Santa Fe During the Christmas Week

As a part of my Santa Fe tradition, I took a day to wander around the Plaza and some of the art galleries of Santa Fe.  Prior to 2008, I was a tourist, driving up to New Mexico from Palm Springs, California.  I came to enjoy the hot mineral waters in the Taos area and to visit the art galleries of Santa Fe.  My trip north from California was my way of finding winter-like weather.

These days, I live in Santa Fe, NM with my partner Michael.  Although he is not fond of being a tourist in the city in which he resides, I find comfort in walking the streets and browsing the galleries as I did in the past.  There is comfort in honoring my own winter tradition. 

During the week between Christmas and the end of the year, I took a day to myself to turn inward, yet be in the world.

Doors at the Loretta Chapel on Old Santa Fe Trail near Plaza.

Time for a a pomegranate truffle and a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Mayan Aztec elixir at the Kakawa Chocolate House.

Rosaries on tree branches outside the Loretta Chapel.

The Governor's Palace at the Plaza in Santa Fe.  This is where tourists come to purchase silver and turquoise Native arts.

One of my favorite traditions is having a hot bowl of green chili stew and a local tap beer.
My lunch stop was at Blue Corn Cafe, in the Mercado on Water Street.

Farolitos illuminate the dark and is a tradition to the Santa Fe area.

Solstice

I was awake early to call in the light.  Before going to sleep last night, I prepared the fireplace for an early morning fire.  I've been waiting for this morning.  The outside cold morning air was a crisp contrast to the warmth inside the house.  My morning was spent reading, writing, reflecting and being in deep gratitude for the turning of the Great Wheel.

On this day, I dance with the flames of the Wheel of Life.

Jasper, Alberta Canada

Mostly, we spent our time camping. I took three hours to walk around the city of Jasper, while Michael went for a run on Whistler Peak. I thought of Uma, a blogger that I like to follow, while I photographed these unedited photos.





I would like to add more photos when I return to Santa Fe and find some time to indulge in learning how to create a more interesting blog space.

Nelson, British Columbia

Michael and I are currently on vacation in Canada. I took a little walking tour of Nelson yesterday. It was mostly a rainy day, but refreshing to my dry skin.

Gardening in Santa Fe

The morning light in northern New Mexico is magical. The afternoon and evening sun is brutal and can make significant changes in the garden or in my body in a matter of minutes. I've been able to get out into the garden most mornings, at least for a little while.

Last year, a professional landscaper created a dry riverbed to divert water that drains from the roof. This year, I had to remove every rock from the riverbed, install weed barrier fabric, then replace the rocks. It was labor intensive.

I've been trying my hand at both container gardening as well as transplanting perennials that I purchase from at Santa Fe Farmers' Market. Every Saturday I attend a lecture someplace in Santa Fe, where I learn technical tips and suggestions for gardening in this harsh climate.

There has not been a thunderstorm in Santa Fe since January, when a freak snowstorm brought thunder and lightning. There has not been a slow steady rain here since last September. Trying to garden here has obstacles that I never imagined. The ground is parched. My soul is feeling much the same.

Snow in the Garden

While the middle of the United States is being hit with severe rain storms and tornadoes, I woke up to a light dusting of snow.


Thank you for sending cloudy weather my way. It looks like a great day to be in the garden.



Southwest gardening is a challenge to this Wisconsin woman.

Navigating the Garden

I've been busy with the backyard. We have four raised bed boxes and xeric design landscaping. Last year, Michael hired landscapers to bring in dirt, create the physical raised beds and make a riverbed landscape feature to drain away water from the roofs.

For over a month, I've been going outside most days, working with the weeds, soil, rocks and plants. The most difficult aspect for me is the sunshine. It's hard to believe that I would complain about the sun. Just one ray of sunshine on my face, arms or hands is enough to redden my skin in an instant. My red skin dries, cracks and bleeds. I feel as if I am in constant pain as my eczema creeps along my hands, wrists, face and neck.

It is easy to navigate garden the garden sun, working in the shade of the morning and in the evening. It is easy to schedule my days in the garden, wearing a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and gloves. Yet, I am frustrated. I am not certain that this rural Wisconsin woman belongs at 7400 feet above sea level. This is too close to the sun for me.

Santa Fe Snow

Yesterday, snow arrived in Santa Fe. It was comforting to have relief from my allergies to the juniper pollen. It was also nice to have a fire in the fire place and to create an oven roasted evening meal.



This morning, I drove Michael to the gallery, enjoying the snow scene on adobe and red earth. Even though I continue to long for Palm Springs, the freshness of snow on the Sangre de Cristos seemed to hit my refresh button to accepting living here in Santa Fe.



It was so much fun to see the animal sculptures wearing an accumulation of snow. Just last Friday, the parking lot menagerie was bathed in warm sunshine and vibrant spring blossoms,

Moocaite

I rarely make posts here, but I decided to add another to Mystical Gypsy, so that I can change the photo of myself from the dashboard, without removing the eczema blog.

The photo attached to this blog is a piece of polished Moocaite, a rock that is mined in Western Australia. About six weeks ago, I first noticed this rock at an outdoor vendor's table. It is the same table where I purchased a piece of Sugilite in June of 2008.

When I first saw the piece of Moocaite, I was drawn to it, but reluctant to make the purchase. During the following week, I thought of the rock. I even woke up one morning, believing I was dreaming of the rock from Australia. Because of my schedule, I had to wait several weeks before I could buy this piece displayed in the photo. I love it! The rock hound who sold this to me quickly made a cage for my new piece of rock. I wear it as a slide.

I expect, in the future, I will return to discussions of my eczema. The condition is not resolved, but I am in a place where I can go shopping or out to dinner with friends. Everyday is a tightrope walk to managing this condition.

Facial Eczema

Beginning 23 July, 2010, I suffered from severe facial eczema. I tried everything to resolve the issue, including regulating my diet, using Vedic Astrology, staying out of the sun, leaving my partner, modifying my vacation, going to allergists, dermatologists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, Tarot card reader and remote healing. I did other things, like chanting, cleansing breaths, no breaths and Reike. In a way, I found my best advice buried in Vedic astrology, the Rig Veda and time.

The biggest thing I learned is that with all of the herbs, all of the rest and all of the expert interaction and help that came my way, it was finding my own way that gave me the most relief.

I write this with inspiration from Secret Notebooks...Wild Pages, http://secretnotebookswildpages.blogspot.com/