Day 2

One thing I seek on my Advent retreat is rest. I'm fortunate in this time of my life to be able to get all the sleep I need. I have few needs of an alarm clock. So the rest I seek here in the high country is of "soul" nature. I'm seeking rest from deadlines - yes, deadlines - and from burdens of things heavy in my heart. 

Eighteen degrees here this morning, with a brilliant blue New Mexico sky. 

I'm reading Barbara Craftan's "Let Every Heart Prepare" meditations for Advent. Today she spoke about rest in terms of physical sleep. She says: " If Christ were to come now, to throw back the covers of my life, cuddled down in the comfortable predictability of its days, exposing me to the bracing air of a new day, it would be hard to respond gracefully at first. Not now. I’m sleep-deprived. But the sleep of the night is only for the sake of the day. God gives us the rest we need, and we need to take it. And then God astounds us with something new, and we awaken to it, refreshed." 

I believe that God will provide the soul-rest I am seeking this day. 

Day 1 continued

Cuppas at Ikonic Coffee Roasters, followed by a labyrinth walk and some meandering around the plaza. 

Then off to meet a LONG time dear friend for lunch. This meal reunion has happened every year for over ten years. Each year passes so quickly! Such delight in seeing each other once again. 

After lunch there was prayer time at the Sanctuario de Chimayo for family members who are struggling with illnesses. 

Then the drive up the high road to Taos. Such a familiar and stunning drive. 

At last the arrival at the Casa. Greeted this year by an email with the code to a lockbox containing the key to the front door. An emptiness in this place so clearly felt. 

A feast of grilled cheeses and apple by the fire. Comfort food. 

Night night. 

Day 1. Santa Fe.

Arrived late last night and fell into bed at La Fonda hotel. Recently renovated, it's a real treasure. We are already planning on staying here next Advent for a couple of days. Maybe longer. The return to Taos is still an unknown with respect to the loss of our innkeeper. 

Now, about that baggage.  

Today's word from the Society of St. John the Evangelist -- a daily word given for each day in Advent--is FORGIVE.  I've been dragging around some "affronts" that occurred a year ago.  While improper and aggressive, I believe holding on to this baggage just weighs me down. Time to pare down. Or to "not stop in the box" any longer. 

I forgive. 

Soon departing.

I'm heavy laden. Not in the assumed way of personal burdens. No, I am heavy laden with luggage. I travel with a carry-on only, but it feels like l decided to carry all my possessions on this trip.  Too many. And my prized LUV tote has had to have its sides unzipped. 

                        

What's up with this over-packed state I'm in?

And it's more than luggage. I'm over-packed in my head. Trying to remember and recall all the tasks I've taken on.  And once recalled, then execute. 

I'm thinking this Advent time is going to involve some serious reflection about my over-packing, with some resolution to pare down. Some intention to prepare to pare, and walking out of Advent seriously lighter in weight. 

My flight departs in an hour. Here's one for the road. 

 

Traveling Mercies. 

Return for Rest, Reflection, Reunion

It's that time once again.  My annual return to the high plains of New Mexico.  Taos and its environs. In this time of preparation for travel tomorrow, I'm aware of the sadness that will accompany my return to the Taos Casa.  Georgia, innkeeper and artist, is gone. Last year she was ill and only weeks after I departed she died. It will be hard to walk through the door of return.

And still, it will be easy. Because I will be surrounded by all the past years of time with Georgia and of the many treasures of hers that are in the Casa.  I've made mention before of the remarkable women I have come to know in New Mexico, and I'll reunite over meals with two of them on this trip.  Those visits will add to the ease of my return.

So this night I'm preparing for a long day of travel tomorrow, during this season of preparation, knowing the high plains and best friend travel give solace and peace.

Final Day

Time to hit the road once again, sadly. Lots of layers of sadness driving off before dawn.

The pre-dawn sky soothes the soul. 

The dawn sky astounds the soul!

Best intentions to return home with little more than I brought with me, always seem to go awry. Once again the return drive to the airport required a mailed-home package(s) stop at the Santa Fe post office. I view this as having supported the local economy. 

The trip is almost full circle as we return to Iconik for cuppas. 

This Advent trip was filled with twists and turns. Some expected and others unexpected. I believe each twist and each turn added layers to my experience of this time and place.  I shall return. 

Almost but not yet. 

A p.s. to "almost but not yet". My flight home departed on time, then returned to the airport after flying 30 minutes. Mechanical troubles. Now 5 hours later, flying to Atlanta. 

Almost home, but not yet. 

Traveling mercies. 

At last the view of Atlanta as the plane descended. 

Guided by the light of a candle,

and greeted by the light of my forest all lit up, I turned into my drive a few hours later. So grateful for my Advent travel and now to be safely home. 

Day 5 continued

Lunch at the Rancho with Sue, of Sue's eggs fame, was delicious.  The delicious part was more the reunion of a long time friend, than the food. Well, except for the sopapillos. Yum.

Driving the High Road to Chimayo and back to Taos is always a visual feast. High mountain snow, vistas that go on forever, and many small villages- most with pretty little churches. 

Home for the last night of casita living. Requisite fire, sustenance, a great movie, then packing up. 

Ahhhhhh.