snow play and the precious

After the new year, we drove to Ruidoso in southern New Mexico and stayed in a house for two nights with Janey, two of her daughters, and a woman visiting from Spain. We took the RV from Belen and stopped at the Owl in San Antonio for burgers and a grilled cheese for Jack. We asked where all the dollar bills lining the walls had gone, and they said they'd just taken them down for their Christmas charities. So we signed one and tacked it above our booth (no. 3). Miles later we approached the Carrizozo Malpais, the ancient black lava field, which was dusted with snow across the valley all the way to the Sierra Blanca backdrop.

We found the house. I was very skeptical when I tried to map it, but our house was further down the road. We met the owner and we wandered around inside, flabbergasted at how nice it was. It sat next to a hilly mountain golf course, all covered with snow, and Ry searched out the snow as Jack set up the wifi. We moved in when Janey and the girls and her friend arrived. It was cozy and spacious.

It started to snow. A light snow, but the forecast showed the snow was expected the next day, when we planned to ski and snowboard, with low temperatures. I went to the market with Ry (dropping Cyndi and Janey off to scope out shopping in the center of town) and found groceries for our turn at dinner and breakfast, along with some snacks, some brandy, and a sledding disk. Nikki took Ry out to sled on the hill by the house, and Jack and the rest of us joined. We had spaghetti that evening on a large dining table, about a dozen of us seated around, next to the fireplace. I even baked chocolate chip cookies. Ry and Jack and Cyndi introduced everyone to our Set game, and Carmen, the visitor from Spain, and Ry spent much time playing together.

Maybe we could have gone in the RV up and down the mountain the next day, but the snow kept falling, I feared it would get worse and, without any sun, the freezing temperatures would make everything slick. So we stayed behind that day, sledded, saw a deer, took a walk, and enjoyed the "cabin". On the third day, we set back, considered going to Lincoln, but headed home instead, stopping in Socorro at the Socorro Springs Brewing Co. for more burgers. Jackson tried the soup.

 Ariel and Chris, meanwhile, were climbing and camping in Argentina.

Jack spends his after school time, too much we fear but are willing to let him alone for now, playing an interactive game called Minecraft. He has some buds he plays with. They live in different parts of the country. He signs off to do homework and have dinner, and they do, too. And he signs off at 9, our agreed cut-off time.

Ry has wanted to see The Hobbit movie. We all went, and he thanked me as the closing credits scrolled down the screen. He had been reading the book on his tablet, through our shared Kindle account. He's read past about a third of the book, since that's where the first film in the series ends. He talks about it all the time. We especially talk about the dual character of Gollum and Smeagol. "What is a Bagginses?" he'll say. "Precious," we say, trying to imitate the character. It also helps that he has some Legos from the story.

So he got a bookstore Christmas gift card from Sandra and David, and he knew immediately what he wanted. He and I went, and he bought a book with the complete, The Lord of the Rings. He's already several chapters into the book. He takes it in his backpack to read at school. Last night, he read me his favorite passage so far...


Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for the Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

It snowed here yesterday and into the night. Today is sunny, but the temperature will not get above freezing. The boys were on a delayed school schedule. Tonight we meet Jack's fourth grade teacher to plan for his Academy application.