I've got window peepers. . . .

Every morning its the same old thing. There they are - Peeping Tom (Mouser) and Miss Kitty. . . . . . . waiting for their breakfasts. And, let me tell you, they have really been putting it away; getting ready for Winter, I guess. They have a building to get inside, complete with kitty beds. And, I put them in the garage, well above freezing, when the outside temperature gets really cold. Do you have any "window peepers?"

13 Original Clan Mothers

I listed the 13 Original Clan Mothers as one of my interests. I did a blog search and found no one else who listed this as an interest. Branches magazine has a scheduled event listed on the west side of Indianapolis: A Clan Mother Gathering is held at 7 p.m. the Thursday closest to the full moon, near Cloverdale, to share the teachings of the 13 Original Clan Mothers. 765/721-0339.

I would like to attend this group sometime in order to meet new people, but it is farther away from me than the Turquoise Marble in Batesville where they are starting a study of the Clan Mothers in January. "Turquoise Marble Teaching Center is a diverse community
dedicated to teaching the sacredness and right relationship of all Creation," and I have known the founder, Grandfather Warren Ramey, for over 20 years. I also have several friends who attend events held at the center and am looking forward to the teachings.

I became familiar with the Clan Mother teachings through a book study held at TMLC. For a better idea of what the teachings will be about, here is a book review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat:

Jamie Sams is of Seneca, Cherokee and French descent. For the past 18 years, the co-author of The Medicine Cards has been developing an ancient feminine wisdom system passed on to her by two Kiowa Grandmothers. The 13 Original Clan Mothers is the result of her labors. Here she shares the stories, totems, and talents which come with each cycle of the moon. This poetic and soul-stirring volume probes the multidimensional aspects of feminine transformation.
The ancient teachings of the sisterhood encourage a respect for all relations, all worlds, and all mysteries. Women are challenged to seek the truth through dreams, impressions, prophecy. They must be good listeners and mothers of creativity. They are the guardians of the needs of the next seven generations. That means they must seek justice, self-determination, and balance right now.
In Native American tradition, a woman comes into her full spiritual powers around the age of 52. Those who want to bring to life the Looks Far Woman, the Walks Tall Woman, the Setting Sun Woman, and other interior aspects will be enlightened and emboldened by this extraordinary book.

And, a quick introduction to a couple of Clan Mothers: First, there is Wisdom Keeper. the Protectress of Sacred Traditions. She teaches us the arts of self-development and expansion and shows us how to honor the truth. Also, Clan Mother, Weaves the Web, the mother of creativity and the manifestor of dreams. She teaches us how to use our desire to create, bring our dreams into tangible forms, and work with the truth. Another Clan Mother, Listening Woman, the mother of stillness and inner-knowing, the keeper of discernment, the interpreter of messages from the spirit world. She teaches us how to hear the truth. Becomes Her Vision, the guardian of transformation and transmutation. She teaches us how to release the old self and step into the realized dream; how to be the truth. . . . Interest piqued? Join our group, read the book, become a role model.

By the way men are attending also. There will be teachings with men and women together, then we will divide up for further discussion.

Here's what's wrong with the world. . . . .

In my opinion, this is what is wrong with the world. . . .Too many electrical ions or bions or reons (whatever they are called) floating around in the atmosphere. Intruding on our brains.

I have an old house, not many electical outlets. It was built before everyone had a computer, a television, a phone w/answering machine, etc, etc, etc in every room! My bedrooms have one electrical outlet - sufficient for a light, an alarm - not sufficient for today's world. Am I going to have to build a new house to accomodate gadgets? I thought their purpose was to simplify life, not complicate it.

I've always said computers are needy - need a desk, need a printer, need software, need a connection to internet, need updating, need security, need, need, need!!!! We should get a tax deduction for every computer we support!

Interesting, very interesting. . . .

This house, located about 1/2 mile north of mine, sold earlier this year. I have never met my new neighbors. I'm not sure if they are friendly or not because they are flying this Pirate Flag. What kind of people do you suppose would fly a Skull and Crossbones flag?

Interesting, very interesting. . . . .

Hee Haw. . . .

My self esteem must be in the toilet. . . . this is how I went to town today. Those are two "Buffy-style" ponytails; and, the photo really doesn't show how huge the mans plaid, insulated shirt was on me. The good news is I didn't stink.

One time I read a book with a quote saying "the important thing about old people is they don't stink." That really struck me as true. Think about it......If they don't stink, they are probably being well cared for or still able and interested enough in life to take care of themselves. So, the important thing for old people is - they don't stink.

As far as my appearance ----syrup on a buffalo chip does not a pancake make. . . . oh, well, it is Anderson, Indiana - - - - Hee Haw!

Tip from my mom. . .

This isn't a very pretty picture but it is something I find myself doing and I picked it up from my mother. All week long she would throw paper things in the fireplace that would normally go in the trash. Then, when it was time to start a fire, it was easy to get it going without hunting for papers, etc.

I've read about making fire starters with egg cartons...... the following link contains a few suggestions for homemade fire starters from Good Sam Camping Club: http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Tips/firestarters.htm

Not just snow. . . .

This morning we had our first visible dusting of snow for the 2008 winter/fall season. Not just plain "snow" like in the old days. This was "lake effect" snow. So, be careful if you are driving because there is also some of that "black ice" on the roads. Weatherman jargon kind of irritates me.

Ever hear this joke? One friend asked the other friend, "While in Florida, how did you find the weather?" "Oh," says his friend, "I just went outside and there it was."

Kind of how I feel about the importance of weathermen.....so often they are wrong, and usually if you just look outside you have a pretty good idea of what's happening in your neck of the woods.

Sisters on the Fly - Cowgirl College

Here's the scoop on Sisters on the Fly: Ever wanted to throw off everyday cares (or lifelong worries) and for , fees ranging from $200 to $2000, spend some time fly fishing under Montanna's "big sky" or learning to ride, rope, and herd cattle at Cowgirl College in Wyoming - martini in hand?

"Sisters on the Fly" is a unique group of women who love to fly fish, ride horses and caravan in vintage trailers.
“We are average women having extraordinary adventures,” said organizer Maurrie Sussman. And they just happen to be doing those adventures in lavishly decorated travel trailers, many painted with outlandish murals.

It sounds like great fun to me and you can read all about it Read about it here: "Sisterhood hitting the road in style."

The class. . . .

Last night I attended a class at the local library on making a pomander. There were about 15 people present and it was given by a gentleman, Steve, who went to my old high school. We never got around to actually making the pomander but were sent home with an orange and little sack of cloves to complete the project at our leisure. I thought maybe he had a new type pomander, but this one will be fun.

We were given lots of decorating ideas. Steve suggested using Sycamore leaves since they last, and last and hardly deteriorate. His first centerpiece was a piece of white birch (cut from his property, and he had others for sale for $1). They were drilled to hold candles. He set this on the leaves, added some bearded wheat, and other dried fall stuff – very pretty He brought in hedge apples, pine tree clippings, holly, bittersweet, pine tree cones, berries, etc

Some of his ideas:

-Drill a hole in a hedge apple and use it for a candleholder.
-Suggested using a couple types of pine foliage for texture and color on the mantle. One of his favorites was using white gourds, greenery, and hedge apples. He added some dried purple statice……and that was really eyecatching.
- He is a fan of Colonial Williamsburg and showed a florists accessory that sits inside a candlestick allowing you to turn it into a floral centerpiece, then by sticking another little plastic piece in the center of your florists foam, you have a place for your stick candle.
- He made little Christmas trees in clay pots, using pine tree clippings bunched together made to resemble miniature Christmas trees, then stuck in Styrofoam which is hidden by spafgum moss placed around the base.
- He says he always just uses a bowl of Holly for his centerpiece…..no pinecones, just traditional holly – maybe a couple candles on either side.
- Also from Colonial Williamsburg, a wooden, foot high, cone shape, with nails so you could stick on real fruit, filling in the gaps with greenery. I guess they use a lot of fruits for decorating at Williamsburg –
- Gave some wreath decorating tips and ideas
- Used a shallow circular tray, filled it with sycamore leaves, crushed pine needles, dried apples, dried oranges, berries, nuts, wheat, etc…..then sprinkled it with essential oils for a potpourri centerpiece – Oh, he put a candle in the center.
- Steve recommended trying some of the new flickering battery operated candles
- Steve suggested the San Francisco Herb company found on the internet is a great place to shop for dried items, essential oils and other decorating essentials

Did I mention refreshments and a door prize? I enjoyed the evening.

A little bit gypsy. . . .

I’m kind of proud of myself. I went through my closets and gathered 28 pair of slacks, a dozen pair of shoes, several dresses, blouses, skirts, shirts and sweaters to donate to the Goodwill Store. I need to toss out a lot more and it’s getting easier to let go; however, this mini-jean skirt?…..Well, I’m 62 years old and I know I won’t be wearing it…….but – the gypsy in me just wanted to hold onto it. After all, I could use those little jangly things on a jean jacket or something!

What the stars say about me. . . .

Lets101 Quizzes - Quizzes For Fun

Goddess Energy

For some reason I have become more and more drawn to anything "goddess". For example, the simple representation of female energy pictured here calls to me. So, I've been exploring this connection with women's spirituality/goddess energy.


I agree with the following. . . .
Women's spirituality is grounded in our experience. Rather than focusing on a theology that is abstract and draws its principles from an ethereal logic, we ourselves determine what Spirit means to us according to our own experience.
Our spirituality is rooted in the daily experience of being a woman, whether we are cultivating herbs or cooking with them, diapering a baby, giving a presentation, or dressing for a formal dance.

Women's spirituality is an active proclamation that women (and all people) are a spark of the divine and that we ourselves are the best determinants of what is meaningful in life, what is sacred, what is moral, what is beautiful.

The Goddess fervor is yet another manifestation of the resurgence in feminine energy and power on this planet. However, this does not necessarily mean that all women are literally worshiping goddesses.

The goddess is a symbol of the archetypal divine femine. We think she is showing up so widely now because the planet needs to develop its femine values and qualities. The Goddess is here to help us - and we need all the help we can get as we navigte these tricky seas, passing through the perilous straits of our time. Having an icon of Kwan Yin or Isis or Astarte on one's private altar may be seen as heretical by some. We foresee these statues, and other like them, on a lot more altars in the years to come as more and more people use them to evoke the divine femine.

Having said that, not all women involved in women's spirituality find meaning in the Goddess. Many are not attracted to her as a means of developing their spirituality but may find similar comfort and inspiration in figures like Mary, the mother of Jesus, women saints, or other women found in religious writings. - from Sacred Circles by Robin Deenn Carnes & Sally Craig

What is the Role of the Goddess?

In our time, in our culture, the goddess once again is becoming

a symbol of empowerment for women, a catalyst for an

emerging earth-centered spirituality, a metaphor for earth as a

living organism, an archetype for femine consciousness, a

mentor for healers, the emblem of a new political movement, an

inspiration for artists, a model for resacralizing woman's body

and the mystery of human sexuality.

Elinor Gadon,

The Once and Future Goddess

Personaility Test

My results......

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

Free Jung Word Test (similar to Myers-Briggs)
personality tests by similarminds.com

Funny, I don't feel like a "Pillar of Strength" and it seems no one listens to anything I say. Maybe "Administrator" is how I would like to see myself. Now, how the world relates to me is another thing.

Click on the link......it's an opportunity to learn about yourself.

Lots more tests at this site.......

Do better next year. . .

This is my herb garden at the farm. I have several butterfly-attracting plants and hope to devote more time to this project next year. I plan to move the garlic section and space the bulbs farther apart in hopes of getting larger cloves of garlic.

I think I can, I think I can. . . .

A section of the eave has come down from the barn. I think I can get it up there by myself. I've mentioned it to a couple handymen that I've had here giving appraisals on other jobs. I guess it isn't a $1,000+ job so they aren't interested in doing it. That's my project for today. Wish me luck.

And, yes, I know the barn needs painting. Well, not this year. It is on schedule, hopefully, for next year.

Spirit Fest 2008

I attended Spirit Fest at Camp Chesterfield yesterday and will be going back today. I just want to note on this post that consultation with the stone man, Tom Benedict, resulted in his recommendation for me to connect with the following stones: Orange Calcite, Brecciated Jasper, Magnetite and Epidote. At an energy healing received at a Cincinnati show, he recommended Pink Kunzite. I have all of these stones and wear the pink kunzite most of the time.

I've been wanting a piece of ($8.00)Moldavite and got one. It is suitable for wire wrapping and I will work on that next week. I also purchased ($6.50) Chiastolite/Andalusite which is brown with a natural cross formation - a Christ connection stone.

I also entered their Whimsical Art Show. Since there were only three entries (it pays to be ambitious) and there are three prizes - I think I'll win something! First Prize is $100, Second is $50 and Third is $35............. We were supposed to take a common household item and decorate it. I entered with a whimsical water spigot like the one at this link http://craftbuff.blogspot.com/2007/06/whimsical-water-spigot.html I did get my camera charged up, so maybe I'll get a photo of the 3 entries posted tomorrow.

This morning I found a wonderful website with lots of info on stones http://www.shimmerlings.com/gemstones.htm I am listing it here for future reference.

I also attended the Aretha Franklin concert at Hoosier Park. I enjoyed the old favorites like Respect, Natural Woman.

Just wishing. . . .

I live on a farm. In the spring I can't find any mushrooms on my own property because soooo many "citibirds" (I made that word up, you know, kind of the same thing as a snowbird) are back there hunting them. Where all these people come from or why they think it's okay to take the property owners mushrooms is beyond me. This year, there were so many people milling around back there, deer were running across the fields all day long. Oh, the citibirds will be hunting them, too.

Our recent winds from IKE blew down a lot of walnuts. It's not a good thing for the mower and buckets of them have to be picked up before mowing. While doing this chore, I kept thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice if all those "citibirds" who pick my mushrooms and hunt the deer, would get as excited about walnuts and pick these darn things up?"

Now, just follow through. . . .

Okay, time to knuckle down and really get something done. I've been floating along, waiting for rain, waiting for my house to sell, waiting for interest rates to go up, waiting, waiting. . . . . . . Today I've made some plans. Although I've begun to recognize that I am a better planner than doer, I'm giving myself another chance. Here's my "To Do List" for today:

1. Plug in digital camera batteries, prepare to take some pictures for my blog and post them.
2. Weed around the barn.
3. Start on Dr. Atkins diet.
4. At least look at repairing the gutter on the barn.
5. Identify and label two herbs on the farm.
6. Clean the apartment and prepare at least one stone layout for tomorrow's meeting.
7. Shut the TV off and listen to my dream recall tape at bedtime.
8. Do at least one round of the Dance of the Four Directions.
9. Go to the store and purchase necessary food for Atkins so I won't be tempted to screw up.
10. Talk to my renter about getting his payment in earlier. Remind him that most people pay in advance for the month. Not six weeks after the first of the month.......I need to discuss a few more things with him but if I get this first one accomplished the rest will roll out of my mouth.........I will call him if he doesn't show up today with the August rent.

That's it......my "To Do List" for today. Better get started.

Wednesday's assignment. . . .

The assignment for our spiritual class at Chesterfield this week was write about who we want to greet us when we go to the "other side". . . . I figured it out. Here's my answer:


This question for days, was in the back of my mind, nagging at me. I discussed it with my friends. I wrangled, wrestled and worried about picking the “right” person to greet me.

Then, I heard that wise, somewhat tired and annoyed, little voice inside my head, “Christine, just like everything else you do in life, you are making this waaaay tooo hard. And, like everything else you’ve decided in your life, it won’t turn out the way you plan it anyway. So, lighten up, have fun with it.”

And, then, I saw him. The person I want to welcome me to the other side. He was a vision dressed in pure white. He wore a sparkling, diamond-encrusted cape over his broad shoulders. He extended his hand and draped a gold scarf around my neck. Then, ELVIS began to sing:


WELCOME TO MY WORLD
WON'T YOU COME ON IN
MIRACLES I GUESS
STILL HAPPEN NOW AND THEN

STEP INTO MY HEART
LEAVE YOUR CARES BEHIND
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
BUILT WITH YOU IN MIND

KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN
SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND
ASK AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN
THE KEY TO THIS WORLD OF MINE

I'LL BE WAITING HERE
WITH MY ARMS UNFURLED
WAITING JUST FOR YOU
WELCOME TO MY WORLD