Diana of Letherwerks, Jack
I had rather be poked in the eye with a sharp stick than spend money. Last Christmas I looked for a leather belt in Santa Fe and refused to spend the money. My wife, Brenda, insisted that I buy a new belt this year because my old belt was “plain awful,” in her own words. So, since I had purchased knives from Letherwerks of Taos two years ago and knew they purveyed belts, and we were dining at Doc Martin’s anyway, why not mosey down to Letherwerks?
I bought a bison belt with silver-plated nickel for a few pesos that I was quite happy about, and so was my wife. On the quest for a belt, I was feted and prevailed upon to purchase the item by Diana of Taos, who could absolutely sell mesquite trees to Texans. What a personality! And, when I shook hands to make the sale, she went behind the counter to the crafting table and put a new buckle on the belt, tacking and pressuring the ornamentation into place. No shrinking violet there.
I insisted that my picture be taken with Diana because she is a wonderful, outgoing, person that personifies the sun at midday. She and Brenda wanted me to purchase a silver buckle, but I refused. Diana said, “Well, everybody needs a silver buckle before they die, Jack!” True enough, but I have a few more years to go, and I’ll come back to Taos. Not to buy a silver buckle, but to see Diana ply her wares at Letherwerks. Maybe look at a knife, another belt, or maybe that buckle, after all, Diana.
Notes
I have to show you a photograph I took inside of Doc Martin’s to finish off this post. It was in their dining area just to the immediate right as you go in the restaurant and the photograph was shot intentionally at that angle.
Doc Martin's Restaurant, Taos, December 2009
Sage to Meadow ~ Jack Matthews 