Storytelling on Sunday - A photographic journey

Mural on 2nd St. and Copper in downtown Albuquerque

My first exposure to wall art in New Mexico 2009

August 2009 ... arrived in Albuquerque by bus and began my trek across the downtown area to my rental car location about 4 blocks away. This was about 7:00am and the streets seemed to be somewhat deserted, except for cars and a few scattered wanderers, like myself.

I was on my way to Santa Fe and Taos to take photos of murals and take in "artistic atmosphere". As I wheeled my luggage along the streets towards my destination, I discovered wall art all around me. I ended up taking photos of 5 murals in a half hour, right there in Albuquerque. I was intrigued.

Graffiti art across the road from my hotel...

glad I took the photos when I did as they no longer exist...

new photos have taken their place.

I soon found out that wall art was a norm along Route 66 and definitely got swept up in the glory of it all. Photo after photo, and I was hooked.

Wall art on Nob Hill in UNM area, Route 66

As I was saying my plan for August 9th and 10th, 2009 in New Mexico was actually to spend the majority of my time in Santa Fe and Taos, but I found myself caught up in the art scene in Albuquerque and had little desire to leave. Finally Albuquerque had gotten my attention, once again.

All up and down Route 66/Central I traveled taking photo after photo in the UNM/Nob Hill area. I liked the town, the weather (which was hot in the day, but cool in the evenings in August) and the art. I could not get over all the art. Wow! Compared to Phoenix, this town seemed to celebrate its wall artists.

It seemed Albuquerque had a hand in rearranging my plans this trip. Who would have imagined that 23 years later we'd have so many interests in common? Hmmmm...the wheels started turning and continued, even after I boarded the bus to head back to my Phoenix home...

Mural on Warehouse 21-a youth art center in Santa Fe

Rio Grande Gorge near Taos, New Mexico 2009

Oh, and by the way, I did eventually get to northern New Mexico in 2009, but my trip to Santa Fe and Taos was somewhat inconsequential and not quite what I had planned. Once I got north of Albuquerque, my attention turned to the outdoors. By this point I found my mind was saturated with art, and so I was content to just hang out along the Rio Grande and take photos of the beautiful surroundings. I don't know what it is, but there is just something about me and rivers.

Rio Grande River, north of Santa Fe

It is hard to believe that last August I was simply visiting and now just a year later I actually reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But then I'm not totally surprised, because Albuquerque has been beckoning to me since 1986. And I'm starting to think she remembers that I spurned her initial open invitation to me...so many years ago.

Here's the story of what happened...

Yes! Back in 1986 - 1987 I had strongly considered moving to Albuquerque. My intention in the summer of 1987 was to help out at Cross Bar X Youth Ranch in Durango, Colorado during drama camp and then move to Albuquerque. I had worked as a counselor at Cross Bar X the summer of 1986. This event had made such a significant impact on my life and at the time I had a strong desire to continue working with Cross Bar X. They were planning (or already had in place, can't remember which) an outreach and ministry to kids in Albuquerque, like the one they already had in Denver. It seemed like an exciting opportunity, as I wanted to work with others in a camp/ranch ministry.

But I really didn't have the finances to follow this dream on my own, and so after a reality check by my father about my financial situation, I resigned to do the right thing and move back to my parents' home after college. Back to Nebraska I went and as I got caught up in life as a twenty-something, Albuquerque, New Mexico became just a fond memory. Whether this decision was motivated out of obedience or fear or lack of faith, I do not know, but I do know the impact of that decision set the course of my life up to this very day.

It seems somewhat ironic that finances played a major role in my decision to abandon my plans to move to Albuquerque in 1987, and now in 2010 (23 years later) finances have finally allowed me to follow these earlier "imaginings" with a totally different motivation in my heart and mind.

Maybe I'm paying for the fact that I ignored her earlier calls in my direction, and then chose Phoenix instead (motivated by love/friendship and immaturity) when I had the chance to strike out and settle in the Southwest. Maybe Albuquerque couldn't help but notice that I abandoned her for another once again. And it didn't take long for me to fall in love with Arizona. Most likely my extended stay in Phoenix made that fact apparent. Really I had pretty much put Albuquerque out of my heart and mind until that fateful visit last August.

So my bubble, of a new start in this artistic destination (with the mountains to boot), may soon burst, if I am unable to survive this current employment climate and land a position somewhere. I don't really want to think that I may have to leave, but it seems a possibility.

Well what can I expect? I thought she'd would be "keen" to see me, but instead I've experienced a surprising amount of aloof indifference since arriving here (most evident to me in the area of job hunting). It's almost like Albuquerque's saying "So?!!" You show up after all this time and want me to welcome you with open arms?! Hmmph! Well I just don't know!" Sometimes you cannot convince a place or person you deserve a second (or maybe it's a third) chance when "feelings of distant rejection" (may) linger.

I can only hope the penance will soon end, and the town of Albuquerque will find it in her heart to forgive me and accept me as one of her own. I may have to put in lots of extra effort to convince her I really do want to stay and that I'm not on the rebound! (...lol...)

I hope to someday soon visit both Santa Fe and Taos again, along with a host of others destinations here in New Mexico. There's Roswell, Ruidoso, and Carlsbad Caverns, and the White Sands National Monument...just to mention a few.

Now that I'm finally here, I realize there is lots of wonderful potential. With so many interesting places to explore, and decent people and myriads of opportunities just under the surface, I'm surely hoping I get the chance to stay and contribute. But one can't force a new beginning, sometimes the seeds don't grow for a variety of reasons. I guess ultimately there's gotta be the "right" timing and an open heart for opportunities to present themselves to a willing hand. Right now I'm thinking the next 3 months will hold the answer to whether I've found a home or I'm just passing through.

I have scattered photos throughout this post of my 2009 trip to New Mexico. Enjoy!

Why Albuquerque, New Mexico?

IT'S COOLER HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE. That is TOP on my list.

Now I have only been here (off and on) for two months and so far in May and June, I've experienced 70-high 90s in the middle part of the day and 50-high 60s/maybe low 70s in the night and morning. It started raining this week and I haven't noticed much humidity. Considering that I only have a evap cooler as my central air, I'm hoping the humidity and temps for the remainder of the summer stay just where they are. One 14-year resident of Albuquerque informed me that June is typically the hottest month of the year. Hmmm...sounds good to me! I just hope I didn't bring any of the hot Phoenix summer air along with me.

The information below is from Uniquely Albuquerque, a convention and tourist's bureau website.

UNIQUELY ALBUQUERQUE: Albuquerque is renowned for having the best year roundweather in the USA.

Summers are warm and dry with the average daytime highs around 90°F/32°C and nighttime temperatures cooling down to44°F/7°C are common, but the low humidity means shade provides ample relief from the heat.

Autumn in Albuquerque is often called "Indian Summer" because of warm temperatures early in the season around 70°F/21°C. Summer still lingers in September and early October, with "sweater" weather setting in during November.

Winter requires heavier outdoor clothing; however, sweatshirts or light jackets may be enough on those famousAlbuquerque sunny days. It will snow on occasion, but it seldom lasts more than a day or two. Instead, snow remains in the nearby Sandia Mountains where it creates a skier's delight. Sports enthusiasts can often ski in the morning and play golf or tennis that same afternoon.

Spring begins Albuquerque's warming trend with buds and blossoms decorating the city in April and May. The Rio Grande weather enhances your afternoon hikes or morning walks along the banks. In just a matter of weeks, the bare limbs of cottonwood trees lining the banks of the Rio Grande billow with waves of green, preparing themselves for the rising waters of snowmelt from the Northern New Mexico mountains.

A downtown mural of the Alvarado Hotel around Central and 2nd St.

Information found on Wikipedia about the Alvarado Hotel: The Mission Revival-style ATC was designed to be reminiscent of the Alvarado Hotel, a railroad hotel which was formerly located on the site. The ATC also features a clock tower, located on the northwest corner of the complex, facing the intersection of Central Avenue and First Street. The Alvarado Transportation Center (ATC) is a multimodal transit hub located at 100 1st Street SW in DowntownAlbuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The complex was built as a hub for Albuquerque's regional transit system and as a replacement for Albuquerque's previous bus depot and train station. The ATC serves ABQRide, Amtrak, Greyhound Lines, and the New Mexico Rail Runner Expresscommuter rail line.

Actually I was drawn here because of the wall art...it is everywhere. It made me think that they are open-minded here and enjoy having artists around. I had to come and see for myself.

There are mountains for hiking...actually lots of places for exercising whether it's walking, biking, or hiking. Of course, these forms of exercise are my favorites.

It's a smaller city, but not small enough really. But I need to live where there are jobs, at least for another 20 years or so, by then I imagine the country will be looking like my kind of destination.

Albuquerque Daily Photo shows the diversity of wall art here. Even with the tons of pictures I've already taken, I have yet to see most of these murals in person. It's incredible! Very talented people living here.

A downtown mural

I found the following information about this mural at RoadTrip America.

FRUTOS DE LA EXPRESION
designed by Claire Bain
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Contributed by Gerald Thurman of Tempe, Arizona

This mural was completed in 2000 under the auspices of Working Classrooms, Inc. and honors the first, fifteenth and nineteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It was painted by: Claire Bain, Gary Sena, Lauren Kostelnick, Antonio Lente, Elizabeth Lopez, Luis Mayorga, Branden Toledo, and Michael Herrod. The mural is located in downtown Albuquerque at the SE corner of 2nd NW Street and Central.

Bourque and Gibran

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet

and the winds long to play with your hair.

–Kahlil Gibran

Cottonwood Mural 2007

Check out the details of this mural in my close up shots shown below.

I'm including a poem that I believe relates to the images in the mural

and to the artist's purpose in her work.

I found this mural on the side of the Goodwill building in downtown Cottonwood.

The mural artist is Joan Bourque and these websites:

http://www.artfuloceans.org/html/murals.html

http://www.artconnections.org/html/joan_bourque.html

provide more examples of her works and explains the focus and intent of her art projects.

The Children
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children." And he said:Your children are not your children.They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.They come through you, but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love, but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts.You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; for even as He loves the arrow that flies, so he loves also the bow that is stable.
-Kahlil Gibran

I found the above poem on the following website: http://colleenscorner.com/Poetry7.html. She shares quite a few poems that are worth remembering. Thanks Colleen!

About blogging: You know it never ceases to amaze me how much you can learn on-line about total strangers, who don't seem so much like "strangers" after you read so many details about their personal lives. The crazy thing about the blogging world is that for bloggers and those who read blogs...you could possibly learn more about "perfect strangers" than you may ever know about your own family members, particularly if you do not share proximity. I wonder what this says about us in this internet age? Well this strange phenomenon could be eliminated if everybody just blogged, sooo EVERYBODY GET BLOGGING! RIGHT?!? :)

Oh, and something else about Collen (mentioned above)...well, she is a terrific photographer! Check her pics out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clinker/ It's totally worth the click.

Life can be full of one great discovery after another!

Change or bust?

In the upcoming week, many eyes will be on Washington D.C. in anticipation of the 2009 presidential inauguration. With the cold fronts sweeping down from Canada, I can imagine that those attending will be braving very cold weather to be present at this event. There may be lots of "dancing for joy" just to keep somewhat warm. Or maybe they can pack together like penguins and take turns moving from the inside to the outside. Needless to say, I'm kinda envious of those who will be traveling to the capital. It will be an exciting time!! Instead I will be in 60-70 degree weather here in Phoenix, Arizona, watching the ceremonies on TV in my home, while millions will be in D.C. attending various inaugural events, and at the Capitol on January 20th, despite the below-freezing outdoor temps, to celebrate this historic moment. Considering I don't like freezing...brrrrr...or huge throngs of people (yuck!), I think I'll be right where I need to be. Just the same-I'll still wonder what it would have been like to attend Barack Obama's inauguration.

Looking for "classic information" about the White House and the presidential team? Here it is: http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/

Following the inauguration though, things will definitely heat up for Barack Obama and his Cabinet members. Is "change" really about to happen? How much "change" can truly occur during Barack Obama's current four year term? Will we, as individuals, be challenged, also, by our new president, to participate in bringing about "change" we desire? I think we all wonder just what "change" will look like under Barack Obama's leadership.

The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.

Charles Kettering

Mural in Cottonwood, AZ 2007

One of my hobbies is taking pictures of murals. Above is a mural or "wall art" pic I took during a visit to Cottonwood, Arizona in 2007. (This week I will feature murals from my Cottonwood collection.) I think this mural is fitting for the upcoming week with Barack Obama transitioning from president-elect to United States President. What is my take on this mural's connection to current events? Our new President's focus will be on the condition of the United States and it's role in the world, and much of the world's focus will be on our new President hoping he will effect positive progress. Of course, the "true message" of this Cottonwood mural is in "the eye of the beholder".

Cottonwood (the home of the above mural) is a bustling little town/city of 10,000+ in Yavapai County, situated between Prescott and Sedona-two popular Arizona vacation spots. I usually take Route 260 on my way to Sedona, which takes me right through Cottonwood and past turn-offs for Cornville and Page Springs. These days my visits to the area are recreational, but my first trip to Cottonwood, in 1991, was work-related. At the time I was working as a perinatal case manager and had the opportunity to visit young expectant women throughout Northern and Central Arizona. My job was to assess their medical needs and educate them on having a healthy pregnancy and how to utilize community resources for assistance. The goal of the perinatal program was to reduce premature deliveries and thereby save money for the insurance company. During one trip to this area of Arizona to visit a client, I accidentally stumbled into the Cornville/Page Springs area. It is a hidden valley that is lush and green and beautiful...like an oasis. I experienced an instant connection. Maybe it was the small town feeling, maybe the surprising, unexpected beauty? To this day I'm not really quite sure why, but a feeling of "returning home or to where I belong" is what came over me. At the time, a friend of mine and I believed we would, at some point in the future, be involved in facilitating a residential placement of some kind for "teens in trouble" in a ranch-like setting. As a result, I began saying to myself and others "I can truly see myself living here in this area someday". It felt like my destiny. A drive through Cornville and Page Springs "to look around and dream" was a yearly destination for me for years following that first visit. In the last ten years or so, Cornville and Page Springs have changed somewhat. Lush vineyards now thrive on the fertile land that was once home to livestock and crops. And the population has grown some too. I hold fond memories of this area, but the idea of a running "a treatment ranch" here has evaporated (for a variety of reasons). These days, my plans for the future include residing somewhere close to my daughter. She assures me that remaining in Arizona is definitely not in her plans. She dreams of living in New York City...talk about change!!!

Last year, in a "last chance" attempt to discover if I could envision a future for myself in the Page Springs-Cornville-Cottonwood area, my mother and I took a day to visit real estate agencies and gather information about job opportunities. My mother and I are drawn to the area for different reasons, but desiring change we wanted to weigh the possibilities of relocating. Unfortunately, comparing the pros and cons of exploration, we had to conclude that a move to Cottonwood was not a feasible venture. For my mother, the negative was mostly the real estate, and for me, the negative was employment opportunities. The cost of living is comparable to Phoenix, but not the salaries. If I were to move to Cottonwood, and seek employment in a similar position as I now hold with Maricopa County, I would be taking a significant cut in pay. Not to mention, I found no jobs for which I qualify, paying a comparable salary.

So in the end, I may not ever make this area (Page Springs-Cottonwood-Cornville-Sedona) my home, but it will remain one of my favorites, and definitely offers many reasons for anyone to return again and again to soak in it's amazing beauty and therapeutic surroundings.

An informative website of the area: http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/department/category/VerdeValley