“If February give much snow
A fine summer it doth foreshow” (English proverb)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday Medley
Superbowl 2011 is over, the Packers beat the Steelers, and some of the commercials were fun. That sums up my knowledge of the game, and to be honest, I am not a football fan. I did enjoy the chocolate chip cookies baked for the occasion.
The winter weather was not a bane of existence this weekend, with temperatures soaring into the low thirties. Balmy, almost.
The Sunday newspaper book recommendations suggested a first time fiction writer's work. Dorothy Harkness' Discovery of Witches. I am excited about reading this book. The author has previously written two non-fiction historical books, and began writing this novel because she wondered what vampires did for a living. Somehow this warped into a story of a witch teaming up with a vampire to solve a mystery. It sounds intriguing and I will let you know my thoughts on this book soon. (A trip to my favorite bookstore will be happening today.) If you are interested in learning more about this book, you can go to the author's website here
A reminder to take a look at February Fairies going on at http://thewhimsicalcottage.blogspot.com/
This fun event is going on all month long.
Wishing everyone a great week, good weather, and fun blogging!
The winter weather was not a bane of existence this weekend, with temperatures soaring into the low thirties. Balmy, almost.
The Sunday newspaper book recommendations suggested a first time fiction writer's work. Dorothy Harkness' Discovery of Witches. I am excited about reading this book. The author has previously written two non-fiction historical books, and began writing this novel because she wondered what vampires did for a living. Somehow this warped into a story of a witch teaming up with a vampire to solve a mystery. It sounds intriguing and I will let you know my thoughts on this book soon. (A trip to my favorite bookstore will be happening today.) If you are interested in learning more about this book, you can go to the author's website here
A reminder to take a look at February Fairies going on at http://thewhimsicalcottage.blogspot.com/
This fun event is going on all month long.
Wishing everyone a great week, good weather, and fun blogging!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Simply Saturday
Saturday is usually a "run-around" kind of day...errands, household tasks, watch college ball on tv, snacking. Generally just hanging out with my husband. Today is no different, except it really is cold outside, my husband had to go into work for a few hours, and my son came home for the weekend. So maybe a little different.
The sun is streaming in through the kitchen window and dining room sliding doors. The dishwasher is chugging away, Ringo, the canary is singing his operatic best, and the dogs are snoring on the loveseat in the family room. More seed catalogs arrived in the mail yesterday, so I am poring over them with glee, excitedly planning the gardens of my dreams. I hear Mother Earth calling to me, even though there are still weeks to go before we can enjoy the outside without parkas and boots.
As a Wiccan, I appreciate every single day of every single season. There is always, always something magickal to be found even on the worst weather days. It just takes a simple step to live in the moment, this moment and be awed by the smallest example of Nature's beauty. The little sparrows jumping around the feeders, the snow sparkling like diamonds in the sun, that cold crisp smell of winter. Winter sunrises and sunsets are profound. A moment spent communing with the Lord and Lady while watching the flames in the fireplace dance and crackle.
No need for expensive "toys" and gadgets when Nature is there at any given moment to enjoy, savor and enchant. What a beautiful life, even during dire times with unrest in the world, and all the other negative events that go on day to day in our hectic life. There is always a place for peace waiting with Mother Earth and all the glories of the Universe.
The sun is streaming in through the kitchen window and dining room sliding doors. The dishwasher is chugging away, Ringo, the canary is singing his operatic best, and the dogs are snoring on the loveseat in the family room. More seed catalogs arrived in the mail yesterday, so I am poring over them with glee, excitedly planning the gardens of my dreams. I hear Mother Earth calling to me, even though there are still weeks to go before we can enjoy the outside without parkas and boots.
As a Wiccan, I appreciate every single day of every single season. There is always, always something magickal to be found even on the worst weather days. It just takes a simple step to live in the moment, this moment and be awed by the smallest example of Nature's beauty. The little sparrows jumping around the feeders, the snow sparkling like diamonds in the sun, that cold crisp smell of winter. Winter sunrises and sunsets are profound. A moment spent communing with the Lord and Lady while watching the flames in the fireplace dance and crackle.
No need for expensive "toys" and gadgets when Nature is there at any given moment to enjoy, savor and enchant. What a beautiful life, even during dire times with unrest in the world, and all the other negative events that go on day to day in our hectic life. There is always a place for peace waiting with Mother Earth and all the glories of the Universe.
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| www.coolhdwallpapers.com |
Friday, February 4, 2011
Two Feet of Snow
My friend in Southern California emailed me this photo, so I do not have any information to credit it. But I thought it was too cute not to share. The "monster snowstorm" earlier this week fizzled out before it got to our area, but all the schools had been closed the day before because forecasts were predicting upwards of two feet of snow. The kids around here enjoyed a "free" snow day with no new snow. But here is a photo of two feet of snow for you to enjoy.
That's it for me today, can not top this. Enjoy your Friday!!!
That's it for me today, can not top this. Enjoy your Friday!!!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Comfort
A good word to meditate on this week is "Comfort". Either as a verb or a noun. The verb: To comfort someone in distress or need. Examples: The commuters in Chicago who were slammed with a major snowstorm and stuck for hours on a highway that should have been closed. The people in Australia dealing with a powerful cyclone, after weeks of flooding rains. In Egypt, the violence and unrest, the warring factions...there are so many experience fear and anger. These are just three examples, there are thousands more.
The noun: The feeling one receives from something that soothes. A cup of hot chocolate after time spent in frigid snowy weather. Hugs from a loved one. Delicious, home-cooked meals. Memories.
If you can comfort someone, whatever the situation, you contribute to the flow of positive loving energy that the world needs. Finding comfort brings positive loving energy to you. Feel free to give comfort, and to receive it.
The noun: The feeling one receives from something that soothes. A cup of hot chocolate after time spent in frigid snowy weather. Hugs from a loved one. Delicious, home-cooked meals. Memories.
If you can comfort someone, whatever the situation, you contribute to the flow of positive loving energy that the world needs. Finding comfort brings positive loving energy to you. Feel free to give comfort, and to receive it.
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| http://0.tqn.com/d/graphicssoft |
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
If Bill Murray Sees His Shadow....
As the mundane world observes Groundhog's Day (at least here in the US, I don't know if other countries have a similar observance... (Official Groundhog's Day site ) we Wiccans and pagans are observing the Imbolc sabbat. It is a good time for us to think about the coming Spring and preparations for that time. A time to renew commitments to our path, cleanse and consecrate ritual tools, our homes, our spirits. There are many websites and blogs that speak about this sabbat (and all our sabbats, by the way). Just Google "Imbolc" and see what you can find.
Now with this "Monster Snow Storm" that is sweeping across the country, it is hard to focus on Spring. Everything is closed down here, although at this moment there is not a single snow flake in the air, and I am wondering what all the fuss is about. We already have a season snow total of over 118 inches. So another foot or snow, if it arrives, really won't make much of a difference.
So lighting some candles, focusing on my goals for Imbolc and asking the Celtic Goddess Brighid for her assistance. Brighid is the Goddess of hearth and home, for starters, and I love sitting by my fireplace and meditating with her. The more one can learn about a god or goddess, and communicate with them, the better it is for your rituals and spellwork, and for the times when you truly need to call upon them for help. This relationship needs a good foundation.
Later on today, of course, I am going to watch the movie "Groundhog's Day" with Bill Murray. It is one of my favorites, I can not tell you how many times I have seen it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/
Wishing everyone a safe day in all this inclement weather. The snow should be just the right consistency for some great snowmen, and snow women, and snow animals!!
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| http://blog.tinyprints.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ |
Now with this "Monster Snow Storm" that is sweeping across the country, it is hard to focus on Spring. Everything is closed down here, although at this moment there is not a single snow flake in the air, and I am wondering what all the fuss is about. We already have a season snow total of over 118 inches. So another foot or snow, if it arrives, really won't make much of a difference.
So lighting some candles, focusing on my goals for Imbolc and asking the Celtic Goddess Brighid for her assistance. Brighid is the Goddess of hearth and home, for starters, and I love sitting by my fireplace and meditating with her. The more one can learn about a god or goddess, and communicate with them, the better it is for your rituals and spellwork, and for the times when you truly need to call upon them for help. This relationship needs a good foundation.
 |
| http://whisperingworlds.com/wiccan/imbolc.php |
Later on today, of course, I am going to watch the movie "Groundhog's Day" with Bill Murray. It is one of my favorites, I can not tell you how many times I have seen it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/
Wishing everyone a safe day in all this inclement weather. The snow should be just the right consistency for some great snowmen, and snow women, and snow animals!!
 |
| lordofdesign.com |
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Blessed Imbolc
Oh, the north wind doth blow. Falling snow, gathering ice, frigid temperatures grip the nation. Winter is long upon us. Thankfully and refreshingly the fires of Imbolc are burning tonight. Candles flicker inside while snow dances outside. Earth will renew itself...not this moment, but soon, dears, soon. Lambs and calves and other creatures will be born and nurtured. Just as we nurture our own souls on this blessed sabbat.
Let the preparations begin for another Turning of the Wheel. Signs will begin to appear; the light is already growing brighter each day. The Goddess is with us. The God is with us. And soon all the Earth will sing their song of Spring, of Sun, of new life.
Blessings of Imbolc to one and all.
Image credit: http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/kamiloko09/imbolc.jpg
Let the preparations begin for another Turning of the Wheel. Signs will begin to appear; the light is already growing brighter each day. The Goddess is with us. The God is with us. And soon all the Earth will sing their song of Spring, of Sun, of new life.
Blessings of Imbolc to one and all.
Image credit: http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/kamiloko09/imbolc.jpg
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