Real Sadness

Today my thoughts are with my sister and brother-in-law and their horses. My wish for them - before the new year - is quick answers and no more losses. This saga may turn out to have the makings of a Dick Francis novel.

More Happiness

My latest source of happiness and gratitude is that today I learned that the new season of American Idol begins with a 2-hour season premiere on January 15! I went through a (brief) period of mourning when the last season ended. Mostly I think I was sad about the fact that I had to start actually thinking about how I would spend my Tuesday (performances) and Wednesday (results) evenings. Now that is really pathetic. Maybe I should avoid watching the new season altogether. Probably a good idea.

South Carolina

I am in Aiken with the family and I just learned this Christmas song about family:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg

First Day of Winter

Happy first day of winter!

But sadness because there will soon be no love in the house for awhile. I have to get Maddie to the kennel by 3 p.m. today even though my flight leaves around noon tomorrow. I have no idea how parents of actual human children ever manage to travel and leave the offspring behind. It drives me crazy every time.

Best Xmas Songs with Videos

Research on happiness has shown that you can increase your happiness just by deliberately paying attention to and feeling grateful - for each little good thing that happens as you go about your day.

Finding these today has made me happy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG9QyKxYUxw

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlf---13Q0g

For Susan

Yes! I will be in SC from Dec. 24 through Dec. 28. Then off to VA on the 29th and 30th for a wedding. Then back to NM on the 31st. Fantastic that you will be in SC at the same time!

More Saturday Photos

smiling girl

blowing ears

not allowed on this chair

the face of naughty

big yawn - finally

snuggle in the flannel snowflakes

Today we jogged 5 miles on the flood control dam - my favorite place to run in Las Cruces with panoramic view and nice surface and close to home. It was 50 degrees and drizzling when we started - fun to run in the rain!

Maddie at 6430 feet

Maddie and I went hiking yesterday to Baylor Pass - about 3.25 miles and 1500 feet of elevation change each way [we started at around 4865 feet]. This trail is the only developed footpath from one side of the Organ Mountains to the other and the views are spectacular. Behind her to the east is the Tularosa Basin and White Sands. She is facing the west and the Mesilla Valley and Rio Grande. It took us about 3 hours round trip. I was looking forward to Maddie being good and exhausted the rest of the weekend after the hike. But alas no - it seems to have energized her.

We could have started from Aguirre Springs at around 5540 feet on the other side of the Pass - I think it is about 2.75 miles each way. We may do that next or we may go all the way over and down and back up and down again. I am getting ready for hiking the Organ Needle - the highest peak in the Organ Mountains - in the spring.

Joy and Rapture

sweet joy and rapture - classes are done