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.

Spanish Broom

I had never heard of Spanish Broom until I came to New Mexico. I understand it is non-native to the United States, and in some states on the west coast it is considered a noxious weed, but not here in NM. Here in our state it thrives and is in full bloom right now.

I have four Spanish broom shrubs at my house. Here are a few pictures:

My tiny pansies

John found these little pansies blooming under the crabapple tree in our front courtyard. We don't know how they got there, but don't remember seeing them last year.

They are very tiny - dime sized. Colorful and cheerful .. what more could anyone expect from a pansy?

Sign of the times: another Eldorado business closing

My birthday was Friday, and John went to the flower shop in the Agora Center in Eldorado to get me the above flowers, and when he was there, found out that the little flower and card shop is closing. I think it is most likely due to two things: the tough economy for small business owners, and perhaps the lack of business traffic these little shops in Eldorado get.

Several places have closed just since we moved here: the furniture store, the ladies used clothing store, Brumby's Bar and Grill, and the Wild Wild Wok. Now the floral and card shop...

I know the reason for that too: it is so much cheaper for us to buy our groceries and everything else in town than to frequent the little businesses at the Agora. So, ultimately, we the residents bear much of the responsbility if they close.

I would like to say that John and I will patronize the businesses that remain, but the reality is, in these hard times, we are trying to save money where we can and we tend to give our business to the stores with the lower prices, even if it means driving by the small shops at the Agora and heading into town.

Sign of the times......