“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” Benjamin Franklin
This quote by Franklin reflects two totally different themes that touched my life this week. One is an ongoing payback to a dear friend who owns Hostal Ciragan in Jama Ecuador. Because I have stayed with them so often over a seven-year period, she often refuses my money.
“Hmmmm. Two can play that game,” I smirked, and when possible, I leave behind a token, “Thank you” smile.
The top image is there to remind you that the spring equinox approaches, and in a month some of us will be marking the sun’s shadow at noon and possibly again at sunset. (June Solstice Sundial) Please consider awakening your inner compass and reconnecting with our earth and witness the sun’s path across our horizon!
There are so many options to take timeouts for art! Tap into your talents and start a new project – it can be as easy as marking the sun’s shadow and pondering the token parts we play in this amazing journey of life!
Z
hughcurtler said:
We love to trace the different paths of the sun during the year — the way it throws light and shadow in a different place each day. It is fascinating — but something you don’t get where you live, I suppose?
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
it’s amazing how much the sun changes from solstice to solstice. when one thinks about it, it makes sense.. we watch it trek way north til it stops in june, and then it treks way south til december. our noon shadows on those solstice days are quite long.. we should all post shadows on the solstice and equinox days and compare from different points in the world!
z
cindy knoke said:
my like keeps getting erased!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
well shame on the like button!!! sometimes it’s frustrating when those bells and whistle fail to load properly!
i’m in ‘town’ where i remain in shock that the buttons work, the notification window loads, and i can read and reply to comments – and they actually go through the first time!! yippee!
tomorrow i’ll be returning home, where it’s in dinosaur mode!
eghoartculture said:
i love the quote.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thanks!
i like your gravatar! z
Xraypics said:
Hi, Lisa, This is a project I want to do with my grandchildren. Unfortunately the monsoonal trough means we are under cloud for most of this month – Perhaps during the winter equinox when it is dry. Thanks for reminding me. I love the pictures you put ip, and what a nice idea to leave behind a smile where you stay. Tony
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
oh yes, that sounds like costa rica’s september and october months, and there’s usually a nasty hurricane swirling around during that september equinox…measuring the sun’s march toward the final solstice point is always a great lesson.. mark it with three rocks, and start about a week before the day of the solstice.. it’s amazing how much it changes daily and then magically ‘stops’ then begins its retreat the next day… it really helps one realize how much the planet changes from day to day… and to grasp the concept of the seasons.
Gallivanta said:
A lovely reminder to be present in our surroundings and note what is happening. Oh, I would love you to be my guest and leave a little thank you smile 🙂
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thanks! i would start with that bucket of a mailbox, and maybe it would prompt the entire neighborhood to switch to machine-proof buckets!!!
Gallivanta said:
That would be awesome!
Rewired and Retired in Nicaragua said:
Just a thought…you are welcome to come to our house, stay in our casita de tortuga as long as you want…and only leave behind a smile. 🙂
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
one of these days i would LOVE to return to ometepe, visit more petroglyphs (and the ones i’ve visited before) and note what’s changed on the island – good and bad.
it would be such a pleasure to visit your pretty spot in paradise, meet the people that color your life and bask in the love that you’ve put in your place… and if i am able to prompt you back into painting huge works of art – or lots of minute ones – it would be lagniappe!
you’re a very multi-talented person, and i love following your tales of life on that unique island!
btg5885 said:
Z, I love the Benjamin Franklin quote. What is a sundial in the shade? Priceless. I like the contrast of the last two pictures. Have a great weekend. BTG
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
so glad you enjoyed the quote and the post! my weekend should be quiet, and i look forward to lots of painting! z
Mary said:
This is beautiful, wonderful friends are a gift – you guys cherish each other, nothing better. Love your work, but as a token is priceless.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thanks amiga!
am letting a wash of ‘green’ dry and will be checking out soon!
sigh.. back to slow internet til next week!
z
restlessjo said:
I’m still smiling at Cindy! 🙂 Technology? Pah! Now being dazzled by the sun as it slides down the sky- that I can do!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
YES! it’s amazing to watch the shadow, even during the final hours of the day; it doesn’t slide straight down, but at an angle, so marking it at 3 won’t reflect where the sun sets at 6!
Steve Schwartzman said:
The plate looks like an eye.
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