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. 

Celebrating a la Mexicana

Let the New Year begin celebrating from beautiful San Miguel de Allende! 

Encantada

De estar en San Miguel de Allende

Pepe Aguilar feat. Natalia Lafourcade - Miedo - Letra

Cannot get enough of this man and his music--one of the sexiest voices out there y como lo canta en Espanol!  Es puro Mexicano!!

Lessons learned

I stopped searching for my soulmate years ago and decided to start living my life. Sometimes lessons learned can be a hard pill to swallow but better to experience such than to be fooled by a soulmate my mind imagined.

2015/Stay thirsty, my friends!

Amen to this! Sadly some very close people moved and some passed on from this life and others it past time to let go! 

I am thankful for new old friends/my Chino-Latino chicas -best travel buds.  Looking forward to our planned adventures for 2016 and the search for the most interesting man in the world! ;-)

Happy Birthday Frank!

Here he's singing one of his favorite songs and definitely one of mine from my favorite Beatles-George Harrison.

On a side note: All is right with the world after my glorious massage today!  A two month gap is too long a time in between!!

A Sweet Persimmon (December 8th)

Just had to give this song another listen before the day was over.

A sweet persimmon
A sweet song
A sweet cd, Winter Rose: Music 4 th holidays
A sweet artist: Ottmar Liebert
A sweet tribute to December 8th, Bodhi day, the day marking the enlightenment of the Buddha.

Tomorrow and the day after as the temps start to warm, Le Cafe (Dream of Snow)

Evolutionary/revolutionary

"Not just evolutionary but revolutionary!"

Sono Grata

Even though I was sick with a nasty cold today...

Drink You Away - CMA's 2015

This is STILL one of the best collaborations of music ever heard!  The audience knew they were witnessing something special.

I've tried Jack, I've tried gin, I've tried Jim, I've tried all of his friends...

The other song these two played at the CMA's was also brillant and another song I can't get enough of...

                  Tennesee Whiskey

and I find myself wanting to pour a fine glass of smooth Tennesee Whiskey.  Well tonight it was 2 rounds of Ashai.

Sans regrets

Adele - Hello

FINALLY! After a three year wait!  The voice on this woman is beyond phenonmenal.  Beyonce could not hold a candle to Adele!!

All Hail the Queen!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!!

Sanctuary

another late sleepless night filled with anxiety but finding sanctuary in beautiful music such as this.  I could listen to such music for hours.  I picture looking out a window out in a forest and seeing thousands of stars glittering in the night sky and imagining a cosmos where music like this is heard.

Later this morning another trek to Katy for a life changing event--just please God don't let me see the tears in her eyes and if I do remind me to close my eyes and find sanctuary to hold me up in the coming weeks.

Lo que no fue no sera - Pepe Aguilar

The birthday celebration continues and looking forward to seeing this Mexican crooner in concert tomorrow with my Latina chicas.  So love Youtube and all the videos that are helping me get acquainted with his many, many songs.  I remember as a kid going to see his mother and father perform and he made an appearance astride a beautiful white horse in his beautiful traje de charro.  I fell in love then!

#56

Another year has come and gone and my how they go by so fast.  Enjoyed spending the evening at Skyspace at Rice University.  Reminder to go back!!  Just last year I was in Ohio at the county fair with a few of my closest friends! So missing the cooler temps up there and SICK of this heat!!  

On a sad note, I missed my yearly phone call from my sweet Kenneth.  I still can't believe you're gone.  53 is too damn young!!  Perhaps you were here climbing the stairs back up into the skyspace.  I hope you're finally at peace.

Welcome October...

... my favorite month of the year when fall looms, leaves fall and trees are stripped bear along with exotic blooms of night blooming jasmine abound in the night and the sweet shrill of an owl are heard in the darkness. Football is king but the boys of baseball come out to play for a championship.

One of my all time favorite bands, U2 has a beautiful album called October and below is a video from the titled song along with my other fav from the band.  I fell in love with U2 after seeing them on video performing at Red Rocks and OMG, I was mesermized by Bono!  He is the sexiest man alive but the piano introduction from the Edge is beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9rbpiLTmhk

October the trees are stripped bear...

Un poco más

Such a beautiful song from the incomparable Lila Downs!  Still wired from her concert last night at House of Blues--thanks to free tickets from Facebook contest!  She sang this last night and this version does not compare to hearing it live backed by her beautiful band. What a voice!!!   BTW, got to chat with her husband a bit before the show!  My friend thought I knew him but he just happened to walk by me and say hello and I called his name Paul and that's how it started! ;-)

I first heard of her when she performed in the movie Frida and then sang Burn it Blue at the Academy Awards back in 2003.

Learning....

Learning hard this year!

Spirituality

Zen Moments ‏@Zen_Moments  9h9 hours ago

Being spiritual has nothing to do with what you believe and everything to do with your state of consciousness. ~ Eckhart Tolle

Septembro

Finally September got here & sayonara to August-The month I loathe the most. Still I know it will be several more weeks before we even begin to feel first effects of fall here in H town but feeling invigorated again knowing that summer is almost over!  

Alan O'Day -1977- Undercover Angel

For Ken.  R.I.P.  I shall miss your yearly phone calls on my birthday.  Heavy heart on this Sunday.  I remember this song well back in the summer of 1977 and the weekend treks to Astroworld to watch the fireworks.  ;-) 53 is too damn young.

Integrity

For Corinne whose visit I enjoyed this weekend. When we were roomies I was the messy one but you taught me that it was ok to not fit in a box or stay between the lines. That integrity was something to not take for granted or play around with and that loyalty was of utmost importance. Through the ups and downs of our friendship & lives and the miles in between Texas & New York we've remained friends for almost 30 years and I treasure your loyalty. Safe travels home Chica. Take care of you. 

Life exams

Making Sense

On this 1st day of August -a month I loathe because of the heat, long hours at work & what seems like a never-ending summer!! 

Maná - Vivir sin aire [En vivo]

Great concert Tuesday night by the Mexican rock group -Maná at Toyota Center.  So much pride in the band from Mexico and you can bet there was a kick ass song and words about Donald Trump!  Y chinga tu madre puto Trump porque "Somos Mas" cabron!!!



Video above of course was sung Tuesday night and one of my favorites from the band and is dedicated to MJ--for this too shall pass but I can understand your heartbreak and wanting to break free.  Many times, I've wished the same ...



... poder vivir sin aire, (live without air),

... poder vivir sin agua,  (live without water)

... me encantaria querete poco menos, (wish I could want you less)

... poder vivir sin ti, (live without you)

... pero no puedo, siento que murero (but I can't, because I would die)

... estoy hogano sin tu amor (I'm choking without your love)

... como quiseria calmar mi afflicion (I wish I could calm my affliction)

... me encantaria parar mi corazon (I wish I could stop my heart)



y como siempre sigue el Drama y Luz!

Jesse Cook - Havana

Appropriate title song as yesterday it was announced that the U.S. & Cuba have agreed to open the embassy in Havana, Cuba!  Happy to hear this as my travel posse is making plans to possibly visit Cuba in December.  Hoping that everything falls into place as this would be such an exciting adventure!!

It is so ordered

A joyous day in American history! Happy for friends & family & their fight for equality!  #Lovewins

Entre Dos Aguas

Above video is a beautiful tribute song by Tomatito playing the song titled above.



Last day of the month and all I can say is good riddance as the storms and rain were such a heartache to so many who lost lives and valuables by way of the loss of homes and/or cars.  Thankfully, all I lost was sleep especially last Monday night when the big storm hit.  It was said that in May alone- we got enough rain to fill the entire state of Texas with 8 inches of water!   The first week of June looks to be filled with less rain water but it also marks the start of Hurricane season and while I don't live in a flood zone I'm not taking any chances and I went ahead and bought flood insurance!



Now that May is ending and summer begins with the start of June (IMO) so begins the onslaught of the heat, humidity, mosquitos and the endless noise of the cicadas of which I heard already night before last.  UGH!!!  I loathe that sound!!!  What I'd give to escape summer here in Texas and take flight up north somewhere.  So, time for my usual hibernation of retreating indoors. Well at least the next two weeks or so will be busy watching basketball and hockey playoffs!

Islands in the Stream

I

Stopped by Willow Waterhole in the early evening yesterday & I fully believe that flood waters from yesterday's storms were held at bay thanks these new retention ponds at the back end of my neighborhood. Felt great to take in a walk at the waterhole & there was such a nice breeze and as you can see walk was cut short as the two bridges were impassable-more like islands in the stream.

Me either!

Do You Really Wanna Know?!

Never watched the show but I did like the theme song and Fox Mulder was a fox indeed and I always wanted to join the FBI and yes, inquiring minds really wanna know! ;-)

Simple Minds - Don't you Forget About Me (The Breakfast Club)

Dear Mr. Vernon:

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... ...and an athlete... ...and a basket case... ...a princess... ...and a criminal.

Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club

I was a BIG fan of the movie, The Breakfast Club and can't believe it's been 30 years since it came out. The directing was genius and the acting was brilliant.  This song became the anthem of a generation and definitely a cry out song in the 80's and even now some 30 years later.  I could listen to song endlessly and watch the movie over and over.  If you've never seen the movie -by all means reach out and rent it!!

Four/IV/Quadri

Ok, so there are five of us that make our newly formed women's group that we call the Chino-Latino Posse.  We are new travel buds and this was our first get-together after our European trip last month. We're already making plans for next series of trips that could include India, and Cuba just to name a few places.  I am so happy to have met these four special women who are educated, talented and beautiful with such diverse backgrounds.  One from Chile, one from China and two from Mexico. Except for Yan we are educators with a zest for exploring and experiencing various cultures from around the globe.  

I always did like the number four and even more so now.  Some things about that magic number that I found on Wiki...

• Four is the sacred number of the Zia, an indigenous tribe located in the U.S. State of New Mexico.
• in Buddhism there are 
• Four Noble Truths
• Dukkha – The Noble Truth of Suffering
• Samudaya – The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering
• Nirodha – The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
• Magga – The Noble Truth of the Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering

There are four great elements that have special meaning to me and it exists in my backyard  and there are four corners of white concrete blocks that pay homage to the four elements of earth, fire, water, air as well as the four cardinal directions of east, south, west and north.

Four primary elements[edit]

In canonical texts, the four Great Elements refer to elements that are both "external" (that is, outside the body, such as a river) and "internal" (that is, of the body, such as blood). These elements are described as follows:

• Earth element (pruṭhavī-dhātu)
  Earth element represents the quality of solidity or attractive forces. 

• Water (or liquid) element (āpa-dhātu)
  Water element represents the quality of Liquidity or relative motion.

• Fire element (teja-dhātu)
  Fire element represents the quality of heat or energy. 

• Air (or wind) element (vāyu-dhātu)
  Air element represents the quality of expansion or repulsive forces. 

Thus, it is no wonder that I feel a special bond for my four friends.  Of special note there are...

Fifth and sixth elements[edit]

In addition to the above four elements of underived matter, two other elements are occasionally found in the Pali Canon:^[11]

• Space element (ākāsa-dhātu)

• Consciousness element (viññāṇa-dhātu)

 The fifth element is also important as in the photo linked above in the text- my sis Kym (twin sisters of different mothers) is pictured as she joined our possee last month while traveling to Holland and Germany! Thus four became six and our consciousness element was enlightened.  I am forever grateful for the light they each give.  

Turning the page!

Buddha's Flower - 4 My Sister

Title appropriately borrowed from song by Ottmar Liebert



So on day two in Holland, I met up with my fanmenco sis Kym.    We trekked by train and bus to get to Keukenhof where this photo was taken by some Asian sisters who asked that we take their photo for them.  I wonder where they were from?  Our boots were made for walking and after Keukenhof we hopped a train and spent the afternoon in Utrecht.

Needless to say my trip had come full circle in that meeting up with Kym was the intent of my return to Europe.  Kym and I go way back and Ottmar Liebert is the reason we became friends back in 2004 and we met up in Seattle in Spring 2006 for an Ottmar Liebert concert. She's been to Houston twice and so I promised a trip to Holland as I had been looking for a reason to return to Europe.  Last summer a co-worker and I began talking about traveling to Europe in summer 2015 but summer is peak travel season and thus Spring become the next option.  Also, our travel group quickly grew to five--the more the merrier!  Originally, I only wanted to travel through Holland and Germany for a ten day trip but we got such a bargain money wise for our trip and all the planning beforehand came to fruition in our seven days of travel.   I convinced Kym to join us in traveling to Cologne, Germany and six of us gals laughing, drinking and sightseeing not to mention partaking in the wonderful food was such a blast.  Blessed to have such great friends/sisters near and far and thankful such wonderful memories from our trip.

Netherlands - Dan Fogelberg

I was totally obsessed with Dan Fogelberg way back when!  He was just so dreamy with his poetic music and such a talent!  I didn't know that the album title is a play on Nederland, Colorado, the location of one of the studios used to record the album. Nederland is the Dutchname for the country known in English as the Netherlands.  Seems like everything is coming up Netherlands these days! ;-)

Transcendental Reunion

Transatlantic Sessions 6 - Mary Chapin Carpenter - with Aoife O'Donovan ...

from twenty thousand feet high, I saw the lights below me twinkling just like Christmas. 

 We descended slowly and the curve of the world passed 

with all of that flying above a mighty ocean and now we all are arriving. 

 Grab the carry on baggage and join the herd for the mad line 

to take our place-but where does everyone come from?  

Now I'm stamped and waived through and say my prayers and sing a hymn to the faithful...  

Finally, the tears and embracing that leap over hemispheres 

toward that transcendental reunion where all borders vanish, 

we are all travelers traveling, we are gypsies together, we are going and coming

 and we are  just finding our way to our next destination from night into day. 

 In giant birds belly, I flew over the ocean and from twenty thousand feet high

 and how the lights were glowing toward that transcendental reunion.

The last weekend of March ended with a bang as on Friday, I traveled to Galveston with a friend to see one of my favorite performers- the incomparable Mary Chapin Carpenter perform at the beautiful Opera house.  She sang this song (video linked above) which she wrote when she was traveling to Europe.  The past few years or so, I've been wanting to return to Europe and visit a dear friend and finally all that planning came to fruition on Monday, 3/30/15.  Thus, in a giant bird's belly, (KLM 747) I returned to Europe some 30+ years later and landed in Amsterdam just after 6:30 a.m. (Holland time)  and 11:30 p.m. Houston time.  I was a traveler once again travelling to a far away country with four girlfriends and the adventure began! 

Lakmé, Act I : Flower Duet - Fifty Shades of Grey : The Classical Album ...

One of the greatest pieces of classical music around and no, I didn't discover it because of the book or the movie as I had heard of this piece previously.  Yes, I read the book and saw the movie and while it was interesting it was the music I enjoyed the most.  I downloaded the soundtrack to the movie as well as the classical album released just after the book came out and created my own playlist which has  been on constant replay mode.  Again some really beautiful pieces.....



Spem

Marcello

Bachianas Brasilerias -Aria



Pour a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy!

Pi Day!

This will be the greatest Pi Day ever in the American history, spread the word! pic.twitter.com/am1fdrmZyu
— SciencePorn (@SciencePorn) March 6, 2015

Sugar

Yes, please!!!  This is such a cool song and video by Maroon 5 and just love Adam Levine!  Yes, I need a little sweetness in my life, so come and put it down on me! ;-)

Rise

I remember when this song came out--I was obsessed!  Just magical music and on this song it's all about that BASS!!  ;-)  I've always been a fan of Herb Alpert especially when he played with the Tijuana Brass.

I will not....

Powerful statement indeed!!!

Sara Bareilles - Cassiopeia Lyrics (HD)

Cannot get enough of this song--such beautiful imagery and lyrics put into a song with such a wonderful voice from Sara--just love her!!

Yo Te Amo (Do I Love You)

For the two passengers on bus #8 -it was destiny and may your love continue to grow.

Selena - Si Una Vez (HD)

Still can't believe she's gone--she was gonna be a star!!!  Making plans to attend the Fiesta de la Flor in Corpus Christi in April commentating the 20th anniversary of her passing.  

My Fire

Still learning but getting closer to my fire!

Como Han Pasado Los Años

Sweet memories from this beautiful Spanish song which was played at my parents 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary in Corpus Christi eight years ago on this date.  Back then they were still in their prime and it was a special day for our family and friends who came. What I would give for a piece of that amazing cake from that day!  I will never forget the two of them dancing together and the tears flowing that evening.   It was such an honor to plan that day for them that was two years in the making and God willing, I'm going to start planning for their 60th Wedding anniversary here in Houston in 2017.  My thanks to all who those who played a special part to make that day so special.

For those that don't speak Spanish the title of the song means something like this...

My how the years have changed

How things have changed and what a different world

but we are still here side by side like two young lovers

Feels like just yesterday that we stood side by side dancing 

and saying "I love you"and we promised that nothing would separate us.

Be Merry

I think this is my favorite Santa of all time--just love the face!! He leads into photos from my first ever Christmas party on 12/21/2014, "Christmas Around the World".  Much joy, merriment, and cheer was shared with neighbors and friends from as far away as Central America, China, Pakistan & Turkey.  It really was a wonderful party and many compliments were received as the food, and decorations were really a knockout! Special appreciation for the roaring fire--inside and out! ;-) Thanks to all who came and to Michelle, Annie & Ugur for their creative input, bar-tending by Nima, and the out of the world Tres Leches cake by Jane!!! Till next year-Be Merry!!

Joy

Joy from Ohio to Texas.  When I was in Ohio back in October Kim and I bought these ornaments at the county fair.  I wanted the white one which reminded me of the color of snow and I bought her the red one. We wrote a special message on the back of each-others ornament  Thus, on this month of December-the last month of the year finding Joy in our friendship and in the beautiful music by George Winston and his beautiful cd, "December", which can be heard in its entirety on YouTube... www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5qGUhWPi6w

Finally, Today is 12/13/14 the last sequential date in our lives:

1/2/3 2/3/4 3/4/5 4/5/6 5/6/7 6/7/8 7/8/9 8/9/10 9/10/11 10/11/12 11/12/13 12/13/14

as posted on the website... www.fightforthefuture.org