I want to taste and glory 
in each day,
and never be afraid
 to experience pain.

Sylvia Plath

Photography by Denise Blasor

              CURVVY SHAYPES

"Dog Hows" by Paula del Toro at Etsy.com

PUERTO RICAN ARTIST Paula del Toro's funky designs
are now emblazoned on the white T-shirts she sells on Etsy,
the popular internet site for handmade and vintage products.

Del Toro's virtual shop offers six bold graphic designs that
she says are part of a collection titled "Daily feels."
Printed on regular white T-shirts, the designs feature
people and animals rendered in del Toro's quirky style.
The result is a cool and eye catching top that reflects
the artist's wry sense of humor and colorful imagination.

"Slimmy," T-shirt by Paula del Toro

The T-shirts are available for $20 plus shipping. One caveat:
unless you know the name of Del Toro's virtual store
it will be difficult to locate it as Etsy's search engine does
not recognize her name. So here's the word to remember:
cvvyshypz. When asked what's behind the letters, del Toro
quickly dispelled the mystery. She said that in trying to find
the right name for her virtual shop she turned to an abstract line
of images she produces under the tag "curvvy shaypes."

It's all in the spelling!


cvvyshypz at Etsy.com

Photography by Denise Blasor

Life is a peephole,
a single tiny entry onto a vastness.

Yann Martel,

"Life of Pi"

☞ A SIMPLE TIP

  This simple tip comes courtesy of Matilsha Marxuach who runs the lovely "Concalma" 
   store in Old San Juan, purveyor of cotton totes, T-shirts and jewelry handmade by
   artists.

   In the absence of wrapping paper, a humble brown pape bag can be of service. All you 
   need is a hole puncher,  a short colored ribbon, and a small piece of brown paper folded
   in half that will serve as the card. Place the gift in the bag, fold the top, overlay the paper
   card, punch two holes on the top left side of the bag, thread the ribbon into a pretty bow.

   Dedicate the card and VOILA!

Photography by Adam Silcott

THE ONLY RECOGNIZABLE
FEATURE OF HOPE IS ACTION.

GRACE PALEY

THE RIGHT TUNA

A new brand of tuna
has turned up on the
shelves of the chain
Supermax and it is
so tasty that it merits
a mention.

This tuna sells under
the brand name of Ubago
and if one is to take the label at face value, it is wild caught
somewhere around Cape Verte, off the northwest coast of
Africa. The tuna, which comes packed in olive oil in a 4.2 oz
can, retails for $3.35.

A second product that has come to our attention is a
whole wheat past sold under the brand name pastaZara.
The manufacturer, located in the Veneto region in northern
Italy, has been producing pasta products since 1898.
This whole wheat pasta is tasty and at under $1.50
it is an excellent buy.

Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think
it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is growing
up.   -- James Baldwin




© 2016 Lorraine Blasor, all rights reserved★

"The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing
because you can only do a little.
Do what you can."
Liz Smith

THE SEED CARRIER

Courtesy of PortaSemilla

Baby carrier holds a special place in Nicolle Teresa's heart.

The first one she made was
when her eight-month-old
baby outgrew the ring sling
a friend had given her as a
gift. The carrier was a
revelation. "If I had known
about this style before, I would have preferred it to the ring sling. It's a lot simpler and comfortable. But people here (in Puerto Rico) are not all that familiar with it," she said. When this young mother considered a home-based, money-making
venture she didn't have to search far or wide for an idea: sharing her pleasure in a product she loved seemed the most obvious answer.

So she set up her own line of handmade baby carriers and
named it PortaSemilla (Seed carrier) so that "your seed can
keep growing close to your heart."As she writes in a brochure
for her product, "carriers allow babies to feel cuddled as
when in the womb of the mother. They can listen to mommy's voice and to her heartbeat."

Teresa's carriers, which she herself sews, are simple, colorful
and well made. Patterned after the Asian Mei Tai, they are
fashioned out of cool, easy fabrics such as tencel, linen, regular
and organic cotton (Soon she will be using hemp material).
No two carriers are alike, each one "a unique piece to make the
mother feel special." Or a father.

Certain details stand out: the padded sections at the shoulders
to ease supporting the weight of the baby and a pocket
conveniently placed to store must-carry items. The latest model
features a hoodie to hold the baby's head while sleeping.

If carrying a baby comfortably while performing daily tasks is
the carrier's main advantage, there are other benefits to be derived
as well. Teresa points out that using a carrier makes babies
happier and less anxious, helping to reduce colic episodes.
And since it maintains the baby in an upright position, babies
can pass gases more easily.

When using a carrier, correct positioning of the child is essential,
advised Teresa. More specifically, a carrier should hold the baby
with its knees in a straddle to ensure proper hip positioning.
According to International Hips Dysplasia Institute,
hipdysplasia.org, some types of baby carriers may put a baby
at risk of developing dysplasia, or dislocation of the hip, because
they restrain a baby's legs in an unhealthy position (hanging
down). This is specially critical during the first few months of
the life of the baby, when its body is still developing.

"The healthiest position for the hips is for the hips to fall
or spread (naturally) apart to the side, with the thighs sup-
ported and the hips and knees bent" in a straddle or frog
position, informs the institute through its website,
hipdysplasia.org. "Free movement of the hips without
forcing them together promotes natural hip development."

The PortaSemilla line, which also includes ring slings and
backpacks, can be found at ConCalma in old San Juan,
La Chiwinha, near the University of Puerto Rico, and
Taller Caribe in Rincón. Also available  on the internet at
etsy.com/shop/PortaSemilla and at Teresa's website
(www.portasemilla.weebly.com). For more information
(in Spanish) check http://portasemilla.blogspot.com/

Concalma, 207 Calle San Francisco, old San Juan
787.421.4212

La Chiwinha 
1054 Calle González, Urb. Santa Ríta, Río Piedras.
787.925.0707

                             FUN JEWELRY

Necklace by Raiza Ascanio 

Jewelry comes in many guises: real, vintage, costume, antique.
And then there is fun jewelry which makes up for its lack of bling
with creativity and pizzazz. Two Puerto Rican designers to watch
out for their wildly ingenious creations are Raiza Ascanio Orro
and Marsi Caraballo. Both have the knack of turning the homeliest
materials into unusual, playful pieces that any woman would enjoy
wearing.

Raiza likes to make necklaces by winding colored threads around
plain cotton cord and adding elements such as stones and tassels 
or perhaps small pencils ( to write down something on the spur

 Marsi Caraballo's Ojal Line

of the moment).

Marsi is a recycler who uses
paper postcards in lieu of
beads or precious stones.
She cuts each card into
small interesting shapes
and lets the newly
reconfigured colors create
an intriguing abstract design.
The result is a delicate pop
of color dancing at the end
of the ear wire. Or she cuts out the card

into colorful disks and joins them into interesting combinations to
adorn a simple metal chain.

Raiza's jewelry: at Concalma, old San Juan; Museum of Art of Puerto Rico (MAPR)  store, Santurce; Siddhia Hutchinson Fine Art Gallery, Vieques; online at Etsy.com or write to raizaascanio.com for more information.

Marsi:  at Concalma and on Facebook at Ojal - Wearable Collage



SIMPLE TIP:
When making pasta, don't throw the hot water away once the
spaghetti is cooked but use some of the leftover water to steam whatever
vegetables you are serving for dinner. Drain the pasta water
into a deep bowl and then pour some of it back into the pot, place a
steamer, throw in the vegetables, cover and steam. Voilá!
Since the water is already hot, you will shorten the cooking
time and in any case vegetables don't need to cook that long.
In fact, they are always tastier --and healthier -- if a little crunchy!

Photography by Denise Blasor

"Each of us is stranded on his or her own existential island."

Jonathan Franzen

 ©2013 Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved✍















Copyright ©2013 Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved

                                      VIVA LA VIDA

Photography by Gabriel Szoke

"Be happy for this moment,
this moment is your life."

 AFFORDABLE STERILIZATION AT
                    HUMANE SOCIETY OF PR 

MAX

With some animals, it's a case of too many. For others, too few. Animals headed for extinction include the Syberian tiger (only about 200 left in the wild); the Giant Otter; the Nile Crocodile; the Iberian Imperial Eagle (only 150 pairs); the Sea Turtle; the Mountain Gorilla (600); the Scarlet Macaw; the African Black Rhinoceros (2,000); the Giant Panda (1,000). Most of these animals are hunted down for their skin. The sea turtle is prized for its meat. Meanwhile, many other animals are also at risk through habitat destruction, man's obsession with their body parts (elephant tusks, for example), and disease. And then there are millions and millions of cats and dogs. No danger of either of these species becoming extinct. Indeed, the streets of Puerto Rico offer the sad spectacle of too many derelict cats and dogs scrounging for a bite to eat. Some of them were abandoned by their owners, others are animals who got lost or ran away in a moment of wild abandon.  While out on the street,  abandoned or lost animals will reproduce, as is the law of nature, and in so doing, add to the ever growing population of strays. Which is why it is so important for animal owners to spay or neuter their cat or dog, in case that pet should get lost in the future. It's no secret that sterilization is an expensive service but just in time for the holidays the Humane Society of Puerto Rico has come to the rescue with an unbeatable offer: on December 24 and December 31 they will neuter male cats at a cost of $25 (the price includes the rabies vaccine). All you have to do is call the  organization and make an appointment for your pet (787.645.3418). Space is limited but an employee at the organization said they will try to fit in as many operations as possible within the allotted time of half a day. Even if you miss out on the deal, the Humane Society of Puerto Rico is a good option for affordably priced pet vaccinations and sterilizations. This service is available Monday through Saturday by appointment. The cost: $55 for dogs up to 50 pounds; $75 for dogs between 51 and 71 pounds; and $90 for dogs between 75 and 90 pounds.  Male cats: $45; females, $50. Other services the organization provides out of its base in Guaynabo ( in back of Caribbean Cinemas) are: vaccinations and implanting pet microchips for easier tracking of lost pets. Check out its website -- www.hspr.org -- for more information.  Photography by Denise Blasor "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away"                  MERCADO SF207                                  Concalma, known for its signature tote bags made by a women's coop in Puerto Rico, is playing host to a group of young green designers eager to show off their talents. Store owner/designer Matilsha Marxuach has invited 11 fellow designers to join in a collective market that will run from Thursday until Sunday, Dec. 23. The selection includes clothing, head pieces, accessories, and more. Concalma, San Francisco 207, Old San Juan Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Copyright 2012© Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved⚑

THE JOYS OF THE GARDEN

BY DENISE BLASOR

 AT A RECENT friends' dinner, one of the guests contributed the bounty of her garden: a  cornucopia of cherry tomatoes, small round orbs of bright red color, some still attached to their wispy green shoots.  Once  you popped them in the mouth, you were met with a glorious explosion of intense flavor.  THE REWARDS of the garden: A small but memorable harvest. Not to mention the satisfaction of growing something  with your own hands and the delight of watching tiny seedlings burst out of the earth to make their way upward  toward the sunlight.  ANYONE with a little time and interest can start their own vegetable garden though, truth be told, some people seem  to be better at it than others. Still, it is an effort well worth trying and resources abound to help you get started. FOR ONE, there is the internet. A visit to any number of websites is sure to provide helpful advice. For example,  thegardenhelper.com suggests that you pay special attention in choosing the site location for planting. It should be a spot in your patio or garden with plenty of sunlight -- at least six hour's worth  of sunlight daily -- and it should have good soil, which one can also improve with compost and organic fertilizers. 

" Planting is only the third step of the three 'P's.                

         Planning your garden, Preparing the soil, Planting your vegetables."                                  

the gardenhelper.com                      

 OR, if you are really serious about the whole enterprise, you might want to get the advice of an expert. Agronomist  Lucas Noble, who trained at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, provides just such a service through his company Siembra Sustento which, in addition to selling organic compost and holding workshops on organic gardening islandwide, also makes house visits. He will not  only teach you how to start a garden but will even build it for you, if you prefer.  The visit, he said, is $30 while building a basic, four by eight-foot orchard comes to around $160 which includes materials, soil and plants.  NOBLE said gardening is an activity for people of all ages. As for gardens, they come in all sizes, it just depends on  what one wants to plant in it.  Easiest to plant are basil, oregano, cilantrillo, parsley, green beens, radishes, peppers and eggplants.   THOSE without a patch of green need not feel left out. In fact, Noble said people can set up a garden on their terrace or roof. The essential elements for success in growing anything, he said, are "sunlight, water and compost."  Siembra Sustento ( Sow Nourishment, in English) is now expanding its reach to hotels and restaurants. 

   siembrasustento@gmail.com or contact by phone: Metro area/East 787.203.0480; Central area/South 787.983.6474; North area/West 787.633.7951. 

By Denise Blasor

          Every life needs a little fiction in it. Too much reality   

                             is a very nasty thing."   -- Woody Allen  

                                                  

CONCALMA GOES BIKING

ConCalma, the old San Juan-based retailer whose company name is an invite to live life with calm, is branching out into fashion. Add men's bikewear to the company's colorful line of cotton handbags, totes and messenger bags with the distinctive striped handles.

El Rayo Spoke is a line geared to men, especially men who are cycling buffs. "The line grew out of a suggestion from a client who had been following the development of ConCalma and liked its vibe," said Matilsha Marxuach, who started ConCalma as a business that would be easy on the environment and provide work plus a fair living wage to the women of the Utuado sewing cooperative that produces her products.  The new line, primarily manufactured in Puerto Rico, includes sporty polo shirts, jerseys, and button down shirts. The short-sleeved polos look cool and can be customized with reflective patches for night riding, Marxuach said.  Low on the back, a single pocket is perfectly situated to allow one to carry that ubiquitous water bottle and easily grab hold of it. Prices range from $45 to $85.The new line officially launches Thursday night (June 23) at the store with music and videos rounding out the activity which will run from 7 to 11 p.m.  (Photo: courtesy of ConCalma)

ConCalma  #207 San Francisco St. Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm

Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.  www.concalmalinea.com

Artwork by Lorraine Blasor

Every spirit builds itself a house;
And beyond its house a world;

and beyond its world a heaven.    

Know then, that the world exists

for you; build, therefore, your

own world.  -- Emerson

                                                                             

          

Copyright 2011 © Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved