Republicans Love Teachers

I know, I know, two Republican blogs in one day but really, I couldn't let this pass. Why? Because I come from a long line of teachers, from kindergarten to college professor. My grandfather was the Dean of Central College for 37 years. He taught math, astronomy, and several other things I'm not particularly good at. My grandmother taught Latin. They have buildings named after them.

My Father was a school Principal most of his adult life and my mother taught Latin and Kindergarten until she retired. So, when someone talks about public school teachers in this country, I listen.

I quote Ann Coulter from her most recent column on her website, speaking about Obama and public school teachers:

"He was suspiciously verbose about saving the jobs of public school teachers. Because nothing says "economic stimulus" better than saving the jobs of lethargic incompetents who kick off at 2 p.m. every day and get summers off. Actually, that's not fair: Some teachers spend long hours after school having sex with their students."

"Lethargic incompetents." Hmmm ....... teachers, are you listening?

Rush Loves the Constitution .... dontcha know

Ok Rush, you "love and revere our founding documents, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence."

Um ...... where were these words during Dubya's administration?

Hmmm .... well ..... maybe we should just turn to the Republican mouthpieces for some more truth and facts ........ shouldn't we?



Ummm ...... ok, that didn't work, either. Let's see. What can we turn to these new Republicans for .... must be something ....... ummmmm ....... OK, got it. I know this is old, but this'll give you a chuckle. These Republicans are SO damn funny!



Oops. Not funny. Racist, factually wrong, racist ...... should I go on? No, ok. Let's try again. I know that new Republicans are good for something. I know they are!

Ok, here we go ........

Hmmmm .........

Dang ...... Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Dubya ...... I'm searching here.

Sorry. Can't find the truth here anywhere. Umm ......

Try this on for style. Explore the difference between this, and the above. Let me know what you think.

I'm afraid of the evil tarot and pentagram!

As most of you know, I've been interested in tarot for years. I enjoy both reading for friends and having my own cards read by others. Once in awhile I'll still shell out $30 to see what a good reader has to say but mostly I read, or a good Milwaukee friend will read for me. (You know who you are, Jurg.)

Lately I've had people ask why anyone would want to have their cards read. I admit, this question often seems to come from the seriously non-curious. Nevertheless, it's a good question. Why would anyone want to have someone else seemingly dive into their lives and personal affairs?

My first response to that question is this: insight. To me, the first and foremost tool of tarot is to give one insight into either a general or specific situation in her/his life. Tarot is the exploration of options, a presenter of choices, a purveyor of power ("knowledge is power"), and a method of directing our focus on what concerns may be imminent.

Of course there are many other ways of using the tarot: as a ritual tool, access to our unconscious, focus for meditation, clarification of goals, understanding dreams or even creating dreams.




Tarot is not used to cast evil spells or make others do what they do not wish to do. There have been rather accurate past portrayals in the media of witches, witchcraft and the use of esoteric tools, but most often witches, tarot, books of shadows and other accoutrement are depicted as in some way evil and tools of wicked intent. Nothing could be further from the truth.



Just as the tarot is not a tool of malevolent scheming, neither is the pentagram a symbol to be feared. Do you know what the pentagram represents? It is a five pointed star representing elements: air, earth, fire, water and spirit. It is a tool of protection, not fear.

The number five is considered to be mystical and magickal. We have five senses (those which are known as the common senses). Five toes, five fingers, five pillars of the Muslim faith, five daily times of prayer, five wounds of Christ on the cross.

Every person is a star!



There is a tarot layout which is done in the shape of the five pointed pentagram. By the way, the symbol you often see us wearing is actually called a pentacle, which is a pentagram within a circle.

One "suit" of the tarot card deck is called pentacles, or sometimes coins. This suit represents prosperity, finances, business ventures. The ace of pentacles can represent a new, prosperous beginning.



So you see, tarot cards and pentagrams are actually a wondrous celebration of life, nature and spirit.

Those are today's words. Spread 'em, ok? (All right, that was a little wytch joke.)

I Adore Crones

I was going to write about older women, but then saw gorgeous, super smart Michelle Obama on the news. She's not exactly older, so I've changed the title to "crones" which, I know, brings to mind an ugly old woman in most people's minds.

Even the out of date dictionary definition of crone is "an old woman who is thin and ugly."

So let me tell you what a crone really is. A crone is the third part of the triumvirate starting as maiden and mother. This means I'm a crone and I ain't old, baby. My life producing years may have just ended but my knowledge of life continues growing larger and stronger, and that's precisely what a crone is, a knowledgeable elder.



There is much to be learned from older women and it's about dang time we recognized this here in the good ol' U.S. of A. I'm pretty sickety sick of older men with wrinkles being termed "maturely handsome" and older women with the same wrinkles being viewed as ...... well ..... OLD and undesirable. Huh? Who thought up that disjointed idea?

My experience with men, all the way back since I was in my teens, is that they are mostly interested in my pants. Older women, while I'm not gonna say we don't notice a cute young hunk, have much more on our minds and might I say much more important things on our minds.

The women I'm close to are students of life. We read, study, watch, and each day brings us closer to the answers for which we search. The search brings us more ability to share this knowledge with our sisters.

Now don't go all defensive on me re the wonderful men in your life. Ya, I know some, too. Some of my best friends are men. My husband is, too, and believe me, I'm pretty psyched about having my own in-house hunk.

My point is that in general we devalue women as they age and that is just plain wrong. So I'm talking about it now and you know I will be again.

As usual.

Taking a Break to Celebrate

Today I will refresh my mind and soul, take a break from this seeming political chaos, turn off the news, and simply enjoy and appreciate my wonderful life. We don't do this often enough, do we? If you do, bless you and please share this ability with others.

Today I will spend the day alone, or at least separated from other human beings. I am surrounded by the love of six furballs (Luna, Angus, Bart, Tashi, Sophie and Merlyn), Mama Nature's incredible acceptance, the pleasure of my home and sacred objects, and intrigue of my books.

Today I begin my celebration of Ostara. Although still three weeks away nature has already commenced noting the arrival of the spring equinox, warmer weather and longer light. On March 20th we celebrate the Vernal Equinox (Ostara), the midway point of Candlemas and Beltane. This is the celebration of spring's apex, the equality of night and day, the return of the God of Light and the Mother Goddess who opens herself to fertility.



Today I was amused by the first Kildeer performance I've seen so far this year. Quite vocal in her attempt to lead me astray, she brought a smile to my face (as they always do) when she screeched and flopped around, creating a Sarah Bernhardt worthy production of convincing me she had been injured so that I would follow her far from her nest.



Today I took down the last of my Yule greeneries from my rural mailbox and will replace them with spring colors and flowery adornments along with little twinkling lights. I will start my spring cleaning of the yard, fill the fountains with fresh water for the birds and plan my herb and vegetable gardens.

Today is a day to begin our renewal, replenish our souls with the bounty of Mother Nature and give praise for the incredible life giving forces of our universe.

Namasté

This is the best they can do?

I listened to our President last night and found myself renewing the hope for our futures which I have had for the past four months. To say that it is incredibly uplifting to hear our President speak to us with eloquence and intelligence, as though we are, indeed, intelligent enough to understand him, is understatement. Yowza! Now already there's a change I can live with!

Then the Republicans send Bobby Jindal on as their rebuttist (and I quote Dubya here ...... ok, not really ..... but he could have made up this word if it sounded even stupider). Bobby Jindal, Governor of Lousiana. Yes, Lousiana. Where the hurricane Katrina decimated its most famous city. This is what Republican Governor Jindal (of Lousiana) had to say, and I quote:

"the government didn't help us out during Katrina, so we know not to look to them for help during this economic crisis".



Now to quote Rachel Maddow when asked about Jindal's response: "ah .... a .... ah ..... bwa bwa bahhhhh...... I don't even know what to say right now".

Yep. Me, too, Rachel.

We hate to belabor the obvious (but often do it, anyway), but, ah, does Gov. Jindal recall that BUSH was President during Katrina? Hey, Bobby! Bobby! Pay attention now! Bush is gone! WE VOTED OUT THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION! We have a new President now! Hello??

This is the best that the Republican party can offer up to rebut President Obama's well thought out, well laid out speech, keeping the American people informed every step of his way just as he said he would in his campaign speeches? Wha?

Jindal's argument is that since the federal government couldn't do anything productive for New Orleans following the Katrina tragedy, don't expect any help, at all, for anything in the future.

First of all would someone please ring Bobby up and catch him up to date on who's Prez right now? Second, could someone alert him that perhaps when he offers up a rebuttal directly following the President who speaks to us as though we are intelligent, thinking adults, he MIGHT not want to speak V E R Y S L O W L Y, using only grade school terminology and two syllable words.

Oh yes, and THIRD. Someone ...... please ........ someone ........ let Governor of Louisiana Jindal know that not only is there $5 billion in Katrina government aid still unspent in Lousiana (his state) ....... but that turning down the money coming to Lousiana via President Obama's stimulus package means that YOU are denying your state the federal help it could receive.

Sigh.

Caged Wild Animals - Come ON, PEOPLE!

Ok, now look (and I quote our adored President there). We've all seen the news lately: Key West being overrun with boa constrictors and exotic snakes. Key West being a place where there was never a snake problem before.

Why? Because people who wish to appear exotic themselves purchase these wild animals, then when they cannot care for them they take the easy way out and dump them. Please tell me who can cuddle and love a snake ..... go ahead ......
tell me ...... and the reptile "loves" you in return, right? Uh-huh.

What happens next? Snakes lay 40 eggs or more so guess what. The countryside fills up with unwanted animals which are not native to the area and they cause problems for humans and other animals. Do YOU want to accidentally cross paths with a 12 foot boa constrictor? Me, either.

I don't have anything against snakes. We have lots of 'em here in Missouri ....... the ones which belong here in order to keep the environment under control. I see them often. The little ones are adorable ..... the big ones are necessary. The hawks love to munch on them. But do I wish to find a boa constrictor crawling out of the couch my child is sitting on as just happened in New York? NO!

The latest chimpanzee attack has brought to light, once again, the problem with keeping a wild animal and treating it as a child. It doesn't work. I researched chimp attacks and they happen often and ferociously. Chimps do not behave as do domesticated dogs and kitties. Why? Because they are wild animals, people!

Sorry to all who wish to appear Madonna or Wytchy-like exotic by having a white snake or some other exotic reptile, but they are not domesticated animals and simply do not belong in your home. What sounds "cool" is actually WRONG.

Caging animals is WRONG. Have you read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"? As far as that goes, zoos have always seemed inhumane to me ...... or inanimalmane, as it were. These animals are caged, gawked at and held against their will in unnatural environments so that humans can "enjoy" their plight? Wha? How is this a good thing?

As humans we wish to control the world, including the environment. Well, Mama Nature is showing us who's boss, isn't she? Global warming is upon us. We want to drive and travel all over the place in our gasoline powered cars rather than staying home, living a simpler life (myself included in the past). Instead of powering our transportation naturally (which can be easily achieved but the Rockefellers preferred that we use oil) we choose the production of carbon monoxide, filling the environment with pollutants.

But I digress. As usual.

I'm not preaching to the choir here ...... I'm hoping to hit a note with those who want to keep exotic animals in their homes for whatever reason. I doubt that any of the reasons, if examined closely, have anything to do with the welfare of the animal. As humans and, for the most part, the top of the food chain, we should be invested in caring for the animals in our worlds, not torturing them by putting snakes in aquariums, birds in cages and chimps in a home built for people.

Yes, we share 98% of our DNA with chimps, but evidently that 2% which is not shared is the killer 2%.

In general I'm not pro more and more laws. I'm pro common sense. But since there seems to be a dearth of common sense around lately it looks like we need laws.

It's time to enact laws protecting wild animals again. Once again we need to protect them from US. From humans bringing exotic, wild animals into their homes, finding out that it doesn't work out well and then producing a tragedy beyond sanity or releasing wild animals where they don't belong.

Many of us have kept birds in cages, myself included. I love birds and would like to have a large, exotic bird in my home. But I had to rethink that. I'd love it, but how would the bird feel about it? I came to the conclusion that the only way I could justify that purchase would be after we've built a greenhouse, filled with trees and plants, where we could allow the bird to fly free.

However, is even that enough? It's still a caged environment.

I invite your responses both pro and con. Perhaps I'm wrong about our desire to keep wild animals in unnatural environments. But I doubt it. What do you think?

Cemetery Haunting

Constructed in 1857 and designed by John Wood, the Woodland Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois is one of the more intriguing cemeteries I've haunted recently. It overlooks the Mississippi River from the bluff on which Quincy is set. The view is wonderful.



Oh ...... you didn't know that one of my favorite pastimes was haunting old cemeteries? How long have I known you?

Yesterday afternoon found me creeping around Woodland with my camera while listening to Marschner's "Der Vampyr" on NPR radio. Really, does it get any better than that?



Well anyway, I got to thinking about why it is that cemeteries have always attracted me. When I was growing up there was a large cemetery about 6 blocks from my home. In those days kids were allowed to run around at night, stay at others' houses, camp in our backyards ...... you name it. We weren't so paranoid back then that there was a child molester hiding around every corner. Now we hear news from all over the world, news that every day tells us we are not safe. How can this not have affected our sense of being safe in our own space?



But I digress. As a child, along with my friends, we used to run through this cemetery at night. We would continually fascinate ourselves with the one above ground "tomb" of cement, trying to dislodge the lid. Which, of course, we couldn't. There was a crack in the corner of it, however, and this made us believe that somehow, some day, we would surely be able to slide that 500 pound lid over just far enough so that we could have a peek inside. This was the extent of our attempt at vandalism, at which we were dismal failures.

Well there was one other little thing, but that's a different BLOG.

When my daughters were young we used to pick up sandwiches and park in the middle of a cemetery for our picnic. This could explain the way they turned out, perhaps. Hmmmm. Nevertheless, it was always a peaceful outing. Rarely is anyone trampling through a cemetery with their barking, pooping and peeing dogs. I like that about cemeteries.



Other than the errant young vandal, seldom do you find anyone being disrespectful in a cemetery. I imagine that we still, as a society, respect the spiritual and for that I'm thankful.



So what is it about cemeteries? Fear of the unknown? Our craving for the mysterious? The intrigue of the "other worldly"? Or is it the feeling that we are playing with fire, with things we don't understand and which pump our adrenaline a bit faster, make us feel slightly more alive by contrast with the peacefulness following death?



I know there are many who dislike the thought of cemeteries or viewing them. It seems to me that were we to more readily accept that death is part of life we would find the passage through our lives into old age more acceptable. Rather than trying to always look younger and avoid thoughts of what it means to be old, would we be more at peace with the knowledge of old age and death were we to allow ourselves more contact with them?



My Dad's death was a heavy blow for me emotionally. When Dad was showing signs that he might not be around on this plane much longer I asked him if he cold try to contact me from the other side. He said he would "have to think about it." Har. To my knowledge he hasn't done so yet ......... but then again I have noticed that this past winter I've seen so many more hawks, eagles and what I call the "God sky" ...... I have to wonder if maybe he isn't having something to do with that.



There isn't anything about Woodland Cemetery that isn't intriguing. From the old grave markers which are in disrepair and falling down the bluff, to the "City Vault", built into the hillside and now housing seemingly the castoffs of the cemetery, the place has a feel of calm solitude.



Next time I think I'll bring a bottle of wine to share and sip it under one of the incredible cemetery trees providing shelter for the still living. I highly recommend a trip through the oldest cemetery you can find, reading the names and dates and giving blessings to those who have passed this way before.



Namasté