Bebbie sent this quote to me just now, such a great quote, thank you Beb!

here's a True Quote for ya:

"I am not I.
I am the one who walks beside me that I cannot see.
And the one whom at times I manage to visit.
And the one whom at times I forget.
And the one who remains calm and silent while I talk.
And the one who forgives gently when I move into
fear or doubt or anger.
And the one who walks where I cannot go.
And the one who remains standing when I die."

- Juan Ramon Jimenez

My Crissmiss ( Christmas) List. As Usual, I am easy to shop for. Just ask my kids! Or any man in my life!

Read and weep:

1. Set of 6 Wiinblad cups ( small mugs). ( Ebay)... Well X that off your idea list because I already won them and they have been delivered (today) and are sitting on my; table, mantle and book case as I type. Sweet cups, so small they could almost be egg cups, but aren't.





Yes! It is Christmas, a time to give, and well, how can I forget about me? ~smiling~

These are sweet cups, and I invite you over to have dark chocolate with whipping cream with me and Kitty, well Kitty has his own whip cream bowl. Yum Yum, we'll just sip our dark chocolate and get those tasty cream moustaches, and laugh at each other like we're kids or something....somebody here must be!

I make no apologies. If I had not bid on these cups, I promise no one would have done it for me! ...But they are, to sher!

2. I would also like the Salton Yogurt maker ( cheap) mentioned blog before this one. I admit any of the Salton products I mentioned except the recharagable wine chiller, and the retro toaster, and the mixer, and the smores maker would be great gifts for me. If you need my address, just email me, and I will provide it so you can send my presents.

3. I would love to try that pizza oven I admit, just to test it, of course!

4. I need a combination expresso and coffee maker, and Italian one would be great. One with an instant milk steamer function. I love my latte's!

5. I didn't get a diamond last year, so I add that to this years list. Make it Canadian with the polar bear. At least over a Karat!
(will do nicely)

6. A Dorie, Holga, and a Diana toy camera for artistic expression, ( tiring of digital world). intros and more here. 24.95


Excerpt: (quote)
Somewhere in China is a factory that turns out one of the most laughably awful excuses for a camera I've ever seen. In fact, to call this thing a camera at all is to exaggerate. Replica of a camera might be better. Parody of a camera better still.

"This thing is a molded plastic box with a fixed shutter (well actually a coiled spring attached to a piece of metal that blinks), a lens (sort of) and a hole to sight through. That's it. No prism, no auto-focus, no motor drive. No glass, actually. The lens is plastic.

The Holga camera is the current incarnation of a line of cheap toys that began years ago with a similarly made camera called the Diana. It costs about $15 and though it looks like a cheap 35mm camera, it takes medium-format (120mm) film.

What is amazing about this camera is that it takes pictures at all. What is even more amazing is that, given the right conditions, it can produce pictures that are simply wonderful.

A few years ago, Tom Kochel, a commercial and fine-art shooter, displayed at one of Washington's finest photography galleries a set of prints he had made on his old Diana camera. It was not an April Fool's gag, either. Kochel's work, at the Jones Troyer Fitzpatrick Gallery, was gorgeous. And just recently, Craig Sterling, a fine-art photographer whose black-and-white prints go for big bucks, had me over to take a look at his most recent work, made not with the Hasselblad he usually totes, but with the Holga he carried around during his honeymoon in Italy. More gorgeous work." FRANK VAN RIPER
The Des Moines Register 1993
Frank Van Riper is a columnist for the Washington Post http://www.holgamods.com/what/what.html

7. PJ's that make me look great! Scales that lie! A friend to skate with daily.

Hmm, now what do I need? To be honest, I need nothing. Once you are over 50, all you need are anti wrinkle creams, gift certificates for botox injections, or prescriptions drug gift cards (for hormones). Diets that work, and computers with easy programs like iphoto to touch up photos. ( Cheaper and less painful than a face lift)

All this means, that over 50, one realizes that all we really need is our youth and health. Yet the search for enlightenment continues.....saving grace.

It is Christmas, time for celebration of truth ( for which we all seek, whether we know it or not) Christ ( Truth) Mass
(Celebration). we all celebrate truth if we see it. Freedom. This time of year reminds me that Christ 's message was of forgiveness (to me anyway). Forgive everyone, forgive your self, It is the way to rise to another level of consciousness. It is non dual, and is peace.

I forgive everyone for everything, now, and I forgive me. I now know there is no one to forgive, and no one forgiving, in reality, for if we are ONE, who forgives, and who must be forgiven? Christ's message is this to me, after years of trying to understand what was imparted to me. I am grateful for this message and for peace!

I am thankful for my new companion, my incredible Cat! My family, kids, Mike, friends, acquaintences, teachers, all. Life is perfect!

Bless you ALL, ALL... this season for whatever it means to you! Nite now!

Finally, a Tree is decorated. Last minute gift ideas. Memories. This tree is in honor of my new Kitty Kat with birds and shimmering ribbons...

a veritable temptation complete with a crow under the tree feeding on pomegranates. Filled with hydrangeas from Kim's garden ( dried finally, some took root), scrumptious berries, seeds, and dangling twirling hearts adorn my kitty's tree, but he had a rough day and has not seen the finished product. Early to bed, and late to rise, he tries to get us ready for bed at about 8:00 every night. He snores SOUNDLY through the night, and awakens at the crack of noon some days, A real good snoozer. He fits in really well with us! Then he goes out to play (heartily, I am guessing) or scrapping, in this, his new terriority, for the remainder of the day..







The Elk ornaments were my Grandmothers. I love them. They work so well with this natural tree.
I have very little, save memories from my family. I treasure the small things I have. Mostly things that make me appreciate what I do today. Sometimes it is just the ability to eat whatever food a new culture has to offer, be it hogs head porridge, or fermented beans.

An angel ornaments made by Sally is school, beautiful.

A small ball ornaments (styrofoam covered with colored foil paper) made by Daisy and I together in Mukilteo when we first moved here. We had no ornaments to use, so we made al of our own together. I still have them. I remember going to the small craft store for supplies. We tucked tiny roses into some of them.

An ornament I taught my Grandma to make and we made together, it is a ball, covered with pretty Crissmiss paper, then waxed, and polished. Hers has a Santa on it. Made with her precious hands that taught me to sew; crochet, make cookies, love pie, other cultures, people, ideas.

These hands, holy hands I saw as she lie dying, white and delicate of a precious materials, one that would be worthy only of covering the divine soul, tiny bones rippled the surface underneath, like a concentric circle from a tiny drop of scared water ripples an unfathomable depth of water.












Last minute gift ideas: All from Salton, one of my favorite manufactures of cool appliances.

The smores maker.


Henreitta Hen From Salton for poached eggs


Oven Del Casa...
Brick style pizza oven Perfect for a home with pizza lovers, teens, and Mom's who like cool, cute, stuff.



Pro mixer in stainless.


One quart yogurt maker


The blue personal blender Also comes in Green and red..19.00.


The malt shop Yellow and green, 49.00


for only $199.00 you get this cool, "Big Chill," ice cream maker in yellowThey also make a 40.00 ice cream maker.


Rechargable....wine chiller, can't live without this!$40.00


The retro Toaster 30.00


Salton Smores Maker Ya gotta take it camping!

My photos from hiking Mt Adams, a Cascade Volcano

Taken at Sunrise. The night before it was very windy. I think I slept ouside my tent in my bag, however, that way I don't miss a star, the moon, the dawn. Or maybe this was one of those times we were short a sleeping bag, and it was cold and uncomfortable, sitting awake waiting for morning to dawn! Oh well, some things you think you will never forget, but you do.

Read more about the Cascade Ranges here...skiing the Cascade Volcanoes.
The Cascade Volcanoes

Enjoy these photos, they are so beautiful in full size, they take you there. They make me want to go back.

Adams;
Major Peaks:
Main Summit: 12276 ft (3742 m)
The Pinnacle: 12080 ft (3682 m)
Pikers Peak (False Summit): 11657 ft (3553 m) Compare with...

Mount Rainier
14411 ft (4392 m) Highest point in Washington State .
Major Peaks:
Columbia Crest: 14411 ft (4392 m)
Point Success: 14158 ft (4315 m)
Liberty Cap: 14112 ft (4301 m)
Little Tahoma: 11138 ft (3395 m)

From this area you can see Mt Hood and Mt St Helens. Higher up, of course, you can see all the Volcanoes of the area. Sigh, I wish I had moved here long long ago, when I was a kid. I don't want to reincarnate, but if I have to, I would like to climb more..all my life.









Found Photos of Adams:

Mt. Adams
By Dave Goeke (pronounced Gaykey)
The air was so clear and the light made Mt. Adams jump out of the distance.
Location: Mt. Adams from Sunrise Road in Mt. Rainier Nat. Park
Date: Thursday, Jul 14th, 2005

New meaning to black bean soup! ..And... Spoiled cat!

Odds are... Check here for results to current fights. This one is my cat vs his terrority.

Yesterday morning at 4 AM the sky was clear and bright, I went outside and took a deep breathe of cold brisk air, umm..it felt so good. I almost went for a walk, but talked myself out of it somehow?

I looked out 1.5 hours later, and it was so foggy I couldn't see my neighbors backyard!

All day it was foggy all over this area, out to Marysville where I went shopping, highlands and lowlands both covered in fairly dense fog. Driving was slower, which was nice for a Sunday and shopping day prior to Christmas.

I was making black bean soup yesterday, and I caused a fire. I left the house forgetting I had them cooking. ( I confess) The house was filed with smoke. My poor kitty, he suffered some smoke inhalation! But he is fine now.

This gives new meaning to black bean soup! I always burn beans!

You think I might get a a crockpot for Crissmiss?

Yesterday, my kitty awoke alone in the morning on the coach. I heard a," Mer rhrr," he was wondering how he had to sleep all alone. The whole day he refused to talk to me or acknowledge me in any way whatsoever! He simply went to the door when he wanted out, but didn't talk. He is a talker! He wouldn't even turn his head to the side for me to scratch his ears when I was petting him, it was like he was saying, "you don't count anymore!" What a pouter! Then I almost burn his house down...he is not a happy cat today, still annoyed with me for burning the beans I guess!

Now he stands on the floor and looks up at me when he wants to get up by the window, as if to say, "you owe me big time, today you will be my slave,,,pick me up and put me on my cushion by the window!" And I do it!

I still don't have his present. I think I will get him some small cans of gourmet food, and a cardboard box to play in (that one is easy!) I can even wrap it! He loves boxes! Just like any kid!

After all these years, I am a Mother again. Mother to a spoiled cat! My pleasure!

Do you ever wonder about the convoluted nature of life?

I have, and do, and as usual, my conclusions make sense to me. Is that scary, or what? As my mind seems to do, it comes to a conclusion quickly, knowing without really knowing how I know. It is strange, but feels most normal. At any rate, convoluted seems to explain all of life, a great connection, a coil, a spiral, where everything is connected.

Convolutions always seemed weird to me, until this moment when I realized that it is the way life is connected, the way we reap what we sow, the way drama is, the way life unfolds, what we create for all the reasons we create and in all the ways we create, all of us, from the most innocent to the most out at the fringe kind of person.

I think of the luxury honesty is, and of those who cannot afford the luxury of being honest because their lives do not cooperate with mainstream life. And I think of how mainstream life is meaningless, and just as convoluted in another way. I think of growth and how it always seems to spiral, arriving at a place of knowing something only to forget and revisit it again as if I have coiled around to the same place again, maybe a little different orientation this time round.

Good reason not to judge, and to forgive, everyone, and ourselves. It's late, and maybe this doesn't make sense to many people, but to me, it does whether I am saying it succinctly or not. As diffferent as we feel we are from anyone else, in reality, we are alike. In reality, we are all coiled together in one. In this chaotic appearing life is hidden a symmetry, a perfection, that our eyes cannot see. We are love wound.

Does anyone know what I am addressing here?

(con·vo·lut·ed) (kon²vo-l[ldbomac]t¢[schwa]d) [L. convolutus] rolled together or coiled.
- an intricate pattern of endless convolutions
[1913 Webster]

coiled \coiled\ (koild), adj.
curled or wound especially in concentric rings or spirals;
as, a coiled snake ready to strike; the rope lay coiled on
the deck. Opposite of uncoiled.

Note: [Narrower terms: coiling, helical, spiral, spiraling, volute, voluted, whorled
; convolute rolled longitudinally upon itself
;curled, curled up;
involute closely coiled so that the axis is obscured)
; looped, whorled; twined, twisted;
convoluted; involute, rolled esp of petals or leaves in bud: having margins rolled inward)
; wound]

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin

Just found this, interesting:

Fractal Geometry, a Case in point.

Crissmiss music list..LISTEN to music!

It is very beautiful music: You can get it on Itunes! PS. (When Daisy was little, she wrote a sweet poem about Christmas, and spelled it Crissmiss.) I think it is so sweet. BTW, a recent study by a major university published documentation that we have no torbule reading words all misspelled as lnog as all ltetres are cteainod and the fisrt and lsat letters are fisrt and lsat.

Keep in mind this is a phone recording, and be patient. You will get an idea anyway of some nice music. ( use your imagination)

The Holly and the Ivy 3:08 Mediaeval Baebes Mistletoe & Wine World

Lamb of God 2:25 John Michael Talbot The John Michael Talbot Collection Inspirational

We Three Kings of Orient Are 2:08 Tim Janis Christmas Holiday

Gloria 2:38 Jewel Joy: A Holiday Collection Holiday

God Is The Light 3:37 Yusuf Islam Box Set-The Last Folk

O Holy Night 3:43 Anuna Christmas Songs Holiday

O Come All Ye Faithful 3:24 David Drinkel, The Chieftains & The Renaissance Singers The Bells of Dublin Holiday

Morning Has Broken 3:21 Cat Stevens The Search: Box Set (Disc 1) Folk

O Come, O Come Emmanuel 3:48 David Nevue O Come Emmanuel New Age

A Breton Carol 3:43 The Chieftains & Nolwenn Monjarret The Bells of Dublin Holiday

Good People All, This Christmastide 3:18 Taverner Consort, Choir & Players with members of the New London Chamber Choir and the Henrietta Barnett School Choir, Andrew Parrott The Promise of Ages - A Christmas Collection Classical

Slumber My Darling 4:48 Alison Krauss, Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Connor & Yo-Yo Ma Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster Folk

Communion Song 4:30 John Michael Talbot The John Michael Talbot Collection Inspirational
Ave Maria 3:43 Jewel Joy: A Holiday Collection Holiday

Undrentide 4:48 Mediaeval Baebes Mistletoe & Wine World

The Wexford Carol 3:08 Derek Bell, Kevin Conneff, Martin Fay, Matt Molloy, Nanci Griffith, Paddy Moloney, Seán Keane & The Chieftains The Bells of Dublin Holiday

Kitten Kat

Kitty has a name, but it is ..way...toooooo long to write here, since his name is Honey SweeTie Pie Pootie Tat Precious Punkin Baby Kitten Katen..on and on, AKA Kitty.

These cats are sneaky rascals. They get around, Yesterday I saw my pootie tat run into my neighbors garage..I suspect that maybe those days when he was gone 13 hours, he may have been there closed up! Their cat was in our garage once, but not for so long.

This morning their cat was in my backyard (my Pudin had gone out earlier). I think this cat thought," hmm, he was in my garage yesterday, so I'll go to his yard this morning. Of course my cat was probably saying the same thing but in another cat's yard.

Well I just got back , it seems from MO, and I leave again soon to go back for Crissmiss. It was so good seeing everyone!

Merry Crissmiss everyone!

Similiar minds

Cattell's 16 Factor Test Results Warmth |||||||||||||||||| 54% Intellect ||||||||||||||||||||| 70% Emotional Stability |||||||||||||||||| 58% Aggressiveness |||||||||||| 38% Liveliness ||||||||| 30% Dutifulness ||||||||||||||| 46% Social Assertiveness ||||||||||||||||||||| 62% Sensitivity |||||||||||||||||| 54% Paranoia ||||||||| 22% Abstractness ||||||||| 30% Introversion |||||||||||| 34% Anxiety ||||||||| 30% Openmindedness ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Independence ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Perfectionism |||||||||||| 38% Tension ||||||||||||||| 46%

Take Cattell 16 Factor Test (similar to 16pf)
personality tests by similarminds.com

Similiar Minds today....my scores for al the world to see..well anyone who looks.

Thanksgiving

My trip to Branson for Thanksgiving was good. We arrived after a long day flying, a layover in Denver, a drive from Springfield to Branson, finally at about 4:30 Dinner was waiting, and greetings, smiles, lots of warm hugs from faces I had not seen in a long time, and searching out faces to see what can be learned from them. Daph was tired. Karen, mischievous, I gave her a shirt that said, " I am definitely up to something." I spent time with my family, kids. Jeremy was always an eager greeter, waiting for us to arrive. He was so sweet with his big pretty smile. He read to me, The Polar Express, he is a really good reader! Karen also read with us, she reads to him a lot, What a good big sister she is! John offered drinks and hugs, and John T offered a lot of hugs.

I haven't downloaded photos yet.

It is always good to see Daphne, my Sugarbear. She is a fun person to be with. We always have fun together. I miss her already. She took time off to relax, and I was glad she could. I was hoping we'd have a little time together, just her and me, and there were moments, but we didn't get to just hang out together. I always enjoy doing that.

Daisy is my little cozy posey in her pink robe, with a smile that brightens any day, when she smiles. We stayed with her, and it kept her company that she said she needed because it was lonely all alone, and made it possible to see her a little more than I usually get to see her. She made breakfast sandwiches for us, and the day we left she cooked dinner for her neighbors downstairs who look out for her and she them. I met them, such good people. I am glad she has them nearby. They said she is family. She has so many friends that visit her. Young and beautiful. Wow, if they only knew!

John made spaghetti, and meatballs Sunday. His parents came over, Carolyn and Luther, and they told stories that were great to hear. John is very hospitable, and we enjoyed his company. John and Karen were home too, and we enjoyed our visit with them a lot, too. John was very affectionate, and Karen mostly on the computer chatting, but always there to give and receive hugs.

Thanksgiving Day, we were all together, including Mary, John's sister. It was a good day. That was the day we arrived.

Monday we drove to Arkansas along the Buffalo River, and through a canyon. I was very tired that day.

Returning home we had 2 flight delays. United Airlines. Out of Chicago we spent 2 hours on a 747 sandwiched in like sardines before even taking off, so we were on the plane a total of 7 hours to get from Chicago to Seattle. That was after a 25 minute delay in Springfield. But we finally arrived home, and last night it snowed.

Oh and Kitty was fat and ready to go outside when I got back, he has been putting on a winter coat. He is snuggly at night when it's bedtime, but he takes up too much of the bed, but I love awakening to find my cozy kitty nearby, all soft and furry. What a love!

Today..... I am a bit sad today. My friend Linda is leaving to move to Philadelphia, so far away. I was with her yesterday, and she leaves this day. I will miss her company, she is special. We hugged and stood in the falling snow, and it seemed appropriate to want to be children again, and hold out for snow play, but night falls, and the future calls, and we have parted ways. Philadelphia will be the better for it. She drives a southern route to avoid snow and mountains. A big adventure, she seems to be up for it. Old friends there are calling for her to return. I hope for her a safe and happy trip. She travels there alone.


I have to add that I am struggling with a family issue that is very difficult, and intrudes on my peace of mind that I believe must be cultivated above all else. While it reminds me that peace is my treasure, I begin to question many things, yet have found no answer other than treasuring peace, yet I feel sad for the person and situation, but don't know if there is anything more that I can do. I begin to worry about her and others associated. I know worry is a complete mistake spiritually, but I haven't broken that habit completely...obviously.

Feeling helpless is always very difficult. It is hard to remember to have faith in love's completeness, and that transforming of persons is not of my doing. Peace of mind, which is precarious now is my most important contribution because peace is non dual and complete. Yet living in a world still of seeming duality is painful, and when these painful events happen, instead of reminding me so much of my love of peace of mind, I can still get entrenched in feelings and thoughts that are unpleasant. I am ready for the final enlightenment, but that requires diligence in realizing it is not me who does it, and forgiveness of everything that seems to be wrong in the world.

My true thoughts are hidden it seems. Maybe it is time just to grieve a bit. The fading snow is bleak, cold looking in the early morning darkness; overcast, and foggy. The terrain expresses my mood better than I can. Many emotions are swirling like last night's snow; missing my kids, the warmth of togetherness, love, the gloom of a problem I perceive that is really just that person's life to live, and me alone with my soft kitty. But I don't want to be alone just now.

I have many Om friends, and blog friends. I wish they lived nearby. Smiles, love and greetings to everyone!
Spiritual Thought for the day;
When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson