Cenizo Journal Summer 2013 | Page 7

C enizo N o t es by Carolyn Zniewski, publisher and Danielle Gallo, editor I love the color pink. It is so cheery. My casita is pink, the new Cenizo Office on the west side of my casita is pink and some- times the cenizo flower is pink. So I must say I was tickled pink when I got my first letter to the editor. And to make things even pinker, it was from Paris; Paris, France, that is, not Paris, Texas. I'd like to share it with you all: 25 April, 2013 To the Editors: I enjoy very much reading Cenizo, which I receive here in Paris, France. A note on the meaning of Cenizo (Charles Angell's Trans-Pecos Trivia). My European Spanish dictionary (Oceano, Barcelona) gives two definitions: As an adjective: ash colored (this must be the source of the American Spanish name for the Purple Sage, which has ash colored leaves). As a noun: jinx (una mala sombra). Gilbert Shelton 75011 Paris, France Dear Mr. Shelton, Thanks for writing. Hope you continue to enjoy the Cenizo, and your summer is “In the Pink.” Sincerely, The Cenizo Journal I'm in my new Pink office in Marathon, TX sometimes and would love to have visitors. Check it out with me by email first. Have an afternoon of sage enjoyment with our journal. S ummer is upon us, my favorite time of year in the Big Bend. The heat is tem- pered by solstice parties and Fourth of July cele- brations, higher eleva- tions are sought and flies fanned lazily on porches, and we remember anew each year why the margarita is the perfect beverage. When I tell people from elsewhere that I love the Chihuahuan Desert summer they invariably ask about the heat. I once protested to a friend that 115 degrees feels hot of course, but it’s a dry heat, and she replied: “Yes, dry like an oven.” I’ve given up struggling to explain that our for- midable temperatures enable us to enjoy so many things: siesta, for example. Agua Fria, for sure. Balmorhea, with the sound of splashing children. Sleeping in the hammock, if one can fend off the curiosity of tarantulas. The garden is producing in a riot of peas and carrots, the radishes have exploded and the corn is straining for the sky. The sparrows have suc- cessfully raised a nestful of adolescents and are enjoying some well-earned relaxation. It’s time to sit back with a sweating glass, ice cubes clink- ing merrily, and while away the hot afternoon with the summer edition of Cenizo. This issue encompasses some of my favorite warm-weath- er pastimes: stargazing, plein air painting, rodeo—I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together! Coming up in the October Cenizo: The restoration of Santa Inez Church in the Terlingua Ghost Town. First renovated in 1985, more work is needed. Find out about the latest community effort to complete the work this year. You can help. The Terlingua commu- nity is asking for help to preserve a vital piece of its history. For information contact Cynta de Narvaez at 432.386.0568. Contributions can be sent to the Terlingua Foundation at PO Box 296, Terlingua, TX 79852. Alpine Community Credit Union The only local financial institution in Alpine If you live or work in Alpine, bank with us See the difference at your local credit union Now serving Presidio and Jeff Davis Counties 111 N 2ND STREET • ALPINE • 432.837.5156 SUBSCRIPTIONS Cenizo Journal will be mailed direct for $25.00 annually. Checks made payable to: Cenizo Journal, P.O. Box 2025, Alpine, Texas 79831, or through Paypal at cenizojournal.com SUBMISSION Deadline for advertising and editorial for the Fourth Quarter 2013 issue: August 15, 2013. Art, photographic and literary works may be e-mailed to the Editor. For advertising rates or to place an ad, contact: [email protected] Cenizo Third Quarter 2013 7