Source/God seems to be playing a game with me and a close spiritual friend. For some time we have been given similar experiences which we have shared with each other. We have talked about them at length, finally realizing that our unusual connection was meant to help us both evolve. Connecting the dots is a lot more fun when you can see the big picture.
Last night my friend, Maria, sent me an email with a photo she had taken in her yard yesterday. She wanted me to see the image of a very happy spirit on the body of a bright butterfly. He was so clear my reaction was, "Wow his message is obviously meant for you." I believe it was,"We are proud of the way you are living your life and sharing what you have learned." I of course, passed my interpretation on to Maria. She had the same feeling, but wanted confirmation from someone else.
Her butterfly reminded me that earlier that day I had a similar experience with a tiny little winged messenger. I had opened my car door preparing to go to my grandson's soccer game. When I closed the door I noticed a very small blue object on the door window. At first I thought it was a bug, but then I realized it was the smallest butterfly I had ever seen. Its wing span was about 1/2" and to me it resembled the pattern on Royal Doulton English china.
When this memory returned I emailed Maria. I also checked my copy of Betty Bethard's The Dream Book to see what butterfly meant: "Rebirth to higher form; transmutation of energy, the process of growth through all its ups and downs, emerging triumphant in new awareness." I also looked up blue since that was the color of my messenger. It means spirituality.
After comparing notes and connecting the dots Maria and I decided our messages were the same, just personally gift wrapped by the universe.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Is Cheap/Free Worth It?
A friend talked me into going to the Senior Center for lunch recently. I decided to give it a try. The lunch is only $1.00, which you can hardly beat price wise, but I have about come to the conclusion that cheap isn’t always worth it.
The meals are mediocre at best, but occasionally they do serve something that is actually very tasty. My main problem with the food is that the portions are way too big. Possibly the cooks have never watched a Dr. Oz show. I often end up feeling groggy in the afternoon after consuming so much food. Taking anything home is a definite no no. Unfortunately I was raised to not waste food so I eat what’s on my plate.
Having lived in Grants, NM for so many years I know many of the seniors who are in regular attendance. I would think I would have many things to talk about with them. No not really. They seem to be stuck in the past focusing on vivid memories from long ago. Some of the stories are cute and even interesting, but come on people this is 2011.
This same friend also talked me into going to the Community Pantry with her once a week, because my income qualifies me to get things free. At first it was like a game to see what my haul would be this week. Then it became less and less fun. I ended up with so many cans of applesauce that I had to find a recipe to use some of it up. If anyone needs an onion I have more than I really have use for.
I have given my newest adventures a month of my time to see if I fit in and I don’t believe I do. I like being able to choose what I bring home and what and how much I eat at a sitting. I also rather enjoy trying to see how far I can make a dollar stretch.
I have been feeling uncomfortable, out of my element, poor and just plain old. Even though things are cheap/free I have about come to the conclusion that price isn’t always worth it.
Just for fun here is the Applesauce Bread recipe I found.
1/3 cup butter or margarine softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 ¼ cups applesauce (15 oz. can)
1 ½ cups flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and applesauce, mix well. Combine dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture. Fold in raisins and nuts. Pour into greased loaf pan; bake 350 degrees for 60-65 min. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pan.
Tastes yummy and all those I shared it with at the Senior Center loved it!
The meals are mediocre at best, but occasionally they do serve something that is actually very tasty. My main problem with the food is that the portions are way too big. Possibly the cooks have never watched a Dr. Oz show. I often end up feeling groggy in the afternoon after consuming so much food. Taking anything home is a definite no no. Unfortunately I was raised to not waste food so I eat what’s on my plate.
Having lived in Grants, NM for so many years I know many of the seniors who are in regular attendance. I would think I would have many things to talk about with them. No not really. They seem to be stuck in the past focusing on vivid memories from long ago. Some of the stories are cute and even interesting, but come on people this is 2011.
This same friend also talked me into going to the Community Pantry with her once a week, because my income qualifies me to get things free. At first it was like a game to see what my haul would be this week. Then it became less and less fun. I ended up with so many cans of applesauce that I had to find a recipe to use some of it up. If anyone needs an onion I have more than I really have use for.
I have given my newest adventures a month of my time to see if I fit in and I don’t believe I do. I like being able to choose what I bring home and what and how much I eat at a sitting. I also rather enjoy trying to see how far I can make a dollar stretch.
I have been feeling uncomfortable, out of my element, poor and just plain old. Even though things are cheap/free I have about come to the conclusion that price isn’t always worth it.
Just for fun here is the Applesauce Bread recipe I found.
1/3 cup butter or margarine softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 ¼ cups applesauce (15 oz. can)
1 ½ cups flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and applesauce, mix well. Combine dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture. Fold in raisins and nuts. Pour into greased loaf pan; bake 350 degrees for 60-65 min. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pan.
Tastes yummy and all those I shared it with at the Senior Center loved it!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Just Following Along
Recently a facebook friend posted a link for making little dresses to send to orphaned children in Africa. I thought it was a wonderful idea and was excited about getting started. I still had a small amount of fabric on hand that would do nicely. Most of my craft items I had previously given away because I didn't think I would need them anymore.
I had the fabric, but to complete the dresses I also needed double faced bias tape to finish the armholes and trims such as rick rack. No such items appeared at my fingertips in the containers they should have been in. Great! I began to search our wonderful little town for the missing items. Our Wal-Mart store got rid of the fabric department because the powers that be decided they weren't selling enough product. Do you idiots realize that there are a ton of crafters in our town?
Frustrated, I checked everywhere, even the dollar stores, of which we have an abundance, and the thrift shops, just in case. No luck! I asked people I knew if they had anything they didn't need. Most were in the same boat that I was in, they had already given their stash away.
Disgruntled, I was afraid I would have to put this super idea on hold until I could go to Gallup or Albuquerque, 60 and 73 miles away. A friend said she was going to be going out of town later in the month and invited me to tag along. It wasn't ideal, but I decided to take her up on her offer, besides we were planning to have lunch at a restaurant that had more to offer than Mexican food. Yea!
Saturday, an idea popped into my head that was so strong I followed up on it. I had previously checked our only craft store and found nothing I needed. My idea was to ask the owner if she could order the bias tape I was unsuccessfully trying to obtain. Sometimes living in a small town is great because I have known people for years.
Guess what? When I told Shirley what I needed she pointed to a display she had just put out of some leftover notions. I immediately picked up the three packages of bias tape on the shelf, exactly what I needed to make six of the little dresses. She said she was wiling to order anything as long as she was reasonably certain she could sell it. I promised I would pass the word along to people that I am sure will be very grateful.
Because I just followed along I found what I needed, acquired information that will help other customers and the owner of the store and created enough dresses to make six little girls in a far off country happy. Below is one of the little dresses I just put in the mail. Notice the chili peppers, a definite sign of the southwest.
I had the fabric, but to complete the dresses I also needed double faced bias tape to finish the armholes and trims such as rick rack. No such items appeared at my fingertips in the containers they should have been in. Great! I began to search our wonderful little town for the missing items. Our Wal-Mart store got rid of the fabric department because the powers that be decided they weren't selling enough product. Do you idiots realize that there are a ton of crafters in our town?
Frustrated, I checked everywhere, even the dollar stores, of which we have an abundance, and the thrift shops, just in case. No luck! I asked people I knew if they had anything they didn't need. Most were in the same boat that I was in, they had already given their stash away.
Disgruntled, I was afraid I would have to put this super idea on hold until I could go to Gallup or Albuquerque, 60 and 73 miles away. A friend said she was going to be going out of town later in the month and invited me to tag along. It wasn't ideal, but I decided to take her up on her offer, besides we were planning to have lunch at a restaurant that had more to offer than Mexican food. Yea!
Saturday, an idea popped into my head that was so strong I followed up on it. I had previously checked our only craft store and found nothing I needed. My idea was to ask the owner if she could order the bias tape I was unsuccessfully trying to obtain. Sometimes living in a small town is great because I have known people for years.
Guess what? When I told Shirley what I needed she pointed to a display she had just put out of some leftover notions. I immediately picked up the three packages of bias tape on the shelf, exactly what I needed to make six of the little dresses. She said she was wiling to order anything as long as she was reasonably certain she could sell it. I promised I would pass the word along to people that I am sure will be very grateful.
Because I just followed along I found what I needed, acquired information that will help other customers and the owner of the store and created enough dresses to make six little girls in a far off country happy. Below is one of the little dresses I just put in the mail. Notice the chili peppers, a definite sign of the southwest.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
What About the Children?
On this 9/11/11 many people are remembering the 3,000 souls that lost their lives 10 years ago. Although I agree it was a very traumatic experience for all, what about the children who survived?
This morning I have been making "little dresses" to send to orphan children in Africa and I have been thinking about children everywhere who suffer the loss of parents through no fault of their own. They are the lost souls of war and terrorism and their lives will be forever changed.
My personal experience goes back to my mother whose father died as the result of a war when she was 10. She grew up to be a very negative untrusting adult. Back then there was no draft, just as it is now. I wonder how many men, and today women too, give much thought to what will happen to their children if they should never return home.
My youngest grandson was 3 days old and living in New York, just 400 miles from the attack on the twin towers, when the senseless attack occurred. In their neighborhood there were daily bomb threats, causing evacuation of apartments and houses. I wonder does one so young have lingering memories of the stress his new mother was under?
The memories of little children all over the world missing limbs and disfigured by land mines and bombs are forever etched in my mind. What did they do to deserve living their young lives in such pain?
I have a different view of 9/11 than the majority of Americans do. I believe it was a universal warning to rethink what we are doing. I also believe we have not learned the lesson. We continue to tell other countries how to rule their people, yet our country is in the worst shape it has been in since my birth and that's a long time.
When are we going to stop trying to control the entire world and just stay in our own back yard? I wonder if, in my lifetime, those sitting in the seats of power will ever think about the children who will be left behind.
This morning I have been making "little dresses" to send to orphan children in Africa and I have been thinking about children everywhere who suffer the loss of parents through no fault of their own. They are the lost souls of war and terrorism and their lives will be forever changed.
My personal experience goes back to my mother whose father died as the result of a war when she was 10. She grew up to be a very negative untrusting adult. Back then there was no draft, just as it is now. I wonder how many men, and today women too, give much thought to what will happen to their children if they should never return home.
My youngest grandson was 3 days old and living in New York, just 400 miles from the attack on the twin towers, when the senseless attack occurred. In their neighborhood there were daily bomb threats, causing evacuation of apartments and houses. I wonder does one so young have lingering memories of the stress his new mother was under?
The memories of little children all over the world missing limbs and disfigured by land mines and bombs are forever etched in my mind. What did they do to deserve living their young lives in such pain?
I have a different view of 9/11 than the majority of Americans do. I believe it was a universal warning to rethink what we are doing. I also believe we have not learned the lesson. We continue to tell other countries how to rule their people, yet our country is in the worst shape it has been in since my birth and that's a long time.
When are we going to stop trying to control the entire world and just stay in our own back yard? I wonder if, in my lifetime, those sitting in the seats of power will ever think about the children who will be left behind.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Just do it!
I just finished a wonderful book, Paths of Glory, by Jeffrey Archer. It is not one I would have ordinarily read, but it was one I believe I was meant to read. The book presented the life of George Leigh Mallory and his quest to be the first man to stand on the top of Mt. Everest. He was once quoted as saying he wanted to do it because it was there. From the first page I was aware that he had died on the mountain and his body was discovered in 1999. I believe it is the only book I have ever read knowing the end before I began.
Like every human life we all know it will end- sometime. It is the journey between human conception and human death that separates each being.
I have been reconsidering my recent posts due to time to think and interesting facts that have presented themselves. I have come to the conclusion that to intentionally eliminate people and experiences just because they offer challenges is taking the easy way out. I just checked my genealogy and found no chickens in my past so from now on I am going to cease that line of thinking.
When my “conscious awakening” journey began eleven years ago a friend talked me into using sage to rid my house of negative energy. I also followed advice to sprinkle kosher salt to keep negative energy from my entering my property. Over the years there have been other little suggestions, such as asking the universe to surround me with white light that I have practiced. Twenty-two years ago I endured six weeks of radiation on the slim chance my doctor had dropped one cancer cell before he closed the incision he had so skillfully made.
Today I am wondering what positive experiences these precautions eliminated along with the unseen negative energy. Given another chance I don’t think I would follow the same route now. Life challenges are there for one reason, to assist us in learning how to best deal with them.
I believe there are two ways of living one’s life; either by being an observer and watching how others live or by taking chances and participating.
Following George Mallory’s example, my new quest is to face my future challenges because they are there.
Like every human life we all know it will end- sometime. It is the journey between human conception and human death that separates each being.
I have been reconsidering my recent posts due to time to think and interesting facts that have presented themselves. I have come to the conclusion that to intentionally eliminate people and experiences just because they offer challenges is taking the easy way out. I just checked my genealogy and found no chickens in my past so from now on I am going to cease that line of thinking.
When my “conscious awakening” journey began eleven years ago a friend talked me into using sage to rid my house of negative energy. I also followed advice to sprinkle kosher salt to keep negative energy from my entering my property. Over the years there have been other little suggestions, such as asking the universe to surround me with white light that I have practiced. Twenty-two years ago I endured six weeks of radiation on the slim chance my doctor had dropped one cancer cell before he closed the incision he had so skillfully made.
Today I am wondering what positive experiences these precautions eliminated along with the unseen negative energy. Given another chance I don’t think I would follow the same route now. Life challenges are there for one reason, to assist us in learning how to best deal with them.
I believe there are two ways of living one’s life; either by being an observer and watching how others live or by taking chances and participating.
Following George Mallory’s example, my new quest is to face my future challenges because they are there.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Achieving Tolerance
Yesterday's post regarding Virgos combined with a comment made by a loyal friend and reader caused me to think beyond what I had written. It led me to the word tolerance.
Today I can see what was at first not obvious. Every relationship provides a lesson for us to learn. Whether we are willing to do so is completely up to us. Why would the Universe continually plop Virgos, which I now know are my pole opposites, in my life? I now believe it was to learn tolerance for others who look at things with different eyes than mine, partly because they were born under a different astrological sign.
When you couple that with basic life experiences such as health, education, and economic status the differences can be staggering. There is no room for blame here, it is what it is. There is no right or wrong way to walk your assigned path, just keep walking.
We are all one, coming from the same place and returning to the area from which we came. Some of us will return shinning a brighter light, depending on how willing we were to learn the lessons provided while visiting this planet called earth.
I for one am grateful that I was born under the sign of Sagittarius with a curious mind, always asking that next question.
Today I can see what was at first not obvious. Every relationship provides a lesson for us to learn. Whether we are willing to do so is completely up to us. Why would the Universe continually plop Virgos, which I now know are my pole opposites, in my life? I now believe it was to learn tolerance for others who look at things with different eyes than mine, partly because they were born under a different astrological sign.
When you couple that with basic life experiences such as health, education, and economic status the differences can be staggering. There is no room for blame here, it is what it is. There is no right or wrong way to walk your assigned path, just keep walking.
We are all one, coming from the same place and returning to the area from which we came. Some of us will return shinning a brighter light, depending on how willing we were to learn the lessons provided while visiting this planet called earth.
I for one am grateful that I was born under the sign of Sagittarius with a curious mind, always asking that next question.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
What's Up With Virgos?
Yesterday I ended a relationship with a person who is a Virgo. It has been an on again off again relationship for a couple of years. I know now it was never meant to be long term. It provided much needed education for me and I suspect for the other person as well, although he probably would never admit it.
Just out of curiosity I checked out the compatibility between Virgo and Sagittarius. I had to laugh when I discovered these two signs are the least compatible of all the signs of the zodiac. If I had known that before accepting this person into my life I would at least have been a little cautious of getting too involved.
According to the information I located, "Virgos tend to be emotionally cold, shrink from committing themselves to friendship, make few friends and are careful to keep them superficial. They do not trust others and bring the act of self concealment to a high pitch."
Wow! Do you think possibly my rocky road with Virgos is not really my fault?
Interestingly, God/Source has deposited a ton of Virgos in my life. Plus friends, they include my daughter, a deceased daughter-in-law, a former son-in-law, three of my four grandchildren and my great grandson, who just turned one yesterday. That's a lot of Virgos in one lifetime.
I wonder what God/Source could have been thinking. Did his/her finger just get stuck in one place or is there a lesson here someplace meant just for me? These relationships certainly have made me stronger. Many have caused me to stand up for myself and believe in me and the universal gifts I have been given, no matter what anyone else thinks. Perhaps that is the key to answering my question- what's up with Virgos?
Just out of curiosity I checked out the compatibility between Virgo and Sagittarius. I had to laugh when I discovered these two signs are the least compatible of all the signs of the zodiac. If I had known that before accepting this person into my life I would at least have been a little cautious of getting too involved.
According to the information I located, "Virgos tend to be emotionally cold, shrink from committing themselves to friendship, make few friends and are careful to keep them superficial. They do not trust others and bring the act of self concealment to a high pitch."
Wow! Do you think possibly my rocky road with Virgos is not really my fault?
Interestingly, God/Source has deposited a ton of Virgos in my life. Plus friends, they include my daughter, a deceased daughter-in-law, a former son-in-law, three of my four grandchildren and my great grandson, who just turned one yesterday. That's a lot of Virgos in one lifetime.
I wonder what God/Source could have been thinking. Did his/her finger just get stuck in one place or is there a lesson here someplace meant just for me? These relationships certainly have made me stronger. Many have caused me to stand up for myself and believe in me and the universal gifts I have been given, no matter what anyone else thinks. Perhaps that is the key to answering my question- what's up with Virgos?
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Stepping Back
Yesterday was an interesting day for me as I took a step in a backwards direction. At the urging from a friend I decided to join the local senior citizen group on a trip to El Morro National Monument. I had been there probably thirty years before, but without a park guide. This time it was very educational. Also this time I didn't go all the way to the top.
El Morro is also called inscription rock and contains the signatures and markings of travelers who passed through the area many years ago. The stone is Zuni Sandstone, a deposit of windblown sand of Jurassic age, about 170 million years ago. Some of the signatures are beautifully elegant and some are quite primitive.
The path we were following was very easy to walk, but the sun almost directly overhead made the journey a little uncomfortable. We took every opportunity to hydrate and take advantage of the limited shade. Our guides were very knowledgeable and very personable.
By the time we arrived back at the visitor center it was time to enjoy the nice sack lunch the Senior Center had provided and spend some time visiting. I was also happy that the driver of our van was someone I had known for several years.
All in all it was a very pleasant day taking a step back.
The above photo shows footprints left by early travelers.
El Morro is also called inscription rock and contains the signatures and markings of travelers who passed through the area many years ago. The stone is Zuni Sandstone, a deposit of windblown sand of Jurassic age, about 170 million years ago. Some of the signatures are beautifully elegant and some are quite primitive.
The path we were following was very easy to walk, but the sun almost directly overhead made the journey a little uncomfortable. We took every opportunity to hydrate and take advantage of the limited shade. Our guides were very knowledgeable and very personable.
By the time we arrived back at the visitor center it was time to enjoy the nice sack lunch the Senior Center had provided and spend some time visiting. I was also happy that the driver of our van was someone I had known for several years.
All in all it was a very pleasant day taking a step back.
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