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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The social event of the 2009 season

Last year, I took you all along to the social event of the season. Everyone seemed to have a good time, so I thought I'd take you along again.

This soirée is held annually at neighbor Frank's place to mark the occasion of his and neighbor Juan's birthdays.

Here's birthday boy Frank with Cousin Larry. I could listen to them swap stories all night long.



I never did figure out who this fellow was. Shame on me, but I was captivated by his braided mustache with the blue rubberbands holding the ends together.



Here's the other birthday boy, Juan, holding his own at 82.



Juan held court on the benches that edged the dance floor. A few of his buddies were well into their first bowls of green chile stew, trying to stay warm.



Now this guy with the rattlesnake hatband is the reason there are no secrets in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico. Everybody around here, myself included, hires him to do whatever needs doin'. And since he works for everybody, everybody else knows what he's been doing and where he's going next. We may not see each other for months, but we all know each other's business because the resident hired hand keeps us in the loop.



I think Frank's dog may have remembered me from last year.



Everyone at the party was in a festive mood despite the wind and unseasonably cold temperature.



If you didn't bring a jacket, there were other things to keep you warm from the inside out.



Dancing seemed to be the preferred method for staying warm.



And watching other people dance and have fun can warm the soul, too.



Frank hires a disc jockey every year to keep the music flowing, and the dance floor is a deck off his front porch.



In these parts, helping Frank and Juan celebrate their birthdays is a fall tradition right up there with green chile roasting, and I feel privileged to be a part of it.

18 comments:

  1. There are a lot of good-looking people where you live!

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  2. Oh, what fun, and what colorful and interesting folks! When can I move next door?

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  3. hummmm, let's see - Jim Beam, green chili stew and ol' friends. Yep, that's what I'd call a winning combo. I didn't see you on the dance floor! What's up w/that??

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  4. Thank you kindly for the invite. That's right neighborly of you. Everyone looks so happy and healthy -- their faces open and honest about who they are. Looks like you know how to have a swell time out there in the middle of nowhere.

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  5. What fun to find out that you can do wonderful people portraits as well as you do animal portraits! Lovely, character-filled faces...

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  6. What a wonderful celebration. We can all hope that there is need to hold it for years to come.

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  7. It looks like a great birthday party. I miss green chili!

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  8. Looks like the guy with the braided moustache didn't want to miss out on any tasty dishes, with that plastic spoon in his pocket! Cracked me up.

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  9. looks like a good time was had by all...you have some nice folks there....love the braids...

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  10. Oh, thank you for reminding me, of the days long gone for me, of barn dances on the evenings after Mounted Orienteering rides.

    Cowboys older than dirt, but not afraid to hold the microphone and sing along with the karaoke system set up in the barn.

    I remember Christmas lights hung from the rafters, and Tennesee Walking Horses right there with us, suffering through all the noise.

    I'm in Germany now, but I don't want to forget those barn parties in Washington state.

    Thanks for reminding me of good ol' American culture.

    °lytha

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  11. OMG -- Frank's dog is so, so cute! And yup, you were remembered, you can see it the eyes!

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  12. Sounds like a good time was had by all! I like the 'handyman' who keeps everyone in the loop.

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  13. What a wonderful party! Sounds all people had a great time!

    Love your new header with a beautiful Smooch's picture!

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  14. Those are the best kinds of parties to go to. Love those portraits, I love an older face, wrinkled, but eyes sparkling.
    BTW, send the hired hand this way, eh? I need a bunch of stuff done!

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  15. Those kind of photos are priceless. Truly heartwarming moments in life. Thank you for sharing that tradition with us. Marjore

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  16. What a great time! That is one happy pooch!

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  17. What a Great and Festive Tradition... may it continue for years to come... Love and Light, Nina P

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  18. Looks like such a great time - it's great to have that sort of cameraderie with your neighbors. You have such a great eye with your photos, just this way of capturing the essence of the evening. I almost feel like I was there. And that green chile stew - you know I haven't stopped thinking of those chiles since you posted on that last month! Still craving..

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