It's a sundial.Rudimentary, I admit.But a working sundial nonetheless.You have to know which way is north first. That is the twelve o'clock mark.Then you stand a stick up in the sand just below it. Draw a circle and mark the three, six, and nine o'clock marks. As the sun moves, the shadow moves and you can tell what time it is. Yes, it was about ...
Searching for Cuban Food
I love to cook and I love getting mail. And I especially love getting mail from people trying my recipes. Snail mail. Email. Comment. Love it.The question I get the most: "Where can I find your Cuban food recipes?" If you click on the Food and Drink or Cuban Food category links (in the sidebar on the right) you will find my food posts ...
Everyone should have their very own Genius.
My studio and therefore, my life, have been in chaos since summer started. I"m not complaining, and I admit, some of the craziness is self-imposed. Because I'm not schooling and we don't have to be anywhere at any time, I usually take the summer months to re-group. (I'm guessing most real teachers do this too.) One of the projects on my to-do ...
How to throw a Cuban party
Okay, I'm not just saying this, but we really know how to throw a great party. Seriously. I think it's probably because we go into it with the idea that we are not entertaining so much as sharing. We love to have people in our home. We want them to feel welcome. We want them to come back. It's not about perfection or showing off. It's ...
Making a Man
This is a page out of a scrapbook I made for Adam. (the entire album is in the column on the left - titled: Adam's ABC Book) It tells the story of The Splinter. Here's how it goes: Adam played lacrosse in the 8th grade. Lacrosse is like ice hockey but without the ice and much more violent. In other words, a blood sport. =( After his very first ...
My Big, Fat Cuban Outdoor Movie Theater
Okay, so.... The Darby Backyard Movie Theater ROCKS! I know you were curious.(I may never come back inside again. =D) Movies and popcorn under the stars.The picture is crystal clear. The sound is perfect.The whole scene is just idyllic. Makes me want to have a party. (actually, just about anything makes me want to have a party - I can't help it. ...
A time to PLAY
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 It's Friday and I'm busy cleaning out my studio because I need more room to PLAY. Last year I began some exercises in my art journal. I decided to try new techniques, and learn new ways to express myself. On Tuesdays I would do a self-portrait ...
Brunch. Cuban style.
I made a 4th of July Brunch yesterday. Cuban style. Or, more aptly, Cuban-American style. Think French Toast meets Little Havana meets Orange County. =DIt's basically French toast stuffed with guava and cream cheese. How fun is that? It's an original recipe I decided to call "Torrejas a lo Refugiado," "Torrejas" are a type ...
I swore an oath
I am a sucker for patriotic stuff.I proudly fly the American flag year round.I cry every time I hear America the Beautiful.I love how fireworks look magical.I became a naturalized American citizen on April 17, 1974. I was 19 years old.I still remember the proud moment I took the oath and was told:There is no prouder title than “Citizen of the ...
The Train Report
The train tracks in the central California town of Hanford run directly through the middle of town. Most times during rush hour traffic.Every day on his way to Panera, my friend, Gene gets stuck waiting for the train to pass.Every day I get to enjoy 15 seconds of pure comedy provided by Gene and the train via my cellphone.We call it The Train ...
