Shadows

     

               

This poem was written by my mom when I was in Navy Bootcamp at Bainbridge Navel Base, Bainbridge, MD from September to December of 1969. At that time women in the Navy were called Waves which stood for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service started in August, 1942. I think it still would be a good poem for all Waves, Military women, even all people – women or men.

 

 

                         Shadows

 

Look there, you can see them in the early light

Vague shapeless shadows from out of the night.

From out of the fog and the slow drizzling rain

You can see them passing again and again.

Dark and eerie they emerge in the early dawn. 

Hooded figures in precision groups, marching on.

Nameless and shapeless they appear in this light,

And each has their own battle to fight.

But most are strong willed, not complaining when tired.

Some shadows disappear as the sun starts to shine,

Burning away the fog and the weak left behind.

The strong must go forward to conquer a land,

A land with strife and uncertainty on each hand.

They march steadily forward with heads held high.

Most never look back with heartache or sigh.

The day wears on and the sun gets brighter.

They carry there loads with hearts that are lighter.

Commands are followed and lessons are learned.

The shadows begin to take the shapes they have earned.

After a time that seems endless, but is really quite soon,

The shadows become beautiful as butterflies at noon.

The beautiful butterflies, a job they must do.

So they work and they try to carry the job through.

They are searching for peace and love in mankind.

This they must have, not in the whole world,

               But in their own mind.

They do their jobs and duties learn,

For distant places are now their concern.

Then you think they are gone, but then

In the distance, out of the mist, another Wave of them,

And on they come. Wave, after Wave, after Wave.             

                                  By Kate Barnett

Jemez Mountains

The Jemez Mountains

I live in the Albuquerque area and have been going to the Jemez Mountains for about 35 years. Each time that I do it seems like the mountains welcome me back. I have been to many other places in New Mexico but always come back to the Jemez Mountains. The views are wonderful, as is the smell of fresh air sented with pine. There are tall trees, large boulders, and little creeks everywhere. Usually it is just my husband and I that go but we raised our son to enjoy these many trips there, too. We have taken lots of relatives and friends there and they have seemed to enjoy it as much as we do. Each time I hear about a fire in the mountains I am horrified that I might not be able to see the many places we have been to when next we visit.

I love these mountains for the many good times we have had on picnics, and camping trips there. I have hiked, ridden snowmobiles, and ATV's, as well as simply driving on the many forest roads in our pickup looking for wildlife, wildflowers or just scenic views. Those views are beautiful and awe inspiring. Squirrels, deer, and elk are seen frequently. Less often I have seen coyotes, beaver, bobcats, bears, badgers, prairie dogs, chipmunks, and once a mountain lion. I have sat for hours and watched the many species of birds that inhabit the Jemez Mountains, or stared into the creeks to see trout and minnows. Wildflowers are everywhere from early spring too late fall when the golden aspen leaves are as pretty as flowers.

Winter is just as special. You drive in and shut off the engine to the pickup and step into a wonderland. The snow makes everything look clean, and new. It brings out the many colors of the trees, bushes and rock cliffs. The snow seems to muffle some of the normal sounds while making others seem extra loud like the squeak of boots on fresh snow. I have felt like I was completely alone only to look up and see a deer or squirrel watching me. Each time I go to the mountains, regardless of the season or time of day, it is a totally new and wonderful experience.

It isn’t just the mountains, and wildlife that are interesting in the Jemez area. The small village of Jemez Springs is fun to investigate. There are several café’s that have good food, and some good gift shops as well as the Bath House that has been there for a very long time offering mineral baths from the natural hot springs there. There are several natural hot springs scattered through the mountains, but most are hard to get to and arn't marked on most maps, altough there are usually people that know about them at them frequently.

Jemez Pueblo is a great place to stop. It is as full of history as the whole area is, and you can learn about the Jemez Pueblo Indians. We like to stop at the Jemez Red Rock area where there is a store, and the Jemez Indians have outdoor booths set up by the highway where you can buy oven bread made fresh that morning in the beehive shaped ovens used by the Pueblo Indians. Or you can have a just-fried fry bread or Indian taco. I can never pass up the fry bread and enjoy watching the process of taking a ball of dough, streaching it out almost like for a pizza and then dropping it into hot lard so it can fry, to be lifted out on a long handled fork and drained on a paper towel when it is a golden brown.

Take the turnoff to the tiny community of Gillman and visit the Gillman Tunnels that were first cut for a train that hauled out lumber during the 1920’s. A stop at Soda Dam is worthwhile where centries of water has cut a hole through the rock and made a small natural dam which is right beside the main road. A stop at Battleship Rock affords a beautiful view of a huge rock clift that many think looks like the prow of a Navy battleship. Camping and fishing is allowed at Fenton Lake, a small man-made lake that is perfect for family fishing and hiking. Lots of times ducks, and geese can be seen there and if your lucky maybe a deer or elk will be getting a drink.

But my favorite places are way, way, back on the 4-wheel-drive trails where I feel as if I am the first person to ever set foot there. I have spent many years taking lots of photos so that I can look at them and remember all these great memories. I can’t wait to get back there again.

Now we have been to another place in the Jemez Mountains. The Valles Caldera, a very old, extent volcano that sunk in on its self when it blew all those many years ago. It was bought from the last of a series of owners in 2000 by the US government. Now there is a Visitors Center where you can catch van tours in the summer or catch horse drawn sleigh rides when there is enough snow in the winter. We went on a short none last summer as we hadn’t expected to do this but plan to take one of the longer tours later on. As well as the wildlife are hundred year old ranch bulidings, some still in use by the Forest Service and for movies and TV shows. Some are frequently seen on the show Longmire. I think it would be well worth anyone’s time to take a trip to see this wonderful place.