Aspens

I’ve spent a week in the mountains, and feel remarkably refreshed and rejuvenated. The cool air and peacefulness of autumn in New Mexico seems to always do that for me. Although I love living at the tip of Texas, I long each year for the change of seasons, which is not noticeable at the coast.

In Ruidoso, the colors of fall are as pronounced as the night chill. Pumpkins adorn most porches and the yellow gold leaves of the aspens give a hint of the weeks to come. The smoke from a few fireplaces send a call for the first snow that often comes right after Halloween, but right now, it is fall and wonderful with temps in the high sixties during the day and forties at night.

I can sit for hours looking at the mountains, watching the occasional deer pass in front of the condo, and think about the wonders of nature. I am truly blessed to see its beauty, smell the fragrant air and hear the rustle of the branches gently blowing. If I had stayed a little longer, I’m sure I could have started book four, but there’s no hurry. I can savor the moment. Life is passing too quickly as it is.

Woodpecker Wouldn't Give Up

Yesterday morning a woodpecker woke me up pecking on the big cedar tree right outside my condo. It had been a long time since I’ve heard a woodpecker—not many are interested in the palm trees in South Texas. I remember when I was a kid, when we would have a woodpecker in our yard, and we had a lot in the piney woods of East Texas, my dad would say, “the woodpecker pecked on daddy’s leg because daddy had a wooden leg.” Who knows where he got that? Of course, my daddy didn’t have a wooden leg, but he had a lot of funny lines that I fondly remember.

This one woodpecker just wouldn’t give it up, so I finally drug myself out of bed, although I was cold and not really ready to crawl out from under the warm covers. When I looked at the thermometer, I knew why—it was 16 degrees. What is a woodpecker doing out in this weather?? Where is Al Gore these days? I turned on the news, and it is cold everywhere, even in the Deep South. Surprisingly, in South Texas, the forecasters are predicting near freezing temperatures. Crazy. Just think what it would be like if we were not in global warming!!!

Atticus Books & Teahouse

In all the holiday excitement, I almost forgot to share my book signing experience with you. Obviously, I was excited and a little nervous. After all, it’s not every day someone has a book signing. I should not have worried because most of the people there were locals who apparently hang out at Atticus Books and Tea House to drink tea, eat scones and hear the musicians, but it wasn’t a complete bust, and I did finally get to sign.

The musicians were good, the crowd jovial, except for one cranky old woman who said my book was depressing and so was the music!!! She didn’t even read the back of the book, much less the inside, and the music was a wide mixture, including some upbeat Christmas. I was glad when she left, and everyone else probably was too. But before she left, she was bragging about being a Sagittarius who spoke her mind, and then I found out we share the same birthday!!! Urggggggggg!

As you can see from the photo, the place is quaint. The inside is quite Bohemian, with all sorts of “bookish things” one might not find elsewhere—a fun, cozy place for a cold, Saturday afternoon in the mountains.

Cindy Bradford's first book signing at Atticus

Cindy Bradford with Social Media Friends

Saturday was a nice extension of Christmas because I had the opportunity to make new friends because of Keeping Faith. It all started back in early December on Twitter when a young teacher from the Austin area saw my “follow” and wished me a happy birthday. She then indicated on Facebook that she was going to be in Ruidoso for Christmas, but would miss my book signing at Atticus. As we continued to communicate via FB, we planned a meeting, but of course, the snow had other ideas for us since her cabin is on a shady hill and mine is similar. Too much snow and too little sun rendered us both home bound or not venturing out very far.

So, it wasn’t until the 26^th that I was able to meet her, her husband, and her aunt at Starbucks, where they bought two books and we visited. And what a nice time it was! As it turned out, Hope Melayne is a kindergarten teacher in Buda, and an award-winning one at that. In 2004, she was named Texas Exes Elementary Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year for her campus, and for Buda ISD. And I can see why—she is bubbly, enthusiastic, and personable. And Rob, her husband, was such a sweetheart to come and listen to three woman talk about school. He’s an avid golfer, tennis player, and engineer, so I know if the truth be told, he was bored out of his skull. But he was, nonetheless, pleasant and patient.

Also joining us was Hope’s Aunt Linda, who was a long time educator and a retired principal. She also served at Texas Education Agency for awhile as well as holding other administrative assignments. She lives in Ruidoso part of the year and is super interesting.  We even knew a couple of the same people from the education field. You can imagine how much we had to talk about, and could have continued but Linda had a skier visitor arriving from the Dallas area, and Hope and Rob had a bathroom to paint at the family cabin. So, we said good bye and promised to stay in touch. What a nice way to continue a Christmas weekend.

I am loving the opportunity to spend the holidays in a winter wonderland, but I will be glad in about a month to toss the socks and coats. After all, I’m a beach bum at heart, and all these heavy clothes are becoming a nuisance.

But I am enjoying the change of weather, the smell and sound of crackling fires and beautiful surroundings. And the deer! They are everywhere. They are fun to watch, and many times they are just outside my condo window, fearless in their forging for food. I’m sure that is what happened to my pretty junipers I planted on my last visit. At the house next to the condo, two 8 point bucks hang out most afternoons. At dusk, they rule the streets and yards, and it is “driver beware time.” It’s not uncommon for more than 15 deer to amble across the road right in front of a passing car.

If I were Bambi, I would want to live and grow old here in this protected environment. But Bambi would have to love cold weather! Yikes!

Deer Hangout at Cindy Bradford's condo in Ruidoso

The Indians are restless! I have been to The Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino a couple of times since my arrival in Ruidoso, and let me tell you those Apaches scalped me both times. It didn’t seem to matter whether I was playing one of those funky little penny machines, which by the way never cost a penny, or video poker or even a table game, they just were not going to let me win.

The casino is a beautiful place, and the setting is probably one of the most picturesque vistas in New Mexico. Nestled in a valley overlooking a crystal clear lake with an outstanding view of the Sierra Blancas, the hotel and casino are owned by the Mescalero Apache tribe. They also own Ski Apache, the Travel Center Casino, restaurants, gas stations and everything else on the reservation. And if my luck is any indication of how well they are doing, they may own a lot more in the future.

Actually, I am not a big gambler. I might be if I were rich, but I’m not, so I stick to the small stuff and take only the amount I am willing to lose when I go. But I do like it! Not going to deny that fact. My horoscope sign indicates that Sagittarians have a propensity to gambling, so I guess that is one of those things I failed to mention in my Birthday Blog.

Anyway, don’t worry; I’m going back to the casino really soon for revenge. This is war, and I haven’t made my last stand!

Remember in a recent blog I asked you all to “think snow”? Well, STOP!!!! It’s beautiful, but after being snowed in the condo for a total of five days off and on and seeing more than 13 inches of the white stuff fall (the mountain received 22 inches this week), I’m ready for a break. This morning it was one degree when I woke up. One degree! Now that’s insane. I was able to get out for about three hours on my birthday, and then it started snowing harder, so it was back to the inside world because the streets were getting slick again. I had such big plans to celebrate, but those are on hold.

And speaking of my birthday, I want all of you who sent me greetings to know how much I appreciate being thought about. It was probably the very best ever in terms of emails, e-cards, traditional cards, and calls, although some of you were so tacky!! Did you have to remind me about all those things that come with age??? For the first time, I received notes from Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, and Mexico, not to mention from so many of you nearby. Talk about a global birthday! It was truly special, and again I thank you. Sometimes, we forget how it takes so little time to make somebody’s day quite memorable.

But now it is back to reality and I knew it wasn’t going to be a good day when I turned on my computer and there was an email from The Scooter Store!!! You know the same company that advertises on television that it guarantees freedom and independence. Thanks, Scooter Store, but right now I have both.  They even said they would help me out with what Medicare won’t pay!! Medicare!!! Now, I realize that I just had a birthday, my hair is gray, and I don’t move as fast as I once did, but the Scooter Store?!! Give me a break.

One degree outside and the Scooter Store email, all in one morning. Maybe, I’ll go get back under the covers!

Dateline: Ruidoso NM, Nov 30 — I am sitting in front of a blazing fire, having a hot chocolate and taking in the beauty of the snow covered pines and Sierra Blanca Mountains. It has been snowing since early yesterday, and the weather experts are predicting it to last until Wednesday. Right now, I’m loving it, but by Thursday I may have a severe case of cabin fever. Since I’m not exactly good at driving in snow, I think I’ll stay holed up until things look at least slushy.

I have plenty to keep me busy, not the least of which is editing the final copy of Promises Kept, the sequel. I think it is so much better than the first book, but maybe I am just tired of dealing with Patrick—after all it did take a few years for him to leave home and go on his publishing journey. Never been so glad to get rid of a man in my life!!!

And speaking of Keeping Faith, I am beyond excitement because I have my very first book signing scheduled here in Ruidoso on Dec. 19. It will be at the cutest, quaintest little book store you can imagine. On a hill among the trees, Atticus Books and Tea Room is a cozy place with shelves lined with books from every genre, wooden floors, fresh scones made daily and almost any kind of hot tea a person could want. And although I’m not a hot tea person, I wish I were every time I go there. On the Saturday of my signing there will be a young woman there providing Joan Baez kind of music (do you remember her?) so I think that will be pretty cool!  The whole place reminds me of a throwback book store from the sixties, and it has “come in, sit awhile, read, visit and enjoy” written all over it.

Cindy Bradford enjoying the snow (and the fake bears) in Ruidoso

I arrived in Ruidoso, New Mexico on November 20, after several stops and hotel stays along the way. After all, it is a 16 hour trip, so no need to rush. I know it seems crazy to go west to cold country for the winter when others are traveling south to stay warm, but every now and then I like the change, and the way the mountains, trees and potential for snow add to the holiday excitement. The little village here is decorated for the Christmas season (and I do not apologize for calling it that—whoever “invented” political correctness should be burned with a yuletide log).

The twinkling lights hanging along the storefronts in mid-town look just like a holiday card, and the people bustling around the shops remind me of those described in the traditional carols playing on the radios inside the stores. It is, indeed, a magical time, and although I love South Padre, the palm trees just can’t compete this time of year with the tall pines and junipers. It just smells like Christmas here. Of course, when the temperature is 19 degrees in the morning, it definitely feels like Christmas.

Ski Apache is open, and ski racks on top of SUVs are as common a sight as fishing poles hanging out of pick-up truck beds at the island. The drive up the mountain is scary, especially if the snow refreezes over night. Even with the newly added guard rails, it is a treacherous 12 mile drive. But it doesn’t stop the die hard skiers and snow boarders. In my younger years I forged up there and skied a few times. These days, I opt for a hot toddy and a good book in front of my fireplace. Skiing is hard work, and there are not enough hot tubs to make me less sore the next day. Been there, done that, and glad to have the memories, which include landing in a snow drift and running over an old man, not to mention falling off the lift when the operator yelled jump.

They had to stop the whole lift just to keep the chair from taking off the top of my head.  And I had lessons!! Think what might what have happened if I had tried this without ski school. As you know from reading earlier blogs, lessons don’t necessarily “take” with me. But I love a winter wonderland, and I’m happy to be here to celebrate the season. So close your eyes and think snow!