Monday, January 2, 2012

Revisiting America

I was so disappointed to wake up the morning of November 18, in Socorro, New Mexico, not feeling well, certainly not feeling good to participate in any of the activities of the Crane Festival(more about that in the book). This is an annual happening with hundreds of people involved-tours, lectures, movies, receptions, many activities having to do with the crane population and migration. But how lucky can you be, one or two days of not feeling well out of the many months traveling. No way I could complain, so I packed my things and began the trip home.
Had planned all along to find I-10 for easy traveling, but Onstar routed me differently and I didn't change because this would be my opportunity to see a different part of the country. And, it was different. Two-lane roads, four-lane roads, small towns, beautiful scenery.
Stayed a night on the road and got to Janie's in Austin. Texas late afternoon. Good to see her but a little disappointed that she is still not able to get around well at all. But that didn't hamper our visit. It was good to see where she lived, meet some of her friends, and to be able top see her son Davis, Ann, boys, Josh and Jacob. Pictures never do justice to boys that age. They are blonde-tow-headed, active boys and very well-behaved. It was so good to be with them.
November 22, 2011, 12:00 noon was the time frame for my arriving, but traffic caused me to be a little late(12:15), but again I was greeted by family, friends, balloons, banners, and a sign on the library marquee, "Welcome home, Miss Lou, we missed you, neighbor". For those that don't know, my house is directly across the road from the Washington County Public Library, easy to find and give directions to.
Thanksgiving was just that, a time of giving thanks, being together with family and friends, eating wonderful food, HOME. Wouldn't trade that decision with anything, that I chose to be home for Thanksgiving, eventhough it meant a shorter stay in New Mexico.
And now, I pray for your prayers for me, I know you've done that all year, and for patience as we begin this new experience, writing a book.
We've had so much inquiry, encouragement, offers of writing expertise, and good wishes, it's like, "how can we fail".
And I'll have to say again, thanks so much for being a part of my adventure.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Revisiting America

First Baptist Church Taos was a block from my house, but rain necessitated my driving to church. Beautiful, simple inside, maybe 20 people in all. Several young couples, singles, but the rest older couples. Good music, with a piano and songs from the hymnal. The pianist was Dr. Ellen Warren, general practitioner, so nice to talk to and a very popular doctor in town, from comments made by others when I mentioned her name.
My morning walk the next day ended with me slipping and falling on the ice and thankfully I didn't break anything or have to limp home. Just several scratches on one hand and of course, a good jar all over. A reminder that I needed to watch carefully where I'm stepping which is so hard to do as you're walking and trying to take in the scenery too.
Did have a chance to visit the Sage Gallery that I had mentioned earlier and got a card, a small sample of painting by Barbara Bartels. Was able to see some of the Mabel Dodge Luhan house. It is a "bed and breakfast" and they were busy checking in a group of students so I poked around by myself. The location makes up all that might be lacking in the house, it is old, but beautiful. The name, "Illusions" is a perfect name for the house, and of course there's a wonderful story about Mabel Dodge Luhan, the house, and her reason for being in Taos.
I had been curious about a particular restaurant called, "Lambert's" and had to find out if it at all resembled the Lambert's in Foley, Alabama. Well, it didn't. It was a beautiful, older, remodeled building, quite elegant, white cloths on the tables, crystal and china, beautiful lighting, and impeccable service. My splurge was a filet mignon, cooked perfectly, potatoes thinly sliced, in a sauce, and served like a slice of pie, asparagus, woncerful bread, and after telling about my trip, which everyone in the restaurant was interested in, a complimentary chocolate mousse dessert. Forgot the salad, with the house dressing, was as good as all the rest of the meal.
My plans to leave Taos on Wednesday, November 16, by 10:00 a.m. were delayed because I slept later than I should have, and it took longer to pack the car, which I would be doing for the last time, a little sad to think about that.
My landlady was not there when I left, she and daughter and son-in-law manage other properties, but did get to tell Christie and Ron goodbye.
No particular time schedule, but several places to visit that are mentioned in Kuralt's book.
Georgia O'Keefe, a famous painter, lived for a while at the Ghost Ranch, in Abiqui not far from Espanola, so I spent some time there, on to Chimayo, a beautiful small town, with a famous church, then arriving in Sante Fe after dark which was not a good idea but did find a good motel without too much trouble.
On to Albuquerque, not too early the next morning. Such a pretty town, and day's worth of things to see and do, but I limited myself to several things mentioned in the book. A particular men's hat shop that made hats by request and order was visited by and Kuralt, and me. I did try on some of the hats and had my picture made in one. Nice men working there who had met Kuralt and not sure if he bought a hat. Then on to "Old Town" which was the old town, but now is maintained as a shopping mecca, naturally an old church,famous at one time,
Went through Belen, New Mexico but couldn't find the barbershop or any of the people in the book. Quite a large town, but still many old, preserved buildings. Really wanted to spend time there, but didn't feel like I had the time.
Arrived in Socorro around 4:00 in the afternoon and was lucky to find a room because of the "Crane(bird)Festival.

Revisiting America

I do hope I haven't lost all my readers because I so abruptly stopped blogging.
I assure you it was not intentional, and I do apologize for my "whatever"; laziness, excitement of coming home, not sure how I wanted to close out the adventure, all of the above and more.
I will try to finish the Taos experience and "homecoming". It is January 1, 2012, and I plan, in several weeks, to begin writing the book. Several things are on my calender, then I want a clean slate, and time to recall, revisit, and begin. I'm excited, but very apprehensive, and feeling the pressure of what lies ahead. But, I've had so many encouraging words and offers of help in any way, so it must be done.
November 7, taking my usual morning walk, I met Chris Kane, she was walking her dog, and after talking, with the usual questions, "what are you doing in Taos?, etc: she suggested I call the newspaper and set up an interview. Well, I did that and was pleasantly surprised to have the interview set up for Wednesday, the 9th. Delightful lady, Teresa Dovalpage, Ph.D, Spanish instructor at University, New Mexico, Taos, a native of Cuba, but in the states for many years, came to my casita and we talked for hours. Not sure of a printing date, but I've since received a copy of the article,from my landlady, since comming home. Very nice re-count of the trip.
November 8th, and everything covered in snow, must be 4 to 5 inches deep, bright sun-shiny, trees glistening, everything quiet and hushed, and to me, this dictated a "stay-in" day for fear of a fall or some other catastrophe.
The beauty of a snow here is that it stays around awhile, eventhough its sunny, it's cold enough to keep it from melting. It is so beautiful.
Realizing my time in Taos was very limited I made a list of things I hadn't seen that needed to be visited.
Los Comadras Women's Cooperative Gallery had a wonderful selection of jewelry, sculpture, paintings, representing many women artists of the community. Geraldine Liermann was "manning" the store that particular day and had a beautiful display of Christmas gourds she had painted. I only bought a small one, they were rather expensive.
This is a walking spree so I visited several more galleries, Lasko Gallery, met Geoffery Lasko, artist and printmaker, easy to talk to, very talented, interested in my trip. The Hulse-Warman Gallery with more modern works, the Brodsky Bookshop, owned by Rick Smith, from Baton Rouge, La, nice to talk to about family, football, and comments about writing my book.
A lunch break, then a ride to the "Red Willow Farmer's Market, housed at this time of year, but quite a large endeavor in the spring and summer months. Visited the Town Hall, Library, San Francisco de Asis Church, one of the most photographed in our country, Tony Reyna's shop with all kinds of Indian artifacts, met Jack Hill in the shop who has his creative work in stone and steel visible around town, then revisited Dannie Townsend in the clothing shop, The Spotted Bear, I'm sure there's a reason for that name, and talked awhile. I'm still amazed that shop owners are so willing to just sit and talk, and never seem in a hurry.
Continued visiting the next day. A ride back to the Rio Grande River Bridge, I came over the bridge coming to Taos but was too eager to get to Taos that I. didn't stop and take pictures. This is another scenic spot that is photographed often, and it is beautiful.
Many of these places I'm mentioning will be explained in more detail in the book, and with pictures,I hope.