"A Growing Time"

"A Growing Time"
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

it's the spring time of the year, the sun is moving near.... music, words and inspiration by the late Dan Fogelberg.

Here, you see new my neighbors are busily getting their new home ready for the coming of the offspring...yes indeed a growing time and it brings me sweet joy.

My new neighbors!

My new neighbors!
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

have moved in. Finally! I was about to take the box down but then lo and behold I noticed some activity. I came home for lunch today and Chulo and I were sitting on the patio and watching all the activity. I hope the love birds like their new home and I'm glad they feel welcomed. Here's to their new offspring and a new family at my house.

Plaza Azul

Aerial view
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Aerial view of my new patio. Earth and equinox influences the design resembling that of a plaza complete with Mexican River Rock and concrete stepping stones. Old patio was 11 x 6 and new patio 13 x 13, which equal a lucky number. Patio was completed in time for the Spring Equinox, March 20th. A ceremonial burial of sage and burning of incense was celebrated before the completion of the patio for continued blessings upon my home. The first day of spring is when the sun crosses into Aries, which is the sun sign of the designer-Dan Axton, who was also the designer of my patio table. Months ago, I told Dan-the handy man that I wanted a new patio and we talked about different ideas and then he came up with this design on paper. Well, needless to say the design looks much better than was what was imagined (by me) on paper. While I was busy moving my parents to their new home he spent five days working on the patio as he meticulosly worked on the right dimensions of width, depth and exact leveling in digging the 13 x 13 swatch of yard for the patio. As you can see the result is a uniquely designed patio that fits my taste and appreciation for a welcoming place in which I can recharge my body and soul as well as entertain. Speaking of entertaining--anybody up for some margaritas? Welcome to Plaza Azul.

New pad

New pad
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

for "Mom and Dad". They traded their old home of 45 years for a new and updated condo in Katy. Downsizing to a two bedroom, one car gargage has been a challenge though. Still, they are now just around the corner from my brother where there are five pairs of hands to help out with their needs. Now, I will be the one who will have to commute about 30 miles to visit but thanks to the new Westpark Tollway, time spent on the road has been minimized by 15 minutes. My father is loving his new garage door opener! ;-) Planning for the move was more than two years in the making. I will certainly miss having them around the corner but the change was needed as my father's Parkinson's illness is progressing. Now for a big garage sale this weekend! After wards, final cleaning and closing the door on the last chapter of our childhood home but Spring time brings new beginnings and promises for our family.

Crazy Train

All aboard

Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love, and forget how to hate

Mental wounds not healing
Life's a bitter shame
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train
Let's go

I've listened to preachers, I've listened to fools
I've watched all the dropouts who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role

Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train

I know that things are going wrong for me
You've gotta listen to my words, yeah

Heirs of a cold war, that's what we've become
Inheriting troubles, I'm mentally numb
Crazy, but what do I care
I'm living with something I don't wanna share

Mental wounds not healing
Who and what's to blame
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train

This song by Ozzy Osborne has been in replay mode for me of late. The guitar riff ROCKS! Lately, I have felt like I've been on a crazy train at full speed ahead and definitely looking to get off but not till after Sunday, once my parent's move into their new home. Thankfully, Spring Break vacation is next week and definitely looking forward to some bike riding and slowing things down a bit.

Fox & Frida

Fox & Frida
Originally uploaded by Kym.

and sweetness x 2! Fox is on the left and his lady friend is on the right. What a photo! Think they are smitten with one another? Umm, yeah!!!!! They really do make a handsome couple. I just love this photo taken by a friend of a friend. Glad to see you back online, Kym!

Twin Flame Soul Mate

Twin Flame Soul Mate
w/photo by Me! :-)

Ordinary Miracle

2x
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

So here we are on Feburary 14th, Valentine's Day in the U.S. and also the Year of the Tiger in this first day of the Chinese New Year. Tomorrow is President's Day and last month was Martin Luther King's Birthday Day, but I was listening to the beautiful song by Sarah McLachlan and was reminded that's it's just another,

"Ordinary Miracle"
It’s not that usual when everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when its time to snow
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle?

Its seems so exceptional
Things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright
It disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Most Beautiful Cities

More to see and do on my list but I can at least say that I've been to a few such as Paris, Florence San Francisco, and New York. I doubt that in my lifetime I'll get to Sydney or South Africa but in the next ten years, I hope to add Vancouver, and Chicago as well as travel back to Europe.

And then the fight started!

Some of these were too funny to pass on....

My wife sat down on the couch next to me

as I was flipping channels. She asked, 'What's on TV?'
I said, 'Dust.' And then the fight started...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.

She said, 'I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.'

I bought her a bathroom scale.

And then the fight started...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I took my wife to a restaurant.

The waiter, for some reason took my order first.

"I'll have the steak, medium rare, please."

He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"

"Nah, she can order for herself."

And then the fight started...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A woman was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.

She was not happy with what she saw and said to her husband, "I feel horrible;

I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.'

The husband replied, 'Your eyesight's damn near perfect.'

And then the fight started......

Ensō

Enso
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

While walking at Willow Waterhole on Sunday,
I quickly stopped as I noticed
this
enso
on concrete.

Happy 53rd Wedding Anniversary Mom and Dad

Happy 53rd Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Remembrance. Burning actual candle from my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary 3 years ago.

Hard to believe that's it's been three years already.

Flamenco Sketches...

equals one name: Miles Davis. The man was brilliant! Note to self: hit "repeat" button on "Flamenco Sketches" playlist over the next few days and download more of his music soon...just as soon as I can get iTunes running back on my computer.

Came across a list that named, "the 10 best albums of 2009" and only one of my faves made the list which was "The Fall" by Nora Jones. However, the one IMHO that tops the list but not listed was "Under the Rose" by Rahim Al Haj, Ottmar Liebert, Jon Gagan and Barrett Martin. Moreover, the music is still FREE but soon to be released on a CD.

Oh and since 2009 was yesterday and here we are in another decade then "Happy New Year" wishes are in order.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Here's to another decade!

My cutie pie!

My cutie pie!
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Christmas Carol

Prelude
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

The week before Thanksgiving Day
This town puts up it old display
Streetlights hung with candy canes and bows
The earlier it gets each year
The scarcer is my Christmas cheer...
I haven't been to church since God knows when
I'm not someone who usually attends
Truth be told there's just two wishes
on my list every Christmas
Peace on Earth and a snow storm now and then...
but around here winter seems to come
with rain, mud and lots of sun
It's not exactly Currier and Ives...
I don't mind cold if it brings snow
Delivered Christmas day and knee-high
and every year...it makes me wish it were so.
lyrics by Mary Chapin-Carpenter

How to Stay Young

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'!
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5.. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it.. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

Fogged

Fogged
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

The past few days have been really foggy (foggged) as have I. Been sick with the flu this past weekend and haven't ventured out much. So much for thinking that it was allergies! I wish it were! This flu has kicked my butt! In the past, I've gotten flu shots and flu season came and went and no flu. This year many have said that flu shots are poison injections and thus I didn't get one. Hmmm! Oh well, too late now.

This was the weekend I was supposed to get my Christmas tree and put up my Christmas lights as well as get some Christmas cards out but that may not be happening this year. I think instead the money spent on a Christmas tree and cards will go into the Salvation Army bucket next time I pass one up. Once I get past this flu, I will have all I need...home, health, family, friends, loved ones-far and near and more importantly a job, so I won't mind if Santa goes past my house.

Winter Blue

the morning after
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Well December came in with a big chill bringing in some snow last Friday and this photo was taken the day after--the big meltdown. Last Friday was so beautiful with the snow falling and I wish it would've lasted longer but who knows, maybe Mother Nature will surprise us again.

Today is December 8th and is Buddha's day. I refinanced my house today a year and a half after I moved in and my how time has flown. This will be my 2nd Christmas at the house and I'm hoping to get some decorations up this weekend and dress the house up nice with some holiday cheer/color and give thanks for the blessings that have come my way since moving in. Any free hands are welcomed to stop by and help with decorations too!

As I close on my house again, it looks like parents are coming close to signing on another house in Katy and thus the big move might be happening in January. This move has been two years in the making and I have mixed emotions and feelings that I've been trying to put aside.

So as leaves change color and fall onto the ground so begins the dying and the rebirth. The leaf here on the photo seems to be still but in reality the melting ice is moving the leaf-in another direction and so too must we move onto other directions.

To me the color of winter is blue and it's one of my favorite colors and favorite times of the year. Some people abhor winter and the coldness it brings but I welcome the wonderful winter blue as it makes me feel happy and alive and thankful for the blessings the season brings. Look around you...there are many in this season of winter blue.