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Ok,
so we won't have a view of cattle, and we won't be serving in a log
cookhouse, and there might not be cowboys but.........we will have
delicious pancakes and coffee and it will be all you can eat for $5 and your money will be used to purchase a digital mammogram by the BustaMove charity! Served up by the #Halifaxchicks team:)
8:30-12 noon
Sat 19th December
Clayton Park Sobeys, Halifax
See you there!
What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?
Blankets. Chai tea and movies. Books. Winter-themed items. This time of year is nice when I'm prepared. Pajamas and slippers. It's been soooo cold!
The house is looking more spacious. Just a few large, cozy pieces of furniture and throw blankets for us and the cats. And winter mugs. I'm going to be reading stacks of books this year. I was browsing the local bookseller's store last night. I found a lot of great non-fiction. Yoga calendars. Travel books.
One magazine author was talking about getting gifts from people for whom she hasn't reciprocated. She said she considers that part of the ebb and flow of holidays from year to year. What a great thought. I think ebb and flow will be a theme for us this year. We don't need a lot of stuff. And to put together a good travel package so we can go anywhere and be comfortable.
**ps I apologize for any spelling errors today, or any other goofy behavior. My thoughts are obscured by pain. Nice to be among friends, though.
Read because: I'm listening to all the HP books on CD
Borrowed from: the Sacramento Library
Rating: 8 out of 10
Synopsis: Harry is back and in fine form in the third installment of his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His summer with the hideous Dursley family is cut short when, during a fit of quite understandable rage, he turns his Aunt Marge into an enormous balloon and then runs away. Soon, it becomes quite apparent that someone is trying to kill him; even after Harry is ensconed in the safety of fall term at Hogwarts, the attacks continue. Myriad subplots involving a new teacher with a secret, Hermione's strangely heavy class schedule, and enmity between Ron's old rat, Scabbers, and Hermione's new cat, Crookshanks, all mesh to create a stunning climax. The pace is nonstop, with thrilling games of Quidditch, terrifying Omens of Death, some skillful time travel, and lots of slimy Slytherins sneaking about causing trouble.
My review: I really like book 3 of the series. Things get really dark, with omens of death for Harry, a mass murderer on the loose, and some really close calls for the three wizards. I also love the introduction of Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman in my head), who is one of my favorite characters in the entire series. He's extra crazy in this book, and it's really fun to watch Rowling develop his character, not to mention the characters of other adults in the book -- Snape, James Potter, Pettigrew, and Lupin. I also really like Lupin in this book, and how he gives support to Harry when most others write him off. And once again, Jim Dale is the best audio book reader out there. (Finished 11/23/09)
Oh my, it seems like this bone-dry air has brought back my sinus infection. Sorry I've not been around much to comment. Being that it's Solstice and time for reflection, I decided to start my new years resolution list early in order to de-stress.
I resolve to adopt a more Buddhist philosophy. I want to make life easier on myself by spending more time with smart people and ignoring extremists. I'm beginning to wake up to the value of the international community.
Check out this comment by my Malaysian neighbor mfn:
It seems like quite a number of the skeptics of climate change are coming from the North America, .. Probably they are not experiencing the bad weather, the rising temperature, the rising sea level, and the extinction of species and habitats.
That may have been the reason why european countries are advancing in eco-communalism (not communism) and slowly moving away from the extreme capitalist beliefs. They want to be independent and sovereign like the US too, by focusing on saving the environment instead of sending people to war.
I'm all for it. My mom travelled to Paris a few weeks ago and she loved it. People are much more open to dialogue and often our friends overseas spend their time searching for the truth, not preaching their version of it.
I'm looking for peace in my life and I think a good cup of tea with a well-balanced person is a good start. I resolve to look to our international neighbors to guide me towards a more globally saavy and mindful attitude. And maybe then I can get rid of this headache (with that and a Netti pot).. :)
Recommended by: a bunch of people. Plus I'd read other books by Bell.
Purchased from: A Borders going-out-of-business sale, at 80% off. Woot.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Synopsis: "Is sex a picture of heaven?" Bell wonders. It's all about God and sex and heaven, he says: "...they're connected. And they can't be separated. Where the one is you will always find the other." It's the story of God becoming human, of humans mirroring God and love made manifest in the chaos of our humanity. Sex God is about relationships revealed in a way that elevates the human condition and offers hope to those whose relationships are wounded. In Bell's spare, somewhat oblique style, he addresses lust, respect, denial, risk, acceptance and more. He does a fine job using the Bible and real life to show that our physical relationships are really about spiritual relationships. This book joyfully ties, and then tightens, the knot between God and humankind.
My Review: I feel like I should have read this a long time ago. I've had it for a while and I read it in less than twenty-four hours. It was a wonderful picture of what God has set out marriage and sex to be. Bell really delves into how the spiritual and the physical come together and how our relationships here are a picture of God's relationship with us. It's fascinating, really. Bell's style takes a little getting used to -- it's sparse and really uses the white space on a page. This book, though, was probably the least-difficult to handle visually (compared to his other books). I wish I had it with me so I could quote from it a bit. Anyway, I highly recommend this book, especially to high schoolers and people who work with them. I could have used some of this information back in my youth-leading days.
I know this is not a big surprise for this week's Quest! This quest runs for 2 weeks so you have time to get some photos during this busy season.
Photos can be recent or old...you are free to use any photo enhancements, color or b & w or sepia tones. Make a collage, a Christmas card, a poster or just a single photo. Post how you took the photo and what enhancements you used.
If you haven't ever posted before just jump in and have some fun. No worries we are all learning here and enjoy seeing everyones photos.
Get creative and show the Photo Quest Group what Christmas means to you. Is it about the ornaments, the tree, the cookies, friends, children, parties (this is for Yan), pets, nature, church...what makes a Christmas special for you.
Since this quest runs through Christmas...I want to take time to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Maureen
This was the first time for this subject, shoes on Photo Quest. It was fun to see what you creative minded photographers posted for this quest.
First to post was Realworld with his Cat Shoes. I want to know how he stuffed that kitten in the shoe? OK so that probably didn't happen but what a cute, candid photo! Nice job Realworld as it is hard to get the cat's eyes clear on a photo...mine sometimes look orange or a strange green.
Next post was from Maju, with her purple sneakers trying to run away from the boring black shoes. Great composition with the purple shoe in the ROT spot. This photo really made me laugh...nice work Maju!
Then along came CountrybyDesign with a very mystical photo of her shoes in the stream of light. WOW this is a very cool photo and I think you should use this technique again with other subjects. I like the slightly out of focus shot here as it makes the photo have a more mystical feel.
Not to disappoint, Cap'n Stephel brings us some very Jazzy, Saxie shoes. Very nice play on dark and light and lines. I liked the second photo the best as it has just enough light to make me want to check it out closer.
Finally Yancunyong brings it home with party shoes. Japan must be a lot more fun than I ever thought. Yan seems to be parting it up big time. Loved seeing the shoes of his fellow party goers. I like the last photo the best...the red lighting and the reflection of the shoe was very cool.
Thanks again all for a great quest...hope to see you again next week.
Ha,
not a wintery picture today, but fighting back at the weather. Our
first really cold day has arrived. -27 outside. Thought I would post
something escapist. Sweet dreams. Taken in September. My brother built
the wee pool house this summer. They have a lovely home not too far
from here and visiting is like going to a resort!!
Last night I went to a Christmas Concert of the Rankin Sisters! It was wonderful!! A few times, the man sitting next to wiped tears from his eyes. Goosebumps, tears, laughter, fiddling, step dancing and the Halifax Boy's honor choir. It was a marvelous down home night.
Prize Draw! I will keep this wee announcement here on my blog until Dec 30th. BustaMove BIG PRIZE DRAW
For a mere $10 you can help purchase a digital mammogram machine &
be entered in our fabulous draw. Help make the boobs of Nova Scotian
women merry! Prizes are continuing to be added:) Winner takes all. Great odds! Thanks to those who have purchased:)
December Views
We will ply The Boy with massive antibiotics.
No cancer!!!!!
Fungal cultures not growing!!!
So we're officially at WTF.
Newest working thesis is bone swelling in jaw is unrelated to tissue changes in kneecaps.
Which become again caused by his lousy kittenhood nutrition.
And this lot is perhaps some unknown invasive infection of the jaw.
So three-weeks broad spectrum antibiotics, and cross our fingers that he winds up with a functional jaw after the dust settles.
After the first week we can be looking for improvement.
IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE DANG BLACK AND WHITE CATS AND THEIR MYSTERY ILLNESSES!!
GirlCat with her week spa stay at UC Davis because of unexplained fluid in lungs -- she got a spigot in her chest.
OliverCat had random seizures.
Motley had unexplained anemia to force us to adopt him.
And then picked up a liver infection.
And Lurker's got TK and his Bad Ways...
Next time I want a cat with a warranty.
