Taos, Spring 2010

Facebook has provided easier networking options and sadly, my travel blog has suffered. However, since the previous post, life has been just great! Last summer in Taos, Atlanta and Buena Vista, Colorado. Back to Taos for an early fall stay with Shakti, and a hike on Taos Mountain with Vicki, with Wheeler Peak showing behind us. On to Houston mid October for almost 3 weeks, where I celebrated my birthday on Galveston Island with thousands of bikers!

Back to Taos in early November, Thanksgiving & Christmas with friends, including golden retrievers Sophie & Josie, black Flatback Retrievers Bogy & River, and cocker spaniels McGriff & Maddux, Ernie and Maggie too, but no good photos of them! I flew to Orlando end of the year in time to spend New Years Eve with my friends in Ft. Lauderdale. Saw Mom several times, went to Naples for 4 days, hung out with Max at his place in between his classes, and made an unexpected side trip to Nashville en route back to Taos in January.

Have been in Taos and/or ABQ since ... and now that it's spring ---- the lilacs are just blooming here on the mountain, and the gardens have been tilled and cold night weather tolerant plants set in ground: broccoli, radishes, kale, and lettuces....hoping to set in additional plants in the next week or so....once the nights aren't so cold.

Florida.....nice!

Max, my mom and I hung out at her place in West Palm Beach.

I spent the night of the full moon in Ft. Lauderdale with my friends Tari and Edward.....at a great little middle eastern restaurant on the beach.....

Max & Hurley celebrate Max's first day of school here in Winter Park - Full Sail University..... a big day!

Mother's Day in West Palm Beach with my mom and Max.....at a sports bar for lunch.....getting the "mother's day" discount......and then on to my aunt & uncle's home to visit with them, my cousin, and their 5 dogs......Max want a weiner dog now to keep Hurley company....OY!
Max is a little cooked on Mother's Day.....a little too much sun the day before on Siesta Key....

Cincinnati, April 2009

My cousin, Jeff & Bernadette & I hung out with Guy T at the Crowne Plaza and caught up.....

..... and then Max and I drove our cars to Winter Park, FL loaded with Max's belongings for his college gig at Full Sail University.

Max is off to college at Full Sail in Winter Park, FL

Max has been accepted at Full Sail, in Winter Park, FL and starts the end of March. He'll get his 4 year degree in their accelerated 22 month program in Business Entertainment Marketing/Management and could not be more excited. His interest is in events planning/management.

More as his journey unfolds!

Max turns 21! The celebration began at T.G.I.Fridays with Jordan, Mike, Scott, and Brian, the bartender!

Happy Holidays in Ohio!

Christmas in Ohio at Emmie's house....and what fun it was. The kids are all grown up, and the conversations were very young adult focused. From left, Bobby, Samantha, Meghan, Alex, and Max provided the entertainment!

My new friends, McGriff and Maddux, and I get to look at this incredible view of Taos and Taos Mountain every day from their home south of Taos, up past the Stakeout Restaurant!

They are cuties, aren't they? And they sleep in till 6 a.m.!

We also get to see Tres Piedras (3 Peaks) Dos Piedras (2 Peaks) and the Rio Grande Gorge, too!

Oh, and did I mention that it's just us: McGriff, Maddux, mountain lions, coyotes and bears, OH MY!

America elects Barack Obama

I am so proud to be a citizen of this great country that just voted their hearts and elected Barack Obama to be our next leader.

No more fear and negativity and devisiveness. This experience has moved me to tears.

It really is about each of us now.....electing people who will represent our best interests as we move our country in a new direction --- the one promised to each of us ---- 'of the people, by the people and for the people'.

I also celebrate that this was my son Max's first vote! It was also his father's, too, as a new citizen of the United States of America.

I am in Taos, NM, watching history and feeling more overwhelmed and grateful and hopeful than I ever have relative to the man whom we've elected as our new leader.

Photo courtesy of Reuters.