week eighty three >> "Solstice"

dear Hemphill, 


our last circle of 2011, on the eve of this last week of 2011, has been stirring in me ever since.  sitting together in your family's newly re-newed kitchen, as the sun was rising the Christmas eve morning, reflecting on our experience this year with our blogging here in ZBOOK4EVER, exploring how we may re-new our posting, and re-invigorate our rhythm... uncovering that, as we enter the Winter season, we are re-entering the season of PLAY, together. 


what a delight to come out and play with you here in ZBOOK4EVER, our one of many playgrounds.  I am excited for us to use this playground to share our daily creative whims, inspirations, and findings. as we continue to share our pages from ZBOOK, I can't wait to also hear about what is grabbing your attention today, what dreams are percolating in you, and what verse is channeling through. I can't wait to share with you here all that I trip out on and take in. 

"solstice"    our yearly ritual winter page~spread     click to view

we continue to create our own rituals.  as we now enter 2012, let's dive in and re-make our own rules, free, with out rules. ha! 


next week, first week of the new year, heads up!


Bon Hiver my soul sister. "Jenn- I love you my friend"


4ever in gratitude,
cec


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week eighty two >> "Solstice"

we are compelled to bring back "Solstice"   click to view

tonight we ring in Winter... on this darkest of nights, the Solstice, we celebrate the coming of the light... In leu of anticipating what is coming To us, what we are to 'get,' I am feeling the question: what do I get to GIVE.... the light that is coming is OURS.

astrologer, Divine Harmony, writes about this season's Winter Solstice, click here to read the full entry.

an excerpt:

Symbolically and spiritually the solstices mark our life's journey through the light and the dark.  As we embrace the Winter Solstice it takes us to the depth of the shadow without and within as in the northern hemisphere it is the day of the longest night. As we move deeply into that darkness we emerge into a new cycle of light. This is a beautiful metaphor for the constant dance of energies in our own lives, to truly embrace and honor both our light and shadow.  This is the original meaning of wholeness which comes from holy or holiness: to be holy is to be whole.

and an excerpt from our beloved Northern Exposure, the LIGHT episode:

BON HIVER!

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week eighty one >> "Kranky"

"kranky"

today Mercury goes direct from what has been one heck-the-halls of a retrograde.  I sense there will be quite a transition period before we feel quite on course again, and what better (and more intense) time than these holidaze and darkening winter nights. as these residuals linger, un-thru the end of the year I'm feeling, let us continue to recognize what the upheavals offer us in terms of opportunities to grow, or even just to laugh.  Jennifer writes this in reflection of these Kranky residuals:


Last words on Kranky, for now:

Though I do not have a teenager in the house quite yet, I've lately been on the receiving end of some pretty Kranky behavior from my daughter.  Oh my, the looks how they're glaring, and the tone of voice, how it's searing.  I'm quite sure there are moments when my actions, requests, or refusals start the ball rolling for these nasty spells; and I'm released from responsibility by the small degree of understanding of child development I am thankful to hold.  And then, there is laughter and humor... And while these gifts don't always transcend Kranky for two in the moment, I can often move through the struggle with these helpful guides myself.  I am grateful for rosy cheeks and acts of kindness between siblings and help with chores and excitement for the season.  Cheers to the moon!
-J.

week eighty >> "Kranky"

"kranky"           click to view

We have been in the thick of it these past couple weeks. Mercury in retrograde since thanksgiving has been giving us time outs and check ins and upside downs and endless turn arounds. Communications are awry as all that is logical can tend to misconnect leading to the breakdown of our technology and other devices. It can feel disruptive and the set backs from our previously set plans can be quite frustrating and so we tend to feel quite kranky, since it's all not following our expectations. But what if our expectations are limited? How might our plans change if we were to Re-consider our routes and our ways and open up to new avenues or even attitudes?  This is how this Kranky time can serve us, if we open up to it.  This is a time of RE.  Re-thinking, Re-assessing, Re-calibrating our modus operandi.  We are kranky to Re-do anything, but perhaps through the process we learn a fresh take on the situation, one that helps us Re-choose what works best for our present needs/values, not just suits the plan we made prior. AND some aspects are likely to fall right back into place too, Relaxing to now know they are there by choice, not default.  

RE..........

I love how Z "kranky" page emerged with all these 'RE's.  I see...

   RE call

   RE cognition

   RE member

   RE creation

   RE action

   RE tell

Here is a great article, by Intuitive Heather Bleasdale from her Build Alters site, written this week which talk about this time of RE plus also about today's full moon and the total (Red) eclipse we experienced this morning. Told through her story of RE-organizing and clearing out... a theme swept up into our lives with last week's winds.  [thanks jGrace for introducing me to Heather and her site :]


We often think we don't want change and resist it, let's feel for a moment how much change we actually do desire to have in our lives and our world... and let's dance with this looney train, allow for sanctioned madness, and allow the Re-generation of perspectives and ideas to Register (Re-jester :)  We may Re-discover ourselves and our purpose, we may Re-new, and we may then RE-turn the kranky, Re-lease the joy and REJOICE.


∞ ceci
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week seventy nine >> "Kranky"

Z page "Kranky" came up this week as did the krankiest of winds whipping through los angeles in the late week, wiping out any loose aspect, any outmoded pieces, any last thing hanging on as if not later fall going into winter, perhaps now for years not just this particular season.  countless trees and power lines and phone lines and transformers were taken down, cleared out. if the tree didn't fall, all the leaves did, at once.  the disruptions that ensued, for thousands of people for miles around  -power outages, internet down, closed off streets, stores closed, schools closed, traffic lights out, yards destroyed, homes and cars crushed, and moooore- are truly a collective experience that reflects the current retrograde that Mercury is currently playing up.... eliciting much confusion and delays and miscommunications that beckon frustration and further confusion and plain ol' krankiness!  the winds and the wake are no exception!
last wednesday night, as the winds began to whip into a noticeable fury, Jennifer and I began to txt msg what would immediately become the inevitable verse:

"kranky"      click to view

> Wind

> Blowing fierce

> ViscousCITY

> Swirling streets

> Clearing skies, burning eyes

> Crescent moon, dustborn swoon 

> The song of Sirens aloft on plume

> Veils of light through dark's black gloom

> Awake and now shake and Bloom.

> Morning Cracks with branches Cries,

> Evening falls as giants sigh.

the last two lines coming forth out of the next day as the winds continued and the 'wake'ing began.  they ended up subsiding before reports had predicted, the aftermath is still being calculated and REsolved.  more on the "RE"s next week...

∞ ceci

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week seventy eight >> "Arch"

"Arch"         click to view

I'm looking at zbook spread of the month... A profetic and perfect ARCH portrait.  It speaks the essence of a bridge... And so, a bit of verse is called  for:

Streaming out with a quiet 'yes' to nurture layers of mitochondrial colors.  The pregnant belly expanding beastily beyond skin's fresh flattery.  SO many circles, as many curves.  

"WITH ALL THESE SWELLINGS," one must expect to have questions when looking at one's hands.

Under history's lineages of Angels, 

Along watchful I and Wind, 

Bleats Vestibule's great enchanting, 

Encroaching Stamen's enraptured explosion. -the end

On another note; I'm reminded by 'Joint painting in Action' of how delicious it is to paint with you Ceci... Let's make a date to paint!

November was a good month to organize my studio space it turned out.   The clarified space enabled me to do some painting in service to the Elves' Faire.  I acrylic'd  eight little 

water pots for the Angel Room, adorning them as gifts of creativity with a little brush, two blank cards and two pads of watercolor  taped into each.  And I watercolored two shields for the King Arthur's Market;  a very cathartic project to complete.

Happy Thanksgiving Season, thank you for the gratitude message, I loved it

-J.

week seventy four >> "Arch"

"arch"         click

For the Michael Age

We must eradicate from the soul all feat and terror

of what comes toward us out of the future.

We must acquire serenity in all feelings and sensations about the future.

We must look forward with absolute equanimity

to everything that may come.

And we must think only that whatever comes

is given to us by a world directive full of wisdom.

It is part of what we must learn in this age, namely,

to live out of pure trust,

without any security in existence;

trust In the ever-present help of the spiritual world.

Truly, nothing else will do if our courage is not to fail us.

Let us discipline our will

and let us seek the awakening from within ourselves,

every morning and every evening.

   

                    -RUdolf S.

Holding you in my heart.

Hugs to you,

Be well,

-J.

week seventy three>> "Yippee"

Sweet Cec,


These last two weeks of zbook non posting have gone by with blur and chaos and pain.
Seeing you yesterday was a much needed joining of our selves.
I crashed in the night, feeling bodily sick to my stomach - I know that the popcorn from Hallie and my outing, combined with the glass of wine was not sitting well, but also I think I ingested some of the emotional swirl which released in our time together.

"yippee"       click to view

On this 'yippee' spread, which we will now move from, didn't you tell me that the story words under 'Now I'm Free' are an accounting of your own life changing accident?  And I know I shared that the 'Yippee' is a characteristic quote from my Grandma who is now deep in the heat of a life altering year.  She told me recently that she is having trouble envisioning the future for herself, and that is so frustrating because she has more love to give and more time she wants to spend with us.  I imagine one of the hardest parts of that experience for her is that it is a new experience, being as she has been such an optimistic thinker all her life.


Ive got to go now.  I love you and am here for you with an ear, a hand, a hug, a home, whatever love.
Be well, -J.

week seventy one >> "Yippee'"

5 january 2012

writing in retro-post recalling this day of 10/5/11 as the day of my dear friend Shrine's accident, which shook us all to the core and shifted our days for for many days as we focused on his care and support. miracle after miracle led to not only Shrine's survival, but also ultra transformative healing and regeneration and today as I write 3 months later after the day, our ol' pal is thriving. Shrine is an unbelievable healer, and the love and support that has come from Shrine lovers from every continent has proved to be vital and exponentially powerful.  

if you would be interested in seeing how it all unfolded, please visit: the 

we love shrine blogsite, and scroll through the entries since that first week in October. 

∞ ceci

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week seventy >> "Yippee"

1/5/12


dear Hemphill,


I'm writing this in retro-post, as the intention to birth an entry for this 9/27/11 week has lingered and festered in my consciousness ever since that very week when no posting came to pass.  I was at my dad's this end of september week, didn't get on the internet much, and decided to make the post upon my return to lala. except that very night the unexpected happened and threw all plans out the preverbal window.  as you know, dear friend and housemate Shrine, prolific artist loved worldwide, was in a critical car accident the very night I got back to los angeles.  fascinating that my post for that week was going to reflect on a major accident I had 15 years prior, this same week, from which the initial context for Z page "Yippee" arose, of which I was going to share about in my post. and then Bam, same week Shrine faces his own, in fact it happened 3 months ago to this day . (dear readers: Shrine is thankfully and miraculously WELL, if you're interested in his status please see 10/5/11 post)

"yippee"    click to view

on the left side of Z page, just a few months after we started ZBOOK, you remember I was in Guadalajara recuperating from said accident and wrote some words about how I was feeling, which was rather trapped in limbo.  later, a year or 2 later, I looked at this page and proclaimed in bubble letters: NOW I"M FREE. to which you responded on right: YIPPEE


seeing this  I realized how heavy I had been through the intensity of my process, and what a JOY the intensity the ride truly was, for it enabled me to to reclaim my freedom. thank you for bringing your laughter, your healing cheers into life dear Hemphill.




∞ ceci
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week sixty nine >> "transmission"

Sarah Kay

in a most compelling transmission of transmissions,
spoken word artist Sarah Kay tells all about telling....
of story, and how we can discover our value through
uncovering and releasing the nuanced facets of our
own unique ways of tasting life. >> click video below

"transmission"   click to view

Mz Kay is doing some of the most important work 
on the planet, I feel.  thank you Sarah.

∞  ceci



 




















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week sixty eight >> "transmission"

"transmission"             click to view

back in los angeles for a few days now, decompression underway, transition from a major transmission. my trip, a couple very intense weeks, intensely beautiful, and intensely shifting as I come face to face  -like in every visit for the past few years, this one more than ever-  with the genes, the roots, the core tendencies, and the beauty of myself, my mom, and my Tata, with curious clues to what likely was for her mama and hers and...  reflections abound and choices make their forking roads clear; which threads do I regenerate, and which end now with me?  I am presented with the opportunity to step wide and observe the tight knit patterns in a different way than ever done before, without judgment, releasing shame and blame and regret, all with reverence to the pain, the loss, and the gain, not denying it, facing and feeling it through -as dark as the shadows may get, clearing the bounds, freeing myself to observe my roots and myself clearly, with love instead of animosity, and choose from here,   in this clearing, perhaps the first one vested with the liberty to observe, to choose, and to change.  vested because I choose to receive it, to step into this clearing, this freedom to free myself and my lineage, to choose how to live fully; and it is undoubtedly a golden privilege to do so. this visit comes at a critical current juncture of my life with major awakenings and transformations, and O yes transmissions, taking place through me.  I didn't even know I was pupa for so long. I'm dying now. surrender. and a "gloriously winged creature"* is busting through as we speak.  
ready for take off.

∞ 6 


* Chris Stevens ~ Mosquito Spring episode, season 4: Northern Exposure

week sixty seven >> "Fiesta"

Hello from Cartagena! I have the great privilege to be here once again visiting my grandma Tata, continuing to enjoy her in excellent health and sound sharp mind, and this year we are celebrating her 100 years alive! She is truly "una maravilla." She is outlasting a century! 

And in that century the entire world has turned over a billion times over. How can she even recognize it? Mostly, she doesn't, and as humans do she sees only what is real for her and all the rest is like a mirage that passes over her like a weather system, like a parallel universe. isn't it though? all of time happening at once makes for untold parallel universes all operating in one woven fabric of life. she certainly lives in hers, her own world. no need to time travel, I can touch another time by touching her, and being touched by her stories. ~ after experiencing the advent of electricity, telephone, radio, and film, how crazy that we are now showing her slideshow movies of her life on an ipad. she tells me she has no idea how it is happening, and the truth is neither do I! Heck, I don't even understand the complete workings of electricity. But we enjoy the experience anyhow. Everyone asks me "how does she do it?" referring to my Tata's age, and health to boot. Again, it's not something to figure out or be understood, it is something to enjoy and experience. I am so grateful that I get to enjoy her still. And that is what Tata does, she's living in a future world, she doesn't understand it, but she continues to live it well.

me and Tata at 230am, night of her 100th birthday

We had a huge elegant celebration for Tata on her birthday… FIESTA!  When we got home at 230am, she still wanted to hang out and eat cake.  My Tata, she loves to party.   

"fiesta"        click to view

∞ 6


ps(l): Thank you Hemphill for the Bday love, for both me and my Tata!  

week sixty six >> "Fiesta"

Fiesta

mysteries revered

Happy Birthday Auntie Ceci, We love you and celebrate you!  May life's great mysteries be revealed for your clear heart to receive!  What is the phrase your family sings to you where you are visiting?

And Happy Centennial Tata - Increible!  May the Wisdom of life's experience beam forth unto the glory and blessing of all who surround you, reflecting back unto your own shining soul.

Be well and Blessings,
Love Hemphill

week sixty five >> strength ~ Expect Big Changes

EXPECT BIG CHANGES
play, growth, love, strength

Cec Darlin,  The words of contact have been wanting to shed out for days, here I am now!!!  For a few moments as I balance on a ball holding computer court stable on one foot, while the other props on a pillow.

'Deep sea baby' - I love this song playing in the room, 'Run deep, run wild '-L.Li (really lik'in Likki musically)

CHECK THIS THING OUT
Future Present Past

My wound is immense - i'm debating flashing a close-up before they took out 10 staples, which was every other one.  I'm wearing this removable boot thing now - specifically for achilles- and it weighs a ton and I'm supposed to sleep w/ it on - right now, it's off for a spell.; just the bandaged wound and wrap... two crutches perched..  This is my first attempt at computer work since the 9th.  Thank heavens for my phone and my car, and my right legs strength and health, and supportive meal-making community, and fights, and visions, and quiet moments, and couches, and coolness, and breezes... so much to be grateful for, aye yayay!

Actually, as my red tent time commensed this week, the tears seem to be flowing particularly.  Mostly in communication relationships...meaning, T. and me.  We are breaking through some shit, but man, the misunderstanding is thick, and battle lingers in the air poised, ready to drop in any moment.  And then, there are these immense patches of inspired collaborative visioning.   Phew!

chef strength

extended

Did I tell you Clark street  is practically ready, we'll be moving back during September?  When are you off to Colombia?  I'm in Pasadena at school for faculty meetings next week, at least what I'm able to manage... some days I may leave meetings but will need to rest in the area till kid pickup time.



lady swirl love



Is ur rest stop open? 

Love you, thinking of your healing words and vibes.

KIT, -J.

week sixty four >> "strength"

I remember writing the words "Expect Big Changes" in ZBOOK while living in New York in the year 2000.  I was 26, it was the fall.  I was having some major personal epiphanies, and emerged with this thought, this declaration, voiced through ZBOOK, where all other trains of our thought traveled through btwn 1996 and 2010.  It was a moment of tuning into my strength, and I at once wanted to share it with Jennifer, through our treasured portal, this book where we communicated on other plains and dimensions, so very often without ever discussing them off the page.

"strength"            click to view

Strength. In the tarot it is the card of the Leo, the card that tells the story of our ability to not only have power, but to Fully own our power, harness it, and direct it with our CHOICE, using our power to determine our domain and create greatness of our lives, in lue of being at the mercy of unmitigated power, impulsive, explosive and ultimately expulsed to a loss.  We are in the time of Leo right now in these early August weeks. This week we celebrate the birthday of Jennifer's husband Tony (8/16) and my dad (8/20). 

It takes strength to handle the Big Changes of our lives. To face them, handle them, heal through them, learn from them, and become them.  This week while on an "extended visit during an extended stay"** with my family, I have been experiencing my strength through major changing dynamics within relationships within my family.  On both sides, in new and unexpected ways.  How else does change come?  I must be strong for myself, and strong for them.  Perhaps I will share about this sometime. And this week Jennifer is expereincing her huge strength as she is undergoing the huge change of venue of forging through a surgery and the embarkment of recovery of her Achilles.  Perhaps she will share about this sometime.

Godspeed Hemphill.  It is your strength that has been an anchor of inspiration since the day we first converged.  I only hope to reflect it back to you. 

love you dear sister. Tajada.

∞ ceci

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**written in New York as well, during Jennifer's "extended stay" visit to me & Vinh that fall of 2000, during which we handed off ZBOOK in person :)

week sixty three >> "invited"

We chose this spread of "Invited" to present in this celebration week, as it bears remnant reminisces from the hand of our brother Nate whom we honor and uplift in light as he enters the covenant of Marriage this week.  Blessings to you and your beloved sweet man - Love well and prosper!

A long time ago, in a land not so far away, two young women were working away through night and day, painting and drawing, creating and playing.  Energy was sparking and dawn was emerging when they found themselves drawn out of their studio cave into the fresh air and light of the middle of May.

Inspiration caught their scent and called to them to climb to the tallest tower.  Thus they found themselves scaling steep ladders toward the pinnacle of Harder stadiums observation peeks where views of the surrounding lands abounded.  To commemorate this wonderous occasion, when time and space had expanded and contracted within their experience, the two companions unwrapped a gift from another beloved soul friend, Father Hutch.  The green genie inside unleashed his powers of wish, bestowing unto the girls an unforgettable and magical celebration filled with dancing and singing and loving.

Forevermore will we commemorate this holy ignition, this flame of light set fire into all time, hee hee haa haah !! -J.

week sixty two >> "invited"

 July 2011:  HIGH ATE US

"invited"                                     click to view

We didn't announce our July sabbatical because it ultimately came as news to us as well :)  ...it pretty much announced itself: a time of rest for ZBOOK 4EVER ....as our attention was pulled fervently into travels and other creative work vital to the impending launch into a new year.  Jennifer has a new year opening up with the school year of her children and of her work at Waldorf ...and as my birthday approaches I am entering my new year ...as always restorative, regenerating thresholds are emerging, inviting me to renew and refine my vows, my course of action and availability for opportunities and growth.  We have been winding up like the high wind, harnessing our energy for the launching of so many ships.  This HIGH consumed our July, or you could say, ATE US.  (haha, we love words.  and boy are there a lot of words on Z page we pulled for this week, "invited")  We honor our time of hiatus as a needed ebb to fully activate the next flow of ourselves, our work, and ZBOOK 4EVER in this new year now igniting.  we are entering a season of invitations.  Calls to action from visions lit up by the summer sun.  Wonder (soul sister) twins ACTIVATE.

∞ ceci

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week sixty one >> "whistle"

What!!??  Are you crazy!!??  

So, it's nearing midnight, and I'm in a funk of tiredness as I struggle to push through finishing round one of end of year reports when I decide to take a breather and hey, yes, check-in on zbook page of the week; when what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but two bad-ass, rock-solid, mega-women on steroids, streaming their boldly flowing juices to one another...

and I am reminded that I have resources to tap, pools of strength to dive into for refreshment and nourishment and rejuvenation! 

Thank you Ceci for over-riding and selecting a sweetly delicious and firey spread for this uber flamin week / month / life. 

This is a fave fabulouso! One of our Oh YES spreads, as it flashes into the noggin memories galore... times of superhero status when nothing could get in our way and dogs with keys were our allies... must be time to start whistling, as it is hot hot hot... was this not one of our Hot pages?  should a been; callin us now back into the fire.

MUchas besas bella, love you ~J.

week sixty >> "Z cover" S.BOOK in San Francisco!

Right now and through tomorrow, S.BOOK, the book we made in participation with The Art-HouseSketchbook Project and is currently on touring exhibition with thousands of other books made from scratch, is now rolling through San Fransico!  SF is dear to my heart for I grew up around the city in the Bay Area and it continues to be an extension of home for me which I routinely visit, along with my family of friends that live there.  Oddly enough, I am not there now!  Unfortunately I could not make it up there this weekend.  If you are in SF, please go visit this amazing exhibition and check out our book!  You will find it under our artist name ZBOOK, from Los Angeles,  and under the theme: Trading Forever.  On the cover you will see the familiar title: ZBOOK 4EVER, as our S(ketch)BOOK shares the story of birth and life of ZBOOK, most specifically two friends who traded a book and discovered the power and magic of collaboration. 

If you go please take photos of your experience and send them to us... we'll post 'em here!

Madrone Studios   June 16, 17, & 18   12pm - 5:30pm
1417 15th St
San Francisco, CA

http://www.arthousecoop.com/sketchbookproject2011 

Since this week we are looking at Z cover of ZBOOK let's also look at S.BOOK....

ZBOOK

"ZBOOK 4EVER" our S(ketch)BOOK

Thanks for your love and support!

∞ ceci

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week fifty nine >> " z cover" ZBOOK at LIB !

It's been a week now since I got back from LIB, and I'm still not quite back yet.  You may remember my post from last year about Lighting in a Bottle, a GEM of a festival created by The Do Lab which happens annually every memorial weekend.  I was again honored to be a live painter this year, as well as show piece in the LIB d i a l e c t Gallery.  More on that later... for today a story...

This year I brought a companion with me to LIB... my good ol' friend ZBOOK.  The ever weathered traveler, ZBOOK wanted to soak up the magic and splendor and ever expanding creativity of Lightning in Bottle.  ZBOOK wanted to be a part of it, and as always, a witness.  Here are some shots of ZBOOK up at LIB's Temple of Consciousness, the space up on a hill at LIB where countless speakers, teachers, visionaries, musicians, and artists share their gifts with us. 

O so silently, ZBOOK stood upon the alter and stage and spoke its volumes.  Perhaps next year ZBOOK will bring Jennifer and I to this prolific space at LIB to voice the teachings of creative freedom and the power of collaboration that ZBOOK has revealed through all its years and travels.

In the spirit of this set of weeks we are sharing Z cover of ZBOOK, we are celebrating the object of zee book itself, this book that has mutated and grown and weathered and traveled in our satchels for so many years of our lives.  And still, it lives!  Still with us as we travel through life, the consummate witness to OUR continuing mutation, growth, and weathering... in the ever expanding composition that is our lives. Always reminding me that I am always free to create and discover who I am.

∞ ceci

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"z cover"    cover of ZBOOK       click to view large