IT'S THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST!

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for August 2010.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for August, 2010.

AN ASSORTMENT OF SUMMER SHOTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES..........

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood--the neighborhood of the plaza...........

I'm off to work in the Bienvenidos booth--and on this day I was interviewed by a reporter from THE NEW MEXICAN and ended up on the front page! (above the fold!).............

A visit to Sylvia's outstanding garden....................

Her garden is timed for constant bloom, and on this day, the daylilies were most beautiful!...............

A gorgeous specimen!--the flower, not the finger--nor the ring.......................

Some of Sisi's daylillies are almost six feet high.......................

We are all fascinated by this exotic plant..................

All of the red blooms in this formation look like a firebird in flight......................

A merry gaggle of flowers................

These ones remind me of women wearing their Sunday-go-to church hats.......................

But none tops this specimen for fascination...........................

One of my sentimental favorites--the zinnia...............

A portrait of a master gardener...............

In this shot, Sisi is symbolically being crushed by a heavy blossom. The amount of work that it takes to keep up such a large and varied garden is truly overpowering...................

In a display of true narcissism, I photograph the Newspaper boxes with my photo on the front page--above the fold..................

Nothing says summer like pretty girls, convertibles and CALIFORNIA. Photo courtesy of one of Binky's Facebook friends.................

Baby Binks with some of her pals.......................

A very, very nice photo of long time friend Orlando Romero that appeared in a local Santa Fe Magazine..................

Courtesy of the Albuquerque girls--Pattie and Kelly--shots of the new Snow Leopards at the Rio Grande Zoo...........................

They are adorable....................

And snow leopards are Dwight's favorite animal--except for Winston, Mei Toy, Solange, Topaz and Tallulah...............................

Did I mention, these guys are ADORABLE!.............

And a great summer is being had by all!

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS--SEPTEMBER 2009
DAY TWO OF THE OPENING CELEBRATION FOR SANTA FE'S 400TH ANNIVERSARY!

It's time for Day 2 of the 400th Santa Fe Anniversary opening celebration event at Magers Field Park.........

Honestly, nobody can top these two for skirt posing.................
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And now we're off to enjoy the day........................

And we meet below the Monumental Arch............

We give our congratulations to the event's mastermind--Maurice..........

Dwight is thrilled that Keekers can be home for this event..................

This cowboy "cookie" has rustled up some grub...............

And is serving it up! This old west cuisine was available along with booths selling our other traditional Northern New Mexico favorites..............

The cowboys keep their food warm on hot coals so it will be just perfect for this hungry tenderfoot............

I guess Billy the Kid is just NOT a kid anymore...............

And this flamenco dancer seems ready for the nursing home also...........

Keeks is loving the corn, and I'm amazed at the tatts on the young lady behind her............

Among the freebies at the opening, Old West photographers gave away period looking old timey photographs...................

Hyda's was so nice that they had it on display...................

And Kiki and I enjoyed playing with the pistols...............

She consoles her art mentor, Mr. Meyers......................

For what became of his lovely mural......................

Gary was upset that they didn't think of using a plexiglass screen................

Hi ya, Hank..............

Dwight points out his most beloved spot on the mural..................

And his wifey does the same................

There was a huge artisan's tent--a mini Spanish/Arts Market--and many artists gave demonstrations like this coppersmith.............

There was also continuous entertainment--like this all-girl Mariachi band............

With some spirited members.............

Yep, ol' Gabby Hayes has reved up his old pick-up and off to pick up women...............

With the crusty Mrs. Hayes in..........................HOT PURSUIT!................

Thes kids are building their own adobe torreon..................

Among the mini adobe makers, we recognized this young man who had distinguished himself in the heavy-water-carrying-competition--just another "game" from the old days that seemed a lot like WORK. The lady who ran the competition said that this boy smashed all previous records and and continued carrying the water until they made him stop. Look well upon his earnest face. If he keeps that dogged determination, he may very well someday be a famous person around Santa Fe................

It's a joy to have our beautiful Francesca home........................

And Chiara too--for a few days before she's off to Scotland for a year......................

This is what makes the "Opening" Grand!.................

In honor of the themes of the day, I decided to color up a few other family photos from the "old West". This one is for real--taken about the time of the 300th Anniversary of Santa Fe--The Chavez Family..............................

The DiPalma Family! (Taken about 20 years ago) I would give just about anything to have them all this age again...............

The Capshaw Family--taken about fifteen years ago....................

The Golden Child..............................

And the Newlyweds....................

Having the event at a park made it possible for the kids to get some free entertainment and some exercise too...................

In one of the tents featuring multi-cultural exhibits, I am learning some Jewish dancing. This dance looks very suspiciously like a Spanish Marcha..................

But the music was by a Jewish band and it really was different. That's Karen coming through...............

And included several line and circle dances....................

And multiplication dances......................

Meanwhile Dwight enjoyS resting on the soft grass...............

And watching the Indian dancers.............................

These guys are much bigger than the tiny dancers we saw yesterday....................

The crowds are gathering for the Closing Ceremony.........................

Among the dignitaries is the lovely Miss Santa Fe.........................

But when the politicians start talking, we decide it's time to head for home. I turned back to take this shot to show the size of the crowd. Over the past two days, a good amount of the population of our city has been here to enjoy the celebration....................

Tallulah is tired of all the commotion and she greets us on our return.................

The final event of the weekend is another concert in Fort March Park, and again we enjoy a tailgaiting supper....................

Alice is prepared as the skies open up and a deluge begins..............

The classical music continues and it is accompanied by co-ordinating fireworks....................

And so we stay dry, enjoy our meal..................................

And enjoy the concert that is a fitting conclusion for a fabulous celebration of 400 years for our beautiful city!!.................................................

Of course, not EVERYONE got into the celebratory mood. Mr. Winston appears to be a little frustrated because we were a bit distracted and didn't give him his usual attention. HIM NOT SPOILED!..The end.