my friend Heather couldn't have said it better....

Fall, I'm so glad you're finally here.

I've been waiting for you all summer!

Got Hatch?

Got Hatch?
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Check! On sale at Whole Foods and sign read, "fresh from New Mexico"! ;-) They are quite tasty this year. Roasted just one over fire and enjoyed it w/some black beans and chicken. The scent of fire roasted chile did permeate throughout my house last night..."the Scent of Hatch"! ;-) I just might have to roast another one tonight over fire and enjoy it with a burger as I still remember the green eyed monster from last summer. My mouth is salivating as I type this!

Luz in a rain drop

Let the Rain
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Thanks Michael for the idea. Tropical storm Hermine brought dark clouds and heavy rain making it hard to see the light but here it was in my own backyard. BTW, wouldn't mind the rain, if only it would bring cooler weather. Can't wait to kiss summer (with all its heat, humidity) goodbye!

25

25
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

...years of community service with no parole...
My brother Arnold and his 25th Wedding Anniversary cake! BTW, those are not his words but his wife's instead! ;-)
It was good cake and wish I had some now.

Up Close-Embrace

Up Close-Embrace
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

This dragonfly actually moved their head to look at me while I was trying to take the photo. I thought for sure it would fly away but thankfully it decided to stay put-thus an acknowledgement of prescence- an embrace if you will between living beings-dragonfly and human. After taking the photo, I thanked him for sharing his beauty. In looking back through photos I found this taken by Cheryl from 2007 and around the same location...same dragonfly!? Perhaps! :-) Title taken from song by Ottmar Liebert CD, The Scent of Light.

Welcome to My Heaven

Welcome
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

"we got ourselves one hell of a place ...
and looking down at the world below a bunch of whining, fighting schmoes... There's pools, and lakes, and hills and mountains, music, and art. We live in our own condos with to die for views and you come as you are. Lots of stars just for wishing and where we say a prayer for levitating. You can look back on your life but it can't matter what you're not because by the time you're here, were all we've got. Welcome to my heaven".

inspired by Mary Chapin-Carpenter titled song, "My Heaven" and thank you Mr. Gull for your grace and beauty and sharing a small slice of your heaven. Finishing up the photos traveling down Highway 101 on the Oregon coast,
where I took a wonderful walk on the beach.

Charged up!

Charged up!
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Someone turned up the volume at House of Blues last night as Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra were in the house. The band was jumping! Michael Chavez-drummer was on fire. What a difference from two weeks ago in Portland. Must be something about a Saturday nite crowd. An electrifying and intoxicating evening indeed.

I went with my friends Kim & Jhon and we were celebrating her 50th birthday. She called this morning to thank me for such a wonderful evening of music and friendship and an even bigger thank you for her surprise gift- CD - Petals on the Path, which Ottmar graciously personalized and autographed. Thank you Ottmar! Kim's husband commented that she's been on cloud 9 since last night, said she's been "Dancing Alone" to the music...even in her sleep! ;-)

We were already making plans for the next time Ottmar comes to town but might prove to be difficult since they might be moving in the fall. Nonetheless, memories from last night will always be there.

In heaven

In heaven!
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Back from my Oregon vacation that began in Portland, followed by a scenic drive down the beautiful Oregon coast, then over to Eugene and back up to Portland. More photos and blog to follow but special thank you to Cheryl and her dog Cali for their wonderful hospitality this past week. Here I am in heaven...High atop highway 101 @ West Shelter, Cape Perpetua (Day Use) where on a clear day one can see over 70 miles of coastline.

Garden Party

Garden Party
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

This past weekend, I went to a Garden Party-my own! Another phase in the projects list is done. My house has been transformed again complete with new landscape including bricks, new plants, mulch and more mulch. I went for the exotic look to include bamboo, bird of paradise, pineapple guava, plumeria, and philodendron just to name a few of the many plants added. Thanks again to Dan for his landscape design and three days of backbreaking work in 100+ degree weather in order to make my dream a reality.

Sometimes

Sometimes not often enough,
we reflect upon the good things
and those thoughts always settle around those we love
and I think about those people
who mean so much to me
and for so many years have made me so very happy
and I count the times,
I have forgotten to say "Thank You"
and just how much I love them.
music by the Carpenters.

A very dear co-worker is leaving for her new promotion in Qatar
and we had a little going away party for her today
at work. There were many tears shed by students
and co-workers and so far I've held mine back...until now.
Godspeed Iffat for you will be truly missed
and Thank You for always lending a listening ear.
You are truly one of a kind.

A Soft Place to Fall

One of my favorite songs by Allison Moorer from one of my favorite movies and books.

Happy Father's Day Dad

Happy Father's Day Dad
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

repost-but one of my favorite photos of my dear dad. I love you dad and give thanks to the Man upstairs for the blessings He has bestowed on our family.

What You Look For

What You Look For
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

...seek the sun and it shines back
and be the one who wonders at it all.
words by Mary Chapin Carpenter
from titled song on CD, Age of Miracles.
Yes, I still wonder at it all!

Future Green

Future Green
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

as titled by new
Ottmar Liebert CD
P-O-P
Petals on the Path
and track 5
"Future Green".
Very much looking forward to seeing
concerts in Portland and Houston
next month.

Birds

Birds
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

When you see me fly away without you
Shadow on the things you know
Feathers fall around you
and show you the way to go...
Tomorrow see the things that never come today

It's over...it's over.

For my cousin who passed away this weekend.
I''ll always remember those childhood days
in Corpus Christi.

May reflections

Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

So here ends another month and summer is knocking on the door loud and clear. I can't say that I love summers-especially here in Texas with the awful heat and humidity. Usually, I go into hibernation but trying to force myself to get out more and exercise. Chulo and I have taken to walking again after I get back from my bike ride. The bike has been calling my name more of late and it is nice to feel the wind on my face-what littler there is these days. Thankfully the rains have been somewhat steady this past month and with it come dark clouds with very nice breezy winds.
There are a few nice things I am looking forward to this summer. June brings the release of Ottmar Liebert's new CD-POP/Petals on the Path. July brings another week of vacation and seeing an Ottmar Liebert concert at House of Blues and in August, Lilith Fair stops by at the Cynthia Woods Mitchel Pavillion.
The next three months will seem like an eternity but I only have to look back at how fast the last three months have flown.

BTW, today was Memorial Day and I never forget this special day for all our veterans and always remember that some gave all.

Bambusa chungii

Bambusa chungii
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

My new prized possession!
Bambusa Chungii
Have been wanting to purchase bamboo
for quite some time.
Acutally, I bought two last month
as the left side of garden is a
Textilis "Gracilis

I was a Bird

Bolted
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

I was a bird,
that loved to fly,
catching the wind as it went south
and I could touch every inch of sky
and the sweetest songs trilled from my mouth
but I'm no bird anyone can see
and there's no wind waiting for me
It's just a dream, it's just a dream
to be a bird flying free....
lyrics by Mary Chapin Carpenter

This little birdie had just sprung free from his nest box and I managed to capture him before he truly tested his wings by flying off into the big unknown world
and for a second I so wished I had his wings.

Happy Mother's Day Mom

Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Thank you mom for all you have given. I cannot believe how fast the years have gone. One of my most treasured moments that I will never forget is when I earned my Master's Degree and I found you in the crowd with tears flowing down your face. I will always know how proud you are of me...as I am of you.

April Showers

Gleaming!
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Bring May flowers, but really this photo was taken in April and one of my faves in capturing such colorful blooms found while visiting Caldwell Nursery in Rosenberg. My backyard garden was expanded last month and I bought various plants/flowers but this kind did not make the trek back home to Houston.