LBJ Photography Blog
This blog features travel notes and photographs.
Valentine's Day in Las Cruces, NM
“You Light Up My Life”
Valentine's Day, 2023
Hiking Buddies' couples converged on Ron & Carol's home with gifts of culinary delight prepared by the men of our group for their women! Festivities began with each guest of honor (the ladies) being presented with a menu for the evening in addition to a flute of champagne! An indescribably memorable evening of fellowship!
We're Back!
January 1-8, 2023
A better start to 2023—it could not be!
*Celebrating bubblies with our neighbors on New Year's Eve
*Receiving a package in the mail containing a puzzle with a sibling challenge to be the first to put the puzzle together—the puzzle being the famous 2008 reunion picture of 10 siblings with t-shirts saying, “Mummy likes me best!”
*A breathtaking mountain sunrise from our front door in the morning
*First hike of the season with our hiking buddies
*Celebrating 80 years young with Fred (and our hiking buddies)
*Receiving frankincense (just before Epiphany) from our world traveler hiking buddy, Carla
*Volunteering at Camp Hope for Wittara—making lunches for the homeless (demand has doubled with the immigrant influx)
*Spending a Saturday morning at the Market—doing people watching
Janelle Sibling Reunion
Janelle Sibling Reunion
Week of March 28, 2022
Arriving on Tuesday at Lou's brother's home, Jean and Cindy greeted us warmly even after our flight had been delayed by three hours; unfortunately, we missed a gathering at sister, Louise's, new condo.
The following day, Wednesday, was a day of “new residence” hopping--viewing Lou's sisters' new homes in Venice. The day ended with a beautiful dinner coordinated by Jean and Cindy on the wharf overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway. Unfortunately, one of the master planners, Jean's wife, Cindy, felt unwell and stayed home. Upon our return to the “Janelle Manor”,we found out that Cindy had taken herself to the clinic and tested positive for COVID. Jean texted all invited guests (as the reunion was to be at their place) to alert them of the situation. With all activities moved to the lanai, nobody declined the chance to gather. A grand time was had by all—with the exception of Jean's Cindy who helped direct the reception from her quarantined room.
THE TIME SPENT WITH FAMILY WAS SO PRECIOUS TO US!
The following day Jean tested positive for COVID. That was Friday, and everyone in residence took a test with negative results. Our flight back to El Paso that same day was a nightmare, missing our connecting flight and having to spend an overnight in Denver with 2 separate connecting flights the following day. Upon our return to Las Cruces Bonnie tested positive to COVID and was quarantined with mild flu symptoms for two days. Thankfully, Lou tested negative.
As the video below suggests, the five sisters--still in Venice--partied on after the reunion with a “sistah” gathering and a traditional canasta game.
Family Visit
A Jeremy, Erika, Jake Visit (March 21-28)
Many activities planned---but Jake came down with a fever the first full day of vacation, and he wasn't recovered until the very last day. He spent most of the week in bed. However, activities were planned for every day—minus Jake—boo hoo!