the RING of FIRE is a jewel you CANNOT wear

Tonight is the annular solar eclipse where the moon blocks most of the Sun.

According to NASA, the eclipse will begin at sunrise local time in southern China, then pass over Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo. After entering California's view, the moon's shadow will block the sun's light along a course from Reno to the Grand Canyon in Arizona to Albuquerque to Lubbock, Texas. The full "ring of fire" effect is visible in ONLY eight states in the western United States this evening.

The RING OF FIRE is when all of the moon covers most of the Sun....leaving a ring of sunlight blazing around the moons circumference. The moon is near apogee--the farthest point from Earth in its orbit around our planet--so it's too small in the sky to cover the sun's face completely.

We set out to catch this AWESOME celestial event aka the annular solar eclipse.
We were fortunate to witness this AMAZING event at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.

The photo above is a view of the eclipse in the display of a video camera with a special eclipse viewing lens filter attachment on the front. 

Can you see the beginning stages of the eclipse???

(I debated whether to include this photo in the blog....)

Can you see the moon is on the way to completing the RING OF FIRE....

(the reflection of the eclipse on a sheet of paper is cast from the binocular lens)

(BTW: you should NEVER fully view a solar eclipse with the naked eye....you must use proper viewing tools like a #14 welding shield or special eclipse viewing glasses)

Tah Dah......THE RING OF FIRE

We witnessed the RING OF FIRE 

---via the reflection

---via #14 welding mask

---via the special eclipse viewing glasses

The RING OF FIRE lasted only 4 minutes...... and it was well worth every second!

But the rest of the eclipse lasted until sundown.

Inside the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum they had LIVE broadcasted coverage of the eclipse on various LCD screens inside and outside the museum.

I clicked this photo by accident on my little old camera with no filter........ 

Let hope I didn't ruin my camera.

(Although I might add.....it is a rather stunning photo)

 This is the viewing balcony where we watched the eclipse.
After sunset we took in the museum and went out to the museum lawn where they had tons of activities like a rock climbing wall, jumpy house for the kids, crafting stations, face painting, food trucks and an outdoor SCI-FI movie.
---------
Persingerfive +plus+ Eclipse
equal = Persingerfun

The Gathering....

The annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow is this weekend at the University of New Mexico Arena aka THE PIT.

This event is known as North America's Biggest Powwow.

The powwow runs April 26, 27, 28....beginning with the Miss Indian World Talent Presentations at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the Isleta Pueblo. The crowing of Miss Indian World is on Saturday evening at the Pit. There will be plenty of traditional native competition dancing, traditional native music, traditional arts and craft market, powwow, and Native talent on Stage 49. We love this time of year, when many NATIVE AMERICANS and other INDIGENOUS TRIBES from other countries come to ABQ. 

It's so beautiful to see so many lovely faces around.....

In front of the Pit: the lines are already forming for tomorrows OPENING DAY

This is inside the Pit where the stage AND sound are coming together.

Many people lining up for general admission tickets as well for
vendors license for those who are selling at the Indian Market.

Looks like the local news station is here to do a expose....

This is the back area location of the Indian Traders Market and Stage 49

Why.......you ask.....am I already inside???

Well, we volunteer every year for the Gathering of Nations as crowd control manager. Basically an assistant to help those unfamiliar with the Pit to find exits, entrances, special entrances for dancers and performers, and special VIP seating. Sometimes we volunteer as counter for the dancers-- to make sure they get credit for dancing during special competition events as well.

The Gathering of Nations is so much fun to attend.... the splendor of the traditional regalia is amazing and beautiful. To be here live as the beating of the drums and chanting of the singers brings your core to harmony...... NO JOKE....REALLY.

The sight of the dancers dancing....The sound of the traditional rhythmic beats.....The smells of the traditional foods is beyond words.... PUT IT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST THIS IS A MUST.....you should attend NORTH AMERICA'S BIGGEST POWWOW.

feeling young again....

While the kiddos were at school my Mama (aka Nana) and I agreed to get out of the house for a while..... We went to a few vintage and resell shops around town then lunched at
Mary and Titos Mexican Restaurant in the North Valley.
It was a great time-- just me and her.....Mother / Daughter. We
Laughing the best belly laughs--
Smiling from ear to ear--
Recalling funny family stories
Talked about the cute things the kids did. Then I just
Listening to the best advice from my Mommy.....

♥I love my Mum♥

4G 4S.....what!

Phone Home....

New phones?

I hope so!

*Fingers crossed*

Hmmm.......it's a phone and it's a tablet 

Sweetheart quickly figured out the phone features on her own.....

Choices -- Choices

Too many choices to choose from; the newest techy, XG, android, smarty iphones and androids!

....We still have a few more months to go on the contract before we are candidates for upgrades.

Until then, we have to wait patiently and enjoy our current phone a little longer.

*sigh*

that's the luck of me lucky charms.....

Saint Patrick's Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD.
Saint Patrick is said to have used shamrocks as a way to explain the Holy Trinity. In 1798, in order to make a political statement, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on March 17 to gather public attention to their rebellion. In Irish legends, green is worn by fairies, leprechauns and immortals.

Little known fact: In the Persingerfive household we make Leprechaun traps every year. We put them out on March 17 in hopes of trapping and catching a Leprechaun..... for his GOLD. (of course)
But we have yet to catch one....
He is a trickster and always leaves fake gold coins ---chocolate gold coins---in and around the trap.
That's how we know that crafty little fella been around......
We usually find Leprechaun footprints in our yard and one year in our house!!!


Did you know that Saint Patrick's Day is the most widely celebrated saint's day in the world.

43rd annual parade "rain or shine"

In St. Louis, they celebrate Saint Patrick's Day with a parade (or two) on Market Street near the Gateway Arch.
(click here to see our holiday in St. Louis blog)

In Chicago they celebrate Saint Patrick's day
with their 188th annual Saint Patrick's day parade
but not before they dye the river GREEN!!

In Chicago they dye the Chicago River green to kick off the celebrations!!
(click here to see our holiday in Chicago blog)

New York City has an annual 251st annual Saint Patrick's Day parade.

Even the Empire State Building gets dressed up in green for Saint Patrick's Day.
(click here to see our holiday in New York blog)

This is the very FIRST year that Niagara Falls turned green in honor of Ireland's patron Saint.

Can you even believe that Niagara Falls can look even more amazing in GREEN!
This special light display was special, for the first time, for Saint Patrick's Day.    
Beautiful!!
(click here to see our holiday in Niagara Falls blog)

Downtown ABQ--not too far from where we live

Even here in ABQ the skylight is GREEN.
We went to dinner in downtown ABQ for the traditional corned beef, cabbage dinner

 (leeks, potatoes, carrots, dinner roll and green ice cream)
Talented bagpipers and sweet irish step dancers entertained us during dinner.
(little known fact: Fifi took Irish step dancing lessons when she was younger--such a cute reminder)

Bam took this great photo of his sisters; Sweetheart, Cookie and Fifi.
(the lights in the downtown underground tunnel look AWESOME in this photo)

As cute as can be........even in GREEN

Erin Go Bragh

driving on a donut sized tire.....

Why do we have a tiny tire on our van??

This morning while I was taking Bam and Fifi to school, our tire got flat.

Luckily we were close to the repair shop and they said they could replace our tire...........but not until noon.

In the mean time they swapped out the flat tire for the spare.

My whole day is flopped around now........  

spring is in the air.......

--Parent meeting for spring sports participation this evening--

I like these informational meetings. 

They gave us all the information and rules. 

They encouraging my child to be athletically and academically responsible. 

They encourage team sportsmanship and school spirit.

The coaches and principle praise, energize, and strengthen the decisions of the participant.

They'll support the athlete along the way with this new quest.

We look forward to another season of sports participation..........

the great (weekend) escape

Mornings begin early at the ranch.

Rooster is crowing his beautiful morning song.

(or as Sweetheart says, Rooster is calling to be read to......click here for that story)

The smell of fresh brewed Folgers coffee fills the air.

The faint feel of humidity floats around from a morning shower

The sound of KTNN's native songs and country music drift into our dreams from the recently turned on radio in the kitchen.

Nana quietly checks on the children and gently pulls the blankets up and over them.

Not too long afterwards, we all begin to wake.

Cheii begins making a hearty breakfast of farm fresh eggs, oatmeal, and bacon.

Nana is making the dough for tortillas to compliment our breakfast.

Sweetheart, Princess Fifi and Cookie are washed up and ready to be Nana's lil' helpers.

As too, Bam, is up to be Cheii's helper.

Cookie's tiny hand patting out the tortilla dough

Today, Nana and the girls are making heart-shaped tortillas for breakfast. 

Sweetheart is shaping the tortilla dough into a heart shape

Nana, Sweetheart, Princess Fifi and Cookie have made a delicious stack of warm, heart shaped tortillas for breakfast.

It's a delightful and lovely tribute for the upcoming Valentine's Day.

After breakfast, Cheii and Bam, decide to head out to feed the cattle.

They take the ATV and a truck full of alfalfa hay. They should be back by lunchtime.

The ranch---It's our great escape......... it's what frees our soul and brings smiles to our faces.

Gong Xi Fa Chai --

 What a fun day.......

at Sweetheart and Cookie's school, the kindergardeners have a parade every year in honor of the Chinese New Year. 

 They march in and out of the classrooms in the school with boxes over their heads decorated like a super long dragon chanting "Kung Hei Fat Choi".

It's super cute!!

I remember when my little ones had the opportunity to do this as well when they were in Kindergarden.

Super Sweet memories........

future debaters

The invitational Speech and Debate award ceremony is getting underway.

All the teams that participated did very well.

(I overheard a few....)

I feel like a proud mama to all those young teens who participated.

There is a lot of courage in the preparation that went into each round.

I'm speechless.......

bee eye n gee oh

We love a good board game or two when we have family game night at home.

But tonight we thought we'd try something different, something called Turkey Bingo being held at our church.

The game of bingo is played to win prizes or even a frozen turkey.

Sounds interesting and different for us--

It's all for a good cause. It benefits handicap citizens through the Knights of Columbus.

These gentlemen where very hospitable towards us

Happy, joking, number announcers found humor in everything

Inquizative

We are newbies to playing bingo outside our home. 

We felt a little overwhelm with the rules and options they offered.

Paper cards, board cards, bingo layouts

We never played like that.......

Wow! 

Fancy cards vs. paper cards

These are the different configuration you can win at BINGO 

We sat there with one bingo card under each of us. 

While many of the expert players had a dozen or so under them.

They had big puffy markers while we only had crayons that I had fished out from my purse.

They had little trinkets for luck around them.

We had to make our own luck.

Although we did not win any BINGO games; what matters most is that the handicap citizens came out as the real deserving winners.

BINGO!!

it's a beautiful day y'all

♥  Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis  ♥

Pigeon Forge Welcomes Us

Knoxville's Eccentric Sunsphere

Nashville the Country Music Capital

Stainless Steel Pyramid by the Mississippi River in Memphis

Y'all Come Back Now

When I asked the children why they loved Tennessee so much.
 They replied with the following:

Annual family berry picking
Homestyle southern soul food
Drinks served in mason jars
Dollywood / Splash Country
Wide green countryside and vines draped off of every tree and post
Cowboys and tractors
Old country stores and fleamarkets
Elvis and BB King
Country music and the Blues 
Farms-white fences-horses and cows (lots and lots of cows)
Smokin' Smoky Mountains

"There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter." 
(quoted by The Mad Hatter)

Guess where the chess pieces are stored.......

"Fast is good but accurate is better! "

What a memorable day full of love, laughter and blue suede shoes...........

As we came out of the restaurant we snapped this shot of a stunning Memphis Sunset.