Back from a visit with Mom in Albuquerque. Photos are up in the Photo Gallery on the "Vacations" page (click on Photo Gallery, Vacations in the menu listing on the left side of this page) or, you can view them by clicking here, but you'll have to deal with the frames on this page. Is it obvious that I fell in love with mom's dog? I miss the company that pets provide, but am enjoying being petless for the first time in 50 years. If they'd invent a pet that didn't eat, shed or poop, I'd be right there in line for one. For now, I'm content with the bird life that comes to visit me on my balcony. If I ever do get another pet, it will be a dog just like Maddy.

Had a nice time once I got acclimated to the high altitude. The first three days were pretty rough. Mom and I were in agreement, that if I got any worse, I'd immediately get back on a plane and head home. Headaches, light-headedness, shallow breathing, clogged sinuses and a feeling of suffocation were the worst of it. I was fine after that at her altitude until a rainstorm rolled in and then it started over again until the storm passed. Never was able to adjust to the higher altitude where the Asherman's house is located.

Natalie and Ash were interesting hosts. I got the grand tour of their house and art studio. They have a beautiful view of the mountains. We didn't do much sightseeing. My body just wasn't dealing well with the high altitude. That bacterial lung infection I had a few years ago really did some damage to my lungs.

Returning home three weeks later, all my plants did well. I was very surprised, considering we had two weeks of 90+ temperatures in Citrus Heights. I fully expected to find some of my plants drooping or dead.

All in all, I came away with the thought that Albuquerque is a nice place to visit, but I really would not like to live there. I've been spoiled by being a native Californian. You just can't find Nature at her best anywhere else but here in the Bay Area and Central Valley. Desert living isn't my cup of tea.

Mom spent a good portion of my last week there, helping Bob and Diane find a house to purchase. There's one that looks promising on the street behind her house. If Diane gives it a nod, mom will have two very nice friends living close by.

Speaking of Bob, you asked how you can participate in my blog. If you click on the "No Comment" link at the end of every entry, a comment form pops up. Just fill it out with your name and pearls of wisdom. It's much like a message board.

Speaking of blogs, there's an interesting story in USA Today about Iraqis enjoying their freedom by using blogs to communicate all over the world. Here are links to some of the blogs mentioned in the article:


Salam Pax

Omar Fadhil

Faisa Jarrar