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

Quietrainmoss

In my glass: Vino-red
Mood: Happy (on vacation) & rainy Saturday night @ home & my new bud Cosmo playing with his toys.
Music: Ottmar Liebert of course and title from CD, "Three-Oh-Five"
Photo: from Ohio, at Dawes Arboretum and yes there was a quiet rain falling-thus post title.

Where has time gone--seems like just yesterday I was at Barcloud!  Here we are at another holiday season approaching--not ready for them but so glad to be off from work.  Go back on the 1st for three weeks then another two week vacation.  This is why I'm in education--a career that came to me completely by accident back in 1994!

Ok, play time, time for some dinner then more cleaning/tidying up so I can enjoy the rest of my vacation--lots to do & many errands to run as well as try and catch up with some old friends.

Barcloud

Back from Ohio, Somerset to be exact!  Lots of photos to upload.  Beautiful fall colors, and winding country roads full of beauty in the light of day and darkness of night.  So nice to get a true taste of fall--especially the cooler weather! I finally gave my friend the autographed CD "three-oh-five"by Ottmar Liebert and we played the CD quite a bit and thus I borrowed the title from the last song on the album and the music was perfect for the occasion.  The above barn belongs to the neighbors across the road from my friend. So many of these around that I wanted to stop and take photos of many as they just add to the beauty of the countryside.

Luz de Luz

Yep, took this the morning of 10/8 after getting out of the shower!

Luz de Luz at 55-hard to believe!!

Lines no so much but definitely noticing more dark spots. 

 I think I'll look into indulging in a facial as it's been awhile.  

As for the hair-well not yet ready to go all natural and partly because of my job.

Don't want to seem old to students I work with.  Most think I'm in my 40's 

and I kind of like that! ;-)

Although, I am liking the shorter hair and I'm ready for another hair cut!!

55

55 is just a number, just like ...

25

44

10

8

1

65

70

4049

2001

1994

1978

1957

1960

2

202

3

0

60

30

46

100k

1,000,000

32

Add them, divide them, subtract them, multiply them and all in all you still come up with zero or is it infinity? Either way I am blessed and thankful and ask for forgiveness for that which I have taken for granted. 

Josh Groban - Awake [Live]

Awake at midnight but not this kind of awake.  Been listening/watching videos on YouTube a lot lately and this song has long been one of my favorites.  A dear, sweet soul of a person passed away Friday-he was a young 42.  R.I.P. Wilbur.

Neil Young - Harvest Moon

Have never been a big fan of Neil Young and while I love his other hit song, "Heart of Gold",  this song is sweeter to me for various reasons.  So no Harvest Moon next month while in Ohio but I'll settle for a Hunter's Moon on October 8th and should be breathtaking under a wide open country night sky.  ;-)

Favorite Color

My favorite color, my favorite month, my favorite season!  I've waited all summer long to awaken from my stupor and begin my happy dance.  Thus feeling alive and invigorated and looking forward to my upcoming trip to Ohio to get a true sense of what autumn feels like and looks like.  

photo courtesy of Mitch Tillison Photography and taken in New Mexico-my favorite state to visit! ;-)

The Snakecharmer

Finally August 1st got here--normally I don't look forward to August because of the awful summer heat but since Ottmar was performing last night--it was a special day! Yes, the Snakecharmer was in the house!  I'm not a fan of House of Blues for an intimate concert performance by such an artist and I would've preferred to catch the concert in San Antonio at the newly remodeled Aztec Theater but the beautiful sounds from the band exceeded my expectations.  In speaking with Ottmar after the concert he was pleased to hear that the sound was exceptional this time as he commented how the band really tried to fine tune & work with the various stage elements within the venue--especially on the more intimate performance of "Bare Wood" sounds coming from Jon's upright bass and Chris Steele's hybrid percussion kit.  Needless to say, Ottmar's guitar really takes center stage in a concert that after listening to his music on cd's/mp3--there's no comparison.  Note to self--get a hold of some loss-less FLAC downloads! Attached photo is the cover from the new CD, "Three-Oh-Five".

George Winston - Colors/Dance

Music is such a window to the soul for me and this beautiful piece by George Winston is one of my all time favorites of his from his gorgeous album, Autumn which is my favorite seasons of the year. There's just nothing like the chill of an early fall to wake me up from my slumber of hibernation as we say goodbye to the dog days of summer and the dreadful heat of the latter days of July & the whole month of August. Some people go into depression mode as winter nears but not me--I get into my depression stage around this time of year as I feel the walls closing in with no escape near.  I long for the Colors/Dance of autumn and look up into the stars, the moon to see their dance as the seasons change.  Summer is a time when most head to the sea but for me I love the sea in cooler months.



Around the first time I first heard this piece by George Winston was just before the fall in the early 1980's when I was at a retreat and walked the beach for endless miles and a journey that would change my life onto another course.  Back then I had an old cassette tape of this music and I wore it out then. As I type this post, I'm downloading the album again from iTunes and come to find out the 20th edition was released back in 2001.   I think the following fall after the album was released was when I went to see George perform at Jones Hall.  He was so low-key walking out and playing with socks.  His music then as is now is tranquilizing! Just what this depressed soul needed to hear tonight to get me through the next 1/2 of summer with a longing/love for Autumn when I can emerge from my cocoon happily gazing at the colors/dance of life.

Andrea Boceli - Romanza 4º álbum 1997

I literally wore this album out when it first came out.  Haven't listened to it in a very long time.  I forgot what Romanza is like. Love Andrea Bocelli!! Think, I'll pour a glass of wine and light a candle and feel the beauty in the burning fire glow, while saying a little prayer for hope. Quiero vivere!