Saint Petka Church Altar

Saint Petka Serbian Orthodox Church Interior.
Tanya photo, 2009. (click on photo for more detail)

Good Friday

Today is "Good Friday" in the calendar of most branches of the western Christian tradition so I thought it would be appropriate to present this photo of one of the Orthodox Christian churches ion this area--Saint Petka in San Carlos--an altogether unexpected ornate building in the old tradition in this very humble and unassuming typical southern California town.

Tomasito, 2009


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Deer Park Monastery Altar

Deer Park Monastery, Escondido, CA, Great Meditation Hall Altar.
(Tanya photo, 2009)

This is the season of rebirth.

We drove out to the Deer Park Buddhist Monastery today to see what new wild plants were blooming and to enjoy the "Sangha", the peace and beauty of this special place.

I wish you could have all been there with us---it was very good.

There is an old resident dog there--quite an old-timer--I showed you a photo a few days ago of the dog with Tanya petting him--and he followed the group of us making a silent "walking meditation" to increase our mindfulness. He got more and more frisky as we walked until, when we were near the top of a big hill, he was racing circles around us and snorting like a young dog!

He was enjoying himself so much we all had to laugh!

Happy Spring, Everybody!

Tomasito, 2009


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Holy Week, USA

Altar Books and Decorations at Pala Mission, Pala, California.
(Tanya Photo, 2009)


Easter.

There has been a long series of beautiful days here in southern California.

Many of the inhabitants here follow various Christian denominations. For them this is the Easter Season--marking the death and resurrection of their---what shall I call Him? Teacher? God, Inspired Prophet? Lord and Savior?---it is impossible to avoid controversy on the subject.

But everyone, and I do mean everyone, welcomes this beautiful season of nature's rebirth.

There was a good cleansing rain last night--incredibly lovely cloud formations all day--clear air and bright, you could almost say "happy" blue sky.

Welcome, Easter! Welcome Season of rebirth!

Tomasito, 2009



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Creative Workshop

Zak Papier Mache-ing a Birthday Pinata.

(Click ON photo to enlarge it.)

Hello.

I seldom use more than one illustration per day, but I wanted show you some of the creative people involved in my workshop.

We are all doing artistic things--like papier mache, drawing, coloring and painting.

One interesting feature of the workshop is that it takes place in a live-in facility in Escondido, California, for elderly folks and people recovering from serious operations and like that.

The older folks in the photos are residents. I see them almost every day.

The children in the photos are neighbor kids who like art and who are able to spend a couple of hours twice a week helping me as "Assistant Volunteers".

We are all learning a lot and enjoying letting the creative juices flow so to speak.

Hannah Draws a House and a Dog

Helen and Bea coloring.

Al showing His Papier Mache Frame-in-progress.



Tomasito, 2009


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