The Book of Joy

I just finished a book called The Book of Joy that was conversation during a visit between the Dalai Lama and Reverend Desmond Tutu. It was such an amazing story that I'll carry it along with me on vacation so I can read passages of it if there is quiet time at the hotel. I wish all of you could read this book and get out of it what I did. It's pretty simple actually, find a way to open your eyes to what true joy really is. Everyone will see where their joy lies in a different way. I won't bore you by droning on as to how I can go about finding my joy but suffice it to say while I read this book I thought of the tragic state our world is in. If the leaders all around would stop and have a five to ten minute time-out and become a bit reflective during that time together, what a more joyful place we would all live in. Yeah that's a fairy tale, right? I'm just not letting it get me down anymore, I'm going to work harder on making me keep joy in my life. In a week I'll be overflowing with joy once a special six year old gives me a big hug and says"Hi Nana!" So get within or out to see beauty or give of yourself to a cause of your own and find joy. Our universe will be a better place for it, isn't that obvious?

TESTING, TESTING...

My last post on the blog was 6 months ago. How does time fly by so quickly? There is a short dreamtime story I will be posting later and since I don't pay attention to fb enough this is my reminder.

Story for an old friend

I have an old friend turning 60 on Tuesday. I think he sort of became an old curmudgeon but don't really know since we broke up back in 1979 and I met my soulmate who took me away from my small hometown, which keeps me from being in touch with Jimmy and other friends from my wild and crazy growing up years. We did have a couple of interesting adventures, one being a 2 week drive over lots of miles through Canada and a bunch of states. So in the spirit of the fun we had together all those years ago I'm sharing this very short memory.

The rest stop had cool green grass and was on a bluff that overlooked Lake Shasta. The picnic dinner set out on my coat in the grass consisted of a couple cokes, chips and wheat bread that had bologne between two slices. Twilight was descending a and the hot tip of the cigarette was visible as we inhaled. The parking lot was beginning to be less busy with the coming and going of Saturday traffic in interstate 5. The sleeping bags were unburied from where they were hooked to the Honda 750 motorcycle and thrown on the ground. We had a late start so would crash for the night at the rest stop just a couple hours from home. When the sunrise came it would get us up and moving to get an early start for day two of our couple week long ride into adventure. As I fell asleep under the wide sky seeing shooting stars, I didn't even realize I slumbered. That is until I felt showers on my face. I couldn't imagine it raining in June in northern California. The sun made a bright glitter on the lake waters as Jimmy and I quickly sprinted with our sleeping bags to the bike away from the Sunday morning sprinklers. The wet wake up was better than a cup of coffee. Just the paper towels from the rest stop bathroom, brownish and rough as I dried the best I could. I put on my jacket and figured I was going to get dry hair the natural way, wind from the highway as we rode north.

Spilt milk part 3 or how to not make ice cream

It's national ice cream day! So here you go...

The salt and ice had been placed in the metal container that was in the center. I poured the chilled mixture into the spout and hubby started turning the crank as I reread the instructions. If this didn't work we would be having fruit for dessert since the cabin is a 45 minutes from the nearest store and we sure weren't driving out for more supplies. Eight to ten minutes of cranking required to make soft serve delicious treat! I could see the metal ice container getting frosty. The milk, sugar, vanilla mixture was churning. I probably shouldn't have been so excited but you have to understand that hubby and I can't usually make something like this work. We would have either read the recipe wrong or put the doo hickey together wrong. But it was actually working and I was thrilled! I volunteered to take over the cranking for awhile. It turned kind of hard but I was determined. Hubby held the ice cream maker since while the cranking was going on it caused a little wobble. Suddenly while I'm cranking along I see the milk mixture pouring out of the maker, it's like I can't believe my eyes. I'm cranking while the ice cream maker is getting emptier and emptier! Soon there was spilt milk all over the kitchen table, dripping onto the floor. Ever have that moment when you've got all sorts of reasons to have a meltdown but it has nothing to do with a stupid ice cream maker but the idea of no ice cream is what puts you over the edge? Ok well maybe you had to be there. I suddenly bolt out to the deck, throwing myself against the rail. Sobs are coming out of my throat so loud that for all along the river canyon other weekenders can hear the crying carried by the evening breeze. I can hardly believe that there must have been something faulty about the contraption. No, hubby trying to console me says he mistakenly jiggled the lever that is used to open the bottom when you are ready to get the soft serve ice cream. I can't stop sobbing but I'm pretty sure it's not about the spilt milk or that I have to eat fruit for dessert or that now there's a mess all over the kitchen. I'm sobbing that I miss my sailor kid and have spent the weekend reminiscing about our fun times while he was a cute little guy and that I don't know when he and his new little family can join us from 3000 miles away for future visits. I did finally recover after a solitary walk down the road throwing some sticks and kicking some rocks, found some daisies to pick. And knew I wasn't going back to that mess, I didn't make it so it wasn't going to be me cleaning it up. Hubby comes and drives me back, the kitchen sparkles and we have our last night at the family cabin.
The End
So now you have the story of spilt milk. And you also now know how to not make ice cream.

Spilt milk part 2

It was the silliest thing really, almost a kids toy actually but it was mine to be had for free from our friend's garage sale. A plastic hand crank ice cream maker. For a week I pictured of how fun it would be to have at our family cabin so all the generations might use to enjoy a frozen treat. We had the salt and I made sure to put all the supplies I would need to make ice cream on the shopping list. When we arrived for the long 4th of July weekend I just knew our last night's meal would include berry sundaes for dessert! Sunday arrived and I pulled out the instructions, recipe said " should chill for several hours for best results".

Stay tuned for the riveting conclusion!

Spilt milk, Spilled milk...

Now that almost a week has passed I think I can talk about what happened. Although the sign on the cabin wall says "what happens at the cabin stays at the cabin", since it's all about me I think I'm ready to share the story.

To be continued...

Summer School

Taking a required 1 credit Library Resource online class this summer. So far not doing too bad on week number 2. Here's what I wrote as my student bio to get extra credit. See below, let me know what you think.

Hi, my name is Mona and I've been going to college since before most of you were born. I have worked a bit toward a couple certificates but then would quit when I either found the work I would do after getting said certificate was boring or I took classes from a less than steller professor and had to quit because they made me want to scream! So now after finally visiting a counselor for the first time in the 32 years of my student career I am hoping to get my degree in social and behavioral sciences when I'm 63 in the year 2019. Just in time to retire from my bank job, yay! Right now the joy of my life is my 5 year old grandson who lives with his mom and dad (my son and daughter in law) in Chesapeake Virginia so our vacations usually take this nana out there on visits with my husband who I could write a book about the love he has for that little guy! Well in fact we are collaborating on a children's book with the grandson as main character, "Carson Finds a Job". Hope all of you are enjoying the summer. As I always tell my son who's made two deployments to the Persian Gulf as a United States sailor, stay safe and sane! Good luck with class. Sincerely, Mona Mechling

Chesapeake Forest

Sitting out in the twilight I got snippets of whispers from the wood nymphs. My mermaid friends staying in the gentle waves of the Atlantic were sorry we wouldn't have a visit this trip. They asked the shore fairies to pass word along the forest network to me with the salutation that we would meet again but understood that this was nana time with adorable grandson. The shy wood nymphs were hesitant to leave the safety and comfort of the higher leafy branches. But I did get some bold hellos from the frogs and squirrels who scampered, hopped and chattered through the day and night. Today I pack up the cozy Chesapeake cabin, memories and sleeping bags to be carried home to California. I send my goodbye to the elusive wood nymphs and hear a singing bird who will be sure to let my mermaid friends know I'll be back soon.

Flying...

I'm not a good flyer, not that I worry about crashing I just don't like being in enclosed spaces for long periods of time. And I'm always concerned that I will miss my flight, you know sleep through the alarm etc. Anyway, today I decide to drive the scenic rural route home and what happens as I'm flying along at 60+ miles an hour, a bird leaves the field next to the road and while trying to get air born hits the car and  in the rear view mirror I see it land a few feet behind me. Of course I rush home to the computer and google dead bird omen and maybe there will be a chant I can say for the soul of the bird. Well, mostly there are funny post about dead birds but I'm wanting to honor that this bird gave it's life against my front bumper. Plus since I'm about to get on a big flying machine I have to make sure I don't have any bad juju. Turns out that I found something nice that sort of makes me feel better, not a chant but I can make one up and I think I randomly have bird seed around of all things that I'll go to the side of the fence and toss in the air for luck. Here's the copy paste from a portion of a site I found during my googling. Might have been serendipitous that a bird and I crossed paths, right?

https://exemplore.com/spirit-animals/Birds-as-Omens-and-Signs

A Dead Bird

If you've seen a dead bird in the road or perhaps you accidentally hit a bird on the road, this usually feels like a bad sign. Actually death is typically a good sign showing us that an end to turmoil or pain is ending. This doesn't necessarily mean physical death, just a metaphorical death. Perhaps you're going through heartache of a break-up, perhaps you are struggling to find a job...this dead bird marks the end to your search and struggle. A new beginning is just around the corner.

Mermaid posting...

Hi humans! We just wanted to say Happy New Year! That lovely holiday you all seem to enjoy so much with sparkling lights and pretty paper wrapped things called gifts to be shared with your loved ones has passed for another year. We keep tabs you know on folks we've had a good time with. The small boy with the tear on his cheek a few months ago (only for a few minutes though) got to have yummy cake and dance with his cousins at a big party. We like him alot, he's a fun guy so we'll watch from shore for awhile. He has a pretty mom (he sure thought she was extra lovely in her beautiful white dress) who likes lap time with her boy and loves that her new husband (quite dashing as a sailor man) is good at things like cooking their food on an outside machine called a barbecue. We might not seem to be around, especially if we've been invited to frolic with dolphins over near sand covered islands in other seas but we will be back. We like to be part of adventures with some of our favorite humans too...

A wonderful time was had by all!

I think the dolphins I saw in Chesapeake Bay from my 5th floor balcony told the Atlantic shore mermaids to be sure to hang about the Marina for the wedding of Dan and Kim. I didn't see the mermaids but I could feel them there. I have a feeling they whispered among themselves about the jewel like tear on littlest groomsman Carson after he walked his mom down the aisle and gave her away. I'll bet they couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the most beautiful flowers, hydrangas and roses overflowing crystal vases as tall as themselves. Their smiles reflected the bride and groom as the officiant pronounced "you are now husband and wife!" They licked their lips as they smelled one of their favorite foods, crabcakes. You of course know how much mermaids love weddings, right? The night of music and magic was full of fun and frivolity, toast and laughter. Oh but there is so much more to share the mermaids say...

A wedding!

Six days until I watch my only child Daniel marry his sweetheart. The sun will be setting opposite the water, we will see a sparkle on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Kimberly now becomes the newest member of the family and adds Carson, boy extraordinaire who will regal me with tales of summer fun swimming and fishing and seeing his favorite characters at the Disney on Ice show. I can imagine the magical time had by all, cocktail attire, mixture of old and new music by a DJ. Then out of the watery mist the eastern shore mermaids float close to see the humans dancing and hugging and eating all in celebration of the bride and groom.

To be continued...

Adult show and tell

Speech number two is an informative speech. For 6 minutes I have to inform my class of something with visual aids. Before we make the speech though our assignment was to brainstorm topics that we might possibly use for our speech. The following is my list of 25 things that I might pick one from for my speech at the end of the month. What do you think?

1.Croning ceremony
2.Become a Notary Public
3.Mobile/Online banking
4.Paper mache crafting
5.Tarot card reading
6.Lacrosse
7.Selfpublishing
8.Wine tasting
9.Stonehenge
10.Open a bank account
11.Make beef jerky
12.Tour Library of Congress
13.Search for Big Foot
14.Make fudge
15.Autumnal Equinox ceremony
16.Make vision board
17.Soap making
18.Felting
19.Crocheting dishcloths
20.Make rose beads
21.Make zucchini bread
22.Participate in a dig
23.Prepare creme brulee
24.Drive route 66
25.Make a labyrinth

I already sort of have in mind what to speak about, what would your adult show and tell be about?

My introduction

I had to post an introduction for all my Spch 1A classmates to see before we all meet for our first Saturday class. Hopefully when you read the following you will think it's a good enough description of me.

I have been a student off and on at the JC since 1984. I have a son in the United States Navy, he and his family live in Virginia which makes it a little sad for me with them 3000 miles away. I have changed my major about 3 times and now hopefully will receive my AA in Anthropology before I need a cane to walk across the stage to receive my diploma. I am a creative writer and have had a few stories published in some anthologies. I don't make any money but it's pretty cool to see my name in a table of contents in an actual published book. My husband of 35 years will be retiring in a couple years and then we hope to do more traveling, especially to see our grandson Carson who will start kindergarten in a couple weeks. I need to get a computer that can skype so I can actually talk to him live, guess I better join the techie world like everyone else has. Looking forward to meeting all of you on Saturday.

Chick Truck is put out to pasture...

Yesterday I added a new member to the family. Her name is Aretha, after the queen of soul. Actually it was hubby's suggestion and it's a perfect fit. But for this little blog piece I want to say good bye to Chick Truck. I think CT as I nicknamed her was my mid-life crisis vehicle. I had driven Eunice the explorer for about 10 years before getting CT, carrying extra kids, sporting equipment, etc. Why elaborate as you all know what a mom totes around in her SUV. So when I knew Eunice was about to die I drove down the road from my job and traded her in for CT. I was determined I wasn't going to have a vehicle that could carry more than two people. Of course the boy was all grown so no need to have something as big as Eunice. Just about eleven years ago I recall being at the dealership in Petaluma on a grey day around 5pm trying a little red truck then seeing CT in all her shiny green glory and stepside hipness. Kind of reminding me of myself with hips starting middleage spread. Eunice and I were having a bit of animosity towards each other and she showed her true colors when while writing up the contract for CT she decided to puke her radiator instantly dropping her trade in price by $500.00 My classy CT didn't act out yesterday even though she realized this would be our final parting. Off to the pasture aka back parking lot of the Santa Rosa KIA dealership she went without incident. I said a proper good bye to CT, patting her on her hood and thanking her for all the good times we had over the years. I leave her to the goddess as to where her next home will be, hopefully someone who knows she's quite the sporty little pickup. But now I'm off to new adventures with Aretha and maybe sometimes I'll let hubby drive.

Fairy Circle

After seeing in today's newspaper that a girl scout troop is selling kits to make fairy lands for the garden I unearthed a story that I'm going to share with you. Yeah fairies are too real!

"The fairies come at twilight so we need to have the dance circle completed soon."
We were worn out after an hour or so of searching the creek bed for acorn tops and other assorted flora and fauna to painstakingly arrange around the small mirror from the dollar store. On our last night before roasting the final package of hotdogs we would complete our fairyland and recite the fanciful incantation I had made up. Having spent my childhood summers along remote shorelines I heard stories from my mom of mythical forest creatures and had made our own little fairy circles. It was her way to keep my sister and me from being bored while dad fished. I was now convincing my little macho son that there were fairies living in the forest.
"Oberon and all fairy minions, we leave a lovely playland in gratitude of our restful days and nights of the babbling brook lulling us, fair breezes cooling us and a starry blanket over us. Under a crescent moon, sprite and pixie dance in delight of the ether world."
The sun was setting behind the ridge of redwood trees and my stomach was growling. I knew Danny was hesitant to leave but dad had dinner ready for us and it was time to head back.
"Mom, will the fairies know we are here if we hide out somewhere? I really want to watch their party."
Hurrah, I had convinced him fairies were real! Now just to make sure my hard headed, curious kid didn't sneak back down to the creek thinking he could spy on the fairy circle. That's all it would take for him to realize mom was spinning a tale.
"Now you wouldn't want to scare them away would you? You want the fairies to stay close by our cabin and watch over it when we can't be here, right?"
Holding his hand we trudge up the bank and behind us I hear a whisper and a quiet "SHH". It was fairy time...

Ehh, just a regular Saturday

I'm not full of stories today although if I could write a story it would be about the craziness of being in the banking industry. I'm a professional though so I'll just say the past few weeks have made me laugh, made me cry and it also gave me a title for a flash fiction story... "The High Tech Burrito Heist!" No don't ask, just know that you sometimes can't even make this stuff up. Life is stranger than fiction. Hubby also wants to make sure I tell everyone he had a wonderful birthday month. Well except for his bad reaction to shellfish from his seafood pasta meal when we went out to dinner at a place that will remain un-named since the other 3 of us to my knowledge didn't have any problem, in fact I'll go back again. Working at getting through my class in cultural anthropology, hoping for at least a B. Just wrote a little essay about the value of unblocking chi in Chinese medicine. Reminded me that I would really like to take a tai chi class. Enjoying the doors being opened today and I can smell the rosemary from my front raised bed by the door as it's being wafted by the breeze. Well like I said, Ehh, just a regular Saturday. More to post later.

The religious practices of the Rajasthan Nomads

Do most of you remember the time that you would have had to spend at the library to find the information you would need to give a report? These are the times when I love google! Here's the part of what I didn't share last Saturday during anthropology class presentation since instructor all of a sudden realized the 4 previous groups went over the time allotted and decided to cut us off. Our group rocked it, even had music videos thanks to Ian.



Hin·du·ism  (hĭn′do͞o-ĭz′əm)
n.
A diverse body of religion, philosophy, and cultural practice native to and predominant in India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils.

Hinduism, the religion of most of the population, is generally practiced through the worship of Brahma, Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu, and other gods and goddesses. Nathdwara is an important religious centre for the Vallabhacharya sect of Krishna followers. There are also followers of the Arya Samaj, a reforming sect of modern Hinduism, as well as other forms of that religion.

Jain·ism  (jī′nĭz′əm)
n.
An ascetic religion of India, founded in the sixth century bc, that teaches the immortality and transmigration of the soul and denies the existence of a supreme being.

Jainism is also important; it has not been the religion of the rulers of Rajasthan but has followers among the trading class and the wealthy section of society. Mahavirji, Ranakpur, Dhulev, and Karera are the chief centres of Jain pilgrimage.

Is·lam  (ĭs-läm′, -lăm′, ĭz-, ĭs′läm′, ĭz′-)
n.
A monotheistic religion characterized by the doctrine of absolute submission to God and by reverence for Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God.

Islam, the religion of the State's second largest religious community, expanded in Rajasthan with the conquest of Ajmer by Muslim invaders in the late twelfth century. Khwajah Muin-ud-Din Chishti, the Muslim missionary, had his headquarters at Ajmer, and Muslim traders, craftsmen, and soldiers settled there. The Muslims form less than 10% of the population and most of them are Sunnis. There is also a small but affluent community of Shiaite Muslims known as Bhoras in south eastern Rajasthan.



In general some nomadic tribes, Hindu and Jain predominantly.

The Meo and Minas (Minawati) in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. The Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans. The Gadia Lohar is the ironsmith (lohar) who travels in bullock carts (Gadia), who generally make and repair agricultural and household implements. The Bhils are one of the oldest peoples in India, and inhabit the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur and Sirohi and are famous for their skill in archery. The Grasia and nomadic Kathodi live in the Mewar region. Sahariyas are found in the Kota district, and the Rabaris of the Marwar region are cattle breeders.

The Oswals hail from Osiyan near Jodhpur, are successful traders and are predominately Jains. While the Mahajan (the trading class) is subdivided into a large number of groups, some of these groups are Jain, while others are Hindu.

In the north and west, the Jat and Gujar are among the largest agricultural communities. The Gujars who are Hindus who dwell in eastern Rajasthan. The nomadic Rabari or Raika are divided in two groups the Marus who breed camels and Chalkias who breed sheep and goats.

The Rajputs, though they represent only a small proportion of the populace, are the most influential section of the people in Rajasthan. They are proud of their martial reputation and of their ancestry

The State's population of Christians and Sikhs is small.

http://www.earth-cultures.com/cultures/people-of-rajasthan-india

Mermaid Story

I've decided with the spring equinox arriving, this is a good time to go to places not swept out of my imagination yet. The following is a rough draft fiction work. Maybe I'll edit it and use this character in multiple chapters, maybe not. All I know is that the world of fiction has called to me and I'm going to work hard at it. Here goes...

She couldn't help but feel that the mermaid would speak to her if she stared at it long enough. 

It's mouth would move and it's story would spill out, "I am from the shore that washes against the outer bank islands." 

Violet just kept holding it's fragile beauty in her hands. Such a fantastic find, dusty and hidden in the entangled fisherman's net on the shelf of the long deserted shed. She knew doing a little digging there would unearth something wonderful for her to take back home from her visit to the Atlantic shore towns of Virginia.

She posed the mermaid and took a picture to send to Em. Their vintage shop in St. Lorraine was quite eclectic and although near the Pacific ocean in Northern California, mermaids didn't show up often. On the east coast, in particular, south out of Chesapeake Bay she had seen them everywhere. The town of Norfolk even had a map you could find online to tour the city's many mermaids. 

Her phone pinged letting her know that Em was responding to the photo. 

"Where did you find that gorgeous statue and could there be more?" 

Violet hadn't even been thinking of mermaids when she first arrived for her annual visit to see what early American finds she could bring home to August Moon. Tourist in her neck of the woods mainly wanted something vintage to do with the old stage stop days or anything depicting the local wine industry. 

Violet once again took the mermaid into her hands and thought "wonder what the story is behind this?" 

Her eyes fluttered as within her head an unfamiliar voice began, "I am from..."

Violet shut her eyes and let the vibration she could feel from the mermaid flow into her body. 

Briefly she thought "Em, if you could only be here right now." 

Then she felt slowly pulled to some shoreline. She could see, hear and smell the ocean. Was she the mermaid? At other times she had been able to intuit or whatever words describe it, pulled into the piece itself. She would know and somehow visualize the story behind the item. She was feeling that now. Sitting on rough sand, gulls overhead. Salt air blowing against her. Wow, then as quickly she was back in the chair seated before the tiny stove of the cottage where she was staying. 

"Time for a drive, "thought Violet. 

The mermaid caused her to want to feel the real ocean breeze. Tonight was her last night so she should do a little meditation since there wouldn't be another visit to Virginia again for awhile. And who knows, maybe a real mermaid would stop by and regale her with a story or two of beautiful beaches of sunrises and sunsets all across the globe. Violet walked towards the calm lapping water. She took deep breaths, felt the sand underfoot and listened to the waves. 

The cottage creaked and moaned with the wind.

The mermaid stretched her arms, folded and unfolded her tail. She had a long trip ahead of her and there were only folktales from other sea creatures of what the Pacific ocean was like. The key turned in the lock, Violet took her suitcase off the floor and began packing the statue for the flight home to St. Lorraine.

Happy Birthday Linda N.!

I think I missed my old friend Linda's birthday this month, or else it's coming up sometime soon. I have to send my birthday wish with the angels because we lost Linda last year. Here's the tribute (or whatever you might call it) that I wrote after finding out she unexpectedly passed away.

The sky is crying...
I think the shock of learning last Monday of Linda's passing is still hanging on. Seeing the photos of her posted on fb jogged old memories of when she was still married to her ex and we worked at the bank together.

I can hear her laugh and see her in my minds eye the snapshots of us when she came to Northspur or along the shoreline of Hidden Valley Lake. There's even that time of a summer visit to the house in Tahoe hanging out on the deck in the brilliant sunshine.

I didn't ever see her again, she moved away with the new love of her life, Tu. Friends told me about him and how he was a gentle giant. Linda was his rock. And not only was she a happy wife, after many losses she was going to be a mom!

Her pregnancy was rough but Ben was born and he was the light of her life. I never had the chance to meet him but when Linda told me he collected postcards I knew I had to send him one while on a trip driving the old route 66.

Family and friends of theirs came from far and wide to celebrate Linda's life in a town I've never heard of where she and Tu and Ben had made a wonderful home. I imagine her looking down during that celebration holding within her arms those who loved her and now mourned her, taken from us too soon.

Linda, you had so much more life to live. I'll grieve for awhile but it will be a healthy mournfulness, Linda would want me to watch my heart...