Smoke is Clearing

The view that I returned to in ABQ after my vacation. Smoke settled in the valley from the Arizona fires. This is pretty much what I saw for a few days.

It has cleared now, after an additional week of clear days with winds bringing the smoke back each evening. May be some of the contributing factor to my disorientation last week.

While I Was Away

Tried to post here from Thailand during the month of May, but couldn't get through the overseas security passwords. Am back now in Albuquerque and plan to do some back posting of my wonderful adventure being in southeast Asia!

This is some really cool sheep herding!

^- Click up there for the article.

I have just discovered wimp.com and am a fan. If you check it out, be sure to watch the world's largest drawing, too.

Beautiful, dreamy day of clouds, thunder and rain. Mmmm....

And I get to see if my rain barrels work!!!

I am finishing the book trilogy.

Have you seen the movies, that are based on the Swedish television series, that are based on the books?

Did you know that Hollywood plans to remake the movie that is based on the series that are based on the books. Seriously.

What a corporate franchise, based on the disenfranchised and anti-corporate world!

Quick read about homelessness, from one of our former residents.

Maybe it's because of the spring in time. Maybe it's because I've been cleaning my house, or because I've got a bit of my life back. (The huge Albuquerque Heading Home initiative has subsided. Just a bit.)

Maybe it's Lent. I love Lent.

Maybe it's because Andy flew through Albuquerque recently and commented that I hadn't been writing for awhile. I was surprised to know anyone still checked.

Maybe it's because I'm in prep mode for a trip to Thailand. Travel always inspires writing.

Or, maybe, I'm procrastinating at work!

To Cheer You Up

Wow. Watch his instinctive anticipation of the music.

This Christmas...

...please consider giving to Metropolitan Homelessness Project.

You can do this directly through my fundraising page at:

http://www.firstgiving.com/dennisplummer

"Mercy and Truth have met together. Righteousness and Bliss shall kiss one another.

Man, and his weakness and shortsightedness, believes he must make choices in this life. He trembles at the risks he takes. We do know fear. But, no! Our choice is of no importance.

There comes a time when your eyes are opened. And we come to realize that mercy is infinite. We need only await it with confidence and receive it with gratitude. Mercy imposes no conditions.

And, lo! Everything we have chosen has been granted to us. And everything we rejected has also been granted. Yes, we even get back what we rejected.

For Mercy and Truth are met together.
And Righteousness and Bliss shall kiss one another."

(My favorite monologue from favorite film, Babette's Feast, which uses passages from Psalm 85.)

Fall Annual BBQ

Metropolitan Homelessness Project hosts its Annual BBQ this Saturday, Oct. 16, from 4:30-7:30!

Both Squash Blossom Boys and West Side Drum Circle will provide music. A silent auction of over $2,000 worth of local restaurant coupons will be part of the festivities, as well as a visit by the Animal Humane Society, accompanied by some loving dogs. (They are partnering with us to bring therapy dogs to the shelter this winter.)

Tickets are $20. You can pay at the door, or call 344-2323 to buy in advance.

If you can't come--and still want to support our work to end homelessness--please give online.

One of the most fun:

Flash Mobs

These are so cool and fun! I love the way they get everyone smiling and laughing.


A higher level of rehearsal (used in an advertisement)...


Frozen flash mobs:


There are Ninja and Pirates and Pillow Fights...all stuff that creates a happening for people to connect and play together!

Have fun creating yours...and send me a video when you do it!

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Sitting in morning fog, surrounded by a porch laden with plant life and sipping some wonderful hot tea. Typing on a friend's I-Pad (which I think I really like). A humming bird is making rounds as another tries to impress with intricate displays of winged flight maneuvers and delicate vocalisations. I've taken the time to delete over 100 emails in my yahoo account...only 600 more to go!

I love the moisture in the air and the sight of the ocean. Dined last evevning at The Beach House, designed by artist John Hubbel, and watched surfers enjoy the tide as we ate deliciously fresh seafood. This is wonderful break from the desert.

I may have discovered my personal balance of environments: ocean, cloudy and cool with dry and severe desert...live in one and vacation frequently in the other. I see why that, while living in Boston, I loved vacationing in NM. Now that I live in NM, vacations in oceanic regions are perfect destinations!