photos taken at Newsland, Central Ave in ABQ by Elaine A. Russell

So -- you know that the other day my daughter and I went to Newsland --- a fabulous shop on Central Ave across from UNM. They have tons of cool magazines, books, periodicals, postcards, newspapers... etc.... even some funky jewelry and ice cold Coke. What more does a person need ? Well... maybe if they had coffee... but I digress.

It is a fabulous place.. and I am thoroughly addicted to their massive selection of stuff. See more at http://www.newsland.com/

I have been on a reading kick. Which is awesome... but I really do have other things I should be doing right now.... ah well. You have to go where the inspiration takes you.

And lately, it has taken me some wonderful places.

There are a few blogs that I read every day....or at least -- -every day that they post.

I am inspired by their candor, their view on the world, their creativity and their prose.

I was recently loaned a book... "Range of Motion" by Elizabeth Berg. I have never read any of her stuff.. and this was delightful. Gritty, sappy, romantic..tender... descriptive..inspiring...I read it all last night. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.

You can find more about Elizabeth Berg here: http://www.elizabeth-berg.net/

photo by Elaine A. Russell

I left the house around 9am.. and got home around 9pm. Some days are like that.
Lots of errands today....but it was a good day overall.

I got my SmartCar checked, lubed, etc. That was pretty cool. Talked to one of the employees about the possibility of me writing an article on my trip cross country in the SmartCar... which would be awesome. Got the car cleaned.. mostly... from the dog hair on my trip :) http://www.smartcenteralbuquerque.com/

Had lunch with the hubby at El Patio (green chili and chicken stuffed sopapillas)... really, really good food. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60933-d386951-Reviews-El_Patio_De_Albuquerque-Albuquerque_New_Mexico.html

Talked with the folks at Masks Y Mas who are printing some photos for me... such great people. http://www.masksymas.net/
Awesome selection of stuff.. and you have got to see the new artwork by Brandon Maldonado in their gallery !!!

Went to a psychic !! and got a reading.... ewwwwwwwww... more on that some other time.

Got a small fresh squeezed orange juice to revive me, and some warm tortillas to take home ...from the Frontier Restaurant .....YUM. http://www.frontierrestaurant.com/

Visited this art place... fantastic... you gotta see ! http://www.vsartsnm.org/

Got postcards to pass around town of the next art show I am participating in .... the "9x9x9 Show" to be held at the Factory on 5th on September 9th. See postcard below ! I am very excited about the show. I got to see a sneak preview of some of my friend Leau Phillip's pieces.... She is awesome. See her link in my "blogs I like" section to the right. .. and this blog on the show itself.... http://number9number9number9.blogspot.com/

Visited a couple friends for a little bit.... and got puppy kisses from their baby :)

Got some awesome food from Yasmine's Cafe for my daughter who was dying for some hummus and gyros.... http://www.yelp.com/biz/yasmines-cafe-albuquerque ... and (of course) the Baklava is to die for.

Then home .. paid bills, etc... and now... well.... here we are.

More fun, exciting, breathtaking news... tomorrow .. he he.

reading .....reading....

whew !