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Sunday was the annual Dia de Los Muertos parade here in Albuquerque.

I love everything about it.

""Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated by many in Mexico and by some Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2), and has been practiced for 2500-3000 years. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration when eating and partying are common. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two are celebrated differently. ""
--- wikipedia

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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What makes small town living so special?

Corn on the cob... farm fresh produce at the Farmer's Market...apple cider... sunflowers... antique car shows... music from the heart in the local gazebo... Bwana Jim and his wildlife show... parades... led by veterans in the local Honor Guard... decorated bikes... friends and neighbors... the Homecoming King and Queen... the high school marching band... junior cheerleaders... Shriners in Go-Karts... carousels.... funnel cake... cotton candy... dart games... tractors and hay rides...

...and the cutest scarecrows you've ever seen...

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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After 4 days of rain... today awoke with sunshine and birds singing...

...but hang on folks... it's gonna be a busy weekend!


There will be a parade, a small carnival, a gun show, special music in the courthouse gazebo, shows by Bwana Jim, an antique car show, HOMECOMING (high school football game, crowning of the Royal Couple, and activities), a farmer's market, lots of vendors with Kettle Corn... Funnel Cake...Italian Sausage...crafts... and more!

...and I hope to see it all...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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The circle of life was close today.

I spent the morning at the PRIDE parade here in downtown Albuquerque, and it was a joyful celebration of life and love. Colorful costuming, floats, music... it was vibrant and alive and exuberant.
This evening I gathered with a circle of women for a new moon ceremony. Grounding, releasing of negativity, thankfulness for what we have in life... hopes and intentions for the future... all important aspects, and covered with love and grace.

And tonight, as I watered my plants and said my reflections on the day... my dogs discovered a severely injured baby rabbit in the yard... and potentially injured him even more as they brought him to me. As I said prayers of thanks for this little life, and tried to convey my deep love and caring for the baby... I ended his life as humanely and peacefully as possible; knowing that there was no way that the baby would recover or be able to live a wild life.

While I feel absolutely horrible about the bunny situation (and those of you who know me know how much I adore rabbits)... I feel fortunate in that; in spite of the fact that he was alone, confused, scared and hurt... he was able to somehow end up in my yard... where I was able to help him go on to the next phase of his life where he will hopefully be running around happily and safe from harm.



To read more about new moon rituals.... look HERE

(*photo by Elaine A. Russell)

wow. Dia de Los Muertos rocks....

*photo by Elaine A. Russell

---such a busy weekend..... yesterday the hubby and I went to the Psychic Fair at the ABQ Garden Center on Lomas. It was simply fabulous. So many cool things to look at.. and I got my yearly Samhain tarot reading for the upcoming year :)
More on that later ....

Early this am, had to take the hubby to the airport for another out of state work-related trip. ergh. He is, however, going to be able to see some family while there.. so that is awesome.
This afternoon-- a friend and I went to the Tome Gallery to see their Day of the Dead festivities. Lots of great art.. lots of great food... lots of great people. I will definitely be posting more on this later on in the week.
Then.... we made it back to ABQ in time for the Dia de Los Muertos Parade in the South Valley. Freakin' awesome.

So-- provided any of the pics I took turn out... there will be lots to play around with this week for blog posts. But for now... hot chai and bed :)