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.

Very Long Roadtrip

Wow, a month has gone by and I have no idea where I've been...
Except this past weekend!
Carlsbad Caverns National Park near Carlsbad, New Mexico
is about a 5-1/2 to 6-1/2 hour trip from Santa Fe.
Thus the reason we rose, (with our bleary-eyed friend Dianne),
and got on the road at 5 a.m. Saturday morning.



We tried to limit flash photography,
and tended to look more like
deer in headlights
or surprised moles
when facing THAT much light...


If you consider a trip to Carlsbad Caverns,
I highly recommend taking the guided tours.
We were lucky to get tickets (a few weeks in advance!),
to King's Palace and Left Hand Tunnel;
the Left Hand Tunnel is via hand-held candle-powered lanterns
over un-paved various surfaces
a MUST in my opinion.






The other areas we visited were all paved with
safety railings and artificial lights
making them more glorious and awe-inspiring
while viewing each cavern.
Other guided tours are available,
including getting down and dirty
with headlamps, elbow and knee pads
into itty-bitty tiny crawlspaces;
when you exit those tours
you all look like miners.
Maybe next time...
For more information about Carlsbad Canyons...





And don't forget!
Rosewell, New Mexico is along the way...