Red Rooster Drive In

     Another blast from the past!  In the 1960's and before, I am sure...this was a drive in.  Reminds me of Al's on Happy Days.  It was called the Red Rooster and the sign was shaped like a rooster.  I remember booths around the inside and sitting there getting a hot chocolate once. 

It is a thrift store now, and the rooster, alas gone.

UPDATE~  Found this old photo of the Red Rooster!

Let it Snow

More snow pics!  We had severe winds yesterday, very unusual for us in winter, but it crippled the mountains and left them without power.  They had 2 1/2 feet already then 60mph winds come along and it was not pretty.  Trees in the power lines and frantic texts for propane heaters and generators from friends that needed them. 

This is the Founders park with snow still falling!  We got more snow in one fell swoop than we have in the past several years combined!

I was trying to get the water tower but it didn't show up, only the railroad crossing.....

Events in the area

This time of year brings brings opportunities to visit local venues. Friday night was the Second Annual White Sands National Monument Holiday Open House. The walls of the parking lot area and visitor center buildings were decorated with luminarias.  It was a treat to see luminarias early in the season and these were the real thing, set up and lit by La Luz 4-H mbembers.

Los Guapos provided msic for the evening and a story time was held for children.

The museum book store was open as was the gift shop. On the patio good food and friendly people welcomed the guests. The posole, jerky, pancakes, candy and chips and salsa were samples of some of the food items offered in the gift shop. With the temperatures in the 20s, hot coffee and cider were very much enjoyed by all of us who braved the cold..

Today Chris Turri held his Third Annual Studio Open House.  Chris is a La Luz artist who makes metal sculptures using mostly reclaimed steel and bronze colored by a patina process which provides varying shades of green and blue.  He uses these materials to make art pieces that range from huge outdoor yard sentinels to small 4 inch spirit masks that he individualizes with petroglyph figures and such things as recycled wires and nails for hair. The results are pieces that add a southwest flair and whimsy to walls and outside areas.  Chris's studio was open for viewing and he and his wife Jan warmly welcomed guests into their home for refreshments. (Beautifully and deliciously provided by Virginia Copeland)

JM

Another Snow Day!

The snow started in the evening and this morning dawned white again. 

The waning full moon of the other night was briefly visible.

The resiliant prickly pear cactus.

  I've always know of pyracanthas; we had one in our yard growing up, but this picture made me realize the origin of the word; pyra meaning fire. And we had been told as children that the berries were poisonous. Upon looking now I read that the "berries are not considered poisonous unless large amounts are eaten".  Maybe our mother was just covering her bases with her warning.

The everyday scenes are enhanced with the rare white.

JM

The morning after...

The Organ Mts. peeked up through the fog that settled in the bottom of the basin.

Clouds were low over the mountains before the sun came up.

The sun was right behind the NMSBVI water tower - awesome!

And the Kids' Kingdom castles poked up through the fog.

The sun finally came out and melted most of the snow that wasn't shaded.

And the full moon finished the day...

JM

Snow Day!

The end of tomatoes for sure!

Branches fell, many at Alameda Park.

Kids were out of school and snowmen sprouted all over town.

JM

Out of town

The LA skyline from a Hollywood hillside.
JM