Bring on the Wonder

Bring on the Wonder
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

title from song on the wonderful CD "Laws of Illusion" by Sarah McLachlan.

I can't see the stars anymore living here
Let's go to the hills where the outlines are clear

Bring on the wonder
Bring on the song
I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long

I fell through the cracks at the end of my street
Let's go to the beach, get the sand through our feet....
Bring on the wonder....

The past year was filled with wonder and surprises both dark and full of light. With a new year there is always much anticipation and more fittingly opportunity. Still, one can easily get lost in the darkness of clouds that tend to follow us by our own hand and at the hands of others. It was very cloudy at the beach yesterday as have been the past few months but amidst the rough waters I still felt a sense of peace, renewal, hope and more importantly wonder.

Poets and Angels

Poets and Angels
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

and Buddhas
and poinsettias
and music by Ottmar Liebert
marking the Winter Solstice
and the celebration of Christmas.

I remember years back, I had a student comment to me in my office
when he saw my Buddha on the bookshelf...
"Shame on you, you worship Buddha"
all the while shaking his finger at me.
My response to him was first of all.
"I am free to worship whomever I want"
and second of all the statute was a gift from a student
We may not agree with all religions and all their teachings but
we should nonetheless respect their beauty, grace and reverence.

The Buddha, a special Guardian, and the Virgin May are just a few of the statues that grace my meditation garden.

Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

and bike bells. This past Saturday, I joined the Houston Bicycle Club on their annual evening Holiday bike tour through the streets of downtown and over to the neighborhood fest of, "Lights in the Heights". Riders (myself included) dressed up their bikes with Christmas lights and decorations. What a fun night! Despite a roaring cold front that came blowing during our ride, the evening was such as blast. The photo is taken at the porch of my co-worker Gail who hosted a party for the bikers. BTW, she bikes to work almost everyday. Sadly, though I didn't take any photos of my bike. I still have all the lights hooked up and will try and get some in a few days. I'm eager to take the bike out again and ride around the neighborhood the next couple of nights. Anyone want to join me? BYOB! Get it?!

Oh and Santa, I've been a really good girl this year and really would like a new bike!

Underworld-revisted

Underworld-revisted
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Things I see while walking Chulo. This was taken some three years ago and has always been one of my faves-taken with a camera phone no less.

Rolling in the Deep

the song by

Adele

is on repeat mode on my iTunes.

Eagerly anticipating her new CD.

Powerful voice, love the title and the lyrics blow me away.

In my next life, I want to be a song writer.

Let the Rain

Let the Rain
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

I wish I were pretty, I wish I were brave
If I owned this city then I'd make it behave
and if I were fearless, then I'd speak my truth
and the the world would hear this
that's what I wish I'd do
If my hands could hold them,
you'd see it take all these secrets in me
and I'd move and mold them to be something I'd set free
I want to darken the skies, open the floodgates up
I want to change my mind, I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes, I want to cry until the end of time
I want to let the rain come down, make a brand new ground,
let the rain come down, let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground, let the rain come down tonight
I hold on to worry so tight, it's safe in here right next to my heart
who now shouts at the top of her voice
let me go, let me out of this, it wasn't my choice
and I always felt it before that the world was filled with much more
than the drowning soul I've learned to be
I just need the rain to remind me
I want to darken the skies
open the floodgates up, I want to change my mind, I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes and I want to cry until the end of time
I want to let the rain come down and make a brand new ground.


title inspired by Sara Barelies and her beautiful song, Let the Rain from her CD, "Kaleidoscope Heart". These flowers in my garden had been transplanted, and the night before it poured rain whereby splashing some more dirt onto the petals. So not only did the rain come down but it's making brand new ground in my backyard-especially since my Japanese elm was taken down. It's always good to let the rain come down and make a brand new ground. BTW, congrats to Sara for her Grammy nomination. Her music is so fresh and I have certainly worn out the new CD.

First bloom

First bloom
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

it's December 1st and you know what that means? Time for my favorite bloom of the year. I just love this plant. It brings me such beauty.