Through a Glass Darkly

Catching Up

2006-12-28T05:42:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't posted anything for awhile...been busy. I hope everyone had a good Christmas and is ready for the New Year. Did you make your list of resolutions? I'm not making any this year. Every time I do I end up forgetting about them anyway. This year I'm just going to dive right in and start making positive changes. I've already started clearing away old things around the house making way for the new. I do have goals for the New Year though and my main goal is to buy a house in the country. It can be an old fixer upper. I don't really care. It's the love of the land that drives me. I just love the peace, beauty and serenity of a country landscape. That's something I've really been wanting for a long time now so this year I'm determined to make my dream come true. What's your dream for this year? How determined are you to make it come true? I wish you all a year of fulfilled dreams. More later...

A Good Night's Sleep....on an air mattress?

2006-12-10T19:59:00.000-08:00

Have you ever stayed over at a friend or relative's place and had to sleep on an air mattress? Were you comfortable? What's your opinion? You can read what I think about air mattresses by clicking on the link below to read the article.

http://www.gomestic.com/Apartment-Living/Air-Mattresses:-Comfy-Space-Savers-or-Just-More-Hot-Air.10609

It's Snowing!

2006-12-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

Well, it's finally snowing. There's an advisory until tomorrow morning though. There was just a few flurries earlier then suddenly it got really dark. A few minutes later I looked out the window and everything was white! The snow is pretty to look at but I sure do hate the cold. I'm ready for summer already!

Car Shopping Observation

2006-12-05T08:48:00.001-08:00

How often do you buy a new car? It's come to my attention lately that people are always in the market to buy a new car, even if the one they currently own is relatively new. I wonder if it's just a matter of competition. You know - a friend or relative just bought a new car so they have to go one better. I don't see why anyone should be in such a rush to buy a new car as long as the one they have still runs good. Maybe I just don't get it because I'm not very materialistic. It seems like the world is turning on an axis of competitive consumerism.Go - Shop - Buy. After all, it's what society expects of you.

Capacity to Love

2006-12-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

I've often wondered why God has put people and pets into my life only to take them away. I think the answer has finally dawned on me. Although no one ever knows for certain, I think perhaps it is to deepen my capacity to love.I've always been the type of person who never really lets anyone in. I never let anyone get too close. Maybe that's why I feel more comfortable around animals and nature rather than people. Although the time was too short for some of the people and pets that have been in my life throughout the years, they were the greatest teachers I could have ever had because they taught me a great lesson. They taught me how to love them unconditionally. Maybe everything does happen for a reason.

Slum Lords

2006-12-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how many slumlords there are. Landlords want to charge an arm and a leg for houses that certainly aren't worth it. All they worry about is making money. Sure it's something that we all need but to some people money is their God. When people try to do stuff as cheaply as they can in the long run it ends up costing more. That's the payback they rightly deserve for not doing it right in the first place. Recently my son and his girlfriend had to deal with part of the roof collapsing in the house in which they were living. It was raining and of course there was plenty of water damage not only to the house but to their belongings. No compensation has been made to them and it really didn't seem to matter that they were now homeless with two little children. It really pisses me off that people don't give a damn about nothing but their own selfish desires and pursuits. Someone suggested that they contact places such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army or Community Action for assistance which they did but to no avail. That's another point of contention that really irks me. These places are supposed to be there to help those in need but whenever someone truly needs assistance they are turned away. What is the point in having such organizations if they do nothing? When push comes to shove you really find out what kind of a society we live in. At times the definition of family is newly refined and the word friend should be relegated to an obscure place in the dictionary or just replaced altogether with a word such as acquaintance, instead.

Invasion

2006-12-04T06:40:00.001-08:00

I never got to watch the tv show Invasion because I was always working when it was on and never gave it much thought at the time but a few friends kept telling me how much I would love the show. One friend in particular was really hooked on the show and told me it was a show I would love once I watched it. Well, recently I got the complete series on DVD and my friend was right I fell in love with the show almost immediately. I watched every suspense filled episode. But when I reached the last episode I was shocked to see that the television network cancelled the show and left the viewers hanging like that. That shit really pisses me off. Just because a show is cancelled for whatever reason - lack of ratings or ? ( I don't see how), it still doesn't mean that the show doesn't have fans that deserve a suitable ending. I was so irritated by that. All we see in the end is Larken getting shot, Tom carries her to the water and then Russ and Mariel spotting Tom's car, getting out and calling to Tom, who looks back at them but doesn't answer. We never get to see what happens, whether Larken lives, becomes a hybrid, what happens to the baby or nothing. It's all left to our imaginations. That's not fair. They should at least wrap up the storyline with some sort of special or something. Yeah, I know. I can bitch about it but where's it going to get me, right?

Global Warming and Frog Species

2006-12-03T07:08:00.001-08:00

Global warming concerns continue to remain in the forefront of news. Some scientists believe that global warming is to blame for the extinction of certain frog species and fear that other species that depend upon cold weather climates for survival will be soon to follow. This is a topic that remains divided. Some people believe that we are making too much out of the global warming speculations while others content that it is not being taken seriously enough. Some scientists are now coming to believe that global warming is not just affecting the Earth but all of the planets and their moons as well. They believe the sun may be the primary cause of this warming trend. Has global warming grown beyond the global level. Will species become extinct at a rate faster than what we have imagined? Will time be the only way to tell? If this is a topic that interests you, read more. After all, it is a topic that should concern us all.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0112_060112_frog_climate.html

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

2006-12-02T07:46:00.000-08:00

My teen daughter and I have totally different fashion styles. For example, we're complete opposites when it comes to the color of our clothes. She loves bright colors like pink and yellow. She also tends to favor bold prints and fashions that make a loud statement. I on the other hand prefer muted natural shades such as beige, navy blue and the ever classic black. I prefer solid colors rather than prints of any kind.

It is believed that the colors you choose define your personality to an extent. I must admit this seems to be true. My daughter has an outgoing personality as her choice of fashion would seem to indicate. I am more of an introvert as you can tell by my color choices.

Those that like bright colors like to be the center of attention. They don't mind being noticed. People like this are often considered the class clown or the life of the party. They may also may be found on stage acting in plays, dancing or singing. They are definitely not the wallflower type of person.

Those that prefer colors muted and subtle shades also tend to be more quiet and reserved. They don't like to draw attention to themselves and prefer to blend in with the crowd rather than stand out and be noticed. They may be shy or more of the loner type.

So what kind of a fashion statement do you make? What does your choice of colors say about you? The next time you go shopping for clothes see what items you are naturally drawn to and let your personality lead your fashion sense.

Working Hard for a Few Cents Here and There

2006-12-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

Being a writer I suppose it's in my nature to join every site I can find that mentions the possibility of making money from writing. I admit I've gone a bit overboard with these sites lately until I suddenly had a moment of clarity. Here I am, knocking myself out to make a few cents here and there at some of these pay per view or pay per click sites. Perhaps some of you may think the time and effort spent at these places is worth it but from what I've seen so far I have to disagree. I've also seen a site or two that offers to pay a couple of dollars, and I do mean a couple for articles that are quite good and could fetch a much higher price elsewhere. I don't write solely for the money, although I do enjoy getting paid. I love to write and that is why I choose to do what I do. Writers deserve to get paid too. After all, writing takes time and effort. Sometimes, your muse leaves you stranded behind writer's block and you're chewing your lip and wracking your brain. You might find yourself revising the same piece over and over only to find that the editor still wants even more revisions. Earning a few cents is not worth a writer's time. There are writers that will insist that writing for free or very little money is still good exposure. They are right, of course. Yes, it is good exposure. It is a method of getting your work out there and getting it noticed but you can accomplish that with your very own blog so what do you need all these other sites for? While exposure for your writing is good, it doesn't pay the bills which means that you have to work another job and you have less time for writing which also means less time at working toward the career you really want. Not to mention, that after a few years of writing for free you get to the point where you would like to see some monetary compensation. I'd love to have a quarter for every free article I've written over the years.

How to Channel Your Writing Challenges

2006-12-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Writing under certain circumstances can certainly be a challenge. For example, this past week has been extremely trying for me. I've been sick all week long which makes it difficult to get any work done. Circumstances have also made it necessary for me to watch my grandchildren and for those of you who are work-at-home parents I'm sure you understand how easy it is to accomplish anything with a four-year old, two-year old and barely one-year old under your feet. The house looks like a cyclone;I'm way behind on my work and I feel like I'm coughing up my lungs most of the time. Yes, this week has been a challenge indeed. But what I really want to talk about is how to take those challenges and turn them into productive writing energy. For example, I can write about being sick, what I'm doing to get better, etc. I can also write about being a grandparent, dealing with young children and the joys and tribulations that sometimes result. The point is that you can use your challenges to be productive. You can bring something postive from the negative. Even if you don't write a journalistic piece that nets a good price at least you can receive the therapuetic benefits of writing. It helps to get everything out on paper or the computer screen whichever you prefer. So meet the challenge, work through it and before you know it circumstances will heal themselves and your creative juices will be flowing again.

Levitating Insects

2006-11-30T12:08:00.000-08:00

I've always found levitation to be quite intriguing. Now scientists are levitating insects and other small creatures. Very interesting indeed. I thought all you science enthusiasts out there might find this article interesting. I know I did. Read about it and see what you think.

http://www.livescience.com/technology/061129_acoustic_levitation.html

Parenting

2006-11-30T12:01:00.000-08:00

Society has changed and the family unit isn't as strong or tightly knit as it used to be. It's interesting to watch parents now who give their young children everything they want. Everytime they go to the store they buy their kids toys and junk food. They think they are making their children happy. They think that is what parents are supposed to do. Well, they may be making their children happy for the moment but that's about as long as it will last. Parents love their children unconditionally and they often make great sacrifices for them. But the sad thing is that as children grow up and parents get older, parents are often cast aside. They may be looked upon as a burden. Their children may view them as an obstacle. It's sad but true. Parents put their own lives on the back burner to nurture their children and some of them don't even live long enough to see their children grow up. Parents may tend to look forward to the day when their children are all grown and they can once again settle into their own lives but the sad reality is that many parents are never given the opportunity to settle into their own lives again. The truth of the matter is that children often forget all that their parents have forsaken in order to provide them with the best lives possible. But nature has a way of keeping everything in balance and their children too will grow and forget.

Help Defend Our Wildlife

2006-11-29T08:59:00.001-08:00

The wildlife of our earth becomes more endangered every day. Many people have become increasingly concerned over the condition of our environment and the species that inhabit our earth. But there are many programs that are working to preserve our environment and our wildlife. If this is an issue that concerns you, read and become more informed, then take a stance and do what you can to help. Here is some information about the efforts to preserve wolves. Many of these species face extinction but they don't have to if more people work together.

http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/wolves.html

Global Warming Linked to Extinction of Frog Species

2006-11-28T08:03:00.000-08:00

Loving Nature

2006-11-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

Are you the outdoors type? Do you feel right at home when it's just you and nature? Do you love to be outside no matter what the weather is like? When we connect with nature we get in touch with our roots. Sometimes it does us good to get away from the hectic style of our daily lives and just be instead of always having something to do. Get out and enjoy nature no matter what season of the year it is. Learn how to reconnect with nature. Read more:

http://www.quazen.com/Recreation/Outdoors/Reconnect-with-Nature.9521

Complaints, Complaints, Complaints

2006-11-27T12:45:00.000-08:00

Do you always find something to complain about? Is it in your nature to complain? Are you a chronic complainer? So am I. You're not alone. Most of the world's population can't get through a day without complaining about something. Here's some wisdom to help chronic complainers see things in a new light. Read the article:

http://www.socyberty.com/People/Wisdom-for-the-Chronic-Complainer.9523

The Spiritual Path

2006-11-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

We are all walking a spiritual path whether we realize it or not. At times, our ways may not seem too spiritual but we are all traveling a path of evolution and enlightenment. The destination is the same whether we take the right or the left. Even when we part at the fork in the road we find ourselves ending up at the same point of convergence. Read more...

http://www.socyberty.com/Spirituality/Travelers-on-the-Spiritual-Path.9519

Looking into the Mirror of Your Soul

2006-11-27T06:58:00.000-08:00

There are times when we can look at our children and see ourselves or at least aspects of ourselves. Sometimes their physical appearance can be quite similar to our own but more often than not it is traits or behavior that strike a chord within the soul. Those qualities that take us back in time may be positive or they may be negative but either way it is like looking into a mirror to the soul. Read more...

http://www.gomestic.com/Family/Children-Mirror-to-the-Soul.9520

Hibernation

2006-11-26T20:01:00.000-08:00

Do you dread the winter season. Ever wish you could just settle in for a long sleep and awaken in spring? Have you ever wondered why bears hibernate and people don't? Read the article and find out more...

http://www.quazen.com/Science/Biology/Its-Bear-Hibernation-Season.5802

A Positive Attitude

2006-11-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

A positive attitude can make a difference in your life. Well, it sure can't hurt anyway. Read the article and think positive thoughts.

http://www.socyberty.com/Lifestyle-Choices/Keep-Your-Attitude-Positive.7917

Poetry

2006-11-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

I have some new poetry posted. You can read it at the following links.

http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/Stone.5844

http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/Dark-Sleep.5690

http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/Timeline.5599

Prophecies

2006-11-26T08:40:00.000-08:00

Throughout the ages there have been doomsday prophecies that have loomed in the minds of people, forecasting worldwide tribulations and retribution. Many believe we are in the last days of an age. What will the future hold? No one knows for certain. Read the article and see what you think.

http://www.socyberty.com/Philosophy/The-End-of-an-Age.7859

Work Can Be Healing

2006-11-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

Everyone must endure the grief of loss at one time or another in their lives. As difficult as it can be to go through the grieving process we have to push ourselves to move forward. Immersing yourself in your work, especially some form of work that you enjoy such as writing can be therapeutic. It can help you to heal. Read more...

http://www.socyberty.com/Death/Work-Your-Way-Through-Grief.8349

Welcome

2006-11-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, here I am again with another blog. I've deleted the others but I think I'll keep this one finally. I'm just not the kind of person who can blog about one topic. My mind is constantly racing with a multitude of thoughts running back and forth. That makes it difficult for me to focus on one subject for any length of time. Not that I can't focus, mind you. When I have my mind set on something that "something" can become all consuming. At times I've even been told I have a one track mind, which is rather interesting to digest considering the fact that my mind is racing down a legion of tracks most of the time. Yes anyway, I think I like this blog. I'll be posting a variety of relevant and unrelevant thoughts. Feel free to post yours as well in the comments section.