The Lights of Albuquerque

Like a Diamond in the Desert: Well, it's been more than six months since Mr & Mrs Abq Jew (and Ziggy, our Very Large Borzoi/Greyhound) said farewell to Duke City and the Land of Enchantment.

And you, Abq Jew's loyal readers, must be asking - what does Abq Jew, now happily living in the Ocean State, close to family, miss most?

First of all: friends. Being 2,167 miles away is not the same as being in the same metropolitan area. 

Second: the sun. New Mexico, with its 300-to-320-day annual average sunshine, was the original Sunshine State - we even had it on our license plates! - until the hot-and-humid state of Florida stole our nickname. As we all know.

And third:

The Lights of Albuquerque

This may be what Abq Jew misses most. Just remembering how he used to drive up Golf Course Road and make the turn onto Congress Avenue ... or drive down Davenport Street and make the turn onto Paradise Boulevard ....

And there was Albuquerque, laid out before him. Like a diamond in the desert, every time he saw it. Gorgeous in the daytime; absolutely marvelous at night.

And now there are tears in Abq Jew's eyes, just thinking about it. It gets worse when Abq Jew hears Jim Glaser sing about it.

Desert moon, lights the freeway up tonight,

Chevy van, how I wish that you could fly.

Gotta get to her and tell her I was wrong,

But I'm still such a long, long way from home,

And the road goes on, on and on, on and on.

But the Lights of Albuquerque, will soon be shining bright,

Like a diamond in the desert, like a beacon in the night.

And I wonder if she'll take me back, will she understand?

Will the Lights of Albuquerque, shine for me again?

Thinking back, to the foolish things I said.

Looking out, at the white lines up ahead.

Gonna tell her I can't make it on my own.

Oh, this empty feeling won't leave me alone.

It goes on and on, on and on, on and on

But the Lights of Albuquerque, will soon be shining bright,

Like a diamond in the desert, like a beacon in the night.

And I wonder if she'll take me back, will she understand?

Will the Lights of Albuquerque, shine for me again?

Yes, Rhode Island is beautiful, too.

And it's wonderful to be able to share birthdays, anniversaries, holidays - and just regular drop-by-for-no-reason-at-all days - with the family.

But then, there's Albuquerque.

To a safe, healthy, happy new year!