Why?

To the stranger
(from near my hometown)
who sent me the lovely
Craftsman-style table lamp:
Thank you
and
Why?

Who Will Help On Boxing Day?

Boxing Day:
(Wikipedia)
A clue to Boxing Day's origins appears in the Christmas Carol, "Good King Wenceslas". Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, was surveying his land on St. Stephen's Day, 26 December, when he saw a poor man gathering wood in the middle of a snowstorm. Moved, the King gathered up surplus food and wine and carried them through the blizzard to the peasant's door. The alms-giving tradition has always been closely associated with the Christmas season, but King Wenceslas' good deed came the day after Christmas, when the English poor received most of their charity.

A plan for today:
You know all the NEW stuff
you will use and enjoy in 2011?
Now think of
the older stuff...
Box up those clothes,
old blankets and towels,
dented pot and pans,
and all the things
you don't use
you haven't used
that don't fit
that went to the back of your closet
deep in your cupboards
gathering dust and cobwebs in your garage...

Take time
TODAY;
pack them up
drive to your nearest
Goodwill
Salvation Army
Homeless Donation Area
Humane Society

and give
to those who
WILL
use them.

To New Traditions...

John and a friend from the studio
spent Thursday making
tamales.
What a great tradition to begin!

Plaza Holiday Season

Arm Rests

Cat a pult

Where once Cisco was banished to the outer porch to eat...
He and Luna now (somewhat behave and) eat within whiskers of each other.
Cisco does, however - continue to enjoy hanging on doors
looking in windows...
and yowling.

San Diego #1

San Diego, California:
(A slower pace than I expected...)



Hillcrest neighborhood,
Balboa Park,
La Jolla Beach, and
walks around the neighborhood.
I liked the mellow vibe,
the ocean breezes,
the friendly residents,
and the wildlife!




































Thanks to the instructors and classmates
at Feldenkrais Institute of San Diego;
you all made me feel welcome
and a comfortable part of the group.
I look forward to continuing my training
over the next few years.
And to San Diego;
yours is a wonderful city,
Hillcrest is a warm and mellow place,
and during my future visits I will plan
exploring all of Balboa Park,
checking out the San Diego Zoo,
finally learning to surf (!),
and getting to know more about your great city.


And yet,
arriving in Albuquerque...
I smiled when I looked through the doors
as I exited the airport...
It is nice to get home again.

Ten Surprises

A friend in China was challenged to blog "10 surprising things" about herself.
She then challenged her readers to do the same.
Sounds like a nice way to rack my brain.






Ten Surprises:

#1 Both my mom and dad were in the military during WW II.
They both recommended I NOT join the military.

#2 I like spiders.

#3 I wish I could wear my crazy flip-flops year-round,
because I'm not a fan of socks.

#4 My grandmother loved to travel, my mom is outspoken,
my father perfected mellow; and I hope I am a good mix of all three.

#5 Life is too serious; I hope I never lose my sense of humor.

#6 I wish I were a more adventurous eater. I'm picky.

#7 In another life I was probably a cab driver. In Chicago. In the 1920's.

#8 I love Halloween. I love creating costumes.
I love candy corn. And caramel apples.

#9 I hope I never stop driving a stick shift.

#10 My dad probably saved me from drowning at a very young age,
(age 2-3, fell in the river; he pulled me out).
I will always love, and yet respect bodies of water.

#11 BONUS! My first spoken word as a baby wasn't " ma-ma" or "pa-pa"
it was a perfectly pronounced "Airplane"... go figure...


Now your turn - you have my list - share yours!

Patients/Patience

I work with patients in a hospital every day.
And every day
I get frustration
hopefulness
inspired
laughter
crying...

I get drug-addled confusion
combativeness
crazy conversations
forgetfulness
and child-like trust.

And sometimes
I get no response at all.

But every day I attempt
to remember that each patient
is terrified they will die
or terrified they may live
confused
worried about finances
worried about their families
worried about their pets
worried that life as they knew it
may never happen again.

And I attempt to remember
and to share
kindness
truth
support
encouragement
faith
strength when they feel weak
confidence when they feel hopeless
and joy
when they go home.

Remember that all health care workers
nurses
therapists
cleaning staff
doctors
and even people working in the cafeteria...
We all wish that we could go out of business;
wish that no loved-ones would ever be ill
that there would never be a reason for surgery
that no one was sick
or injured
or failing
or dying.

And we are sorry that patients
must have
patience
while they are here.

Santa Fe Farmer's Market 7/31/2010

Met a friend of a friend
at the Santa Fe Farmer's Market yesterday:
Sherri Brooks Vinton has written a fun book about canning
"Put 'Em Up!"
for more information: sherribrooksvinton.com




Enjoyed the sunny squash blossoms ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Cisco #2

Several friends and family have asked for
closer, clearer photos of Cisco.
Well, good luck with THAT request.
He moves at 100 mph;
and is usually trying to eat anything within reach.
Here's the most recent result.
Closer? Yes.
Clearer? You be the judge...

M

Competition

Cisco Kid

Kitten

Update:
Kitten is
a boy
5-6 weeks old
gray with occasional visual sightings of stripes in the right light
likes "Kitten Chow" (damp) and Kitten Replacement Milk "KRM"
does not yet have all of his teeth
likes to have his belly rubbed frequently!
Full name: Cisco Kid

Still waiting on return of repaired camera,
but will be posting photos taken by fans, soon!

Found

Found a kitten tonight.
He/she has been too nervous for me to know if it is a he/she.
6-8 weeks old.
CUTE AS A BUTTON.

Need a kitten?

International Folk Art Market - 2010!

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
is coming up this weekend!
Photos from the last two years should
tempt you to attend
THIS year!









Wanna join us?
We're going Sunday morning...
Check out July 2010 "Oprah" Magazine
for a nice story
about items available for sale
on-line!

Swan Dive or Belly Flop?

Update on our old, trusty Canon Camera.
Date of "birth": 2005.

Current medical status:
Possible life support via Canon Repair Hospital located in California

Estimated hospital bill:
Approximately $90

Cause of injury: Fall from height greater than my head...
Onto concrete.
Camera not wearing a helmet;
had on minimal protective case,
with resulting internal trauma.

Prognosis:
Good.

Planned recovery date and discharge from repair hospital:
Late July?

Past Medical History:
Exploring Chicago 2005-2007.
Wonderful adventure to France and Italy 2007.
Travels around Illinois and New Mexico,
and road trip between the two states.
Family, friends, life, fun and food.
Always willing to work hard within seconds
and put up with car rides, bike rides, canoe rides, purse rides.

Medical Treatment Plan:
Surgical repair and full recovery.



Family Support:
Considering adopting a younger, faster, highly intelligent sibling
for possible apprentice support.

.

Bummer...

Broke the camera.
Bummed.

Yard and Casita Stuff

My friends and family
always wonder what is new
at the "Howlin' Dog Bunkhouse".
Thought I could update
their imaginations!




As the garden took shape
mid-May
and the two or three nights
below freezing
did not kill them;
they stayed warm and huddled
on a sun-warmed
stone and concrete bench.


And now:
Itty-bitty tomatoes on the vines in my garden!



Futon - seating...


Futon - bed!



Thanks, Maggie! Direct trade of chiminea for hammock...
Just have to build a roaring fire some evening!




No more lavender walls - now we have
"toasted waffle"...



Outdoor (human) cafe
near the garden
and the hummingbird cafe.



Krista; so many of your things
now resting in my window
waiting to become sun-drenched still-life paintings.