Three children from every kindergarden class in all of San Jose del Cabo were selected to attend this special occasion put on by the Municipality.  Although the event was judged each individual, was given a certificate for participation and were aplauded individually as they walked up and shake the officials hands.  The TV was their filming as well as the newspaper taking photographs.  It was a classic event allowing the children to create a collage with the materials provided by their teachers. The collage was in celebration to Dia de La Marina including life under the sea worth protecting.
 
 
The oil continues to leak out of the Gulf of Mexico uncontrollably...meanwhile folks are pointing fingers as to who is accountable...the life in the sea and on the coast lines continues to diminish....phew, too much to take..! Perhaps too little too late, but that will be up to our Great Grandchildren to voice....... When will we us/US AS A HUMAN RACE/ start to be accountable for our own actions, and once we see those folks that are responsible aren't accountable...when by God do we realize it is up to us to Do Something.  My head shakes with frustration and sorrow....bring home the troops

Meanwhile here at the homefront we have not only have a mother horse/Abuelita...which I have recently renamed her Milagro...aka...en english...Miracle if she can pull thru...comig our way with a 1 1/2 week old fillie and her young mare (pregnant) of all things..."Be carefull of what you wish for, you just might get it"  I have not yet had a horse here in Mexico since I arrived... we are now looking at 4....

In La Playita...The inspector of all schools of the area managed to find a new teacher (maestro) for the 3 rd grade...just goes to show what  a few good folks can do, when they/we put our foot down.  It doesn't take money, just a solid foundation.

The fair is setting up for the Dia de La Marina/La Playita festivities.  Tomorrow Ellie will be joining with the chosen few to be a part of a collage painting starting around 8:30 am at Puerto Los Cabos's Marina.....Preparing for the big day... 1 Junio 2010.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the tranquillity is abundant.  With Paciencia..Disfruta...nuestra espacio...*with a little patience, you are invited to enjoy our space... fyi, the best video is toooo big to post here :) what can I say, come by for a short visit and see for yourself !

T
 
 
The introduction of this painting was after Maestra Lluvia of La Playita Kinder gave us the go ahead...with a thumbs up. During our vision of cleaner air to breathe during the landfill burnings of Pala Escopeta,...."The dump burn"  well documented in www.loszacatitos.net and www.loscaboscontaminacion .  A controversy in our community none the less.  A Christmas Day burn...of all things to make the statement bold within us all...............Once our kind  of folks from our community gathered on our beach during the holidays 2007 to 2008 Christmas /New Years....the youth from 3 to retired created a master piece...please if anyone has photos...please contribute

The result of this painting was Maestra LLuvias  whole hearted smile ....and the go ahead to paint with these children.

The last Days of Maestra Lluvias life she spoke at the Kinder with TV Azteca about the importance of protecting our environment. 

Needless to say, my drive  strengthens in her memory.  Thank you  Great Spirit
 
 
The Third grade class at the primeria is presently in dire need of another teacher?  Anyone?....Due to the situation, classes for all students were cancelled today.  Will most likely resume tomorrow.  Fort was stoked, had a chance to hang out with Ellie at the kinder and assist the other children with their art skills.  One thing he doesn't like about first grade is there are no toys/swingsets etc at the primeria...and lots of tarea (homework)...what can ya do...dig in and move onward

MEANWHILE,   Back at the Ranch..work continues at a steady pace....

Several masterpieces being created all at once.  Welcome to Gene Crain's workshop off the grid....Never a dull moment.  As my Maestro puts it  "organized chaos"
 
 
This has become a beautiful occasion, an annual request from the Maestras of La Playita Kinder, since February of 2008.  This day gives me an opportunity to paint with the children  ages 4 to 6....giving me an incredible opportunity  educate the youth the imortance of protecting our waters, tierra (earth) and air, thru painting..and best of all they love it!!!.

On our final painting day three years ago I was accompanied by the Maestra of Maestras!..with guest artist and master teacher Annie deBrynKops and grandchildren (proteges)  ...Baily, Kristin and Kirby ....we already have an invitation for their return next spring....Unfortunately this year we missed out on their presense, but their invitation is open anytime they are available.....

The final product of 2008 was displayed at various tiendas in La Playita, La Choya, the organic market, and in front of the municple palace during our May 6th Meeting with President Rene Nunez.... http://loszacatitos.net/news/communitymeet08-3.html
also see http://www.loscaboscontaminacion.com

One thing all children love to do ...is paint, and the more free you are with them, the more beautiful the experience.  What an honor to be a part of this and what an opportunity I take on full heartedly.  Thank you Annie for your beautiful heart and experience....and Thank you Maestras Vickey, LLuvia, Serenia, and presently Maestra Bernice!

This years painting are in the works to be displayed at the marina for Dia de La Marina....this coming Friday 3 children of each class will be selected to paint a collage at the marina, these works will be included.  The works will be seen by many, including the Municipal President and Port Captain of San Jose del Cabo...Gracias A Dios 
photos from our archives to come...please check back
 
 
It's pretty classic here no doubt...always something to celebrate or a special event.  As my children's Great Grandmother Hazel put it recently.  "Ya'll sure do celebrate a lot"  Yes we do.  Given that our summer session out of school in La Playita is  July 1 through August 18th....I for one am grateful for all of the celebrations and holidays during the school year.  Somehow it keeps up the momentum through the heat of the summer and the daily momentum of loadin up and hauling ourselves up and down the coast road...perhaps only a few miles, but the rugged roads optuire 2 hours a day...there and back.  In addition it is an 1 1/2 waiting in La Playita from Primeria (1st thru 6th grade) and the kinder.....such is life...We all have our endurances...For our Family going to the Public School System in La Playita is priceless. 

On the 16th of May we celebrated Dia de la Maestro...Teachers Day.  This involved a day out of School at La Primeria and a few festivities on the following Monday. 

Coming up June 1st...A special event celebrated annually in La Playita.  ...This year should be something spectacular...given that the bridge to no where is finally complete...From Puerto Los Cabos the new development/ Marina in La Playita connecting high over the arroyo to San Jose Del Cabo.  This bridge has been in the making for years.  The grand opening was Monday the 17th....

Things are sure to change......
 
 
"We are a part of Earth and it is part of us.  All things are connected this we know.  The Earth does not belong to man; man belongs to Earth"
"Man did not weave the web of life, he's merely a strand in it.  Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself"
Cheif Joseph's Testimony 1854

Get involved...see Protecting our Waters at the bottom of the more category on this website...it doesn't take much, information is knowledge..pass it on.

In seven generations we are the ancestors, what we do or don't do is an instrument to help create our future....doing nothing is also a choice.   Inspired by Voices of our Ancestors...a book of native american teachings.... 
 
 
"See each morning a world made anew as if it were the morning of the very first day,...treasure and use it, as if it were the final hour of the very last day"
Fay H. Arnold
With a thin crescent moon, the stars are out in full force at night.  Here at the tip of Baja, we are living off the grid with no other lights filtering our view.  Here Mother Nature is raw, unharnessed and as beautiful as it gets...

Depending on which way the wind blows and/or the intensity of the swells, you can hear the pounding of the surf, or the lapping of the water onto the shores edge. Even though these days it's as dry as a bone, you can hear the singing of the crickets and always around our place a random rooster's crow....  They somehow can make a song anytime throughout the 24 hours, but guaranteed before daybreak they sing in unison almost a conversation of their own... 

Whether it's a crescent moon under an unbelievable starlit sky or a full moon, you might hear an occasional owl, gecko, slapping of a whales tale on the water's surface or coyote nearby, ...awe, no doubt a dog barking at the cows, burros or coyotes to protect their territory.  After a while these sounds become all too familiar and some more comforting and soothing than others..but no sound of the humming of traffic on a nearby highway, or loud music until dawn....silence surrounds us...the comforting sounds of mother nature in the tropical desert at her best.

Before day  break, the birds begin to chirp one by one awaking after hours of rest.... Doves, Cactus Wren, blue jays, cardinals, the list goes on, many I have yet to identify but the symphony is unsurpassed. 

....As I wrote these words, I was sitting on a bench with a cup of joe long before the sun reached over the horizon.  The thin crescent moon hanging above to my right, scattered clouds quickly changing colors as the natural lighting adjusts...this video above was taken the following morning..

Living here year round where most folks escape from the heat...this time of year begins to be one of my favorite times of all.   Everyday is just another day...regardless of how, who, where we are, when we awake, or what we choose to do with our hours....these things in nature remain steady, strong and on course.  ..with less folks around, the sounds of mother nature become so much more obvious, we are just a drop of water, a part of the whole...Simple Pleasures is where it's at.
 
DIA DE MADRE 05/10/2010
 
 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM...UNA VEZ MAS!

Mother's Day was celebrated the 9th of May yesterday in the states, seems to always fluctuate on which day it lies on.  Yesterday was my Grandmother's 92nd Birthday, also celebrating Mother's Day!  What a special thang...Fort and Ellie are fortunate to be able to get to know their Great Grandmother, we are looking forward to seeing her again, soon. 

Here in Mexico we celebrate Dia De Madre/ Mother's Day on the 10th.  How lucky is that..I get a double dose   "como no".. why not?...can't complain about that.

....This is by far the greatest opportunity that has ever come into my hands and I hold it with great pride and honor.  Being a Mother of our two beautiful children.  Is a gift that I am forever grateful to be gifted.  For this experience of being a mother is humbling, es mucho trabajo pero en mi corazon, estoy muy feliz...Gracias A Dios.  (...it is a lot of work, but my heart is very happy...)

Thank you Great Spirit for bringing these two beautiful souls into my life and Thank you for connecting me with their Papa, my one and only husband Gene.  He is a wonderful father.  This chemistry our family has is unique to say the least..With no one else on this planet or no where else could we have what we have here.  This realization, brings me joy, I can't imagine it any other way...although it's not always easy, such is life...roll with it. 

No doubt with our pioneering lifestyle, living off the grid without nearby family for support...we have endured a lot.  But here we are, strong and solid  Familia Crain, living within a transformational community of Los Zacatitos and our connection to nearby pueblo La playita we are home.

Gracias A Dios...my cup runneth over.  On Mother's Day I can't help but take this opportunity to think......it's just another day to embrace our Mother Earth, regardless of where we come from the color of our skin or the language that we speak this is our common thread...embrace her with respect
...we are all connected.
 
 
What can I say...sometimes, these things just find me....
This past week or so we've celebrated Children's day the 30th of April. Mexican Labor Day 1st of May..because it was on a Saturday it was officially celebrated on 3rd of May, the following Monday. The 5th of May is..Batalla de Puebla, celebratead throughout all of the Pueblos.  According to Maestra Vickey when I asked her the signifigance of the three days off 3rd,4th and 5th.."What is the signifigance of the 4th?  She said with a smile "It's just another day, but since it lies in the middle,  we take it off too." ...como no, verdad....:)  Folks go to the beach, the Mexican flags are raised it's a big celebration throughout all of the pueblos, all of the schools are out for 5 days (weekend included).

When returning to school in La Playits on the 6th, I was greeted with big smiles...Everyone  I asked,Mother, Child and Teacher .."How did your vacation go?".....believe me you wouldn't need to know a lick of spanish the response of a big heartfelt smile is universal....


....Maesta Bernice  "como fue su vacaciones"  Con un Grand sunrisa..."Una Vez Mas"   With a big smile "one more time"  Ellie's teacher is one of the best teachers I have ever come across..she puts everything she has into those children..she truly enjoys it...therefore, that was some response.

...even Fatima at the local La Playita tienda showed me her tan lines on her sholder..."we passed your place..we went all the way up to Cabo Pulmo to stay on the beach"...unusual to say the least, Fatima and her husband work everyday, all day.. at the corner store near the schools.....nice 5 day break for us all..  "Do you know where we live, please stop by next time"..."yes Terri we were at Fort's first birthday celebration"  That's right :) almost 6 years ago. November 20th aka Dia de Revolucion.....and what a party that was..............Just wait for Ellies quinceniera...a celebration when a young girl turns the age of 15.  No doubt it will be here before we know it.  But I'd like to enjoy this youthful age of Fort and Ellie as long as I can...no rush, enjoy the ride.