I thought that Tucson was the prettiest ever. But then I saw New Mexico. Bon bon's still mad at me, I fear.

Go Lottery, choose lottery!

The past 3 weeks have had holidays in them to break them up. If only I got paid for holidays...

I think the prettiest stuff I saw on the trip this summer was in AZ, but I've been places in NM that are prettier. The photo I have in my office of a sunset in Cruces is awesome. It has purple mountains, white coulds, orange/yellow sky, green grass, and reflecting river.

Still, I think the only domestic landscape that makes me weak and weirdly homesick is central Texas.

I get MLK Day off, because I work in a Federal office. Last year my choir sang at an MLK Day celebration in Carrboro, which was a lot of fun.

The cave formations upthread sound terrific. And has been on my list of places to visit for a while now.

AZ and NM are not my sort of landscape -- I suspect I'll need Hawaii or maybe the FL Keys to feel at home.

But so gorgeous, nonetheless, in ways I could appreciate. Aspen, in contrast, was breathtaking, but it didn't inspire me to take pictures so I could look at it again.

The photo I have in my office of a sunset in Cruces is awesome.

I love that view. (A friend of mine had it every.single.day. They have a house on the WEST mesa with glass all across the wall overlooking the valley.)

But then I saw New Mexico.

There is stretch of I-10 west of Cruces that is deadly dull... People whose only exposure to my state is that think the whole place is ugly.

I'm so getting to NM next time, whenever that comes around.

I've seen pictures of pit mines, but the reality goes down and down and down -- and this huge mine? Is literally around the corner from the town.

There were a large number of "This highway section sponsored by [Company Or Individual Name]" except for the first time ever, I saw "Available" on that section of sign. We were in the damn middle of nowhere, which felt rather orphaned and unloved. You would think they would offer a price-break on the unpopular stretches....

DH has MLK Day off. State employee. And he's taking at least half a day on Friday. Which makes it nice for me, since I don't have to find a babysitter for Annabel Friday afternoon when I'm running a wedding rehearsal, nor have to drag her with me to a client meeting on Monday.

Theodosia, did you see my post about how you should go to the Desert musuem if you have time? It is a living musuem, with fun animals and cool cactii and is very cool.

hey do people have a long weekend?

I do, I do! I am probably going to work some anyway, but it will be from home, in my lounging pjs, and possibly preceded by going out for pancakes or crepes, if I can entice anybody to join me.

Will & Emma! Woo Hoo! What color is Emma's hair these days? They are really digging Bisbee, it seems. I bet Will is gonna end up Mayor.