Living in Munchkinland

I've been hiking. We drove up to visit Marcie and Ann and see their new house. Ann made killer margaritas and ate a fabulous dinner. I love being with them. We've played lots of table tennis. I took the kids to Twirl. I ate and ate and ate. I grabbed a post hike sandwich from Taos Cow. We ate happy hour tacos and onion rings at KTAOS and the kids played volley ball. I ate happy hour fries at Sabroso. I ate lunch with Marcie and her kids at Orlando's. We bought boxed wine at Medley Wine Shop. We played Ticket to Ride with the kids on the patio. Every afternoon the storms come in and cool down the house. The sky turns pink and we smell wet sage. Every evening we put on the DNC on the television and drink wine and watch our politicians and dream of a better America.

I've been hiking every day. I drop off the kids at camp and head into the mountains. I start hiking in the forest and I open my mind and invite my dad in. I think of him and hold him close and talk to him. Yesterday I hiked Italianos. It was a five mile hike and I criss crossed streams and hiked through quiet forest. It was lovely. I like pushing my body. I like being in the forest. I like being alone. I like holding my dad close if just for those moments.

We are in Taos for cooking camp week again. We did this last summer and had a lovely time, despite the fact that things were going to pot at home. The kids love their daily camp and I love having the days to myself. I plan to do this every year. I'm hoping it can be a girl week. My ladies could all come and bring their kids and put them in camp during the day and we could hang with them in the afternoon. Anyone interested? Michael was able to drive down with me from Denver this time. It should be a four hour drive, but leaving on a Friday afternoon during some considerable monsoons really made the drive an extra two hours longer. Luckily the kids and the dogs were great travelers and we also had a fantastic audio book (Boundless). Saturday we went to Fiesta De Taos and had lunch at Gutiz, and then Marcie and the family came down and joined us at the house. We went out to dinner at the Taos Mesa Brewery and had a wonderful time. They were doing the Twelfth Night in the...

We had houseguests this last week. After Tyler Place, I came down with a terrible sinus infection and laid listlessly around the house for days while Michael was out of town and the kids were at camp. I felt very sorry for myself. I counted the days M had been out of town since we moved. (24 out of 37!!!) Then Thursday evening arrived and we got guests! I was so happy. Sarah and Skip flew in on a direct flight to Denver with their two children. They picked up a rental car and drove out to the house. We had such fun. The kids immediately made friends and their little girl fell in love with Holly. Friday was a recovery day as we were all exhausted (me from sinus stuff- them from a sleepless night as their three year old had a pervasive all-night cough.) But Friday afternoon Michael came home and we all rallied! We went and saw the kids' projects from their music technology camp at their new school. They had learned to play instruments and record them and make music tra...

Finally. If you have kept up with my saga of blondish pink, bright purple, lavender, lavender silver, blue grey, you will know what a crazy (expensive!) journey this has been. After two days of hair appointments (and one new color- pink!) I am finally where I want to be. I love my new white color. My hair was damaged, but we cut off at least a half a foot and it's better now. Now I will just lightly maintain until I finish turning all the way grey. We may add some charcoal low lights to weave in my natural salt and pepper later, but here it is. Woot!