My father still believes that God is a white-haired fellow with blue eyes, almost exactly like himself. My God is more amorphous, more of a universal constant, like gravity or magnetism. This constant doesn’t pick favorites; it simply flows into any opening we make for it. If Hitler had a kindly moment, a moment when, say, he felt like saving a kitten from a flood, I believe that God–barred from Adolf’s mind in so many other moments–would have poured into the kindness of that moment and helped the mass murderer reach the kitty. I believe that the line between good and evil doesn’t separate human beings into different categories; it runs through every one of us, and every moment is a choice: heal or destroy.

~Martha Beck
from her memoir
Leaving the Saints:
How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith

(emphasis mine)

Found this on Dianne Sylvan’s blog Dancing Down the Moon and just had to share it.  As a Wiccan I identify with the Divine as God and Goddess.  I use names that most of the population only use when speaking in terms of mythology or multi-culturalism to call upon It.  But that certainly doesn’t mean that I literally believe a woman with flowers woven in her hair is traipsing on the clouds with her horned lover.

The imagery that I use is merely a tool that allows me to more easily commune with and connect to the Divine.  I am fond of saying that God simply Is, and I am a fan of the Starhawk quote (and I am paraphrasing here) in which she replies “Do you believe in rocks?” to the person who asks if she actually believes in the Goddess.

In my heart I truly believe in a Divine force that supports us, and inspires us, and reaches out to us, and speaks to us.  I believe that it is a guiding force in the Universe and is something that is far beyond the comprehension of us mere mortals.

May the Divine bless you today, no matter what name you use to call upon It.

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:god, religion

One of my favorite movies is The Color Purple
. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen it, but the most recent viewing was the most special as I watched it from beginning to end with Princess Nibbles. She had requested it for one of our cuddle on the couch evenings as we’ve caught snippets of it here and there on cable and she was intrigued.

The above scene makes me cry every time I see it. In fact, I viewed this Youtube video again before posting it here and sure enough my throat tightened and tears rolled down my face. It is a scene I can count on when I need a good cry.

I love it because, if you’ve never seen the movie, it is a scene of redemption. The character who comes into the church, Shug Avery (played by the phenomenally voiced Margaret Avery), is hugged by her father after years (decades) of his being unable to accept her “sinful ways.” It is a moment that serves not only as a balm to Shug’s soul after years of torment but, as I always imagine watching the face of the preacher, is a balm to her father’s soul also.

I love it because, Pagan or Christian, there is something about the musical genre of gospel/spirituals that can move me. Raising ones voice in song, regardless of whether or not you can carry a tune, has a long time-honored tradition in the worship of the Divine. And while once, as a young Witch, I would’ve been unable to see past the Christian language in order to relate the hymn to my own faith I no longer have that particular stumbling block.

And so I share this here, no insult intended to my Christian readers (I know I have at least a few) because we all need redemption at some time or another. We all need to be reminded that in the darkest nights of our soul that the Divine (call it God, call it Goddess, call it Lord & Lady, it matters not) can and does reach out and speak to us.

If I were you, I would say yes, speak, Lord. Speak to me.
Oh, Speak, Lord. Won’t you speak to me?
I was so blind, I was so lost until you spoke to me
Oh, speak, Lord. Speak, Lord. And hear my mind,
Oh, with your word, heal my soul
Oh, speak, Lord. Speak to me. Speak, my Lord.
I love you, Lord. Save my soul

Can’t sleep at night and you wonder why
Maybe God is trying to tell you something
Crying all night long, something’s gone wrong
Maybe God is trying to tell you something

written by Andrae Crouch, Quincy Jones,
Bill Maxwell & D.Del Sesto

I want to thank Sherry, Kathy, and Brahnamin for their kind words on my last post. This blog is a blessing in my life because it allows me to connect with wonderful people like you.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS If you need a laugh instead of a good cry I recommend this, though you may still find tears rolling down your cheeks, just for a different reason.

Written by Mama KellyTags:video

Hello my readers.  I had planned to do some blogging this past weekend, but it fell by the wayside in the wake of a nasty snarly mood that came out of left field and has yet to fully leave.  Nothing new has happened, no tragedies have befallen us, something for which I am truly grateful.  It has been a lovely month, with delightful birthday delights.  School is out and one big stressor is behind me until September.  And yet, I am miserable.

Some of it is a depression and feelings of inadequacy that relate to turning 40 that I simply cannot shake.  Some of it relates to my dissatisfaction with various elements of my life.  A lot of it relates to the persistence of broken sleep that results in my waking up exhausted nearly every day and unable to sleep at night in spite of the fatigue.

In fact, my depression levels (and related irritability and anxiety) are so high that I am seriously considering going back on the medications that I despise so much.  But, instead of doing anything quite as reasonable or productive as that I am hiding in my cave and snapping at anyone who dares come too close to me.

And so if things here are seeming a bit dull, it you don’t see me responding to comments, if my tweets are infrequent, and most importantly if you see a tumbleweed drifting past the next time you come by just know that things will one way or another be back to normal soon.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:depression

by Angelgirl (age 12)

Written by Lady RoseTags:poem

As promised here are my notes from the herb class  at Well Sweep Herb Farm.  Mama Kelly and I both took a lot of notes and enjoyed the class.  Along with lots of information and tips we also got to smell lots of fresh and dried herbs that were passed around.  The classes were free and part of the whole day of events at the Well Sweep Herb Farm Open House.   Mama Kelly can fill in more information from her notes if I missed anything.

To read about our adventure at the herb farm to celebrate Mama Kelly’s Birthday, see post A Witch Walks in the Wild.

Growing & Preserving Culinary Herbs And Easy Herbal Cooking

Suggested book: Complete Book of Herbs (from England), currently out of print.

Growing Tips:
Most herbs like a lot of sunlight. There are only a few who do well in partial shade.
Soil - clay is not good. Need to supplement or replace it if your soil is clay. Good drainage is a must (especially for lavender). Can use gravel or crushed sand mixed with good soil so it drain and also helps winter over. Compost is a must - leaves, weeds, kitchen scraps (NOT fats and meats), animal manure and wood chips).

Tips for Garden:
Start out small, and add a few more plants each year. Best to map out your area and edge the space (i.e. bricks, field stone, etc.). Rototill the area a couple of times. Plant in the early evening and water. Don’t water again unless it really needs it, best to wait a few days. Mulch is important - it keeps moisture in and prevents weeds.

Compost manure is best, but don’t use fresh because it can have seeds it that would then sprout in the garden. Miracle grow and fish emulsion are not needed and burns the soil and hurts the worms.

Most herbs are not easily grown from seeds, best to start with plants from a reputable grower. Dill, parsley, chives and fennel do ok if grown seeds.

Picking Herbs:
Pick herbs in the morning, if they need to be washed let herbs dry on the counter before chopping or using.

Optional Tip - Use a weed barrier cloth over mulch or instead of mulch. It keeps rain from splashing up on the herbs and keeps plants clean so they don’t need to be washed.

Tips for Preserving Herbs:
Dried herbs have a stronger flavor. Herbs must be completely dried or they will become moldy.

Hanging - Cut, tie in bunches and hang up to dry in a darkened well ventilated place (i.e. attic, garage, barn). If you don’t have a dark area you can cover the bunches with a brown bag. Basil, lovage and parsley do not dry well by hanging.

Oven drying - cover a cooking sheet with brown paper or newspaper; arrange leaves in single layer, put in over 150 degrees for two to three hours.

Freezing - chop up leaves and put on wax paper and put them in the freezer. When frozen put herbs in a container without packing down the leaves (i.e. can use small zip lock baggies for individual portions). Do not thaw before using - add directly to soups, stews, or sauces.

Optional methods:
Add chopped herb to ice cube tray, cover with water and freeze.
Chop herbs in a blender or food processor until finely minced; with a small scooper add scoops to a cookie sheet (covered with parchment paper) and put in the freezer. When frozen can store in container.

Oils and Vinegars
Harvest herbs in July and August - some are used for flavor and others for color.
Fill about one-third of the bottle with herb stems and leaves.
Books all say to heat the oil and then strain out herbs, and then add fresh to bottle. But if you are patient there is no need to heat, simply wait two or three weeks for the oil or vinegar to be ready. No need to replace herbs because they were not damaged by heating. After 2 to 3 weeks oils need to be refrigerated.
Do not use garlic in oils (not safe) - but it can be added to vinegars.
Don’t use wet herbs for vinegars or oils

Culinary Herbs
Edible Flowers - Some edible flowers it is only the petals that are edible, but others, such as the Johnny Jump Ups and Borage the whole head is edible.
Can be used in salads and beverages.  The whole flower from herb plants is edible.

Some suggested herbs to start with
Summer Savory
Sorrel - good in soups and stews
Mint
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena - cookies, cake, and can be added at the end of cooking time to rice and pasta
Lovage - potato salad, soups, stew
Sweet Cicely - coffee cake, cookies, salads
Chervil
Good King Henry - steam or raw, can be used like spinach
Lavender (only one variety is good for cooking)
Coriander - good in sauce for sandwiches (made with mayo and a touch of mustard)
Salad Vernette - like cucumber
Oregano - lots of varieties
Sweet Marjoram - good in meat and salad dishes
Rosemary - very good in marinades (i.e. mix with garlic and Italian dressing)
Tarragon - very good in chicken salad
Fennel
Red Aura
Basil - sweet or purple basil are very good.
Dill

Written by Lady RoseTags:gardening, herbs

Well the birthday and graduation celebrations are all finally done.  What began with a lovely outing to the Well Sweep Herb Farm at the beginning of the month (and way too many presents) ended* with the Celtic Woman concert on this past Monday.  Now Lady Rose already shared her own thoughts on that evening, but let me tell you that we all had a fabulous time.

Seeing a concert in a suite setting is a truly once in a lifetime experience, especially if you are someone (like me) who detests crowds and loud noise with a passion.  I got to be a part of this wonderful group experience, enjoy the energy of a live concert while feeling as secure as if I was in my own living room.  Additionally, being able to sit in a lounge and eat dinner while chatting with friends (old and new) before the show and during intermission was simply delightful.

The show itself was simply wonderful.  The women’s voices (Chloe, Lisa, Lynn, & Alex) were truly angelic.  The drummers stirred my blood and the Celtic violinist, Mairead (who btw has her own solo album Raining Up), was simply amazing.  The show was not fully appreciated by Princess Nibbles (give her time to grow into it) but Miss Artistic loved it.  Now, granted, I don’t expect her to ask for the CD for Yule or anything, but it was great to see her give a different genre of music a fair try and groove on it enough to clap her hands and sway a bit.

While I will say that I enjoyed the more traditional tunes (Danny Boy for one) to the covers they performed (though their rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors was quite lovely) I enjoyed each and every song they performed. I only wish I had jotted down notes during the show (I was too busy having fun) or at least had purchased a program so I could remember the names of some of the pieces they sang that I wasn’t previously familiar with …. but the one that stuck with me the longest (that took a bit of work to find since I only remembered the theme and not a scrap of the lyrics) was “At The Céili”

“And me I made my choice as well
And in no way was it easy
But I’d rather have a man for love
Than be a rich man’s lady”

Graduation (which we attended in the hours preceding the concert) went off without a hitch and I can’t believe Miss Artistic will be attending high school in the fall (and will be working a real job over the summer). I am proud of her, for all she overcame in the past year and a half, and all I can see her achieving throughout the rest of her life as I know she can truly go far as she is so bright and talented. We gave her a mix of smaller gifts instead of one larger one (art stuff and a disposable cell phone) and took her out to eat at a local Japanese Buffet restaurant with plentiful and varied sushi which was just what she wanted and was really very very good (even Mr. Grumpy enjoyed himself and he can generally always find something to complain about).

Things are still busier than usual here in Mama Kelly’s household. Work has been trying, Saturday is belt testing for the girls in their Taekwondo class, there is cleaning to do for my friend “E” coming in from out of state for July 4th and tomorrow night will find me attending a Mary Kay party.  I am not one generally speaking for the make-up, tupperware, lingerie, or other type of parties.  I am not one for social gatherings with people I don’t know to be perfectly honest.  But, I am going because I was invited by the step-mom of one of Miss Artistic’s best friends and as they host a number of sleepovers (more than we manage) it seemed like the right thing to do.

So anon my dear readers. A little more time for things to calm down and we should be back to your regularly scheduled Pagan programming soon.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS links to youtube “videos” that share the audio of the songs from the same performance we attended:

Goodnight My Angel
Dulaman
When You Believe
Fields of Gold
Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears

* I have one more birthday outing coming.  In the latter half of July I will be going to Atlantic City for an overnight with my friend “M2.”  This one is to celebrate her birthday as much as mine as she will have finally caught up and hit the big 4-0 as well.  I am looking forward to it as an opportunity to spend an evening being just Kelly … not wife, not mom, just me.

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, concert, music

Monday evening was part two of Mama Kelly’s 40th birthday celebration - the Celtic Woman Isle of Hope concert.  The music and performance were breathtaking, joyful to the spirit, and a delight for all the senses.  It was truly an awesome experience from start to finish.  They are on tour for June and July and if you get the chance I definitely recommend seeing them live.

I’ll just give you a brief overview of the evening and let Mama Kelly fill you in on more details.

Teacherman and I rented a suite and ordered catering for the event.  It was a combination 40th birthday for Mama Kelly (June 10th), 70th birthday for my mom (July 13th), and celebrating Mama Kelly’s daughter, Miss Artistic’s graduation from 8th grade (that very day June 22nd). 

It was the first time for everyone attending to be in a suite for any event - so the joke of the evening was we were all “suite virgins.”  

The food was good and plentiful.  I even shared some with the folks in the suite next to us.  Everyone got to take some leftovers home (I had ziplock bags in my purse) and the rest of the food the arena staff quickly and efficiently boxed up for us to bring home.

The catering package I ordered included a cheesecake, which was perfect for mom’s birthday since it is her favorite.  I picked up a small strawberry shortcake and small brown derby chocolate cake for Mama Kelly’s birthday and her daughter’s graduation.  I also included cards for our guests of honor  (with a bonus $20 for the gradate), a few simple decorations - some  40th and 70th candles and a congratulations graduate center piece to highlight the occasions.

We clapped and danced in our seats through the concert.  An unexpected  bonus for hubby and I was one of the songs they performed was our “wedding” song - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.  The awesome music, good food, and gathering of  great friends and family combined to create one of those magical moments in time that will be remembered with a smile and cherished for years to come.

I highly recommend taking a listen to the music by Celtic Woman.  You may also be able to catch them on tv.  They appear on the PBS channel. I’m looking forward to their new live show for PBS Television and DVD at Powerscourt House and Gardens. It is scheduled for filming  in County Wicklow, Ireland on Wednesday July 29th and Thursday July 30th 2009.

I have one Celtic Woman cd (The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection) and they performed several of the songs at the concert.  Two of my favorites from this cd are Butterfly and The Voice.  I hope to get a couple others later on, such as this delux package - A New Journey (cd w/bonus tracks + Irish charm).

If you want to know more about them or are already a fan, this dvd is fantastic. It includes music and a behind-the-scenes documentary about the women and some lovely scenes of Ireland - Celtic Woman - The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection (DVD).

Wishing everyone bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:concert, family, friends, outing

With tears of sadness and a heart filled with respect, I offer my prayers and support to the people of Iran.

My prayers and thoughts have been with the people of Iran each day as events have underfolded since their election.  Their struggle for freedom, for their votes to be counted and their voices to be heard is inspiring and moving in so many ways mere words can not express my respect and admiration for their courage.

Their struggle can teach all of us a great deal.  As Americans we take a lot for granted including our freedoms. When it comes to the affairs of other countries we too often jump to conclusions before we have all the facts and an adequate understanding of the culture, and too often let the news and political rhetoric blur our thinking.  We paint an entire nation with one brush based on what little we know about the leaders and news soundbites we hear.  But the people of Iran are good people, with courage and respect for life, with traditions and a religion that is honorable and inspiring.  However, their leaders have used these against them and twisted them into lies and deception in order to control the population and try to bully the rest of the world.

The fight for freedom means something different for each country and manifests differently in every culture. However, at the core the struggle is the same for all people.  From this common ground, we can grow our understanding and offer our support to the people of Iran that they succeed in their fight for freedom – a freedom that the people of Iran chose and create. 

As the people of Iran face the harsh retaliation and violence from their own leaders my heart aches for them.  I also realize just how close our country came to having our version of a religion-based government and leaders claiming to speak for God controlling our every move.

Fortunately, last fall the majority of Americans took notice and millions voted to change the course of America that after 8 years of Republican rule was heading even further down a path to right-wing religious control and violence, with fear mongering and ego-based zealots as our leaders who would have trambled our rights and freedoms just as quickly as the government  in Iran. 

I am thankful that in our country we value and put into law the separation of church and state, for the right to vote and for our individual freedoms.  But we can not take these for granted.  The struggle in our country does not manifest as a clashes in the streets or our government sending armed forces to raid our homes.  But there is still a struggle and there are right-wing Republicans who would rule just as strickly and harshly as any mullah. They work behind close doors, use lies and twisted logic to create fear and deceit in their quest for power, and sometimes that struggle does erupt in violence here at home (such as the recent shootings at Holocaust Museum and woman’s health care clinic).

Blessings and Peace to all who have given their lives in the fight for freedom and to all who continue the struggle.    Lady Rose

Related posts:
The Real Lesson Of Iran — Beware America’s Republican Mullahs - by Frank Schaeffer, a former right-wing leader, posted onuffington Post. A look at the behind the scenes goals of the Republican right-wing and the on-going battle between oppressive religion and freedom.
Comparing the Ongoing Struggle Tehran and Anchorage Protests - by Philip Munger, author of Progressive Alaska blog. A look at the importance of keeping religion out of politics.

Written by Lady RoseTags:democracy, individual rights, Iran

“The greatest natural resourse in the world is not in the earth’s waters or minerals, nor in the forests or grasslands. It is the spirit that resides in every unstoppable person. And the spirit of the individual benefits us all. Choose to be Unstoppable” ~Cynthia Kersey

W - Woman
 I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

*****

W = Wonderful 
 I = Intelligent 
T = Talented 
C = Charming 
H = Hell of a Woman

*****

W = Wise 
 I = Individual 
T = That 
C = Can 
H = Handle ‘anything’

Written by Lady RoseTags:inspiration, quote, witch

And so we head into a very busy next few days.  If my posting is infrequent and/or incoherent the following highlights should explain why.

Last Night

• worked til 5
• ran kids to taekwondo
• ran to the Hallmark store and bought cards for various occasions, $40 later I had 3 cards for Mr Grumpy for Father’s Day, 3 cards for Gamer Dude for Father’s Day, 2 cards for my nephew’s graduation (1 from us, 1 from Mr Grumpy), 2 cards for 2 separate sweet 16 parties, and a get well card for my Aunt (oh yeah and a gift bag and some tissue paper)
• bought Father’s Day gift for Gamer Dude (another $40 as I picked up Grand Theft Auto IV) at the GameStop next door
• went back to  tekwondo, in time to watch last 20 minutes in the back of class as a cheering section
• ran girls to Day Camp to pick up Princess Nibbles’ camp shirt
• did a visual inspection of Princess Nibbles’ throat which is showing some tonsil inflammation (and had better only be allergies as this is SO not the time for another case of Strep) and dosed with some numbing spray (and is praying to all the Good Goods who are willing to listen that please let it not be strep) and sent her off to bed with a signed “I love you” and a blown kiss

Today

• buy graduation present for Miss Artistic … probably a gift card to the local Michael’s Crafts (which is what she’s asked for) and a disposable cell phone (which should make her squeal)
• buy shoes for Miss Artistic to wear to graduation (hate to buy a pair of dress brown shoes that she’ll rarely wear (if ever!) again)
• drop working paper’s off at pediatrician office
• buy gift cards to finish off Mr Grumpy’s Father’s Day gift and Angel Girl’s birthday (very belated)
• do some semblance of food shopping
• do some semblance of filling my fridge with real food
• lay out outfits for tomorrow

Tomorrow

• run about 1.5 hours north to attend a family high school graduation “party”
• spend 2.5 to 3 hours making more small talk (without anything new to talk about since last week)
• rush home, get Miss Artistic freshened and changed (into the dress from Hell)
• run Miss Artistic to her (one of them anyway) best friend’s sweet 16 party

Sunday

• make breakfast for the men (this may just wind up being bagels from Panera Bread)
• work 4 hours
• do the Father’s Day thing, ie make a nice dinner, do presents/cards
• pack a bag making sure I have everything I need for Monday’s activities

Monday

• get kids off to school
• drink large (monstrous even) cup of coffee
• stop at Taekwondo school and pay for upcoming testing
• get working paper’s signed at school
• get myself ready and presentable to attend graduation
• when Princess Nibbles’ gets home, get her beautified
• when Miss Artistic gets home, get her beautified and gowned
• get to graduation on time
• leave graduation on time
• drive to Trenton to attend the Celtic Women concert with Lady Rose & her crew & other lucky folk
• eat, drink, and in general make merry
• listen to pretty music
• hum happily to myself on the way home
• lets girls sleep on the way home
• find a way to have these two truths not be incompatible
• collapse into bed

Tuesday

• let the graduate sleep in
• get Princess Nibbles off to school for her last day (even if she has to sleepwalk)
• go back to bed
• lay like broccoli
• remind self this is why I took the unpaid day off and that getting one child all the way through 8th grade means I’ve earned it

Thursday

• have Miss Artistic dropped off at my place of work for her first day (4 hours of training)
• go out to eat for our own family graduation celebration/welcome to the working world

Saturday

• wake up early
• get kids to belt testing
• get Miss Artistic showered, beautified, changed and off to yet another sweet 16 party
• thank all the Gods that there are no other parties, birthdays, graduations or anything to spend money on for ….. oh damn! …… two whole weeks ….. but then that’s it until October, no wait August … get well gifts for Lady Rose’s upcoming gastric bypass surgery

Lots of fun and exciting things going on.  Somewhere in here will also be (hopefully …. please ….) the long distance circle that wasn’t made manifest the other weekend.

Feeling a Little Crazy

Feeling an Awful lot Proud

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:family, graduation