At first I was afraid, I was petrified: Survival and joy in an off-grid cabin (Datil, NM)

Sometime recently, I newly knew that life could be cozy and comfortable, and not just survival. That's when I started loading Spud up with cozy and comfortable things I had found along the way. It also changed the way I looked at what I already had. 

You know how, when you move into a new place, you don't feel at-home until you do "that thing"? We all have that thing, and sometimes we just stumble upon it by accidentally doing it, and then feeling comfortable. I learned a while ago that books are that thing for me.

Before: that naked hearth made me cold just looking at it.

After: that thing

Of course, even before there's that thing, there's THAT thing. The first thing I realized experientially was that I needed a bed. Now, my bed has a curtain-friend. Good for afternoon naps without sun in my eyes, and fully-lit nights when the moon is an invader.

Uncovered windows at night undo me. Nevermind that anyone standing on my deck and looking in would need to have brought provisions, a bedroll, night-vision glasses, a strong stomach, and a GPS. Now they can just stay home, thanks to curtains.

I was going to wait until I had cleaned up, but we only have so many years.

It got cold here a few nights ago. Thank goodness that's over!

My head.

Flickers are beautiful, inquisitive, and relentless. I call this one "Opportunity," because he just keeps knocking.

There was a Hallowe'en festival in town, and Betty and I attended. 

Amigita being as scary as she ever gets. She's a service dog.

Somehow I walked out the door and up a mountain. I know, it confused me, too. Just when I thought I knew who I was.

Spud Ranch

Horse Mountain? When the locals argue, I simply refuse to learn until they come to consensus. 

When a half is really a quarter, and vice versa.

I got out my old Magellan GPS, and discovered that the cabin is right at 7800'; I had previously gotten the notion it was 7500', but no. This sparked some friendly competition between myself and everyone else in the neighborhood, now that we all know I'm above them. Mostly they've been good sports, even with my attitude of altitude.

Blowing the stink off in Datil, New Mexico

I'm at the cabin, still, and feeling pretty darn good about it.

Kathryn is a retired science and feature writer, formerly of California, who passed through Datil and liked it enough to come back. She has been road-tripping in her Miata for many weeks. Her wildlife encounters so far include two bears and replacing the Miata's ragtop, a cougar, and a skunk (none in Datil). We may end up in a book!

People ask me where I'm from, and usually now I just tell them where I live. Either they've never heard of it ("it's between the Very Large Array and Pie Town"), or they say, "Oh! That book!" I figured this trip it's time to read that book:

On page 32, something (Me) said frivolously, "Get up and drive to Reserve." I was dubious, and so I negotiated by saying "no." 

Alright, but at least get up and take a walk. Blow the stink off ya.  That seemed like a pretty good deal, considering what I'd bargained down from, so I grabbed my camera and took my day-jammies for a walk.

Must have been my spidey-sense telling me to take a camera.

I wasn't trying to smish him.

Last year, I showed you some big tarantulas we saw up at Santa Rosa Lake:

Desert blond tarantula from Santa Rosa, NM. Not the same guys here.

The little guys here are about 1/3 the size. I still don't know what they're called. 

It's an address, not a speed.

San Agustin plains.

Elk memories.

Dinner memories. Not elk.

It's a good thing I have that foot at the end of my leg. It saves me putting my hands next to stuff.

Do you see the cabin? Not mine.

Second sighting. "Spider, spider, let me be! Keep your urticating hairs FAR from me!"

This is the time of year when males go a'courtin'. Like Mr. Frog dating Miss Mousie, but intraspecies.

I was just now sitting in the warmth of the sunshine; when clouds get all up in the Sun's business I have to turn on the heat.