Feliz Navidad!

Ok, my Christmas greetings are 3 days late. I've been so busy. House/cat-sitting for two weeks, visiting with friends from out of town, the regular work stuff, my volunteer work at the Stray Arts Gallery, and just trying to stay warm. It's been below freezing for ages. I've got icicles on my brain! I did have a wonderful Christmas Eve though. Went to Taos Pueblo for their big bonfire night. It was so beautiful. The first fires are lit just as the sun goes down, then you stroll with friends around the grounds, hoping to recognize people in their layers of thick clothes and caps. Dashing inside when someone you know invites you in for a bowl of hot chile. Red or green? Both, Christmas! One lasting image is of the small adobe Pueblo church illuminated by the fires against an inky black sky.

Then I went to someone's home in Ranchos for yet more chile, posole and biscochitos. New Mexican holidays are special.

On the Road Again......

Yay, I had time to take a weekend getaway, sorely needed. Main reason was to see Willie Nelson at the Route 66 Casino on the I40 just west of Albuquerque. I was nervous that it might snow and I would never drive down the highway by the Rio Grande, even to see Willie. But the weather gods were with me, both coming and going. Freezing cold but sunny. I had a front row seat, but it was waaaay over to the side, in front of speakers and a Christmas tree. But still I had a pretty good view of the man, who was playing with Asleep at the Wheel. A fabulous show as usual.

I decided to spend a couple nights in Albuquerque since I usually just pass through there. Found a great cheap but super nice motel near the Old Town area, called the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel on Central SW. Proprietor was super nice and had a little old blind doxie. Very sweet. And it was just a couple block walk to Old Town where I spent all my time. Even had a personal tour of the Plaza. The guide knew so much Stuff! Did some Xmas shopping, picture taking. Oh, speaking of which: I had my camera with me at the concert but then realized I had left the media chip at home, so no pics of Willie, boo. Sunday evening a friend joined me for dinner at La Placita, a really old building that now houses a restaurant but used to be the Armijo Home. Had a nice dinner in a nice atmosphere, but got to admit, the tacos were not as good as the ones from the "taco wagon" in Winters, CA.

Monday morning found my car just about encased in ice, and this was just Albuquerque! So I found a cool diner to have breakfast, where the waitresses call you dear and the first song I heard as I sat down was "Little Old Lady From Pasadena! Great trip.

Amazing Grace

Last night I watched a great movie called "Amazing Grace", based on a true story about William Wilberforce, an 18th century English politician who fought for the abolition of slavery. It was made in 2006. I remember hearing about it then, but never got around to watching it till now. The dvd has some good comments by the director Michael Apted and the main actor Ioan Gruffudd. And Albert Finney plays the man who wrote the song, which just happens to be one of my favorite all-time songs, well, for me and millions of others! I love the bagpipes version. And, an added bonus, Yousouf N'Dour the singer (hope I spelled that right) also plays a main role.

And what a guy Wilberforce (love that name) was. Very passionate, caring, committed, witty and an animal lover to boot! He'd bring hurt animals into his home to get mended. Maybe I'll name my next dog after him.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

It's cold here! Right now the wind is blowing mightily, the snow is being swept past my windows, and I have decided not to venture outside except for a quick pee break for Cadbury. Which reminds me, I've got to get him some snow booties. He hates getting snow on his little delicate paws! I was supposed to do my volunteer work this morning at our Stray Arts Gallery but I cancelled. I'm really nervous now about driving in this icy stuff since I had a fender bender the other day. Was only going 15 mph but the impact made a huge crack in one of my fenders. What a creepy horrible feeling it is to tap your brakes and nothing happens! But I am so glad I wasn't going downhill.

I still have to go out to work this afternoon, at Mabel's. But I wonder if the opera singers from Santa Fe who are checking in today will bother to make the trip. It's really scary driving up the Gorge (as in Rio Grande) in this kind of weather.

Mostly I feel bad for the dogs and cats who are outside in the cold all day and night. I am going to make it my main New Year's resolution to educate people ("people"?, jerks I mean) about the inhumanity and downright meanness of this. They are domesticated animals, not livestock or wild ones. Some of the "loosely-owned" dogs that roam around here don't even have dog houses to retreat to. What is wrong with their owners? I am going to get some igloos for the ones that visit me, at the least. And there is still one at Mabel's that we haven't been able to catch yet, it's been months now.

People, let your dogs and cats inside in this weather, please! They are such sweet, loving creatures, if you only would give yourself the chance to find out.