Feeling Just Like This ....

300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues 
The White Stripes

I'm bringing back ghosts
That are no longer there
I'm gettin' hard on myself
Sittin' in my easy chair
Well, there's three people in the mirror
And I'm wonderin' which one of them I should choose
Well, I can't keep from laughin'
Spittin' out these 300 mile per hour outpour blues

I'm breakin' my teeth off
Tryin' to bite my lip
There's all kinds of red-headed women
That I ain't supposed to kiss
And it's that color that never fails
To turn me blue
So I just swallow it and hold on to it
And use it to scare the hell out of you

I have a woman
'Says come and watch me bleed
And I'm wonderin' just how I can do that
And still give her everything that she needs
Well, there's three people in my head that have the answer
And one of them's got to be you
But you're holding tight to it -- the answer
Singin' these three hundred mile per hour outpour blues

Put on gloves, a tied scarf and wrap up warm
On this winter night
Every time you get defensive
You're just looking for a fight
It's safe to sing somebody out there's got a problem
With almost anything you'll do
Well, next time they stab you don't fight back just play the victim
Instead of playin' the fool
And the roads are covered with a million
Little molecules
Of cigarette ashes and the school floors are covered
With pieces of pencil eraser too
Well sooner or later the ground's gonna be holdin' all
Of my ashes too
But I can't help but wonder if after I'm gone will I still have these three hundred mile per
hour, finger breaking, no answers makin', battered dirty hands, bee stung and busted up, empty
cup torrential outpour blues

One thing's for sure: in that graveyard
I'm gonna have the shiniest pair of shoes

Any one else ever feel like this?

In Love, Truth and Beauty ....

Reflecting on Then and Now

MLK and Malcolm X ca 1964

Pondering what each of these brilliant visionaries would have to say on current times.
Both of these inspiring leaders knew how to move FORWARD.
Have we kept up? 
Hmmm....


Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

In Love, Truth and Beauty......

A Change Is Gonna Come

Martin Luther King, Jr. on Love and Hate

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo by Howard Sochurek for LIFE Magazine

 In Love, Truth and Beauty.....

Winged Creatures, Past and Present Lives

I love all creatures, but retain a special and specific fondness for beings with wings.

I suppose that my affection for those beings with wings is as telling of my own nature as anything else in my life.

Several times, I have been amused (and a bit taken aback) when others have revealed my totem or soul representative as "Raven".

Here is an excerpt of one such revelation that I found to be quite true:

"This is a very interesting path for a being. The most important thing to remember about a person's life when they are under the Raven's wing is that you have been here before, you know all about this stuff and what you do not know you are about to find out. There is really nothing too surprising or amazing to a Raven person. New things? Sure, but as they have been witness to so many massive shifts over the myriad of lifetimes required to lead a Raven life, there are no real surprises. The danger for a Raven soul is landing in an area where there are no other Ravens and no real competition. A Raven needs powerful reflection and only another Raven can do that for them. Only another Raven is capable of understanding a Raven. An old soul does not protect a person from falling into a too comfortable trap and growing lazy. Laziness is deadly for a Raven. A Raven needs the power of their wings to carry their great bodies high above the world to gain perspective needed to fulfill their ultimate earth destiny. Each Raven has a particular mission to complete their earth cycle. Find out what it is, Raven. You may be comfortable and unshaken, but are you alert and fulfilling your vision?"

I am wondering about the Biblical comfort that the creator knows the exact moment each sparrow falls.

I find the recent news of birds falling from the sky and dead fish washing ashore particularly distressing. Am I the only Raven paying attention?

We must learn that we are the caretakers of this planet. I fear our time may soon be up. When birds fall from the sky and fish die in massive amounts, should we not pay attention to how we are treating the elements and creatures that support our own lives?
Where are my Ravens?

In Love, Truth and Beauty......

Dedicated to Birkan Tore

December 31, 2010, Shakespeare and Talking Heads

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act V, scene v

	I have thought of the foregoing quote many, many times in my life. Aptly, this gem rolled through my mind earlier today, as I was recycling the 2010 calendars. In my youth, the 'New Year' was exciting! In early adult life, I fell upon many years of darkness. I came to dislike the advent of a new year. The new year was a time to recount all of my mistakes, instead of looking ahead with optimism. I still struggle a bit during this auspicious time, but I am coming around to a feeling of gratitude, not depression, loss or failure. On that note, I cannot help but wonder if this life is to be taken seriously - or not? It seems that our friend, Macbeth wondered the same thing. Positively, I have been gifted and blessed with an embarrassment of riches. I am presently filled with conscious gratitude for every ambulatory, breathing second. But, still .... I do ponder the entire script of life....and I always have. I do not know my role or purpose or even if there is one! I wish that I could be one of those people who knows exactly what their life's purpose is! I relate to Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime"!! "How did I get here?" Is life a comedy, a tragedy, a drama, a soap opera, a whim, a plan, a thought, a dream? What, exactly, is "a life"? This is what I do know.... I have packed up many belongings of loved ones after they leave this life behind. I absolutely know that those material (matter-real) goods mean NOTHING (NO-Thing). Those belongings cannot possibly tell the story of the beloved's life. What remains and never ends are the emotional bonds formed in this life. Those feelings are as real, as fresh, as tangible and as present as the sound of my fingers tapping the keyboard at this moment. These days, I bond in LOVE. Love really is all that MATTERS (material). May each and every one of you forge bonds of love in the upcoming 'new year'. In Love, Truth and Beauty....

Holiday "Spirit" or Critical Alcohol

For the most part, I am a vegan. Becoming vegan was a slowly-evolved process.....and I personally believe that it is correct for me. 

I still own the odd leather good, and I do use honey, beeswax and some goat milk in a few of my handcrafted soaps. This is why I state "For the most part"....

I have never been able to eat dairy, so no elimination required in that department.

I still enjoy the occasional cocktail, cordial, aperitif, beer or vino, but I do not imbibe as in younger years.  I am incredibly picky!

In honor of the holidays, I am going to share a recipe for vegan Irish cream that tastes very much like the bad-for-you (and pricey!) sweet libation.

I cook and create by taste - not measurement - so bear with me!

Vegan Irish Cream

Coconut Milk (I buy this by the 1/2 gallon - NOT the canned coconut cream/milk) - about 2 cups

Raw Turbinado Sugar- app 2-3 tblsp

Agave Nectar - app 1 tblsp

Vanilla Extract

Almond Extract (optional)

3/4 cup brewed coffee

dark cocoa powder (optional)

dash sea salt

preferred whiskey or bourbon (3/4 cup - ?)

Throw all ingredients in a high speed blender (I used a Vita Mix). 30 seconds. Taste. Adjust. Bottle or store in airtight containers in the frig. Must be shaken before serving. May be served straight up, on the rocks, in coffee or tea....a little goes a long way, as this is wonderfully decadent.

Enjoy responsibly!

Cheers!

 

And do not forget to SMILE!!!! 

Easiest way to shift energy in any situation, place or space!!

In Love, Truth and Beauty....