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!