Fleas - Naughty Dog...

…Fleas  - Naughty Dog…

(Feliz Navidad)

We hope that the “trip around the sun” in 2012 has been happy, healthy & prosperous for you-n-yours… and greetings from the Land of Enchantment where we celebrate red & green (chili) all year long…

In years past you could expect massive confabulations in ye ol’ annual missive. Of course sometimes our stories can be as interesting (maybe…):

Another O-LYMP-AID (see below) come-n-gone; no medals here. As usual, enjoyed the many events (especially swimming). The coverage by many NBC associated channels did a good job of covering multiple sports (and even a few [very few] countries that weren’t competing against the USA).

Pacific Beach Suite/Sweet View 

Miss Meme with new splints & crutches (Oct. ) 

TRIPS & FALLS: Had enjoyable VD (Valentine’s Day) trip to El Paso joining Meme’s sister Pat & Hal Marcus at Willie Nelson’s kickoff concert for his 2012 tour (historic Plaza Theater). Since Hal is a local celeb, and we were seated in front row of the balcony, we woke up the next morning (Sunday) to find a picture of him at the concert on the front page of the El Paso Times. In late spring/early summer I returned to Jordan (mas tarde), and the last week of September we made annual sojourn to the sands of Pacific Beach (San Diego); got to visit with Meme’s brother Mark & step-brother Charlie (Alaska Airlines pilot)… wonderful… I made several quick trips over to central Arid-zona to visit my side of la familia (mom [88 this month & doing OK], sisters, nephew & his family). Meme continues serving the people of the Great State of New Mexico by doing time with the Water Rights Division (Office of the State Engineer); yoga, tennis & rock climbing are primary leisure pursuits. She took an advanced rock climbing conditioning course to get ready for the field season, unfortunately a short-lead fall in May eliminated the need for any more training this year. Various non-successful therapies led to a surgery in October followed by 6-weeeks of pre-retirement (sitting with her foot up & being waited on hand-n-foot, by the love of her life). I’m no longer Driving Miss Meme (but, Lucy still enjoys rides): she is walking and can recommend a good foot doc in Albuquerque.

 “TO BE, OR NOT”: Justin decided to apply his theatrical skills towards the study of law and has just completed his first semester at UNM law school. He seems to have a deep interest in current events & politics. As an educational incentive we had him help me with the project of expanded flagstone walks in the backyard last summer. Lucy seems to like the changes in the backyard OK, but she still prefers curling up atop the Jacuzzi cover on cool days and does some serious dirt bath & dust wallowing when its warmer…

SAR exercise @ Petra: find this lost visitor

LOVE-40 (or 65 in my case):  Last winter my LLC conducted another multi-day heritage resource crimes investigation training for archaeologists & NM State law enforcement officers in Santa Fe. My work with Dept. of Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program continued with the Jordan Parks Program at Petra Archaeological Park. It was again great to be back with the Park Rangers. We helped with some field sessions in basic and advanced Search & Rescue (SAR) skills training. As the “lost” and “injured” party I didn’t have to pretend much, for prior to the trip I had snap-crackle-&-pop pay a surprise visit to my right leg while playing tennis (serving) the end-of-April. Made climbing stairs challenging and tennis unbearable. Yoga helped. I did continue with US Tennis Assoc. & college officiating. After months of PT and rest I’m semi-pain free and about ready for courts again. No fire or incident assignments this year: I was available, and would have gutted-it-out with leg, but there were hiccups in the resource ordering system (unfilled orders when I was showing “Available” and sitting at home). I remain active as State instructor and Santa Fe-Galisteo Basin Chapter of the SiteWatch steward program, getting to work with volunteers statewide. In June, the Republicans for Environmental Protection (historically, a true core GOP value) became ConservAmerica (http://conservamerica.org) Like many non-profit/educational groups times-are-tough.
 

Our thoughts-n-prayers will be with you throughout this season and 2013 (post-Long Count).

Remember: “Nothing quite says Christmas like a new Quentin Tarantino movie…”

Lucy in her front portal chair: waiting for next walk or ride

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!