Lucky for me, I was born in the US of A....

It's been quite a week here in America, what with the passing of MJ and FF, all the discussion and controversy, the speculation and the digging up of past issues, etc... I, for one, can't believe how utterly hateful people can be and the things they say (anonymously, of course) on chat boards about someone who isn't alive to defend himself. How unfortunate.

Rather than dwell on that, it's more pleasant to focus on the puppies, all snuggled together in their "bus" (crate) after their morning mayhem, lol. It's been full-on *bark* this holiday for Sebastian the Vocal. He's finally settled down next to Seamus the Deceptively Calm, collapsed in a heap. Each seem momentarily bored, their chin resting on their favorite toys, a sheep and a buffalo purchased for them at the Cracker Barrel gift shop.

We're further along with our moving project. Everything that was There is Here. Or so I've been told...

It's the Fourth of July!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. After SGTex finishes his work for the day we'll take in the local firework display, have a car picnic and come home for popcorn and the Boston Pops.

(LOL- I just sighed and said, "I hope I spelled everything right." SGTex looks over his shoulder and says, "that's e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g." Hmm, now why didn't I see that one coming?)

It's a very pretty day here in America. Enjoy!!!

Shawn
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It's been awhile....

Just dropping by on a warm Texas night to catch up. A lot has happened since the last entry....

On the home front, we've found a lovely older house here in town that has been restored and are getting situated, one box at a time, lol. It's shaded by pecan trees with a big back yard with plenty of room for gardening, and we're looking forward to putting that into shape. The puppies seem very pleased in their new surroundings and have been very well-behaved, in spite of the daily morning and evening neighborhood Barkfest!! I think everyone in our part of town just throws up their hands and turns their dogs outside, LOL!! It'd be quite comical if we were a just a little better rested, I suppose....Anyway, it's a very nice place to call home.

I suppose I can't neglect to mention yesterday's sad news about Farrah and Michael. Someone mentioned that the one surprising death overshadowed the other. I don't know what to think about all that's been said, it's just sad all around. I feel that they both handled the difficulties of their lives with courage. It can't have been easy to be them on their less than good days. They will be sorely missed, and may their journey onward be one of joy and peace.

Well, it's time to call it a day....

G'nite.

Shawn
****

photo courtesy of mountain meadow seeds "moonflower"

In case you don't get the Sunday paper....

Here's what SGTex, guest columnist has to say:

"Thank goodness the ACLU of Texas is conducting a legal investigation of school districts that have been accommodating Gideon Bible distribution on campus. I wrote a letter to the editor on May 19 voicing approval of the AISD policy restricting the Gideon organization from doing that, and questioning the way schools in nearby towns have been flagrant in permitting it.

In my letter, I mentioned concern about other things conservative Christians seem to think they should be allowed to do, in condescending disregard for their neighbors who happen to believe differently---such as conducting sectarian prayer at a graduation ceremony, teaching creationism in defiance of the findings of science, and insisting on reference to God in the socially compulsory Pledge of Allegiance. Oh, and then there is our school district’s habit of providing churches with a list of the addresses of very young students for use in mailing out Vacation Bible School invitations, for Pete’s sake.

As has often been the case, there followed multiple letters of rebuttal from God-fearing Bible believers, understandably incensed that someone should speak against all this righteous Constitution-stomping. That is a reaction I have always found gratifying, as it shows that I am a writer after all, with an audience.

Since moving from San Angelo to Abilene in 1986, I must have written more than a hundred letters to the editor, always about this sort of thing---though the frequency of my commentary did fall off with the advent of Internet discussion forums. In 1997, I wrote the one of which I’m proudest, disagreeing with Billy Graham about reincarnation, which arguably led to my being harassed and persecuted right out of a career by my employer of 11 years, a Baptist hospital best not named here.

But, hey. Many hours of chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, quite a few blessed occasions of dialogue and learning with the Abilene Interfaith Council, considerable tequila and, now, the love of a lovely Pagan Methodist…these happy factors have healed my bitterness and dissolved my grudge, leaving the grizzled hippie heathen you see before you today. Quiet, perhaps, but not silent, and hoping the Abilene Reporter-News prints his occasional column with a minimum of editing.

Whatever they may say about you, Abilene, you have come a good long way and are getting better every day. Did y’all notice how the National Day of Prayer went this year? We Buddhists and Jews and Catholics and Muslims had our interfaith ceremony at the little park downtown once again, our fourth such open and progressive event…

Whereas, I hear, the conservative or fundamentalist congregations had their usual type of observance, imbued with frenetic passion for tearing down the barriers Satan and the First Amendment have placed against making theirs the national religion. For them, it was the same down-home exclusivisitic National Day of Prayer as always, but---by heaven!---they did not have it on the steps of City Hall."

SGTex
****

image borrowed from sfusualsuspects.com

Letter to the Editor....

....about Gideon Bible distribution in public schools:

I wish to commend the AISD for their enlightened policy prohibiting Gideon Bible distribution on the campuses of (our city's) public schools. It is unfortunate (and decidedly unlawful) that the presumptuous practice continues in (local small towns).The constitutional guarantee regarding "no establishment of religion" should extend to all communities where the U.S. flag is flown, without exceptions made just because a town is little. It would not hurt for public school students (and faculty/administration) in those places to learn that tax-supported institutions are supposed to be neutral in the matter of faith options. Unless they welcome the literature of Buddhists, Pagans, etc., just as affirmatively as they do Gideon Bibles, they are in egregious violation of the letter and spirit of constitutional religious liberty.
In the same sense, it violates the rights of many citizens to have prayers "in Jesus' name" at graduation ceremonies; to present the creationist or intelligent design "theory" alongside or instead of valid science; to use elementary school rosters for Vacation Bible School mailings---and indeed, to have inserted the expression "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance at public school functions all these years.
There has been progress, but surely a ways to go yet toward the ideal of justice for all Americans regardless of faith status. Freedom is dubious that hasn't proper equality to it.

SGTex
****

photo borrowed from pyrophile.livejournal.com

Spring is on the move, and so are the rattlesnakes, it seems....

I love this picture of the bird's nest. Spring is well underway around here. Some would say it'll be summer before you know it, and others say that it's already here! Whichever it is out there, it's been the usual busy schedule for us, mostly work and a little R&R time on the weekend. We did go out to do some more treasure-hunting out at the old fort site where we were before. We had a car picnic and the caretaker came by to chat. "Are you guys going to get out and walk around?" "Yeah, we are." "Well, watch out for rattlesnakes!" "Oh yeah? Okay." "Yeah, someone saw one yesterday out by the surgeon's quarters." So, DH tells him about the one I'd encountered last time, and the caretaker's eyes get all big. Then he proceeds to tell us, rather matter-of-factly and by the way, about the one he shot the day before that he and his puppy encountered...finishing his story up with a wave of the hand and a "Be careful, they're on the move!" Needless to say, I didn't get out and walk around after all. SGTex did, and since I was wearing sandals--the same ones I had on last time I was there. I know...what was I thinking? LOL

Oh, yeah, and then there's the sign we see at a local vet's office about "It's time to get your dog immunized for rattlesnake bite." I'm like, "Whaaat?"

Anyway, here's hoping you are having a wonderful spring!

Shawn
****
Picture courtesy of our friend T in TN, a Chipping Sparrows nest. Thank you, T!

I don't know what to put here....How about "All's well that ends well," or something like that?

Isn't that a gorgeous flower? Blue Spider Gerbera. I'd love to have some of those growing in a pot on the verandah. I've discovered that it might be best to avoid starting things by seed, as the Finch Family from next door (Fred and Ethel) makes short work of anything we're trying to grow that way. It seems it's their policy to clean out the flower pot and then swing on the hanging baskets and burst into song...Singing for their supper, I guess ;^).

It's been one of those exhausting weeks, for various reasons. And we're already ready for next weekend to roll around, so have been making tentative plans--hah. Hopefully, the work week will go smoothly and quickly so we can get back to that R&R thing we pretty much missed out on this time, whew.

The big deal this week was finally deciding on red velvet wedding cake-- (What, we didn't *have* to buy a whole cake for taste-testing?) Hmmmm....Okay. Next time I'll forego the Mexican Mudslide and have it with black coffee, though. That was just way too good for my own good, IYKWIM.

Speaking of coffee, it's kahvi aika.

TTYL!

Shawn
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A Texas-Styled Easter....

Happy Easter!

It's a fine, breezy holiday here in Texas, after a rainy night with some pretty exciting thunder and lightning. We'd gone out treasure-hunting yesterday and I confess I kept one eye on the sky when it was getting dark and threatening with the wind blowing pretty hard. SGTex was off in the distance with metal-detector and shovel seeing what could be found. The location is an old fort, pretty impressive, actually. I do think we'll be going back earlier in the day when the weather is calmer. About the only thing I discovered was what it sounds like when a rattlesnake feels cranky about the weather, hiding out under a not-nearly-distant-enough-for-me rock tucked next to a yucca!! I froze, made a slow, 360-degree turn and then backed politely away, LOL. The find of the day was a toy Easter egg, evidently lost at an earlier egg hunt that day, so it's something to add to our collection of found memorabilia. Next time it'll be a gold coin.... ;+) What else was impressive was the beautiful pastureland of the ranches and bluebonnets carpeting the roadside. It's really wonderful getting to live here in Texas.

Last weekend we went to see "Clue," and really enjoyed A's performance. After that we hit the road and headed out to meet J & I at an old ghost town. They met us there and we came home with Seamus (who gets carsick, btw, lol). He is a darling, and is getting along well with his big brother Sebastian and big sister Sasha. We're having fun and are completely enamored of these two special puppies.

This morning we discovered a pair of doves working on a nest just across the way, right out in the open atop one of the lights on the building next door. Talk about a bird's eye view, lol.

Have a wonderful holiday and a prosperous week!

Shawn & SGTex
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Bluebonnets and a blessing....

St. Theresa's Prayer:

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

Our friend Jan sent the above prayer to us today, and I thought it was definitely worth sharing. Thanks, Jan!

And it's bluebonnet time in our part of Texas, at last! We went hunting them on the weekend (Yes, D reminded us that you have to sneak up on 'em, and C gave us a "don't shoot toward the road" tip, LOL!!) They are lovely, and I'm so excited to see them emerge. Bluebonnets are our wedding flower, so that makes them extra special. We'll be on the road this weekend to go pick up Seamus, and part of the fun of that trip is going to be seeing more bluebonnets, as well as getting a glimpse of a Texas ghost town. That's my idea of a great way to spend a Saturday late afternoon. Earlier in the day we'll get to see A, son of SGTex, perform in his college play.

Meanwhile, it's one more day of work here in the office and then a busy Friday getting ready for the arrival of Hav-II. Stay tuned for how that all turns out. I'm pretty sure there will be something to tell, when it's all said and done....

Shawn
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Did you ever...

...have a really, really weird dream? I mean, totally out of character for you and something so realistic and strange that it left you shocked and bothered for most of the following day? Well, sure you have. I did in the early hours the other morning, and I'm still shaking my head and wondering wheretheheck did that come from? How can one's mind go so far astray in the night? Bewildering to me, and I did an entire college semester independent study on dreams, rather than have to get up early during the winter and make it to class (awake) at 8 a.m. It was fascinating and very educational, I did well, but I can't recall anything from that study that could explain this. Then again, I seem to have other things going on regarding the subject of so-called dreams, soooo...Oh, but that's another blog entirely!!

We did something fun this weekend. In spite of being somewhat ill with URIs, we pulled ourselves together and went out to a nearby small town big deal flea market. I had a ball! Came back with some wonderful bird feeders (china cup/plate and cut glass) to use in the plants on our verandah. SGTex just put some grape nuts out there to coax the neighbor finches over. We also picked up some movies and watched one last night for "date night." I'm wondering, though...why do they call them "flea" markets? It's held every month in an old oak grove, so it was nice and mostly shady, filled with interesting sights and pleasant people willing to chat. I loved it!

And yes. There is a new Havanese puppy on the way. We're not quite sure how that happened. I guess the Cute Factor got the best of us. No, we're not rich, just totally mad for our little guy and can only imagine how 2 is going to be double-good-fun!

Until next time,

Shawn
****
photo courtesy of stamptabulous

Can't stop staring at our wedding rings....

Well, our rings came back today from Dallas and SGTex went out in the rain (!) to pick them up. They are *drop-dead-gorgeous* and we're very happy with them... A very nice way to brighten up the day!

I had an amazing, Texas-style birthday weekend. Roses, chocolate cake w/choco-covered-strawberries (that were massive!) and gifts. We shopped 'til we dropped, ate out, listened to live music at the coffee house (a song-writer of some fame was performing), and just had a great 3 days together. SGTex took the day off from work to help me celebrate (Thank you, Sir), and that means a lot.

There's catfish for supper tonight, so I'd better go see about that...

Shawn
****

photo courtesy of tacomacc.edu (amish double wedding rings quilt)

Texas Independence Day.....

Today is Texas Independence Day, the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. That's the Lone Star above, something you see a lot of around these parts. Two things I've noticed about Texas folks: They show a lot of friendliness, and they show a lot of pride.

We just acquired something I'm getting ready to hang, maybe in the kitchen. It's a cute wooden box advertising "Made In Texas," and it says this: "You might give some serious thought to thanking your lucky stars you're in Texas." We found that in an antique store in a nearby town, and what it says really applies to my personal situation!

We're keeping busy as usual with work and play, training the puppy (when he's not training us!), planning the future and just all-around enjoying signs of spring.

Shawn
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image courtesy of downtownaustin.com

Hearts and Flowers....

Valentine's Day started early for us! There's a HUGE bouquet of gorgeous red roses on the dining room table, a gift from SGTex. (Thanks again, Darling Man) We've found and purchased our rings, at long last. The mansion is reserved for the day of our wedding, the perfect place to celebrate and have our sunset reception. All in all, it has been great!

Hope your Valentine's Day is special for you and yours...

Shawn&SGTex
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A Texas Valentine....

I'm finding it hard to believe that it's February already! We just got back from another trip to PetSmart and as we were checking out the sunset sky was so gorgeous, amazing to look one direction and see the beautiful moon, turn and look off to the west and see what was left of the sunset. Forgive me, but it's still incredible to me to be able to look out and see so much sky, unlike Washington, where there was so much in the way, lol!! Beautiful, but still, this is really nice! I s'pose I'll always be like that.

Anyway, just dropping by to say Happy Valentine's Day coming up real soon, and that we hope yours is as nice as can be.

Shawn & SGTex
****

What a wonderful morning....

So, how was your Saturday morning? Ours was terrific. It was cold this morning (for Texas), so SGTex went gathering kindling and made a fire in the fireplace. We sat and talked, drank coffee (with brandy), and he read from The World Tribune. You know, it was really, really nice after the week we had. Yesterday was our day off too, but that was pretty busy.

The best day of the week was Inauguration Day (wasn't that great?!), made unforgettable by the arrival of My Ring (WoW!!!). Thank you, Dear Man. And the other great thing is that the new job is going well. It's so nice to be working with super people while I'm learning some new stuff, re-learning some old and forgotten stuff, which makes it all go down that much easier.

The puppy is doing great! He seems to feel that we're here to entertain him. (He's teaching us to fetch, lol). I've been wondering if he actually thinks his name really is "NoSebastian!!" Probably not... ;+)

Well, time to find my shoes and head out for PeopleStupid. I mean PetSmart.

Life is good...

Shawn
****

So we were in line at Starbucks yesterday....

...actually, one of two lines coming from two directions, and SGTex lets this lady pull in front of us. It was after 3:00 in the afternoon, and we hadn't had any coffee yet at all, so it was pretty nice of him to let her go ahead of us. To our surprise, when we pulled up to pay for our two white chocolate mocha grandes, the guy says, "Your coffee is paid for! The lady in front of you took care of your bill!" How nice was that?!! It tastes even better when it's free, and I have a feeling her coffee tasted pretty good to her, too!

Well, I just haveta report we had a fantastic New Year's holiday in Dallas. The King Tut exhibit is absolutely awesome. The city is beautiful, and the B&B is the nicest yet! We had a wonderful SGI Buddhist meeting in Ft. Worth (I met a lot of really nice people who made me feel very welcome), and we're hoping to do it all over again next New Year's! We actually made it out of town without any delay, in spite of the Cottonbowl traffic (wow), and all in all, it was a wonderful trip. That night sky with the buildings lit up for the holidays was amazing, and we had a 'to die for' view from the balcony off our room. The Texas hospitality of Peter and Dan made our stay very memorable.

And now we're back, and 2009 is in full swing. Tomorrow I start my new account (about which I'm kinda chicken....), but everything is pretty much under control. Well, the new puppy has us pretty much under his control, LOL! He's made himself right at home.

That's about it for now, so have a great week!

Shawn
***

picture borrowed from Pegasus News, Blackland Coffee Royce City

Happy New Year....

I've been wanting to use this picture of a Texas dandelion for some time, and it looks like fireworks to me, so here it is! Beautiful! I hope you like it.
Did everybody have a nice Xmas? We have, and will enjoy the holiday spirit well into 2009. We're looking forward to going to the King Tut exhibit in Dallas and will stay in a posh B&B. There will be New Year's gongyo and possibly another museum visit, too. Then on the way back home we'll pick up Sebastian.

I'm going to be starting out on a new account in January, too. New puppy and new job, all at the same time? What was I thinking?? LOL!! Life around here is about to change....

I've been thinking a lot about friends and family up in Washington, where it's been more like Alaska than the normally mild climate of Puget Sound. I'm sure it's pretty, but a little of that goes a long way, and I'm sure everyone would like the weather to simmer down. We were so blessed to be able to run around barefoot with windows and patio doors open on Christmas here, although I am looking forward to seeing a little bit of that Texas snow...(I said a *little* bit, mindya!!)


Well, SGTex has the bacon and pancakes going, so it's time to sign off and check on the coffee.

We'll be back soon with a puppy update and our upcoming trip news, but meanwhile, we're sincerely wishing you all a most blessed 2009!

Cheers!!

Shawn & SGTex
****

Christmas Cookie Rules....

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calorie free (see rule #1), yours is also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.

5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.

6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie four each letter. Make more red ones!

7. Cookies eaten while watching any classic Christmas shows on TV have no calories because they are part of the traditional entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage.

9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to cling!

10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's a rule!

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your cookies!
Shawn
****

photo courtesy of www.karenschronicle.com (Betty Crocker is a slacker)

"There is an awesome truth..."

I can’t let on to be very well-read, but one time during a period of underemployment I was at the public library and got hold of Paul Davies’ *The 5th Miracle* and something or other by Stuart Kauffman, and I would cite these 2 fellows and urge those concerned about the true story of the origin of life to join me in checking out the ol’ Wikipedia on the very very valid things these men of science hold up to the light. If they must, creationists can find M. Behe’s review of the aforementioned Davies book.

Oh, and see *Black Holes and Baby Universes* or *A Brief History of Time* by Stephen Hawking, of course.

But anyway, greetings CARM evolutionists and creationists, old friends and new who think it matters a lot where we came from, and what really happened long ago to give rise to us.

I confess a zeal for this; why, since I was 9 years old and younger, I have been on the side of reason and reality. I have been a science believer all my life. Unashamed am I that this is a type of faith; hey, it’s robust faith indeed that bases on what *can* be known and is known, ‘stead of unseen and perhaps unlikely things we are expected to believe without a whiff of evidence.

An important thrust of religious evolutionism is that our physical existence is fabulously wondrous and meaningful, not *merely* a product of, but one with the sovereign absolute.

I don’t see why the word of science should be thought hostile to religious faith or even theism, but it is even more simpatico with Buddhism. I get all filled with the spirit and excited when I consider the corroboration and proof there is to be had between Buddhism and the honest philosophy of science.

One is changed, lifted up by the news: There is an awesome truth about the expansive beginning of all things, that so-called Big Bang, and there is the elegant, wondrous truth about the physics and chemistry of the emergence of life out of the properties and programming of the material universe.

It’s a strong humanistic message, and runs joyously contrary to the negatives of hard fundamentalist religion, you know, that we are worth nothing innately and can only go wrong on our own. Science, like the merciful Buddha, holds up hope and courage for us, and some wholesome confidence in ourselves. Like a parent who says “You can do it!”

Of all faith traditions, Buddhism invests least in the supernatural and evolved (if you will) a fastidious rationalism in the millennium through China toward Japan. My master, Nichiren, stood up and introduced the Mandala very much as theoretical physicists reveal equations on a chalkboard.

Now science such as the physics of Hawking and peers gestures to an ultimate profound primary principle, a formula for the universe. In the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra, this is called Wonderful or Myoho.

Anyway, now I’ve rattled on. Creationists, do you reckon I have bought into old Satan's lie, and all that?

SGTex
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

It is starting to take on a look of good cheer and glad tidings around here. The other evening we were on our way somewhere and saw a big star-like ornament shining across the way, and it was so pretty. Now there are lights going up and lawn displays and everyone is starting to decorate. We did a wonderful display outside our front door, including the best wreath ever! The tree has gone up and the lights are so pretty. SGTex is going to add more colored lights, so I can't wait to see that. There's a pretty snowflake on top and the mantel is decorated with antique cherubs, cones and pine boughs. We had company over yesterday for a little party, which was a great way to start the season. We've added a wonderful Happy Holidays playlist on imeem, which is growing.
All in all, it's been a terrific December so far! There's more to come, and we'll try to get back and update during the holidays, but right now there's some cookie dough waiting, so...
Oh~ The best part was the warm eggnog laced with cinnamon, nutmeg and rum last night (in bed!!!)
Now I call that a fine way to celebrate...

Cheers!!!

Shawn & SGTex
****

How was your Thanksgiving?

Hoping your holiday was great!
We've been kinda stretching ours out a bit. After both of us had made several trips to the grocery store for all the extra stuff I seem to think I must have on hand for the holiday (like why are there 3 cans of water chestnuts?), we finished up our work week on Wednesday, really quite late. We'd decided to take M and A to the Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving breakfast, which turned out to be more like lunch, as we were slow getting on the road. It was wonderful, naturally. I'm hoping their pumpkin strudel pie is available the next time we're there- it looked beautiful! We didn't have any, but imagine it's as scrumptious as it looks. That's such a cute place to eat (and shop). Anyway, we never did make it back home in time to get everything done for dinner, so just made the dressing and stuffed the bird, got a few things ready and called it a day. We'd gotten new furniture delivered and SGTex spent some time getting that taken care of.

So, today was more suited to making it more like Thanksgiving, and we did have a lovely dinner after a short Black Friday shopping spree, which included a new set of pots and pans and a new microwave, plus some gift items.

All in all, it's been the best Thanksgiving ever. The turkey was perfect, everything came out even. We used the best dishes, a gift from a beloved uncle. The wine and conversation was so nice, and I am deeply grateful.

Cheers!
Shawn & SGTex

Surely you've seen the 'Recipe for the Perfect Turkey'....

1 - 15 lb. turkey
1 cup melted butter
1 cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is good.)
1 cup uncooked popcorn (Orville Redenbacher's low fat)
Salt/pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush turkey well with melted butter, salt, and pepper. Fill cavity with stuffing and popcorn.
Place in baking pan with the neck end toward the
back of the oven.

Listen for the popping sounds.
When the turkey's ass blows the oven door open and the bird flies across the room, it's done.

Gobble, gobble...
Shawn & SGTex
****

Serendipitous Sundae...I mean Saturday....

Serendipity. That thing that happens when you're searching for one thing and get surprised by finding something else. It's usually a good thing.

I'm not sure why it came to mind, but I've always liked that word. As SGTex was heading out the door to run a couple of errands (a couple of hours ago, now...just where the heck did he get too!? But I digress), he mentioned that we should really find a name for the car, so I've been thinking about words and stuff. (Oh, here he is now...and he got DONUTS!!! All's forgiven, LOL xoxoxoxo)

Anyway, where was I? Oh, it seems that I had some time on my hands and started thinking about stuff- which is almost *never* a good thing. So, I googled "serendipity" and here I am. Images brought up this cool picture, Lordsaveme, of a serendiptous sundae. Forgive me, but I'm not even going to try and find out how they came up with it. Must just leave well enough alone.

So, where I'm kinda going with this is, on another board a bunch of us were talking about politics and had a healthy debate going. I posted something and kinda got off the track, mentioning what I considered to be a blessing (finding my wedding veil that's more what we wanted but cost even less, that sorta thing).

*Which caused someone else to ask about our plans, and I answered in some detail. *Which caused someone else to come along and, by asking a question, attempted to put me down.
*Which caused several someone elses to come along and, in defense of my Man and I, show kindness and friendship to us in a Big Way.
*Which caused us to be even more blessed, and we are so grateful.

In other words, sometimes I set about looking for one thing and end up finding something else altogether. Even better.

I like that. Very much.

Shawn
****

photo borrowed from reneeashleybaker@wordpress.com, Reuters

Where there's room in the heart, there's room in the home....

That's what my Grandma Mac used to say. I've seen that (or a version of it)done up in tea towels and embroidered on pillows, so I doubt that sentiment originated with her, but it applies. Or it should.

I don't know what actually got me thinking about it. Maybe it's pre-election jitters causing me to think about the security of hearth and home. Could be it was a phone conversation with Carol, looking forward to her upcoming visit to Texas. Or maybe it's about wedding planning. Or SGTex building shelves and organizing the storage room and me washing the good china to stow safely away until we order the china cupboard for the dining room (that comes after the wall is painted and a couple more bills get paid). I guess it could be any of those, or a little bit of all of them.

Anyway, the important thing is that our hearts are in the right place, attempting to keep our home free of all those stresses and worries that seem to come knockin' at the door these days. That's easier said than done, but we're managing, I think. We're both having some job stress (his is good stress, mine is wacky stress, lol). Days are filled with the usual stuff of working long hours, trying to keep ahead of the bills, the cat fed (she's turned into a little con artist and has figured out how to get 2 breakfasts in the morning....), the fruit bowl filled, and the garbage emptied, gas in the car (under 2 bucks/gal,now). Seems pretty normal to me.

Life is good.

Shawn
****

A Big Happy Birthday To SGTex!!!!

Sasha was the first to give birthday greetings this morning....before daylight, lol. Actually, she (the Persian Pussycat) positions herself right between the bedroom and the kitchen. She can pretty well count on getting fed. I confess that I had to giggle (while feigning sleep!) this morning. She gave a pretty good performance and was breakfasting nicely, before SGTex had even made it back to bed! Work it, Sasha!!!

Anyway, there's a big chocolate cake waiting in the kitchen, minus two bare spots where we took finger frosting samples. It's almost too pretty to cut, but we'll probably manage to take a couple of slices to bed with us....

Wish I'd thought to get ice cream....

Shawn
****

Samhain Shona Duit.....

We're coming up on All Souls' Eve, a time to fondly remember and reconnect with our beloved ancestors who have gone before us. It's also nearly time for the Celtic New Year, filled with hope for what's new and good. I think this can be a season of looking back and appreciating the past, while at the same time anticipating the future and all it holds.

Whether you celebrate a traditional, American-style Hallowe'en, or give a nod to the old ways, with doors and windows open to spirited ancestors and warm brambrack on the table, may the days ahead be filled with the blessing of renewal.

Shawn
****

To the moon....

TO THE MOON
Art thou pale for weariness
Of climbing heaven and gazing on the earth,
Wandering companionless
Among the stars that have a different birth,
And ever changing, like a Joyless eye
That finds no object worth its constancy?

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

Just stopping by on the eve of another full moon. Our sky here is heavy with clouds, but it's nice to know that above all that is the beautiful moon, so I imagine I can still feel the effect. (Blame it on the moon, lol!)

Life has been filled with busy work days, not much spare time. Lucky for us we went down to Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg and had a wonderful time. So many fun things to see and do, but mostly we just enjoyed being together. There was the cute German music, the eating and drinking, the drinking and eating, the sunshine and general ambience of not only the festival, but the town. A perfect, happy combination of Texas & Germany, all in one spot. Looking forward to next year, when we hope to do it again! It was a wonderful trip. One cute thing was that on the morning we left the motel, there seemed to be a cricket in the dresser. I thought it was charming, not being from cricket country, lol.

And yes, we just got back from the Big Road Trip (and I'm still talking about it), but still felt like it was a good thing to get away and find out what it's like to travel with an empty back seat and less than a half-ton of luggage and stuff to drag from the car to the room and back again, lol ;+). Yes, it is more fun to travel light. That's going to be our policy from now on...

So, Happy Full Moon to you all. Hoping your week is going well, and that good things are coming your way.

Shawn
****

The urge to merge....

For all of you with any money left, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks. Watch for these consolidations in 2008:

1.) Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W. R. Grace Co. Will merge and become: Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.

2.) Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become: Poly, Warner Cracker.

3.) 3M will merge with Goodyear and become: MMMGood.

4. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become: ZipAudiDoDa.

5. FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become: FedUP.

6. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become: Fairwell Honeychild.

7. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become: PouponPants.

8. Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become: Knott NOW!

And finally....

9. Victoria 's Secret and Smith & Wesson will merge under the new name: TittyTittyBangBang

Shawn
****

Meán Fómhair!!

This is the time when day equals night. Mabon is also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, also known as Thanksgiving. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, it's the Autumnal Equinox.

A balanced ritual of thanksgiving, we're grateful for the fruits of the earth, while at the same time recognizing the need to share with others, in order to secure blessings during the coming winter.

May you enjoy your Autumn, finding that it is indeed more blessed to give than to receive...

Shawn
****

photo borrowed from parralore.com

It's Monday, and we're still glad to be home....

Still not a lot to say, but SGTex showed me this cute "Peanut Buddha" and I had to have it for the blog!
We're getting into the day-to-day routine back here at home, both working pretty much full time right now, so that's good. The office is shaping up, slowly but surely. Some corner shelves and the 3-in-1 have yet to come. That will be helpful as we organize. Speaking of shelves,I really suspect I'm shelf wacky. I see a closet or a cupboard or some out-of-the-way spot and I think, "We must have shelves there." SGTex has already started installation, and we're due for a trip to Lowe's before too long.

Like I said, the trip was wonderful. We saw such incredible scenery. It was amazing, really. There was especially one spot in either Utah or Arizona that was so completely desolate, yet beautiful, it overwhelmed me. We covered over 2000 miles, and when I think that was just a few states (we were in WA, OR, ID, UT, AZ, NM and TX), and there is so much more to see. I guess we'll have to start sticking $$ in a cookie jar for gas for future travels. Hopefully the prices will start to go down, rather than up.

We highly recommend the Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life in Lehi, Utah. That was really impressive! Oh, and NM corn, lol. We stopped for gas and got some fresh "roastin' ears" from a farmer, so we're working through those. Window Rock, AZ is incredibly beautiful. Astoria, OR is as charming as ever, and we really appreciated the hospitality of Mickey and Blossom at the Astoria Inn. The river-side restaurant Baked Alaska has some killer salmon with black rice!

We're back to work for now, though. In a couple of weeks we'll be heading to Fredericksburg, TX for the Oktoberfest, so will report some news about that.

Shawn & SGTex
****
(comic courtesy of the Seattle PI Bizarro 09-09-08)

We're back....

....and it's great. SGTex is presently unloading the car, at least to the degree that there will be a spot to stick the groceries that are needed, bless his heart. I keep telling him to sit down, he's making me tired, lol. A patient man he is!!!
After getting back in the middle of the night, I don't feel like I have the presence of mind to post anything interesting or profound. More later about our trip, but for right now, we're glad to say we had a wonderful time. The car ran perfectly. The weather was perfect. The getaway time was very much needed, and we're grateful.

Shawn
****

See you in September....

Just stopping by one more time before we take off for awhile. We're long overdue for some major R&R over Labor Day weekend, then will take our time on the Big Road Trip back home!

In the meantime, here's hoping you all have a wonderful end of summer and enjoy your holiday.

Best regards!

Shawn&SGTex
****

These are Astral Weeks....

"If I ventured in the slipstream
Between the viaducts of your dream
Where mobius steel rims crack
And the ditch and the backroad stop---

Could you find me
Would you kiss my eyes
And lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again, to be born again?

From the fire side of the ocean
If I put the wheels in motion
And I stand with my arms behind me
And I push another door

Could you find me, etc.

There you go, there you go...

And here am I standing in your outside rest
Trying to do my very best
Looking straight at you
Coming through, darlin...

And if I ventured in the slipstream, etc.

...to be born again...
...in another world darlin

I've got a home on high
I ain't nothin but a stranger in this world
I've got a home on high, so far away..."

Van Morrison

(My inspiration during the weeks ahead. Will be back soon)

Shawn
****
photo: Astral Dream, beaconforlife.blogs.com

Summertime in Washington....

Just had a wonderful talk with my brother in North Carolina, and we started talking about Washington. Decided to pull out one of my many Mt. Rainier pictures and put it here. Maybe he'll stop by and see it and think about summer days of long ago.

I love you, Greg!

Enjoy!

Shawn
****

Saturday night...

...and all is well. Hope it is in your part of the world.

Shawn
***

About those who declared their independence, so we could have ours...

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;

another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

(Thanks to Elsie for sharing this with us)

Shawn & SGTex
****

A blessed morrow...It's our WYMMD....

We've chosen the Claddagh symbol to top our wedding cake. It's very dear to us.

"....the Irish marriage symbol with the heart symbolizing love, life's purest impulse, the hands of friendship clasped around the heart, coming together to nurture and protect. The crown is symbolic of loyalty, representing love's endurance throughout life."

Sir, I want to thank you for not only believing it, but living it~~ day after day, night after night...

XOXOXOXOXOXO,ETC...!!!!

Shawn
****


photo courtesy of historicimpressions.com

Summer Solstice...of Love....

I swear, I've been waiting for a lifetime for this summer to get here!!!

Shawn
****
photo: Summer of love, allbrightmoments.com

"Keep...old shoes..."

In the process of packing up my life in Washington and moving to Texas I've had the occasion to mark some pretty strange notations on the outside of boxes. Looking back on it all, it would have been smarter to be more specific, or to have kept better track of what's in what box and how important the stuff really is, but alas, I didn't do that. At least not to the extent that I could locate anything very quickly.

On one box I've marked two stars (meaning the contents are twice as important to me than the box marked with only one star), and then I scribbled across the side of the box "S-KEEP-OLD SHOES."

Actually, if I were to open it now, I might find something really, really important inside, a carefully packed treasure. If I remember correctly, my thought at the time was that if this box was marked "old shoes" it would discourage anybody from getting inside and absconding with the objects I'd so carefully packed away.

But really, who, in their right mind, would pack up "old shoes" to move to Texas?? Seriously, any shoes that were destined to travel all the way from there to here were lucky to make the trip in a grocery sack tucked away in the trunk of the car.

If I remember right, these particular old shoes are special, to me, anyway. Black patent leather tap shoes with old grosgrain ribbon, worn when I was five years old. My friend Lori and I took dancing lessons (tap, ballet and acrobatics) from Mrs. Keller, a rather scary, middle-aged lady in black with a streak of hair she'd dye to match her scarves, a cross between punk and goth. She'd pretend to be cranky when she'd find us in our black tights and pink legs, giggling little girls all in a row hanging bat-like, upside down from the bar, making faces at ourselves in the wall of mirror across the room.

Good times. You know, I'm glad I still have my old shoes. I wonder if Lori kept hers...In some ways, I guess I grew up. In other ways, it's come to my attention that I didn't.

Better get those unpacked so one of these days I can set them out on a shelf in a china cupboard.

Shawn
***

Happy Jerusha Day...

Here it is again. We're three years into this amazing journey, and I'm so grateful we're making it together.

Bless you, Jerusha...

Shawn
***

How'd it get to be Memorial Day weekend already?

Happy Memorial Day!

Is it proper to wish it a "happy" day? I guess it might be, in the sense that we can be relatively happy, and we should be grateful to those veterans in the past who made it possible for us to enjoy a safe and pretty comfortable life in America these days.

This is a gorgeous Saturday, with big blue skies and American flags fluttering in the breeze. People are out and about, despite the price of gas. When I went to town this morning, I did notice one thing--there were quite a few people having yard and garage sales. That's pretty typical for this time of year on any given weekend, but still, there was a sense that people were wanting to do it for the sake of getting some cash, rather than just get rid of extra stuff. There weren't very many people buying, either. (I have long since given up on shopping garage-sales, a former favorite Saturday morning activity).

I'm going to try and enjoy the weekend with an attitude of *appreciation* for what freedoms we have, as well as a sense of *anticipation* for the bright and sunny days of summer.

Shawn
****

Where were you when the mountain blew?

I was in California at the time, and I was preparing to leave El Cajon and come home to Washington. I remember that morning, when friends came running in and said, "The mountain erupted!" Of course, the first thought was of Mt. Rainier, and believe me, if that happened, what I once knew as "home" would be no more. Horrifying thought. The fact that it was St. Helens wasn't good news, by any means.

I honestly hadn't been keeping up with the news, nor did I expect that in about another week, when I was actually on the trip north I'd encounter a repeat eruption and end up enduring the day from Hell. It would take too long to go into detail, but let me just say that if you ever catch a Mt. St. Helens documentary on the Discovery Channel, you'll have some idea.

I do have friends who were near the mountain on May 18th, and what they've related about their experiences would curl your hair. Campers literally blown from their tents by the blast and heat...One particular couple was up top on Mt. Rainier, having made an early morning climb, and they looked across the miles of clouds to see Mt. St. Helens go up in smoke. They made a very fast descent, to say the least. The pictures they took are unbelievable.

Anyway, I'm remembering my times camping at Spirit Lake, funny memories of Harry Truman, a real character who would tease and harrass us, just generally cussed, yet quite lovable in his own, unique way.

I'm glad I got to know Harry. I'm glad I got to have lazy times on the lake, laying in a rowboat, looking up at the mountain when it was pristine and silent but for bird songs.

Oh yeah, and Harry whistling and hollering at us from the shore...

Shawn
****

The Big Question...

So, why did I cross the road?

BARACK OBAMA:
The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE!
The chicken wanted CHANGE!
JOHN MC CAIN:My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON:When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......
DR. PHIL:The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before
adding 'NEW' problems.
OPRAH:Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the
rest of the chickens.
GEORGE W. BUSH:We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL:Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN:To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART:No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain. Alone.
JERRY FALWELL:
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS:
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart-warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will
never cra...#@&&^ C% ......reboot.
ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!
COLONEL SANDERS:Did I miss one?
and
DICK CHENEY:
Where's my gun?

Many thanks to the person who shared this with us. Now, I've got some chicken to get into the oven....

Shawn
***

Making the most of May....

Wow! I didn't realize it had been this long since I've stopped by to blog. There's not a lot to say, really...Just been enjoying the springtime blooms and birdsong, anticipating the approach of summer. Some things coming to an end, the approach of new beginnings, lots of changes.

Shawn
***

Picture: Coastal rhododendron in Washington, remembering Mama

You've probably heard this one, but....

A young blonde was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana. She wanted a
pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant
to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking. After becoming
very frustrated with the "no haggle" attitude of one of the shopkeepers,
the blonde shouted, "Maybe I'll just go out and catch my own alligator
so I can get a pair of shoes at a reasonable price!"
The shopkeeper said, "By all means, be my guest. Maybe you'll luck out
and catch yourself a big one!" Determined, the blonde turned and headed
for the swamps, set on catching herself an alligator. Later in the day,
the shopkeeper was driving home, when he spotted the young woman
standing waist deep in the water, shotgun in hand. Just then, he saw a
huge 9-foot alligator swimming quickly toward her. She took aim, killed
the creature, and with a great deal of effort hauled it on to the swamp
bank. Lying nearby were several more of the dead creatures. The
shopkeeper watched in amazement. Just then the blonde flipped the
alligator on its back, and frustrated, shouts out, "Damn it, this one
isn't wearing any shoes either!"

LOL! Sorry, but it's the best I can do on short notice. Work was interrupted for a bit and so I'm just killing time... No, we don't advocate killing alligators and don't own a pair of gator shoes (but I have been considering getting some Gators, is that what they're called?) Yeah, this is me, Shawn, the fashionista!

Enjoy what's left of your week!

Shawn
***

Time flies....

Whew! I guess it's been a little while since I stopped by. Time to catch up! We've both been working very hard...(well, he's been working a lot harder than I have).

There's brand new office furniture waiting to get set up. That's going to be great, when we're all situated with nearly side-by-side armoires (planning a bookcase in between, easy access). I can hardly wait to have everything in place and organized. I can picture it in my mind and see that it's pretty doable, so we'll see how it actually turns out.

There was some pretty wild weather during the last week or so. Hope everybody is AOK in Tornado Alley and thereabouts. Our sweet Texas friend "apple" was worried about us and checked in, so very thoughtful, but all was well. I'm thinking March and April got their wires crossed up a bit, maybe, but today it was a lovely April day, and we took a "bloom walk" in the neighborhood.

Other than that, it's been a matter of keeping our noses to the grindstone, we've have had a bit of recreation (including seeing SGTex's son in a fabulous college production- WOW!) and best of all, in spite of everything, we're just madly in love as ever...

So, keep checking in. We're really glad to have you stop by!

Shawn
****

Like dandelions....

"So put your hand in the hand of mine, and we'll spread this love like dandelions." Toby Mac

Yesterday I spent some time on one of our message boards and participated in a discussion about love relationships. It was quite disturbing to read what some had to say about what had happened to them over the years, how they'd been bitterly disappointed, had loved and lost. To those who dared to post they were happy, the response was basically, "Yeah, maybe you're happy now, but just you wait..." Apparently it's naive and unrealistic to hope that our love is real, that it will last, that committment is meaningful...

Frankly, it shook me up to see what was said there, and I'm not really eager to go back and pay the board a visit, or at least a very long one. Sure, this morning I nabbed a good recipe that was shared by one of the posters, but I didn't venture much further down the page. I don't want to read about the dissolution of someone's marriage that's happening right now. I don't want to delve much into the sordid details and carry the sadness, then thoughtlessly let it spill onto the man I happen to love with my whole being.....because that's what happened last night. I tend to share my thoughts and ask what he thinks about it all, and before I knew it, I'd burdened him with my "lack of happy." That wasn't good.

So, this morning my hope is restored.

I've put my hand in his, and we're going to make like dandelions...

Shawn
***

Remembering Briita...

"Our little rosebud."

That's what they said about you on that March day, more than a half-century ago, the day you were born and died. Soon after, you were laid to rest on a hill by the sea. Those who loved you walked away from that little grave and kept you tucked away in their hearts. Now they, too, have gone on to what comes after this. I hope you're all together again, having a happy reunion. I'm all for reunions...

Happy Birthday, Briita.

Shawn
***

Erin Go Bragh...

"May good luck be with you wherever you go, and your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow!"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Shawn(aka "Irish")&SGTex
****

Spring forward Sunday....

It's a great Sunday afternoon...Hope yours is going well, too! Have a success-filled week!

Shawn&SGTex
****

Mule versus mountain lion...

This story was sent to me in an e-mail, sharing it here. Told by a gent named Crayt.

"This may be a first...

A couple from Montana were out riding on the range, he with his rifle and she (fortunately) with her camera. Their dogs always followed them, but on this occasion a mountain lion decided that he wanted to stalk the dogs (you'll see the dogs in the background watching). Very, very bad decision.

The hunter got off the mule with his rifle and decided to shoot in the air to scare away the lion, but before he could get off a shot the lion charged in and decided he wanted a piece of those dogs. With that, the mule took off and decided HE wanted a piece of that lion. That's when all hell broke loose for the lion.

As the lion approached the dogs, the mule snatched him up by the tail and started whirling him around, banging its head on the ground on every pass. Then he dropped it, stomped on it and held it to the ground by the throat. The mule then got down on his knees and bit the thing all over a couple of dozen times to make sure it was dead, then whipped it into the air again, walked back over to the couple (that were stunned in silence), and stood there ready to continue his ride as if nothing had just happened.

Fortunately, even though the hunter didn't get off a shot, his wife got off these four pictures. Crayt "


Sharing the first of the images

Shawn
***

Not a blessed thing to say, but ....

...hey, it's Friday, and I find myself with most of the day off.

No, wait, actually it's more of a day on, what with errand-running to the bank, gas in the car (prices up again), antique store (selling, not buying), grocery store (FUZE 10/$10!), USPS, and one latte' later, I'm where? Back at the computer.

Isn't it fun, cramming the weekend into about 3 hours the day before, in order to not have to think about it when the work starts pouring in again? Such is life, when it's doing business at home. Wouldn't have it any other way, though, as far as working at home, I mean. All sorts of perks come with having a home office, but don't let anybody kidya, it's not as easy as you'd think, keeping on top of stuff around the house. I keep suggesting we find ourselves a housekeeper-type grandma, but so far, no go on that... And I would like to keep the work more contained within "normal" working hours and a "normal" 8-hour-day-kinda schedule, but right now that's not very doable. Maybe someday we'll take our weekends and actually end the week, or even add a bank holiday here and there...

But for now, we're makin' hay while the sun shines, so to speak, and when we're not makin' hay, we're makin' ______.
Pick one:
a. trouble
b. whoopie
c. coffee
d. all of the above

Go ahead, fill in the blank ;+)

All of the above was just an excuse to post this picture of an elegant blue heron who lives on Vashon Island, WA.
Shawn
****

What was the question? 'way back in 1998, that is...

"Evolutionists, tell me what the theory of evolution is."

"...Thanks for asking. The theory of evolution began as an elegant and plausible scientific account of the mechanism whereby new species have developed through natural selection. Its general tenets have stood up well to an onslaught of emotional and religious objections and are presently so well-substantiated as to be something of a given in the field of biology, to the great chagrin of fundamentalists.
During this century other advances in rationalist-materialist understanding have meshed with the biological evolution theory to supply a most thorough description of the development of all things, so that it is quite accurate and proper to refer to the evolution of the chemical elements and the evolution of complex chemical systems early in the history of Earth.
This debate board exists because the theory of evolution is so much more than that. Christian philosophy is so heavily invested in prescientific dogma of the supernatural that it rightly regards evolution theory as an anathema. Christians don't usually argue against other standard science---gravity, atomic theory, the germ theory of disease---but when it comes to evolution, there is an urgent and frantic denial, emotions run high and objectivity goes right out the window. Why?
Because evolution theory (and all the knowledge that is seamlessly continuous with it) has fully defined and explained what life is and how it got here. "Evolution," i.e., rationalist/humanist/materialist naturalism, has supplied answers about the meaning and value of our existence, thus outdoing and showing up the pulpit. The monumental resentment will take another century to die down. Evolution theory manifests the two vehicles to Buddhahood, Learning and Realization. It is wonder and glory and purpose and moral imperative. It is emancipation."

Posted by SGTex on September 11, 1998 at 22:59:34 on CARM

Shawn, for SGTex
***
Photograph: Salvia faranicea "Evolution"

The greatest of these...

"Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds."
W.S.

Or, in the words of St. Paul:

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowlege, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long and is kind. Love envieth not. Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Love never faileth, but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowlege, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then shall I know, even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three...

...but the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13, King James Version

Shawn
***

All work and no play.....

...makes one want to stop and get off!!

That's pretty much what we did this morning, and it was a very welcome change. A really good reason for working hard doesn't change the fact that it gets beyond tough, at times. He's working much harder than I am, bless his heart (and it's greatly appreciated), so when the opportunity came to absolutely relax, we did stop and we did get off...and it was heavenly.

Even a little bit of that goes a long way!

Can't wait to do it again ;+)

Shawn
***

photo: Sea lions snoozing in Astoria, OR

Saturday's Sweethearts....

Someone posted this picture on one of the boards we frequent, and I thought it was too cute to not put here, anticipating Valentine's Day.

It also brought to mind how *it's all in our attitude*--let's face and embrace that which seems overwhelming and intimidating...

Most of all, I just wanted to share something that might bring a smile. Hope the days ahead will be filled with good things for us all!

Shawn
***

Welcome, 2008....what took you so long?

That's the thought that's crossed my mind at least a half dozen times since the last burst of fireworks on New Year's Eve. There's a lot to be said for "anticipation," but that sense of "at last" packs a lot of punch, too! I guess it's pretty obvious that we've got a lot going on in the months ahead and we're anxious to get the show on the road.

I've been listening to the song SGTex gave me the other day, Alan Jackson's "Livin' On Love." It really speaks to where my heart will be after all the dust settles and our plans and projects have come to fruition...

I guess that just about covers it.
Shawn
***

photo: Glenn Rose, TX

It's coming, ready or not....

...and I'm glad. So much to do, and I'm actually getting a few of the things finished around the house that have been staring at me for quite some time, now. That's a good feeling, and hopefully it will put a dent in the stack of projects that have yet to get underway. All of it is good, though- at least I'm subtracting and deleting from the iGoogle "to do" list, and not adding to it!

Actually, while I'm working at all of this which seems to matter so much, I think of others who are having to deal with the really important issues during these holidays, and my heart goes out to them. I pray that the new year will be one of blessing and ease, that the sun will shine and hearts will be lifted.

Goodness, I sound sentimental! Must stop now and go feed Sasha kitty. She too, is staring at me, wondering how in the world I can resist that face she's making at me.

That's just it! I can't!


Shawn
***

Mystic Mistletoe...

I was visiting a website not long ago and read up on the history of mistletoe. I've always been curious about it, ever since I was a little girl and would see the little cellophane packages of dried sprigs at the checkout counter of the local grocery store. Then, years later while away at college in South Carolina, I was amazed to see it actually growing up in the trees. I remember one night before leaving to fly home for the holidays, when one of our friends climbed a tree in order to pick some to take home with him (or maybe it was for one of us girls). He fell out of the tree and ended up breaking an arm. I always felt so sorry for him! Now, I'm happy to know that it grows in abundance right close to home, and we hope to gather some for use at our wedding. Here's what I found on the Sisters of the Air website. Maybe you'll find it enjoyable, too:

O! Mistletoe!
Also known as the golden bough. Held sacred by both the Celtic Druids and the Norseman.
Once called Allheal, used in folk medicine to cure many ills. North American Indians used it for toothache, measles and dog bites. Today the plant is still used medicinally, though only in skilled hands...it's a powerful plant.
It was also the plant of peace in Scandinavian antiquity. If enemies met by chance beneath it in a forest, they laid down their arms and maintained a truce until the next day.
Mistletoe was used by the Druid priesthood in a very special ceremony held around this time...five days after the New Moon following winter solstice, to be precise. The Druid priests would cut mistletoe from a holy oak tree with a golden sickle. The branches had to be caught before they touched the ground.

Celts believed this parasitic plant held the soul of the host tree.

The priest then divided the branches into many sprigs and distributed them to the people, who hung them over doorways as protection against thunder, lightning and other evils. The folklore, and the magical powers of this plant, blossomed over the centuries A sprig placed in a baby's cradle would protect the child from faeries. Giving a sprig to the first cow calving after New Year would protect the entire herd. And so forth.

Now for the kissing part. Although many sources say that kissing under the mistletoe is a purely English custom, there's another, more charming explanation for its origin that extends back into Norse mythology. It's the story of a loving, if overprotective, mother.
The Norse god Balder was the best loved of all the gods. His mother was Frigga, goddess of love and beauty. She loved her son so much that she wanted to make sure no harm would come to him. So she went through the world, securing promises from everything that sprang from the four elements--fire, water, air, and earth--that they would not harm her beloved Balder.
Leave it to Loki, a sly, evil spirit, to find the loophole. The loophole was mistletoe. He made an arrow from its wood. To make the prank even nastier, he took the arrow to Holder, Balder's brother, who was blind. Guiding Holder's hand, Loki directed the arrow at Balder's heart, and he fell dead.
Frigga's tears became the mistletoe's white berries. In the version of the story with a happy ending, Balder is restored to life, and Frigga is so grateful that she reverses the reputation of the offending plant--making it a symbol of love and promising to bestow a kiss upon anyone who passes under it.
Shawn
***

Season's Greetings....

Here's hoping that your December days are going well! Sssssh....don't tell SGTex, but I just ordered this gorgeous amaryllis from the good folks at Jackson & Perkins in Oregon, especially for him. Something to watch grow and bloom in the New Year!

Now, go out and make merry!

Shawn
***
photo: Grand Trumpet Bordeaux Amaryllis

A song on a dark night....

Thank you, Sir. I am loving you, right down the line....

Shawn
***

Feelin' pretty lucky....

I'm sitting here at the desk doing some work, but mostly my mind is busy contemplating comings and goings...looking back at where we've been, how far we've come, the days ahead and all that sort of stuff. Maybe it's leftover Thanksgiving thoughts, or maybe it's looking forward to Christmas, the next holiday for us.

I hope your Thanksgiving was nice. Our *just-the-two-of-us* holiday was super, thanks to SGTex, The Man who cooked The Meal. In past days we've had a period of lovely moon time, some snow in the sky and on the ground, late autumn color kissed by early winter.

Life is good. And it's going to get even better, but right now, I'm very thankful and counting my blessings. I won't go into details, but I'm feeling like one very lucky girl, here... ;+)

Shawn
***

photo: A window at our planned wedding site

They have turkeys in Texas....

....and it's quite The Big Deal to hunt them, much like in olden times, so I thought I'd share a picture of some Native Texan Turkeys who look like they're about to high-tail it. I hope they got away and lived to run another day...

Come to think of it, my mother used to say, "My hair looks like the back end of a turkey" when she'd wake up with 'bed-head.' Maybe some of you had mothers who said the same thing (and it kinda did look like that).

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, whatever the back of your hair looks like, whether your bird is fresh or frozen (as it should be)!

Shawn
***

And if you'll pardon me....

....I'd like to say we'd do okay....



....Nothing around but the sound of....

Shawn, for SGTex
***

Easy Saturday Evening...

~A Blade of Grass~

Said a blade of grass to an autumn leaf, "You make such a noise falling! You scatter all my winter dreams."

Said the leaf indignant, "Low-born and low-dwelling! Songless, peevish thing! You live not in the upper air and you cannot tell the sound of singing."

Then the autumn leaf lay down upon the earth and slept. And when spring came she waked again -- and she was a blade of grass.

And when it was autumn and her winter sleep was upon her, and above her through all the air the leaves were falling, she muttered to herself, "O these autumn leaves! They make such a noise! They scatter all my winter dreams."

K.Gibran, The Madman Chapter 30

Just stopping by after a lovely day with SGTex. After a heavenly, lazy morning, he gathered some mesquite from around the neighborhood and barbecued burgers. Since then, it's been wonderful being able to relax and enjoy an easy Saturday.

Now it's time for me to get a little work done here at the desk, and he's off to visit a friend for a bit. Hoping you all have had a nice day, too.

Hey, it's that time to fall back into Standard Time, so don't forget to set those clocks!

Shawn
***

BOO!!!!

Top 10 Signs You Are Too Old to Be Trick or Treating

10. You get winded from knocking on the door.

9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.

8. You ask for high fiber candy only.

7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.

6. People say, "Great Keith Richards mask!" and you're not wearing a mask.

5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or..." and can't remember the rest.

4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.

3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.

2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.

1. You avoid going to houses where your ex-wives live.

Compliments of Sir Spook, aka...

SGTex
***

Breithla Shona Dhuit!

It's SGTex's Birthday!!!

Blessed be the day you were born, Sir. My wish for you is happiness, Always & Forever!!!
Loving you...

Shawn
***

Can't wait to celebrate....

...but pardon me, I just had to post some fireworks! Please feel free to apply this bit of pop and sizzle to whatever occasion you feel is appropriate. Believe me, there's hope and happy aplenty, more than enough to go around....

Enjoy your week!

Shawn
***

Good morning, Monarch...

I came across this lovely photo on the Daily Texan Online website this morning. The October 12, 2006 caption reads "Media Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife
Monarch butterflies, which have begun their migration to Mexico through Texas, compete with other local insects for flower nectar and are one of the few wildlife groups in Texas that are not suffering from the drought." I just thought it was pretty, so chose it as today's picture.

I'm just sitting here thinking about getting on with my day, but will probably go back to bed for awhile. Coffee is on, the cat is awake and fed, and I'm grateful that I don't feel much like I did yesterday when I was a bit 'under the weather.' (Do people still say that these days? Sometimes I think I talk like my grandparents!) I think it's going to be a very nice Friday for us. I wish you all the same!

Shawn
***

Sheba's Birthday....

...was 'way back on October 4, 1966. She was the most wonderful dog. I first met her when she was about 7-1/2 weeks old, sitting on my mother's lap with a big red bow tied around her neck. I stood there, totally speechless and of course, I cried. She was the cutest thing I'd ever seen, a fuzzy white teddy bear, all wiggles and cuddles.

As time went by, she became Daddy's dog, but she loved the rest of us, too. Greg used to play catch with her out in the front yard, throwing a somewhat-deflated football and she'd leap into the air and catch it like a pro. One day a little girl came by and exclaimed, "Mommy, look at the big white bunny rabbit!" Sheba hadn't quite caught up to her ears at that point.

One of our silly family stories is about when Greg was back east at a friend's house and was calling home. I don't remember if he talked to the dog, or just about the dog, but commented to his friend's family that she looked "like a little white polar bear." The father of Greg's friend said, "Have you ever SEEN a polar bear?" (Eye roll, sigh...) Well, she DID look like a polar bear. I know, because I've seen one. That very serious-minded man would have been sorry, had he known how many times we laughed about him through the years.

As brave as she was, she became very fearful on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July. We'd left her at home in the garage one Fourth and some local kids teased her by tossing firecrackers at the garage door. She was totally traumatized, tearing up the garage and never got over that fear. We felt so very bad about that. On New Year's, a neighbor up at the lake always set off big dynamite, and that terrified her. She'd dig her paws into the carpet and wouldn't budge, so we got so we'd just sit there with her until it was over.

We only had Sheba a short 10 years, but from day one until her last, she was loyal and true, never failing to watch over us. She brought us such joy, loving us completely and unconditionally. It was a very sad time when we had to say a last goodbye and send her to the Rainbow Bridge. Since then, other beloved pets have gone to join her there. I can't help but think that she was there to meet the folks as they passed over into What Comes Next.

Happy Birthday, Dear Sheba. I still miss you.

Shawn
***

photo courtesy of sheprescue.org, "Lobo," looking very much like our Sheba

Blest be the Harvest Moon....

Under the harvest moon,
When the soft silver
Drips shimmering
Over the garden nights,
Death, the gray mocker,
Comes and whispers to you
As a beautiful friend
Who remembers.

Under the summer roses
When the flagrant crimson
Lurks in the dusk
Of the wild red leaves,
Love, with little hands,
Comes and touches you
With a thousand memories,
And asks you
Beautiful, unanswerable questions.

Carl Sandberg

We're blessed with an early Harvest Moon this year, so we hope you all will enjoy it tonight.

May you also enjoy the charming old song, compliments of SGTex.

Shawn & SGTex
***

And a fine Sunday evening it is, thanks...

I'm sitting here with SGTex and we're trying to decide just exactly what is that flowering plant growing in the neighbor's hanging basket. The question has put me on to Spring-thinking, and I really don't much care whether or not we happen upon the botanical name or identify the pretty plant, because I'm just enjoying the time together. I am glad he's got the know-how and is quite a gardener (admittedly, I am too). We'll be deciding what to plant on our patio, and as soon as the garden centers start loading up on the latest and loveliest, I'm going to be hard put to leave it alone and not come home with a trunkload of flowers.

Good thing we don't have to park far from the front door!


Shawn & SGTex
***

Photo: Wave Blue petunia

As I was saying earlier....

"...Treated me kind
Sweet destiny
Carried me through desperation
To the one that was waiting for me
It took so long
Still I believed
Somehow the one that I needed
Would find me eventually

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you’ve given to me

Prayed through the nights
Felt so alone
Suffered from alienation
Carried the weight on my own
Had to be strong

So I believed
And now I know I’ve succeeded
In finding the place I conceived

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you’ve given to me
I had a vision of love
And it was all that you’ve given me

I’ve realized a dream
And I visualized
The love that came to be
Feel so alive
I’m so thankful that I’ve received
The answer that heaven has sent down to me

You treated me kind
Sweet destiny
And I’ll be eternally grateful
Holding you so close to me
Prayed through the nights
So faithfully
Knowing the one that I needed
Would find me eventually

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you’ve given to me
I had a vision of love
And it was all that you turned out to be"




And that's the way it is.

Shawn
***

This world of ours...

Our friend Michele shared these words with us today, on this 9/11 morning. In part, this is what she will be reading at the Interfaith Memorial Service in her California town.

"The contrary people think
This world is in a great fire
The end of the kalpa of destruction is coming.
In reality this world of mine is peaceful.
It is filled with gods and men.
The gardens, forests, and stately buildings
Are adorned with various treasures;
The jewelled trees have many flowers and fruits;
The living beings are enjoying themselves;
And the gods are beating heavenly drums,
Making various kinds of music,
And raining mandarava-flowers on the great multitude
and me."

The above is excerpted from The Life Span Chapter of the Lotus Sutra

***
"In my lifetime I want to see evidence of things turning around, of my home planet starting to be less of a hell and more like heaven or a Buddha land. Hurry Kosen-Rufu of Sandai Hiho, hurry jiyu." SGTex, June 2005

Shawn
***

Nearly a new Monday morning...

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--this is to have succeeded."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just sharing a bit of wisdom as we move into another week. The moon is about to turn from 'going to coming' and there's much to be done. Here's hoping we all enjoy the blessing of the morrow...

Shawn
***

"Ssssshhhh....shush, now..."

Something I hear from time to time is my Man telling me, "Now, lookie here..." Other times, it's "Shush, now. It's all right..." Words like that, which more often than not have to be repeated several times over, until the racing thoughts (and words pouring out of my mouth) cease, and I desist, you know, from being not-so-very cooperative.

That's one of my most favorite things about him. That Calming Effect. Letting me know that all will be well, real soon-like. I can tell you, he's had to draw on that quality in himself more times than we can probably count during the last couple of years.

Today he found this song from a favorite film, The Color Purple, and shared it with me. I am so grateful, as it really hit the spot. Just what I needed, that beautiful reminder that it really pays to listen up and pay attention, because there's a message with my name on it, written across the sky, just beyond those gray clouds. You know, the ones with just a hint of silver lining....

Shawn, getting her spiritual groove on, and ever so grateful for SGTex
***

Trouble in Sweetwater....

This is for all you gardeners. Never bring your plants into the house.

Garden Grass Snakes (also known as Garter Snakes.... Thamnophis sirtalis) can be dangerous... Yes, grass snakes, not rattlesnakes.

Here's why...

A couple in Sweetwater, Texas, had a lot of potted plants. During a recent cold spell, the wife was bringing a lot of them indoors to protect them from a possible freeze. It turned out that a little green garden grass snake was hidden in one of the plants and when it had warmed up, it slithered out and the wife saw it go under the sofa. She let out a very loud scream. The husband (who was taking a shower) ran out into the living room naked to see what the problem was. She told him there was a snake under the sofa. He got down on the floor on his hands and knees to look for it. About that time the family dog came and cold-nosed him on the behind. He thought the snake had bitten him, so he screamed and fell over on the floor. His wife thought he had a heart attack, so she covered him up, told him to lie still and called an ambulance.

The attendants rushed in, wouldn't listen to his protests and loaded him on the stretcher and started carrying him out. About that time the snake came out from under the sofa and the Emergency Medical Technician saw it and dropped his end of the stretcher. That's when the man broke his leg and why he is still in the hospital.

The wife still had the problem of the snake in the house, so she called on a neighbor man. He volunteered to capture the snake. He armed himself with a rolled-up newspaper and began poking under the couch. Soon he decided it was gone and told the woman, who sat down on the sofa in relief.

But while relaxing, her hand dangled in between the cushions, where she felt the snake wriggling around. She screamed and fainted, the snake rushed back under the sofa. The neighbor man, seeing her lying there passed out, tried to use CPR to revive her.

The neighbor's wife, who had just returned from shopping at the grocery store, saw her husband's mouth on the woman's mouth and slammed her husband in the back of the head with a bag of canned goods, knocking him out and cutting his scalp to a point where it needed stitches. The noise woke the woman from her dead faint and she saw her neighbor lying on the floor with his wife bending over him, so she assumed that he had been bitten by the snake. She went to the kitchen and got a small bottle of whiskey, and began pouring it down the man's throat.

By now the police had arrived. They saw the unconscious man, smelled the whiskey, and assumed that a drunken fight had occurred. They were about to arrest them all, when the women tried to explain how it all happened over a little green snake. The police called an ambulance, which took away the neighbor and his sobbing wife. The little snake again crawled out from under the sofa. One of the policemen drew his gun and fired at it. He missed the snake and hit the leg of the end table. The table fell over and the lamp on it shattered and as the bulb broke it started a fire in the drapes. The other policeman tried to beat out the flames, and fell through the window into the yard on top of the family dog who, startled, jumped out and raced into the street, where an oncoming car swerved to avoid it and smashed into the parked police car.

Meanwhile, the burning drapes were seen by the neighbors who called the fire department. The firemen had started raising the fire truck ladder when they were halfway down the street. The rising ladder tore out the overhead wires and put out the electricity and disconnected the telephones in a ten-square city block area (but they did get the house fire out).

Time passed... Both men were discharged from the hospital, the house was repaired, the dog came home, the police acquired a new car, and all was right with their world. A while later they were watching TV and the weatherman announced a cold snap for that night. The husband asked his wife if she thought they should bring in their plants for the night, and that's when she shot him.


Borrowed from another MT Forum

Shawn
***

Let your light shine down.....

An awesome rendition of a favorite. I adore this version...
Shawn & SGTex
***

SGTex on a September Saturday...

This is what SGTex had to say in response to a creationist's post on MTDaily Religion Board, our "I'net home away from home." I am so impressed and proud, I just had to share it with you all here.
Shawn

Evolution & a rational spirituality:

"In the evolution thread below, avmar remarks: “If evolution is true, then...we are nothing, made for no reason at all. There would be no purpose in life since, after all, the only purpose we have after we die is to fertilize the dirt.”

I joyfully disagree with with this assessment of the implications of evolution theory and the scientific account.

It seems to be very important to creationists to assert that they have a monopoly on all meaning and value and purpose, and in advancing that arrogant claim they have to paint evolutionist thought as being starkly vain and nihilistic, ugly and wrong and hopeless. You can see this in their little comic books, where the one little Christian in the classroom stands up and makes a fool out of the mean old evolutionist professor in all his bombast and bluster.

Very important to villainize and misrepresent us evolutionists as *wanting* to believe there is no God, no meaning or purpose or moral value in existence. But this is a false and rather unfair “strawman” device of the creationists, to keep the flock believing the other side must be insane and bent on sin. I have never met an evolutionist, even an atheistic one, who believes we are nothing or that there is no purpose in life except to rot in the ground after we croak.

Rather, those who embrace science and reason and the beautiful evidence that permeates all of nature tend to be inspired, spiritually inclined intellectuals with lofty philosophy and a wish to do good in the world. This is because science and reason along with a vision of the display of the living universe can only lift us up to the glory and dignity we are heir to.
All things are wondrous, and the workings of the universe are unutterably splendid and good. It is not necessary that an outside entity endow us (or a star, or an atom) with purpose. We contain/are contained by the highest and only meaning, that which is its own cause and purpose, eternal and constant. That's a Buddhist tenet, but is eminently compatible with evolution theory and variations on the “Big Bang” theoretical physics.

In my sect we worship that sovereign absolute by chanting the perfect equation for it, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. But of course there are other ways of appreciating the wonderful law of the universe, foundation and basis of everything, pure meaning, pure goodness and all that is purposeful and real.

Universe is from the Latin universum, “entire, complete.” One = the All = All Things That Actually Exist. It's a matter of whether one respects that straightforward definition of “universe.” If strict creationists posit a creator God outside of the universe, I think ironically they are excluding Him from the set of things that exist!

What if the universe and God were not two? What if the profound reality turned out to be eternally self-caused or uncaused?"

SGTex
***

Photo: Das Weltall (The Universe) from the Scivias Codex

What Sullivan said to Sarah...

Today I've been thinking about the personal vows my Man and I shared last night, and those we will publicly exchange on our wedding day. This letter, written by Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah, came to mind. I remember when Ken Burns shared a version of it with us during his unforgettable and amazing TV series, The Civil War. Sullivan composed it a week before he and his men fought at Bull Run, after which the letter was later recovered and delivered to Sarah.

I never forgot these words, nor the music played during its reading and the depth of its beauty. I thought I'd not keep it to myself, but share it with you here.


July the 14th, 1861

Washington DC

My very dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure - and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine 0 God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows - when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children - is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country?

I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death -- and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country, and thee.

I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and "the name of honor that I love more than I fear death" have called upon me, and I have obeyed.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me - perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar -- that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have oftentimes been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the garish day and in the darkest night--amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours - always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.

As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.

Sullivan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_Ballou

---<-<-@
Shawn
***

It's Saturday afternoon...

...and I’m sitting here with my coffee, listening to U2 and thinking about the days ahead. There isn’t a mountain of desk work at this point (for me, anyway), so that means there’s time to do some around-the-house organizing, which is a good thing. The lavender needs to be cut and gathered, so maybe some of that will get done this weekend, too. We’ll dry and tuck it away to be used in sachets and maybe use it for some of that lemonade and shortbread wedding cookies. It has the most amazing and heavenly fragrance. I’m awfully glad SGTex likes it too. We plan on making a trip out to the lavender ranch, not so far away from us, and someday hope to take in the festival out on the Olympic Peninsula, which we missed this year. There’s something old-fashioned and comforting about lavender. It reminds me of my Great Aunt Ora.

Speaking of weddings, there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think about ours. SGTex is working on the ceremony and vows whenever he gets a chance. It’s going to be a very special day, and will be here before we know it!

Meanwhile, I’d better get busy. Here comes Sylvester, the neighborhood black and white kitty who sleeps just outside the window every day. We think Sasha, our Persian kitty knows he’s out there, and most any time I glance outside I spot him curled up in a ball in the sunshine. I’m glad he likes us.

Shawn
* * *

Here's a mellow tune, courtesy of SGTex:

How about that Texas chili.....

If you can read this whole story without laughing then there's no hope for
you. I was crying by the end. Note: Please take time to read this slowly.
If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third
judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know
how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time
Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at
the San Antonio City Park. Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster
named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili
cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I
happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions
to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the
other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy
and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I
accepted."


Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could
remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.
CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN'S AFTERBURNER CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm
supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to
give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.
CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels
like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer.
CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC...
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or
other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to
taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was
standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB woman is starting to
look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?
CHILI # 5 LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER...
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding
considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit
the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I
can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed
paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili
had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.
Screw those rednecks.

CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY...
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of
spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.
Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,
sulfuric flames. I shit on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will
eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except
that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow
cone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of
chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried
about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing
uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I
wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds
like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which
slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my
shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've
decided to stop breathing it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any
oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole
in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI...
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold
but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor
hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed
out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure
if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to
really hot chili?

Judge # 3 No Report

(Shared by DB, a friend with family in Texas, so she'd know!)

Shawn & SGTex
***

August evening...

For some reason this evening my mind has wandered right through the office window, past the immediate view and beyond the horizon, travelling all the way back to Astoria. When I found this picture, depicting what I'd term a *perfect* August evening on the river, I thought I'd post it here.

Maybe it's because both Texas and my part of Washington have been well-rained upon lately, and I am longing for clear, quiet skies. Or perhaps it's just that we're so looking forward to the day come when we get to spend some time there, sharing a view of which I'll never grow tired, nor forget. We'll toss bouquets of flowers in the river, an offering of love in memory of parents who've crossed over and have moved beyond our view, and we'll spend some time making memories of our own to look back upon.

Shawn
***

Have I told you lately?.....

Shawn
***

SGTex
***

When in the springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair.

When owls call the breathless moon
in the blue veil of the night
When shadows of the trees appear
amidst the lantern light.

We've been rambling all the night
and sometime of this day
Now returning back again
we bring a garland gay.

Who will go down to those shady groves
and summon the shadows there
And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms
in the springtime of the year.

The sounds of birds seem to fill the wood
and when the fiddler plays
All their voices can be heard
long past their woodland days.

We've been rambling all the night
and sometime of this day
Now returning back again
we bring a garland gay.

And so they linked their hands and danced
'round in circles and in rows
And so the journey of the night descends
when all the shades are gone.

A garland gay we bring you here
And at your door we stand
Here's a sprout, well budded out
The work of our Lord's hand.

We've been rambling all the night
and sometime of this day
Now returning back again
we bring a garland gay.

Shawn
***

"I see the moon, and the moon sees me."

Long ago on the Isle of Man, you'd look up at the new moon and jingle the coins in your pocket while saying this money spell.

I've been thinking a lot about the moon lately. Maybe it's because I've become very calendar-conscious, or maybe it's just more of my mystic awakening.

Whatever it is, the moon has lately been exceptionally beautiful, and I find myself watching for her to appear in the evening sky, so I can share a moment or two under her spell with my man, feeling hopeful and grateful that she lights up the night with such promise of morning.

photo: Lotus cirrus

Shawn
***

Maidin mhaith!

Good morning! (Well, this didn't get posted until afternoon, but I started this morning)

I thought I'd better get something on the blog, as it's been awhile, so was surfing the I'net and happened upon this wonderful pic of Coastal Redwoods near Crescent City, CA. The first 5 years of my life were spent just north of here, and I remember being in the forest and attempting to see the sky above these giants. I recall being awestruck, and feeling the quiet, only speaking in a whisper. Maybe we'll get back there for a visit again someday. I hope so.

I'm sure that there's an old black and white snapshot around somewhere that would look just about like this.

Photo courtesy of travel blog by "kazza."

Shawn
***

Sweet Dreams.....

(Words by Van Halen)

World turns black and white
Pictures in an empty room
Your love starts fallin' down
Better change your tune
Yeah, you reach for the golden ring
Reach for the sky
Baby, just spread your wings

We'll get higher and higher
Straight up we'll climb
We'll get higher and higher
Leave it all behind

Run, run, run away
Like a train runnin' off the track
Got the truth bein' left behind
Falls between the cracks
Standin' on broken dreams
Never losin' sight, ah
Well just spread your wings

We'll get higher and higher
Straight up we'll climb
We'll get higher and higher
Leave it all behind

So baby dry your eyes
Save all the tears you've cried
Oh, that's what dreams are made of
'Cause we belong in a world that must be strong
Oh, that's what dreams are made of

Yeah, we'll get higher and higher
Straight up we'll climb
Higher and higher
Leave it all behind
Oh, we'll get higher and higher
Who knows what we'll find?

So baby dry your eyes
Save all the tears you've cried
Oh, that's what dreams are made of
Oh baby, we belong in a world that must be strong
Oh, that's what dreams are made of

And in the end on dreams we will depend
'Cause that's what love is made of

Shawn
***

Some wedding words, courtesy of U2....

You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want
Your story to remain untold

All the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you'll give me
A highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night

You say you'll give me
Eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest
All the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you want
Your love to work out right
To last with me through the night

You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold

All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO, ETC...!!!
Shawn
***

About today...

What’s new in our world?

I’m sitting here listening to songs, while SGTex is busy working. That’s what I should be doing, but last night we were talking about our wedding music, and he’s got me in the mood. It’s a good thing it’s going to be a “wedding weekend,” as our selection of great tunes is pretty extensive! It's also a good thing he's in charge of the music (as well as The Cake!), as I'd never be able to figure it all out.

It seems that Mr. Mockingbird has found his mate, as he no longer sings in the night. It seems strange to miss something so beautiful and yet be happy for him, all at the same time. We’re wishing him the very best and all the joy that is due him, as he blessed us so very, very much.

We think we’ve found a realtor for the house in Washington. He just seemed to drop out of the sky one morning, and as so many blessings have come to us by way of Heaven, we feel it’s a good fit.

All in all, these are fine days. Our loved ones are in good health and relatively happy. We can’t ask for more than that, and so we continue to give thanks.

Got to go. My nose tells me the chicken baking in the oven is just about done.

Shawn
***

The Power of Love....

The power of love is a curious thing
make a one man weep, make another man sing
Change a hawk to a little white dove
more than a feeling that's the power of love

Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream
Stronger and harder than a bad girl's dream
make a bad one good make a wrong one right
power of love that keeps you home at night

You don't need money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
but it might just save your life
That's the power of love
That's the power of love

First time you feel it, it might make you sad
Next time you feel it it might make you mad
But you'll be glad baby when you've found
that's the power makes the world go'round

And it don't take money, don't take fame
don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden it can be cruel sometimes
but it might just save your life

They say that all in love is fair
yeah, but you don't care
But you know what to do
when it gets hold of you
and with a little help from above
you feel the power of love
you feel the power of love
Can you feel it ?
Hmmm

It don't take money and it don't take fame
don't need no credit card to ride this train
Tougher than diamonds and stronger than steel
you won't feel nothin' till you feel
you feel the power, just the power of love
That's the power, that's the power of love
You feel the power of love
you feel the power of love
feel the power of love

For him....

Shawn
***

Thank you very much for asking....

Happy Will You Marry Me Day, too.

June 30, 2005

Loving you, A&F, NMW, XOXOXO, ETC...!!!
Shawn
***

Might as well jump

...over the moon

(photo courtesy of the Recorder.com, Greenfield, Massachusetts. Thanks, Flower!)

Shawn
***

I want you..........to know...

I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I love you more with every breath
Truly madly deeply do..
I will be strong I will be faithful
'Cos I'm counting on a new beginning.
A reason for living.
A deeper meaning.


I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me...


And when the stars are shining brightly
In the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish
Send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry...
The tears of joy
For all the pleasure and the certainty.
That we're surrounded
By the comfort and protection of..
The Highest Power
In lonely hours.
The tears devour you...
I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...


Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cos it's standing right before you.

All that you need will surely come...

I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly madly deeply do...

I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me...



----<--<-@ "I feel like I've just stepped off into space"...two years later, only more so.
A&F...NMW...

Shawn
***

Billy says 'bye...

"Ruth Bell Graham"
1920-2007

A beautiful lily named for a beautiful lady.



(John Shooter 2004, photo courtesy of Marietta Gardens, NC)

Shawn
***

Flag Day in the USA

I went searching for something to post about Flag Day and ended up with something else entirely. It's quite apropos, however, since both SGTex and I are currently doing the mental stretching necessary to adjust to new platforms in our work situation. It's funny how that worked out. We're in the same business, have a real working home office, and we're simultaneously in the throes of vocational evolution. I think we'll both breathe a sigh of relief when we've got this bit behind us and our "weekend" is within reach.

Anyway, I thought this was pretty interesting...Any of these sound familiar?

New Job Lingo: What it really means... (and why I prefer working from home--my comments are italicized)

JOIN OUR FAST-PACED COMPANY - We have no time to train you. (We get good training, actually)

CASUAL WORK ATMOSPHERE - We don't pay enough to expect that you'll dress up. (I prefer working in, well....let's call 'em pajamas. I shan't speak for SGTex)

MUST BE DEADLINE ORIENTED - You'll be six months behind schedule on your first day (Always have the TAT looming in our biz)

SOME OVERTIME REQUIRED – You’ll work nights and weekends. (BTDT)

DUTIES WILL VARY - Anyone in the office can, and will, boss you around. (LOL. No comment, except to say there's just the two of us in this office. Oh, and that I'm madly in love with The Boss)

MUST HAVE AN EYE FOR DETAIL - We have no quality control. (In our case, it's all about quality control).

Work happy!

Shawn
***

Photo: Clearwater, Florida

Song in the night....

It seems that every day I come across another wonderful thing about Texas, and here's the latest:

Long after the sun has set and everything is quiet, we're blessed to hear the loveliest bird song, and it goes on and on. We're pretty certain it is an unmated male mockingbird. SGTex says, "With a song like that, he won't be unmated for long!"

I know it's not really fair, but I'm kinda hoping he's in no hurry, as I never could have imagined anything so beautiful. Then again, I guess the only thing that would be nicer is for him to find her, and then they might settle down in our oak tree.

It's all very, very romantic.....

Shawn
***

Photo: The mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is the state bird of Texas, adopted by the Legislature 1927 at the request of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. Courtesy of SHG Resources

Sharing a lovely song.

SGTex & Shawn
***

Maol Ceanntre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
My desire is always to be here, oh Mull of Kintyre

Far have I travelled and much have I seen
Dark distant mountains with valleys of green
Past painted deserts the sun sets on fire
As he carries me home to the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
My desire is always to be here, oh Mull of Kintyre

Sweep through the heather like deer in the glen
Carry me back to the days I knew then
Nights when we sang like a heavenly choir
Of the life and the times of the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
My desire is always to be here, oh Mull of Kintyre

Smiles in the sunshine and tears in the rain
Still take me back where my memories remain
Flickering embers grow higher and higher
As they carry me back to the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
My desire is always to be here, oh Mull of Kintyre

On Jerusha Day

"Love is a gift of one's innermost soul to another so both can be whole." Tea Rose

Shawn
***

It's already Tuesday...

....and here's hoping everyone has a great week! SGTex spotted a cardinal nearby, and of course, I'm pretty excited about that. We don't have these where I come from. I am *so* impressed with Texas birds!

Also, our dear Elsie in Indiana sent a fun link with slides depicting the beauty of America. We enjoyed watching it this morning. Amazing! We're very blessed to live in such a wonderful place. Check it out over on our link list, and be sure to have your sound turned up. Thank you so much, Elsie!

Okay, time to coffee up and get on with this day.

Shawn
***

Carpe Diem

Something to consider on Memorial Day....

"Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word " refrigeration" mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gasp and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and ha d only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? ;And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over."


"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!"

Thanks for sharing these words to live by, Nancy!

Remembering those who've walked along side me on this journey for awhile, then went on ahead and crossed The River...

Shawn
***

The day will come....

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known...."

I Cor 13.12
Shawn
***

A song for today.....

Ecola State Park, Oregon Coast



Not Van, but a nice version.

Shawn
***

Your love

keeps lifting me....

Just thinking about our wedding day, when it's all said and done, and I'm blowing bubbles with My Man....

Shawn
***

Winkin' at the Queen

....and the Queen said, "...a State Visit provides us with a brief opportunity to step back from our current preoccupations to reflect on the very essence of our relationship. It gives us the chance to look back at how the stories of our two countries have been inextricably woven together; it is the moment to take stock of our present friendship- rightly taking pleasure from its strengths, while never taking these for granted; and it is the time to look forward, jointly renewing our commitment to a more prosperous, safer and freer world."

Excerpted from the Queen's speech on her fifth visit to the USA.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp

I just thot that picture was kinda cute.

Shawn
***

Banyan Beauty

Today I found an article on The Buddhist Channel, featuring what I would term “the Banyan of all Banyans.” See below for the link to that article.

This picture reminded me of some beautiful writing from the poet Tagore. I’ve provided the web address to a collection of his poems in our Link List.

Here’s hoping that there’s a healing for this lovely tree, so it may continue to bless those of us who are lucky enough to rest in its shade.


"O you shaggy-headed banyan tree standing on the bank of the pond, have you forgotten the little child, like the birds that have nested in your branches and left you?
Do you not remember how he sat at the window and wondered at the tangle of your roots that plunged underground?
The women would come to fill their jars in the pond, and your huge black shadow would wriggle on the water like sleep struggling to wake up.
Sunlight danced on the ripples like restless tiny shuttles weaving golden tapestry.
Two ducks swam by the weedy margin above their shadows, and the child would sit still and think.
He longed to be the wind and blow through your rustling branches, to be your shadow and lengthen with the day on the water, to be a bird and perch on your top-most twig, and to float like those ducks among the weeds and shadows." R. Tagore

“Faith Tree of Buddhism Not Keeping Well” http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=42,4109,0,0,1,0


Shawn
***

Monkey Bread

One of my earliest get-acquainted conversations with SGTex occurred at about this time of year, back in 2005, and the topic was Monkey Bread.

I think I was the one who responded to his mentioning having baked some and taken it to a meeting…all gooey-drizzly and no doubt utterly scrumptious, but I noticed and mentioned it had no raisins. Then organic bananas somehow made their way into the conversation, maybe referencing “simian”…or was it cinnamon?

So, this is an anniversary season for us, and I shall always be grateful for this man who knows his way around a kitchen (and he does, boy howdy)!

I won’t presume to pass on his recipe, but perhaps this will do as my little tribute to buns (this here sticky kind):

Nancy Reagan’s Monkey Bread

“Dissolve 1 pkg. Dry yeast in 1/2 c. milk. Add 2 eggs, beat, then mix in 3 T. sugar, 1 T. salt, 3 1/2 c. flour, and 1 c. milk, and blend thoroughly. Cut in 6 oz. butter, knead well, and let rise to double. Knead again, let rise again for 40 min. Roll dough onto floured board, shape into a log, and cut into 28 pieces. Shape each piece of dough into ball and roll in 1/2 lb. melted butter. Butter and flour two 9-in. ring molds, place 7 balls of dough in each mold, place remaining balls of dough on top, and let rise again. Brush tops with 1 beaten egg, bake for 15 min. at 375 degrees F.”

---Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, John F. Mariani [Lebhar-Friedman:New York] 1999 (p. 208)

Shawn
***

Our Interfaith Nat'l Day of Prayer

Our Interfaith NDOP was of course very nice.

I didn't try to take any time off for it this year, just made a lunchtime dash of it. We parked a few blocks away and ran to the lovely little downtown park, arriving none too early! Padre Roz (who will be officiant at our wedding instead of Talon, now) was being TV interviewed off in a corner and at first I was having trouble spotting familiar faces, but then began to recognize some folks: Seymour and the other Jewish ole boy, the Presbyterian pastor who always brings the sound equipment, good old Heywood the Muslim chaplain, the Baha'i lady, Donna the semiagnostic Unitarian lady, and Paul the Catholic deacon...


The turnout was downright scant. We need to promote it more next year, or else try to take over the City Hall event again! But it was a splendid service, lovely weather for it and a very happy and peaceful and blessed mood. The prayers were most righteous and powerful, in this order: Baha'i, Anglican, Muslim, Protestant, Buddhist, Unitarian, Roman Catholic and Jewish. Unfortunately, Mrs. P the Hindi was not there this year, a pity because the prayers she sings are splendid.


I taped a sheet of paper with big block print NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO so people could tell what was being chanted, then said, "Thank you for attending, and thanks to the Interfaith Council once again for providing *this* kind of National Day of Prayer observance, representing genuine and lawful religious liberty..."


"In Nichiren Buddhism," I says, "the practice of prayer consists of reciting a sutra called Lotus of the Wonderful Law, truth so absolute and potent that its mere utterance transforms karma. We want good karma for Abilene and the United States, and we pray for peace and true justice throughout the world." Then I ding-dinged my little bell and briskly recited the Ji Ga Ge, a passage of verse from the Lotus Sutra that takes I guess 2-3 minutes, then chanted daimoku for less than a minute.


We concluded with the traditional breaking-bread-together ritual in which several circles of people of diverse faiths share a loaf. This year the bread was delicious homemade stuff with poppy seeds on it, baked at Temple Mizpah by Seymour's wife.


After minimal chitchat with some gentle folks, we took off right away because I had to get back to work. It was a wonderful occasion of faith and freedom.


Website suggested by our journalist friend Brian: http://www.religioustolerance.org/

Photo: Location of NDOP ceremony in our city

SGTex
***

Samba Pa Ti

Sharing a song from that summer...

SGTex & Shawn
***

Crocodile Rock

This old Elton John tune just came on the radio and got me to thinking again about Atlanta, Idaho. When I saw this picture of The Hub, a flood of memories washed over me, and I actually had a pang of homesickness for the little town. Of course, I was never there in the snow. It was hot summertime whenever I visited.

The Hub was one of two businesses open in those days, the other being The Whistle Stop. It was where you went to use the radio (the only real means of communication with outside), could buy a few groceries or “fanny up to the bar” for a drink.

Leonard was the quintessential hillbilly, a very charming and friendly person. The Hub was his hangout above ground (his mine was a hole alongside a mountain road- I know, because I was there the day he'd over-imbibed and pulled the mine down in on himself. I'm not sure how long he laid there and yelled, until someone happened by and we got to come save him...)

Anyway, Leonard was always there to fanny up to the bar-any time of day, sometimes all day long. Music was always playing, and he really, really loved “Crocodile Rock.” It was dancing music to him, and if you appeared on the front porch or passed across his field of vision when it was playing, before you knew it, you and Leonard were dancing the croc rock. It happened more than once to me, lol.

Oh, and “Joy To The World.” That was another Leonard favorite. Not the Christmas version, either. I do have a couple of other Atlanta hillbilly stories, but for now, this will just have to do.

P.S. LOL. I almost forgot to sign this one...guess I could have let everyone believe it was SGTex up there dancin' w/ole Leonard... ;+)

Shawn
***

May Day Mischief

I didn't think there would be anything about which to blog today. Really, there's not, except for the fact that I found this cute Maypole sketch and felt it must be put to some use, even this late in the day.

Actually, it was the best kind of morning (thank you, Sir). The day didn't really take a dip until the cyberfiends decided to wreak their havoc at my desk and have their evil way with the PC. I think we've gotten them whipped for the time being, so I'll just count on the last hour or so remaining calm, and we'll see what the morning brings.

I'm looking forward to the Nat'l Day of Prayer and having the chance to be with SGTex as he fulfills his responsibilities.

It's going to be a fine rest-of-the week. I'm absolutely sure of it.

Shawn
***

Another Tree Grows In Texas

Today I found this photo of a wonderful oak in Lake Texana State Park. It was taken by a gentleman named "BossJim" from one of my favorite gardening forums. He says that his family visits this lovely old tree every year to take pictures with the grandkids.

I'm awfully glad there is such beauty as this in Texas and will always be appreciative, coming from coastal Washington where the trees grow thick and tall.

I guess they don't call me a tree-hugger for nothing, and I plan to do what I can to keep my reputation.

Shawn
***

A Buddhist Holiday

April 28, 1253: The latter-day covenant of Buddhism is established.

On this date Nichiren founded the teaching of

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, setting in motion the deliverance of humankind.

O Happy Day,O Happy Day...

SGTex

***

"That great day in the morning..." http://www.nbaa.tv/Nichiren/lifeofnich.html

A Tree Grows In Texas

I always learn something new when walking with SGTex. He’s great about that, showing me and telling me about Texas, my “new world.” Today’s discovery was about mulberries. I had no idea they grew on trees! I guess I believed the song, and never thought that they’d grow on anything bigger than a bush. And here I am, a real fan of all things berry, having spent summer days in my youth out in the fields picking (and getting paid mere cents for what one now pays dollars, btw~but I digress...) As he sampled the fruit of the tree, he said that this is just the right time for it. You get not-so-ripe tart, and then you get darker, pretty-ripe sweet.

Needless to say, I’m totally thrilled to make the acquaintance of a new tree that bears delicious fruit. I mentioned “mulberry pie,” and he said “mulberry wine.” Of course, I’ve located what looks to be like a good source of recipes, and I can’t wait to unpack the baking pans and see what we can stir up!

http://www.fiery-foods.com/dave/mulberries.asp

Shawn

***

Square Nails

The other day I was working with an antique oval picture frame, getting it ready for a special photograph I plan on having enlarged. It so happened that I had to remove an old, velvet mat- so old, in fact, that the fabric disintegrated and the cardboard backing fell apart. No problem though, as I’ll just have the picture done that much larger. There’s a lovely, cracked bit of gilded border that will look better without the mat anyway, in my opinion.

The back side of the frame needed a little work, and in cleaning it up I pulled out an old, square nail. SGTex and I were talking at the time, and he remarked about just how old that frame must be. I do know it dates into the 1800s.

Something that has become a morning tradition with us is to share dreams from the night before, and I usually remember quite a few details. This morning, however, I couldn’t recollect anything in particular, but later in the day it dawned on me that I had been dreaming about a very special time spent in a very special place.

Atlanta, Idaho is tucked away in the hills, up near the Sawtooth Range. Many years ago there was only a handful of inhabitants, and that is probably still the case. We called them hillbillies, and they were. Lovely, funny people who did things their own way and rarely, if ever, came down from the hills.

Frank, our dearest and best friend in the world, had a cabin up there, which happened to be down the mountain from his enterprise, the Bad Bear Mine (gold). We’d spend wonderful times up there in the summer “moseying” around, doing not much of anything other than explore abandoned mines and the ghost town, visit in the cabin, ride horses and relax in the hot springs. Oh, and dynamite dead trees out in the meadow. It wasn’t all play, though. I enjoyed helping him with one of his hobbies, not just because it involved a somewhat wild and scary trip on the Hondas up the mountain, but we explored the abandoned shacks and cabins, all gray and without windows, wallpaper hanging in shreds revealing the old newspaper used for insulation. I’d sometimes sit down on an old porch step and see what I could read, and then get busy helping Frank search.

I wish I knew whatever became of the remains of Frank’s hobby treasure. I remember tucking it away in a cupboard somewhere, a long time ago... an old tin can filled with rusted square nails.

Shawn
* * *

Picture of Atlanta, Idaho courtesy of website http://www.atlantaidaho.org/

Sign of Spring

"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark."

Rabindranath Tagore

Just a few minutes ago I had the pleasure of sighting one of these winged wonders, and it reminded me of what is just about my most favorite of Tagore's writings. The little hummingbird was buzzing back and forth, very determined and energetic, all business. I think he was searching for something, maybe materials for a nearby nest.

I know hummingbirds don't really sing, per se, but have more of a little "tweet." Still, it was nice to watch him from behind the lace curtains for those few minutes. He is a real beauty, and I'm wishing him the blessing of a safe and happy Spring.

On another note....we do know a lovely robin who lives nearby, and he regularly sings for us. To my way of thinking, there is nothing prettier than the morning, evening or after-the-rain robin song.

I won't be letting on to my little green friend, however...

Shawn

***

Heaven In Your Mouth

...or, what is Tiramisu?

This question came up last night while talking about our upcoming wedding and what sort of souvenir sweets we might include in welcome packages for our out-of-town guests. Being the Googler that I am, I happened upon a charming website that gave some wonderful information and interesting history about this decadent dessert. I was delighted, as I love to learn about recipes and their origins, every little thing that makes a food item special.

I didn't know there were so many ways to do up Tiramisu! I'm looking forward to making it a twosome project in our little kitchen one of these evenings... Considering the rich history behind the rich dessert, we might want to be cooking in costume...

I'm glad he asked this question!

Shawn

***

picture taken from http://www.heavenlytiramisu.com/whatisit.htm

The sky goes all the way down to the ground!

You don't get that much where I come from (the PNW). Around Puget Sound, the evergreen trees are pretty dense and at times seem more black (well, very dark green) than anything else. Beautiful things, they are, but they do tend to shed all over the place and after a spell of wet, wet, wet are wont to topple over onto people's fences, homes and the occasional car.

Still, I can't complain that I got to grow up somewhere between tall, dark forests and the deep blue sea. My "old home town" landscape is changing as it's being paved over, but not so very long ago the valley was mostly green. Come spring, the fields turned from yellow daffodils into red tulips and summertime brought on acres and acres of berries. Just recently I remember eating what I expected to be the "last Washington raspberries." I tell you, that was a moment for me. I confess I had to hurry and get on the phone to Tex, tearfully asking about Farmer's Markets in our town. He promised that we would find a market, that surely there would be berries... Silly girl that I am, it tasted a quite a bit sweeter, and comforted, I really savored that "last local raspberry."

I love that man.

I'm trading the tall trees and lush green for something I didn't know I longed for~ the marvel of seeing for miles and miles with nothing to stop that heavenly vista of a blue, blue sky that goes all the way down to the ground...

Shawn

***

Photo by Alex Martinez: Possum Kingdom Lake, one of our many planned getaways

Is this thing turned on?

Calling it a day....and it was good.

Shawn

***