It Takes Strength.....

*Higher Power, grant ME the Serenity to Accept the THINGS I Cannot Change.

(Addictions and the Destruction they Cause!)

*The courage to change the things that I can.

( Myself and the people I choose to Associate with In my Life!)

*And the Wisdom to Know the Difference.

( Putting the Responsibility and Guilt where it BELONGS, and LEARNING WHEN to Know the Difference!) *********************************************

This is known as the Serenity Prayer, I'm not sure if you are familiar with it or not but my best buddy who also practices the craft felt that it could be re-worked just a bit so that it would apply to a broader audience and therefore be accessable to all. I think it turned out very well and just had to share it with everyone...Thank you Coral!

My Ten Things...

I was listening to Ariel's new podcast on iTunes last night and the topic was gratitude. What a fantastic podcast, as I listened I began to realize when you sit down and simply list ten things that you are greatful for, your focus begins to shift and it becomes easier to actually change the direction and tone of your emotions. You become more positive, more grounded and able to focus on the things that really matter. Every day we run into situations that cause us to drag and dim our energy and just by listing the things that are blessings in our life takes that weight, that heaviness from our shoulders and causes us to be a more positive, productive person. I made a list of ten things I'm greatful for in my life and when I was finished I felt so energized, so positive! My aura felt clean and refreshed and I was more able to charge forth into my hectic day.

My Ten Things:

1.) My children.

2.) My health.

3.) My friends.

4.) The fresh air in my lungs when I walk outside.

5.) The feel of grass under my bare feet.

6.) My freedom to express my spirituality.

7.) My cats

8.) My electric blankie (yes, I did just say that...)

9.) The hard knocks in my past that made me who I am today.

10.) My ability to love and laugh loudly.

Things That Make You Say "Hmmm...."

There's something strange and quite mysterious happening in my house and it somehow seems to have gotten worse. Matched socks go into the washing machine but only one of the pair ever emerges from the dryer; children are given instructions but as soon as they hit a certain point in the hallway, amnesia sets in. What causes this strange phenomena... Is there anyway to stop it from happening....Why does it happen more frequently on some days and not others?! I have yet to get to the bottom of it but I do have a theory. I have named it the B.G.H.T or what I have come to call affectionately "The Battle Ground Hypotenuse Theory." I wanted a really cool name to help explain these bizarre occurences of the over flowing basket of mismatched socks and children that claim not to have heard what I said but all the really good names were already taken eg: "The Bermuda Triangle" or "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits" so I was pretty much left with what I lamely could think of. I wanted to put this issue in my blog to see if others have experienced these problems or it's just my overactive imagination...I hope it's not just me... I've tried little net bags and post-it notes but to no avail... I'll keep you all updated as to my investigations.....

Returning Sun Spice Bread

I love trying out new recipes and found this one the other day that I think I will try for Imbolc. It seems like a great recipe that I can involve the kids in too, they all just love getting elbow deep in flour! There's just something about the smell of fresh baking wafting from the kitchen....Mmmm!

1 1/4 cup flour
1/8 cup poppyseeds

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup raisins, plain or golden

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup butter/margarine

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

3/4 cup Karo golden corn syrup

1/2 cup light brown sugar

4 tbs. milk

1 large egg, beaten

1 tsp. mixed spices

(Equal parts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.)

Sift the flour, soda, and baking powder into a non-metal bowl. Add the mixed spice and ginger. Next add the brown sugar and raisins. Mix. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and the syrup over a low heat, then pour liquid into the well in the middle of the flour mixture. Add the beaten egg and the milk, and mix very well. Pour into a well greased 2-lb loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes. This bread can be made the night before as it improves with age. Makes 8-10 servings.

Good Witch or Bad Witch.....

Often when people find out about my spirituality, at the top of all questions first asked is "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" It never fails to give me a start no matter how many times I hear it, I don't know exactly why but as I'm hearing these words being spoken, my mind is instantly transported back to the age when I first saw "The Wizard of Oz" and Glenda asks Dorothy that very same question. To most folks I'm sure it's a very legitimate question in their minds and inwardly all the bad press down through the ages about witches and the craft makes me cringe. The craft does NOT fall into the categories of good or bad nor even black or white, the craft is an empowering; exhilarating and positive experience to those that choose this path and any other beliefs that classify themselves as anything else other than this definition in my opinion, are examples of attack magic and should be avoided. My main objective in starting this blog was to be an educational example of my everyday life as well as speak of the craft and how it weaves itself throughout my daily life so that maybe it can become clear that I'm really not so different after all, it may lay a few of these fears to rest. I like to explain it not as someone who lights candles; chants rituals makes charm bags (and occasionally participates in broom riding that results in reports of UFO encounters and general widespread hysteria because after all, we all know physics doesn't exactly work like that.) To me it's easier to just answer that it is simply a lifestyle or outlook on the world and how we interact within it and spells and rituals are how I approach the common practice of prayer that the "mainstream" religions follow. Lately, there has appeared an abundance of those who seek to remove the fear from terms like witchcraft; the craft; wicca and even paganism. The one I like the best is that of Ariel ( pronounced AH-ree-el) who moderates Ariel's Corner Discussion Forum. He has an excellent podcast titled "the Witches Primer" and can be found at this link: http://www.magic-craft.com/ and this one as well: http://www.thedcw.org/ They are chock full of wonderful info on just what the craft IS and so are the links on the right side of my page that will give you a glimpse of who we are and what we believe. I encourage those who read my blog to check out these links.

P.S.- I indeed DO own a rather handsome handmade broom (from an elderly gentleman in Oregon that made the brooms for movies like Harry Potter) but it flies above my door as a symbol of welcome and positive vibrations for those who enter my doorway.

Little Jeffery

Allow me to introduce to you...little Jeffery. Little Jeffery came to live with me after I rescued him from a cage in last summer's 104 degree weather. I struggled many weeks to pick just the right name and as soon as he had gained a bit of strength and a whole lot of energy, his name choice became apparent. Years ago Bill Cosby did a comedy special about an airplane flight with a four year old boy named Jeffery and if you have the opportunity, I urge to to listen because this explains the nature of my little Jeffery. Anyhow Friday night, little Jeffery snuck out and I was worried sick all weekend because I could not find him. I put up flyers, I sent out the children to ask neighbors if they had seen him and wandered the nearby streets in the dark calling "Here... kitty, kitty" (which only served to draw nearly every cat EXCEPT Jeffery!) Anyhow, I had nearly frazzled my last nerve when suddenly at 2 in the morning (Monday by now) I was in the bathroom when I heard a very desperate cry from beneath the house...I flew down the hall and out the back door and there he was peeking out from under the house! Little Jeffery was never so happy to see me! The children were very relieved to see him in the morning and as they lined up at the front door to go to school...there was little Jeffery, looking for the first opportunity to follow them out.....

Imbolc Is Coming...

Imbolc ( pronounced im-bolk or sometimes em-bulk) is a fire festival that marks the start of Spring, halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. It roughly corresponds to Groundhog Day, when tradition has it that if a groundhog sees its shadow outside the burrow at dawn, there will be six more weeks of winter. My daughter Meaghan was born on February 2nd and this day is always just a little bit more special to my family. Imbolc is one of the four principal festivals, and the celebration signals the middle of the season of long nights and anticipates the upcoming season of light. Some people make corn maidens from corn and wheat and the maidens are dressed up and placed in a cradle known as a "Bride's Bed". A wand, usually tipped with an acorn or other large seed, is placed in the bed with the maiden which is generally kept year round as a symbol of fertility. Depending on your particular path or tradition, there are many different ways you can celebrate Imbolc. Some people focus on the Celtic goddess Brighid, in her many aspects as a deity of fire and fertility, others focus their rituals more towards the cycles of the season, and agricultural events such as preparing the soil and planting times. I like to do my version of "spring cleaning" and give my house a blessing as well as a bit of scrubbing and involve my children in a few arts and crafts followed by a special dinner which is always a great time together as a family.

"Gimmie A Cheer...CHEER!"

It was an exciting night here in the little town of Battle Ground, the girls Meaghan and Mariah got to show off some fancy cheerleading moves with some real live cheerleaders at a halftime show at the local high school! Monday the girls attended an all day event where they learned some really kickin' moves (yes, pun intended) and a really cool dance called "the Freaky Deaky" We were all in attendance with cameras in hand to root them on as they performed. Great job girls, can't wait until Cheer Camp next year...

The High Price of Denial....

Today I find myself angry and feeling as if I have egg all over my face, it seems that my entry about Yancy yesterday has proved to be somewhat incorrect, well.... let me amend that... steeped in decades of denial. When I wrote my blog yesterday, I had just received a yearly update letter from my family in eastern Washington ( you know, the kind families send every Christmas to keep everyone updated as to what has occurred the previous year) and was very saddened to read about Yancy's death. Earlier today I found out that the part written about his passing was not entirely what really happened. It stated that he was serving in the National Guard in Iraq (which he had been) and had "died suddenly" however it failed to mention the fact that Yancy was on leave and at home and had decided to take his own life. My father's side has a long history of addiction and mental illness and of choosing suicide as an answer to life's rough patches. Family members down through time have come up with little excuses for these devastating decisions such as: "Auntie was reaching into the nightstand and the gun accidentally went off "... or..."He/she was so depressed, they just didn't see another way out"...and..."He/she always was the black sheep of the family." Why can't we see through the denial and teach our future generations that there are ALWAYS choices, we might not like what they are but suicide should never be one of them. Bring the shame out of the shadows for it cannot exist in the light. Mental illness and addictions are not topics to sweep under the carpet but to acknowledge and treat so our children and their children's children do not face the devastating results our family members have experienced before us . Such a high price for denial....

Losing Yancy....

I recieved some very sad news today, my cousin Clint lost his oldest son, Yancy, in the war against Iraq. Yancy Levi Goodwin was born just four days after my daughter Caitlin on May 14, 1988 and was in the National Guard doing what my family has for decades, supporting the United States of America to ensure the freedom of all who call this great land home. My father and his three brothers (my uncles) were all Navy men and served in WW2, something he and all of us were very proud to speak of. Although I shudder at the mention of war and conflict, I am well aware that without them and so many more whom stood up for our freedoms, my spirituality and way of life would not be possible today. The loss of Yancy breaks my heart and I cannot help but join the ranks of friends and family members and all those across this great country in grieving the losses of our men and women so very young. Let us all remember that without their sacrifices we could not call ourselves Americans, free to choose our beliefs, convictions and blessings. Good bye Yancy and blessed be your sacrifice on the behalf of us all!

Inspiration....

Today Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th president and I hope everyone was able to listen. I found myself listening attentively to his words and could not help feeling the surge of hope that has begun to grow in every heart around the world. Although he stumbled a bit on a couple of words he was to recite, it showed me that he is indeed human and suddenly he became more accessible, more "real" so to speak. I look foward to the coming months of his presidency and the progress that he has promised.

Food For Thought

Many years ago, my mother and I would endlessly butt heads about really silly things and over time, became estranged. For a long time I was so resentful before I realized that I could never be someone I was not just to appease my mother, I could only be myself and after many hard lessons, have become very comfortable in my own skin...blessed be the god and goddess for this revelation!

Anyhow...last week my mother made a rare pilgrimage from where she lives to our little neck of the woods in order to have lunch with my second eldest daughter Caitlin and drop off Christmas presents that she could not deliver due to our inclement weather as of late. At the lunch gathering my mother made small talk for a while and then suddenly inquired as to the welfare of my youngest two children Conor (9) and Meaghan (8) and myself.I was a bit surprised to say the least and Caitlin (bless her generous heart) told my mother that they were doing exceptionally well and I was very happy and doing fine too.

Caitlin then told my mother how beautiful Meaghan was growing up to be and out of my mother's mouth popped the remark " Your mother is very beautiful too" When Caitlin repeated this to me my jaw nearly detatched from my face and my eyes began tearing up.

Suddenly I became that shy little girl who would have done anything to hear those words from her mom and

I wasn't quite sure how to handle it! It took me so long to accept myself and become comfortable in my own skin and would have given away EVERY teddy bear I owned (and that was A LOT!) to hear those words long, long ago.
I guess my whole point is for every parent to know just how important it is to let your children know EVERY DAY that no matter what they do or who they become, they will always be acceptable and loved...

My Lightbulb Moment!

I had been working with my cards this evening and on a whim asked them what is something that I need to apply in my life at this time....The card I drew was the Magician. To me he was letting me know that I have all the tools at my disposal already to change my perspectives and possible ruts I may be caught up in.
No one is responsible for the state of my outlook except myself so I put on a cheery face and soon began to notice I was feeling a much more positive state of mind!