Bodhisartva ..... Art/Spirit/Life

World Book Night!

Is this not cool?  April 23 is the first World Book Night and I have volunteered to give away 20 books to strangers to encourage reading.  The books are specially printed for this event; the book I have is "The Namesake", which is a lovely story and better than the movie.  Millions of books (from a list of 30 books) will be given away today around the world.

My plan is to stand at our local train station, books in hand, wearing a sticker with the logo. But I am oh so concerned that I will be spurned! Wish I had a t-shirt or a big sign.  I might make one but am afraid it will look too unprofessional.  

What will happen? Who knows.  Life is an adventure.

Sometimes You Just Need a Break

Yep, sometimes you just need a break - from your work, your troubles, your own space even.  Lucky me - I know just where to go.  But a trip to Malibu, nice as it is, wouldn't mean as much without my dearest friend Gina.  She knows me so well; she even sees inside me somewhat magically to the center.  And I am myself with her.

She feeds me, pours the wine, lends an ear and a shoulder - and even somehow convinces me that I like dogs as well as cats.  Hello, Bentley, my dear.

There is a kind of peace that sneaks in when you are just sitting with a kindred spirit, painting, talking, laughing, sharing and working in your journals together.  

I am truly blessed in so many ways to have such a wonderful person in my life. Thank you, Gina.

Sweet Spring

Roses are blooming, tomatoes are fruiting, orange blossoms are scenting the breeze.  But this, now THIS is the bliss for me.

The fragrance of sweet peas fills the studio.  First pick of the year.

I fear that this will not be a banner year for sweet peas in my garden, so this first handful and their intoxicating scent are all the more precious.  Breathe. Breathe deeply.  

Family Craziness - Part III

Staying on the nephew theme....

We visited nephew Ben at his workplace, but honestly, I think it is a playplace. Does your office have a ping pong table and a bar?  Not to mention a Sasquatch?  

His studio is about to launch a new Disney animation, on April 30 - here are some of the languages it will be in. They don't all translate exactly to "Motorcity" - see the post-it that says, "Paradise Car"?

Check out the preview but don't have your volume turned up too high.  I'm getting too old for this.

Motorcity here we come.... 

I lied.

I did.  I lied.  I actually watched the Long Beach Grand Prix online Sunday.  Brian qualified at #9 which is extremely good in a field of 38 cars.  I think I saw his car as they lined up to await the flag.

I did not see him again and there is a reason for that. I am glad I did not see him again.

He completely lost his brakes, going 135 mph, heading into a curve.  As he put it, "this could have been bad".  Ya think? I'm glad I didn't see it happen, especially in real time.

No worries.  He and the car are unscathed.  My nerves, however, are not.  Glad he is having fun, however.

Family Craziness - Part II

With 8 siblings and numerous nieces and nephews, I suppose it was only a matter of time before more than one of them arrived to stay with me.  Sister Mary (#7 of 9) brought her three to visit California for a week.  It's been hectic, but fun - and they've seen more of L.A. than I have!

The first stop, naturally.

"Did" downtown on arrival day; Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier the next.  Easter Sunday found us at Paradise Cove.

Nags Head West.  Beach foolishness.

"I am krushing your head....".

Easter rabbit in the sun.

...and the beauty.

Given a choice and the right weather, I think they would have preferred to go to the beach every day.

 

Family Craziness

I feel as if I am in an alternative universe.  

I knew my nephew Brian was seriously racing, after years of having fun with it.  But I went to Long Beach yesterday and this is for real.

I guess it was the sight of the car that convinced me.

Yep, that's his name on the car; guess he is actually driving it.

Or maybe it was watching the hero worship.

I don't think it counts when it's your own aunt.  

However, the professional photographer there seemed to be quite taken with Aunt Mary. I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up in the local paper.

Good luck on Sunday, Bri.  Like your mother, I won't be watching.  I'm sure you understand.

The Journey is the Destination

Not to get all woo-woo on you, but really, getting "there" can be as important as wherever there is. In this case, "there" is Santa Barbara, where my friend Maggie's friend Jane was having a photography exhibit. They haven't seen each other in a while, so we thought we would surprise her. Maggie has been dealing with some major health issues and a road trip seemed to be just the thing.  

The weather as we drove was what I guess they call a "lowering" sky - gray, ever moving, dropping some rain - very cozy actually.  The hills were a surprising green (we haven't had much rain this year) and there was that wonderful yellowy haze of new leaves on the bare trees.  Up hill and down brought us breathtaking vistas around every curve until finally we were running beside the ocean.

You can talk about a lot of things in an hour and a half.  You can get hungry too, so we pulled off at Summerland, a little roadside community.  And ran smack into "Sacred Space", a magical garden of peace.  Be sure to stop if you ever have the chance. You will never want to leave.

We finally did get to Santa Barbara and Jane's fabulous exhibit.  I enjoyed their reunion almost as much as they did. 

Luckily, I am a better driver than I am a photographer.  We did arrive back safely and the smile on Maggie's face was worth the entire journey.  Or maybe, that smile WAS the destination?