Sunday, October 13, 2013
An Afternoon Visitor
Our three dogs are constantly chasing and playing with the coyotes that live in the arroyo in back of our house. This afternoon the dogs were in the house just lounging around and I looked out the living room window to find a lone coyote hanging around the back behind our house. He or she is beautiful and looks very healthy. I sat and watched and took pictures for about 15 minutes. Here are a few of them.
Up, Up and Away
Last night Thomas and I went to bed early so that we could get up this morning to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. 
We were up early and we arrived at the park about 6:15am and there were already tons of people there. I was a little skeptical about whether there would be a mass ascension since the winds in Santa Fe were pretty strong. But we headed to Albuquerque anyway hoping that the winds there would not be as bad. Today was the last day of the Fiesta and when we got to the park it was an absolutely beautiful morning. We walked down the main walkway and stopped into a few shops before venturing onto the field. 
We wandered around and waited for the balloons to inflate and take off. The Dawn Patrol lifted off clearing the way for all the other balloons. Today was the last day of the Fiesta and there were about 500 balloons that eventually filled the skies. I took about two hundred pictures and my neck is a little sore from looking up all morning. The last three times we went to the Fiesta the winds or weather didn't cooperate and there was no mass ascension so I was extremely grateful for the great weather and the sky filled with hundreds of colorful balloons. It was a great way to start a Sunday morning. Here are a few pictures from the event.
We were up early and we arrived at the park about 6:15am and there were already tons of people there. I was a little skeptical about whether there would be a mass ascension since the winds in Santa Fe were pretty strong. But we headed to Albuquerque anyway hoping that the winds there would not be as bad. Today was the last day of the Fiesta and when we got to the park it was an absolutely beautiful morning. We walked down the main walkway and stopped into a few shops before venturing onto the field. 
We wandered around and waited for the balloons to inflate and take off. The Dawn Patrol lifted off clearing the way for all the other balloons. Today was the last day of the Fiesta and there were about 500 balloons that eventually filled the skies. I took about two hundred pictures and my neck is a little sore from looking up all morning. The last three times we went to the Fiesta the winds or weather didn't cooperate and there was no mass ascension so I was extremely grateful for the great weather and the sky filled with hundreds of colorful balloons. It was a great way to start a Sunday morning. Here are a few pictures from the event.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Nine Years Ago Today . . .
. . . Thomas and I were legally wed in Massachusetts. 
That makes nine years of marriage (only in Massachusetts), although I think with the recent Supreme Court decisions we are considered legally married in the United States but not in New Mexico. I think we are getting closer to being married in New Mexico since some county clerks have been issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. I think either the Legislature or the New Mexico Supreme Court will make a decision for marriage equality within the next year. So we have been married for nine years but we have been together almost 24 years. That number amazes me - with the divorce rate among heterosexuals hovering around 50% it is a triumph that a homosexual couple can make a relationship last that long with all the negative societal pressures we have to endure. Someone at work once said I was lucky to have found the right person. I both agree and disagree. I don't think that making a relationship work is all about finding the right person. That is part of it, but I feel that it takes some work as well. There is compromise in different situations, acceptance of each others quirks and faults, talking through problems and figuring out solutions and most of all finding the best in each other and supporting that. Don't get me wrong, I do consider my self lucky to have Thomas in my life and I know that we have an incredible and very special relationship. I also know that both of us have worked hard to keep it going. On December 30, 2014 Thomas and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary. We have already begun talking about what we want to do to celebrate that auspicious occasion. 
It will probably be a trip to somewhere we have never been - places mentioned are Costa Rica, Hawaii or South America (Peru and the Galapagos Islands). Even though this isn't the anniversary we used to celebrate our relationship we still think it is special and we do acknowledge it. It is also special since October 11th is National Coming Out Day. I feel that by living our lives openly and freely it will make things easier for young gays to come out and believe in themselves and know they are not alone. Hopefully this country will eventually remove all discrimination and religious beliefs from the law when considering the rights of individuals. So anyway - Happy Anniversary to Thomas and I and Happy Coming Out Day to all the brave and wonderful gays that have accepted themselves and have talked to family and friends about who they really are.
That makes nine years of marriage (only in Massachusetts), although I think with the recent Supreme Court decisions we are considered legally married in the United States but not in New Mexico. I think we are getting closer to being married in New Mexico since some county clerks have been issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. I think either the Legislature or the New Mexico Supreme Court will make a decision for marriage equality within the next year. So we have been married for nine years but we have been together almost 24 years. That number amazes me - with the divorce rate among heterosexuals hovering around 50% it is a triumph that a homosexual couple can make a relationship last that long with all the negative societal pressures we have to endure. Someone at work once said I was lucky to have found the right person. I both agree and disagree. I don't think that making a relationship work is all about finding the right person. That is part of it, but I feel that it takes some work as well. There is compromise in different situations, acceptance of each others quirks and faults, talking through problems and figuring out solutions and most of all finding the best in each other and supporting that. Don't get me wrong, I do consider my self lucky to have Thomas in my life and I know that we have an incredible and very special relationship. I also know that both of us have worked hard to keep it going. On December 30, 2014 Thomas and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary. We have already begun talking about what we want to do to celebrate that auspicious occasion. 
It will probably be a trip to somewhere we have never been - places mentioned are Costa Rica, Hawaii or South America (Peru and the Galapagos Islands). Even though this isn't the anniversary we used to celebrate our relationship we still think it is special and we do acknowledge it. It is also special since October 11th is National Coming Out Day. I feel that by living our lives openly and freely it will make things easier for young gays to come out and believe in themselves and know they are not alone. Hopefully this country will eventually remove all discrimination and religious beliefs from the law when considering the rights of individuals. So anyway - Happy Anniversary to Thomas and I and Happy Coming Out Day to all the brave and wonderful gays that have accepted themselves and have talked to family and friends about who they really are.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
My Favorite Time of the Year
Fall in New Mexico is my absolute favorite time of the year. This morning when I was sitting on the porch drinking coffee and reading the news I was loving the crisp coolness in the air. There are so many things I love about this season . . .
Zozobra and Santa Fe Fiesta
New Mexico State Fair
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
the smell of green chile roasting
the smell of pinon wood burning in fireplaces
the chill in the air
the changing colors of the aspen
anything pumpkin
Halloween
hot soups and stews
all the autumnal colors
wrapped in a blanket reading a book
Zozobra and Santa Fe Fiesta
New Mexico State Fair
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
the smell of green chile roasting
the smell of pinon wood burning in fireplaces
the chill in the air
the changing colors of the aspen
anything pumpkin
Halloween
hot soups and stews
all the autumnal colors
wrapped in a blanket reading a book
“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.” ― William Cullen Bryant
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