Yesterday In Gallup

Above, yesterday at Gallup Coffee. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday afternoon was spent in Gallup.

I drove friend Larry Lucier to his doctor appointment in his bus. After dropping him off at the clinic, I headed into downtown Gallup to go to the Gallup Coffee shop. 

While there, I enjoyed a hot mocha latte and a blueberry muffin. Both were good. 

I recently read an article on wild blueberries on their health benefits. I've always known that they contain great cancer fighting antioxidants, but there are other health benefits as well. Plus, I just happen to like them.

According to an article in the Penobscot Bay Pilot:

ORONO — Wild blueberries, the iconic Maine crop dotting hillsides, decorating sweatshirts and adding personality to local menus, are more than a cultural symbol. Over 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that regularly consuming wild blueberries supports gut and heart health and may reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease.

Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Maine, recommends one half to one cup per day. She eats them alongside her morning oats or blends them into smoothies.

She has spent her multi-decade career researching the health benefits of wild blueberries in relation to cardiometabolic health. Her work is featured in a comprehensive review from a Cardiometabolic Health Symposium of experts hosted by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America in Bar Harbor in 2025. Twelve experts — including Klimis-Zacas — participated, their work spanning the fields of nutrition, food science, dietetics, nutrition metabolism and physiology, cardiovascular and cognitive function, gut health and microbiology.

Blueberries contain polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds found in many berries, that have particularly powerful effects on vascular health. When compared to conventional blueberries, wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant content, 72% more fiber and 33% more anthocyanins — flavonoids related to the widespread health benefits of the berries, such as improved cardiometabolic health.

Research led by Klimis-Zacas was the first to show that wild blueberries reduce inflammation and vascular dysfunction by targeting the endothelium, the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels that regulates their contraction and relaxation. In preclinical studies, her team found that animals with hypertension and obesity showed reduced inflammation and improved vascular health after consuming wild blueberries for six weeks.

Further analysis revealed that a wild blueberry diet alters vascular structure via glycoproteins — key molecules involved in endothelial signaling processes. These structural changes not only improved endothelial function, but also made the endothelium more resilient to high blood lipids and high blood pressure changes.

“If your endothelium becomes dysfunctional, then everything starts going downhill,” Klimis-Zacas said.

Her lab has also investigated how wild blueberries influence local and systemic inflammation in metabolic syndrome, as well as glucose, lipid metabolism and gut health, to have a greater understanding of blueberries’ potential role in supporting overall metabolic function.

After Larry was done at the doctor's office, we headed to Jerry's Cafe for dinner.

To read more, go here. 

In Gallup

Yesterday was somewhat busy.

In the morning, I had the new dishwasher installed. The old one started acting up. It wouldn't run for six days. On the day the new one was to be delivered, the old one started working again. I decided to replace it anyway as it could be a sign it was about to totally fail.

Above, the new dishwasher. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the afternoon, I took Larry Lucier to his physical therapy session in Gallup. While he was doing that, I headed over for a latte at Gallup Coffee Company in the historic district. After I finished my latte, I headed over to the El Rancho Hotel and relaxed by their big fireplace in the main lobby.

Above, the El Rancho Hotel fireplace. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once Larry's therapy session was done, we headed to Applebee's for dinner. Their service left much to be desired. 

It was a sunny day, but cold out. The wind made it more uncomfortable. 

Gallup Historic Building Facade Restoration

While in the historic downtown area of Gallup yesterday, I saw this notice in a window of the Gallup Coffee Company shop:

It looks like the facades of some of Gallup's historic buildings will have their facades restored, funded (in part) by Uncle Sam.

There's quite a number of historic buildings in Gallup, one of which houses the Gallup Coffee Company. It is nice that efforts to preserve and restore them are under way. 

Day In Gallup

Above, at the Gallup Coffee Company in downtown Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most of yesterday was spent in Gallup.

First, I dropped off Larry Lucier at his physical therapist's for his hour and a half workout.

From there, I headed over to Albertsons' market to pick up a few groceries. After that, I headed over into the historical downtown district of Gallup to the Gallup Coffee Company shop for an espresso. Gallup Coffee Company is like Starbucks, only better. It is a few doors from the historic El Morro Theater.

Above, at the Gallup Coffee Company.

While there I ran into one of our supper group members as I was sitting at a sidewalk table. We caught up on things and cigars.

After hanging out at the Gallup Coffee Company, I went to pick up Larry and we headed over to the Cracker Barrel restaurant to celebrate his brother Greg's birthday.

It was a nice day out (around 80° outside).

Crabapple Tree and New Glasses

Above, the crabapple tree and the mesas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The surest sign that we're now in spring is the crabapple tree in the front yard.

It is now in full bloom and already bees are enjoying the blossoms. I can hear their buzzing all the way to the deck. So far, I have only seen one hummingbird at the tree, but soon there will be more once the others get the message. 

Yesterday, I went into Gallup and picked up my new eyeglasses. As I mentioned previously, my eye exam found that my distance vision had slightly improved since my last exam about four years ago. I am near-sighted. But I have noticed some weakness. However, according to my optometrist, my eyes only need a little help that drugstore reading glasses would provide, one or two of the lowest ones in strength would do just fine. That means I didn't have to go with bifocals.

Above, wearing the new eyeglasses at Gallup Coffee.

The new eyeglasses prescription is working out great. 

After picking up the eyeglasses, I headed over to Gallup Coffee Company downtown and had a mocha latte. 

While on the way to the optometrist, I did pass by the mechanic's shop and the Jeep was inside the garage being worked on. Hopefully, it will be ready today.

The Day In Gallup

Above, wrapping up the day at the El Rancho Hotel restaurant.

Today was spent in Gallup taking care of business while Larry Lucier was having his physical therapy.

I had to go to the UPS Store to print off some forms for renewing my passport and other stuff that I let sit. Then I headed to the market to pick up a few things. After that, I headed to Gallup Coffee Co. for a hot mocha in downtown. 

Above the Historic El Rancho Hotel from across the street. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following that, I took Larry to his bank and to the local dispensary, which is across the street from the El Rancho Hotel, where we ended up having dinner before heading back to Jamestown.

It was a little cooler out than it had been and windy. But it wasn't overwhelming. 

The average gas price in Gallup was $4.049/gallon, a penny less than the Flying J in Jamestown.

It wasn't a bad day. 

Today In Gallup

Above, the Gallup Coffee Company shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was spent taking care of business in Gallup.

I had to take Larry Lucier to his physical therapy appointment. While he was doing that, I headed off to have my vacuum cleaner checked out. It turned out that one of the hoses was blocked. That was quickly remedied.

While I was at the vacuum repair shop, a couple of men were changing fittings on fluorescent light fixtures so that they would take LED light tubes. I talked to one of them and his brother is a licensed electrician. I told him that I have a problem with a circuit breaker and the fluorescent fixtures in the kitchen need new ballasts. He took my card and he said he'd have his brother contact me.

From there, I went over to the Gallup Coffee Company shop for a hot mocha. I relaxed there for a while.

Above, one of the items I got with my state tax refund. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, I went to Albertson's to get some groceries. I received my state tax refund in the mail today and ended up almost spending it all. I bought some stuff that I normally wouldn't, but figured I'd splurge a little. 

One item I bought was a bottle of Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey. To me, it tastes better than regular whiskey. I tried some at the last clampout I attended last year and liked it.

Once I was done shopping, I headed out to pick up Larry and we had dinner at the El Rancho Hotel restaurant. 

Not a bad day. Even the wind cooperated.

Gallup Coffee Shop Ceiling

Today (for the most part) was spent in Gallup taking care of business after dropping off a friend at his physical therapist.

While in Gallup, I got a new watch battery, a claw hammer, grocery shopped and other things. I took a break at the Gallup Coffee Company, which is a Starbucks type of coffee shop.

I have been there before, but today I took notice of the shop's ceiling. It was something I've seen in ghost towns, Columbia (California), Calico Ghost Town and in other historic old towns that have been restored.

I made mention of the ceiling and the server said it is an original ceiling of the store.

Here's a photo of the ceiling:

Above, inside the Gallup Coffee Company. Photo by Armand Vaquer.