Black Pip in New Snow – One of My Own Blessings
We all know what they are.
Set against the possibility of calamity on many fronts are the extraordinary efforts of people, especially here in New Mexico—blessedly a blue state—and across the awakened and alarmed Southwest.
The pipeline that threatened Chaco Canyon, subject of one of my posts, has been canceled, due entirely to the tireless work of local conservationists.
The pipeline that threatened the North Dakota Sioux has, at the least, been suspended, and the impressive resistance there will continue even in the bitter cold of the winter.
Closer to Santa Fe, the Galisteo Basin, one of our great natural resources, is being preserved through the efforts of citizens who believe in the importance of our unmutilated landscape.
The transportation and storage of oil that threatened the nearby village of Lamy, New Mexico, was stopped by the organized opposition of the people who live there—and this is a village of 218 people— their effort supported by many of us who care about our surroundings. Lamy is also the site of the Amtrak train station—I often ride the trains east or west—and that train service was saved by a last-minute coalition of politicians and citizens who were able to convince our Republican governor that money spent on the train track was a public service. We might have lost our train otherwise, due to deterioration of the tracks north on the pass up to Colorado.
A private individual, Allan Affeldt, recently bought the two old, deteriorating hotels in Las Vegas, New Mexico—one, an original Harvey House, was a total wreck—and is spending a lot of money to upgrade them. Although he is not depending on the train that stops immediately in front of the original Harvey Hotel for his guests, I’ve seen travellers getting off that train immediately in front of the hotel in blighted Winslow, Arizona—another fabulous upgrade designed and paid for by this same man—and I know Amtrak has some part to play in the success of these great undertakings.
One of my own blessings is the sight of black Pip frolicking in the new snow.
So there are some roses blooming even in the darkness of this December. Some of my personal roses are you, my dear readers, who take the time to write me about my posts. May all of you have the blessings of a winter blooming.
Thank you for all you do to highlight the needs of others in your adopted region. We all sense the possibility of a dark cloud in our future, but I have such hope and confidence in my adult grandchildren. They all seem to have wonderfully strong civic traits, with an ability to become a part of another “greatest generation”. I am placing my faith in my fellow Americans to be watchful and responsive citizens as well. God help us all. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It seems you have found your heart’s home, and who can ask for any more? Thank you for sharing your many gifts. Sara
Thank you, Sallie, for this eloquent recounting of some of the many ways our local communities have employed fierce people power effectively to achieve justice, beauty and equitable goals. Sending you warm well wishes (and Pip!) for the holidays.
May more blessings be bestowed upon you, Sallie and all New Mexicans, especially those of us with one foot still in L’ville.
Good article. Love roses…found some blooming in Atlanta Georgia
Yes, yes, to all of the above