The Sprinkler

This morning I set the rainbird sprinkler out to water the grass and bananas that grow in a bed close by. Then while sitting on the terraza enjoying the morning I realized that the sound I heard was not a Mexican sound--it was a Portland, Oregon sound--the chewga-chewga-chewga of the sprinkler. That sound seemed really out of place here even though it made me a bit nostalgic. Most watering of lawns is done by a gardener standing in the yard with a hose in his hand. What a boring job that must be. I have several types of sprinklers for my gardener which I'm sure he appreciates especially since I insist he use them.
(Look closely to find the large stem of green bananas. I've been waiting for them to ripen for a long time--I will share them with the gardener)

The Hammock

What can I say about a hammock? Especially since I haven't owned one. On Thursday it was very warm and the shade in the back yard looked inviting. But I never sit out there and I'm not sure why. My temp. roomie took a chair out in the shade of the avocado, orange and magnolia trees, looking very comfortable with her book and cold drink.

When I get the hots to do something, I really get the hots. I jumped in my car and drove down the carretera to the hammock makers area and bought a lovely one with hanging embroidered fringe. Paid too much but what the heck; I've never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.

Got home and Clare helped me install it between the magnolia and orange trees. It looked sturdy enough so I tried sort of bouncing lightly on it. So far, so good! Got my book, pillow and a cold drink; ready to really try it. As I sat down you know what happened--you could see it coming, eh! With my red juicy drink all over my clothing and my behind plopped on the ground I remember thinking, "this is the way it's supposed to be"; every hammock deserves one toss to the ground. We retightened the ropes and all was as it should be the second time.

I can't explain how much or why I enjoy my hammock sooo much. It's almost like a freedom, with the air circulating all the way around your body. Almost like swimming naked with the water touching you everywhere. Maybe I should get naked . . .

The Malecon

A friend and I took her two dogs and one of mine for a walk this evening down on the malecon in Chapala. The weekend visitors from Guadalajara as well as locals were enjoying the beautiful weather and their families along the water. Happy Mexican music was pouring from the restaurants along the way. And kid were flying kites along the beach.

As we continued through the crowds we came across and a mariachi band playing and people dancing on the beach. Most were young men and when we stopped to watch they jumped up on the malecon and asked us to dance. What a rush for this old lady to kick up her heels with a college boy!!! The fellow in the green shirt was my partner as we danced around with the leashed dog between our feet.

As we neared the end of the malecon we saw this awesome cloud over the boat basin. It was fast approaching dark but the last of the sun's rays were setting it on fire. Good day--good walk.

The most amazing part of the walk back to the car was the carwash guy we had asked to watch my friend's parked car as it had been broken into the night before and had no passenger window. The carwash guy asked where her car keys were and she replied, "In my bolsa." She looked in her purse and alas, no keys. She had left them in the car WITH the car running. Senor Carwasher had stayed after dark to wait for our return--what a great guy--we tipped him 110 pesos for his honesty. My friend will return when her window is replaced and have him wash her car.

Stand and Lift

I accidently (there are no accidents of course) ran across this talk today by President Uchtdorf given in his Priesthood address in October Conference last year. I think it's wonderful. He said:



"Some years ago in our meetinghouse in Darmstadt, Germany, a group of brethren was asked to move a grand piano from the chapel to the adjoining cultural hall, where it was needed for a musical event. None were professional movers, and the task of getting that gravity-friendly instrument through the chapel and into the cultural hall seemed nearly impossible. Everybody knew that this task required not only physical strength but also careful coordination. There were plenty of ideas, but not one could keep the piano balanced correctly. They repositioned the brethren by strength, height, and age over and over again—nothing worked.

As they stood around the piano, uncertain of what to do next, a good friend of mine, Brother Hanno Luschin, spoke up. He said, “Brethren, stand close together and lift where you stand.”

It seemed too simple. Nevertheless, each lifted where he stood, and the piano rose from the ground and moved into the cultural hall as if on its own power. That was the answer to the challenge. They merely needed to stand close together and lift where they stood...

You may feel that there are others who are more capable or more experienced who could fulfill your callings and assignments better than you can, but the Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way.

Our Heavenly Father asks that we represent Him in the noble work of reaching out and blessing the lives of His children. He asks us to stand firm... and give the calling we have at this moment our best efforts.

...As strong as you are, you cannot and you should not lift a piano by yourself. Likewise, none of us can or should move the Lord’s work alone. But if we all stand close together in the place the Lord has appointed and lift where we stand, nothing can keep this divine work from moving upward and forward."

I'm lifting as well as I'm able; in the future, with the Lord's help, I'll be able to lift even better.

Waterlily pads

I went to the vivero (nursery) this morning thinking they had heavy-pot thingys on wheels to use with my indigo vat. They didn't but they did have a pond full of these newer waterlilies. What a treat! I will return in a couple of weeks when they are blooming to take more photos. Wonder if the blossoms will be as oddly different?

Shibori

I have decided to start an indigo Shibori (Japanese resist dyeing) vat. I've ordered the indigo and will collect the remaining chemicals in the next couple of weeks. I'm so excited about dyeing patterns that I've done in the past as well as new patterns. I have a great Shibori book and looked on the internet the last several days, which spiked my excitement.

I have a friend that wants to make silk chiffon slacks similar to the ones she's worn for 20 years. They are durable and very cool in hot weather, which we seem to have in abundance, especially for my hot body. I will dye the fabric (although not all as she will order printed silk from the US if we can't find it here) and she will construct the clothing. I know of another dye artist that makes jackets, blouses and scarves and does very well. Our stuff will be much prettier!!

I got up this morning raring to go--had no vat so I started a new painting. I was supremely happy, I realized, as I was putzing away with my acrylics.

New Paintings Acquired

Went to the Ajijic Society of Artists annual juried show on Monday night. The crowd was huge and they had money--just the thing an artist likes to see! I bought two pieces of art by local artists. The first is of the tianguis and is done in watercolor and pen.