I am sitting at a computer with a stick in my mouth. (No, Dad, not log in foot. ) If you have ever carefully read a health pamphlet about oral hygene, you'll see a funny option listed next to toothbrushing: cure-dent sticks. Apparently they provide better cleaning power than a toothbrush, and come close to the benefits of flossing. On top of that, they give you reason to look dignified while chewing on stick.
I was somewhat baffled by the presence of these sticks when I first arrived. Poking jauntilly out of the mouths of adults and children alike, these sticks bob along in perpetual yes-man agreeance with whatever their chewer is saying. These feisty little sticks can be seen walking down the street or talking to a neighbor, one even made the appearance dangling from the lip of a visiting university faculty lecturer.
Look for them soon in Colorado.

Spending the next week in a mountain village stay. More to come.