Odds and Ends

Squirrel defense--not for the faint of heart. They are wily little creatures; smart, inventive, tenacious, comical. I am thinking of placing screening over the pots of my container garden, held down by rocks. I expect to see tiny bulldozers at work in a few days, driven by helmeted squirrels with names like Hunk and Mac.  Harm none is the code I live by. I am normally a gentle, loving witch. These little guys will have to work a little harder to steal my garden booty. No rest for the Wiccan.

Uh-oh

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Any opinions on the new J.K. Rowling Pottermore website? Just read a little about it this morning. It is a place for fans to read more about all the characters, new material, get assigned to a house in Hogwarts, receive a free wand and a lot more. Serious fans will love it. I enjoyed all the books and the movies, but I am not tempted by this. I would have liked a new series from Rowling; such an excellent writer.

The Syracuse newspaper, The Post Standard, for the last couple of months, has been running a daily column written by various religious and spiritual leaders in our area. This column has featured writers of Islamic, Hindu, Catholic, Jewish, Native American faiths. The aim is to expose and introduce other views besides the daily Christian column written by the Reverend Billy Graham, a column that is nationally syndicated. This week's writer is Mary Hudson, the pagan chaplain at Syracuse University. It runs from June 19th through June 23rd. She writes about the Summer Solstice and how to put the energy of the Sun to work in our lives. Here is the link to June 19th's column and you can link from there to read the successive articles. Mary Hudson.  I think you will enjoy seeing a pagan writer featured in the newspaper, and her words are stirring. She is a friend of mine, and is also going to be the Officiant at my daughter's wedding.

Tomorrow is Friday. Hey, I will be announcing my giveaway on Friday. Tomorrow! Be sure to tune in.

A Special Request for Help

I would like to direct your attention to this blog:   http://jesusandthegreenman.wordpress.com/

This blog, Jesus and the Greenman, is written by Mary Hudson, the first pagan chaplain ever at Syracuse University.  Imagine that, a pagan chaplain! This is a tremendous step in the right direction for pagans everywhere!!! We are all very proud of  Mary and the awareness she is raising on behalf of all pagans...that pagans are not satanic worshipping, whacked out weirdos bent on destroying life as we know it! She exemplifies paganism...she is a mom, an entrepreneur, a grandmother, a woman with a great sense of humor, and filled with the passion and compassion that one can find in just about every pagan you might meet.

The request is this:  In March, 2011, an interfaith group from Syracuse University, is traveling to England. A planned stop is at Stonehenge, on Ostara, the vernal equinox. Four pagan students will be on this trip, and the plan is for them to celebrate the equinox at Stonehenge.  What a wonder!!! what a great event for those students. Can you imagine, as a pagan, to be able to be at Stonehenge, at that particular time. And that you are there on a University trip.  Mary Hudson has been asked to accompany the group, as chaperone.

In her blog, Mary asks for help for these students, in a financial way. It will cost $3800.00 for each student. These students are willing to do anything to earn the money, and I am sure they will be involved in countless hours of fundraising.  In the meantime though, they need a total of $2000.00 by November 12th 2010, as deposit, to secure the trip.  Please go to Mary Hudson's blog, URL right up there at the top of this post, and read more about the trip, and Syracuse University's involvement. Also there, is information about donations.  If you are so moved, are able, want to help, want to be part of this fantastic event for pagans, please donate. Just click on the URL at the top of this post, or on my sidebar of the blogs I follow. Thank you for your interest, and support.

Today is Election day...I voted, did you?