Letters From Genie

No snow in Ruidoso, NM

Wed 07 Dec 2005

S orry to be so long in writing. I did not have one spare moment last week. New things; I found a wonderful library and went for the second time today. They are so nice to me. I used the computer there and now I have a problem copying the letter from where I stored it so am writing a second one today. Things finally quieted down after 7 1/2 hours here at work.

There is no joy in Ruidoso because it has not snowed. I guess it will eventually or all of the merchants will go broke. I am dancing and playing bridge. Went to Alamagordo on Thursday for their line dancing before work. They have a great teacher who teaches 16 step dances in 30-120 seconds. They are not hard ones but she doesn't beat around the bush. I went to the Red Hat Society Christmas party at a posh country club on Saturday morning to photograph my dance group here. They were so happy that I came there. While I was waiting for their big performance number(I came to the group too late to get a costume), I was invited by a fellow bridge player to join her group and after the performance, she told me to stay because one of the lunches that had been paid for would be wasted. So I stayed and really enjoyed the wonderful lunch. There were more than 100 women dressed in red and purple and the view out of the window-walled ballroom was prominently occupied by Sierra Blanca, our 12,000 foot snowless (alas) majesty.

Saturday night was a bust at the dance studio. I guess they are too cliquish for me. I don't think that I will return. Sunday, I drove to El Paso to a Mensa monthly meeting at a fantastic Indian restaurant. The 10 members there were very welcoming despite my lateness (I was given bad directions and got lost). Then I shopped a little and found the factory outlet for Justin and Tony Lamas boots and bought my second pair of dance boots ever. My ex, Ed stole one of my first dance boots 15 years ago. I kept the other one hoping that some day he will return it. I treated myself extensively to birthday and Christmas presents for me. Today is the former occasion and it has been a lonely one. I don't like to force people to acknowledge the day. I started the day last night with a warm Jacquzzi bath.

No precipitation at all for Ruidoso since I have been here. It is still in the high 40's in the day. The humidity is very low and I cover myself with Crisco shortening to keep from drying out completely.

I am still impressed by the Apache devotion to their children. It beats all but the obsessive devotion (and excessive bonding) that some middle class caucassians have to their own. I enjoy working with most all. There are a few screwballs. I am happy even when working my tail off.

Tomorrow is Bridge day. I enjoy the friendly bantering of the party bridge. I don't think that I could enjoy duplicate. Line dancing is also much more forgiving than ballroom. We enjoy ourselves so much more. The ballroom dancers "work" at it. I miss folkdance and Washington Mensa and all of my friends.

Will write again when I get time.

Love, Genie

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