Our Silver City Trip Part 3

This is the third and final installment of our Silver City trip last weekend. On Saturday, we drove up through the Gila Forest to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. On the drive up we passed an area where the National Forest Service was doing a controlled burn. The walk to the cliff dwellings is a pretty neat walk in itself. We drove home through the Mimbres Valley.

That evening we went to the Buckhorn Saloon in Pinos Altos. The Saloon was built in 1865 and is considered the best restaurant in the area - especially for their steaks. We would agree with that. After dinner we went next door to the Pinos Altos Opera House for a performance of "Dumb Guns" 0r "I Got Brains That Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" by the Melodrama Theatre Players. It started with a sing-along followed by a satiric play with a lot of interaction with the audience - including throwing popcorn at the players, hissing and booing at the villain, and cheering the hero.

Here are some pictures from Saturday...

Some of the beautiful scenery on our drive up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

Some of the smoking remains of the controlled burn in the early morning sunlight.
A plaque recognizing the birth place of the Apache leader Geronimo who was born somewhere in this area.
Margie and Betty with a super large Yucca at the Visitors Center.
Yours truly at a small bridge on the walk to the Cliff Dwellings.
Betty and Margie looking up to the Cliff Dwellings with binoculars. We decided not to make the hike up to the dwellings as we had a good view from this location.
A view of the Cliff Dwellings.
Margie and Betty entering the Buckhorn Saloon in Pinos Altos.
The Playbill for the Melodrama at the Opera House.
The interior of the Opera House.
The curtain on the Opera House stage (for mature viewers only).
Me and Margie before the play started.
The leader of the sing-along was also the player who was the villain - Bad Bob.
The hero with the young, lovely, heart of gold prostitute (right) and the crusty, older, heart of gold prostitute (left).
The villain, Bad Bob, in compromising dress.
The villain gets his just desserts from the brave town folk led by the hero sheriff.
It was a lot of fun and a great way to end our trip.

Today is October 31 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Peter Jackson (director, "Lord of the Rings"), John Candy (comedian, "Saturday Night Live"), Jane Pauley (Today show host), Deidre Hall (actress, "Days of Our Lives"), David Ogden Stiers (Major Winchester on "M.A.S.H."), Michael Landon (actor, Little Joe on "Bonanza"), Dan Rather (CBS News anchor), Dale Evans (wife of Roy Rogers), Ethel Waters (jazz singer), and Jan Vermeer (Dutch painter).

On this day in 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenburg church effectively starting the Protestant reformation. In 1864 Nevada became the 36th state. In 1926 magician Harry Houdini died from complications form a ruptured appendix. And in 1984 Israel Prime Minister Indira Ghandi was assassinated.

Happy Birthday Juliet and Good News For Betty

Today is the FIRST birthday of our darling granddaughter, Juliet Elizabeth Cooksey. One of the joys of getting older is becoming grandparents and being able to spoil your grandchild as much as possible. We know we're not biased, but we think she's great!

Happy First Birthday, Chica! May we celebrate many, many more with you.

The good news for Betty is her colonoscopy and endoscopy went well today. There were no obvious problems. The doctor is doing a couple of biopsies, but he doesn't expect any problems. We'll know for sure in a couple of week. Thanks to everyone for your prayers.

Today is October 30 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: JULIET ELIZABETH COOKSEY (all around great granddaughter and precious daughter of Wade Daniel and Marie Cooksey), Harry Hamlin (actor, "LA Law"), Henry Winkler (actor, Fonz in "Happy Days"), Grace Slick (lead singer for "Jefferson Airplane"), Ruth Gordon (actress, "Harold and Maude"), Charles Atlas (famous body-builder and sand kicker), Ezra Pound (poet), and John Adams (2nd US President).

On this day in 1938 the radio play "War of the Worlds" was produced, creating a panic in much of the country. In 1961 the Soviet Union test a hydrogen bomb. And in 2000 comedian Steve Allen died.

Our Silver City Trip Part 2

We stayed at a great place called Bear Creek Cabins located in Pinos Altos. Pinos Altos is about 6 miles North of Silver City. Silver City and the surrounding areas were originally silver mining camps. There is still a huge copper mine, the Santa Rita Mine, just outside of Silver City.

Pinos Altos was first settled in 1803 as a mining town, but it knew its share of 'famous' characters. Judge Roy Bean and his brother, Arnold, ran a store in Pinos Altos. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid also made frequent stops in Pinos Altos when they passed through. Billy the Kid was raised in the Silver City area as a kid before he became infamous.

Our cabin, #8, was very rustic, but comfortable. It was in a beautiful setting of Lodgepole Pine trees and we were only a mile from the edge of the Gila National Forest. We even had some visitors the first morning we were there (see pictures below).

During the first day we just visited Silver City and checked out all the local galleries and shops. That evening, we had reservations at a local small hotel, the Gila House, for dinner and a concert by a local Cowboy singer and poet named Mike Moutoux. There were only 14 people there for the dinner and concert so it was a great time. We had Buffalo Meat Loaf, twice-baked potatoes and Cowboy Beans. It was delicious. We sat next to a neat couple who both worked for the Forest Service. He spent 27 years as a smoke jumper and told us a lot of interesting stories about his experiences. The concert was a lot of fun.

Here are some pictures from our first full day in Silver City...

Our cabin sitting in the Lodgepole Pine woods...

Betty enjoying an early morning cup of coffee on our cabin porch...

The living area of our cabin...

Our surpise visitor that first morning was a Javelina - a species of wild pig...

Acutally it was a whole family of Javelinas...

A close up of one of the little porkers...

Downtown Silver City - a mixture of old and new...

A picture of us at dinner at the Gila House...

Our entertainer of the night - Mike Moutoux (actually a picture from his web site)...

It was a great first full day in Silver City. More the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow is a special day. It's our granddaughter Juliet's first birthday and Betty has her colonoscopy and endoscopy.

Today is October 29 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Wynona Ryder (actress, "Girl, Interrupted"), Kate Jackson (actress, "Charlie's Angels"), Richard Dreyfuss (actor, "Jaws"), Bill Mauldin (WWII cartoonist), and Fanny Brice (Ziegfield Follies entertainer).

On this day in 1682 the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, landed in what is now Chester, PA. In 1923 the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed. In 1929 the stock market crashed which led to the Great Depression. In 1940 the war time draft started. In 1956 the Huntley-Brinkley news show made its debut on NBC. In 1966 the National Organization for Women was founded. And in 1967 the musical "Hair" opened off-Broadway.

Our Silver City Trip Part 1

We had a wonderful trip to Silver City, NM with Betty's sister, Margie. She left Monday afternoon to return to her home in Franklin, TN.

For those who might care, here is part 1 of our trip. Instead of taking the direct route - down I-25 to pick up Highway 152 that goes directly into Silver City, we went the long way. We drove west on I-40 to Grants, NM. From there we picked up Highway 53 which took us to the El Morro National Monument (pictures below) and then to the Zuni Pueblo where we had lunch at a great place called Chu Chus. Then we drove South from there through Reserve, Glenwood and then into Silver City. Instead of a 5 hour trip we made it into a 10 hour trip with our stops.

The El Morro (Spanish for 'bluff') National Monument is a neat place. It's a large hunk of rock in the middle of nowhere. What made it special in the old days is there is a permanent pool of water at its base. This made it an oasis in the midst of very dry land for prehistoric Indians, Spanish explorers, Calvary troops, railroad surveyors, and other odd and assorted travelers.

They left their 'Kilroy Was Here' marks from prehistory petroglyphs to inscriptions as early as 1607 (Don Juan Onate) up until 1906 when it became a National Monument. Many of the inscriptions are just crude renderings of a name and date where others are elaborate or extremely precise renderings.

It's a fascinating place in the midst of a beautiful, if harsh, land. Here are a few pictures from our visit.

El Morro National Monument in the morning sun...

Yours truly at the pool that has refreshed thousands of travelers over hundreds of years...

One of several petroglyphs showing bear paws, human hands, snakes, spirals, thunderbirds, and other unknown symbols...

An elaborate script done by 'E. Pen Long of Baltimore, MD'...

Here we have an incription by 'F. Engle, Jr. New Jersey, 1859' - most likely an engineer given the precision of the lettering...


An elaborate cross, probably done by a Franciscan missionary priest...

Probably another engineer - 'F. Gilmer Breckinridge, 1858'...

If you look closely, you'll see a mis-spelling - 'Lt. J. H Simpson, USA & R. H. Kern, Artist visited and copied these insciptions, September 17th & 18th, 1849' They tried to add an 'r' to the word 'insciptions'...

Margie and Betty at the entrance sign to El Morro...


It's a fascinating place to visit and we had a great time. More tomorrow.

Today is October 28 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Joaquin Phoenix (actor, "Gladiator"), Julia Roberts (actress, "Pretty Woman"), Bill Gates (world's wealthiest man - started Microsoft), Bruce Jenner (Olympic athlete), Charlie Daniels (country singer), and Jonas Salk (microbiologist who developed a vaccine for polio).

On this day in 1636 Harvard College was founded. In 1793 Eli Whitney applied for a patent for his cotton gin. In 1886 the Statue of Liberty was dedicated. In 1919 Congress enacted the Volstead Act which created Prohibition. And in 1940 Italy invaded Greece.

Happy Birthday to a Special Person

Today is Michelle Wade's birthday. Having been reprimanded before for using an unauthorized picture of her on our blog, I stole this one from her blog so it must be OK to use. You'll have to check out her blog to understand who her furry friend is.

If you are fortunate, God will bring you a few - very few - special people throughout your life at times when you really need them. These are people who make you laugh, make you cry (for good reasons), who care about you, who are willing to share your life as well as theirs, and who, in the end, wind up changing your life in many varied and always good ways.

Michelle (and Max, of course) came into our lives at a time when Betty was just beginning to get over one of the most difficult periods of her life. I truly believe that God brought Max and Michelle into our lives as part of Betty's healing as their compassion, humor and warmth are truly healing gifts.

So, Michelle, on your 23rd birthday (married young, you know), we wish you all the best that God has for you. Happy Birthday!

Today is October 27 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: MICHELLE WADE (special friend, great photographer, great mother - despite her protestations to the contrary - and, we assume from Max's smile - a great wife), Kelly Osbourne (daughter of Ozzy Osbourne), Carrie Snodgrass (actress - "Diary of a Mad Housewife" - seems appropriate for your birthday, Michelle), John Cleese (actor/comedian - "Monty Python"), Dylan Thomas (Welsh poet), Emily Post (etiquette guru - definitely appropriate for your birthday), Teddy Roosevelt (26th US President), and Captain James Cook ( British explorer of the South Seas).

On this day in 1787 the first of the Federalist Papers calling for the ratification of the US Constitution was published in New York. In 1904 the first rapid transit subway opened in New York. In 1967 "You Bet Your Life" with Groucho Marx made its debut on ABC radio. In 1997 the stock market tumbled 554 points (sounds familiar). And in 2004 the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918.

Sunday Reflections - Water for Our Thirst

We're home from our Silver City trip with Betty's sister and you'll hear more about it over the next couple of days.

This picture is Margie and Betty alongside the pool of water at the base of El Morro (more about that soon). It has been a place of refreshment for the early Indians, the Spanish explorers, cowboys, and settlers - all who had to cross a barren land to find this wonderful oasis. For these thirsty travelers this pool was their water of life.

It's a wonderful reminder of the spiritual oasis we can find in our Lord and Savior when we have been through, or are going through, a barren time.

He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." (Rev 21:6-7)

In case you haven't heard, tomorrow is Michelle's Birthday!

Today is October 26 and if today is your Birthday, then you share your day with: Cary Elwes (actor, "The Princess Bride), Lauren Tewes (actress, "Love Boat"), Hillary Rodham Clinton (Senator), Pat Sajak ("Wheel of Fortune" host), Jaclyn Smith (actress, "Charlie's Angels), Bob Hoskins (actor, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit), and Jackie Coogan (actor, "The Adams Family").

On this day in 1774 the first Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia. In 1825 the Erie Canal opened. In 1881 the Gunfight at the OK Corral took place in Tombstone, Arizona. And in 2005 the Chicago White Sox won their first World Series since 1917.

Second Day in Silver City, NM

I'm not sure what all we'll do during the day, but this evening we have reservations at the Buckhorn Saloon in Pinos Altos, NM for a steak dinner. After dinner we have reservations to see the melodrama at the Pinos Altos Opera House. It's a comedy review that should be a lot of fun.

Today is October 25 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Tracy Nelson (Rick Nelson's daughter), Helen Reddy (Singer "I Am Woman"), Bobby Knight (Basketball coach and noted chair thrower), Billy Barty (3' 9" actor), Minny Pearl (Country singer and comedian), Leo G. Carroll (Actor "Topper"), Pablo Picasso (Artist who obviously had vision problems).

ONLY TWO MORE DAYS UNTIL MICHELLE'S BIRTHDAY!

Enjoying the Colors of the Gila

Today will most likely be a day of touring the Silver City area and the Gila Mountains to enjoy the Fall colors.

In the evening we have reservations at the Gila House for a performance by Mike Moutoux. The evening starts with a gourmet New Mexican supper and ends with an hour of cowboy songs and cowboy poetry.

Today is October 24 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Kevin Kline (Actor), F. Murray Abraham (Actor "Amadeus"), David Nelson (Son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson), "Big Bopper" Richardson (Singer "Chantilly Lace"), and Moss Hart (Playwright "My Fair Lady").

ONLY THREE MORE DAYS UNTIL MICHELLE'S BIRTHDAY!

Driving to Silver City, NM

This morning we headed out to drive to Silver City, New Mexico. We want to see that part of the state and enjoy the Fall colors in the Gila Mountains. We're driving down the scenic route. We'll head West on I-40 to Grants, NM and then South and West on Highway 53.

We're going to stop at the El Morro National Monument (also called "Inscription Rock"). For centuries it was a watering stop for travelers and visitors would leave an inscription on the rock going back to the early Indians and the early Spanish travelers.

Then we're heading to the Zuni Pueblo where we'll have lunch and visit the Zuni arts and crafts shops.

From there we'll head South through the Gila Mountains to Silver City, New Mexico.

Today is October 23 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Randy Pausch (Professor dying of cancer who gave his "Last Lecture"), "Weird" Al Yankovic (Parody entertainer), Dwight Yoakum (Country singer), Michael Crichton (Author "Jurassic Park"), Pele (Brazilian soccer player), and Johnny Carson ("Here's Johnny").

ONLY FOUR MORE DAYS UNTIL MICHELLE'S BIRTHDY - GET READY!

Family Coming In and I Go to the Dentist

Betty's sister, Margie Wade, who lives in Franklin, Tenn. is flying in today for a short visit. Tomorrow morning (Thursday), we're heading off to Silver City, New Mexico for a few days. We've never been to that part of the state and we also want to see the tree colors in the Gila Mountains which should be just about perfect while we're there.

I'll post some advance posts to let you know what we think we'll be doing each day and then post real results on Monday.

However, to start the day off I have a dentist appointment for a 6-month check and cleaning. It's a human version of getting my teeth floated.

Doesn't this picture make your whole day?

Today is October 22 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Brian Boitano (Olympic ice skater), Jeff Goldblum (actor), Annette Funicello (Mouskateer), Christopher Lloyd (actor, "Back to the Future"), Timothy Leary (noted druggie), Curly Howard ("Three Stooges"), N. C.Wyeth (great artist), and Sarah Bernhardt (actress).

Flu Shot Day

Today is flu shot day and, no, the picture to the left is no one we know. It's just a good example of how I feel when I get a flu shot. I act the big, tough, macho guy - "Sure, no problems. Stick away." However, this picture is how I feel inside.

Today is October 21 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia with the cinnamon buns on the side of her head in "Star Wars"), Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel Prime Minister), Judge Judy, Joyce Randolph (Trixie on "The Honeymooners"), Dizzy Gillespie (Jazz trumpeter), and Alfred Nobel (Swedish inventor of dynamite and the Nobel Peace Prize).

On this day in 1797 the USS Consitution, "Old Ironsides," was launched in Boston Harbor. In 1805 British Admiral Horatio Nelson was the victor at the Battle of Trafalgar even though he died from his wounds. In 1879 Thomas Edison invented the first, workable light bulb. In 1917 American soldiers first saw combat in World War I. And in 1975 Carlton Fisk hit the game winning home run for the Boston Red Sox over the Cincinnati Reds in game 6 of the World Series. However, Cincinnati won the seventh game to win the series. Go Reds!

Watching a Real Horseman

Yesterday, Betty and I went to see the training clinic put on by Chris Cox. Chris, born in Florida, was raised from a small child in Australia. He is a no-nonsense, straight-forward educator. He doesn't have much flair or showmanship, but he's one heck of a horseman. He has a great love and respect for horses, but he understands leadership with them very well.

We watched him first work with a horse that went into a sweaty panic when he was asked to load. It was apparent even to folks like us that this horse did not have a good, ground-work foundation. Chris worked with the horse on the ground for about 15 minutes - mostly disengaging the hindquarters and then directing and driving the horse between him and the fence. Then he took the horse to the trailer and alllowed him to check out the trailer. He asked him to step in with his two front feet and then step back out. In just a few minutes the horse was going in and out of the trailer with no problems at all. He even stepped further and further from the trailer and the horse would go up to it and step right in.

Next he worked with two women who had both had accidents with their horses. The session was to show how you can begin to rebuild your confidence as a rider. He's the only clinician that I know that does this. The first woman was an experienced rider who had ranch experience. She had her horse attacked by a standard poodle which is a large dog. Her horse bolted and she eventually fell from the horse breaking her leg, arm, pelvis, ribs, and had a punctured lung.

The other woman was a less-experienced rider with a beautiful, but very untrained, very nervous and emotional horse (the horse in the picture above). She fell and broke three ribs in her accident. They both had lost their confidence in riding. I won't take the time and space to go into details, but Chris worked with both to help them begin to restore their confidence. The more experienced rider got the foundation and information she needed to continue on her own. He gently told the less experienced woman how to restore her confidence, but that she needed a more stable horse. Her horse was much too emotional. He suggested that she give her horse to a good trainer to work her into a more stable horse, but she was not the right horse for her to regain her confidence.

Next, he brought back a horse from the previous day (which we could not attend) that was a bucker. He wanted to show what the second day of training looks like. He had to do some more ground work, but it was amazing to see how this horse progressed under his care as we watched. Again, he's the only clinician we've seen who brings a horse back for a second day to see how his training affected the horse.

Finally, he brought out his horse, Pepto, and did an advanced horsemanship demonstration. He admitted that because of his schedule he had not ridden Pepto in several months. Halfway though he took off the bit and bridle and did a very impressive demonstration riding just with his legs - even including getting the horse to lay down and get back up with him aboard with just leg cues.

We learned a lot and, if he ever comes back to this part of the country, we'll go see the whole clinic.

Today is October 20 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Snoop Dogg, Viggo Mortenson ("Hidalgo"), Tom Petty, Jerry Ohrbach ("Law and Order"), Mickey Mantle (my baseball hero when I was a kid), Art Buchwald, and Bela Lugosi.

On this day in 1803 the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase. In 1944 General Douglas MacArthur stepped ashore in the Phillipines fulfilling his "I shall return" promise. And in 1968 Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onasis.

Sunday Reflections - Come to the Table

Psalm 23:5-6

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Our dog Chloe gets three pills in the morning and the evening for hypothyroidism and cushings disease. We give the pills to her wrapped in cheese to help her get them down.

Our cat Sarah has learned about the cheese and she often comes to get her share.


John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Sarah asks and she receives because Betty is a generous person and loves all our animals.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that God loves me at least as much as Betty loves our animals.

Perhaps if I asked with the certainty of receiving from God as Sarah and Chloe do from Betty, I might receive even more from my heavenly Father.

Today is October 19 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Ty Pennington, Evander Holyfield, Divine, John Lithgow, Jeannie C. Riley (Harper Valley PTA), Peter Max, and Jack Anderson.

On this day in 1781 troops under the leadership of English General Cornwallis surendered at Yorktown, VA. In 1812 Bonaparte's French troops began a retreat from Moscow. In 1944 the US Navy accepted black women into the WAVEs. In 1987 the stock market crashed losing 22.6 percent in value (sounds familiar). In 2003 Pope John Paul II made Mother Teresa a saint. And, in 2006 the Dow Jones Average finished above 12,000 for the first time.

Rocking White Dove

Just a short post today. It's been a good, but full day. We're getting ready to have friends over for dinner.

Besides feeding two horses, one dog, one cat, and ourselves (and guests), we also feed birds. We have Finches, Roadrunners, Sparrows, Quail, Curved Bill Thrashers, Mourning Doves, and, new last year and this, Rock Doves.

Rock Doves are also known as Pigeons. However, since these are not city birds, I like to call them Rock Doves. We started last year with just 2 or 3 Rock Doves at a time. This year we've had as many as 7 or 8 at a time with the other birds. For the most part, they have been the variations of light gray, dark gray and white.

However, yesterday we were visited by this one pretty, mostly white Rock Dove which was nice. He didn't come back today so he may have been passing through.

Today is October 18 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Wynton Marsalis, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Martina Navratilova, Pam Dawber, Mike Ditka, Lee Harvey Oswald, Dawn Wells, George C. Scott, Chuck Berry, and Jesse Helms.

On this day in in 1767 the boundary line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, the Mason-Dixon Line, was agreed upon. In 1867 the United States took possession of Alaska from Russia. In 1892 the first long distance telephone line between New York and Chicago was opened. In 1931 Thomas Alva Edison died. In 1969 the federal government banned the artificial sweetener Cyclamate. And in 1977 Reggie Jackson became the second person to hit three home runs in a World Series game.

Shot Time

When our kids were small the trip to the doctor for shots was always an ordeal for all of us. Well, it's not too different when you have horses. Today was the time for Morgunn and Gletta to go to the vet (Dr. Matt Paxton) to get their Fall/Winter shots.

Fortunately they both are good trailer loaders - especially Gletta..
.
Morgunn is pretty good too. He sometimes needs to smell and think before he gets in, but he always does....
The time at the vet was pretty unexciting. They both handled their shots like the pros they are and Dr. Matt was happy with their appearance.

The fun part is after we get home. Morgunn decides that he needs to roll - I guess to get the feel of the trailer off his body.

Here's the start of the roll - nice butt shot...

Then you get the start of the full kick to get the body rollin'...


Now we're in full kick and roll. It must feel good because...

...here's a closeup of Morgunn's face as he's in full roll - pure pleasure...

Now the action is to start the roll back over...

Almost there...

Ahhhhhhhh, all done. Boy did that feel good...


Today is October 17 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Eminem, Alan Jackson, Margot Kidder, George Wendt (Norm!), Evel Knievel, Rita Hayworth, and Spring Byington.

On this day in 1777 British forces surrendered to American troops in Saratoga, NY in a turning point in the Revolutionary War. In 1919 RCA (Radio Corporation of America) was created. In 1931 mobster Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison. In 1933 physicist Albert Einstein arrived in America as a fugitive from Nazi Germany. In 1979 Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. And, in 1989 an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale struck Northern California killing 67 people.