Fran Meneley The wonderful (and I really mean it) Juliana Coles sent me this link the other day and asked me to pass it on. I think I'm still riding the wave of "yes we can". That combined with my natural wintery inclination to hibernate, put on my jammies the second it gets dark (about 5:15 p.m.) and … Continue Reading
Today is Veteren's Day. And for our Canadian neighbors to the north it's called Remembrance Day. Memorial Day is thought to be the day that we honor and remember those fallen in war and Veteren's Day is the day we honor those that have come home. Any day is a good to remember those lost … Continue Reading
This was the sky Wednesday morning when I went out to get the newspaper with the best headline EVER! Change has come. Something has shifted. Things seem possible. I feel it in my own personal life too. New possibilities are opening up. Searching for a middle school for my son. My daughter will get her … Continue Reading
YES. WE. DID. As I sat with my children and watched Barack Obama elected as our 44th President, I was overcome with deep emotion. Tears flowed. I have ached for a government of inclusion and intelligence. Someone to unite this great country and restore our standing in the world. Someone who could reconcile and lead. … Continue Reading
"The Fierce Urgency of Now"…MLK We Donated. We volunteered. We voted. If for some unknown and wild reason you have not voted….stop right this instant and get thyself to your polling place. Now. We. Wait… In the meantime, this a great video. Play it throughout the day to keep your spirits up.
Bienvenida! The day arrived and I welcomed a couple of girl friends over for some autumn victuals and sugar skull hijinx. This is the first year I've made an ofrenda and I have to say it has brought such a loving glow to our home, I may leave it up all year. My wonderful … Continue Reading
The end of the week brought us to our journey’s purpose – Day of the Dead. It begins on October 31 and runs through November 2. It’s a multi-day celebration that honors the people who have crossed over to the other side. It is rooted in Mesoamerican civilizations, going back 3,000 years. Despite the seemingly … Continue Reading
Dios de los Muertos is a multi-day celebration, usually observed October 31 – Novemeber 2. Ofrendas are alters that honor the dead, a place where they are welcomed home and the center of the Day of the Dead celebration. Ofrendas can be big or small, fancy or simple – and they were everywhere in Oaxaca. Homes, … Continue Reading
Another field trip took us to the pottery villages and cemeteries surrounding Ocotlan. We visited the studios of the famous Aguilar sisters which had us all drooling over their amazing ceramic figures. They had a small space where they sold their work, but I was really taken by their ceramic figures out in the elements. … Continue Reading
Throughout the week we spent several days with our wonderful guide, Juan, visiting 3 villages that specialize in Oaxacan crafts. At the end of our first field trip day we visited Teotitlan de Valle, known for it’s amazing woven wool rugs and natural dyes. At one studio we were given a wool spinning and dyeing demonstration … Continue Reading