Is Scotland in my genes?

The very existence of a St. Andrew's Scottish Society of New Mexico may surprise visitors to the Southwest.  Our region is famous for Hispanic and Native American cultures, but Scottish culture may be less well know.

My husband Wayne and I had a yen to celebrate Robert Burns' birthday.  Burns is the most well known poet of Scotland and the author of  "Auld Lang Syne,"  Scots and those of Scots heritage the world over gather to remember Scotland, its history, heritage, and music, on or around January 25 of each year.  Last weekend, we attended a formal Robbie Burns' Dinner sponsored by the Scottish Society in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Dinner was a formal affair.  ( I passed on the haggis, pleading vegetarianism!)

The musical entertainment was varied, from lilting Celtic music sung to harp accompaniment to rousing music performed on bagpipes and drums.

The romance of  ancient Scotland, as depicted by Hollywood, was not forgotten.

It was a memorable evening.  But why did I feel so comfortable among those kilted men and women sporting plaids gracefully draped over their shoulders?  Why did I get a chill when the pipe band made an entrance, bagpipes wailing and drums pounding?  And why did I join in singing the chorus of  Dougie Maclean's  "Caledonia," "Caledonia, you're calling me and now I'm coming home"? Watch video of Dougie Maclean

I was told when I was young that some of my ancestors were Scots-Irish, Scots who migrated first to Northern Ireland and then to the United States in the 18th century.  The number of Scottish descendants living in the United States is approximately two million  Could DNA be responsible for the pull I feel towards all things Scottish?

As Scottish culture was reinterpreted in the Southwest over time, Scottish square dancing became the Texas Two Step.   Fiddle music became bluegrass music,  Oatmeal was eaten with sugar instead of salt. And bagpipe sounds were incorporated into modern rock music.

My favorite bread is a Scottish scone, best accompanied by a steaming cup of tea, which is what I wish I had this very minute on a gloomy January day in El Paso, Texas.

  

Our Multicultural Southwest

On reading the title of this blog post, you may think I am going to talk about Hispanic culture in the Southwest.  And you are partially right.  

When my husband Wayne and I went out for breakfast earlier this week, we had an array of Mexican food restaurants to choose from in El Paso, Texas, my home town. Would it be the luscious red sauce on the huevos rancheros  at the L & J Restaurant, the homemade tortillas at Carnitas Querétaro, or the cinnamon coffee at Tacos Chinampa?  All of these favorite haunts offer a lively atmosphere, pleasant background music in Spanish, and attentive waiters.  But we chose a restaurant that we hadn't been to recently - Ándale Restaurant.  And it had it all.

The colorful dining area was decorated with piñatas.

There were lots of tiles and lots of colors on the walls.

 And a touch of whimsy made me smile.

But later on this week, we are going to experience another culture that you may not immediately associate with the Southwest - the Scottish culture.  We are driving five hours to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend a Robert Burns' Celebration sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of that state. St. Andrews Scottish Society of New Mexico

Robert Burns, the celebrated Scots poet, is remembered every year on his birthday, January 25, by Scots and Scots descendants around the world. 

Robert Burns

In the United States alone, 2009 census gives the number of Scottish or "Scotch-Irish" descendants as nine million.  Wayne will be particularly pleased to learn that one of his heroes from the Western movie screen has "Scotch-Irish" ancestors.

John Wayne

Wayne and I may not be bona fide Scots descendants, but our hearts have been in Scotland since we started visiting that country several years ago.  This celebration will be our first formal experience of a Burns' night.  

Wayne is getting his kilt ready (Yes, he bought a kilt in Scotland).  I'm looking forward to the entertainment, which I hope includes bagpipes (Yes, I am a fan of bagpipe music). I'm hoping that someone will be speaking English with that beautiful Scots lilt. And we are wondering how the traditional dishes of Scotland, salmon, haggis, neeps, tatties, and clapshot will be interpreted by the Sheraton Hotel!

I'll be taking lots of notes and pictures of Burns'  night for next week's blog. 

Until then,  Haste Ye Back (Farewell).

How's your weather today?

Peeking outside early this January morning, I was greeted by an unusual weather event in the Southwest - dense fog!  The mountains that usually form a backdrop to my hometown of El Paso, Texas were completely obscured.

The Tuscan-style house across the street looked like it could be the setting for a Gothic novel.

I started thinking about how weather often affects my outlook for the day.  This morning's fog put me in a dreamy state.  I felt like having an extra cup of coffee in front of the fireplace and drifting away with pleasant thoughts. 

Because weather in the Southwest is a bit unpredictable (just ask the beleaguered local weathermen), planning activities and even one's mood is a tricky business.

A friend of mine in Quebec, Canada contacted us recently when she heard that snow was predicted around Christmas.  She couldn't believe that El Paso could be so blazing hot in the summertime and still have snow flurries in the winter.  And she would have been really surprised to see this sunny day in the Franklin Mountains State Park two days after Christmas.

Sunshiny days energize me. Fortunately the sun shines approximately 302 days each year in El Paso (nicknamed The Sun City).  The outdoors beckon. I want to walk around the yard and plan clean-up projects and new plantings (emphasis on plan here!)   One pleasant day last December, my husband Wayne snapped this picture in our courtyard .A pecan tree had deposited the last of its leaves on the bricks, but one brave rose was still making a show.

I don't even want to think about the spring windy season to come!  Howling winds and blowing dust make me want to crawl back under the covers.  Spring weather in my home town puts me into a long crabby mood.

But for the present time, I'm looking forward to experiencing whatever kind of weather Mother Nature has cooked us for us these next two winter months.  Here is what the Farmers' Almanac predicts:

Enjoying El Paso Texas in 2014

"There is nothing to do in El Paso, Texas," is the common complaint I hear from local residents and visitors alike.  El Paso (my home town) is a city of about 700,000 residents, located on the US-Mexico border at the westernmost tip of Texas, with an additional border with New Mexico.

My husband Wayne and I have friends and relatives in much more glamorous locations, London, Los Angeles, Quebec, and I love to visit them.  But looking back over our photos from 2014, I found many good memories of places and activities to enjoy in El Paso also. Here are a few I would like to share as an unofficial ambassador for my home town. 

Valentine's Bakery

A diet splurge with a visit to Valentine's Bakery is a lot more fun than going through the drive-through at a donut shop.  Wonderful aromas of Mexican-style baked goods, tortillas, and tamales and a bustling staff all create an atmosphere of flavor anticipation.  My favorite pastry is a concha, shaped like a shell with a sugery coating.  Delicious with a breakfast cup of coffee!

And before we leave the topic of food, the complimentary basket of warm tostadas and numerous salsas served at most local Mexican food cafes is a treat we local residents take for granted. The only challenge here is not ruining one's appetite for the main meal.

Tacos Chinampa Cafe

If we are craving a gourmet cup of coffee, a new cafe, the Hillside Coffee and Donut Co., offers all of the latest coffee-brewing techniques and flavors.  I must admit that we agreed that "we didn't feel like we were in El Paso," but maybe El Paso is on its way to being a bit more hip.  I do know that I need to study up so that I can be a little more imaginative in my coffee order for our next visit!

Hillside Bakery and Cafe

Inspired by the World Cup coverage on TV, we attended a professional soccer game between two teams from Mexico held in the Sun Bowl Stadium at the University of Texas at El Paso. Taking our cues from the many experienced soccer fans, we yelled in Spanish at appropriate times.

Soccer game

Another sports-related experience was a visit to Hueco Tanks, about thirty minutes east of El Paso. Our son has become interested in bouldering and wanted information about the site.  We learned that Hueco Tanks is a world-famous location for rock climbing, with reservations necessary many months in advance.  All we were able to experience for this visit was the scenery, but it was spectacular.

Huevo Tanks

As 2014 drew to a close, we got into the holiday spirit with two events, located at opposite ends of our city.  The first was the annual Christmas Fair held at Ardovino's Restaurant in Sunland Park, New Mexico.

Santa at Ardovino's

The other event was a Christmas celebration in the small historic town of San Elizario, located a few miles east of El Paso.  We ate homemade tamales, listened to live music, and watched a reenactment of a posada.

San Elizario Mission decorated for Christmas

Maybe finding good entertainment in El Paso takes a bit of searching, a true interest in other cultures, and an openness to new experiences, but some memorable experiences are out there waiting for us. 2014 was a great year to be living in this West Texas city.

  

A hike in December? Why not?

Thank you, Southwest climate, for allowing our family to hike in the Franklin Mountains State Park this past December.  When I was young, I wanted the Christmas holiday season to be snowman-making weather, just like the images on traditional Christmas cards.  But alas, most December days in El Paso Texas through the years dawned bright and sunny.  Now I can finally appreciate what a mild climate can add to the festive season.

It was Sunday, December 27th, when we piled into the car for the thirty minute drive to Franklin Mountains State Park.  This park has the distinction of being the largest urban park in the United States lying completely within city limits.  Its elevation is 5426 ft.    I must admit it was a chilly 30 degrees when we pulled into the ranger station,  but there was minimal wind and lots of sunshine. And besides, we had dug into our closets for boots, wool socks, parkas, and warm gloves.

Several less adventurous members of the family decided to chose the easier Nature Walk Trail, 

Bilingual trail marker for Nature Walk

As we walked along the trail, we would occasionally catch glimpses of the more daring (and need I mention fitter) members of the party who were hiking on a higher trail across the mountains.

Cresote bushes provided a green background for the more dormant plants we found on the Nature Walk Trail.

Creosote bush with mountains in background

As we ambled along the well-marked trail, one cheerful desert plant with lavender blossoms kept catching my eye.

I wish I had this plant in my home garden for winter color.

Some of the other plants looked like they needed an overcoat for protection during this frigid season.

Cold, but still festive

Even dried dormant plants provided interesting shapes and textures to examine.

Note rainbow cactus in foreground!

However, one plant I examined from a careful safe distance.

Intimidating!

Finally,  here is my favorite picture of the Franklin Mountain State Park.  I wish I could describe to you the feeling of quiet and calm that hiking in the park provides.

Native plants, sunshine, and the ever present mountains

Many thanks to my husband, Wayne Calk, for taking these great pictures.  I didn't even have to remove my warm gloves to push any buttons.

I hope we can make a Franklin Mountains Hike a new family holiday tradition.