Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors

Just LOVE the rock group HEART and they just ripped this song tribute to Led Zeplin's
"Stairway to Heaven"!  Sorry, I missed seeing the Kennedy Center Honors this year. Oh and secretly, I always wanted to be in a women's rock and roll band playing guitar or drums.  ;-)

Noche Buena

Noche Buena, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

from Texas on this Christmas eve.

Skyfall

on this Winter Solstice- Mayan apocalyptic day. Only fitting that I was back home in the place where I was born-Corpus Christi, Texas.  As we crossed the bay to leave CC, the sky was never so blue albeit covered by clouds.  It was a cold winter's day and reminded me of the beautiful song by Ottmar Liebert-Winter Blue

Needless to say the world didn't end, nor did I believe that it would!

Lucky numbers

Lucky Numbers, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

on this special day for a special concert!  Today was a day to remember!  Won't happen for another 100 years!

December to Remember

Untitled, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

well, no not really so far! The past week was full of sad news and setbacks. No Christmas spirit and no desire for shopping or putting tree & lights up. For one thing, it's been so dang warm but cold front on the way tonight. This winter rose/Christmas cactus has been the only bright color around. One week till Christmas vacation. Am ready for the break but not the holiday. I do hope to get out of dodge and make a quick getaway trip to Austin & up to the hill country and get an extra shot of color before the end of the month.

Sobremesa

Where it all began, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Word of the day: Sobremesa
Music: Morning Arrival in Goa
In my glass: Holy Mole

Inspired by a twitter conversation with Ottmar Liebert about sobremesa. I replied how I miss it and love it. His reply -"it's more valuable than anything money can buy". Indeed it is! Yesterday at work, we had a small going away reception for a co-worker and after we ate it was so nice to sit in conversation and catch up with one another.

Photo above is a reflection shot from 3 years ago when friends/fanmencas had finished lunch and we were just sitting, conversing and enjoying new friendships.

Last month one of my Chinese students invited me to his house for dinner and there were other guests--one from Pakistan who has traveled extensively.  While the food was wonderful the conversation after was so engaging.

Just this week, I re-connected with another co-worker who has moved to Eugene, Oregon and despite the distance we're talking about getting together again soon for lunch and catching up with one another. I look forward to the sobremesa!

Think I'll throw a dinner party soon but who to invite for the sobremesa?! ;-)  Who would you invite for your sobremesa?

Nuevo Mexico, 2012

Heaven

-or as close as you get too it found in and around Santa Fe (The City Different), New Mexico on a quick four day weekend topped off by some great music at Tiny's to see Anthony Leon & the Chain and attending an Ottmar Liebert benefit concert on Sunday evening.  Nice to see my fellow fanmencas Cheryl Cox and Linda West and indulge in some great food--green chile burgers, and a wonderful breakfast at Chocolate Maven-(thanks to fellow fanmenco/Michael).  Of course there were plenty glasses raised between vino & some nice pale ale.  It all went by too fast and I'm ready to do it again in May 2013 in Albuquerque. Who's in?! ;-)

Chimayó, NM

Beautiful day in Chimayo!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Did you miss me? Took a quick weekend trek out to my fav place-Santa Fe. The weekend seemed so short but it was sooo sweet for many reasons of which I divulge in another blog post.

Raul Malo: El Paso

I am a big fan of Raul Malo from the Mavericks and here he's signing a classic song that's one of my faves.  He's such a versatile singer!  iTunes writes, "Cuban-American Raul Malo's tenor is so exquisite that it should be placed in the Smithsonian" and I couldn't agree more!  The CD, What A Crying Shame is a brilliant piece of music!  I wore out that album and fell in love with Raul then!  Here's another song out of this world!

Orange October

one last boo, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

One last Boo for Orange October on this last day of the month. On wards to November and the holidays of which honestly I'm not ready for!

Don't Wait, My Love

  Don't Wait, My Love

Beautiful music by Ottmar Liebert, Rahim AlHaj, Jon Gagan & Barrett Martin.  

Tracks from

  Under the Rose 

are played repeatedly at home and work

and this track is at the top of my list.  

Happy Birthday Dolly!

Happy Birthday Dolly!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

OUCH!

IMG_1246.jpg, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Another day, another cut! This cut is on my right heel and bigger, deeper, & wider. Dang candle holder fell, broke and shattered and cut me at the same time in the middle of the night while sleepily walking to the bathroom! What are the chances?

God are you trying to tell me something? Now 2 clean up mess in the bathroom-didn't' think bleeding would stop last night. I'm kind of afraid to walk out the door now! As it is I'll be limping around. UGH! Oh, and one other complaint while I'm at it-WHEN IS THE COOL FRONT GETTING HERE?!

Hey Beautiful!

Hey Beautiful!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

@Hotel Za Za and two for the price of one! ;-) Oh, and I'll pass on that spray tan-no porcelain skin here! ;-)

Dan Fogelberg-Nexus, Wealthy the Spirit...

Another song or rather album that I wore out playing when it came out!  I am such a Dan Fogelberg fan and miss his music with the passing of his un-timely death.  His was such a poet and his lyrics are brilliant--not to mention a great guitar player who once was asked by the Eagles to play in their band.  I regret that I never got to see him in concert but his music lives on and thanks to youtube for their endless videos of his music.  If you've never listed to this double album treat yourself to a rare gem of fine music from one of the best musicians in his day.  Thank you Dan for helping my spirit take flight and journey through the length of the light.

Across the vein of night
There cuts a path of searing light
Burning like a beacon
On the edges of our sight
At the point of total darkness
And the lights divine divide
A soul can let its shadow stretch
And land on either side --
either side.

And balanced on the precipice
The moment must reveal
Naked in the face of time
Our race within the wheel
As we hang beneath the heavens
And we hover over hell
Our hearts become the instruments
We learn to play so well.

Wealthy the spirit that knows its
own flight
Stealthy the hunter who slays
his own fright
Blessed the traveler who journeys
the length of the light.

Outside the pull of gravity
Beyond the spectral veil
Within our careful reasoning
We search to no avail
For the constant in the chaos
For the fulcrum in the void
Following a destiny
Our steps cannot avoid.

Across the vein of night
There cuts a path of searing light
Burning like a beacon
On the edges of our sight
At the point of total darkness
And the lights divine divide
A soul can let its shadow
Stretch and land on either side.

Wealthy the spirit that knows its
own flight
Stealthy the hunter who slays
his own fright
Blessed the traveler who journeys
the length of the light.

In a spiral never-ending
Are we drawn towards the source
Spinning at the mercy of an
unrelenting force
So we stare into the emptiness
and fall beneath the weight
Circling the Nexus in a
fevered dance with fate --

Wealthy the spirit that knows its
own flight
Stealthy the hunter who slays
his own fright
Blessed the traveler who journeys
the length of the light.

Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love

This song never gets old and I killed the repeat button way back!

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out....no dawn, no day..
I'm always in this twilight in the shadow of your heart...

On a Blue Moon

and on the last day of August!  

Goodbye August, I have never been a fan of yours for your heat is just too much at times and work makes the month of August even more dreadful.  I was born in the month of October and every year, I look forward to that month and my rebirth when the first north wind brings a cool front and I feel alive again.  I dance around gleefully like a kid whenever I see the first acorn and get to pop it with the soles of my shoes.

Tonight, I stepped out and picked up the scent of my night blooming jasmine and while it was such an intoxicating Moon Fragance I long for the first sanguine moon.  Until then, let the beauty of this full moon evening lead to a Falling in and Sliding Out whereby the Night Exhales taking me to a dream world up on Five Clouds Lenticular, while I'm  Dancing Alone on a Dune and watching a Horse trot around! I wonder if he will let me ride him and take me On the Road to Shiraz! ;-)  Thank you Ottmar Liebert for your wonderful music last weekend.  Looking forward to your next performance in November!

La Luna

La Luna, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Under an August Moon that was peeking through the window just before Ottmar Liebert took the stage tonight at Dosey Doe in the Woodlands and I thought of Neil Armstrong when the song was playing. Kind of appropriate this song was played in Houston on the passing of the first man to walk on the moon. I remember the first words, he said "Houston,Tranquility Base here...." RIP Neil Armstrong. You can give the song a listen on Soundcloud. La Luna - Live 2012  BTW, there are two full moons this month of August!

Coincidence

Untitled, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

and why I am such a Flickr fanatic. I found this photo and looks like were both at the same place around the same time. Different cameras of course.  One thing for sure the storms in the distance were pretty intense and for a second -it seemed like the end of the world.

Medio Litro

Medio Litro, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

"I don't always drink Coke...but when I do, I prefer Coke Mexicana...stay thirsty, my friends."
The most interesting woman in the world. Couldn't resist posting this. Thank LN.

Michael Bublé - Me And Mrs Jones (Official Music Video)

Remember this from 1972? Smooth & sexy for sure and sweeter with a glass of wine in hand.  Some peeps don't care for Michael with his wisp & while he's not Sinatra he does this version justice for sure-Michael's version is not shabby! Think, I'll go and pour another glass & kickback.

boom boom

boom boom, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

yes, I know it's blurry but I like it that way! A reminder of how this year has been so far in such a fast pace blur. The good news is that we're one month closer to the end of summer!

Don't Need Much To Be Happy

Beautiful song and

video 

by Mary Chapin Carpenter

I just love her music!  

Her words always hit close to home for me.  

Don’t need much to be happy

four walls and a roof overhead

books and food in my belly

cool sheets upon the bed

A fire that warms up December
The sound of a thaw in the eaves
sometimes it’s hard to remember
how tough we are to please


            All in good time
            somehow I find
            days that still shine with light
            all in good stead
            I’m safe and I’m fed
          with dreams in my head
          good night


The feel of my hand being taken
driving at night all alone
the breeze on a warm summer evening
and coming home


            All in good time
            somehow you find
            days that still shine with light
            all in good stead
            You’re safe and you’re fed
          with dreams in your head
          good night


Don’t need much to be happy
a friend to soften a fall
and something to show for my labors
after all


I had to learn to be grateful
I had to learn how to see
mistakes that might have proved fatal
are gifts I now receive




How I love cool sheets on a warm summer night! How I miss a good fire on cold December night? How I miss my hand being taken?  I don't drive alone much at night--price of gas is too high!  Tonight's breeze was a welcome reprieve from the day's heat.  I'm thankful for my labors at work-my student's always show me how lucky I am to see their beautiful branches.  At my age, I'm learning to be grateful for the mistakes I've made and for the gifts they now bring me.  Yep, I don't need much to be happy.  Thank you MCC for your beautiful music.  

Trump International Hotel and Tower

Trump International Hotel and Tower, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

and only in NYC,
and only next to Central Park,
and only Trump...
and who died and left him King of anything and everything in NYC?! ;-)

but I read somewhere that some investors in one of his properties were wanting to pull out.

peeping out :)

peeping out :), a photo by :Eureka: on Flickr.

Photo and words from my niece from back in 2006. With today's heat, makes me long for a cold January day!

on the inside looking out.
OH it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Wouldn't that be cool if you looked through your peep hole one day and saw a fantasy world? Like Alice and Wonderland kinda deal. Ok maybe a little creepy, but still 'cool' none the less

Mi casa

Mi casa, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Crepe Myrtle in full bloom. What a difference 4+ years make?! I'm so grateful for the beauty and pleasure my house has given me. The grass is greener, the blooms purdy-er! Right Jane!? ;-)

Voices at Grand Central Station

Voices a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Heading uptown now just as the shifts are changing to Grand Central Station....and all these voices keep on asking me to take them to Grand Central Station. I want to stand beneath the clock just one more time...I guess you never really are all alone. I made my way to 42nd streeet, lit a cigarette and stared down at my feet and imagined all the ones who stood here waiting at Grand Central Station. The faces of the missing are all I see and tomorrow I'll be back there working on the pile ... and before my job is done there's one more trip I'm making to Grand Central Station.

lyrics by Mary Chapin Carpenter and based on a true story of a worker who worked through the piles of debris at Ground Zero and heard the voices asking him to take them to Grand Central Station. I felt such a pull to this place while in NYC last week. I had always wanted to see this place and finally got the chance to do so all the while the MCC song was playing in my head.

Passionate Kisses & Anticipation

I've been a fan of Mary Chapin Carpenter for many years and got the chance to see her perform live last summer in Austin.  She's got a new CD, "Ashes & Roses" that'll be released this coming Tuesday and I cannot wait (anticipation) to download her new music. Her music and lyrics speak volumes to my heart and soul.  Here's one of my all time fave songs from her, Passionate Kisses and some of the words really ring true for me at 50 something...

Yes, a comfortable bed that won't hurt my back isn't too much to ask...
Yes, would love to have a rock and roll band in my backyard-don't know that my neighbors would appreciate that though.
Yes, I hate pens that run out of ink--especially my favorite pen and I am picky about pens!
Yes, I demand cool quiet and time to think and those are moments that I treasure
and oh yes, passionate kisses from you.

Goodnight New York

Goodnight New York, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

This was a perfect way to end our visit to the Big Apple. Woke up wobbly this morning and feeling like I'm still riding on the subway/train. Guess it'll take a day or 2 to decompress. Glad to be home and think I'll crawl back into bed. OH, and Chulo has not let me out of his sight since we got home last night.

All hail to the graduate!

All hail to the graduate!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Congrats Martin for completion of High School. College is next bud!

One eye(d)

One eye, a photo by mRio on Flickr.

So another month has come and gone. The month started with a wonderful crawfish boil and ends with some rain-c'mon rain! The month also was highlighted with a visit from my fanmenca sister-Kym. ;-)

Kym flew back home on Monday, Memorial day and I was all set to get back to work and wind down the rest of this busy week before heading out for vacation next week. However, Sunday evening I felt a burning sensation in my eye and woke up Monday with a swollen eye-lid. Not fun! Little did I know the fun was just beginning. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and she felt my eye was irritated from a stye. I was sent home with some antibiotic eye cream and told to take the next two days off. No makeup and no contacts. Well, I woke up Wednesday and the eye was twice as swollen. Called the doc back and told me to come again that afternoon. Sure enough she realized there was a bad eye infection rearing its ugly head when she lifted my eyelid. By this time, I was fit to be tied, as the irritation and pain were becoming unbearable. I was given oral antibiotics to combat the infection and ibuprofen for the in-comfort. Not to mention that there was some yucky discharge in my eye. Finally, this morning I can say the eye is getting better. Less swelling, redness, discharge and in-comfort. Now I only feel like half a beast! Warm compress, hot showers and rest have been the order for the past few days. I'm starting to get antsy being home and who knew how bad an eye infection could be? I don't wish this on my worst enemy!  Who knew my eye would be my worry before going on vacation?  I thought my bad knee would be the problem.  I've been going to acupuncture the past few weeks for my left knee which was in so much pain earlier in the month.  The pain was at a 9.5 on a scale of 10.  Went to the doctor's office and they gave me some ibuprofen for what he said was a sprain!  Sprain my a--!  I decided to take matters into my own hands and pocketbook and am happy to report that pain is almost gone.  I was told at some point I would need a knee replacement but I've been trying to avoid that at all costs.  

This photo hit home for me because I could relate to having one eye looking bummed out. Photo courtesy of mRio/Mario with whom we had a nice fanmenco reunion last week when Kym was here.  What are fanmencos you ask?  Fans of the guitarist Ottmar Liebert.

Sad to see another month pass by--especially now that summer is here but glad to say goodbye to the end of May and my wonk one eye.

Chasing a Smurf!

Chasing a Smurf! #3722341, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

or in this case--photographing a fire smurf! Funny, I walk by these all the time and never realized how much they really do look like a smurf! Fire hydrant smurf #3722341!

Bragging

Plumeria, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

ok so something I don't do often is brag about myself but sometimes I surprise myself with photos I take! Made an awesome dinner earlier and it was quite tasty if I say so myself! ;-)

Let the crawfish feast begin!

Let the crawfish feast begin!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Spent a wonderful afternoon in Hardin, Texas eating some awesome crawfish and drinking some awesome Corona-ritas celebrating Cinco De Mayo with Jose Cuervo & friends! ;-)  Thanks, Cheryl for the recommendation of mixing some Jose Cuervo margarita mix with Coronas.

Feed Me!

The Scent of Light, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

A question was posed today on twitter, "What feeds your soul"? I kept asking myself the question all day. Well here is what feeds my soul in no particular order...
music,
nature,
wine,
His light,
family/friends
photography
a burning candle and/or incense
peace of mind
massage
the north wind

So what feeds your soul?

Ceremony-Here Comes the Bride!

Ceremony, a set on Flickr.

Finally finished editing and putting together photos from the wedding of my niece Erika. I love a good ceremony for they are moments that we do not celebrate often enough. Beautiful ceremonies run in our family-first with the 50th Wedding Celebration of my parents, second with the 25th Wedding Anniversary of my brother Arnold and his wife Theresa. So here's to the next ceremony for our family. Martin's High School graduation ceremony in June. Still waiting for a College Graduation ceremony from the rest of our family. I don't want to be the only one who has had the honor of two college graduation ceremonies. Hint, hint! ;-)

Butterfly Kisses (Country Version)

Fell in love with this song all over again as it was the song my brother danced with his daughter last night at her wedding. This was their song and I can tell you that the tears just flowed watching the two of them last night. His wife and I stood their holding each other and crying while watching the two of them. It was such a sweet tender moment watching Erika rub her daddy's back and letting him savor that moment. As he walked off the stage he came over to the two of us and gave us hugs. I was never so proud of my brother for giving his daughter away on such a beautiful day. Our family is indeed blessed. All through out the ceremony dark black clouds were swirling along with winds blowing but just then I looked up into the night sky and saw a star twinkling down on us. Erika never looked happier as her new husband walked up to dance with her. Congrats to the new couple. Here's to Erika & Rey and the new life they begin.

Going to be a G kind of day!

Going to be a G kind of day!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

One of my niece's cute motifs for her big wedding day today. At sunset Erika Rivera becomes Mrs. Rey Gutierrez. Congratulations Erika & Rey.