Zig Zagging with Zabaglione Whilst Being Zany

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "Z". Our last letter for this round! I hope we have another round which would be round 7!

ZANY

Zany. That would be me. If anything, I hope this image made you bust out laughing. Just call me Zany!

ZIG ZAG

You get a double treat of  "Z" with zig zag! When I got my sewing machine a few years back, I did a sampler so that I could remember the dial settings. You see I have "zig zag" at the top.

ZABAGLIONE

Hard to believe that I haven't made this myself (seeing as I like to cook). I think it's because I generally do not make desserts because I would devour it myself before the sun comes up the next morning! This is from a random stranger's blog courtesy of a Google search. It does include the recipe, so I may have to make it! The name of the blog is Belly Timber and I hope you visit it as it is pretty darned cool with great recipes (including a molasses version of zabaglione). They haven't posted since 2008, but it is a great site.

ZAFTIG

Zaftig. What a FUN word! I never knew...it means a 'deliciously round, plump woman'. And, I'm happy to say that I have my very own 'zaftig' image that shouldn't offend. She is from my glass negative stash.

Yodeling Through Yowah to Yokohama

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "Y".

A Yowah Matrix Opal

(image from www.opaladdiction.com)

I have this really fascinating book that I've been reading (slowly). It's called, "Jewels: A Secret History" by Victoria Finlay (I also loved her book on "Color: A Natural History of the Palette"). It's the kind of book that allows one to skip around and not have to read things in order (although I'm sure it would better if I did). The current chapter I am on is about the history of opals. It is in this chapter that I learned about Yowah Nuts. I don't doubt that for those of you in Australia this is not something new. For people like me, it certainly is!

YOWAH NUTS

(image from www.ibeopals.com)

Yowah Nuts from Yowah, Australia. Oh, and if you are in the vicinity of Yowah anytime soon, be sure to stop by for their annual Yowah Opal Festival! It runs from July 16th-18th.

YOKOHAMA BAY (Hawaii)

(image from www.pachd.com)

Yokohama Bay, Hawaii. Out by  Kaena Point. This is what it looks like in the summer. In the winter, with the storm surges, a bit different. I'm not sure why it's called a bay because in looking at the coastline and where this is, I can barely perceive an indentation in the shoreline that is characteristic of bays.

Oh, and of course, there is Yokohama City and Yokohama Bridge both of which are in Japan.

How about Yahoo? No, not the internet Yahoo search engine. Not that one. But the one that preceded it from Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels". They were savage creatures that resembled humans who were obsessed with pretty stones they found by digging in ;the mud. Swift's characterization of these creatures were a satirical statement on the ignorant elitism and materialism encountered in British society. The term, Yahoo became synonymous with 'cretin' and  'Neanderthal'.

Today, Yahoo bears no resemblance whatsoever to Swift's connotation!

Interesting, huh?

YAKITORI (Yummy...)

 


I think Anthony Bourdain does a pretty darned good job of summing up traditional Yakitori cuisine in this video (from his Travel Channel series, "No Reservations"). However, in Hawaii and in larger cities across the U.S., one can find a decent fast food version of Yakitori food. Yes, even drive through!

It's All Greek To Me (well, mostly Aztec)!

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "X".

"X" is pretty darned tough to do. I think I've already used them all in previous ABC posts since I'm a glutton for punishment and have a habit of posting at least 4 examples of the week's letter. Not a good startegy for letters like "X"!

So, I turned to the Aztecs for help. Man, they have a LOT of "X" words/names! The Greeks do too. I also employed the ever so handy Wikipedia in my quest for images and help with spelling and their content.

XOLOTL 

In the Aztec world, Xolotl was associated to both lightning and death. I will have to tell you that I cannot help you in pronouncing these Aztec (Nahuatl) words! They never sound the way they appear, that's all I know.
Xolotl was also the god of fire and bad luck and is the twin of Quetzacoatl. That's another story for another time.
Studying the art of the Aztecs is simply fascinating; I wish I had it in me to study it and become an expert. I have to admit that I get confused because for one, I can never spell the names and if I could master that, there is still the dilemma of learning how to pronounce them correctly.

XIPE TOTEC

Xipe Totec...the lord of the flayed one: an Aztec deity of agriculture. If you're like me, you are sitting there wondering, "What the heck? Flayed one?". How does that relate to agriculture? The flaying is "symbolic of giving food to humanity such as the maize corn looses their outer layer before germination or snakes having to shed their skin" (OK, I get it as far as the corn goes, but the snake?). A very complex and abstract kind of thinking, I think. Almost too much for me to wrap my head around! Sigh...those Aztecs. Such warriors and thinkers!

XOCHIQUETZAL

 Xochiquetzal. Say THAT one fives times real slow! I can't even say it once!

She is a "goddess associated with concepts of fertility, beauty, and female sexual power, serving as a protector of young mothers and a patroness of pregnancy, childbirth, and the crafts practiced by women such as weaving and embroidery" (I haven't figured how to do footnotes here in Blogger, but this is directly from Wikipedia).

There is a bit more about her that is intriguing-visit the link to learn more!

XEROGRAPHY

Xerography, or the xerographic process.

Most of us barely remember the printing process before xerography, which is a dry printing process. What preceeded it was a process that used wet chemicals. The inventor,  Chester Carlson, originally named the process, "electrophotography" because it combined an electrostatic process with a photographic process. Doesn't really roll off the toungue, I suppose. It was later named, xerography: "xeros", from the Greek root, meaning "dry" and "graphia" (antoehr Greek root), meaning, "writing".

I always wondered why the first photocopying company was named, Xerox. This is where the saying, "it's all Greek to me" holds true!!

Happy ABC Wednesday to you all!

Whirling Around With Whisks, Wood Worms and Wrenches!

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "W".

Such as, in "Wormwood"

No, not in the sense of "Artemisia absinthium" (absinthe), but more so in the LITERAL sense! Wood worms. Worms that attack the wood. Oh, I'm certain there is a more appropriate name for this kind of 'destruction', but this is what I call it! And, I wouldn't doubt that the insect that causes this trail under the bark of a tree isn't a worm at all. But, I'd like to think so....and that's MY reality!!

WRENCHES

Most men I think, would be pleased to see this in their garage. I might too, if I had a use for all of them. But, I don't! And, before you get the wrong impression, this is NOT my husband's collection of wrenches! It belongs to someone else who is able to find his tools whenever he needs to!

WASP NEST

Is this not cool???? Oh, I thought so! It was one of those coconut wind chimes that gave me great pleasure for many years listening to it outside of my dining room window when it was windy. For several years, I observed wasps going to and fro from this wind chime and thought nothing of it (how silly is that?). Last year, due to age and just one too many violent wind storms, it kind of broke apart. All the 'chimes' fell off, leaving us to discover the reason for the wasp activity! I can't say that I blame the wasps for building a nest in the coconut shell. It is a perfect place for that! Anyway, I took the photos I needed and gave it to my friend, Leighanna in hopes that someday she'll create some assemblage art from it! You never know...

WHISKS

I have quite the collection and yes, I do use them all!  I have smaller ones too not pictured in this photo. Part of my kitchen gadget addiction-a practical addition since I do use what  I have! Honestly, I do!

Vintage Visayan

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "V".

VISAYAN 

(Tatay and Grandma)

My father's parents hailed from the island of Cebu in the Philippines and are Visayan.

From Wikipedia (as they describe it best):

"The Visayas is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea. Its population are referred to as the Visayans.
The major islands of the Visayas are Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. The region may also include the islands of Romblon and Masbate, whose population identify as Visayan."

So, now you know a part of my ancestral history!

Follow up to the VANS SNEAKER CONTEST...

In case you were wondering what happened to that plea I made for everyone to Vote for Rio Rancho High School Vans Sneaker Contest...

Well, they not only won being the top four finalists, but the WON the entire event!! And, they had quite the trip to California and quite the red carpet treatment from Vans. Thanks to everyone who  helped to get them there by voting for them and passing the word along!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

VEIN

Ha! Not the kind of vein you would think of, I bet!

An excerpt from Wikipedia:

"In geology, a vein is a distinct sheetlike body of crystallized minerals within a rock. Veins form when mineral constituents carried by an aqueous solution within the rock mass are deposited through precipitation. The hydraulic flow involved is usually due to hydrothermal circulation."

Now, there's a good word, "hydrothermal circulation"! Stash that one away for Round 7 of ABC Weds!   ; 0

VITAMINS

Take your vitamins. Eat your vegetables...I am not fond of having to take vitamins, but it seems that I need them. At least I'm not on a bunch of perscriptives! Always a 'bright' side, isn't there?

U. You. Ewe. It all sounds the same...

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "U".

UNDERSIDE

It's a different perspective when you look at something from a different angle. Such as, the underside of this hibiscus flower. Pretty cool, huh?

UNION JACK

(this image is from Wikipedia's site)

The Union Jack flag is the flag of Great Britain. It was introduced as the flag in 1606 (wow, that's a long time ago!). The Wikipedia site (click on the word) has an interesting article on the origin of the name "Jack". Perhaps it is safest to just refer to it as the Union Flag. The Hawaiian flag also looks like a Union Jack and that too, is an interesting article if your muse is curious!

URANUS

(source is unknown for this image)

Would I be able to tell the difference between Uranus and Saturn just by looking at a picutre? I'm not sure!
From Wikipedia's site:
"Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun, and the third-largest and fourth most massive planet in the Solar System. It is named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky Uranus (Ancient Greek: Οὐρανός) the father of Cronus (Saturn) and grandfather of Zeus (Jupiter). Though it is visible to the naked eye like the five classical planets, it was never recognized as a planet by ancient observers because of its dimness and slow orbit.^[16] Sir William Herschel announced its discovery on March 13, 1781, expanding the known boundaries of the Solar System for the first time in modern history. Uranus was also the first planet discovered with a telescope."

'ULU

(this image is from Wikipedia's site)

'Ulu is Hawaiian for, breadfruit. At any given luau in Hawaii, it is often served. It is baked in the imu (a Hawaiian underground oven) along with the pig. 'Ulu was a staple to the Hawaiian diet, and I must admit, I rather like how it tastes. Sort of like a yellow sweet potato, but with a more dense texture. I love the breadfruit trees; most especially because of the large, dark green leaves that it has.

A LINOCUT PRINT OF 'ULU

Although I did the lino cut of this image, the artwork is not mine. It is of Deitrich Variel who does wondeful woodcuts depicting Hawaiian life. As far as I knkow, he lives in Hilo. I did a name search on him and came up with nothing, which is hard to believe since his prints are extrememly popluar in Hawaii. I'm sure someone from Hawaii will clue me in?

ADDENDUM: Glenda clued me in. Although I own a print of his, that's how I read his signature! His name is Dietrich Varez. No wonder my name searches didn't work. Check him out. Thanks, Glenda!

Tall Tales Told to Thousands

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "T".

TEXTURE

I would be remiss if I did not include "texture' in this post! I am, indeed, a texture hound. Obsessed, you might say. Just as I am about shadows (and that's another story)! And this poor pine tree is suffering from some unwanted texture on it's bark. I'm not a botanist, but this can't be a good thing. This pine tree is about three stories high on the floor of Bandelier Park here in Northern New Mexico. I loved the texture on the tree, but hated the reason why it occurred as the fate of the tree is sealed.

THERMOS

Oh, how would you say the plural of Thermos? Thermoses? Really, really cool store front window in Truth or Consequences (once again). The ENTIRE window display was of old vintage Thermoses like these. Too hard to take a picture of it al due to the sun and glare on the glass. But, this is a nice slice and I'm sure you won't object!

TOMBSTONE

Tombstone at a greave site near Jemez, New Mexico. Perhaps this may sound strange to many, but it really was a lovely grave site. These loved ones are not forgotten.

TUTU 

(not the kind you wear 

in ballet class though)

Tutu in the Hawaiian language means, 'grandmother'.  This beautiful tutu is in Hilo and I have no idea who she is, except that I saw her at a luau I attended and she was so beautiful, stately and elegant. I had to sneak a photo of her and got lucky as she had her grandson in her arms at that time and did not know m presence. And, yes, those are real flowers in her hair. I think they are called, puakenekene. If someone knows, feel free to correct me!

Sliding into the Sunny Days of Summer

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "S".

Sedum

Sedum: also know as stonecrop. It grows really well here in my New Mexico garden. It is very faithful; coming back in spring and is the first to bloom in my garden. The ones that I have are great as they bloom at least twice in one season! And, their dried flower heads are fascinating...

Sand Art

Me thinks this is from a trip home to Molokai in the summer of 2007. Mark and I hiked down to the Kalaupapa peninsula for a day trip and the beach is what awaits you at the bottom of the 3.8 mile switchback trail (27  switchbacks?). Can't swim at this beach because it has wicked cross currents and undertow-not to mention a lot of hungry sharks! Anyway, my husband, Mark decided to amuse himself by casting this image in the sand.

Sunflower

There is nothing that marks the arrival of summer as well as the sunflowers that abound everywhere here in this state. You see the first blooms in June and they continue on until the fall. These are called new Mexico sunflower and they get VERY tall; over six feet! And, they have clusters of flowers up and down the stalk instead of one large bloom.

Sea Shells

Say it. Sea shells. 

Say it again. Sea shells.

Come on, I know you know what's coming next!!!

Say it five times really fast! 

"She sells sea shells by the sea shore."

"She sells sea shells by the sea shore."

"She sells sea shells by the sea shore."

"She sells sea shells by the sea shore."

"She sells sea shells by the sea shore."

Now, go untangle your twisted tongue...

Really Relieved!

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "R".

Really Relieved...

That's our son, John Kenneth Scott (named after my dad and Mark's dad respectively), who just graduated from high school. What a milestone! As parents, I think we all pretty much 'hold our breath' as our child approaches major milestones in their lives. And then, heave a huge sigh of relief once they reach that milestone! Now, for the next one...complete college!

REDUCE

REUSE

RE-CYCLE

All three of these images are from last November's annual art venue called, "Recycle Santa Fe". It's been on-going for many years now, so it is very well established and attended. I love going to this show! It starts on a Friday night and kicks off with a fashion show with kids that are knee high to a bullfrog to adults participating in it. The catch is that what you wear must be made from recycled goods. And, to sell your art in this show over the weekend, at least 70% of each piece must be made from recycled items. The vendors come near and far and most of them do very well in selling their goods. My problem is that I find too many things that I want for myself!

I didn't get to attend last year's fashiion show, but I did make it up for the rest of it later that weekend. I have images from 2007's fashion show on a previous post. Take a look at it as it is a hoot! What made it even more fun is that my friend, Donna Barnitz was the one whose outfit that she made (with matching umbrella) won the grand prize (it was modeled by her daughter, Katie).

No Queues for Queens

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "Q".

 QUEEN Liliuokalani

 (image is from Wikipedia's site)

Queen Liliuokalani is my favorite Queen. She ranks high on my list of people I admire and am inspired by. And so gracious too, under such tragic circumstances. And really, that is an understatement...

QUILL

Quills. Now, that's certainly a thing of the past! Most people I'm sure would not even know that quills were used for writing. When we were little, my brothers and I liked to pretend that were were growing up in Abe Lincoln's day and thought it exciting to write with quills by candlelight. Kinda kooky, huh?

QUATREFOIL

Quatrefoil-I didn't know what it was until I stumbled upon this word, looked it up, then did the quest for an image. During the quest, I kept thinking,"Where have I seen this in my everyday life before?". Good grief! My hallway mirror, that's where!

QUEUE

 (image from Hub pages.com)

Queue. Most people know this word as in being 'queued in line". But it is also a pigtail-really, a Manchurian hair style. Read up on the link I've provided. It is really fascinating how it was used by the Chinese. I had no idea!

Perspectives

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "P".

PINWHEELS

Rather large ones, at that! This was an installation I did on the UNM (Univ. of New Mexico) campus many, many moons ago. The pinwheels are about four feet tall and the stands that they are on are galvanized pipes and the 'wheels' are made of a plastic called 'cintra' that was spray painted and cut to size. I've bee known upon occasion to place these pinwheels in my backyard for fun. They're not good as a permanent display since wind and weather disintegrates them.

POLAROID PRAYING MANTIS

This fun little guy was a cell phone capture as he was hanging outside the door to our local library. And of course, I had to play around with the image even more so and added the Polaroid feature (courtesy free on line photo software called: Picnik. www.picnik.com).

PLYMOUTH

Not where the Pilgrims landed, but in the automobile!

PERSPECTIVE

My husband did a 'study in perspective' with his GoPro HD Motorsports HERO Camera. It's a pretty cool little video camera and he tried it out at what is known as The Rail Yard in Albuquerque. It is a very wide angled lens camera which also does remarkable HD video and time lapse photos. It is housed in an indestructible weather/water proof case and takes amazing images. To see what it can do, be sure to watch all of the video! We are very happy with the camera. You can stick it onto just about anything and his buddy stuck it on to his pair of skis when they were up in Durango a month ago. His video is called, "My Ski's View". We've seen all kinds of applications of this camera and there are a slew of videos done with it on You Tube.

OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "O".

ORIGAMI

I think everyone knows that Origami is Japanese paper folding art. My older brother, Robert was a whiz at it and we had a bunch of origami books as kids. He was the only one who made it through all the books and I swear he learned how to fold every single thing in those books. This is about what I learned and can remember. Most people haven't seen this origami fold, so it nearly always impresses! It's called a Rabbit Helmet. You know, those rabbits do need helmets to protect themselves from birds of prey swooping down on them!

OAK LEAF

Well, a stylized one at that. It decorates the lid to a box that I have. As you might guess, the handle is an acorn.

OPAL and OCTOBER

My birthstone. This ring was made and given to me when I graduated from high school. I got to pick out the opal and then the ring was made for me. What a thrill! A treasure that lasts a lifetime.

OROGENY

(from Wikipedia) Orogeny refers to forces and events leading to a severe structural deformation of the earth's crust due to the engagement of tectonic plates.

The illustration here (from Wikipedia along with this description) is: Two processes that can contribute to an orogen. Top: delamination by intrusion of hot asthenosphere; Bottom: Subduction of ocean crust. The two processes lead to differently located granites (bubbles in diagram), providing evidence as to which process actually occurred.

A rather odd sounding word, don't you think? Too bad in Scrabble these letters are mostly one pointers. It's a great word for a play just to impress your opponent! They'd get upset at you and then decide to challenge you and look it up only to loose a turn!

A Notion to Needle Napoleon is Nuts

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. We are now in our sixth round-some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "N".

NOTIONS

You know, as in sewing notions. Why are they called notions anyway? I Googled it and got too many other distracting search results that didn't answer my question. Is it because these things are highly specialized to sewing? Someone help me here!

Knock, knock. Who's there? Nacho? Nacho who? NACHO CHEESE!

Ah, yes, but this is not your ordinary rendition of Nachos. These are made with multi grain chips, soy cheese (for the lactose intolerant in the household: 2 out of 3) and topped with an artichoke bruschetta and green chili. I also added some home made refried beans to this after I took the picture!

NUTS

Please don't try to munch on these at home! But, where would we be without this wonderful invention? I think many things would fall apart. Too bad they can't hold us together emotionally!

NAPOLEON (NARCISSIST)

(image is a painting done by Jacques-Louis David)

Whether or not you liked the ambition and accomplishments of Napoleon, he certainly did have a huge impact on our world today. Talk about far-reaching...I think too, that he had to have been a bit of a narcissist. Some may disagree with this, but that's OK. What motivates one man (oh, and I know he's not the first or last) to have such a degree of ambition to conquer and have domain over so much? This always perplexes me, the motivation behind leaders like this. We need more Nelson Mandelas if you ask me.

And, a bit of a side track: the on-line auction of Cigar Box Shrines has begun. All proceeds raised go directly to the Street Children of Oaxaca. The auction will end on April 24th. 25 artists joined in this cause and created Shrines made from cigar boxes. Although the theme was a Day of the Dead theme, you will see literal and loose translations of this theme. I will say that the shrines created are all unique and creative. If you'd like to learn more about the shrine I made, you can always stop by my Molokai Girl Studio blog. I hope you see a shrine that you have to bid on and I hope you win the one you want!