Entomology 101

I never did take this class in college but now I wish I had. The downside of living in a earthship is that you tend to share space with a variety of insects - every morning I see new and unknown versions of such on the floor next to my bed (!) or in the drain of the shower stall. There are of course the different varieties of ants - I'm not too thrilled with the resident red ants - I know that color can't be good. I think I've seen several centipede species, lots of crickets (what are their mating habits?), a few small(thank goodness) lizards, lots of birds(yes I know they're not insects) chirping/eating the wild sunflowers (in this area they consider them a weed...). I've yet to hear/see coyotes but I know they're there.... One of the owners of ex-health club brought her dog, Noelle, in one day with her entire backside riddled with stitches (40 in all) - courtesy of a coyote. I didn't have the nerve to ask the details - like did it happen on a day time walk? And a few days ago, while lounging in the new health club hot tub, an employee of the forest service expounded on the dangers of hiking in the dark - that people don't realize the size of the mountain lion or bobcat population in the area. Well - you certainly won't catch me in the mountains after nightfall. I'm even feeling a bit nervous to hike by myself in the day time... And what could I bring to protect myself - pepper spray (even if I had it)is hardly a deterrent.

I guess the insects are just a reminder that this area is really different from my familiar stomping grounds in the White Mtns - and adjustments are to be expected and I intend - to be appreciated. I do really appreciate the beautiful blue sky on most days and the warmth of the sun. Even when the temperatures are 60 degrees or so it feels alot warmer -more like high 70's or low 80's because the sun is so strong and with the higher altitude (6,000 feet or so above sea level)we're so much closer to it in Northern New Mexico. There's something very earthy and natural about all the adobe dwellings and I am really glad that my earthship is on the mesa affording a great view of the Sangro de Christo Mtns every day. The turquoise trim on the windows and doors here is an inspirational addition of color to offset the natural shades of brown of the buildings. Maybe because of the expansiveness of the landscape the folk here seem consistently friendly - a true blessing for me - being a stranger in a strange land.

My daughter, Jenn, from Durango, CO (about 3 1/2 hrs away)visited this weekend and I got to do some of the tourist activities that I hadn't taken the time for yet - like visit Taos Ski Valley (elevation above 9,000 feet), get a glimpse of the valley that is supposedly the location of Julia Roberts' house, roam the boutiques on the Plaza, Bent St., and Ledoux St as well go for a much needed shopping trip to Santa Fe for a visit to the typical big box stores - TJMaxx, Target, Best Buy, Linens n' things, and the infamous Trader Joe's - in which I discovered more reasonable prices than the local grocery stores. Although Santa Fe was invigorating my choice to winter in Taos is more to my liking - smaller, less congested and closer to the mountains - as well as bordering the refreshing sight of the Rio Grande - the only fresh body of water in miles....