The heart of the matter

Not only is this heart-felt image beautiful, but it is a perfect example of the combination of form and function.

Recycle!

Olio

Working on my video chops using stock clips, but the music is all mine.

Audrey, is that you?

OK, it's not exactly a "Little Shop of Horrors" plant, but from this angle, it looks pretty fierce and hungry.  No, this is that agave in the garden that has been taking its own sweet time to flower for over a month. 

The flowering goes from tight buds...to opening.... 

to fully flowered.

All reaching for the sky, but getting drawn back to earth by its weight.

What a welcome guest to the garden and rare treat.  And this type of agave does not die after flowering, so maybe in another ten to twelve years.....

Me, Myself y Mio

Finally, I figured out how to be with people. Hey, it's someone to talk to....
Really, I'm just working on video techniques.

Hoops - The Saga Continues

At least  I did not get arrested, but simply asked to leave,

Hoops

Sweet spot

 

One of the activities I miss most, besides playing pool in the city, is shooting hoops.  I've had a great setup in MA for forever, and I shoot everyday.... but here.... there's no place to put one.  And to further drive me crazy, there are two groups of young guys that play nearby everyday and the sounds of the game make me long for it all the more.  Well, as we all know, there are always courts or canchas in every Mexican neighborhood or village.  So today, I was determined to find one nearby and it turned out, there was a wonderful village sports center within walking distance, really close but just on a street I had never gone down before.  Que milagro! Perfecta!

So I'm all set for now, a new daily activity.  And the sound of the bouncing ball!! The place echoes like crazy.  It's wild.  I'll have to make a recording.

Meet a real movie star...

And it's more than just a pretty face.  Yes, this little church, Las Peñitas, was one of the starring backdrops for the film "Nacho Libre." However, the surrounding countryside in Reyes, Etla is equally dramatic, with mountains to the west... 

An incredible lush expanse of farmland to the south, filling a wide flat valley between two mountain ranges.  You can see the archaeological site of Atzompa off in the distance.

And right in front of the church, you will find one of the best dance floors around.

Not quite the Red Carpet, but it'll do.

Summer in the city... Not

I do miss going into the city and to the villages, but I am lucky to be where I am with sights like this surrounding me.  That's the archeological site of Atzompa in the distance.  You can see how lush the countryside is with all the wonderful rains we've had.  With very few people around,  like Rex Harrison, Dr. Dolittle, "I Talk with the Animals." and...

They think I'm crazy and ignore me.  Once again, the goat, but not the only one.

Still, what a blessing to be in the midst of such verdant beauty... with friends like these.