Bosque Farms, NM

We've had an icy start to the New Year here in Bosque Farms, with single-digit temperatures. We had a bit of snow a couple of days ago, but it vanished quickly, as is usual here in NM. Now we've got lovely, sunny skies, but I'm looking out at lovely, ice-sheathed grass blades on my lawn! Husband Brian decided to turn on the sprinklers yesterday, and it was so cold that it froze as it landed, encapsulating each blade of grass individually, for our own miniature "ice storm" effects... Crunchy under the feet, for the feel of a "back east" winter here in sunny New Mexico!

The 2010 Bosque Farms Fair came off as usual this past first weekend in August. Families with young children are the first and main focus of this annual event, and this year was no different. Horse events like western pleasure riding, reining and barrel racing abounded, with several age classes including adults, but only a few of the latter participated. Inside and outside were the usual art displays, canned goods competition, and church and political party booths. Outside was the rodeo arena and the food, lots of it from barbecue to sno-cones.

For us grown-ups, besides the food, there's a great antique car show with prizes for almost every entrant. Lots of memories! This is a fun event, not a serious competition, and the kid in every grownup had a blast looking at these antiques. The police got in on the action with their new stealth Mopar and their batmobile. Bosque Farms probably has more police per capita than any town in NM. The policemen probably should have gotten an award for stading around in navy blue uniforms on a 90 degree afternoon. Everyone of us had a favorite. One woman was heard to wonder how many of the back seats had been used by young couples parking back in the day. Remember those days? A red 1934 Ford Phaeton won best of show. It was before my time as a Baby Boomer. I can imagine that its back seat would have featured the stars above along with passion below.

Laura Warden and I brought up our four girls in Bosque Farms and live here to this day. While they were growing up we Wardens participated in almost every Bosque Farms fair event. Allison nearly won the greased pole climb even though she was up against mostly strapping boys. Elizabeth made top points on her new paint horse Wrangler while one old horse grabbed and munched a blade of grass on the way 'round the show ring. Jessica and Elena knocked 'em dead at the talent show Saturday evening. Even Dad won the best of show in the adult singing competition one time with a performance of a number from Will Rogers' Follies. Please be reminded there's not much adult participation. Maybe not enough! Those days were fun! Maybe someday I'll sing again to set a good example for my grandchildren. Watching children grow up in a safe, secure environment is just one good reason for living in Bosque Farms, New Mexico.

Copyright Laura Warden, Choices Real Estate. Albuquerque Horse Property Specialist.

Did you know that there is a quick and easy way to tell whether the fruits or vegetables you buy are genetically modified?

I didn't. In fact, I've thought for a long time that the government should require GM food to be clearly labeled as such. One of the folks I follow on Twitter tweeted yesterday that there actually IS as way to tell, quickly and easily, and provided a link to all the details. A big thank you to "jandreadis" for the tip, an for the full scoop, see www.plantea.com/genetically-modified-food.html )

According to this article, by Marion Owen, the key is in those lovely little sticky labels they so irritatingly attach to produce in the store. All those little numbers actually mean something, and part of the code they include will let you know whether the produce is organic, conventionally grown, or genetically modified!

Here's the code:

• Conventionally grown produce has a PLU code of four digits
• Organically grown produce has a five-digit code, and it always starts with a "9"
• Genetically modified produce also has a five-digit code, but it starts with an "8"

(So if you care enough about being "green" to be reading this post, be sure not to mix up your 8's and 9's!)

Think you've got it?

Let's try a little test (oh, the former teacher in me just keeps coming out now and again!) Decide whether each fruit or vegetable is organic, conventional, or genetically modified based on it's PLU code!

Of course, I can also be sure of getting high-quality, organic produce by picking it directly from my lush, green organic garden in Bosque Farms, New Mexico!

Interested in finding a home with an organic garden for yourself? Contact me any time for info about available homes throughout the Greater Albuquerque area!

(This information was initially published in the June 26, 2002 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer.)