The River

Thursday is prayer group day. A small but powerful number of us get together and call upon God for His wisdom, His kingdom, and just ask Him for His love to come down and surround us. There are times we feel His presence so powerfully, tears flow and we want to stay forever.

I've found myself wondering where we (humankind) are going with N. Korea thumbing its nose at civility and acting like a bully to the world. I've found myself in fear for all that I've known to be blown to smithereens and what would happen to my grandkids and kids? What will happen to me sitting out here on top of oil, coal, uranium, gas, with unbelievable inflation where a modest two bedroom apt. or trailer in the middle of the dirt costs a $1,000 a month?

In our group, we've received visions individually that we share with one other, hopefully with our limited human knowledge to try to figure out what is happening in the world, in our lives. We've seen rivers, rapid growth, acceleration. I've cursed the wind here, the wind that howls, the wind that blows dirt in your face and house, the wind that cuts, the wind that ruins hair and drys skin like a prune. A pastor gave me a prophetic word not to curse the wind because God is moving in it - moving for change. I still fall back and curse the wind.

Again today, I saw a fast moving river with a headwater where a person stood waiting. In addition, two huge angels stood to either side of the headwater and there was a lever on one side, much like that of a carnival ride. One angel was waiting for instruction to push the lever to start the action that would open the headwater and release the person into the river. The person in the headwater was nervous, somewhat fearful of the "ride" down the river. The word was to pray for courage and willingness to ride the water.

More "words" come in from prophetic websites, "words" from here and there, sermons, books saying that the world, and all that is in it, is changing and changing at an accelerated rate. What does it all mean? I don't know. But in the midst of the mighty blowing wind of change I see angels moving very fast back and forth on the currents of the wind. What are they attending to with such urgency?

We will see...I remember several years ago praying everyday for nine months, "Oh, Lord, bless me indeed, enlarge my territory....," etc. You remember the "Jabez prayer?" I lost my good paying job...down, down the river I plummeted in pain, "failure," and fear, somehow right into art school - a lifelong "wish" and dream. I didn't know how I would pay for it, how I would make it through because I had to work. And I'm "no spring chicken." God took me from semester to semester. It was hard. It was fun. And I learned God knows where He's going and we're going.

Then just at the finish of school, this position opens up out here in this vacant, windswept land. I undertook one of the most difficult journeys of my life. I don't know where I'm going next - maybe home, home to my babies. I just know that sometimes God does not tell us where that river is going because if we could see the rapids on the way to the destination we would jump out and not end up at the place He wants us to be, and His kingdom plans for us would be short circuited.

I want his best, even if it means not feeling so good for a while. I pray, "Dear God, don't leave me behind!"

And I'm not so good on waiting on His timing for the trip or the end of the trip.

Holiday Blues

Back to howlin' about being homesick again. Happens everytime there is a holiday and I'm not home to be with my family.

"At my door the leaves are fallen' - a cold, wild wind is blowin'." "Sweethearts walk by together, and I still miss someone."

Don't know who wrote it, Joan Baez sang it as well as Johnnie Cash -

but here's to my family this 4th of July 2006 without you..........nothing to do but be blue for you.

Bear Story

Received a call from a friend - "Go home and unplug the computer from the surge protector and plug straight into the wall." Well, I already tested the surge protector and it said it was working, but what the heck - might as well give it a try. Sizzle, pop! The computer came on line with a spark, as good as ever, except the sound card is a gonner. Well, better than the mother board!

In the meantime, at work I'm handed a photo of a bear strolling about the cemetery which is close to the middle of town. All we could figure is the fellow was hungry for berries and thirsty for water because it is so dry here. He was properly tranquilized and taken to Serenity Canyon. I hope there are berries for the bear there.

I remember as a child hearing my parents talk about people who told "bear stories," which was a synonym for lying. I suppose it was because bear encounters are a bit unusual so a rousting story of a "bear encounter" could have been a fib - here and there.

Anyway, I'm glad my computer is up, and I'm glad I wasn't in the cemetery this morning hunting for owls! But I sure would like to have had a closeup of this guy. I like bears.

http://herloftyperch.blogspot.com/2006_02_01_herloftyperch_archive.html
(scroll down this archive for a bear encounter of another kind!)

Eyes Open

Welcome to Baggs, part of the Little Snake River Valley. I found myself in Baggs as part of a community needs assessment team. I have historical interest. My grandma came out here in a covered wagon and settled outside of Baggs on the Snake River. (Me, I would have enjoyed the scenery and then moved on to more lush surroundings.)

Baggs was a ranching community, now a combination of ranching and and those who are "stayin' alive." The "Boom" is hurting/sometimes helping, most Wyomingites (unless your name is the V.P.) ya know what/who I mean. Haliburton trucks roar down the dirt roads to the rigs, giving the residents respiratory illnesses because of the dirt and dust. Rents in this little town have gone up to $1,000 a month for a small two bedroom - "Nope, no pool, no rec area, no cable, no....." Infrastructures groan in agony. People pray for a grant for a new Water Treatment Plant. Salaries are high, but so is everything else.

Town Hall houses crowded offices trying to keep up with the workers coming to the oil fields. Down the road 20 miles are two huge "man camps" housing oil field workers who work, eat, sleep, work. (I ran into a young boy from Milton today at the pharmacy...here working in the fields. He was already injured.) I have a question, what are our kids and grandkids going to do when the fuel is all gone?

The bright side is a beautiful valley rimmed by tall jagged mountains in the mist, green valleys and a wild Platte River and for the most part, sincere, sensible people. Silence, community ties, and a fabulous family-owned Mexican Restaurant, Del Rio are some nice things along with Sopapillas filled with mountains of whipped cream and fresh strawberries!

The town feels isolated from the rest of the County. Services are hard to come by, and many can't afford the money it takes to drive to the County seat for services, food, meager shopping. Wyoming has the distinction of being the first on the list of States that have early childhood drinking. Baggs is no exception, or is child and spousal abuse. Isolation is sweet, but often turns sour and takes its toll. They need services. Jobs are often miles and miles away. Medical care is miles and miles away. I look wistfully at the small community, and think, "Yet, it is a charming community."

The pix is the outside of the Del Rio. The kitchen at the Del Rio has become part of my new series that I don't know what the title is yet.....but a series of kitchens. Maybe ethnic kitchens? Unique kitchens? We shall see what evolves.

(Drat, blogger image function quit working. No kitchen photo, sorry.)

THANKS..............

The votes on the painting won out to "leave it alone." Maybe a floating artichoke leaf. Thanks to all who gave suggestions. I took the painting to Adobe Photoshop and cut and pasted and tried all the ideas....it was grand fun, and maybe I should do a series on those suggestions too, using the same painting, different ideas. FUN!

Art - e - chokes

Somethin's missin' here. (Besides part of the bottom of the painting). I don't think I should have off-sided it. Any suggestions from all you wonderful creative arty people out there? I think I might paint a design on the bowl. But the empty left corner is what pulls the eye in, rather than the artichokes. Hmmmm?

And the art endorphines work fine every time! I highly recommend it!

Art Block!

Time for another dark doll - a moroseness is trying to overtake me. (She is done with charcoal, and then a photo overlaying that. My grandma's bowls are in the painting, coffee makers from other countries, my favorite book, and a silver box representing promises.)

I've hid out from church today. The weather looks superb - its a balmy 66 degrees this a.m. Poor kitty I think is sick, she has just been lying in her bed since returning from boarding. Tomorrow will take her to the vet.

Sent my grandson's girlfriend some acrylic paints for her birthday - at least I can mentor her that much. She is talented.

I miss my "crew" today, deeply, painfully. I remember all the craft & painting projects with the grandkids. I check the calendar and make out my bills, "OH, when, oh, when can I go back to Florida?" My husband says, "Come on" but has always told me everything will be fine even when its definitely, obviously not. (That only fooled me a few times too many....sorry, honey.) I can't face looking for work again down there. Yoiks, even master's degree jobs advertise out at $24,000. I've almost paid off the awful dental bill he said he would pay off. No, I must keep on until out of debt, retirement income is set as high as possible, and then..........................I will go back and convert the dining room family is currently using for storage to my studio and daybed place.

Guess I'll go get out the oil paints and work on my innocuous bowl of artichokes...somehow I am stuck in art, can't get to it, when I do its fairly uninspired and I feel blah about that too and hate it! Husband knows these art moods - nervous discontendedness, the start of the painting - "Wow its gorgeous, then the middle "it looks like crap," the struggle to finish, and then "hey, it looks purty good!" Well, here goes, I am going to absolutely tank up on caffeine, find some inspiring music and pull out the paint cart! AND, I'm proud of being a masterful colorist - I will produce an awesome bowl of art-i-chokes. The adrenaline will pump, the endorphines too from creating, and I'll be a new person by this afternoon.

Woo hoo.

For All Those Hurtin' Hearts

Two of my "linkies" are hurtin' bad tonight becaue of suicide. This drawing and poem were done by my son, Rod of God, 1963 to - well, he lived 27 years. Here we go, I hope these word send some comfort.

"I SEE YOU, I LOVE YOU"
John 12:1

I see you sitting there with tears of sadness in your eyes.
I share your broken heart, I hear your many cries.
I know the haunting pain that pierces you through
When I walked on this earth, I felt it too
Yes, this life is hard, but hear what I have to say
You do not have to hang your head at the end of the day.

It grieves my Spirit when you keep your hurt to yourself.
It tears me right in two when you put my love on a shelf.
Please take my hand, you know that I love you very much.
I long to hold you in my arms and to feel your gentle touch.

I knew you, my child, before you were even born,
For you my Spirit was broken, for you my flesh was torn.
I love you just the same, no matter if you win or fail
Seeing your wonderful face helped me to bear the pounding nail

I didn't give up then when they did those bad things to me
And I won't give up now, I'm going to set you free.
So take hold of my hand, and believe me for the best,
I will always pull you through and give you your rest.

I ask you to hold on, hold on to the very end.
Know that you make me smile, and know that I'm your friend.

(FYI - the Bible reference Rod used is as follows:
"Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.")

God's Present

Coming back from Elk Mountain last night, a sunset like I'd never seen in my lifetime unfolded before our eyes.

Rain-laden clouds of apricot, oranges, cerulean blue, grayish purple, white puffs and twirls melting, pulled downward by fresh summer rain into the horizon as a golden ball sank lower and lower.

The mountains in the background were silent witnesses as well as participants in God's lavish evening painting. Wow!

I attempted a digital re-creation as I did not have my camera with me. From now on, where I go, the camera goes.

Buddy & Prince

These are my friends, Buddy and Prince. Begging from me. Their owner lives off of cereal, cigs, and diet pepsi. They know well this plump granny COOKS. They are waiting while I cook. They will get their own dishes of my finished product.

Next, I want to apologize if I offended all dog lovers by my blog on not wanting to Dine with Doggie. It's just my opinion. You can take your dog to any restaurant you want, I just won't be there. It's not that I dislike dogs, my personal preference is that dogs should be dogs and not humans. It is an establishment owner's choice whether to allow dogs to dine, or smokers to smoke. I just know I won't sit down and eat with a bunch of dogs schlupping away at the table next to me anymore than I would sit down next to someone smoking. Just a personal thing here.
I feel I have to explain myself. I have been in European village restaurants while a dignified dog lays quietly at his/her owner's feet. No problem, in fact its quite charming. My main problem is undisciplined dogs and I have never met a housebroken dog. I'm sure some are, I've just never met one. Well, maybe Buddy and Prince are pretty close.

Someone compared dogs to cell phones and said humans do all the things I did not want to think about while eating. I thought that over. My cell phone does not sniff crotches, pee when & where the urge hits, fart in public, etc. If you know humans that are doing the same thing, I would say, change your friends! Unless you're into that sort of thing. Again, its personal preference. And, cell phones are another blog, although cell phones are close to one's ear, completely within one's own body space. We pick up voices, sounds from all around. It's up to us whether we decide to listen to other's conversations or not. Now, I'm for discouraging cell use while driving! The same as I would discourage putting your doggy in a vehicle unrestrained. (I always put Meowi in carrier and seat belt carrier in car.) Safety reasons for people and dogs. Again, more personal preference. We all got 'em.

Then, I'm also a germ freak (watching "Monk" makes me nervous). The latest story from my mother about worms that were hanging out of her dog's butt, her pulling them out, and then a blow by blow description of the worms which she put down the garbage disposal cements my feelings on dining with dogs. No thanks, not in my plate, not close to my plate. Watching doggy licking butt, and then licking food off spoons & plates gave me the desire to run out to buy (or steal from her cupboard) a round of worm meds for myself after a visit to her house.

In contrast to the American view of dogs of elevating the dogs to human status or above, look at other countries! Doggie stew in Asia (no, they are not served doggie stew, they are in it) and extreme neglect in others. I have been known to be the Pied Piper of stray dogs in Costa Rica, skinny dogs with bulging rib bones, sad eyed, desperate dogs who hang around in the street curbs by cafes and grocery stores and who are chased off sidewalks by proprietors because folks in C.R. are put off by begging dogs in public places. My daughter and I and the kids made a trip to the meat market for doggie food which we couldn't find so we settled on bags of crisp, deep fried, warm, pig ears and gathered up the poor mutts which we led away to be fed under a tree, which actions resulted in the scorn and ire of proprietors and the accusation of being crazy Yankee mammas.

Then, we can't get all the people out of New Orleans, but the news is full of stories of plans to get all the pets out. Can't we do both? There are opposites - dogs who are treated like babies, and dogs who are tied to trees out in the yard, come rain, snow, or shine. Owners who spend fortunes on their dogs, while children starve in America and around the world, and owners who refuse to even feed their dogs.

Again, Cat is sitting here by my side, asking me why she isn't even considered in the Dine with the Doggies legislation. "I don't know," I tell her. It's ok for parents to admit they don't know. Cat walks through her litter box and then tries to jump on the table. I grab for the antiseptic wipes as I speak cat language, hissing for her to GET DOWN. A blogland friend has a wonderful idea - set a separate table where the pets dine with each other!!! Splendid idea. Civilize our little critter friends, make a separate area for them where they can enjoy their food and fellowship with one another!

I guess that is one feature of these fuzzy friends of ours that God gave us, they want to do EVERYTHING with us (hmmm, I wonder if married couples were as close to each other as they were to their pets, if less divorces would be the result?). I find that many times when Cat weasels a morsel of human food from me, she doesn't even want it, but hides it away somewhere. She just wants to proved she can have what I have.

Rox Rock for Pup

Independence Rock - along the Oregon Trail, aka The REALLY BIG ROCK

You can climb it from the back side - it is signed all over the rock by people coming by in covered wagon days.....

The wind was blowing a bit hard that day.

FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Just came home from work. FRIDAY!!!!! Whooooooo, huh, huh, huh! Put on jammie pants, a warm sweater -oh my Florida friends be envious. I have 4 movies to watch, a fire-baked spinach and mushroom pizza to eat, Elix-r tonics to drink, my Tassimo is ready to go for Latte or Cappuchino.

Busy week. Shaking in my boots anticipating next week and presenting the PRESCRIPTION PLAN to the Commissioners. But that is on Planet Politico and I don't have to deal with that until next week. (Their idea in the first place, so why are they so cranky, but trying to present to a Commissioner who keeps talking over the top of you is tough. Yah, he IS rude.) And not funny, not outrageously, wonderfully, wackily, talented rude like others I might know and appreciate, but ornery rude.

Came to blog first thing after work, I am being blessed by an eclectic bunch of blog friends. 4dinners, you are brilliant - we have made a major discovery for science here - about how rocks are made. And I very nearly caught them in the act itself. Verrrrrrrrrrry interesting. And pupp-aaaaaaaaaa......what a poet and arteest! My cousin is soon joining Blogland to add an even more eclectic mix! Then there is beautiful Hattigrace, and our brilliant PHd striving student.......I will do my best to add all of you to my menu, hopefully menu won't go to the bottom again to join Sponge Bob for several weeks.

From Cheyenne to "Home" & Back to the Prairie Again

W'allllllll partner, this was the parking lot where I met my friend who was kind enough to take me to the bus at 6:00 a.m. to begin my trip. Can ya imagine a horse pulling up next to you at the Winn Dixie parking lot?

The bus ride involved two hours, two busses, and lots of bumps on into DIA. Made it through screening there easily. They even smiled as they waved me through. Apparently at this airport my key ring and film tool were not weapons worthy of making me a detainee.


The next time I saw Cheyenne, my friend picked me up again, and we decided to have crab (all my husband's fault - he spotted a bargain and spoiled me and little grandson with piles of crab. ) So I treated my friend for all her picking me up. (Yum, wish I had some now.)

Next, I left Cheyenne and drove the back roads to "home." These back roads run on the back of a mountain through a national recreation area.

When perusing my photos, I found this rock pile, that when run through a slide show looked comically obscene - and I hope folks you aren't disappointed in me, but I thought it was so funny.

Find the hidden symbolism............................

Tee Hee.

Ya start seein' things when ya been away too long.

Enough said.

Night folks.

Owls Discovered

I found them, I found them!!!!! Three baby owls out of the four. Mamma was apparently hiding somewhere. The little fellows are painted by nature to blend exactly into their environment.

Shot quite a few pictures and talked to them.

"Yoo babies, you so sweeeeeeeeet and so koot, look so soft and fluffy, yoo sech sweeeeeeeeet babies."

(I'm the sort of person who picks up animals and then gets the heck bit out of them or infections from scratches. I never learn!)

Blink one eye. Slightly adjust head which appears to be on a large ball bearing to peer down at the crazy lady. Blink other eye. The other two babies sit on a branch across about 10 tombstones down.

Aren't they just too cute?

Stalking Owls

What do the ravens have to do with owls? MMMMmmmmm, they are birds, they fly, they have beaks.

Night two of my Owl Stalk. Mamma and four babies are not in the big dead tree by the crypt in the cemetery. Maybe its because of the wind and coming rain. Even the deer and other smaller critters seem to be hiding away from the rain. Except the oversized squirrel who hangs out at the Courthouse and eats crackers from our hands. Those carbs will do it to ya!

Going to make a pin out of these fellows on the left. On "Someday Isle."

Above right is another raven holding a tree of life medallion. I'm thinking of having him tatooed somewhere - butt not sure where. Oh, Hattigrace, will this be part of your anointing, to help us decorate our bodies? By the way, I thought you always dress pretty artsy and fine - I remember in our wonderful classes where God showed up, you wore mesh black socks and big Goth crosses, so I knew you were a great gal to know! Ah, if I had your figr I would be soooooooooooooooo broke - you can wear anything and everything and look great.

Waves of Heat, Sounds of Honey

Well, just trying to get my mind off TSA! I won't talk about it! This suitcase is unpacked!

Apartment is HOT. Probably will get hotter, its only June. Last June this time, my daugher & grandson & I were freezing tootsies off, and the wind was blowing so hard, little guy couldn't even open the car door.

Went to the cemetery tonight as I had reports of an owl sighting - a huge mamma, with four little babes that sit in a row on a dead tree limb, conveniently after my work is done. Well, after much cruising of the cemetery which yielded only 3 squirrels, blackbirds, and two wonderfully rich looking young buck deer with "velvet" still on their horns, (there were reports today also of a new fawn) I had a PERFECT close up shot ready to go of one young buck, and the battery was shot.

I guess I can lurk in the cemetery stalking widlife for photos in the evenings until winter? Tomorrow is "Music in the Park" with some good regional musicians lined up. That will take care of the heat tomorrow night. (Wendy Woo is scheduled sometime - if you want a treat and like a folk/jazz mix, go visit her website.)

I just bought a tropical bed in a bag set - my bedroom looks "hot." Good "hot." I have to now paint a large hibiscus for the wall behind the bed. By golly, if the outside surrounding area is brown blowing dust, with no green, I will create an oasis in here! Night, dear friends & sister!

Continuation of "Tips for Flying in America"

1. NEVER take any personal information in your suitcases. My package with my bills is missing. Two hours on the telephone with TSA whose screeners surely are reading off the same script issued to all of them to blindly read no matter what the circumstance, yielded nothing. (Maybe they are not real people, but robots!) Some of my keys are missing, including my house key and car key. These guys have my address and house & car key? God help me.

2. NEVER dispute any item labeled as a weapon to be anything other than a weapon. This appears to move one over into the "lets take an hour and dump out all the contents of any bag this person might be carrying, over and over and then "lose" stuff," and also move you one step closer to criminal prosecution.

3. Don't bother wasting your time trying to recover any "confiscated" items, no matter what it says on the TSA website.

4. Don't call the confiscated items, "confiscated." That REALLY makes them mad. Their robot eyes glare red! Things disappear "accidentally." Sort of like accidentally attempting to carry a key ring and film developing gear onto a plane, only the shoe is on the other foot.

This was all so reminiscent of crossing the border from Albania into Macedonia. The police made us drive our vehicle across through a bath of disinfectant. Then we were ordered to get out of the car and walk back through the murky pool and back across the border again. We were searched, our cameras were seized and our film ripped out. (Mine was x-rayed 4 times durnig this trip, same difference.) My shoulders went to the same defensive posture as at the Pensacola airport with the same goose bump fear that death or injury was not far off. When TSA starts offering us a "shower" before we got on the plane, don't go, but run, run, run, run, remember the concentration camp "showers."

5. Last but not least, do not have a stunning haircut - it just draws attention! If you must have dazzling hair, drive, not fly.

Gestapo Tactics in the US of A or Travel Tips in America

Well, never did I think I would be writing as radically as I intend to write in this letter. I had a WONDERFUL time in Florida, which I'll write about later. This particular blog is about right and wrong and a cry and protest and alarm in regard to what is happening in our country.

I have read our citizens' worry papers about our loss of freedom as American Citizens. I didn't think much about it. I have gladly supplied many TSA agents with months worth of fingernail clippers, writing pens, lapel pins, stiff paper nail files (I don't use metal ones) and have even submitted to having my breasts patted down because my underwires apparently set off an alarm. But, I figured this was minor compared to being blown up in the air by foreigners who were in the US without proper visas, and who apparently waltz through security easily. (But wait a minute, on June 1, did I look particularly middle eastern? All six foot two of my plump 61 year old grandma self?) Was the stuffed animal goodbye present from my tearful grandson suspected of being full of methamphetimine to pay for my elder care? Or what?

I did swear that the breast pat down was one insult I would not submit to ever again. Picture the ramifications of making old ladies board airplanes without underwire bras on - their boobs drop and suddenly turn into deadly weapons, possibly even WMD!!!!!! Or, old lady surrepticiously takes stitches out of underwire bra, extracts same underwire and pokes a stewardess. Heavens! Off with her head! (Or breast.) Hey, how about on-board masectomy for the elderly?

As I went through clearance at the Pensacola airport on Thursday, June 1, 2006, my camera bag and my purse were taken from me and dug through and emptied, not once, not twice, but thrice. An inch and one-half metal rounded dark room tool that opens film cannisters so you can develop the film was taken from my camera bag by a Gestapo agent in the guise of a security agent and I was informed that I had a knife. Not only a knife, but a "concealed weapon." "Ok, no problem, keep the thing if you want it, but PUHLEESE quit going through my bags - my credit cards were tumbled about, my PDA, my memory card, my personal items were in jumbles, phone cords tangled - PUHLEESE, I am getting close to boarding, I need to get on the plane, I want to hold my credit and bank cards while you do this." "I want to see a supervisor." A bald, fat, redneck informed me he WAS the supervisor. "Uh oh." Then they spied my key ring - an old horse blanket pin about 3 inches long with a dull end that won't even poke through cloth anymore upon which multitudes of keys hung. They took my keys off, threw them on the counter and sneering, proudly displayed another "concealed weapon." I am starting to think that any moment I will wake up to find that I had been stuck into an Orwellian dream. The horse blanket pin would only open wide enough to slide a cloth through or a key onto - in no way could it penetrate flesh (or cloth anymore) and it was much too thin to contain a bomb, unless there are some real skinny bombs out there I don't know about.

I informed Baldy that the key ring was a gift from my grandma who was now deceased and truly was not a covert arms dealer. No, I really did not say anything about arms dealing, but ohhhhh, I wanted to. I explained this recycled key ring, having been in the family for several generations was a good luck thing for me, an ardent key loser, and my family awaited me (being alarmed over the amount of time transpiring, and growing circle of Gestapo and shocked onlookers, as I endured harrassment) and they would CERTAINLY be glad to take the pin/key ring and offending inch and one-half metal film tool home. And if Baldy really wanted the film tool, since he was very agressive and was able to think up some interesting uses for it - like violence - (no I didn't say that part either) it was his, but the key ring was my property and I wanted it. Baldy started squeaking about calling the "po-leece." "Please do," I begged, thinking "Is this not America?" "Yes, it is, and the police will protect me because I have done nothing wrong." WRONG. Baldy told the police I had a knife and a concealed weapon that I was trying to take them onto a plane. The police were not real City of Pensacola Police, they would not even look at the items. They were also Gestapo and began to join in the fun! I thought maybe I would not have to go to the dentist anymore - that they would begin extracting teeth on the spot looking for spy transmitters.

Now, you have to picture this: a 61 year old plump grandma, with a great Hattigrace haircut, being harrassed by 3 security officers, plus the two "police" which were not real "police," but part of the Gestapo, and actually had the power to jail me on criminal charges. A crowd had also gathered to watch very tall, plump 61 year old severely harrassed grandma looking down on Baldy Redneck who was going from red to purple. I decided to stand my ground and demanded that said "concealed weapon" be delivered to my family, which family was freaking out by now and that "knife" and "concealed weapon" be shown to the phony "police" to prove these items were harmless to begin with. All camera equipment is on the "allowed" list. And the dull ended safety pin/key ring is not - but other definitely sharp and longer objects are, so what was going on? I needed help translating that.

I was getting mad and was prepared to be jailed. I figured, even though my family is Conservative Christian, they, just for me, might call the ACLU for help. All these things going through my mind when all I wanted to do was fly home and go back to work, finish growing older and retire. THE SHOCKING PART OF THIS IS - ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, IT IS COMPLETELY UP TO THE GESTAPO TSA AGENTS AS TO WHETHER ANY ITEM YOU MIGHT HAVE ON YOU IS A "WEAPON" - OR NOT! ANY ITEM! ENTIRELY ARBITRARY. (See below copied exerpt from the TSA website.) THEY CAN JAIL YOU, PROSECUTE YOU AS A CRIMINAL, AND YOU ARE HELPLESS.

The "police" refused to give me my tickets - although Baldy did finally walk the items over to my family after what seemed to me hours of harrassment. The clock said it was only 1/2 hour to boarding, and I was shaking and sweating and doing my best not to burst into tears and give Baldy & the rest of the Gestapo their kicks for the day. I appealed to a woman Gestapo, but true to form, as true as Hitler's true love, she coldly said they had a right to do anything they wanted to me. I again demanded of the "police" that they give me my tickets or I would sue their asses off. Yeppers, I DID say that. I finally was really, really, really, really mad. The jerk held the tickets out but would not let go. I finally wrestled them from him, tearing the jacket in half and he and his fellow Nazi told me to have a good day. I held my shoulders tight, wondering if I would be shot as I turned my back. Fear made me have goose bumps.

Yes, this story is going to the Pensacola News Journal, to the Wyoming and Florida State Reps and Senators, and to the President of the U.S. as well as a complaint to the TSA for whatever good it will do me. I am a United States Citizen. This is a government for the people, by the people, and of the people. I even have a right to bear arms if I want to as long as I don't hurt people. But I don't want to, I have no stores to rob, no crimes to commit, why would I want a weapon? So why do I not have a right to just mere courtesy at a check point? Are we profiling the elderly now? Or was it because I am a woman? There are always those who will kill the weak just because they can. Many questions go through my mind as I consider the scenario. Mainly, WHY? I escaped becoming a criminal narrowly - some of my keys are missing along with a packet of personal information with all my credit card numbers and banking information. Where are these items?

Know this folks and beware: (from TSA website) Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and include items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons – the so-called “dual use” items. You may not bring these items to or through security checkpoints without authorization.

If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint, you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A transportation security officer (TSO – formerly a screener) and/or law enforcement officer will make this determination, depending on what the item is and the circumstances. Bringing a prohibited item to a security checkpoint – even accidentally – is illegal. (Get the accidentally!!!!!!!!!!!!! That gives them unrestrained authority for harrassment if they come to work in a bad mood!) (And the GESTAPO gets to choose what will be the illegal item of the hour.)

Your prohibited item may be detained for use in an investigation and, if necessary, as evidence in your criminal and/or civil prosecution. If permitted by the TSO or law enforcement officer, you may be allowed to: consult with the airlines for possible assistance in placing the prohibited item in checked baggage; withdraw with the item from the screening checkpoint at that time; make other arrangements for the item, such as taking it to your car or mailing it to yourself; or, voluntarily abandon the item. (I was not offered any options for my confiscated belongings.) Items that are voluntarily abandoned or confiscated by a law enforcement officer cannot be recovered and will not be returned to you. Property claims for these items will also be denied by TSA.

The following chart outlines items that are permitted and items that are prohibited in your carry-on or checked baggage. You should note that some items are allowed in your checked baggage, but not your carry-on. Also pay careful attention to the “Notes” included at the bottom of each section – they contain important information about restrictions and exceptions.

The prohibited and permitted items chart is not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary. To ensure everyone’s security, the TSO may determine that an item not on the prohibited items chart is prohibited. In addition, the TSO may also determine that an item on the permitted chart is dangerous and therefore may not be brought through the security checkpoint. (HUH????????)

The chart applies to flights originating within the United States. (Oh great! A foreigner can bring in to the United States whatever they want? Well, obviously, yes. Is this rather ironic, turning innocent U.S. Citizens who want to travel on a domestic plane into criminals by arbitary decisions made by underpaid, disgruntled, possibly power mad jerks?) Please check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions at destinations outside of the United States.

For updates and for more information, call our Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 or E-mail TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

Ahhhhhh.....Mi Casa

Ahhhhhhh....I'm home. Mi Casa.

Flowers, humidity, warmth. Trees, seafood! I ate 3 pounds of crab legs the other night with my grandson. Sushi abounds! And the best Cajun food I've ever wrapped my lips around.

What did I do besides eat? Well, got my hair done, magnificantly done and a great visit with Hattigrace, though I wish I would have had more time. Then my daughter and I went for a pedicure and I relaxed as I overlooked the Gulf and sipped elixers and tea.

Got the termite program underway! Watered and watered. The family is not really good at watering and I have big chunks of missing green in the lawn. I will try to sneak some fertizer on this afternoon. (Hubby hates the stuff, because then you have to mow more often!) Tomorrow will go to see the other grandkids and have a cookout if all goes well. Time is flying by and I haven't been everywhere I want to be.....but we'll see what the days bring. This trip I decided to leave most everything to God and not be freaked out over damage at Casa, spots on carpet, clutter, holes in lawn, and other things that are minor to family, friends, sunshine, and a happy heart.

The Other Side of the Earth

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/afghanistan_multimedia/

Don't know how I got here to the above (link) website, but I go in and view the awesome photos and listen to the update. Not much news here in the U.S. It seems like even horror can become mundane. I watch the above clip to see what is happening in Afganistan now. I have heard little recent news about the country that inspired "shock and awe."

Now I'm led into more thought. How are we EVER going to extract ourselves from A. and Iraq? We created a new source of drugs to flood our country with. We created an all-time national debt high. We have a whole new flood of injured young people who will have to come home (U.S.) and cope with diminished benefits.

We have traumatized countries, countries = people. People equal our responsibility. We will pay for these wars for a long, long time with much more than our dollars and our illegally "borrowed" trust fund known as Social Security.

Indian Paintbrushes

Well, today I will do it. I will pack! I promise!

What a glorious day outside. I am not going to spend much time on the computer. Will sparkle my car up and vacumn the inside. There is not enough time to go find a fishing stream, which is what is calling me today! No more horizon phobia!

These beautiful flowers are the Wyoming State flower, the Indian Paintbrush. They are hardy, brilliantly colored little patches in the prairie. Other patches of flowers are peeking out - white ones, yellow ones and purple ones. Summer is much dryer this year - no lavish displays this year!

VORTEX

What is wrong with me? Horizons are bothering me. I feel like I might fall off the end of the horizon. That's why I like Costa Rica. It is warm, encompassing, and I feel planted on the planet. I look at photos of places with wide expanses and horizons and out my own window, and I feel disconnected and full of anxiety. I can't pack for my trip. I am frozen. I tried Expedia to see if I could stay longer when I manage to get there and it would cost me $1,000 for two more days. I know I can get in my car, drive to the shuttle, then go on to the airport, but my feet feel like sandbags. My ankles are swollen and my knees hurt and I don't know why. I have lost the massage therapist's phone number. Maybe if I just go to bed and try again tomorrow.

Deliciously, snugglfy cool! It is now 67 degrees, and top was 71 degrees here today.

I drove a friend to the out-of-town doctor today and basically did nothing which is unusual for me not to be participating in cerebral mulching.

It was nice to get caught up on entertainment magazines, US World & News, gastrointestinal pamphlets, and Consumer Digest.

I am now totally convinced, since we have had 4 straight running days without 70 mile an hour wind, actually NO wind, that I need, NEED, a bicycle. A grand bicycle. I want strength. I want fitness. I also found a pair of walking sticks - L.L. Bean is the source. Yay! Go for it Nana. I want to discover places of solitude and great fishing, and places to do pastel work with my portable french easel.

The photo is Alcova Lake, easily accessed by road. Thinking only the strongest knees could make it up the dirt road up to the highway outta there! I'll start small. Tomorrow. Or when I can find THE BIKE.

Share with Me

Just had my first watermelon of the season. It was perfect.
I remember my grandma never buying a watermelon until the 4th of July "because they might not be good. " It was a big deal. On the 4th, we would all gather out under the huge old willow tree that I spent many hours in as a child, surveying my world and daydreaming.

The smell of huge bushes of wild yellow roses would pervade the air on one side, and lilacs perfumed our world from the other side. Sweet peas lavishly draped the chicken wire fencing around an amazing garden. Fried chicken, fried in a cast iron frying pan tasted heavenly. Garden leaf lettuce graced with bacon drippins' salted perfectly was the crowning touch.

Now, I buy watermelons when I feel like it and eat them when I feel like it until my stomach says, "stop it!" I wish I could have given you the red, inside view, but preserving my precious scanner is more important! Also I noticed a crack in the glass. How did THAT get there? Maybe the same way the windows got opened today while I was at work. I distinctly remember going about closing them all because of the "dust bowl" across the street. We have had three uncanny days without the howling Wyoming wind. Now, I know why in Florida I felt a panic with every lovely day that I could not get enough of that day! I could never get over that feeling despite all the lovely days in Florida. I remember ......... it is because there are not that many "perfect" days here.

The Sands of Time and Crime

Yep, this is where I live. Well, close by. Not sure anything is living in this landscape but diamondback rattlers. Remind you of Iraq? Me too. For the life of me, I can't figure out why the folks in covered wagons just didn't keep going. They must have been REALLY tired!

I don't know much about the dust bowl, but I think what little I do know, I am relating to. For some crazy reason, instead of building housing here, they are building motels, dozens of them! Which, when the "boom" is over, will sit empty and decay and make the town even uglier. (As is evidenced by falling down motels left over from previous countless boom cycles.)

Guess I'm feeling frustrated because I thought I could make a difference coming here to work in government. But it seems to be the "same old story." Haul out the resources, leave the land a dustbowl and the buildings empty. Do not provide for families. Come on in folks, to work in the energy fields. Buy a new huge diesel pickup and make it roar when you go down the road. Yeh, you're a stud, alright.

A Mexican National was recently arrested in the State for bringing 100's of pounds of meth in to sell to whites and Indians both, (this particular drug czar likes to destroy Indians particularly), more meth to kill our children. He got life, but is appealing of course. Meth is running over the borders with many nationals who are looking for a better life alright - and selling the number one murder drug is more profitable than working in the fields. Beware the propaganda............

Once when I lived here before, I worked for a newspaper and began to write a story on illegal immigrants. It was a huge problem 25 years ago, but law makers and government had their heads conveniently in the sand of the dust bowl all the way up to the top levels of government. I received a call and a death threat. I did back off the story, it wasn't worth my life or the lives of my children. Now, that I'm older, I'm sure that taking a risk to expose criminals who bring Mexican nationals across the border to work cheaply would be even less welcome than it was 25 years ago. Greed is greed and stays the same through the decades. In my research I found that nationals bought into this area often did not leave with any money, as they were charged for writing letters, for translating, for all the things they could not do, and the greed mongers got their wages, so what was the use to enter illegally?

Enough - I should have strong legs from climbing on soap boxes!

The Truth Shall be Known or Dark Doll #5

This is a doll from the Krakow death camp (from the website below.)

Despite my penchant for doing dark doll art, I truly hate evil. I was helping a little friend with a report on Nazis and found this: Doesn't say much for psychiatry, I don't think. I remember, in the dim past of my hippy/bohemian days of bragging about reading Nitsche. How awful and disgusting! Well, for whoever is reading, never, never, never, never forget the Holocaust. How can a whole nation be led into such horror? It should well be a lesson for all of us.

Dr. Paul Nitsche

A founding member of the German Racial Hygiene Society, the prominent psychiatrist Nitsche long combined the advocacy of treatment, including occupational and electroshock therapy, for “fitter” patients with support for “mercy death” for “incurables.” A member of the Nazi Party since May 1933, he served as deputy, then head, of the T-4 medical office, the division charged with selecting patients for transfer to T-4 facilities.[POSTWAR JUSTICE] In 1947, Nitsche was placed on trial in Dresden by East German authorities for his crimes in the T-4 "euthanasia" program. The psychiatrist received the death penalty and was executed in 1948.

Visit here:

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/

Dark Doll Number 4

I've done it again. There is something definitely alluring about digital photo art. I haven't called Verizon nor done any oil painting, but I did do another in the "dark doll" series.

The Eyes Say it All

I love this photo. So funny.

Remember the Verizon story? I found my cell phone today in a dresser drawer in a plastic bag containing my vacum cleaner information & warranty. Have I totally lost every brain cell that matters?

Now, I am going to quit proscratinating, because this might be a sign. I am going to go call Verizon because they still don't have my bill straight. I wish I had even $5.00 an hour for each hour they have wasted with their incompetent ignorance. Yes, its true! They keep telling me its fixed!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Sister, or Number 3 in Dark Doll Series

Happy birthday, dear Sister! May your path be lighted brightly, may your coming days be in peace, may all the tempest be stilled, and wonderful new days ahead. And may your cup always be running over with "bee sic clay."

Getting Ready

Came home tonight and started a cappuchino. But the coffee was moldy (old coffee from Quepos, Costa Rica) - so I threw it away. Will have to get a six months' Expresso supply from Starbucks when I get to Florida.

Started to pack. Need to make lists of what to take, what to bring home. Cooked my mahi-mahi to dry slivers, and the spinach much too soggy. Need to call Verizon to get my bill straightened out, but hey, if they can't straighten it out after a couple of months, will it ever happen? One more day won't hurt.

Get Ms. Meowie prepared for her stay at the boarding place. What clothes to take? I almost can't envision summer anymore. I believe I stuck those "hot" clothes somewhere.

Oh, for a green place. The last few days some company has been grading a huge space across the road - dust in the air - hard to breathe - ugly, ugly, every green thing attempting to grow is gone. More view of dirt. How exciting. Soon, more views of trailers. If this were permanent, I would just check out. Temporary I can stand. Boomtown!

Dear Beach, see you soon!

Tropical Angel

Walking on Water

I have spent two years agonizing about what my purpose is in being in this wind swept, and as Bob Dylan eloquently sang, "north country-side, where the wind blows heavy on the border line."

Lately, the Lord has been impressing me to begin each day just verbally telling him that I am ready to perform any instructions that He gives me for the day, and that I need to give the day completely over to him for whatever He wants me to do and asking Him to please help me hear Him completely. (Sometimes I am a little hard of hearing, spiritually and in "the natural.") Verbally stating this will cement my quest for "purpose" and where "purpose" really comes from in my heart and wandering mind.

Ok. One thing for the general instructions, now, God, what about the specifics, the "here's step one....," etc in the loud booming voice? He gently reminds me "How many times have I spoke to you in a loud, booming voice?" "Well, God," I reply, "....uh, never?" "Exactly," He answers.

I think "Hmmm, what does the scripture say........ah, its about knocking and seeking Him, isn't it?" With all my heart! "What God, no more spooky movies?" "What does your heart tell you?" he replies. Okay, I'll give up dawdling in adrenalin that those spooky movies dish out. BUT another point - I am to conquer the spirit of Death in my own personal realm that He has given me authority over.

Gently, as I have in the past heard him speak, gently my heart tells me, "Well, do you want to walk with Him holding His hand, or just have Him as a friend that you let in when you have time?" Oh, OUCH! I'm so sorry God, help me in my weak mind! And I feel so frustrated thinking I may have wasted a year and one-half in "not getting it." I search the web, and I find the pattern - the pattern that shows me the way toward "Walking on my water."

I'll share it: Here it is: from a prophetic website: Sandie Freed: "Crossing Over Into Your Fulfilled Destiny"
It seems that I, along with numerous other prophets, have prophesied this same prophetic declaration for many years…"It’s time to cross over!" This decree of "crossing over" is referring to spiritually crossing over our Jordan to possess our breakthroughs and blessings in our Land of Promise or "The Promised Land."For a very LONG season we have been experiencing God’s "chronos" time. Chronos time refers to the natural time, the daily "grind" of life. This is the season in which we go through our normal daily activities, believing and hoping for the "kairos" time, which is the exact moment when the supernatural SHIFT occurs and we are launched into our promise.This is the time for you to shift into your next season of possession. Plunder the enemy’s camp, and take back all that was stolen, plus receive your promise of breakthrough and blessing in every area. Make this confession today, "I am crossing over!"Know Your Season for Enlargement--God is Overshadowing You with His Presence!The Months of March/April in Hebraic terms is referred to as Adar which means "The Pregnant Month." This is when our spiritual womb is being prepared for enlargement. A supernatural pregnancy involves the Lord overshadowing each of us with His glory. Remember when Mary, the mother of Jesus, received the prophecy that she would become pregnant with Jesus? She was overshadowed by the Lord’s presence and later birthed the prophetic declaration given to her by the angel, Gabriel. (See Luke 1:26-35). Mary’s response to the word of the Lord was "...be it unto me according to thy word." She was quick to come into full agreement with the will of God and then experienced her season of enlargement (pregnancy). Mary not only fulfilled her destiny, but she gave birth to the destiny of another! The very same potential is within each of us--to receive our prophetic destiny, become enlarged and pregnant with God’s will, then give birth to not only our future but also the future of the KINGDOM! As we come into full agreement with God’s Word, He will overshadow us with His presence and release us into our season of enlargement. Let’s not be like Zacharias, who doubted Elizabeth’s ability to overcome her barrenness. He was struck with dumbness, so that he could not speak negatively. His negative confessions may have aborted God’s plans, so the Lord caused him to not be able to speak out against His divine will. Though Elizabeth was cursed with barrenness, God desired to bless her womb. The Lord also desires to bless us and our spiritual wombs! It is His desire to release us from ALL barrenness and desolation and to also speak life into dormant dreams and destiny.A Time Such As This: Being Overshadowed with Divine Destiny!The time elements of God were historically built around Feasts. We have recently been in the specific season when the Jews celebrated the Feast of Purim. The feast was established by Esther as a season of remembrance. Esther wrote a written decree that every generation would remember this time because the curse of death and destruction from Haman, the Amalekite, had been revoked. And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. (Esther 9:28) Most of you can easily recall the story of Esther and how she came forth "for such a time as this." She, as well as all of her household (including the entire Jewish nation) was destined to experience enlargement and deliverance (See Esther 4:13-14).
Haman, a descendent of King Agag, the Amalekite, had devised an evil plot to destroy not only Esther, but the entire Jewish nation. Mordecai appealed to Esther and reminded her of the Jewish destiny concerning deliverance and enlargement. Mordecai said that deliverance and enlargement was destined to come, but unless Esther stepped into her place, neither she nor her descendents would witness the enlargement. Esther must have realized that her moment in history to make a difference had arrived. Though she most likely did not plan for her life to take this particular charted direction, Esther must have realized the potential for aborted destiny. As a result, Esther applied faith to the favor granted her, laid down her life, and then she approached the king. Like Esther, we must have faith that God has given us abundant favor and then begin to walk in that new measure of Godly favor.Two Death Structures Threaten Our EnlargementEsther knew that there were two death structures against which she would be at war. One was the fear of death. Esther knew that if she were not summoned by the king, she could lose her life. If the king’s scepter were not extended, the penalty for presumptuously approaching the throne was immediate death. Esther laid down her life for the destiny of the Kingdom!The second death structure was already in the making. It was a literal structure with a hangman’s noose awaiting...the gallows. Haman ordered the construction of the gallows, specifically to hang Mordecai. Precious Saints of God, the enemy has also plotted against each of us. The Amalekite stronghold, which aborts your destiny, eagerly awaits your destruction! However, if we choose to die to self and embrace the advancement of the Kingdom of God, we can be empowered to walk in our full potential and achieve our destiny. I have written several chapters on the Amalekite spirit, and how this evil strongman aborts destiny in my book, Destiny Thieves. (Destiny Thieves is available from the Elijah List; please see the description and the ordering information at the end of this word). It is very important for each of us to realize that we are in a kairos NOW time! In order to fully cross over into our future, our Promised Land, we must defeat the Amalekites. Defeating and Overthrowing Death StructuresEsther defeated the death structures by not only laying down her life for the benefit of the Kingdom, but also through divine favor. However, this awesome level of favor was given to Esther because of her character. She had endured twelve months of purification. Twelve is the symbolic number of government. As a result of her dedication to purity, she was empowered to walk into a governmental position where she was given power to reverse a decree of death against her, her household and the entire Jewish nation. If we also lay down our lives, develop the Kingdom mentality, and allow the Lord to purify our motives, then it is possible that the same ability to reverse decrees of death will be given to each of us! Don’t Attempt to Skip!To receive divine empowerment to overthrow death structures, we cannot skip the myrrh season! It will not be over in just one day; Esther had 6 months with this oil. Myrrh is bitter to the taste, yet has many healing qualities. Though we go through bitter experiences, we must allow the Lord to heal our hearts and settle us firmly into His divine plans. Myrrh was also an oil which prepared bodies for burial. Once more, we recognize how valuable it is to die to self and selfish ambition in order to gain power and authority on this earth. Esther’s Hebrew name was Hadassah, meaning fragrance of the myrtle tree. This is the fragrance we must also carry with us as we approach the King to gain favor. As a result, we too can shift demonic structures of death and release life to our circumstances.Decree a Thing and it Shall be EstablishedThou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. (Job 22:28) When we make a decree, the Word of God says that it becomes established. In other words, the decree can become a foundation upon which to build. Many of us are attempting to build our future, but we are not coming into agreement with God’s Word. Therefore, we are also not decreeing what God has already spoken concerning the situation. Satan has already devised a plan of destruction against us. For many of us, we have battled the spirit of death, and aborted dreams, since the time of our birth. However, we can reverse every decree the enemy has made concerning our lives by writing a NEW decree.Esther wrote a new decree, and it released the entire Jewish nation from a death assignment. We, also, can write a new decree, and that new decree will reverse the curse of death. Just like Esther, God is giving us the same opportunities to write a decree concerning our finances, our health, our children, our houses and whatever concerns us.
Esther 8:7-8 says, "Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse."
Notice in Esther 8:7-8 that Esther was given the house of Haman (How many of you desire a new house? Decree it!) She was told to write a decree, "as you like," and then God would seal it. The decree was written in everyone’s own language so that it was easily understood. Pray, Get God’s Direction, Write the New DecreePlease take some time to pray, and write a decree in your own words. Get real with God. Pour out your heart to Him, and let His Spirit guide you while you write a new decree over your life. Getting up-close and personal with Father will ensure that your decree is from a pure motive. Then, write out a new decree and believe God to reverse the curse of death.Here is an example of a written decree (but, remember, this needs to be in your own words):Father, I realize that the devil has decreed death and destruction over my life. I have battled with a spirit of poverty and hopelessness for a very long time. I believe it began from the time I was born. Since I was a child, I have battled fear and anxiety. I realize that this is NOT what You have decreed over my life. You have stated in your Word that I am called and chosen. Your Word states that I am the head and not the tail. I receive a new measure of faith today. I decree that I will no longer be fearful because I am trusting in You. In the name of Jesus, I repent from being in covenant with the words of satan, and I believe that I am loosed from captivity. I am being established and positioned for abundant wealth according to Your divine purpose. Amen.Tell the devil..."IT IS WRITTEN!"When Jesus was in the wilderness and satan tempted Him, Jesus replied to his enemy with these words..."It is written...." Now that you have written your decree that reverses the curse of death and destruction, tell the devil "IT IS WRITTEN", and shift into your new measure of victory.Cross Over Into Your Promise!

The Blob

I spoke to my daughter after surgery today. Today they removed a large mass from her hand that looked like "black jello" and took bone from her hip and made two new knuckles and replaced the "eaten" bone between with more hip bone and wired it all together. Other than that, and the fact she seems peaceful, I know little. Her significant other called me with that, and Chuck, her dad, who was supposed to be there for the surgery didn't call. I wish I were there. The biopsy results should be in about six days from now. The doctor predicts six months of healing needed.

Blogger Bluuuuuues

Sorry folks, I added a link, and then the sidebar slid to the bottom. The beginning of trouble! I have been trading templates, changing code, searching "help" all to no avail. My advice is "don't mess with your blog template!"

Anyway - welcome to my new format, and the sidebar is at the bottom and I have lost all my links. Oops.

Oh boy - I added this blog and the sidebar returned. Now, if I can only figure out where the code is for the ORANGE headers.

Face to Face

I don't know why my son seems to be enveloping me these past days, perhaps he is trying to say something to me. So I go back to the book he wrote for words from him and feel full of gratefulness for the relationship he had with God.

Here is his poem: "Face to Face" inspired by lst Corinthians 3:12. (Dang it, tears are messing up my makeup!)

I think of Rod's words, "Oh, Spirit, take me," as his longing to be enveloped by the Holy One cries out through the words of the poem..............

Someone said the worst thing that could happen to a parent happened to me - no, not the worst thing.......the worst thing would be losing a child and not knowing what his relationship was with the Lord.

Yeshua, Great Jehovah, Yahweh, with your flowing spirit, rolling across eternity as a vast ocean wave, I am beginning to see you as you are.

Passing, passing, into a weightlessness, drifting, drifting towards a destination that shall swallow this small spirit in blinding light, all consuming light, engulfing me, every fiber with blurring love.

"Oh, Spirit, take me," sings my soul, as one sweetly melting, blending...into a deep, luminous mist.

I can taste your water of life from which I am destined to drink, as I become more like the All-Father.

Across the Rivers of Foreverness I now walk, hand in hand with He who holds the seven stars, towards a place of no recall.

Soon to be glorified as a million splitting atoms in a fervent fusion of souls.

Yes, Jehova Rapha, let it be as You have predestined of eternity past, that I and my kind after your seed, may return to the Heart of Hearts, Soul of Souls.

Nostalgia

ACKKK ACKKKK ACKKK have picked up a virus, I think from my innocent grandchildren. ACKKK. I can't download or upload a thing anywhere except AOL. I have some suspicions that AOL is the virus, rather than the granchilluns. I swore I would never use it again --- I did, now my computer doesn't work right again. Coincidence?

Ahhh, mutiny on the bounty at work. Peace was short-lived. Oh , for the priviledge of firing someone's buTT!

Snowing here, big flakes, went to work in open toe birkies, a light sweater. Came home with wet toes but I did remember my wool babushka scarf from Russia. At least I was warm and dry on mah haid.

Casper - green, warm, trees budding - back here to the Continental Divide - butt cold, snowing, all brown.

Hmmmm, you know I don't remember dying those kitties. Was it perhaps in the big hippie house in Iowa? We sure did grow garden there, didn't we? I made saurkraut and wanted to make headcheese, but couldn't find a hawg's head anywhere. Remember the pumpkin patch and taking all the little ones to run amok and choose pumpkins we could hardly carry?

Easter

Hope everyone who is reading this will have a meaningful Easter.

I'm off to my mother's house but wistfully wish I were home dying eggs with my grandchilluns'. Its warm in the South and I'm cold, and tired of feeling suffocated in layers of clothing.

In this high plateau it takes spring longer to arrive than the rest of the state, and summer leaves more quickly. I am determined to enjoy it when it gets here. Perhaps when I reach the end of that bubble that seems to isolate this town, green will greet me? Maybe?

The antelopes know it is spring - they are all out in droves, grazing the new growth that only they can see. Soon they will be fat. I wish I could get a close up of one of these graceful creatures for you, but they are so shy!

This photo above is my digitally mastered, pink manipulated spring? tree to express my joy at the coming spring. (This is as close to azaeleas as I can get right now!) This is "springtime in the Rockies."

BLESSED EASTER!

Lost it Again

And just after a Sunday Sermon that made me decide to be more Christ-like. I lost it big tonight.

Here's the trail:
Last week:
Tuesday - Commissioners' Meeting from hell.

Wednesday - come home at noon and find all windows out of back of house, front door wide open, cupboards open, and all this in the midst of a dustbowl blowing in before the rain. (What were the glass installers doing in my cupboards??) Call landlords, complain. They say they will stay at the apt. until the glass people come back. Call glass company and chew them out. Come home after work and begin the cleanup. Sand so bad on all surfaces it is turning to mud. Ok, vacum surfaces, then scrub!

Thursday - landlords hire cleaning lady to help me finish cleaning up stove full of sand, dishes, silverware, beds, it is EVERYWHRE.

Friday - company arrives! An old "best" friend. We talk our brains out and have Margauritas. One is two much for me, so why did I do that two nights in a row? Don't feel so good.

Saturday - more friend, now there are three - the old gang, "the three muskateers," yay! Good talk, love, but too much griping about my husband on my part. Guilt. Both of them have suffered more than me, I have no right to complain about a husband that refuses to communicate about anything from the least bit important to the most important, thereby stifling any hope of a relationship. But then I think one thing "Brokeback Mountain" taught me - some, maybe a lot of men can't communicate effectively, and I wonder if that is not only with women but with one another.

Sunday - church with my friend, Lent conviction of how much our sins cost our Lord, then lunch at Su Casa - excellent little place for Tex-Mex. Then she leaves for home, and I decide to drive out to the dam about 30 miles out of town. Photos, walking along the Platte River, gathering of willows. Sunday night - ah, not enough sleep.

Monday - come home, beyond tired, exhausted. Another employee quit. Another recruiting & hiring time consuming run, on top of usual duties. Phone talk to oldest daughter who has rare bone tumor in hand and is freaking out because it is growing daily and the doctor cancels her surgery. Fall in bed, oversleep on Tuesday.

Tuesday - intercession at lunch. Go home at 7:00 and find little spooky things - the sprayer on back of sink laying across the drainer - I never use the sprayer. OK, here we go again, am I nuts? Demonic manifestations? Multiple Personality Disorder? Hmmm. Begin washing lettuce for supper and water pours all over my feet, floor, carpet (ah, classic horror movie symptoms of a possessed apartment!!!) - oh yeh, another mess, just exactly what I was hoping for. Call landlord, yes, I'm nasty - not only because of ANOTHER mess but ANOTHER invasion of privacy. I have two phone numbers they COULD use to tell me they would be in my apartment for repairs while I am away. I slammed the door to my bedroom and cleaned up a website while they cleaned up the flood!

Her - miffed because I am mad - he - making excuses, shuckin' & jivin'. I told them (for the 138th time) the issue is my privacy, I want to know when someone is in here! If I leave underpants on the back of the chair to dry, I want to option of putting them away before someone comes in here. I pay rent, I have a right to privacy. She left mad, he left like he'd been caught in something pretty wicked. So, I guess I'll wait to see if I'm getting evicted.

So another day of struggling with the flesh, the mind, while the spirit finds spaces to bask in the warmth of God's presence. I look to Mother Teresa of Calcutta and wonder at her - I saw her little gutsy self once railing at an audience because of abortion - another time, holding a sick starving child to her heart. Hmm, I wonder. I think I shall go buy her book, maybe there are secrets there to help with all this silly struggle. At least I have blankets, food, a roof, loved ones, a job, so much, so much. Thank you Lord, and I pray, accept my praise, overlook my selfish concerns.

National Crime Victims Week/Month

Have you ever needed flowers really badly? And there has been no one to "hint" to, and even if if you had someone to hint to, you wouldn't get any until they were on sale? Well, tonight I needed flowers. And I needed them NOW! (Yes, my husband has been known to send me roses, often before I began this Wyoming jaunt. In fact these are a bouquet he gave me, being recycled just for tonight!)

(So, I sent them to myself through this blog.)

What a rough day with the Commissioners. It is one thing to be a victim of blatant gender discrimination, but another to be a victim of gender discrimination when a man doesn't know what he's doing. But then there are some that know what they are doing - like the married guy who states he wants "lots of girl friends, and I would name them Number One, and Number Two, and so on." What does that say about this man?

The gender bias toward women elected officials is becoming so obvious that people from outside attending the meetings are making remarks about it. It is even more obvious when it prevents one from doing their work to the best, and affects ones' wages. The irony is that the Commissioners signed a resolution in support of "National Crime Victims" month today.

What is crime? Is it minor crime when 4 women leave the meeting crying? And what happens if we are tough enough not to cry, but to attempt to defend ourselves: A well known fact, we then move over into the "B......" category in many men's minds.

Age discrimination also took place today. A 28-year old who came in with a mini (both top and bottom) skirt on and tight blouse, with the required thong obvious when she sat down pretty much skated through the meeting with grinning Commissioners being very kind and solicitous. Hmmmmm....interesting. Her boss followed her, ogling, instead of being embarrassed at being represented by an inappropriately dressed "secretary." You guessed it. She wasn't the one receiving the discrimination - or was she? Who wants favors because of sexuality and skimpy clothing? How about abilities and accomplishments? Guys, we like to be treated nice because we are women or even, try -- another human being, but not because we are sexual objects only. Is that a revelation? Or can you even hear it? Or maybe you don't care. I am hoping you are ruled by your heart rather than - - - - well you know.

Is the wage thing a hangover from the days where "women belonged in the home?" The man came home and gave the little lady barely enough to feed the family and ok's the purchase of a dress or household item. Complete control? Nearly. I thought this was the 21st Century. Those days are over - our economy just about dictates that women have to work, albiet for lower wages for the same job that men perform. Ironic, it seems, in a State that first "allowed" women to vote - hmmmm, what is wrong to begin with, that women have to be "allowed" to vote. Men, how would you like to be "allowed" to vote?

A State that witnessed the cruelest manner of murder of a gay man, because he was gay and liked nice clothes, yet still remains prejudiced, a State that a municipal representative can ignorantly say about the some residents of New Orleans, "they could have walked out." And, "They should all go back to where the came from." First if the "representative" (are you proud, Wyoming?) had ever been to New Orleans, and looked to see how the city and highways were laid out, and the distances involved, he would know how ignorant that remark was. But would he even care? Maybe he was/is proud of his ignorance. Secondly, we all came from somewhere, except the American Indian that we practiced genocide upon, so maybe we should go back to where we came from. Sorry Wyoming, I know that you don't have the monopoly on these "crimes" against humanity, I've seen it elsewhere, but today because I am smarting from the stings, I want to stand in your streets and cry, "Shame, shame, shame!".

What, I wonder, would a world be like without hate, without crimes, without prejudice against anyone over 40, people of color, races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, gender differences, beatings, intimidations, cruelty against women and children, just because they are physically weaker more often than men? Don't they realize if men conquered the demons within them, or channeled the urge to conquer those weaker or different than themselves to something productive, that they would become heros? Maybe then we could even put an end to poverty and war? (men, in general, you know your hearts, if this isn't you, then you ARE my hero.)

The two most wonderful things that can be taught to children are to be kind, but to be able to defend themselves against the hatred in the world. And when all else fails - foregiveness. Although forgiveness does not include a carte blanche for abusers to keep on abusing.

Here's for National Crime Victims Week/Month! As well as signing a proclamation, shall we start in our own backyards, our own homes, our own relationships, our own sphere of influence, our own hearts?

Ivan the Terrible

Ivan the Terrible. Fast as greased lightnin'. Impaler of kittens. Three eyed monstor. Found off of Gulf Beach highway in the guise of a small black kitten traumatized by Hurricane Ivan.

Nurtured and loved, but was it genetic, or trauma, why, oh why, did this animal go so wrong?

Picked up for crimes so horrible, they were "hushed up." Bailed out once by woman who was too trusting and will never trust again.

If you see Ivan the Terrible, the three eyed monster, RUN, RUN, RUN!

Psycho

The striped kitty was a birthday present to my grandson. The cat's name evolved with the cat - PSYCHO. The kitty was adopted out of a garage. Fitting. This is a garage cat, i.e., no class. But a little boy's love know's no bounds, so Psycho stays, and stays, and stays. I do have to give him credit - he is a beauty. Shiny. Goldie eyes. Now big. But crazy. Neighbor called the cat police and Psycho disappeared from Neighbor's life and ours for a week. He was bailed out, with his friend, Ivan, sick, and cost a lot of mony to totally rehab back to healthy young (neutered) male cats.

When Psycho and Ivan returned, they killed a rat, probably from our garage as Neighbor keeps a VERY tidy garage. As a result, Neighbor decided maybe cats weren't as evil as they seem. My daughter who put up the bail money the first time has decided, no more bail. Oddly enough, it was Psycho who understood and reformed. Ivan disappeared again, never to return.

Now, if you are thinking, "how cruel to let the animals outside" - you do not understand these two. They would, in the most crafty manner, hide and wait for a door to open. They would slink out if it was dark and we would never know. Cats slink, you know. If it was daylight, both at the same time would shoot from out of nowhere into the backs of our knees. Once our balance was regained or we picked ourselves up from the floor, the cats were long gone and no amount of chasing could catch them; gone, only to return when they were hungry or needed to potty.

Now, the potty is what REALLY makes Chuck mad! He completely does not understand cats, (or, at first, particularly like them) although after living with four for several years, he is getting it. He, and rightfully so, does not understand why cats come inside to poop. Now, come to think of it, I don't either. But, neighbor is very glad that they do. End of Psycho story.

Freedom to Believe

The following is written by someone I've never seen nor met, but somehow my heart feels a-kin to this one: "The problem with the terrorist Islamic extremist whether they are Taliban in Afghanistan or a few in Iran and Lebanon . They just can’t be like the civilized people of the world and solve their issues rationally they have to get angry and violent and kill the innocent people.why? Because they have been brained washed that what ever happens in the world is the conspiracy by the west and want to point the problem and blame it all on the west so that they would have an excuse for their citizens for been incapable for doing the job and so that they could recruit terrorist !But what the Iran’s regime and Taliban in Afghanistan and other Islamic terrorist have done is that they showed us what happens when Islam is in power of the political authority another example is the middle ages in Europe and the problem with the Christianity in the political power so it is not just the problem with specific religion .The problem is when the religion involves in politics by people who abuse religion.They don’t understand that the religion is a sacred thing and it belongs to our churches or our Mosques or our Synagogue and the last but certainly not the least it belongs to our heart not the politics.Because the religion is not for imposing it on every in the political system. I think most people in the middle east are probably not for a secular democratic movements but most people of Iran are because they have seen the atrocities of the Islamic republic in 27 and once that happens that could be a model for the rest of the middle east counties because of the geopolitical location of Iran and the impact that it could have on the political process in the world ." Written By Korosh.APriceOfTheFreedom@hotmail.com

Aren't we lucky in the U.S.? Wasn't that profound what the writer said about religion being the scared thing that belongs in our hearts? Jesus never "pounded" religion into anyone - but gave the truth and love out...........the unregenerated part of man's heart wants to force religion, I think.

What do you think?