ABQ to DC in a Click

It's all about speed these days. How quickly we can get from one place to another. High speed internet.The quickest route from point A to point B. How long it will take for our food to be served. How late will our bus, metro, plane be? How much of our personal time will be wasted?

Well, the news is good. With just a quick and simple click you can follow me from the Land of Enchantment to the Land of Taxation without Representation (also known as the Land of Disenchantment) and never have to leave home.

It's kind of like being Samantha on Bewitched, but instead of wiggling my nose (or yours), all you have to do is click and voila, you will be with me in DC as I drive by the Washington Monument every day on my way to work, and pass the side entrance to the White House just a few blocks from my office, and wave toward the Pentagon on my way to a favorite shopping mall.

Yes, I'm becoming a city person, but I will return to the Land of Enchantment and Gia's Outpost on occasion. But, for now,  I will primarily blog from DC...since I am now living and working for Atlas Economic Research Foundation in DC.

So, basically, I'm just a click away. Hope to see you there...or here...well, you know what I mean. :) Just come to  http://dcundercover.blogspot.com/ and visit sometime.

Hugs to all...

Some Days Shine Brighter than Others

It's been a roller coaster week, month...well, year. Life has taken unexpected turns and leaps, almost with a whispered message "Be careful, curves ahead" or "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it." or "Be careful." (period!).

From Kierstyn's early arrival and Karynn's troublesome recovery (blood clots are dang scary) to Kalen's early return from Brazil (OIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Kalers!!!) to Kelly's graduation from SUU (you rock, Kellers, couldn't be a prouder Mom!), to Logan and Kelly's engagement (talk about shining brighter!)....this has been one loo loo of a month.

I am so proud of my kids and their partners -they take life with a grain of salt, honor their commitments, treat others with respect, practice patience, choose tolerance over judgement (with appropriate exceptions), love purely, behave honorably and act with compassion.

In the past week I have listened to an inspiring Valedictorian, felt the confusing sting of mistrust, celebrated a rite of passage at a graduation party and shared life with friends.

Four nights beneath the star-filled skies of NM, circled around a roaring fire on camp chairs with good friends - what could have been a better way to spend Memorial Day weekend? We laughed so hard we cried, we talked about life's shining and duller moments, we strengthened our resolve to be good people and we learned from each other.

Most importantly, we enjoyed the moment.

I am living in the Land of Enchantment...and I am enchanted.

Shine on.

Shine Bright Morning Light

When the Sun Sets in the Land of Enchantment (everyone is watching)

I have missed too many sunsets in my life.

I remember seeing the Arizona Highways magazine on our coffee table as I was growing up. My Dad was born in the southwest and his appreciation for desert fauna and flora, along with the breathtaking sunsets, was obvious.

I hope to see many more New Mexico sunsets. They take my breath away. They are a process, taking several minutes, allowing the mind to review the past day and ponder tomorrow's possibilities.

"Never let yesterday use up today." I love this favorite phrase from my new friend, Karen.

It's a good motto for life.

Marques Houston "Sunset"