Mi Jardin Florido

An 8 by 5 Painting

2013-05-16T23:31:00.001-04:00

I liked a picture that looked a lot like this and thought I should try to paint it. I rather like how it came out, especially the fence. I think I will try it again.

Flowers in a Row

2013-05-13T23:15:00.001-04:00

Latest painting in a while.

Education Week

2013-05-08T21:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Teacher Appreciation Day and we had a nice spread laid out for the teachers by the Administration, which included bagels and coffee. Monday, I need to add was also a special day as well. It was quite generous as it was put on by the PTSA. Not only did they have breakfast sandwiches, fruits, juices, and coffee, but also flowers and gifts for each teacher. It was grand!

Today, we had a luncheon during our varying lunch periods and then at dismissal during our regular faculty meeting we had dessert. Got to start counting my calories! To top that off, I have had a student, whose mom is the school nurse, and this week he has been regularly handing me a small gift everyday. First it was tea, yesterday it was chocolates, and today chewing gum! It is really the thought that counts!

To my surprise though something worthy of my treasure folder happened today! I wasn't expecting it. I know that a lot of teachers get tons of cards and gifts but it is usually on the last day of school. Frankly, that has never been my case except for that one time when I was teaching elementary school and did a maternity leave for a second grade teacher. When I went to leave those parents showered me with gifts, some of which I still have today. That was at least fifteen years ago! Times have changed. The economy is bad and then it isn't the end of the year either. But today...I got a lovely gift from one of my advanced students... the card was so special, telling me thank you in about ten different languages, all written by her. Inside the bag was a cute notepad and pen, a decadent chocolate cake, and last but not least, a tall travel cup that said "A teacher like you happens once in a lifetime." Amazing!

I am still speechless!

Thank you, Lord!

How do you get rid of junk?

2013-05-05T06:42:00.001-04:00

I don't know that I know the answer but part of it is in the letting go. Another is visiting others at a home that is organized. Last week, we had our annual community garage sale. Around three other families on our block were having one but I had had a tooth pulled the evening before and it was even surprising that I was even there. Surprising even to my self that my face wasn't ballooned out of shape.
Not that I sold things in my own garage, but that my front door neighbor Pat was selling so many things. She had been into square dancing and used to make her own dresses, so I swung over to take a look at the fabrics, laces, and notions she was selling.

She was selling things I love and have neatly stored in my own closets. In fact I have fabrics to dresses I made for my little girls and now that I think of it, I could use them for a crazy quilt or a memory quilt. Make something productive that I could share rather than hoard.

While I was Pat's, I learned two things. One was letting go. She was selling some very high end products for ridiculously low prices. Complete three yards of cloth for four dollars or two yards for three bucks. Bucks...sounds so vulgar I used to say..but any way. For three dollars! So I got the best bargains, including cloth to make myself some cute outfits at bargains I would not have been able to get otherwise and I only had to cross the street. I got lace for making baby blankets as well. Have you seen the price on lace lately? Easily four dollars a yard, some much more. The point is: (Finally!) She was letting go. Letting go, letting go, letting go. She made so many people happy with things that were just sitting there in her closet. Some was going to a church sewing group, another for little girls dresses, and one for a church banner. Living, breathing, useful, current needs were being met.

Personally, I think life is a metaphor in so many respects, but that can be the topic of another entry, but do you get my drift? Letting go... before she could let go of these things she had to analyze what was the cost and purpose of keeping them. There is a price to be paid for keeping things. Sometimes the reason we keep things is for sentimental value or as a token of a time and place. It is living in the past. We have to leave behind what is dead and over and move forward to what is alive, moving, and breathing towards our future. Those things no longer served a purpose or need in her life. It was time to let them go.

I spent a little time there perusing her merchandise and during a lull she invited me in so see some paintings. She knows I paint and she showed me some beautiful artwork that put mine to shame but any way... the room was a bedroom next to the garage and it was so neatly organized and the closet was mostly empty except for some paintings standing in a corner since she said she had run out of walls to hang them. They were lovely. What I enjoyed most was the space and the order.

I want to do the same. So I started. A little piece at a time. A corner here and a corner there. But yesterday, I did some major overhauling. The victims: an old fax machine... I no longer have a house phone; an excessive amount of cables because I just don't need them; and old printers whose ink is more expensive than the printers. So I started letting go and rearranging... Also gone a huge long table belonging to an ex husband that I also needed to let go. The table, long and heavy, had to go, too.

Metaphors... I told you life is a metaphor.

42

2013-04-28T22:32:00.002-04:00

Number 42 had never meant anything to me before but after seeing the movie, "42," it means something now. That was the number Jackie Robinson wore when he went to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers, thus the name of the movie. One brave man with dignity and class with the strength of character to withstand the onslaught of prejudice, insults, threats, and actual verbal and physical attacks. Astonishing.

This was not the first time I had encountered Jackie Robinson's story since I had taught his story a couple of years back when I taught ELL students exclusively. Their textbook had a moving account about Jackie Robinson which clearly spoke about his challenges but never into such detail. I had no idea that much of the racism he first encountered in his breaking the color barrier was right here in my backyard so to say. Sanford, Deland, and Daytona Florida are no more than 20, 25, and 40 minutes away respectively, from my house by car. I placidly thought the prejudice he experienced was light years away. So it seemed until last year with the death of Trayvon Martin, that same old racism lifted its ugly head again in Sanford. Sanford the town with its lovely marina, Lake Monroe and the Central Florida Zoo. Sanford, Florida.

You would think people would know better.

The movie surprised me with that historical information and with the use of the "n" word in its full ugly utterance of hate. It is about time the younger generation of whites and blacks realize this isn't a greeting and friendly colloquial term. Many of them, both white and African Americans, could use seeing the example that Jackie Robinson was. A well dressed gentleman who loved and respected his wife, who was a loving father to his child, and with self discipline fought for what was right before even Martin Luther King led this country to a non violent revolution.

This is what the movie does; it makes you think and perhaps relive the past.

At around two this afternoon, at Regal Theatres in Waterford Lakes this is what happened. Just after the previews the movie was starting and it was a bit dark when an African American family came in. There were about five people in the group. A mother with her two children and an elderly couple. The younger woman was helping her fragile mother, perhaps in her 70s to her seat in the dark. You knew she was making a huge effort to be there. They got seated a couple of rows down from me. It was then that is hit me. She had lived through segregation. This was not just a movie for her. This was a story of a hero perhaps as big as Martin Luther King and she was not going to miss it. You don't understand. If you are in your sixties, seventies or up, you are part of this story. You either were on the side of pain or on the side of shame. And you were young and caught on a side you had no control over except how you felt about what was going on.

It made me remember.

I was only six or seven when I looked across a fence to see a shanty part of town where the "colored folks" lived. There was a slimy slippery creek that ran through it. It is all built up now, but it was there in Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. I could see shiny cars next to run down houses and it confused me. Some times I heard laughter and music. Other times I heard screaming and arguments on the other side while my side was mellow. Why? How could I know there was something wrong with that rusted cyclone fence?

This is what this movie does to you. It makes you think. If you don't like to think, don't go. But if you are a person who wants to see something good done right and end right. Go!

It might make you think, but that is okay.

Spiritual Song

2013-04-27T07:37:00.002-04:00

There are some spiritual songs that will never be sung in church and they might only be sung on a dusty record player, or on a country music station out in the boon docks, or with some lonely guitar in front of a fire pit where only the bushes can hear you. Some are those country music favorites where people sing their hearts out, their lamentations, their sincerest honest not sugar coated truths. If we ever understood Jesus, I think he is listening. Maybe he sang some of these himself. I wonder.

He Bottles our Tears

2013-04-27T06:44:00.001-04:00

Proverbs 31 Ministries put up on FB some five empty bottles of tears. There were like the antique pharmaceutical kind with the quote that the Lord bottles our tears andit really got me thinking about how our God loves us so much. There is no one like Him. No one can love us like Jesus. No one is capable of loving us to the depth of all our needs. Only he knows our wounds, our ridiculously demanding expectations, and he can and does meet them. No one can love us like Jesus. He, our Adonai, has written his love for us on the hole ridden Palm of his hand. Our needs, thoughts, delights, desires, and yes even our weaknesses, our loneliness, our laughter, and our tears, are ever before Him, and He whispers his love. I am here, you are not forgotten, I am here. His presence, his affirmation is ever before us. When he said, I prepare a table before you in the presence of mine enemies, it is true. God is ever faithful.

Lord you are ever faithful. I love you Lord... thank you, Dearest Friend and Savior, thank you for ever loving me. Your love, it means every thing to me.

To think--- you bottle our tears!

Two Tomatoes for Two Molars

2013-04-26T19:28:00.002-04:00

So today I got two wisdom teeth pulled. Ouch. Though it did go much more smoothly than I expected there is always some trepidation whether while just waiting for the procedure to begin or to hope I don't forget that there should be no rinsing, no straws, and to use the gauzes. Oh my the rinsing can happen so easily but I do not want a dry socket! Oh dear me, not a dry socket. So I am holding down the fort, but along the way I stopped to get my meds and a side trip to Lowe's. It was only a quick trip in and out to buy two hardy tomato plants to cheer me up. You and I know that fresh ripen tomatoes from ones own garden are a delicacy. There is nothing like them really.

So it is spring,
time for poems, odes, and planting.
Cleaning out closets
rearranging the house
a bucket of paint,
a new bone for the dog,
freesbies in the back yard
Zinneas in all colors and the
Jasmine in bloom
with it fragrance permeating the air

So it is spring and time
for Two Tomatoes for
two sad molars
and the joy they bring.
The tomatoes that is!
So here's a decent ode to
Spring Mr. Burns
you naughty man you!

(There must be a place for yours
I am sure, but....)

Airconditioning Saga Update

2013-04-14T20:14:00.001-04:00

What I tried to do:

To save money I went to Lowe's and purchased a Honeywell Thermostat/Control Unit. The only problem: they sold me the wrong one. I went to all the steps, call the Service Center and got more erroneous information. I should have gone back to the store, but with the misguided advice, I gave up. So I called the Del Aire Service Center. Well, they told me they were going to charge me 75 dollars for the service visit and evaluation. That amount would not be put towards the repair and the soonest they could get to see me would be on Monday. The only problem, I can't be absent from school any day next week due to the big state exam. That was when I remember my front door neighbor telling me he knew of someone. I called the guy and he was finishing a job and said he would come over in an hour. He did take an hour and a half, and I forgave him. He charged my 95 dollars for the whole repair that ("Thank God!") was only electrical and not a big ticket item. You do not know how grateful I was. The old thermostat was also defective and replaced.

Cool air and a big smile! Of course, grateful to the kind repairman and to the goodness of God!

The Air Conditioning Saga Begins

2013-04-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

Last evening I realized it was really stuffy in the house and I went to check my thermostat to see the temperature. There was nothing. Not a number. Not a degree. Nothing. So now I am going to replace the themostat and hope that is the only problem.

The saga begins!

Poetry and Plumbing

2013-04-05T20:45:00.000-04:00

Got back on Saturday night from a vacation in Puerto Rico. It was really a work vacation because most of the week was dedicated to supervising a bathroom renovation at my apartment. Unfortunately, that has turned into a nightmare because I have an uncooperative tenant and to make matters worse my repairman became ill and had emergency surgery without completing the job. He started to lay down the tile and was going to finish the job on Saturday the day I was leaving but the tenant asked him to leave. Then on Sunday night he got ill and had to be rushed to the emergency room and now he will require two weeks of rest at least! Can you believe that? Once he is well, I hope he will complete the repair in one week.

On the other side of ocean, here in Florida, I had to face my final observation of the year for work. It was my first day back at work and it was going to be during my first class of the day. Talk about pressure! And it was. I was nervous and my students were nervous. Have you heard of Murphy's law? Everything that can go wrong will. This is how it happened.

First I got back from making copies about 30 seconds late. My supervising assistant principal was standing there waiting for me. He is a stickler for punctuality and I was so ashamed, but I had to make those copies. So I apologized. He put me at ease saying he did not start the observation until he stepped into the room! Then I lost the TV remote and without it I couldn't put on the channel for the school's news. I could only turn the TV on manually but needed the remote to find a particular channel. So we couldn't say the pledge which we always say. I was on the verge of tears. I finally spotted the remote, but by then the news was over and it was just in time for the credits. What good was that! After all of that I made a remark about it being April Fools and I shook it off and kept going. I started the class and the kids were great and I made it through. I taught them a lesson on creative poetry writing putting into practice all they had learned about figurative and descriptive language. I used the poem I wrote about the turtles as a model and they got inspired! They talked and wrote about their Spring Break. They circled key words and phrases which included imagery and figurative language and then began to write. The kids were wonderful, were on task, and loved the idea of creative writing! Everything turned out alright!

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about any more observations for the rest of the year. Now I can focus on teaching, finishing my IPDP, and the end of the year! Can I deal with that? You betcha!

Alpha Roosters

2013-03-31T19:43:00.001-04:00

My South Carolina friends will know what I am talking about! These two were the voluntary alarm clocks for all the early birds to catch the sunrise.

Tidbits of Maunabo

2013-03-31T07:56:00.001-04:00

I love how the ocean peeks out between the branches. The waves, the regal palm tree standing out from the crowd, the old Lighthouse (that is now the property of the town of Maunabo), and the moon filling up the night with its light. Just some tidbits that could not be left out.

Protected Turtle Eggs

2013-03-30T22:13:00.003-04:00

On Terracotta Sand

2013-03-30T08:41:00.000-04:00

Terracotta sand with
Crabs nervously skirting towards the sea
Silvery water illumined by
An early morning sun
Driftwood settled on the shore
And here am I sitting
on a gray pecked driftwood log as
I stop to enjoy the
Crashing waves and
Glance over as a pair of Pelicans sway as they
Glide like silent sentinels watching
That no one disturbs
The fragile nest of turtle eggs encased
In yellow tape that says,
“Stay away!
Let me live another day so
I may softly skim across this sand
To reach the ocean,
My home.
Be my friend.”

by E. G. Vazquez

Good Friday at the Beach

2013-03-29T19:58:00.001-04:00

It was the perfect place for devotions this morning to remember the kindest, most righteous person in the world who took the stripes for me and my place. Words can never be enough to thank the Lord Jesus, Yeshua for what he did for me and for you!

El Caminito a la Playa Punta Tuna

2013-03-29T19:46:00.001-04:00

My cell phone is not taking the best pictures in the world lately, but it is what it is. This is the pathway between the field and the beach. Apparently a bulldozer went through it.

The result?
A clearer, wider path but not everyone is happy about how it was handled. They also built a shelter with some benches which I think is nice. You take a look and be the judge.

That little dog came to greet me! He was so sweet, so he upstaged everything and got his picture taken, too!

Maunabo, Country or Beach?

2013-03-29T19:31:00.001-04:00

Here I am on my way to la playa Punta Tuna...but there are so many distractions. Of course the narrow tree lined road, so full of memories including my friends from SC, laughing and enjoying everything that I love. Then there are the mountains ascending into Yabucoa, and next the brush and trees that look like they were transplanted from the African savannah. Everything shouting, "Look at me, look at me!" Everything was beautiful this morning and here we go on our way to the beach. I better watch my step.

Lamento Borincano- Puerto Rican Lament

2013-03-27T15:36:00.003-04:00

This song was written in the nineteen thirties when the Great Depression was at its peak and money was scarce every where. The common laborer was a rural "jibaro" or criollo who worked his fields and probably someone else's. Once in a while he had a small harvest that he would take to town to sell. This song tells of his thoughts and dreams full of happiness and of selling his wares and hoping to buy his wife a gift. The jibaro's joy turns to sadness when no one wants to buy his goods and he returns home without any money to help his family.

That is why it is called El Lamento Borincano.

While Waiting for the Gate to Open i.e. Learning Patience

2013-03-24T22:21:00.002-04:00

I was staying in a gated community and had to park my car outside. Since I didn't have a beeper, I had to wait for someone to come in or out. While waiting, I decided to make good use of my time. What better way to wait than by doing what I enjoy most. Take pictures! The first good shot I found was a stately Royal Palm, humbly surrounded by coconut palms. Then I spotted this wonderful coconut palm and decided to count how many fronds it had. To my surprise, I counted up to 30 fronds. I had no idea it would have so many. Then I sat next to that dwarf Palmetto and was sheltered by the shade of its fan like fronds. I am sure it made for a funny sight. Then in front of me was this fushia Bougainvillea(Trinitaria)! Before I knew it a car drove up and my camera shots time had expired and I was on my way.

What a great way to kill time!

First day in Puerto Rico

2013-03-22T14:38:00.001-04:00

Plane ride
and Laughter
Applause as we land
Smiling Faces
that know we are thrilled to be in
Puerto Rico
Waking up to parrots squawking
in delight
as they fly overhead
looking at distant mountains
filled with
Yellow Hibiscus
Heliconia on fire
Blue Skies
Bright Sun
Flip
Flops
Shorts
Ceiling Fans
Heavy Traffic
the other way, thank God
Hammocks
inviting you to relax
as you watch palm trees sway
Swimming pools
waiting for you to jump in
and I think I will
excuse me
let me find my
bathing suit
and hat
Splash!

Se Acabo: The World Baseball Classic

2013-03-20T23:06:00.001-04:00

Estuvo bueno. Desafortunadamente yo no tengo cable. Y francamente no iba a conectarlo por unos cuantos juego, pero antes de que me cojan pena les dire que vi los juegos virtualmente con el link de World Baseball Classic. Bueno Puerto Rico no gano pero hizo tremendo show ganandole a los Estados Unidos y a Japon. Estaban diciendo por los medio sociales que Puerto Rico se los habia comido en Sushi con mofongo. Dijeron otras cosas que no repito. Egos inflados pero lo cierto es que el biesbol todavia esta vivo en Puerto Rico y hay que seguirlo desarollando.

Y felicito a la Republica Dominicana por su victoria y a todos le digo, "Buenas noches!"

I am just human

2013-03-19T18:21:00.000-04:00

There are some things that are hard to understand. Last year for example, a young lady whose first name began with A had been my student the year before. One day we got the news that A had gotten a terrible headache and died. Just like that. She was only 15. She had been one of my favorite students: hardworking and fastidious with her work to the point of being obsessive compulsive. Yet she was the sweetest girl and could be trusted to help others. It had been the first time in years that I heard of a child dying. I know children die but it was the first time it was one I knew.

Then today, it was G.O. Those are only his initials. G. was one of my advanced students two years ago. Now that I think of it, it means he was also a classmate to A. G. would be the last person I would be thinking I would be getting an email about. He was a cheerful, friendly, and courteous young man. G. They told me G was at church last night setting things up for youth group when he suddenly became deathly ill and his parents were notified. They took him to the emergency room where it was discovered he had a brain aneurysm. Later during the evening while they waited for a brain surgeon he had another and was declared brain dead soon afterward. He died this afternoon.

Life and death.

Life and death.

Life and death.

Death coming to the young is never expected.

It is so final.

If a child has an illness you sort of work through it but something like this never stops being shocking. The truth is, death is hard even if you are expecting it.

So here I am praying for the family, knowing they must be suffering.

It makes you stop. It makes you stop in your tracks. It makes you think and reflect.

Why? That question only takes you in circles really. Even if I knew the answer it would not change the reality, would it? Then trust comes to mind. Trust God for the things I don't understand and call for his grace for G's family and all that loved him. Rest in peace G, you must be walking the streets of gold and smiling.

The New Amway Center

2013-03-17T08:26:00.000-04:00

The Amway Arena....that word arena, so reminisce of the original arena in the Colosseum in Rome, this arena is dedicated to the Orlando Magic. If they market it right, it can be an excellent venue for many other activities including concerts and conventions and bring much needed revenue to downtown. Though it has been open several months, this was my first time. It was impressive. The word that comes to mind is large.

My reason for attending was Joyce Meyer, who was in town opening the Amway Center for free since her conferences are always free. Thank you, Joyce! Men and women alike filled the arena, and yes there were seats left over. It's a huge place. Israel Houghton and New Tribe were there also and I enjoyed every minute I was there. I will extend my comments on the experience on another blog entry.

At the arena, I did not waste the opportunity to see the arena itself and enjoy the experience of visiting a new place, at least what was open to us. My impressions? As I walked in there were tall murals to my left and long escalators to the right. Significantly different to the old arena, the huge steps up to the entrance were gone. So everyone, including the handicapped, now have an easy entrance.

I must interject that the Arena experience, begins long before you take a step into the Amway Arena. It begins on the street and there I think signs are lacking. I went the old familiar way, simply for curiosity, nostalgia, since you can clearly see the new arena from I-4. People will do this and they should have a sign at the old place. It wouldn't hurt. Then on Amelia Street corner of I-4 they should place a clear sign that points to go left down Hughley. I am so glad I took that route because I avoided all the traffic getting off of 408 to I-4. There must be another entrance there. Since I took the Amelia Street exit off of I-4 north, I followed Hughley and went to the parking garage in front of the arena. Be ready to pay ten dollars for that parking spot. Keep you little parking ticket in a handy spot because you will need to give it to an attendant when you are exiting the parking lot.

So when I parked my car, on the fourth floor I found an easy access to the elevators and off I went. It was simple. I only had to cross the street. Since they close off the street to traffic, pedestrians are free to cross the street any where safely. Cafes and shops line the street on one side while beautiful date palms are planted in front of the arena. Security is every where in the parking lot itself and on the street making it a nice safe experience.

Once inside I noticed the tall murals, unfortunately I wasn't so impressed with them since they seemed a missed opportunity to have a mural that would connect Orlando's rich history in sports to the present. Nevertheless the escalators make it I an easy transition to the higher levels of the Arena. Obviously when I arrived the ground level was full since everyone was being routed to the escalators and the upper floors.

When I started walking around the arena, I quickly realized if I hadn't told you already, you have to be prepared to walk. So bring comfortable shoes. Fortunately for me, I had and walking around was a pleasure. There were many people coming and going and the hustle and bustle seemed like you were walking through a busy street, yet it didn't feel crowded. There were concession booths on the right and left with places to buy food and soda, as well as places to sit and/or have a picture opp. They had one spot that looked like an old postcard of Orlando that was too cute but people were using it so I didn't take a picture, but there was a colorful sprawled out sign of Orlando that I was able to capture. Bathrooms were strategically placed between each section though they seemed small and crowded once the event let out. Lines extended up to 20 people out of the ladies room. Why can't stadium designers get this right for once?

Other than that, I wish they would give tours of the arena because I think I would like to see their sky boxes and other amenities. Next time I will go earlier. All in all, it was a good experience. If they fix the signage to get there recognizing that they will be having out of town guests as well as local newcomers, they might be more accommodating. The reality is that Orlando is a growing city with a lot of people moving in and out and they need to have signage that makes it easier for everyone to get about downtown. Other than that, I am certainly looking forward to returning again and again.

When is there time to write?

2013-03-13T22:42:00.003-04:00

I have been writing but mostly on my dry erase board at school and on social media as in Facebook and Twitter. After doing all of that reading, writing, and talking, I wonder, when is there time to write? Now that I think of it, perhaps if I turned off the TV? Today, turning off the TV was not an option, as I had to catch up on a newly elected Pope.

Pope Francis the first, for Saint Francis de Assisi. What a wonderful name! I went to Assisi when I went to Italy many years ago and something very tender happened to me when I went to the church there. I really think the place was surrounded by angels, but that story is for another day, I suppose. The point is, I could certainly find some time to write if I hadn't watched TV, but there are some days, we must watch. Today was one of them.

On the other hand, last night, I painted. If I had not painted, then maybe that might have given me an hour and a half to scribble something. So the answer, is yes, there is always some time to write, but I have chosen to do something else.

Tonight I chose to smell the roses, metaphorically. I went to Lowe's and breathed in some beautiful colors in flowers, that is. I also imagined a gorgeous manicured garden. Alright, that was a hyperbole because I would settle for something as tiny as a nook near my front door; so I splurged on some purple, yellow, and orange-pink lantana to line up the entry way. Mind you, I live in Florida where it is called the sunshine state and that is not a misnomer. The summers are harsh, going up in the 100 degrees. Choosing these lantanas was not a coincidence since I know they tolerate a full Florida sun and that will make a difference if these plants are to survive.

So tomorrow rain or shine, pen or no pen, I will find my trowel and paint. Dig I mean, but paint I will except that instead of watercolor on a textured 140 lb Arches paper, it will be in deep brown dirt getting under my nails as I cover each treasured plant securely and anchoring them in the fertile soil. Hoping that each one will grow hardy and yield a sight for sore eyes every time someone comes up my walkway.

I'll let you know how my garden grows. Happy planting to you, if you do!