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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #256
March 4, 2005
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Dear Subscriber:

I go by simple rules here in the mountains in the winter.

Layer your clothes when you go outside, make sure your head and
your feet stay warm, make sure your firewood is dry, keep the
gas tanks topped off, be sure your spare tire has air in it and,
when you're stuck in the house for any length of time, don't
sweat the small stuff.

About this time of year, even life-long Cloudcroft locals begin
to complain of cabin fever. Not enough sunshine and outdoor
time.

While I adore Cloudcroft summers, I also enjoy the challenges of
winter.

I think the trick is to find sources of amusement where you can.
After I've done my wood-stocking and snow clearing and
other chores, I'm not usually lost for something to occupy me.

I spend time writing this newsletter. I read a lot in the 
winter. With 100 channels on the satellite dish, there's always
something to distract you, even if it's just another car chase
shown from a California news helicopter. I even watched about
10 minutes of Monster Motorcycles the other day. Now I know how
to build a three-wheel road-worthy Harley. Never know when you
might need to know that.

Still, my favorite pass-time is my dogs.

Since we have 4 active dogs and they spend lots of time in the
house, we have wall-to-wall tile on the floors.

The tile is easier to clean...and a byproduct is it also
provides some laughs.

I'll try to paint this picture for you; We have a large
bedroom. In that bedroom we have a door that opens to our back
deck. The covered deck is surrounded by a quarter acre of
fenced yard. That's where the dogs spend their day when it's
nice outside.

Our dogs are like most dogs. Coming into the house after a day
outside is a very special occasion. It's like during the day
they have convinced themselves that they will never see the
inside of the house again. When I open the door it's like a big
celebration.

One dog will act that way. Multiply that by 4 and you have
several minutes of accumulated energy and pandemonium.

They have no idea how much I look forward to it, too. For me,
it's show time. That's where the tile floor comes in.

My dogs are pretty intelligent, but it seems every day they
forget about the tile floor. There's minimal traction on tile.

They run into the house like "Aw-right! They let us back in!"
and head for the kitchen. Every day they run at full tilt for
the bedroom door that opens into the hallway and then to the
kitchen.

Every day they forget it's a sharp right-hand and slick turn
into the hallway.

Every day there's a major pile-up in the hallway. Paws, tails
and ears flying every which way.

"Crash at the hallway! It looks like a bad one! The Bulldog
was in the lead, but it looks like she was rear-ended by the
Border Collie and then the Whippet and the Lab just couldn't
stop and piled into the rest of them. That's gonna bring out
the yellow caution light!"

"Looks like everybody's all right, Mel. That's always been a
bad corner. Lots of crashes there."

The dogs spend a couple of seconds at the scene of the
accident gathering themselves and growling at each other like
it's the other guy's fault. Then, with a little more aplomb,
they move into the living area. By the time they make the
kitchen, all is forgiven. It's time for Purina and a chair and
the crackling fire and some TV.

Maybe I AM having a slight case of cabin fever. I'm looking
way too forward to the afternoon crash at the hallway turn.

I guess I could put a rug at the turn...one of those rugs with
the sticky back... so they wouldn't slide into the wall, but
there's never been an injury and, dang it, it would spoil my
fun.

It's true what they say. Us fans like the crashes.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. SPECIAL -- NEW MEXICO STATE SONG
3. PICTURE OF THE WEEK -- DISTANT SANDS
4. VILLAGE NEWS
5. INSIDE THE SHOP -- LOG HOMES OF CLOUDCROFT
6. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- WHITE SANDS
7. Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
8. COMING EVENTS
9. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
10. CONTACT INFORMATION
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LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
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March is bringing warmer weather. Light flurries, but only a
trace of precipitation.

High during the reporting period 43 at 11am (3-1).

Low 16 at 1am (2-26).

Total annual precipitation, 6.04 inches.

Up to the minute Cloudcroft weather is available to the world
on Cloudcroft.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's free.
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SPECIAL -- NEW MEXICO STATE SONG
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Dear Newsletter:

I just listened to the New Mexico State Song on the web site
for the first time. Great tune! What is name of it and do you
know the words?

I'm peddling as fast as I can to get to Cloudcroft to spend
3-4 months. Can hardly wait!

Peggy Tombs

[The title is O, Fair New Mexico. It was written by Elizabeth
Garrett who was the daughter of Pat Garrett, the man who killed
Billy the Kid. The song was adopted in 1917. Click the link to
play.]

http://www.cloudcroft.com/cgi-bin/xink.pl?xi=x0005

O, Fair New Mexico
Under a sky of azure,
Where balmy breezes blow,
Kissed by the golden sunshine, 
Is Nuevo Mejico.
Land of the Montezuma, 
With firey hearts aglow,
Land of the deeds historic, 
Is Nuevo Mejico.

O, Fair New Mexico, 
We love, we love you so,
Our hearts with pride o'reflow,
No matter where we go.
O, Fair New Mexico, 
We love, we love you so,
The grandest state to know
New Mexico.

Rugged and high sierras,
With deep canyons below,
Dotted with fertile valleys,
Is Nuevo Mejico.
Fields full of sweet alfalfa,
Richest perfumes bestow,
State of apple blossoms,
Is Nuevo Mejico.

O, Fair New Mexico, 
We love, we love you so,
Our hearts with pride o'reflow,
No matter where we go.
O, Fair New Mexico, 
We love, we love you so,
The grandest state to know
New Mexico.

Days that are full of heart-dreams,
Nights when the moon hangs low;
Beaming its benedictions,
O'er Nuevo Mejico.
Land with its bright manana,
Coming through weal and woe;
State of esperanza,
Is Nuevo Mejico.

O, Fair New Mexico, 
We love, we love you so,
Our hearts with pride o'reflow,
No matter where we go.
O, Fair New Mexico, 
We love, we love you so,
The grandest state to know
New Mexico.
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PICTURE OF THE WEEK -- DISTANT SANDS
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Photographed March 2 near the Cloudcroft tunnel on highway 82.

http://www.cloudcroft.com/pics/cloudcroft20.jpg

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VILLAGE NEWS
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A meeting of concerned citizens was conducted at Chimney Springs
March 1. It was an organizational meeting with the stated
mission of promoting a sustainable water supply for the
Sacramento Mountain area. About 75 people attended.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- LOG HOMES OF CLOUDCROFT
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Blending old time craftsmanship with state-of-the-art 
technology, we provide a precut log wall system, kiln dried
logs, and thru-bolt construction. Modify our plans or we'll
design one for you. Lodge Logs. For details, call 505-687-3818
or 800-896-9936, fax 505-687-2649, or email
vaughtac@pvtnetworks.net.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
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http://www.nps.gov/whsa/

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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Where can I find more information on the history of
Cloudcroft?

A - Right now, plans for a web site for the Cloudcroft museum
are in the formative stages. It will take a while for them to
transpose historical facts and pictures to that web site.

Meanwhile, we suggest contacting museum director Pat Rand or
assistant director Patsy Cornelius for specific historical
information. 1-505-682-2932.

There's a large amount of information about the area available
on the Cloudcroft.com website.
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COMING EVENTS
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March 26 -- Easter Egg hunt. Cloudcroft.

March 26 -- Easter Bonnet parade. Cloudcroft. 2pm.

May 6-7 -- 2005 Organ Mountain Film Festival. New Mexico Farm
and Ranch Heritage Museum. 4100 Dripping Springs, Las Cruces.
http://www.riograndefilm.com/filmfestival.html

May 7 -- Old Timer's reunion. Cloudcroft.

May 28, 29 -- Mayfest. Cloudcroft.

June 17, 18, 19 -- Western Roundup. Cloudcroft.

June 18-19 -- 2005 High Rolls Cherry Festival. 9am - 5pm. High
Rolls Community Center. Follow the highway signs to local 
(weather permitting) cherries, cherry pies, over 60 arts/crafts
venders, food and drink, near-continuous local entertainment,
and children's activities. www.highrollsfestivals.com or call
(505) 682-1151. As always, parking and admission are free.

July 9 and 10 -- July Jamboree. Cloudcroft.

Would you like to help deliver meals to the homebound around
Cloudcroft? Monday through Friday deliveries. Call the
Cloudcroft Senior Center at (505)-682-3022. For information on
other Senior Center services, see their web site, listed on the
Cloudcroft.com Links button.

http://www.cloudcroft.com/links.htm

Mountain Garden Club meets every third Monday of each month.
Call (505) 682-2910 for more information.

Senior Van from Timberon to Alamogordo leaves the Timberon
Lodge promptly at 8:30 every Wednesday morning.
Free Vitals Clinic. Cloudcroft Senior Citizens Center, every
Wednesday. High Rolls Senior Citizens Center, first Thursday
of each month.

For information on upcoming events at the Nivison Public
Library in Cloudcroft, contact library director Joyce Komraus.
(505) 682-1111.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Newsletter:

With reference to the Feb 4th newsletter. After enduring a
24 hr trip from Cambridge UK, getting lost on the drive from
El Paso to Cloudcroft (who says you can't get lost on a
straight road!), we arrived at our destination and enjoyed a
really lovely week - house and land hunting, meeting lots of
lovely people, marvelling at your cheap gas prices and
getting snowed in at the Sunspot observatory!

We have found some really nice property which we are in the
process of buying and are looking forward to coming over to
see you all again later on in the year sooner rather than
later. This time we are going to bring some of the kids who
are so looking forward to seeing their new holiday home and
to help decorate and furnish it.

Cheers for now from a very wet, cold and grey England.
Regards

Ann & Chris Traher
Red Lodge, Suffolk, England

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Dear Newsletter:

What a wonderful mother you have! and you are a delightful son
to write such a moving tribute. Thanks for sharing with your
readers.

A fan in Arkansas,
Fran LaFace

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Dear Newsletter:

Beautiful letter about you mother, really beautiful.

Dr. Cavazos
Chihuahua, Mexico

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Dear Newsletter:

My mother died February 19, 1992. Today I cried.
 
She had lung cancer and had been ill for quite some time. Her
memorial service was on February 22, 1992, my 44th birthday.
After the service when we gathered at the house, one of my
cousins brought in a birthday cake. My family is like that. 
 
Being the eldest and only son, I assumed responsibilities for
the service, subsequent insurance claims from her illness and
supported my Dad. I don’t remember ever crying before.
 
About three years ago at this time of year my sister reminded
me it had been 10 years ago since Mother passed away. I told
her she was crazy; it hadn't been anywhere near that long! I
reviewed the "In Loving Memory" pamphlet that was handed out
at the memorial service. Now it is 13 years. I guess I have
been numb for that long. I believe today that numbness has gone
away and I can feel again.
 
Thank you for sharing about your wonderful mother and sister.
Family is like that, you know. Thank you for your honesty and
transparency. It must be that at 9,000 feet you are closer to
Heaven.
 
Ron Creek
Las Cruces, NM

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Dear Newsletter:

What a lovely tribute to your mom. I think you both are special.
I only hope that my two kids (currently 6 and 10) will grow up
to be thankful and special humans!

Nina 
Formerly of El Paso, now in Washington, DC

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Dear Newsletter:

Love your newsletter. Have had a townhouse at Spur Landing
since 1984. Aren't moms wonderful! 

Sherman Millender
Plano, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

Your last newsletter was very touching. I think that I have
quite a bit in common with you. I am a Stroke Survivor from
West Texas (Muleshoe). Keep of the good work. 

Mike Jones

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Dear Newsletter:

Flew my little piper Seneca to Alamogordo last week and spent
four days at the CC lodge, the wife and I were celebrating our
20th. 

Caught the snow and the rain and the fog and fell in love with
the area all over again. We were lucky that Friday was 
"shadow day" and I really enjoyed watching the 3 ten-year-olds
serve breakfast at the Lodge. We signed a contract for our
retirement home in High Nogal and are looking forward to being
your "neighbors." God Bless all our Moms. 
 
Rick Peters 

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