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.

Les roses d’Ispahan

Les roses d’Ispahan
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Still counting my blessings on the last hour of this Thanksgiving. Listening to the wonderful track from the CD, "Winter Rose" by Ottmar Liebert. Wonderful music inspired by the holidays for sure! Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with soft color and beauty. Onwards to Christmas-only 30 days away.

The Final Drum

Upcoming CD/The Final Drum to be released!
Thank you Kelly Roberti for the honor
of my photo gracing the cover.
Can't wait to hear all the music.

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

Well when they die,
they go through heaven's pearly gates
and hear this
song
sung in all its glory
by Joan Osborne.

Between Here and Gone

Arc of the moon
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La

Tonight the moon came up, it was nearly full.
Way down here on earth, I could feel its pull.
The weight of gravity or just the lure of light,
Made me want to leave my only home tonight.
Yeah I'm just wondering how we know where we belong.
Is it in a photograph, or a dashboard poet's song?
Will I have missed my chance to right some ancient wrong,
Should I find myself between here and gone?

Now I could grab my keys and peel out in my truck,
With every saint on board bringing me their luck.
I could drive too fast, like a midnight's thief,
As if there was a way to outrun the grief.
Yeah I'm just wondering how we know where we belong.
In a song that's left behind in a dream I couldn't wake from.
Could I have felt the brush of a soul that's passing on,
Somewhere in between here and gone?

Up above me, wayward angels, a blur of wings and grace.
One for courage, one for safety, one for just in case.

I thought a light went out, but now the candle shines.
I thought my tears wouldn't stop, then I dried my eyes.
And after all of this, the truth that holds me here,
Is that this emptiness is something not to fear.
Yeah, I'll keep wondering how we know where we belong,
After all the journeys made, and the journeys yet to come.
When I feel like giving up instead of going on,
Somewhere in between.

Yeah, I'm just wondering how we know where we belong.
Is it in the arc of the moon, leaving shadows on the lawn?
In the path of fireflies and a single bird at dawn,
Singing in between here and gone.

title/music/words by Mary Chapin Carpenter. I guess you can tell what I've been listening to lately. I do love her music and feel as if she's writing about my life at times. BTW, the past few mornings there has been a bird at dawn that awakens me. Thank you angels for showing me grace and beauty the past few days somewhere in between here and gone.

Holding Up the Sky

Lone Rider
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

I found myself between two places, neither of them home
I could not recognize the faces and I never felt so alone
I found myself between two choices to settle or to run
All my life I've heard the voices but this time mine's the only one
I wanna feel what the wind feels like, I wanna go that high
and feel no fear instead of being down here holding up the sky
Life astounds us in an instant, changing all we know
Blink just once and then you've missed it and all that you can do is watch it go, watch it go.
I found myself between two lifetimes, the sunset and the dawn
I reached out and took the lifeline offered up between here and gone
I want to know what the wind feels like
I want to go that high and feel no fear instead of being down here holding up the sky.

words and music by Mary Chapin Carpenter... and yes, I really want to go that high and know what the wind feels like...to be master of my domain and be a bird with wings.

Awakenings

Awakenings
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

from out of the darkness and into the light. I didn't realize how blind I had become but now I am slowly coming out of my dark slumber and ready to see the light again with eyes wide open.

Goodbye

Goodbye-
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

as the sun sets there is only Silence: No More Longing. It's ironic sometimes how some things are so easy to let go.

Lucky 7's

Magic numbers
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

on a magical numbers weekend. Started my weekend on Thursday afternoon, celebrated my birthday on Friday by driving up to Austin and spent Saturday driving through the Texas Hill Country. The day was FAB. Came back today --another magical day of 10-10-10 and it is the 10th hour of the evening. How was your 10-10-10?

Buddleias

Butterfly bush
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Music: This Spring Release 10,000 Butterflies, Ottmar Liebert /Spanish Sun. (found exclusively at Target.& exquisite)
Mood: Mellow-thanks to the wine, Las Rocas-Garnacha (Spain). Viva Espana!

Here we are in October and fall has finally arrived-somewhat. It was a long, hot summer and my favorite month has arrived. I can come out of hibernation now! ;-) In September, my camera bit the dust and I ended up purchasing another cheap Fuji and here is the end result. I so wanted a Nikon and almost gave in but have to keep expenses down.

Been taking advantage of the nicer weather and sitting outside and soaking in the feel of the north wind, which is exhilarating, especially at night. Sitting under the stars by candlelight with the burning of incense--it's become my quiet time before going to bed. Soon, I can light up the chiminea! Next week lows are supposed to be in the 50's! Bring it on!

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.