The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Blessing of the Animals

Yesterday was the annual blessing of the animals at Nuestra Señora de La Merced, the church to the east of the zocalo.  It is a sweet and fun event, one in which people from the city bring their pets to be doused with holy water and to receive the words and blessings from padre Víctor Hernández Antonio.  Even though the event was running about a half hour behind schedule, the padre spoke at length saying,""the animals give us company, security, joy and service, and that is why we must give thanks to God, although sometimes we treat our pets better than we do the elderly and our children." The pastor spoke of San Ramón Nonato, he of the padlock through the lips fame, who is considered the patron Saint of animals and how every August 31 is celebrated the corresponding blessing.

This year there were more spectators and media than actual pet owners.  I always like to say that every drop of rain is a blessing.  Well, we were all mightily blessed as we stood in a steady rain and umbrellas and plastic coverings were everywhere.  And what can I say, all of us crowded close together and trying unsuccessfully to stay dry.... well, you know what a wonderful aroma a wet dog has... try fifty of them, most of them tiny, yipping and yapping... I guess you had to be there to appreciate the moment.
Some pets were a little bit more comfortable in the rain.
 Always fun to see pets and their humans.
 C'mon, cute kids with their pets?  How can you go wrong, no matter how wet they are.
 I love this guy.  Such a sweet face as he huddled under the eaves keeping his little kitten dry.
 This couple had the right idea.  They calmly sat and observed the whole thing.
However, this pup, who was blessed to have a perch up on the roof of the church, had the best view.

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