So you all know by now that I am moving yet again. I know I have moved many times for work an promotions. Sometimes I wonder if lack of responsibility and dumb decisions cause the moving or my destiny does. As I get "more matured in life" (G) I think more and more that I truly am suppose to wander. I hate it sometimes, it's expensive, and it can be extremely scary, it's very stressful. But every move has brought some great experiences, wonderful new friends, and adventure that many people don't have a chance to experience. I do however envy those of you who have the ability to stay put and have roots.
OK, so the story. Last week Mark informed me that he didn't believe we could be roommates. I am sick to lose this cool adobe house, the wonderful gardens, the amazing scenery, and my chickens and turkeys. But I am completely at rest with his decision. Honestly I think it's best for both of us. He has been through the ringer this year and I tend to think that he needs time to regrow and flourish on his own. Like me, Mark lost a lot of identity and his passions. Now he can pick them up again. I have already seen the change begin in him.
I began looking through house ads even before Mark's decision full well knowing that I needed options. I knew it needed to be rural but even yesterday morning I began looking at ads for apartments in Santa Fe. Moving in town would have just put me into a tail spin emotionally but I was having trouble finding the right ads to even reply to. The list of issues was long, no dogs allowed, no privacy, mobile homes, bad areas, too far out from Santa Fe or Albuquerque, no electric and water, totally furnished, too high priced, and on and on. But I began looking anyway and I knew I just had to keep an open mind. SO, I even considered a straw bale house with no running water. Now, for the average person a straw bale house might sound awful, no water or electric, impossible. But down here in many areas that is the life of the people of GREEN! This state and region is becoming a hotbed of alternative housing and off the grid living. The bale house turned out to be smaller than some of the bedrooms I have had. The owners were awesome, cool, and extremely sweet. I feel terrible their place wasn't a fit. I hope to have them as friends since they will be living five miles up the road. So I kept hunting and through a new couple I just met, I found a possibility near the "town" of Cerrillos. Remember now that I live in a land of all kinds of homes. And I was really excited to live in this adobe. Heck I think wetus, longhouses, plankhouses, tepees, and hogans would be cool to live in. (Do ya get the native connection there?) But I found something that is kind of all encompassing! You'll either think I have lost my mind completely (Yeah some of you do already) and I agree that some of it has to be fried from a former lifestyle, but others of you may just want to move in with me!
And here it is ... No, I am not joking!
I may not have an adobe, a tepee, a hogan, but BY GOSH I do have a Yurt! Yes, it's true. Now pick yourself up off the floor, stop laughing, and read the rest!
When I first heard that this was available I really did get excited. I called the owner, talked a lot to her, set up an appointment to see the house, err, Yurt ... and then got cold feet, called her back and tried to cancel. But she however convinced me to come out and just look at it before jumping to a decision. I'd already planned to scour that area again yesterday so it was OK to agree to go out. It's about 140 miles round trip from Abiquu. Man I am so overly happy she did that.
First off, the place is near the small village of Cerrillos, NM. on the famous Turquoise Trail, twenty minutes to Santa Fe and about an hour to downtown Albuquerque. I had been looking in the general area between SF and ABQ and just plain lucked out. My place is part of a small compound as is many older properties here in NM. It has a main house, two casitas, two yurts, and some out buildings. The land is just amazing. If you have ever been out West or see pictures of the eroded sandstone formations like Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs then this is a mini version! As you come up the main road Rt 14 from Santa Fe it begins to get hilly and then all of a sudden you drive through a pass and wow! On both sides of the road are beautiful eroded upthrusts of sandstone sculptures. They aren't monoliths but they are very pretty. Drive just a 1/4 mile and you come to "our" gate! The compound is literally in the middle of a section of this rock garden. I entered the gate and no joke, I felt peace. Once in awhile I get these odd good feelings and it happened there yesterday. So the drive continues another 1/4 mile to the compound and I am home.
Here's a not so great shot of the main part of the compound with Gini my new land goddess (G) in the center. More about her in a bit. My Yurt is to the right of the cars under some trees.
This is a shot of the casitas
This gives you an idea of the formations that are right in the compound and surrounding it! It's a shame that years ago someone built in this special place of such beauty but words don't explain how lucky I feel to be enveloped in this natural beauty Mother Earth provided. It's an honor.
Now this is a great and potentially troubling building ... a greenhouse that was once hydroponics. "Danger Will Robinson!" LOL!
OK, now for the digs. In my "adopted" family I have an beautiful cousin, Wendy Blount, who has made quite a name for herself in the world of Interior Decorating and Design. I think she's been published so many times our family should have a section of the den with all the high end decorating magazines she's been in! Now I wonder if she could come help me out with this challenge. Change a "high Buddhist priestess" Yurt into an American Southwest Yurt ... on a budget? LOL! Mark did say he thinks I need to get a pet yak tethered outside for looks. Just what I need, an idea to buy another pet!
I am fortunate that the place is packed fully furnished with all kinds of pieces that are individually pretty cool. I have always liked an ecclectic look. Places that are so put together because everything matches bores me. So, I really can play with this. The things I don't want or need are going to be passed on to the young woman in the neighboring yurt who is just getting started in life setting up house. Now if you know me well enough you can look at the pics and see what will not be staying! However don't be surprised if a statue of Buddha stays out of respect, appreciation, and wonder of other cultures and beliefs! And my old crucifix from my highschool will be in the place too as well as my growing collection of native American items. I am interspiritually open! (If that's a word)
So now, here's a contest like the "Find Elmo" This is a test to see how well you know me and what items might stay or go! LOL!
Here's what you see walking in the front door. Right behind Buddha and the screen is the bed area. To the right is the kitchenette but I want to move that to where the "office mess" is right now across the room. Right in front is great old gatelegged table and chair that will stay for sure.
This is the first seating area to the right as you walk in. I really like it and that will be staying. I see a sleeping spot for out of town guests! And it's very comfy! And yes, darn it, that is a hint to all of you!
This shot is about eight feet in the front door past a screen the looks left of the bed area to the TV area and wood stove! (I love wood heat!) The brown wavy thing on the wall is one of many windows that are opened and closed with flaps. They are a good control of heat and cooling.
This is right next to the front door and is the "messy office" area I spoke of. Now it's a black hole and might become the kitchenette area. Yeah, Ex-nay on the Drapes-A!
This is the skylight and can be cranked open for great summer cooling. The high pitch will create a good drafting effect much like the way a wood stove. Of course it lets it wonderful light just like a Kiva portal!
Here's a shot of the bed area. This iron scroll work bed will go to the neighbor and mine moves in. I think I do plan to have a screen in front of the bed since it sits directly across from the front door. I want to cut red coyote willow before I leave Abiquiu and build my own screen.
Now this is what I'm talking about! This is not good lighting but this is right out my back door and deck!
This is a shot of the front of the yurt looking onto the huge deck the wraps three quarters around my yurt! I can't wait to have all my potted cactus collection on it with other flowers this summer. That greenhouse is going to be handy!
So there you have it. What I held for last is that there is no running water, kitchen, or toilet in the Yurt! Yup! I plan to rough it a little. But right next to the casitas is my own bath and shared kitchen. I have water beside my front door. You know, I have always made concessions wherever I have lived. Much worse ones for sure! Once again I have fallen then landed on my feet. As corny as it sounds, again, destiny and adventure has been set in front of me. It's like a carrot in front of a rabbit to me! My life has been rough at times but it's times like these that make me want to live forever. I hope you can tell I am terribly excited.
NOW, does the title of the post makes sense?
