Our Annual Updates
Man, you really have to have extra time on your hands if you are actually reading these!!
Ever since our first year - a photography workshop with Doug Beasley in the fall of 1995 - I've sent out a letter, the schedule and a picture of my kids to all our participants. Honestly, by the time you all go home, you feel like friends. People would tell me they put the picture of my kids on their refrigerator and others that they enjoy keeping track of us and even feel like my kids grandparents!! For me, it's a time to reflect on the past year, look at what I've accomplished with my business and think about the upcoming year. I reread them when it's time to write a new one, and I like remembering how things were way back when. I'll put the current year here, and there are links to the past years. Some day I'll go find those old photos, scan them and upload them, too, but for now: 2019/20 2018 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996|
EASTER 2020 -- MY, HOW THE WORLD HAS CHANGED !!
Hello all
I didn't get a New Year letter out this year,
so this has now become the Easter/ Passover/
Spring Equinnox or whatever other celebration is appropriate for you, update ....
The timing is good in that I imagine many of you
are wondering how our friends in Guatemala
are doing dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic.
Amazingly, and thankfully, all are doing as well
as can be expected .... so far. (Dona Felisa still weaving, still no glasses! and still smiling) 3/2019 workshop
** Although I'm afraid people are going to be hungry and lacking basic supplies very soon.
Folks who have savings, are living on those. But, how long will they last ?? And many, many people
I know live hand to mouth and have no savings.
 The new president, Alejandro Giammattei, is a doctor and understood the virus from the very beginning. He was inaugurated the day before I arrived in January for our Maya and Chinese New Year Workshop. Nobody I talked to at that time was very impressed with him. They figured he'd just be another corrupt president.
However, everyone now is very impressed with him. He closed the countries borders the day after the first confirmed case
of Covid 19 appeared in Guatemala. All non essential businesses are closed. He put a curfew from 4 pm to 4 am into effect a few weeks ago.
Starting this Monday, people are required to wear face masks when they leave the house, and the government is distributing 3 million rewashable masks to support that. It's working. Guatemala has a very low rate of infections. Which is good, because they do not have the health care infrastructure to handle a huge overload. (Sindy and Jaqueline showing the handmade bags they created for folks to take home their weavings. 3/19)
 Dona Filo's family doesn't work with tourism. Some are teachers, they have a little panaderia in the back of the house now, and others work with their evangelical church.
So they have food, however they have health issues. Lots of diabetes and that
is a concern.
*** The folks I worry most about are our friends who rely on tourism to survive. I am going to make a pitch for contributions to send some of them at the bottom of this letter.
 Goya sells her weavings to tourists in San Lucas Toliman. (with her daughter Reina and niece when we visited in July 2019)
My little family I've taken you all to in Panabaj .
Their mom died of cancer in 2010 and Luisa
and the six younger kids make and sell beaded bracelets and trinkets to support the family. They are all in school, except Luisa who needed to stay home and take over as 'mom'. (The kids and I in front of the Posada January 2020)
Their dad works in the fields, however that alone does not bring in enough to feed eight.
They are a familiar sight in front of the Posada and I've always invited them to join us for
building the Spirit House with Dolores.
 Hilda's family, the ikat weavers we've visited various times during trips to Xela, Salcaja and Cantel. Here they are pictured with probably the two most entertaining folks we've ever had join us. Returnee Dorothy Block and her sister Barbara White from Canada made us laugh for the entire ten days !
Magna sells textiles in the Antigua market twice a week. That is the only sales outlet for
the small natural dye cooperative we
visit in Santo Domingo Xenacoj.
 We went to Momostenango for Wajshakib B'atz, the Maya New Year in January of this year. Seeing all the people praying in front of sacred fires, the day keepers ceremonies and even more sacred fires in the hills, has always been a fabulous experience .
This is the first time, however, I've taken the time to find and visit the blanket weavers that Momostenango are so famous for.
We visited two lovely families with small fabricas set up in their homes ... Virgilio Ramos and his wife pictured above with some of the January group. And also Byron Ralac and his sister Sandra and her sweet family.
 What would I do without Edith ??!! She posts a ton on facebook, so I think most of you are up on her life.
Edith is still working, as her job as in the immigration lawyer's office is essential work. So she still has a paycheck,
which is great.
 And then we found the 'riscos' sand outcroppings ...
here's our group
with Juana Xiloj who joined us for a few days.
he worked with Silva Travel. Now that he is an
independent driver, he is my go to driver.
Many of you have had him pick you up at the airport
over and over again.
 Here's Dona Filo in front of her new garage door (porton). Isn't it beautiful !!
Eight of Dona Filo's ten children still live with her. They are all working adults, so they 'juntar' their 'dinero' and are able to improve their home and lifestyle. Not to mention they are all a great support to each other.
 That bring us to us - my kids and grandson.
Well, until a few weeks ago they were both doing well and employed.
However, that recently ended, so, like with so many other folks, we'll see how it all works out.
Tommy was teaching swimming at the YMCA, and Jessenia working for Great Wolf Lodge. Her boyfriend Tim, was also working at the Great Wolf Lodge, and the Mall of America, in addition to studying meterology at St Cloud State.
 As for me, well ... we'll save that for another day. I want to push the send button on this today,
Easter Day.
So folks, I'd like to ask if any
of you are willing to help out
some of these folks.
I really think it could get pretty
desperate, pretty fast,
in Guatemala.
Maybe even here in USA.
I send two families money, but I'm afraid I really can't do more than that.
 *** IF any of you are willing to help out, please let me know. I'm checking in with our friends there (whatsapp is great for that) ...
and I'd like to be able to
offer some financial help if it is
really needed.
You can use this link ... Help Some Families
or I can show you how I use Xoom.com if you want to send $$ directly.
This last picture, with some of our March 2019 group,
is a reminder of all the alfombras we made, the processions we watched (and Tommy carried in)
and the joy and beauty of Guatemalans and
their strong spiritual life.
We think of you all fondly , with love and gratitude, and send our best regards
and warm thoughts to all of you who have joined us,
and become friends, over the past 25 years.
Come visit us again !!
Abrazos fuertes de Liza, Jessenia, Tommy, Edith, Dona Filo and family, Lidia and family, Magna and family, Dona Goya, Juana, Dolores, Calixta, Julio, Ceci
and all the rest of our friends in Guatemala
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