Birds of Winter

Early morning good light and sunshine gave an opportunity to capture some photos of the birds that have been feeding in the back yard. The sunshine didn't last and it looks like 2010 will end in another snowstorm. We were out taking snow photos this morning and it looks like we might have another opportunity to do the same. The birds and wildlife around us are a pleasure to watch. We saw a large hawk this morning but I didn't get a good shot. So I will share the best of my bird photography for the day. sf

A Bit of Weather in Silver City

To put it another way, we are having a heck of a snowstorm. Roads are closed going out of town and there are several accidents causing traffic problems. I know that our 4 wheel drive vehicles could get us around but since the other 10,000 residents aren't used to this kind of weather, I think we will just stay home. The repairman came yesterday to get the fireplace going and we are enjoying the cozy feel that a fireplace gives a room. I've taken a few pictures early this morning but should get some more. After living in Colorado, it seems strange where snow pictures are the unusual. I know many areas are going through much worse weather than this so I am not complaining. Stay warm everyone and A Happy New Year!!!

Interesting El Paso

Our exploring extended all the way to El Paso. Checked out the mall but decided purchasing wasn't a good idea when one has a garage full of boxes to be unpacked. Had a wonderful lunch at PF Changs and went sightseeing in "The Golden Horseshoe" area of old downtown. We just made a quick trip through as the day was fleeting and we wanted to be home at a resonable hour. Interesting, that El Paso. . Will share a few photos from the old town area. .and then there is this interesting Giant Roadrunner Sculpture of sorts that sits along the highway on the New Mexico side which appears to be constructed of "stuff". Now there's an idea for those boxes in the garage! sf

I Did, I Did !

I did post a blog about Christmas! With photos. Don't know where it has gone. So will just say we had a good holiday. . Not going to do a rewind and am on to the next blog! sf

The Many "Sides" of Silver City

One of the intriguing things about Silver City is the variety in people and activities that are open to all who choose to participate. The Silver City Museum has had an interesting schedule of family oriented events which include music, book readings, children story times and socials with food. And yesterday we found this gathering in a well done river walk area with live music and spontaneous dance with spectators joining in. As well as this seems to be a haven for us older folks that enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, having a four year college here gives the community a sprinkling of young energy. We love the fact that the Arts Community is alive and growing here. And then there seems to be a core group of multi-generational families where Silver City has always been "home". Interesting and welcoming place, this Silver City. .

A Treasure Discovered

Yesterday was a day of discovery. We set out to attend and photograph the wreath laying ceremony at Ft. Bayard National Cemetery , just a short distance from Silver City. The program there was moving, to say the least, with tributes to fallen and injured soldiers from all branches of the military service. The mild weather, blue skies and colorful jackets and Christmas wreaths made the photography a bonus. Beautiful music was provided by a local chorus group. They appropriately call themselves The Hi Lo Silvers. After the program we decided to spend sometime exploring the grounds of Ft. Bayard. What a beautiful setting! To me it had some of the same "feeling" as the well known Ghost Ranch retreat center. The many buildings are old, but appear well maintained for their age. Complete restoration of the complex was a vision that hangs there in my mind. As it has recently been vacated by a large health facility, it appears from what we have read that there are plans for future development, while preserving the historical nature of the area. The stately row of large two-story houses reminded me of southern influence. I think that Rhet Butler would be comfortable on the upper porches! Anyway, it was a treat to browse and enjoy the grounds. I am sharing a few of my favorite photos from the morning. This treasure has a beauty as it stands, but restoration and future uses could make it so very much more. sf

Pearl Harbor Remembered

No,born in 1942, I don't remember Pearl Harbor Day. But this date brings to mind and I do remember two very significant people in my life, both of whom were adults on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed.

One is an amazing 92 year old lady who has a birthday on December 7th. Frieda has a sharp mind, lives independently and plays a mean game of cards. She has been such a joy to have in my life.

The other,deceased years ago, a distant step-relative, a colorful irish fellow that I didn't meet until his older years. Kelly was also in the military and his ship was in Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. He is such an example of how war changes people forever. Kelly physically sealed the door on a ruptured chamber in the ship that he was on that day. It saved the ship and many others, but thereby cost the lives of those shipmates on the other side of the sealed door. Even after all the years, he still had nightmares about that day and what he had to do. Tears came to his eyes when he told the story as an old man. Yes, war changes people forever. This is just one story, one soldier, one battle.

I guess I remember both Frieda and Kelly for very different reasons this Pearl Harbor Day. Both are lessons learned.

Thoughtfully,
Sandy

Wow! Another month ... and decade.

Lots has happened since last we blogged!

First, we've moved to Silver City, NM. We convoyed out of Mancos on Nov. 23, a day of sunlight 'midst days of cold and snow. 'Twas a long day, but we made it, pulling into our new driveway butt-sore and tired after dark. We found our "stuff" exceeded our vision, so had to delay a day and add another trailer to the convoy, still leaving a few items behind to pick up later.

We do have a resident herd of grounds-keepers that are usually through the yard twice a day. There's also quite a few birds and I've seen a black-tailed jackrabbit on the premises. There's still what seems like 350 boxes in the garage, but we're getting on top of it. We've got enough unpacked to be able to live reasonably comfortably. Sandy's done a great job of getting some of the flat art up around the house, so we're not just looking at bare walls. And, we've got all the utility systems more or less in order.

Silver City is full of activities as the holiday season begins. They have a horse-drawn trolley that was giving free rides up and down the main drag, Bullard Street. We were fortunate to be invited to Lorna and George's for Thanksgiving dinner with some mutual friends, and they also invited us to join them for dinner in the corner window at Isaac's on the evening of the Parade of Lights, which passed by right outside.

We've toured the galleries again and started getting a sense of how our photography might fit in. Pictured are two of Sandy's prints (second and third from left) as they are displayed in the Mimbres Region Arts Council's juried show in their gallery at the Wells Fargo Bank downtown.

There's lots of musical events during the Christmas season. Friday night we went to see and hear "Joy! 2010" at the university theater. This afternoon we're going to a chamber music concert at the Methodist Church. Last night we enjoyed a guitar-playing singer at the Buckhorn Saloon in Pinos Altos. Still to come is the concert by the Hi Lo Silvers, a group our realtor sings with.

Yesterday we went about 30 miles east of Silver City into the Mimbres Valley, on dirt roads and across the one-lane bridge in the foreground, to the Mimbres Hot Springs Ranch studio sale. Way at the end of a dusty trail in the middle of nowhere ... and the place was packed! There were about 30 artists with displays, plus music and food and drink, all on a beautiful December afternoon with temperatures in the low 60s.

Oh, about the decade thing ... yesterday I turned 70.

Drayton came down from Colorado Springs Friday, returning today. So, we got to go to Joy! with him, brunched at Isaac's, did the studio show (where Sandy snapped us standing in the entrance archway) and Sandy treated us to dinner at the Buckhorn, where a nice lady at the next table offered to immortalize the three of us!

In a way, this has been a momentous birthday for me, what with the move, the end of being a tour guide at Mesa Verde after more than 40 years, etc. And it's been a very good one. It's a joy to be here with Sandy, and we're both finding the community very friendly, very welcoming. I don't expect to be shoveling snow very much here and the sunny afternoons are warming. There's lots of cultural activities for us to share, and our photo bug juices really got flowing on the trip out to the art show yesterday ... so many places to explore and photograph at different times of the day, different seasons, etc. Life is SO good! tv