Dream Interpretation

I am terrible at trying to interpret my dreams. They just always seem so random and meaningless. This article talks about dreams helping us make decisions, with things like maps and signs.

"One of our greatest allies in life is our dreams. Whatever we seek to be, do or accomplish, our dreams can help us in reaching our goals.

Dreams have meaning, and when we pay attention to dreams their meaning bursts upon us in profound insights. Dreams validate the intuition, present solutions to problems, inspire creativity and bring healing. Since ancient times, dreams have been seen literally as a "hotline to God" for divine guidance in all matters of life.

When we are faced with important decisions, such as changes involving home, job and relationship, we often don't know which way to turn. We draw up lists of pros and cons, sit on the fence and second guess ourselves. Our dreams, however, cut straight through confusion with guidance that is crystal clear. Sometimes the dream guidance confirms what we already know and helps to end vacillation. Sometimes the guidance is unexpected--and we are put to a test of faith to follow it."

Dreams That Help Us Make Important Decisions

Shavuot

[NOTE REGARDING MY RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY POSTS: I do these because I want to learn about religious holidays that I am not familiar with. For that reason, I don't generally include Christian holidays because I am already familiar with them, and I don't include all Jewish holidays for the same reason.]

Today is the Jewish holiday "Shavuot" (also called Feast of Weeks). [Well technically, I think it started at sundown yesterday.]

Shavuot marks the conclusion of the 7-week counting of the Omer (beginning the 2nd day of Passover and ending on the 50th day) and the day the Torah was given at Mount Sinai. It is one of the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals mandated by the Torah.

Agriculturally, Shavuot is connected to the grain harvest and commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple. In ancient times, the grain harvest began with the harvesting of the barley during Passover and ended with the harvesting of the wheat at Shavuot.

Unlike other Jewish holidays, Shavuot does not have prescribed mitzvot (Torah commandments) other than the traditional festival observances of abstention from work, special prayer services and holiday meals. However, it is characterized by many customs including staying up all night the first night and studying the Torah; consuming dairy products like milk and cheese; the reading of the Book of Ruth; and the decoration of homes and synagogues with greenery.

Sources/More Info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavuot

http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/shavuot.html

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Shavuot.htm

http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayc.htm

A new age first lady?

Wouldn't that be interesting?

Dennis Kucinich married a 6 foot tall tongue pierced new age "hippie chick" from England two years ago. In the last election, Kucinich was the candidate who most matched my values. Of course, that meant he didn't have a chance in hell.

He probably still doesn't have a chance, but I'll vote for him in the primary anyway, if he is still in it by the time West Virginia has it (I think last time he had already dropped out by that time).

Mrs. Kucinich was born and raised on the outskirts of London, where her address was "4, Dennis's Cottages, Dennis's Lane." She believes that was a clue that she was destined to marry Mr. Kucinich. I do too.

Her mother has a healing and therapy center of some sort (new age, I presume).

Can he be elected? I don't know. But aren't we supposed to be ushering in a new age about now?

Meet Democrat Dennis Kucinich's Wife: She's a New Age, Tongue-Pierced Brit

Here is his website - I really like what I have seen of him. I don't like politics, but he doesn't seem like the usual politician to me. I don't get involved in politics because of all the negative energy around it. I will not contribute to that.

I will, however, support someone who has the same ideals as I do and who goes about pursuing them in a loving and peaceful way.

http://kucinich.us/

Authenticity

“We need to find the courage to say NO to the things and people that are not serving us if we want to rediscover ourselves and live our lives with authenticity.” - Barbara De Angelis

Just a photo I came across today

 

Mother's Day Trip 2007

Every year my mom, sister, niece and I take a trip together to celebrate Mother's Day. This year we went to Pipestem Resort. Details & photos can be found here:

Pipestem Travelogue

"As we cultivate peace and happiness in ourselves, we also nourish peace and happiness in those we love." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Native American Burial Mound - South Charleston, WV

Click on pics to see larger version in a new window

Sunday we went to lunch in South Charleston and I decided I wanted to go up on top of the Native American burial mound, because although I probably have gone up there at some time or another, I couldn't remember doing so. And it was a beautiful day for pictures.

The Criel Mound is located in South Charleston, West Virginia. It is a conical burial mound built by the Adena culture sometime between 250 and 150 BC. There is some evidence the site was used by Native Americans as late as 1650. It was the burial ground for an Adena village. It was built between two "sacred circles", each 556 feet in diameter. It was originally 33 feet high and 173 feet in diameter at the base (the 2nd largest burial mound in WV). The mound was originally conical in shape, but the top was leveled in 1840 for the erection of a judges' stand that was used for horse races that were conducted around the base of the mound at the time.

In 1883-1884, the mound was excavated by a professor from the Smithsonian Institute. They dug in from the top. Near the top they found some human bones that they think were uncovered when the judges' stand was built. A little further down were two skeletons lying on their backs, heads facing south and feet near the center. Near the heads lay two celts, two stone hoes, one lance head, and two disks.

Further down, they found numerous other skeletons, including a burial vault containing the remains of 11 Native Americans thought to have been killed in battle. The skeletons at the base consisted of a single large skeleton at the center, surrounded by ten other skeletons arranged in a spoke-like pattern, with their feet pointing toward the central skeleton. The skeletons at the base had been wrapped in elm bark and were lying on a floor of white ash and bark. Several artifacts were found buried with the skeletons, including arrowheads, lanceheads, and shell and pottery fragments. The central skeleton was accompanied by a fish-dart, a lance-head, and a sheet of hammered native copper near the head. Holes found at the base of the mound suggest that the bodies at the base had been enclosed in a wooden vault.

The artifacts and skeleton remains are at the Smithsonian. There area where the mound is has been turned into a park, and various community activities are held there.

The mound is near the entrance to downtown South Charleston.



There are steps that wind around the mound to the top on each side.



Dave decided to take the fast way up.



At the top is a bench



The views aren't much to write home about, though. A car lot and a chemical plant



At least you can also see the downtown too



On this side of the mound is a park, that includes a fountain, some trees (including one planted by a boy scout troop in 1932) and a sculpture.



The sculpture is called "Burial Attendants", by Cubert Smith, 1979 {Smith was also one of the sculptors of a sculpture I photographed at Harris Riverfront Park and posted here recently}

Cabin Creek Mine Wars; Mother Jones; and My Family

Yesterday I spent some time up Cabin Creek, West Virginia, with my Dad, the area where he was born and lived until he was six, and where my grandmother and grandfather grew up. And aunts and uncles, etc. My father was born in Acme. My grandmother was from Red Warrior.

Cabin Creek was a coal mining area and the West Virginia Mine Wars started right around there (Paint Creek and Cabin Creek, which are very close to one another). My grandfather is buried up Red Warrior Hollow, and we were in Red Warrior yesterday, an old coal mine camp. I knew my grandmother had lived in a tent city for a time but I thought it was during the depression. I found out yesterday that it was during the mine wars, after the miners were driven out of their homes. At night, the mine people would come by on the train and shoot at the tents. Where my grandmother slept! I didn't even realize that her father was a coal miner.

Mother Jones was involved in the labor organizing in that area and I was searching for info on Cabin Creek and the mine wars and came across a section of her biography that mentions Red Warrior.

"One day a group of men came down to Elksdale from Red Warrior Camp to ask me to come up there and speak to them. Thirty-six men came down in their shirt sleeves. They brought a mule and a buggy for me to drive in with a little miner's lad for a driver. I was to drive in the creek bed as that was the only public road and I could be arrested for trespass if I took any other. The men took the shorter and easier way along the C. and O. tracks which paralleled the creek a little way above it.

Suddenly as we were bumping along I heard a wild scream. I looked up at the tracks along which the miners were walking. I saw the men running, screaming as they went. I heard the whistle of bullets. I jumped out of the buggy and started to run up to the track. One of the boys screamed, "God! God! Mother, don't come. They'll kill …"

"Stand still," I called. "Stand where you are. I'm coming!"

When I climbed up onto the tracks I saw the boys huddled together, and around a little bend of the tracks, a machine gun and a group of gunmen.

"Oh Mother, don't come," they cried. "'let them kill us; not you!"

"I'm coming and no one is going to get killed," said I.

I walked up to the gunmen and put my hand over the muzzle of the gun. Then I just looked at those gunmen, very quiet, and said nothing. I nodded my head for the miners to pass.

"Take your hands off that gun, you hellcat !" yelled a fellow called Mayfield, crouching like a tiger to spring at me.

I kept my hand on the muzzle of the gun. "Sir," said I, "my class goes into the mines. They bring out the metal that makes this gun. This is my gun! My class melts the minerals in furnaces and roll the steel. They dig the coal that feeds furnaces. My class is not fighting you, not you. They are fighting with bare fists and empty stomachs the men who rob them and deprive their children of childhood. It is the hard-earned pay of the working class that your pay comes from. They aren't fighting you."

Several of the gunmen dropped their eyes but one fellow, this Mayfield, said, "I don't care a damn! I'm going to kill every one of them and you, too!"

I looked him full in the face. "Young man, said I, "I want to tell you that if you shoot one bullet out of this gun at those men, if you touch one of my white hairs, that creek will run with blood, and yours will be the first to crimson it. I do not want to hear the screams of these men nor to see the tears, nor feel the heartache of wives and little children. These boys have no guns! Let them pass!"

"So our blood is going to crimson the creek is it!" snarled this Mayfield.

I pointed to the high hills. "Up there in the mountain I have five hundred miners. They are marching armed to the meeting I am going to address. If you start the shooting, they will finish the game."

Mayfield's lips quivered like a tiger's deprived of its flesh.

"Advance!" he said to the miners. They came forward. I kept my hand on the gun. The miners were searched. There were no guns On them. They were allowed to pass.

I went down the side of the hill to my buggy.

The mule was chewing grass and the little lad was making a willow whistle. I drove on. That night I held my meeting.

But there weren't any five hundred armed men in the mountains. Just a few jack rabbits, perhaps, but I had scared that gang of cold blooded, hired murderers and Red Warrior camp was organized."

Her autobiography is online free here:

http://www.angelfire.com/nj3/RonMBaseman/mojones.htm

The part I copied is from Part II and there's more about Paint Creek and Cabin Creek on that page too in a chapter called "Victory in West Virginia"

I am going to go back and read the whole thing when I can. She was something else. I used to subscribe to Mother Jones magazine and I didn't even realize that her history intersected with my family's until now.

More on the Paint Creek/Cabin Creek mine wars:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Virginia_Mine_War_of_1912-1913

Spring Vacation: Boone, North Carolina

Last week we traveled to Boone, North Carolina for some rest and relaxation. A travelogue with photos can be found here:

http://www.auntsissy.com/photos/boone/index.html

Included in the trip: Boone, Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, Western North Carolina Nature Center, Asheville, North Carolina

Wesak (Vesak)

Today is the Buddhist holiday of WESAK or VESAK. It is also called Visakah Puja; Vaishaka; Buddha Purnima; Visakha Bucha; Saga Dawa; and Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day. It is celebrated during the first full moon of the Taurus.

Wesak is the most important of the Buddhist festivals and is celebrated on the full moon in May. It commemorates events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

The celebration of Wesak is a chance to remember the story of how the Buddha gained Enlightenment, and to reflect on what it might mean for individual Buddhists to move towards Enlightenment themselves. The Buddha himself instructed his followers on how to pay him homage: by truly and sincerely striving to follow his teachings.

The festival is celebrated with color and gaiety. Homes may be cleaned and decorated. Buddhists will visit their local temple for services and teaching, give offerings to the monks of food, candles and flowers, chant and pray.

The 'Bathing the Buddha' ceremony is also often included. Water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha and serves as a reminder to purify the mind from greed, hatred and ignorance.

Gifts are taken to an altar to be offered to the Buddha statues. This shows respect and gratitude to the Buddha for his life and teachings.

Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. Birds, insects and animals are released by the thousands in what is known as a 'symbolic act to liberation'; of giving freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will.

Celebrating Vesak also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesak_Day

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/wesak.shtml

See also:

http://www.souledout.org/wesak/wesaklegend2.html

http://buddhism.about.com/cs/festivals/a/Vesak.htm

http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm

Beltane

Yesterday (5/1/07) was BELTANE, a Celtic/Pagan/Wiccan holiday. Beltane marks the midpoint between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.

In modern Irish, the month of May is called Mí na Bealtaine ('month of Bealtaine'). For the Celts, Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures and mountain grazing lands.

The festival began on Beltane Eve ("Oidhche Bhealtaine") with two bonfires started from 9 different woods. Domestic animals and people pass between the bonfires to eliminate disease and misfortune. In the days before electricity, the bonfire was used to light torches used to rekindle lights throughout the village. Ancient festivals customarily included sexuality, dancing around the maypole, and singing.

May Boughs may be hung on the doors and windows. May Bushes might be erected in farmyardsand decorated with flowers, ribbons, garlands and colored egg shells. Like the festival of Samhain, Beltane was seen as a time when the Otherworld was particularly close at hand.

Wiccans and Wiccan-inspired Neopagans celebrate a variation of Beltane as a sabbat, one of the 8 solar holidays the last of the 3 spring fertility festivals. Although the holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as maypole dancing). Some Wiccans celebrate 'High Beltaine' by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane

http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/beltane.html

this one in particular has a LOT of information about the history, rituals and celebrations connected with Beltane:

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=holidays&id=2765

Big & Rich album teaser

"Big & Rich's upcoming album, Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace, includes a guest appearance by rapper Wyclef Jean and a cover version of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long." The Fugees member is featured on "Please Man," a John Rich song that contains mentions of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels and Reba McEntire. Big & Rich's album will be released June 5. "

http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1558423/20070430/big_rich.jhtml

Weekly Quote from my email sig

"There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go."

- Richard Bach

Protect our Pets

Weekly Quote

"I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center."

- Kurt Vonnegut (11/11/22-04/11/07)

Meditation & Mantram

Using a Mantram

The Blue Mountain Center for Meditation teaches using a mantram during meditation. Even though I had read their recommendations previously I hadn't put them into practice. I started yesterday and found it very helpful. I have always had a hard time meditating without a guided meditation, because I can't seem to quiet my mind and I have a short attention span.

"A mantram is a powerful spiritual formula which, when repeated silently in the mind, has the capacity to transform consciousness. There is nothing magical about this. It is simply a matter of practice. The mantram is a short, powerful spiritual formula for the highest power we can conceive of – whether we call it God, or the ultimate reality, or the Self within. ... Choose whichever version of the Holy Name appeals to you; then, once you have chosen a mantram, do not change it. ...

[T]he mantram can be repeated under almost any circumstances, and it is so brief that it will come to your mind under even the most agitating circumstances. ... The mantram is most effective when repeated silently in the mind. Repeat the mantram whenever you get the chance: while walking, while waiting, while doing mechanical chores like washing dishes, and especially when you are falling asleep. Whenever you are angry or afraid, nervous or hurried or resentful, repeat the Holy Name until the agitation in your mind subsides."

http://www.easwaran.org/nilgiri.cfm/pageid:3

My Chosen Mantram

The mantram I have chosen to use is from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition:

Om mani padme hum
(pronounced: ohm mah nee pahd may hung)
"Hail the jewel in the lotus"

Viewing the written form of the mantra is said to have the same effect -- it is often carved into stones. I have seen jewelry for sale on ebay with it and I am going to go look for something and buy it. I did buy a medallion with it and incorporated it into a set of meditation beads for someone least year.

The meaning of this mantram is not just its literal translation; it is said to contain the essence of the whole of the Buddha's teachings.

• Om is composed of three letters, A, U, and M. These symbolize the practitioner's impure body, speech, and mind; they also symbolize the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.


• Mani, meaning jewel, symbolizes the intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love.


• The two syllables, padme, meaning lotus, symbolize wisdom


• Hum indicates indivisibility. Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of method and wisdom

Thus the six syllables, om mani padme hum, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.

http://www.tibet.com/Buddhism/om-mantra.html

More here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_mani_padme_hum

http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/meaning-of-om-mani-padme-hung.htm

It's a beautiful world

"I walk with beauty before me
I walk with beauty behind me
I walk with beauty above me
I walk with beauty below me
I walk with beauty all around me
Your world is so beautiful, Oh God."

-- Navajo prayer

Unity

I had never paid much attention to this sculpture. I've been taking pics around town with my cell phone and took this yesterday. It wasn't a very good day for picture taking.


"Unity"
Haddad Riverfront Park, Charleston, WV


The plaque on it says the name of it is "Unity" and it also has two sculptors' names, Dr. Cubert Smith and another that appears to be in Russian. I was only able to find a little info about it online. It appears to have been undertaken via the Charleston-Korolev Connection (which fosters some kind of exchange/sister city program between West Virginia and Russia - Korolev apparently being a town in Russia). The sculpture was a collaboration between Dr. Cubert Smith, a Charleston artist and Director of the City of Charleston's Environmental Resources Office, and Vladimir Smirnoff, a sculptor from Korolev. It's kind of neat.

UFO over Oregon?

Found via About.com



"Headed to Medford there was a shiny thing that caught my eye so I zoomed in with my handycam and got this little clip. 40x zoom so it is bigger than what I could see with my own eyes. Sorry about the shaking but the truck is bouncy and even more so when zoomed in.If you look closely at the clouds you can see that it really wasn't moving. It was headed south just above the hills back behind and in between Eagle Point and White City. It is at regular speed and then I slowed it down to half. Still not sure what it is,probably just a plane maybe a ufo, you decide. Recorded Tues. March 20, 2007 at about 11am"

Easter Memories

I dug these out to post on my sister's MySpace so I'll share them here too. I am the oldest, 4 years older than my sister Tina. Click on them to see larger versions

Easter 1968



1970
Look at that bow on Mom!. I love the expression on my sister's face.


Don't know what year this one is. Maybe 1971?
I remember that purse distinctly. Those are some ugly bunnies!


20 years ago!!

Weekly Quote

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." - Buddha

Google yellow pages - via the telephone!

Call 1-800-GOOG-411. At the prompts, say your city and state, then either the category of business or business name. Then you hear a list of matching businesses. When you decide which one you want to call, just say or press the corresponding list number (such as "number 4") and they will connect you with them. For free. FREE! I just tried it and got a list of pizza restaurants in my area. Pretty nifty!

How do they make money on this?? It's still in Google labs.

Found via: http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/04/07/0339229&from=rss

More info:

http://news.com.com/2061-10803_3-6174124.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-5&subj=news

http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2007/04/google-voice-local-search.html

Weekly Quote

"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." - Eleanor Roosevelt

More Pet Food Recalls

All sizes and varieties of Purina's "Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy" wet dog food (Date codes 7037 through 7053, followed by plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date. Bottom of can or top or side of multi-pack cartons.)

Hills Science Diet dry cat food - Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food, 4 pound bag, 52742 42770 (all lot numbers) and Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food, ten pound bag, 52742 42790.

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_21272348.shtml


Del Monte voluntarily recalling select product codes of pet treats Jerky Treats®, Gravy Train® Beef Sticks and Pounce Meaty Morsels® Moist Chicken Treats as well as select dog snack and wet dog food products sold under private label brands (Ol' Roy, Dollar General and Happy Tails). See link for complete list of brands, products & codes.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070331005023&newsLang=en

* * *

SALMONELLA RECALLS!

United Pet Group, Inc., is voluntarily recalling Dingo® CHICK’N JERKY treats for dogs, cats and ferrets due to concerns that they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Products affected were sold at Target, PetSmart and other retailers. Products subject to recall are Dingo CHICK’N JERKY 3.5 oz. and 8 oz. for dogs and Dingo Kitty CHICKEN JERKY 1.5 oz. for cats and Dingo Ferret CHICKEN JERKY 1.5 oz for ferrets. I have these chicken treats and am throwing them away now - the cats didn't like them anyway and only ate a little and haven't had any recently

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070331005008&newsLang=en

Petrapport is voluntarily recalling pig ear dog treats because of of potential to be contaminated with salmonella (see link for more details info re brands etc)

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/trn/local_news/article/0,1891,TRN_5784_5445994,00.html

Miladun-Nabi

Today's religious holiday, according to my calendar, is the Islamic holiday Miladun-Nabi (I also see it called Miladdunnabi, Eid-e-Miladunnabi and Mawlid al-Nabi). It marks the birth of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad, the founder of Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad was born about A.D. 570 in the city of Mecca and died in A.D. 632. He established Islam as a religion.

"At a critical point in his life, Muhammad received a vision of the angel Gabriel who called him into service as a prophet. He later received a second vision of Gabriel who told him to "magnify thy Lord." Muhammad then began to preach publicly in Mecca where he had lived for many years. Many people were receptive to his message but others ridiculed him. Because of the opposition of many citizens of Mecca and threats against him, Muhammad fled to Yathrib in A. D. 622. This journey of nearly 200 miles is known as the Hegira and is so important that the Muslim calendar begins with the year of the Hegira.

The Mawlid al-Nabi was first observed around the thirteenth century and was preceded by a month of celebration. The actual day of Muhammad's birthday included a sermon, recitation of litanies, honoring of religious dignitaries, gift giving, and a feast. The festival spread throughout the Muslim world and is celebrated in many countries today. However, some conservative sects (e.g., the Wahhabiyah) consider the celebration to be idolatrous."

http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/mawlid.html

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawlid

Very interesting - the life of Muhammad:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad

A walk along the river

Kanawha River, Charleston, West Virginia

I have been walking every day, 30-45 minutes generally. The weather was perfect today so I snapped some pics with my cell phone. I usually walk on the Kanawha Boulevard, today I walked below it, on the lower sidewalk, which is much nicer and less crowded. I stop and sit by the river and enjoy the peacefulness before I go back, and it usually puts me in a good frame of mind to return to work.

Click on pics for larger versions

Sunshine, jet trail, trees!



The first half of the walk, upriver



Sitting



To the right from where I was sitting



To the left



Looking up toward where I usually walk



On the way back, down river



I heart big old trees! In the background is the Southside Bridge. Maybe next week I'll walk across it. But then I'll just walk right back, because if I continued I'd have to walk up hill, up Bridge Road. It would be a beautiful place for a walk, and I see people walking over there, but I'm not in good enough shape for that yet.



Bye for now

Weekly Quote

"What you believe yourself to be, you are." -- Claude M. Bristol

Woman eats dog's food, gets sick

This beats just about all the tainted pet food stories I've seen!

"It's a case that could be related to the tainted pet food that has killed several dogs and cat's and sickened dozens more across in Canada and the United States.

Elaine Larabie tells the Ottawa Citizen that for three days she suffered symptoms that included loss of appetite, vomiting, foaming at the mouth and trouble urinating. She went to an emergency room on Tuesday and is now awaiting test results from blood work. advertisement

After noticing her dog, Missy, wasn't eating, Larabie said she took bites of Iams pet food in order to trick the terrier into thinking it was people food.

The ploy worked and the mealtime routine continued for about two weeks until both dog and master became sick on March 17."

More here: Woman, dog both sick after eating recalled pet food

A couple of recent UFO stories

"Former Gov. [of Arizona] Fife Symington says now that those strange lights that appeared over Phoenix a decade ago were from another world and that he had a close encounter with an alien craft on March 13, 1997. 'I'm a pilot and I know just about every machine that flies. It was bigger than anything that I've ever seen. It remains a great mystery. Other people saw it, responsible people,' Symington said Thursday. 'I don't know why people would ridicule it.'"

UFOs flew over Phoenix in '97, Symington says

* * *

"France became the first country to open its files on UFOs Thursday when the national space agency unveiled a website documenting more than 1,600 sightings spanning five decades. The online archives, which will be updated as new cases are reported, catalogues in minute detail cases ranging from the easily dismissed to a handful that continue to perplex even hard-nosed scientists. ... Of the 1,600 cases registered since 1954, nearly 25 percent are classified as "type D", meaning that "despite good or very good data and credible witnesses, we are confronted with something we can't explain," ... .

France opens secret UFO files covering 50 years

Happy Naw Ruz

Well I wanted to research this holiday more, but I don't have time, unfortunately. Here's a bit about this holiday, which coincides with the Vernal Equinox. On my calendar it is spelled "Naw-Ruz" but it appears to have other spellings as well.

"Naw-Rúz is an ancient Iranian New Years day festival which occurs near the Spring Equinox. It is now a world holiday of the Bah á'í faith. If the equinox occurs before sunset, then New Year's Day is celebrated on that day in the Middle East; otherwise it is delayed until the following day. In the rest of the world, it is always on MAR-21. It is celebrated with many symbols indicating regrowth and renewal - much like the Christian Easter. Some members follow the ancient Iranian "haft-sin" custom on this day involves arranging seven objects whose name begin with the letter "S" in Persian; e.g. hyacinths, apples, lilies, silver coins, garlic, vinegar and rue."

http://www.religioustolerance.org/main_day5.htm

It appears to be celebrated all over the middle east. It is a time for spring cleaning, new clothes, visiting family. Not unlike the other new year celebrations I have been reading about.

There's a long Wikipedia article that has a lot more of the history and such:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norouz

Maybe next year I'll actually learn more about it :)

Happy Ostara (and First Day of Spring!!)

For those of you new to this journal, I am learning about unfamiliar religious holidays which appear on my calendar.

Today is the Spring Equinox, and “Ostara”, which my calendar says is a Pagan/Wiccan holiday. It is the time of the balancing of the earth's gravity midway between the extremes of light and dark at Winter and Summer Solstice.

Ostara is based on several holidays celebrated around the Vernal Equinox. Ostara is one of the eight major Wiccan holidays and is celebrated on the Vernal Equinox. It marks the end of winter and beginning of the season of rebirth (spring). It is a time to honor the God and Goddess as natures balance returns to the world. To celebrate the rebirth of Mother Nature.

The name goes back to Jakob Grimm, who, in his Deutsche Mythologie, speculated about an ancient German goddess Ostara, after whom the Easter festival (german: Ostern) could have been named. (Although another article says this time is sacred to Eostre, the Saxon Lunar Goddess of fertility, where we get the word estrogen from and whose symbols were the egg and rabbit.) Obviously, the Christians took this holiday and made their own out of it, and incorporated some of the pagan symbols. That always amuses me because some Christians are or would be horrified to think that they are using pagan symbols. But to me, it is just another example of how many religions celebrate similar holidays around the same time. This is a time of rebirth and awakening after a long winter. Everything comes alive. I watch eagerly for the first crocuses, the first green leaves on the trees, the first yellow buds on the forsythia and I am filled with joy when I see them! It makes me want to celebrate too. What better time is there to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

I’m not sure exactly how Ostara is celebrated because I don’t have time to research it in depth. It appears to me that there is no one set way. Colored eggs, symbols of fertility such as rabbits and early spring flowers are mentioned, as are various rituals.

For Pagans, this is a day of preparation - reconsecrating magikal tools, balancing energies for new work, blessing seeds for spring planting, etc. It is also a time for introspection, examining where you might be unbalanced and where you need to let go of the past and prepare for a fertile future. You may conduct a simple ritual to honor the rebirth of Mother Nature and the coming of spring.

Sources/More Info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostara

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/ostara.htm

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=holidays&id=1991

http://www.paganspath.com/magik/celtic/ostara.htm

THIS PAGE HAS A GREAT OVERVIEW:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/spring_equinox.htm

Quote of the Week

"The ancient Hawaiians knew that there were many paths to the top of the mountain, each one beautiful in its own way - yet the view from the top is always the same. Their teachings remind us to honor our path and the path of our fellow travelers. Remember to walk always in light, live in love, and treat all beings with honor, dignity, and respect." - Susan Gregg

IMPORTANT Pet Food Recall

There has been a major recall of wet pet food in cans and foil pouches, sold as store brands for Wal-Mart, Safeco, Krogers, PetSmart and others. There have been reports of kidney failure and death. They have also recalled Iams and Eukanuba canned and foil pouch food with code dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by plant code 4197.

The news story is here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070316/ap_on_he_me/pet_food_recall_4

More detailed product info and list of brands is here: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/

I have both Iams and Nutro in my kitchen right now :(. Luckily only Roscoe & Snoop eat it and then only once or twice a week. I am going to throw it all out just to be safe.

"Cats Invade Neb. House, 3 Injured"

Now that is a headline you just don't see everyday. What a story!

"NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) - Two stray cats got into a house and attacked three people inside, then were euthanized and checked for rabies, authorities said.
The cats entered Melissa Breva's house through an open front door on Monday, and attacked two women visitors and a boy, authorities said.

"I thought I had seen it all, but I have never seen anything like this," Chief of Police Martin Gutschenritter said.

Animal control officer John Pettit responded to a call for help, Gutschenritter said.

One woman was scratched and bitten on her legs; the other woman was bitten on her right calf, authorities said.

After talking to them, Pettit went to his truck for snares, then heard screaming from inside the house.

"When he ran back, he saw a young male with blood over his face," Gutschenritter said. "He was bitten on his forehead, nose, left ear and right cheek."

After some first aid from Pettit, the three were taken to Great Plains Regional Medical Center.

When investigator John Stadler arrived and opened the bedroom door, "he saw a gray and white cat baring its teeth in attack mode," Gutschenritter said. "He shut the bedroom door and returned to his car for a dart gun."

Both cats were shot, tranquilized and taken to the animal shelter, where they were euthanized.

The bodies were sent to Lincoln for rabies checks, Gutschenritter said.

Authorities want to find out who owned the cats. Under a city ordinance, cats may run free if they don't become nuisances."

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8NSMV9G0&show_article=1

Big & Rich: Instant Karma

Big & Rich is going to have a song on "Instant Karma", an all-star album benefiting Amnesty International's campaign to end the Darfur genocide. It will be out June 12 and sounds great.

More here:

http://www.instantkarma.org/pr-REM.html

Daily Darfur: Your Daily Dose of Activism: 3/12/07.

Quote of the Week

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

- Mother Theresa

DaVinci Code

I finally watched the DaVinci Code (movie) this weekend. I was pleasantly surprised and thought it was very good. Like the book, it kept me on the edge of my seat. And it was pretty true to the book. Wikipedia lists the differences between the book and the film:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Da_Vinci_Code_%28film%29#Differences_between_film_and_novel

I’m not very good at reviewing. My review is either I like it or I don’t. :) And this one, I liked.

The Secret

a/k/a The Law of Attraction

The book/DVD "The Secret" gives three steps--"ask, believe, receive" . More detailed in steps, from BeliefNet with a bit added by me (but from the film):

1. Clear Your Mind - Designate a place in your home as your "intention space," such as an altar. Sit, quietly, comfortably, and breathe. Meditate 5-10 minutes.

2. Decide What You Want - Be clear or you'll attract mixed results. Focus on your desires and dream big.

3. Ask For It - Write down what you want very specifically, in present-tense, as if you've already gotten your wish: "'I am so happy and grateful now that...' And then explain how you want your life to be, in every area. Say it in a positive way - leave out negative words like debt i.e. "I want to get out of debt." Instead say "I am living a life of abundance and wealth."

4. Visualize Having It - Every day, close your eyes for several minutes and imagine yourself standing inside your dream home, embracing your soul mate, standing in your ideal body. Keep focusing on what you want and imagining it so clearly that you can see, feel, smell, hear, and taste it.

5. Express and Feel Gratitude - Make a list of all that you're grateful for. Gratitude brings more good things to you and will open your heart .

6. Release Control - See your request going out to the Universe and let go of the details. Don't worry about how you will get it. The Universe will find a way.

7. Stay Positive - Be aware of your thoughts and feelings. Positive thoughts are more powerful than negative thoughts, so don't worry ifyou have negative ones. But try to turn them around and into positive ones. Feelings are more powerful than thoughts and you can monitor your thoughts by how you are feeling. Turn sad and angry feelings around quickly . Read a book you love, listen to music, think of your pet or someone you love, walk in nature. Stay up, light, and inspired. If you start doubting, replace that feeling with knowing you have it already.

8. Be Patient - Keep on believing and sending out positive thoughts and feelings.

9. Invite It In - Receive and enjoy your gifts. Send out gratitude and love for this process Srround yourself with photos of what you desire, say your desire aloud, go to an open house, a test drive. Do what it takes to let it enter your life.

10. Share the Wealth - Mother Teresa said she wouldn't attend an anti-war rally, but if there was ever a peace rally she'd be there. Along those lines, see Iraq and other troubled places filled with smiling, calm, peaceful people, bustling markets, sweetness, and inspiration. Feel peace in your body, send your love.

More here: 10 Steps to Unlocking 'The Secret'

A Trip to the Clay Center

Last weekend I took a trip to the the Clay Center (located in Charleston, West Virignia) with my nephew and niece. I had only been there once before, for a laser show in the Planetarium, so I was anxious to see the rest of it. I had seen that Africa: The Serenghetti was playing on the giant screen so I invited the kids to go with me. They had been several times so they had to show me around.

You can view pictures from our trip by clicking on this photo to see the album:

Clay Center

There is a beautiful sculpture out front, and I had the kids pose with the statue children before we sent in. Inside the Clay Center is the Avampato Discovery Museum, which includes interactive science exhibits. I love stuff like that! There are different sections, like "Earth City", which taught us about earth science and where had fun with water and dirt. Health Royale taught us about our bodies and health. It included a life-sized "intestine" and a Hollywood Squares game with talking body organs.

The best part (to me) is Gizmo Factory, which had things like a laser harp, a television studio (complete with anchor desk, teleprompters and monitors, and green screen), a full body pin screen, a voice modifier, and lots, lots more.

We really had a blast. I love kid stuff, particular when it teaches me things. You're never too old to re-learn all the stuff you forgot from science class!

The art museum upstairs is also very nice. They had exhibits from two West Virginia artists on display, as well as their permanent collection. Their website shows some of the art (perhaps all of the permanent collection), but it's not up to date. I can't find my favorite painting on it.

The Clay Center also has a giant screen, where we saw the movie. We skipped the planetarium this time.

I look forward to visiting the Clay Center again soon!

Happy International Women's Day 2007!

"Celebrated on 8 March, International Women's Day (IWD) is the global day connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. IWD celebrates the collective power of women past, present and future."

International Women's Day 2007

Picasa Updates

from the Google blog:

'Store and find even more photos on Picasa Web Albums
3/07/2007 09:15:00 PM

Posted by Mike Horowitz, Product Manager, Picasa

We have a few long-awaited improvements at Picasa Web Albums today. A new Community Photos search feature helps you discover and explore the public web albums of others on the site. Free storage is now 1GB (and counting)—that's room to post and share around 4,000 standard resolution photos. And we've made albums and photos easier to link to from any email, IM or website—simply copy and paste the code we show you."

Google rocks! I love everything they come out with. I've been using Picasa for a couple of years and love it. And now they've upped the storage on the web albums!

Official Google Blog: Store and find even more photos on Picasa Web Albums

Happy Purim

Purim is a Jewish holiday commemorating a time when the Jewish people in Persia were saved from extermination.

The Book of Esther in the Bible relates the story of Purim. Esther was a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, raised by her cousin Mordecai. Esther became part of the King of Persia’s harem, but he was not aware that she was Jewish. King Ahasuerus loved her more than his other women and made her queen.

Haman was one of the king’s advisors. He hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to him. So Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. Haman told the king, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people's, and they do not observe the king's laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them." Esther 3:8. The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do with as he pleased. Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews.

Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people, a dangeous thing to do because anyone who came into the king’s presence without being summoned could be put to death. Esther fasted for three days to prepare, then went into the king, who welcomed her. She told him of Haman's plot, the Jewish people were saved, and Haman was hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.

The word "Purim" means "lots" and refers to the lottery Haman used to choose the date for the massacre.

The day before Purim, the Fast of Esther is held to commemerate Esther's three days of fasting. On Purim, celebrations are held which include the reading the Book of Esther (whenever Haman is mentioned, it is customary to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle noisemakers), feasting, sending gifts of food and drink and making gifts to charity. It is customary to hold carnival-like celebrations, perform plays and parodies, and hold beauty contests.


Sources/Lots More Info:

http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Purim/TO_Purim_Community/Story.htm

http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/purim/

Happy Holi

Holi is a Hindu holiday that appears on my calendar for Saturday, March 3.

Holi falls on the Full moon day in the month of Phalgun on the Hindu Calendar (March on ours). This festival heralds the arrival of Spring and the triumph of good over evil. It is a day of hijinx and general hilarity. It has ancient origins, existing several centuries before Christ, but its meaning has changed over time.

Holi was originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, but now commemorates the legend of an arrogant king who ordered his people to worship him as God. His son, Prahlada, however, continued worshiping Lord Vishnu. The king tried to kill his son but failed each time. Finally, he sent his sister, Holika, who was said to be immune to burning, to sit with the boy in a huge fire. However, Prince Prahlada emerged unscathed, while Holika burned to death.

This festival is also associated with the love of Krishna and Radha.

The festival is celebrated in different ways in different areas. Generally Holi is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions and caste differences for a day of spring fever and fun. Teenagers spend the day flirting and misbehaving in the streets, adults extend the hand of peace, and everyone chases everyone else around, throwing brightly colored powder (gulal) and water over each other.

On the night of the full moon, bonfires are lit to cleanse the air of evil spirits and bad vibes, and to symbolize the destruction of Holika. The next morning, the streets fill with people running, shouting, giggling and splashing. Marijuana-based bhang and thandai add to the uninhibited atmosphere. Promptly at noon, the craziness comes to an end and everyone heads to the river or bathtub, then inside to relax and partake of candies.

In some areas, women play “Holi” with the men. They drag their unlucky captives, beat them and dress them in female attire.

Sources/Lots more info:

www.bawarchi.com/festivals/holi.html">http://www.bawarchi.com/festivals/holi.html

www.indiaexpress.com/rangoli/holi.html

www.holifestival.org

Peru: The Thirteen Towers of Chankillo

I have wanted to go to Peru since I saw it on that National Geographic show (that was only on for one season, unfortunately), called Worlds Apart, where they would take an American family and send them to all these exotic locations to live with and like the natives. Peru was so beautiful. The family they stayed with would go out on this mountain and meditate every morning while holding large crystals, Amethyst and others. I just wanted to be there so badly.

Celestine Prophecy is set there. I am fascinated by the ancient peoples in South America but I don't know a lot about them.

Anyway, I just saw this article about these stone towers on top of a hill in Peru ("the Thirteen Towers of Chankillo") that they have finally figured out is the Western hemisphere's oldest solar observatory. It's quite impressive from the arial view:




Here is the article: Stone towers make up oldest observatory in Peru

Big & Rich + Bon Jovi = We Got It Goin' On

"This year the Arena Football League will feature a duet between the iconic, Grammy Award-winning rock band Bon Jovi and country sensations Big & Rich. Philadelphia Soul co-owner Jon Bon Jovi and band-mate Richie Sambora co-wrote a brand new song titled "We Got It Goin' On" with Big Kenny and John Rich that will become the theme song and part of the opening video for ESPN's weekly 2007 AFL game telecasts. "We Got It Goin' On" will also appear on the upcoming Bon Jovi album, which is planned for a 2007 release. "

Source: http://tidbitsbytj.blogspot.com/2007/02/my-2-favorite-jonjohns.html

Meditation

The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation teaches meditation and other skills based on Eknath Easwaran’s Eight Point Program for spiritual growth. The following is taken from their website:

EIGHT POINT PROGRAM FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1. Meditation: Silent repetition in the mind of memorized inspirational passages from the world’s great religions. Practiced for one-half hour each morning.

2. The Mantram: Silent repetition in the mind of a Holy Name or a hallowed phrase from one of the world’s great religions. Practiced whenever possible throughout the day or night.

3. Slowing Down: Setting priorities and reducing the stress and friction caused by hurry.

4. One-Pointed Attention: Giving full concentration to the matter at hand.

5. Training the Senses: Overcoming conditioned habits and learning to enjoy what is beneficial.

6. Putting Others First: Gaining freedom from selfishness and separateness; finding joy in helping others.

7. Spiritual Companionship: Spending time regularly with others following the Eight Point Program for mutual inspiration and support.

8. Reading the Mystics: Drawing inspiration from writings by and about the world’s great spiritual figures and from the scriptures of all religions.

See their website for more information: http://www.easwaran.org/

YouTube Birth Year Meme

Go to YouTube and do a search for your birth year and post a video from the results.

For 1963 here is my favorite -- a bizarre bicycle safety film with kids with monkey masks and tails. It's 14 minutes long and I didn't think I would watch the whole thing but I couldn't look away. The kids who don't practice good bicycle safety end up in all kinds of accidents, including incidents involving steam rollers, open manhole covers and dark tunnels! In the end only one little boy makes it to the picnic, which apparently is why they titled the film: "One Got Fat". Enjoy...



Honorable Mention:

Johnny Cash performing Ring of Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlj5vjp3Ko

Ronald McDonald is introduced in a McDonald's commercial... played by Willard Scott! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViglRhgD_K4

Street Musician

When I left work yesterday, there was a man playing saxophone on the corner by the library! It made me smile. Later, I wished I had taken his picture and tossed a dollar in his hat. Hopefully he'll be back.

Movement

I am trying to incorporate more movement into my life every day. A friend reminded me that a wise being once said "Do, or do not. There is no 'try.'" I am taking that advice to heart and it really has helped me.

It's only day 3 but I have been doing pretty well, I think. The weather has been nice and sunny and that helps. I've been going out to the boulevard and walking during my lunch hour or after work. I love love love this time of year. I love watching for signs of spring. I have tiny crocuses blooming in my yard now so I know it's not far away. It really helps me WANT to walk. And the iPod helps a lot too. Today Dave walked with me for part of the time.

I have other "movement" options available to me. I'm hoping to get our free YMCA membership back so we can swim and/or work out. Now that we ride together, I think we would be more likely to do it. And my office has a work out room in the basement complete with treadmill, elliptical thingie, weights, etc. I have worked here for 10 months and haven't used it.

I have tried different exercise routines in the past and I can't seem to stick with anything long term. But I'm like that in all areas of my life. Instead of beating myself up about it, however, I am now trying to accept and work with it.

Quote of the Week

"If we keep doing what we're doing, we're going to keep getting what we're getting."

- Stephen Covey

Great Lent (Eastern Orthodox)

Today is the beginning of Great Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Christian church. One of my friends just converted to Eastern Orthodox when she got married, and she is observing it this year along with the food restrictions.

Great Lent always begins on a Monday which is referred to as "Clean Monday", 7 weeks before Pascha, or Easter, in the Orthodox church. Great Lent is so named to differentiate it from the Advent fasting period which is known as Little Lent.

Great Lent is a period of self-denial and is observed with strict abstinence from meat, dairy products, wine, and olive oil. Orthodox Christians also make a sacrifice during this period such as giving up a favorite food or other pleasure.

Lent is the period of time for self-examination, prayer and almsgiving, repentance and atonement.

Sources/More Info:

http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/lent_eo.html

http://paul.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8126.asp

Losar

Today is "Losar", the Tibetan new year ('LO'=year; 'SAR'=new). It is also the Chinese New Year, but I am only going to discuss the Tibetan new year.

Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet. It is celebrated in February; the exact date varies each year according to the lunar calendar. It is primarily a 3-day festival with the first day generally reserved for family,and the second and third for friends and more distant relatives. Tibetans also visit monasteries and make offerings at this time.

Losar is marked with activities that symbolize purification, and welcoming in the new. The last day of the year is a time to clean and prepare for the approaching New Year. During 'Gutor' everyone whitewashes and cleans their houses to prepare for the new year. A small amount of dirt is collected, which will later be thrown onto a place where spirits are thought to dwell. Homeowners race through their houses shooting off guns or firecrackers to drive out evil. On the first day of the New Year, when Losar begins, everyone gets up early to wash themselves in the nearest spring.

Monastaries begin their celebrations the day before Tibetan New Year's Eve by conducting a protector deities' ritual ('puja'). On the last day of the old year, decorations are put up and elaborate offerings made called "Lama Losar".

In the early dawn of the new year, the monks of Namgyal Monastery offer a sacrificial cake (Tsetor) on top of the main temple (Potala in Tibet) to the supreme hierarchy of Dharma protectors, the glorious goddess Palden Lhamo. Led by the Dalai Lama, the abbots of 3 great monasteries, lamas, reincarnated monks, government officials and dignitaries join the ceremony and offer their contemplative prayers, while the monks of Namgyal Monastery recite the invocation of Palden Lhamo. When this ceremony is over, everyone assemble sin the hall called Excellence of Samsara and Nirvana for a formal greeting ceremony, where the traditional greeting "Tashi delek" is exchanged.

To wish the His Holiness the Dalai Lama good luck for the coming year, consecrated long-life pills (tse-ril) made out of roasted barley dough are offered to him by the representatives of the 3 great monasteries, the 2 Tantric Colleges, etc. Then entertainers (garma) perform a dance of good wishes. And 2 senior monks stage a debate on Buddhist philosophy, and conclude their it with an auspicious recitation in which the whole spectrum of Buddhist teaching is briefly reviewed and a request is made to His Holiness and to all holders of the doctrine to remain for a long time amongst beings in samsara in order to serve them through their enlightened activities. The official ceremony concludes with a ceremonial farewell to the His Holiness, who then retires to his palace.

The second day of Losar is known as King's Losar (gyal-po lo-sar) because officially the day is reserved for a secular gathering in the hall of Excellence of Samsara and Nirvana. His Holiness and his government exchange greetings with both monastic and lay dignitaries and other foreign visitors.


Sources/More Info:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/losar.shtml

http://www.buddhapia.com/tibet/newyear.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Losar

http://library.thinkquest.org/11719/Religions/Buddhism/Feztvals/Losar.html

Big & Rich's new single is out!

Click on the banner to hear it on their MySpace

Happy Maha Shivaratri

I love learning about these holidays! This is a particularly interesting one.

According to my calendar, today is the Hindu holiday Maha Shivaratri.

Maha Shivratri (which means “the night of Shiva”) falls on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. This festival, which is observed for one day and one night, is held in honor of Lord Shiva on the day he is said to have performed the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction (“Tandava Nritya”).

Lord Shiva (meaning “auspicious”), the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life is one of the Hindu Trinity (the other two are Lord Brahma, the creator, and Lord Vishnu, the preserver). Shiva is the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon. He is known by many names and is the most sought-after deity amongst the Hindus, who believe he has a magnanimous heart and grants all their wishes.

In temples, Shiva is usually found as a phallic symbol of the linga, which represents the energies necessary for life on both levels. The image of Shiva is distinct: his hair is piled high on the top of his head with a crescent tucked into it and the river Ganges tumbling from his hairs. A coiled serpent is around his neck representing Kundalini, the spiritual energy within life. He holds a trident in his left hand in which is bound the 'damroo' (small leather drum). He sits on a tiger skin and on his right is a water pot. He wears the 'Rudraksha' beads and his whole body is smeared with ash. [Most images I found of him also show him with four arms - see Google image search for Shiva].

Shivratri is considered especially auspicious for women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons, while unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva, who is the spouse of Kali, Parvati and Durga. Generally it is believed that anyone who utters the name of Shiva during Shivratri with pure devotion is freed from all sins. He or she reaches the abode of Shiva and is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

The phallus symbol representing Shiva is called the lingam. It is usually made of granite, soapstone, quartz, marble or metal, and has a yoni or vagina as its base representing the union of the male and female sexual organs. Devotees worship the lingam throughout the night. It is bathed every three hours with the five sacred offerings of a cow (the “panchagavya” - milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung). Then the five foods of immortality (milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar) are placed before the lingam.

Some devotees, especially the men, prepare an intoxicating drink called Thandai (made from cannabis, almonds, and milk), sing songs in praise of the Lord Shiva and dance to the rhythm of the drums. All day devotees keep a severe fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" and make offerings of flowers and incense to the Lord Shiva.

Sources:

http://festivals.tajonline.com/maha-shivaratri.php

http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa022001a.htm

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

- Lao Tzu

Winter

Happy Nirvana Day

One of my new calendars has a lot of holidays from different religions on it. I am going to make an effort to learn about the holidays I'm not familiar with.

Today is Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day, a Buddhist holiday commemmrating the death of Shakyamuni Buddha at age 80 in the year 483 BCE. It is not a sad day, but a celebration because the Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body, achieving freedom from physical existence and its sufferings.

On Nirvana Day, passages from the Paranibbana Sutta, which describes the Buddha's last days, are often read. Buddhists contemplate their lives and how they can achieve Nirvana. They meditate or go to temples or monastaries. It is a day to reflect on one's own future death and the recent deaths of friends or relations.

The Buddha described Nirvana as the ultimate goal. The Buddha reached Nirvana during his enlightenment. When he died 45 years later, he then passed through pari nirvana, meaning completed nirvana.

Nirvana literally means extinguishing or unbinding and refers to the freedom from things which bind us such as jealousy, ignorance, fear, etc. Once these are totally overcome, a state of bliss is achieved, and the cycle of death and rebirth is no longer necessary. All karmic debts are settled, and all want and suffering is gone. Nirvana is attained by meditating and following the guiding principles of Buddhism, in particular the Four Noble Truths which Buddha experienced while meditating under the Bodhi tree:

Life is suffering

Suffering is due to having desires

Suffering can be ended when overcoming desires

The way to end suffering is through the Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path is:

Right view

Right thought

Right speech

Right action

Right livelihood

Right effort

Right mindfulness

Right contemplation

For more information, see my sources:

http://www.seattlebetsuin.com/nirvana_day.htm

http://www.countmeincalendar.info/show_campaign.php?calid=8&campaignid=115&categoryid=&banner_area=3&camp_dates=08%20Feb%202007

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/parinirvana.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/buddhism/nirvana.shtml

Rest in Peace, Jim Bob (1982-2007)

"For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance."

-- Kahlil Gibran

Keith Urban is a Jerk

What an asshole!! I'm glad I haven't bought any of his music. I sure won't be buying any in the future.

"LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Country singer Keith Urban has filed a lawsuit against a painter of the same name, claiming that the lesser known Keith Urban's Web site infringes trademark and cyber-squatting laws.

Singer Urban filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday against the New Jersey painter who uses the Web site address www.keithurban.com to advertise oil paintings for sale.

The entertainer, who married Nicole Kidman last year and who recently ended a stint in rehab for alcohol abuse, says in the lawsuit that the Web site is being used "in a manner likely to deceive the public into believing that the website has a connection to Plaintiff that does not exist."

Urban's own Web site address is www.keithurban.net.

The singer, 39, wants the other Web site to be shut down and its domain name transferred to his ownership. He also seeks unspecified monetary damages.

The New Jersey painter could not be reached for comment."

Singer Keith Urban sues Keith Urban over Web site

Feel Good February

Happy February!

From my Louise Hay affirmation calendar:

"Let’s make [February] a 'feel-good' month. Every morning declare out loud, 'I choose to think thoughts that make me feel good today.' As you go to sleep at night, say, 'Thank you, Life, for a delicious day and a peaceful night's sleep.'"

Another UFO Story

"A retired Air Force colonel who photographed mysterious, colorful lights hovering over western Arkansas last week has ignited a frenzy of interest in unexplained airborne phenomena, as WND has received numerous reports of similar sightings across the U.S., while a digital expert has filtered the pictures to reveal startling images of what he says could be the "pilot" of the unidentified craft.

"I believe these lights were not of this world, and I feel a duty and responsibility to come forward," said Col. Brian Fields, who spent nearly 32 years in the military piloting F-16 fighter jets. "I have no idea what they were.""

UFO frenzy ignited by Air Force officer

10 Quick Ways to Pray

This article from Beliefnet has some wonderful suggestions for incorporating prayer into your daily life:

"Ten Quick Ways to Pray

Do you struggle to find time to pray during your hectic daily life? These 10 suggestions for quick ways to pray will help you catch a few moments to talk to God in the most unlikely of places, from the shower to the elevator"

http://www.beliefnet.com/features/top10/quickpray/top10_gallery_intro.html

Jane Evershed

I picked up a calendar called "The Power of Women" that features the art of Jane Evershed. It's so beautiful. She has a wonderful website where you can buy posters, cards, bookmarks, etc., at very reasonable prices.

http://www.janeevershed.com/home.htm

If you go to the card collections you can click on each card and see a larger version of the painting and read the poetry that goes with it.

Be Who You Are

"The most important thing is to be whatever you are without shame."

- Rod Steiger

Update on Chicago UFO

"In the sky! A bird? A plane? A ... UFO?
Published January 1, 2007

It sounds like a tired joke--but a group of airline employees insist they are in earnest, and they are upset that neither their bosses nor the government will take them seriously.

A flying saucerlike object hovered low over O'Hare International Airport for several minutes before bolting through thick clouds with such intense energy that it left an eerie hole in overcast skies, said some United Airlines employees who observed the phenomenon.
...
The FAA is not conducting a further investigation, Cory said. The theory is the sighting was caused by a "weather phenomenon," she said.
...
Some of the witnesses, interviewed by the Tribune, said they are upset that neither the government nor the airline is probing the incident.
...
The Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (the term that extraterrestrial-watchers nowadays prefer over Unidentified Flying Object) was first seen by a United ramp worker who was directing back a United plane at Gate C17, according to an account the worker provided to the National UFO Reporting Center.

The sighting occurred during daylight, about 4:30 p.m., just before sunset.

All the witnesses said the object was dark gray and well defined in the overcast skies. They said the craft, estimated by different accounts to be 6 feet to 24 feet in diameter, did not display any lights.

Some said it looked like a rotating Frisbee, while others said it did not appear to be spinning. All agreed the object made no noise and it was at a fixed position in the sky, just below the 1,900-foot cloud deck, until shooting off into the clouds.

Witnesses shaken by sighting

"I tend to be scientific by nature, and I don't understand why aliens would hover over a busy airport," said a United mechanic who was in the cockpit of a Boeing 777 that he was taxiing to a maintenance hangar when he observed the metallic-looking object above Gate C17.

"But I know that what I saw and what a lot of other people saw stood out very clearly, and it definitely was not an [Earth] aircraft," the mechanic said.

One United employee appeared emotionally shaken by the sighting and "experienced some religious issues" over it, one co-worker said."

More here:
In the sky! A bird? A plane? A ... UFO?

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time."

-- Asha Tyson

Cigar Store Lady

She is in the window of a cigar store a few doors down from my office. I am fascinated by her.

Morning Commute

UFO in Chicago?

Suuuuuuuure it's a weather phenomenon. I wonder just how many pilots believe in UFO's. A lot, I bet!

"CHICAGO - Federal officials say it was probably just some weird weather phenomenon, but a group of United Airline employees swear they saw a mysterious, saucer-shaped craft hovering over O'Hare Airport last fall.

The workers, some of them pilots, said the object didn't have lights and hovered over an airport terminal before shooting up through the clouds, according to a report in Monday's Chicago Tribune.

The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged that a United supervisor had called the control tower at O'Hare, asking if anyone had spotted a spinning disc-shaped object. But the controllers didn't see anything, and a preliminary check of radar found nothing out of the ordinary, FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said."

A UFO at O'Hare? Some pilots thought so

Happy New Year

I don't make resolutions but this year I was toying with the idea of it. There are many changes I need to make in my life.

Last year, I focused on business. By the end of the year, I was completely sick of it. I love making jewelry, but I'm taking at least a month off from it. It was fun, it was good for me, and I learned a lot, but I do not want to be in business for myself. I don't even want to do web design anymore but I probably will continue with the customers I have, because I like the money and what I have right now isn't time consuming.

This year I want to focus on myself and my home. I have ignored both far too long.

As for resolutions, I think I'm going to take the lead of a friend and go with his simple yet powerful resolution: I resolve to make better choices.

"We are all, right now, living the life of our own choosing."

- John-Roger and Peter McWilliams in Do It: Let's Get Off Our Buts

Akiane Kramarik

WOW is all I can say about this little girl. I haven't heard of her but maybe you all have. She is a very gifted artist.

http://www.artakiane.com/home.htm

Be sure and look at

http://www.artakiane.com/akiane_art.htm

When you click on a thumbnail, it opens a window and tells about the painting, why she painted it or what it means or a poem. Absolutely fascinating. An Indigo child, I am sure! It looks like she was in one of the documentaries about indigo children.

Happy Holidays!

click picture for larger view

Indigo Girls New Album

I am a bad IG fan. I didn't even know they HAD new album. It is Despite Our Differences. I've added it to my wish list but I suppose it's too late for that for Christmas. I'll buy it after though.

One review says it's their best since Come On Now Social in 1999 so I am very anxious to hear it. I don't love any of their albums from that point on (I like them, but I rarely listen to them, and prefer their older stuff -- which I adore).

Big & Rich

"BIG & RICH...AUTHORS?
Yup! Big & Rich are planning to release their third album, as well as a book, on May 15th. Big Kenny Alphin and John Rich have recorded about half of the songs so far for the yet-to-be-titled follow-up CD to 2005's "Comin' To Your City." The book, an idea of Warner Books, is more of a celebration of the duo rather than a biography. It will chronicle when and how they came together in 1998, how the records came about, and the Muzik mafia family. Kenny is also working on other projects, including a musical called "Code Name Rock Star" and "Milk And Beer: Pirate Songs For Sons And Fathers," which he plans to start as a film and then adapt into a stage musical."

source: http://www.mywesttexasblogs.com/blog2/index.php?blog=13&title=monday_moanin_59&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Christmas Activities

Yesterday we had a staff luncheon at Embassy Suites. This wasn't a firm-sponsored lunch. The staff draws names and we go out to lunch at our expense and exchange gifts. Embassy Suites has a wonderful buffet, and it's such a nice atmosphere in the atrium. Like having lunch in a jungle.



After work I attended the Lakewood Elementary School Christmas program which wa sheld at St. Albans High School. My niece, Maddie, was in the older group who performed The Incredible Reindeer, wherein a group of superhero reindeer save earth (and therefore Christmas) from the asteroid hurtling toward it on Christmas eve. Maddie played one of the four superhero reindeer, "Laser Squint". She is so adorable. And it was a great program. The pre-schoolers sang songs, and the other group of younger kids did The Littlest Christmas Tree. It was so enjoyable, and really helped get me in the holiday mood.



TGIF!

We are Marshall

The premiere of the movie We Are Marshall is tonight in Huntington, West Virginia.

The movie is about the 1970 plane crash that killed most of the football team and how the team and community struggled to overcome the tragedy.

I am a graduate of Marshall University. But I was not a resident of Huntington and didn't really know about the plane crash until I went to school there (I was only 7 when it happened). I knew there was a memorial fountain that mentioned it. I heard that the reason our football team never won any games at that time was because of the "curse" after the plane crash. Football games were not a big deal then, at least to me and my friends, because we really didn't have a good team while I was there. I come from a blue collar working class family from a coal mining town. They didn't go to college, must less college football games. As a student I went to an occasional game, but it was only for the drinking and we always left at half time.

I had one acquaintance who lost both of his parents in the crash. He was a friend of a friend. He was financially set for life; I don't know if it was from the life insurance or a lawsuit. He was my age or maybe a little younger, so he was a child when he lost them. He didn't have to work and had money to do pretty much what he wanted. But he seemed a little lost. He didn't have any direction in his life.

One of my current close friends has a brother-in-law with a connection. He is being portrayed in the movie but I don't remember his name. He caught the winning touchdown in the big game after the crash. He was living in Columbus when the movie was filmed and they had to track him down to get his okay to use his name in the film. Unfortunately, he died a few weeks after that and he'll never get to see the movie.

Anyway, that's all I know about it. I have friends who are from Huntington who are much closer to the story than I am. Some of them may be in the movie as extras, as it was filmed in Huntington. A couple of my friends were at the premiere last night.

So go see the movie. I probably won't until after Christmas but I'm anxious to see it.

10 Gadgets that Changed the World

"The wheel. The plow. The gun. The electric light. The radio. The chip. The untidy march of human ingenuity and innovation has led you here, to our list of the 10 most life-altering devices of the modern era."

http://blog.wired.com/wiredphotos6/2006/12/1_rca_model_630.html

Going through the list, the first one I was aware of as being something new that I didn't take for granted was the microwave oven. I don't recall them being widely used among people I knew until the early 80's, but maybe it was the late 70's.

Life: Your Perfect Teacher

"I acknowledge and honor the teacher that is my life. May I be wise enough to recognize the teachers and lessons that I encounter today and may I be open to receiving their wisdom."

from: http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2006/5643.html

Isabella

This catalog has such beautiful items. They have some wonderful inspriational calendars.

http://www.isabellacatalog.com/index.cfm

My Work Neighborhood

I have a new camera phone and am obsessively taking pictures with it. It will wear off. In the meantime, I'll post some here. They aren't as good as my other camera, but decent for a camera phone.

The street where I work -- Capitol Street, Charleston, West Virginia. It has a lot of beautiful old building that have been restored. The one I work in was built in the late 1800's.

 

The Kanawha County Public Library, from my Boss' window. I love that library. I remember how awed I was it as a child (we went to the book mobile every week but occasionally got to go downtown to the "big library"). I worked there one summer and fell in love with it. I still kind of wish I'd become a librarian.

 

A shop window near my office (The Coffee Bean)
  

Spare

  

New camera phone

  

Helvetia Cheese

Last spring I posted about our visit to Helvetia, West Virginia. Today there's an article in the paper about the people who re-opened the Cheese Haus. I need to go back and buy some cheese!

Bees and cheese: Honey store operator, librarian enjoy wheel life in Helvetia