With love from America....

come on home, come on home, come on home

If I don't see you through the week
See you through the window
See you next time that we're talking on the telephone
And if I don't see you in that Indian summer
Then I want to see you further on up the road

I said, oh won't you come back?
I have to see you, my dear
Won't you come back in the Celtic New Year?
--Van Morrison


Must be the Celtic New Year and its thinnin' o' the veil, as yesterday -- and not for the first time -- we have seen spooky little signs of Sasha, dear kitty departed!

Mid-afternoon, Shawn remarked from the bedroom:  "I think Sasha's paying us a visit."

"I know!" I exclaimed.

She had just seen a dangling charger cable jiggle as if a passer-by had brushed against it -- or batted at it a bit.  I had to agree that it must be the tiny white Persian come calling, because about an hour earlier I'd seen something interesting, too (and mind you, I am a devout believer in scientific materialism, i.e., I tend to think paranormal/supernatural stuff is imaginary and like to ridicule the TV ghost hunters).

I was in the front yard, rinsing the big white ice chest when red clay dirt that had been clogging the hose gushed out and spattered across the lid.  I stared for a few seconds and it was unmistakable:  Three or four cat pawprints, just as if one had bounded across the ice chest when I wasn't looking.  Wish I hadn't rinsed them away, as we could have dried and framed them!  You could tell she was headed toward the bedroom window.

Sasha was/is a familiar and so is well suited to this sort of thing.  We called her a ghost even during her time with us, little wisp o' white out the corner of one's eye.  Well, I mean, just look at the picture, it's actually her.  We have interred her little ash urn in a cabinet under the butsudan.

Today I see that I've accidentally dropped a flake of potato chip on the floor -- something Sasha used to count on.  I'm just going to leave it there for a while.

SGTex

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Shame on Gov Rick Scott and his kind in FL, not to mention all the others who hunt bears.

"Revolution In You"

SMDH...

But...

Peace in the Water - Visual Prayer for Whales and Dolphins

It was about now....

...only 7 years ago that we rolled across the Texas border and I was on my way home to stay.

I remember the absolute awesomeness of seeing that flat, flat, FLAT vastness.  The bright blue sky that went all the way to the ground (one of my sayings about what I knew I'd never get over about the sky not being hidden by 100 foot Doug Firs and mountains), and the big ranch gates and threads of roads heading off into the distance, ending at what appeared to be tiny homes but were actually impressive ranch homes and all those cute little cows...  I was so excited to finally be here that I cried like a baby.

Before too long we pulled into Amarillo and had dinner and then drove until it was dark and the sky was lit up with countless stars, and after awhile it was Abilene, and we were home.  Finally.  It had been the Adventure of a Lifetime, the Big Road Trip and finally leaving the Pacific Northwest for who knows how long....

I didn't know what was ahead of me, really.  We had a blast shacking up in our cute little apartment and then moved to our cute little house.  Ups and downs, ins and outs, goods and bads, it's been an endurance contest and I'm not sure who's winning sometimes, lol.  To go from that (the Great Pacific Northwest) to this (The Great Republic of Texas) has been the worst and most wonderful thing to ever happen to my nerves (I remember saying that back in high school:  "Nuherves.....")  I had 'em.

Do you know what?  He, my Heathen Lover, has been better at this than I have been.  He didn't send me back when he (and I, boyhowdy), knew that some of his wish he would.  Did I say "Boyhowdy?"  OMG.  But he has a cousin and a brother who've been quite nice and I hope they like me.  I sure like them.  His best friend Larry, who has crossed the River Styx, bless his heart, was so kind to me.  He was terrific, when I was obviously a little bit ragged around the edges and he must've figured how homesick I was, and would ask me how I liked things and was it different and what did I miss about Washington....  Yes, we miss Larry.

Anyway, SGTex is off 2+ hours away working hard and I'm here in the little Love Shack thinking about stuff.  Sebastian and Seamus, the little Havanese Darlings are here and keeping me company and I have coffee and am going to be fine, probably.

I'm just a little bit more emotional about looking back and realizing how far away The Old Life is, and am glad I'm here in The New Life with my Man.  He's been very patient and is every bit the good Native Texan he told me he'd be when he hooked up with me, despite what he kindly calls my "mystique."  He told me I had a helluvalotta that.

Hah.

It's good to be Home Sweet Home here in Texas.  Really and truly.

Thanks for having me.

Shawn
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Imagine...Cecil & Jericho's pride in April 2015

World Elephant Day

Some of the elephants in the care of our friends at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust property.

Shawn & SGTex

To clarify...

There must be....

From The Orca Project...

Oh, yeah. About that other flag....

...which came down the pole in South Carolina this morning.

It seems that when there's something momentous going on in the world, my husband and I are together in bed watching it on television.  I really like that.  We've been together for just about everything that happened that really mattered during most of the past decade, and I think I can speak for both of us when I say that the togetherness makes it even more meaningful.  This morning was no exception.  What a moment, seeing the rebel flag being ceremoniously lowered and respectfully folded and rolled into a neat little package and relegated to its proper location in the nearby museum on the capitol grounds.  We watched the governor sign the order to make it all happen, and that, too, was a moment.

This morning's event was something to behold, even from a distance.  My heart went straight to the little girl who'd been away at summer camp but came home to be at the capitol and watch this take place.  I felt a kinship with her, because that's something that I'd have done, too.  I remember being away at summer camp and just about my favorite part of the day was early in the morning watching the flag being raised and singing with the other campers one of my favorite songs about my favorite things at that time in my life.

Anyway, I spent enough time in the South and in South Carolina, specifically, to understand the great debate and turmoil that has been brewing in the hearts and minds of people, and I'm really glad that I'm on the side of the people who wanted that to come down.  It's caused enough pain, thoughts and actions that happened way back when during the war, and then since 1961 when it was raised again in defiance of those people who wanted peace and equality and integration.

I'm glad I'm attached to a person who feels the same way about these things and look forward to watching and experiencing many more great moments, grateful that we'll be on the right side of history, as they say.

Namaste'

Shawn & SGTex

Yesterday in the US of A....

Didjya know that....

Cheering myself up...

Protest at Seattle...

...makes me proud to be someone who cares enough about the planet to speak up.

After all, it's not like we've got a spare Earth out there somewhere, is it?!

Let's get together to do what we can to save what we can and bring about restoration.

Shawn
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My heart is heavy for Nepal...

photo courtesy of BBC

Personally....

....I am really starting to notice some things that my brain seems to be pushing forward and it's getting my attention.  

You know how it goes in the mind's bottom file cabinet drawer....the one that's not quite full enough to hold the manila file folders of recollection upright in a neat, orderly fashion.  Instead, they sadly droop and contents are lost for years, leaving me to vaguely wonder just what was the occasional stray thought that floated by during the night.  

Well, maybe it's a hormonal thing and I'm only turning into my mother (help us all), or maybe I've just had ENOUGH.  

Since when was it a bad thing to attempt to do something good? Why do supposedly educated people act like they're not?  Is it just fashionable these days to be mean and stupid?  Why must people be scorned when attempting to be correct in what is said or done (so as not to be scorned)?  Is it really a bad thing to be nice, or generous, or hospitable, or informative, or helpful, or creative?  Really?

I don't know what else to do other than to lock that particular file drawer and lose the key, because it seems that I'm pretty sure nobody else thinks about it much, having gone over to the dark side, lol.

I don't know what else to say except "gee whiz."

Gee whiz.

Shawn

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You've probably seen...

...this one, but I saved it just in case.

Obviously, there's not a single word I can add, so let me just suggest we all have what is left of a great week.

Shawn
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Spring...

...has sprung.

There are so many things about which I could blog, but I can't decide where to start.
Meanwhile, enjoy this glimpse of sweetness.

Shawn
****

Can you just ....

Artist: Ingrid Tusell Domingo

Come to think of it...

I find it vaguely disturbing that the person(s) most likely to show the least respect for Science and concern for the environment might well be charter member(s) of the Flat Earth Society, yet when seeing a picture of a flower or sunset will enthusiastically go on about God making it.


If I were God, I'd take the time to show 'em how I'd done it and how it all works. I'd have enough respect and think these people were smart enough to learn the facts. I wouldn't treat them like babies needing cute stories and fairy tales.

So there.

Shawn

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A poem by my Man for me....

I've checked...

 ...and not a single thought in my head can be found. Well, that is worth sharing. Not to say there hasn't been plenty to think about these days. After several weeks of being sick, this picture just kinda spoke to me.
Thanks to  Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura on Facebook for posting what can best convey my mood of the moment.

In spite of the fact I've been blasting Led Zeppelin tunes for the last hour ;~)

Cheers!

Shawn
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Official 2015 Jeep Super Bowl Commercial | Beautiful Lands | Jeep Renegade

On the odd chance that anybody wants to know what we think of Sarah Palin...

So...

And so, then I said...

... I'm not so dismal in my outlook. Solar power and wind power with adaptation for improvement. Make it safe. Quit the strip mining and deforestation of the planet. Every school child in America every year needs to plant a tree or contribute to a tree being planted where it's needed on the planet. Everywhere, anywhere. Streams and rivers need to be cleaned up and the oceans need to be rid of the plastics and garbage. Japan needs to do something with the mess it's perpetrating on the oceans and the planet or it's Hiroshima all over again (maybe self induced, if they're not careful). China needs to get with it regarding pollution. Quit burning and bulldozing the rain forests. Stop use of palm oil and the destruction of environment and wildlife. Start saving life and stop killing it off. A garden on empty lots and a front porch on every house-- Americana. Put homeless in vacant homes. Make work-week schedule changes to lessen commute wear and tear on air and infrastructure. Legalize marijuana/stop destruction of illegal growers in our national parks/forests and clean that up. Strengthen our borders for the right reasons and take care of the immigration issues. Get rid of the dead weight and their lobbyists in Congress and start fresh with a no-party system, with everybody voting on issues rather than candidates. Stuff like that needs to happen.

Shawn

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Happy New Year...

...to all who pass by here.

I ran on to this picture and couldn't resist sharing it here, what with the colors and mood evoked by the beautiful bird peacefully contemplating its future and all the possibilities.

Or is it just me?


;~)

Shawn
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borrowed from Evolver Social Movement, Facebook
photo credit:  Imgfave

O Christmas tree...

... O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!  

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur
  zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!"

~   Christmas Carol, O Tannenbaum 

Do they know...

it's Christmas?

It's Thanksgiving Eve in America and...

... I was about to post the "May none of your real feelings slip out at Thanksgiving Dinner" meme here, but will save it.  Maybe next year.

Pretty Autumn leaves are quite nice and will do.

Oh, I'm thankful enough for the usual things, like most Americans.  This year, however, my mood is a little less buoyant and I'm not so apt to go on and on about all the good stuff in my life.  I could, but I guess I'm not going to right now.

The good stuff is there, and I'm not complaining.  There's been just enough difficulty and discouragement for a long enough time to wear me down and take the edge off, if you know what I mean.

Sorry.  No Pollyanna today.

Perhaps this should be a "for what am I grateful in spite of all the hellacious stress and bewilderment I've endured, for crying out loud" sort of post.  It's not.

I'm well aware that some people have it really truly bad and don't complain, even in the worst of times and have endured (gods, I hate that word) way more than I have, truth be told.

Far be it from me to point out how crappy some people treat others and the manipulative bullshit some of us endure from time to time.  And it would be totally inappropriate to mention that the comments and criticisms from the bigots and slanderers are becoming less and less welcome in the lives of those who frankly are above all that, tyvm.

Anyway, my mood is mixed and I'm in a sort of "between" place these days.  Not unusual, for the modern Pagan, which I am.  Those between places are exactly where we're meant to be, right over there, between the negative and positive paths that meander off into that vagueness, around the bend.
I'm going to sit right down on this imaginary rock and think about what might come next.  I might just get out my Good Stuff List and read it over.  Maybe I'll even add to it before I tuck it away until next year.

If I don't toss it.

Happy Thanksgiving, America.

Season's Greetings, rest of the world.

Shawn
****
PS.  (Dec 4, 2014)  Serves me right for being cranky when I blogged this bit.  We ended up having what I'd call *The Best Thanksgiving Ever* this year.  Cheers!

Season's Greetings....

When I'm queen...

...every community on the planet is going to have shared garden space for exchange of produce, tree-lined streets with flags flying and hemp and cottonwood plantations will be everywhere possible.

Marijuana will be legal, every home will sport a front porch and have a rain barrel if they want it, backyard gardens with lots of flowers for butterflies and bees and yards with balls and dogs and shade trees, vertical gardens, mushroom-growing indoor kits and picnic-friendly parks with band stands and free croquet for all.

It will be lovely.

(repeated from a frivolous Facebook comment)

Shawn
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Because of our dear friends who don't mind that we just happen to be hetero....

Here!!

We love you!!

Shawn & SGTex
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Not amused....

Wondering...

...if it would be a good thing to start over on that book collection.

After all, shouldn't every home have a library?

When I think of all the hardback treasures that were left behind in the Pacific Northwest when I moved to Texas, it makes me imagine a room filled with bookshelves filled with beautiful, artistically bound volumes of beautiful, artistically written words.

On the other hand, a beautiful, quiet office totally dedicated to that which would continue to inspire my favorite author (who just happens to be my husband) is an even better idea, isn't it?!

Better stay tuned...

Shawn
****

Hahaha!!!

We don't have to tell you that...

Simply put...

SGTex speaks out about gun control....

My response to one of those "luckily, a passerby happened to be armed" stories, because I believe in gun control but think good gun control would be consistent with some qualified "good citizens" permitted to possess and carry loaded weapons:

I believe the sensible corollary to sane gun control is an armed public, i.e., many "law abiding" carrying and able to act as lay peacekeepers. Why can't 2nd-amendment zealots see that a gun-control agenda, even a leftist one, does not entail disarming good people. You could have an armed public and many a fortuitous "passerby was carrying" story and still go forward with strong laws attempting to restrict some weapons and modes of ammunition, stringent clearance requirements for purchase of same, and much stepped-up regulation such as licensing and registration, even inspections by public safety officers to be sure gun owners are properly storing and keeping their piece or arsenal. Then maybe there would be measurable curtailment of the shooting folks in movies thing, and ghouls coming to slaughter first-graders. But in this we liberals are the sensible ones, with the right wing clearly the ones getting wild-eyed and unreasonable.

SGTex, Native Texan, SGI Buddhist Hippie

****

No, we do not agree...

...with those who are voicing their angry opinons and demonstrating their hatefulness at the undocumented, hopeful immigrants coming to our southern borders these days.

It occurs to me that some people from other parts of the planet might see all of this on the news and be shaking their heads at it all.

Really, you must wonder what is really going on here and imagine what people really feel.  Can we believe what we're shown on the news or what we see on television or hear on the radio?  Probably only some of it.

What it is, is a big crying shame.

My husband and I feel like those who are yelling and screaming and banging the US flags on the buses and shouting angry words and making ugly scenes on our southern borders need to just basically shut up and go home.   Seriously.

We don't want our laws to be broken and we don't believe that everyone should get a free ride or just have the blessings of living in the USA just handed to them....

....any more than what benefits were handed to our own ancestors who came to these shores and were given a decent life here on this continent all those many years ago....at the expense of the honorable, beautiful indigenous people who had been here for ages.

Makes you stop and think, doesn't it?

Shawn
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Independence Day 2014....

....for Raju, this precious elephant soul, seen here being cared for at long last.  Raju was captured as a baby 50 years ago and held by 20-some different owners, the last of which was a drug-addicted fiend who beat and mistreated him, keeping him in chains while he begged.



A year to the day this project to help him started, he has been rescued at last by Wildlife SOS heroes with the help of conservationists with a court order by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, he is now safe from abuse. When he saw that he was going to be released from his chains the tears ran down his face and he cried, along with those who were rescuing him from the hell he'd been living.


We are so glad to have had a small part in facilitating his release and will continue to send what support we can to make his life more comfortable, now that he is in good hands and getting medical care and in a loving environment.


Be blest, Raju. Rest and be restored.


Shawn & SGTex

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Our number is 9...

...and 9 years ago, across 2000-something miles, we came together.

It was June of 2005 and those 'little electrons' were flying.

We realized that we

Love Each Other

In spite of the bad stuff and because of the good stuff, here it is 9 years later and we still do.

In spite of our differences and our similarities.

Because of our differences and our similarities.

And 9 years ago he composed A Sketch of Verse For Shawn.

"And so it goes forever, unfolding, always becoming/creating
The two that are not two, ever interrelating..."

So, here we are.

It's another Happy I Love You Day, SGTex.

Shawn
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Ruffles over Finland...

...which is my way of saying "Happy Father's Day" to my Finnish Daddy, because he'd like that.  He encouraged his girly to be frilly.

Haha!

Shawn
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It's Memorial Day in America....

...and I have no idea why I picked this to share, but here it is.

Shawn
****

Today is International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia

Hail, Gaia....

So, I needed to blog and we were talking about wedding cakes...

....and a friend paid me a lovely compliment. My reply was to describe our wedding cake and how it came to be, back in 2010 at our Bluebonnet wedding (the one where we actually invited people).


Our cake topper was a china Claddagh with an inscription that fit our philosophy. When we went to look at cake ideas it just freaked out the cake designer when I didn't do all the talking. Noel was a major part of the deal, lol. When we decided the style we wanted and flavor/frosting (red velvet/butter cream with crystallized rain droplets), we showed her an example of how the flowers should look (bloomed-out roses) and I told her there needed to be 9. When she asked how they should be placed, I told her "however you want, as you're the artist." She obviously hadn't ever been given that much leeway and looked at me like I was nuts, lol. I didn't turn all "Bridezilla" until the cake was 15 minutes late, by my determination. Never mind we were having near hurricane weather and it was pouring and blowing a gale outside. The gals that delivered the cake just looked at me and laughed and laughed....

Shawn

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SGTex writes again....

April, her showers scant but sufficient unto the bluebonnets, traditionally brings us to thoughts of the National Day of Prayer. This year the splendid patriotic holiday falls on May 01, and that just couldn’t be more auspicious. I’m not a Pagan but I sleep with one who reminds me that May Day is Beltane, that day of felicitous ritual meant to bring abundant crops and healthy livestock. 

In the past, the Interfaith Council’s diversity-based contribution to the region’s public observance included Buddhism and so brought rain and protection of Dyess AFB from budget cuts.

Political considerations being what they are, I particularly wonder this year whether our mayor and the city of Abilene intend to be mindful of the constitution or disregard it. Last year, it was almost as surprising as the cold weather and sprinkle of rain that City Hall had assented to hosting an evangelical Christian ceremony at noon on the National Day of Prayer.

As a patriot of faith, I felt called to visit City Hall just exactly then, to get in on the religious freedom. In my denomination we ring a bell, burn incense and chant. I was respectful and timed my participation so as not to be disruptive; nor did my small protest sign violate civil etiquette.

After all, for several National Days of Prayer in a row, church groups appeared to have accepted their obligation as good citizens to carry out their Christian-only event somewhere besides City Hall, and for those several years the City of Abilene accommodated/endorsed no religion. As our Atheist neighbors are quick to point out, that is one good way to keep things lawful and just.

The other way would be for the mayor and city to welcome proponents of all the various options in faith and philosophy, perhaps even affording alternative and minority religions advance notice and invitation. That, goodness knows, will be the day and amen.

No, I’d say there’s a 50/50 chance city government and church culture will get together again this year and try to carry on with allegiance to Shirley Dobson’s ultraconservative constitution-stomping cult, the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Now that Abilene’s Atheists have organized, I hope a few of them can take over guarding the “no establishment” national covenant and be prepared to make an appearance at City Hall, 555 Walnut, on May 01 if the situation calls for it. High noon is the traditional time, but let’s all call City Hall a few days beforehand to confirm.

I feel sorry for San Angelo, where they’re nearly certain to violate the rights of thousands with a Christian-only observance at Tom Green County Courthouse! Such events do nothing to protect us against terrorism, oil spills and freakish weather.

Meanwhile, happily, the open-minded Abilene Interfaith Council is planning its inclusive ceremony and bread-breaking embrace of our nation’s religious pluralism, slated to occur at the Center for Contemporary Arts, in sight of oft-consecrated Minter Park. How positive, and how powerful!

My generation went through a phase of liberal religious tolerance and relativism when a sentiment prevailed that all spiritual teachings and beliefs are true. That, of course, is not the case at all. Some religion fails the test of reason. Some religion engenders misunderstanding instead of respect and compassion, and produces backward, hateful politics instead of progress along the road to universal peace and justice. But if constitutional religious liberty continues to operate in this society, a sort of free market effect should lead to the eventual extinction of bad religion and success and survival for superior teachings.

SGTex
(article printed in the Abilene Reporter-News)
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Hello, world.....

Earlier this week in Austin, Texas....

...the goddess watches over the state capitol.

Animals Asia Transforms Moon Bear Bile Farm To Sanctuary

Just think...

....and if we want to keep the butterflies coming, we'd better make some changes.

In the garden.

Shawn
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