Catrina, day of the dead, autumn loveliness and a thing for Steve.

"The skeleton with the hat that we see today came to life in the early 1900’s by artist José Guadalupe Posada. Posada was a controversial and political cartoonist that was liked by the people and who drew and etched skeletons (calaveras) in a satirical way to remind people that they would all end up dead in the end. It is said that he drew the dandy-looking female skeleton with a fancy feathered hat because some Mexicans had aspirations to look wealthy and aristocratic like the Europeans at that time. A satirical drawing to remind people to be themselves and to stop trying to be something that they weren’t. No matter how rich or poor you were, no matter the color of your skin, and no matter what society you belonged to, you would all end up skeletons. This was Posada’s message with his many caricatures of cavaleras sketched doing various daily activities. One of his most popular sayings was “Death is democratic”. "

The one and only La Catrina that I have left has seen better days. I did have about ten at one point. All  in different  dresses but same style. I kept this one because her foot has broken off- and also, I am fond of her.

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Autumn is beautiful right now, just before the wind takes it all away and  grey settles in.

This is our enthusiastic weeping cherry. Whoa, knock yourself out , girl!

A few flowers  are still hanging on and some  are  blossoming, trying to , anyway.
 

Slanted light hits some leaves just right and they become electric. Through the trees all of a sudden a burst of brightness slaps you silly and you doubt what you are seeing. Butterflies? Fairies?

There are colors that I have no names for- what would you call this color?

 Every year I drag out the "compost" painting that I did when Erik was in middle school, and every year Dennis says "oh that is nice, where did that come from?"  And every year I remind him...

Seven deer in the yard this morning. Frisky, leaping and getting very close.

 

A young buck  is chasing a very young doe around and around.  He nearly ran over my neighbor. Marijo has returned for a couple of weeks , visiting her parents. 

She comes twice a year though I think it will be more often now that her parents are in their 90's. 

She left the USA for Holland about 25 years ago , for better health care. Better politics and better life in general. Smart girl.

 Steve asked that I post the glass thing  I did in a workshop at Erik's middle school, having posted Janet's , which is far more interesting- I have posted this one before ,probably. It was inspired by the "WATSU" that Janet bought for me for a birthday long ago. I was very impressed with the WATSU. Heavenly- traveling back to being safe and warm and supported in amniotic fluid.  Anyway... it was fun making these- simple, and , as  stated, this one looks like broken glass stuck together, which it is. Watery colors are nice, though.

Day of the dead- I will give my Mom's ashes a Mum, her favorite flower, and Dexter's ashes will get some rice and chicken, his favorite.  I will help him eat it because , you know, no teeth.