Truly, I believe I can...

Gemini - May 30, 2008

There are extremely slow moving subtle energies that are coming into play today, dear Gemini, which may not be felt so easily. What they are providing, however, is a key to manifesting your wildest dreams. Fantasy can become your reality, but it may only come one small, subtle step at a time. Don't give up. Focus on the unconventional way of getting things done. You will eventually achieve everything your heart desires - as long as you truly believe that you can.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... "I Believe"

...but WHY is it always that the heart's desires will 'eventually' be 'achieve' - able?

When, NOW is all we really have, man!?

*Sheesh*

(I know, I know - my impatience is showing.)

On ward.

Don't give up.

Never surrender.

One foot in front of the other....

and so it goes!

=)

Aging Gracefully

I LOVED it that my sister, the Queen of Panic!, sent this out for my (and now your?) Cyber-viewing "another year older, if not wiser" pleasure.

Hope you like it as much as I did - gotta have some respect for gizzers who still cling to that 'forever young at heart' thing! lol

Cheerios to all who pass this way...

=D

Wild Roses...& a B-Day

Roses and daisies make a beautiful bouquet don't they?

I've got wild roses... in full bloom at the new house.

Just in time for the Birthday!

The fragrance is pretty sweet all around the place...

earlier in the month all the lilac were in bloom.

I wonder what will be next?

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?

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=)

The Last Lecture

Just wondering if any of you watched this "Special" back in April... it was wonderful.

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"A Love Story for Your Life", indeed.

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day... along with my thoughts and prayers of gratitude for fallen soldiers whose heroic, ultimate sacrifices have time and again sufficed the cost of "my" freedoms; I will, of course, be thinking of 2 men, having separately passed 'through sleeps' dark and silent gate' who were so very special to me: my Daddy and Ricky.

The triumps and trials I obtained to in 2007 as well as events unfolding and flowing into this year... have continually been overshadowed by this, for me - it was the year in which I lost the 1st man I had ever loved, and the last.

Certainly, there will again be for me time and opportunity to give and receive the sublime gift: love... and not only do I have a testimony that, '...there is no end to love' but I have that faith to take comfort in the fact. To know that even though the opportunity to further enjoy the good things about these men and my relationships with them 'in real time' has ended, the love that we obtained to still, steadfastly, abides - along with many good memories. (Those of which, couriously, have come to mind in those coincidental, surprising ways - that nevertheless command your attention to the point of realizing this is not so coincidental, as what it is a comfort and relief - being particularly sweet.)


These relationships were soulful relationships, for me, like none other, and so I miss them - terribly at times.

They had this in common as I knew them to be, they were both hardworking, honorable men - who would reachout to help, and lift another whenever they possibly could... and they liked to sing, when feeling really good about themselves they would go bursting into song at any given moment (never predictible, always delightful when they did so) and they liked to laugh, too!

Still, there is no going back, and there will never be a 'repeat'.

...and so I celebrate, deep within my grief (as do we all, I believe, when we come to terms with sudden and significant 'change') that we had what we had, that we did what we did, and that we came to know what we know, because we experienced it.

"Now" for me, is still an evaporative thing - which is sometimes both physically and spiritually painful and chaotic.

For them "now" is freedom from their physical forms and ...peace.

So - here my thoughts turn back to current events - how many, Lord, have recently passed on from this world?

Globally - earthquakes, hurricanes, wars' battlefields - domestic and international terror is afoot and grief is rampant in the news.

No matter were you're at or what your circumstances are, it is a hard thing to bare... nevertheless, it is honorable to remember as long and as vibrantly as we can those that have passed on before us....
and to visit, and appreciate those that are still here!
... and ....
in remembering....

can I pause now and then to help and lift another?

can I burst into song now and then, for no other reason than that I am feeling really good?

can I hold on to my good humor (a gift, acquired from both of my parents) to my own ends?

I'm gonna give it my best shot.
=)

In memory of you, Dad:
February 13, 1934 - October 16, 2007
&
In memory of you, Rick:
July 14, 1952 - May 26, 2007
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(You had great "dashes")

Still Missing You...

"What greater thing is there for two human souls that to feel that they are joined...

to strengthen each other...

to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories."

-- George Eliot

It's Magic! (Really!)

SO... Rentals are NEVER really as "clean" at the walk through with the landlord as what you (maybe it's just me?) really think they ought to be after you've signed papers, paid money, moved your stuff, and begin to REALLY look around as you re-situate to the 'new' surroundings.For instance, I thought the bathroom of the new place looked fairly clean, if not woefully smaller than what I was leaving.Upon closer inspection I find: the toilet "wobbles", there's scum everywhere, and the sink is being supported by a stick. (yes. You read right - a stick, I tell you!) I will not tell you, in great detail, about what I found lifting the lid of the toilet - except to say that it did involved a raisin, and, yes, I almost hurled cleaning IT up. (shudders!)So! I've been re-situating and cleaning. I've been using those disposable disinfecting wipes. For the quick, let's-just-get-something-done-about-this NOW, thing and deal with the in depth cleaning details at a later date. These wipes are very handy for this type of deal. I won't move again without them!Then, yesterday I was looking around at the extremely ill-designed and old fashioned kitchen... my eye particularly landing, time and again, on the old-timey country kitchen sink. Boy was it grimy! Stained, hardened water deposits, soap scum - icky. Right beside said, icky sink was a product sample of Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser - so I pull up a chair, (I'm a 1/4 inch shy of 6' - the sink is sitting maybe a yard off the floor - I'll be sitting working at this sink a lot I think) and read the hype, er, directions to the 'Magic Eraser' ....: "Clean things you never thought you'd get clean!" it read. lol OK sink - meet Mr. Clean! ... and to my amazement, it was working! To be fair I did have to put some muscel power in, later on some of the thicker hard water deposits that had obviously built up over, say, the last 80 years... but I'm wondering if even that was because I only had a sample size eraser to work with - (they're designed to disintegrate, breaking down over time and usage.)Well, that's a lot of typing to say this: I'm sold on Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers and now have that on my shopping list.If you're dealing with incredible grime - you might try one however you might want to read this report first: http://housekeeping.about.com/od/productreviews/gr/mrcleanmagicer.htm

Pass the Oxy-Moron...

I found this groovy site Google searching. Which is to say I was once more avoiding the inevitable: writing one of my term papers. It does give one something to think about, no?

http://www.oxymoronlist.com/

Looking Forward...

To:

Better Tomorrows....

On this day in History...

5/14/2005



Your Huckleberry



Yes..go ahead my darling..do what needs be done


You know I expect you..to be loyal to GOD's son


We have a relationship..unlike most on this earth


And we center our love..around that heavenly birth


What's happening with us..is a love that's so real


There's a bond between us..that no one can steal


This plan that was written..so long long ago


Is a plan that neither of us..will ever let go


So by these words..


I can truly say


I'm your Huckleberry..and I'm here to stay!

Opie Outlaw

[Miss YOU, Huckleberry... one day - at the end of days, perhaps, I know I will see you again! Mmmmaaauuuhhh! =)]

Dad's Memorial

"We" are back from the coast... and my father's memorial service.

It was a good service - lots of pictures from the last 30 years or so... not too many from his younger days, but a few.

We shared our memories, we shared a lot of laughter - along with a few tears.

It was go0od to visit all the extended family and friends there.

Now I'm the one catching up on things, here.

I am 99.9% moved. (Yea!)

I did 'carpet-shampooing' and cob-web busting yesterday... there are some major cob-webbing spidies at m'old digs... saw several that I knocked down yesterday, well on their way to reconstruction today.

New Orleans should be so lucky.

I've plans to transplant some chives, purple sage, mint, and an iris or 2 from the old place to the new... this coming weekend and I'll be done-done. (c'mon! That purple sage was a gift, now!) lol

The bad news is:

I am pert near 'dead-in-the-water' with my advanced studies. (Doh!)

So, there will be no more posting 'til I can catch my breath there...

and can look around my new digs and find more than just a pathway through the mountains of cardboard boxes... sheltering the inside things I supposedly can't live without.

I swear - I'm going to seriously downsize all my kitsandkaboodles!

except maybe that purple sage...

and the good memories I have of special people in my life, like Daddy...

(and a few 'outthere' of you, too... perhaps...)

Love and Love s'more

D ~

On The Road...

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Stress from the move has given me hives!

(Rolls eyes heaven ward)

Currently on the road with family to Vancouver...

Gonna lay the 'Old Man' to rest.

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Peace

and

Love....

D. ~

Judgement

How good of GOD,

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the Almighty ...

to take a few days off

so that my brother can step in

and pass JUDGEMENT.

Apparently, people, I am not minding my own business in a manner that's acceptable to said brother.

How dare I!?

When Jesus Christ administered to the children of men in the flesh - He was careful not to judge.

Matter of fact, weren't some of His last words (during sore Crucifixion, no less) : "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." ???

My poor, dear, clueless brothter - thinks he can judge me.

He "knows not".

There is no way he can walk a mile in my shoes right now, let alone 2.

Human Sculptures

This artist works in plastic - constructs human beings in silica...

If you find this as facinating as I did you might google the name "Ron Mueck"

There's more information and a few more pix on the internet
- (albeit most images have a air of melancholy to them)

Happy Monday!

Um...

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"Ele-Ment-Tree?"

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LOL!

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Happy Monday!

Q12

Today, as I sat in on General Conference with other members of my church I felt blessed, reassured, and strengthened by the Lord's pattern in the organization of His church.
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- and -
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I felt thankful, for the inspirational leadership we continually receive from the Quorum of the 12 (Apostles);
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...from both the study of what the ancients preserved for us
- that wisdom of the ages awaiting all those with the ears to hear, and eyes to see, in likening the scriptures unto themselves...
and from what these latter day prophets, seers, and revelators
- our modern day, ordained members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles have to say in baring their special witness of the divinity of the living Lord, Jesus Christ....
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It is particularly interesting when one of these, general authorities, (an Elder, from the 70, I believe)describes in vivid detail the process of spiritual 'rebirth' and you realize that he has somehow opened a window into the depths of your very own soul - because every bit of what he is describing is and was your experience.
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Amazing Grace - how sweet that vibe!
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A prayer from my e-mail files today:
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...Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
There is no cost, just a lot of reward.
(a reminder...)
Make sure you pray, and pray believing God will answer.
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May today be all you need it to be.
May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears.
May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced.
May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered.
I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged.
I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.
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I pray for these favors and blessings to be yours, and I pray for them to be mine as well.
Prayer has become a "special gift" for me.
It is indispensable for me, and yet - there are times when I 'forget'.
Double the blessings for that friend who sent this uplifting reminder to me today and double the blessings for any other who crosses by this way...
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Prayers go up.
Blessings come down.
...In the holy name of our brave redeemer, even the Lord, Jesus Christ
- Amen.
=)
~

Water Conservation

Wiki "How To" of the day: Build a Rain Water Collection System

Man-o-man!

I gotta settle down - quit renting and actually buy me a place so that I can do cool stuff like this!

I put the topic into, "googled images"... looks like these folks are way into it!

I thought this last one, though, was the most aesthetically pleasing... 'Go Anna!'

Me & Sully...

Sometimes things just fall into place, ya know?

Like yesterday, for instance.

I was in town early, mainly because I had an appointment, but also to run an errand or 2 - I've always multi-tasked on soirees into town and now a days, with gas being as pricey as it is - I can't afford not to! One of the tasks was to fill up on the cheap gas (discounted 5 cents per gallon on Thursdays) at Orscheln's. $3.13 p/gallon *sheesh* anywho...

I figured that post my appointment, I'd have a short line at the pumps given that it was raining outside...

After Gassing up...

Something said 'check your cel-phone' to my smarting little brain. ($3.13 p/gallon hurts me little head, I swear!) =)

There was an urgent sounding message from my friend 'Rose' ... Could I watch her little 'Sullivan' for a couple hours and git him to school on time (he's at that adorable 1/2 day age), for her?

Both of Sully's parents needed to be off to work and no 'regularly' scheduled sitter could bridge the gap!

The part I love here, is that I was heading her way and was literally 2 blocks from their house when the message finished up.

Sweet-D, me, to the rescue!

I called her back from her drive way.... "Yes...? He's dressed and ready to go...?" (She's tentatively, hopefully answering my questions)

"Great, cause I happened to be in the neighborhood when I got your message and I'm sitting right outside of your house - now. lol"

- crisis adverted-!

So... me and that 'QT-pie' Sully... (this little guy is sweeeeeet!)

We basically went to school together yesterday morning.

It was raining, so I took him up to the college with me and introduced him to the classroom where we've been attending to the advancement of my stress ... er, studies.

This involved a short elevator ride.

I let him push all of the buttons...which he did with great aplomb and minimal direction.

Once in the classroom, I introduced him to such wonders as the "Disney" and "Looneytoons" websites.

It was my goal to have him in as much control of PC operations as possible - took him through a little point and click 101... showed him how to google up the sites - even had him spell out D I S N E Y by himself, on the key board and briefly cross referenced the 'enter' key with him.

He was diggin' it.

and...

I was diggin' it... 'cause (boy howdy!) I was really multi-tasking now, bay-bee!

Kid sitting, teaching elementary IT, surfing the net simultaneously for looneytoons and reference articles for my Economics term paper... checkin' e-mail - Who-wee!

=)

(happy grin)

Time flew by...

Sully tapped into some Baby Einstein spaceship blast off game for awhile and then watched some cartoons.

He really seemed to be enjoying himself.

This was good - because I need to be maximizing every minute and hauling him back to my house 'til it was time to take him to his school wasn't gonna cut it for me nearly as well as this was.

By the time I got him to his alma matter he was on a decidedly independent track.

"I know where I'm going. You don't have to go in with me." He volunteered. . .

hummm... from the way his Momma described it - it was a pretty straightaway... so...

"Fine. You ARE quite the big boy today - going to College with me, playing around on the computers together, I believe you can find your way ok on your own. So! I am going to drop you off here - at the right door and then I'll watch and wait while you get inside the school and headed in the right direction to your class - ok!?"

I'm saying this while carefully eyeing the plate glass ensconced entry way to the elementary school...

Big smile from Sully!

I'd never do that in a million years in a metro area - rural America does have its graces.

Picked up another batch of local papers from my 'source' (Mother) on my way home - called every number I could find in it, and from the local open-line radio show, and from the local chamber of commerce listings... to earnestly try to nail down a new living space... because, 'the shelter over my head' status officially went into quasi-homelessness as of April Fool's day. ... and though the pickin's are slim right now, I did firm up a deal this morning.

I gotta finish up this post, visit my landlord to be, and sign the lease papers.

On the onset, this is not going to be as comfortable, in any way, shape, or form from where I have been... but I'll make it work for me AND it'll be easier walking distance to my classes. Mere blocks to walk compared to a 3 mile highway hike.

So that thing is falling into place today... It was the only rental I saw in my price range that met my 3 stickler requirements... enough room for all my "stuff", a hook-up for a washing machine, and a landlord that appears to have an amiable demeanor.

I don't wanna put anything in 'store age' (been there, done that, ended up filing police reports because it got broken into along with a string of other people's - damn you theives!)

I gots to be able to do my laundry at home. I've done the laundry mat sceen here and there throughout the years and it just SUX for me... I loath it. (The multi-tasker mindset has run to deep to change it now! lol!)

and...

I have to be able to get along from the get go with my landlord - if you act way too uptight showing your place to me - I am so not going to rent from you. I flat refuse to subsidize your income with my hard earned pay while you behave yourself to be little more than a walking anus.

I met a walking anus yesterday evening - he was hoping to rent me a 2 B RM Trailer... He opened up the door to a very clean looking spacious living room... I stepped through and immediately smelled "CAT"... the bad, smell of cat that no one (not even cats, I suspect) likes.

So I say, "Ou. I smell CAT....!?"

"Welp," He says, "That's it then - I'm not even going to fool with you. There has never been a cat in here and if that's the first thing you're going to say it's not going to be worth my time to even show it to you."

He was sooo right about that... and sooo wrongly in denial about whether or not there had ever been a CAT living in that trailer. My golly - I'd wager that the living room carpet was actually soak in their urine/spray - the way it reeked in there.

I mean, yeah, I got a cat - but I don't cotton to cat smell. No, uh-uh - nadda me! *sheesh*

The landlord I'm signing up with seems pretty lo-key in his walk through with me but fairly discerning in our conversation(s) in terms of landlord/tennant relations.

Gotta go...

Wish me luck in the movin'...

Happy weekend to ya'll!

=)

D~

The Greatest Love

The greatest love I have in my life is the love of God.

My love for Him, His love for me - very real, and undeniable, for me.

Periodically, I think about the times in my life that I have been an absolute fool for love...

(I was thinking about this just today, it being April Fool's day and all.)

The conclusion I derive to...

- from all that I have given

- and all that I feel I have been blessed with

- "'in the name of love" (even counting the not so "whoop-de-dew" stuff - in love's learning curve)

The conclusion I derive to is this: because He first loved me,

I will always be a happy and willing fool for LOVE!

Always... and in all the ways He directs me to be thus engaged.

I am certain everyone with internet access has seen this "Interview with God"

If there should be any other "Fool for Love" come across this post today (or any other day for that matter),

I would encourage you to visit (re-visit?) that link and drink in the inspiring imagry and message(s) contained there.

Jesus said: "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

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May pure love attend all who pass this way - both the foolish and the wise...
all ways
and
always

D ~

Ha-Ha! "Peacock"

Joke:

I was at the mall the other day eating at the food court.

I noticed an old man watching a teenager sitting next to him.

The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange, and blue.

The old man kept staring at him.

The teenager would look and find the old man staring every time.

When the teenager had had enough, he sarcastically asked,

"What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?

The old man did not bat an eye in his response,

"Got drunk once and had sex with a peacock.

I was just wondering if you were my son."

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... somethings just "invite" the eye (and the occasional wise-crack), no?