Ur Olive

Mushrooms. . .

2009-06-09T19:34:00.008-04:00

Yes, with all of the rain that my area has been having I to report that we have mushrooms growing in the backyard. I believe the type of mushroom in my photos is the "Tawny Milkcap".

The Tawny Milkcap aka Orange-brown Lactarius is of the Russula family. It's height can get up to 4" with a width of 4", it is brittle and has copious milky sap. Cap tawny brown to orange-yellow, flat to funnel-shaped. Stalk stout, smooth or wrinkly. Gills whitish to cream-colored; stain brown when bruised; extend down stalk. Located on grounds in woods and shaded lawns with oaks.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Amazing Facts of Quantum Physics

2009-03-23T13:22:00.001-04:00

Circle B Bar Reserve

2009-03-04T18:23:00.012-05:00

A couple of weekends ago I went to Lakeland FL for the weekend with two very good friends of mine. One of those days was spent at the Circle B Bar Reserve. If you are a nature enthusiast and in the area this is one place that I recommend you go visit. We walked the loop that bordered on a part of Lake Hancock.

These are some of the photos that I shot that day.

Roseate Spoonbill

Turtles

Turtle and Baby Alligator

Alligator

Pelicans

Florida Natural Beauty

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Tossed out treasures.

2009-03-01T11:44:00.003-05:00

Okay, so it's been a while since I have been doing yard/garage sales in the local area. I just love finding treasures that are being tossed out by others.

On Friday only three houses down from me there was a sale outdoors. There was this bicycle in the driveway but I didn't pay any attention to it. Upon viewing the items on the tables I spied a brand spanking new hummingbird feeder. It had my name on it and of course I bought it. A few hours later I was about to drive by the sale again and stopped again to check out the price on the bicycle. When I asked about it I could not believe my ears at the low price that was put on it. I bought the bicycle, loaded it in the bed of the truck and went to the mall.

When I got home I inspected it closer and the tires are almost new, the frame is in good shape, there is some rust but easily taken care of, and the biggest problem it has is that it is stuck in one gear. There are what it looks like to me to have a 12 if not a 18 gear shift. If this is what it is called nowadays. The cost of the bike was little to nothing so to invest some money in it would not be a problem.

The bicycye will be used on trails for geocaching. In fact, my husband and I will be using it the next time we go to Jonathan Dickinson State Park to find caches on the bike trails.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Wonders of Nature!

2008-12-23T09:04:00.007-05:00

This past weekend my husband and I went geocaching to Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Florida north of the Jupiter area. I would like to share on my blog this plant that I came across while on the backside of the Kitching Creek Nature Trail. BTW we did find the cache that we were seeking and this is how I came across this unusual flower. I say flower because this is how it appears to me. If there is another name for it than please let everyone else know in the comments section. I have no idea on where to begin to look up this species. For your information this plant is located on the surface of the ground. Enjoy!

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Thirty-nineth week

2008-12-14T21:19:00.004-05:00

December 14, 2008 – December 20, 2008
Thirty-nineth Week

Surrendering to spirit revelation
I gain the light of cosmic being;
The power of thinking, growing clearer,
Gains strength to give myself to me,
And quickening there frees itself
From thinker's energy my sense of self.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

An Geistesoffenbarung hingegeben
Gewinne ich des Weltenwesens Licht.
Gedankenkraft, sie wächst
Sich klärend mir mich selbst zu geben,
Und weckend löst sich mir
Aus Denkermacht das Selbstgefühl.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

Devoted whole to Spirit's revelation
I win as my reward
the Light that is the substance of the world;
Mind, grown more clear,
lets noe my Self appear;
hid in the might of Thought true Selfhood shakes
its sleeping wings and wakes.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Breathtaking Discovery - Green Spider

2008-12-14T20:59:00.007-05:00

I have never seen anything like what I came across this morning. I was exploring the vacant lot next door to our house and came across this insect. At first glance, I thought maybe a grasshopper but than I came in for a closer look. The insect had a green body and legs of a spider. Now has anyone ever seen a green spider before? Not me! So I took a picture of it.

I hope everyone enjoys this fine little creature as much as I do. It gave me much pleasure this morning. One more thing, I believe that it is staying put because it is guarding a nest of eggs. As I got closer I could see the webing wrapped around the area.

Take note of the unique markings that it has. Just absolutely beautiful.

Keep a joyful spirit.
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Thirty-eighth Week

2008-12-07T18:01:00.002-05:00

December 7, 2008 – December 13, 2008
Thirty-eighth Week

The spirit child within my soul
I feel freed of enchantment.
In heart-high gladness has
The holy cosmic Word engendered
The heavenly fruit of hope,
Which grows rejoicing into worlds afar
Out of my being's godly roots.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Ich fühle wie entzaubert
Das Geisteskind im Seelenschoss;
Es hat in Herzenshelligkeit
Gezeugt das Heilige Weltenwort
Der Hoffnung Himmelsfrucht,
Die jubelnd wächst in Weltenfernen
Aus meines Wesens Gottesgrund.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

I seem, from trance now free,
nursed by a soul
the Spirit-Child to see,
the fruit of heaven-ward hope
in cloudless heart by holy Word begot,
waxing, triumphing, word-filling,
my Essence and my God's from whence I spring.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Oneness The Movie

2008-11-24T07:43:00.001-05:00

I received this in a yahoo group that I belong to and would like to share it with others.

Brightest Blessings
Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Thirty-sixth Week

2008-11-23T09:25:00.002-05:00

November 23 2008 – November 29, 2008
Thirty-sixth Week

Within my being's depths there speaks,
Intent on revelation,
The cosmic Word mysteriously:
Imbue your labor's aims
With my bright spirit light
To sacrifice yourself through me.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

In meines Wesens Tiefen spricht
Zur Offenbarung drängend
Geheimnisvoll das Weltenwort:
Erfülle deiner Arbeit Ziele
Mit meinem Geisteslichte,
Zu opfern dich durch mich.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

In recesses of my being
I hear the Word of Worlds,
intent on Self-disclosure, whispering:
`Flood with my spiritual Light
the goals thy labours keep in sight
and offer thus thyself through Me.'

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Runrig - This is not a love song.

2008-11-21T13:11:00.002-05:00

I was introduced to this song by a group that I am subscribed to. I would like to share it with others.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

The Flower of Remembrance

2008-11-11T09:36:00.009-05:00

In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This was the poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with
Canada's First Brigade Artillery. It expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France. The poem presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses and became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War. The first printed version of it reportedly was in December 1915, in the British magazine Punch.

McCrae's poem had a huge impact on two women, Anna E. Guerin of France and
Georgia native Moina Michael. Both worked hard to initiate the sale of artificial poppies to help orphans and others left destitute by the war. By the time Guerin established the first sale in the U.S., in 1920 with the help of The American Legion, the poppy was well known in the allied countries — America, Britain, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — as the "Flower of Remembrance." Proceeds from that first sale went to the American and French Children's League.

Guerin had difficulty with the distribution of the poppies in early 1922 and sought out Michael for help. Michael had started a smaller-scaled Poppy Day during a YMCA conference she was attending in New York and wanted to use the poppies as a symbol of remembrance of the war. Guerin, called the "Poppy Lady of France" in her homeland, and Michael, later dubbed "The Poppy Princess" by the Georgia legislature, went to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for help.

Following its first nationwide distribution of poppies, the VFW adopted the poppy as its official memorial flower in 1922. However, a shortage of poppies from French manufacturers led to the idea of using unemployed and disabled veterans to produce the artificial flowers. In 1924, a poppy factory was built in Pittsburgh, Pa., providing a reliable source of poppies and a practical means of assistance to veterans. Today, veterans at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and veterans homes help assemble the poppies, which are distributed by veterans service organizations throughout the country.

Donations received in return for these artificial poppies have helped countless veterans and their widows, widowers and orphans over the years. The poppy itself continues to serve as a perpetual tribute to those who have given their lives for the nation's freedom.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Cherishing . . .

2008-11-07T07:23:00.006-05:00

Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul.

We are born for love, it is the principle of existence, and its only end...

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Extract from Abraham-Hicks

2008-11-04T13:16:00.003-05:00

When you feel good about you
you are vibrating positive energy
when you vibrate positive energy
you are positively attracting.

If you are wanting all of those things
to come to you
which includes

the mate you have been wanting

the money you have been wanting

the work that is more satisfying
and more fulfilling

the new house that you are wanting

the car that you are wanting

all of those things of a physical
or non-physical nature
that you have been wanting
the re-claiming of your perfect bodily health
that you are wanting.

If you are wanting ANY of those things
that you are identifying as your desire
to come into your experience
it is absolutely imperative
that you come to a place of positive vibration.
which means

YOU MUST ADORE YOU

If you do not like yourself
then you can want
until you are blue in the face
and those things that you want
cannot come into your experience

Extract from Abraham-Hicks tape Special subjects Vol. 2 `Self

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - Why I Blog?

2008-11-03T07:31:00.005-05:00

The *buzz* is happening this coming Fun Monday with Bee Dancer of Bee Dancing As Fast As I Can.

This is the assignment:

I'm relatively new to blogging, & I'm sure this has come up before, but I'd really like to know WHY you blog. Tell me how you got started or why you got started and why you keep it up. Plus there's a photo requirement: Post a picture of the one person/place/thing that most symbolizes the town or area where you live.

I blog for the following reasons:

~ To inform family and friends what is happening in my life. Although, I because I am a private person I find it difficult to release some information on this forum.

~ To occupy my time. I have a lot of it because I am retired.

~ Because I have been softly *nudged* to do so by a friend.

My Town:

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 27

2008-09-21T17:28:00.002-04:00

September 21 2008 – September 27, 2008
Twenty-seventh Week

When to my being's depths I penetrate,
There stirs expectant longing
That self-observing, I may find myself
As gift of summer sun, a seed
That warming lives in autumn mood
As germinating force of soul.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

In meines Wesens Tiefen dringen:
Erregt ein ahnungsvolles Sehnen,
Dass ich mich selbstbetrachtend finde,
Als Sommersonnengabe, die als Keim
In Herbstesstimmung wärmend lebt
Als meiner Seele Kräftetrieb.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

To fathom my own Being is to stir
a tell-tale longing -- longing that is shown,
if then myself I scan,
to be the bounty of the summer sun,
be summer's bounty that lives on
seeded in warm autumnal mood
and germinates as vigour in my soul.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Flying Insect Attack!

2008-09-21T17:15:00.005-04:00

The other night my husband and I were sitting out on the patio enjoying the nice dry comfortable air for a change. As we sat there my husband pointed out to me that a spider was climbing up a web from the ground to the branches of our tree. As we watched it make the ascent all of a sudden out of nowhere this flying insect came by and plucked it out of the air.

The two of them fell to the ground instantly. Be curious about what just took place we went over to investigate where they fell. We finally located them and this is when I went and got my camera. The flying insect was having difficulty moving the spider. The both of them were about the same size and weight. The flying insect did manage to move it about a foot. We just assumed it sucked out of the spider what it could than flew away and abandoned the carcass.

Here are my photos that I shot.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 26

2008-09-14T09:05:00.001-04:00

September 14 2008 – September 20, 2008
Twenty-sixth Week

O Nature, your maternal life
I bear within the essence of my will.
And my will's fiery energy
Shall steel my spirit striving,
That sense of self springs forth from it
To hold me in myself.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Natur, dein mütterliches Sein,
Ich trage es in meinem Willenswesen;
Und meines Willens Feuermacht,
Sie stählet meines Geistes Triebe,
Dass sie gebären Selbstgefühl,
Zu tragen mich in mir.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

O Mother Nature, thee I bear
within me as the substance of my will,
my fiery will that tempers as to steel
the promptings of my spirit, till they be
mine, and I bear abroad Myself in me.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - A Distant Smile

2008-09-07T23:45:00.005-04:00

Woodlandmama of A Monkey in the Wrong Tree is this Fun Monday’s host.

This is what she would like:

Write the beginning of an unusual love story (not a real one). I only want the first paragraph. You can add an illustration or a picture to spice it up if you are really daring.

Now don't be afraid. You blog, so you can do it. So, who's up for the challenge?

A deep sigh brings temporary relief for Claire. With her fears digging deeper into the crevices of her mind she could only think of Tact. The minutes turned into hours and hours into days in her imagination. Then the staccato breathing started and another temporary relief flooded over her. As the surrounding walls enlarged the air around her becomes less effective. A fragment of her mind reaches out to Tact creating a joyous union that enslaves her body and soul.

Image compliments of Photobucket.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 25

2008-09-07T09:57:00.002-04:00

September 7 2008 – September 13, 2008
Twenty-fifth Week

I can belong now to myself
And shining spread my inner light
Into the dark of space and time.
Toward sleep is urging all creation,
But inmost soul must stay awake
And carry wakefully sun's glowing
Into the winter's icy flowing.
English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Ich darf nun mir gehören
Und leuchtend breiten Innenlicht
In Raumes- und in Zeitenfinsternis.
Zum Schlafe drängt natürlich Wesen,
Der Seele Tiefen sollen wachen
Und wachend tragen Sonnengluten
In kalte Winterfluten.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

Now may I call myself my own,
irradiating Time's and Space's night
with inborn Light;
all nature heavy grows with sleep,
the soul is called to stay awake
and, waking, fire with suffusing Sun
chill winter's inundation.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Julia The Cheerleader

2008-08-25T22:11:00.004-04:00

I am on vacation to visit family in Minnesota. Last night I shot this video of the grand niece in her new cheerleader outfit that grandma picked up for her.

Keep a joyful spirit

A pleasant feast for a Sunday morning.

2008-08-17T13:19:00.005-04:00

When I went outside to the backyard this morning I had this awe inspiring moment when I spotted the bees on the cactus flower. I had been watching the flower in order to get photos after blooming. I never thought about the sweet nectar that it would provide for the bees. I also never thought about the flower blooming at night and closing during the day. This has been a growth experience for me on this beautiful Sunday morning.

With gratitude, thank you Mother Earth for this experience.

The slideshow is made up of six photos. These are the ones that did not get blurred during my shooting.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Is it really about ME! Meme?

2008-08-08T22:31:00.004-04:00

Tagged again! Gotta, gotta, no wanta, wanta do it. My dear friend Chris is the tagger.

Attached or single? Attached
Best friend? Suzz
Cake or Pie? Cake – German chocolate
Day of Choice? Thursday
Essential Item? Water
Favorite color? Red
Gummy bears or worms? Gummy bears
Hometown? St. Paul, MN
Indulgence? Getting up in the morning
January or July? January. Cooler weather with less bugs.
Kids? None.
Life isn't complete.... until you live to be 100.
Marriage Date? 03/28/1982
Number of Brothers and Sisters? 1 sister, 3 brothers
Oranges or Apples? Apples
Phobias? Fire
Quote? “Precious are the moments of capturing the chaste innocence that only a child could unleash.”
Reasons to Smile? Love, joy, gratitude
Season of Choice? Spring
Tag Seven People? The tag ends here!
Unknown Fact? If I told you it would not be unknown anymore.
Vegetable? Onion
Worst habits? Chewing gum vigorously
XRay or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Your favorite food? Boiled red potatoes with a garlic herbs butter sauce.
Zodiac sign? Scorpio

Keep a joyful spirit
===

The Magic of Rebirth / Wisdom of the Eagles

2008-08-07T17:10:00.003-04:00

"All is flux; nothing stays still."

The Legend of the Eagle may be a myth, but it is one that gives insight.
Many times in our own lives, we also have to face hard decisions that lead us to the need of a rebirth process.
To embrace challenges and changes is never an easy assignment.
Sometimes we have to learn how to detach ourselves of traditions, concepts, addictions and old costumes.
Even old memories can hold us from flying higher in our lives.
The tales regarding Eagles and Humans are very similar; both have tough choices to make during their lifetimes.
Those decisions will determine the height and the magnitude of their flight and existence.
The transition from one state to another is rarely effortless.
Sometimes, it is very painful.
But without this change, we would not grow and become who we are meant to be.
Freedom is a conquered state of mind.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Icebergs Of A Different Type

2008-08-06T15:35:00.004-04:00

Icebergs in the Antarctic area sometimes have stripes, formed by layers of snow that react to different conditions. Blue stripes are often created when a crevice in the ice sheet fills up with meltwater and freezes so quickly that no bubbles form.

When an iceberg falls into the sea, a layer of salty seawater can freeze to the underside. If this is rich in algae, it can form a green stripe. Brown, black and yellow lines are caused by sediment, picked up when the ice sheet grinds downhill towards the sea.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - As the "Ruler" . . .

2008-07-27T20:03:00.010-04:00

Fun Monday’s host this week is Mommy Wizdom.

This is what she had to say . . .

If you were ruler of a day/week/month/year (your choice on the time) you would . . .

ex . . . make coffee free to all citizens. Or you’d abolish the penny. You may also specify if you’re ruler of the world or just your country. Have fun with it; be creative.

If you like to dress up, you may also choose to take pictures of yourself in your “ruler” outfit(s) and post them up with your entry.

As ruler for a “year” of the world I would have everyone at their best day to day living with unconditional love.

Why Unconditional Love?

Unconditional Love is a dynamic and powerful energy that lifts us through the most difficult times. It is available at any moment by turning our attention to it and using its wonderful potential to free us from our limitations. It is is a wondrous adventure that excites the very core of our being and lights our path with delight.

Practice constant acts of kindness and you bring kindness upon this planet. Forgiveness is the easiest and most powerful act of kindness you can make. Both for yourself and for others, this activity promotes unity, harmony and oneness that transmutes the old into the new.

Here are some ways to generate love:

Forgive - Forgiveness is a wonderful way to release the past and to love unconditionally. Drawing a line behind you, you can free yourself of limitations and be at peace with the process of life. Move forward to new beginnings.

Meditate - sit quietly, breath deeply, visualize your heart as a blazing orb of light.

Be still in any moment of confusion, fear or anxiousness and focus on your breath. In the stillness comes the solution.

Look into a mirror and see yourself as for the first time and say, "I love myself Unconditionally."

Journal - write out your feelings to better help yourself understand who you think you are and how you really view yourself.

Hug someone.

Hug yourself.

I am free,
like an angel,
and take on many forms

I laugh and I listen
I am never far away
I am never gone at all

I am a friend,
a good book,
a pink and golden sunset

I am a mothers touch
and a fathers
helping hand

You know me
because
I am you

You are me
through
and through

I am unconditional love
and you
are too!

-John T. Goltz
© 1996

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Twin Baby Moose In Sprinkler

2008-07-24T17:01:00.001-04:00

This is just way too cute . . . guaranteed to put a smile on your face. . .

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Anna Ternheim - Lovers Dream

2008-07-23T08:39:00.002-04:00

This video may speak to your soul . . .

Keep a joyful spirit
===

eHow Article

2008-07-21T09:10:00.006-04:00

This is from eHow - How to Dry Fresh Herbs

Dry Fresh Herbs

Herbs dried from your own garden taste much better than those you buy at the grocery store for one simple reason: they are fresh. The volatile oils that give herbs their flavor dissipate over time, which means the longer a jar of herbs has been gathering dust on a grocery store shelf, the less flavor it will have. For the fullest flavored herbs, dry a small amount of fresh herbs each summer and then use them up within 12 months. Some people dry herbs in the oven or microwave, but the best way to dry them is the old fashioned way: hanging bunches upside down in a warm, dry place. Here is what else to do.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Scissors
Sisal twine

Step 1. Only dry herbs that retain an intense amount of flavor when dried, including sage, mints, rosemary, thyme, winter savory, bay leaves, oregano, marjoram and dill. Basil, chives, parsley and cilantro lose almost all of their flavor when dried, so don’t bother with them.

Step 2. Gather herbs in the morning after dew has dried. Using scissors, snip off 4- to 6-inch-long stems of each herb.

Step 3. Cut a 24-inch-long piece of sisal twine and make a loose slipknot at one end. Create bundles of each type of herb by gathering together a small bunch of stems. Slide the slipknot over the end of the stems. Cinch the knot down tightly, because the stems will shrink slightly as they dry.

Step 4. Hang the bunch upside down, indoors in a warm, dry location out of direct sunlight. The reason why you hang the bunch upside down is to keep the stems straight. If you dried the herbs upright the stems would wilt and collapse.

Step 5. Check on the herbs frequently by rubbing a few leaves between your fingers. As soon as they are crumbly dry, take the herbs down and prepare to store them in jars. Don’t leave the herbs hanging upside down for longer than you have to. They will gather a surprising amount of dust and pet hair!

Step 6. To store the herbs, strip the leaves off the stems, crumble them and place them in clear glass jars with a screw top. Keep the herbs in a cool, dark place and use them up within a year for the best flavor.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Human Society - I Went Back!

2008-07-18T14:58:00.003-04:00

I woke up this morning with the intentions of going back to the Human Society and I am glad that I did. I went there this morning with the intention of getting a jolt of joy and love from the dogs and that is exactly what I got.

As I drove down the road in front of our house and way down to the end where I have to turn I met up with a couple of sandhill cranes just cruising around in this front yard. I enjoy these cranes with their beautiful red heads and ohhh so tall. I am only five feet tall so to me they are tall in stature at about four feet. It is a wonderful and amazing place to live in Florida because of all the animal life one gets to experience.

Here I come my little four footed friends. They were all glad to see me, well, they would be glad to see any human being. hehehe I selected the leash that I wanted to use and off I went to the cages where the dogs are housed. Bark, bark, bark . . . woof, woof, woof! I went straight to where the 40 to 60 lb dogs are kept to start with them first. I had me a strategy going on how I was going to walk which ones first.

I started with the not too large dogs. This morning I walked Coco, Buddy Roe, Cornbread, and Lassie from this area. Cornbread was one of the dogs that I played with last time at the facility and boy did I get a surprise this morning. He still is a dominant agressive male dog that wants his way. Not me! He was a puller and I tried my darndest to keep him at bay. Coco did some pulling this morning also but after she relieved herself she slowed down some. Buddy Roe was a pleasure to walk and Lassie appeared to still be a puppy because she pretty much just wanted to play.

At another area where they kennel smaller dogs I walked Duke, Dorothy, Roxanne, and Roxie. I started with the larger dogs knowing that my energy level would wane. Larger dogs first than the smaller ones to take on last. Duke, the dominant agressive one from last week was not this way this time. He was even tempered, did not pull on the leash much, and was a pleasure to walk. Dorothy was a pleasure to walk this morning. Roxanne was acting out like a puppy and was going in all directions with the leash because of her curiosity. Roxie was one dog (puppy), a lab mix that I would like to have taken home with me. A 17 pounder with small pads and most likely would not be growing much more than another 10 lbs. Of course if she was in my household over the time she most likely would gain 20 lbs. Roxie was controllable and playful and I really enjoyed walking her.

Let's see, I walked eight dogs, went to the bathroom twice and now was ready to leave. My legs were worn out. I said my goodbyes and was on my way.

Until the next visit . . .

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Josh Groban

2008-07-17T19:14:00.003-04:00

This song touches my heart and I just wanted to share it with others on my blog.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - Birthdays: Planning or Party (Late Post)

2008-07-15T19:37:00.005-04:00

I was out this past Monday with my sister visiting my brother in a nursing home in St. Petersburg FL. I just flat out forgot to do my post because of emotional healing after my visit on Monday.

The charming and witty Penny of Dungarees Ablaze is/was the host for this week's FM.

The next assignment if you WISH to take it on is:

As of late I have been consumed with preparation for my Father’s aka “The Old One” Birthday, he will be turning 90 on August 8th and we are doing a family reunion, expecting about 100 people in all. So for your assignment lets hear about your favorite “Birthday”, it needn’t be your actual birthday just a "birthday" celebration. You can use one you planned, one you attended, one you crashed, just a fun time for this FUN MONDAY’S assignment, and of course you can use one of your very own Birthdays.

There are birthdays, parties, and oh yea, the planning of the events. I don’t have much experience in any of these areas. I don’t have children so there would be no planning for a birthday party for them. My husband does not need a party and will tell you this. If I ever did have a party of him in the past I don’t recall one.

There have been birthday parties planned for me in the past. To put it frankly, they came . . . they went. I don’t recall the party but I do have a photo from one that was given to me at my work place. I believe this was a surprise party for me.

That is me in 2001 and my supervisor at the time in the photo.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Round Robin

2008-07-12T15:35:00.005-04:00

I just want to let others in the Round Robin Challenge aware that I am not able to participate in this challenge. I do not have access to my personal computer in order to upload the photos for the challenge. I am out of town and will not return until late next week. Thank you for understanding.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

My Morning At The Human Society

2008-07-11T13:45:00.003-04:00

Well, I finally went and filled out an application to do volunteer work at the Human Society. On the application it asked which animal that I would prefer to work with, cats or dogs. I chose dogs. I have always had one since 1989 and have been without one since February of this year.

The person, Becky, that handles the volunteer program was going to be in there this morning so I decided to go out there and turn in my application. She will be going on vacation for the next two weeks and will not be available for orientation. Than I would have to had waited until August 1, 2008 for this to take place.

I went in this morning and boy did I get orientated. I packed a sandwich to eat afterwards and a frappucino to drink. I thought that I might need the nutrition and liquid. It was a good choice on my side. I did not know what I was getting myself into by choosing dogs to work. It was grueiling work and fulfilling.

I had to take dogs for a walk on a leash and I must have walked about six dogs this morning. Now you may think how difficult could this be. Well, some of the dogs are very dominant in nature and pull very hard on their leashes. Being that I watch the "Dog Whisperer" and have learned much from Cesar the dogs were not going to be top dog with me. There is one particular dog named "Duke" whose breed I did not get had a very dominant nature to him. I had chosen to take him under my wing and try to get him to behave better. I was told that he was selected and returned to the shelter three times. Hopefully, next time he will stay with his new family.

I also had to take some of the dogs to a play area for them to run and get exercise off of a leash. I am now in the process of learning the dogs and how they play differently. I had one particular male dog (why is it the male dog) that played rough with me. He too had a dominant personality but that was not going to stop me from taking charge. When I put him back into his cage he did not want to let me out without him getting out also. Everytime that he backed off and unfocused I tried for the gate to get out. Within seconds he was right there between me and the gate. This scenario went around and around for a few times than I just took charge and let myself out.

After all of this workout with the dogs I was exhausted and than was ready to leave. Becky, then showed me how to fill out the paperwork and asked if I was over 55 years old because if I was than I could apply for R.S.V.P. - Retired Services Volunteer Program.

I went home exhausted and with a feeling of contentment.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

eHow Article

2008-07-09T19:55:00.003-04:00

This is from eHow - How to Use Herbs to Prevent a Hangover

Use Herbs to Prevent a Hangover

Let's face it. While drinking can be fun and social, the next day often isn't. I've had mornings where I KNOW I've had at least one drink too many. And these mornings hurt--A LOT. So, I've learned that the best thing to do isn't always to simply NOT drink. I understand that preventing a hangover is my number one priority. Sure, you can work the next day to fix your hangover. But in my experience, the only thing that helps with the next morning is time. That's why I now take care of my hangover before it even happens. I use herbs and drink plenty of water to help prevent it. I've used this routine several times and it has been a while since I've woken up the next morning feeling sick. The number one thing you need to think about is protecting the liver. So the herbs I choose are ones that help strengthen the liver. Aside from the obvious "drink less," these herbs really do help because they help the liver process the alcohol quicker.

Things You’ll Need:

Milk Thistle capsules
Dandelion Tincture (roots and leaves)
Burdock Root
A lot of water
Eat a healthy meal with the alcohol

Step1. Eat and Drink Enough Water

The first thing you need to do before you start drinking is to make sure you eat something before you start drinking, or at least during. And over the course of the night drink enough water. If you have other things to digest and process besides the alcohol, it will really help. Water helps because it speeds the digestive system along.

Step2. Take Milk Thistle

Popping around two milk thistle capsules 30 minutes before you start drinking and two more after your are finished drinking can really help. Milk thistle is very healing to the liver. It can help protect that sensitive organ and also helps the liver process the alcohol and move it out of your system. The sooner this can happen, the better, and milk thistle helps a lot.

Step3. Take Burdock Root and Dandelion Tincture

There are also two tinctures you should take: burdock root and dandelion (the whole plant). Both of these plants help the digestive system and the liver. You can take them before you drink, after and throughout the next day. Follow the instructions on the bottle for the proper way to take it. Most have you mix a few drops of the tincture in some

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Something For Nikki

2008-07-08T21:44:00.005-04:00

My thoughts and prayers are with you Nikki.

Fun Monday Host for July 14, 2008 is . . . . .

2008-07-08T08:56:00.003-04:00

Penny of Dungarees Ablaze.

Thank you Penny for stepping up to the plate for the next Fun Monday.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

An Armadillo In The Dark

2008-07-07T14:00:00.011-04:00

I join in on The Round Robin Photo Challenges periodically and last night I just happened to be outside just before the last minutes of daylight. This was between 8:00 and 8:30pm where I am in Florida. As I was approaching my subject to shoot low and behold there it was - an armadillo. I took these photos of it as it moved along the grass (well, what I have as grass) picking its snout in and out of the vegetation. I was thrilled to be able to see this animal. I live with a wooded area pretty much all around the house. Some of the lots are owned by others but not occupied with a house. After a short period the little fellow went back into the woods.

My flash on the point and shoot camera did not reach as far as the armadillo so hopefully you can see it even with the darkness of the evening.

A bit of information on an armadillo: The armadillo has a lizardlike skin and a bony plated shell that looks like perfect defense for predators. The female always gives birth to quadruplets of the same sex. They are good at digging and live in below ground burrows.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - That Special Fish

2008-07-06T21:12:00.012-04:00

This week's Fun Monday host is me. This is my fish story.

I was lying in my bed just after waking with the morning sun. The sunlight was shining in through the curtains. I was excited with thoughts of going fishing with my dad. I just couldn’t wait. It was the summer of 1958; I was seven years old going on eight and thought this day would never come. In the past, I was told that I would never go out in the boat with my dad because of my sister. My sister is two years older and was not the *tomboy* like me.

I helped dad get things ready for the trip. There were the fishing poles to be packed. Mine was a cane pole but a pole none the less. The worms that were kept in cartons in a fridge in the garage went along. The boat was checked over along with the motor. The gas can was packed inside the boat. And the fishing tackle box was packed with all the rest. We picked up our packed lunches that were made by mom and got into the car. I had all this energy and was bouncing in the sit than dad told me to settle down that we will be there soon.

We lived in the city and as we drove along I got to see the countryside. It seems liked forever that we were on the road and than; right there in front of me, there was the lake. It was so large and filled with all that water. I remembered how my sister talked about the lake and that she felt swallowed up by it because of the size. At this moment I really felt the energy from being in the wilderness. I saw animals of all types of whose names I did not know. I was in aw.

After launching the boat with the loaded equipment we than got in ourselves. Dad revved up the motor and onto the lake we went. There were puss willows along the shoreline and willow trees off in a distance. As we moved along the water just never ended and went on forever. We trolled along until we came to a stop in a small bay on the lake. In my head I was thinking that this is where I will catch that special fish.

So I got out my cane pole, baited the hook with a worm and placed the line over the side of the boat. I kept watching my bobber to see if it had any bites. I had a few but I must not have hooked the fish because when I pulled the line up it was empty. Than all of a sudden the bobber went down a bit and I pulled up lightly and I finally hooked one. It was a really small sunfish but none the less it was my first while fishing in a boat. It was so small that I released it back into the water to grow some more.

I put my line back into the water and tried again. After about thirty minutes I still had no luck with any bites. I was becoming a bit saddened when all of a sudden the bobber just disappeared into the water. I thought this must be it and sure enough I hooked this one. I played with it for awhile hoping to not loose it. After few minutes I pulled it out of the water and it was my first good size sunfish. It was a keeper! I was beaming with joy.

I put the fish on a stringer and over the side of the boat it went with the rest of the fish. With the catch that we had from being out all morning dad decided it was long enough and was time to quit. He started up the motor and we trolled back to the boat launch where the trailer and car where parked. The ride home was a pleasant one. I had caught my first fish from a boat. This has been a dream come true for me today. After arriving home the fish were cleaned and we had a good meal from them that evening.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

That's my *whopper* of a story for today, so head on over to all these great websites and listen to their stories.

1. From The Planet Of Janet
2. Pensieve
3. RDH Mom
4. Ramblings By Reba
5. Nekkerd Lizards Adventures
6. Beyond My Slab
7. A Slice Of Life
8. Lisa's Chaos
9. My 4 Kids
10. The Lurchers
11. My Husband Calls Me Weird
12. A Florida Journal
13. Quarter Notes
14. Growing Older But Not Up
15. Hootin Anni's
16. Summit Musings
17. Our Happy Happenings
18. Nine Acres: 20 Miles North of Nowhere
19. Mama Rehema
20. Holties House
21. Sayre Smiles
22. Karisma and Kids
23. The Prytz Family
24. Mama Drama - Min
25. Ms Cellania
26. Deb's Buzz
27. Mama Drama - Stephanie
28. Dungarees Ablaze
29. Grand Life
30. Anecdotes, Antidotes, & Anodes
31. Running At Large
32. Small Reflections
33. Return Of The White Robin
34. Jo Beaufoix

Fun Monday - Sign Up Here!

2008-06-30T20:48:00.023-04:00

Okay, so I had a brain fart and volunteered to host next week’s Fun Monday, July 7, 2008. What was I thinking? The next assignment is if you wish to take it on is:

Hey, we are starting a new month and will be celebrating our Day of Independence soon in the US so let’s make the next FM a fun time. I would like to hear about your *whopper* of a fishing story. Yes, you heard it correctly whether it is fictional or non fictional I want to hear a fishing story from you. An example would be if you catch a minnow and tell it that you caught a swordfish (exaggeration is the operative word here). Did you hear me say show your photo(s)? Of course you did – be creative.

This will now self destruct in one minute!

I am looking forward to reading your beautiful, wonderful, thought out stories with much chagrin and envy.

Let me know in the comments that you want to play and I’ll hook you up. Also, leave a note if you’re interested in hosting the next FM.

P.S. Does this mean I have to participate also?

Keep a joyful spirit
===

**NOTE**: To clarify the assignment better. This could be freshwater/salt water fishing, or even fishing done indoors at an outdoorsmen show. The catch does not have to be a fish only the story of fishing leading up to whatever the catch of the day may have been. Ever hear a fisherperson talk about that story of a speacial catch they had while out fishing?

These brave souls have already signed up:

1. From The Planet Of Janet
2. Pensieve
3. RDH Mom
4. Ramblings By Reba
5. Nekkerd Lizards Adventures
6. Beyond My Slab
7. A Slice Of Life
8. Lisa's Chaos
9. My 4 Kids
10. The Lurchers
11. My Husband Calls Me Weird
12. A Florida Journal
13. Quarter Notes
14. Growing Older But Not Up
15. Hootin Anni's
16. Summit Musings
17. Our Happy Happenings
18. Nine Acres: 20 Miles North of Nowhere
19. Mama Rehema
20. Holties House
21. Sayre Smiles
22. Karisma and Kids
23. The Prytz Family
24. Mama Drama - Min
25. Ms Cellania
26. Deb's Buzz
27. Mama Drama - Stephanie
28. you next

Fun Monday - Are they QUIRKS?

2008-06-29T22:43:00.013-04:00

The Fun Monday host for this week is the talented and gracious Lisa of Lisa’s Chaos.

And this is what she is asking from us this week:

A quirk is defined as a peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality; mannerism. We are all unique individuals, having quirks that help make us who we are. I would like to know what your quirks are. Confess to one, confess to ten, you decide. Just come back Monday ready to spill the beans, the rest of the world may look at you like you are from Mars, but you‘re among friends here. We won’t laugh, in fact that eccentricity just may endear you to us more.

Ack! Am I odd, peculiar, compulsive, etc., in my everyday life? Of course I am. And these are some of my “quirks” that I treasure and hold dear to me. I would not be me without them but than I would be because I would be me made up of different quirks.

This is a list of quirks that have surfaced from the crevices of my mind in the past few days.

I wear glasses and have since I was 12 years old. I even had lasik surgery in 2002 to correct this and still wear glasses. When I place my glasses down on a surface they always have to be top side down.

When I decide to wear my tennis shoes/sneakers/running/hiking shoes I put the right one on first than the left. Not only do I do this but I have to make sure that the tension in the tying of the shoelaces is as even as possible. One cannot be tighter than the other.

I don’t read books often on the go but when I do I need to put them in a baggie so as to keep the book as preserved as possible. I don’t like getting them dirty, smudged up, dented, torn, etc. I also don’t dog ear them either always use a bookmarker.

We all have to go to the bathroom and relieve ourselves from toxic waste don’t we? Well, when I get around to this activity it has to do with the toilet paper with me. The toilet paper roll has to be on the container with the tissues rolling from the top. Not only this but when I take some for usage I tear it off at the top. No tissues to be hanging below the roll.

I pin my socks together. Yes, this is correct. I pin them together so they stay together as a pair when they go into the laundry for washing.

Take the peanut butter jar, no, let me have it. When I eat peanut butter I take it from the jar so that it is evenly distributed. I do not take the knife and dig it deep into the peanut butter whereas it leaves gouges within the contents. I like things to look neat.

Let me tell you about my toothpaste amount. Just a little dab will do! I only use a small amount of toothpaste to brush my teeth with. I do not want the toothpaste and water mixture bubbling up in my mouth. Besides, I feel that it is a waste of toothpaste when I use more than is needed.

Sticky fingers! Please little children if you have sticky fingers don’t touch me. I prefer not to be around children that have sticky fingers. Sticky from what you may say? It could be from candy, food, playing outside, or from just not washing them enough.

Chips or crackers are something that I eat periodically. I will talk about the crackers because nowadays I don’t eat many chips of any kind. When I eat crackers I usually look for and eat the broken pieces first before eating the whole ones. I like to save the *perfect* (hah as if anything is perfect) ones for last.

This doesn’t happen all of the time but I like to eat my favorite food item on the plate last.

Now go and get a quirkful from the other participants listed at Lisa's Chaos.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 15

2008-06-29T08:47:00.002-04:00

June 29, 2008 – July 5, 2008
Fifteenth Week

I feel enchanted weaving
Of spirit within outer glory.
In dullness of the senses
It has enwrapt my being
In order to bestow the strength
Which in its narrow bounds my I
Is powerless to give itself.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Ich fühle wie verzaubert
Im Weltenschein des Geistes Weben:
Es hat in Sinnesdumpfheit
Gehüllt mein Eigenwesen,
Zu schenken mir die Kraft:
Die, ohnmächtig sich selbst zu geben,
Mein Ich in seinen Schranken ist.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

I feel the Spirit weave
trance-charmèd in the world's array;
in drowsihood of sense
it muffled my sole self
to tender me the strength
myself I am too poor to furnish forth
helpless within these narrow bounds.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

eHow Article

2008-06-28T04:46:00.017-04:00

This is from eHow - How to Make a Love Cocktail

An interesting combination of flavors and textures characterizes the Love Cocktail, powerful enough to double as a love potion. Serves 1.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Cracked Ice
Liquor
Cocktail Glasses
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail Strainer
2 oz. sloe gins
1 eggs white
½ tsp. lemon juices
½ tsp. raspberry juices

Step 1. Fill a cocktail shaker with cracked ice.

Step 2. Add egg white, lemon juice and raspberry juice.

Step 3. Add sloe gin.

Step 4. Shake 5 times.

Step 5. Strain into cocktail glass.

Now go and have yourself a wonderful weekend.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Round Robin: Weeds Can Be Beautiful Too

2008-06-28T03:47:00.014-04:00

This edition of the Round Robin Challenge comes to us from Kim, who authors the blog, "Nekkard Lizard Adventures. Her idea was for us to show the softer side of weeds, by showing off their unusual beauty.

The first photo was taken in my front yard. As you can see we have some weed coupled with grass growing from the bricks.

The next two photos were taken from an empty lot next door to the house. Even though it is the rainy season in Central Florida the area has been experiencing a dry spell for the past couple of years.

This photo goes to show that weeds can survive no matter how much water is received.

Please take a moment to check out the others who are playing! Just click the link Round Robin Photo Challenge.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Mystery Flower!

2008-06-26T20:08:00.019-04:00

Okay, so for the past ten days or so I have been bicycling at night around my neighborhood. I take a similar route that brings me across a flower that is intertwined with a bougainvillea that I have no clue as to the name of it. This is not any surprise to me because not being native to Central Florida I am not familiar with a lot of plants. But I am learning and this is what counts.

So this evening I took the camera with me, stopped by the area where the flower is growing and shot several photos of it.

Please can someone help me identify this flower? It is so beautiful and I would like to have one of my own in my own backyard.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

A Lazy Day At The Train Depot

2008-06-26T16:34:00.011-04:00

We were in Venice Fl this past Saturday and happened to stop by the Historical Train Depot. What took us to this historical place was a geocache. There was a group of us Happy Cachers that got together over the weekend with one of them coming in from as far as Pennsylvania. I took some photos that were behind the depot.

Someone, not to mention their name, scolded us for not knowing the history behind this individual in the plaque below - Guenther Gebel-Williams. Well, now that I have been here and experienced this place I will be aware of this famous person. I was aware of the Ringling Brother's Circus Museum in Sarasota but not of the "Wild Animal Trainer".

This is the statue of Guenther. I like the pose that the sculptor created for him.

This is a photo of the Venice Area Historical Office - the backend of the train car.

Full length photo of the train car with a curious little fellow loitering up against the railing.

We did find the cache at this location. All of our caches for this weekend were signed as the South Florida Happy Cachers. And a happy bunch of cachers we were.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

I Got Tagged!

2008-06-25T18:43:00.004-04:00

Chris over at A Florida Journal tagged me for a fun little meme.

So this is the deal:

1. Pick up the nearest book
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the next three sentences
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you

So here it is --

I just received this new book "Acupoint Location Complete Study Tool" in the mail a couple of days ago and left it by the computer so it would classify as the nearest book.

~Tianliao ~ TW(SJ) 15
Location: In the depression, midway between GB 21** and SI13***.
Tips & References: Level with the scapular superior angle.

The book is a study guide for learning accupoint locations. There is also an interactive practice CD that came along with the book whick I am sure to make use of. The sentences is a description of the Tianliao accupoint. I am learning about accupoints so as to make use of a cupping set that I purchased for creating a healthier mind and body.

No one to tag so it ends here.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 14

2008-06-22T09:02:00.002-04:00

June 22, 2008 – June 28, 2008
Fourteenth Week

SUMMER

Surrendering to senses' revelation
I lost the drive of my own being,
And dreamlike thinking seemed
To daze and rob me of myself.
Yet quickening there draws near
In sense appearance cosmic thinking.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

An Sinnesoffenbarung hingegeben
Verlor ich Eigenwesens Trieb,
Gedankentraum, er schien
Betäubend mir das Selbst zu rauben,
Doch weckend nahet schon
Im Sinneschein mir Weltendenken.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
====

Captive to all the pageantry of sense
I lost the pressure of my single being;
thoughts like to dreams
were spiriting my self away, it seems;
now -- now in what the senses make appear
the Thinking of the World itself draws near.

Provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Pony Tail Palm

2008-06-20T01:10:00.007-04:00

Today I was home alone. So I decided to do some plant repotting. As you can see from the photo (which was shot with the sun to the right of the plant) the pony tail palm is quite attractive in its new planter.

I had to drill holes 1" from the bottom of the planter for water drainage. The bottom of the planter was filled with rocks to be used as a resevoir.

I used my muscle power to transfer the plant from one pot to another. It was the worst on my lower back. My upper arms endured some pain in the muscle from lifting the plant out of the old planter and into the new one. Than I had to get the bag of potting soil to the planter. Than I shovelled the soil out of the bag.

I felt pretty good after the task at hand was completed. My body was a bit sore but that will go away with time.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Fun Monday - The Walls

2008-06-16T00:02:00.002-04:00

This week's host for Fun Monday is Jan of The Prytz Family.

Jan would like to know about our walls. She wants to hear about, and see, what is special about them. What is our favorite or least favorite, whether it is inside or outside. Walls is the subject for the day.

I have not done much to decorate the walls. Since I have only been in this home for the past couple of years off and on before finally retiring in October 2007. Over the past couple of years I have managed to hang up some items.

So let's begin with the FM logo. It is one of my walls or should I say a small area on one of the walls. These are two small pictures that I have hung one above each other. The artist is Roybal and the pictures have a musical theme to them. No, I do not have a musical background or interest other than listening to music. I especially enjoy these two pictures. Not my favorite but a close second.

This Andy Warhol silk print titled "Mammy" is my favorite. I have this one hanging in a room where I spend alot of my time. There is this sultry captivating look to the eyes. They really speak to you.

I was gifted with the clock in this photo. Back in the seventies my parents planned a trip to Chicago IL. I was asked by them to house sit the dog for the time they were gone. On the way back from Chicago they went through the Wisconsin Dells area and picked up this german made clock for me as a thank you gift. I still treasure this clock.

Below the clock is a print by H. Hardgrove. It is a small cottage with an outhouse surrounded by a colorful aray of flowers. This print has always reminded me of the place that my father was brought up. He had to use an outhouse when he was growing up.

I think this picture is cute.

This is another H. Hardgrove print. I get a feeling of patriotism when I look at this. It gives me a warm feeling inside for the country that I was born into and reside.

The Olympic Games is an international multi-sport event. In this print it celebrates 100 years from Athens Greece, 1896, to Atlanta Georgia, 1996.

The last of my wall decorations is an oil of an Italian villa. I do not know the artist name or the name of the art. This piece of art hangs on a wall just outside of the bedroom. I can view it while I am sitting/lying in bed. I fantasize about living in a villa such as this in Italy. This piece of art is another close second of mine.

This about wraps it up for my walls. Now go and take a look at the other Fun Monday participant's walls.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 13

2008-06-15T15:22:00.004-04:00

June 15, 2008 - June 21, 2008
Thirteenth Week

And when I live in senses' heights,
There flames up deep within my soul
Out of the spirit's fiery worlds
The gods' own world of truth:
In spirit sources seek expectantly
To find your spirit kinship.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Und bin ich den Sinneshöhen,
So flammt in meinen Seelentiefen
Aus Geistes Feuerwelten
Der Götter Wahrheitswort:
In Geistesgründen suche ahnend
Dich geistverwandt zu finden.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

Now that my senses are at home on high
I hear my soul re-echo from her depths
a fiery message from the gods:
`Welcome the hint, seek thine own deep relation
to Spirit in the Spirit's own foundation.'

Provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press.
Keep a joyful spirit
===

Round Robin - I Made That

2008-06-15T11:05:00.013-04:00

I moved my residence two plus years ago and these are some of the items that I made to create an ambience in the household.

For this display I had the vase and a bamboo broom. I removed the bamboo from the broom end and place it in the vase to create this.

For this item I went out and purchased some weeping willow branches in the local craft store. I already had the vase. I put glass stones in the vase and placed the branches in them to keep them in place.

For this item I already had the vase and placed barbeque brickettes in the vase. Than I place the face leaves and orchids in the brickettes.

Now go and view others who have joined in The Round Photo Challenge.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - A Memory From The Past

2008-06-08T23:45:00.007-04:00

This week’s Fun Monday is hosted by the lovely and talented Molly of “Return of the White Robin”.

Our assignment if we choose to accept it:

Tell us about a happy memory from your childhood. If you have pictures, please show us your pictures. I am looking forward to reading about your happy childhood memories.

What is a happy childhood memory? I define childhood as the following: The state of being a child; the time in which persons are children; the condition or time from infancy to puberty. And memory is defined as: The faculty of the mind by which it retains the knowledge of a previous thought, impression, or event.

The local “zoo”! Como Park Zoo was an exciting place when I was a child. It was free to get in and it had everything that a child would want for excitement. It was about 10 miles away from home and we would take the bus there with our mother. Sometimes we would ride in the car when dad came along which wasn’t too often.

The zoo consisted of an animal area, amusement/rides area, conservatory, lake, and lots and lots of walking around the beauteous grounds. Also, I almost forgot – plenty of food vendors.

There were rides of all sorts. Ones that twirl, spin around, around, and around, go up and down, and than there was the rollercoaster. This was frightening to say the least to a child. The coaster went up, up, and up so high that the fear of being at this height was more than enough to overcome.

So I took the plunge and seated myself on the coaster. Than the knot in the pit of my stomach started to twist and turn. But what got me the most was that to die for emotion of *fear* to make the enjoyment of the ride more powerful. Once the ride started there was no stopping the excitement.

Now go and read about fond memories from the other Fun Monday participants.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 12

2008-06-08T10:35:00.004-04:00

Jun 08, 2008 – June 14, 2008
Twelfth Week

The radiant beauty of the world
Compels my inmost soul to free
God-given powers of my nature
That they may soar into the cosmos,
To take wing from myself
And trustingly to seek myself
In cosmic light and cosmic warmth.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Der Welten Schönheitsglanz,
Er zwinget mich aus Seelentiefen
Des Eigenlebens Götterkräfte
Zum Weltenfluge zu entbinden;
Mich selber zu verlassen,
Vertrauend nur mich suchend
In Weltenlicht und Weltenwärme.

The Year Participated translationby Owen Barfield
=====

The flush of beauty round the world
forces my soul to search her depths
for godlike powers, to set them free
and send them winging out into the world,
to leave myself behind me
in trust that I shall find me
there in the Light, there in the Warmth again.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Let's See . . .

2008-06-03T14:09:00.003-04:00

I sprained my left knee over two weeks ago and just had the review on the x-rays. Everything is okay except that I have some osteoarthritis going on with the inside joints of both kneew. My prognosis is that if I choose to use arch supports which will straighten my legs than there will be less discomfort from the knees.

Hmm.....I am wondering how wearing arch supports in mules (my choice of shoe) will work out. It looks like I will be changing my shoe of choice from now on. But the mules will still be there in my closest. They are so easy to slip on and off.

Another issue is that I have a staph infection on my shoulder. Now you may ask what contact have I had in order to acquire the infection. Well, my husband has one and I have been changing the bandage without gloves on. So for all of you out there that deal with germs, bacteria, and the like remember to use latex gloves when handling the care of these infections. You just never know what is safe anymore. Now I have to take an antibiotic for seven days to rid myself of this infection.

One good thing that has come out of this - the antibiotic was free through Albertson.

Than on Sunday late afternoon I was out doing maintenance on a couple of caches. When I do this I usually take a snack to eat in case I get hungry. Well, I had this bag of sliver almonds that came with a salad from McDonalds from Friday. I was outside the local Wallgreens when I decided open the package and eat them. After a couple of mouthfuls of biting down on the almonds there was this pain in the back of my mouth. Yepper! The last lower molar was done in. The back half of the molar cracked off. As the dentist explained on Monday that the filling in the center had pushed outwards for the last time. The tooth (or wall so to speak) gave way and broke off.

I spent time in the dentist chair on Monday getting the tooth drilled out and built up for what else - a porcelain crown. The crown will be ready for topping off the tooth on June 20th when I go back to see the dentist. Needless to say my mouth still feels a bit sore while writing this.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

eHow Article

2008-06-02T13:12:00.003-04:00

This is from eHow - How To Jump Rope Like a Boxer.

Jumping rope is a form of exercise that will bring you tremendous benefits. You can expect to gain cardiovascular strength and endurance, increase coordination, lung capacity and even strengthen muscles and bones, all while burning off major calories. It can be a bit challenging when you are first starting out but the biggest obstacle for most people seems to be timing (figuring out a rhythm or when to jump). From the moment you flick your wrists and forearms to set the rope in motion until the moment you actually have to jump over it, the rope has to travel a distance. That distance is measured by the unit we call time. Now that we know what the biggest obstacle is going to be, let's get you jumping rope.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Jump rope
Comfortable gym attire
Good pair of cross trainer, boxing or running shoes.
Wood floor or a surface that is somewhat yeilding to your body weight

Step 1. Stand with your feet hip distance apart with a neutral spine with jump rope handles in hand and the rope on the floor behind your heels
.
Step 2. Flick your wrist and forearms forward so that the rope makes a revolution over you. When it is just about to hit your toes, jump!

Step 3. Repeat this nonstop as many times as you can. Eventually you will be able to continue to jump over many minutes of uninterrupted revolutions of the rope.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - I Made It Myself

2008-06-01T21:39:00.018-04:00

The charismatic Karisma of Karisma and Kids is the host for today's Fun Monday.

This is what she had to say"

I think the title pretty much says it all, but for those of you who may still be wondering, I would like to see or hear about things you have made with your own two hands (or feet, Im not fussy!) We all have different talents and abilities, maybe you like to sew or knit, chisel or sculpt, draw or paint? Whatever your talent is, please share it with us this week.

I have completed several projects over the years. There were the years in my twenties when I went through the knitting and crocheting of hats, scarves, sweaters, and coverlets for myself and as gifts for others. Sorry, I do not have any photos of these items.

During the late eighties I did some acrylic painting. I took some lessons and this is one of the paintings that came out of it. I really didn't take to painting even though I had a desire. Something inside of me told me that this was just not my forte. At least I tried.

On my own without any guidance I delved into the dark side of my personality and came up with this painting. I took this photo the other day so this tells you that I still have the painting.

Than there is the project with my hats. I have several different hats and wanted to put them on display. So I created this project. Here is the collection of hats and here is the finalized result. So now I have my hats out of the box and on display collecting, what else, dust.

My latest project is making walking sticks. This is a photo of three rough sticks that I have picked up while out in the woods geocaching. I have started to strip the stick on the far right using a knife, plane, and sandpaper for smoothing out the roughness. The other two sticks are ones that I recently picked up. I picked up the stick in the center so as to have something to experiment on. I would like to try different staining, carving, etc. with this stick. The stick on the far left will be another walking stick. If everything turns out okay I just may make a hobby of this project.

That would be it! Now go and take a look at what has been made, and to be made, by the other Fun Monday participants at the above link.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Tag? You tapped my blog!

2008-06-01T17:15:00.003-04:00

Swampangel from A Florida Journal has tapped me on the shoulder and told me *TAG* your it for this little meme.

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 4 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answers.

a) What was I doing 10 years ago?

One decade ago I was working and living in Homestead. I continued to make new friends, keep an open mind, move forward on my spiritual path, and grow intellectually, emotionally and physically. I became a wiser individual with my experiences in life.

b) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today:

Pick up groceries for barbequeing
Listen to my recording of heavenletters
To keep a joyful spirit
Do maintenance on a couple of geocaches
Meditate

c) Snacks I enjoy:

Almonds
Dark Chocolate
Ice Cream
String Cheese
Any Candy of Cappucino Flavor
Luden's Honey Licorice Cough Drops

d) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Buy an airplane and hire a crew to be on call.
Build a commune for family and friends after purchasing acreage large enough for it.

e) Places I have lived:

St. Paul MN
Las Vegas NV
Waterford WI
Biloxi MS
Homestead FL
Sebring FL

And who am I tagging?

No one, the person that tagged me tagged another friend of mine. So she has already been tagged and I don't have anyone else to tag.

The meme ends here.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 11

2008-06-01T07:50:00.001-04:00

Jun 01, 2008 – June 07, 2008
Eleventh Week

In this the sun's high hour it rests
With you to understand these words of wisdom:
Surrender to the beauty of the world,
Be stirred with new-enlivened feeling;
The human I can lose itself
And find itself within the cosmic I.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Es ist in dieser Sonnenstunde
An dir, die weise Kunde zu erkennen:
An Weltenschönheit hingegeben
In dir dich fühlend zu durchleben:
Verlieren kann das Menschen-Ich
Und finden sich im Welten-Ich.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

This warm and sun-drenched hour
a sermon holds if thou hast ears to hear:
Absorbed into the world's fair show
live thou thy feeling through and through,
within thee say, `I lose myself as man
and find myself to be the World I am.'

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)
Keep a joyful spirit
===

Round Robin: Tiny Things

2008-05-31T18:12:00.008-04:00

This is the first time that I am posting for the The Round Robin Photo Challenge.

The challenge this time:

The idea here is to photograph very small inanimate objects- not details and closeups of larger things, but self-containedlittle items we see and take for granted.It should be interesting to take the expertise some Robinshave with tiny critters, and apply it to objects that can't fly away.And the rest of us have the photographic challenge oflearning to focus on the miniature world.

Click on the Round Robin link above to get to the linking list of participants.

These are some tiny things that I found around the house.

This is a collection of cut glass figurines that I picked up.
There is a large, medium and small poodle.
I used to own a small poodle by the name of Snowy and the glass figurines remind me of him.
Aren't they darling? I think so!

This is a tea set that is self contained within the larger wooden cut box.This set has been with me for over 15 years.

What you see here is the mollar of the first puppy that lived in our household. She was a Dalmation and her name was Shadow. She lived with us from 1989 to 2001. I found the tooth one day, put it away and have kept it to this day.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - Favorite Vacation

2008-05-26T07:47:00.001-04:00

Alison of RDH Mom is today's Fun Monday hostess. This week's assignment is . . .

Vacations...this is the time of year when most of us go on vacations. Show us and/or tell us about your favorite vacation - where you went, what you did, etc. Pictures would be great. Let's all take a trip around a the world via our FM friends!!

I have had several enjoyable times away from home with loved ones. I am not sure if I would refer to many of these getaways as vacations but I will go with it. You see I could get lost just sitting in my backyard listening to the wildlife and that would be a vacation to me.

I would have to say that the most recent time away from home was last week and this *vacation* has been an enjoyable one. We, Corky and me, went to Orlando FL to spend a week with my sister-in-law, one of her daughters, and the niece's to be 5 year olds (twins). Best vacation I have had this year.

Corky and I are not much for going to Disney World but we do enjoy the Orlando area. Corky swam with the kids in the resort that they were staying at on Monday. I tried to embed the slideshow but it wouldn't work so here is a link to the photos.

On Tuesday we all went to Cypress Gardens to enjoy the rides, food, and water park. Here is the link to these photos.

In fact, Corky and I had so much fun at the water park that we plan on going back to do some tubing ourselves. We only live 45 minutes from there.

One day during the week we were out and about looking for a store. We put the address into our GPS and it took us through a route that we would had never been on if not for the GPS. As we wandered down this dirt street we came upon a Thai Buddhist Temple and community.

This is the link to the Thai Temple photos.

Aside from this time away I would have to say that the best time that I had was when I was in my mid twenties and took a train ride from Minneapolis MN to Portland OR in July 1974. The countryside was awe inspiring to me at such a tender age. Very impressive to say the least.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 10

2008-05-25T10:15:00.003-04:00

May 25, 2008 - May 31, 2008
Tenth Week

To summer's radiant heights
The sun in shining majesty ascends;
It takes my human feeling
Into its own wide realms of space.
Within my inner being stirs
Presentiment which heralds dimly,
You shall in future know:
A godly being now has touched you.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Zu sommerlichen Höhen
Erhebt der Sonne leuchtend Wesen sich;
Es nimmt mein menschlich Fühlen
In seine Raumesweiten mit.
Erahnend regt im Innern sich
Empfindung, dumpf mir kündend,
Erkennen wirst du einst:
Dich fühlte jetzt ein Gotteswesen.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

Nearer the peak of his midsummer heights
the climbing sun uprears his blazing head;
he takes along with him my human heart
into the boundlessness of space;
deep down and dimly I am made aware
that one day I shall know:
`But now a godlike being felt you here.'

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - Collections

2008-05-19T01:05:00.020-04:00

The host this week is the delightful and industrious Mariposa. *Fun* that is what she wanted for this week and this is what she asked for . . .

Collections...

We all have them...and if you don't, you do....you just may not realize it. For some reason or another we all collect something and we collect it for reasons that will definitely make for good reading. So on Monday, I want to see your collection. If you don't have or don't want or CAN'T (wink) show us a picture, then tell us what the collection is in 10 words or less. Then tell us why you started collecting it.

Collection? Did she say collection? Well, let me tell you that over the years I have had several collections that have come and went. I used to collect matchbooks from various places that I visited. I also collected ashtrays. Than there were the beanie babies. I must of have had over 100 of them. When I moved in 2006 I decided to dissolve that collection. I probably donated one third of the collection and moved the rest to Sebring. Oh, and I must not forget shoes. Those have thinned out quite a bit sense I made the move also.

Just recently within the past few weeks I have been donating the beanie babies along with the plastice containers that I purchased for them. I am subscribed to freecycle and the collection is being donated to an individual that works with handicapped persons. It is a good feeling knowing that the beanie babies will be put to good use.

Now for the present and keepable collection. My collection nowadays is of monkeys. Yup, I enjoy monkeys in any size, shape, form or color. Why monkeys you might say to yourself and if you are not saying these words, well, I just said them for you. A monkey of mine dates back to when I was a little girl.

I used to own a black and white/cream colored monkey by the name of Zippee. Does anyone remember such a monkey from back in the fifties? Well, that memory will stay with me forever. Zippee was my buddy and I took it everywhere with me. In fact because I was so close to this stuff animal the other siblings would taunt me by holding in above my head until I would cry. Yes, my brothers and sister were mean to me quite often.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 9

2008-05-18T10:35:00.004-04:00

May 18, 2008 to May 24, 2008
Ninth Week

When I forget the narrow will of self,
The cosmic warmth that heralds summer's glory
Fills all my soul and spirit;
To lose myself in light
Is the command of spirit vision
And intuition tells me strongly:
O lose yourself to find yourself.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Vergessend meine Willenseigenheit
Erfüllet Weltenwärme sommerkündend
Mir Geist und Seelenwesen;
Im Licht mich zu verlieren
Gebietet mir das Geistesschauen,
Und kraftvoll kündet Ahnung mir:
Verliere dich, um dich zu finden.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

Regardless of all individual willing,
telling of summer coming soon,
the Warmth that warms the worlds
my spirit and my soul is filling;
my spirit's penetrating gaze
tells me to lose myself into the light
and, `Lose thyself to find thyself'
I hear a voice within incessantly recite.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Today's Photos

2008-05-17T19:27:00.008-04:00

I was told to have my camera with me at all times. Good advise from a friend. The following photos were taken while in Lake Mary and Sanford FL caching.

I took this one for a friend. Don't you just love the bottom fountain? This is the first time I have ever seen a fountain such as this one.

I always enjoyed the anhinga posing in this position. I tried to get a shot as it flew away but I missed it.

I was not sure about this bird but Corky said that it was a hawk. Does anyone know which species of the hawk family this one is of?

Okay, I walked to the edge of the lake and this is the closest that I could make it to get this shot.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

eHow Article

2008-05-16T07:58:00.004-04:00

I would like to share this article from the eHow site (How To Do Just About Everything). I will be posting articles of interest every now and than.

How to Protect Your Home From Earthquake Damage

You can take steps to secure the items in your home so that both you and your possessions remain safe during an earthquake. These guidelines follow the recommendations of the Governor of California's Office of Emergency Services.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Childproof Cabinet Latches
Microcrystalline Wax
Nondrying Putty Wax
Nylon Straps
Safety Glass
Cables
Safety Straps
Shatter-resistant Window Film
Hook And Eye Latches
Closed Hooks

Step1. Secure items on tables or counters. For units such as television sets, computers, and lamps, use buckles and safety straps that can be attached to tabletops and allow for easy movement when needed.

Step2. Secure glass, chinaware, and pottery using nondrying putty or microcrystalline wax.

Step3. Lock kitchen cabinet doors with childproof latches or hook-and-eye closures.

Step4. Anchor refrigerator to wall.

Step5. Use flexible fasteners, such as nylon straps, to anchor tops of heavy furniture to the stud (not plasterboard) of a wall.

Step6. Cover windows with shatter-resistant film, or replace with safety glass.

Step7. Secure overhead objects. Anchor hanging objects, such as lights and fans, with a cable bolted to ceiling joist. Hang framed pictures from closed hooks.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Trip To Sarasota

2008-05-15T15:02:00.004-04:00

Whew! Boy I sure am glad that the trip to Sarasota is behind us. Well, not the time that we spent there on Monday but Tuesday was gruelling for us.

So let me tell you about the time we had on Monday. Our day started off in the mid morning. The time on the road is about 1 hour and 45 minutes with one stop for gas, bathroom run, and food. We went geocaching! Bet you wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. Ha! Ha!

We cached in the north end of the city and the south end of Bradenton. I believe this is in Manatee County. The caches we went after are difficulty 1 so they are fairly easy to find. After not being able to find the first couple of caches we just kept trying. We finally ended up on Hwy 41 and of course there was the challenge of getting through the traffic.

I took a shot of this nest at one of the caches. I did not hear any sounds of movement or see any birds around so I amnot sure exactly which bird nested here. Maybe some one visiting this blog can fill me in on it or take a guess at it. This shot is from the ground at an upward angle. BTW we did locate the cache and if it were not for one of us standing at a lower level from where the cache was hiding we might not have thought about looking in the place. It was a clever hide!

We always enjoy coming to this town because there is so much to see. I am glad that my sister moved back here because now I can visit with her and take in more of the sites.

This photo is from another memorable caching site. We had to go over two wooden bridges where one was in fairly good condition and the other one was questionable to cross. I persevered and while doing so took a shot of this heron, I believe. I am not much on identification of birds but I am learning. The cache was located to the left behind the heron in the clump of trees and bushes.

On the way back from locating the cache I came across this egg just lying in the shallow water. I have no idea what animal life this egg would belong to. But it was neat and I just had to take a photo of it.

I need to discontinue writing this post for now and continue it later. I have so much left to do to get ourselves ready for going to Orlando tomorrow. The sister-in-law, one of her daughters and the grandchildren are coming in for a week. We get to play with five year olds. Yippee!

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Wood Peck Peck!

2008-05-14T20:24:00.022-04:00

Yup, finally got to see one close up. For several weeks and the past couple of years I have been listening to the peck, peck, peck of the woodpecker. A couple of weeks ago I thought that I saw one in the trees from a distance. I was using the binoculars at this time and when I finally focused in on the bird it flew away. All I can remember is that it had a red head. A friend of mine told me that I must have seen a woodpecker. Well, that is exactly what I saw this morning on our wood fence.

On this photo you get to see it markings and that beautiful red head. As for the fence, it came with the house and I don't plan on doing anything with it. If I do we will be planting grapes on it, albeit, the winery in the area is being sold. So we will have to wait and see what happens. I may just have to go to the local gardening shop for grape plants.

With this photo I experimented a bit with the composition. I tried to get a closeup of the woodpecker with some blending of greenery in the forefront. I thought that this photo turned out pretty good. The woodpecker is doing some pecking on this one.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - How Am I A Jerk!

2008-05-11T14:49:00.019-04:00

The martini is on me.

Sauntering Soul is this week's host for Fun Monday. Here is what she came up with - "How are you a jerk"?

Saunter wants to know how we all can be a jerk to whomever in life. This is difficult for me to describe because knowing that I am not perfect I do not know how I am a jerk to others. I would have to say that my being aloof can be looked upon by others as not caring what is going on, or that I may be self centered but this is not the case. My being aloof to me is one of my ways of connecting with the Universe.

I would have to say that the most recent *jerk* thing that I did was to get my hair cut short. Six months ago my hair was down to the middle of my back and my husband did not like it long. So in January 2008, I got it cut to shoulder length. It looked pretty good at this time. It was all one length. But I didn't stop there.

In March 2008, I cut it again only this time I had semi bangs cut. After wearing it like this for awhile I decided I did not like it this way either. What is interesting is that five months ago I wante to shave it all off. Why? I have no clue other than the fact that my husband did not like my hair long.

One day in January 2008, I asked him what he thought about me shaving it all off. I never got a response from him. Oh well, he should have said something to me. You see the *no* response I got communicated to me that he was displeased with me having to shave it off. So unconsciously I would have to say that I am trying to get as close to the shaved head as possible. This to me is being a *jerk* to him for not communication with him.

So last week I had another hair cut and had my hairdresser cut it to two inches in length. Yup, you heard me and this will be the shortest that I am going to get it. I believe that it is only hair and will grow back and wanted to prove to him that *hey* this is how it is for awhile.

In summary, I don't really know what he thinks and don't really care. The hair will grow back. Now maybe I can have that long hair that I wanted in the first place. The hair that he did not want me to have.

This is me being a *jerk*.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 8

2008-05-11T09:19:00.003-04:00

May 11, 2008 to May 17, 2008
Eighth Week

The senses' might grows strong
United with the gods' creative work;
It presses down my power of thinking
Into a dreamlike dullness.
When godly being
Desires union with my soul,
Must human thinking
In quiet dream-life rest content.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Es wächst der Sinne Macht
Im Bunde mit der Götter Schaffen,
Sie drückt des Denkens Kraft
Zur Traumes Dumpfheit mir herab.
Wenn göttlich Wesen
Sich meiner Seele einen will,
Muss menschlich Denken
Im Traumessein sich still bescheiden.

The Year Participated translationby Owen Barfield
=====

The ascendancy of sense in me
grows, with the gods' creative act in league,
subduing thought from vigorous to vague.
If Life divine is to unite
with the coming-into-being of the world,
this human thought must modestly retire
contented to endure as a dream.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Trail Food

2008-05-10T23:05:00.004-04:00

Here is the PB.

Peanut Butter Rolls

Ingredients

Flour tortillas
Peanut butter
Jelly

Raisins (optional)

Preparation

Spread peanut butter, then jelly on tortilla. Sprinkle with raisins. Roll up tortilla.

Keep that spirit of yours joyful!
===

Grilled Mediterranean Quesadillas

2008-05-09T18:57:00.005-04:00

This is a recipe that is full of taste and easy to prepare. This recipe is a joy to make.

Yummy quesadillas with a flair!

Ingredients

8 Flour tortillas (6 inch)
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (4 oz.) ATHENOS Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese
1/4 cup DI GIORNO Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Pitted ripe olives or pitted kalamata olives, sliced

Preparation

PREHEAT grill to low heat. Mix cheeses and olives.

SPREAD 4 of the tortillas evenly with the cheese mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border around edge of each tortilla. Cover with remaining tortillas.

GRILL 2 minutes on each side or crisp and golden brown on both sides. Cut each quesadilla into 8 wedges.

CUT each into 6 wedges.

MAKES 2 dozen appetizers.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Cardinal Trot Video

2008-05-05T17:07:00.003-04:00

After this fellow flew into the branches of the tree he proceeded to make its way over to, and perch on, the clay pot in the below post photo.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Red Feathers In The Morning

2008-05-05T15:11:00.019-04:00

I am trying to learn my new compact camera and took this recording this morning. It was a pleasure to share time with this fellow and his better half.

The male taking in the sites.

The female resting on a post.
The male perched in the branches.

The male again perched in the branches.

The female looking the other way on the post.

The male just hanging around.

I feel so lucky to have had such a great show of these two beautiful birds so early in the morning. This will not be the first, or the last, time that I am going to show these beauties off.

I have a few seconds of video that I shot but am not able to upload it properly. When I figure it out I will post it later.

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday - My Heroes

2008-05-04T14:47:00.022-04:00

Kitten's Homeschool is the host for this week’s assignment.

The assignment is to talk about “Who is Your Hero” not from TV, but your real life hero. It can be one or several. Just someone you have or do look up to.

I have chosen for my heroes to be the men and women of the military. I grew up with a father that spent nine years in the Navy, a brother that continued in my father’s footsteps and spent four years in the Navy, and a younger brother that chose to do his service time with the Army.

As for myself I joined the Air Force Reserve for ten years. As a government employee I worked for the Department of Defense and worked around military life for twenty-two years.

The men and women that put their lives in harms way are the heroes for me. Some are protecting our country from a distance and others are providing support on the home front.

Here is some background information about the different branches of the service.

On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress formed an army to preserve the “liberties of America.” Since then, the United States Army has become a technologically-advanced strategic force that has served Americans both in peacetime and in war. The official emblem for the U. S. Army bears a Roman cuirass (armor representing strength and defense) resting below a vertical unsheathed sword, called an esponton. The sword, musket and other military implements represent the readiness of the Army to defend. An early American flag faces the Army flag, emphasizing their role in the establishment of the United States. The helmet is known as a “Phrygian Cap”, or “Cap of Liberty.” Even the colors of the emblem represent the Army’s mission. Blue stands for loyalty and truth, red for courage, white for deeds worth remembering, and black for determination. The gold in the seal reflects the army’s core values of achievement, dignity and honor.

Even before America was a country, the Marine Corps was formed and had a crest. The "foul anchor" (an anchor with a wrapped chain) that labeled Marines in the Revolutionary War remains part of their emblem today. The globe of the Marine Corps emblem displays the Western Hemisphere, which together with the American bald eagle, symbolizes a dedication of service to the American people. On the very top of the emblem are the words that denote Marines all over the world, "Semper Fidelis", meaning “Always Faithful”.

On August. 1, 1907, the U. S. Army Signal Corps established a small Aeronautical Division to take "charge of all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines and all kindred subjects." The National Security Act of 1947 created the Department of the Air Force.

The wings, called “stripes of strength,” honor the men and women of the Air Force; the sharp angles emphasizing swiftness and power. The sphere and star represent the modern challenges of vigilance around the globe and into space. Three diamonds signify the core values of integrity, service and excellence. The modernized design elements blend to form an eagle, a valiant symbol of America’s greatness.

Several naval emblems represented this nautical branch of service, until Executive Order 10736 was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 23, 1957 designating a single Navy emblem. The design was produced by a board of heraldic experts and historians, and displays a three-masted ship with a “Luce-type” anchor, an American bald eagle, clear skies and peaceful seas. The use of sky, land and water in the design symbolizes the Navy’s ability to support operations in the air and land, as well as a well-deserved reputation for dominance at sea.

The United States Coast Guard first began maritime duties in August 1790 when Congress passed Alexander Hamilton's "Revenue Act." Today’s Coast Guard is a “military, multi-mission, maritime service” protecting the American public, environment and economic interests. The modern emblem bears the color red to signify the sacrifice of blood, blue for justice and white to symbolize the unending quest for purity and integrity.

This pretty much closes my post for this week's Fun Monday. Thanks for stopping by.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 7

2008-05-04T12:41:00.004-04:00

Seventh Week
May 4, 2008 - May 10, 2008

My self is threatening to fly forth,
Lured strongly by the world's enticing light.
Come forth, prophetic feeling,
Take up with strength your rightful task:
Replace in me the power of thought
Which in the senses' glory
Would gladly lose itself.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Mein Selbst, es drohet zu entfliehen,
Vom Weltenlichte mächtig angezogen.
Nun trete du mein Ahnen
In deine Rechte kräftig ein,
Ersetze mir des Denkens Macht,
Das in der Sinne Schein
Sich selbst verlieren will.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield
=====

My self is prone to fly away
beckoned and lured by light that fills the worlds.
Come, Intimations, enter, claim your right,
supplant as surrogate the sovereign might
of Thinking, now inclined to lose itself
in brilliant sense-appearances.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Releasing Ladybugs Into A Garden

2008-05-04T01:44:00.005-04:00

Yes, it is that time again to start up the gardens to produce your favorite vegetables. Here is something that I came across and would like to share it.

How to Release Ladybugs Into a Garden
By Willi Galloway

Ladybugs may be one of the friendliest-looking insects out there…unless you are an aphid. Ladybugs and their black- and red-striped larvae have a voracious appetite for aphids—tiny, soft-bodied insects that literally suck the life out of plants by feeding on plant sap. Adult ladybugs, or lady beetles as they are also called, eat several hundred aphids per day and the larvae consume up to 300 daily! Aphids love to feed on succulent, tender new growth and often attack roses, nasturtiums and peppers. Many gardeners purchase live lady beetles to help take care of their aphid problems, but it’s important to release the beetles carefully, or they may not stick around in your garden. Here are some suggestions.

Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Things You’ll Need: Live ladybugs

Step 1. Packages of live lady beetles are commonly available at well-stocked nurseries and by mail order. Typically, the beetles are packed in a mesh or cotton bag filled with wood shavings and they come refrigerated, which slows down their biological processes. The insects can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, but they will suffer lower mortality rates if you release them within a few days of purchase.

Step 2. When you bring your lady beetles home, control the impulse to dump the whole package out into your garden. The beetles have been packed closely together and their first impulse will be to get away from each other. So keep the package in your fridge (be sure to warn your family that there are live insects in there) and plan to release the beetles in stages over four or five days.

Step 3. Increase the probability of the beetles staying put in your garden by releasing about one quarter of the package each day at dusk. Spread the beetles around your garden so they don’t feel the urge to fly away from each other. Make sure to place them near plants suffering from an aphid problem so they do not have to search far for a food source.

Step 4. Create a healthy habitat for the lady beetles that you released, and other beneficial insects that call your yard home, by refraining from spraying pesticides, including organic pesticides that contain pyrethrums or rotenone, because these products are broad spectrum, which means they kill both pests and the beneficial insects that naturally prey on these pests.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Fun Monday

2008-04-28T06:25:00.006-04:00

Today's Fun Monday is hosted by The Lurchers which came up with the following assignment: All I want you to do is take me on your favourite walk. In words or pictures. Or both of course! Tell me why it's your favourite and point out things of interest on the way.

Note: I would like to add that this is the first time that I have done a Fun Monday. I am fairly new to the community that I reside in seeing that I have only been retired since October 2007. So there is not a favorite walk that I have established yet. So I am going to write about the walk that Corky (my husband) and I were on last week while out geocaching in the Sarasota FL area.

We were at the Joan M. Durante Community Park in the town of Longboat Key, FL. There were three caches in the park that we decided to find. We walk slow because Corky has been having issues with his left leg so we take it easy. This I like because than I get to enjoy nature and all of its wonderful creatures.

As we started out we held each others hand. We passed a pavilion that we used as a landmark to help us get back to the right spot. The path winded around with small undulations that gave us a pretty good workout. We crossed several wood bridges that crossed shallow bodies of water where we looked upon the mangroves and saw several different species of water foul.

The park had several different kinds of palms, and gumbo trees that provided shelter and shade from the sun. Luckily it was a cloudy day and the heat index was low. As we walked down one of the paths we came upon an egret that flew in and just stood there as we approached. I had wished that I had my camera with me but as usual I did not think about bringing one with me. The egret just stayed where it was and the closer we got he still did not move until we were right on top of it than it just walked over to the left side of us. It was like the egret was saying this is my territory and I am not going to leave just because the two of you invaded my space. Well, what can I say, I like talking for the animals .

We encountered others on the path that were riding bicyles, walking their dogs, and jogging. We greeted them with a smile and a hello. We found all three of the caches and walked about a half of mile in the process. We were glad that this hobby of ours brought us to this park.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Note: Photos found at Joan M. Durante Park

Morning Shoot

2008-04-27T15:39:00.013-04:00

This morning I was out with Corky on the patio when I saw a bird that frequents our backyard. So I went into the house to get my camera to take a few photos of it. Well, I only got one because it just was not cooperating with me this morning.

Because I could not get more photos of the Scrub Jay (this is what I believe it to be) I went around and took a photo of the hibiscus flower along side the house. I also took a photo of a bush that has these purple flowers on it. If anyone knows please let me know what type of bush this is.

Our local Scrub Jay

Hibiscus Flower

Have no clue!

Keep a joyful spirit

Calendar Of The Soul - Week 6

2008-04-27T09:05:00.016-04:00

Sixth Week

April 27, 2008 - May 3, 2008

There has arisen from its narrow limits
My self and finds itself
As revelation of all worlds
Within the sway of time and space;
The world, as archetype divine,
Displays to me at every turn
The truth of my own likeness.

English translation by Ruth and Hans Pusch
=====

Es ist erstanden aus der Eigenheit
Mein Selbst und findet sich
Als Weltenoffenbarung
In Zeit- und Raumeskräften;
Die Welt, sie zeigt mir überall
Als göttlich Urbild
Des eignen Abbilds Wahrheit.

The Year Participated translation by Owen Barfield

=====

Risen from separate me
I feel my self-expression fit,
as cosmic revelation,
with sturdy goings on in time and space;
the world before me overall
as my divine Original
confirms as true this Copy made from it.

(provided with the kind permission of the Rudolf Steiner Press)

Ralph Waldo Emerson Poem

2008-04-26T19:04:00.019-04:00

This has been a pretty quiet day for me. I haven't done much other than listen to meditation CDs by Brian Weise that were sent to me by a friend. So here is a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Gnothi Seauton

I

If thou canst bear
Strong meat of simple truth
If thou durst my words compare
With what thou thinkest in my soul’s free youth,
Then take this fact unto thy soul,-----
God dwells in thee.
It is no metaphor nor parable,
It is unknown to thousands, and to thee;
Yet there is God.

II

He is in thy world,
But thy world knows him not.
He is the mighty Heart
From which life’s varied pulses part.
Clouded and shrouded there doth sit
The Infinite
Embosomed in a man;
And thou art stranger to thy guest
And know’st not what thou doth invest.
The clouds that veil his life within
Are thy thick woven webs of sin,
Which his glory struggling through
Darkens to thine evil hue.

III

Then bear thyself, O man!
Up to the scale and compass of thy guest;
Soul of thy soul.
Be great as doth beseem
The ambassador who bears
The royal presence where he goes.

IV

Give up to thy soul-----
Let it have its way-----
It is, I tell thee, God himself,
The selfsame One that rules the Whole,
Tho’ he speaks thro’ thee with a stifled voice,
And looks through thee, shorn of his beams.
But if thou listen to his voice,
If thou obey the royal thought,
It will grow clearer to thine ear,
More glorious to thine eye.
The clouds will burst that veil him now
And thou shalt see the Lord.

V

Therefore be great,
Not proud,-----too great to be proud.
Let not thine eyes rove,
Peep not in corners; let thine eyes
Look straight before thee, as befits
The simplicity of Power.
And in thy closet carry state;
Filled with light, walk therein;
And, as a king
Would do no treason to his own empire,
So do not thou to thine.

VI

This is the reason why thou dost recognize
Things now first revealed,
Because in thee resides
The Spirit that lives in all;
And thou canst learn the laws of nature
Because its author is latent in thy breast.

VII

Therefore, O happy youth,
Happy if thou dost know and love this truth,
Thou art unto thyself a law,
And since the soul of things is in thee,
Thou needest nothing out of thee.
The law, the gospel, and the Providence,
Heaven, Hell, the Judgement, and the stores
Immeasurable of Truth and Good,
All these thou must find
Within thy single mind,
Or never find.

VIII

Thou art the law;
The gospel has no revelation
Of peace and hope until there is response
From the deep chambers of thy mind thereto,-----
The rest is straw.
It can reveal no truth unknown before.
The Providence Thou art thyself that doth dispense
Wealth to thy work, want to thy sloth,
Glory to goodness, to neglect, the moth.
Thou sow’st the wind, the whirlwind reapest,
Thou payest the wages
Of thy own work, through all ages.
The almighty energy within
Crowneth virtue, curseth sin.
Virtue sees by its own light;
Stumbleth sin in self-made night.

IX

Who approves thee doing right?
God in thee.
Who condemns thee doing wrong?
God in thee.
Who punishes thine evil deed?
God in thee.
What is thine evil meed?
Thy worse mind, with error blind
And more prone to evil
That is, the greater hiding of the God within:
The loss of peace
The terrible displeasure of this inmate
And next the consequence
More faintly as more distant wro’t
Upon our outward fortunes
Which decay with vice
With Virtue rise.

X

The selfsame God
By the same law
Makes the souls of angels glad
And the souls of devils sad
See
There is nothing else but God
Where e'er I look
All things hasten back to him
Light is but his shadow dim.

XI

Shall I ask wealth or power of God, who gave
An image of himself to be my soul?
As well might swilling ocean ask a wave,
Or the starred firmament a dying coal,-----
For that which is in me lives in the whole.

1831

Note: Found at American Transcendentalism Web

Carousel Horses

2008-04-25T04:01:00.023-04:00

I enjoy riding the carousel.

I have never used Google's Picasa before and am doing some experimenting with it. This is a grid that I created out of photos of carousel horses.

When I look at these photos I see the horses come alive. They take on an appearance of living, breathing animals all garnished up with their adornments.

Keep a joyful spirit

===

Note: Photos found on Flickr site.

A trip to get x-rays

2008-04-24T14:44:00.011-04:00

Today Corky had to get x-rays for his leg/hip problem. We usually plan our time out of the house around lunch. This is because we do what tasks that need to be done at this time also. So today we went to the local mall to eat lunch, and before doing this we stopped by the post office to pick up notifications for holding mail. We are planning a trip in the future to visit other states to geocache.

We arrived at Open MRI, where he goes to get x-rays, about 30 minutes ahead of time. Glad that we did because they ask if anything has changed, take your insurance card, and picture ID at this time. Sometimes I wonder why this process has to be done everytime. I mean don't they have all of this information from other visits. So as robots we do what they ask. Than we sat down and watched Headline News.

What is it with the rice? Does anyone have the answer to the reason for the shortage? Not only in this country but all over the economy appears to be getting worse.

Keep a joyful spirit
===

Introduction - Why I started this blog

2008-04-23T22:22:00.009-04:00

I started this blog so that I could do Fun Monday and interact with others on the web. I am recently retired, since October 2008, and have more time on my hands nowadays and need another hobby besides geocaching.

I may just get the urge to write about my life more often inbetween Fun Mondays. I am forgetful about taking pics so there might not be too many of them to view. Than again, I may grow in this blogworld and become more creative.

Keep a joyful spirit
===