Around Town

We knew we were at the right place,\when we saw the U.
It could only mean, "You belong here."

There has been some conjecture about where we landed.  We are in the geographically central part of New Mexico, formerly known as the Pinto Bean Capital of the World.  We're using this as a base for adventures for a few months.  It is our alternative to
basing out of a camper.  For us, it is the right choice.

We live in a lovely little house with 5 rooms and a large yard.  We've been assured we can dig as many holes and make as many forts as we'd like in the back yard.  The walls are washed with color and artwork adorns them in multitudes.  It is humble and delightful and has everything we could possibly need.  

I am grateful for the structure that helps us be mindful of what we have, disarms the temperament of acquisition, and obliges us to use what we have instead of giving in to the persistent desire for more.  This place, combined with life on the road, where there is simply a physical limit to the amount of stuff one can have, allows me to teach simplicity, humility, and the richness of the experience.  And I can do it without having to lecture about the starving children in far away places or about all the toys they have that they don't use.  It just happens.  

This place reminds me of the Old Country.  You know what I mean.  Charming, simple, under-stated.  In the heart of town, down nearly every half-block runs a dirt road.  To me, these dirt roads speak volumes.  It is yesterday staying persistently present.  

It seems like just about everyone has a dog a three or five hanging around their home.  Most of them are behind fences, but there are those who are difficult to keep behind a fence.  And so they roam.  There are people like that, too.

This is Bonnie.  She belongs to Leroy, the blacksmith.  There is perhaps no dog dirtier than a blacksmith's dog.  We spotted her there, trotting around the shop, when we went for a lesson in blacksmithing.  You could call it a barter.  A blacksmith lesson in exchange for a dog wash.

Bonnie before her bath.

But, in truth, the blacksmith boys gave the lesson for free.  And we just wanted a dog to play with.

Bonnie's after her bath.

Acclimating to life here has been a fairly easy-going process.  We've been feeding the local goats.

This is Savannah on the right.  She loves cabbage.

We've met many fascinating people.  Kristine rents her home to us and tends to making us feel comfortable in every way.  She is an artist, a writer, and a medicine woman.

Kristine and Sparkle.

She and Sparkle have opened up their home to us.

Sparkle lets us play with her.

We've been on the receiving end of amazing amounts of generosity with very lovely people .  

This is Celeste.  She has given our family lessons in rust printing and yoga.  She is a mixed media artist.  Take a look at her work.  I think you'll love it.  (www.celestesimon.com)

Love the wood stoves!

We've had many fine clay classes with Tomas at the helm.  Amazingly, these classes are offered free to the community.

And this is the much talked about library; the one we couldn't find because it was tucked behind the post office.  It is run entirely by volunteers and open 6 days a week.  It is frontier charm at its best.