Friday, August 31, 2007

One of those days

As I was getting ready for work this morning I happened to glance into the mirror and thought to myself. Oh my god, my boobs are soooooo saggy. I looked at my belly and saw the flab, and just let out a sigh. I finished dressing and remembered that I had to pay my car insurance. I called it in and as I was hanging up the rep. thanked me for being a good customer. I thanked her and commented that I had had the policy a long time. Yes she said..I noticed you got it before I was born...
Thanks dear I thought..Now I do feel old....
Can you tell it is going to be one of those days.

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Thursday, August 30, 2007

Rambling

I know I haven't had much to say in the way of blogging the last few weeks except for posting some meme's and reprints. No excuse really except I am going through the blahs. You know what those are I'm sure. It is where there is really nothing wrong and at the same time there is really nothing right. It is the ho hum, I'm bored with my life what do I want to do different feelings that we all get from time to time.
I'm blaming it on the end of summer. These last few days of August where there isn't really enough summer left to make any long term plans for entertainment, yet it isn't really time for fall. The seasons haven't changed yet and life just seems to be at a dull roar. I know I should be thankful for these times. I think some people call it NORMAL.
There is a lot going on in the background of my life, but it is just everyday stuff.

I'm still helping my daughter get ready for her move at the end of Sept. I'm still not convinced that this man she loves is going to make her happy but time will tell.

I'm working up my nerve to find a new home for the dog. Today I plan on giving her away..tomorrow may bring different feelings.

I'm shopping for new furniture and plan on putting a couch and chair on layaway this weekend. Layaway is good for me, since I haven't got the cash for one right now and can't really see putting a new one in here until the dog is gone.




I'm off Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Not sure yet if we will do anything or just hang around. Hopefully I can at lest get out for a drive. I'm over due to post some local photos.

I'm still reading and I'm currently about 1/4 of the way through "The Mist of Avalon"
I am determined to finish it. It is a long book and this is the 3rd time over the past few years that I have started it and not finished it.

Speaking of reading have you meet Laura Stamps? She is a wonderful author of occult fiction and also runs a great blog. Stop by and say hello to her if you get a chance


Well that is about it here. What are your weekend plans?

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Smudging


Smudging is a way of using smoke from burning herbs as a way to cleanse the body, an object, or a given area of negative influences. The three most common plant materials for smudging are sage of all types, cedar and sweetgrass.

Sage

There are many types of sage: salvia, white sage, sagebrush are three of the most common. Many times, Sage is burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out evil spirits, negative thoughts, and feelings away from where the ceremony is being held.

Cedar

Just like sage there are many common types that are used often such as Western Red Cedar, or California Incense Cedar. Cedar is burnt while praying to deities, in meditation or in house blessings. It works both as a purifier and as a way to attract good energy in your direction.

Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass is often used by native americans and is braided like hair braids. It can be burnt by lighting the end of it or by shaving little bits of it off onto a piece of charcoal in a censor. Sweetgrass is burnt after smudging with sage to welcome in good influences after the bad have been driven out.



Most often smudging is done by burning clippings in a charcoal censor or if the herb is bundled into a wand, you can light then end that isn't woody and use it that way. Direct the smoke with your hands or a peyote (feather) over the person or thing you want to smudge. If you can see aura's look for the discolored places in the aura and direct the smoke towards those places. f

For cleansing a house, first offer cedar smoke to the four directions outside the house, then take a sage bough and go throughout the inside of the house making sure the smoke penetrates every nook and cranny of the house

Smudging should be done with care and respect, and in an attitude of love. Show your respect and honor to the plants that the earth has provided for our healing, and they will in return favor us by keeping us well and free from disease and negative energy.

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Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Candle Magick

This came from my friend Merry who always post the best things on her myspace site. I stole..I mean "borrowed" it from her.

Candle Magick

One of the simplest of the magickal arts which comes under the heading of natural magick is candle burning. It is simple because it employs little ritual and ceremonial artifacts. The theactrical props of candle magick can be purchased at any department store and it's rituals can be practiced in any sitting room or bedroom.

Most of us have preformed our first act of candle magick by the time we are two years old. Blowing out the tiny candles on our first birthday cake and making a wish is pure magick. This childhood custom is based on the three magickal principals of concentration, will power, and visualization. In simple terms, the child who wants his wish to come true has to concentrate (blow out the candles) and hope that it will come true (Will power).

The shape and size of the candle you use is unimportant, although highly decorative, extra large, or unusually shaped candles often create distractions just remember that often k.i.s. is the best way (keep it simple) Most people prefer to use candles of standard or uniform size if possible.

The candles you use for any type of magick should be virgin candles, that is new/unused. Under no circumstances should you use a candle that has been used for other purposes, the reason for this is that second hand materials lets say candles used at a dinner party have picked up vibrations that may disturb your workings and negate their effectiveness.

Some practitioners find it more satisfing to create or mold their own candles. This is a very practical exercise because not only does it impregnate the candle with your own personal vibrations, but the mere act of making your own candle is magickally potent.

Once you have purchased or made your own candle next you will need to oil or dress it before burning. The purpose of dressing the candle is to establish a psychic link between it and you through a primal sensory experience. By physically touching the candle during the dressing you are charging it with your own personal vibrations and also concentrating the desire of your magickal act into the wax. The candle is becoming an extention of your own mental power and life energy.

When you dress a candle for magickal use, imagine that it is a psychic magnet with a north and a south pole. Rub the oil into the candle beginning at the top or north end and work downwards to the halfway point. Always brush in the same direction downwards. This process is then repeated by beginning at the bottom or south end and working up to the middle.

I find that the best types of oils for dressing candles are natural ones. Use what you are most comfortable with. You might even do some herbal research and use and esstential oil to suit your intent or one that connects with the god or goddess of your pantheon.

The candles you use can be colored in accordance wiht their magickal uses:

white~ spiritual or peace

red~ health,energy,strength,courage, sexual potency

pink~love,affection, and romance

yellow~ intellectialism, imagination, memory, and creativity

green~fertility, abundance, good luck and harmony

blue~inspiration, wisdom, protection and devotion

purple~material wealth, psychic ability, spiritual power, and idealism

silver~clairvoyance, inspiration, astral energy, and intuition

orange~ambition, career matters and the law

For example if you wanted to use candle magick for healing, you would burn a red candle. To pass an exam burn a yellow one, to gain esoteric knowledge or material gain a purple one.

The simplest form of candle magick is to write down the objective of your ritual on a virgin piece of paper. You can use the color paper which matches the candle if you would like. Write down your petition on the paper, as you write down what you want to accomplish through the use of candle magick, a new job, healing for a friend, a change of residence, etc... visualize your dreams coming true. Visualize the circumstances under which you might be offered a new job, imagine your employer telling you that your salary has been increased.

When you have completed writing down your petition carefully fold up the paper in a deliberately slow fashion. Place the end of the folded paper in the candle flame and set light to it. As you do this concentrate once more on what you want from life.

When you have completed your ritual allow the candle to completely burn away. You do not need to stay with the candle after the ritual just be sure it is in a safe place that will not cause damage or fire.

Never re-use a candle which has been lit in any other ritual. It should be used in that ritual and allowed to burn away or be disposed of afterwards.

exceptions to this in my case and my opinion are dedicated candles. Such as alter candles. I have several candles that I work with daily. Such as my Goddess/god candles or my healing candle. When I am done with my work I respectfully thank the spirit or element and blow my candle out. My best offer to you is you need to do what feels right to you. Follow your heart and it will never lead you wrong.

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Monday, August 27, 2007

Kelsey's Purpose

I've never met this family but I was so touched by this video that I had to share it. (Sorry the music is embedded in and I don't know how to change it so it doesn't play.) Get your tissues out, watch the video and then visit

Kelsey's Purpose
To see how you can help stop child abuse



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Scattergories Meme

I found this over at Tinkerbells


Here are the rules:

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions. They must be real places, names, things ... nothing made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!



I'm using the first letter of my real name.



1. Famous Singer: Paul McCartney

2. Four letter word: Pink

3. Street: Park Avenue

4. Colour: Purple

5. Gifts/Presents: Perfume

6. Vehicle: Plymouth

7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Postcards

8. Boy name: Peter

9. Girl Name: Paula

10. Movie Title: Pretty Woman

11. Drink: Pepsi

12. Occupation: Police Officer

13. Celebrity: Paul Newman

14. Magazine: People

15. U.S. City: Petersburg (VA)

16. Pro Sports: Polo (ok I cheated. It isn't a pro sport, but it all I could think of)

17. Fruit: Peaches

18. Reason for Being Late for Work: P.M.S.

19. Something You Throw Away: Paper

20. Things You Shout: Prick!

21. Cartoon Character: Porky Pig

Pfew, I did it!

Wanna play? Consider yourself tagged!

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History Test

I found this fun little quiz over at Pepperlady's blog and thought I would take the test.




You Are Not a Dumb American

You got 8/10 correct.
You know a good deal about American history, but there's some basic facts you have wrong.
Time to go back to history class!

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Friday, August 24, 2007

Double Moon Magic on Aug. 28!

This is from Patti Wigington of about.com I am re-posting and not the author of this article




Double Moon Magic on Aug. 28!
In a few days, we'll see August's moon in its fullest aspect. This is the Corn Moon, the moon that signifies the time of the coming harvest. Grain is ready to be threshed and baked into bread. If you have a garden, pick your veggies and can them before the cooler days set in (I'm preserving several jars of pickles, much to my son's delight). Gather your herbs and hang them in a dark place to dry, so you can use them all winter long.

Correspondences for the corn moon include the colors of red and yellow and orange, gemstones such as garnet and carnelian, and cedar and hazel trees. Deities whose aspects are strong during this time are Mars, Hecate, Vulcan and Hathor. Harness the fiery energy of this month's full moon and use it for personal and spiritual growth. Put some effort into harvesting new friendships and developing new skills now, and reap the rewards later on.

As an added bonus this month, those of us in North and South America, the Pacific area, western Asia and Australia will get to see a lunar eclipse that same day. In some Pagan traditions, this represents the perfect alignment of the moon, sun, and earth, and is a great day to do any kind of magical workings. Plan ahead, and take advantage of this uncommon opportunity to do something special!

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I love the fairies

Oh I love my little fairies..They were just playing a game with me. They hid my diamond in my purse!

Yeah! Can you believe it. This afternoon I looked in my purse and there was the diamond in the bottom. I was so excited. I never thought in a million years that I would find it, especially in my purse. It must have fallen out of the setting when I put my keys away after coming home this morning from dropping my husband off to work.
Now I just have to get it reset. My future brother in law works for a jewelry store, so my sister is going to check and see if she can get me a deal on the work..Yippie.

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Lost

Darn those pesky fairies they are at it again. My diamond is missing out of my ring. They have to be the ones who took it. I just know it couldn't be my own fault for never having the darn thing cleaned or looked at by a jewelry store. Sigh

Seriously its gone. I was sitting at the computer first thing this morning when I happened to realize it was missing out of the setting. I looked around hoping by some miracle it was at my feet, but no I don't have that kind of luck. I tried retracing my steps, but I didn't have any luck. It's not in the bed or the bathroom or the car. I even went down to my daughters house since that was the last place I was last night before bed. I honestly don't know when the last time I looked at my hand was. I'm pretty sure it was in the setting yesterday, but I was out side a lot and if I lost it in the yard I know it is gone forever. I have been helping my daughter get her boyfriends house ready for her to move in, in a few weeks. I was outside raking the yard and pulled weeds both yesterday. Sigh..

It's not that is is a very expensive ring, but it is my engagement ring and I have worn it since before my husband and I married. The bad part is I don't know when we will get the money to replace it..
Oh well life goes on..
Darn Fairies!

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Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Indecent Proposal

After the long weekend I needed a laugh and it arrived yesterday at work. I was taking some clothing back to the area where it belonged when I stopped to talk with a fellow co-worker. She was finishing up an elderly black man (he was probably about eighty)so I hung around a minute for her to finish his sale. He paid with a gift card and as she handed it back to him she told him the balance was ninety six dollars and some change. Your rich she said with a smile. Yep I am he said patting his pocket as if to say he had lots of money. He then looked over at me and then at her and said to us.
"I don't care which one of you it is, so you can talk it over and decide which one of you thinks you are the most valuble, then let me know and who ever it is can have an affair with this old man"

Well let me tell you I just about fell over. I just looked at him and laughed.
Oh so you think your Robert Redford in that movie (indecent proposal) where he asked the girl to spend the night with him for a million dollars huh..

"yea he says" I'm rich.
Well I said..I'll tell you what..You come back with that million dollars then we will talk about it some more.

"ok, he says..I will come back about 4:30


I'm still waiting
Damn shame...I could have used that money LOL

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Sunday, August 19, 2007

Home Early

We are back a day early. I'm tired and very upset with the way the weekend turned out. My Aunt that hosted the weekend said some things to me that hurt my feelings and I left without saying goodbye to anyone. I won't go into details here but will say it is the last time I attend a family function outside of my immediate family. On the up side my husband got to spend the entire day yesterday with his daughter that he had not seen since 2001. We went to Beaufort and walked along the beach. I managed to find a few shells, and we looked around some shops there. We stopped in today on the way home at the South of the borderwhich is on the border between North and South Carolina. It is a great place to spend a few hours if you like just fooling around and buying cheap souvenirs. I'm to tired to post photos tonight, but will try to get a few on line over the next few days

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Thursday, August 16, 2007

Ok, so I lied

Ok, I lied I said the post from yesterday would be the last one before I went out of town tomorrow, but I got to looking at some of my recipes and found these.
I thought you might get hungry while I was gone



Etli Ispinak or Turkish Spinach

1 1/3 lbs. lean ground beef
2/3 stick of butter (5 1/2 to 6 tbsp)
1 cup onion, diced
4 10 oz. boxes frozen chopped spinach
or 40 oz. fresh spinach
28 oz. can Progresso Crushed Tomato with added puree
1 rounded tsp. salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup rice rinsed in 1/4 cup water

1. brown meat in a large pot in it's own fat, drain fat
2. Remove meat
3. In the same pot, melt butter
4. Lightly brown onion
5. Add cooked meat, spinach (defrosted works faster), tomatoes, puree, salt, water, and rice
6. Cover and simmer for one hour, stirring every 5 minutes so it doesn't stick to the pot
7. Tastes better the next day, warmed. Serve with French Bread and dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt.

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One Dish Dinner


8oz (dry) elbow macaroni
1 can Campbell's Tomato Soup
1 envelope Onion Gravy mix and 1 cup cold water
1 1/4 lbs. lean ground beef
8 oz. frozen peas and diced carrots

1. Cook macaroni with salt and a little oil, drain
2. Add tomato soup, stir
3. brown meat, drain off fat
4. Mix onion gravy with cold water as directed on that package or use a can or jar of onion gravy
5. Add onion gravy to cooked/drained meat
6. Cook peas and carrots as directed or use canned, drained
7. Combine all ingredients
8. Serve and enjoy

P.S. Recommended serving with French Bread, Bread and Butter Pickles, and Hawaiian Punch

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Chicken Noodle Dinner


2 skinless, boneless chicken 1/3 breasts (or turkey)
8 oz. (dry) egg noodles
1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Campbell's cream of Celery Soup
2/3 cup milk
8 oz. frozen peas and diced carrots

1. Cover chicken with water and add some celery salt, garlic salt, and onion salt. Cook till tender (20-30 minutes)...no pink meat
2. Cook egg noodles, adding a little oil and salt to the water, drain
3. Dice the chicken (or turkey)
4. Mix the 2 cans of soup, add the milk and warm
5. pour sauce over the noodles
6. add diced chicken
7. Cook peas and carrots, drain (but liquid can be added)
8. Combine all ingredients.
9. Serve

P.S. Recommended serving with apple juice

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Crab Meat Salad

1 pound imitation crab meat chunks
8 oz. dry mini seashell noodles
8 oz. frozen peas
Mayonnaise
Minced onion
Parsley flakes

1. Cook the noodles. Strain. Put back in the pot
2. Cut the crab into smaller bite sized chunks. Add to noodles
3. Add (about 1/4 cup or to taste) mayonnaise to noodles
4. Run cold water over peas to thaw and add to noodles (tastier not cooked)
5. Add minced onion and parsley flakes to taste
6. Chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight)

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And just for the heck of it, if you want to try something different for our chicken....here's a recipe from a long time family friend:

White Bar-B-Q Sauce


Amounts for 5 people: For 25 people:
1/2 pt cider vinegar (1 qt)
3 tsp salt (1/2 cup)
1/4 tsp pepper (1 1/4 tsp)
1 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning (7 tsp)
1 egg (3)
1/4 pt peanut oil (1 pt)

1. Brush on chicken pieces
2. Barbecue over coals on grill
3. Serve with salads and corn on the cob, etc

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Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Little helper

Speaking of cleaning I don't know if I mentioned that my daughter and her son are moving in with her boyfriend next month. He already owns a house but being a typical guy it is a wreck. He bought it as a fixer upper and just never got around to the fixing it part. Now that Rebecca is moving in he has hit a panic button and they are trying very hard to get things ready. So far they have pulled all the downstairs carpet out and will be putting in laminated floor that looks like wood. Also to make everything look fresh and clean they are painting the living room and dinning room, maybe the kitchen if time allows and also cleaning and replacing some cabnit doors in the kitchen. I am over whelmed by just looking at the mess, but we all plan on pitching in and helping as much as we can over the next few weeks. Her dad and his lady friend went last weekend to get the painted started and of course my grandson had to "help". They took these cute photos. What a good little helper!



I'm excited for my daughter that she is going to have a home and a relationship with a nice young man, but I am also feeling sad that she won't be living one building over from me. It will be hard on all of us because the way things are now we can pop in and out any time we want. It will be especially hard for her dad since he lives right next door and he spends even more time with them than I do usually. I've had to take a lot of deep breaths lately and tell myself I have to cut the apron strings. They are only moving about ten minutes away, but it still won't be the same. I've seen my grandson everyday of his life since he was born and now I know there will be some days where we don't get to visit. *Sigh*. I am happy though, he will have a yard to run and play in (if they ever get it clean ha ha) and more room for his toys. Also since I don't have a house or a yard, I am a little excited to be able to help her with hers. I already know we are going to have a fairy garden next spring and that will be fun.
Oh by the way, this will probably be my last post for several days. I am working tonight until 9 and tomorrow I plan on doing a lot of last minute things to get ready for the long weekend. We leave Friday morning and will be back on Monday night. I am sure I will have lots of stories and photos to share. When our family gets together we always have an adventure. In the mean time take care everyone and I will be back soon.
Hugs
Autumn

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Tuesday

Remember a couple of months ago when I went camping. Well I shouldn't admit this but I never cleaned out my car from that trip, opting instead to leave most of the camping things in the trunk. Usually I store those things at my moms house but I got lazy so it is still there. With our trip coming up on Friday I have no choice but to bring it in the house. When I went outside a few minutes ago to get started I found several of the tenants from the burned out building sitting on grass in the front of my unit cleaning there personal possessions. I took one look at how much they had to do and felt ashamed. Cleaning out a car is a piece of cake compared to what they have facing them....

Life goes on.

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Friday, August 10, 2007

Random Thoughts

I am still a bit shook up over the fire. Especially when I look at the photos I took and then go outside my front door and see the building itself. I didn't get a chance today to talk to any of the people who lived in that building but as far as I know they all have a place to stay and are getting the help they need.

As for us. We are fine, and I have had time to think about how lucky we are. I thought about how our life can change in a split second, and when you only have seconds nothing much seems to matter except safety. When it came time to run out the door that is exactly what we did. I didn't even grab a extra set of clothing, yet I had the clothes basket with clean clothes in it in my hands as I was looking for something to put on. We got the dog out, but the cats hid, and even if I had been able to catch them the pet carrier is in the closet. In our haste to get out we ran past our bird. I could have grabbed the cage easy enough, but in those moments of panic I didn't remember I had a bird.
I did get my medicine I take for high blood pressure out of the bathroom, Yet I didn't get a brush for my hair.
I got my purse and shoes, I grabbed a book I had been reading but left photos sitting on the table. I stood for that split second and couldn't comprehend what was happening or that I might lose everything. We were going on pure instinct...Get out, get out, fire get out..So out we got, giving no thought to the fact we might not have an place to come back in to.



After the fire was out and we were allowed back inside I remember how wonderful it felt to breath cool fresh air. I looked around me and as I entered each room it seemed as if I was looking at my things and seeing them for the first time. It was in that moment that it hit me. I could have been the one who had everything burn up. If the wind had shifted just a little or the fireman had not been as quick our building would have gone up in flames too.

Nothing I have is worth much in the way of money, but the memories are priceless. I have things that can not be replaced, things that are special to no one but me.
In my living room I see the Goddess doll my daughters boyfriend gave last year on my birthday. I smiled knowing how much it meant to him to give it to me.
My collection of cats sits on the shelf by the TV and next to that my goddess statues. Crystals, nick knacks and other meaningless junk sits among the Family photos on the bookcase. I see my computer holding hundreds of photos of my grandson. My daughter has been after me for ages to put them all on a disk and start sending them in to be printed. I realized just how many can not be replaced.
My dinning room holds the old cookbooks I have collected for years, next to them a wooden bowl I bought for a few dollars from an old farmer. The moonshine jugs my ex and I collected when I lived in Tennessee. My old glass bottles and the pot holders my grandmother made me are safe in my kitchen along with a hundred year old wooden cabinet. A little wooden stool made for me when I was three years old by my grandpa who died when I was five. My hallway wall is lined with a moon I bought at my first pagan gathering. A hex sign made by a friend hangs next to it.. My spare bedroom holds all my books, photo albums, holiday decorations. My bedroom has all my jewelry, my pendants odd earrings an old broach of my grandmothers. all my shoes and clothes. Nestled on the closet shelf are boxes and boxes of photos, both mine and Deans. Photos of our life before we met each other. Children's births and parties, trips to the zoo, Framed photos of my great grandparents that somehow never got hung on a wall when we moved last time. Photos that can never be replace. So many things that I take for granted each day are stored in this apartment.
How would I feel if I didn't have these things. And yet they are only things. My daughter her son, her dad, my husband and myself..We have everything. We have each other.

I look once more at the building next door. Nothing is left but a charred building, Ashes, water, dirt. An empty shell where "things" once stood. What memories does that empty shell hold now? I throw myself into my husbands arms. We could have lost everything I say to him. I know he says and we hold each other tight.

Later I read this quote
August 9
On this date, many Wiccans from around the world celebrate the annual Feast of the Fire Spirits. Dried mandrake root or yarrow herb is cast into fires as offerings to the Salamanders.
The Fire in our complex was on AUGUST 9......

The only offering I have this year for the salamanders is the salt from my tears as I cry for my blessings and for my neighbors pain...

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The Fire

This is a highlight of the photos I took of yesterdays fire.


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Thursday, August 9, 2007

Counting My Blessings (early morning fire)

Yelling confusion and the words Fire, Fire, get out get out, woke me up at 4:45 this morning. Oh my God I screamed to my husband, wake up as my eyes saw the red flashing lights outside my window. We shot out of bed and I told my husband we are on fire. We were throwing our clothes on as the firemen pounded on our door. Yelling Get out, We're up I yelled back fasting my bra on inside out and throwing on a shirt and a pair of shorts. Get the dog and cats I yelled. Of course the dog ran under the bed and the cats were no where to be found. I stood for a moment not knowing what to take as I looked helpless around the apartment. I grabbed my medicine out of the bathroom threw on a pair of shoes. We rushed out the front door and the first thing we saw was this

The building next door to me was engulfed in flames. The next few minutes became a blur as more and more fire trucks arrived and the crowd grew. It soon became obvious that the fire was winning.


Eight families were burned out. I am counting my blessings tonight because our building only got heat damage

All the units were damaged beyond repair in the burned out building. Even the trees were burned.

Thankfully no one was hurt and the red-cross stepped in and all the families have been given a place to live.
My thoughts are racing and I feel a bit numb tonight (emotionally)
I have some more thoughts on what happened but for now I am exhausted and heading to bed.

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Up coming events

My ex is having surgery Wed (today) for his gallbladder. Please keep him in your thoughts. It should be a outpatient surgery, but they may have to keep him over night. They are checking out his liver too. Seems he had some spots on it and elevations in his blood..sooooo. If they find something they will cut him open and go from there. Ewww.
Also some of you may remember he had major heart surgery last year, so that worries me a bit. I plan on working all day while my daughter is at the hospital with him, but I will be checking in on him.

On the brighter side we are getting ready to go out of town next week for a few days. My moms sister is hosting a family reunion at her house in South Carolina. She lives in a tiny little town a short distances away from Beaufort and I know already I will be making a side trip there. Beaufort is a beautiful old historic town and I can't wait to take some photos to share. Depending on how much time we have while in the area we may also detour to either Savannah GA. or Charleston S.C. My husband has a daughter living about an hour and a half from where we are going to be and we are trying to get up with her and also his older daughter and younger son. He hasn't seen his oldest daughter since she was very young and the others in about 4 years. So far they haven't shown much interest in seeing us but we will see how it goes.

Oh we did a have somewhat funny thing happen tonight. Or at lest it was funny after it was over. As you may remember we live one building away from my ex and my daughter (my ex lives next door to my daughter) I had to work so my ex had invited my husband to have supper tonight and the two of them were keeping my grandson since my daughter was also at work. My husband dozed off in the computer chair when the next thing he knew CRASH.
This fell and hit him on the back of his shoulder


The deer has been haning on that wall for a long time, so we have no idea why it fell. Thankfully my gradson was on the other side of the room, and thankfully it hit the top of the desk before it bounced and hit my husband. If the horns has hit he could have been seriously hurt. For what some reason the men thought it was funny. Guys are so weird. My husband is ok, his back has a red mark on it, but nothing is broken (except his pride). The deer is now hanging back on the wall, and everyone is save and sound.

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Sunday, August 5, 2007

Days of August

August 1
On this day, the Lammas Sabbat is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world. Lammas (which is also known as Lughnasadh, August Eve, and the First Festival of Harvest) marks the start of the harvest season and is a time when the fertility aspect of the sacred union of the Goddess and Horned God is honored. The making of corn dollies (small figures fashioned from braided straw) is a centuries-old Pagan custom which is carried on by many modern Witches as part of the Lammas Sabbat rite. The corn dollies are placed on the Sabbat altar to represent the Mother Goddess who presides over the harvest. It is customary on each Lammas to make or buy a new corn dolly and then burn the old one from the past year for good luck.
On this day in the country of Macedonia, Neo-Pagans celebrate the Day of the Dryads, an annual nature festival dedicated to the maiden spirits who inhabit and rule over forests and trees.

August 2
On this day, the Feast of Anahita is celebrated in honor of the ancient Persian goddess Anahita, a deity associated with love and lunar powers.
Lady Godiva Day is celebrated annually on this date in the village of Coventry, England, with a medieval-style parade led by a nude woman on horseback.

August 3
The harvest season begins on this date in Japan with an annual festival called the Aomori Nebuta. Bamboo effigies with grotesquely painted faces are paraded through the streets in order to drive away the spirits of sleep.

August 4
Each year on this date, it was believed that the waters of Scotland’s Loch-mo-Naire became charged with miraculous magickal powers to heal all who drank it or bathed in it. For many years it was a custom for those who visited Loch-mo-Naire to toss in a coin of silver as an offering to the benevolent spirits that dwelled within the lake.

August 5
Many folks still believe in this ancient superstition: if you make a secret wish wile looking up at the new moon (which normally begins on or near this date in August), your wish will be granted before the year is through.

August 6
On this date in the year 1817, a huge creature described as a sea-serpent was spotted in the ocean near Gloucester harbor in Massachusetts. Coincidentally, on this same date in the year 1948, a similar creature was seen by the crew of the British naval frigate Daedalus.
This day is sacred to the Cherokee Earth-Goddess Elihino and her sister Igaehindvo, the sacred goddess of the Sun.

August 7
In ancient Egypt, the cow-headed goddess Hathor was honored on this day by an annual festival known as Breaking the Nile. The festival, which was also dedicated to all water and river goddesses, celebrated the rising of the fertile waters of the mystical River Nile.
In ancient Greece, the annual mourning ceremony called the Adonia was held on this date in honor of the dying hero-god Adonis.

August 8
According to the Christian Church calendar, the Virgin Mary was born on this day.
The Eve of the Festival of Venus was celebrated annually on this date by the ancient Romans. On this night, the goddess of love and beauty was honored and invoked with prayers, love songs, libations, and passionate lovemaking. It was also a time when sorceresses performed all forms of love magick and marriage-mate divinations.

August 9
On this date, many Wiccans from around the world celebrate the annual Feast of the Fire Spirits. Dried mandrake root or yarrow herb is cast into fires as offerings to the Salamanders.

August 10
A centuries-old festival called Ghanta Karna Day is celebrated annually around this time of August in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The event celebrates the death of Ghanta Karna, a blood thirsty Hindu demon who haunts crossroads and is the sworn enemy of the god Vishnu.

August 11
On this day, an Irish fertility festival known as the Puck Fair begins. The medieval-style festival, which pays homage to the mischievous sprite Robin Goodfellow, continues for three consecutive days.
Oddudua, the "Mother of all Gods", is honored on this day by followers of the Santeria religion in Africa and South America.

August 12
The goddess Isis and her search for Osiris (her brother and consort) is commemorated on this day by the Lychnapsia (Festival of the Lights of Isis). Dried rose petals and vervain are burned in small cauldron pots or incense burners as offerings to Isis, and green candles are lit in her honor.

August 13
On this date, the major Pagan festival of Hecate is traditionally held at moonrise. Hecate, the mysterious goddess of darkness and protectress of all Witches, is a personification of the Moon and the dark side of the female principle.

August 14
Every year on this date, a "burryman" (a man wearing a costume of thistle burrs, and representing an ancient fertility god) walks through the streets in many of the fishing villages along the coast of Scotland, collecting donations from the villagers. The origin of the burryman remains a mystery.

August 15
Festival of Vesta. The ancient Roman goddess of the hearth was honored annually on this date in ancient times. Many modern Witches light six red candles and cast herbs into hearth fires on this day to honor Vesta and to receive her blessings for family and home.

August 16
Salem Heritage Day in Massachusetts
On this date in the year 1987, the first Harmonic Convergence as observed worldwide during the Grand Trine (the alignment of all nine planets in our solar system). The event, which lasted for two consecutive days, was believed to be the beginning of five years of peace and spiritual purification. Thousands of New Age enthusiasts gathered at various sacred sites to dance, chant, meditate, and tune into the positive energies of the Earth and the universe.

August 17
Festival of Diana. Every year on this date, the goddess of chastity, hunting, and the moon was honored by the ancient Romans.
This is a special day of feasting, mirth, and magick-making for many Dianic Wiccans, since Diana is the most sacred goddess of their tradition.
On this date in the year 1950, Oglala Sioux mystic and medicine man Nicholas Black Elk died in Manderson, South Dakota. He was known for his great powers of prophecy and healing, and was an adherent of the Ghost Dance, a short-lived Native American religious movement which ended in a tragic massacre at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in 1890.

August 18
On this date, the annual Festival of Hungry Ghosts is celebrated throughout China with burnt offerings to the spirits of the dead.
On this date in the year 1634, a parish priest named Father Urbain Grandier was found guilty of bewitching a group of nuns at a convent in Loudun, France, and causing them to be possessed by demons. He was condemned to be tortured and then burned alive in the public square of Saint Croix.

August 19
In ancient Rome, a wine-harvest celebration known as the Vinalia Rustica was held each year on this date. It was dedicated to the goddess Venus of the Grape Vine and also to Minerva.
On this date in the year 1692, the Reverend George Burroughs and John Willard were put to death on Salem’s infamous Gallows Hill as punishment for the crime of Witchcraft.

August 20
On this date in the year 1612, ten women and men known as the Lancashire Witches were executed on the gallows in one of England’s most famous Witch trials of the seventeenth century. Ironically, the nine-year-old girl who had supplied the court with incriminating evidence against the Witches was herself found guilty of Witchcraft twenty-two years later and executed in the second great Witch trial of Lancashire.

August 21
The Consualia, a harvest festival celebrating the storing of the new crop, was held annually on this date by the ancient Romans. Also celebrated on this date was the muscular deity Hercules, who was honored with a sacrifice at one of his shrines in the city of Rome. His annual festival was called the Heraclia.

August 22
On this date in the year 1623, the Order of the Rosy Cross (a secret sect associated with alchemy and reincarnation) was established in Paris, France. The mysterious Rosicrucian brotherhood was condemned by officials of the Church as worshipers of Satan.
This day is sacred to Nu Kwa, an ancient Chinese goddess identified with the healing goddess Kuan Yin.

August 23
The Volcanalia festival was celebrated annually on this date in ancient Rome. It was dedicated to Vulcan, the god of volcanic eruptions, and celebrated by frying fish alive to ward off accidental fires.
Each year on this date in Athens, the ancient Greeks celebrated a festival dedicated to Nemesis, the goddess who presided over the fate of all men and women.

August 24
On this date (approximately), the Sun enters the astrological sign of Virgo. Persons born under the sign of the Virgin are said to be analytical, organized, meticulous, and often prone to being perfectionists. Virgo is an earth sign and is ruled by the planet Mercury.

August 25
An annual harvest festival called the Opiconsiva was celebrated on this date in ancient Rome in honor of the fertility and success goddess Ops (Rhea). Later in the year, she was honored again at the Opalia festival on December 19 (the third day of the Saturnalia).

August 26
The periodic rebirth of the Hindu god Krishna (eighth and principal avatar of Vishnu) is celebrated by his faithful worshipers at midnight services on this date.
In the country of Finland, this is the annual Feast Day of Ilmatar (or Luonnotar), known as the Water Mother. According to mythology, she created the Earth out of chaos.

August 27
Consus, the god of the grain-store, was celebrated annually on this date by the ancient Romans. Sacrifices were made in his honor, and all beasts of burden were embellished with wreaths of flowers and given a day of rest. The Festival of Krishna is celebrated annually on this day in the country of India. It is also a sacred day dedicated to Devaki, the Mother-Goddess.

August 28
In the country of Norway, a Pagan festival celebrating the harvest is held on this date each year. Ancient Norse gods and goddesses are invoked to protect the spirit of the harvest throughout the dark half of the year.

August 29
Ancient Egyptian New Year
On this date in Nigeria, the Yoruba people celebrate the Gelede, an annual ritual of dancing and wearing of masks to drive away evil sorceresses.
In pre-Christian times, a festival called the Pardon of the Sea was celebrated annually in Britanny. It was originally dedicated to Athes, a Pagan goddess of the sea, and was later Christianized into the Feast of Saint Anne.

August 30
In Bengal, India, gruesome human sacrifices to the Indian earth-goddess Tari Pennu were made annually on this date as late as the mid-nineteenth century. After the sacrifice, a shaman would eat a bit of the victim’s flesh, and then the rest of the remains would be dismembered, burned, and scattered over a plowed field to ensure the fertility of future crops.

August 31
To purify the family spirits, Eyos (masqueraders wearing demon costumes concealed by white robes) walk through the streets of Lagos every year on this date. The Ritual Walk of the Eyos is a religious custom that dates back to ancient times.
On this date in the year 1934, Wiccan author Raymond Buckland was born in London, England. He founded the Seax-Wica tradition of Witchcraft, helped to introduce modern Wicca into the United States, and opened the first American Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.
In India, a women’s festival of purification is held each year on this day. It is called the Anant Chaturdasi, and is dedicated to the ancient serpent-goddess Ananta, who symbolizes the female life force.





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pondering

I'm trying to convience myself that I should give my dog away. I really love her but she is a royal pain in the butt. I don't have time for her like she deserves and she poops in my house, tears thing up and drives me insane. We don't have a yard for her, she sheds like crazy, chases my cats and did I mention is a pain in the butt. Yet I love the stupid dog and for some reason just can't bring myself to get rid of her. My ex knows someone who wants her, and I'm sure she would have a good home, but I love her. Decisions decisions.

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Friday, August 3, 2007

Sisters

This is for all of you..My blogging "sisters"




A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.

"They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. "Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and al l your other women relatives too. "You'll need other women. Women always do."

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.

A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.

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Thursday, August 2, 2007

Books and stuff.

I sat up until 3 am this morning so I could finish reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" I would have been finished days ago but I put it down several times for hours at a time since I was getting a headache from constantly reading.
I'm glad I read the book, it was god and made all the ones before it come together.

My daughter who isn't much of a book worm and rarely reads, has caught Harry Potter fever. She is reading the first book. I plan on reading all of them again, but for now will move on to something different.

We are however watching all the movies again. My ex-husband who is very much a muggle has NEVER seen ANY of the movies so we are watching them at his house. We have them all and so far have watched the first two.

Speaking of muggles my husband had one of those Duh moments tonight. I casually mentioned to him that today was Imbolc in the Southern Hemisphere, while here we celebrated Lammas. He said to me..But Christmas is always Dec 25th everywhere..I looked at him like he had two heads and told him that had nothing to do with the seasons. That the wheel of the year is opposite depending on where you live. When we had summer others had winter..Oh he says..He had never thought about it before.
Well, DUH.I thought to myself muttering MUGGLE!

I also got a laugh at my daughter today. Her and I went to lunch when I happened to notice a lady sitting behind us with her kids had on a pentacle. We chatted briefly about kids and as we were leaving I said quietly to her..Oh by the way Happy Lammas. She got all excited and said in a loud voice. "BLESSED BE". I just smiled and we left. My daughter not hearing what I had said to her gave me a funny look and said MOM what did you say to her..I told her and she asked me how did I know she was Pagan? I told her by her jewelry. Oh she said..(Duh) She said she had not noticed it. She said she was glad that I knew because of it and that for a second she was wondering if I was one of those women on the show Secret lives of women where they have a code or something..She asked me if I had Pagandar (like radar)

Muggles..SIGH!

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