Happy New Moon, and month of June! Around here, the weather has been just lovely this week, after a bunch of rain. We have some fun gatherings to attend (and host) this month. The first one is coming up this weekend, which is the wedding of a very special couple. I'm delighted and honored to be participating in the ceremony. I'm calling Water, but I'll be careful not to ask for rain, since the handfasting portion of the day is being held outside.
The new moon brings the energy of new beginnings and exploration. According to Starsdance Astrology's blog, this particular new moon is a good time to explore one's deepest desires. And according to my Rob Brezsny horoscope, the coming weeks are a perfect time for me to do things which I've been told just can't be done. Which is what? It's quite obvious, in my case - I've been told repeatedly that I can't make a living as a writer, and I had the misfortune of believing it. I guess I'll be focused on submitting more of my writings this month. I'm trying various avenues: looking for a literary agent, sending letters directly to publishers, and submitting articles to magazines. Time to ramp it up!
Hope is easier to find at this time of year, and as the moon waxes. I'll polish off my finest literary gems and share them with the world, as well as carefully cutting some new ones. In between, of course, gardening workshops, a big anniversary, family potlucks, a milestone birthday celebration for an old friend, and a fireside gathering or two. Summer's here! Who wants to play?
P.S. Here's a little more inspiration, for the road. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Smoothies Are Back!
Our broken blender was replaced today, hurrah! Smoothies are back! Smoothies are my favorite breakfast food. I've never been much for cereal and I only eat eggs occasionally, but my body says "yum!" to smoothie nearly every time. Many thanks to ElvenTiger and Quester for the gift of a new blender! It was my Mother's Day present from them, and today was the day I turned in the "100% off coupon" ElvenTiger made me.
In honor of the occasion, here's a family favorite combination:
1 peach, pit removed
1 clementine, peel removed
1 apple, quartered
1 cup or so of cold water
1 or 2 frozen bananas
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
Start with your fresh fruit and water. Blend. Then gradually add the frozen fruit until the smoothie is at desired thickness. Drink! Enjoy!
In honor of the occasion, here's a family favorite combination:
1 peach, pit removed
1 clementine, peel removed
1 apple, quartered
1 cup or so of cold water
1 or 2 frozen bananas
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
Start with your fresh fruit and water. Blend. Then gradually add the frozen fruit until the smoothie is at desired thickness. Drink! Enjoy!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ah, Peaceful Saturday
Quester makes yummy veggie pizza. And it's even better when eaten while listening to A Prairie Home Companion. And even better than that when followed by his delicious chocolate chip cookies. Perhaps there will even be Skip-Bo, once ElvenTiger returns from her bike ride.
My day of relaxation has been great. Of course, as a Mom, it included cleaning the kitchen a couple of times, and doing some laundry. But there was also yoga, and reading, and a leisurely walk. We spent some time with some kitty friends whose human companion is away for the weekend. Quester and BlackLion mowed the lawn - yup, both riding around on Aunt Peg's mowers, cutting the time in half.
Quester and ElvenTiger helped my parents with some painting, earlier in the day. Dryst has been feeling sick, so he's taking it easy and healing. The kids get sick so rarely (knock on wood) that it's really strange when they do. But he's better today than yesterday. I knew he was really under the weather when he decided not to go to his lacrosse game last night.
Not much else is going on around here, and right now that's the way we like it. Purr purr purr...
My day of relaxation has been great. Of course, as a Mom, it included cleaning the kitchen a couple of times, and doing some laundry. But there was also yoga, and reading, and a leisurely walk. We spent some time with some kitty friends whose human companion is away for the weekend. Quester and BlackLion mowed the lawn - yup, both riding around on Aunt Peg's mowers, cutting the time in half.
Quester and ElvenTiger helped my parents with some painting, earlier in the day. Dryst has been feeling sick, so he's taking it easy and healing. The kids get sick so rarely (knock on wood) that it's really strange when they do. But he's better today than yesterday. I knew he was really under the weather when he decided not to go to his lacrosse game last night.
Not much else is going on around here, and right now that's the way we like it. Purr purr purr...
Friday, May 27, 2011
Nurturing Community
I've had a busier-than-normal week, and it's mostly involved socializing. Or another way of looking at it is nurturing the community. I'm blessed with a very diverse group of friends and acquaintances. Quite a few are unschoolers and Pagans (or, in some cases, both), some are friends I've had for a long time, others are fairly new, a few are former work colleagues, and some defy categorization. And I have a wonderful community of extended family, too!
On Wednesday we had our usual homeschool group gathering, but due to illness and one member's new baby (yay!) it was smaller than usual. We moved the party from the usual farmhouse to a different family's farm. We got to meet their new baby chicks, and see what's going on in the garden. We helped cheer up a Mom who was feeling low, too. We brought her chili, casserole, and belated birthday gifts.
After that, BlackLion and I went out for a night on the town (a fairly rare occurrence) with some former colleagues of mine. It was like our own personal pub crawl. I had a lot of fun! I'm not normally much of a drinker, but I enjoyed some spirits with a very spirited group of folks. There was much merriment and even hilarity.
Thursday found us hosting the monthly role-playing game that we're involved with, based on the TV series Supernatural. We made baked potatoes and set up a "potato bar" with lots of different toppings. The game session was a whole lot of fun. I have to say, I think it was one of the best sessions yet! That night, the kids had a couple of overnight guests. These cool kids, who are part of our homeschool group, are welcome anytime. The adults of our family also went out briefly, to hear Quester sing at the open mic night down the street. Rock on!
And tonight, we attended a birthday dinner for a dear magickal friend, with our entire Elements Study Group. I made a cake (photos to come, dear cake lovers) which was received with much adoration. The food was yummy, and the companionship even more delicious.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed with a busy week like this, and less than my usual time for creativity and contemplation. But this time, I'm celebrating the diverse and delightful community around me. And I'm also thankful that I have this weekend to rest up and recharge. Blessings, friends!
On Wednesday we had our usual homeschool group gathering, but due to illness and one member's new baby (yay!) it was smaller than usual. We moved the party from the usual farmhouse to a different family's farm. We got to meet their new baby chicks, and see what's going on in the garden. We helped cheer up a Mom who was feeling low, too. We brought her chili, casserole, and belated birthday gifts.
After that, BlackLion and I went out for a night on the town (a fairly rare occurrence) with some former colleagues of mine. It was like our own personal pub crawl. I had a lot of fun! I'm not normally much of a drinker, but I enjoyed some spirits with a very spirited group of folks. There was much merriment and even hilarity.
Thursday found us hosting the monthly role-playing game that we're involved with, based on the TV series Supernatural. We made baked potatoes and set up a "potato bar" with lots of different toppings. The game session was a whole lot of fun. I have to say, I think it was one of the best sessions yet! That night, the kids had a couple of overnight guests. These cool kids, who are part of our homeschool group, are welcome anytime. The adults of our family also went out briefly, to hear Quester sing at the open mic night down the street. Rock on!
And tonight, we attended a birthday dinner for a dear magickal friend, with our entire Elements Study Group. I made a cake (photos to come, dear cake lovers) which was received with much adoration. The food was yummy, and the companionship even more delicious.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed with a busy week like this, and less than my usual time for creativity and contemplation. But this time, I'm celebrating the diverse and delightful community around me. And I'm also thankful that I have this weekend to rest up and recharge. Blessings, friends!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Nurturing and Practice
This week I got the same Tarot card two days in a row, which is usually a signal to pay extra attention. It was the 3 of discs, which in the Voyager deck I'm using currently is the 3 of worlds - nurturing. This deck often branches out from traditional Tarot definitions, and has its own delightful web of meanings and images.
The first day I got the card, I sort of went along with their theme, and took in the information and wisdom of nurturing. I took it to mean not only self-nurturing, but also the careful balanced nurturing of a project. Like a garden - there is a certain amount of nurturing necessary, and then you just need to step back and let it grow. Or the nurturing energies of motherhood, as with the Empress card, which this card is connected to in this deck.
When the card showed up again the next day, I searched my memory for the more familiar meanings of the 3 of discs. I've experienced it in the past as skills, ones that are being put to regular use. In other words, practice. I looked to the things I do as a spiritual practice, like writing and meditation, and the things I might not think of as a practice but are skills I use a lot, like cooking and doing dishes.
Then it was time to connect the two. I got thinking about what nurturing and practice have in common. Hopefully, I am nurtured through my spiritual practices. Also, self-nurturing itself can be a wonderful spiritual practice. Sometimes, though, I can go through times when I'm doing my practices, but I'm still not being very kind to myself. I'm not feeling nurtured on a deep level. When this happens, one way to get back to feeling nurtured is to practice simply BEING. To slow down and notice the present moment. Over and over again. When that happens, my connection to my source grows stronger. And then my life, like a garden, receives the nurturing it needs to grow and thrive.
The first day I got the card, I sort of went along with their theme, and took in the information and wisdom of nurturing. I took it to mean not only self-nurturing, but also the careful balanced nurturing of a project. Like a garden - there is a certain amount of nurturing necessary, and then you just need to step back and let it grow. Or the nurturing energies of motherhood, as with the Empress card, which this card is connected to in this deck.
When the card showed up again the next day, I searched my memory for the more familiar meanings of the 3 of discs. I've experienced it in the past as skills, ones that are being put to regular use. In other words, practice. I looked to the things I do as a spiritual practice, like writing and meditation, and the things I might not think of as a practice but are skills I use a lot, like cooking and doing dishes.
Then it was time to connect the two. I got thinking about what nurturing and practice have in common. Hopefully, I am nurtured through my spiritual practices. Also, self-nurturing itself can be a wonderful spiritual practice. Sometimes, though, I can go through times when I'm doing my practices, but I'm still not being very kind to myself. I'm not feeling nurtured on a deep level. When this happens, one way to get back to feeling nurtured is to practice simply BEING. To slow down and notice the present moment. Over and over again. When that happens, my connection to my source grows stronger. And then my life, like a garden, receives the nurturing it needs to grow and thrive.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Feeding the Hordes
I just finished the dinner dishes, wiped the counters, and then got out the ingredients to make a couple of snacks. Nope, I'm not hungry...but you can bet my teen son and preteen daughter will be, given a couple of minutes! So I put together some guacamole and an herb dip to toss to the ravening hordes when they appear.
That's what it feels like sometimes with growing young adults around the house. Sure, toddlers and little kids can go into growth spurts where they eat quite a bit. But those times are interspersed with lulls when they hardly seem to eat at all. I'd been warned about the appetite of a teenage boy, but you really have to witness it to believe it.
Well, today was a good day for cooking, anyway. It was cool, damp, and drizzly once again. BlackLion and I made some spaghetti sauce for dinner, putting it on to simmer in the mid-afternoon. Then we finished processing the big bundle of chives we'd harvested from the garden. We cleaned them, chopped them up into little bits, froze them on a cookie sheet (so they don't clump together as they freeze), then transferred them to labeled freezer bags. We got quite a good crop, with much more to come. BlackLion also made two loaves of banana bread, some to share with his gamer friends and some to eat at home.
This morning we made our meal plan for the week, and did the requisite grocery shopping. Tonight we had the pasta and tomato sauce, tomorrow night we're having minestrone soup and homemade English muffins at my parents' house, we're bringing vegetarian chili to homeschool group this Wednesday, and Friday will be homemade pizza for Quester and the kids. On Thursday, we're hosting a role-playing game here, and we're going to have a baked potato bar. The toppings we'll have on hand for the baked russet potatoes: leftover chili, broccoli and cheddar cheese, chives (from the garden) and sour cream, and butter. We also have the makings for salads, sandwiches, and snacks on hand. Not to mention some leftover curry from last night. Hopefully that will satisfy the hordes of hungry adolescents we hang out with!
That's what it feels like sometimes with growing young adults around the house. Sure, toddlers and little kids can go into growth spurts where they eat quite a bit. But those times are interspersed with lulls when they hardly seem to eat at all. I'd been warned about the appetite of a teenage boy, but you really have to witness it to believe it.
Well, today was a good day for cooking, anyway. It was cool, damp, and drizzly once again. BlackLion and I made some spaghetti sauce for dinner, putting it on to simmer in the mid-afternoon. Then we finished processing the big bundle of chives we'd harvested from the garden. We cleaned them, chopped them up into little bits, froze them on a cookie sheet (so they don't clump together as they freeze), then transferred them to labeled freezer bags. We got quite a good crop, with much more to come. BlackLion also made two loaves of banana bread, some to share with his gamer friends and some to eat at home.
This morning we made our meal plan for the week, and did the requisite grocery shopping. Tonight we had the pasta and tomato sauce, tomorrow night we're having minestrone soup and homemade English muffins at my parents' house, we're bringing vegetarian chili to homeschool group this Wednesday, and Friday will be homemade pizza for Quester and the kids. On Thursday, we're hosting a role-playing game here, and we're going to have a baked potato bar. The toppings we'll have on hand for the baked russet potatoes: leftover chili, broccoli and cheddar cheese, chives (from the garden) and sour cream, and butter. We also have the makings for salads, sandwiches, and snacks on hand. Not to mention some leftover curry from last night. Hopefully that will satisfy the hordes of hungry adolescents we hang out with!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Day in the Life of Starcat
Rather unoriginal, I know, but I haven't been all that inspired with other topics. I got up early (for me) and got ready for the day. That includes doing daily practice, which for today was journal writing, Tarot card draw, sit-ups, and dream sharing. Most days I also meditate, but there wasn't time this morning.
A friend picked me up and we went to the Interfaith Walk for Habitat for Humanity, stopping to get the cake and some paper plates along the way. I was volunteering today, not walking. I'd told my friend, who was one of the organizers, that I'd do whatever she needed. We helped set up for the event, which included tables for registration, lunch for the walkers, and a blessing ceremony. My main task for the morning was to inflate balloons! And then I cut up and served the cake. Very fae tasks, and right up my alley!
I also got to see another friend, and her baby daughter, who came with her to volunteer. Her sweet baby was the hit of the gathering! She's so adorable. My favorite part of the event is always the blessing, though. I just love to see a Pagan priestess up there with the rabbi and pastors and priests. Pagans have been involved with Habitat's interfaith building projects and fund-raising events in our area for years, and it has earned us a lot of respect from the religious community. That's awesome! We've also become known as the ones who stay until the end and pitch in to clean up. I'm thankful for all the hard work so many Pagan folks have put in over the years (this is only my second year of helping out). Next year, I think I'll do the walk as well as helping set up and clean up.
When I got home, I took some time to chill out, chat with the family, and read my book. BlackLion and ElvenTiger were mixing up the dough to make naan. Quester and Dryst were off working for the afternoon. We listened to Radio Paradise, and the DJ was totally on a roll - my favorite set being Pink Floyd's "Time" followed by Beethoven's Fifth Symphony followed by the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." It worked.
I cleaned up the kitchen, and then BlackLion and I made vegetable curry, basmati rice, and raita (cucumber yogurt sauce), and baked up the garlic-chive naan. When Quester and Dryst got back, we all had a yummy Indian food dinner. We hung out for a while, and then played a couple of games of Skip-Bo. Quester has gone off to bed, and I'm soon to join him, book in hand. The kids are mock wrestling in the living room. Both cats have just come in. Star is eating her dinner. BlackLion is ready to use the laptop once I'm finished. And that, dear readers, is a day in the life of Starcat. I hope you found it worth reading. Meow!
A friend picked me up and we went to the Interfaith Walk for Habitat for Humanity, stopping to get the cake and some paper plates along the way. I was volunteering today, not walking. I'd told my friend, who was one of the organizers, that I'd do whatever she needed. We helped set up for the event, which included tables for registration, lunch for the walkers, and a blessing ceremony. My main task for the morning was to inflate balloons! And then I cut up and served the cake. Very fae tasks, and right up my alley!
I also got to see another friend, and her baby daughter, who came with her to volunteer. Her sweet baby was the hit of the gathering! She's so adorable. My favorite part of the event is always the blessing, though. I just love to see a Pagan priestess up there with the rabbi and pastors and priests. Pagans have been involved with Habitat's interfaith building projects and fund-raising events in our area for years, and it has earned us a lot of respect from the religious community. That's awesome! We've also become known as the ones who stay until the end and pitch in to clean up. I'm thankful for all the hard work so many Pagan folks have put in over the years (this is only my second year of helping out). Next year, I think I'll do the walk as well as helping set up and clean up.
When I got home, I took some time to chill out, chat with the family, and read my book. BlackLion and ElvenTiger were mixing up the dough to make naan. Quester and Dryst were off working for the afternoon. We listened to Radio Paradise, and the DJ was totally on a roll - my favorite set being Pink Floyd's "Time" followed by Beethoven's Fifth Symphony followed by the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." It worked.
I cleaned up the kitchen, and then BlackLion and I made vegetable curry, basmati rice, and raita (cucumber yogurt sauce), and baked up the garlic-chive naan. When Quester and Dryst got back, we all had a yummy Indian food dinner. We hung out for a while, and then played a couple of games of Skip-Bo. Quester has gone off to bed, and I'm soon to join him, book in hand. The kids are mock wrestling in the living room. Both cats have just come in. Star is eating her dinner. BlackLion is ready to use the laptop once I'm finished. And that, dear readers, is a day in the life of Starcat. I hope you found it worth reading. Meow!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Feelin' Sorta Bleah
We're in the midst of a long, long stretch of rain, drizzly weather here in New England. A lot of folks are talking about feeling dreary, too. Well, this week I've really felt it. Of course, I think hormones are involved, too (yeah, I know, probably TMI!). But anyway, I've been feeling pretty low-energy and blah.
My sister-in-law is here for a visit now, though, and that's been fun. She's a sweetheart. She just cut my hair, which gives me a little boost. Wow, I can see now! Pictures would be forthcoming, but alas, no camera battery yet.
Also, a dear friend invited ElvenTiger and I to her kids' performance this weekend. Normally we all try to go to each others' recitals, plays, games, and other events, but I didn't have the funds to do it this time, so she offered to pay our way. That'll perk up our rainy weekend, too.
Otherwise, I've been taking refuge in meditation and yoga and playing games with the family. And, of course, reading! Quester is cooking tonight. We're doing "breakfast for dinner." Gotta go now, my parents are here and I've gotta help get the table set. Blessings!
My sister-in-law is here for a visit now, though, and that's been fun. She's a sweetheart. She just cut my hair, which gives me a little boost. Wow, I can see now! Pictures would be forthcoming, but alas, no camera battery yet.
Also, a dear friend invited ElvenTiger and I to her kids' performance this weekend. Normally we all try to go to each others' recitals, plays, games, and other events, but I didn't have the funds to do it this time, so she offered to pay our way. That'll perk up our rainy weekend, too.
Otherwise, I've been taking refuge in meditation and yoga and playing games with the family. And, of course, reading! Quester is cooking tonight. We're doing "breakfast for dinner." Gotta go now, my parents are here and I've gotta help get the table set. Blessings!
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