Intimate

you're calling to me
in your sultry, sensual way
with dusted gold tones
until buds find their way out
and open
with celestial voices
echoing
behind the scene:
a secret garden.

Paradise

You grace me with your beauty. 

Million of years have passed,

and the rain still caresses your face

with softness and intention.

You know how to seduce me,

with your luscious slopes, energetic fields,

richness unending. 

And you show me how ephemeral human life is.

Ash turns to dust, and into earth, and moisture

gives life.

Then you grow and develop into

a voluptuous being.

We are having a serious relationship you and I,

and I don't want it to end.

By Andi Rivarola

Photo: Paradise is near Waipio Valley, on the North East Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

I look to the skies

I looked to the skies
For inspiration
For love
And understanding

I flew away
To the open spaces
Of the Universe
In my heart

And, then it happened
Understanding, love and inspiration 
Came to me.
I don't know why or when

Since then I've broken free
Don't feel the bounds of humanity
Weighing me down
Making me feel unworthy

So, I look up to the skies
And the beauty I see
Carries me ever so... gently
Softly, to a cradle of peace.

Where I'm Going

Victoria, British Columbia

Where I'm from
And where I'm going
Are two different places

One saw my birth
The other will give me peace
Peace that I've been searching

My entire life.

My breath is held within your power
And, when I try to escape you
My will is surrendered to your every action
So, even though I try
You still hold the key to my existence.
And, the aroma of you leaves me breathless nonetheless.
How can I resist?

Spring

Poem by Hafiz-e-Shirazi

Spring and all its flowers
now joyously break their vow of silence.
It is time for celebration, not for lying low;
You too -- weed out those roots of sadness from your heart.

The Sabaa wind arrives;
and in deep resonance, the flower
passionately rips open its garments,
thrusting itself from itself.

The Way of Truth, learn from the clarity of water,
Learn freedom from the spreading grass.

Pay close attention to the artistry of the Sabaa wind,
that wafts in pollen from afar,
And ripples the beautiful tresses
of the fields of hyacinth flowers.

From the privacy of the harem, the virgin bud slips out,
revealing herself under the morning star,
branding your heart and your faith
with beauty.

And frenzied bulbul flies madly out of the House of Sadness
to unite with the flowers;
its love-crazed cry like a thousand-trumpet blast.

Hafez says, and the experienced old ones concur:

All you really need
is to tell those Stories
of the Fair Ones and the Goblet of Wine.

Swiss Alp, Texas - 2008

Some places are immortalized in our memory because they make an imprint in our brain; happy moments, sad moments or simply because they're just there and keep coming back to the forefront of our consciousness in plain flashbacks. This is just one of those places for me. (Make sure to click on each image for a larger view).

Swiss Alp Dance Hall

Swiss Alp, Texas sign (triangle, plus TX star)

 

Swiss Alp Dance Hall entrance

Longhorn ready for picture taking

Swiss Alp, Texas and beyond

Rosa 'Mme. Plantier'

I am told that like other Albas, 'Mme Plantier' is shade tolerant. They are supremely hardy of all old garden roses; doing well in adverse conditions, survives with some neglect, thrives well with poor soil and resists desease and other problems, at least in my San Fernando Valley home.

The fragrance is exquisite, one hundred percent old garden rose fragrance - intoxicating. If I continue to immerse myself in its fragrance who knows what could happen... write a book, travel around the world, love everyone.

Underwraps

Oreos on Mono

Made this for The American Iris Society (The tall bearded irises are OREO, floating on Mono Lake, CA.)

Clematis

The room

Reflection

Alone in Texas

Today's Picture (04-26-07)

Mono Lake, California

Today's picture (03-31-2007)

Street Mural, Philadelphia, PA.

Today's picture (03-24-2007)

Maple tree at National Zoo, Washington, D.C.

Pasadena Rose Parade 2007

Here are a few pictures taken on the birth of the New Year -- January 1st -- at the Pasadena Rose Parade 2007.

George Lucas was Parade Grand Marshal:

As the Star Wars movie adventure prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2007 (the first movie opened in the U.S. on May 25, 1977), the Rose Parade paid tribute to "Star Wars" as the most famous intergalactic adventure in movie history.

"A one-of-a-kind assembly of Star Wars stormtroopers, a marching band and two elaborate floats represented the scope of the Star Wars galaxy," says the HGTV website, and more...

The Parade included the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers, who are among Star Wars' most ardent enthusiasts. The 501st engages in charitable activities while displaying their love of Star Wars through handmade, exacting costume replicas. The 501st was led by no other than Darth Vader himself. These 200 members of the 501st displayed flags of the 36 states and 22 nations that make up this remarkable marching group.

Great picture of the Honda float:

Here's what HGTV's website has to say about it:

"American Honda (#27)
Float Theme: Once Upon a Time

American Honda celebrates the good nature that classically triumphs in fairy tales, fables and internationally renowned festivals such as the Tournament of Roses. Drawing on the lore of good nature battling evil nature in centuries of classic fables and nursery rhymes, American Honda presents a pair of fabulous dragons. Breathing actual fire and smoke, the good dragon soars 50 feet above the parade route to protect a gigantic fairy tale castle from the onslaught of evil. Flames leap nearly 15 feet out of the dragon's mouth, and smoke streams from its nostrils as it engages in an epic moral battle — ensuring that the princess of the castle will live happily ever after. "

Boy looking at the horizon (the world?) - 2

This is just a short explanation of the picture bellow. It is of my son, Matthew. As it is with any kid, he is a great subject. I've found him in many -- more than -- ideal situations for a perfect photo.

The location: Pismo Beach, California (just north of Santa Barbara).
The situation: A storm was approaching from the north (it poured over L.A. the next day). We've just finished visiting a "Monarch Butterfly Habitat." The air was balmy and sticky. The waves were small and the wide sandy beach was empty. Only a few folks walking up and down.

Boy looking at the horizon (the world?)