Spring comes to the Gila in small steps; one step forward and one or two or three back, but eventually it’s no longer winter. That progression never fails to thrill me. It starts in February or March with almond trees becoming huge bouquets of heavily scented flowers in the old neighborhoods. Then the wind comes [...] [Read more]

OK, I’ll admit most of what you read here is about food. And I’ll admit that the rumor that I would appear dressed as Ixcacao, the Mayan Goddess of chocolate, for Silver City’s Chocolate Fantasia was true. Note that verb tense; it is no longer true. Given the intricacy of the images I’ve researched and [...] [Read more]

Have I mentioned that I love food, especially food proudly presented at regional festivals? I’ve been to festivals celebrating apples, artichokes, bread, cheese, cherries and garlic, among others, but nothing compares to those gift-like packages known as tamales. Unwrap the corn husk, and the aromatic steam hints of the savory or sweet filling within the [...] [Read more]

Memories: the Christmas in Tucson that none of the neighborhood kids opened, or even looked at, their presents under the tree until nearly time for lunch, because we were all outside in pajamas and cowboy boots, playing in the snow of the first white Christmas some of us had ever seen… the year my Dad [...] [Read more]

Children dress as their secret dreams, or make themselves brave by wearing the masks of the scary thing that sleeps beneath their beds. At Halloween, we all become children. The obvious; a holiday that encourages dressing up, and giving out and eating candy! Less obvious; acknowledging the waning sun, gardens sinking into the earth to [...] [Read more]

Silver City Serena at Victoria Chick‘s Cow Trail Art Studio. [Read more]