FROM MY TROPICAL DECK CHAIR By “Consuelo”   Painting is a passion that, for me, operates outside the twin arenas of need and greed. Oh sure, I was pleased when a San Francisco gallery asked me to submit slides this week. Pleased, and enormously flattered. One of my oldest dreams is—oops, was—to exhibit in important […]

HAVOC IN MOTION By Jay Raymond WhitePublished by Whoopinhell Books, 2010Reviewed by James Tipton   Havoc in Motion, Jay Raymond White’s new book is a collection not only of the fine pieces that appeared in his column, also called “Havoc in Motion” in El Ojo del Lago (November 2008-October 2009), but also of more than

The Long And The Short Of It By Rebecca Kool   I arrived in Nagoya, Japan in the fall of 1994, fresh off burnout from six years in the hotel industry. At age 50, beset by wanderlust, I cast off the shackles of ownership, packed all my worldly goods, and set off for an adventure

Art+ Ajijic   Most of you will remember the FERIA ARTES AJIIC of last February. For the first time, for two full days, Ajijic had its own professional art fair with 55 exhibiting artists, great music, sideshows of food artists, exotic food offerings, not to mention the beautiful setting of the show in the new

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Re: Joyful Musings, October 2010 issue   Dear Sir:  I was gratified to read the article by Ms. Dunstan about Clinical Depression. She succinctly identified many hallmarks of this disease that can often be debilitating and painful. I would like to expand a bit on the information that she presented in

LETTER TO THE EDITOR   Dear Sir: Some Americans, especially Democrats, may have thought that the hypocrisy of the Bush administration—epitomized by the famous “Mission Accomplished” banner before the fighting in Iraq intensified—could not be surpassed.  But Obama has done it!  By reducing the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to “only” 50,000 and relabeling them “non-combat” (they

LETTER TO THE EDITOR   Dear Sir:  Thomas Muthee gained fame for breaking witch spells. Sarah Palin says she became governor of Alaska because Rev. Muthee prayed for her. She is one of the darlings of the Tea Party. Sharron Angle is running for the US Senate in Nevada. Ms. Angle supports incorporating Mosaic Law

It’s not dementia; it’s multitasking By Bernie Suttle   At the end of any given day when I have regained any item I had misplaced or couldn’t find I consider it a very good day. Our affluent society is quick to identify with diagnosis, create a professional class of caregivers, establish facilities for and identify

MANGE By Jackie Kellum   When the word “Mange” is said, all sorts of horrifying scary images come to mind. Although it is not something you would want for your cat or dog, it is manageable. There are just a few basic things to learn about this condition, so you can become an educated pet

The National Bird   Ben Franklin, it might be recalled, Entreated all his fellow men: “Forget about the eagle bald, Wild turkey is American.   “Bald eagles are bad characters, But turkeys are respectable. We shouldn’t be viewed as predators And turkeys are delectable.   “Wild turkeys winging overhead Are such a sight to see