We shall begin today with a shameless plug an update. Remember when my daughter published a book? Well, she’s doing a “what I learned” post over at Chuck Palahniuk’s writing place where she has a regular column. On publishing. And authouring novels. And journalism. And all manner of reading/writing related topics. It’s interesting and educational. (I’m not just saying that because I gave birth to her either.)
In movement news, it was bike ride day. And it was NOT a comfortable 34 minutes/5 miles, let me tell you. The ambient temperature right now is actually hovering in the high 50s (I got back about an hour ago and it’s not changed much). However, the damn rain in my face was significantly colder! And sting-y. Otherwise, no problems. Wore my hideous raingear and all cables stayed in place. I had a second there, as I got home and stripped out of my wet clothes, when I was almost feeling sort of smug.
Then later I sat down with my cup of cut-up grapefruits (healthy snack!) and read about a local woman who bikes everywhere. In a skirt. With her two young sons on-board. And her groceries. And has done, for like, more than a year now. I was immediately put in my place. Soundly!
Yes, I’m really proud of my dumpy self elf. I’ve made some HUGE life changes. I’ve added nearly an entire decade onto my lifespan, I’m so stupidly healthy now. I am not, however, in as good a shape as THAT person. Moral? Acknowledging our achievements is terrific. Terrific! We could be doing it so much more. Getting all better and snobbish about our accomplishments is terrible. Terrible! Perspective is totally the key here, people. That, and consciously maintaining a positive balance.
Lesson learned. Moving on. In our card altar room we’ve returned to the category of
“Walkers Between The Worlds:
Tiger, Hippopotamus, Water Buffalo, Beaver, and Elephant.
We do not always think of these messengers in connection with water, but it is vital to their well-being and intrinsic to their natures. Swimming powerfully from island to island, Tiger colonized Bali and Java and strove for Hong Kong; today, she swims in the vast rivers of the Sunderban’s mangrove swamps, perfectly adapted to drink its salty waters.
Hippopotamus cruises in the waters of Africa, and Buffalo in the rivers of Asia; Elephant moves gracefully through the waters of the Bay of Bengal, and bathes daily for her health.
Walkers between the worlds counsel that you too should inhabit two planes. Neglecting the spiritual in favor of the material will cause our inner essential selves to suffer, but because we are of the material world we must also attend to its demands. These messengers also advise us that the needs of both work and home must be finely balanced for fulfillment and happiness.”
“Tiger ~
Passion and adventure beckon.
Secure within her own sensuous, controlled power, Tiger stalks silently, invisibly, through the magic of the night, securing what her heart desires. Swimming languidly through ancient lakes she conjoins with the water’s adaptability, mystical energies, and intuitions. As a messenger, Tiger brings you fresh adventures to change your path, new passions to awaken your heart, and endows you with her powers. Take what she offers and you can transform your life.”
Big cats don’t count as “cats” for me. These creatures I adore. Tigers top the list. Maybe it’s because of their connections to water, now that I think about it.
Funny how “balance” was a word that I was inspired to go with and then that’s so much of what this message is about as well. Ha, I love it when that happens.
Oh, almost forgot. I shared my newest Hawaii picture with you guys, but didn’t get around to flipping the page on our Out Houses calendar. It’s actually pretty cool this month.
Especially cute is the extra decoration over that door. Nice touch. That’s the sign of a truly creative person. Of which, I am not. Although I can definitely appreciate it in others.
Final bit of business, your Daily Dog. Who has been SUCH a great help today (not precisely) while Dan and I rearranged boxes, made seemingly endless trips up and down both indoor and outdoor staircases, shoved furniture around, emptied out those VERY last, last few remaining items from the truck bed, and argued over how the hell all of this shit could SOMEHOW fit into The Burrow.
Waiting for his girl.
Empress worked a very long day, so we finished up with what could be done without her. HE, on the other hand, just wished she was “home” with the rest of us.
Today’s Deck:
Animal Messages – Seek Inspiration From Your Animal Guides by Susie Green
