Pigs on the Wing

If you didn't care what happened to me And I didn't care for you We would zig-zap our way through the boredom and pain Occasionally glancing up through the rain Wondering which of the buggers to blame And watching for pigs on the wing ***

Like ripples in a pond when the stone is thrown in, our actions take on a life of their own once we release them. Little things can mean a lot to a person, even things that we may not give a second thought to. Last summer we attended 'An Evening with Roger Waters' at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. What a show! If you have not ever had the opportunity to see Roger, or Pink Floyd in any of the incarnations, you really must. The music is intricate yet powerful, the lyrics are brilliant, the visuals are overwhelming and I cannot adequately describe the experience. There is one moment in that show however, that stands out for me more than any other. I'm sorry Mr. Waters, but you were not directly in that moment. One thing that you should know about me is that I am a keeper of memories. I save the tickets to the show, I save the set list if I have one, I collect pins of the artists we see.... and I keep the confetti that rains down from above. I have beautiful large round confetti from the Rolling Stones, I have monogrammed 'Black Sabbath' Confetti from the 1999 reunion show (actaully, from all 10 shows I attended that tour), I have an entire oversized balloon ball of confetti speared by Alice Cooper's sword.

The last song before the intermission that night climaxed with a burst of confetti. Despite my best efforts, the pieces did not fall close enough to me to grab this time . I commented to my husband that I wished that I could have caught a piece to keep. A few minutes later, the young man in front of me turned around and said, "Here you go!" He had overheard me talking to John. When it came to him, he gave it to me. I never got his name. I am reasonably certain he has forgotten about this act of kindness - but I have not. I have tried live my life creating ripples and I always marvel when they intersect with the ripples of others. Every action we take is a tile in a mosaic that builds our lives like one of those pictures within pictures. When you look closely at the part of me which represents kindness, you would see the small image of this young man. If you were to search the details of others mosaics, I hope you would see me present there as well.

Who's mosaic are you in? *** You know that I care what happens to you And I know that you care for me too So I don't feel alone of the weight of the stone Now that I've found somewhere safe to bury my bone And any fool knows a dog needs a home A shelter from pigs on the wing

Lyrics to Pigs on the Wing, Parts One and Two presented here: written by Roger Waters, first released on Pink Floyd's "Animals"

Spring Cleaning

I grew up in the United Methodist Church and although my personal beliefs are not in strict adherence with them any longer, I am still drawn back to the Church's teachings at certain times of the year. Lent is one of those times. What with all the talk of who's going to which fish fry on Friday nights and who gave up chocolate or diet coke, it's kind of hard to miss it! It is a good thing to step back and take a close look at ourselves at least once a year. Although in the traditional sense, early Christians were using this period as a time of purification and preparation for baptism on Easter, a bit of Spring cleaning is always welcome regardless of your status on faith. Some folks focus on this 40 plus day stretch as a time for deprivation, but we should rather look at it as a time to practice self control. Rather than just taking things away, we can also add things which would bolster us on our journey here on Earth. I found a good link about making commitments to discipline and growth during lent from the UMC. From the prompts found there, I came up with a list of things to work on through Easter and beyond: *Take control of my life by going complaint free *Take one hour to inventory my priorities and how I plan to reorder them *Focus on thanksgiving rather than on asking in prayer *Give myself a gift of time to do something I always say I don't have time for: blogging every day *Take on a loving task: act as the Personnel Advisor for a local collegiate chapter of my sorority *Write a letter of affirmation once a week to a person who has touched my life *Focus on good, healthful habits of eating and exercise

I'll keep you posted on my progress! Is a good 'Spring cleaning' on your list?

Complaint Free: Day One

Well, I've done it.

Took the plunge.

I have decided to take the challenge to go complaint free. I want to be more positive in my relationships with others and to be kinder to myself. I know the reasons to be complaint free, and I've gotten a few pointers on how to make it work. I expect that this might be challenging and I know that the key is to just pick right up and start over any time my focus is lost.

I saw this badge over at 37 days, and I wanted to use it here to remind myself that this is an important endeavor, and it is worth working toward despite the fact that we start anew everyday. The story behind the image can be found here. It was made by blogger Donna B Miller, whom I thank for sharing it.

So far I only had to start over twice!

Want to join me?

ONE World - ONE Heart

***DRAWING FOR THIS EVENT WAS COMPLETED FEBRUARY 14TH. YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST A COMMENT, BUT ENTRIES ARE CLOSED*** Welcome to my place! If you are stopping here because you came from the main even page I'm so glad you found me. If perchance you are a regular reader here is what this post is all about...

I came across the link to ONE World-ONE Heart and was really excited about what I saw there. This is the second annual blog-wide giveaway hosted by Lisa Oceandreamer. According to her blog set up for the event, "The original idea behind this was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people." Here is her intention: "The blogging world is vast with more created all the time....and through blogging we can learn new things, read about other countries, learn of new ways to promote those vital issues, support causes as well as learn about new artists, writers, photographers et al. By having a list of those with a giveaway it is like a home tour with a map......going from place to place to see how others "live" and perhaps along the way make fabulous new connections and maybe win a door prize in the process." Enjoy your stay here!

The theme for my stop on the one world tour is: DREAMS.

They say that our dreams can tell a lot about us. I'm not talking about my dreams to learn languages, to travel, and to learn more about history and meaning, I mean the dreams we have when we are sleeping. According to Dream Moods , our dreams serve as a means for cleansing and release. Dreams are a safe outlet for our emotions. When we have a recurring dream, it is a clear indication that we have some unresolved issues to confront. We can be anyone, go anywhere, do anything in our dreams. So why am I dreaming the things I'm dreaming? I think I might be sending some signals that some change is in order! The other night, I first had a dream that I was selected to be in a beauty pageant. I had no gowns and went to Wal-Mart (!?) to pick some out. Surprise: I found nothing there I liked! Then I got back just in time to finish up to be ready to go on stage, when realized I had no make-up bag with me. Sigh..... "To watch or dream that you are in a beauty pageant, refers to your own insecurities about your appearances. You are constantly comparing yourself to others and how you measure up to them. You may also be subscribing to society's standards of beauty." So, I wake myself up, get a drink of water and go back to sleep..... This time in the dream I am taking a test. A science & math kind of test. I'm a chemist - no sweat, right! But I do not know one answer to any question. I do not even know enough to try to fake some work on the page for partial credit. Time is up and my page is turned in blank. "To dream that you are taking an exam, signifies insecurities, fear of not meeting others' expectations, and fear of failure." The next night, I dream that I am kidnapped by randomly scary people along with several other women. There is some torture involved.... I escape only to be chased and caught again by my captors. The captors are folks who are pretending to help me.... I end up killing them with a knife. Whoa. Very heavy! "To dream that you are being kidnapped, denotes feelings of being trapped and restricted. Someone or some situation may be diverting your concentration and your attention away from your goals. To dream that you are being tortured, indicates that you are feeling victimized or helpless in some relationship or situation. To dream that you are being chased, signifies that you are avoiding a situation that you do not think is conquerable. It is often a metaphor for some form of insecurity. To dream that you are carrying a knife, signifies anger, aggression and/or separation. There may be something in your life that you need to cut out and get rid of. " I'm thinking I need to take a closer look at how I am treating myself. There seems to be a major amount of self doubt here and fear of not measuring up. I am not focus on goals and avoiding things that need to be addressed. My subconscious is aware of this, but waking, I seem to be ignoring it. I've set my tone for the year and I think this qualifies as burning away some underbrush! I think I'd better take a serious look at what needs to be bolstered and what needs to be cut out of my life in order to bring some peace to my dreams... I want to get back to dreaming about my family near me, or flying through fluffy white clouds, or beautiful meadows of blooming flowers. Look up what those mean and you'll see why!

What have you been dreaming about?

In the spirit of the event, I too will be having a give away to thank folks for stopping by. We are recommended to close out the contest on February 13th. To account for time zones, and the fact that I moderate all posts, I will close out the give away when I wake up the morning of February 14th. Look for a post later that day which announces the winner! My prize is a small dream meaning book.

Please add a comment below which includes your name so that I can contact you when you win. I'd love it if you'd add something about icons that show up in your dreams and what they symbolize to you.

Small Is Beautiful

I only started blogging within the last year. I have found so many wonderful sites to visit, heard so many wonderful new voices. I have no intentions of celebrity through my posts, no plans for acquiring a fortune - at least not a monetary one that I can deposit into a bank. I only hope that I make you smile or make you think when you read my words. When I finally begin to post my art journal - I'd be grateful if you said it was nice. If you tell your friends to look for me because you think what I say is worthwhile, I'll be ecstatic. I recently came across a symbol, and I believe that it was on Carmen's Blog that I saw it first. (I get all the cool stuff from there!) When I clicked on it, I came to Magpie Girl's Site and found the Small Is Beautiful Manifesto. I knew immediately that I wanted to join this community. Or this revolution as she calls it! Here is what is said:

**** The Small is Beautiful Manifesto We believe stories are valuable, no matter how many people read them. We believe following your passion is more important that watching your site meter. We believe in the handmade, the first try, the small start, and the good effort. We believe that small is beautiful. ****

Although I must add, I've seen no small hearts in this community so far. I feel blessed to have found it and proudly display the banner on my sidebar. I encourage you to visit the other sites on the roll there.

~ and thanks for stopping in here!

Facts In Evidence

Six more weeks of winter. I had originally intended to make this post a rant against someone I thought was a despicable scoundrel, the groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil. The callous way he threw around predictions of weather, taunting us with promises of an early Spring when it never seemed to come, just a terrible way to treat those of us who looked to him for guidance and hope. His disrespect and lack of judgment were more than I could accept. That was until I got my hands on the following..... (don't ask me where I got it - I can't tell you the details) ********** CLASSIFIED HOMELAND SECURITY WIRETAP TRANSCRIPTS DATELINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2008 IDENTIFIED SPEAKERS: PARTY #1: PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL, GOBBLERS KNOB, PA PARTY #2: BRITNEY SPEARS, UNNAMED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, LOS ANGELES, CA ********** INITIATE TAPE ring tone sound PARTY#1: Brit - are you there? I just can't take the pressure anymore! PARTY#2: I'm so worried about you! You've got to chill out ya'll! pause PARTY#1: They just keep hounding me. They follow me everywhere I go. I'm dreading tomorrow. PARTY#2: Oh Punx, I know what you mean... At least you've got your people to help you with that. PARTY#1: My people? "Inner Circle" my sainted aunt... I have no idea where all those guys in the top hats came from. One day I just looked up when I popped out of the burrow and they were there! I can't shake them! At least Elvis knew those Memphis Mafia guys! PARTY#2: But they're there to help you.... "don't worry we'll speak for you," and all that! Certainly makes it easier huh? PARTY#1: Oh sure! They thought they were being hilarious when they said I made that crack about my burrow being "more tidy than Saddam Hussein's spider hole," Like I was ever actually AT his spider hole, they never let me go anywhere! But ever since then, I swear I'm being listened to. Maybe by Homeland Security. PARTY#2: Oh come on ya'll - that's off the hook! PARTY#1: You say that, but the CIA had a file on John Lennon... PARTY#2: Well. maybe. sounds of pacing, possibly 4 paws PARTY#1: I thought maybe I was gonna get some good press and truth when they made the movie, but talk about an unauthorized biography... it wasn't even about me! That guy Bill Murray was on screen for way more time than me. So were the stupid "inner circle" for that matter! PARTY#2: Yeah. My people talk me into all kinds of things.... PARTY#1: Don't get me started. I even ended up in space! Three times! "Chucknik Spacecraft" ...What was I thinking! I'm a groundhog for pity's sake! PARTY#2: Don't be so hard on yourself ya'll! You trust them! You've got to trust them. That's why I'm glad I've got my momma around. PARTY#1: Um, we need to talk about that soon Brit, but right now try to focus on me! PARTY#2: Oh yeah, right! I'm sorry ya'll. PARTY#1: I'm really seriously starting to worry about the so called 'special elixir' they keep giving me. Did you know that I'm 120? I don't get to talk to other groundhogs very often, but I accidentally overheard a conversation that makes me think that's not "normal." What might it be doing to me? PARTY#2: They wouldn't give you drugs to take or alcohol to drink if they didn't think it was good for you! Remember - you have to trust them! PARTY#1: ...and most importantly, why do people believe that I can control the weather? I'm not a god! I do not even have a degree in meteorology! PARTY#2: What would knowing about rocks from space have to do with anything? Besides - you just said you were up there, didn't you learn anything about meteors? PARTY#1: I'm not sure you're following me Brit..... crackling sounds - unidentifiable PARTY#1: The power is kind of cool though.... There was that time during prohibition when I threatened that if they didn't give me a drink I'd cause 60 weeks of winter; That was pretty good! PARTY#2: Yeah, that would have been cool. Make them give me a drink tomorrow, I could really use one in here! Only make it like 60 million weeks so they really do it. PARTY#1: I can't believe that the American public actually think I talk to the inner circle in groundhog-ese or some nonsense, and tell them when Spring is coming...... I'm supposed to be hibernating - did you know that? Sleeping! Why don't they just leave me alone! Why don't they just leave us both alone! sound of bottle opening - liquid pouring PARTY#2: But you do get to meet people other folks don't know - that can be good! PARTY#1: Yeah, I got to meet President Ronald Reagan and Oprah Winfrey. PARTY#2: Oprah seems cool - but don't even get me started on Doctor Phil ya'll! PARTY#1: And another thing! They never seem to catch my good side on TV. Did you see how huge they made me look when they put me up on the JumboTron in Times Square back in 2001? PARTY#2: Yeah, we really should have talked before I did that last awards thing. I know you would have warned me. PARTY#1: People are just cruel Brit.... Them making you wear that outfit reminded me of the time they made me wear the terrible towel for the Pittsburg Steelers. The photos on that one are still circulating. quiet sobbing - both ends of line PARTY#1: Then there are the wanna-bes... Buckeye Chuck ... what a joke! Like any other groundhog could predict the weather. I can't even predict the weather! I know you're with me on that one! Just because someone is blonde and cute and can kind of sing they say she's the next Britney! What a joke! PARTY#2: Yeah. Sometimes they don't even have to actually sing - just act a mess and forget their panties one day.... I don't get it. It's sad. pause PARTY#1: Have you seen the merchandise? You can get groundhog cookie cutters, t-shirts, Mardi Gras beads, even a foam top hat like my inner circle guys wear.... They even made a Ty Beanie Baby to look like me. I mean that's okay - but they put one of those god awful hats on it. And a bow tie? I hate those things. And the money? I get none of it. Oh wait - they use it to buy the elixir and the food they give me. I should be thankful right? How about a trip to Las Vegas? Or maybe just a ride in the car sometime? PARTY#2: I'll drive you! You can sit on my lap! We'll roll baby! PARTY#1: I don't think they'll let you do that anymore Brit.... PARTY:#2 Yeah ya'll, you're probably right. PARTY#1: Besides if I went to Vegas I might start whistling or something, and the paparazzi would be all over that. PARTY#2: That's why you just marry someone while you're there - then it's cool. PARTY#1: Might not be a bad idea. pause PARTY#2: Will Punx, I got to go, they only let me talk on the phone a little bit here ya know! I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you. Keep your chin up and don't even fret about all the cameras they're gonna stick in your face! PARTY#1: Thanks Brit - it's really nice to know someone cares how I feel about all of this. Say hello to Sean Preston and JJ for me when you talk to them next. PARTY#2: Oh! That's so sweet. I will. Oh and be sure to make Spring be here tomorrow okay ya'll?! Do it for me! They said I might be out by Spring! click PARTY#1: Have you been listening to anything I said? deep sigh END TAPE ********** For more information on the exploitation of my friend Phil, I mean "fun facts about groundhog day" visit groundhog.org I lifted his picture from there too. It was probably taken by some thoughtless paparazzi and traded for filthy lucre (wink) (I'm hoping Phil will forgive my past harsh words once I apologize to him...and Britney too)

Seeing Red

"Go Red For Women is a movement passionately dedicated to helping women fight back against heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in America. By putting our passion together with positive action, we can continue to educate other women about their risks and help them find their own personal path to better health for life." - from goredforwomen.org Friday, February 1st is "Go Red For Women" Day. Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of women in America? Taking nothing away from the support we give other worthy women's causes like breast cancer and domestic violence, finding out about your cardiovascular health is something that can have a huge impact on your future. We may have the power to save our own lives. I know that I need to pay more attention to this. My mom is a healthy 77 year old, but she lost many family members to heart disease and stroke, many before the age of 55: her father, sisters and brothers, and nieces and nephews. High cholesterol and high blood pressure are common on my mother's side of the family. Um..... I'm a part of my mother's side of the family right? Here is a secret: my total cholesterol level is over 260. I have not been back to the doctor to have it checked again since I found out two years ago. This is a BAD thing. It is not in keeping with my plan for better living. I will note that my blood pressure is in the low to normal range... for now. I also am carrying around an extra fifty pounds and do not get enough exercise. This behavior must stop now. Feel free to call me out and remind me I said this. I would ask you to stop by the website above and take the "Go Red Heart Check Up", Check out the "Choose To Move" section which features exercise tips, look for some healthy recipes, and read the personal stories there. Maybe you could even share your own story. If you don't get to the site - at least read the questions below copied from there, and think about whether or not you know the answers. Most importantly what it might mean for you and your family if you don't. Cholesterol *What is my total cholesterol level? *What is my triglyceride level? *What are my HDL (“good”) and LDL (“bad”) levels? *What is cholesterol and how may it affect my health? *What is a healthy cholesterol level? *How often should I have my cholesterol checked? High Blood Pressure *What is my blood pressure? *What is my systolic number? *What is my diastolic number? *What is high blood pressure and how may it affect my health? *How often should I have my blood pressure checked? Obesity and Body Mass Index *What is my weight? *What is my height? *What is my Body Mass Index (BMI)? *What BMI range is healthy for me? *At what weight would I be considered overweight? Obese? Smoking *How can I quit smoking? *How can I avoid gaining weight after I quit smoking? Diabetes *What is my fasting blood glucose (sugar)? *What is diabetes and how may it affect my heart health? *Diabetes runs in my family. How can I prevent it? *I have diabetes. How can I control it? *I have diabetes, and I know that increases my risk of heart disease and stroke. Should I be on medication(s) to help lower or manage my risks? I like reading your blogs, and I like that you come visit mine. If you're gone it just won't be the same without you. GO RED!