Desert Diva

1. Kind neighbors on either side of my house. Marvin repaired an antique oak table I got for a song because it was damaged. It’s perfect now! Julia called to me over the rock wall and shared her crop of pomegranates. Delicious!
2. Celebrating the end of the work week by having a martini with Mavis. She likes Tanquerey and I like Bombay Sapphire. However, a man at the bar encouraged us to try Tanquerey No. 10 with a twist. In a word - smooth…
3. Long distance friends who send a personal e-mail to “check on me” and/or tell me they were thinking of me when I don’t post for a week.  Thank you Sandi and Terrie!

1. Dinner with my friend Mavis at Peppers on the Plaza in Old Mesilla on Friday evening. We’re planning to go on a cruise over New Year’s!
2. A trip to the Southern New Mexico State Fair on Saturday to see how the photos I entered fared. A pass out to drive back to Las Cruces for a green chili cheeseburger, fries, and a diet Pepsi at Blake’s Lotaburger. Then, back to the fair to photograph the carnival rides at sunset and into the night. People smiled at me as I photographed…
3. A lazy Sunday taking a nap with Cali, a trip to the grocery store, and trying a Heineken Light for the first time. with a nuked Kashi meal and steamed broccoli.

1. Going shopping and finding a copper fire pit (on clearance) for cooler nights in my backyard.
2. Looking at Cali and thinking of the Edith Wharton quote, “My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.” (OK, so she’s not “that” little! )
3. Spending time with Mavis in conversation over a glass of wine (Nini) after church and brunch today.

It’s amazing how in the realm of blogging you stumble upon little treasures. I did just that this past week when I followed a comment from my Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt post and found the world of kellogg bloggin’. Raymond (a pen name) has two things on his blog that intrigued me. “Sibling Assignment” and “Three Beautiful Things.” When I asked him about the origins, here is his reply:

I don’t remember how I came upon the Garden of Eden of Three Beautiful Things, but one day I discovered Clare’s blog “Three Beautiful Things”, where the international movement to record three things that have given one pleasure during the day originated. Visit Clare’s blog and you’ll find that she’s inspired quite a few people to jot down Three Beautiful Things each day.

My two sisters and I enjoy writing. One day in November, 2006, my younger sister, Silver Valley Girl, emailed me and InlandEmpireGirl and suggested that we start giving each other weekly writing assignments. At that time, neither of my sisters kept blogs, but they both decided soon after the new year to write blogs and so our weekly assignments are out there for anyone to read. Needless to say, the most fascinating dimension of this project is to see how differently the three of us all see and understand the same things (and how often my younger sisters must correct their older brother’s memory!). This project has done more than anything in our family’s history to draw us closer to one another, understand each other better, and keep in close contact.

Therefore, by a serendipitous comment on my weblog I’m now challenged to write my own “Three Beautiful Things” from time-to-time. There is so much in our lives we take for granted, and we are inundated with “busyness.” For me, it’s a way to slow down and reflect on the little miracles in my life and give thanks.

calamity jane, getting in touch, and long distance - 09/22/07

1. Cali is back to normal and survived the “chocolate eating” incident. My girl is back to nudging my hand when she wants a pat, and snuggling up next to me (and sometimes snoring) while she sleeps.

2. I had the most wonderful massage last evening. The therapist was in tune to my needs and gave me some wonderful relaxation pointers.

3. There are special people who care about and love me - even if we are separated by miles.