Friday, December 10, 2010

Thoughts on the Occasion of Beginning My Seventh Decade


 Having reached 60 years old this week, I can't complain.  I've led a fortunate life.  I have fairly good health.  I am not impoverished.  I have a loving family. I'm delighted with the latest edition to our extended family - a new grandchild born December 8th - Max Henry Glasen:
Max Henry Glasen - Born December 8, 2010




















I have good friends, good books to read (enjoying Major Pettigrew's Last Stand presently).  I live in a pretty nice place in a cozy home in the mountains of New Mexico with inspiring views, spacious skies, and wildlife all around. I can take a hike in the wilderness anytime I like!

Summertime view from my backyard
Wintertime view from my front door



Sandia Mountains sunset view from my house

My daughter, Mary


My husband and I in front of our home on Christmas Eve

My daughter, Amanda, and my husband, Ron

Sandia Mountains in winter
View from the Turquoise Trail Highway (NM 14)


My husband took me to dinner at North Inspired Cuisine for my birthday, December 9. 


The meal was delicious and the ambiance of the warm, mountain-side restaurant was relaxing and intimate; however, we were the only ones there. Hmmm, not such a good sign for North in these rough financial times.  The location is a tough one without the density of population needed for good traffic each night they are open. This fine dining restaurant will need to adjust to the current conditions if it wants to survive.  With it's current menu, dinner for two averages $100. It will need to re-invent it's menu, perhaps promoting "small plates," provide "Happy Hour" specials or offer a special prix fixe menu at a moderate price, or perhaps initiate wine tasting events with free complements of tasty dishes.  I saw this done effectively by the Hearthstone Restaurant in Breckenridge, CO and it is doing very well during this recession. While other fine dining restaurants have disappeared for not making appropriate adjustments (like the legendary Joseph's Table in Taos).  I hope they make it as it is really nice to go out for fine dining in our neighborhood.  


We all need to constantly reassess our goals and habits, see the true conditions of our lives, "sharpen the saw" as Stephen Covey writes in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  In evaluating my current physical and spiritual state, I notice a few more aches and pains.  My vision is getting worse (I have Fuchs' Dystrophy ) and know one day I will have to have corneal transplants. I could lose about 40 pounds and feel a lot better; a good goal for 2011.  I'd like to do daily meditation, maybe join a Tai Chi or Yoga class in 2011,  to clarify both mind and body.
Quan Yin reminds me daily of my imperfections and
the need to practice loving kindness to everyone
My commitments for the next decade are to live more healthfully, provide support and love to my husband and family, to enjoy the friendship offered by others, to be creative and nourishing within my community, and to live more mindfully each day. What ever one person can do may contribute toward a more peaceful world.


May you have a beautiful holiday season and a Happy New Year!




1 comment: