"We Are The Sermon" WATS UP Lincoln County 2009

Today was the 2nd WATS UP Lincoln County campaign (We are the Sermon) where lots of community/church members met at the Village of Ruidoso Downs to do various projects just to show the love of Christ. Among some of the many projects were: cleaning up and fixing up various houses in the neighborhoods, especially for older folkspicking up trash in the neighborhoods (this is Ed & his mom Vi as we walked some of the neighborhoods with trash bags), repainting and fixing up the grooms' showers and restrooms on the backside of the racetrack,

and cleaning up and painting the race track chapel. We also worked in force to create a family park down by the river in Ruidoso Downs. Some of those projects were: mulching a lot of the brush to make a walking trail along the upper perimeter of the park areaOf course, get this many preachers & administrators together and someone's always on the phone.The community went together and bought 9 concrete picnic tables that cost $900 each...trouble was, they had to be assembled which was quite a project in itself, but at least they're sturdy. Here's the before, during, and after picture of the tables. We all got to try out the tables since the Catholic Church folks brought grills and cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for all the workers at the park.Another one of the nice features of the park being made is the walking path that goes around the perimeter of the park down by the river which Ed said is really, really cold.Another cool thing that is happening is the free BBQ for the community tonight at the race track. A few local business owners have trailers that they use to cook with, so they cooked lots and lots of food which will be served for free to whoever shows up tonight. Last WATS UP we served about 750 people and are expecting more tonight. There will also be a free concert at the track, and then tomorrow lots of churches are meeting at 11 a.m. at the track for a combined worship service.

A local photographer even came to take pictures of all the projects and workers, so I took a picture of him.

Run For The B.E.A.C.H.

This morning was the annual Run for the B.E.A.C.H. which raises money for breast cancer research, but primarily to fund free mammograms in Lincoln County. Ed, Linda, and I participated by walking, not running, but it was a good 3-mile brisk walk that we did in 47 minutes. At least the coming back part was downhill!

Ed's Birthday

Last night (9-11-09) Ed and I went to dinner in Ruidoso with two of our friends, Jack and Linda Greene, to celebrate Ed's and Linda's birthdays. Hers was Sept. 7. It was a really nice dinner, beginning with champagne to make the night a little more festive, telephone calls from both Stephanie and Meaghan, and ending with shared desserts on which I put candles. At least 9/11 can be a happy day.

Our Fawn

Ed looked out the office window at home today and saw this little fawn in the tall grass just enjoying himself.

Cool Displays at Anthropologie

Ed & I went to Albuquerque on Sunday after church for a quick get-away and stayed at ABQ Uptown. We always like to browse through the nearby stores, especially Anthropologie to see what cool displays someone has created. Here's a "fireplace" that greeted us as we entered:As you can see, it was actually yellow drawing pencils and stacked wood. They always have unusual "chandeliers" as well...this one is cut twigs on dowel rods.