11/20/2024

Glory in the unexpected!

I thought I had a couple

of friends over . . . seems

I noted the wrong date.

Sooooo, as my guy had

built the fire, he suggested

we make it a couple's day.

Asked me to make margs

and put on some music.

Oh my God, does it ever 

get better than this?!

We sat contentedly by the 

fire, drinking our margs, 

and eating the food he 

brought in. Glorious!

In the background; Kenny 

Rodgers, Willie Nelson 

and other of his faves. He

made the day happen, had

to be his choices.

Hated to head off to bed, 

but had to happen. Rather

makes me want to mess 

up arrangements another

day, if you know what I

mean!

The thing I love? We still

enjoy each other one way

or another . . .

11/19/2024

"There are two rules on the

spiritual path. Begin and

continue." Sufi

Ran across this bit of wisdom

upon awaking at 3:30 a.m.

Really spoke to me.

How many times in life do we

begin something for whatever

reason and then abandon it for

the same?I

Now that I'm a hundred years

old and trying to suss out the

meaning of life, I'll be damned

if I give up on my search!

During these past two weeks,

and again yesterday, I have 

been reminded of the power 

of friendship.

I don't think for a moment that

one's friends need to be on the

same belief path. We each

travel to Nirvana in our own

way.

So hoping my elder years and

my path bring me the answers

I seek . . .

11/18/2024

Awoke to 18° this early morn.

Does this mean it's winter yet?

Nah, methinks 'tis still autumn.

In spite of SAD and elections

and the go withs, I'm going 

w/Norman Vincent Peale's

Power of Positive Thinking.

Friends have given me many

an idea as well . . . short time 

outdoors each day. Hey, it's 

only 18° right now . . . good 

meals. Does buttermilk and a 

banana sound about right?

For today, I'm going with a

fire, sweet contemplations

and a decent bottle of red.

One of my old friends from

the 'hood will be joining me

and I bet my 'tude and I are

going to be just fine!

Here's hoping the sun comes

out, melts away those last bits

of 33" snow and reminds me

again what autumn is supposed

to look like . . .

Oh well, autumn is as autumn

does . . .

11/17/2024

A new week, a new day . . .

So hoping I can now begin 

to get beyond this depression;

33" of snow in three days, 

the election, world chaos.

What's to be done to improve

the downs, as I like to call 

them.

My guess would be that we

all know the secrets. The trick

would be to do them, right?!

Eat right, bit of daily exercise,

drink not at all or very little, 

sleep your eight, read some 

light-hearted literature.

And never forget the power 

of sweet visitors! 'Tis the 

best . . .

Hey, I'm going to get right on

this! Especially this last one!

11/16/2024 - Sacred Night of Lady Hekate

Many of you know I named my cabin,

The Lady Hekate. This ancient goddess

was known to stand at the three-way 

crossroads and as my cabin is such, 

thus I named her.

November 16 is her anniversary, The

sacred night of Lady Hekate. I thought 

you might like to know a bit about her.

I like the below text; am only sorry 

the author is unknown . . .

"She roams the earth with her hounds, 

new initiations are made for those 

who follow her. Hecate’s Supper is 

left  out on the steps of her followers 

dwellings, usually consisting of honey 

and mushrooms. Hecate then blesses 

those inside.

On the night of Hekate, she draws very

nigh. She is known by many as the

mother, maiden and crone, goddess of 

the night, the full and dark moons, 

crossraods, life and death, transitions and 

transformation. She is a keeper of wisdom, 

the unconscious mind and is considered 

to be the queen of magic.

Hekate holds the keys to the Gates of 

the Underworld and to all mysteries. 

Ancient Greeks placed statues of her 

at the doorways for protection. For 

those who honor her, she will bestow 

many gifts, including magical abilities 

and prosperity."  ~Unknown

11/15/2024

Today we are celebrating 

Lady Hekate, Goddess of 

the three-way crossroads. 

In days of yesteryear, 

"Pillars called Hecataea 

stood at three-way cross-

roads to keep away evil 

spirits." Wikipedia

As my little cabin sits on 

a three-way crossroad, I 

named her after this fab 

goddess.

My guy created a space 

for an outdoor altar in 

the center of three trees.

It is quite stunning and

the statue has withstood

13 years of weather of

all kinds.

One of the things I so 

love about my Lady

Hekate cabin is the fact

that it houses a true

sense of spirituality!

I often ask myself why

I am so moved by this

particular goddess. Part

has to be the three-way

crossroads as three is 

my number. I also love

her symbol, the key and

I have keys all over my

cabin and property.

No can do the snakes 

though . . .

 - - -

"Hecate is a goddess in 

ancient Greek religion 

and mythology, most often 

shown holding a pair of 

torches, a key, snakes, and

accompanied by dogs."

Wikipedia

11/14/2024

What a fun, delightful wedding!

Just before the bride came in,

a chap danced up the isle, 

throwing popcorn, snacks and

beer to the audience. He then

brought each of the wedding

party a beer.

I simply loved speaking to this

young couple. For the first time

in about 35 years, after marrying

dozens and dozens of couples,

I shared my points for a good

marriage. You might think this

a bit much as I've been married

three times! Oh well . . .

#1 - Know yourself and be

yourself. Of course, naught

wrong with discussing certain

things even if you have to agree

to disagree. 

Compromise R O C K S !!!

#2 - Work at it. Take turns at the

dishes, straightening up, changing

the sheets. Share the bills, share

in anything and everything.

#3 - Make lots of love. And, that

doesn't mean just going to bed.

That odd touch or look, holding

hands, being playful together,

and lots of little kisses.

I would add, couples are going to

fight. Having said that, I don't get

why two rational, intelligent adults

shout at each other. Why can't 

opinions be stated and discussed?

Raise your glasses . . . here's to

these sweet, young newlyweds.

And, here's to us enduring and

enjoying . . . Salud! 

11/13/2024

Ever sooooo excited . . .

Today, a young couple join

hands in ceremony, promising

to love and honor 'til death do

them part.

They will be surrounded by

the beauty of family, friends,

and well-wishers. Smiles and

teary eyes, nods of approval,

simply sheer joy embracing

the young couple.

See those sweet, secret looks 

'tween those long wed, others

looking forward to their own

someday soon. Bottom line,

naught but joy abounds . . .

Today is a day of promises

given, happiness abounding,

hopes for a glorious future.

But, what about us? Those of

us who witness all? Those of

us still hoping and praying?

Methinks we've an opportunity

here to evaluate. Maybe even

begin a plan. 

Yes, there is much out of our 

hands, yet there are also things

over which we do have control.

I say we use today's joy to

inspire ourselves to take steps,

albeit baby steps, towards

reclaiming our own joyous

moments.

Joy awaits . . .

11/12/2024

a.m.

Today is going to be a 

good day! 

We're off to my niece's 

wedding rehersal. So special 

when I get to marry family.

Wedding on the morrow . . .

two whole days of getting

out, seeing family, simply

enjoying.

Methinks I've died and 

gone to heaven . . . sooooo

NOT kidding!

Surely, good reports soon

to follow . . .

p.m.

Oh, it was so good to get

out in the sun! Sooooo

needed it!

Such lovely people in my

family . . . the bride so

gorgeous and her mom, 

one of my dearest cousins.

So impressed with the bride's

entourage. Lovely people,

very friendly.

Methinks seeing their love 

was just what I needed to get 

my mojo back!

11/11/2024

Sooooo, what's to be done

with depression?

Trying to think here . . . 

been so down, I've not 

been able to do so properly. 

Spoke to my daughter yester-

day and that helped a great

deal. Friends came over and

brightened the mood. 

But really, where do we go

from here? 

-Perhaps it's time to lose 

the murder mysteries I enjoy 

both reading and watching.

-Too dangerous out there 

to take a ride . . . maybe 

find a scenic show to watch.

-The answer has to lie in 

sitting by the fire. Might 

even indulge in an eggnog.

Something's got to give. 

Not a place I want to be in

much less live in . . .

Help! Drowning here . . .

11/10/2024

"The dark does not destroy

the light; it defines it. It's 

our fear of the dark that casts 

our joy into the shadows."

~Brené Brown

Just when I'm feeling over-

whelmed w/an early winter,

33" of snow and fear of the

unknown, I read this bit of

wisdom.

I've always enjoyed Brené 

Brown. She seems to be able

to capture the depth in the 

simple in a way that amazes

me.

I need to remember that light

follows dark and hope is ever

present in despondency.

And, tomorrow is another day

after all . . .

 - - -

Brené Brown is an American

professor, lecturer, author and

podcast host. Wikipedia

11/09/2024

Alas, sooooo not coping;

where do I go from here?!

I swore to myself that I

wouldn't use my daily

column as a gripe site . . .

yet here I am.

Still, I find that by sharing

my sorrows here allows 

me deal with my plight

somewhat better.

Obviously, I get that one

cannot change this winter

weather, the outcome of an 

election, and other things

that are off putting.

Sooooo, methinks sitting

by the fire with a spiced

eggnog might just distract.

This bit of brilliance was

suggested by my lover.

Feel free to send your

suggestions . . . I'm all ears!

11/08/2024

"Some of the brightest

lanterns are held by those

who have known darkness.

Brave beacons of hope for

others to find their way."

Sunlight and Shadows

Alas, 'tis that time of year

when I just want to curl up

and die. The good thing is

I know it's not real and I'm

ever learning how to cope.

The thing I consider best

out of my SAD months, is

the empathy one feels for

others in the same space.

So, what I want to learn 

from this would be how to

encourage those suffering

from Seasonal Affective

Disorder.

As I wasn't diagnosed for

years, there may be people

in the same situation I was.

Knowing is coping!!!

Bottom line, if you suspect

you might have SAD, get

properly diagnosed. Find 

a group to talk and share.

'Tis most likely the reason

I'm still alive today . . .