Glorious, cool and crisp morning here. The cool front finally came in last night and brought some much needed rain along with it. Time for some music to complement the morning.
Last night I finished washing the dishes and was putting plates away when I saw this reflection. Listening to chant music by the Cistercian Monks, hence the title. For a truly uplifting experience give this music a listening too.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
The Girls...
in the Rivera fam...minus my mom who was on the phone. This may well be the last Thanksgiving at my parent's home as they are looking to sell their home and move to Katy. We've been doing Thanksgiving at my mom's for many, many years--except for those years when we headed to Corpus Christi. My parents' have lived in their home for well over 45 years. We'll see what the next year brings. I will miss having them "around the corner" (more or less) from me but the house is getting to be too much for dad to take care of with his illness-Parkinsons. He's been very reluctant to sell the house because of so many memories but the house needs lots of work and sadly it might be a tear down. Lots of changes coming around in the near future. Some good and some not so good. See the boys here.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
On my christmas list
Well not my photo or title but I just cracked up when I saw this on Rebecca's flickr photo stream! She writes, "I saw a kid in a conveniece store last night wearing this shirt" and she closes with this....I need one! I think we all could agree with the shirt at times.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pushing Daisies
First vacation day starts off with meditation something that I hadn't been doing in quite a while. Got to enjoy a nice bowl of "Honey Bunches of Oats" and now listening to Up Close-the Binaural Sessions. It's so nice to not have to rush off to work and take in the morning light in the house, which is one of the reasons I fell in love with my house.
The photo is from my front porch planter. The flowers are left over from a few weeks back and were getting wilted but instead of throwing them into the trash, I de-stemmed them and tossed them in the planter where they have brought color into my world over and over again. So here's to pushing daisies!
The photo is from my front porch planter. The flowers are left over from a few weeks back and were getting wilted but instead of throwing them into the trash, I de-stemmed them and tossed them in the planter where they have brought color into my world over and over again. So here's to pushing daisies!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Human Wheels
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face...
This land, today, my tears shall taste
And take into its dark embrace
This love, who in my beating heart endures
Assured, by every sun that burns
The dust to which this flesh shall return
It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God.
...rocking the house tonight, listening to iTunes, Last FM and dancing in my chair, ahh but I find myself wanting to go dancing at the club, "Cherry Bomb". Love the oldies, remember when John Mellencamp was Johnny Cougar? I thought he was the bomb! Well, time to go to sleep but , "A'int Even Done with the Night"! Good night, sweet dreams and always remember, "I Saw You First"!
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face...
This land, today, my tears shall taste
And take into its dark embrace
This love, who in my beating heart endures
Assured, by every sun that burns
The dust to which this flesh shall return
It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God.
...rocking the house tonight, listening to iTunes, Last FM and dancing in my chair, ahh but I find myself wanting to go dancing at the club, "Cherry Bomb". Love the oldies, remember when John Mellencamp was Johnny Cougar? I thought he was the bomb! Well, time to go to sleep but , "A'int Even Done with the Night"! Good night, sweet dreams and always remember, "I Saw You First"!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Manic TueMonday
....idea/thoughts borrowed from here and since today is Tuesday and not Monday hence the title!
What was the first thing you thought when you looked at yourself in the mirror today?
Do I have to put on makeup?
Do you have a recurring nightmare? If so, explain.
Unfortunately, yes I do and it has to do with my parakeets who are now outside in the back porch. They are inside their cage, which is encased in another 4 foot iron cage to protect them from outside predators...i.e., cats! Still, the cats tend to prowl the late night and stir up the birds. This in turn has awaken me in a panic from my sleep, and I rush to the window to peek out and make sure they're ok.
List three foods you can’t stand:
Hmm, I wish there were more than I can't stand because then I might be a little thinner
but oysters, liver, and vienna sausages are definitely a turn off!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Lethargy
Word of the Day:
Not sure what's got me dragging this week!
The weather (84 today), bike run from Saturday, or change in time
but I am feeling the sluggishness for sure!
Additionally, new office at work is HOT.
We are melting away!
Last night, I couldn't stay awake and was in bed by 10:30
and still woke up feeling like I hadn't slept at all!
I'm even taking vitamins and still no relief!
UGH!
I need a vacation, been working too many hours
but it'll have to wait till Thanksgiving week. :-(
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Official Bike Ride!
My first ""official" bike ride. My nephew/Greg and I joined others with Bike Barn of Houston on their "Day of the Dead" tour. It was only supposed to be two hours but ended up being more like 4 because of so many riders. We had a police escort along the entire tour, which was nice.
One thing I forgot to bring during the bike ride last night was a camera. We toured some interesting sights and I managed to capture this one on my cameraphone. There were so many bikers there that it was impossible to walk the cemetery and it was dark-very dark--even with our bike lights. I never knew this cemetery exisisted and would love to return--but in daylight!
I really enjoyed the bike ride and thanks to my nephew for pushing me to go. I just bought the bike last week and still getting used to riding on it and wasn't sure if I was ready for such a run that was supposed to last two hours. Last Sunday I rode out to the bayou from my house which was a little over 1/2 an hour and I was tired--especially in the last 10 minutes.
Kudos again to my nephew as he is training for the MS150 next year and was such a cutie in his new biker shorts. I meant to get a picture of him as well. Because of our new interest in biking he and I have developed a closer bond with one another and I look forward to other bike rides together.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
another year, another carved pumpkin...but this time in front of my house! I did it again! I botched the mouth. Oh well, the tradition continues.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Moving
Music: Moving, Secret Garden
I am hooked on this song! I first heard it when I was getting a massage last month and it's been in repeat mode at work, home, and car. During the massage I was up in the clouds moving to this song and for the first time I finally saw the full spectrum of the chakra colors but the violet hues were all around me carrying and moving me in ways I had never experienced before. I didn't want to come back down from that --whatever that was!
Life lately, has been moving at the speed of sound. At work we are moving to our new building and since hurricane Ike, Houstonians have been on the move getting this and that done and cleaned up. I just bought a new bike and I love the way it moves me from here to there. During my meditations, I can't stop moving or at least my body is moving/vibrating to the chanting. A new season is upon us and yesterday afternoon after work, I was sitting in the backyard and watching all the moving. Leaves falling, squirrels moving their fall harvest from different spots, birds hurriedly flying south for the winter and butterflies moving from garden to garden for that last taste of sweet succulence. Here's to Mother Nature and her message to us that even though circumstances may be dire (economy) life is moving! So look up to the clouds and move to the dance of life.
I am hooked on this song! I first heard it when I was getting a massage last month and it's been in repeat mode at work, home, and car. During the massage I was up in the clouds moving to this song and for the first time I finally saw the full spectrum of the chakra colors but the violet hues were all around me carrying and moving me in ways I had never experienced before. I didn't want to come back down from that --whatever that was!
Life lately, has been moving at the speed of sound. At work we are moving to our new building and since hurricane Ike, Houstonians have been on the move getting this and that done and cleaned up. I just bought a new bike and I love the way it moves me from here to there. During my meditations, I can't stop moving or at least my body is moving/vibrating to the chanting. A new season is upon us and yesterday afternoon after work, I was sitting in the backyard and watching all the moving. Leaves falling, squirrels moving their fall harvest from different spots, birds hurriedly flying south for the winter and butterflies moving from garden to garden for that last taste of sweet succulence. Here's to Mother Nature and her message to us that even though circumstances may be dire (economy) life is moving! So look up to the clouds and move to the dance of life.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Duckie Sunday
Another weekend came and went with most of it spent working. Working the extra job to try and get ahead but with the economy tanking I wonder how much am I really getting ahead and if all this time working is worth it. There's so much that I miss doing. I have cut back a bit more than usual though as I'm now rotating my Saturday's off just to give me a break! I did treat myself to a massage yesterday and it was much needed as my therapist was having to work extra to get all the kinks out of my body. I was so excited to finally have a free evening of doing nothing and was looking forward to watching the baseball playoff game between Boston and Tampa Bay BUT was so dissappointed to learn that the game was on CABLE! I hate CABLE! NO FAIR!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
1+48=another birthday
a smile from me then (1 year) and a chuckle on this 49th year of my life along with a lil tear of nostalagia rolling down my cheek. I just got a wake up call from my mom @6:10 a.m., which is the time of birth noted on my certificate and every year she calls to wish me a Happy Birthday. O.k., off to crawl back into bed for a bit as today is my late day at work.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Bad Economy
with all the bad news about the economy,
I thought I would share
which just warms my heart!
These birds were stranded and thanks to
IFAW they were released back into their
habitat but not after getting a clean bill of health
by animal vets. The date on the video reads 2007 instead of 2008.
You can read more of the story here.
Yeah Brazil!
Enjoy!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Hallelujah!
FINALLY! The lights came on after being in the dark for over 14 days! I'd be lying if I didn't say that my patience was wearing thin. Desperation and depression were starting to set in, yet I tried not to complain because I know others had lost so much more than mere power in the aftermath of Ike. Houston was long overdue for the "Big One" and we finally got hit and hit hard. Though others more than some.
Power was restored on Saturday morning just after 8:00. I wasn't home but my niece was and called to tell me the good news. I got home from work just after 3:00 and never realized how bright light can be especially when it's coming from your house! We take so much for granted! I celebrated the evening with Bacardi Limon on the rocks.
Last night was my first real night of sleep in about two weeks. The dark of night with its heat and humidity can make for many stressful, sleepless nights. It was heaven to wake up at 9:00 a.m and see my ceiling fan blowing, hear the AC cranking and the coffee brewing. Hallelujah indeed!
Power was restored on Saturday morning just after 8:00. I wasn't home but my niece was and called to tell me the good news. I got home from work just after 3:00 and never realized how bright light can be especially when it's coming from your house! We take so much for granted! I celebrated the evening with Bacardi Limon on the rocks.
Last night was my first real night of sleep in about two weeks. The dark of night with its heat and humidity can make for many stressful, sleepless nights. It was heaven to wake up at 9:00 a.m and see my ceiling fan blowing, hear the AC cranking and the coffee brewing. Hallelujah indeed!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Hurricane Ike-Lessons Learned Pt. 1
1. Coffee and frozen pizzas can be made on a BBQ grill. Hmmm, I hadn't tried this one!
2. No matter how many times you flick the switch, lights don't work without electricity. I finally stopped flipping light switches three days after the storm.
3. My car gets 23.21675 miles per gallon, EXACTLY (you can ask the people in line who helped me push it). Thank goodness, I had a full tank of gas and didn't have to resort to this.
4. Kids can survive 4 days or longer without a video game controller in their hand. Don't have any kids so not sure on this one but sure do miss the mouse on my computer!
5. Cats are even more irritating without power. No cats here, just my Chi and thankful for his company on these powerless nights.
6. He who has the biggest generator wins. Yep, this one is right on the money!
7. Be nice to your neighbors, you may need to borrow their utilities some day. Absolutely!
8. A new method of non-lethal torture- showers without hot water. Again, this one didn't apply to me.
9. There are a lot more stars in the sky than most people thought. Yes, there are! I just wish the mosquitos would go away so we could enjoy the views.
10. TV is an addiction and the withdrawal symptoms are painful. I can do without TV, but having to live without internet has been painful.
11. A 7 lb bag of ice will chill 6-12 oz Drinks to a drinkable temperature in 11 minutes, and still keep a 14 lb. turkey frozen for 8 more hours. No turkeys in my ice chest!
12. There are a lot of dang trees around here! Lots of trees sure got a wacking thanks to Mother Nature and the winds of Hurricane Ike.
13. Flood plain drawings on some mortgage documents were seriously wrong. Thankfully, this did not apply to me--this time BUT I am going to buy flood insurance very soon!
14. Aluminum siding, while aesthetically pleasing, is definitely not required. I'll hang onto my wood shingles for sure!
15. Crickets can increase their volume to overcome the sound of 14 generators. I wish I could hear the crickets....all I've heard is dogs barking incessantly!
16. People will get into a line that has already formed without having any idea what the line is for. Especially at Home Depot and Lowes!
17. When required, a Lincoln Continental will float, doesn't steer well but floats just the same.
18. Tele-marketers function no matter what the weather is doing. My phone didn't work for the longest time and so I missed on these guys!
19. Cell phones work when land lines are down, but only as long as the battery remains charged. Keeping mine charged was a challenge!
20. 27 of your neighbors are fed from a different transformer than you, and they are quick to point that out! Still waiting for any neighbor in my area to have power!
21. If my store sold only ice, chainsaws, gas and generators... I'd be rich. Need to add batteries to the list!
22. Price of a can of soup rises 200% in a storm. No soup here! Too darn hot!
23. Tree service companies are under appreciated. I wisely invested $$ months ago for tree service in my backyard!
24. I learned what happens when you make fun of another states' blackout.
25. MATH 101: 30 days in a month, minus 6 days without power equals 30% higher electric bill ? ???? Sad but true, this morning's paper stated that the power company will most likely raise prices to makeup for what they've lost!
26 Drywall is a compound word, take away the "dry" part and it's worthless.
27. I can walk a lot farther than I thought.
28. Vienna Sausage is only part of the major food groups during a Hurricane. NO VS for me!
29. According to the scale, calories consumed during a Hurricane do indeed count. For reals!
The above was sent to me via email! Yes, finally getting around to answering emails, flickring, and catching up on the happenings of the past week and a half. Day 11 and still no power. Thus, Lessons Learned from Hurricane Ike to be continued on Part 2.
2. No matter how many times you flick the switch, lights don't work without electricity. I finally stopped flipping light switches three days after the storm.
3. My car gets 23.21675 miles per gallon, EXACTLY (you can ask the people in line who helped me push it). Thank goodness, I had a full tank of gas and didn't have to resort to this.
4. Kids can survive 4 days or longer without a video game controller in their hand. Don't have any kids so not sure on this one but sure do miss the mouse on my computer!
5. Cats are even more irritating without power. No cats here, just my Chi and thankful for his company on these powerless nights.
6. He who has the biggest generator wins. Yep, this one is right on the money!
7. Be nice to your neighbors, you may need to borrow their utilities some day. Absolutely!
8. A new method of non-lethal torture- showers without hot water. Again, this one didn't apply to me.
9. There are a lot more stars in the sky than most people thought. Yes, there are! I just wish the mosquitos would go away so we could enjoy the views.
10. TV is an addiction and the withdrawal symptoms are painful. I can do without TV, but having to live without internet has been painful.
11. A 7 lb bag of ice will chill 6-12 oz Drinks to a drinkable temperature in 11 minutes, and still keep a 14 lb. turkey frozen for 8 more hours. No turkeys in my ice chest!
12. There are a lot of dang trees around here! Lots of trees sure got a wacking thanks to Mother Nature and the winds of Hurricane Ike.
13. Flood plain drawings on some mortgage documents were seriously wrong. Thankfully, this did not apply to me--this time BUT I am going to buy flood insurance very soon!
14. Aluminum siding, while aesthetically pleasing, is definitely not required. I'll hang onto my wood shingles for sure!
15. Crickets can increase their volume to overcome the sound of 14 generators. I wish I could hear the crickets....all I've heard is dogs barking incessantly!
16. People will get into a line that has already formed without having any idea what the line is for. Especially at Home Depot and Lowes!
17. When required, a Lincoln Continental will float, doesn't steer well but floats just the same.
18. Tele-marketers function no matter what the weather is doing. My phone didn't work for the longest time and so I missed on these guys!
19. Cell phones work when land lines are down, but only as long as the battery remains charged. Keeping mine charged was a challenge!
20. 27 of your neighbors are fed from a different transformer than you, and they are quick to point that out! Still waiting for any neighbor in my area to have power!
21. If my store sold only ice, chainsaws, gas and generators... I'd be rich. Need to add batteries to the list!
22. Price of a can of soup rises 200% in a storm. No soup here! Too darn hot!
23. Tree service companies are under appreciated. I wisely invested $$ months ago for tree service in my backyard!
24. I learned what happens when you make fun of another states' blackout.
25. MATH 101: 30 days in a month, minus 6 days without power equals 30% higher electric bill ? ???? Sad but true, this morning's paper stated that the power company will most likely raise prices to makeup for what they've lost!
26 Drywall is a compound word, take away the "dry" part and it's worthless.
27. I can walk a lot farther than I thought.
28. Vienna Sausage is only part of the major food groups during a Hurricane. NO VS for me!
29. According to the scale, calories consumed during a Hurricane do indeed count. For reals!
The above was sent to me via email! Yes, finally getting around to answering emails, flickring, and catching up on the happenings of the past week and a half. Day 11 and still no power. Thus, Lessons Learned from Hurricane Ike to be continued on Part 2.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
For reals?!!
Question: Do you have any recommendations for pets? Our dog is an outside dog, and I don't want him to leave a brownie on my carpet. Can I tie him to a tree? We are in the Woodlands if this helps...
Reply: I'd try to at least bring him in the garage if you can. Would you want to be tied to a tree during a hurricane?
As we prepare for hurricane Ike, all of us along the Gulf Coast wait in high anticipation--of the unknown. I'd by lying if I'd said I wasn't worried but trying to remain calm. Earlier today, I came across this and couldn't stop laughing!!! I can't believe someone actually would think of tieing up a dog up to a tree during a hurricane.
Chulo's crate is ready to go! In fact, I have two crates packed! I guess the above dog owner has never heard of a crate!
Reply: I'd try to at least bring him in the garage if you can. Would you want to be tied to a tree during a hurricane?
As we prepare for hurricane Ike, all of us along the Gulf Coast wait in high anticipation--of the unknown. I'd by lying if I'd said I wasn't worried but trying to remain calm. Earlier today, I came across this and couldn't stop laughing!!! I can't believe someone actually would think of tieing up a dog up to a tree during a hurricane.
Chulo's crate is ready to go! In fact, I have two crates packed! I guess the above dog owner has never heard of a crate!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Kaleidoscope of Life
Phrase of the day
and inspiration by
"Living together differently"
...oh so true! We may always not agree with one another
but we must still respect one another.
Easier said than done, I know!
During the past month with registration ongoing,
I surely came across the Kaleidoscope of many peoples and cultures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)