The Sun, the Moon and Kindness

The sun rose again in orange and pink, in the same place'
The rooster crowed his morning song the same way
This place tends to me,
The sky still bright behind the mountains and yellow,
green light still shimmers sneaking its way thru a crevice of a valley,

The new day turns to the darkness of midnight blue,

A night of the cresent moon and
The jasmine again sends it's sweet scent to me, I remember,
It tends to me. LB

San Jose for lunch at the super mercado, a menagerie of vendors, selling fish, meats, octopus, fruits, herbs, christmas decorations, leather goods. I found a remedy for migraines. Some local honey for my rosa de jamaica tea, papaya abounds here, juicy and a meal in itself. City is not a place I want to spend much time in, ok for visit, but too much for this country girl. Too many people. Wonderful casada with rice, beans, bananas, chicken, potatoes. No dinner for me today, but I did enjoy a glass of white wine with artist Nancy next door and Michael, a writer.



Michael told us a story that he had dinner with a local family last night. He had taken a walk to cuidad Colon and he had his yamaka on, a man recognized it and told him he had just converted to judism and he and his family would love to have him for dinner after knowing now that Michael was here in the colony for a short time, so he had celebrated one of his nights with a Costa Rican family for hanakuh. He said it was so nice and his new friend walked up to colony to walk Michael. Many stories of the great tico ways of acts of kindness.

Susan had a funny story too. We had gone to yoga the other day with another couple who drove us there, WHim &Luz, they dropped Susan off so that she could meet up with another friend after yoga at a cafe and when she got out very fast not to get hit by on coming traffic, she got out with only one shoe, well we did not know this and took off with her other shoe, there she was with one shoe on and no way of retrieving the other till later. She had to explain to a man close by unloading a truck in her best spanish what had happened and he said to her uno momento senorita and returned with a pair of flip flops for her. We call it her "Cinderella" story. I could not stop laughing when she told me.

Time to play, magic happens

In order for my work to continue to evolve, I get involved in playfulness and take the opportunity to look at the what-ifs. Whatever the result, it expands my vision by letting go of who I think I am and discovering the spirit within.

Yes and after a time this place begins to remember and tend to you. I played all week and finally have a good feeling today about what I am doing here now. Alot of progress & inspiration today, I was getting a little worried.

Creativity-Peace-Balance

Yoga was great this morning in a studio that was long, narrow three glass walls surrounded by bamboo trees. It touched all my senses. I will go back on Thursdays to this class. Took a ride around the area, went to Price Right (BJ's) and bought a big bag of almonds for snacking, a papaya, ceviche, and mouthwash, weird combination.

I just made the ceviche for dinner tonight, "Oh my God", it was sooooo good, easy to make very fresh (sushi-grade) white-fleshed ocean fish, such as grouper, wahoo, sea bass, or red snapper, (it was a mix), lime juice, fresh orange juice, pineapple juice, red pepper, diced yellow pepper cilantro, extra-virgin olive oil, marinate, added rice when cooking it and the juices cook the rice. Muy bueno!!!


I just now see a gecko on my wall.....where has he been all week? Must be "Go For It", he is moving around in spurts. Oh geesh! Maybe I should give him a paintbrush. See him? He is way down towards the left corner. He is making his way towards me.


I am finding these wonderful quotes in different places, inspiring me.

"Creativity is the ability of a person (or a gecko) to respond to visual and other sensory stimuli in an original way, and then to share with passion, individuality and spirit." Gerald Brommer

Seeing the Light

Walks on the property in the morning is refreshing, listening to grapefruits, oranges and tangerines drop as they ripen and fall from the nearby trees. The bamboo singing and insects calling. The tangerines, sweet and wonderful, but have to be eaten right away, otherwise they sour. Luis (pictured above) taking a break from some renovations here on property, I was on the way to the Bonanza Restaurante for lunch yesterday which is next door to the colony, there is a secret path to it in the forest. Real secret, sign to it and all. But, it's really a path just for the colony guests to get too. I remember the sunsets sipping mojitos there last year. Lunch was delicious today, just some nachos piled high with diced tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream and beans...mmmm. I walked over with Susan, she is working there temporarily filling in for Amber (waitress), who had a baby girl on Tuesday, Nina is her name.

I had been wondering why my phone was not working in the studio. All the buttons were in the right setting. Kept testing it and no ring, but could make a call out "mmm" I said. I finally realized it was not a bug or bird that was chirping, it was my phone ringing. Never heard a phone chirp before. Kind of a good idea actually, not so abtrusive. I saw this bug on the screen window the other day when I heard the chirp, so I thought it was the big green bug, but then when it chirped again the day after there was no bug on the screen, very smart conclusion I know.

Dinner was delightful and full of chit chat, Nancy artist, (Boston), Josh, (Amhearst, MA), Michael (Berkley, CA), Ish (?) musician, Susan (Canada) artist, musician. Fransico (owner) made tilapia fish, mashed potatoes, broccolli, salad. It was at Fransicos house which is built on a really steep hill, I get out of breathe just walking up to door, beautiful deck with view of Cuidad Colon valley, The large whole living room opens up to, I will take pictures next Wednesday night dinner. He speaks a little english with spanish, it his own language, funny, crazy driver, says he was a famous soccer player for CR.

I think I have to write at end of day, because I forget what I did the day before if I wait.Bear with me, I amjust writing like I am talking to myself.

The perception of light is the loveliest thing in the world.

Little Rain Must Come

I started a painting already from the first picture I took yesterday of the valley. I didn't take many pictures yet, I am just getting warmed up. But I kept going back to this one picture for my inspiration of the day, because it was my first.

It rained yesterday just a little, enough to make the photos I took look fresh. It was hot 81 degrees then the rain cooled the day down.

A small bug, light green and a yellow head, with lace wings I noticed on my Costa Rican Spanish phrasebook this morning. I must have put the book on it and squished it when I layed it down last night. Even the bugs are beautiful here.

As I was working in my studio I had the door open and outside my door is a tree with, what was a fresh bunch of bananas hanging from it, and now all dried up. It is now a bird feeder. With the door open I kept seeing the most colorful birds come to it during the day, I tried to capture with my camera but the trunk always seem to be in the way. Little bluebirds, yellow birds, a bird book is in my future. And across the driveway was another dried bunch of bananas that the squirrels took over.

Catching Happiness

Awakening to the first morning sunshine, "pura vida". Great cup of java and the usual yogurt breakfast, writing morning journal, little construction going on here at colony fixing up things. I also had a visit from a gecko this morning as I openend my door to let the warm breeze in, I am sure it was a "welcome back" greeting. Lots of oranges ready to pick outside the door. And I am almost ready to paint this morning, got to move things around a bit here for comfort. Great night sleep with no hot flashes, go figure. mmmmm weird. Susan had a couple avacados waiting for me last night, my favorite fruit, and a rose on my table. Nice welcoming. Susan was here last year and another friend, Alison will be returning in a couple weeks that was here last year with us. I have not met all the new kids on the block yet. I met Josh, a writer, from Amhearst, MA, we watched the last half of Patriots game last night on ESPN in the "muse", community room. Now, really I must get to work, I mean play, I mean work, yea yea work. Art is work.

"Sometimes, our thoughts turn back toward a corner in a forest, or the end of a bank, or an orchard powdered with flowers, seen but a single time on some gay day, yet remaining in our hearts and leaving in soul and body an unappeased desire which is not to be forgotten, a feeling we have just rubbed elbows with happiness." Guy de Maupassant

Costa Rica Arrival a Success-Yippeee

A long day, with a couple of scares, really rough ride and landing this time, very scary and then steward tells me immigration might not let me in the country because I didn't have a return flight booked yet, but it worked out fine, they didn't even ask me when I was returning to the states, geesh, got my stomach in knots for no reason---patriots won---weather is grand, my tummy is full, I have my old studio here in Costa Rica, feels like I never left it. Can't wait to get into my artwork tomorrow, get acclimated to my surroundings again and set up house. Went grocery shopping, so I am set up for the week, except I forgot to buy toothpaste at mercado. I don't see my friends, the geckos tonight yet. Have made tentative plans for a tour for 22nd & 23rd of Dec with friends here, of the indigenous people in Costa Rica, we will go directly to Guatuso where the "Malekus" live and we will visit their ranch, Rancho Margarita where they will meet us about 11am. They will give us an explanation of their culture and give us an traditional lunch that includes vegetables and fish prepared inside banana leaves and cooked with other delicious natural spices. Then we will walk in the family's garden and have a very interesting explanation about the usage of plants for eating and medical purposes. After that, don Rigo, the grandpa and his grandchildren will have a theater performance for us. Finally, we go back to the ranch where we will view their craftwares. That is a whole afternoon tour. In the evening, we go to our bed and breakfast LA CASONA where we will spend the night. That is about 10 minutes from the town La Fortuna (where the Arenal Volcano is located). My Spanish teacher, Bernarda set this little excusion for us today and set up Spanish lessons for me too.

Back to Costa Rica

Going back to Costa Rica, December 3rd until the end of January. I will be painting, drawing and experimenting my watercolor techniques, lettering arts and other mediums. Journaling will be another great excersise here in my blog. I can't wait!!!

Kodie's Vacation

(these are excerpts from my new biography, The Life & Times of Me, Kodie, as dictated to my friend Lorraine)

Day 12
Well, I am still on vacation. This a long one, but well deserved. A little rain today, but I am having a delightful visit with Lorraine & Cal. Cal's son Ben came over too, to watch the Patriots game on Sunday, we had fajitas, mmmmmm good. I chased the frisbee and did some tricks for everyone. I love being on the compund here and sharing my vacation with my friends. Ciao

Day 1
Hi Humans
Well, I am on my own vacation here in Wickford, having a wonderful time, wish you were here. Nice breezes, sunshine, I am very happy here on the Mark/Don compound, as I sun myself today. This is my usual activity here on the estate. I did excercise a bit today though, went for a walk with Lorraine, Adele & Ricky, we stopped and had coffee & I ate Cal's toast while we had a rendevoux with the "breakfast club" at the cafe, it was delightful, jumping up on everyone and whining, I love being a dog! I will dictate more later.

Day 2
Hola!
Walking, toast, TV, chasing squirrels, sleeping under the covers, whining, running in puddles, bath, sniffing, jumping, visiting. A dogs life is so blissful!

Skiathos

Kalimera, sunshine, yogurt, honey, almonds, hazelnuts, croissants, chocolate spread, coffee, fruit de mar, boat taxi, old port, new port, internet cafe, local wine, beads, mobiles, colors, pine cones, cold salt pool water, hard beds, beautiful, hillsides of orange rooftops, steep hills, rocky coastline, driftwood, lots of photos, olive products. sweet smells. Evelyn, Niamh, Maire, Cathal, intricate wrought iron gates, ally ways, lace curtains, shells, leather, peaches, apricots, figs, blue flowers to be continued

Dublin, Ireland
Cheerio, now I am back in Ireland with Evelyn. I tried to post the above blog when I was in Skiathos but the computer wouldn't let me, who knows what the problem was, so I saved the draft and now publishing it. Anyway, today I am on my way home to RI and so ready too.

Visiting Skiathos & Skopelos was a wonderful trip, now that I have been to three of the Greek Islands I love them all and will want to see the others. They have some things in common but, each one it's own flavor and Greek ways. Very interesting. I feel that each time I go away I come back a different person. Can't explain it really. Maybe just a little more appreciating of what I have been brought up with. Not all good, not all bad. The respect for family and the comfort of friends, my health, my passions, enjoying the experiences that everyday brings. Can't wait to review my photos and start to paint what I came to love about these islands.

I think Crete is still my favorite, with it's ancient history, ruins, the actual size, villages and most of all it's most hospitable people. to be continued

Skopelos, The Green Island

SEPTEMBER 9-14, 2007. . . kalimera. peaceful. jasmine. ocean. aqua. peppled beach. rocky coast. moussaka. nescafe frappes. tzatiki. warmth. sunshine. warm wind. chicken. yogurt. peaches. fig trees. almonds. music. worry beads. backgammon. Panormas beach. jellyfish. umbrellas. pine trees. cafes. monastaries. puffy white clouds. dirt roads. steep hills. sailboats. fishing boats. colors. scooters. beads. ceramics. scarves. pastries. honey balls. bees. greek salads. feta. Mythos beer. ferry. Mama Mia. white.blue. calamari. sardines. fried cheese. skopelos pie. red wine. olive trees. ouzo. watermelon. . . . kalisera. . . to be continued

Breakfast in Dublin

Good Morning.
Had a delightful day riding bike through Pheonix Park on Wednesday, went about 5 miles, saw many dear feeding in the fields there and a pleasant ride through the outskirts of Dublin city in Castleknock where Evelyn and Tom live. Went over my website with Tom, who is very knowlegdable about building one and we finally got the domaine name for myself staightened out. www. lorrainebromley.com put aside for it. (under construction)

On my way to the city of Dublin today, going to take a bus tour for myself and hopefully see the "Book of Kells", today, Thursday at Trinity College. It's a fine day laddies. Nice breakfast, toast & marmalade, strawberries, and coffee with Evelyn and Missy, the her cat. TTYL

Traveling Fool

I'm thinking about all the things I have to do beforeI take off again on a journey to Ireland & Greece. The list stays about the same as I cross off and add to.

FunFitTrain logo
Postcard for Jane
Drop off painting to WAA
"M" & "J" design for Kelly
Adele's birthday present
Aja's birthday
Oz's thank you's
Send thank you to friends for birthday
Pick up painting from RIWS
Pack for Sept 5
Frame small paintings of shells
Dry Cleaners
Anniversary card to M&D
Clean Car out
Touch base with Neil
Move things around in house
Weed
Norman's BC
Deposit to Citizens
Cal's B-Day

First Day of Summer

I know I am quilty of being a procrastinator. mmmmm I have not written anything for so long. I have been traveling with my students to Crete, in Greece, visiting with my parents, who were visiting from FL, spending time with my grandson, Hudson, & gardening. So, you see I am always up to something. Still painting my little heart out. Have alot of great pictures from my trips to paint, not to mention painting the gardens of Wickford with my Friday morning classes.

There will be showers today, yuck, and Mary has many errands for me to do, since her family is coming to visit this week. I will take advantage of the time to paint in my studio, because she will not need me around.


One of the reasons I have not written in my blog is that my cd drive is broken, (good excuse) so I have not had the ability to upload pictures to it. But I will have time to fix that problem too this week.

Thursday June 21st 5-8 is the East Greenwich Main Street Stroll, art, music, & food and I will be in front of Cafe Fresco talking to passerbys, exibiting my recent small watercolors of Costa Rica, Greece, and local scenes. Hope you can stop by and chat.

Ok I am back with "my Mary" this week. After a week and a half of time off while her family was visiting her. I accomplished alot of painting, some framing, some cleaning, and gettig over the flu. Cal is away too, so it has been very lonely here in Wickford. I have alot of projects in the works to keep me busy and out of trouble.

• co-ordinating the Crete Watercolor Painting Workshop
• started another blog about my grandson www.tuesdayswithhudson.blogspot.com
• working on my series of 22 x 30 paintings of hibiscus and wisteria
• working on altered books from the round robin group from around the country
• Graceful Envelope Contest due April 30th
• North Kingstown Arts Council watercolor classes at WAA Thursday evenings (4)
• Working out at FUNFITTRIM twice a week with Trainer, Chris
• Walking again now that the weather is warmer in the mornings a couple miles
• To find a place to exhibit my paintings

Wickford Update

Happy Valentine's Day . . I feel all your love . . . hee hee . . . Well we finally got some snow. It's nasty here in RI with snow changing to rain and ice. But cozy on this Valentine's day. Had a nice day with "My Mary", changing beds, watering plants, polishing her nails, dishwashing and trying to figure out what was wrong with the dishwasher, (still do not know why it was leaking so much suds) maybe I put too much soap in it today. We had lunch and our usual board meeting. We had many phone calls today and rec'd roses from her son Joe. He addressed them to us "girls", so we will enjoy them this week, all the colors. Doing lots of work on the computer lately with designing new ads for publicatons and lots of emails. Updating bogs for myself and the studio. Well it is time to get my valentine dinner ready for Cal, pasta with red peppers and spinach. Dinner and a movie, we are in for the night. Cal & I going shopping for new clothes this week too. Yippeee, Thank you sweetie!!! Shouldn't everyday be Valentine's Day? I spend time with my too favorite boys for Valentines this week, my week now is complete, my grandson who hugs me and kisses my whole face & the man who gives me inspiration and tickles my fancy, Cal. Hope you tell your valentine how much they mean to you today.

Spirit of Art Studios

This is the name of my studio/gallery at Shady Lea Mills Artist Complex in Wickford. It is a great space where Cal & I, my friends and students can get creative. It overlooks a river and has over 35 other artist studio suites. There is a wonderful energy there that eminates so please stop by and visit, have a cup of tea. Feel free to come and create conversation, art or critique with us. The following blog (below link) is an attempt to keep up with classes and workshops, tips and other art related news for you from the studio.

Directions: Rt 95 s-Rt 4 s-Rt 1 junction take first left, cross over to Shady Lea Road, follow winding road to mill on right, 2nd floor to suite 205

http://spiritofartstudios.blogspot.com/

Today I am looking over a grant opportunity to apply for through the RISCA (CAFE). Pulling together 10 paintings for submission. There are some written materials to prepare before submitting package too, and I am able to apply for it online. Should be easy enough, but so competetive. Interesting! Deadline Feb, 12th. Wish me luck. Here are some paintings I have done in my travels this year. I will submit them with my resume. Let me know what you think.

Getting my act together for the waterolor workshops I am planning for 2007, back to Greece in May, Carribbean in July, Wickford in August, back to Costa Rica in December.

Saturday

It's morning on a very cold day in RI, about 12 degrees. Doing laundry, dog/house sitting, planning my Saturday chores. Talked to Adele this morning and we are thinking of Ricky and wondering how we can help her get through her difficult time. Will pick up Mark & Don at 1:00pm at the airport and hopefully pick up my new corner desk at the consignment shop today for the kitchen/office at home, now that my computer is fixed, alot to orgainze there. Will fix up the office today is my plan and then meet the other boys Richard, Craig and Denny for dinner in Little Compton to celebrate Richards birthday. I have to fit in baking a focaccia today too. Cleaning up my mess now here at Mark's, making bed back up and doing dishes, making sure Kodie is happy too. Cal told Kodie they her daddys are on their way home, so she is pretty happy today knowing things will be normal again. Off to the races!

Friday

good evening all
Kodie & I are keeping warm, Cal is at apt suffering with his sinuses (he did see a Dr. today, finally) and the cold. The apt is so cold, those old houses with no insulation and old windows, not to mention when he came home he turned the heat off instead of turning it up. So, for about two hours it was off. It is 15 degrees right now outside and about 57 degrees in the apt. Nice and warm here though at the "dog house". Kodie wants all of us to put our "furs" on to keep warm. She is not staying outside very long, it is not fit for man nor beast. She misses her daddy's warm hearts too. She buries her head in their jackets I find on the floor when I come home to her. Keep warm, think warm, imagine being in warm Costa Rica.