Monday, November 16, 2009

Mrs. Springfield's Pinyon tree and Fall in West Texas



Mrs. Springfield’s Pinyon is 91 years old and we know that because she was born the day they planted it’s original cut. It’s trunk is 48 inches wide and she stands by it like a bright white weed in the shade of something magnificent. They say it takes 3 to 400 years for Juniper Pinyon to get that size but for Mrs. Springfield, just 91 years. She swears its only ever gotten water but plenty of it.

The creeks are noticeable only by the bright yellow cottonwood trees. Cibolo Creek through Shafter is a long string of yellow.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween Hay Ride in Marfa


This town of 1,500 is small by any one's estimates, but it has a powerful spirit, and seems to increase ten fold at times. The generosity of spirit on Halloween was such good example. Daniel Browning borrowed an antique farm tractor and hitched up two trailers. Mercer Black got the hay bales and we supplied trick a treaters. By night fall, the streets were packed. Third Street and Columbia more so. I was dressed inappropriately and even Mateo wasn't wearing much of an outfit but we were so happy. Full moon light and in it I caught a huge smear of chocolate on his face.