…on a diet. Richard and I have both been on a great diet in preparation to ride the burros and reconstruct the Chapel. I have lost over thirty pounds and Richard the same. I told myself that I was not going to do the blog all of December ‘cuz Iwas real busy and such. Here we are….Richard is in a shirt that is way too big for him now….we are happy with the results!

Enough about Jimmy Ray and Anado for now. Let’s not forget Richard. Divine, quiet yet witty Richard. The anchor of the storm known as Anado. I met Richard eight years ago when I returned from Nashville. As luck would have it…we are still together. It has been over 5 years ago that we purchased the property now known as Casa las Ranas…We are a lucky couple of guys to be able to create and live here in Mexico. Without Richard…none of this would happen. I double salute my friend, brother, lover, partner, co-collaborater, companion, favorite human!!!!!!! Gracias, Ricardo, mi favorito!!!!!!!! We continue to add to the house…at present it is undergoing some major painting. Bright colors!!!! Purples, reds, yellows, lime green, Mexicana rosa! There you go, Middle America…Brighten your lives! By the way, there have been a number of photographers here lately. Included is a photo of Richard by Nancy Rotenberg…I will have a link to her sight real soon…Love to all!!!

Our totally groovy and infinitely divine Burras are really clearing the property of weeds and tall grasses. The future sight of the Chapel is mowed down and ankle deep in really rich Burra caca…great for the garden. It has been really cold here the last two days and we may get a freeze tonight. The Burras can handle it but I have been bringing most of the dogs in at night…especially Patzky cuz he has this weak lung thing going on. But hey! Tis two days before Thanksgiving and in three days we are going back to Michoacan for two nights. We will be bringing back a couple of cantera carvings that we saw down there. Right now the front of the house is getting painted come crazy colors and Casa Las Ranas is Alive and Well!!!! We are trully blessed to be here. Totally outrageous are the blessings that fall upon us…may all Beings know the score!

We went to Patzcuaro last Saturday for a two day excursion with some friends, but ended up coming back the next day. Richard and I felt that our Patzcuaro fix was not satisfied so we are going back after Thanksgiving for two or three nights. On the way back we did get to see some of the divine Michoacan countryside and we brainstormed on how to finance the construction of the Chapel….mud wrestling contests between aging debutantes? I think not. I have an idea brewing, but I must keep it hidden under the table till I have the courage to act on it. Stay tuned…….

The World is not this election. The World extends beyond the US. The World expands and contracts beyond me. The World is full of contradictions. Sometimes the World sucks. Sometimes the World amazes me with wonder and gratefullness. The World is not Monday Night Football. The World is not just Scarlett Johannsen. The World includes Sylvester Stallone. The World thrills me. The World never makes me numb. The World encourages me to question. The World is my Home.

We are getting many requests from people to come and see our house. This is somewhat of a curse and a blessing as my friend in New York, Satya Priya would say. It is good to get the recognition and sales that are a bi-product of these visits. However, oftentimes it gets in the way of the creative flow. I can not complain, but I do love my time in the studio. So the blessings outweigh the curses and I AM very grateful. I only wish to have 40 more years of full on production to celebrate my 100th Birthday here at Casa las Ranas. Wish me luck…with the love of my friends, I just might make it to 110! Some people just left and a group of women from Dallas will be here in a few minutes. Who shot JR Ewing?…maybe they will know..Love to all and may the good prevail this tuesday in the elections in the US…..and the guy says he threw the meth away…like sure, dude. And Clinton never had sex with that woman? They just shared a cigar…..Groove on!