Signs and Visitations in San Miguel de Allende

Yesterday, after the drama of the storm, it rained steadily for some time. At about 9 o'clock last night as I took Choco out for his walk, it was still raining lightly. I opened the front wooden door, and then the outer metal door (which is sort of an open gate/grate-like thing.) We went out. I then closed the wooden door behind us and reached to close the metal door and there was a rather large lizard (well, not iguana-size, but not chameleon-size, either -- probably 8" long and a US quarter-size diameter) right by the latch (where I had just had my hand.) Startled the beejabbers out of me.

Frankly, I don't know how I hadn't knocked it off. My hand must have actually touched it. At any rate, I gasped. The lizard looked at me. I looked at the lizard. The is something so very, very old about a lizard's gaze. The lizard didn't move. Okay. I thought. That's weird. It was on the door, but didn't move when I rattled and slid the latch, swung the door open and shut. Maybe it's dead, I thought. But no. It was clearly looking at me. I looked back. Okay. I thought. I'll walk Choco and it will be gone when we get back. It wasn't. So I had to gingerly get in through both doors, then latch and close and padlock the metal door (which I do at night) which involved putting the lock on less than an inch from the lizard. Hell, less than 1/2" from the lizard. I really didn't want the lizard to panic and run up my arm or something. It didn't. I was relieved.

I kept thinking about the lizard. It wasn't dead, but maybe it was injured. No. What would an injured lizard be doing on a crossbar three feet off the ground on my door? Maybe it really was dead and someone had put it there as a hex. (I do live in a neighborhood of curanderas and witches, and this is not as completely far-fetched as it might seem...) Don't be ridiculous, I thought.

So I went upstairs and puttered around for a couple of hours. At about midnight, I was starting to get into my nightie and get ready for bed and I decided to go see if the lizard was gone. It wasn't. It looked at me. I looked at it. Back upstairs I decided the storm had either knocked it off an upper terrace or it had been washed out of somewhere and had climbed on the door to get safely out of the torrents of rain. Then I remembered that lizards are like snakes in that they go into a state of torpor when cold. The lizard must have gotten wet and cold and then crawled onto the metal door, which undoubtedly made it colder. Okay. I went to bed.

I got up at 8 to let Choco out. The lizard was still there. It looked at me. Shit, I thought. I carefully opened the door and closed it behind us. The sun hadn't yet cleared the hill and it was still cool. We walked. We returned. The lizard looked at me. I carefully opened the door and closed it behind us. I decided to wait until the sun had fully hit the metal door for at least an hour and the door and the lizard had a chance to warm up. At about 10, I went to the door. The lizard was gone. I looked everywhere around the door. Gone.

Pondering the Visitation of the Lizard, I consulted my Medicine Cards, which reminded me that Lizard is the Dreamer and the energy is from the Dream World of Symbols and Shadows. Pay attention She said, looking at me with her old, old eyes. To your Dreams, your Fears, your Synchronicities, your Inner World. Pay attention.

--Hope Swann

Love Thursday Eleven: Me, Mammers, and a Balloon

See how happy Mom is after riding in her birthday balloon?

More Love Thursday at Chookooloonks.

Love Thursday Guest Post: Gideon's Bowlful

I slept all the way to 6 AM this rainy Monday morning, and I might have slept longer if the demon I adore, a big black cat with a deviated septum who snerks and snores and stakes out the best part of the bed, hadn't begun wailing for food. He can't smell, and although his bowl is rarely empty, he lives with the persistent notion that there is no food left in the universe. I usually give in and get up and march him to the laundry room and put his hard head down in his bowl, and he snerks and snorts and dives in, eating like a stray who hasn't seen a meal in weeks.

But blissfully, this morning Gideon meandered heavy footed down the stairs, wailing all the while, and presumably found his way to his own bowl where there was no doubt food waiting. I rolled over in my warm bed next to my warm husband (who also snerks and snores), and he cuddled closer, waking briefly to say "We had a good weekend, didn't we?". I nodded into his shoulder, a strange feeling spreading in my chest - was that - could it be - happiness?

We had a completely unremarkable weekend by most standards. I went shopping for baby clothes with my pregnant daughter, an errand more of fun than necessity since the wee bairn is just now the size of a small apple, and Sunday night I cooked meatloaf and mashed potatoes for my son home from college. But I got out of the house without a panic attack, and I didn't cry over the baby clothes, or have a fit when the grated carrots went all over the place, and for two nights in a row I slept. Remarkable.

For a long time now I've been wandering heavy footed and wailing, certain that there was no sustenance for me in the Universe, and even when some well-meaning person shoved my head down into my full bowl, I refused to eat. I don't fool myself into believing that a handful of meds have healed me completely, but this morning Gideon found his own way and I went back to sleep, hopeful that I might be finding mine.

---J. Caroline Boatright

Carlos' Trick

The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same. --Carlos Castaneda

Beckon Lovely Again

I'm still crazy about Amy. (see old post here.)

Once again Chookooloonks has reminded me about Amy Krouse Rosenthal's wonderful videos 17 Things I Made and The Beckoning of Lovely. Here is her The Beckoning of Lovely one year later...

AND Amy is making a movie, but she's not doing it the Hollywood way...

Kids on the Ocean

I've stolen these from my friend Sue Camarados who found them on the web. I'm grinning. Thought you might too.

Children writing about the ocean:

1) This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. (Kelly, age 6)

2) Oysters' balls are called pearls. (Jerry, age 6)

3) If you are surrounded by ocean you are an island. If you don't have ocean all round you, you are incontinent. ( Wayne , age 7)

4) Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily Richardson . She's not my friend any more. (Kylie, age 6)

5) My uncle goes out in his boat with 2 other men and a woman and pots and comes back with crabs. (Millie, age 6)

6) When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn't blow the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans.. (William, age 7)

7) Mermaids live in the ocean. I like mermaids. They are beautiful and like their shiny tails, but how on earth do mermaids get pregnant? Like, really? (Helen, age 6)

8) Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting. Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves into chargers. (Christopher, age 7)

9) The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don't drown I don't know. (Bobby, age 6)

10) My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn't know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom. (James, 7)

Grace in Small Things #197 of 365

1. How the internet can make me laugh...

2. This post showing yoga having the same benefit as drinking...

3. This post of Carrie Fisher's about her weight and shape.

4. This post about trying to open plastic packaging

5. Sophia the Beagle's amazing chicken wire climb

Grace in Small Things #196 of 365

1. Laptops with cameras!

2. Punk, supplier of infinite inexpensive entertainment

3. Judge rolling in the grass. Even after spine surgery, he's still got it!

4. Calling Cambo on his new cell phone he got for his FIFTEENTH birthday!

5. This blue lamp which gives me a little bit of joy everyday when it clicks on at 5pm and clicks off at 11.

Grace in Small Things

Grace in Small Things #192 of 365

1. Me and My first best friend

2. This swing on Grandma's front porch (looking through the old parlor windows.

3. This painting Lisa is working on in my studio

4. This dog sitting on the bookshelf at the farm.

5. This glass heart

go to Grace in Small Things

Love Thursday #12: Grandma turns 98

Grandma turned 98 last week and we had a big party at her farmhouse.

Grandma's greeting party as she comes down the van lift.

Grandma with one of her great grandkids and pooch.

Grace in Small Things #171 of 365

1. This night sky in North Carolina Blue Ridge

2. This ampi-theater where I got to tell my stories on Saturday night

3. Mountain and foothill loot:

4. My loving cousins who loved on my dogs, spic n span'd my refrigerator, organized my studio, all for love. My ten year-old cousin left me her hand-drawn kisses:

5. Welcome home greeting party:

Grace in Small Things #169 of 365

1. creamy goat cheese and pears, cold dry white wine

2. girls at any age sitting around the pool catching up

3. male forearms

4. excellent words whose sounds match their meaning like buzz and zing and sanctimonious

5. bedside tables

Love Thursday #11: Blowing Bubbles

Don't you just love bubble blowing?

But it's hard work...

For more Love Thursday, Checkout Chookooloonks.

Love Thursday #10: Stone Fruit

Keb Mo played on the stereo and a terrific thunderstorm pounded outside while I made this

Stone Fruit Patchwork Bake. Something about baking a simple peach & cherry cobbler with

folks you love in mind--it feels important.

For more Love Thursday, check out Chookooloonks.

Love Thursday #9: Grandma at 98

Grandma turns 98 in August. I'm lucky to have her around.

We're throwing her a party at her house which is down the road from the rest home. She and her wheel chair will ride in a van with a lift. Her daddy built the house and many others in the area almost 100 years ago. She's still running things, so we won't be bringing any presents, just a bunch of love.

For more Love Thursday, checkout Chookooloonks.

Love Thursday #8: Maters

My friends who farm shower me with tomato love: Heirloom, Pineapple, German, Roma, yellow, cherry...

Kristin and Marc Daly's dining room table with bounty from their Albemarle, NC farm.

For more Love Thursday, check out Chookooloonks.

Love Thursday #7: Grandma and Grandpa's Farm

Visiting my Dad's parents when I was a kid meant climbing in the hayloft, riding on the back of a tractor, simple meals, and early bedtimes. Years later, I moved into the farmhouse for a time. Even now, I recognize the farm as being the only constant landmark in my life.

The spring pasture and Judge

The now dilapidated barns and silo viewed from the house

viewed from the pasture

The hayfield

rainy day cows

For more Love Thursday, checkout Chookooloonks.

Grace in Small Things #144 of 365

1. Blowing Bubbles

2. Kristin's Tomato Pie, Mama's basil:

3. Kate's Wannabee sewn and sculpted all by her lonesome:

4. Backyard blooms despite the heat

5.Punkadoo (click to get a better look.)

Love Thursday #6: Watermelon!

For more Love Thursday, check out Chookooloonks!

Grace in Small Things #139

1. This cashier

with July 4th Hair.

2.

This girl.

3.

These gals.

4. and this studio

5.

These parents.

Revisiting Max Ehrmann

Because it's still inspiring...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.


Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.


Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Love Thursday #5: Purpley Certain

My friend Hope decided I must have her purpley chair. She and her husband dropped it off at my house Sunday. I christened it with my favorite blue pillow. Then spent the rest of the night walking in and out of the sun room to look at it. I get a little jolt everytime I see it's bright bold poofiness.

For more Love Thursday, checkout Chookooloonks.

Grace in Small Things #131: It's Always the Little Things

Grace in Small Things is a place I visit most days to list five things

for which I'm grateful. You can do it, too. Follow the link.

I've made it to #131:

1. This Book in which today I

cracked the spine, burned, spit,

and drew a purpley chair on a page

dripped candle wax on a page

smashed olives between pages

and tonight I'm sleeping with it.

2. This Procrastination thing. Always turns out to be for the best. Now if I could just roll with it!

3. This Magazine. I especially like the "Readers Write" section where readers tell stories on given topics. Real eye into the soul stuff.

4. This Woman who flounced around in Deep Water Aerobics today.

5. This Place where I work.

Where I was so happy to be tonight (and not just because I was procrastinating a deadline!)

A Gift from Elspeth

LoLaSuzanne photo of flowers by the Rio Grande

Our simplest gesture or gift, freely given, without expectation of return, can deeply touch someone and lift their spirits. We never know.

Before I "went off to do my own thing" I used to work in advertising. Sometimes at lunch I would go and pick flowers with some of my friends/co-workers, then we would pile into my car and drive around, stopping to give flowers to random people standing at the roadside. Suspicious of being given something freely by a complete stranger, some people would either take a while to accept the flower or would not take it at all. Most people, however, were touched by the gesture and would accept the bloom with a smile and an expression of gratitude.

My clearest memory is of the old man standing on the sidewalk, wearing a suit, holding a large briefcase. I pulled my car over and one of the girls hopped out and gave him a flower. He thanked her and, as we drove off, I looked in the rear view mirror. I saw him smiling at the flower. Then he opened his briefcase and carefully placed it inside.

--Elspeth in Trinidad and Tobago

Love Thursday #4: Traveller

He can't walk, but he can ride.

For more Love Thursday, check out Chookooloonks.

Daddio

Grace in Small Things One Hundred Twenty Three

1. The way he called me Laurie when I was a little girl.

2. The way he built a dog "structure" for Tuck, my first dog.

3. The way he is conservative but genuine and open minded and fair.

4. The way he looks after my stepmother.

5. The way he looks after me.

Recycling Daffodils

In 1926, men built Highway 21 right smack dab through the tiny town of Harmony, North Carolina and straight up Great Granddaddy's farm. The mules and plows kicked up the buttercups Great Grandma planted at the side of the country road and flung them to the wind.

Now ninety years later, they show up everywhere--the middle of the hayfield, against the gutter of the old Baptist church, and here next to cowpath way out in the pasture.

Great Grandma's Buttercups wind up in Pasture photo by LoLaSuzanne

Love Thursday #3: Heir

my backyard gardenias passed down from a long line of grandmas (photo by LoLaSuzaanne)

My great great grandmother gave her six year old granddaughter Lucile clippings from her gardenia bush. Lucile nursed those budlings until they were big enough to plant around the brick farmhouse her daddy built.

Grandma Lucile eventually rooted clippings from the same bushes for her own grandkids including me. The smell of these June blooms in my backyard reminds me of my connection to this line of practical gardenia-growing women. The ones who, despite a scarcity of funds, found a way to share beauty all the way down to me. The original bushes, still at the farmhouse, are not as prolific as they once were but have progeny across the land.

At almost 98, Grandma can't see the buds anymore but when I visit her this week, I'm hoping she can still smell the clippings I'll bring along.

**Check out more Love Thursday at Chookooloonks.**

Love Thursday #2 Being Goofy

Remember how you used to play with funny eye-glasses just to make your cousins laugh?

...and your little dog too?

Love Thursday is a Chookooloonks creation.