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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Friday, February 20

nicaragua: Luis H. Debayle

2009 mixed media of my Great-Great Grand Father
Dejadme que interrogue al agua que ha besado
Sus formas provocantes, su tez de rosa y lirio;
Y aquel grato aroma sus ondas ha impregnado;
Dejadme que su efluvio aspire con delirio.

Oh, la estancia que aun guarda la delicia inefable
De su talle y sus flancos y de su seno ardiente,
Velados por el negro cabello incomparable;
Y el lino que enjugara aquel cuerpo adorable,
Dejadme que lo oprima y lo bese ferviente.

El corsé que lucia y que mis dedos tocan
Trémulos, y las ropas que su encanto oprimieron,
Nostálgicos tal vez del goce que sintieron,
Me parece que esperan y en mi un pasado evocan.

Embriagado y absorto, en un ansia infinita,
Veo el ritmo felino, la carne que palpita,
La soberbia figura luciendo su realeza;
E irguiéndose atrevida en suprema belleza,
Nacida de la onda, la divina Afrodita.

- Luis H. Debayle (1865-1938)


I believe he wrote this for his beloved Casimira...

Thursday, February 19

nicaragua: SalomĂłn de la Selva

2009 mixed media
Se me figura que todo el mundo ahora
debe sentir lo que yo siento.
ImagĂ­nate: ¡Hoy a salido el sol!
¡Hoy hemos visto el cielo!

Han pasado incontables aeroplanos:
todos quedamos roncos
de gritarles saludos.
¡QuĂ© nos iban a oĂ­r!
Pero oĂ­rse uno mismo es lo importante,
oĂ­rse hasta quedarse sordo,
y ver la luz del dĂ­a hasta cegarse:
¿Verdad que es muy sencillo
el secreto del arte?

Tuvimos un fuego al aire libre
hasta que nos obligaron a apagarlo.
El calor nos volviĂł contemplativos.
¡Todos nos chamuscamos los zapatos!
Otro descubrimiento divino:
Darse al calor hasta quemarse
es el secreto del misticismo.

Nadie ha proferido ni una queja.
Es por entero falso que tengamos enemigo.
No nos hemos cruzado ni una bala.
Sin embargo, esta noche
esperamos ataque.
Por eso te escribo.

- SalomĂłn de la Selva (1893-1959)


...darse al calor hasta quemarse...
how often do we step into the FIRE?

Wednesday, February 18

nicaragua: AzarĂ­as H. Pallais

2009 mixed media, husband's great uncle
Desde que era muy niño, saltaba de alegría,
cuando la fresca lluvia de los cielos caĂ­a.

Chorros de los tejados, vuestro rumor tenĂ­a
el divino silencio de la melancolĂ­a.

Los niños con las manos tapaban sus oídos,
y oyendo con asombro los profundos sonidos

del corazĂłn que suena como si fuera el mar,
sentĂ­an un deseo supremo de llorar.

Y como por la lluvia, todo era interrumpido,
se bañaban las cosas en un color de olvido.

Y vagaban las mentes en un ocio divino,
muy propicio a los cuentos de Simbad el Marino.

Las lluvias de mi tierra me enseñaron lecciones... ...
con AlĂ­ Baba, pasan los cuarenta ladrones.

Y cantaban mis sueños en la noche lluviosa:
¡Lámpara de Aladino, lámpara milagrosa!

Y al caer de la lluvia, la criada más antigua
desgranaba sus cuentos en una forma ambigua.

Otro de los milagros que en la lluvia, yo canto,
es, que al caer sus linfas, se pone un nuevo manto

mi ciudad que al lavarse... ...yo pienso en una de esas
austeras e impecables ciudades holandesas:

Una ciudad lavada, sin polvo, nuevecita,
donde reza el aseo su plegaria bendita.

Como, “pulvère procul” se lee en los pergaminos
de un noble de otros tiempos, por todos los caminos,

Cuando pasan las lluvias, se alegra y se extasĂ­a,
lejos, lejos del polvo, la profunda alegrĂ­a:

La de andar sin pecado, por silencios de amor,
como un dulce ojo de agua de inocente rumor.

Si se libra el camino, del polvo –su pecado-
se vuelve como el santo de AsĂ­s, enamorado

de todas las criaturas, de todas las criaturas,
y a todas les ofrece sus blancas aventuras.

Son todos los caminos como flor de aventura
para el dulce Quijote de la Triste Figura.

- AzarĂ­as H. Pallais (1884-1954)


a perfect meditation for a rainy day like today

Tuesday, February 17

nicaragua: Alfonso Cortés

2009 mixed media
Muchos me han dicho: El viento, el mar, la lluvia, el grito
de los pastores... Otros: La hembra humana y el cielo;
otros: La errante sombra y el invisible velo
de la Verdad, y aquellos: La fantasĂ­a, el mito.

Yo no. Yo sé que todo es inefable rito
en el que oficia un coro de arcángeles en vuelo,
y que la eternidad vive en sagrado celo,
en el que engrenda el Hombre y pare lo infinito.

Por eso, mis palabras son silencio hablado,
y en la fatal urdimbre de cada ser, encuentro
difícil lo sabido y fácil lo ignorado...

Yo soy el Mercader de una divina feria
en la que infinito es cĂ­rculo sin centro
y el nĂşmero la forma de lo que es materia.

- Alfonso Cortés (1893-1969)


...mis palabras son silencio hablado...
...my words are spoken silence...

Monday, February 16

nicaragua: Marcos Orozco

he used one of my mixed medias for the cover of his first book
This week Nicaragua celebrates its annual poetry festival...and although I am not there in person, I am there in spirit...
NICARAGUA

Ayer Gioconda preguntĂł:
Qué sos?, par saberte
dentro de sĂ­ misma.

Hoy, yo no necesito preguntarte:
Qué tienes?
para saber que sufres.

- Marcos Orozco (b. 1976)

Sunday, February 15

what is evil?

2009 mixed media
What is evil?

Killing is evil,

Lying is evil,

Slandering is evil,

Abuse is evil,

Gossip is evil,

Envy is evil,

Hatred is evil,

To cling to false doctrines is evil;
All these things are evil.

And what is the root of evil?

DESIRE is the root of evil,
ILLUSION is the root of evil.

- Buddha


She warned us about an envious click around and advised us to pray for them and to bless them, for they are the unhappiest creatures in the universe...

Saturday, February 14

bella melodĂ­a

detail from my Valentine's wrapped present, wonder what's inside...
No existe un momento de dĂ­a
en que pueda apartarme de ti;
el mundo parece distinto
cuando no estás junto a mí.

No hay bella melodĂ­a
donde no surjas tĂş,
ni yo quiero escucharla
si no la escuchas tĂş.

Es que te has convertido
en parte de mi alma,
ya nada me conforma
si no estás tú también.

Más allá de tus labios
del sol y las estrellas,
contigo en la distancia
amada mĂ­a/o estoy.

- César Portillo de la Luz (born 1922)


I have been singing this song for a few days...

Friday, February 13

age of aquarius

2009 mixed media
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars


At 7.25am on 14th February 2009 - and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, I invite you, in the universal heart, to add your own intention for love and peace and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. In whatever way feels appropriate for you, you may choose to align with7.25am (UT) or 7.25am your own local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth.

- Jude Currivan, PhD

thank you Amma

Thursday, February 12

hablarĂ­a con el corazĂłn

an idea
Si me quitaran totalmente todo
si, por ejemplo, me quitaran el saludo
de los pájaros, o los buenos días
del sol sobre la tierra,
me quedarĂ­a
aĂşn una palabra.
AĂşn me quedarĂ­a una palabra
donde apoyar la voz.
Si me quitaran las palabras,
o la lengua,
hablarĂ­a con el corazĂłn
en la mano,
o con las manos en el corazĂłn.
Si me quitaran una pierna
bailarĂ­a en un pie.
Si me quitaran un ojo
llorarĂ­a en un ojo.
Si me quitaran un brazo
me quedarĂ­a el otro,
para saludar a mis hermanos,
para sembrar los surcos de la tierra,
para escribir todas las playas del mundo, con tu nombre, amor mĂ­o.

- Alejandro Romualdo (1926-2008)


moving to Susana Baca's sung version and remembering Tia Lala

Wednesday, February 11

whispering angels

2009 mixed media, sculpture in progress
Every blade of grass has its ANGEL that bends over it and whispers, "Grow, grow."
- The Talmud


Angels are always whispering, we need to be still enough and willing enough to listen...

Tuesday, February 10

diamond flower

2009 mixed media


She wore a diamond flower in her hair, and all the people turned to stare...

excerpt from a dream

Monday, February 9

beautiful boy

my beautiful boy
Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He's on the run and your mamma’s [daddy's] here,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,

Before you go to sleep,
Say a little prayer,
Every day in every way,
It's getting better and better,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,

Out on the ocean sailing away,
I can hardly wait,
To see you to come of age,
But I guess we'll both,
Just have to be patient,
Yes it's a long way to go,
But in the meantime,

Before you cross the street,
Take my hand,
Life is just what happens to you,
While your busy making other plans,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,
Darling,
Darling...

- John Lennon (1940-1980)


one of my favorite songs to sing to my beautiful boy

Sunday, February 8

47-year-old baby

2009 mixed media
"I still sway that way whenever I hold a grocery bag in my arms and my baby is 47 years old..."
- a lady I met today while I was holding baby in store...

Saturday, February 7

united nations: labels

this label made me laugh

While folding and sorting laundry last night, I began to notice the labels.

MADE IN: India, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Mexico, Lesotho, El Salvador, Russia, Indonesia, China, U.S.A., Egypt, Philippines, Italy, Canada, Japan, Nicaragua, Peru, Vietnam, Thailand...and my favorite:
Designed in France, Made in Tunisia...

Friday, February 6

purple hair

2009 mixed media sketch for sculpture
The senior citizen wore an elegant three-piece suit. His shoes were polished. When the wind blew, I noticed his purple hair...how fabulously bold...

on the way to the grocery store this morning

Thursday, February 5

patience & wisdom

2009 mixed media
Patience is the companion of wisdom.

- St. Augustine (354 AD – 430 AD)

Do you consider yourself a patient person?

Do you consider yourself a wise person?

Wednesday, February 4

medicine man

2009 mixed media
His face appeared to have been carved from ancient stone.
His voice was a faint whisper.
The Native American Medicine Man passed on these commandments:

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.

Remain close to the Great Spirit.

Show great respect for your fellow beings.

Work together for the benefit of all mankind.

Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

Do what you know to be right.

Look after the well being of mind and body.

Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.

Be truthful and honest at all times.

Take full responsibility for your actions.

a true story

Tuesday, February 3

snowflake

snowflake on my window
Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.

- Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Enjoying the scattered snowflakes this morning...

Monday, February 2

life like a wild flower

2009 sketch for a brooch
May your life be like a wild flower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.
- Native American Proverb


my wish for myself, my husband and our child
my wish for the planet

Sunday, February 1

majestic motherhood

2009 sculpture in progress
six months ago, I gave birth to a son
six months ago, I gave birth to the mother within
...majestic motherhood

Saturday, January 31

believe nothing

2009 mixed media
believe nothing
no matter where you read it,
or who has said it,
not even if i have said it,
UNLESS it agrees with
your own reason and
your own common sense.

- BUDDHA


...this is so very true and so important to teach the younger generations...

Friday, January 30

begin today

2009 mixed media study
Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, BEGIN IT. Action has magic, grace and power in it.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
What will we begin today?

Thursday, January 29

color everywhere

detail from the contents of my once-empty crystal bowlA giant green Frog Prince lounges on the chaise. A stuffed horse the size of an actual pony often startles me. A lime and orange rainforest swing (complete with monkeys and toucans) sits in the middle of the living room. My once-edited neutral home, is now splashed with color - everywhere...

Wednesday, January 28

mountain spirit

2009 mixed media in progress
You never conquer a mountain.
You stand on the summit a few moments;
then the wind blows your footprints away.

- Arlene Blum (born 1945)

majestic

ancient

mountain spirit

Tuesday, January 27

interesting

playing with an idea this morning, mixed media
If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.

- Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003)
Are you pursuing your interests? I am...

Monday, January 26

holy fire

detail from mixed media, circa 2004
JOY is the HOLY FIRE
that keeps our purpose warm
and our intelligence aglow.

- Helen Keller (1880-1968)

...and where do we find our joy?
It is everywhere - we only need to be awake to sense it...

Sunday, January 25

wild

2009 self-portrait, mixed media
How has society tamed us?

How has family tamed us?

I was WILD once...

and I won't let them tame me...again.

(affirmation inspired by Isadora Duncan's famous quote)

Saturday, January 24

deaf to the truth

study for sculpture

If you want the truth,

I'll tell you the truth:

Listen to the secret sound,

the real sound,

which is inside you.

- KABIR


Do we really want the truth?

Or do we fear the secret sound within?

What is the saying - IGNORANCE is BLISS....

Is that why we keep SO BUSY...with cell phones, email, laptops, facebooks, blogs, television, newspapers, and on and on...

Are we DEAF to our TRUTH?

Friday, January 23

all the people

2009 mixed media
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

- John Lennon (1940-1980)
I woke up singing this song...

Thursday, January 22

rapidity of change

2009 mixed media
Life is measured by the rapidity of change.

- George Eliot (1819-1880)


This is a time of change - on so many levels...

Wednesday, January 21

a child learns

2009 sketch for story
If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise,
He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice.

If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.

- Dorothy Law Nolte (1924-2005)

What did we live with as children?

What did our parents live with as children?

What are our children living with?

Monday, January 19

living the dream

2009 mixed media
...Though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.

It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

Do you have a dream?

I have a dream that my son and the sons of his sons will grow up knowing that all women and men are created equal...that there are wonderful differences which are to be cherished, cultivated and above all respected...

Are we living our dreams?

Sunday, January 18

potential for growth

study for sculpture
From the seed grows a root, then a sprout; from the sprout, the seedling leaves; from the leaves, the stem; around the stem, the branches; at the top, the flower...

We cannot say that the seed causes the growth, nor that the soil does. We can say that the potentialities for growth lie within the seed, in mysterious life forces, which when properly fostered, take on certain forms.

- M.C. Richards (1916-1999)


How do we properly foster our seeds?

Saturday, January 17

laundry & questions

detail from a card
There is a pile of clean clothes that needs to be sorted and folded.

There is another pile of clothes that needs to be washed.

The thank you notes are almost completed.


Why don’t you get a maid to come at least once a week, they ask.

Why don’t you start to bottle-feed the baby at least once in a while, they ask.

Why don’t you send us the most recent photos, they ask.

Why don’t you call or email anymore, they ask.


I am a mother to a 5-month old.

I am an artist working on new projects.

I am a woman who is learning to prioritize.

I am happy...I am joyful...and yes, just a bit weary of they never-ending things to do and of the never-ending questions which I try to ignore...

I am not the same person I was a year ago...I am grateful beyond words...

Friday, January 16

finding joy

nature holds joy for me
where do you find joy?

are you able to find joy in another's joy?

giving birth to my son was the most joyous experience.

being a mother brings me joy each day.

Thursday, January 15

humanity renewed

detail from one of my silk pieces...color study
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.

Wednesday, January 14

playing small doesn't serve the world

a study for a sculpture or textile
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson (b. 1952)

This quote sits on my altar and is tucked in the pages of my journals...

Tuesday, January 13

venus

my bronze muse who wears my necklaces
Venus
a planet
a goddess
an energy close to the sun and bright as the moon
daughter of heaven and sea
love and sensuality

are you in touch with your inner Venus?

Monday, January 12

dancer

2009 mixed media study I dreamed I was the dancer dressed in black.
I surrendered to the music and became the dance.
Movement...graceful, rhythmic movement...
I woke up, feeling I had flown...

Our arms start from the back because they were once wings.
- Martha Graham (1894-1991)

Sunday, January 11

wonderful world

2009 mixed media study for sculpture
I see trees of green, red roses too.
I see them bloom, for me and you.
And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white.
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world...


- excerpt from one of my favorite songs “What A Wonderful World”

Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister Christine who makes this a more wonderful world...

Saturday, January 10

children

2009 pencil sketch

I held my babe against my bosom and said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

- Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

Friday, January 9

don't go back to sleep

was he ever this tiny or was it all a dream?
Rumi whispered a sweet song to me early this morning:

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep
.

Thursday, January 8

mama's love

2009 mixed media
She brought me lamb chops and couscous.

It was a rainy night after a long day at the office.

That’s the thing about mothers – we go out of our way for our children.

Thank you Mammi...

Wednesday, January 7

resolution reality

2009 mixed media
One week into the New Year.
How are we doing with those resolutions we bravely declared?

Cleaning-recycling of closets has had to come to a pause for the time being.

My 5-month-old has been battling a bad cold thanks to me...I allowed almost anyone and everyone to handle and hold him during the holiday gatherings. Out of diplomacy, I did not request they wash their hands.

I am learning to be more flexible...my cleaning can resume in a few days.

I am learning to be less polite when it comes to safeguarding the health of my child.

Tuesday, January 6

smile

2009 mixed media
Surrounding herself with fresh flowers made her smile...

What makes you smile?

Monday, January 5

source of light

2009 study for a textile
LIGHT...

Where do you find LIGHT in your life?

Are you generous with your LIGHT, sharing it with others?

Do you fear the powerful LIGHT within?

A new year marks a new beginning and new beginnings are made up of LIGHT...

Sunday, January 4

no longer the same

2009 mixed media
I am not the same person I was a year ago.
Neither are you.
Why would we want to be?
We have stretched. We have grown. We are flourishing.
We are constantly changing...it is part of being alive...

Saturday, January 3

attachments

love this little guy - complete freedom
Why is it that as we grow up, we tend to become attached to material things?

Small children often have a favorite blanket or toy which brings them a sense of security, a sense of comfort. My baby has not yet developed this sort of attachment to any material object. From the numerous holiday gifts he received (from family and friends), his favorite thing to play with has been the tissue paper.

What are our material attachments? What sense of (false?) security do these give us?

Friday, January 2

out with the old

2009 mixed media
I am getting rid of old clothing today, cleaning out my closet, drawers and even those vacuum-sealed plastic storage bags under the bed...

Thursday, January 1

2009: CHANGE

he was less than a month old (pretty alert, eh?)
A new year.

A year of changes.

I began the year changing diapers...
...and much more...

What will you change this year?