Twins Plus One

Same Sex Marriages Result in This

2011-12-16T10:14:00.002-07:00

This is a Must-See Video! 19 year old Zach, who is wise beyond his years, was raised by Lesbian Mothers and this is the person he is today. He says they had no influence on his character or on who he has become. I disagree. You watch and see for yourself.

The Fallacy of Standardized Testing

2011-12-06T11:20:00.002-07:00

Posted at 04:00 AM ET, 12/05/2011
When an adult took standardized tests forced on kids
By Valerie Strauss

This was written by Marion Brady, veteran teacher, administrator, curriculum designer and author.

By Marion Brady

A longtime friend on the school board of one of the largest school systems in America did something that few public servants are willing to do. He took versions of his state’s high-stakes standardized math and reading tests for 10th graders, and said he’d make his scores public.

By any reasonable measure, my friend is a success. His now-grown kids are well-educated. He has a big house in a good part of town. Paid-for condo in the Caribbean. Influential friends. Lots of frequent flyer miles. Enough time of his own to give serious attention to his school board responsibilities. The margins of his electoral wins and his good relationships with administrators and teachers testify to his openness to dialogue and willingness to listen.

He called me the morning he took the test to say he was sure he hadn’t done well, but had to wait for the results. A couple of days ago, realizing that local school board members don’t seem to be playing much of a role in the current “reform” brouhaha, I asked him what he now thought about the tests he’d taken.

“I won’t beat around the bush,” he wrote in an email. “The math section had 60 questions. I knew the answers to none of them, but managed to guess ten out of the 60 correctly. On the reading test, I got 62% . In our system, that’s a “D”, and would get me a mandatory assignment to a double block of reading instruction.

He continued, “It seems to me something is seriously wrong. I have a bachelor of science degree, two masters degrees, and 15 credit hours toward a doctorate.

“I help oversee an organization with 22,000 employees and a $3 billion operations and capital budget, and am able to make sense of complex data related to those responsibilities.

“I have a wide circle of friends in various professions. Since taking the test, I’ve detailed its contents as best I can to many of them, particularly the math section, which does more than its share of shoving students in our system out of school and on to the street. Not a single one of them said that the math I described was necessary in their profession.

“It might be argued that I’ve been out of school too long, that if I’d actually been in the 10th grade prior to taking the test, the material would have been fresh. But doesn’t that miss the point? A test that can determine a student’s future life chances should surely relate in some practical way to the requirements of life. I can’t see how that could possibly be true of the test I took.”

Here’s the clincher in what he wrote:

“If I’d been required to take those two tests when I was a 10th grader, my life would almost certainly have been very different. I’d have been told I wasn’t ‘college material,’ would probably have believed it, and looked for work appropriate for the level of ability that the test said I had.

“It makes no sense to me that a test with the potential for shaping a student’s entire future has so little apparent relevance to adult, real-world functioning. Who decided the kind of questions and their level of difficulty? Using what criteria? To whom did they have to defend their decisions? As subject-matter specialists, how qualified were they to make general judgments about the needs of this state’s children in a future they can’t possibly predict? Who set the pass-fail “cut score”? How?”

“I can’t escape the conclusion that decisions about the [state test] in particular and standardized tests in general are being made by individuals who lack perspective and aren’t really accountable.”

There you have it. A concise summary of what’s wrong with present corporately driven education change: Decisions are being made by individuals who lack perspective and aren’t really accountable.

Those decisions are shaped not by knowledge or understanding of educating, but by ideology, politics, hubris, greed, ignorance, the conventional wisdom, and various combinations thereof. And then they’re sold to the public by the rich and powerful.

All that without so much as a pilot program to see if their simplistic, worn-out ideas work, and without a single procedure in place that imposes on them what they demand of teachers: accountability.

But maybe there’s hope. As I write, a New York Times story by Michael Winerip makes my day. The stupidity of the current test-based thrust of reform has triggered the first revolt of school principals.

Winerip writes: “As of last night, 658 principals around the state (New York) had signed a letter — 488 of them from Long Island, where the insurrection began — protesting the use of students’ test scores to evaluate teachers’ and principals’ performance.”

One of those school principals, Winerip says, is Bernard Kaplan. Kaplan runs one of the highest-achieving schools in the state, but is required to attend 10 training sessions.

“It’s education by humiliation,” Kaplan said. “I’ve never seen teachers and principals so degraded.”

Carol Burris, named the 2010 Educator of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State, has to attend those 10 training sessions.

Katie Zahedi, another principal, said the session she attended was “two days of total nonsense. I have a Ph.D., I’m in a school every day, and some consultant is supposed to be teaching me to do evaluations.”

A fourth principal, Mario Fernandez, called the evaluation process a product of “ludicrous, shallow thinking. They’re expecting a tornado to go through a junkyard and have a brand new Mercedes pop up.”

My school board member-friend concluded his email with this: “I can’t escape the conclusion that those of us who are expected to follow through on decisions that have been made for us are doing something ethically questionable.”

He’s wrong. What they’re being made to do isn’t ethically questionable. It’s ethically unacceptable. Ethically reprehensible. Ethically indefensible.

How many of the approximately 100,000 school principals in the U.S. would join the revolt if their ethical principles trumped their fears of retribution? Why haven’t they been asked?

Washington Post Article

Who has the Final Say? Parents or Doctors?

2011-11-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

by Michael Farris
HSLDA Chairman

Who should make very difficult decisions for children? Parents or doctors?

In March of this year, 8-year-old Jacob Stieler was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a dangerous bone cancer. His parents took him to a highly-rated children’s oncology center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Jacob had surgery to remove the tumor, which was followed by several rounds of chemotherapy. The treatment was incredibly difficult, and Jacob’s mom, Erin, told me that when she looked her son in the eyes, she knew in her heart that he simply could not survive many more rounds of these drugs.

Erin and Ken, Jacob’s mom and dad, joined by hundreds of others, prayed for Jacob and his complete recovery.

After all of these rounds of chemotherapy were completed, there was a PET scan done to check on the status of the cancer. There was no evidence of cancer detected in Jacob’s body. Jacob’s family and friends rejoiced in his healing—praising God for this wonderful outcome.

But the doctors wanted to give Jacob several more rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, despite the clean PET scan. When asked why they wanted to keep giving Jacob these incredibly dangerous drugs, the doctors replied that this was “the standard of care” for his illness.

Jacob’s parents begged the doctors to make an individual diagnosis, rather than simply following unbending standards. But the doctors were steadfast. All children with this cancer needed multiple rounds of these drugs—regardless of PET scan results, the doctors contended.

Jacob’s parents did extensive study of the side effects of the five different chemotherapy drugs that the doctor wanted to administer. And they believed that the risk of the drugs was far greater than the risk of recurrent
cancer, since Jacob had a clean PET scan. They said no to the doctors. No more chemotherapy treatment for now.

But the doctors would not take no for an answer. They called child protective services in Jacob’s county and asked the agency to file charges against the family for medical neglect.

After looking into the matter, both the local CPS agency and the local prosecuting attorney refused to file charges. They believed that the parents were making reasonable decisions for Jacob.

The doctors still would not take no for an answer. They called higher authorities in the state level CPS agency. The doctors had to make several calls before they finally found someone who would agree with them.

As a result of all of these calls, the local CPS agency was pressured into filing medical neglect charges against the parents.

The local prosecutor still refused to take a case against the family, so the state level CPS officials hired an independent private lawyer to serve as the prosecutor against Ken and Erin Stieler.

A jury trial is scheduled for early January to determine if the doctors will be given the authority to take over the medical decision-making for Jacob.

When I heard about this case—and checked out the facts—I knew that I could not sit on the sidelines and watch this family be overrun and parental rights be trashed by well-meaning but overzealous doctors.

I recently flew to Michigan and took the depositions of all three doctors who were scheduled to testify against the family.

Jacob’s treating physician is the key.

I prepared for the depositions by obtaining copies of the official “package inserts” that the FDA requires all drug companies to give to physicians and patients. Undoubtedly, you have seen these inserts when you have picked up prescriptions for your children.

The inserts tell you several things:

Indicated uses—that is a list of the diseases for which there is evidence that the drug is a safe and effective treatment.
Warnings—these are strong cautions that indicate serious potential issues.
Side effects—these disclose all of the potential consequences that arise from taking the drug.
Approved for children—there is a specific disclaimer on many drugs that indicate whether the drugs have been proven to be safe and effective for children.

“Have all of these drugs been approved by the FDA as safe and effective for children?” I asked Jacob’s treating oncologist.

“Yes,” she replied, they have been FDA-approved for children.

According to the official package inserts that we were able to obtain, she is just flat wrong.

She wanted to continue to give Ifosfamide to Jacob.

The FDA disclosure for this drug says: “Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.”

The oncologist wanted to give Jacob a weeks’ worth of Etoposide.

The FDA disclosure says: “Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.”

The warning on the drug Doxorubicin says: “Pediatric patients are at increased risk for developing delayed cardiotoxicity.” This means that the drug can cause severe harm to a child’s heart—at even higher rates than it can in adults.

In fact, as it turned out, the treating doctor had never even seen, much less read, these official FDA-required package inserts. She did state that she had seen similar information from other sources.

Most of the drugs did not list Jacob’s form of cancer as an “indicated use.” This means that these drugs had not been tested and validated as safe and effective for this particular kind of cancer—even for adults, much less for children.

And then we get to the official warnings and side effects.

In addition to the strong warnings about “congestive heart failure” from Doxorubicin, other drugs the doctor wanted to give were known to have caused cancer—new forms of cancer—in patients being treated for an original cancer. Vincristine’s label is typical of these warnings: “Patients who received chemotherapy with vinchristine sulfate in combination with anticancer drugs known to be carcinogenic have developed second malignancies.” The warning labels say that sometimes these second cancers develop years after the treatment.

All five of the drugs that the doctors want to give Jacob are either known to cause other cancers or have not been fully tested.
Some of the other side effects for these drugs include:

Damage to the cranial motor nerves
Serious infections
Failure of boys to sexually mature
The inability to father children
Anorexia

It would take pages to recite all of the warnings and side effects.

Parental rights are increasingly being lost in the medical arena. I am beginning to wonder why physicians even bother asking for parental consent if they will just do an end run around the parents whenever it is convenient for them to do so.

This is not an easy case. It is not a case where a child has a current illness and the treatment is tested and proven to be safe and effective—those cases are easily resolved. The best evidence is that Jacob no longer has objective evidence of cancer. And not a single drug that the doctors want to give Jacob is FDA-approved for children for his kind of cancer.

This is a case where there must be a judgment call—a balancing of risks.

Who makes that call?

The doctor told me during the deposition that she thinks that she should make the call—for every child in this situation. And she would give the same answer every time, rather than making an individual judgment.

I can’t imagine a more clear case of the need for parental rights. This is a decision that requires the wisdom of God.

HSLDA was established to defend parental rights in the context of homeschooling. But the assault on parental rights comes to us on many fronts. This is why we have set up the Homeschool Freedom Fund to enable us to fight important cases for the broader principle of parental rights. Our regular membership fees do not stretch far enough to cover these kinds of cases. We truly need your help to be able to fight for the principles we all hold dear.

If you would like to stand with us in this critical battle for parental rights, I would ask you to send the very best gift you can to the Home School Foundation’s Homeschool Freedom Fund. All gifts to HSF are tax-deductible.

This trial is coming soon—we will send out email alerts if there is any change in the schedule.

Fighting a case of this magnitude is an expensive proposition. I hope you will be as generous as possible so that we may cover travel costs, local counsel, and deposition expenses—for this case and future cases where justice demands action to preserve freedom.

Our nation was founded upon the traditions of Western Civilization. This civilization was founded on the principles of the Word of God. God gives children to parents—not to the state, and not to doctors. In cases like this one, our legal system must remain steadfast in following the principle that God has delegated these kinds of decisions to parents, not to doctors, social workers, or courts.

Please pray for the Stieler family’s case and help as best you can. Thank you.
Donate to the Homeschool Freedom Fund
to help with this and other cases!

Letterboxing Totals Update

2011-04-28T15:46:00.004-06:00

I see I haven't updated this blog for quite some time. Most of my blogging time is spent over on our Laughing Orca Ranch Blog.

But it's time to update our letterbox totals. Our goal is to reach at least 400 boxes found this year....hopefully more. Now if only the price of gas would cooperate.

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
36.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
40.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
41.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
42.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
43.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
44.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
48.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
49.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
50.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
51.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
52.Runners High Series Box #1 Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 6/1/2007
53.Runners High Series Box #3 Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 6/1/2007
54.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
55.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
56.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
57.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
58.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
59.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
60.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
62.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
63.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
64.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
65.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
66.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
67.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
68.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
69.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
70.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
71.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
72.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
73.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
74.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour #1 (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
75.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour #3 (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
76.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
77.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
78.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
79.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
80.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
81.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
82.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
83.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
84.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
85.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
86.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
87.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
88.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
89.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
90.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
91.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
92.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
93.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
94.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
95.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
96.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
97.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
98.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
99.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
100.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
101.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
102.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
103.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
104.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
105.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
106.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
107.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
108.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
109.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
110.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
111.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
112.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
113.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
114.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
115.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
116.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
117.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
118.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
119.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
120.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
121.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
122.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
123.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
124.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
125.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
126.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
127.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
128.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
129.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
130.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
131.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
132.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
End-Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
133.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
134.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
135.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
136.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
137.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
138.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
139.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
140.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
141.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
142.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
143.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
144.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
145.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
146.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
147.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
148.Put a little love in your heart (Bonus Box) (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
149.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
150.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
151.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
152.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
153.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
154.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
155.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
156.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
157.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
158.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
159.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
160.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
161.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
162.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
163.Alphabetical New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
164.Camel Rock (Tesuque, NM) - 2/20/2009
165.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
166.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
167.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
168.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
169.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
170.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
171.The Book of Eli (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/11/2009
172.Alphabetical New Mexico: M (William C. McDonald) (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
173.Alphabetical New Mexico: W (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
174.Alphabetical New Mexico: Billie the Kid (Lincoln, NM) - 5/16/2009
175.Santa Fe Southern (Lamy, NM) - 7/04/2009
176.Salman Ranch (La Cueva, NM) - 7/04/2009
177.Coyote Creek State Park (Guadalapita, NM) - 7/04/2009
178.Angel Fire (Angel Fire, NM) - 7/04/2009
179.ABC New Mexico: Vietnam Veterans Memorial(Angel Fire, NM) 7/04/2009
180.The Dykes of Red River (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
181.Hummingbird (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
182.Foxy Box (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
183.Humming Hummingbird (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
184.ABC New Mexico: Eagle Nest Lake (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
185.The Lazy Wheeler (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
186.Christmas in July (Mora, NM) - 7/04/2009
187.Embudito: Letterboxing Is For The Birds! Box #1 - (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
188.Embudito: Letterboxing Is For The Birds! Box #2 - (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
189.Center of the Universe (Mystery Box, NM) - 8/12/09
190.Pueblo Palace (Bonus Box, NM) - 8/12/09
191.Rivers Edge (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
192.Everyone's Ditching Me (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
193.ABC Dolphin (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
194.Pedalin Poet (Albuquerque, NM) -8/27/09
195.Pedalin Papa (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
196.Dawn Light (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
197.Tunnel Springs Turtle (Placitas, NM) - 9/02/09
198.The Climbing Tree (Corrales, NM) - 9/02/09
199.Pedalin' Pigtail (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/02/09
200.Pedalin' Choo Choo-Bonus Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
201.New Mexico State Fair (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
202.Play Pasture Pool (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
203.Anisoptera (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
204.Hiding in Plain Sight (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
205.Ms. Forktail (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
206.Descansos (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
207.Battlefield New Mexico (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
208.Water-powered Grist Mill (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
209.For Leonora (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
210. El Camino (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
211.Ox Cart (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
212.Not Wonder Bread (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
213.O'K Jimson (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
214.El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
End-Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
215.Always in Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
216.Stamp in Every State: New Mexico Pug (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
217.Felis Concolor (Cerillos, NM) - 9/26/2009
218.Poecile Gambeli (Tijeras, NM) - 9/29/2009
219.Soon a Monsoon (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
220.The Beav~Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
221.Canis Latrans~Bonus Box (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009
222.Feathered Serpent (Mystery Box) - 10/14/2009
223.I knew I shoulda taken a left at Albuquerque (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/14/2009
224.Mass Happiness! (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
225.Lucky Sevens (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
226.Magical Gate (Cerillos, NM) - 10/19/2009
227.New Mexico's Eternal Flame (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
228.Keep Swimming (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
229.A Boy and His Tiger (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
230.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flag (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
231.Land of Enchantment Series-State Tree (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
232.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fossil (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
233.Land of Enchantment Series-State Mammal (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
234.Land of Enchantment Series-State Insect (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
235.Land of Enchantment Series-State Bird (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
236.Siddhartha Guatama (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
237.Going in Circles (Santa Fe, NM) -10/19/2009
238.Stuck in the Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 11/4/2009
239.Which Way From Here (Stanley, NM) - 11/5/2009
240.The Flying Mini (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
241.A Buckin' Bronco (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
242.La Reina de Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/20/2010
243.Colores (Cedar Crest, NM) - 4/20/2010
244.Stench (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
245.La Morena (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
246.My Plane Ride to New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/8/2010
247.The Spinning Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
248.Burrito/Tiny Little Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
249.El Conquistador (San Ysidro, NM) - 5/20/2010
250.Tarry at Tamara (Bernalillo, NM) - 6/6/2010
251.Road Trip (Pilar, NM) - 7/2/2010
252.Side Trip (Pilar, NM) - 7/2/1010
253.Speed Racer (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/8/2010
254.A Southwest Icon (Santa Fe, NM) -7/14/2010
255.SFS (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
256.Animalia (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
257.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fish (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
258.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flower (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
259.Land of Enchantment Series-State Vegetable (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
260.Ski Bear (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
261.A Kiss from Connecticut (Cerrillos, NM) - 7/14/2010
262.KIMO (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010
263.Micro-Soft, It's Not Ice Cream! (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010
264.Redtop Diner (Edgewood, NM) - 8/3/2010
265.Southwest Pieta (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
266.New Heart (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
267.Chevy on a Stick (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
268.Coyote del Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/2010
269.Betsy Ross (Philadelphia, PA) - 9/16/2010
270.An Epic Weekend (Philadelphia, PA) - 9/16/2010
271.Interstate Rest Stops VA I-81N 108 MM (Radford, VA) - 9/20/2010
272.Things that make you go Hmmm (Groom, TX) - 9/22/2010
273.VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, TX) - 9/22/2010
274.Shorty Was Here (Amarillo, TX) - 9/22/2010
275.Windy Memorial (Vega, TX) - 9/22/2010
276.Big Valley (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
277.Oppenheimer (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
278.The Black Hole (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
279.ABC New Mexico: A for Atomic Bombs (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
280.ABC New Mexico: T for Turquoise Trail (Madrid, NM) - 9/26/2010
281.Panda and the Poo (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/28/2010
282.Chainsaw Bear (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/29/2010
283.All Aboard the RailRunner (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/5/2010
284.Open a Book (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
285.Calavera (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
286.Santa Fe Songbird (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
287.La Piedra Rosa (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
288.Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
289.Bike Bridge (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/22/2010
290.Tiguex Tweet (Albuquerque, NM) - 11/11/2010
291.Volcano Aslumber (Albuquerque, NM) - 12/2/2010
292.KA (Mystery) - 12/2/2010
293.Art Attack! (#1) (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/4/2010
294.Little Edie's Hitchhiker Hostel (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/4/2010
295.Is She Mary? (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/4/2010
296.Turkey Two Step (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/10/2010
297.Artful Southwest - Little Pot (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/10/2010
298.Follow the Mold (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/10/2010
299.A Pressing Matter (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/10/2010
300.Thaumaturgic Escalator (Mystery) - 1/28/2011
301.Santa Fe Trails Microbox (Santa Fe, NM) - 2/18/2011
302.lionsmane's 5 Year Letterboxiversary (Santa Fe, NM) - 2/18/2011
303.Clay Menagerie #1 (Tesuque, NM) - 2/18/2011
304.Clay Menagerie #3 (Tesuque, NM) - 2/18/2011
305.Clay Menagerie #4 (Tesuque, NM) - 2/18/2011
306.El Santuario de Chimayo (Chimayo, NM) - 2/18/2011
307.La Luz (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/8/2011
308.ABC New Mexico - Zuni Pueblo (Zuni, NM) - 3/15/2011
309.On The Run (Gallup, NM) - 3/15/2011
310.Red Rock (Church Rock, NM) - 3/15/2011
311.A Slice of Life (Santa Fe, NM) - 4/2/2011
312.Pin Up Stamp Swap 2: Tess (Santa Fe, NM) - 4/2/2011
313.City Different Walking Tour (Santa Fe, NM) - 4/2/2011
314.Artful Southwest: Cathedral Moon (Santa Fe, NM) - 4/2/2011
315.King of the Road (Santa Fe, NM) - 4/2/2011
315.Amelia's Rose (Santa Fe, NM) - 4/2/2011

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007(MISSING)
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008(RETIRED)
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009
15.Zig Zag (Claunch, NM) - 05/16/2009
16.Smack Dab in the Middle (Mystery, NM) - 05/16/2009
17.Who? Who? (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009)
18.Sandia Peak Tram (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/16/2009
19.Wind Power (Willard, NM) - 5/10/2010
20.Valley of Fires (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
21.Beatles Series - "Octopus's Garden" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/8/2010
22.Beatles Series - "Blue Jay Way" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/8/2010
23.Beatles Series - "Lend Me Your Comb" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/10/2010
24.Beatles Series - "Old Brown Shoe" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/10/2010
25.Beatles Series - "The Long and Winding Road" (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
26.Beatles Series - "In Spite of all the Danger" (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
27.Beatles Series - "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (Tijeras, NM) - 8/1/2010
28.Beatles Series - "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/22/2010
29.Beatles Series - "Day Tripper" (Madrid, NM) - 10/24/20
30.Beatles Series - "Yellow Submarine" (Albuquerque, NM) - 12/2/2010
31.Beatles Series - "I Am The Walrus" (Santa Fe, NM) - 2/19/2011
32.Beatles Series - "From a Window" (Grants, NM) - 3/15/2011
33.Beatles Series - "Lady Madonna" (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/21/2011
34.Beatles Series - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/21/2011
35.Beatles Series - "Revolution" (Santa Fe, NM) - 4/2/2011
Soon to be planted:
36.Beatles Series - "Please Mr. Postman" (Cedar Crest, NM)
37.Beatles Series - "Sheik of Araby" - (Ramah, NM)
38.Beatles Series - "Dig A Pony" - (Ramah, NM)
39.Beatles Series: "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - (Edgewood, NM)
40.Beatles Series: "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" - (Edgewood, NM)
41.Beatles Series - "Honey Pie" (Pie Town, NM)
42.Beatles Series - "Nothing Shakin'" (Santa Fe, NM)
43.Beatles Series - "Yesterday" (Tijeras, NM)
44.Beatles Series - "Blackbird" (Tijeras, NM)
45.Beatles Series - "Happiness is a Warm Gun"
46.Beatles Series - "Everybody's got Something to Hide Except me and my Monkey" (Tijeras, NM)
47.Beatles Series - "Ticket To Ride" (Cedar Crest, NM)
48.Beatles Series - "Norwegian Wood" (Albuquerque, NM)

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
12.GWB (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/09 (Placed: Pedalin Poet~Albuquerque, NM - 8/27/09)
13.The Only Thing to Do (Santa Fe, NM) - 09/26/2009 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM)
14.Thar She Blows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009 (Placed: Reno, NV)
15.Symbols of Asia (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010 (Placed: ABC NM Atomic Bombs 9/26/10)
16.Silhoette with Chair (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM 8/9/10)
17.Get Off of My Back (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/2010 (Placed Panda and the Poo, ABQ, NM 9/28/10)
18.Sightseeing Starfish (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/24/2010 (Placed Beatles Series "Day Tripper" Mystery, NM)
19.PHI (Albuquerque, NM) - 12/4/2010 (Placed Little Edie's Hitchhiker Hostel, Santa Fe, NM)
20.Lemon Shark (Santa Fe, NM) -12/4/2010
21.Talk to the Paw (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/4/2010
22.I'm Just a Girl (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/4/2010
23.50 is Nifty (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/4/2010
24.Let Yourself Shine (Santa Fe, NM) - 12/4/2010

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! 2007 (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6.iBienvenidos! 2009 (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009
7.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) -Sept. 26, 2009

EVENTS ATTENDED
1.Santa Fe SPOOKtacular (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct. 6, 2007
2.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept. 26, 2009

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- Ocober 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
8.Slainte (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager, Phancy Phan Tail, Blind Smiley, Potted Frog, Dutch Rabbit, Wrong Hat, St. Patty's Day, Dewberry

Totalitarian Regimes vs Parental Rights

2011-02-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, CNN reported that a Florida legislator has proposed a bill that would have public school teachers issuing a grade to parents. Yes, grading the parents. HB 255 provides that “each prekindergarten through grade 3 student report card shall include a section in which the teacher grades the parental involvement as satisfactory, needs improvement, or unsatisfactory…” based on criteria set by the bill.

The whole idea of setting up public schools as overseers of parents is one more sign that American parental rights are in danger. Parents should not have to answer to government agents unless and until there is solid evidence of abuse or neglect on the part of that parent. Giving a grade to every parent clearly violates this constitutional principle.

In fact, this bill would espouse the same foundational principle as the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child: assume that all parents are bad parents, and that only government oversight can save our children from parental incompetence.

Totalitarian regimes are built on assumed guilt; the nanny state determines which citizens do or do not require their “services.” Florida’s bill would establish a system to do the same. A free nation, on the other hand, operates on the assumption of innocence until proven guilty. Parents do not need government intervention (interference) unless there is proof to the contrary. The Supreme Court has held that “historically, [the law] has recognized that natural bonds of affection lead parents to act in the best interest of their children.” Parham v. J.R., 442 U.S. 584 (1979) Sadly, Florida’s proposed bill recognizes no such thing.

We can stop this trend and reestablish the fundamental right of fit parents to direct the upbringing of their children through passage of the Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. If you haven’t already done so, click here to sign the petition at ParentalRights.org.

And please pass this message on to your family, friends – anyone you know who might share your concern for the future of our American families. If we lose the right to raise our children without constant government oversight, we will lose every other political fight we care about – and we will ultimately lose our children, and our country.

But together we can save the future, by protecting these parental rights.

Sincerely,

Michael Ramey
Director of Communications and Research

Changing Education Paradigms

2010-11-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

Getting Closer ~ Letterboxing Totals

2010-11-25T10:23:00.002-07:00

We've been letterboxing for over 3 years and our goal for 2010 is to reach 300 letterboxes found. Almost there.....

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
36.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
40.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
41.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
42.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
43.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
44.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
48.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
49.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
50.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
51.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
52.Runners High Series Box #1 Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 6/1/2007
53.Runners High Series Box #3 Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 6/1/2007
54.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
55.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
56.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
57.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
58.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
59.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
60.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
62.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
63.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
64.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
65.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
66.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
67.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
68.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
69.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
70.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
71.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
72.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
73.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
74.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour #1 (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
75.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour #3 (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
76.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
77.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
78.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
79.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
80.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
81.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
82.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
83.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
84.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
85.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
86.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
87.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
88.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
89.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
90.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
91.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
92.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
93.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
94.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
95.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
96.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
97.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
98.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
99.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
100.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
101.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
102.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
103.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
104.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
105.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
106.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
107.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
108.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
109.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
110.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
111.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
112.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
113.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
114.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
115.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
116.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
117.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
118.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
119.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
120.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
121.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
122.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
123.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
124.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
125.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
126.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
127.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
128.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
129.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
130.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
131.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
132.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
End-Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
133.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
134.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
135.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
136.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
137.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
138.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
139.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
140.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
141.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
142.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
143.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
144.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
145.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
146.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
147.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
148.Put a little love in your heart (Bonus Box) (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
149.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
150.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
151.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
152.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
153.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
154.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
155.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
156.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
157.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
158.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
159.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
160.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
161.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
162.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
163.Alphabetical New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
164.Camel Rock (Tesuque, NM) - 2/20/2009
165.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
166.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
167.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
168.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
169.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
170.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
171.The Book of Eli (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/11/2009
172.Alphabetical New Mexico: M (William C. McDonald) (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
173.Alphabetical New Mexico: W (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
174.Alphabetical New Mexico: Billie the Kid (Lincoln, NM) - 5/16/2009
175.Santa Fe Southern (Lamy, NM) - 7/04/2009
176.Salman Ranch (La Cueva, NM) - 7/04/2009
177.Coyote Creek State Park (Guadalapita, NM) - 7/04/2009
178.Angel Fire (Angel Fire, NM) - 7/04/2009
179.ABC New Mexico: Vietnam Veterans Memorial(Angel Fire, NM) 7/04/2009
180.The Dykes of Red River (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
181.Hummingbird (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
182.Foxy Box (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
183.Humming Hummingbird (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
184.ABC New Mexico: Eagle Nest Lake (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
185.The Lazy Wheeler (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
186.Christmas in July (Mora, NM) - 7/04/2009
187.Embudito: Letterboxing Is For The Birds! Box #1 - (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
188.Embudito: Letterboxing Is For The Birds! Box #2 - (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
189.Center of the Universe (Mystery Box, NM) - 8/12/09
190.Pueblo Palace (Bonus Box, NM) - 8/12/09
191.Rivers Edge (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
192.Everyone's Ditching Me (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
193.ABC Dolphin (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
194.Pedalin Poet (Albuquerque, NM) -8/27/09
195.Pedalin Papa (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
196.Dawn Light (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
197.Tunnel Springs Turtle (Placitas, NM) - 9/02/09
198.The Climbing Tree (Corrales, NM) - 9/02/09
199.Pedalin' Pigtail (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/02/09
200.Pedalin' Choo Choo-Bonus Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
201.New Mexico State Fair (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
202.Play Pasture Pool (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
203.Anisoptera (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
204.Hiding in Plain Sight (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
205.Ms. Forktail (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
206.Descansos (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
207.Battlefield New Mexico (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
208.Water-powered Grist Mill (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
209.For Leonora (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
210. El Camino (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
211.Ox Cart (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
212.Not Wonder Bread (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
213.O'K Jimson (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
214.El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
End-Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
215.Always in Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
216.Stamp in Every State: New Mexico Pug (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
217.Felis Concolor (Cerillos, NM) - 9/26/2009
218.Poecile Gambeli (Tijeras, NM) - 9/29/2009
219.Soon a Monsoon (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
220.The Beav~Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
221.Canis Latrans~Bonus Box (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009
222.Feathered Serpent (Mystery Box) - 10/14/2009
223.I knew I shoulda taken a left at Albuquerque (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/14/2009
224.Mass Happiness! (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
225.Lucky Sevens (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
226.Magical Gate (Cerillos, NM) - 10/19/2009
227.New Mexico's Eternal Flame (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
228.Keep Swimming (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
229.A Boy and His Tiger (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
230.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flag (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
231.Land of Enchantment Series-State Tree (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
232.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fossil (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
233.Land of Enchantment Series-State Mammal (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
234.Land of Enchantment Series-State Insect (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
235.Land of Enchantment Series-State Bird (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
236.Siddhartha Guatama (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
237.Going in Circles (Santa Fe, NM) -10/19/2009
238.Stuck in the Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 11/4/2009
239.Which Way From Here (Stanley, NM) - 11/5/2009
240.The Flying Mini (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
241.A Buckin' Bronco (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
242.La Reina de Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/20/2010
243.Colores (Cedar Crest, NM) - 4/20/2010
244.Stench (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
245.La Morena (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
246.My Plane Ride to New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/8/2010
247.The Spinning Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
248.Burrito/Tiny Little Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
249.El Conquistador (San Ysidro, NM) - 5/20/2010
250.Tarry at Tamara (Bernalillo, NM) - 6/6/2010
251.Road Trip (Pilar, NM) - 7/2/2010
252.Side Trip (Pilar, NM) - 7/2/1010
253.Speed Racer (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/8/2010
254.A Southwest Icon (Santa Fe, NM) -7/14/2010
255.SFS (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
256.Animalia (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
257.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fish (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
258.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flower (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
259.Land of Enchantment Series-State Vegetable (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
260.Ski Bear (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
261.A Kiss from Connecticut (Cerrillos, NM) - 7/14/2010
262.KIMO (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010
263.Micro-Soft, It's Not Ice Cream! (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010
264.Redtop Diner (Edgewood, NM) - 8/3/2010
265.Southwest Pieta (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
266.New Heart (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
267.Chevy on a Stick (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
268.Coyote del Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/2010
269.Betsy Ross (Philadelphia, PA) - 9/16/2010
270.An Epic Weekend (Philadelphia, PA) - 9/16/2010
271.Interstate Rest Stops VA I-81N 108 MM (Radford, VA) - 9/20/2010
272.Things that make you go Hmmm (Groom, TX) - 9/22/2010
273.VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, TX) - 9/22/2010
274.Shorty Was Here (Amarillo, TX) - 9/22/2010
275.Windy Memorial (Vega, TX) - 9/22/2010
276.Big Valley (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
277.Oppenheimer (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
278.The Black Hole (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
279.ABC New Mexico: A for Atomic Bombs (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
280.ABC New Mexico: T for Turquoise Trail (Madrid, NM) - 9/26/2010
281.Panda and the Poo (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/28/2010
282.Chainsaw Bear (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/29/2010
283.All Aboard the RailRunner (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/5/2010
284.Open a Book (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
285.Calavera (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
286.Santa Fe Songbird (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
287.La Piedra Rosa (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
288.Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/17/2010
289.Bike Bridge (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/22/2010
290.Tiguex Tweet (Albuquerque, NM) - 11/11/2010

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007(MISSING)
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008(RETIRED)
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009
15.Zig Zag (Claunch, NM) - 05/16/2009
16.Smack Dab in the Middle (Mystery, NM) - 05/16/2009
17.Who? Who? (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009)
18.Sandia Peak Tram (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/16/2009
19.Wind Power (Willard, NM) - 5/10/2010
20.Valley of Fires (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
21.Beatles Series - "Octopus's Garden" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/8/2010
22.Beatles Series - "Blue Jay Way" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/8/2010
23.Beatles Series - "Lend Me Your Comb" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/10/2010
24.Beatles Series - "Old Brown Shoe" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/10/2010
25.Beatles Series - "The Long and Winding Road" (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
26.Beatles Series - "In Spite of all the Danger" (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
27.Beatles Series - "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (Tijeras, NM) - 8/1/2010
28.Beatles Series - "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/22/2010
29.Beatles Series - "Day Tripper" (Mystery, NM) - 10/24/20
30.Beatles Series - "Yellow Submarine" (Albuquerque, NM) - TBA
31.Beatles Series - "Lady Madonna" (Albuquerque, NM) - TBA

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
12.GWB (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/09 (Placed: Pedalin Poet~Albuquerque, NM - 8/27/09)
13.The Only Thing to Do (Santa Fe, NM) - 09/26/2009 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM)
14.Thar She Blows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009 (Placed: Reno, NV)
15.Symbols of Asia (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010 (Placed: ABC NM Atomic Bombs 9/26/10)
16.Silhoette with Chair (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM 8/9/10)
17.Get Off of My Back (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/2010 (Placed Panda and the Poo, ABQ, NM 9/28/10)
18. Sightseeing Starfish (Albuquerque, NM) 8/24/2010 (Placed Beatles Series "Day Tripper" Mystery, NM)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! 2007 (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6.iBienvenidos! 2009 (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009
7.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) -Sept. 26, 2009

NUMBER OF EVENTS ATTENDED
1.Santa Fe SPOOKtacular (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct. 6, 2007
2.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept. 26, 2009

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- Ocober 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
8.Slainte (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009

Public Schools are Creating Drop-Outs and Failures

2010-11-12T10:16:00.001-07:00

By Ruth Bettelheim
Our public schools are turning millions of normal children into dropouts and failures. This isn't because of a few bad teachers or principals, but because the natural learning behaviors of children are routinely penalized instead of praised. Initiatives such as "No Child Left Behind" and "Race to the Top" won't change this, because they don't adequately take into account research about how children learn.
Our classrooms are outdated, functioning like mid-20th century factories. Each child is offered an identical curriculum, like a car on an assembly line. But children aren't units of production, and this approach is failing. Since 1970, the rate of high school graduation has declined, and the U.S. has fallen from first to 12th among developed nations in education.
This is inexcusable given the well-documented research about what makes students effective learners. Contemporary neuroscience has confirmed that children's learning is largely dependent on inherent interest, emotional engagement, social interaction, physical activity and the pleasure of mastery.
A passive environment
These findings are ignored in traditional classroom approaches. If children are not interested, they won't learn, but schools aren't structured to capture students' individual interests. Instead, everyone studies the same texts at the same time. Teachers reprimand children for failing to change gears with the rest of the class. Students must be quiet, sit still and listen passively, though we know that social, emotional and physical engagement enhance learning.
Freedom to make mistakes and benefit from them is the basis of intellectual growth. If researchers or entrepreneurs were forbidden to make errors, innovation would cease. But when teachers are required to prioritize standardized test preparation, children are necessarily taught that being wrong is unacceptable.
The traditional classroom needs an overhaul based on the findings of cognitive neuroscience. Rather than lecturing to passive observers, teachers should act as facilitators, introducing individual students to new concepts based on their interests and developmental state. Children should be free to move around and to choose when, for how long and with whom they will work at each task. Instead of being told facts, children should learn by acting on instructional materials, experimenting and observing until answers are found.
The Montessori model
Students should experience themselves as triumphant problem solvers. This exhilaration helps make computer games addictive. Like video game players, students should go on to the next level only after mastering the previous one, taking as long as they need to solve each problem, and staying with it as long as they like.
Though it might seem impossible, offering individualized, self-directed learning in public schools has been done. The Montessori method, which uses these approaches, has been successfully adopted by public school systems, including in inner cities. Students in these schools achieve equal or superior academic performance to their peers, and superior outcomes in social skills and engagement. While this method isn't a panacea, it provides a feasible, well-tested basis for developing teaching methods grounded in cognitive neuroscience research.
Scientifically sound, individualized instruction should be our new educational standard. It's time to shift our focus from administrative changes to fundamental classroom reforms that will truly make a difference. This is an urgent necessity — our children's well-being and our economic and technological edge in the 21st century are at stake.

Letterboxing Update

2010-10-01T12:00:00.001-06:00

We're getting closer to reaching our goal of finding 300 boxes. Our goal is to do this before the year is up. Wish us luck!

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
36.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
40.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
41.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
42.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
43.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
44.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
48.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
49.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
50.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
51.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
52.Runners High Series Box #1 Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 6/1/2007
53.Runners High Series Box #3 Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 6/1/2007
54.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
55.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
56.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
57.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
58.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
59.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
60.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
62.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
63.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
64.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
65.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
66.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
67.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
68.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
69.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
70.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
71.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
72.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
73.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
74.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour #1 (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
75.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour #3 (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
76.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
77.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
78.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
79.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
80.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
81.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
82.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
83.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
84.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
85.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
86.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
87.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
88.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
89.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
90.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
91.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
92.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
93.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
94.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
95.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
96.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
97.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
98.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
99.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
100.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
101.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
102.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
103.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
104.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
105.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
106.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
107.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
108.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
109.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
110.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
111.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
112.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
113.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
114.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
115.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
116.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
117.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
118.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
119.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
120.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
121.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
122.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
123.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
124.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
125.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
126.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
127.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
128.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
129.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
130.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
131.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
132.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
End-Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
133.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
134.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
135.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
136.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
137.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
138.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
139.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
140.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) (3 boxes)- 8/11/2008
141.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
142.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
143.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
144.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
145.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
146.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
147.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
148.Put a little love in your heart (Bonus Box) (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
149.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
150.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
151.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
152.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
153.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
154.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
155.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
156.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
157.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
158.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
159.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
160.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
161.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
162.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
163.Alphabetical New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
164.Camel Rock (Tesuque, NM) - 2/20/2009
165.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
166.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
167.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
168.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
169.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
170.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
171.The Book of Eli (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/11/2009
172.Alphabetical New Mexico: M (William C. McDonald) (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
173.Alphabetical New Mexico: W (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
174.Alphabetical New Mexico: Billie the Kid (Lincoln, NM) - 5/16/2009
175.Santa Fe Southern (Lamy, NM) - 7/04/2009
176.Salman Ranch (La Cueva, NM) - 7/04/2009
177.Coyote Creek State Park (Guadalapita, NM) - 7/04/2009
178.Angel Fire (Angel Fire, NM) - 7/04/2009
179.ABC New Mexico: Vietnam Veterans Memorial(Angel Fire, NM) 7/04/2009
180.The Dykes of Red River (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
181.Hummingbird (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
182.Foxy Box (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
183.Humming Hummingbird (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
184.ABC New Mexico: Eagle Nest Lake (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
185.The Lazy Wheeler (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
186.Christmas in July (Mora, NM) - 7/04/2009
187.Embudito: Letterboxing Is For The Birds! Box #1 - (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
188.Embudito: Letterboxing Is For The Birds! Box #2 - (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
189.Center of the Universe (Mystery Box, NM) - 8/12/09
190.Pueblo Palace (Bonus Box, NM) - 8/12/09
191.Rivers Edge (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
192.Everyone's Ditching Me (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
193.ABC Dolphin (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
194.Pedalin Poet (Albuquerque, NM) -8/27/09
195.Pedalin Papa (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
196.Dawn Light (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
197.Tunnel Springs Turtle (Placitas, NM) - 9/02/09
198.The Climbing Tree (Corrales, NM) - 9/02/09
199.Pedalin' Pigtail (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/02/09
200.Pedalin' Choo Choo-Bonus Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
201.New Mexico State Fair (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
202.Play Pasture Pool (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
203.Anisoptera (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
204.Hiding in Plain Sight (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
205.Ms. Forktail (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
206.Descansos (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
207.Battlefield New Mexico (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
208.Water-powered Grist Mill (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
209.For Leonora (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
210. El Camino (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
211.Ox Cart (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
212.Not Wonder Bread (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
213.O'K Jimson (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
214.El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
End-Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
215.Always in Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
216.Stamp in Every State: New Mexico Pug (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
217.Felis Concolor (Cerillos, NM) - 9/26/2009
218.Poecile Gambeli (Tijeras, NM) - 9/29/2009
219.Soon a Monsoon (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
220.The Beav~Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
221.Canis Latrans~Bonus Box (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009
222.Feathered Serpent (Mystery Box) - 10/14/2009
223.I knew I shoulda taken a left at Albuquerque (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/14/2009
224.Mass Happiness! (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
225.Lucky Sevens (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
226.Magical Gate (Cerillos, NM) - 10/19/2009
227.New Mexico's Eternal Flame (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
228.Keep Swimming (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
229.A Boy and His Tiger (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
230.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flag (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
231.Land of Enchantment Series-State Tree (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
232.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fossil (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
233.Land of Enchantment Series-State Mammal (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
234.Land of Enchantment Series-State Insect (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
235.Land of Enchantment Series-State Bird (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
236.Siddhartha Guatama (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
237.Going in Circles (Santa Fe, NM) -10/19/2009
238.Stuck in the Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 11/4/2009
239.Which Way From Here (Stanley, NM) - 11/5/2009
240.The Flying Mini (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
241.A Buckin' Bronco (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
242.La Reina de Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/20/2010
243.Colores (Cedar Crest, NM) - 4/20/2010
244.Stench (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
245.La Morena (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
246.My Plane Ride to New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/8/2010
247.The Spinning Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
248.Burrito/Tiny Little Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
249.El Conquistador (San Ysidro, NM) - 5/20/2010
250.Tarry at Tamara (Bernalillo, NM) - 6/6/2010
251.Road Trip (Pilar, NM) - 7/2/2010
252.Side Trip (Pilar, NM) - 7/2/1010
253.Speed Racer (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/8/2010
254.A Southwest Icon (Santa Fe, NM) -7/14/2010
255.SFS (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
256.Animalia (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
257.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fish (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
258.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flower (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
259.Land of Enchantment Series-State Vegetable (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
260.Ski Bear (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
261.A Kiss from Connecticut (Cerrillos, NM) - 7/14/2010
262.KIMO (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010
263.Micro-Soft, It's Not Ice Cream! (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010
264.Redtop Diner (Edgewood, NM) - 8/3/2010
265.Southwest Pieta (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
266.New Heart (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
267.Chevy on a Stick (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/9/2010
268.Coyote del Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/2010
269.Betsy Ross (Philadelphia, PA) - 9/16/2010
270.An Epic Weekend (Philadelphia, PA) - 9/16/2010
271.Interstate Rest Stops VA I-81N 108 MM (Radford, VA) - 9/20/2010
272.Things that make you go Hmmm (Groom, TX) - 9/22/2010
273.VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, TX) - 9/22/2010
274.Shorty Was Here (Amarillo, TX) - 9/22/2010
275.Windy Memorial (Vega, TX) - 9/22/2010
276.Big Valley (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
277.Oppenheimer (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
278.The Black Hole (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
279.ABC New Mexico: A for Atomic Bombs (Los Alamos, NM) - 9/26/2010
280.ABC New Mexico: T for Turquoise Trail (Madrid, NM) - 9/26/2010
281.Panda and the Poo (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/28/2010
282.Chainsaw Bear (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/29/2010

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009
15.Zig Zag (Claunch, NM) - 05/16/2009
16.Smack Dab in the Middle (Mystery, NM) - 05/16/2009
17.Who? Who? (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009)
18.Sandia Peak Tram (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/16/2009
19.Wind Power (Willard, NM) - 5/10/2010
20.Valley of Fires (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
21.Beatles Series - "Octopus's Garden" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/8/2010
22.Beatles Series - "Blue Jay Way" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/8/2010
23.Beatles Series - "Lend Me Your Comb" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/10/2010
24.Beatles Series - "Old Brown Shoe" (Cedar Crest, NM) - 7/10/2010
25.Beatles Series - "The Long and Winding Road" (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
26.Beatles Series - "In Spite of all the Danger" (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010
27.Beatles Series - "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (Tijeras, NM) - 8/1/2010

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
12.GWB (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/09 (Placed: Pedalin Poet~Albuquerque, NM - 8/27/09)
13.The Only Thing to Do (Santa Fe, NM) - 09/26/2009 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM)
14.Thar She Blows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009 (Placed: Reno, NV)
15.Symbols of Asia (Santa Fe, NM) - 7/14/2010 (Placed: ABC NM Atomic Bombs 9/26/10)
16.Silhoette with Chair (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/2/2010 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM 8/9/10)
17.Get Off of My Back (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/2010 (Placed Panda and the Poo, ABQ, NM 9/28/10)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! 2007 (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6.iBienvenidos! 2009 (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009
7.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) -Sept. 26, 2009

NUMBER OF EVENTS ATTENDED
1.Santa Fe SPOOKtacular (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct. 6, 2007
2.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept. 26, 2009

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- Ocober 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
8.Slainte (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager, Phancy Phan Tail, Blind Smiley, Potted Frog, Dutch Rabbit, Wrong Hat, St. Patty's Day, Dewberry

Another reason why we homeschool ~ Lack of Morals

2010-09-17T14:46:00.001-06:00

Six Year Old gets kicked off the Cheerleading Team because parents complained about the words used in a Cheer

Happy Letterboxing Anniversary!!!

2010-05-12T11:47:00.003-06:00

Hard to believe, but we've been letterboxing for 3 years. Today is our 3 year anniversary!!!
Atlas Quest remembered and even gave us a virtual cake to help us celebrate. Whooohoo!
And today is also a special day for my husband and I. It's our 20 year wedding anniversary, too! Lots to celebrate!

And to help celebrate we decided to place two new letterboxes, "Wind Power" and "Valley of Fires". Our goal this year is to find 300 letterboxes and we are well on our way. Wish us luck!

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [8 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
End-Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
124.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
125.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
126.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
127.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
129.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
130.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
131.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
132.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
133.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
134.Put a little love in your heart (Bonus Box) (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
135.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
136.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
137.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
138.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
139.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
140.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
141.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
142.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
143.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
144.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
145.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
146.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
147.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
148.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
149.Alphabetical New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
150.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
151.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
152.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
153.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
154.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
155.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
156.The Book of Eli (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/11/2009
157.Alphabetical New Mexico: M (William C. McDonald) (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
158.Alphabetical New Mexico: W (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
159.Alphabetical New Mexico: Billie the Kid (Lincoln, NM) - 5/16/2009
160.Santa Fe Southern (Lamy, NM) - 7/04/2009
161.Salman Ranch (La Cueva, NM) - 7/04/2009
162.Coyote Creek State Park (Guadalapita, NM) - 7/04/2009
163.Angel Fire (Angel Fire, NM) - 7/04/2009
164.ABC New Mexico: Vietnam Veterans Memorial(Angel Fire, NM) 7/04/2009
165.The Dykes of Red River (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
166.Hummingbird (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
167.Foxy Box (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
168.Humming Hummingbird (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
169.ABC New Mexico: Eagle Nest Lake (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
170.The Lazy Wheeler (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
171.Christmas in July (Mora, NM) - 7/04/2009
172.Center of the Universe (Mystery Box, NM) - 8/12/09
173.Pueblo Palace (Bonus Box, NM) - 8/12/09
174.Rivers Edge (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
175.Everyone's Ditching Me (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
176.ABC Dolphin (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
177.Pedalin Poet (Albuquerque, NM) -8/27/09
178.Pedalin Papa (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
179.Dawn Light (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
180.Tunnel Springs Turtle (Placitas, NM) - 9/02/09
181.The Climbing Tree (Corrales, NM) - 9/02/09
182.Pedalin' Pigtail (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/02/09
183.Pedalin' Choo Choo-Bonus Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
184.New Mexico State Fair (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
185.Play Pasture Pool (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
186.Anisoptera (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
187.Hiding in Plain Sight (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
188.Ms. Forktail (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
189.Descansos (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
190.Battlefield New Mexico (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
191.Water-powered Grist Mill (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
192.For Leonora (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
193. El Camino (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
194.Ox Cart (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
195.Not Wonder Bread (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
196.O'K Jimson (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
197.El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
End-Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
198.Always in Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
199.Stamp in Every State: New Mexico Pug (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
200.Felis Concolor (Cerillos, NM) - 9/26/2009
201.Poecile Gambeli (Tijeras, NM) - 9/29/2009
202.Soon a Monsoon (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
203.The Beav~Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
204.Canis Latrans~Bonus Box (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009
205.Feathered Serpent (Mystery Box) - 10/14/2009
206.I knew I shoulda taken a left at Albuquerque (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/14/2009
207.Mass Happiness! (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
208.Lucky Sevens (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
209.Magical Gate (Cerillos, NM) - 10/19/2009
210.New Mexico's Eternal Flame (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
211.Keep Swimming (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
212.A Boy and His Tiger (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
213.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flag (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
214.Land of Enchantment Series-State Tree (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
215.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fossil (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
216.Land of Enchantment Series-State Mammal (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
217.Land of Enchantment Series-State Insect (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
218.Land of Enchantment Series-State Bird (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
219.Siddhartha Guatama (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
220.Going in Circles (Santa Fe, NM) -10/19/2009
221.Stuck in the Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 11/4/2009
222.Which Way From Here (Stanley, NM) - 11/5/2009
223. The Flying Mini (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
224.A Buckin' Bronco (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
225.La Reina de Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/20/2010
226.Colores (Cedar Crest, NM) - 4/20/2010
227.Stench (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
228.La Morena (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/27/2010
229.My Plane Ride to New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/8/2010
230.The Spinning Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010
231.Burrito/Tiny Little Burro (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009
15.Zig Zag (Claunch, NM) - 05/16/2009
16.Smack Dab in the Middle (Mystery, NM) - 05/16/2009
17.Who? Who? (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009)
18.Sandia Peak Tram (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/16/2009
19.Wind Power (Willard, NM) - 5/10/2010
20.Valley of Fires (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/10/2010

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
12.GWB (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/09 (Placed: Pedalin Poet~Albuquerque, NM - 8/27/09)
13.The Only Thing to Do (Santa Fe, NM) - 09/26/2009 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM)
14.Thar She Blows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009 (Placed: Reno, NV)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! 2007 (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6.iBienvenidos! 2009 (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009
7.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) -Sept. 26, 2009

NUMBER OF EVENTS ATTENDED
1.Santa Fe SPOOKtacular (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct. 6, 2007
2.El Rancho de las Letterboxing (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept. 26, 2009

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- Ocober 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
8.Slainte (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager, Phancy Phan Tail, Blind Smiley, Potted Frog, Dutch Rabbit, Wrong Hat, St. Patty's Day, Dewberry

Updated Letterboxing Totals

2009-11-09T13:48:00.003-07:00

Well my goal this year was to reach 200 letterboxes found, and we've reached that goal!! And surpassed it!! Whoohoo! This past weekend, I flew to Reno, Nevada and was able to find two letterboxes, so now I can add another state to our list of states we've letterboxed in: New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada!

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [2 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
End-Santa Fe Letterboxing Spooktacular Event
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
124.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
125.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
126.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
127.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
129.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
130.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
131.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
132.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
133.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
134.Put a little love in your heart (Bonus Box) (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
135.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
136.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
137.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
138.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
139.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
140.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
141.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
142.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
143.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
144.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
145.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
146.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
147.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
148.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
149.Alphabetical New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
150.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
151.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
152.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
153.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
154.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
155.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
156.The Book of Eli (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/11/2009
157.Alphabetical New Mexico: M (William C. McDonald) (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
158.Alphabetical New Mexico: W (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
159.Alphabetical New Mexico: Billie the Kid (Lincoln, NM) - 5/16/2009
160.Santa Fe Southern (Lamy, NM) - 7/04/2009
161.Salman Ranch (La Cueva, NM) - 7/04/2009
162.Coyote Creek State Park (Guadalapita, NM) - 7/04/2009
163.Angel Fire (Angel Fire, NM) - 7/04/2009
164.ABC New Mexico: Vietnam Veterans Memorial(Angel Fire, NM) 7/04/2009
165.The Dykes of Red River (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
166.Hummingbird (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
167.Foxy Box (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
168.Humming Hummingbird (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
169.ABC New Mexico: Eagle Nest Lake (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
170.The Lazy Wheeler (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
171.Christmas in July (Mora, NM) - 7/04/2009
172.Center of the Universe (Mystery Box, NM) - 8/12/09
173.Pueblo Palace (Bonus Box, NM) - 8/12/09
174.Rivers Edge (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
175.Everyone's Ditching Me (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
176.ABC Dolphin (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
177.Pedalin Poet (Albuquerque, NM) -8/27/09
178.Pedalin Papa (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
179.Dawn Light (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
180.Tunnel Springs Turtle (Placitas, NM) - 9/02/09
181.The Climbing Tree (Corrales, NM) - 9/02/09
182.Pedalin' Pigtail (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/02/09
183.Pedalin' Choo Choo-Bonus Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
184.New Mexico State Fair (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/03/09
185.Play Pasture Pool (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
186.Anisoptera (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/20/09
Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
187.Hiding in Plain Sight (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
188.Ms. Forktail (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
189.Descansos (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
190.Battlefield New Mexico (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
191.Water-powered Grist Mill (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
192.For Leonora (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
193. El Camino (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
194.Ox Cart (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
195.Not Wonder Bread (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
196.O'K Jimson (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
197.El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
End-Santa Fe El Rancho de Los Letterboxes Event
198.Always in Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
199.Stamp in Every State: New Mexico Pug (Santa Fe, NM) - 9/26/2009
200.Felis Concolor (Cerillos, NM) - 9/26/2009
201.Poecile Gambeli (Tijeras, NM) - 9/29/2009
202.Soon a Monsoon (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
203.The Beav~Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/4/2009
204.Canis Latrans~Bonus Box (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009
205.Feathered Serpent (Mystery, NM) - 10/14/2009
206.I knew I shoulda taken a left at Albuquerque (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/14/2009
207.Mass Happiness! (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
208.Lucky Sevens (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/18/2009
209.Magical Gate (Cerillos, NM) - 10/19/2009
210.New Mexico's Eternal Flame (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
211.Keep Swimming (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
212.A Boy and His Tiger (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009
213.Land of Enchantment Series-State Flag (Mystery, NM) - 10/19/2009
214.Land of Enchantment Series-State Tree (Mystery, NM) - 10/19/2009
215.Land of Enchantment Series-State Fossil (Mystery, NM) - 10/19/2009
216.Land of Enchantment Series-State Mammal (Mystery, NM) - 10/19/2009
217.Land of Enchantment Series-State Insect (Mystery, NM) - 10/19/2009
218.Land of Enchantment Series-State Bird (Mystery, NM) - 10/19/2009
219.Siddhartha Guatama (Mystery, NM) - 10/19/2009
220.Going in Circles (Santa Fe, NM) -10/19/2009
221.Stuck in the Bosque (Albuquerque, NM) - 11/4/2009
222.Which Way From Here (Stanley, NM) - 11/5/2009
223. The Flying Mini (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009
224.A Buckin' Bronco (Reno, NV) - 11/7/2009

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009
15.Zig Zag (Claunch, NM) - 05/16/2009
16.Smack Dab in the Middle (Mystery, NM) - 05/16/2009
17.Who? Who? (Cerillos, NM) - 10/4/2009)
18.Sandia Peak Tram (Albuquerque, NM) - 10/16/2009

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
12.GWB (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/09 (Placed: Pedalin Poet~Albuquerque, NM - 8/27/09)
13.The Only Thing to Do (Santa Fe, NM) - 09/26/2009 (Placed: Albuquerque, NM)
14.Thar She Blows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/19/2009 (Placed: Reno, NV)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! 2007 (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6.iBienvenidos! 2009 (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009
7.El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Santa Fe, NM) -Sept. 26, 2009

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
8.Slainte (Santa Fe, NM) - Sept 26, 2009

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager, Phancy Phan Tail, Blind Smiley, Potted Frog, Dutch Rabbit, Wrong Hat, St. Patty's Day, Dewberry

Updated Letterboxing Finds

2009-08-27T22:12:00.003-06:00

We are getting so close to reaching our 2009 goal of 200 found Letterboxes!!!

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [2 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
124.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
125.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
126.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
127.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
129.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
130.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
131.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
132.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
133.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
134.Paws & Purrs Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
135.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
136.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
137.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
138.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
139.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
140.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
141.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
142.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
143.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
144.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
145.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
146.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
147.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
148.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
149.Alphabetical New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
150.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
151.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
152.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
153.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
154.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
155.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
156.The Book of Eli (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/11/2009
157.Alphabetical New Mexico: M (William C. McDonald) (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
158.Alphabetical New Mexico: W (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
159.Alphabetical New Mexico: Billie the Kid (Lincoln, NM) - 5/16/2009
160.Santa Fe Southern (Lamy, NM) - 7/04/2009
161.Salman Ranch (La Cueva, NM) - 7/04/2009
162.Coyote Creek State Park (Guadalapita, NM) - 7/04/2009
163.Angel Fire (Angel Fire, NM) - 7/04/2009
164.ABC New Mexico: Vietnam Veterans Memorial(Angel Fire, NM) 7/04/2009
165.The Dykes of Red River (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
166.Hummingbird (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
167.Foxy Box (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
168.Humming Hummingbird (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
169.ABC New Mexico: Eagle Nest Lake (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
170.The Lazy Wheeler (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
171.Christmas in July (Mora, NM) - 7/04/2009
172.Center of the Universe (Mystery Box, NM) - 8/12/09
173.Pueblo Palace (Bonus Box, NM) - 8/12/09
174.Rivers Edge (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
175.Everyone's Ditching Me (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
176.ABC Dolphin (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
177.Pedalin Poet (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
178.Pedalin Papa (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09
179.Dawn Light (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/27/09

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009
15.Zig Zag (Claunch, NM) - 05/16/2009
16.Smack Dab in the Middle (Mystery, NM) - 05/16/2009

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
12.GWB (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/12/09 (Placed: Pedalin Poet~Albuquerque, NM - 8/27/09)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- Ocober 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager, Phancy Phan Tail

Letterboxing Totals

2009-07-05T21:13:00.001-06:00

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [2 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
124.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
125.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
126.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
127.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
129.ABC New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
130.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
131.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
132.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
133.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
134.Paws & Purrs Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
135.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
136.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
137.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
138.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
139.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
140.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
141.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
142.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
143.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
144.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
145.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
146.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
147.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
148.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
149.ABC New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
150.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
151.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
152.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
153.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
154.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
155.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
156.The Book of Eli (Carrizozo, NM) - 5/11/2009
157.ABC New Mexico: M (William C. McDonald) (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
158.ABC New Mexico: W (White Oaks, NM) - 5/11/2009
159.ABC New Mexico: Billie the Kid (Lincoln, NM) - 5/16/2009
160.Santa Fe Southern (Lamy, NM) - 7/04/2009
161.Salman Ranch (La Cueva, NM) - 7/04/2009
162.Coyote Creek State Park (Guadalapita, NM) - 7/04/2009
163.Angel Fire (Angel Fire, NM) - 7/04/2009
164.ABC New Mexico: Vietnam Veterans Memorial(Angel Fire, NM) 7/04/2009
165.The Dykes of Red River (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
166.Hummingbird (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
167.Foxy Box (Red River, NM) - 7/04/2009
168.Humming Hummingbird (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
169.ABC New Mexico: Eagle Nest Lake (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
170.The Lazy Wheeler (Eagle Nest, NM) - 7/04/2009
171.Christmas in July (Mora, NM) - 7/04/2009

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009
15.Zig Zag (Claunch, NM) - 05/16/2009
16.Smack Dab in the Middle (Mystery, NM) - 05/16/2009

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) 4/25/2009

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- Ocober 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager, Phancy Phan Tail

The Bitter Homeschooler's Wish List

2009-06-07T17:18:00.001-06:00

The Bitter Homeschooler’s Wish List
By Deborah Markus, from Secular Homeschooling, Issue #1, Fall 2007

1. Please stop asking us if it’s legal. If it is — and it is — it’s insulting to imply that we’re criminals. And if we were criminals, would we admit it?

2. Learn what the words “socialize” and “socialization” mean, and use the one you really mean instead of mixing them up the way you do now. Socializing means hanging out with other people for fun. Socialization means having acquired the skills necessary to do so successfully and pleasantly. If you’re talking to me and my kids, that means that we do in fact go outside now and then to visit the other human beings on the planet, and you can safely assume that we’ve got a decent grasp of both concepts.

3. Quit interrupting my kid at her dance lesson, scout meeting, choir practice, baseball game, art class, field trip, park day, music class, 4H club, or soccer lesson to ask her if as a homeschooler she ever gets to socialize.

4. Don’t assume that every homeschooler you meet is homeschooling for the same reasons and in the same way as that one homeschooler you know.

5. If that homeschooler you know is actually someone you saw on TV, either on the news or on a “reality” show, the above goes double.

6. Please stop telling us horror stories about the homeschoolers you know, know of, or think you might know who ruined their lives by homeschooling. You’re probably the same little bluebird of happiness whose hobby is running up to pregnant women and inducing premature labor by telling them every ghastly birth story you’ve ever heard. We all hate you, so please go away.

7. We don’t look horrified and start quizzing your kids when we hear they’re in public school. Please stop drilling our children like potential oil fields to see if we’re doing what you consider an adequate job of homeschooling.

8. Stop assuming all homeschoolers are religious.

9. Stop assuming that if we’re religious, we must be homeschooling for religious reasons.

10. We didn’t go through all the reading, learning, thinking, weighing of options, experimenting, and worrying that goes into homeschooling just to annoy you. Really. This was a deeply personal decision, tailored to the specifics of our family. Stop taking the bare fact of our being homeschoolers as either an affront or a judgment about your own educational decisions.

11. Please stop questioning my competency and demanding to see my credentials. I didn’t have to complete a course in catering to successfully cook dinner for my family; I don’t need a degree in teaching to educate my children. If spending at least twelve years in the kind of chew-it-up-and-spit-it-out educational facility we call public school left me with so little information in my memory banks that I can’t teach the basics of an elementary education to my nearest and dearest, maybe there’s a reason I’m so reluctant to send my child to school.

12. If my kid’s only six and you ask me with a straight face how I can possibly teach him what he’d learn in school, please understand that you’re calling me an idiot. Don’t act shocked if I decide to respond in kind.

13. Stop assuming that because the word “home” is right there in “homeschool,” we never leave the house. We’re the ones who go to the amusement parks, museums, and zoos in the middle of the week and in the off-season and laugh at you because you have to go on weekends and holidays when it’s crowded and icky.

14. Stop assuming that because the word “school” is right there in homeschool, we must sit around at a desk for six or eight hours every day, just like your kid does. Even if we’re into the “school” side of education — and many of us prefer a more organic approach — we can burn through a lot of material a lot more efficiently, because we don’t have to gear our lessons to the lowest common denominator.

15. Stop asking, “But what about the Prom?” Even if the idea that my kid might not be able to indulge in a night of over-hyped, over-priced revelry was enough to break my heart, plenty of kids who do go to school don’t get to go to the Prom. For all you know, I’m one of them. I might still be bitter about it. So go be shallow somewhere else.

16. Don’t ask my kid if she wouldn’t rather go to school unless you don’t mind if I ask your kid if he wouldn’t rather stay home and get some sleep now and then.

17. Stop saying, “Oh, I could never homeschool!” Even if you think it’s some kind of compliment, it sounds more like you’re horrified. One of these days, I won’t bother disagreeing with you any more.

18. If you can remember anything from chemistry or calculus class, you’re allowed to ask how we’ll teach these subjects to our kids. If you can’t, thank you for the reassurance that we couldn’t possibly do a worse job than your teachers did, and might even do a better one.

19. Stop asking about how hard it must be to be my child’s teacher as well as her parent. I don’t see much difference between bossing my kid around academically and bossing him around the way I do about everything else.

20. Stop saying that my kid is shy, outgoing, aggressive, anxious, quiet, boisterous, argumentative, pouty, fidgety, chatty, whiny, or loud because he’s homeschooled. It’s not fair that all the kids who go to school can be as annoying as they want to without being branded as representative of anything but childhood.

21. Quit assuming that my kid must be some kind of prodigy because she’s homeschooled.

22. Quit assuming that I must be some kind of prodigy because I homeschool my kids.

23. Quit assuming that I must be some kind of saint because I homeschool my kids.

24. Stop talking about all the great childhood memories my kids won’t get because they don’t go to school, unless you want me to start asking about all the not-so-great childhood memories you have because you went to school.

25. Here’s a thought: If you can’t say something nice about homeschooling, shut up!

Happy Mudders Day!

2009-05-09T20:53:00.002-06:00

We celebrated Mothers Day in a very special way. Come check it out on my Laughing Orca Ranch blog, Mudders Day!!!

Be Afraid! Noone is Safe from Patriot Act!!

2009-05-07T13:53:00.005-06:00

This is absolutely frightening what has happened to this 16 yr old homeschooled boy. This is clearly Identity Theft, but the Government is not doing any investigating at all! And this young boy cannot even receive due process or private legal representation. He can't even have communication with his own family! He is being kept in a prison with adult criminals far away in another state and being traumatized by the experience. His innocence has been stolen...all because someone stole his ISP address and his identity!

Watch the video HERE!

Free Ashton Lundeby!
by William Norman Grigg

It's been said that a lie is a poor way to say "hello." It is also the standard greeting one receives from government employees, particularly those who carry guns.

Around 10:00 p.m. on March 5, a wolf-pack of armed men gathered at the front door of the Lundeby family's home in Oxford, North Carolina.

When she answered the doorbell, Annette was greeted with the sight of a State Highway Patrolman who introduced himself with a lie. Things went dramatically downhill from there.

"He told me that my son Ashton had committed a hit-and-run with somebody's car," Annette told Pro Libertate in a phone interview. "I said, 'No, that's not true – it was exactly the reverse; he was on the receiving end of a hit-and-run, and that was last January.'"

The State Trooper's lie was a pretext to rouse the home-schooled teenager from bed and bring him to the doorstep. Once the falsehood shattered against Mrs. Lundeby's polite resolve, however, the pretense was dropped and roughly a dozen armed men in body armor stormed into her home. One of them demanded that Annette go get her son; the others fanned out to search the house.

"They wouldn't tell me who they were, or where they were from," Annette recalled. "All I knew was that if I said the wrong thing I'd be dead on the floor, and there would be nobody here to protect my children." So she went upstairs and woke up her son, as instructed. When she returned with Ashton she demanded to see a search warrant. She was shown the paperwork, but the intruders were still reluctant to explain why they had invaded her home.

At some point over the next three and a half hours, Annette and Ashton learned that the men who had barged into their home were from the FBI, and that the teenage boy, who had never been in trouble with the police, was suspected of making several bomb threats via the internet. The one that brought the FBI had been made against Purdue University in Indiana at 9:05 Central Time on February 15.

Ashton had an alibi so tight it could be used as a space capsule: On the evening in question he was at a meeting held in the Union Chapel Methodist Church in Kittrell, North Carolina until after 9:00 p.m. local time, a fact that could be confirmed by interviewing any of several dozen witnesses.

After helping his mother clean the chapel, Ashton accompanied her to a local grocery store to buy food and litter box filler for the family's three cats. Once again, this element of Ashton's alibi – for which his mother was an eyewitness – would be relatively simple to confirm.

The Union Chapel church is about 35 minutes away from the Lundeby family's home. Annette recalls that the family got home shortly after 10:00 on February 15, which wouldn't have given her son adequate time to log on to the Internet and make a bomb threat by 10:05 Eastern Time (which would have been 9:05 p.m. in Indiana). She also insists that her son "went straight to bed" without turning on his computer.

The FBI insists that the threat was made using Ashton's IP address. Mrs. Lundeby insists that her son was the victim of identity theft, and that he was not the family’s only victim. Her late husband, a former employee of the federal Bureau of Prisons, also had his personal financial information stolen, and Annettee herself recalls that her bank account was hacked a couple of years ago.

For the past several months, she explained to Pro Libertate, "our family has been receiving bizarre and threatening phone calls from people" because of the malicious activities of at least one hacker.

"We had the police call here claiming that someone had called 911 to report drugs in our home. I told them that there wasn't anything going on here, but they were free to come and search the place to see for themselves."

That's an invitation she wouldn't extend again under similar circumstances.

According to Annette, at least one of Ashton's friends can identify, by screenname, the hacker who made life miserable for the Lundebys. Once again, there is no shortage of leads for an honest, competent, reasonably resourceful investigator to follow in establishing Ashton's alibi. The unfortunate truth is that the FBI is, as far as I can tell, entirely devoid of people meeting that description.

Annette and her children were held hostage in their home until 1:30 in the morning. The 12-year-old daughter was dragged from her bed by an armed stranger – an act that left the girl traumatized (and one for which the assailant should be thrashed to within a centimeter of his tax-devouring existence). Annette insisted that Ashton not answer any questions without an attorney present, but she wasn't permitted to call one.

The Feds confiscated Ashton's computer and gaming equipment, and made off with a great deal of family paperwork. But they couldn't find a particle of evidence anywhere to suggest that the teenager had built a bomb, or that possessed the necessary knowledge and intent. Nonetheless, they handcuffed Ashton and hauled him away to jail.

A hearing was scheduled for 10:00 a.m., which meant "that I couldn't get an attorney – none of their offices was open," Annette recalls. Her son was given a court-appointed attorney, a typically ineffective nebbish who – in the fashion of court-appointed "defense" counsel everywhere – was entirely disinclined to contest the prosecution's assertions.

At this point it's appropriate to note that "court-appointed" defense lawyers perform exactly the same function as "jobbers" in professional wrestling: Their job is to lose every contest. And judges in federal cases serve the same purpose as referees in pro wrestling "matches": They offer a pitiful pantomime of objectivity as they advance the pre-determined storyline. In this case, the script called for Ashton to be taken into federal custody under the terms of the Sovietesque PATRIOT (sic) Act.

"The standard that they used to arrest and detain my son was not 'probable cause,' as the Constitution requires, but rather 'good faith,' as specified in the PATRIOT [sic] Act," Annette Lundeby observes. "This meant that they didn't have to provide real evidence of a crime, because they didn't have any. All they had to do was assert their 'good faith' reasons for arresting and holding Ashton, and the judge simply let it stand."

Before and after the hearing, Ashton – a sixteen-year-old – was kept in detention with as many as thirty adult criminal suspects. He was then transferred to a federal detention center in South Bend, Indiana, where he has been for more than 60 days.

As of today (May 5), a criminal complaint in this case does exist, but Ashton has yet to be charged with a crime. Were we living in a country in which the habeas corpus guarantee was operational, Ashton would most likely be free, and a lawsuit against his persecutors would probably be in the works.

However, the late Bush administration, with the enthusiastic support of nearly every conservative commentator and activist of any consequence, quite thoughtfully disposed of the habeas corpus guarantee. And since Ashton is being held on terrorism-related charges, his status is analogous to that of an "enemy combatant" – which is to say, he can probably be held indefinitely, and even be subjected to the same "enhanced interrogation" methods that so enchant many of the pew-defilers in conservative "Christian" congregations.

Ashton hasn't been mistreated yet, according to his mother. However, the 16-year-old – who is "in every sense still a child," in his mother's estimation – is in an environment defined by cruel, arbitrary regulations designed to break his will.

"I've been able to talk with him several times since he was taken into federal custody," Annette told me, "but there was a period of about three weeks in which I didn't hear from him, and nobody would let me talk to him. I was frantic, and my mother – she just turned 81 – had to be hospitalized for stress."

When that long silence was finally broke, Ashton explained to his mother that "he was being punished for 'moving his eyes in the lunchroom,'" Annette related in a voice heavy with incredulity. "He told me, 'Mom, all I did was try to find out what we were eating. But I got written up for moving my eyes.'"

If the case goes to trial, Ashton would be prosecuted as an adult, and would face a 15-year prison sentence. The Feds, who at this point appear to have no case, are quite likely using the leverage offered by the PATRIOT (sic) Act and similar measures to terrorize Ashton and his family into a plea bargain that would preserve the State's sense of infallibility and reinforce by precedent its ability to terrorize citizens at random.

Something of this sort took place last time a teenager was charged with terrorism under the PATRIOT (sic) Act – specifically, section 802, which makes practically any crime committed on "public" property an act of "terrorism."

Two years ago, Andrew Thomas, the demented and politically ambitious prosecutor for Arizona's Maricopa County,filed "terrorism" charges against Brent Clark, a 14-year-old delinquent from Mesa who pulled a pocketknife on a schoolmate. Thomas also charged the eighth grader with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which seems like a sufficiently serious offense. But invoking the post-PATRIOT (sic) definition of "terrorism" helped extract a pre-emptive guilty plea from the adolescent and his family.

In Brent Clark's case, there was an actual crime committed: He threatened a girl with a knife and tried, albeit not with much ardor, to take her hostage before permitting her to flee to her home. Brent's parents apparently discovered evidence suggesting that the emotionally disturbed teenager harbored ambitions – how serious, we'll never know – of carrying out Columbine-style violence.

None of that applies in the case of Ashton Lundeby. Apart from the use of Ashton's ISP information – a fact for which he and his mother have provided a persuasive and easily inspected alibi – nothing connects the 16-year-old to a bomb threat anywhere. Under traditional Anglo-Saxon standards of evidence and due process there is no case against Ashton.

This is precisely why the Feds are apparently using the Stalinist PATRIOT (sic) Act to keep this youngster confined for as long as it takes to extort some kind of confession from him.

If they determine the situation requires such measures, the Feds can draw upon the precedent set in the case of José Padilla, the first U.S. citizen to be designated an "enemy combatant" and held indefinitely without criminal charges. In Padilla's case, federal authorities conducted a prolonged campaign of psychological torture designed not only to break his will, but literally – in the words of a Bush administration official – "to destroy Mr. Padilla's ordinary emotional and cognitive functioning in order to extract from him potentially self-incriminating information."

Annette Lundeby once attended a police academy; her late husband, as noted previously, was an employee of the Bureau of Prisons. The family's home in North Carolina is decorated with U.S. flags. The three of them are devout Christians who spend most of their free time in church-related activities. The loss of Annette's husband was a severe blow, and the continued harassment they have suffered from hackers and identity thieves is the sort of thing one reads about in the Book of Job.

But the treatment of Ashton by the Regime is like something from modern dystopian literature; indeed, Franz Kafka might find the story nearly implausible.

"This isn't America – not the America I knew, the one I grew up in," Annette told Pro Libertate. "This is like something out of a Third World dictatorship where the people in power just do whatever they want to anybody they choose. I want my son back, and I'll do anything I can to free him. But people need to know that if this isn't stopped now, any of us at anytime can be treated the same way. The next time it will be your house they visit in the middle of the night, and your children they take away."

May 6, 2009

William Norman Grigg [send him mail] writes the Pro Libertate blog.

Copyright © 2009 William Norman Grigg

Watch the video HERE!

Letterboxing~Albuquerque

2009-04-26T23:19:00.004-06:00

Fantastyk Voyager,and my daughter and I did some letterboxing on Saturday after we participated in the San Ysidro Church Mudders Day. We had lots of fun playing with mud as we resurfaced one of the mud walls in front of the beautiful old adobe church.

And afterwards we found the following letterboxes: Oso Canyon, Hidden Park, Bataan Memorial Park, and UNM Dreams. I also helped Fantastyk Voyager find Koi Pond at the UNM Fish Pond. I had already found that 2 years ago. Wow! I've been letterboxing for two years?! Time flies!

So here's the most recent letterboxing update:

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [2 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Smokey Bear (Capitan, NM) - 5/25/2008
124.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
125.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
126.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
127.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
129.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
130.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
131.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
132.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
133.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
134.Paws & Purrs Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
135.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
136.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
137.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
138.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
139.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
140.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
141.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
142.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
143.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
144.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
145.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
146.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
147.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
148.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
149.ABC New Mexico:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
150.New Mexico in a Box (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
151.Pie Time (Socorro, NM) - 03/22/09
152.Oso Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
153.Hidden Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
154.Bataan Memorial Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009
155.UNM Dreams (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/25/2009

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008
13.Fortune Teller (Sandia Park, NM) -03/28/2009
14.Corrales Crawdad (Corrales, NM) - 4/21/2009

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)
11.Moving On (Albuquerque, NM) 4/25/2009

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008
2.Evil Bat (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Putting on Pounds (Santa Fe)- October 6, 2007
3.Clover (Santa Fe)- Ocober 6, 2007

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager, Phancy Phan Tail

Letterboxing~Fortune Teller

2009-03-29T20:15:00.013-06:00

On Saturday I asked, Val of Fantastyk Voyage, if she would want to drive me to Tinkertown Museum so I could place a letterbox there that I'd created. Val, always up for an adventure, gladly agreed and we were on our way for the short drive up into the Sandia Mountains.

Tinkertown was created and built by Ross Ward and his wife Carla for more than 40 years. Ross's miniature wood-carved figures were first part of a traveling exhibit, driven to county fairs and carnivals in the 1960s and '70s. Today over 50,000 glass bottles form rambling walls that surround a 22-room museum. Wagon wheels, old fashioned store fronts, and wacky western memorabilia make Tinkertown's exterior as much as a museum as the wonders within. Inside, the magic of animation takes over. The inhabitants of a raucous little western town animate to hilarious life. Under the big top, diminutive circus performers challenge tigers and defy gravity while the Fat Lady fans herself and a polar bear teeters and totters.
Throughout, eccentric collections of Americana fill Tinkertown's winding hallways. Otto the one-man-band and Esmerelda, the Fortune Teller, need only a quarter to play a tune or predict your future. Through a doorway and across a ramp waits a big-sized surprise: a 35' antique wooden sailboat that braved a 10 year voyage around the world, captained by Carla Ward's own brother.
Ever a work in progress, Tinkertown is ready to inspire your imagination and awaken your creative spirit. (Copied in part from the Tinkertown website)
This map shows many of the visitors that have stopped by from around the world.
It's about time for Jenna's little red jacket to go a new little girl. But Jenna loves her jacket, even though it's a mite bit too small for her. For now, that's a battle I choose not to fight. If it makes my daughter happy, that's good enough for me. Winter will soon be over and red jacket will be forgotten. (Click photo to biggify the glass bottle wall)

What's cookin'?
I liked the horse art and Jenna liked the snake art.
An old Chuckwagon.

Val, Fantastyk Voyager was excited to see her trail name moniker as a metal sculpture.

I love this: "Live Life AS the Pursuit of Happiness"
The owner, Carla is a retired Hunter/Jumper Eventer of 14 years. We enjoyed a wonderful conversation about horses and she even gave me her old Parelli halter and rope. I was so surprised and honored and I now consider her a dear friend.

The entryway into the Gift Shop.
One of the plaques inside the museum.

Road Trip~West Central NM

2009-03-29T20:11:00.000-06:00

We left Quemado, NM and headed north into El Malpais National Monument and Cebolla Wilderness. El Malpais means The Badlands due to the volcanic activity in the area. The land is covered in thick layers of rugged, black lava and lava tubes pock the area. The Chain of Craters Wilderness area is also nearby and begs to be explored.

This area is also bordered by both the Acoma and Zuni Pueblo Indian Reservations.
In addition the Continental Divide Trail meanders through the Wilderness and El Malpais National Monument as it travels the length of the Rocky Mountains from Mexico up to Canada.

We stopped off at The Narrows picnic area to do some exploring. Most of the rock in the area is igneous rock called Tuff, which is basically formed from volcanic ash that was spewed during pyroclastic flows about a thousand years ago.
Val had fun scrambling over the rocks.
I really like this photo of my dear friend Val. She looks so beautiful in this natural setting.
Like me, Val loves to hike and explore. I can't wait until I can join her this summer when my knee is stronger. (click pic to biggify)
Be careful on those curves or you'll end up like Tippy Truck!
This gorgeous Tuff was such a lovely pink color.
Through The Narrows we had black lava on one side of the road and these steep, impressive cliffs rising directly beside us on the other side.
The Sawtooth Mountains face West and we were there the perfect time of day: Sunset.
There were mysterious caves tucked into the cliffs, too.
The Sawtooth Mountains of New Mexico, touched by the setting sun, glowed a warm red, as if the color was emanating from the inside of the rock.
These gorgeous mountains stretched on for several miles.
We couldn't get enough of the amazing rock formations.
I just stuck my camera out the window, as we drove down the road, and kept my finger on the shutter, snapping photo after photo.
As the sun went down the shadows lengthened.
The road twisted and turned with breathtaking views in every direction, yet not another car on the road.
As we rounded a bend La Ventana Arch revealed itself to us in all it's grandeur.
Information about this must-see area (click pic for a larger view)
Val and I couldn't get enough of admiring all these impressive and beautiful rocks and cliffs. We were like a couple of young girls so excited.
Information on how La Ventana Arch was formed. (click to biggify)
A close-up.
Apparently there are more elk living in West Central New Mexico, than people. Over 70,000 elk call this area home.
We were amazed how these 50-100 ft Ponderosa pine trees could grow right out of the rocks in these cliffs.
These are very similar to the Tent Rocks, also formed by volcanic ash (tuff), located in the Jemez Mountains in Central New Mexico.
Check out these huge Ponderosa pine trees!
It appears as if our road dead-ends at that wall.
But then the road makes a quick turn.
We were losing light and the sun was setting.
We drove Interstate 40 through Albuquerque, on the way back home.

Letterboxing Road Trip~ West Central NM

2009-03-25T16:54:00.002-06:00

Whoowee! I don't think I realized how many photos I took from our road trip adventure. I've even deleted half of them! And I've still got bunches to share here, of which I'll do in two parts, so noone's eyes glaze over. hah!

My horse riding friend/letterboxing buddy, Val of Fantastyk Voyage invited me to join her on a road trip/letterboxing adventure along with her Mom and Sister-in-Law(SIL). The plans were originally just to drive out to Pie Town to find a letterbox and enjoy a slice of the famous pie, but we discovered that Pie Town is completely shut down on Sundays, so we decided to focus on letterboxing.

Our first letterbox was called New Mexico in a Box placed in the perfect locale. We found the letterbox and it's very appropriate hand-carved stamp and clever logbook, in a box canyon not far from Socorro, NM. I was a little envious that Val was able to do some rock scrambling and exploring as that is something I enjoy, too. But she was a good sport willing to pose for pictures. (Thanks Val!)
After leaving The Box we decided to listen to our tummies that had been growling very loudly and we headed into the little prairie town of Magdalena, NM, which is surrounded by National Forest and Wilderness.

I noticed this little fiber shop and just had to get a picture. See the llama and angora goat, and the cute sheep?
This house also caught my eye. Many of the buildings and homes are historic and beautifully unique.
We enjoyed driving down different roads all around town. We just never knew what we might see.
(His tummy was empty, too)
Hmmmm. Very anatomically correct.
I thought this adobe wall, literally 'hand'made, was beautiful.
We were all tickled to stumble upon this cowboy, whom we fondly named Rusty. Val finally found her a rough and rugged cowboy. Though, she may need a tetanus shot if she goes any farther with the relationship. (Jeez, that baggy shirt and those wrinkly pants make me look so fat! Yukko!)

Sorry Rusty. It just wasn't meant to be.

I was very impressed with Magdalena's re-use/recycling efforts of turning the old train depot into a handsome, historic library.

Well we just couldn't wait any longer to satisfy our hunger and we stopped at the only restaurant open in town.
First on the table was a plate full of delicious handmade tortilla chips and spicy, flavorful salsa. Yummo!
Val's SIL ordered fried shrimp. (I know! Who orders seafood in a middle-of-nowhere restaurant in New Mexico? Days away from any ocean, no less! hah! SIL said they were yummy, though. I took her word for it.)
Because I ordered the best Navajo Taco I have ever eaten in my life! The sopapilla was soft and wonderfully handmade. I ordered it with 'Christmas', which in "New Mexico Speak" is red chile and green chile served together. Oh my gosh, talk about a 'food-gasm'. I was right there, baby!
(Wipe that drool of your chin my friend!)
Val ordered a Green Chile Cheeseburger, which she said tasted great. The cheese was a little weird, though. (Click photo to bigefy)
Val's Mom ordered a scrumptious Enchilada, also with 'Christmas'. Mmmmmm!

After we finished our meals (my first restaurant meal since my injury, by the way) we waddled out of the Ponderosa Restaurant and explored Magdalena a little more.

The old bank building on Main street.
I saw a sign for the Old Stock Shipping Yards and was so excited to check it out. (Click pic to biggefy)
I swear I could almost hear the sounds and smells of the cowboys, horses, sheep and the cattle along with the steam and whistling sounds of the train still lingering like ghosts.
There were a few horses at the far end that were being kept in one of the pens. So cool!
The place was just sprawling more than an acre. Unfortunately I wasn't able to climb down in there to explore, but Val did and even posed for a picture in one of the ramp chutes.

We left Magdalena and drove a little farther on to find a letterbox and visit the famous Very Large Array (VLA).
I've been here a number of times over the past 18 years and Ranchman John's father even spent time here years ago working on site. It's always very windy here on the Plains of San Augustin.
It's quite a spectacle to see as you drive across the plains.
A very unique place, definetely a location to place on your Bucket List.

We always see lots of wildlife when we visit, including herds of Pronghorn Antelope.

I'm very grateful for my camera's zoom...zoom!
This is where the NRAO works on the huge radio telescopes. Can you see Val and I down there?
The machines used to move and work around the telescopes were very cool.

It's impressive to get up close to these huge structures.

Near the visitor center we noticed a coyote on the prowl.
Everywhere we looked we saw Jack Rabbits being flushed out of their hiding places. The coyote kept his eye out for an easy meal.
He moved on across the tracks that are used to move the radio telescopes across the plains. (click pic to biggify)
This guy said, "Whew! Coyote's gone"

When it was time to leave the VLA, we experienced some traffic.
A Bovine Train
This little one was so cute! Y'all know how much I love me an 'orca-colored' critter.
And just check out this guy. I named him Norman (Remember City Slickers?)

Looking in her pretty doe eyes, I could hear her thinking, "Ok lady, can you move on and stop pointing that black box at me? Sheesh. Hooomans!"

We were finally on our way driving west on 60 towards Pie Town. There were the typical beautiful New Mexico vistas everywhere we looked.
(Click any of the pics to biggify)

We crossed over the Continental Divide at 8,000 ft elevation right before we scooted into Pie Town. Only two restaurants serve Pie Town and they both serve pie....but not on Sunday. (sob)
I was still a good sport and pretended to eat pie.
We found the cleverly hidden letterbox, and it's lovely hand carved stamp easily and Val even posed for a photo on "main street" in front of Daily Pie Cafe. There were only 3 buildings on 'main street' an two served pie. (we did find a broken Easy Boot on the ground in front of the truck. Do you see it below the 'R'? It was nice to know horses had been there.)
We were all surprised to find out that, when the restaurants are open their pies cost $5-6 a slice and $20.00 a pie. Whew! It must be some good pie! I do look forward to coming back for some one day.

We left Pie Town and headed North West towards Quemado, NM where we stopped for a snack and a photo of this attractive stone church.

To be Continued...........

Letterboxing Totals

2009-02-15T21:19:00.001-07:00

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [2 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
124.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
125.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
126.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
127.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
129.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
130.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
131.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
132.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
133.Paws & Purrs Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
134.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
135.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
136.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
137.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
138.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
139.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
140.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
141.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
142.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
143.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
144.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
145.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08
146.Marsh Mellow (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
147.Dabbling Duck (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08
148.Alphabetical NM:Sand Hill Crane (San Antonio, NM) - 12/15/08

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial Box (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle Box (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

COOTIES:

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
8. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager

ABQ Sunday Journal Letterboxing Article

2009-02-15T19:22:00.006-07:00

If you are visiting here for the first time after reading the Sunday February 15th article in The Albuquerque Sunday Journal, on the front page of the Living Section, please check out our many Letterboxing articles posted on this blog. We've found over 140 letterboxes over the past two years and we posted about most of our searches and journeys. We hope you enjoy reading through them and it motivates you to get out there and letterbox, too.
Check out our letterboxing blog posts: HERE.

And afterwards, if you think you are ready to start letterboxing, check out Letterboxing.org and Atlas Quest Letterboxing Tutorials.

We hope you enjoy letterboxing as much as we have.

Thanks for visiting our blog today and we hope you'll come back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: Our family has been on a temporary letterboxing hiatus, due to a fall from my horse on Christmas Eve. As soon as I've recuperated from my surgery, we hope to get back out on the trails again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MainStream Homeschooling

2008-11-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Movie stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, married in 1997, home school their two children along with Will’s nephew. Why? “For flexibility,” Pinkett Smith told an Essence reporter, “so they can stay with us when we travel, and also because the school system in this country—public and private—is designed for the industrial age. We’re in a technological age. We don’t want our kids to memorize. We want them to learn.” While home schooling may have particular appeal to celebrities, over the last decade families of all kinds have embraced the practice for widely varying reasons: no longer is home schooling exclusive to Christian fundamentalism and the countercultural Left. Along with growing acceptance of home schooling nationally has come increasing diversification of who home schools and of what home schooling actually means.

Though parents and tutors have been teaching children in the home for centuries, in the late 1960s and 1970s there emerged for the first time in the United States a political movement that adopted this practice as a radical, countercultural critique of the public education system. Conservatives who felt the public schools had sold out to secularism and progressivism joined with progressives who felt the public schools were bastions of conservative conformity to challenge the notion that all children should attend them. By the early 1990s they had won the right to home school in every state. Some home-school advocacy groups have attempted to secure a federal law or Supreme Court ruling that would establish uniform national guidelines grounded in First or Fourteenth Amendment rights, but to date such efforts have failed (to the great relief of home-school advocacy groups that oppose this strategy). Home schooling thus falls under state law, and these laws vary widely. A complex matrix of specific statutory language and judicial interpretations emerged out of the maelstrom of political activism over the issue that started in the late 1970s. In Indiana and Michigan, for example, there are virtually no restrictions on home schoolers and very little accountability to government. Home-schooling parents are not even required to register. In Pennsylvania and New York, state

By the 21st century, state laws were well established and uncontested, though nearly every year state legislators or judges, especially in the most permissive states, seek to increase regulations on home-schooling families in the name of accountability. Such initiatives nearly always fail due to the astonishing grass-roots organization and political mobilization of home schoolers. The most recent challenge to home schooling arose when a California court cited a 1929 state law that ostensibly requires home tutors to be state-certified. After several months of protests and concomitant uncertainty for the 160,000 home-schooled children in the state, the court reversed the ruling to permit home schooling as a “species of private school education” and came surprisingly close to finding in the federal Constitution a right to home school.

Reliable nationwide numbers are difficult to obtain, but the National Center for Education Statistics estimates that from 1999 to 2003 the number of home-schooled children increased from around 850,000 to roughly 1.1 million, a 29 percent jump in four years. Movement leaders suggest even higher estimates of around 2 to 2.5 million children currently being home schooled. Some states keep their own figures. Virginia had 3,816 registered home schoolers in 1990. By 2007 the number had grown to 20,694. Maryland saw similar growth, from 2,296 in 1990 to 24,227 in 2006.

After three decades of explosive growth, the rate of increase in home schooling has begun to slow somewhat, and home-schooling rates are even declining a bit in some states. In Pennsylvania, there were 24,415 reported home schoolers in 2002, the largest figure the state had ever seen. But in 2003 the number of registered home schoolers dropped to 24,076. In 2004 it declined again to 23,287, a decrease of 3.3 percent from the previous year.

Among the possible explanations for declines in home schooling is the increased use of home-based public charter schools, often called “cybercharters” because of their extensive use of online curricula, by families that had previously been home schooling independently. Home schooling is blending with other education movements to lead the way toward a 21st-century education matrix that is far more dynamic and adaptive than the schooling patterns of the past.

While large numbers of home-schooled kids transition to traditional schools in their teen years, home schooling for older children is a high-growth market, and there has been an explosion in innovative programs for them. Home schoolers have challenged and are increasingly overturning laws barring them from participation in high school sports and other extracurricular activities offered by public schools. Journalist Peter Beinart found that Wichita’s 1,500 home-schooling families had created “three bands, a choir, a bowling group, a math club, a 4-H Club, boy- and girl-scout troops, a debate team, a yearly musical, two libraries and a cap-and-gown graduation.” “Home-schooled” children were meeting in warehouses or business centers for classes “in algebra, English, science, swimming, accounting, sewing, public speaking, and Tae Kwan Do.”

None of the small-scale culture skirmishes begin to match the controversy generated by the growing popularity of government-sponsored initiatives for home schoolers, however. Many public school districts, having lost the fight to criminalize home schooling, now openly court home schoolers. School districts around the country are experimenting with programs that allow students to home school for part of the day but take certain classes at the local public school.

School districts with high rates of home schooling have seen significant drops in funding, tied as it is to per-pupil enrollment. The Maricopa County school district in Arizona, for example, had by the year 2000 lost $34 million due to the exodus of 7,526 home schoolers. In an effort to win some of them back, the district began offering à la carte services through satellite campuses at strip malls and other locations. Home schoolers there have attended weekly enrichment classes in such subjects as sign language, art, karate, and modern dance. The district receives one-quarter of each pupil’s government allocation for every student it enrolls in one of the classes. The state of Washington has been a national leader in establishing such partnerships. At the Homeschool Resource Center operated by the Seattle Public School District, home-schooled children can choose from a rotating menu of classes or just stop by to use the computer center or library.

The College Board has seen a dramatic rise in home schoolers who take Advanced Placement tests. Some 410 home-schooled students took them in 2000, while 1,282 did so in 2005. Home-schooling diploma services have multiplied across the country, as have honor societies like the Houston-based Eta Sigma Alpha. Many states have begun to extend to home schoolers the popular dual-enrollment programs (sometimes called “Running Start”) that allow high-school students to enroll for free in classes at local colleges. Florida and Washington are perhaps the national leaders in establishing such programs, but other states are warming to the possibility.

Not surprisingly, all of this innovation and experimentation at the secondary level has led to a dramatic rise in applications to institutions of higher education by students without a traditional high-school background. In 1986, 90 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities had no explicit home-schooling admissions policy. A 2004 study by Paul Jones and Gene Gloeckner found that by that year, over 75 percent of the institutions did, and that the majority of admissions officers surveyed had very positive feelings about home-schooled applicants. Another 2004 study by Sean Callaway of Pace University, of the home-school admissions policies of 72 colleges and universities and the performance of home-schooled students who were enrolled, found that home schoolers were generally happy with the way they were evaluated and universities were happy with the performance and graduation rates of the home schoolers they admitted.

In short, home education is now being done by so many different kinds of people for so many different reasons that it no longer makes much sense to speak of it as a political movement or even a set of movements. Make no mistake: the veteran political movement is still going strong, as legislatures that attempt to increase regulations quickly discover. For a growing number of Americans, however, home schooling is just one option among many to consider, for a few months or for the entirety of a child’s schooling.

Look what we got!

2008-11-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

SNOW!!!!

On Thanksgiving, no less! Woot, Woot!I'm not a huge fan of snow, except when my family can be home together and especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year we had snow for Christmas and Thanksgiving, and we were thrilled! So far, this year seems to be a repeat, which is great, because the house is cozy and warm and filled with the comforting aromas of food roasting and baking.
The horse, llamas, goats and sheep are all tucked into the barn nice and dry, and except for a few bedraggled stubborn chickens, the chickens are cuddled up inside their house, too. Mrs. Cotton, our Japanese Silky hen, looks a little worse for wear, doesn't she? These are the smart ones.
So, what's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Letterboxing~Leaf Monsters

2008-11-18T13:21:00.001-07:00

As most of my readers are probably aware, I'm an outside-gal. I love to be outside, hiking, exploring, horse-back riding, playing with my kids and animals, camping, and Letterboxing.

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. I enjoy seeing the trees turn color and think it's fun to walk over the fallen leaves listening to the crunch-crunch sound.

Everyone in my family seems to enjoy this seasonal pastime, too. Except for my daughter.

She's afraid of leaves.

As some of you know, my daughter suffers from OCD and Aspergers/High Functioning Autism. One of the symptoms seems to be latching onto irrational fears. She's 'chosen' leaves.
She's been afraid of leaves on the ground, moving around, and leaves on the trail, that might brush her skin, for as long as I can remember. She's not just a little bit afraid. She's terrified and will go into a panic even thinking about touching a leaf.

It's good we don't live back east anymore, where trees with leaves number in the thousands. And raking leaves into piles, for kids to jump into and play in, is as normal and common experience for all children every Autumn.

For her leaves are nothing to be messed around with. The bigger the leaf, the more horrible it must be, waiting to gnash it's teeth and carry my daughter away.

So, as you can imagine, including my daughter in Fall hiking, camping and Letterboxing trips can be quite the challenge. She loves to be a part of everything we do, though, so I try to bring her along at most opportunities. Except It usually means I become a pack mule. But if my sons are along, they generously help carry their leaf-challenged sister, to give my aching back a break.

My neighbor friend, Val, over at Fantastyk Voyage and I recently drove down about 40 mins south to the Manzano Mountains, Fourth of July Canyon to search for a letterbox placed there. Jenna tagged along, too.

All the leaves had fallen off the trees. There were alot of dead, crunchy leaves on the ground.
Here's Val on the leaf-covered trail.

Val wrote up a wonderful post on our Fall letterboxing adventures, with some lovely photos, too. You can see them on her Lost in Fallen Leaves post.

We located the letterbox, as well as a Hitchhiker box nearby, too. (We relocated it to the Quarri letterbox location, after we left Fourth of July Canyon) We stamped in with the cleverly created, and pretty stamp, made some leaf rubbings (just Val and I, of course), and enjoyed the nature and the sound of the wind in the trees.

As you can rightly imagine, Jenna was not about to set one foot on the ground.

For more info on Letterboxing.

Piñon Harvesting

2008-11-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Last week my neighbor friend Val and one of my twin sons went hiking in the Sandia Mountains. We were on a mission to look for piñon nuts for harvesting.

In the high desert region of the Southwestern United States, between 5,500 and 7,000feet, resides one of New Mexico's most precious assets, Pinus edulis, the New Mexico Pinon Tree. The Pinon Tree is New Mexico's State Tree and is often called the "Manna" of the desert. The Pinon nut, has sustained life for humans and animals alike for centuries. The Pinon tree clings to the rim of the canyons, taking root in the solid rock and endures the ravages of nature.

This is a photo I took from our hiking trails. The mountains you see are the backside (or eastside) of the Sandia Mountains.
And here you can see the Westside view of the Sandia Mountains with photos taken 2 years ago from our backyard in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, before we moved to the mountains.

Taking nearly 200 years to produce a 1-foot diameter trunk. An old piñon may be more than 500 years old, and may live as long as 1,000 years.
If the winter-spring is wet, the piñon will produce a good crop of piñons the following year between September and October, an event that happens about every 6 years. Piñons reproduce by seed only, and it takes about 25 years for a tree to begin producing seedcones. A photo looking down one of the trails we hiked.

Piñon nuts are gathered by hand, from wild trees. The harvest is labor intensive, requiring pulling off the cones with a pole or gloves, or picking individual fallen seeds off the ground. The meat of the seed is protected by a heavy shell which must be removed.
I enjoy eating them raw, but roasting brings out the buttery rich flavor even more.
After roasting, the toasted buttery creamy flavor is addictive. Euell Gibbons author of "Handbook of Edible Wild Plants" described Piñon nuts "The most palatable of all the wild foods."
Here you can see Val and Jem harvesting (and eating) pinon nuts from the ground.

The nuts can be prepared and eaten in many different ways – raw, roasted, boiled, mashed, as a soup or ground into a paste like peanut butter. There are many unique and delicous recipes to try using pinon nuts. And here in New Mexico, you can find wonderful products to buy using pinons, too. (they also do mail order. hint-hint)
One of my favorite products using pinon nuts is Pinon Coffee. Yummy!

And here's Val filling up her bag full of delicious pinons.

And there is just something truly New Mexican about the spicy scent of pinon wood smoke from cozy fires on a cold winter night. A cup of Pinon Coffee and a plate full of sweet, delicate-tasting New Mexico Biscochitos is as authentic a New Mexico experience as you can imagine.

“Nobody who has sat before a roaring, pitch-boiling, bubbling, scented fire of piñon can think of it as a mere consumption of wood. It is the spirited release of centuries of brilliant sunlight absorbed under a cloudless Southwestern sky, the sudden and instant flow of energy patiently accumulated." from Pinon.com

And here is my recent Pinon Harvest. Which tasty recipes do you think I should make?

The White Stuff

2008-11-10T10:37:00.002-07:00

This is what we woke up to this morning. We're expecting snow flurries all day.
Our pumpkins are wrapped in cloaks of white. We like to leave them out for a few weeks and watch to see how their faces change as they decompose. We're weird like that.
The peach tree has finally lost all it's clothes, as my daughter says.
Zuni lives for snowy days. It's fun to watch her joyful romps as she cavorts in the white fluff on the ground. The chickens weren't so sure it was safe to come outside.
The Japanese Silkies, Mr. and Mrs Cotton, seemed the most at home in the snow with their fluffy feathered feet. Sid Vicious and Phyllis Diller, the two Polish chickens were less enthusiastic and crouched down pathetically underneath the chicken house.

We're expecting snow flurries for the next 2 days, followed by sunny days and temps in the 60's. This is typical Autumn in the mountains of New Mexico.

How's the weather in your corner of the world?

Fandago Flamingo

2008-11-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

I first learned how to knit using round looms in September 2006. Soon after, I bought my own set of round looms, called Knifty Knitters and set to work creating hats, which only took a few hours to make.

Very quickly, my kids caught the knitting bug, too, and set off to make their own knitted hats, too.
By December 2006, I had bought a rake loom, or straight loom, and started making scarves and potholders. For Christmas that year I knitted 14 scarf/hat sets for gifts. I thought of them as art and decided each of my creations must have a creative name.
This little hat, just knitted yesterday, for my daughter, I named Fandago Flamingo.

This hat is so soft, fluffy and warm, and looks cute on my little girl. Don't you think?

Jenna asked me to include this photo of her special cat, Javelina, our sweet Manx kitty. She is completely devoted to Jenna and is never far from her side. If Jenna leaves the house, Javelina cries and paces until Jenna returns. Every night, Javelina sleeps wrapped tightly around Jenna's head, with her furry cheek next to my daughter's cheek. Javelina seems to think this hat is a snuggle toy for her and has tried to carry it off to sleep on it.

So, is anyone else knitting, crocheting, or doing crafts to make gifts for the holidays right now?

Happy Knitting!

Letterboxing Totals

2008-11-07T20:27:00.002-07:00

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [2 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
124.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
125.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
126.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
127.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08
129.Miner at the Mirador (Cerillos, NM) - 10/18/08
130.Letterboxing is for the Birds~Hawk Watch (Carnuel, NM) - 10/24/08
131.Paws & Purrs Kitten (Santa Fe) - 10/26/08
132.Paw & Purrs Puppy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
133.Paws & Purrs Bonus Box (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
134.La Paloma (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
135.Fortitudo Dei (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
136.Giant Rebel of Eden (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
137.Bear in Mind (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
138.The Crow Knows (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
139.Are your Dogs Barking (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
140.Honor, Loyalty & Peace (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
141.Lizard Goes South (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
142.Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
143.The Art of Ebru (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
144.The Falling Leaves (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/26/08
145.1/4 of July Canyon (Tajique, NM) - 11/04/08

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial Box (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle Box (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
12.Monkey Cave (Tijeras, NM) - 11/07/2008

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)
10.Hermie Hitchhiker Cuckoo Camino (Tajique, NM) - 7/04/2008 (Placed: Alphabetical New Mexico-Quarai - 11/4/2008)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

COOTIES:
1. Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
Lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, Rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons, Fantastyk Voyager

Letterboxing~Monkey Cave

2008-11-07T20:00:00.006-07:00

In early 1973, scientists with Kirtland AFB conducted a series of experiments on a group of monkeys. They were strapped to chairs for five days at a time, testing their abilities to escape from painful shocks while subjected to increasingly higher levels of radiation.

In August 1973, all five of the the juvenile monkeys had had enough of the torture and made a break for it and escaped to the mountains east of Albuquerque. Once free in the Manzanos, the monkeys soon found the cave whose nickname would be their legacy. They swung happily from trees , scampered over the cliffs, and dined on juniper berries and prickly pears. They spent the chilly nights huddled together in the 25 ft deep cave, that was dug as a test pit, decades ago, by UNM Geology students.

Some of the local residents recall being surprised at seeing the monkeys, with shaved heads, running across South 14. Many other locals remember leaving bananas and other food for the monkeys.

In January 1974, UNM anthropology students began observing the monkeys as a 'mountain primate colony'. In February, Kirtland AFB gave the monkeys over to the university. Numerous attempts to capture the animals soon followed, since their road crossings threatened the safety of motorists, and since the growing monkeys had been wearing tight, chain collars when they escaped.

It was not until May of 1974 that the monkeys were finally rounded up using tranquilizers hidden in food. After being treated for frostbite, the monkeys were allegedly released into another, more isolated part of New Mexico.

~Taken from 'Turquoise Tales' by Mike Smith
Published in the Fall/Winter edition of East Mountain Living
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My pal, Fantastyk Voyager and I thought this unique place was the perfect place to hide a letterbox. So I carved the stamp and created the log book, and we drove over to hike up to Monkey Cave. Fantastyk Voyager and my boys crawled into the cave to explore.
Then it was time to have some fun doing some cliff and rock scrambling.
Here's Val~aka~Fantastyk Voyager scrambling down a rock gulley. She's pretty good.
Here's Jax and Val scurrying down the cliff. And here you can see the entire cliff with Monkey Cave in the center. I was impressed with the way the rocks in the cliff curved and bucked and twisted across the cliff face.This is another smaller cave, further up on the cliff, that is beckoning us to come back to explore.

Have fun finding Monkey Cave!

Letterboxing~Hawk Watch

2008-11-06T22:16:00.009-07:00

Last week, my neighbor, horseback-riding, letterboxing friend, Val~AKA~Fantastyk Voyager (her awesome Trail Name), and my twin sons and I went in search of a local letterbox, not far from our home, in the rugged and beautiful Sandia Mountains.

This letterbox was called Letterboxing is for the Birds and was placed on the Hawk Watch Trail by a group of Girl Scouts. We've found several of their boxes already and always enjoyed their creativity, hide locations, and their fun spirits. Ironically, the photo below shows a photo I recently took of a hawk flying over our ranch. These mountains are the route many raptors use for migration, so it's quite common to see them flying overhead.

This is where we were heading. About a 2 mile hike straight up on switchbacks and sandy trails surrounded by cholla, mesquite, juniper, prickly pear and desert scrub oak.
My jokester boys decided to show their excitement as we started out. Notice my one son, Jem, in flip flops. He lives in them and refuses to wear anything but sandals. My husband jokes that when he grows up he should work in Hawaii, so he never has to wear anything but shorts and sandals. Jem thinks that would be a great idea. He's a laid back summer kid.
Jax had a little mishap along the way when he slipped and scraped his knee. He seems to like having scars and scabs to show off, so I sometimes think he assists in finding injury creating opportunities.
This is the valley, looking down on the Village of Carnuel, just before I-40 heads west out to Albuquerque.
As we got higher, the rocks became much larger. We always have a blast rock scrambling together.
I really enjoyed the rock formations, too. This gulley created a wind tunnel, which felt great on this hot day.
Jem and I were taking a break in the 'wind tunnel' while Fantastyk Voyager and Jax hiked farther up towards the letterbox.
They found it!!

Excited Letterboxers!!

Val~AKA~Fantastyk Voyager took this cool photo of Jax up on the rocks.
Then after enjoying the beautiful day and gorgeous views, it was time to head back down. Fantastyk Voyager took this photo of Jax and I heading down the mountain.

And here's a photo of Fantastyk Voyager searching for precious stones.

Jax~The Mountain Boy! He's so silly. And he loves the camera.

One last shot of where we were, taken from the Hawk Watch TrailHead.
(These photos were pulled out of my photo files and were taken before my beloved camera was stolen)

Hail to the Chief

2008-11-05T09:32:00.020-07:00

This morning dawned cloudy and dark. I could hear the tapping of hail and sleet as it hit our windows. I was glad I had put my horse in her pen last night.
Zuni loves the cold weather and playing in snow or hail.
Such a cold dreary day.
The chickens sought cover from the pelting hail. What appropriate weather after the dissapointing results of our country's political polls last night.

****Warning****
For those who read my blog, who come here just to read and see photos of my animals, our ranch, beautiful New Mexico and read about my travels, but aren't interested in heavier issues or reading about my opinions or thoughts on issues that affect me and others......you may want to skip the rest of this post and move on to visit your next favorite blog.

In addition, feel free to leave a comment. I always enjoy reading them. But, just for this particular post, I will not be approving any of the comments. Not because I'm trying to deny freedom of speech for my readers, but because just this one time, I am exercising my right to speak freely without criticism. And I also want my readers to feel safe speaking their minds without any concern of possible arguments or dissagreements taking place within the comments section.

I promise that what I wrote below is quite interesting, but it may not be something you want to deal with or know about. And that's just fine. America is about Freedom. And you have the freedom not to read anything that you don't want to.

But for those who want to read what I'm thinking about and feeling today and don't mind hearing more political stuff, please scroll down.

"It is easy for people today to sit back and judge those who allowed Hitler to come to power. Some of them didn’t see the danger until it was too late."
~Sonya Haskins

~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, I may lose some of my readers because of this, and I'm sorry. But I have a right to free speech (at least for a while, I hope) and a right to share my thoughts, ideas and opinions here on my blog. I've sat back and listened and read other's excitement and opinions for months and have stayed quiet.

At this point it's too late to make any difference, but I cannot remain quiet with a good conscious. This information must be shared so I can move on knowing that others are at least aware of the problems our country will be facing in the months and years ahead.

The following articles and videos have either been sent to me or I have discovered in my quest for knowledge during this political 'uprising'. Please take some time to watch and read these. Maybe you say that you don't care. What's done is done.
But consider watching and reading if only for it's informational and educational value, or even for entertainment. I promise you that it's all worth it. And I hope you walk away with your eyes and minds open. Don't allow yourself to be brainwashed and accept things as they are. Be ready and prepared for anything in the months and years ahead with Barrack Obama as our leader.

I typically avoid politics, usually just sticking my head in the sand and acting like no matter what I do, life will still go on. Politicians will do as they've always done, and not much will get done, and most of it won't affect me anyway. I always vote, though. And I knew this year was an important time to cast my ballot.
Not that it made any difference.

I admit that I started off enamored with Obama. He's such a smooth talker, eloquent, proud. It's easy to be drawn in like a moth to a flame. But I could feel the dangerous heat more and more as I did my research. I asked questions, I read and watched and asked more questions. Obama was starting to scare me.

McCain didn't impress me either, but he didn't scare me. He was trustworthy, at least. There's no doubt that supporting the United States is where his heart is. He was even willing to sacrifice his life for our country.

On the other hand Obama refuses to even wear a United States flag pin and gets confused at how many states the US includes.
He won't even salute the American Flag

No Salute

57 States

No flags

And Obama wanting to take away all restrictions on abortion, didn't bother me because my stance is Pro-Choice, but his shocking comment about not wanting his daughters to be "Punished by a Baby" if they chose to participate in unprotected sex, and became pregnant as a result, really cinched it for me.

Punished by a baby????!!
Baby Punishment

Did you know that Obama's own mother made a 'mistake' and got pregnant with him? Should his mother have been able to just abort him so she wasn't punished with a baby, too?

What bothers me most about his comment was an article I recently read about Sarah Palin's choice. It stated that Sarah Palin knew that her son would be born with Down's Syndrome, yet she made a bad decision in deciding to bring the 'unfortunate child' into the world.

Why Unfortunate? Because he has special needs? Because he is different?
I was a nanny for a child with down's syndrome for 2 years and that child was far from unfortunate. He was bright, gentle and loving. He has grown up to be a working citizen who is helpful, kind and gives back to others.
He is not unfortunate.

I, myself have a child with OCD and Aspergers, high functioning autism. She is not unfortunate. And I would have given birth to her, even if I had known she was to be affected by these problems.

My daughter is a joy and a challenge. She teaches me amazing things every day and she is bright and funny. And I can't imagine life without her.

Watch this about Sarah Palin. It really touched my heart:
The Truth

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Early on I didn't truly understand what Obama meant when he said "Share the Wealth", but my husband explained it to me one day and related the concept to how Adolf Hitler forced people, especially hard-working Jewish shopkeepers, to give up much of their hard-earned money to support the rest of country and German government. I finally understood what Socialism meant.

"How fortunate for politicians that people do not think."
~Adolf Hitler
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shocking article comparing Obama to Hitler (a must read):
Too much alike

(Below copied from Sonya Haskin's Website)
Are you aware of:

-the controversies surrounding Obama’s ties to ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now)

-the fact that his pastor and “mentor” (Obama’s own words) has called for a “revolution” in America and he was talking about the violent kind; the fact that his pastor has cursed God from his pulpit; and the fact that this same pastor, mentor and friend has made so many racially and sexually charged prejudiced remarks that Obama himself said he was revoking his membership from this church, but he would never revoke his friendship with this man

- the racist comments Obama has made in books and speeches
- the sexist comments Obama has made in books and speeches
- his lack of experience with international matters
- the fact that Obama supports abortion
- the fact that Obama supports infanticide – YES, killing a baby, even a baby that was supposed to be aborted, IS murder. Since Obama has voted on several occasions against bills that would protect live-born aborted babies, he does support infanticide. It doesn’t matter if he was trying to protect “Roe v. Wade” as his website states. What about that child?

-the fact Obama has refused to submit his original birth certificate to representatives of the media who want to examine its authenticity since Obama’s grandmother claims to have been present at his birth in KENYA. (One of the constitutional requirements for POTUS is that he be a natural-born citizen.) Or, even if he had been born in Hawaii, what about all the years spent in Indonesia? He had to be a citizen to attend school there. Did he ever re-apply for United States citizenship when he returned to the US? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEgYY-n3ogs

-the fact that no one is able to obtain records from Obama’s years at Columbia University or Harvard Law School, proof that he should have even been admitted, or that he did anything after he was there (and even though he was appointed editor of the prestigious Havard Law Review, he never wrote any articles for it.)

-his associations with “questionable” individuals such as Bill Ayers and Edward Said, and Dr. Khalid al-Mansour

-the fact that it was probably his associations with Dr. Mansour that got him into Harvard. It is also quite possible that al-Mansour helped fund Obama’s education. This might not matter except for the fact that al-Monsour is a Christian-bashing Muslim who has served as senior advisor to Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal, one of the world’s richest men and certainly someone who would not have the best interests of the United States in mind. In return for their support of this man when he was going through school and rising to power, how much are these people going to expect from Obama if he becomes president?

-that his pastor and “mentor” (Obama’s own words) has called for a “revolution” in America and he was talking about the violent kind; the fact that his pastor has cursed God from his pulpit because he believes blacks are oppressed; and the fact that this same pastor, mentor and friend has made so many racially and sexually charged prejudiced remarks that Obama himself said he was revoking his membership from this church, but he would never revoke his friendship with this man

But, are you aware of the:
- promises to fix the country’s massive debt and economic crisis
- promises to find a solution to the social crises
- promises of a better future
- appeals to the youth to believe in policies that will usher in a better future

- propaganda shared in school textbooks that sheds a positive light on the leader
- organized programs to keep kids busy and provide training in various activities
- invitations for children to join rallies and participate in campaign activities
- unifying clothing
- fact that this person is seen as a father figure

Of course all of these comments pertain to Barack Hussein Obama. They are all true. (In regards to the last two points, check out Obama’s website and a dozen other internet sites for Obama clothing. There are many sources that refer to Obama as a father figure for the troubled youth of today, particularly young black men who need a role model.)

BUT, here’s the scary part…

ALL of these points were taken from a fact sheet not about Obama, but about HOW HITLER CAME TO CONTROL THE YOUTH OF GERMANY.

Some of you may still be saying, but Hitler was a bad man and Obama isn’t. He is a Christian. Here are some other similarities between these two men:

***Adolf Hitler = Barack Obama***

*Both are/were amazing speakers and community organizers
*Both claim/ed to be a Christian
*Both willing to change the laws (or at least find loopholes to abuse them) to protect his own interests
*Both very protective about information related to his past
*Both have/had friends and associates with very influential people
*Both believe/d in abortion
*Hitler: supported infanticide (and genocide) for the "health" of the nation
*Obama supports infanticide (partial birth abortion - the killing of a live-born BABY) for the “health” (loose term) of the mother
*Hitler encouraged people to become one with the Nazi party
*Obama says: “Yes We Can” (emphasis mine)
*Hitler told people they were building a “new world”
*Obama says “Change we can believe in”
*Both were/are worshipped in an idolistic manner by his followers
*Hitler expanded the role of the government and reduced private market activities
*Obama wants to expand the role of the federal government and limit private market choices
*Hitler's propaganda in classroom textbooks promoted Hitler and his policies
*Obama's propaganda in classroom textbooks promotes Obama and his policies (I’m including a link for this one to prove it for you skeptics.)

Finally, Hitler was literally hailed (“Heil Hitler”) as a “messiah” for Germany. He was seen as the answer to all their problems and someone that the average citizen could believe in. He was an amazing man whom people believed in. They truly believed that he was going to bring change. He did.

Obama has been hailed as a “messiah” not just for the United States, but for the world. Millions of people are singing praises to him. He is someone the average person can believe in and even though he seems to offer no concrete evidence that he is going to “fix” anything, people believe that he can do it just because he is such an eloquent speaker and motivator. It is being said that he is just what the world needs to bring about change to fix our problems. I believe he will bring change. But again, so did Hitler.

Remember what your grandma used to say. “If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”
Obama does call himself a Christian, but he was raised by an atheist mother, a Muslim-turned-atheist father, and a Muslim step-father. He has spent a lot of time in the presence of men who have either encouraged the overthrow of the government or actually participated in attempts at revolution. His preacher has “damned” America with God’s name and preaches such a convoluted form of Christianity that it is not Biblical – it is African hate theology full of agenda – against the United States, against white man, against our forefathers, even against a free market in my opinion. If these are all bad, what is good?

It is easy for people today to sit back and judge those who allowed Hitler to come to power. Some of them didn’t see the danger until it was too late.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And there is so much more.

Video of Pastor Manning warning of the dangers of Obama (Powerful!):
Hail Obama!

Jewish Article on the relation between Hitler and Obama:
Hitler?

Obama's Socialist Views:
Spread the Wealth-Steal from some people to give to others

Obama's illegal dealings with terrorists:
Obama Leftist/Socialist

Barrack Hussein Obama is not an American Citizen.
Obama Crimes

He may have not even been born in America! (No wonder they are cheering in Africa)
Fraud!

Obama's fake birth certificate. Possibly belonged to his half-sister.
Photo Shop tricks

Obama's Terrorist Dealings
Obama Terrorist

Obama's a Socialist
Socialist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And all these half-truths and un-truths are copied from)
OBAMA'S 'NOT EXACTLY'S'

1.)Selma Got Me Born - NOT EXACTLY, your parents felt safe enough to have you in 1961 - Selma had no effect on your birth, as Selma was in 1965. (Google 'Obama Selma' for his full March 4, 2007 speech and articles about its various untruths.)

2.)My Father Was A Goat Herder - NOT EXACTLY, he was a privileged, well educated youth, who went on to work with the Kenyan Government.

3.)My Father Was A Proud Freedom Fighter - NOT EXACTLY, he was part of one of the most corrupt and violent governments Kenya has ever had.

4.)My Family Has Strong Ties To African Freedom - NOT EXACTLY, your cousin Raila Odinga has created mass violence in attempting to overturn a legitimate election in 2007, in Kenya . It is the first widespread violence in decades. The current government is pro-American but Odinga wants to overthrow it and establish Muslim Sharia law. Your half-brother, Abongo Obama, is Odinga's follower. You interrupted
your New Hampshire campaigning to speak to Odinga on the phone.

Obama's cousin Odinga in Kenya ran for president and tried to get Sharia Muslim law in place there. When Odinga lost the elections, his followers burned Christians' homes and then burned men, women and children alive in a Christian church where they took shelter. Obama SUPPORTED his cousin before the election process here started. Google Obama and Odinga and see what you get. No one wants to know the truth.

5.)My Grandmother Has Always Been A Christian - NOT EXACTLY, she does her daily Salat prayers at 5 am according to her own interviews. Not to mention, Christianity wouldn't allow her to have been one of 14 wives to 1 man.

6.)My Name is African Swahili - NOT EXACTLY, your name is Arabic and 'Baraka' (from which Barack came) means 'blessed' in that language. Hussein is also Arabic and so is Obama.
Barack Hussein Obama is not half black. If elected, he would be the first Arab-American President, not the first black President. Barack Hussein Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother's side and 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father's side. While Barack Hussein Obama's father was from Kenya , his father's family was mainly Arabs. Barack Hussein Obama's father was only 12.5% African Negro and 87.5% Arab (his father's birth certificate even states he's Arab, not African Negro).
Not African Negro

7.)I Never Practiced Islam - NOT EXACTLY, you practiced it daily at school, where you were registered as a Muslim and kept that faith for 31 years, until your wife made you change, so you could run for office. 4-3-08 Article 'Obama was 'quite religious in Islam'' Islam

8.) My School In Indonesia was Christian - NOT EXACTLY, you were registered as Muslim there and got in trouble in Koranic Studies for making faces (check your own book).
February 28, 2008. Kristoff from the New York Times a year ago: Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it'll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as 'one of the prettiest sounds on earth at sunset.' This is just one example of what Pamela is talking about when she says 'Obama's narrative is being altered, enhanced and manipulated to whitewash troubling facts.'

9.)I Was Fluent In Indonesian - NOT EXACTLY, not one teacher says you could speak the language.

10.)Because I Lived In Indonesia , I Have More Foreign Experience - NOT EXACTLY, you were there from the ages of 6 to 10, and couldn't even speak the language. What did you learn, how to study the Koran.

11.)I Am Stronger On Foreign Affairs - NOT EXACTLY, except for Africa (surprise) and the Middle East (bigger surprise), you have never been anywhere else on the planet and thus have NO experience with our closest allies.

12.)I Blame My Early Drug Use On Ethnic Confusion - NOT EXACTLY, you were quite content in high school to be Barry Obama, no mention of Kenya and no mention of struggle to identify - your classmates said you were just fine.

13.)An Ebony Article Moved Me To Run For Office - NOT EXACTLY, Ebony has yet to find the article you mention in your book. It doesn't, and never did, exist.

14.)A Life Magazine Article Changed My outlook on Life - NOT EXACTLY, Life has yet to find the article you mention in your book. It doesn't, and never did, exist.

15.)I Won't Run On A National Ticket In '08 - NOT EXACTLY, here you are, despite saying, live on TV, that you would not have enough experience by then, and you are all about having experience first.

16.)Voting 'Present' is common in the Illinois Senate - NOT EXACTLY, they are common for YOU, but not many others have 130 'NO VOTES'.

17.)'Oops, I Misvoted' - NOT EXACTLY, only when caught by church groups and Democrats, did you beg to change your misvote.

18.)I Was A Professor Of Law - NOT EXACTLY, you were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE.

19.)I Was A Constitutional Lawyer - NOT EXACTLY, you were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE.

20.)Without Me, There Would Be No Ethics Bill - NOT EXACTLY, you didn't write it, introduce it, change it, or create it.

21.)The Ethics Bill Was Hard To Pass - NOT EXACTLY, it took just 14 days from start to finish.

22.)I Wrote A Tough Nuclear Bill - NOT EXACTLY, your bill was rejected by your own party for its pandering and lack of all regulation - mainly because of your Nuclear donor, Exelon, from which David Axelrod came.

23.)I Have Released My State Records - NOT EXACTLY, as of March, 2008, state bills you sponsored or voted for have yet to be released, exposing all the special interests pork hidden within.

24.)I Took On The Asbestos Altgeld Gardens Mess - NOT EXACTLY, you were part of a large group of people who remedied Altgeld Gardens You failed to mention anyone else but yourself, in your books

25.)My Economics Bill Will Help America - NOT EXACTLY, your 111 economic policies were just combined into a proposal which lost 99-0, and even YOU voted against your own bill.

26.)I Have Been A Bold Leader In Illinois - NOT EXACTLY, even your own supporters claim to have not seen BOLD action on your part.

27.)I Passed 26 Of My Own Bills In One Year - NOT EXACTLY, they were not YOUR bills, but rather handed to you, after their creation by a fellow Senator, to assist you in a future bid for higher office.

28.)No One on my campaign contacted Canada about NAFTA - NOT EXACTLY, the Canadian Government issued the names and a memo of the conversation your campaign had with them.

29.)I Am Tough On Terrorism - NOT EXACTLY, you missed the Iran Resolution vote on terrorism and your good friend Ali Abunimah supports the destruction of Israel .

30.)I Want All Votes To Count - NOT EXACTLY, you said let the delegates decide.

31.)I Want Americans To Decide - NOT EXACTLY, you prefer caucuses that limit the vote, confuse the voters, force a public vote, and only operate during small windows of time.

32.)I passed 900 Bills in the State Senate - NOT EXACTLY, you passed only 26, most of which you didn't write yourself.

33.)I Believe In Fairness, Not Tactics - NOT EXACTLY, you used tactics to eliminate Alice Palmer from running against you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How fortunate for politicians that people do not think."
~Adolf Hitler

"Our final goal is the...the seizure of power, and the creation of socialism." - Bill Ayres' Book "Prairie Fire."
~Book Dedicated to killer of Robert F. Kennedy

"It is easy for people today to sit back and judge those who allowed Hitler to come to power. Some of them didn’t see the danger until it was too late."
~Sonya Haskin

This is a scary time, my friends.

Letterboxing~Santa Fe, NM

2008-11-04T00:53:00.001-07:00

(All photos were taken by me and my friend, Val using her camera. Thanks Val for giving me these photos. You're the best!)
Two weekends ago, Val and I drove up to Santa Fe to spend the day hunting for letterboxes. There are a bunch of wonderfully active letterboxers in Santa Fe, hiding many more letterboxes than we could possibly find in a day....but we were going to try to find as many as we possibly could!

We started off at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter, which is a beautiful place surrounded by gorgeous vistas, with a state-of-the-art facility and a generous amount of large separate paddocks for exercising family dogs.
We quickly located "Paws & Purrs Kitten", Paw & Purrs Puppy" along with the Paws & Purrs 'bonus' box. What fun, and adorable carvings, too. When we went to rehide the boxes, I almost stumbled upon this lovely critter.Val and I thought the trail he left behind was cool.

Our next box was located in a Santa Fe cemetery and gave us our first challenge. There was a math challenge, compass/directional challenge, and many clever tricks included within the clever clues. We did finally located the "La Paloma" box and enjoyed the lovely carving inside while giggling at our quirky sense of humor.
Val saw this 'pillow' and we both enjoyed the on-going theme of "Rest In Peace"This is the Woodman's grave. I have suspicions that a curse may have been placed on me by the Woodman. This was the last location I stood to take a photo with my beloeved camera...and the last photo I ever took before my camera went missing........

Our next location to search for a letterbox was near the Capital Building. Unfortunately, the letterbox, "Eternal Flame", was missing....right along with my camera (-sob-).
In this post, one thing you will notice is the abundance of art. Santa Fe is an artist mecca. There is art everywhere you look. Val took this terrific photo of this statue in front of the Capital Building.

Our next stop was right down the road at the river park near the plaza. "Fortitudo Dei" was a great box with some clever clues, along with some unique art to enjoy.

After we stamped in and enjoyed the artwork, we drove a little ways down the street to look for "Giant Rebel of Eden", located in a lovely place of reflection and beauty. The carving and box were awesome and we took a few minutes to enjoy the wonderful location.

We drove on to our next letterboxing location: Canyon Rd. The famous Santa Fe avenue well known for it's amazing art galleries and shops. This is a road you want to just park and stroll down, admiring all of the art set up outside of each art gallery. This picture was taken at the intersection of Delgado and Canyon. Do you see that cute goat? Aww! It is a Peter Woytuk sculpture, of which you can read more about later on in this post.
Beautiful art abounds.

Horse art is everywhere. You probably know that Val and I were smiling huge.

Isn't this amazing?!

Our first letterbox to find was in a fun and 'sneaky' location. We located "Bear in Mind" quickly, enjoyed the cute hand-carved stamp, and re-hid the little box stealthily.

We moved on to find our next box "Artful Southwest: Santa Fe Style". The clues for this box told us to find the 'Gypsy Baby', but it had moved to a different location. So when we figured out about where the place was originally located, we asked a shop owner a few questions, and voila! We found the box. It was fun exploring the charming little alleyway where the box was hidden. This was not the actual alleyway. But isn't it pretty?

I had a few giggles from some 'naughty art' we stumbled upon, too. Can't you just hear this gal saying, "Stop now. Keep away from there, you beast!" lol

We admired these strikingly beautiful 'whirligigs' along the way, but were also a bit frustrated knowing there was a letterbox hidden at this location, except the clues eluded us. Something fun for our next trip up to Santa Fe, eh?

Our next stop was a little ways off Canyon Rd to find "Are your Dogs Barking". We enjoyed the hunt for this box, but the stamp theme was related more towards tired feet, and not these gorgeous statues, located on Canyon Rd.
Can you say, "Awww"?

The charming bench in front of this beautiful Santa Fe residence is where we stamped into our log books.

Our next box to find was called "Honor, Loyalty & Peace". It was originally located near a statue of an origami dove or swan, but the artwork was sold a while ago. Something that happens quite a bit in Santa Fe. The hand carved stamp was lovely and I'm including some more terrific art from Canyon Rd here.

For our next letterbox hunt, we drove up above the city of Santa Fe to look for a box placed by one of my favorite letterboxers, Kat, who resides in Utah. The box, called 'Lizard Goes South', gave us a few minutes of confusion because we assumed the location instead of checking our clues more closely. But we located the box easily, stamped into our log books with the cute hand-carved image, and admired the beautiful views of Santa Fe from above.

Afterwards, Val and I drove back down into Santa Fe once again to find another box called "The Crow Knows". We ended up finding this one by accident while stopping off to use a 'port-a-pot early voting location' (see previous post) and while waiting for Val to emerge from the 'booth', I happened to look down the little alleyway nearby and the proverbial light bulb lit up in my head, and I smiled huge.
The hand carved stamps were wonderful and we happily stamped the images into our logbooks.

When we left that location we decided to have a little fun, and stopped off to play on some exciting larger-than-life sculptures on Paseo de Peralta Rd.
You can see many of these fun sculptures in this post and my previous 'voting' post below. They are all by the famous artist, Peter Woytuk. He is known worldwide for his highly original and whimsical sculptures of animals, each displaying its own unique spirit. Outdoors is his preferred exhibition venue.

He says, “Displaying pieces outside makes you compete with all else outside—trees, buildings, mountains,” “What once looked big inside is suddenly dwarfed in an exterior environment.”

“Cravens”—Woytuk’s zoological contraction he sometimes uses to describe look-alike crows and ravens—are ubiquitous fixtures in Woytuk collections. He developed a fascination for their lively behavior—crows and ravens spend 90 percent
of their time at play.
The common chicken hen also stirs Woytuk’s whimsy: His hen representations are comedic, plump, ovoid shapes resembling Easter eggs with no attempt at realism.

Photographer-turned sculptor Woytuk is something of a sensation in the art world. Woytuk’s works give new meaning to the word variety. They range from bronze sculptures of animals weighing four-and-a-half tons to an inch-and-a-half bronze of a raven weighing about as much as a large feather.

Well the sun was dropping low in the sky and we were already late in meeting up with our Santa Fe Letterboxing friends at Starbucks for coffee, visiting and more stamping and exchanges. It was just wonderful seeing old friends again. They all were so welcoming to Val (Fantastyk Voyager) and seemed very excited to have another New Mexico letterboxer to call 'friend'. While there, our pal, Rubber Peace (her trail name) invited us to 'find' her new box, "The Falling Leaves", and we were thrilled to find two creatively made "First Finder" certificates inside for both Val and I. The stamp was beautifully carved, too. What a fun surprise! (From left to right: Rubber Peace, Lions Mane, me-Twinville Trekker, Astro D)
You can read more about our fun Santa Fe Letterboxing Meet-and-Greet on Lions Game Blog
I really like this picture of all of us.(from left to right: me-Twinville Trekker, Val-Fantastyk Voyager, Astro D, and Rubber Peace) Oooh! And I noticed that I'm holding my favorite bag, the 'Chick Bag" hand-made by my blog friend Michelle from SugarCreek Stuff. Her stuff is amazing. She's a work at home Mom and her handmade items are beautifully made with much quality and creativity. Check her out for your holiday gift giving needs.

Well, it was getting late, and the sky was a beautiful shade of pink, but we still hadn't found the last and most coveted letterbox on our 'must-find' list, "The Art of Ebru". But it was in our favor, that the person whom the box was created by just so happened to be there with us, and he very generously offered to not just direct us where to find his box, but even offered to drive us there! What a treat!! (Thanks Lions Mane!).

On the way up into the Canyon above Santa Fe, we were treated with gorgeous skies and a wonderful view to end our letterboxing day in beautiful Santa Fe.

Note: We found 14 Letterboxes while in Santa Fe! That's a personal record. Woot! Woot!)

Just Do It Already!

2008-11-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Wake Up!!

Get your can off the wall...and go vote!

Don't just sit there! Get moving!

That's right. Grab a snack before you head out.....but not that snack.

Nor that one either.

Make sure you know who you're voting for before you go. The left or the right....the white or the...er....which end of the horse are you voting for?

Come on now! Stop spinning your gears.

It's time to head out. Don't let transportation stop you. Catch a ride if you can.

Travel with a friend. It's alot more fun.

Whichever ride you take, just don't hang around. Get moving!

Hopefuly when the votes have all been counted, you'll look like this:

And not this:

Because we all know how bad the mud slinging's been. It's been feeling alot like this silly game.

So, don't be an a**.

Go vote!!
I got my vote in last week. And it really didn't stink too bad.

***ps. Do your homework! Don't vote on looks or the way a candidate speaks. Or from other's opinions. Vote off the facts and the research that's been done. Look at all the angles and not just personal feelings. This is a major election, people. One that effects us all and our entire country. VOTE RESPONSIBLY!!!!!***

~All the above photos were taken by myself and my friend, Val, using her camera, while letterboxing in Santa Fe last weekend.(Thanks Val!!)

Mountain Treats

2008-11-01T22:12:00.000-06:00

I debated whether or not to put up a post about Halloween Candy, but then decided that it's not JUST about Halloween Candy, it's about Mountain Living and why we love living up here in these gorgeous New Mexico mountains that we fondly call our home.

You see, we sort of live in a neighborhood. There are six houses on our gravel road. We know everyone in each of those houses, first and last names. We also know at least 4 of our other neigbors that live on the outskirts of our neighborhood. We have met them while out hiking, walking llamas, dogs, and riding horses. Everyone is very nice and quite welcoming; always glad to see us. We all have between 3-10 acres and are located in a lovely valley surrounded by mountains, trees, ridgetops, and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.

So, we have quite a bit to be grateful for.
Last year my kids and I chose to drive into Albuquerque to do our trick-or-treating, thinking we could just park in a neighborhood and walk from door-to-door while the kids could hit many more houses than they could do out here, where houses are separated by acres, not fences and walls.

The kids figured that they'd get alot more candy in the city, then here in our little mountain town. Boy! They were wrong.

Yes, we could visit more houses in the city, but we discovered that the pickings tend to be slimmer, usually just one or two pieces of candy per kids. And the candy variety usually leaned toward the icky side...lots of tootsie rolls, fire balls, necco wafers, hard candy, mary janes, and sweet tarts. Chocolate bars were rare.

We discovered last night, that Trick-or-Treating in our mountains means alot more generosity, in not only, amount, but type of candy given out. And the homeowners that greeted us were not only welcoming, but absolutely thrilled to have us come beg for candy. They didn't just drop one piece of candy into the kid's bags, they begged them to grab handfuls of goodies from their candy bowls. And if the kids didn't take, what they thought was enough, they grab some more candy to dump into my kids' bags. My kidlets were thrilled, to say the least.

Some of the folks even gave out baggies stuffed full of fun goodies such as toys, mini-coloring books, pencils and book markers, along with the candy. And there were several homes in the Halloween spirit who did entire haunted trails with music, lights, fog and spooky dioramas. And at one house, we were even invited in to their festive and friendly Halloween party. What fun!

My kids weren't able to run from house to house, like the city kids do, but they got really good at hopping out of my van and scooting through any Halloween decorated open gates and trotting up those long twisting driveways to the waiting candy-givers.

While we were out we noticed several mountain neighborhoods utilizing hay wagons to cart kids and families around to trick-or-treat. What a brilliant idea, I thought. And it was fun to wave and wish everyone a Happy Halloween as we drove by them.

By the end of the night we visited less than 20 houses. But when we dumped all the candy the kids had gathered, onto the kitchen table, we were all pretty darned amazed at how much was there.

Do you wanna see our Halloween Loot?
Not too bad for trick-or-treating in the rural mountains, eh?

We hope everyone had a safe, and wonderfully fun Halloween!!

Carving and Clucking

2008-10-30T17:24:00.005-06:00

What do you do on a beautiful Fall day? Carve pumpkins!The chickens sort of get in the way, but Jax didn't mind. And the chickens did a pretty good job at clean-up.I borrowed this camera and it's unbelieveably slow in taking photos, so it was hard to capture just what I wanted. The pixels are bare minimum, too, so the photos look kind of grainy. I sure miss my camera, but at least I'm able to capture these special moments of all three of my kidlets preparing for Halloween.This was the first year that both boys could carve their own pumpkins, or at least the first time I felt safe enough to let them. lol! Jenna decided that she never wants to scrape out the pumpkin guts every again, thank you. Ewww.Here's the finished Jack-0'-Lanterns. Jem's is on the right...the one with the Uni-Brow.Jen's toothless wonder is in the middle. And Jax lays claim to the double-chinned pumpkin at the right, who is badly in need of some dental work.
Happy Halloween Y'all!!

Letterboxing~Cerillos Hills

2008-10-25T00:32:00.000-06:00

Last weekend, I invited my neighbor friend, Valerie to join me for some letterboxing in the Village of Cerillos, about 30 minutes north of us, and only 20 minutes south of Santa Fe. There were two letterboxes placed there within the Cerillos Hills Historic Park. You can also read about our trip through Val's blog Fantastyk Voyage

The Village of Cerrillos was established in 1879 as a tent camp between the lead and silver of the Cerrillos Hills to the north and the coal of Madrid and the gold of Placer and Ortiz Mountains to the south.The population of Cerillos is approx. 300 people. There are probably more animals living in Cerillos than humans, though. Cerillos is well known for the movie that was filmed there called Young Guns. Many movies are filmed in New Mexico and there is even a Movie Studio located in southeast Albuquerque. The downtown streets (only two) of Cerillos look like a movie set.
Cerillos Hills Historic Park with its tricultural heritage, have held an unusually important place in the history of the American Southwest. The Cerrillos Hills turquoise and lead deposits played a central role in the commerce and economy of the prehistoric Indians of the Rio Grande Valley, and these mineral deposits probably influenced the early Spanish explorations and settlement of New Mexico.The low hills contain deposits of copper, silver, lead, zinc, iron, gold, and turquoise. Beginning with the prehistoric mining of turquoise, these mineral deposits have been important to Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American miners.We hunted for the first letterbox, but after searching for 20 minutes and backtracking to make sure we had followed the clues, we came to the sad conclusion that it had gone missing. There was a very large packrat nest over on the other side of the ridge that we figured might have had something to do with the letterbox' demise. We went in search of the other letterbox and discovered many more mine shafts to explore.

A few of the mines survived into the 20th century. The American Turquoise Company, an agency of Tiffany, New York, was active around the turn of the century, especially at Turquoise Hill on the north side of the Cerrillos.
However, Puebloan turquoise mining in the Cerrillos Hills continued into the twentieth century, with historical records showing inhabitants of Santo Domingo, Cochiti, San Felipe, and San Ildefonso all making use of the mines. Along the way, we enjoyed some of th trees changing colors. Jackson was nice enough to take a photo of Val and I. One of the mines had a cool bridge over it and was very deep. Jackson skipped a couple stones down the shaft and we were surprised with how long it took for the stone to hit bottom.We quickly located the second letterbox and sat down on the bench to log-in while enjoying the expansive views. Behind us we could see Santa Fe Baldy, to the west we could see the Jemez Mountains, and to the south (click on the photo for a larger view) we enjoyed seeing the Sandia Mountains (in the center), and the Ortiz Mountains (on the left).
Val and I were already scheming to come back to visit Cerillos Hills Historic Park because it is open to horseback riding, and the trails would be fun to take our ponies out for the day. Everytime I saw a pile of manure on the trail I got so excited just imaging me and my painted pony riding those same trails. Val thought I was silly, but she was excited, too. But not about the poo. Located at all the trail heads were hitching posts and of course we just had to have some fun playing on them.My rump's a bit too broad for the 2" wide post. I almost did a few flipping gymnastics moves while trying to get comfy. We had a great day hiking and letterboxing, and best of all was that Val decided to become an official letterboxer! You can read about her jump into letterboxing, along with her first stamp carving experience in creating her own Personal Stamp, on her blog Fantastyk Voyage. Woot! Woot!

On the way out of Cerillos Hills we passed some riding corrals with horses to rent. It was called Broken Saddle.

I had a little fun with my photo imaging program when I got home.

This really old and weathered tack caught my eye.

Broken Saddle was a pretty good name for the place..

Up Next: Madness in Madrid, NM

For more information about Letterboxing, click on the following links:
Letterboxing.org

Atlas Quest
Here you can also see my letterboxing profile if you click on 'Find Letterboxers' under the drop down menu: 'People': Look for 'Twinville Trekkers5'

Letterboxing Totals

2008-10-09T23:54:00.002-06:00

FOUND LETTERBOXES
1.Veterans' Memorial (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
2.Koi Fish (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
3.La Cueva Arrow (Albuquerque, NM) - 03/13/2007
4.The Netherwood Box (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/12/2007
5.Los Vaqueros (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
6.Domingo Baca (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/13/2007
7.Rosche's Little Affair (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/15/2007
8.ABQ Sunport (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
9.Urban Forest (Albuquerque, NM) - 3/20/2007
10.Embudo Canyon (Albuquerque, NM) - 4/2/2006
11.It's Chile Out Here! (Hatch, NM) - 4/14/2007
12.What is the Thing? (Dragoon, AZ) - 4/14/2007
13.Lordsburg (Lordsburg, NM) - 4/14/2007
14.Tombstone (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
15.Rolling Stones (Tombstone, AZ) - 4/18/2007
16.Lincoln Park (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
17.AMARC (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
18.Fly Catcher (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
19.Going Batty II (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
20.Phainopepia (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
21.Rock Solid (Tucson, AZ) - 4/23/2007
22.1st Annual (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Diamondback Crossing (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Diamondback Bridge (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.3rd at Columbus Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
23.Columbus Park Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
24.Silverbell Letterbox (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
25.Crystal's Cathouse Hostel: [5 Hitchhikers] (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
26.Rolling Stones Re-Mixed (Texas Canyon, AZ) - 4/27/2007
27.Ibex Box (Deming, NM) - 4/27/2007
28.Black and White (Mystery, NM) - 5/16/2007
29.Isotopes (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
30.Abundant Water (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
31.Displaced Donkey (Ft. Stockton, TX) - 5/26/2007
32.Leaning Tower of Pease, Texas Governor Series (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
33.Oakwood Cemetery (Austin, TX) - 5/26/2007
34.Visual Aid (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
35.Tee Time (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
36.Branding Iron (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/28/2007
37.Tiger Cub-Go See It!: [2 boxes] (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
38.Explorers Circle (The Woodlands, TX) - 5/29/2007
39.Mark by Mark (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
40.Call of the Wild (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
41.America's StoryTeller (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
42.Literary Ace (Tomball,TX) - 5/30/2007
43.Elm Creek Quilts-Quilt Block Series (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
44.Harry's Headache (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
45.The Stamp (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
46.True North (Tomball, TX) - 5/30/2007
47.Mercer Monarch (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
48.Grandmother's Flower Garden-Quilt Block Series (Spring, TX) - 6/2/2007
49.Panda Bear, what do you see? (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
50.The Pinata Box [18+ stamps!] (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
51.A Sssssnake Story (Humble, TX) - 6/2/2007
52.Cactus Pot (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
53.Peace on Earth (Kerrville, TX) - 6/5/2007
54.Cattle on the Mesa (Fabens, TX) - 6/5/2007
55.Windy Day (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
56.Atari E.T.-Random Wierdness Box#3 (Alamagordo, NM) - 6/6/2007
57.Sandia Crest (Albuquerque, NM) - 6/18/2007
58.The Aliens have Landed (Socorro, NM) - 6/19/2007
59.Space Port "Take Me To Your Leader" (Truth or Consequences, NM) - 6/19/2007
60.Cabinet Box (Deming, NM) - 6/19/2007
61.Bisbee Box (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
62.Bisbee Pass (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007
63.Doc and Brutus (Pomerene, AZ) - 6/25/2007
64.To the Bat Cave (Benson, AZ) - 6/26/2007
65.Boys of Summer (Tucson, AZ) - 6/27/2007
66.Presidio Downtown Walking Tour [3 boxe] (Tucson,AZ) - 6/27/2007
67.Crocodile Duck Dee (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
68.Tucson (Tucson, AZ) - 6/28/2007
69.Speedway (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
70.Agua Caliente (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
71.Ben's Bells (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
72.C is for Cougar (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
73.Coati Corner (Tucson, AZ) - 6/30/2007
74.San Pedro River (Sierra Vista, AZ) - 7/6/2007
75.Geology 101-'Limestone' (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
76.Rincon Valley (Vail, AZ) - 7/7/2007
77.Five Minutes of my Life (Tucson, AZ) - 7/7/2007
78.Willcox Playa (Willcox, AZ) - 7/11/2007
79.Ladybug Peak (Bonita, AZ) - 7/11/2007
80.Safford Cotton (Safford, AZ) - 7/11/2007
81.Vexing Letterbox Anomaly (Mystery Box) - 7/11/2007
82.The Red Brick (Farmington, NM) - 7/22/2007
83.Downtown Moab (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
84.Happy 10th,11th, 13th Birthday (Moab, Utah) - 7/22/2007
85.Choose the Right 'Pawth' (Provo, Utah) - 7/23/2007
86.Moose (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
87.Utah's State Symbol Series: Elk (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
88.Olympic Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
89.The Swaner Box (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
90.Bark City Letterbox (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
91.Summit County Library (Park City, Utah) - 7/25/2007
92.Farmin' Fun Fer All (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
93.On the Farm Series: [4 boxes] (Salt Lake City, Utah) - 7/26/2007
94.Wetlands #1 Catch & Release (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
95.Wetlands #2 Fowl Play (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
96.Utah State Symbol Series: Sego Lily (Sandy, Utah) - 7/26/2007
97.Horse Thief Trail (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
98.Fish Out of Water (Moab, Utah) - 7/27/2007
99.Moab Man (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
100.Dourown Petroglyph Panel (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
101.Art on the Rocks (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
102.Newspaper Rock Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
103.Indian Creek Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
104.Hole in the Rock~Spanish Trail Box (Moab, Utah) - 7/28/2007
105.Four Corners (Four Corners, Colorado) - 7/28/2007
106.Tunnel Canyon (Tijeras, NM) - 8/23/2007
107.A Texas Acorn (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
108.The Netherwood Box Re-Visited (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/30/2007
109.Bio Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/6/2007
110.A Little Scare (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
111.Araneae (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
112.Day of the Dead: Cancion de Amor (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
113.Day of the Dead: La Catrina (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
114.Double, Double Toil and Trouble (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
115.Flight 1007 (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
116.Fly by Night (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
117.I wnt 2 suk yor bl%d (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
118.I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Ok (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
119.The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
120.You've got Candy (Santa Fe, NM) - 10/6/2007
121.Rattlesnake (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
122.Los Altos Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/12/2008
123.Embudito:Letterboxing is for the birds (Albuquerque, NM) -7/20/2008
124.Lost Dog: German Short Hair (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008
125.Bosque:Letterboxing is for the Birds (Albuquerque, NM) - 8/11/2008
126.Roosevelt Park (Albuquerque, NM) - 9/11/08
127.Alburwocky: (Mystery Box, NM) - 9/11/08
128.Alphabetical New Mexico~Quarra (Mountainair, NM) - 10/08/08

PLACED:
1.Mariposa Ranch (Rio Rancho, NM) - 3/16/2007
2.Sandia Man Cave (Placitas, NM) - 3/16/2007
3.Vikings in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) - 5/18/2007
4.Indian Blanket (Bernalillo, NM) - 5/20/2007
5.The Catwalk (Glenwood, NM) - 7/11/2007
6.Tijeras (Tijeras, NM) - 5/17/2008
7.DWI Memorial Box (Moriarty, NM)- 5/20/2008
8.Golden Eagle Box (Edgewod, NM) - 7/08/2008
9.Have a Javalina (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
10.The Masked Bandit (Edgewood, NM) - 7/08/2008
11.The Big "I" (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/08

HITCH HIKERS:
1.Hebrew Aleph-Bet~Zayin (Albuquerque,NM) - 3/20/2007 (Placed: "It's Chile Out There~Hatch, NM - 4/14/2007)
2.Merry Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
3.World Traveler (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
4.Reading Rocks Bookworm (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
5.Green Leaf (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
6.Sandy (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
7.The Cannonball (Tucson, AZ) - 4/26/2007
8.Reading Rocks BookWorm (Bisbee, AZ) - 6/24/2007 (Placed: "Wetlands #2 Fowl Play~Sandy, UT - 7/26/2007)
9.Mojo (Albuquerque, NM) - 7/20/2008 (Placed: "Tijeras"~Tijeras, NM - 7/27/2008)

EVENT STAMPS:
1. ¡Bienvenidos! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. G is for gatherings (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. LBNA Map Roving Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Santa Fe SPOOKtacular Letterboxing Event Stamp (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. SPOOKtacular Magic Words (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

COOTIES:
1.Cutie Bee (Tijeras, NM) -July, 21, 2008

PERSONAL TRAVELER STAMP EXCHANGES:
1. A Corking Carivan (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
2. Aztraveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
3. Cowabunga! (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
4. Gait Training (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
5. Literary Personal Traveler (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
6. No Mirrors for Me (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007
7. Sheshells (Santa Fe, NM) - Oct 6, 2007

LETTERBOXER EXCHANGES:
lionsmane, Astro D, The Great Wuga Wuga, rubberpeace, RBR Horno, Highwayman, Front Range Hiker, Warm Front, Cold Front, Azroadie, AZJokester, y nought, preboxed, Triple T's, South Hill Hendersons

Letterboxing~Quarai Mission Monument

2008-10-09T16:51:00.025-06:00

Through our Sonlight homeschool curriculum, my kids and I have been reading about the Aztecs, the Spanish Conquistadors, Spanish Missionaries and their journeys and explorations from Mexico searching for Cibola, Quivira and the Seven Cities of Gold.

After reading "Walk the World's Rim", we decided to do some exploring of our own and headed 38 miles south of Laughing Orca Ranch to the Quarai Mission Monument.
We were also excited about finding a recently placed letterbox in the park, by one of our favorite letterboxers, 'Lions Mane'. It was a gorgeous sunny day, the sky crystalline blue with nary a cloud. The park had a few miles of lovely paved hiking trails, as well as some 'back country' dirt trails, many under cover of towering cottonwood trees, with leaves turning a sunny Autumn yellow.
We quickly and easily found the letterbox, with only a few scratches from some wild rose bushes (Thanks lionsmane! -grin-). The stamp carving was perfectly completed for the location. And you know what?! We were the First Finders!! Woot! Woot!
After rehiding the letterbox, the kids did some climbing and playing along the trail.

We rounded a bend in the trail and saw the mission church. At one time, thriving Native American trade communities of the Tiwa and Tompiro speaking Puebloans inhabited this remote frontier area of central New Mexico. Early in the 17th century, Spanish Franciscans found the area ripe for their missionary efforts. At our first sight of the mission church we were awestruck.
Not everyone realizes that Spanish missions were not actually churches. They were Pueblo Indian towns, with the church as the focus. The Pueblo Indians were being instructed by the Spanish Missionaries on how to become Spanish citizens.
In order to become a Spanish citizen, they had to be Catholic. That is why the King of Spain sent missionaries to acculturate them. We were all impressed with the size and strength of this structure. We were even more impressed when we discovered that women played an important and crucial role in it's construction.
The inside of the church made us feel very small.
Even my kids were amazed and kept duscussing what it must have been like to live here during that time, especially for the Pueblo people who were having their own beliefs squashed in order to forced to become Spanish citizens instead, something they discovered they really didn't want.Many aspects of the original pueblo structures were destroyed or covered over, so that the mission would be at the forefront. Two of the Pueblo Indians' Ceremonial Kivas were filled in with dirt, inluding this less common square shaped kiva. It was covered up and turned into a sunny courtyard for the priests. Jax and Jen are peeking down into the fireplace.
We all enjoyed exploring the living quarters of the mission, including this hallway. Because the roof is missing, these rooms and hallways felt like a Labyrinth.
The reason why Quarai is so important is because there is little physical evidence left of history where Spanish settlers came in contact with Native Americans. These mission churches have gone through very little physical change. Quarai, along with Abo and Gran Quivira, are all a part of the Salinas Mission Trail Monuments, and contain some of the oldest church structures in New Mexico.The church is in the shape of a cross, with the altar at the top, two separate smaller altars on either side and the nave(congregation area at the bottom). My 3 monkeys seemingly forgot that we were in a church and decided it would be a fun place to boogy down instead.
We each took turns speaking from the altar and were amazed how well our voices carried into the nave area.
The church at Quarai was built during the late 1620s or early 1630s. It was abandoned in 1677 after a combination of drought, disease and Apache raids drove the residents from the area.
A placard showed how the mission church must have looked long ago.My kids discovered wild gourds growing near the mission church that we were permitted to keep. They are so excited to create gourd rattles, similar to the one that Esteban carried with him during his journeys. It was magical to consider that these gourds may have originally been planted by the pueblo people who lived here.
We sat on a bench and admired the beautiful mission church as the sunlight moved across it. I thoroughly enjoyed the interesting discussions my kids and I shared concerning this unique and interesting place.

On the way back home, we admired the many horses and cows grazing in open fields with the beautiful Manzano Mountains for a peaceful backdrop. For some reason I was drawn to stop and visit with one particular group of four horses. This handsome boy seemed to be the group's leader, and walked up to greet us first.
This beautiful mare was next up to say hello. She was my favorite.The leader horse was a very in-your-face and curious boy. He really seemed curious about Jen's M & M's.I fell in love with this mare, I tell ya. She was so gentle and sweet and reminded me alot of my Baby Doll.She seemed to love the attention and was very affectionate.We really enjoyed spending time with these horses.

Jenna has a special way with horses that calms them and puts them in some kind of trance.Just look at that mare's soft muzzle. Don't you just want to kiss it? I did!Jackson tried to sneak a smooch on one of the two brown horses. They weren't all that friendly, but this one was a little more curious.Jackson grabbed my camera and took a few photos of me loving on that pretty mare.I'm telling you. The thought crossed my mind several times how wonderful it would be to take her home with me.Then there was that goofy lead horse. I don't know what it is about geldings (I'm assuming this guy wasn't a stallion) but they annoy me because they usually stick their noses in my face, nibble my clothes, poke and prod me and are just generally pests. This guy was no different.I think he wanted to kiss me.He had a serious fetish for having his nose rubbed and tickled.I really prefer mares.Isn't she cute?My favorite mare walked away while we were playing with the other horses, and all I had to do to get her to come to me was cluck and say "here sweetie".She stopped grazing and turned and walked to me.I didn't have carrots or cookies, just my voice. And that sweet girl kept coming.I do love my own pretty mare, but I felt some sort of something towards this horse. I felt like I could have walked right up and jumped on her bareback and rode across those open fields straight for the mountains, into the sunset.What a great day.

My Poor Baby! ~ Warning: Graphic Photos

2008-10-04T01:24:00.001-06:00

*****WARNING: This post shares some very graphic photos. If you tend to faint at the site of blood, you may not want to read this post.*****

My kids have been fairly lucky in the injury department over the years. Besides a terrible auto accident, and all of the horrible injuries entailed, the most they've ever experienced was a few stitches, bumps and bruises.
They've probably remained unscathed because my kids aren't dare devils and don't partake of many high risk or dangerous activities.
Sure, they ride their bikes, ocassionally ride a horse, play sports, jump on a trampoline, and climb trees.
All are pretty typical for most 11 year old kids, though, don't you think?

Jax loves to climb trees. He could probably live in a tree, if you let him. He dreams and wishes hard for his very own treehouse one day.
On the other side of the coin, his twin brother Jem is not a tree climber. Jem tends to read and play guitar more than anything. But he does like to hang out with his twin brother and have fun, too.
So the other evening Jem joined Jax climbing trees up in the woolies' paddock.

As always I warned them to be careful and tried not to be over-protective. I tried to avert my eyes and do the "shut my eyes, plug my ears, and go "lalalalalalala...I can't hear/see you!" as my friend Melanie tries to do with her own kids when they insist on doing things that scare the willies right out of any loving Mama.

I have to admit I felt more worried than usual seeing my more 'delicate' son way up in the tree. I wanted him down....NOW!

But I walked to the bottom of the hill after feeding the animals at the barn, and just when I got past the lower gate, I heard a scream. And not just any scream. A scream that all Mamas know and dread. A scream that says something is terribly wrong. A scream that makes our hearts race and our tummies fall into our feet. A scream that makes the hair rise on the back of our necks and causes us to have the 'fight or flight' syndrome.
I turned on a dime and ran up there to find Jem stumbling and whimpering towards me, telling me that he felt like he was going to throw up.

He was guarding his right chest, so that was the first place I looked. And what I saw horrified me!
There was tissue and fat sticking out of his wound, and it was right below his nipple, which was hanging there only by a flap. It was sickening to see and required a trip to the emergency room STAT!

Prepare for the graphic photo:

My poor baby boy. I felt so terrible for him. But he was so brave. Braver than I would be. Jem also ended up with a few other scrapes and small cuts. Ranchman John and his truckdriver friend, Clark, who was visiting, took Jem to the hospital. I stayed home with Jax and Jen, and was so grateful that Ranchman John was there to be by Jem's side. He is so much tougher than I am. I faint at the sight of my children's blood now. I feel weak if they sustain any trauma.

It has not always been this way, though. I used to be a CNA (nurse) for several years when I got out of high school. I was never queasy or weakhearted. I could handle anything that came my way.

But then 3 years ago my twin sons and husband almost died when they were hit from behind by a vehicle and rammed into the path of an 18 wheeler head-on.
There were a lot of terrible injuries and trauma. And I think it affected me right down to my core being, my deepest part of my soul. And though I am amazingly blessed that my sons and husband are still alive, I've never been the same since.

But this post is not about me. This is about my poor baby who survived falling out of a juniper tree. He bragged that he didn't even cry throughout the entire hospital ordeal. Jem had to deal with multiple needles to numb the area as well as SEVENTEEN stitches! Ouch!

Jem almost lost his nipple, and the nurse told me that it's better that this happened to my son rather than my daughter, because for a female there could have been issues involving breastfeeding, sensitivity and nerve damage.
Jem may still end up with some nerve damage and lack of feeling, but for now he's just sore and not able to do much for at least 10 days. Thank goodness he's my quieter, less active son.

Here's a photo I took of the stitched up wound after I cleaned it up tonight:

So as you can see it's been a rather stressful and emotional couple days around here. I'm not much of a drinker, but I wouldn't mind a strong margarita right about now.
Anyone want to join me?