CHOLLA AT ME

Santa Fe Indian Market was a HIT! Confirmed Northern New Mexico is ready for more places & spaces of authentic connection. Stay tuned on this front…

TAKE A GUESS

Presence of Mind

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Widen the Skies, Open the Blinds

Everywhere in public spaces I notice more and more eyes fumbling around – scanning for entertainment, quick and easy outlets following materialistic patterns, or the sight of familiarity to recycle experiences again and again. Basically, people are caught up.

Expectations, agendas, things one “needs” (hint - more than often – they don’t)! It baffles me how we have cozied up so much while autopiloting our individual planes with no real course in mind.

Look, I certainly understand that we all have our interests, our “collector’s items” that draws our attention and energy. This is completely natural – and a good thing as it individuates us and builds our character.

However, there are points when it’s time to stop and ask ourselves – is this (object of expectation) taking away more than giving – and what is one missing out from caught up in the hypnotic trance of tunnel-vision-traction?

In my humble opinion, these are strong questions which will return real answers (ask better questions, receive better answers)! Don’t get me wrong, I am not casting judgment on any fellow humans – only offering raw observations from my point of view.

Now, there are many legs to trace breaking this down – but, honestly, I like to keep things as simple as possible. The deep cleanse re-animating a wide point of view, like our elegant Santa Fe skies, is active engagement. Yep, it’s that simple folks!

When we choose to move forward and step up onto the collective stage, life (in all its spontaneous, untamed beauty) begins to click. As if a touch of magic flicks on the lights - everything starts making more sense. Life’s picture turns 4K HD (or whatever the highest definition screen is now – Lord knows I can’t keep up)!

Anyway, all the textural grains take form whilst the colors shine – the act of engaging others has opened our mental blinds.

As Jesus once said when He walked on the surface of the sea – “take courage, do not be afraid.” This metaphorical sea may seem as a vast, unknown surface to traverse – but move as He did – with courage, and may you find new ground there to stand.

This is what Cholla At Me is all about – to arise as one, and have oh so much fun!

Love you all.

FROM THE MOUNTAINS

THE REPORT:

SIGHTINGS: Russian Olive (Elaeagnus Angustifolia)

Soul-Scribed Story

Santa Fe Indian Market - Cakchiquel Maya

When we (Molly and I) walked the Santa Fe plaza streets leading towards the 104^th annual epic Indian Market – we found a special Santa Fe-based family. They exuded a familiar kind and open-mind, one that aligns with the same heart-center as Cholla At Me.

It started with the special sage of the family – the grandmother, Aureliana Santos Carmona. Or, you can call her Aura – and let me tell you, she had some AURA!

When I began asking her basic questions about her heritage (out of genuine curiosity), she was enthused to answer and chat (even when English is not her native tongue)! Let me make this clear – there was no agenda, no expectations to put on this family’s story (we had never met until this moment). Yet, it was the warm vibe of this whole family (not only Aura, but also her daughter, Gala – and her two granddaughters too) that reciprocated a deep kindness and care that we were welcome.

These family roots tie back to Guatemala, within the specific Cakchiquel culture there. Interestingly, there are other Cakchiquel Maya people in the Santa Fe Plaza – and they can communicate in their native tongue! This is truly incredible, as there are many sects of Maya people (if you google it, you will see numerous)!

Their rooted village is called “San Atonio Aguas Calientes.” If you know a trickle of Spanish, you can read this translated as village of “San Atonio Hot Water.” So, if you’re freezing over this winter, go visit this warm village and de-frost!

When we returned the next day to meet them again, they brought the same warm energy once again. If you ever are wandering about in Santa Fe plaza – go see them!

Their place of kind business is called “Guatemaya Imports” on 115 E. Water Street #LL4 at the plaza. Gala (and Rico) are the owners representing the positive, open-minded, and connective tissue that makes Santa Fe (and Northern New Mexico) – so great.

Events and IRL gatherings are cooking - top priority here.

Stay tuned here - and on socials for this exciting upcoming gatherings. CHOLLA AT ME!

Happenings:

The Burning of Zozobra, Santa Fe: Fri, Sept 4 · Fort Marcy Park, Santa Fe
The 102nd burning of Old Man Gloom. Fifty feet of marionette, a crowd of thousands, and a century-old ritual of writing down your worst year and watching it go up in flames. Gates at 4PM. If you do one thing on this list, do this one. GET TICKETS

Music from Angel Fire — through Aug 26 · Angel Fire & Taos
The chamber music festival that quietly punches way above the town's weight. Tickets stay reasonable, the setting does half the work, and it's the last major arts event before the mountains turn. SEE THE SCHEDULE

Fiestas de Santa Fe — Sept 5–13 · Santa Fe Plaza
The 314th. Nine days of parades, processions, mariachi, food vendors and dancing on and around the Plaza. One of the oldest continuously celebrated community festivals in the country. FULL SCHEDULE

TAO Studio Tour, Taos— Labor Day weekend, Sept 5–7 · Taos
More than 30 Taos artists open their actual working studios. Not a booth at a market — the room where the work gets made, with the artist standing in it. The best way to buy art and the best way to understand it. MAP & ARTIST LIST

Michael Hearne's Big Barn Dance — Sept 10–12 · Taos (Art Stroll Sept 9)
Twenty-plus years running. Songwriters in the round, under the Sangre de Cristos, with a crowd that actually listens. As close to a Taos institution as live music gets. LINEUP & TICKETS

Taos Fall Arts Festival Opens — Sept 18 – Oct 4 · Taos
Just past our window but worth planning for — the big one, running two and a half weeks and drawing artists from across northern New Mexico. DETAILS

Books:

“The Serviceberry”

“Finding the Mother Tree”

“On our Best Behavior”

Checkout Santa Fe Hemp for these awesome books and much more at Santa Fe Plaza! Kathleen (owner) is super rad - and is all about “helping the local communities.” We always have been attracted to her store and stop in, every time we are in the plaza.

Note of Honest Integrity:

I am now using an AI-editor to boost the connection between picture and story-told; but - all the photos are still from my camera directly - so the experience and truth is still pure (no image generation, ONLY editing). Basically, think of it as using filters for photos to make them look better and improve overall storytelling.

ABSOLUTELY NO AI USED IN WRITING AT ALL

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I share these excerpts with the intention to understand through writing, not to lecture or come from a place of superiority.

You are the reader, and I the writer, are one in the same.

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Carry on your light with grace, fellow humans.

CHOLLA AT ME!