Halloween 'Toys'

I'm not sure if this is new - but so far today, I've seen two cars so adorned.  This one was parked next to me at work.

I must admit I was startled for a couple of seconds.

Papillon

Chocolat Pour Vous

Several weeks ago I was browsing the used books at Goodwill.  I spotted a nice copy of Chocolat by Joanne Harris.  Although I have not seen the movie, I had heard good things about it.  I decided to buy the book.

I found it to be a fun read.  When I was done I took it to work and asked a coworker if she'd like to read it.  She said she had seen the movie and liked it.  She thought it would be fun to read the book.

Today she brought it back and said she had enjoyed it very much.  She said it had taken her the better part of the week to read it because she doesn't have a lot of time to read at home (family concerns).  Her only current chance to read is when she's riding the bus to work.

The even-more-fun part of this?  Because the bus she takes to work is used by other coworkers, there's a consistent group of people who ride the same bus every day.  Several other women saw what she was reading.  Two of the women - one had a copy of the movie and brought it in for the other to watch.  A third woman asked my coworker if she (third woman) could read Chocolat now that my coworker was done.  Since the book is mine my coworker said she did not feel comfortable loaning out my property. 

Me?  I said what the heck.  It's not like I bought the book brand new especially for me.  Let's get folks reading!  I told my coworker to let the third woman read the book.  All I ask is that she use a bookmark and not fold the pages to mark her spot.

Unleash the books!

Papillon

An Odd, Yet Readable, Book

I recently finished reading a rather unusual and slightly odd book.  The title is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.  It's a novel by Ransom Riggs.

It starts out with a family tragedy which severely affects 16-year-old Jacob.  He ends up journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales.  There he discovers the ruins of the aforementioned. home.  He begins to learn more about the home and 'peculiar' children. 

One interesting part of the book concerns the photos used as illustrations.  According to the chart at the end of the book, the photos were not created for the book.  Instead they are odd and weird and unusual photos that have been found at flea markets and antiques malls and yard sales.

I'm not sure if the author found out about the photos and created the story to fit the photos or if he started creating the story and found about the photos and used them as additional themes.  In any case, it's a very effective device.

Papillon

Snow in October

Yesterday's rain, which washed out both the morning and evening events at Balloon Fiesta, had another impact.  This time on the Sandia Mountains east of town.

It's not unusual to have snow on the Sandias at this time of year.  What I found out of the ordinary was how far down it is on the mountains.  Normally the 1st or 2nd snows of the season hover right around the top.  Maybe this is a hopeful sign that this drier-than-usual year is becoming less dry?

Another positive note, this morning it was sunny and not too breezy so the morning's mass ascension was able to take off.  I didn't see a whole lot of special shapes, it may have been just a bit too breezy for them.  I suspect they inflated but didn't take off.

Hoping for a good day tomorrow.

Papillon

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

I feel sad for this year's participants in this year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  It started out nicely with lovely weather last weekend.

Unfortunately, the weather has gone downhill since late on Tuesday. It's been rainy or windy or both windy and rainy. 

An aside -- I had to laugh at myself.  I woke up this morning around 6:00 AM and thought, 'What is making that odd noise?"  I almost got up to go check and then realized the noise I was hearing was rain on the roof.  Oh, right.  THAT'S what that sounds like.

Because of this morning's rain, the mass ascension was canceled.

I do have one more photo taken last weekend.  Here's a balloon coming in for a landing.

I'm hoping the weather's better tomorrow and Sunday.  I'm hoping I can get some more photos.

Ya gotta love those balloons.

Papillon

Balloons

There are a couple of ways to tell it's autumn in the Albuquerque area.  One is the smell of roasting green chiles.  I'd explain, but it's a New Mexico thing.  You really need to experience it at least once.

The second autumnal indication is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  Lots and lots of gorgeous hot air balloons.  Today is the first day of the 9 day event. 

A number of balloons drifted over to the west side of town.

Here's a patriotic balloon seen in the area of the Rio Rancho Post Office.

This next photo is a shot of the Smokey Bear balloon coming in for a landing near the Target in Rio Rancho.  The fans of the 'caught on video' type of TV show will know this is a replacement balloon.  The original Smokey Bear was blown into a radio tower several years ago.  It was ripped beyond repair.  Fortunately the pilot and two passengers were able to climb down the tower's ladder to safety. 

I'll be trying to get more photos of the next eight days.  I actually got at least one more balloon today, but I haven't developed the film yet (my digital camera's batteries decided to die at a critical moment so I had to go 'old school').

Papillon