The Letter "P"

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. Our Host, Mrs. Nesbitt hails from Great Britain. We started with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. We are now in our second year, round 4! This week's letter is, "P".

PELE

The goddess of Fire. Growing up in Hawaii, there are many stories about sightings of Pele's wanderings. She is often seen as an old woman with long, white hair. For a complete background on the legend of Pele, go here.

Pebbles

Plumeria

Well, the underside of one as this one got washed up on shore! Note the remnants of a honeysuckle on the plumeria, a small branch with thorns on it, a piece of probably Kingsford charcoal (click on the image to get a closer look). The ocean is quite democratic on what it washes up onto the shore!

Papaya Picker

Not just papaya! I'm grimacing as hubby was taking too long to snap the shot! And the fact that it was becoming too 'posed' (hey, another "p" word!).

Emergence Myth

These ladders are a common architectural reference and decorating item throughout the Southwest. Nearly everybody uses them here in the Southwest. If you don't have one, you probably wished you did (I don't have one and I wish I did!).

What perplexes me is, what does this ladder really mean? I mean, they are everywhere here! But, I do wonder how many people really stop and think about the significance of the ladder.

I'm not entirely sure and I've been researching it and haven't really found anything conclusive. Just vague references. I do know that it is connected to the use of ladders in ceremonial kivas. Obviously, there is the function of the ladder in the kiva as a way to get in and out. But, why bother with digging a large hole in the ground for the kiva so that you have to climb in and out of it?

Based on what I could figure out from researching, it seems to be connected with the Native American Myth of Emergence (how the earth was created and how they got there). Every Native American group has their rendition of how the world was created and how man came to be. The kiva and it's structural arrangement represents this myth; a small hole or indentation in the center of the floor symbolizes the portal in which their ancestors emerged. There is a common theme of a three part arrangement: the underworld, the Earth and the sky.

Hence, the significance of the ladder; transitioning back and forth between these three domains.

If anyone has more to add to this, please do so! I think it odd that something often used as a design element and has become an icon in Southwestern architecture is not so readily understood!

More Shadow Shot Sunday images can be found at Shadow Shot Sunday.

The Letter "O"

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. Our Host, Mrs. Nesbitt hails from Great Britain. We started with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. We are now in our second year, round 4! This week's letter is, "O".

Octopus lure

An ancient Hawaiian fishing tool used to lure and catch octopus.

Orchid

These are growing in the wild right off the side of Volcano Village Road on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Outrigger

As in, outrigger canoes. This is the Kamehameha Canoe Club in Hilo; perhaps one of the largest canoe clubs in the state of Hawaii. You can read more about this club and Hawaiian canoe paddling traditions here.

Owl

In Hawaii, the word for owl is, "pueo" (pronounce all the vowels).

Twenty Fours Years Ago

This is what we did on this day twenty four years ago...

Happy Anniversary Honey!

(I wore his mother's dress...)

Ty Ranny Soarus

Meet Mr. Ty Ranny Soarus.

This image wasn't even a contender for today's shadow post. Mostly because I had already done several shadow posts from this expedition to Chaco Canyon in March. I was 'cruising' through my shadow image files looking for something that would fit in with what I was going to write about. Which was something on the topic of "worry". There was something about this shadow that made me scroll back to the image. Which is what made me take the picture in the first place. The fact that the shape of the shadow looked like something. OK, I still hadn't figured out what that 'something' was yet because I got sidetracked with the realization that the very shape of that shadow was echoed in the rock wall (if you want to see a larger image of this, just click on the image). Cool.

At first, the shape made me think of a camel. Then, I realized that it really was the profile of a Tyrannosaurus Rex! Waaaay cool.

Which got me thinking about the value in looking at something long enough to go beyond your initial impression. I think it takes an open mind to be able to look at the same thing in different ways and leaving judgment out of the equation. But, when you keep yourself open in this manner, it does allow you to see more!

So much for that post that I was going to do about 'worry'! Maybe some other time...

More Shadow Shot Sunday posts can be seen at Hey Harriet.

Nautilus, Negative, Noni, Nopal

"N" is for...

Nautilus. In this case, a fossilized Nautilus whose diameter is more than 3 feet! They grew them BIG back in those days!

Negative. Ha! Your brain is probably saying, "Hey, that's not a negative, but the face of Buddha!". But, Grasshopper, it is a negative of the face of Buddha.

Noni. Popular today for its phytochemicals. Grows just about everywhere in Hawaii (and elsewhere, but I haven't been to that many else wheres). A good overview of Noni can be found here.

Nopal. Another plant with medicinal uses!

There you go for my submissions for the letter, "N". Do stop by ABC Wednesday to see what others have come up with!

Encaustic Monotype Workshop with Paula Roland

This past Tuesday, I finally got the chance to take the Encaustic Monotype Workshop taught by Paula Roland! Although this short visual summary doesn't do the class justice, I hope it will suffice.

Wax going down on the hot plate (custom built Encaustic Monotype tables to draw and paint on in wax).

Paula (the teacher, not me) pulling off a print.

A collaborative print done by Sally Ann and myself.

This is one that I had done. I spent the class time exploring how each color of wax behaved. Each color acted differently because of the nature of the pigment that was in it. I was surprised about how you can draw with this medium. It is quite lovely to draw with! Kind of like working with an oil pastel and charcoal stick at the same time!

Another classmate's work. Her name is Kai but she did not give me a website to link to.

This was the other collaborative painting done by Kai and Nancy (I think that's what her name was).

This is Sally Ann who was my collaboration partner! We had fun working together-a good match, as they say.

Energy Flow

The Ebb and Flow of Your Energy...Do You Know What it Is?

Shadow shot of what might be a spent purple aster from last fall. Taken at Chaco Canyon, NM.

Energy. That's is what we are. A bi-pedal container of a vast array of energy. There's cellular and molecular energy within us, kinetic energy, static energy, muscular energy, emotional energy, energy from our thoughts and actions. Healing energy. We are in a constant state of energy every single moment we are alive. And, even after we've gone, I believe that our energy transforms into a different state not easily detected by those of us left behind.

It has been said that 60% of what we communicate is non-verbal. Yet, for the most part, we only focus on what is said. In the Speech Communication class I took several centuries ago, the non-verbal part of communication discussed was only within the context of our body language.

But what about the energy we are putting out there in the world? Shouldn't that warrant a good "look see'? Perhaps Communication Theory today now includes this. I admit that my information is rather dated.

What made all this energy thing percolate to the surface for me was in watching the National Geographic Show called, "The Dog Whisperer" with Caesar Millan. It is really interesting to watch how differently dogs behave when the energy from the people within their household changes. Caesar talks to the dog owners at great length how their energy affects their dog's behavior. And, we too, as human beings affect those around us with the energy that we put forth. It doesn't just apply to dog owners!

It seems that we often end up mirroring the energy that is coming from another person; particularly if their energy level exceeds yours! Anger. A pretty strong energy to put out there. Strong because it requires a LOT of energy to maintain it. Same goes for hate. Let me demonstrate (this requires you to actively follow my prompt and I hope that you do). Take your hand a create a very tight fist. Make that fist as hard and tight as you can. Really clench that fist. Hold it for as long as you can. Then, let go of that fist, allowing your fingers to relax into an open position that requires no energy whatsoever. Observe the difference between that clenched fist and the open hand. It took a lot of energy to maintain that clenched fist.

When we hold onto negative emotions, this is what we are doing to our energy. So much of it gets channeled into maintaining that level of emotion. How draining! And, we carry that around with us from day to day, often getting mirrored back to us from those that we come into contact with.

The whole point that I'd like to make here is that it is worth our while to stop and do a self inventory and identify the kind of energy we are putting out there at any given moment in time. This gives you a chance to consciously stop and shift gears. Perhaps from one of angst or anger to one of calm. In doing so, the door becomes open to be in the moment. Something we all talk about doing, but so difficult a thing to achieve!

To see more lovely and diverse shadow shots, stop by Tracy's place at Hey Harriet!

Manoges, Mariposa, Malasadas, Maui and Music!!

Featuring the letter, "M" this week for ABC Wednesday

Mangoes (mmmmm...)

This is what you see on all three flights of the escalator in the Neiman Marcus Store at the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu. A waterfall of golden Mariposas...

and on the third floor is their fabulous restaurant called, "Mariposa". If you're in the neighborhood, I highly recommend lunch on the outdoor patio. It is surprisingly affordable! This is what I had for dessert.

Malasada

Another MUST if you are on the Big Island of Hawaii. Along the coast from Hilo in a town called, Hamakua is this drive in called Tex Drive In. They serve piping hot and fresh malasadas daily (a Portuguese donut). Go early enough in the day before they stop making them. It is to DIE for and I swear you can easily eat half a dozen of these without any ill effects (except guilt)! I insist!

Maui

As seen from the southeastern shores of Moloka'i. From this point, it's about an 8 mile "swim". All you have to do is battle the wicked current and fend off the sharks!

Music

This is what many a family in Hawaii does when they get together. Our family is no exception!

Shut Up and Ride!! Bragging Rights Included...

It's the motto of many a twin tip skier (the "Shut up and Ride" part)! If you don't know what a twin tip ski is, go here.

Photo credit: Zach Hill

But, really it's all about freestyle skiing and having fun on the mountain. My dear husband, Mark is an avid skier. About a decade ago, he made the switch from straight skis to parabolic skis. From parabolic, he switched to twin tips. As I am passionate to art, he is passionate about skiing. So much that he, along with two other buddies, started up an on-line and retail store dedicated solely to twin tip skis. They named the company Twin Tip Nation. Three years later, they have succeeded like crazy in getting the company up, sponsoring events and getting kids out on the mountain by partnering with ski areas like Angel Fire, Taos and Pajarito by making the day lift passes affordable. It's been a LOT of work for the three of them and Mark is the "old dog" of the three as he is old enough to be their father (sorry honey!).

The development of this company not only includes an on-line site, but also a retail space where the walls are covered from floor to ceiling with really cool spray art (most of which was done by local spray artist, Nick Tramontina). They are only open during the ski season and even then, they are NEVER open on the weekends (gone skiing, of course). The hours are erratic, but their customer's have gotten the hang of it.

Talk about a success story in branding-their logo which is the acronym for the company's name, Twin Tip Nation (TTN) can be seen on many vehicles here in Rio Rancho, throughout the greater Albuquerque area and even out of state! In fact, when I was taking a painting workshop taught here by artist Jesse Reno, one of the workshop participants, Paula Snyder saw that I was associated with TTN and said, "I don't know what that logo means, but I see it everywhere and I want one on my car!". Let me know when you're ready, Paula and we'll get one on your car!

OK, now to the real part of the bragging rights. Even though my husband runs several internet companies, he is not necessarily a "techie". However, he has been motivated to produce his own video because he is a hands on, DIY kinda guy. So, he bought a Mac Pro laptop off of Craig's list that had the iMovie '09 software included. Downloaded video clips that he and his buddy shot. Added photos taken by Zach Hill (and a couple by me). Spent countless hours learning how to use the software and put together a clip that summarizes who they are. The music used (because of copyright issues) is courtesy of a local band. It might not be your kind of music, but it certainly is of those who do the freestyle skiing! To learn more about freestyle skiing, go here and look for the section called "New School".

I hope you do go to the link I am posting here to view the video clip. Mark did an amazing job and can now be considered dangerous in yet another area!!

Click here for the link.

The Great Juggling Act

"The quality of the imagination is to flow, and not to freeze."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In this case, the great juggling act (as we have many that we switch from throughout our day to day lives) is between being kinetic and static.

The above quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is intriguing. I would bet that most of us think of ourselves, or at least our imaginations as being kinetic. We're always thinking, always reacting. How can our imagination not be in a constant kinetic state? However, I would contend that it isn't as kinetic as we'd like to think. There are many aspects of how we view the world and our lives as fixed thoughts. For example, that cup of coffee or tea you have every morning. Like it. Gotta have it. Your favorite pair of shoes. Like it. Gonna wear them today. Your favorite dish served at your favorite restaurant. Love it. Can't wait to have it again. So, here we have a short list to serve as an example of what I mean by static.

Why should you re-visit or re-think something that you've already got an opinion or thought on? According to Renaissance thought, it was considered that the first role of the imagination was to keep old thoughts fresh through reflection, interpretation, and re-presentation. Wow. Knosh on that one for a while.

If you have seen some of the drawing portfolios and executed works of some of the heavy weights in the art world, many have sketches or paintings of the same subject matter. Re-visited. Re-invented. Re-thought out. You see this a lot in the printmaking world of etchings. Part of it is an exercise and a way of working out the logistics of how the image can be conveyed.

In the book, "Original Self (living with paradox and originality)" by Thomas Moore, he goes on to say:

"In the intersection of movement and stasis, life becomes interesting and is worth living. Change ennobles tradition, and honoring the old gives grounding to vitality and movement. The waters of a mountain stream flow constantly and yet it is one stream, a static picture of endless flow."

And we, my friends, have the fortunate job each day of finding ways to balance this juggling between the kinetic mind and the static mind.

Treat yourself to more lovely shadow shots (from a very kinetic global group)and stop by Tracy's Shadow Shot Sunday.

INRI

INRI is an acronym for the inscription IESVS·NAZARENVS·REX·IVDÆORVM (Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum), which translates to "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of Jews".

When I first saw this in the sacristy of our church, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (which is located in the North Valley of Albuquerque), my jaw dropped open and I stared in disbelief. It was smooth and cold like a very fine bone china would be. I asked what medium it was made with as it is a life-sized figure. Father told me that it was (gasp) papier mache and that it was made in Mexico many, many years ago. When the church was remodeled in the '60's someone was wise enough to take it into their care as many of the church's statues and art was being given away. When the current priest took charge of this parish a decade ago, he began a very slow process of restoring everything to it's original state (as much as possible). We were lucky enough to get this unusual piece back.

It's is called a corpus. It resides in an open wooden 'coffin' and in the altar of the church is a cavity with a glass panel where it stays all year 'round. The glass panel allows access to viewing.

On Good Friday (that would be today), it is taken out and placed on a life sized cross for the Good Friday service.

It is a beautiful work of art. It is a shame that we do not know anything about the person who made it-these are some of the things that do get lost over time, but I am in complete awe at the level of craftsmanship that went into this 3-dimensional work of art.

Let There Be...

LIGHT

(befitting for this week, being Holy Week)

In need of more "L" options?

LICHEN

LAVENDER IRIS

LOLLIPOP!!

Do stop by ABC Wednesday to view more "L" postings from around the world!

Aparigraha

"We shape the clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want."

Lao-Tzu

Shadow on wall of Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon (you can see submissions from around the world of shadow shots at "Hey Harriet" Shadow Shot Sunday)

Aparigraha, according to several yoga traditions is the act of non-possessiveness. According to Rolf Gates, author of "Meditations from the Mat", it is the art of appreciating emptiness in one's life and before we can learn to appreciate that emptiness, we must first learn to let go.

I had used this quote in a post I did nearly two years ago (my, how time flies!). The past two years has given me time to assimilate this thought and reflect on its meaning; like having a deeper perspective.

It is within our nature to not think of our thoughts as being a part of the physical world, or a part of our inventory of possessions. Hoarding is a behavior that we all possess too, and it is in the hoarding of so many thoughts and emotions that interfere with experiencing aparigraha. It requires quieting the mind, emptying it and letting go of expectations. This is hard for us to do because we are wired to react and respond to what is around us at all times. It is a part of our survival mechanism for this physical world. But, in order to transcend to the metaphysical, you do need to empty that 'pot'; surrender to whatever it is to come and trust it. This state of surrender, when achieved is truly blissful because it is without all the distractions of the inner chatter of our minds.

I can't say that I have ever achieved this absolute state of bliss, but I can say that I have experienced various levels of it.

For example, this past Friday, there were several art receptions of some friends of mine (Robert Redus and Barbara Shapiro) taking place in different galleries. I wasn't sure if I could make either of them since I was also expecting out of town company. As it was, my company hadn't arrived yet, and so I did have the chance to attend the receptions. At the first location, I ran into my dear friend, Leau. She had a similar game plan as I did, so we ended up traveling together for the evening. It was so serendipitous! We hadn't seen each other in quite some time and meeting up in this manner and spending the evening together couldn't have happened if we had tried to plan it. For myself, I had let go of having any expectations first about being able to go, and second trying to meet up with anyone to go with me. I was content to let the evening unfold without any orchestration on my part. It ended up being the perfect evening! I truly believe that in that letting go of expectations, it allowed for something even better to happen.

Granted, this is not really a metaphysical example of surrender and letting go of expectations, but it is indeed valid. This is the kind of thing that I call the starting points, or the germination of the process. In this case the process of learning what aparigraha is. It is a more practical, day to day experience of what it can be. It is in the simple exercises like this that can assist in leading you to higher levels of the process.

So, if you find yourself stressing out about something, stop and think about letting go of those thoughts and more importantly, expectations. Surrender to whatever it is that will present itself. I find that when I do so, I am always pleasantly surprised.