Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 61
For years to come, when Nancy Taylor's name is mentioned people will remember her for all the lives she touched as she worked tirelessly to fill the shelves at the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico. But as busy as she stayed trying to make sure not one child had to go to bed hungry and that no one in the community was without sustenance, somehow there was still room in Nancy's heart for more. Several months ago, she showed me around the food bank and I was struck by her passion and determination, pleasantly surprised when our...
Air conditioners work overtime, flowers wilt in an effort to escape the sun and lemonade and ice tea flow — it's hot. Humans actually have it pretty easy, able to duck indoors when the temperatures get to be too much. In fact, pretty much any ambulatory creature can find ways to dodge the scorching air, even if it's just a matter of finding a shady spot to nap until the sun goes down. But things are a little different for those unfortunate enough to hatch during the peak of summer. Sure, the heat is great for incubation, n...
Air conditioners work overtime, flowers wilt in an effort to escape the sun and lemonade and ice tea flow — it's hot. Humans actually have it pretty easy, able to duck indoors when the temperatures get to be too much. In fact, pretty much any ambulatory creature can find ways to dodge the scorching air, even if it's just a matter of finding a shady spot to nap until the sun goes down. But things are a little different for those unfortunate enough to hatch during the peak of summer. Sure, the heat is great for incubation, n...
"I'm running late," the woman's sleepy voice stated. "I overslept because the cat laid on top of my cell phone and muffled the alarm. It had to be the best excuse ever. It might have seemed too bizarre to be believable, had the woman telling the story not been forced to pause every couple seconds to sneeze or sniffle. "I don't know how the stupid cat got in my room but its killing my asthma," the sound of an inhaler was followed by a desperate suck of air. A later conversation revealed that the woman was terribly allergic to...
"I'm running late," the woman's sleepy voice stated. "I overslept because the cat laid on top of my cell phone and muffled the alarm. It had to be the best excuse ever. It might have seemed too bizarre to be believable, had the woman telling the story not been forced to pause every couple seconds to sneeze or sniffle. "I don't know how the stupid cat got in my room but its killing my asthma," the sound of an inhaler was followed by a desperate suck of air. A later conversation revealed that the woman was terribly allergic to...
Oh yeah, your dog is watching you. Not only is he or she watching, your pooch is learning and changing its behavior based on you and your responses. It has long been said that pets resemble their owners, and it's a common dynamic to see people treat their dogs as if they were their children and if research is correct, it could actually indicate that those dynamics are coming from the dog more than the people. Perhaps you've wondered why the dog always chooses to chew your favorite things and steals your spot on the couch as... Full story
Oh yeah, your dog is watching you. Not only is he or she watching, your pooch is learning and changing its behavior based on you and your responses. It has long been said that pets resemble their owners, and it's a common dynamic to see people treat their dogs as if they were their children and if research is correct, it could actually indicate that those dynamics are coming from the dog more than the people. Perhaps you've wondered why the dog always chooses to chew your favorite things and steals your spot on the couch as... Full story
"Runs like a scalded dog," the words jumped out from a column of classified advertisements. Having never seen a scalded dog run, and having never heard the phrase, the only logical conclusion to be reached was that the owner of the pickup truck in question was boasting that the truck was fast. Either that or the truck yelped and whined while it ran. It's hard to imagine where a saying such as that one originated but obviously somebody at some point saw a scalded dog run and was struck enough by the moment to turn around and p...
"Runs like a scalded dog," the words jumped out from a column of classified advertisements. Having never seen a scalded dog run, and having never heard the phrase, the only logical conclusion to be reached was that the owner of the pickup truck in question was boasting that the truck was fast. Either that or the truck yelped and whined while it ran. It's hard to imagine where a saying such as that one originated but obviously somebody at some point saw a scalded dog run and was struck enough by the moment to turn around and p...
"Runs like a scalded dog," the words jumped out from a column of classified advertisements. Having never seen a scalded dog run, and having never heard the phrase, the only logical conclusion to be reached was that the owner of the pickup truck in question was boasting that the truck was fast. Either that or the truck yelped and whined while it ran. It's hard to imagine where a saying such as that one originated but obviously somebody at some point saw a scalded dog run and was struck enough by the moment to turn around and p... Full story
Germs: They do a body good. Finally, a study has surfaced espousing the value of good old dirt and grime and yes, even bacteria. And apparently, dirt is even good for kids, especially when carried into the house by that "nasty ol' dog," if researchers theories are correct. It's sad, but it happens — the new, precious, squeaky-clean baby arrives and the dog starts getting squeezed out of the picture. If lucky, the dog only has to endure more baths than normal, but the less lucky find themselves looking forlorn through the b...
Walking outside after the sun goes down they scatter before you like proverbial cockroaches under a light. Such was the case when I killed my first. Stepping down from the edge of the porch, I was in mid-motion when I saw it sitting there directly under my lowering shoe. Carrying a full water dish at the time, I cringed and wished but could not stop my foot from landing squarely on top of it. Of course as soon as I regained my balance, I nudged at the toad with the tip of my shoe – its lack of response confirming the m... Full story
Snarling, snapping and stretching its leash as tight as it could go while it's owner pulled in the opposite direction, all I could see was two rows of dripping white teeth backed by a forward angled physique — all pointed in my direction. "Approach slowly and give him a biscuit. Don't worry ... " I remember the not-reassuring guidance of his owner. Yeah, we had talked about the loved family pooch having "socialization" issues in public settings, but that had painted a picture of a pup quivering shyly behind his person's l...
Snarling, snapping and stretching its leash as tight as it could go while it's owner pulled in the opposite direction, all I could see was two rows of dripping white teeth backed by a forward angled physique — all pointed in my direction. "Approach slowly and give him a biscuit. Don't worry ... " I remember the not-reassuring guidance of his owner. Yeah, we had talked about the loved family pooch having "socialization" issues in public settings, but that had painted a picture of a pup quivering shyly behind his person's l...
Small ones, downy gray ones, a few long black ones — these things always come when you aren't looking for them. Each step I took, I saw another and when I finally stopped to take stock, I discovered I was surrounded by feathers. And — with no match in the immediately surrounding wild kingdom — there was only one possible source for them. Molly. The realization came on like a flood, and at the same time, I knew it was too many feathers for it to be another of our harrowing adventures that concluded in a happy homec...
Small ones, downy gray ones, a few long black ones — these things always come when you aren't looking for them. Each step I took, I saw another and when I finally stopped to take stock, I discovered I was surrounded by feathers. And — with no match in the immediately surrounding wild kingdom — there was only one possible source for them. Molly. The realization came on like a flood, and at the same time, I knew it was too many feathers for it to be another of our harrowing adventures that concluded in a happy homec...
Wild pets are some of the best to have. They feed themselves, find their own shelter, don't leave hair on the couch and are just low maintenance all the way around. On the flip side, when they're ready to move on, they don't tend to say good-bye — they're just there one minute, gone the next. Such was the thought running through my mind earlier in the week when I lifted back the matted grass that had, for about a two weeks, covered a nest full of baby rabbits. The little trio of tawny, black-tipped bodies was nowhere to be s... Full story
Wild pets are some of the best to have. They feed themselves, find their own shelter, don't leave hair on the couch and are just low maintenance all the way around. On the flip side, when they're ready to move on, they don't tend to say good-bye — they're just there one minute, gone the next. Such was the thought running through my mind earlier in the week when I lifted back the matted grass that had, for about a two weeks, covered a nest full of baby rabbits. The little trio of tawny, black-tipped bodies was nowhere to be s...
I was hiking with my dog many moons ago and as we sat resting and enjoying the mountain view, a ruckus from down below interrupted our peaceful contemplation. There, thrashing and hollering, running full tilt through the woods, we caught glimpses of what appeared to be a Boyscout troop. But there was no need to see the monster they were fleeing, their body language said it all. Arms flailing and somehow managing to wiggle and run at the same time, the invisible foe terrorizing them might as well have been as big as life....
I was hiking with my dog many moons ago and as we sat resting and enjoying the mountain view, a ruckus from down below interrupted our peaceful contemplation. There, thrashing and hollering, running full tilt through the woods, we caught glimpses of what appeared to be a Boyscout troop. But there was no need to see the monster they were fleeing, their body language said it all. Arms flailing and somehow managing to wiggle and run at the same time, the invisible foe terrorizing them might as well have been as big as life....
The programing starts in childhood, after all, what's not to like about the school year ending? But that's not the only reason summer is a favorite time of year. Warmth, long days of glorious sunshine, swimming and other outdoor activities, brightly-colored plants and beautiful skies — the reasons are endless. But perhaps best of all, it's bug time. Yes, that's right; the preceding was posed as a positive statement and, yes, bugs are cool. And when you like bugs, it's an exciting time of year. About twice a day I trek a...
The programing starts in childhood, after all, what's not to like about the school year ending? But that's not the only reason summer is a favorite time of year. Warmth, long days of glorious sunshine, swimming and other outdoor activities, brightly-colored plants and beautiful skies — the reasons are endless. But perhaps best of all, it's bug time. Yes, that's right; the preceding was posed as a positive statement and, yes, bugs are cool. And when you like bugs, it's an exciting time of year. About twice a day I trek a...
The wind giveth and it taketh away. At any given time around here you're likely to be on one end or the other of the wind equation — losing or receiving property. Sometimes the gifts are large, for instance the wind might decide you need the neighbor's blue plastic kiddie pool more than they did, or their patio umbrella or trampoline. And then other times it's just papers and cups, bags and boxes. In recent weeks one such wind delivery stood out from the others. Plastered to the fence like a flier on a bulletin board, its d...
The wind giveth and it taketh away. At any given time around here you're likely to be on one end or the other of the wind equation — losing or receiving property. Sometimes the gifts are large, for instance the wind might decide you need the neighbor's blue plastic kiddie pool more than they did, or their patio umbrella or trampoline. And then other times it's just papers and cups, bags and boxes. In recent weeks one such wind delivery stood out from the others. Plastered to the fence like a flier on a bulletin board, its d...
The wind giveth and it taketh away. At any given time around here you're likely to be on one end or the other of the wind equation — losing or receiving property. Sometimes the gifts are large, for instance the wind might decide you need the neighbor's blue plastic kiddie pool more than they did, or their patio umbrella or trampoline. And then other times it's just papers and cups, bags and boxes. In recent weeks one such wind delivery stood out from the others. Plastered to the fence like a flier on a bulletin board, its d...
