Surprise! A Lovely Blog

I am one of those writers who write for me. Not like a journal of accomplishments, so to speak, but of experiences that etch into my universe what worked: who, what, where, when and sometimes, why. When I’m lucky, someone comes along and leaves me a tiny “piece of peace”. Often they never know that their comment helped me to find more balance, unless they return later, and see the crazy writing gone!

Heather P. gives me hope. Her thoughts and writings have been tempered by the struggles of her life and the ones of those around her; she loves them dearly. It only solidifies in my mind how truly amazing her choice to remain positive is. If I feel I have no hope, I go read Heather. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that she’s the real thing when it comes to finding and practicing peace. (Love for your fellow travelers.)

She’s given me a “piece of peace” by giving me this “Lovely Blog” Award. Within her acceptance post of the Award, she’s sure that I’m the one to share it with next. I’ve ‘improved’ in the acceptance department; thereby peace is able to touch my human soul. How ironic that she, who has given so much to me through her writings, has given this award.

“My gratitude speaks when I care and I share with others.” So stay tuned for the person I pass this “Lovely Blog” Award to. For now, I’m simply content to rest a bit, and enjoy it.

Heather: http://1soundingoff.blogspot.com

Onion Remedy

(Author unknown; received in an email. ~dcrelief)

A friend of mine told me a story about how when he was a kid he was in the hospital & near dying. His Italian/African grandmother came to the hospital & told a family member to go buy her a large onion & a new pair of white cotton socks. She sliced the onion open then put a slice on the bottom of each of his feet & put the white cotton socks on him. In the morning when he awoke they removed the socks. The slices of onion were black & his fever was gone. The following story that someone sent to me might have some truth in it & we are going to try this, this Winter.

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It had absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. (And no, she is not in the onion business.)

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu. If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case.

Whatever, what have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Now there is a P. S. to this, for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmers story...but, I do know that I contracted pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill...I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put one end on a fork and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs...sure enough it happened just like that...the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

Footnote from dcrelief: I'm trying this too.

Just a minute, please...

I’m just going to write. When I get to the end, I’ll push ‘publish’ and let another crazy thing move on. Often when I sit down to writer, I feel that all the right, bells, whistles, and tweeters should be perfect. But I’m tired and need to jump off the world. The spinning is making me sick.

I feel like a small star spinning between the massive electromagnetic fields of two planets. Both have set motion and I am the little star that could… right now “the little star that could not move.” So I sit here feeling so small but wonder how I can get lose the feeling; the feeling that I am insignificant among the universe?

I received a card from a friend; sat and looked at the tiny stars on the front, my mind working over time. All of those other little stars and the one she’d circled with an arrow pointed, saying, “YOU”. The card read: “When it comes to friends, you are one in a million!” I saw that. I read that. I didn’t let it set in my mind. I let it float away, devaluing my own existence; strange.

Self esteem can be a tough thing to give myself. I was raised that esteem only comes from outside me. Now I sit here laughing at how small I would have my star be. It’s okay to feel good about my choices. It’s okay to feel lousy about my failures. But it’s not okay to hold onto them; they’re better floating off into the ether, with the other space trash.

Time to reread that manual on electromagnetic stuff; I suspect my brain is hardwired, and some days the server doesn’t work?? Electromagnetic fields forever…you remember the Beatles, right?!

Health Care?

Let me get this straight.

We're going to pass a health care plan
written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it,
passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it,
signed by a president that also hasn't read it, and who smokes,
with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes,
overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and
financed by a country that's nearly broke.

What possibly could go wrong?

From over the fence

I stood in my kitchen watching as my neighbor ran frantically, from back yard to front yard. What was she doing, I wondered? her arm swung backward and then forward quickly. She had thrown something from over the fence, into my yard. Then suddenly through my front window, I saw her running, to the other side of my house. There was a knock on my door and I knew it was her.

“What has happened?”
“Dixie, I’m leaving my husband. I threw my favorite rose bush over the fence into your yard. If I leave it, he’ll dig it up and kill it. Please take care of it. I’ll call you.”

I became the proud owner of a rose, I knew nothing about, nor how to take care of it. I simply planted it, added water, and prayed it would live.

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living .We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon, instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our window today.” 1

Funny how that sentence came to life for me. That rose bloomed and I sucked in the air in surprise. What a scent! What a colour! What a perfect looking specimen. I no longer looked beyond my own garden, but felt contented to watch each tiny bud open. I found myself hoping the red clay of my yard would not turn it magenta.

“Make time for what's uplifting, connecting, inspiring. Compassion must translate into action. Don't just wish for love; be more loving. Don't just wish for happiness; live with greater joy.” 2

I have rediscovered my yard, and watched every plant take its turn at awing me with beauty. I wish to translate this watchfulness into relationships. Would that I could be a person of unconditional love. How might I change? What might I change?

“Choose what feeds your mind, heart and soul. What goes in will closely reflect what comes out.” 3

I’ve begun to scrutinize what goes in and what comes out. I’ve found errors that I must tend to, just as that rose needs tending. I won’t be pitching anything over my fence. Instead I will be more appreciative of what has been given, in order that I might send out with care.


1,2,3: all quotes – authors unknown

sotp?

"Stop on this place?"
"Stop on the point?"
"Stay on the pavement?"
"See other travellers pass?"
"Sorry, only tourists please?"

What do you think?

by request: Halloween on Saturday

Halloween on Saturday…this year

It’s spooky out tonight
The sky a chocolate brown
While children walk the streets
From end to end in town

A screech owl hooty hoot
Is sounding in the trees
The children ring on doors
To beg for candy: ‘please!’

More creatures in the dark
Are waiting for their chance
To scare the boys and girls
And make them wet their pants*

Ha-Happy Halloween!


*(knickers, Philip)

The winner of the 'pee wee' costume division for Halloween

Congratulations!

One Day

One day “the empathetic nature”, source of all life, reached out her hand toward a large orange zinnia, on which sat a dying butterfly. Her hand stayed quite still and she waited. She waited until the butterfly was quite still, itself. The tiny majestic wings that stood up straight began to relax. To the untrained eye a slight quiver was unnoticeable. “The empathetic nature” knew, and moved her hand just under the butterfly's spindly legs. Small, precious butterfly, though very weak, took several last steps into her hand, stopping within the midst of the palm. The legs gently folded, and with wings outstretched, the butterfly released its last breath upon the wind.

“The empathetic nature” inhaled the tiny yielded breath, joining it back into her own essence, and she smiled knowingly. Another tiny soul had found the moment to come home.

“The empathetic nature stayed long enough to comfort a very sad zinnia; the one who had shared its nectar and soft petals as a bed for the ailing butterfly. “The empathetic nature” leaned down, smelling the faint scent of the zinnia, and whispered so tenderly: “when you find the moment, I will be here for you."

The zinnia stopped its tears and stood up tall, facing the sunshine. It breathed in the essence which is “the empathetic nature." A young butterfly, hungering for nectar, landed on its petals. The zinnia swayed in the wind. The young butterfly fanned its wings slowly, back and forth.

“The empathetic nature continued her movement over the face of the earth.

Vitamin D for Me

This is a photo of me searching for vitamin D for me! (No, it's not. Yes, it is!) Okay it's not a photo of me. It's a photo of me traveling down the road, to the store, to buy some vitamin D for me. It's good for the mind and body. Since I have a tremendous deficiency, the traveling was a must. Ah, but vitamin D also comes from the sun. The same sun I have been avoiding, choosing to sit outside only in late afternoon, when at all.

Those of you who've been folllowing my crazy life, know I hit a dog while driving and it messed me up, mentally. A terrible story I will not get into. It left me quite traumatised and driving has been a struggle ever since. Vitamin D gave me a mission and I took great pleasure in designing a plan.

Not to totally bore you, writing about a vitamin. I also have the wonderful pleasure of sharing this photo of a nearby curve that shows the sunlight through the trees. The real 'meat and potatoes' of this blog is the travel; the willingness to get with it and hit the road. Overcoming my fear has become a moment by moment adventure.

This is my favorite time of the year, so why not celebrate it by getting out more. It's cooler during the day and there's a special quietness in this area. Almost as if the autumn landscape is cheering me with the waving of branches. (C'mon, you can do this!) Don't look now, but I think I'm going to need more zinc.

A Dance with Life

I sit to write this, "straight into blogger," not a pre-written post, but composed on the spot. Let's have fun; here we go!

Who will dance with me? Who will make the sun come up, go down, then bring the moon out to shine? Who will give me the nourishment I need to help this mind, body, and spirit? Who will be there day after day, whether I feel like dancing or sleeping?

Life came along and spoke of things I could have; things I could create; wonders that never cease. Life said, "take me by the hands and I will show you laughter to make your insides ache, wisdom to make your heart ache, and courage to feed your mind the strength it needs to dwell in peace.

Oh how I ached for all these things. I took life's hands and we have begun a dance through the universe. Let doldrums be damned, I will to go on. I seek the very nature within me that craves the nature outside of me. In this moment I have peace. Thanks for the dance!

Welcome

Welcome to the new folks who are "following".


Heather P. "soundoff"
Steve "1 of 26"
"smallandsnappy"

To the old-timers, thanks for hanging around.

My break is almost up. I have things ready to post.

Wherever you are following from, I do hope you are peaceful and content. Stay well. I'll write you soon.

My gratitude,

dcrelief =)

When writing comes last...

Usually I can write on any subject. Just tell me what you want to know and I’ll research the details. Lately I haven’t been interested in writing or researching. My focus has been on having fun, and meeting people to share fun moments with. Like a small return to childhood dreams; I have friends that laugh, dance, and sing.

It’s autumn and I always feel so alive. Mornings are spent out among the communities I treasure. The air has crispness, and today wet leaves cling to my shoes. I ventured to lunch with a special friend, who helped me celebrate 20 years (today), of being free of drugs and alcohol.

I’ve had to give myself permission to be okay with the times when writing comes last. This is true growth for me. It’s truly wonderful to live a ‘hands on’ life.

Why do I act so childish?

Let me start off by saying: hahahahahaha! There I feel better.

Does having a child make you grow up? Do you put away having some silly laughs, or let them lead you to total abandonment of adulthood craziness? I just get so curious. I am one of the best ‘aunts’ I can be, but never have been a Mom.

Multiple miscarriages, two emergency abortions, and this lady finally gave it up. I could only surmise it wasn’t meant to be. Yet that didn’t mean I wouldn’t have children in my future! I’m so elated to have all of these nieces and nephews who love me.

Lisha, my oldest, writes to say that, Kaitlyn, her oldest, want to be a dentist! Seems Kaitlyn enjoys the funny faces she can produce when examining her patients. I have to admit, it does look funny to me.

The freer I feel about my life, goals and dreams, the more it seems so innocent to just exist. The less I hold onto, the more my life seems to grow, embracing love, developing peace toward all. Doesn’t that sound like the life of a child?

Sparkle!

Without heat and pressure there would be no diamonds. Likewise, it is the tough situations that provide opportunities to sparkle. I’m in a tough one now, yet I hold on, and breathe deeply. Life will not always be this way; it will be better.

If I can’t hear my own heart, I listen to my own voice. Sometimes the act of opening up to someone frees my shackled voice and I open up to myself. I find it strange that my complaints will help me make a decision, when I allow them to, rather than ignore me.

Rest is an enjoyable reward for hard work, but it is also necessary for my continued effort. I will perform to my full potential only when I learn to regenerate my enthusiasm. I need to spend time with myself. I’ve decided that I need that vacation I’ve been dodging for the past year.

For me, strength is the fruit on the tree of challenge. All the physical exercise of a lifetime will not produce the strength I will gain by meeting one difficult challenge and conquering it. I’m giving up the squat-thrusts!

My Peeps

They live close by, and we have fun
My peeps that hang until it’s done
No matter what the job entails
We simply peep, and never wail

We calculate each other’s need
Go to the store for peeper feed
Our lives are good, we can’t complain
While living in a world insane

They live close by, and I am glad
To be alone would make me sad
Great happiness is what I reap
When I can hang with my best peeps

Aspire to Inspire

“Life is not as dramatic as your ego imagines it to be.
Aspire to inspire before you expire.”

The above quote was hanging at the bottom of an email I received. I sat back, and really thought about what it said. I have quite the ego and most often think life is dramatic. Maybe I’ve put things into lofty positions that need stepping down. My imagination is active and on-going.

Can I inspire? Some people say that I inspire them. Sometimes it feels good to hear that. Other times I know it’s a false pride that tells me I’m doing something ‘special’. I’m a human being, just like you, needing inspiration at times too. I’m not planning on expiring any time soon, though I know not my own path, until it’s walked. I do think that viewing life less dramatically will bring me certain peace.

In my nature walks I find the earth’s inspiration. Looking at the expiring Black-eyed Susans in my flower bed, I know they’ll be back next summer. They’ll inspire me, as in years’ past, to enjoy the days of summer. With their expiration, I am always reminded that autumn is on the way.

Thank you.

A taste for exploration

I’ve a taste for exploration of the things I once did, and liked. For reasons not remembered, time moved on, and I forgot to finish what I started. So now I desire to return to the sculpting world. Oh to take my hands and rub out every boo-boo, every bump that has no place in a perfect work!

“The Dying Gaul” shown above is sculpted in marble. I don’t do marble, but marveled over the photo. It seemed to go with what I had to say. Really putting my hands to the work and smoothing out each blemish… delightful. I’ll let you know how things turn out; be looking for a “Living Gaul”. Dare I have the gall?

Hmmm...

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves.

~Mohandas Gandhi

Any thoughts? Hmmm?

Snowbound, by Genesis

My Video Bar Feature:
Genesis, lyrics
Mike Rutherford, composer

Lay your body down upon the midnight snow,
Feel the cold of winter in your hair
Here in a world of your own,
In a casing that's grown
To a children's delight
That arrived overnight.

And here they come to play their magic games
Carving names upon your frozen hand.
Here in a world of your own,
Like a sleeper whose eyes
Sees the pain with surprise
As it smothers your cries
They'll never never know.

Hey there's a Snowman
Hey, Hey what a Snowman
Pray for the Snowman
Ooh, Ooh what a Snowman
They say a snow year's a good year
Filled with the love of all who lie so deep.

Smiling faces tear your body to the ground
Covered red that only we can see.
Here in a ball that they made
From the snow on the ground,
See it rolling away
Wild eyes to the sky
They'll never, never know.

Hey there's a Snowman
Hey what a Snowman
Pray for the Snowman
Ooh, Ooh what a Snowman
They say a snow year's a good year
Filled with the love of all who lie so deep.

Hey there goes the Snowman
Hey there what a Snowman
Hey there lies the Snowman
Hey he was a Snowman
They say a snow year's a good year
Filled with the love of all who lie so deep.