pledge was State Senator George Munoz from Gallup. He is a Democrat who has been in the state legislature since 2009.)

I got some pictures at the rally:

Daren Gardner:

Daren with veterans behind him:

John speaking at the rally:

Opening Day at Dixon's Mountain Grown Apples

2010-10-08T08:58:00.008-06:00

September 23 was opening day at Dixon's Apple Orchard. The orchard lies in a mountain canyon up in the Jemez Mountains just beyond Cochiti Pueblo. Just the trip up there is a wonderful scenic drive.

Located in the 6,200 foot-high, lava rich Rancho de Cañada in Peña Blanca New Mexico, this 50 acre orchard has been producing excellent apples for over 60 years. This particular Cañada has proved to be one of the really rare apple growing spots in America. The volcanic ash soil and a sunny southeast exposure results in the delicious popular Champagne apples, which some consider to be the best apple in the world. Dixon's Orchard also produces a very good cider.

So it is no wonder that the road from Cochiti to the orchard is bumper to bumper traffic on opening day, and you sit in line for at least an hour waiting to arrive at the orchard. And you do need to get there early because the apples are sold out in days.

I used the apples this year to make pies, applesauce, fritters, cobbler, and apple cake, as well as putting them in fruit salads and eating them fresh.

Here are some pictures John got of opening day at Dixon's:

The road up to the orchard:

Dixon's Mountain Grown Apples.

Our goats in Eldorado

2010-10-07T09:26:00.007-06:00

This summer and fall we have a goat herd residing in Eldorado. They were brought to Eldorado from a ranch south of here, to given the goats a place to graze, and to help Eldorado out with reducing the level of weeds and vegetation.

The goats are contained in a small area on one of the main roads in the subdivision, and are taken out to various sites in Eldorado every day to graze in open areas and also on private property.

It is just the funniest thing to watch them as they are being taken to a place to graze. There are two cowboys on horseback and two herding dogs, all trying to get a bunch of over 100 goats to head in the determined direction. Herding goats proves to be no easy task!

Goodbyes after a great visit.

2010-10-07T08:48:00.006-06:00

John and I really enjoyed my friend Susie's visit here a few weeks ago. We are a somewhat remote destination for friends and family, so when we have visitors it is fun to try to pick out as many things as we have time to do. We want them to get a feel for the culture and beauty and diversity of our state... and want them to have the desire to return again to see and do more.

These pictures were taken at the end of Susie's visit:

At the Agora Shopping Center in Eldorado:

At Route 66 Diner in Albuquerque:

(From Susie's pictures):

Bandelier National Monument

2010-10-06T08:15:00.010-06:00

Bandelier National Monument is located in the Jemez Mountains several miles south of Los Alamos. It is in an area of incredible beauty.

Humans have lived here for 10,000 years. Nomadic hunters lived here originally, but around 1150 BC ancestral pueblo peoples built more permanent homes and settlements. By 1550 the pueblo people had moved on to pueblos along the Rio Grande (Cochiti, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo).

In the 1700s Spanish settlers made their homes in the area on Spanish land grants. In In 1880 Jose Montoya of Cochiti Pueblo brought Adolph F. A. Bandelier to Frijoles Canyon, and showed Bandelier his people's ancestral homelands.

In 1916 legislation to create Bandelier National Monument was signed by President Woodrow Wilson. Bandelier is a wonderful place to explore ancient pueblo ruins, both cliff dwellings and a traditional circular vilage.

Here are some pictures of Bandelier National Monument from our visit several weeks ago.

Stopping to look at the Valles Caldera

2010-10-05T15:24:00.007-06:00

The Valle Caldera near Los Alamos, NM, is a 12-mile wide volcanic caldera formed during eruptions 1.47 million and 1.15 million years ago, the eruptions were more than 500 times greater than the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. The Caldera has a land area of 89,716 acres, with many miles of ranch roads and livestock and game trails. These include a network of trails currently designated for horse riding. The caldera is also a major place for geothermal energy.

It's hard to grasp the enormity of the caldera when you are standing there at the lookout point. It is a place we always like to take visitors because it is so impressive and unusual.

Scenes around Los Alamos

2010-10-03T09:23:00.008-06:00

We were in Los Alamos, New Mexico two weeks ago during Susie's visit. The setting high in the Jemez Mountains is scenic. We got some pictures:

Fuller Lodge:

Rose Garden:

Scene of old forest fire from several years ago:

The view from the Jemez Mountains looking east towards Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range:

Storm clouds gathering over Los Alamos:

On the way up the Hill to Los Alamos

2010-10-02T08:33:00.005-06:00

On the way to Los Alamos, part way up "the Hill" there is this descanso at the side of the road overlooking the great view to the east. The marking on the descanso says "McCown":