Drought in New Mexico — three related tales

It’s bad and getting worse. On the other hand, a trace rained on me in Chaco Canyon this week. I wore rain gear to walk around Casa Rinconada. peace, mjh

» Drought on the Rio Grande: “The worst year ever.” | ABQ Journal

By John Fleck / Journal Staff Writer on Wed, Apr 3, 2013

» Drought on the Rio Grande: “The worst year ever.” | ABQ Journal

» Ruidoso’s reservoirs nearly empty | ABQ Journal

By Associated Press on Wed, Apr 3, 2013

RUIDOSO (AP) — The village of Ruidoso is warning residents that the mountain community’s reservoirs are nearly empty due to the drought and the effects of a devastating wildfire

» Ruidoso’s reservoirs nearly empty | ABQ Journal

» Clovis begins voluntary water restrictions | ABQ Journal

By Associated Press on Wed, Apr 3, 2013

CLOVIS (AP) — Clovis city officials are urging residents and business owners to conserve water.

The eastern New Mexico city started voluntary watering restrictions on Monday. They will be in effect through Oct. 1….

» Clovis begins voluntary water restrictions | ABQ Journal

Every film must end

Ebert, nation’s best-known film critic, dies at 70 – Toshiba By CARYN ROUSSEAU, The Associated Press, Thursday, April 4, 2013 9:06 PM EDT

The heavy-set writer in the horn-rimmed glasses teamed up on television with Gene Siskel to create a format for criticism that proved enormously appealing in its simplicity: uncomplicated reviews that were both intelligent and accessible and didn’t talk down to ordinary movie fans. …

"So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies." Ebert wrote Tuesday on his blog. …

Fans admired his courage, but Ebert told The Associated Press that bravery had "little to do with it."

"You play the cards you’re dealt," Ebert wrote in an email in January 2011. "What’s your choice? I have no pain. I enjoy life, and why should I complain?" …

"I was perfectly content before I was born, and I think of death as the same state," he wrote. "I am grateful for the gifts of intelligence, love, wonder and laughter. You can’t say it wasn’t interesting."

Ebert, nation’s best-known film critic, dies at 70 – Toshiba

reflect

Before dawn
I sit and wait
pen in hand.
I look across
this blank page
stretching forever.
Where are you?
I watch and wait
and look up to see you
at the edge of the woods
you emerge
and walk toward me
walking on water
toward me
that serene calm face
looking through me
at the world.
Am I your mirror? mjh

1/4/2005

birdsmith

The poet stands before a cage of birds,
contemplating his next words.
He snatches up a finch
and deftly dips its feet in ink,
stamping glyphs across the page.
All the while, the bird sings softly,
adding a common tone
to this pedestrian poem.
Returning the finch to its pen,
the poet mutters,
"I should have used a wren." mjh

11/24/2009

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." — Sam Adams