When I was a student, the biggest thing was space shots. Now we find out that space traveler, Gene Cernan, has died.

Cernan commanded Apollo 17 in December, 1972. Cernan was also the last man to walk on the moon. After his astronaut stint Cernan continued to advocate for space exploration.

It is sad that space is not the big deal it was. Maybe because we don’t care or maybe there is no money for those bigger-than-life explorations. Do students’ learn about space in school?

Space exploration may hold the keys for a lot of problems we have on earth. It is important for little boys and girls to know what space can do for them.

I have to say, the Space Buff’s Bucket List book will open your eyes to what has been accomplished already!


Barbe Awalt

First of all, I wish everyone a thoughtful Martin Luther King birthday. We all truly need to think about the direction we are going with race relations. We can do so much when all of us work together with respect for all.

Pat Hodapp is at it again. The author of the Santa Fe Bucket List book and Director of the Santa Fe Library has lined up a number of speaking engagements this spring. Some are for members only, but the one on April 23, 2017, at 11am in Collected Works in Santa Fe is about the state of the Santa Fe Library with budget cuts all around. Pat will be happy to sign copies of her Bucket List book afterward. The talk is open to the public and is free to attend.

I have to be honest. The Santa Fe Bucket List book was our highest selling book in 2016. So that makes Pat a rockstar in our eyes.

The future of all libraries is a serious topic and all people should be aware of what budget cuts mean.

Barbe Awalt

The Genealogy Checklist, a part of the Bucket List series, is now available as an ebook. It is $7.99 on Apple and Kindle. And on Kindle if you buy the print book you get the ebook version for $2.99. So you can have it to read and an ebook to travel or to use at graveyards and libraries.

It joins Kicking the Bucket List book. It is also $7.99 on Apple and Kindle but it does not have the “special price” for a print and an ebook.

These are two really good books to start out the new year. Do your genealogy and get your affairs in order.

Barbe Awalt

There is a movement in New Mexico for the 60 day Legislative Session to have a designated “official dog.” The dog is the Rez Dog. If you have gone to a reservation anywhere you see Rez Dogs.

Rez Dogs are a fact of life in New Mexico and other states as well. This would be an effort to say New Mexico is unique, not saying negative things about reservations, and celebrate the Native American culture and way of life.

Colorado has Rescue Dogs (and cats) as the official dog. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the official dog in Maryland. The dog has a proud and long history in Maryland. Our Rez Dogs would be equal to the Retriever. Why recognize a dog that doesn’t have meaning to New Mexico. I love Poodles, Beagles, and Shar Peis but they have nothing to do with New Mexico.

After you get over the idea of the proposal, you gotta say, it makes sense. It is so New Mexico! And no one else would dare have it!


Barbe Awalt

Now that we are out of holiday mode and pretending to eat well, let’s talk about sliders.

Notably, Green Chile Cheeseburger Sliders. It is not summer, but GCC Sliders are great and the perfect food for the Superbowl. You can put green chile on sliders and all kinds of cheeses.

Where can I get slider buns? I have gotten them at Smith’s, Whole Foods (pretzel), and Trader Joe’s. I am sure others have them or you can use a dinner bun that you can find everywhere.

While at it, substitute chicken, sausage, brats, veggies, and even seafood! How about a GCC Crab Slider? Cue the mouth watering!

There is only one problem with sliders. They are small so if you aren’t careful you can eat a bunch!


Barbe Awalt

Universal Letter Writing Week is January 8-14. Do you remember how to do it?

So you can fill the Personal Bucket List book with letters to friends and family. When you are done you can pass the book on. It gives you a chance to think about each person.

Or, you can write yourself a letter on what you plan to do. It can be things you NEED to do like a will, downsize, all the stuff suggested in the Kicking the Bucket List book.

Or, you can write yourself a letter about the things on your Bucket List! Put them in the Personal Bucket List book.

You know experts say, when you write something you tend to remember it more and maybe do it!



Barbe Awalt

I took a break. Too much to do for the holidays and who wanted to read my stuff when there is Christmas? So happy New Year to you! As we had a dusting of snow last night, it makes me happy!

When the New Year came I started putting together a bag for Goodwill. I am finding things I really don’t use any more!

I hit me that this is just what Kicking the Bucket book says to do. Rather than a resolution – do a bag! They recommend other things in the book: a will, put all your “information” in one place, write an obit, get things appraised, are among only a few items. What better to do when you are snowed in? I know it made me feel better!

Barbe Awalt

‘Twas the night before Christmas. Sit down with you family and write all your holiday traditions. It is a keepsake for grandkids and in 20 years things will have changed.

It would be nice to have you get a Personal Bucket List book to write everything in but you can write in a pad DEDICATED to your holiday traditions. Just get a new and nice one! You want to have it around for a while.

Write down:
Foods you HAVE to have.
Places you go every year.
Songs you have to hear.
Do you do Ugly Christmas Sweaters?
A charity you give to every year?
Is there some special thing your family does?
Special tree ornaments?
Re-gift?
Red and wrapped?
A card tradition?
When do you open gifts?
Traditions for the week between Christmas and New Years?
Do you take holiday, family photos? If so put them in the book. They will be fun to look at in 20 years.

Barbe Awalt

‘Tis the season for parties. With Christmas on Sunday, Friday and Saturday are prime party times. I am going to one and the following week is good too. New Year’s Eve is on Sunday too so you can party on Saturday.

Here are some ideas for hostess gifts:
1. You can’t go wrong with the Christmas Bucket List book. Something for the holidays and combine it with a bottle of holiday wine.
2. If they are in Santa Fe or anywhere in New Mexico give a book!
3. If you are visiting a cowboy you know what to take!
4. You can’t go wrong with a Green Chile Cheeseburger Bucket List book.
5. If they need to get their own Bucket List going give a personal Bucket List book.
6. Space, Kicking, and Genealogy are specialized but if you know the host or hostess is into this – do it!
Remember when it was bad form to go to someone’s house for dinner and parties and not take a gift? Be cool this yule!

Barbe Awalt

So you got a Bucket List book as a gift – thank you! But want to give it painlessly but with flair. No problem: Try these ideas – they work with any Bucket List book:
1. Throw it in a bag with tons of holiday candy. Done and fun!
2. Combine it with the many candy cane popcorns. Don’t take the popcorn out of the bag – it is greasy and will do no good to the book!
3. Make an in-front-of-the-fire gift. Wine or hot chocolate, pine cone starters and a match, and if you go all out an inexpensive throw blanket.
4. For the Personal Bucket List book put in a pen, post its, and a New Mexico passport.
5. The Genealogy Bucket List book is similar – pen, post its, pad of list paper, and any family histories you may have.
6. The Santa Fe and New Mexico Bucket List books can have a map, a pad, and anything else local to throw in and enjoy on a trip.
7. The Green Chile Cheeseburger Bucket List book needs a gift coupon to a place in the book and a can of Hatch Green Chiles.
8. Space Buffs can have Space Ice Cream, Star Trek Cards, or frankly anything space in the bag.
9. Cowboy is easy too – toy figurines of cowboys, Cowboy bandages, or cowboy socks!
10. Kicking the Bucket List is easy – a pad, sticky notes, marker, a map of Goodwill donation boxes, and obits!
11. The Christmas Bucket List book can have candy canes, ornaments, tinsel, holiday recipes and the dreaded fruitcake in a bag!

Have fun and the receiver will too!

Barbe Awalt

The stress of finding a fun gift! But never fear if you have run out of ideas give a Bucket List book. If you can’t find the right gift you can never go wrong with the Personal Bucket List book – they write their own list! Or Kicking the Bucket List book addresses end of life matters in a fun way – we are all going to die. Though not a Bucket List book per se, The Basic Genealogy Checklist would appeal to almost anyone. Of course the spirit of the season is the Christmas Bucket List book. Combine it with a candy cane and you are golden or red and green!

Remember, books make great gifts, they are easy to wrap or throw in a bag, simple to ship, and THEY DON’T BREAK!

Barbe Awalt

Thought you would like to see pictures of the Holiday Craft Show at Pius X High. The set up was beyond terrible! Sheets of cold, nasty rain at 6:30 am. But it stopped and the crowds came out. It was well attended and the kids and adults from Pius were great!

Sometimes you just have to bite the cranberry!

Barbe Awalt

Thought you would like to see pictures of the Holiday Stroll in Old Town. Jean Van Dusen took the pictures at Treasure House. It was Ross Van Dusen doing a signing for his new book – Lyle Got Stuck In A Tree for kids. The best selection of New Mexico books is there!

Make sure you visit me at Pius X Holiday Fair Saturday! Say hi! 9am to 4pm.


Barbe Awalt

Local of course!

Walker’s Popcorn – They have red & green chile and for the non-hot people – Christmas – red & green popcorn. Walker’s is made right in Albuquerque on Central Ave.

Hatch- Anything! Salsa, peppers, enchilada sauce. New Mexico is known for Hatch!

Ornaments – New Mexican of course!

Speaking of good chile – I always get things at the range Bernalillo store. It probably is one of the best gift stores in the area. They have chile products, the Range bottled items, and gift things you never see in other stores. The Range also has some great t-shirts.

BOOKS!! – Of course everyone is getting a copy – signed – of my Christmas Bucket List book. Kids get our great kid’s books from award-winners – Ross Van Dusen, Nasario Garcia, Rudy Anaya.

People outside of New Mexico want New Mexico products.

Barbe Awalt

For those last minute items on your list, come to the Pius X High School Holiday Fair. The Pius X High School is on Coors Blvd. on the West Side of Albuquerque. Head for the gym for the action. The Show is Saturday, 9am to 4pm.

It will also put you in the holiday mood. And we can’t say it enough, BUY LOCAL! It gives you a chance to meet the person who made the item.

We will be there with our books again and some truly great gift ideas. Of course, we will have all of our Bucket List books.

And if we are lucky, it might snow just a little. Not enough to slow shoppers down. For the La Cueva Show a few weeks ago, the day started out with a little snow to put us all in the holiday mood.

Barbe Awalt

PS — The Christmas Bucket List book hit #166 on AMAZON today! You can order your own copy of this book for an incredible price of just $11.90 (25% off) HERE! Merry Christmas.

I put Boofy’s painted windows in my Christmas Bucket List book last year because they were well done, happy, and very specific to the pet store. But I have to say, I think this year’s windows are even better. They make you smile!

I signed books at Boofy’s, Saturday, with the ultimate cowboy – Slim Randles. I could listen to Slim’s stores all day!

Boofy’s still has some signed books for kids and adults or almost adults left. There is nothing better than a booksigning with a bunch of really good-looking dogs and cats. Oh, of course there was Santa too!


Barbe Awalt

We have made it with 100 entries. So appropriate in the middle of book signings and a busy weekend. See the sign at Bookworks?

Slim Randles will be at Boofy’s Best at noon Saturday. Boofy’s is located at PETroglyph Plaza - talk about great! If you go on Plaza del Norte west it dumps you at Golf Course and Boofy’s is to the left of Smith’s.

Slim will be signing Ol’ Jimmy Dollar for kids and his new Cowboy Bucket List book that just won an Winner in the NM & AZ Book Awards. He will have some other books there too.

I will be there with the Christmas Bucket List book that has Boofy’s windows in it. They are worth seeing!

We will be with Santa but ALSO, if you buy a book you get FREE a More Pet Friends book. Talk about cool! Come over and say HI!

Also Pat Hodapp is at the Santa Fe Women’s Club Holiday Event on Saturday. She is signing her Santa Fe Bucket List. We are so proud of the book because today we are making emergency refills to stores in Santa Fe. We are happy to do it! Get it at Collected Works, Garcia Street Books, op cit, Santa Fe Botanical Gardens Store, Museums of New Mexico store, Kimberly’s Hallmark, Marcy Street Cards, and more!

Barbe Awalt

Go to nmsantos.com for four GREAT deals for gift giving OR yourself!

3 Bucket Books for $36 – 25% OFF!
OR
An Albuquerque Deal with the Balloon Bucket Book for $39 – 40% off!
And two other deals for kids books and Don Bullis’ History Books.

Award Winners and worth a look.

Deals only good until January 1, 2017 and postage is extra. Shop from the comfort from your lounge chair!

Barbe Awalt

Thursday, December 8, at Bookworks on Rio Grande Blvd, 6pm – a signing for the Christmas Bucket List book. For those of you who haven’t gotten everything you need for your gift list to be DONE – come to Bookworks. There are so many wonderful books that can make great gifts AND bookstores just don’t have books! They have t-shirts, bags, candy, cards, magnets, and even tea!

And if that weren’t enough – Gail Rubin will be a Treasure House, Saturday at 1pm with her Kicking the Bucket List book, and Pat Hodapp will be at the Santa Fe Women’s Club holiday event on Saturday!

But wait, that isn’t all! Saturday also, Slim Randles will be at Boofy’s Best for Pets on the West Side of Albuquerque with his Cowboy Bucket List Book and I will be there also with the Christmas Bucket List book. Boofy’s windows – they are great! – are in the book. We will both be there at noon WITH SANTA !

Come see us and make mince meat of your holiday list! And remember TO SHOP LOCAL! These are all good places.

Barbe Awalt

Gail Rubin and I, brave Bucket List book authors, will be at Page 1 in Albuquerque, 3:30pm today. We will be with Ross Van Dusen. He has written 4 kids books and has a new one out – Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree.

Poor Ross – such an underachiever! He is only the Best Book Children’s Book Winner in the 2016 10th Anniversary NM & AZ Book Awards and a Gold Medalist in the 2016 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Come to think about it, Gail is a past Best Book Winner too!

Maybe I am the underachiever – I have only won a bunch of Winners in the category. I will have to try harder.

Barbe Awalt

A lot of HO!HO!HO! going on this weekend!

The Old Town, Albuquerque, Stroll is Friday night. This is a great way to see the lights, participate in the lighting of the Old Town Tree, and stroll or shop – whatever you want! Many shops have hot cider or cocoa. Go early and get a parking space then stroll. Make sure you say hi! to Ross Van Dusen in Treasure House. He will sign a book for your favorite elf! This is the beat way to see Old Town lights. So festive!

The La Cueva Holiday Crafts show is Saturday and say hi! to ME! selling books! I will also be with Ross, and Gail Rubin – another Bucket List book author at Page One Books on Sunday at 3:30pm. You can get a lot of gifts at a bookstore.

Barbe Awalt

It started as a kinda joke. Now the Tumbleweed Snowman is a symbol of the holiday season.

The Snowman is on the side of I40 near the Big I. Now you can have a fast look at the Snowman going West but do not stop to take pictures or to look. IT IS DANGEROUS TO STOP ON I40.

But you can go on Menual and work your way back to the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority building and park there. It is a short walk up to take pictures and look at the Snowman. It is a lot safer.

Or go to the Twinkle Light Parade! Last year it was on a float.

Barbe Awalt

Talk about manufactured! Cyber Monday really? And frankly, Cyber Monday’s time has come to go. If you shop you just don’t do it on Cyber Monday. Now there are so many fake and misleading sales – who needs it?

I will confess, I need the instant gratification of seeing and feeling the product and coming home WITH THE BAG! If you have something delivered you have to watch out for the Grinches who follow UPS, Fed Ex, and even US Mail trucks to rip you off. Who needs it?

Sure shop but be a wise consumer. Check prices and think about what you are doing. A tip – shop during the week. No crowds and no rush! But you get all of the holiday feelings.

Barbe Awalt

I didn’t do Black Friday. It has gotten out of hand. I don’t like crowds or pushing and not finding what I want. I went to Whole Foods and no one was there. Frankly, I have all my gifts done! But now I am starting on next year.

But it is time to mail the boxes. One thing you can do this weekend is take a picture with Santa and put it in your boxes and gifts.

I hope I see you at Treasure House for my signing today at 1pm. We all need to shop small and local businesses. This is my way of saying they are important. They are also festive!


Barbe Awalt

May you all have a stuffed day with family and friends! And please don’t go shopping today! There is a limit!

If you go out the next three days remember to shop local. Sure, you can go to a big box or chain store but remember local stores too! You can often find unusual and gotta-have stuff there.

Saturday is Shop Small Business/Local day put on by American Express. Go to at least one local store and even if you don’t buy tell them you love their assortment and you will be back.

To celebrate, I am doing a booksigning at Treasure House Books in Old Town Albuquerque. The Small Business Day is in my Christmas Bucket List book and Treasure House was the inspiration. No place I would rather be!


— Barbe Awalt

The new issue of Village Vision magazine came out Saturday for folks in the Village of Los Ranchos to learn about our Bucket List books. We are in the Village and have always been proud of our books. Unfortunately, the Village hasn’t quite figured out that they have an award-winning publisher in the Village limits, even though we tell them. Actually, there are at least two award-winning publishers in the North Valley. Fresco Fine Arts is right on the edge the Village but…..

To make it even more interesting Fresco and Rio Grande Books had the two Best Books in the NM & AZ Book Awards – Best Adult Book, Pure Quill and Best Children’s Book, How Crocka Dog Came to Be. Our hats off to Susan McGarry, Barbara Van Cleve, and Ross Van Dusen.

They are not Bucket List books but we are proud of them just the same. It is too bad the Los Ranchos Village isn’t proud of them too! Think of the things the Village could do with them!

- Barbe Awalt

Last night was the NM & AZ Book Awards Banquet and the Winners in the Book Awards were announced. I am very happy to say that all of the Bucket List Books entered received awards.

Cowboy Bucket List Book - Winner
Green Chile Cheeseburger List Books – Winner
Space Buff’s Bucket List Book – Winner
AND
Santa Fe Bucket Book List Book – 2 Winners – First Book & Small Book Cover

The books sell very well and are now Winners. What more could you ask for?

To mark the win – the four Bucket List Books are $10 (plus postage) Saturday and Sunday (this offer expires at midnight on Nov 20, 2016. Why $10? It is to mark the 10th Anniversary of the NM & AZ Book Awards. Don’t delay because this is a really good deal!

- Barbe Awalt

Kicking the Bucket List has been very popular with both people who want to downsize and family or friends SUGGESTING downsizing. It is a gift that can start a conversation. Order on Amazon HERE

The Cowboy Bucket List book is for those cowboys or almost cowboys who need a little spur to get going. Order on Amazon HERE

- Barbe Awalt

Pat Hodapp will be signing copies of her Santa Fe Bucket List book at Kim’s Hallmark – Santa Fe in College Plaza near Santa Fe Community College. If you haven’t met Pat you need to say hi! Also, go to Kim’s to get in the holiday spirit! It will be fun and festive – who could ask for more?

AND her Santa Fe Bucket List book is in the December New Mexico Magazine! Look for it - on newsstands now!


- Barbe Awalt

Gotta say kids – older kids – will love this book. Try it out and use a Tip Sheet to see if it hits the mark.


- Barbe Awalt


Get your copy of the "Ten Fun Activities to Whet the Interests of a Space Buff" tip sheet by emailing LPDPress@q.com

Henrietta Martinez Christmas said a tip sheet would work and it has ALREADY! Hats off to Paul Rhetts for putting them together! This is a great way to see if you like the books and information for you to use. So this week we are going to put them out for you!

Email us at LPDPress@q.com to get your FREE copy of "A Dozen Tips to Get You Started in Researching Your Genealogy/Family History".

- Barbe Awalt

This Sunday, all day, the Balloon Museum in Albuquerque has free admission because you can also see the holiday fair! Local crafters, authors, publishers, and gift makers will have their fares! We will be there with our books including all the Bucket List Books at a special price. This is a great chance to bring the kids – FREE ADMISSION!! They can look at balloons and you can shop and you can all get in the spirit of the holidays!

- Barbe Awalt

I know you are dying to get Bucket Books and here are some places that have them: Bookworks and Treasure House Books in Albuquerque. Page 1 has a few but they know where to get more titles. Collected Works in Santa Fe has the Santa Fe Bucket List. Kim’s Hallmark, Marcy Street Cards, and op cit have more titles. Other places in Santa Fe and Albuquerque may have some books because they order from another place. The Range Cafe store – Home at the Range has many titles and they know where to get more. The Little Store in Peralta – south of Albuquerque, carries many titles.

For some true made in New Mexico things go to the Balloon Museum Holiday fair next Sunday. Admission to the Museum is free ALL DAY! We will have all the Bucket List Books at our booth. And I bet we have special Fair prices on all our books. Do I hear shopping bells?

Start shopping early before the crowds and when you finish early you can enjoy December. There is nothing better than sipping hot chocolate and looking out the window at the falling snow! Here is an idea – have the Christmas Bucket List book to read at Thanksgiving or the Kicking the Bucket List to encourage family to prepare. Get stories with the stuffing!


- Barbe Awalt

I just watched the news and there were so many doom and gloom predictions for Tuesday and beyond. So use this weekend to get ready.

Shop for books for you and gifts. That way if you have to hold–up, you can READ – what a novel idea! If you read you can also tune out the election. 8 out of 10 people say they are now repulsed by the election. I am too – I have had enough!

We are optimistic and have a number of events planned for next weekend. Pat Hodapp will be meeting and greeting and signing the Santa Fe Bucket List book next Friday at Kim’s Hallmark in Santa Fe. Pat and Barbe are at Op Cit in Santa Fe, on Saturday at De Vargas Mall at 1pm. You also see all of our books – Bucket List books and all – all day at the Balloon Museum Holiday Fair in Albuquerque on Sunday, November13. There is free admission all day! What a deal! Get into the spirit!

The election will be behind us. Now get in the spirit next weekend!



- Barbe Awalt

This year above all others, we have to get our heads on straight. Christmas and Thanksgiving are not about sales and presents. They are about thanks and goodwill. I am very happy to see stores saying they will not open on Thanksgiving. No one needs to stuff in food and run to sales. I have always felt badly for employees of those stores working on Thanksgiving. There is more than enough time to shop and frankly, stores have up holiday stuff NOW!

In honor of Authors Day! We have a bucket list book deal for you! To get your shopping off and to promote READING!

New Mexico Collection

Universal Bucket List Book Collection

Personal Collection

Full Set

Gail Rubin will be signing her new Kicking the Bucket List book at Bookworks TODAY! Sunday, October 30, at 3pm. Bookworks is on Rio Grande Blvd. in Dietz Farm, North Valley.

Come say hi to Gail and wear your best spooky attire – but no clowns please! Get a jump on your gifts for the holidays at the cool stores in the strip mall. You may need last minute things for Halloween too!

- Barbe Awalt

Gail Rubin brought up an interesting thing at her talk at the NM Book Co-op. She spoke about inheriting your parent’s stuff and what to do with it.

If we have parents, they have given us things; some things that do not work any longer. They can’t part with them and think if they give it to us they are off the hook emotionally. The problem is, we don’t want it! So get rid of it! We do not have an emotional attachment to the things.

Now, not to say all things from parents are white elephants or bad. I have gotten some great stuff from my mother but some of the things she has given me over many years, are not so hot. I still have a card written by my grandmother that is nice. It doesn’t say anything important but I remember her when I read it. We have to remember the things given to us have the best intentions but still…….

Maybe we need to downsize and get rid of things before we are plowed under from things from our parents. Start now!

Gail also gave some stats about how unprepared we are. Gotta get on that!

- Barbe Awalt

Gail Rubin will be featured at Bookworks in Albuquerque, on Rio Grande Blvd., Sunday, October 30, from 3-5pm.

Gail REALLY wanted that day to roll out her new book. Why? Because October 30, is Create A Great Funeral Day!

Get a jump on holiday buying by getting books for everyone on your list at Bookworks while you are there. Books make the best gift. They don’t break, can work for others long past one person reading them, and they can be funny and useful. And you know kids need a good book for a holiday gift. Forget the underwear – you can get that in the White Sale in February! Get Kicking the Bucket List book – we all can use it!


- Barbe Awalt

Gail Rubin will be the featured speaker at the NM Book Co-op lunch at Golden Corral in Albuquerque near Cliff’s on Friday, October 28. Meeting starts at noon but people start coming for lunch as early as 11am.

Gail will be talking about how her new book and books in general give authors a leg up and portray them as “experts.” Gail has an impressive resume and has made a name for herself as the Doyenne of Death. This is her month!

Gail’s message is important above and beyond the whole Halloween thing. We are all going to die so get ready for it and do it your way. Dying is a mind-set. It doesn’t have to be scary. It is an event that will happen to everyone.

Being an author of a book can get you on TV, radio, in papers, magazines, and potentially speaking to groups that may lead to back-of-the-room sales on your books. The name of the game is getting your name and reputation out there.

If you come to the lunch there is no fee to attend and it is open to everyone BUT you must pay for your own buffet lunch and buffets offer something for everyone.


- Barbe Awalt

Such a coincidence! #33 is “Write Your Family History.” It just so happens that one of our books next year will be on that topic by Henrietta Martinez Christmas and Paul Rhetts. The advantage of writing it down is you can give it to other family members. They may not be interested in their family history now but just wait!

You can also use the Personal Bucket List books for members of your family to do that very thing. Who knows, a gift to a family member can be re-gifted to another family member when the research is done.
That is also in Gail Rubin’s Kicking the Bucket List book. Re-gift with a purpose! Re-gift with some family pictures!

- Barbe Awalt

It is no secret that I love libraries. I always have used them; as a student in Cockeysville, Maryland, I used my library a lot. As a book publisher, libraries are my best friend.

Gail Rubin has in her book that if you have a lot of extra books, donate them to a library. They will do two things with your donation: circulate any books they want or need, and sell them in their used book events. The money raised goes toward library programs. You do not have a say on which option they will take. When you donate books you say goodbye to them. But either way, they help your library.

AND you are helped because you have reduced the books in your collection. Do you actually read or need all those books?

To find out what library to donate to, find out if they like local books. Libraries should have a good collection of local books – that is one of the topics people want to use. Local books may have a different perspective on local matters.

This is a good time to find out about your libraries. This year there are a couple of library bond on the ballot in New Mexico. Usually, libraries are one of the first things cut when there are money problems despite the fact that library usage is up. Support you local library and downsize your books!

- Barbe Awalt

The very first item in the Kicking the Bucket List book is “Release Your Attachments.” This is an important way to start off and get into a mind-set that makes you more productive and frankly, healthier.

How many times have we said, “I am going to wear that dress – it is so beautiful – but I just can’t find the occasion.” Or, “I want a knick-knack I see. I don’t have a use for it but I just can’t leave it in a store.” Or just keeping things because I will deal with them tomorrow or it is expected I keep things given to me. Or my problem – it is on sale!

Enough! You can’t take anything with you to the greater beyond and if you move to a smaller place, do you really want to pack those things and take them? We all have too much – clothes, trinkets, books, shoes, papers, files, electronic stuff that has no use, and the list goes on and on. There is something to be said for the Tiny House Movement. It forces you to downsize. It forces you to decide what is important.

Sure, if a stuffed toy from your childhood is important, keep it. But maybe the twenty other stuffed toys are not really needed. The saying – “If you haven’t worn or used it in two years, it has to go.” - is true. What haven’t you used? As we get older, simple is best!


- Barbe Awalt

The week before Halloween couldn’t be a better week for Kicking the Bucket. It is a time to think about death and all the things you want to do to get ready. Face it – we all have to go sometime!

Some of the things I am personally doing:
Cut down on kitchen crap - #70
Minimize old medications - # 71
Evaluate your stuff - #93
Sit down with a certified financial planner -#38
Clear out the bathroom - #73
Reduce gift-wrap reserves - #75
Cut back on Christmas décor - #76
Recycle old paper files - #31

There is nothing that feels as good as ridding yourself of garbage, clutter, excess, or stuff you just haven’t used in about a million years. Do it! The weather is beautiful to open the windows and declutter!



- Barbe Awalt

Why is Kicking the Bucket important NOW? We are all getting older. That is a fact. Another fact is we will not live forever. And a third fact is we can’t take it with us.

With all of that in mind, we have too much stuff and we are not taking care of the business of dying. You might say thinking about dying is dark and ugly but we need to think of it as just another thing we have to do – like flu shots, taxes, and maybe New Year’s resolutions.

If we want something done right or done the way we want it done we have to do it ourselves. Take time to make a will so people you want to get certain things will get them. Do your own obit to say the things the way you want. It may make you happy to see what you have accomplished. It may scream to do a few more things that you haven’t done. Get things appraised. Values change in time – up or down. We need to know.

But above everything, clear out the excess! Too many books, records, films, clothes, jewelry, papers, and much more. Downsize NOW! And make sure important documents are together both for you to find fast in case of a problem or for loved ones to find.

This generation needs to get its’ act together. NOW! What time better than the end of the year?

By the way, Kicking the Bucket List is now available in paperback, Kindle and iBooks.

PAPERBACK: http://nmsantos.com/Bookstore/Kick-Bucket/Kick-Bucket.html

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Kicking-Bucket-List-Downsizing-Organizing/dp/1943681155/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AQ82CX4G2C4B3KVJ27GH

APPLE: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kicking-the-bucket-list/id1167108702?mt=11


- Barbe Awalt

We are starting the craft show/holiday fair season. There is nothing better to get in the spirit – nothing better than a little cold weather! Right now it is in the 80’s! Too hot! Hopefully that will change – no climate warming right?

A craft show or holiday fair can be a community event, school or church fair, or a fine art show. It doesn’t matter. It is festive and there is the required hustle and bustle. It also doesn’t matter if you buy though it is hard not to buy and the vendors would prefer you buy.

I buy local. Of course sometimes you have to get things at a big box store or chain but local art, crafts, books, wines, foods, and other things are best and fun. Local people are the backbone of the economy. Support them and take time to go to a local event. You will come away with a smile and a little HOHOHO!

- Barbe Awalt

We were thrilled to be invited to the ceremony for Ollie Reed Jr. & Rod Taylor, who received the Max Evans Rounders Award from The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Governor’s Mansion in Santa Fe ear;her this week. Slim Randles, author of the Cowboy Bucket List book and previous Rounder winner was there along with Don Bullis who was also a Rounder winner. Of course Max and Pat Evans were there. We are friends of Ollie’s and he was truly touched to have received the award. Ollie is a good-old-boy!

One of the guests was Pat Hodapp, the author of the Santa Fe Bucket List book. She will be speaking today at Women Write the West Conference in Santa Fe. Pat will also be presenting at the New Mexico Library Association Conference in Albuquerque, November 3 & 4. She is busy!

- Barbe Awalt

To say Gail Rubin is a go-getter is an understatement. She is dynamite. Here are just a few of her engagements so far!

October 18, 7pm Southwest Writers at New Life Presbyterian Church – 5540 Eubank NE, Alb.
October 34 &35, National Funeral Director Association Convention and Expo, 4pm at the Funeral Business Advisor Magazine Booth #2837, Philadelphia
October 28, New Mexico Book Co-op Lunch Meeting noon (but people come early to eat), Golden Corral 52007 San Mateo NE, Alb.
October 30, Bookworks, 3pm, signing of Kicking the Bucket, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. Celebrate Create a Great Funeral Day!
November 7, OASIS Albuquerque, 10:30am, 3301 Menaul NE #18.
November 21, Professional Organizers of New Mexico 3pm (private)
December 4, Page One Books, 3:30 pm 5850 Eubank B-41, signing Kicking the Bucket
December 10, Treasure House Books, 1pm, Old Town Albuquerque, signing Kicking the Bucket

Whew!!!!!!!!

- Barbe Awalt

Which books wanted?

Congrats to Slim Randles, Loretta Hall, Pat Hodapp, and me ! We are all Finalists in the NM & AZ Book Awards. The Winners will be announced November 18 at Tanoan in Albuquerque. We are keeping our toes crossed. I can say without exception these are a good group of authors – me not so much.

Slim is madly working on his Fly Fishing Bucket List book. Pat has about a million ideas for another – she loved the process so much. I have a Crab Bucket List book coming our next year. Loretta is working on a kid’s book.

For a FLASH SALE DAY – any of the Bucket Books List books are $11@ (plus shipping) for one week – until Wednesday October 19, 2016! Get a jump on gift buying for the holidays!


- Barbe Awalt

This is the time of year when you love the outdoors. I am not saying camp but I am saying enjoy the trees turning colors and notice how the foliage is getting ready for winter. Enjoy Santa Fe and that is a good place to see a wide view of fall colors.

When you are up on Museum Hill, do stop by the Museum Hill Café for one of the best lunches I have had in a while. It is a very good place to read your Santa Fe Bucket List book! Just saying.


- Barbe Awalt

Sunday was the last day of Balloon Fiesta. So long until next year. But it gives you plenty of time to get your pilot’s license and a balloon! Some of us have ballooning all year but to the rest of you – see you next year! Sky’s the limit!


- Barbe Awalt

There is something breathtaking about Dawn Patrol. In the early morning dark, the balloon-usually about six- fly like lanterns in the sky. All balloons are not permitted to fly in Dawn Patrol. The balloons have to have special things so they can go up in the dark. Do go early to Fiesta so you can see Dawn Patrol. Get the pin too!

- Barbe Awalt

It is very important to have a really cool and different balloon vehicle at Fiesta. In the picture (partially!) is the trolley car we used to use. We had to put a sign at the door because random people thought it was the Old Town Trolley and they could just hop on. The trolley was sold to the Village of Los Ranchos.

Now we use a ½ size school bus. It fits a lot of people and the trailer for the balloon attaches on the back. We can see a school bus on the Fiesta Field and to my knowledge no one else has one.

The advantage to a vehicle that everyone can fit on is the protection from the wind, rain and cold. It also means everyone can get on the Fiesta Field with the balloon. And then when everything is over, everyone goes to breakfast en masse. When it is still dark, there are a lot of asleep people in the school bus.

Our wish list: a vehicle with bathroom and a lift gate on the trailer.

- Barbe Awalt

Zebras don’t get enough praise for what they do. Zebras are the launch officials that dress in stripes like zebras. They travel in packs. Zebras are the final word on launching. Pilots respect Zebras!

Our friend Pam is a Zebra. You don’t get to be a Zebra by looking pretty. You are trained and mentored to do the job. All the Zebras we know are balloon pilots or crew. It is so important to do a good Zebra job when there are thousands of spectators and hundreds of balloons.

Look for Zebras on the Fiesta Field. They have their own pin and they might trade with you. And our friend Pam is pretty cute, too!

- Barbe Awalt

Yes, it is out! I had the first signing the Ultimate Christmas Bucket List book. The signing was at Greeting & Reading in Hunt Valley, Maryland, last Tuesday. That is one of my favorite stores and I remember going to Greetings & Readings at their old location many moons ago!

This is going to be a perfect stocking stuffer, secret Santa gift, or for the person who loves the holiday season like I do.

It will be sneaked at the Hot Air Balloon book signing at Treasure House in Old Town Albuquerque on October 8, 1-3pm. Come in and say hi! Or HO! HO! HO!

- Barbe Awalt

I talk about having all of the balloon books you can in your library. There is a new book out and our friend, Tom McConnell gave me a copy just in time for Fiesta. It is called: Images of Modern American, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta by Tom, Dick Brown, John Davis, Charlotte Kinney, Dick Rice, John Sena, Kim Vesely, and with cooperation of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Heritage Committee. The book is by Arcadia Publishing.

I do like Arcadia because they document all of the special interest topics and places in the United States. Without their books a lot of our history would be lost. Having a little inside information, I know that Arcadia first approached AIBF about doing a book years ago and wanted to do it all black & white. That just wouldn’t work for one of the most colorful events known. So it took a while and it does add cost to the book, but it is now in color.

Each year, AIBF has official photographers take thousands of photos of the event and except for a few photos, the public really doesn’t see them. So this is a good chance.

Tom, Dick Brown and Kim were part of the gang of four with Paul Rhetts, who put together and wrote The World Comes to Albuquerque for the 40th anniversary of Fiesta. That book, in my mind is still the greatest book. But it has sold out.

So before you go to Fiesta READ UP! These also make great gifts. You can never have too many balloon books!

- Barbe Awalt

Steve Stucker and his funny hat and coat with tons of pins, is a part of Balloon Fiesta. Steve is a valuable part of the community and supports Vets, pets, food, festivals, and motorcycles. He is good people.

It is my hope that when Steve retires that he still be brought back to do Fiesta for KOB TV 4. Hell, Fiesta ought to hire him as good pr! We all love Steve and thank him for all he does. There is method in his madness.


- Barbe Awalt

I say attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in a week because the kick-off event is Albuquerque Aloft next Friday, weather permitting. It is a great chance to get up close to the balloons, crew, and the pilot. It is also a chance to see kids learning about ballooning.

Go to the AIBF website to find out more about Balloons Aloft.

- Barbe Awalt

Pat Hodapp killed them at the Santa Fe Women’s Club. What a surprise! She knows so much about Santa Fe and is so personable. We were happy to have a special for the Club – a discount for the women who bought a book and $2 for each title bought for the Santa Fe Library. The Women’s Club (now 125 years young) started the Library as their project so they have a place in their hearts for the Library.

The word is, they are having a holiday event December 10 and besides visiting some great homes they are going to have refreshments and booths at the Club. Nice! Festive! And they want us back!

If you get a chance, see the Club building off Old Pecos Trail. It is a keeper and we almost lost it a few years back. It has so much history. Also their Flea Market is coming up in October – don’t miss it!

- Barbe Awalt

The weather is starting to turn fall-like. That means the temperature is getting cooler at night and perfect weather to watch a good cowboy movie. We have some great movies listed in the Cowboy Bucket List book courtesy of Ol’ Don Bullis.

They keep making cowboy movies in hopes there will be a revival. Frankly, there are very few movies likes the old movies. Check them out!


- Barbe Awalt

Sandia Pueblo and Balloon Fiesta went at it again. Sandia didn’t want any balloons to land or fly over. For about a week they couldn’t agree and then people start to talk boycott. Talk about bad blood!

Sandia has one of the best views of the Balloon Field ever. People said boycott the casino, Bien Mur, eateries, and hotel. All make good money during Fiesta.

The new agreement is balloons can land on Pueblo land but have to call first to pick up the balloon. That is what has happened. Trust me, my balloon landed on Pueblo land and it was all day getting it back. We had to be escorted to go get it.

Also, balloons can not fly over Pueblo land lower than 200 feet. Who is measuring?

This is childish. Call-in shows had people saying that this is how they stick it to Anglos. Balloon crews rip up Pueblo land. Sandia makes great money during Fiesta because of Fiesta. Balloon Fiesta balloons need Sandia Pueblo in case they have to land. Get over it. For 11 days a year you can both cooperate. Jeez!!!


- Barbe Awalt

For blog readers a bunch of deals!
The celebrate Balloon Fiesta October 1 – The Hot Air Balloon Bucket Book $12@

The Annual Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge was held Monday at the New Mexico State Fair/EXPO. Ten eateries entered versus the seven I had to judge in Santa Fe. I bet the judges were full!

The eateries were:
Fuddruckers (winner the past two years)
Big Mike’s Grill in Belen
Sparky’s in Hatch
Sadie’s in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, & Bernalillo
The Eklund in Clayton
Stuart Brothers Brewing in Albuquerque
Laguna Burger in Laguna
Los Chavez Café’s HUB City Grill in Belen
Pasion Latin Fusion in Albuquerque
El Bruno’s in Albuquerque & Cuba

The winners are: Laguna Burger -1st place and Stuart Brothers Brewing -2nd place. The People’s Choice Awards is Sparky’s.

But the real winner is you if you can sample some of the burgers – they are all good.



- Barbe Awalt

I LOVE milkshakes and the best is chocolate. What goes better with Green Chile Cheeseburgers? Usually the places that have a great GCC also have a good milkshake. The Today Show had a chocolate milkshake tasting and McDonald’s came out first.

We will let you know the results of the Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge at Expo today. The last two year’s of the Challenge, Fuddruckers has won.

I will be the first to toast Loretta Hall who just won the 2016 Communicator of Achievement from National Press Women at the national convention. I may be prejudiced but it couldn’t happen to a nicer and more deserving person.

As the author of the Space Buff’s Bucket List book we joke and call her spacey. Now we will call her super space woman! Congrats!

- Barbe Awalt

First, and most importantly, we need to keep remembering 9/11. So many people did not get a chance to do their bucket lists. Maybe that is why bucket lists are so important. You never know when you will run out of time.

To do something lighter – more pictures of the Edible Smackdown.

- Barbe Awalt

- Barbe Awalt

- Barbe Awalt

- Barbe Awalt

Our friends, the Turners, from the East Coast, came to New Mexico with their grandkids. In preparation, they got the Santa Fe and New Mexico Bucket List books. They had all kinds of insights and suggestions. The books helped make their trip fun and memorable.

We ended their trip at County Line in Albuquerque, with great food and the usual, great, New Mexico sunset.

— Barbe Awalt

We are thrilled to announce that the newest Bucket List Book, Kicking The Bucket List, has arrived and author Gail Rubin saw it for the first time yesterday.

Gail has many speaking and TV appearances lined up! After Toastmasters today; she has the New Mexico Coalition on Aging on August 24, at Isleta Casino south of Albuquerque. She will knock them dead?!?!?!?!

Make sure to take advance of our Deal to buy Kicking The Bucket List book until August 31- SIGNED for $12@ plus shipping. Get your holiday shopping done early and relax OR use the time to start doing some of the things in Kicking The Bucket List!

— Barbe Awalt

To commemorate the arrival of Gail Rubin’s book, Kicking The Bucket List, we have a deal for you! Get a signed copy of the brand, new book at $12@ plus shipping. Shop now for the holidays! This deal is good from now until August 31, 2016. The book arrives tonight!

We have had great success packaging the Bucket List Books in gift packs for shows. We have each of the signed books in a pack that reflects what the book is about: chile, necklace, charms, a cowboy scarf and badge, Star Wars cards, and much more. The whole idea is to put together a little something to make the Bucket List Books special. Good for gifts!

But, you can do it too! Start with a bucket, of all sizes, at a place like Hobby Lobby. I know they have buckets because I buy my buckets there to display at stores. You can put the Bucket List Book in the bucket with candy, seeds, cowboy stuff, postcards, a gift from Santa Fe or New Mexico, Balloon Fiesta stuff, all kinds of space things, or New Mexican incense – piñon of course!

For the new books, you can be as creative. Make a bucket of Day-of-the Dead things for Kicking The Bucket List. For the Christmas Bucket List you can go crazy. Ornaments for the tree, earrings for the holidays, foods, candies, tinsel, and even coal – ho ho ho! Put everything in a stocking to be festive.

It shows with a simple book you can put together an elegant gift. A gift to please and surprise anyone. And you can do this with any book – not just with Bucket List Books! Have fun!


— Barbe Awalt

Everyone wants to do a Bucket List Book with us. But we are trying to be careful and do books that haven’t been done to death. These are a few that are powering ahead that we are excited about.

The Ultimate Fly-Fishing Bucket List book by Slim Randles is a love of Slim’s. He wrote our Cowboy Bucket List book and the Fly-Fishing is scheduled to come out in the spring.

Slim knows fishing. Slim fishes. And the Bucket List book is a glimpse into all 50 states and what they have to offer the world of fly-fishing. In true Slim style it is facts about fishing but his signature stories.
A great book for Father’s Day.

The Ultimate Chile Bucket List book by Ana Baca gives her personal insight into the world of chile. Granted this will probably be a best selling book on travel into the South American country of Chile – no lie. But this book is about all the things that have made chile (our New Mexico spelling – not C_H_I_L_I!) as popular and big business.

Ana comes from the Baca family of Bueno Foods. They know chile! Ana has been around chile all her life and has seen chile from all over the world. This is just not New Mexico chile! This Bucket List book will be ready, hopefully, by the Fiery Foods Show in March.

The Ultimate Crab Bucket List book celebrates crabs all over the world. In New Mexico people may say – What? – Crabs? But in Maryland they are a big deal. It is fun to eat what you write about!

See these Bucket List Books next year.


— Barbe Awalt

I make no bones about it – I love Christmas. I look forward to the Christmas songs on Magic FM radio. They come on in November! Maybe it is because I am a cold weather person – I hate heat.

I love the foods, traditions, smells, sights, and lights, of Christmas. The holidays are not just for shopping. In fact, I am finished shopping for gifts in October. I do confess though, I shop for fun, holiday-themed things and just bask in the feeling of Christmas.

I have Christmas sweaters, Christmas vests, Christmas jewelry, and I discovered last Christmas, the best Christmas hat — ever! Are there Christmas shoes?

People are nicer during the season. The products offered by stores can be more interesting. Staring with Thanksgiving, the time goes quickly. It IS the most wonderful time of the year.

The Ultimate Christmas Bucket List book is a way for you and your family to revisit the things about Christmas you may have forgotten and write down your traditions. There are foods and activities from all over the world.

Everything about Christmas isn’t listed but most is. It does make you remember about all the things that are REALLY important. I just can’t WAIT! The Christmas Bucket List book will be out momentarily. Give it to someone you love and remember.

— Barbe Awalt

Let’s face it. We are all going to die at some point. We hope you live a very full and long life but you are going to die. Are you ready?

Have you downsized all the stuff you have accumulated? Have you written your obit so you have said what you want to get out to the public? Have you made arrangements for the things you want to go to family and friends? If your pets survive you, have you made arrangements for them? Have you had appraised all the art, property, jewelry, and other stuff you have? Have you made arrangements for your memorial service or funeral? Have you gotten your affairs in order?

Gail Rubin has written a new, Kicking The Bucket List book and she makes all the points in a funny and matter–of-fact way. Gail is the Doyenne of Death but it is a good thing. She is an expert on dying the way you want. She promotes everything in its place and ready.

You know the old saying – you can’t avoid taxes and dying? We hate taxes but we aren’t afraid of them. We just study, get our receipts ready, and file. The same goes for dying. You just have to be ready and not fear dying. And like Frank Sinatra said, Do It My Way!

You can read this Bucket List yourself and also give it as a gift. Give it with a journal so someone can make notes of what they have to and want to do. The Kicking The Bucket List will be out the first part of September and it is a good thing! It got me thinking and acting!

— Barbe Awalt

There is no doubt about it, green chile cheeseburgers are good eats. New Mexico is blessed with many good green chile cheeseburgers. In fact, every eatery around has a green chile cheeseburger. They can be beef, pork, lamb, or even turkey and chicken. The type of roll is endless as is the slice of cheese. Green chile has to be from Hatch or somewhere else in New Mexico – no out-of-state stuff, please!

The Green Chile Cheeseburger Bucket List book came out the end of June. It is a tasty treat especially for a gift. Combine it with some salsa, can of chopped green chiles from Hatch, and even some chile seasoning and you are set.

One nasty little secret is that the book is listed on Amazon as a Chile – the country, travel book. You see the robots that work on Amazon, think chile is a country and not a food. That has happened with our How Chile Came to New Mexico and Chile Trivia books. Sad! We in New Mexico, constantly have to remind folks that it is C-H-I-L-E not chili.

I am eating right now: The Jersey Mike’s Chipotle Cheese Steak, The Range Green Chile Cheeseburger, Burger Bite’s Green Chile Cheeseburger, and of course Blake’s, but there are so many more.

Think about the Green Chile Cheeseburger Bucket List book when you go around and smell roasting chile in the air.

— Barbe Awalt

Pat Hodapp, the author of the Santa Fe Bucket List book, is the Director of the Santa Fe Library. She knows stuff. She knows stuff about Santa Fe. AND she knows stuff about books. She is also a newbie at book publishing but you would never know that by the way she tackles book promotion and her sales. She is a pro!

We say constantly, to promote a book you have to do radio, TV, magazines, newspapers, and the internet. Pat has done all of it. She has had booksignings. She knows everyone! The other thing that helps us track the Santa Fe Bucket List book’s success is sales on Amazon. It is the perfect book for tourists or residents who will have a visitor.

The reason so many people love the Santa Fe Bucket List book is because it is Pat’s personal loves of Santa Fe. There are stories, personal pictures, tips, and places that you want to go see.

The Ultimate Santa Fe Bucket List book came out in June and already it is one of the books that has made a name for itself. When you stop in the Main Santa Fe Library, downtown, ask if Pat is there and say hi!

— Barbe Awalt

Loretta Hall is our space expert. Her first two books with us – Out of This World and Space Pioneers – won Best of Show at the NM & AZ Book Awards and they went on to win other awards. Two months ago, she competed and won 4th place as Space Ambassador for the National Space Society in Puerto Rico. This was no small competition! She is also the President for the New Mexico Press Women. And probably most important, Loretta helps the NM & AZ Book Awards Banquet as one of the “Vannas,” passing out awards in November.

So, it was natural that Loretta write a Bucket Book for lover’s of all things space. There are 100 items: movies, books, Tang, jewelry, history, and the people who made space exploration fun. A perfect gift for the older kid or adult with a fascination for space.

Loretta is a go-getter and speaks all over the world. He latest gig in August 11, 2016, in Alamogordo, New Mexico, for Lunch & Learn at 11:30AM. If you are in the area, rainee.mackewich@fnb4u.com.

Loretta can also be seen at Treasure House in Old Town, Albuquerque on August 14, 1-3pm and Bubonicon for a talk on August 28, at 12:30 – 1:30pm, at the Albuquerque Marriott on Louisiana & I 40.

Loretta and her daughter are set to have a new book for kids on the New Mexico Spaceport come out soon. Loretta also is writing many articles for magazines on space. Like I said, a real go-getter!

— Barbe Awalt

What can you say about Slim Randles? He competed in the Iditarod, shoots, hunts, fishes, was a journalist in Alaska, California, and New Mexico, and now an author here. He is one of our shining lights and always makes us laugh. Slim has also won a lot of awards for his books – we like that.

After he wrote three adult books for us, I said he had to write a kid’s book. Slim was kicking and screaming but he did it. It was good. And it won awards too! Ol’ Jimmy Dollar is a fun gift for kids. And who can resist those dogs?

So, I asked Slim to write a Cowboy Bucket List book. When I got the manuscript, some of the items were longer than a page – our standard for the series. I said I can edit them with no problem. After I read them I didn’t want to touch them. Slim’s stories ran a little long and who cares? They still are good.

Slim in now working on a Fly Fishing Bucket List book for the spring. He fits that writing in with his syndicated newspaper column and syndicated radio show.

— Barbe Awalt

We thought having a Hot Air Balloon Bucket List book, especially for Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque would be a no brainer. A friend began to write it and tears later, the forces of evil prevented her from doing it. There is a lot more to the story but who cares?

So I said, I have been on a balloon crew for 20+ years, and I know a lot of pilots, so why not? I began to write it. The book features ballooning not just in Albuquerque but all over the world. NOTE: With the recent accident in Texas, you have to understand the hot air balloon is a sport and can be dangerous. It is a beautiful sport but it can kill you.

The Bucket List book was a HUGE success for Balloon Fiesta in 2015. I had seven book signings in nine days. The best was the Gondola Club. Who can find fault with lobster and overlooking the Balloon Field? I took a lot of pictures. The book was also carried in local Costco’s. It was fun to talk with newbies. They still think you can steer a balloon.

Already, I have signings for Balloon Fiesta for this year. I hope to get another signing at the Gondola Club!

The reason I like ballooning so much is the friendship from our pilots, Frank Bacon and Bill Douglas. But the crew is pretty special too: Shannon, Josh, Ana, Dianna, Tim, Kalynn, Twyla, Barbara, Cindy, Paul, and all the others including the kids. We even have the Baltimore girls flying in to Albuquerque each year. Each year we lend the crew our trailer to keep the balloon free from the elements. Truly a family affair.

— Barbe Awalt

My name is Barbe Awalt. I had a dream. In the dream it said do Bucket List books. Each book had to have 100 items, a picture for each item, a website when we can for each item, a charity for each book, Near Misses of things suggested, a blank Bucket List for YOU, inexpensive, and short.

So, I started writing the Basic New Mexico Bucket List book. It is “Basic” because we used that book to work out the kinks. The writing was easy. Getting all the pictures was difficult.

So a series was born.

— Barbe Awalt