New Mexico postcard#3

Today is a shopping day in Taos. We began at the Farmer's Market, the last one of the year.

 The great thing about this Farmer's Market is that ALL the vendors are also the growers, bakers, or artisans.  Here is a bean farmer. She and her husband thresh the dried pinto and red beans right off their truck

 These radishes are as big as beets.












Then we went ristra shopping. A ristra is a clump of red peppers woven together  to be hung from the rafters. I suspect they originally were functional, simply a convenient way to dry and store the peppers essential to  New Mexico cuisine, but now have achieved iconic status as a New Mexico symbol. Between Jonathan and me, we purchased five ristras -- for home in Taos and California, and for gifts.

These cheerful sunshine faces greeted us at the back of the ristra vendor.Just one more sunny day in Taos.

New Mexico postcard#2

Today I attended the Southwest Art History Conference here in Taos. First time I have ever walked from my home to a conference. A glorious day, as always. Some random photos from my walk to and from:

Mabel Dodge Luhan house. MDL was an East Coast heiress and patron of the arts who became enchanted with Taos just like me, but about 100 years ago. Unlike me, she had the resources to build a beautiful home/retreat, and entertained prominent artists such as D.H. Lawrence, Martha Graham, Georgia O'Keefe, Aaron Copland and a whole bunch of others. Now it is a retreat/conference center, and the site of my conference.

Kachinas in a Taos storefront.

It snowed the night before last and promptly melted in Taos, but the snow dusted Taos mountain and I suspect it will stay for the season.

New Mexico postcard #1

Once again, I'm enchanted by the Land of Enchantment. It's been six years since I've been back to northern New Mexico, and it's the same wonderful place -- full of culture, history, art, gorgeous views, sunshine in the day and stars in the dark night sky, hot chiles, and cool people. Just as an example, here is a roadside view from a little drive we took yesterday, north of Taos:

 Here is the casita where I'll be  for the next few months. What a treat! It's right in the center of town, convenient to everything, but also quiet and away from the crowds.

 The town of Taos is a fun motley of fancy homes, down at the heels places, squeezed together condos -- where everyone builds according to their spirit and no one is subject to zoning (but I may be wrong about that).

From my window I look in one direction at the Paseo, the main street. It's gridlock during the day but at night it is empty; If I look in the other direction I see cottonwoods and chimisa, both brilliant gold for the next few weeks, and I hear the crows.

Here is my street. It's turns into dirt and then dead ends, but it is right in the middle of town. I'm so glad to be here, must remind myself that I am here to write not to chill out, but if it is Taos, there is room for all. ... Stay tuned for more adventures.