Happy Halloween!

'To work magic is to weave the unseen forces into form; to soar beyond sight; to explore the uncharted dream realm of the hidden reality.'
--Starhawk


"At last the bewitching hour has arrived: All Hallow's Eve. Halloween comes down to us from the pre-Christian Celtic festival of SamHaim, held October 31, the last autumn night before the cold and bleakness of winter. On this night -- considered the Celtic New Year -- the Druids believed that the supernatural world drew closer to the physical world, so human beings were more susceptible to the power and influence of the unseen. Magic spells could be cast more easily, divination (predicting fortunes) was more revealing, and dreams held special significance."
--Sarah Ban Breathnach

wkend recap

well, i'm happy to report my Dia de los Muertos artwork "E pluribus unum" sold Fri nite. and i won the Grand Prize for best hat at BodyMind&Soul bookstore Sat eve. in attendance were Mom and Elaine, and Jeanne made it! Mom was wearing a headress she'd bought in Russia and looked like royalty! We (Mom, Elaine and i) left the store and went to El Pueblito for a bite. the weather was so perfect for dining alfresco. it was dark, the breeze was cool, the moon was full (or almost), surrounded by tall palm trees, a gurgling fountain and sawdust on the ground. the meal (crabcakes accompanied by ice-cold Negro Medelo) was fabulous!!! we went to my place afterward for an impromptu belated birthday gift-opening for Mom. she was surprised and delighted by her gifts. Thanks again Elaine! Sun i went over to Masoud's. i had to paint a wooden clock (for charity) and 2 boxes for the MindPuddles Gallery. there was a moment of panic because i didn't finished the clock until 6pm. and all the works are due on Tue! i was up until midnight painting the 2 boxes; one of Elsa (my cat) and the other of a black stallion. But thanks to Masoud(and all his help -- thanks Babe!), i got it done!!! and he and i made the most delicious pot of chili!

Busy Wkend

this is going to be a busy wkend! tonite is Lawndale's Dia de los Muertos. i'm going alone because they're charging $40 to get in, $30 for members. this is outrageous because the whole point is for folks to go in and bid on the retablos. the artists get in free, otherwise i couldn't afford to go. tomorrow (4pm - 6pm) is Body Mind & Soul's Halloween happy hour and Hat decorating Contest. Body Mind & Soul is a way cool book store (with eclectic gifts) over on Midlane, off Westheimer. i'm going with Mom and Elaine. we're supping afterward. then sometime inbetween i've got to:
unclog my kitchen sink, get the car's oil changed, do laundry, paint a wooden clock for a charity(Tx Children's) doll house and paint 2 wooden "boxes" for Mindpuddles Gallery. the painted items are all due on Tue Oct 30th. oh, WOW-age!!! then Wed is Halloween, which Masoud and i are supposed to attend some kind of Halloween bash. then i have to take Elsa to the vet (she needs a tooth pulled). i have to go to the eyeglass place with Mom. rent's due Thur. then i must vote on Nov 6. if you love Texas State Parks (and want to ensure their future), VOTE YES for Proposition 4 on NOV 6!!!

"Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got."

Janis Joplin

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

John Muir

I want to give a shout-out to my sister today. She is a very generous person!!! I got a very nice surprise in the mail! Thank you Devereaux!!!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns.

George Elliot

Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.

Ansel Adams

More pearls of wisdom from Sarah Ban Breathnach (Simple Abundance):
Is there a woman alive who doesn't suffer from stress? If there is, seek her out, ask her to share her wisdom. When you find her, I'd be willing to bet she'll offer the following suggestions:
Cultivate gratitude.
Carve out an hour a day for solitude.
Begin and end the day with prayer, meditation, reflection.
Keep it simple.
Keep your house picked up.
Don't overschedule.
Strive for realistic deadlines.
Never make a promise you can't keep.
Allow an extra half hour for everything you do.
Created quiet surroundings at home and at work.
Go to bed at nine o' clock twice a week.
Always carry something interesting to read.
Breathe -- deeply and often.
Move -- walk, dance, run, find a sport you enjoy.
Drink pure spring water. Lots of it.
Eat only when hungry.
If it's not delicious, don't eat it.
Be instead of do.
Set aside one day a week for rest and renewal.
Laugh more often.
Luxuriate in your senses.
Always opt for comfort.
If you don't love it, live without it.
Let Mother Nature nurture.
Don't answer the phone during dinner.
Stop trying to please everybody.
Start pleasing yourself.
Stay away from negative people.
Don't squander precious resources: time, creative energy, emotion.
Nurture friendships.
Don't be afraid of your passion.
Approach problems as challenges.
Honor your aspirations.
Set achievable goals.
Surrender expectations.
Savor beauty.
Create boundaries.
For every "yes," let there be a "no."
Don't worry, be happy.
Remember, happiness is a living emotion.
Exchange security for serenity.
Care for your soul.
Cherish your dreams.
Express love every day.
Search for your authentic self until you find her.

Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness. It is the silent contemplation such as occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebud, a child at play, a Divine mystery, or a waterfall.

Fulton J. Sheen