On Time

The gardens are overgrown and the lawn is monstrous.  Although I've been keeping up as best as I can, the weeds are winning.  I'm covered from head to toe in freckles, even though I use a SPF 70 sunscreen and wear a floppy hat when I'm out in the yard.  I've not dipped my toes in the lake once.

And still, summer does its best to keep the heat on, rolling out scorching weather each day.  And I do my best to keep the house full of groceries and clean towels for the necies living with me until school begins again.  I am exhausted.  And I am happy.  

I grin at the blue jays who fly by with peanuts in their beaks - gifts from the neighbours.  I watch as the squash and sunflowers seem to double in size daily.  I glance at the zucchini sitting on the counter, waiting to be shredded and transformed into muffins or cake, and I say..."perhaps tomorrow."

  

I could fill up every spare moment and still not strike off the entire "to-do list" but I still take friends to catch a bus, make muffins for the neighbours, and find brief moments to have a nap.  I even took an entire afternoon off on Sunday to sit in the shade and read a book and drink daiquiris with my best friend.  It's rather amazing how good that felt - to just sit for a while.

The other day I caught myself saying "...in the Fall, when things slow down..."  and I laughed, because I seem to say that every season about the next - and it's never true.  Things don't slow down.  The list never ends. And that's okay.  It's about realizing that some things on the list are not so important - or, not more important.  Not more important than watching the jays.  Not more important that taking some time to read or nap, or bake things you'll never eat because you just keep passing the muffins down the road.

I'd like to spend some time in the lake.  I'd like to drive through the valley - north to the farmland and the cheese factories, or south through the orchards and vineyards.  I'd like to spend long afternoons in the shade, devouring books.  But today, carrot cupcakes call.  And checking in on a friend's mum. And office work. And tonight I have a date with the lawn mower, when the sun heads lower into the west.

The spirits are calling too.  It's time to head back to the cemetary to see my grandparents.  The flowers I took not long ago will be withered.  The river that I spend so much of the year walking beside and have completely abandoned these last fiercely hot weeks, is showing up in my dreams and even in my waking hours, speaking to me of the geese leaving it for more southern waterways, and of the tansy that is running rampant down the sides of it like a long yellow scarf.  Summer energies are beginning to lose their hold, and others are now slipping through.  

Summer is not done for yet.  I'll continue to harvest and mow, clean and bake, and still find little moments to partake in this delicious season.  There is time.

Fearless

"When I was a child, I was fearless.  I knew that I could do anything.  If I had friends over and they didn't want to play my games, I sent them home.  My mother was horrified at times.  But I knew what I wanted.  I was confident and sure of myself.  Until I grew up and lost that fearlessness, piece by piece, as others took it from me."

"But we let them," I said.

"Yes.  But now I want it back."

~snippet of a conversation I had with my best friend last night

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

As a child, we learn lessons about practical fear.  Fear associated with touching a hot stove, lest we get burned.  Fear about accepting rides from strangers.  But somewhere along the way, the lessons about fear become less worldly wisdom, and more about how we might fit in with society, make friends, find a mate.

Some people operate from a place of fear all the time. 

"What would other people think if I did this?"  

"What if I'm wrong/look foolish/am not accepted?"

"What if there is not enough?"

"What if I'm not enough?"

That last one, had a hold of me for years.  Once I realized what I was happening, I fluctuated between feeling angry that I hadn't valued myself enough and feeling sadness and loss for the girl that wasted so much time feeling those things.  And still, still, they pop up.  Those nagging doubts, those little snickers after I've been on an "I can do anything" high for a while.  The difference between then and now is, when the dust settles, I realize that I don't believe that voice anymore.

"Do you hear me?  I'm not afraid anymore!"

Yes, I just quoted Kevin, from Home Alone.

I have done fearless things in my life.  Jumped out of a plane. Started businesses. Took solo road trips to unknown places.  Said "why the hell not?" when I wanted to run the other direction.  But I don't think that those things make a person fearless.  I think fearless is a muscle that you have to exercise until it becomes an automatic state of being.

I think it's practicing the getting-up-one-more-time-than-you-fall mindset.  I think it's the "Wow - see this fabulous mistake, this foolishly huge error in judgment?  That's mine. And I'm going to learn from it.  And I'm going to endeavor not to repeat that. But I'm not going to beat myself up about it."  It's hearing that voice that likes to tell you all the things you are not, and telling it to fuck off.  And maybe for a moment you feel less-than.  Maybe for a moment you feel not enough.  But then you shake that shit off, and move along - move ahead.  Because that's not who you are anymore.  

Now, you are becoming fearless.

Rise and Organize - Welcome 2013!

Hello, and a very happy 2013 Dearies!

I've been plotting feverishly these first 9 days of January.  I've got my hands on Leonie Dawson's awesome planners and am working my way through listing my goals for the year.  I've been out walking in the snow and mentally taking stock of what's working for me and what isn't.  I've been puttering around the office getting year-end done, and organizing like a madwoman at home.  And I'm napping like a queen.

I'm also stepping out. Or up. Or into myself.  I'm rather done with trying to keep my daily life separate from my spiritual/magical pursuits.  Something about being in the last vestiges of my thirties makes me realize that life is too short to hide who I am, no matter who disapproves.  Plus, it's just damn tiring.  So, even though I'm not a fan of self-photos, you'll see an occasional picture of me now and then (there's one on the About page if you really need to know that I'm a real, live girl - in a kitty hat no less,) and I'm also posting a contact email if anyone (who is not a crazy spammer, or just plain crazy) wants to ask a question or just say "hi."

There are some ongoing blog adjustments - I'm needing to organize the blogs/links page so you know who does what, and where you can find some of the cool finds I blog about, and pictures need to be reviewed.  I'll be getting to all of this over the next few months, but there will still be plenty to post about while the behind-the-scenes things are happening.  I'm already feeling a bit of Spring fever and have ordered seeds and am knee-deep in garden plotting.

In the meantime, I wanted to point out to you a few cool things available (some for free) on the interwebs this month:

~ Cory, from New World Witchery just released the first quarter of his free calendar filled with magical dates and other cool tidbits.

~ The super-magical Miss Bri from Milagro Roots is having a free Phone Fest on January 30th.  She'll be chatting about "Magnetism & Mojo."  I'll be there - come & chat!

~ Rowan Pendragon has released her digital 2013 Magical Datebook.  In her words:

"2013 for the Wild Soul is the latest incarnation of my popular One Witch’s Way Datebook that has come out every year for the last few years.  It is both a magickal recipe book of sorts along with a 52 week datebook/planner for the year.  The planner pages are dated for the year along with all the important dates that you need to know for the year plugged right in for you!  It is a simple but effective way to carry with you all the core information that you need to plan out your magick for the year while also keeping track of your life!"

~ Ciro Marchetti of The Gilded Tarot and Legacy of the Divine Tarot fame, is re-releasing his Lenormand deck for the last time tomorrow (January 10, 2013.)  This is a limited run release and the final deck that Ciro has said he will do.  This deck is just as stunning as his other creations and I'm really hoping to snap one up before they are all gone!


Check out those links and enjoy!

Cheers,

Jen

Coming Out Of A Mercury Fog

Three weeks ago, shortly after my last post, my computer cord decided to commit suicide.  I had replaced the cord only two months previous (there is a possibility that my laptop is blowing up the cords,) and I'm still waiting for the replacement to arrive.  Because my laptop is..."vintage"...the cord has to be ordered and cannot just be borrowed from any of the dozen people who graciously offered their cords to my cause.

My (also vintage) iPhone is not up to the task of blogging, and by merely trying to keep somewhat on top of emails and check into my social media sites from time to time, I've gone over my data allowances twice this month.

I"m not even going to get into what is happening with my beloved vehicle right now.

Mercury, which is now righting itself, rarely bothers me when it goes retrograde.  I take the situation into account when communicating with others and adjust my expectations, but I've never had any issue with electronics or travel.  But this time - I was hammered by it.

It truly is a chance to ponder what all these 'conveniences' offer and how we might function without them on a more permanent level.  I've missed blogging and reading other's posts.  Trying to read blogs on my little smartphone screen leaves a bit to be desired and so I'm feeling a little out of touch lately.  I'm sneaking a few minutes here, over coffee with my mother, to drop off this little update and a couple pictures of the dramatic fog that rolled into The Valley yesterday.

The upside to less computer time, is more time to catch up on my piles of books, my overflowing in-box at the office, and longer walks by the river.

I'll be back soon!

Haunting Housewares

With October on the horizon, my mind wanders to devilish decorations and haunting housewares. After all, a proper Halloween household would not be complete without a few spooky accoutrements. And who doesn't need a skeleton corkscrew?

Photo, property of Kikkerland Design.  Designed by Ariel Rojo and Stephanie Suarez for the Kikkerland Mexico Design Challenge.

Vanessa Valencia is no stranger to fabulous Halloween decorations.  As head creatrix at A Fanciful Twist, she designs amazing posts, blog parties and has her own art and design studio on Etsy.  These potion and spell labels are sure to make any bottle you place them on, look charming.

Photo property of www.afancifultwist.com and Vanessa Valenica

When doing up the dishes from your Halloween bash, why not use some chic linens?  This vintage-look towel might even make dish-washing duty fly by. 

Photo, property of Williams-Sonoma

Shots are ten times the fun in these skull glasses!

Photo, property of Crystal Head Vodka

I can think of a few other uses for these cocktail pics (poppets, anyone?)  Still - they would be incredibly fab impaling olives in a very Dirty Martini.  It's too bad that they are just a tad (a big tad) out of my price range.

Photo, property of Ralph Lauren Home

All your hors d'oeuvres will look more appealing on these spooky appetizer plates from Williams-Sonoma.

Photo, property of Willams-Sonoma.

And lastly, when having that nightcap of tea (or absinthe,) these sugar skulls are the perfect sweetener.

Photo, property of Dembones on Etsy.com

These are just a few ideas to get your Halloween decorations and party started.  If you track down any more scary or skeletal housewares, let me know!

Change of Light

There is a certain kind of light that signals the change to autumn.  Although the season doesn't officially arrive until the end of next week, we've been feeling it creep up on us for a while.  We've had nothing but bright, warm September days here in The Valley.  The warmth is wonderful, the breezes are cool and comfortable, but it is the light that is the real show stopper.

There is a golden, fuzziness that the light takes on in the fall.  It is not the heat-haze of summer, not the bright, clear glow of spring or the small, entreating rays of winter.  This is, as if you were walking around squinting ever so slightly - making things appear just a bit softer around the edges.

I think I am becoming a bit softer too.  Gone is the frantic rush to get the garden watered early before the scorching heat hits. The sweaters have come out for cool mornings and even cooler evenings.  And I am lingering.  Stopping at the river to touch the plants again - not rushing through my walk to avoid the bugs and the sunburn.  Sitting in the back yard with a coffee watching the cats stalk through the grass.

The dark is coming on quicker now.  The light leaves us before 8:30pm.  The evenings have been prime star-watching nights.  Clear skies foretelling the next sunny day, are chock full of twinkly lights and planets and satellites.

I'm curling up with a cup of tea in the evening.  I'm taking time to read a little fiction, which I rarely do unless I'm on vacation.  The extra blankets are coming out of the closets and being draped over chairs and on the end of the bed for insurance against the surprising temperature drop during the night.  I'm excited about the upcoming festivities in October.  Lists lie everywhere on my work-space.  I'm feeling the need to organize and surround myself with notebooks and pretty office supplies.

It intrigues me how the simple shift of the light, can affect so much of my life - how I feel and how I function.

What does this change feel like to you?  Or do you live somewhere where there is such a subtle shift in your surroundings, it is barely noticeable?  Do you adjust your schedule, your practices or your lifestyle in the autumn?

Sailing Through Summer

Summer drifts by in a haze of garden work and hot afternoons hiding in my office or in the shade of the cedars.  My laptop is currently waiting for a new cord (the sparking was getting a bit much, even for a procrastinator like me,) so I'm borrowing time here on another's computer to post a quick update.

I feel like I've made wonderful progress in my goal to dry, tincture, infuse, jam and can my way through the gardens and hills this year.  Fortunately I have the extra hands of family and friends who are also happy to gift and trade their bounty.  For all the projects completed though, there are many more to get to.  I want to tincture some of the wild yarrow for a first-aid spray.  The culinary herbs should be dried (and some processed and frozen.)  And with the apricots coming in to season, I have my favourite jam to make.

My long hair is permanently tied up on my head, the ends bleaching out to blonde in the sun.  My arms and legs are browning, even through the SPF 50 I wear every day and the rest of me is still pale, so I'm sporting a rather sexy farmer's tan at the moment.  I'm faring rather well this summer,  in spite of July being my least comfortable month.  I find that time in the garden or the hills, heals a host of ills.

Here is a taste of what summer has been like for me:

~ Endless rhubarb harvests end up in these yummy muffins.

~ Perusing the already-being-stocked school supplies aisles for my fave eco-friendly "Sasquatch" notebooks.

~ Buying local honey to sweeten my coffee, to use in creating syrups and for making coarse incense.

~ Taking my herbal goodies to a local artisan market every other week.

~  Reading (and re-reading) a stack of herbal books, Evolutionary Witchcraft by T. Thorn Coyle, and The Dome by Stephen King (which will take me forever because the book weighs 20lbs and I can't drag it around with me.)

~ Attempting to spend some time in the water.  I'm notorious for letting an entire summer go by without getting into a lake or pool - and I'm surrounded by them!

There is plently of fun to come as well.  I have a few excursions planned while the summer lasts and there are a few festivals on the horizon.  I hope your summer is sailing smoothly along.  May you find much fruitfulness in the season - the playing in it and the resting!

Who We Truly Are

In the past few days, two rather prominent bloggers have released blog posts discussing who they are on their path and in their life. 

Sarah Lawless - The Witch of Forest Grove - discussed her realization that despite what others thought of her practice, and what she wanted out of it for a time, she is not what she thought she was. 

"I’ve been having a lot of revelations lately about my path. Some I’ve known for a while, but only in my head and not in my heart. One big one I’ve had to come to terms with is that I am not a healer and nor do I want to be. It was hard to accept that and let go."

*read the full post here.

Another revelation today was Teo Bishop who shared with the community via his blog A Bishop In The Grove, that he was not only our Teo, but singer-songwriter Matt Morris. 

"At some point, we must all come out. We must all be honest about how we’ve compartmentalized to excess, how we’ve created new masks — either out of fear or in an attempt to approximate privacy in a increasingly non-private society. We must recognize when it is time to integrate all of our disparate parts."

"But my coming out is not simply an act of confession about another online identity. I’m choosing transparency at this time because I believe doing so may be the only way I can move forward in both my music and my writing. I was never two people — I was always, only one."

*read full post here.

Having people in our community (magical/Pagan/witchcraft/insert-your-preferred-name-here) "come out" with their truths - their insights into their own path and share their journey with us is such an important offering.  It allows those of us who struggle with lables, with identities or with trying to fit into one box, to see that there are others who move and shape their lives in order to serve their true selves and spirits.

I'm grateful for people like Sarah and Teo and for their honesty and their willingness to be open in a world that at times can grab and twist and tear at openings.  There are bound to be those that throw out a barb or a dig, but those with real self-knowledge and the inclination to share that with their community are better able to rise above the ankle biters of society, and in doing so offer the rest of us a real gift.

I've found these posts to be an encouragement and a stepping stone to explore for myself, who the person is I show to others and how my journey might unfold if I were to simply release what I think I am (or what I wanted to be) and fully become who I truly am.

Where In The World

Here is where.  I've been here.  Yes, it's beautiful.  But after weeks and weeks of grey, punctuated by brief sunlight, even the beauty can be lost on you.  I'm still walking by the river, still dosing with herbal infusions and still getting out to hockey games, and even a concert tomorrow.  The wheel turns - but ever so slowly this time of year.

It's snowing now, as I type this, but I know it will stop soon.  It is February now, and even here in the high Valley, Winter doesn't last much longer than the first few weeks of February.  I've been fighting the first real cold that I've had in a long time.  Garlic, St. John's Wort, salt-water gargles and ginger honey have been my best friends these last few days.  I can't even talk about how wonderful these herbal remedies are.  I remember my Nyquil days, and that drugged feeling was never fun.

I took a drive up the hill last weekend to observe Imbolc and leave a few (natural) offerings.  The groundhogs in Canada seemed to report that Winter was ending, but I'm thinking Punxatawney Phil was right.  There's still some Winter left - at least up on the hill.  I took a few photos of the hoar frost that covered everything up there.

On the Pine needles:

On some scrub brush:

It's really something to see frost like that, growing almost an inch out in every direction.  Nature is wondrous.

I wanted to take a moment to give some belated thanks to Aw from My Life As I Know It, Keltik from Keltik's Korner and The Witch of Howling Creek for tagging me/giving me awards this past month.  I've not done the required homework on these, I'm afraid.  After several years of blogging, I figure you know more than you might wish to know about me already.  But thank you for the lovely thought!

Also, The Witch of Howling Creek is also the creatrix behind Pagan Living, an online home and garden magazine.  She is releasing the next issue in March and I have a small article within.  It's a very beautifully done magazine - do stop by the site and check out the past issues and I'll let you know when the new issue is released!

Thanks so much, as always, for sticking with me through the great blog drought of 2012!  I have another giveaway coming up this month and am geared up to start working on more herbal goodies and getting down to some serious garden planning.  Hang in there - things are starting to wake up!

Mercury And A Wandering Mind

I'm not sure if it's Mercury getting ahead of itself, or just some strangeness in the air, but these last few days have been odd.  I've felt off my game, a little down and generally frustrated at everything.  Luckily, there are more than enough things going on here on the interwebs to keep me distracted.

Here are a few things that I've enjoyed or been mulling over lately:

~ Always an enjoyable and fascinating read, New World Witchery has a post on the lore surrounding walnuts.  I'm allergic to the buggers (walnuts, not Cory or Laine) but can appreciate the symbolism.

~ For years, I have been wanting to head to Caravan Farm to see the outdoor plays the theatre company puts on. This year, the play is "The Gift Horse" which is about a childless couple who is given a child by the Moon. This may be the year I finally get there!

For holiday hayrides or sleighrides in your state or province, check out this website.

~ Incorporating a Nativity scene in a non-Christian household.  My friend brought me back Nativity figurines from Mexico this year and at first I was perplexed.  Until I read Carolina's most recent newsletter at the House of Eleggua.  She did a post on the Nativity, here, but do subscribe to her newsletter where she discusses the symbolism surrounding the figures involved in the Christ story.

~ Speaking of Christ, or technically, his followers, there has been quite a discussion going on over at Twitter today about whether or not you should support a charitable organization (in this case, The Salvation Army) if they openly preach against GLBT rights. 

If an organization does great things with the money donated to it, yet does not operate at a level that speaks to your own morals and values, would you donate to them?  Does the good they do, outweigh the intolerance they may have?  Great points on both sides of this debate!

As we head into the start of the bustling holiday season, I want to wish my American neighbours a blessed Thanksgiving (if you celebrate) and wish you a safe and happy holiday!

And Then There Was This

So I found this the other day.  And while I'm making a concerted effort to eat more real food and stay away from the packaged/processed items, there is something to be said for the taste of rum first thing in the morning.

Don't let the cute cake picture fool you.  This tastes like Captain Morgan bumped a good shot of his spiced rum into your latte.  Thank you Captain!

Remember November

"When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season, I'll know I'm growing old." 

~ Lady Bird Johnson

The first real snow has come to the Valley.  We had teasing flakes last week, but now it sits upon the land - a mere half inch, but here nonetheless.  A snowfall warning has just flashed across the tv screen, and I'm watching the window to see how accurate the weather channel is.  No new flakes...so far.

I was able to get out and walk the river today and that is always a boon to my spirit.  The sound of snow crunching underfoot was meditative and the scent of woodsmoke in the air was sweet.  The horses across the river were playing with each other, and the ducks were paddling around a small circle of pond that was left un-frozen.

I like the first snow.  It feels like a fresh start.  A clear starting point to the new season (even though Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st-22nd.)  It feels right to put away the Autumn things and start pulling out the boots and mittens.  More candles will go up around the house, and the Yule incense I've been making will be burned.

Over at my parents' house, my mother has been making good use of their Halloween pumpkins, and there are fresh pumpkin muffins and pumpkin cake to taste.  Several of the neighbours have put up their holiday lights and displays already. 

It seems strange to admit that the year is nearly at an end.  I have a good memory of pea-planting in March, abundant lettuce in June and farmers markets in August, but time skips from one quick scene to another, and my mind can't wrap itself around the fact that it's mid-November now.

Not wanting to miss a thing about the rest of the year, I've added some additional items to my to-do list:

~ Be here now.
~ Enjoy the season.
~ Take it all in.

I think that's something I can manage. 

November To-Do's

November is that liminal time between the last of the harvests and the beginning of the Winter.  For me, it's always been a time of floating between jobs, projects and nesting to prepare for the cold months. 

Because we Canadians have already had our Thanksgiving, there is not a particularly festive atmosphere around this month (except, perhaps for those people who decorate for Yule/Xmas early.)  I was joking with a friend the other day, that November is merely my chocolate detox month between Halloween and Christmas.

Still, I feel a renewed sense of energy and interest in accomplishing things on my to-do list this month.  Luckily, I've stocked my to-do list with fun items as well as the usual responsibilities.

Rue's To-Do:

~ Dig out Winter accessories.  Donate boring/blah gloves & scarves and wear bright, fun ones instead!  I picked up a cat-hat a few weeks back, and am already using my awesome fingerless gloves (made by Sarah) at work.

~ Learn how to make Eggs Benedict.  I had a fun breakfast with the girlfriends this morning, and had the most incredible Eggs Benedict.  I'm still reeling from the amazing Hollandaise.  Martha has a recipe I'm going to try.

~ Spend more time with my personal practice.  My meditation time has been sadly brief of late.  More connecting to the gods of my understanding is needed as well.  I found this post by Star Foster, about "worship" in Witchcraft, of interest today.

~ Detox.  All joking aside, I ate entirely too much chocolate in October! 

~ Get outside!  The winds have come, but the sun is still shining here in the Valley.  I'll be spending some time walking by the river this month and enjoying the late Autumn air.

Happy November!

Where I've Been This Week - In Body & Mind

The wheels are starting to turn for our Annual Chicks Wine Tour.  The first year (two years ago) we did a haunted winery tour, visiting such vinters as: Blasted Church Winery and Black Widow Winery, not to mention getting a first-hand account of ghostly happenings at another local winery.  Last year, we hit a wine festival, where 50 wineries from around the Valley were represented (and who were giving very generous tastes!)  Our destinations this year are not yet set in stone, but I'll be sure to give you a run down and post pics when we finish our tour (and sober up.)

Yesterday I got my hands on my very first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.  I don't often go into Starbucks, but you'll find me there often while this limited edition flavour is on the menu!

In Halloween news, Martha has her annual Halloween magazine out on the newstands.  It's a bit notorious for recycling articles/pictures from previous years, but I'm a sucker for the pretty pics and cool ideas, so I pick it up each year.

Also, over on Facebook, Judika Illes noted that Target has it's Halloween items out already.  Our local big box store has Halloween items in the card section, but hasn't emptied it's seasonal aisles of the back-to-school supplies yet.  Here's hoping those pencils disappear soon in favour of pumpkins!

In world news, we are all praying for rain clouds to fill the skies over Texas.  Over at his Inciting A Riot blog, Fire Lyte is organizing Project Texas Rain Magic.  Wherever you are, this Saturday September 10th, please send prayers, thoughts of rain and direct any rain spells toward Texas and the wildfires devastating that state. 

I hope this first week of September is treating you all remarkably well!

What's In A Name?

There is no reason for this picture - taken in Fairmont, BC, Canada, other than the fact that I appreciate a business with a good name.  I appreciate one with a questionable name too.

Take yesterday for example.  I decided to chuck all on my to-do list and head to the next town where there is a labrynth, and take a stroll.  Upon finishing my medatative walk, I happened by their local cafe, named "Cafe Nevermatters."  Hmm..  What does this mean?  Leave your matters at the door?  Coffee doesn't actually matter?  (Which I heartily disagree with!) 

I think "Nevermatters" is actually a play on words because the town's name sounds close to this - but does it send the right message when you are essentially advertising that your coffee stop is pointless?  Regardless, I'm not one to thumb my nose at caffine - so I'll stop in next time I come for a labrynth visit and get the story while ordering my cinnamon latte.

I'll let you know what I find out.

PS - sorry to Ms. Smirk, who originally won the Garden Dreaming Giveaway, but you didn't contact me and there was no way for me to contact you.  I redrew the names, and the new winner is: Jennifer at "From Barren to Bountiful!"  Congrats!  Please email me at RueAndHyssop (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll get the prize in the mail to you.

A Little of This and That

Just a few goings on, thus far this week. 

~ I watched most of the Superbowl on Sunday (my team lost.)  I really only watch the game for the super-expensive commercials - nearly all of which we don't get in Canada.  I am forced to search online for the one's I've heard about and missed.  Although the pickings for good Superbowl commercials were slim this year - this one by Volkswagen took the prize!

~ Today I picked out a cool kit to giveway in March, but in the meantime you have five more days to enter my Garden Dreaming Giveaway.

~ I saw this video about an uncontacted tribe in the Amazon and was incredibly moved.  I'd really love to know about their lives, rituals and community, but it's so much more important to leave these people alone to live the way they have for innumerable years.

~ Although the snow has not melted, I ventured out for a walk today and was treated to not just a good workout, but was met by 3 bighorn rams and an eagle.  Unlike when I met a beaver last Summer thinking it was a dog, these animals were a safe distance away!  (We won't discuss my horrible eyesight and how I could spot bighorn sheep on the side of the road, but not the large tail on the beaver two feet in front of me.)

~ And last, but most important: for those not in the know, tomorrow (Feb 10th) is Danni's birthday.  Head on over to The Whimsical Cottage and drop some cheer on her!

Award Winning Monday

Today was a nice change of pace from a typical Monday.  A nice crack from the chiropractor this morning followed by a pretty gift on my desk at work.  Inside was a gorgeous journal from one of my co-workers as a thank you for doing a Tarot reading for her last week. 

Work flew by and then on the drive home I caught the brand new Pink song "Raise Your Glass" which had me jumping in my car and getting strange looks from passersby.

"So raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways..."  ~ Pink

And to top it off, Jessica from The Magical Mundane gave me this award:

I am a big fan of Jessica's, so please pop over and check out her blog.  Although...if you are squeamish like me....you  might want to skip today's post.  *shiver*

I have been shamefully lax on re-posting awards given to me in the past, so I'm going to play by the rules for once.  Which are:

1. Post the award and link back to the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass it on to other bloggers that you have newly discovered.
3. Let the bloggers know they’ve been chosen.

I have come across some new-to-me blogs lately which I'm enjoying.  Here are a few to check out:

~ A Witch In the Tea Closet
~ Burning Moonlight
~ Natures Cat
~ Sips From the Fire Hydrant

You all have very lovely blogs!

Hope everyone has had a great Monday!

Entertainment and Enlightenment

http://www.shoeboxblog.com/

I've had another busy weekend - but this time there was not alot of that dirty "work" word involved. Instead of getting caught up at the office, or digging through my closet that desperately needs re-organizing, I spent the weekend doing fun and inspiring things.

First up was a shopping trip with my best friend during which we swore we wouldn't spend much money, followed by us coming home with a car full of bags. We've never been able to keep each other in line. I'm not sure why I thought this time would be different.  I also thought this might be the year I could buy the Halloween candy early and not open any of it until October 31st.  Wrong again.

Last night, I was off to the movies to see Bruce Willis kick some CIA butt in Red.  Along for the ride were a handful of the best actors around including Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and a stunning Helen Mirren.  It was a fun, action-packed romp and the scene where Bruce steps casually out of a spinning police cruiser was both ridiculous and totally worth the price of admission.

Today was a change of pace.  Instead of materialism and entertainment, it was all about ancestors and introspection.

I started off the day by going through some of my late grandmother's things that had to be sorted as my grandfather has finally been moved into a care home. At 97, he is only now showing signs of becoming an 'old man. Goddess grant me his good genes.

It was bittersweet seeing the vintage photos and cards and letters she kept. The photos should keep me busy for weeks. There is a wicker basket full of old black and whites, and I'm going to have to corner my parents to see if they recognize some of the faces. A few pictures of my grandmother will have a place of honour on my ancestor altar.

Then, I spent this afternoon with Deepak Chopra. Well...there were about 1800 other people there too. Deepak came to give a lecture on material he presents in his book "Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul." It was a fabulous and fascinating talk. He is very well-spoken, and has a quick wit. He kept us laughing as well as musing on the miracles of the human body and the global consciousness of the world and the oneness of our souls.

"Life is meant to be a complete experience. People keep struggling with problems both physical and mental, never suspecting the root cause: that the bond between the body and the soul has been severed." Deepak Chopra  ~ "Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul"

All in all it was a wonderful weekend, and exactly the right mix of fun and insight.  I hope your weekend was equally wonderful!

Sweet September

"By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather

And autumn’s best of cheer."

- Helen Hunt Jackson

I can see by the blogs I've been reading today, that I'm not the only one still suffering from a Summer cold that just won't let go.  Coupled with an impromptu trip with my neices, playing catch up at my bookkeeping job and trying to find enough energy to work the Saturday markets - I've had a hard time posting here in the last few weeks.  When I do finally sit down, it's usually to watch another episode of The Office on DVD, because all the laughing really does make me feel better!

Another thing that makes me happy is that Autumn has finally arrived here in the Valley.  Although we've had some warm days, the nights are getting consistently cooler, and one of the large trees by the river where I walk is turning a gorgeous shade of golden yellow.

 

I'm snapping up the Halloween magazines at the grocery store and starting to haul out the Fall decorations.  My neices go back to school on Tuesday, and we are going to spend the weekend at the farmers market and do some last minute back-to-school strategizing.

 

My birthday is coming up mid-month, and I have a few outings planned with my girlfriends.  I will try to remember to bring my camera with me and get pics of our adventures.

 

September is always when I seem to come alive again after the heat of the Summer.  This is when I come back home to myself again.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what will unfold during this wonderful month.  I will keep you posted!

 

 

So Spank Me

I missed last Saturday's Farmers Market post - although I went to several markets.  I also seemed to have had a blurry few days since Saturday - so I'll try to break it down for you (and me - because I barely remember what happened.)

I went here:

To buy this:

Then the cats and I did alot of this:

There was also a Mexican-themed golf night:

Where I lost several balls (although this is not me digging in the lost lagoon.)

But had a fabulous time - and a few shooters, lovingly named "Mexican MotherF***ers."  Yes - it did hurt a little the next day....

So you'll just have to forgive me if blogging is taking a back seat to recovery (and heat management) this week.

Thanks for understanding!