Everything hurt.
I had driven 60 miles to photograph a meat market in town, bought a few recipe ingredients and photography supplies, drove back to the ranch, and then spent the rest of the day cooking, styling and writing. Towards the end of the session, I was tired, my bones ached, and I was more than a little frustrated that the none of the cloth napkins nor dish towels in my cupboard were white. Dingy, gray, shredded, stained, not even one was photo worthy. Mental storm clouds were gathering. Most of these linens had been around since I was a newlywed, and had been thoroughly used.
What’s the lesson here? I grumbled. (My mind veers off road when I’m tired. Way off.) Were all these nasty textiles sending me a cosmic message? After years of use, nothing is as white as it used to be…is that it? Was this some sort of dark humor allegory for middle age? Marriage? Ye Gods, have mercy and tell me what these dirty dishtowels are communicating!?!
Stop.
It was time for a walk. Oh yeah.
Afternoon walks are grand, and I walk every day for an hour. At the ranch, I walk with the dogs, my husband, or the boys, when they are here. Right now, the wildflowers are in bloom, so I decided to take my camera along to grab some pics.
Walking also helps clear my mind, which most days needs a complete power washing. I can deliberate on projects, (in order of must-do, should-do, and could-do), meditate on the current family crisis (some people call this prayer) or just enjoy the landscape, as I yell at my dogs to stop enjoying the landscape so much.
Here are a few pics from my walk. I encourage you to put down your reading device, and go out into the sunshine. Take the dogs, enjoy the landscape, and change your mental direction. The cosmic messages can’t find you when you are out walking.
Joe the Dog, thinking deep dog thoughts
The Grey Ghost, a feral ranch cat imported from San Antonio
Can you see the tiny yellow spider on this wildflower bloom?
Sun shining through a cactus bloom
Overhead pic of a cactus bloom
Blooms of a Wild Olive or Anacahuita tree
Kiko coming back from the word working shop, with a BB gun and a couple of his new sculptures
The only bird that poses for pictures is the rooster, all the hens wanted to do was gobble the feed, fluffy bottoms to the lens
Even roosters benefit from a nice walk
How did Pocky get under the porch eaves, and what is that little sore on his mouth?
Joe photo-bombs my Red Blanket wildflower shot
A Mountain Mallow, closed for the day
Loads of Lantana
Enjoyed your blog and the pictures!! Keep them coming!
What a nice break for me, joining you visually on your walk! Thanks.
I feel mentally refreshed!
Thanks so much for sharing. Lovely!
Thanks for letting me walk vicariously with you! Gorgeous pictures!!
Me encantó! Meli! Quiero caminar contigo! En Junio! Va?
Si Luigi, vamos a caminar! Traete los perros tambien! tqm meli xo
Thanks for sharing your experience on a ranch! It’s quite refreshing. I loved that you took some pictures of the wonderful wildflowers you’ve seen through your walks in addition to the landscapes and animals. This makes me want to pursue purchasing a ranch for my own. It could possibly be a good place for our kids to learn responsibility too. http://www.nmranchproperties.com/listings/new-mexico-land.html
I love, love, love your pictures. I’m late to the party and just seeing some of the gorgeous photos. Your place is beautiful. All you need are some bees :). Loving your recipes as well. I just had breakfast of fried eggs, toast and bacon and saw your pictures. You are so appreciated. I don’t know of any blog that has all of the things I’m interested in one place. And the commentary outside the home is welcomed as well. Care to share what camera and lens you use most often?
Thanks for being here! You’ll hear more from me in the future. I’m still dreaming of retirement and time to do all those things you’re doing. Regards, Pat
Hello! Very kind words, I appreaciate it! As far as the camera goes, I’m using a full frame Canon EOS6 and on the lens I use a 50mm, a 85mm, and 100mm, all S series. I use the 50mm most often, and after that the 85mm. I need to write more than I do, but I always seem to have so many darn dishes to wash! I took a lot of terrible pics at first, but I finally got better. Looking forward to hearing from you in the future. Thanks for your lovely note!
MG