snapshots of spring

moon child, i am one :)

... the last painting is by vincent van gogh..."Goodnight Moon" by Shivaree is the music, i love it :)

this elephant paints its own self

wow! the elephant is a lot better of a painter or a drawer than me. amazing! and with flower pa ha, laughs. truly unbelievable!

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now. A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.' So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about ..I just did.

THANKS DEAR FRIEND ERLINDA. YOU JUST MADE MY DAY :) YOU ARE A TREASURE!

colorful spring :)

i wish that our lives will be as happy and bright and as colorful as the flowers of spring. would that be nice? but this is just a dream for of course there will be pains, frustrations and sufferings in between like our share of the cross that Jesus carried to the valley of skulls. but let's all carry our crosses bravely for we know that God is just around the corner to extend His love and His help for us. true. just have faith and believe for it will happen :) "on the sunny side of the street" is i'm sure all of us would want to be in. like for ex. we detach ourselves to sad and bitter or humiliating experiences of the past. a proof that one does not want the cloudy and gloomy sides of life. we abandon it like a skunk, laughs. it's true. i observed it happen to you and to me as well...for we don't want sadness after all and if you said that you do that is just a lie, i would gladly bet my last dollar on that, laughs. as a smile and laughter is preferable to a pout and a cry. and i know I'm right on this one :) but this is a given for we all like happiness after all...when all is said and done :)

love is in the art and love is spring :)

"today i celebrate my love for you" and "lovely spring" :) thanks to you dear artists for your works of art. entertaining is just too shallow and not enough to describe your works of art here. a salute to you and your creations. truly wonderful and really great...(^_~)...the music is "kiss" by prince :)

thanks...

for passing by...it is a very nice spring day today. it's time to garden again, my love and my hobby and thanks to my husband, he does the dirty work for me :) like prepare the soil, laughs. he also likes to plant this and that. he has these tiny seedlings of sweet clementines rooting in the window sill, laughs. and an avocado, yes for God sakes, it won't grow here outside bec. of the winter weather that we have, but there goes an avocado tree that will be dead someday, sad. but he is also a gardener at heart like me, so i'm happy :> and even my only brother likes to plant. he said that my ilang-ilang in his property is big and blooming soon and there are tons and tons of mangoes around, too much, so he gave it away to his employees. and that precious rice is getting to be too expensive there. i've never planted rice in my life, poor as we were, but now with this huge rice field that we have I'd like to try to do it one of these days. mud is healing and manual labor is invigorating. i also miss the little river like lake with tons of tilapias and bangus in it in the province at my brod's place. but what i miss most is Patar Beach and I'd like to see my brod's beach as well. I LOVE YOU PHILIPPINES!!! I can't wait to be there again :) it is just in my blood, my other country, my life...

HAPPY B-DAY HOLY FATHER :)

you are 81 years old today :) your message of "Christ our Hope" the theme of your visit here is truly what we need. for without hope the future is dim, dark and of doom. with chin lifted and like your smile we follow you. we love you as Christ presence on earth and as the head of our church. we wish you health and happiness as we wish you many more years ahead. long live and more power to you...
***
the White House is full joy and smiles with the historic visit of His Holiness today. Kathleen Battle did a wonderful and sweet rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" an unforgettable voice. i got teary eyed listening to this lady sings. so much happiness and celebration, like magic one will be mesmerized. spring had sprung in Washington D.C. all that greenery, but not here in Michigan where bare brown naked trees still reigned our streets as i look at that crisp, bright, blue and peaceful sky...
***
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, above...

the sun shines through the page

darkness through
the glass is gone
the shadowy figure
of truth finally is
revealed to us

the music can
be heard again
overcoming the
sickening silence
the dreadful death
of sounds

smiles are slowly
trickling at your
stoic face
which for a long
time now
only tears
had reigned

welcome tomorrow
the promised day
where love and truth
awaits you without delay
where laughter is
abundant and bright
where laughter
is forever
dwelling
in your sad heart...

inside SHRINE, the Pope & Mona Lisa

Pope Benedict the XVI arrived here this afternoon for a six day visit and was met by Pres. Bush and his family at Andrews Air Force Base, the first time for a sitting president to do that kind of a gesture. it was a symbolic show of how much this president takes his faith seriously. i remember in those debates before he was elected err by divine intervention and luckily became president with the help of his then Florida governor brother. he was asked in that debate who is his most respected person in history and his answer was "Jesus, bec. he changed my heart" meaning from an alcoholic to a sober person which he is now. i still believe to this date that, this was the turning point, the gauge that elected a president. for some reason that we don't know but i say with divine help, he had the shot and became a president even with lesser intelligence and experience than Al Gore. but sad to say he became the president of war, of a "broken down America" with its economy on the verge of depression for really it's an election year this year so no one in this administration wants to admit any of that for of course it will be a cause of downfall or not a good baggage to carry for a republican candidate which Mr. Bush belongs, see how clever? but do you think that voters are dumb like me? then they better think twice, laughs. they say that the economy is just in the "doorway" to recession. with more than a trillion dollars and adding up every seconds budget deficit to date, two million Americans losing their homes to foreclosures for their jobs were shipped overseas with government incentive of tax breaks for after all these are corporations that support this present president. but really America is not broken down yet, not yet. yes the dollar has been decreasing in value, yes, more than 4 thousand young kids lost their lives and tens of thousands disabled bec. of this war in Iraq plus 100 thousands Iraqis dead themselves and soaring gas prices that might rival the American eagle's flight. but no, America is still the only super power in this world to this date, the one country that lots of people around the world would like to visit if not to live. yes, indeed. the truth of the matter is, it is not broken down yet. thanks heavens. so you could still play your favorite instrument the way you want it played, me the piano and J.C. the guitar, laughs. and we are still "smiling" inspite of it all. yup Virginia, with that enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa by the great painter Leonardo da Vinci, yes that unforgettable smile of his muse? hmn, maybe, laughs. of course painters paint their muses and lady loves, some in a very sexual way if i may add, laughs. but oh well, it's their brush so they can do what ever they want as we looked on with an eye popping and jaw dropping awe :) kudos to them really. wonderful works of art if i may add :> i for one have a giggle looking at them, laughs, making my day in the process. what a beautiful world indeed, filled with talent and of wonder :) so a broken world? not yet... so far and thank God for that...(^_~)...maybe tomorrow? i hope not and i pray not...

***

and HAPPY B-DAY to his Holiness tomorrow Wed. 4-16. he will be 81 years old. not bad. almost same age as my mother who is still healthy and frisky, laughs, and still travels alone here to the U.S. thank God really :) and here is my mother's favorite tune, Mona Lisa :) as a child then i remembered her humming this tune by Nat King Cole all the time. but to give it a modern twist, this version of the gimmes is more interesting to listen to. i think so, laughs. so enjoy? but better with your Mona Lisa of course :> the one whose smile could light up a room, just a joke, laughs.

a UNIVERSE ruled with fakery

one night the moon was out
one dark infested vampire night
a black lady of the night came
out of the darkened cave she goes

all eyes and all ears we were
all over the fence all over the stream
then suddenly a wailing sound was heard
it's hers like nightmare it filled the air

but like a black crow it flew
over the hills and over the mountain view
for like devil's of the night she was
no power for God denied

so fakely by her pen
as that stroke of that devil ink
a self confessed unfriendly girl
off of her typewriter she went

"you chimays and maids all over
i'll rule over you every where
i'm your devil master, your queen
by my superior intellect, so beware"

wait, wait dark madam
you don't rule me, yes mam
put that in print and seal
get your materials elsewhere
leave me alone for i'm earning
an honest living without
defaming your highness
without bothering your kingdom
but here you are in my tail

what happened to you
are you tired of your fiction creations
and you mocking any movies too
pls. go, go elsewhere
this is not your place
for we prefer a ruler
of kind heart and
of friendly disposition
anybody but her plzzz

so go fast into the night
and rule your fake universe
some where on this planet earth
where you can't see any of us
where you won't meddle
anymore with our lives
for truly we don't need any of that :)

wow, what a nice poem, for me at least, and it's for you ms. capra...the lady vampire of maids, laughs. but i hope you won't expect much from a lowly servant like me :) and i hope you liked it :> well, i know i can't satisfy you but at least can you give me a credit for just trying? laughs. thanks a lot in advance. I'm still waiting for your pre-announced book about us this year. this is not fiction so I'm safe here. i wonder what kind of chimay true to life stories are there inside. I'll buy one i promise and I'll put it in a special place at my altar, an offering sort of. to show how important your book to me...(^_~)...after all you gave us your precious time and your precious thoughts while a lot others out there are left in the dark. like those scattered homeless street children that you see every day when you go to work, the disabled and the hungry begging for alms near churches and underpasses. they deserve more attention from you than us. yes, we are down but we are trying to get up and we don't need your help, not yet. in the meantime your eyes should be focused on these poor hapless souls than us. they needed your pen to fight for the recognition of their plight, not us right now and not yet. open your eyes and see who needed your attention most. your priorities is not correctly in line here. and you don't need a maid like me to remind you this for you are a smart cookie. okidoki, my lady of the night? laughs. oh well. pardon the pun but it is very well intended...to hit one's heart and conscience. did i do a good job? only God knows :) and i hope i did! so we'll see. my take though... more than likely not...so there you are and there you go...but at least I've tried even if I've failed...the journey and the experience after all are worth as the price or the crown as they say :) but that is too deep. simply put, there's no harm in trying, and better something done than nothing at all :)
***
and that's the exact point. bec. if there's no point then it's just plain dull. yes, very dull indeed my friend. like similar to the song, "words, yes they're only words" may i add? that's just floating in the air or clouds whatever you prefer. no meaning and no substance :) like an ILLUSION, the on going song btw...

a torch's torment

for security reasons they have to change the original route for a lot of demonstrators were gathered around the Olympic torch's relay site in S.F. the only place here in the U.S. where the runners will be with that symbolic torch light waving up in their hands over the streets of this lovely city by the bay. where a lot had left their hearts to according to that popular song, laughs. they are protesting against the human rights abuses done by China in Tibet, but good luck I don't think China will succumb to this pressure. Hillary urged Pres. Bush to boycott the opening ceremony but to this minute Mr. Bush is still bent on going, meaning he does not care about the plight of these poor abused and killed people in Tibet and some of them were devoted monks. Yeah. No surprises for after all Bush backers or supporters are the big corporations doing business in this giant communist country named China. So money talks and is very very influential. It will win compared to ordinary folks who have their true hearts and minds in the right place. Talk about loyalty here. Where Mr. Bush will be in that opening ceremony will say a lot about him as a person... and where his heart and priorities are, silently, of course. We communicate with what we do or what we say, or what we write or paint or whatever your chosen form of cryptic silent language is and we get it no matter what. All we need is a little intelligence, a little math here and there, laughs. Oh well. So yes ladies and gents what we are inside will come out in some ways that we thought can't be deciphered but as you know people think and people see and hear :) So thumbs down for this president if he decides to attend the opening ceremony. Money won over human rights if that happens. Him tolerating this despicable inhuman acts of the chinese government to these oppressed population of Tibet.

how to read one's mind

it's been awhile since I've read a fiction book. i take that back. it is really a very very long time now. it's not that I'm really that old old that i can't remember but truly for the life of me i can't even remember a book of fiction that I've read, laughs. now you can call that's stupid, but i just don't have the inclination to pick on other people's fantasies or make believes, for i have a lot of my own already that i can't fit any body's in it. it's full, my brain that is to make it short. but if it is about helping me in other ways to better my life like how to do this and that or how to improve me or you then suddenly my brain will be blinking green like that traffic light you know :) i dunno if it doesn't make me laugh i don't have the urge to pick up a book. i like humor, biographies, like the one of Bill Clinton's late mom on how to raise a child that would become a president. but don't you think I'd open that book, even for just a few pages? no, and it's been years and years past and i can't even remember where is that book now for God's sakes, laughs. oh well. and i have lots or tons of books about Princess Diana which as usual they are in the basement somewhere, unread. so why can't i drag myself to read a book? incentive is one reason. i don't have to pass a test or sort of like that so no reason to spare my time in picking other's brain put in print. but if it is about gardening, cooking or about autism, then you got my attention. fiction books just do not do or cut it for me. for it will be like invading one's territory, their fantasies and you can tell that i don't have interest in those of others, not nosy to be short. but hey, if it's your thing then you have my respect. for I'm really that busy already doing "maid" work for my family. and yeah, it's good that i got experience in that regards, early on, laughs. and also if you are a writer then maybe it will help you broaden your horizons tremendously. read, read, read. your materials will come from them too you know. so bingo! that is why you have to read so that you have something to write about. but just be very careful, tweak it a little here and there and you're ready to go, laughs. as simple as that and you won't even have to be a whiz kid in math to figure that out :)

I'm writing this quickly on my very short break at work and now i had some thoughts on certain things. is a reader lady or a rich lady be a good goddess to reign a man's house? that is the question. i wonder what will be the right answer to that, laughs. but really it will just boils down to intelligence and money not what that lady of your dreams is inside or as a person and how she treats others besides you. for you don't want your queen to be just good to you alone or do you? laughs. but my interest lies on how she treats a maid like me? laughs. will she be a good catch if she is poor but kind and nice or vice versa? that is the question. marriages do not last long for prince charmings are blinded by beauty and money (not character) which are just artificial qualities, not going skin deep that is. so guys beware and be picky, laughs. it's your life and it's your call and it will be you to blame if you will be unhappy eventually in the future :)

and now the best part, i wonder how am i doing in the English language? i dunno, spelling wise, Google err blogger is doing a fine job in my blog i think, laughs. i wish i can correct my spelling though in my comments in Brian's blog. okay "here" instead of "her" laughs. a typo mistake. what can you do if a monitor beeps in one of your patient's room then you have to run, laughs. never mind the spelling, life is at stake "here" but this is only an alibi for my carelessness though, laughs. i was even a spelling bee champ, just in our district though not all over the archipelago, laughs. someone was better to be exact which i don't mind for really i think that was only a lucky break or a fluke that benefited me. but the point is i should be able to spell "here" correctly right? shame on me, laughs. oh well. what a bummer :) and that was me :>

the magic in make-believes

come feel the wind
it's floating in the air
come catch the wind
but it's gone like magic
it's done for it finished
its run

fly with those kites
you might catch it
yes you might
hurry, hurry now
for this is your
only chance

our eyes are with you
good luck to you
you will need it
yes you do
for illusions abound
to trick your heart
and your mind

be wise yet be nice
like magic
you'll be mesmerized
then you might just have it
in the palm of your hands

look when you open it up
all that glitter
and all that jazz
might be there
to greet you with the
sincerest of smiles

hope will ring
makes you to dream
not only of illusions
nor of passing moments
but now it's real

like love it will
make you dance
or laugh out loud
of not only with all
of your heart's content
but with all true caring
and of true pure delight...

thanks Mr. Torres for your almost true to life magical painting. I love it!

to fly with the wind

airy and breezy
balmy and hot
the weather is playing
a trick on my eyes
unseen and invisible
but fast
the wind had enveloped
my hands

up up in the sky
there you are
the weather with its wind
is circling us
with the swaying palm trees
with the bellowing clouds
with the dripping water from above

flying with the wind is a game
flying with the unseen is lame
can we just play with the sun
with its brightness and warmth
it'll surely put a nice glow
to our heavy and bleeding heart...

yeah, you can positively say that these string of words are sad, but really the truth is, it is making me laugh. what a contrast. i dunno it is just funny to me. now i came to the conclusion that, us can make us happy too, this being an example of it. yeah, I'm weird i must admit, laughs.

when love is gone

it's time to pack your bag
you've stayed too long
it's time to hit the road
to find your peace
and your soul's comfort

people do change
like the mind
the weather rolls
as if there is
no tomorrow
and the end is
here for you

when love had left
it's dead and gone
there isn't anything
that you can do
under the sun
that can put it back
that can resurrect it
except for another heart
except for another love
at another time

so say goodbye and
jump on the car
with a wish that you'll
find the one, true one
that won't bring you tears
and won't burn your heart
that will respect you
and will be there for you
till the end of your life...

to you down under...an advice...Jesus had resurrrected from the dead, but love unfortunately can't...when love is gone, it's gone...so wish them luck and move on. the earlier the better :) the tears will flow, the heart will bleed...but if you look closely love wasn't present ever in the first place. you're just being used and abused...and with that pick up the pieces and don't look back. time will heal your broken heart. God has His ways of helping you out. He did that when that fake love was exposed to you...strange things happen in our lives that show us the way to the truth :) embrace it and accept it...this way your peace and your happiness will come and it's not far behind :> you did not publish my advice, thanks for keeping it private. it will help you tremendously and in the right way :) as that desiderata excerpt goes, to accept the things that we can't change and hope we have the knowledge to know the difference...something like that.
***
i'll pray for you and good luck. it takes two to tango and remember you were also a part of this yourself. you trusted too much and to the wrong person, so taking the blame for that is a good start :) it is a 50-50 blame. if you did not give him the cash, nothing of this would ever happen to you. this is a nice lesson for a subject titled "love and cash 101" true love is free and it can't be bought by any amount of cash...you lost love? and you lost your cash, sad. but they say if you lose something God will "double that amount" He'll give it back to you, just wait....and look at the love that's pouring back to you right now. a lot, amazing! and remember the love that you've lost was not true, it is fake. so with that, open your eyes, smile and move ahead. love will come, just keep your sights up. forget the hate for it will just drag you down. haul it all to God's doorstep, He'll take care of the rest :) for hate is just too heavy of a burden to carry on your shoulders. carry forgiveness and love instead :)
***
the painted death on the cross, titled the Crucifixion by Mantegna where love had died. but Jesus in spirit will always be there for us before the next teardrop falls :)

the perfect flight

golden yellow

orange tinged and brown

bright illuminating

beautiful butterfly

monarch of insects

lovely divine

your flight

your trip is now

sweet sticky pollen

that you picked upon

seeds of the future

another growth

another year

another span

rest, rest on top

of my head

touch on my soft

petals and wait

till you're ready again

to burst

till you're ready again

to fly

in search of your place

in the sun, up in that sky

down south down below

where it's warm and dry

***

go now before it's too late

for cold and drafty weather

awaits

fly, fly so swift

that no one can catch

you adrift...

always thanks...

for passing by :) here is an award winning watercolor painter, pls. click the link if you want to see and that's her work up there too :> really great! i love it :)

http://www.maudart.com/MaudBio.htm

works and works...

of art...the beach, fireworks' flowers and a perfect autumn scenery...my eyes are glued. wow! I'm speechless. thousands thank yous are not enough. i love your creations :) the pink on top was awarded first in prize done by a student :)

***

psalm 27:4-6

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2027:4-6&version=49