Happy Leap Day! I saw a funny photo on Facebook this morning, of a door to a business where the owners had posted a notice that since February 29th "isn't a real day," they would be closed for the day and re-open on March 1st. I thought it was a pretty cool idea!
However, since I have plans for today that would be challenging to alter, I think I'll make tomorrow my own personal "day that wasn't." It's supposed to snow here, after a winter without much of the white stuff, and our homeschool co-op has already been canceled. So tomorrow I'm going to enjoy a "time outside of time" kind of day.
I have some creative projects that have been wanting attention, and I'm very excited to give them some. I'll be working on text for our guided meditation CD, phase two of my Starcat's Corner book proposal, and a guest blog to submit to one of my new favorite websites, among other projects. Maybe I'll finally make my vision board for 2012! I've been too busy living it to put it on paper, thus far anyway.
I hope you enjoy your own version of the day that wasn't, whenever you decide to discover it!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Limelight
This Thursday, I'm coming out. Nope, I'm not gay. But I do have two love partners. Most of those who know me either know this already or have probably figured it out. If you don't know me, you may be saying "so what?" or "huh?" or "what does that mean, exactly?" I haven't written about it much up until now, not really wanting it to be the defining characteristic of my online presence. I also value my privacy, and it's not really anyone's business what my relationships are like.
But, thanks to a gentle nudge from an editor I'm acquainted with online, I've written an article called "Surrounded by Love: Our Alternative Family." It's going to be published on Thursday in an online magazine called Rethinking Everything. I'm feeling very excited, and a perhaps a bit nervous. It's not like it's going to be in Good Housekeeping or on Oprah, but still. I've been working on the article for several months now (off and on), and the cool thing is, I'm very pleased with how it came out. If you're interested in reading it, you can sign up for the free magazine at this link.
But, thanks to a gentle nudge from an editor I'm acquainted with online, I've written an article called "Surrounded by Love: Our Alternative Family." It's going to be published on Thursday in an online magazine called Rethinking Everything. I'm feeling very excited, and a perhaps a bit nervous. It's not like it's going to be in Good Housekeeping or on Oprah, but still. I've been working on the article for several months now (off and on), and the cool thing is, I'm very pleased with how it came out. If you're interested in reading it, you can sign up for the free magazine at this link.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Traveling Beyond Words
Sometimes there are things that I'm thinking or feeling or dreaming that just can't be communicated with words. Does that ever happen for you? Like those dreams that stir me awake, but I can't write them in my dream journal because there's really no plot or setting or characters, just a sort of indescribable awareness. Or a feeling that arises that presents an odd combination of emotions, like an uplifting sadness or a poignant fey anger - see, just trying to write them down here isn't really capturing them at all.
The other night BlackLion and I went to a kirtan at a local yoga studio. I've been to kirtan events there before, and the organizers are just amazing. The event is woven together with storytelling - Hindu myths and personal insights and yogic quotes - in between the uplifting energy-filled chants. We brought along our drums this time. The theme was a celebration of Shiva, in honor of the upcoming festival Maha Shivaratri, or The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the god of cosmic destruction and rebirth. We chanted to him and I joined in the drumming.
It was a powerfully transformative night. Without words, I was able to go deeply into the moment and experience the energies of the music. The chants do have words, but as they're in Sanskrit, I can easily just dive into the sounds. Much of the time, I was absorbed in the drumming and forgot to chant, anyway. I'd find myself just smiling and drumming, riding the waves of the music.
I recently learned that it's the long vowel sounds in chanting that bring us into an altered state of consciousness, changing our brain waves. It makes sense. When we enter fully into music, we transcend the normal chatter of the mind, and get into a meditative flow. In that space beyond words, I can feel the harmony of my spirit with the universe. I can understand the creativity that arises and seeks expression. I might even be able to bring some of it back into my writing and art, if I use just the right combination of delighted detachment and musing dreaminess.
The other night BlackLion and I went to a kirtan at a local yoga studio. I've been to kirtan events there before, and the organizers are just amazing. The event is woven together with storytelling - Hindu myths and personal insights and yogic quotes - in between the uplifting energy-filled chants. We brought along our drums this time. The theme was a celebration of Shiva, in honor of the upcoming festival Maha Shivaratri, or The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the god of cosmic destruction and rebirth. We chanted to him and I joined in the drumming.
It was a powerfully transformative night. Without words, I was able to go deeply into the moment and experience the energies of the music. The chants do have words, but as they're in Sanskrit, I can easily just dive into the sounds. Much of the time, I was absorbed in the drumming and forgot to chant, anyway. I'd find myself just smiling and drumming, riding the waves of the music.
I recently learned that it's the long vowel sounds in chanting that bring us into an altered state of consciousness, changing our brain waves. It makes sense. When we enter fully into music, we transcend the normal chatter of the mind, and get into a meditative flow. In that space beyond words, I can feel the harmony of my spirit with the universe. I can understand the creativity that arises and seeks expression. I might even be able to bring some of it back into my writing and art, if I use just the right combination of delighted detachment and musing dreaminess.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Love to You
Happy Valentine's Day! Whether you really get into the holiday, baking and making little cards for loved ones and friends, or you are feeling sad about the expectations of romantic love that it brings, or you have a cynical view of the commercialization that goes on - no matter what your beliefs or notions or deep feelings, I wish you love.
I wish you deep nurturing self-love. I wish you inspirational star-dazzled divine love. I wish you comforting cuddly feline love. I wish you supportive and kind family love. I wish you joyful and laughter-filled and hugs-when-you-need-them friend love. I wish you awestruck nature love. I wish you magical one-night-stand love. I wish you mystical spirit-guide angelic love. I wish you quietly shared long-time partner love. I wish you resting in your sacred space love. I wish you passionate brand-new love. I wish you in-the-zone doing-the-work-you-adore creative love. And I wish you traditional swept-away romantic true love, too!
All of this and more! On this day, and all days, and always!
Blessed Be my Lovely friends!
I wish you deep nurturing self-love. I wish you inspirational star-dazzled divine love. I wish you comforting cuddly feline love. I wish you supportive and kind family love. I wish you joyful and laughter-filled and hugs-when-you-need-them friend love. I wish you awestruck nature love. I wish you magical one-night-stand love. I wish you mystical spirit-guide angelic love. I wish you quietly shared long-time partner love. I wish you resting in your sacred space love. I wish you passionate brand-new love. I wish you in-the-zone doing-the-work-you-adore creative love. And I wish you traditional swept-away romantic true love, too!
All of this and more! On this day, and all days, and always!
Blessed Be my Lovely friends!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Goals for 2012
Well, here we are several weeks into the new year, so I thought that sharing my goals with you might be good. Or actually, a bit overdue! I've had them written in draft form in my notebook for a while, and have been working and playing with some of them. And my 2012 Word of the Year, which is CONNECT, is already rocking my world! I think 2012 is shaping up to be an amazing, fantastic ride!
I liked the way I arranged them last year, by elements, so I kept that format this time. Here they are! Tah dah! Please feel free to comment on them, or to post some of your 2012 goals in the comment section. I'd love to hear them!
Air: I write and publish books and e-books. I am a helpful and encouraging unschool facilitator for my kids. I write, memorize, and perform a speech or prose poem. I create art and share it with others. I read and study sacred yogic texts.
Fire: I use the power of my will to succeed in my writing, my callings, and my business, Feline Dreamers. I use affirmations to increase my self-love and confidence. I agree to participate in events and projects only if they feel like a passionate “yes!” to me. I release habits, people, and situations which no longer serve me.
Water: I nurture myself regularly. I use my empathy and intuition to serve my community. I connect more deeply with my spirit guides and dream allies. I re-read my recent dream records and work creatively with them, employing new dreamwork techniques.
Earth: I spend time outdoors in Nature. I listen to my body’s innate wisdom and follow the suggestions I receive. I use herbal remedies and holistic practices to increase my wellness. I support myself and my family with money earned through my creative work.
Spirit: I continue my daily practice of meditation, mindfulness, and presence. I practice hatha yoga regularly. I spend time in sacred space, both alone and in community. I create a personal Wheel of the Year and represent it with art I create. I update my shrine and altars regularly.
I liked the way I arranged them last year, by elements, so I kept that format this time. Here they are! Tah dah! Please feel free to comment on them, or to post some of your 2012 goals in the comment section. I'd love to hear them!
Air: I write and publish books and e-books. I am a helpful and encouraging unschool facilitator for my kids. I write, memorize, and perform a speech or prose poem. I create art and share it with others. I read and study sacred yogic texts.
Fire: I use the power of my will to succeed in my writing, my callings, and my business, Feline Dreamers. I use affirmations to increase my self-love and confidence. I agree to participate in events and projects only if they feel like a passionate “yes!” to me. I release habits, people, and situations which no longer serve me.
Water: I nurture myself regularly. I use my empathy and intuition to serve my community. I connect more deeply with my spirit guides and dream allies. I re-read my recent dream records and work creatively with them, employing new dreamwork techniques.
Earth: I spend time outdoors in Nature. I listen to my body’s innate wisdom and follow the suggestions I receive. I use herbal remedies and holistic practices to increase my wellness. I support myself and my family with money earned through my creative work.
Spirit: I continue my daily practice of meditation, mindfulness, and presence. I practice hatha yoga regularly. I spend time in sacred space, both alone and in community. I create a personal Wheel of the Year and represent it with art I create. I update my shrine and altars regularly.
Monday, January 30, 2012
My Heart Bursts Open
Back in the fall, I had a great session with a good friend who is also an astrologer. In fact, it was my birthday present from him. He gave me a personal forecast for the coming year, and in the process he listed several dates when the energies of each transit or conjunction would "peak."
This past week, I was looking through my notebook for something and I came across my notes from the session. The first "peak" for this calendar year was January 20th - which is the day when baby Ember was born! And it certainly was a powerful experience, being present for her entry into this world.
When Ember's Mom asked me to be with her during labor and delivery, she said "I'd like to have your calm, positive energy in the room." I was so very touched and honored, and of course agreed to help my friend. I'd never been a birth coach before, and since the process started sooner than her due date, I didn't have as much time to prepare as I would have liked. At times during the labor, I doubted whether I was helping much. I didn't really know what to say to encourage her. So I focused on things like bringing her juice and breathing and holding the space. I did what I could physically, which didn't seem like much, but I also focused on being present for her and the baby. I did a lot of energy work and, in retrospect, sort of a projecting of my own centeredness, though I wouldn't have known how to describe it at the time.
After the birth, my friend and her midwife both complimented me on the aid I provided. They felt my calm presence really helped with the whole birth process. Apparently my practice of presence and mindfulness helps others besides just me - quite a revelation!
This past week, the homeschooling co-op I'm a part of was having a big meeting. The group just started in the fall, and there have been some recent growing pains as we figure out how to effectively run things with over 60 families. There was some heated discussion over e-mail, and it was stated that everyone should come to the meeting and get involved. Up until now I've been teaching and helping out in practical ways (like cleaning, helping with a special event we had, donating food for a food drive, etc). I felt reluctant to enter the world of meetings and conflict and committees, but I felt it was important to attend and be a part of it. I went to the meeting reluctantly.
While I was in the meeting, though, I realized what my role was in this setting. Again, being a calm, positive presence was something I could contribute to this group, whether or not it was acknowledged as such. I left the meeting feeling inspired and called to get involved. Yes, I'll be meeting with a committee and taking notes and offering ideas, but I'll also be bringing to bear my own connection with the eternal, as best I can in each moment.
While I was trying to describe my realizations to my family, Ocean said "well, it makes sense, you always pick up on other people's emotions, why not use it to share yours?" Quester added, "oh, kind of like a reverse empath." That's it exactly! Now that I know how to center myself and be present even in a sea of feelings, I can then reverse the flow and radiate those peaceful energies.
It's not that I'm always perfect at being a shielded, centered empath. I'm still practicing that, and I've only just begun to work with this new way of using my energies, or perhaps it's a new awareness of something I've been doing unconsciously. I'm not even sure my current description of it will make much sense to anyone besides me (not that it has to, but I like to share).
This weekend, I woke up with some back pain centered between my shoulder blades. Right in the back of my heart chakra. Just where my faerie wings are attached. I was trying to figure out what was up with it, and Quester said "it's okay, it's just that your heart is opening up more." In a rush, the connection was made - opening up, emanating love and peace, being myself and sharing my gifts (even the intangible ones), with my community and the world. My heart is bursting open once again. I'm expanding. I'm excited to see where it takes me.
This past week, I was looking through my notebook for something and I came across my notes from the session. The first "peak" for this calendar year was January 20th - which is the day when baby Ember was born! And it certainly was a powerful experience, being present for her entry into this world.
When Ember's Mom asked me to be with her during labor and delivery, she said "I'd like to have your calm, positive energy in the room." I was so very touched and honored, and of course agreed to help my friend. I'd never been a birth coach before, and since the process started sooner than her due date, I didn't have as much time to prepare as I would have liked. At times during the labor, I doubted whether I was helping much. I didn't really know what to say to encourage her. So I focused on things like bringing her juice and breathing and holding the space. I did what I could physically, which didn't seem like much, but I also focused on being present for her and the baby. I did a lot of energy work and, in retrospect, sort of a projecting of my own centeredness, though I wouldn't have known how to describe it at the time.
After the birth, my friend and her midwife both complimented me on the aid I provided. They felt my calm presence really helped with the whole birth process. Apparently my practice of presence and mindfulness helps others besides just me - quite a revelation!
This past week, the homeschooling co-op I'm a part of was having a big meeting. The group just started in the fall, and there have been some recent growing pains as we figure out how to effectively run things with over 60 families. There was some heated discussion over e-mail, and it was stated that everyone should come to the meeting and get involved. Up until now I've been teaching and helping out in practical ways (like cleaning, helping with a special event we had, donating food for a food drive, etc). I felt reluctant to enter the world of meetings and conflict and committees, but I felt it was important to attend and be a part of it. I went to the meeting reluctantly.
While I was in the meeting, though, I realized what my role was in this setting. Again, being a calm, positive presence was something I could contribute to this group, whether or not it was acknowledged as such. I left the meeting feeling inspired and called to get involved. Yes, I'll be meeting with a committee and taking notes and offering ideas, but I'll also be bringing to bear my own connection with the eternal, as best I can in each moment.
While I was trying to describe my realizations to my family, Ocean said "well, it makes sense, you always pick up on other people's emotions, why not use it to share yours?" Quester added, "oh, kind of like a reverse empath." That's it exactly! Now that I know how to center myself and be present even in a sea of feelings, I can then reverse the flow and radiate those peaceful energies.
It's not that I'm always perfect at being a shielded, centered empath. I'm still practicing that, and I've only just begun to work with this new way of using my energies, or perhaps it's a new awareness of something I've been doing unconsciously. I'm not even sure my current description of it will make much sense to anyone besides me (not that it has to, but I like to share).
This weekend, I woke up with some back pain centered between my shoulder blades. Right in the back of my heart chakra. Just where my faerie wings are attached. I was trying to figure out what was up with it, and Quester said "it's okay, it's just that your heart is opening up more." In a rush, the connection was made - opening up, emanating love and peace, being myself and sharing my gifts (even the intangible ones), with my community and the world. My heart is bursting open once again. I'm expanding. I'm excited to see where it takes me.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
January Thus Far
Here's a photo essay on how our January has been thus far. It's been trucking along pretty well.
ElvenTiger officially became a teenager! She and her best friend and I all spent the day together, doing girly stuff. Then we had a family dessert gathering, with gifts, of course.
We had a yummy lunch, and a bit of dessert afterwards.
Though it left us feeling a bit full...
But then we walked around the mall, got our nails done, and the girls updated their wardrobes a bit.
Merlin is doing great. He's been going outside again, and he still loves getting Reiki from us.
Percy is his usual happy self.
Quester has been working a lot, and helping with some projects around the homestead. Dryst is enjoying learning how to create music on the computer. ElvenTiger and I have been doing a lot of reading, together and separately. She got a Kindle Touch from Grampa and Grammy for her birthday! BlackLion has been baking his delicious bread every week.
I even made myself a meal out of it, one night.
We've been doing laundry.
The days are getting longer, so there's more sunlight...
...but we're still feeling kind of loungy sometimes...
Last but certainly not least, I helped a friend as Birth Priestess while she had her lovely daughter. I made a new friend! She's called Ember Caroline - isn't that the prettiest name you've ever heard? She's so lovely.
Life is good, and I am so very thankful for all its blessings.
ElvenTiger officially became a teenager! She and her best friend and I all spent the day together, doing girly stuff. Then we had a family dessert gathering, with gifts, of course.
We had a yummy lunch, and a bit of dessert afterwards.
Though it left us feeling a bit full...
But then we walked around the mall, got our nails done, and the girls updated their wardrobes a bit.
Merlin is doing great. He's been going outside again, and he still loves getting Reiki from us.
Percy is his usual happy self.
Quester has been working a lot, and helping with some projects around the homestead. Dryst is enjoying learning how to create music on the computer. ElvenTiger and I have been doing a lot of reading, together and separately. She got a Kindle Touch from Grampa and Grammy for her birthday! BlackLion has been baking his delicious bread every week.
I even made myself a meal out of it, one night.
We've been doing laundry.
The days are getting longer, so there's more sunlight...
...but we're still feeling kind of loungy sometimes...
Last but certainly not least, I helped a friend as Birth Priestess while she had her lovely daughter. I made a new friend! She's called Ember Caroline - isn't that the prettiest name you've ever heard? She's so lovely.
Life is good, and I am so very thankful for all its blessings.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Cake of the Month: December (and Series Wrap-Up!)
Well, hello there! I thought I'd finally wrap up the Cake of the Month series by sharing pictures of December's cake. Also, I have a confession to make: I didn't do a November cake. I was in the middle of my sugar fast, there were no family birthdays, and so I just skipped it. I do have a bonus cake, though, which ElvenTiger and I made this month - see below for the pictures.
December's cake was a spice cake with mint frosting, made in a tree-shaped cake pan that Aunt Peg gave me. I made it for our Christmas Eve gathering at Mom's, but since that meal never really happened (because Aunt Peg fell and broke her leg that afternoon), we munched on it over Christmas week. It was pretty tasty, and I was pleased with the way it looked. I'd make it again.
We got the candy cane sprinkles at a local country store that has tons of baking stuff, along with natural and bulk food items.
ElvenTiger has decided she doesn't really care for cake. Maybe she had too much this year - oops! Anyway, for her January 14th birthday, she had chocolate cream pie made by my Mom. But for her birthday party with the homeschool group, which she shares with a friend who is also a Capricorn, we made a double-chocolate layer cake. ElvenTiger helped me decorate it.
AB isn't the cake's blood type. It's the initials of the two birthday girls (ElvenTiger is her screen name, folks). It was delicious! And that's the end of my Cake of the Month project. I'd say it was a rousing success!
I enjoyed the accountability of posting here every month to share my results. I decided that, rather than do cakes again, this year's project will be Craft of the Month. It will include collages, vision boards, knitting projects, and whatever else comes along. ElvenTiger and I will be learning needle felting and paper quilling, so perhaps some of our attempts will result in projects to share, too. Stay tuned!
December's cake was a spice cake with mint frosting, made in a tree-shaped cake pan that Aunt Peg gave me. I made it for our Christmas Eve gathering at Mom's, but since that meal never really happened (because Aunt Peg fell and broke her leg that afternoon), we munched on it over Christmas week. It was pretty tasty, and I was pleased with the way it looked. I'd make it again.
We got the candy cane sprinkles at a local country store that has tons of baking stuff, along with natural and bulk food items.
ElvenTiger has decided she doesn't really care for cake. Maybe she had too much this year - oops! Anyway, for her January 14th birthday, she had chocolate cream pie made by my Mom. But for her birthday party with the homeschool group, which she shares with a friend who is also a Capricorn, we made a double-chocolate layer cake. ElvenTiger helped me decorate it.
AB isn't the cake's blood type. It's the initials of the two birthday girls (ElvenTiger is her screen name, folks). It was delicious! And that's the end of my Cake of the Month project. I'd say it was a rousing success!
I enjoyed the accountability of posting here every month to share my results. I decided that, rather than do cakes again, this year's project will be Craft of the Month. It will include collages, vision boards, knitting projects, and whatever else comes along. ElvenTiger and I will be learning needle felting and paper quilling, so perhaps some of our attempts will result in projects to share, too. Stay tuned!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Contemplation and Preparation
Mother Nature has delivered us a lovely snowy day, after a few weeks of winter without any of the white stuff. ElvenTiger is happy and excited - her 13th birthday is Saturday, and she wanted to have snow on the ground by then. I'm glad that our out-and-about plans for today were canceled, and I can settle in for some more contemplation and preparation.
Winter is a time for slowing down, for hibernating a bit and letting my dreams and goals for the year begin to percolate underneath the surface. I've been slowly working through my plan for the new cycle. I'm still on the first couple of steps - I soon realized that when you write three pages each day, that's a lot more material to read through! But I'm finding lots of gems - wisdom and insights I've gleaned over the past year, and sparkly ideas that I want to pursue during this one. I'll share once I have them in a more organized form.
We've also been preparing for ElvenTiger's birthday weekend. We're in the process of deep-cleaning and reorganizing her room. She put aside a bunch of clothes that she's outgrown, to give away and/or re-make into something new. We untangled and organized a bunch of yarn. Her best friend is coming over to spend the weekend with us, and we're going to do a girls' day out on Saturday.
We'd made the decision to have her friend over, and go out to lunch and then get their nails done and explore the mall. I asked her if there was another friend she'd like to include, and she touched my heart by saying, "well, I'd really like *you* to hang out with us." So, for the first time ever, I'm getting a manicure. These two girls are a joy to hang out with, and I'm looking forward to our girl time. We'll have a family party with dessert (chocolate cream pie, at her request) and gifts in the evening, and ElvenTiger will also celebrate with other friends next week at homeschool group.
In the meantime, I'm finishing up with my perusal of old journals, working on some research and writing for Feline Dreamers, and doing our taxes. BlackLion and the kids are out snow-blowing and shoveling, while the cats and I keep our paws dry inside. Merlin is doing well and lately he's been enjoying sitting on my lap while I give him Reiki. Sweet feline!
Winter is a time for slowing down, for hibernating a bit and letting my dreams and goals for the year begin to percolate underneath the surface. I've been slowly working through my plan for the new cycle. I'm still on the first couple of steps - I soon realized that when you write three pages each day, that's a lot more material to read through! But I'm finding lots of gems - wisdom and insights I've gleaned over the past year, and sparkly ideas that I want to pursue during this one. I'll share once I have them in a more organized form.
We've also been preparing for ElvenTiger's birthday weekend. We're in the process of deep-cleaning and reorganizing her room. She put aside a bunch of clothes that she's outgrown, to give away and/or re-make into something new. We untangled and organized a bunch of yarn. Her best friend is coming over to spend the weekend with us, and we're going to do a girls' day out on Saturday.
We'd made the decision to have her friend over, and go out to lunch and then get their nails done and explore the mall. I asked her if there was another friend she'd like to include, and she touched my heart by saying, "well, I'd really like *you* to hang out with us." So, for the first time ever, I'm getting a manicure. These two girls are a joy to hang out with, and I'm looking forward to our girl time. We'll have a family party with dessert (chocolate cream pie, at her request) and gifts in the evening, and ElvenTiger will also celebrate with other friends next week at homeschool group.
In the meantime, I'm finishing up with my perusal of old journals, working on some research and writing for Feline Dreamers, and doing our taxes. BlackLion and the kids are out snow-blowing and shoveling, while the cats and I keep our paws dry inside. Merlin is doing well and lately he's been enjoying sitting on my lap while I give him Reiki. Sweet feline!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)