Friday, August 16, 2013

"Stopping briefly" - Truth or Consequences, New Mexico



Most everyone who lives here stopped briefly and forgot to start up.

I'm here tending David and Annie's home and herding their cats. Without meeting me, they invited me to come early and stay with them indoors. And I did. I'm so happy I accepted, because they're wonderful. It feels like I've always known them. They're comfortable, and kind, and funny, and deeply generous. When they left this morning we got verklemmt, as Annie said.

They both work at the Matthew 25 food pantry, and so did I - my first food pantry shift! That's half a day of hard work. Other people are working throughout the week to pick up donations, sort, arrange, and buy food. Others come in to vacuum and clean the pantry. This week they served over 100 households, and that's repeated every week. Each family is allowed one visit per month to the pantry, so over 400 households qualify for, and receive, a food package here in T or C.

I haven't taken any pictures. I haven't taken any pictures?? 

Rammed-earth construction - Datil
This is stalled, but rammed earth provides the thermal mass to allow a house to maintain a constant temperature year-round, without heating or cooling it.

Sunset from Sandia Peak, Albuquerque.




An unguarded moment in Las Cruces.


Santa Fe

I asked a shopkeeper in Taos where to find the church with the staircase built with no nails (stop me if you've heard this). She said Santa Fe. This traveling is hard on the location circuits.




21 comments:

Kimbopolo said...

Sounds like a great gig with great folks.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

I don't know if you met "Many Wheels Bri" and his wife Kit last time you were in Tor C. Awesome folks if you haven't.

http://manywheelsbrian.blogspot.com/

Looking forward to TorC in the fall!!!

Unknown said...

from RVSue http://rvsueandcrew.wordpress.com/

described Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

(known throughout the southwestern USA as T or C)better than anyone I know!


" It’s hard to explain. Take these ingredients: a cup of Southwestern, a cup of hippie, a cup of arts and crafts, a cup of cowboy, a cup of honest-to-goodness down-home, a cup of vagabond, and a cup of hot springs. Mix it all together and season to taste with a whole lot of what Chuck characterizes as ”laid-back.”

Donna K said...

That's a great selfie!!

The Good Luck Duck said...

Lol, Donna! I set the timer so you wouldn't see my wings.

That does describe it pretty well, Geri. Annie says I have the MaƱana vibe to fit in here.

Cyndi, I met Brian, and hope to see him this time, too. Kit was out of town last time, but maybe I'll hit it right on this visit.

It feels good, Kim!

Unknown said...

I met a film maker a few weeks ago here in Truth or Consequences who is making a documentary about how people came to live in TorC. I'm guessing 74% broke down here; 7% stopped for a Pepsi; and the rest simply got sucked into the vortex. (I am in the last group. Watch out, Roxanne!)

Tesaje said...

Love the descriptions of that place. Herding kitties is something even my collie doesn't try to do. She does try to play with them. Thanks for the gratuitous pics.

The Good Luck Duck said...

OH boy.

I just realized this is my fourth time in TorC. Am I circling the drain vortex?

tstda62 said...

Maybe I can get over there to visit while you are there. We used to go to the lake often when we lived in Cruces.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Mary, she probably tried once. My pleasure!

The Good Luck Duck said...

YES, Betty. I think you and Sue should meet. And "I" have a spare bedroom. And, I'm allowed to have friends over. And, we could make popcorn.

Gaelyn said...

Hoping you show more of that amazing house. Great gig.

The Good Luck Duck said...

The one where I'm staying, Gaelyn? Or the rammed earth? It would be great if they'd start up the construction again.

Dragonfly said...

Hmmm. Sounds like the Ducks feet are happy feet on T or C.

Roxanne said...

Yep, Dragonfly, those webbers are flapping around in a happy way. TorC definitely has its appeal.

Pam said...

Love the painted posts. New Mexico looks amazing, can't wait to get there someday.

The Good Luck Duck said...

I love New Mexico, Pam. I'm sure you will, too.

Contessa said...

New Mexico is the next best thing to Mexico :) Glad you are enjoying your journey err I mean stay.

The Good Luck Duck said...

It might be the best thing next to Mexico, too! [Oh, Arizona, I did NOT just say that!] And, yes, you're right. It's a journey, too.

Unknown said...

My youngest daughter once worked on a 'rammed earth and tire home' when she was in high school. I have a link to the finished home on one of my pinterest boards. here is the pin- http://pinterest.com/pin/148196643960452579/
If you click on the picture it should take you to the originating site if you want to see more pics.
k-

The Good Luck Duck said...

Very cook, k! Did she work under the auspices of Earthship (that's where the picture led me)?