Oh those tumbling tumbleweeds!

Man! Is there a greater pest in the southwest USA than the ubiquitous tumbleweed?

They're ugly, they stick to anything they tumble into, and they have sharp needles that can stick you good when you try to remove them from your bushes, fences, etc.

Today I was out pulling tumbleweeds off my bushes and dispatching them down the driveway -- so now they are either caught on something out on the wild part of our property, or they are still tumbling across Eldorado. But I KNOW next time I go outside I will just find more of them tangled up in our shrubbery.

These pictures didn't turn out real well, but not to worry -- I can get more later!

Our plum tree.

We have this tree in our back yard with dark red leaves ... and right now it is all covered with fragrant blossoms. We have wondered for almost a year now what kind of tree it is.

Yesterday we were at Santa Fe Greenhouses, and we saw these trees for sale. Cistena plum tree. That's what it is.

Here's how it looks right now in full bloom:









ISN'T SPRING WONDERFUL???

San Miguel Mission, Socorro, New Mexico

The city of Socorro, New Mexico is built in the center of a Spanish land grant. Socorro comes from the Spanish word "socorrer" (similar to the English word "succor") which translates as "to offer comfort" or "to aid". The Spanish arriving in the area in the late 1500s found friendly Indians who were willing to share their corn with them.

In the middle of Socorro, the San Miguel Mission church still exists as an active functioning church. Founded in 1598, it is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the United States. The church was founded and built (with help from local Indians) by Fray Alfonso Benevidez, who is called the Apostle of Socorro.

The church has been called the Mission de San Miguel since 1800. It has undergone many changes through the years, and was originally a structure in the adobe pueblo style, but now only bears a slight resemblance to the original style. to me it now has the look more of California's Spanish missions rather than New Mexico's.

We were there two weeks ago and I got these pictures:

YIKES! This is April 18 ?!?

Take a look:

Santa Fe Tea Party pictures, part 3

THIS IS GENERAL GREG ZANETTI, New Mexico National Guard, and probable candidate for New Mexico Governor in 2010, I am very impressed by him:



THIS IS FORMER NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR GARY JOHNSON...he's a neat guy ...




AFTER THE RALLY...PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GO HOME:

More from the Santa Fe Tea Party

Brewing up Revolution in Santa Fe on Tax Day

The Santa Fe Tax Day Tea Party was a huge success, more than any of us imagined it would be. I'm not a good judge of numbers, so I have no idea how many people attended -- but there were hundreds there -- in our small liberal city!

I talked to many people in the crowd -- and heard a recurring theme in the comments -- "I never dreamed something like this could ever happen in Santa Fe." I guess when the people get stirred up enough over major changes in our government that they don't like -- anything can happen!

The tea party was peaceful, the crowd was enthusiastic but friendly and respectful. Seemed to me that everyone was there just to get their message out. We had made dozens of signs in the past two weeks at our sign parties and at home, but I was suprised at how many people brought their own signs...creative and colorful ones. I was also surprised at the number of people who took the time to dress up in costumes; it made the event all the more colorful and fun.

There were several speakers: former Governor Gary Johnson, whom the crowd obviously loved, former state senator John Grubesic, whom the crowd did not love and who was roundly booed, and General Greg Zanetti, a member of the New Mexico National Guard who is hinting at a run for governor in 2010. He gave an inspirational speech calling us to action for the future.

We anticipated protestors and if they were in the crowd, they kept a low profile, but a number of vehicles drove around the Plaza honking their horns and somewhat drowning out the speeches, so I am assuming they were people who planned to do just that.

Here are some of our pictures and they tell their own story (click on the pictures to enlarge):