Recommended to Anyone with a Heart

I know my enthusiasm is suspect to some of you because it comes so often and intensely but I'm really, really, really, really, really, really, joyous about the book My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor.

I first heard about Dr. Jill from my friends Candace and Donna at our study group. They told me to google Jill Bolte Taylor and watch her video clip. I did and was quite moved. I put her name in my blog's video clips.

The more I listened to her talk about her stroke and what she, as a neuroanatomist, learned from it and her eight year recovery, the more I wanted to read her book. So I ordered it. It came on Christmas Day by way of a neighbor who got it at his address by mistake. In fact, Donna was here at my house to receive it since she was dog-sitting Petey for the day while Sharon, John and I were off in the P.T. to spend Christmas with A.J., Wendy, & Ray. I read it yesterday and now I want to order dozens of them to give out. But at $15 a crack, I probably won't. BUT, I'm hoping you will all get a copy of it and read it. It's amazing. There are five in the Cochise County Library system (all but one is checked out at the moment I write this).

I quote from pg. 139: "My two hemispheric personalities not only think about things differently, but they process emotions and carry my body in easily distinguishable ways. ... My right hemisphere is all about right here and now. It bounces around with unbridled enthusiasm and does not have a care in the world. It smiles a lot and is extremely friendly. In contrast, my left hemisphere is preoccupied with details and runs my life on a tight schedule. It is my more serious side. It clenches my jaw and makes decisions based upon what it learned in the past. It defines boundaries and judges everything as right/wrong or good/bad. ...

My right mind is all about the richness of this present moment. It is filled with gratitude for my life and everyone and everything in it. It is content, compassionate, nurturing, and eternally optimistic. To my right mind character, there is no judgment of good/bad or right/wrong, so everything exists on a continuum of relativity." ... "One of the greatest blessings I received as a result of this hemorrhage is that I had the chance to rejuvenate and strengthen my neurocircuits of innocence and inner joy."

I had a minor stroke almost six years ago and ever since have been fearful of the possibility that I would have another more severe one. Now I am not afraid. Thank you Dr. Jill.

A Scottish Fable

To Keep Them Warm: A Scottish Fable
adapted by Carol Byron May 2001
from Gazetteer of Scottish & Irish Ghosts

by Peter Underwood published in 1972


Once upon a time, a loving wife and mother, Annie McVee,
died of a sudden illness, leaving two children; Harold and Eleanor,
aged five and seven who now had only their hard-working father,
Alex McVee, to look after them.

The children helped with chores as their father had much work
to do on the farm. He worked from dawn to dusk. He and the
children missed their wife and mother, Annie, very much.

One of the father’s friends, Tommy, had an older sister, Jane,
who never married. When this sister was quite young, she lost
an eye. Several red-hot embers from her family’s fireplace
flew out and hit her face when her brother Tommy had carelessly
tossed a log on the fire she was sitting next to. Their mother’s
comment at the time had been, “Thank goodness the ember
didn’t strike the boy.” The sister’s missing eye had disfigured

her face and made her bitter, although she was known as a

hard worker in the neighborhood.

Encouraged by his friend, Alex, the father, married the sister
with one eye, so that the children would have a mother and the
meals and the house would be taken care of. As a new stepmother,
Jane treated the children meanly. Perhaps this was because

her own mother treated her meanly. “Children cannot be

pampered, if they are to grow up responsible,” was her favorite

expression.

Jane also resented the first wife’s treasured household goods.
For example, one of the children’s mother’s prized possessions
had been a large supply of blankets and linens. As new wife,
Jane stored these sheets and blankets away in her hope chest
under lock and key.The nights got colder as summer turned to
autumn. The one-eyed mean stepmother refused to bring out
the warm blankets for the children’s bed.

All they had on their bed was a few worn-out rags. By the time

winter settled in, the children had to huddle together every

night, shivering with the cold, until they fell asleep. Jane,

of course, had a very warm blanket on her own bed.

Eleanor prayed to their mother to help keep them warm

and a strange thing began to happen. Each morning, when

the children woke up, much to their surprise, they found

themselves wrapped cozy and warm in their mother’s

blankets. Their stepmother was livid.

She screamed at them and smacked them up side their heads

in frustration. But she knew in her heart that the only key

to the chest where the blankets were locked was safely hidden

under her own pillow.

Then one cold winter’s night, young Harold fell asleep quickly

but Eleanor could not. She was so cold, so bitter cold, that she

lay wake shivering, deep into the night. Suddenly, the bedroom

door opened, and Eleanor saw a ghostly lady dressed in a long

shimmering white dress. As the lady approached, the lock

on the chest sprang open and she brought out two blankets

and lovingly wrapped the children in them.

As the lady leaned down to kiss the children, Eleanor

recognized her mother, Annie. Eleanor whispered, “Mother?”

but the ghostly figure turned away and vanished into the

darkness. When Eleanor told her family what she had seen,
the stepmother relented and allowed the children to have

their mother's blankets.

Peace to the Human Race

Continuing the third to first person 'quotes' from Wayne Dyer's "Your Erroneous Zones":

My values are not local. I do not identify with my family, neighborhood, community, city, state (or province), or country. I see myself as belonging to the human race, and an unemployed Austrian is no better or worse than an unemployed Californian. I am not patriotic to a certain boundary; rather I see myself as a part of the whole of humanity. I take no glee in having more enemy dead, since the enemy is as human as the ally. The lines drawn by men to describe how one should be affiliated are not subscribed to by me. I transcend traditional boundaries, which often causes others to label me a rebel or even traitor.

This is my ideal, but in my heart is a strong love of my childhood country - Canada - and the good people I grew up with there who were mostly Scots descent. Of course, I no longer live there or think they are the only or best of God's children. The native peoples of the U.S. and Mexico are as dear to me as my old Scottish families were. So I grow toward this ideal.

Grateful Grandmother

My ASD grandson, A. J., has a heart valve that came from a pig. I wonder what, if any, influence that has on him? Since valve implants don’t grow with the child, this is his third. The first valve was from a baby whose parent’s donated her heart after she died in an accident. (We are sad for them but grateful to them.) The second was a mechanical valve (for this we are grateful to the surgeon and inventor), and this last one, as I say, came from a pig (to whom we are also grateful). Apparently, pigs have many similarities to humans in their body parts.
There was great confusion at the time of A.J.’s birth, both for the doctors and his mother and I. The doctors were trying to determine all the defects he had. The missing valve was the most life-threatening. During his first week in the Intensive Nursery we were told he would probably be blind, deaf, and severely mentally handicapped. Well, the good news was that he wasn’t blind or deaf.
He did have difficulty in eating; swallowing actually. He was on a G-tube for four years. He also had difficulty breathing, so had to have a tracheotomy. He kept that device in for two years. Eating and breathing difficulties, plus a missing heart valve made tough challenges for his mom in his upbringing. He has generally a sunny temperament; in fact, he has a large fan club. When he was a toddler he was exceptionally handsome. That could be the grandmother in me talking, but we have photos.
A.J. celebrated his nineteenth birthday this year. His body is no longer a child’s body. He is still limited in his diet choices and runs to bean pole stature. His greatest difficulty now is being understood. His mom has completed the guardianship process.
Like any other teenager, A.J. is frustrated that people don’t understand him. His speech, even after years of therapy and specialists and exercises, is difficult for most people to understand. Certain phrases come out clear enough like, “Start your engines!” Need I add he’s a NASCAR fan? Also he says with a laugh, “I’m watching you!” and expects you to say you’re watching him too. Clear phrases like these are often from things that initially frightened him. Unlike other teens, he is physically unable to make himself understood for even the simplest statement of need or desire. He is not trying to break away and live his own life like other eighteen year olds; for A.J. is unlikely to be leaving home and setting up an independent life of his own. He has no affinity for the written word except for making his own name: A.J.
He does have an established routine and many activities he enjoys. Life is mostly good for A.J. and his family loves him dearly. We are grateful.

Open to the Grace of the Rose

The rose encodes purity and passion, earthly desire

and heavenly perfection,

virginity and fertility, life and death.

The rose is a symbol that can tie us together
as a whole brotherhood of mankind.

White roses are the unclouded hopes of a pure heart

and good judgement over selfish passion.

The female white rose concerns purity and innocence, acceptance,

unconditional love.

The male red rose, when married to the white,

becomes the basis of magic and the metamorphosis of the soul - the means by which we distill the divine in ourselves.

Change Your Mind

Quoting Bernie Siegel on Peace of Mind:

"My message is peace of mind, not curing cancer, blindness, or paraplegia.

In achieving peace of mind, cancer may be healed,

sight may be restored, and paralysis may disappear.

All these things may occur through peace of mind, which creates a healing environment

in the body.

Anyone who is willing to work at it can achieve it, and the first step is understanding - realistically, without guilt or self-pity - how the mind has contributed to the body's ills.

This understanding can show you how you must change to be at peace with yourself."

You Are Loved, Don't Give Up

I post this message from God especially for my dear daughters:

Lyrics of song You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)

by songwriters: Thomas Salter and Molly Kaye

Don't give up

It's just the weight of the world

When your heart's heavy

I, I will lift you up

Don't give up

Because you want to be heard

If silence keeps you

I, I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood

Well, I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved

Don't give up, because you are loved

Don't give up

It's just the hurt that you hide

When you're lost inside

I, I will be there to find you

Don't give up

Because you want to burn bright

If darkness blinds you

I, I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood

Well, I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved

Don't give up, because you are loved

...

Curiosity - A Good Thing

I am aggressively curious. I never know enough. I search for more and want to learn each and every moment of my life. I am not concerned with having to do it right or having done it wrong.


If something doesn't work, or doesn't accomplish the greatest amount of good, then it is discarded, rather than mulled over in regret. I am a truth seeker in the learning sense, always excited about learning more and never believing I am a finished product.


If I am around a barber, I want to learn about barbering. I learn from children, stockbrokers and animals. I want to know more about what it means to be a welder, a cook, a hooker, or a corporate vice-president. I am a learner not a teacher.


Every person, every object, every event represents an opportunity for knowing more. And I am aggressive in my interests, not waiting for information to come along, but going after it. I'm not afraid to talk to a waitress or ask a dentist what it feels like to have your hands in someone's mouth all day, or inquire of the poet what is meant by this or that.

Our Purpose

Here's a piece I edited from Elizabeth Kubler Ross some years ago.

It can stand as what I truly believe!

Our Purpose

Whether or not we understand fully who we are,

or what happens when we die;

It is our purpose as human beings

to look within ourselves,

to find and build our individual

strength and understanding.

And then reach out to others,

with love, acceptance, and patient guidance;

in hope of what we may become together.

And this one is from the oft quoted "Author Unknown"

May Evening Find me Gentle

Give me a few friends who will love me for who I am

or am not.

Keep ever burning before my wandering steps

the kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity overtake me

and I come not in sight of the castle of my dreams,

teach me still to be thankful for life

and time's old memories

that are good and sweet.

And may the evening twilight find me gentle still.

Relationship and Expectations

Continuing with the affirmations from Dr. Dyer's Erroneous Zones:

I value honesty. I am not evasive with my responses.

I know that I'm in charge of my own world, and others are in charge of their own as well.

I deal with what is, rather than what I would like it to be.

I don't blame. I don't spend a great deal of time talking about others and focussing on what someone else has done or failed to do. [ I need to read that one often]

I have little concern with order, organization or system in my life. I have self-discipline but have no need to have things and people fit into my own perceptions of how everything ought to be. I do not see the world as having to be a certain way. I have no preoccupation with cleanliness and orderliness. I exist in a functional way and if everything isn't fitting in as I would prefer, I find that all right too. Because of this I can be creative.

I attack any concern in my own way, be it making a bowl of soup, writing a report, or mowing the grass. I apply my own imagination to the act, and the result is a creative approach to everything. I don't have to do it a certain way. I simply attack a problem as I see fit. This is creativity and I have it.

Life May Bring a Great Deal of Sadness

Here's a piece of mine that I had forgotten.
Written August 14th 2002,
after my sister Lois took me, mom, and Megan
to the circus.

Life may bring a great deal of sadness.
Do not be ashamed to feel it.

Remember that Life is a circus.

Some may not love you. The ones you love, will.
Loving and being loved may not be enough.

Find your rhythm,
Dance, Sing, Paint, Write, or Serve.
Or all of the above.
And take time to be.

Treat others with tenderness.

Following these and other worthy precepts
will not always make the path easier,
just more worthwhile.

Most of all, remember: You are loved.
Your creator loves you.
Many people love you.
I love you.

Without a Fight

Continuing the affirmations from Dr. Dyer's Your Erroneous Zones:

I never engage in useless fighting. I am not a bandwagoner, jumping on various causes as a way of bringing importance to myself. If fighting will help bring about change, then I will fight but never will I find it necessary to fight uselessly. I am not a martyr. I am a doer. I am also a helper. I engage in work that will make other people's lives more pleasant or tolerable. I am a warrior on the forefront of social change; and yet I don't take my struggles to bed with me every night as a breeding ground for ulcers, heart disease and other physical disorders. I am incapable of stereotyping. I often don't even notice physical differences in people, including racial, ethnic, size and sexual. I do not judge others by their looks. I may appear hedonistic and selfish though I spend large amounts of my time in the service of others. Why? Because I like it that way.

The Natural World

Continuing the affirmations taken from Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's Your Erroneous Zones:

I appreciate the natural world. I love being outdoors in nature, tripping around in all that is unspoiled and original. I especially love things like mountains, sunsets, river, flowers, trees, animals and virtually all flora and fauna. I love the naturalness of the universe. I am not busy seeking out taverns, night clubs, parties, and the like, although I am certainly capable of enjoying such activities to the fullest. I am at peace with nature, God's world, if you will.
I never tire of a sunset or a trip in the woods. A bird in flight is magnificent sight over and over again. A caterpillar never grows tiresome, nor does a cat giving birth to kittens. I spontaneously appreciate. I am in awe of the vastness of possibilities for present-moment fulfillment.

So here's the Christmas Letter

Happy Holy Days to You and Your Loved Ones from the Mule Mountains of Arizona!

You already know what’s important to know about me; I care about you. Suffice it to say, I am in good spirits even if aging has impacted
my physical health.

It’s wonderful to have my daughter Sharon living down on the corner
of our street. She’s a great help to me, especially on tech stuff, or
finding lost things (she’s amazing at that), and naming things, well
the list goes on and on. I’m so proud of her! Her former-movie-star
cat, Turtle (she was in “Bewitched” the movie), is well and happy
with Sharon’s loving services. Turtle was kept hungry in training
and on the set, so now she eats the best gourmet canned.

My other daughter Wendy has the BIG news. She bought her own
home (in Marana, a town just north of Tucson) with land enough
to keep her two horses; her mare, Pepsi and her colt, Comanche.
Also her small pack of dogs (mostly German Shepherds): Johan, the
large affectionate male, Shotsey, Azure Blue, Mystic Blue, and Sassy,
the 14-yr-old Queensland. I’m so proud of her. And her son, my only
grandson, A.J., is very happy in their new place. He especially
loves his new room and having his own bathroom.

My pets, Petey, the Chihuahua, and Kooch, the cat, are both happy,
except with each other. Recently, Kooch trapped Petey in the
bathroom. They avoid one another as much as possible, but
sometimes they choose the same place for a nap, then there’s
a small ruckus. Petey runs to me for comfort while Kooch gets,
well, whatever Kooch wants. I’ve told Petey not to mess with
that cat, who, I’m sure could take this tiny dog, anytime,
anywhere.

Within the last few weeks, John has had to fix a broken
water pipe in the front yard, a broken light switch in the
kitchen, and a leak under the sink. And he gave the roof
another protective coating. He also installed a double door
in his shed so he can store his motorcycles, and moved his
small woodstove into his unheated bedroom.

P.S. The pets got the most press in this one, eh?

I Accept Myself

Continuing the affirmations from Dr. Dyer's Erroneous Zones

" I accept myself without complaint. I know I am a human being and being so involves certain human attributes. I know I look a certain way, and I accept it. If I'm overweight, that's okay, so is being underweight. Thin hair is fine and so is thick. I can live with sweat! I accept that I am a natural person. No hiding behind artificialities, no apologizing for what I am. I like myself and accept what I am. Similarly, I accept all of nature for what it is, rather than wishing it were otherwise. I don't complain about things that won't change, such as cold winter weather, heat waves, rainstorms, or cold water. I accept myself and the world as it is. No pretenses, no groaning, simply acceptance. Follow me around for years and you'll never hear self-deprecation or wishing. I observe the world like a child who enjoys it for all it's worth."

Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money and power and influence. It is no more or lessthan faith in action." - Henry Chester

To send a Christmas letter or not?

On a whim, I wrote a Christmas letter last night . I don't usually like the holiday-one-letter-fits-all. Some I've received over the years have down right pissed me off. But I fell under the spell of wanting to connect with the people I don't see at all, or at best, once, since the previous Christmas. A plain card, even signed with dearly meant love, is still just a greeting like you'd give the grocery clerk and I want to let these friends and family know that my everyday life with daughters, pets, and ex-husband is still lively and full of moments of happy events. Thus, the letter.

It was a lot of work. First some hand written ideas, then into Word to compose, then 1st draft printed, revised, 2nd draft printed, revised, and so on. So I get the draft I like with clipart and font of choice, on one page that fits. So I print a few up. They look pretty good, sound alright, but then I find out from my daughter Sharon that I've got my other daughter Wendy's colt, misnamed. So, does it matter? Well to Wendy and the colt himself it does. Sharon says, "Just right it in on her copy, Mum." I guess that's what I'll do. So, anyone reading this who gets the letter should know that the colt's name is not Cody, but Comanche.

"May the real spirit of Christmas - the giving of self to life - enter and abide in you now and through time." - Dr. Ernest Holmes

Humor and Laughter

First person affirmations taken from Your Erroneous Zones by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

I know how to laugh, and how to create laughter. I find humor in virtually all situations and can laugh at the most absurd as well as the most solemn of occasions. I love to make others laugh and create humor. I am not a serious, ponderous person who plows through life with a strong grimness. I am a doer, often scorned for being frivolous at the wrong time. I do not have good timing for I know there is really no such thing as the right time in the right place. I love the incongruous, yet I am unhostile in my humor; never, but never using ridicule to create laughter. I don't laugh at people, I laugh with them. I do laugh at live and see the whole thing as fun, even though I am deliberate in my own pursuits. When I look back at life, I know I'm not going any place in particular and I'm able to enjoy and create an atmoshpere in which others can choose joy for themselves. I'm fun to have around.

Approval

To continue the First Person Affirmations from Your Erroneous Zones
by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer © 1976

I do not attempt to shock others, or to gain their approval. I am internally directed; literally unconcerned about others evaluation of my behavior. I am not oblivious to applause and approval; I just don't need it. I can be almost blunt in my honesty since I do not couch my messages in carefully worded phrases designed to please. If you want to know what I think, that is exactly what you'll hear.
Conversely, when you say something about me I will not be destroyed ir immobilized. I will take the data you provide, filter it through my own values and use it for growth. I do not need to be loved by everyone, nor do I harbor an inordinate wish to be approved by all for everything I do. I recognize that I will always incur some disapproval.
I am not a rebel. I make my own choices even if those choices conflict with what everybody else does. I can ignore petty rules if they make no sense.
I am not defensive. I won't play games to try to impress others. I don't dress for other's approval, no do I go through the motions of explaining myself. I don't get seduced into making issues of small or big things. I'm not an arguer or a hot-headed debater; I simply state my views, listen to others, and recognize the futility of trying to convince someone else to my opinion. I simply say, "That's all right; we're just different. We don't have to agree." I let it go at that without any need to win an argument or persuade the opponent of the wrongness of his position. I am unafraid of giving a bad impression, but I don't strive to do so.

Grandparent Scam in Arizona

from Mountain View News (of Sierra Vista) November 6th, 2008
"In this scam the fraud [person] calls an elderly person and poses as their grandchild.
The caller may say something like, 'Grandma, I'm so glad I reached you' or 'Grandpa, it's me, your favorite grandchild calling.' The caller waits for the grandparent to say something like, 'Jimmy, is that you?' The caller will agree and state that he or she has either been in a bad accident or is in some type of trouble and needs money."
The caller then asks that a money order be sent through a wire service such as MoneyGram or Western Union. The article advises that if you have been a victim of this or other scams, contact the AZ Attorney General's office in Phoenix at 1-800-352-8431 or go online to http://www.azag.gov/

Independence

First, I'd like to recommend a new self-published book I just finished. It's a lovely fiction story that starts with five-year-old Lexi and her best-waitress-in-town mother, and keeps you fascinated through growth and resolution. The title is "Knowing Things", author is Erica Boardman Thomas. Well developed characters you care about; interesting situations; good story development; well written. For this first novel, Erica walked away with the top prize of $500 as the Best Book of the Year from the first annual Premier Book Awards. Congratulations, Erica!

Continuing the affirmations from Dyer's "Your Erroneous Zones":

I have a strong love for and devotion to family [but] I see independence as superior to dependence in all relationships. I treasure my freedom from expectations. My relationships are built on mutual respect. My love involves no imposition of values on the loved one. I put a high premium on privacy, which may leave some people feeling snubbed or rejected. I like to be alone at times and I will go to great lengths to ensure my privacy is protected. I am not involved with numerous love relationships. I am selective about my love. It is difficult for dependent or unhealthy people to love me. I want those I love to be independent, to make their own choices, and to live their lives for themselves. While I want to be with and enjoy others, I want, even more, for others to make it without crutches or leaning. I refuse to be dependent, or depended upon, in a mature relationship.

The values in these 'affirmations' obviously resonate with me. Dr. Dyer gives them as a portrait of a person who has overcome "erroneous" behaviours, or zones, as he calls them.

Living in the Now

First Person Affirmations from Your Erroneous Zones by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer © 1976

Chapter 12 "Portrait of a Person Who Has Eliminated All Erroneous Zones" pages 234 to 243 written in third person; translated by me into first person to make affirmations. This is Dyer’s description of how people who are free from all erroneous zone thinking and behavior function:

I live now, rather than in the past or the future. I am not threatened by the unknown, and I seek out experiences that are new and unfamiliar to me. I love ambiguity. I savor the now at all times, aware this is all I have. I don’t plan for a future event and let long periods of inactivity elapse awaiting that event. … I get pleasure out of my daily life. I am not a postponer, saving for a rainy day, and while our culture disapproves my behavior, I am not threatened by reproach. I gather my happiness now, and when a future-now arrives, I gather in that one as well. I am always enjoying because I see the folly of waiting to enjoy. It is a natural way of living, very much like a child or an animal. I am busy grabbing present-moment fulfillment. …

This is the first of twenty affirmations. Next one is on Independence. So stay tuned.
Love and Blessings on your Journey

Knitting Christmas Bells

This is my favorite easy to knit Christmas bell pattern.

I make the larger ones for tree ornaments with 4ply cotton yarn on size 6 US needles. I also make smaller ones on smaller needles and fingering yarn that look great on gifts.

Cast on 12 sts.

Row 1: Knit 9, increase in next 2 sts., knit 1 (= 14 sts.) [to increase knit into front without pulling off the needle, then knit into the back, then pulling the 2 sts off.]

Row 2: Purl 6, knit 8.

Row 3: Knit 14.

Repeat rows 2 & 3 to make a total of 15 ridges (rows 2 and 3 make 1 ridge)

Bind off 9 sts, then bind off 2 sts together - twice.

Sew seam, draw up top edge with yarn. Hang a jingle bell in center of yarn bell.

Make a loop on top for hanger.

They're pretty quick and fun to make.

Let me know if you try it.

The Day Things Kept Breaking

Truly lovely sunny morning, yesterday. First there was a visit from my daughter, Sharon, with lots of laughter. Then a realization, just in time, that if I wanted to get cat food for 10 cents a pound, I'd better get moving. So I did. Got the cat food. Walked Petey, my Chihuahua, in the Sierra Vista Park. Got the water jugs filled on the way.

Arrived back in Bisbee in time to have lunch at the Copper Queen Hospital cafeteria, where 2 of my friends, Donna and Melody, were already eating. They were gracious enough to move to a larger table, so I could join them. Good company. Lunch was delicious: Minestrone soup, codfish filets, vegetable medley, and roasted chunks of seasoned potatoes. Dessert was peach cobbler. Back at home, full and cozy, I read, knitted, went through the mail.

Then things started breaking.

When I went out to the mail box, I noticed the ground around the water meter was wet. Turned out the pipe connection on our side was leaking. Nice mess of mud digging. Then in the house, I noticed that my new cordless phone (1 day old) was piling up Missed Calls. It wasn't ringing. Wouldn't dial out. Broken.

So no water, no phone. But we had a movie to watch. A Netflix. I opened the envelope and guess what? Yes, it was broken. Cracked half way up from the middle. So, even with a good start, I will remember Friday the 7th as the day things started breaking. Who says it's Friday the 13th you have to watch out for?

Today a new start. Replacing pipe and valve. Packing up phone to return. Sending Netflix back.

Self-Blessing

I pulled out my copy of Ten Poems to Open Your Heart and was impressed with Roger Housden all over again. I especially resonated with this part of a poem [Saint Francis and The Sow] by Galway Kinnell:
"for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing; though sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness, to put a hand on the brow of the flower and retell it in words and in touch, it is lovely, until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing..."

Paraphrasing Roger Housden's comments: We, you and I, are full of life, unfolding into flower.
A blessing is an act of reverence, usually freely given from one to another, and traditionally within some religious context, but in this poem Kinnell says that the deepest blessing comes from ourselves. It arises, spontaneously, from the silence in us. Or not.

Blessings give life meaning, make life richer. The examples Housden gives are: like the feeling of emerging from cloud cover into an endless expanse of blue. Like a flood of warmth from the top of your head down to your toes. Or like the sensation of belonging, of realizing that you have your own unique place in the family of things.

A blessing is an influx of grace.

To listen quietly and deeply to the stirring of your own life is an act of self-blessing. To be kind to yourself. To have faith that your life has its own intelligent design and is doing exactly what it needs to, even if it doesn't feel that way; that is a blessing. For " sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing a thing its loveliness".

A New Leader for the U.S.

Standing just beyond the crush of Barack Obama supporters in Chicago's Grant Park, Mike Victor, a 57-year-old African- American commodities trader who has lived his entire life on Chicago's South Side, watched as the impossible dream came true.
"This is history in the making. Never in my lifetime have we seen something like this," he said. "This is a victory not only for African-Americans but for all the people. I'm not putting Barack Obama in the category of a saviour, but in extraordinary times, extraordinary leaders rise.
"Rosa [Parks] sat so Martin [Luther King] could walk. Martin walked so Obama could run. Obama ran so our children could fly," Mr. Victor said, attributing the poetic phrase to a wise man.

Devoted to my right hip

My pets, Kooch the cat, and Petey a Chihuahua mix, have issues with each other. To illustrate, a few days ago, in the early morning, Kooch came into the bathroom with me to get a running-water drink from the sink, as is his habit, and Petey came in to sit at my feet on the toilet mat. Kooch finished his drink, I finished my toilet session and Kooch sat like an Egyptian in the open doorway. I washed my hands and left the bathroom. I went into the living room to drink my coffee and read my book. After a few minutes, I realized that Petey hadn't followed me to come snuggle up to my right hip like he usually does. I called, "Petey, where are you love?" but he didn't come. I got up to investigate and found that Kooch was still on guard in the bathroom doorway and Petey didn't have the courage to come out past him. Stalemate.
"Is that cat holding you against your will?" I asked Petey. He was silent and doing his Chihuahua shivers. Chuckling a little, I carried Petey out. I'm sure neither one appreciated my humor over the standoff.
Both are neutered males, close in size (8-10 lbs) and both are a caramel color with white patches. Petey will growl and chase Kooch if he's on the move but if Kooch stops and turns to face him, well, Petey turns all non-chalant. I think he knows that Kooch could take him.
He pulled that growl-chase with one of the feral cat mamas one day and all I could see was a blur of fur. The noise was the thing. Petey was screaming like a banshee. He wasn't even scratched but he was trembling when I picked him up. A valuable lesson for Petey.
I tell him not to tangle with Kooch because Kooch has a nasty temper if threatened. As I know only too well from trying to get him to stop batting the painting in my room. This was his gambit to get me up at night for his midnight snack. The Mermaid painting is unframed and light and I definately don't want it harmed. From a sound sleep this action has me sitting straight up in bed (his intention, I'm sure). One night I reached over to tell him, "Stop that!" and he must have thought I was going to hit him even though I've never done that, and he layed his ears back, hissed, and clawed my hand and arm. "Kooch,"I yelled surprised, then started crying because he'd attacked me.
Kooch and I still have affectionate moments (of his choosing). I always know when he's in the room because Petey gives his low growl. Since I have Petey (the newcomer to the household) on the bed with me at night, Kooch has stopped batting the painting. And Petey is, of course, as always, devoted to my right hip.
I love them both.

Gratitude in Relationships

Here's a gratitude affirmation from Wayne Dyer: "Thank you, God, for life, for my body, for my family and loved ones, for this day, and for the opportunity to be of service. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" in his book "Inspiration".
Sylvia Boorstein, in the introduction to, "Pay Attention, For Goodness' Sake", talks about the awe and thanksgiving of life. She says we can heal the pain in the world, and never add one single drop of suffering to it with lovingkindness.
In Neale Donald Walsch's "Conversations With God", God answers his question of how to be happy in relationships by saying, Bless every experience, all human encounter, especially personal human relationships. He says (in my interpretation) to let each person worry only about what Self is seeking, creating, experiencing, so that the relationship can benefit magnificently for both, because if you cannot love your Self, you cannot love another.
Louise Hay says somewhat the same thing in "Heal Yourself".

Wow,I made a typo on that title and thought it would make a good title for an inspirational book: "Hear Yourself". Possible chapers: Listen to What You're Saying, Notice Your Feelings, Own Your Truth. What possibilities. I googled, 'Book Title: Hear Yourself' and got 506,000 entries. I didn't check them all but the field looks open. Those chapter titles would make good affirmations, eh? See my Canadian speech even comes out in writing. Probably because I write as if I'm speaking. Eh?
Well, my dears, it's my birthday and I must get out to the polls to vote, so I leave you today with, Listen to what you're saying, notice your feelings, and own your truth.

Dear God

I got this as an email, so you may have already seen it.
I love it so much I wanted to share it with you here.


A good reminder that there is kindness in the world.
snopes.com <http://snopes.com/> says it's a true story.

There is a God in the Post Office.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died,
my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how
much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God
so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told
her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with
you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me
have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to
swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You
will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith
and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it.
Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope
because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the
way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at
the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the
letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front
porch addressed, `To Meredith,' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith
opened it.
Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped
to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in
its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of
Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays
in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our
bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so
I am sending it back to you in th is little book for you to keep and
have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping
you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have.
I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God

Looking for that perfect perspective...

The perspective that laughs at my fear responses.



I have a black widow spider who uses my bedroom window screen as if it were her web. I watched her take 2 prey, both were small house flies. She has a pretty good thing going. The screen doesn't fit so well in the window opening so she comes and goes through that.

I watched her come in but haven't actually seen her leave. I kept looking up at her as I was organising my bills and she stayed in one spot for several minutes but the next time I looked up she just wasn't there anymore. I was apprehensive but a voice in my head said, Loving all creatures here below so I decided the black widow was definately providing me a service and she was beautiful in red on black. I just hoped her progeny did not flourish close by. Purely selfish reason of not wanting to be bitten by a black widow, or anyone else who's in my house either.

But I'm sure she doesn't have any interest in me. She probably can't get a full view of so much larger a being. Or does she? How big would a creature have to be, to be as much larger than I am to the black widow? Hundreds? Thousands? Size of a large whale?

I wonder if even the spider experts can tell how much of the world she sees. That would be a lovely gift: to see as others see, especially if the 'others' were so very, very different from ourselves.

*

Oh great - it's 11PM and a pack of coyotes are yipping outside in the wild land on the other side of the chain link fence that separates our backyard from the mining property. How close they sound. We more often get javelina browsing our yard at night and in the early mornings we see a deer family sometimes too. The neighborhood dogs bark at the javelina but not the deer or coyotes. I wonder why?

When the coyotes were yipping, my Chichuahua, Petey, came out from under the covers pretty quick but he didn't make a sound. He just stared out toward the noise. After the hulabaloo, the neighbor's dog, Chula, barked lazily a few times but soon gave it up.

I wonder if the coyotes caught one of the feral cats we have around here? There certainly aren't any rabbits. I haven't seen a bunny around our property in the 5 years I've lived in this house.

Election and Cruising

Down here in the Mile High Mule mountains, eight miles from the border at Naco, where the weather is Autumn-sweet, we Bisbeeites are geared up for election day. The 6,000 or so citizens of this Historic town are enthusiastic voters, if my 100 or so friends, acquaintances and bumper sticker predominance are any indication. At our recent Bisbee Center for Spiritual Living potluck, held at my house, the buzz of my fellow congregants was about how likely Obama was to become our next President. In the dining room, the living room and even out in the front yard, I overheard the candidantes names popping up. Even though the registered percentage of Democrats to Republicans in our town is approximately 40/60 in favor of Repubs, the talk seemed to me to favor a yes for Obama. What a historic moment for this country if this happens.

I'll bet the Presidential and their Vices are exhausted. What a grueling schedule they've been on. I couldn't do 2 days of it. Well, I might do a 3rd day if I were promised a Carribean cruise. Wouldn't that be fun? I'd love to host my whole family, including the friends who are closer than family, together on a luxury liner for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I imagine restful days out on the deck, or by the pool, or in the casino. And exciting night entertainment. And shore excursions in Jamaica, Puerto Rico, or whatever tropical island the ship visits. Oh, don't get me started. Needless to say, I am a fan of cruising. I would especially like to book a cruise with Esther and Jerry Hicks of Abraham teachings, Law of Attraction, you know.

There are drawbacks to a cruise, of course. Judging by my one 2-day cruise to Ensenata and Catalina Island, my pitfall would be the abundant food. My old friends from the 70s, Stephanie and Ron Bertocci, used to go on a cruise every year. Stephanie told me she had to lose 5 pounds before and after the cruise because she always gained 10 on every one. While I toured from Miami to Maine with them Stephanie inspired me to lose weight. She had lots of tips. I got down to a size 9. I don't remember how what the weight numbers were but I do remember the clingy, navy-blue dress I bought. Since then I've doubled that size 9. Yike. Maybe I'll check out the fast weight loss website again: https://paydotcom.com/r/5095/LadyByron/21093469/ You can too, if your interested. It's more fun to do your spruce up with a girlfriend.

Well, Happy Turkey and Pumpkin Pie month, everyone!

Let the Holidays Begin!

A friend of mine, Caryl, told me that Halloween is the beginning of the Holiday Season to her. This perspective helps me enjoy our American version of All Hallows Eve. It is not my favorite, by any means. Don't get me wrong, I like dressing in costume, or better yet, seeing the children in theirs; decorating with pumpkins and loading up on candy, I like all that. What I don't like is the gore; eye balls hanging out, blood dripping; Dracula, all that death-fear nonsense.

What I do like is the Thanksgiving feast and gratitude for all our blessings and Christmas cards, gift-giving and decorating the tree. That's my thing. Unfortunately, it is also the Season of Eating. Must remember moderation. Hard, though, when the feast is set before you, eh?

Try this link if losing a size is more desirable than gaining one:
https://paydotcom.com/r/5095/LadyByron/21093469/

Blessings dear ones.