
Tent Community between Jama and Playa El Matal (Ecuador)
Greetings to all on this USA day of Thanksgiving. In strong contrast to those affected by world-wide unstable weather, I spent the early morning helping with finishing touches on a mural-painting “minga” near Mindo’s central park. Students, teachers and artists worked in easy harmony over the past few days while all-but perfect sunny skies smiled upon us.
Although the experience filled me with gratitude for these lovely people who embrace foreigners into their culture, my thoughts have also been tweaked to equally-loving people in Central America who are and will be affected by Otto’s late-November visit to the area.
May Otto be kind and remember his manners on this day of Thanksgiving?
News of snow, fires, storms, earthquakes and volcanoes continue to pop into my cyber news, though the ‘Top World News’ stories often feature less-serious issues.

We painted a small swirl on the globe with respect to those who are in Huurricane Otto’s path…
Please pause every so often through your day and remember those who are in less-idyllic settings, and yes, remember to cherish those who make your Life a bit more special.
Thanks go to ALL of you who support my stories, photos and artistic whims, and a special ‘Thanks’ for all who take time to comment, even when I am silent!

More about the murals soon1
You are cherished,
Z
I am loving the murals! Happy thanksgiving to you Z.
Alison
Thank you so much! The light has been so pure and strong -makes for dramatic photos in this Ecuadorian gps point!
Sending greetings your way Lisa.. and love the artwork and I hope the storm passes by my friend xxx Hugs
Thank you, Sue, and may your day smile on you as well. I enjoyed the video you shared this morning.. very appropriate!
Thank you Lisa… and I am delighted you enjoyed the share xx Many thanks to you xx
Dear Lisa, Among the things I’m grateful for today is people like you……people who spread joy to places around the world where joy is possible but sometimes, because of difficult situations, often hard to experience. I see on your posts the joyful experiences you and your art provide. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving. Judy >
Judy, that is so sweet of you to say that, and some of my posts surely make you wistful to be back in Ecuador. It would be great to see you and Clyde and we visit some of your old haunts — how fascinating would that be – to see the country thru your eyes via flashbacks!
Happy Thanksgiving — no matter how you celebrate it!!
Thank you, Hugh! I hope that yours went well, too!
I feel so thankful and so blessed to be warm and dry and with plenty of food to soon share with friends. My thoughts are surely with Central America as well as with the water protectors in South Dakota who continue to protest even though they are hit with rubber bullets, shock grenades, bear spray (which is illegal) and water cannons, all in sub-freezing temperatures. They are my heroes.
Thanks, Emilie, and like you, I admire those who stand up for their lands and for what most realize is right. When money and man’s greed go first, everyone loses.
Beautiful work as always — think of you often and hope all’s well.
Hey Bob, and thanks so much! Yes, you are missed here in Latin America – every time I visit those same areas, your spirit and neutral way of seeing the larger picture burns through….
Bob, I’m looking at the flooding in Italy and wondering if that weather heads your way…. Hope all’s fine there…
Those are in the northwest parts of Italy, west of Turin towards the French border, quite a ways from here. We had some fairly serious flooding a week or two ago in eastern Slovenia; flooding in general in central Europe has become more frequent and more serious.
A blogger out of Panama shared this ‘windy’ link which has been interesting to study… Now that Otto’s weaned into the Pacific, I am now focused on the movement of air currents over the entire globe.
https://www.windytv.com/?rain,57.030,-21.551,3
Art therapy – oh, the smiles you bring, Lisa.
Ha.. I just laughed.. thank you, as you bring smiles as well!
It is uplifting to see all those smiling faces working on this community project. You are a moving force among your community. Keep up the good work and inspiration.
Thank you for your kind words; it would be wonderful if one day you found your way to latitude zero and experience this culture.. ha, maybe we can convince otto to do a photo workshop here!
Now there’s an idea!
The murals look wonderful and I love the action shots !
🎨🎨🎨
Thank you so much! The entire event was one of collective community spirit and harmony; a great twist to the traditional Thanksgiving options!
really nice twist!