Connect, Create & Inspire: SOMOS Writers Conference
70 Ways to Leave Your 60s: Words, Art & Friendships
In September 2018, my best friend from San Diego, and I attended the “Gathering of the Creatives” in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Karil and I originally bonded in the early 1990s doing Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and meeting weekly for lunch or dinner over margaritas to discuss a chapter at a time. The Gathering was a chance reunite, for me to attend an intensive with Julia, and for Karil, an artist, to do an art intensive.
The 2018 and 2019 Gatherings were powerful for the speakers we heard and the connections we made. We fire walked hot coals, broke arrows in our necks, met some fantastic people, enjoyed southwest entertainment, and of course, celebrated with margaritas.
Then Covid hit.
In 2021, the last year it was held, they had a scaled back version with a virtual option. I didn’t attend either one.
Earlier this year when I heard the Society of the Muse of the Southwest (SOMOS) was holding the Taos Writers Conference in July, I reached out to Karil to see if she was game to meet me in New Mexico again. It had been a long time since we’d shared creative space, so I was thrilled when she agreed. She would drop me off at the conference each day, then focus on her art.
The intensive all-day Friday writing session I attended with Sean Murphy was phenomenal with lots of great takeaways. We wrote in 10-minute sprints using different techniques giving our writing more substance.
After the amazing session, a rainbow greeted me as I left. Then I heard the sound of mariachis.
Coming down the street was a mariachi band leading a parade of princesses on their way to the opening of the Taos Fiesta at the Kit Carson Park across the street. Perfect timing and a wonderful end to the first day.
After the parade, an elderly man was walking towards me on the sidewalk.
“Don’t worry, you will be a princess one day too,” he said.
I smiled as I walked to the lot where Karil was parked and thought to myself, maybe in another life.
The rest of the conference was equally as fabulous as the first day. I really enjoyed the experience and I hope to be back again.
After spending our first night closer to town, we spent three in the amazing Old Taos Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast.
Our day started in the Breakfast Room with coffee and a small dish of their crunchy homemade granola with yogurt and juicy berries. One day we had a mouthwatering quiche and the other two days we had fluffy soufflés…everything was scrumptious.
Karil enjoying zen time in this serene setting. There was a chess set on the table just inside the window, lots of books lining the wall, and games in a cabinet.
The Old Taos Guesthouse was the perfect respite for our retreat. The tranquil ambiance and serene surroundings provided the perfect escape from our daily lives.
After the conference was over, we enjoyed catching up with my friends and former co-workers Frederick Aragón and Susan Mihalic. I worked with Rick and Susan when I was a Publishing Manager at an educational software publisher in San Diego.
Rick is an accomplished artist with his art displayed in Taos galleries as well as being a musician. Susan’s book Dark Horses was published by Scout Press (a division of Simon & Schuster) to rave reviews in 2021. I’m eagerly awaiting her new novel about a cult.
Rick and Susan suggested getting together at Taos Pizza Out Back. Turns out Taos Pizza Out Back has a laid-back, casual vibe where you can relax and enjoy good food in a friendly, welcoming environment. They serve salads, soups, calzones, wings, and pizza by the slice.
And the pizza is unique and delicious. I had “Sandy’s Special”…who knew barbecue pizza with pineapple and green peppers were a thing?!
It was wonderful reconnecting with Rick and Susan, and I hope to see them again soon.
Susan suggested we visit the small community of Arroyo Seco. Unfortunately, the Mercantile was closed, but I did enjoy a coffee & cinnamon ice cream cone with chocolate chunks at the Taos Cow.
We both really enjoyed the Claireworks Gallery in Arroyo Seco. Claire L. Haye is a multi-talented artist: she’s a sculptor, a jewelry maker, a painter, and an author. I bought her memoir, Claire Haye/Artist: Survival/Persistence/Renaissance.
After a long day, we enjoyed one last evening at the Old Taos Guesthouse. The next morning, we planned to tour the historic Taos Pueblo before heading back to Albuquerque to catch our flights home.
It looks absolutely perfect!! Hopefully this means things are looking up for you?
And I hope you got some writing done, too! What a great adventure and reunion of writing buddies.