Mora County

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I now continue with a lengthy letter I had written to a dear friend, a doctor who had just undergone surgery in Florida. He and I had a memorable horseback ride into our West Canyon. This letter was written 12 years after our ride, and thus began a writing career of painting pictures through words instead of paint.

I quote my letter: “Yes! Today, 1977 and it is still exactly like it was. I returned again, now on the aging Bella, and rode for both of us ... come with me!

Just the other day (sort of a weary and worn out saying) I was invited to join Sharon Vander Meer behind the microphones on KFUN radio where she hosts a weekly program, “Writer’s Blog.” Sharon asks some great questions about the author/writer’s history, and that got me to thinking, researching and digging out some old files.

Manuel Alcon, a husband, father, teacher, principal, superintendent writer and community leader, has devoted his life to helping others.   
He was born in Ocate on Sept. 18, 1926, to Benjamin Alcon De Buck and Rosaura Montoya. The name Buck came from Manuel’s great-grandfather who was a soldier at Fort Union and married his great-grandmother who was an Alcon but his father did not keep the name Alcon De Buck and shortened it to Alcon. Manuel was the sixth born of seven siblings, all girls except for him.

The happy days, known as holidays, do have a way of catching up with us. Just one more piece of Mom’s special fudge or that last piece of chocolate pie does have a way of ending up as a pound or two of extra weight we all end up carrying around. The ever-present news media don’t let us forget it, either.