So I went shopping today - made myself broke but that's nothing new lol Did pick up a #Flames hockey shirt AND jacket for Spawn in Value Village for a total of $13 so that was a score! And a book for me - I'll ignore the evangelical and biblical parts of it - pretty sure I can still find something useful in it - Everybody wants to make a difference - practical ways to change the world.
Kinda fits in with my state of mind lately. The same state that asked advice from @careyfuller and now wants to strike up a conversation with the napping homeless couple and "just ask them what they need apart from housing" - asked her for advice on what an 'average Joe' can do for the homeless in their own 'hood.... Makes sense to me.
Last week when I made cupcakes I left a plate of them for the roofers - even though they were freaking out my dog - he has issues due to his life before he went to Oopsy Dazy Foundation - and today when I picked up the last books for Spawn's set I grabbed a second (almost( complete) set. Took that to school and gave it to his kindergarten teacher for her class - as I said to her, I wasn't sure if I was violating some etiquette or protocol but I wondered if she would like them for her class. She said yes please and thank you so.... Well, everyone is always saying how bad #CBE cuts are, and it makes little difference to me. And they ARE cool books for kindergartners lol
What can I say? It's just the way I roll - my own special brand of insanity :p
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Halloween - Jesusween?
Jesusween? Seriously? Am I the only one who has trouble taking that seriously as a name?
Yep, it's silly season again when all kinds of opinions come flying out of the woodwork - yes I am aware that includes my own! Some though are definitely saner and more intelligent than others, no matter how heartfelt. Happens every year at this time. (Wonder if King Kev will make his presence felt again? Hmmm)
Whoever or whatever doesn't actually detract from what is one of the most fun filled nights of the year for many, especially kids young and old. Nor from what is for many people, myself included, one of the most important ritual/religious nights of the year.
If you want to hand out bibles instead of candy or treats then go ahead - but I'm pretty sure that means I can hand you a pentacle or a Wicca 101 book in return. Or even, as @ashareem suggested a Koran. After all it never hurts to learn about and understand another religion, right? (Why yes I have read and studied the bible over the years)
One commenter after the original story said that s/he would text a prayer for each trick or treater (not sure why text but that's besides the point), then I should be able to offer up an invocation for him/her in return, right? Fair's fair since we have freedom of speech and religion after all. You believe in your god and I believe in my gods. Or as facebook recently put it, "Sure you can offer up a prayer for me, and I'll dance naked in the woods for you." Each to their own ;)
Pretty damn sure though that you, whoever you may think you are, have no claim on my son's soul to a religion that neither his father nor I follow and FWIW I wouldn't want to be the one handing a bible to our son if he's trick or treating with his father. Just saying.
Yup, silly season is here, Halloween is coming. I thought twice about blogging over Jesusween but in the end..... I just couldn't resist. Let the countdown continue, and don't let anyone spoil the fun you want to have. Stay safe and don't let the ghosts and goblins bite!
Yep, it's silly season again when all kinds of opinions come flying out of the woodwork - yes I am aware that includes my own! Some though are definitely saner and more intelligent than others, no matter how heartfelt. Happens every year at this time. (Wonder if King Kev will make his presence felt again? Hmmm)
Whoever or whatever doesn't actually detract from what is one of the most fun filled nights of the year for many, especially kids young and old. Nor from what is for many people, myself included, one of the most important ritual/religious nights of the year.
If you want to hand out bibles instead of candy or treats then go ahead - but I'm pretty sure that means I can hand you a pentacle or a Wicca 101 book in return. Or even, as @ashareem suggested a Koran. After all it never hurts to learn about and understand another religion, right? (Why yes I have read and studied the bible over the years)
One commenter after the original story said that s/he would text a prayer for each trick or treater (not sure why text but that's besides the point), then I should be able to offer up an invocation for him/her in return, right? Fair's fair since we have freedom of speech and religion after all. You believe in your god and I believe in my gods. Or as facebook recently put it, "Sure you can offer up a prayer for me, and I'll dance naked in the woods for you." Each to their own ;)
Pretty damn sure though that you, whoever you may think you are, have no claim on my son's soul to a religion that neither his father nor I follow and FWIW I wouldn't want to be the one handing a bible to our son if he's trick or treating with his father. Just saying.
Yup, silly season is here, Halloween is coming. I thought twice about blogging over Jesusween but in the end..... I just couldn't resist. Let the countdown continue, and don't let anyone spoil the fun you want to have. Stay safe and don't let the ghosts and goblins bite!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Halloween pt1
This is about the third incarnation of a post on Halloween - yes I am aware it's a month away yet, however, it's been on my mind all week. Been thinking about ideas for decorating for (hopefully) all the little trick or treaters who usually come around. Wondering how many there will this year since last season was the lowest count in the 6 years we've been here - about 50% lower than previous years. We do get a high turnover of residents here since these are rental properties, and the vast majority of kids here are newer than we are, many new this year. Wonder how many of them are going to trick or treat, or even celebrate Halloween?
In the schools it's orange and black day, not Halloween, at home it's Halloween and the Witch's New year - don't ask lol That's just how it's known around here. That or Easter - slip of someone's tongue many years ago ;)
On the plus side there's Boo at the Zoo on the weekend before and both local malls will be handing out candy and treats to kids in costume.
There will be decorating and dressing up and handing out of candy and possibly partying. Possibly. Maybe. Perhaps. There will be pumpkins lit and candles and haunted trees - which if anyone looked REAL close also carry the names of those who have passed over. But no-one except me looks that closely and they make great decorations! There will be hats and bats and a big spider, a magical clock and a cauldron of plenty.... what else what else? Still working on it....
In the schools it's orange and black day, not Halloween, at home it's Halloween and the Witch's New year - don't ask lol That's just how it's known around here. That or Easter - slip of someone's tongue many years ago ;)
On the plus side there's Boo at the Zoo on the weekend before and both local malls will be handing out candy and treats to kids in costume.
There will be decorating and dressing up and handing out of candy and possibly partying. Possibly. Maybe. Perhaps. There will be pumpkins lit and candles and haunted trees - which if anyone looked REAL close also carry the names of those who have passed over. But no-one except me looks that closely and they make great decorations! There will be hats and bats and a big spider, a magical clock and a cauldron of plenty.... what else what else? Still working on it....
Livininthehood #4 #warongardens
As is usual I find myself wondering many odd things in the course of the day. @JeninCanada wondered how much trouble she'd get into if she turned her front yard into a vegetable garden instead of leaving it as grass. It's a question I've wondered too - not that I have a yard right now, front or back since we live in a rental complex that has shared green space - yet it's something I've wondered in the hypothetical.
Why IS it such a crime to take time and resource consuming lawn and turn it into something more useful, less wasteful and often more visually appealing? Everyone bombards us with instructions to eat better, get healthier, lose weight, feed our kids more fruits and vegetables, avoid pesticides, etc. Government is always telling us that north America is suffering a plague of obesity and poor health.
Then doesn't it make sense to allow people greater access to fresh produce instead of restricting it? To allow people to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in their own yards and to increase the number and availability of community gardens. Especially in less well off neighbourhoods where people often have least access to affordable healthy foods.
I know it's a pet peeve of mine that there isn't a community garden within walking distance of here, and I do still believe that our 'Hood is one that could seriously benefit from having its own community garden if we could find a space for it.
Seems to me that the so called war on garden ( #warongardens) has a lot more to do with power, control and conformity than it has to do with vegetables. Maybe my sense of logic is just skewed, but wouldn't we all be better off if there were more vegetable gardens and less lawn? Like a re-designing of the Victory Garden campaign? Wouldn't we all be better off, and healthier, if more people were allowed to plant up gardens and eat and share their produce? One neighbour has too many tomatoes, so swaps them with another who has a surplus of onions, say. What is wrong with that? OTHER than taking control out of the hands of government and putting it back into the hands of the people? (The people who government is supposed to be working for, FYI.)
Instead apparently there is a war on gardens in many places just now, we won't even mention the chickens ;) Is it any wonder that Guerilla Gardening is taking off in more and more places? There shouldn't be a need for it but there is - as the saying goes, it is often easier to get forgiveness afterwards than to request permission beforehand.
Meanwhile the powers that be continue to tell us to be healthier, while at the same time denying us the opportunity to do it for ourselves. As long as it is about power and control instead of about people and food, there will continue to be a need for guerilla gardeners and for those who dare defy convention and turn their lawn into vegetables. Just a thought.
Why IS it such a crime to take time and resource consuming lawn and turn it into something more useful, less wasteful and often more visually appealing? Everyone bombards us with instructions to eat better, get healthier, lose weight, feed our kids more fruits and vegetables, avoid pesticides, etc. Government is always telling us that north America is suffering a plague of obesity and poor health.
Then doesn't it make sense to allow people greater access to fresh produce instead of restricting it? To allow people to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in their own yards and to increase the number and availability of community gardens. Especially in less well off neighbourhoods where people often have least access to affordable healthy foods.
I know it's a pet peeve of mine that there isn't a community garden within walking distance of here, and I do still believe that our 'Hood is one that could seriously benefit from having its own community garden if we could find a space for it.
Seems to me that the so called war on garden ( #warongardens) has a lot more to do with power, control and conformity than it has to do with vegetables. Maybe my sense of logic is just skewed, but wouldn't we all be better off if there were more vegetable gardens and less lawn? Like a re-designing of the Victory Garden campaign? Wouldn't we all be better off, and healthier, if more people were allowed to plant up gardens and eat and share their produce? One neighbour has too many tomatoes, so swaps them with another who has a surplus of onions, say. What is wrong with that? OTHER than taking control out of the hands of government and putting it back into the hands of the people? (The people who government is supposed to be working for, FYI.)
Instead apparently there is a war on gardens in many places just now, we won't even mention the chickens ;) Is it any wonder that Guerilla Gardening is taking off in more and more places? There shouldn't be a need for it but there is - as the saying goes, it is often easier to get forgiveness afterwards than to request permission beforehand.
Meanwhile the powers that be continue to tell us to be healthier, while at the same time denying us the opportunity to do it for ourselves. As long as it is about power and control instead of about people and food, there will continue to be a need for guerilla gardeners and for those who dare defy convention and turn their lawn into vegetables. Just a thought.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Livin' in the 'Hood 3
Walk to school yesterday got a little faster when my walking companion got a text from her teenage daughter that she was having an asthma attack at high school. So L had to run grab the kindergartener out of school early then head for the high school. Last time it happened to the teenager she passed right out cold and the school had to call an ambulance. Same teenager already has issues since a tip to the dentist revealed that as suspected her TMJ is out of line and needs treatment. So a call was made to the specialist and guess what? That costs $230 just to walk in the door and get an appointment. Up front. No direct billing. And the insurance won't cover it. At least not unless the specialist direct bills, the insurance refuses it and then it gets appealed. But the specialist won't direct bill anyway.
AND that's $230 just to get in to see him, no treatment, nothing. Like most of us L doesn't have a spare $230, plus everything that'd come afterwards, in her pocket to pull out at the drop of a hat. So how is the teenager supposed to get the treatment she needs?
Everything is getting more expensive, almost by the day, and people have less and less money left over after they pay the bills, rent/mortgage, buy food, pay school fees, insurance etc. Especially around here. I know too many people here who were living pay check to pay check because there was never anything left over, only now, as the cost of everything is rising and wages are not keeping pace it's not so much living pay check to pay check as can we make it from one pay check to the next? Or, who can wait till the next pay check and who NEEDS to be paid now. Between what groceries/clothes/school stuff do we need now and what can wait until the next pay check?
It's not just a few facing those dilemmas nowadays, it's an ever increasing number of people as the cost of everything rockets. Something is very off in the 'Hood and getting ever more off as time goes by.
AND that's $230 just to get in to see him, no treatment, nothing. Like most of us L doesn't have a spare $230, plus everything that'd come afterwards, in her pocket to pull out at the drop of a hat. So how is the teenager supposed to get the treatment she needs?
Everything is getting more expensive, almost by the day, and people have less and less money left over after they pay the bills, rent/mortgage, buy food, pay school fees, insurance etc. Especially around here. I know too many people here who were living pay check to pay check because there was never anything left over, only now, as the cost of everything is rising and wages are not keeping pace it's not so much living pay check to pay check as can we make it from one pay check to the next? Or, who can wait till the next pay check and who NEEDS to be paid now. Between what groceries/clothes/school stuff do we need now and what can wait until the next pay check?
It's not just a few facing those dilemmas nowadays, it's an ever increasing number of people as the cost of everything rockets. Something is very off in the 'Hood and getting ever more off as time goes by.
Livin' in the 'Hood 2
Got home from school, took the dogs outside for a pee and the little neighbour girl was over the road waving at me. She's a sweet thing, no more than 3 yrs olds, and unfortunately mostly unsupervised when outside just like most of the other around here. There's more than one 2 yr old who runs around playing outside in the parking lot, green space and roadway with minimal if any adult supervision. It's a miracle none have been hit by a car yet or had something equally bad happen to them.
Something like the potential accident I ran into on the way home from school. Walking down the alleyway (back road) - which I may have mentioned serves 4 schools in one small area - when I noticed something on the ground. Then another. Some kind of pill, no idea if they were OTC or prescription but they sure shouldn't have been lying on the road. Probably went out with the trash and ended up not in the trash can, just waiting for some little kid like the aforementioned girl to come along and pop it in their mouth thinking it was candy.
Stupidity like that just annoys me, big time.
People, dispose of stuff properly - pills, glass, everything! Last week it was condoms in the alleyway, this week pills. What next? A needle, a knife? People this may be the 'Hood but it's our "Hood, we live here, can we at least TRY and take care of it and the people in it?
Something like the potential accident I ran into on the way home from school. Walking down the alleyway (back road) - which I may have mentioned serves 4 schools in one small area - when I noticed something on the ground. Then another. Some kind of pill, no idea if they were OTC or prescription but they sure shouldn't have been lying on the road. Probably went out with the trash and ended up not in the trash can, just waiting for some little kid like the aforementioned girl to come along and pop it in their mouth thinking it was candy.
Stupidity like that just annoys me, big time.
People, dispose of stuff properly - pills, glass, everything! Last week it was condoms in the alleyway, this week pills. What next? A needle, a knife? People this may be the 'Hood but it's our "Hood, we live here, can we at least TRY and take care of it and the people in it?
Livin' in the 'Hood 1
School year is under way and that means spending more time hanging around outside school, waiting to go in or waiting for ids to come out, and THAT means more time hanging around with or listening to my neighbours and all the other mums at the school doors. Never underestimate what you can learn at the school door if you pay attention.
I may not know all of them, by a long way, but they're all my neighbours in that we all live in the same "Hood - that's why our kids go to that school. In fact we live in half the 'Hood since that's one of two elementary schools that serve the area.
People have laughed at me for saying I live in the "Hood unfortunately it often feels like it's true. More than that, it often feels like here in Calgary when you say "I live in the "Hood," the next question off the listeners lips is "Which one?"
As "Hoods go ours isn't too bad, in some ways. In others.... Demographics are interesting - we have a higher than average immigrant population, more visible minorities, higher ESL and more poverty than many areas. We also have a high percentage of rental properties and therefore a correspondingly high turnover of residents as people move in and out. Pretty sure I've mentioned that before. We do NOT have a higher than average crime rate even though there is a perception that we do - as has often been said the fear of crime often outweighs the reality.
Yet it often feels as though we are one of the forgotten neighbourhoods, that we're too difficult? too transient? to new and fresh? to be worth bothering with. Pretty sure I've said that before. We do have our share of homeless, drunks, panhandlers and wannabe gangsters who hang around the strip malls in groups trying to intimidate anyone and everyone who walks past.
Oddly we had three people killed by the C-train here in the space of ten days recently - two a block north from me and one a block south. And we did have a guy shot to death last year in the next door bar - rumour has it that it was a hit.
We do have our resident drug addicts and dealers and boosters - someone should tell them that conversations in the parking lot carry around here dude.
We have, just in our apartment complex, more than one guy who did/does beat his wife, (RCMP came to see him) one who beats his dog, (humane society came to see him), a teenager who is under investigation for stalking a 15 yr old girl, and two teenagers (as yet unidentified) who thought that they could make sexual and inappropriate comments to 9 and 11 yr old girls.
Yet these are all the things that neither officialdom nor the media seem to notice or care about. It's like, what do we expect when that's where we live? Yet many of us have been here for a long time. This is our home, for whatever reason. Yes a lot of us might move elsewhere if we had the option but for many of us there is little or no choice right now due to the circumstances of life.
Why ever we are here, this is our home, this is our 'Hood and we are raising our children here. They, and we, deserve the best "Hood that we can have/create. Not one where we're intimidated when walking down the street or worried about being mugged if we're out alone. Maybe it's time for us to take back our streets and our "Hood and make it our own again.
I may not know all of them, by a long way, but they're all my neighbours in that we all live in the same "Hood - that's why our kids go to that school. In fact we live in half the 'Hood since that's one of two elementary schools that serve the area.
People have laughed at me for saying I live in the "Hood unfortunately it often feels like it's true. More than that, it often feels like here in Calgary when you say "I live in the "Hood," the next question off the listeners lips is "Which one?"
As "Hoods go ours isn't too bad, in some ways. In others.... Demographics are interesting - we have a higher than average immigrant population, more visible minorities, higher ESL and more poverty than many areas. We also have a high percentage of rental properties and therefore a correspondingly high turnover of residents as people move in and out. Pretty sure I've mentioned that before. We do NOT have a higher than average crime rate even though there is a perception that we do - as has often been said the fear of crime often outweighs the reality.
Yet it often feels as though we are one of the forgotten neighbourhoods, that we're too difficult? too transient? to new and fresh? to be worth bothering with. Pretty sure I've said that before. We do have our share of homeless, drunks, panhandlers and wannabe gangsters who hang around the strip malls in groups trying to intimidate anyone and everyone who walks past.
Oddly we had three people killed by the C-train here in the space of ten days recently - two a block north from me and one a block south. And we did have a guy shot to death last year in the next door bar - rumour has it that it was a hit.
We do have our resident drug addicts and dealers and boosters - someone should tell them that conversations in the parking lot carry around here dude.
We have, just in our apartment complex, more than one guy who did/does beat his wife, (RCMP came to see him) one who beats his dog, (humane society came to see him), a teenager who is under investigation for stalking a 15 yr old girl, and two teenagers (as yet unidentified) who thought that they could make sexual and inappropriate comments to 9 and 11 yr old girls.
Yet these are all the things that neither officialdom nor the media seem to notice or care about. It's like, what do we expect when that's where we live? Yet many of us have been here for a long time. This is our home, for whatever reason. Yes a lot of us might move elsewhere if we had the option but for many of us there is little or no choice right now due to the circumstances of life.
Why ever we are here, this is our home, this is our 'Hood and we are raising our children here. They, and we, deserve the best "Hood that we can have/create. Not one where we're intimidated when walking down the street or worried about being mugged if we're out alone. Maybe it's time for us to take back our streets and our "Hood and make it our own again.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
THAT Book Again
I had quit reading "What's the deal with Wicca?" since there was nothing new or overly interesting in it but since I haven't had to take the library books back yet I was skimming through it again this morning. That's when I ran into the chapter entitled "When a friend is in Wicca" "Warning Signs
How can we recognize if a friend is involved with Wicca and practising witchcraft?"
(Can you see what's coming?!)
1. Withdrawal from routine activities.
2. Obsession with death and suicide. (Apparently Wiccan belief in reincarnation leads to an increased chance of suicide)
3. Fixation with Wicca symbols and Runes.
4. Possession of Wiccan, pagan and shamanistic publications.
5. Excessive fears and anxieties.
6. Fascination with or possession of unique knives.
7. Owning a book of shadows.
8. Altars.
"Remember that your ultimate goal is for your friend to be freed from the spiritual darkness of Wicca."
Says it all I guess....
How can we recognize if a friend is involved with Wicca and practising witchcraft?"
(Can you see what's coming?!)
1. Withdrawal from routine activities.
2. Obsession with death and suicide. (Apparently Wiccan belief in reincarnation leads to an increased chance of suicide)
3. Fixation with Wicca symbols and Runes.
4. Possession of Wiccan, pagan and shamanistic publications.
5. Excessive fears and anxieties.
6. Fascination with or possession of unique knives.
7. Owning a book of shadows.
8. Altars.
"Remember that your ultimate goal is for your friend to be freed from the spiritual darkness of Wicca."
Says it all I guess....
That Invisible Shingle
some things change and yet others stay the same - apparently my invisible shingle is still hanging out there for everyone - except me - to see! D2 is still after a card reading, C asked me to cleanse the latest addition to her rock collection for her, D and Sh still want me to cleanse their house as there's still the issue of a certain 'presence' there - whose name is Donald fyi.
C and her rock cleansing? Conversation actually went "Would you cleanse this one for me please?" "Sure if you want me to." Pause. "What exactly does cleanse mean anyway?" Don't ya love 11 yr old kids? lol She asked me cos her grandma, Sh, recently asked me to cleanse a stone for her too - actually a nice piece of amethyst that Sh carries everywhere and so it had definitely picked up a little too much junk. To put it mildly.
So it seems that shingle is still hanging out there somewhere, at least I know I'm not alone in that, Christopher Penczak makes comment on a similar phenomenon in one of his books - City Magick I think :/
Not that it's any secret as anyone who has ever read my blog or followed me on Twitter know, and ever since my sister sent it to me a few months back I've been wearing my silver pentacle (which isn't small) as openly asI used to wear my Triskele. I used to have another pent before but I gave that one to our room-mate, B.
Then of course spirits are still hanging around, although they probably deserves a blog post of their own if I ever get the time! Read something interesting recently about guides, and while I'm not sure I agree with the author's assertion about 'we all have 5', her comments about them always showing up in the same place, relative to ourselves, did strike a chord. At least from my experiences. Blue and Rahk have always shown up in the same positions, not that they can't move elsewhere, they can and do, however when they show up they're always 'in position'. So did Olivia before she left and nowadays Jimson does too. Welcome to my own personal world of crazy ;)
When I first wrote out this blog post yesterday I made comment about having a feeling things were about to get busier again, said comments are now unnecessary as they've been proven right. Ever doodled in the margin and looked down to realize you have just written Chinese characters with no idea what they mean? Apparently that's what I was doodling yesterday - turns out they mean a child, a gifted scholar.... Ties in with the latest 'visitor', goes by the name of Mei Lin..... that's ongoing apparently. Seems my instinct was on track.
Also appears that those who have passed through, in general, want their stories told.... now where am I supposed to find time for that???? Seriously? Although there ARE some interesting stories, I just wonder when I'll ever find time?! NOT that it's optional apparently, My Lady says. Sheesh.
Apparently instinct is also why I had the urge to give a book on pendulum dowsing to Sh yesterday, and just as I was thinking that for the umpteenth time, her daughter D knocked on the door - so I gave her the book for her mum. So that shingle is definitely still there and from her eon in it's only going to get crazier as Halloween approaches. Happens every year as the veil thins, not that it really ever thickened again from last year but that's a whole other story! Time to pin the hat, lace the boots tighter - and fix the GPS on the broom!
C and her rock cleansing? Conversation actually went "Would you cleanse this one for me please?" "Sure if you want me to." Pause. "What exactly does cleanse mean anyway?" Don't ya love 11 yr old kids? lol She asked me cos her grandma, Sh, recently asked me to cleanse a stone for her too - actually a nice piece of amethyst that Sh carries everywhere and so it had definitely picked up a little too much junk. To put it mildly.
So it seems that shingle is still hanging out there somewhere, at least I know I'm not alone in that, Christopher Penczak makes comment on a similar phenomenon in one of his books - City Magick I think :/
Not that it's any secret as anyone who has ever read my blog or followed me on Twitter know, and ever since my sister sent it to me a few months back I've been wearing my silver pentacle (which isn't small) as openly asI used to wear my Triskele. I used to have another pent before but I gave that one to our room-mate, B.
Then of course spirits are still hanging around, although they probably deserves a blog post of their own if I ever get the time! Read something interesting recently about guides, and while I'm not sure I agree with the author's assertion about 'we all have 5', her comments about them always showing up in the same place, relative to ourselves, did strike a chord. At least from my experiences. Blue and Rahk have always shown up in the same positions, not that they can't move elsewhere, they can and do, however when they show up they're always 'in position'. So did Olivia before she left and nowadays Jimson does too. Welcome to my own personal world of crazy ;)
When I first wrote out this blog post yesterday I made comment about having a feeling things were about to get busier again, said comments are now unnecessary as they've been proven right. Ever doodled in the margin and looked down to realize you have just written Chinese characters with no idea what they mean? Apparently that's what I was doodling yesterday - turns out they mean a child, a gifted scholar.... Ties in with the latest 'visitor', goes by the name of Mei Lin..... that's ongoing apparently. Seems my instinct was on track.
Also appears that those who have passed through, in general, want their stories told.... now where am I supposed to find time for that???? Seriously? Although there ARE some interesting stories, I just wonder when I'll ever find time?! NOT that it's optional apparently, My Lady says. Sheesh.
Apparently instinct is also why I had the urge to give a book on pendulum dowsing to Sh yesterday, and just as I was thinking that for the umpteenth time, her daughter D knocked on the door - so I gave her the book for her mum. So that shingle is definitely still there and from her eon in it's only going to get crazier as Halloween approaches. Happens every year as the veil thins, not that it really ever thickened again from last year but that's a whole other story! Time to pin the hat, lace the boots tighter - and fix the GPS on the broom!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Kindergarten catch up
Yes I'm trying to play catch up!!
Kindergarten Pt1
So what else is new? Spent a week camping in our new (new to us anyway) trailer on the in-laws' acreage in BC - with awesome weather. Had a great, relaxing time - just wish I wasn't so damn tired since we got back! Yet again it's 8.45 and I could easily go to bed and sleep. Sadly that isn't happening, the guys are out partying and won't be home til late, or sober.
Neighbours are moving out in droves, and certain neighbours have as much drama as ever in their lives - I've said before - it's not that I don't like the woman but dayum she can be hard work.
School starts day after tomorrow - first day at kindergarten for someone around here!! And anyone who thinks that means more time to myself is wrong - by the time I drop him off and walk home it'll be an hour or so until it's time to leave to walk down and pick him up again lol And in between will still be dogs, dishes, laundry, supper, lunch, etc! Need more hours in the day.
Kindergarten Pt2
School's in and Spawn has had his first few half days, full day kindergarten is about to begin. Can you say tired child? lol He thinks Mrs S walks on water, like most 5 yr old boy she has a crush on his kindergarten teacher ;) And yep there is the usual rush of notes, newsletters and forms, alongside requests for money and extra stuff. $65 for fees and supplies and $295 for lunch time supervision - not a meal just supervision - if they're staying for lunch all year. In other words $29.50 per month.
Next on my list is a second pair of shoes for him to keep at school and wear there, indoor shoes. Did kindergarten orientation part 2 - basically a repeat of the one in June with a few added/altered details. Pretty sure less people turned up for part 2 than did for part 1 mind you. And of course the usual requests for volunteers and for people to attend parent council meetings. There will be fundraising, there will be selling of SU ticket packs, all the usual good stuff.
42 kids in his kindergarten - split into 2 classes. Apparently the CBE allocates enough money that each kid can go on at least one field trip per year, parent council tries to raise enough money to make it more than one, and to provide special lunches, events, etc. Apparently I'm being drawn into going to the parent council meeting next week - we'll see how that works out! I'd like to. We all know that budgets everywhere, not just in the CBE, are being cut back at the same time as the cost of everything is rising. Seems like once upon a time fundraising was more for the extras and the frills, these days it's an essential part of school. And everywhere else.
Kindergarten Pt3
So, we just finished the first two full days of kindergarten, and yep, it kicked his ass AND he has a cold. Surprise! Beginning of school has always been a prime time to share every cold and bug out there lol There are still a few tears - his, not mine - sometimes but on the whole he's says it's "Great!" and he does "Everything!". Even if he was less impressed at having the story of 'Who ate all the cookie dough?' AGAIN the other day lol (Answer btw is baby kangaroo did)
Kindergarten also means spending a lot of time hanging around outside the school doors waiting, and talking to other mums, and in some cases getting to know people who have been neighbours for a long time a lot better. Amazing what you can learn in a week about your 'Hood, but, that's a whole other blog post.
Kindergarten Pt1
So what else is new? Spent a week camping in our new (new to us anyway) trailer on the in-laws' acreage in BC - with awesome weather. Had a great, relaxing time - just wish I wasn't so damn tired since we got back! Yet again it's 8.45 and I could easily go to bed and sleep. Sadly that isn't happening, the guys are out partying and won't be home til late, or sober.
Neighbours are moving out in droves, and certain neighbours have as much drama as ever in their lives - I've said before - it's not that I don't like the woman but dayum she can be hard work.
School starts day after tomorrow - first day at kindergarten for someone around here!! And anyone who thinks that means more time to myself is wrong - by the time I drop him off and walk home it'll be an hour or so until it's time to leave to walk down and pick him up again lol And in between will still be dogs, dishes, laundry, supper, lunch, etc! Need more hours in the day.
Kindergarten Pt2
School's in and Spawn has had his first few half days, full day kindergarten is about to begin. Can you say tired child? lol He thinks Mrs S walks on water, like most 5 yr old boy she has a crush on his kindergarten teacher ;) And yep there is the usual rush of notes, newsletters and forms, alongside requests for money and extra stuff. $65 for fees and supplies and $295 for lunch time supervision - not a meal just supervision - if they're staying for lunch all year. In other words $29.50 per month.
Next on my list is a second pair of shoes for him to keep at school and wear there, indoor shoes. Did kindergarten orientation part 2 - basically a repeat of the one in June with a few added/altered details. Pretty sure less people turned up for part 2 than did for part 1 mind you. And of course the usual requests for volunteers and for people to attend parent council meetings. There will be fundraising, there will be selling of SU ticket packs, all the usual good stuff.
42 kids in his kindergarten - split into 2 classes. Apparently the CBE allocates enough money that each kid can go on at least one field trip per year, parent council tries to raise enough money to make it more than one, and to provide special lunches, events, etc. Apparently I'm being drawn into going to the parent council meeting next week - we'll see how that works out! I'd like to. We all know that budgets everywhere, not just in the CBE, are being cut back at the same time as the cost of everything is rising. Seems like once upon a time fundraising was more for the extras and the frills, these days it's an essential part of school. And everywhere else.
Kindergarten Pt3
So, we just finished the first two full days of kindergarten, and yep, it kicked his ass AND he has a cold. Surprise! Beginning of school has always been a prime time to share every cold and bug out there lol There are still a few tears - his, not mine - sometimes but on the whole he's says it's "Great!" and he does "Everything!". Even if he was less impressed at having the story of 'Who ate all the cookie dough?' AGAIN the other day lol (Answer btw is baby kangaroo did)
Kindergarten also means spending a lot of time hanging around outside the school doors waiting, and talking to other mums, and in some cases getting to know people who have been neighbours for a long time a lot better. Amazing what you can learn in a week about your 'Hood, but, that's a whole other blog post.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Anti-Wicca book = nothing new
Ok so as some of my twitter friends know I've been reading one of those anti-wicca books today - I've read several over time and if that's how they feel and they feel strongly enough to not only put it into words but also get it published, then more power to them, in that respect. Sadly, like many of them, this one has little respect for anyone or anything that/who doesn't agree with his way of thinking. Oh and his "facts" leave much to be desired on occasion.
He clearly has issues with girls/women/females wanting to empower themselves and with their taking issue with the male dominated hierarchy of mainstream Christianity - well it IS male dominated and hierarchical. "What's with all this girl-friendly stuff?"
Apparently "Wicca is a fashion-trend statement' - never realized I was a fashion trend setter lol Ok I'd never call myself Wiccan to anyone in the pagan community who understands what Wiccan is or isn't but I get called it a lot by mainstream culture and people and it's not SO far off that it's totally wrong from their perspective. It works as a label and a conversation starter. Although oddly enough most of my on pagan friends just call me the witch anyway. Go figure.
Just so we all know, Wicca is bogus, it's a creation of the devil, it leads to hell and damnation, etc, etc. Same old same old. Although as a Wicca 101 this book has sections that work! For someone denouncing Wicca and witchcraft as false and evil he does a decent job of giving teenagers (his professed intended audience) a basic guide to 101 Wicca.
Ok and now I'm tired of this - there's nothing new, nothing different. He is, like many others, trying to enforce his beliefs on others and to disrespect and denigrate the beliefs of others. I might waste time reading it and possibly even exchanging conversation about it - Mari - but I'm sure not going to lose any sleep over worrying about whether or not I'm being 'deceived by Satan'. And I still care about the earth and environmental concerns even if he sees no need to because his God will take care of everything.
question is, if his faith is as strong as he professes then why is he so threatened by the fastest growing religion in north America? And by women. And by freedom of choice. Suddenly I find myself wondering if he is an advocate of surrendered wives?
Oh and FYI being able to quote the bible means nothing to me, I took 5 years compulsory religious knowledge in school so I know my bible too - maybe not without looking, but well enough ;)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Places - and this week so far
Been a busy few days round here even though Demon has been home sick for the last two days, finally feeling a little better and back at work today. Of course they were the two best days of the summer so far, so Spawn and I went to the zoo Tuesday and the Water Park Wednesday. Blew the kids mind since that was the first trip to the water park this year - he was liiiiittle tired by the time we got home lol Tired, stiff (me not him), sun kissed, and feeling good!
Monday we hit the library and after digging around in the interesting way they file their witch books, finally scored half a dozen to bring home. Cakes and Ale for the Pagan Soul has made my bookshelf list - not my top ten want but my bookshelf list - alongside Pagan Paths, Wisdom of the Elders. (And a new copy of the Goddess is in the Details since mine is probably never coming home.) Note to self to only lend to neighbours, them, I can go get my books back from!
Cakes and Ale also provided one, maybe more, of several signs in answer to a question I asked my Goddess the night before. Apparently the Ladies, and once again after my on off relationship with Her, we are back to Ladies multiple, are adamant that I really do need to try setting up a women's Circle round here. A clue as to How/Where to start would be nice lol Guess I better figure it out since it's non negotiable...
It seems to be the week for Clue by 4's - or maybe just for realizing that which should have been blatantly obvious. Talking to @Mariadkins about Stonehenge reminded me - like I needed reminding since it's seared in my brain oh so many years later?! - that I've been there, walked and touched the stones. I've also been to number of other old and powerful places, and grew up surrounded by ancient monuments, stones and grave sites in addition to growing up in one of the wilder places in the UK. Not to mention being surrounded by myth, legend, folklore, ancient tradition aka superstition and ritual. Is it any wonder I'm the way I am?? Makes me wonder if that's why it always feels as though I have (much as I'm hesitant to use the word) an affinity for places, especially old ones.
I've said before that while you can take the girl out of the island you can never take island out of the girl, it's true and accurate. Places talk, places have feeling and personality, and history, if you listen to them, Even after all these years, not least the ones living in the middle of the Canadian Prairies, I can still hear/feel the whispering call of the island. It's not something that has ever gone away, nor something I would want to lose - it's not even as simple as a call to come home, there's no beckoning in it per se, more a simple "I'm still here, I'll always be here.' closer to a strength, energy, memory to draw on than anything else. Do I get it from the other island I lived on for just as many years? Nope. No ifs ands or buts, I just don't. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
More than that, perhaps because we walk pretty much everywhere, I hear whispers from other places, always have done. Everywhere has it's own voice, its own spirit, and some are certainly happier, healthier and younger/older than others. No surprise that Christopher Penczak's City Magick is one of my favourite additions to my bookshelf in the last couple of years. Come to that I've read several of his works and have a definitely liking for @Penczak. His thoughts, words, work, resonate with me in a way similar to those of @starhawk17 and @zbudapest. Just three of the people who have been an influence on my path and life in recent years.
Monday we hit the library and after digging around in the interesting way they file their witch books, finally scored half a dozen to bring home. Cakes and Ale for the Pagan Soul has made my bookshelf list - not my top ten want but my bookshelf list - alongside Pagan Paths, Wisdom of the Elders. (And a new copy of the Goddess is in the Details since mine is probably never coming home.) Note to self to only lend to neighbours, them, I can go get my books back from!
Cakes and Ale also provided one, maybe more, of several signs in answer to a question I asked my Goddess the night before. Apparently the Ladies, and once again after my on off relationship with Her, we are back to Ladies multiple, are adamant that I really do need to try setting up a women's Circle round here. A clue as to How/Where to start would be nice lol Guess I better figure it out since it's non negotiable...
It seems to be the week for Clue by 4's - or maybe just for realizing that which should have been blatantly obvious. Talking to @Mariadkins about Stonehenge reminded me - like I needed reminding since it's seared in my brain oh so many years later?! - that I've been there, walked and touched the stones. I've also been to number of other old and powerful places, and grew up surrounded by ancient monuments, stones and grave sites in addition to growing up in one of the wilder places in the UK. Not to mention being surrounded by myth, legend, folklore, ancient tradition aka superstition and ritual. Is it any wonder I'm the way I am?? Makes me wonder if that's why it always feels as though I have (much as I'm hesitant to use the word) an affinity for places, especially old ones.
I've said before that while you can take the girl out of the island you can never take island out of the girl, it's true and accurate. Places talk, places have feeling and personality, and history, if you listen to them, Even after all these years, not least the ones living in the middle of the Canadian Prairies, I can still hear/feel the whispering call of the island. It's not something that has ever gone away, nor something I would want to lose - it's not even as simple as a call to come home, there's no beckoning in it per se, more a simple "I'm still here, I'll always be here.' closer to a strength, energy, memory to draw on than anything else. Do I get it from the other island I lived on for just as many years? Nope. No ifs ands or buts, I just don't. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
More than that, perhaps because we walk pretty much everywhere, I hear whispers from other places, always have done. Everywhere has it's own voice, its own spirit, and some are certainly happier, healthier and younger/older than others. No surprise that Christopher Penczak's City Magick is one of my favourite additions to my bookshelf in the last couple of years. Come to that I've read several of his works and have a definitely liking for @Penczak. His thoughts, words, work, resonate with me in a way similar to those of @starhawk17 and @zbudapest. Just three of the people who have been an influence on my path and life in recent years.
Magic Spoon and other odd thoughts
So I have a magic spoon - is that weird? lol Well ok it's not actually a "magic" spoon, it's on old, large, very battered, silver spoon that belonged to my great grandmother. And it's also the spoon that I use to make ooey gooey Witchin' Brownies - literally since they come from a recipe I found many years ago in The Real Witches Cookbook. I know just how many spoonfuls of each ingredient to use to make them. People seem to like them! It's also one of the few things that made the cut and came across the Atlantic with me several years ago. Funny what makes the cut when you have to pack your life into two bags - or a bag and a suitcase, and of course most of the space is taken up by clothes since they ARE kinda necessary!
Hate else made the cut? A towel - yeah, yeah, Hitchhiker's reference - two of the best pieces of advice in life come from that book - Don't Panic! and Always know where your towel is. What else? Some jewellery, though I'm not a big jewellery person, mostly rings and things that belonged to my mother, grandmother, and great grandmothers. That'd be why I, who has never been married, own four wedding rings ;) My grandfather and great grandfather's war medals - WW1 and WW2 - which sit on my wall in shadow boxes, my tarot cards, both decks, my Blue bear dream catcher, and a handful of other trinkets. Not much really for 35 years of life. Oh and my journals/notebooks. those I didn't shred anyway, why shred you ask? Because I'd rather shred them than leave them with my ex, period.
Of course since then I've replaced a lot of things, especially the books, and added a whole bunch more. It took a longtime and not a little luck in thrift stores and book stores to replace the "must haves" in my library, but once again my bookshelf is piled high and groaning. I really need to get myself some genuine bookshelves lol Funny though, much as I love books, and some of my other stuff, every once in a while I find myself wondering what I'd take if I once again had to put my life into two bags thanks to a fire, flood, earthquake or whatever. Guess once you do it one time, you rethink your priorities and work out what things you really wouldn't WANT to live without ( aside from family and pets since we're talking 'things'). All the others are just nice to have ;)
What would I include now? Still my tarot cards, photo albums and family history books, spellbooks and journals, trinkets and jewellery, my staff, a handful of books....
----------------------
Is it odd that I, the 'what's a closet?' witch, like both 19 kids and counting and sister wives? Colour me crazy but I do. Was thinking about that the other day while watching the 2nd Duggar grandchild arrive. First, they have different faiths/lifestyles/whatever, which always interests me, second they're 'good people', as gramma would say, and third, they walk their walk even when the world throws them curve balls or criticism. Have to respect that in them, it's all I ask - leave me be and let me walk my path even if you disagree with it.
Hate else made the cut? A towel - yeah, yeah, Hitchhiker's reference - two of the best pieces of advice in life come from that book - Don't Panic! and Always know where your towel is. What else? Some jewellery, though I'm not a big jewellery person, mostly rings and things that belonged to my mother, grandmother, and great grandmothers. That'd be why I, who has never been married, own four wedding rings ;) My grandfather and great grandfather's war medals - WW1 and WW2 - which sit on my wall in shadow boxes, my tarot cards, both decks, my Blue bear dream catcher, and a handful of other trinkets. Not much really for 35 years of life. Oh and my journals/notebooks. those I didn't shred anyway, why shred you ask? Because I'd rather shred them than leave them with my ex, period.
Of course since then I've replaced a lot of things, especially the books, and added a whole bunch more. It took a longtime and not a little luck in thrift stores and book stores to replace the "must haves" in my library, but once again my bookshelf is piled high and groaning. I really need to get myself some genuine bookshelves lol Funny though, much as I love books, and some of my other stuff, every once in a while I find myself wondering what I'd take if I once again had to put my life into two bags thanks to a fire, flood, earthquake or whatever. Guess once you do it one time, you rethink your priorities and work out what things you really wouldn't WANT to live without ( aside from family and pets since we're talking 'things'). All the others are just nice to have ;)
What would I include now? Still my tarot cards, photo albums and family history books, spellbooks and journals, trinkets and jewellery, my staff, a handful of books....
----------------------
Is it odd that I, the 'what's a closet?' witch, like both 19 kids and counting and sister wives? Colour me crazy but I do. Was thinking about that the other day while watching the 2nd Duggar grandchild arrive. First, they have different faiths/lifestyles/whatever, which always interests me, second they're 'good people', as gramma would say, and third, they walk their walk even when the world throws them curve balls or criticism. Have to respect that in them, it's all I ask - leave me be and let me walk my path even if you disagree with it.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Detecting Witchiness ;)
Like others, I saw this on Twitter and had to share!
Question:
Fifty sure-fire ways to detect paganism without having to resort to a dunking stool or wart-inspection.
*1) Never puts any rubbish out on refuse-collection day. I mean, re-cycling and composting is fine, but you can take it too far.
*2) You casually ask what phase the moon is in, and she tells you down to the exact number of days, hour and minute of rising, position on horizon, and current angle of declination.
3) All the stray cats in the neighbourhood tend to congregate in her garden (and use your own as their litter).
*(In my case squirrels LOL)
4) A screech owl has chosen the lamp-post outside her house as its favorite calling-post. That’s just when it’s getting warm at night aand you like to sleep with the window open.
5) Doesn’t cut down the weeds in her garden; in fact it looks more like she’s cultivating them. Needless to say, you get the seeds wafting over onto your pristine lawn.
*6) Most of her clothes on the washing line are black.
7) The local kids talk in whispers as they go past her house, then start running at the last moment.
*8) Nobody trick-or-treats her house; not after the incident when the kids’ costumes were less scary than hers when she opened the door to them. (She was embracing the Crone that year no doubt!)
9) Footprints on the roof. And the trees in her flight-path have been pruned down. I swear it’s true!
*10) She can’t even make a simple sandwich without adding fresh herbs to it. And don’t ask her for a cup of tea unless you want something yellow coloured and smelling of flowers.
11) She hardly ever gets junk mail. You ask her what her secret is and she confides that she returns it to sender after writing something on in strange curly writing.
*12) When you pop next door for a chat, the kettle is always already on.
*13) The Jehovah’s Witnesses never call (not anymore; not after the ast time .
*14) Keeps the local scented-candle shop solvent.
15) Has a pond full of frogs (and you haven’t seen that bothersome double-glazing salesman around for a while).
*16) She’s always smiling, darn her!
*17) She goes dressed as normal to a Hallowe’en fancy dress party; and wins first prize.
18) Her house always smells of incense.
19) Has named her four cats Hecate, Kali, Diana, and Moonbeam. (Or her rats Devon and Cornwall)
20) Her bumper sticker reads “I brake for toads”.
21) Frequently gets raided by the drug squad who confiscate large amounts of dried green leaves; they always return them with apologies after analysis.
22) At Christmas, it seems like half the garden has been moved into the house.
*23) You sometimes hear the sound of singing and dancing through the wall. If you look out of the window, it is usually a full moon.
*24) She was given a bodhram drum for her birthday. And she plays it at midnight in the fields. And she’s got a blasted tamborine.
25) You discover that her realistic resin skull ornament in her living room, actually is real.
*26) You catch her washing a crystal ball along with the dishes.
*27) She wears a lot of silver jewelry, even when doing the gardening. And bat ear-rings for goodness-sake.
28) You knock on her door and she answers it naked except for a toweling robe. You apologize for disturbing her in the bath, but notice that her hair isn’t wet.
*29) Irritating tendency to hum a lot. What’s she got to be so happy about, huh?
30) She has a tame robin that will eat from her hand in the garden. That can’t be natural.
*31) Never catches a cold, even though she walks barefoot most of the time. In the snow as well.
*32) Doesn’t kill spiders. Not even big hairy long-legged ones that suddenly appear from the waste-pipe whilst you’re having a bath.
*33) She listens to what you are saying like she really cares.
*34) She has lots of female friends who come round every few months. When you ask what they get up to, she tells you that they just have cakes and ale and a good natter.
*35) You catch her hugging a tree.
36) Her dinner-set is decorated with Celtic patterns.
*37) She has a mail-order account with a semi-precious gem wholesaler.
38) You notice that the parish priest crosses himself whenever he walks past her house.
39) She never watches television. ***And she has shelves full of books with black spines and silver-lettered titles.
*40) To your certain knowledge she has never set foot in the local church. In fact, you have heard rumours that she has been barred from it.
*41) She makes jars of quince and mandrake relish for the Women’s Institute coffee morning jumble sale.
(Ok Witchin Brownies from a genuine Witches Cookbok lmao)
*42) You ask to borrow a pack of cards for an impromptu bridge evening, and there are 78 in the pack.
*43) You have never known her to visit her GP.
*44) When you talk with her, she maintains eye contact all the time.
45) Expectant mothers are forever visiting her. Also women who become expectant mothers a month after visiting her.
*46) You ask her for suggestions for nice walks in the area, and they all go by way of stone circles and strange earth mounds.
47) She only buys organic. And you just bet that she’s a vegetarian as well. (Well, maybe not stricly vegetarian.. ..)
*48) When you ask her about her vacation plans, she tells you she will be camping in a tee-pee in the Brecon Beacons.
*49) There aren’t any mirrors in her house. Or clocks. (One clock - that tells Temp inside and out AND moon phase roflmao)
*50) She tells you that she is coming out of the broom closet, joins Witches’ Voice, and erects a stained-glass pentacle window in her front door . Ooo what a give-away!
Question:
Fifty sure-fire ways to detect paganism without having to resort to a dunking stool or wart-inspection.
*1) Never puts any rubbish out on refuse-collection day. I mean, re-cycling and composting is fine, but you can take it too far.
*2) You casually ask what phase the moon is in, and she tells you down to the exact number of days, hour and minute of rising, position on horizon, and current angle of declination.
3) All the stray cats in the neighbourhood tend to congregate in her garden (and use your own as their litter).
*(In my case squirrels LOL)
4) A screech owl has chosen the lamp-post outside her house as its favorite calling-post. That’s just when it’s getting warm at night aand you like to sleep with the window open.
5) Doesn’t cut down the weeds in her garden; in fact it looks more like she’s cultivating them. Needless to say, you get the seeds wafting over onto your pristine lawn.
*6) Most of her clothes on the washing line are black.
7) The local kids talk in whispers as they go past her house, then start running at the last moment.
*8) Nobody trick-or-treats her house; not after the incident when the kids’ costumes were less scary than hers when she opened the door to them. (She was embracing the Crone that year no doubt!)
9) Footprints on the roof. And the trees in her flight-path have been pruned down. I swear it’s true!
*10) She can’t even make a simple sandwich without adding fresh herbs to it. And don’t ask her for a cup of tea unless you want something yellow coloured and smelling of flowers.
11) She hardly ever gets junk mail. You ask her what her secret is and she confides that she returns it to sender after writing something on in strange curly writing.
*12) When you pop next door for a chat, the kettle is always already on.
*13) The Jehovah’s Witnesses never call (not anymore; not after the ast time .
*14) Keeps the local scented-candle shop solvent.
15) Has a pond full of frogs (and you haven’t seen that bothersome double-glazing salesman around for a while).
*16) She’s always smiling, darn her!
*17) She goes dressed as normal to a Hallowe’en fancy dress party; and wins first prize.
18) Her house always smells of incense.
19) Has named her four cats Hecate, Kali, Diana, and Moonbeam. (Or her rats Devon and Cornwall)
20) Her bumper sticker reads “I brake for toads”.
21) Frequently gets raided by the drug squad who confiscate large amounts of dried green leaves; they always return them with apologies after analysis.
22) At Christmas, it seems like half the garden has been moved into the house.
*23) You sometimes hear the sound of singing and dancing through the wall. If you look out of the window, it is usually a full moon.
*24) She was given a bodhram drum for her birthday. And she plays it at midnight in the fields. And she’s got a blasted tamborine.
25) You discover that her realistic resin skull ornament in her living room, actually is real.
*26) You catch her washing a crystal ball along with the dishes.
*27) She wears a lot of silver jewelry, even when doing the gardening. And bat ear-rings for goodness-sake.
28) You knock on her door and she answers it naked except for a toweling robe. You apologize for disturbing her in the bath, but notice that her hair isn’t wet.
*29) Irritating tendency to hum a lot. What’s she got to be so happy about, huh?
30) She has a tame robin that will eat from her hand in the garden. That can’t be natural.
*31) Never catches a cold, even though she walks barefoot most of the time. In the snow as well.
*32) Doesn’t kill spiders. Not even big hairy long-legged ones that suddenly appear from the waste-pipe whilst you’re having a bath.
*33) She listens to what you are saying like she really cares.
*34) She has lots of female friends who come round every few months. When you ask what they get up to, she tells you that they just have cakes and ale and a good natter.
*35) You catch her hugging a tree.
36) Her dinner-set is decorated with Celtic patterns.
*37) She has a mail-order account with a semi-precious gem wholesaler.
38) You notice that the parish priest crosses himself whenever he walks past her house.
39) She never watches television. ***And she has shelves full of books with black spines and silver-lettered titles.
*40) To your certain knowledge she has never set foot in the local church. In fact, you have heard rumours that she has been barred from it.
*41) She makes jars of quince and mandrake relish for the Women’s Institute coffee morning jumble sale.
(Ok Witchin Brownies from a genuine Witches Cookbok lmao)
*42) You ask to borrow a pack of cards for an impromptu bridge evening, and there are 78 in the pack.
*43) You have never known her to visit her GP.
*44) When you talk with her, she maintains eye contact all the time.
45) Expectant mothers are forever visiting her. Also women who become expectant mothers a month after visiting her.
*46) You ask her for suggestions for nice walks in the area, and they all go by way of stone circles and strange earth mounds.
47) She only buys organic. And you just bet that she’s a vegetarian as well. (Well, maybe not stricly vegetarian.. ..)
*48) When you ask her about her vacation plans, she tells you she will be camping in a tee-pee in the Brecon Beacons.
*49) There aren’t any mirrors in her house. Or clocks. (One clock - that tells Temp inside and out AND moon phase roflmao)
*50) She tells you that she is coming out of the broom closet, joins Witches’ Voice, and erects a stained-glass pentacle window in her front door . Ooo what a give-away!
Thursday Stuff
So the seven day forecast Wednesday night predicted a beautiful Thursday and then more showers for the next few days ( altho so far today, Friday, is sunny and bright) so we decided to make the most of Thursday and hit the zoo, especially when I awoke to brilliant sunshine. Picked up a Metro on the C-train that someone had left behind (recycling lol) and found some keys that someone had dropped. Seemed to be a finding day since we also found three sun hats and one pair of shades while walking around the zoo. Not surprising with all the kids there - wee ones with their parents and school/class/group trips. Still have the library card we found on the sidewalk the other day, going to drop that back at the library next time we are there. Actually, once found a well loved stuffie in the zoo, dropped that at their lost and found because we all know small children really hate to lose well loved stuffies! Hopefully that one was reunited with it's owner.
We had a good time at the zoo though, lots of butterflies in the butterfly house now, the flamingos are out, saw the not so baby gorilla and all kinds of other things. Trying to find the energy for anything once we got home though was a struggle for a while lol Also forgot yesterday, just remembering now that I said I'd lend a neighbour my copy of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. Don't mind lending to the neighbours because I can just walk over and retrieve if necessary, one still has my Green Egg Omelette. My copy of the Goddess is in the Details on the other hand is probably never coming back :/ Oddly enough that was one of the few pagan books they did have in the library the other day though. It's definitely a very small section - I'll have to check out their catalogue and see what else they have there or in other branches. It's sad when my recreated after coming to Canada bookshelf is about ten times bigger than the section in the library! Did pick up one book, Pagan Every Day, and Barbara Ardinger went up in my estimation (not that she was low, just unknown, judgement reserved) when I hit mid February - it has a page and an essay for every day of the year - and she picked up on, and agreed with, one of my pet peeves about certain segments of Pagan/new age society. (I think that deserves it's own post one day soon though)
See? Nothing interesting to say - trying to get back into the blogging habit :/
We had a good time at the zoo though, lots of butterflies in the butterfly house now, the flamingos are out, saw the not so baby gorilla and all kinds of other things. Trying to find the energy for anything once we got home though was a struggle for a while lol Also forgot yesterday, just remembering now that I said I'd lend a neighbour my copy of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. Don't mind lending to the neighbours because I can just walk over and retrieve if necessary, one still has my Green Egg Omelette. My copy of the Goddess is in the Details on the other hand is probably never coming back :/ Oddly enough that was one of the few pagan books they did have in the library the other day though. It's definitely a very small section - I'll have to check out their catalogue and see what else they have there or in other branches. It's sad when my recreated after coming to Canada bookshelf is about ten times bigger than the section in the library! Did pick up one book, Pagan Every Day, and Barbara Ardinger went up in my estimation (not that she was low, just unknown, judgement reserved) when I hit mid February - it has a page and an essay for every day of the year - and she picked up on, and agreed with, one of my pet peeves about certain segments of Pagan/new age society. (I think that deserves it's own post one day soon though)
See? Nothing interesting to say - trying to get back into the blogging habit :/
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Community Minded Again
Ye gods, where to even start today? 20 minutes to a Cleaner Calgary good to see Mayor Nenshi taking part. I have to admit I forgot it was today, terrible short term memory, until I read about it in my Metro this morning after my free shower on the way home from Safeway. (Thanks #YYC lol) but, it does seem to me a variant of it would be the perfect thing for around here, maybe this weekend.
On the same note, also in my Metro was a piece on coping with working 9 to 5 in the summertime. Included in the suggestions was bringing home baked goodies like cookies or muffins to work to share with co-workers and lift spirits - also a perfect suggestion for getting in touch with and getting to know your neighbours. It's one I've used several times, not to mention being a #RAOK!
Then I found a piece elsewhere on how to create a healthier community (Yes I am aware I have a bee in my bonnet, but it's nothing to the bee about distracted drivers - that comes later lol) Hey I have to live somewhere, so why not do whatever I can to make that somewhere the best place it can be no matter where it is, right? So, creating a healthier community. The article had 12 suggestions.
1. Volunteer
2. Encourage healthy eating - if your neighbourhood lacks affordable healthy food look into creating a community kitchen or garden (I wish!)
3. Make job searches easier - compile a list of online local job resources and distribute copies anywhere that offers free Internet access.
4. Reach out to your neighbours - have a block party, pot luck BBQ or kids play dates.
5. Support your local library - organize a donation or fundraising drive.
6. Look into neighbourhood watch, block watch or block parent programs.
7. Work to identify and remove or fix hazards.
8. Organize a littler pick up.
9. Start an exercise group.
10. Raise funds to upgrade a playground.
11. Give blood.
12. Welcome new neighbours.
Which brings me to a question - anyone have any suggestions for questions to ask people to get an idea of how they feel about their neighbourhood? A neighbourhood survey of sorts - what people like/don't like, know/don't know about services, amenities, etc, use/don't use, want more or less of, want rid of or would like to see. You get the idea. Any and all suggestions welcome.
On the same note, also in my Metro was a piece on coping with working 9 to 5 in the summertime. Included in the suggestions was bringing home baked goodies like cookies or muffins to work to share with co-workers and lift spirits - also a perfect suggestion for getting in touch with and getting to know your neighbours. It's one I've used several times, not to mention being a #RAOK!
Then I found a piece elsewhere on how to create a healthier community (Yes I am aware I have a bee in my bonnet, but it's nothing to the bee about distracted drivers - that comes later lol) Hey I have to live somewhere, so why not do whatever I can to make that somewhere the best place it can be no matter where it is, right? So, creating a healthier community. The article had 12 suggestions.
1. Volunteer
2. Encourage healthy eating - if your neighbourhood lacks affordable healthy food look into creating a community kitchen or garden (I wish!)
3. Make job searches easier - compile a list of online local job resources and distribute copies anywhere that offers free Internet access.
4. Reach out to your neighbours - have a block party, pot luck BBQ or kids play dates.
5. Support your local library - organize a donation or fundraising drive.
6. Look into neighbourhood watch, block watch or block parent programs.
7. Work to identify and remove or fix hazards.
8. Organize a littler pick up.
9. Start an exercise group.
10. Raise funds to upgrade a playground.
11. Give blood.
12. Welcome new neighbours.
Which brings me to a question - anyone have any suggestions for questions to ask people to get an idea of how they feel about their neighbourhood? A neighbourhood survey of sorts - what people like/don't like, know/don't know about services, amenities, etc, use/don't use, want more or less of, want rid of or would like to see. You get the idea. Any and all suggestions welcome.
Distracted Drivers
Now, distracted drivers. A piece in the Metro today mentioned that because traffic accidents and fatalities have fallen for the third consecutive year, some people are saying there is no need for stricter distracted driving legislation such as is already in place in BC. My poor followers on Twitter got a taste of my opinion yesterday when the idiot in the blue car was so busy talking on his cell phone at 52nd and 26th that he completely blocked the crosswalk. The crosswalk on a major road, at a 4 way intersection, between two schools at exactly the time both schools were ending and there were a LOT of children around. Dude, smarten up. Before you hit someone because you're not paying attention, before you cause someone else to hit a kid who had to go into the road to get around you because blocked the crosswalk.
Yes a 25% decrease in traffic injuries is to be commended, but it's nowhere near good enough that we can sit back and stop looking at ways to further decrease injuries and accidents. We need distracted driving legislation, and we need people to be smarter when they're driving - after all, they ARE controlling a potentially lethal weapon.
And dude in the blue car? Put down the phone. Next time you might not be so lucky, next time someone else might not be so lucky!
Yes a 25% decrease in traffic injuries is to be commended, but it's nowhere near good enough that we can sit back and stop looking at ways to further decrease injuries and accidents. We need distracted driving legislation, and we need people to be smarter when they're driving - after all, they ARE controlling a potentially lethal weapon.
And dude in the blue car? Put down the phone. Next time you might not be so lucky, next time someone else might not be so lucky!
Monday, June 6, 2011
BetterYYC, Starhawk, and.... Stuff
To create a #betteryyc we need to engage the next generation, the children. Not just with special one off events - although those are good too - but also on a daily basis, both singly and in groups. Always remembering that they learn by example, by copying what they see us doing and not by what we say if our actions don't match our words. In order to encourage them to help create a #betteryyc we need to let them see us working towards the same goal, no matter on how large or small a scale.
Alone I cannot change the world but I can cast out a stone that will create ripples. (Or something like that!)
@BetterYYC - Do one thing today towards creating a #betteryyc
Reading an anthology recently - Storming Heaven's Gate - I ran into a piece called "Street Trees" by Melody Ermachild Chavis, taken from her book Altars of the Streets. In it, she too talks about involving the children in hopes that they will grow up with a sense of community, of belonging, of being a part of something worth being proud of and taking care of instead growing up apart from their home and community.
Btw insanely jealous of @JacqMulyk not only for attending the City Repair workshop in Portland, but also for meeting Starhawk there! Jealous, much lol. Pretty sure that I've mentioned before the influence that Starhawk's work has had on me, both in life and in my path. And I believe the site in Portland is also the one Starhawk talks about visiting in The Earth Path. Not that I would know what to say if I ever met the lady anyway, except possibly "I'm not worthy!" ;) Side note, no surprise either that Z Budapest ( @zbudapest ) has also been a considerable influence, as has Christopher Penczak ( @Penczak ) to mention a couple.
In the Earth Path it is pointed out that to create community requires a place to congregate. That, at least, we have in my immediate neighbourhood - in my pocket neighbourhood. Yeah I know I'm taken with that phrase, but it sums up our apartment complex perfectly-ish - a cluster of houses or apartments surrounding a central shared space. Not that we can do much with it, don't think the landlords would like it, but at least unlike the complex a block over we ARE allowed to play and congregate here. Not kidding, next complex over has large signs saying No playing, running, balls or games of any kind, please use the public parks provided elsewhere. (Paraphrased sine I forget the exact words - should take a photo lol) Let's see, public park? That would be the park that is now two fenced baseball pitches ;)(yeah I know, bee in my bonnet!)
Seems like every year's crop of children, some the same as previous years, some new faces, are drawn to0 me - probably because if my son is out there I have to be out there too. They know my name, they know we have sidewalk chalk, and bubbles, and whatever else we might have outside that day and we share. they come to me to fix their bikes, their scraped knees and their feuds. And it's good, even if there are some days I'm just not in the mood, in which case Spawn and I go off somewhere else - not because I quit believing in being there for them or in fostering community, just because I'm only human and sometimes I need a day off!
So speaking of a #betteryyc it seems that someone seeded the beds by our rental office with sunflowers - that's sure what they look like to me! And no, this time it wasn't me ;) Here's hoping they're allowed to grow and don't get weeded away - not likely given the incomplete job the guys round here do whether it's clearing snow, picking up litter, weeding or cutting grass. If they did a proper job, I wouldn't be picking up broken glass from the playground as many times as I have done over the years we have been living here. And yes, the playground in the middle of our green space IS part of their area. How do I know it wasn't glass that got broken their after their morning rounds? Because 9 times out of 10 it's alcoholic glass, and even here5,6 and 7 yr olds aren't drinking in the playground and leaving empty beer/cooler/vodka bottles behind. Pet peeve. But since I don't want my kid cutting himself on it, or anyone else's, I pick it up. Found a knife once too - in our playground - not a small one, a large kitchen knife! And people wonder why I say I live in the 'Hood?!
Alone I cannot change the world but I can cast out a stone that will create ripples. (Or something like that!)
@BetterYYC - Do one thing today towards creating a #betteryyc
Reading an anthology recently - Storming Heaven's Gate - I ran into a piece called "Street Trees" by Melody Ermachild Chavis, taken from her book Altars of the Streets. In it, she too talks about involving the children in hopes that they will grow up with a sense of community, of belonging, of being a part of something worth being proud of and taking care of instead growing up apart from their home and community.
Btw insanely jealous of @JacqMulyk not only for attending the City Repair workshop in Portland, but also for meeting Starhawk there! Jealous, much lol. Pretty sure that I've mentioned before the influence that Starhawk's work has had on me, both in life and in my path. And I believe the site in Portland is also the one Starhawk talks about visiting in The Earth Path. Not that I would know what to say if I ever met the lady anyway, except possibly "I'm not worthy!" ;) Side note, no surprise either that Z Budapest ( @zbudapest ) has also been a considerable influence, as has Christopher Penczak ( @Penczak ) to mention a couple.
In the Earth Path it is pointed out that to create community requires a place to congregate. That, at least, we have in my immediate neighbourhood - in my pocket neighbourhood. Yeah I know I'm taken with that phrase, but it sums up our apartment complex perfectly-ish - a cluster of houses or apartments surrounding a central shared space. Not that we can do much with it, don't think the landlords would like it, but at least unlike the complex a block over we ARE allowed to play and congregate here. Not kidding, next complex over has large signs saying No playing, running, balls or games of any kind, please use the public parks provided elsewhere. (Paraphrased sine I forget the exact words - should take a photo lol) Let's see, public park? That would be the park that is now two fenced baseball pitches ;)(yeah I know, bee in my bonnet!)
Seems like every year's crop of children, some the same as previous years, some new faces, are drawn to0 me - probably because if my son is out there I have to be out there too. They know my name, they know we have sidewalk chalk, and bubbles, and whatever else we might have outside that day and we share. they come to me to fix their bikes, their scraped knees and their feuds. And it's good, even if there are some days I'm just not in the mood, in which case Spawn and I go off somewhere else - not because I quit believing in being there for them or in fostering community, just because I'm only human and sometimes I need a day off!
So speaking of a #betteryyc it seems that someone seeded the beds by our rental office with sunflowers - that's sure what they look like to me! And no, this time it wasn't me ;) Here's hoping they're allowed to grow and don't get weeded away - not likely given the incomplete job the guys round here do whether it's clearing snow, picking up litter, weeding or cutting grass. If they did a proper job, I wouldn't be picking up broken glass from the playground as many times as I have done over the years we have been living here. And yes, the playground in the middle of our green space IS part of their area. How do I know it wasn't glass that got broken their after their morning rounds? Because 9 times out of 10 it's alcoholic glass, and even here5,6 and 7 yr olds aren't drinking in the playground and leaving empty beer/cooler/vodka bottles behind. Pet peeve. But since I don't want my kid cutting himself on it, or anyone else's, I pick it up. Found a knife once too - in our playground - not a small one, a large kitchen knife! And people wonder why I say I live in the 'Hood?!
Trailer for Camping!
So apparently while he was in BC over the weekend, Demon bought a trailer - 19ft, great condition, dirt cheap, from his parent's neighbour. Nice. So, this summer we're going camping in his parent's backyard - which is 5 acres - so he can check it out, figure out if and how everything works, and check out the mechanical side of the trailer. Luckily he's a kick ass mechanic by trade so that's not a problem. Then over the winter he'll finally get the tuck fixed up and running - another acquisition from another friend of his parents a couple of years ago, and next year we'll be able to go wherever and whenever we want. Roll on next year lol I'm not exactly their favourite daughter in law.
At least it's out of the city I guess, and those 5 acres include a back pasture that would be the awesome, most kick ass place to hold an outdoor ritual, not least because of the power flowing through there. And I don't mean electrical power lol Every time I go there I just imagine turning that back pasture into a ritual site and having a retreat there for a few days, seriously, has to be seen and felt to be believed. And they have some wonderful neighbours. Not to mention deer to chase away, passing bears and howling coyotes ;)
Ok not going to go there, family is what it is, I didn't choose them, they were just part of the package when I chose my Demon! Instead let's bury this post and get the other, better, one up then finish the dishes, sweep the floor and head to the mall - not for anything exciting - foil and garbage bags - but it's still a trip to the mall hehe
At least it's out of the city I guess, and those 5 acres include a back pasture that would be the awesome, most kick ass place to hold an outdoor ritual, not least because of the power flowing through there. And I don't mean electrical power lol Every time I go there I just imagine turning that back pasture into a ritual site and having a retreat there for a few days, seriously, has to be seen and felt to be believed. And they have some wonderful neighbours. Not to mention deer to chase away, passing bears and howling coyotes ;)
Ok not going to go there, family is what it is, I didn't choose them, they were just part of the package when I chose my Demon! Instead let's bury this post and get the other, better, one up then finish the dishes, sweep the floor and head to the mall - not for anything exciting - foil and garbage bags - but it's still a trip to the mall hehe
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Books and a couple more random-ish thoughts
Hmm... should have been easier to remember my top ten, guess I'm getting old and will have to go check my list lmao Danggit I'm getting senile in my old age!
Top ten book wish list
Pagan Book of Living and Dying
Shamanic Book of Death and Dying
Pocket Neighbourhood
The Great Neighbourhood Book
On Guerilla Gardening
Urban Homestead
Dreaming The Dark (yeah, yeah, I still don't have a copy....)
I was a punk before you were a punk
Dumbing Us Down
The Grandmother of Time:
An eclectic mix, maybe, no more so than me...
Part of me wants to blog about everything that has been going on in the last ten days and part of me says no, not yet, it's not over yet and it's going to be a long and complicated post when I do blog it :/ Family always makes for complicated events and explanations! So more on that later.
I have, however, realized how much I miss blogging and realize that somehow I have to find time for it... somehow. Hard part isn't so much time as, on an average week, time at the computer to type without someone else wanting a turn, helping me, or asking what I'm doing every 2 seconds lol There are a number of things the I keep wanting to share and blog about, just going to have to try harder I guess - back to the old days of writing it by hand and then typing it up since typing it up can be done pretty fast as long as my spell check is on lol
So many things going on, life certainly isn't boring. Oddest thing just now, was thinking about something that happened last night that made me wonder if there's another visitor in our house - we get a few - when something moved by itself one night and Demon said to me "Was that the ghost?" I just asked "which one?" Mostly it's quiet but every now and then it starts to feel like "Which one?" Anyhow, something odd happened last night that makes me think there's another visitor here, and just as I was thinking that the broom fell out of the closet all by itself. Double omen that yeah, company's here. Guessing that doesn't make too much sense to most people if I haven't blogged about Olivia and the visitors she seems to attract - adding to my to do list!
Finally finished reading Ariadne's Thread, may well need a second read, it has a LOT of stuff in it. And provides seemingly random quotes.....
"Our religion is powerful but it must never get too organized, or the magic will be lost."
Guess it's a good thing that corralling witches is often likened to herding cats ;)
"Every voice must be heard before the whole story can be told and ... the truth resides not in one person but in the centre, in the agreed upon truth of all present."
Ok apparently I need to go to bed REAL soon, and, on the plus?? side I have a list of things to blog. Dammit I need more waking hours in the day!!!!!
Top ten book wish list
Pagan Book of Living and Dying
Shamanic Book of Death and Dying
Pocket Neighbourhood
The Great Neighbourhood Book
On Guerilla Gardening
Urban Homestead
Dreaming The Dark (yeah, yeah, I still don't have a copy....)
I was a punk before you were a punk
Dumbing Us Down
The Grandmother of Time:
An eclectic mix, maybe, no more so than me...
Part of me wants to blog about everything that has been going on in the last ten days and part of me says no, not yet, it's not over yet and it's going to be a long and complicated post when I do blog it :/ Family always makes for complicated events and explanations! So more on that later.
I have, however, realized how much I miss blogging and realize that somehow I have to find time for it... somehow. Hard part isn't so much time as, on an average week, time at the computer to type without someone else wanting a turn, helping me, or asking what I'm doing every 2 seconds lol There are a number of things the I keep wanting to share and blog about, just going to have to try harder I guess - back to the old days of writing it by hand and then typing it up since typing it up can be done pretty fast as long as my spell check is on lol
So many things going on, life certainly isn't boring. Oddest thing just now, was thinking about something that happened last night that made me wonder if there's another visitor in our house - we get a few - when something moved by itself one night and Demon said to me "Was that the ghost?" I just asked "which one?" Mostly it's quiet but every now and then it starts to feel like "Which one?" Anyhow, something odd happened last night that makes me think there's another visitor here, and just as I was thinking that the broom fell out of the closet all by itself. Double omen that yeah, company's here. Guessing that doesn't make too much sense to most people if I haven't blogged about Olivia and the visitors she seems to attract - adding to my to do list!
Finally finished reading Ariadne's Thread, may well need a second read, it has a LOT of stuff in it. And provides seemingly random quotes.....
"Our religion is powerful but it must never get too organized, or the magic will be lost."
Guess it's a good thing that corralling witches is often likened to herding cats ;)
"Every voice must be heard before the whole story can be told and ... the truth resides not in one person but in the centre, in the agreed upon truth of all present."
Ok apparently I need to go to bed REAL soon, and, on the plus?? side I have a list of things to blog. Dammit I need more waking hours in the day!!!!!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Random Weekend Thoughts
Been a lot going through my mind this weekend - or not, depending on how you look at it. Demon has been in BC attending a funeral and I've been alone with my thoughts - well as alone as it gets with a 5 yr old, two dogs and a room mate - especially since I woke to pouring rain this morning which killed our original plans for today. Of course, the sun was shining brightly by 4pm but that was too late for any of our plans. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.
Anyway, firstly I was reading a lot of web pages last night and discovered that there is a name for places such as where I live - 'a cluster of houses/apartments clustered around some sort of shared open space'. Apparently I live in a "pocket neighbourhood". Nice - can ya tell I kinda like that name? lol And I found two new books to add to my MAJOR wish list - Pocket Neighbourhood, and The Great Neighbourhood Book. I think they make my top ten wants, might have to add them as a separate post.
Secondly, found this from @EarthActivists on Twitter - As #EarthGuardian you can help document your city... where are the dangerous places for children?... your mayor should intervene.
The sentiment is certainly one the provides food for thought and only adds to the ongoing thoughts stirring in my brain about talking to neighbours about our neighbourhood, about what they like, don't like and would want to see changed, removed, improved or included.
Also found this, or at least we re-reminded of it.
"The commons is everything that we inherit or create together and must pass on, undiminished, to future generations." the Commons
Thirdly, was reading about the decline in organized religion - and that therefore Canada is becoming a nation of atheists. "Canadians are increasingly identifying as religiously non-affiliated, suggesting that organized religion may be on the decline."
Guess I'm missing something - including the original question as it was phrased - because I don't see that just because increasing numbers of people are no longer affiliated to (I presume) mainstream organized religions, necessarily means that they are all atheists. Or am I missing something? Usually an question of religion considers the mainstream faiths, and the obligatory "other" category. Or I guess in this case "none". Yet I'd have to check "none "if given the choice between mainstream religions and none and yet I most certainly don't consider myself an atheist. Colour me a little confused by the logic applied and the extrapolation that a decline in adherence to mainstream religion equals Canada becoming a nation of atheists. Just seems to me that it's a little too much of a stretch of the data :/
I don't doubt that mainstream and even organized religions may very well be on the decline, we all know minority religions, non mainstream religions and personal spirituality - not sure you can call it "religion" per se when it's a person's personal path - are on the increase. Even here, "census data suggests that organized religion is heading for extinction in nine western democracies." But is that just mainstream religion, organized religion, or religious beliefs of any kind? Damn I hate sweeping statements that bother my warped sense of logic!
Oh and of course now Adobe wants to update my flash player, I swear it did that once already this weekend lol
Now where was I? Thirdly, was just checking some of the blogs on Circle of Moms faith based poll and the centre of their own controversy as to whether or not Pagan blogs count as 'faith' blogs - duh!
According to Dictionary.com
faith
–noun
1. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
2. belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
3. belief in god or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims.
And before you ask, Dictionary.com defines god thus
God
–noun
1. the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe.
2. the Supreme Being considered with reference to a particular attribute: the God of Islam.
3. ( lowercase ) one of several deities, especially a male deity, presiding over some portion of worldly affairs.
Notably, in the definition of Faith it is "god" lowercase. Anyway, semantics aside, Faith Blog does not mean Christian Blog people, no matter what you might think of those of us other faiths, be they Judaism, Islam, paganism, Hinduism, worship of the great flying spaghetti monster or whatever. Too late on a saturday night to go off on THAT particular tangent.
Ok I got sidetracked - while reading a pagan blog I ran into this
"he stopped my hand and said "Mom, I want to learn to spell my favourite word... Namaste!"
For those who are unfamiliar, 'Namaste' translates to mean that there is a light in you, there is a light in me and we bow in honour of one another's light.
I asked my child why 'Namaste' is his favourite word and he replied "because if everyone has a special light inside, then we are all shiny together." Yes friends, a humble reminder from a preschooler!"
Out of the mouths of babes.....
Ok there's more but let's end that on a happy note :)
Anyway, firstly I was reading a lot of web pages last night and discovered that there is a name for places such as where I live - 'a cluster of houses/apartments clustered around some sort of shared open space'. Apparently I live in a "pocket neighbourhood". Nice - can ya tell I kinda like that name? lol And I found two new books to add to my MAJOR wish list - Pocket Neighbourhood, and The Great Neighbourhood Book. I think they make my top ten wants, might have to add them as a separate post.
Secondly, found this from @EarthActivists on Twitter - As #EarthGuardian you can help document your city... where are the dangerous places for children?... your mayor should intervene.
The sentiment is certainly one the provides food for thought and only adds to the ongoing thoughts stirring in my brain about talking to neighbours about our neighbourhood, about what they like, don't like and would want to see changed, removed, improved or included.
Also found this, or at least we re-reminded of it.
"The commons is everything that we inherit or create together and must pass on, undiminished, to future generations." the Commons
Thirdly, was reading about the decline in organized religion - and that therefore Canada is becoming a nation of atheists. "Canadians are increasingly identifying as religiously non-affiliated, suggesting that organized religion may be on the decline."
Guess I'm missing something - including the original question as it was phrased - because I don't see that just because increasing numbers of people are no longer affiliated to (I presume) mainstream organized religions, necessarily means that they are all atheists. Or am I missing something? Usually an question of religion considers the mainstream faiths, and the obligatory "other" category. Or I guess in this case "none". Yet I'd have to check "none "if given the choice between mainstream religions and none and yet I most certainly don't consider myself an atheist. Colour me a little confused by the logic applied and the extrapolation that a decline in adherence to mainstream religion equals Canada becoming a nation of atheists. Just seems to me that it's a little too much of a stretch of the data :/
I don't doubt that mainstream and even organized religions may very well be on the decline, we all know minority religions, non mainstream religions and personal spirituality - not sure you can call it "religion" per se when it's a person's personal path - are on the increase. Even here, "census data suggests that organized religion is heading for extinction in nine western democracies." But is that just mainstream religion, organized religion, or religious beliefs of any kind? Damn I hate sweeping statements that bother my warped sense of logic!
Oh and of course now Adobe wants to update my flash player, I swear it did that once already this weekend lol
Now where was I? Thirdly, was just checking some of the blogs on Circle of Moms faith based poll and the centre of their own controversy as to whether or not Pagan blogs count as 'faith' blogs - duh!
According to Dictionary.com
faith
–noun
1. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
2. belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
3. belief in god or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims.
And before you ask, Dictionary.com defines god thus
God
–noun
1. the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe.
2. the Supreme Being considered with reference to a particular attribute: the God of Islam.
3. ( lowercase ) one of several deities, especially a male deity, presiding over some portion of worldly affairs.
Notably, in the definition of Faith it is "god" lowercase. Anyway, semantics aside, Faith Blog does not mean Christian Blog people, no matter what you might think of those of us other faiths, be they Judaism, Islam, paganism, Hinduism, worship of the great flying spaghetti monster or whatever. Too late on a saturday night to go off on THAT particular tangent.
Ok I got sidetracked - while reading a pagan blog I ran into this
"he stopped my hand and said "Mom, I want to learn to spell my favourite word... Namaste!"
For those who are unfamiliar, 'Namaste' translates to mean that there is a light in you, there is a light in me and we bow in honour of one another's light.
I asked my child why 'Namaste' is his favourite word and he replied "because if everyone has a special light inside, then we are all shiny together." Yes friends, a humble reminder from a preschooler!"
Out of the mouths of babes.....
Ok there's more but let's end that on a happy note :)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Community Spirit
Yet again I find myself thinking about the spirit of community in my neighbourhood, or rather the lack thereof. And about trying to create a #betteryyc, a better stronger, more vibrant and connected community.
Even the president of our local community association, in their most recent newsletter, called for volunteers to "build up the spirit in the community". So I'm not alone in feeling that there is something missing.
There are obstacles, this is a highly diverse neighbourhood, with almost half the population belonging to 'visible minorities' ( not sure pointing such things out helps create unity - aren't we all supposed to be Calgarians?) and almost as many have English as a Second Language, which can make communication less simple than it might be in some instances. At least one third of the properties here are rental properties, leading to a high immigrant population and one which is by nature transient and ever changing. Further, over one third of households here live at or below the officially designated poverty line. None of this makes it easy to instill a spirit of community in a population that changes as often as this one does or has as many difficulties with basic day to day life.
We also, as a neighbourhood, have our own issues. Like everywhere else we have our share of crime, both reported and recorded, and unreported. Yes it's highly likely that anything that isn't nailed down will be stolen, most often by people passing through the neighbourhood and being opportunistic as opposed to by people who actually live here. More importantly, there is a fear of crime that is out of proportion to the actual incidence of crime and that fear is an instant killer to community spirit.
Crime map
People look at their neighbours and expect the worst, focusing too much on the differences between us and not seeing all the ways in which we are the same. We all live here, this is our neighbourhood, and only we can make it our home. They fear the panhandlers and homeless - though I've yet to have a problem with any of our "regular" ones. They fear the teenagers and wannabe gangsters who hang around the strip mall and try to intimidate people passing by. They avoid those of different cultures, or races or religions, seeking comfort with their own and not realizing that this is actually lessening the sense of community spirit, community safety and cohesion, not increasing it.
I don't believe that any of our issues are untackleable, or any of our obstacles insurmountable. No one of us alone can change things by themselves, but I believe that together we can accomplish great things simply by each doing our own small part. As @Zarquil said on Twitter, it's not about creating a #perfectyyc, it's about creating a #betteryyc.
Community, and a #betteryyc, begins with each of us making that first small move. With getting out there, using our local stores and local spaces, meeting and greeting people and getting to know our neighbours. It starts with finding out what there is and what's happening in our neighbourhood, using it, taking care of it and enjoying it. It's about seeing what is missing, what might enhance it and boost community spirit, and then looking into ways of making those things happen.
I'm lucky that our apartment complex (yes, I rent) has a green space where the children (and there are many) can and do play, and some of the mothers gather there too. The children have little trouble getting along regardless of racial, language or cultural barriers, the adults have a slightly harder time of it. I'm actually a minority amongst those mothers, not because I'm a witch, pretty sure that's a given, rather because I'm white and English is my first, and best, language. (My french is a little rusty.) It's an interesting experience to feel like an outsider in your own neighbourhood. I'm seriously thinking it's well past time we had some sort of community event in our complex, be it a yard sale, a fund raiser, a pot luck/BBQ or even a scavenger hunt for the kids. I know they'd enjoy it.
I do firmly believe that any attempt to create community and make a #betteryyc must include and engage the children - they are the future, our future, the city's future, and it's well known that they learn best by example. Telling them to be community minded does no good at all if we fail to walk the walk ourselves.
I would love to see people using our local park but other than the playground it's fenced off in two ball pitches now, that are almost never, if ever, used. (I'd also like not to be picking up broken glass every time I visit the playground but that's a whole other gripe.) Personally I would love to see a community garden here if there were a space for one anywhere. That would be a win on so many levels it'd be a huge boot for the neighbourhood. (At least, as a side note, I just found out we have a Good Food Box centre here now, which I shall have to check out in the next day or two.)
This is our neighbourhood, let's each take one step each day towards taking it back and making it ours again, a place we want to live, work and play, and a place we can be happy to raise our children. One step at a time towards a #betteryyc.
As the saying goes - "Be the change you want to see in the world."
P. S. Makes me want to go out and ask people What do you like about our neighbourhood? What don't you like? What would you like to see brought in or taken away?Might just do that.....
Even the president of our local community association, in their most recent newsletter, called for volunteers to "build up the spirit in the community". So I'm not alone in feeling that there is something missing.
There are obstacles, this is a highly diverse neighbourhood, with almost half the population belonging to 'visible minorities' ( not sure pointing such things out helps create unity - aren't we all supposed to be Calgarians?) and almost as many have English as a Second Language, which can make communication less simple than it might be in some instances. At least one third of the properties here are rental properties, leading to a high immigrant population and one which is by nature transient and ever changing. Further, over one third of households here live at or below the officially designated poverty line. None of this makes it easy to instill a spirit of community in a population that changes as often as this one does or has as many difficulties with basic day to day life.
We also, as a neighbourhood, have our own issues. Like everywhere else we have our share of crime, both reported and recorded, and unreported. Yes it's highly likely that anything that isn't nailed down will be stolen, most often by people passing through the neighbourhood and being opportunistic as opposed to by people who actually live here. More importantly, there is a fear of crime that is out of proportion to the actual incidence of crime and that fear is an instant killer to community spirit.
Crime map
People look at their neighbours and expect the worst, focusing too much on the differences between us and not seeing all the ways in which we are the same. We all live here, this is our neighbourhood, and only we can make it our home. They fear the panhandlers and homeless - though I've yet to have a problem with any of our "regular" ones. They fear the teenagers and wannabe gangsters who hang around the strip mall and try to intimidate people passing by. They avoid those of different cultures, or races or religions, seeking comfort with their own and not realizing that this is actually lessening the sense of community spirit, community safety and cohesion, not increasing it.
I don't believe that any of our issues are untackleable, or any of our obstacles insurmountable. No one of us alone can change things by themselves, but I believe that together we can accomplish great things simply by each doing our own small part. As @Zarquil said on Twitter, it's not about creating a #perfectyyc, it's about creating a #betteryyc.
Community, and a #betteryyc, begins with each of us making that first small move. With getting out there, using our local stores and local spaces, meeting and greeting people and getting to know our neighbours. It starts with finding out what there is and what's happening in our neighbourhood, using it, taking care of it and enjoying it. It's about seeing what is missing, what might enhance it and boost community spirit, and then looking into ways of making those things happen.
I'm lucky that our apartment complex (yes, I rent) has a green space where the children (and there are many) can and do play, and some of the mothers gather there too. The children have little trouble getting along regardless of racial, language or cultural barriers, the adults have a slightly harder time of it. I'm actually a minority amongst those mothers, not because I'm a witch, pretty sure that's a given, rather because I'm white and English is my first, and best, language. (My french is a little rusty.) It's an interesting experience to feel like an outsider in your own neighbourhood. I'm seriously thinking it's well past time we had some sort of community event in our complex, be it a yard sale, a fund raiser, a pot luck/BBQ or even a scavenger hunt for the kids. I know they'd enjoy it.
I do firmly believe that any attempt to create community and make a #betteryyc must include and engage the children - they are the future, our future, the city's future, and it's well known that they learn best by example. Telling them to be community minded does no good at all if we fail to walk the walk ourselves.
I would love to see people using our local park but other than the playground it's fenced off in two ball pitches now, that are almost never, if ever, used. (I'd also like not to be picking up broken glass every time I visit the playground but that's a whole other gripe.) Personally I would love to see a community garden here if there were a space for one anywhere. That would be a win on so many levels it'd be a huge boot for the neighbourhood. (At least, as a side note, I just found out we have a Good Food Box centre here now, which I shall have to check out in the next day or two.)
This is our neighbourhood, let's each take one step each day towards taking it back and making it ours again, a place we want to live, work and play, and a place we can be happy to raise our children. One step at a time towards a #betteryyc.
As the saying goes - "Be the change you want to see in the world."
P. S. Makes me want to go out and ask people What do you like about our neighbourhood? What don't you like? What would you like to see brought in or taken away?Might just do that.....
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
5 Books (short version)
So Mari got me onto it yesterday, in an emergency what 5 books would you grab from your bookshelf? So here's my 5 based ONLY on those currently ON my bookshelf, not on my perfect 5.
Z Budapest, Holy Book of Women's Mysteries.
Christopher Penczak, Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft.
Starhawk, the Fifth Sacred Thing.
Starhawk, The Earth Path.
Anne McCaffrey, the Tower and Hive series.
How sad am I? lol
Z Budapest, Holy Book of Women's Mysteries.
Christopher Penczak, Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft.
Starhawk, the Fifth Sacred Thing.
Starhawk, The Earth Path.
Anne McCaffrey, the Tower and Hive series.
How sad am I? lol
My Old Lady is a Witch
Does it really need pointing out before I start that I'm out of the broom closet? Maybe. So, I am, in every way, people know I'm a witch. That said, something came up in conversation last night that started me thinking about paganism/Wicca/witchcraft etc and how much more part of the 'common' vocabulary it is these days.
The Demon's standard line to those people he likes enough to invite to our house is "You know my old lady is a witch, right?" Which as you can imagine has been met with a number of different responses, none of them THAT bad - Demon is big guy, and as I said it only comes up to people he LIKES lol.
Yesterday he was telling me that he had that conversation with one of his apprenti, C, and was surprised when C turned around and not only said the fairly common "What Wiccan?", but also knew all about it. So I started thinking back on some of the conversations that I've had on the subject as well as those Demon has related and realized that while "What Wiccan?" is probably the commonest response, there seems to be a variance in the tone? setting? of the conversation depending on whether the person is older or younger. Younger people seem much more at ease and familiar with the idea and with talking about it as matter of factly as they might discuss the price of gas, whereas older people seem to feel the need to have the conversation in a corner in hushed tones even when the content of the conversation is the same.
Curious. A generational thing? While I can't quote Demon's conversations since I only ever get the secondhand summary, mine tend to run along a couple of similar lines.
Older: In hushed tones in a quiet corner - "So I hear you're a, um, ah, um....."
"Yes, I'm a witch"
"Oh." Pause. "A white witch? Like a Wiccan?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"Ok."
Depart older person to ponder that until next time.
Younger: Some lull in conversation, any time, any place, any company
"So you're a witch?"
"Yes."
"Cool," Pause almost always followed by specific questions - frequently involving reading tarot.
I really hadn't put it together until last night but that is generally how it runs, which suggests to me that paganism, Wicca and witchcraft really are becoming part of mainstream life these days. Apparently even among bible carrying Christians like those my roomie works with.
Roomie wears a pentacle, mine actually that I gave to him (a story in itself), and the first time his workmates saw it he got the usual reactions. Yes, including "You know that's a sign of the devil?" from Trent. Bless him.
Kev on the other hand asked Roomie if he knew what it was, Roomie said yes and said he got it from me. Kev was ok with that, then Roomie added that I'm a practising witch, again Kev was cool with that too. Poor Trent is probably still lifting his jaw off the floor though! Guessing Trent isn't going to be my biggest fan ;)
Anyway, that was what I was thinking about last night, figured I can't be the only one noticing something similar. Not sure if Paganism/Wicca etc is becoming part of the general vocabulary, or pop culture, or mainstream life or what, but it is nice to find people having half a clue when they have that conversation, even if they are often unclear, and sometimes plain wrong, on specifics. Ignorance can be fixed - stupid and prejudice can't ;) Besides, like everything else, we have so much specific terminology that only an 'insider' knows, I'll settle for roughly accurate generalities among those around me.
The Demon's standard line to those people he likes enough to invite to our house is "You know my old lady is a witch, right?" Which as you can imagine has been met with a number of different responses, none of them THAT bad - Demon is big guy, and as I said it only comes up to people he LIKES lol.
Yesterday he was telling me that he had that conversation with one of his apprenti, C, and was surprised when C turned around and not only said the fairly common "What Wiccan?", but also knew all about it. So I started thinking back on some of the conversations that I've had on the subject as well as those Demon has related and realized that while "What Wiccan?" is probably the commonest response, there seems to be a variance in the tone? setting? of the conversation depending on whether the person is older or younger. Younger people seem much more at ease and familiar with the idea and with talking about it as matter of factly as they might discuss the price of gas, whereas older people seem to feel the need to have the conversation in a corner in hushed tones even when the content of the conversation is the same.
Curious. A generational thing? While I can't quote Demon's conversations since I only ever get the secondhand summary, mine tend to run along a couple of similar lines.
Older: In hushed tones in a quiet corner - "So I hear you're a, um, ah, um....."
"Yes, I'm a witch"
"Oh." Pause. "A white witch? Like a Wiccan?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"Ok."
Depart older person to ponder that until next time.
Younger: Some lull in conversation, any time, any place, any company
"So you're a witch?"
"Yes."
"Cool," Pause almost always followed by specific questions - frequently involving reading tarot.
I really hadn't put it together until last night but that is generally how it runs, which suggests to me that paganism, Wicca and witchcraft really are becoming part of mainstream life these days. Apparently even among bible carrying Christians like those my roomie works with.
Roomie wears a pentacle, mine actually that I gave to him (a story in itself), and the first time his workmates saw it he got the usual reactions. Yes, including "You know that's a sign of the devil?" from Trent. Bless him.
Kev on the other hand asked Roomie if he knew what it was, Roomie said yes and said he got it from me. Kev was ok with that, then Roomie added that I'm a practising witch, again Kev was cool with that too. Poor Trent is probably still lifting his jaw off the floor though! Guessing Trent isn't going to be my biggest fan ;)
Anyway, that was what I was thinking about last night, figured I can't be the only one noticing something similar. Not sure if Paganism/Wicca etc is becoming part of the general vocabulary, or pop culture, or mainstream life or what, but it is nice to find people having half a clue when they have that conversation, even if they are often unclear, and sometimes plain wrong, on specifics. Ignorance can be fixed - stupid and prejudice can't ;) Besides, like everything else, we have so much specific terminology that only an 'insider' knows, I'll settle for roughly accurate generalities among those around me.
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