Sherry, my MJP is doing very well. She's still small, and I've had only one bloom from her, but it was lovely. Cream and apricot and pink all washed together. She seems quite healthy and is currently putting out new growth - I think she is just a quiet little aristocrat who doesn't take giant strides, just little dainty steps. Another small rose that I got even later last year is really leaping ahead, and has given two flushes already (only two blooms each flush, though!). But I don't hold that against MJP - they are just different from each other. I am also facing the problem of less sun this year (the trees have grown), so I have been moving them all around for maximum exposure. Also I'm repotting the ones most in need of it, one at a time (I'm not known for my stamina), and this has helped the ones that have been done. In the ground is not an option for me, but it sure sounds like it helps! Your SdEV is exquisite. Laura

This was a stencil. It’s waiting for me to decide what to add. Hard to see but the background of this is a print from lace. I collage on small boxes. This was a print made from a stencil. This is a box, too. The background is the same stencil from the first pic, then the same stencil as the 3rd pic. I haven’t done anything with tea bags yet, but I have some stashed away to try embroidery on. This isn’t mine but just an example:

I'm a Burqueno, and I rent out my house on Vrbo for Balloon Fiesta. For the Fiesta itself, you're really only going to be at the field for a few hours in the morning. The early morning. Like, 5-8am morning. The balloons are inflated and go up and . . . then it's chainsaw carving competitions and later in the evening drone and fireworks shows. If you're like me, the latter ain't your jam. I agree with those who recommend you sign up for a park and ride shuttle. Parking at the park is a nightmare. As for which days to see the balloons, I'm a fan of the Special Shapes Rodeo, when is when all the . . .well . . . specially shaped balloons go up. Many folks also like the mass ascensions, when rows and rows of them go up almost simultaneously (but these are mostly the traditionally-shaped balloons). Schedule is here: https://balloonfiesta.com/files/galleries/2025_Event_Schedule.pdf One to two days of balloons may be plenty for the two of you. The weather is always an unknown factor, though. If the winds are even a smidge too high, the balloons don't go up. And you won't know that until the day of, or even the hour of. Others have mentioned Old Town, which is charming if touristy. Near Old Town are the Albuquerque Museum and the NM Museum of Natural History, which are both pretty good. Feel free to skip the zoo and aquarium and botanical garden. I think someone mentioned Los Poblanos, which is an historic dairy farm in the north valley, now a lavender farm with a charming hotel and wonderful restaurant. https://lospoblanos.com/ Re the tram, you can buy tickets 30 days in advance, and I would recommend you do so. It will be super busy during Fiesta. Santa Fe is great, of course. If you stay there, you could potentially ride the Rail Runner train down to the Journal Center stop that is closest to the balloon park, and shuttle from there (I'm sure there is a package online somewhere). You may want to consider visiting some of the many pueblos. The most interesting to visit of those roughly near ABQ is (IMHO) Acoma Sky City. If you're in Santa Fe, I recommend Tesuque or San Ildefonso. If you're up for a bit more driving, go up to Taos and visit Taos pueblo .Visiting can be a bit tricky because of cultural celebrations that may close the pueblos on various days, so plan ahead. Sandia Pueblo is at the north end of the metro and always has a big arts and crafts show (a regular show, not restricted to pueblo items) during Fiesta weekends. If you have a scientific bent or an interest in the Manhattan project, the Bradbury Museum in Los Alamos is interesting, and ABQ even has the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. If you want to just take some beautiful drives, I recommend going to Taos. Take the high road up and the low road back for an amazing variety of scenery. You can also do the loop out to Jemez Pueblo/Jemez Springs, up through Valles Caldera and up to Los Alamos and back. There is also the Turquoise Trail, which is Hwy 14 that runs east of the Sandias, roughly from the far east edges of the ABQ metro to Santa Fe. This goes through Madrid, also mentioned above. The weather here is different. It's a diurnal cycle that can swing 40 degrees in a day. You'll be bundled up early in the AM for balloons, then in shirtsleeves in the afternoon. Layers are the way to go. I can offer restaurant ideas once you know more about where and when. NM is amazing - come visit!

Shots mask the pain. They don't fix the problem. They've found some arthritis in my knee when I was dealing with the severe calf pull I sustained last October. At this point physical therapy is working well for me. I do have some pain but It's manageable with an occasional ibuprofen. My orthopedist said I met the eligibility for Cortisone shots however they can hasten joint deterioration. Apparently gel shots are for those less active than me. With that information I decided I will wait and see what develops. Hopefully, I have years, but I will get knee surgery or replacement if and when it becomes necessary. I intend to go back for regular checks. Meanwhile I am religious about keeping my exercises up to stay in the saddle and be able to recover quickly and get back in the saddle should the need for surgery arise. I'm fortunate to have thick bones and good muscle. Being short and thick has it's advantages. LOL