Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend Today

I had fun with this website http://www.festisite.com/cardgame/

You can be king or queen for the day.

Sagittarius Horoscopes
Next Week
For the Week of Dec 29th, 2008 -- You may be uncharacteristically shy and private on Friday. If you need some time away from other people you should take it. On Saturday, though, the Moon fires into your 5th House of Romance and you will be ready to play. You need someone willing to have fun since serious people are bound to leave you cold.

General Weekly Love Horoscope
The love planet Venus shifts from the intellectually idealistic domain of Aquarius to the dreamy and emotional realm of Pisces on Saturday. The way to intimacy will no longer pass by the head but is direct through the heart. Be gentle with the object of your affection and take the time to let romance simmer slowly instead of rushing it or relying on strategy to make the magic happen.

Serious people don't leave me cold. Some of my best friends are serious. My very best friend is a Capricorn, for Pete's sake! However, she did turn over a new leaf and is beginning to relax and enjoy herself more often. If it wasn't for Helen, I don't think I'd be heading for Oaxaca in the fall, but we BOTH are going! Heaven help the locals. A born-to-fun-again Capricorn and an unrepentant Sagittarius are going south of the border for deMeng de los Muertos 2009.

Yeee hah!! I have started my pyramid conditioning program, Rodney Yee's 'Burn Yoga', resistance (where the heck are my weights) and, yuk, recumbent bike riding. I just get up and do it. If I wait I'm doomed to procrastination, I just won't. I think I just need a more serious approach to this program. Who better than a serious person could prod me into compliance with myself? I need serious people in my life. They give me balance, which is not easy. There is a klutz side to me, believe it or not. No, serious people do not leave me cold. I have a warm spot in my heart for the serious people in my life. Believe me, I know a lot of Capricorns, and those Libras, let me tell you. A sense of humor is a godsend, but sometimes you need to get serious.

Sam Levenson said, "Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we'll find it."*

Leslie over at AlphaStamps is having fantastic give-aways this week.

It would behoove you to take a peek!

http://www.alphastamps.com/blog/

*quote from today's Writer's Almanac

Horoscopes from tarot.com

Thanks again to Artella for the cool link :)

84' in Oaxaca today!

Ebenezer and Nosferatu

"Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind- stone, Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog days; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas." A Christmas Carol ~ Charles Dickens

Now, I don't want to be Debbie Downer on Christmas Eve, but some people have cold, cold hearts. Charles Dickens knew about that. It's been mighty chilly here, but it would be like a day in the Bahamas compared to Ebenezer's corazon. If he didn't literally see the light I wonder if he would have become a vampire himself. He seems to have been almost there psychically and physically.

Whether it is Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah or Solstice, this is the season of light coming out of the darkness. The days are slowly getting longer. That's good for most of us, but there are those who prefer the darker days.

You know I just had to get back to vampires. Here's a little holiday card for the nosferatu among us.

Good cheer and god bless us, each and every one.

Shout out to Charles Dickens, Bram Stoker, Clement Moore and Debbie Downer

12/25/08 ~ Oaxaca weather report 81' and clear

Solstice 2008

Here's a link to Newgrange Winter Solstice 2008, a 5000 year old neolithic monument, restored in the 1960's and 70's. It's quite beautiful, a true spiritual experience.

A blessed Winter Solstice to all.

http://www.servecast.com/opw/211208/archive150.html

Sagittarius Horoscopes
(Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Next Week
For the Week of Dec 22nd, 2008 -- A little self-restraint can make the difference between looking cool and attracting romance or feeling foolish and being frustrated. Passion is a great thing, Saggie, but when it's held back now you become much more interesting. Rather than rushing ahead, it's holding back that will draw the right person to you.

Well, I guess those blinking Christmas light earrings are out. That's all right, I can be demure and quite sophisticated when I'm in the mood. Let those cards fall where they may.

thanks to http://www.spaceweather.com/

I can't help thinking of Juan when I watch this :)

Do you see the zig-zag lightening pattern in the corner of the photo? Looks like Mitla.

thanks to tarot.com for the sage advice

Cloth of Dreams

Timeless love is not about cherubs, harps and fluffy clouds. Each lover pays a price for a love that truly endures a lifetime. It is worth everything you pay. December 20 is the birthdate of Maude Gonne, the beloved of William Butler Yeats. Though they never married, she remained his muse for life. Oh yes, she was a true Sagittarian.

Aedh wishes for the Cloths of Heaven

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams

W B Yeats



Pop over to Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor and listen to a love story.





http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2008/12/20




Thanks Artella!
Picture, the lovely Maude ~ Wikipedia

Wild Imperfect Wisdom

The Queen of Pentacles card reversed suggests that making material quantity or trendy indulgences the foundation of this Queen's success or identity may create a false sense of deprivation, want or burden. Rather than finding pleasure or gratitude in earthly gifts, she may struggle with neglect, false sexuality, resentment or vanity or take superficial pride in spending money in an effort to keep up, buy love or entice a man. Be aware that you could succumb to her influence and fall into the same trap of living only for the moment. Humble gratitude and understanding for what has real value and meaning for you or simply honoring womanhood for her most abundant gifts and glorious, wild imperfections might be the message here.

Wild imperfections are us. I could not resist the artistry of lovely Jane Wynn. See, there was this wisdom tooth and she made it into a very funky pendant and...well...I found pleasure in an earthly gift. It is so cool. There is another beauty en route, but that is a gift for a dear friend. So, no peeking for now. These special treasures have an aesthetic value of their own.

There is a tremendous difference between living only for the moment and living in the moment.

Thankfully, I've come to a point in my life where I am letting go of the past with less trauma than I thought possible. Future goals and dreams are inspiring and hopeful, but appreciating the right now, who I'm with, what I'm doing, what I am experiencing right now, is much easier for me. There will always be distractions, life is like that, but actually being here feels so good.

Jane Wynn ~ Wisdom Tooth Pendant http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=41668

http://www.astrology.com/ ~ Daily Love Tarot

South Pole Sailing

Dear Vickie,
Here is your Daily Feng Shui Tip for Sunday, December 14
Intrepid explorer Roald Amundsen planted a Norwegian flag in the South Pole on this day in 1911, claiming discovery of this land after locating it in only 57 days of searching. Sometimes it can seem like traveling during the holidays can take that long as well. If you want to travel through this season with ease and grace, it is highly recommended that -- before departing to go anywhere -- you download and then pack a picture of what's called 'The Mystic Knot' in Eastern lore. This knot is believed to untangle and traveling snafus when carried on your person. And should you encounter any out of the ordinary delays or upsets, be sure to take the knot out and rub it three times with the hand you write with. This should smooth things out in no time at all!

I've been thinking about Antarctica again. My Feng Shui Tip just reinforced my growing obsession, one which resurfaces from time to time. Please don't be misled. I still love Oaxaca.

I check the weather conditions (91F today, high 80's this week) and imagine being there, warm and toasty, but Antarctica, cold, beautiful and desolate has always held a strong fascination for me. How do people live, even thrive, under such extreme conditions? Why do some willingly explore these forbidding places, knowing their lives are in peril?

The expeditions--tourist type--look amazing. I found one that connects from Buenos Aires, another place I long to visit. Maybe this can happen. Anything is possible, I suppose. This looks like a job for the image board. It's time for a new one :)

Now, what about love?

Sagittarius Horoscopes
(Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Next Week
For the Week of Dec 15th, 2008 -- A funny conversation can open the door to romance this weekend. You may not have to go far from home to connect with someone in a friendly way that could heat up quickly. As long as your approach is playful, others will want to play with you. Humor could be your most attractive element for pulling someone to you now.

Humor pulls me to someone, too. A sense of humor would probably be a great asset in Antarctica. That and The Mystic Knot.

Antarctic wildlife ~ d j jennings 2007

Mystic knot

Moonshine and Killer Beez

Though tonight's full moon is the largest full moon this year, it may not be the wildest.

Many studies have been done regarding the effect of the full moon on human behavior. Most have concluded there is none.

Anyone who drives a cab may disagree.

Anyone who works in health care, especially emergency rooms, may have a very different opinion. Even my boss, a true skeptic, asked this question two days ago.

"Vic, you know about these things. When is the full moon?"

He had good reason to ask, many people, patients and staff members, were off the wall.

Personally, I like full moons. Sometimes I charge water or gemstones or any old thing, by calling down the moon. Abundance or protection spells are especially effective during a full moon.

Moon festivals are lovely~poetry, cakes and sake~how could it be bad?

At times I enjoy the company of lunatics, so long as they aren't dangerous.

Today I received some deliciously scented soaps from Villianess, one of which is Killer Beez, made with honey, cream and a touch of pepper.

There are at least two people I know who might enjoy this soap.

I'm favoring Dulces en Fuego, made with musky bitter chocolate sweetened with vanilla and touches of citrus then positively inflamed with black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Wowser! Full moon mania, no doubt.

I tend to write my strangest and sometimes my best scenarios during full moons. Not very surprising for a vampire aficionado.

Some other strange lunar facts:
-- The moon is moving away as you read this, by about 1.6 inches a year. Eventually it'll be torn apart as an expanding sun pushes the moon back toward Earth for a wrenching close encounter.
-- There is no proof the full moon makes people crazy. (See my personal observation above)
-- Beaches are more polluted during full moon, owing to the higher tides.

Space.com Stories
Comet Threat More Constant Than Thought

The moon will rise Friday evening right around sunset, no matter where you are. That's because of the celestial mechanics that produce a full moon:

The moon and the sun are on opposite sides of the Earth, so that sunlight hits the full face of the moon and bounces back to our eyes.
At moonrise, the moon will appear even larger than it will later in the night when it's higher in the sky. This is an illusion that scientists can't fully explain. Some think it has to do with our perception of things on the horizon vs. stuff overhead.
Try this trick, though: Using a pencil eraser or similar object held at arm's length, gauge the size of the moon when it's near the horizon and again later when it's higher up and seems smaller. You'll see that when compared to a fixed object, the moon will be the same size in both cases.
You can see all this on each night surrounding the full moon, too, because the moon will be nearly full, rising earlier Thursday night and later Saturday night.
Interestingly, because of the mechanics of all this, the moon is never truly 100 percent full. For that to happen, all three objects have to be in a perfect line, and when that rare circumstance occurs, there is a total eclipse of the moon

The Moon's A Harsh Mistress by Jimmy Webb is a haunting song. I created one of my favorite paintings listening to Joe Cocker's raspy anguished version. I couldn't locate Joe, but this is quite lovely. Kind of like the full moon tonight in Queens. Take a listen if you're feeling a bit moonstruck (another fave movie). If the spirit moves you, just throw your head back and give up a good howl or two. Yesssss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfdhZExK7jw&feature=related

This is nice and moody too, but I miss Joe...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgyPb9TpPHE&feature=related

http://www.villainess.net/ yummy soaps and stuff

Space.com moon info and photo

Say I Am You

Thanks to the lovely angels at Artella for this beautiful tome. Rumi is timeless.


http://www.artelladailymuse.com/

December 7th, 2008

'Say I Am You'

Today's Creative Quickie for the soul: A poem of worship, written 800 years ago by Rumi
"Say I Am You"A beautiful poem by Jalalludin Rumi, set to soothing music and scenic views, is today's Quickie for the Soul. Choose a quiet moment to read the Sufi poem "Say I Am You". Then go to the YouTube link, make sure your audio is set to a comfortable level, breathe deeply, and enjoy.

I am dust particles in sunlight

I am the round sun

To the bits of dust

I say

"Stay"

To the sun

"Keep moving"

I am the morning mist

and the breathing of evening

I the wind in the top of a grove

and surf on the cliff

Mast... rudder

helmsman and keel

I am the coral reef they founder on

I am a tree

with a trained parrot in its branches

Silence

Thought

and voice

the musical air coming through a flute

a spark of stone

a flickering in metal

Both candle and the moth crazy around it

Rose...and the nightingale

lost in the fragrance

I am all orders of being...

The circling galaxy...

The evolutionary intelligence

The lift....and the falling away

What is...and what isn't

You who know Jalalludin

You the one in all

Say whom I am

Say I am You

Sagittarius Horoscopes
(Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Next Week
For the Week of Dec 8th, 2008 -- Your personal life will definitely not be boring this week. A Full Moon in your 7th House of Partnerships is bound to bring activity, whether shaking up what you've already got or springing a social surprise or two. Finding your balance can be difficult, though, as your moods can swing wildly with rapidly changing circumstances

Finding my balance can be difficult, both physically and emotionally, but I usually end up on my feet in the end. Isn't that what life is all about?

Loved my visit to Woodstock yesterday with Helen. First we hit the book sale at the library, located on Library Lane. Found my little sampler, "All things must change" at Talisman. When we arrived at the Woodstock Bead Emporium, my favorite source for Herkimer diamonds, the proprietor told us they were relocating. There's truth in that sampler. Found more hands in the magic supply store.

While perusing Candlestock (really), a shop on Tinker Street, I came across a candle of three unusually familiar looking simians. I posed the question, "Have you seen an orangutan lately?" The response was less than helpful. The mystery continues. Refer to the following post:

http://michaeldemeng.blogspot.com/2008/12/missing-linkor-have-you-seen-my-monkey.html

Today, a baby shower for a dear friend. The cycle of life brought many of us together for a reunion and celebration of the good things. Wine is good. And this is true.

You are the one in all

Say who I am

Say I am You

Photo of Woodstock treasures and non compliant monkeys~seeing, hearing and speaking nada

Back to Oaxaca

Not literally, sigh, but some of my pics are posted on Flickr.

Vaya con dios, mis amigos y amigas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80924136@N00/?saved=1

Here's a little music for dancing around the studio, or any place you like :)

http://www.todotango.com/spanish/las_obras/grabacion.aspx?id=1534

Woodcarver's studio, Oaxaca ~ I like!

Another LK Day of Sharing ~ Song

I believe in love at first sight because it happened to me.
On a sweltering Sunday morning in August, my best friend Eileen and I attended mass at Our Lady of the Snows RC Church. It was a full house, so some of the parishioners spilled into the vestibule, standing and fanning themselves with the hymn cards during the service. The huge fans barely moved the humid air through the church.
As I stood there holding my missal, I felt an elbow jab my ribs. I looked at Eileen. She tilted her head toward the right side of the crowd as she smirked and kind of raised one eyebrow.
Following her direction I turned to look at the object of her attention. As I did I found myself looking into the most beautiful brown eyes. He smiled as I blushed bright pink. I dropped my gaze and turned the page in my missal, determined to look to the front of the church until mass ended. When it did I looked again in his direction, but he had disappeared into the crowd. Eileen and I diligently attended mass each Sunday for the rest of the summer, but he never reappeared.

School started right after Labor Day. My high school class had over 2000 students in attendance. The hallways reminded me of a subway platform at rush hour, packed with people hurrying to go somewhere, but unable to move faster than a crawl. I was peering into classrooms trying to find my bio class when I saw him sitting there. To say I was smitten is a gross understatement of fact. Cupid's arrow had pierced my heart. It was almost as though an electrical charge ran through me. I was lovestruck, paralyzed, momentarily unable to move.
As I walked into the classroom he looked up and waved. I was fourteen, he was sixteen~Romeo and Juliette. My dad and my brothers tried to discourage his attentions, but he wasn't easily deterred. By the time we graduated from high school I was going to nursing school and he had to go to war. Things were never the same after that. But this much is certain, I never felt that way again, no matter how many times I fell in and out of love. That experience was the gift of a lifetime.
This sweet song reminds me of him and of first love...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5t62TR0dss

SPANISH IS THE LOVING TONGUE
(Charles Badger Clark, Jr., Revised Version)



Spanish is the loving tongue
Soft as music, light as spray;
'Twas a girl I learned it from
Living down Sonora way.
I don't look much like a lover,
Yet I say her soft words over.
Mostly when I'm all alone
"Mi amor, mi corazon"





Nights there were when I would ride
She would listen for my spurs,
Throw the big door open wide,
Raise them laughing eyes of hers.
How the night would soon go flyin!
All too soon I'd hear her sighin'
In her little sorry tone ---
"Adios, mi corazon."




Never seen her since that night,
I can't cross the line, you know.
Tney want me for a gamblin' fight
Like as not it's better so.
Yet I've always sort of missed her
Since that last sad night I kissed her;
Lost my heart and left alone
"Adios, mi corazon."










I shared a song for the first day of sharing, it just seemed natural to me
What a great opportunity to collectively celebrate life

Picture of cemetery known for unusually high bee population, Mitla, Oaxaca
http://gryphonsfeather.typepad.com/the_poetic_eye/2008/11/a-little-more-sharing.html