Enjoying the sunny skies ...

We've really been enjoying the warm, clear, sunny days here!  It's not 'hot', but it is nice and warm.  Usually about 60-ish during the day with clear, sunny skies.  That's what I don't miss about Indiana ... it always seems overcast and gloomy at home in the winter.  I get the Indiana-winter blahs.  So I'm really thankful for this weather.  Now, Wendell would like it about 80 each day but I'm grateful for this!  Our house has had some problems with heat, which you definitely need at night when it often falls below freezing.  But they have it fixed so we're down for the next few weeks.

We've been going out about every third day, somewhere, and staying around town or at home the rest of the time.  As we get older it seems like that's a good balance for us.  We wear out easier than we used to.  Plus, I've not been feeling 100% since mid-December.  So this has been a good time to not have the demands of my normal household duties and schedule.  I feel like I'm really on vacation here!

Here's what we've been doing ...

There are LOTS of deer here in town.  We have them in the yard daily.  I'm thinking these are mule deer and not white tail, like in Indiana.  Also we have seen a roadrunner in the yard almost every day.  We enjoy walking in the neighborhood.

Discovered this little chapel called Mission Mary out in the desert within an old deserted town called Calera.  (Is that sky blue or what!?  That's what I'm talkin' about!)

Interior of Mission Mary chapel.

Got up early one a.m. and saw the sunrise out the back door ...

Went to Van Horn one day.  This was the only really interesting place in town. But they have TONS of Mexican restaurants and motels!  (Right along the interstate.)

On the way home from Van Horn I saw this lonely-looking tree ...

We went to Alpine one Saturday for the farmer's market and to shop downtown.  Thought this piece in a small park south of downtown was neat.

About our trip to Alpine.  It's 24 miles away.  It's an interesting college town; Sul Ross University is there.  We enjoyed the downtown area because there are some really neat shops!  Especially liked the book shop and there was an antique shop called Vintage Antiques and Snazzy Things which was my favorite place in town (so far).  There are three or four art galleries and a couple coffee shops.  There's a wonderful old hotel, The Holland, (designed by Henry Trost) with a fancy upscale restaurant we plan on going to before we leave.  We just took a peak at the lobby that day -- Spanish Colonial style!  Wow!  Talk about snazzy!

While downtown we saw a protest march.  They reported later on the local news that there were about 100 marchers, but I don't think there were that many ... maybe if you counted the police who were escorting them, front, rear and sideways.  I couldn't figure out exactly what they were protesting because their signs were all over the place -- 'resist', 'abortion IS healthcare', 'no borders, no walls', 'hear our vote', 'stop racism now', etc.  So, anyway, we were sitting on a park bench, watching (from across the street!) and parked near us was a pickup with a bumper sticker that said 'I'm sucking down the gas your Prius is saving'.  Sometimes you gotta laugh at the ironies of life.  

Also went to a wonderful western wear store on the east side of Alpine.  I'm going back there and get some shoes.  There were so many unusual pairs there!  While there, and sitting waiting for W. to look at all the manly stuff, I met two of the most beautiful bird dogs.  There were brothers and they were identical!!  Red, curly, and friendly.  I asked their owner if he could tell them apart and he said 'mostly'.  I got some good petting time in; their owner was friendly, too.  I wish I had one of those dogs!  So cute!!!

And this is what we do sometimes when we're in.  Two jigsaws down, two to go...

I've got a lot of crocheting done for Project Warmth.  Three scarves and one hat, and I'm working on another hat at present.  Reading a lot and wasting time playing games on my tablet and phone (what a waste of time that is but I'm addicted!  LOL!).

Well, more later.  I've got a ton of pictures but most of them are mountains, mountains, and more mountains ... 😃