Happy Birthday, Now Go Shovel 8" of Snow

Big winter storm due Friday predicted — with 100% for last night — to bring a few inches of snow. As of bedtime last night, still nothing; awaking around 2:00 a.m., could see the glow from the several inches that had already accumulated. Mon had us up and shoveling in the "feels like 7°" at 8:00 to get out for Nerd Brunch.



Driveway and sidewalks cleared, I took Cheyenne out for her morning walk — she insisted on visiting some shoveling neighbors, but that worked out 'cause it delayed the start long enough that we ran into Helen and Lola starting out on their walk. Dogs enjoyed a great deal, humans as well.



Good turnout; the Canadians were loving this weather. Even as we sat and lingered, the sun started to come out and the snow tapered off.



Roads still packed and/or unplowed and/or slushy; inching our way home, Monica looks in the rearview: "Great. Is that a loose dog?" The collecting and temporary storing of escaped pets is a not-uncommon occurrence here.

Sigh. "Pull over; continue on to the house, I'll go get it." I get out and turn around, seeing it for the first time. "That's not a dog."

Craigslist haiku

Cone collar cedar
wood flooring tile saw bike seat
(Santa Fe) Free stuff!

Monica Onstage with Paul and Storm Last Week

We goofed off last Saturday after errands* and the 7000 BC meeting. Went to Paul and Storm — who we remember from Da Vinci's Notebook — at the Cocteau, where Mon got called up on stage for act II of Frogger: The Frogger Musical. Much laughter all night long.



* including getting new jeans; the 517s (basic model, but boot cut) had been discontinued, though still in demand in Santa Fe. I tried their replacement Slim Boot Cut, but, even still fitting in a 32x34, I couldn't get in them.

Doggy Dip

After years of finding out days late — and, apparently, years of it not happening — we finally were able to plan for the annual Doggy Dip, where dogs are allowed in the pool before it's closed for the season.



And that's the one photo of Cheyenne in the big lap pool. She was among the first dogs in, walked right up to the edge, pawed at the water and fell in. Arose paddling furiously back for the ledge and Ben helped her out. She was so stunned by the experience that she just wandered around for a few minutes before shaking herself off in front of one of our neighbors.



After much time, coaxing, and treats, we got her out into the middle of the kiddie pool. Interpret her body language yourself. Eventually she found a shady spot and engaged in her favorite activity.

Jim and Koo Koo joined us; Koo was not quite as traumatized by the water but, I think, shared in Cheyenne's confusion about why anybody would seek it out.



Dogs all around having a great time — some just even running around in the grass. The retriever-oids pretty much dominated the big pool with endless games of fetch. Herding dogs of various sorts running toys and dogs down in and out of the water. Pugs in vests, a mutt with a mohawk, and a tripod Malamute/Dire Wolf mix who, in his ill health, just wanted so badly to swim.

This summer had too few days goofing off outside, so this was a welcome outing. More photos from the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society — the organizer of and beneficiary of the event — at Public Information Officer Ben Swan's Google+ page.

Friday Evening on Canyon Road

Not techically the last Friday of summer, but it kinda felt like it. Even with days still in the 90s, autumn's undeniably in the air (and in the light). My favorite time of year, if it wasn't followed by winter.



I spent the morning and early afternoon sorting through and organizing wood type in the new 12 Tons shop. Only had to open that Shop Vac once to get a piece of type out.

Some late-afternoon rains kept Monica from her walk to Canyon Road, though made for a beautiful sky and cool breezes.



We stopped by Beals & Abbate to visit for a few minutes and to enjoy their opening. Then to Matthews Gallery for Jamie's annual show opening.



Above: Jamie and Turner, another insanely talented artist. Jamie's been returning to some landscapes; we left empty-handed, despite being pursued by one of the gallery staff who retrieved this from the back room for Monica to see.

A short stroll to the El Zaguan space for the launch of Dom's Gubernatorial run. It started off as an art project, but might be growing into something more …? When he shared this with me before the event, an image sprang immediately to mind:

world's easiest appetizer

Take a block of feta cheese:



Slice it up:



Drizzle with honey and add freshly ground pepper:



No, more pepper:



Sprinkle with thyme leaves:



Serve with crackers:



"Recipe" via John Margraff, from an an old episode of Mouth of Wonder.

tiny snails

Picked a bunch of arugula last night. There were several tiny hitchhikers.

Those are cherry tomatoes:



In the sink:



OH NOES! EX-scape from the drain!!



On a spoon, for scale:





This little dude kept trying to make a break for it:



Relocated outside:

The Imperial Rooster on the Bandstand

Our favorite Gonzo Roots band took the Santa Fe Bandstand for the penultimate night of the season. We were all there.



Better (read: professional) photos at their Facebook page.

Counter Reset

Update:

Found this out in the yard this morning. That's right, the same dog who does this, even when there's not thunder.