Desert Diva

Heather Armstrong is a proficient blogger who writes under the pseudonym of “Dooce.” Apparently the name “Dooce” evolved from her inability to quickly write “Dude” in IM chats with her former co-workers. I visit her site from time to time. “Dooce” is an interesting woman and writes well.

However, her website has a “darker story.” A few years ago Heather wrote some satirical comments about her work at a dot-com project. As a result of her writings, she was fired. “Dooce” now warns bloggers about including writings about the workplace:

“I started this website in February 2001. A year later I was fired from my job for this website because I had written stories that included people in my workplace. My advice to you is BE YE NOT SO STUPID.”

As a result her weblog title has become an Internet neologism. “Dooced” now means to lose one’s job as a result of something written over the Internet.

“Dooce’s” site is an interesting blend of honest comments, sharing her beautiful daughter Leta as she grows up, and a daily photograph. I’m always amazed at her candid posts regarding depression. It’s worth a visit - or several…

Michel Szulc Krzyzanowski is a “nomad photographer.” He had traveled the world taking photos of interesting people and places - staying where he pleases and recording what he experiences. Currently, he is traveling in the Baja of Mexico is his RV. Michel was introduced through the world of blogdom by an icon in the RV life known as Tioga George. George is a somewhat “quirky” but interesting gentleman traveling in his RV and recording his “experiences.”

My amateur “photographic journeys” are limited to the summer months when I have a respite from my work during vacation from a school district in Southern New Mexico. My tools are “low tech” compared to my camera and twenty year old (but dependable) RV. Needless to say, I’m somewhat awestruck and envious of his lifestyle.

Michel photographs mainly with a Nikon D-70, and travels in a customized RV complete with Internet access through Datastorm and music through XM Satellite Radio. He has a weblog where he records his thoughts, a photographic website that profiles his work, and an interesting photographic essay entitled “The Most Beautiful People in the World.” So, if you “dabble” in photography as I do, visiting Michel will be an interesting diversion.

Yesterday, the day was so beautiful that I took a drive to Aguirre Springs. From Las Cruces, one could see the snow-capped mountains and I wanted to take a closer look.

The Aguirre Springs Recreation Area lies on the east side of the Organ Mountains. The vegetation of the park changes with altitude. At the base of the mountains, once can see desert shrubs and cactus. Ascending the mountain the changing vegetation reveals various trees such as pinons, junipers, and oaks. Many different species of mammals can be seen on the park, including deer, antelope, oryx, and rarely mountain lions.

The Bureau of Land Management supervises the park. There are camp sites, picnic areas and two major trails. The Baylor Pass Trail is well marked and runs six miles to the other side of the Organ Mountains. The Pine Tree Trail is a four-mile trail that winds through the woods that cover the upper part of the Organ Mountains. Both trails offer outstanding views of the Tularosa Basin.

Somewhere I once read that Indianapolis is one of the cloudiest cities in the United States. It does have quite a bit of cloudy weather, and in the winter the sky often looks like the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. Since moving to Southern New Mexico the Desert Diva has become quite spoiled with the almost constant appearance of the sun. For the past few days, it has been cloudy and overcast with off and on rain. However, today the sun is shining brightly and the temperature is reported to be in the 50’s.

Last night after work I came home and decided to take Cali on a long walk. In my neighborhood, I’m quite fortunate to have two little parks - one with a basketball court and the other with playground equipment. If no one is in the park (like last night) I let Cali off the leash to run. It’s amazing how something simple as an evening walk can change one’s mood. I was sorry that I didn’t have my camera with me for the sunset sky was a spectacular blend of color for that the desert is famous. The late afternoon shadows cast on the mountains was also a sight to behold. After walking for about an hour, Cali and I returned home as the light of day was fading.

I realize that I often miss “moments of grace.” It’s humbling what we can notice in our everyday lives if we only have “eyes to see.” Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get ready and step out into the sunshine…

This is a photo of Alsea Falls in Benton County, Oregon. It’s hard to capture in a photo, but when viewing the falls the water sometimes has a “silver” cast.