where route 66 took us
downtown full of color
day and night
along the way with cloud shadows on the hills
—
‘have gone to flagstaff. be back on monday.’
Vacation (1983), warner brothers film
—
flagstaff, arizona, usa, may 2026
May22
May20
Loretto.
the original staircase
the current stairs
the story
The Loretto Chapel’s miraculous spiral staircase in Santa Fe
The Loretto Chapel is a former Roman Catholic Church in Sante Fe, New Mexico that is now a privately owned museum and wedding chapel. It’s known for its spiral staircase the “ Miraculous Stair”, which rises 20 feet while making two full turns, all without support of a break or central pole…it’s held together by wooden pegs, no glue, nails or other hardware…33 stairs, noted to be the age of Christ at the time of his death. Built between 1877-1881. (story has it a mysterious stranger appeared, built the staircase and then disappeared without collecting pay, the Sisters of Loretto believed the mysterious builder was Saint Joseph himself)….railings were added in 1887.
the legend
the model
—
the link to the Loretto chapel and the stairs’ history:
—
“the difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible Is what takes a little longer.’
-fridtjof nansen
—
source credits: Loretto Chapel
Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA – May 2026
May19
folk.
one of my favorite museums ever
Urania Proscenium No. 11, a 19th-century German toy theater, Joseph Scholz of Mainz.
this vibrant hooked rug, crafted by artist Celso Gallegos, late 1920s or early 1930s.
he rug features a central tree form surrounded by various native animals.
Monica Canilao, Teotilian del Vallek. Oaxaca, Mexicto, 1960
Sculpture titled “Ms. Utopia” by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare CBE,
featuring a mannequin dressed in Dutch wax cotton textile, 2013
pinata near the offices, artist unknown
quilt titled Nobody’s Free Until Everybody’s Free: Fannie Lou Hamer (2024) by artist Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. The quilt honors Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent civil rights activist and community organizer who championed voting rights.
This blue and white ceramic vessel is a work by Los Angeles-based artist Elyse Pignolet, often featured in exhibitions exploring contemporary female experiences. The piece is part of a body of work that utilizes traditional ceramic techniques—specifically blue and white glaze reminiscent of historical European pottery—to subvert expectations.
papier-mâché sculpturen created by artist Roberto Benavidez.
part of an exhibition titled “Truths Be Told”
from the Ray Neutrogena collection
vibrant hooked rug crafted by artist Celso Gallegos in the late 1920s or early 1930s
- The rug features a central tree form surrounded by various native animals.
museum guests of all ages were invited to stitch with museum materials
,
folk art is handmade, utilitarian or decorative objects, created by everday, often self-taught artists with a specific cultural community. instead of following formal academic rules, it relies on deeply-rooted community traditions,
preserving cultural heritage, history, and daily life through generations.
—
—
‘from our first babblings to our last word, we make but one statement, and that is our life.’
-richard paul evans
—
source credits:
museum of iunternatiuonal folk art, santa fe, new mexico, u.s.a – may, 2026
May19
curating joy.
doodlet’s
the most whimsical, charming store i have ever entered
filled from store to ceiling
and everywhere in between
with nothing but pure joy
in s small, yet lovely space
it took us over two hours
to walk through
look and touch everything
choose our treasures
“we cannot cure the world of sorrows but we can choose to live in joy.”
-joseph campbell
—
new mexico, usa – may 2026
May18
a trip takes us.
the road and the world around us
changes with every mile of sky
no turning back
onward
—
‘we do not take a trip, a trip takes us’
-john steinbeck
—
laguna pueblo, new mexico, usa, may 2026
May17
the shining.
as we went to head into town
leaving our little adobe house
moving toward the door
i said
we still have one more light to turn off before we go
response was
a pause and silent moment
then
look up
oh
it was so bright and streaming through
not used to such a brilliant sun
shining down on me
inside
complete shift
—
‘attention, if sudden and close, graduates into surprise;
and this into astonishment; and this into stupefied amazement.’
—
new mexico, usa, may 2026
May16
georgia o’keefe, up close and personal.
georgia o’keefe musem visit
her story, her words, her art
visitors given the opportunity to see things closely
create them in georgia’s style
some add a bit of humor to their response
georgia lived a life on her terms, full of color and beauty.
May15
sticks and stones.
river of stone
stone to find home
stone for resting
stone to remember
*sticks to make rustic latilla fences
‘to so enter into it in nature and art
that the enjoyed meanings of life may become a part of living
is the attitude of artistic appreciation.’
-george h. mead
—
*In New Mexico, you’ll find charming fences made of small branches called ‘latillas’ made primarily from native cedar or juniper poles. These rustic fences have a rich history, passed down through generations of indigenous and Hispanic communities.Originally built to keep out wildlife like coyotes, they’ve become a beloved part of the Southwestern landscape, especially in Santa Fe-style architecture.
—
new mexico, usa, may 2026
‘
May14
lights.
light on the tiny houses
light in the cathedral
everywhere you look
santa fe is filled with light
—
‘to love beauty is to see light.’
-victor hugo
May13
go west.
let the adventure begin
first stop
santa fe, new mexico
place of art, history, beauty, and mystery
sharing a road trip with my fellow life traveler
my sister
nature celebrated with art
wild mustangs up top
birds splash in a flock
burro waits patiently
half sun half shade
no need for a clock
—
“take me where the road ends and the adventure begins in Santa Fe.”
-inspired by Bon Jovi
—
art credits: all sculptures by new mexican artists
I didn't have my glasses on.... 