Plantas Y Maderas - Garden Benches

After 9 years with my old red toyota, I bought her for myself on my 35th birthday...we'll finally let er go...traded her in for a horse and saddle and then some...now we finally have a few horses we can actually ride. 

Seems like more and more these days ..."less is more"  traded in what 145 horse power for 2....yep. The simple things in life continue to give our family great pleasures.  I tell Gene, we almost lost you last year, might as well act like we are semi retired and slow down, enjoy the life we have together.  A shift in perspective can sometimes create amazing things.  I can't seem to fit everything I want to do within the 24 hour period anyways...might as well enjoy what we have here and now.  I actually get more accomplished, imagine that.

This is my eighth summer living here year round in Zacatitos.....my first summer here we had a little storm,...they called it a hurricane..man I thought..... that's it?  Damn if the winds were't stronger at times on the top of glory after getting off the tram to ski the bowl... 
but believe me, I was set straight from the start, not only by the few locals that lived here year round but by mother nature when she sent hurricane Marty our way shortly thereafter...yep..that rocked my world.  Humbling to say the least and a gentle class 3....wow..I remember laying in bed in the middle of the night holding my husbands hand just waiting for the tin roof to fly off...it sounded like a freight train...but all and all, we survived just fine....

Here we are, having an amazingly cool summer for these parts...thus far..getting a little gift for enduring the heat of last summer, received a little more rain this past week, bringing out the termite hatch, yet it's still undoubtedly dry, in need of a rain dance once again.

Not only is it the anticipation of the weather ...but the random gifts you recieve daily...Above photos the entrance to our casita..with a recent facelift from Gene's favorite CNC tooling; a green lizard... Ellie named princes;, our big iguana living in a hole on top of a cardon, only comes out in the heat of the summer; a dragonfly flies by to greet me, a snake skin left by a rattle snake...hmmm, was that from the one we got last week..or yet another nearby and a chipmunk, now I would of never thought there would be chipmunks out here in the desert, yet these little guys are tough, survivors....those are just a few random moments of this day..oh yes a frog at the other ranch..now that,s a genuine treat.

As they say..."some of the best things in life are free"  no doubt......Simple pleasures is where it's at....welcome to our front yard where Fort and Ellie are growing up.

This morning Ellie got up early jumped into our bed and giving us hugs, telling us what she dreamed about, and told me she wanted a little parakeet in her cage.  Then within a moments time she says..."Mom, look there's a big mariposa outside in the tent.  We sleep with our doors and windows wide open with the alternative of sleeping outside in the tent.   She finally convinced me to go check it out, we do get enormous butterflies in the summers after the rains, so her comment wasn't all that unusual other than we haven't received the rains yet.  Wow, I couldn't believe my eyes, here is a baby owl hanging with us.  Imagine that.  The sightings of owls are far and few between and here now we have a baby wanting to hang out with our family.  This photo was taken this afternoon, the photo below was taken this morning.  Fort and Ellie just named the baby Tricky....as she just now flew off after spending 12 + hours with us....and they are walking around the yard calling her name.............classic, now that doesn't happen every day.

Yesterday I caught these photos above to share a portion of our daily views.  The morning starts before sunrise, Fort's up early to help feed the horses and clean the stalls. He especially enjoys his solo time our 2 month old colt he named Warrior.  I keep my distance listening to him talk to her...about thangs, life as a 6 1/2 year old boy sees it.  Warrior takes a nice big stretch, then Fort joins in.  The white pitaya opening in the morning bringing an exotic bloom in the midst of the grey landscape.  I notice the lomboys are putting out their green seed pods as well as tiny pink flowers.  The Cardons, oregon pipes, and various other natives are producing seeds, preparing to reproduce during the summer rains.  May we be so fortunate to receive life giving as we did last year....

After morning chores, readings and artwork with the munchkins, a little work in the shop, house, casita, caretaking homes etc... I venture into town for our supplies.  Caught a few photos of the new bridge passing over the arroyo connecting La Playita and San Jose del Cabo, then there's that classic Statue....
I sure do enjoy the simple life, less trips to town now that the munchkins are out of school, stalking up to see how many days can pass without needing anything that we don't have out at Milagro Ranch. On my way home, taking my sweet time.... I have to take a shot of the Osprey in the dead palm, Iguana on the rock, can only see his head.  Then the cardon looking over the Sea of Cortez with a little chipmunk talking to his buddy with his tail on the rock to the lower right.  Then there's the guard shack just around Punta Gorda selling cow skulls.....yep. 

A little more work then the evening chores come.....guess my trip to town was like a siesta, taking it in...instead of the go go go.  Awe summertime.  Back at the ranch there is plenty to be done, Gene always tells me there is not enough hours in the day....so true.  We got to see a king snake between the casita and the shop, they are beautiful and actually are known to eat rattle snakes.... :)  we call this one Harry.  Later while Fort Ellie and I are taking the alfalfa back to the corral we go the long way around and see rattle snake tracks.  "Mom, it's summer time gotta keep our eyes open for rattle snakes right?"  Yes Fort :)  The red cardinals, doves, cactus wren are flying around just before they quiet for the evening and then the sky puts out some amazing colors whenever we have clouds. 

It has been so incredibly quiet..most folks have gone back to where they are going, and less workers, less traffic other than the occasional water truck to come out to the coast to keep the folks plants alive while they are away.  Yes and to keep us that remain in constant supply of that liquid gold.  Just another day.......just another day filled with simple pleasures.

Yesterday while waiting for Ellie's school to start in La Playita, we heard the sounds of Guns and Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" load and clear from a neighbor starting out his day. It put a big smile on my face....thinking "Welcome to the desert"...... Classic to even hear tunes in english in these parts....pura espanol!  The previous day we even witnessed a group of mariachis walking down the La Playita roads in full costume.  At any rate...

Countless photo opportunities have passed me by...still working on the ol girl, the camera that is...I am finding that the words flow more freely with visual affects.  My words can't possibly begin to give this experience in the tropical desert justice. 

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the horses run free during the day then back into the corral at night...growing healthier daily..Milagro is now providing milk to her babe Warrior, what a transition occurring in just a few weeks.  Fort and Ellie will be out of school this coming week...phew..yeeehaw!  We continue to produce fine custom woodworks out of our off the grid shop and thankful for the continual flow of work in this tough economy. 

The wildlife continues to amaze me. Yesterday a red fox ran out in front of me, and in that same spot just days ago a small bobcat and I had a few moments where our eyes met.  The orioles, blue jays and cardinals bring brilliant colors  of yellow, blue and red upon this dry vast landscape.  Where you would think no life could survive you often see lizards, chipmunks, road runners and rabbits scurrying along finding shade and food...lord knows how they exist here.  This past week I looked up at a nearby cardon while sitting on a bench outside our place and saw a red cardinal, a dove and a chipmunk each eating the seedlings on 3 separate limbs of the same cardon cactus...classic.  During the full moon phase we could hear the coyotes at night near by, along with that the neighborhood dogs barking at burros, cows, coyotes...imagine that.... Desert solitude.

The cactus are in bloom always so hard to believe how these native plants can produce fruit and flowers when they are obviously lacking the life giving rains...yet they continue their cycle of life, regardless of these desert elements.  As Fort put it last night in a little song "Only the strong survive" while taking his evening outdoor shower.

God I love it here.

I would like to take you on our journey.

From the Trail of Tears, the Sante Fe Trail, the Dust Bowl Days and the Taos Pueblos.  Amidst the cultures in this mountain region and home on the range. 
A sense of Hispanic, Indian and Cowboy culture a.k.a. three bean soup creates a diverse unique culture unlike any other.

We have seen a heard of buffalo, snow on the mountain peaks, antelope on the open range, a rodeo, a trail days parade, the dust bowl museum.  Drove and hiked to the top of Mount Capulin, an inactive volcano.  Spent some time in a 55 year old western store with a collection of hundreds of old worn out hats on display.  Visited the Taos Pueblos, went to the 9,200 elevation of the Taos ski area founded by Ernie Blake.  Witnessed and took part in the Taos Indian dancers just outside of the pueblos, crossed over the Rio Grande and fished along the mountain streams and Eagle Nest Lake...It was heartwarming to partake in these activities with my husband and children that my great grandparents, granparents and parents introduced to me 40 some years ago.  It was beautiful to see our Gama Hazel and Great Aunt Ina Mae...icing on the cake.

A family vacation taking me back in time where we would spend time with our elders in our youth...a full circle finding our grassroots. Many of our elders and family have passed, but their memories and blood pump through my veins...to pass this experience on to my children is priceless.  Gracias A Dios

In light of our journey I would like to share this with you...



http://taospueblopowwow.com/about-taos-pueblo/blue-lake



"In 1906 An injustice was done in which...48,000 acres was taken from..the Taos Pueblo Indians.  The congress of the United States now returns that land to whom it belongs...I can't think of any more appropriate or any action that could make me more proud as President of the United States" 
1970 President Richard M. Nixon

On September 17th and 18th of 2010 The Taos Pueblos will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the return of it's Sacred Blue Mountain Lake.

In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt established Carson National Forest taking 50,000 acres without payment to them. 

The following information is fragments of notes I read in an article in High Country magazine summer 2010 ...  an excerpt from Frank Waters  Blue Lake Interview...

After a series of events and years of broken promises, It became obvious that the Pueblos 1940 use permit was worthless.  They were once granted a 50 year permit after waving a $297,684.67 payment from congress.  The children were sent away to a white man's school instead of being taught at home the traditional religious beliefs of his people.

The struggle of the Taos Indians to regain Blue lake helped enlighten much of the general American public about Indian Religioun.  December 15 1970 Senate passed the bill it was the first land claims case settled in favor of an Indian Tribe based on freedom and religion.

In the words of Frank Waters 1902-1995...
"I am convinced that this is something that we must learn from the Indians-their holistic way of thinking.  We must must realize our relatedness to all other forms of life.

One of the things that most helped the Indians in their quest for Blue Lake was the growing public understanding of the concept of ecology.  As the tenets of ecology became more widely appreciated, beginning in the early 1960's, so too did an understanding of the relationship between ecology and the basic principles of Indian religion.  The public began to grasp a little rudimentary thinking about Indian religion because ecology is the basis of Indian religion.  And this growing appreciation for ecology led the public to begin thinking holistically, to begin understanding the unity of all of nature's kingdoms-whether animal, plant, or mineral.  And this growing appreciation of Indians as the first ecologists helped Taos Pueblo in its struggle to reclaim their sacred land..."

The oil continues to leak out of the Gulf of Mexico uncontrollably...meanwhile folks are pointing fingers as to who is accountable...the life in the sea and on the coast lines continues to diminish....phew, too much to take..! Perhaps too little too late, but that will be up to our Great Grandchildren to voice....... When will we us/US AS A HUMAN RACE/ start to be accountable for our own actions, and once we see those folks that are responsible aren't accountable...when by God do we realize it is up to us to Do Something.  My head shakes with frustration and sorrow....bring home the troops

Meanwhile here at the homefront we have not only have a mother horse/Abuelita...which I have recently renamed her Milagro...aka...en english...Miracle if she can pull thru...comig our way with a 1 1/2 week old fillie and her young mare (pregnant) of all things..."Be carefull of what you wish for, you just might get it"  I have not yet had a horse here in Mexico since I arrived... we are now looking at 4....

In La Playita...The inspector of all schools of the area managed to find a new teacher (maestro) for the 3 rd grade...just goes to show what  a few good folks can do, when they/we put our foot down.  It doesn't take money, just a solid foundation.

The fair is setting up for the Dia de La Marina/La Playita festivities.  Tomorrow Ellie will be joining with the chosen few to be a part of a collage painting starting around 8:30 am at Puerto Los Cabos's Marina.....Preparing for the big day... 1 Junio 2010.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the tranquillity is abundant.  With Paciencia..Disfruta...nuestra espacio...*with a little patience, you are invited to enjoy our space... fyi, the best video is toooo big to post here :) what can I say, come by for a short visit and see for yourself !

T

This has become a beautiful occasion, an annual request from the Maestras of La Playita Kinder, since February of 2008.  This day gives me an opportunity to paint with the children  ages 4 to 6....giving me an incredible opportunity  educate the youth the imortance of protecting our waters, tierra (earth) and air, thru painting..and best of all they love it!!!.

On our final painting day three years ago I was accompanied by the Maestra of Maestras!..with guest artist and master teacher Annie deBrynKops and grandchildren (proteges)  ...Baily, Kristin and Kirby ....we already have an invitation for their return next spring....Unfortunately this year we missed out on their presense, but their invitation is open anytime they are available.....

The final product of 2008 was displayed at various tiendas in La Playita, La Choya, the organic market, and in front of the municple palace during our May 6th Meeting with President Rene Nunez.... http://loszacatitos.net/news/communitymeet08-3.html
also see http://www.loscaboscontaminacion.com

One thing all children love to do ...is paint, and the more free you are with them, the more beautiful the experience.  What an honor to be a part of this and what an opportunity I take on full heartedly.  Thank you Annie for your beautiful heart and experience....and Thank you Maestras Vickey, LLuvia, Serenia, and presently Maestra Bernice!

This years painting are in the works to be displayed at the marina for Dia de La Marina....this coming Friday 3 children of each class will be selected to paint a collage at the marina, these works will be included.  The works will be seen by many, including the Municipal President and Port Captain of San Jose del Cabo...Gracias A Dios 
photos from our archives to come...please check back

"See each morning a world made anew as if it were the morning of the very first day,...treasure and use it, as if it were the final hour of the very last day"
Fay H. Arnold

With a thin crescent moon, the stars are out in full force at night.  Here at the tip of Baja, we are living off the grid with no other lights filtering our view.  Here Mother Nature is raw, unharnessed and as beautiful as it gets...

Depending on which way the wind blows and/or the intensity of the swells, you can hear the pounding of the surf, or the lapping of the water onto the shores edge. Even though these days it's as dry as a bone, you can hear the singing of the crickets and always around our place a random rooster's crow....  They somehow can make a song anytime throughout the 24 hours, but guaranteed before daybreak they sing in unison almost a conversation of their own... 

Whether it's a crescent moon under an unbelievable starlit sky or a full moon, you might hear an occasional owl, gecko, slapping of a whales tale on the water's surface or coyote nearby, ...awe, no doubt a dog barking at the cows, burros or coyotes to protect their territory.  After a while these sounds become all too familiar and some more comforting and soothing than others..but no sound of the humming of traffic on a nearby highway, or loud music until dawn....silence surrounds us...the comforting sounds of mother nature in the tropical desert at her best.

Before day  break, the birds begin to chirp one by one awaking after hours of rest.... Doves, Cactus Wren, blue jays, cardinals, the list goes on, many I have yet to identify but the symphony is unsurpassed. 

....As I wrote these words, I was sitting on a bench with a cup of joe long before the sun reached over the horizon.  The thin crescent moon hanging above to my right, scattered clouds quickly changing colors as the natural lighting adjusts...this video above was taken the following morning..

Living here year round where most folks escape from the heat...this time of year begins to be one of my favorite times of all.   Everyday is just another day...regardless of how, who, where we are, when we awake, or what we choose to do with our hours....these things in nature remain steady, strong and on course.  ..with less folks around, the sounds of mother nature become so much more obvious, we are just a drop of water, a part of the whole...Simple Pleasures is where it's at.