MacBean's Adventures in Prairie-dise

Lost?

2011-04-19T14:37:00.002-06:00

I'll bet you thought I was lost forever. Au contraire, but I am posting on a new blog site...

http://wordsofbarrett.wordpress.com so please, join me at the new site.

Doris Rose MacBean AKA Barrett

More Photo's

2010-04-27T10:20:00.009-06:00

Finally, longer days and a real belief in warmer days...soon.

don't forget Dalwhinnie the watchful, ...with one little drop of water on the bridge of her nose.
AND the babies! (grass is a inch or two)
...and Another one!
Sunshine brings out the bunnies
Limited visibility.
The frozen tundra in Spring!

Notheastern view of the Santa Fe Mountains 60 miles away.

Happy Days are here again.

Official Announcement

2010-04-12T15:57:00.004-06:00

(not sure what these are, but they're always first)>>

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.

I have seen:

1. 3 robins

2. baby bunnies

3. 3 lizards

4.1 beetle

5. 1 hornet

6.heard 1 grasshopper

7. small tufts of green grass

In addition, I think I've heard a couple of song birds AND...the temps have reached th 70's.

It isn't wise to become overly optomistic until mid May, but I did go outside without boots!

Life is good on the prairie.

It would be better if my car battery hadn't died and if my taxes were finished, but hey, can't have everything.

Thanks for checking in, you two.

Winter Snow Effects

2010-02-05T15:46:00.007-07:00

(Double click for full effect)

Blog to Books!

2010-01-04T15:46:00.003-07:00

A tale ensues...
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.
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.
Now what, you might ask?
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.
I still need to put together a query letter, but I'm not there just yet. Soon. 2010 will be the year.
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.

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.

All the Best for 2010!!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-24T09:28:00.003-07:00

From Us to You !

May your days be Merry and Bright!

You better Belize It !

2009-11-12T16:47:00.015-07:00

Welcome to my world...

I have no words because I am yakking them up for NaNoWriMo

(20, 082!!) That means I'm caught up.

Belize=Fabulous, pictures only. Enjoy.

A Pictorial Review of October 2009

2009-10-27T17:30:00.012-06:00

It was really dry until September rains so the Sunflower flurry was a little sparse...

Then there was Tosca, poor Mario... hell, poor Floria.

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).

These are "cartridges" the smallest is probably a 22 caliber and the largest, maybe a 45 caliber or maybe the shot gun shell.

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 Even hit the target most of the time. Yes, I can shoot with either hand.

I was using a Glock 19.

Yeah, that's what I'm talkin'bout! You best not mess with Doris!

I loaded it, snapped that magazine back in there and ...

*POW* *POW* *POW*

Now, there are also some might fine sunsets in the fall.

And on the 18th was the Duke City Marathon (Doris Rose doesn't run, she spectates and cheers her friensds loudly)

Then drives the 30 miles back to her secret Manor in the desert.

Three days later...Winter!

It gets sunny and warm and Jack Frost returns. Sunrise on the prairie. By mid afternoon, the snow was history.

Life in the High Desert is always changing, always Enchanting.

Next stop...Belize, for a week. Later, peeps.

P.S.

Wednesday morning 32 degrees and snowing like curazy.
Temp dropped from 50 degrees at midnight. I'm gonna hafta get the Christmas tree ready!

La Tosca

2009-10-13T17:43:00.010-06:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Check your local theatres for a real treat or check: http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_current.aspx

A wonderful idea

2009-10-03T10:13:00.003-06:00

Tuesday, October 6: One Day, No Hate

Please visit: http://janedevin.com/ for the full story.

I think most of us could use a breather from the malignant negativism consuming the media and our society.

Fall and Funnies

2009-09-19T11:58:00.004-06:00

too cute

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.

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.

And...I am also preparing for for annual pilgrimage to Belize...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?

So, carry on..Keep the Faith, whatev's

2009-08-26T09:43:00.001-06:00

Eternal Rest, Senator.

"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.

* "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.

End of August already??

2009-08-21T12:30:00.008-06:00

Alright, I have been negligent. Perhaps a little lazy. Or...maybe I have been putting my words elsewhere, yeah...that's it, elswhere.

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)

(That was taken about 20 years ago, but who's counting.)
It will be a quick visit, but that is what my baby brother wanted for his birthday. So Be It.

In my absence, I will be leaving the Manor in the capable hands of the Senior Security Rodent,Pierre.
(Be afraid, be very afraid...he's packin')

For the late news: We actually had about a week of daily rain which was very welcome, but that was the middle of July-none since.

As a result, I found a most surprising new addition to the prairie flora...

What? what the heck...

oh my gosh! edibles! or maybe not.

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.

The Prairie gives and the Prairie takes away.

See you when I get back, or in a month.

The Wild Things of Scotland

2009-07-21T14:01:00.011-06:00

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.

This is Spook Cow. (Maybe a wee dram is in order.)

This was our greeter

Wild wooly heiland cooos

Lucky thing there was a fence, this time.

No fences out here on the west coast.

yup, it's stuck in his lip.

Tour guide directing us to a great restaurant in Applecross.

Guess who has the right of way?

They actually started doing this when we stopped the car. Honest.

We stopped the car for every animal spotted, my poor brother.

(PS as Moi says, don't forget to clicky-clicky for great details)

New Mexico Monsoon Season

2009-07-07T14:05:00.007-06:00

(the vertical lines are flyin'hail-balls)

Then after a while... it all goes away, til the next day.

To Do or Not To Do

2009-06-23T12:10:00.003-06:00

I am an admonished daily by The Great and Powerful Critic Within 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.

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!

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).

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.

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.

Tehran Rallies and the world reverberates

2009-06-17T08:09:00.005-06:00

(this was a rally Wednesday)

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..

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.

"Hello, It's painful to watch what's happening.
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.
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.
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?
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) .
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."

This reporter (Nico Pitney) is blogging in real time.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/13/iran-demonstrations-viole_n_215189.html

Technology is really changing things and creating a huge world community where the truth cannot be hidden so easily. hmmm

Ta Da (trumpets)

2009-06-09T17:57:00.005-06:00

It's official, 14 minutes ago The Lady of the Loch received her first ever self published Novel.

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.

Guess the Speaker!

2009-06-07T22:27:00.003-06:00

Excerpted from a recent speech...

...“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.”

“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.”

(uh huh)

(swear it's unedited, I really mean it.)

From The Mountain Telegraph

2009-05-30T13:14:00.003-06:00

Nonprofit Is Providing Duffle Bags of Personal Items For Children Ordered Taken From Their Homes
Written by Ashley Bergen
Thursday, 28 May 2009 09:40

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.

That's according to Jana May, volunteer coordinator for the Rio Grande Valley Court Appointed Special Advocates, known as CASA, which covers Torrance County.

"The kids are always traumatized," May said. "They're in a strange place with strangers."

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.

The items, even the bag, are a useful gift to the children arriving at a shelter or foster homes, May said.

"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."

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.

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.

The Rio Grande Valley CASA is looking for volunteers to become advocates. For more information call 832-6328 or 350-4178.

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.

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.

As a community champion, von Kutzleben received a $1,000 grant, which she designated to the Rio Grande Valley CASA.

Celtic Wonders and Amazonian Treasures

2009-05-19T11:08:00.011-06:00

Sure'n this wasn't a trip to Scotland

...but it's as close as I can get in New Mexico.

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'!

(that puppy was IMMENSE)
The always wonderful High Desert Pipe and Drums
the sharin' of a pint or two....or three...
Shopping for Celtic wares...
The wearin' of strange and wonderful costumes (I think the Army camo was actually genuine).

The weather was perfect warm and breezy; the company was warm and fun and a lovely afternoon was had by all.
* * * * *

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 why could I not remember it???

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)

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.

Ma No! Way More than Fabulous...
thousands of books!

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...

Now, I actually had one sitting in front of me. It's adorable!
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)

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)

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T09:21:00.003-06:00

(double click pic for my brother's complete dorkiness)

Spring is creeping out all over

2009-05-08T09:02:00.003-06:00

Because 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.

These white flowers look like tissues on the lawn (and I use that term loosely) at dawn and dusk,then they schrivel up.
And song birds have begun singing as well as this handsome fella.

I see you see me.

Another year, another new start.

The Safely Completed 48 Hour Adventure

2009-05-03T09:53:00.015-06:00

Tuesday 1000 hours: The dogs are escorted to Doggie Camp. Sniff

1100 hours: Moi arrives punctually, we drive about one mile and must needs turn around (my wallet is on the console of my car).
1200 hours: I am safely deposited at the Albuquerque International Sunport
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.
1644 hours: (time change) I depart PHX for a 50 minute flight to PSP

This is the view. Can you say "Moonscape"!? Little did I know that I would be driving through this incredible desolate desert.

1750 hours landed in the middle of a humongus Golf Course in the desert, unbelievable.
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.
"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. "
"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."
We finally arrive and I get a brief tour then she continues her packing.
2000 hours: we prepare steaks, salad and grilled potatoes.
2300 hours: I crash into bed. toss and turn, but finally sleep.
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....
Slight mishap with cat and staircase= sprained ankle. Animals ( 4cats, 1 whippit and 1 parrot)situated in back seat of truck.
0830 one last stop to feed the horses and say goodbye.
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.

1300 hours: stopped for gas in Needles, Ca ("the Hot spot in the nation today...")
pit stop, dog walk, get Large Fountain Drink (WT)

Hours of tawking. Pit stops. Desert. Radio. Cats yelling.

1800hours: Dinner at Denny's in Flagstaff. Back on the road

Sometime we crossed the New Mexico Border and I felt adrenalized. For a while.

Finally we spotted the lights of ABQ and I was delerious as we started down 9 miles hill, until the red and blue lights...
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.
" Yes. sir" We did, nothing was open so we proceeded cautiously --with me wide awake!

Thursday, 0130Hours: Grousemoor Manor. All Safe and accounted for. The animals were tended and everyone slept.

By 1000 hours, my friend was on her way up to Glorieta and her final destination.

1330 hours I picked up my very excited dogs and we all camped out on the couch and snoozed.

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.

Road Trip!

2009-04-27T12:19:00.008-06:00

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.
Picture Thelma and Louise at at sixty along with 4 cats, a dog and a parrot.
God help those who cross our path!

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.

Fear not, this will not be part of the plan...as long as she keeps her 9mm locked up!

Stories to come...

Happy Birthday To A Singing Phenom!

2009-04-19T17:53:00.004-06:00

Nathalie Dessaix, 19 April 1965

Actor, Singer.

A gift to all who appreciate theatre and music.

You go girl!

Susan Boyle

2009-04-15T09:03:00.001-06:00

If you haven't already seen this, PLEASE- watch it! It will make your spirit soar, it's extraordinary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4

A Little of this and a little of that...

2009-04-02T12:09:00.004-06:00

Please check out the MySpace Music page and listen to the incredible voice of my "sister" Cathryn McGill

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=114781178

Wildlife Mystery:
Name these paw prints. they are approximately 1/2 inch long and may be eating my car

Another of the many faces of my Mountain

Who else wants to kiss the top of this soft brown head?

SSMMOOOCH!

And that is all I have to say this week, except...too much cold wind, brrr...

Ah spring, Always a suprise

2009-03-27T11:24:00.010-06:00

So, to make up for my negligence I will do 'news in review'.
(I have no good excuse except that I actually have been writing, really, I mean it.)

These two characters have been hanging around Grousemoor Manor Loving Home To Strays for the past couple of weeks. They seem very docile and sweet, both have collars, don't come close to the house, sleep at the end of the driveway and drive my dogs --NUTS.

Most newsworthy: After literally months of drought ...we have SNOW!

A silent, small world of white, rather like living in a snow globe.

we were warned (as we have been before...for nuthin'). Then, it started last night and has now been snowing for over 12 hours--not heavily but steadily. I'm guessing I have 4-7"

Do you see that huge mountain behind my house? do ya? Gone. Miguel the Mountain Stealer, uh huh. S'True.

Now, perhaps the green will continue to grow. (Anything green will do, I'm not picky).

***********************************************************************

On the financial front, I continue to bleed savings but still needed to take my car for a 74,000 mile servicing and instead succumbed to the way-over-due and important 60,000 mile Major treatment. Halfway through John came out to tell me that "once again" I had Rodent damage-major rodent damage, A/C compressor wires,throttle cable,and drive belt!!!

After showing me the nests and damage, he suggested I speak with other East Mountain residents about obtaining a bottle of rodent deterring Bobcat urine!? Yes, Bobcat Urine.

(at that moment I think I might have been able to provide a gallon jug of Pather Piss,but refrained.)

Instead, I decorated my shiny clean engine block with moth balls and Bounce Fabric sheets.

"Life on the Prairie ain't for sissies."
(somebody must have said that)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

PS 1230 PM ... the sun'll come out...
and Miguel returned MacBean Mountain!

PPS 24 hours later, poof! Spring has changed her mind again.

Yay! Sun.

Slainte!

2009-03-17T09:57:00.009-06:00

On St. Patrick's day, everyone is Irish

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Some well known Irish Authors

Spring Forward...they say

2009-03-08T17:06:00.010-06:00

Well, here it is March 8th and it is warm and sunny and it's still light at five PM. And No, I didn't turn the clocks forward...I waited until the computer did it for me so I would know what the correct time REALLY was.

So anyway, here's the deal, a couple of weeks ago I noticed some teeny tiny little sprouts of green amongst the very dry grass covering the high desert around my house.

Why is this such a big flippin deal, you ask? ...cause we ain't had NO rain.No snow. Nada'. It is mucho dryo (read HIGH fire danger)

(for reference purposes, these gay blades are about 1"high...all 20 of them)

Then there are these little cauliflower looking thing (also about 1"in diameter)

It is amazing to me that the flora and fauna seem to survive and flourish in less than a hospitable environment.

I still don't know what the rodents (there are many), rabbits, snakes , lizards and coyotes do without a source of water, I really don't.

But every year, they survive and propagate. The Life Cycle is pretty amazing.

Meanwhile, when I drove into Albuquerque Thursday last, there were flowering trees blooming everywhere, it was really beautiful. There were also 237 million cars and trucks making noise and stinking up the place, so after a few hours I had to flee for the dry peace of the desert.

Reminds me, I'm gonna go get a drink of water, feeling a little parched.

Addendeum: I wrote this on Sunday after noon...I awoke Monday morning to ....SNOW.

you gotta love it

Very Exciting News!!

2009-02-25T13:25:00.005-07:00

This here compooter is one crazy-ass little piece of high techery.

My brother was kind enough to gift me with an old model Compaq which has served me well since October when I started my *serious* writing adventure.
Alas the 6GB hard drive could no longer cope (it is probably 7-8years old...RIP). When installing a new one would have been +/_$200, I went shopping and found..

The DELL Inspiron Mini 9. Is this cute or what?! Less than half the size and about 2 pounds! I could carry this in my pocket, a kinda big pocket, but still...

Not as thick as a paper back
But bigger than my Palm...

Windows XP and Microsoft Works, as well as wireless internet and a web cam, tooo cute.

I just wanted something easy to use for writing and boy, is this great. Now even I can go to Flying Star with the cool kids!

More reports to follow!

Do you know the way to Bandelier?

2009-02-16T22:51:00.015-07:00

The Road north of Santa Fe
Abiquiu Lake
(No shade...)

An undiscovered gem
Wonderful view
whooops...
Rain coming

batten down the hatches
Bandelier National Monument, (thanks Federal Works Project)

This was a beautiful area with great facilities.

A Moving Speech

2009-02-13T11:08:00.007-07:00

Springfield, Ill. February 12th
(see above)

Worth a thousand words, I'll bet

2009-01-30T09:17:00.004-07:00

I feel it coming...................

A New Day Has Come

2009-01-21T11:35:00.007-07:00

I’m still basking in the sunshine of a new day. The inauguration of Our 44th President,a feast of pageantry, patriotism, music, poetry and hope.

The last time that I was held prisoner by world events was 9/11 when I could scarcely move off of my couch because of the horrific and hypnotic pictures broadcast continuously throughout the day and night.

January 20, 2009 was equally compelling for me in an entirely different way. Like many I have felt my hope and faith drained slowly out of me for the past eight years. The notion that whatever can go wrong will go wrong seem to be manifest daily. The greater our telecommunications have become the more quickly we can be apprised of the horror, the death and destruction, greed and larceny that have become a daily diet.

As the spirit of our great nation seemed to drain slowly from our veins I became more and more apathetic and angry-but felt helpless to do anything. The obscenely long primary season did little to help as we were faced with more lies and deception and false promises. Politics became more than just a “silly season” it became vindictive, divisive and mean spirited. So, in order to add another measure of suffering to our already Fear-Filled lives, our potential leaders were further dividing us into armed camps.

Then Yesterday, I experienced the tectonic shift in the planet-not only in this country but all over the world. Yes, I may be overly optimistic or even naïve but I truly believe that The Change has come. I suspected it on November 4 when the news anchor said, “It’s over. Barak Obama has been elected President.” Then I listened hynotically to the incredible and Powerful acceptance speech. Maybe it is over.

On Sunday January 18, 2009 in Washington, DC, 500,000 people gathered on the National Mall in freezing temperatures to watch an epic production of pageantry and joy. A person would need to be half dead to have not experienced the exuberance of those hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country standing and cheering in celebration of a new tide turning in this country. That crowd, that joy-filled, loving crowd swelled to 1.8 million people yesterday filling the streets and sidewalks around the Capital, the National Mall and the White House where they shared a moment in history that will not soon be forgotten. In my heart I was with them- every one of them, I watched as they cheered and screamed and hugged and waved flags. And tears ran down my face and my throat constricted. I cried as I watched aged black veterans saluting throughout the Inaugural Address. I watched in disbelief as the camera panned the crowds that seemed to stretch to the horizon. And I watched elected leaders from every part of government come together in one group to watch OUR African-American 44^thpresident take the oath of office. And I cried when they played Hail to the Chief for the first time to a new president.

Today I feel a peace that I have not experienced for a long time. I believe there is a change and I believe in my country again. The United States of America has had a rocky history from its birth through its adolescence we have fought and died here and abroad to protect a dream. The challenges we face now are no more or less daunting but if we believe in that dream and if we each believe we are part of that dream and if we are each willing to work for that dream; then I believe we will be able to look back and truly say yes we did make a change and saved that dream.

I know there are many who remain disenchanted and disappointed with our new leader, I felt the same way eight years ago. At that time I was discouraged and believed we had been cheated out of our rightful President. But it wasn’t a choice there isn’t a president for one group and a president for another, we have one leader ,One president of our United States of America and I decided to give him a chance to lead us.

At the end of his term, I am no happier but I’m still in American and he was still my president. In the next four years or eight years we will again pass judgment but this time it will be different because WE are being asked to participate in this change. It’s our turn to get out of the stands and on to the court so that when it is time to judge, it will be much more difficult.

During the run up to the election we were constantly reminded about our responsibility to vote. The only way to make a difference was to use your voice in the voting booth. We’re being asked again, not to look for a Change but to BE the change.

Are you willing to pledge to making a change?

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=50632298

Yours Truly,

Pollyanna MacBean

(this was the first thing that President Obama did...)

NATIONAL DAY OF RENEWAL AND RECONCILIATION, 2009

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As I take the sacred oath of the highest office in the land, I am humbled by the responsibility placed upon my shoulders, renewed by the courage and decency of the American people, and fortified by my faith in an awesome God.

We are in the midst of a season of trial. Our Nation is being tested, and our people know great uncertainty. Yet the story of America is one of renewal in the face of adversity, reconciliation in a time of discord, and we know that there is a purpose for everything under heaven.

On this Inauguration Day, we are reminded that we are heirs to over two centuries of American democracy, and that this legacy is not simply a birthright -- it is a glorious burden. Now it falls to us to come together as a people to carry it forward once more.

So in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, let us remember that: "The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2009, a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation, and call upon all of our citizens to serve one another and the common purpose of remaking this Nation for our new century.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

OMG! The Fabulous sixties

2009-01-14T11:03:00.014-07:00

Inspired by the title of Moi's Blog, I had to googulate til I could find Simon and Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade of Winter" and I was catapulted back into the glorious sights and sounds of the Sixties!

Yes, folks ... 'talkin'bout my generation'

"A defining chapter in America's past, the '60s shaped a generation and sculpted a political landscape that can still be seen today. The story of the '60s is illuminated with images of freedom protests, atom bombs, flower power, and a nation divided by war."

This time included all of high school and college. I lived in Chicago (sort of) do I experienced the upheavals which included the assasinations of JFK, RFK , MLK as well as the deaths of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendricks.

Chicago was the site of Democratic Convention and the ensuing riots in '68. I was actually living downtown at that time with the soldiers and the tanks and the shooting and looting. Mighty scary.I protested the killings at Kent State and was nearly evicted from my apartment.

Then there was music, ahh the music--All the time. It truly was a sound track for my life.

Top Ten 60s One Hit Wonders:
1. Wipe Out - The Surfaris2. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly3. Do You Love Me - The Contours4. Venus - Shocking Blue5. The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto6. Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' - Crazy Elephant7. Wooly Bully - Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs8. Hot Rod Lincoln - Johnny Bond9. Nobody But Me - The Human Beinz 10. Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong

Top Ten 60s Dance Songs:
1. The Twist - Chubby Checker2. Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations3. Sugar Pie Honey Bunch - Four Tops4. I Want You Back - Jackson 55. More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Staircase6. Heatwave - Martha and the Vandellas7. Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Temptations8. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva9. Jimmy Mack - Martha and the Vandellas10. Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley

Top Ten 60s Teenage Death Songs:
1. Last Kiss - J. Frank Wilson2. Dead Man's Curve - Jan & Dean3. The Water Was Red - Johnny Cymbal4. Teen Angel - Mark Dinning5. No Surfing Today - the Four Seasons6. The Leader of the Pack - Shangra-Las7. Paint It Black - Rolling Stones8. Moody River - Pat Boone9. Tell Laura I Love Her - Ray Peterson10. Ode To Billy Joe - Bobbie Gentry

Top Ten 60s Rock and Roll Party Tunes:
1. Twist and Shout - Isley Brothers (or Beatles)2. Devil With a Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly - Mitch Ryder & Detroit Wheels3. Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf4. In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett5. I'm A Believer - The Monkees6. Gimme Some Lovin' - The Spencer Davis Group7. Hang on Sloopy - McCoys8. Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett9. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry10. Time Won't Let Me - Outsiders

Top Ten 60s Songs Mom and Dad Hated
1. Let's Spend The Night Together - Rolling Stones2. Rainy Day Woman # 12 & 35 - Bob Dylan3. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Buttefly4. Louie Louie - Kingsmen5. I Fought The Law - Bobby Fuller Four6. They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! - Napoleon XIV7. I Think We're Alone Now - Tommy James & the Shondells8. Light My Fire - the Doors9. Psychotic Reaction - Count Five10. Who's Makin' Love - Johnny Taylor

Top Ten 60s Songs Everybody Hated
1. I Dig Rock and Roll Music - Peter, Paul and Mary2. Ringo - Lorne Greene3. Palisades Park - Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon4. 98.6 - Keith5. Winchester Cathedral - New Vaudeville Band6. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini - Bryan Hyland7. Somethin' Stupid - Frank and Nancy Sinatra8. Do The Freddie - Freddie and the Dreamers9. The Tra La La Song - The Banana Splits10. In The Year 2525 - (Exordium and Terminus) - Zager and Evans

The Top Ten 1960s Fad Songs:
1. The Twist - Chubby Checker2. Name Game - Shirley Ellis3. Sugar Sugar - The Archies4. Born Free - Roger Williams5. Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf6. Simon Says - 1910 Fruitgum Company7. To Sir With Love - Lulu8. Wildwood Days - Bobby Rydell9. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy - Ohio Express10. South Street - Orlons
The Top Ten 1960s Preachy Songs:
1. Give Peace A Chance - John Lennon2. Abraham, Martin and John - Dion3. Harper Vally P.T.A. - Jeannie C. Riley4. The "In" Crowd - Dobie Gray5. Eve of Destruction - Barry McGuire6. Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette7. Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young8. People Got To Be Free - The Rascals9. Where Have All The Flowers Gone? - Kingston Trio10. Whats Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser out Of Me) - Jerry Lee Lewis11. What The World Needs Now Is Love - Jackie DeShannon
Top Twenty 60s Hits That You Need To Make Your Collection Complete:
1. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond 2. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - Righteous Brothers 3. Red Rubber Ball - Cyrcle 4. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell 5. It's The Same Old Song - Four Tops 6. Happy Together - The Turtles 7. Son Of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield 8. She Loves You - Beatles 9. Green Onions - Booker T. & The MG's 10. Sunshine Superman - Donovan 11. Runaround Sue - Dion and the Belmonts 12. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes 13. California Sun - Rivieras 14. A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procul Harum 15. 96 Tears - ? and the Mysterians 16. Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan 17. I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher 18. Got To Get You into My Life - Beatles 19. Pushin Too Hard - The Seeds 20. The Boxer - Simon and Garfunkle
The Top Ten Weirdest Songs of the 60s:
1. Maxwell's Silver Hammer - The Beatles2. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly3. A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash4. Star Spangled Banner - Jimi Hendrix5. If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul6. Surfin' Bird - The Trashmen7. Fire - The Crazy World of Arthur Brown8. Tip-Toe Through the Tulips With Me - Tiny Tim9. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond10. My Pal Foot Foot - The Shaggs
The Top Ten 1960s "influenced" Songs:
1. White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane2. MacArthur Park - Richard Harris3. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Beatles4. Red Red Wine - Neil Diamond5. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience6. The Star Spangled Banner - Jimi Hendrix7. I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) - The Electric Prunes8. Tiny Bubbles - Don Ho9. Incense and Peppermints - Strawberry Alarm Clock10. You Keep Me Hangin' On - Vanilla Fudge

oh boy, oh boy, oh boy,I could just listen to some of those songs over and over and Sing!
And for a special treat: find and download the original LONG version(18:49) of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. (I couldn't find it on youtube)

Hippies and Free Love and Sex, Drugs, and rock'n'Roll, End the War.

I was on my own living fast and loose. I spent a year in Los Angeles with part time jobs, no support system and a dream of breaking into hollywood (didn't happen, in case you didn't notice.)

Lived poor and in debt, collected pop bottles and when I had 13 cents I bought a taco! I got to see the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane,Dionne Warwick, Muddy Waters, Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland.

While in LA I saw, Ann-Margaret, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball and David Jansen-good times.

At the end of the decade I lost both my parents, my brother returned from four years in the Navy and I finally got my self back in the game. I started Nursing School in 1973 and the rest, as they say, is history.

If you haven't seen this, it's a nice retrospective:

http://moreoldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheSixties.htm

credit:
http://www.sixtiesphotos.com/photos.html

New Years Day 2009

2009-01-01T10:08:00.005-07:00

This is my plan for the coming year.

Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland -New Years Eve 2009

Starry Starry Night

2008-12-29T12:07:00.009-07:00

Last night after watching the news (and I don't know why I continue to do that) I took the dogs out for their nightly walkabout. Since I wasn't doing anything important whilst I was standing there, I just stopped and looked up at the sky and had one of those "aha" moments.

2008 has been one of the bumpiest, most uncomfortable and frightening years that I can remember. It seems that there is war or conflict almost everywhere --most notably Iraq, Afghanistan,Pakistan, Africa, India, Southeast Asia in general and now Israel and Palestine. (why is conflict so addictive??)

It seems that our country is more divided than ever and what used to be political jousting is now hate speech. Political, social and religious differences have taken on epic proportions. Civil discourse is almost impossible. Hell, civility itself is almost unachievable! Common sense and good manners are obsolete.

The global economic meltdown has created a climate of fear that I cannot remember in my lifetime; and I'm not sure we've seen the end of it. Just like everyone else, I'm worried. I worry about my savings, my health, my family and friends. I worry about what will become of all of us.

Then I go out and look at the night sky, in fact I do this every night but last night was different. There was no moon, just a blanket of white spots covering me -covering all of us. And it's been there for eons and it will continue to be there for eons. Regardless of what happens on this little speck which we the 'current occupants' appear to have taken ownership.

(I had to smile and then laugh a little bit of self important we are.) Out there on one of those little white specks, there may be another planet suffering the exact same plight in which we find ourselves. They too maybe scurrying around trying to find answers.

Just how important are we in the greater scheme of things ? Evolution. Great cataclysms. Extinction.

We are just a speck on a speck lost among millions of other specks.

At what point, I wonder, did we decide that we were the center of the universe? And even on this particular speck, when did the United States of America decide that we were the most important ?

If you have chance tonight or tomorrow night, go out and stand in the cold night air and look above you into the blackness and ponder those tiny points of light which are illumine the entire sky.

...it left me with an enormous sense of peace.

So, for 2009 I wish for Peace.

(many of the above photos came from:

http://www.skychasers.net/

A Holiday Greeting

2008-12-24T11:47:00.005-07:00

On this Christmas Eve I want to wish everyone a joyous and peace filled Holiday with Family and friends-near and far.

I hope we can all close out this memorable year safely and with the comfort that a New Year brings with it Promise and Hope and Change.

Merriest of Christmases and Happiest of New Years.

From Doris Rose MacBean, Dalwhinnie, Duchess of Dinkus and the irrepressible Princess Poppy

Celebrate the Solstice

2008-12-19T10:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-judith-rich/winter-solstice-a-paean-t_b_149801.html

It's gettin' kinda Christmasy

2008-12-15T12:18:00.009-07:00

Come on you guys....time for a picture, Dalwhinnie, Poppy, COME!

Come in here... sit Dalwhinnie

Come back here and sit. Poppy, come in here, SIT...I said SIT!!

(can I make it out that door..)

"Merry Christmas pesty Poppy"

"Merry Christmas Dalwhinnie, I love yoouuu!"

(when will this F****** merriment be over with)

Merry Cristmas Everyone!

God Bless us everyone!

"okay ..TREATS!"

ahh, the internets

2008-12-06T14:19:00.013-07:00

Ain't technology grand??

Today I am listening to a performance of Massenet's Thais with Renee Fleming (it is beeeautiful) and I will see a *Live* HD performance on the 20th at a local movie theater. This is amazing!

I am also reading the NewYork Times and Drinking coffee while I watch my wuppies snore...schweeet.

Now this.....

Is a fabulous production of Franz Lehar's "The Merry widow" performed in
Chicago...several , several years ago.....

and THIS is someone dreaming about Christmas and hoping that if she sleeps right next to her food bowl...maybe Santa will come sooner and bring lots of treats. Don't worry puppy, he will.

A View from the Windswept (and I mean WIND Swept)Plains

2008-12-02T11:36:00.007-07:00

Sunrise
Sunset

The Moon, Venus and Jupiter

(may need to double click on photo)

"Fast Away the old year passes..."

50,048 11:50am Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-28T09:15:00.001-07:00

Amen and thank you Jeebus!

Rest and Be Thankful

2008-11-26T08:27:00.017-07:00

I know, I am...

Today just may be the Day...

2008-11-20T16:33:00.009-07:00

As we speak, or as I speak and you read...Charlie is enjoying his new-I hope to be Forever Home!

After meeting the furry white Fluff last week, my lovely neighbor agreed to take him. I delivered him this morning and stayed to visit for two hours while he acclimated to a new situation-poor little fellow. He just got used to the "Dog house" then I moved him. Poppy will be much happier as she has been in the bedroom for weeks.

I'm sure he'll be very happy and well cared for...poor little goof ball.

Be a good boy, Charlie...

Saturday Report

2008-11-15T13:42:00.003-07:00

Soo, The Wuppitas are asleep on the couch. I'm sitting at my computer, looking at the mountians, listening to the Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairies (don't ask) and what crosses my field of vision...Grouse! Not one, not two-but TWENTY ONE of them marching, single file across my deck. They hop down and keep marching across the yard. Amazing. 21 of them.
I go on working and half hour later...here they come marching back. I grabbed my trusty Fuji and get one quick shot before Dalwhinnie wanders over to the window (read Patio door) and off they fly as a flock.

Have I mentioned that I love my little house on the Prairie, I do. Unexpected visitors and all.

pictures to follow, but I'm working..sshhh.

Hump-day update

2008-11-12T08:55:00.005-07:00

"The Time has come, the Walrus said to speak of many things of Shoes and ships and sealing wax and cabbages and Kings..."

Well, actually...it's Not the time just yet. I am only 16,000 words in and still a bit behind. I started with 4,000 the first day (by mistake) and then took a couple of days off. So....

I still don't have a real plot. I have three subplots and we'll see who wins.

Turns out that sitting and writing all day is as hard on my poor degenerate lumbar spine as housework is!

And no new home for Charlie...yet. Later, y'áll.
(borrowed from BlogSecrets)

A New Day has come

2008-11-06T10:00:00.005-07:00

A New day has dawned in our country. I am filled with pride and hope and awe. This election was grueling, tedious, aggravating, infuriating and frightening. Over the past six months I have become more and more of a political/news junkie. TV, internet, magazines, blogs-you name it I read it or watched it. My poor aging brain is so filled with trivia and blither that there's scarcely room for a shopping list.

And today...Peace. I was so moved on Tuesday night that I could hardly speak. I watched the election coverage like a tennis match-truly uncertain about the outcome. There have been election and voting"irregularities" in the past, you know. Then, sometime after 9pm (mtn time)
an avalanche began and before I could grok what happened; they were announcing that Barak Obama predicted the probable winner. Huh?( I was dug in for a looog night)

I don't think I understood completely until I heard John McCain's concession speech -very gracious-(and without all the ticks and grimaces) that I began to absorb the historic importance of this election.

Then there was Grant Park in Chicago....I know Grant Park (from Chicago)-it was transformed. It was New Years Eve and 4th of July and Christmas. 250,000 people smiling, crying, laughing, yelling, hugging, weeping and all the time waving American Flags. Barak Obama gave, what I believe, was a moving, humble, hopeful and very motivating speech. He lifted everyone up out of the fear and hatred we have been forced into. There was no more talk of derision, derisiveness, fear-mongering, doom and gloom--it was about a new direction, about working together, personal responsibility, cooperation, hard work and a new path out of the morass in which we have become mired.

It wasn't the words he said or the way he said them, it was his ability to inspire that moved me. I have heard that before in my lifetime...long, long ago.It brought me hope that -cliche that it might be-Together-united as one people- Americans can do whatever they set their hearts and minds to achieving. And a huge wall of hatred began to crumble; our First Family will..for the first time...be young and African American. OMG.

The days and months ahead will show how badly we want to accept the challenge for change, what will we, as a country, be willing to do or to sacrifice for ourselves, our families and for future generations.

I know it will be difficult, there is no quick fix for the hole that WE have dug ourselves (make no mistake-we are all complicit in this- either by commission or omission). This is not time for blame and finger pointing-it's time to move forward. When history looks back at this time, how will we have acquitted ourselves? With honor and courage and grit? or with whining and blaming and selfishness and greed?

I especially love the fact that people from every corner of the world joined with us to celebrate a New Beginning (makes me cry every time) and I fervently hope that we do not disappoint them...as we did after their generous support after 9/11.

Folks, I think that the "collective Higher Powers"have given us a "do-over", let's not blow it.

It's Time, Once again...to WRITE

2008-11-02T14:19:00.004-07:00

Yes,it's November. Time for Nanowrimo! and yesterday Nanoloon MacBean put fingers to keyboard to begin the 50K epic adventure (I am listening to "The Great Gates of Kiev" by Modeste Mussorgsky-epic-tpye music). But I'm falling a little short of the 6,600words/day. I think I do better writing by hand. damn.

Soo, my posts maybe thin to downright nonsensical. Bear with me it's only 28 more days!

Sometimes,I can't help myself

2008-10-31T12:37:00.006-06:00

I just know his mother loved him...not so sure about his person...

Of course, Dalwhinnie is the perfect hostess-offering up her daytime post to Bonnie Prince Charlie

I LOVE dis widdleface, LOVE IT!

Sweetness and light.
(Princess Poppy is hole up in the bedroom, as usual)

Guess who came to dinner...

2008-10-28T17:07:00.003-06:00

and is still here?

Wandered into the yard last evening, spent the night in the garage (on top of the pool cover) and still no word from his owner.

According to the vet...he's a 4-5 yo neutered Japanese Chin. who knew?

He has met the girls and all is well, but I don't want Three!

Lawsey Mercy.

Change We Can Believe In

2008-10-27T09:42:00.002-06:00

170,000 people in Denver Sunday afternoon went silent at the end of the speech to hear...

"Maybe some of your parents or grandparents, they were born in another country without freedom of speech or freedom of worship, but they said, you know what, we know there's this land across the ocean called America, where it's a land of opportunity and a land of freedom, and we're willing to take the risk to travel to that place to create a better future for our children and grandchildren. In this audience, there are people whose parents or grandparents couldn't cast a vote, but they said to themselves you know, maybe my child or grandchild, if we march, if we struggle, maybe they may be able to run for the United States Senate, maybe they might run for the Presidency of the United States of America."

Barak Obama –Denver Oct.26, 2008 Courtesy of David Sirota/Huff Po

Memoriam

2008-10-22T15:50:00.004-06:00

Margaret Louise Ramsey
October 22, 1968
Eternal Rest, Mom

41 or 63? sixty-THREE

2008-10-21T16:38:00.004-06:00

The Memory Lane Saga

2008-10-17T15:17:00.003-06:00

When I first decided to return to Illinois for my class reunion, I received a number of responses. Several friends reported that they “never” attend class reunions; others reported attending only one or two. Of course, I realize that some of my current friends are young enough that they could’ve only attended one or two-unlike me making the trip for my fifth or sixth -can’t remember.

I was excited to do so because our last reunion-the 40th- was very well attended by over 300 former classmates and proved to be enjoyable enough that many people agreed with the idea of getting together sooner than ten years. My reason was perfectly selfish; I had received such positive feedback from classmates with whom I only had slight interaction, yet their memories of those interactions were very positive. I was anxious to go back and find out who else might have historical references to my life that might be important.

The turnout was decidedly less than wonderful (unlike to 300 we had five years ago) it was closer to 60. Be that as it may, a smaller group allowed us more opportunity to talk instead of feeling compelled to flit from group to group looking for familiar faces. I was surprised that the people with whom I had the most conversations were folks from my grammar school-now we’re talking a long, long time ago. The stories were wonderful, many of which I had not heard or scarcely remembered.

The upshot of all this is the pondering I have done ever since. The recent loss of a dear friend and mentor has set me to ponder my own mortality and connections. When I started planning the return to my childhood home I consciously made a decision to contact people with whom I had forged a connection that had in some way altered the path of my life. The purpose that reconnection was to let them know the value of our friendship and how it had changed my life.

And with each connection, I was able to express those feelings and accept their responses. It was a heartening experience and a joyful one. I’ve been very blessed over my lifetime to have found an enriching and eclectic cadre of wonderful human beings that are generous, kind, humorous and supportive. We had time to recall special landmarks that we had shared together over the years bring us to a newer and deeper and more comfortable friendship.

I was discussing this journey with a friend when I returned and we both had similar feelings about connecting with people from our past. It was those people in grammar school and in high school who knew a different individual-a young girl and a young woman who was vital and active and silly (I’m afraid this silly remains). Those girls that were in Brownies with me remembered my house, my family, my pets and the fact that my mother was our troop leader. They remembered the inside of my house, my bedroom, our living room furniture and they can validate that for me. Most of all they remember my family--my parents who, over the years, have become a thin, one dimensional memory.
My friends in high school knew me when I was part of the theater department or the girls club, or worked on the Playback committee. They were in the audience when I played Ann-Margaret in our annual school show or in Tea House of the August Moon. Some of them worked with me when we started a summer theatre company which grew and enabled us to travel to other communities performing shows.

The people my past-the people of my youth knew me is a different kind of character-someone who is adventurous, active and tireless. When they saw me at the reunion and when we sat and talked, neither of us was looking at a 63 year old that was gimpy and out of shape, someone with weaker vision, painful joints, one or more medical maladies and far less stamina. When we talked--it was 1955 or 1960 or some other ancient time when life was simpler and our huge adolescent problems- somewhat less huge and a lot more amusing.

The experience was validating and heart warming in a way that is very difficult to explain. It wasn’t like going back in time; it was more like bringing that truth and sense of history forward to add fabric and depth to the image that I see in the mirror every day. The wonderful people who surround me now never knew me as the pitcher of the softball team, the downhill skier, the canoeist, the spelunker, the bicyclist, the actress, the camper, the opera singer (sort of) or the college student.

Folks I know today probably unaware of the dozens of jobs that I’ve held and the dozens of apartments I’ve lived in, the brushes with poverty and the ramshackle cottage I bought with a friend and fixed up over several years. We replaced the roof, replace the furnace, tore out the carpeting, painted, tiled, and built fences, put up gutters, built decks and planted gardens.

The person I see in the mirror doesn’t look anything like that person from the past. But the person I see now has stories and memories and wisdom. And when I see my friends from those long ago days a spark kindles a warm spot in my heart that these days as gotten and just a little cooler.

2013….the 50th reunion.

The Reunion Part II

2008-10-14T09:47:00.009-06:00

New Trier High School (also known as New Trier Township High School or NTHS) is a public four-year high school with its major campus located in Winnetka, Illinois, U.S.A. and a second campus in Northfield, Illinois, with freshman classes and district administration. Founded in 1901, the school is well known for its large spending per student, academic excellence, and its athletic, drama, and music programs. New Trier's primary campus in Winnetka is used by sophomores, juniors, and seniors, while the freshmen attend classes at the Northfield campus. The school serves Chicago's North Shore suburbs of Wilmette, Glencoe, Winnetka, and Kenilworth, Northfield, and Glenview.^[6]

The school is named after the city of Trier, Germany, and New Trier's logo depicts the Porta Nigra, symbol of that city. The Porta Nigra was built between 180-200 AD and is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. (pour MOI)

The Reunion was held at a local hotel as it was 5years ago. The chief difference was attendance-the 40th had over 300 attendees and this time ...54. The evening was lively and entertaining and allowed for more conversation instead of just schmoozing.

In addition to a DJ providing old standards from the 60's, our resident Broadway persona Sheila Rae provided a great song which she wrote about our class-very fun.

On Sunday morning a brunch was provided and allowed Sheila and Rick (my buddy) to share some "theater talk".

On Friday, Many folks gathered at Elder Lane beach (some great parties) to have a pre-party-picnic. I did not attend but heard that it was well attended. The view is north to Tower Road beach...aahhhh.

I had a good time and was glad that I had attended and reconnected.On Sunday morning I headed back to Wisconsin on Sunday morning to renew my scheduled "personal reunions".

Pilgrimage Part 1

2008-10-13T12:17:00.008-06:00

Saturday-Arrival in Wilmette, Illinois. After living in the Hight desert for ten years, tree lined brick streets are more than a memory-a beautiful reminder of other times

The First Presbyterian Church is where my grandfather was pastor and my brother and I were baptised

Central school was just down the alley-less than a block from our house- where we attended grammar school and hung out at the playground in the summers and on weekends.
This was the house I grew up in-seems smaller now and the trees much taller.
This is the Wilmette Bowl which was in Gilson Park at the lake front( Lake Michigan).

This was a small area farther north called Plaza Del Lago where I had my first job at the snack counter of the Teatro Del lago.

The road tour ended as my friend Rick and I prepared for our reunion.

My teacher, my mentor, my friend

2008-10-09T14:05:00.004-06:00

October 7, 2008

Irene Dailey, Actress of Stage and TV, Dies at 88

By DENNIS HEVESI

Irene Dailey, a late-blooming actress perhaps best known for her roles in television soap operas and for her portrayal of the quick-witted, sensitive mother, Nettie Cleary, in the 1964 Tony Award-winning drama “The Subject Was Roses,” died on Sept. 24 in Santa Rosa, Calif. She was 88 and lived in Guerneville, Calif.

The cause was colon cancer, her friend Arleen Lorrance said.

From 1974 to 1986, and then again from 1988 to 1994, Miss Dailey played Liz Matthews in “Another World” — an upper-class-bred matriarch of a middle-class family dealing with the convolutions of life in the fictional town of Bay City. For that role, Miss Dailey won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding actress in 1979.

For a year, in 1969, Miss Dailey played a role in the crime-mystery soap opera “The Edge of Night.” Her many other television credits included appearances on shows like “Ben Casey,” “Dr. Kildare,” “The Twilight Zone” and “The Defenders.” Miss Dailey’s film credits include roles in “No Way to Treat a Lady,” “Five Easy Pieces” and “The Amityville Horror.”

It was only after appearing in a long series of Broadway flops that, in 1964, Miss Dailey received critical acclaim in the United States. It was for her portrayal of the mother in Frank D. Gilroy’s three-character drama, “The Subject Was Roses.” The play dealt with an incompatible couple’s love for their 21-year-old son (with Jack Albertson as the father and Martin Sheen as the son) after the son returns after three years in the Army.

“Miss Dailey’s Nettie is a luminous creation,” Howard Taubman wrote in The New York Times. “She can suggest hurt and desiccation with a stricken glance. Wearing a plain hat and coat and holding her purse, she can turn to walk out of her apartment so that her back conveys her utter defeat and despair.”

Miss Dailey was born in New York City on Sept. 12, 1920, the daughter of Daniel and Helen Ryan Dailey. Her father was the manager of the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan. Her brother Dan Dailey gained fame as a song-and-dance man and Hollywood actor.

At 8, Irene Dailey was dancing in vaudeville, and at 18 she was working in summer stock. With consistent bad luck, she kept winning parts in what she once said were 13 of Broadway’s worst shows. “Miss Lonelyhearts,” for example, had a nine-day run.

Miss Dailey ran a lampshade store and worked as a waitress while making the Broadway rounds. Then, in 1960, she tried her luck in London. She was the 47th actress to try out for the lead in “Tomorrow — With Pictures,” about an American woman trying to take over a British newspaper empire. She got the part and drew rave reviews.

“Every plummy-voiced English rose of an imitation actress should be dragged to see Miss Dailey,” The Daily Express critic wrote.

“She sweats love, breathes hate, weeps desire."

To Be Continued...

Attentcione

2008-10-06T21:33:00.002-06:00

Yes the rumors are true, HRH is returning to the Land of Enchantment.

Wisconsin has been grand (tales to follow)--but I miss the Wuppettes, my own bed and oodles of sunshine...Not to mention my beloved Amigas.

So...24 hours from now and counting

small miracles

2008-09-23T15:42:00.002-06:00

And now, a few pre-trip announcements:

1.For week or so I have been looking high and low for my wannabe- IPod. The last time I had it was the trip to Belize which was in June and have not used it since. It should be noted that I did not use a while I was there either. As I rolled over this morning and reached to my nightstand I glanced down and saw a plastic bag of wedged between the bed and the night stand… and lo and behold there was my little radio.

2. As I opened my patio door, a little while later, in an effort to release some weird buggy, a bunny ran by and Poppy lurchedright past me out the door chasing a bunny. Damn. So, I prepared with treats and a leash to go and capture her --cursing under my breath. When I yanked open the back door… lo and behold, here comes Poppy! I stepped aside and she ran into the house for praise and cookies.

3.As I walked toward the guest bathroom with cleaner in hand, I glimpsed something out of the corner of my eye -near the patio door. Lo and behold, it was the missing lizard! (a week or two ago while sitting in the kitchen I noticed that one of those ubiquitous little lizards had gotten in the back door. I tried hard to trap him in order to get him outside but he disappeared and hasn’t been seen since by me or the dogs . Well, there he was looking out the patio door. I quietly moved into that direction and Poppy joined me, of course. I slowly opened the screen door and Poppy and I herded our guest toward the open door. poof! he left, unharmed.

I’m 90% packed, the house is 80% clean, and the refrigerator is 70% emptied out. I think I'm in pretty good shape. Tomorrow I will pick up some pictures, a prescription, get some cash for the dog lady and deliver my girls to camp.

Just thought I’d report a few minor miracles that are always welcome before leaving town.

Hasta la vista, Amigas.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

I don't trust a man who uses the word evil eighteen times in ten minutes. If you're half evil, nothing soothes you more than to think the person you are opposed to is totally evil.
-Norman Mailer, author (1923-2007) hmmmmm

Finally...bloomage

2008-09-21T12:12:00.003-06:00

As I have commented before, this has been a very dry year. The month of July gave us several inches of rain and although storms rolled through much of August and September that provided very little rainfall fro my neighborhood, the healthy growth of grass and weeds quickly died out. My neighbor came over last week and trimmed everything down short to avoid fire danger. I was beginning to despair of anything pretty showing up… other than the beautiful fall sunflowers, when this beautiful bush/weed bloomed by my back door. I’m leaving it.
The weather has,otherwise been lovely, mostly sixties and seventies which drop to the mid forties during the night-good sleeping weather.

Anyway, I’m preparing for my homecoming pilgrimage with cleaning, packing and organizing--not my strong suit. But I hope to have everything finished in the next couple of days. The wuppies will then be carted off to camp with tears and objections. Eight days is a long time for them to be away from home. I will be gone longer ( but I’m not telling them) I have a friend who will come to house sit and stay with them until I return.

I’m quite sure that I will have computer access were am going (my brother being a bona fide geek, and all) but I’m not sure if I will be blogging. Be prepared there may actually be some good yarns to spin when I get home, until then Happy Trails!

Sandia Sunset.

The teeny tiny bully pulpit

2008-09-18T13:57:00.005-06:00

My fellow citizens, I think it is time to review the MacBean Doctrine (Sarah, pay attention). Since I am the self appointed and frequently reelected supreme commander of the Grousemoor Manor and surrounding environs I feel compelled to make a few policy statements.
I am fully aware that my positions may not be shared by everyone… but they probably should be. So without further ado, I shall commence.
1.The Economic Quagmire
Let’s imagine that there is a MacBean savings and loan providing reasonable interest rate loans to folks who wish to buy a home or start a business. They come to me, fill out a form, get approved and have a handshake. Six months later the economy falls into the toilet-- they can't make the mortgage payments, I call them up and say “ hey looks like you’re falling behind in your mortgage payments, why don’t you come in and talk to me”. They come in and we talk about the situation we find a payment that works for them and make an agreement to make monthly payments until things pick up. Badda bing badda boom.
1A. Wall Street: the raping and pillaging is over fellas, there’s a new Sheriff in town and we’re gonna put some teeth into the regulations and level the playing field. Greed and avarice will be punishable by castration.
2. The Iraq Quagmire
Set up a big pow wow with the leaders from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and anyone else interested in stability in the Middle East. ‘splain to them that the United States no longer has an interest in being the global police department. It’s time for everyone to clean up their own yard and police their own bad actors ( and that includes all you rich oil barons with terrorists lurking around in your deserts). We’re done trying to create a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Ain’t gonna happen. You want some pointers on democracy? Have your people call my people. Troops, pack up we’re outta here. PS Afghanistan/Pakistan—you’re next. And South Korea, I’m not sure you need so many American soldiers so let’s talk to the U.N. about that.
3. The Transparent Border Quagmire
All those troops that are home from Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and everywhere else in the world… They’ll spend a little time every year patrolling the borders with weapons. Immigrants with IDs welcomed with open arms. Come to the land of milk and honey, Work for your own American dream and pay your taxes. Commit a felony in the first year and you’re going home.
4. The Government quagmire
There will be Transparency, accountability and true representation. Citizen oversight in the Congress, in the White House, in the boardroom. Representatives will be accountable to their constituents and will be graded every six months--two failing grades and they go home for an interim re-election. And... government sponsored elections= no advertising . One month before each state or Federal election a series of debates will be held between the candidates and broadcast by a neutral media source and then vote . No handler's, no Spin, no pundits, no color commentators. The public prepares the questions the candidates answer them and we vote.
4a. Lobbyists = Done. Go get a real job that does not include influence peddling and bribes.
5. The Education Quagmire
Major priority! Fund the states to revamp the education system. Let the states decide on their own model, parents and teachers to work together. Pay the teachers like we pay CEOs. And put physical education and the arts back into our schools!
6. The Healthcare Quagmire
Affordable Universal health care for every man, woman and child in this country. Eliminate Insurance companies, pah. Roll it all together into Social Security, because having health care is social security!! Allow for public hospitals to exist and provide the highest standards of care in every town and every city in the country. Allow doctors and nurses to work without fear of frivolous lawsuits
7. The Crime Quagmire
Let’s have some community jailers. No more giant prisons with a subculture of gangs and violence. If John Doe robs a young couple at gunpoint, pistol whips them and steals their car, let the community take care of him-however they see fit. Speedy trial and sentencing by the local magistrate, lock him up in the town jail and let the community decide what he does with his time. Maybe he’ll need to clean up streets, remove graffiti, separate recycling, or pick up garbage. No library, no workouts, no TV, no law library. I think the Arizona Sheriff has a great idea with prisoners living in tents and wearing pink uniforms.

That's all I can think of right now. I'm tired of having to solve all the world's problems ....it is not easy being Queen.

And so it goes

2008-09-14T11:06:00.002-06:00

And here’s how the day gets away from me. Every day. Every hour.

Soo...I get up to fetch a cup of coffee and notice there’s a few coffee grounds in the bottom of the pot so, I pull up the filter and grounds and dump them in the trash so I can rinse out the filter basket. I notice that the trash seems to be full… so I pull out the bag. It’s not quite full, so I empty the wastebasket next to my desk into it. I put the bag outside and since it seems quite nice out I leave the door open. I go back to get my coffee and as I put in a spoonful of sweetener, I decided that I should dump the sweetener bag into a tupper ware container. Then I have to go into the mysterious-container-cupboard and find the small oblong container that I know is in there somewhere. After removing several large pieces I find the container and looking for and then put everything back in the cupboard. I dump the sweetener into the container and of course there’s too much for the small container so its spills on the counter. Then I have to get the cleaner and a towel and cleanup counter and I might as well do the cutting board and the top of the stove and the front of the stove-- ‘cause there’s spatters on it from breakfast. Oh, and one of the pilot lights is out…go find a lighter and relight it. And while I’m at it I should wipe off the island. As I do this I am listening to “Hadrian’s Wall” on the computer and remember that I want to add ABBA my library, so I go in the living room to find the ABBA CD. Then I return to the kitchen get my coffee and come back to my desk. Now, I don't know how long it took me but I know that I only went over to get a cup of coffee.

So when and someone says what a retired people do all day, you can tell them.

...we're havin' a heat wave...

2008-09-11T12:11:00.007-06:00

The scene was Lagniappe’63 the, one of the final production numbers of the show. The whole show had centered around the 25th anniversary of the annual school show (and was actually done a year too soon) and three mad bombers were trying desperately to disrupt the festivities. In this particular scene, an Ann Margaret wannabe took the stage to sing a torrid version of “Tropical Heat Wave”. When the truth was discovered she was encouraged to head west, but her devoted fan club decided that name the new school “Ann Margaret West.”

And that fetching young actress was none other than your fetching Blog-Meister. And that was long ago and far away. Incidentally I borrowed the uniform and actually wore it to several basketball games where my laughable skills earned me the mock title of “cheerleader of the year”.

So, in a couple of weeks I will be heading back to the motherland to another class reunion and a chance to catch up with old friends. After all, who knows how many more of these get-togethers we will all be able to attend. We started with a graduating class of over 1000. Each year the attendance grows a bit smaller, the waistlines grow a bit larger, the hairlines recede a bit more but the comfort level and the warmth seemed to increase. Long buried prejudices or hard feelings no longer muddy the festivities.

Each time I attend, I’m reminded of how fortunate I was to be able to attend a really good school with some really neat people who went on to make us all proud. Many of my classmates achieved incredible notoriety in numerous fields of government, journalism, medicine, literature, science and many others. I wish just one time, everyone would be able to attend-maybe the 50^th.

After that I will spend on other week catching up with friends and family in Wisconsin. I have not been back for several years and while I love New Mexico I do miss many of my close friends with whom I have proved to be a terrible correspondent. I will enjoy seeing green grass and autumn leaves and smiling faces. I will also enjoy my brother’s cooking and touring the area to see the new homes and businesses that have popped up.

When I moved to Wisconsin from Chicago in 1977 the area was primarily farmland and lakes. During the next twenty years more and more people moved out of Milwaukee to the country and with them came development. Luxury homes and subdivisions and then the strip malls and big box stores. Most of the development was tasteful and well designed, but still are small town became very congested.

Finally the day dawned when I could no longer stay and in the prophetic words of my high school senior show… I decided to “head west”. Now I’m surrounded by high desert and sunshine, but just above the horizon… my northerly neighbor is planning a subdivision for 140 homes, sigh. C’est la vie.

I feel your pain

2008-09-06T12:44:00.005-06:00

Nothing says "Family values and undertanding the plight of the American family " like a really nice outfit. After all, be sure to avoid any hint of "elitism".

Politics and Power The 2008 Election
Cindy McCain's $300,000 Outfit
by Vanity Fair

September 4, 2008, 10:29 AM
One of the persistent memes in the Republican line of attack against Barack Obama is the notion that he is an elitist, whereas the G.O.P. represent real working Americans like Levi “F-in’ Redneck” Johnston.
It caught our attention, then, when First Lady Laura Bush and would-be First Lady Cindy McCain took the stage Tuesday night wearing some rather fancy designer clothes. So we asked our fashion department to price out their outfits.

Laura Bush Oscar de la Renta suit: $2,500
Stuart Weitzman heels: $325
Pearl stud earrings: $600–$1,500
Total: Between $3,425 and $4,325

Cindy McCain: Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600
Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100

Wow! No wonder McCain has so many houses: his wife has the price of a Scottsdale split-level hanging from her ears.

(All prices except Laura’s shoes and Cindy’s watch are estimates, and the jewelry prices are based on the assumption that the pieces are real.)

There is really not much I can add to this...

ps
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/01/29/split_command/index.html (surge discrepancy)

The US of A...or 'murica

2008-08-28T10:30:00.002-06:00

Today I am wearing my red white and blue-flag waving-bleeding heart patriot hat and singin' "American Pie."

It has been a very full month for the citizens of this great nation and it started a few weeks ago, when some of the brightest, best and most talented gathered in Beijing for the Olympics. It is always a remarkable spectacle, regardless of where it is staged and this year was no exception. I am always moved by the courage and determination of the young athletes from every corner of the world who come together to participate in this global event. They are so young and enthusiastic and filled with hope. Their camaraderie and sportsmanship bring hope to all of us.

On the heels of that great event, we began another great contest which is our exercise in democracy. While there are other democratic countries in this world, few share the limelight the way we do. (And not without good reason).

This year's contest is unlike many others, because I believe, we are at a pivotal point in our history. Regardless of party affiliation, I think most people in this country-according to "polling" believe our country is in serious trouble. We are engaged in unwinnable wars, we are facing an energy crisis as well as an environmental crisis, our economy is flailing, middle-class Americans are in deep financial trouble and the country is pulled apart by a partisan bickering. It is almost impossible to find truth in our media and it seems everyone is in too much of a hurry to do any kind of meaningful research so we are dependent on talking points and sound bites. It doesn't seem to me that this is the best way to select a new leader for this country.

Yesterday, I happened to switch on the convention in the middle of the roll call. It just so happened that they were featuring the "great state of New Mexico." Much to my surprise, the speaker was yielding to the "great state of New York". I had heard rumors about an abbreviated roll call but I was surprised to find myself watching it. And all the more so when the New York delegation handed the microphone to Senator Hillary Clinton, who moved that the roll call be suspended, and that Barak Obama be selected as the nominee for president "by acclamation."

The convention center went wild with applause, shouts and an extraordinary display of emotion. For many of the attendees-it was heartfelt and a very powerful. That this convention fell on the 88th anniversary of the amendment allowing women the vote in the 44th anniversary of Martin Luther King's speech, was not an accident.

One young black woman, weeping unabashedly, described her life growing up in New York while her grandfather still lived in the South, where he remembered the "whites only" bathrooms and lunch counters. She wept, because her grandfather was now a victim of Alzheimer's and would never know that his dreams and those of Martin Luther King were being realized today as a black man was nominated to be President of the United States of America.

In that moment, I was struck by how far this country has come in my lifetime. In addition to the nomination I just heard, I had witnessed a primary campaign that produced an intense rivalry for the highest office in the land between the first woman and the first African-American man.

This was another piece of history that I was living. It took me back to another historical event. I remembered being in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic convention and I saw firsthand the results of those riots. I saw what American citizens could do when they were angry.Then, it was Kent State and the Viet Nam war.

Now that anger is expressed in the form of blogs, Internet attacks, deceiving and dishonest advertising and sound bites. Even the debates and interviews are framed and edited. I do not believe this poorly diguised hatred is the way the American people wish to be viewed by their fellow citizens or by the citizens of the world.

We are extraordinarily lucky to live in this great country and to have a very thoughtfully designed form of government and Constitutional principles by which to live. I believe we need to bring back the dignity, the honor, the justice and generosity of the American people. I also believe we need to get back on track and stop policing the world for our own self interests. Let's get our own house in order before we think we have the right to tell others how to run theirs. Let's re-create the sense of community that I believe we once shared when we work for the common good and the welfare of all. It's time to once again be grateful and gracious.

Mock Mute Monday

2008-08-25T16:33:00.010-06:00

Well class, today's topic will be "Wuppies"...

Mine.

and Princess Poppy...

Lest there was any mistaking, these are my best buddies. smoooch.

The Art Studio

2008-08-18T10:01:00.007-06:00

The Genesis of great art...

This is the studio of New Mexico artist and retired UNM art professor , John Wenger. My friend and house guest-A. Fanny and her husband have been friends with him for over 30 years and have been trying to arrange a get together (since he lives very near by.)

We went over on Sunday afternoon bearing gifts and spent about four of the most fascinating hours learning about his work. He regaled us with stories of his annual trips with his students to southeast Utah to study the cave art and its history.

He showed us prints of his early work, explained his challenge as a contemporary artist to tackle current tragedies in the world and his new show.

Describing his process on two of the three painting his will be displaying.

One of the older prints.

The third for the show.

I call the next shot..."the critics"

September 6th he will be part of a large show at 516 Arts on Central. http://www.516arts.org/exhibitions.html.

I have never had the opportunity to spend time talking with an artist in his studio for hours! It was the kind of experience that has left me wanting to learn more and wanting to paint!

Music, Art...I better keep looking, there seems to be a pattern here.

l'opera fantastique!

2008-08-15T11:19:00.002-06:00

On Wednesday past, Wicked Thistle and Doris Rose MacBean had the distinct pleasure of the annual pilgrimage to the world famous Santa Fe Opera to join our Pagosa friends for a delightful pre-concert picnic and show. They found a table in a small grove near the pavillion and we enjoyed garlic green beans, tomato-mozarella salad, crash hot potatoes, stir fry chicken, gooey lucious chocolate pastry accompanied by a delightful Reisling.

A slight summer sprinkle ended the festivities but we moved to the pavillion as our hosts insisted we take their front row seats for this breathtaking production of Figaro. well...okay...

I have seen a few operas and performed in a few small produtions, but this was far in a way one of the best I have ever seen. The music was divine, the production was unique, visually alluring and memorable. Each performer did a vital and captivating job.

Although the opera is quite long--over three hours, it was so memorable that I am still cought in the *afterglow* of this wonderful experience. I have always liked opera, but as I grow in years and taste-the enjoyment seems to become deeper and richer like a well aged wine. I cannot wait for the next taste.

Fantasy Land-North

2008-08-12T11:14:00.013-06:00

This is the lovely cottage where we stayed--SlumberParty Central. A.Fanny's spousal unit ran away and hid from all the hormones... Our cook stove, where "the Great Waffle Experiment '08" took place

Square Top from the road to the pond.

En route to the "structure"

Walking the "Ranch" ---300+ acres of pristine wilderness, maintained lovingly for over 30 years to keep it's natural beauty.

Aspen Groves

The pond...

sigh. Absolute stillness.

Down the old road to the main site. Lots of deer and chippies

The Blanco Basin River at twilight.

The trip was too brief and yet filled with images and menories.

Road Trip!!

2008-08-06T17:07:00.002-06:00

Doris Rose and Thistle MacBean hit the proverbial highway for some clean mountain air and jocularity.

back soon.....

Happy Birthday Helen

2008-08-04T09:27:00.004-06:00

Today Helen Thomas of the White House press corps turns 88!

I have always admired her fearless, spunky and direct questions of whichever president was reigning. I don't even know to which organization she reports-but, man she's got some chutzpah!

When asked what she might ask GWB (he never calls on her), she said,

"I would ask him how he could go to war without cause," she says, obviously at the ready with the question. "How could you go to war without provocation? Of course, that's why he doesn't call on me." And after the president evaded the question, what would be her followup?

"How could you? Don't you know what war is?" Nailed, Thomas style.
"The press is the last line of defense. If we don't ask the questions, this president could rule like a dictator. All presidents should be sassed. Who are they? We don't have to worship at their shrine. They're public officials. We pay them. They have to answer to us."

[Go Helen!]

And so, thank you, Helen. Thank you for being there for the American people.
Ah, that we could have Helen Thomas around until White Houses stop spinning the truth.
That way, we'd have her forever.

excerpt SteveYoung-Huffington Post

A Request from the blogosphere

2008-08-02T17:36:00.002-06:00

Aunty Belle tagged me to list Eight things I want to do before I die and send the request to eight others. Well, I ain't forgot. I'm still thinking about it...sad to say.

Today I backed up all my files and photos from my other computer(from 2000 on) and while I was waiting...cleared off the top of my "other" desk-which I have not seen for a LONG time.

I think that might be one of the things on my list...

TBC

Commander in Chief

2008-07-30T15:19:00.002-06:00

Lawsey Mercy!

Impeachment?

2008-07-29T12:41:00.002-06:00

Kucinich Petition

WHEREAS, in his conduct while President of the United
States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has committed abuses of power.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that President George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and Commander in Chief, and subversive of constitutional government, to the prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States and that he be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.
http://kucinich.us/

Happy Campers

2008-07-24T13:13:00.003-06:00

While a battle rages only a few miles away, it is reassuring to note that the grounds crew at Grousemoor Manor are cheerfully pursuing their tasks with vigor and no evidence of dissent.

Of course, they are very well fed and housed and have complete freedom.

Yes, well...history does provide us with lessons.

The July Sagette

2008-07-21T12:11:00.011-06:00

While it is true that I spend an obscene amount of time on line with things like Blogs and political blather, I also get easily distracted by fun things like "Scribbler" .
Fear not, I also take my photojournalistic responsibilities very seriously.

Since there has been very little "flora" this summer, I have had to concentrate on the "fauna". (I will address the huge problem with the ground squirrels at some other time.)

From my desk and window overlooking the front yard-as it were- I have a great view of some wildlife. This is not to be confused with my unwild life.

Todays special treat was a beautiful (I think) hawk of some sort. He sat patiently while I slowly tried to get some shots through ventian blinds-not easy. He even waited while I'll opened the blinds and refocused. pretty bird, maybe 9-11".

***Note: It is actually an American Kestral***

Then off he went. I hope he was looking for ground squirrels.

The omnipresent Bugs Bunnies (not to be confused with Mr. Bugs- the handsome wabbit.)

(The green stuff surrounding him is what is passing for ground cover this year, not grass, you may be sure.)

and now, Dalwhinnie's favorite new friend...the gizzard.

Lots of these fearless little guys.

"but I love you and want to give you a leetle kees"

" NO! no means NO!"

"and I mean it! back off dogbreath."

ahh, the adventures in Prairie-dise, stay tuned.

Todays HuffPo quote

2008-07-19T08:40:00.001-06:00

“If a candidate is unable to control himself and blurts out a joke about bestial rape or killing civilians despite the fact that there are reporters everywhere and he happens to be running for president, it goes a long way towards determining whether he's someone who we can trust to make snap decisions with global implications or whether he's simply a tweaking street loon who talks to invisible shadow people.”

Bob Cesca-Huffington Post

Another chapter in the Book of MacBean

2008-07-12T12:56:00.003-06:00

Off on a new adventure and I know that you won't want to miss a single moment. Be sure to check for news at The Reiki MacBean Show.

I am now officially a certified Reiki practioner and as such I am going to venture forth into the war-torn community of Edgewood and spread peace and wellness. Okay, it's not really war-torn, but it sure is gas-price ravaged! I will start with the most vulnerable our special seniors--who will surely want to participate in a love offering on r-e-l-a-x-a-t-i-o-n!

and who wouldn't? I will also share my gift by teasing my friends and family with the promise of shock and awe....or maybe awe and wonderment. Yeah, that's it!

I can state one thing empirically-for seven months I suffered with intractable knee pain folllowing an injury. After my introduction session and then 21 days of self treatment-the pain has not returned, at all.Gone. That's all I needed.

Todays shared quote

2008-07-08T10:26:00.000-06:00

Let us not lose sight…

“Despite the revisionist re-writes, we didn't go to war because we were committed to demonstrating that America could unleash violence in Iraq and then, five years later, curb it through the use of reinforcements. We went to war because we were told Iraq posed a grave and imminent threat to our national security and, secondarily, as a means of fomenting democracy throughout the Middle East.Of course, the "imminent threat" turned out to be non-existent, and our presence in Iraq has strengthened the hand of every bad actor in the region: al Qaeda is safe and adding recruits, Hamas has come to power in Palestine, Hezbollah has reasserted itself in Lebanon, and Iran has become the strongest player in Iraq. Meanwhile, the reduction in casualties in Iraq is starting to be offset by increased casualties in Afghanistan -- once again showing the fatal ignorance of stealing from Peter to stop-loss Paul and keep him in Iraq.
So, tell me again: how is the surge working?”

Excerpt: Huffington Post 7/8/08

Happy Birthday America

2008-07-04T08:38:00.003-06:00

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2008

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Birds and Blooms, oh my!

2008-07-03T09:22:00.007-06:00

Yesterday we had another afternoon thunderstorm... ("Monsoon" season appears to be starting early) but this one *actually* contained RAIN! almost 2" fell on our parched prairie. It was glorious. ...and things are blooming. Baby birds and cactus blossoms, especially.

(try double clicking these photos for full effect)

These babies have been well trained by momma to sit very still when anything approaches.

And they do.The nest is about eye level and I was pretty close. Mr. and Mrs Bird were sitting nearby watching vigilantly.

The cactus blooms are the first color out here this year--and much appreciated.

I'm still not sure how living things survive without some source of water. Believe me when I tell you there is None. The 2" that fell will be forgotten by noon.

The good news is that the Big Spring fire has been contained. It destroyed 6 homes and 10 other structures and burned 5,478 acres.

Another big fire was the 4,980-acre West Fork Fire on Ted Turner's Vermejo Park Ranch in northern New Mexico.

Since January there have been 729 fires destroying 317,109 acres.

Just some stats with your morning coffee.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY

2008-07-01T08:02:00.001-06:00

The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
-Patrick Henry, revolutionary (1736-1799)

2008-06-29T09:58:00.000-06:00

Look Familiar?

2008-06-25T11:20:00.004-06:00

(Tuesday)

Two months ago I wrote about the Trigo Fire which was burning in the Manzano Mountains. Yesterday noon, lightning struck a tree igniting a fire just a few miles north of the original fire-now termed the Big Spring Fire. It required the evacuation of 150 kids from a Baptist summer camp and the ground crew fighting the fire. (Wednesday)

This fire is about 20 miles south of me but there are several others burning and the daily threat of thunderstorms ( which seldom contain actual rain) seems to bring new fires.
Hot and dry. That's the desert.

And the midwest is under water.
(that's smoke, chillruns!)

Regrets, I've had a few...

2008-06-23T16:29:00.002-06:00

So here's the story: After a lifetime of handcopying ancient texts, an elderly monk became abbot of his monastery. Realizing that for centuries his order had been making copies of copies, he decided to examine some of the monastery's original documents. Days later, the other monks found him in the cellar, weeping over a crumbling manuscript and moaning, "It says 'celebrate,' not 'celibate.
Ah, regret. The forehead-slap of hindsight!
courtesy of Martha Beck--author and Life Coach

So what regrets haunt you?

Return to Paradise, finally

2008-06-11T10:50:00.015-06:00

If you recall, our last episode found intrepid travelers finally making landfall 3 miles north of the San Pedro airstrip (which was mercifully visible and without standing water.) We were greeted at the pier by one of the delightful resort staff, who asked that we join him to sign in all our bags were taken to our condo, we would then offered a welcome cocktail and escorted tour new-home for the next 4 1/2 days-sniff. I had seen the new building last year, when I toured, but had no idea that this would be where I would be staying. It was gorgeous. The porch was surrounded by flowers and palm trees.

The living room was elegant and comfortable with art work on every wall, and innumerable details that were thoughtfully planned to create a homey environment. The kitchen was completely equipped to handle a dinner party for eight. Stainless steel appliances, blender, coffeemaker, toaster.

The bathroom was huge with double pocket doors for kitchen and bedroom, double sinks, a walk-in shower with river rock slate flooring and glass block walls with tile. There was also a ginormous jacuzzi tub. The whole place was equipped with beautiful light fixtures and ceiling fans with wood palm blades. The bedroom had a large king sized bed with a thick mattress, pillow top and a 2 inch comforter topper. This was covered with a thick white comforter. Both the living room and bedroom had flat-panel HD TVs (cable was not functioning because the storm.)

After the ordeal of the last 24 hours, it really felt a lot like a having died and going to heaven. After unpacking and hoisting a wee dram to cheer our good fortune we set off for the Buena Vista restaurant and bar to enjoy our welcome cocktail and the 400 children in the pool. After a little rum, I didn't mind them so much
Tuesday became recreating, relaxing, reconnoitering and reflecting. On Tuesday evenings, Captain Morgan's has a Belizean night dedicated to the food, music and culture of Belize. It was very tasty and enjoyable and just like the night before, we were headed back to the condo by 8:30 p.m. which allowed plenty of time for some reading and knitting before bed.
The morning routine was usually drinking tea on the veranda while we watched the workmen arrive to construct a new building very near us (almost all of which they do by hand); watching the lone beach maintenance man while he raked all of the public area to remove leaves and other debris from the public areas (which he did every morning at 7 a.m.) Wednesday we took the boat in San Pedro and had breakfast at Estele's by the Sea--an old favorite-- and then walked around town a bit. I had to take a break and sit in the town square watching the business in San Pedro transpire: school children, tourists, business people, locals, fishermen dogs and pigeons, all making for a very busy area. WT returned and dragged me kicking and screaming to have a beer at Fido’s and then we managed to catch the Captain Morgan boat headed back to the resort.

Thursday was hanging out day but by afternoon we ventured down to the pier to do some swimming in order to work up an appetite for the pasta and all you can eat salad bar.

We planned a snorkeling trip for Friday morning and found a scheduled trip was canceled, but there was another one leaving in 20 minutes...h-u-s-t-l-e-b-u-n-s! We made it in time, were fitted with goggles, snorkel and fins and rushed down to the boat, only to find the family we were going with was delayed at the restaurant. No problem, Captain Alex kept us entertained with a nonstop monologue for the next half-hour. Turned out the people we were waiting for were familiar and were very enjoyable; five teenagers and a single dad from Louisiana who were very fun.

Our boat crew was well-trained and very helpful. We stopped at three different spots to snorkel and even though the seas were little rough, the fish in the coral reef were fantastic. At the second spot, they fed the stingrays while we watched --it was pretty amazing to be so close while we

We stopped at Caye Caulker for lunch and some leisure time in town. There was one more stop near the reef that I declined, because I was tired, sunburned and well fed. We arrived back at the resort around five o'clock, showered and then hung around the bar to have snacks and a couple of drinks.

( the daily routine...)

Saturday morning, we packed our things and planned to meet our friend Kenrick for lunch. After checking out, we bid a fond farewell to our island home and took the boat into San Pedro for a wonderful lunch and a meeting with Kenrick's family, including two-year-old Joshua. He delivered us to the airport in time to meet at with all of our newfound friends and board a plane for home. We spent a short night in Dallas and arrived home safely Sunday morning.

See you soon amigos....save a stool at the bar, Oscar.

The Belizean adventure

2008-06-10T11:30:00.015-06:00

The first part of the vacation started out like many others with a plane ride. We had a split trip and stopped in Dallas for an overnight stay and a lovely respite with my travel companions' family. We enjoyed a wonderful evening with great food and wine and much laughter and departed the following morning for a quick flight to Belize City.

I was aware that there was a tropical depression lurking about the area, but we had received no travel warnings until we began our actual descent. The captain announced that there was heavy rain and turbulence... buckle up.

That was the beginning of an hour of anxiety. We made two passes over the airfield with the visibility of about 50 feet (the pilot could not see the landing strip--a potenial hazard.) The second pass was directly over but a couple of hundred feet too high. He then announced that we would ascend to a higher altitude and circle in hopes that the weather would clear.

We would then have enough fuel for one more try (gulp)and if that didn't work and would fly to Cancún for more fuel and try again. I don't know how much clearing there was, but he made one more attempt; which apparently gave him little better visibility-but was going too fast. At this point, the cabin became much quieter and the atmosphere, much more tense. I had confidence that the captain would not try anything silly, after all he had assured us that our safety was paramount, but we could see nothing but rain and wind and clouds.

He circled around for one more attempt and was miraculously able to make an amazing landing in some really crappy weather-- at which point the applause broke out.

Little did we know that this was really the beginning of a genuine 24-hour adventure.

After collecting our belongings, we discovered (not surprisingly). There were no more flights leaving for San Pedro. The simplest alternative was to choose a place to stay as close to the airport as possible. This happened to be "The Global Village". The hotel was only a few minutes away on some very flooded roads.

The building itself was a very blocky concrete edifice, without much endearing charm but very sturdy. I swore that it was a renovated hospital, judging by the size of the rooms,the linoleum floors and the bathroom shower which wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. (We found later that it was only built three years ago, and served mostly as a hostel for local missionaries.)

It appeared to be owned and operated by a large and busy Chinese family; dealing with a huge influx of unexpected guests. They provided us with a buffet supper(no resaurant-that was visible), which was interesting and tasty. The room was adequate and felt quite safe, especially when the storm reemerged that night and provided a spectacular show of thunder and lightning. The next morning we enjoyed our complementary breakfast of an egg on toast sandwich and a glass Tang. A quick trip to the airport and we were reunited with our fellow passengers, all of whom had discovered already that there were no planes flying in or out at the airport. The Tropic Air planes were all stranded in San Pedro because the airfield was underwater! The water taxi was not running because the seas were too dangerous.

Okay. Another unforeseen dilemma.

After much consideration, we decided to take a cab into Belize city, where at least, we might be able to walk around and see the sights. When we finally spoke to cabdriver he told us that downtown Belize city was also underwater.

Okay, regroup. He recommended a Best Western on the outskirts of the city. At that point, it seemed to be the most logical option.

The hotel was quite lovely, with a nice restaurant and pool. We checked in and after looking around a bit, sat down for a second breakfast (it was still only about 9:30 a.m.)Afterward we checked but the available computers were tied up.

The local news showed video of the devastation taking place in the southern half of the country. Entire areas were flooded, roads washed out, bridges destroyed and homes underwater. No time to complain, we were safe and dry.

After a couple of hours, we noticed that the hotel was significantly quieter and the lobby empty. Seemed that the planes were flying again. We hurriedly checked out-having paid for a night that we were not going to use-but were anxious to get to the airport. The first flight available was at three o'clock, and we notified Captain Morgan's of our arrival.

Since we were one of the last groups out, as usual, we had the pleasure of flying out on a six -seater. Extremely uncomfortable and awfully wiggly. I enjoy flying but that flight was a little bit questionable. After arriving safely, we were cabbed and boated to our final destination- paradise.

To be continued...

Hasta la vista

2008-05-30T16:16:00.004-06:00

If you are looking for me next week, you might try down by the beach...

or heading out to snorkle...

or maybe doing laps in the pool. I could be reading a book, drinking a Belikin or having a snack in my casita. Who knows? and who cares it will be fabulous.

Maybe I'll be back soon.

Birthday Week winds down

2008-05-22T10:44:00.014-06:00

It all started last Saturday with the Rio Grande Celtic Festival, sunny and warm with music, snacks and whisky and WT

Pipes...I just love them

I call this one "Kilts and Crocs"

Can you name that tartan?

Tuesday was the High Holy Day which, surprisingly, turned out to have record breaking 94 degree temps in ABQ. (I boldly made the 25mile trip to St. James Tea Room--sans air conditioning...oy, crrrap)

I joined the ladies for and elegant repast, and I do mean elegant.

Miss Bonnie arranged this beautiful event in honor of her lovely Mum and for my Bday

The tea was delish..especially the "berry, berry."

And my youngest friend was every bit the elegant "Lady".( Afterward, we did get a bit silly with a pink flamingo, but that's a story for another day.)

...and then, last night my dear fwiends took me out for dinner to a wonderful new East Mountain bistro for a great dinner

and a fine bottle of single malt whisky, mmmm.

This is one happy camper!

and a very lucky one, as well. Thanks everyone.

And a special thanks for the video shot by my Bro of my niece writing, directing and starring in the "4 min Wizard of Oz". Hysterical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SsGrAFJQAA

Carpe Dodah!

Boston Legal

2008-05-15T11:31:00.001-06:00

Whether or not you are a fan of Boston Legal, I would encourage you to watch this Supreme Court argument starring James spader as Allen Shore. It is very moving and an interesting look at the current "court".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GG7sj2APpc

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T09:12:00.003-06:00

Happy Mother's Day Mom

You Done good!

The Dog Park!

2008-05-09T11:31:00.007-06:00

On Wednesday, as a special treat, we drove ALL the way into to Albuquerque (25 miles...like, a day trip) to take the girls to the Dog Park. Woo hoo!
Dalwhinnie was so excited that she was pacing and crying by the time we appproached the exit (must be some powerful scents comin' from that park).

It was a busy day with

anywhere from 15-25 dogs of all sizes.

Great fun was had by all and new friends were made.

After an hour or so, my wimpy little pooches were ready to head home for a nap.

Wild fire

2008-05-01T14:51:00.012-06:00

April 15 the Trigo Fire started on the west side of the Manzanos ( the cental mountain range between Albuquerque and the "East mountains")
and by the end of the week it crested the moutain and was sweeping down the steep east side. Due to high winds and steep terrain it progressed dangerously close to several small towns.
I live about 30 miles north and started taking pictures on Sunday.

I packed up the dogs and took a drive south about 15 miles. But the closer I got, the more the plume looked like clouds. Reportedly the white smoke had to do with the moisture content. There was still some snow present at the crest.

I got better perspective from home. But it was scary thinking of how quickly the wind can shift and how dry everything is around my house.

By Tuesday 4/29 the fire was 95% contained and had cost over $5mil.

Then Wed afternoon we had new high wind warnings and by 2:30pm they announced a new outbreak North of the fire site.

By 7:40 pm it was still raging.

Today we have winds from 30-40mph with gust to 60mph.Tonight the fire is 35% contained having burn 13,000 acres.

New Mexico is relatively safe-weather wise (rare tornados, no hurricanes, and rare earthquakes.) Wild fires are always a threat beacuse of low humidity and wind. And we enjoy about 350days of sunshine...but days like this make me just a little anxious.

Always a good plan to have a bag packed, photos, important papers and dog stuff ready by the door.

So ....wasn't this a fun post. What causes you to pack an emergency bag?

Sugarland in Concert!

2008-04-18T11:55:00.010-06:00

It finally happened. Doris Rose was dragged from her Winter den by the Wicked Thistle and LB for a night on the town. We began with dinner at the Range and belated Birthday wishes for LB. Then a schlepp to just west of where jesus lost his slippers..omg.It was like the final scene of " Field of Dreams" -an neverending line of cars to the horizion.

Then 40 minutes of the "Pat Green"Band. Finally the main event!!

This is an awesome photo--if I do say so myself!(double click it)

Some folks (mr striped shirt--Wicked is enchanted) started dancing the minute the music started...

other talented folks could dance, drink margaritas and TEXT w one hand!

Great new songs, lots of familiar

old favorites
The big finale...or maybe not...

This was spectacular, they both rolled out over the audience.very cool.

Jennifer Nettles totally Rocks the room! Listen for yourself... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIyxkZod2cM

Fabulous concert, loving friends and a long drive home. peace.

Saturday

2008-04-12T10:00:00.002-06:00

...believe me, you will be back to hear this bunny again. addictive.

oh, and then check out this video (I am being soo lazy...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hyoszso38E

Have a Wonderful Day.

Where's Waldo?... or Guess who's coming for dinner!

2008-04-08T10:46:00.008-06:00

I didn't see this critter until he was halfway up the driveway, great camo.
( I had been alerted to some kind of intruder)

Doesn't look like he's suffering from malnutrition either...

Did you notice how lush and green my property is this year. Remember all those lovely spring flowers from last year?

Handsome looking chap...

...oh yes, the Beloved Guard Dog.

I just had to go kiss that velvet ear.

Tagged Toe

2008-04-03T13:29:00.009-06:00

I received this From Moi and pass it along tu Toi...

"The fabulous Meghan tagged me for The Six-Words Meme, which was originally started by Smith Magazine. The
history is thus:Legend has it that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. His response? “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Last year, SMITH Magazine re-ignited the recountre by asking our readers for their own six-word memoirs. They sent in short life stories in droves, from the bittersweet (“Cursed with cancer, blessed with friends”) and poignant (“I still make coffee for two”) to the inspirational (“Business school? Bah! Pop music? Hurrah”) and hilarious (“I like big butts, can’t lie”).

" Life's Passion: Theatre,
Life's work...Nursing."

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

Here are the rules:

1) Write your own six word memoir.

2) Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.

3) Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.

4) Tag at least five more blogs with links.

5) Don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

6) Have fun.

So I will tag--with deep respect and apology: A.Fanny, Magill, Orange Blossoms, Wayfarer Scientista