Cometsgirl

Im traveling to Taos, New Mexico, today. I haven’t been in New Mexico during Fall for many years. Too many years.

I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of Aspen, though it’s more likely I’ll see Cottonwood. The Aspen trees may have dropped most of their leaves by now.

Cottonwood is a good substitute tree when you can’t have Aspen. I’m talking about scenic beauty. Often found alongside streams and rivers, they are beautiful in their own right.

My hope is to visit The Valley Vidal. “The Valle Vidal (which is Spanish for “Valley of Life”) is a 101,794 acre area on the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains”.

It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. The land with the stream running through it, the meadows, the distant timber, the winding road, mule deer, elk, birds and fish! Altitude varies, 8,000’ to 12,000’. Gasp. Gasp.

“See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream.”

—Ray Bradbury

Traveling mercies.

The celebration of my traveling friend’s birthday was just as I hoped it would be – activities she would love. First and foremost was the Karin Larson exhibit.

Breakfast goodies at the American Swedish Institute to begin the day.

We stepped into the exhibit as it opened.

We struck up a conversation with two delightful women. Our mutual delight made my friend and I want to return one day and take them up on their offer to join them for Morning Prayer which they conduct each morning.

We enjoyed lunch at the FIKA Café.

Later in the day we Ubered to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Such fun to “run” from one piece to another.

I gathered seeds for my garden next year.

The James Turrel Sky Pesher was located at the Walker Art Center, adjacent to the sculpture garden.

The day ended with a late meal at CARDAMOM. Celebration ice cream!

It was a fine day.

Literally. I took a plane, a train, and an automobile yesterday. And a short walk.

An easy and pleasant flight to Minneapolis.

My friend was waiting for me as I deplaned. She helped gather up my bag and we took the elevator down to board a train.

It was a short walk to the hotel.

A short time later we scored a 4pm reservation at Owamni by the Sioux Chef, a James Beard award winning restaurant. We walked through town to dinner.

“Experience the true flavors of North America, featuring foods of Mni Sota Makoce, Land Where the Waters Reflect the Clouds.”

It was such wonderful dining!

After dinner we Ubered to Weisman Art Museum. Designed by Frank Gerhry, it was as much an art piece as the exhibit inside.

A few favorites.

Time to Uber home for the night.

Bedtime ice cream. Fancy!

A wonderful day of travel, near and far.

For many years my traveling friend has wanted to go to Sweden. With a single purpose.

To visit the house of Carl Larsson.

Known for both painting and furniture design, “he was prolific Swedish artist whose paintings of his own home interior have inspired homeowners for more than 100 years.”

His wife, Karin Bergöö Larsson was an artist, designer, dressmaker, and style icon through her art and textiles.

We are traveling to Minneapolis for this exhibit:

This a birthday trip for my friend. While not actually in Sweden, it will feel like it when we step into the American Swedish Institute for the exhibit. We will have lunch at the Fika Café.

Beyond celebrating with her in “Sweden”, she has suggested this 2-day trip might take the place of actually traveling to Sweden. My new reality of having lived 83 years, has revealed the challenges travel can sometimes have for me. I need travel to be less-complicated.

Sweden in Minneapolis seems to be an alternative. Regardless, I’m about to land. Let the party begin!

Traveling mercies.

I have a tattoo! Georgia and I have matching tattoos!

But first…

I had pizza for lunch with my grandkids. Conversation was rich and delightful. We decided since we have been to this pizza place three times, it is now our place.

Jack dropped Georgia and I off at the tattoo parlor. I was only a tad apprehensive as we entered.

We filled out the requisite paperwork, adding to my apprehension. Our tattoo artist then showed us design options and we selected our design.

Then we walked down the hall to the room where the deed would be done,

and settled in to prepare.

I chose to go first so I couldn’t change my mind.

I then climbed up on the chair and waited for the artist to begin. But first she led us in prayer. It was quite the moment.

I had a little fun.

Georgia held my hand the entire time.

Before I knew it, my tattoo was finished. I joked that it was so quick and easy, I wanted another one.

Then it was Georgia’s turn.

All done!

And just like that, we had matching tattoos.

The best part was how much my granddaughter wanted us to do this. We were filled with glee as we walked outside.

Today I travel to Texas. While I’ll land at Dallas/Fort Worth, and stay with my son and daughter-in-law in Keller, my destination is really Arlington, where my granddaughter lives.

Something remarkable and long thought about, is going to happen in Arlington.

I’m going to get a tattoo! Georgia and I are getting matching tattoos!

For a dozen or more years, I’ve thought about getting a tattoo.

My granddaughter, Georgia, has several. She’s a E.R. trauma nurse at a hospital in downtown Dallas. I’m in awe of her for many reasons, certainly for her work and her strength.

Two years ago, Georgia travelled for a short visit. Just a couple of days after she left my home, I read a news piece about grandmothers and granddaughters getting matching tattoos. It was a trend that was new to me!

Families Get Matching Tattoos: ‘My Grandma Was Like, Sure!’ was the title of the WSJ September 2022 article.

It went on to caption “Fading taboos on tattoos, especially among first-timers in middle age and older, have opened a buzzy fashion niche for intergenerational ink.”

I’ve never aspired to be in a buzzy fashion niche, but…

I texted Georgia about the article. Her reply was, “feeling inspired?” I replied, “kind of”.

And so it began.

We talked about it off and on. Then when I visited Georgia last March, we stopped by The Chosen One Ink.

She wanted to make sure I wasn’t too old. Karina assured us I was not too old.

Now here we are. Ready to do this.

A surprisingly empty interstate through Atlanta this morning.

Quiet time at ATL. For now.

I’m soon to board my flight. Stay tuned.

Travelling mercies.

Yesterday, Sunday, began with a visit with the llamas who live across the road.

They seem to be gentle animals, but I don’t trust that they won’t let loose and spit. So we all keep our distance.

Of course the day began with coffee from Taos Coffee Apothecary. My friend and I have known the owners for at least a decade. We stopped in during their 1st month of opening, and it’s always wonderful to reunite and catch up on their lives.

The Harwood Museum was our next stop. We went to see the exhibit, Luchita Hurtado: Earth & Sky Interjected

I was so drawn to her work, especially the sketches.

I really enjoyed the series of photos she took with her shadow in the image. I do this on occasion.

Next up was a road trip. Sipapu, a small ski area just east of Taos, was highly recommended by the coffee shop owner.

It didn’t take long to head for the mountains – literally. The drive was beautiful.

After awhile we pulled off the highway to slow down, and to stop and walk the trail just a bit.

There was local man fishing the Rio Pueblo. He was using a spinner and was getting a lot of action.

I chatted with him for a bit, then he was off to toss his line back in.

It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a gentleness of spirit and a pure sincerity of mind.
-Washington Irving

Yesterday (Saturday) was the reason why my traveling friend and I traveled to Taos. We came for the opening of a dear friend’s art exhibit.

Her show, Continuum, was extraordinary. What she refers to as her day work, Butterpie Productions, was prominently on display.

Her more recent drawings and printmaking pieces were paired with her larger ceramic plates and platters.

It was such joy to walk into the gallery and be greeted by Abby and her husband, Dean, with open arms and great smiles.

That morning we took a drive to Arroyo Seco, a small town north of town. Our aim was to see the beauty of the area in the summer.

There was bounteous summer beauty

Then, later in the evening, we drove northwest to try to find sunset. The following images declare we found it!

I have forgotten how much I love Taos in the summer.

Small to vast vistas

blooms

apricots and plums

blue skies

vistas

green grass

sleeping with open doors

and rainbows!

As Georgia O’keefe wrote, Taos is a high, wise, sage-covered plain. In the evening, with the sun at your back, it looks like an ocean, like water. The color up there is different . . . the blue-green of the sage and mountains, the wildflowers in bloom. It’s a different kind of color from any I’d ever seen—there’s nothing like that in north Texas or even in Colorado. And it’s not just the color that attracted me either The world is so wide up there, so big.

“something that keeps on going, changing slowly over time”

Today I’m traveling to Taos, NM.

It’s one of my favorite places. It’s also where one of my favorite persons has an exhibit opening in a couple of days. The exhibit is described as A Joy-Filled Exhibit of Abby Salsbury’s New Ceramics and Printmaking.

The exhibit is titled,

This has me thinking about the word continuum.

I’m in my 80’s and an on my own continuum.

Brain and body change slowly and quickly at the same time, it seems.

Often with scattered exuberance.

Mushy recall at times,

clear the next moment.

I’m acutely aware of “something that keeps on going, changing slowly over time”.

In the meantime, I have a chair in the sky to catch.

Traveling mercies.