CATCHING UP IN TRINIDAD

      It has been several months since I posted and I thought I better post so that people (if anybody reads this) know that I am still alive.  Perhaps I need a sign like Granny Weatherwax "I ain't dead."  Anyway I have done three craft shows - Victorian Christmas in Trinidad; homecoming in Branson; and one at the senior center in Aguilar.  And have two more next month.
     In December we Marjie and I happened to be present for the posada in Trinidad.  We were working late at the bookstore which was on the street where the posada took place.  A posada is a procession of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem looking for a place to stay.  A couple dressed like Mary and Joseph and a group of mariachis and singers parade down the street stopping at various places asking for a place to stay.  The way is lit by candles placed in paper bags.  Workers spent the afternoon setting up 1500 candles on either side of Commercial Street for about 4 blocks.  The group stopped at the book store and asked if we had room and we had to tell them that we had no room.  They went on down the street, eventually finding room at Francesca's.  Here are some pictures of the posada:

 

 

     We have had several snows (I really haven't kept track), mostly less than 6 inches.  They have all melted in a couple of days.  We are still short of moisture for the coming year.  There is still snow on the mountains and the Spanish Peaks.  I have found out what a broom snow is - one in which you can clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom instead of a snow shovel.  Everyone is looking forward to spring.
     Last summer some portraits began appearing around Trinidad, drawn on the sides of vacant buildings  The first was that of Clark Gable:

The second was of Bette Davis:

And the third was Johnny Depp:

No one knew who was drawing them and at least one  article was written in the local newspaper.  And then, late one night, a young lady was discovered making one of the drawing by candle light.  She was drawing the portraits in chalk so they are not permanent and not considered graffiti.  Since that time, several other works of art have appeared, such as the bear shown here:

I am not sure who did the bear but I hope that this trend continues.  It makes Trinidad more interesting and adds a certain mystery to the area.  Perhaps the local college and high school art classes can paint historic murals around town.
      If anyone remembers the original movie "Red Dawn", there is a picture of a cowgirl painted on the side of a building in a fictional town of Calumet.  That painting actually exists -- in Las Vegas, New Mexico.