Our Visit with Mark and Bonnie 7-4-09

Rio Grande River, Old friends and Sunset over our neighbors house

Mark and Bonnie have been our friends for many years, in fact Kevin and they were friends before me. It is always good to see them and this was there second trip to NM. We just love to sit and visit with them. They arrived on the third and we enjoyed pizza and conversation. Then on the fourth we watch a thunderstorm and "Green Chilie Stew". The fifth it was breakfast at Guadalupe's and then off to Taos. So much to catch up on. Good friends, good food....Good times.

Camel Rock on the way to Taos and Sunset next to our home

Rio Grande River and Storm moving in

.Landscape, clouds and the Rio Grande

Awesome trio in Taos Plaza and Bonnie in front of Rio Grande River

a cat we saw it weighed 20 pounds and clouds so beautiful

So until next time we say,"Here's to Good Friends and Good Times."

4th of July.....Independents Day

This flag was made by General John Fremont's wife: Jessie Benton Fremont.

Flag that was flown in the Square and Kevin.

July 4th, Independents Day....have we forgotten the real meaning of this day? Is it all about a day off, fireworks, partying? Don't get me wrong gatherings are wonderful, but how many remember what we are celebrating? Kevin and I don't go out on the fourth we stay in where we are safe. This in itself is sad. Too many people party and then take it to the road. This year our friends Mark and Bonnie were here. It is always good to see them and catch up on all the latest. So we sat out on the back veranda and watched a thunderstorm, saw a few fireworks from our neighbors and talked. On the 5th we drove to Taos to see Kit Carson's home. As we walked through it and looked at his life as an American hero I couldn't help but be impressed by this man. Then there it was our flag; the story is that in 1861 Kit resigned as an Indian Agent to serve his country in the Civil War, tension was running high at the start of the war. Accourding to the legend, Southern sympathizers met in the Taos Plaza to raise their flag. Kit, Ceran St. Vrain and others nailed the American flag to the pole. They hoisted Old Glory, and guarded it around the clock. The Stars and Stripes have flown day and night in Taos Plaza ever since. Thanks to Kit, Taos is one of only seven locations in the United States where this is allowed.

I love history and enjoyed seeing Kit Carson's home with our friends. I am proud to be an American and I for one will never forget what it means when I see fireworks.

50 Caliber Hawkin Rifle, muzzel-reload, weighed: 10-11 pounds and the shotgun Kit carried.

Kit was never educated but was a Colonel in the army.

Little Friends

Home in the fern
When we were home at Easter I observed a bird building a nest in my fern, this was very cool as the fern is right outside our guest bedroom window. We arrived back in New Mexico June 19th and low and behold there were three babies in the nest. Such fun watching them grow. I research to see what they were and found we have a family of Cassin's Finch.

The male Cassin's Finch stays in its female-like plumage during its first breeding season. It sings like an older male and may give the false impression that both sexes sing. The Cassin's Finch is an accomplished mimic, often adding the calls of other species into its own songs.

The Cassin's Finch craves salt, and is often found visiting mineral deposits on the ground. It eats: Buds, berries, fruits, seeds, and some insects.

I was very excited and I took pictures about every other day. Then one day about two weeks into this adventure; I went out to take pictures and scared my little one's and off they went. I was heart broken and feared I had forced them to leave and put them in danger. One little guy stayed under the stand and I was able to pick him up and put him in the nest. He stood next to it for several hours and then moved into it for another hour or so and then he was gone. Kevin said he hadn't seen either the mother or father all day, so perhaps it was time. Still I worried, I research the babies and found that they leave the nest in about two weeks. Such a relief for me. Now I just want to see them come visit.

Taken from inside guestroom

................Dad and mom in the tree

taken just before they flew off.

The last one to go......