Thursday, August 26, 2010 - Eternal life

Some believe in life beyond death, some don't. Some are afraid of dying and so they don't think about this subject; by the contrary, some feed the hope that this fear is inferior to what is waiting for them. Some are longing for this moment, other despise it, because nobody has come to this world to tell us how it is on the other side. This is not a subject that is worrying me, because I understand that if it was supposed that we knwe everything, I also believe that God had revealed it in His Word. So, I accept that it begins a new life after this one we live here, near God, and it will be so by His Grace. And I rest in this belief, without greatest questions, because I am simply loved and secure in this Love.
But I read something about this some years ago. I don't remember which book it was, I just know that it was the author's opinion and that I interpreted and kept in my heart this way, because I found it so beautiful:

Dying is like being born.
For 9 months, more or less (it was 8 for me!) we have a life inside our mother's belly. As embryos and fetus, this is the only life we have and know. It's warm inside there, it's comfortable, we grow up, we play (it must be funnier with twins, it'll be more lively), we find new things, we eat good food, we listen to music, we hear several voices, we hear readigs and we keep growing up. And mainly, we hear the voice of our mother. It's a comfort. It is good; we like it and don't want anything else. But as we keep growing, we reach a stage of maturity when we can't stay in such a small space any longer and then the labor starts. It's time to come to the world, it's time of birth.
As fetus, I believe that this is a truly traumatic experience. We are afraid, we are frightened because we are going to somewhere else, we pass through a tight space, and we have to breathe for ourselves out there, what a hard time! And if we don't breathe, they still beat us! We cry. What is this?! Help!!!! Everything is different here!!!!! But suddenly, we hear our mother's voice and we recognize it immediately because we heard it for 9 months... more or less. And we calm down. How great it is hearing a friendly voice, a voice who loves us and that we know will mime and be with us for the rest of our lives.

I believe that dying is like being born.
Dying shall be a traumatic process too, but when we get there, those who, from this side, coudl hear the Father's voice, will recognize it there, immediately. And will feel rested and cherished by such great Love. The only truly unconditional and eternal love. Maybe because of that, dying is not finishing life, but starting the Life that really Is.
Those who believe in this in this life, even if they are called crazy, they are blessed in fact.

Kisses to all those who read this.

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - Playing Games

Who doesn't remember the old but always new yo-you






How great it is playing non-stop. Feeling the adrenalin of pure joy. Laughing out loud. Falling down, raising again, giving a hand and grabbing. How great it is inventing thousand games and worlds, which are real in a dimension that should be always our reality. How great it is imagining that the world is always like that, full of color, laughs and honesty. How great it is overcoming the children's "cruelty", who is embraced on the next minute in an eternal hug. How great it is talking at the same time as the other, in their eagerness to be heard, because what we have to say it's the most important and must be shared. How great it is growing up like that. Knowing that it is good to be like you are and always have four arms ready to embrace you in the time of laugh and in the time of cry. How great it is growing up without guilt, without trauma, without loneliness, without shame. How great it is looking behind and feeling butterflies towards the excitement of a well lived childhood.

How great it is educating children like this. And to see them growing happy and walking in the hope that their choices will always be the right ones, regardless our will, because they have right values driven in their hearts and impregnating their souls. What a crazy mission, this one of educating children. A life time mission, so beautiful. Feeling that life can slip away in a puff, so that each moment is important and must be shared. How great it is loving like that.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - Lamarosa's Fair - September 5 and 6

These works are to show in the Lamarosa's Fair. A new experience. L. is going to participate, and for that she's trying to join a great amount of works from people she knows in order to show their work in her stand. My contribution is this cross stitched Barcelos' Cock and this useful kitchen clock. I hardly can wait to visit this exhibition. It's invigorating to see handicraft, produtc that come out of hands and imagination from those who, with love, create art.

Monday, August 23, 2010 - August with the smell of Autumn

We can already eat grapes at the father-in-law!

I feel fascinated with these tons. The gray clouds are so fluffy. They invite to gathering.

The sun was gone and so were the clouds and we'll have a hot and sunny day tomorrow. The autumn hasn't arrived yet, despite the grapes.

We finished with a vernal table. It was a colorful day, to cheer up what was dark.

Sunday, August 22, 2010 - Sunday afternoon

We went to gather onions in my father-in-law's. It was the only thing he planted this year. The weather, the land, the long cold and unwillingness didn't help and we had no tomatoes, green beans, pimentos, potatoes, cucumbers, melons, watermelons and so on. I miss those smelling and tasteful tomatoes so much!

But we have onions, since the soil is good to them here. They are still small. I picked one up just to try it. I love the taste of freshly aliments. It tastes like new and fresh.

These remain from the last year. They're still good to make soup.

The late is falling. We were having a good chat, sat on the front door step. Quiet. It was a quiet day.

The sky was being painted with beautiful colors while we were returning home. God is a great artist.
We could see the moon from the rear.

An airplane clew line marked the sky, competing with the clouds that seemed like shreds.

The moon was rising, announcing the coming nigth. It was chilly outside. Time to come inside and become warmer.

We can't see the smoke or smell the aroma spread in the air, but the freshly brewed coffee is always a comfort. It's cozy. As it was the day.

Sunday, August 22, 2010 - Sunday morning

This ws our dawn today. Cloudy and chilly. Delicious. My men were still in bed. The smallest one was tired with the swimming-pool on the previous day. The biggest one was tired due to the heat which didn't allow him to sleep conveniently. Sunday morning, many people take the chance to lie in bed until later. And I was there. It seemed that there was nobody else in the world. How reinvigorating this atmosphere. I love the mornings and all they promise for the new day that is born.

The sun came later on. With its entire splendor. We went to Pepe (a cafe) to eat an ice cream. It was full with people, because there was the Good Sounds Festival in a village nearby. There were many young people there with long skirts, piercings in every visible place, artistic tatoos, long braiding and curly and fuzzy hair. All very alternative. But they all seemed nice. Tired, but nice.

I don't use to look to the ceilings. But I did, today. It was less confusing than down here. It was a good morning, a nice lunch and a quiet afternoon. It's always good to live this way...

Friday, August 20, 2010 - Where I went today

So many flowers! So many colors and so many smells. So colorful, my way.

When I was a little girl and used to see these fields of ferns, I had the desire of falling over them because I had the illusion that I wouldn't hurt myself upon such a smooth carpet. I still have this dsire but I don't do it, of course. First of all, because I would certainly hurt myself; secondly because, although I've never proved it, people say that this is the ticks paradise; and finally because I'm an adult and I have limits notions. Adults are no funny at all!

I found this nice. I think that it announces a wine cellar around there, but it captures our attention, definitely. Those who want come and serve themselves! And in this profusions of poeple that come from distant lands searching for deserved holidays, many will be the candidates to a little cup of wine. Our emigrants are here. They speak French or the language where they come from, but we feel that they feel good here. Despite so many vices, ours is still a country full of virtues. Long live the fatherland.


We still can see fountains with fresh water around here. There is one where I use to fill my bottle every week when it's hot. It tastes so good...

Another abandoned house. This is a big one. Maybe it has belonged to some rich families. Who will be the next? Who will continue the story of this house? Someone who preserve its sould, please.

This is an inhabited farm with agricultural activity. The surroundings are lovely and we fancy getting in, since the gates are always opened. There is a fountain in front of the main entrance with this tiles panel. I feel proud by being Portuguese.