Pooka

Phooka (Púca, Pooka):

If a human is enticed onto a phooka's back it has been known to give them a wild ride.  But unlike a kelpie, which will take its rider and dive into the nearest river or lake to drown and devour him, the phooka will do the unfortunate rider no real harm.  The Púca has the power of human speech, and has been known to give advice and lead people away from danger.  Though the phooka enjoys confusing and often terrifying humans, it is considered to be benevolent.

From Fantasy Creatures 

I first learned about Pooka’s from the movie “Harvey.”  Who says you can’t learn anything from T.V.

Birding the Macabre

Birding is both more and less than spotting and identifying wild birds. For me, it's being outdoors and looking up. Being properly equipped is also important: binoculars, a zoom lens on one's hopefully light camera, water, sunscreen and plenty of tissue if you have allergies. Without the proper binoculars and appropriate camera, it was difficult to see anything. Placerita Canyon could have been a bust if it weren't for the other essential ingredient for me: Imagination.

Do you see the wolf-like image in the hollow? 

This was the image on my ascent. Below you'll see this image upon my descent.

See the bird in the tree? 

Neither did I, but then I looked down and saw the 

Dragon

Even though its flame was petrified, I jumped back and almost stepped on an angry

Gila Monster

A steamy wind rushed up the canyon and raptors circled above waving treetops. At the next turn, I encountered a new creature.

Monkey Lizard

He seemed harmless enough and I had to laugh at my fantasies. No wooden fatalities here, or were there?

Petrified Human

My Catholic childhood rushed at me. Jesus H. Christ! I almost made the sign of the cross. Fortunately, I ran into this religious fellow who operated an X-rated confessional when I was twelve.

The Monsignor Burns in Hell

Here is the ghoulish stump once again, but the monster inside has changed. Can you see the difference?

Crispy Feminist Flan Cake

Tis the season for recipes

Crispy Feminist Flan Cake:

½ cup sexist daddy

1 cup manipulative Mexican mommy

¼ cup domineering grandmother

2 cups fiction, fantasy and lies

¼ tsp. poor impulse control (risk-taking can be substituted)

A dash of pachucas beating the crap out of you

Mix in Texan/New Mexican racism

Add 60’s protests

Add drugs and sex to taste

Toss in a sugar daddy

Sprinkle with Santa Fe art and bake in the sun blazing down on the Sangre de Cristos.

It’s ready when the center springs back no matter how many times it’s punched

Let it cool while watched by benevolent lesbians, compassionate crones and loving sons

Keep it in the fortress of its baking dish

Your reward will be a creamy tartsweet dessert edged with hard won brown crisp.

Sandra Ramos O’Briant

Appeared in Viva La Feminsta, 9/04/10