Welcome 2011!
05 Jan 2011 3 Comments
in Personal
Happy 2011! I have been on holiday hiatus and thank you all for your holidays wishes while I have been away. For those of you who sent emails requiring answers, I promise you, I’m on it. Give me a day to catch up and responses will be forthcoming to all.
I’ve had a delightful December with visits from various family members over several weeks. Santa was gracious and giving, and I am beyond blessed and grateful.
I’m updating my Library list today. Check-in later to see what is next on the desk. And feel free to let me know what you are reading, too.
I have to say I received a fabulous Mahjong set for Christmas from my bff. She knows me too well! What fun getting a first lesson, having tea and chatting between reading her iPad for game instructions and trying to study “hands.” It is one of my favorite moments of the holidays, one I shall treasure as I continue to pursue this game of complexities.
Going forward I will discuss more about writing, sharing some written passages, talk about some philosophical topics, and post a few picturestoo. Stay with me in the new year and share some of your thoughts, too. We have much to discover together.
Here’s to wind at our backs (and under our wings), ink in our wells, paper that doesn’t bleed (teeth that are sharp), and hearts always open. I’m counting blessings every day.
Winter but no eclipse
21 Dec 2010 3 Comments
Welcome Winter. Sadly, there was no visible eclipse. The once-in-a-lifetime event was not visible due to heavy cloud cover. I am very disappointed.
Here’s a toast to the snow fae in hopes they are feeling as frisky as they were last week, with hope of white Christmas. I shall set out some sugar and dance merrily. It looks like there is a chance of snow Christmas night….
I believe, I believe, I believe……
Winter Solstice & Eclipse!
20 Dec 2010 1 Comment
in Photography, Space Tags: eclipse, historic, lunar, NASA
Winter is about to arrive with a full moon and a TOTAL Lunar Eclipse! Yes, sky fans, the shortest day of the year will be celebrated with a full moon and a total lunar eclipse where the moon turns Christmas red. It promises to be quite spectacular since the moon should be overhead and the sky will be clear (here, at least).
As the Geminid meteors are ending, the eclipse will begin about 1:30 a.m tomorrow. It will take three hours to complete the transformation, ending with the full moon turning a deep red, like an ornament in the sky. NASA will be streaming the eclipse live. NASA reports the best viewing should occur at 3:17 a.m. (that’s early tomorrow morning). This will give you a chance to see moon at her peak.
The last time we had a total eclipse on the solstice was 1638!! (there is some inaccurate reporting on this — everything from 456 years to nearly a millennium. But I have gathered my data from NASA).
There will be two total lunar eclipses in 2014 (April and October) but there won’t be another full moon on the solstice with an eclipse until Dec 21, 2094. I urge everyone to try and see this most rare event. I will attempt some pictures and see what I can capture. If weather is bad, remember NASA will be streaming the eclipse live.
Total Lunar Eclipse Start: 1:33 a.m.
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 38 minutes
Totality begins at 2:41 a.m and lasts 72 minutes (3:17 a.m. optimal fullness)
See you under this magical winter event as we share some historic sky!
(Happy Birthday Drahomira – this moon’s for you, babe!)
Countdown to Christmas
02 Dec 2010 3 Comments
Welcome December and hot cider. And hot chocolate. And soup. And blankie. And holiday movies. And sweaters. And lights and lights and lights. And breath that hangs in the air. And comfy robe and socks. And early (normal) nights with a good book. And gratitude. And love. And hope.
My holiday shopping is complete. I finish my Christmas cards this weekend and I’m baking holiday cakes, too. Fa-la-la-la-laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, la-la, laaaaaaaaaaa, laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Here’s to the snow faeries!
Happy Thanksgiving…
25 Nov 2010 1 Comment
in Personal
…to one and all. May you count your blessings and be enriched and renewed. May you be inspired by Nature’s bounty and endless offerings. May you help someone else along the way and gift them with a blessing of heart.
May you be blessed with health, hope, and love. Be grateful for the smallest things and you will be given riches.
We celebrated today with…duck! I made duck l’orange! And creamy scalloped potatoes, oyster dressing, peas with mushrooms and cranberry sauce. The pumpkin pie will have to wait until tomorrow because we were too full. We washed it down with a nice Pinot Noir and after dinner coffee. It was truly wonderful.
And to this, my best friend’s mother came home from the hospital and can be treated with medications. Thank you all for your prayers whoever you are.
Now, the Christmas tree is up (though not yet decorated) – tis the season! Happy Thanksgiving!
Autumn Rituals
18 Nov 2010 Comments Off
The last race of the NASCAR season is this coming Sunday. I may mark the event by going to the Renaissance Faire. Seems an odd way for a race fan to mark the end of the racing season but my driver has not performed this year and what the hey! Fun is more important! Besides I didn’t get to go the previously planned day. (SUNDAY: Didn’t get to go to the Faire. Next year. Worked on the homestead, did laundry, cooked, worked on donations to Goodwill.)
The weather is systematically knocking the leaves off the trees. It almost looks barren and gloomy enough to be winter. One sure sign the holidays have arrived home is the stack of Christmas CDs on my kitchen table. Decorating inside and out happens next week!
Are you still reading? Of course the Library is up-to-date. Starting a new series by Simon Green. Butcher’s Side Jobs was Fab-U-licious.
Tip for today: Simmer some fragrant tea or cider on the stove and add cinnamon sticks, cloves, oranges, apples and lemons (or any of those you like). The aroma will fill the home giving it a holiday warms and fragrance that is less expensive and potpourri and lasts longer. Use the same concoction for up to 3 days by adding more spices and some water. Cover when not in use. You can even add peppermint drops for a special Christmas scent. This is really helpful when cooking the turkey, goose, ham or roast. It eats up the odors and replaces with sweet scents.
Make today your best day yet. Cuz today your are the oldest you’ve ever been.
NOTE: Please pray for my best friend’s mother who is in the hospital with congestive heart failure. Your generous contribution of emotional and spiritual strength is gratefully welcomed.
Happy Birthday BFF
10 Nov 2010 3 Comments
A rousing, joyous birthday wish to my very best friend Melonie! My wish is for all things wonderful to find you today! Sending hugs — and will celebrate with you this weekend! Arr, Matey!
New Look
07 Nov 2010 4 Comments
in Personal
Okay, I like this. It captures the light of Autumn and the colors of the Fae. For the moment, I think this will be my new coat of paint. What do you think?
What’s it worth to you?
06 Nov 2010 2 Comments
Ah, money. You can’t take it with you, you can’t do without it, you are paralyzed with too much of it, and you are shunned for too little of it. Money is the root….of trouble, anxiety, happiness, arrogance….and sometimes, relief.
I spent some last night. Took advantage of the last chance for no sales tax on appliances that are energy star efficient (also tax credit eligible for the soon-to-run-out deduction with the IRS). Got myself a new washer, dryer AND refrigerator. And except for a momentary spasm of buyers guilt (I do spasm when spending large amounts of money), I will be happy to have a washer that doesn’t try to throw itself across the floor, a dryer that is more efficient, and a refrigerator that is more modern, efficient and makes ice (and can be dished from the outside!). My current appliances are about 13 years old and of course technology has made improvements in their manufacturing since my purchases.
In the end, I will save money on water consumption, energy usage,and laundry detergent (use less with new washers). The cost for conservation is worth it to me. Which brings an age-old question that every story asks of its players –
What’s it worth to you? Is it true that everyone has “a price?” Do you know yours? Do you know your characters? Where do you – or your heroes – draw the line? Is there one? Is it cheaply given or too expensive to fathom? What would your characters give to have a better life or world? Is the price a game-changer? Or is the lack of a price a plot saver?
What’s it worth to you? Is the price worth the cost? My purchase was and will be. But for my characters? Ah, now that is something I must consider….
