Für Elise

Rayas del sol, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

on this warm & rainy Winter Solstice morning. Enjoying a great cup of coffee/eggnog latte that I made at home thanks to my new Bodum Chambord frother. Thank you Elyse & Holly for my wonderful Christmas gift.

So this is Christmas and I took some early time off from work to give myself a nice 13 day vacation of which I so needed. My batteries were on E for EMPTY & they are slowly being re-charged. I really have not been in the Christmas spirit but I made myself put some decorations up around the inside of my house to lift my mood up. Thank you Michelle for your creative assistance.

Music inspiration for the season by
Vince Guaraldi-A Charlie Brown Christmas 
Ottmar Liebert-Winter Rose/Poets & Angels,
Tish Hinojosa/From Texas for a Christmas Night,
George Winston/December,
Season's Sernade/A Classical Holiday Collection.

Merry Christmas/Gloria In Excelsis Deo

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

She said tonight, "come on, come on collide & see what a fire feels like..."

I love astronomy and took this photo the other night of the telescope at the observatory in Brazos Bend State park that looks like something from outer space.  Right after taking the photo I went over to another telescope and viewed the constellation of Cassiopeia and was immediately reminded of the beautiful song by Sara Bareilles.  It's just like heaven or as close as you can get to it.  Note to humanity-- we are but a grain of sand in this world!

Serenity On Ultracloud

Driving into work this morning I was listening to this and being thankful for the blessings in my life on this special day.  Early this morning I couldn't sleep and did some meditation and I am usually floating up on Ultracloud.  

Repost-Spirit of Saladin

Trio-lite, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

from Under the Rose

-an investment in peace

and a stunning musical CD-FREE

Read about Saladin.

Via Flickr:

Hello Major Tom!

4, 3, 2, 1.... Hello Major Tom, Houston calling!  Space!  That vast darkness up above us.  I'm soo looking forward to seeing the movie Gravity but until then I'll have to use my imagination.  ;-)

City of Angels

City of Angels has been playing on cable past two weeks and yes, its cheesy but I love it and believe in the spirituality in the movie.  I'm not a fan of Nicholas Cage but still liked the movie nonetheless and it also had one of my favorite songs playing--Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls where you "bleed to just to know you're alive"!  If you've never seen the movie, here's a clip from the trailer.  Free Will vs. One?! I love that scene and all of a sudden this glutton wants pancakes!!

Fifth Ward Jam

Fifth Ward Jam, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Just saw that this photo has had over 4000 views! Photo taken from bike ride back in 2011. Nice! Thanks to Yahoo Editorial and Art Houses of Houston!

With Dreams in My Head -Goodnight

As I was changing my bed sheets earlier I was reminded of this beautiful song...

Don't Need Much To Be Happy

Don't much to be happy, four walls and a roof overhead
books and food in my belly and cool sheets upon the bed...
Sometimes it's hard to remember how tough we are to please

All in good time, somehow I find the days that still shine with the light
All in good stead I"m safe and fed with dreams in my head-goodnight
the feel of my hand being taken....and a breeze on a warm summer evening

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.

and so with dreams in my head, I say goodnight.

The Inner Light

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

so August came and went but it had me seeking the inner light and water seemed to be the driving force. Goodbye August and die you must for in the new month of September, I hope an autumn wind blows chilly and cold and draws me even closer to another inner light.

Title borrowed from the late George Harrison & his beautiful song...

Without going out of my door
I can know all things on earth
Without looking out of my window
I could know the ways of heaven

The farther one travels
The less one knows
The less one really knows

Without going out of your door
You can know all things on earth
With out looking out of your window
You can know the ways of heaven

The farther one travels
The less one knows
The less one really knows

Arrive without traveling
See all without looking
Do all without doing

In Another's Arms

Been listening a lot to the new In Time cd by the Mavericks-hence above title and some beautiful music from some talented musicians and Raul Malo is dreamy! .  How I wish I could see them in October in Austin but tiks are all sold out.  :-(

So here we are at the end of another month--another long hot month and one more to go till summer is behind us.  Wish I could be in Oregon, Eugene to be exact!  Just saw tonight's temp around the low 60's! How I wish I could snap my fingers and be in two places at the same time.  If only the miles were not so far.  Eugene will always hold a special place in my heart.

Been debating on whether to delete/kill my blog as posts have been latent and need to re-design so for now just a small change.

♥ Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"

I love classical music and this Rhaposody theme by Rachmaninoff is an absolute beauty and complements one of my all time favorite movies, "Somewhere in Time".  If you've never seen this movie by all means see it and be enchanted.  Christopher Reeve was at his best in this classic.

June will change her tune

Read this tweet this morning.  Yes, so sad to see May go.  Somehow Mother Nature just seems to  know to kick up the heat in June--for on this first day it already feels like 100+.

Goodbye May.Lilacs. Bike rides. Planting. Sandals. Sweaters. You started cold, ended hot, just like my heart and I'm sad to see you go.
— Kathleen Edwards (@kittythefool) June 1, 2013

Also reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Simon & Garfunkel from one of my favorite movies the Graduate-

April Come She Will

April come she will when streams are ripe and swelled with rain
May she will stay resting in my arms again
June she'll change her tune ....

Yes, June will change her tune and it's going to be a long hot summer for sure! :-( With this heat bike rides may be few but sandals will be worn for sure!

Call Me When You Get To Heaven

Call Me..., a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Title from song by Mavericks. Someone wrote that Raul Malo is a musical genius and it couldn't be more true.

I posted several photos on my flickr account but this one is my favorite. Dark clouds swirl but in the middle you see the blue sky-portal if you will. When I first heard this song I thought about the 26 angels from Sandy Hook. I think about those children almost every day and pray for their families and loved ones who are left behind to mourn such a senseless tragedy.

Sara Bareilles - Brave (Lyric Video)

LOVE, love Sara Bareilles!  

Looking forward to her new music

and enjoying her new video

So nice not to have/see scantily clad women/girls 

gyrating to tasteless lyrics/music.

We need more positive and upbeat music.

Kudos to Sara for being BRAVE!

Ode to the Morning Star

Shhhhhh, baby sleeping!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Today our family was blessed with the birth of a very healthy 8.1 lb baby-Emery Rae Gutierrez. There was much anticipation, excitement and tears of joy. She's the first great grandchild for my parents, the first grandchild for my brother Arnold and his wife Theresa, and the first child for my niece Erika & her husband Rey. My beloved nephews-Martin & Greg are now uncles and will get to experience the joy of spoiling their niece just as I spoiled mine & them.  Next month the matriarch of our family-Guadalupe Rivera turns 80. Thank you God for your continued blessings upon our family. As night is turning into early morning, I will look out my window to the sky and bow my head in grace with an Ode to the Morning Star. 

Title & music inspired by Ottmar Liebert-In the Arms of Love

In the Hand of Life

In the Hand of Life, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

In honor of National Sibling Day, my brother & I. Giving thanks to our Lord and appreciate my brother's influence on me, & our family.  I love you Arnold.  Photo taken by my niece/photographer-Erika D. Now stepping outside to look for Armando's luna.

Title from CD, Urban Flamenco by Stephen Duros.    

We've Only Just Begun...

We've Only Just Begun... a video by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

And they're off! So much of life ahead. Just finished a glass of moscato to complement the blessed day for our family. Congratulations Miranda & Greg.

Closed door

Closed door, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

But then again, it really was open! :-) Late on this Sunday eve and I'm wide awake with this silly grin but that's ok! Listening to the really cool cd by the Mavericks! Just love this band and so glad they are back together. Raul Malo will you marry me?! Oh well, I'll still, "Dance in the Moonlight"! Goodnight OG! 

Happy Texas Independence Day

Only in Texas!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

1.61803

Phi, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

it was a golden ratio month. 1.61803 to be exact and hard to believe that we are at the end of the month. So much to remember and so much to forget. For me a sad day today as one of my co-workers retired and she will be missed dearly. Buen viaje GK.

Something

Something, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Been listening to George Harrison and his song Something. I love that song! He was my favorite of the Beatles. My favorite line, "you're asking me will my love grow, I don't know, I don't know..." Iconic!

His other fave song of mine is "My Sweet Lord" of which has been on repeat mode over the weekend. I would love to have a poster of the alternative LP cover. He has an autobiography book that I've been meaning to read--hopefully soon!

Ronald Reagan Understood Gun Control

Ronald Reagan Understood Gun Control

"...he was willing to compromise and be pragmatic"...

unlike the insensitive so called patriots/pro gun activists. 

I support the right of the 2nd Amendment but even the Gipper knew there was room for compromise!

Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

I love this photo of my parents from back when. They were in their prime in their early senior years. Hard to believe that six years has passed from the Golden 50th celebration in Corpus Christi. Beautiful memories that I treasure for a lifetime!

Slow burn

Slow burn, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Chapter 2 of 2013.

Zen-inspired " I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality" Anon

It's been a long first two weeks of January and then I worked last Saturday. Don't get to see much daylight going in early and leaving late as well as feeling sleep deprived. So feeling like my candle has been burning at both ends but finally last night I got home early and got the chance to catch my breath. I love sitting out on the patio as the sun is going down and engaging in the ritual purification of burning incense, which cleanses my body, soul and spirit. Also, the burning of incense keeps the mosquitoes away!

My incense canister is always full of incense from the cheapest to expensive. Last night's burn was rose and the scent was heavenly.  The glowing ember & smoke take me away to another realm. One word to describe this is Enlightenment!

On my Twitter account I follow Zen Moments and the above quote was borrowed from them and the quote below best describes the slow burn process....

"Enlightenment is ego's ultimate disappointment. ~ Chogyam Trungpa http://v.ht/av..."

I love that! :-)

Here's some great music for the listening-Smoke.

Chapter 2013

Happy 2013, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Page 1 of 365...  Borrowed the saying from iCarlee and I hope she doesn't mind. Always good to start the new year with some bubbly and I made the most of leftover bubbly this morning by indulging in a mimosa or two! ;-( Lots to be thankful as we begin a new year. Thankful to be going back to work tomorrow as I know so many people would love to have what I have-a full time job with fringe benefits such as paid vacation & sick time. Thankful for spending the day with family. Gave my parents an extra hug and kiss before leaving for home tonight. Oh and by the way, it's a girl! :-) Looking forward to the end of April and the new addition. She will bring much joy to our family. For sure she will be spoiled! My bro is going to be a popo and that baby girl will have his finger wrapped around her!

Thankful for music and the gift of hearing! Don't know where I'd be without listening to music. Gotta have my daily dose of Ottmar Liebert for sure! Although I finally bought a CD from Jesse Cook and me likes a lot!

Thankful for friends near and far--from the west coast-Oregon to the east coast-New Jersey. Makes for nice long conversations and possibilities in the new year--especially travel!

So looks like in March, our family will be raising a toast to my newly married nephew-Greg and his beloved Miranda. She too will be a welcomed addition to the family.

Busy week ahead, busy month and busy year with weddings, and births!  Finally, no new years resolutions but only..."Kindness, kindness, kindness. I want to make a New Year’s prayer, not a resolution. I’m praying for courage." http://j.mp/UBkZ9Y as was tweeted by Maria Popova.

Ok, evening is creeping along but still time for a glass of vino and another toast to day 1 of 365 in this new year.