STILL IN MEMPHIS!!!

Here's another great thing about being retired, I can get up and go whenever I like, wherever I like and not have to check my calendar, or ask for time off, or worry about how long to stay. WOW!!! this is great.

I decided to travel back to Memphis last Tuesday so I could be available to attend the send-off luncheon of one of my dear friends, Lisa, who is moving with her family to Springfield, Missouri.

Lisa joined our book study group about two years ago and made quite an impression on all of us with her very inquisitive mind and questions. She helped all of us to go deeper into our understanding of whatever we were reading. And she did it with her radiant smile and open-hearted connectedness. While she was in the group she became certified in a process called the Lifeline technique or Infinite Love and Gratitude. Lisa and I both went to the first meeting held in Memphis and out of that meeting sprang a monthly "healers" group that brought in various people to share the work they were doing.

Lisa also became interested in firewalking and participated in one of the last firewalks I held in the Memphis area. It was such an intense group, with very intense work being done, that almost everyone who walked the fire that night received a "kiss". Lisa and I both received a pretty powerful "kiss" on our feet, but in a couple of days we were back to normal.

Hey, for all you cooks out there, I had a soup recently called "hoppin' john". It consisted of black-eyed peas, ground beef, a little spicy sausage, with rice and I believe a roux to give it a hearty beef flavor. Absolutely delicious and this is one I'll be trying out on Mike and Freckles when I get back to Costa Rica, so get ready you two!!!

I just finished preparing dinner for Carolyn, Glynn and myself which will go into the oven about 4:30pm. I made a dish my friend, Shelia, created for her children called "chicken sh_t". Don't ask me why she called it that, but in honor of her, I've made it several times. I call it the perfect one dish meal and today I added broccoli and corn to the chicken, covered with cornbread stuffing. Yum, yum!!!!

Everyone is gone and I have the house to myself. I've had conversations with Jenny, who is still in alot of pain, but managed to have a wonderful sleep on Friday night. Also, spoke with Sandy and the BHAD trial went very well. Tomorrow is her birthday, so please give her a shout and wish her many happy days to come!!! My favorite puppy, Maggie Rose, left yesterday for her new home. She had her own seat on the airline and is going to be called Luci. I hope to be able to see pictures of her as she grows up, what a cutie!!!

To all you cuties, not to be confused with cooties, stay well and enjoy each day!!! I send love and hugs to all!!!!

GOD'S HANDIWORK!!!

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood!!! I was recently sent this picture of a Parrot Flower from one of my dear friends. This plant is very rare, is from Thailand, and is on the endangered species list. Look how amazingly beautiful this flower is. I never cease to be amazed at creation. So many unique and wonderful things to view. I've also taken to really looking at some insects lately.

While I was in Delaware, my sister, Sandy, received a beautiful rose bush from a couple of friends to congratulate her on receiving her MACH 5 title. Sandy put it close to the back door until she could decide where to plant it. One day, I was headed to the store and I noticed the leaves had been eaten by an insect. On closer inspection I noticed the most beautiful iridescent blue/green beetle sitting on the branches. There must have been a dozen of them. I later found out it was the dreaded Japanese beetle you've heard about in the news. Later, I was having a conversation with my friends, Jim and Elizabeth, in Missouri, and they, too, have been inundated with these pesky pests. Elizabeth had been treating them with soapy water and had found that to be very effective.

Next week, I've decided to drive to Memphis to be at a going-away luncheon for my friend, Lisa. She and her family have sold their home in Collierville, TN and are moving to Springfield, MO. So, Elva, if you are reading this, please make a reservation for one more at Rafferty's and MUM's the word. I'm so excited about seeing my friends again and spending a few days reconnecting.

I'm also asking prayers for George Smith who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Please hold him in the Light of wholeness and perfect health as he puts his life in the hands of his very capable oncologists. Also, continue to hold my sister, Jenny, in this Light as well, as she continues to heal from a bulging disc.

For all the people who touch my life, I say "I love you deeply!!!!"

Just another day!!

In the morning, I often sit at my dining room table, enjoying my first cup of coffee, reading something in my Kindle and then gazing out of the window to watch the birds gather food for their morning meal. Just beyond my camper, is an area with several trees encircled by day lilies. It's so very peaceful being able to start my day in silence with only the sound of birds singing in the distance. The eastern sun is directly behind me as I look towards the flowers. I feel as if I'm in a campground, savoring the beauty of nature when in reality I'm in my sister's backyard.

On Sunday, for dinner, we made hobo packs. What is that you might ask, which is what I said as well. It's a pack of food placed in aluminum foil with whatever meat you'd like to eat, anything from steak, hamburgers, chicken or pork, cut into smaller pieces about two inches wide to make sure everything cooks at the same time. Cut up potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, or again whatever vegetables you like. Put plenty of butter chips in on top, season with your favorite seasonings, and wrap the aluminum foil up so the juices don't get out. Then place on top of your charcoal or gas grill, turning occasionally to keep from burning, and cook for about 40 minutes. For a real picnic treat, serve on top of newspaper on the picnic table and let everyone eat out of the tinfoil. A great one-dish meal. Really fun to do as a group, since everyone can make their own hobo pack the way they'd like it. I bet Coley and I will be doing this one in Costa Rica, so look out Mike and Freckles, you'll be doing it with us, I'm sure!!!

Had a really good time last night, playing rummy with Jenny and my nephew, Joseph, who's 14. Jenny made a last minute surge and won the game. Then we played a game called "garbage". I remember playing this card game many years ago, but had forgotten the rules. You deal 10 cards to each player, and they arrange them face down. The dealer turns a card over from the deck and the first player can either use that card or draw. Kings and Queens are dead cards and Jacks are wild. The first player to turn over all 10 cards, starting with the Ace and continuing to 10 is the winner. Then the next that player gets 9 cards and the other players get 10 cards. Play continues until a player has only one card dealt to him or her and the first player to get the Ace to turn over their one card is the winner. Sometimes you'll have 5 cards dealt and the others will have anywhere from 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 cards they are playing with. I'm happy to report I won, although Joseph and I were both down to one card.

As I stepped out the back door, headed to my camper, this was what the night sky looked like. All pink and purple, stunningly beautiful. I hope your days and nights are filled with the beauty of nature and God's handywork. Blessings to all!!!

HOW'S THIS FOR IDYLLIC!

After being in Delaware since before Memorial Day, I finally made it to Ohio. I am currently living out of my camper, at least during the evening when I sleep in it, in the backyard of my sister and brother-in-law's house.

I feel, once again, as if I have come home. To be able to sit in my camper and listen to my music, and sleep in my own bed, nothing better. LIFE IS GREAT!!!!

Look how beautiful this back yard is. Several acres of land, lush grass, trees and flowers, listening to the birds, relaxing on the swing, enjoying the first cuppa while reading the current mystery that's captivated my attention.

And, if this wasn't enough in and of itself, I have a patio with an outdoor grill. Yesterday morning, while waiting for everyone to get up in the house, I sat on the patio and played a game on my computer.

Even though everything has fallen into place, there have been a few dramas to work through. When I began my journey, I asked Spirit to make it an easy journey, to surround me with the white light of protection and if anything needed to be handled, that Spirit send me angels to assist.

My angels in Delaware were my sister, Sandy and my brother-in-law, Tom, who were the best angels ever. They took me in, made sure all my needs were met, and gave me space to be myself for the nearly 5 weeks I was there. Then when I arrived in Ohio, I had the help of my nephew, Jody, his children, my neice and nephew, Olivia and Joseph, and my brother-in-law, Larry, to set up my camper. During the set-up process, I went to set up the counter, and the drop down leg support came off. Apparently the screws and the glue had come undone. No worry!! My nephew "happened" to have all his tools with him and he very quickly repaired the counter top for me.

The moral to this story: don't assume the Universe, Spirit, God, or whatever you call your Power knows what you need. Be sure to ask and to set your intention. Then the energy lines up with you instead of against you. I know my angels are here, working with me and making sure this journey is filled with love and that everything I need is right here, waiting for me, and I am eternally grateful for all that I have, all that I give and all that I receive!!!! And so it is!!!

FINAL DAYS IN DELAWARE!!!

How's this for a final picture from Delaware. This is Sandy and Tom's front door, outside, and as you can see quite a popular spot for daddy long-leg spiders. My brother-in-law says they aren't really spiders, but to me they will always be spiders and I cringe when one gets on me.

I picked up my Sunnybrook on Friday, brought it back to my sister's house in Georgetown and when I went to put the slideout out, nothing happened. You can imagine my disappointment after having paid a large sum of money to have the slideout repaired. What we later learned is that I had blown a fuse in the house and once Tom reset it, the slideout worked beautifully.

On Saturday, I spent the better part of the afternoon cleaning and organizing cabinets, and sanitizing the refrigerator. It was so much fun being in my home once again. It's been nearly a month since I've been able to use my camper and to enjoy being in my own space. As much as I love being with my sister, there's alot to be said for getting up in your own bed, sitting at your own table enjoying a cup of coffee while soft, calming music plays on the stereo.

Once everything was back in place, I invited Tom and Sandy to come out for a drink. I made Ponderosas for us (champagne and pineapple juice) and we did a little love circle. I thanked them for being the angels who have taken care of me during this time of need. I asked each of them to draw a card from the Osho Zen Tarot deck. Sandy drew the 7 of fire, Stress, (7 is Sandy's power number) which spoke to each of us about creating opportunities to relax and enjoy the moment rather than overwhelming ourselves with too much to do and not enough time to do it in. Sandy certainly has alot of over-committed time in her life.

Tom drew the Major Arcana card "The Lovers". What was really great about this card is the idea of discovering the true essence of each person, beyond the physical aspect of loving someone. For over a month I've spent every day here at my sister's home. Since I left home at the age of 18, I've not had an opportunity to spend this much time with her and husband. It has been a really wonderful opportunity for me to get to know Tom at a much deeper level and to also be of service to both of them, to help take care of the home, to cook and clean, so that they both could have more time to do other things they needed to do.

I'm leaving on Tuesday, but I will so miss being here. However, I will not miss dogs whining and barking at 6:00 in the morning, or the whining as I try to watch a television show, or the dogs jumping up on me every time they come back into the house after their potty break. I plan to wallow in my bed the first morning I'm in Ohio. Love to all!!!!

ASKING FOR PRAYERS!!!

It is an unusual time we are in right now. There are so many earth challenges happening in so very many places that every time I turn on the TV another catastrophe has occurred. Currently there are wildfires burning in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Florida. Thousands of acres of precious life sustaining trees have been burned thusfar and many people have either lost their homes due to the fires or have been asked to leave until further notice.

In North Dakota, nearly 11,000 people were evacuated when the river flowing through Minot crested several feet above flood level causing the entire valley to flood.

My dear friend who lives in Palm Coast, Florida has been keeping me informed about the brushfires in northeastern Florida. Over 5,000 acres have burned thusfar and as of today it is only 50% contained. (In an earlier post I spoke about the beautiful rainbows created by the plumes of water used to water the golf course. What makes it even more special is that all of the water used to water the golf course and the landscape is reclaimed water or grey water. Nice conservation effort.)

My twin is in Albuquerque, New Mexico where a recent fire in the Los Alamos area has forced friends of hers to leave their jobs and their home. The fire is within a half mile from Los Alamos Labs and at night the flames can be seen as far away as Albuquerque, 80 miles south.

These are just a few of the many earth challenges occurring in our country. There are so many more both here and abroad causing many of us to wonder what is going on, when will it end, and what will happen to all of us afterwards?

It is difficult not to go into fear and to question our faith when difficult times are upon us. However, having lived in a community of lightworkers for many years and participated in many prayers circles, I know the power of collective prayers.

As you read this, take a few moments to offer up words of the highest vibration of Love. Hold the image of our earthly Mother coming into balance, the rains falling in those areas most needed, the rivers shrinking back within their banks, the air quality fresh and clean, life renewing itself, and all of creation finding a sense of peace and harmony. Whether you hold these images or others, please move into your heart and send that energy out into your world. Join with thousands of like-minded people around the world as we vision a new heaven on earth.

As always, I am deeply honored by your presence in my life. Om Shanti Om!!!!!!

Namaste'

MACH 5 ROSIE!!!

What an incredible weekend I had with my sister, Sandy. We drove to Westchester, Maryland on Friday evening so we could be ready for the Golden Retriever Agility Trial being held the following two days.

Sandy has been competing in agility for nearly 20 years and has earned a wonderful reputation both as a competitor and as a trainer. Here she is getting Rosie ready to go into the ring for the final event of the day yesterday. Although Rosie had three awesome runs on Saturday she failed to double "Q", which means she needed two runs in one day where she had a "qualifying" run, both completing the agility run without any mistakes and also doing it within the time allotted.

So, coming into Sunday morning, the pressure was on. I had whispered to Rosie "if you get your double Q today, I'll buy you your very own hot dog, but don't tell your mommy!!"

My job, all weekend, was to hold the vision of Sandy getting her final double Q. Now keep in mind, in order to get each title, MACH 1, MACH 2, ... the dog needs 20 double Q's. Rosie had been trying since November of last year to complete this title. It also is worth mentioning, Rosie is the only German Short-haired Pointer in AKC history to earn this MACH 5 title. There are several GSP's coming up behind her which are earning their MACH titles, but Rosie is leading the way. For those of you who don't know what MACH is, it's Master Agility Champion.

Here's Sandy getting Rosie ready to start the final run of the day. She Q'd in the first event and all she needs is a clean run in this event. I stood there, holding my breath, watching Rosie and Sandy go through each obstacle until finally Rosie jumped over the final pole and the whole crown exploded in cheers and applause. Most of the people who enter these events have been competing together for years and they all know each other. Dogs of all persuasions and sizes compete, beginning with the 4" breeds on up to 26" breeds. Sandy and Rosie compete at the 20" level. So, CONGRATULATIONS SANDY AND ROSIE!!!!!

Later, I told my brother-in-law, it was a good thing Rosie got her title this weekend, or else I was going to have to stay until she did. Considering I've been here a month now, I could see the look of relief on his face, knowing I'd be leaving soon. Actually he's been very accomodating and easy to be around. Although he and Sandy have been married over 40 years, I've never spent this much time around him and we've had a really good time getting to know each other better.

This little cutie is Sami. She's a Labradoodle competing at the 24" level and just a few weeks ago completed her MACH 1 title. She is an absolutely amazing dog, friendly, outgoing, loves agility and most everyone knows who she is. I've fallen deeply in love with her and I keep threatening to take her on the road with me. The AKC just changed their rules and are letting cross-breeds compete now, so I expect Sami will be earning many titles before she's done.

If you see or speak to Sandy, be sure to congratulate her. Rosie is 11 years old now, so we're not sure how many more events she'll be competing in. Not to worry, though, Sandy and Tom have quite a few more dogs they can work in the ring.

Hasta luego, mi amigos y amigas!!!!!