08/31/2024

"You cannot save people, you 

can only love them." ~Anaïs Nin

This statement so reminds me of

my daughter. What an amazing

young woman. 

Our family celebrates a plethora

of belief systems . . . Christianity,

Paganism, Agnostic, etc. My gal

is a Christian, the real McCoy!

It so moves me how she accepts

us all, no matter our personal

beliefs. She doesn't proselytize,

preach, condemn; she only loves.

Methinks she must be a very old

soul to be so wise, so kind and

so loving.

I want to be just like her when 

I grow up!

 - - -

Anaïs Nin was a diarist, essayist,

novelist. Born to Cuban parents

in France, composer Joaquín Nin

and Rosa Culmell, classically

trained singer. 1903-1977 

Wikipedia

08/30/2024

Methinks today I am paying 

for my sins!

Every year, I make a batch of

spice I can share with fam and

friends. Too expensive to sell

and lovely to share!

Over the past few days, I've

been throwing ingredients in

my cauldron, as it were. Not

mixing, you understand, just

compiling.

This early a.m. I started the

stirring process. Oh my God,

in minutes, I had the entire

house a cough.

None of us were even able

to stop coughing.  Oh the 

price one pays for high

cuisine! 

Still, absolutely delish! Go

figure . . . 

Want a taste?

08/29/2024

Been kind of down of late. Almost

like Winter SAD. So, not sure if it's 

the Universe providing or if it's my 

friends . . .

Yesterday, my bestie from over the

mountain came . . . bringing her

lovely self and peaches, no less.

Today, the first friend I made in

Denver is coming for lunch and 

in the evening my triad joins in.

Tomorrow, last FAC for 4 weeks

with our dearests and bests next

door and a party on Sat. Invited 

to dine on Sun . . . 

It's like the great Mother is saying 

to me, "Cheer up, you silly goose! 

There are those who love you and 

lots to live for."

I feel suitably chastened . . . not

sure to whom I should offer my

apologies . . .

 . . . but enough of the pity party

already! Sooooo need to get over

myself!

08/28/2024

"Nature is not a place to visit;

it is home." 

Ecological Consciousness

Many have asked me about my

spiritual beliefs. The above says

it all in a nutshell.

I sit at the feet of Mother Nature.

I bow to her moods and beauty.

I thank her daily, if not more often,

for all she provides.

When I find myself overcome in

sorrow, all I have to do is go out

and be with her for a while. I'm

ever so thankful to be living in

her forest.

Gleefully happy, I find I must share.

So, where do I go? To my very own

happy tree just outside the cabin.

Not necessarily sad, just grumpy,

again she is the answer.

Mother is such a gift to us. I simply

do not understand the perils all over

the world of floods, tornados, storms.

Alas, I do not understand . . .

08/27/2024

National Dog Day, held 

annually on August 26.

USA Today

We grew up with pets in our

fam. Every mixed breed from

here to Kingdom Come. I well

remember loving them all.

The time came, however, for

my little brother to get his first

guide dog. We were told that

pets were fine, but preferably

no other dogs.

'Twas hard to say good bye,

but we were able to place them.

Sammy's first dog was a lovely

Golden Retriever. He obviously

came with a set of rules. 

We could never touch him

whilst on leash. Probably

preferable that we never touch

him at all.

How the world opened up for

my brother. The freedom it 

gave him, the positive added to

his life. I believe he had a total

of four during his life.

We may be honoring our dogs

and I know we love them all . . .

 . . . but naught in this world

matches the value of a seeing-

eye dog.

I salute them as well as all dogs 

trained to augment the lives of

those who need them.

08/26/2024

"know when to walk away,

know when to run"

~Kenny Rodgers

I do this thing, which I think

I invented . . .

From the New Moon to the

Full Moon, I meditate on the

things I wish to add to my 

life, just as the Moon grows,

so will my state of being.

From the Full Moon to the

New Moon, I meditate on the

things I wish to diminish or

lose completely, just as the

Moon diminishes, so will the

negative in my state of being.

And then, once in a while, I

find myself humming a couple

of lines from Kenny Rodgers.

Although I don't necessarily

wish to grow up, I certainly

want to grow . . .

Pray, grant me daily growth! 

08/25/2024

"I love old souls. Daydreamers,

the deep thinkers, with lots of

fascinating layers. They don't

care what others thin, they just

do their own thing and when 

it comes to friends, it's quality

over quantity."

empaths and old souls

Now, this is who I want to be

when I grow up! Sooooo not

kidding!

Toying with upcoming b-days

and knowing I'm nigh onto a

100, I find myself watching the

elders . . . their garb, their walk,

what interests them.

It's like seeing a living catalog,

"I want that! Oh, pray I'll never

do that! Love her outfit! What

was she thinking?" etc.

Ever so lucky in that I already

have the bestest of friends and

most fab fam in the entire Uni!

Now, I just need to hit a good

2nd hand store to lay in some

really weird rags . . .

Hey, maybe we should have an

oldster parade?!

08/24/2024

"The only thing you should

quit wearing as you get older

is the weight of other people's

opinions." Moon Lovers

Saw this bit of wisdom this

early morn. Gave me quite

a chuckle. 

As I've worn naught but black

since I retired a dozen years

ago, methinks I need to put

together some odds and ends

and play dress up lady as I 

did as a child.

I understand that opinions

are formed when others first

lay eyes on us. Still, the idea

of having fun with dress is a

good one.

I take life way too seriously.

Just might need to get over 

that. 

Beware . . . my 75th is

coming up shortly and I 

may be raiding some closets!

08/2302024

"My wish for you is that you

continue, continue to be who

you are, to astonish a mean

world w/your acts of kindness."

~Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou has always been

and continues to be, one of the

wisest women to ever grace the

earth! Mother Earth!!!

I wish I could properly emulate

her, yet there are times when I

sense that all kindness is dried

up somewhere in my soul.

But then, just as I'm losing faith,

I see someone who invokes in

me, a need to give a hand. And,

whilst doing so, with heart in

hand, I give thanks to the earth

that I'm not quite done yet.

Not certain if it's moi or being

born a Libra or just plain dumb 

luck, but I have this yen for

perfection. This needs to end!

We don't obtain perfection in

this lifetime. Having said that,

we should strive for being 

whole rather than the impossible.

So hoping I have just a tad more

in me to stay a while and work

on that!

08/22/2024

"No one tells the oceans or the

trees or the mountains that they're

too old. They talk of how powerful,

how grounded, how awesome they

are. Imagine if we thought the same

way about ourselves as we got older.

Maybe we'd realize how spectacular

we are." ~Becky Hemsley

As I'm just shy of that glorious age

of 175, alright, 75, I find myself

thinking about the glories of aging.

Such a gift to reach this remarkable

age! I've lived through some things

that may have made this age un-

attainable . . . cancer for one, and

I choose not to talk about the rest

just now.

I'll not have a large party as many

do. But rather, a special thing each

day of the month. Pizza at my fave

place, an antiquing trip, meet up w/

friends and anything else I can think

of.

Feel free to send your ideas as I'll be

celebrating 30 days for 75. I'll leave

the 31st for enjoying Samhain!

Am I lucky or what?!

08/21/2024

"Always keep a bottle of tequila

in the fridge for special occasions, 

like Wednesday." ~Unknown

My good friend Dennis posted 

this bit of wisdom an hour or 

so ago. I chuckled, then laughed

and nearly got hysterical. 

I do love to drink. 'Tis why I only

allow myself three days a week

and fast three months out of the

year.

Having said that, methinks the

underlying message has naught

to do with drink, but with life.

Why is it that we tend to save

everything for special occasions?

Every day we're alive is a special

occasion, right?! 

Alas, today will be the last day 

on earth for many. If it isn't us,

shouldn't we be living life to the

fullest? As if today, were our last?

For moi, Today I'm going to read 

from a fave book, visit with a 

dear friend, make some yummy

Mexican food and anything else

I can think of.

I do know this, I want to go down

living, not existing!

Lest we forget, Wednesday is

special!

08/20/2024

"In a sky full of falling stars,

she only wishes for the moon."

~A. Shea 

What is it about the heavens

that so fascinate and draw?!

For my guy, 'tis the morning

sun. So many love the stars

above all else. Moi, I adore

naught more than the moon.

I catch it outside the window

on my way down the stairs.

Ditto for on the way back.

Any and every time I can. 

Wish upon a star . . . No!

Just bask in the light of the

moon in any of its delightful

stages.

For me, our Lunar Lady 

completely turns the dark 

around. Makes it not only 

compatible, but enticing.

"Sometimes she felt weak,

but when the moon was full

ahhh, when the moon was full . . . "

@onlymealfa

Sooooo loving me our Lady!

08/19/2024

"I am all in a sea of wonders.

I doubt; I fear; 

I think strange things

Which I dare not confess to 

     my soul."

~Bram Stoker

First reading this, I felt instant

recognition. My mind seems 

to have 'a mind of its own' . . .

as it were.

I recognize that I tend to live in 

my mind a great deal. 'Tis there

that I think and ponder about a 

great deal of things.

None of them nasty, some of 

them a tad dangerous, many

helpful. 

Sooooo, what's the prob already?

And then I'm reminded of a line

in song . . .

"It don't pay to think too much."

~Townes Van Zant

Here's to happy thinking! Salud!

 - - -

Abraham Stoker was an Irish 

author known for the 1897 

Drakula. 1847 - 1912 Wikipedia

08/18/2024

"You're not grown until you

know how to communicate,

apologize, be truthful, and

accept accountability with-

out blaming someone else."

Beardbeasts

Ran across this little pearl 

of wisdom early morn. 

Wow! Just W O W !!!

I tend to think I'm up on all

of these and then I find my-

self slipping on one or the

'tother . . . Must be the gods

keeping me humble!

I seem to have no issue re

apologizing. My downfall

happens when I'm right 

and he's wrong and I seem 

to need or want recognition 

of the same. Why can't I

just let it go?!

I'm also quite capable of

blaming someone else if I

think they're in the wrong.

Again, why can't I just let 

it go?!

Obviously, not quite grown

up yet. Got things to work

on. Go figure! Pray, heaven

help me . . .

08/17/2024

Can't help but wonder if the list 

for Banned Books isn't the best

recommendation for your next

read?!

I got to reading some of the lists

yesterday and recognized that I

had already read quite a few of

them. The below 15 are my faves.

Obviously, I can appreciate a

parent not wanting their children

reading porn or sado masochistic

materials. But, looking at these,

I would highly recommend them

to my kids and friends.

Last but not least, I actually taught

some of these in the classroom. I

didn't know at the time that they

were banned books, just fabulous

literature!

Wow!

 - - -

The Bluest Eye ~Toni Morrison

To Kill a Mockingbird ~Harper Lee

Of Mice and Men ~John Steinbeck

The Handmaid's Tale ~Margaret Atwood

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 

    ~Mark Twain

A Child Called 'It' ~Dave Pelzer

Beloved ~Toni Morrison

The Catcher in the Rye ~J.D. Salinger

The Color Purple ~Alice Walker

The Giver ~Lois Lowry

Diary of a Young Girl ~Anne Frank

Bless Me, Ultima ~Rudolfo Anaya

House of the Spirits ~Isabel Allende

1984 ~George Orwell

I know Why the CagedBird Sings 

    ~Maya Angelou

08/16/2024

Fun story . . .

Night before last, I chose

to read all night and actually

finished the book . . .

So, took a nap yesterday at

2:00 in the afternoon and 

woke up at 3:00 in the early

a.m. 13 hours . . . go figure!

My lucky numbers stem from

three . . . sooooo my guy says, 

"crazy times, crazy time, why

don't you open the Moon Wine

one of your sisters gifted you?!"

We do so at exactly 3:33 a.m.

and discover that the wine is

actually BLACK MOON. So

fun!

So like being retried . . . and

sooooo love me some weird!

Pray send more suggestions!

Salud!

08/15/2024

Old friends, so fun . . .

Yesterday, enjoyed the hell

out of fellow teachers from

pre-retirement days.

So fun to catch up period . . .

also enjoy cross referencing

about the bits and pieces we

of old students, as well as 

fellow teachers.

On a note of sorrow, we just

lost one of our own this past

week. Bottom line, now that

we're in our 70ies, methinks

there is naught for it. We will

continue to decimate. 

Rather hoping heaven really

exists and we get to continue

our famous teacher antics en

situ. 

An afterthought, we are all so

lucky to be alive. We should

celebrate daily. Spend quality

time with our fams and friends,

and truly live rather than exist.

So here's to however many

days we have left and hoping

we have the wherewithal to

share and enjoy every moment!

Salud!

08/14/2024

"Your biggest enemy is 

your uncontrolled mind!"

Wild Woman Sisterhood

A sleepless night, a tad cold,

and I run into this quote . . .

Ouch!

Rather embarrasses me to

think that I'm nigh onto 75

and still not in control of my

mind! Or, is it possible to

have control over one's mind

when asleep?

I can't help but wonder . . .

Just how in control are we of

anything?! Rather boils down

to the age old quandaries . . .

"live or exist, accept or fight,

go or stay, walk or run?!"

Yes, we do have choices and

yes, we do make them. We

make them, indeed! And we 

live w/the cost of our choices.

But, I can't help but wonder 

if indeed we're even paying

attention whilst living out said

choices?!

We're so busy living, running

those pesky errands that fall

under the category of living,

that I'm not certain awareness

is even an option?!

Who was it that said, "slow

down and live?!" I sooooo

need to follow this advice!

08/13/2024

"It is a serious thing just to be

alive on this fresh morning in

this broken world." ~M. Oliver

My shero, Mary Oliver, once

again reminds me of what is

important!

I tend to forget as I see the

speeding cars and trucks pass.

I do forget when I see a mother

strike her child viciously about

the face or a father kick his own.

I often forget with no sky visible,

clouded in with smoke and smog.

Mary reminds me that there is

still morning dew. There are still

dandelions greeting me in all

their sweet beauty. Stones that I

have collected and love so well

stand at the ready to be moved

yet once again.

Not to forget my sweet cabin,

housing lover, family and friends.

Goddess help me, may I ever

recall beauty over ugly, sweet

over sour, and love over hate . . .

 - - -

*Mary Oliver, beloved poet and 

bard of the natural world, died

on January 17, 2019 at home in

Hobe Sound, Florida. She was 83.

08/12/2024

"Life shrinks or expands in

proportion to one's courage."

~Anaís Nin

I've been thinking of this in

terms of age and aging. I can

remember doing things back

in the day with no thought

whatsoever.

For example, dad would call

and say he missed me and I

would hop in the car and four

hours later I'd be hugging him.

Alas today, I think a great deal

before making this trip.

Driving an hour and a half to

school and home, never gave

it a thought. Now it seems I

don't want to go places that

takes over 20 minutes to get

there.

Perhaps, this is more about

diminishing actions along

with diminishing age. I do

know that I'm content . . .

. . . in my tiny cabin, family

and friends visiting, sitting

under our fave tree even 

when it's raining, watching

deer and elk in the yard.

What a life!

My husband used to say, "It

don't pay to think too much."

Not sure where he got these

words of wisdom, but they

deserve thinking about . . . 

Ha!

08/11/2024

"I think the older I get, the 

more I realize that the ultimate

luxury is time." ~Michael Kors

This came to me as yesterday

was spent in the company of

friends. Priceless friends!

We sat under our fave tree, 

sharing a few brewskis and

tales out of school. Catching

up; nothing like it!

Just didn't feel like leaving

this bit of paradise, so pizza

it 'twas! God, my guy is a

fab cook!

Methinks dessert was staying

on a bit, a few more sharings,

those last bits of laughter and

lamenting that the day had to

end.

I was the first to cave . . . not

a 100 years old for naught!

Bet I was asleep by 5:30 and

put in a dozen hours.

I feel revived, rejuved, rather

reincarnated, if you will. 

Friends . . . and the time spent

with them . . . what a gift!

08/10/2024

"Play in the river, walk barefoot

on the sand, dance under the

moon, sleep under the stars, and

you'll likely find that very little

is needed to live a happy life."

~Brooke Hampton

Very fortunate for me to have been

reared by parents who believed in

a simple life, lots of outdoor time

and no TV. *Actually, didn't get 

my first TV 'til I had been married 

10 years. Go figure!

My fam took rides, had picnics,

went camping, built canoes and

cabin cruisers, had family dinner

and prayer circles.

Looking back, can't even imagine

how I was so lucky to have been

given such an amazing childhood!

Of course, it was hard with my

little bro being blind and special.

But, we loved and we coped.

In a world spent in acquisition

for the major part of life and 

finally ridding out and cutting

down in the end, I find fond

memories of a family who 

needed to do neither.

Just have to watch and see how

I do my last bit! Hope it is . . .

I N T E R E S T I N G !!!

08/09/2024

When I came back to the US

with my children after 20 

years in Mexico, I was so

fortunate to teach in Adams 14.

I would have to say, there was

a closeness 'mongst the teachers

that was both sweet and rare.

Today, we say goodbye to

Paul Garcia, one of my favest

teachers of all time. It just

breaks my heart that he had

to go so soon.

I keep forgetting that we aren't

young any more. Turning 75

might just be the reminder I

need that we oldsters are aging.

So, in bidding Paul adieu, I

pray none join him any time

soon. We need to stay a while

longer . . .

Paul, hoping you're off to great

adventures. You're most deserving

and well remembered!

08/08/2024

"At the end of the day, 

we all just want to be home,

whether it's a place, a person,

or a feeling."

Wild Woman Sisterhood

Actually, I was commenting

on this to my guy as we sat

outside enjoying a pre-rain

moment.

I realize on some level that  

I've turned every place I've

lived into a home. How lovely

then, to live in a 145 year old

cabin at the end of my days.

It's sandwiched between the

forest and modern day traffic.

Still, albeit tiny, 'tis true home

where I spend time with my

man and enjoy every moment.

Our fams and friends are home

as well. 'Tis such a comfort

spending time in the company

of those who make you feel

well loved, cared for, even 

adored.

I am grateful beyond the pale

for this my home, my family

and my friends . . .

Blessed be, ld

08/07/2024

"Quiet warrior

don't lose who you are,

you have the ability

to move mountains

with your stillness."

~janine tamis

Methinks I want to be 

Janine when I grow up; 

sooooo not kidding!

Not quite sure why I love 

this so much! I'm not

particularly quiet. Alas, I

can't move mountains and

not much stillness to moi.

Still, this resonates on a

level I can't quite explain. 

Might be that I need to

aspire to this rather than

think I'm already there.

Bottom line, this is who I

want to be when I grow up.

Think I'll just allow myself

to be inspired and get on

with making the effort to 

grow up!

08/06/2024

"Note to the empath: observe,

don't absorb." ~Unknown

Sound, sound advice . . . 

but, how on earth does one 

learn to do this?!

I listen with all my heart, as

it is my heart that goes out 

to a friend in need. But, I so 

feel the pain; don't seem to 

be able to let it go.

Almost as if I thought letting

go of the pain myself, would

negate any healing for my

friend.

I know I'd like to learn how

before I pass on to the better

life!

Actually, in thinking about it,

it occurs to me that personal

growth is simply painful.

Perhaps the answer is, accept

it! There is ever and always a

cost and if pain is the cost of

personal growth, maybe one

simply needs to feel it!

08/05/2024

Only five days in and I'm

loving August!

First, there's that whole

celebration of Lughnasadh

if you're Pagan or Lammas

if you're Christian.

Then, there's the fab weather,

no other particular holidays

to celebrate.

I find myself drawn to sitting

outside, with or w/o a marg

in hand . . . just enjoying. 

Then the rain comes. There

are times I just like to sit on

the porch and watch.

I'm headed out now. Hey,

mimosas aren't considered

drinking early in the day, 

right?! Just kidding!

Come on over and we'll see

what's what!

08/04/2024

Bless you for asking 

about our Lughnasadh 

celebration yesterday.

A dozen of us got together

and honored Lugh and the

month of August.

As I no longer drive due to

Petite Mal Seizures, sisters

come to me for this holiday

every summer. I so love it!

I especially love the part of

sitting in circle and sharing

bits of wisdom. I learn some-

thing I'd never though about

each time!

Of course, the picnic is great

fun too; I always start with

dessert!

Let's raise our glasses to

August and enjoy this last

bit of summer heat . . .

08/03/2024

"The day will come when what

is ethical matters more than what

is profitable." ~Rumi

Somewhere 'twixt and 'tween the

upcoming election and the forest

fires we're experiencing, I believe

this message is finally touching

our hearts and minds.

Alas, I have this horrendous feeling

that busy, busy, busy has excelled

over the ethical. Completely natural!

We're driving, getting to our jobs,

working to bring home the bacon,

and trying to rear our children.

Frankly, there's precious little time

to indulge in anything else.

We even hurry to enjoy our fun

time. Bears thinking about . . .

 - - -

Rumi was a 13th century Persian

poet, Islamic scholar, Maturdi

theologian, Sufi mystic, originally

from the Greater Iran. 1207 - 1273

Wikipedia

08/02/2024

Trying to think positive here . . .

Is it the morning of the day 

after or is it the morning 

of the day before?

Sooooo enjoyed Lughnasadh

eve and the actual day as well.

Really didn't wish for it to end.

So, I availed myself of wisdom

from on high . . . otherwise

known as the Internet . . . and

found the below quote.

Rather like the idea of funning

for an entire month! Hoist your

glasses with whatever . . . for

moi, 'tis buttermilk . . . and let's

simply August it for another 30

days!

 - - -

Every year on the Sunday

closest to August 1, the

Celtic festival Lughnasadh

kicks off the harvest season.

The festival also marks the

beginning of autumn and

traditionally lasts for one 

month. 

National Day Calendar

08/01/2024

I can't believe it . . . First day 

of August, Lughnasadh, and 

the full Sturgeon Moon in all 

its glory! Wow!! Just WOW!!!

Can hardly wait to see what

this day will bring. Still need

to learn to slow down and

simply enjoy.

'Tis hot and sunny, which 

makes me think of sitting

outside all day . . . maybe

even enjoying a couple of 

margs.

Sooooo love summer, the

heat, the sun. Rather restores

my soul. Add in all the lovely

happenings of today, and it's 

above and beyond . . .

Happy August! Have a fulsome

Lughnasadh!! Enjoy the full

Sturgeon Moon!!!

 - - -

"The Full Moon in August is

named after North America's

largest fist, the sturgeon. Other

names for this Full Moon include

Grain Moon, Corn Moon, Lynx

Moon, and Lightning Moon."

timeanddate