Sunday, December 30, 2007

Happy New Year :)


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Hello all :)

Today was actually a nice day on the coast of Oregon, the sun actually shined for a little while  LOL.  (inside Oregon joke to the one's who know anything about the weather in this part of the state this time of year) the only bad thing was that I've had a migraine most of the day and it's still banging away in my poor wee head :(

Gosh I miss my Cindy and the furry one's :( 

Anyway, this entry is to wish all of you a very prosperous, safe, healthy, wonderful, happy, contented and all that other good stuff New Year!!  I know I certainly hope Cindy and I have those things (and we will !!). 

Tomorrow Terry and Dar's company will descend upon us so I'm not sure I will be able to make a entry... if I get a chance I will 'k?  I miss you all and much love to all of you******************** or at least to the one's that wish Cindy and I well...to the rest? I don't really give a damn. (sigh) dang aren't I cynical? Till later.

 

Friday, December 28, 2007

another Oregon entry ~


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Hello all ~ finally got a moment to myself again and thought I would write a short entry. 

It's been boring yet helter skelter here, each in it's own way... the weather has been COLD, wet, rainy, windy etc. and all around the immediate area it's snowed, just not here because of the moisture caused by the dampness from the ocean.  Haven't had a chance to head to the beach yet because it's been so windy and icy cold.  Will before I leave I know that much LOL. 

Terry and Dar have headed out to the outlet malls in Lincoln City - I just about shoved Terry out the door after Dar because she started to stay here, I said no, I needed some peace and quiet and this was one of the only times I was going to get it so I was grabbing it with both hands.  I am just not used to people talking all the time, tv and stereos cranked way up etc. there's not enough room here for you to get away from anyone for any amount of time.  Not to mention that their friends will start arriving tomorrow and the next day for a few days.  So there will be no peace in that either.  So, here I sit typing away on the computer with the fireplace going and the door opened a few inches so I can hear the wind blow and the seals bellow and the seagulls scream.  It's nice :)  They had a friend of theirs over today for lunch, she was nice and simple...hippy kind of woman, REAL... the kind of person I like or at least am half way comfortable with.  Quite a few of their other friends tend to put on too many airs for my taste.  I like simple and down to earth - does that make sense?

I miss my Cindy and the boys and the cats... so very much.  I have 4 weeks and 2 days left away from her and our home.  I hope I don't go crazy in the meantime. 

Makes me appreciate the fact that both Cindy and I are such homebodies.  We like being at home together, alone...with the critters of course :).

Ok, guess I will go for now.  In case I don't get to write again before New Years, Happy New Years everyone!!  (((((((((Hugz)))))))))))))

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Update

Hello all, wanted to let you know that I arrived in Oregon on Friday night - the trip here was long and filled with tension etc.  Weather etc. attributed to this as well as misc. other little problems... Terry and I left Texas around noon on Monday (the 17th) drove to her moms and stayed a couple nights, this is because of Terry had taken one of her shots for her m/s and it made her ill so we wound up staying there a extra night, that was in New Mexico.  From there we drove till we got to Stockton (outside Sacramento CA), the next night we stopped in a area around Redding.  Drove the rest of the way the next day till we got here to the condo...Terry left again on Saturday night to go pick up her partner from the Portland International Airport and I didn't have access to a computer till this morning when they finally arrived back from Portland.  The trip was really stressful and trying in many ways but we made it!!!  I've gotten some pic's taken of the bay, the boats and seals that are here.  They are wondrous animals  lol.  LOUD OMG...I will attempt to post some of the pic's I took once I get back in Texas. And home to my Baby... Damn, I miss my wife... my Cindy...She misses me too!!  That makes me feel good knowing that she does lol.  (blowing smooches her way).

I hope that you all had a wonderful Holiday Season!  Blessed Yule to those that observe it and Merry Christmas that follow that!   :)  It's snowing in Portland OR this evening lol. LOOOOVE it. 

So, like I said this is just to let you know that I am ok, that I will be back by the end of January and I will try to write more entries in between.  I have 5 weeks and 4 days before I see my Love again and Lares, Draco, Heathen and Kizmet.  My family.  I love 'em. 

I miss you guys :)  you probably haven't even noticed I've been pretty "quiet " lately!!  Was going to write the day I left but the computer was having a "I'm going to go as freaking slow as I want to and I don't care what you want  LOL.  Ok...

Will attempt to write again soon.  Love******* to all of my precious friends.

Teresa

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!!

                         

 

Good Morning everyone :)
 
First of all ~ Happy Thanksgiving !!  to my American readers (smile)...
I hope your day is happy, peaceful and full of contentment whether you be celebrating this holiday solitary or whether it is just with your spouse, your friends or your whole family ~ it's a day not to worry about diets overtly (for the exception of those on a medical diet, then you have to stick with those sadly <pout>).

As for me and my home, we are both off and the b/f is also.  I have been up awhile now getting things going in the kitchen - Cindy received a Smoked Turkey (10 pound one mind you) at work for Thanksgiving, all I have to do is warm that up...as for the rest I've started the Giblet Gravy (I cook it for hours) and I've started baking...I've got a batch of Cinnamon Bread in the oven, next is pineapple bread, then blueberry bread...after those?  Peach Pie and Pumpkin Pie.  I also have to bake a couple pans of cornbread to make cornbread stuffing...one for Cindy 'cuz she doesn't like celery in any form (sigh) that's one thing that won't change with her I think  lol ~ and one WITH celery - I love celery in my cooking.  Then some fresh Green Beans with a rich smokey bacon in them...home made biscuits etc.  I'm not fixing too much because it's only the three of us.  I would like cranberry sauce but Cindy is allergic  :(  don't want to take her to the hospital LOL.
I am determined to maintain good spirits today and be happy, no matter what. 
Every once in awhile I feel this "down" feeling creeping in like a little whirlpool and I'm avoiding it nicely so far. 
The temperature is about 35 degrees this morning and there's a breeze blowing...in my opinion? it's a beautiful day for Thanksgiving.  I'm even listening to Holiday music on AOL  <laughing>  I'll listen till I'm over it !!
The "boys" are loving this weather!  Kissy is meowing her head off and Heathen is being his lazy old man self...
Trying to keep Draco out from under my feet in the kitchen LOL.
Okayz, I'm gone... things to do and stuff to bake.
(((((((Hugz and Love to all of you)))))
Be Happy!!
Blessings**************
 

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Graphic Tag is courtesy of Emmi over at "Sweet and Simple Pleasures"  thank you Emmi (smile)
Hello all ~
 
Updates, Updates, Updates...
 
Things are pretty much the same as they have been, work, home, stress etc.
I've come to the knowledge that I have no Thanksgiving spirit whatsoever - trying to but it's hard at the moment.  I hope to be able to bake some things this week/on Thanksgiving day to eat and give as gifts. I love baking...
 
Work has been pretty slow actually, the schedule has sucked this week - which really wasn't too bad because I had a stomach flu for a couple days that had me feeling absolutely yucky.  Seems to be over itself now so that's a good thing.
Last night Cindy & I went out with her b/f on a date - it was nice.  We got home about 9ish, the b/f went with her other friends that were there so Cindy and I came home and talked.
The b/f's house closing has been put off for another 4 to 6 weeks at least... I'll leave that with that.
Lares and Draco are doing wonderfully (smile) they love this weather.
 
My best friend's Terry and Dar have gone to New Mexico to spend Thanksgiving with her Mother, almost everyone in the family is going there also - in remembrance of Alfie.  I think it's a good thing because of family situations they have been drifting apart in the last five years and this hopefully will bring all of them together again happily.
I may be going to Oregon for a few weeks with Terry and Dar around the 15th of December I believe, will know for sure on Monday.  I look forward to it in a sense, I really miss Oregon...I will also be picking up the rest of my things that are in storage and bringing them back with me - will save me $85 a month in storage fee's.  I could use the money for other things.  Oregon has always been a healing place for me and I miss it desperately at times.
Guess that's all the news for now.  I hope everyone has a great day.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

                

The above snag is by Missie over at "Missies Magical Creations" - thank you Missie !  (smile)
 
Good Morning ~
 
Update on the goings on here and elsewhere (smiling)
This won't be a long entry, mainly because I don't feel like writing and my mind isn't focused enough to bring what's on/in my mind out in words, nothing bad, just meandering thoughts with no form.
 
First of all, Heathen is fine ~ his sugar glucose is perfect, the vet said that She thinks it's just age and the fact he has some inflammation around his lower hips and lower back, that I should give him a baby's aspirin if it acts up, one every three days.  That was a load off of my mind, I'm glad that I am doing things right with him.  A couple of days ago, Draco got a little too rambunctious with Heathen, Heathen swatted him and Draco snapped at Heathen and evidently "connected" so now, Heathen hisses and bows up  whenever Draco is around in particular... Lares also but not as evidently as Draco  lol.  It will soothe itself out though I'm sure with time.
 
Cindy's best friend  has finally finalized her loan to purchase a house, has the house picked out and the closing date is set for the 26th if the home inspection goes well, she also has to get a survey of the property done.  Sooooo that means that Cindy and I will have our home back to ourselves by the beginning of December.  I'm very relieved about that needless to say - Cindy and I need our time together...and we are both solitary souls when not at work, both huge homebodies.  Not to mention the utilities and other things should go down cost wise.
 
Work? it's there - and I'm getting so tired of the politics and the fraud going on.  I don't play "games" that well, been doing this for far too long for those "younglings" to try to rip me off.  Not going to happen & if it does, it won't go on for long because I won't stand for it. period.
I have to go to work later on today, only have a single shift - hopefully Cindy and I will get some time to ourselves.
 
Blessings****************

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

                 

"Papu" by Violent Contact aka "Blanca Marzal"
Copyrighted.
 
Good Morning !
 
Things have been ok here, it's a little cooler this morning, wind is blowing quite steadily; which I like lol.  The boys are in the run hopefully tiring themselves out, will go out as soon as I finish this and bring them in.  They will be dirty of course (yuck).  Cindy & I just gave them a bath on Sunday I think it was?  We are lucky in the fact they are actually very good boys when getting a bath - their fur is heck to get wet all the way through because of their breed, they are made to be "weather proof" 'cuz they are in the weather all the time in their "working mode" with Sheep/Cows etc.  So it always takes a little longer when bathing them have to get enough water on them to actually get thru all of their fur lol.  They have to be in the same room (the bathroom) with each other or Lares has a absolute fit, he can NOT be away from his brother, he'd have a stroke and I'm serious about that, he would.  The boys are extremely attached to each other (in other words, think of the book "Where the Red Fern Grows") if we lost one of them <waving sign about warding against evil eyes> the other would mourn itself to death.
Didn't get the peach pie made this weekend, just didn't feel like it, so I didn't.
Cindy took the b/f and I out for dinner at Red Lobster Sunday.  Had the create your own feast (both Cindy & I had the same thing) of a double portion of Snow Crab Legs and a single portion of Grilled Garlic Shrimp for me and Shrimp Scampi for Cindy.  I crack Cindy's crab for her so she has all the meat out before I crack mine - I'm faster than she is  lol.
Am taking Heathen to the vet this afternoon after work... I don't think it's his diabetes as much as I think he's done something to the nerves or twisted something either in his hips or lower spine.  Please keep your fingers crossed for me ok? and for my  Heathen?
Alrighty then, I'm gone.  Everyone have a good day.
Blessings************ Teresa

Saturday, November 3, 2007

                  
The above tag is by our wonderful Donna over at "This and that, and Hockey!" fame.
 
I was sitting here wondering, maybe wishing ~ ok, definitely wishing.
I never knew my real father growing up, my mother divorced him when I was 6 months old... only one time was I made aware of a incident of where he tried to contact me; this was when I was pretty much living with my maternal grandparents most of the time.  I had just turned 16 or I was about to - apparently he called; my grandmother told him to never attempt to contact me again.  My grandmother told me about this, a long time later - don't know why she did what she did, don't even know why she felt she had to confess that this had happened.
At the time I didn't think much of it, yet as I grew older and even to this day I wonder why he called? I also wonder what it would have been like to actually have had a real father.  Even at 47 years old I wonder what it would have been like to have a father that loved me (who knows the man that was my birth father does love me, or at least thinks/thought of me) we could have done father/daughter things...read me stories, tucked me into bed vs. the assholes my mother did marry yanking me out of bed in the middle of the night and beating me.  A father who would have protected me against all the monsters in the world.  Maybe it's a unrealistic wish, maybe fathers aren't like that anymore, don't know ~ thing is about what I dream of is it's just a wish maybe even hope.
In the last few years I've done a little digging with Cindy's help to find him - I know his name....Robert Elliott Danner... he's either the same age as my mother or a couple years older maybe (my mother had me when she was 16 or just turned 17...they married very young, she never did graduate from high school...quit in 10th grade to have me and to be married, she did get her GED though on through the years, never much more education. 
Thing is?  I don't and haven't seen my mother in over 15 years - I keep in contact with her via email just because of emergency reasons.  I don't think things will ever be truly right between she and I for the reasons of she didn't protect me as a child and left me prey to her husbands (of which there were several) 4 by the time I was 6.  I disinherited, quit acknowledging her side of the family for a longer amount of time than even her... to me they are gone and as far as my heart is concerned "dead to me".  My mother?  I try to think and remember that she did the best she could do with what she had... she married young to escape from a extremely controlling father herself... I never saw or realized this about my grandfather until I was in my late 20's & I was extremely disillusioned, I guess because I had put him up on a pedestal for so very long...my grandmother too though I realize she was just a product of his almost rabid control of her actions and thoughts.  Me? I had always fought his control in a subconscious way and in many little ways without realizing that's what I had been doing.  He loved me I'm sure, but he loved me more when I followed his will unquestionably... something I did not do well at all.  By the time he passed away I had completely broken those bonds that I had, had with him as a child and young woman but oh I was so much wiser by then.  I was a disappointment to him because I didn't follow his direction or advice.  Why should I?  It wasn't for my welfare (those said directions or advice) but for his own sake and his own pride.  He had as much to do with the way my stepfather's throughout my life as the men themselves.  He knew what was going on and did nothing about it.  In my mind he was just as guilty as the men who did what they did to me.  Yet I still loved him and hoped one day he would accept me (in my subconsciousness).
I still would like to find my father one day - he may prove to be a huge disappointment, he may prove to be what I've always wanted him to be.  Who know's?  I may never....
Blessings*******************
 

Friday, November 2, 2007

           

"Lady of the Water"
Copyright of Michele-lee Phelan
 
 
Good Morning ~
 
Not that much of a entry today, just not in the mood to write really.
Heathen is back to not feeling well, think I'm going to take him to the vet either this afternoon after work or tomorrow morning.  He's really worrying me and I don't know what else to do.  I wish he could just talk to me and tell me what's going on with him, how he's feeling and if/where he is hurting.  The boys had me up at 3:45 this morning...took them out, tried to go back to sleep for a little while but it was not to be, Lares kept whining so I got up and stayed up then...took them out to the run and let them go for awhile. Fixed Cindy's breakfast and She's off to work.  She's had a very busy month and she is wore out, she's off tomorrow and Sunday so that should help her get some rest I hope, if she allow's herself to rest that is.  Doesn't know what the word stop is...workaholic I think is the term. (that is said affectionately).
Last night I cooked Chicken Piccata with a extra caper/mushroom/artichoke heart sauce over linguini for dinner... it was good I guess, everyone ate it, I'm the only one that ate my whole dish though.  This weekend I'm going to try to bake a Peach Pie...depends on if I feel like it or not.
I don't even feel like reading and that's something I do a lot of. Don't feel like doing much of anything.  Mad at myself because I feel like I'm going off on a "pity me" session when there are so many other things going on in the world that are bad.
I'm grumpy and restless...restless I don't know why, grumpy I'm not sure why  either..probably worried about Heathen.
Okay, going to go for now.  Hope everyone has a great day and a wonderful weekend.
Blessings***************

Thursday, November 1, 2007

This entry isn't even worthy of a graphic...

Can you BELIEVE this crap?? I know many Christians that are a loving group of people, but this one? it's all about HATE, IGNORANCE and I'm sure that "God" is sitting there with tears running down his/her face that His followers would actually act like this or behave like this.  Personally?  I think it should have been more money granted to this father... and I think it needs to be delved into more as far as seizing more of their assets etc.

Thing is ?  I could face this kind of thing happening where I live...because of being a Lesbian, because of being a Pagan... It is freaking WARPED. 

  Funeral Protests Cost Church $11 Million
By ALEX DOMINGUEZ,
Posted: 2007-11-01 06:11:08
Filed Under: Nation News
BALTIMORE (Nov. 1) -Members of a fundamentalist Kansas church ordered to pay nearly $11 million in damages to a grieving father smiled as they walked out of the courtroom, vowing that the verdict would not deter them from protesting at military funerals.

"Absolutely, don't you understand this was an act in futility?" said Shirley Phelps-Roper, whose father founded the Westboro Baptist Church.

Westboro Baptist Church members protest a funeral
Al Maglio, The Kirksville Daily Express / AP

Supporters of the Rev. Fred Phelps, of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, protest outside the funeral service for Marine Lance Cpl. Rex Arthur Page in Kirksville, Mo., on July 9, 2006

Members promised to picket future funerals with placards bearing such slogans as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."

They believe that U.S. deaths in the Iraq war are punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. They say they are entitled to protest at funerals under the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.

Albert Snyder sued the Topeka, Kan., church after a protest last year at the funeral of his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq. He claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.

A jury agreed. On Wednesday, the church and three of its leaders — Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Phelps-Roper and Rebekah Phelps-Davis — were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress.

What's Your Take?

Jurors awarded Snyder $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $8 million in punitive damages.

It's unclear whether Snyder will be able to collect the damages.

The assets of the church and the defendants are less than a million dollars, mainly inhomes, cars and retirement accounts, defense attorney Jonathan Katz said. The church has about 75 members and is funded by tithing.

Craig Trebilcock, one of Snyder's lawyers, had asked jurors to question the truthfulness of the defendants' financial documents, one of which show Phelps-Davis having only $306 in the bank. He noted that Phelps-Davis is a practicing attorney, who could afford to travel to spread the church's message.

"Rebekah Phelps-Davis has $306? She must be using Priceline.com. It doesn't make any sense," Trebilcock said.

The attorney had urged jurors to award damages that would send a message to the church: "Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again."

Trebilcock later called the verdict "Judgment Day for the Westboro Baptist Church."

"They're always talking about other people's Judgment Day. Well, this is theirs," he said.

Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles.

They are confident the award will be overturned on appeal, Phelps said.

"Oh, it will take about five minutes to get that thing reversed," he said.

Another of Snyder's attorneys, Sean Summers, said he would tirelessly seek payment of the award.

"We will chase them forever if it takes that long," he said.

A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. Snyder's lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.

Snyder, of York, Pa., said he hoped other families would consider suing.

"The goal wasn't about the money, it was to set a precedent so other people could do the same thing," he said.

Earlier in the day, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse, while passing motorists honked and shouted insults.

Phelps held a sign emblazoned with "God is your enemy," while Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag as she carried a sign that proclaimed "God hates fag enablers." Members of the group also sang "God Hates America," to the tune of "God Bless America."

2007-10-31 19:31:44

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Have a Blessed Samhain ~ aka Halloween

                    

Blessed Samhain everyone !
This day is also known as most of you know it "Halloween", "All Soul's Night", "All Hallows Eve" to name a few, most with Celtic influences - though there are also Egyptian and Central American influences also...that being "Day of the Dead" to all it is a Holy Day.  This celebration really has no macabre connotations as have been pushed upon most by the Movie Industry, Publications and some Religions out there.  It has nothing to do with the Christian aspect of "the devil", "satan", "demons" or anything to do with that, those are purely mainly a Christian creation. (No I am not slamming Christianity lol) just stating fact... as with most Spiritualities out there, there are also the negative aspects that most tend to hear about - Satanists or those of the Left Hand Path - those that serve the polar opposite of positive or good ideals, beliefs etc.  The Pagan/Wiccan Spirituality does not in any way believe nor support anything to do with the negative aspects of these offshoots of Spirit.  Below is what Paganism, Wicca, Shamanism is all about...a explanation? a description as you were... below each definition is a link to what each is...
 
"When one defines oneself as Pagan, it means she or he follows an earth or nature religion, one that sees the divine manifest in all creation. The cycles of nature are our holy days, the earth is our temple, its plants and creatures our partners and teachers. We worship a deity that is both male and female, a mother Goddess and father God, who together created all that is, was, or will be. We respect life, cherish the free will of sentient beings, and accept the sacredness of all creation." Edain McCoy---
 
 
 
What is Wicca?
Wicca is a contemporary spiritual religion, based on and reviving the ancient pre-Christian pagan religions of Europe.  Wiccans believe in a divine force or power as the source of all.  It is both immanent and transcendent while encompassing the whole universe.  Therefore the world and all aspects within the world, "nature" and "life itself" in particular, are considered sacred.
 
Wiccans use ancient and modern ceremonies, rituals and shamanic practices to attune themselves to the natural rhythms of nature, the world, and the universe in their efforts to commune with this divine force.

To communicate with the force, Wiccans believe it to be manifest in the form of a Goddess and God.  As they emanate from the same source, both retain equal power, hence equal status.  By manifesting the power in two deities (Goddess and God), the natural balance of opposites, cause and effect are retained, e.g.  Summer/winter, light/ dark, life and death etc.  Each opposite is essential to maintaining the balance and rhythm of life on earth. 

The Three Fold Law

The Three-Fold Law is the belief and principle on which magick is used.  This law relates to the use of powerand energy, for when used, power is returned to the sender, three times the level it was sent out. 

Used in relation with the ethos, “Do what thy wilt, though it harm none” (as stated in the Wiccan Rede), witches take great care when preparing and casting spells that no harm should come to others because of it. 

The nature of this three-fold return can perhaps be better understood when considering the cause and effect principle of a spell.  Let’s take an example – someone comes to you in distress with a problem, you help by sending out positive energy and the problem is successfully resolved.  This automatically makes you feel good about yourself and influences your thoughts; thus your state of consciousness is altered.  In turn your thoughts stir the emotions, which has a physical effect in the body by causing glandular secretions to enter into the blood stream.  The resulting state of mind and body lifts your spirit, which is what makes you feel good.  Thus with the act of a single good deed, you have been effected three times, in mind, body, and spirit.  This then is your three-fold response to the return of positive energy.  Now consider your response had you sent out negative energy or something went drastically wrong?

The Wiccan Rede

Bide ye Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.

Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give. Form the circle thrice about, to keep all evil spirits out.

To bind ye spell every time, let ye spell be spake in rhyme. Soft of eye, light of touch, speak ye little, listen much.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, singing out ye Witches’ Rune. Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out ye Baneful Rune.

When the Lady’s moon is new, kiss your hand to her times two. When the moon rides at her peak, then ye heart’s desire seek.

Heed the North wind’s mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.

When the wind blows from the West, departed souls may have no rest. When the wind blows from the East, except the new and set the feast.

Nine woods in ye cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow. Elder be ye Lady’s tree, burn it not or cursed ye’ll be.

When the wheel begins to turn, soon ye Beltaine fire’ll burn. When the wheel hath turned to Yule, light the log the Horned One rules.

Heed ye flower, bush and tree, by the Lady blessed be. Where the rippling waters flow, cast a stone and truth ye’ll know.

When ye have and hold a need, harken not to others greed. With a fool no season spend, nor be counted as his friend.

Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart. Mind ye threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.

When misfortune is anow, wear the blue star upon thy brow. True in love ye must ever be, lest thy love be false to thee.

In these eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,

‘An ye harm none, do what ye will.  

Believe it or not Paganism and Wicca are two separate things...whereas Paganism is ancient, Wicca is a relatively new PART of Paganism (they are linked very closely, hip to hip you could say ) - it was created/established in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, he established the Gardnerian Tradition within Wicca...Wicca itself is meant to bring back and out into the open all that has been buried, hidden or passed between other Pagan families that had to hide their beliefs to escape prosecution from Christianity.  The above explains much better what Wicca is, the link  I've included below for you to read (out of all the links I have, is the most simple to understand that explains ALL facets of Wicca), if you would care to, to enlighten yourself and not be bogged down with what other Religions have taught you about it.  Just a note? Wicca is a established religion & recognized as such within the United States just as any other belief out there is. After all, this Country was based on Freedom of Religion, wasn't it? (smile)

What is Wicca?

 

Okay now that I managed to stray far off of the path of what Samhain is and what it represents, let's move forward and back on track.

Samhain, what is it?

Samhain Lore (October 31st)

Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer", and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat.

It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.

Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was  not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits.

This was the time that the cattle and other livestock were slaughtered for eating in the ensuing winter months. Any crops still in the field on Samhain were considered taboo, and left as offerings to the Nature spirits. Bonfires were built, (originally called bone-fires, for after feasting, the bones were thrown in the fire as offerings for healthy and plentiful livestock in the New Year) and stones were marked with peoples names. Then they were thrown into the fire, to be retrieved in the morning. The condition of the retrieved stone foretold of that person's fortune in the coming year. Hearth fires were also lit from the village bonfire to ensure unity, and the ashes were spread over the harvested fields to protect and bless the land.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Third Harvest, Samana, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega(Italian), and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (that day actually falls on November 7th), and Martinmas (that is celebrated November 11th), Samhain is now generally considered the Witch's New Year.

Symbolism of Samhain:
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death.

Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms.

Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw.

Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.

Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg.

Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.

Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian.

 
 
I hope this helps explain & helps you understand the History of Samhain...If you have any questions, please feel free to ask (smile).
Sorry if I rambled a bit  LOL  Too many thoughts with too many branches to follow... finally had to say "Teresa, just stop it already you are overwhelming these poor souls that don't know".  And to those that are of my Belief?
The most Blessed of Samhain's to you - to those in your life that are precious now, and to those that have passed and yet may still visit us on this Holy Night.
Blessings***************
 
            
       
If any of the links in the above entry do not work, please let me know and I will correct.
 

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

              

 

I find myself this morning fighting lassitude and a little bit of depression ~ actually a little more than a "little" - it has nothing to do with anyone here, has to do with my job quite a bit and just hormones and my brain chemistry.  Nothing really I can do about it (the hormones and chemistry part) it is what it is and all I can do is attempt not to give in to it.
I think next week I will go to a couple of the new restaurants and put in applications...it may help me feel better - there is a lot of "crap" going on at work as far as management and politics that I have no desire to get into while I am at work...just not into the games and drama; not to mention the unfulfilled "promises", one good thing about being a server is there are always (most of the time) jobs out there, especially this time of year.  I don't know, I may change my mind.  I'm awful about being in a place of work and staying there no matter how miserable I am because I feel safer there... I do not handle interviews well nor do I handle "change" well.  I'm bad, I know.
 
 Lares & Draco were outside this morning and the sprinklers came on ROFL... Lares was way over in the part of the yard where the sprinklers couldn't get him and Draco was racing around the one sprinkler head like a lunatic  :)  They are so sweet... Heathen?  he seems to be feeling better - still watching him though he still doesn't seem to be "quite right" to me.  Call it intuition or whatever the heck it is. Instinct?
 
I hope you all like the previous entry I made this morning, I think it's a cute poem, don't you?  lol     Yes, I will be doing a entry on Samhain (All Hallow's Eve, Halloween etc.) probably tomorrow if not later on today... just have to get my mind wrapped around it.
 
This past Friday night, Cindy and I went to this dance club and met some of her friends there, it was a nice time...we haven't been out in forever to a place like that - her friends seemed to be very nice.  Cindy seemed happy too though I know she was tired from working her ass off all week.  We got home, sat with the boys for a little bit & went to bed and I think we were both asleep within minutes...we are getting to be old women  lol.  Remember when you could stay up to all hours of the night?  Not anymore - takes you 2 to 3 days just to get your umph back  lol.
 
Alright, guess I will be going now - do me a favor?  Let me know if you think I am pushing my Spirituality down your throats?  I don't mean to, all I am doing is attempting to "broaden your horizons" or just letting you know & maybe learn (smile) there are so many "false tales" out there about what Paganism or Wicca is... a lot of lies and I try to bring you the truth about it.
 
Blessings**********

T'was The Night Before Samhain

               

 

                                                     

T/was The Night Before Samhain

Twas' the night before Samhain and all through the house.
Not a creature was stirring except for my spouse.
The incense it burned in his Caldron so black.
For witchcraft and magic he'd a wondrous knack.
The circle was drawn with the athame of power.
The guardians were called to each quarter tower.
The Lord and the Lady attended our rite,
In wonder and glory and power and might.
The dearly departed came as our guest,
To live once again after their rest.
We bid them goodbye with a tear in our eye,
Such a lovely presence of loved ones so
nigh.
The candles danced in the flickering light.
With the Great Rite we bid them all a good night.
The guardians thanked,have all sped away.
The Lord and the Lady,thanks for the day.
The night before Samhain,Gods Bless this house.
A circle of wonder 'round me and my spouse.

Author Unknown
06/15/99
 
    
 
       

Monday, October 29, 2007

Trick or Treat time in J'Land!

        

It's Trick or Treat thru J'Land again !!
 
I found out about this thru Missie's journal over at "Missie's Upside Down World"  I'm "borrowing" what she has written about how to go about doing this...as she say's it's a very neat way of finding new J'Land friends and introducing your journal to others and finding new one's yourself !!!
 
 

It's that time again.......TRICK OR TREAT THRU J-LAND!!

It's easy to play along.  Just leave a comment at all journals playing along with the link of your Trick or Treat entry and then everyone comes to visit your journal.

Have fun, it's great way to meet others here in J-land.  You don't even need a journal to play along.  Just hop from one journal to the other leaving Trick or Treat wishes.

Soooooooooo let's try this process and see who all we get to meet !

Sorry if I did this all backwards LOL...

So, if and when you leave a comment, make sure and leave the link to YOUR journal so others can visit you!!

Blessings****************

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Blah, blah, blah and I so really want to kick someone's butt...

 
Hello all :)  Hope everyone is ok... I seem to say that a lot in my entries lately, I need to get some brain mojo going and attempt to find some other way to open an entry.
Things are going o.k. here, everything thing seems to be per "usual" -
Work is picking up, yet it's not if that makes sense.  The tips are freaking awful.  For example these people came in, a couple - they run up a $60 dollar tab on their dinner... they receive excellent service from me, order taken promptly, menu explained, drinks gotten right away...food arrived as it should, they had dessert, packed up what they didn't want for them to take home, in general, I ran my ass off for them... they leave me $2.00.  Can you believe that?  that is just one example.  Sometimes I think some of the people in this area just have no idea how to act or what etiquette when dining out consists of.  Out of that $2.00 you can figure a dollar going to my tip out (for a busser that doesn't buss my tables, I do it myself, for the bartender that I didn't receive anything from during the shift and for the hostess - the only one out of this mess that deserves any of my tip out is the hostess because she seats people in my section.)  So, I make actually less than a $1.00 out of that being as the rest goes for taxes.  It is supremely aggravating and discouraging...very, very.  I'm sorry that I'm complaining.  It has been that way all this week.  I'm thinking of finding another restaurant to work at, then I think the backwards idiots around here would just be there to and I might as well stay in one spot.  (insert BIG sigh)
Heathen is not feeling well and I'm really worried about him.  I've been watching him like a hawk.  I don't know if it's his diabetes or his kidneys or if he is trying to get a uterine infection ~ he is urinating, just doesn't seem to be doing it as much as he usually does (with his diabetes he tends to urinate quite a bit)  he won't lift his tail up, it's like it hurts him to do so...that cat ALWAYS has his tail up in the air.  It's been almost 3 days of this so far.  He is eating as he should, drinking water (maybe not as much as usual but he's drinking) his nose is cool and damp...he has been with me over 10 years, he's my very best friend and has helped me through some terrible times in my life.  I love him with all my heart, completely and absolutely.  Please say a little prayer for him for me?  My heart will break if something happens to him and I mean that seriously.  I don't know if any of you knows HOW serious.  He may not be a human being?  but in my mind and heart he's done more and given me more love in return than ANY human being out there.
The weather is still beautiful, I'm very glad that it's finally settled in and all.  This time of year always turns me more introspective and with a "turning inside" aspect of my thoughts.  Is that strange? 
Cindy's Dr. has no idea what the heck is going on with her wrist, he has put her on a steroid to attempt to figure out if it's the nerves or if it's the muscle, if it's in the muscle the steroid should work, if not they will have to think of something else.  She has another appointment on the 30th with another Doctor.  Good thoughts out there for her also ok? 
Alright, I'm out of here.  I will try to write again tomorrow and tell you more interesting details about my life  LOL.
Blessings*****************
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

It's an entry lol

      

 

Good Morning  :)
 
Things are very pretty this morning (at least to me lol)  I've been up since 3:30 a.m., couldn't sleep, too many things on my mind and my back was hurting me so I got up anyway.
The weather is wonderful, reminds me of Oregon lol - the wind is howling, it's about 44 degrees out there - it's trying to rain a little so, in other words...beautiful LOL.  I feel badly for Cindy because she will be out in the wind today and she will be bone deep cold by the time she gets home tonight.  Her Doctor's appt. for her wrist/hand is tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. it's been swollen for the past few days and she can't even get the ring off of her finger from her right hand ugghhh.  Poor Baby :(
The boys are so funny, they do so NOT like that wind - it has all kinds of noises and smells to it that they don't understand.  Cindy took them out early this morning and she said it was like they were saying to each other "okay, lets go fast and do our business - go, go, go...I want back in the nice warm house and out of the way of the creatures that are in the woods"  LOL.   The back of our property is nothing but a thick dense pack of woods...so there are racoon's, owls, opossums, wild cats, coyotes etc. out there.  I won't go walk in the woods because of the spiders..they are everywhere and you never know when you will walk into one of their huge webs...yuck, yuck, yuck.  There are all kinds of insects out there - quite a few of them poisonous.
I was out on the carport earlier and there was a rather large gust of wind ripped through and I heard this huge groaning/creaking/crashing sound out from across the road in front of the house - either a tree went down or something ripped off of something over there (there are barns etc.)
Okay, guess that's enough for now... I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Hugz**********************

Saturday, October 20, 2007

hey, hey, heyyyyyy

       

 

Hello all  :)
 
Me again! can you believe it?? I can't  lol.
 
Cindy and I both had to work today, She got off work first, came home and started to work on the yard.  I got home and told her She was going to take some Cindy time, take a nap etc.  before this though her poor legs and feet were rather sore from being on them all week; So, I massaged her calves and feet for her then tucked her up into bed.  She's still sleeping and I'm glad for it, She needed this and by damned I was going to see that She did it.  Aren't I a good girlfriend?? I think so  LOL.
Anyway, the Boys are in their run feeling that wonderful Autumn weather that is zinging around here - f i  n  a  l  l  y  !!!!! 
Work for me was rather slow today, they had a parade going on downtown so everyone was there instead of in our restaurant like they should have been <grin>.
Tomorrow Cindy is taking her nephew to the Thomas the Train thingy... he loves Thomas :)  So She will be gone most of the day with that.
The b/f is gone tonight also, over at a friends house so that's leaving lots of peace and quiet around here - that woman can talk your ear off and She is always on the phone - how can one person have so much to say let me ask you??  Me? I'm rarely on the phone.  I hate it truthfully, the only people I talk on the phone to are Cindy or her Mom occasionally.  The b/f was gone last night also so Cindy and I were able to have a nice dinner at home and relax watching T.V.  The Boys were happy with that event also... they love it when we are both home and in the living room with them, they are totally content when that happens.
Okay, I'm going to go for now - going to see about bringing the Boys in.
Blessings everyone!