The miniature copper and clay pieces in this retablo are all handmade, as is the little hutch. The doll, too, was handmade by a woman in San Miguel, although I added the red shoes and apron. This retablo is one of a series called “Sacred Spaces: Women’s Special Places.” I’m showing this one in honor of Lew-Ellyn Hughes, whose blog you can see HERE.
Well, the walls are 1/2 up and it is laughable how tiny this room is for all the hoopla that has gone on. I’m showing pictures of the week’s work below. I must say, they do things right in Mexico. These men have been working so hard with only one break a day and are so professional and precise. Here is their work in pictures so far:
I was surprised when they started chipping away at my stone patio. Little did I know!
A day later, they were waist deep. This little room will probably be standing when the rest of the house is rubble. Long after I’m rubble, hopefully.
I heard a truck drive up and went out to see what new was happening in my neighborhood. Oh!
Soon, men were walking by with those big stones on their shoulders. They weren’t interested in using my wheelbarrow.
And in the street, they were mixing up concrete. 
Which this poor guy carried back two buckets at a time!!!
To fill in the spaces they’d just chipped out with a pick axes and mortar and chisel! 
Father and son decided to look busy when I asked if I could take a picture. This doesn’t look too staged, does it? Note those nice new foundations which we all know go down at least a meter deep into the earth! Chino tells me that they construct their own castillos because the welded ones don’t flex in case of earthquake. These are wired together so they can move a bit and the structure doesn’t crumble during tremors.
We have walls!! Well, the beginning of walls.
The only injury so far was my toe–cut on a shard of rebar. Some alcohol, Neosporin and a bandaid corrected most of the damage. A pedicure will take care of the rest.
Morrie inspecting his new domain. The minute the men left for their lunch break, he must have gone in to stake his claim. You’ll see his addition in the dirt in front of him. I removed it! Trust Morrie to wreak a little mayhem even before the walls are fully up.
All in all, now that I see the size of this new room, Doggie Palace seems a bit excessive, so I have altered its name to Doggie Domain.
Heart of a Small Pueblo
I wrote to this question for an article in “Mexico Insights” (a now defunct magazine) a few years ago–long before I started blogging; and although I’ve printed the story once before on my blog, I think it warrants a second retelling. Go HERE to read a story about a remarkable man. Since I wrote this piece, he has gone on to found a 150 piece children’s orchestra and a children’s chorus that I talked about in another story. His is the restaurant where we staged the week-long Camp Estrella and where I’ll have 160 children decorate sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos next week. His restaurant is the hub and heart of our little town.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “FAQ.” Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.
Plumeria (Mixed Messages)
How to honor the last three frangipani (plumeria) blooms on a tree doomed to the axe? This tree has grown to block the view, and for 14 years I’ve suffered from its scent that others find intoxicating. Finally, weeks ago, I told Pasiano it must go. He hasn’t been swift in following requests. I haven’t been swift in asking why.
http://ceenphotography.com/2015/10/16/flower-of-the-day-october-16-2015-day-lily-in-black-and-white/
Our Lady of Forgetfulness
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “A True Saint.” In 300 years, if you were to be named the patron saint of X, what would you like X to be? Places, activities, objects — all are fair game.
Couldn’t resist another bougainvillea!
http://ceenphotography.com/2015/10/15/flower-of-the-day-october-15-2015-dahlia/
Plethora
Cee says to take lots of shots and I won’t fight her on this..I’m a great believer in the fact that the more you take, the more likely you are to find one you like. Sorta like chocolates! (Sorry, Forrest.) Believe it or not, I’ve weeded out my shots. Some need cropping, but I’m leaving them to show the difference. I like the first one best, but I would crop it to remove the computer power cord.
Your sea serpent made it to Mexico, Cee!
http://abstractlucidity.com/2015/10/14/shannons-creative-photo-challenge-spookymysterious/#like-3299
I Love how the characters in the murals below seem to be reacting to the dancers in front of them. Such fun!
This studious-looking dancer seems aware of the disapproval of the Huichol woman behind her. 
Dancer and mural observer seem equally petulant. 
I asked Isidro to translate “In Mexico There is Always Music”–the name of a piece I had written–into Spanish. Instead, he wrote a brief poem on that subject in Spanish which I then translated into English! So this is a see-saw bit of poetry that I then had him paint on my wall.
http://ceenphotography.com/2015/10/13/cees-fun-foto-challenge-graffiti-murals/
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 