“Did You Feel It?” YOU BET!

Pelicans in front of house.

Yes, the earthquake just shook this ole river house, but it rode the temblor like a pelican on water!

All is fine here where I live on the river here in Jama, Manabi, but I see that it was a big one.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/

Will be offline until tonight.  I hope that everyone else rode the earthquake with no problem.

Z

M for Mola! Story Challenge – Letter M

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Frizztext Story Challenge M, Kuna Indians, M for Mola, Mola, Panama, The Mola Series

Mola Textiles made by the Kuna Indians of Panama

Frizztext/Flickr Comments asked this week, “ Hi Bloggers! Do you have to share a story or a short reflection tagged with the letter “M”?”

I chuckled at the thought of presenting M for Mola!  Are you ready for more molas?!!!

The Kuna Indians of Panama inspired this past year’s Mola Series of Paintings.

INSPIRATION – While the World Outside My Window Goes Insane

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choices, Don Koen, Handicapped, Handicapped Fishing, Inspiring Stories, Island Traveler Weekly Image of Life Inspiration, Overcoming Life's Obstacles, positive attitude, When the World Outside my window goes insane

When I was young, the clock radio nudged me from slumber each morning.  A Memphis, Tennessee station usually played the top 20 countdown, which trumped my other choice of a raucous alarm to start each day.  I will never forget once when the radio clicked into the wake-up mode, but instead of music,  I was blasted with a loud greeting from the DJ, “GET OUT OF THAT BED!  Think of how many people would like to get out of bed and can’t!”

Poof!  That worked for me, and I have carried that nugget of advice with me and kept it close to my heart.  Whenever I ponder snoozing for half an hour more, I remember that moment and am suddenly prepped to embrace my day.

Other eventful moments have influenced my attitudes about life; long ago during a busy day with endless phone calls, I asked my father if he’d like for me to snip the phone line.  He replied, “Imagine how empty your life would be if no one called or came by.”   Whenever my life seems too crowded, I try to respect that advice and remember to be grateful for the many people who love and support me.

My nephew, Don Koen,  made an equally-sobering remark once, when he asked, “Aunt Lisa, who taught you how to be so positive?”

I was visiting Don in his home in Little Rock, Arkansas as we waited on a kettle of soup to warm.   I shrugged and replied, “No one.  It’s not a choice.  I wake up happy almost every day of my life.”

Very slowly he shook his head,“I disagree with you.   We make choices every day of our life.” 

Solitary – WordPress Challenge

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Early Morning, Rivas Nicaragua, Solitary WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

Candid Moment – Rivas, Nicaragua

“Solitary. I love capturing a person in a quiet and often unexpected moment. ”

That is how this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge began!

Early Morning, Rivas Nicaragua

When traveling, I go outside at dawn and watch the community awaken.  The true pulse of an area reveals itself in those wee morning hours when most everyone else is slumbering.   The hub city of Rivas, Nicaragua has always provided exceptional early-morning photo moments.

Story Challenge – Letter L

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Frizztexts Story Challenge L, Jama destruction of beach, La Division Ecuador

ECUADOR:   Frizztext at Flickrcomments asked us to share a story or a short reflection tagged with the letter “L.”    I’m quite behind on posts, and hope to catch up over the next few days.  This gives me an excuse to formally introduce you to a sleepy little beach community a few kilometers away (from where I live) called La Division.

La Division is the dividing point between El Matal and Don Juan (The municipality’s own dump trucks left their tracks as they carried away load after load of sand.)

Didier Galindo Martinez

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Bahia De Caraquez, Didier Galindo Martinez, Museo Bahia De Caraquez Ecuador, Museum openings

Elizabeth, Didier & Sixtina (Director of Museo Bahia de Caraquez)  (Paintings: El Caminante/left Abundancia/right)

ECUADOR:  Every so often Life presents us with precious gifts when we least expect them. Didier Galindo breezed into my life during the opening of The Mola Series back in May of this year.  We became instant friends, and have enjoyed swapping ideas and attitudes about art.   While my paintings made their three-museum “Mola Series” tour, Didier was busy working on material for his upcoming show, Senderos de Luz,  in Bahia de Caraquez.  (Mola Series Summary- see: My Cup Runneth Over)

Abundancia – This bull and I had a staring contest;  He held my gaze, and we parted as friends!

Several weeks ago after a work week with ESCoffee  in Guayaquil, I stopped in Manta and visited with Didier.  Finished with his paintings, he walked with me across town, and I introduced him to my multi-talented friend, Gonzalo, who does my printing.   As we criss-crossed lanes of traffic,  Didier witnessed my concern when an acquaintance from my past appeared with no warning.

Sept 21 – WEAR WHITE FOR PEACE- International Peace Day

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activism and peace, Bahia de Caraquez Walk for Peace, ceasefire, International Peace Day, united nations, Wear White for Peace, Word Peace Day

White for Peace – Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi, Ecuador

What? (Gasp!) Wear white AFTER Labor Day?   (Do we dare?)  

 Lesley Fletcher, of Inspiration Import, reminded me of this custom back in August when we discussed  the ‘Wear White for Peace’ march in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador.

Lesley and Rosie (of Wandering Rose) both agreed to help kick off the ‘Wear White for Peace’ awareness in honor of the International Peace Day, which coincides with our yearly equinox on September 21.  “Surely,” we mused, “we could get a token thousand or so people to wear white?”  With your help, we could unite the world in a token salute of white!

Lesley’s post is so precious, you have to go there NOW by pressing here!

7.6 Costa Rica : Did YOU Feel It?

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7.6 temblor costa rica, Isla Ometepe, Retire in Ecuador

This little burro of a laptop and I are heading home today on the final stretch of this week’s journey!  A lovely thoroughbred patiently awaits in its box of a starting gate, and will soon be racing full throttle for its trial run through cyberspace!

View of Isla Ometepe Nicaragua

I’m about to check out of the hostal and will be travelling today.  Before leaving, I wanted to introduce you to a great post by my new friend on Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua.    She shares her story of  riding last week’s 7.6 wave of an earthquake!

Enjoy it HERE! (Retire in Nicaragua)

True to the relaxed attitudes in Latin America, my ride is fifteen minutes late, so I am able to select the “Publish” button before leaving!

See you in a few days!

Z

Morning – Jake’s Sunday Post

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Jake's Sunday Post Morning, Morning quotes, Playa San Miguel Costa Rica, Republic of Panama, Sunrise

Predawn eclipsed moon – Setting over Samara Costa Rica

The anticipation of dawn often nudges me outside, where daylight slowly permeates the twilight hours.  My essence drinks in the delicate softness as the day slowly awakens.   Basking in its freshness, I embrace the early morning and attune my senses to the beauty of nature.   Frustration rarely taints my day if the mornings are devoted to a silent conversation with nature.  

Why I creep outside before sunrise!

Morning; Jake tossed us a delicious morsel to ponder for this week’s Sunday Post Challenge.  Thoreau wrote, “Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me.”

Travel Theme – “Red”

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hibiscus, Manzana de Agua, Where's my backpack Travel Theme Red, Where's My Backpack: Red

Red Hibiscus and Quinoa “Quinouli”

Many talented photographers have contributed amazing images for Ailsa’s Travel Theme for this week.  Enjoy my token photos that illustrate the color RED!

Red and Green; Complimentary Colors

The Red-Carpet Treatment at Celebrity Restaurant – Portoviejo Ecuador

Red Capes – Watercolor for The Mola Series – Copyright/Lisa Brunetti

Near and Far – Weekly Photo Challenge

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jama ecuador, La Libertad El Salvador, Lake Atitlan Guatemala, Long Caye Belize, PHOTO CHALLENGES, San Jorge Nicaragua, San Juan Del Sur, San Miguel Costa Rica, Weekly Photo Challenge Near and Far

Manglaralto, Ecuador

The WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is Near and Far. Photos can magically portray a far-away location as if it were right in front of us.   By pairing an image in the foreground with one in the distance, one can strengthen and add depth to a photo.    Enjoy these images that transport you to far away locations as well as illustrate the perspective of near and far!  Z

Jumping Tarpon – Rio Colorado Lodge Costa Rica

La Libertad, El Salador

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Costa Rica 7.6 Temblor

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7.6 temblor costa rica, Playa San Miguel Costa Rica

Playa San Miguel, Costa Rica

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador

Hey all!

My dear son Chris always writes when he reads about a temblor in Latin America.  He once asked, “Mother, this might seem like a crazy question, but where are you?”  (That temblor was in Chile!)

Aerial Map Playa San Miguel/Nandayure/Guanacaste/Costa Rica  Map copyright Lisa Brunetti

I was not surprised to find his email waiting when I logged on to find out more about the temblor that rattled Costa Rica this morning.    While having lunch with the staff from ESCoffee, I heard the television announcer say, “…Costa Rica… Nicaragua.. Panama…” and I immediately turned to see why those countries were suddenly in the noticias.   “Oh my,”  I said, “I have many friends in that area…”

http://news.yahoo.com/powerful-earthquake-reported-costa-rica-150424668.html

There will surely be more information soon, but as my loved ones and I have always said, “No news is good news.”

To my friends in Costa Rica, I hope that your houses are intact, your water lines unbroken, and that everyone is fine.      Suffice to say that I’m sending you my love and energy, though I suspect there’s no electricity for you to touch base with the world!

Sorry, this is hurried.  Will be back online tonight!

Z

Reflections (Jake’s Sunday Post)

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Ecuador Rio Jama, Jake's Sunday Post, Jake's Sunday Post Reflection, Playa Rosada Nicaragua, Playa San Miguel Costa Rica, Unexplained Electrical Problems

Jake’s challenge for this week is REFLECTIONS

This week finds me reflecting on my history with things electronic;  over the past twenty or more years, I  have shorted out out random electrical items.   So many batteries on so many different watches have malfunctioned that I finally stopped wearing watches!   The one that stays tucked in my luggage continues ticking  –  two years and counting!   My finger on an elevator button, electric car window button or a copy machine ‘start’ button, at times,  triggers a malfunction.    Miguel Rendon of ESCoffee gave me a cell phone and insisted that I join the modern world and stay better connected;  on retrospect it’s a bit amusing that the phone joined the cemetery of sizzled electronics several months later!   Are there demons lurking in the shadows?