Into the harbor

into the harbor a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

I'd like to be back out by the bay tomorrow, Saturday for the special full moon happening on the 19th. Here you see my ship is coming in! I was out sailing for Spring Break vacation this past week! Ok, yeah in my dreams! My big project for Spring Break was getting my meditation garden done. New landscaping completed, weeds pulled, new flowers planted and finished adding mulch today. Who needs a man?! ;-)

New neighbors!

Reposted photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

Wait, that's my car in MY driveway-I am the new neighbor! From three years ago! ;-) Each and every night I thank the Lord for HIS blessings and joy of owning my own home.

Lost in the Sun

IMG00073-20100326-1641.jpg a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

Photo from a year ago. What a difference a year makes!

TO REALIZE...

•To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
•To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
•To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
•To realize the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
•To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
•To realize the value of one second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.
•To realize the value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.

Con Te Partiro

Con Te Partiro
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Time to Say Goodbye, inspired by Andrea Bocelli. BTW, I rememeber the song was made famous by the Bellagio Fountains commercial when the hotel first opened. I loved that commercial then about a year later I got a chance to actually see the fountains while listening to his song. Simply Breathtaking! Found this video on YouTube.

...and time to say goodbye it is. Con Te Partiro. My past is my past and my future begins today for a new horizon awaits.

St. John Church

St. John Church
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

a beautiful church in the heart of downtown at Sam Houston Park restored and cared for by the Heritage Society. Seems like a nice little church to get married in by candleight but I don't think it's available for such events.

Mr. Handsome

Mr. Handsome
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

with all his beautiful colors and a slight reflection on the water. This little Wood Duck was so graceful in his floating.

Illusions of Bliss

Illusions of Bliss
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

"Oh I know I shouldn't stay
I should be on my way
Back to the place I know is real
But the lines are getting blurred
My conscience won't be heard
Awash in the illusions of bliss..."

inspired by Sarah McLachlan

Breakfast tacos

Breakfast (day 3) (7/7)
Originally uploaded by Kym.

from my kitchen to yours!

Thanks Kym for such great photos

and making my food look amazing.

I will say breakfast is one of my favorite meals to make.

Olives, cheese & crackers

Olives, cheese & crackers
Originally uploaded by Kym.

another nice photo by Kym.

I must say, that she makes

the ordinary look extradinary.

Somebody Else's Kitchen!

Breakfast (day 2)
Originally uploaded by Kym.

but wait, that's my kitchen she's referring too!

A "Wowie" bowl at that! ;-)

"Somewhere Down in Texas"

"Somewhere Down in Texas"
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

photo by my niece-Erika. On this Sunday night, I'm saying goodnight but not goodbye to my dear friend/sis/fanmenca Kym...hope we meet someday again but till then...safe travel back home to Amsterdam, some five thousand, eleven miles and 11 hours. See you on the other side but hopefully not another five years from now like last time. ;-)

(A Place to) Hide Away

(A Place to) Hide Away
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

I've got to find a place to hide away
far from the shadows of my mind
sunlight and laughter, love ever after
Oh how I long for a place to hide away....
For tomorrow brings only sorrow...
The night and the music remind me
that the world once was mine.
I'll save my pennies for a rainy day
but where can I buy another you
Dreams are for sleeping
Love is for weeping
oh, how I long to find a place to hide away.

Listening to the voice of Karen Carpenter. Such a tragic loss.

Two Sisters

Two Sisters
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Hope and Sorrow, but as I left the beach, I left my other half behind and brought back Hope for the new year.

Bring on the Wonder

Bring on the Wonder
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

title from song on the wonderful CD "Laws of Illusion" by Sarah McLachlan.

I can't see the stars anymore living here
Let's go to the hills where the outlines are clear

Bring on the wonder
Bring on the song
I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long

I fell through the cracks at the end of my street
Let's go to the beach, get the sand through our feet....
Bring on the wonder....

The past year was filled with wonder and surprises both dark and full of light. With a new year there is always much anticipation and more fittingly opportunity. Still, one can easily get lost in the darkness of clouds that tend to follow us by our own hand and at the hands of others. It was very cloudy at the beach yesterday as have been the past few months but amidst the rough waters I still felt a sense of peace, renewal, hope and more importantly wonder.

Poets and Angels

Poets and Angels
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

and Buddhas
and poinsettias
and music by Ottmar Liebert
marking the Winter Solstice
and the celebration of Christmas.

I remember years back, I had a student comment to me in my office
when he saw my Buddha on the bookshelf...
"Shame on you, you worship Buddha"
all the while shaking his finger at me.
My response to him was first of all.
"I am free to worship whomever I want"
and second of all the statute was a gift from a student
We may not agree with all religions and all their teachings but
we should nonetheless respect their beauty, grace and reverence.

The Buddha, a special Guardian, and the Virgin May are just a few of the statues that grace my meditation garden.

Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

and bike bells. This past Saturday, I joined the Houston Bicycle Club on their annual evening Holiday bike tour through the streets of downtown and over to the neighborhood fest of, "Lights in the Heights". Riders (myself included) dressed up their bikes with Christmas lights and decorations. What a fun night! Despite a roaring cold front that came blowing during our ride, the evening was such as blast. The photo is taken at the porch of my co-worker Gail who hosted a party for the bikers. BTW, she bikes to work almost everyday. Sadly, though I didn't take any photos of my bike. I still have all the lights hooked up and will try and get some in a few days. I'm eager to take the bike out again and ride around the neighborhood the next couple of nights. Anyone want to join me? BYOB! Get it?!

Oh and Santa, I've been a really good girl this year and really would like a new bike!

Underworld-revisted

Underworld-revisted
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Things I see while walking Chulo. This was taken some three years ago and has always been one of my faves-taken with a camera phone no less.

Rolling in the Deep

the song by

Adele

is on repeat mode on my iTunes.

Eagerly anticipating her new CD.

Powerful voice, love the title and the lyrics blow me away.

In my next life, I want to be a song writer.

Let the Rain

Let the Rain
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

I wish I were pretty, I wish I were brave
If I owned this city then I'd make it behave
and if I were fearless, then I'd speak my truth
and the the world would hear this
that's what I wish I'd do
If my hands could hold them,
you'd see it take all these secrets in me
and I'd move and mold them to be something I'd set free
I want to darken the skies, open the floodgates up
I want to change my mind, I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes, I want to cry until the end of time
I want to let the rain come down, make a brand new ground,
let the rain come down, let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground, let the rain come down tonight
I hold on to worry so tight, it's safe in here right next to my heart
who now shouts at the top of her voice
let me go, let me out of this, it wasn't my choice
and I always felt it before that the world was filled with much more
than the drowning soul I've learned to be
I just need the rain to remind me
I want to darken the skies
open the floodgates up, I want to change my mind, I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes and I want to cry until the end of time
I want to let the rain come down and make a brand new ground.


title inspired by Sara Barelies and her beautiful song, Let the Rain from her CD, "Kaleidoscope Heart". These flowers in my garden had been transplanted, and the night before it poured rain whereby splashing some more dirt onto the petals. So not only did the rain come down but it's making brand new ground in my backyard-especially since my Japanese elm was taken down. It's always good to let the rain come down and make a brand new ground. BTW, congrats to Sara for her Grammy nomination. Her music is so fresh and I have certainly worn out the new CD.

First bloom

First bloom
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

it's December 1st and you know what that means? Time for my favorite bloom of the year. I just love this plant. It brings me such beauty.