Monday, October 31, 2005

Dia de los Muertos


Dia de los Muertos
Originally uploaded by nieve44.
In honor of
All Souls Day...
my makeshift altar for
Dia de los Muertos.
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See flickr for other detail of
altar.
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A real altar would be elaborately detailed
with several layers of decorations,
which would include photos, flowers, drink,
and other favorite foods or items
that belonged to the deceased.
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It is believed that the departed soul returns to visit their loved ones and thus in their honor altars are displayed at the home. In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, cemetaries are elaborately detailed and adorned in anticipation of their return from the other side. This day is a national holiday and is one of celebration that mocks death. For death is a part of life and not feared as in other parts of the world. Now, I'm off to drink a good tequila.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Happy Halloween


Happy Halloween
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

courtesy of

Houston Arboretum

& Nature Center

Friday, October 28, 2005

It's a Beautiful Day!


U2 Concert @ Toyota Center, HoustonPosted by Picasa

...ok, so the picture is blurry but no matter! It was a beautiful day and night with U2 and company in concert in the city of blinding lights! My ears are still ringing. Next, Ottmar Liebert!

...the Houston Chronicle reported that "The stage, with its beaded curtains of shimmering lights, lit up the arena like a giant Lite-Brite". :-)

Monday, October 24, 2005

A Dedication...

Music: Kora/River of Stars by Ottmar Liebert
Mood: Sadness and tears
Dedication: for Michele J.
(while your star didn't come your way today as planned may there be a river of newborn stars from which to choose in the near future).
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Maya Angelou said this:

I've learned that no matter what happens,
or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person
by the way he/she handles these three things:
A rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they’re gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not
the same thing as "making a life.
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life
with a catcher's mitt on both hands;
You need to be able to throw some things back.
I’ve learned that whenever I decide something
with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day
you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that people will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Astros Fever


Astros Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by jaseone.

...I came across this photo on Flickr and loved it. Kudos to Jaseone for the picture and carving the pumpkin with the Astros logo. Finally that Astros star is shining ever so brightly. In light of what the Astros have done, I would like to thank Andy Pettitte for making all this happen. He chose to leave NY and play in his hometown and without Andy, we wouldn't have Roger. These two were the glue that made the team stick! Plus, it sure helps that Andy is a hunk! ;-)

Tuesday, October 18, 2005


Calvin is so COOL!!!! Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 14, 2005

I'm in love....


Winter Rose - Front Cover
Originally uploaded by o2ma.

...borrowed title and blog from Adam. This amazing CD came out on October 11th and can also be found on the Listening Lounge. I too am in love and have been entranced by the music. I have my three faves...


Westcoast

Kora/River of Stars

LeCafe (Snow).

Winter Rose is music inspired by the holidays but THIS is not your usual holiday CD and one that can be listened to year round. Ok, time to chill out and fall in love again and again.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Winter Rose


HELC Bouquet
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

...borrowed title from the newly released CD by Ottmar Liebert. Tomorrow evening I plan to download the CD to my new Ipod (thanks Mario) and kickback with a glass of wine.


Through my job, I serve on a committee to raise scholarship money for needy students and tonight was our annual gala. For a $20 dollar donation, I brought these home tonite. Hopefully, we raised around $80K.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Numbers...

...today's blog is about numbers such as
6:13 a.m.
10/8/1959
10/8/2005
46
on today's post
@
12:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Quote of the Day...

Music: It's Impossible, Perry Como
Mood: Retrospective
You must do the things
You think you cannot.
-Eleanor Roosevelt
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Several months ago, I downloaded the above song as it's one of my mom's favorites. I love some of these classics and I can remember her singing some of these songs whenever she is cleaning or washing the dishes. She has a beautiful voice that I wish I could record. Anyway, I was listening to this song when I came across this quote on my calendar. I was turning the page to October, which is my favorite month of the year. It signals a change in season's (although you don't really feel it here in Houston) and the turning of a page. Daylight gives way to nightime earlier which bring about the North winds. I feel a change within coming from the north wind, which may take me on a path of unfamiliar territory. Part of me is thinking that I cannot but then I turn a page and I am reminded that I can.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Word of the Day...

...is Shiteria.
Dedicated to my roomate
who works in an elementary school
and hates cafeteria food.

Monday, September 26, 2005

Simple...


Simple...
Originally uploaded by portseye.
Mood: Quiet
Music: 0509041022 by Ottmar Liebert


Sometimes in the quiet glow you can get a sense of what matters in life! In life we need rain, wind, sky, fire and a deep breath of fresh air from within the breath of one's soul.

Saturday, September 24, 2005

The Eyes of Texas...


For those who are...
Originally uploaded by portseye.
...and the rest of the nation are upon Beaumont and the surrounding areas who are dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Once again, it's time to reach out to our neighbors in need. Thanks to Philip for his wonderful photo.

Safe and Sound...

...the day after the storm and happy to report that Houston faired pretty well. My family is all fine thank goodness and better yet no loss of power. Some friends of mine have lost power and I feel for them. The past few days have been filled with anxiety and have been very stressful. I haven't had a good night's sleep and hoping that tonight I can catch up on some. Thanks to all who stopped by and sent their thoughts and prayers our way. I have a favor to ask though...please send them to our neighbors in Beaumont/Port Arthur & the Louisiana/Texas state line area as unfortunately, they bore the brunt of the storm. The pictures we have seen have been dismal as once again mother nature has shown us who is in charge.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Passing Storm


Hurricane Rita Radar
Originally uploaded by nieve44.
Well looks like Texas might be getting a very unwanted visitor in the next 72 hours. There's a sense of urgency in the city today but as I walked my dog this evening and looked up at the nightsky there was a calm in the air. A calm before the passing storm! I've started my making my list and gathering things and this morning I stopped at three local grocery stores to buy water. The first two are somewhat upscale in the chain of grocery stores here in Houston and there was no water to be found. Alas, I stop at another grocery store near downtown which is a little less upscale and let's say tends to invite a myriad of rift raft customers. Plenty of water to be found and the aisle virtually empty of customers! However, the beer aisle was much busier and the shelves much more bare. At the checkout lane I noticed the lady behind me gathering her loose change to buy a pint of Foster's Ale for the road...at 10:00 in the morning!

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Just Because...


Rosas
Originally uploaded by nieve44.
...I wanted to add some color to my blog for today. Someone brought these to work for the office and they brightened up our day.

Music: Untitled Rumba, Ottmar Liebert
Mood: Emotive

Saturday, September 10, 2005

In Memorium


In Memorium
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Music: Tears in the Rain, Ottmar Liebert
Mood: Heartache


Hard to believe that another year has come and gone. This pic is from a snow globe that was given to me by a friend and sits on my window sill. I was playing around with the camera and this picture came up. Very eerrie...like a mirage. Ironically, there's a tag on the bottom of this which reads: "Made in Hong Kong". Well, the globe may well be made in Hong Kong but the towers were in built in NYC. They may be gone now but their light still shines bright.

I have another picture of New York that hangs over my bed. It's one of my favorites of the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset with the twin towers in the foreground. New York has always held a special place in my heart as one of my dear friends is from NY. She was my old roomate and who is now a doctor...Pathologist to be exact. She was one of the many Pathologists who worked tiredlessly to bring closure to so many families. I haven't heard from her in a while and I suspect she may be in New Orleans as I heard that there is a team of Pathologists from across the country bringing closure to familes who lost loves ones in that disaster. She remains one of my biggest heroes.

Friday, September 09, 2005

Wounded Knee


Wounded Knee
Originally uploaded by nieve44.
Pain had been the word of the day but alas relief came today after a visit to the Ortho specialist. I had originally injured my knee 20 years ago when I had arthroscopic surgery. Now twenty years later it has come back to haunt me. Today, the doc drained quite a bit of fluid and I will need a couple of weeks of physical therapy. :-(

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

PAIN

Pain is the word of the day!

*Pain in my heart from the disaster last week in New Orleans. *Pain in my pocket book from the rising cost of gasoline. *Physical pain on my right knee that may require surgery in the near future. *Pain over my waistband growing as I am unable to exercise because of my knee :-( *Hunger pains that I need to endure to overcome the above pain! *Growing pains here in Houston with the influx of evacuees from Louisiana but I know that Houston and its citizens (old & new) will rise to the occasion.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

New Orleans Cemetary


NOLA Historical Cemetary
Originally uploaded by nieve44.
Given the Disaster that has happened from the hurricane, I went back to my files and came up with this photo. I was in New Orleans last August. The day before we left we decided to take a trolley tour to the Historical Cemetary. I took this photo as at the time I found it surreal that a lone chair sat in front of this masoleum and even more sureal that it was backless.
My heart is heavy with the news from New Orleans. Now comes word that Houston will assist some of the evacuees from the Superdome as they will now be housed in the Astrodome. There has been a call for volunteers to help out and I've added my name to the list. Tonight, I'm paying my bills and made out a check to the American Red Cross. A call to all other bloggers to do the same as the Hurricane disaster will affect us all in one way or another.