Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In a few days (March 20th), Spring will officially arrive! Of course, there will be plenty of chilly nights and gray, rainy days before glorious Summer finally takes hold and it's warm and beautiful again.

I can't wait until May, when I know things will be warmer and greener - hopefully I'll be able to plant a few things and the weather will stay fine for my sport... there are a couple of milestones to mark (a wedding anniversary, our third) and special days to celebrate (my husband's "double nickel" birthday in June).

I'm trying to decide if I have enough time, money and desire to enter a local photo contest. I've never done it before and the sizes are all wrong, but I'll figure it all out tomorrow.

Here are some St. Patrick's Day and Easter cards, bookmarks, votives and coasters on display

Also, I'm trying to sell some of my crafty things at a local shop (on consignment) - I think I've made $3.00 so far! Awww, no worries - I'm just hoping to get my feet wet doing this and then we'll see if I can take a few more baby steps towards setting up an Etsy shop or something...

Just in case you hadn't already noticed, there's a link on this blog that will take you to my lovely web site (on the right side of this screen, up near the top) where you can see photos of a few things I've made over the years. The web page is more of a "show and tell" than a "show and sell." 

One of my goals is to overcome my fear of success... it can be very debilitating! But someday I'll get past it. Thanks for visiting me today - more soon!

"The Ides of March Have Come" (no, not Sid Caesar)

Comedian Sid Caesar (image: google.com)

Today, March 15th, is known as "the Ides of March" and here's why:

The word Ides comes from the Latin word "Idus" and means "half division" especially in relation to a month. It is a word that was used widely in the Roman calendar indicating the approximate day that was the middle of the month. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other months. (OH MY GOSH - what if the 13th was on a Friday? That would be very unlucky, if you believe in that sort of superstitious stuff - and the Friday 13th bad luck connection supposedly comes from the time when the Knights Templar were routed out and executed by their enemies - now, that's just crazy!) The Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. (OH MY GOSH - I think I saw the planet Mars in the eastern night sky last night - isn't that odd?)

In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was killed in 44 B.C. Caesar was stabbed (23 times) to death in the Roman Senate by a group of conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. (OH MY GOSH - I just watched the movie "23" the other night! 23? It's everywhere, like right here in Wikipedia, about how many times Julius Caesar got stabbed! That's spooky, isn't it?) The group included 60 other co-conspirators according to Plutarch.

According to Plutarch, a seer had foreseen that Caesar would be harmed not later than the Ides of March and on his way to the Theatre of Pompey (where he would be assassinated), Caesar met that seer and joked, "The Ides of March have come", meaning to say that the prophecy had not been fulfilled, to which the seer replied "Aye, Caesar; but not gone." This meeting is famously dramatized in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, when Caesar is warned by the soothsayer to "beware the Ides of March." Julius Caesar was stabbed 33 times (three and thirty wounds) according to Shakespeare's play.

(Oh - whew! Okay, then, so according to Shakespeare's play, Caesar got stabbed 33 times, NOT 23 - so, no bizarre coincidence or conspiracy there! Now I can relax...) 

On a lighter note, here's what's going on in my back yard as March 20 - the first day of spring - approaches:

A lone crocus (but more nearby ready to open)

Volunteer lettuce springing up from where I had planted a pot of it.

The ever-returning family of kale, looking a little tired but still going.

A Good Day To Go "Earthing"

Today was so nice that, after a visit to the veterinarian this afternoon (Nancy's nearly 14 years old now and she's been having some health issues), she and I took a turn or two around the back yard, getting some much needed sunshine as we dipped our toes into the damp, green grass and shared some  quality time with Mother Earth.

According to the Earthing Institute (see link below):

Throughout time, we humans have strolled, sat, stood, and slept on the ground—the skin of our bodies touching the skin of the Earth—oblivious to the fact that such physical contact transfers natural electrical energy to the body.

Modern lifestyle has disconnected us from the Earth’s energy, making us more vulnerable to stress and illness.

Earthing is the landmark discovery that this energy upholds the electrical stability of our bodies and serves as a foundation for vitality and health.

In an age of rampant chronic disease, reconnecting with the Earth’s energy beneath our very feet provides a way back to better health.

We are bioelectrical beings living on an electrical planet.

The pursuit of scientific validation for Earthing began with Clint Ober's initial question in 1998 of whether direct connection with the Earth could have an impact on health and whether separation from the Earth―such as by wearing insulative shoes―could contribute to unwellness.

The research that followed has produced fascinating evidence demonstrating that Earthing generates a powerful and positive shift in the electrical state of the body and restores natural self-healing and self-regulating mechanisms.

We know that Earthing allows a transfer of electrons (the Earth’s natural, subtle energy) into the body. We know that inflammation is caused by free radicals and that free radicals are neutralized with electrons from any source. Electrons are the source of the neutralizing power of antioxidants.

In the Earthing studies, as well as the feedback from thousands of individuals who have grounded themselves, we have consistent evidence of people whose pain was reduced. Such reduction of pain is evidence (but not proof) that inflammation is reduced. However, the studies point clearly in that direction.

The institute hopes that evidence collected to date will inspire researchers with the financial resources to perform large studies to further clarify the benefits of Earthing.

Here's the book:

Here's the link:

http://www.earthinginstitute.net/

I haven't read the book but I do believe my poor feet need to be free of shoes and socks whenever possible! And I think my ailing cat and I do need to feel the connection to our planet and absorb as much energy as we can to help recharge and rejuvenate our bodies and souls. I'll have to let you know if it helps us...

The last word is that we had a very nice day connecting to the Earth and with each other. I wish a few more loved ones could have joined us! Ah, well, another time, then... ?