"Champagne and Reefer"

Great song that never gets old.  Quiet night at home but 'bout to sit outside next to fire pit, open up a bottle for an obligatory sip of champagne sans reefer though and listen to the fireworks across the way.  Still, I missed the show like last New Years Eve.  Didn't travel any place during my two week holiday break and it about killed me to be tethered by duty to family and lack of $.  

Amorcito Corazon

Ay Amorcito Corazón   de mis suenos...

Superman by Mary Chapin Carpenter (2001)

Looking for Superman who doesn't have to save the world--just mine.  Simply whisper in my ear that you're going to be my superman.

The Longest Night Of The Year

Another winter solstice--my favorite solstice of all the seasons but not feeling much like a cold winter's night and no staring into the fire light. Tonight only the darkest of hearts resides and the sun seems like a long lost friend.  Tomorrow, after the longest night of the year, I will try to welcome back the light.

Heart - "Barracuda" (1977)

THE BEST SHREDDING of guitar licks and the lyrics are kick ass too!!

Never!!!

Hard lessons

Al final

Grieving!

YES, still grieving!!


http://johnpavlovitz.com/2016/11/09/heres-why-we-grieve-today/

Here’s Why We Grieve Today

NOVEMBER 9, 2016 / JOHN PAVLOVITZ

I don’t think you understand us right now.

I think you think this is about politics. 

I think you believe this is all just sour grapes; the crocodile tears of the losing locker room with the scoreboard going against us at the buzzer.

I can only tell you that you’re wrong. This is not about losing an election.This isn’t about not winning a contest. This is about two very different ways of seeing the world.

Hillary spoke about a diverse America; one where religion or skin color or sexual orientation or place of birth aren’t liabilities or deficiencies or moral defects. Her campaign was one of inclusion and connection and interdependency. It was about building bridges and breaking ceilings. It was about going high. 

Trump imagined a very selective America; one that is largely white and straight and Christian, and the voting verified this. Donald Trump has never made any assertions otherwise. He ran a campaign of fear and exclusion and isolation—and that’s the vision of the world those who voted for him have endorsed.

They have aligned with the wall-builder and the professed p*ssy-grabber, and they have co-signed his body of work, regardless of the reasons they give for their vote:

Every horrible thing Donald Trump ever said about women or Muslims or people of color has now been validated.
Every profanity-laced press conference and every call to bully protestors and every ignorant diatribe has been endorsed.
Every piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation Mike Pence has championed has been signed-off on.

Half of our country has declared these things acceptable, noble,American. 

This is the disconnect and the source of our grief today. It isn’t a political defeat that we’re lamenting, it’s a defeat for Humanity.

We’re not angry that our candidate lost. We’re angry because our candidate’s losing means this country will be less safe, less kind, and less available to a huge segment of its population, and that’s just the truth.

Those who have always felt vulnerable are now left more so. Those whose voices have been silenced will be further quieted. Those who always felt marginalized will be pushed further to the periphery. Those who feared they were seen as inferior now have confirmation in actual percentages.

Those things have essentially been campaign promises of Donald Trump, and so many of our fellow citizens have said this is what they want too.  

This has never been about politics.
This is not about one candidate over the other.
It’s not about one’s ideas over another’s.
It is not blue vs. red.
It’s not her emails vs. his bad language.
It’s not her dishonesty vs. his indecency.

It’s about overt racism and hostility toward minorities.
It’s about religion being weaponized.
It’s about crassness and vulgarity and disregard for women.
It’s about a barricaded, militarized, bully nation.
It’s about an unapologetic, open-faced ugliness.

And it is not only that these things have been ratified by our nation that grieve us; all this hatred, fear, racism, bigotry, and intolerance—it’s knowing that these things have been amen-ed by our neighbors, our families, our friends, those we work with and worship alongside. That is the most horrific thing of all. We now know how close this is.

It feels like living in enemy territory being here now, and there’s no way around that. We wake up today in a home we no longer recognize. We are grieving the loss of a place we used to love but no longer do. This may be America today but it is not the America we believe in or recognize or want.

This is not about a difference of political opinion, as that’s far too small to mourn over. It’s about a fundamental difference in how we view the worth of all people—not just those who look or talk or think or vote the way we do.

Grief always laments what might have been, the future we were robbed of, the tomorrow that we won’t get to see, and that is what we walk through today. As a nation we had an opportunity to affirm the beauty of our diversity this day, to choose ideas over sound bytes, to let everyone know they had a place at the table, to be the beacon of goodness and decency we imagine that we are—and we said no.The Scriptures say that weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning. We can’t see that dawn coming any time soon.

And this is why we grieve.

Day 3 of Grieving!!

King of Pain - The Police

There's a little black spot on the sun today That's my soul up there. It's the same old thing as yesterday That's my soul up there. There's a black hat caught in a high tree top That's my soul up there. There's a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop That's my soul up there.

There's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out (or at least they should be)!! There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread

I've stood here before inside the pouring rain With the world turning circles running 'round my brain. I guess I'm always hoping that (M'erica) would end this reign, But it's our (USA) destiny to be the king of pain.

FUCK TRUMP, FUCK the New World order BS and FUCK conspiracy theories!!

ItMeYouOffThemThisEverythingEverybodyTheWorld

Jesse Cook - Tuesday Child.

The innocence and wonder of a child taken away on this dreadful day in election history!  Tears flowing--I want to escape this madness, shake this skin, get lost in the wilderness and find my soul again.

SMV

Bought myself an early birthday present! I finally upgraded to a new self moving vehicle-- a pearly white Ariel Specialized!  Yes, "I am Luz and I am Specialized". Can't wait to take her out on the road!!

Traveller

3,6,9 were the numbers of this traveler en route 2 San Antonio & back today. 3 hrs out, 3 hrs in & 3 hrs back -taking care of family biz listening to one of the finest CDs out there right now by Chris Stapleton! After all what's  a road trip without any good music? 

https://youtu.be/_kBnFgLP8po

Viva Frida!

So love this web page on Instagram!

Maná - Lluvia al Corazón (Lyric Video)

in the office this morning and this song starts playing on my iTunes and made me stop because at the same time I hear the rain outside.  The words so profound after a rough afternoon in Katy yesterday and a long drive home with tears.

Porque tanto sufrir?  Porque lloras-despierto en el llanto con espantos del dolor ayer-son los monstros, son tus miedos... y me falta mi fe tanto en estos dias.  Pero este cancion me pide, "tengas fe" en la lluvia de esperanza.

Thanks to one of the greatest rock bands Mana and lyrics by Fher.  Looking forward to seeing them again in concert on 10/1 and a much needed respite of everyday struggles. I hope they play this song then as well!

Shitty First Draft-again and again!!!

I've had enough of this shit!!!  I can't handle it anymore-leave up to God they say but I don't even know if there's a God anymore!! 

Need You Now - The Best !!!

One of the best collaborations indeed!

Pinche ilusión

Love is Space - Deva Premal

This beautiful voice and music keeping me sane at work today.  Thankful that this music can be found on YouTube as several of her cd's are on my playlist.

In need of space, quiet, solitude, love, laugher, joy, a vacation, lover, grace, humility, blessings, music, food, support and above all FAITH as I'm fighting to believe.  I just want to be like a snake and slip this skin.  Long days and drives to and from Katy are not helping.  I miss my home, I miss working out and biking and I miss my dog.  I miss my normal life and what makes it harder is that I know my life will not be normal for a while and I feel guilty for sounding selfish.

Obertura [el amor] Homenaje a Juan Gabriel

Mexico lost a great music icon today!  Rest in Peace.

Shitty First Draft-2.0

How I spent my Saturday night. Two fractures on foot after mom slipped out of bed. I just want to fucking scream! My energy is shot and feeling zapped. This is just the beginning of the long road ahead. Hard to keep the faith sometimes. 

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue - 1959 (Complete Album)

Raising a glass to this masterpiece of music!

Today in 1959, Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" was released. The album is considered to be one of the greatest records of all time, and one of the most influential titles in the history of jazz. John Coltrane played tenor sax on the LP, as part of Davis' sextet. The best selling jazz record of all time still sells 5,000 copies a week!

Estoy Bien!

Saw this and fell in love with it! Sooo looking forward to traveling back to Mexico City in the fall and visiting Casa Azul and paying homage to Frida! 

Tina Turner - Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (2 Hours Buddhist Daimoku)

need 2/want 2 clear my meditation room which has been in disarray, light candles and incense, play this and drift into another realm.  Who knew that Tina Turner rockstar could chant!

Ironía

Mi ironia como siempre
tu ironia
y que ironia que significa lo que nos paso
y porque
y cuando se acaba este ironia
cuando otros no parece que sufran de tanto ironia
cual es su secreto ...

The Wilderness

Still soaking in the beauty of the wilderness that was experienced a few weeks back in northwest Idaho. I wish I could be like this couple biking through Canada. I want to experience more of this and get lost for a day along the shores of Lake Coeur d' Alene . For I never felt so connected to my soul and to the cosmos when looking at the stars at night or birding along the open fields and hearing the silence of nature.  At the top of the mountains in Schweitzer, I felt so much closer to the heavens breathing in the fresh mountain air of what I call God's country!  The wilderness is such a great teacher.  

Sancerre heaven

Feeling right at home up here in northern Idaho -thanks to some fine wine that our host Rich & his wife Carol have opened up for us.  Such beautiful scenery here in Lake Hayden.  

Happy bike riders

Greetings from Idaho-1st ride (25 miles) in the cool north winds of lake Couer d' Alene.

a brisk chilly north wind blew us across the beautiful lake in Couer d' Alene in the late morning but the afternoon the sun made a small appearance.  The bike ride took us to Harrison and back but not before indulging in some huckleberry ice cream.  

Tu cárcel

"te vas porque quieres"... after a few shots of tequila this is the perfect song, (SIGH)!

Don't Cry For Me Argentina

oh, but we are crying tonight as I'm sure scores of soccer fans across the globe who were cheering for Messi tonight.  I so enjoy fútbol in such games as Copa America, World Cup and Olympics.  Unfortunately, Messi gave the golden cup to Chile! 

Solstitium

In my glass: H2O
Music: Jesse Cook
Mood:  UGH!!!


First day of summer!  YUCK!!  My misery/hibernation time begins--least till I get chance to escape in a few weeks.  Although, did go on a 15 mile bike ride Sunday morning and possibly another ride on Saturday.  This year my escape will be Idaho and previous summer's included Seattle and Oregon but lately the north has been experiencing heat waves as well.  Missed much of the strawberry full moon rising earlier as I was taking care of some business matters.  Like for starters--making out a will!  Yep, the time has come or rather passed.

The Middle Ages

Looking back...

..now I see what I would've changed-if only I'd known.  Yeah right!
not where I thought I'd be--dang the middle ages got here FAST and so many dreams distilled and so many discarded and that voice that asks, "how did you get here... & where do you belong".

Some come to a place of reckoning but I've arrived with the questions still beckoning in the back of mind  ...welcome to the middle ages. Thank you MCC for the story telling that hits so close to home.

Clarissa Serna - El Dorado (Official Music Video)

Great new music by Clarissa--straight out of Corpus Christi and that's my cousin/Andrew Ita with the hoodie playing percussion in the video!

So Long May!

It was a long 31 days but thankful for the...

...holiday 

...crawfish pero mucho mas por favor 

...revelation about mom. Some good news and not so good

...friends near and far who kept me sane

...margaritas on Cinco de Mayo

...new music by Mary Chapin Carpenter

...bike rides of 13 & 15 miles

...getting back in the gym-on a mission with 6 weeks to go 

Onwards to June but here comes the GD heat, humidity and Texas size mosquitos but it's one more month closer to July and vacation! PLEASE God-I need this trip!!

Happy Birthday Olivia Harrison

Happy Birthday to Olivia Harrison--the Mexican beauty who was the wife to my favorite of the Beatles, George Harrison.   She is the epitome of class, beauty and brains and in my opinion rock music royalty keeping the memory of George alive.  What I would give to meet her one day!

What Does It Mean To Travel (Lyric Video) - Mary Chapin Carpenter - Mary...

I was supposed to be on a plane to Japan today--they took off without me and I find myself looking at my watch for the time and checking the weather with their itinerary.  But here I am cumbered and tethered by duty to family and work and feeling resentful.  :-(

MCC captures the essence of travel so well with her song.  There are those that say that travel is a waste of time and money --that we're just chasing what's already gone.  But for me it's always called my name even though I really hate flying. There's just something about going and coming and discovering new places.  I still hear those bells in Brussels from last spring! The charm of Utrecht--whenever I retire I want to spend about two months there.  How I long to go back to Seattle--the Emerald City.  If I could I would live there, then again New Mexico has always been that place that is sacred to me for various reason.  Walking half way down Manhattan and driving down open country roads in Ohio.

Yes, I want to hold my suitcase by the handle and be waking/running and I want to be going/coming...
Today, tonight I want to feel my heart expanding with excitement and I don't want to be alone, I just want to be someone else, untethered and unknown while being far from home and Japan surely would've been far from home.  Alas, I hope to be on that plane in July to Idaho and discover what does it mean to travel.  Still, I wish I were in Japan now.

The Blue Distance (Lyric Video) - Mary Chapin Carpenter - Mary Chapin Ca...

Sometimes I'm still--like last night after I got the phone call
Sometimes I'm lost-like driving home two nights ago when the road seemed so long
Sometimes I wait by the door--yet I can't explain
Sometime it fills up my chest, it fills up my eyes-- like this afternoon

In the blue distance... is where I want to be walking along in my boots, hat and faded jeans feeling the coolness of the evening as the sun sets.

Happy Mother's Day to me!

typing this with some sweet tears.....

Parenthood 

at 50 something!

I love you mom!

We wear our sunglasses at night!

April Come She Will

Another April come/came she will and boy did she leave her mark & how I wish I could rewind and start over.  April took away a lot this past month.  First with the loss of another beloved friend-Henry.  I couldn't believe it then and I still can't that you were taken in such a tragic way. Such a dear, sweet soul who will be missed dearly.  We never did go and grab that coffee with Ms. Gail.

April come she will with her streams of rain falling and swelling over again into previous affected neighborhoods that lost so much last Memorial weekend.

May, I doubt you'll stay resting upon my mother's arm again in a manner that she'll remember.  :-(
Who knew that an infection would send my mom free-falling into a backwards spiral that would have her memory to falter even more.  Gone are the daily phone calls to make sure I get home safely. Gone are the repeated questions.  Gone is the familiar face I knew so well.  Instead I see a stranger in my mom's body.

June will change her tune and I'm sure I'll be taking those restless walks prowling the night in my hallway seeking answers as to why?

July--I still  hope to fly to Idaho and take a much  needed vacation.  Please!!

August --I hope you fade fast taking with you your dreaded heat and humidity.

September--I will always remember a love that was new but grew old.  Just like life that was so new before this month and has now grown old.

and now I want to be laughing in the Purple Rain!  Not crying like I was that night two weeks ago.

Tish Hinojosa - Otro Vasito

Oye cantinero traeme otro vasito...yes, the tequila shots were being poured last night but thankfully no hangover today.  Just smiles of fun times and a roaring fire beneath the evening sky of my new transformed backyard with rope lights and a new sound system to listen too. Thank you Jason--you rock!!  Let the transformation continue!

Make me a Hercules

Thankful for my tribe of female weirdo warriors...too many to list but each has been the wind beneath my wings as I know I have been theirs at one time or another. Reminds me of the wonderful song by Sara Barellies-Hercules...  

...cause I have sent for a warrior from on my knees make me a Hercules.... as we lift one another. 

Vodka speaking!

About time for a shot of vodka indeed! ;-)

Dear Karma!

SARIOUS! No that's not spelled wrong either!!!

SFD #1

Shitty first draft-stuck in Gaty & up b4 sun --wishing I were getting ready for Tour de Houston bike ride. Can't do this! Especially since I don't do enough. I was supposed 2 b in New Mexico but cancelled trip 2 do my part. I want, I want, I want & don't know how 2 stop wanting!! I'll never be what I want, I'll never have what I want... I want him, I want us, I want you, I want, I want...

Spring Forward

Yep clocks spring forward this past weekend and so am I! Bags packed and onwards. Thank God spring break vacay this week to adjust to the time change. New Mexico trip had to be cancelled but on a positive note taking care of overdue home repair projects-thank you Jason! Your knowledge rocks!!  Other good news--great to be back on the bike again after a long two year hiatus.13+miles on Sunday and hopefully 20 miles on Sunday.

TGIF

Even more happier now that spring break is here!! Still -bummed had 2 cancel trip to NM. 

Something Tamed Something Wild

Mary does it again--how I love her music, which to me is like my own autobiography.  Her lyrics/songs just hit home so much.  She gets better with age too.

Yeah, I have a few shoe boxes filled with things that were jewels at the time and now treasures of my heart. So  many times I was foolish when I should've been wise but with age comes wisdom.
I have so many maps of places I've been to that are dear to me.  Some say that travel is foolish but I wouldn't trade that for anything.  The places, the people--what I'd give to hear bells ringing like in Belgium, Germany or Mexico.

Just last night, I woke up with something stirring in my chest-- a calling if you will but from a voice I've never heard and in a language that was foreign. Then the morning came and the sunlight was a reminder of that beam of light when the universe is smiling and ringing in synchronicity --like an explosion of fireworks.  Yes, something tamed, something wild.

Old Souls

The hardest walk

Hardest Walk

Megascops

I heard him again!

He came to me,

I had missed him 

How sweet his sound

for it so brought a smile knowing 

he was back 

until I realized his trill was not for me 

but still I was happy to hear him call for his mate. 

Friducha

I'm a big fan of Frida Kahlo- who was born way before her time. One is always asked who would you invite to lunch from the past if you could and first on my list would be Frida!! An Instagram fan has a beautiful homage to her & the post today simply took my breath away!  Profound & appropo this Valentine's Day weekend coming up. 

 You deserve a lover who wants you disheveled, with everything and all the reasons that wake you up in a haste and the demons that won't let you sleep.

You deserve a lover who makes you feel safe, who can consume this world whole if he walks hand in hand with you; someone who believes that his embraces are a perfect match with your skin.  

You deserve a lover who wants to dance with you, who goes to paradise every time he looks into your eyes and never gets tired of studying your expressions.  

You deserve a lover you listens when you sing, who supports you when you feel shame and respects your freedom; who flies with you and isn't afraid to fall. A lover who takes away the lies and brings you hope. 

Here's to hope!

https://instagram.com/p/BBrMbjPmJdj/

Out of sorts

Feeling out of sorts & contorted -car got hit this morn on way to work. Side swiped on passenger side but not my fault. I'm

OK I think-starting to feel achy somewhat. Not a headache I need right now to deal with. :-(

Around the corner

Dignificada

Grateful for the friends and family that were/have been the wind beneath my wings. 

Screen door

Screen door... slams and it's good riddance to the month of January among other things!  January-from the wee hours of day one we got started on the wrong foot and day 2 & 3 were such a blur trying to recuperate from the trip back home & being sick. Your days were long, and longer and the days off were short. You took the lives of so many in the first four weeks of the year. :-(

There were a few moments --the celebration of my parents 59th wedding anniversary & will begin making plans for 2017. 

In closing, sure enjoyed opening that bottle of Patrõn! Here's to a few more shots in the coming weeks!!

Now off to sleep while listening to the suave voice of Pepe Aguilar-yes I'm obsessed!! 

Edge Of A Dream (Orilla De Un Sonar)

Beautiful song by Tish. Need to dig this cd up--I wore it out years ago when it first came out.  Love how she goes from English to Spanish effortlessly! 

The Colors Of Eve

But a strong gentle touch

And a sunset that lingers

Are the things that her 

Dreams are made of...

Nights of white passion
And deep shades of blue
These are the Colors of Eve

Beautiful song by Dan Fogelberg! So many music artists that have passed and are greatly missed.

Sans Screen Doors

https://flic.kr/p/DdHUXK. 

Boom!!

Lila Downs - Humito de Copal / Spoken Words (Concierto en Vivo)

In San Miguel I was able to buy some copal incense and I remembered this song by Lila which rocks. I love to burn incense out in the patio--it's like creating my sacred space and frees my mind and spirit where palabras/words tienen alas/wings and go up in smoke/humito y son mensajes/messages de viento/wind... las palabras que son el testimonio...

pensamiento

evidencia

certezia

realidad

independencia

legalidad

felicidad

afirmacion

San Miguel de Allende 2016

Celebrating the new year with a couple hundred of my closest friends!  What a blast!  My thanks to Mer & C.C. for the experience en la patria!    Update: 1/20/16 -just saw this amazing drone footage!  We were on the steps of the church de San Miguel.