lantern parade!

an absolutely wonderful event to kick off art on the beltline, the seventh annual lantern parade hosted by the krewe of the grateful gluttons --- there were 60,000 last year, god knows how many this year, but it was a lot ---

this and that

 the south side of 11th street is almost put back together, new oak trees and all

but this house and the apt bldg next door on 13th will be demolished soon for another apt tower

106 with the susans and don tonight at endive --- always good

land of enchantment, indeed

a week roaming around the high desert and mountains of northern new mexico, time alone listening to the silence, and time catching up with one of my best friends --- all worked their magic --- taos was not nearly as prissy as i was afraid it might be --- thanks, cathi!

hacienda de los martinez

built in 1804 and thought to be the oldest building outside the pueblo, this exemplifies spanish colonial architecture in northern new mexico --- nicely restored, but not overly so

chimayo

30 august: chapel el santuario at chimayo, a national historic landmark built in 1816, was purty great --- it is very much an active church, some say the most important roman catholic shrine in this country, attracting 300,000 pilgrims annually --- in addition to the disturbingly wizened baby jesus with madonna, there was a glistening stone madonna and child with vaguely oriental features, dedicated by a vietnamese group --- and ten million rosaries and assorted handmade crosses hanging everywhere, and little notes stuck in crevices beside signage asking that notes not be stuck in the crevices --- 

ranchos de taos

the church, san francisco de asis (1772-1816) has got buttresses --- the rear is especially impressive --- the old town itself is a little down on its luck, but then we were there on a monday

las trampas

focal point of the community is the church of san josé de la gracia, a national historic landmark built 1760-1776 --- they were in the midst of repairs, including renewing the stucco