Category Archives: Life in New Mexico

The drama of the HOA

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Jim

I joined a growing trend three years ago when I sold my sprawling house in Albuquerque and built a smaller home in an active-adult community in nearby Los Lunas. Folks my age are living longer than previous generations and active-adult … Continue reading →

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St. Pat’s in the desert

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Jim

One of the few things I miss about my hometown of Chicago is St. Patrick’s Day. Even though my ancestry is Scottish and Hungarian, every Chicagoan is Irish on St Pat’s Day and that’s what makes it special.  Not that … Continue reading →

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January at the gym

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Jim

It’s the first week in January and I am delighted that the gym in my over-55 community is not crowded.  I’m not a big fitness buff, mind you. Fitness, yes; buff, hardly. I began hitting the gym regularly when the … Continue reading →

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Don’t know much about history

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Jim

I’ve been scratching my head over the controvery about teaching critical race theory in schools. Whatever the hell critical race theory is, it’s clear that politicians want to either mandate it or ban it. I see this as an opportunity … Continue reading →

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Decking the halls

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Jim

Is it just my imagination, or are people embracing Christmas decorations a little more this year? My state of New Mexico recently closed the restaurants and most of the stores (again) and has pretty well given up on schools and … Continue reading →

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A pandemic Thanksgiving

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Jim

I’m roasting a turkey breast for Thanksgiving even though I’m not expecting guests. Much as I will miss sharing the holiday with friends and family, I refuse to give up turkey leftovers. There’s a lot to be thankful for because … Continue reading →

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The Apocalypse may be coming but it’s politics as usual in New Mexico

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Jim

The coming election is the most important in our lifetime, we are told. Both parties are telling us that if the other party wins it will be the Apocalypse. Depending on which cable channel you watch, America will become either … Continue reading →

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The Civil War’s New Mexico sideshow

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Jim

The American Civil War was fought in New Mexico. It was, really, though most histories make no mention of the Confederate invasion in 1862 and its two significant battles. It was a bizarre little sideshow. I’ve been a Civil War … Continue reading →

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Missing the bus

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Jim

Public transportation is controversial in my adopted home state of New Mexico. The Rail Runner, a commuter train line from Belen to Santa Fe, is hemorrhaging money and losing ridership. In Albuquerque a new bus rapid-transit system is more than … Continue reading →

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Election entertainment

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Jim

The silly season is here again. New Mexico’s primary election is June 5 and it’s quite a show. Two of the state’s three Congressional representatives, a Democrat and a Republican, are running to replace a term-limited governor. This makes the … Continue reading →

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