In Memorium.......

Elvira

2007- 2017

A mommy dog you were

Teaching kids to walk by holding onto your fur.

You raised a batch of puppies with patience and with love

You may now rest, the coos you hear are doves.

May your food bowl always be full

May you run and play and cavort.
Elvira we miss you.

But you will always be in our heart.

Purz and Catnip Dreams.......Gomez

Since We Last Spoke...

Life is a constant state of flux. Ruts are nice but a person doesn't ever have a chance to grow and evolve unless there are challenges. 

When we last spoke, I was working in an autobody shop paint department. I enjoyed my work. And was quite good at it. But if there is one thing I have learned from working in the auto industry off and on for years, is that there is always drama in the workplace. One big soap opera! I tried my darndest to steer clear of all the drama queens. Just kept my head down and did my work. I saw so many injustices - bullying, inequality with work loads, etc. But when it affected me, I had to take a stance for what was right. I quit and told the boss the reason I quit. Amazingly, things did change (some what) for a time. 

But I didn't go back. I moved forward. I threw myself into my writing and turned out two more books, which can be found on Amazon Kindle. But then, something else happened. Something which was unexpected and yet, not so much. And I then understood why the situation at work occurred and why I quit.

You see, I believe that things happen for a reason. We are not left to chance. The Universe gives us what we need when we need it. The Universe provides opportunities for us to grow, to learn, to develop. If I had continued working, Hubby and I would not have been able to get done in two months what we did - find a place to live, pack up the house, and tie up loose ends in the city.

We had a rental in Colorado Springs. Our landlords had both died in the last three months of 2016. Their daughter inherited the rentals. She decided to sell all the rentals at the beginning of summer. We did not wish to purchase the rental we were living in. The search for a house became our prime objective.  We knew we had a short amount of time to find a place to live. Completing the cabin on our mountain property, which had been our first plan, was not an option. (I will expand more on that next week!)

The housing market in Colorado is crazy! People were paying insane prices for small, run down houses in the city.  And truthfully, Hubby and I wouldn't have been happy in the city. We both longed for a life not filled with arguing, prying neighbors. A place where the music didn't play until all hours of the night. We knew where we needed to be.

So, here we are. Enjoying our quaint Victorian in a small mountain town. 

Next week I will write about what happened at our cabin/tipi location and why there are farm animals wandering down my sidewalk.

In Memorium.......

Fantum

1999-2017

Fantum, what a loving Kitty you were.

Letting all the children pet your silky fur.

Your meow was broken but it was no matter.

You loved all the wee ones, whose feet went pitter patter.

You'd lay in Mommy's flowers till they were squished flat.

Then you'd snuggle Mommy and lay upon her lap.

May your fields be filled with Catnip

Your food bowls overflow with food

May you always have a warm lap

Fantum we miss you.

Purz and Catnip Dreams.......Gomez

While you were away....

Oops! Guess you weren't the one away...it was me!

It has been an awfully long time since I have had a free minute to sit down and write a post. You see, I started working full time last summer. An opportunity arose and I took it. I have worked off-n-on in the automotive industry for most of my life. My first real job was in a repair shop and now I am back in a similar environment. I mask cars that are ready for a new paint job. Many people consider it to be tedious work but I enjoy it. It gives me time to ponder things and is an outlet for some of my creativity. I cover the parts of the car which are not to be painted with masking paper and plastic. May sound simple but speed and precision are required. Speed is something that has come with experience, even though I am not as fast as some younger people, my precision is good and makes up for the (lack of) speed. 

an example of a car masked and ready for paint.
image source

Working in this environment is dirty and can be stressful at times. I don't mind the dirt and dust. But the stress has been an adjustment. New personalities to adapt to, so many aches and pains at the end of the day, the 'mad rush' to get cars painted and out on time and a serious lack of free time.

Hubby and I share the chores and meal preparations. We still go on our weekend hikes as the weather allows. And we still are working towards a simpler way of life. We have continued to downsize by selling or bartering what we have for what we need for the mountain residence. At this point we only need windows, a door and of course materials for the building. And building materials do seem to show up at the most unexpected times. Also, we have purchased a vintage camp trailer to live in while we build our cabin. Once we move into the cabin full-time, we will give the trailer a make-over for the guest(s) who will undoubtedly come to visit.

I miss my writing. And often find myself talking like I write....

I miss my creating. While masking cars is a bit creative, it is nothing like bringing something to life from bits and bobs. I have been getting rid of my art supplies. Living in a small space does not allow a person to 'hoard' much. And I want to concentrate on only a few things - like sculpting and sketching. So most everything that doesn't have to do with those has been put on the sell/barter list.

I miss my research. Having a short amount of free time has made me become more selective about what I read and from who. (I read on my lunch break)

A new grandbaby was born recently. Zaviar Alexander. The delivery doctor has said he is somewhat of a miracle. The umbilical cord was twisted like a pretzel and had only one artery instead of the normal two. The doctor said that most babies with those conditions in the womb are born premature and underweight. Zaviar went full term and weighed in at 9lbs. 3oz.! 

Spring has come early here. The trees all have expanding buds and it won't be long before the leaves are popping out. The cycle of life continues.....

I Think I was a Tree...

In a former life.  All my life I have adored trees. They have always been there for me - to listen to my thoughts, to laugh and sing with my joys and to comfort my sorrows. My first tree friend was an enormous spruce tree which stood sentinel outside the house where I grew up. Birds would call his limbs home knowing they were safe and secure even if they would wave to and fro in the winds. My mother and I would gather his cones in the summer months for use later in the year in crafts. He was a dear friend and it saddened me to find out that he had died after our family left the house.

Over the years I have come to know many types of trees, as one would get to know a variety of people. They all had their own quirks, their own personalities. I got to know two distinguished Live Oaks in Louisiana. There age was old - about 150-200 years. They spoke in a slow and deliberate manner - imparting the wisdom gained over the centuries to those who would slow down long enough to listen.

I have met many magnificent Cottonwoods. Their trunks would curve and arch and bend, translating the energies their roots absorbed from deep underground water sources. This is a reason the Hopi like to make their Kachina dolls from Cottonwood roots, because of the trees ability to find water. To the Hopi, the Cottonwood is a spiritual link to water, the life giving essence in a very arid land. 

The woods of Arkansas was a heavily populated area. Sweetgum, Sassafras, Black Walnut, Magnolia, Dogwood, and Oaks were abundant. Their ability to live together was a lesson for us all. Together they were an impenetrable force to many outsiders.

Many ancient cultures and indigenous peoples believe that trees have souls.  The ancient Celts believed that the spirit (soul) of a deceased person could inhabit a tree (or a plant or a place or even a rock). Cultures all across ancient Europe had customs and beliefs which involved trees. In the Americas, many Indigenous People believed that every living thing had a spirit and trees were revered as being wise  and knowledgeable. Trees were often consulted by Shaman on matters of seriousness.

I recently ran across an article about a group of people in Russia who revere Nature. To them a tree contains a soul in a transitional process of evolution. To intentionally fell a tree is to destroy a living being. Check out this article and accompanying photos for an insightful look at the Mari People.

I, too feel this way. Trees do so much for us. They give us shade and air to breathe. They will listen to our woes and give us the calm to quiet our frazzled nerves. Trees have knowledge. Take a walk at your local park or open space and get to know a tree.  Make a new friend.

Maintaining High Vibrations

The higher a person's vibration or frequency is the happier and healthier that person will be. Getting there & maintaining a high vibration can be hard in today's society. We are constantly bombarded by negative images and information - listening to or reading the news, stress at work, well-intended friends or relatives, even life's little occurrences can cause a cloud of doom and gloom to descend upon us. 

Let's begin our path to a higher vibration at home. 

• ·         Clearing away clutter prevents negative energy from lingering.
• ·         Perhaps re-arranging the furniture is in order. Reference a Feng Shui book so that energy may flow easier. 
• ·         Open the windows to allow air movement through your home - thus allowing positively charged air to push out any negative energy.
• ·         Burn a candle - the flame of the candle will clear out the negative.
• ·         Bring houseplants into the home, they will help neutralize the bad energy/vibrations. If you feel you have a brown thumb, there are quite a variety of plants to choose from, consult with someone knowledgeable and have them guide you towards the 'almost' indestructible flora. 

Now let's tend to you. We are our own worst enemy. We can sabotage ourselves and not even know it.

• ·         Wake up in a good mood - even during the week when the prospect of work is looming. Not everyone in the world has a job or even has the luxuries we have. Being grateful for what we have does a lot to raise one's frequency.
• ·         Meditate - this very process has been shown to help with so many problems. Students in school who meditate are more apt to get good grades and help others. Meditation can improve not only mental attitude but also physical well-being.
• ·         Be kind to others, and not just people. We are all so connected on this earth that an ill spoken statement or mean act can cause more harm than good.  
• ·         Get plenty of rest and exercise. Exercising, besides keeping you in good shape, releases endorphins (hormones secreted within the brain). Endorphins makes us happy.
• ·         Eat well. I'm not referring to filet mignon and caviar. But to organically produced food - processed food and GMO's can have a detrimental effect not only the body but also on a person’s attitude.
• ·         Surround yourself with people who support you and who have the same or higher vibration. Higher vibrations are contagious and will help raise the vibrations of those who encounter them.
• ·         Get out into Nature. Studies have proven that being in Nature for even short periods of time can reduce stress and bring about a more 'in the moment' train of thought.
• ·         Hold your head up & shoulders back (remember when your mom said to stand up straight?) How you present yourself can have an impact on not only on yourself but how others perceive you.
• ·         Look people in the eye when you interact with them. Give firm handshakes - even if you are a woman. These small things will give yourself a boost of confidence and make people feel more confident in what you have to tell them.

And lastly we shall tackle the work environment. Here a person is more limited as to what they can and can't do. So you may have to be a bit creative. 

• ·         Before heading to work every day, visualize yourself (and know deep down) that you will have a good day. The simple act of visualizing your intention can have a positive effect of your day.
• ·         Try to limit your exposure to office drama, gossip, and politics.
• ·         Keep a smile on your face and a positive attitude. This does more to 'derail' those on the negative thought train. Leave your place of work altogether at lunch, if possible. Just the change in scenery can do wonders to improve a mood and relieve stress.
• ·         Spend your breaks daydreaming. The change in 'scenery' even if in your mind has a positive effect.
• ·         Don't take anything personally and admit when you are wrong. Few people anymore will admit to an error but none of us are perfect and mistakes will happen. Admit it and go on. This release allows room for more positive things to happen in your life. 
• ·         If possible, personalize your space so you will feel more comfortable. When you are comfortable, you are calmer and vibrations are higher level.

A slow implementation of change is usually best. It is easier to incorporate new things into a routine if they are done a few at a time. This also allows a person to see what works for them and what doesn't.

This article was published in An Irie Life

Ageless Photography

The art of Tom Hussey

In Memorium .......

Goliath

2004-2015

An itty bitty kitty you were,
A cute, cuddly bundle of fur.

Then you grew and grew,
And before we knew..

You were big and mean and lacking in charm
But you still loved a snuggle and laying on Daddy's arm!

May your fields be filled with Catnip 
Your food bowls overflow with food.
May you always have a warm lap
Goliath, We miss you.

Purz and Catnip Dreams ....... Gomez

Physics & Magic ~ Vibration & You

Many factors can effect the rate at which your body vibrates; the music you listen to, the food you eat, the television shows you watch, the people you associate with.

If you find you are 'down in the dumps', perhaps a change is needed. Listen to music that makes you feel good - music can do wonderful things in helping cleanse the chakras. Start watching the 'fuel' you are putting into your 'energy tank' - highly processed food and GMO food does very little to raise a person's vibration. Limit the amount of time you spend with the people who are 'downers'. These types of people seldom keep a positive attitude, let alone a higher vibrational level. In fact they can drain you of your energy.
Remember, you will attract the very things which vibrate at the same level as yourself. Take a close look at what is in your life. If you are seeing areas in which you could improve, take action! Begin by writing down what you wish to see manifest in your life. Then let the Universe know. Believe in these positive changes with every ounce of your being. Feel those positive changes with your emotions (this is of utmost importance!). The changes will appear but in a time frame which the Universe feels is best for you.

Vibration can help or hinder your growth as a person. It is all up to you!

Physics and Magic ~ Healing Power of Purr

image source

"If you put a cat and a bunch of broken bones in the same room, the bones will heal." old veterinarian saying

Certain vibrations or frequencies are associated with various parts of the body. The Chakras all have a different frequency which they respond to (I plan on expanding on that later.) as do the various parts of the body.

Most of the time we Humans need to use music or artificially generated sound to create the frequency needed to assist in the healing process.  The Cat, on the other hand, has the ability to generate the frequency needed. This is done through purring.

Cats are known to purr when they are content. But Cats will also purr when they are injured and sick. Why? Because their purr has healing properties. By now, most people know that having a pet lowers a person's stress and anxiety level. (remind me of that when Gomez's doppelganger decides to climb the curtains for the umpteenth time!) But Cats are especially remarkable.

They can generate purrs in the range of 20-140 Hz, all which are medically therapeutic. Especially for the following afflictions - pain relief, bone growth and healing, tendon and joint repair, swelling relief, certain heart afflictions, healing of wounds.

When Hubby broke his femur, click here!, and was laid up at home, Gomez and his buddies were in constant attendance. They would lay next to the broken bone and purr. Especially Gomez. His purr is louder than the others. They knew what was wrong and were doing their part to help their Daddy heal. The doctor was amazed at how rapidly Hubby healed.

So, if you're having health problems, get a pet! Already have one? Take a moment or two or three every day to sit with your pet and let the healing process begin! 

To read more on the research done with Cat Purrs, Click Here! or Click Here! or Click Here!

Monday Musings ~ The Apple

Today's card is The Apple.

The Apple card speaks of choices. It tells of not being able to live in too many places at one time. The card also speaks of not being able to develop a talent when one's energy are split. This card goes along with the old adage, "Too many irons in the fire and can't keep them all hot." This has happened to me more than once. I find myself often taking on too much so that it takes twice as long to get anything done.

Some hard decisions are waiting to be made. And I feel the Universe is saying that now is an auspicious time to make those decisions.

Magic and Physics ~ String Theory

String Theory.

There is no easy way to explain this.  But, I'll try with this - 

Imagine there are numerous strings all side by side. These strings are stretched so that they all vibrate at different frequencies.  We are unable to see, much less interact with the other dimensions (or strings) because our own vibration or frequency is different than the others. If we can raise our own vibration then we can get a glimpse into one or more of these other dimensions. 

What if what we perceive as ghosts, is actually a glimpse into another one of these dimensions? Perhaps the two different planes of vibration are actually touching or perhaps so close that the beings in each of the dimensions can see and interact with each other. Maybe Fairies or Elementals are beings from another plane of existence. One which we only get glimpses into from time to time. Any number of imperceptible beings could be explained in this manner.

People who are able to see these ethereal beings usually have some sort of psychic ability. They are able to raise their frequency to a level which enables them to see through the veil.

Next week I'll write more about multi-dimensions and consciousness.

Read more about Dimensions here! 

And here!

 And here!

***I found it rather intriguing that the cards from my Monday Musing dealt with this very subject. And I wrote this post last week! The Universe works in mysterious ways.***

Monday Musings ~ Insistance

My prompt for the Monday Musings have been the Celtic Tree Oracle cards. I will pull a card every Sunday and then ponder its message.

I always shuffle the cards quite well.
Well...Yesterday I shuffled the cards, pulled one out, and behold, it was The Beech card. The same card I drew two weeks ago. My first thought was that maybe I hadn't shuffled real well. So I inserted the card back into the deck and reshuffled - not once but three times! Once again I drew a card. It was The Beech. So I sat quiet for a couple minutes, placed the drawn card back into the deck and reshuffled. This next time I drew The Sea - last Monday's card. Hhhhmmmm....
I know a person isn't supposed to keep pulling cards till they get the one they want. And that wasn't the purpose of me re-drawing the cards. I guess, I wanted to see if the Universe had any other message for me besides the same one I had been receiving for the last two weeks.

So one last time I reshuffled and pulled a card. This time I pulled Heather.

The Heather card also represents Mistletoe. The two combine to guide the person into closer contact with the world of spirit and the resulting healing this pathway can lead to. Mistletoe is also called 'all heal' by the ancients and many modern medicines contain its derivatives. Heather is considered a gateway between the Spirit World and the Fertile Earth.
It's interesting that all three of these cards are dealing with hidden knowledge - whether it be knowledge that is hidden deep within ourselves or knowledge that is hidden away and we must search for it in various writings or in the knowledge of others. These cards also speak of accessing this knowledge through a journey to lands which can only be reached by crossing through a veil.
A little back story - The reason I have been using the Celtic Tree Oracle deck is because it is the only oracle card deck I have. But also because it contains the Ogham runes or alphabet. I have been researching the relationship of the written Ogham language and languages of other civilizations. Because there is ancient Ogham writing in Colorado and researching it has led me down a rabbit hole so deep, I ended up in Mesopotamia.
The Universe is wanting me to take that next step and realize what is beyond that closed curtain. But how?

Monday Musings ~ The Sea

Today's Musings have to do with the Celtic Tree Oracle card, The Sea.

This card tells me there is hidden knowledge which can be accessed when the Moon and Sea are full. This is inherited knowledge. A knowing as old as my ancestors. The Sea also represents the link between the here and the places I may need to go on my spiritual journey. 

I think about the Ocean from time to time. And it has been intruding on my thoughts of late. I love the feel of the salt spray on the face and the crashing of the waves upon the shore. Water is a sacred element. It can be so influenced by its surroundings. Water can hold thought and feeling.

I need to go deep within to access the knowledge of the ancestors. Something I have known I needed to do for quite some time. 

* * *

Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of Time.

H. P. Lovecraft

Simple Joy of Life

Nothing like a good roll in the leaves 

and then a sun puddle to bask in

Weird Wednesday ~ Turn off Aging

image source

Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered an on/off switch for aging. Cells in our bodies are constantly dividing and replenishing our body parts. But most human cells cannot divide indefinitely. Each has a 'timekeeper', called a telomere, at the end of the chromosomes which shortens as division occurs. When this telomere becomes too short, then division ceases.
But some cells produce an enzyme called a telomerase which rebuilds telomeres and allows cells to continue to divide. Controlling the telomerase enzyme would allow for control of cancer cells (which rely on high levels for rapid cell division) or to help control aging or even to help regenerate injured parts of the body.

Click Here to Read More!

Contemplations

I have read several posts and articles of late about disconnecting from the grid and from the mind set of our current society. 

I'm first going to point you to a great post about a woman who for the course of more than 3 months disconnected herself from the interwebs. Click here to read what Chris Holly wrote!

Next is an article about staying connected. But not via technology, but the old fashioned way -  by spending time face-to-face with other humans. Click here to read what Michelle Nijhuis wrote about living in an off-grid community.

In the September 28th edition of The Sunday Stew, The Good Green Witch wrote about the disposable world we now live in. And how this 'disease' is spreading in great leaps and bounds.

And finally, I ran across a book entitled, "As In the Heart, So In the Earth" by Pierre Rabhi . I haven't read the book but the synopsis sounds right on the money - ecology can only flourish where there is spirituality. A desert in the mind and soul of humanity will subsequently cause a desert on Earth.

I wondered if these ideas were all connected. Maybe. 
I could get into a long complicated theory of isolationism, consumerism, and probably half-a-dozen other "isms". But I'll spare you my soapbox speech and just say, it is NOT healthy for us or the planet to become isolated from each other and what is happening in and to the World around us is certainly not healthy.  Limit that 'screen' time and get outside more! Spend some time talking to your neighbor - face to face! Go hug a tree or walk barefoot through the grass (or sand or dirt). Practice a deliberate way of Life. And your soul will be nourished - and so will Mother Earth's! 

Random Photos

Denny's in Woodland Park, Colorado

Horses tied up outside the local bar - the Thunderbird Inn, Florissant, CO

hhhhmmm.....maybe I should've made Henry get out of the car a month ago.....

Hot Air Balloons from the Colorado Balloon Classic as they rise overhead 
- as seen from our driveway

Perspectives of Civilization

Living in the city for the past few years has been an experience in human behavior - mine as well as everyone else.

City life has never been a favorite of mine. I much prefer the wide open spaces of Nature. And the 'people' who live there.

We spent a recent long weekend at our property - the Whyspering Woodes. On the first night we heard coyotes yipping quite close by. So close, I expected to see one pop into the firelight at any moment. But we had our dogs with us and they didn't seem concerned by any of it. So neither were we. Some of our kids were with us for the camping trip. Our youngest and his family had come up for the day. As Hubby walked them to their car for the return trip home that night, Youngest ask if Hubby had protection for his short trek back to camp. Youngest was a bit concerned because we had discovered who our bird feeder raiders were.

Hubby wasn't that concerned and neither was I. Even though the 'people' who live in our neck of the woods are considered wild and unpredictable, they are more predictable and civilized than the people who I see and encounter in the 'civilized' area called a city.

In our city, we see people with little to no patience yelling and acting poorly, people who are frustrated with where their lives and who have no idea how to improve it (or maybe lack the gumption), and utter disregard for each other or for Mother Earth. I offered the use of my recycling container to my neighbor once and the response was, "Why? Our trash can works just fine."

Now don't get me wrong. I don't live in a necessarily bad area, even though there are a lot of sirens heard here on a regular basis. The neighbors all know each other and people get out of their houses and socialize. The kids have fun playing in our little cul-de-sac. There isn't the 'keep up with the Jones' mentality here like there is in more upscale areas. And, for the most part, neighbors help each other out. I have discovered, when comparing our neighborhood here to the Denver one we lived in, that the social interaction of a group of people is directly related to income. The more money which is made, the more reclusive the people are in their homes.  

People become used to certain things and when those things become familiar, they are no longer perceived as a danger but as a way of life. For those who live in the city, bad behavior is part of the norm. For those who live in the wilds, learning to co-exist with nature's people is the norm. Life is all a matter of perspective.