Until Then!

See you next year SEPTEMBER- same time, same place. You are so dear to me, with so many birthday's in September among family and friends. Have you ever... for reasons only the depths of your heart and soul understand, felt suddenly compelled to laugh and cry- at the same time? It's a strange mix of emotions, when profound grief and elation strike you. It tugs on your heart strings, flips, tosses, twirls and whirls you around in a matter of seconds and before you even know what hit you; BAM! It's over and you wonder; What just happened?

September is like the last curtain call of the warm days of summer, hot one moment then crispy cold the next. As seasons change so do people, unwillingly, unknowingly, yet change does occur. We roll with the punches, however exuberantly or exhausted, we roll on, one day at a time, one moment, one experience, one heartache, side-splitting-hilarious, important, seemingly insignificant time after the other. That's life... was, is and will be. It matter's so much how we roll insofar as attitude goes. My dark moments seem to encompass a lackluster stream of consciousness while the good moments include positive thoughts as I beckon good vibrations and the presence of the Holy Spirit to find light in an otherwise dreary moment.

* SEPTEMBER, you have been good to me through the years, I hope you can say the same about me.

Here's a little number that I've always been attracted to, it sounds about like I feel right now.

Peace and Love 2U.

Mary Ellen Mark talks about Vivian Maier

☺♥

Peace and Love ~ my prayer, wish, hope and dream for you and me & all of humankind, the animals, every bit of this precious planet.  God Bless us now & eternally. ~ When I think of the morning of September 11, 2001 my heart aches for this world. This minuscule & at once magnificent tiny ball of one miracle after the other, that also includes hate, madness and cruelty. How to go about our existence peacefully and with respect at the forefront. Political and religious discourse seems to define history and can forecast the future. A host of factors determine one's quality of life no matter where on earth it is. That is when it is important to reflect on a little pearl of wisdom that goes; "There but for the grace of God go I".
One endures pain, suffering, injustice in one part of a village, city, state, country while only yards,  streets, rivers and bridges away- people live extravagantly, daily living as lush and luxurious as most can only imagine. Somewhere in the middle is where most want to be, in a comfortable, safe place. That is not asking too much, yet presents huge challenges and is not as simple as one would like it to be. At the end of the day it is a peaceful, quiet existence that people hope and work for but may or may not be equipped with the tools, skills, support, opportunities and resources to manage a descent way of life.
On September 11th, 2001,   I recall the confusion, disbelief, shock of watching breaking news reports and listening to radio broadcasts at work, describing, analyzing the horrific events that would knock the wind out of America and those who love the United States.
~ I think of the softer side of people, that dark day evoked. People seemed to appreciate one another more, to display a little more kindness and respect. An air of mystery lingered for several days as a humbler people emerged in neighborhoods, rural areas, metropolis' and inner city life. The trauma, all the tragedy incurred upon a nation once considered invincible, indestructible, the most powerful of all- blindsided by hostile, maniacal forces. A shift occurred, people left to discern what it's all about with more gratitude, less attitude, more humility, honor and compassion for one another.

Happy Birthday Mom & Marky!!

Today, August 28th is Birthday girl, Moms (Marian) , 86th birthday, in cap n gown & 30 yr old birthday boy, Mark, in front with hands in pocket. 
~

*Surrounding Gramma Sparky, a true"storyteller" 

grandchildren/neices and nephuz, the day she received the University of New Mexico Meritorious Award for 31 exemplary years of dedication and service, in 1987- Joey grooming is a scream! back row-left to rt shows Joey (slcikn back) Jonathan Ipiotis hugging Gramma Sparky, Aaron Abeyta strikes a curious pose, Bridgette Ipiotis just happy to be there, Jennifer stands in front of Joey Abeyta & holds Sophia (Puppy Wolf) Ipioits, Alison Pacheco clings to sister & cousin, Elizabeth Abeyta takes a second look, Maria Elena Ipiotis not sure what to make of it all, stands in front of Liz-a,\ & Marky Ipiotis just happy to be there & Little Chris Ipiotis is consoled by his pops, Chris Ipiotis.

¡Viva La Vida!

~  LIFE  ~

Heart wrenching, deliriously happy, humbling, excruciatingly painful, triumphant, spirit crushing, new, old, fantastic, unfathomable and beyond... that is LIFE.  One experience after the other... life squashes, squanders, scornful and full of despair. Alas,  divine forces harken and heal, mend and comfort, bless the discouraged with encouragement, reverence, respect, peace, love and hope.
Emotions run high and deep,
from the best and worst to the most powerful and pitiful.
It all occurs one moment, one day and one night at a time.

Until Next Year!

Sorry to see you go JULY... see you next year! Thank you for the memories, these past several weeks have been like the 31 flavors of life; taking the good, sad, bad, ugly and amazing and coming out alright.. the long sometimes lonesome road of life unravels like a spindle of ribbon, the surface is smooth as it is scorching hot with rough patches along the way. Life rolls on from bumpy road to smooth as silk. The summer would never be complete without you and your well lit days and lingering nights, so Thank You for coming around. I always look forward to seeing you and can hardly wait to find out how you unfold. Thanks again!
*Remember those flicker rings from the 60s, when you moved them one way you saw one image and if you turned the ring a different way, you would see somehing else. I thought the holy grail of flicker rings was the one shown here.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!

Japan woman winning the World Cup Soccer Game today- after the recent tsunami's that stormed through towns, cities, farms, life... is like The New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl five years after Hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc, battered and bruised New Orleans. It is encouraging in such a way that lifts humanity's spirit and lights the darkness.

Sports at it's finest today. The level of athleticism, the intensity and focus as the drama unfolded was as spectacular and exciting as a world class championship sporting match between the best of the best- could ever be. AMAZING!