Taos part 1

I had been looking forward to my weekend trip to Taos this weekend for a long time. I don't travel much without Rene, so I decided it was time to get away without my sweet girl. Robert agreed to take care of her, so I thought of where to go. Where would Rene hate going that I would enjoy by myself? I needed a short time, because it is the first time I left her with anyone for more than an overnight and, well, let's just say I am in "baby step" mode. So, I decided on my favorite little artist town and came to Taos today, where Rene would hate the crowds and plaza and I wouldn't be able to do much having her with me.

I haven't been on a 4-5 hour road trip for a while, and it felt good once I got off I-25 and hit the rural Southwest Colorado roads. I turned off for Taos in the little town of Fort Gardner. I saw this sight and it reminded me why I love rural Colorado-the harshness of old metal against the softness of trees once again against the harsh outline of the Rocky Mountains.

I got into Taos just in time for hotel check in and a very brief nap. My favorite place to stay in Taos is the Inn on the Rio, a motor inn owned by a wonderful couple with a hearty and delicious homemade breakfast every morning. The rooms are creatively done (they commissioned Taos artists to paint murals both on the outside and inside of the motel) and the owners are just so nice to visit with. However, this time I stayed at the Historic Taos Inn for a few reasons. It is across the street from the plaza and has its own parking, so I can avoid the Taos congestion and walk everywhere. Plus, it has music every night of the week in its lounge. It gives me something to do if I don't want to go to bed yet. So, after my much needed nap, I walked through the hotel and there was a musician playing and singing in the lobby. She was adorable! Tracy Rae Clark. She is one of those generous spirits who appears to live a very creative existence. She got the crowd singing, playing instruments, and invited this gentleman to play the harmonica with her.

I listened for a while, and then decided to wander around. I found myself at the Alley Cantina for dinner, a locals hang out with New Mexican fare and, oddly, voted the best fish and chips. I ate a chile relleno platter because who can resist one of those and planned my day for tomorrow. I continued to wander around and capture some photos of Taos buildings and flowers and such, one of my favorite things to do. The plaza was quiet, not many shops or galleries open, and not many people walking around. I kind of felt like I had it all to myself.

I gave a lot of thought for tomorrow…it is the annual Pow Wow but I didn't find that out until recently. Plus, I am not a huge crowd person. So, I think this is the agenda:

-Get up early, go to the farmer's market and see if I can wrangle myself some breakfast

-Drive the high road for a bit, the scenic road between Taos and Santa Fe. There is a gallery halfway along I love to stop by. I also love the New Mexican cemeteries that dot the landscape.

-Come back, and head to a few museums: The Harwood Museum has a really great exhibit about the pioneer women artists of Taos who painted in the early 1900's; Go the Blumenschein House and Museum and see how that famed painter lived and worked; Drive to the Milicent Rogers museum as I have been told it is amazing

-Rest up, listen to more music in the hotel lounge, and eat someplace I haven't before 

Sunday I think I am going to take the "long way home" after driving to the little village of Arroyo Seco and seeing the Royal Gorge. 

It sounds like a lot of driving for a short period of time, but I love driving. I didn't love driving as a hospice worker, but I love driving through Rural Colorado. I put on some tunes, or I always try to find whatever public radio station I can get, and just let the road take me where it may.

Robert reported earlier that Rene was doing fine and hasn't run away yet (ha ha!!) so I know she is in good hands.

Ahhh…Taos, I love you! 

XO Mel

Happy Father's Day!

We had a nice Father's Day Weekend, if I do say so myself! Friday, Dad and I went to the Greek Festival. We got there early, as it was hot and anticipated to be crowded. We looked at the goods for sale, ate some Greek fare, listened to some music and toured the Orthodox church.

Yesterday, we all got together. Initially we planned to Putt Putt golf but it was getting too hot; instead, we went to Washington Park and looked at the garden and got coffee at Starbucks. We had lunch, opened gifts, and then for dinner Robert treated us to Pei Wei. We finished the night off with a game of "bean bag toss". Rene enjoyed the day with Grampy-she sat in her pool, ran around in the yard, and napped.

Dad, I hope you know how much we all love you and I hope you had the best Father's Day ever for the best Dad ever! XO Mel

A summer poem by a dear friend

To find myself, again by Susan Kaplan

Ah, time to settle next to the tumultuous water of the stream.

 To find myself, again, between the leaves of the trees, 

swaying in the muggy summer breeze above me,
as I lay in this sheltered hammock. 

The ever changing clouds call out to me,
thunderous waves of what I hope for, what I dare to long for, 

and all that I need to rest and pause on this summer afternoon.

Raging questions splash across my heart,
tender connections with others I love,
finding a place to just take in all in, again.

Finding myself, again.

A self inflicted retreat

Right now, one of the biggest challenges as I get my life coach business started is figuring out what to do with my day and how to tackle things I want to accomplish. My mind can go from here to there, and I will start a project only to start another project and have a number of things going at once. I decided today to take myself and Rene on a little retreat. I brought my notebooks, some questions to think about, my calendar for planning out next week, and thought some time out in the nice day would help me feel more focused. We went to Lair of the Bear Park and took a little walk. Of course, it was hot and crowded and didn't have a "retreat" feel to it, but we managed to find a little place where we could duck away, along Bear Creek, and have our own time together. Rene played in the water, but I didn't let her go out too far for fear she would get whisked away by the moving creek.

One of the things I love about being in nature are the old ranch fences. Here is one in Lair of the Bear….

We went up to Evergreen to sit near the lake so I could do my writing and planning. We did, and found it incredibly busy as well. We tried to settle in at a picnic table in the shade, only to have our space invaded by a school bus of kids on an outing. Rene was uncomfortable with so many children around, so we packed up and headed back down the canyon. We decided to go to Chatfield, and there found ourselves in the peace and quiet we were hoping for. We parked on the south east side by the camp ground, took out the travel chair and a blanket, and sat in some peace and quiet to do some writing and planning. 

Needless to say, it wasn't a perfect "retreat day" but I got the thinking and planning done I wanted to do, and some quality time with the grey Rene. So, it ended up being a good day after all!

Just another day hanging with our friends

Today was the Friends of Retired Greyhound fundraising walk. Rene and I went last year and had a blast! I had just adopted her, so we met so many new friends. This year, it was a little more subdued and a lot hotter, so Rene and her friends hung out at the pool. We all took the walk earlier than the entire group because of how hot it was, but had fun being with our friends all the same!

Getting some refreshing pool time

This is Rene's good friend Ellie. When she saw her, 

Rene did her signature little hop and ran right up to her!

This is Rene's new friend Ava. We met in the neighborhood during a walk, and Ava's momma is really nice. The girls are getting to know each other and have become fast friends!

Laundry Day!

It is laundry day, time to sheets, blankets, pillows…oh wait! Better check the pillows for the Grey Rene…Ah! There she is!

Some favorite things

There are lots of little things that make me happy…these are just a few of my favorites!

My "Southwestern" Wall in my bedroom

But of course! The Grey Rene…my all time favorite

My balcony in the summer! It gets sun in the morning but then shade the rest of the day

My little "Solarium" where my plants live comfortably in the sunshine from my patio door

Cooking! I just love it. I feel healthy and well nurtured when I make myself good things.

This above photo is of my fresh, summer cucumber soup! Perfect to make after a trip to the farmer's market and could be a vegan/gluten free meal:

2 large cucumbers, seeded and coarsely chopped

2 roma tomatoes, diced

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 garlic clove

4 jalapeño slices (more or less depending on your taste for heat!)

Salt and pepper

The juice and zest of one lime

Sprigs of cilantro (however much you like)

Basil leaves (however much you like)

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth

Refrigerate for one hour before enjoying.

 Tastes great with some crisp, toasted garlic bread 

or some hearty tortilla chips!

These are my healthy kale chips! I buy a big bag of think, curly kale that is already triple washed at the grocery store. That way, it is already washed and dried and won't come out soggy.

1 package curly kale, already washed and ready to eat

Coconut oil cooking spray (or any cooking spray of your choice)

Salt, pepper, and all your other favorite spices!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the kale over a baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray evenly over pieces. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and all your favorite seasonings (here I used paprika, salt, garlic powder, ground cumin and a little bit of cayenne pepper!)

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until crispy.

These are just a few of my favorite things….what are a few of yours?