Weak White Woman

A quick blog here cause I have to go out in the super chilly air and walk a dog, Zeus, who I am pet sitting for a week and a half. The house I am staying at is a really old adobe in an old neighborhood of Ranchos. The lanes are narrow and icy, all the homes are old, quirky and charming. But wow has it been cold. This morning it was only 11 degrees and that was at 9:00! I had left my gloves somewhere and felt like my hands could get frostbitten in minutes. So poor old Zeus only got a short one then.
This has been a very Christmasy week. My party was fun, lots of people came. I made way too much food, but then I am always worried there won't be enough (the Polish mother in me). Didn't have to cook for the rest of the week! Christmas Day I went to the Pueblo and got to see the Deer Dance from a rooftop, just like hundreds of people have done for hundreds of years. It was snowing softly and it's always a thrill to see the deer dancers appear. I was huddled in four layers of thick clothing but most of the dancers were bare-armed. But they never complain or drop out. Me, I stayed for an hour then went to the Montoya's for some posole. Weak white woman!

Dare to Follow Your Heart

"To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself." Kierkegaard

Aqui in Taos

I am totally enjoying the snow and winter landscapes aqui in Taos! It has snowed off and on now for about three days. Got to admit that I did get stuck in the stuff once, and that was just getting out of my own driveway. A gutsy neighbor actually pushed me out of a rut. Driving wasn't too bad, but then I never went over 25 miles an hour. Maybe it's time to buy those snow tires. Everything seems so still and beautiful when covered by snow. I was thinking of getting out my cross country skiis but the wind was too chilly. Brrrrr. I'll go eat some chile instead. Red or green??
I've mostly been staying home when I haven't had to work, no pet sits this week, but I did go to a great party for a friend's dad-he turned 75. Lots of people there, I think they were all related! And the food!! Big pots of steaming chile, posole, beans. Those Spanish girls really know how to cook. And the homemade yeast rolls reminded me of my Polish grandma's bread. I felt lucky to be a part of that big family celebration, and hear them all sing songs to him in Spanish. Bueno!!
Now I might venture outside. Check my mail at the PO, then maybe find a Christmas tree lot. I'm planning a little party for Sunday evening and I need to get on to the decorating, not to mention the cooking. Lots to do.

Australia

Just saw that new movie "Australia". Then I read a review about it that got it right, full of schmaltz but also full of heart. It's worth it just to watch Brandon Walters, a young Aboriginal boy who really is the star of this film. Along with the amazing outback scenery which resembles our SW here. Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman provide the love story. I think he's really good but N is a bit too wooden or something, and I can't stand her silly hair-do's! And there are a couple animal scenes they could have left out, but then I'm a very sensitive animal lover.

Whiteout!

Wow, a few inches of snow outside my door this morning !!! It's beautiful. I don't have to go to work until 4 pm so I will stay home and enjoy it. Have already taken Cadbury for a short walk, he doesn't seem to mind it at all, or even notice it. But I think I will get him some snow booties for his little delicate paws. I've got to go get my neighbor to take a picture of us to include with our Christmas cards!

Me and Mabel

Whew, what a busy week. I ended up having to drive through a mild snow storm from Ojo Sarco thru the mountains and back to Taos. It was a true winter wonderland scene but I was too afraid to move my eyeballs from the road to appreciate it much! California girl has to get used to driving in the white stuff. But nothing was going to keep me from my Thanksgiving dinner at the Sagebrush Inn with my neighbor Grace. It was worth it.

Now I have put in two wonderful days at my new part-time job as receptionist at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House here in Taos. This interesting lady (Mabel Ganson Evans Dodge Sterne Luhan-she got married a lot) was from a wealthy family in Buffalo, New York, and lived from 1879 to 1962. She is famous for the salons she hosted in Florence, Italy, then Greenwich Village, New York and finally here in Taos. Her fourth and final husband, Tony Luhan of Taos Pueblo, built her this fascinating home where she hosted such luminaries as D.H. Lawrence, Georgia O'Keeffe, Willa Cather and John Collier. She loved the animated flow of ideas among artists, writers and other movers and shakers. Now the house is used for bed and breakfast (great rooms and delicious food!) and workshops, such as Natalie Goldberg's writing ones. The place oozes with atmosphere and history.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just got this little ditty from my Aunt Patty in Santa Clara, CA:
May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

Sugar Nymphs

Had a great lunch at the Sugar Nymphs Bistro in Penasco, here in the northern New Mexico mountains. Cozy and colorful cafe. Great service. I wasn't going to have dessert since I know I will be eating pumpkin pie tomorrow, but all the reviews raved about the pies, sooooo I had a piece of the chocolate pecan died and gone to heaven pie. Of course then I had to take the dogs on another short hike up to the ridge to kill a few calories.
Also went in search of a grocery store, not too many in this neck of the woods. Found one in Truchas, but they didn't have milk, how weird is that? Maybe I should have looked for a cow, gone right to the source.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I wish I could be in Nevada City at my sister and brother-in-law's, or back in Dixon, CA at Patty's fabulous feast, but at least I hope to make it home in time for dinner out with a neighbor, and ahead of the snow forecast. Cheers!

A Three-Dog Night

Yes folks, three dogs on my bed. I guess we were all cold! No snow yet though-the sky this morning is blue with fluffy clouds and the sun is trying to break through. I'm going to read my book on Mabel Dodge Luhan then take the guys on a hike up in the hills and breathe in the smells of the New Mexico mountains. For lunch I will treat myself to The Sugar Nymph Bistro in Penasco which has great reviews. I found this site called nmgastronome.com by a guy who loves good food, yeah!

And I forgot to mention the name of the guy who wrote the poetry book I bought last night. Stewart S. Warren. Great.

Ojo Sarco

My first blog, yipeeohkayay! I chose this larger typeface because it's kinder on my getting-older eyes, not to mention those of my friends. I never thought I'd join the ranks of on-line journalists, but since I've moved I've become a bit tired of repeating the same stuff in all my e-mails. My friends and relatives can choose if and when they want to see what this gypsy is up to now. And a woman named Gigi has inspired me with her ramblings about the world as a Catholic volunteer helping the less fortunate. So, thanks, Gigi.

So, here I am in Ojo Sarco, a tiny village in the northern New Mexico mountains. I have a petsitting/housesitting business called Tail Waggers, which I just relocated to this part of the states from California. I actually live in Taos. Today I, my little brown doggie named Cadbury, and my client's two dogs took a short hike up to the ridge of a hill where the views are fantastic, especially north toward Colorado. How lucky can I get?! Southish I can see the peaks of mountains covered with snow-I can almost feel like I'm in Switzerland, but then when I look down at my feet I see the sage and cacti. Snow is predicted for tomorrow night, yikes, I don't think I'm ready to drive in the stuff and I have to drive these mountain roads to get back home on Thanksgiving. I'm planning to go out to some restaurant in Taos and enjoy the usual holiday offerings. It's a time to share with others and not be alone.

Earlier today I explored another tiny and wonderful magical place called Truchas, also on what they call The High Road. I remember coming here many times when I used to live in Taos from '88-'96. Cardona-Hine Gallery was on my list but no one was there, then I found a great co-op gallery called the High Road Marketplace and a friendly salesperson, a warm fire and coffee. Bought a tin ornament for my Xmas tree next month, and a book of poetry (can I plug someone's book here??). I picked it up, read one poem and was hooked. Here was poetry I can actually understand and relate to. I've been wanting to get into poetry for a long time but get discouraged cause so much of it is so abstract and full of long flowery words from centuries ago! You know, "I know that was profound, but what the heck did it mean?!) Next stop was the Ojo Sarco Pottery, what a neat place (in both senses of the word). And being a dog-crazy girl, I loved meeting the two resident canines.

Now I have to go find some kindling and fire up the wood burning stove-it will be another cold one tonight, 18 degrees I think I heard on the radio. Oh, talking about the radio, I joined the KUNM family, got my schedule the other day and discovered a Native American talk show. They were all discussing Thanksgiving, perceptions of Indians, teachers duties to educate, especially in light of how text books picture the Native Americans, lots of food for thought.

Hi to all my friends back in California (south and north)! Bonnie