Sign of the Times

Well I suppose it had to hit Taos sooner or later. Many of the locals have commented over the last 6 months of economic crises that Taos was pretty well insulated since alot of folks who live here either a)have lots of money - like the movie star, Julia Roberts, who lives in Des Montes, 7 miles from Taos, or b)are dirt poor or c)live very low cost lifestyles - part time jobs, renting rooms, eating beans and rice, etc. So a little less money wouldn't seem to affect most of the population. At first this confidence seemed true -especially with the early snowfall in December, making the Ski Valley open by Thanksgiving - that and the addition of now allowing snowboarding augured for a brisk skiing business. I'm not a skiier but I have eavesdropped on conversations at the gym and the tourist trade has seemed to hold its' own this winter. Yet within the last month two cafe's have closed down, without warning, and last week one of the biggest employers in the area, Questa Mines, had a massive layoff. I was particulary bothered by the closing down of the Northside Mondo Kultur cafe as it rents DVD's and has espresso (we know how I feel about my espresso) - and it's only 2 miles from my house - within walking distance.

Although not as palpable as I imagine it is on the Coasts people have started talking about their fears/worries about their finances and future, especially their retirement funds or lack thereof. One of the ways I insulate myself from buying into these fears is to watch very little (maybe one show/week and one movie)TV, skip over headlines of doom and disaster in newspapers/magazines and work on focusing on the positives - affirming my belief in the abundance of the universe and dredge up that old bugaboo, "TRUST". Of course I'm not about to spend all my savings next week and I do trust that other doors will open when certain doors appear to be locked and fortified.

I am slowly becoming more comfortable with the impermanence of my current lifestyle and although I have some loose plans for the future they are not well defined. It seems that being able to live month to month may well be an asset in these uncertain times. At least for the moment.

I sense that living in Taos is time limited but when the end is I don't know at present. I don't feel done yet - there's still alot of writing to do - the stimulation here is inspiring and productive. Two new classes have captured my attention: one is on reading your own astrological chart and the other is an improv class that meets for 2 1/2 hrs a week on a drop in basis. The astrological class is a one time deal and meets on 3/11th - I'm fascinated by what new information I may learn about the planets and my alignment with them. Now that we're in the Age of Aquarius!

Singles Awareness Day

My daughter, Jenn, told me that in her opinion, Valentines' Day is "Singles Awareness Day". I'm sure spoken because she's not currently in a relationship. Some bitterness about that perhaps. It's amazing that when you're younger (relatively speaking) - like in your teens, 20's or 30's being in a relationship seems to be "the be all and end all" of the meaning of your life. I like the definition of the word "virgin" from my tarot class - a woman complete unto herself. Someone who doesn't define herself by who's she in relationship with. This feels like it's a good description of the place/space I'm holding at the moment. Although the desire for a romantic relationship appears from time to time mostly it's in the background as I'm busy on developing parts of myself during this "alone" time. I certainly miss some of the aspects of being in a committed relationship - the companionship, communication, and shared experiences; however, I have to admit that I've done my greatest personal and spiritual growth when I am single. Now to combine the two. If that's possible, I don't know.

Three people emailed me and one person called me to let me know that Saturday, Valentines' Day, was the literal dawning of the Age of Aquarius (think of the popular song, from the musical "Hair"). At 7:25 am the Age was being ushered in and the planets were in alignment (as predicted by the song) - the Age of Aquarius is the age of love and peace. Apropos Valentines' Day. I also picked the "lovers" card in my daily tarot practice. Hopefully this will all be in alignment with Obama being the new president.

My writing practice continues; lately I've been working on some memoir pieces. Interesting to look back on some childhood experiences with the more detached view from fifty years in the future.... Much more neutral, lots of lessons and opportunities to deduce meaning from what occurred - so much more helpful than trying to figure out why they occurred or whose fault it was anyway....

In Search of Excellence

This was the week I heard the word. Excellent. She repeated it twice and added, with a few minor changes, you could submit it for a contest. You have a real talent for writing in that voice.... I couldn't believe she said that. To me. I had written a story about a sewing teacher, Mrs. Larsen - my fond memories of going to her house every Tuesday afternoon for several years - which then led to being a camp counselor at Camp Middlesex (a 4-H camp)in Western Mass. for several summers. Phaedra's (my writing teacher)words fired my motivation to continue working on my "craft" (as they say in the inner circle of writers)- especially since I've been feeling a bit discouraged lately with the love's laborious task of writing....

So onward and upward; I'm not feeling inspired to submit it to a contest but who knows maybe sometime in the future.... What I do know and sense is that my hard work over the past months has started to pay off - becoming familiar with "point of view, character development, narrative, fictional devices, voice, etc." I love to learn; I am a perpetual student - better yet when you reach that point actually having accomplished a milestone in your subject. So I'm no pulitzer prize winner (yet) but her words were enough to keep me moving forward.

My cold is officially over - it always seems that no matter how much rest, vitamin C, echinacea and chicken soup you consume it still seems to take a couple of weeks for its effects to lessen. So back to my workout schedule at the gym. I have finished my pilates class and have a new appreciation for my abdominal muscles (or lack thereof). I watched in amazement as the instructor and several students did moves I can only dream of accomplishing someday. I only have 2 more sessions with my trainer and will use them to become even more acquainted with the intimidating equipment in the weight room. She now has me doing free weights - another whole process - in itself....

A Writer's Life

Friday night I attended an event hosted by S.O.M.O.S (Society of the Muse of the southwest - an organization devoted to writers) at Cafe Tazza (yes they do serve espresso drinks). It was a quintessential Taos experience. The adobe walls, painted in vibrant colors, the ristras (wreath of dried chilis) hanging from the ceiling and the packed antechamber livingroom of writers, poets, and wannabe's was intoxicating. I felt like a real writer. This combined with receiving accolades on a written piece during my thursday morning writing group has made this a banner week - despite having a chest cold, not sleeping well and not able to work out at the gym.... I coupled my experience with finishing Natalie Goldburg's novel, "Banana Rose" set in Taos, NM - it was fun to recognize alot of the landmarks she mentioned - altho - alas there is no more Rexall Drug's that has a soda fountain and serves malteds. Goldburg moved to Santa Fe sometime ago and is still an active writer and teacher. On my wish list is the desire to attend one of her writing workshops (she wrote, "Writing down the Bones" among other books.

The night's readers included Dave Perez, a local well known writer, who read from his memoir in progress, "Wow" about growing up puertorican in NYC in the 1960's and his antics at a catholic private school, St. Luke's, and his comedy routine as an unruly altar boy. We then heard from a classically trained flamingo guitarist and the ending of the evening was two readings from NY Times bestseller author, Lisa Valdez Rodriguez from Albuquerque who read from a young adult novel, "The Haters" and her current book to be published in July '09, "The Husband Habit". Perez and Rodriguez were both hilarious, colorful, and riveting. It gave me some idea of what publishers are looking for in fiction/non fiction material. Especially with Rodriguez who has already published 6 books.

Although I attended the event solo it was obvious that many of the folks there know each other and there appears to be a definite "inner circle of writers" in Taos that I can only dream to be a part of. I've discovered that like any field of training there is a writer's jargon, "prompts, scenes, pacing, character development, plot development, point of view - first person, third person, narrative, etc." At least I now know what most of the words mean....

Firming and toning has come to a stand still this week as I focus on recovering from a chest cold. I haven't been to the gym since last Monday but am hopeful that this week will be more conducive.

The Tarot class continues on Saturday mornings. We covered 3 more major arcana cards and got assigned yet more homework, 2 videos and meditation time. I'm anxious to actually do the readings and yet know that the background historical info is critical to meaningful interpretations.