Tag: The Stafford Challenge

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Poetry Postcard Fest 2026

2026 Poetry Postcard Fest

Along with the members of my small group Stafford Challenge members, I joined the Poetry Postcard Fest 2026 earlier this month, committing to writing an original poem daily and mailing each out to another participant on a postcard for 31 days between now and August 31. My list arrived, and I got to work. The organizers asked us not to share these until our virtual celebration gathering, so I will withhold any photos of this until after we have had our Zoom gathering. I’ll feature most every postcard during an upcoming month to share what I wrote and mailed. If you’re interested in considering this poetry opportunity for next year, mark it on your calendar! Here is some information about the event, along with a link to the official website. The shorter forms work well for these poems, and largely mine have been Haiku. I can’t wait to share more about the poems I send and and receive!


Poetry Postcard Fest

Around the world, we

write poems on postcards, then

mail them to new friends

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Overlooking Albuquerque

As we completed half of Route 66 in the summer of 2023, we took the Sandia Peak Tramway to the top of the mountain to get an aerial view of Albuquerque. We’d decided to fly into Chicago and home from Albuquerque, having rented a car with my husband’s brother and sister in law to complete a little more than half the journey that summer.

From this vista, you can see the entire city of Albuquerque and surrounding areas. It’s a magnificent view of the west, and I highly recommend it.

Sandia Peak Tramway

Albuquerque’s peak

(you can almost touch the clouds)

Sandia Tramway

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The Big Texan Steakhouse – Amarillo, Texas

Another great stop on our Route 66 trip was The Big Texan Steakhouse in Amarillo, Texas. It’s one of those places where you can get a free meal if you can eat a ton of food in a certain amount of time. We didn’t attempt that, but I can testify to the delicious food and the western atmosphere of the place. Plus, their gift shop has some of the best Route 66 souvenirs we found between Chicago and Albuquerque!

The Big Texan

Big Texan Steakhouse

don’t overstuff yourself, though,

on a long car ride!

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Remembering Fitz

Fitz was a camping dog. I think he liked camping so much because the space was more confined, always keeping him closer to me. We had to say goodbye when CUPS disease and an enlarged liver got in the way of his quality of life, so I held him in my arms as he crossed the rainbow bridge. I held him in my arms every day we had together, and although he is gone from the physical realm, I still hold him in my heart. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my Fitz.

Life hasn’t been the same since. I hope the good Lord has a space in heaven so I can see him again someday.

Missing Fitzie

I miss him so much

this Soul Schnoodle, my Fitzie

world’s lovingest dog!

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Denver 2026

In Denver

Colorful street bulls

Denver’s Union Station trains

Mile High city sights

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Route 66: June 2023

Normally I’m reluctant to stay in old motels, preferring a good, clean Hampton Inn with doors that open into hallways instead of out directly into the world. But as we did our research about the things to do ( don’t miss Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, for example) and iconic places to stay along Route 66 when we drove from Chicago to Albuquerque in June of 2023, we learned that we’d be missing a big part of the Route 66 experience if we ruled out motels. So we stayed at the Wagon Wheel in Cuba, Missouri and the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, New Mexico as two of our “iconic motel” choices.

These motels have largely been “redone” over time to make improvements in plumbing and HVAC systems, but they have preserved the retro feel of the rooms, right down to issuing metal keys on triangular keyrings that have the room number on them. If you’re planning a trip down 66 anytime for the 100th Anniversary of The Mother Road, I highly recommend The Blue Swallow Motel. And if you’re into souvenirs, you can buy a keyring to take with you!

Stays and Sprays on 66

Blue Swallow Motel

Cadillac Ranch spray painting

Route 66 fun!