tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53027871133823726172024-03-05T07:05:40.325-07:00MacBean's Adventures in Prairie-diseThe erudite wanderings and ramblings of the whimsical and retiredUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger281125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-90025812695617782072011-04-19T14:37:00.002-06:002011-04-19T14:40:07.514-06:00Lost?I'll bet you thought I was lost forever. <span style="font-style: italic;">Au contraire</span>, but I am posting on a new blog site...<br /><br /><a href="http://wordsofbarrett.wordpress.com">http://wordsofbarrett.wordpress.com </a>so please, join me at the new site.<br /><br />Doris Rose MacBean AKA BarrettUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-86022897073957372752010-04-27T10:20:00.009-06:002010-04-27T10:40:29.166-06:00More Photo'sFinally, longer days and a real belief in warmer days...soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9tGMEI2uyrSMxHsnixAE8bjszZxnK-acGBXm4gToIFsAdpKfbtMDUyL8QvPpGh4x8kzAmwAWltjEOJMqOJGZCEjrdDg6UEc6jXa0O_d7qNzO3OIoyyONuFK-Eb43j3JpzdQM6trrmH-X/s1600/spring+2010+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9tGMEI2uyrSMxHsnixAE8bjszZxnK-acGBXm4gToIFsAdpKfbtMDUyL8QvPpGh4x8kzAmwAWltjEOJMqOJGZCEjrdDg6UEc6jXa0O_d7qNzO3OIoyyONuFK-Eb43j3JpzdQM6trrmH-X/s320/spring+2010+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464857020928270050" border="0" /></a><br />don't forget Dalwhinnie the watchful, ...with one little drop of water on the bridge of her nose.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_iKe8ilPv1yWaQpBHJo93VF0OQ39WGaQJU-iINThV6RdU6u43LuyGyX-XE0AsiEISnS0bQ_Dgt_gk-B_5udQKGko5NP29Td0x1j2bqNHV3HPX1MsPmfpyQ-S5XNLj27g03c0DutL-K_T/s1600/spring+2010+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_iKe8ilPv1yWaQpBHJo93VF0OQ39WGaQJU-iINThV6RdU6u43LuyGyX-XE0AsiEISnS0bQ_Dgt_gk-B_5udQKGko5NP29Td0x1j2bqNHV3HPX1MsPmfpyQ-S5XNLj27g03c0DutL-K_T/s320/spring+2010+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464856588829816882" border="0" /></a>AND the babies! (grass is a inch or two)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNo_E4kvSj1m14RXlXD4WsHPZ3x4MOH2XcoeP4oaEZ999sDpnnog9eAlUae0jDG88p3zNndT9PyhW38jibHMMsOHFLNOmyFMn88sS-klzd6OcMTA49yz6PHaetKIh6UJ-amvAhuq4MeGz/s1600/spring+2010+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNo_E4kvSj1m14RXlXD4WsHPZ3x4MOH2XcoeP4oaEZ999sDpnnog9eAlUae0jDG88p3zNndT9PyhW38jibHMMsOHFLNOmyFMn88sS-klzd6OcMTA49yz6PHaetKIh6UJ-amvAhuq4MeGz/s320/spring+2010+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464856342309464754" border="0" /></a>...and Another one!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHjhU5pCm-PqvSItoeIIJaCDUKMtJzZR23NB9pGz7-gIxkHEJWrTzk7cC7dgPGKwOdOShC-0yuk8Qdodr3IuMWqwBgsvEBF7ULfrJwu6FTFCftbmhv44cdibKVlOhJpD3viUNI2yblQ5q/s1600/spring+2010+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHjhU5pCm-PqvSItoeIIJaCDUKMtJzZR23NB9pGz7-gIxkHEJWrTzk7cC7dgPGKwOdOShC-0yuk8Qdodr3IuMWqwBgsvEBF7ULfrJwu6FTFCftbmhv44cdibKVlOhJpD3viUNI2yblQ5q/s320/spring+2010+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464856001797456642" border="0" /></a>Sunshine brings out the bunnies<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWwHHJFIwVQ3CJn2q6ufuYQ-Cr9S2XWQUlq7RIeSpAql1b64UVHE82SLFLoe8vjkoOZOGOIArU4jDSzMPq3pH9WKQg-Jgb60feXgWAtb5jL9P4n8Cq66iENMYZE3H-baRu6b7MK82nJuI/s1600/spring+2010+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWwHHJFIwVQ3CJn2q6ufuYQ-Cr9S2XWQUlq7RIeSpAql1b64UVHE82SLFLoe8vjkoOZOGOIArU4jDSzMPq3pH9WKQg-Jgb60feXgWAtb5jL9P4n8Cq66iENMYZE3H-baRu6b7MK82nJuI/s320/spring+2010+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464855367580940690" border="0" /></a>Limited visibility.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vAHzJmVcwwLAZXZG62hMWykbmMEvC2jWTDz189rscYTtIhZuhBILCiL8KrDwXNpVkxoPp07cWbjhhTzsVC346zdYp8srAvjBCnFzeAJoO9ktdFGrRzuLR3QZ64cryzfuH55O-K8b1YB_/s1600/spring+2010+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vAHzJmVcwwLAZXZG62hMWykbmMEvC2jWTDz189rscYTtIhZuhBILCiL8KrDwXNpVkxoPp07cWbjhhTzsVC346zdYp8srAvjBCnFzeAJoO9ktdFGrRzuLR3QZ64cryzfuH55O-K8b1YB_/s320/spring+2010+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464854893237667890" border="0" /></a>The frozen tundra in Spring!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HPj1ukTRqzWfim9zQU7SHRX_StRznSJIETc5qpeMSb4D__hUlJTWUpO6g-d8UcB8kZUdUaG-HZvVjIx1oIfx5OFv_4B2IHRuTiJxGH54zJ63G2IjGvhoOXlswXrnf7z35_FGeofRiKw9/s1600/spring+2010+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HPj1ukTRqzWfim9zQU7SHRX_StRznSJIETc5qpeMSb4D__hUlJTWUpO6g-d8UcB8kZUdUaG-HZvVjIx1oIfx5OFv_4B2IHRuTiJxGH54zJ63G2IjGvhoOXlswXrnf7z35_FGeofRiKw9/s320/spring+2010+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464854369979219986" border="0" /></a>Notheastern view of the Santa Fe Mountains 60 miles away.<br /><br />Happy Days are here again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-39737392312813412762010-04-12T15:57:00.004-06:002010-04-12T16:09:05.322-06:00Official Announcement<span style="font-size:85%;">(not sure what these are, but they're always first)>></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo4KJSEO3wvhG_AgF8dpaJDZMrU30XkRGrY1exoE8mqukBMUEkUgD-VMmXHXkqkeOq_RFZtp8Zy1VB-4A9yRgaXtqz961dYyhHpF3Q6AjdHQTeDCIxj716e1sa0Vuu4k7cAshBGvMNskn/s1600/DSCF6524.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459375906540711826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo4KJSEO3wvhG_AgF8dpaJDZMrU30XkRGrY1exoE8mqukBMUEkUgD-VMmXHXkqkeOq_RFZtp8Zy1VB-4A9yRgaXtqz961dYyhHpF3Q6AjdHQTeDCIxj716e1sa0Vuu4k7cAshBGvMNskn/s320/DSCF6524.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I *think* I can safely say that spring has crawled into the high desert. How do I know this? I really don't, but I have good reeasons to believe. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have seen:</div><br /><div>1. 3 robins</div><br /><div>2. baby bunnies</div><br /><div>3. 3 lizards</div><br /><div>4.1 beetle</div><br /><div>5. 1 hornet</div><br /><div>6.heard 1 grasshopper</div><br /><div>7. small tufts of green grass</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In addition, I think I've heard a couple of song birds AND...the temps have reached th 70's.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It isn't wise to become overly optomistic until mid May, but I did go outside without boots!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Life is good on the prairie.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It would be better if my car battery hadn't died and if my taxes were finished, but hey, can't have everything.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanks for checking in, you two.</div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-52617256261768870302010-02-05T15:46:00.007-07:002010-02-05T15:52:16.415-07:00Winter Snow Effects<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkIt1MO6gpgtyS9H61y33koqcYG3ljeHKlVNrno_wsZkRFH8KvKTg8EiYw5h7Un1fiMaF7d6v25dU_UBQRWYZWh6wg_eaeJqeoLz5ESlBkiWCR0lAhMhPsjMscw9SCQ4k0-7afZwgTxr8/s1600-h/Jan-Feb+2010+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895761433402594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkIt1MO6gpgtyS9H61y33koqcYG3ljeHKlVNrno_wsZkRFH8KvKTg8EiYw5h7Un1fiMaF7d6v25dU_UBQRWYZWh6wg_eaeJqeoLz5ESlBkiWCR0lAhMhPsjMscw9SCQ4k0-7afZwgTxr8/s320/Jan-Feb+2010+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uKanQVbmlnQ5nEJUtg7zGiebEoyNp6a2wPbTztdLdtFGapWk4cGNYumKPqoECk66PFdbJIcJOeaCy51TLLD2TiQdA00yqlqZ8mdYoDA-F7e9zCBNx65yBdJjMRmgts_J8rka_YhyJItf/s1600-h/Jan-Feb+2010+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895581143866162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uKanQVbmlnQ5nEJUtg7zGiebEoyNp6a2wPbTztdLdtFGapWk4cGNYumKPqoECk66PFdbJIcJOeaCy51TLLD2TiQdA00yqlqZ8mdYoDA-F7e9zCBNx65yBdJjMRmgts_J8rka_YhyJItf/s320/Jan-Feb+2010+003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV442hmJ1VcGjLgoMANTNaJgJxKRofQtejR8qtBxRbWVv3ai5lYxWygdmMxjOEleWzzjqr0WdavSV7-9uu8GhlGwt8eNZ1dxNZSX-yU2q6W3OXO2IYjpJW2HIqpRytRUKf8BMgAwWbriV/s1600-h/Jan-Feb+2010+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895348428797266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV442hmJ1VcGjLgoMANTNaJgJxKRofQtejR8qtBxRbWVv3ai5lYxWygdmMxjOEleWzzjqr0WdavSV7-9uu8GhlGwt8eNZ1dxNZSX-yU2q6W3OXO2IYjpJW2HIqpRytRUKf8BMgAwWbriV/s320/Jan-Feb+2010+006.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz18zifjGtT5siw9IfxvJzcauMsuMK_FDczFmhHtFVYjOYPGu4ExPjTxC1z7rp4tdAzTOb1e6iFrxOH4t8d28-VMPKeieSzspvxHKm1ebU5GF-CdIuk0mc6gGWv_2Z_2B_e8nrbzO8KMMa/s1600-h/Jan-Feb+2010+021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895136779505618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz18zifjGtT5siw9IfxvJzcauMsuMK_FDczFmhHtFVYjOYPGu4ExPjTxC1z7rp4tdAzTOb1e6iFrxOH4t8d28-VMPKeieSzspvxHKm1ebU5GF-CdIuk0mc6gGWv_2Z_2B_e8nrbzO8KMMa/s320/Jan-Feb+2010+021.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijejV4bZt396LXYrZ83LzlA5Zb6HihfhMNjr0yNpPahRIRsebtsmMHx1H56nwlUiJKLO60Z1h96UhzuGe8RGj2E2HYeYf4AN4aYBVj6iwaRuO-7ZM75UrNUBCp-wTL2vZsxsYbja4M4_2/s1600-h/Jan-Feb+2010+028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434894999096454914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijejV4bZt396LXYrZ83LzlA5Zb6HihfhMNjr0yNpPahRIRsebtsmMHx1H56nwlUiJKLO60Z1h96UhzuGe8RGj2E2HYeYf4AN4aYBVj6iwaRuO-7ZM75UrNUBCp-wTL2vZsxsYbja4M4_2/s320/Jan-Feb+2010+028.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF61gKPRF8wXrGUmhAd-C_nAiSvqNK-bnzHdnq7i5zax8I4TeP7I_z-6QYsrASNYFxQ2HVFVOCcKp3qaYTEP4aqktgQRbvfTaPmcnYMmmsPQu2I6ySCQs-ftZIJo7KeEb0KKgrapOAqz9/s1600-h/Jan-Feb+2010+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434894867472721858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF61gKPRF8wXrGUmhAd-C_nAiSvqNK-bnzHdnq7i5zax8I4TeP7I_z-6QYsrASNYFxQ2HVFVOCcKp3qaYTEP4aqktgQRbvfTaPmcnYMmmsPQu2I6ySCQs-ftZIJo7KeEb0KKgrapOAqz9/s320/Jan-Feb+2010+024.jpg" /></a><br /><br />(Double click for full effect)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-36626665060846218822010-01-04T15:46:00.003-07:002010-01-04T16:06:21.049-07:00Blog to Books!A tale ensues...<br />March 2007, quite accidentally I started a blog. I decided it might be an excellent way to waken my literary muse. I wanted to write( or as my good friend would say "I don't to write; I want to have written"). Well, I did want to write, and I thought if I actually did it on a fairly regular basis, I might develop the muscle.<br />It has come to pass that my plan succeeded. I wrote a bit, posted some pictures and kept at it. Then I plunged into NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writers Month) in earnest. When I completed this year's program (in 25 days instead of 30) I was kicked intohigh production gear. I immediately finished the story I was working on prior to November. And now, I have actually completed five manuscripts.<br />Now what, you might ask?<br />I'll tell you. I joined three writers organizations and two on-line forums. I have just sent off three of my books to a friend willing to edit them and two others to another friend who will also work on them. Then I begged on-line for readers and sent two more copies off for critique.<br />I still need to put together a query letter, but I'm not there just yet. Soon. 2010 will be the year.<br />The bottom line is that I love to tell stories. Really. I always have but now I can rework them into what I really want to happen. My characters are joy to work for(I basically take dictation) and get really pissy when I'm gone for too long and ignore them.<br /><br />So if you've been following or new to Prairie-Dise, thanks. My need to write everyday is still happening but not so much on the blog...but I'll still check in with progress notes.<br /><br />All the Best for 2010!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-27920321724051479712009-12-24T09:28:00.003-07:002009-12-24T11:05:06.778-07:00Happy Holidays<span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">From Us to You !</span><br /></span><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418841487010247922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAUBsYEiZuQPvoNTw8zSnASn-vp-HUbwvkv1kuYqK94NtE1-n99573Dm4-9MGNTT0-qUQY_gVB8KH7Jke6DHCKeP6Wdr1wMLC7rOLeRApiztwwa_EneAm1OxU19DR3xTIudy9jCtVkXL-/s320/0812150026.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418840958461126002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqSwwuvrQz3j_rBaXh2vC3h2X2R9L3RB_gNMu9ejKoTic6G5QwlBM35MH-B3fIAFie7_y_wXRkXZ3KRsA7O0z9bhyfBf1K8K6zF5jdJFXdhjlnqZZVG9rplkbiYl-7ukQwq7HlkLh8LlB/s320/0812080012.JPG" /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">May your days be Merry and Bright!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-35447648117024130222009-11-12T16:47:00.015-07:002009-11-12T17:02:10.548-07:00You better Belize It !Welcome to my world...<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403370853693190242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeyc1v9PYifDxvcMzhWbWhqJJ-pF6flaBXRQKOscMbhPfEHQoElIPSM40Re_iIRe0wHcu-WL8zp7vg9iKrxoZvhfHruNudfo9NEMjggPWUbaw0-Bt0BbJPZNy2znyfifSF2LKfCi0stH8/s320/DSCF6834.JPG" /> <div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403370531017642450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM9HZYxLrIhDdlIJXN5Rs6810HUHn2eTWLMcVTaJnP6RViNhw3oOiAS7VCdgLID2CbEaZr6HyWS9tlUtDmTqfm6CVG12CxV6GXt4X_L0W996sPnYHcEPrGrw50ISwSBa0A47LbRae8xi7/s320/DSCF6812.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403370297134927586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIam2GRptrwodkNbjNfu1mhI23grnhh_yQxDBOT3TIkwAkdsx4YZPceczpx_T2r_8nvGV4VdxzNmoC_lQLbhOF1m-DLRcCmQK1RvE0gaMAQ45xoRjiN2C11YU_oB4xve2C40yx70Bqm3-E/s320/DSCF6814.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmbEdxpxQgR7ZDaoRfO08L1XJ5XCm93he70vpknE1A72JutaSsGTBfVb11ePZFYb-RHngBtnJb1xGtdi8lKwR50LpIvlwgMosjICXWSmeWVrQKgHEv8TzhdoQpL0-fgq-8uwhci9bH98I/s1600-h/DSCF6809.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403369923194605698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmbEdxpxQgR7ZDaoRfO08L1XJ5XCm93he70vpknE1A72JutaSsGTBfVb11ePZFYb-RHngBtnJb1xGtdi8lKwR50LpIvlwgMosjICXWSmeWVrQKgHEv8TzhdoQpL0-fgq-8uwhci9bH98I/s320/DSCF6809.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfrpBawuq8jw8vHfDgo9tvIyD_sT-wDyNXJG5whgyaJUnyTqP4Q030q3vlyrnJXmu6pQ0N7Sq8SjWsV_qlrUy8XxqigKLpGW8wAe1S6TAChZ0vn3m9HA7mW3rNdS8Kkozr7ATlF7hAW2v/s1600-h/DSCF6817.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403369699965368898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfrpBawuq8jw8vHfDgo9tvIyD_sT-wDyNXJG5whgyaJUnyTqP4Q030q3vlyrnJXmu6pQ0N7Sq8SjWsV_qlrUy8XxqigKLpGW8wAe1S6TAChZ0vn3m9HA7mW3rNdS8Kkozr7ATlF7hAW2v/s320/DSCF6817.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4l3yJAuA9WGd8WbM0z9SK86ZU4GAPxSYQ3rQ8Iw_BbPFq8-tbnrWW8NCb4xDlcrn1S_XZcqqkHYucn9nQvgm-qABrxp5HYswMocEFOPh_HsxpXuUah27H48crno09-rdWvmCGwvO0NMh/s1600-h/DSCF6823.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403369583870521058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4l3yJAuA9WGd8WbM0z9SK86ZU4GAPxSYQ3rQ8Iw_BbPFq8-tbnrWW8NCb4xDlcrn1S_XZcqqkHYucn9nQvgm-qABrxp5HYswMocEFOPh_HsxpXuUah27H48crno09-rdWvmCGwvO0NMh/s320/DSCF6823.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirw0jE7Xb1EEBF6fGug85fhhOnvHmcIwwVPNfe5GP1TEk3lq9MS6fK-8TODrAq5KivwXwIbms9sM31VntqKGBL2yCe5rH59PqV7Lija9qG1jMdBwWFrrl_2kCS82F1rB7f8uF9TtCIt06/s1600-h/DSCF6838.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403369462849535378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirw0jE7Xb1EEBF6fGug85fhhOnvHmcIwwVPNfe5GP1TEk3lq9MS6fK-8TODrAq5KivwXwIbms9sM31VntqKGBL2yCe5rH59PqV7Lija9qG1jMdBwWFrrl_2kCS82F1rB7f8uF9TtCIt06/s320/DSCF6838.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbsbTkdy09U9JH6ZSlLt1qvI81nPb5O0FrRFv0CHkKDnXNCVBKDhUkW6qXtUQXfMxLviOYC-pLtiDoW0uxnvgSKYrn9Plu0aF-9sgia-YF0Y4lWGzsOQKoMadqrUXTtGBEbPMHbFEkLX9/s1600-h/DSCF6858.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403369295398387618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbsbTkdy09U9JH6ZSlLt1qvI81nPb5O0FrRFv0CHkKDnXNCVBKDhUkW6qXtUQXfMxLviOYC-pLtiDoW0uxnvgSKYrn9Plu0aF-9sgia-YF0Y4lWGzsOQKoMadqrUXTtGBEbPMHbFEkLX9/s320/DSCF6858.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZsHabI2rIYHJEnbcAlKsG7iKBzDUrwNPsBMBqOmfMiSyk0Zo1RV_UI371XuQWFUHk0kqhxVo-WFlfZjXyhXvWTk-dzORlRhVffNHOkGFRNEUQFHku_5rOOwem2lx8iXwCKamkdCQWSot/s1600-h/DSCF6873.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403369164799926962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZsHabI2rIYHJEnbcAlKsG7iKBzDUrwNPsBMBqOmfMiSyk0Zo1RV_UI371XuQWFUHk0kqhxVo-WFlfZjXyhXvWTk-dzORlRhVffNHOkGFRNEUQFHku_5rOOwem2lx8iXwCKamkdCQWSot/s320/DSCF6873.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwMk8PTn0J4JwuLt2KjuxfYL2ZGAMcfnT5ZeCocFKONZZeMbzTNBxEHfa_yjw4qBlghomwGC5vdXQpyC2l_Io7Yh5Y1r930fMLTRnITnueJtnP4bx_jihD5h5SJBliMlXf1N_v9N2IhzH/s1600-h/DSCF6881.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403369026876963730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwMk8PTn0J4JwuLt2KjuxfYL2ZGAMcfnT5ZeCocFKONZZeMbzTNBxEHfa_yjw4qBlghomwGC5vdXQpyC2l_Io7Yh5Y1r930fMLTRnITnueJtnP4bx_jihD5h5SJBliMlXf1N_v9N2IhzH/s320/DSCF6881.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9NdgeQN1WC6Ql9qP8vKTgAa3LxFstICN_Vj8RdqbHG8aQT0AI685yLuoIkugR-6fVh8lgVp5J_v6WB8fDHv0b7oLt3wQgprfp_46Ilo-qh8AjgroOXNvu2rsk6g9Xtnx6ALJiuM3z0UK/s1600-h/DSCF6887.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403368896561837138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9NdgeQN1WC6Ql9qP8vKTgAa3LxFstICN_Vj8RdqbHG8aQT0AI685yLuoIkugR-6fVh8lgVp5J_v6WB8fDHv0b7oLt3wQgprfp_46Ilo-qh8AjgroOXNvu2rsk6g9Xtnx6ALJiuM3z0UK/s320/DSCF6887.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I have no words because I am yakking them up for NaNoWriMo</div><div> (20, 082!!) That means I'm caught up. </div><div>Belize=Fabulous, pictures only. Enjoy.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-40005128704465994702009-10-27T17:30:00.012-06:002009-10-28T08:54:21.403-06:00A Pictorial Review of October 2009It was really dry until September rains so the Sunflower flurry was a little sparse...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397430027159320498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO1OY0yhE54weCRkU0RxcobiyAfouFlvTCZH0AfQTuB_8LhY0Avkap8BIFhff43a7TekQNuCgHgpmUYylEGmwGYYXwIYk_7KA2EG7lP7DT1JQ7FTnS_sIrn1m4uBAM7XF9NN8hWg_Gcg7/s320/aug+009.jpg" /><br />Then there was Tosca, poor Mario... hell, poor Floria.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8rySk1CGIlSncku7qyS4ypTSTFjNqIsYa3UKoC29WUVF6ss7sxtaPj48HcGwNTBVye28ttZErU-1Gz5_N3gu3tNXH8hYduUWUTcMHZ6gZiMqBde27QSXKOIN666GkNyuhqTzd_9-BH3O/s1600-h/3907897730_3f6fe9c538_t.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 99px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397429808393275186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8rySk1CGIlSncku7qyS4ypTSTFjNqIsYa3UKoC29WUVF6ss7sxtaPj48HcGwNTBVye28ttZErU-1Gz5_N3gu3tNXH8hYduUWUTcMHZ6gZiMqBde27QSXKOIN666GkNyuhqTzd_9-BH3O/s320/3907897730_3f6fe9c538_t.jpg" /></a>A couple of weeks later, Dr K took me to the the shooting range to teach me the fine art of shooting a powerful self defense weapon (as research for my books).</div><div></div><div>These are "cartridges" the smallest is probably a 22 caliber and the largest, maybe a 45 caliber or maybe the shot gun shell.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8SNpbvlQpAhk93peOVZAJnzWL3fJAGHJAnwaeUsX-2U9PsTkMgkPs6B4XZ-fVzvUIAnfseqbhxb4sZC8g7jqVUwAL_HWmJHGrI04SWSDh5gQZ7u33DVZNmr2Q1Q8fYhabrPorolgpfgw/s1600-h/400px-Comparitive_handgun_rounds.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397429448932534482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8SNpbvlQpAhk93peOVZAJnzWL3fJAGHJAnwaeUsX-2U9PsTkMgkPs6B4XZ-fVzvUIAnfseqbhxb4sZC8g7jqVUwAL_HWmJHGrI04SWSDh5gQZ7u33DVZNmr2Q1Q8fYhabrPorolgpfgw/s320/400px-Comparitive_handgun_rounds.jpg" /></a><br />I had to use ear plugs because it was amazingly loud, even outdoors. You can tell how quickly I picked it up, my form was excellent. I<em> </em>Even hit the target most of the time. Yes, I can shoot with either hand.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDPYqU0CYoNd3b31iCOlZTJvc6M-epcxdz_ScoQMcs6CESrZqgicCtuLGWYrSR4kLrHkiKC1nFc8KoKqP7d1OPHW5Wy1jUooJqCDxoA2mcLOHq_SgJYsxcz_iAJDynS-_vtVPugh-bwhP/s1600-h/monkey_glock.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397429310436291698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDPYqU0CYoNd3b31iCOlZTJvc6M-epcxdz_ScoQMcs6CESrZqgicCtuLGWYrSR4kLrHkiKC1nFc8KoKqP7d1OPHW5Wy1jUooJqCDxoA2mcLOHq_SgJYsxcz_iAJDynS-_vtVPugh-bwhP/s320/monkey_glock.jpg" /></a> I was using a Glock 19. </div><div>Yeah, that's what I'm talkin'bout! You best not mess with Doris!<br /></div><div>I loaded it, snapped that magazine back in there and ... </div><div>*POW* *POW* *POW*<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NklggqERYPp9jgbkPkvwVct8hyxYYm1ZSbLhZtslKno1YtCFZ7nc8i4yh69_Po2lEPUift6gy93lS2nRDsaySQlxzGcUEvYghAc_BKbf8XpNL9yttLDajvi-PIlT01dnUKaLuLEXU4yk/s1600-h/glock17render4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397429230151785442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NklggqERYPp9jgbkPkvwVct8hyxYYm1ZSbLhZtslKno1YtCFZ7nc8i4yh69_Po2lEPUift6gy93lS2nRDsaySQlxzGcUEvYghAc_BKbf8XpNL9yttLDajvi-PIlT01dnUKaLuLEXU4yk/s320/glock17render4.jpg" /></a><br />Now, there are also some might fine sunsets in the fall.<br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397427061203908802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4i8A0pfNcjYYeSwLA6ySyI5NqHF07AfxGHaL09jlCRog3CKV5UzoS23PhH7hLTRCSEIjqRzsIQXdMCOcJHMBCM6cGZVaaD1q9iT8VIHLaEZSBJSh02DQwHnaa13JLIakVnM_VptoLFGt/s320/DSCF6798.JPG" /><br /><div><div>And on the 18th was the Duke City Marathon (Doris Rose doesn't run, she spectates and cheers her friensds loudly)</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397427469692267378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKji3FEBziISZPNWchsY2RPqmFDMQRVuioEuA9mHexHnm1RHQsmlqfuVDZo2pTPQc2Tttwmflvx-3Ujqty6h7hGY9GGZ8Y8l0bRsJ1gZq3yqrA1p2o-70jFJQd2KATCAglWVytTCxjFYr/s320/DSCF6774.JPG" /> Then drives the 30 miles back to her secret Manor in the desert.</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 379px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397427255029791794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-BYCClYKgrfnVCUevW8-Koc8qMnDONfBJd5ybWn05AhWnpQzAlz89SvLTfCTNE4GrfdxPhEkMBK7P6ER7I7lJcdw1tMNjLXocHxQq_zVxLjXTmuzKgPPFdiFAHQtEmeBb5ITS78zcHyK/s320/DSCF6797.JPG" /><br />Three days later...Winter!<br /></div><div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 347px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397428150949006818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KPOdf6Wz9_iWRpTLwrOqPwNNlCHH8aaWDcpURU5SQu-6Cd5X6AEipMksNJXuIVb9V2EZL_xa57ByiRDHKsDpgTlKdg3D1po_x3PfQ_OYBPOR6d0WfwXu8p2-irlNuGn8nUnK07Jz3FNh/s320/october+2009+021.jpg" /></div><div>It gets sunny and warm and Jack Frost returns. Sunrise on the prairie. By mid afternoon, the snow was history.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397428295147404418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKEnkTrcukyUbm_giBMSBlI9X3VEMqJ6DQslWPXmawPtErxg_JL5Rh0uO634x1hJwHNpGRXMYmau4r6NI-TP53pDdTOu_K6HDCvKajFjGWsLDpcDGx5cSZKYCOMZwqWqyIXnm4V357mkS/s320/october+2009+023.jpg" />Life in the High Desert is always changing, always Enchanting.</div><div></div><div>Next stop...Belize, for a week. Later, peeps.<br /><br />P.S. </div><div>Wednesday morning 32 degrees and snowing like curazy.<br />Temp dropped from 50 degrees at midnight. I'm gonna hafta get the Christmas tree ready!<br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-65926319949895331752009-10-13T17:43:00.010-06:002009-10-26T08:56:12.849-06:00La Tosca<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32I3jZcSyUU5wP1Sa687EwnRgKjQyprSJvxFhPKt1W5QFBwfF619cEcCX7f7INfiz4JbjJV767qQszsGAlpARpdj3kxH7AFLgnEW36-0KcoUhCP35Mde21t2fhzjWA2TpQJ2zBzfj5gJo/s1600-h/2100-0849.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392241817068788914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32I3jZcSyUU5wP1Sa687EwnRgKjQyprSJvxFhPKt1W5QFBwfF619cEcCX7f7INfiz4JbjJV767qQszsGAlpARpdj3kxH7AFLgnEW36-0KcoUhCP35Mde21t2fhzjWA2TpQJ2zBzfj5gJo/s400/2100-0849.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Last Saturday I had the pleasure of driving into Albuquerque to attend the screening of the live Metropolitan Opera production of Tosca via satellite. This year they're also beaming live performances to 42 other countries. It’s incredibly exciting to be watching a live presentation that I could only dream about seeing in real life. Sadly, producing great opera is very expensive – hence the tickets are very expensive. So the opportunity to drive to a local theater after purchasing my ticket online is irresistible. </div><div></div><div>For the first time in 25 years, the Met prepared a new production of Tosca after using Franco Zeffirelli’s production for so long. There were certainly critics, especially opening night, but I thought the cast was excellent the performances were believable and sets and costumes realistic. The intermission interviews are always enjoyable and this time they were conducted by the delightful Susan Graham.<br /><br />I’m not an expert on opera but I know enough to know what I like. Tosca, is one of my favorite stories and I love Puccini’s music; it’s dramatic action and it's romantic. I’m familiar with the story and still found myself with my fists balled up during some very dramatic scenes. Karita Matilla did a wonderful job as the diva and along with her Argentine tenor provided a very believable chemistry. The evil Scarpia was lecherous, diabolical and oily. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 136px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 102px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392240194468328466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNvOLcluTBtgBv7RHIu9hyphenhyphengneYLqcHMAg8q0IKkl1dSXykZFh98nYUE7VAqGe8m2Dpno9RH-cPZ8HAI7niy9W82B8J8WKKkAqW_pn63hHj_hKLNVvk5Fexfh97NemW0IY898bFLR7CHZP/s320/299373071_6b05543f47_t.jpg" />The new production has several changes that old timers will notice but I don’t think the heart of the story or the composer’s intentions were harmed in any way.<br /><br />I will miss seeing Aida and Turandot but there will be six others to choose from in the coming months and I can’t wait. </div><br /><div>Check your local theatres for a real treat or check: <a href="http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_current.aspx">http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_current.aspx</a></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-10233524008579119202009-10-03T10:13:00.003-06:002009-10-03T10:22:13.914-06:00A wonderful idea<div align="center"><a title="Permanent Link to Tuesday, October 6: One Day, No Hate" href="http://janedevin.com/2009/09/30/one-day-no-hate/" rel="bookmark"><span style="font-size:130%;">Tuesday, October 6: One Day, No Hate</span> </a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388407641244866562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaFUnpjvVj_G9-MqmeV4V1FCXPLMKdTpHtX4IbK4aC2UlgkjEj7M_ynfjk1JmyTPv46YDiydBG_NGOMeiYODVYxv70wwei8YEC52kaMke_dCgpV0ZRO0ppSqYwuNcYL28E7Malqvhd6dH/s400/33588003.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p>Please visit: <a href="http://janedevin.com/">http://janedevin.com/</a> for the full story.</p><p>I think most of us could use a breather from the malignant negativism consuming the media and our society.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-89833239373168184992009-09-19T11:58:00.004-06:002009-09-19T12:13:27.078-06:00Fall and Funniestoo cute<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 394px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383239788283776642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX3gh2F0v8tCzLYYkjEDhoWJZOsoIWD3n9GYc_zrxWrMv-7qrmFkcijsDtrKAoRFu-sQw_HjoMiPwyQPFquu03AJmTreu0EBmQuOr10zj6ADzROahvfyqy6bZ7JkCaOnxt81OoUqTKuvE/s400/original.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><p>Well, it's patently obvious that my blogging muse has left the building, because I can think of nothing to blither about. I am still writing most every day on my book(s), which started as one and is now three.</p><br /><br /><p>I am also hanging around (once a month) with some author types at an Albuquerque writers group and hoping to 'improve my craft'. They are very amusing and irreverent. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383242238279084466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDCnPeXMjGXJwzaKPvpEFTImmcrs8_eH6gzgfJM0cVwTvAAc7spUNUVYb5sDeKE0XDDy9itDTUCxQjes6FF144chsRxU1hGMrGD16nOQcQd5oPi8tuJZ4MG0bPf4BG3NyW-vYReFH0oCB/s320/DSCF4207.JPG" /><br /><p>And...I am also preparing for for annual pilgrimage to <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Belize</span>...</span>all together "ahhh." Fall is tip toeing in slowly and that's when the beach starts calling. It will also be time for NaNoWrimo and where else would a budding writer go? </p><p>So, carry on..Keep the Faith, whatev's</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-3140831525655900672009-08-26T09:43:00.001-06:002009-08-26T09:47:26.175-06:00Eternal Rest, Senator.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2a0pOyYNUSQR-GsoqYXnf0cdh0lJNbRcin-8NHhJHc98lKpDHCDeL3_4Ry_6sHdxIrTuzp0oEvdCm01fca4YB5kUgT4YELDcWYj5aO4C0Isb1SQiGlcYMEMjn9hQO9akD-ZhDEFSa6QQ/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 145px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374298817336865154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2a0pOyYNUSQR-GsoqYXnf0cdh0lJNbRcin-8NHhJHc98lKpDHCDeL3_4Ry_6sHdxIrTuzp0oEvdCm01fca4YB5kUgT4YELDcWYj5aO4C0Isb1SQiGlcYMEMjn9hQO9akD-ZhDEFSa6QQ/s400/images.jpg" /></a><br /> "My brother need not be idealised or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, to be remembered as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it" - eulogy for brother Robert Kennedy, June 1968.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>* "With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion. With Barack Obama we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay" - endorsing Barack Obama for president, January 2008. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-49372502255274402562009-08-21T12:30:00.008-06:002009-08-21T13:01:09.881-06:00End of August already??Alright, I have been negligent. Perhaps a little lazy. Or...maybe I have been putting my words elsewhere, yeah...that's it, elswhere.<br /><br />Anyway, I should be packing or cleaning or getting ready,because I will taking off early tomorrow to go to visit family in Wisconsin (especially these two little monkey's)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372489380921582706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWJHaLDHk2w-cFdRwf6ZoC7Mq2EwDqAArCeH-hpoOKJiSxf9xrv6eZkHCXJHFUgDl0iKDT9XRu_6YK66WL07C5nlmuAckbTffyKYQB-DDm-2wQ4DTjrJWLbzEoQU2hUsjxY3bEXfwvOfD/s320/0807310121.JPG" /><br />(That was taken about 20 years ago, but who's counting.)<br />It will be a quick visit, but that is what my baby brother wanted for his birthday. So Be It.<br /><br />In my absence, I will be leaving the Manor in the capable hands of the Senior Security Rodent,Pierre.<br />(Be afraid, be very afraid...he's packin')<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVB5piroD-vcvOH80zYsv4lSDjRKdmzq3msspMW9HYWrlaF-OB6IfjKlzOI767UHDQZsi-MrurZuwqtqA6Y5nFTWxBCULqdW6FlEgCBSiVLbOwLa_1UMMvHuX3UDQyUPB2GHa6jLJu7UX2/s1600-h/0807240110.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372488931237056274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVB5piroD-vcvOH80zYsv4lSDjRKdmzq3msspMW9HYWrlaF-OB6IfjKlzOI767UHDQZsi-MrurZuwqtqA6Y5nFTWxBCULqdW6FlEgCBSiVLbOwLa_1UMMvHuX3UDQyUPB2GHa6jLJu7UX2/s320/0807240110.JPG" /></a> For the <em>late</em> news: We actually had about a week of daily rain which was very welcome, but that was the middle of July-none since.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Taq7Mv8ofLLhIqOcac_ikg1FituPQJTRD7dyjo9EKd5uShOs2IqrxhpRRbrkn1o24FIRPYqKcMTko6gaIaBiBa6CyhjYPKwaWNBhPMIzc7eKeaHgv_wSicuA08_rNh7Gd5BFYL7PNVQY/s1600-h/DSCF1449.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372487960638153778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Taq7Mv8ofLLhIqOcac_ikg1FituPQJTRD7dyjo9EKd5uShOs2IqrxhpRRbrkn1o24FIRPYqKcMTko6gaIaBiBa6CyhjYPKwaWNBhPMIzc7eKeaHgv_wSicuA08_rNh7Gd5BFYL7PNVQY/s320/DSCF1449.jpg" /></a><br />As a result, I found a most surprising new addition to the prairie flora...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLDGvkfjl6-T6MmnLQBG_5zGdcQWi-LKyXAAEhbCUwdEAFNRyLd4UTb8OxyerZZWorMG9ThfC65KKFC_I3LR_IDQ7H9AC6N2jkp1XNq2M6-UM2kZ2N3m8IQNCvmg9w8jpeHRVeo0VE04B/s1600-h/DSCF1457.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372487106954952370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLDGvkfjl6-T6MmnLQBG_5zGdcQWi-LKyXAAEhbCUwdEAFNRyLd4UTb8OxyerZZWorMG9ThfC65KKFC_I3LR_IDQ7H9AC6N2jkp1XNq2M6-UM2kZ2N3m8IQNCvmg9w8jpeHRVeo0VE04B/s320/DSCF1457.jpg" /></a> What? what the heck...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgh9IsBInIE8dpLdLienoVT5Shdy1-sLMmmZbCa8RMIXn0LyG4D5gKLrXHGlqyzrD_oQQsm7ijMlQiKgEfjGbTPXmNEgeaSHBvtWGJ0RAS9pbIJ2a4yJfgEmOEAhgz2FWhjQW4VjoAVDE/s1600-h/DSCF1458.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372486926954745986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgh9IsBInIE8dpLdLienoVT5Shdy1-sLMmmZbCa8RMIXn0LyG4D5gKLrXHGlqyzrD_oQQsm7ijMlQiKgEfjGbTPXmNEgeaSHBvtWGJ0RAS9pbIJ2a4yJfgEmOEAhgz2FWhjQW4VjoAVDE/s320/DSCF1458.jpg" /></a> oh my gosh! edibles! or maybe not.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmeHUUkWwTR4gIfkqnzXcS5_FNiJfPk40N45mtQRCDL7lXiMkVL_hUDtu8VBaRpJyHiTysVuP5q4tquNMxLmDqPb8Z9aYg9O6-uXGkb1YRCY8a4kdmWXMvWTgG-Q312vxpY-uz2mQIM3W/s1600-h/DSCF1459.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372486757563543858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmeHUUkWwTR4gIfkqnzXcS5_FNiJfPk40N45mtQRCDL7lXiMkVL_hUDtu8VBaRpJyHiTysVuP5q4tquNMxLmDqPb8Z9aYg9O6-uXGkb1YRCY8a4kdmWXMvWTgG-Q312vxpY-uz2mQIM3W/s320/DSCF1459.jpg" /></a> I beleive this is the first Fungii I have seen in the desert. Brave little things, I saw about 6-7 pushing out of the dirt. Then a week later they were all dried up.</div><div></div><div>The Prairie gives and the Prairie takes away.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3exkK8cQMIeSYu5YhPCx8Lw0Jg_t5uoXD7dZBEcze_0QplugVZThPCtsL7kuPv4pci5S7He4H5EVMxFiyMUdobRLoj9nNZRvGb3uQ-jKMnEX-Kx69xB-N9RK2PxlvYAUTZWQJRUfu__V/s1600-h/DSCF1434.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372486535296776978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3exkK8cQMIeSYu5YhPCx8Lw0Jg_t5uoXD7dZBEcze_0QplugVZThPCtsL7kuPv4pci5S7He4H5EVMxFiyMUdobRLoj9nNZRvGb3uQ-jKMnEX-Kx69xB-N9RK2PxlvYAUTZWQJRUfu__V/s320/DSCF1434.jpg" /></a><br />See you when I get back, or in a month.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-28340510554978022242009-07-21T14:01:00.011-06:002009-07-21T14:41:48.474-06:00The Wild Things of Scotland<div>I'm listening to some Celtic fiddle music and tapping my toes...made me think of the last MacBean Adventure to the wilds of Scotland, aaahh.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlleXP2cWcUkisXlGklBCDJeJ1BkT9UhBjs7DJ_Z9o-rxp2DYpwvbVPeHKvw4tzsQvmnX6XxG8467F3BRZra1NaqSUT8xI1jWE9A6ZLoxZv4LT22MUHfKznjn-I24rzAN0jY3taMOOVUEg/s1600-h/SCOTLAND+031.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 346px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361009970639211874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlleXP2cWcUkisXlGklBCDJeJ1BkT9UhBjs7DJ_Z9o-rxp2DYpwvbVPeHKvw4tzsQvmnX6XxG8467F3BRZra1NaqSUT8xI1jWE9A6ZLoxZv4LT22MUHfKznjn-I24rzAN0jY3taMOOVUEg/s320/SCOTLAND+031.jpg" /></a>This is Spook Cow. (Maybe a wee dram is in order.)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacBhYPeimPRVkrc6SBWgTppmR2BiV2Fr62-4JHiLBsK8IkUM0-obhhFdP4AESqdmqNbM5hrqxatcVDytEI-JN8trQXq3QkZjLx3XXdpQNEv8mIR_zct0dW9JEd5Edo6Cr3wkV0GMkgv5f/s1600-h/SCOTLAND+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361008386919558738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacBhYPeimPRVkrc6SBWgTppmR2BiV2Fr62-4JHiLBsK8IkUM0-obhhFdP4AESqdmqNbM5hrqxatcVDytEI-JN8trQXq3QkZjLx3XXdpQNEv8mIR_zct0dW9JEd5Edo6Cr3wkV0GMkgv5f/s320/SCOTLAND+002.jpg" /></a> This was our greeter<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 368px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361008074648617122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjRbwj9YfD0mNqHu1lTVzUIdF-N-bOaXw1MV0qgWJI2zCfmssbQ9XQ_sWPwuoAHVS7syqVi49ww4fGQRzTlaCmde_DAwl0spZhCwuh3_oxJ8TwbVUyClH5VONejwjurwBHQc1Qkji5CIW/s320/SCOTLAND+074.jpg" /><br /><br /><div> Wild wooly heiland cooos<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 388px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361007845840468402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsSFAz_u55vPYIsr633pUUn0mtmNBpVJhzwVEP0GlT-8hr3xSTwWnxL0qZW343vcGS7SznR0ZC7xVLVrZKVlBjFQ2lWCDMFqdmAyGucLq-WjtXMoXovJpQ11ehljD_WUCzHDbpFDFyK_A/s320/SCOTLAND+264.jpg" /><br /><br /><div> Lucky thing there was a fence, this time. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdjFQRtIf7Mv9AGYHx38ndpSqrH_BiGQqgpyz1pzR8gV_l9JeJ23r0c9oROA4XopRyIxrecsq4PvvbY0ADSp3YM-cWPrYtfovqIqXHyARt_Iz91F7Lxbepmjt0F08Vko1aaQh5WFP0Zee/s1600-h/DSCF3481.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361007271632228866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdjFQRtIf7Mv9AGYHx38ndpSqrH_BiGQqgpyz1pzR8gV_l9JeJ23r0c9oROA4XopRyIxrecsq4PvvbY0ADSp3YM-cWPrYtfovqIqXHyARt_Iz91F7Lxbepmjt0F08Vko1aaQh5WFP0Zee/s320/DSCF3481.JPG" /></a> No fences out here on the west coast.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm68XYSFRpQkW9Z0qnmDFmAkwlDYatvjcMVABEEexa6b823N1_6BCeNTd9EsK7jK1XAEoGlHzwWSDDXN_uvXX_3smylXYrXhPr_i4uufyUWnTOYcplRcAVVYvFrFe2M9W4IGcdSfh6owQM/s1600-h/DSCF1787.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361007099927863794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm68XYSFRpQkW9Z0qnmDFmAkwlDYatvjcMVABEEexa6b823N1_6BCeNTd9EsK7jK1XAEoGlHzwWSDDXN_uvXX_3smylXYrXhPr_i4uufyUWnTOYcplRcAVVYvFrFe2M9W4IGcdSfh6owQM/s320/DSCF1787.JPG" /></a> yup, it's stuck in his lip. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOg30ft-CurdTFqNEhc0PUzhR1RFgjNSpPKJSVhqa90lg4zGUPtEUDso0V1PvE2HENv1vq9AjkTmqkNnB0hB4lB_9uCgf52yxniP_1qIsC04qTKSa58cCkD0w5C7frVT0Qjjjr9kc1y3I/s1600-h/DSCF1779.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361006874474120770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOg30ft-CurdTFqNEhc0PUzhR1RFgjNSpPKJSVhqa90lg4zGUPtEUDso0V1PvE2HENv1vq9AjkTmqkNnB0hB4lB_9uCgf52yxniP_1qIsC04qTKSa58cCkD0w5C7frVT0Qjjjr9kc1y3I/s320/DSCF1779.JPG" /></a> Tour guide directing us to a great restaurant in Applecross.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchr9QVSTS2gYjkPpaiaPa4wDa017Edy3_9oA5C7Rj7bOAynfqOn23OL75IiE_jboeHFizBDKutlLUXNIXh4YOHzusVA7C7Dcx0I5AUTGiR_y5quqXezROpgMic-K9v92zxrT3aKPZwcP0/s1600-h/DSCF1630.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361006628658802274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchr9QVSTS2gYjkPpaiaPa4wDa017Edy3_9oA5C7Rj7bOAynfqOn23OL75IiE_jboeHFizBDKutlLUXNIXh4YOHzusVA7C7Dcx0I5AUTGiR_y5quqXezROpgMic-K9v92zxrT3aKPZwcP0/s320/DSCF1630.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>Guess who has the right of way? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361013393585883906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi751mp52YpvPhSFkry95JEP4Fr8wB_q1ZMbintYfA8sYw-CW6CG2yWesCmZ2czv5Y8C1mnuk_bZp99cLad2TmpEq5W9xCeNMDhAl37KdzgmyvXJipZPjBMFuByFvpzPeDWjcY79uiG8fZr/s320/DSCF1638.JPG" /></div><div></div><div></div><div>They actually started doing this when we stopped the car. Honest.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We stopped the car for every animal spotted, my poor brother.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">(PS as Moi says, don't forget to clicky-clicky for great details)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-62566087632914712302009-07-07T14:05:00.007-06:002009-07-07T14:19:38.805-06:00New Mexico Monsoon Season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxzdK1tho7YlZ3DXhehufN5mG2lg1ApwWzxYY3ZXeItOeNR4sl471a7W2y5Ut-TYxJkRvl4m3qTEYY4c-Xkc2I9gYjxN5z5bnXzSXM15Jl9rsD8NR3stLYdN4_Q6-GgNj3fizW_GCwYDI/s1600-h/storm+camera.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355814791619640818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxzdK1tho7YlZ3DXhehufN5mG2lg1ApwWzxYY3ZXeItOeNR4sl471a7W2y5Ut-TYxJkRvl4m3qTEYY4c-Xkc2I9gYjxN5z5bnXzSXM15Jl9rsD8NR3stLYdN4_Q6-GgNj3fizW_GCwYDI/s320/storm+camera.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoyzkiOC2ELr710clL7Rq19IiFPrnaZR_7O8oy3v-XLeB-_JvqbvwK85qo6n1-C4AOzWKh50LatBhHBjsN_yQgtUCYcHoLQ_R95y3_-j-9rUxkQkKjG5ClJtyLYD3nishGh_dWOkqMpOh/s1600-h/2007_0825(001).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355814040313210306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoyzkiOC2ELr710clL7Rq19IiFPrnaZR_7O8oy3v-XLeB-_JvqbvwK85qo6n1-C4AOzWKh50LatBhHBjsN_yQgtUCYcHoLQ_R95y3_-j-9rUxkQkKjG5ClJtyLYD3nishGh_dWOkqMpOh/s320/2007_0825(001).JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6vmrJDr3t6SzLKhukbvGUfaZR0UNQFDKeu1RB44XmFV6fvolvy1HaNyI8Kly_a7UiFdlFnpJOyxGcwfvqVaqA8wVv93mq3xXkz6sRnXMKHauxe8k2XhTBEQIUbzF9M9tODFtq6UZcz6m/s1600-h/DSCF1442.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355813277088008706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6vmrJDr3t6SzLKhukbvGUfaZR0UNQFDKeu1RB44XmFV6fvolvy1HaNyI8Kly_a7UiFdlFnpJOyxGcwfvqVaqA8wVv93mq3xXkz6sRnXMKHauxe8k2XhTBEQIUbzF9M9tODFtq6UZcz6m/s320/DSCF1442.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> (the vertical lines are flyin'hail-balls)</span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAN6y9HBlFF4QMGjYU1laDWai3k7Yltrt3tX2BzMQWd3PyDzM7-w_zOqczyIw1XzXt7FqIBvpfjVCWYhFmaz5TXSO1FTyIuSOABkk4vtrxmCs_mlGTVwPTNA2uhYpZKspEghOLXTMAiO2/s1600-h/DSCF1447.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355812975946095794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAN6y9HBlFF4QMGjYU1laDWai3k7Yltrt3tX2BzMQWd3PyDzM7-w_zOqczyIw1XzXt7FqIBvpfjVCWYhFmaz5TXSO1FTyIuSOABkk4vtrxmCs_mlGTVwPTNA2uhYpZKspEghOLXTMAiO2/s320/DSCF1447.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxWuz5POLj24zLsnHosKSnjVHYYCIZ7f9M0Qeb2WDyfWvRBBMz-I1_Q9cZAvVamoyyCXiHlP0IX7vMUKvpA8zuXGH27vNfE1-OWSWzFdNdIYk1if5fN2ILLidSmOQEEvvZ2XdnXrcc6pC/s1600-h/DSCF1416.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355812682819733170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxWuz5POLj24zLsnHosKSnjVHYYCIZ7f9M0Qeb2WDyfWvRBBMz-I1_Q9cZAvVamoyyCXiHlP0IX7vMUKvpA8zuXGH27vNfE1-OWSWzFdNdIYk1if5fN2ILLidSmOQEEvvZ2XdnXrcc6pC/s320/DSCF1416.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGCbmy1xs4WyrZnbUoh8gatoT6hIEq3M-p69KCgVOk_0if3ub0bnHvEq3lVjxoUkSRX61e56Nm86rHkmBHLdUn3NJrum12Ui7rlWhUPrt_K_wknnE7IQU14JD_r4JtbFtztC9YyMleTSQ/s1600-h/DSCF1434.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355812466143424290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGCbmy1xs4WyrZnbUoh8gatoT6hIEq3M-p69KCgVOk_0if3ub0bnHvEq3lVjxoUkSRX61e56Nm86rHkmBHLdUn3NJrum12Ui7rlWhUPrt_K_wknnE7IQU14JD_r4JtbFtztC9YyMleTSQ/s320/DSCF1434.jpg" /></a><br />Then after a while... it all goes away, til the next day.<br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-44943763509365651232009-06-23T12:10:00.003-06:002009-06-23T12:21:11.427-06:00To Do or Not To Do<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN4n-36i-sVc4SLWkSjX94L8gLCvPWmF78EAhESFrOlky87eV6ZGaF3EeELbUQPhOIL6zU9Wl3oHvr1cWgthP5bUSkK1C1U75wQXfZIqnOTjqtih_TvDUbkStjjuacFjtcAHUlApIdRZA/s1600-h/r-SPRING-CLEANING-large.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350589540515382194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN4n-36i-sVc4SLWkSjX94L8gLCvPWmF78EAhESFrOlky87eV6ZGaF3EeELbUQPhOIL6zU9Wl3oHvr1cWgthP5bUSkK1C1U75wQXfZIqnOTjqtih_TvDUbkStjjuacFjtcAHUlApIdRZA/s320/r-SPRING-CLEANING-large.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am an admonished daily by <em>The Great and Powerful Critic Within</em> for my lack of productivity, purpose and direction. “Too much TV, not enough busyness…you are drowning in a sea of sloth and self indulgence”… blah blah blah.<br /><br />Because of my retirement, self imposed isolation and lack of domestic skills it becomes easier and easier to let go of daily chores and focus on things I enjoy. Having a gimpy knee doesn’t help and any activity that requires bending or kneeling is extremely difficult and usually to be avoided. By that definition, many of my domestic responsibilities get put off. I can manage to clean up the kitchen as well as load and unload the dishwasher. Laundry is a little dicier (picking it up and sorting it). I like doing windows but the ones that really need attention are “dog” level: hence-bending. Vacuuming is something actually enjoy, however… It seems to aggravate my L5-S1 degeneration, and when that happens, holy mama! Drugs and bed rest!<br /><br />Now the good news, I have been doing something. Writing. That’s right I have been putting fingers to keyboard on a pretty regular basis and since November, I have completed three fiction manuscripts, started a fourth (sequels) and started a major rewrite of my first novel. Not counting the first novel, that means I have written approximately 140,000+ words! I submitted the first one to Create Space.Com for possible Print on Demand publishing (and now must do some serious editing).<br /><br />In addition, since January I have logged approximately 300 hours and 500 miles as a National CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children. I was assigned two children in Foster Care with whom I schedule regular visits, attend progress meetings and school assessments. I have made endless phone calls, met with dozens of family and friends as well as professionals and written pages of notes. I have submitted court reports and attended hearings. I believe that I am, in good faith, advocating for these kids. The down side is that is emotionally draining and often frustrating. But I am not easily sidelined. I will still be advocating until these children have a safe loving permanent situation and then I will get another case.<br /><br />So, for today I’m going to continue writing. I may toss in a load of wash and then I’ll call Merry Maids so upcoming house guest (My Bro and his Lady) will feel more comfortable and not think his old sister has gone bat-shit crazy out here alone in the desert, heh heh.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-13001466431028017272009-06-17T08:09:00.005-06:002009-06-17T08:27:53.872-06:00Tehran Rallies and the world reverberates<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-u3EPNW4fl9pF_yxUeVg1YTzN0rwbXlFK3OSjjmiBtzt_1JIeRGmzroaejG_2ExOzVVSvueqQ3Pe16mYtDD0UkMdZgEC5wlVrafADL12QIV1YDeM3hBW-HSI-Rq_dm4FsqiOFotJNhXT/s1600-h/Iran.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348300222888266242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-u3EPNW4fl9pF_yxUeVg1YTzN0rwbXlFK3OSjjmiBtzt_1JIeRGmzroaejG_2ExOzVVSvueqQ3Pe16mYtDD0UkMdZgEC5wlVrafADL12QIV1YDeM3hBW-HSI-Rq_dm4FsqiOFotJNhXT/s320/Iran.jpg" /></a>(this was a rally Wednesday)<br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">While I have only watched some of the coverage from the Friday election in Iran, I was stunned by the letter from a young medical student. It’s frightening and could mean a huge shift in the Middle East. I agree that we should stay the heck out of this one and let the Iranian people handle it, our interference would only fan the flames growing inferno. Please read the following.. </span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"></p></span><br /><br /><br />6:03 PM ET -- "What I have witnessed." A powerful note from a female medical student in Iran, translated from Farsi by a trusty reader.<br /><br />"Hello, It's painful to watch what's happening.<br />I don't want anything to do with what has been said this far, as I neither have the strength nor the resilience to face all these unfathomable events.<br />I only want to speak about what I have witnessed. I am a medical student. There was chaos last night at the trauma section in one of our main hospitals. Although by decree, all riot-related injuries were supposed to be sent to military hospitals, all other hospitals were filled to the rim. Last night, nine people died at our hospital and another 28 had gunshot wounds. All hospital employees were crying till dawn. They (government) removed the dead bodies on back of trucks, before we were even able to get their names or other information. What can you even say to the people who don't even respect the dead. No one was allowed to speak to the wounded or get any information from them. This morning the faculty and the students protested by gathering at the lobby of the hospital where they were confronted by plain cloths anti-riot militia, who in turn closed off the hospital and imprisoned the staff. The extent of injuries are so grave, that despite being one of the most staffed emergency rooms, they've asked everyone to stay and help--I'm sure it will even be worst tonight.<br />What can anyone say in face of all these atrocities? What can you say to the family of the 13 year old boy who died from gunshots and whose dead body then disappeared?<br />This issue is not about cheating(election) anymore. This is not about stealing votes anymore. The issue is about a vast injustice inflected on the people. They've put a baton in the hand of every 13-14 year old to smash the faces of "the bunches who are less than dirt" (government is calling the people who are uprising dried-up torn and weeds) .<br />This is what sickens me from dealing with these issues. And from those who shut their eyes and close their ears and claim the riots are in opposition of the government and presidency!! No! The people's complaint is against the egregious injustices committed against the people."<br /><br /><br />This reporter (Nico Pitney) is blogging in real time.<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/13/iran-demonstrations-viole_n_215189.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/13/iran-demonstrations-viole_n_215189.html</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Technology is really changing things and creating a huge world community where the truth cannot be hidden so easily. hmmmUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-82287983643205596462009-06-09T17:57:00.005-06:002009-06-09T18:04:13.564-06:00Ta Da (trumpets)It's official, 14 minutes ago The Lady of the Loch received her first ever self published Novel.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CN7TZYT9d50O0Yz7SqECfvglllHU-F-DU1eq3unsfkSD0WVklcHsD4vJKFl2j04DXmIt-undndDonYBnNtVuwnoqxSX6nR0zTIgqU6gSVbYoxBWWk-nf4kMujCtCsrvAcDq8T2-hb86p/s1600-h/book+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CN7TZYT9d50O0Yz7SqECfvglllHU-F-DU1eq3unsfkSD0WVklcHsD4vJKFl2j04DXmIt-undndDonYBnNtVuwnoqxSX6nR0zTIgqU6gSVbYoxBWWk-nf4kMujCtCsrvAcDq8T2-hb86p/s320/book+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345481744311789922" border="0" /></a>To be sure it is the "proof" and now some serious work must begin. But still, I am holding in my own chubby little fingers and purring like a great cheshire cat --a blooming book of my own creation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-oOFalbGVZZe8Jpo9AZFnzKV8E3gS4xYhMByoUKJ5kPMrpEhqAZbqErVasIWTdIPTbBB-NbAPq6l5a71r0CS4p-5c2mXVfJMyHc4sBr4yoMZWsw0dxyQcM5B2nQPmAOXonT2UzlGPL9j/s1600-h/book+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-oOFalbGVZZe8Jpo9AZFnzKV8E3gS4xYhMByoUKJ5kPMrpEhqAZbqErVasIWTdIPTbBB-NbAPq6l5a71r0CS4p-5c2mXVfJMyHc4sBr4yoMZWsw0dxyQcM5B2nQPmAOXonT2UzlGPL9j/s320/book+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345481560486118546" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-84211532964850061162009-06-07T22:27:00.003-06:002009-06-08T08:23:34.675-06:00Guess the Speaker!Excerpted from a recent speech...<br /><br />...“So Ronald Reagan spoke to us then with us here in our hearts is where he reached us, and that's where he won the arguments and then, this was, this was the good part, we the American people through him, we imposed our will on Washington, and that is the way it's supposed to be.”<br /><br />“I'll know that I have spoken up and I will speak up to thank people like Mr. Reagan as we honor his dad, to encourage you too, Alaskans, to do the same and don't just hang in there and go along to get along but stand up and speak up, and be bold and demand that Washington be prudent with our public monies and prioritize for America's security, and forget the political correctness that makes one guard your conversation, and couch our words so cautiously that they lose meaning, and we lose effectiveness, and then we lose hope because we start thinking that politicians are only worried about their poll numbers and attracting campaign contributions for their next bid so that they can hold on to some title and some position.” <br /><br />(uh huh)<br /><br /><br /><br />(swear it's unedited, I really mean it.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-45386414671513227182009-05-30T13:14:00.003-06:002009-05-30T13:23:21.461-06:00From The Mountain TelegraphNonprofit Is Providing Duffle Bags of Personal Items For Children Ordered Taken From Their Homes </span> <br />Written by Ashley Bergen <br />Thursday, 28 May 2009 09:40<br /><br /> <br />When abused and neglected children are taken from their homes, almost all the time they leave with little more than the clothes on their back. <br /><br /><br />That's according to Jana May, volunteer coordinator for the Rio Grande Valley Court Appointed Special Advocates, known as CASA, which covers Torrance County. <br /><br />"The kids are always traumatized," May said. "They're in a strange place with strangers." <br /><br />Now, with help from the nonprofit My Stuff Bags Foundation of California, these Torrance County children will have a duffle bag filled with new stuff. The foundation donated four large boxes of blue duffles filled with toys, blankets and toiletries for teenagers and younger children. <br /><br />The items, even the bag, are a useful gift to the children arriving at a shelter or foster homes, May said. <br /><br />"It gives the children something to put their stuff in besides a paper sack," May said. "And they seem to really like them. The bags are going quick." <br /><br />CASA volunteers work with the children, their families, teachers, therapists and the court system for the safety and protection of children who have been removed from their homes. <br /><br />Some of the My Stuff Bags have also been given to children in Socorro and Sierra counties. They are a helpful tool in establishing a relationship between the child and their advocate, May said. <br /><br />"The bags are a good tool to send with the (advocates) the first time they meet the child," May said. "It's an ice breaker and it helps jump-start that relationship." <br /><br />The Rio Grande Valley CASA volunteers advocate for more than 100 children each year. There are currently 11 cases in Torrance County the advocates are working on. <br /><br />The My Stuff Bags program was established in 1998, and nearly all the clothing, school supplies, books, games, stuffed animals, toiletry items and handmade blankets are donated. The program runs in 49 states and has delivered more than 350,000 My Stuff Bags at no charge to more than 1,200 nonprofit organizations since it began. <br /><br />Those interested in donating children's items or funding are asked to visit www.mystuffbags.org, or contact the My Stuff Bags Foundation at 866-3MY-STUFF. <br /><br />The Rio Grande Valley CASA is looking for volunteers to become advocates. For more information call 832-6328 or 350-4178. <br /><br />One advocate, Whitney von Kutzleben, was recently awarded Outstanding Volunteer by Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, at its Community Champions Awards dinner on May 7 in Albuquerque. <br /><br />The program stated she was instrumental in getting five young boys adopted and made sure they were in continuous foster care until they found a permanent home. At the same time, she took on another child at a time when there wasn't anyone else. <br /><br />As a community champion, von Kutzleben received a $1,000 grant, which she designated to the Rio Grande Valley CASA.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-4839787619256403512009-05-19T11:08:00.011-06:002009-05-19T11:42:40.351-06:00Celtic Wonders and Amazonian TreasuresSure'n this wasn't a trip to Scotland<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kApf7IV4FXW9-aY28VNR_rM6gZVIAtntCRqDmUCMsHERK1yH2ciN-UvC_ZCTV3Gr6f5QaL_3Dacqy8IHoPgpMNZ3f3VW-DQ8m09y8Nv6XrYtANDZzrUTVtuCjmEpPdUBIBNR1H8ILrBn/s1600-h/DSCF1684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kApf7IV4FXW9-aY28VNR_rM6gZVIAtntCRqDmUCMsHERK1yH2ciN-UvC_ZCTV3Gr6f5QaL_3Dacqy8IHoPgpMNZ3f3VW-DQ8m09y8Nv6XrYtANDZzrUTVtuCjmEpPdUBIBNR1H8ILrBn/s320/DSCF1684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337585675927206466" border="0" /></a>...but it's as close as I can get in New Mexico.<br /><br />The Rio Grande Celtic Festival held annually in Albuquerque, which features Highland Games competitions such as the Caber Toss, Sheaf Throw, and dog show and trials and Kilt wearin'!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kytZrYJLWSPntKnJ7TurGG5KCtg-zx3RfWWVp8PXbRckR6mchkNaiJiHbJwg6i7nNFDLjtYjc1ipGDkBeZgVnqDf-tNP3xM9cAtMYn3dXX4dT6cx4M-xLAiYacYqr1wJf5hZtIGplH8S/s1600-h/DSCF6642.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kytZrYJLWSPntKnJ7TurGG5KCtg-zx3RfWWVp8PXbRckR6mchkNaiJiHbJwg6i7nNFDLjtYjc1ipGDkBeZgVnqDf-tNP3xM9cAtMYn3dXX4dT6cx4M-xLAiYacYqr1wJf5hZtIGplH8S/s320/DSCF6642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337586650133647698" border="0" /></a>(that puppy was IMMENSE)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56ZscF3PDdPCBZ6MxAVqPUGFW_0HI3W0JnkcrPsSg384-dFaqkktN7oZMoO7-doOt56-YFOYV8lCXhrroqIB52wpjN-A_sqMbsH6CCWCfr01iWW7SfjGWE7kRNvtFHsTCECSFbmrbKli0/s1600-h/DSCF6646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56ZscF3PDdPCBZ6MxAVqPUGFW_0HI3W0JnkcrPsSg384-dFaqkktN7oZMoO7-doOt56-YFOYV8lCXhrroqIB52wpjN-A_sqMbsH6CCWCfr01iWW7SfjGWE7kRNvtFHsTCECSFbmrbKli0/s320/DSCF6646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337585577389160946" border="0" /></a>The always wonderful High Desert Pipe and Drums<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajNlpeLy7ziO73eyzZ8n7LJ9VL2k-7Rd0EjEmeHXNkKgYBsYCxSCQhoNOhoIZbCDc-nbea2mvZp3Hsfd1de0xVTBgzObn6-93SWBj-_oAL1bJXR3WEeyfbgKDX4MZiFBoi9VfyjcE6ilF/s1600-h/DSCF6651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajNlpeLy7ziO73eyzZ8n7LJ9VL2k-7Rd0EjEmeHXNkKgYBsYCxSCQhoNOhoIZbCDc-nbea2mvZp3Hsfd1de0xVTBgzObn6-93SWBj-_oAL1bJXR3WEeyfbgKDX4MZiFBoi9VfyjcE6ilF/s320/DSCF6651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337585429819050098" border="0" /></a>the sharin' of a pint or two....or three...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cLNV7UxvtUUPPZEQZHY5V8CBb-5jEBHiv5Fts5QOfHbaB4CQm8eOYpkG81kkVxQrIVWuKTj2vXIuO05yTdIKgCgjiAFMrFj_0SS4P6A2mf5gs7GbQsg4RnDc_ZzBED4sq8zS4cQzaYQD/s1600-h/DSCF6638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cLNV7UxvtUUPPZEQZHY5V8CBb-5jEBHiv5Fts5QOfHbaB4CQm8eOYpkG81kkVxQrIVWuKTj2vXIuO05yTdIKgCgjiAFMrFj_0SS4P6A2mf5gs7GbQsg4RnDc_ZzBED4sq8zS4cQzaYQD/s320/DSCF6638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337585296581942786" border="0" /></a>Shopping for Celtic wares...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmXXgXS6gKXA1YrUvf6FItJ4YlG-Dvgm5a1HY5eGFgSgH1WGuuh4BJBBL9p42eVB8E_W7VJFlnFNWwjKAcTg2zIO-rWQOqTdGrRXCojlybCmHuLREX-97PnTuMKv8X3C3ojLFXbrbWxrj/s1600-h/DSCF6644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmXXgXS6gKXA1YrUvf6FItJ4YlG-Dvgm5a1HY5eGFgSgH1WGuuh4BJBBL9p42eVB8E_W7VJFlnFNWwjKAcTg2zIO-rWQOqTdGrRXCojlybCmHuLREX-97PnTuMKv8X3C3ojLFXbrbWxrj/s320/DSCF6644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337585033418715362" border="0" /></a>The wearin' of strange and wonderful costumes (I think the Army camo was actually genuine).<br /><br />The weather was perfect warm and breezy; the company was warm and fun and a lovely afternoon was had by all.<br /> * * * * *<br /><br />Then on Monday, I got a Delivery notice from the Post Office to go pick up a package from"Amazon". Huge mystery. When had I ordered something from Amazon and what was it and <span style="font-style: italic;">why</span> could I not remember it???<br /><br />My memory is better than average and this was quite puzzling (and more than a little worrying, was the this the first the first turn 'round the bend? gulp)<br /><br />I brought the box home mystified, inside was a gift wrapped package that appeared to be a book. Great, a surprise book from someone-fabulous.<br /><br />Ma No! Way More than Fabulous...<br />thousands of books!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNHvUzCIw6CLcsqwvA0AT5c6xh8sSXuHJo-S_P_7ctwORCZa_e4UM7DtPSmlDfRMfmTjNvX429NW0RWVan6RJ_BHeMIQo4UUPzb2R7KrlvbI3Q7sxpZn2Od3kA_cudyr9m6wLjhyphenhyphenmMevR/s1600-h/DSCF1408.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNHvUzCIw6CLcsqwvA0AT5c6xh8sSXuHJo-S_P_7ctwORCZa_e4UM7DtPSmlDfRMfmTjNvX429NW0RWVan6RJ_BHeMIQo4UUPzb2R7KrlvbI3Q7sxpZn2Od3kA_cudyr9m6wLjhyphenhyphenmMevR/s320/DSCF1408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337584058828182098" border="0" /></a>My Family bought me a Kindle!! I have dreamed of one since they were first introduced. I have stalked them, read reviews, watched for the big balloon to burst...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxY1bumsjVaEBrpMawyP5OVfiXrPk_JMLfQGoBbis8VLZQ9nM37E_ZmFq_nPHAQrRqRRH1ci3UBQtVqehmgDsS5UTZl5le6l893Ur4EHrt98Ltqi9giD-YjOv0ulnvB4RH4wZ3FYSqXda/s1600-h/DSCF1406.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxY1bumsjVaEBrpMawyP5OVfiXrPk_JMLfQGoBbis8VLZQ9nM37E_ZmFq_nPHAQrRqRRH1ci3UBQtVqehmgDsS5UTZl5le6l893Ur4EHrt98Ltqi9giD-YjOv0ulnvB4RH4wZ3FYSqXda/s320/DSCF1406.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337583802032582162" border="0" /></a>Now, I actually had one sitting in front of me. It's adorable!<br />I plugged it in, registered it, went to the Kindle store and found some free stuff (Treasure Island, The NIV Bible and a murder mystery)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXRRXa5-bQ7AWFwlzpaB_1X6gRQSLWlxvmTy8K3MTYFCGddk7y7kWbn-JAyRozuzXvKIukAZ1aOmirDsKdZCYjFwoO3DSOVXYlL6y9ZfpJ4lL91kwQL11MYBrX7NEL7iLhfVzg7PJJy_X/s1600-h/DSCF1407.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXRRXa5-bQ7AWFwlzpaB_1X6gRQSLWlxvmTy8K3MTYFCGddk7y7kWbn-JAyRozuzXvKIukAZ1aOmirDsKdZCYjFwoO3DSOVXYlL6y9ZfpJ4lL91kwQL11MYBrX7NEL7iLhfVzg7PJJy_X/s320/DSCF1407.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337583543556453730" border="0" /></a>So my dear friends, I have everything I need...my pool, my Dell Mini, and now the Glorious Kindle. You may not hear from me for a very long time. (sighs contentedly)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-2919308119048134052009-05-10T09:21:00.003-06:002009-05-10T09:25:03.468-06:00Happy Mother's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3-TTh679-0BSBeAz17lXS16a5q1t7SUm-29bqyGNtEps1x-Dg9ATnGK_L6r4lWBfmnXsXmsKSwOf1jipPW8sBM0eGB50cICGAPfJZvzBuSCp6a8eJMVU6ACBc1Lc_RJo0kgznEnk2OL6/s1600-h/DSCF4742.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334216200627024546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3-TTh679-0BSBeAz17lXS16a5q1t7SUm-29bqyGNtEps1x-Dg9ATnGK_L6r4lWBfmnXsXmsKSwOf1jipPW8sBM0eGB50cICGAPfJZvzBuSCp6a8eJMVU6ACBc1Lc_RJo0kgznEnk2OL6/s320/DSCF4742.JPG" /></a> (<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">double click pic for my brother's complete dorkiness)</span><br /></span><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-3141288624104812812009-05-08T09:02:00.003-06:002009-05-08T09:16:14.719-06:00Spring is creeping out all overBecause of the profound lack of precipitation, Spring has begun with a whimper and not a bang. Tufts of grass and weeds are struggling to push through the dry prairie and in the past few days (since it's now in the 80's), I've seen some tiny flowers staring to bloom.<br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333469854530491010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDAquKVRnYoOCG7YJam6hYN7V1oRinufpSWHRLJW9YtjT2_w3_Pm4pwkIOBr8a4fndNfZjHCqdFtMVjq94P7wMJJLEK2aW_Arwg04cQLxbzRShTj7qVJVY4IdBWqlNatKjFU9L_THFhrr/s320/beginning.JPG" />These white flowers look like tissues on the lawn (and I use that term loosely) at dawn and dusk,then they schrivel up.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333469595738980178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnabMiUGUUBw4RiuGaxTIhe7DQelx-9tpBllmW6zL5Cccg0xhTwf9e9kWipqbuvhTP1lwExzP9vbdOaYG5gW5mZRRVQS-e5EIWfl3rYqFZhlHOBUCwWfDpaAvugCdrVDG075_t0FVGd4ND/s320/tissue.JPG" />And song birds have begun singing as well as this handsome fella. </div><div>I see you see me.<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333469484226137874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQIZveeaw-LVL9X7jArcEXDfJxPYl0W6vlfZmjswDcf702JKH-EW3M44-stVfPAPWyAKkmNj68JMiiO4ght5EH6sf0dnxBM_e8nk8PS6LT_2d9Ecz3CaKf1Z6VU6hbIIsroKsoDBaqCCj/s320/spring+bird.JPG" />Another year, another new start.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-57869771201801799342009-05-03T09:53:00.015-06:002009-05-03T12:14:05.498-06:00The Safely Completed 48 Hour AdventureTuesday 1000 hours: The dogs are escorted to Doggie Camp. Sniff<br /><br />1100 hours: Moi arrives punctually, we drive about one mile and must needs turn around (my wallet is on the console of my car).<br />1200 hours: I am safely deposited at the Albuquerque International Sunport<br />1444 hours: US Air departs on time. I complete reading Newsweek as we land in Phoenix and I traverse miles of airport to get to B17.<br />1644 hours: (time change) I depart PHX for a 50 minute flight to PSP<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GBqTFXSvjsceMDYatkFtqvZNXdfQWtd5Swi5hqTjTIImIcuCSYWzD1BGHDD5x9vWXFvH683IjbG_PCxFs8X-1RuBH17JA4Frr-Ta3vu849_GUmeKlMYkUdQtDpW2rWXXwHAr4dgH0Abu/s1600-h/DSCF6608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GBqTFXSvjsceMDYatkFtqvZNXdfQWtd5Swi5hqTjTIImIcuCSYWzD1BGHDD5x9vWXFvH683IjbG_PCxFs8X-1RuBH17JA4Frr-Ta3vu849_GUmeKlMYkUdQtDpW2rWXXwHAr4dgH0Abu/s320/DSCF6608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331634348340007058" border="0" /></a>This is the view. Can you say "Moonscape"!? Little did I know that I would be driving through this incredible desolate desert.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_90FzENpwBNg2Bn35rwtLmFFIV5Q5O4_3rt_6vHiN0jpS6RLctZOnJ5ZDgGzYiI2uP-TZc97xjnpI7W17zDxNadmJrbsNhOnEPtNzwoE3SXlAG_NSEijFHyy2bo27_CcStNtqfqUrimS/s1600-h/DSCF6609.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_90FzENpwBNg2Bn35rwtLmFFIV5Q5O4_3rt_6vHiN0jpS6RLctZOnJ5ZDgGzYiI2uP-TZc97xjnpI7W17zDxNadmJrbsNhOnEPtNzwoE3SXlAG_NSEijFHyy2bo27_CcStNtqfqUrimS/s320/DSCF6609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331628839169780114" border="0" /></a>1750 hours landed in the middle of a humongus Golf Course in the desert, unbelievable.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillHEU9VA1ElmyYViOEO6sghcLUqlT15e0qZz8GZbR7e8dz734ueW573_XJxT20_fMkcOamDHfgtj6i79PbaVUFdkyEmqxExV7N7NtGhIiZHGhaF7Q18Yuk4CeNzPXyU1PJvcKOiwUDvxD/s1600-h/DSCF6614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillHEU9VA1ElmyYViOEO6sghcLUqlT15e0qZz8GZbR7e8dz734ueW573_XJxT20_fMkcOamDHfgtj6i79PbaVUFdkyEmqxExV7N7NtGhIiZHGhaF7Q18Yuk4CeNzPXyU1PJvcKOiwUDvxD/s320/DSCF6614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331628702826771890" border="0" /></a>I was immediately picked up by my very grateful friend and we drove east to the Morongo Valley past the most amazing Wind Farm. It was like a scene from Star Wars. I was sure that it must have been a Disney Pixar creation. Literally Mile after mile of turbines silently turning.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMhn_8dGLmx-RuIH0v-8bPKwIW1Am8Jt13OZQVLDvFbzE5HXwU3TbktI7MAduKLkcsoUbQU96oJi7qNOCVPXNtEt13mo4VCRBBXiQvG4a2XtXIpwGxYo4I8YFk7B5bizWZaHga98rUWKU/s1600-h/DSCF6617.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMhn_8dGLmx-RuIH0v-8bPKwIW1Am8Jt13OZQVLDvFbzE5HXwU3TbktI7MAduKLkcsoUbQU96oJi7qNOCVPXNtEt13mo4VCRBBXiQvG4a2XtXIpwGxYo4I8YFk7B5bizWZaHga98rUWKU/s320/DSCF6617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331628535138456866" border="0" /></a>"This wind farm on the San Gorgonio Mountain Pass in the San Bernadino Mountains contains more than 4000 separate windmills and provides enough electricity to power Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. "<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7wBY3o_hJ5h8IYdcV417q3IwG1DR07jQTrm0W7YkHIYOPA8yazxhrBqEMLT0xxLXVCiUHkBfC3tNE1XEDXtU4QA7W2elA6OL2z7U9S4eWCVTTaLv4whatBOD-YXcC-ljV3ZmrT1l8t39/s1600-h/DSCF6619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7wBY3o_hJ5h8IYdcV417q3IwG1DR07jQTrm0W7YkHIYOPA8yazxhrBqEMLT0xxLXVCiUHkBfC3tNE1XEDXtU4QA7W2elA6OL2z7U9S4eWCVTTaLv4whatBOD-YXcC-ljV3ZmrT1l8t39/s320/DSCF6619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331627924752300914" border="0" /></a>"The largest of these windmills stands 150 feet tall with blades half the legend of a football field. The compartments at the top containing the generator, hub and gearbox weigh 30,000 to 45,000 pounds. A wind turbine's cost can range upwards to $300,000 and can produce 300 kilowatts an hour - the amount of electricity used by a typical household in a month. Almost all of the currently installed wind electric generation capacity is in California."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXVzgsndgaZLjhydB6pbDRkfKQwnmhIhKSjisp40QgrQd3frzpLTu3ZLc8pUPt7VOfzZYh47Ifs367vmTOGR6CWxVHV2VgunC_TXzFW2wKI1o4IKeGRSDEU6w821WuuSgpjN1356qXJNC/s1600-h/DSCF6620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXVzgsndgaZLjhydB6pbDRkfKQwnmhIhKSjisp40QgrQd3frzpLTu3ZLc8pUPt7VOfzZYh47Ifs367vmTOGR6CWxVHV2VgunC_TXzFW2wKI1o4IKeGRSDEU6w821WuuSgpjN1356qXJNC/s320/DSCF6620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331627735961433138" border="0" /></a>We finally arrive and I get a brief tour then she continues her packing.<br />2000 hours: we prepare steaks, salad and grilled potatoes.<br />2300 hours: I crash into bed. toss and turn, but finally sleep.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nGW-dGJRviBn81P1L49YGjvUuqI9dOINF54VNS_mvMvhyphenhyphenKQK7ySNbWOsHC0wQzXedARqgSSk8mhrwUxnqWGFzuql-3xKWMrw-gsLzdFHQrl91WVgwr4MDOhrvLXwhiVlYognA1jQnGGC/s1600-h/DSCF6626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nGW-dGJRviBn81P1L49YGjvUuqI9dOINF54VNS_mvMvhyphenhyphenKQK7ySNbWOsHC0wQzXedARqgSSk8mhrwUxnqWGFzuql-3xKWMrw-gsLzdFHQrl91WVgwr4MDOhrvLXwhiVlYognA1jQnGGC/s320/DSCF6626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331627485063563554" border="0" /></a>Wednesday, 0600 hours: Everybody up, the land lady comes down to help load the queen size Tempurpedic into the trailer. More boxes go in -then...the 4 cats....<br />Slight mishap with cat and staircase= sprained ankle. Animals ( 4cats, 1 whippit and 1 parrot)situated in back seat of truck.<br />0830 one last stop to feed the horses and say goodbye.<br />0900 hours a quick stop in Joshua Tree for Croissandwiches and I assumed the driving responsibilities for the next FIFTEEN HOURS. (my friend was sidelined with her foot elevated with and icepack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybHqg-GFM2MImg7CmXDZpDcRtOLZ8kh0HhO84DShPfIaM0IwjqlHp7LdncL2n0Fl3IkKBE7jXcbGAzBquwQaDHfggUQcXfYIf7HtBE1P-hvD6AysAz6tvFxf1MJ1oaVg3_i2OpOcE3-GP/s1600-h/DSCF6629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybHqg-GFM2MImg7CmXDZpDcRtOLZ8kh0HhO84DShPfIaM0IwjqlHp7LdncL2n0Fl3IkKBE7jXcbGAzBquwQaDHfggUQcXfYIf7HtBE1P-hvD6AysAz6tvFxf1MJ1oaVg3_i2OpOcE3-GP/s320/DSCF6629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331627220165950242" border="0" /></a>1300 hours: stopped for gas in Needles, Ca ("the Hot spot in the nation today...")<br />pit stop, dog walk, get Large Fountain Drink (WT)<br /><br /> Hours of tawking. Pit stops. Desert. Radio. Cats yelling.<br /><br />1800hours: Dinner at Denny's in Flagstaff. Back on the road<br /><br />Sometime we crossed the New Mexico Border and I felt adrenalized. For a while.<br /><br />Finally we spotted the lights of ABQ and I was delerious as we started down 9 miles hill, until the red and blue lights...<br />2 police cars pulled us over near 4th st. My hands were shaking so badly that I couldn't get my license out. He said I was swerving between lanes and I explained that the trailer was jerking. He looked in the back at the cat carrier, the parrot cage and the dog...then the two crazy old women and left without looking at my license, telling me to pull off to a gas station and get the trailer checked.<br />" Yes. sir" We did, nothing was open so we proceeded cautiously --with me wide awake!<br /><br />Thursday, 0130Hours: Grousemoor Manor. All Safe and accounted for. The animals were tended and everyone slept.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ7Oce_LuPk0QbOYwXo7vXkL-79T_DIzChOjhyyjttlSAlDGe2X60VmU2pHh33a59-1uFc5Xk1zGJiHD9V4mt7vTqxSnZ07gEpVrKRqkIfym0VbQKeDeluQe9bRnvWUsGXb3GIxnA_cRx/s1600-h/DSCF6633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ7Oce_LuPk0QbOYwXo7vXkL-79T_DIzChOjhyyjttlSAlDGe2X60VmU2pHh33a59-1uFc5Xk1zGJiHD9V4mt7vTqxSnZ07gEpVrKRqkIfym0VbQKeDeluQe9bRnvWUsGXb3GIxnA_cRx/s320/DSCF6633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331627009263303730" border="0" /></a>By 1000 hours, my friend was on her way up to Glorieta and her final destination.<br /><br />1330 hours I picked up my very excited dogs and we all camped out on the couch and snoozed.<br /><br />It was a challenge and I'm thrilled to have completed it, but I will think carefully about that many hours in one crack again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302787113382372617.post-86702984136540829712009-04-27T12:19:00.008-06:002009-04-27T12:53:16.297-06:00Road Trip!I'm off on a brief adventure to Southern California. I will be flying out to Palm Springs tomorrow where I will meet a friend and drive her and her truck and horse trailer full of things back to ABQ.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI_TT0YpZD4G90CxlPc5jUnL_4iYsQ3x73HBwF5osk1Vn8ZEdUOtRAOsA17qDL5wYcnxeV5rRbQt0nd53eFFUls4k2yIAmSP_cHkxLSFerb5x95UxOOCrjgAnCuvwVzPP2jdCuUdgsFsc/s1600-h/DSCF2364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI_TT0YpZD4G90CxlPc5jUnL_4iYsQ3x73HBwF5osk1Vn8ZEdUOtRAOsA17qDL5wYcnxeV5rRbQt0nd53eFFUls4k2yIAmSP_cHkxLSFerb5x95UxOOCrjgAnCuvwVzPP2jdCuUdgsFsc/s320/DSCF2364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329443351982396722" border="0" /></a>Picture Thelma and Louise at at sixty along with 4 cats, a dog and a parrot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ3ffRL3mKdCaIa7cQgBbhSWcA9fZtI3O87VwZNTjY4bsmLGybyM0EVHXHl8s5JjZA5d3R_A48VVobom5FeySQGjEpV9k2zcn0jqOzs_Wt7nFBIlxf72gXIV8BLKqrmbv4YSIWFoa0pqE/s1600-h/T&L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ3ffRL3mKdCaIa7cQgBbhSWcA9fZtI3O87VwZNTjY4bsmLGybyM0EVHXHl8s5JjZA5d3R_A48VVobom5FeySQGjEpV9k2zcn0jqOzs_Wt7nFBIlxf72gXIV8BLKqrmbv4YSIWFoa0pqE/s400/T&L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329442607275093010" border="0" /></a>God help those who cross our path!<br /><br />The weather looks fine and I have actually driven the truck before, although not with a large horse trailer. Her vision is impaired which necessitates a driver.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92yM0JkmbD0f1Tn4dk2YezYn-kM_sDo8iKwtODQ8HE4Cy5ag_i-vC8LlKbt7hEn_I-OexU8VlAturxuPQ45agb2UyGQMcCFITBTD-O6XXyT0ZrqLGVML0UD5HL_WWUv65lLSfdcg05aYL/s1600-h/DSCF1606.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92yM0JkmbD0f1Tn4dk2YezYn-kM_sDo8iKwtODQ8HE4Cy5ag_i-vC8LlKbt7hEn_I-OexU8VlAturxuPQ45agb2UyGQMcCFITBTD-O6XXyT0ZrqLGVML0UD5HL_WWUv65lLSfdcg05aYL/s320/DSCF1606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329443929472421602" border="0" /></a><br />Fear not, this will not be part of the plan...as long as she keeps her 9mm locked up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkf0mY9RZtIQ3kII6n-DEFzjW83HqrGH01foB6rEUCtqPPqtp84mLRzwHYxCOhg-PjHxYMVq5geGGrMn8RU5UhLCIexYGdAO0qsutDk_zgQ_b6BUG3EsRNao-pMefRKHDiTB3xXIOiwlQ/s1600-h/thelma.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkf0mY9RZtIQ3kII6n-DEFzjW83HqrGH01foB6rEUCtqPPqtp84mLRzwHYxCOhg-PjHxYMVq5geGGrMn8RU5UhLCIexYGdAO0qsutDk_zgQ_b6BUG3EsRNao-pMefRKHDiTB3xXIOiwlQ/s400/thelma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329442060767247570" border="0" /></a><br />Stories to come...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2