Black History Month!

Not remembering it's Black History Month, i stumbled onto a couple programs today which reminded me  First this morn i tuned onto the History Channel which was showing Glory   this movie was about the 54th Infantry of the Civil War, the first Black Army    very moving movie even though i got in on the tail end of the movie   must rent it or find it somewhere to view the whole thing   i did watch the documentary immediately following the movie   it was good for me to remember some of our history   how far we have come, yet so far to go....then only a few moments ago, i was tv surf channeling when i landed on NBC    Tom Brokaw was presenting a story of a Black WWII Veteran who eventually was honored with the Medal of Honor    this was about the 92nd Airborne (i think), another group of black soldiers who were the ones involved in Italy's freedom    both stories were just astounding!    they were great history lessons for me to remember....

in between history lessons today, Jimmy and I went off on another hike   went looking for trail 192 (this is the one i've been looking for)   I was on trail 93 yesterday...anyways, i'm pretty confident i found the trailhead   we walked for about 30mins before stumbling on a trail that went upside the mountain   i should had ropes and binders the way the trail was basically straight up   anyways,  we finally get on top  and discover a trail that leads back into the mountains   we didn't go any further for my chest was pounding and hurting therefore recognizing my heart had been pumped enough already for the day  (more conditioning on the way)   after a short snack break, we head down the end of the trail to see where it actually starts   once down and looking back up, it is not very obvious that there's a trail there   mostly rock again and sandy gravel    i fell on my bad knee on the way up on sandy gravel   i was immediately reminded to get that hiking stick out   didn't think i'd need it today having Jimmy along   i was wrong!   definitely need the hiking cane regardless   i'll search for a collapsable one which i can fold up when not needed   i only need it on these steep inclines to assist my bad knee and give me a better grip on that sandy gravel   but over all it was another good hike    tomorrow will be a rest day   i can tell i need to build up my cardio on these slopes   plus their hard on my knee   so i'll hike every other day   that'll be good enough for Jimmy and me  ...i did wonder how the hiking will be if Tabou ends up here   only time will tell...

overall, it's been a very good day!

 

great hike!

what a day!   i found a trailhead   not the one i was looking for, but a great trail    i hiked 2hrs in    1:45 non-stop before i needed a breath    my lungs were burning so i knew i was getting in good cardio   it was all an incline the whole way up   someplaces i couldn't tell where the trail existed due to the boulders  and mountainside i was climbing   haven't had such an adventure hiking in a very long time    after a 20min lunch i continued the hike another 15mins to the next trailhead    met some hikers who were doing a loop from the trail i've been searching   they showed me the map and gave me a good indication as to where it's located   the loop will be about 4-5hrs to do   it's pretty rugged and i wonder if Jimmy can make it   however, there were plenty of hikers with their dogs on this trail today, so i'm definitely giving it a shot on monday with Jimmy   i was damn pleased with myself realizing i'm not as out of shape as first thought   i think with Jimmy i'm going at a faster pace   will test that theory this next week as i take him along on this trail    this will be a regular hike for me and great workout   i'll do it at least 3times per week, up to 5times per week     today's hike felt like one days walking delivering mail   it's harder on my bad knee, but i'll endure the pain   i love hiking too much to stop at this time in my life   and besides i just got a refill on Naproxen for my knee pain, that will help   ...it was a beautiful hike   wish i had my camera today   i got high enough to overlook the city as well as in another direction a small town just outside abq    now i just need to condition myself with these trails, then take off on other trails    this trail today was an adventure   on the way down i was even sliding on my ass at one point while wondering how the hell did i get up it    will take my hiking stick next time for the descent    must figure out a way to strengthen both knees too   they both hurt on the way down at times     anyways i had a great day    i also came home to an empty house again   kyle had departed before i left   he arrived home today just as i was leaving    couldn't have had a better day other than my state tax return showing up   that would have been the icing on the cake!   

all quiet on the southwestern front

it's saturday morn   i'm home all alone, except for my Jimmy    kyle went to a party last nite and has yet to return   so i sit this morn in solitude and what great pleasure it is    kyle either always has the tv or radio on  he's not into quiet time   i'm accustomed to beginning each morn with my cup of coffee and silence for about 2hrs daily   the quiet moments have been too few and far between since his arrival again 6weeks ago   i had already decided on a hike by myself today, and will complete that journey   i've been still searching for that trailhead that will lead me into the mountains all the way to the Peak   hopefully i can locate it today   after doing a small hike yesterday, maybe i know where it is   the map located there is ambigous, so i've been rethinking it since yesterday   i'll see about noon time today   first i must do breakfast to store plenty energy for the trail   food is essential for any hike   it's not like walking where you can go for miles without eating   with all the ascending and descending, my body uses up far more energy    my body uses every muscle in my body for that matter    anyways, for the moment, i enjoy my solitude right here in my place    wish me luck in finding that trailhead...

p.s.  Tjnya informed me yesterday she may be giving me Tabou   Tj's headed to Illinois and hasn't found a place she can keep her    i'll keep you posted on this if and when it happens...

Brokeback Mtn...and protesters

just got out of the movie, 'Brokeback Mountain'    damn good movie   if you want to see a good movie, then see this    if you'd like to know a little what some struggles in a gay life, see this movie   it reminded me of me and my struggles with being gay, then bisexual, then whatever the hell i would eventually determine i am (bisexual)   it's taken me a long time, very long time, to embrace my sexuality but i'm happy i finally did    anyways, this was a damn good movie with real raw emotions of life.....then i come home to aol news to find anti-gay protesters in the news   these protesters are showing up at soldiers' funerals protesting    what the hell does any soldier have to do with anti-gay protesters   these protesters are out of line as far as i'm concerned   do these protesters recognize that our soldiers do not only fight for everyone's freedom in the USA, but also the freedom of these protesters to free speech    we are a 'toleratant' country, but protesters and people as these test my tolerance for sure   they sure know how to ignite my anger with their warped mentality    this is ignorance at its worse   when will people learn....God Bless our soldiers and all they do for our country!   may these protesters' minds Open, may they learn what humanity is truely about    there is a human in each one of us including gays, bisexuals, transgenders, heterosexuals, confused and otherwise    there is Life within each of us!

brrr...again

the damn pilot lite keeps going out on this heater    and i keep having a hell of a time lighting it   !@#$!     anyways,   if i can't get it lit, i'll be calling the landlord again    something must be wrong somewhere in there    initially i thought  maybe it was the wind, but i'm thinking differently now     so wish me luck in lighting this damn thing ....in the meantime, i'm watching Curling-which i don't get-while waiting on the Bronze Medal Women's hockey game    the USA will be competing for the Bronze   GO USA!!!....

same day, in the evening... i did call the landlord who in turned called someone to actually fix it    hopefully no more calls to the landlord....today is one of those days i feel like i'm losing my mind.....kyle volunteered to do laundry, so i sent him on his way   thanks kyle ...

movies, movies, movies

well went to another movie today and kyle desires to go again tonite    saw 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' again today    Cindy couldn't remember seeing it, so we saw it at the dollar movie    right now i'm watching 'Tears of the Sun' which i haven't ever seen    tomorrow i'll go see 'Chicken Little' and later next week i'll finally see 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'Memoirs of a Geisha'    i held off from the latter 2 waiting on Cindy only for her to tell me last nite she wasn't interested in either one-finally     so i guess i'll become a bit of a movie buff with my spare time....but right nite, i'm excited about tomorrow being back into the mid 50s so Jimmy and i can go hiking again    that will be my main daily hobby, hiking    will be in search of the trailhead down the street that will lead me all the way to the Peak    this way Jimmy and i can do a 6hr or so hike several times a week, M-F and take the weekends off   it'll be like my 10mi hike deliverying mail, only more enjoyable   i must keep in shape   as soon as i get my first retirement check, i'm joining a gym too    gotta love it!....now, what book to begin reading, is the question?

Eight Below

Great movie!   must see!   just saw it this afternoon    being the dog lover i am, i cried through the last half of the movie, but don't worry, not a real sad movie    very heart warming....think even Kyle had a teary eye at the end....

brrrr...

someone light that fire!    my pilot lite went out on the heater again, dammit!    so i sit with my coffee and blanket watching the USA Women's hockey team on ice    brrrr again....let's hope it warms up a bit today!

the library

kyle and i just came from the library    there is quiet in the house, that's not the norm with kyle around   for now, i cherish this moment   ...while at the library, i found a couple books    i read them while waiting to use the computer    i needed to print my tax returns for my computer won't load my printer program    anyhows,  the reading was stimulating and i realized i haven't really stimulated my brain in over a month    as i was reading, i realized intellectual stimulation is not really on my priority list    although it is important, i no longer require it, so to speak, as much as i used to desire    knowledge is power    i used to think i wanted all the knowledge in the world and i had a lot of learning to do    but now, i recognize intellect only goes so far    it is truly Life, friendships, nature and the simplicity in life that truly counts    we can all be Einsteins' in life but what would we be without love, friendships, family, caring, sharing, feeling, evolving and growing and the Spirit of Oneness    it'd be awefully lonely with just books in the world....

Easy...like Sunday Morn    this is how my life is now on a daily basis being retired...

Happy Valentine's Day

a day, but a heart filled wish that everyone had a great Valentine's     i sorta skip this special day for many years now i haven't had a Valentine's    the first year i didn't have a Valentine, i was a little sad, but then i figured i'd celebrate all those who had their special love    it's a great reminder to remember our loved ones and friends on this special day   but to also remember them often throughout the year too   i spent the evening with Cindy   we decided to do a movie for the evening as well as a lite dinner    we saw 'Rumor Has It'   it was cute and both wish she had gone with the 'other' man   but it was a lot of fun and laughter for the evening   Shirley Maclaine was hilarious in this movie....anyways, hope all had a great day    if anyone still needs a Valentine, i'll be yours...

Team USA...and 501 blues

Team USA women's hockey    Excitiing!     today was the first day i watched any of the Olympics  i heard this team was doing well, but this afternoon as i turned the tv on, they were playing    they were down 3-1 to Finland only to come back and win 7-3   i forgot how exciting hockey is   and i love women sports   it's always exciting to support all our women athletes   anyways, it's been years, maybe a couple decades since i watched any hockey    i had forgotten how exciting it is to watch   when i lived in Spokane, WA i watched it often, but once i left there it slipped away from me    so, if you get a chance to watch the USA Women's Hockey team on friday this week, please due    they play very well together   their in the semifinals this friday   win, they go to play for Gold, lose they'll play for Bronze    and now that i've begun watching the Olympics, i have to turn into some more of it    i've always loved the Olympics, but since the beginning of my illness i sorta dropped out from them   time to return   i'm an ex-athlete myself and love sports   the Olympics top everything off   it's a once in a lifetime event for most these athletes   all the hard work they put in just to represent their countries....

well this morn, i finally saw the movie "Made in America" with Whoopi Goldberg  and Ted Danson   sweet movie   I love Whoopi   between her and Ellen DeGeneres, i don't know which one is funnier    their both my all time favorites...after the movie, kyle and i went to Social Security and the mall   the disappointing news is that i'm not able to work any while applying for social security disability     so i'm a tad bummed about not being able to do the Sierra Club    but i'll go back as soon as i'm free to work a little    in the meantime, i'll check into volunteering at the Animal Humane Assoc   i'll take a few days before doing that and spend some time with my Jimmy Boy    i'm setting into motion a daily hike for Jimmy and me    first thing after breakfast we're hitting the trail....after the disability news, we headed to the mall    it actually lifted my spirits a bit    i found some Levi 501s i fell in love with    i've been recently thinking of returning to 501 in lieu of the 550s i've been wearing for quite awhile now    once i tried them on i was wondering why i ever switched    i didn't buy any today, but will do so once my tax return arrives    anyways,  my day is getting better   Life is still Good!

Easy...like Sunday mornin

What does happiness mean to me?   (Dona's easy question #35)

Being ME....being at home with my dog cuddling next to me.......the wind caressing my face...the sun warming my soul....the scent of pine...and the blue birds singing.....coyotes howling on the prairie...the smile of a stranger saying hi....the adventure of a good book...God's neverending love....the warmth of friendship over a cup of coffee, laughter and tears...the smell of babies and puppies....the blooming of a rose...the freedom to express all my emotions whether blue, sad or sunshine smiles...the moments of the quiet nite...the fullness of the moon...solitude...solitare from time to time...the hooting of the nite owl....children's laughter in their play...the natural beauty of nature whether a canyon, a desert, plains, or mountains...the hugs my nephew gives me all on his own...my spiritual journey wherever it takes me...and last but not least, my online friends met thru aol journal and otherwise...

1st day canvassing

well, it was my first day canvassing   i guess i work for NMPIRG=New Mexico Public Interest Research Group which works for other clubs including environmental and i think human rights issues    anyways, we were canvassing for Solar Energy   our state has the second best potential for being a leader in solar power...interesting...interesting day too    i was a little discouraged by the end of the day, but not defeated    it was an observation day so no expectations, however, i would have liked to brought in more than a dollar today for contributions   another canvasser said there may be days like today   and we were working on the UNM canvas with students who had no money    hopefully tomorrow will be better    i will try this and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out    i also remembered this evening on the way home that if i apply for social security disability, which i am, i can't be working at all for the first 6months    yet after a few hours to relax, it actually was a good day   to be petitioning for membership for a worthy campaign was worth it     this will be a good job for me for something to fill time, make a little money when not worried about any money     met some great people, most of them young people with much passion, enthusiasm, and energy to do this work...the plus for today, was checkin' out all those cutie pie young men-a girl can look can't she!

grandma luge and the Olympics

ok you guys,   did you hear about 'grandma luge'   she's a 52yr old woman attempting the luge in the olympics   she apparently broke her wrist in a practice run     there comes a time with some sports that retirement is done at 40, or so i learned    now if it was golf, i'd say go grandma go, but......need i say more     yes, i know must give her some credit for going for the gold...

old town

this morn, Cindy called me    she was ready for shopping, i was just getting up    but she gave me sometime and we were off to the city    i thought we were headed for the mall, but no Cindy had downtown Central and Old Town in mind    we first stopped at an antiques shop  O God!    we found some great furniture and i especially found this old roll top desk in great condition   only a couple weeks ago, i decided to get me a rolltop desk and then to find this beauty-O my!   it's tempting   it has great depth compared to the newer models    of course for a new model i'd be paying $800   the antique is $2300 but it'd be worth it    let's see how soon my retirement funds come in as well as my patient in having my new desk    it'd probably be wiser to get a 'new' rolltop financially speaking, however that antique has really caught my eye.....

after the antique shop we stopped in at a Body & Bath Boutique   it was quaint and i found a pair of earrings very inexpensive ...which reminds me, must put them in....then we moved on to Old Town     i love Old Town, but rarely visit for it always has such great things to buy and today was included    one shop, Some i believe, had beautiful jewelry and paintings i fell in love with    the artist, Atkinson, is simply awesome   his paintings ran between $7800-9800 a piece   but they are worth it   another endeavor one day when i win the lottery (i did buy my tickets for tonite's lottery)    then we move on to another shop which i didn't want to go into    it has the Painted Ponies i've been wanting to get (Kris, former p.o. customer, has got me hooked on them)   but also in this shop i found these beautiful knives    i collect knives a tidbit    these are just gorgeous with a carved handle, running from $550 and up in price    these i can get once my retirement money arrives    anyways, we kept shopping at Old Town and more beautiful clothing, jewelry, and other things to buy    Old Town is small compared to other cities, but it has some of the great artistic works     i picked up one card and noted to return for some pillows i fell in love with and would go great with my living room furniture     this place had some beautiful attire as well

anyways, we topped the day off with some chips & salsa at our favorite place to eat, Los Cuates    they have the best salsa, hot, but delicious   Cindy ordered a guacamole dish as well with sopapillas as our desert, add a little honey     soon as i get my income tax return, we're headed back for dinner    hmmm, hmmm......good!  

well once home, i laid down and took a nap (forgot my whiskey, so just took a shot...and yes it does work for a cold)   i woke to Kyle coming in from his Army day    his good news:   he's headed to Hawaii    guess who's going to Hawaii asap once he arrives     he leaves March 9 where he'll sign in at Ft Leaonardwood i believe first    i'm going to miss him, but will keep in touch with him often    i know both of us have attached ourselves to each other    he's lots of fun, he just needs some discipline and structure right now to get on his feet    going into the Army will be sooo good for him   i'm excited for him   i actually hope he makes it a career, but that's his decision....right now he's crashed out in my bed and i may have to sleep on the couch     that'll be ok, he's been sleeping on the couch since i moved in      he was awefully luvy dubby yesterday, Jimmy my dog too     must have been a day.....anyways, that's all the great news for now      monday i start at the Sierra Club, didn't work out for this week    so i'm looking forward to the challenge and experience    will keep you posted.....until i cya.....

2shots whiskey

...i hope at least this helps    i got the bug from Tjnya the other day when i picked her up from the doctor's office    she was really sick and i've caught a bit of it     so i hope my jack daniels and nyquil combo will work again    will find out over the weekend and i pray this bug doesn't get worse.....in the meantime, life is good otherwise    kyle goes to the Army processing center tomorrow, bright and early    he should know by the end of the day when he leaves, his choice    he keeps saying yesterday, but will see    tomorrow will be the first day i'll wake up to my apartment all alone since moving in    kyle is lots of fun, but i'm just accustomed to living alone     it makes me wonder if i can ever live with a mate    maybe that would be different   no responsibilities i think    time will tell and there's no hurry     i'm an introvert who likes to spend lots of time alone    i've had that for the past 10yrs   funny how i've evolved from 10yrs ago   relationships were my number one priority, now their second    although i would still love to be with a life mate, it is yet to be seen if i can ever live with him/her    i've surprised myself these past few months with kyle hear learning of  my changes within myself   this is where i think Life has had its own agenda for me    ...for now i will allow life to unfold and provide its answers for me....at the moment it's Sci Fi nite i finally remembered    Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and now BattleStar Galactica   Dana Delaney is on Battlestar, one of my favorite actresses...

finally....

finally, i'm back on my own computer for now     now the people work who worked on my puter didn't get it fixed    i brought it home and loaded up windows xp right away basically    i guess they just needed to get it out of the loop it was in, but they couldn't load windows    go figure...anyways, for now i have my notebook back    decided once i get my income tax return i'm going to have a diagnostic on it and see if i can fix whatever the problem     it's a good notebook when it's holding together   perfect for me    so hopefully i'll get my tax return by end of next week so i can also get my badly needed brakes fixed on my car too   ....in the meantime, i'm catching up on everyone's journal this weekend and my homework    will also be getting kyle to the army processing ctr on saturday    he'll be officially raising his right hand and swearing into the active duty Army:-)    hopefully before we leave that complex we'll know when and where he departs.....

now to answer Donna's question from previous entry...yes i miss my customers from my postal route    i will remain in contact in a 'few' of them    now that i'm sorta down the street from them, i can & will drop in from time to time    one couple happen to be my massage therapists as well    i could use one of those soon....

new puter time

hey everyone....well my notebook is still not working   i picked it up this morn and i'll see if i can get it running    in the meantime i've already shopped for a new notebook at dell.com     once i receive my income tax return, i'm shopping...unless some miracle happens with this notebook....so, i'll be dropping in at the library here and make notes from time to time....i start working at the Sierra Club come monday   just couldn't get started this week for some reason or another ...   kyle and i are still waiting on the general's written signature releasing him from the Army Guard so he can go active    he's been verbally approved, but the recruiters can't do anything until that signed paper comes across their desks.....retirement is great!   the pressure is off now   no more having to work    i'm so much more peaceful and happy     Life is Good...

damn computer!

my computer crashed on me again, dammit!   i'm at the library and just discovered how to get into my journal   i have 10mins left to say a few words before my time is up   anyhow's life is good    i've decided to get a part-time job for i have a little bit too much time on my hands    i'm going to be working for the Sierra Club working for funding and environmental issues   i'm so passionate about it i just couldn't say no although the pay will fluctuate   i start next week and will work part-time    in the meantime, retired life is great!   ....good news with Kyle    the recruiters said today is release from the Army Guard has been verbally approved    now they just need the actual written signature to move forward    this time next week he'll be waiting to actually enter the active duty Army    i'm sooo Happy!....more tomorrow     God bless you all!    cya soon:-)

loyal!

Loyal!   that is my Jimmy dog    he's been my most loyal dog ever since i got him out of the pound 6yrs ago    he's always beside me no matter where i go in the house   and 2days ago when we went hiking he wouldn't go anywhere with kyle without me    last nite he even demonstrated his loyalty more    kyle was playing around with me last nite and Jimmy jumped up and snapped at him    it's the first time he's ever done this, but now i know he'll protect me   kyle continued the play but Jimmy snapped again, hence kyle ceased     i know Charlie's loss has been tough on Jimmy too, but i reassure Jimmy he's going nowhere   and thank God he's not a jumper    i knew i couldn't give Jimmy up anymore than Charlie    just that special feeling too    he's taken to watchin out for this place and me    he's a wondeful dog and always has been    he's even begun sleeping with me in the bed all nite in lieu of 15mins or so   he still on occasion gets down at nite, but he gets back into bed not very long there after     think i need to get him a blanket out too   he's started to curl them up also   i guess before he was just happy to have some space in the bed with me since Charlie took up ALL the room, but that's ok     now it's Jimmy and I    i will just have one dog at a time from this point forward (there's one exception) but for now it's the two of us and i'm tickled pink!