Reblogged from piran café:

“My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue.” (Carole King)

Recently we’ve joked about the magic carpet on the bodega floor, though our lives are all intricately woven like tapestries.  With each move – and I’ve made many, I’ve met new people that have enriched my life.  Sometimes we exchange ideas and move on, grateful that Life presented us a special gift.  Other times a chance meeting opens the door to a lasting friendship.   Some friendships from long ago remain strong through long-distance communications.  Many of my artist friends fit into that latter category.

“An everlasting vision of the ever changing view – A wondrous woven magic in bits of blue and gold -A tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold”  Carole King - Tapestry

This past month several artists have written touching and soul-bearing letters.  One multi-talented artist often puts herself last as if she is not worthy of the time she devotes to her art.  Over the years I’ve realized that some of the most talented artists crave honest praise the most.  Praise from peers is very important and ignites a fire in an atrophied soul.

Manabi sculptor/painter Ivo Uquillos autographs prints at the opening retrospective gala in Portoviejo Ecuador. Ivo is a great mentor to other artists.

Artist Ivo Uquillos mentors our mutual and very-talented friend, Dady/Lettie Quadrado.

How surprised I was when a friend replied to an email with these words:

“Lord, I forget how much I miss you until we talk again,  its like being caught up in a calm current of wind and sailing around in it, knowing you can’t stay up forever, but loving every minute of the experience.”

(Isn’t she a powerful writer?!)  We often forget how equally-powerful a few genuine words of encouragement can be.  One should never withhold a kind word.  My friends write with brutal honesty because they know that I understand without judging.

Montecristi (Ecuador) showcases work by Ivo Uquillos.

“…I have tried to be the best me that I can be. But at this point its not enough, and I want to shoot up a missile or a flare something that leaves a trail that started with me. I know I need to take risks at this point, it is necessary.”

We are here to teach, we are here to learn, and we are all here to help each other along.  Here’s another touching letter that arrived this week from a brilliant artist.

“I saw a great documentary about painters in NYC in the 1960s…Jasper Johns, Barnett Newman, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy W., etc.   Other than Andy, the others were eloquent (marked by forceful and fluent expression) in talking about art and their art.   In a way it put a distance between them and me…

“…in fact…I have felt distance with about everything.  I am in need desperately of a life adventure where days sing to me and scents are everywhere…

Cafe Con Leche, Anyone?

“…where a coffee in a small place tastes full, and life has a dance to it.

Poquito mas, por favor!

The people’s favorite: Coffee Cat!

“…been far too long, and when you are not out there you allow yourself to be eaten away…

 ”….slowly at first, then the hunger increases and you are gone.”

Eureka!

I have no answers for my friends; they already know what will make them happier; they’ve stated it in their letters. Obligations and commitments hold some of these brilliant artists back; others remain within the parameters of their well-defined puddle of life, though they know there’s a vast ocean out there waiting for them. One friend once thanked me for ‘giving him a shove off the fence.’

Another responded to my question, “Just how many more GOOD full moons do you have left in your life?”

Mother and son painting together!

If your life is a happy one, rejoice and spread your happiness with others.  Why keep a candle tucked away in a dark corner?  You surely realize how lucky you are to awaken with a smile in your heart!  Let your happiness domino!  Ask the lady at the checkout stand, “How are you?” and mean it!

If you’re not happy, do something, even if it’s wrong! You can start by picking up a pencil and scribbling away your frustrations! You might discover  that the subtle act of drawing gives you comfort!

From a home for troubled girls, these students listened well and transferred their frustrations to the paper! (Museo Portoviejo- Ecuador)

Take a timeout; turn off your telephone, turn off your television and tune into yourself!  Pick up a leaf and sketch it;  go outside and draw a tree trunk!  Stay inside and scribble, cross hatch, draw tornadoes or triangles.  After ten minutes, you’ll find a shift in attention.  Don’t stop, keep drawing, and your creative side will awaken.  Consider this an exercise!   Your lines will get softer, more expressive, and your pulse slows!

I promise, it’s that easy!  Draw for thirty minutes and don’t stop!You’re worth it.

Ceibo Tree – Pencil – Not quite finished…

Ceibo Tree – pencil – Finished!

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Light and shadow… you can do this!

On Thursday, several others will post  images drawn in pencil!  I will post two images; one drawn with my right (dominant) hand, and one drawn with my left. Drawing with my left is out of compassion to dear RUTH,who plans to discipline herself to left-hand drawing while her right is recovering in a cast!  (Jots from a Small Apartment) 

Consider joining us, please?!!!  Sharpen that pencil and start practicing!

YOU CAN DO THIS!

z

Today’s Daily Prompt states:  
Tell us about the most surprising helping hand you’ve ever received.
Photographers, show us HANDS.

Hands?  Do I ever have an assortment of images of hands!

Enjoy!

Hard-working hands.

Sculptor Rycardo Alcivar – Jama Ecuador

Jama’s always-happy fisherman!

Hands at work!

Hands at play!

Nelly sorts bingo numbers.

Nelly gets silly!

Franklin Gonzales – Always in transit through South America!

Franklin’s Hands

Franklin’s Hands

Many volunteers contributed to CEIBO LOCO during the inauguration of the Mola Series Exhibition at Museo Cancebi in Manta Ecuador!

Ceibo Loco – Finished with a little help from a lot of friends!

Everyone paints!

Frances Paints

Natalie Paints!

Museo Cancebi/Manta – Barb and Gabby add finishing touches to the I CAN DO THIS painting.

Several I Can Do This Workshops in Costa Rica produced amazing results!

I Can Do This Group Workshop – Costa Rica

Branding Memories through Paint

Painting Memories

Indiviual “I Can Do This” sessions are equally rewarding.

Lise’s Hands – Costa Rica

Maddie’s Hands – Costa Rica

My friend Marie participated in her own healing session for an injured shoulder.

Before her son’s marriage, Maruja Sabando of Ecuador spent time painting with Cesar and cousins.

Mother and Son (Maruja y Cesar) disconnect from work for a painting session together!

Maruja and her cousins!

Mother and son painting together!

The very first “I Can Do This” project began at “Hummingbird’s House” in the Republic of Panama!

Barb y Donna – Republic of Panama

Hank and Marie Groff volunteered their helping hands with a window-security panel.

After finishing side one, I was pleased to have more volunteers to help with side two!

Xavier helped paint fun frogs!

Zee-ssistants!

Gonzalo’s family created their own masterpiece after helpoing with the window!

This post would not be complete without a finale from the Magic Carpet Sessions!

Doctora Veronica, who mans the local clinic every fourth day, leaves her signature!

The image evolves. What’s next?

Barb preps border with fresh layer of Agua Stop.

A new pretend tile floor!

Strengthening colors one wash at a time.

The happiest door on the planet!

Silvana dropped by and added her special energy to the border!

in search of authenticity

Barbara brushes white over white!

This is surely the most lovingly-painted bodega door in the country!

It’s time to take a break from all of that painting!  See more helping hands at WordPress’s Daily Prompt – “Helping Hands.”

Taking a ‘back break’ from back-breaking work!

Z

paperwork paperwork, tramites, tramites!

Tramite? (Tra-me-tee)

I had never heard the word tramite until I began the process for a ‘company’ visa here in Ecuador. Tramite means steps with paperwork and often refers to legal paperwork. My particular visa has taken years of tramites, tramites, and more tramites! Gallivanta called my attention to a great video which captures the frustrations of dealing with the formal process of tramites:

My most recent hurdle was to get four sets of black and white copies of a 30-page color catalog of my work that had been presented to the Superintendent of Companies over six months ago!  Each page had to be notarized!

Next word:  Triste!  Triste means sad.  This sad face illustrates an internet frustration!

Triste- Sad

Someone once said that he tried to stay out of other people’s shadows, their dark sides, and he hoped that they would stay out of his.  I have never been comfortable photographing people at their worst or poking fun at others weaknesses or misfortunes:  an unkempt house, a fight between two people,  a terrible accident, a person asleep with mouth agape, a drunk passed out in a chair or on the sidewalk, though once in Nicaragua I photographed the happiest (drunk) homeless person I have ever encountered!   For that reason, my files are quite lacking in images of triste/sad.

sad nina

The screenshots reflect my ongoing struggle for faster internet connections – when you don’t hear from me, this is probably why:

Notifications

Stats

I can usually go outside and find a way to work off those frustrations!

Trabajo means work!

trabajador/a – worker (male/female)
trabajar – to work

Where to stay – Guayaquil Malecon Area

Most everyone knows the Spanish word for three.  This acrylic painting is named Tres Manos and was inspired by a pre-Columbian relic from the Jama Coaque Indian culture of the area where I live.

Tres Manos – Acrylic

“Tres Manos” – Acrylic influenced by the PreColumbian Jama Coaque Sellos

tres – three
trece – thirteen
treinta – thirty

Pulling up the rear are more Spanish words that start with the letter T.
toalla – towel
trucha – trout
tu – you
tomate – tomato
tasa – cup
tenedor – fork
tía – aunt
tío –  uncle

and a final, T for Tortilla!

The Tortilla Lady – San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua

See many more pictorials for T at Frizztext’s Flicker Comments.

Thanks for tagging along for the T Challenge in Spanish!

Z

Reblogged from Implicado:

I remember my mother once told me... be polite and nice to others.

Well this is an example of why manners matter:

At a Coffe shop:

"Being educated, makes the difference"

One coffe: $40

One coffe please: $30

Good Morning, one coffe please: $20

What's your pick?

Read more… 6 more words

Pre Sunrise – Playa San Miguel, Costa Rica

Do you agree that Playa San Miguel is surely one of the loveliest beaches in Costa Rica?   I escaped from my slumber and trekked down the beach in anticipation of dawn.

This post is for  two challenges:  Let’s Be Wild’s The Beach as well as WordPress’s Escape.

Lapiz – Pencil Punta- Point

Sharpening my Ebony pencil, I present the first of a series of drawings paired with quotes pertaining to  the importance of drawing and art.   This will discipline me to take a timeout each week for the joy of drawing and share those drawings with you!    Here’s the first quote of the series:

“It is often said that Leonardo drew so well because he knew about things;  it is truer to say that he knew about things because he drew so well.”   (Kenneth Clark)

I hope that you enjoy the series!

Z

Playa San Miguel, Costa Rica

Playa San Miguel in Guanacaste Province/Costa Rica is often described as one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. Very little new construction has been allowed there, so the essence of its spirit remains intact.  You’ll find no intrusive towering condos or gated communities,  though the property owners and the municipality continue with years of dysfunction.  The rules continue to change, and recently most of the (few) restaurants, hostals and hospitality-related businesses have been closed and/or ordered to be torn down because they were too close to the line or were not given permission for construction or did not have the correct concession.  Unless one visits during the holiday season, they will experience the beauty of solitude.

Classic Playa San Miguel, Costa Rica

Pre-sunrise – Goodnight Moon

6 a.m. stroll – Playa San Miguel, CR

Costa Rica’s northern neighbor, Nicaragua offers equally stunning beaches. San Juan Del Sur has always been a favorite little jewel of mine. When I first discovered it a dozen years ago, the front line provided lodging options and many restaurants. The eclectic little grid of streets behind that front line reminded me of a Hollywood ghost town, and I returned to Costa Rica and told my friends that I wished I had enough money to buy the entire town!

San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua – The Colors Slipped in the Sky

Several years later I returned and found that others had discovered its charm, and now it’s a unique bustling community.  The town that Vanderbilt established during the gold rush lives on!

San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Farther up Nicaragua’s coastline is an area called ‘Limon Uno” and “Limon Dos.” Not the easiest place to reach in the rainy season, the area’s stunning beauty of the beaches rewards the intrepid traveler! Playa Rosada is one of my favorite petite beaches.

Playa Rosada Nicaragua

“Playa Rosada” Nicaragua

Playa Rosada Nicaragua

I asked my friend who lives near Playa Rosada if anyone had ever spotted the skull in the late afternoon.
“Not until you pointed it out,” he said!

Playa Rosada – Nicaragua

Playa Rosada, Nicaragua – Calm Reflections

Playing leapfrog, let’s jump to Cruzita Ecuador, arriving in time to watch the fishermen prepare to leave during high tide.

Cruzita Ecuador Fishermen

Fresh Tuna, Anyone? Cruzita Ecuador

Cruzita Ecuador Fisherman and Family

Cruzita Ecuador

If you’re looking for a beach with lots of people, try Manta Ecuador during a holiday!

Manta Ecuador New Year’s Holiday

Manta Ecuador

Manta Ecuador Morning Run

See more beaches at Where’s MY Backpack.

I’ll leave you with Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches.

Marie and Hank – Playa Tarqui – Manta

Have a good week, everyone!
Z

Break time from kitchen duty! Doesn’t she have a genuine smile?

There are many great words that start with S in Spanish.  After I typed an assortment of words in the “New Post” page, I pondered the many photo options for those words.

Most people don’t particularly care for images of snakes; the word for a poisonous snake is serpiente. (Otherwise it’s culebra – correct me, Spanish speakers, if I’m wrong!)

I usually sign my emails and notes with the word siempre, which means always.

Sandia – watermelon would make a fun pictorial, as would sapo – toad.  (A frog is called a rana.)

Other helpful words are Sabor-Taste,   Sed-Thirsty, Salud-Health, Salud-Cheers, and Salud-Bless You! Last year I was walking down a quiet sidewalk in Cruzita, and two men were walking on the other side of the street.  One sneezed, and I automatically stated, “Salud!” and kept walking.  They looked over at me, were shocked to see an ‘outsider,’  and they chuckled – as did I!

Shunning all of the above, I present to you an assortment of sonrisas in honor of Mother’s Day! (The photos were taken in Ecuador unless otherwise noted.)  Enjoy!

Friends for Life! I remember when he was a little babe sleeping in his grandmother’s hammock!

She’s happy to serve fresh grilled tuna for breakfast! Playa Tarqui – Manta – Ecuador

Artists Are Happy People! El Matal, Ecuador

Amigos – San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Lovely Smile – Republic of Panama

Sweet Smiles – The Gifts of Innocence

Costa Rica

Detail “Twin Smiles” – Acrylic

Oh, to be happy! Museo Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador

Monkey see, monkey do, I see a monkey just like YOU!

This post is not only for Frizztext’s Alphabet Challenge but also for Jake’s Sunday post in honor of Mother’s Day.

Enjoy Elvis Crespo’s lively merengue song, Tu Sonrisa (Your Smile)!

Z

Ka-BOOM – What are the odds that I published this post then read another that opened with:  ”SMILING PEOPLE.”   For another dose of positive thinking, see CHARRON’S CHATTER/Sugar & Spice

Tired But Smiling – Jama, Ecuador / This lady sweeps the streets seven days a week. I caught her at the end of the day, tired but still smling. I adore her.

Dawn – Playa San Miguel Costa Rica

Ailsa’s theme for this week is beaches, and I am blessed to have spent a large part of the past dozen years along the beaches of Central and South America.   This post reflects the rewards of visiting the beach in the magical hours at the beginning and end of each day.

Dawn reveals the history of the night; many locals still raid turtle nests along the Pacific Coast.  (Playa San Miguel Costa Rica)

Playa Rosada Nicaragua – Thieves raided this turtle nest as well.

The ocean often tosses more than driftwood on the beaches.

“Pelagic Sea Snake”

Turtles die from boats trawling too close to shore with illegal shrimp nets. This is wrong.

During one rainy season at Playa San Miguel Costa Rica, the resident marine biologist flagged me down about an hour before sunset, “Lisa! There’s a turtle nesting!”  

Jeff gave me directions and immediately dashed away.  I abandoned my task, grabbed my camera and dashed after him!  I had been patrolling the beach at night with the ‘turtle patrol’ and had captured a few sea turtles at dawn, but had yet to catch one in good light.

dawn surprise

Most sea turtles nest beneath the cloak of darkness, but this lady was anxious to play her role in propagating her species! A small crowd gathered and watched in hushed silence as she operated in trance mode, dug her nest, laid her eggs, covered them, camouflaged the nest, then returned to the sea.

Wanting to catch that egg-dropping moment, I sprawled out at sand level and focused on the dark pit beneath the turtle.

“Lisa. She’s going to get you,” Jeff warned.
“I know,” I replied without taking my eyes off the target.

“Lisa….” he warned.
“I know,” I smiled, “It will be worth it..”

About that time the turtle’s flipper slung a cloud of sand in my face – and in the camera’s.
We all laughed, and yes, I got some great photos!

Hopefully these children will grow up and help fight for nature’s rights.

The eggs are collected and buried in a nest of equal depth in the nearby hatchery.

Covering her nest.

Eggs gathered, measurements taken, turtle tagged; time for Mama to go home!

Surely these children will grow up to treasure the marine environment. How can we teach them to speak up for nature’s rights?

Every so often the camera goes into an in/out/in/out/in/out mode and then says, ‘Remove lens cap and push any button.”
The years are magically wiped away, and I am again at Playa San Miguel and witnessing a primal event so sacred that it was worth risking my camera!
At times a camera shop corrects the problem, and all is fine until Life decides to remind me of that mystical evening when I had the honor of being baptized with beach sand by an olive ridley sea turtle!

This turtle began her life here as a hatchling; around age 12, she answered the primal call that nudged her home.

A dozen years later she joins others and returns to her beach of origin to continue the cycle

The odds are one in 2,000 hatchlings will survive to return to this beach. Some say the odds are worse.

After the turtle returned to her rightful place in the sea, and the sun sank beyond the horizon, an explosion of color ignited the sky.   There was no doubt that I was exactly where I was meant to be at that hour!

Sometimes a sunset stands on its own with no help from foreground images.

Thank you, Mother Nature!

For more information about the decline of the olive ridleys, see The Red-Light District and A Fragile Balance.

See more beach scenes at Alisa’s Travel Theme Beaches.

Have a good weekend, amigos!

PS.. Dear Doris just posted one about baby turtles as well! http://miartedoris.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/sea-turtle-release-south-padre-island/

Life presents us with unique people if we slow down long enough to notice!

Bahia de Caraquez – A picturesque little green city!

Manabi Province – Ecuador  (May 2013)

(This post follows New Friends, New Memories – Part 01 posted yesterday)

After the Ecuador Crash Course group left Canoa Beach Hotel,  Susana stepped into her job as Spanish teacher and prompted us to count heads in Spanish as the bus took us the half-hour ride to San Vicente!    Learning a new language is often difficult for many, but Susana’s infectious spirit reminded us to embrace the new words and cherish the adventure!

“…How do you say…?”

“…After ten comes…? What is the word for eleven? Twelve? Thirteen? Fourteen? Fifteen? Sixteen? Eso! That’s right! The next three are easy!”

In San Vicente, most of us bailed out of the bus and took a boat taxi across the mouth of the Chone River. (Bay of Caraquez)

The rest of our group traveled over the bridge by bus and waited on the Bahia de Caraquez side of the river. But wait!   We were so caught up in Kodak moments that we left two of our children behind!  (We should have counted heads again before the boat departed!) Happy to make Bahia de Caraquez, some of the group danced their way toward the thump-thump-thump of nearby music!

But wait! Let’s see what this is all about!

After a drive around Bahia, we traveled up up up to the lookout point where the giant white cross watches over Bahia and the coastline.  While my new friends explored the hilltop, I took a few candid photos.

This was a nice perch while others climbed to the top of the white cross!

I spotted this man as the bus reached the top of the hill. His name is Manuel.  Sometimes we should pause and give respect to those who were here long before we barged onto the scene!

I have forgotten this man’s unusual name, but he was very friendly!

“Y’all come back, you hear?”

The bus took us down down down until we were again at sea level and ready for our next feeding.

Bahia bridge from the hill

Puerto de Armistad didn’t let us down as we feasted on various entrees.  Owner Tripp Martin greeted everyone and helped take the orders.  He later shared his own story and gave pointers about life in Ecuador.    Dave and Miriam , another seasoned couple who have made Bahia their home, shared their stories, which included some amazing ‘What Can Go Wrong’ tales that turned out well!

Making new friends along the way!

After lunch, everyone returned to the bus with Puerto Lopez as the next destination.

They asked, “Lisa, how will you get home?“

I smiled and said that the magic carpet would come get me!

Parting is indeed sweet sorrow!

Crossing the river by colorful boat taxi, I hopped on the next bus going to home sweet Jama!

Z

“What’s cooking, Ramon?”

May 2013 – Manabi Ecuador

Last Friday I traveled up the coast and met Sarah Dettman and her Ecuador Expat Journeys group in the coastal town of Pedernales.   Driving south, we crossed the line of the equator and kept rolling until we reached the petite beach community of La Division, about a mile from where I live.  In addition to having a picnic, we learned why almendros are so expensive!  A lot of work goes into retrieving the nuts!

Ramon shows us how to crack the almendros! (almonds)

Alexandro was happy to watch from afar!

A casual fix-your-own sandwich buffet gave everyone the chance to relax and recharge before moving to the next stop.

Always-smiling Nely!

Dier tells us goodbye!

The next stop was the riverhouse;  would you believe that I forgot to take photos when they stepped onto the magic carpet?

After absorbing and inspecting the just-finished floor, everyone journeyed upstairs to the living quarters.  I don’t think they expected the uniqueness of the house!

Every house should have a swing, don’t you agree?

So…. what’s behind the painted panel?

After absorbing the oversized painting,  If Fish Could Fly, they watched the hinged panel reveal the view of river!

(From February 2013)

After touring the house, we returned to the bus and journeyed another hour down the coast to the lovely Canoa Beach Hotel. Sarah’s business partner Jonathan Hall and his group greeted us just in time for the sunset hour!   Ahhhh, who wouldn’t be pleased with these accommodations?

Early morning found some of us taking a misty beach walk-talk (practicing Spanish) while others enjoyed basking in the comfort of Canoa Beach Hotel!    After a leisurely late-morning breakfast, we boarded the bus for the next leg of the journey.

Owner-builder Greg Gilliam kept us entertained as he shared tidbits of wit and wisdom during breakfast.

Time to load the bags and move to the next stop!

We rolled half an hour down the road to San Vicente, where we had an option of bailing out to cross Rio Chone by boat taxi or riding the bus over the bridge to the city of Bahia de Caraquez.

View of Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador

Don’t change that channel!  Page two is coming soon!

Z

There’s a good thing/bad thing about being a serious artist who also blogs;  it’s that of being a serious blogger who also paints!  Juggling the two is often difficult for me, as when I am painting, I don’t want to stop until I reach a true finishing point, and when I am blogging, I don’t want to stop until that ‘publish’ button has been selected, or until I schedule it to publish later!  A queue of awards patiently awaits my attention, and now that the first phase of the floor project is finished,  I’ll start with the one that was waiting in the pending approval file!

Go to Jana Traff’s homepage, and you will most likely spot her zest for life in the first images before you ever begin to read her post!  She recently passed along the Leibster Award, which made me ponder just exactly what was the criteria for passing it to others.  An easy search led me to Sopphey, who has already done that work and shares it HERE.

Whether it’s for someone who has less than 200 subscribers or 3,000 subscribers, the most important part is that it was passed to me, and I am proud to pass it along to some new “dearest” bloggers who are quite worthy of recognition.

..When All Else Fails…

As most of you know, my internet service is so horrid that I often stay up very late in order to get the fastest service when the rest of the people in this 5-k area shut down their computers for the night! The prolific ‘many posts per day’ folks, I fear, don’t receive 100 percent of my attention, as it takes minutes just to open one page, and minutes more for an image to load.  I can’t keep up with you!  Others amaze me with their once-daily schedules and how they stick to those schedules!  I cherish your discipline.

Hugh Curtler‘s morning posts keep me informed on many delicate issues that affect North Americans and the world.  Thanks, Hugh, for always being consistent and informative!  Thanks, also, for your always-kind words that you share about your friend the Zeebra in Ecuador!

Many people light our way.

Like a maternal tap-tap-tap on the shoulder at 2 in the morning,  Julia’s Defeat Despair gives me a heartwarming epistle while reminding me to get some sleep!  Otherwise her post is patiently awaiting my attention when I awaken in the morning.  She is a beacon in the night to anyone who has ever become discouraged or overwhelmed.   Please visit her site which is quite worthy of the Leibster Award and many more!

If you’ve ever marveled at the beauty of a plain ole simple monochromatic x-ray, you’d best fasten your seat belt before visiting Tony Lamont’s X-raypics site.  Of all of the original art I’ve seen over the years, his unique style captures my full attention.   A radiologist, Tony presents his unique beautiful art with a medical lesson as well!  Enjoy some of his posts and let me know if you agree.  Better than that, let HIM know that you agree!

Happy Helpers!

The next three bloggers are prolific and highly-talented artists as well.  Each has developed his/her unique style and subject matter and are great teachers and deep thinkers.   My only regret is that we can’t have brainstorming sessions in person.   Artists inspire one another, and feedback between peers is like a tall glass of water on a hot day!

David Tripp (Watercolor)  —   After a long day of teaching, David retreats to his Man Cave and creates exquisite still lifes in watercolor.  He also shares his love of Thoreau, Hemingway,  Andrew Weyeth, and many other of my favorite writers/artists as well.    Although his images stand alone, he also has the patience and discipline to share his techniques and thoughts as he journeys through each highly-original work.  Check out the watercolor of a screen door that is presently consuming his focus.  (THE SEER)

Oil Pastels by Mary (Pastels!) —  Long ago the beauty of a large box of pastels inspired me to try my best to turn those rainbow fingers of chalk into works of art.  I quickly discovered that mastering the medium required many hours of patience and perseverance. Those rainbows of pigment also tickled my allergies, which weaned my attentions back to watercolor!  With oil pastels, Mary expertly captures the beauty of the ocean and the moods of its waves as well as lovely pastoral scenes on dry land!  She has also been playing catch up on passing along many awards!  (Thanks, amiga, for including me in your family!   Now you can switch back to painting!)   Enjoy Mary’s mastery of pastels HERE.

Ruth Bailey Art (Watercolor)— Enjoy another established watercolorist who also shares through step-by-steps or through thoughtful reflections about her art.  Highly prolific Ruth churns out some amazing art while juggling other duties;  her culinary skills are great –  unless she’s distracted by her paintbrush!   Be sure to enjoy her post that journal’s a day in her life through watercolor sketches!

Thank you, Jana, for the award, which allows me to introduce everyone to these talented bloggers!  For others who have passed other awards my way, thank you so much, and I hope to catch up this week!  May it be a good week for everyone!

Are you ready to hear about the tour?!! I have lots of new friends! New post soon!

Z

Reblogged from Bente Haarstad Photography:

From The Deck

Having grown up along the Mississippi River, I find comfort in streams, lakes and rivers. The alphabet challenge brings us to the letter R, which allows me to showcase my special view of Rio Jama.

One could not ask for a more pristine start to a day!

Riachuelo – Small river or stream

Rama – A rama is a branch, so what is a ramada?

A ramada is an open shelter that provides shade and is made with branches or bamboo.  In the tropics, they are often topped with palm leaves.  A rancho is a small hut or primitive living quarters, often constructed with natural materials.

Here are a few more Spanish words that start with R:
Rico – Rich
Rodilla – Knee
Ropa – Clothes
Rubio – Blond
Ron – Rum

Carving by Rycard Alcivar

Rabioso – (Rabid)  The thought of rabies makes most anyone quiver!  Can you imagine what it feels like to awaken and find that a vampire bat had feasted on your blood while you slept?  That’s happened to me not once or twice, but five times in the twelve years I’ve lived in Latin America!  My friends sometimes hand me a broom on full moon nights and say in good fun, “Fly home, Bruja Blanca!”

A biologist scribbled the scientific name, Desmodus rotundus, for this bat when I showed him the type of bat that had most likely bitten me!

I’ll leave you with a lively song by Shakira - Rabiosa!

(Sorry, the video will end abruptly!)

Visit Frizztext’s site to enjoy his own river stories as well as posts from other bloggers.

Z

Holy Piso, Batman, The Bodega Floor is Finished!

Yes, ‘Stage One” of the bodega floor is finished! The first coat of a non-yellowing “laca poliuretano para pisos” is now drying, and the floor will be ready for its first inspection tomorrow! My friend Sarah Dettman and her tour group of 20 will stop by the house to for a sample of my life here on the river.

It’s not fair to let them see this floor before all of you in the cheering section!     The only problem is that Barb is not here for a celebratory test drive on the magic carpet!

The floor has been a great challenge, though I found myself questioning the many weeks of work on something that can never be sold or moved or placed in an exhibition!

Varnished tile on the left; unvarnished on the right.

The varnish pulls out depth and enriches the colors.

The tiles are not perfect; I kept reminding myself, “Lisa, this is a floor.”

“Just a little more, just a little more…” I finally said, “Stop! (Are you glad that I added the butterfly?)

Check Engines…

Barb?  Clear the top deck over there at Amador, and I’ll head to Panama at the stroke of midnight!  (I’ll stay under the radar!)

Open hangar doors and prepare for liftoff!

Thanks, everyone, for your amazing support!  Your feedback made this project extra special! Z

And I was looking for a studio!

Almost twenty years ago, the town and people of Natchez Mississippi captured my heart.  Time and neglect altered one eyesore of an old home that anchored a corner of that historic area of town.  With the zoning board’s blessings, my former husband and I had the honor of restoring that ugly duckling back into the swan that she once was!   A bonus to that project was meeting the dear sweet neighbors, some who became very good friends.

Life had other plans for me, and years later I returned to Natchez on a three-state visit to see my loved ones.  A friend told me, “Oh Lisa!  You know that couple that lived down the street?  The ones that you loved so much?  He died.”

My mind raced as I named the different people who lived near that house.   I suspected it was the couple with the well-tended postage stamp of a front yard that always smiled with flowers.   This time their yard was barren, which confirmed who was suffering with grief.

“Oh Lisa!” she exclaimed,“What will I do?  He was my life!”

My heart ached for her, and I spent as much time with her as possible before moving to the next area of the state.   As a parting gift, I  bought a few packs of pansies and some pots of bright yellow chrysanthemums.  I parked around the corner from her house, sneaked around and left them at her front door.   A year later when I returned for a visit, she opened the door, looked at me and stated, ‘You’re the one who left those flowers.’   

Happy Flowers – Marigolds smile from a market display in Cuenca Ecuador.

Long ago I illustrated three books for a 90-year old woman who was legally blind.  Whenever I stopped by her house, she asked me to read the mail that had arrived since my last visit.   She touched my heart deeply when she once said, “If I could live my life differently, the one thing I would change would be to visit the elderly more often.”

Since then, I have tried to always pause and make time for the elderly.  Do you have an elderly neighbor, a friend who has lost a loved one, a friend who is suffering from a loss?   If so, why not play ‘Flower Fairy” and surprise them with a token pot of bright flowers from the garden center and leave a happy smile on their doorstep?  Are you suffering from a loss?  Find a partner in the mischief and become flower fairies!  Spreading sunshine is infectious, and you’ll find your heart a bit happier!

Here in Ecuador I pause and speak to my old friend in the wheelchair.  (His handshake is bone-crushing strong!) For him, a smile and my attention are the flowers for his day.

Enjoy another Flower Fairy’s post here:  Once Upon A Time In The West – Memories Of May Day.    Thanks, Lynda, (Life on the Farmlet) for triggering these memories;  thanks also for lighting our way to new ones!

May you find creative ways to spread sunshine on others’ lives this week, this month, this year! Some of that sunshine will rub off on you!  Happy May Day!

Z

Rabbit Rabbit! Happy May Day!

Painting late into the night and into the wee hours of the morning, I realized that a new month sneaked up on me! The good luck first words of the day, Rabbit Rabbit, ran through my head!   How many of you practice that tradition on the first day of each month?

This cute black and white rabbit roams the grounds of Hacienda Guachala in Cayambe Ecuador.  It hip hops along the GPS point of latitude zero – how magical is that?!

Rabbit rabbit, have you ever heard of the Morris dance?

Today is also May Day, and many schools will hold activities in celebration of the outdoors.  I will never forget when I worked in a design studio for a UK company, and one of our very-reserved supervisors broke out in an impromptu Morris dance!  I will forever treasure that memory!

I worked extremely late last night painting details on the ‘magic carpet’ section of the bodega floor.   In a few hours, the first coat of protective varnish will be applied. Would you like a sneak peek at details?

Barbara suggested that I cut a peep hole in the upstairs’ floor in order to take the best photo of the magic carpet!      There are a few more tiny details to add when the light is better, and then it’s varnish time!

Thanks for tuning in!  Rabbit rabbit and have a great May Day!

Z

Lagniappe – A little something extra!

Growing up in Mississippi placed me close enough to Louisiana’s creole culture to learn the word langiappe, which means something extra.   How surprised I was to discover that the word’s origins come from a Quechua word!

Yesterday’s Marcha Blanca walk for peace exhausted my camera’s batteries while I snapped  over 3G worth of photos.  I present to you this token lagniappe, a little something extra from the walk for peace!

Watermelon/Sandia twenty five cents a slice!

I hope you enjoyed the walk around town!   Z

Locals in Jama Ecuador sent a message to thieves. You’re not wanted here!

Jama Ecuador (Manabi)  28 April 2013

The people of Jama Ecuador have always cherished the lack of crime in their town;  children roam the streets,  leave their bicycles parked near a front door and meander inside without fear of someone stealing their wheels.   People peer from upstairs windows and watch the passersby.  A few old timers ride their horses or burros into town on weekends to trade their produce and purchase supplies to take back to their farm.  Cattle patrol the streets late at night.

Til the Cows Come Home

A Mayberry RFD atmosphere permeates the town, and one wouldn’t be surprised to find Barney Fife scratching his head while he ponders who tied the bull to the gazebo in the center of the park!     Gomer would feel right at home repairing the ancient vehicles that share the streets with the latest model cars and trucks.  Bicycles  are popular modes of travel here, as are mototaxis and motorcycles.   Neighbors swap stories around street corners or sidewalk tables or play chess or dominoes.

The coastal highway skirts around Jama, although last year a road construction detour routed all traffic through town.   Ironically,  burglaries increased, which tapered off after traffic no longer detoured through town.   Recently several businesses were robbed during the night, and the residents of Jama aren’t happy about escalating crime.

I wasn’t surprised when the locals organized their community MARCHA BLANCA POR LA PAZ, a white march for peace.  This impromptu march addressed the question, “What are we going to do about this?”

Walk with us on this MARCHA BLANCA POR LA PAZ and see if you think that Barney and Gomer would feel at home in Jama!

Doc and Silvana tested my Spanish skills with this sign, which addresses the president and the mayor and asks for security and peace for our families. .
With wide eyes, I chuckled and asked Doc, “You don’t want extranjeros here?”
He peered at the sign and explained that they didn’t want illegals crossing the border from Columbia here!
I did not know what SICARIATO meant, and he put his index finger to his temple and made the sound of a gun! No murders, please!

The kind Doctor removed the word ‘extranjeros’ from his poster so that no one else misunderstood his message!

The participants gathered in front of the church.

Everyone transferred to the upper end of Jama Avenue.

Shall we begin?

LET’S MARCH!

Compared to other cities in the province, Jama has always scored extremely low on the crime index. The locals want it to stay that way!

Sometimes people shrug and give flimsy excuses for not participating in community events. Note the affection between these three!

This dear blind woman walked the entire distance with her daughter. What an amazing example she makes!

Whistles, chanting and horns punctuated the march!

The march ended in front of the police station, where many shared their thoughts about crime.

No more crime!

Everyone agrees;  crime is not welcome in Jama!