Q.'s Quote of the Day: 10-15-07

"If people really understood the connection of environmental damage to their own lives, they would be much more motivated to preserve and protect the environment."
~~Dr. Eric Chivian, director of Harvard’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, in Veterinary World, Spring 1999.

Humanity has literally cut the ties it had with nature and that damage is coming back to haunt us. Treating the web of life as our personal property has created such destruction that our very survival may be at stake.

What can we do? Stop raping the earth for profit. Try to re-connect with the rest of the biosphere, walk lightly on the earth, respect and protect the other life forms on this little blue world, and remember we are part of nature, not apart from it. Nature is sacred; our relationship with this Gaia is sacred; her children are sacred. We are stewards, not dominators. The sooner we internalize that the better off we'll be.

With love and light,

Q.

Blogathon: The Environment: Organic Gardening

In honor of the Blogathon about the Environment, I am going to speak about Organic Gardening, its pleasures, its usefulness, its benefits to the environment and to our health, both physical and spiritual.

I’m sure most of you have at least heard of ‘Organic’, as a farming/gardening method. What does that really mean? According to Organic Gardening Magazine...

The simple answer is that organic gardeners don't use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on their plants. But gardening organically is much more than what you don't do. When you garden organically, you think of your plants as part of a whole system within Nature that starts in the soil and includes the water supply, people, wildlife and even insects. An organic gardener strives to work in harmony with natural systems and to minimize and continually replenish any resources the garden consumes. Organic gardening, then, begins with attention to the soil. You regularly add organic matter to the soil, using locally available resources wherever possible. And everyone has access to the raw ingredients of organic matter, because your lawn, garden, and kitchen produce them everyday. Decaying plant wastes, such as grass clippings, fall leaves and vegetable scraps from your kitchen, are the building blocks of compost, the ideal organic matter for your garden soil. If you add compost to your soil, you're already well on your way to raising a beautiful, healthy garden organically.

The other key to growing organically is to choose plants suited to the site. Plants adapted to your climate and conditions are better able to grow without a lot of attention or input; on the other hand, when you try to grow a plant that is not right for your site, you will probably have to boost its natural defenses to keep it healthy and productive.

Thus, organic growing is using natural means to bring about a harvest, rather than artificial—read ‘man-made’—means. In practice, this entails:

- Fertilize with manure, or ‘green manure’ crops like Rye or Buckwheat, or manure tea.
- Use beneficial insects to keep down pests by making sure their habitat is available.
- Compost food scraps, green matter, leaves, and coffee grounds for soil improvement.
- Hand-pick pests, if you can.
- Use biological tricks like companion planting to help plants grow pest-free.
- Pick plants that work in your climate and soil.
- Saving water, using rain water retained in cisterns, drip irrigation, and proper timing of watering to avoid adverse evaporation.
- Grow open-pollinated or heirloom seeds instead of hybrids, if you can, to give you a chance to save seeds for next year.

There are many ways to work with organic methods. You probably can think of more than what I have listed here.

So, you now have the information on what organic gardening is, but is it for you? What benefits will it give you? A few benefits are, deep satisfaction from growing your own food or knowing who grows it, knowing exactly how and where it was grown, enjoying the great taste of fresh produce that hasn't been shipped 1000 miles, eating food that is packed with nutrients and vitamins far beyond those grown commercially with chemicals, to mention a few. It will also give you back something most of us have lost—a connection to the food you eat.

One of my personal favorite ways to grow vegetables is with Square Foot Gardening. This method is great for intensive work, with the least amount of wasted space, and conservation of resources. Check it out, and see if it will help you in your own quest for an organic garden.

Of course, in all this there is a spiritual side. Growing things organically aligns you with nature’s creatures, with her cycles. There is nothing closer to God/dess than tilling the soil, nurturing plants, and harvesting food in the timeless rhythm of the seasons. It creates a peace within that is unmatched elsewhere. With one’s hands deep in sun-warmed soil, our connection to the earth is restored. Stress flows away and tranquility remains. And when the garden is planted, don’t forget to plant flowers, herbs and other plants to attract butterflies, bees, dragonflies and mantises. These and others are allies in the effort to create a harvest.

Now, get those hands dirty, think about next spring and resolve to grow your own luscious veggies. The seed catalogs come in January!

With love and light,

Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 10-14-07

“But I venture the challenging statement that if American democracy ceases to move forward as a living force, seeking day and night by peaceful means to better the lot of our citizens, then Facism and Communism, aided, unconsciously perhaps, by oldline Tory Republicanism, will grow in strength in our land.”
~~Franklin D. Roosevelt, November 4, 1938

Make peace, not war. The Iraq war and the conflicts in Afghanistan, et al, are immoral. Those who perpetuate war to make money are the worst of the worst, placing greed above all, worshipping "Mammon". Many of those warhawks are nominally Christian. What does Jesus teach that promotes war above peace? I thought He was The Prince of Peace! Shame on those who war on others for profit, who sacrifice soldiers and civilians on their altar of needless death.

I honor those who fight over there, yet decry those who send them. It is unneccessary, a waste of humanity! I sorrow for the men, women, and children slaughtered in the name of Mammon. When will it stop? When will our elected Congress stop enabling the death-dealers, the warhawks who had no courage to fight when they were called in their youth! Shame, shame!

"Blessed are the peacemakers..."

Q.

A bit late, but...

...Congratulations to Al Gore in being one of the prestigious group honored by this year's Nobel Peace Prize. It lifts my heart that such a man as Mr. Gore was honored. Those that love peace, and work for it instead of war are in great need now...and in the future.

There are many who believe Al should throw his hat in the ring for the presidency again. I'm of two minds on this. Part of me yearns to see him in the Oval Office, cleaning out the sewage left by our current corrupt administration. On the other hand, he has a mission already: The Environment, and the global warming problems that, if not slowed down or stopped very soon, could easily mean the extinction of 2/3 of our human race...and major extinctions across the biosphere.

What a choice! The question is, can he do both? Could being president give him a platform where his effectiveness will increase, or is his present strategy the right way to get the most out of his time? I can't answer that question, and neither can all of those chanting "Run, Al, Run"!

All I know, is that I respect him--regardless of his choice. Whoever the next president is--hopefully a Democrat--should be sure to enlist his expertise in the Global Warming Fight, for he is uniquely qualified to help in that area.

So, Congratulations on your Award, Mr. Gore! I voted for you in 2000. If you run, I'll be there again, voting for the Best Man again. If not, I'll do what I can to ease my own carbon footprint.

Blessings,

Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 09-30-07

Philadelphia, 23 February, 1756

TO MISS HUBBARD:

I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living. A man is not completely born until he is dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?

We are spirits. That bodies should be lent while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided in which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves, in some cases, prudently choose a partial death. A mangled, painful limb, which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off. He who parts with a tooth plucks it out freely, since the pain goes with it; and he who quits the whole body parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases which it was liable to or capable of making him suffer.

Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure which is to last forever. His chair was ready first and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow and know where to find him?

Adieu,
B. Franklin

This is a letter passed along to me by a friend on Street Prophets from a diary she posted two years ago. Read it here. The letter is profound in its meaning. We are indeed spiritual beings living out a physical life, but we are never to think we are just human, for we are much more than that. We are immortal beings of light, incapable of death. Our bodies are shed like a butterfly's chrysalis at physical death, yet our true selves live on, winged in beauty, to alight again when the immortal cycle calls us back to earth.

My brother's physical body died this morning, but I know he soars with stained-glass wings shining in the Light. I hope all those who feel the pain of his passing can remember the memory of being winged with rainbow pinions, for that remembrance is a great comfort.

Blessed be.

Q.

The Meaning of Death

This morning, in the wee hours, just after 3am I recieved a phone call from one of my neices. As you would expect, getting a call at 3am--when one isn't on Call--usually means someone close to you, either a friend or a relative, has died. This was no exception. My only brother passed on sometime between midnight and 3 in his sleep. As of now, all I know is that he passed in his sleep, not the cause of it.

When the phone rang, I thought it would be my step-mother telling me my nearly-90 year old Dad had died, but that's not who was there on the phone. I was shocked. My brother? He's only 59! What kind of joke is this? He wasn't sick--at least not deathly sick. Unfortunately, it's no joke. He's gone. Passed on. Kicked the bucket. Bought the farm...whatever.

I'm in shock now. I've cried some tears out of deep sadness...for Linda his wife...for his kids...for my Dad...for me. But not for HIM. He needs no tears. He is on the next Journey that we all face eventually, and in my beliefs, that is a joyous time, not a time of judgement and fear. I truely believe--scratch that, I know--he is in the company of my Mother and in the presence of God/dess.

So...what does this mean to me? What is this thing called death? Is it an end...or a beginning? Is it a transition that is part of a sacred cycle, or the end of existence? Why does it matter? All questions that have no answer except in faith of one kind or another. No one's come back to explain what happens when we 'go toward the light' and cut that cord tying us to our physical body. What really happens?

As a Pagan, I do not believe in a one-lap-around-the-track kind of life. I firmly believe--I dare say know...in my heart--that we come back, reincarnate, many times. That death is only a transition, not an ending. I feel deeply that God/dess calls us into Her presence to gently critique our life, our deeds, helping us judge for ourselves if we passed that 'grade', those 'lessons' we chose to undertake. I feel deeply that there is only love and compassion--no punishment--at that 'debriefing' session. No lake of fire, only a place in Her presence to recouperate and plan things for the next life.

So...why should I mourn for my brother? There is no reason. I rejoice with him in his transition! The mourning is for me, for his widow, his children, for all those left on this plane of existence without him in it. We are the ones who suffer, not the one passing.

Bless those left in tears, may they find comfort.

Bless those who mourn, may they know peace.

God/dess grant that our passing is as peaceful as his has been.

So mote it be.

Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 05-06-07

"Don't be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against, not with the wind."
~~Hamilton Wright Mable

Preaching to the choir is boring. Truly interesting dialog comes from those who don't see the world the same way. Only by such interactions can those who are different from one another learn that they are more alike than they think they are.

Down deep, we all want love and respect; we all want adequate food, proper clothing, adequate shelter and the freedom to believe as one's heart dictates. Freedom of belief is the key thing. Without it, the rest is window-dressing.

Rise before the wind, my friends. Come, we'll talk.

Q.

Hit a sore spot I did

Okay Collin, cool your jets. Thank you for reading my blog. I read yours, too.

You accuse me of quoting you. I was not. If I quote someone, I use double quotes (""), or put it in a blockquote. The single quote references are ideas only, not personal quotes. Got it? Okay.

As far as asking you to change your views to be part of Street Prophets, to participate, you are soooo wrong! What you needed to change was your attitude. Being arrogant, acting persecuted, unwillingness to meet us half-way is what I see as your problem. You would not enjoy such a person on your own blog, and we don't either. As we told you, JCHFleetguy is a conservative evangelical Christian at SP. I respect him. He earned it....over time...but in the beginning, we tangled quite a bit. However, he was always, always respectful.

I do wish they hadn't banned you. An interesting adversary/different view is great fun. Seriously. Feel free to talk to me anytime. I only bite if provoked.

BTW, I never saw the front-paged call-out diary Wolfie put up. From what I saw of the response to it, it must've been some egregious piece of work. I don't condone it, but I know Wolfie's history--and apparently, you did (or do) not. He is a warrior, and fights when he perceives threats. Like we all do.

Many of us at Street Prophets are wounded people...wounded by folks that sound a lot like you. Such 'tender spots' are hard to avoid, unless you know they are there. Once you realize they are, and still get 'in your face' with someone, it's uncalled for. It is troll behavior. As far as I could tell, you refused to back down. I'd provide quotes, but they are all gone.

All I can say to you now--since you have called me out, more or less, is: Whatever. I stand by my thoughts. You are not a very loving, caring Christian...but then, that's my opinion.

I'm just a bit sad that you don't 'get' the Wolverine part of me. I am a person of dogged perseverance, and, at times, rage that doesn't sleep. I control the temper most of the time, and you have yet to have that rage focused on you. Your behavior is still below the rage threshold. I believe we are all gifted with Spirit Guides. One of mine is Wolverine Spirit. He has helped me get past many ordeals in my life, of which you know nothing. You can be as dismissive as you like. Mocking is a great way to target 'other'. I do it, too.

Well, I'm rambling, so I'll stop here. I look forward to possible dialog...like I proposed in your ill-fated diary that garnered 300+ comments. Just remember one thing: I'm not going to convert to your religion. You can try, and I think it would be interesting to see you try, but don't be disappointed if I don't 'bite' on your dangling fish.

In all sincerity,

Q.

Beltaine

Today is May Day--a time for maypoles and celebration, for it is a Holy Day--a day to celebrate the Heiros Gamos--the Sacred Marriage of God and Goddess. This is truly the beginning of Summer, and the time of growing things that begin to produce fruit.

The union of the Lord and the Lady symbolize the interaction of forces in procreation, in the pollenation of flowers, the love of bees and insects for the plants they visit, the love of life that begets life.

We humans tend to forget we are part of the web of life that supports us, that cradles and feeds us. We forget that harm done to part of the web, harms us as well. It behooves us not to be in domination over creation, but to be in partnership with it. To walk with the natural world, to respect and love every leaf, every stone, every drop of rain...that should be our goal.

Can we learn that lesson fast enough to avoid extinction?

Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 05-01-07

"There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up."
~~Booker T. Washington

To those who look down on others because they are different, may you learn that fear is not a neccessary part of life. Everyone is different. We all walk alone, searching for God/dess.

Q.

Troll and Point of View

The definition of trolling can be a nebulous one, yet we know it when we sees it. Over at Street Prophets the last handful of days, we dealt with a real concern troll. He has since been banned. How, I'm not sure; I missed that part--as I missed some of the first things that set off the brouhaha. Here is a post from collinb @ Evangelical Perspective, his own blogsite--one of three:

Monday, April 30, 2007
Something I Learned the Hard Way

It seems that the concept of an Internet Troll has changed somewhat. Traditionally it's referred to someone with a harsh tone who was disruptive, jumping in randomly and affecting dialogue. That changed over time to include even regular group participants who may irregularly get out of line and become a nuisance. But this week I learned that, if you enter dialogue with a group having a differing opinion, no matter how civil the disagreement or how genuine the rhetoric, the fact that you actively engage dialog to the contrary -- this is also seen as trolling.

Trolling is when you walk into an established community, and act like you know it all--that your view is Truth® and that the regular folks who interact at the site are in need of 'education in the Truth® '. That arrogance and inability to meet the residents of a blog on their terms within the rules of that blog, is trolling.

You did it. You were called on it. You never had any intention of being one of the community. Ergo, you were labeled Troll.

For the past month plus I've been reading Street Prophets and had the genuine goal of civil dialogue on matters of importance. Street Prophets has some generally interesting content and, after having read for a while, wanted to engage the group with some alternative considerations. That was a mistaken judgement on my part.

You went there to 'save' us. Admit it. You were always the thorn, yet dismissed any and all attempts to engage you as the 'silly Left attempting to engage the Truth® and failing'. You refused to understand the premise for the site: inclusive, open and affirming, safe place for GLBT, Athiest, Pagan, all Christians of good faith, everyone with good faith. You attempted and engaged in divisive rhetoric--from the beginning of your tenure there. You never 'got it'. You never really participated in the community. You never passed out 'cookies'; you didn't engage in the Coffe Hours or Open Threads. All you did was drop inflamatory comments here and there to stir up the folks there.

It seems that, even though they are very public and open to participation (subject blogs in general), there is an unspoken rule that non-believers (in whatever the cause, whatever the blog) are not generally welcome. They may state their participant preference, but there is an unstated "Keep Out" sign. Alas, I understood too late the group-think. This made me a troll and I didn't realize the situation.

I cry Bullshit to you. You knew what SP was about before you went there. We don't make a habit of banning folks...but those who won't play by our rules get booted--and you were, after an egregious list of insulting, condescending, arrogant posts. You attacked our members, you were unable to speak without right-wing, evangelical talking points; you held no respect for our members who are Gay, Athiest, Non-Christian. You held us in contempt. Do you honestly believe we wouldn't notice? That we would put up with that?

Would you have endured Christian bashing at your own site? Why are you so afraid of those who are different than you?

A lot went on in our interactions, things that are not necessary to discuss here. But the principle is simple: Be careful out in the blogosphere. There are some really mean people out there. And from this point on I'm going to keep a safe distance and keep my tongue/keyboard under a bit more control.

Posted by Collin Brendemuehl at 10:37 PM

Street Prophets is the most open, most friendly, most affirming place I have ever found on the Net. You could have learned a lot there if you really wanted to. I'm sorry you decided we were beneath you, contemptible in our views and our politics. We are the future. We are a community that takes attacks on one or more of its members VERY seriously. We are not haters.

BUT...we sure can sense haters when they show up.

Yes. You should recognise the mean people easily. Look in the mirror.

Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 04-12-07

"One who condones evils is just as guilty as the one who perpetrates it."
~~Martin Luther King, Jr.

and

"The world needs anger. The world often continues to allow evil because it isn't angry enough."
~~Bede Jarrett

'Nuf said.

Q.

Don Imus and 'Social Sin'

Pastor Dan over at Street Prophets discussed the implications of the offer from Wiley Drake, the irrepressible 2nd vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention for giving absolution to Don Imus, the shock Jock that insulted the Rutgers Womens Basketball Team. Imus called those female atheletes 'nappy-headed 'hos'--both racist and sexist slurs of the worst sort. Why does Wiley (aptly named) Drake feel the need to forgive such a thing?

Wiley Drake wrote:

"Even though I am not your pastor I would be glad to meet with you and pray with you and witness your confession to God, and help you claim forgiveness, that indeed will be forgotten by God.

What those who were offended will do is of little importance when you compare it to what God can do for you through Jesus Christ."

So...those who were offended are of no consequence? Why? Pastor Dan's take mirrors my own:

It could not be more clear that Imus' faults are the result of social sin, not individual. Yet here's Pastor Drake ready, willing and eager to offer a little contrition, listen to Imus say he's sorry about all this "up-roar" as though there were no context to go along with it.

Sorry, I'm not buying it. The issue is not whether Don Imus' sins can be "forgiven and forgotten" (as if it's any business of a Baptist pastor to offer priestly absolution), but rather whether the structural damage to the life of the community can be repaired. So unless Imus is coming on to talk about doing justice by working toward better stewardship of the public airwaves through challenges to corporate hegemony, I'm not interested, man.

(emphasis mine)

StarWoman posts:

Pastor Drake:

What those who were offended will do is of little importance when you compare it to what God can do for you through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ:

Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.

Commentary left as an exercise for the reader.

What one does to another (the least of these)--according to Christians--is done to God (Jesus). In my beliefs, what one does to one is done to all. We are all connected, all webbed together. You hurt one, you hurt all.

Which brings me to this bit from JCHFleetguy:

Is a social sin something that separates us from society - or our fellow human beings?

Social Sin could be described as an action that contributes to/motivates/allows the bad actions of others in a group (a society). Thus, those who consistently feed the 'bad wolves' in us all, are guilty of this, over and above the personal guilt.

Those that love Imus (and Rush Limbaugh, She Who Must Not Be Named, Karl Rove, etc.) as he 'feeds those wolves' are guilty of it also.

And contributing to the bad actions of another, encouraging them to do wrong things...isn't that truly 'against God'? I believe that was what PD was aiming for.

Just how I sees it. YMMV.

Q.

PS: No offence meant to wolves of course, especially were-kind.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 04-07-07

"The God who is with us, the very God with us, is not just shedding light on us. God also sheds darkness. It is one thing to trust the God that you comprehend and understand; that's the God of light. It is quite another to trust and believe in the God beyond your comprehension and understanding. That's the God of the night. If all you can trust and have faith in is the God you can comprehend and understand, then who are you worshipping?"
~~Leonard Sweet

Stare into the night sky where there are no city lights, and see the face of the Star Mother. Sit in a forest glade, and listen to the trees sing in the wind. Feel the caress of the wind that threads through the leaves and your hair with gentle fingers and know the God of the Green Wood. Stand amidst the waves as the tide comes in. Feel the sea slide around your feet, inviting you into the primordial ocean.

God/dess is everywhere, in everything. S/He speaks with the voice of thunder and gentle rain, with the tiny sounds of sprouting seeds and baby birds, and in the agony of death by a predator. S/He speaks in our hearts, in our minds, in ways beyond our comprehension. We can glimpse a bit of the Meaning, and feel awe. That awe is true worship.

In Love & Light,

Q.

Proselytizing in E-mail: WTF?

Okay, it's obvious to me that there are times for proselytizing and there are times not to. As far as I'm concerned, it's never okay to assume that an e-mail recipient is Christian--or that if not, a proselytizing-style letter will suddenly make one a 'believer in Jesus as one's Lord and Savior'. To those of us who do not follow the gentle Rabbi from Nazareth in the form of modern Christianity, it is an insult and an irritant of the highest order. I'm sorry, but my own faith is just all right with me. I don't need to be 'sold' another way to God.

My religion does not proselytize. Those who seek to know the Wiccan and/or Pagan religion(s) can only discover it in their hearts, and by finding those of us that practice it. You can learn about it in some books, but truth is not found in a physical book..only in the book of your soul, and in the wild, starry skies, in the truth of a leaf. You won't find us knocking on your door asking, "Do you know the Great Mother? She loves you, and wants you to give up the ridiculous Christian superstition..." That is soooo anathema that I cringe writing it.

So, when I got such a blatant proselytizing e-mail last week, I wrote back to the sender (a long-time friend of my older sister):

Dear (Friend of my older sister),

Not everyone is a Christian, my friend. Please do not send me any more proselytizing letters. I am not a Christian, and I'm not going to convert to being a 'born again' Christian any time in this lifetime.

How would you feel if people continually sent *YOU* stuff telling you that if you didn't believe and profess your faith for...let's say...Zeus, or Aphrodite--or both--that you were going to hell?

I believe in Deity. I am not atheist. I'm a Pagan, and I'm very happy with my spirituality, thank you!

BTW, believing in Jesus 'just in case' is hypocrisy and selfishness of the highest order. IF you believe in Anything, do it because you feel it's right--for YOU--not just because everyone does it! or says it's right! Think for yourself, my friend! The Gods gave us brains for a reason.

Thank you for reading this. Many blessings on your road through life.

(Me)

She wrote back, kinda irate:

And hello to you to. No wonder you don't communicate regularly. You will be IMMEDIATELY removed from all corresponding ways. Ugh! I don't need your dissertations on anything. I polite remove me from ....what have been enough. And you're related to (Q.'s older sister)? I communicate with the rest of the (Q.'s) family and they aren't as unpleasant as you strive to be.

Needless to say, I was pissed. WTF? Here's what I wrote back:

WTF, (Friend of my older sister)?

Have I touched a nerve? If so, I'm sorry you feel as you do. I'm not one to pull punches on religion, but I do not say you should change YOUR beliefs. Gods, no! WHY should you not return the favor? I'm not your enemy.

As for 'not communicating', WTF? I'm not used to talking incessantly with ANYone online. Nothing exciting happens in my life. Why talk about boring every-day stuff? And just because (she) is my sister doesn't mean we see eye-to-eye on religion--or on anything else.

I'm not unpleasant--just not interested in proselytizing emails, is all. Is that considered anti-social to you? My God, girl, get a clue! Not everyone is a CHRISTIAN! GET IT? I love the emails about angels,love, and such, and I'd love to hear about your writing. Ever care to share some of that? I have two published books, myself.

I was nice, and polite to you. I even gave you heartfelt blessings! You are the only one in my life that has gotten so 'insulted' by my request to not be sent overtly Christian-convert type emails. Why does that bother you? That I dare to not follow the crowd and think for myself?

It's your decision to 'cast me out'. I didn't ask to be deleted from your email list, just from certain ones. Is that so hard to understand? Do as you will. Just know that you are being a less than great example of a Christian.

No matter what you decide, may God/dess bless you in your life.

(Me)

Why is she so ticked off? She would be up in arms if the situation was reversed. Christians believe they are being persecuted. That's a funny joke! How can a dominant (like 85% of US citizens) religion like hers be persecuted? Pagans don't interrupt and destroy any Christian rites or holy places--but some Christians do. Pagans don't feel the need to covert everyone--but most Christians do.

All we ask is that we get a little respect--like we try to give others. My older sister's friend doesn't get it. Do you?

BTW, have a Happy Easter. Enjoy your Pagan icons.



Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 04-04-07

“I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas: they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind.”
~ Emily Bronte

This quote gives voice to the emotion I feel when thinking about my foreshortened railroading career. Those dreams still live--in my fiction, in my dreams. Those years shaped my outlook, my interests, and my memories. My stories would not be as strong without those sacrificial years freely given. Part of what and who I amm was forged in those 16 years. I thank God/dess that I was able to pursue and fulfill those railroad dreams. For a woman, it was no easy task. But I won. Heh heh! I won!

Q.

Reminiscing about the Railroad

5 days and 15 years ago, I quit my job on the BN. It was a time of recession, and it was heartbreaking to watch my ability to support myself and my (ex)husband evaporate. So, in a fit of frustration and anger, not knowing that IF I had held out another 90 days or so, my job as an engineer would have been secure, I took a buy-out. I sold my Trainman's Rights, not my Engineer's Rights--but their rules said I needed both to work...so...I lost my dream on a cold, overcast March day in Denver, CO.

I have regretted it ever since.



Why? My defining identity was wrapped up in my railroading, in my abilities to run trains and guide switching operations, to excel in a trade that takes skill and love to pursue well. I gave it up. Boom, in one fell swoop, I was without an identity. Part of me--an essential part, I felt for a long time--died a sudden painful death. I mourn even now, even knowing that my disability would have nailed me only a few years later anyway. It was just that I wasn't ready to end my railroading then! I wasn't tired of handling coal trains, or switching cars in the yards. It was still all shiny and fresh, every single trip.

Now all I feel is a deep sadness and anger that it all could have been different--if the BLE would have opened the Engineer's Extra Board up to us newbies (as it was designed to do) instead of keeping it as a gravy train for the older men. IF the country hadn't been in a recession due to the inanities and sloppy governing of G.H.W. Bush. IF I hadn't bought a house the year before I entered Engineer Training. So many IFS! Damn it!

Now, 15 years later (damn, has it been that long?) I sit here a different person. I am a published Author writing about--you guessed it--RAILROADING. I'm a blogger, an artist, a priestess. Do I still miss running trains? You betcha! Now, writing about running them is the best I can do--and it suffices.

I hope all the friends and folks back on the BN (now the BNSF) are doing well. Our paths have diverged, but I will never, ever forget those days so many years ago. I wish all y'all the best. Have safe trips always!

Choo Choo Q.

Sympathy for Tony Snow

Read the news that Tony Snow has a relapse of colon cancer over at Street Prophets: Loving Our Enemies? and feel appalled that the Kossacks at Daily Kos felt the need for schadenfreude in his case. Why does the suffering of an opponent--even one in an Administration as patently evil as Bush's--require such gleeful gloating?

As readers know, I'm no Christian. The rules governing Christians have no teeth with me. However, I try to understand that every human being--Democrat, Republican, Black, White, whatever race, whatever creed, whatever views--are all human beings. If I feel pain because of a physical ailment, I understand that others feel it too, sometime, somewhere.

Just the other day I was speaking of how I admired John and Elizabeth Edwards in their decision to continue the Great Fight as they fought one of an entirely different nature: cancer. Now, Tony Snow--my political enemy--has admitted his colon cancer is back, and from what I've read, it may be spreading to his liver. So...I extend the same hand of sympathy and prayer for Tony that I do for Elizabeth. May he understand what he's facing and maybe change the course of his spiritual boat a bit before he plys the Styx. May he grow in compassion and understanding. May he know personal peace and self-realization. May God/dess tap him on the shoulder and inspire in him an awakening so that his death, when it comes, is welcomed with fearlessness.

For all those at DKos that are gleeful in this sad news, may they never have cancer touch their lives, and grant them the gift of true empathy.

Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 03-23-07

“But I venture the challenging statement that if American democracy ceases to move forward as a living force, seeking day and night by peaceful means to better the lot of our citizens, then Fascism and Communism, aided, unconsciously perhaps, by old-line Tory Republicanism, will grow in strength in our land.”
~~Franklin D. Roosevelt, November 4, 1938

What he has warned us of is there. See the effects of Bushco and company on our country. Nascent Fascism and a corporate oligarchy that sees nothing wrong with wiping away any chance of survival of those in the so-called lower classes by dismantling the safety net, and disenfranchising the least of these. The gap between the haves and have nots is widening every day.

We must fight these powers! Or...we will be returned to a life of slavery in everything but name. I hope those who unwittingly stand with these corrupt power mongers see the error of their views soon. We can't endure another span of years like the last six.

Pray for our democracy, our constitution, our people. We are all we've got. You might not agree, but where are you on the spectrum? Near the bottom? If you are, get a clue. They are using you.

This is where I stand, with fangs bared.

Q.

Thoughts on John Edwards and his Lady Wife...

I felt deep sadness when I heard that John Edwards' wife Elizabeth in now in stage IV cancer. My heart goes out to them, and my deepest respect. To continue on a gruelling campaign whilst dealing with one's beloved spouse battling cancer takes great fortitude and courage.

Of all those who make up the early field of Democratic candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election, John Edwards has been getting my attention a lot lately. He is gaining points on my chart by his honesty, his forward-thinking ideas, his concern--and plans--for the grinding poverty ignored by Republicans. There's much more, but I'll stop there. It's still early in the 'season', but Edwards is looking better every day.

Now...he has a heartbreaking personal event to deal with. It is one that has touched, and is touching, a greater portion of the population than almost any other event. Most of us have a parent, a friend, an associate, a child...someone...that has been touched by cancer. My mother died of it. My sister has had three bouts of it, yet still lives. Friends have battled it--some died, some triumphed--for a time. We can all understand what they are feeling. We can all understand the strength it takes for them to decide to continue on the campaign trail.

John Edwards, I salute you--and Elizabeth Edwards--you are in my prayers. May you both have the clarity and strength to do what you need to do. Blessings and compassion for you both. I now know what a Statesman and his Lady look like.

In Love, Light, and Peace,
May Healing suffuse you both,
In the Name of the Mother of All Living,
Strength and Courage in full measure.

Sincerely,

Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 03-20-07

“For you are powerful, not that you may make the weak weaker by oppression, but that you may make them powerful by raising them up and defending them. You are wise, not in order to laugh at the foolish and thereby make them more foolish, but that you may undertake to teach them as you yourself would wish to be taught. You are righteous that you may vindicate and pardon the unrighteous, not that you may only condemn, disparage, judge, and punish.”
~~ Martin Luther, sermon Two Kinds of Righteousness (1519), in Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings, ed. Timothy F. Lull and William R. Russell, 2nd ed. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005), 138.

Got this gem from Mahanoy over at Street Prophets a while back (maybe last week, I can't recall exactly...heh heh), and it's a good one to think on.

In Love, Light, and Peace,

Q.

Adventures in Baking

My sweet fang was twanging tonight, so I dug out a nice box of Betty Crocker Lemon-Poppy Seed Muffin Mix and decided to play with it. I wasn't in the mood to wrangle with muffin cups, so I decided to make the mix into a loaf instead. There was a convenient recipe on the back of the box for this conversion, and here it is (with commentary):

1 box of muffin mix (Betty Crocker brand as the box obviously states. I think any brand that makes a full dozen muffins will work, IMHO)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil of your choice (I have Mazola on hand)
2 eggs
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine (I melted it to a liquid)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Use 8"x4" or 9"x5" loaf pan, lubed with appropriate slippery stuff. Stir all ingredients except butter/margarine (I missed that bit there, and added it in, too. After seeing my mistake, I added a bit more flour to compensate for my chemistry error.) together until blended. May be a tad lumpy, but that's allowed. Slide mass into loaf pan. (If you put oil into the bowl first, I discovered, the dough just slides right out in one blob, leaving no residue to scrape out of the bowl, sadly.) Bake for 35-40 minutes, until toothpick slides in and out cleanly, and top of loaf is golden brown.

The extra butter I mistakenly put in with the dough was meant to be used to make lemon-butter from a bit of the icing, included in the box, mixed together with it. Oh well. My screw up. I didn't plan on lemon-butter anyway.

The jokers expect this to serve 16! What a crock! It will serve three very nicely, and the slices will be thicker than newspaper, too.

Yeah, I'm not supposed to be making things like this to eat...but...sue me! I just wish Marko the Were-Lynx could have a piece, but he's across the Big Water in the Mother Country (Czech Republic, for those who guessed something else) and will never taste this bit of Q. Cooking.

Right now, I'm waiting for the timer. Got about 8 minutes to go.

-- (ten minutes later...)

It came out purrrr-fect. Yum! Apparently, the added margarine did no harm. Another successful adventure in baking!

Heh heh,

Q.

Health Care Debacle Diffused--for now

Those of you who know me from Street Prophets are somewhat aware of the precariousness of the health care situation here at Casa Fiend. Our Part D is not as easy as the guv'mint says it is, natch. So, we wrestle with insurance every month. The last two months were a terror, leaving us here very strapped, threatening our very ability to stay in our apartment. When meds (my sister's and mine) cost more than we make in a month (all three of us Fiends combined) it gets dicey real damned fast. Lucky for us here, the wonderful friends at Street Prophets are and have been making our survival a Project. Many have been seeing to our grocery needs--since we skipped that in February and had quite a famine going here. This month is better, by far. God/dess bless my dear friends on the Street! I really don't know what we would've done without them.

Point in case. At the beginning of March, I needed 7 medications. The combined cost of these seven--just mine, mind you, not my sister's--was $747.44. Who in the hell can budget for that out of a disability pension? They cost nearly as much as our rent!, the single largest bill I pay on the first. Needless to say, I couldn't get my meds, thus went without...without blood pressure meds (2), mood swing med (1), sleep aid (1), and the meds to deal with rampant 24/7 chronic pain in the 10/10 range.

After a few choice phone calls, some ranting, and cajoling, I finally got the insurance straightened out, and today I picked up the meds I had to neglect on the first--with $0 copay!!! YeeeHaw! Yippeee! WooooHooo! It's about damned time. The pharmacy still had to wrangle with them on the phone, but I got what I paid the premium for: no copay, no deductable.

My problem now is, will it 'stick' for the next trip over there next month??? All I can do is pray and know that God/dess does provide. S/He has gifted me with friends that care and a wolverine temperament--to never give up.

All you Prophets--thank you...a thousand times. I will never forget.

In Love, Light, and Peace,

Q.

Do We Really Need to be 'Saved'?

I was reading an excellent diary on Street Prophets, First Diary: Question about salvation by ScepticTexan tonight. I refrained from commenting feeling my view was not part of what he asked for. From it, I began to wonder, as I've done many times in the past, whether there is a real need for salvation, for 'being saved'?

Saved from what?

I'm a witch, a Wiccan Priestess. I live and walk my beliefs every day. I don't practice evil, or even try it out! ;-) I conscientiously live in a loving manner, giving what I can, helping as much as possible, staying away from violence. I am as ethical as possible in my station in life. I revere nature and do my best to leave a light footprint. I worship God and Goddess in nature, and within myself as well as in others. I'm doing my best.

Then...why do I need saved? From what? In my beliefs God/dess is present in everything I touch and is immanent in my life. S/He does not wish me ill. Why should S/He? Why should God/dess punish me for living as a human, loving as a human, and making mistakes as a human? Mistakes (what some might call sins) are what happens in order to gain wisdom and experience. Without making mistakes, one cannot grow--mentally or spiritually.

And if being human is grounds for needing salvation, I believe that's dead wrong. We were not 'cast out'. We are not 'fallen'. We are not 'depraved'. Using the gifts we are given: intellect, sexuality, imagination, should not indicate we are defective. We are as God/dess made us, Their children, loved and nurtured, created to live, die and be reborn...until we learn all our spirits need to come Home to rejoin with Them forever. Is that salvation--in the classic sense? I don't know. Must think on it some more...

Damn. More questions to think about. Heh heh!

In Love and Light,

Q.

My Cat, My Friend

I'm up late tonight. It's almost 5am. So far, my cat Selene has yet to complain that I'm not in bed. She usually is very quick to tell me I'm 'needed' in 'her' room for undivided attention, but tonight, she must not be feeling needy.

I sometimes wonder what my life would be like without the little fur-ball that sheds drifts of long, black, silky hair on everything, yet gives such unstinting love just because I feed her, clean out her jewel box (cat box for the non-were folk), and make sure she has treats and clean water. Is it that simple? Purrs=adequate attention and care?

When I lie in bed in the dark, and she nestles next to my curled body, I feel there is more to our relationship than mere cat - human slave. She seems to always know when I'm in pain, when sleep is hard coming and when her presence is a balm to my soul. We are connected...almost with a telepathic link...of empathy and caring. Why? Why did she come straight to me for comfort the first day in our Casa? Did she somehow know that I was lonely for a four-foot friend? Did she sense a resonance in me? Were we destined to be together?

All interesting questions. I am a witch. Is that all the answer that's necessary? When I meet her bright yellow-green eyes and she stares back at me purring, I understand. Goddess has gifted me with a sacred friend to help me through the rough patches. I sincerely pray she lives as long as she wants to, in good health.



There she is. Selene Moonshadow. My furry friend.

Blessings,

Q.

Welcome to whoever reads this

Needless to say, yet important: WELCOME, friends. I am Quotefiend, a resident of many places, foremost of which is Street Prophets. I am a progressive, a liberal democrat, and a Wiccan. I make no excuses for my beliefs and political leanings. All were gained through painful life experiences. They are valid for me.

They might also be right for you, if you think about it. Feel free to comment, kvetch, give me your views and we can talk. I humbly ask that there be no proselytizing here. I’m soooo not going to convert to Christianity—or Islam. Get over it. You are welcome to worship as you please...just don’t screw with my right to do the same in my own way.

I do bite.



Q.

While You Gently Rest

While You Gently Rest by Rick Hart

Deepened sun and darken blue,
they turn to hold earthen slumber and you,
and move through the stars while you gently rest,
and day into dream swirls inside.

Breathing slow, and full of sleep,
and with the earth, laden so still and deep,
may peace cover you and love hold you near,
and on colors of your soul you ride.

Just a bit of serene poetry and song to start things out.

Love and light,

Q.