From A Distance,,, A Christmas Message with Love

A Christmas message performed in pictures and music.
Songs performed by Bette Midler
Album 'Cool Yule'. Video made by Dr. Maithri Goonetilleke -
http://www.possibledreamsinternationl.org/ hyy://soaringimpulse.blogspot.com

WISHING YOU AND YOURS JOY,LOVE AND DREAMS COME TRUE!

Living Out of the BOX-INSPIRED

Photo by: John P. Ford



As I watched Danny MacAskill in this INSPIRED video my spirits soared and life in that moment became movement, joy and the triumph of the indominatable spirit.....that spirit that lives in all of us and finds expression where ever we allow it breath and when we create room for it to be in our reality!

Nothing in this video is atypical. Nothing in this video is impossible. It is all possible things put together in a little different way with skill and practice so that the surprise is in the execution of the usual in unusual ways.

This wonderful video comes to me from my blogger friend , Beaux, at
This Isn't Happening (http://beaux24.blogspot.com/). Stop by and say hello to Beaux and send him thoughts of health and recovery and applaud his willingness to live in the now.

Beaux was diagnosed with a terminal illness about a year ago that requires a liver transplant. Beaux, his wife Lois and their two girls are waiting ...and living.

Check out what Beaux calls his blog ramblings. To me they are brave war crys of a family living as fully as possible in the moment. Thanks Beaux!
Love and hugs!

This quote on Beaux's side bar says much to me.

"Did we come here to laugh or cry?
Are we dying or being born?"
-Carlos Fuentes...Terra Nostra

What is happening in your life out of the box? Where is your thinking today? I love hearing from you and your words are inspirational. This blogging community rocks!

Perception, Illusion and Reality.Where is yours today?

Photo by: John P. Ford

Living in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee USA, I am surrounded with
Illusion and the Reality that can be the life blood of experience or the anxiety of the moment.

Any Friday or Saturday evening can find visitors and Nashville natives seeking entertainment, fun and games and the connection with each other that sharing experience in music can offer in our lower Broadway and Second Avenue district.

From the Ryman to hawkers in Printer's Alley, a feeling of discovery and anticipation is almost palatable. While involved in experiences like being in The District, I tend to want to be in the middle of the experience... while also daydreaming....

It is a bit like a movie playing in my head.... like walking down two paths? It was like that last night. I was reminded of how much perception shapes every experience. Even every breath. During my daydreams it is a bit like a stream of consciousness. I tend to recall things I may not think of at other times. This dream was one of those moments.

I had a dream like this as a kid...We were visiting someone I did not know and we arrived very late. The stairs to the bed were old and winding. I climbed what looked to me then to be endless narrow and steep steps.

I slipped under the covers gratefully and fell instantly asleep only to wake with my heart pounding.

Standing unmoving by the door was a man in a trench coat and a fedora like hat. I convinced myself he could not see me so I became invisible!

I stayed awake all night long not moving to find as the sun came up....My man in the night was a coat and hat on the back of the door...Ah reality and Illusion and the juxtapositions they give to perception.

Your perceptions? Illusions? Please share your thoughts and experiences? I love your comments and I appreciate the sharing!

KEEP THE CHAIN FOR LIFE GOING

No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick.

I know you've seen this post many times today and you may think it's silly, but consider re-posting it anyway.

Keep the chain FOR LIFE going!

THE POND PRINCESS

Photo by: John P. Ford

This new poem is the result of reworking an old one from several years ago and workshopping with a fellow poet, writer and blogger at aeroman101.blogspot.com . Alex is a real inspiration to me and I love the sharing quality of workshopping with him.

The poem was a crying out against the disappointment and unmet expectations in relationships and a discovery of what relationships have to offer in reality.

Alas, I have always preferred to live in a bit of fantasy. I continue to gain insights from that period of my life where so much time was spent in learning what is really important and a little about what is real! One thing I have learned deeply is how essential words are to me.

Can you relate? I would love your thoughts both on the poem and your personal experiences in life through love and family relationships and how it may or may not impact your writing. Your comments and thoughts are welcome and valued here.

''The Pond Princess"


The Pond Princess stands before the one
Worse for the journey she has chosen
For what they thought was the greater thing

To Sir Johan they gave her heart fast
Now as she waits she knows (at last) tired and worn
Her fabric fraying under the weight of him

Losing itself, slithering away from her bones
With the force of a wind in her back as he passes
With never a word, even while holding her, loving her

Herself alone, she would have long ago
Mounted her steed to let the wind blow her hair
While she looked for windmills to slay

One day, words pierce her heart, pin her
Foot to the floor, slice her solar plexus, her breast
Blood flows down her garment. No one sees

The blood is invisible as pain
But the words pick her up and gently rewind her on a thread
While she turns, methodically, reconnecting her heart, the word sews

Knowing that strength will come at the end of the sewing
When she takes up her sword and the Pond Princess turns to walk
From where she is now, moving from where she kneels now

For the healing to allow what she knew (in her body) as it sways
And she looks up and hears the words say:

"Fly with the eagles or play with others who know where to find the day."

Change Is Gonna Come. Lift me up! Dream with me!

Inspiration and connection to me are the corner posts for making it through what can be a difficult point in the evolution of this planet as we know it today. We are lonely travelers in this world longing for and looking for a sense of belonging and purpose.

We all are carrying our personal burdens and usually none of us imagine what our fellow traveler deals with. All options for kindness , caring and recognition of the lonely journey are needed.

None of us is alone in this journey although it can feel as if the traveler is abandoned. Here is a group that, to me ,reaches our far beyond what the senses can experience. I believe in this movement and I believe in music and dance and love!...This says all three to me!

This is a powerful musical prayer to transcend distance and difference. Each of us count here.

What is your experience? Here is the story from behind the movement . I lifted this from Kyles beautiful blog DREAMS IN COLOR.....Thanks Kyles

Here is the story........

THE INSPIRATION
Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.
THE PRODUCTION
We built a mobile recording studio, equipped with all the same equipment used in the best studios, and traveled to wherever the music took us. As technology changed, our power demands were downsized from golf cart batteries to car batteries, and finally to laptops. Similarly, the quality with which we were able to film and document the project was gradually upgraded from a variety of formats-- each the best we could attain at the time—finally to full HD. One thing that never changed throughout the process was our commitment to create an environment for the musicians in which they could create freely and that placed no barriers between them and those who would eventually experience their music. By leading with that energy and intent everywhere we traveled, we were freely given access to musicians and locations that are usually inaccessible. In this respect, the inspiration that originally set us on this path became a co-creator of the project along with us!
THE EFFECT
Over the course of this project, we decided it was not enough for our crew just to record and share this music with the world; we wanted to create a way to give back to the musicians and their communities that had shared so much with us. And so in 2007 we created the Playing for Change Foundation, a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to do just that. In early 2008, we established Timeless Media, a for-profit entity that funds and extends the work of Playing for Change. Later that year, Timeless Media entered into a joint venture with the Concord Music Group through the support of label co-owner and entertainment legend Norman Lear and Concord Music Group executive vice president of A&R John Burk. Our goal is to bring PFC’s music, videos and message to the widest possible audience. Now, musicians from all over the world are brought together to perform benefit concerts that build music and art schools in communities that are in need of inspiration and hope.
In addition to benefit concerts, the Playing for Change band also performs shows around the world. When audiences see and hear musicians who have traveled thousands of miles from their homes, united in purpose and chorus on one stage, everyone is touched by music's unifying power. And now, everyone can participate in this transformative experience by joining the Playing for Change Movement. People are hosting screenings, musicians are holding benefit concerts of every size, fans are spreading the message of Playing for Change through our media, and this is only the beginning. Together, we will connect the world through music!

Shy Calla Lily--Life in Black and White

Photo by: John P. Ford

Black and White
Since age six or earlier I have aspired to write poetry. I have no idea why. I do remember wondering why no one else I knew did the same.While my mother occassionally read poems to me, they were not part of the general reading available to our family..

I remembered writing in my head before early school years. Since, I was published in the Sunday School Bulletin around the first grade, I must have shared my poetry with others at times..

What I have tended to do since being a young adult is to not share poetry I have written. I would start a Poetry Journal, misplace it and then forget about it! Often, I would discover poems years later in so obscure part of the storage areas.

Part of my process of Self-Reinvention was to begin a blog for the purpose of sharing some of my poetry. For me. on some level, this must be akin to riding down Main Street like the nortorious Lady Godiva on her white horse.

It just seems to be difficult to do! It is easier to not write poetry. I love writing in general so it is a peculiar thing to me that expression through poetry sharing is such a challenge.

My lovely blogger friend, Sarah at The Lemon Tree recently shared an email with me asking why I did not write more poetry. I am listening to her.
I am thinking about her question. Here is my poem for today....I will let tomorrow take care of itself!

Black and White

Standing barefoot
on charred ground
where yesterday
dreams flowered

Intent against
wind of pain
wind of beauty
too much
black and white

She kneels
in shades of gray
to smooth
the ashes at her feet

Dreamers Everywhere

Photo by: John P. Ford+

TODAY IS MEMORIAL DAY.........A time of remembering

It is a misty day here with the heat building as the day goes.
I am daydreaming. I woke from night dreaming not sure which was real....the dream or the reality I encountered on waking. I was on a magical journey in my dream. Sometimes, dreams can highlight concern about world events but this was not the case.

In my dream I stood on a beautiful shore which reminded me of a place I visited in Ireland about 10 years ago. I was unable to see very far but knew that I was anticipating something wonderful. I did not second guess that possibility. I just waited with a sense of adventure and excitement to see what it was about.

One theory in dreaming is that a dream of adventure is a call to exploration of the unconscious. My dream's intent bacame clearer to me as a beautiful self powered boat appeared for me and hovered in the water.

I stepped on with ease. I believed in the dream that I was being taken through the Mists of Avalon. All I lacked was Arthur! This, it seems, was a self propelled trip!

The hero or heroine in dreams is said to symbolize a person's unconscious self. His goal is to find the treasure, the princess, the ring, the elixir of life, the golden fleece, and so on. These are all metaphors for one's true feelings and unique potential as in the pearl that is one's self.

You are invited to share your dream thoughts here. What are your dreams....sleeping or waking...Please share anything that you feel has been a learning for you. What were your dream struggles? What secret magical powers and potential did you learn about yourself?
What has inspired you in dreams...past or present?

JUST KEEP DANCING! EVOLUTION OF DANCE

No Idea of where we will end up in the dance scene? If it were a 24/7 occupation dancing would still be a great idea! Let me know your thoughts!
Remember any of these? ALL RIGHT!

Neno's Award and One Lovely Blog Award

Thank you Adoribible and Jesse Noe ! ! I very much appreciate you thinking of me and Psyche Connections. I love getting awards! I like the creative aspects of the making of these also! You are much appreciated! Please check out Adoribible. She is a fun and sincere gal.

Jesse blogs at The Art Blog 1968. Jesse is an Artist, A Philosopher and a Thinker who lives his belief in diversity and support for others. He is madly in love with beautiful ....inside and out...Julian of Hopeless Believer. Check these wonderful folks out. You will be glad you did I believe. Jesse has show over and over his determination to live life fully and to seize the day.


Much thanks to everyone who shares their awards. Thank you also for your your great patience in my lag in getting the recognition for these wonderful awards posted! You are much appreciated!



The reason I love blogging is the incredible opportunity to "meet" such creative and talented people. I love the diversity and I have and am learning an incredible amount about people...how we are all so different and yet so inherently alike.....Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your ideas and the heart of who you are through your blogs.

The award is:

* a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

* to seek the reasons why we all love blogging.


The aims of this award:

* As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
* To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
* Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.
* Don't forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
* Answer the award's question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
* Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
* Don't forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.





It is with pleasure that I pass this award along to some truly inspirational bloggers. I do realize that some of you may not participate in posting blog awards. I totally leave that decision up to you....Just know that in my thinking you deserve this award and I love bringing attention to what I feel are excellent blogs. Thanks for participating in whatever level you choose if it is only a smile for the recognition of your talents!


Aaron at Butterflies and Thoughts

James at Art of Tea Global Network

June at 70 Plus and Still Kicking

Noelle at A Portrait of the Human Heart

Sarah at Dancing with the Waves of the Sea

Scot at A History of Emotions

Shadow at 1 Door Away From Heaven

Steve at Another Sober Alcoholic


A gift for every reader....Please take this one away with you...The One Lovely Blog Award..... Thank you for enriching my life with your blog!
Linda




Thank you Linda!
Please check out Linda's lovely award that I received recently. It has a vintage feel that I really enjoy and I am looking forward to posting it today.

I love reading Linda's blog. I find inspiration there every time I go. Check out her writing and here thoughts about life and spirit.


I would love for every blogger stopping here to take this beautiful award and post it on their blog with a smile to themselves for their participation in positive blogging as they see it. Thanks for participating on whatever level you feel inspired!

Being Inspired By Others ................Riccardo Muti

Thank you Judith for letting me share this! Please check out Judith's wonderful blog.
Judith writes beautifully and is a trained musician as well as a lover of music.
She is an inspiring gal and I appreciate having the opportunity to meet her through this
blogging community.

I would enjoy hearing your impressions of this music.



Beauty and Music......What feelings are inspired in you the listener?

Your thoughts and ideas are invited and welcome here.



Intermezzo from the opera, Cavalleria Rusticana, by Pietro Mascagni
Conducted by the great Riccardo Muti

Delivering the Unexpected with Style and Grace...Susan Boyle

Click Here.



Yes Virginia dreams do come true. By now, I suspect that you have heard about Susan Boyle
and the 20,000,000 plus views her youtube video has received since last Saturday. Jo , of Majority of Two, has a similiar post and I would expect posts are crossing with bloggers everywhere.

Susan, a middle-aged never been kissed unemployed church volunteer from an impressive family of musical talent has delivered the unexpected. Susan has the voice of an angel and an incredible musical range of talent.

Without a doubt the listener can see she is a talented singer . Susan was gracious in the face of judge and audience reactions that almost amounted to sneers for her physical appearance that did not jive with expectations.

Susan's success is rewarding to my mentality of God Bless the Underdog!
I love Horatio Alger type stories where people succeed, in spite of adversity, to achieve their dreams. I applaud situations where a person exceeds expectations in spite of all odds.

Have you watched the video? I invite your reactions and your thoughts on what are the messages for each of us in this phenomena. I have watched the video 10 or 12 times and spent the first several times in tears.

It is not just the beauty of the performance. That is evident. It is the beauty of being real. I salute Susan for being who she is and allowing her talent to shine through and apparently not feeling the urgency for a beauty make over in order to do it.

It is the reminder that in our youth obsessed society realness can in evidence without apology. I do not mean that I in any way object to anyone putting themselves forward in the best light they see fit. I support every individual's right to do so. I do find it sad and limiting when anyone is judged primarily by looks and age.

For me, the tears I experienced in the viewing of this performance are about refusal to give up on dreams. This refusal in spite of life wearing us all down just in the living of it. What are your thoughts, feelings or reactions? You are invited to share whatever touched base with you.

PLAYING FOR CHANGE...Stand by me.

The Playing for Change Community is a group of artists and inspired people
who have come together to connect the world through music. This is a Multi Media Movement created to insprie, connect and bring peace to the world. This is an idea whose time is here.....This video highlights what is similiar about all people and the love and joy in life we are all seeking in spirit.

To check out the website, go here. Let me know your thoughts about this connection and the love and life giving force it inspires towards acceptance and world peace.

How do you see it? As a community of Artists, Writers and Muscians your ideas and thoughts are welcome and invited and deeply appreciated here. My stance is that all persons sharing the earth have the right to life and peace. Thank you for your time and care in sharing.

Happy Easter to everyone and wishes for the spirit of renewal for you and yours that it brings!

MEME.. Influences and Tripping the Light Fantastic with Mary Jane and Sniffles

CatVibe thanks for tagging me for the Meme of 25 Influential things in my life!
I confess. I have been tripping the light fantastic on life's highway. I am just bee-bopping along watching rainbows and checking out new spring candle scents without a great deal of direction and purpose. Truthfully, if left to my own devices, I might mostly live my life this way. Fortunately or not I have influences directing me toward a more active involved lifestyle!

This life dance is fun and a tad addicting and includes things like enjoying buttercups and fresh winds and wishing to be at the ocean. I am doing those small celebrations of Spring that may have taken the place in our lives through the Pagan rituals of the distant past. My kind of dance right now for today..

I say all that to excuse the fact that I am a tad behind of responding to fun requests from favorite bloggers. If I have visited you a bit less, forgive me and put it off to spring fever. Ah well......I am stepping up to the plate this evening. You can always count on me to appear..although at times it will be with a slow hopefully measured waltz rather than an East Coast Swing!

Catherine at Witnessing a World of People and Places has given me this great invite by tagging me for my life influences. So hear goes Catherine. I think that is a great idea!

To be truthful. I am a compulsive reader. I fear I may always have been. I cannot remember a time when I was not. So some of my influences were happenstance because they appeared in front of me and I could not resist the read.


I am one of those people you hear about who must read the backs of cereal boxes, items left on the table and pages of open books. As an adult now, most of the time I am able to be more discrete about this.

I have learned NOT to read over peoples shoulders and to not read while they are talking or sharing scenery with me on day trips.This learning took years of being surprised at family and friends exasperation with me for not taking time to smell the roses . My family learned early on that if there was something they did not want me to read...best to not leave it in my sight.

I have always wanted to be a fairy child sprinkling magic fairy dust with a tinker bell type wand.. This longing has survived through adulthood. One of the primary influences for this was certainly my childhood training where only the good survived by the hardest. A tad bit of fairy dust could definitely come in handy.

Another part of the influence was comic books. My mother briefly worked at a comic book factory where she was able to bring home free comic books. You can guess the outcome with her eldest girl child being a READER.

It did not occur to my rather naive mom that comic books would need a censor so I got an overly wide range of reading material for a second grader. From these opportunities I developed a deep love for science fiction and fantasy and superhero comics that is still with me today.

I definitely got over the interest in horror comic books. Some of the ones I read were pretty horrific. My exposure to those books was at a young age prior to comic book content regulation. I try not to think of those too often. Mom read an article of outrage printed in our local paper about the need for comic book content revision for young children. Much of the variety of my comic book collection disappeared shortly after she read that article. Her theory was definitely better late than never.

It was during this period that I first encountered Mary Jane and Sniffles. Here is a site summary of this much loved and whimsical series. I still love them!

You can visit this site here! Here is info from the site that tells the tale well!

In 1941, when Dell Comics licensed the Warner Brothers cartoon characters, they let a tiny and adorable mouse named Sniffles sneak into the back pages of the first issue. Of course, mice were nothing new to the world of comics and animation, even then. So Sniffles' success hinged on his partnership with a small blonde girl named Mary Jane.

Mary Jane, like many other characters before and since her, possessed the ability to shrink to a fraction of her normal size, in order frolick with Sniffles in a kingdom of living toys.

Craig Chase, the creator of the stories, named the flaxen haired pixie after his wife, Mary Jane. But the girl's method's for shrinking and the quaint little rhymes preceding each resizing effort were purely part of his whimsical imagination.

When the series debuted, Mary Jane sprinkled herself in magic dust and chanted, "Magic sand, magic sand, make me small at my command!" At times, she'd vary her pleas to the powder: "Oh, magic sand upon me fall, and make me very, very small!"

But after eight years or so in print, the magic sand was no longer necessary, and Mary Jane murmured, "First I shut my eyes real tight, then I wish with all my might! Magic words of poof, poof, piffles, make me just as small as Sniffles." And with a cross of her fingers, she'd become miniscule.

While this Dell Comics duo did delve into the TV world during the 1940s, their small screen series wasn't quite as successful as their lengthy print run. They continued to appear between the pages of Dell Comics and Four Color Comics until 1961. The pair occasionally cropped up after that, in the end pages of a Bugs Bunny comic title during the '70s.

Here is my personal list of influences ....including my possible favorite of Mary Jane and Sniffles.
1) Anais Nin--anything she has written including her diaries.
2) Marion Zimmerman Bradley-- love anything she has written but especially the Mists of Avalon
3) Mary Jane and Sniffles, Dell Marvel DC and , Superhero comics in general..
4) Rumi , Rilke
5) Khalil Gibran
6) Kitaro--I can be on cloud nine in a heartbeat with his Morning Prayer.
7) The King James Bible
8) Dance...always.... and nearly any kind.
9) ) Elias DeMohan-Sound ,Color and Vibration System of Personal and Spiritual Growth
10) Carl Jung
11) The Poems of Dylan Thomas and Seamus Heaney And the writings of Ray Bradbury
(Not in the same category I know but equally well loved)
12) Mary Stewart (The Arthurian series)
13) Children of the Gods
14) Clarissa Pinkola Estes (Running with Wolves)
15) You already know what to do
16) C. S. Lewis
18) William Shakespeare
19) John Bradshaw....On: The Family and numerous other recovery and discovery authors popular in the 1990's
20) Deuter-Visionary Music for Healing and Well Being
21) Desiderata
22) D.H. Lawrence
23) Mrs Foster... My neighbor--An Africian American Woman confined to her bed for years of her adult life and my friend when I was a sixth grader
24) Historical Novels by Frank Yerby that I discovered (because of their informative sexual content) in the sixth grade
25) Dan Millman--The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and others.
26) The Beautiful and Wonderful Yellow Brick Road of the Internet Community. What a gift you are!

I could go on forever....This is enough for today. Thanks for listening! Here are folks I am tagging for their contribution.....The 25 influences they will share. I would like to tag these folks . Check these special bloggers out!

Allison at Keep Calm and Carry On
CathM at Catherine Mark-Besant
Christopher at View from the Northern Wall
DB at Vagabond Journeys
Diane at Coexist
George from LostNights Scribblings
Jesse at The Main Art Blog @ 1968
June Saville at 70 Plus and Still Kickin
Lorenzo at Crowned with Laurels
Shadow from 1 door from Heaven


Courtesy of Ghost Dansing

ACROSS THE RIVER ...................... CHARLI at BROKEN MANNEQUIN

Photo by: John P. Ford

Each of us in this community of writers and poets and artists has connections that are special and even spiritual. Anyone with a connection with Charli knows what I am speaking about. For me, Charli was the first blogger I met.

Charli has encouraged me in my poetry and writing many times. She has shared by snail mail special notes and cards that I love including a Halloween Spook! Her spunk for living life as it presents itself to her is here in her words. Her approach is to embrace life! Charli's talent in poetry and writing is evident to anyone who reads her work.

This passage below is taken, with Charli's permission, from her Care pages. This is a difficult time for Charlie and she is meeting the challenge. Please read this. Words and thoughts have incredible power. Send yours to Charli for healing and strength. The link to her Care Pages is on her site and you can share with her any comments and encouragement you might feel.

From Charli

ACROSS THE RIVER

I ask this with a smile on my face. Okay - a sardonic one, but a smile, nevertheless.

I have much to be thankful for today.

First: The Big News. Just a few minutes ago, I received my long-awaited letter from the Social Security Administration awarding me disability benefits. It comes as such a relief. I have been terrified at thoughts of my future lately. The finances that come with chronic illness can be as frightening as the organ failure. I have been praying for help. Now I’ve got it. Thank you for all of your prayers – they worked! God is listening,.

This week I had a wonderful appointment with my primary care doctor and the medical student who works with her and follows me. I needed this appointment to be good, you see, because that appointment I spoke of in my last update - the one with my rheumatologist - went miserably.

That appointment - upon which I had pinned so many hopes - was horrible. I sat shivering and practically naked for nearly two hours in the exam room. My doctor dismissed nearly every concern I brought up. I was actually crying as she sat next to me and coldly took notes and she never paused to ask me if I was okay. She seemed intimidated, perhaps even angered, by my use of the vocabulary I’ve learned about lupus. I’ll spare you a rant and leave the issue by saying that I cried hopelessly for four days.

And now I’ve had this wonderful meeting with my wonderful primary care doc. Thank you baby Jesus! She listened to all of my concerns and although she was unable to do much (since she’s not a specialist), she absolutely agreed with my suggestion that I see a different rheumatologist. In fact she said she had been thinking about it for some time. She said, “I’d like to send you across the river and get you in to see someone who can understand what is going on with you. You have a complicated autoimmune disease that we’re calling lupus only because it looks like lupus. We really don’t know what you have.” (By "across the river" she means getting me a doctor in BOSTON and not Cambridge. Guess that's where the big girls play.)

She is going to get me in to see someone who specializes in “complicated” cases and who will hopefully put all my bizarre puzzle pieces into a bigger picture. I’m looking forward to meeting a doctor who’ll be able to understand my puzzles better.

Update on my health:
I had a migraine yesterday and today and spent much of last night painfully vomiting up pills and girl scout cookies (it’s that time of year!). I am feeling a little better, but very fatigued.

I am having trouble with my jaw – pain in my face that comes with chewing, sleeping, and sometimes for no discernable reason at all. My doctors all seem to suspect TMJ disorder – but no one is willing to diagnose or treat it until I see my dentist in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I’m taking muscle relaxants and eating soft foods.

The arthritis in my feet is making it hard to walk much. After standing and walking for more than half an hour or so, it feels like someone has stepped on my feet. They just throb. My right one hurts more than the left, which means I end up limping. Cute. Because of these weird foot troubles, my podiatrist (another specialist!) has prescribed foot orthotics. When I get them (they are made specially for each foot), I’m supposed to wear them in sneakers. I’m supposed to wear sneakers! No! Just in time for summer and sandal weather! I don’t even like sneakers! Pain is a strong enough motivator, I suppose. And thankfully, I own plenty of cute sneakers.

My kidney function has worsened slightly, but I’m not too worried. I think it will get better.

The fluid around my heart (that pericardial effusion) hasn’t gotten any better, but it hasn’t gotten any worse. This means I don’t have to endure any treatment for it yet – just keep a close eye on it.

I have started physical therapy for my back. I’ve been having problems sitting up for very long. Any more than a few minutes is painful and more than a few hours is extremely painful. It turns out that, because of some weird muscle thing in my back, one of my legs is 2 cm shorter than the other. (Which makes the foot pain worse, of course!) So I do my exercises every day and I’ll keep going to PT. Hopefully it works!

My lungs are actually doing okay today. Not better, but not worse. My pulmonologist is encouraging me to spend a month or two on a high dose of steroids to see if the damage done to my lungs is permanent. I’m dreading the prednisone. But breathing is important and she’s a good doctor who I trust. We’ll see what happens.

There’s more… I could bore you all to death with my various afflicted body parts. But I’ve probably given you enough for now!

The important thing is that I am feeling thankful and hopeful today! Ecstatic, really, since I got that disability letter. Thank you all and thank you baby Jesus!

Also – I got a big care package full of Avon goodies from my Aunt Carrie yesterday. Now I can really pamper myself! A celebratory bubble bath is in order! Thanks, Aunt Carrie!

SISTERHOOD AWARD

"I do not believe that the accident of birth makes people sisters and brothers.
It makes them siblings. Gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood are conditions people have to work at. It's a serious matter.
You compromise, you give, you take, you stand firm, and you're
relentless...And it
is an investment." (Maya A.)

Thank you PushtheButtonAlpha!

Love this SISTERHOOD award I just received... from Alpha Button Pusher over at PushtheButtonAlpha. I had admired the award on other blogs and I thought the concept was great. Thank you much Alpha. It is appreciated!

I am now able nominate other fabulous women bloggers for the award. This was TOUGH. Every blog I follow I see as having connective qualities. I would have loved to have given many more of this award! I contained myself but barely!

I nominate these blogs, which have given me laughter, learning, and their perspectives on the world. Please take a moment to check these folks out. I believe you will be glad that you did. The richness of the writing they share with the blog universe is apparent.

1)Cat at Witnessing a World of People and Places

2)Cheri at Butterfly Dreamer

3)Cynthia at Oasis Writing Link (OWL)

4)K Lawson at Old Mossy Moon

5)Natalie at Musings From the Deep

6)Self-Proclaimed Mistress of Nothing at Ramblings Of An Imperfect Being


Here's how it works:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 5 blogs which show great ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE.

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.


Now DO go read these wonderful blogs which have heart and soul!

QUESTION TO POETS AND WRITERS......When will the rain be gone?........When can I see clearly?......Is there a Santa Claus Virginia?..........

Photo by: John P. Ford


Question to Poets and Writers


How does one get to be a poet? I believe it may be about intention, focus and writing and writing...which I am finding hard to do. Keep in mind,,,,I am not expecting to be paid. There is no punishment for writing...and obviously none for not writing. When does one know they have arrived? It is based on affirmation for others?

I do enjoy recognition, exchange and communication. It is not essential to me to do what I feel I want or need to do. I don't think I have to have permission. While I can see that all these things could feel warm and fuzzy, I don't think it is the totality of what I am wanting. Yes, it is about self expression but that is not the whole picture. I have wanted to be a poet since somewhere in the very early years.

While it would be fun to be published, if I really want that I could self publish. My intention is/has been to seek a community for learning and feedback, validation and connection and if I am brave, critique.. I have found some of that. Do I need a mentor? Five or ten mentors?

While I can spot a good and even a great poet from a snowstorm, I can't find my inspiration. Am I meant to be a muse and not a writer while wanting to be both? I tell myself things like....spring is almost here.

In rational moments I am not sure how that relates to being a poet. Great poetry can come from dark moments of life and in the middle of deep winter..

I could certainly write inspirational stuff. I am not feeling inspired. Maybe I really don't want to be a poet? Are there ten easy steps to at least learning to write consistently?

I do want to write with joy or intensity...with that feeling of flow or urgency that I have experienced. I want that feeling of needing to pull over to the side of the road to jot down the lines in my head that are becoming a poem even while I am driving. .

What is all this about do you think? Being a very action oriented person, I am seeking some magically inspired path perhaps? Direction?

Actually, I don't know. I am sure at some point something will be revealed to me .
What are your thoughts? What is the answer to the path needed?

A GAGGLE OF GALS...Wings to the Future..Beautiful Family

Photo By: John P. Ford

Jesse....here is my post for you dear friend. I have really taken a long time to do it! In my process of lagging, I am no longer sure exactly what I was to have done so I am winging it!

Something, I think, was said about some photo in a particular folder? Here is my photo beautiful friend. It is about family and the extended meaning of that. Please know that I think of you every day and send healing thoughts your way. I am sorry that you are going through this difficult time.

In my thoughts,there is family of origin and family of choice. Family of origin is where you came from in the biological process. Family of choice is simply where there is a willingness to be there in a family like connected way and an agreement between the people involved about what that means to each. I know that you know that you and Charli are included in my extended family of choice.

Our family of origin is a colorful mixture. We claim Northerners, Southerners, East Coast and West Coast folks. We have extended family in D.C., Delaware, Louisana, California, Ohio, Texas. Arizona, Virgina and even Alaska.

We are descended from Irish, Welsh, Native American, and some think Fairies, Mystical Beings and perhaps Leprechauns. A few have been named Trolls but most of us try to ignore that naming.

We have reared Actors, Artists, Craftsmen, Educators, Administrative Educators, Farmers, Math and Computer Experts, Musicians, Performers, Nurses, Mental Health Professions, Ministers, Librarians, Truck Drivers, Small Business Owners and Poets and Writers. We have reared these folks to these callings not necessarily knowing we were doing it.

We have coped with family genetic issues including alcoholism, depression, diabetes, heart issues, cancer and obsessive tendencies and people who died way too young because of these kinds of issues. There is no easy way to cope with these things. Mostly, you just keep walking and praying and holding hands and connections with family of choice.

We claim folks who are single parents, married three to five times (on occassion). We understand it is not three strikes and you are out....but rather life.

We smile at groups of wonderful people who have eleven to zero offspring. Our extended crew includes those who claim heterosexual and homosexual orientation and some folks who prefer not to make a final commitment.

In this post you see a gaggle of gals I claim in my family . Here is the poem I have written about them and our family of origin. I look forward to your thoughts! Your comments are magic and help me learn.

UNCOMMONLY WONDERFUL ANGELS

Uncommonly Wonderful Angels

Rhi (Peanut Butter Bound), Naomi
Leah, Jessica
Becoming who they are
Where they find themselves

Family Heritage Roots
Wings to the Future
Soaring further in
Their lifetimes
Than you and I
Dared to dream

Great-Grand children of Earl and
Emily Ellen Of Tennessee,
Laura and James of Illinois
They are Already
Unknowingly alligned
Christian Soldiers of the Cross

Kith and Kin to
Gospel Music Bards
Cousins to Country Music
Pop-Rockers, Foot-Stompin

Hand Slappin, Fast Dancin
Music Makin, Big-Time Players
They have music
In their bones.

Doubt me?
Think I go on a bit?
Watch Them
Listen to their Music
Dance to their Music

When they think
They are alone
When they don't know
They are watched
Then give your take on it

Roll call on the family tree
Finds Strong-Hearted
Genuinely Loyal
Caring, sharing souls
Living life in the church
Word of the Lord

A song to be sung
Hard work to be done
Joy on the wing
Life lived to the fullest

A little free spirited
Crazy Wacky Outrageousness
Thrown in the mix
To keep things in perspective
To keep things in perspective

May I Have This Dance?

Thank you Bird Lovers Only Rescue for letting me share this!


CHECK SNOWBALL OUT
Snowball is a medium sulphur crested Eleanora cockatoo and he loves to dance and sing. He loves the Back Street Boys. No one taught Snowball to dance...he just heard this song and suddenly felt like dancing. We're all jealous because he can outdance each one of us...nobody likes a show off! When he's really in the mood, he dances and sings. And at the end of the performance he takes a bow or two or twenty!! Enjoy the show.

Bloggers Extraordinaire CHERIE, LAURA,TRACEY-ANN and B.J.Roan Pass on AWARDS! Thank you all!

A very special recognition to Cherie at Butterfly Dreamer for the creativity of originating an award with no expectations and for the purpose of recognition of Peace and love.

BEAUTIFUL and PRECIOUS ...as is Cherie.

FANTASTIC AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS ARE HERE. THANK YOU!


LEMONADE AWARD from Laura at Under the Sheets - Shh and Tracey-Ann at Pensieri senza Colora.



What a lovely surprise to receive the Lemonade Award from Both Laura and Tracey-Ann.

These great gals are two wonderful bloggers.. They are both talented and creatve in expression and they are real and caring. Please take a moment to check out their sites. I can predict you will be going back again and again for visits!

Thank you both so much for thinking of me Laura and Tracey-Ann. I love getting awards and I appreciate the thought and the sharing. The rules are that I pass this award along to 10 people.

Before passing this award onto other well deserving bloggers, I am asked to share with you five attitude and five gratitude things that you didn't know about me.
ATTITUDE
1) I am not a morning person. It takes me time and transition to come from the world of dreams and sleep to this reality.I do try to not talk before coffee and to be kind to the people who must endure being with me.. I am kind as long as they don't want to talk on arising.
2) I need about 7-8 hours of sleep nightly. Without it I can be very cranky and into self pity. This would be the perfect time for you to see my attitude at work. I do a great snarl.
3) I will turn around and give you a look of attitude if you are sitting in a restaurant booth and rock back and forth on my part of the booth!
4) I am not much for ongoing negative statements not laced with weird humor. I may tell you so.
5) I really do not like music playing randomly in restaurants that I did not choose..I may or may not like it. Now if a violinist comes by my table...all to the good . Otherwise, Please..allow me to choose my own music or keep it calm and low in the evening...unless of course I am dancing!


And now for my GRATITUDE list:
1) I am thankful for this life of sharing and connecting and loving and learning more about love.
2) I thank whoever is responsible for the idea that we are never too old to have a happy childhood ...one that includes singing in the rain, dancing in the streets and playing in mud puddles.
3) I still write in a journal what I am grateful for on that particular day and at that time. I go back and reread those things I enter. I am in awesome realization of the diversity of life and the people I know.
4) I am grateful for the family and old friends and new friends and the wonderful blogger friends that color my life in rainbows. What an inspiration...really!
5) I am thankful for discovering blogging! This self expression is such fun and it has helped me learn more about myself and others and how we are all more alike than different. :>)

Thank you for sharing and creating this experience with and for me and you!

My wonderful nominees for the lemonade blog award are:

1)Artemis of the Eucalyptis at Slightly Unconventional Purple Pathways
2)Bast Crystal at Thoughtful Creativity
3)Cat at Wait. What?
4)Confessions of a Wandering Soul
5)Faith at Stones From My Heart
6)Kate at Blogging Is My Only Vice
7)Jewelery Girl at Jewelry and Junk
8)Jo at Flowers and Barbed Wire
9)Priya at Journal
10)Rab at The Seeker in Dreams
11)Self Proclaimed Mistress of Nothing at Ramblings of an Imperfect Being



YOUR BLOG IS FABULOUS AWARD from Julian at Hopeless Believer. To know Julian is to love her. Reading her blog is enjoying Open Hearted, loving and caring communication. Thanks Julian!






So, there are a few things you need to do after accepting this award:
1.)Post the logo on your blog.
2.) Pass it on to at least 10 of your blogger friends that you think they have a "Fabulous Blog".
3.) Please link me, Linda @ Psyche Connections in your post.
4.) Link the awardees as well.
5.) Let your awardees know you have passed this on to them by going to their blog and leaving a comment.


HERE are my FABULOUS AWARDEES.


1)B. J. Roan at Rubbish By Roan
2)Cat Vibe at Witnessing A World of People and Places
3)Jacqueline Michelle at Or Whatever
4)Karmen at Karney Life
5)K. Lawson Gilbert at Old Mossy Moon
6)Laura at Under the Sheets--Shh
7)Rachael at The Waxing Moon
8)Rhi at Peanut Butter Bound
9)Rikkij One Big Love
10)Susan Sonnen at Musings
11)The Pink Cowboy
12)Tracey-Ann at Pensieri senza Colore


BEST BLOG THINKER from B. J. Roan at Rubbish By Roan.




According to B.J.:




“This award acknowledges the values that every Blogger displays in their effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values with each message they write. Awards like this have been created with the intention of promoting community among Bloggers. It’s a way to show appreciation and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.”



Here is the fun part. I am asked to pass this award on to 15 bloggers I consider worthy of the award. So although there are many more than 15 who deserve this honor, here is my list:



1.CathM at Catherine Mark-Beasant
2.Charli at Broken Mannequin
3.Cherie at Butterfly Dreamer
4.Christina at The Voice of the Sea Wind
5.Christopher at View From the Northern Wall
6.Cynthia at Epiphany: ReBirth
7.Cynthia at Oasis Writing Link (OWL)
8.Diane at COEXIST
9.L. Rochelle at Two Ghosts
10.George at Lost Night's Scribblings
11.Jesse at The Art of Jesse
12.Julian at The Innocent Piper
13.Jiggins at Con-tin-u-um and Refraction
14.Larry at LarryG Mobile Blog
15.Lorenzo at CROWNED WITH LAURELS
16.Paul at Paul Chambers
17 Selchie at Thought For The Day
18.Alan at Laid Back Think Tank

I confess. Math has never been my best subject!

Life ...A Spiral Route Up and Down A Mountain Side

Capitola Beach, California
Photo by: Erica Foley

Life, to this traveler, is a twisting, turning, spiral route up and down a mountain side. In my thinking, travelers MUST travel in a spiral, with the ups and downs within that spiral. Sometimes the travel is by the hardest on foot with no staff or at times first class on the Silver Bullet!

These travels can create the feeling of being magically transported, flying, falling, crawling or of not moving.

Flying to the top of the mountain is breaktaking! Exhilarating! It can feel as if you have arrived at the ultimate! It will seem as if the world is yours! At times, it can feel as if you were magically transported!

All that is needed in this state is for the traveler to reach a bit and grab their personal lightening bolt that powers their life and the energy that goes with that!

When you are in a holding pattern it may feel as if there is no movement. It may actually be the incubation period of a new spiral path of your life. You are simply standing by ready to board the mountain train for the ride of your life.

Yet, at times it seems impossible to see even beyond the curve on the road more than a footstep! The fear is ...what can be on the other side. How can we trust what we cannot see?

When you enter these holding patterns you are making way for the new by giving up the old but often it feels like loss, pain , saddness. I find it may be difficult to experience change as gain!

It is hard to lay down the what have beens and the what might have beens because we cannot see around the bend. We must act on FAITH instead of FEAR with no guarantees.

Here is the result of a poem I workshopped with my friend and fellow poet Alex on this subject. I deeply respect Alex and his work and I enjoyed the process and the result. I wanted to share it in a post with this blogger community.

I love your thoughts, comments, reactions. It broadens my perspective and my horizons! I would enjoy hearing about any connections or specifics where you might identify with the topics or bits and pieces of it. I can also love hearing what you do not relate to or like about the poem? What are your thoughts and feelings?

HARD TO LAY DOWN

Sack cloth
Ashes and lemonade

Not what I thought
It would be

In the Golden Years
Yet here

It is
Struggling, walking, elusive

Too close for comfort
Clouding

Not without fear
The heart born

Dancing through Moulin Rouge
A misstep

Considering all
Wishing to be 15

Still in the middle of
The joy of everything is

Little comfort gained
From dreams of playmate

Soulmate sharing
You know the one

Mary Jane and sniffles
And off to adventure land

By the sheer will of it
Entering

By magic incantation
Exaulted in that perfect

Home comforted
Full of places visited

Order restored to whatever
That time when

Summer seemed
And winter just a blip on

All things lie ahead of us still
Lost in what might have been

Too many could haves
Like oil and water

Even while rewriting this
Tarnished troubadours

Sack cloth
Ashes and limonade

Are hard to lay down


Courtesy of Ghost Dansing

DANCING QUEEN....... Music, Dance, Feeling, Being. Love made Visible.

FIRST VIDEO COMPLIMENTS OF A'JAY-THANKS!

nouvelle vague "dance with me" from bande a part



SECOND VIDEO COMPLIMENTS OF GHOST DANSING-LOVE IT!

Today, forgive me please CHARLI, JESSE,and SHADOW. I am playing hookey from answering interviewing questions! Alas ,my brain is resisting anything even minimally structured! I am caught up in music and dance thoughts!

I know STEVE and RHI and EZEKIEL and RIC will also understand as well as my friends who have given me wonderful interview questions in good faith!

I am in respite, I guess ,from a bout with a couple of weeks of a flu that caught
me when I was not looking!
Today, I just wanna have effortless fun!

All of that is ok. I will be back on track tomorrow. Today, I am being ok with going with the music flow...Ah...Sweet! Thanks for understanding all! As you can tell, I am feeling slightly guilty for my response lag!

No, I am not supporting T-Mobile necessarily but I do love this connected way they have created of getting their name and message across. I love art and self expression and connection with others who are open to it....even T-Mobile!

To me, dancing is the ultimate free style form of physical self expression where ANYONE can participate. It can lift spirits immediately, alter dark moods, enhance connection and open channels of feeling that few other ways can match.

Dancing can be shared with everyone from babies to challenged folks in wheel chairs. To dance is to love and express self. To dance with someone is to extend that love.

I am dancing in my head everywhere I am. You may think I am sitting demurely but that is not the whole story! I can listen to Kitaro's morning prayer and be at another elevation feeling wise instantly.

MUSIC. DANCE. FEELING. BEING. I believe DANCING is LOVE MADE VISIBLE.

Please share your thoughts? Where are you in your dancing today?

Journey to the Creative Self begins Early.....

So many school years spent coloring in the lines and so little time or interest for bringing the arts into the world for growth, healing, communication and collaborative learning.

Your comments and thoughts and input matter here. What is the creative world to you?
How do you see it? What is your experience in this world of creativity? Self Expression? What are your fears about your own creative expression? What works for you? In an ideal world what would creativity actually be? How do you live your life in day to day creativity?

FANTASTIC AWESOME CONNECTION! FUN and MUCH APPRECIATED!

Photo by: John P. Ford

Yesterday, I found a LOVELY and special comment on my most recent blog post from THAT GUY at MASS AFFECTED blog site. THAT GUY shares blog sites he finds of interest on MASS AFFECTED and features particular blogs at times.

I think of THAT GUY as a searcher of what he sees as blogger talent! A Talent Scout! I love it! Please check out THAT GUY'S great blog and his well done post here on behalf of PSYCHE CONNECTIONS.

I have to say I got another real smile later this evening as I read Alan's LAID BACK THINK TANK BLOG. Alan has created a recognition for the blog for the day and honored Charli at BROKEN MANNEQUIN. I would like to share that I see Charli and I as very much alike personal history and personality wise.

We share many things including a love for poetry and psychology and art....although we tend to approach things from different perspectives we often arrive at similiar places! I very much appreciate Alan's recognition of Charli and the great post he created for that recognition. Check out Alan's blog here. THANKS ALAN!

Much thanks to THAT GUY for featuring PSYCHE CONNECTIONS. This is an honor for me. The introduction to this blog is definitely thoughtfully and well done and much appreciated by this blogger! See what you think? I love the sentiment expresed! Thank you so much for thinking of PSYCHE CONNECTIONS and my attempt at blogging, THAT GUY.

THAT GUY and ALAN, You are noted here at PSYCHE CONNECTIONS for being caring, connected, great blogger friends. You are a fantastic connection and a source of new connections for us all in this blogger community. I truly believe it is all about connections! Please check out MASS AFFECTED and ALAN's blog and see who you can discover!

Your comments and your thoughts are valued here. THANKS!