I slept with the windows open last night. For security, I only open the high bathroom window and the one window facing the backyard. This small, construction block house will take a while to cool down from the long, hot summer. The house is stuck on 78°. This night was a touch too warm, but totally worth the lack of the AC kicking in.
Perhaps that’s why I didn’t have to rise during the night and walk to the bathroom. Waking repeatedly during the night has plagued me for several years. First it was due to menopause. Now, I think it’s because I’m getting old.
The impetus for rising was a cold Bella nose touching a toe hanging out of the cover. I pulled my foot back and she curled up not in her bed but next to the bed. Might as well get up.
The 7:30 sun was peeking over the eastern mountains of southern New Mexico. It reminded me of Friday’s beautiful Harvest Moon, that rose over the Sacramento Mountain range just as the sun was setting. My drive from the store pointed me directly towards it. The moon had an odd golden glow. I swear as it first peaked over it looked to be huge, but got smaller as it rose. I told Margo to meet me in the backyard in 20 minutes. Should have made it 5. I took a photo with my camera, but had little hope of it coming out correctly. Cellphone cameras are notorious for making dark images lighter and changing hues. Mine was no different. It took a pro photographer-grade image and turned it into crud. Darkening didn’t help. Fortunately, there are more to come, and maybe I’ll have my real camera with me.
According to Aaron Monzo and his graphic on fb, there are three more incredible moons yet to be seen in 2026.
Bella was antsy so I walked her down to the park. You would think a dog would like such a walk, but after four visits with the same reactions, I do believe she doesn’t like the space. She gets really jumpy and a tug on the leash turns her into a groveling mess that no doubt makes people think I beat her. I wonder what she smells here that makes her so scared. Perhaps it’s because the park is a drunk and addict hangout. They hang out at a couple of the tables farthest from parking. When the nearby towns crack down on loitering addicts, they come to this park and when the local cops roust them enough they move elsewhere. Most are gone now. They will be back, especially when the cold pushes them down out of the mountains. Maybe Bella can smell the desperation, chemicals and unhealthy bodies. Today the park is empty except for a woman and her fluffy dog. She was practicing commands on the concrete steps I used to teach Bella to walk up multiple steps and ramps.
A small kid’s water park is currently under construction near the park. I think it’s just where water sprays out of a couple of sprayers. I don’t know who thought this was a good idea. We are a desert town with limited water.
NeighborMan’s black Houdini dog escaped his yard and walked up and down the street. However, this time he and Bella interacted. Before it was over, they were running back and forth along the fence. At least it kept him out of the middle of the street. Just as I texted NeighborMan, the dog slipped under the gate and was back home.
Oh how I wished Upper Karr Recreation Area in the mountains was dry. I need the fresh air and Bella needs to run. I’ve been there when it looks dry only to step into black gumbo that sticks to the shoes like glue.
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Around me the normal things in life are happening. Several people have mowed and trimmed. A leaf blower is running. A grandmother came by pushing a baby stroller with little, chubby legs dangling. An older woman pushed a 4-wheeled walker with a seat. When she gets tired, she turns around and sits for a bit. She may be slow but she is determined. Both will pass by again with grocery bags dangling.
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Have you been keeping up with the hurricanes? Off the northwest offshore of Mexico, Hurricane Something and Polo almost touched before it went west and Polo went east.
Earlier in the week a storm slipped into the state from the west and laid down some nice rains. Everything is saturated. Now we are in a quandary. For several days, our weather forecasters have warned that the remnants of Hurricane Polo will pass squarely over our head and drop even more rain. That water is going to be a problem.
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I am soon to leave for Texas and will be back before Halloween. Still keeping an eye on whether gas will be available. I’ll be paying twice what I paid last year. Ouch. The only good thing is the price is reducing travel so I expect less traffic and quicker service.
It’s amazing how much easier it is to schedule a visit when only one sister is working.
