I miss Raton

I'm In Raton! - watch more funny videos

I do miss it. Living there were some of the best times
of my life. I know it's easy to forget what's bad about
it and remember what is good about it - I know absence makes
the heart grow fonder. The house, the land, the air, the
sky, the weather, the in laws......just miss it.

This video was shot mostly on 1st street, a 'dead' area
for the town. The action was on Second Street, that's where
most of the businesses are, etc. Some of this was also
shot at Goat Hill, where the Raton sign is. And I know I
lived there long enough when I can look at any of the mountains
in the background and know what mountain it is, what is in
that direction, etc.

My pick for news story of the day

NMSU scientists to study horse saddles <~~Click

Some excerpts:

The school is conducting the first scientific study of western saddles. Researchers are using a pad with sensors to map out the pressure levels different parts of the saddle put on the horse.

My take:
We've been riding horses for how many thousands of years?
The economy is in what kind of shape?
Where is this money for this study coming from please?
Does anyone really care?
Will it actually change anything?
How much will the 'new and improved' saddles cost and what
happens if no one has the money to pay for them because they
are TAXED OUT?
How do I get to be an 'expert'? Cuz that's what I want
to be when I grow up!

I would also like to point out how this state is millions
of dollars in the red, yet the governor's entertainment
budget is about three times that of last year's. Also their
House met recently about the deficit and proposed an immediate
tax on alcohol, cigarettes, soda and income to make up for it
all. The proposal failed however and instead the governor
has decided to slash the education budget, NM is already
48th in the ranks of education! Hmmmmmmm.

Zozobra 2009 burning

Getting rid of all the troubles from the previous
12 months. Starting again with a clean slate!

New Mexico Tradition!

The 2008 burning of Zozobra.
Who?
Going through emails (sorting to correct folders, I save
everything, gads) I found out it is almost time for the
2009 burning of Zozobra! Wish I could be there, this
is so cool in my book!

http://www.zozobra.com/history_legacies.html

Excerpts:
This effigy was designed to represent the tribulations and gloom of the past year that had to be exhumed before the celebration of Fiesta could truly begin. Gloom must be dispelled by burning before joy could be fully realized. The effigy was burned to highlight the parties; jubilation could be realized as the effigy collapsed in flames - gloom had just been dispelled!

In the then small city of Santa Fe, the Will Shuster party could not go unnoticed by the community at large, and in 1926 the Fiesta Council asked him to bring this idea of dispelling the tribulations and gloom of the past year by the burning of evil. Zozobra was born!.

You think this is cool wait till you hear about New Mexico skinwalkers!

Family get togethers

This is about the family get togethers in New Mexico. Marrying
into an Italian family, I had so much fun at these get togethers!
I miss them terribly. There were monthly get togethers, birthday
parties for the younger kids, Christmas get togethers, etc. You
were invited no matter what!! EVERYONE that knew the family was
invited, always! There always seemed to be a house full of people.

Some of my first thoughts on these get togethers:
*Food everywhere - all kinds....Mexican, American, Italian.
Traditional, non traditional, breads - all homemade. Desserts.
Potica bread - oh how I miss homemade potica bread!
(No lie - my mother in law died in the month of October.
At Christmas time I asked my brother in law to check the freezer
to see if there was any potica. Potica bread was a tradition
at Christmas time...).

*The family and friends of the family would get in heated
discussions before meals - whether it be about sports,
politics, whatever. Many times voices were raised, arms
were moving, people were standing to make a point. Suddenly
someone would call out 'DINNER IS READY!' and everyone
would sit down and break bread together, no hard feelings!

*Most of the get togethers were geared towards the little
ones. Tons of gifts with beautiful wrapping paper and
matching ribbons and bows.

*Everyone never sat together. Everyone was always
scattered everywhere in different rooms, at different
tables, etc. No one cared nor thought anything of it.

*In the family room during the appropriate seasons
there was either a football or baseball game blaring.
Those who wished to watch sat in there to eat.

*No one cared if you were dressed up or not, if you
burped, farted, smoked, drank, cussed, or what. It
was a come as you are, be yourself kind of get together -
always!

Only in NM

You know, I think everyone who reads the story below
gets something different out of it. My first thoughts
were - 'If he were truly a trained AC officer he would
have known what to do to prevent the bear's death.'
Second thought is that some men really think women
are stupider than a box of rocks. That last thought
gets me to wander in my thinking about some stupid
men I have had the displeasure of knowing recently!
I think that guy's stupid ego played into this as well.
NEWSFLASH TO MEN ... LOSE THE EGOS!! ONLY THE 17
YEAR OLDS ARE IMPRESSED WITH WHAT YOU DO, THE REST
OF US WOMEN, THE ONES WITH IQ's HIGHER THAN 2,
ARE CONCERNED WITH WHAT KIND OF A PERSON YOU ARE, NOT
WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Better shut up now).
Molly



http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1061439.shtml?cat=500



Dead black bear sets off strange series of events

A black bear in Espanola touches off an odd series of events leading to an animal control officer being arrested, accused of battering an underage girl.
There are four main characters in the story: A large black bear, an animal control officer, and his two unsuspecting girlfriends.

A nearly 400-pound black bear was high in a tree when Game and Fish shot it with a tranquilizer dart. The bear wound up falling and dying.

48-year-old Evaristo Lopez, an animal control officer on scene, asked if he could keep the bear's carcass.

The deputy chief of Game and Fish says at that point, everything was legal.

"Game and Fish can actually issue a permit to the person that may be involved in the bear's death, or finds it, or which ever— and in this case, it was one of our animal control officers who assisted in the transport of the bear." Later that evening, Lopez loaded his dead black bear into his pickup.

According to court documents, it was while he was driving around town with the dead bear hanging out the back of his flatbed, that his 17-year-old girlfriend started texting Lopez.

Lopez allegedly told his girlfriend he was on official bear duty.

Unaware that the underage girl was following his pickup, he made a stop at another girlfriend's house.

That's when she confronted him. Lopez also allegedly shoved the 17-year-old enough for Espanola police to arrest him for battery.

When questioned about his younger girlfriend's age, he was apparently aware.

"He did know in his own mind the actual age of the female, and did know that she was 17 years old."

Espanola police say they have put Lopez on paid administrative leave while they continue to investigate.

Lopez bonded out of jail for the count of battery, but detectives say they plan to soon file statutory rape charges.

The Three S's

We discuss the concept of the Three S's often at our house.
I am reminded of it the past couple of days reading a NM forum.
It seems someone in NM (not sure where) shot and killed
a rattlesnake on his way to their henhouse. A 43 inch, 6 rattler.
This person has been given tons of grief for killing the snake
instead of relocating it.
Uhm.
(First off, the image of me trying to bag a rattler to relocate
it is just funnier than I ever could imagine. My odds of getting
bitten are astronomical. Also relocate it where? To the
neighbor's house? Oh they'll love you forever!!).

It is illegal to kill a wild animal (deer, bear, mountain lion,
elk, etc.) in NM unless you have the proper permit at hunting
season. There is no law against killing a rattler. At one
time I had a dead deer on our property. All NM deer belong
to the Game and Fish Department. They are supposed to investigate
any death (even natural causes). A bloody waste of taxpayer's
money at it's best. Meanwhile I had this dead deer - a deer that
would attract bear and goodness only knew what else. I called
Game and Fish. One warden lived just a couple of miles from
my house. "They'll be there shortly." They didn't show.
Called again. Same thing. Again. Same thing. I'm still
waiting for them to show to get the dead deer 14 years later!
After a day I called the poor dog warden. We lived in the
county but due to the extraterritorial zone he could come
2 miles outside the city limits to do something. He came
within five minutes and removed the deer.

I mentioned this story a few days later to the owner of the
local radio station, who was a neighbor. He looked at me
and replied, "Molly it's time you learned about the 3 S's."
"The 3 S's?"
"Game and Fish is a total waste. They don't want to do
anything. Plus they have the law on their side so we can't
do anything. The 3 S's stand for:

Shoot
Shovel
and
Shut Up."

I've never forgotten that. And I would have no problem
killing a rattler close to my house, my kid, or my animals.
While we do not have a deer, bear, or mountain lion problem
here in Missouri, there are those that have problems
with squirrels, and they employ the 3 S's! For the
record I do kill spiders and bugs, with no remorse :)
My son's cat takes care of the overpopulation of squirrels
and rabbits and rodents. As far as if I have ever killed
a rattler or any other poisonous snake, I'll plead the 3 S's :)

The Mountain

Jack* owns part of a mountain. His house sits on 20 acres

in a canyon at the base. There is an old overgrown road,

barely driveable and not for the light of heart, up the

short side of the mountain to

an old cabin on his property

at the very top. Probably

at one time a hunter's cabin,

very small, very rustic.

(BTW this is not a picture

of Jack's mountain).

He is working to fulfill a dream. His wife of 24 years is finishing out her career

in Florida as an attorney, and will retire in 5 years and move permanently

to NM. By then the dream of Jack's should be finished.

Working hard to rebuild the cabin, he is making plans for water storage,

repairing the damaged roof, flooring, windows, doors, etc. He wants to turn

it back into a cabin for hikers. Hikers who climb his mountain.

The climb would be approximately four days to the cabin (not taking

the short road, rather hiking up the long way), then four or five days

back down the other side from the cabin. Sort of a 'find yourself' again

excursion with everything planned out.

First phase of plans include no strangers - only people he knows.

These people must go through firearms safety training (you should

carry a rifle if hiking over a mountain), also a training session on

camping and hiking in NM, plus a few lessons in dealing with wild

critters....you just can't shoot a bear or mountain lion for example.

Once the hiker reaches the cabin, he or she can replenish supplies,

wash, tend to needs, etc. A comfy cot provides the much needed

rest before hiking back down again the other side.

Sounds fantastic to me, and I'm not a camper! Problems

await of course. For one fire restrictions which are varied

pertaining to different times of the year. Two is communication

in the event of an emergency. And wild animals are indeed

a concern certain years, depending upon late freezes, etc.

Still, the dream, the idea, the hard work is there being

worked on with nary a thought to the problems. May we

all pursue our dreams with as much gusto as Jack!

I miss

While I love learning new culture and am receptive

to change, I sometimes miss the Sangre de Cristos,

the cowboys, and the black bear. I also miss the

genuine sincerity and integrity of most of the

people. I miss the openness and baby blue skies

and fresh air (when the wind isn't blowing).

I miss the cold, yes cold summer nights (in

the mountains).

What I don't miss - I do not miss the wind, the

lack of moisture, the dust blowing everywhere. I

don't miss the lack of vegitation. I do not miss

the general attitude of the majority of the people.

I do not miss the difficulty in growing a garden

or the higher cost of living and taxes and of doing

business. And I don't care if I ever see another

cactus again! Or a yucca plant, rattlesnake

and mountain lion.

More on gossiping

I'm not big on gossiping. Oh I do it sometimes,
especially when I get on a rant about something
or someone:) But only to trusted people who I
know won't go back and say, "Do you know
what Molly said?" Those people I classify as
troublemakers.

After we moved to our log house in New Mexico,
I was invited to a Welcome party for me by the
older couple who lived behind us. At the party
were plenty of people, food, etc. One lady asked
me how I liked my house. "Oh I like it I said,
but we absolutely just love the land." "Land?
I didn't know any land came with the house."
Then several women discussed how they didn't
know any land was sold with our house. WTH?
THEN someone started discussing another
house that recently sold down the road. No one
knew the price it sold for, and one decided she
would just go to the courthouse and find out
how much it sold for. PULEEZE! Anyway this
continued on and on about people I really
didn't know very well. About 5ish I realized
I needed to get home. But no one was leaving
the party thrown in my honor. I stood up,
went to the bathroom, other subtle hints.
Nope, no one was leaving. Suddenly it dawned
on me - whoever left first was fair game for the
gossip so no one wanted to leave!! Once I realized
that I thanked them, excused myself, and left.

In a small town most gossip that is said about
you comes back to you eventually. There wasn't
too much about us, but one person in particular
felt the need to butt into our business. One time
she made the comment to one of our neighbor's
that I only was with my husband because of the
money. Once that got back to me I asked my
husband where all the money was - ha! The
other comment she made to my husband -
he went in there with our young'un who had
a binky in his mouth. She made a comment
about that. My husband came unglued -
telling her to never tell him how to raise
his kid and to mind her own f'ing business.
Both she and the person he was with had
their mouths open by the time my husband
was done with her. As far as I know he
never walked into her business again.

Can't recall being the target for much other
gossip in our New Mexico town. I'm sure
there was some, but not much if I don't
remember any. There was a saying I once
heard when I lived in Colorado that pretty
much also applied to NM. The saying was,
"We can screw each other but don't screw
with us as a whole." Gossiping sort of fits
in these lines as well.

So it slays me when someone feels the need
to gossip about me...I am NOT talking about
anyone in the town I live in now! It just
takes me by surprise because it is a rare
occasion to hear me say anything bad
about anyone I know.

I'm sick today, feel like dog poo. Going to
go enjoy a cup of coffee with my significant
other.

Congratulations Ron!

Our friend Ron Schmeits was elected president of

the National Rifle Association yesterday. I've

known Ron personally as a friend for over 20

years. My husband and I were both friends

with Ron before we ever met each other. Spent

Thanksgivings at his house, baby sat his dog Lacey,

enjoyed many a dinner together, and even worked

for him for a time. Oh and I once took a shower

at his house - haha! What happened was the

motor went out on our furnace the coldest night

of the year, and we froze pipes and thus no water.

Ron was at work but told me where the key was

to go in and take a shower, which I did and it

was wonderful at the time - hot water! I hope

I thanked him for that! Anyway Ron and his

wife Ann are very generous each year to our

young un and we are most appreciative. We

are very proud of Ron and wish him the best

as the new NRA President!

Bible belt fun

I just love living in the Bible Belt sometimes (NOT).
So a state senator traveled to Iowa to marry her
(same sex) lover. Because of this area, it of course
if big headlines on the news. That plus the news has
no real news but that is another story. Then all
on both sides get all riled up, and nasty words start
flying. This happens again and again and again with
stories that are not that big of a deal. For instance,
anything Planned Parenthood does or supports is always
a story for the media. I'm sorry but I wish we had a
Planned Parenthood here (the bible thumpers keep them
out as they think all PP does is abortions). PP is a
very good place to get low cost medical testing and
checkups. Most PP's do NOT do abortions! When
will it be time to shut the hell up and leave the judging
to God? I keep my mouth shut as I did move to this
area, but if it weren't for the media some issues would
just take care of themselves. My beef is not just with
the local media. National media capitalize on debatable
issues as well, and like to keep the pot stirred up. After
all, if we are busy fighting with each other, we probably
are not paying any attention to what they are doing in
Washington, are we? WAKE UP!

Viva Las Vegas!

So for awhile now I've been planning a trip for me.
I wanted to go back to NM this year. I haven't been
back since we moved here to the Ozarks. Immediate
family had other ideas, they wanted me in Indiana
for a party. I didn't know that when I planned my last
trip to Indiana and was planning my NM trip.
Anyway.
Mr. Lock an Load and I were just talking about this.
I'm not looking forward to the Indiana trip if we go
(NO offense to my family)...reason is I'm just not
comfortable with the upper midwest and the people,
etc. But plans are in place and if they work out,
fine, a quick trip to Indiana it is. If they don't work
out I have nothing to feel guilty about.

But the trip to NM is a problem. I didn't count on
the layovers with Amtrak, the flight stuff, etc. It's
just a too hard of a drive for me. Not just the miles
but the layout of the roads, etc. Anyway, instead
I am working towards a get-away to Las Vegas in
the fall. Going to start giving my friends out that
way the heads up so we can get together!! I've
been wanting to go back there for so long anyway!
I'm going to push for a full week there, so I have time
to have some fun! Will try to pick a great all inclusive
hotel so if I don't want to leave I don't have to.
Something to plan and look forward to! Actually
I'd love to return to Lake Tahoe, but I'm not going to
drive up there after landing in Reno, plus I wouldn't
get to hang out with friends there, so Vegas it is.

Mine That Bird wins Derby!

OMG how cool is that? A horse costing less than

ten grand and from Sunland winning the Derby!!

And that trainer - he's all New Mexico! Just looking

at him without knowing I could tell where he was

from - just too cool! Go Mine That Bird - smoke

'em in the Preakness too!

I miss real cowboys

Was just watching this George Strait video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZlN9ZMgiR8&feature=related

It makes me miss real cowboys. Real working
cowboys were everywhere in our area of NM.
Cowboy boots and a cowboy hat were proper
attire in a restaurant, being worn by the real
thing. And what guy doesn't look great in
cowboy boots, tight jeans, and a cowboy hat?? :)

Knew many working cowboys, and many retired
cowboys. Had a few for neighbors actually. I
had horses in NM and tried to ride them in private,
as they could ride a bronc bareback before they
could walk...this is very true more often than not,
I am so not joking. My riding style I'm sure looked
pretty lame compared to some of those guys!
Used to have coffee when I could with a cowboy
whose father owned a ranch. Sadly, Sid is no
longer with us. We had some great talks together
and I will remember him fondly.

My son's kindergarten field trip consisted of going
to a nearby ranch and branding a steer :) THAT'S
New Mexico!

Tortilla or toast?

As you know I lived in the mountains of NM for 14 years.
I was thinking today of if I heard one more time from
someone that hasn't really lived anywhere outside of their
safety zone - "People are all the same everywhere you live."
I'd puke. Until you've experienced it, let me tell you that
regional differences, culture, and people are different
even in different parts of this country! You'd be surprised
at the number of people in the United States that think
the state of New Mexico is part of old Mexico. So I was
thinking today of someone who never traveled through
NM before suddenly doing so. And here are a few tips for
ya:
*Upon ordering breakfast in a restaurant, expect to be
asked if you want tortilla or toast. Many people do eat
tortillas with their eggs.
*Ah while we're on the subject of restaurants - let's not
forget the one question you'll hear a lot upon ordering in
New Mexico - "Red or Green?" OF COURSE they are
referring to red or green chile, not to be confused with the
chili dish one eats in the midwest of hamburger, tomato
sauce, and beans. It is common for an outsider to immediately
reply to this question with "Which one is hotter, red or green?"
(Insert buzzer sound here) That is not the correct answer.
You see, it varies upon restaurant which chile is hotter (usually).
ASK the waitress which one is better, as most chile is made from
scratch there at the restaurant that very day, and the waitress
will be delighted to be asked a question she can actually answer.
A general rule of thumb is the green chile is hotter. But this
depends on the chile pepper.
*People in NM tend to have an accent. No it's not a heavy
southern drawl, or even twang. But the way to recognize
a local versus a tourist is how they pronounce the words
with 'r' in them. New Mexico people tend to roll their 'r's,
kind of a variation with the Spanish language I'm thinking.
Ask them to say words like 'fire' and you'll know what I'm
talking about.
*Unless you are traveling to New Mexico in July or August,
or are going to extreme southern NM, be sure to take a
heavy coat, hat, mittens or gloves, etc. The weather can be
positively anything!
*Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT shellfish! Do NOT order
them if you do not know what they are!! (Google it if
you don't believe me).
*New Mexico by and large is a democratic state. Pretend if
you are not a liberal. Or unless you find other republicans.
*Do NOT just take a highway you see on the map as a shortcut,
unless you REALLY know that road and have traveled it
before! You could end up lost in the mountains and New
Mexican's will hear about you on the local news as Search
and Rescue went out looking for you. If you do decide to
take a 'scenic' route, fill up your gas tank, go potty, and eat
first! Better yet take some snacks with you! And just DON'T
do it from October through April!
*Sopapillas - be aware that in NM sopas are NOT a little
hard pastry dessert type item. Sopapillas are a fluffy pastry
type bread that you can eat before, during, or after dinner.
Many restaurants serve complimentary sopas before you
even get the menu. Yes honey is still good with them, usually
there is not any cinammon on them though.
*Water - Don't waste water! Many areas don't have it to spare.
*Bears and other critters - Yes NM has black bear, mountain
lions, and bobcats, as well as other critters. When you hear
someone say to take everything edible out of your car before
locking it up for the night - believe them. This means everything,
including cantaloupe, chocolate, granola bars, etc. Do not
leave your McDonald's wrappers near your door or tent. You
will have a visitor! I cannot tell you how many times I heard
the story of someone who had relatives visiting from out of state,
and they told them to take all food out of the car. The next
morning they awoke and the windows were smashed or something.
The visitors response was always something like - "Well I never
thought bears liked cantaloupe!" When they say take all food
away from your campsite or out of your car, LISTEN TO THEM.
*The people - ah yes they are different than what you might be used
to. There is a certain independence about them. This often times
comes over as having an 'attitude'. While Colorado identifies
more with the west, NM really identifies with themselves. Just
be persistent and patient and you can get along with them!