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SoCS: Love Transcends Distance, Remembering my Sister, Shelter Dogs, and an Apology

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “distance.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

You’ve probably read here, and elsewhere, that sometimes we have to love people from a distance. That might be because a person is toxic and we’re trying to take care of our well-being. Or it might be because they moved away, or you moved away, or deployment in the military which makes me think of my parents when dad was in the corps for 20 years. Letters were the thing back then. Talking on the phone long distance was expensive.

David, my first boyfriend moved back to Connecticut with his family in 1972. I loved him, pined for him, from North Carolina. He wrote two letters and I wrote four. It as summertime and I was 16 so life went on. and on… Then in 2011, David found me again online. We had a long-distance relationship. Fortunately, we had cell phones by then, and it didn’t cost extra to call. My heart would beat faster as our regular 9pm calling time approached. Then we visited a few times, and he moved down to NC in the fall of 2012 after his company told him it was time to retire after 30 something years. Good timing! We got married in December of 2012.

Love can transcend distance. Prayer transcends distance. There’s even such a thing as reiki healing from a distance. My younger sister was killed in a car accident on her 16th birthday. A drunk driver hit her boyfriend’s car and killed both of them as they were going out to celebrate her birthday. That was so long ago. March 7 is the day she was born, two years after me. Today is her “heavenly birthday.” Though it’s easier to feel my father’s presence from heaven, I can also feel my sister, Mary Kaye’s presence, if I tune in to her. It’s vague. Or are these just memories?

My little sister, Mary Kaye
Mary Kaye and Lobo

Sometimes, when I watch a Harry Potter movie, Harry’s friend, Hermione Granger reminds me of my sister.

Sometimes I imagine (or do I hear?) my father’s voice. Maybe I feel or hear him more because I have more memories of him. He died in 2017. I’m glad we got closer before he died. I only have 16 years of memories with my little sister. If she had lived, I think she would have been a nurse or something like a home health aid. She did not do well in school, but she volunteered regularly at a small home for disabled children in the 1970s. She was kindhearted and a free spirit. I guess I’m missing her today and wishing we could have had more time to work through our sibling rivalry. I wish my daughter, my son, and my granddaughter could have known her.

I did not mean to go into so much detail, but that’s the stream of consciousness for you. If Mary Kaye had lived and was alive today, she would have maybe gotten me to not take things so seriously. Maybe we could have sung together. My older sister, Linda liked to sing, too….. They would have encouraged me to sing and to enjoy life. Maybe they are encouraging that right now as I write this.

Take time to laugh, to sing, to play. Eat chocolate. Dance. Laugh some more. That’s what they’re saying to me. From a distance, or from right behind me.

My mother collected angels. They’re all angels now. Smiling, dancing, because I am listening to them.

I feel their feathery kisses on my cheek.

~~~

Speaking of kisses, I got sloppy kisses from Cooper at the no-kill shelter where I volunteer.

Cooper is healing from a skin condition and is starting to put on weight. He’s great at fetch!

Cooper just wants to be loved. Not from a distance, but up close and personal. Dogs remind me to enjoy the gift of the present.

Here are a few more dogs from the no kill shelter which rescues exclusively from the high kill county facility.

Apollo
Rocky
Odie
Milo
Beautiful Ivy
Spanky

There aren’t enough homes for them all. Please consider rescuing a homeless dog or cat.

~~~

I wrote the above Friday night. This morning, I read that US airstrike was probably responsible for killing 165 people, mostly students at a school. I mention this because I want to be clear I am not oblivious to this horrible news. I am deeply sorry for the actions of the US government. This is sadder than anything personal that I wrote above, but it feels personal. Iran does not feel so distant today. It’s not enough, but I apologize for the actions of my government which does not feel like my government.

Still, the daffodils bloom. They give me hope.

~~~

For more streams of consciousness,

visit our host Linda Hill

by clicking HERE.


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SoCS: Walk for Peace

Cover photo from the Walk for Peace FB page

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “favorite saying.”

I thought about sayings my mother used to say that her father used to say about wishing in one hand and spitting in the other and seeing which hand got filled up first. I thought I might find a favorite quote. But what has been on my mind and heart most lately has been the Walk for Peace.

Nineteen Buddhist monks are on a peace walk, a journey of 2,300 miles “to raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world.” They started in Texas and are walking to Washington DC with a plan to arrive in February. They often walk in bare feet, though they walk in shoes when it’s very cold. I’ve been following them on Facebook, but they must be on YouTube and Instagram, too. They just crossed into my state of North Carolina and will come within an hour of my home Monday or Tuesday. Maybe I’ll try to go stand on the sidewalk and bow as they pass. It depends on the day, since I have another obligation on Tuesday. The crowds have been growing very large. Considering I don’t like crowds, would my presence make a difference? Thousands of people go to see them and share their posts on FB. Each post, each teaching closes with:

“May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace.”

Maybe that is my favorite saying right now.

Still, I worry about their safety.

And I listen to their teachings about worry – letting go – mindfulness. Some remind me of the Serenity Prayer.

A few of months ago, one of the monks was hit by a truck and had to have his leg amputated. He said that if it brings more awareness to their cause of peace, then he is happy. I have worried about their rescue dog, Aloka, who has journeyed with the monks since joining them as a stray in India a few years ago. Aloka, the Peace Dog, could be seen leading the monks, sometimes on a leash, and sometimes not, always walking with intention, with his pack.

Recently Aloka had to have surgery to repair an old injury that was bothering him. He has been in rehab after vets in Charleston did the surgery at no charge. Aloka has been cared for by his guardian, Lewis, and recently reunited briefly with the monks and wanted to walk with them so much, it hurt my heart. But Aloka must rest and heal. I made some comments on the FB page suggesting a carriage or stroller for Aloka. There must be some way for him to join the monks on their walk. But then again, I’ve worried about Aloka as the monks approach Washington DC. Maybe he will be safer if not with them. Maybe I need to let this go and simply pray for them all.

You can read more about Aloka (his name means light) HERE on the Peace Walk Website.

Police have been escorting the venerable monks for their safety. One of their leaders who speaks each evening to the crowd after a day of walking, is collecting pins from police and sheriff departments where they stop and wears these on his sash. The monks tend to avoid physical contact but make exceptions of their choosing. Sometimes they tie bracelets on the wrists of people who are vulnerable, often those who are wheelchair bound. One of my favorite photos is an exceptional hug with a law enforcement officer.

Needless to say, I have been very moved by the venerable monks and Aloka the Peace Dog as I follow them on social media. I hope you will join me in saying a prayer or sending good thoughts and good vibes for their safety and wellness.

I hope you will listen to the beautiful songs below inspired by the Walk for Peace.

The first song and lyrics are also on Walk for Peace website: https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace-a-song/

Sy Long also wrote a beautiful song for Aloka!

May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace.

~~~

For more streams of consciousness,

please visit our host, Linda Hill,

by clicking HERE.


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SoCS: Just a Spoonful of… Good Magic

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “spoonful.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Spoonful moonful. Lovin spoonful. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go dooooowwwwn….

Spoonful goonful. We got us a goonful in chief over here in the US. No spoonful of sugar is going to help that. Do I mourn moonfully? What am I talking about? The stream is real streamy today.

Maybe I’ll settle on the Lovin Spoonful. Do you believe in magic? We need some.

But there’s magic everywhere.

I’m not talking about the hocus pocus magic. I’m talking about daffodils waiting until the time is right to grow up beyond the little green spikes peeping up from the cold ground. Yeah, I know there’s science involved, but it seems like magic. Feels like magic. Maybe science and magic coexist.

Old photo of Daffodils at my parents’ house

Maybe humans can coexist in peace… someday when the world is much brighter. Oooh child. Things are going to get easier. But honestly, I don’t know if that will happen soon. It’s looking a little bleak at the moment on the news. (I watched a little PBS news, must have been feeling strong, I guess. Not doing to do that again any time soonful I hope. But if I were to watch news on TV, it would be PBS since they’re slightly less dramatic.)

But the daffodils are coming. I DO believe in daffodils! Aaaannnd my old poinsettia is sprouting red leaves. The big one is at least ten years old. There are three in the pot. It feels like magic.

Save the poinsettias! (Just keep them away from pets.)

Good magic is what we need. Maybe that’s what prayers are – good magic… and so much more!

God help us.

For more info on Stream of Consciousness Saturday,

visit out host, Linda Hill

by clicking HERE.


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Good News Tuesday for April 30, 2024: It’s Video Day! with Two Rescues, a Young Heart Restarts, and a Lost Dog Reunion

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Three Stranded Men were Rescued from a Micronesian Atoll

Three mariners were rescued after becoming stranded on the Pikelot Atoll, in Micronesia. The men had taken off in a 20-foot boat for a 100-nautical-mile voyage. Six days after their departure, a relative reported them missing. In a coordinated search by the Coast Guard in Micronesia/ Guam and the U.S. Navy, the men were located after their palm leaf HELP sign was spotted on the beach. The Good News Network has the story. … plus there’s a video below:

…

Team of Bystanders Gets Man Out of Burning Car

A team of good Samaritans worked to get a man out of a burning car in Minnesota.

…

Four-Year-Old Cartier’s Heart Restarts After 14 Hours

Strep had led to sepsis and Cartier’s heart stopped beating. After 14 hours and a lot of prayer, his heart restarted.

…

Lost Dog Reunited with Family

Mishka, a dog from California showed up at a Michigan shelter several months later. Watch the reunion toward the end of this video:

…

Got Good News?

Feel free to share in the comments!


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SoCS: Prayer, Response, and the Radon Result

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “show.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Have fun!

As you may know, the house we are hoping to buy in the mountains (piedmont really but there is a small mountain range nearby) tested positive for radon in the basement. Since then, I’ve been reading a lot about radon. I know that it decreases by half with each floor you go up and that it can be safely mitigated from the air with what some people in rocky areas call a “radon vac” which is sort of what the system is. I also read a lot about radon in well water and all the different levels, risks, and systems to mitigate like aeration.

Water quality is extremely important to me, so I requested one more test for radon in the well water, thought our realtor didn’t think we needed it since radon levels in water have been low in her experience.

And I prayed.

Me: God, let it be safe.

God: I would not have led you there if it wasn’t safe.

Really? I thought. (How can I ask God, “Really?”) So, I tucked the response away, hoping it was really from God. Sometimes I get a very clear response, and this was one of them. God likes to show us things. Still….

While visiting the hills last weekend to get the lay of the land so to speak, David and I discussed at length our possible responses based on what level of radon showed up in the water. If it was over 10,000 pics per liter, aka piciliters (PCi/L), we would walk away, regardless of the due diligence money and inspection fees. Water quality is that important to me. Under 4000 pic/liter is safe. 4000 to 10, 000 is a gray area. Each state has different recommendations. Risks include….never mind. I read all about the risks.

I prayed for clarity. Again, and again. Clarity, please.

Finally, on Monday, we got the results.

There was ZERO radon detected in the well water. Zero. That’s pretty clear. But really? Yes, really!


I still believe I did the right thing in the getting additional test. God used this to show me, I don’t need to worry so much, and that David can be very supportive and patient.

Really.

After lunch in the small town of Pilot Mountain, we took the easy trail at the bottom of the “metamorphic quartzite monadnock” known as Pilot Mountain.

I love murals
State Park Visitor Cent
David and Marley

…

For more streams and SoCS rules,

visit our host, Linda Hill

by clicking HERE.


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SoCS: Perfection Will Not Have My Soul. I’ve been to the Grace Street Garden.

Ah, perfection, you devil,

driving dedicated dudes to delusions of grandeur,

or to early graves from stress.

Not me, though.

Perfection, you will not have my soul.

I will redefine you.

Not a hair out of place becomes wild and free ~

catching the wind and the sun.

The manicured lawn goes native,

A natural home for bugs and birds.

Business casual has become

Hoodies and yoga pants with clogs.

Take THAT perfection!

You have no power over me.

There’s a yard on Grace Street I often pass on my way home. Over the years, the person who lives in the house has collected more and more yard art. I suspect people in the community have also contributed. Some unenlightened people might consider this an eyesore. I think it’s perfectly magnificent! Recently my friend was driving and offered to stop so I could take pictures. That’s when I discovered this was not just a collection of funky yard art. This is the Grace Street Prayer Garden! Who needs perfection when you can have Grace?

~~~

To learn more about Stream of Consciousness Saturday,

visit our host, Linda Hill

by clicking HERE.


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SoCS: The Road to Fruition is Lined with Caladiums

Our Stream of consciousness prompt for today is: “-tion.” Find a word that ends with “tion.” Bonus points if you start your post with it. Have fun!

Fruition takes time. Fruition is one of the words I thought of when I read the prompt. There was also communication, action, imagination….. I recently did a one-liner on imagination. Creation is a word close to my heart. But fruition keeps tugging at me.

When we want something badly, we don’t want it to take a lot of time. But fruition is about growing into, becoming, developing. There’s a readiness that needs to happen. Like in my memoir. 39 years is a long time, but a lot happened in the meantime. Life flows up and down, around and under, twisting on The Long and Winding Road which is one of my favorite songs.

My garden veggies are not coming to fruition as I’d hoped. David says it’s because there isn’t enough sunlight on account of all the trees. We cut some back, but maybe we’ll have to cut more in the winter. Not cutting any big ones mind you. Mostly we’ll cut privet. The basil has done well and the ginger seems to be growing nicely. The zucchini plants have plenty of leaves and beautiful flowers, but no zucchini. Maybe we’ll try spinach.

The caladiums have done great.

Behind the elephant ears are basil and ginger on the left, and maybe squash leaves coming through the fence. Maybe we let the squash vines get too long. I don’t know.

Prayers come to fruition over time, but not always how we expect. A few nights ago I stood in my backyard in the dark praying hard about a family issue regarding one of my adult children. The angels heard me. God heard me. Jesus heard me. I felt a bit of relief that comes when you can’t deal with it any more and have to trust a Power greater than yourself. Things have improved, and I am reminded that sometimes things have to get messed up before they can get better.

The long and winding road continues to twist and turn, and I will enjoy the caladiums. And the basil.

May all your best dreams, hopes and prayers come to the best possible fruition.

One more thing. US Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at the age of 87. She was a strong pioneer for equality and justice. She lived a life that came to abundant fruition.

For more streams of consciousness, and the rules, visit our host, Linda Hill at:

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 19/2020


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Prayer for a Lost Dog

Today is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. You can read my favorite Saint Francis story in this post about Saint Francis and the wolf.

…

The following events happened just a few days ago.

dogs running Pixabay (2)

 

On the way to the laundromat to wash my 17-year-old dog’s favorite bed, I saw a dog running down the busy street in the opposite direction. It was a dark grey dog, maybe a hound/pit bull mix, running with that panicked, I’m lost gait. Without thinking, I pulled onto a side street to turn around and fished out the leash I kept in the console. I couldn’t see the dog, but traffic had slowed considerably, and people were honking ahead of me.

I prayed out loud: “God please help that dog! Please get him off the road! Help him Now!” (I had no idea if the dog was a male, but that’s what came out.) Within a few seconds I saw the dog, several cars ahead, make a right turn into an apartment complex. Okay, he’s safe. You have things to do, I told myself.  But somehow, my car turned into the apartment complex. He’s not safe; he’s scared.  Maybe he’ll come to me, said my other voice, brushing aside thoughts of then what are you going to do if you catch him?  I parked my car and started walking through the apartment complex carrying the leash. A guy near the pool house asked if I was looking for a dog.

“Yeah but it’s not mine. He was running down the street. I thought I might be able to catch him.”

“He went that way,” the pool guy said pointing further into the complex.

I kept walking, past the dumpsters and around a corner, seeing no sign of the dog.  He’s gone. Let it go. At least he’s not on the street. Maybe he’ll find his way home, I told myself. But for some reason, I kept walking through the unfamiliar apartment complex.

Then, I saw a young woman walking toward me. She must have seen the leash. “Are you looking for a dog?”

“Yes, but he’s not mine. He was running down the street,” I said pointing in the direction of the busy road.

“He’s in my apartment. He came right to my boyfriend.”

“Oh, good. Thank you. I’m glad he’s safe.”

“I work for a vet,” she said. “I’ll take him into work so see if he has a microchip.”

“Thank you so much for taking him in,” I said bowing slightly with praying hands.

“Thank you for looking for him,” she said.

“Of course.”

I walked back to my car feeling grateful that the dog found a safe place and someone in a position to help him, and that I’d kept walking long enough to find that out.

Back in my car, I said to God, “I didn’t mean to be rude with that, now! part.

God just smiled.

…

(The photo from pixabay reminded me of the dog.)

 

Happy Saint Francis Day!

st-francis-of-assisi-and-birds from Robert Kennedy's book

This picture is from the book Saint Francis of Assisi, A Life of Joy,

by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.


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Calling on Angels to Send the Rain West

Ocean Angel retake (2)

 

Why so much rain on the east coast?

Praying it goes where it’s needed most.

Calling on angels to gather our rains

Deliver it westward to quiet the flames.

Push rain clouds to the smoke filled sky.

Hurry please, before others die.

Protect those working to make a stand.

Quench the thirst of parched dry land.

Calling on angels to gather our rains

Deliver it westward to quiet the flames.

….

A second response to yesterday’s SOCS prompt: Call

Sometimes I wish I’d written something different for the Stream of Consciousness Saturday post. Here on the Carolina coast, we’ve already met our national rainfall average for the year. We don’t need any more, and I’m hearing thunder again. It just doesn’t make sense. I’m asking God and calling on angels to send just the right amount of rain west to California or anywhere that it’s needed to gently eliminate the fires. My husband who was once a fire fighter tells me a light rain will be best to prevent mudslides since there is little or no vegetation to hold back a lot of rain. A light rain will help those fighting the fires to get their work done more quickly. So let’s pray for steady light rain and safety for all.


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A Meditative Prayer

 

 

red glowing candle

On Sunday, having spent the night with my friend who helped with the estate sale, I visited her little church which is much like my own. Next to the hymn book, I discovered this meditative prayer. It’s helping me deal with something, someone, beyond my control. I hope you find it helpful, too.

 

AN INVITATION TO PRAY

 

Enjoy three deep breaths.

The first breath will help you be fully aware of your body.

The second breath is to clear your mind so you may be fully present.

The third breath is to open your heart and welcome the holy spirit.

 

Notice a question that draws you in.

 

Are you bringing someone with you in your heart today?

See that person in your mind’s eye.

Picture that person whole, healthy, restored, reconciled.

God is at work in the person’s life.

Ask God to show you the role you may play.

Are you counting your blessings today?

For what and for whom are you feeling thankful today?

As you get in touch with gratitude, express it to God.

 

Are you anxious today?

Whatever this is, God cares about you, and all those for whom you care.

 

Are you in need of laying down a burden today?

Hear Christ, the burden-bearer:

“Come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Be ready to lay down your burden at the foot of the cross.

Open your hands. Close your eyes.

Breathe deeply and slowly.

Empty your mind. Let sounds pass you by.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.