CASIMIRA

CASIMIRA
HERstory through ART
With words and images, I am telling my story.

Through art, I am remembering HERstory...

I've been blogging daily since 2007.

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Updated Daily: January 2007 - February 2020

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Monday, December 31

let us stay open

As the year draws to a close, let us honor everyone and everything that came our way - all of the blessings (especially those still in disguise).  Let us release 2012 with love and gratitude.  Let us stay open to joy.  Let us stay open to miracles.  Let us stay open to love...

Sunday, December 30

for my circle of women

"Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman.
A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories.
Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.

Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself.
A woman who listens to her needs and desires.
Who meets them with tenderness and grace.

Imagine a woman who acknowledges the past's influence on the present.
A woman who has walked through her past.
Who has healed into the present.

Imagine a woman who authors her own life.
A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf.
Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.

Imagine a woman who names her own gods.
A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness.
Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life.

Imagine a woman in love with her own body.
A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.
Who celebrates its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.

Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body.
A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.
Who refuses to use her life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life.

Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.
A woman who sits in circles of women.
Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.

Imagine yourself as this woman."

“Imagine a Woman” © Patricia Lynn Reilly, 1995

Saturday, December 29

peace through courage

"Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace, the soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things."
- Amelia Earhart (1897-1937)

Friday, December 28

all part of one another

"The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.”
- Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Thursday, December 27

only that breath breathing human being



"My place is placeless, a trace of the traceless.

Neither body or soul.
 
I belong to the beloved, have seen the two worlds as one and that one call to and know, first, last, outer, inner, only that breath breathing human being." - RUMI

Wednesday, December 26

every breath hallelujah

I have not been able to stop thinking of this song...

"I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who has seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well, really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah..." - Leonard Cohen

Tuesday, December 25

Merry Christmas

the REAL santa
"It came without ribbons!

It came without tags!

It came without packages, boxes or bags!...

...Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" - Dr. Seuss

Monday, December 24

noche buena - misa del gallo

vintage photo from Grandparents' home, circa 1970s or 1960s
Tonight families gather to celebrate each other and to honor the Eve of Christ’s birth.

Those who are far away are missed more than ever.

Those who have passed away are always remembered.

A feast is prepared and enjoyed amidst laughter and song.

At midnight, bells ring to announce La Misa del Gallo, midnight mass with choir and candlelight.
Esta noche es Noche-Buena
Y no es noche de dormir.
– old Spanish verse

Sunday, December 23

nostalgia

I close my eyes and I can hear their voices.  My beloved grandmothers, truly Grand Mothers...

Saturday, December 22

His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda

Sri Gurudev playing with me, circa 1973...
His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda was born on December 22nd in 1914.  I am entering a new phase of my life...and it is time to celebrate the light.

I celebrate beloved Gurudev, today and always...

Friday, December 21

Mother Night births the sun - Winter Solstice - 12.21.12

"Circle round, and I'll tell you a story about when the sun was born again...

It was the middle of winter, and the sun had grown very old.  All year long the sun had worked very hard, rising and setting day after day.  All year long the sun had fed everybody on earth, shining and shining, giving energy to the trees and the flowers and the grasses so they could grow and feed the animals and birds and insects and people...

Night felt sorry for the sun.

"Come to my arms and rest, child." she said. "After all, I am your mother.  You were born out of darkness, billions of years ago, and you will return to me when all things end.  Let me cradle you now, as I shelter every galaxy and star in the universe."

So Night wrapped her great arms around the sun, and the night was very long indeed...

Every time a child said thank you, the sun began to feel a little warmer, a little brighter.  Wrapped safely in the arms of Night, the sun grew younger and younger...For in the long night the sun had rested well and grown young from the songs and the thanks of the children, young as a brand-new baby, born out of Night once more.

"The sun has returned!  The sun is reborn!" the people cried.  And they danced and sang to celebrate the birth of a new day..." - STARHAWK

Thursday, December 20

each other

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”
- Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993)

limited edition prints of this mixed media are now available for purchase online: click on red
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Wednesday, December 19

it's the way you carry it

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.”
- Lena Horne (1917 - 2010)

limited edition prints of this mixed media are now available for purchase online:  click on red
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Tuesday, December 18

joyful opportunities

2004 self-portrait in metal
“Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal;
it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.” 
- Eliza Tabor

disappointment only creates opportunities - JOYFUL opportunities

Monday, December 17

humanity renewed


"Teach this triple truth to all:

a generous heart,

kind speech,

and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity."

- Buddha
Humanity renewed...I believe it happens one person at a time, one thought at a time, one action at a time.

Sunday, December 16

recordando a Guillermo Sevilla-Sacasa


mi bello "Popo" de colonias y cuentos,


Popo quien me enseño a dibujar,
a jugar con palabras,
a platicar con seguridad,


a ser una verdadera pavo-real-la,
de plumas blancas y plateadas como las de las hadas,


Popo, siempre impecable y notable,
un genio genial y jovial,
de medallas y honores,
Popo de mis amores,


siento su mirada noche y día,
escucho sus consejos,
segura que nos encontramos en mis sueños..

remembering my beloved grandfather, truly a Grand Father

Saturday, December 15

writing on the wings of a dragon

"To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing her/his name on the wings of a dragon." - Proverb

Friday, December 14

prayers and love to all

"She Who Heals:

Mother, sing me a song
That will ease my pain,
Mend broken bones,
Bring wholeness again.

Catch my babies
When they are born,
Sing my death song,
Teach me how to mourn.

Show me the Medicine
Of the healing herbs,
The value of spirit,
The way I can serve.

Mother, heal my heart
So that I can see
The gifts of yours
That can live through me."

- Jamie Sams

Thursday, December 13

so many doors

"I feel very adventurous. There are so many doors to be opened, and I'm not afraid to look behind them." - Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

Wednesday, December 12

12.12.12

"Be humble for you are made of earth. 
Be noble for you are made of stars."- SERBIAN PROVERB

2012 mixed media inspired by a dream


Tuesday, December 11

patience, passion, persistence

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman (approximately 1818–1913)

contemplating patience, passion and persistence...

Monday, December 10

besos celestes

I dreamed with blue oceans and lions,

I heard his voice calling to me...

I wrote to him in blue spanish

~~~~~~~

lineas azules,

besos celestes,

abrazos morados risas rosadas,

y luz infinita...


excerpt from a letter

Sunday, December 9

to have a friend

2008 mixed media

The verb "to love" in Persian is "to have a friend."

"I love you" translated literally is "I have you as a friend," and "I don't like you" simply means "I don't have you as a friend.”

- Shushā Guppy (1935-2008)

Are you friends with yourself?

Do you love yourself?

Saturday, December 8

festival of lights

"May the light within you help dispel the darkness."

- R.L. Shep

Friday, December 7

¿Quién causa tanta alegría?

2007 mixed media featuring the interior of León's cathedral
Who causes so much happiness?

This is the cry of millions of Nicaraguans during the December 7th “La Griteria” (The Shouting) celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. An elaborate altar is set up with fresh flowers, lights, candles and more. Celebrants gather to sing prayerful hymns to Mother Mary. After the singing, massive amounts of food are distributed. Everything from oranges with colorful little flags, candies made of condensed milk and coconut, tamales wrapped in dark green plantain leaves and a sweet pink drink made of corn. The tradition began somewhere between the 18th–19th century in the majestic colonial city of León, Nicaragua.

I have always seen “La Purisima” (The Purest) as a fascinating pagan-like ritual, one of my favorite parts of growing up Catholic. As a child, I believed we were honoring all the mothers, all the women and not just a statue of a pretty fair-skinned lady dressed in blue draping gowns. Even more so today, I like to believe the songs, the prayers and food honor and celebrate the goddess in every woman...

originally published in 2007

goddess mother everywhere
more than ever
we need you

Thursday, December 6

mystical mother of the universe



her roses

- invaded me with sacred blessings -

mother mary, mother earth
 
- mystical goddess -
 
mystical mother of the universe...

from my journals

Wednesday, December 5

only because I love

"Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love." - Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Tuesday, December 4

revealed secret

"What secret are you looking for?
Life will soon reveal it to you." - Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

Monday, December 3

life

"Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it." - Sri Sathya Sai Baba (1926-2011)

Sunday, December 2

who supports & celebrates your dreams?

"Choose to be in close proximity to people who are empowering, who appeal to your sense of connection to intention, who see the greatness in you, who feel connected to God, and who live a life that gives evidence that Spirit has found celebration through them."
- Dr. Wayne Dyer

who supports you and celebrates your dreams?

Saturday, December 1

soul mates

"I don't believe in rules.  I think it's the heart that should talk.  The first thing about love is that you have to love yourself.  No relationship will work unless you do...I wanted to be his friend.  I thought he would be a good friend to have.  But we were completely taken over by passion, and it was completely, utterly unexpected on both sides.  That made it more exciting, because it was so unexpected...Yes, I do believe in soul mates." - Diane von Fürstenberg (b. 1946)

mixed media from an ongoing series