Gallup Summer Indian Dances

Above, a dancer from the Zuni Pueblo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little while ago, I received a notice about this summer's Indian dances.

I was pleased to see that they've been moved back to the Courthouse Square. 

According to the Visit Gallup Facebook page:

The Gallup Summer Indian Dances take place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from June 4, 2024 through August 29, 2024, from 6PM to 8PM in the Gallup McKinley Courthouse Square.

On those nights, dances are performed by the Indian tribes in the area such as Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and others.

I have been to many of the dances and all have been entertaining to watch.

States With The Biggest Native American Populations

Above, Zuni Pueblo dancer in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Native American population in the region where I live is the most in the U.S. It is dominated by the Navajo Nation.

What are the states with the biggest Native American population, you may ask? 

Herald Community Newspapers has posted an article with the answer.

They begin with:

More than 5 million Native Americans live in the United States as members of 574 federally recognized and 63 state-recognized tribes. That number is projected to rise to 10 million by 2060.

A federally recognized tribe is a sovereign entity with a government-to-government relationship with the United States, as well as the rights of self-governance in such areas as tribal law and taxation.

Just 13% of Native Americans live within 324 recognized reservations. Land held in trust by the U.S. government for Native American settlement is roughly 56 million acres. The 16 million-acre Navajo Nation Reservation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah is the largest, and the 1.32-acre Pit River Tribe cemetery in California is the smallest.

Stacker ranked the states with the largest Native American populations using data from the Census Bureau's 2021 American Community Survey. The Census Bureau's definition of Native Americans includes Alaskan Natives but excludes Native Hawaiians.

To read more, go here. 

Vegetarian

Gary Julian's The Federalist blog has an article about how fake meat sales are collapsing.

It reminded me of a sticker that I saw at a vendor's at the first rodeo I attended, the New Mexico High School Rodeo Association (NMHSRA), after I moved to New Mexico five years ago. 

It was:

Above, a sticker of a vendor at the NMHSRA rodeo in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 To read The Federalist's post, go here.

Why Visit Chaco Canyon In New Mexico

Above, most of the ruins are an easy walk to reach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, I took a drive to Chaco Canyon, which is not too far from home and whose access road turnoff is near Crownpoint, New Mexico. Its actual name is Chaco Culture National Historical Park. 

The access road to Chaco Canyon is about 25 miles of dirt road, much of it has ruts on its surface. It was a little bumpy, but my motorhome handled it fine. To be on the safe side, call first to check road conditions, especially during monsoon season (June to September).

Chaco Canyon is an interesting place. If one likes to explore ancient Indian ruins, this place is the place to visit.

Chaco Canyon has a campground, Gallo Campground, that can accommodate tents and RVs. One must bring their own water as the campground has no water and there are no food facilities. It also has a visitor center that compares favorably to ones that are in national parks.

Above, at Chaco Canyon's Gallo Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

TheTravel has posted an article on Chaco Canyon.

It begins with:

Anyone who loves history and archeology or who is fascinated with a remote wilderness landscape will be blown away by the sheer feel and look of Chaco Canyon. While many places are described as secrets, which, on inspection, should really remain secrets, Chaco Canyon is a unique archeological gem that everyone should be singing about. It’s a living, glorious rebuttal to the wrongly-held notion that Plymouth was the first real city in the United States or that American history started with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in continental America in 1492.

For its sheer elegance, its muted eloquence, and its raw, unspoiled beauty, Chaco Canyon will only fail to impress those to whom nature, in its unalloyed beauty, or history, in its most fascinating—have no hold over.

To read more, go here. 

Indian Ruins Indian Store

Above, the Indian Ruins Indian store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While en route from Arizona yesterday, I stopped at the Indian Ruins gift store in Sanders, New Mexico off Interstate 40.

I was wondering if there were any Indian ruins to see, but I saw none (maybe they have them hidden somewhere). In any case, I did some browsing around the store. 

I saw some things made in Indonesia. If I were a smart-ass, I would have asked, "What tribe is in Indonesia?" But since discretion is the better part of valor, I didn't,

There were many items on display such as pottery, jewelry, Navajo rugs, moccasins, handmade items from Native American artisans and many other things. 

I have passed by the store many times but this was the first time I stopped in. The pandemic of the last two years was the primary reason. I purchased a couple of things while there. 

To access the Yelp reviews page, go here.

Shot Glasses

Above, the shot glass I just bought. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little bit ago, I got back from taking a stroll around the RV park and ended up in the convenience store at the RV park's main office building.

Since I have a "tendency" to collect shot glasses, I saw one that I hadn't seen before. It is called "Homeland Security Fighting Terrorism Since 1492" (when Christopher Columbus discovered American, for any dullards reading this) with a photo of four Indian chiefs. I've seen this in posters, coffee mugs and other things, but not shot glasses. I bought it.

When I got back to my RV (and speaking of shot glasses), I found that John Wayne Enterprises sent me an email for, lo and behold, shot glasses. 

Funny how I just bought a shot glass and then finding an email offering shot glasses!

Here's the email:

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $75 MEN'S WOMEN'S DRINKWARE MUGS LEATHER ACCESSORIES  “I can think of a lot of things I'd rather do to one of the Danaher's - Miss Danaher.” – Sean Thornton - JOHN WAYNE -

Navajo Nation Casinos: Layoffs and Possible Permanent Closures Loom

Above, Fire Rock Navajo Casino has been closed since March. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before this latest spike in coronavirus infections, Indian casinos in the Albuquerque, New Mexico vicinity were allowed to open as long as they followed CDC guidelines. But casinos elsewhere have been closed since March.

Casinos along Interstate 40 between Gallup and Albuquerque have been ghost towns. Sky City Casino, Dancing Eagle Casino and Fire Rock Navajo Casino have been shut down

Now, casino under the wing of the Navajo Nation have to lay off workers.

According to KRQE News 13:

NAVAJO NATION (AP) – Casinos run by the Navajo Nation plan to temporarily lay off more than 1,100 workers on New Year’s Day because of prolonged closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The tribe’s Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise announced the decision Thursday night, saying it was left with no choice but to move ahead with the layoffs because of lack of revenue caused by the closures.

“Due to the extended closure, since March 17, 2020, our business operations have been severely impacted and as a result, we must make very difficult financial and personnel decisions,” Brian Parrish, the tribal casino operation’s Interim CEO, said in a statement.

But officials also warned Thursday that permanent closure of the entire operation is possible by the end of January if casinos are not allowed to reopen or if more funding isn’t allocated to keep the operation running. The tribe allocated nearly $25 million in federal virus relief funding to the casino operation in August but that money has run out.

I rarely gamble, but I do go to Indian casinos for meals on occasion. It would be tragic if they are forced to close permanently due to the stubborn governor of New Mexico.

To read more, go here.

Native American Women Artists Getting Recognition

Above, Navajo rugs on display for bidders at the Crownpoint,
New Mexico Navajo rug auction. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Around 45 years ago, my family took a vacation trip into the Southwest/Four Corners area of the U.S.

At one point, we found ourselves in Page, Arizona. We were there for dinner and we had just finished when we spotted a Navajo family unloading Navajo rugs from their pick-up truck to sell to a gift shop. My dad got the idea to see if they would be willing to sell one to him directly. So he went over to their truck and he bought one for under $200. I still have that rug (or blanket) today. It is still in great shape.

Above, Navajo artists with their pottery in Crownpoint. I found the artists to be friendly,
accessible and willing to answer questions about their work. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, the same Navajo rug would sell almost ten times that amount. Probably the best place to get a great deal on one is at the monthly Navajo rug auction in Crownpoint, New Mexico. I went there a year ago and I saw some good deals and I ended up buying some Native American pottery goods for Christmas presents.

Travel + Leisure has an interesting article on the recognition of female Native American artists in New Mexico today.

Here's some snippets:

Prior to the first half of the 20th century, if a Native American woman created a rug, basket, jewelry, pottery, or other artistic piece, it was usually only attributed to the tribe itself: “a Navajo rug,” perhaps, or “a Zuni bowl,” or sometimes the warrior who wore the piece, but never a woman’s name, and never a story of how the piece was created.

Since this time, female Native American makers have been becoming more and more recognized for not only their artistic endeavors, but for preserving their histories and earning the respect they deserve from their trades. Today, 75 percent of Native American art comes from the Gallup, New Mexico area, where Tanner’s Indian Arts is located, and where Emerald Tanner works with Native American women to promote their work and traditions. “We like to continue their stories, and we work with generations of artists that learned from their mothers and grandmothers,” says Tanner. “It’s not uncommon for us to work with artists where my grandfather worked with their grandfather.”

Today, Native American women’s pieces have been featured in world-renowned museums, with their creators being recognized and celebrated on a national scale. 

Travel + Leisure talked with five Native American women makers who are carrying on their cultures and traditions, and earning the respect they deserve along the way.

To read more, go here. 

Trump Administration Establishes Cold Case Task Force For Missing and Murdered Native Ameicans

The Trump Administration is establishing the first cold case task force to investigate missing and murdered American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

Seven offices are being established to handle Indian Country cold cases, with the first in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Indian Life reported:

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.-In late July, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Tara Katuk Sweeney established the first of seven offices dedicated to solving cold cases involving missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The first office is located in Bloomington, Minn. 

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center, there are more than 1,400 unresolved American Indian and Alaska Native missing person cases in the U.S. Of that, 136 cases are in Minnesota. 

To address this crisis, President Trump signed Executive Order 13898 on November 26, 2019. 

"President Trump created a task force to support Tribal communities, reduce the staggering number of violent crimes committed against American Indians and Alaska Natives and close out hundreds of cold cases," said Secretary Bernhardt. "The Trump Administration is committed to justice and working alongside these Tribal communities to restore peace and prosperity." 

"While visiting the great state of Minnesota with Secretary Bernhardt, we are advancing two top priorities for the Administration: The Pledge to America's Workers and supporting American Indian and Alaska Native communities," said Advisor to the President Trump. "We are furthering President Trump's commitment to forgotten men and women across our country and the Administration's efforts to ensure that all Americans can live with dignity and the promise of a brighter future." 

President Trump's executive order established the Operation Lady Justice Task Force, a multi-agency effort co-chaired by Secretary Bernhardt and U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr. Its purpose is to enhance the operation of the criminal justice system and address the staggering number of missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Natives in Tribal communities.

To read more, go here. 

Shopping and Apache Chief Victorio

Following the Rush Limbaugh Show (and a nap), I headed off to Continental Divide (8 miles east) to the Indian Market.

The new side table needed a little color and I went there to see if they had small Indian blankets to accent the table.

Sure enough, they did and, which is "icing on the cake", they were 20% off the marked price. I looked through them and found one I liked and bought it.

Here's what the table looks like with the blanket:

While at the Indian Market, I noticed they had a collection of historical photograph postal cards on a rack. They had photos of a variety of people including Chief Geronimo and Wyatt Earp. They also had one of Apache Chief Victorio. A fictional Victorio appeared in the John Wayne movie, Hondo. Actor Michael Pate placed Victorio. He didn't look anything like the historical Victorio.

Above, Apache Chief Victorio.

According to Wikipedia:

Victorio was a warrior and chief of the Warm Springs band of the Tchihendeh division of the central Apaches in what is now the American states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua.

T.C.B. In Gallup

Above, Fabian's first dance of the evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight was an evening in Gallup for me. The weather was perfect (warm and clear with a slight breeze).

First, I headed to Zen Steak and Sushi for a sushi dinner. I was craving it and it is a beneficial meal for those who have heart issues.

Above, Shelley and Fabian. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following that, I headed over to the Gallup Coffee Co., a little latte shop for a mocha and to let my meal digest a bit.

From there, I headed over to the McKinley County Courthouse Plaza for tonight's Indian dancing. Performing tonight were Shelley and Fabian of the Zuni Pueblo. I saw them last summer and enjoyed their performance. I wasn't disappointed tonight either.

Above, Shelley got some of the audience ladies up for a swan dance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My main reason for attending was to get contact information for Indian dancing groups for the upcoming Lost Dutchman Chapter, E Clampus Vitus plaque dedication at the El Rancho Hotel on August 10. I spoke with one of the Chamber of Commerce volunteers about getting a dancing group and it was good thing I did. She said that her roommate handles the dancers for the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial (that's going to take place at the same time as the plaque dedication). Most of the Ceremonial's dancing will be during the evening hours, our plaque dedication will be in the morning. We exchanged information. I will be giving her a call on Friday (since tomorrow is a holiday).

She also said it wouldn't be a good idea to approach the Indian dancing groups directly, it is better to go though her roommate Teri.

Above, Shelley, Fabian and audience members up for the circle dance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the Indian dancing and taking care of business, I headed off to Albertson's market to pick up some wine for a dinner party tomorrow night that I was invited to.

All in all, it was a pretty good evening and I didn't get bogged down in construction-related traffic!

Dancers From Zuni Pueblo

Above, a dancer from the Zuni Pueblo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To close out the month, I headed back into Gallup this evening to have dinner at Zen Steak and Sushi. Following that, I headed over to the McKinley County Courthouse plaza to take in tonight's Indian dancing.

Tonight, the dancers were from the Zuni Pueblo. Each night, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the city of Gallup and the Gallup Chamber of Commerce sponsors nightly Indian dancing. Dancers from all tribes take part. The nightly event is free to the public.

Of course, I had my camera with me to take some pictures of the dancers. The dances photographed were the "corn dance" and "rainbow dance".

Here's some of them:

Cuban Carved Wooden Indian

Above, the carved wooden Indian from Cuba. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the last things I would have ever expected to buy while touring Havana, Cuba was a 5" carved wooden Indian figure.

Our tour wound up at an indoor flea market/bazaar for some shopping. I had exchanged $130 in U.S. dollars for Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC), which are used by foreign visitors to the country. By the time we reached the flea market/bazaar, I had about seven CUCs left after buying cigars and rum.

Above, inside the Havana flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did briefly contemplate buying a Cuban cap, but had second thoughts since it would not get much wearing use.

As I wandered around the aisles and looked in many vendor stalls with all kinds of souvenir goods, I spotted some wooden Indian figures of varying sizes. The 5" one had a price of five pesos. Since my home is mainly decorated in Southwest style, the Indian would fit in. So I bought it.

I ended up with two pesos (in paper currency) and some coins left over.

Grand Canyon Watchtower To Be Native American Cultural Site

Above, the Desert View Watchtower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 1983, I took a solo trip into the Four Corners region of the U.S. One of my stops was at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park.

While there, I stopped at the Desert View Watchtower. At the time, it housed a gift shop and I bought myself a leather belt that lasted ten years.

I visited it again during my 2016 Metropolis, Illinois trip.

Today, it is to be made a cultural site.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle:

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Officials at the Grand Canyon say they're expanding programming at a historic watchtower where visitors can learn about Native American culture. 

The National Park Service's Intermountain Region signed off on the plan last month. 

The Desert View Watchtower near the east entrance of Grand Canyon gives visitors expansive views of the painted desert and the Little Colorado River Gorge. It had housed a gift shop up until 2015 when the Park Service turned it into a cultural heritage site.

Above, a view of the Watchtower from one of the Grand Canyon overlooks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Canyon and Tribes Mark Centennial

Above, the Desert View Watchtower at the eastern part of the South Rim. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year, Grand Canyon National Park is celebrating its centennial. Prior to the park's formation, it was home to Native Americans. It still is, and while relations between the park and tribes have improved, there is still some tension.

MPR News posted an article on the complicated relationship between Native Americans and the park.

They begin with:

Over the last century the geologic wonder of the Grand Canyon has inspired poets, painters, archaeologists and biologists. This week — on Tuesday, Feb. 26 — the Grand Canyon celebrates its 100 years as a National Park. But long before it became a national park, the Grand Canyon was a place many Native Americans called home. 

That's what Carletta Tilousi still calls it. 

"Most Americans think Native Americans are gone but we're still here," Tilousi says. Tilousi is a Havasupai council member and grew up in the Grand Canyon. 

"This is the home of Native Americans and our stories need to be told," Tilousi says. "I think Havasupai we've been ignored for a long time." 

In the late 1800s the federal government sequestered the Havasupai to a side canyon. It wasn't until 1975 that the tribe was given back some of their ancestral land.

To read more, go here. 

Gallup 2019 Visitor's Guide

While at the El Rancho Hotel & Motel in Gallup to meet on the upcoming Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4, ECV plaque dedication, I managed to get a copy of the Gallup 2019 Visitor's Guide from the hotel's general manager.

I have already put events into my calendar. The first being the nightly Indian dancing at the McKinley County Courthouse square that begins on Memorial Day through Labor Day. Here, different tribes and pueblos are represented.

Above, the high school and junior high school rodeo in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Next, the first rodeos in Gallup. The NMHSRA and NMJHRA rodeo State finals take place at the Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena on May 24-27. Last year's rodeo was very entertaining!

The rodeo season continues at Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena with the Gallup Lions Club Kids Rodeo on June 12 and then the Gallup Lions Club 71st Annual Open Show Rodeo, also at the Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena on June 12-15.

One other rodeo takes place in June and that is the Bloomers Best of the Best Rodeo on June 25-29. Here, America’s top junior and senior high school rodeo athletes compete for big cash payouts and prizes.

In July, the WildThing Championship Bull Riding takes place on July 12-13.

In August, the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial runs from August 3-11.

Thankfully, I live near a town where there are plenty of activities and events to see and do.

The Commancheros and the Battle for the American Southwest

Last night, I popped in the Blu-ray of The Comancheros (1961) with John Wayne, Stuart Whitman, Ina Balin and a pre-stardom Lee Marvin.

The movie was enjoyable and the CinemaScope cinematography is beautiful. Director Michael Curtiz became ill during production and had to have much of the movie directed by Wayne.

There are a number of extras in the disc, one was a history of John Wayne at Fox Studios and one that I found most enjoyable:

• The Comancheros and the Battle for the American Southwest (1080p, 24:13): A great, all-new documentary that examines the historical backdrop of the film, specifically the dynamic between the Comancheros, the Comanche tribe, and the Texas Rangers.

If one is a history buff on the old west and Indians, this is a very educational documentary to watch. Some of the areas the documentary covers are not too far from where I live in New Mexico, such a the Texas panhandle.

I recommend it.

Kachina Dolls

Above, a "Wolf" Kachina. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Kachina doll of the Hopi, which so many of us admire and collect, is the representation of a Hopi spirit or deity. Kachina dolls originally were, and still are, made to be given away as gifts to Hopi children so that they may learn the different Kachinas and the stories and religious significance attached to them.

The Hopis are not the only Native American Indians creating kachina dolls. The Navajo tribe assimilated this part of Hopi culture into their own. However, the solemnity with which the Hopis treat the spirits-as-dolls has faded in the Navajo tradition.

Above, to enlarge, click on image and then right click to open in a separate window.

Above, a "Morning Dancer" Kachina. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Made Someone's Day

Above, a photo Asya sent today.

For Christmas, I sent Asya a Navajo kachina doll, called "Morning Singer".

She is currently in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia.

The package arrived in several days ago, but their post office has been closed for the Orthodox Christmas holiday in Russia.

She was able to get the package today and is very pleased. She texted:

Hey Armand, wow wow wow, got it! 

It is so cool to receive this parcel. Like some magic!

Looks like I made her day! 

2018 In New Mexico

Above, the three mesas across the valley from Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the exception of my little heart episode in Wells, Nevada in July, 2018 has been a good year.

The heart attack came as a big surprise (to put it mildly), but thanks to quick action by Mitch Geriminsky and the paramedics, along with the stents installed in Twin Falls, Idaho, I am fully recovered. The only thing I had to do differently is take my meds and modify my diet. I am lucky it happened where and when it did.

Above, this snow fell while I was living in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After 12 days living in The Beast while waiting for the movers to bring my stuff, I am now in a new place of residence out of Commiefornia. So far, I am enjoying life in Jamestown, New Mexico. There's plenty of things to see and do and I have made many friends. A group of us generally meet up every morning at Denny's in the Flying J travel center down the hill for breakfast or just coffee. Our community is called Whispering Cedars. I know more of my neighbors here than I did while living in Tarzana for 19 years.

During the warm months, I generally relax under the umbrella on the deck watching the traffic down below on Interstate 40 and the trains across the valley.

Above, in the hospital following my stent procedure. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

I did some "fixing up" at the house. I had the exterior of the house and deck painted. I also had a RV garage built, called the GOCO Beast Barn (GOCO = Garage of Comparative Ovations). The Beast hasn't moved in yet as I have been using it as a second vehicle while the Mustang is in the body shop. That is taking an eternity to get completed. As a hat tip to a road in the Acton, California area, I called the road on the second acre Barking Spider Road.

Above, the house during the summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, there are nightly Indian dances in the McKinley County Courthouse in Gallup. I went to several and brought Mitch and Jess to one each. There are rodeos and the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park. Weather permitting, there is also a Red Rock Balloon Rally. This year's didn't see any balloon ascensions due to weather. In Gallup, there is also the UFO Film Festival.

Above, an Ohkay Oelinge Indian dancer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the rodeos I attended at Red Rock Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In June, since I couldn't find anything I liked for the living room wall space above the sofa, I commissioned Asya to do a painting of the "Three Mesas" across the valley from Jamestown. It came out great and it has received a lot of praise.

Above, the "Three Mesas" painting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In early July, Jess and I went to Roswell for the annual UFO Festival and toured the International UFO Museum and Research Center.

Above, yours truly with a couple of friends at the Roswell UFO Festival.

I have joined a small group of local civic activists and historians for monthly dinner parties. Out last dinner was last evening.

Above, the GOCO Beast Barn and Barking Spider Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I attended two clampouts with the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. That is now my new home chapter as their territory is Arizona and New Mexico.

Above, yours truly with Max Bettman and Mitch Geriminsky in Las Vegas at the Peppermill restaurant.

In November, I headed off to Las Vegas for a few days of fun with Mitch and Max Bettman. I hadn't seen Max in years. We had a good time.

It is interesting to live in a climate where snow is quite common and during the summer months, monsoons bring thunderstorms on a regular basis with spectacular shows of lightning.

Above, the building of the GOCO Best Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sierra likes her new home here as she has plenty of space to run around in. I am also feeding some stray cats. One has gotten used to me and is quite friendly.

Above, Sierra on her tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I didn't take any long (duration-wise) camping trips except for the trips to Wells and Roswell, but have done some RV park camping in Abuquerque whenever I need a haircut or take care of business.

Above, one can usually find me relaxing on the deck during warm weather. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last week, I headed to Wildomar, California to spend Christmas at my cousin Maria's. It was a stressful trip due to the blizzard that hit New Mexico, causing flight cancellations and re-bookings. I was lucky to get a flight out of Phoenix before the blizzard hit New Mexico.

What does 2019 have in store? We'll see.

Happy New Year!