Book Review
by Bob Miles
Twelve Lessons of the Desert
by Sam Richardson
Twelve Lessons of the Desert is a SAM-U-L book, ISBN-13: 978-1461171461 and ISBN-10:
1461171466, $10. Available locally at Front Street Books in Alpine, Terlingua Trading Company, the Barton
Warnock Center in Lajitas and the Big Bend Natural History Association’s store at Panther Junction.
S
am Richardson’s book, Twelve Lessons of the
Desert, is a collection of observations of the
world around him in the Big Bend. Many
readers will remember Sam (or Sam-u-l) from his
river-guiding days or his column in a local week-
ly newspaper. He is also an artist and freelance
writer who has guided tours in the Big Bend area
and Mexico and been a teacher and a newspaper
editor.
Many of these essays were written in journals
in a small cabin on Rough Run Creek near
Terlingua over a period of 17 years. From the
desert of the Big Bend, Sam moved to the cool
mountains of Taos, N.M., where he now resides,
pursuing his writing and art.
Each lesson is tied to a month of the year and
based on his observations of his surroundings.
Usually mild January is a good time for night-
time hikes, he writes, and speaks of the sights and
sounds of the desert night – the wind whipping
the ocotillo branches, the brief glimpse of a coy-
ote. The lesson learned is to appreciate and enjoy
what we have.
February’s lesson is about learning. To the care-
ful observer the desert has much to teach. Some
tree leaves begin to appear, a ground squirrel caus-
es a minor rock slide skittering across loose rocks, a
chorus of howling coyotes – all go into the lesson.
March’s lesson is acceptance. The desert
begins to come alive. Vultures return from their
winter migration. Cacti bloom. Tourist season
begins with river rafting and dust storms.
In April, birds are nesting. There are more dust
storms, and the desert heat grows. He watches
quail march to the music of Mozart. The lesson is
to know yourself and your capabilities.
May brings more birds, green mesquite beans
and insect hoards. The heat increases, and, if the
Rio Grande has enough water, the boating is
good. This month’s lesson is about holding onto
friends.
June brings more desert heat and teaches
about making choices. Bird eggs are hatching,
and mesquite beans are ripe, providing food for
javelinas, rodents and hungry coyotes. Too hot
inside, it’s time for sleeping outside with the spi-
ders and scorpions.
July – and the heat grows. Cone nose beetles
and scorpions continue to make sleeping outside
unpleasant, but the heat indoors makes it neces-
sary. Rain may come late in the month. Avoiding
anger and remorse is the lesson.
In good years, August brings more sudden,
often intense thunderstorms and always needed
rain. Enough rain and the sluggish river flows
again and allows more rafting. A good time for a
trip through majestic Santa Elena Canyon.
Censor blooms, once more bringing color to the
arid land, and roadrunners play. The lesson is to
not take yourself too seriously.
The rattlesnakes are especially active in
September, so the wise night hiker will use a flash-
light. Cooler nights bring some relief from the
summer heat. The author takes his boom box
into the night and plays Comanche songs under
the stars, recalling the Comanche Moon and
times long past. The lesson: Observe, exist, and
be aware.
A lone coyote serenades in October, and the
temperature continues to cool. Ravens play in the
wind. Fog seems to lift the Chisos off the ground,
and the colors of distant mountains change.
To be oneself is the lesson for October.
November brings the beginning of winter, but
days are still generally warm, with some hardy
plants still bearing colorful flowers. Memories
come of the times before 9/11 when the Rio
Grande was more river than barrier. The author
recalls a trip across the river to San Carlos to
attend a dance, of camping outside of town only
to learn that he and his companions were sleep-
ing in a trail when a horse herd passed through
their outdoor bedroom. Lesson: patience and
perseverance.
December, and the postlude deals with more
introspection and other lessons learned from life
in the Big Bend. Summing up the lesson – write
your own legend.
This is a good, comfortable read that will leave
the reader with much to appreciate and to pon-
der. As a lifelong resident and student of Far West
Texas, this reviewer is in complete empathy with
Sam’s observations, descriptions and love for this
rugged land. It is indeed unique and irreplace-
able and can teach much to the willing student.
The author provides simple illustrations,
which seem to show the Puebloan influence of
his home in Taos and are a welcome bonus.
A magical
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Cenizo
Second Quarter 2012
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