Papier Mache Class

Tomasito photo, 2009

Al signs his work during a papier mache class.

They used to say that children need "roles not goals, but I believe that as a person ages they need "roles not goals" more than ever.

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Asistencia Santa Ysabel

Tanya photo, 2009

This image was taken at the asistencia Santa Ysabel about forty miles north of San Diego in the little village of Santa Ysabel. The small church was founded long ago during the time of the Spanish missions in California--and it has been maintained through thick and thin by the native people of the area--a remarkable history.

I especially like this photograph because it seems to be a symbol of spiritual search--out of darkness--light.

I hope you will visit this place someday.

Tomasito, 2009


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Bea at 90

Bea at 90 (Tomasito photo, 2009)

Bea is helping make some papier mache gift trays.

She is bright as a penny and an example of the old folk wisdom: "A beautiful child is a gift of God, but a beautiful old person is a work of art."

Tomasito, 2009


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test

Saint Francis Assisi Church

Tomasito photo, 2009

Saint Francis Assisi church

I hope you will make a pilgrimage to this pretty and unusual asistencia from the days of the Spanish missions sometime soon.

It is a good place to be--and has no gift shop or tee-shirt stand.

(near Warner Springs, CA)

Tomasito, 2009


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Unholy Land

Mask, Tanya photo 2009

"We're back from our Bible Lands Trip. I'm not going to call it 'Holy' Land any more. All over the world people fight over land. God even used one of the commandments to forbid it, but when you add the word 'Holy' to land, it raises the trouble level about 60%."

A couple of weeks ago I received the above e-note from Brother Joe--who had just returned from a trip to Israel.

When people ARE holy, the land they live in is holy.

Tomasito, 2009


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Walt Whitman' Words

(Tanya photo 2009)

One of America's greatest poets is not very popular now, but will probably be better known soon: I am speaking of Walt Whitman.

His long and full book: "Leaves of Grass"--his life work--has some strong and wonderful words and I would like to remind you of some.

He asks, for example:

"Who are you that wanted to be told only that which you knew before?"
and
"Who are you that wanted only a book to join you in your nonsense?"

He was looking for growth and change--and intelligence, not conformity.

Oh, good old Walt!

Tomasito, 2009


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San Ysabel Asistancia 2

Santa Yabel Asistancia Sanctuary (Tanya photo, 2009)

Odd how differently the towns developed from the missions of the old padres feel from the other towns and cities in California.

Of course they are older--but I think it is more than that.

They started for a different purpose than that of mere land development or good farm or ranch land or gold--they had a spiritual purpose--and I think that some residual effect lingers even after all these years--and perhaps even in the monster Los Angeles itself--which after all was built around Mission San Gabriel.

That spirit seems especially evident to me in such humble places as this little country church and cemetery.

Tomasito, 2009


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