Friday, February 07, 2020
It has been several years since I blogged here.....despite continuing to live in Guatemala, and living a constantly interesting life. Since I cut the ties with my former friend (last blog) I started a project on my own, with the same basic intent and format as the one we had together.....you can find this at www.creatingmyfuture.org. And I learned that I can make it "on my own".....I didn't need to put up with all the disillusions and difficulties just to have the gifts that that person brought to the project.
The new project utilizes the knowledge and services of the Junta Directiva (Parent Board) far more than did the last one, and we have 4 young teachers who were former students. In the place of the Director/teacher we have a painter from a nearby town who is guiding the older students in the direction of more originality and creativity. So, really everything is much better. I miss a "compadre" to do the project with, but sometimes decisions are easier on your own, as every recently-divorced woman learns.
Additionally, in place of taking artifacts made by other artisans of the area to the states to sell to fund the structure of the project, I am designing clothing from traditional textiles, with the great help of my tailor (a local man). He (and much of his family) have become my friends, as well....but fortunately I have found I can trust them implicitly.
Since I faced the chance that I might die last year (a vision I had when I was 50 or so that I would "die at 83"), I have arranged for a friend to take over the project, and to live in my house until it sells (for the benefit of my children) if by chance I do die. Fortunately this didn't happen "at 83" since I'm now a year older. I also checked with my children and learned that they have no particular interest in holding my ashes, "afterwards" so I am free to be buried here in San Pe....which will be much easier for my friend who has promised to handle this occasion.
So I can die now, right?
No, not yet. I'm too busy.
Several years ago I decided if I was hungry and hankering for a chance to dance freely, as I used to at Dance Church in Chico, Calif, I might as well start it myself. For two years or so in flourished, in a small way (like 8-10 regular people - a great quantity in a small community like this) and was way fun. Not only my body flourishes in this activity, but my spirit as well. My way of dancing is to give my body "up to God" - asking Him/Her to move me. Evidently S/he likes to dance.
We eventually changed venues from the quaint restaurant we were using, to the project classroom - a big concrete floor. But person by person, knee, hip and back problems began, people got Chikunguna (a bit like Lyme, I think) or for one reason or another my friends "took a break" or dropped out. So Dance Church happened with only 2-3 people, and less and less frequently.
During my 83rd year, we hardly danced at all, and by chance I didn't dance during my California event-trips, either. And my body has gone down hill. Knee problems mostly. My inclined hill down to the road from my house has become a bit problematic.
Recently we started up again. This mostly happens, it seems, during wintertime, when people are here from Canada and other Northern climes. And my knees don't hurt when I dance, so that's all good.
Right now there are some folks in town from Canada who are also volunteering at the project - which is way fun, particularly because this particular person is great with the kids (despite minimal Spanish) and talented in several ways.
My project runs really well and the kids are occupied and entertained during class, but I know they could be doing even more creative work - I somehow have only minimal ideas and energy for making this happen. So I love input.
That's all - that's enough for now.
The new project utilizes the knowledge and services of the Junta Directiva (Parent Board) far more than did the last one, and we have 4 young teachers who were former students. In the place of the Director/teacher we have a painter from a nearby town who is guiding the older students in the direction of more originality and creativity. So, really everything is much better. I miss a "compadre" to do the project with, but sometimes decisions are easier on your own, as every recently-divorced woman learns.
Additionally, in place of taking artifacts made by other artisans of the area to the states to sell to fund the structure of the project, I am designing clothing from traditional textiles, with the great help of my tailor (a local man). He (and much of his family) have become my friends, as well....but fortunately I have found I can trust them implicitly.
Since I faced the chance that I might die last year (a vision I had when I was 50 or so that I would "die at 83"), I have arranged for a friend to take over the project, and to live in my house until it sells (for the benefit of my children) if by chance I do die. Fortunately this didn't happen "at 83" since I'm now a year older. I also checked with my children and learned that they have no particular interest in holding my ashes, "afterwards" so I am free to be buried here in San Pe....which will be much easier for my friend who has promised to handle this occasion.
So I can die now, right?
No, not yet. I'm too busy.
Several years ago I decided if I was hungry and hankering for a chance to dance freely, as I used to at Dance Church in Chico, Calif, I might as well start it myself. For two years or so in flourished, in a small way (like 8-10 regular people - a great quantity in a small community like this) and was way fun. Not only my body flourishes in this activity, but my spirit as well. My way of dancing is to give my body "up to God" - asking Him/Her to move me. Evidently S/he likes to dance.
We eventually changed venues from the quaint restaurant we were using, to the project classroom - a big concrete floor. But person by person, knee, hip and back problems began, people got Chikunguna (a bit like Lyme, I think) or for one reason or another my friends "took a break" or dropped out. So Dance Church happened with only 2-3 people, and less and less frequently.
During my 83rd year, we hardly danced at all, and by chance I didn't dance during my California event-trips, either. And my body has gone down hill. Knee problems mostly. My inclined hill down to the road from my house has become a bit problematic.
Recently we started up again. This mostly happens, it seems, during wintertime, when people are here from Canada and other Northern climes. And my knees don't hurt when I dance, so that's all good.
Right now there are some folks in town from Canada who are also volunteering at the project - which is way fun, particularly because this particular person is great with the kids (despite minimal Spanish) and talented in several ways.
My project runs really well and the kids are occupied and entertained during class, but I know they could be doing even more creative work - I somehow have only minimal ideas and energy for making this happen. So I love input.
That's all - that's enough for now.
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