It Couldn't be Done Without Dogs

As promised, here are some more photos from my Santa Fe car trips. My photography went to the dogs in this post. ;)

Enjoy!


I think this little dog was a framework for a chia plant or something.

Lots of people go out walking their dogs in Santa Fe. I couldn't get over the color markings on this Poodle so I had to meet him. His name was Jester.

Here is my favorite. Don't you just want to take him home?

It Couldn't be Done Without Dogs - song: '87 and Cry, artist: David Bowie, album: Never Let Me Down

Never Let Me Down

Marathon Dancing was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Many unemployed people competed in the contests in order to achieve fame or win money. The couples had to continuously move for 45 minutes every hour for hundreds of hours up to 2 months. The contestants were fed 12 meals a day, which during the Great Depression, was a huge incentive. The dancing was considered immoral and lewd by some and, because of attempted suicides from non-winners, was banned in several cities. Here is more information about this fascinating competition.

It's interesting to note that most of today's charities, such as the Walk-a-thon and others, can be attributed to marathon dancing. There is also an annual Dance Marathon held as a fundraiser by Penn State University for various charities.

One notable account of marathon dancing comes from the early chapters of Anita O'Day's memoir, High Times Hard Times: "It seems unbelievable now but there were once fifteen thousand people-- promoters, emcees, floor judges, trainers, nurses, cooks, janitors, cashiers, ticket-takers, publicity agents, promotion men, musicians, contestants and even a lawyer-- whose main source of income over a number of years came from endurance shows."

A memorable movie about this event is They Shoot Horses, Don't They? starring Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin in 1969. It is based on the novel by Horace McCoy.

This is a video by David Bowie about Marathon Dancing. the song is called Never Let Me Down.

Never Let Me Down - song: Never Let Me Down, artist: David Bowie, album: Never Let Me Down

Should have took a picture

I have been to Santa Fe, the city different, four times in as many months. I went once with my letterboxing, horsebackriding, neighbor, and best friend, Lisa, of LaughingOrcaRanch; twice with my mom; and once, with my sister in law.

Each time, we drove around to see all the outdoor art (there's a lot!) and I have gotten to know more and more of the uniqueness of the city. I've also gotten better with my photographs. ;) I want to share some of my photos today. Since I've taken so many, I will run this in several posts. Some, you may have already seen; sorry for the doubles.

Enjoy!

In the middle of nowhere, which way should you go?

This is part of the Plaza, in downtown Santa Fe, decorated for Christmas with luminarias on the roof.This is an adobe roof. See the large support beams? Did you notice the decorative inset tiles by the niche.
Anyone up for a game of Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

This lovely maiden was lifesize and completely made of bronze. Some people passing by told me to look at the back of her or I might not have noticed the stunning blanket. Incredible, isn't it? Look at all the details! How do they make the wrinkles, feathers, and fur in metal?? Unfortunately, I didn't think to look at the price.

This is the public library in downtown Santa Fe.

This statue was inside the public library. There are many other beautiful pieces on display too!
Here are woven rugs hanging on a stone wall. Often, gates, doorways, and windows are trimmed in bright colors. This was a "drive-by" photo.

I love the detail on this carved wooden gate, don't you? Another "drive-by" snapshot.

There are lots of beautiful gates and doors in Santa Fe. I like the tile insets on the columns and the colorful trim at this house as well as the gate.

Look at how this fence is made. Interesting, isn't it? It's a typical, traditional fence in this part of the country. Sometimes, they trim the twigs off evenly. The wrought iron gate is beautiful, isn't it.

There are Ristras hanging everywhere. This one looks a little old.

Should have took a picture - song: Everyone says Hi, artist: David Bowie, album: Heathen

Lemon in a Bag

Andrea at Swamp Suburbia awarded me this Lemonade Stand for always presenting a positive outlook. Thanks!

Do I? I sure hope so. I always try to see the best of everything, because it's too easy to get depressed and discouraged. Thank you very much for the award and I will try to live up to it as much as humanly possible.

Randomly, I did a google search on making lemonade and I found a job site recommending starting your own business at 50. What do you do when your money tree gives you lemons? Lol.

However, what do you do when your money tree won't even give you lemons?? I'm still trying to figure that out. Any ideas?

My economics teacher says that there are 3 assumptions to economics:

1. People are rational. Even the drug addict is rational when he steals to buy drugs. He knows he wants and needs the drugs and if he steals he can get money to buy drugs.
2. People respond to economic incentives. If I tell you to move or I'll punch you in the stomach, you'll move. Right?
3. Optimal decisions are made at the margin. When you go to McDonalds to buy a cheeseburger you decide to buy one. But you're still hungry, so you buy another one. The next time you go to McDonalds, you'll buy two because you know you can eat two. In other words, these are "spur of the moment" decisions.

I don't know where I'm going with this, but I thought it was kind of interesting to know that economics isn't just about business. It's about everyday life too. The only constant in life is change. Change can be uncomfortable. That's where I'm at. I am going through changes. I face difficult decisions on a daily basis and I need to be strong and have faith in the Lord that everything is going to work out for the best one day, even though I can't see it that way right now. They say that God closes a door and opens a window. I believe that. However, my fear is that the window isn't big enough to get through. Help!

When I lost my job, I immediately signed up for classes. I've been taking college classes for many years now, only one to three a semester, while working full time. I still need eight classes to get my Associate's Degree in Pre Management. However, I am only allowed to take six classes this semester and the work load is overwhelming! I am a procrastinator by nature and my self esteem is at an all time low. I don't know if I can do this. If I drop a class that just means my degree is further away. However, I cannot graduate this semester anyway, so what does it matter if I add a class to my summer schedule?

I am enrolled in a tax class so that I can volunteer to prepare taxes this season. I took my first test in the class and didn't do so well. Jeez, that's a blow, since I thought I had an affinity for it. I want to give to the community, if I can, and I thought it would look good on my resume. I could drop this class- should I? I'm halfway through the class already and then I only need to volunteer 15 - 30 hours.

I need to know that soon I will succeed in getting a job that will pay enough to cover my living expenses. I am living on my savings and credit right now. I collect unemployment, but I will have to pay taxes on that money! How much will I owe and how will I pay it? Arrgh! I wish I were stronger in body, mind, and spirit. Lord help me...

Sometimes the hardest part in life is going through it alone. I have my kids, my mom, my friends, my animals...but no one to really confide in and help me. I miss my husband so much at times like this. No one can gave me support like he could. Anyone who is married, give your spouse a special hug today, and tell them, "thank you for being there".

Every day, I read from the book, A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts by Leo Tolstoy. Didn't you always want to read a book from Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest authors in history, but thought War and Peace was just too long and wordy? Now you can. Tolstoy considered this book to be his greatest work. He spent almost fifteen years compiling and writing it in his last years. Censored for nearly a century, it is a day-by-day spiritual guide.

One of today's lessons are:

"A scholar knows many books; a well educated person has knowledge and skills; an enlightened person understands the meaning and purpose of his life."

I like the text from January 3:

"When I am in difficult circumstances, I ask God to help me. But it is my duty to serve the Lord, and not His to serve me. As soon as I remember this, my burden becomes lighter."

Of particular meaning to me right now is a verse from November 23,

"The question of life's meaning is a difficult problem which cannot be solved. So, too, is the question, "Why did God send us into this world?" But the meaning of life becomes very simple when a person asks himself, "What should I do?" '

Lemon in a Bag - song: Watch that Man, artist: David Bowie, album: Aladdin Sane

Conversation Piece

Opportunityisnowhere!

How should this read? I immediately read:
"Opportunity is now here!"

Or is it actually:
"Opportunity is nowhere!"


How about this one?

Woman without her man is nothing.

How should it read?

"Woman: without her, man is nothing."

or

"Woman, without her man, is nothing."


Conversation Piece - song: Conversation Piece, artist: David Bowie, album: Space Oddity, extra songs

And if the homework brings you down,

we'll throw it on the fire and take the car downtown.

School has started. Oh MY!! I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and it's only the first week!

I have tax class all day on Saturdays during the month of January. Then, I am supposed to volunteer at least 15-30 hours at a tax help center. I would get credit for this time except that I have 18 credit hours this semester already. I will need to talk to someone about this!

On Monday and Wednesday I have 4 classes from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM with 15 minutes between each class, IF the instructor lets us out on time. I have to park miles away and tote 4 textbooks and notebooks, so my options are to run back to the car in between classes or get a locker. I'm going to pick up a combination lock tomorrow morning!

Here's my stack of school books!! This photo doesn't do it justice. The Algebra book is huge!

Tuesday and Thursday are Biology days. I have class in the morning and lab in the afternoon. And, I am required to volunteer at least 30 hours this semester at a "science related" place OR do a 30 hour group research paper. Jeez! Can I draw and type blood at the tax center??

Plus, my Early Music Appreciation instructor suggests that we consider doing service projects related to music, like ushering at the New Mexico Symphony or something. HELLOOOO!!!!
What is this? Everyone wants Service Projects this semester. Anyway, she will be requiring us to attend at least two concerts.

I only have so much time in a day! I am already considering dropping my Statistics class. Then I would only have 3 classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. Plus, I could get credit for my volunteering at the tax center. The drawback is that this summer I would have to take Statistics, Calculus, and Business Law, and I had hoped to be working by then.

Hmmm, if I do all this volunteering, 30 + 30, I only need 40 more hours this year to get the Presidential letter. That will be easy because I also help out at my church as Treasurer.

And worst of all, Buddha misses me during the day. This pose cracks me up. He's on the arm of the sofa. I don't know how the pillow got there, but you'd think it was specially placed for him!

I forgot to mention that I rode this morning! I only rode Nadia bareback for about 30 minutes, but I did it! Riding before breakfast is going to work for me, I think. She was kind of balky but it's been a while since I've ridden her. She prefers "stop and stand" to any other gait anyway. Did I tell you that I think she has the cutest little ears? She is kinda comfy too. It's like riding a furry barrel with an indention for your butt. Lol, I guess, swayback has it's advantages! It's been a while since I've ridden bareback. I wonder if I'll be sore with all the trotting and some cantering that I did. So far, I'm not feeling anything. I guess tomorrow will tell...

And if the homework brings you down, we'll throw it on the fire and take the car downtown - song: Kooks, artist: David Bowie, album: Hunky Dory

Far above the Moon

The moon has been full the last few nights. Very cool.
At last, I got to see the movie, Appaloosa! It was filmed in New Mexico! However, I was rather disappointed. There are no Appaloosa horses in the movie! It's the name of the town- who would of thought?

The filming was great but the story was ho hum. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen were very good as hired marshalls, as was Jeremy Irons, the bad rancher, however I did not like Renee Zellweger, the widow woman, at all. There was some nice riding by Viggo and Ed and all the rest. I found it interesting that they added a pack horse in many of the scenes. I especially liked seeing the 6 horse hitch- very unusual! The scenery was awesome, although I may be a tad bit biased. I wish I had known when they were filming here, because I would have loved being an extra. ;)


Far above the Moon - song: Space Oddity, artist: David Bowie, album: Space Oddity

Show us How to Break the Rules

Routines. Sometimes it's good to have a routine. You know what to expect when you follow a routine. But sometimes this limits your choices. I have gotten into a routine of feeding my horses in the morning. That's a good thing. However, by the time they are done eating and digesting a few hours later, I have things to do or the ground gets too muddy to ride, so I have not been able to ride since Christmas. It's gotten to the point that I decided something needed to be done.

I am spontaneous by nature so I decided I needed to change things around a bit. So, today, I decided to ride before feeding them. Racehorses do this, so there most be some good reason.

It was a beautiful morning. NO WIND!! Although it was cold, 24 degrees. I bundled up and went out.

I took Scout out of his stall and tied him up. At first, he was a little grumpy while I groomed him but I let him grab a few bites of hay. Then I cleaned out his feet and saddled him up. We went into the snow patched arena. The ground was a bit hard and uneven with some icy spots but I stayed in the dirt areas and only walked and jogged. I worked him on bending, stopping, circling, backing, and traveling straight. I was surprised at how relaxed he was and how well he neck reined. He even turned on the forequarters really well to the left, but not so well to the right. His backing needs work! He bent his neck and turned his head and veered off to the left. So I would only back him two steps before he got crooked and ask him to move forward. Eventually I got him to backing four straight steps backwards. Then I took him out and we walked out to the road and got the paper. I love to do that! We walked back to the barn and after I dropped the paper off we went back out behind the barn and loped across the field. I decided to circle around and we walked back to the barn where I unsaddled and groomed him. What a good boy, Scout was!

Then I threw a bunch of piles of hay out in the arena and turned everybody loose after treats of peppermints for the girls and carrots for Scout. I like unwrapping the peppermints and crinkling the paper. I figure the horses are getting despooked that way because they like the treats that come out.

Show us How to Break the Rules - song: Black Tie White Noise, artist: David Bowie, album: Black Tie White Noise

Morning Star You're Beautiful

I'm getting ready for school today and thought I'd post a photo I took a few evenings ago. Don't you just love the sky trails that planes leave? What IS that round black spot? I cleaned the lens and it's still there!

Here's a star trail picture that I adore. No, I did not take the photo but isn't it cool? It's an 11 hour camera showing the movements of the stars. Here is a website that tells how to take these photos along with showing some more great photos. Check out the Kilimanjaro photo. Gosh, it sure makes my little photo look sad!

Morning Star you're Beautiful - song Miracle Goodnight, artist: David Bowie, album: Black Tie White Noise

The Sun Machine is Coming Down

I went to the doctor and found out in a recent blood test that I am Vitamin D deficient. Crazy! I am outside a lot but the doctor explained that often times people are using so much sunscreen that they don't get the sun's rays. And, sun's rays can cause skin cancer. I do drink milk, however, I guess I don't drink enough. So now I will be taking a high level supplement.

This is the newest trend for doctors. Vitamin D deficiency can cause Osteoporosis. I know my mother and sister have that, so I am a likely candidate. Vitamin D malnutrition may also be linked to an increased susceptibility to several chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, tuberculosis, cancer, periodontal disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, depression, schizophrenia, seasonal affective disorder, peripheral artery disease and several autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes. There is an association between low vitamin D levels and Parkinson's disease, but whether Parkinson's causes low vitamin D levels, or whether low vitamin D levels play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease has not been established.


I also gave my mare her Rhinopneumonitis vaccine yesterday, all by myself!!! That was incredibly hard for me but Annie was so sweet. I just kind of leaned the needle into her neck until it poked through the skin and then I squeezed the plunger. She seems to be a little sore today but I guess that's normal. She is supposed to get this vaccine at 5 - 7 - 9 months gestation but I am running behind. The holidays really threw me for a loop, timewise and financially. Is it better to give the next 2 booster shots closer together or just go with a total of 2 boosters rather than 3?

I wormed my three horses but I am afraid that Annie spit hers out. I didn't want to redose her so I hope she got some of the medicine, at least. I have never noticed any wormy manure and they don't go anywhere, so I don't think they have too much infestation anyway. Nadia turned away when she saw what I had but was easy to catch. Scout was a pain, as usual. He threw his head and tried to back away from me but eventually, he just gave in. Of all my horses, he is the most troublesome. Nadia is a sweety and Annie is always in panic mode but Scout is just stubborn and bullish. Whereas the girls are light on the lead for opposite reasons, he tends to want to walk on me. I must teach him to respect me more. I wonder sometimes if this is because he was born here and was spoiled as a colt or if it's their Arabian breeding versus his Appy side. (All the Arabian mares I've owned have been super easy on the lead rope.) Or is it a mare versus gelding thing?

Isn't it incredible that I had to apply for jobs these last few weeks knowing that I will be in school full time starting Monday? This is a requirement for unemployment. As of Monday, I will be fully qualified again until the uneployment benefits run out sometime in April. My first class starts this Saturday- 8:00AM until 3:30PM and then I have 6 classes during the week. (Hmmm, 11 classes actually!) I will be very busy! I'm taking a Tax class, so beginning in February, I can prepare anyone's personal income taxes. I'm also taking Statistics, MicroEconomics, College Algebra, Biology, Biology Lab, and Early Music Appreciation.

I don't know how much blogging I'll be doing since I am the slowest writer in the world. I usually think too much about what I write. However, I am an avid reader and spend a lot of time just reading everyone else's posts.


The Sun Machine is Coming Down - song: Memory of a Free Festival, artist: David Bowie, album: Space Oddity

He's Chameleon, Comedian, Corinthian and Caricature

Today is David Robert Jones's Birthday, Aka BOWIE!

He has also been called Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, The Man Who Sold the World, The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Thin White Duke, The Space Oddity, and so many more titles. He has been called chameleon but they change color to blend in with their surroundings. Bowie has always chosen to stand out.

I meant to post this earlier but it's too depressing to think that he may have retired from the public. After all, his 26th studio album, Reality, was released in 2003 and Heathen was released just the year before. He promised us an album a year in spite of the recording industry's methods of one every 2-3 years. But then, he has NEVER lived up to his promises to his fans.

He toured extensively in 2003 and 2004, (I saw him 3 times on his Reality tour!) however it was dramatically cut short when he had heart surgery. Not altogether surprising, considering this man smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day, drank alcohol and, for a few years in the seventies, lived solely on cocaine, milk, and green peppers. His weight dropped to 98 pounds and he was a walking skeleton in the seventies, although some say he was at his most genius. Wikipedia has a thorough biography. It didn't help that he had a lollipop thrown at him from an adoring fan during a concert a week or two before his heart problems began. It hit in his eye, quite ironic, considering the Norwegian word for lollipops is "love on a stick". I believe this triggered his heart problems.

Here is a video on youtube about the lollipop.

Since his angioplasty, he has sung on stage with The Arcade Fire, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Alicia Keys for a token song or three, but I think he is afraid to take on anything that may jeopardize his health. He has chosen small projects in recent years, such as portraying Nicola Tesla in the Prestige, voicing the evil Malthazard in Arthur and the Minimoys, guesting on Ricky Gervais's Extras, voicing His Royal Highness in SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis, appearing in XM Satellite Radio commercial, and as Olgivie in the movie, August. He guest sang on Kashmir's, TV on the Radio's, and Scarlett Johansson's albums and recorded songs for the Shrek 2 and Stealth soundtracks. This is quite a list for someone who has "retired" but I am ever hopeful that he will give us one more music album. For the next month, I will be playing an album a day in tribute to one of the greatest artists who ever lived. Today I start with David Bowie: Early On.

These Birthday posts are worth reading.

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2009/01/happy-birthday.html

http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-get-your-rocks-off-happy-birthday-bowie

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/profiles/b/david-bowie.html

Happy Birthday Mr. Jones!!! Oh yeah, and a big happy birthday to the King, Elvis Presley, too.


He's Chameleon, Comedian, Corinthian and Caricature - song: The Bewlay Brothers, artist: David Bowie, album: Hunky Dory

Outside the Pale

Yesterday was snowy and cold so I decided to do some picture taking from inside my house. This is looking out to my barn. The horses are all in their stalls eating their breakfast.

I decided to let the dogs go for a run. Being German Shorthair Pointers, they love to run and hunt, and they needed to get some exercise. I haven't let them outside for the past week because of all the mud except for walks to go to the bathroom. Daisy came back after about 20 minutes but Gunnar took quite a bit longer because it was so cold. I hoped all the neighbors would be inside and not complain about my loose dogs. Finally, Gunnar came running back.

He's almost 11 years old now, so there's nothing better than crashing out after a good hard run.

I love how all my dogs cozy up in front of the fire.

Here's some more horsey photos. Scout and Annie are munching on the old log.

Here's Annie standing at attention. I wonder what she sees?

Here's Nadia, looking at something. Everyone likes to hang out in the den where it's warm. Here's Simba.

Outside the pale - song: Goodbye Mr. Ed, artist: Tin Machine, album: Tin Machine

Got to keep searching and searching

Yesterday was just one of "those" days.

I signed up for a class in taxes that meets every Saturday in January. The schedule said it started on the 5th of January. I thought maybe there was a typo and it was supposed to be the 3rd. I woke up and got ready for school. But a little birdie in my head told me that maybe the class really started next weekend so I grabbed my letterboxing bag just in case.

I drove to town to the north campus. One of the gates was open so I drove in and around to the other side of the buildings. I saw two trucks and a car but they looked like campus vehicles so I drove back around. Obviously, there were no classes today. As I drove to the exit I saw a security guard walking towards one of the buildings. He saw me and started walking towards me while at the same time I realized the gates were now locked. We talked a bit and then he opened the gate for me. I guess I didn't look too dangerous, only foolish! WOW, a few minutes more on the other side of the building and I might have been locked in for a week!

Whew, no school, so it's time to play. I pulled out my letterboxing clues and drove across town to the first one. It was another school. The gates were open so I drove in thinking I was going to get pulled over or locked in yet.

Well, I guess I'm not much of a detective because I gave up. I couldn't find any "welcome" sign and the silver river (sidewalk?) was everywhere. I thought the dragon" might be the lightpost hanging out over the road but I really couldn't be sure.

So I went to the next location. This one sounded easy. There were driving directions to the exact location which was an airplane viewing area down by the airport. I pulled into a parking lot and walked the path just outside of the parking area as the directions said. "Follow the trail until it gets steep and fork to the right." The letterbox was to be found beneath rocks under a bush.

Jeez, this area is all mesa. There were little paths everywhere! It was also very remote. When I pulled into the parking lot a mysterious van was sitting at the far end. I thought, 'this is the kind of place people would come to dump dead bodies.' I worried about someone coming by and clobbering me. I figured if someone attacked me I could kick them with my spiked heels! Silly me, I was wearing high heeled boots as I wandered around in the deep sand for half an hour trying to follow the vague directions. Well, I finally gave up.

I had one more place to go, The Veterans Memorial. I figured that this one should be a piece of cake! So, I drove over to it and stood at the "black wall" as the directions said. It told me to face the wall and go to the two evergreen trees, specifically, the furthest one. Stand, so I was "centered" at the tree, and the box would be by my right foot. It told me to be "discreet" so no one would know what I was doing. Well, I must be blind or just dumb because I couldn't find it. Often, letterboxes are hidden under rocks and there were yards of large rocks in a landscape border right next to the trees. I figured this would be the area but I wasn't going to tear up the whole yard looking for it. There were only a few peolple around but still... So, alas, I gave up. Three strikes and you're out, right?

I miss my letterboxing buddy so much!!! Lisa, get better soon!

Disappointed and a little depressed, I headed for home.

Along the way, I bought my son a couple of hot dogs from Sam's Club for lunch; 2 drinks and 2 hotdogs cost $3.20, even I can afford that! I don't usually care for hotdogs but these are good ones. They're Nathan's and they're huge. And they taste like Polish sausages! Actually, I kept the coke and gave him both sandwiches. Then, I made myself a cheeseburger from some leftovers out of the refrigerator.

It was beautiful in town, high 50's, and at home it was in the low 50's, although windy. I haven't ridden since Christmas Eve (the terrible day my friend, Lisa, got hurt) so I figured I'd go out and ride. I put on my Justin riding shoes and a jacket and headed out the door. I kept slipping on the muddy path just on the way to the barn so I decided that riding was out. I turned the horses out into the arena instead. I figured they would be able to keep to the drier areas and at least get a little exercise walking around. It has been over a week since it snowed and we still have patchy snow and MUD everywhere! Usually the mud dries up quickly but now it seems to form clear ice patches in the morning and mud bogs in the afternoon. The ground must be saturated which, for high desert, is very unusual.

I brought my saddle ito the house to clean and it's laying on a plastic drop cloth in the middle of the den right now. I stuck a heart charm on each of my horse's bridles yesterday and I just noticed that while carrying them to the house, one of the charms fell off en route. I had tied it on and the lace came undone. You can just see the other charm laying on top of the dark girth. It's more securely attached to the browband than the other one and is not going to fall off. The tin is where I keep my cleaning stuff. Notice the rockinhorses?

I was planning on cleaning my saddle right away but I decided to watch a movie instead, Quigly Down Under with Tom Selleck and Alan Rickman. I haven't seen it for a such long time. Then I flipped to the DVR to watch some Ryan Gingerich episodes I'd saved. By then it was too late to start cleaning leather. Okay, so I'm lazy as well as dumb (letterboxes). What a failure I feel like, right now!

I wondered whether the leather was safe overnight with my dogs because they like to sleep in the den too. I didn't want them chewing on my saddle or bridle, but I know my dogs. Haha, Gunner just laid down right next to the saddle and slept.

Everything was fine this morning.

I'll have to be on the lookout for the charm now as I walk to the barn this morning to feed. However, as I look out my window, there is snow falling. The ground is white already.

I had thoughts on riding the Railrunner to Santa Fe today but I don't know now. The Railrunner is a commuter train that goes from Belen to Albuquerque to Santa Fe. They just finished the section from Albuquerque to Santa Fe so it's free to ride on weekends in December through January 4th, today. Hmmm, always a day late and a dollar short, I am. I don't really have anyone to go with and it's not so much fun doing this alone. But, I wonder how crowded it would be with the snow...

Got to Keep Searching and Searching - song: Word on a Wing, artist: David Bowie, album: StationtoStation

So You Train by Shadow Boxing

This is a great commercial!
However- Don't Drink and Drive!





So you Train by Shadow Boxing - song: Teenage Wildlife, artist: David Bowie, album: Scary Monsters

It's a Brand New Day

New Year's Eve was very busy for me.

First, my son, and I cleaned our chimney. Well, he cleaned while I watched. hehe.

Then Trevor and I went to town to visit my Mother in Law. She is 84 and had been feeling poorly a few days prior. She is fine now and we had a nice little visit. She was telling us about the houses she'd lived in and how they had remodelled an old school house which they had bought for $300 and had it moved to town. She told us that she and her husband had had a huge fight once because she wanted to buy a washing machine on credit and he got angry and sent the appliance back to Montgomery Wards. When they moved to New Mexico in the seventies, they bought their house for cash. I can't imagine not having a mortgage and credit card bills!

Then we ran some errands and finally arrived home just before dusk.

I went out and fed my horses in their stalls. They love to race into the barn but this time they carefully picked their way in from the arena because the ground is still very slippery and muddy around the barn. I gave them each rubdowns with my gloved hands because they really like my suede gloves. I read somewhere about parted manes showing areas of stress for horses (Annie's mane has always parted 3/4 of the way up her neck) so I am experimenting by rubbing her head and neck and then traveling down her body and belly, between her legs, down her back, and around her tail. The last few days, I noticed less hair spilling over on the wrong side. Coincidence or does this effleurage really work to relax them? Then, I gave them some cracked corn and senior pellets, giving Annie her Mare Plus vitamins for the baby. I only give them a third to a half of a 2 lb coffee can, a token, really. Finally, I gave Annie and Nadia peppermints. Scout doesn't like them. Too bad for him.

Then I stopped by my neighbor Lisa's house to help her with the chickens. I actually got to collect eggs!! (thanks, Lisa) I've never been around chickens so it was very strange having them all flock around me wanting to be close to me. Lisa's chickens are so friendly!!! I was surprised how sweet they all were. I had to pick some of them up and put them in their house for the night and it felt very strange holding their feathered bodies, but not at all unpleasant. It's so crazy how little things that a person is used to doing can be so challenging for someone not familiar with the routine.

After that I went home to make dinner for Trevor and me. I had been boiling beans since the day before, so we had grilled ham, fresh baked biscuits, and beans (baby lima, kidney, red, navy, and black-eyed with bacon and pork added). You gotta have black-eyed peas for New Year's, for good luck, right? It was all so YUMMY!!!

I poured myself a drink of vodka and tonic, managing to spurt tonic water everywhere in my kitchen: counter, cabinets, floor, and myself! In the store earlier that day we had wondered about the difference between tonic water and diet tonic water. I did not know tonic water had sugar in it, did you? Anyway, I was showing him what tonic water was and how it bubbled when you shook the bottle. So, I guess it was still shook up when I opened it a few hours later. And, because I opted for the regular tonic water, my kitchen got all sticky!

I decided to visit my neighbor, Lisa @ LaughingOrcaRanch for a girl's night out. Well, "out" for me but "in" for her! She hurt her knee just one week ago, riding her horse, Baby Doll, and has been held captive in her upstairs bedroom ever since. Kind of like Rapunzel, eh?

So, around 8:00 PM, I gathered Vodka, tonic water, cut up lime, cups, gingerbread cookies, popcorn, and movies and headed down the lane. It was still so muddy everywhere that I had to wear my muck boots! My son didn't want to come and warned me not to drive if I was going to be drinking! hehee. He also made me promise to be home right after the movie so WE could watch the new zombie movie he had purchased earlier in the day and to celebrate the arrival of the New Year with him.

Lisa's family was gathered downstairs watching movies and playing Rock Star, so Lisa and I got comfy on her bed and, with drinks in hand (I made sure Lisa wasn't taking other drugs to mix with the alcohol and frankly, they were pretty weak drinks!), watched some eyecandy hunks- Johnny Depp and Aidan Quinn in the movie, Benny and Joon, one of my all-time favorites. It was so nice looking out her balcony door at the lit luminarias on her roof. We wore New Year's tiaras and had a great time, doing what bloggers do, talking and taking pictures!

Here are the results. Lisa and me on her bed. Lol, I just noticed how the cat pillow on the upper left corner looks just like Oreo.

Here's Lisa! Looks just like a princess, huh? I know, I look scary but it was a self portrait!
When the movie ended, I wished my good friend all the best and a very Happy New Year and bundled up for the LOOOONG walk home. LOL! I got there all in one piece and after we walked the dogs and threw logs in the fire, Trevor and I settled down for some scaring; watching the Zombie Diaries. I confess, I dozed a bit during the movie since zombies aren't my genre of choice. I did watch the ending and incredibly, it finished at 11:57PM. What timing! We didn't miss the New Year's celebration!

We flipped tv channels over just in time to watch New York's Times Square and the ball falling (I know it already happened but it was current time for us!). We counted down along with the thousands there and toasted and hugged each other. We saw Hillary and Bill Clinton kissing and dancing on the tv. Everyone in Times Square was kissing rather arduously; I guess it was the cold and long waits (some people lined up for more than 12 hours!!). Then we saw Robbie Knievel jump the volcano at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Do you think anyone is really hoping that he doesn't make it??

Then it was time for bed so we threw another log in the woodstove and said our "good nights."

May this year be fabulous for all of us.

It's a Brand New Day - song: Shake it, artist: David Bowie, album: Let's Dance