Have a nice trip, see you in the fall.

 Because some mountains are ostentatious, I present the Sangre de Cristos:

Lenticular clouds AND a moon. Whatever, mountains.

A joke you've heard ... Mountains are not just funny, they're hill areas.

Because some cats are ostentatious, I present Sophia:

Sophia is 1/4 of the reason we were in Taos, but a bigger 1/4 than most. For being one quarter, she was more like seven-and-a-half-eighths.

Our friend bought bird-safe collars for her natural-born killers. I'd like to exclaim, "They really work!" I'd like to exclaim that, but the fresh bundles of feathers we found each day exclaimed otherwise.

We get it. Yes, you're very pretty, sunrise.

Kit Carson Road

Likewise

We were here on Kit Carson because our friend has a show at The Ranch at Taos, and because we spotted coffee.

Caffe Tazza

Taos colors were at their peak for us.

Taos was kind to me. I played with kitties, and read, and gazed out at mountains in all directions. I felt inner conditions gently ease, unknot, and rearrange themselves. I had solitude; I had dear company. 

In my opinion, Taos to T or C in one day is excessive. I felt pretty beaten-up on both ends. But, an overnight also seems excessive if there's an ETA on the line. 

 It was fun to meet Judy, and to see Chris again, back in Truth or Consequences. Judy is from the same tiny village in New York State that I am; in fact, I can picture her house.

Judy and Chris, Elephant Butte, NM. 

But, where's Roxanne? Let's get some selfies!

  

Oh Judy, everything's fine. 

Judy said, "I think you have ... " CLICK!
"Do you think it's possible there's ..." CLICK!
"I'm pretty sure you've got ..." CLICK!
"Hold up a minute, your ..." CLICK! 










We're back "in town" briefly to care for some pups, and then we end our summer season in TorC and head for Arizona.

Katzenbaum: Christmas and catsitting in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Hello, Kittens - I've missed you! I couldn't write because I've been so very not-busy.

I spent a lovely and peaceful 18 days on the Rio Grande, enjoying the company of a certain gray cat. While I was there, I was able to do some holiday decorating; I haven't done that for a few years.

Immediately after that, I moved myself to a cozy house with two kitties.

This is not the other one.

Neither is this.

Now I'm dwelling with me, with only myself to kibble. A friend has offered me her home - for no reason except generosity - while she has her own pet-sitting job, and I'm already having fun. I haven't met the neighbor upstairs, but his reputation and excellent yodeling precede him. At home in Datil, there is no bustle. Some nights, the bustle-level drops below zero. So, housing here in a hive of human habitation? Heavenly.

This is the site of the only truly free hot springs in town.

Warm your hands.

I've been doing a bit of this. 

That Sue. What a cut-up.

I haven't just been enjoying myself in T or C! Oh no! I ventured down to Las Cruces, where Spud got fitted for new shoes and I browsed Main Street in a whole new town.

I browsled through Coas Books for a few days, until I needed food and a bathroom. Don't be afraid of Las Cruces' small Main Street. It was the most manageable traffic I encountered all day, and there is plenty of parking.

Datil and Magdalena, New Mexico

Datil, New Mexico has a lovely little campsite that is famous with boondockers for its cuteness, toilets, good water, and wifi. I didn't stay there. I stayed with my friends, Betty and John, who are known for the very same things.  Life there is the opposite of roughing it. I smoothed it. Betty is my PR agent - she makes her friends read my blog. 

I don't know. Who IS the pretty mule? Oh, who?

How YOU doin'?

This bug claims to be real.

Magdalena, New Mexico

This library is in the Top Five of cutest libraries in the world, neck-and-neck with Datil's. It offers fast wifi even when it's closed, if you already have the password.

If you're into these things, here's one.

That's hornED toad.

On a clear day, you can see about 22 miles.

Tonight I'm in Truth or Consequences where I'll be house- and cat-sitting several weeks for some friends I just met. I'd write longer, but there are no-bake cookies.