Sweet Rain

I'm up really late tonight. It's hard to sleep with no air conditioner. Our air conditioner died yesterday and it won't be fixed until Tuesday. Our windows are open and it's raining outside and the sound of the rain is quite soothing and relaxing. There is a fresh breeze that blows in now and then and it feels just heavenly. Since we live about 10 feet away from a busy road we hear many vehicles driving by splashing water on the road. Occasionally there is a loud siren. Everything seems much louder at night when the birds and most people are fast asleep. Sleeping with our windows open brings back memories of childhood. Some of my relatives live in a little town called Eagle Pass right on the border of Mexico. When I was young we used to visit my dad's aunt or my mom's aunt in Eagle Pass. We would often have to share a bed at night when it was time to sleep and all the windows would be open. My mom's aunt also lived by a busy road and I remember hearing cars driving by as well. I remember it being a pleasant time just laying in bed listening to the sounds around me and the comfort of my family right next to me. There was a sense of safety with family gathered in one room. I miss those days. I sometimes get a strong mourning feeling in my chest when I reminisce about times in my life that have come and gone, like remembering a loved one who has passed away and knowing you won't see them again, at least not in the flesh. Some people can hear a song and it will bring back memories of an event but I can see an object that resembles something from childhood or have a sensory experience, like sleeping with a window open and a rush of memories and pleasant feelings of childhood will return. I'm grateful to be able to remember special memories.
The photo above is a fern with water droplets. I photographed it at the African Violet Nursery in Boerne.

Mosaic Bottle

I made this bottle a few months back. I have projects that I meant to post on my blog but never got around to it. I decided to delve into the mosaic world for a while by creating something with broken pieces of glass. I began this project by going to the thrift store to find colored vases and glassware at cheap prices. Joseph accompanied me and found some colored glass that he wanted to use to decorate his bottle as well. We then went home to find our trusty hammer. We took the glassware outside and put it in plastic bags to protect ourselves from flying glass and went to smashing. The plastic bags didn't work very well because they began to rip and tear. I think maybe a canvas bag would have done the job better. Smashing glassware was quite fun. I think it helps to let out some stress and aggression. After the smashing party, I found a clear glass bottle I wanted to decorate. I arranged the broken glass pieces on the clear glass bottle. I was very careful not to cut myself on the glass pieces. Then I glued them on with Liquid Nails (Home Depot adhesive dept). It was quite a sticky situation. :) I was going to fill the pieces with grout but decided to just leave it as is. Because I did not fill it with grout, careful handling is essential, due to broken glass edges being exposed. The bottle is meant for decorative use only. I think it turned out quite nice and colorful. I think Joseph may still be working on his. Some other time I will create something and use grout. I'd like to experience the grouting process.