Dia de Los Muertos 2010

Some color and light from the Dia De Los Muertos celebration we went to in Petaluma.

Photo feature :)

My photograph 'At the Cafe' is featured on pg. 82 in this amazing new SOULPANCAKE book.
It is so full of creativity and imagination, open it to any page and it's a fun journey :)

a link to their site
SOULPANCAKE

little wings

Some treasures of fall :)
Happy weekend everyone !

Aloha festival in Napa

A friend and I went to the Aloha Festival in Napa recently,
so much great music and Hula .
and the best plate lunch ( Ahi Poke, Lomi Lomi salmon, Kalua pork, poi, rice , and macaroni salad)
We had smiles on our faces all day , so much beauty and flowers and heart energy,
overflowing with Aloha spirit .

Where I live

A few pictures of what it looks like here in Sonoma county where I live,
Lots of fields and oak trees , old barns , more fields and oak trees ,
and long beaches with hearty souls braving the cold water...
This last week here has been in the 90's , got up to 98 the other day .. not bad for mid October :)
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend !

Water , sand and sky

We spent some time at the beach yesterday ( cold and windy as usual )
sweaters ,windbreakers and warm hats needed ......
Then drove back towards home , inland about 15 miles ,
and it was so hot and summery, we had a picnic in the park , back to tank tops and sunhats .
It's been so warm this week , in the upper 80's ... so nice that summer is still lingering
If we want a taste of winter all we have to do is drive to the beach :)

sunrise ruby

'THE SUNRISE RUBY' by Rumi (translation by Coleman Barks)

In the early morning hour, just before dawn, lover and beloved wake
and take a drink of water.

She asks, "Do you love me or yourself more? Really, tell me the absolute truth."

He says, "There's nothing left of me. I'm like a ruby held up to the sunrise.
Is it still a stone, or a world made of redness? It has no resistance to sunlight."

This is how Hallaj said, I am God, and told the truth!

The ruby and the sunrise are one. Be courageous and discipline yourself.

Completely become hearing and ear, and wear this sun-ruby as an earring.

Work. Keep digging your well. Don't think about getting off from work.
Water is there somewhere.

Submit to a daily practice. Your loyalty to that is a ring on the door.

Keep knocking, and the joy inside will eventually open a window
and look out to see who's there.

maple

just the beginning of the season for changing leaves and colors...

Hand Car Regatta - Santa Rosa 2010

On sunday went over to the the greatest steam-punk event of the year !
This is the 3rd year and each year it seems to triple in size.
I was using my 35mm 1.8 lens which I'm still getting used to but I'm pleased with how most of my pics turned out.
It was an interesting challenge to have the fixed lens , not rely so much on zoom like I usually do ,
more careful of my compositions.
Luckily at an event like this it was easy to approach people since everyone was so happy to have their picture taken .
This is an event not to be missed , mark your calendars for next year if you are in the bay area :)

first rain

yesterday was the first rain of the season
the air is so clean , and the sun has returned too :)