Saving this for last makes me less verbose.  Walked SF River Trail today with Tuesday group.  Started from Hotel Santa Fe and wended past Railyard and Sanbusco, over to Alameda.  Went as far as Frenchy's Field which is the end of the paved trail.  Trail will one day extend beyond this, crossing NM599 and ending at (or above?) the Rio Grande.  Friday Walkers may like walking part of this one day.

Tuesday group ate lunch at Hotel Santa Fe but I drove over to Whole Paycheck to eat small lunch in car in their parking lot and then drove home.  To save time, I didn't dare go in the store.

My GPS said we walked almost 7 miles.

Have chance to do East Fork snowshoe tomorrow but decided not to.

Snowing this morning.  Little birdies skipping around backyard looking for food.  Haven't yet chopped down flower stalks so maybe they got lucky.

Had to go to Santa Fe for an oil change so wanted to get exercise done in morning.  Walked 4 times back and forth to airport for 4 miles.  Slippery slush at first but then warmed and just fine.  Alternated between bright overcast and dull overcast.  Relatively warm for snow.  Saw, parked side by side at airport, a lime green VW beetle and a Christmas tree green Ford Ranger pickup. The greens brightened my day as I wasn't cheerleading about the new snow infusion.   Glad to get exercise done as walking this evening in the cold and dark and gusting wind wouldn't have been fun.

Picked up grandson at his father's to deliver him this evening to his Mom who's returning from New Orleans vacation.  Took grandson to Target and gave him money to buy a toy.  He'd brought money along but was a couple of dollars short.  Then we walked to Santa Fe Place where I bought him lunch at Dairy Queen.  Carousel gives 15 turns around for $1.75 - we counted them out!

Regarding yesterday's bitch fest:  Sure, I could do that all day, every day but what would it gain me?  Key to happiness is take a hike which I'll do tomorrow with the Tuesday group.

Women in LL group with stage 4 lung cancer has now opted for palliative care and doctors give her days or weeks to live.  Be grateful for good health!!

Prairie Home Companion had a sweet segment this week called Snowman.

Today we walked on the asphalt path along NM4 in White Rock.  Spouse went a little past Piedra Loop and turned around.  I continued a little past Gate 12.  We park at the WR branch of the library.  Noticed for sale signs on commercial property on Longview Drive.  Brochures were out so I don't know any details.   This is an area of business condos that hardly have any businesses renting them.  Wish they'd redevelop it into residential condos!

In the winter, I always love to walk this path in White Rock because the views of the Sangres and Jemez Mountains are far ranging and beautiful!

At Los Alamos Historical Museum, we checked out exhibit of photos of Las Conchas fire.  One of them misspelled Sangres as Sangrias!!  Well, maybe we could rename them!  Seeing the photos reminded us of before the town was evacuated.  The afternoon the fire started, June 26, 2011, spouse was watching Super 8 at the Reel Deal Theater which had scenes of a wildfire with smoke billowing over a mountain.  He was stunned to come out of the movie theatre and see real life billowing smoke plume.  I walked on the Pueblo Canyon Rim Trail from East Park to the library downtown. I didn't see the smoke plume until I got up off the canyon rim.  The smoke plume took over the whole sky at such an astounding rate.  That evening from our house, we could see the fire as it torched Bandelier.

Bitch Fest:  Husband is always around.  I bought a Sony tape recorder to record my thoughts.  So far I've only used it once but haven't had time to privately listen to and transcribe what I recorded.  There's nothing on it that husband would be remotely interested in but he'd only infringe upon my privacy if I played it while he's here and he's always here.  There is no privacy now that he's working part-time.  Way too much togetherness.

He really doesn't know what to do with himself.  He's already been on the computer 7 times today.  He watches TV excessively even to the point where he's snoring while "watching".  He's too dumb to pick himself up and go to bed when he's so sleepy he's falling asleep in front of the TV and not even following what's on.

It was so much better when he went to work for 40 hours a week - at least I got a break from all the togetherness.  Saying all this, I know he deserves to retire.  Part of the problem is the setup of this house.  Of the six rooms in the house, not including the bathroom, only two have doors - the bedrooms.  The rest of the house is nothing but an open pit with dividing walls but no way to shut a door and not have to listen to the blasted TV which is on ALL THE TIME!!

He did buy wireless headphones to listen to the TV but usually complains when I ask him to put them on.  Right now he's watching the Golden Globe awards which I'm getting tired of hearing.

I just now said "Please put your headphones on." and he replied "All right!" so that's encouraging.  Why did I ever want to get married?  True, like my friend in her 70's says of her husband "He's good company!"  I shouldn't bitch so much.  Now her husband is in Sombrillo and unable to walk while his broken elbow heals.  I don't wish bad on my husband.  I just wish we'd buy a house, not a mansion, that would afford more privacy.  Having my own computer wouldn't be bad either!

Indulging in idle speculation to husband about an acquaintance, I chortle:  "See no evil, hear no evil....well, two out of three ain't bad!"

Herman Cain was on Bill Maher last night wearing a bowtie.  I commented to spouse that Cain's not wearing a necktie because his wife would strangle him with it!!

Our neighborhood's new name - Gateway Neighborhood of the Eastern Area.  Coined this when T-board member visited us yesterday.

Life is sometimes too much.  Too many appointments and not enough reading.  Too many diddling things to do and not enough time to relax.  Too much driving to Santa Fe and then not enough time in the day.  Too many days waking up 7 am when I can't go to sleep before midnight and I need 8.5 hours to function.  OK, enough complaining - just heard of hiking acquaintance who is battling for her life with stage 4 lung cancer.  I'm sure that about right now, she'd rather be too busy.

Spouse and I went on Sierra Club hike today.  Met group at Sierra Club Office off Lena and Second Street - never been there.  Walked Rail Trail - Alta Vista to Rodeo Road.  Rest of group, maybe 8-10 people, went on to Rabbit Road.  Wish there were more easy hikes like this for spouse to go on.  Want to do Spur Trail and new Santa Fe River Trail (not sure if correct name but goes to Frenchy's Field) in Santa Fe one day.

After hike, we went to Red Lobster.  I ordered the catfish.  I love catfish and never get to eat it otherwise.  I should buy some one day.  It was blackened with lots of deliciously salty seasoning.  The lunch portion is only $8.50.  Then went to worship services at Natural Grocers and on home.

Yesterday, drove to SF for express purpose of seeing a pedorthist there to order new orthotics.  He took a cast and they should be ready in 2 weeks.  They will be very different from the ones the Albuq physical therapist makes.  I showed them to the pedorthist and he didn't think much of them.  He and his wife have 6 cats and feed 3 strays.  He's into refexology and craniosacral therapy.  Somehow have to tell him I'm not interested.

Today, WRSC hike was in El Rancho.  Almost didn't go because I don't like walking on non-existent shoulder of narrow road.  When we got to the wider dirt road, that at least felt safer.  Three dogs followed us the whole way.  On the way back, all the other neighborhood dogs came out to the road to defend their territory.  Not ideal.  New hiker joined us.  She lives in Jemez Springs and comes to Los Alamos several days a week while her daughter is at Chamisa School.  Wonder if she'll come back next week?  Seemed nice.  Wants to volunteer at the Española bakery to learn how to cook Mexican pastries and cakes. 

Went to WR Smith's and Jemez House Thrift Shop afterward.  At thrift shop, for $2, bought Van Heusan khakis in perfect condition and two satchel shoulder bags.  Wanted the bags to put my tape recorder, notebook and camera all in one.

Transportation board member came over this afternoon to speak with husband about traffic calming on Trinity Drive.  Husband is against roundabouts but for traffic calming.  There will be one roundabout at Central and Trinity, though, but at least they SEEM to have decided that there isn't room for a roundabout at Airport Road and East Road.  Council meeting next week decides future plan of action.  Husband corresponds with group that wants Trinity to be 5 lanes and no roundabout.  They don't even live in our neighborhood.  I call that group husband's "coven"!

T board member said that hiking friend's husband, in his eighties, is now in Sombrillo.  He fell and broke his elbow.

Culture crawl tonight - exhibits opening at Mesa Public Library, Fuller Lodge Art Center and ongoing exhibit at Los Alamos Historical Museum.  I need to go take a look!

Regarding the statues of Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves on Central, why is Oppenheimer's statue all shiny while Groves remains dark?  Do people like to rub Oppie but not Groves?  The other night, walking by the statues, I saw that someone had cradled an empty soda bottle in Oppie's right arm.  I should have removed it but didn't.  Yesterday, someone had removed it.  

These are notes from the steno pad made while around the house:

"foot less sore than when hiking" This refers to the one and only snowshoe I've taken this winter.  The trail was well-tamped down and groomed.

"mountain lion and coyote attacks" Woman walking two dogs on Cañada Bonita Trail last week commented about this.  A mountain lion killed a dog on Barranca Mesa and another tried to take a dog in Quemazon Community.  Coyote attacks have occurred to dogs on local trails.  Bayo Canyon Trail had photos of wounds inflicted on dog.

"forest service website and press releases"  Dissatisfaction over delays in reopening Cañada Bonita Trail and deplorable, not-up-to-date forest service website and why doesn't the forest service issue press releases to the local newspaper so people know what progress is being made on rehabbing local trails?

"giving up on self-help books, gave up on my soul"  Thought this when I decided to take back to the library a self-help book I'd found in the non-return section.  It's not like I'm going to greatly change at this point.  Reading a self-help book only frustrates me and makes me think how bad I am.  Same way about Buddhism.  I feel like a bad person reading all the precepts.  I'll never attain saint-hood - not even close!

"trees aren't meant to last forever, nor people" Thought this on witnessing the Las Conchas fire damage along the newly reopened Cañada Bonita Trail.  I loved the forest but will love the burnt area too.  It's all beautiful!

"life is so damned finite - if I volunteer 3 hours, that takes time away from other things I might do"  Been dabbling at volunteering.   Volunteered at the blood drive but had to stay an hour longer because the next shift was late.  Couldn't accomplish much on a writing project when I got home.  It's a trade-off.  The volunteering felt good but I like to write, read and walk too.  Mustn't let volunteering encroach on that.  Maybe find volunteering job that allows reading and writing!

"I'll go to bed as soon as this is over" says husband.  Says me "Yeah, if you're awake"  Husband has tendency to snore while watching TV!

"One need never wonder again - just Google it!"  Ah, yes, my wisdom overwhelms even me!

"plain laziness - lately get such a late start"  Yes, I like to walk every day but sometimes sitting on my butt at the computer and all sorts of little household chores gets me out too late and I never catch up!

"male gossips - biddies without titties"  This when husband and brother are speculating how much sister paid for new used car!  Who cares??

There - got that off my chest!!

New Year's resolutions for this blog:

To change these settings for this blog from Yes to No:  "Add your blog to our listings?"  "Let search engines find your blog?"  I want this to feel more like a private online journal.  People can still find it if they want but why encourage them?  It's not that I'll start writing personal secrets - ha, you were hoping!  Maybe this will help me to make it more informal and more about my thoughts and life, albeit less polished.

Not to title these blog posts.   Maybe that will avoid all the hits on my blog post titled "Excruciatingly Detailed Regurgitation" which is nothing but a deadly dull and boring recitation of a shopping trip to Santa Fe gone wrong.  I think the hits are from 5 year olds using computers without parental supervision!

Now let's see if I can read my notes made while walking on Camp May Road yesterday:

"snow takes away my freedom"  What I meant by this is that with all the trails snow-covered, I can't get out on them because of my bum right foot.  I want the snow so NM doesn't burn up again this year but I'd like to get out on terra firma again one day.

"FS legal dept."  This is because I'm worried that in the Spring when more trails get rehabilitated from the Las Conchas fire damage that the forest service will take their sweet time legally amending the closure order like they did this winter, costing the SW Nordic Club monies, in officially reopening the Nordic Trails.    It got hung up in the legal department and the opening was delayed even though the trail was made more than ready by the volunteers.

"snow stays"  Walking up Camp May Road and looking longingly at the Route which is still full of snow.

"no Xmas tree gathering signs"  These appear on all the side roads along Camp May Road.  Odd that if the side roads are still closed that the forest service would place these signs at each entrance.

"sore foot - snowshoeing less fun"  Not being able to break trail because of my bum foot makes snowshoeing less fun for me.  Snowshoeing on a well-tamped down, groomed trail is boring.

"hoping to get thru winter w/o -20"  So far, so good but the deep freeze didn't happen until February last year.

They Let Me Out Today

Finally escaped from the loving embrace of my family and walked up first two miles of Camp May Road.  Yes, yes, I know I bravely talked of doing a snowshoe as soon as the holidays were over but two loads of laundry this morning took precedence.

Even though it's only a road walk, I felt like I'd come home to be seeing the sights along Camp May Road again!  During the holidays, I avoided it because the traffic is too heavy when the ski area is open.  It was perfect today!   The Route is quite snow-covered and I entertained the idea of snowshoeing on it but my right foot would protest greatly if I broke trail.  Maybe at this point it's best to wait for fresh snow and a newly broken trail?  Who knows what I'll do when they let me loose again tomorrow!

Oh, the sky was a glorious NM blue today.  Some clouds but nothing diminished the beauty of that blue, NM sky and golden afternoon sunshine!   The beauty of a NM winter would even melt the heart of a snowman!

Biding, Biding

No, not Joe!  The holidays drag on.  I eagerly await the return of normal life.  I wonder if anyone has studied how productive the country is between Christmas and New Year's Day?  I'm sure not very because everyone is waiting to be productive again after the holidays are finally over!

The Nordic Ski Trails have officially opened.  Perhaps the snow will all be melted or sublimated by the time I make it up there next week.  Just in case, I'll bring YakTrax AND snowshoes!  The word is that we are entering a long dry, warm spell.   Makes me almost miss the excitement of all the winter storms but maybe I can contain myself.  Only thing is that then we pay for it in the fire season.

Got tired of the sewage treatment plant road so walked on West Road Bypass today.  It's opened to traffic now.  Wind was really blasting me!

Used 18% discount card at Co-op today.  Earned five by volunteering 5 hours yesterday for inventory.  Aim to earn back my yearly membership fee!

Grandson here for sleepover.  Spouse goes out for Chinese carryout soon.  Yes, we'll be swinging from the chandeliers tonight!  Anyway, grandson is a fine young man and we enjoy his company!