Click on Image to enlarge Calendar Photo for June 2009.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for June 2009.

SANTA FE IRIS SHOW QUEEN OF SHOW

Sisi poses with her Queen of Show rosette and specimen. An accomplished gardener, she cut only one horticulture stock and won the top prize with it!

She also won awards for her Iris Arrangements.............

This one depicts motion..........

This is the winning variety in bloom in Sisi's garden earlier in the week. Congratulations to our Sylvia for a recognition that is well deserved!!

WE'RE BAAAAACK!--FROM TWO WEEKS IN NEW YORK CITY!

Sisi was sooo proud of her photo with Derek Jeter, I just had to post my own photo with Derek Jeter--TAKEN AT YANKEE STADIUM! We are back from our wonderful vacation, and I will be working hard to catch up on my huge backlog of pictures in the next few weeks. Stay tuned............

NATIONAL CEMETERY AND ROSARIO CEMETERY
MEMORIAL DAY 2009

Because we are decorating a few days early, the individual flags that the school children put up on each individual grave are not yet put up--------we will be back one more day to complete decorating those graves for which we needed our map, and I will post those pictures later.........

Our first stop is to commemorate my dear Daddy..........

In this case, I decided to place his stone atop the marker.........

Uncle Bone--his grave site is the most beautiful of all our loved ones buried in the National Cemetery...............

Grandma "D"--a truly exceptional person.........

In this case, I nestled the tribute beside the marker...........

Our precious cousin rests on the crest of a hill overlooking the city...........

Then, it's on to Rosario Cemetery where we have , by far, the most loved ones buried.........

Rosario is also the best maintained of the cemeteries. The areas that have been covered with gravel have been kept meticulously clean and the plantings have matured beautifully......

Even though she died before I was even born, I am happy to think of her often. Her stone has the message "Remember me always". I hope her memory will be kept alive by those in the family for a very long time........................

Aunt Sophie and Uncle Chic--all their family has scattered from Santa Fe, so we are the last ones here to keep their memories alive.............

Our dear neighbor, Max--what a wonderful guy! Thank goodness we had the pleasure of knowing him................

My beloved godmother Jo and her mother. Perhaps no other death has shocked and saddened me quite like losing Jo...........

Dwight clears and cleans the grave of our niece Micca and her brother Gabriel--both little angels..........

Marty's Aunt Rose and mother--two gracious ladies who were always so kind to me.............

Connie--a wonderful friend--we left two stones, one from us and one from Francesca, her goddaughter.........

With tribute in hand, Francesca searches for the newly marked grave of her friend, Crissie.........

And finally, our final resting place......decorated at least once. Frannie fell prostrate with grief on this spot just thinking of the sad day she will no longer have us to guide her and give such wise advice.

BAY-TO-BREAKERS RACE, SAN FRANCISCO

The theme the Santa Francisco gang chose this year is "The Circus"

Snidley Whiplash plays ringmaster......................

The most adorable tight-rope walker.....

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!...................

Watching the other "racers"....The race starts early in the morning and the route-side liquor establishments open up way early too................

Such grace.................

Click on the image to see a slightly larger picture of the entire Circus Gang................................

Circus Poster....................

Sylvia Chavez meets Derek Jeter. There is a very touching old song called "Sisters" from the 1940s and if I may paraphrase some of the sentimental old lyrics:

" Heaven's help the mister that comes between me and my sister,

And LORD help the sister that comes between me and my man!"

Enough said.

MEMORIAL DAY--PART ONE

Off for duty for first day at the Bienvenidos Information Booth for the 2009 season.....

Late afternoon and we are beginning what will be a three day affair of delivering tributes to the near forty graves that we decorate for Memorial Day......

Dwight's duties include cutting back grass and weeds and brushing off the markers......

Our first stop is Fairview Cemetery where we visit the grave of Dwight's good buddy, Lowell Chambers.....

Then it's on to Memorial Gardens where we have several graves to visit. This first one belongs to the little son of one of my very favorite students..................

And our high school pal, Jimmy.........

Dwight's baby sister who only lived for one day.............

And of course, Dwight's mother--and several others.......................

Back home to set up shop on the patio to make more tributes for the big day tomorrow--The National Cemetery and Rosario Cemetery..........

FRANCESCA'S HOME!!

Our eldest child is back home for a visit...............

This has put everyone in a jolly mood..........

There's nothing like having the children back home.............

So today, the sun is shining on Cielo Azul..............

Frannie gets to see her Auntie's lovely garden...........I don't think she was expecting our unusually cool weather........

This is Iris time in Sisi's garden...........

A few days later, Sisi won "Queen of Show" at the Santa Fe Iris Show with this iris--Conjuration........

As the family congregates at La Choza, Grandma gives Giano a squeeze.........

Everyone is happy to toast the Poopette.............

Giano is happy to NOT be the center of attention...........

The Chavezes are big Frannie fans..............

Danny is also feeling congenial...........

And a good time was had by all!!!