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....!!

JOYOUS, JOYOUS NEWS

(Pepín & Laida Carro - August, 2007)

A few weeks back, I wrote about my friends, Laida and Pepín Carro. Pepín was in seriously critical condition after a series of heart surgeries. When I see him again, I'm going to give him the award for "Most Times Knockin' on Death's Door Without Getting an Answer Award." After the second surgery, Pepín developed an intense infection, pneumonia, and edemas all over his body. It's been touch and go every day, and Laida has been pulled between being with him at the hospital and visiting her mother, who's bedridden and receiving care in a private home. I really can't remember life being so intense for anyone as it has been for Pepín, as he has struggled to live, and Laida, who's been caretaking double time.

OK, here's the bestest, bestest news...Pepín is out of the coma, breathed four hours on his own yesterday without the respirator, and smiled and joked a bit with the MD's. It's really the first sign of "life" that we've seen from him since his first surgery on September 15th, and we are all esctatic! There's not doubt in my mind that he's been sustained by prayer and a determined will unlike I've witnessed before, and although he's not out of the woods yet, there's certainly a light at the end of the tunnel.

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I'm jumpin' for joy, and my heart's bubblin' over with gratitude!

THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER

Yes, I fear the last rose of summer has bloomed and faded away as the temperatures have dropped down to the low 30's and plants have gotten the message that we're much closer to cold weather than warm. As the nights grow longer and the days shorter, I sense the onset of winter energy all around--in my body, in the faces of others, in the Earth. As much as I welcome the time to move deep within, I know the challenges we all face in terms of keeping the energy around us light and carefree. I think those critters who hibernate figured it out a long time ago...best just take a long nap and wake up with there's some warmth and fresh spring days about!

It's Friday...There are no pressing commitments this weekend....Eliza and I are going to go see "Beverly Hills Chihuahua." Other than cleaning the house and watching a couple of videos, I can't forsee much more happening around The Farm....And, for the moment, that's a totally OK notion.

Namasté...

RECENT PHOTOS

I haven't had my camera out much lately, but this weekend, I took some time to take a few photos. Here's a sample. More to come......

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Little had I realized that the MySpace and Facebook networks were as amazingly outreaching as they are! As a result of the Facebook page of the Marietta Class of 1998, my last class I taught at Marietta High School, I am now in touch with members of that class as well as former students that I taught prior to and after the 1998 group. It's amazing!! I can honestly say that if I hadn't had this totally unexpected connection, I wouldn't have known what's happening in the life of Calvino Perrine or Josué Macatol!!

What is just a daily part of their lives has become for me the hightlight of my day! I can write on the "Walls" of my former students; I can see photos of their families; I can experience what is happening with them on a daily basis. WOW! I am amazed and in disbelief that we are still connected and live in the lives of our interconnected past like we are.

If anyone's interested, my Facebook account is www.facebook.com/tswilder and my MySpace is simply http://www.myspace.com/ (search for Senora Wilder). As more and more connections are made, I'm grateful to the world of computers/cyberspace for keeping us all connected. It's really, really amazing! And, it's a touch of "human-ness" that I had yet to connect with the world of computers.

IT MUST BE RUNNING IN THE FAMILY

When I mentioned to Samuel that I was contemplating a new "do," he sent me his latest photo, the one he's using on his graduate school applications. Thought I'd share it with all. He's always envied men who could sport a good mullet, and finally, he's convinced himself he's a good candidate. What a handsome dude!



(October Fools!)

IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE

The long, graying, straight hair has to go. It's time for a new "do"-- a new look if you will ... a makeover.

I've narrowed my choices to the "looks" below...What's your preference??????? Please let me know. I'd appreciate your ideas....Thanks, in advance..


A.

B. C.
D.

I'm leaning toward "C".

FALL EQUINOX - TODAY

Actually, the fall equinox officially arrived just over 30 minutes ago. It's officially autumn, so we can celebrate the balance of dark and light today.

Balance seems to be a great word for the day.

Happy Mabban!

PEPIN and LAIDA

My friends in Miami, Pepí and Laida, are going through it right now. Pepín has had not one, but two MAJOR heart operations in the last week to repair a congential heart defect that went unnoticed throughout his life until recently. To make a long story short, his weakened heart along with the trauma of the surgery has taxed his body tremendously, and after the first surgery last week (9/15), the heart did not respond as the MD's had hoped, and Friday (9/19), he was back in the operating room for another 7 hour surgery. He's stable now, but still in ICU and still assisted with a ventilator and other sustaining mechanisms.

At the same time, Laida's mom is in a frail state with many things happening in her body and mind. She's bedridden, unable to care for herself. Normally Laida goes to visit her every day, but Pepíns urgent situation has prevented Laida from being able to see Liana, her mom, as much recently.

I wrote this letter to Laida and Pepí yesterday. In my heart of hearts, I'd love to be there with them to assist however I could. Once again, for me, the opportunity presents itself to support from a distance, and I invite Namasté readers to hold two of my very best friends in their thoughts and meditations.

Thanks.......T.

_____________________________
September 20, 2008

Dear and beloved Laida and Pepín,

If I could wave my magic wand, I would transport the two of you to The Farm to be here with me right now on this beautiful early fall day. The sun’s bright in the sky, and huge, soft, puffy clouds slowly drift by. It’s the sort of day that began with a gentle fall chill in the air and has matured over the afternoon into a classic Indian summer day. In just a little while, I’ll go out to water my plants since there’s no rain in the forecast and they’re looking a bit thirsty.

At this very moment, a juvenile red-tail hawk is soaring over the front pasture directly in front of the house. It’s obvious he hasn’t had much experience in the upper wind currents since he lets out a squeal every time he gets caught in an updraft. The blue jays and crows are competing in a calling contest off in the distance. I’d give the crows the award for being a bit more melodious than the blue jays since their squawk carries no musicality at all. The last of the summer’s hummingbirds is checking out the feeders to see if I’ve filled them lately with sugar water they drink by the quarts. Pepín, you’d be fascinated by the yellow warblers as they flit about with their last clutch, the mom and dad teaching the young ones who’re just learning to fly the ins and outs of being airborne before leaving soon for warmer climates as fall approaches here. The yellow warblers always remind me of your canaries.

The cats sleep soundly on the deck at my feet, moving from time to time to stretch and yawn before drifting off to sleep again. They live a life of luxury here…sleeping all day, mousing all night, and occasionally chasing each other in bursts of play. The two white cats rally to swat at each other’s tails and pester lazy, lazy Hendrix as he snores on the rail. Loonis, the farm grump, keeps her distance and hisses quite nastily if anyone dares invade her special place on the deck.
Annie and Molly are beseeching me to take a walk so they can head down to the stream at the back of the field to wallow in the mud and cool off. The goldenrod’s in full bloom now, and the ironweed, a deep, pure purple flower, mixes in beautifully with the brightness of the goldenrod’s yellow. There are a lot of butterflies about now, and the dragonflies are really numerous as well. It’s so dry the grass really crunches under my feet, and in the distance, the trees show signs of reds and oranges in the tips of their leaves.

When the dogs and I go on a walk, we’re always accompanied by at least three of four cats. I talk to all of them as I would to Samuel or Eliza if they were along, and I’m always amazed by what we experience when we’re out in the fields and woods together. So many times only the animals and I have experienced really amazing things on our walks. I can’t wait for you two to spend some time with me here. It’s always quiet and peaceful at The Farm, even during the day. This afternoon, only the songs of the birds and an occasional car passing along the road in the distance interrupt the stillness of the afternoon.

At times when I’m so surrounded by certain creatures in nature, I look up the Native American lore on what they signify on the level of spirit…Today I chose to read about butterflies, dragonflies, and hummingbirds. I like what I’ve found: butterflies remind us that we are always in the process of transformation; dragonflies remind us that change in our bodies and spirits are necessary for our transformation, and hummingbirds bring us lightness of spirit to assist us as we renew the magic in our lives. As I read this today, I thought about the two of you and your process at this time. It might take a while and a good bit of patience, but on the other side of this ordeal, there will be amazing transformations, all of which will redefine your lives in the best of ways.

My prayers and those of many, many people all over the world encircle and embrace you all. I’ve called out everyone I know who has strong prayer and healing connections. I so wish I could be there in Miami with you to do whatever I could to ease the intenseness of the moment. For now, I stay connected with you in prayers and in the space of peace that The Farm offers. I send the energy of the Earth, the sunshine, the flowers, and the fields to you to deepen your breath and assist you both with strength, peace, patience, and courage.

I love you both.
Tanya

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I'm glad it's Friday.
I'm grateful I've had the afternoon, evening, and night here alone at The Farm.

ONE DAY DOWN & 180+ TO GO

One would think that after 32 years of teaching, I'd be able to sleep the night before school starts. But, oh no! The same excitement and fear of oversleeping that have woken me up anywhere between 3 - 5 AM the night before classes start struck again last evening, and I didn't sleep any after 4:35 AM. As a result, I've been in front of classes one day, and I'm already exhausted! How much longer can I do this?

My classes, thank goodness, are small, and my initial gut feeling is that my students are relatively conscientious and bright. Those who had to be in class at 8AM today had a pretty sonambulous look on their faces, but once their caffeine kicked in, they seemed to rally a bit. I, of course, was working on automatic pilot. "Hola...My name is Señora Wilder...Bienvenidos a la clase de español...It's going to be a GGRREEAT quarter, etc."

Once I get back into the routine of my schedule, I'll be fine, but for now, my heart tells me to get outside, and my body says 6:30 AM is way to early to get up.