Welcome to Lotus Rainier
Crater Lake
My first camping spot was at Crater Lake. I had no down jacket. As a new immigrant, all I had were flimsy jackets. I was cooking sinigang and cried out of frustration. Frustrated that I felt too cold with numbing fingers. Too cold that my jackets could not keep me...
An Immigrant’s Dream Powered by Self-Worth
Women who are successful exude a sense of confidence in themselves. One of the things such individuals have in common is their ability to harness their own thoughts and behaviors; they bring a great deal of personal intention to their lives. They realize that they’re...
Generating Joy
141 days of digital mass and #socialdistancing 339 days of #celeryjuicing I woke up with a buoyant feeling. Perhaps because I was cradled in Mama Mary's arms after praying the rosary and receiving the eucharist in person, in communion with others at Holy Family in...
Fresh Basil and Tomatoes
#princess2015la came in with a #buttercupdoll from #Mexico. She told me she is #halffilipino and #fullmexican, that is how she identifies herself. Then, as if to encourage me, she continued: "Abuela Prosy no habla espanol." I said, "abuela habla poquito." Today, I am...
Seventy Seven Years
We managed to have an outdoors, family only, gathering, #socialdistancing from each other. Even serving food was by turns, with masks on. We adjusted to the new requirements of keeping healthy and we celebrated Enrique's 77th birthday, candles forming the figure 77....
Brightness: My Lola’s House
127 days of digital mass and 127 days of #socialdistancing A blessed Sunday morning with #princess2015la. She said something to me. I reacted jokingly by saying, "Oh that hurts my feelings." "No, Grandma," then moves to sit on my lap. "When I ask you to take care of...
A Warm Bear Hug: Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?
126 days of digital mass and 126 days of #socialdistancing My favorite person in the world, #princess2015la, was 6 months old when my #hubby took her photo, with both arms raised, broadly smiling and ready to jump up and hug. Okay, not quite, imagining it to be, after...
Gift of Joyful Spirits
122 days of digital mass and 122 days of #socialdistancing My two best friends, Ray and Bobby! I am getting emotional and sentimental these days. Bobby's wife, Lillian was so kind to me and held up the cremation to allow me to fly to Sacramento and say goodbye to him....
Making gifts for her Papa
Post #16 #122 days of digital mass #122 days of #socialdistancing Her mom dropped her off with paints, easel, and an empty canvas. She got working on her painting and finished it in no time. She loved making the dots and drew the mountains fresh from hiking a trail...