With a shaky hand

I signed a years lease. After 4 years of traveling and living short term and sharing places when back in San Diego I decided I needed a base, at least for awhile. I wanted my STUFF out of storage. To see it and use it or get rid of it. But I found the idea easier than the actual doing. Signing the legal document made me a little weak. I did try to talk the agent into a 6 month lease but it was a no go. What if I had making a big mistake? What if there were travel deals coming up I just could not pass up? What if I hated the place in a couple of months time? Oh god - all these what-ifs.
  I had pulled into San Diego at 6 AM, had coffee and was looking at apartments and condos by 9AM. It continued like that for almost a week. Calling and looking all day and then lining more up for the next day. I swear the prices got more expensive and the square footage got smaller. I actually had looked at the place that I am in now but it was early on and I remembered that the bedroom was very small but I noted that it had a yard and lots of closets. Now discouraged I was ready to go into an efficiency in Little Italy until I could find what I wanted but before I did I came back for a second look. And guess what! It looked huge compared to the shrinking places I had been viewing. My memory of the bedroom was off. It is small but for a small one bedroom duplex it has tons of storage. It has new carpet and paint. Its cute and big enough for me. So... with the weekend free I went to ArtWalk in Little Italy meeting friends I haven't seen in almost 7 months. Numerous artists had their creations on exhibit, along with musicians and lots of food booths. Sunday I just enjoyed the day. I walked and picked up a few things at Target for my new place. I was picking up the keys on Monday.
Tuesday I emptied out the storage unit. I really do not have that much. Years ago I chose traveling over having possessions. But there are lots of boxes. Boxes of books(my weakness) my art supplies and art books. It would have been easier on my friends to just have a few pieces of furniture. Jeez. It took half the day to load those boxes into the truck and then unload them into the house. My two dear sweet friends volunteered to help me. All I kept telling them before hand was that it was only a 10X10 unit. There were only some boxes and a love seat and chair. There turned out to be a lot more ands, mostly boxes and a cadenza and art tables and,and, and it was piled up to the ceiling.
The unpacking and sorting and rediscovering began in earnest Wed. Thinking back I would sign that lease without blinking an eye after all the work it took to sort it and put it away and donate the rest. In fact if I had to do it over I don't think I would blink an eye over a 5 year lease! I was house bound for 3 weeks except to go to the store and go out on Saturday night. But it is done and it looks great. I have even gotten creative with the yard. Next time I will post some pictures of it and tell you about the newest trip I have planned for Sept. Yup a trip already. Hey you only live once!

                                                San Diego Skyline and Embarcadero

New Mexico Again

I made the decision to start back to San Diego instead of pushing on toward New England with mixed feelings but weather reports made it look like I could run into some crazy weather like tornadoes and floods. But before I returned to dryer climate I was determined to stay a couple days in Taos. If you remember when I stayed in Santa Fe in December, every time I drove to Taos it was either freezing or they predicted a blizzard right after I arrived so after a big hot breakfast and a wonderful tour of the art museum  I had to outrun the blizzard and get back to Santa Fe. But I don't give up easily. I was going to Taos no matter what. I pulled into Santa Fe on a beautiful sunny springlike morning. Boy did it look different from Christmastime. The plaza trees barely had buds on them and there was no pretty white snow to cover the brown grass. After eating at the waffle shop and because I was on my return trip I bought a couple of small souvenirs. I stretched my legs with a good walk then drove to Taos. I had arranged an apartment through Airbnb. Maybe it was because it was off season but the room was inexpensive, sunny, clean, bright and a 5 minute walk to the Taos Plaza. After walking around for awhile I realized I was getting pretty chilly so I went back to retrieve my coat and scarf. Before I could return to town it started snowing! I couldn't believe it. It had been springlike an hour before. It started coming down heavier and by now it was very cold so I got into my car and returned to town but  by now it was 5, shops were closing. The town was deserted so there was nothing else to do but to go to happy hour. I picked a place that was upstairs with floor to ceiling windows so I could watch the snow. I laughed at myself and was advised by the locals that their springtime was in June. I stayed and ate and was told that the big guy at the end of the bar busy devouring a hamburger was allowed to bring  his large dog with him because he was an emotional therapy dog. First I had ever heard of that but whatever helps is okay with me. When I left it had stopped snowing and the sunset was beautiful. Next day was dreary and cold but no snow. Located only a short way from where I was staying was the Kit Carson house. In fact I had to pass it on my walk into town so I stopped and found out more about this interesting trapper, Indian agent and Army officer. There was a short film in which his great, great grandson played him and docents pointed out correctly that they looked very much alike. I toured the ancient Taos Pueblo. There is a pretty little church there all decorated in bright green and almost every dwelling has a round oven where they still bake outside. When questioned about the rocks and boards covering the oven openings the guide told us they were there so animals could not get in.  One very talented artist whose gallery was tiny and dark created beautiful sculptures in that modest place and several were in museums. Because I had paid an extra fee I stayed after the tour and took pictures.

Bright and early the next day I drove to La Hacienda de los Martinez. (Note the hanging bed in the kitchen) It had been a busy working hacienda and was still in good shape.  Later as it got warm and sunny I had the best time going to several art galleries that had been artists homes way back when Taos was home to many famous artists. I grudgingly left late that afternoon. I was so tempted to stay longer but  there was no guarantee that the next day would be as pleasant and I was on a mission to get home. But I will be going back to that mystical place. I love New Mexico!