Hanging out in Home Depot due to Arizona heat!

Last few days have been so hot in Phoenix/Scottsdale (100 – 105 degrees) that people are hanging out in Home Depot’s floor fan section!

by Heather J. Kirk

5000 promises to conserve water and SRP gives a $5000 grant to Homeward Bound!

SRP's Promise (what's yours?):  When you pledge to save water, you're joining other thoughtful Arizona residents who want to make a difference. What's more, your support helps Homeward Bound.


When we reach 5,000 pledges, we'll celebrate by giving Homeward Bound a $5000 water-saving makeover. It'll help them reduce their water costs so they can assist even more Arizona families.

http://www.togetherweconserve.com/

Homeward Bound assists homeless and domestic violence families with children achieve economic independence, and secure long-term, safe housing. They also work to break the cycle of homelessness and domestic violence. Homeward Bound started in 1990 with one family and one house. Today, they manage 155 housing units and help nearly 600 people – 400 of whom are children. Click here to learn more about Homeward Bound.

Discovered by Heather J. Kirk

The missing blog…

I stayed up late last night and wrote a fun, fantastic blog, then dreamed about a blogging seminar, woke up in a panic and rushed to take it down.

Blog Rule Number 1: Keep them short: 250 – 300 words.
My personal opinion is that it’s difficult to develop an interesting article, and make an educational, philosophical, spiritual or humorous point in so few words – but I’m a writer. I like to start with a theme, go what appears to be wildly off course, and then bring my reader back to where we started making a purposeful point.
Two phrases pop into my head when I tell stories – although the source is only one person and I should get over it. But maybe they apply in the blogging world.

A) Your stories are too long. B) You are too hard to follow. And from others: “Your humor is a bit dark” or the “I don’t get it” look.

Yet writing classes say “Don’t spell everything out. Trust your reader to be intelligent!”

As I write I find this to be a bit dull. So why write it? Because there may be a lesson in it for other business owners.

Ultimately the decision came down to the fact that what I say personally can affect me professionally.

Rule #2: Once something gets on the web it is difficult to impossible to pull it back.

Rule #3: Humor does not always translate well in the written form or across cultures (in the widest sense of the word).

So what I thought was hilarious at 3 am before going to bed was potentially not as funny to those reading it at 8 am at work. (Nah! It was really good and the five of you who got to read it are lucky.)

I’ll cut the missing blog into manageable sizes in future posts – with backdating - including the meat of the story, but leaving out the ‘random acts of thinking’. (329 words – not bad…for me)

by Heather J. Kirk

Desert Botanical Gardens and Scottsdale Artists League "Paint Out"

Desert Botanical Gardens and Scottsdale Artists League "Paint Out"

The Scottsdale Artist League and Desert Botanical Garden 'Paint Out," has been going on all month, and special events are planned for the conclusion, at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008.

I've been at the gardens every Saturday, and as a photographer I've wandered not only to shoot but to preview the art being painted. Lots of beautiful paintings - including small sizes so you can buy several. My photography will also be available (of course). Buy early - three matted prints sold last Saturday!

Show and Sale March 31 and April 1
Location: Stardust Foundation Plaza at the Garden (near the cactus and succulent pavilions)
Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m
Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Artist Meet and Greet
Saturday March 31 4 - 6 p.m. But the open bar begins at 2 pm!




Bounty of Barrels by Heather J. Kirk

Throughout Garden - artists will continue to paint this Saturday and Sunday
The Desert Botanical Garden and Scottsdale Artists League will co-sponsor their 17th annual Spring Paintout. As visitors walk through the trails, they will come across 50 of Scottsdale Artists League's best landscape painters capturing Garden scenes. All the artwork from the Paintout will be on display and for sale for the final weekend. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Desert Botanical Garden and the Scottsdale Artists League's Scholarship Fund. For more information visit http://www.scottsdaleartistsleague.org/?utm_source=Desert+Botanical+Gardens+SAL+%22Paint+Out%22+Sale+-+Heather%27s+Arts+Newsletter&utm_campaign=DBG+Paintout+%231&utm_medium=socialshare

Heather J. Kirk

Decay in the Foundation

A friend who works in a dental office had told her son he needed to brush very careful all around his braces, so he didn't end up with decay under the metal bands. He took the advice very seriously, and paid special attention to keeping his braces extremely clean. When he got his braces off after two painful years, the dentist did not find a single cavity...near the bands. Instead he found several small cavities on the chewing surface. You see, he had paid so much attention to the braces, he forgot about the most obvious part of his teeth - where he chewed his food.


This is such a profound metaphor in our day to day lives. How many of us spend an inordinate amount of time focused on things like our jobs, being there for our friends, even serving in church - none of which are bad things - only to find we have completely neglected the foundations of our lives - family and God. And the result is that our lives begin to decay at the core.


Maybe it's time to brush up on the basics!







Heather J. Kirk

The Coolest Mom in the World is Going to Romeo Santos Concert With Me

Wednesday Night I asked my mom to go to the Romeo Santos concert with me this Friday, March 23rd, in Phoenix. (Romeo is the lead singer of the band Aventura - gone solo). Bachata music is from Bronx, NY / Dominican Republic. Bachata is the hottest Latin music and dance trend since Salsa.

Don't know who Romeo (or Aventura) is? Get with it Arizona!

"The Formula Vol.1 album by Romeo Santos is the #1 Latin Album in the country for 16 weeks now! (source: neilson soundscan)" and "Congrats to Romeo Santos for winning 'Latin Songwriter of the year' for the 2nd year in a row at the ASCAP Latin Music Awards."

Still don't know who he is? Okay, he does the duet with Usher called Promise - he's the one who sings in Spanish. Hot video here - (parental advisory suggested ... I'm only partially kidding!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XyWhrZnqE Now do you know who he is?

My mom asked, "Can't find anyone else to go with you?" "Nope." She wheeled and dealed with me. I had to agree to go to the American Idol concert with her in order for her to join me at the Romeo Santos concert. I don't mind, I went with her last year and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it!

My mom asked, "Will there be very many old, blond ladies there?" "Nope, it's possible there will be only two blond women there - you and me." How do I know this? Because I've been going Latin dancing lately, and I'm often the only blond in the house. I've also seen pictures of the HUGE lines of women who line up to meet Romeo (and Henry), get their CDs signed, and take a picture with them at various events around the country. ALL young Latina women. If guys want to meet women, their odds would be incredibly good at one of these CD signings or concerts.

Mom getting her daily cappuccino in Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo, DR.

Anyway, did the likelihood that we would stand out like two American tourists on the inland-side of Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, scare off the coolest mother in the world? No way. She spent the first two weeks with me on my 8 month stint in the Dominican Republic - being exactly like that!

I love you mom! Heather
Heather J. Kirk

Me and friend Kilvio at the inland (non-tourist) Adrian Tropical location.

Jesus' Mardi Gras

As you know, I've been posting photos of a DR Carnival Parade, and here I post a few more. "But Fat Tuesday is over!" you exclaim. Not so in every part of the world...

I recently received an e-mail from a friend I met in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. She is an American who took the step I considered, but did not choose. She moved there permanently - bought a house, and has a job teaching math in a high school. She was going to La Vega for the first time.

I was invited to attend by a friend who worked for an ad agency, so I would have had prime access for photography. But I had a previous commitment - a bit odd because the first month or so I was still meeting people and did not have a "full calendar". While I always regret having to say no, I am not one to be fickle and cancel on someone because something "better" came up.

I don't even remember what I did instead - though it seems I could check my calendar to find out, there is one catch. La Vega (in the interior of the island), is "the place to go" for Carnival. Every weekend for a month or more they have huge parades, festival, parties. The costumes are amazing. It is a tourist attraction, not just for foreigners but for Dominicans as well.

Each city in DR has a Carnival, and award winners participate in a final parade in Santo Domingo. Here's what interesting as I check my calendar for 2010. Ash Wednesday was on February 17th, meaning the end of the party - at least in New Orleans and just about anywhere else. But my photos were taken on March 7th, along the Malecon (the name for most coastal roadways in Latin American cities), in Santo Domingo also known as Avenida George Washington. (Go figure.)

Is celebrating Carnival after during Lent blasphemous? Irreverent? Sacrilege? Or if Jesus were alive, would he be right there with them?

I would guess the latter. And here's why:

Matthew 9:14-15 'Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'

I'm not saying Jesus would approve of the drunkenness or licentiousness that Mardi Gras has turned into in most places around the world. (Mardi Gras = Fat Tuesday = the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when Lent and fasting begins.) But as far as I can tell the Dominicans don't consider Carnival that way anyway. It's a time for family, festivities, celebration, healthy competition, food, and yes a few cervezas. Actually quite similar to our 4th of July as their Independence Day is February 27th.

Am I saying we should not observe Lent? Of course not - the 'bridegroom' is not currently with us, and Lent is a way to look forward to his return. Something to really celebrate! And with Christ comes Independence at the fullest level - spiritually.

Text and photography copyright Heather J. Kirk

Quotable: Now that Valentine's Day has worn off

Heather J. Kirk has listened to The Ballroom on Magnolia Street by Sharon Owens

A fun quote on how to catch the man you want - and that no system is perfect!

Quote, getting ready to go out to a dance club and see a man Shirley is attracted to:

That’s what I’m trying to tell you, it’s our destiny.”

Destiny nothing, Shirley, you fancy him. Don’t try and dress it up as something from a higher level. You’ll just have to attract his attention. Men are very visual creatures. Everyone knows that. Show him a bit of shoulder...”

"No...it’s something spiritual... When two people are right for each other, when the chemistry is right, Mother Nature ...will bring them together. It’s something in nature that pairs people off you see, knowing they have complementary qualities that will help them to survive in the chaos of the world...”

You’re cracked Shirley Winters, what about Bonnie and Clyde? Mother Nature slipped up badly the day those two met, didn’t she?”

It’s not a perfect system...”

This book can be found at Audible.com



Maximum Savings, Low Fares - Find Cheap Air Tickets on This Site & Save Big on Travel.

Carnival in Dominican Republic - Unmasked and After the Fact

Child Behind the Mask: After the Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the child has taken off his mask but the protective head covering remains. Photo by Heather J. Kirk. Donations will be made to a charity in the Dominican Republic for any photos in which people are identifiable.














Cool in Frills Number 1: After the Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, men have removed their masks, looking cool and masculine, in spite of their frilly costumes. Photo by Heather J. Kirk.Donations will be made to a charity in the Dominican Republic for any photos in which people are identifiable.






Helados and Cerveza for Sale: After the Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and inspite of an impending storm, people hang out in the road to buy popsicles and beer. Photo by Heather J. Kirk.Donations will be made to a charity in the Dominican Republic for any photos in which people are identifiable.




Photos Copyright by Heather J. Kirk

Carnival Photos from the Dominican Republic - More Color

Duck of the Upturned Nose: A highly ornamental, yet typical duck costume in the Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.














Curious Carnival Child: After the Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a child parade member puts his hat on his head and takes a strolling look at the audience. Photo by Heather J. Kirk. Donations will be made to a charity in the Dominican Republic for any photos in which people are identifiable.













Carnival Personified: Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.









Copyright all photos by Heather J. Kirk

Book your Vacation package with CheapOair and Save up to 65%. Use coupon code VP50 and get $50 off. Hurry!

Quotable:

Heather J. Kirk has read Jerusalem Maiden, a novel by Talia Carner

This novel is excellent, but above all a tragedy. It reveals many sides to issues of religion and art, yet never gives an "answer" - what most of us really want. Yet we are meant to grapple with these issues (whether separately or in conjunction to one another) for ourselves and with our God - to find our own answers.

Quote, spoken by Mademoiselle Thibaux, Esther's teacher:

"When God finished creating the world, He had one more task: to hide the Primordial Light. But where could He hide it? If He hid it in the sky, man would eventually soar up and find it. If He hid it in the earth, man would eventually dig deep enough to reach it. Then the answer occurred to God: He would hide the secret light inside every person. That's the one place Man might fail to search." ...
"In Judaism, the Hidden Light is found in the Torah," Esther finally said. ... "It's granted to men only," she added.
"The Primordial Light is hidden especially in girls, except that often they're unaware of it," Mademoiselle Thibaux replied. "Each must find her way the claim it."

This particular book is not available at Audible.com, but thousands of others are:

Special Offer - Get Your First 3 Months at Audible for $7.49/month!

Constitution 101 - offered to lawmakers (and anyone else interested) for free!

Many in our country, particularly those in elected leadership, have strayed from the principles of individual liberty the Constitution upholds.

This course on the U.S. Constitution will be offered online and at no charge to everyone who wants to understand and defend the timeless principles of liberty upon which our nation was founded!

Hillsdale College is offering a no-cost 10 week online Constitution course based on the course their students must complete, in order to graduate.

"Constitution 101" begins on February 20, 2012, and concludes the week of April 30. Each week "students" will download the curriculum and can see a video - downloaded as convenient.

It will cover such topics as the Declaration of Independence and its connection to the Constitution, how the Constitution is structured to protect individual liberty and ensure good government, the crisis of constitutional government faced by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and its modern challenges during the "Progressive" era.

Click here to register.

Shared by Heather J. Kirk

If your life didn't change, would that be good news?

Quotable: "If you don't change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news?"

From a book by Pete Wilson titled Plan B: What do you do when God doesn't show up the way you thought he would?

Last Sunday I attended Impact Church in Scottsdale, and Wednesday night (February 15, 2012) started in their five week Bible Study (The Core)using the above book. I admire both the author and the church for tackling the ubiquitous questions of life: Why? (did 'x' happen) and What? (what is is happening to me, what is my purpose, what I am I supposed to do now?)

It is becoming more common to hear people say they don't believe in God, yet when things go wrong, God is exactly who they blame - even if they supposedly don't believe! The Christian understands, at some level, that we live in a fallen world, but if we remove Christian-speak what does that mean? It means we live in a world full of humans! And humans tend to mess things up - repeatedly. Sometimes out of evil, but more often out of ignorance, selfishness, neglect or plain old exhaustion. instead of blaming God, it would be more honest to blame: myself, others, disease, nature and simple randomness.

Do I have this all figured out? No. And it's because when so many things have and continue to go wrong in my life, I am just as guilty as anyone else to get really angry with God for not doing what I tell Him to do or what I think He should do. (Can anyone else confess to such a self-centered view of God and the world?)

That's why I'll be reading the above book and attending the Bible Study. Because if I don't change my beliefs - which include thinking my plans are better than God's plans - I will keep getting angry, and miss out on some blessings. So regarding the quote and the question: "If you don't change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news?" For me, no, that would not be a good thing.

My prayer for all of us: God open my eyes, ears and heart to see what you are doing in my life - and instead of fighting you, help me to then join you. May I receive all the blessings you have for me, and may there be no Plan B - because it's all your plan. Even when my finite mind thinks things are all messed up, help me to stop doubting and start walking in faith. In Jesus' name, Amen

by Heather J. Kirk

You can also get the audio book at Audible.com to listen instead of read

Special Offer - Get Your First 3 Months at Audible for $7.49/month!

Queretaro, Mexico, April 24th, 2009: Machismo - perpetuated by a woman

April 24th, 2009: The office of the Queretaro Ministry of Tourism gave away postcards with pictures of tourist and cultural sites. You fill them out with an address and a message, and they mail them for you for free. It’s my brother Stuart’s birthday, so I make one out for him, then ask if I can send more. They let me send to the whole family (pretty inexpensive advertising for the city– what a great idea). I think they arrive about four months later though. Probably sent only when the box fills up…

Nancy and I have lunch with a friend of hers in a café inside of a bookstore. We have the Comida Corrida (sometimes called Comida Corriente) – a set meal or the’ meal of the day’ – common for Mexico. An inexpensive meal the restaurant chooses for that day. You can order off the regular menu but it will be more expensive and take longer. I don’t recall now what it was, other than it was wonderful. And they also brought out a pitcher of Agua de something. Agua de sandia or agua de pina (pineapple water) – a lightly sweetened juice/water blend.

The friend is an American woman who is married to a Mexican man, and she is horrified by the story I tell of my meal the night before. I should not have talked to men I don’t know, I certainly should not have eaten with them, and definitely not let them pay for my meal (as if I had a choice in that). They were after ‘you know what’. I state they were both married, wore wedding rings, and told me about their wives. That doesn’t matter, she insists, just told for clarification purposes when they try to get you know what anyway. Then she asks a bit confused as it is not common practice among Mexican men, “They were wearing rings?” When I tell her they asked if I had a safe way home, walked me to the taxi stand and left, she could not let go of her doubt about their intent. Nancy and I both agree later that we are glad we don’t have such fears about talking to strangers. It also is indicative of her expectations of her own husband, or perhaps of Mexican women’s expectations regarding their Mexican husbands. Of course one should be wise and not naïve, but as she was married to a Mexican man well known in the city, she would not have the same freedom we did as tourists. And she has a reputation – both hers and her husband’s - to protect.

This is an important lesson – that as a resident in another culture it is important to learn the norms of behavior, and how it is interpreted by that culture – especially when it comes to relationships between men and women. And while male–female friendships are a norm, or taken for granted as possible, in the US … it appears no one believes it is possible in a Latin culture. (Yes, I am foreshadowing trouble in my future.)

It is also perhaps why American tourists, especially women, are seen as “loose” or “easy” sexually. I cannot comment on the actual accuracy of that, though my guess it is not as true as many think – but I do know that what really happens is not as important as what others think happens. If women tells a man ‘let’s just be friend’ and the man’s friends think he was intimate with the woman, only the rare man (Latino or not) is going to try to set the record straight.

Heather J. Kirk

Maximum Savings, Low Fares - Find Cheap Air Tickets on This Site & Save Big on Travel.

Dominican Gala Dinner and Baseball Players

Don't forget to get your tickets to Dominican Gala Dinner - Feb 25th in Phoenix.

If it's any incentive to single women, major league baseball players will be there. Although the correct incentive should be to give money towards an after-school program for at risk students, everyone needs their own reasons.

Let me know if anyone is interested in attending and we'll get tickets together.

The event will include great entertainment, culture, colorful costumes, traditional music and Dominican cuisine. They are extending invitations to many Dominican born baseball players and Alumni from various Mayor League Baseball teams, to honor them as we celebrate their culture.

http://www.bellaqdancestudio.com/Gran_Dominican_Gala_2012.html

Event chosen by Heather J. Kirk

Fly to Top Beach Destinations with CheapOair and Save Big. Hurry!