holiday
‘Decoration Day’ At The Old Home Place
Memorial Day, which we referred to as ‘Decoration Day’ in my family, is full of precious childhood memories and nostalgia for me. My folks were of Southern heritage mostly, although I grew up in Oklahoma. We lived in the country, on an acreage we called ‘The Old Home Place,’ because it had been handed down for generations.
We had big ole vegetable gardens. In fact, we called one of them a ‘truck patch,’ because it was so large. Soul food, ya know. Nothing better! The truck patch covered five acres. A truck patch is when so many vegetables are produced, there’s enough to truck them out commercially, although we never did. We gave all our friends and relatives what we couldn’t preserve (can) and store in the cellar. In those days we all shared whatever we had.
We also had a small vegetable garden right behind our house, for every day fresh veggies, such as beds of lettuce. In front, we had a potato patch. In other areas there were blackberry bushes, a pecan orchard, a fruit orchard, plums, blueberries, and so on. We were pretty much self-sustaining.
All of the vegetable gardens were plowed by hand with mules, in rows for planting. I used to help with the planting and canning when I was just a little girl. We also butchered our own chickens, pigs and cattle, and made lye soap in a big ole iron pot outside on a wooden fire…all in the old ways. I don’t miss butchering the critters and to this day, I can’t eat animal flesh, except for fish and seafood.
The Easter Angel And The Golden Ticket
It was around Easter, one year in the early 1970s, when I had a profound angel encounter. I was playing outdoors with many other children my age. We were eagerly running through a large open field looking for Easter eggs.
Well, they were not exactly real eggs. If you are from my generation, you might remember those plastic eggs that would break open to reveal inside them candy, colorful stickers and small, cheap bracelets. Some also contained little pieces of paper with trivia or inspirational messages. I remember thinking the words on the paper were more valuable to me than the tiny Tootsie Rolls or Hershey Bars.
On this occasion, I soon had a full basket and was sitting on the ground opening up my eggs and stuffing my goodies in the plastic bag we were all given. We were to return the eggs, so they could be recycled.
There was a very angelic looking women at the Easter egg hunt. She was helping some of the children find their eggs. Whenever they seemed to be having a difficult time, she would go to them and say something encouraging, or would help to cheer them up in some way. I kept my eye on her since we arrived, as she stood out from everyone else.
Later, while standing in line to return my empty eggs, she knelt down in front of me and asked, “What did you get?” I opened my bag and showed her all the candy and goodies. Then I lifted my hand and said, “This piece of paper is my favorite.” It was a golden slip of paper which read: It is wise to not put all your time, energy and love in one basket.”
The Fallacy Of Being Perfect
People who go around trying to be perfect, or aim to “live up to their maximum potential” seldom seem to be happy. Neither do they appear to be living fulfilling lives. Their constant striving to achieve or maintain perfectionism seems to take the joy out of their lives.
Spirit inspired this chain of thought in me as I remembered three psychic readings that I did recently. The theme of perfectionism and potential had a profound effect on all three of my clients’ lives and or their loved ones. With their permission I am briefly sharing their stories here.
The first client called me upset, because she felt she had ruined their holiday stressing about wanting to make everything perfect. Not only did she take the fun out of it for herself, but for everyone else involved.
I connected with Spirit and received this message for her: “Doing special things like making Easter eggs and cooking Thanksgiving dinner should be enjoyable. Some people will like it, and some people won’t. Next week no one will remember. Learn to enjoy these activities more, and just go with ebb and flow. Spirit then also offer tools she can use to help her relax. Continue reading
Take Some ‘Me Time’ This Holiday Season
The current holiday celebrations, extensive to-do-lists and family gatherings is usually a hectic time of the year for many. But this year we can expect it to be even worse.
Whether you are battling the crazy crowds at the mall doing your last minute shopping, or trying to find a way to inform co-workers or family that you don’t particular enjoy holiday gatherings, or simply dealing with the stress of trying to do it all and be perfect at it, things are going to be just a bit more difficult this year with the incoming energy of Mercury Retrograde. Continue reading
Psychic Advice For The Holiday Madness
It’s important this season to remember not everyone is kind, and not everyone cares and is compassionate. I can relate to my clients when they say it is really difficult to be around certain people during the holidays, because of the ego, pride issues that many have. It does little for one’s peace of mind.
I give the same advice I try and bide by myself, which is remembering these people we only have to see once or twice a year. So, try your best to be civil. It’s hard even for those of us that remote view and see how our ‘loved ones’ speak so ‘lovingly’ of us behind our back, and how they focus on the things of this world instead of what matters the most. Continue reading
Raccoon Medicine For Thanksgiving
When you see a raccoon, be it live or in a picture, what comes to mind? Is he cute and innocent looking, or does he remind you of a little outlaw? Or do you fear the creature you see?
Raccoons are indeed considered to be night varmints and scavengers. They can destroy property and be a real nuisance. However, spiritually the raccoon has a much more constructive significance and they are the perfect animal totem for Thanksgiving.
Traditionally, the raccoon, when it comes into your life, is referred to as “the one who carries the medicine of the protector of the underdog” and “the one who provides for the young, infirm and the elderly.” Because of its mask-like features, it is often unfairly referred to as The Masked Bandit, but when a raccoon comes into your space, you are being asked to contact your inner warrior, to become a protector and generous provider for those in need. Continue reading
A Time To Grow In God’s Grace
Growing up as a Roman Catholic, I experienced Lent as a strong discipline to better my life. “What are you giving up for Lent?” The answers from my non-believer friends were “homework” or “obey the parents” or “saving money for rainy days.” Lent is one of those practices demanded of Roman Catholics to which non-Catholic believers may say, “Another great reason to be Protestant!” It never really occurred to my friends that Lent was something interesting, or beneficial, to a better understand our connection with God.
One day, I sat thinking of the many reason and faces of this season, and upon doing some research I discovered that Lent is in fact also recognized by millions of Protestant Christians, in addition to Catholic and Orthodox believers. The Eastern Orthodox Lent is longer than the Catholic or Protestant Lent, and it begins before Ash Wednesday. Continue reading