More Than Chillin' in NM

We woke up warm in our casita. However, when we set out today for Santa Fe -- yikes!

The temperature only just got above the mid-teens and the wind came cutting in every time we stepped out of the car. We did some shopping, with Mom getting some new Fiesta Ware to substitute for the lousy plates we bought six months ago.

In downtown Santa Fe, Mom and I smiled in the fountain because a big building blocked the wind and we had a lot of sunshine. Then we walked around downtown, planning our route to maximize the sun and get on the other side of buildings to cut the wind.

I really appreciated walking by all the Indians at the Plaza -- they had their stuff out on blankets down at my level where I could sniff it. Mom tells me they have some of the best jewelry in the whole area, and it did look beautiful. However, they also were fighting the cold, all bundled up in down parkas and wool blankets and, I would bet, waiting for the day to end.

By early afternoon, we were feeling that we had had enough and, after a stop at Whole Foods for supplies, went quickly back to our casita for a warm cozying in and an early New Year's Eve.

Sundance

Back in the Saddle Again!

Well, it wasn't exactly a saddle for me -- more like six hours stuffed in a carrier under an airplane seat, but ... whatever: we're back in our casita in Madrid, New Mexico, and very happy to be here although kind of tired. We weren't sure we were going to make it, they had us held in Baltimore because of the weather out here, but they let us go

Our friend Thom came by earlier and turned on the solar power and the gas furnace, so we came in to a warm house that we could brighten right up. Dad turned on the water and it also came up, so we are 3 for 3. (Dad is going to let the water dribble tonight because it's going down to the teens and he's worried about pipes freezing.)

Right after dinner, I found one of my old bones from last visit and as you can see, I am happily getting to know it again!

Sundance

p.s. Just before we came out, we watched the original True Grit with John Wayne to get us ready for watching the new True Grit, which is shot in New Mexico