You're Never Far Away From Home

Ashley has the flu. Yesterday our doctor had me take her to the lab for a couple of tests. So we were in the waiting room when a lady sitting behind us tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Are you from Jamestown, NY?" What? Do I look like I'm from Jamestown? What does someone from Jamestown look like? Ok, I am part Swedish, but I don't have blond hair or blue eyes. Then I looked at Ashley and realized she was wearing a sweatshirt that had "Park 60 Drive-In, Jamestown, NY" on the back! So the lady wasn't really a psychic. We did have a nice chat, turns out she's from Little Valley (Pattie said, "So is there a Big Valley?") and went to JCC. Oh, and we haven't gotten Ashley's test results yet but she seems to feel better today, at least her fever's down.

Today my oldest grandchild is 20! I can't believe it. Look at that face. How can she be 20? Oh, that's the wrong picture.

I guess this is the right one. But I do love the other one! Anyhow, she's celebrating her 20th birthday by going oryx hunting with her Uncle Jeff and his dad, Paul, on Ted Turner's ranch. I guess this is a big deal, but not my idea of fun! Can't wait to hear all the stories.

Off to China

Last night Mike and Lisa left for China. Mike and I got to the airport first and decided to go ahead and check in his bags. We had just started the process when Lisa showed up--with one huge bag (which weighed exactly 50 lbs, the "free" limit, not sure how she did that), a smaller bag, and two large boxes. When we got them on the scale, the agent told us it would cost an additional $125. He was great, though, made some suggestions on what to do. They ended up putting Mike's laptop in his other carryon so he could take Lisa's smaller bag as his second carryon. It all ended up with no extra charges and only four checked "bags." Oh, and before it was done Lisa's friend showed up and proceeded to orchestrate the whole thing! It was so funny to watch. They were taking a small Canada Air jet to LA and Jay and I were wishing we could see how they would accommodate all their not-so-small carryon's on that little jet! Anyhow, they are winging their way on KoreanAir now to Seoul and eventually to Shenyang, China.

Sisters

Yesterday I went to lunch with my friend Jan and her sister Bette as well as another "sewing friend", Karen. Jan and I arrived first and were at a table chatting when her cell phone rang. The caller had gone to the wrong restaurant and Jan was giving her directions to the restaurant where we were. When she hung up, I said, "You were talking to your sister, weren't you?" She said, "Yes, how did you know it was Bette and not Karen?" I told her I could tell by the tone of her voice and the way she directed her to where we were. She said, "you mean a motherly tone?" (She told me that she was nine years older than her sister, and whenever her mom wanted Bette to do something she'd have Jan tell her to do it.) But it wasn't just that--there was something in her voice that was very familial--when we talk to our sisters rather than close friends, there is just something different there.

It made me think about my own sister and our relationship. I don't remember our mother ever having her get me to do things (although she might remember, since she was 9 years older and remembers things I don't), but I do relate to the older sister in a motherly role (in the best sense of the word). I have always looked up to my sister and respected her advice (although I don't always take it!). I envy Jan and Bette who live only a few miles from each other in the East Mountains and spend a lot of time together, while my sister and I usually only have two weeks together in the summer. Thank God for email and phone calls. At least we can keep in touch as often as we want that way.

Dolores, Mom & Mary

NM Fall Evenings

I know, it's still August. But the kids have gone back to school, there's the smell of roasting chiles in the air, stacks of pinon and juniper add to the Fall NM potpourri, and it's almost State Fair time! I love Fall in New Mexico. Even though we don't have the brilliant red leaves of the Northeast, we do have golden Aspens, and the world-famous Balloon Fiesta! And spectacular evenings like this:

As the sun goes down, our Watermelon Mountains (Sandias) turn a beautiful pinkish purple.

And the view to the West....

Speaking of Food

Last night Jay and I went to see "Julie & Julia." Of course, I didn't tell him what it was about beforehand. As the theater started to fill up, he said, "there's a lot of women here." I said, "Yeah, but there's a few men, too." So he did have a clue that this probably wasn't an "action" film. But we both enjoyed it, and he told me he thought I probably related to it (whatever that means)! I guess I won't think about that too deeply.

Speaking of cooking and food, Lily decided it was time to try something new:

Lily decided to check out the pantry, and thought potatoes would be a good addition to her diet.

Lily munching away on her new menu item.

Please Don't Stop the Rain

Rain. It rained all night and is still raining. Ashley expressed it best when she got home from work about 9:30 p.m. She said "I had a great day at work, closed by myself (she works at a deli) and still finished two minutes early. And then when I went out to my car, it was raining! I love the rain."

Maybe you Easterners don't quite get it (you get more than enough rain) but when you only get 10 inches a year, and that comes in a couple of "gully washers", a nice gentle, steady rainfall is a treat.