Today I am pre-writing this post (as I sit here, it’s really Saturday), because I can’t stay home and just google my life away on this, a most auspicious and special date.
Happy HAPPY birthday J.D. ! ! !
Yep, that’s right. Celebrations are in order. Feel free to go back and read all the posts from years past where I make my ridiculous self elf a sobbing wreck by telling you all how perfectly, tremendously, and outstandingly EXCELLENT my son is. (Here is the last one, to get you started.)
For TwentyTwelve he’s invited us all to join him at this place. And we’ll be having dinner with as many of the family as we can round up and nail down, plus hopefully, a few assorted friends as well. (Han, we miss you already.) Tomorrow I’ll have a few pictures to share (I hope).
(Babe, I adore you. Hope your day is the best one yet. Now, please go make a dental appointment.)
Yesterday I went back to the store where I bought my book weight, so I could share the bliss that is this not-made-with-animals awesome product. Only marginally succesful, it turns out. I adore this home-town shop, in both locations, even if I’m a non-gardener and much of its focus is on growing things out of dirt. (And even some out of air and water.)
The entire product line has staying green in mind, so there’s ALWAYS something in there I can’t live without (like those fabulous replacements for the single use produce bags at the grocery store which I despise with a fiery passion). Oh, and an update, speaking of. All those folks singing the praises of that salad spinner were correct. It’s too wonderful for words. Works perfectly and my lettuces stayed edible for more than 9 days this time.
AnyHOO back to this wee device. What I learned was that the buyers don’t work weekends. We’re shit-outa-luck. I’ve got a number on a business card now, so I can make a call if anyone REALLY wants to know more. (I kinda do now, it’s become an obsession. Oh, well what a NOT surprise.) Updates as I get them, you’ll know when I do.
Back to my First Born. This past week has been difficult for me, and not because he’s getting older, which automatically makes me older. That, I don’t give a crap about. No, what has been so challenging is how to find a present for him. He has everything he needs (not everything *I* think he needs, but that’s a whole ‘nother topic). Purchasing ANY damn thing right now is problematic, but a NICE and fun gift is nearly impossible.
Except we thought we found some. And then, we lost them. Yep. We selected a very nice set of cuff links and a tie bar (plus another piece of jewelry for an occasion that is rapidly approaching) in a second-hand store. All of it went into a bag. Then we immediately lost it. Dan thought it was in his coat pocket. I thought we’d maybe left it on the counter. Neither was correct. Gone, fucking GONE is where all of them went.
We contacted that town’s police (thanks Megan for the suggestion/reminder, and for the check-in), we re-walked our route, we called all the shops where we’d been that day. And nothing. Just a bunch of tears and sadness and anger. I’m still pissed off, so let’s be done now.
The replacements were adequate, I’ll show you what we ended up with after the party is over and we’re all back home again. For now, let’s get back on the Happy Path and see what our Special Occasion message is.
“Oystercatcher ~ Concealment ~ 5
A symbol of supreme Mystery according to Christian tradition, the pearl is a metaphor for truth and wisdom.
A beautiful seabird with a powerful bill used for prying open oysters, the Oystercatcher has plumage stained with a mark that strongly resembles the sign of the crucifix. Christian tradition has it that the Oystercatcher once concealed Jesus under a mass of seaweed when it learned of the danger he was in. Out of gratitude for its selfless act of concealment, the Oystercatcher was marked thereafter with the sign of the cross to venerate its Dreaming.
So long as you are not intentionally lying to anyone, including yourself, and no harm comes to anyone, including yourself, all is as it should be. Oystercatcher is not a supporter of the concealment of truth as a means of controlling others, but rather as a way of protecting one’s sense of security and self-esteem. Choosing not to reveal a truth is not necessarily lying. If the topic never arises, one does not have to speak of it. It is no one’s business but your own, so long as it doesn not interfere with or damage another’s view of the world.
If you look at your life and realise that a portion of yourself is being repressed for reasons that no longer serve you, turn this aggravating grit of sand into something precious. Open up and reveal it as your Pearl of Wisdom – the aspect of your self that you yearn to have seen as sacred and worthy of public scrutiny.
If the Oystercatcher has flown into your cards today, ask what side of yourself you are concealing from the world, either intentionally or inadvertently. What aspects are you attempting to hide from yourself? What facets of your life would you like to see revealed and honoured by all?
You are being reminded that there is a time and a place for everything, and that if it seems appropriate to conceal the truth of who or what you are, then do it, but if it now seems inappropriate, then stop.”
I am going to need to re-read this again later, there’s kind of a lot there. I’d also like to get more, non-Christian-based, background on this bird. Like what the original peoples thought of it. (Although you guys know I’m a huge fan of JC, just sayin’ -probably another version someplace.)
Today’s Deck:
Animal Dreaming Oracle Cards by Scott Alexander King
LateAfternoon Comment Issue Update: heard from Russell, at WordPress today, and he was even less helpful than before. (I hardly thought that was possible.) This is what he said:
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which I’ve copied for you here (but don’t be surprised if you get there and it’s also useless). I do believe that we need to continue on this path of discontent and complaint though. So please. Go there. And complain. (I plan to. Some more.)
