Sunflower Summer Love

Summer on the ridge has been a wonderful experience. This is a photo of the sunflowers that showed up last summer. I was excited to have them pop up on one of the paths alongside the house. There were three large plants that bloomed all summer.

This year the same spot is overflowing! Must be the monsoon rains that started early and have been visiting our spot on the ridge quite often this summer. So many plants and blooms I can't count. I transplanted some near the front of the house and still they are popping up all over this path. 

I first thought the hundreds of tiny green plants coming up might be weeds or something with icky thorns. I was concerned about how covered this path among the rock outcroppings would be and the hassle of having to create a new safe path on level ground to pass this side of the house. I thought maybe I would just clear them before they grew taller than I am, yes all 4 ft 11 inches of me, but something in the wild breeze said be still and wait. 

Often in life I am in a rush to get on with things and when something appears to be a potential obstacle I want to solve it as soon as possible. This lesson from ridge life has taught me to be still and trust the process. I am learning to slow down and to appreciate each stage of the process vs. rushing to the end. 

Quincy loves running this path and a few hundred sunflowers only made it more fun.

After a lots of running through the flowers it was time to head up to the deck for a cool drink and enjoy the flowers from the deck view.

May the rest of your summer be filled with bright moments of sunshine. Take a moment to stop and run through the flowers when the opportunity arises. And remember to be thankful for the small things that show up in life and no matter how challenging…trust the process.

Appreciating Water

Coming from the Bayou City I thought I understood water. The bayou winding around town, creeks, lakes and our beloved Third Coast trips off of Galveston Island. However it wasn't until I moved to the high desert mountains of New Mexico that I brought to consciousness how this precious liquid is truly the lifeline for all things. 

I know that many including my beloved Bayou City are experiencing too much water right now and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Here in the midst of a drought in the beginning of fire season in the high desert mountains it is very much welcomed. All in one day we had sunshine, rain, snow and hail.

I spent the most glorious rainy day doing all things in the rain and at times even small hail and snow. I was totally present to the wonderful smell I often miss, the taste of it cold on my hair and skin. I danced to my car in the store parking lot. Played in the garden under the shower. And listened to the sound of a distant thunder symphony of soft and hard sounds.

I am thankful for full rain barrels that will supplement my supply and the soothing sound of them filling. 

My garden is shiny, washed clean, and ready for new growth with the sweet scent of rain and the earth.

I have learned to appreciate this precious liquid resource. As with all things gifted to us in nature its good to slow down and take a moment and think about all the ways water impacts your life.

Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu Lake Day Trippin

Sometimes a day trip is just what is needed to clear your head and reconnect even if the weather is a bit cloudy. So the cowboy, our four legged and I packed up a picnic and headed about an hours drive north from home. We landed in Abiquiu home of the Ghost Ranch, Georgia O'Keeffe land of inspiration and the lake.

Sheep grazing at Ghost Ranch. It was a windy, cloudy, misty day and these elements created a new way to experience the land. You can feel the inspiration circling in the winds and quickly understand the calling of generations of artists of all kinds, spiritual and creative folks who have walked this land.

The cowboy right at home at the corral and the four legged enjoyed the open space to run and sniff out the horses. The land, the mountains. the weather provided a peaceful magic to our day. Don't let the weather stop you from having an experience. If its safe to be out go exploring and see how different things can look with various kinds of light and mist.

Cerro Pedernal. locally called just Pedernal is a narrow mesa that inspired many artists, musicians, writers and was a central image in many of Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. Her ashes were scattered on its top.

Spring is around the corner!

Each day the sun begins to warm the ground unwrapping her from the snow blanket of winter.

The always cold Pecos River is getting wider as the sheets of ice melt revealing more of the beautiful multicolor rocks beneath the surface.

I can feel the shift as spring and new beginnings are around the corner! Subtle changes signal the shift we need simply to be awake and look around us. These little changes bring us gently bring us into the next phase of life. Enjoy your new beginning!

Monsoon Rains and Bee Rainboots

After experiencing thunder, lightening, cold breezes, and hail for an hour; we stepped out on the deck. The amazing smell of wet earth and ponderosa and piñon trees was intoxicating. Among the usual symphony of after rain sounds we could hear a familiar yet rarely heard sound. 

I quickly put on my favorite rain boots the "bee boots" to investigate. Off for an adventure in the mud we went.

The usually dry arroyo, creek bed, or seasonal creek as it is called was fiercely flowing giving off all those ions and awakening the senses. The beautiful red clay of the lower Rockies was creating my very own Willy Wonka chocolate river! (One of my fav movies)

It was exciting to see our usual paths for walks were well under water. There was evidence that there was a much higher flow earlier in the storm. Small trees, branches, and shrubs were over turned along with forest floor debris all making the journey through the once dry sandy rocky path. 

The precious gift of moving water and the ever present little girl that resides in me are a magical combination. I was flappy happy and giddy. Moving water is the only real medicine that can immediately release all of my anxiety and stress. For someone like me on the Autism spectrum my anxiety and stress are naturally high all the time. I am not able to quiet it. Meditation/prayers, the outdoors, making art, and select other things can calm it but nothing like moving water can cleanse me and set my spirit soaring. Immediately I am set free. 

Living on the mountain in a drought has been tough new experience. A dry well that I pray will be restored and water shortages in the state make for little to no time for me to get a water healing. So I couldn't help it. It was time to shed the bee boots and step in.

Mothering

Good energy, prayers, love and light to all those who mother and nurture. Beloveds we are a collage, a beautiful natural community of different ages, class, presentation, gender identification, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and abilities. Each a unique and essential gift to the community. We may not be in the same space but we are united in our goal to give and receive love and nurturing necessary for self and other care.

Take a vacation to your soul

I know its been said before, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Well it happened to me and its been like riding the waves of the wind up and down but always moving. I look forward to settling in and letting my roots stretch and take hold.

I changed my day job due to lack of grant funding and then this past summer I moved to full time artist. In the midst of all this I had 3 physical home moves in 3 years and one within a few months of the other. So the wind blew me to New Mexico and I am finally moving into my house and studio soon. Its still very surreal. And Im still waiting to catch up with myself. 

It sounds magical and I wish I could feel it. Seems I am fighting major stress and meltdowns. Research says large changes cause stress and as an Autistic person stress is already a way of life; so for me its been a heavy load to carry.  I am working hard to keep going. To have the joy of  dreams come true, changing the direction of my career, and entering a new chapter of my life. It is overwhelming, exciting, and very challenging.

Underneath it all I knew I had to go back to center. As I stood on the edge ready to crash under the stress and uncertainty I somehow heard my soul calling me. I had to catch myself and its not always an easy task. So I stopped everything and took a vacation to my soul.

We drove through the mountains where you can let go and be reminded that you are part of a larger picture. Where the wind sounds like ocean waves. And if you look up at the right moment you can see the wave move through the trees on its way to wash over you.

Where each step you take is a journey back to who you know you are but somehow got lost in the grass. Got tangled in the dead leaves of the past.

And then you see your reflection in the lake. And begin to smile because even though the journey is challenging you see a glimmer of your stregnth.

And then there is the magical sound of moving water. Its always a healing sound for me. Water that doesn't stop and nothing can get in its way. The proof that it keeps going is evident as you hold the weathered stones and branches pushed along the shore. And you remember you that you too can keep on going.

And then you enter a magical place with a pool of emerald green. A place where you can feel the ancestors gather. You become aware of your breathing and heartbeat. And the stress, fear and anxiety begin to melt into the water like the snow on the banks. 

And then the universe sends you a smile! (Yes I found this rock exactly like this with a natural carved face.) Then a deep breath and your soul smiles back and you know its all going to be ok.

New mantra: The universe is conspiring in my favor. And it is not mine to determine the how. Stay present, be thankful and open to receive.

Blessings, love and good energy for you on your journey. Take a moment and reconnect with your soul. Gracias Thank you Tlazocamati Ometeotl 

Amor y Amistad Day of Love & Friendship

As a Chicana I celebrate holidays and traditions bi-culturally. In Mexico and a few other Latin American countries Saint Valentine's Day is know as Dia de amor y amistad (Day of love and friendship). Its a time to let your Beloveds know you care. Its not uncommon for it to be a day of acts of appreciation for friends. 

Cultural Worker's Dream Pillow © Sabrina Zarco 2014

Embroidered symbols and the words 

Love, Peace, Justice, Freedom, Change, Equality,

 Action, Power, Unity, Voice, Vision and Art

So on this day of speaking out loud the names of those we love and treasure in friendship I choose to honor and send big love to

- my teachers, mentors, and path finders on this Good Red Road.

- my Beloveds,  the ones who share my daily life with love, commitment, and passion. Not always an easy task.

- my children I am honored you call my Mom

- my Autism family for your special way of seeing and experiencing the world keep strong in our self advocacy work.

- all my Beloveds I call sisters and brothers and family who have crossed my path on this journey, blessings. 

- the four legged and winged ones you add so much to my life.

 - you cultural workers, social justice workers who keep the stories alive and keep fighting the hard fight for dignity and justice. 

 - the true change makers who walk daily challenging bigotry at every turn.

- my artist family, creative brothers and sisters who tell the stories that need to be told in cloth, on walls or canvas, in spoken word or song, in gardens, kitchens, and classrooms.

So Happy day of Love to all of you and thank you for your gifts of inspiration and living by example. 

May the places you visit in Spirit and body today be welcoming to you and yours and know that you are loved!

Cool weather, creative energy, and the outdoors!

Cooler weather often brings more time outdoors especially attending farmers markets and festivals. Being in community with other artists, those who appreciate art and all kinds of creative folks makes for a great afternoon.There is always something to learn, share, explore, and experience. I had so much fun and exchanged great stories and energy at the last festival. I am excited for this Sunday's event. If you are in the Albuquerque area stop by and say hi! See the below for the details.

This festival is so close to Dia de los Muertos I decided to make a few sugar skull boxes to add to the mix. My booth will showcase these beauties, my one of a kind art scarfs, small Guadalupe mixed media wall hangings, and various ornaments and other mixed media wall hangings. I will be sure to take pictures of the booth to share.

Hope your travels take you outdoors to feel the sun, breathe the crisp fall air, and share a story and laugh with someone.

Final day of  three days of vending art at the Southwest Conference on Disability.

I feel like I just left the most unique amazing community. People helping people, showing love and honest concern, patience and understanding. Openly assisting others and giving gifts some tangible to one another. I have never been in a place where everyone accepted everyone for all of who they are and demonstrated such love and respect.

I sat with elders, folks with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, brain injury, all kinds of mental illness, PTSD, and Autism. Not to mention the various spiritual beliefs and nationalities and life experiences. All of us artists human beings first showing human kindness. Each of us giving to one another with out being asked just seeing where we could step in and lift someone up both physically and spiritually. We all gave and received only taking what we needed. Then passing on the love to someone else.

I am honored to be a part of this unconditional family where you can let it all out and its ok. In fact you are supported and encouraged to do so. I cant say enough about all the blessings, gifts, resources and new family members to visit. All I can say is that real true unconditional love is most powerful. Thank you for this experience that has changed my life direction and lifted my weary spirit. I look forward to the new journey we have begun. 

Oh and yes I sold some art, traded some, received some as gifts and bought a bit. Mostly we as a community of artists who respected each others journey created an art experience using people as our medium and it was amazing!

Thank you to those of you who purchased my art and stopped to share your story. Also thank you to those who work as advocates and activists for marginalized communities. Take care of yourself and I send you love, peace, and I stand in solidarity with your work.
Thank you, Gracias, Tlazocamati

Zozobra the legend continues

Will Shuster and Zozobra

This is the artist who first created Zozobra and the legend for the city of Santa Fe,           

Will Shuster and the head of the giant marionette. To read more about Zozobra and the legend go here http://zozobra-sf2.nm-unlimited.net

Every artist their interpretation of what Zozobra looks like so here are two more of the four entires I will be exhibiting at the Zozofest Art Show in Santa Fe.

I had the itch to stich so I embroidered a portrait of Zozobra. Its a 17" x 12" piece and I added my signature bead and button border.

I havent made time to create in awhile so busy with the move and getting settled in New Mexico. As I explored the legend of Zozobra I had to get my hand into all the media I love to create with and so the collage on a big wooden Z was born.

Rain in the desert

Its raining again! I have always loved the rain. Walking, dancing, playing, standing twirling under the precious liquid from the heavens. Lightening and thunder providing a soothing back drop to the smell and cool breeze. Its a special kind of healing. And as I journey through life in the desert I have a greater appreciation for the magical wet stuff. Now I am off to stand in the rain and catch some of the rare precious drops in my rain barrel.