It is officially ‘Summer’ in Central America, which means less rain, more wind and absolutely gorgeous weather. Things can get a bit dry overall but now and then we have a rainy day.
We had one such day last week and it was nice to sit inside, hearing the drops on the roof and watching it fall across the mountains. It’s nothing like the torrential downpours of the rainy season but the plants and trees love it.
A summer rainy day in Panama
But then, this time of year, there is some misting rain every day, almost always before sunset, and we get these marvelous consolation prizes..
When I first saw Linda Hill’s #SoCs #JusJoJan prompt I thought I had the perfect song. But as I hummed it to myself I realized it was the wrong time of day. Still it is a wonderful song so I’m sharing it anyway.
Do visit Linda’s blog if you want to participate or to just read some really cool posts.
Here it is Thursday again (already 😱) and time for sharing doors along with our host Dan of No Facilities . This is a fun weekly prompt. If you follow the link to Dan’s place you get check out the rules and see some very cool submissions as well as meeting many amazing bloggers.
When we found this beautiful little place to live, there were many signs for me, personally, that left no question as to whether or not we should take it. Being spiritually inclined and seeking fellowship in this intrinsically connected universe, I pay attention to such signs.
Among them was the fact that there is, just outside my window, a beautiful shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She holds a special place in my heart as part of my growth and initial exploration into the world of miracles. Okay, I’ll post an image just because it is so lovely and special to me.
Our Lady of Guadalupe. This shrine established in 2010. Several of the local churches take turns caring for the shrine but if it gets too littered with debris I sweep it as well.
It is very serene at night but you lose some detail. There is more clarity in the daylight but then you get reflections. She was very busy during the holidays and there are still a fair amount of folks who make their mini pilgrimage to leave flowers or just sit awhile and visit beneath her gaze. It can get kind of noisy but I don’t mind. It is happy noise and all mothers love that. ❤️
On the property there is the sweetest little chapel. Our landlord said after the sale of the property at one point it was being used for storage. Then a man moved into one of the apartments, cleaned it up and uses it for meditation. I hope to be able to also do that very soon. We did get inside a couple of days ago and what he did in there is beautiful.
Here’s my ‘official’ door. The view is lovely looking out or looking in.
There is an altar, candles and nearly every religious representation you can imagine. I absolutely love the universality of it. There is even a statue of Poseidon behind the altar.
Of course this hand painted piece is my favorite.
The floor is hand laid with native stone and the benches are handmade using native wood.
The wooden chandelier seen in the previous photo has candles and can be lowered or raised.
Can you see the many representations of deities and practices intermingled?
If only we could manage this so well a,ong ourselves as children of the Universe.
It is a peaceful place that I hope to spend more time in very soon.
It seemed fitting that the Bajareque arcoiris (rainbow) seemed to end just about the chapel. God’s promise is real. We just have to believe in miracles and pay attention when they appear.
Here are two of my favorite chapel related songs. The first is very reverent and the second is a fun tune about romantic love.
I had to use this one because it is the original and therefore I love it. I also want to share The King’s version because it is very worthy and heartfelt.
My oldest sister loved this song. She epitomized the 60’s to and I longed to be part of it. Alas, by the time I reached the age of real participation, society had moved forward beyond the idealistic revolution that was the Flower Power Age of Revolution
As seems to be my MO lately but not due to purposeful neglect, I am finally arriving with my submission for the #Thursday Doors badge contest for 2021. I hope our very tenacious and kind host Dan Antion of No Facilities will forgive me. I look forward to seeing all the submissions and vow to be more present and consistent with my posts now that we are settling in here in paradise.
I hope all of you are well and looking happily toward the New Year!
Oh and here is a bit of what has been keeping me busy.
In spite of all the hype, the unquestionable historical inaccuracies and blatant commercialism, I have found true celebration in honest Thanksgiving.
In a morning hike
The air, the view, the invigoration of an uphill climb
Then rest and cool breezes are Nature’s gentle reward for a job well done
A friend to share it with
An unexpected rainbow hiding in the shadows..
No matter how often I see it, this view takes my breath away
A celebratory Pina Colada after my cornbread for tomorrow is baked
(I even toasted coconut for garnish ðŸ¤)
Yeah, fresh pineapple and coconut milk too. 😋
A sweet phone chat with my youngest about making dressing. We used to cook together a lot!
Always looking down I find so much art in Nature.
May all your days be celebrations of thanksgiving.
This post is part of Linda Hill’s 1LinerWednesday prompt along with #9GoodThings for my gratitude month. Visit her blog to meet other bloggers and check out the rules for this prompt.
This song has been in my head today which means it is asking to be heard. I grew up with The Monkees and Saturday children’s and teen shows. Age appropriate fare that included humor and often good music. (We won’t talk about Road Runner and Wile E.Coyote right now.😉) I was in love with Davy Jones from the time I was nine and it went on through my teens. I always loved this song, so here it is for you.
"Shades Of Gray"
When the world and I were young Just yesterday Life was such a simple game A child could play It was easy then to tell right from wrong Easy then to tell weak from strong When a man should stand and fight Or just go along
But today there is no day or night Today there is no dark or light Today there is no black or white Only shades of gray
I remember when the answers seemed so clear We had never lived with doubt or tasted fear It was easy then to tell truth from lies Selling out from compromise Who to love and who to hate The foolish from the wise
But today there is no day or night Today there is no dark or light Today there is no black or white Only shades of gray
It was easy then to know what was fair When to keep and when to share How much to protect your heart And how much to care
But today there is no day or night Today there is no dark or light Today there is no black or white Only shades of gray Only shades of gray
‘Today there is no day or night. Today there is no dark or light. Today there is no black or white...only shades of gray.’
Life is changing inevitably. It is up to we, the dreamers of this Illusion, to paint the canvas anew and awash with every color that exists. It is up to every one of us to create the world as it was imagined, filling it with the Unconditional Love of the All That Is...a love that does not barter, forsake, expect, judge, retreat, choose sides or abandon. . Let’s honor the sweetest memories of our past by creating a balanced and secure future for all those who share the path.
