Air Tahiti Nui's 10th Anniversary Contest

There's wintry mix in the forecast for tonight in Massachusetts. I'm thinking it's a good day to win a free trip to Tahiti. Thanks to Wendy Perrin for the 411 (via Twitter...like I've been saying: people, it's useful!).

Canyon Ranch Offers Spa Renewal Days to Berkshire Residents

Canyon Ranch in Lenox is generally guarded like Fort Knox, access limited to those who can afford to spend a couple grand per day to retreat and recharge. Rumor has it it's where Hilary Clinton went to regain her equilibrium after her defeat in the primary election. I don't know if that's true or not, but I can report firsthand, having spent a few days there on assignment earlier this year, that it is indeed a special place.

I've written a lot about spas, and my first impression of Canyon Ranch was that it was too sprawling and corporate. In the end, though, the staff won me over. A lot of smart, caring, talented people work there. And, unlike some other health spas, they're preaching good common sense. Their philosophy of health isn't whack-a-doodle extreme. For instance, they won't make you drink hempmilk (no offense to those who like the stuff). One leaves the ranch feeling invigorated and armed with tools for living a more joyfully engaged and healthy life. Other than the fact that the experience costs so much, what's not to like?

They usually don't sell day passes, but now through December 21, 2008 they're offering Berkshire residents a day rate of $225, including a gourmet lunch, unlimited use of the facilities, lectures, classes, and one service valued at $130 (which won't go far, but you could probably get a very nice pedicure).

If you do go, be sure to sit at the "Captain's Table" during lunch, which is open to anyone who wants to meet new people. I had wonderful, unexpected conversations there with a guy who described his job as "nation building in a box," a Harvard professor who was writing a book about dignity, and a young Brooklyn Hip Hop fashion designer.

Call 800-742-9000 for details and reservations.

Which Photo is Best?

Regular readers of this blog may have noticed that I've been switching out the profile photo a lot lately. I've been testing the recent Berkshire Museum photobooth shots to see how they might look on my revamp-in-progress website. My mother wrote this evening: "You seem to be specializing in Tilted Head and Recipes these days. Have you any straight-on vegetarian head shots? ...Nice shot of the truck." Annalena thinks my eyes look crazy in the gazing heavenward smiley photo. Obviously there are more important things to fret about, but I need to turn in one of these to accompany a magazine article this week. Which do the royal we think is best?

We're Selling Grandpa Bob's Truck

Grandpa Bob's Truck

Midnight Blue 1997 Ford Ranger XLT

• Only 25,000 miles (literally, he only drove it to the post office and to the dump)
• Like new condition (Bob took care of his stuff)
• 2-wheel drive, 5-speed
• 4-cylinder engine
• Good gas mileage
• $3,500 firm

Call Dave: 413-281-9310

Favorite Brisket Recipes?

Beef poster by Steven Norman

I have a certain fear of cooking meat, but the Dutch oven gives me hope of not screwing it up. This morning at breakfast I announced my intention to try my hand at brisket. Dave said, "Isn't that the name of one of Sarah Palin's children?"

I'd be most grateful for any brisket tips.

Pumpkins for Obama

YES WE CARVE
For stencils to carve your own Barack O' Lantern, click here.

Happy 14th Birthday, Annalena

My daughter turns 14 tomorrow. All clichés about time passing much too quickly apply. Here she is at age 8 during her Fruits phase in Oakland, California.

Catherine Niles's Fall Foliage Photographs

One of the voyeuristic thrills of Facebook is the window into your friends' friends' lives when one of your friends makes a comment on one of their friends' posted photos, which suddenly gives you access to a stranger's photos. These glorious fall foliage images by Catherine Niles of Salisbury, Connecticut showed up in my Facebook news feed when our mutual friend Nancy commented that they were breathtaking. I agree and am pleased to share them here with permission. Cathy doesn't have a website yet, but you can reach her at cenile [at] comcast.net.

Small Red, Big Yellow

Maple with Cotton Balls

Dueling Branches

Rudd Pond, Millerton, New York

Fall Bouquet

For Susan and Anne

Even The Blueberry Leaves Are Turning

It's a thrill to walk down the driveway to fetch the morning paper this time of year. Each day new trees explode with color.

Fall foliage in the blueberry patch.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Mexico's not the only place with color. Here's what's going on now at our house in the Berkshires. Pretty swell, eh?

Snapshots of Casa Sierra Negra del Sur

These cell phone snaps don't do it justice, but here's a peek at the Hyams-Barrett family compound in San Miguel...Aaaaaaaaaah.

Steps to roof terrace.

Roof garden.

Hammock on roof terrace.

Sitting area in courtyard garden.

My mom's kitchen and studio table topped with paintbrushes.

Day bed in my mom's studio.

Blurry shot of our kitchen, but I love the tile.

Our living room. Note subtle product placement on coffee table.

Living room steps made with colored cement. Our house has blue, red, green, and yellow floors.

Our bathtub of stars. The wall tile pattern was inspired by a
Mondrian painting.

Snapshots of San Miguel Parade

I post these images of the recent Fiesta de San Miguel parade for those who dismiss San Miguel de Allende as being the Disneyland of Mexico, its authenticity ruined by margarita-swilling Texans. Scratch the surface and it's clear that life goes on there as it has for centuries.

Soap of Money

I paid a visit to the magic supplies stall at Mercado de San Juan de Dios in search of a few lucky talismans to bless my new website. For years I've written with a little bottle of Mexican Wite-Out filled with "extracto original gota de suerte" (drop of luck original extract) next to my computer. Today I found three special spell-casting soaps: one for "pronto dinero" (quick cash), one for "llama cliente" (call clients), and one for "abre camino" (clear path).

Mexican Wrestler Postage Stamps

I'm in the midst of a website redesign and my designer, Heather Rose, wrote yesterday asking that I bring back a letter with my name on it and a San Miguel postmark. I don't know what she plans to do with it graphically, but trust her instincts, so made my way to the correo this morning.

I could not believe my good fortune when the only stamps in stock were these limited edition ones depicting El Santo. I'm grateful to the post office clerk who agreed to postmark the letter without actually mailing it (which could take weeks or never to reach Massachusetts) when I explained that it was for arte.

Mexican Wrestlers Are My Weakness

Today's purchase: This note card by Gusano de Luz.

I swore to Dave that I wouldn't shop on this trip given the fact that we're heading into New England winter heating bills and my economic future is hazy...but of course I had to check in on my favorite spots today...the news: we are in the midst of an enthralling Mexican wrestler moment here in San Miguel. El Santo is turning up on almost as many items as the Virgin of Guadalupe and Frida Kahlo. I even saw a puta doll wearing a painted wrestler mask. I exhibited extraordinary restraint by keeping the damage to the above note card and to three wrestler-and-glitter-embellished boxes of matches (justified because of the cord of wood that's waiting at home to be burned this winter).

Fiesta of San Miguel

Photo by Deb Hall -- see below for links to more of her fiesta photos and to information about her great folk art shop.

After a breakfast of fresh jugo de guayaba (guava juice) and huevos mexicana at Casa Crayola's sweet new cafe, my mom and I headed up to the Jardín so that I could get some pesos from the ATM machine. On the way there, we stumbled upon part of the Fiesta de San Miguel, the annual celebration honoring the city's patron saint, Archangel Saint Michael, during which, among other things, dozens of traditional community dance groups from across Mexico convene to dance through the cobblestone streets in full masked splendor, festooned with peacock feathers, fake flowers, Christmas decorations, feather dusters, satin ribbons, antlers, embroidered gowns, sequin-encrusted cloaks, animal pelts, Mardi Gras beads, and gallons and gallons of glitter. It's an unbelievably good time.

I took a bunch of photos with my cell phone, but am having trouble sending them to my e-mail, so I urge you to check out Deb Hall's marvelous account of last year's festivities -- click here and here. Deb and her husband Rick own Zocalo, a seriously awesome folk art shop located both here in San Miguel and in Patzcuaro.

Vintage Poison Labels

Thanks to Karen Templer for this link (via Twitter...see: it's useful!) to these fabulous vintage poison labels. Perfect to print out and affix to cocktail glasses for your next Halloween party.

Happy Goose on Mid-Day Romp

He who is most happy about my new freelance writer lifestyle.

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said:
"Lord, help me be the person my dog thinks I am."

Babies for Barack Obama