hot wally sees loretto chapel

actually hot wally had to stay in the car looking baaaaad. she only saw the chapel from the outside and that was quite enough. when you are this cool it is best to lay low...

...and lick your chops. sometimes dressing up makes wally sleeeeeeeeepyyyyyyyyyy!

dear gramma bamma, i finally went inside the famed loretto chapel and saw the miraculous windy staircase. it's beautiful in there, but that german guy sure ruined it with those nasty barristers... excuse me, i mean banisters as my brainy husband just informed me, although there were probably many lawyers involved in supervising the construction defect litigation for this otherwise miraculous edifice... jutting off from the sides! we got a book on it called the sisters of loretto and their chapel which looks very interesting. for those who haven't been keeping up with "unsolved mysteries," the loretto chapel was built in 1878 without access to the choir loft. woops! there was no easy architectual solution in such a small space so the sisters prayed and a mysterious carpenter showed up on dia novena of their prayers. he worked quietly for 6 months and the end result was a staircase with two 360 degree turns, without any center support and apparently no nails, just wooden pegs. architects are still baffled by it today. the carpentero disappeared without pay or thanks even though they sought for him in newspapers etc. since then it's caused a stir, but the woman who wrote this book, thinks she may have figured out who he was. we'll keep you posted. it's surely a sight to see.

thanks to that tenacious french archbishop jean baptiste lamy, this chapel was installed with stained glass ordered from paris. bravo, m'sieur lamy!

downtown santa fe is always full of visual stimulation like this mud-riddled jeep. someone was having fun!

hils and i had a nice break walking around downtown after dropping johnny off last sunday. then it was back to a busy week at work teaching and planning civics activities including a letter writing campaign to a NM state senator who is on one of the congressional committees working on the stimulus package. most students admitted that the economy was hitting them hard and they were happy to write letters in support of continuing their education. the letters were written by engineers, magazine and newpaper editors, mechanics, bakers, moms, teachers, and many who only finished 6th grade coming from all over the world. they all passionately want to learn english and get their citizenship, own a business, find an american girlfriend etc. it was a delight to read and send their stories to washington d.c.

as for my n, things have been rough. he has lost some weight so we're very concerned. he is still loving his physical therapy pool, and i am so grateful he has something that brings him joy. i know an amazing grace is upon us, but it's very intense. thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers towards us.

"the witness in the sky in faithful" (Psalm 89:37) just like Jesus. i trust Him and i am thankful for His nearness which is getting us through each day.