Foothills

Land of Enchantment

One of my colleagues is married to a cowboy. He is self-employed, a contractor of sorts. He makes his living mostly by breaking horses. She says they have over 70 of them.

It always amazes me when people tell me that they can’t find a job. I think what they mean is that they can’t find a job they like.

My best friends are people who’ve made their way in the world by carving out a niche for themselves, using their talents to create something that people need. Most of them have had multiple jobs in their lifetime, multiple careers actually, and have lived in many places. Not all of them have college degrees. But all are self-sufficient and happy with their lives.

I think it’s because no one had to tell them what to do and where to be.

New Mexico is great for schizoid people, people who like to be alone. You can drive for miles and miles in eastern New Mexico and not see a soul.

I like the foothills in New Mexico. The little valleys are full of farms and ranches.

At higher elevations, I can almost pretend I’m back in the Appalachians. The trees here are different though. And so are the bears.

Thrill of the Mac

I think I must have laughed out loud, when I was perusing a Land’s End catalog, and a piece of paper fell out.

It said, “Do you have what it takes to sail the 333 miles from Chicago to the northern tip of Lake Michigan?“

So, Land’s End is inviting people to submit <=500-word essays about their desire to participate in the race from Chicago to Mackinac Island. "Your essay will be judged on your passion (?!?) to participate in the race, written composition (They actually teach that in school, still?), and sailing experience, if any.“

I’m too busy enjoying the snow down here to care enough to go up north to enjoy it. But if any of my readers are interested, “For complete rules see www.landsend.com/rules or call 1-800-356-4444” to “Enter to win a spot onboard!“

Roswell, New Mexico

UFO Museum, downtown Roswell

My colleague wore his headdress when he went to visit the museum got stared at by a lot of people. I’ve no doubt there aren’t many Sikh in little Roswell.

I worried for his safety, because in Arizona some guy who wore a turban got killed by some dumb nut. But no one bothered my friend. The security guard at the museum kept shadowing us though. Even if my friend were a terrorist, I highly doubt the UFO museum in Roswell would be a prime target for terrorist activities.

A little birdie informed me that on July 4th, they have an annual Alien Festival. “People come from all over the country for it.” Indeed.

One of the shops downtown, covered in aliens

Ruidoso, New Mexico

If it weren’t for the state income tax, and the Democratic governor, Matt and I’d seriously consider purchasing a cabin up in Ruidoso. I had no idea they got so much snow! Take me tubin’, baby!

Courage

From an exhibit at the Rantoul Aviation Museum:

Thicker Than Blood

My godsister is one of the sweetest women in the world! She was the only one who regularly sent me mail/cards/care packages when I was alone doing my graduate degree in Illinois. The only one. So for all that my “real” family claims to “love” me, Mia is the only one who understood that I didn’t need phone calls and cards with affectations. I needed her quirky gifts to pick me up after a day of depressing lab experiments gone awry. I needed someone to tell me a joke after watching 14 rats being decapitated for their hypothalamuses.

She was also the first person to call me and ask what residency position I got.

In other words, Mia is such a nice person, and I pray pray pray that she finds someone who is loving and loyal, who will take care of her the way she takes care of everyone else.