Feelin Groovy

Heal Me

Ain't it crazy? For a moment there, this felt just like dying.
But now I see that something inside is coming alive.
Ain't it crazy?!
No use running from a revolution; I just surrender to this evolution.

Heal me, Lift me, Take me to the other side.
Amazing grace has touched my face and the sweet sound doesn't lie.

Ain't it crazy - For a moment there, I just gave up trying
But now I see you can let the light in, you can begin again - Now.
Ain't it crazy?
I lay me down in this sweet perfection; I am a witness to my
resurrection.

Heal me. Lift me. Take me to the waterside.
Drop me in - let me swim. Let everyone know - I'll be coming home again.

Make no mistake, I'm wide awake.
Yeah... Ain't it crazy?

Heal me. Lift me. Oh take me to the other side!
I'll take what I've earned, these lessons I've learned. I'm ready for the ride - Now.

Heal me. Lift me... Take me and my soul will fly!
My battered heart will make a new start. Let everyone know, I'll be coming home again.

Heal me - Lift me... Take me - take me to the waterside.
Drop me in; come on and watch me swim. Let everyone know I'll be coming home again.

Let everyone know - I'm coming home again.

"Heal Me"
~Melissa Etheridge~

Seeing Owls in Everything

I must have already had the Hondo Owls Homecoming game on my mind.
Texas High School Football - Catch the Fever!

As Seen at the Black Crowes Show Last Night

Historic

It doesn't matter, really, if one is happy or sad or worried or even unsure if it matters that Barack Obama was elected President last night.

We cannot deny that this is a watershed moment in American history. A time when we, as a nation, spoke loudly at the polls. When a new generation of voters and a new type of mobilization of those voters was formed.

With an almost 2-1 margin we elected not only a man of color, but a young politician with a young family. We just brought small kids back into the White House. We have changed the energy that will reside in those hallowed halls.

We can still be cynical, if we want to. That is our right in this democracy.

But we should not doubt that History was made.

As Americans we should all take pride in that.

To risk paraphrasing... I have never been so proud to be an American. Or of my country. Or of my fellow citizens. This is truly awesome.

OMG
MSNBC just called Obama the projected winner.
Speechless

VOTE. Don't Care for Who. Just VOTE.

Wake and Vote

I voted! About 45 minutes... Not bad really.

My district is filled with apartment dwellers like me and has a hot state election...We are on a double line. Waiting.

On line waiting to vote.

Bootleg Stills from the Art of Corin Hewitt

As Seen at the Whitney Museum this past Friday night.

Full Moon rising pale amber past salmon streaks in a still blue sky. Dusk and clouds creep in quickly. Now blank slate.

Serendipity in Houston

As many of you may already know, my father had major surgery last Tuesday to repair an aneurysm of his descending aorta. I'm both delighted and grateful to report the surgery was a success and his road to recovery will soon lead us back to his home in San Antonio.

Although the circumstances have prevented me from posting this past week, that doesn't mean I haven't been looking and capturing images. What follows are photos I took as usual, but which I've posted from my computer rather than directly from my cell phone.

Unfortunately this is only a brief glance into the events of the past week. So many more images and thoughts come to mind... the families of other patients who filled the waiting room - as anxious and hopeful as I was - all of us sharing our stories and updating each other on our loved ones' progress... the doctors and nurses and all the staff and volunteers who have all shown such amazing kindness and patience in explaining what was going on, what could be expected, and in listening to - and answering - concerns and questions... the staff of the hotel who are also obviously used to having patients and loved ones staying there and so are equally helpful and generous with their time and support and encouragement... and finally the guests of the hotel that I've met - both the sick and the recovering and their loved ones - sharing our histories and results and comic laments in vans and at the poolside, over coffee and in elevators, the sincerity of our well wishes and sympathy no less deeply felt for our paths crossing so briefly.

There are times and places where each meeting leaves an impression that is a little deeper than normal. Although the stories, names and faces may fade from memory, the experience shared - even for a moment - shifts our perception and reshapes us in ways we may never fully understand.

Poolside Pal

I've been trying to give myself little breaks each day... particularly when I was sleeping out at the hospital in Dad's room. Or, not sleeping, as is probably more accurate.
Most days this ended up only being a short trip to the hotel's pool. About 30 minutes of swimming and 30 minutes of soaking up sun to recharge my batteries (I'm solar powered, ya know) followed by a good hot shower does wonders!

One-Eyed Reindeer Silhouette

There are shuttles that run from the hotel out to the hospitals of the Houston Medical Center. For several days I'd noticed this ornament hanging in one of the vans - the one used by my favorite driver. So when I was sitting up front on Sunday, I asked him where the one-eyed reindeer ornament had come from.

He told me they had a guest who had stayed at the hotel for several months while undergoing treatment for cancer at MD Anderson, and of course he drove her to and from quite a lot. She'd been there around the holidays and had made these ornaments for the staff at the hotel. So he'd hung his in the van. And now, whenever she came back for follow-up visits she'd get in the van and smile at the ornament still hanging there. He said he knows it's kinda beat up now, and the antlers need to be fixed a little, but it made him happy to see it and especially because whenever she comes back its hanging there will make her smile.

It truly is the little things in life that bring such gladness to the heart & spirit.

Daddy Snuggled in Loving Quilt

This T-shirt quilt was made by my sister-in-law April.
It has been an incredible blessing since Dad was moved to a room. Not only has it kept the chill off me when trying to sleep at night, but made with love and signed by my brother Jimmy, April and their kids, it has warmed the heart as well.

"Nobody knows what it's all about. It's all too much man... Let it all hang out." - The Hombres

Sunday: Figment 2008 on Governors Island - a game of Eye Spy

A few thoughts on the photos that follow:

I went out to my old stomping grounds, Governors Island, today to take part in the Figment 2008 Event. I found out some friends had volunteered to do energy work as part of the event, and tho I am still learning I asked to join them, as I was excited to go back to the island I had lived on as a child and practice in this place that I have always felt such a connection to. The Island has always felt like my hometown, even though it was a military base when I was there, and I only lived there for 4 years.

What a wonderful day! From the bright clear skies when we first arrived, to the thunderstorms that eventually forced us off the grass and into the abandoned church, every moment was delicious. And when the rain had passed, and my friend and I wandered out into the sunshine and wet grass, we began to explore just a few of the interesting exhibits and events going on in Nolan Park - which just happens to be the very part of the Island I used to live in.

What follows are just a few images from the day. I took many more photos on my regular camera, and I will be posting those to Flickr (per the request of the organizers) sometime soon. When I do, I will update this posting.