Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Kwanzaa, (matunda ya kwanza, Swahili for “first fruits”),
an African American holiday observed by African communities
throughout the world that celebrates family, community, and culture.
It is a seven-day holiday that begins December 26 and continues through
January 1. Kwanzaa has its roots in the ancient African first-fruit harvest
celebrations from which it takes its name. However, its modern history
begins in 1966 when it was developed by African American scholar
and activist Maulana Karenga.
Kwanzaa is organized around five fundamental activities
common to other African first-fruit celebrations:
(1) the ingathering of family, friends, and community;
(2) reverence for the creator and creation
(including thanksgiving and recommitment to respect the environment
and heal the world);
(3) commemoration of the past (honoring ancestors, learning lessons and emulating achievements of African history);
(4) recommitment to the highest cultural ideals of the African community
(for example, truth, justice, respect for people and
nature, care for the vulnerable, and respect for elders);
and (5) celebration of the “Good of Life”
(for example, life, struggle, achievement, family, community, and culture).
Kwanzaa is celebrated through rituals, dialogue,
narratives, poetry, dancing, singing, drumming and
other music, and feasting. A central practice is the lighting of the mishumaa
(seven candles) of Kwanzaa. A candle is lit each day for each of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles). These principles are umoja (unity);
kujichagulia (self-determination);
ujima (collective work and responsibility);
ujamaa (cooperative economics);
nia (purpose); kuumba (creativity);
and imani (faith).
Kwanzaa ends with a day of assessment on which celebrants
raise and answer questions of cultural and moral grounding
and consider their worthiness in family, community, and culture.
hope everyone had a great holiday.
mine was very nice. my little granddaughter was a hoot!
she wanted nothing for dinner but some of the meatballs i had made.
she was very clear as she yelled, "meatballs, MEATBALLS!" while sitting
in her little booster chair at the table. i was so pleased!
she got tons of toys and was so funny unwrapping them and saying,
"more open, more open??"
i got a hardback book of dylan's lyrics from 1962 up to 2001. it's great
they are poetry printed in that format and i think, some of the BEST modern
american poetry
ever written.
i also got the dylan film dvd.
i got a coffee set and my daughter and son -in -law bought me
(and oh i was surprised almost to tears)
a lladro figurine that i had seen and loved. it looks very much like
my little granddaughter and so i just really liked it but i never expected to get it.
i took a picture of it and if it turns out, i will post it here.
i also got to spend time with my family and xmas day, i got to play with my
niece's beagle, buddy. i love all animals, but we had beagles when i was
growing up and they have the sweetest temperaments and just crave
affection and are so loving and forgiving and are great around kids.
they might not be the smartest breed out there but they are one of the
best dogs in the world. he sat on my lap as i sat on the floor and petted
and scratched him and he made typical beagle happy snorting sounds!
so, i got nice gifts and even better, i think everyone like the gifts i got for them
and they loved the food and the cookies and so, even tho i'm
pretty well beat, it was well worth the effort! s
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
jim bennett the head of the PK list put together
this christmas poetry card with some of my fellow PK
poets. enjoy.
jim and the others did a grand job!
http://www.poetrykit.org/pkcc/pkcc.htm
this christmas poetry card with some of my fellow PK
poets. enjoy.
jim and the others did a grand job!
http://www.poetrykit.org/pkcc/pkcc.htm
finally, a new poem. i sent it in for
comments and crits to my group (bless 'em )
i rewrote it into this version and here it is.
god, it's been a long lonely time without
my words. s
people think
because i am a poet
i have words dancing
like angels on the point of my pen.
i don't
there are no angels
only blood and guts
and bones that creak
and sorrows
people think
whatever they must
to put me in a box
pretending that i'm different
that it's alright because
i'm a poet.
it's o.k. to treat me that way
because it will help the angels
whisper words in my ear.
comments and crits to my group (bless 'em )
i rewrote it into this version and here it is.
god, it's been a long lonely time without
my words. s
people think
because i am a poet
i have words dancing
like angels on the point of my pen.
i don't
there are no angels
only blood and guts
and bones that creak
and sorrows
people think
whatever they must
to put me in a box
pretending that i'm different
that it's alright because
i'm a poet.
it's o.k. to treat me that way
because it will help the angels
whisper words in my ear.
Friday, December 22, 2006
another holiday gift for you.
check out dave at THE QUAKER AGITATOR.
i know you'll like the things he has to say.
http://thequakeragitator.blogspot.com/
Thursday, December 21, 2006
here's a christmas/holiday present.
yes boys and girls and believers in santa of ALL ages:
where does santa stay when he goes on vacation?
at a ho ho hotel!
why does santa like to work in his garden?
because he likes to, ho, ho ho!
who delivers presents to dentists?
santa jaws!
what do you get if santa comes down a chimney
when the fire is burning?
crisp cringle!!!!!!!!
what is santa called when he has no money?
st. nickel-less!
how does santa take pictures?
he uses his north pole-aroid!
("must i go on? YES, i must!!!")
what nationality is santa?
north polish!
what is invisible but smells like milk and cookies?
santa burps!
what would you call santa if he became a detective?
santa clues!
( had enough???")
one more...
who delivers presents to pets?????
santa paws, silly!
yes boys and girls and believers in santa of ALL ages:
where does santa stay when he goes on vacation?
at a ho ho hotel!
why does santa like to work in his garden?
because he likes to, ho, ho ho!
who delivers presents to dentists?
santa jaws!
what do you get if santa comes down a chimney
when the fire is burning?
crisp cringle!!!!!!!!
what is santa called when he has no money?
st. nickel-less!
how does santa take pictures?
he uses his north pole-aroid!
("must i go on? YES, i must!!!")
what nationality is santa?
north polish!
what is invisible but smells like milk and cookies?
santa burps!
what would you call santa if he became a detective?
santa clues!
( had enough???")
one more...
who delivers presents to pets?????
santa paws, silly!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
try this link to see the santa. the old link
doesn't work anymore. hiya philip.
http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf
doesn't work anymore. hiya philip.
http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf
Monday, December 18, 2006
this was sent to everyone in the
POETRY KIT LIST from Dr. Jim Bennett
who is the head of our group and
a brilliant author, singer/songwriter.
check it out. i asked Jim if i could share it as a gift to all of you.
http://www.poetrykit.org/cc.htm
i have a wonderful christmas poem
from a guest poet. i know you will
enjoy it. his name is Arthur W. Seeley.
he is 74, lives, as he says,
"on the edge of his beloved Yorkshire Moors,
three miles from Wuthering Heights."
he has 2 sons and 4 grandchildren, 2 boys, 2 girls
and 1 great grandson.
he is an ex-teacher, ex-lecturer in
Mathematical Education and spent 2 years
in the Solomon Islands in the VSO, which
would be akin to the peace corps here.
arthur says he's a grumpy old man but benign and caring.
i know that he is the latter. i'll take his word
on the grumpy part. he is also a very good writer
and a grand poet. i always look forward to new
works from him.
so, here is his poem for the holiday:
Time for a Rhyme
Bashing out a carol
beside an empty barrel
in a kitchen hotter than the Isthmusis
no way to be spending Christmas.
The turkey's overdone
and the spuds not yet begun,
the Cashew and Stilton stuffing's a disaster
that tastes like walling plaster,
I bought it special from Tesco
but not to use for fresco,
the sprouts have gone all soggy
and Grandad's feeling groggy.
Someone bought him slippers
that smell like Whitby kippers
as they smoulder from the heat
where he tries to warm his feet
before a yule log fire
blazing like a Hindu pyre.
The telly 's on the blink
and all that's left to drink
is something that is pink
or a filthy foreign gin
with a splash of orange in.
There's nothing for the singers
for the wassail that they bring us.
They wont enjoy just tinsel;
perhaps these pies of mince'll
satisfy their greeds-
unless they've other needs.
What a wondrous festive day
when everything I say
in some peculiar way
seems to rhyme
every time.
I must be a poet
and don't know it!
Arthur W. Seeley
from a guest poet. i know you will
enjoy it. his name is Arthur W. Seeley.
he is 74, lives, as he says,
"on the edge of his beloved Yorkshire Moors,
three miles from Wuthering Heights."
he has 2 sons and 4 grandchildren, 2 boys, 2 girls
and 1 great grandson.
he is an ex-teacher, ex-lecturer in
Mathematical Education and spent 2 years
in the Solomon Islands in the VSO, which
would be akin to the peace corps here.
arthur says he's a grumpy old man but benign and caring.
i know that he is the latter. i'll take his word
on the grumpy part. he is also a very good writer
and a grand poet. i always look forward to new
works from him.
so, here is his poem for the holiday:
Time for a Rhyme
Bashing out a carol
beside an empty barrel
in a kitchen hotter than the Isthmusis
no way to be spending Christmas.
The turkey's overdone
and the spuds not yet begun,
the Cashew and Stilton stuffing's a disaster
that tastes like walling plaster,
I bought it special from Tesco
but not to use for fresco,
the sprouts have gone all soggy
and Grandad's feeling groggy.
Someone bought him slippers
that smell like Whitby kippers
as they smoulder from the heat
where he tries to warm his feet
before a yule log fire
blazing like a Hindu pyre.
The telly 's on the blink
and all that's left to drink
is something that is pink
or a filthy foreign gin
with a splash of orange in.
There's nothing for the singers
for the wassail that they bring us.
They wont enjoy just tinsel;
perhaps these pies of mince'll
satisfy their greeds-
unless they've other needs.
What a wondrous festive day
when everything I say
in some peculiar way
seems to rhyme
every time.
I must be a poet
and don't know it!
Arthur W. Seeley
Friday, December 15, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
got most of the holiday shopping done.
now i just have to fret myself into a frenzy
HOPING that i bought things that will bring smiles.
still have to get things for the family pets and a christmas
stocking for layla. bob already has a pretty blue bag with
"bob the cat" written in silver on it. it's hanging on the mantle
already.
got all the ingredients for the baking and the calamari and
baccala and smelts( YUCK!)
still can't find a poem in my head or my heart yet. s
Monday, December 11, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
a remembrance of a special friend:
so many of us will be missing people this holiday season.
family and friends no longer with us. i have many. for
some reason, one lady in particular has been in my thoughts.
perhaps it is because she enjoyed this season so much.
ms. adele marsico was my mother's friend and through her,
mine as well. i was lucky. she was one of the nicest and bravest people
i have ever been privileged to call "friend".
adele was a nurse who worked with dr. jonas salk and was
one of THE 1st.
to volunteer to test the salk polio vaccine even tho
as a nurse she knew
quite well the dangers she was facing,
anything from leg braces to an iron lung or death.
she used to call me her "little china doll" because
i was a lot smaller than her
and once had my dark hair cut cut in a bob with bangs.
she never got to meet my little granddaughter and maybe
that is a part of my thinking about ms. marsico now, as well.
my little granddaughter IS a true little china doll and i know
adele would have loved her.
happy holidays ms. marsico. i miss you. i wish i could
bring you a plate of christmas cookies and see
you laugh and smile as you held my little china doll. s
so many of us will be missing people this holiday season.
family and friends no longer with us. i have many. for
some reason, one lady in particular has been in my thoughts.
perhaps it is because she enjoyed this season so much.
ms. adele marsico was my mother's friend and through her,
mine as well. i was lucky. she was one of the nicest and bravest people
i have ever been privileged to call "friend".
adele was a nurse who worked with dr. jonas salk and was
one of THE 1st.
to volunteer to test the salk polio vaccine even tho
as a nurse she knew
quite well the dangers she was facing,
anything from leg braces to an iron lung or death.
she used to call me her "little china doll" because
i was a lot smaller than her
and once had my dark hair cut cut in a bob with bangs.
she never got to meet my little granddaughter and maybe
that is a part of my thinking about ms. marsico now, as well.
my little granddaughter IS a true little china doll and i know
adele would have loved her.
happy holidays ms. marsico. i miss you. i wish i could
bring you a plate of christmas cookies and see
you laugh and smile as you held my little china doll. s
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
the coyotes were in my back yard last night!
makes me nervous. funny, i love animals but
i know that they do kill dogs and cats etc. maybe that's it?
my cats have always been indoor cats and when i had dogs
they never were outside alone, but there are
pets that roam here and i don't think they should be
coyote food just because their owners let them out or (fates forbid)
bob or layla might get the idea to try to sneak out!
coyotes, like most wildlife that become used to people will
become bolder than their family in isolated areas.
THAT gives me pause as well.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
an article on an earlier post today:
Canadian Press
Saturday, December 02, 2006
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Friends and family of a soldier
killed in Afghanistan will gather Saturday to dedicate
what they call the first U.S. government-issued memorial
plaque
with a Wiccan symbol.
The plaque for Sgt. Patrick Stewart was installed last week on the
Veterans Memorial Wall at the Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery
in Fernley, about 50 kilometres east of Reno.
Stewart's widow, Roberta, has been fighting to make
the Department of Veterans Affairs allow the Wiccan pentacle
- a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle - for plaques
and headstones at veterans' cemeteries.
VA rules recognize more than 30 symbols, including
more than a dozen variations of the Christian cross
and the atomic whirl used by atheists but not the pentacle.
Wiccans say the pentacle represents earth, air, fire, water and
spirit and some consider themselves good witches, pagans or neo-pagans.
The Nevada Office of Veteran Services, citing its
jurisdiction over maintenance of the state cemetery,
issued the plaque in September.
Last month, Americans United for Separation of Church
and State filed a lawsuit on the Wiccans' behalf claiming
the VA's actions amount to constitutional violations of free
speech, freedom of religion and due process.
VA officials have said they are rewriting rules and procedures
for approving emblems, a process which also requires
a public comment period.
Stewart and four other soldiers died Sept. 25, 2005,
when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
© The Canadian Press 2006
i credit the blogging community as well for the righting of this wrong.
Canadian Press
Saturday, December 02, 2006
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Friends and family of a soldier
killed in Afghanistan will gather Saturday to dedicate
what they call the first U.S. government-issued memorial
plaque
with a Wiccan symbol.
The plaque for Sgt. Patrick Stewart was installed last week on the
Veterans Memorial Wall at the Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery
in Fernley, about 50 kilometres east of Reno.
Stewart's widow, Roberta, has been fighting to make
the Department of Veterans Affairs allow the Wiccan pentacle
- a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle - for plaques
and headstones at veterans' cemeteries.
VA rules recognize more than 30 symbols, including
more than a dozen variations of the Christian cross
and the atomic whirl used by atheists but not the pentacle.
Wiccans say the pentacle represents earth, air, fire, water and
spirit and some consider themselves good witches, pagans or neo-pagans.
The Nevada Office of Veteran Services, citing its
jurisdiction over maintenance of the state cemetery,
issued the plaque in September.
Last month, Americans United for Separation of Church
and State filed a lawsuit on the Wiccans' behalf claiming
the VA's actions amount to constitutional violations of free
speech, freedom of religion and due process.
VA officials have said they are rewriting rules and procedures
for approving emblems, a process which also requires
a public comment period.
Stewart and four other soldiers died Sept. 25, 2005,
when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
© The Canadian Press 2006
i credit the blogging community as well for the righting of this wrong.
an update:
i found this in a tiny article buried midsection in the paper
today.
"buried" yes, that's an appropriate word to use.
FINALLY. finally, Sgt. Patrick Stewart has the symbol of HIS faith
inscribed on the veteran's wall at the veteran's cemetery in Fernley
near Reno Nevada. his widow has been fighting with the government
for years since her husband's heroic service and death in the mideast!!!
it's about time.
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