Last night and this morning, it rained in Santa Fe. The pinons gave off a pungent aroma. People were giddy with delight; rain is rare here in the desert.

Today is a red-letter day for another reason. Tonight at six o'clock, poet Brendan Constantine will be reading at The Collected Works bookstore. He is a first-rate talent. If you are near Santa Fe, I recommend taking a trip either tonight for the reading or soon for a stroll through the store. It's a fabulous independent bookstore, a real desert gem.