I mentioned a couple weeks ago that Sarah has to have a follow up colonoscopy after polyps were found last year. That is scheduled for this Thursday; we appreciate your prayers for that not-so-fun procedure and for good results. Also, in the medical realm, I am headed out the door right now to Urgent Care. I had a cold sore develop about two weeks ago and instead of getting better, I have started to have a rash and sores spreading all over my face. With a compromised immune system, I don’t want to give that a chance to get any more out of control that it already is. So I’m having it checked out this morning to see what is causing this to spread so quickly.
Of all the things we saw during our vacation in New Mexico, there were few things that made Steve’s male heart any happier than seeing this sign.
It’s been a lot of years since we’ve seen those two numbers together.
As far as something that made my heart happy, it was traveling half an hour or so in the company of an impressively long train. When you live on the East Coast and there aren’t many open spaces, seeing an entire train outside your window for miles and miles is quite the thrill! Steve was determined to put that higher speed limit to use and outrun the train–which he did finally succeed at.
I was also entranced by this long line up of windmill-ish, twirly thingies. (I’m sure there is an official name for them but I am obviously not in possession of that knowledge.)
But trains and windmills aside, the thing that amazed me the most about New Mexico was not just the variety of its topography but how quickly the topography changed! We would be riding along seeing this out the window . . .
and within a matter of minutes, it would change to this . . .
and this . . .
and this.
and this . . .
and this.
Unbelievable variety. Unbelievable beauty.
The only bad part about one otherwise beautiful stretch of road that we traveled last Sunday morning was that we went for 2 1/2 hours with nary a sign of a bathroom. Not. Even. One.
When we eventually did come upon an old, run down gas station with the promises of bathroom facilities therein, I jumped out the car with the kind of energetic alacrity I haven’t displayed since I was a child.
Out of all the sights I saw in New Mexico, this was one was the most beautiful to me. Ahhh . . . .
After we had our comfort stop (as it is euphemistically called) behind us, Steve and I continued on our way. We had no time to spare because we needed to be in Trinidad, CO by lunch time.
Why Trinidad?
THIS is why! I got to see my dear friend, Lorrie Avallone Kosninski, whom I have known for 41 years!
Here is a picture of us from back in the day. Aren’t we ever so cute? I was about 14 and Lorrie was about 17.
For several years, Lorrie and I wrote songs and did concerts at churches in the Sparta, Wisconsin area where we lived. We had a couple sets of matching dresses (which Lorrie made) and we spent hour upon hour rehearsing and honing our craft. We had a lot of fun along the way and in the process, forged a friendship that has lasted over four decades.
Lorrie and her husband, Paul, live in Denver, and when they were heard we were coming to NM, we found a half way meeting place so we could have lunch.
In addition to the laughter and the sweet conversation, we had something else that was sweet–spaghetti ice cream!
They put the ice cream through a machine to make it come out in long strands, added “meatballs” (made from brownies), tomato sauce (strawberry sauce) and Parmesan cheese. (shaved white chocolate.) Delicious, fun and creative.
As marvelous as it was to see the beauty of a new place, it was even more wonderful to revisit the joy of an old friendship.
I’m so very thankful for a friend who has known me through the very worse and very best times of my life–and is planning on being in my life for the next 41 years to come.
What about you? Do you have a friend from long ago who is still your friend today? Tell us about it!
So sorry about your sore and Sarah’s upcoming colonoscopy. I’m hoping all goes well for both of you.
Those windmills are called wind turbines. They generate energy and they mesmerize me. We have some “farms” in Texas and whenever we drive by them, although not often at all, I can’t keep myself from just watching them. I imagine I could just lie underneath them and watch them for hours on end.
I’m not old enough to have had friends for 40 years but I do have some friends I have known for just about 20 years. It’s pretty great to be able to say that other than the fact that it means I’m old enough to have known people for 20 years!
Lizz,
They amaze me, too! I think it’s so cool that they are used to generate energy; plus, they are so much fun to look at!
Twenty years is nothing to sneeze at in the area of years of friendship. And if you’ve had friends for 20 years, chances are they will be sticking around for many years to come!
Pictures are beautiful Becky. A bunch of us girls that went to public school together and graduated grade 8 together have planned a get together Mid August. We haven’t been together like that in 37 years!! Everybody is so excited. I would almost say that your rash in turning into impitego which would need a topical cream but glad to see you are getting it looked after.
Mel,
How fun to get together with girls you haven’t seen in so long! I hope that is just the first of many get togethers you have in the years to come.
And yes, my rash was diagnosed as impetigo; not such a fun thing to have.
P.s. Hope all goes well for Sarah! And you heal up quickly!! Amen!
My friend Sue Salowitz!! Known her since I was about 12ish. Can still pick up phone and start right where we left off. And she’s like 16 or so years older then me. But knows me and loves me. And our age differance has never mattered!! A great friendship!!
Catherine,
So glad you have found a lifetime friendship. Such a wonderful treasure–Sue sounds like a gem!
Love all your pics, except for the one showing that infection. You take care of yourself! We’re sending love and prayers your way. Berit
Berit,
How nice to see your name pop up here! Yes, the infection picture is not a very happy one, that’s for sure! Thanks for the prayers. Love you buys!
Sounds like that cold sore may have gotten infected. Good thoughts for you and sarah this week!! It must be the week for medical procedures..Mammo and ultrasound for me tomorrow(tues) d/t small lump noticed under a bruise from Sarah’s wheelchair handle.(that’s now gone, lol). Stressful. Love the matching dresses.
One of my best friends is from 8th grade. She lives in the same town as I do, but as I am moving on Friday, we will now be far apart 🙁 I smiled at the 75mph sign. I would love to see that too. I am a very fast driver and missed my calling as a race car driver, I think.
Lesley,
Mammos are no fun, especially when there’s a lump to be examined. Hugs to you today; let me know when you get results.
It’s wonderful that you still have a friend from 8th grade; I’m sorry you will be moving away from her. However, with your propensity for speed, you could make road trips back to her house in less than half the time it might take someone else. 🙂
Results are negative! woohoo. Thank you for your thoughts. Hope Sarah’s prep is going well today…..
Lesley,
Thanks so much for letting us know. SO very thankful!!!
I have not had a chance to look at your trip photos yet or read your blog about them and I am anxious to indulge myself. The scenery looks fabulous and, um, so did that ice cream! Prayers for certain for you and especially Sarah as she goes through that prep and test. I am confident all will be good news.
Mary,
I hope you enjoy the past posts and feel like you have taken a little vacation to NM when you get finished. Thanks for the good wishes and prayers for this week.
Beautiful pictures of NM and other folks, but the one of you almost looks like you got hit! Praying the doctors have found out what it is that is causing this. I’m sure you’ll let us know a.s.a.p.
Sharyn,
Yes, the pictures of NM are a lot better than the one of my face! 🙂 I’ll do a little update post this morning about what the doctor said.
Having just gone thro Montana on vacation last month, it’s amazing how much New Mexico scenery looks like Montana scenery–so pretty! In one of your pix of the road, it looks like there’s a little tornado/dust devil thing up ahead–fact or fiction? 🙂
Both you and Lorrie look wonderful–so nice to see her again! (Hi Lorrie!)
May the good doctor know how to eradicate that rash….
Love, Deb
Deb,
Hmmm, I never noticed the dust devil thing until you mentioned it. Good eye!
Sounds like you had a lovely trip through Montana; don’t you just love seeing different sights through your windshield? I sure do!
It was so good seeIng Kosinskis again! That was a great dessert!
Steve,
True that!
Oh Becky, that mouth/face sore looks so miserable. Hope you get some solutions to the cause, and quick healing.
I am from central Ohio, now Maryland area. My oldest homeschooled daughter headed far away for college – Santa Fe. I never tired of the terrain when we would visit her. What we call mountains here in the east, are just big hills to them! It is so, so beautiful there – but kind of lacking in the lush green I am used to around here.
Thoughts to Sarah on Thursday, hoping for an easy test with good results!
Anonymous,
You’re so right–the Santa Fe area is amazing. I took an hour one morning and just drove around the hills and mountains by myself and enjoyed every second of it.
I agree though; it is nice to see all the lush green foliage in MD and NC!
Sending out prayers to you and Sarah. Rashes and Colonoscopies are not much fun. Hope all goes well! Beautiful pictures! Looks like you had a wonderful time on your vacation. Take care!
Shawn,
Yes, we will be glad when our Rash and Colonoscopy Week is finished!
When I went to AZ I was amazed at the long-ear rabbits who were on the lawn at the resort. Enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon. So glad you and Steve got to take the trip and you got to see your friend. Hope the “rash” clears up so and is nothing serious. Prayers.
Meant soon not so.
Ann,
You are so fortunate you got to see the Grand Canyon; definitely on my Bucket List. Long eared rabbits would be pretty fun to see, too!
The New Mexico sky is unparalleled. I love it. Best wishes to Sarah this week, and to you as you sort out your problems too!
Stefanie,
Unparalleled is an excellent word for that sky.
Thanks for the good wishes this week!
I believe they’re wind turbines. Palm Springs, California is known for them & there’s even a movie that in the opening scene they drive the long road with 100’s of them (just can’t think of it)?? Man, I hope you don’t have shingles? Nevertheless, I hope you feel better soon. Let us know what they say!
I’ll be thinking of Sarah (& you & Steve) on Thursday.
Jodi,
I would love to see hundreds of wind turbines–how cool would that be?
holding good thoughts for you and Sarah….
you and Lorrie both look lovely and young!
clever ice cream….
Mrs. Pam,
Good thoughts. Lovely and young. Clever ice cream.
Such nice words in your comment. 🙂
Here’s hoping your “cold sore” turns out to be an allergic reaction to new hair product, laundry soap, or something.
That varied scenery is amazing! And that’s coming from someone who lives in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains, with desert two hours one way and an ocean the one hour other way.
I know Lorrie’s secret. That wasn’t really her, it was her look-alike daughter posing as her. Simple. That ice cream sundae? I covet it. Forgive me for my sin. But it’s true.
Prayers and best wishes to Sarah for the upcoming colonoscopy. My doctor has tweeked the prep a lot to make it easier on her patients, but it still isn’t fun!
Jan,
Yeah, I really don’t think there’s any tweaking any doctor could do to make the prep fun but it’s nice of them to make the effort! I just hate that Sarah has to go through all that at such a young age.
It sounds like you live in an amazing area; my camera and I could be quite happy there!
Beautiful scenery! We drove through Colorado, Wyoming and Montana years ago. It’s so different from anywhere else we’ve been. Looks like you had a fantastic trip! Oh, and we used to get Spaghettieis from a little Italian ice cream truck when we lived in Germany. Yum!
Gayle,
I think that’s what I liked the most about the scenery out West–it was different from the other places I’ve seen. Such a joy to see much beauty!
And an Italian ice cream truck sounds like it carries many joys of its own!