Back to the Garden

As Einstein said you can’t solve the problem with the same thinking that created the problem.

Our institutions began with good intentions. Eventually they outgrew the goodness of their mission statements. Then problems began. You can look at most large institutions or businesses – banks, the health care industry, our energy systems, educational institutions, political systems, or religious organizations and see that this is so.

Most begin with the good intention to help mankind. The reason the entity was created served an ideal needed by the masses; or at least it was marketed in such a fashion that the public largely accepted the premise of foundation pouring their money and interweaving their very core of life into these entities, adding to their strength.

All goes well for a time. A balance is reached. But like the teeter-totter, what goes up must come down. On the rise upward, power and greed make them lose sight of their original purpose.

Absolute power corrupts, and corruption equals eventual destruction. The entities have to maintain their selves at the cost of those they originally were formed to serve. The institutions that once solved the problems become the problems. They took on a life of their own, like the computer on “2001 Space Odyssey.” The original mission statement became secondary. It was feed the entity at all costs.

The tentacles are now in deep sucking dry the life force that once sustained. Fear in the entity rises, as the tentacles are no longer being fed. Removal is a painful process. A new way must emerge from a new way of thinking. But what way? Perhaps the original plan – back to the garden?

No Trick or Treaters

I’ve lived most of my life without vampires, ghouls or witches coming to my door. We’ve always lived to far out to make the trek for candy worthwhile. Still my husband is always in a festive holiday mood. He carved a pumpkin on Halloween night.

A World Without Men

That is what scientist Bryan Sykes, professor of genetics at Oxford University and author of “Adam’s Curse: A Future Without Men,” predicts will happen. We have about 125,000 years to prepare ourselves for an entirely feminine population.

The reason for the male demise, according to Sykes, is that the “Y” chromosome is flawed and since it can’t repair itself it will eventually disappear.

So without men will the entire race die out? Sykes says technology will eventually allow female-only biological procreation, which is already the case with some plants and animals.

So what kind of world absent of men can we envision? Would there be fewer wars or possibly no wars? Our currently expanding prison system would shrink considerably, maybe altogether, since 97% of the prison populace is men. So many businesses would fall by the wayside, sporting events, Hooters, bars, violent television shows, etc. Would shoe stores replace them?

Do we need men? I for one am thinking who will venture into those crawl spaces under the house? Or when you hear a creepy sound at night who will get out of bed to check it out?

Lincoln’s Logs

Building a facsimile of Lincon’s birthplace cabin is in celebration of the Lincoln Bi-centennial and is sponsored by the Olive Hill Historical Society.

It’s a totally volunteer project taking place at the primitive camp grounds at Carter Caves State Park. We work on weekends. Volunteers are welcome!

Memories

From my good mood blog: The Good Mood Blog

About a year ago while standing at the stove fixing breakfast, a pleasant natural whiff of something, not the eggs, lingered in the air momentarily. Suddenly I thought of my friend, Jewell. I looked up to see a bird sitting in the window right beside me. I thought this odd considering this is our cat’s window, and he habitually sits there every morning waiting for his own breakfast. I was immediately thinking of Jewell and feeling that she was visiting.

Jewell had departed the earth realm approximately a year prior. She was a neighbor, on one of the farms next to ours, in her early eighties, my dad’s age, and had always been my dad’s friend. We had always invited her to family gatherings; however, I didn’t really get to know her until about two years before her passing. I had been doing some genealogy work and started asking her things she remembered.

Jewell, even in her eighties, was very outdoorsy. I had been hiking and walking around our farm and the area for years. I could never find anyone to hike with me until Jewell. I’ll never forget one day, which was quite magical. She took me into old paths and showed me where people had lived and told what she knew of their lives. You could barely make out where the foundations had been with most of these places. Everyone always built his or her home as close to a spring as possible. We followed creeks, walked through their wet and dry beds, climbed steep hills, all those things you would think impossible for someone in their eighties, but Jewell was tough and gentle at the same time. When I remember her tears of blessings come to my eyes.

She had never gone to a doctor until the last few months of her life. She had sprayed insecticide to get rid of ants. It had gotten in her lungs. While nature was her friend, the unnaturalness of chemicals was her demise. She moved from Kentucky to Vancouver to spend her last days with her son. I called but she was unable to even talk at that point. But at one moment she told her son that I was her best friend.

Her son recently returned to Kentucky to check on Jewel’s farm. He took my husband into her barn, and gave us several years of stacked, seasoned wood. All year my husband has had every weekend tied up and had not been able to cut firewood. He kept saying I have got to get time to cut firewood. I knew Jewell was still showering us with her blessings.

You may think what does this have to do with being in a good mood. Just think of someone who has truly blessed your life. Surely you will find a reason to be in a good mood after thinking about such a person.

Asking For Your Vote

Asking For Your Vote

http://www.sam-e.com/job/profile/193

I applied for a blogging job. It’s takes lots of votes just to even get considered, so if you are so inclined, please go to the above link and vote for me. The blog is basically about being in a good mood and being inspirational.

I know it’s a long shot, and maybe some of you would want to apply yourselves. My husband has kept encouraging me to do this, just as he has encouraged me to write. And writing these last couple of years has really been good for me, and I hope for the few who have read what I’ve written. If its meant to be it will be, but I guess not with some effort from myself like shamelessly self-promoting myself, which is hard for me.

I also found out that you can

VOTE ONCE A DAY!

Thanks so much!

Jerri
http://justjera.wordpress.com/

Return of the Ring

You may think of Tolkien when you read the title, but this story isn’t fantasy. It’s true.

In August my husband and I traveled to Houston, Texas, were we were initiated in a type of yoga called Kriya Laya. It’s not as mysterious as it sounds. It’s really a more gentile or forgiving form of the popular Kriya Yoga brought to the West by Paramahansa Yogananda. Many have read “Autobiography of a Yogi.”

Our teacher, Swami Vidyadhishananda, a Himalayan Monk, is in fact in the lineage of Yogananda. His teacher was Paramahamsa Hariharananda and his teacher was Sri Yukteswar who was also Yogananda’s teacher.

The day before my birthday Chris and I took initiation. The ceremony was more special than we thought since husbands and wives got to do it together. Swami said it was like a re-marriage, and it was. Over the course of the days after our initiation we practiced our yoga/meditation and on the night we left we celebrated in the home of one of the devotees the birthday party of Lord Krishna. There were music and dance performances. Our teacher spoke. There was a vegetarian feast afterward. Some were fasting and broke their fast at midnight.

An altar of fruit and flowers was prepared for Lord Krishna. We all sat huddled together cross-legged on the floor. The altar was just inches to my left. I hadn’t brought fruit or flowers. But I started thinking of how pivotal this was in my life and wanted to put something on the altar. I thought about our re-marriage, about my birthday being in August, and about Lord Krishna’s birthday being in August. I slid off my birthstone ring, a peridot heart, which I wear as an engagement ring. Hearts have always been the symbol for Chris and I. It all seemed to fit. With a rush of love I anonymously laid it down on a tray beside some fruit. I really didn’t know if this was proper or not. I don’t profess to know much about Hinduism. For me, seeking and learning about God, in whatever form God or love is presented, is the ultimate religion and above any dogmas. I’m really just at the kindergarten level in all of this.

Now, don’t think I’m so totally unselfish. If I were a truly giving person perhaps I would have laid my wedding band down as well, but I didn’t. I’m not writing this to be glorified in any way. It’s the glory of the miracle that happened I’m writing about. I didn’t think much about the loss of the ring, except for when I would out of habit occasionally push my thumb over to absent-mindedly move it back in place, as I often would do since it was always a little loose on me. I thought the ring would merely get thrown out. Monetarily it had very little value if any at all. The only value the ring had was its significance in our relationship.

A couple of months passed. The phone rang. The call was from Geeta in West Virginia. The cleaning people had found the ring in the home in Texas and given it to the owner who was trying to trace the owner. No one who had been at the party from Texas had claimed it, so they the only place left to ask was in West Virginia. There were two women from West Virginia who went and myself from Kentucky. I was the last one they called. I felt so bad that they went through this trouble. When Geeta asked if it were my ring I stuttered and say well yes and no. It was mine, but I gave it as an offering, at the same time thinking maybe how stupid this might have been. She put me on speakerphone and told me to repeat the story. I think someone had tears at the other end.

I really didn’t feel that the ring was mine anymore, and I didn’t know what to do in this instant, but then she asked if I wanted Swami to bless the ring. Now, I was dropping a tear. I said, “Wow, yes, that would be great,” or something to that effect.

A week or so later Geeta let me know she had the “blessed ring.” I actually tried fasting a few days before getting the ring, thinking this might purify me a little. Along with it was some precious ash which I’m stingily using just a speck of at a time. When I first put the ring on I felt a vibration I can’t explain – something really light. I wear it intermittently on both my finger and on a change where it touches my heart.

Right before we left for Lord Krishna's Party.

Asking For Your Vote

http://www.sam-e.com/job/profile/193

I applied for a blogging job. It’s takes lots of votes just to even get considered, so if you are so inclined, please go to the above link and vote for me. The blog is basically about being in a good mood and being inspirational.

I know it’s a long shot, and maybe some of you would want to apply yourselves. My husband has kept encouraging me to do this, just as he has encouraged me to write. And writing these last couple of years has really been good for me, and I hope for the few who have read what I’ve written. If its meant to be it will be, but I guess not with some effort from myself like shamelessly self-promoting myself, which is hard for me.

I also found out that you can

VOTE ONCE A DAY!

Thanks so much!

Jerri
http://justjera.wordpress.com/

Some More Indian Dishes

Palak (Spinach) Paneer is something served in most Indian restaurants and is something I wanted to learn to make. It really turned out well, as did the Aloo (Potato) Masala for Dosa. Unfortunately, I flubbed up on the bread. I love bread, but it is not my forte’ when it comes to making it

.

Our Disease Care System

I cringe at calling it health care. My definition of health care is educating ourselves on what lifestyles and foods benefit our bodies, mind, emotions and spirit and implementing that education with action. This would involve the most holistic methods before resorting to chemical or invasive measures. I don’t always follow my own definition.

My husband and I recently found that through some sort of technical error that quite a number of employee spouses had been dropped from his plan at work. I actually haven’t been a part of an insurance plan for two years and neither of us had a clue that this was the case. The increased deductions for insurance were still offsetting any raises, and since I haven’t visited a doctor’s office in eight years how were we to know. I found out when new cards, or should I say “card” came in the mail. I asked my husband if he dropped me from coverage for some reason, to which he said, “No, why?” I debated on whether or not I even wanted to be added back on. I have such a white coat fear or blue as I think that is what they are wearing now (I guess blue has a more calming effect) that I probably wouldn’t go to a doctor of my own free will anyway. His paycheck today reflected a substantial cut. Too, I’m wondering if two years without coverage would make most everything pre-existing.

I do have regular dental checkups but obviously that coverage is separate and as no bearing on the other plan. Still, I cringe at calling it health coverage, so just refer to it as the plan. And, it obviously is a very well thought out plan for total control. I heard on an NPR program the other day that if our current system of “health” care continues as is that by a certain projected date if you were hovering over the world in an aircraft that basically all you would see below would be two classes of population – those working in the “health” care industry, whether it be hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, insurance,etc., and the patients using the services of the “health” care industry.

The last time I did go to the doctor’s office eight years ago, I ended up in much worse shape than when I went in. This has been the case with me for a very long time. I went in with no complaints asking if I should possibly take birth control pills. I was forty-nine and getting married for the second time. Within two weeks I had what my intuition and doctor friends confirmed later was two mini-strokes. They lasted merely seconds. I immediately threw the birth control pills out. I didn’t return to the doctor but did receive a message on the answering machine to quit taking the birth control pills. Perhaps they were tainted. I don’t know.

You may ask why I have such a fear of the medical establishment considering we have a lot of doctor and nurse friends. Their friendship came later through spiritual retreats, conscious living and yoga workshops. Prior to that my experiences with doctors involved going through some rather disturbing doctor visits feeling like a guinea pig that of course involved chemicals and invasive measures. The cure, in my particular case, was always worse than what I went in for. The doctor and nurse friends we have now are more in the Deepak Chopra vein of practicing medicine. Still they are in varying locations and differing fields and out of our coverage area.

It did take me quite a while after again much suffering to find a dentist I could be comfortable with. She practices along holistic lines, although I wouldn’t say completely. Her first move was to immediately begin removing all the mercury from my mouth.

With all that said one of my new personal health care regimes will start on Monday with a three-day water fast with group support in order to detoxify and cleanse. Then I will whip out our new juicer, which is becoming my new best kitchen friend as a follow-up along with gentle yoga asanas and walking out in nature.

Weaving

An Array of Table Runners in different sizes, colors, designs and textures.

Although lately I’ve been trying my hand at writing, weaving has been my occupation.  These are some pieces finished last night, headed off in a box today to a shop.

Edinburgh Rug (Scottish Plaid Design)

I’ve been doing my own version of different Scottish plaids for over ten years.

More Table Runner Designs

More Designs

These are some of the original designs I first started weaving with over twenty years ago, except for the Scottish plaid, Black Watch Plaid of the Pipers design which came a few years later.

Your Birthday – What Does It Mean

Numerology is the study of numbers.  Each number possesses its own attributes and qualities.  Your numbers, arrived at by your name and birth date, can offer insights into your personality and the life challenges you may face.

There are many numbers and combinations of numbers, which affect a person’s life.  I thought I might give you a clue using just the birthday, which is a sub-lesson of your life path number.  Your actual life path number is based on your birth date.

I have given attributes for each number.  Enjoy reading the tendencies that may or may not go along with your or a loved one’s particular birthday.  You decide for yourself.

Please note that this is for entertainment purposes only.

1 – INDIVIDUATION, INDEPENDENCE, and ATTAINMENT – You have an independent attitude filled with self-reliance.  You are a good and dynamic leader possessing superior executive skills.  You have much self-confidence with a positive progressive attitude.  All this amplifies your potential for achievement and financial reward.  You are blessed with a good mind, which thinks practically, progressively, and rationally.  You have a drive to be creative and original and are often a pioneer.   You have a thirst for knowledge or learning.  You are sensitive but rarely show your feelings.  The one is better at starting than continuing and sees the broader picture rather than the details.  You may be an entrepreneur.  Some of the challenges a one faces may be carrying the above qualities to extreme, for instance being too self-centered, being destructive in a drive to succeed, or being unaware of people’s feelings.  Being too self-reliant can also make one withdrawn and lonely.  Appearance wise you give off and air of strength and often have sparkling eyes and strong teeth.  Health is influenced by emotional problems.

Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Baker) was born June 1, 1926.
Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances Spencer) was born July 1, 1961.

2 – RELATION/COOPERATION – The two is almost the opposite of the one.  Balance is a key word.  The two works well with others, often preferring partnerships to individual enterprises.  You are sociable, friendly, tactful and diplomatic.  You would be the force to bring opposing sides together due to your persuasive nature and sensitivity to other people’s feelings.  Other “two” descriptive words would be considerate, courteous, modest, cooperative and adaptable.  Peace and harmony is your goal.  The two may suffer from occasional moods of depression.  You are affectionate, better at continuing than starting and good with details.  You may face challenges related with being too over sensitive and emotional, often sensing things that do not even exist.  The two can sometimes play the victim role.  You may be over cautious.  The two usually has a soft, rounded appearance with caring, nurturing eyes.  Career wise the two often is in a position of helpfulness or service such as therapist, counselor, social worker, physician, or a career that requires negotiation skills.

Mahatma Gandhi was born October 2, 1869.

3 – EXPRESSION, JOY OF LIVING – Threes like the joy of living as well as fun, sometimes mischievous fun.  You are good with words – writing, speaking, singing, selling or entertaining, any form of expression.  Threes are also gifted with their hands being artistic, creative, and possessing good imaginations.  You are enthusiastic, optimistic, cheerful, friendly, and sociable.  You possess good conversational skills.  You provide inspiration for others. You have an energetic nature giving much love and affection.  This energy or enthusiasm can also be scattered producing a feeling of being up one minute and a feeling of being down another.  Scattering the energy also may make the three prone to involvement with trivial or superficial matters and having too many interests and becoming bored easily.  Sometimes you take on two much and become self-critical.  Threes are bubbly and smiling, often muscular.  Any career involving creativity, communication skills or hands would be a good choice.

Mary Shelley (writer of Frankenstein) was born August 3, 1797.

4 – LIMITATION, ORDER, SERVICE – Fours work on a lot of practical issues.  You are good at organizing, managing, and working long and hard hours.  You do all this in a conscientious, dependable, responsible and self-disciplined manner.   You have a serious, sincere, honest nature exhibiting much patience and perseverance and determination.  You are one who will succeed despite limitations or uncomfortable circumstances.  Due to this practical nature the four might show little affection.  You are good with details, insisting on accuracy, often unaware of the bigger picture.  You might feel repressed.  You are loyal and need stability in your life, needing structure and boundaries.  You may think of life as a constant struggle and constantly strive for more security.  You need structure and balance and fear change.    A four might be a banker or accountant, anything that involves organization or detail.  You might also be a builder or work with the land.

Barack Obama was born August 4, 1961.

Percy Bysshe Shelley (poet and husband of Mary Shelley) was born August 4, 1792.
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was born February 4, 1902.

5 – CONSTRUCTIVE FREEDOM – The five enjoys communication, whether verbally or through body language.   Good communication is key in your relationships.  The five is an idea person, talented and versatile, well at presenting ideas.  You enjoy being around others and work well with others.  You are open to new experiences and change, loving freedom.   You love travel.  You can be entertaining, amusing, enthusiastic, and progressive.  You adapt well to different circumstances, being very sociable and can be a delightful, magnetic companion.   Your mind is quick and clever, always analyzing.  You have a good imagination.  You have an explorative nature and are often restless and might have a tendency to shirk responsibility or anything routine.  You can get bored easily seeking new stimulation, which may not be constructive.  You may suffer from addictions.  Fives like to be in open air, which may give them a rugged appearance.  Career wise, anything in the line of communications or public relations or travel would be good.  You need freedom.

Paramahansa Yogananda was born January 5, 1893.
Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen was born September 5, 1946.

6 – BALANCE, RESPONSIBILITY, and LOVE –A need to belong and be part of the whole is strong.  You have a perception and sixth sense, which helps you facilitate harmonious situations.  You more than likely play the role of mother.  You are responsible, often picking up where others falter, helpful and conscientious in your tasks.  The six is a devoted spouse and parent, expressing openness and honesty.  You show others kindness, sympathy, generosity, and understanding.  There is much sensitivity with the six, which gives you a creative flare.  You are interested in culture and things of beauty.   You are affectionate, both giving and receiving, and show much emotion.  There is a conflict with the six.  The six could go either way, putting the needs of others first, or become self-absorbed, putting his or her needs first.  Over sensitivity could be an issue as well.  A balance needs to be found.  Sometimes you might get carried away when discovering a new interest.  Sixes tend to be very romantic, loving and friendly.  Physically, sixes are prone to having heart shaped faces and large chests.  Health wise, sixes are subject to emotional fatigue and exhaustion.  With a six influencing your career, you can let your sensitivity come to the forefront through some form of art, whether it is painting, writing, singing, or designing.  The six is also good at social work, coordinating, consulting, or supervising

Sigmund Freud was born May 6, 1856.
Mervyn Edward “Merv” Griffin, Jr. was born July 6, 1925.

7 – ANALYSIS, UNDERSTANDING – Your biggest gift is intuition.  You rely on your own inner wisdom.  You go your own path, not too adaptable, preferring to work alone, hermit- like at times.  You sometimes feel isolated, but you need time for rest, introspection, and meditation.  You are interested in scientific, religious, spiritual, or occult subjects, and generally in finding the meaning of life.  You have a lot of what ifs and whys in your mind, often too analytical or anxious at times.  The seven loves nature.  The seven enjoys things of rhythm like yoga, tai chi, tennis, swimming, or walking in the woods.  The seven is most likely the type to go off trekking in the Himalayas or join a commune or ashram. You desire to be “real,” and can sometimes be naïve.  You can also be stubborn; but you have a fine mind, which finds unique approaches for solving problems.  You are a perfectionist and a stickler for details.  You appear aloof, often preferring the company of a book to that of people.  The seven is very sensitive and may have trouble with giving or receiving affection.  You probably repress your emotions.  Physical tendencies of the seven are fine and delicate looks.  One tendency is to go grey early.  The seven may be prone to depression, gloomy moods, and possibly panic attacks.  Careers for a seven can be anything that involves detail or intuition.  This could range from a researcher, analyst, scientist, assistant, organizer, healer, astrologer, or numerologist

Madame Marie Tussaud, famous wax modeler, was born December 7, 1760.

8 – MATERIAL SATISFACTION – You have a deep yearning to succeed.  This could be spiritually as well as materialistically.  You’re a leader, very capable in the business world, very goal oriented, and able to handle large projects.  The eight efficiently handles money, organizational, managerial and administrative duties.  You exude energy, ambition, dependability, and self-confidence.    The eight seeks material satisfactions, but is also practical and realistic.  You are competitive and may enjoy sports.  The eight may feel like a failure if he or she doesn’t meet self-induced goals.  The eight may be a leader in the business world, or be in some authoritative position.  This could be teaching or healing.  The eight may also make a career of sports.

Elvis Presley was born January 8, 1935

9 – SELFLESSNESS HUMANITARIANISM – You are a giving person, showing much friendship, affection and love.  You are often more giving and accepting of others than you are of yourself.  You’re definitely a team player, working well with others.  You exude broadmindedness, tolerance, generosity, sympathy, and compassion.  Your idealistic and humanistic approach can inspire others.  You possess a creative imagination that may give you a flair for art and music.  Drama may play a role in your life with your sensitivity towards the needs and feelings of others.  The nine is knowledgeable and often philanthropic.  A challenge the nine may face is to keep from developing an air of superiority.  Nines are often muscular.  Nines can be prone to sinus problems and muscle aches, mostly from keeping your body in shape.  Career wise the nine may be an educator, healer, any charity work.  The nine has leader capabilities and could be a politician as one example.  You are also good with your hands and could work as an artist, musician, reflexologist, cook or gardener.

John Lennon born October 9, 1940.

10 – INDIVIDUATION, INDEPENDENCE, ATTAINMENT – The 10 birthday brings us into double digits, which means a double number influence.  The zero is an influencing factor emphasizing your gifts and intensifying the qualities of the one.  You have an independent attitude with executive ability making you a good leader.  You are very goal oriented with much positive, progressive ambition.   You emit self-confidence.  With the zero influence you enjoy the challenge and exert much will power.  Your potential for achievement and financial reward are great.  You are better at the over all picture, as opposed to detail, giving vitality and energy to your direction and purpose.  Sometimes the 10 may face the challenge of not having enough courage to pursue their dreams; or you could focus on one goal to the extent that you lose track of everything else.  This can be true in your relationships as well.  You have a great need for creativity.  Physically the ten is alluring with a compelling voice.  The ten can be susceptible to infections.  The ten needs a career that will stimulate the mind and creativity.   You may also be wealthy and not need to work for a living.

Nikola Tesla was born July 10, 1856.

11 – ILLUMINATION – This is a master number.  The eleven works well with others and often inspires by example.  You have a good sense of idealism. You have the gift of intuition and are very spiritual and highly sensitive.  You may seek out a guru or teacher, or you may be the guru or teacher.  You would use persuasion rather than force in your dealings.  Having two ones, you are a born leader.  Yet you are not comfortable in the business world.  For example, you may want to set up a retreat, healing center, yoga studio or meditation center.  The eleven enjoys peace and calmness, but may need to tame a nervous energy.   Challenges the eleven might face are becoming self-centered or too dreamy and absorbed in the spiritual world.  The eleven is a perfectionist and prefers to be the decision maker.  Physically, the eleven might have a weak appearance.  You may be prone to nervousness, stomach upsets or depression.  Your career choice could be that of a healer, counselor, writer, chef, artist, musician, or actor, anything that might inspire others with your creativity or spirituality.

Salvador Dali was born May 11, 1904.  (On a personal note, my college oil painting instructor shared an apartment with Salvador Dali.  He knew Picasso.)

12 – EXPRESSION, JOY OF LIVING – The twelve also has the influence of the number three. You have a strong sense of family and enjoy spending time with family.  Twelve’s love to create, and can be content with many interests.  You are light-hearted and really enjoy life.  The twelve is definitely a doer with boundless amounts of energy.  The twelve is good with words – writing, speaking, or singing, and is continually in the process of studying and learning.  You work well with others having an original approach.  You are often artistic, one of the ways your creativity and good imagination comes into play.  You show much enthusiasm, cheerfulness, friendliness, and optimism and express a joy of living. You are affectionate and loving, as well as sensitive to others.  A challenge the twelve may face is being too fussy.  You may be such a doer that you don’t relax.  You also may be untidy.  Physically, twelve’s are often slender with small but open eyes, which may look watery.  The twelve, health wise, is prone to digestive and skin problems.  As far as careers, something that is inspiring and uplifting to others is a good choice.  You might be in radio or television, landscaping, culinary or teaching professions.  Your bright mind and head for success might lead you into business. You are good at both the big picture and the details.

Grace Kelly was born on November 12, 1928.
Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809.

13 – LIMITATION, ORDER, SERVICE – The 13 has a 4-sub number.  You are great at adapting and coping, although one of the challenges you may face is to take those first steps outside your usual, comfortable routine.  You need to feel secure and have a strong solid foundation as your base.   With this solid foundation you are actually good with change, risks and dramas because they challenge you to adapt, cope and seek a sense of security amidst it all.  Essentially, you are a down to earth, well-grounded person.  You are good at organization and managing, to the point of sometimes irritating others.  Responsibility is something you thrive on.  You have good executive skills with the ability to work long, hard hours.  Your ability to be strong, self-discipline, dependability, and enthusiasm and bubbly sense of humor inspires others.  You are a detail person.  Positions of organization and leadership are good career moves for you.  You are a warm, caring individual and will seek an affectionate partner.  The 13/4 can be prone to accidents and stomach problems.

Alfred Hitchcock was born August 13, 1899.

14 – CONSTRUCTIVE FREEDOM – You also have the five influences.  With this number there are lots of experiences and change.  There can be lots of things going on at once.  You tend to jump from project to project with little feeling of accomplishment.  You can work well with others, and you are talented and versatile.  You are a good organizer, capable of hard work but not consistently.  You go with your bursts of energy.  The 14/5 desires new experiences – change, travel, or anything dealing with the senses which may cause you to overindulge in eating, drinking, things that can turn into bad habits in general…. you get the picture.   Your interest in experiences may lead you into always studying and learning about different cultures, trying different endeavors.    Even with all this you still have a practical discerning approach, guided by your intuition, a gift that with this number is strong.  You love communication, especially with your partner.   Physically you may have large eyes and a high forehead.  You can be very independent; but you are also magnetic, drawing the respect of others.  The 14/5 may face challenges of feeling restricted if you stay in the same relationship or job for two long.  You also stay in your mind and sometimes want to escape physical reality altogether.  The 14/5 should be attentive to any immune system or throat problems.  Career wise, the 14/5 has many possibilities.  Your enthusiasm, as well as other strong communication attributes may lead you into public relations, marketing, sales, the travel industry, writing, acting, or even private detective work.

Albert Einstein was born March 14, 1879.

15 – BALANCE, RESPONSIBILITY, and LOVE – You have a deep yearning for wisdom – much of which comes from your intuition.  People often see you as a wise person or sage.  You are a great communicator, helpful and conscientious, often facilitating changes in inharmonious situations.  People are also drawn to you because of your sympathy and understanding.  You are a people person, loving, friendly, understanding, appreciative of others, giving and receiving lots of affection.  Sometimes in giving all this care to others you repress your own feelings.  You adapt well and make a devoted spouse and parent.  You also have a great side expressing beauty and can be very creative and artistic.  You often express these characteristics in your home.  Challenges for the 15/6 (six being a sub-number) are emotional imbalances brought on by too much sensitivity.   You are usually responsible, but independent at the same time.  Sometimes you feel trapped because you have taken on too much.   Health concerns for the 15/6 may be digestive in nature, along with arthritis, and emotional and mental stresses.  This number could well work in any communications endeavor or in the world of beauty such as make-up artist or beautician.  Caring careers such as healing may be your destiny.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born January 15, 1929.
Dame Agatha Christie was born September 15, 1890.

16 – ANALYSIS, UNDERSTANDING –You have a deep yearning for wholeness, within yourself and others.  For this reason you may experiment with many different things, often-spiritual explorations.  You may also just want to learn cooking; so, you will try that until you feel perfected in it.  You are a perfectionist and a stickler for detail, with no difficulty in carrying projects from start to finish.  You have an independent streak, preferring to work alone, but often you feel lonely.  You have great intuition and need times of rest, meditation, introspection, and reflection.  You may often appear stubborn and self-centered.  In spite of this you desire to help others, possibly through healing, since this comes naturally to you.  You are also trying to heal yourself.  Seven is a sub-number; and I often think of this number as meaning someone who will go off and trek the Himalayas to find answers.  You listen to your wisdom and your truth to guide you.   A challenge you face is difficulty in maintaining permanent relationships.  You care about friends and family, but at the same time have strong personal needs.  You feel deeply but can repress your emotions. You are on a different wavelength, which may confuse others.  Another challenge is becoming too obsessed with whatever your current interest is.  You may also be a worrier.   The 16/7 can have a sultry look.  The 16/7 might be picky with food, possibly developing anorexia or bulimia.  You have a logical, rational approach to matters, with a good scientific mind.  Career choices can be something in the healing field, a problem-solving field or some type of management position.  You would also do well in the arts, such as theatre.

Oscar Wilde was born October 16, 1854.
Wilbur Wright was born April 16, 1867.

17 – MATERIAL SATISIFACTION – You are very precise and know what you want, goal oriented type of person.  You are very capable in the business world, preferring to be in charge.  You have executive ability with organizational, managerial and administrative skills.  You are practical in your approach.  You are efficient and handle money well.  You have ambition, determination and courage, bringing much energy and empowerment to anything you are involved with.  You are much better at the bigger picture than with details.  You have a spiritual side, wanting to know the meaning of life.  This may lead you to travel, visiting religious sites or archeological digs, or just books for answers.  You may be drawn to yoga and meditation.  You merge your spiritual side with your business side. You may face the challenge of being too aggressive or pushy.  Failure is not in your vocabulary.  You stand firmly on your own two feet, letting your strength of character lead the way.  You often have material success.   Physically, you may have cat like eyes.  Career choices may be any kind of leader or teacher or sports person.  You might take a career such as director or producer of documentaries to reveal the truth.

Jane Austen was born December 17, 1775.

18 – SELFLESS HUMANITARIANISM – You know your own self-worth.  You work well with others but must preserve independence.  18/9 is a giving number.  You have a humanistic, philanthropic approach, often in business situations.  You have executive ability and organizational, managerial, and administrative capabilities.  Religion and spirituality may play an important part in your life.  Even though your views may be strong, you show broadmindedness, tolerance and respect for all doctrines.  You show much sympathy, compassion and generosity.  These characteristics along with your idealism give you leadership skills.  You are also highly creative.  Your potential for achievement is good.  You often receive recognition for your accomplishments.  A challenge the 18/9 may face is disappointment because of the high expectations you have of yourself.  Another challenge is to avoid flaunting your abilities or becoming controlling, because of your high self-confidence.  Physically the 18/9 often has a small nose.   You may have feet, knee or spinal problems.  You may work as a leader or teacher, especially in the spiritual realm.  You often serve your community.  You might be involved in charity work or other humanitarian services.  Almost anything is open to the 18/9 except for the mundane.

Louis Tiffany was born February 18, 1848.

19 – INDIVIDUATON, INDEPENDENCE, and ATTAINMENT –You have a strong, independent mind and are capable of being a good leader.  You exude authority and will power.  You have original concepts and are often the first to do something, leading the way for others.  You show much passion and zeal in your endeavors.  You like your independence and are very self-reliant and self-sufficient.  Although you may have a humanitarian and selfless streak you still desire the approval of others.  The 19/1 has a tendency to be self-centered as well as fixed in your own way of doing things.  Your way of doing things can be imaginative and unconventional.  You need to avoid feeling superior.   Your high standards and ambition can make you very hard on yourself.  You are always trying to improve yourself.  Be careful to not be too opinionated.  You are better at the bigger picture, rather than details.  An outstanding physical feature is having a proportionate figure, regardless of size.   Health wise, you may be prone to digestive disturbances, particularly with your gall bladder of liver.  You are usually strong and robust most of the time.   Your originality and creativity may lead you into becoming an artist, musician or writer.  You may also be a leader in a lot of different fields, perhaps in the religious or spiritual realm, inspiring others.  You might enjoy the power of being a personal assistant to someone famous.

Edgar Allan Poe was born January 19, 1809.
William Jefferson Clinton born William Jefferson Blythe III, was born August 19, 1946.
Orville Wright was born August 19, 1871

20 – RELATION, COOPERATION – Calmness and contentment are key elements of the 20/2.  With the zero influencing you, you need to find inner peace and harmony.  You work well with others and prefer partnerships and bonding as opposed to independence.  You are very open, sociable and friendly.  You are an ambassador of good will, always preferring the cooperative, non-emotional approach to working things out.  You are a nurturing soul.  You have much sensitivity to the feelings of others.   You walk the middle path, avoiding extremes.  One challenge you face since everyone comes to you is perhaps impartiality.  Sometimes, because you have held onto your own emotions and have maintained peace for so long, you may want to explode with a confrontation.  This is rare.  Or the emotions are so overwhelming, that you wallow in sadness.  With regard to your love life you are seeking balance. You are affectionate.  Physically your features have roundness even though you might be slender.  Wellness issues for you might be mood swings or depression or a proneness to breathing difficulties such as asthma or sinus problems.  You might enjoy a career as a lawyer, negotiator, diplomat, or mediator.  You might also be in customer relations, counseling, managing or personal management or relations.

Robert Francis Kennedy was born November 20, 1925.
Natalie Wood was born on July 20, 1938.

21 – EXPRESSION, JOY OF LIVING –You desire to create abundance in life, all aspects of abundance – love, joy, fun, good health, friends, money – and sharing it with others.  Generosity and giving are in your nature.  You have a positive, enthusiastic outlook on life.   You are good with words and speaking, and are a great conversationalist.  You are very friendly and sociable, affectionate and loving.  You enjoy family.  You are all right with working alone or with others.  You enjoy new goals and challenges. You are artistic in nature.  If you are not in the arts you appreciate the arts and beauty.  You are energetic, but sometimes scatter your energy. Lack of confidence may be a challenge that the 21/3 faces.  You also sometimes feel drained and don’t take time for yourself.  You also may like to argue your point.  You are generally happy and outgoing though.  One of your most outstanding features may be the sparkle in your voice.  This sparkle and ability at conversation may lead you far.  You would be good in business, perhaps as a manager.  You might be a peacemaker, perhaps a spiritual leader.  You would also be good in any artistic endeavor, whether it be painting, writing, singing, or decorating.  You desire to bring beauty and the joy of living to others.  Physically you might be prone to emotional stress or muscular aches and pains.

Charlotte Bronte’ was born April 21, 1816.

22 – MASTER BUILDER –22 like 11 is a master number.  Usually much is expected of master numbers.  You are a dreamer.  That is a good thing.  Your dreams may lead you into making the world a better place.  You bring idealism to the picture.  This master number is capable of handling large-scale undertakings and capable of leading in new directions.  You excel in organizing.  You may have a unique approach.  You will work long hours to achieve results.  You approach your endeavors in a serious, responsible, honest manner.   You also desire security, and your home is important to you.  This is your base or foundation so to speak.  You always take the lower number into account as well.  In your case, you are a 22/4; therefore, refer back to the 4 as a sub-number of the 22.  You have a practical nature; but the 22 will allow you to see a much larger scale.  You desire to please others and have a generous nature.   A challenge the 22/4 may face is taking on projects of enormous scale, maybe almost impossible tasks.  Other challenges may be in balancing all responsibilities.  You may work so hard on one project or goal to the exclusion of others, and not allowing proper rest for yourself.  You may fear for your survival and face a sense of insecurity at times.  You can be deeply sensitive and vulnerable and be defensive at times because of this.  Overall, you are a loving, warm and nurturing person.  Physically, you may have soft, watery eyes, with a large face, and stocky build.   You may be prone to leg or feet problems.  This is associated with being grounded.  Career choices may be a diplomat, peacemaker, politician or civil servant.  You could also work in the healing profession or as a counselor or therapist.  You might just be managing your own empire, whether it is large or small.  A creative field such as artist or writer is also possible.  In any case, you are usually the boss of the situation.

Deepak Chopra was born October 22, 1946.
Giacomo Puccini was born on December 22, 1858.

23 – CONSTRUCTIVE FREEDOM – The 23/5 is also a dreamer with a very vivid imagination.  Your dreams may be of a beautiful home or a beautiful garden or your ideal life.  You have a knack for materializing your dreams.  One reason for this is because you enjoy working, plus you work well with others.  You are versatile and talented, adapting to change well.  In fact, you invite change and new experiences.  You love travel.  You have a child-like simplicity towards life.  You express yourself openly and honestly to people.  People reciprocate towards you in the same manner and are drawn to you because of this quality.  You are entertaining and amusing with a quick mind.  You exude energy.  You can be very laid back in nature.  You get restless at times. This may be a challenge for you, as you may shirk responsibilities and resort to your dreams and imagination.  You could lose your sense of reality.  You might burn the candle at both ends in your quest for adventure and fun.  The 23/5 is a very sensual person.  Physically, you may have large, dreamy eyes with a ruddy complexion or freckles.  You might be prone to throat or thyroid problems.  You also may have mental or emotional stress at times.  You may work as a lawyer, peacemaker, in public relations or advertising, the travel industry, writer or actor.  Socially, you excel.

Samuel Pepys, English writer and socialite, was born February 23, 1633.

24 – BALANCE, RESPONSIBILITY, and LOVE – The 24/6 is systematic and organized and very conscious and aware of time.  You may be one who is always looking at your watch, trying to make the most of time.  You are very responsible, helpful, and conscientious.  You bring a practicality and rationality to what you do.  You love music and may have a gift for it.  You are a gentile soul, often a peacemaker.  You are sympathetic, understanding, and generous towards others. You are generally a hard worker.  You are a devoted spouse and family member.  You have much interest in your home.  You both give and receive much affection.  Sometimes you may take your duties and responsibilities too seriously.  Another challenge is sometimes being too emotional and needy.  You may also be moody at times.  You like harmony and rhythm in your life.   Yoga, walking, cycling, or going to the gym may be among your activities.  You like a long- term relationship with security.  You are artistic and creative.  Physically you may have a heart shaped face with large watery eyes and large chest.  You might be prone to hormonal imbalances or bronchitis.  You may also have problems with your legs and feet.  You are good at solving conflict.  For this reason you may have a career as a diplomat, lawyer, therapist, or marriage counselor.  You may also choose a career in the arts, such as a painter, musician or writer.   You like discipline and structure to your work environment.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was born November 24, 1864.

25 – ANALYSIS, UNDERSTANDING – The 25/7 has a practical, rational, cautious mind which is guided by a deep sensitivity and strong intuition.  You are patient.  You like to communicate, expressing yourself either through speech or writing.  You need quiet time for reflection, introspection, and meditation.  You are likely to explore spirituality, science, things of a technical nature, or the deeper meaning of life. You can sometimes be stubborn or self-centered.  You like to make the best of opportunities that come your way; but you are always cautious with regard to anything.  This includes exercise.  You would be more drawn to the gentler exercises such as yoga, swimming or skating.  You may face a challenge with relationships.  You may spend too much time in your head.  You are occasionally restless.  Giving or receiving affection may be a problem.  Although intuition and sensitivity are strengths, at times you can be over sensitive and a bit touchy.  A long straight nose and clear skin are often physical features.  Health wise you might be subject to panic attacks or thyroid imbalances.  Travel may be in your career options, as well as public relations or marketing, journalism, researching, teaching, or some work relating to psychic abilities.

Gugliemo Marconi was born April 25, 1874.

26 – MATERIAL SATISFACTION – You have much compassion and the need to feel secure, both emotionally and materialistically. You are very approachable and work well with others showing much diplomacy.  This comes as an advantage to you in the business world.  You have organizational, administrative and managerial skills and capabilities.  You are self-confident and dependable.  You are good with money, and better at the broad strokes than details.  You express gentleness and have a special bond with children. You are spiritual.  You enjoy gentile sports such as yoga or walking.  The 26/8 may also be driven by competitive sports.  You might need constant approval or feedback from people.  You face a challenge of not becoming too demanding or aggressive.  Personal responsibility is important to you, and you might seek the same characteristics in a partner, perhaps one who has their own career.  You have an authoritative look.  You have rounded features and your eyebrows might meet.  You are prone to spinal or knee problems.  The 26/8 might be prone to the rare or unusual disease.  Career wise you might be a diplomat, negotiator, therapist, a social worker or some type of humanitarian leader.  You may work with children.

Mother Teresa was born August 26, 1910.
Hillary Rodham Clinton was born October 26, 1947.

27 – SELFLESSNESS HUMANITARIANISM – You have a deep yearning for knowledge.  You use your logical mind and strong intuition to guide you.  You get psychic haunches and dreams.  Your emotional side; however, is not that predictable.  You are rooted in your spirituality and may love nature, yoga, meditation, or living in the country.  You are well mannered, the perfect guest or perfect host.  You have a loving, generous, sensitive nature and work well with others.  You are broad-minded and tolerant showing much sympathy and compassion.  Your sensitivity could cause some mood swings.  Your empathic nature may lead you into sympathy pains.  For this reason you may want to withdraw because you feel so vulnerable.  Perfectionism may cause you to be hard on yourself.  The sense of perfection may also lead you to not feeling good enough.  In relationships you are affectionate and seek a partner to nurture.  You have the ability to make your partner feel special.  The physical influence of a 27/9 may be red hair and freckles, high cheekbones and a high voice.  You often have long legs.  You might be prone to skin allergies or headaches or blood sugar imbalances.  You may work as a diplomat, peacemaker, humanitarian or leader in any field.  Other careers may be in philosophy, psychology, spirituality, history, therapy, medicine, or art.

Samuel Morse was born on April 27, 1791.

28- INDIVIDUATION, INDEPENDENCE, ATTAINMENT – Whenever I see a 1 I think independence.  In spite of the independence you work well with others.  You want to succeed in life, whatever your goal may be, whether it be writing a novel or raising a family.  You are very direct in your communications. You have original ideas and make a good leader or manager.  You are both good at starting and continuing.  You see both the big picture and can also handle the details.  You have a caring, warm, nurturing aspect as well.  Sometimes you may be challenged by the fear of failure.  You might be too aggressive in reaching your goals.  Alternately, you may feel so overwhelmed that you become lazy and lose all energy and drive.  You also might have a temper.  Over all you are sensitive, imaginative, and creative with a good, rational and practical mind with potential for much achievement.  In relationships you are dynamic and strong and seek out the same in a partner.  Sometimes, though you may keep people at a distance.  Physically, you may have strong muscular shoulders, sturdy hips and arms.  You usually look muscular and toned.  You might be prone to kidney or urinary infections or suffer from headaches.  Business or career wise you can be successful at almost anything.  You excel in public relations or marketing.  You might be a journalist or novelist.

King Henry VIII was born June 28, 1491.

29 – ILLUMINATION –You have a dynamic passion about your goals and work with a focus to achieve them.  Second best is not good enough.  You have strong intuition intermingled with a clarity and logic.  You are able to materialize your reality, often achieving great success and recognition.  You are an attractive, energetic, and charismatic person.  You are a powerful person, often an inspiration to others. You are bright, witty and a good conversationalist.  You have much creativity and imagination.  You always buy the best you can afford, usually meticulous in appearance.  You often have high expectations for yourself and others and suffer when these expectations fall through.  29/2 is a spiritual number.  You may study philosophy or religion.  You can be argumentative at times given to dramatic situations.  Security is a must for you.  Sometimes you are fearful of life.  Not facing these fears can create real problems.  Soft, watery eyes are a strong feature with the 29/2.  You love water.    This number can be subject to nervousness, tension headaches or hormonal imbalances.  You may suffer at times from emotional and mental stress.  Careers for you might be that of an actor, artist, diplomat, humanitarian, counselor, entrepreneur, musician or writer.

John F. Kennedy was born May 29, 1917.
Oprah Winfrey was born January 29, 1954.

30 – EXPRESSION, JOY OF LIVING – The very nature of the 30/3 is fun.  You will try to make everything you do fun, even mundane household chores.  You may go around with your iPod while doing your chores.  You are naturally an extrovert.  Meeting new people stimulates you.  You throw yourself into life.  You are a doer.  You have an abundance of joy, and can be highly uplifting to others.  You like sunshine and nature.  You get a lot accomplished.  Because you like being around people, excessive chatting or even gossip may be a challenge.  Getting lost in your many activities and demands may also be a problem.  Sometimes you may want to withdrawal from it all and just become lazy.  You love travel and can get bored easily.  Your most outstanding feature is a muscular, toned body.    You may be prone to muscular aches and pains or blood pressure imbalances.    You also might be accident-prone.  Your talent with words may lead you into writing, speaking or singing.  You are also highly artistic and can enjoy a career in the arts.  Your cheerful, friendly personality might lead you into professional party organizing or wedding planning or into the travel industry.  Being around people is key.

Christopher Columbus was born October 30, 1451.

31 – LIMITATION, ORDER, and SERVICE – You are down to earth and practical.  People see you as courageous.  You focus intently on your goals.  You are a good organizer and manager.  Your hard, energetic work can be seen in your surroundings.  For example if you are an artist your home overflows with pieces of art and vibrant colors.  If you are a cook your kitchen is a warm, inviting place.  You attain material dreams by systematic work towards your goals.  You have a strong mind and are very practical and rational.  You would do well in the business world.  Your approach; however, can be original.  You are good with details and insist on accuracy.  You are generally busy doing lots of different things.  One challenge you may face is boredom if this is not so.  Sometimes you take on too much.  You are a hard worker and expect others to match your pace.  At other times you lack confidence.  You often repress your feelings.  Your most outstanding feature is usually your hands.  Physically you may become exhausted from your tendency to overdo things.  You might be prone to headaches or circulation problems.  You would make a good farmer; massage therapist, cook, gardener, artist or writer.  You could also be an herbalist, healer, or midwife or in the medical field.  You might also be successful in sports or as an entertainer of some sort.

Dr. Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870.

Christmas 2008

It’s Tuesday, December 23rd, and we haven’t even put up a tree yet.  This year our Christmas will be like the ones in the old black and white movies where the tree is trimmed on Christmas Eve.  Nor have we really shopped, that is for each other.  This year we promised not to get each other gifts.  We did buy some, very minimally, for close family.  Most of those gifts have already been given.  There will be only one gift under the tree – a gift for my father.

Yet, we have had an incredible holiday experience thus far.  We just returned from Texas, visiting family, and getting to see our yoga teacher.  While there we got to go to Padre Island.  We sat on the beach in 75-degree weather.  I am drawn to the ocean for renewal, as I was drawn to my yoga teacher for both renewal and energy.  In his talk he spoke of rituals and how adding spirit to any ritual (and all life consists of rituals, even how we arise in the morning to brushing our teeth) makes those rituals spiritual.  I had never thought of those two words together – spirit and ritual – and how they formed spiritual.  That was something excellent to learn and contemplate, but more importantly practice.

While there we met new friends.  I always find that incredible.

On our return we took a different route home, via New Orleans.  New Orleans was where we spent our honeymoon 6 ½ years ago.  We spent the night in the same hotel – Le Pavillon.  It was even better than we remembered.  The next morning we ventured into the Ninth Ward.  It was chilling to say the least.

My husband was seriously into romance during the whole trip, as he wanted to take a picture of us in the same location on Padre Island where we stood seven years ago.  We were the only ones on the beach on that day seven years ago.  He set the camera to take a delayed picture just as he did the previous time.  A man offered to take a picture of us, but my husband told him no as he had done it this way before.  I’m sure the man had no clue.  And when entering the hotel room he carried me over the threshold.

We returned home to very cold weather and some frozen water pipes in one bathroom.  But all is well.

This is a brief synopsis of our Christmas gift.

Subtraction Equals More

We live in a world of addition, multiplication and division.  What we are missing is subtraction.  We tend to think of subtraction as loss, and any kind of loss as bad, except in the case of weight loss.

We have been programmed to think in terms of adding, multiplying and dividing.  I recently wrote an article about “stuff.”  It is culturally taught at a young age that acquiring or adding possessions is a good thing – a thing that multiplies our worth.  In the end it creates division.

A story about a Mexican fisherman in a small village has often been told and circulated on the Internet.  It goes something like the fisherman went out in his small boat early in the morning catching his fish for the day, enough to feed his family.  A smart American businessman saw this and approached the fisherman, asking what he was going to do for the rest of the day.  He replied that he would go home, clean his fish, play with his children, take siesta with his wife, and go out later and play music with his friends.  The businessman convinced him he was missing a great opportunity.  He advised him that he should invest in a bigger boat, hire other fishermen, bring in bigger catches, and make money from the fish. Then he could buy a fleet of boats and borrow money for a fish processing plant.  The businessman explained that by doing this he could sell everything and retire in twenty years and have time to spend with his family.

Scenario A:  The fisherman took the businessman’s advice.  He acquired a larger boat and added to and multiplied the size of his business.  There was now paper work and employees, which kept him in an office late at night.  His provided his wife and children with luxuries such a nice home, video games, and cell phones.  His children grew up and hardly knew their father or their mother, for that matter.  His wife, being lonely, had an affair with a rugged handsome fisherman that had a lot of time on his hands.  The family was no longer together.  It was divided.

Scenario B:  The fisherman ignored the American businessman, saying he had all that he needed, why complicate matters.

So, I suggest that finding what really counts in our lives is a matter of subtraction.

Law of Attraction Gone to the Dogs

So much is written about the law of attraction.  I see it working in my life daily.  Sometimes I judge it as good, sometimes bad.  This is an example of good.

I’m learning more about the process.  Mostly we go about our lives letting our subconscious control us.  The subconscious is like a computer waiting for commands, functioning well when we have a clean cache and give it precise commands, or operating erratically when we give it confused signals.  I have discovered through various life experiences that the subconscious respects and responds to authority, better yet, authority with determination.  I’m going to give true examples here.

We had buried our Labrador Abigail.  She had been with me for almost sixteen years and with my husband for over a year.  Dogs probably do outlast spouses in this day and age.  It’s almost a must to have a dog when you live on a farm.  It took almost six months before I became ready for another dog.  We were beginning to plan out our hiking trails in the woods surrounding the house.  Our neighbors were reporting see bob cats and even bears in the area.  This hadn’t really bothered me, as I hadn’t experienced sightings myself.  My aunt had made the comment, “Aren’t you scared walking in the woods by yourself?”  Well, I hadn’t been; but the power of her words seeped in.

The next day as I was walking enjoying the beauty of nature that busy voice within me was talking away.  It said, “God, I think I’m reading for another dog now, preferably a German Shepard, as you know that is what Chris wants, since he seems to think that breed will provide me protection out here.”  My busy inner voice continued on to some other matter, as I walked on towards the house.

The next day I went out to enjoy the path we had lain out thus far.  As I was within a tenth of a mile from the house, I saw what seemed to be a pure bred German Shepard facing me.  We both stood there frozen staring at each other for a moment.  My mind kept saying over and over, please be friendly… please be friendly.  The dog followed me back to the house.  It took a little while for me to remember the prayer  that I had stated the day before.  And when I did, I was in total awe.  We named the dog Abner.  We suspected that there were two dogs; one died along the interstate, the other made it’s way through the woods to our property.  Abner was old and sad, as if he had lost his partner.  He only lived a few months, but he had a good home I think until his death.

After Abner’s death Chris said, “What we need is a puppy.” The next day a lady who worked in his office approached him asking if we might be interested in one of a bunch of German Shepard Elk Hound puppies her aunt needed to give away – another moment of astonishment to say the least.  She was visiting her aunt that weekend and would even bring one to us, and we lived quite a distance.

Well, Elmer was a very friendly dog, and perhaps I gave him too much attention as a puppy.  He loved the long walks in the woods, but he wanted that kind of nearness on a non-stop basis.  He liked to roam the neighborhood.  Being surrounded by other farms we have a large neighborhood.  One day he didn’t return after one of his outings.  All of our inquiries led to dead ends.  Different neighbors would say I saw him a few days ago. We think a family, with children, eventually adopted him.  Elmer moved on.  We moved on.

One day as I was mowing the lawn I thought about Abigail as I was mowing over her grave.  I wondered if she had been reincarnated.  I remembered how she was so afraid and would practically knock me down to protect her self from other dogs.  In our neighborhood, there were two vicious dogs; obviously, the owner had trained to be hostile.  Getting past these dogs was a real chore.  Abigail proved to be no protection against them.

I silently, with determination and authority said, “God, you know I really didn’t want a German Shepard.  That was really what my husband wanted.  What I really want is another lab, this time with a little bit more fierceness built in.”

Later that day, the phone rang.  It was Chris.  He said, “Jerri, someone dumped two lab puppies off in one of the professor’s backyard last night.  He wants to know if we would be interested?”  So, wow, can you imagine my surprise!  Well, by this point, I guess I wasn’t SO surprised.  We’ve had Barney now for over three years.  We extended our trail to the woods nearing the house of the neighbor with the vicious dogs.

Unbeknownst to us he expanded his wild pack from two to five.  At one time, Barney held all five dogs off me.  He got a little scratched up in the process, but that didn’t deter him.  Chris fenced that area so neither Barney nor I would have to contend with them.

Barney and I just returned from our walk.

Vegetarian Dinner

We try to take every opportunity that we can to use our deck for eating.  We both love outdoors.  There is added enjoyment from eating outside in the fact that we are growing some of the edibles ourselves, and a lot of the remainder we are getting from our local organic farmer; plus we built the deck ourselves.

I’ve been practicing making bruschetta.  Here I used 3 seeded bread from Panera, which I dipped into a mixture of olive oil, fresca cheese, fresh organic garlic, fresh organic basil, and sea salt.  I grilled on a panini grill.  I added fresh organic chopped tomatoes to the mixture for further dipping onto the finished bread.

This is the overall dinner.  The main dish was a pasta with fresh vegetables.  I use whatever we have on hand, in this case pasta, olive oil, zucchini, yellow squash, onions, red bell peppers and garlic, pepper and sea salt – all organic.  We added freshly grated parmeson cheese and green ice tea.

Ending the Affair

I’ve been contemplating just that for quite a while now.  Unfortunately, so many times I just get sucked back in, lured by what seems to be my uncontrollable sense desires.  Last night, however, I made the resolve to go cold turkey.  I thought writing about it might help me cope.

My husband, of course, is fully supportive; but is also detached, a handy part of his Buddha nature.  This is nothing I’ve hid from him.  He came into the situation with open eyes over six years ago, and promised to love me in spite of my ups and downs and struggles with this situation. I know there are groups for this type of behavior, but the shame and embarrassment just won’t let me seek them out.

I felt the cold rush of air envelope me as I closed the door and bid farewell only yesterday.  Although, I knew I couldn’t avoid further encounters due to our close proximity, I had made my affirmations quite clear, and my resolve to end this affair was high.  I wasn’t doing it for my marriage.  My marriage, in spite of all of this, was on solid ground.  My husband is truly a Superman, who really meant for better or worse.   I had to do this for myself.

It’s been twenty-four hours now.  Making it to this point has been quite an accomplishment for me.  Sleep helps to a certain extent.  Although, I’m quite a sound sleeper, I awoke at three am suffering from withdrawal symptoms.  There was this incredible hunger and thirst gnawing at me from deep within.  I won’t go into details.  Perhaps it was some sensual dream I was having of just having my lips so close…. no, don’t even go there.

I woke up to pack my husband a healthy lunch, and fixed him a plateful of blueberry pancakes for breakfast.  I lavish him with savory treats like this on a constant basis.  Perhaps, it’s my own guilt leaking through.   He seemed to push the whole matter aside as he asked me why I wasn’t eating.  But it all still weighed heavily on my mind.  I just handed him whipped cream to go on his pancakes, and neither of us brought the topic up.

After he had left for work, I took extra pains with my make up, putting on my new sweater to go out.  I searched and searched for my car keys, which were not in their usual place.  I called my husband and asked if he happened to know where they where.  He had them.  It was just a mistake I tell myself.  He drove my car last.  Did he think I was going to cave and have a rendezvous at the grocery store or the local pizza parlor?

Like I said, it’s been twenty-four hours now.  Once I lasted seven days.  Another time I lasted four days.  I think there is hope.  Like they say, the third time is a charm.  I’m taking it one day at a time, for as long as I can possibly go on without this weight around me, dragging me down.

So, there you have it.  I have resolved to end this affair I have with food, at least until I get it to a manageable level, where I just don’t care that much any more, or at least not in the same way I did.  I just hope I don’t fall, totally, madly head over heels again once Valentine’s Day rolls around and my husband sits those dark chocolate Godivas in front of me.  At least, I hope he reads this and sets dark chocolate Godivas and flowers in front of me.  Forget the flowers and just make it a double portion of the chocolates.  After all, dark chocolate is one of the new health foods, right?

Walking

Walking

The high got up to 37 degrees today, which almost seemed like a heat wave compared to the single digit temperatures we have had.  Our water has been frozen in various places throughout the house, and then a water leak.

I’ve been reading Wuthering Heights in preparation for Masterpiece Theater, which is airing it tonight.  Yesterday I watched the 1939 version online.  I discovered a list of movies that you can watch online for free:  http://www.imdb.com/features/video/browse/film/

I also a couple of weeks ago reread Tess of the D’Urbervilles because that was shown last time on Masterpiece Theater.  In both stories people walk almost everywhere.  It was nothing to walk 5 or 6 miles to visit someone.  Do you remember how the 1939 movie of Wuthering Heights began?  Mr. Lockwood was walking in a blizzard for four miles.

I like to hike, and we have our own hiking trails around our house.  But by the same token, my father only lives three miles from me and yet I’ve never walked there.  I’ve only driven.  Today we had just the snow to put me in the mood for the walk along with the rise in temperature.  My husband was a bit reluctant but conceded.  So, we parked the car after a mile to keep our dogs from following us and walked two miles there and two miles back over the two roller coaster hills.  I seriously need to do this more often.  My dad didn’t really seem surprised that we walked.  Of course, he is 82 and is one of those who walked ten miles barefoot to the one room schoolhouse.

Vegetarian Dinner

Sometimes I just go in the kitchen and throw together whatever I have.  Soups are often the result of that.  It will be really good, then I can’t remember how I made it.  The soup below is a lentil soup.  So obviously I used lentils, along with carrots, celery, onions, vegetable broth, and fire roasted tomatoes.  Seasonings were sea salt, mixed ground pepper and maybe garlic.  I use garlic a lot.  The sandwich was boca veggie burgers with some red pepper relish and mozarella.  The salad had mixed greens, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds and poppyseed dressing.  The buns were on the bargain rack at the grocery store.  They had built in seasonings and cheese and were great.

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Thy Will Be Done and How I met Superman

I was listening to an interview with Debbie Ford. In it she said if you only pray one prayer, pray, “Thy will be done.” I totally agree with that. God can dream much better things for us than we can ourselves even imagine.

So many people are looking for their soul mate. I have a somewhat different take on soul mates. I believe that soul mates are our teachers; therefore, they can be anyone we come in contact with, even for a brief time. Sometimes what we need to be taught is not that pleasant for us. I definitely see my first husband as my soul mate. I may have flunked that lesson. It takes two to make a relationship. This applies to any relationship – not just that of spouses. I often hear people putting all the blame on this one or that one. We all play the victim at times and the victimizer, the controller and the controlled. It’s our dual nature until we learn better. I have learned that in any troubled relationships that I may have that I am the one common denominator in them all.

This is about the day I prayed, “Thy will be done.” what led up to it and what followed. This prayer is often prayed after we’ve exhausted all other means of trying to manipulate life the way we think it should be.

I was acquainted with a wonderful woman and her daughter. I had known them for a few years, and found we had so much in common. I especially shared a lot of interests with the mother. We thought much in the same way, liked reading the same kinds of books, etc. I didn’t know the rest of the family, but through more and more contact with her met one of her sons. We had both been single for a couple of years. We began to date. I found I didn’t have as much in common with him; but still I was calculating my plans for becoming a member of this family. Losing my mother about five years earlier played a role.

I loved spending time with the mother and daughter, but the son wasn’t exactly drooling over me as planned. I was still, you might say, “settling” for this relationship, thinking well you can’t really have it all. My daydreams about finding that perfect man said otherwise though.

The course of this entire relationship was less than two months. He did take me out for dinner at a nice restaurant and point blank asked me what kind of man I wanted. I used my daydreams as a reference and bolted out, “Superman, I want Superman.”

Shortly, thereafter, I had a business trip planned and was fretting over the care of my dog. He offered to come over and feed her. I was so relieved. Upon returning home I found my dog half starved. It takes a lot to make me mad, but this did it. With the utmost determination I started thinking I don’t deserve this and began praying. I basically said, “God, I’m tired of being single. You know the kind of man that would be best for me. You pick him.”

A couple of days passed. I sort of forgot about the prayer. I started looking on line using the keyword art and found Chris’s picture and bio. It sounded like we had a lot in common. I wrote about three lines of email to him to which he responded with a rather lengthy one. He started calling, and within a week drove the two and one half hours that it took to meet me. He said he knew he wanted to marry me the minute I came to the door. It took me a full day. Our first date was a five-mile hike. Now we celebrate our first date anniversary with a hiking trip.

I hadn’t had any more contact with the one who didn’t feed my dog until one day he just showed up asking me what had happened and why I hadn’t shown up at his family’s for Thanksgiving. I replied, “Do you remember when you asked me what kind of man I wanted?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Well he flew in.”

He also met someone, getting married about the same time Chris and I did. All is well with his mother and sister. We are still great friends, as they are also with Chris. I also married into a great family, as all of Chris’s family have heartily embraced me as their own.

In my phone notebook you will find Chris’s office number under Superman. It’s been seven years now, and I’ve had no reason to change it.

Olive Nut Spread

We ordered this as an appetizer at a restaurant. It seemed simple enough so I tried making it at home. It turned out really great. So, I’ve now made it several times. These are the ingredients I use, which may or may not be the same as what was served in the restaurant.

1/2 package or 4 oz of cream cheese softened
1/3 cup cashews
1/3 cup green olives with pimentos
Crackers of your choice

Mix well in a food processor. You can mix until you get the consistency that you want. I leave mine just a tad chunky. I’m giving approximate measurements. Actually, I just eye it. Experiment until you get the taste you want.

Life is a Cherry Pie

That is life with my grandmother. My grandmother on my mother’s side played a prominent role in my life. It seemed as if a lot of my growing up years were spent at my grandmother’s house, or Granny as I called her.

Granny was a working woman which was somewhat of a novelty in her time. My own mother quit work when I was born. Granny, however, worked out of necessity, as a cook. Since she loved to cook it was a well chosen profession. She was the head cook for the school cafeteria, a school which served all twelve grades. Although I love to eat now, in my growing up years I basically scorned food. I weighed in at eighty-five pounds during my junior year of high school. This was before anorexia. I wasn’t trying to be slim. I essentially hated eating. I had certain things I would eat so I was catered to in this regard in an effort to make me consume calories. I came from a long line of rubenesque women who just couldn’t relate. I was even then aware of the stress that I was causing them.

Part of Granny’s job was making out the school menu, which had to follow specific guidelines, of course in order to meet federal and state regulations. When you think back to the sixties and the ingredients in those oversize tin cans, along with massive amounts of white flour and sugar, it all seems like approving leeches for bloodletting for good health. I have to say though that my Granny could whip a sensational taste treat from all those non-organic packaged products of convenience.

Although I was too skinny to be considered for dating and quite shy, during the last two years of high school, my popularity moved up a few rungs on the ladder. This was due to Granny handing over the responsibility of letting me make out the menu for the cafeteria. She always had veto authority along with final approval. Also, my uncle, Granny’s son-in-law was principal at this time. I’m sure this decision was arrived at by consensus during some family meeting in which getting some fat on my bones was among the main topics.

Some of my favorites were meat loaf and mashed potatoes along with rolls. Granny made the best rolls. Students always went back for seconds. There would be pizza day, as well as sloppy joe day with fries. Chocolate oatmeal squares was a favorite dessert. I would take requests. I didn’t like macaroni and cheese but I would sometimes bestow a favor, if he was cute. I always saved the best for Friday’s dessert – cherry pie.

The Truth of Religions

The Ten Commandment of Hinduism According to Pantanjali

1. Non-violence
2. Truthfulness
3. Non-stealing
4. Celibacy or Sense Control
5. Non-greed
6. Purity of Thought, Word, and Deed
7. Contentment
8. Austerity or Renunciation
9. Study of Scriptures
10. Surrendering to God with faithful loving devotion

Biblical Commandments

1. Thou shalt not kill.
2. Do not lie.
3. Do not steal.
4. Do not commit adultery.
5. Do not covet.
6. Do not commit adultery.
7. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
8. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek.
9. Love your neighbor as yourself.
10. Love the Lord with all your heart.

The Eightfold Nobel Path of Buddhism

1. Right view
2. Right thought
3. Right speech
4. Right deeds
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right resolve
8. Right meditation

The Five Principles of Islam

1. Faith in God, His Message and His Messengers
2. Meditation and prayer on the glory, greatness and message of God for spiritual growth
3. Helping others by giving charity
4. Austerity for self-purification by fasting in the month of Ramadam
5. Pilgrimage to the holy places

Habits and Thoughts

“Each man’s individual characteristics of behavior are in large measure the sum total of all his habits. These habits, both good and bad, are formed by man’s own consciousness–through repetition of a thought, and by thought-produced actions. If the consciousness can think and dream itself into bad habits, it has only to think and dream differently in order to form good habits. Good and bad ideas are different forms or different dreams of consciousness. It is better to dream beautiful phases of consciousness than to have nightmares. Consciousness is imaginative, sensitive, and pliable; it can think and dream itself into any state.”
Paramahansa Yogananda, “God Talks with Arjuna, The Bhagavad Gita”

A Trip to Red River Gorge

Over millions of years wind and water carved out this majestic piece of earth known as the Red River Gorge located in the Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky. Its uniqueness includes over 80 natural arches, unusual vegetation and rock shelters once used by Indians and probably Daniel Boone.

It offers diverse activities among which are: hiking, camping, picnicking, hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, horseback riding, bicycling, rock climbing, spelunking, bird watching, photography, and nature study.

The estimated 500 miles of trails offer almost endless.

Does A Real Yogi Need a Yoga Mat?

I begin meditation thinking I’m going to unpeel the layers down to the radiant spark within, the spark that’s but a speck that shines far brighter than any solar array. Who am I kidding? I sit lotus posed in my overstuffed red leather chair to enhance lower back comfort, looking out over a crowded room, narrow pathways meandering through all the accumulated stuff. How can I tear away the layers to the pearly onion beneath when stinging tears of emotion well up with each unwrap of the veil? The vision has been clouded for so long that seeing out is hurtful to the eyes.

I dimly peruse the room through the thick gauze of my shroud seeing no further than the outer reaches of the magnificent cocoon I have spun for myself. There is the exercise equipment that I hardly touch for the improvement of this bodily shell. The same can be said for the paints and brushes, and piles of fiber for finding my artistic expression and creativity. Then there are the rows upon rows of overflowing books all promising the answers to life’s mysteries. They all have their own stories and seem to only evoke more questions. Do I need more to find less, to find what is simple and pure?

I remember this room when it was first built. It lay barren. Stark wooden floors connected with familial oaks through unadorned windows. All that was necessary was a yoga mat. But, does a real yogi need a yoga mat?

Law of Attraction Switch Words

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Healing Meditation

“Let us take charge of our health.
Let the body age out of normal wear and tear
and not degenerate because of an unhealthy life style.
Our body is a divine gift;
we must take care of it and cherish it
as we do a precious gift.”

~Taken from the book, `You are the Light´ by Sri Vasudeva

Taking care of ourselves

Our body is a precious gift, but often we take it for granted, and we don´t
give it much attention until it begins to give us problems. If we took time
to understand our body we would be amazed at how each tiny cell has its own
intelligence and that keeping it healthy and fit is really about listening
and working with the bodies innate intelligence.

The body has an immune system that is designed to fight off disease and keep
us healthy, provided our system is in balance. Unfortunately many of us
overwork the body, give it too little rest, over-indulge in sensual habits
and expose it to major stressors preventing the immune system from working
properly. When we bring the body back into balance with healthy life style
choices, the body begins to heal its-self. Because the mind and Spirit
have a very powerful influence over the body, we can also use them during
meditation, to create powerful healing for ourselves.
The Subtle Energy Field

We have a subtle energy body that influences the physical body, although
not recognized by the medical profession yet. It has been spoken of in many
of the ancient texts and this has been verified by those who have
experienced this energy for them selves. This energy body has seven centres
that influence the whole body through a network of subtle energy channels.
Opening these centres not only keeps the physical body healthy but can raise
our consciousness, connecting us to our Source or Creator, where all
possibilities are present. It is this connection to Source that Sri
Vasudeva says ” is the place from which our most potent power of healing
comes. We need to know this place”.

*
*
*To obtain the most from your healing meditation*

Meditation is a powerful discipline in the healing process. Through
meditation we can create balance in body mind, and spirit, bringing healing
to the body and mind through the power of the spirit within. Meditation is
a practice that grows on you, if you begin the practice with just a few
minutes a day soon enough you will find it becomes second nature to you.

In meditation practice it is important to sit in a comfortable position with
the back as straight as possible. When the back is straight it facilitates
the movement of subtle energy from the base of the spine to the top of the
head. There are spiritual centres along the spine and when the spine is in a
straight position it allows for an easier flow of this energy.

You can sit cross-legged on the floor if you are accustomed to it, or in a
chair. The main thing is to be comfortable and to keep the spine in a
straight position. It is beneficial to meditate daily at the same time, then
your body becomes habituated to these times and you get the most benefit
from the meditation. You should not meditate if the body is tired, it is
more important to rest and then meditate. If you meditate when you are tired
you are likely to fall asleep. If you meditate when you are rested you are
more conscious of the flow of energy.
It is nice to sit in a quiet place for meditation and use the same place for
your daily practice, and then you build a subtle energy field, which
supports you each time you sit.

The Healing Meditation

As you begin your meditation, let the body relax, and take your attention to
the breath, watching as you slowly breath in and out. The breath can bring
harmony and balance to your physical body and emotions and it can calm the
mind.

Begin to become body aware, observe your whole body and notice how it is
feeling. Create a loving field and direct it to your body cells, being
conscious of your heart, lungs and all the major organs.
Start to visualise any part of the body that is diseased or injured, as
beginning to heal. You can repeat an affirmations ” I am healed” or “my
body is healing”. As you repeat this you are tapping into the spiritual
field, which holds the power of all possibilities. Continue to visualize
your body as healthy and whole.

You may want to use your memory to go back to a time when you were totally
healthy and bring that memory strongly into the present. Intensify the
feeling of wellness within yourself, Continue to repeat the affirmation “I
am well” or ” I am healed”. Hold your thoughts on the healing that is
taking place, and direct emotions of love, caring and tenderness towards the
body. Finish with a sense of gratitude, giving thanks for the healing that
is now taking place.

The Supreme power to heal, lies within you, with this healing meditation
practice you seek to awaken this power. The guide is within you; meditation
helps to awaken this inner guide. In the same way as we can heal our
bodies We can also create more peaceful communities by directing loving
attention and intentions towards our community during meditation

We can use meditation to create a better world or a more healthy body. We
hope you will use this information on your journey to self healing. May god
bless you on your journey.

*
Copyright 2005 Sri Vasudeva*
*This material on the website may be freely copied and re-used for non
commercial purposes,
provided that the author and source are cited*

Beliefs

If we let our beliefs define us, then they will confine us.

Quote from Deepak Chopra

“Tune into the presence of miracles, and in an instant, life can be transformed into a dazzling experience, more wondrous and exciting than we could even imagine.”

- Deepak Chopra

Spiritual Retreat

Spiritual Retreat

This past week I was able to go on a remarkable spiritual journey. I was on a silent retreat for six days with my teacher, Swami Vidyadhishananda. There were 108 of us there, eating a sattvic, sparse diet, getting up in the morning by 4 AM, retiring at around 10, sometimes later, with an almost non-stop schedule of lectures, meditation, pranayama, yoga, & brisk walks, all done in silence, and no air-conditioning. We were in a secluded mountainous, beautiful location in West Virginia with no cell phone reception. I’m one of those last holdouts on getting a cell phone, plus we weren’t to use them while there anyway.

It was very hard at first, at least for me. I missed my husband terribly (who could not take off from work), missed the caffeine, and found it extremely hard to sit in the cross-legged pose for hours on end. We were allowed to sit in a chair if we wanted; but I also found that hard at times. Our teacher is a rare Himalayan monk who offered us rare and secret teachings. We could not take notes during the lectures, or read anything while there.

After day two, I began to settle in better. I learned to eat better and more consciously, and hope I don’t fall back into my old habits. Although somewhat of a hardship at first, I began to see the great blessing in it. I think my body is still detoxing. And it’s hard for me to get back into the “unreal” world. I haven’t even returned phone calls yet, but know I must start eventually.

We only were to bring organic toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc to the retreat. And everything was recycled. Dishes were washed after every vegetarian meal, and we only used cups and utensils that were made of recycled materials. After every meal you put dishes in one slot to be washed (we all took a turn volunteering for this), any left over food (rare) into a compost bin and after our cups and forks and spoons could be used no more, they went into the recycling bin.

The teachings were so many and I’m still trying to remember. We were to sit and learn mostly by eye-to-eye contact. Our teacher is one of less than 20 who can still give these teachings. He left for India the day after the retreat, and will be in seclusion from 2013 until 2019 in the Himalayas finishing up the culmination of eleven lifetimes. He said that if we only absorbed 10 percent of the teachings our lives would be blessed greatly. I’m finding that to be true. Also, if we observed the silence and rules as requested we would receive a special blessing. I don’t feel I got that one, as there was also some signaling and whispering sometimes going on, which was also not allowed. The strict rules I now see were in order for us to contemplate and absorb better the teachings.

The teachings offered to us were:

• Role of mutation & evolution 
• Arrest of mental fluctuations
• Realization of Purusha & Prakruti
• Tattwa as essential principles
• Yoga & Vedanta framework
• Result of devotion to God
• Full moon meditation
• Rare Prānāyāma techniques
• Vinyasa-krama yoga practice
• Nature walks & cow milking
• Noble silence & shruti method

We weren’t even supposed to be taking pictures, except before and after the silence. My husband and I hosted four people a couple of days before leaving for the retreat. From left to right we are sitting on my front porch the day before leaving for the retreat. From left to right are myself and guests: Kerstin from Sweden, Heidi from Denmark, & Claudia from Germany. Peter from England was standing out in the yard with Chris while taking the picture.

Their visit to us was also a great blessing. It was all just a remarkable experience, and now I’m looking forward to the next one and hope to go into it in a better state and mind and body allowing me to gain more on a spiritual level.

March Marvels (Buddha & The Swami)

(Originally written October 2007)

Back in March 2007 some miraculous things occurred. I have so many miracles and synchronicities in my life. Even the least of these can elicit within me a response of awe and amazement. There is a saying by Rumi, “Sell your cleverness and purchase bewilderment.”

I had been thinking of writing about these experiences for some time. Our cat and a couple of other synchronicities prompted me onward. A few days ago my husband was unloading some lumber from the van. Later he noticed an oddity – the van emergency lights were blinking. He opened the van door, and out hopped the cat, which had obviously gone in while he was unloading the lumber. The next morning as I opened a site which had an icon of a cat at the wheel of a truck.

I keep a journal in which I daily write five things I experience during the day that I’m grateful for. I find this keeps me on my spiritual path. A lapse in this exercise can often result in a downward spiral. During this year I have had a lot to be grateful for.

Beginning in March a series of events began to unfold. It began with Buddha. Buddha is the orange tabby cat, just a kitten at the time that showed up in the evergreen tree next to our deck railing. Buddha is the same cat that turned on the emergency blinkers. We’ve always kept cats. We live on a farm surrounded by fields and woods where mice run rampant. I envision felines in camouflage, army boots and helmets, carrying Tommy guns patrolling the house keeping unwanted rodents on the outside rather than the inside. I have a vivid imagination. I also visualize a couple of Cylons walking along side me when I’m out working on the trails. I say, “Lift this bench size rock and carry it back to my meditation garden.” Before lifting it effortlessly, they say “By Your Command.” You have to be a Battlestar Galactica fan.

(Picture of Buddha on the morning of October 25, 2007)

Peaches, our cat, aged seventeen years had served us well for a mouse free environment. In fact, I often watched her at the edge of the field, her eyes moving back and forth, like the red visor eyes of Cylons. She was now ready for retirement though, and that fact became evident in early March.

I began asking around for a cat. One neighbor was all too happy to help, and brought one over. But as my brother-in-law said owners choose dogs, but cats choose owners. This cat fled the scene before the neighbors returned to their own home. In my frustration I said, “God, we really need a cat.” Shortly, thereafter, within a day or two, the dogs were barking excitedly at the tree against our deck. I saw some movement with the tree. Thinking it was a squirrel or bird I dismissed it. Later the barking commenced again. My husband, home by this time, gave the matter closer inspection. He pulled the cutest little orange tabby cat from the branches. Remembering my plea of a few days ago I was in awe and amazement. We at first used the name Topaz; but somehow that didn’t fit. Buddha just popped into my head. That name stuck.

The following week my answered prayers and synchronicities became more intense. In laying the groundwork, five years ago, I perused my bookshelf for something to read. The vast majority would fall in the range of self-help books. I’m the queen of self-help books. I thought I knew every book I had; however, one stood out. It seemed out of place and strange. I didn’t recognize it at all. I pulled it out, racking my brain, trying to remember how I had acquired it. The book was, “Where There is Light” by Paramahansa Yogananda. It was just what I needed to read. I was captivated by the words of this person and began a search on the web to find out more about him. I read “Autobiography of a Yogi.” I now have quite a collection of his books. I made a habit of reading his words daily. Like keeping a gratitude journal, his words kept me in the groove, so to speak.

A couple of days after Buddha appeared, I lay my Yogananda book down in frustration. I said, “God, why can’t I meet a real live yogi, like these I’m always reading about?” You guessed it. Within that same week I received an email from a friend. A Himalayan monk was coming for a month on a lecture tour. He would be presenting his lectures within eighty miles from us. I began to read the bio on him that my friend sent. My body trembled and ecstatic tears of joy were falling as I read that his teacher’s teacher was Yogananda’s teacher.

My husband and I got to attend quite a few of his lectures, making lots of new spiritual friends during this time. I felt like his groupie; but I was not alone. With each lecture the crowd grew. Building fire codes were definitely broken. We sat at a Universal Church, saddened, as others were, that this would be his last talk in this area. We had no idea of his schedule, until he happened to mention during his talk that he would be presenting a talk on Divine Mother in Houston for Mother’s Day. Both my eyes and those of my husband widened at this revelation. We had weeks before made our reservations for the Houston area to see Chris’s parents.

We did see the Swami in Houston, and again in June in Chicago.

People Watching

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a people watcher. Those who follow the beat of a different drummer particularly enthrall me. I don’t necessarily want to emulate them or pick up their customs as my own, but still the actions of some individuals throw me off guard and captivate me.

For instance the other night I went into a convenient store, and there was a shirtless teenager reminiscent of Ashton Kutcher in front of me. This was obviously his primary shopping stop for groceries. I deduced this by his familiarity with the employees, his discount card and the discussion regarding a particular brand of cigarettes. The items being placed into the environmentally unfriendly plastic bags were powdered donuts, combos, some type of cheese chips, an ice cream bar, a liter of soda and a loaf of white bread. To his dismay the convenience store did not carry cheese singles. I didn’t know whether to feel sorry for him thinking he’s not going to have that body for long, or rather revere him for possessing a stomach of steel. I was thinking of the advanced yogi who could eat nails.

When at the grocery store I’m often observing others’ purchases. There are the what I refer to as absolute “food junkies,” those who fill their carts high with junk food. They obviously save time by altogether eliminating the fruit and vegetable isle. If any women are looking single men can readily be found congregating in the frozen food isle or packaged meat section. The husbands usually are on the cell phone asking now what am I supposed to get. This scenario is more prevalent around holidays, I’ve noticed. Then there are those who are trying to make healthy choices but are new to the scene. Recently a twenty something girl with her younger sister came up to me asking me to help them pick out a cantaloupe, as it was their first time. They were obviously doing some shopping cart watching of their own.

Several years back I could sit on my father’s front porch and watch one of his neighbors. She had OCD (obsessive compulsion disorder). Her house was said to be immaculate, although no one ever went in. I would observe her working out in the yard. The grass was mowed down to the seed, and trees were trimmed bare. I watched her work tirelessly moving her ladder from window to window as she cleaned. I had some company coming and thought I really need a professional to clean my house. Although, she didn’t clean others’ houses for a living I still asked her for a one-time job, to which she after some debate relented to doing. I wanted her to start at the back of the house in the bathroom and work her way forward; but she couldn’t get past the kitchen where she entered my house. After a couple of hours I urged her to move on to the rest of the house. At this point my very small kitchen was certainly clean enough for me. This happened throughout the rest of the day as I would say, okay, this room is clean enough, can we work on another one? On another occasion I asked her to come back, but she replied that my house had put her in bed for a day. I had thought about asking her to clean my dad’s house, but that would have surely put her in the hospital.

Guest Blogger – My friend Kersten from Sweden

How not to cure claustrophobia

A CBT therapist came all the way from Sweden to the Carter Caves in Kentucky to cure her claustrophobia, but failed!!!
Even though she brought her three-person support team from Sweden, and also a local friend, that didn’t help.
Full of hope she arrived at the caves, meeting the tremendous cave guide. Light and happy feet took her to the entrance of the cave. She went inside, the gate was closed behind her, she went into the tunnel, and then suddenly a big STOP came up inside her. Her very nice supportive friends tried to make her come inside by telling her sweet things, trying to tempt her, promising to comfort her if she got scared and also yelling at her. What a fuss, she was stuck in the tunnel, people in front, people behind her. She heard a strange sound, like a huge drum and she realized it was her heart beating. She screamed – I must get out and the unbelievable nice and understanding guide opened the cave and let her out. She found a bench, lay down, listening to the rain dripping and fell into a deep and relaxing sleep, forgetting about her failure, until voices woke her up, and her friends came back full of stories from the cave:

Kersten at the beginning of the Cave tour

- I was scared!
- It was total darkness
- There was a child
- It was excellent
- I saw things of the walls
- I think it was like darkness and light merging
- It was…
- I saw…

….voices faded away, voices went away
….sentences turned to words, turned to letters falling to the ground and beside them she saw a frog, and she turned down, and she kissed it and everything turned light and covered by diamond dust and she realized that what she always has been longing for was there………

All of us on the tour - Kersten, Heidi, Me, Claudia, Peter

Trying to Eat Healthier

Some meals from this week.

Lunch of Miso Soup with Hummus Veggie Wraps and Green Iced Tea

Dinner of Cantaloupe, Salad and Bread with Olive Oil

Dental Woes

I have not talked about my dental experiences on paper. In fact I’ve barely talked about them at all. Only my husband, daughter and a couple of close friends knew about them in any detail. With shame and embarrassment I just kept my mouth closed.

A friend recently shared her own dental woe, which made me reflect back to my own. On my last dental visit, only a couple of weeks ago, I was told my mouth looked wonderful! That was a great relief as I sit in the chair, always anticipating some problem might come up. There were years of neglect, consuming lots of sugar, and not going to a dentist, or rather not going to the right dentist. My fear of dentists and doctors in general is founded quite solidly on some quite suitable for mal-practice claim mistakes. But then when it comes to flight or fight, my philosophy is definitely flight to the point of burying my head in the sand, and thinking it is probably my karma. After a long lull in not going to a dentist I decided I finally had to bite the bullet and go. I chose wrongly. Lesson – don’t trust a swinging pendulum or crazy eight ball to give you the most appropriate dentist suitable for you. The dentist I went to attempted a root canal by drilling his own new bypass canal. It took three additional dentists to tell me there was no root canal done on that tooth. “But I have a bill I paid for it. I could show it to you. “ Their reply, “Get your money back.” A hypnotist got me through that suffering for a year.

Needless to say, even after no apparent root canal and two fillings falling out the day after the visit I just paid the bills and never returned. I thought perhaps I had owed this dentist a karmic debt from a former life, and hopefully it was now repaid tenfold.

My next step was to consult the “You Can Heal Your Life” book by Louise Hay, which said that tooth problems were because of long-standing indecisiveness. That was definitely true. I would try to be more decisive…. at least more decisive about the next dentist.

Finally, through holistic channels, I found a dentist to correct that woe, plus more. By this time all the neglect and continued suffering was turning into quite an expense. This dentist would only do things right which meant all the mercury was to come out of my mouth…. a complete start over. Due to my panic my husband sat with me during the first office visit as the damage was assessed and the cost was determined. I turned to him and said for that amount we can either get my teeth fixed or a boob job. Luckily, he chose the teeth, saying my boobs were big enough.

Now when I smile I just think about the wrinkles that form under my eyes. But those are just going to have to stay there.

The Birth

Sally lay in the narrow straw bed, wedged into a small corner, butted against the slightly larger one shared by Nell and Ib. At the first sign of her bulging belly she had moved into the small cabin, still referred to as a slave cabin, even though slavery was technically over. The white folks had thought it best that she be with her own kind, or that was the reason they gave her. She knew differently. Nell and Ib were sisters and the closest black folk. Getting on in years and not having anywhere to go they had stayed behind after the war when most had left.

Her belly continued to grow. Still she spent her time in the fields along side Nell up until the hour her water broke flooding the ground below. She and Nell made their way back to the small structure they called home, summoning that Ib be fetched along the way. Unlike the white folks, Nell had been sympathetic to her occasional pains and to the fact that she carried a child by a white man. It had been a way of life for as long as she could remember and could not be condemned as either right or wrong. It just was. Ib, on the other hand, working in the big house during the day, could sometimes be swayed by the whims and idle gossip of her mistress. Many a mistresses eyes were blinded when it came to such goings on by their men folk. The sinful glares were often cast on the poor tragic figure who suffered the consequences. Today, though, Ib’s compassionate nature came through, as she was all business in making Sally as comfortable as possible.

Ib and Nell took care of business. They boiled water and prepared the muslin sheets, paying particular attention to the contractions. Each had considerable mid-wife experience, and both concurred it would be a short labor. This was often the case for black women, who were leaner and tougher than their white counterparts. Sally laid against the wool-blanketed straw, the scratchiness of which was now her least misery, reflecting on her short life of eighteen years amid each contraction and pain. The sweat that trickled off her body was different than summer field sweat. The smell was sweeter. There was a womanly aura to it, a new experience for her. While most were having babies at much earlier ages, Sally, until nine months ago, had been immune to both the affections and lusts of the opposite sex.

Sally had been thrust into a situation where she lived between worlds, an oddity to both the black world and the white world, not truly fitting into either. Humans pushed to the brink have to make a decision, one that will regulate the course of existence. She didn’t want to see the same harsh world that others saw. Therefore, she niched out her own groove in the place where both all and nothing is, from which all things come, being of this world but not of it. It was a life adjusted to and adapted to by necessity, rather than choice, and learned over time. The color of her skin, which others saw so prominently, forced her into a limbo. The limbo between worlds was all she knew. It was a hard road to follow at times from both her own perspective and from the outside as well, if one on the outside took the time and consideration to see her plight. Such lives fraught with difficulties and bad circumstances are the ones that help to polish the soul. Sally took each difficulty as it came, adapting and surrendering, finding a depth inside herself she discovered and used as a harbor of safeness.

Sally drank in her life from a much wider perspective. She could see what came with a narrow vision, and she didn’t want that. At nights she held her head towards the stars beholding the universe with all it’s brilliance from which she surely must have come rather than the small spot on the planet where she worked during the day and slept at night.

Sally began to observe her surroundings from an undercurrent of stillness in which everything happens. When she could go deeper she discovered she was in fact that same stillness. Within the stillness she beheld the same power of the stars she gazed upon at night. The more she listened the louder the stillness became. There were her thoughts, and there was a gap between her thoughts where the stillness lay. There was a whole new identity in this gap, one that couldn’t be labeled. Her identity couldn’t be the labels people put on her. Her true identity was found somewhere within that gap. There was the pity, the shame, the judgment, and the torment. She was more than that. She was so much deeper. She looked out from the deep place that others couldn’t see into. She removed the mental sufferings from her mind dissolving them with the steady beat of her heart, a heart that became more determined to see love instead of hate.

When the pitfalls, which were many, would come, an inward pulse of determination would always set her on her feet again. Despite the circumstances dealt her she endeavored to live a good life. She knew by so doing that everything would become right in the end. She felt liberation would come closer with each good quality she cultivated. As each obstacle was left behind her current would become stronger. Her mind moved downward towards her heart. She became absorbed in her heart. She lived like a monk, drawing from the universe, to help those in her immediate world, striving to be above any hate or bitterness she observed.

The inner self was her dearest teacher. She detached herself from the images people had of her. She discarded the improper images she had of herself leaving them behind. She discovered her real nature within her inner self – where she met with God. God was the father she had barely known and the mother she lost as a child. God was in all. She rested in a childlike awareness, into a purity that pulled her beyond desires, and into her own consciousness. She fell into her own eternity, into her own nothingness, and saw the greatness in her own being. None of this she could explain. There was a multitude of feeling and wonder inside of her. The words were beyond anything she was able to express. On the outside she merely conveyed simple-mindedness.

Nell held the squalling child up, the cord still connected to Sally. Sally saw the greatness in the being coated with her own blood, a child with skin as black as her own, despite the whiteness of the father. Any judgment on him would now soon be forgotten, as new suspicions would rise in their place. At one moment she interpreted the baby’s strong cry with strength, a quality that she would need, if this child’s life was to be anything like that of her own. Then the cry tapered into a whimper, which belied confusion about the world in which she was born into. Sally, even though beholding and assisting with the scene of childbirth many times, lay with her own legs spread, stunned that this process was happening to her. She remained in her silence and in a state of exhaustion. The baby was merely called “Little Sally.” It was at a time when not much thought was given in naming. There seemed to just be a hand full of names that went around in any family, just handed down from generation to generation, as the child was seen as an extension of the one who came before. With colored babies, the name was merely an afterthought.

Sally held the baby in her arms and smiled as any proud mother would.

One Waterfall Along Our Hiking Trail

Second Waterfall Along Hiking Trail

Lincoln’s Logs

Sally (Picture)

Sally Ann Barnes, age 101, September 1959

Yesterday was a very good day in lots of respects. I met my good friend Autumn, who drove up from Beckley, WV. We shopped and had a very good lunch, and then walked 5 miles at Ritter Park in Huntington. Afterward we meditated and did yoga together.

After returning home I had a phone call from a friend I had went to high school with. She had found a picture for me. I was elated, and immediately drove to her house to pick it up.

I had been looking for a picture of Sally for over a year. Previously I had found a photocopy of a picture (not very good quality) probably taken in the 30’s or 40’s (just guessing).

Sally, pictured here, is at a Carter Caves reunion.

Vegetarian/Almost Raw Meal

Preparing a Wrap

Most of the ingredients are organic. The cucumber came from our garden. I’m trying to substantially increase the percentage of raw I eat. I’ve eaten lots of fruit today. The wrap, of course, isn’t raw. Nor was the chai latte I had this morning. But other than that, the day has been raw.

Veggie Quacamole Wraps

I added some mango slices and black olives to the meal.

Spur of the Moment Meals

It seems my best meals are prepared at the spur of the moment just using what I have on hand. Tonight, I had planned on meeting my husband after work, and going out to our favorite spot for pizza. It’s CJ Maggie’s, out of the way; therefore, we don’t get there too often. It’s not actually a pizza place, but they serve several pizzas, which are far better in my opinion than regular pizza places. At the last minute I didn’t really feel like going out tonight so opted to stay at home.

So, what to fix for dinner? I grabbed a box of whole wheat Cous Cous, always easy. Just add veggies. I looked in the fridge getting out squash from our garden, a small amount of onion, left over from cutting up onions from last night’s onion rings, some broccoli and a red bell pepper. I have a great fondness for red bell peppers. They always had pizzazz to a meal. I put a little safflower oil in my wok, adding the cut up veggies, along with salt, a few bits of cut up ginger and topped off with sesame seeds. I also like things that add a bit of crunch to a meal.

I was on a roll with healthiness and color so added a tomato from our garden along with mozzarella cheese slices arranged artistically. On top of that I put some sea salt and pieces of basil, which I grow as long as weather permits on our deck, and a touch of oil and vinegar dressing.

I also just opened an article up about ten spices that heal. I used two of those spices tonight – ginger which helps with nausea and basil, which combats colds.

It looks like we will have a bumper crop of chestnuts this year. I need to learn how to store those and to use them deliciously.

Learning the Art of Indian Cooking

Although I’m no expert on it, for the past three years I have experienced some of the best Indian food there is. Both my husband and I have eaten elaborate Indian buffets served by some of our newest and dearest friends who were the most gracious of hosts. The food was always prepared with great care and love – one reason it was so good. Another reason, other than exceptional culinary skills, the food was often prayed over while being prepared. I attended a retreat in June where this was the case. Today, I received in the mail a cookbook from Amazon entitled “Lord Krishna’s Cuisine – The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking,” the cookbook from which the meals were taken. I earned Internet search points until I arrived at enough to accumulate enough in Amazon gift cards to purchase the book, which also makes the purchase a little more satisfying.

We are both vegetarian; therefore, whenever we travel I pre-plan quite a bit on meals eaten out. If I find a restaurant that specializes in vegetarian and/or vegan food I will load it into our GPS. One such find was High Noon (http://www.rainbowcoop.org/cafe.htm) in Jackson, Mississippi on our recent trip to Texas. It is hard to get a vegetarian or vegan dessert so whenever one is offered I go for it. We had a carrot cake there I’m still pleasantly tasting. The beet/tofu burger my husband ordered was sensational. Ground round in my opinion pales in comparison. My husband, only a recently turned vegetarian, felt the same way. Now, if I only had the recipe for that one.

When traveling an Indian restaurant is a sure bet for vegetarian food. One of our favorites was Sitar Indian Cuisine (http://www.sitarnashville.com/index.asp) in Nashville, TN. And then there is our local favorite, Nawab, in Huntington, WV. They have an excellent lunch buffet and a very friendly staff.

While we were in Texas our host, Kavitha, gave Autumn, Jenny and I cooking lessons almost every day, even taking us on a couple of grocery trips to Indian grocery stores and helping us get the essentials. The ingredients so far removed from what has always occupied my pantry shelves are now finding their own niche’ in our home.

So tonight, thanks to one of my newest favorite web sites (http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/) I made the Indian meal of Upma Sooji which I have made now a total of three times. Although it turned out good, three times is not necessarily a charm in this case. I forgot to garnish with cilantro. Practice will hopefully make perfect. I made dessert rice – Sweet Saffron Rice. The first try on this dish, I have to say, really turned out quite well. The recipes are on the site, along with videos.

I hope to be trying some recipes soon from my new book, learning the art of Indian cooking, but more so learning the love that goes into a greatly prepared meal!

What We’re Doing in the Community

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This is a creation for Olive Hill Historical Society showing some activities of the society.

Watching My Food Pattern

I just heard a YouTube video about super foods. Out of what was listed I had two – goji berries and coconut. I’ve also had two bananas, eight strawberries and some plain yogurt as well as the juice of a carrot, two sticks of celery and an apple. I would think that almonds should be listed as super foods as well – I’ve had three of those…. raw, organic.

I don’t necessarily eat this healthy. I’ve also had two chai lattes. I make them at home. One was made with skim milk, one with water – both with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles. I also had some cheddar crackers. Both the whipped cream and crackers (the natural equivalent of cheese-its) came from the health food store and some Earl Grey tea.

I’ve also had a very small bit of barley salad (the goji berries were in this) and soy fake chicken.

That really sounds like a lot, which it probably is.

I still have dinner to make. It will be a salad with some kind of bread and green iced tea.

So, dinner is done. (pictured above) With the sesame seed bread we had goat cheese in olive oil and herbs. We got to eat on the deck. We take advantage of that whenever possible. Seems like the season just fly by. I’m now having a Rijgira Ladoo for dessert. It reminds me a little of a nut cracker jack cluster. It’s very small.

Tonight’s Meal

Aloo (Potato) Masala for Dosa and Asparagus with Ginger

Both are vegan dishes and can be found on http://www.manjulaskitchen.com

Both really turned out well.

Lincoln’s Logs – Progressing with the Cabin

By Jerri Schlenker

Over the course of summer a project has been going on at Carter Caves State Park – building a facsimile of Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace cabin in celebration of his bi-centennial birthday. The project began as the brainstorm of Olive Hill Historical Society. We took the idea to other organizations for support. The Carter County Homemakers pledged their support with a donation of $500 towards the project. This was in February.

The project started in July after preliminary steps were taken such as securing a site and then negotiating for logs. We wanted a woodsy sitting to best exemplify the natural scenery that Lincoln’s first boyhood home would have occupied. Carter Caves State Park seemed ideal for this. We wrote to Frankfort for permission to erect the cabin on the grounds of Carter Caves. Within only a couple of days Gerry Vandermeer, Director of Parks, gave us the go ahead. He loved the idea. Having the partnership with Carter Caves in this endeavor would take care of a variety of problems such as insurance and security to name only a couple.

Brian and Katie Burton

The next step was in acquiring logs. We made a plea through several news sources and our website: www.olivehillhistoricalsociety.org for the donation of logs. We did receive two donations this way; however, since we were relying on volunteer labor mainly on Saturdays this way of getting logs got rather discouraging. So, we went to a couple of lumber mills. Globe Hardwood in Olive Hill agreed to a reduced price for logs and would deliver them to the site as part of the cost. In order to pay Globe Hardwood we requested donations for logs and called it “buy a log.” We got several donations and were able to buy the needed logs for the main part, excluding any historical markers and recognition, which will go up later.

“Volunteers on the Site”

Our first workday in June turned out a good number of volunteers. The main work was in notching the logs, and this went quite well. Then as often is the case a number of problems arose to prevent the steady progress of construction. I doubt if this would have been the case in the early 1800’s when Lincoln’s parents were putting up a cabin since getting a roof over your head was of prime importance. However, in our own modern times, as many of you who have done your own construction projects know how slow these things can drag out.

There was a delay in getting all the logs. This brought construction to a halt. The busyness of summer also deterred the project. The remainder of the logs was delivered in late July during the time of Pioneer Life Week, the same spot the cabin is going up – so for a few weeks they were on the grounds of Carter Caves, but not close enough to the actual site. Many of our volunteers, of course, had other summer things planned, which is understandable, bringing yet more delays; but we trudged along slowly but surely with a determination to succeed with this undertaking.

Bob McGlone and Chris Schlenker

The next phase of construction began in late August. A weekend break was taken to make a trip to Hodgenville to see the cabin first hand. This brought new inspiration. We are now ready for the roof, chimney and chinking. Thus far no nails have been used. We were told that our spacing of the logs was more authentic than the historical cabin on display. The display cabin traveled across the country and had been dismantled and reassembled so much that the logs became too fragile for notching. Thus, they only sit on top of one another making for a very wide space between the logs and making the cabin rather tall for one story.

Cabin to Date

This coming weekend we will begin the roof and chimney construction and invite anyone who wants to participate.

We are in need of chinking experts and invite younger ages to participate in this part.

Burchett Family Reunion

Burchett Family Reunion with Sally, c. late 1930's