Got home yesterday (Saturday) after some good pie with other Quakers at the Norski (Norske?)Nook. Both my son and I were tired, hot and crabby. Not surprising. We unpacked, ordered a pizza and watched the Cubs, who won 7-1 over the Pirates. Arrr!
What a week. The last workshop was interesting, challenging and fun. We told jokes for about 45 minutes. Then Richard, the leader, talked for a bit. He said that he "did more touching" this time around rather than "calling out people's spiritual gifts". He hoped that was ok. I liked his touch. It felt gentle and healing. Then he proceeded to call out my spiritual gift. It was humbling and a little embarrassing. It was basically that my gifts come from my wound(s) and that I am able to be aware of people's feelings, but have trouble because I tend to "take them on". What he meant is that I need to "have better filters" as he put it, which goes back to my earlier post about how to help/accompany a person on their healing path without taking on, internalizing, their painful feelings. I found it humbling because I'm not sure what to do with his comments and embarrassed because he only "called out" my gifts, mentioned no one elses. And I believe that everyone in that circle has tremendous gifts.
I am trying to hear his comments, not try to figure them out. I am trying to let them "settle", which is a Quaker term that I very much like. It means something like-----when you aren't sure which way to go with some very intense information or a decision, that's ok. Slow down. Let go and let God. Find the good in it and let things bubble to the surface. Don't try to force things. Pay attention to nudges from the Spirit. It was an intense, powerful ending to a week of an intense, powerful workshop. But its always a letdown to come home and do the dirty laundry and be crabby. But I'm human and full of contradictions and confusions. Plus its hot.
Now it's good to be home. Poodledoc, Jr and I are sitting around as the temperature soars. The two dogs are lazing about. Its supposed to hit 97 today. Don't think we'll make the dog park today. Need a quiet day at home. Would like to go see the new Harry Potter movie. But everyone else in town (with the possible exception of Luminiferous Ether) will be there so think I'll stay away from the crowds.
Showing posts with label Cubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cubs. Show all posts
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
FGC, Thursday, 8pm
A busy, fun day. The workshop was wonderful as usual. I asked the general question: "How do I (and others) assist someone going through a hard time, or tough decision/life choice type of thing and not take on the weight of the person's pain? And if you do take on their pain, how do you ground that or release that so you don't feel exhausted?" (Two questions, sorry) Many ideas came forth from the group. One woman showed me a grounding exercise I could do. Some people bathe in lemon juice or shower in vinegar. (I am not making this up. These are people I trust and they say it works for them. Who am I to doubt them?) I have not tried these things as yet. Others said that what I could do was accompany the person and not try to "fix things", which is something I have tendency to do. Another person reminded me that I am not the person who's doing the healing, that it's only through the Light of God that healing happens. So, I can be a channel for God/Goddess/Light/Divine energy. I've experienced that in my veterinary work.
I went to a distressing yet fascinating exhibit called "Traces". It's about German-American Internment during WW2. General George Marshall (you know, the guy that cooked up the Marshall Plan) concocted this plan to kidnap German-Americans from America and many Latin American countries, put them into camps here, for use in exchanges with the Germans or Japanese. These humans would be exchanged for "American Nationals" held prisoner by those evil Japanese and German warmongers. People were taken away in the night. A large number of these German-Americans were sent back to Germany, many of them being Jewish. No one will ever know if they were sent to their deaths in the camps there. So this is one of the precedents for keeping the "enemy combatants" at Guantanamo. Possibly until they die, it seems. The US government has imprisoned it's own citizens, other country's citizens and well........pretty much everyone has been "victims" of the US government. The blue prints for Auschwitz are still available. All that would be needed at Gitmo would be gas chambers and a few crematoria. Voila'! The Final Solution appears again. As it has already in so many places since the Second World War and before that. And way before that.
During the Second World War, German prisoners of war worked on my dad's farm in Nebraska, had plenty of food, no fences, other than the ones for pigs and cattle. Some of them even got to eat in restaurants, while the black people could only eat in back if they could eat there at all. Why does this all keep repeating? I'm still struggling with God's plan. How does this fit? I still believe in God but what's the deal?
Then Mrs Ether, Grace Ether and Poodledoc, Jr climbed into her car for a trip to the Franconia Sculpture Gardens, just over the border in Minnesota. Well, we basically got lost, had some fun and frustration but after a quick cell phone chat with Mr Ether, we were able to use our trusty GPS system (aka a Wisconsin road map) to locate the Garden. It was funky, spooky and beautiful. Did I say it was odd? Well it was odd? But it was fun. We were a little late getting back so had to do the drive thru at DQ. Luckily, they were serving Dilly-Foo burgers (that's their new health-conscious tofu burger). Poodledoc, Jr opted for the Dilly-Foo Chili Dog, which he said was simply a "taste treat". Then he and Grace went off swimming and I ran to the Gathering Bookstore for one more "fix". I'm a book junkie. And I'm not recovering.
Feeling good but tired. Tomorrow's the last full day of the Gathering. Then home to Madison. Poodledoc, Jr is really missing his mom and his wonder dog, Lenny. I'm really missing my dog, but looking forward to seeing him and re-arranging my apartment now that my roommate is gone.
And...............the Cubs are only 5 games behind the Brewers. At last my prediction that the Cubs will win the World Series is coming true! (of course, I predict this every year and predictably, the Cubs fold at some point during the season. But I'm a hopeful person. Not delusional. Hopeful!)
I went to a distressing yet fascinating exhibit called "Traces". It's about German-American Internment during WW2. General George Marshall (you know, the guy that cooked up the Marshall Plan) concocted this plan to kidnap German-Americans from America and many Latin American countries, put them into camps here, for use in exchanges with the Germans or Japanese. These humans would be exchanged for "American Nationals" held prisoner by those evil Japanese and German warmongers. People were taken away in the night. A large number of these German-Americans were sent back to Germany, many of them being Jewish. No one will ever know if they were sent to their deaths in the camps there. So this is one of the precedents for keeping the "enemy combatants" at Guantanamo. Possibly until they die, it seems. The US government has imprisoned it's own citizens, other country's citizens and well........pretty much everyone has been "victims" of the US government. The blue prints for Auschwitz are still available. All that would be needed at Gitmo would be gas chambers and a few crematoria. Voila'! The Final Solution appears again. As it has already in so many places since the Second World War and before that. And way before that.
During the Second World War, German prisoners of war worked on my dad's farm in Nebraska, had plenty of food, no fences, other than the ones for pigs and cattle. Some of them even got to eat in restaurants, while the black people could only eat in back if they could eat there at all. Why does this all keep repeating? I'm still struggling with God's plan. How does this fit? I still believe in God but what's the deal?
Then Mrs Ether, Grace Ether and Poodledoc, Jr climbed into her car for a trip to the Franconia Sculpture Gardens, just over the border in Minnesota. Well, we basically got lost, had some fun and frustration but after a quick cell phone chat with Mr Ether, we were able to use our trusty GPS system (aka a Wisconsin road map) to locate the Garden. It was funky, spooky and beautiful. Did I say it was odd? Well it was odd? But it was fun. We were a little late getting back so had to do the drive thru at DQ. Luckily, they were serving Dilly-Foo burgers (that's their new health-conscious tofu burger). Poodledoc, Jr opted for the Dilly-Foo Chili Dog, which he said was simply a "taste treat". Then he and Grace went off swimming and I ran to the Gathering Bookstore for one more "fix". I'm a book junkie. And I'm not recovering.
Feeling good but tired. Tomorrow's the last full day of the Gathering. Then home to Madison. Poodledoc, Jr is really missing his mom and his wonder dog, Lenny. I'm really missing my dog, but looking forward to seeing him and re-arranging my apartment now that my roommate is gone.
And...............the Cubs are only 5 games behind the Brewers. At last my prediction that the Cubs will win the World Series is coming true! (of course, I predict this every year and predictably, the Cubs fold at some point during the season. But I'm a hopeful person. Not delusional. Hopeful!)
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Holy Cow! Cubs Win!
Well, the Chicago Cubs finally won after losing 6 (or was it 8) games in a row, all in the most pathetic ways possible.
And during the game, none of the players got into fist fights.
No umpires had dirt kicked on their shiny shoes.
No hats were thrown. At least not by players or managers.
There are 110 games left.
A World Championship is still within their grasp.
As Gandalf said, "There's always hope". Gandalf must have been a Cub fan.
And during the game, none of the players got into fist fights.
No umpires had dirt kicked on their shiny shoes.
No hats were thrown. At least not by players or managers.
There are 110 games left.
A World Championship is still within their grasp.
As Gandalf said, "There's always hope". Gandalf must have been a Cub fan.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Blessings
6:30 pm
Foot elevated listening to Richard Thompson live on Austin City Limits. Foot is swollen but less painful, unless I accidentally put weight on it, which the doctors do no want me to do. Watched the Cubs beat the Brewers. They looked good. I predict, as I always do, that the Cubs will win the Series this year. But everyone's picking the Mets. So............my scenario is that this year the Cubs will beat out the Mets, thus getting revenge for the total humiliation that every Cub fan my age feels, when the Cubs blew a 10 game lead in August of 1969 to the "Miracle Mets", who went on to win the Series. I can't go down the Miracle Whip aisle at the store without PTSD symptoms shaking through my body. Seriously. Then there's Steve Bartman. In 2003, the Cubs were FIVE OUTS AWAY from going to the Series when he, for reasons known only to himself, interferred with a catchable foul ball. The Cubs went on to lose. He had to go into the Witness Protection Program. Got death threats. Now that's a bit scary and extreme, but I have to admit that whenever his name pops into my head, it challenges my Quaker beliefs about "there's that of God in everyone". Seriously. Well, sort of seriously. Actually, with several years of therapy, I've been able to feel compassion for the man.
But today I've been reflecting on the kindness of my friends. Calls to offer help. Calls to check in. Take me to dinner. Lots of people walking my poodle. He likes the attention, but keeps looking at me wondering why I'm sitting on my butt! Another friend took me to the grocery store today. Pushed the cart. I'm moving a bit slow. My boss (who is also a friend!) has been very supportive through this. I am grateful for all these friends, some of whom I've known for over 25 years. My Quaker Meeting has been great. I am blessed to have such people in my life.
Looking forward to seeing my son tomorrow. He's been gone for the last week on a trip with his mom to the Ozarks. Sounds like he had a great time. Thanks, friends!
Foot elevated listening to Richard Thompson live on Austin City Limits. Foot is swollen but less painful, unless I accidentally put weight on it, which the doctors do no want me to do. Watched the Cubs beat the Brewers. They looked good. I predict, as I always do, that the Cubs will win the Series this year. But everyone's picking the Mets. So............my scenario is that this year the Cubs will beat out the Mets, thus getting revenge for the total humiliation that every Cub fan my age feels, when the Cubs blew a 10 game lead in August of 1969 to the "Miracle Mets", who went on to win the Series. I can't go down the Miracle Whip aisle at the store without PTSD symptoms shaking through my body. Seriously. Then there's Steve Bartman. In 2003, the Cubs were FIVE OUTS AWAY from going to the Series when he, for reasons known only to himself, interferred with a catchable foul ball. The Cubs went on to lose. He had to go into the Witness Protection Program. Got death threats. Now that's a bit scary and extreme, but I have to admit that whenever his name pops into my head, it challenges my Quaker beliefs about "there's that of God in everyone". Seriously. Well, sort of seriously. Actually, with several years of therapy, I've been able to feel compassion for the man.
But today I've been reflecting on the kindness of my friends. Calls to offer help. Calls to check in. Take me to dinner. Lots of people walking my poodle. He likes the attention, but keeps looking at me wondering why I'm sitting on my butt! Another friend took me to the grocery store today. Pushed the cart. I'm moving a bit slow. My boss (who is also a friend!) has been very supportive through this. I am grateful for all these friends, some of whom I've known for over 25 years. My Quaker Meeting has been great. I am blessed to have such people in my life.
Looking forward to seeing my son tomorrow. He's been gone for the last week on a trip with his mom to the Ozarks. Sounds like he had a great time. Thanks, friends!
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