Another Christmas come and gone. I struggle with the political correctness of my Holiday Greetings to people I meet in my wanderings... Raised Catholic, I just naturally say Merry Christmas... but I've long since wandered away from the religious view of the holiday. I'm more of a Solstice kind of girl, but that's too simplistic, and I know the mere mention of Christmas makes some folks bristle like porcupines.... What to say? Happy Holidays seems so stiff and safe. I've kind of gone back to the old Merry Christmas because it's the only time of year I get to use the word merry. Besides, it's meant as a well-wish, and I hope people take it that way. In Sri Lanka they call it Xmax... fitting for our celebrations here! To the max... Anyway - hope you had a good one, whatever you want to call it. A nice friendly seasonal celebration of love and light is good for us by any name.

I have pictures for you - of course! We started Xmax Eve with our friends, Jill and Keith. Keith McHenry is the Food Not Bombs founder who happily for us, lives in Taos now. They had their first-ever Taos food event on the Plaza that day. It was fun! We took along a box of teddy bears that needed good homes, and enjoyed some terrific food. The local police left them alone, and the official FNB Troubadour sang to us. A good beginning to a holiday.




As it started to get dark, we made our way to Taos Pueblo. This is one thing we never miss - the procession from the church with a statue of Mary carried on a platform like a princess, Pueblo Elders, dancing children, guys with real rifles that they fire into the air (to scare away evil spirits?), and practically everyone in towm milling about, waiting for the super-size bonfires to be lit. It's an amazing thing to see. I took a couple of quick pictures, just for you. We're not supposed to have cameras there... I'm a rebel.



We had friends here after the Pueblo, for some good, spicy veggie cioppino and wine. I forgot to take pictures... must have been the wine! Xmax morning was a nice little frenzy of gifting. You've seen enough family photos with stockings and silly bows stuck on heads. This one kind of sums it all up...


We spent the rest of the day lounging around, reading, napping, eating. Just Rick and me, as the kids had other places to go. It was perfect. The next morning we woke up to the strangest cloud with a rainbow colored hat - I think it was the Mother Ship. Most beautiful.


So here we go... headfirst into a new year. Get ready to make your wishes. We usually get what we ask for, so wording is very important! More on that later. Cheers for now!