El Paso: UTEP: Star-Lord

Star-Lord in Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

A small gift of guerrilla art as I passed through UTEP's Chihuahua Desert Garden one day in May.

Star-Lord in Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Orange Bench

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

May 2017

When I go to my classes, I usually cut through UTEP's Chihuahua Desert Garden. Every day the garden serves me a new dish to savor.

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

On this afternoon in May, the daily special was a newly-painted orange bench, with persimmon-and-blue blossoms on the side.

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Tasty.

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Red Burlesque

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

A morning on the UTEP campus one sunny May day.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Splashes of red peeked through long, slender stems.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Teasing.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Tantalizing.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Titillating.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Now you see me; now you don't.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Feathery boas.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Flower burlesque, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Peekaboo Pink

On the UTEP campus one bright May day.

Peekaboo pink, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Pinkicity.

Peekaboo pink, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Pretty.

Peekaboo pink, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Cactus Confection

Cactus confection, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Cactus confection, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Cactus confection, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Cactus confection, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: A Couple of Days in May

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

May 2017



I look at these photos from a couple of days in May, and a slow, deep exhale of appreciation escapes me. 

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Damn.

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

I am reminded of a story. Years ago, I tackled the lack of sidewalks in the community where I lived at the time. I said sheepishly to my friend, "I know it's not a super important issue, but ...."

My friend stopped me right there and told me that even the simplest things can have a major impact on others. She gave me the example of Ladybird Johnson and the bluebells. Since then, I have witnessed other testimonies to the power of small and beautiful.

So it is with UTEP's thoughtful, intentional investment in the beauty of its campus. When we walk in the midst of such beauty, it soothes, smooths, and refreshes our spirits.

El Paso: UTEP: Sun and Grace

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

April 2017

I've been taking continuing ed courses at UTEP for a time. The campus is only a couple of blocks from my place.

My route includes a walk through of the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, which delight. Below are other views of what I see along my walk to classes:

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

I love how the architectural promontory above makes direct eye contact with El Paso's sister city, Júarez. It's a recognition of the blood we share, our intertwining histories, cultures, economic health, love, tragedies, joys, griefs. It is a namaste.

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

UTEP campus, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Dainty Ladies in April

For such a small garden, UTEP's Chihuahua Desert Garden regularly offers such sweet delicacies.

It revealed these dainties one afternoon in April:

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

In the video below, the tiny movements in response to a baby breeze encourages one to take calm breaths while thinking of sweet nothing:

El Paso: Privilege, Oppression, and ... Refreshments!

Brown bag seminar. UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

March 2017.


On the UTEP campus one day.

I loved this.

Even when saving the world, you've got to have a draw ... Cookies?

Reminds me of the dilemma I faced in Rodeo, New Mexico. Pie or salvation? Or both?

El Paso: UTEP: An Ocotillo Day

Ocotillo in April, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, UTEP, El Paso, Texas.

The stalky ocotillo may be my favorite desert plant. Seeing these April ocotillos at UTEP's Chihuahuan Desert Gardens was like seeing a cherished friend.


When dormant, the ocotillo is just a spiny, angular, unattractive reedy collection of gray stalks. But when it blooms and when it leafs out, oh, I admire how it preens so prettily against the sky.

Ocotillo in April, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, UTEP, El Paso, Texas.

An ocotillo I crushed on at Leasburg Dam State Park in New Mexico a few years back:

Ocotillo at Leasburg Dam State Park, New Mexico. May 2013.

Ocotillo at Leasburg Dam State Park, New Mexico. May 2013.

Ocotillo at Leasburg Dam State Park, New Mexico. May 2013.

See that hummingbird up there?

El Paso: Gospel Explosion

Pamela Johnson-Angeles and Ashley Clark and singer, Gospel Explosion, February 2017, UTEP, El Paso, Texas.

February 2017

The Gospel Explosion 2017 at UTEP featured songs, praise dance, and the spoken word.

I'm agnostic, but that doesn't mean I don't have an appreciation for fine faith music.

El Paso Community Choir, Gospel Explosion, February 2017, UTEP, El Paso, Texas.

Gospel music, in particular, embraces all of that which makes up a human life: hope, despair, love, grief, happiness, courage, exultation, determination, peace, turmoil.

As eloquently described by a poet below:

Below, The Quartet performs I Just Want to Thank You Lord:

Below, the El Paso Community Choir praises big:

Rev. Dr. Michelle Johnson, Gospel Explosion, February 2017, UTEP, El Paso, Texas.

A praise dance below, by LaVaughan Carr Farmer and Christiana Carr:

How can one not feel uplifted after an afternoon of gospel music?


The themes are universal; it matters not what particular deity one believes in, if any at all. It is a music of life.

El Paso: UTEP: Vellum and Velvet

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

February 2017

Graceful fold of a tangerine sarong.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Brave little beings venture out in early-early Spring.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Vellum riplets invite a barely-there stroke of one's fingers to feel the tiny geography.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Velvety blossom babies emerge like new mammals, eyes closed, but seeking light and warmth.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.