All Souls Day Reflection

A reflection from Our Lady of Guadalupe on Rampart Street. The church, built on the edge of the Quarter, was to accommodate all of the yellow fever victims and their families, and the bishop hoped that this would help to stop the spread of disease. St. Louis Cathedral was being overrun with sickness and fear.

Hopping to slow this unknown sickness, only the priest, servers, and pallbearers were allowed inside of Our Lady Church; the rest of the mourners had to view the mass of the dead from the outside. Today, the same may be said for the homeless and displaced members of the community who sit outside.

This years election has a lot of people standing on the outside of  institutions. So many people feel left out of the process. Sadly, they do not see that they are the process. "We the people..." does not exclude. "We the people" have made choices that we do not acknowledge. "We the people" have chosen this path.

I offer up a prayer for all of those who choose not to see, hear, and understand their place in the current situation. "We the people" are not helpless; "We the people" are not innocent; "We the people" own the outcome.

Aaron Neville's "To Make Me Who I AM"

Aaron Neville's To Make Me Who I AM

This local musician has been singing our songs for a long time. The evolution of the spirit is truly amazing!
The lyrics "To Make Me Who I AM," are blessing me as I write. Honesty and perspective are excellent tools.

"Once I was a deceiver
Now I am a believer
But it took me who I was and where I've been
To make me who I am

God said I forgive you
Wipe away the scars
Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you who you are

Cause I know it took who you were
And where you came from
To make you what you are"

Aaron Neville's "Who I AM"

So many different spiritual practices speak of forgiveness. It takes a lifetime for some to embrace this concept. It seems that I learn and forget this principle monthly. My head seems too hard to fully accept this forgiveness.

May we all hear the sound of forgiveness of self and others.

 

What happens when Decorum and Debating Rules are Ignored?

What is it about political campaigns that divides a nation? What happened to civil discourse? I was taught at St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans, the rules of debate, and Robert's Rules of Order.

To be prepared for a debate in 1966 meant combing the card catalogues for days and weeks to find support for our positions.
Imagine this as a debating topic for high school students: Nuclear Proliferation?! There I was a 17 year old idealist handed a debate topic that terrified me! There were no internet research capabilities; just old magazines and newspapers stored on microfiche that had to be magnified to be read. There were no instance searches with cut and paste options; just a pen and a notebook.
And woe to you who had not prepared properly; you were decimated by your opponent! Debating had an order to it. One person spoke while the other LISTENED and took copious notes in order to prepare a rebuttal.
One person was not allowed to SHout over the other; that would have cost you seriously; that would have LOST the debate for you. I would not have wanted to face my debate coach if I had lost a debate because of improper procedure.
You were not allowed TO CAP SOMEONE OUT LOUD! Where has this originated? Thank God that we are not CAPPED OUTLOUD for our behavior.

When the World Seems to be Too Much, and Our Eyes Need a Rest

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." Marcel Proust

Let's look at this image with new eyes today. What colors do you see in "Sentimentality," ? Look at the bottom right edge of each and slowly scan the images from right to left. Can you see anything new? Tony  Martin always asks us to look at ourselves and our situations with new eyes.
The image in Tony"s photography seems to be pulsing with soothing energy. When the world seems to be rediscovering itself, and situations seem out of control, perhaps holding onto  "Sentimentality" might assist all of us.
Go to the Gallery link below and let your eyes rest.

Tony Martin's Vibrational Art

Vibrational Art by tony

   Steven Hawking has created a six part series that he calls "Genius." He believes that regular people can answer really BIG questions using their brains. In Episode two  three non-genius people learn that a tablespoon of sand represents  a model for 50,000 stars. Dr. Hawking sets up numerous small experiments that allow for the discovery of the Big Questions: like how big is our Galaxy?

   Dr. Hawking intertwines the discoveries of great scientists with his creative experiments to assist the non-geniuses into a questioning journey into "Infinity and Beyond," to quote Buzz Lighyear.  We learn that there are 300,000,000,000 stars in our Galaxy, and there are 100-200 Billion Galaxies!

   Does anything in Tony's work resemble small universes? Perhaps getting lost inside of one of these photographic creations will ease you mind and allow some of the trauma that we hear and see step aside so that we might rest in that peacefulness.

Steven Hawking's Genius
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/hawking_genius_ep02_galaxy/counting-the-stars-in-the-milky-way/

Women Guiding the United State of America; Here is to Hillary

Venus Sans Arms

We take our measure from your example,
Sans arms you stand in dignity and truth.
While millions are destroyed in sacred fires:
Because they knew the secret.

300 years of Crusades wagged to decimate
The TRUTH!
Which lies re-born in every womb;
Garnering strength with each birth
Each spent placenta replenishing,
Nourishing,
Giving rise to the Phoenix
To reclaim her birthright.
Holies of holies;
Women of power unite:
Replace the arms with songs:
Joyful, honorable, and noble.
We’ve come to reclaim our rightful place;
And the men better let us
We Sojourners of the Truth
“Ain’t got no more to say.”
Rosalynn Rizzo-Moore
October 16, 2003

Love is the Answer. What is the Question?

     Pondering Tony’s “Love” and “Increase Love,” creations reminds me of some powerful images from two animation movies: “Shrek” and “The Lion King.”
      Elton John’s lyrics to “Can you Feel the Love Tonight,” reminds me of the scene when Rafaki hits Simba on the head because he has forgotten his origin story.
       Slowly read the quotations below and think about what you have forgotten.

“Can you feel the love tonight
The peace the evening brings
The world for once in perfect harmony
With all its living things”

Rafaki: Look down there.
[Slowly Simba walks to the edge of the watering hole and peers inside. His reflection stares back at him]
Adult Simba: That’s not my father. That’s just my reflection.
Rafiki: No. Look harder.
[Rafiki touches the water which causes waves that change Simba’s reflection into Mufasa]
Rafiki: You see? He lives in you.
Mufasa’s Ghost: [From above] Simba.
Adult Simba: Father?
Mufasa’s Ghost: [He appears in the sky as a group of stars] Simba, you have forgotten me.
Adult Simba: No. How could I?
Mufasa’s Ghost: You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of life.
Adult Simba: How can I go back? I’m not who I used to be.
Mufasa’s Ghost: [Now fully formed in the sky] Remember who you are. You are my son and the one true king. Remember who you are.
Adult Simba: [Mufasa’s ghost begins to disappear] No! Please! Don’t leave me!
Mufasa’s Ghost: Remember.
Adult Simba: Father!
Mufasa’s Ghost: Remember.

Do we remember our unconditional love origin?

Do we wish to recall that special connection with our creator? It may seem as difficult as Simba’s journey, but the journey always brings us back to the moment of creation.

Fiona, the ogre, from “Shrek,” finally demonstrate who she really is and receives true loves kiss that does not turn her into a beauty, but allows her to accept herself as she is.
In the transformation scene, see link below, Fiona remains an ogre. Brilliant light shines through her entire body, she is lifted off the ground, spun around and falls to the floor.
“I was supposed to be beautiful,” she cries aloud.

“BUT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!”
Vibrational Art by Tony 

Yes, we are. We are all this shinning unconditional love. Tony proclaims this in vivid colors in his two masterpieces of love.

                                                                                    
                                                 Elton John’s Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Rafaki and Simba’s Reflection

Fiona’s Transformation

Tint Bubbles Reflected in the Universe

"Tiny Bubbles," released by Don Ho in 1966, is the title of a very familiar song to those of us over 40, and those student council members who traveled to State Conferences. We seem to sing that a lot.

"Those tiny bubbles
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I'm gonna
Love you till the end of time."

The work of tiny bubbles

The Bubble Physicists tell us that bubbles from plain, cold water may be used in hospitals to sanitize hands without soap!  Bubbles in Champagne shoot plumes of pleasant aromas into our olfactory glands.

Since meeting the talented owner of Cherry Espresso, Laurent Fink, I have been learning a lot about the art of coffee. It seems that these micro bubbles are the secret to the design that is poured from varying heights into the espresso. You may observe this yourself when you visit the renovated Fire Station on Laurel St.

Studying the hand crafted coffee along side of Tony's Vibrational creations have caused me to ponder an interesting connectivity.

When you look deep within Tony's works, you see worlds of other images. It reminds me of the genius of Jim Henson, the Muppet creator. Mr. Henson masterfully created entire worlds for his fanciful puppets. Like Tony, he began as a child to create these unique worlds.

When I sit with "Ecstasy," I see many tiny worlds emerge. It is like peering through the Hubble telescope beyond the Milky Way!

Hubble Telescope photographs

Merging with the universe

Vibrational Art in New Orleans

Here is a preview of what's in store for you on May 1st at the Grand Opening of Tony Martin's Vibrational Art Exhibit at The Cherry Espresso Bar on Laurel Street, across from the Wisner Park.  Owner, Lauren Fink, graciously offered the walls of her renovated fire house to us as a venue for this event. 

A crew of fans and workers arrived at 4877 Laurel street around 2:30 yesterday afternoon.  Hanging an exhibition requires all sorts of expertise. The group consisted of two carpenters, two fellow artists, Tony, and his wife, Carol, and me. We participated in the decorating of the Cherry Espresso Bar's old brick walls. There are no real straight lines on these old firehouse walls, so hanging "on the square" was an adventure.

Madeline also known as, "MiMi Nuveau," and her sister, Laurie Abadie, who is my adopted sister, acted as curators. These two ladies have planned, designed, and exhibited hundreds of art works!

The patrons of the Cherry Espresso Bar were most accommodating, and allowed us to slightly disrupt their coffee enjoyment with our periodic drilling sounds. Three hours, and several delicious espressos later, thirteen of Tony's works graced the walls of the old firehouse. The expansive windows allow these works to vibrate with energy.

The exhibited pieces are titled and offer an additional warm glow to the peaceful environment.

 Drop by between 7A.M. to 5 P.M. to get a sneak preview.
Tony Martin's Art
Cherry Espresso Bar 

Roses on Annunciation Street

   These beauties were brought in today by Bobby. He was determined to grow roses for me, and
he does, and without chemicals! ( Not that growing has enough challenges, I do not want to use artificial chemicals in our yard.) Bobby uses the water from the filtered pond-pump to assist these magnificent and very fragrant roses!
   I complained that I could never grow  roses. So my sweetheart decided to prove that we could indeed have beautiful blooms. He began, as he always does, with research. Antique roses provide the most aroma; so catalogues began arriving at our Robert Street home in New Orleans soon after we moved there in1999. 
   Three moves later: once to Richardson Dr in Fairfax, VA- post Katrina, and now back to New Orleans; and his skills have vastly improved.
   These beauties have names like Isaac Perrier, The Impressionists, Mama Dee, Souvenir De Mal Maison, Ash Wednesday, and Fragrant Cloud.
   He cuts these and carries them to me with a precious smile upon his face.
How grateful I am for Bobby's love reflected in these roses!

Max Eherman, "Desiderata," and the Noise of Political Chaos

 Waking this morning after a night of dreaming, I was drawn to remember the poem by Max Eherman, "Desiderata."

So many people and groups have claimed this beautiful love letter, that I had forgotten where it originated. It seems to resonate with me annually. I am not certain why; but the words wash over me and bring a great deal of peace.

I used these words when teaching high school students, and had the plagiarized words copied for my classroom. Thank you Max for your dedication and love. You wrap us up in a comforting blanket amid the noise and vexation of a unruly political environment.



Desiderata

This Sicilian Girl Explores Her Heritage

This Sicilian girl explored her heritage this St. Joseph's Weekend.

Our 17th Anniversary coincided with several cultural events revolving around St. Joseph, the patron of the Church and Sicilians.These altars are lovingly made to thank St. Joseph for special prayer interventions and to feed the poor and needy.

Bobby and I began our trek with a perfectly appointed altar at AVO Restaurant on Magazine Street. Avo is a chef-owned restaurant from New Orleans-born chef Nick Lama, a third-generation Sicilian. “Avo” is an Italian word that translates as “grandfather” or “ancestor."

All proceeds from the altar were donated to the St. Francis of Assisi Haiti Fund. Bobby and I gladly promoted the endeavor, and the $1,000 plus dollars will go directly to a multi-purposed building which will serve as a Community Center, School, and Church. 

AVO provided a wonderful four course meal freely served to all. A couple of French speaking tourists arrived with backpacks and were invited to join the festivities. How does one explain to non-English speaking tourists such an elaborate free feast? We took their pictures and kept their plates full.

Our second stop was the altar at St. Joseph's Church on Tulane Ave. So many candles were purchased that  the floor around the side alcove became an extension of the altar.

We believe that our special intentions will be addressed by the intercession of this special envoy to Christ. Baskets with hand written prayers are laid among all of the hand crafted food, pastries, and candles. These candles are available for sale, of course! We are all Italian, and Catholic, and know how to turn our celebrations into cash.

An unusual placement for the third altar that we visited was in the Marigny, at the Love's Lost Lounge. OK: yes a bar. You all know that wine is part of every Italian celebration! Here there was a long line of Quarter residents being offered an excellent free feast.

The golden foiled floating altar arrived in the French Quarter via a parade which was punctuated by these real Italian flag throwers from Sansepoicro, Italy.

Lastly, Bobby and I cooked a wonderful Mario Batali's Neapolitan Lasagnas.

What a celebration!

Post-Katrina Recovery Signs and the 2016 Election Road

Voir Dire Process and Strangers

Yesterday, I was called to criminal court jury duty. I was impressed that a judge came down to the holding room to explain the process that was set-up to guide the criminal justice system.

Once our group of 25 was called into Court Room the voir dire left us all rather exposed. Having to truthfully answer probing questions takes a room full of anxious strangers , who expose personal information, and creates some sort of mystical bond.

The people to my immediate right and left, numbers nine and eleven made quite an impression upon me.

Prospective juror number nine had been falsely arrested and imprisoned, and later shot and robbed and not given due process. Number eleven, a widow,  who is over 60, works four part time jobs and has a 24 year old daughter living with her. She spoke about her diabetes and her tight control of the cell phones that she  provided to her children.

When we were asked if we might be prejudice against the defendant who was charged with leude and lascivious behavior with a 16 year old, I had to say, "Perhaps." My years of teaching high school students left me with an indelible mark in regard to young girls. I was not selected for this jury, but I wonder about the outcome. 

Being non-judgmental  is part of my Lenten prayer.

Celebrating Two New Orleans' Police Officers

People come to our city from all over the world to celebrate Mardi Gras. Often some of these visitors think that there are no rules to abide by.
Our Police Force has an amazing talent for allowing fun to prevail without too much chaos. These men and women manage to control the revelry with a sense of humor and appropriateness. I do not think that many of their cohorts around the globe would be able to balance the drunkenness of the celebratory atmosphere without great exasperation.
I would like to introduce two officers whose quick and appropriate response during Saturday's Parades, may  have altered two young boys' future. Two cousins were fighting in the street, and causing pain to themselves and those of us observing their intense anger.
Officers Misha Walker, and Kurt Coupon stepped in, separate the pair, talked to each one separately, and found their adult chaperon, and assisted in a Conflict Resolution Session on the street.

Please celebrate their willingness to help very young boys to view their behavior a little differently.