Nanny Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Beach Fun and Child Development

Children when given the opportunity to be bored in nature find the most curious and interesting ways to pass the time. Usually the elements of water, sun, sand and mirth are enough to spark spontaneous wackiness and fun. Their contagion is good for us tired and harried adults too. It brings all the memories of our childhood flooding in and allows us to slow our pace and sit back and take in the state of just being. Wish for the day? Do not continue to take away these experiences from our children!

Father

A letter to my Papi.
You taught me about food for the spirit. You, who had not enough food at times as a boy.
Yet you ventured into a piano store and taught yourself to play the classical pieces that you would listen to all your life; your beloved Tchaikovsky and so many of your other Russian friends. You passed this love to us with care. You dubbed tapes for us and pointed out particular heart notes in the music. Many times we did not understand but the music you loved was sustaining to us. It held us up as we danced the dance of life.

You embraced the beauty of the Redwood tree and drew its strength to you. It flowed onto us as we gazed up hundreds of feet to the heights. Now our sons and daughters gaze up and their sons and daughters too. We walked among the giants on father's day and I thought mostly of you and your awe before them.

You found sustenance in the word and though I mostly remember you active and always doing something with your hands, you still found time to lead me to books and poetry that became the food for thought I needed to grow into my own person with strong ideas and opinions.

¿Y tu Perú Papi? La tierra de tu nacimiento y fuente de inspiración para Pichi Cuma, los cuentos que nuestros hijos crecieron escuchando. Tu aseguraste de que nunca olvidemos de dónde venimos. Tu nos inspiraste el amor a toda su belleza y desaliño. Soy peruana de principio a fin gracias a ti.

The world weighed heavy at times in your life but you never strayed far from the spirit. My dear Papa, your legacy is rich. I am a better person because of you. I miss and love you dearly. La Flacita.

http://youtu.be/RG83EmwJpo8

Brothers

When I think of the many things I wish for of My boys I think most important is that they stay close. When I spend time with them and watch them maneuver space and time it can be so wonderful. It can also be worrisome as they struggle to hold close while expanding into their own selves. The inadequacies are magnified but so too is the love; sometimes unconditional. I cannot tell them that life will deal some cards that can at times burn bridges between siblings. I can tell them that healing is possible and ultimately worth it. They issued forth from my womb with many compounds in common. This will serve to bounce them back to each other come what may. This is my wish. This is my hope. To call each brother is everything.

Mangy Beasts

The muse returns? I have had a dead period in my fiber arts life. Not sure that a body can sustain healing, creating and sustaining all at once. Off balance is a tricky venture. Being back in balance has allowed the muse to peek out once more but tentatively. Mangy beasts will be the testing ground. Here is one little dear who has a bit of an illusion of grandeur but he is still so grand. I hope to make more but am trying to get the courage to make them in vibrant fiber colors. A purple cat? A bright blue dog? I will try and see.

Vincentsgraduation

Click here to view this photo book larger

What are little boys made of?

Stinky climbing shoes
Delicious made up recipes
Piano notes drifting through the house
Solo trips to NY
Brewing the brew
Desperately seeking ponchos for Halloween
Sweet early loves
Tattoo contemplations
Music that offends and delights
Big 6'2" hugs
Middle of the night snacks
Walks in the night, mysterious
Laptop addiction
Pacific ocean surf for new untried body
Friends
18 and our son

Dia de los Muertos

30 years have passed but I recall your face as if it was only yesterday. You had a big heart and maybe it was too big for this world. Your babies have babies. Did you know you are an abuelito many times over? Your girls have the trace of your features and they are beautiful. Your homies are still with us but not all. You are with some of them now. The spirit returns this week of remembrance to visit us who remain in the physical world and I remember you with love dear brother.

Here we are once again. Lots of cliches come to mind but in the end what matters is someone there to weather the highs and lows. What matters is someone there who has the same memories of who you were, what you were and still loves you for what you have become. What matters is someone there you can break into song with when you are doing something very embarrassing like playing a Dean Martin penny slot machine or a Village People penny slot machine. (yes they do exist and are the best) What matters is having someone there when your babies find their "someone there" and you are no longer as important in that special way. That's what I was thinking as I contemplate this photo.

gian marco y juan diego flores-hoy.avi