The Corner of Some Foreign Field

Yeah, wow. The updates, they were going along well for some time, weren't they? And then — it's November and last post was our anniversary and hey look a comic I lettered is posted to read for free:



I've collaborated with writer Martin Hayes on a few comics now, I always enjoy working with him; his Gentlemen Ghouls with artist Alfie Gallagher was one of my favoritest lettering projects ever. When they approached me with a weird folk horror short, I didn't even think twice.

It's beautiful, subtle, haunting. For reals, it was as I was wrapping up and searched the opening caption to make sure the spelling was right that I learned the backstory, which only makes it all better.

Talking With Mr. Fleming

I was partnered with teacher Tyler Fleming a few years back when I volunteered in Citizen Schools' "citizen teacher" program. I just did the one semester, teaching comics making as part of the extended learning day, but it's safe to say that working with him was pretty much my teacher training.

Tyler was enthusiastic, inspiring, committed to helping students realize their potential — and as he's continued his teaching career, has only become moreso. At his Movement Hive, he's documenting his experiences and talking with others about theirs, teaching and learning. We'd got back in touch recently, as Tyler's starting a new job and designing a new curriculum for what sounds like a phys ed class like no other, and he invited me on his podcast.

Our conversation's posted here, both audio-only and video, about 45 minutes long. We talked about the power of storytelling and narrative, teaching something physical in an increasingly digital world, the importance of process, and more. Tyler's got a great take on education, happy we got to reconnect.

Spies; More Baseball

Went on the Spy Tour of Santa Fe, part of the Los Alamos ScienceFest (warning: autoplaying video).

It was just a short stroll — and that was kind of one of the points that the tour leader, Ellen Bradbury Reid, wanted to make — all the intrigue happened in the space of just a few blocks. All walking distance, because nobody involved really had access to a car, and they were all from out of town so had to meet at obvious landmarks.

Stopped a few of the key locations, heard some stories about how the spies — there were only three of them at the Manhattan Project, all spying for the Russians — worked their way into espionage, met with handlers, and were caught. KGB, FBI, military intelligence, spies and their handlers were all in Santa Fe and La Fonda was at the center of it all — and pretty much all of them wanted their pictures taken with the statue of Archbishop Lamy



There's some historical photos at the New Mexican article about the tour.

.

Back to Fort Marcy Ballpark in the evening for another Fuego game with some friends. There were a few tense moments, where it seemed the Fuego were coming back to close the lead in the final innings, but it wasn't nearly the excitement – or the happy ending — of our previous outing. A lovely evening outside, though, a good time.

Andy Returns, With the Feltuses

Andy and Liz were back through town with the girls, at the end of a trip through the southwest. Arrived Wednesday after Bandelier and Los Alamos, we hung out at home* and caught up.



Thursday was breakfast downtown, a little walking around the Plaza to point out the highlights, and then off to Tent Rocks. Probably the busiest I've seen it — vacation on out East, though ours was weeks ago — had it pretty crowded on the way up, though most of it seemed to be a local school trip. Nice at the top (above) and on the way back down. Leisurely pace has us out for about two-and-a-half hours. The good folks at La Choza were able to accommodate Josie's new sopapilla obsession, with the both the stuffed and side variety. Soaked out the aches at Ten Thousand Waves.

Friday, late start and early lunch including more sopapillas, then The House of Eternal Return.

Long (long-) time readers might remember Santa Fe art collective Meow Wolf's project, The Due Return. This new permanent installation, in an old bowling alley and now anchoring a new arts district is kind of a conceptual sequel, in that it's a narrative that unfolds through exploration and interpretation. I know a few of the writers on it, was following some of it coming together, but didn't know it would premier to such attention. I'd heard good things from the right people, knew enough to set the stage so we had some fun not describing it to the kids, and just going.

And it was a great time. For everyone I think, and in unexpected ways. There's a kinetic fun to just climbing and exploring and poking around (literally and figuratively). But there's a (heartbreaking) storyline in there, told through everything from video to newspapers, ephemera and, even the setting**. I found myself having more fun exploring than piecing together, but got what I thought was going on, only to hear different interpretations over dinner. Clearly will reward repeated visits.











A few, I was trying to get everyone experiencing it (Josie's calling the phone number that recurred throughout as part of the story), but much better photos of the installation itself in that Times article.

* From the next night, but Wednesday they were still getting be buddies.
** That's the encyclopedia set we had when I was growing up. Still looking for the accompanying folklore/mythology collections.

Bram Talks Comics, As If He Ever Stops

Got to speak with Albuquerque's alt-newsweekly The Alibi about 7000 BC, but it moved on to my thoughts about what makes comics unique, and some of my favorite stuff going on in the medium today.

January 3, 2003

Steffen sent an email today with this photo from his and Emi's wedding in Oaxaca, today in 2003:

One for Raph

"… but I'm a puppy of three — of two again. The snow on my snout is a baptism."

Tromping Around Aspen Vista with Andy

So, we went to Minnesota, then.

Paul, Tess, and Audrey got their annual cabin at Camp Van Vac in Ely, Minnesota, and we got away for a few days to join them.

Traveled to MSP on a Sunday, arriving a bit early — but still not early enough to make it to the inexplicably-closing-early-that-Sunday-only IKEA, which mocked Monica from our hotel room. Had considered trying to get a start on the four-hour drive early or stay someplace downtown and enjoy that scene, but figuring correctly we'd just be tired, stayed by the airport with the goal of an early start Monday.

Which kind of didn't happen, but still early enough before IKEA opened. Stopped to take a break, as apparently everyone does, at Tobie's, where we grabbed a pint of fresh strawberries from their farm stand. And then on to a side trip to Duluth, stroll the lakeside walk, visit the Trading Company get smoked meat for lunch and to bring to the cabin.

Returning to the car around 3:00, programming in the final destination to the GPS, informed that it was more than three hours away … odd, because while Duluth was a bit of a side trip, we'd already covered two hours. Happily, though, as it adjusted to our location and learned the terrain, we watched our ETA creep down to 4:55.

Greeted by the bunch at their lakeside cabin; camp was built in the '10s, theirs was probably one of the earliest. Literally 20 (my) paces from Burtside Lake. Got our tour, bearings, and for walleye that had been swimming days earlier and homemade totchos. Then passed the evening sitting lakeside. Which is how we spent a lot of the time there.



Tuesday arrived a bit gray with what looked like the highest chance of rain for the upcoming days, so after a hearty breakfast, headed into town to the International Wolf Center. Displays, presentations, movies — and the viewing area, where you can see them doing their wolf thing:



Then wandered Ely, getting a little lunch and checking out the gear stores. Back at the Camp, Paul and Monica went to work on the ping pong table Paul bought the day before to replace the Camp's that had broken. Tess took that opportunity to get me out on a sea kayak on the lake. Went without mishap, tooling around the edge of the camp, accompanied by Audrey and her friend swimming along. Brats with green chile for dinner.

Wednesday, decided to reserve a motorboat to explore the lake in the afternoon. Paul and Audrey took it out for shakedown, Mon and Tess worked on the puzzle, I took some time to make a dent in The Southern Reach Trilogy (appropriate setting for a weird sci-fi about an mysterious, encroaching wilderness). Afternoon expedition took us to the far end of the lake, spotting a loon giving her young a ride (no camera!), and then to "Divers' Rock," where Audrey (and, eventually Paul) could take the 10'+ plunge. Later, I took the opportunity of hanging out lakeside to try a swim in the water — the the amusement of at least one of the Minnesotans, found it too cold.



Later Thursday morning, Tess took Mon out on the kayak, Paul and I headed into town to restock. Spent some time in the yurt playing ping pong as they returned. Sat and fed the chipmunks some more until our reservation at Burntside Lodge. Even though just a few minutes early, they still weren't ready; we settled into the bar, checked out their menu, and just stayed there for the evening. Retrieving Audrey in the swimming area later at dusk — which was like 10:00 — was the only time we even encountered mosquitos.

Up early (well, earlier then we'd been up) Friday for the drive straight back to the cities to fly out; all travel calculations worked out well, and we arrived home to the housesitter's assessment:

Launch

No, not lunch. It was early, but still dinner. Monica put together an amazing meal, and all our guests contributed.

For our anniversary lunch, we watched and listened as the thunderstorm rolled through the mountains.

And then we photobombed Emi's exhibition.

Taos Adventure

Our friend Turner's house- and dogsitting outside of Taos, so we decided to get out of town for a little visit. First chance, after years, to test out the big bed Mon made for the car. Performed without incident, but not sure Cheyenne ever settled in on the hour-plus drive up.

Turned off the main road well before Taos, onto a small road winding through some awfully green land. Almost swampy at times. Was that a red-winged blackbird?

Arrived at the house late morning, greeted by Turner. It was time for "his" dogs' walks: Otto, the little black heeler-chow-oid, and Zeke, the greyhound. Zeke, as it turns out, has the ear tattoos, but was probably bred to be a hunting dog — very different build.

Their path takes them through a couple meadows and down to the little river, the source of all the green. Otto, bounding off leash all around; Cheyenne, head down, found a path and had to walk on it. Zeke … I'm not entirely sure. He was balky, grudgingly agreed to go along, but I never saw as I was out in front getting pulled along by Cheyenne.

She walked a little into the river, a bit unsteady on the rock bottom, but she likes walking through water. But. So. Many. Mosquitos. We hastily returned to the house. A beautiful, two-story house, we all agreed kind of a mix of Hamptons by way of New Mexico. Didn't need to wonder long where the dogs fit in there, once we saw the giant sectional in the living room covered by sheets to accommodate them.



Passed the afternoon grilling, chatting, catching up. Slathered on the bug repellent and led Cheyenne on a mission to specifically walk in and through the river, but she didn't care for walking on the rocks. Zeke, so overwhelmed by mosquitos, just returned.

We headed home soon after, but not after having to chase Otto out of the open-for-packing-up car twice, and once when he just jumped through the window. A little tired.

We're in this week's Pasatiempo

Pasatiempo, the weekly arts magazine in The Santa Fe New Mexican, features comics creators from Santa Fe and north in this article about 7000 BC.

What Were You Doing New Year's Eve?

And this morning, we were not up early enough to hear the special holiday return to the airwaves of Mouth of Wonder that we recorded when M+D were here.



Update: here's the radio show.

Happy Birthday, Now Go Shovel 8" of Snow

Big winter storm due Friday predicted — with 100% for last night — to bring a few inches of snow. As of bedtime last night, still nothing; awaking around 2:00 a.m., could see the glow from the several inches that had already accumulated. Mon had us up and shoveling in the "feels like 7°" at 8:00 to get out for Nerd Brunch.



Driveway and sidewalks cleared, I took Cheyenne out for her morning walk — she insisted on visiting some shoveling neighbors, but that worked out 'cause it delayed the start long enough that we ran into Helen and Lola starting out on their walk. Dogs enjoyed a great deal, humans as well.



Good turnout; the Canadians were loving this weather. Even as we sat and lingered, the sun started to come out and the snow tapered off.



Roads still packed and/or unplowed and/or slushy; inching our way home, Monica looks in the rearview: "Great. Is that a loose dog?" The collecting and temporary storing of escaped pets is a not-uncommon occurrence here.

Sigh. "Pull over; continue on to the house, I'll go get it." I get out and turn around, seeing it for the first time. "That's not a dog."

Doggy Dip

After years of finding out days late — and, apparently, years of it not happening — we finally were able to plan for the annual Doggy Dip, where dogs are allowed in the pool before it's closed for the season.



And that's the one photo of Cheyenne in the big lap pool. She was among the first dogs in, walked right up to the edge, pawed at the water and fell in. Arose paddling furiously back for the ledge and Ben helped her out. She was so stunned by the experience that she just wandered around for a few minutes before shaking herself off in front of one of our neighbors.



After much time, coaxing, and treats, we got her out into the middle of the kiddie pool. Interpret her body language yourself. Eventually she found a shady spot and engaged in her favorite activity.

Jim and Koo Koo joined us; Koo was not quite as traumatized by the water but, I think, shared in Cheyenne's confusion about why anybody would seek it out.



Dogs all around having a great time — some just even running around in the grass. The retriever-oids pretty much dominated the big pool with endless games of fetch. Herding dogs of various sorts running toys and dogs down in and out of the water. Pugs in vests, a mutt with a mohawk, and a tripod Malamute/Dire Wolf mix who, in his ill health, just wanted so badly to swim.

This summer had too few days goofing off outside, so this was a welcome outing. More photos from the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society — the organizer of and beneficiary of the event — at Public Information Officer Ben Swan's Google+ page.

Friday Evening on Canyon Road

Not techically the last Friday of summer, but it kinda felt like it. Even with days still in the 90s, autumn's undeniably in the air (and in the light). My favorite time of year, if it wasn't followed by winter.



I spent the morning and early afternoon sorting through and organizing wood type in the new 12 Tons shop. Only had to open that Shop Vac once to get a piece of type out.

Some late-afternoon rains kept Monica from her walk to Canyon Road, though made for a beautiful sky and cool breezes.



We stopped by Beals & Abbate to visit for a few minutes and to enjoy their opening. Then to Matthews Gallery for Jamie's annual show opening.



Above: Jamie and Turner, another insanely talented artist. Jamie's been returning to some landscapes; we left empty-handed, despite being pursued by one of the gallery staff who retrieved this from the back room for Monica to see.

A short stroll to the El Zaguan space for the launch of Dom's Gubernatorial run. It started off as an art project, but might be growing into something more …? When he shared this with me before the event, an image sprang immediately to mind:

The Imperial Rooster on the Bandstand

Our favorite Gonzo Roots band took the Santa Fe Bandstand for the penultimate night of the season. We were all there.



Better (read: professional) photos at their Facebook page.

Squirrel in the Driveway

That's something. Not nearly as cool as the coyote that ran across the yard one morning. And certainly not the most interesting thing that's happened, what with the Della Rattas, and Andy, and our trip back East, and various other goings-on that haven't made it to the blog.

But we're still here. And today is not only Cheyenne's sixth birthday, it's the Independent Get Down's.

At Indian Market

Click the photo to see us in Albuquerque Journal's Indian Market coverage. That's Raph and Char to the left, Monica's hat and ear behind me; I'm guiding us to breakfast …