In case you are confused I have removed the blog post I wrote yesterday because it upset a reader. The post was written to honor my deceased daughter-in-law who was above all else a loving mother.
I find it interesting how people can completely twist things others say based on their experiences and what they have been taught by others. Many times they don't take the time to get all of the facts before reacting.
Writing a blog about my life and the challenges I have been given is sometimes a risky business. I know this is where I am supposed to be so I am going to keep writing and no one has the right to tell me what to write, what to say or what to do.
I have a bit of positive advice for anyone who does not like the contents of my blog- don't read it! When you have walked in my shoes and met all the challenges that I have survived in my 74 years of living then maybe you will have earned the right to criticize. In the meantime, have a wonderful life people.
Happy Mother's Day to all my readers who said yes to a very difficult job!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Step by step
In 1999 a new friend loaned me his copy of Richard Bach's, Illusions. I was told it was the story of a Reluctant Messiah. Today I am wondering why he chose to give this particular book to me. I had no desire to be a messiah. What in the heck is a messiah anyway? I suppose in the simplest terms it is a leader. In any case this book opened up a brand new path for me to walk on- step by step.
Bach's unique spiritual perception and unusual writing style immediately captured my attention.Without his knowledge he became my mentor. His example taught me to never be afraid to express what is on my mind and to learn to write from my heart. It didn't matter what anyone else thought because I was not writing for unbelievers. I gradually grew to accept the fact that I had a message to share and would be given the means to accomplish my mission. All I had to do was take every opportunity that came along- step by step.
Thirteen years after reading Illusions I am very proud of my accomplishments. It doesn't mean I am a better writer than anyone else; it simply means I willingly followed the real Messiah and in doing so I also became a leader for others to follow.
Even though I am a published author, former columnist and blogger, forming my writing group "Write On People" in November 2011 is what I am most proud of. Yesterday a friend made the observation that other people have tried to start writing groups that have failed, but ours is succeeding. I began to think about why that is.
Perhaps it is because we truly enjoy each others company and we respect the diversity and talents of the other members. We are just a little offbeat just like Richard Bach's books. We like to write for fun and definitely are not stuffy! I am proud that I am leading the group in new directions away from their individual comfort zones- step by step.
Bach's unique spiritual perception and unusual writing style immediately captured my attention.Without his knowledge he became my mentor. His example taught me to never be afraid to express what is on my mind and to learn to write from my heart. It didn't matter what anyone else thought because I was not writing for unbelievers. I gradually grew to accept the fact that I had a message to share and would be given the means to accomplish my mission. All I had to do was take every opportunity that came along- step by step.
Thirteen years after reading Illusions I am very proud of my accomplishments. It doesn't mean I am a better writer than anyone else; it simply means I willingly followed the real Messiah and in doing so I also became a leader for others to follow.
Even though I am a published author, former columnist and blogger, forming my writing group "Write On People" in November 2011 is what I am most proud of. Yesterday a friend made the observation that other people have tried to start writing groups that have failed, but ours is succeeding. I began to think about why that is.
Perhaps it is because we truly enjoy each others company and we respect the diversity and talents of the other members. We are just a little offbeat just like Richard Bach's books. We like to write for fun and definitely are not stuffy! I am proud that I am leading the group in new directions away from their individual comfort zones- step by step.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Nothing ventured nothing gained
Lately I have been trying some new things to improve the quality of my life. So far my efforts seem to be working. First I tapped into a very simple YouTube video for chakra balancing. It is just a matter of focusing on each chakra one by one, flooding it with its appropriate color and on exhaling releasing any negative energy associated with it. I have noticed a huge difference in energy. Even my massage therapist agrees with me.
Next I have been consciously attempting to add more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Oh and drinking more water. I am never going to be a vegetarian, but every little bit helps. A few days ago I obtained a free Kindle book titled, Vegan Breakfast Recipes by Angela Thomas. Some of the things were interesting, but I did not have the ingredients listed. Next stop the grocery store where I fixed most of that problem, except for Nutritional Yeast, which I still cannot find in our little western town.
A lot of the recipes used Tofu, a product I have never cooked with or even tasted to my knowledge. I purchased a package and this morning found a simple recipe to try it out. Tonight I am venturing into new territory. Nothing ventured nothing gained is my new motto. Just in case you would like to follow me here is the recipe.
Tofu Scramble
1/2 # firm Tofu drained and squeezed
1/4 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. soy sauce
olive oil as needed
1/4 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup diced potato (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Crumble Tofu in a bowl until it looks like scrambled eggs, add soy sauce and turmeric, set aside. Saute garlic and onion until softened, toss in green pepper, cook until softened. Add Tofu mixture and cook until it resembles scramble eggs, season to taste.
Bon appetite!
Next I have been consciously attempting to add more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Oh and drinking more water. I am never going to be a vegetarian, but every little bit helps. A few days ago I obtained a free Kindle book titled, Vegan Breakfast Recipes by Angela Thomas. Some of the things were interesting, but I did not have the ingredients listed. Next stop the grocery store where I fixed most of that problem, except for Nutritional Yeast, which I still cannot find in our little western town.
A lot of the recipes used Tofu, a product I have never cooked with or even tasted to my knowledge. I purchased a package and this morning found a simple recipe to try it out. Tonight I am venturing into new territory. Nothing ventured nothing gained is my new motto. Just in case you would like to follow me here is the recipe.
Tofu Scramble
1/2 # firm Tofu drained and squeezed
1/4 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. soy sauce
olive oil as needed
1/4 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup diced potato (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Crumble Tofu in a bowl until it looks like scrambled eggs, add soy sauce and turmeric, set aside. Saute garlic and onion until softened, toss in green pepper, cook until softened. Add Tofu mixture and cook until it resembles scramble eggs, season to taste.
Bon appetite!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
No thing lasts forever
This is a post script to what I wrote earlier today regarding a funeral. When I left off I stated that I did not go to the cemetery, but planned to visit later in the day for a private goodbye. After coming home, changing to more casual clothes and doing a couple of loads of laundry I did make a trip to our small cemetery. I figured it would be easy to spot a freshly covered grave. New flower arrangements should give it away.
To my surprise, after taking a tour of the grounds I could not find the grave. Feeling just a little stupid and thinking I should have joined the funeral procession when I had a chance. I could almost feel the energy of a spirit laughing at my choice. After awhile I just gave up and changed my direction, deciding to stop by the grave of a young woman I had visited often since her death in 2001.
I walked back and forth where her grave should have been and could not find it. By this time I am thinking, is this some kind of joke? Have the spirits decided to gang up on me? Now I was feeling really stupid and decided to give up my search.
On the walk back to my car I silently asked, "Alright what are you attempting to teach me his time Almighty One?"
The answer came immediately. After all May 3 is the National Day of Prayer according to the minister who conducted the funeral service I had attended earlier.
"No thing lasts forever so you had better appreciate what you have when you have it or it could be gone in the blink of an eye."
To my surprise, after taking a tour of the grounds I could not find the grave. Feeling just a little stupid and thinking I should have joined the funeral procession when I had a chance. I could almost feel the energy of a spirit laughing at my choice. After awhile I just gave up and changed my direction, deciding to stop by the grave of a young woman I had visited often since her death in 2001.
I walked back and forth where her grave should have been and could not find it. By this time I am thinking, is this some kind of joke? Have the spirits decided to gang up on me? Now I was feeling really stupid and decided to give up my search.
On the walk back to my car I silently asked, "Alright what are you attempting to teach me his time Almighty One?"
The answer came immediately. After all May 3 is the National Day of Prayer according to the minister who conducted the funeral service I had attended earlier.
"No thing lasts forever so you had better appreciate what you have when you have it or it could be gone in the blink of an eye."
Funerals are...
If you cannot relate to this post you can blame my Facebook friends Lois and Brenda who gently pushed me into writing it. There is some possibility they too had a spirit pushing them. I have always said our creator is the biggest people user there ever was.
I believe another word for funeral is respect. It is a formal effort of those left behind to acknowledge the human existence of a soul.
I was about 20 when I attended my first funeral. I clearly remember my mother walking behind me as I approached the casket containing the remains of my paternal grandmother. My mother whispered, "You don't have to look." I did anyway and barely recognized the body I saw. That experience followed me for years and caused major problems dealing with death, until I realized the person I knew no longer existed.
Forty years later my mother died following a brief bout with cancer. It was her wish to be cremated and she chose not to have a service of any kind. I respected her wishes. She had been in a coma and I never had a chance to properly say goodbye to her. My daughter was 10 at the time and I still remember her reaction. She observed, "One day she was here and the next she wasn't."
A couple of days ago I learned of the death of a local man who had been in ill health for several years. I knew him because he and I had been fellow crafters, sharing our gifts at local craft shows. Bob was a very talented woodsman who created, among other things, beautiful religious articles such as crosses. I also know his widow as she was one of my Avon customers in my former life as an Independent Avon Representative.
Bob's funeral was this morning and I am very happy I took the time to attend. It was a celebration of life and not a sad affair like some funerals I have gone to. After the family was seated the fire alarm went off causing the crowd some momentary discomfort. The minister chimed in, "Bob never did do anything like anyone else!" That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the service.
One of the interesting things that was revealed was that Bob had written his own obituary. Right on Bob! I have been trying to convince people for years to do just that. Why would anyone want someone else telling the world who they were and what was important to them while they were here?
I chose not to go to the cemetery. Instead I will go later in the day to say a private goodbye to a very nice man that I am happy to have known.
Whether or not there is a formal funeral service I believe it is wise to spend a few moments just remembering the souls that are no longer here and thanking them for what they brought to our life. It is the respectful thing to do.
I believe another word for funeral is respect. It is a formal effort of those left behind to acknowledge the human existence of a soul.
I was about 20 when I attended my first funeral. I clearly remember my mother walking behind me as I approached the casket containing the remains of my paternal grandmother. My mother whispered, "You don't have to look." I did anyway and barely recognized the body I saw. That experience followed me for years and caused major problems dealing with death, until I realized the person I knew no longer existed.
Forty years later my mother died following a brief bout with cancer. It was her wish to be cremated and she chose not to have a service of any kind. I respected her wishes. She had been in a coma and I never had a chance to properly say goodbye to her. My daughter was 10 at the time and I still remember her reaction. She observed, "One day she was here and the next she wasn't."
A couple of days ago I learned of the death of a local man who had been in ill health for several years. I knew him because he and I had been fellow crafters, sharing our gifts at local craft shows. Bob was a very talented woodsman who created, among other things, beautiful religious articles such as crosses. I also know his widow as she was one of my Avon customers in my former life as an Independent Avon Representative.
Bob's funeral was this morning and I am very happy I took the time to attend. It was a celebration of life and not a sad affair like some funerals I have gone to. After the family was seated the fire alarm went off causing the crowd some momentary discomfort. The minister chimed in, "Bob never did do anything like anyone else!" That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the service.
One of the interesting things that was revealed was that Bob had written his own obituary. Right on Bob! I have been trying to convince people for years to do just that. Why would anyone want someone else telling the world who they were and what was important to them while they were here?
I chose not to go to the cemetery. Instead I will go later in the day to say a private goodbye to a very nice man that I am happy to have known.
Whether or not there is a formal funeral service I believe it is wise to spend a few moments just remembering the souls that are no longer here and thanking them for what they brought to our life. It is the respectful thing to do.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Rent a mate
Sometimes the funniest things someone shares turn out to be a wonderful idea. That happened to me as I was painfully placed on my chiropractor's table this morning. I had pains in places that usually do not cause discomfort. It was no doubt a combination of painting snow damaged ceilings in my house and spring yard work.
Rose commented, "Whatever you have been doing stop doing it!"
"Well", I answered "As you know I live alone and don't have any help. If I want to keep my house and yard up I have to do it myself."
She said, "When my sister and I lived together we had a friend who was married and we rented her husband when we needed something done around the house."
"What a great idea!"
"You could start something like that."
"I could and just might, I love new ideas!"
I know many women in my age bracket who are in the same situation. For one reason or another we are all responsible for the upkeep of our homes. I even have some friends whose husbands are not in good health and are physically unable to work around the house. In addition most of these people fall into the category of trying to survive on Social Security. It is not a pleasant picture.
There are also many retired men out there with ordinary skills needed to keep up a house and yard. In addition to their knowledge they often come with their own tools, two things women do not usually possess. Following my divorce in 1999 I asked for and was awarded the house and my husband kept his tools. Not a perfect picture. At the time I didn't realize stuff was going to happen, mostly due to age, mine and the house and yard.
I have been thinking about this idea of somehow getting the two groups together. It would be great if no money was needed for the deal as neither the males or the females have much to spare. I have always been intrigued by the old barter system. It works in other countries. Generally speaking women have skills too, left over from years of housekeeping, sewing, shopping and cooking for their families.
Perhaps my chiropractor gave me the seed of an idea that just needs a little more development. I wonder what a business that doesn't need money to operate and is called "Rent a Mate" would attract? In some circles I suppose it could even be against the law, but maybe it is worth a try!
Rose commented, "Whatever you have been doing stop doing it!"
"Well", I answered "As you know I live alone and don't have any help. If I want to keep my house and yard up I have to do it myself."
She said, "When my sister and I lived together we had a friend who was married and we rented her husband when we needed something done around the house."
"What a great idea!"
"You could start something like that."
"I could and just might, I love new ideas!"
I know many women in my age bracket who are in the same situation. For one reason or another we are all responsible for the upkeep of our homes. I even have some friends whose husbands are not in good health and are physically unable to work around the house. In addition most of these people fall into the category of trying to survive on Social Security. It is not a pleasant picture.
There are also many retired men out there with ordinary skills needed to keep up a house and yard. In addition to their knowledge they often come with their own tools, two things women do not usually possess. Following my divorce in 1999 I asked for and was awarded the house and my husband kept his tools. Not a perfect picture. At the time I didn't realize stuff was going to happen, mostly due to age, mine and the house and yard.
I have been thinking about this idea of somehow getting the two groups together. It would be great if no money was needed for the deal as neither the males or the females have much to spare. I have always been intrigued by the old barter system. It works in other countries. Generally speaking women have skills too, left over from years of housekeeping, sewing, shopping and cooking for their families.
Perhaps my chiropractor gave me the seed of an idea that just needs a little more development. I wonder what a business that doesn't need money to operate and is called "Rent a Mate" would attract? In some circles I suppose it could even be against the law, but maybe it is worth a try!
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