♥ Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"

I love classical music and this Rhaposody theme by Rachmaninoff is an absolute beauty and complements one of my all time favorite movies, "Somewhere in Time".  If you've never seen this movie by all means see it and be enchanted.  Christopher Reeve was at his best in this classic.

June will change her tune

Read this tweet this morning.  Yes, so sad to see May go.  Somehow Mother Nature just seems to  know to kick up the heat in June--for on this first day it already feels like 100+.

Goodbye May.Lilacs. Bike rides. Planting. Sandals. Sweaters. You started cold, ended hot, just like my heart and I'm sad to see you go.
— Kathleen Edwards (@kittythefool) June 1, 2013

Also reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Simon & Garfunkel from one of my favorite movies the Graduate-

April Come She Will

April come she will when streams are ripe and swelled with rain
May she will stay resting in my arms again
June she'll change her tune ....

Yes, June will change her tune and it's going to be a long hot summer for sure! :-( With this heat bike rides may be few but sandals will be worn for sure!

Call Me When You Get To Heaven

Call Me..., a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Title from song by Mavericks. Someone wrote that Raul Malo is a musical genius and it couldn't be more true.

I posted several photos on my flickr account but this one is my favorite. Dark clouds swirl but in the middle you see the blue sky-portal if you will. When I first heard this song I thought about the 26 angels from Sandy Hook. I think about those children almost every day and pray for their families and loved ones who are left behind to mourn such a senseless tragedy.

Sara Bareilles - Brave (Lyric Video)

LOVE, love Sara Bareilles!  

Looking forward to her new music

and enjoying her new video

So nice not to have/see scantily clad women/girls 

gyrating to tasteless lyrics/music.

We need more positive and upbeat music.

Kudos to Sara for being BRAVE!

Ode to the Morning Star

Shhhhhh, baby sleeping!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Today our family was blessed with the birth of a very healthy 8.1 lb baby-Emery Rae Gutierrez. There was much anticipation, excitement and tears of joy. She's the first great grandchild for my parents, the first grandchild for my brother Arnold and his wife Theresa, and the first child for my niece Erika & her husband Rey. My beloved nephews-Martin & Greg are now uncles and will get to experience the joy of spoiling their niece just as I spoiled mine & them.  Next month the matriarch of our family-Guadalupe Rivera turns 80. Thank you God for your continued blessings upon our family. As night is turning into early morning, I will look out my window to the sky and bow my head in grace with an Ode to the Morning Star. 

Title & music inspired by Ottmar Liebert-In the Arms of Love

In the Hand of Life

In the Hand of Life, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

In honor of National Sibling Day, my brother & I. Giving thanks to our Lord and appreciate my brother's influence on me, & our family.  I love you Arnold.  Photo taken by my niece/photographer-Erika D. Now stepping outside to look for Armando's luna.

Title from CD, Urban Flamenco by Stephen Duros.    

We've Only Just Begun...

We've Only Just Begun... a video by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

And they're off! So much of life ahead. Just finished a glass of moscato to complement the blessed day for our family. Congratulations Miranda & Greg.

Closed door

Closed door, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

But then again, it really was open! :-) Late on this Sunday eve and I'm wide awake with this silly grin but that's ok! Listening to the really cool cd by the Mavericks! Just love this band and so glad they are back together. Raul Malo will you marry me?! Oh well, I'll still, "Dance in the Moonlight"! Goodnight OG! 

Happy Texas Independence Day

Only in Texas!, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

1.61803

Phi, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

it was a golden ratio month. 1.61803 to be exact and hard to believe that we are at the end of the month. So much to remember and so much to forget. For me a sad day today as one of my co-workers retired and she will be missed dearly. Buen viaje GK.

Something

Something, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Been listening to George Harrison and his song Something. I love that song! He was my favorite of the Beatles. My favorite line, "you're asking me will my love grow, I don't know, I don't know..." Iconic!

His other fave song of mine is "My Sweet Lord" of which has been on repeat mode over the weekend. I would love to have a poster of the alternative LP cover. He has an autobiography book that I've been meaning to read--hopefully soon!

Ronald Reagan Understood Gun Control

Ronald Reagan Understood Gun Control

"...he was willing to compromise and be pragmatic"...

unlike the insensitive so called patriots/pro gun activists. 

I support the right of the 2nd Amendment but even the Gipper knew there was room for compromise!

Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

I love this photo of my parents from back when. They were in their prime in their early senior years. Hard to believe that six years has passed from the Golden 50th celebration in Corpus Christi. Beautiful memories that I treasure for a lifetime!

Slow burn

Slow burn, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Chapter 2 of 2013.

Zen-inspired " I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality" Anon

It's been a long first two weeks of January and then I worked last Saturday. Don't get to see much daylight going in early and leaving late as well as feeling sleep deprived. So feeling like my candle has been burning at both ends but finally last night I got home early and got the chance to catch my breath. I love sitting out on the patio as the sun is going down and engaging in the ritual purification of burning incense, which cleanses my body, soul and spirit. Also, the burning of incense keeps the mosquitoes away!

My incense canister is always full of incense from the cheapest to expensive. Last night's burn was rose and the scent was heavenly.  The glowing ember & smoke take me away to another realm. One word to describe this is Enlightenment!

On my Twitter account I follow Zen Moments and the above quote was borrowed from them and the quote below best describes the slow burn process....

"Enlightenment is ego's ultimate disappointment. ~ Chogyam Trungpa http://v.ht/av..."

I love that! :-)

Here's some great music for the listening-Smoke.

Chapter 2013

Happy 2013, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

Page 1 of 365...  Borrowed the saying from iCarlee and I hope she doesn't mind. Always good to start the new year with some bubbly and I made the most of leftover bubbly this morning by indulging in a mimosa or two! ;-( Lots to be thankful as we begin a new year. Thankful to be going back to work tomorrow as I know so many people would love to have what I have-a full time job with fringe benefits such as paid vacation & sick time. Thankful for spending the day with family. Gave my parents an extra hug and kiss before leaving for home tonight. Oh and by the way, it's a girl! :-) Looking forward to the end of April and the new addition. She will bring much joy to our family. For sure she will be spoiled! My bro is going to be a popo and that baby girl will have his finger wrapped around her!

Thankful for music and the gift of hearing! Don't know where I'd be without listening to music. Gotta have my daily dose of Ottmar Liebert for sure! Although I finally bought a CD from Jesse Cook and me likes a lot!

Thankful for friends near and far--from the west coast-Oregon to the east coast-New Jersey. Makes for nice long conversations and possibilities in the new year--especially travel!

So looks like in March, our family will be raising a toast to my newly married nephew-Greg and his beloved Miranda. She too will be a welcomed addition to the family.

Busy week ahead, busy month and busy year with weddings, and births!  Finally, no new years resolutions but only..."Kindness, kindness, kindness. I want to make a New Year’s prayer, not a resolution. I’m praying for courage." http://j.mp/UBkZ9Y as was tweeted by Maria Popova.

Ok, evening is creeping along but still time for a glass of vino and another toast to day 1 of 365 in this new year.

Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors

Just LOVE the rock group HEART and they just ripped this song tribute to Led Zeplin's
"Stairway to Heaven"!  Sorry, I missed seeing the Kennedy Center Honors this year. Oh and secretly, I always wanted to be in a women's rock and roll band playing guitar or drums.  ;-)

Noche Buena

Noche Buena, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

from Texas on this Christmas eve.

Skyfall

on this Winter Solstice- Mayan apocalyptic day. Only fitting that I was back home in the place where I was born-Corpus Christi, Texas.  As we crossed the bay to leave CC, the sky was never so blue albeit covered by clouds.  It was a cold winter's day and reminded me of the beautiful song by Ottmar Liebert-Winter Blue

Needless to say the world didn't end, nor did I believe that it would!

Lucky numbers

Lucky Numbers, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

on this special day for a special concert!  Today was a day to remember!  Won't happen for another 100 years!

December to Remember

Untitled, a photo by Nieve44/Luz on Flickr.

well, no not really so far! The past week was full of sad news and setbacks. No Christmas spirit and no desire for shopping or putting tree & lights up. For one thing, it's been so dang warm but cold front on the way tonight. This winter rose/Christmas cactus has been the only bright color around. One week till Christmas vacation. Am ready for the break but not the holiday. I do hope to get out of dodge and make a quick getaway trip to Austin & up to the hill country and get an extra shot of color before the end of the month.