Category Archives: Idle Ruminations

Bringing the Civil War to life in New Mexico

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jim

When we saw a couple of women in hoop skirts and sunbonnets walking across the dusty parking lot, we knew we were in the right place: the annual re-enactment of the Civil War Battle of Valverde near Socorro, NM. The … Continue reading →

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New Year’s resolutions at the gym

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Jim

I’m in the habit of going to the gym nearly every day. As the holidays drew to a close I was steeling myself for big New Year’s resolution crowds at my local Planet Fitness in Albuquerque, but so far have … Continue reading →

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Enduring the year-end story

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Jim

Much as I enjoy the holidays, I’m always relieved when they’re over and we can stumble into the new year with renewed optimism. I always look forward to celebrating Christmas with family, and ringing in the new year with friends … Continue reading →

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Pumpkins in the air

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Jim

Pumpkin chunking! Elaborate, home-made machines hurl ripe pumpkins high into the air to smash down hundreds of yards away. What’s not to like? I stumbled across the World Championship Punkin Chunkin on cable TV a few years ago and was … Continue reading →

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Feeding the hummingbirds

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Jim

It’s hummingbird season at my house. The Rio Grande, a few hundred yards from my house, is a bird superhighway with seasonal flyovers of geese and sandhill cranes. Quail and roadrunners trot across my yard every day. But the hummingbirds … Continue reading →

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No tiny house for me

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Jim

I’m fascinated by the tiny-house trend. Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’re probably aware of the growing interest in downsizing one’s home to the size of a food truck. Lilliputian residences are showing up in magazine articles and … Continue reading →

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Bruce Jenner for president and other politically incorrect solutions

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Jim

Bruce Jenner for president A lot of us voted for Barack Obama because he’s African-American and are ready to vote for Hillary Clinton because she’s a woman. If we are committed to identity as a major factor in electing a … Continue reading →

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Confessions of a weather snob

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Jim

Albuquerque got an unusual six inches of snow last night. The skiers are ecstatic, the city is paralyzed and I get to annoy my neighbors once again with tales of my hometown of Chicago. Yes, I’m a weather snob. While … Continue reading →

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From the ringing briefcase to the iPhone

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Jim

I finally broke down and got an iPhone a year ago. I carry it when I’m out and about, but most of the time it sits on the kitchen counter. Some days I don’t use it all because my retirement … Continue reading →

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Internet history: when the modem played polka music

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Jim

It’s easy to take the Internet for granted. I keep in touch with friends on Facebook and check random facts online the moment a question pops into my head. My generation may be among the last to remember what life … Continue reading →

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