The Enchanted Circle

Cold/flu day 5 - feeling like a human being again, now the the virus has descended into my chest - luckily both nightquil and dayquil work very well keeping the wracking cough at bay.... Sunday I drove to Santa Fe to visit with Jan Stringer and Alan Hickman - turns out they were both feeling under the weather as well and we postponed our "official" interview for later although we had a delightful visit including Reiki treatments and lunch at the Blue Corn Cafe in Santa Fe (had my first taste of prickly pear iced tea - yum, sweet and citrus together). We will perhaps meet at Ojo Caliente later in the week and do our interview between (or admist) soaks in the seven different pools of hot mineral springs.

Yesterday I fulfilled one of my tourist destinations in Taos - driving the 84 mile loop of the infamous "Enchanted Circle" thru the mountains (elevations of 10,000 plus) and towns of Angel Fire, Eagle's Nest, Red River, and Questa. I discovered to my surprise and delight that the higher elevations were green and forested, pines and aspens galore! I immediately felt refreshed, my mood lightened and I think I may even been smiling (but who knows because nobody was looking). I even saw a juvenile black bear walking on the opposite side of the road as I was driving. I didn't have time to get out my camera but I slowed down long enough to see a full frontal pose and his/her glance directly at me! He/she looked incredibly beautiful and healthy - his fur was deep black and velvety, blowing gently in the breeze. I realized how much I have been missing the dense woodlands of the White Mountains and verdant valleys of Mt. Washington. Craving their shade, protection and beauty I didn't know how much they feed my soul and how displaced I feel without their presence. Perhaps due to the drive and my cold lessening I have decided to stay longer in Taos - I don't feel I've done it justice in my impaired state - so at least a week or maybe longer.

Sitting at Michele's Cyber Cafe today a woman struck up a conversation with me by asking if I knew of a place for rent for her family. She explained that her house burned to the ground on August 19th and she and her 3 teenage children were living in a shelter. As we continued to converse she asked me about my plans in Taos - which led to a description of the book that I've been researching and she commented ironically - well, you could interview me about "people living the tragedy of their lives" rather than "living the life of their dreams". Condolences and sympathy aside I said a silent prayer of gratefulness for myself, my situation and the freedom I have to take this time to travel the country. Although currently homeless myself - it is by choice - and I can't imagine the devastation and trauma of displacement through tragedy. My recent semi pity party because of my cold and travel weariness seems shallow and indulgent - a good reminder to focus on what is present in my life rather than what is missing...