The City Different

The bonus of the Taos Advent trip was a day and a half in Santa Fe.

Staying at a hotel just off the plaza made it possible to continue the walking I have been committed to doing.

A brisk walk early this morning led to a labyrinth at St. Francis Cathedral. It was accessed by slipping under yellow police tape, as the decorations for the cathedral were to be hung today and all entrances to the cathedral plaza were taped off.

Museums added to the experience of the day. O'Keeffe and her camping trips; The St. John Illuminated Bible, first envisioned by the artist while at Ghost Ranch some years ago. Both Gobsmacking experiences!

In my Advent reading for today, we are reminded that in his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says our lives are to be lived quietly, yet do more and more for those God invites us to serve. We are to be willing to use our hands, our hearts, our souls on behalf of others.

I have lived pretty quietly these past nine days, and in that time I have again and again seen ways I might serve others.

Tonight a last meal of blue corn enchiladas, followed by a stroll in this city different.

Promise of Return

A friend told me that the way to face post travel depression is to have a future trip planned. As I drove away from the Casa I have called home for the past week, it helps that some plans are in place for my return next Advent.

It also helps that trail maps for the Rio Grande Gorge were picked up at the gorge visitor's center today. The anticipation of those new hikes makes leaving a bit easier.

This has been a time of intentional walking. Footsteps instead of wheels; walking a labyrinth each day. I've walked paths I would have otherwise missed.

The days were bookended with the pinks and reds and purples of sunrises and sunsets. The sky here is like no other place. You don't want to miss the color shows, nor can you ever not look up at the bluer than blue sky or the amazing cloud formations. Land of enchantment-- indeed.

Face to Face

I have several wonderful friends in this part of the world. Remarkable women all.

The years of friendship range from just a few years to over 30 years. I value what they have added to my life. Reunion with these friends is always a delicious moment of joy.

Last night dinner was shared. Today art craft time will be shared. Tomorrow another shared meal. I have been to this place with a friend of 40 years. And I am now on this journey with a friend if 20 years.

The Advent devotion today talks about loving to be with those whom we love and with whom we love to be reunited. It goes on to say that God calls us to also be with those whom we would rather avoid for whatever reason we give.

This season we celebrate the amazing grace of God. Can we not offer grace as well?

Yesterday's labyrinth was the "finest" so far. Beautifully built and tended to. Big and bold. With a stone path that crunched as I walked. Sitting stones at the center.

As for the daily red chile blue corn enchilada, it was replaced with an amazing red chile beef tamale.

Chips

Shopping at Cid's grocery store last night, I informed the cashier I didn't need a bag for my purchases. With that she handed me a white poker chip.

I asked what it was for. She told me I could choose a can from the shelves of cans by the front door. Each one labeled and decorated for a local non-profit.

I did so, choosing the food pantry of St. James Episcopal Church. I dropped my chip in the slot and then stopped to look at the variety of groups who are helping others--helping people and helping animals as well.

Each chip is worth 10 cents. Not a lot. But those 10 cents add up over the course of a day, a week, a month.

I read this morning that Taos has 250 non profit organizations. That seems like a lot for this small community.

Taos is not alone. Everywhere their is hunger and need. And everywhere there are non-profit groups who respond to the needs of our neighbors and friends, maybe even more importantly, to strangers.

I'm thoughtful about the power of a single white poker chip.

And, yes, I walked a labyrinth. And are cheese enchiladas.

Sabbath Keeping

First Sunday in Advent I found worship at El Pueblito Methodist Church just north of Taos. It is the custom in the Methodist church to offer Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month.

This being the first Sunday, I was front and center to pull off a piece from the extended loaf. To feed my soul.

The outreach ministry of this parish is to feed the hungry in the Taos area. They call it Shared Table. Last week alone, they fed 446 adults, 171 children, and 32 infants. Shared Table is on my gift-giving list.

My Advent reading for today tells me that those who work in soup kitchens and food pantries are in the "Holy of Holies". Indeed.

After church it was time for my daily meal of blue corn cheese enchiladas. Afterwards we walked the labyrinth at the First Presbyterian church. I have a definite rhythm here. Labyrinths and blue corn enchiladas.

First Sunday of Advent

While on the Isle of Iona this fall, I purchased a book of daily devotions for Advent. It's titled "Gobsmacked". Today's devotion includes:

Psalm 25:4. "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths."

The plan on this trip is to walk a labyrinth every day. Saturday, on the way to Valle Vidal, we stopped just north of Questa. A woman who has a herb shop also has a labyrinth. Built by herself and friends, it is found by looking for the prayer flag.

The stones and rocks used to create this labyrinth were worth the walk alone. All exquisite. At the center I noticed a nice piece of petrified wood. It reminded me of my dad, who had an enormous piece of petrified wood. As kids, my sister and brother and I loved to move it around and then sit on it.

I was also reminded of my brother who recently gifted me with a beautiful piece of petrified wood.

My walk out of the labyrinth was filled with prayers for both.

Getting Lost

The Reverend Barbara Brown Taylor says "allowing yourself to get lost leads to new discoveries".

Faced with a decision about which road to take, one that returned the way we had come, or an unknown route, knowing we had about 1 hour of daylight left, we were reminded of her words. After siting at the crossroads a bit, we decided to get "lost".

It was a good decision because for the next 45 minutes we were treated to at least 10 small herds of elk crossing the road, then standing a short distance away as we drove slowly by, taking an occasional photograph.

We also saw mule deer and turkeys. Wow!

This kind of getting lost, of being willing to take an unknown route, gave great gifts.

We had driven north to the Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest. Meaning "valley of life", I have found a quiet life when I have journeyed to this place. It is surely a Thin Space to me.

A picnic of local bread, New Mexico cheddar, and apple was abundance.

I walked the land listening to my own high-altitude breath, giving thanks for the gift of quiet I found and for the beauty of God's creation.

Walking Ways

Taking a page out of my recent trek to the Isle of Iona, I decided to walk whenever possible. Curious about step counting, I installed an app on my phone that would do just that.

Once installed, it was time to walk. First for cappuccinos and then on to explore Taos. In and out of shops and conversations.

Taos is experiencing weather extremes as much of the country is. There has been no snow this year. None. The surrounding mountains are bare. No topping of white.
And it's almost balmy walking during the day.

In the afternoon we walked the labyrinth at the Mable Dodge Luhan center.

Labyrinth walking in an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation and prayer. Entering the serpentine path of a labyrinth, one walks slowly while quieting the mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer.

A labyrinth is not a maze. It has only one path to the center and back out. It has no blind alleys or dead ends. The path twists and turns back on itself many times before reaching the center. Once at the center, there is only one way back out. In this way, it symbolizes a journey to a predetermined destination (such as a pilgrimage to a holy site), or the journey through life from birth to spiritual awakening to death.

There's a kind of rhythm to walking a labyrinth. You enter the labyrinth slowly, calming and clearing your mind, focusing on the process of taking slow and deliberate steps, praying and contemplating during the walk to the center.

Pause and reflect at the center, pray. Then begin the return journey.

Walking back to the Casa, we stopped at the Taos Inn for cappuccinos and foot resting. Then home past the plaza as people were gathering for the annual Christmas tree lighting. Parades and music and goodies. A stark contrast to my simple day of walking.

In Advent we are told to watch and wait. This day was filled with watching. And walking. And journeying at a much slower pace than usual.

At the end of the day I turned the step counter off, amazed at the total count. We did drive to the market for provisions and dinner, treated to a glorious sunset at days end.