No Soliciting

Me thinks this fellow didn't read the NO SOLICITORS sign on the neighbor's door.

Springtime Flowers

The flowers don't know what's going on.
They don't watch TV news.
They don't listen to the radio.
Occasionally they may hear music from the outdoor speakers.
They only know, it's springtime!
Aren't they lucky!

Tough times

No matter how we are experiencing this 2020 moment, I can't help but think what it was like about a hundred years ago at the kinfolks place 20 miles east of Raton. 

No Radio.  No TV.  No phone. No daily newspaper.  No electricity, no running water.

Fishing for a joke

Q: What is a commercial fisherman's favorite rhythm instrument?

A: The castanet

Espanola Highway

During these times, it helps to see a smiling face - or hear a pleasant thought.

Here's mine for the day.

Countless times for many, many years, I've driven the road between Espanola and Taos.

It was once US 64, but that nomenclature left in the late 60's.  Locals call it the Taos Highway. The map says it's North Riverside Drive.

Back in the olden days, when one headed south from Taos to Santa Fe, we would drive by a garage that encouraged us to stop, or wave.

It's still there.  I think the building and the sign have been refurbished in recent years.

The picture of Sena's Auto was lifted from Google Streetview.

"If you can't stop, wave as you go by"

Often times, I waved.  I never stopped.

Next time you're in the neighborhood, if you can't stop - wave as you go by.

I will!

I might even stop and say hi!

Escaping

It's not like we're locked in a bank vault!

With the ability to wander out the back door and check on the spring flowers, the sense of containment isn't what it could be.

Thank goodness for the open door policy.

The day before our Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered us to "stay home", it was time to escape.

A quick day trip to Bosque del Apache seemed like a good idea.

I-25 southbound didn't seem as busy as normal.  The oncoming traffic, same story.  Although, it did seem there were more WalMart trucks headed north - perhaps for the distribution center near Los Lunas.

There weren't many birds around - most have flown the coop and headed north to warmer climes.

We did spot a few turkeys, as did our trusty pooch, Teddy.  Here he is, looking longingly at one of those turkey's "flying the coop" from one side of a ditch to another.

I explained to him that turkey's aren't known for their flying ability.

In San Antonio, we looked longingly at The Owl Bar and recalled the days when we could stop by and have one of their world famous green chile cheeseburgers.

Not today.  3 pickups were parked in the lot - and a sign on the door said "take out only".  I don't know if the occupants of the pickups were "taking out" or waiting to take out.

Wandering north on I-25, we drove into the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge office area - and by the UNM research center saw a sign by the sidewalk - "Watch For Snakes"

Headed for the big Duke City - uneventful - except couldn't help but notice one southbound 18-wheeler.

It was a bright blue trailer, with the familiar Amazon Prime smile!  I saw a few of those on I-40 by Flagstaff a couple weeks ago.

Hmmmm.

Hunker down!

Stay safe!


. 

Sunday Shopping

Sunday Shopping

With great trepidation the regular Sunday shopping spree, to which I have become so accustomed, was being looked upon as a challenge – given the world we’re living in today.

I recalled 7 days ago, and even worse, 9 days ago on a Friday afternoon which it looked like people were preparing for Armageddon.

So, shortly after eight o’clock – off to the neighborhood Target. 

It’s not one of those giant places with covered parking.  It’s a Target store with parking out front, and now 6 spaces for drive-up shoppers.

A private security car was parked adjacent to the front door – on the sidewalk.  Must have been a store precaution taken to alleviate the toilet paper seekers who are scouring the shelves in search of that precious commodity.

It was a cautious move, probably taken after the store manager went by the neighborhood pizza joint and saw where the police had been called out to direct traffic – so pizza mongers could get their prize possessions – in an orderly fashion.

So, I enter the store.

A uniformed security guard, who looked like he once was, is, or wants to be in the military.  You know the look – shaved over the ears – a small pile of hair on top.

“There’s no paper products,” he said.

He was right.

Inquiring minds wanted to know. 

About 30 minutes later it was a choice of one of 2 check stands that were open. 

As I conversed with the cashier wearing plastic gloves, she said “we don’t have a truck coming today, not until tomorrow”.

That’s why there was no toilet paper.

Chapter 2

The trip to the neighborhood Smith’s was almost as non-eventful.

But there was toilet paper and paper towels – thank goodness.

Two stockers were trying to keep up with the demand.

Overheard –

“Damn, I’m tired.  I want to go home and rest.”

“When did you leave?”

“I left at about 1 this morning – and I’ve worked 63 hours this week.”

I walked by and said thanks for what you’re doing.

While stacking toilet paper, he said, “We’re working hard and we have stuff on the shelves.  Walmart don’t.”

The supply chain.

Smith’s parent Kroger seems to understand the supply chain!  

I shall return!

Springtime

The first full day of spring brought beams of sunlight breaking through a smattering of clouds – a hopeful sign.

A leisurely walk around a couple blocks was a new experience.  We were not alone. 

Usually our neighbors houses are locked up tight – the only sign of habitation is a car slipping in our out of the garage.

Today, couples pushing a baby carriage and leasing a dog; a group of “old guys” walking together down the middle of the road; the tailgate of an SUV open to enable easier carrying of the prized possessions scored at the local market.

It was refreshing.

By mid-afternoon, the clouds had arrived. 

The sky was dark, again.

Mom never talked much about growing up in the dust bowl days in the plains east of Raton.  The family, I’m not sure how many, moved there to escape the surrounds of Vashti, Texas.  A farm town near Wichita Falls, not far from Oklahoma.  

She didn’t need to tell me about those days – I could see it in her eyes.  

It was like my Dad never wanted to talk about World War II. 

Some things are just better left unsaid.

These are trying times for us all – but we will persevere.

After all, as my candidate for President of the United States says, “We are the United States of America.”

Some people don’t understand, preferring to think about themselves and how they will be recorded in the history books.

History will tell who is doing right, and who should have done right!  

Cheer up – the sun shall shine again!