Summertime and Underwear

For the past... hmm, let's see, I guess, month.... I've been in New Mexico. A nice season to be here. The environment is green, clouds with rain make regular afternoon visits, the ditch (the main vein of water for farming and agriculture) is running, there is an abundance of fruit on the trees, and the unbearable heat of July and early August has disappeared. Oh, and least I forget, dogs that have enjoyed chewing my boxers (previously, it was unspent money from Argentina... totaling about 10 dollars US).

Our family also has a yearly tradition of going mushroom hunting-- which, I've traditionally missed the last 7 years. The event is quite magical as it draws you into the woods for a purpose normally not known. We obviously search for edible mushroom-- avoiding those that might induce hypnotic effects or fatal reactions. This year, though not exceptional, did prove quite good. Of the four times I went, we managed to find: A mushroom relating to that of the Portabella; Hypomyces lactifluorum (lobster mushroom " http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/aug2001.html "); Boletus Edulis (" http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/sept98.html "); and Cantharellus Cibarius (" http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/july97.html "). There were also a few other varieties, but nothing notable.

As the time in NM goes by, I've found myself reconnecting with people I've not seen in some time-- It's been a nice distraction from the projects I'm currently working on.

I'm not quite sure how long I'll be here. It will be at least until the finish of the Studio Tour (November) and possibly longer. At this point, projects will dictate more of my schedule. But until then, I'm enjoying my summer on the quote unquote Farm.