11/30/2023

"We must be willing to get rid of 

the life we've planned, so as to 

have the life that is waiting for us."

~Joseph Campbell

My mom used to say about me

that I had my life planned from

the cradle to the grave. Yikes!

I so hope I'm not quite that bad!

Still, I can see what she meant.

I admit that I rather like planning

ahead, knowing what's going to

happen. I think it makes me feel

like I'm in charge of my own life.

I think this trait stems partly from

being a Libra, the most unbalanced

Libra I've ever met! On the other

hand, it may be that this is simply

who I am.

I'm going to do an experiment. I

will plan nothing for the next four

days and just see what happens.

Might be interesting; might just

be a new way to greet December!

Here's to the unknown . . . rather

scary if you don't mind mw saying!

11/29/2023

Martin G. Lockley was a Welsh 

paleontologist. He was educated

in the UK where he obtained degrees

and post-doc experience in Geology

in the 1970s. Since 1980 he had been

a professor at the University of CO at

Denver and was later Prof Emeritus.

1950 - 2023 Wikipedia

I weep; my heart aches; my mind

wanders down memory lane . . .

I first met Martin upon my arrival

to the US. He was a close friend of

my father and would make a point

of dining with my parents when he 

came to town.

For me, it was love at first sight!

What a truly lovely man. From

that point we were granted a dozen

years of those joys and sorrows

gifted along with marital bliss. And

speaking of gifts, his children will

ever and always reside in my heart.

Lockley, as a scientist, professor,

world leading expert in dinosaur

tracks, has touched the lives of

many fellow professionals and 

a myriad of doctoral students. He

leaves nigh onto 50 books translated

into at least 16 languages that will

continue to serve his calling.

I can't say, "Rest in Peace." Rather,

I hope he has an afterlife full of

phenomenal adventures and untold

discoveries!

God, I sooooo miss him . . .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Lockley

11/28/2023

"Gratitude is not only the greatest

of virtues, but the parent of all the

others." ~Cicero

I promised myself at Thanksgiving

that I would make the effort to be

more grateful . . . how easily one 

forgets! I like that the Universe sends 

out its own little reminders!

I awoke this early morn to 12°. We

still have about 4" snow, so you can

only imagine just how grateful I am

for hearth and home!

I would add, when my guy builds a

fire, I am overwhelmed w/gratitude!

There is something so magical about

fire. It simply makes my day every

single time!

A friend intends to visit this early

morn. Naught in the world like fam

and faithful friends. I am thankful

and I promise . . .

. . . to watch for those gifts from the

Universe for which I must be grateful.

 - - -

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman

statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher

and academic skeptic, who tried to

uphold optimate principles during the

political crises that led to the establish-

ment of the Roman Empire. 106 BC -

assassinated 43 BC Wikipedia

11/27/2023

"The November full moon is

dubbed the Beaver Moon

because it corresponds to the

time of year when beavers 

start sheltering in their lodges,

according to the Old Farmer's

Almanac. This is also historically

the time of year when beavers

would be trapped as part of the

fur trade." CBS News

Awoke this early morn, 'round

4:00, to the most amazing Beaver

Moon. We literally had to lie on 

the floor and look up out the upper 

window. Absolutely breathtaking!

We kept going down about every

15 minutes to check it out. One of

the things I like about viewing the

moon at this time of day is it appears

to be yellow.

Each time we'd go down, the moon

was slightly different. I especially 

liked it when viewed through foliage. 

Not exactly sure why this particular

moon has so moved me . . . sooooo

looking forward to seeing it on the

morrow, the actual full moon!

Yayyyyy Beaver Moon!

11/26/2023

"Everyone wants to be some-

one's sun to light up someone's 

life, but why not be someone's 

moon to brighten in the darkest 

hour." TheMindsJournal

Must confess, I'm all about the

moon. I have loved her sweet,

shining face in all her facets

since I was a little girl.

My guy has ever and always 

been about the sun. Together,

methinks balance! Still, I must

honor him for brightening my

darkest hours!

One of the things I love about

him is he checks out the moon

every time he goes downstairs.

If he finds it particularly lovely,

he wakes me and tells me to go

have a look-see.

Love me my moon, but he makes

the sun most spectacular!

Doesn't get any better than that!

11/25/2023

"Friendship is above all the 

art of allowing the soft light 

of love to fall upon even our

darkest sides." ~Anne Lamott

Suffering intensely from SAD

during the early onset of winter,

I've been thinking about what

it is that gets me through.

My guy sneaks me the odd dish

of ice cream from time to time.

So sweet! My daughter calls me

every Sunday. My son visits and

even cooks! I'm lucky enough

to have so much caring in my life.

I find it all boils down to friends.

My own children are some of my

very bests. Our neighbors are our

friends; not sure I'd make it w/o

them. So enjoy those who write 

the odd note and/or send a card. 

Pray know, that on my darkest

days, I am ever so thankful for

friendship!

Blessed be . . .

11/24/2023

I sooooo don't get it! It has 

now been snowing for just 

over 12 hours . . . and we 

have about three inches of 

snow. Simply doesn't make 

any sense!

Hark back to 2003 . . . 

snowed for about the same 

amount of time (ok, maybe 

a bit longer) and we got 7 

feet up the canyon where 

we lived. Now that rocks it 

for me!

I know! I know! We need

the moisture . . . and I am

grateful for that. At least it

didn't start snowing until

Thanksgiving was nigh on

to over.

I'll stop bitchin' now . . .

11/23/2023 - Thanksgiving

We all know those wondrous

tales of yore telling about that

first Thanksgiving and that this

has come to mean.

Obviously, 'tis much different

today. We enjoy a time-out w/

our fams and friends . . . eating

those incredible meals, stuffing

ourselves ad nauseam, often not

even offering to do the dishes.

This year, we're taking a tiny

time out. We're staying at home,

in bed, watching football (he) 

and reading a fab novel (moi).

Methinks a bottle of champagne

may be in order at some point.

Know my thoughts tend towards

you who we love ever so much.

Happiest of all TGs!!!

11/22/23

"To live is the rarest thing 

in the world; most people 

just exist." ~Oscar Wilde

I can still hear my father 

reciting this kernel of truth; 

I say it to myself each and 

every day . . .

I know I've written about 

this gift from Oscar Wilde

many a time. I truly try to

make each moment count.

Still, I'd be the first to say

just how easy it is to be

lost in the minutia of the

day . . .

 . . . the dishes, the wash, 

the meals, the bills, errands!

Never ending!

Yet the wisdom of dealing

with the daily grind is well

addressed by the Buddha,

Thích Nhãt Hanh and other

greats.

Quiet meditation whilst 

addressing those bits and

pieces of the daily. Thankful

hearts that we have homes

in which to labor. Recalling

from whence our blessings

came . . .

I'm trying! I'm trying!

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie 

Wills Wilde was an Irish poet 

and playwright. After writing 

in different forms throughout 

the 1800s, he became one of 

the most popular playwrights

in London in the early 1890s. 

1854 - 1900 Wikipedia

11/21/2023

"O Lord that lends me life, 

lend me a heart replete with 

thankfulness."

~William Shakespeare

Thanksgiving approaching,

I most appreciate the in your 

face reminders to be thankful!

Everywhere you look . . .

adverts, turkeys, invites,

special outfits and travel. 

Not quite sure if these are 

about being thankful or not.

This year will be stay at home

for us. Being affected by the

weather, methinks I need some

quiet time w/my guy. The menu

threatens eggnog and movies,

easy to prep!

And silly me, I always like to

decorate for Yule the day after.

Something to look forward to!

11/20/2023

Beware, I feel a rant coming 

on . . .

Woke up to the s-word this 

a.m. Have about an inch and 

it's supposed to go until noon.

Can't help but wonder if I even

brought it on as I decorated for 

the season all day yesterday. I 

usually wait 'til December first. 

See what I mean?!

When I'm queen of the Universe,

we're NOT going to have snow 

on Halloween, nor Thanksgiving, 

nor even in November at all.

Feel free to vote for me!

Grrrrrrrrrrr ~!@#$%^&*()_+

11/19/2023

"Associated with the final stage

in the cycle of life, the Crone 

was the third aspect of the Triple

Goddess in ancient culture. She 

was the summation of women's 

life experience, wise old mother 

who symbolized knowledge,

judgement and death."

I like to think I've enjoyed both

the Maiden and Mother stages 

of my life. Still, I find myself 

somewhat enthralled with this 

Crone era.

Of course, there are the usual 

aches and pains accompanying

the aging process . . . having 

acknowledge this, there are

ever so many positives as well.

I've come to appreciate slowing

down, smelling the coffee as it

were, and all that this entails.

So enjoy those who have chosen

to remain friends, stay in touch.

I find the conversations priceless.

I much value being able to watch

my children beyond childhood.

I find their own stages of growing

and living most fascinating. What 

amazing people they have become.

It has been incredible being born

into a world of a three-party line

on the wall and a one station TV

in the living room to a tiny hand-

held phone and 100s of stations

available for the choosing.

Fast cars, long trips, phenomenal 

jobs and an unexpected techno-

world! Wow!! Just W O W !!! . . .

 . . . Sans paroles!

11/18/2023

What a difference a day makes . . . 

Yesterday, I was enjoying an a.m.

fast break with two of my besties

and today, I'm back in my own

real world.

Real world in the sense that 'tis 

the space where I exist/live/love 

on a regular basis.

One of the things I find interesting

in these years of retirement wonder

would be the need, as well as the 

joy, of being at home.

On those rare occasions when I 

get dragged out of my cocoon, 

I find I enjoy my friends and

activities immensely. And, I am

well pleased that I also love my

own hearth and home. 

Still . . . something to be said for 

getting out and about from time 

to time.

Alas, my fire hearkens . . .

11/17/2023

She fell

She crashed

She broke

She cried

She crawled

She hurt

She surrendered

And then . . .

She rose again

~Nausicaa Twila

Methinks 'tis who I want 

to be when I grow up!

Funny, I can hark back to

college years and thinking

then that I was all grown

up.

Then, it was first teaching

job when I realized that this

was actually real adulthood.

When I retired and took care

of my mom, I truly knew 

what being an adult and taking

responsibility was all about.

Not at all . . . here I am, nigh

onto a 100 years old and get

that the above stanzas might

just have the right idea . . .

11/16/2023

I have spoken of that incredible

feeling of anticipation before . . .

 . . . a long-awaited and glorious

happening. 

Today, we'll be celebrating our 

Lady Hekate with my LH Triad. 

For her, I named my cabin. As 

legend has it, the goddess Hekate 

stands at chosen three-way cross-

roads, such as my cabin is sited.

Loving that sweet #3, we three

have been friends for roughly 

30 years. And, I love that whole

past, present and future of our

knowing each other . . . ever and

aways growing in genuine caring

and friendship. 

 - - -

Hekate, goddess of magick,

night, moon, and the three-way

crossroad, was the only child of

the Titanes Perses and Asteria

from whom she received her

power over the heavens, earth

and sea. Hekate assisted Demeter

in her search for Persephone,

guiding her through the night

with flaming torches. Wikipedia

11/15/2023

"I found the world to be woe-

fully lacking in safe places. So, 

I became one." ~J. Warren Welch

Such a thought provoker! I was

quite moved when I ran into it

this early morn.

Make no mistake, we live in a

difficult world in this present day.

Rather makes it easy to focus on

the negative.

What this quote shouts out to 

me . . . an invitation to self adopt 

the positive roll in a negative 

environment.

On a simple level . . .

-be the one to greet first

-take turns at food and dishes

-deal with trash and mail myself

-wave at the neighbors

On the more complex . . .

-give donations w/o taking credit

-listen with no ready comebacks

-give out advice very carefully

-stand up and be counted

Oversimplified perhaps, still bears

thinking about. And, it matters to

me to embrace the positive . . .

 . . . as well as making the effort

to learn to become that safe place.

11/14/2023

Glorious evening by the fire,

chilaquiles on our plates, fun

chats, and best of all . . .

our daughter's in town!

I find myself thinking, one of

the most rewarding points in

parenting would be spending

time and conversation with

our adult children.

I love seeing the child within,

the emerging adult, thoughts

that belong specifically to 

them.

You know all is well when your

children have minds of their 

own, verbalize their thoughts 

and beliefs, and are living their

lives to the best of their abilities.

I feel so blest . . . perhaps the

greatest gift any marriage can

bestow would be the children.

I honor the parents and thank

them for allowing me to love

their babes as if they were my

own.

God in heaven, I am so lucky

I feel a lotto ticket coming on!

11/13/2023

"I would rather stand

and rock the boat

on the meanest of seas

than ever sit

and come to grips

with the calm of apathy."

~A. Shea

Is it any wonder A. Shea is one

of my fave sheros?! She gives

me daily courage; bless her!

From time to time I am forced

to take a look around . . . can't

help but see those negatives

that plague us all.

Then, I play with that idea . . .

the idea that we would all do

what we could to make this a

better world.

I see concentric circles of all

sizes, overlapping and healing.

Maybe, it's down to each of us

to do what we can do . . . 

Perhaps, this would help inspire 

others little by little, bit by bit . . .

11/12/2023

"It is a serious thing

just to be alive

on this fresh morning

in this broken world."

~Mary Oliver

Ran across these words

this early morn . . . just

what I needed. Oliver is

ever and always the voice

of reason when I need it

most.

Methinks the combination

of Daylight Savings, 8" of

snow in Autumn, SAD and

aging is maybe just a bit 

much for me to handle . . .

So, what to do about it.

Mary Oliver and fellow

writers might just be the

answer.

The dour, that would be

moi, need to be reminded

sometimes that it is simply

an incredible gift to be alive.

So what I'm aging! So what

my knees ache! So what I've

lost my girlish figure (as dad

used to say)! 

Being alive with intellect

basically in tact is a gift to

end all gifts!

 . . . and yes, I am ever so

grateful! 

Thank you Mary Oliver!!!

11/11/2023

"The wild drips oceans 

of peace and solitude into 

my soul and allows me 

tp pour a cup for myself." 

~Janine Tamis

I feel ever so fortunate

that I have been able to

live in a bit of the wild 

in my elder years!

I walk out the door and

there are pine trees for

as far as I can see. I love

the expanse of my back

yard, the vardo awaiting

our visit.

Although I wish that snow 

would wait its turn winter . . . 

still, 'tis a beautiful thing 

to look at that vast expanse 

of pure white before any

trampling occurs.

With winter poking its head

around the corner, not so

strange to awaken to 19°.

Looking forward to seeing

what surprises the day holds.

Hey, don't be surprised . . .

working on my attitude here!

11/10/2023

Woke up this early morn 

to 13° . . . methinks the 

weather gods have decided 

to eclipse Autumn in its

entirety. Can't believe we

have already had two snows!

~@#$%^&*()_+

Reminds me that we only

had a few days of Spring

as well . . . under a week!

Sooooo, trying to decide

whether to blackmail ole

man weather or to sweet

talk him to death!

I've learned to live with

dark winters, but I'm so

not okay with no Spring

or Autumn!

Going to make an effort

to stop bitching now!

Good luck with that!!!

11/09/2023

"you will know

who your people are.

they will feel like safety,

they will feel like sunlight."

~Alyce Taylor

Without a doubt, I am much

enamored of quotes that attract

my attention. This one truly

caught my eye this early a.m.

I could weep for those who

have never really found their

soulmates . . . for in this world

today, naught is more important!

I'm ever so lucky as this eve 

I will be visiting with mine . . .

on the morrow, two. I know,

truly know, that I am alive

today because of the soulmate

connection.

Pray ever and always choose

wisely and honor each of them!

Better yet, may we each be

phenomenal soulmates!

11/08/2023

"Life is all about finding people

who are your kind of crazy."

Wild Woman Sisterhood

I much enjoy the odd word of

wisdom coming from this group

of dames. So appreciate that they 

honor the elders as well as the 

youngers.

I sometimes wonder why it takes

the elder years for us to value 

who we truly are?! We spend our

entire lives in becoming . . . and

it seems to happen when we're

finally on our way out.

God only knows if reincarnation

is a real thing . . . but, if it is, I 

sure hope I come back a tad wiser

than I'm been this time around!

 - - -

"WWS is dedicated to cultivate

true sisterhood and to unleash

the wild authentic woman 

defined in all of us."

Wild Woman Sisterhood

11/07/2023

"Tears are words that need to

be written." ~Paulo Coelho

Ran into this quote by my hero

Paulo Coelho early this a.m. 

Sooooo love this guy!

I began reading him in my 20

year sojourn in Mexico. I did

not know at the time that his

work had been translated into

English; I only knew him in

Spanish. And I believed he

originally wrote in Portuguese.

Only two years older than moi . . .

and I've adored him ever since

The Alchemist. 

Do read him; 'twill be pure joy

from start to finish!

 - - -

Paulo Coelho de Souza is a

Brazilian lyricist and novelist.

A member of the Brazilian

Academy of Letters since 2002,

his novel, The Alchemist became

an international best-seller. He's 

published 30 additional books. 

Wikipedia 

11/06/2023

"I am a survivor and a sage.

All things thrown at me 

will light my path and turn 

to ashes under my feet." 

~Nausicaa Twila

Amazing words of wisdom

to which I awoke this a.m.

It's 7:00 a.m. and 29° but

we're to have a lovely warm

day today . . . a real autumn

day.

Our snow, 10" front yard, 12" 

back yard, is now almost all

melted. The sun is just up and

shining brightly. And, today

I will have two visitors.

Feeling blest . . . and lucky

as my guy made me a lovely 

present last night . . .

11/05/2023

DST . . . here we come . . .

You'd think we'd be used 

to Daylight Savings Time 

by now. I just read a brief 

history; I had no idea . . .

1918 - DST was first used

1942 -1945 DST nee War Time

1966 - DST April to October

1974 -1975 year-round period

1987 - 2006 DST April to Oct

2007 - 2023 DST Mar to Nov

Sooooo, going to make my 

best effort to deal with my

two alphabet soup deals . . .

Seasonal Affective Disorder

and Daylight Savings Time.

Raise your glasses to SAD

and DSL . . . and may your

alphabet soup ever diminish . . .

11/04/2023

"My storms are never-ending

reminders to seek beauty in

the chaos." ~Janine Tamis

Trying to think of why this

quote hit me so hard. Perhaps

it has something to do with 

this winter weather we've

been experiencing.

I can appreciate the analogy.

For me, it's all about these

dark, dark days of quasi

winter.

SAD is what it is; I simply

need to cope with it. Still, I

so wish it would in winter

rather than stealing days of

autumn from me as well . . .

Wish me luck . . . and yes,

I will be seeking beauty in

the chaos . . .

11/03/2023

Yesterday was the day we 

honor our late ancestors in 

my beloved Mexico.

I spent the early hours of the 

morn creating my annual

ancestor altar. Truly I was,

and am, very pleased with it.

What I didn't see coming . . .

the dreams that assailed me

last night. I don't know if it

had to do with family on my

mind or the magick of the

season, maybe creating the

altar.

In my dreams, I was still

teaching. My father came to

visit me in my classroom as

I was straightening up after

the day's classes. He told me

he was a bit tired and would

like to rest whilst I put the

room in order.

We simply stayed there. We

sat on the couch in the back

of the classroom and talked

of our family who had gone

before. Like a kaleidoscope

of cherished memories, we

recalled, remembered, and

shed our tears.

For me, it was unbelievable

the number of family I was

able to see. Frankly, I felt

bereaved upon waking.

I feel ever so grateful, so

honored and more than a bit

W O W E D !!!

11/02/2023

El día de hoy, celebramos 

las vidas de nuestros seres 

amados, adultos, a quienes 

hemos perdido.

Obviamente, a mi edad, he

perdido a toda mi familia

mayor que yo. Hay veces

que me siento morir si no

pueda hablar con mi padre.

Recuerdo perfectamente a

mis abuelos, mis tíos, los

primos. Lamentablemente

no conocí a nadie más allá

de este círculo.

Muy sin embargo, mis papás

fueron diligente en contarme

historias de sus padres. Así

que, cuando menos tengo los

cuentos, aún que no les conocí

yo misma.

Deseo seguirles recordando

a los míos, no le hace que 

no sea un día designado para 

celebrarles. 

Sé que es importante . . .

11/01/2023

Cuando llega el primero 

de noviembre, mi corazón 

vuelve a México . . . el día 

en el cual honramos a los 

bellos niños quienes hemos 

perdido.

Lloro por los míos, mis 

nietos que no tuvieron la

oportunidad de sobrevivir.

Sollozo por sus vidas no 

vividas. Lamento por todos 

los padres quienes hayan 

perdido a sus amados nenes. 

Añoro tanto a toda la familia

y amistades que dejé en 

México. Le ruego a Dios 

que sea cierto que algún día 

seremos reunidos.

Abrazos muy fuertes les 

mando desde aquí . . .