OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS....

....to Grandmother's house we go.
The Subaru knows the way
to carry the trays
through the white and drifting snow...

On the way to Pigeon Roost today, I'll drive up and around Grandfather Mountain. I've always thought his profile looked like Abraham Lincoln.

I'm headed toward a meal of turkey, pork ribs, gravy, dressing, collards, green beans, shelly beans, 'taters, cranberry sauce, and about 15 desserts. And at the top of the Thanksgiving Day list is the hug I'll get from Grandma Ruth, who'll turn 107 years old in January. Can't wait!!

THE GIRLS STEP OUT!

Office mates...Virgos...often taken as a somewhat whacky mother / daughter duo..an eccentric mid-50's type biddy and an eccentric 30 -something biddy.... out for a morning of shopping. No, not at the mall...(they would NEVER go there)....Yes, to the local flea market...Yes, in search of haute couture!

YUMMY HEART

I stole this from Brett and Betsy's blog to include in my collection of hearts. I have ceramic and wooden hearts all over the house, and for years, I've collected hearts of stone. I like to keep files of ones I find in magazines, the internet, cards, etc. The great thing about this beautiful one is that it's edible!

INTENTIONS

(Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love)

I suppose years of being surrounded by people who create high thoughts rather than injurious ones have distanced me from the sad reality that many people waste a lot of time in useless, judgmental, paranoic speculation about others. These sorrowful folks tend to believe the most outrageous tidbits that come their way, and very sadly, they exacerbate and add to ridiculous, unfair, hurtful misinformation and suppositions about others. It's a useless proposition to ponder if these folks will evolve into greater spiritual awareness; however, I often wonder just how much any given collective could produce in a healthy, thriving way if those involved in rampant, useless, and petty "poop" would transmute their negativity into an energy based in respect and productivity. Hmmmmmmmm.......

I have a wonderful book titled The Book of Intentions I refer to frequently when trivial, non-productive crap is thrown my way. I reference it now, as I write my intentions for today, November 19, 2008. (The sweet writing of Thich Nhat Hahn and the wisdom of Marianne Williamson are woven into these thoughts.)

I intend to remove my mind from the tendency to jump to conclusions about others.

I intend to remove my mind from the tendency to react to the misconceptions and erroneous conclusions of others.

I intend to remove my mind from the tendency to blame.

I intend to stand in my power, through love rather than fear and peace rather than reaction.

I intend to speak only in the voice of love.

I intend to do no harm through my words or actions.

I intend to cleanse my thoughts of negativity.

I intend to direct my thoughts toward compassion and forgiveness.

I intend to associate with only those people whose words and actions reflect goodness toward others.

So may it be. Namasté

NEWS FLASH !!

Today, yours truly filled up the Subaru for a grand total of $4.20. Yes friends, $4.20!

I thought I had really pulled one off on the big gas companies until I realized I had to buy about $200 worth of groceries to get that much off my gas cost with my Giant Eagle card.

Oh well, for just a moment, it felt really good!

SCORPIO GIRL #2 CELEBRATES HER BIRTHDAY

Today it's Bobbi's birthday...41 years old...an amazing part of my life for the past 28 years...daughter....friend....mother of sweet, sweet Isabella...healer....yogi....powerful...loving...fun, oh, so fun...There's no one on the planet I laugh with as much as by Bob.....

Photo to follow whenever I can get one scanned or find one on line....

NIVIA GONZALEZ

Just surfing the web and checking out some art....Came across some prints by Nivia González, one of my favorite latina artists...She was severely injured in a wreck back in the 90's, but it looks like she's painting again.

VETERAN'S DAY - IN HONOR OF PAPA

PFC Zebulon Vance Shook - 1st Armored Division - Sniper in advance of the troops at the Invasion of Anzio
Emblem of the 1st Armored Division

My dad was very proud of his military service. Veteran's Day means more to me today than ever. I miss my dad.

RADIO PARADISE AND . . .

It's been a while since I put in a plug for something here on Namasté, so today I'm into "review mode" and inviting all the readers of Namasté blog (the few of you there are !) to check Farm favorites of the moment....

I'll start with Radio Paradise - internet radio at its finest, commerical-free listening with an eclectic playlist (oldies, newbies, domestic, international interspersed). It comes highly recommended. A supporter of good causes, RP's definitely a site to bookmark on your computer. I have it on every day all day. The last four cuts I've heard while putzing around the computer have ranged from Beck to The Replacements to John Lennon to Trespassers William. As Borat would say, "I like...!"

And, as we move into early dark evenings when a quiet evening with a good movie (or series) and a cup of hot tea hit the spot, I'd recommend "Monarch of the Glen," the most recent arrival from my Netflix queue. It's a BBC series about the 14th generation of the McDonald family's effort to rescue Glenbogle (a ficticious castle in Scotland) from financial collapse. The scenery of the Scottish highland is breathtaking, and the antics of the old "laird" of the land, Hector McDonald make me laugh out loud like I do when Inspecteur Clousseau bumbles around. I'm into the second year of the series and liking it more with each episode. It's light viewing and definitely illustrates the superiority of British TV over American. Check it out....

And, if you've ever clicked from Namasté to The Daily Coyote (link on my blog roll list), you'll recogize Shreve and Charlie the Coyote in the lastest issue of People Magazine, the one with Barack Obama on the front. Shreve's book about a year living with a coyote is slated to come out in early December, and it's my #1 choice for Christmas giving. I'm blatantly promoting it as the gift of the season. Several people on my list will be receiving their own personal copy. I've gotten to know Shreve somewhat via a series of emails we've exchanged, and her story with Charlie, along with the amazing photos she's taken to document their live together, will touch your heart. Eli, the cat, and Chloe, a rambunctious border collie/hound puppy, complete the list of characters you'll meet in Shreve's book.


Finally, here's an aside unrelated to Farm reviews... I just talked with The Farm's beloved Lori Beth. She called to let me know she'd be sending good vibes to The Farm this afternoon as she accompanies Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood's family, and the Kreugers (of Nickelback fame) on a yacht ride around Maui and other nearby islands. Only our Lori could manifest such a glamourous afternoon sail! Yes, I'm envious.....

Love to all from The Farm on this chilly, overcast, gray November day....(If I could teleport, I'd be right there with you, Lori!)

SHE'S 17 YEARS OLD TODAY, AND I COULDN'T BE PROUDER!

Kind, caring, sincere, fun, funny, fun-loving, highly intelligent, beautiful (physically and spiritually), wise, life-loving, amazing........ my Scorpio girl....

Happy Birthday, Eliza!

TANYA'S CALLING THE VOTE FOR OBAMA!

I haven't missed a vote for president since I turned 18 in 1970, and today surpassed my first vote as the most exciting vote I've cast. As I listen to the election news tonight, I am hopeful our country is headed toward renewal, and yes, hope for better times to come. Right now, Barack Obama is one of my heroes, and I'm not at all timid about announcing it to the world. Yes, I have hope....I'm eager to see some change in the US....I'm eager to have a president who is already embraced by people across the planet...I'm delighted we'll have a person with intelligence leading this country. Yes, I believe in Barack Obama we have a winner....!!