snow

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Because my sleep hours are erratic (to say the least)... I was up at 1am when it was really began snowing heavily here (a rare event)... and took a few photos. It's amazing to me how bright it was considering the time of night... but... snow does reflect light... and it was glorious out.

And today... I took this opportunity to make some winter soup. I roasted one small pumpkin, then pureed it with 3 summer squash, 2 zucchini, celery, lots of cooked carrots, some bok choy, some veggie broth, and a few roasted garlic cloves ... put it on simmer for an hour... and topped it with roasted mushrooms and a little Parmesan cheese. YUM.

Hope you all are huddled in ... warm and safe... and enjoying the weekend to come...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Well.... dad's fever has finally somewhat stabilized.... and he is tolerating the IV antibiotics he is getting. His spirit is strong... but his body is betraying him these past few days. Today... it was discovered that he has a significant blood clot in his left femoral artery *left groin/upper leg area.
Ironically... the best thing for the pneumonia is to be as active as possible.... but with a clot.. he is confined to minimal movement at best... as he is getting blood thinners and such to absorb the clot and minimize more from forming. It is a viscious cycle almost.....




Mimicking the up and down of dad's health... is the weather here. I took this photo of a stained glass art piece in my parent's living room looking out to the backyard... and not even an hour later... we were in the middle of a massive snowstorm.


The snow didn't stay of course.... and I'm sure the weather will improve... it just seemed horribly ironic....


Walking around the house... I was really tired... and trying to figure out what I would take as my photo for the day....
And so.... I am including a photo of probably some of the most *ahem* interesting wallpaper ever.... (in my parent's bathroom)... and a photo of a hand-colored photograph of my dad taken when he was about 3 years old. Yes... my grandmother really did dress him like that for school. He says it was how he learned to fight so well as a kid (>>giggle<<).


* all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Last night around 9:30pm; it started snowing. Really snowing.
Huge, wet flakes came down ... and it was a beautiful sight.



Of course, by the time I woke up; most all of it was gone... having melted in the morning sun. It never did get much above 35 degrees today... although if you stood in the sun; it felt much warmer.



Today was a rough day... and here I am after midnight... trying to make some sense of it all.

I am failing.

I did have some wonderful moments today... gazing at the snow... the rays of sun peaking through the pine trees in the backyard.... seeing this babbling brook when I took a break and drove around a bit....


Sometimes moments are all we have... and I am thankful that some of them are supremely awesome. Today was a very rough day for my parents. Dad had a horrible night; followed by an equally bad day. Can't eat... can't rest... can't sleep... can't breathe well.... and mom is worried sick. On April 4th; they will be married 58years. Hard to imagine... and I am sure it is even more difficult for them... not only with each of them being sick.... but having to spend time away from each other is very hard for them; as they have rarely been apart these 58 years.
I just feel completely helpless and useless....


Kristin and I went for a drive this evening to Port Alleghany where one of my husband's brothers lives. It was a very good visit. And...It was an easy drive. We happened to pass this sporting goods store on way. The bear was pretty awesome... just odd... and funky and wonderful.



And then we saw this ultra fabulous vending machine out front.... yes sir --ee bob... get yer live bait right here in the vending machine! Cuz you never know when you're gonna need worms....

Mind you ... I absolutely love fishing... but even this was a little too funny to pass up :)

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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*photo of the VLA.... by Elaine A. Russell





I won't talk much... cuz frankly; I am exhausted. I had a wonderful weekend... and will no doubt tell more about it this week. Suffice it to say, that I needed a roadtrip... and it was good.

Today's adventures took me to the towns of Magdalena & Socorro, to the VLA (very large array), and to Bosque del Apache... then back to Albuquerque.

Now ... 'tis time for a shower, a cup of tea, bed... and maybe a little Leonard Cohen (as sung by Jeff Buckley)..... Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

freak snowstorm



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

Today we had a freak snowstorm here in ABQ.
I was just leaving a doctor's appointment.. and I came outside to this wonderful crisp, clean, air and the most huge snowflakes coming down. It was glorious. Never mind that the local radio station decided to play Bing Crosby: "Baby, it's cold outside"....it was so cool.
Ran a few errands, and had to come home so that the son could drive to work... and now the snow is gone; except for in the mountains. Blue skies... and sun now....
What a great day :)