Hey, whats up.  I've not had much time to be on here, but I've been wondering how y'all are.  I've been so busy that it's hard to find time to sit still...  I thought I'd say hi and let you know I'm kicking... lol

take care

Time ticks by so fast, so slow

no one knows just where it goes

we wonder why it flys by so

then to think "oh man it's slow"

Sitting here I now ponder in thought 

things that could have been, would have been, and aren't

loves I missed, the touches, the kisses,

dreaming about what might be one day

wondering if my mind is at bay...

As time passes by I grow older so we say,

my soul grows weary, lonely & bored

wondering long if time is lord.

I think not, so this I say,

my mind keeps dreaming, my soul at play

I am master of my life tis true,

some days it's hard, my feelings so blue.

Sitting here thinking, he's on my mind...

wondering about the things soon coming in time.

The other day I was thinking about some of the yummy things that are provided for us by nature, some in our own backyards, others in the woods...  I was tickled pink to find some new dandilion greens sprouting up the other day... the blossoms hadn't quite come out.  The greens are great with romaine lettuce, fresh leaf lettuce from the garden, some cheez (fresh grated parmisean is great!) a few baby carrots, maybe a raddish & green oninons... mmm... throw a mater on there and you've got a doosey.

Something else good is homemade rootbeer.  I don't recall where I read a recipe, but one my grandma & I came up with was good.  We found some small sasafrass saplings and dug at the roots.  We broke off a bit, but didn't take it all because we didn't want to kill the tree.  We ended up with about 3 regular size carrots worth (not sure how to explain it otherwise)... we put on a kettle of water and after scrubbing the roots good we broke em up to fit and put them into the pot.  Then we broght them to a boil, shut off the heat and let them steep for about 20 minutes.  Strained the brew and added a little sweetner (we used that splenda & sugar stuff).  We chilled it for a day and oh was it good.  Non-carbonated of course, but good... :D

The other day I picked up my copy of True Magick A beginners guide by Amber K.  I bought it in 99 after my sister had shown interest (I thought if we both had a copy I could help her along).  Out of the blue I found it amongst some other things I had brought into the house and I figured there was a reason it was surfacing...

I began to leaf through the browning pages and found many I'd dog eared (in case you don't know that means turned the corner down) and marked on.  One that stuck out very was A spell for self blessing.  I've been kinda bummed out lately due to my husband going back to work and being gone weeks on end, and the fact that I hate my job but am dealing with it because it's extremely flexible with me which I need for school... anyway, I wanted to share this because it's simple and easily done. 

From Amber K's True Magick:  A Spell for Self-Blessing

Equipment: A chalice of wine or pure water, a candle (white or pale blue), a little salt, and a beautiful fresh rose.

spell: This is adapted from one in the Book of Pagan Rituals.  Once the circle is cast and you favorite Deities are invoked, sprinkle the salt on the floor or ground, and stand skyclad (note from Laurel- It's your descresion here, I didn't do it skyclad) on it.  Hold the candle for a few moments, feeling the warmth and comfort.  Then take up the chalice, breathe deeply and lift the chalice to the image of the Goddess as you visualize Her before you.  Say the following alloud: 

"Bless me, Mother, for I am your child."

Dip your fingers into the challice and annoint your eyes, saying:

"Blessed be my eyes, that they may clearly see Thy path before me."

annoint your lips, saying:

"Blessed be my lips, that I may speak Thy truth."

annoint your breast, saying:

"Blessed be my breast, that I may love well, and feel Thy love for me."

annoint your loins, saying:

"Blessed be my loins, which bring forth life and plesure, as Thou hast brought forth all creation to please Thee."

Annoint your hands, saying:

"Blessed be my hands, that I may do Thy work with strength and skill."

Annoint your feet, saying:

"Blessed be my feet, that I may ever walk in Thy ways."

Present yourself the rose knowing it is Her gift of love and blessing to you.  Holding the rose meditate quietly for awhile, playing a tape of beautiful music if you wish.

Acting in accord: Take care of yourself, giving yourself as much respect and attention as you would your best friend.  Allow yourself proper nutrition and enough rest and recreation.  Dress more elegantly and carefully than usual, in some of your favorite clothes.  Give yourself a special treat: a night out with friends, a small present, a trip to someplace you have always enjoyed.  Consider whether there are parts of your life which make you bored or unhappy, and plan now to change them. 

The weather is goregous, cool, but nice... I'm going to help my grandma in her flower gardens this week and she's given me the ok to put an herb garden atop the hill.  I'm still working on the fire ring part.... :D  Its a beautiful spot for my outdoor area.  We'll see what happens.

As of right now it looks as though we'll be here awhile, at least until some financial stability comes into play.  With me going back to school things are going to be even tighter financially, but the end result will be worth the sacrafice now.

 I'm going to get my crochet out again and work on some patterns.  I've been trying.  The business I attempted to launch has now been put on the back burner again... I've not had much luck with it, but it's also been difficult to keep up with all the moving...

Hope you all enjoy the weather, I hope it's nice wherever you are!!

Blessings!