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...................................................photo by Elaine A. Russell


Often, I am given to very vivid dreams. As a kid... it was very disturbing. Now it seems to be sort of a running joke with my hubby and myself.

Last night I dreamt about a person from back in PA. ... well known and well loved. He was a physician most all of his life... caring for almost everyone in the County as far as I could tell. A General Physician... now, basically an unheard of occupation in today's world of specializing and compartmentalizing. He was a doctor for so many years... he delivered children and grandchildren ... all in the same families. ... as well as helping so many pass on with comfort and dignity.

Compassionate... as he suffered so many personal losses as well. Knowledgeable... diagnosing so may people long before the aids of technology we have now. Giving... active in his community, church... and so many charitable organizations. A family man, husband --father -- grandfather.

I think of his wife ... also known and loved throughout the community. Now, caring for him; as well as herself in these past few years... plagued by illness. It is a sad thing. And yet, I can't help but marvel at all the good these people have done over the years. How many lives they have changed.... how much grace and love they have shown.

Growing up in a small town definitely had it's positives.... one being... getting to know marvelously good people such as these. Integrity, honesty, compassion, a strong work ethic, giving back to your community, loving and caring for family, living lives of faith and hope... all lessons learned when looking at the lives of people such as this.

Bless you... Dr and Mrs....

crazy busy

photos by Elaine A. Russell

So -- more photos from when my daughter and I went to the Daily Grind on Central Ave. In case you haven't figured it out... I think this place is great. I think it is truly one of ABQ's hidden gems. http://albuquerque.citysearch.com/profile/6941921/albuquerque_nm/daily_grind.html

The past couple days/ week ... have been really busy. I ended up moving my portion of the art studio home, and have been trying to get it all organized in my home (garage) studio. I absolutely loved working at the Factory on 5th... mainly for the opportunity to work with other like-minded creative souls. Plus... it's an incredibly cool building.

However, I found that I was spending the majority of my time there socializing... instead of doing the work that I needed to be doing. So -- I am thinking that a more isolating environment; while not as much fun... will hopefully force me to concentrate and work more.

Yesterday, I had my annual physical exam. My doctor is fabulous... I just hate going to the doctor's. I think she has me convinced that I should go ahead and file paperwork for disability. I was told to file back in 97 when I had major cancer problems... and I just never have done it. And, coupled with the SLE and numerous other issues.... my medical file looks insane.
But.. it's getting to the point where I can't afford to see the doctors that I need too, or get the meds I need too, or get the tests I need too.... and so... she has me convinced.

And today --- we had an appraiser come out to the house to do a survey of the house and property. If things go well, we are hoping to get a home improvement loan so that we can do some very much needed repairs and remodeling around the house.

So-- as you can see.... busy busy... crazy crazy. But I think it's all good.

hello

photos by Elaine A. Russell

Today was fun. I went downtown early today after I drove my daughter to CNM for her morning classes. I found what I thought was the main/only library to return a book that I had borrowed from a friend. Turns out... it was the main library (on Copper and 5th)....but did you know that the library system here in ABQ has 17 branches to visit ? Holy crap. It took me only about 5 minutes and the filling out of one form to get a library card... and I was off and running. Ended up getting seasons 2-5 of "Six Feet Under" on dvd to watch... now I just need to find Season One .. hopefully on Netflix -- this week. Coolness. I also found 2 great books on photography... and a CD by Joan Osborne and one by the Chieftains. Awesome sauce.

You can check out more about the ABQ Library system here: http://www.cabq.gov/library/

From there... I drove around a bit near Walter and Edith streets... looking at the fabulous Victorian homes.

Then I went to "Daily Grind." When my hubby and moved here in 95, I remember seeing this place ( it was a photo shop then) and I loved the architecture. So.. I decided to stop. Turns out.. it is one of ABQ's best kept secrets. This place has it all. Great food (coffee and the breakfast special --- which was an omelet and home fries, fresh watermelon, and a bagel with cream cheese ). I had the options of sitting inside the cafe itself, the front room ( looks like it used to be a sun porch ), out front along Central Ave and watch the traffic.. or ...the side/back patio. What -- you say -- a side patio ? Yes. And it was rather like wandering down the proverbial rabbit hole. Through this little side alley way.. past walls of art and little tables... you come to a hidden patio and garden area. Trees... birds... studio apts way out back... what looks like a couple shops... etc. Fantastic. Nice and private.. secluded... yet in the heart of downtown. It was enchanting. I spoke with the owners, who were kind enough to show me the remnants of a really old mural on the south-facing wall... very cool. Apparently, the Daily Grind has been in this location for the past 3yrs. http://albuquerque.citysearch.com/profile/6941921/albuquerque_nm/daily_grind.html

After picking up my daughter from classes, we went back again... so that I could show her the place. This time I got to enjoy their fresh brewed iced tea... and tried to cool off from the massive heat wave this afternoon.

Next, took my daughter to the main library so that she could get a card... and a couple hours later... we emerged with even more greatness. ....cue the cool Rasta music cd she found.....
After dinner (stuff from Nothin But Noodles ! )... we traveled across the city to the foothills of the Sandias to get an older Polaroid camera from a fellow Freecycler (http://www.freecycle.org/ ). Luckily, it came with some rather outdated... yellow cast... but very cool film... and she got an interesting shot.

Such fun. Great day. Awesome. You just never know what to expect.. and I don't think I would want it any other way... at least.. not today :)