Size Matters

I've kept trying larger tires to get more ground clearance. James advised against the 235s though, saying they were made for a 9" wide wheel and mine is 5 and a half.

I'd finally had to put on the spare when the Trailer Kings wouldn't hold a plug in the sidewall. I was then running three different sizes. It was time to bite the bullet. $590.00 later...

Goodyear Wrangler

They feel like they might hold a plug. But, you know, it's planet earth so there're, like, No Guarantees.


Thanks James. It's great to find someone who knows their stuff!

 Discount Tire on N Vision Way a couple of miles south of New River, Arizona on interstate 17.

Malia Miles's Blog

The quote below from Jung was in Malia's Miles' 19, August, 2018 blogpost which, since sometime after her death, is no longer on the internet,

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” ~ Carl Jung

I wisht pinchin' muhse'f workt; hits shore a damn-site easier.
(I've alwayz liked ol' Carl...and Hillman, and Carotenuto.)

Malia died in Oregon about this time with the aid of a physician. She had a terminal illness and moved to Oregon to take advantage of their assisted-death law.

Before her death Malia completed a book that is available on Amazon.

Update on obtaining GULP Machine components at:

https://newmexnomad.blogspot.com/2018/10/right-to-die-gulp-peaceful-pill-handbook.html?m=1

Piddling Southward

Tires have become an issue; the sidewalls keep succumbing. I tried 10-ply trailer tires but they turned out to be no better.

Piddling southward from Cottonwood, Arizona, the weather and countryside are darn near perfect.

Diverse vegetation and interesting rocks.

Cooper Discoverers AT3 had to be ordered but are expected to arrive today.

12/27 -- Cooper Discoverers don't fit. Reordered due tomorrow.

12/28 - 4:03 p.m. Awaiting tire install. Weather tolerable for end of December. Sunshing and temp near 60 F.

Marie and the Aortic Aneurysm

We met online a decade or more ago. Our conversations were always fun, but after a while we'd drift on. But we kept bumping into each other here and there.

Last summer I stopped in for a visit. We grilled steaks and, both of us being of low-stamina, an hour and a half was enough.

In October, anticipating being near,  she let me mail some books to her house. Whim had its way and it wasn't 'til this past weekend we got together.

We share an appreciation of art and clouds and went to see the sky and galleries in Jerome (Arizona). On our way down the hill some deer stepped in front of the car. We stopped, but the guy behind us didn't.

X-rays indicated no mechanical damage, but there, clear to see, was an abdominal aneurysm on the aorta (in me, not her). In 2013, when Wiki last checked, aortic aneurysms accounted for 150,000 deaths, mostly guys. It's only 3 cm (size matters) and may never be a problem.

But it's funny, Kenn Louie lost some of his (right) leg over the last month; the cancer's taking him bit by bit. (If you look closely at the image in the link above, you'll see his left leg is all wires...a prosthesis.) But he's indomitable and annoyed at being bed-ridden; while waiting to heal from the surgery he can't work.

I, on the other hand, had started to worry (too much free time) about how I was gonna get outa here. It was a heated debate:  Revolver's handy; nahhh, a shotgun's for sure. Either way quick, but oy vey, such a mess!

Now I can relax. Of course there're (I know, I SHOULD say there's...to be up with the times.) no guarantees, but at least I now know I have a decent chance. I just hope it doesn't happen while I'm driving. Hmmm, a chauffeurette?

Livin' The Fream

We're Livin' the dream.

Hope yer Solstice

includes 

lots of good.

Merry Solstice!!

It's interesting, isn't it, what the season evokes?

Just back from Japan and soon to leave for Germany, we went to Chicago to visit relatives. Up until then I'd known naught but classical. These two *still*  haunt.

Christmas Hippo

The Bismarck

It's a full moon. And at Cottonwood, Arizona it's about 2 degrees South from directly overhead. Wha'sitlooklike whereyouare? Prolly round...like cheese.

             🎄   Merry Solstice   🎄  

To Awaken Quite Alone

In perusing a list of notable quotes (link no longer active), my attention was caught by Dame Freya Stark's: To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the most pleasant sensations in the world.

I just ordered her biography by Jane Fletcher Geniesse, so can't yet commend it. But isn't it interesting that the first overlander to the Mideast was a woman?

Born in 1893, she died in 1993....an even hunnert years!

Departing ABQ

Although it's a ritual to note the stochastics, my purpose has been -- all along -- a crutch for my failing memory...a handy reference as it were.



It's been a more-pleasant-than-usual visit. Ms. Cook is lovely as ever, and the three days at Cabezon were Tony-the-tiger GRREEEEAAAT!

Debate continues over The Netherlands for psilocybin to clear the cobwebs; Baja, Mexico to weather the weather, or Portugal and parts south for pure adventure.

It's nearing 9:00 a.m. and I could use a naaaaap.

The Last of Its Kind
Nearing the Foothills of the Sandias

The hump at the horizon with the two twigs in it is Mount Taylor, one of four of The Puebloans' sacred markers. The San Francisco Peaks at Flagstaff are the West marker.

Mapplethorpe Groans

UPDATED 8.Apr.2023

Hi Michael F. Herrmann, As you may know, our Community Guidelines describe which content we allow – and don’t allow – on YouTube. Your video Sex Slave was flagged to us for review. Upon review, we’ve determined that it may not be suitable for all viewers and it has been placed behind an age restriction. Video content restrictions If a video contains nudity, pornography, or other sexually provocative content, it's less likely to be allowed on YouTube. YouTube reviews content on a case by case basis and will make limited exceptions for appropriate educational, documentary, artistic, and scientific contexts. In such cases, we may apply an age restriction so that only viewers over a certain age can view the content. Learn more here. How you can respond If you believe this was a mistake, we’d like to hear from you. To appeal this age restriction, please submit this form. Our team will thoroughly review your appeal and will contact you again very soon. For more information on YouTube's Community Guidelines, please visit our Help Center. Sincerely, - The YouTube Team On 8.Apr.23, while looking for a video of Audrey, I discovered the Sex Slave video doesn't have -- at least for me -- an age restriction. So either they know it's I who looked at it or they removed the age restriction. Either way, I re-added it to this post. I thought anatomically-correct dolls were de rigueur. What's surprising (to me) is the vid has had >4k views! It'll be interesting to see if this raises the numbers. When Jesse Helms raised Cain to get him to complain about images in *The Perfect Moment* in Cincinnati, nearly 80% of the town's populous went to see the show. According to Wendy Steiner in her book The Scandal of Pleasure, not one person complained. Audrey's sculpture: Sex Slave

ALBUQUERQUE!!

Once you've bought all your stuff, there's NOTHING to do.

I was sitting in the Walmart parking lot on the phone with her about family issues. Suddenly, with indescribable insouciance, this yellow MG Midget appeared....flying a Day-of-the-Dead Jolly Roger.

The contrast to the conversation made me laugh out loud and prompted me to exhort Jim, the car's owner, to re-enact the event.



As mundane as the video is, I encourage you to imagine the contrast between what was happening on the phone and watching it go by.

Cabezon Peak

Wide open spaces; VERY few people, some cows (of course).

The first evening a herd of cranes, flying high, went by. Their hailing reminded of a crowd of early-morning revelers staggering homeward. They WERE southbound.

The BLM sign says there are over 50 volcanic plugs in the area. They erode much more slowly than the sea-deposited sediments left eons ago.

The 5-gallon jugs froze nearly solid, but the Wave 3 catalytic heater keeps the chilblains at bay.

Some wine and Thurber's Lanterns and Lances make for fine evening's entertainment.


And in the faaar distance you can see the Sandia Moutains that rise 5,000 feet and provide the backdrop of Albuquerque.

A Polyamourist Poem

 Oct 11, 2016, at 10:03 PM

 Princess,

 As thou lyest in your beloved's arms,

 with the joyous ache of desire

 and the slippery wetness of anticipation

 lending renewed energy to your embrace,

 Know that I too look forward to your

 presence

 be it naught more than the closeness to share

 your thoughts.

 To reassure I have no expectations,

 Sweet Dreams

Solstice Music & Tree at Michelle's

Escaping the urban noise...

I was enroute to, we live in the Northeast Heights (Frights), the Nature Trail that parallels the Rio Grande. Just before the junction was a tree-lot with two Hispanic guys keeping watch. (What with one thing and another we've not had a tree for several years.) Their smallest was $45.00, but he let me have a foot-and-a-half one, perfect for us, for $15.00.

The tree stand can be seen in my baby pictures

Michelle did ceramics for about 15 years. This was from 1998.

Sophie, my cat, a mergers and acquisitions specialist, died in 2010. Michelle did her portrait in 1995.

Mushroom from my childhood. Pink star from Dillards Department Store back when One El and I were Marketing Executives at UNM Press (late '80s). The Wizard Cat was a gift from me to Double El; undated.

Devout agnostics, when One El and I met in '86 she was still fresh from a medieval choral group in D.C. that sang a cappella. She has a beautiful voice and unselfconsciously accompanied many of the carols on the first selection below.

All of us are ornament enthusiasts. This year we're drawing from Double El's and my collection. Donuts! Carrots!

This evening's playlist. Classics; you'll likely recognize 'em all.

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (It is a rose sprung up)

Youtube

The Most Beautiful German Christmas Songs (Youtube)

Conflicted Comments.....Spam?

In the last couple of days I've gotten a couple of interestingly worded comments on the Worlds Fastest Auburn post.

The first:

Merry Christmas,
You are so interesting! I don't believe I've truly read through anything like that before. So wonderful to discover another person with a few unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the internet, someone with a bit of originality! If you want to readmerry christmas quotes for coworkers you have to see the link
Thank you,

The link to merry christmas quotes is a list of poorly translated politenesses that have, to my inexperienced ear, tones one might attribute to Asians. 

My response:

Thank you. And Happy Solstice to you!



Today's comment:

Hi,
The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me as much as this particular one.New Year Greetings For Business I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I truly thought you would probably have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.
Thanks

My Response:

Wow Zeeshan! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I didn't bother to check out the link in today's comment, but you'll notice the change in the close and associated punctuation; they shortened to a simple Thanks and left the comma off.

I'm curious to see what they'll say next. Anyone else seeing stuff like this?

Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival

It's wonderful to walk into a huge room full of incredible expressions of creativity. And I admit to an unusual level of comfort in the company of artists. But the phone's camera wasn't up to the job.

Titled: Choking Hazard

(wire)

Bowl fashioned from curlers

(by same as above)

Bundt Pan Chandeliers

Coquettishly behind, is one from a flour tin

The leavings from an auto-serger (on her sewing machine) were used to create the dog's fur. Found styrofoam for its body.

The form is bicycle chain; the seated figure from wire and oddments.

This three-foot long piece was suitable for display out-of-doors. She uses old cans, roofing tin and similar and works them by hand with hammer and anvil. 

A wingspan of almost four feet. Bottle caps and flattened cans.

Three-foot high. Stove or floor heater legs

Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival

Nutria Love

Today, December 1, is her birthday. She TOLD me not to get her anything and, as luck would have it, there wasn't much to be had.

I'd forgotten my birthday is this month too, but she hadn't. I'd worn the pink plaid flannel shirt

she gave me years ago to a rag and, back in September, asked for a replacement.

And Mr. Stomach thinks it the perfect enhancement.

There's an ancient saying that god would be recognized by the mole in his navel.

But the thing that truly (once again) let me know our love is boundless is this clay figure. Originally intended to celebrate our silver anniversary in 2016, she began work several years ago. (We've never liked to rush things.)

Pyschedelic Nutria

As mentioned in prev posts, we adopted the Nutria as our fetish animal; their shape being similar to our own. Added characteristics include our shared enthusiasm for doughnuts.

In the image below, you see the iconic posture assumed when "skenting donuts." Pronunciation of the word scenting changed after a young lady came to the door one day selling Skented Candles; I had to ask several times what she was referring to before the light went on. It lends a nicely-nuanced tone to the proclivity, don't chew tink?

Skenting Doughnuts

It's A Carrot (and donuts)

In my teens I read Waiting For Godot and adopted the carrot as my leitmotif (see: 2:42 in the video). Initially, I interpreted Estragon's reply: "It's a carrot." as a Buddhist-esque aphorism meaning: It is what it is. Later, it morphed into the carrot-on-a-stick used to entice mules. My company's name -- IAC Contemporary Art -- is based on the sentence (IAC = It's a carrot).....contemporary art being my motivator.

A funnier bit from Lincoln Center (NYC) 1988 performances with Robin Williams and Steve Martin.
New York Times review of the production.

Sesame Street's play on The Play....

Ignoring all the above, we took up the Freudian vein and recognized the perfect fit of doughnuts and carrots. A single carrot must be balanced by at least a dozen doughnuts. She turned 62. I'll be 66.

Good Lovin' - The Young Rascals

All I REALLY Need

Wild Thing - Troggs

The only redeeming thing abt being in ABQ, other than being with MDC (day after tomorrow is her birthday!!), is streaming music over the wifi.

Oh yeah....and there's stuff to buy. I think I may have found a tent. I DID get my Camptrails Freighter backpack out of storage. I'd forgotten it's ORANGE!

It was a thrift-store find priced at $15.00. Lucky Herrmann happened in on half off day. The dangling rope looks pretty sophisticated; anyone speculate on its use?

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg - Overture

Lohengrin Prelude

Tannhauser Overture

Karajan & The Berlin Philharmonic

A Plague of Nutrias

The decimation of a field of Pie...a sure sign of Nutrias!

Some 20 years or so ago, Michelle noticed the mention of nutrias in tales by James Lee Burke. With her proclivity for parody, she put together a portrait which we adopted much the way the LGBTQ-WXYZ community now generalizes themselves as "queer." 

Their long, yellow teeth indicative of a dietary staple --- pumpkin pie --- their dimensionality a direct result of their inclination to "mow through" a dozen (or two) doughnuts, quarts of ice cream, Mexican Food and anything else with a preponderance of fat and sugar COMBINED with a languid and lethargic lifestyle given to naaaaaps (like cats) fits us perfectly.


Scroll down in this post to see a card with a drawing (by me).

Thanksgiving in ABQ

Maybe one of you recognizes this image?

Perhaps they're discussing *their* crown jewels?

It captures the feeling of the times.

But hey!! Lookit whut Trump done....

Pale Blue Eyes

This May Be the Last Time

Arrived Abq 11/16/18.


God, what a shit hole. The most Walmarts per capita.

I've been trying to get Ms. Cook to leave for over 20 years. Her birthday is December 1st, the same day we'll attend the Recycled Art Fair in Santa Fe. I plan to leave the 3rd.


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, oh dear goddess, Please don't let anything keep me longer!!!

There are a few good movies at The Guild Cinema.

At dinner with Michelle 11/17/18.

A Walk Through Time - Ajo Arizona

In the Ajo Plaza - Not that you'd EVER guess from looking ---

to the left of The Market (Yes, there's a market!) are Art Under the Arches Gallery where I found the work of Carmel Anderson and, across the hall, directly in front of the white mini, stationwagon, A Walk Through Time...Ajo where Lorraine Eiler will preside through April 2019.

She is parting with her personal collection from over fifty years. Her prices are low enough even *I* could afford something.

Please tell her hello for me.

Racemaster Gary & Driver Russ

Exploring a sideroad, I came upon some SERIOUS treadmarks.

A bit farther sat the culprit.


Russ had recently acquired the Camaro and Racemaster Gary, a veteran from the days of Big Daddy Don Garlits and solid axles, was helping him put it through its paces.

Gary analyzes the tracks...

Tire Preschoor und Trakschon, Yah!

Laying it down

Traveling Companion

Perhaps it's the webs they weave; or their frequently pugnacious character (tho tarantulas seem almost apologetic). Perhaps it's a projection prompted by my ten-month-pregnant abdomen that sprang forth after my thyroid conked out.

Each day the web gets blown away. By the following morning, for the past four or five days its been renewed.

Tonight I got a glimpse, but it took shelter behind the mirror when I accidentally (Dumkopf!) touched the web while trying to get a portrait.

Both Sides Now...well, in a few days

A couple of years ago I got off the freeway to pee. Whilst zipping up, a fellow stopped and asked if I'd been up the road. As we learned from the trial of that basketballer, always best to deny it; I did.

He said they'd gone up to see the train and I should too! Ever eager to heed advice, I went.

The next encounter asked if I'd seen the thatch-roofed yurts on stilts along the edge of the bayou. He added that the water came halfway up the cab but they'd made it across. (The tales people tell!) But it sounded intriguing. Somehow I got lost and, running low on fuel and supplies, had to go back.

Then, I ferget when hit wuz perzackly, she and I spent several days a few miles north of the Intrastate 'miring the scenery. But we never got much further.

This time I hope to make it through to Caliente. THEN, having discovered how differeny everythin' looks when coming fum duh udder way, I'll return by the same route.

Ah'm tellin' yew, dispiddlin'izduhbomb!

N37.07339  -W114.34544  Elev:  3142'

Full Moon Equinox - 25, October, 2018

At 12:18 a.m. the moon is almost directly overhead. I've tried to notice where the moon's path is in the sky (did I tie my shoelaces?) and tonight it's about one degree south of overhead and even less than that from the "center" of its travel. It would appear to be an equinox.

I'm camped at the east edge of Mormon Mesa due east of Overton, NV. I'm curious to know how far north and south one could be and still have the sense it was passing directly overhead?

And how often does the phenomena of it reaching the zenith at midnight occur?

And how often does the moon's equinox coincide with it being full?

THIS is what you get when you live "outside."

Taking Time

Time was we rolled outa camp at 1:27, day in, day out. It wasn't a routine, it jus' happin dat way. These days hits 3:32.

At this time of year: The longer shadows are comin' tuh win us, hold onto your shooOOOorrrts.



But the soul of nobody knows....

Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers

It's been 26 years I've had the pleasure and benefit of Ms. Cook's discerning eye. Herewith her most recent find...

                          Listen closely

World's Fastest Auburn: A blog DISCOVERY!

On September 25, I wrote about meeting Erin and Brett at the Henry Cowell Redwood State Park. I didn't know they had a blog, let alone that they'd mention me. Following the link from their "Thank You" comment on my blog led to the discovery.



The link below is to their blogpost in which they mention our meeting. Apparently, I was so shocked to hear their dad had died I had to ask again why he and their mom hadn't made the trip.
https://21hoursin3days.blogspot.com/2018/10/day-2-martinez-ca-san-luis-obispo-ca.html?m=1

Old Age & Treachery

A brunette, with a pixie cut, she leaned in close and said the words below. When asked, she very sweetly agreed to memorialize her insight.

Women! Such a delight!

Dregs

I like to see how far down I can go for a post. It's a form of slumming....


Braille at a driveup ATM

Can u see it? Under REMOVE CASH and DEPOSIT.

Somebody 'splain this to me...not.

Pahrump, Nevada. Great name, eh?!

The Sweet Spot - Runnin' Down 395

Brewed Journey reported wet and mud in Utah.

Audrey in Benson said they're supposed to get two inches of rain. And Suzan in Ajo said they were expecting the same and that interstate 5 was closed in places from flooding.

It's cloudless and 75 with a nice breeze here by Independence, California.

East Side of the Sierras

Fall is in full swing.  Fresh snow. Chilly nights.

North of Bridgeport

Right To Die & The Peaceful Pill Handbook

UPDATE 6/13/20
For many years helium was touted (by the now-defunct Hemlock Society) as the most accessible means. I tested it in 2014 and it felt like having a hive of bees lowered over my head. I think the feeling was due to a numbing effect.

In 2015 I tested carbon monoxide by lighting the two burners of my Coleman stove inside my Geo Metro hatchback, the car I was then traveling in. It was winter and very cold outside so the heat was welcome. The gas was a very mild soporific that induced only the slightest of pressure in the area of my frontal lobe; not enough to even begin to call a headache and barely noticeable. But it took two weeks for my mind to fully clear.

Recently, in May of this year, I tested nitrogen. It is extremely fast and very gentle...no side effects at all. I only took four "whiffs" but that was enough to narrow my vision and bring me to the edge of consciousness. It took about 20 minutes for the acute effect to wear off and about 24 hours for it to completely "clear."

I recently finished reading Dr. Nitschke's autobiography, Damned If I Do. I can't recommend it enough! It's an excellent tale of his (and his partner's) courage and willingness to help others. Dr. Nitschke seems to prefer carbon monoxide. In the interests of testing, I ordered formic and sulphuric acids from

https://www.dudadiesel.com

a supplier of the two chemicals needed to produce CO.

When my order didn't arrive I contacted Dudadiesel and was told they automatically cancel orders that include both. Be advised.


In December of 2017 I turned 65. As a gift to myself I bought a subscription to The Peaceful Pill Handbook.  The subscription includes a monthly newsletter from EXIT International.

I had a vasectomy at age 22. Although I suppose I MIGHT have been able to do the job myself, I did not have the necessary license to obtain or administer the anesthetic. And even if I had, I still lacked the coordination and certainly the expertise; it was much easier to pay someone.

The surgeon was surprised at my youthful age and asked me several times if I was sure. But there was never any question of my legal right.

Now, as we enter our "twilight years," many of us and/or our loved ones face the possibility of criminal prosecution for simply being present when someone ends their life.

Eastward Ho! Arnold and The Sheriff

According to Google MAPS, it's three hours from Menlo Park to Arnold. I used 7.

The Sheriff woke me at two (a.m.) to let me know there were alot of stolen cars being left in the area. After about 20 minutes he and his partner went on their way. Unperturbed, but fully awake, it was 5 before I got back to sleep.

In the morning I was tired and had to skip the 25th Annual Grape Stomp & Street Faire in Murphys. But I managed to get packed and spend a pleasant hour in the late afternoon visiting with Kenn Louie.

Less than five miles up the hill, not much past Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the temp began dropping. So much so I came back down.

Not much dispersed camping in these he'ar hills.

But it's amazing to once again be able to see!

Caltrain to San Francisco - Menlo Park

The main house of our AirBnb cottage is, I'm guessing, about 1,600 sq feet, in a modest neighborhood of pitched roofs. The rather proletarian main abode's market value is estimated at 1.8M, but bidding wars are common and it's speculated it'd actually bring around 2.4.

I've enjoyed taking the winding back streets where there are still a few wooded creeks, or vestiges thereof, and the homes are architecturally interesting. Many are unique, though nearly all are in the Mediterranean style.

With the ubiquity of Mercedeses, BMWs and almost as common Teslas, I have, for the first time, experienced pride of ownership...I haven't seen even ONE other 1996 Tracker. 

Dr. Lin said the incision had healed well. In celebration we decided to have pizza. Nearby was the Menlo Park station, an interesting place to wait. Next time we'll ride it.

Half Moon Bay - Cafe Capistrano and the Ritz-Carlton

I'm now embarrassed that I alluded to the possibility we'd stay at the Ritz-Carlton.

After a fine dinner at Cafe Capistrano 

in Half Moon Bay, we went to the hotel for an after-dinner beer.

It's pathetic...just freakin' pathetic. The decor is so bland you actually CAN'T notice it. Once past the valet parkers, our way through to the Conservatory, one of three restaurants, was blocked by a bevy of golfers!! Golfers!!! In the lobby!  Don't they have a back entrance for those people!

When we reached the lady at the podium, she informed us the tables were for registered guests, but we could sit at the bar. The tables, small little unoffensive nothings, overlooked an open area that held about 100 blue and/or black-suited males (conferees) standing around. It was a scene worthy of a David Byrne movie.

One can surmise the distant ocean may have sufficed for say, someone from New Delhi or Urgamal, Mongolia, but for us, it was, like, totally underwhelming.

Below, on the ground floor, a wooden deck held one couple. We descended to explore. Upon inquiring for something dark, (Polynesian perhaps, female please) I was snidely queried as to whether I wanted wine, whiskey or, the final option, beer, only to be told "No dark beer."

Across the open area was the golf course. At its edge a rustic, split-rail fence warned of the risk of the drop to the ocean below. But more importantly, that the green was for golfers only, not pedestrians.  In a land where every restroom exhorts water conservation, you're told to keep off the grass.

But get THIS! The Ocean View Terrace Fire Pit Rooms have a postage-stamp size patio with a gas-flame firepit. The pits are as diminutive as the patios such that a Yukoner might say they're suitable for a child.  And those, they also offer suites and cabins, rent for $2,200 (including taxes) a night.

Pathetic isn't really low enough.

Prompted by curiosity, I read the the "Terrible" reviews on Tripadvisor. One, from a couple who were also there today, echoed our complaints. Astonishingly, more than one had had items stolen!

Christina and the Glass Pumpkins - Stanford Shopping Center

We were so enthralled by the stuff we went back.  Christina told how she's been helping produce the work for eight years.

They use a mold for the basic form, but the rest is hand-done.