Only in New Mexico

As New Mexicans, we have moments where we smile and say to ourselves, “only in New Mexico”. Whether you have lived here for a month or your entire life, there are just some things that you see here that would not happen elsewhere.

I had one of those moments this past week as I read a reputable news source (KKOB) story about a hot air balloon causing maybe the tallest man-made structure in our state, the KKOB radio tower, to come tumbling down.

For those reading out of state, yes, you read the previous sentence correctly. No need to adjust your glasses.

But, that wasn’t even the “only in New Mexico” part. In the KKOB story, here was the sentence that put this over the top:

“A woman who saw the balloon crash, said it was the blue balloon with the moon on it that had the accident.”

Yes, for those New Mexicans and out-of-staters, you read that sentence correctly. 

I am imagining the police officer called to the scene.

Officer: Ma’am, you say it was a blue balloon that caused this to happen, huh?

Lady: Yes, officer. It was so traumatic [sniffle]. I am struggling to remember anything else [sniffle, sips her pinon flavored coffee and takes a bite of her Golden Pride #1 burrito].

Officer: Ma’am, it’s going to be okay. There are other radio towers still left un-harmed. You will still be able to get your news. Now, please please…try to remember anything else about the “suspect”.

Lady: Well [sniffle]……..now that I think about it [sniffle], I think there was a…moon on the blue balloon [sniffle]. Yes, there was a moon on it.”

Officer: That really helps us ma’am. Would you be willing to come down to the station to identify this balloon in a line of potential suspects?

 

The next sentence in the article was an “only in New Mexico” sentence as well:

“It was the Smokey Bear balloon that crashed into that same tower array 20 years ago yesterday.”

I hope this makes you smile this morning, and makes you think of a few of your favorite “only in New Mexico” moments. Share those as comments to this blog!

 

Hot Air Balloon Strikes KKOB Tower

Posted on October 11, 2024

A hot air balloon knocked down one of KKOB’s AM radio towers this morning. No one was hurt when balloon caused the guy wires to fail, sending the structure crumbling to the ground around 8:45 AM. A woman who saw the balloon crash, said it was the blue balloon with the moon on it that had the accident. It was the Smokey Bear balloon that crashed into that same tower array 20 years ago yesterday, forcing a pilot and child to climb down the tower to safety.

Out of...Into...

As we transition to a new season, I look to the trees for wisdom and guidance.

They must now begin to transition out of their green-leafed stage and into the radiant colors of fall foliage, before losing their leaves altogether in the weeks ahead.

Like most drastic changes, I am sure the trees wish it could go just a bit slower, letting the transition happen over months, not weeks.

I imagine the grandmother tree, 90 years wise, trunk wrinkled with life wisdom in every crevice, begging Life to turn down the speed of the transition just a bit.

Life answers, gently and lovingly, “Dear, it is not your timeline on which things happen around here. Let go and let me guide you out of the summer and into your next chapter.”

Taking that in, let’s write together today.

First, imagine a tree or group of trees that you have shared Life with. Maybe an old oak that was your playground in your grandparents back yard. Maybe a Cottonwood on your street whose bright yellows have started to greet you in these last weeks.

Breathe in the energy, the essence of that tree as it shows us the way of transition. Out of the summer green. Into the fall colors and losing of leaves.

Now, it is your turn to write on your transition. Envision sitting at the tree’s base, your back resting on its trunk.

What are you transitioning out of at this moment?

What are you transitioning into?

 

A few lines that arise for me:

Out of…

Out of despair

Out of picking fruit before it has time to ripen, sweeten and mature.

Out of my own head

Out of forgetting gratitude as I rush out the door for the day

Out of holding onto yesterday + worrying about tomorrow

 

Into…

Into Love’s warmth and Life’s embrace

Into spaces that radiate the glow of Life’s Beauty

Into writing more and worrying less

Into slowing down and praying up

Into healing of others

Into receiving healing energy from Life, from others

 

Have fun writing your Out of/Into piece today! 

Share it with a few people and with your tree once finished.