The Wheel has Turned

Happy New Year/Samhain to all the Earth worshipers out there. The Wheel of the Year begins anew October 31.

To Everyone else Happy Halloween. And to the Catholics Happy All Saints Day.

Wow. Seems like Oct 31st (and Nov 1st) is a pretty popular day celebrated by many different people from many different religions.

My studies of  Wicca (Celtic) have taught me that during this time the cattle were brought in  from the pastures and readied for winter. Bonfires were set around fields and ashes were spread in the fields to protect them from winters harsh conditions. Villages would light community fires as a symbol of togetherness and unity.  (frightening isnt it?)

Now for the scary stuff.

This is the time of year when that veil between the living world and the other side is thin. Spirits are said to walk among us on this night. People would carve spirits into turnips and place them outside their doors to protect them from unwanted spirits entering their homes.  So it is said that this is the time to communicate with and honor our ancestors and loved ones. Ouija boards are a great way to do this or setting up an area in your home with pictures of you loved ones who have passed over to the other side.  Catholics borrowed this day (Wicca/Paganism is older than Christianity by 10,000+ years) and established All Saints Day. A day to honor the Sainted ones.

Samhain/Halloween is also a time of year to reflect on the past year, the goals you established for yourself and if they have been successfully achieved. It is also a time of year to look to the future and set new goals for the coming year.

Colors associated with this time are browns, oranges and reds as representations of fall.

Gods associated with this time of year are associated with death. One that may be of interested is the Norse goddess Hel (not Hell but this is where the Christian Hell originated). Hel is the Norse ruler of the underworld. She determines the ultimate fate of people who have passed over.


Take this Holiday to reflect on your past, honor your ancestors, and plan for the future.
Happy New Year

Bright Blessings.

Banning Books

I have a very well behaved child. He doesn't back talk (much), he listens when we tell him to do or not to do things and he really didnt have terrible 2s and hasnt hit terrible 3s. (Well I just jinxed that). His kind heart shines when he unexpectedly utters an unforced apology for acting out or when he senses despair and wants to remedy the situation. That being said he does have his times when he pushes the limits.

We do not believe in spanking and no i dont look down upon those who choose to spank their children. I was spanked and I turned out somewhat normal. Anywho, i have to look at other nonconventional ways of discipline. He and I have established that if he hits or bites he gets toys taken away. The most recent being a toy gun i made him. Yes I made my child a toy gun. It was going to be a pop gun but i got lazy and didnt look for the tube that fits the corks. He bit me once and i warned him the gun would be thrown away if he did it again. Well the second time occurred so I had to "stick to my guns" and i threw away the wooden toy. You would have thought i started WWIII by his reaction. So once again he and I wheeled and dealed and we made an agreement that he would clean his room and help me do dishes for 7 days and i would make him a new gun. We are on day 3 and he is doing great.


  He loves to read books at night before bed and to be honest I love reading him books before bed. Book time is one on one time where I get to spend 30 minutes reading and laughing with on just the 2 of us. Occasionally I have to enforce a "no books" night when he acts up. Again WWIII waterworks begin. Little does he realize by me punishing him with no books I am also punishing myself. Whenever i lay down the no book law i always question if that is the right punishment for the crime but it always ends with him understanding that his rambunctiousness causes the outcome of not being able to read books.

As my old religion teacher would say There are always consequences to the choices we make.


Bright Blessings

You are an Oddity if......

Through my studies of Wicca I have adopted the belief of the three phases of life. For women this equates to the Maiden - young care free; Mother - caregiver, grounded; Crone - wise one. For men we cycle through as the Inseminator - young and dumb; Provider - care giver of the family; Sage - knowledgeable through experience.
The other day, I forget the situation I was in, but i realized I am no longer in the Inseminator stage. Yes i am still somewhat young and dumb (just look at my mutton chops) but I realized I have transitioned and have entered the world as Provider. During the Provider stage one reflects on accomplishments in their life.
I have accomplished a lot: I have a wonderful wife and son; I have traveled; we have moved to many different places and met some incredible people. The reflections that have run across my somewhat immature mind make me question my current and future state of affairs: Is being a 35 year old Graduate Student feasible for my family? Will we have enough to retire? etc. etc. etc. No, I dont think these are bad things to ponder; they are normal thoughts that come to mind and should be debated.  For a final rationalization  I look at the events that have unfolded this year with family and can only come to one conclusion: Life is short so enjoy it. Take each situation as it comes, live your dreams, be healthy and positive. Now I step up on the soap box - huhhuhuhhhmmmm....we as a society are entrained to view life as a downer. We are expected to look at people who roll with the punches, who minimize conflict, and seem too care free as oddities (Oddities is a great show by the way). We have become an 'Its all about me society." If we stop to help a person out or ask for help ourselves, follow our gut feelings, pursue dreams, take a moment to assess why a person may be upset, and look at our own faults we can all live a happier and healthier life. To end this post I will say I am very fortunate for what i have and I will do what i can to ensure it stays that way. Ok I lied one last little bit......In parallel with this "light" aspect of the Provider stages comes the dark aspect - being self centered and stubborn. So Jennie dont get too upset with me. Such is the cycle of life.

My moobs are under my dunlap

Well I had one of those moments. As I sat shirtless on the couch, drinking a large soda (yes i said soda) and wolfing down a Big Mac and fry, I looked down and saw what i have become: an out of shape sloven individual. It didnt really play out that way but that isnt far from the truth. Since prior to Easter I have been slovenly eating candy, fast food and drinking 2 sodas a day. Not being an active 16 year old anymore, my body tends to hold onto those extra calories and  promptly turns them into extra body insulation. Im not overweight by any means but rather have loss muscle tone. I am constantly reminded of this when I drive over a bump in the road and I begin to jiggle.  At least i can say I am not as large as i was when i was drinking beer every night, eating frozen pizzas and or chicken patties for dinner  (true story).

Trying to alleviate this issue i have been doing pushups every night since March.  I have seen my strength increase but have not lost much in the way of the moobs (manboobs). So now i have a new mission. Get into shape. I am now committing myself to continuing the pushups and will include situps and leg lifts. I want to tone up and at the same time gain strength. Look out ladies. Maybe in a year I will have the wash board stomach instead of the dunlap. My belly dunlap over my seatbelt.

The Divine Femine

Spring is here in the northern hemisphere. Christians celebrated this time as Roodmas. This is the time of year that earth worshipers celebrate Beltane, the impregnation of the Goddess by the God. Maypoles are setup as a representation of the union between the Goddess and the God as a celebration of fertility. Crops during this time were still young and farmers would conduct rituals and hold celebrations to help their crops grow.

Spring is about celebrating fertility and thus those of you who are the closest to fertility and growth, women. From Gaia to the woman who gave birth to you, we should celebrate what they have given us.

Mothers are special people. They are life givers. Most mothers hold a special bond with their children and are considered nurturers and caregivers. They have an uncanny since of knowing when something is wrong with their child. A mother is someone who is always there for their children, a shoulder to lean on and will listen to problems.

My mothers uncanny sense of wrongdoing always seemed to be in full force in highschool. Somehow she always knew when we were going to be doing things were were not supposed to be, usually drinking. 

As I observe my wife and my son I see these same interactions. Jennie takes care of Jack: feeding, bathing, teaching.  Whenever Jack is upset he wants his mom. Whenever Jack gets hurt he cries for his mom (But that could be because he is usually under my "watchful eye" when he gets hurt). Despite my attempt of consoling him when he is upset he always reaches his arms out for mom.

The bond between a mother and son is different than that of a father/son relationship. Moms are always  there for you through thick and thin. I look back on where i have been and how things were held together and i can only think of one word: mom. Everyone has their faults and difference of opinions but at the end of the day Moms are always there for their children.

Jennie is an incredible mother and i can see that in Jacks eyes and actions. I may not say it enough to her so Thank you.

Take this time and season to thank mothers...and dont forget Mother Earth.

Out of The Broom Closet

WARNING: I firmly believe that religion is a personal thing and no one should be judge on how or what they believe or don't believe.(side note: I also believe no one should be judged on race, color, creed or orientation.) This post will probably offend many but that isnt the intent. Theses are MY PERSONAL FEELINGS.  Read with an open mind

Due to the recent posts on facebook regarding my joke of Happy Zombie Jesus Day i felt the need to finally write this post. I say finally because i have been thinking about this post for a long while. I guess I will just come out and say it. I am not a Christian. I am Wiccan. There its out there. You that know me best already know this.


Let me start off by saying i was baptized catholic, confirmed episcopalian, was an alter boy and a server for years. I also attended 4 years of catholic high school.

I have many reasons why i am not a Christian. First and foremost i dont feel connected to the Christian church and never really have felt a connection. I have always felt more comfortable reading about the occults, paganism and wicca. Secondly, after branching out and studying other religions i actually learned more about christianity than as a member of the church. This is a major issue for me. The Christian church does not teach the history of their religion and where the holidays, colors, rituals etc actually come from. Ill wont leave you hanging...these are from Pagan traditions. Pagans were widespread throughout the world (and still are). When Christianity was on the rise pagans were killed if they didnt convert and in an effort to convert as many as possible, pagan traditions were incorporated into the church. Third, I feel that Christianity has become a religion of sheeple. Sheeple dont ask questions or move away from the flock. They think you should believe one way and thats it. Again IMO the way they believe is dictated by one man's or woman's (Priest/Preacher) interpretation of the Bible. Fourth, I believe the Bible is a man made book that has been rewritten over time. It is also translated from a dead language. How many things can be translated wrong from a dead language, My guess many. Many things have been left out like the story of Lillith. Also, people pick and choose what to follow out of the bible even though they consider themselves bible literalists. Example Leviticus 18:22. However they seem to ignore everything before this in the same book.

People very close to me are upset by homosexuality and are extremely disturbed that my child isnt baptized. Really.
I dont what my son to grow up knowing one thing. I want him to choose what he wants and to be who he is.... Not be something he is forced into and is expected to do because that what others want.

My crazy beliefs go as follows:
1) Duality  - God and Goddess
2) Elements of Nature and associated elementals. These can be called for assistance in situations
 Earth  - gnomes
Air -sylphs
Water - undines
Fire - salamanders
3) I believe in fairies
4) Celtic gods and goddesses
etc etc etc

In all reality i could go on for a while about this topic. Again these are my beliefs and reasons for not being a christian. I dont look down on you for being a christian, or a buddist, or shinto, or atheist or whatever. Be who you are. All religions have one fundamental belief; Be a good person. So go out and be the best person you can be.

If you are offended I dont apologize. Feel free to call or email me if you want to have an adult conversation about this topic.

Bright Blessings

Homeleasingship?

One of the joys of owning a home is the pride of taking on and accomplishing projects around the house. Completing the small must do tasks is rewarding but planning for larger more extensive projects that enhance the beauty and value of your home is titillating. And then it happens. the dream project which is about to become reality is quickly shattered. Shattered by the reality that others have control over what you can do on your property. These people are the local governments.

I had the grand idea to build a pergola in the backyard. After many rough sketches I had a plan and was about to make it happen. Then i decided to call the City to see if permits would be required. I didnt want all my hard work to be ruined by not pulling permits then having code enforcement bully me into tearing the pergola down. Of course permits are required for a nominal fee of almost $300. This fee doesnt include the detail structural and architectural professionally engineered stamped drawings that need to be approved before work can begin. Oh yeah and a survey of the property is needed as well. My little project is now over doubled in price.
Which leads me to ask,  do we really own our homes?
I totally understand having an inspector come over and look at the work to ensure safety. But really 5 feet set backs from the property lines (utilities are above ground), fees, numerous inspections to build on MY property.
Very frustrating!!!!!

The realization of defeat

Why cant anything ever be easy? This a rhetorical of course. I asked my wife this question and as she pointed out "This is life. Life is not simple."

This particular event all starts with my stubbornness and cheapness. "Why should we get a new swing set when I can fix our current one for a quarter of the cost." Mind you our current swing set is at least 10 years old. It all started a few weeks back with me opening my big mouth saying i can fix it. I can fix anything.

So last friday I went to Lowes to purchase the wood I needed. I  planned on having Lowes cut the wood for me because, once again, I am too cheap to purchase a circular saw. I load up my cart with pressure treated wood being that the swing set is outside and pushed the cart back to the saw.  The nice Sales Associate in a 10 minute conversation informed me that Lowes no longer cuts pressure treated wood. "How can this be I asked? When i worked at Lowes we cut pressure treated wood." New Policy that started this year. Then he informs me Home Depot doesnt do it either.  OF COURSE. So now i have 2 choice: give up or buy a circular saw. I did the latter. After purchasing the wood I returned home to begin the demolition of the swing set. My first objective - replace the steps. 

Saturday afternoon in the dead heat of midday i decide to tackle my task at hand. A simple 30 minute project turned into a 2 hour ordeal. I cut the boards to length and tried to slide them in the existing nocks in the wood. Due to the swelling of the wood and dry rot from years of weathering the intense heat of the Florida sun the nocks ended up being too small. So i ended up filing down each nock and had to hammer the boards in.

During my mayhem my dear wife came out and i showed her one of the boards i removed which was now covered in termites. upon further investigation i realized the termite damage around the entire swing set was too extensive and i raised my white flag. I can say that i planned a full out assault but lost the battle at Termite Hill. The battle was too great and i succumb to the fact that thousands of little bugs kicked my ass.... the war was over and I agreed to purchase a new swing set. One that isnt full of termites.

Out of the saw dust and termite poop came a shining light of realization.  I kind of like wood working and may have a little of that Gadbois trait. Gadbois/Van den Dyke our fench name meaning dead) No i am not as good as my grandfather at woodcarving (yet) and no i am not as talented of a carpenter as my father (yet); but i plan on continuing to try these things and learn as i go.

Needing the Enemy

I did something today that I didn't think I would do nor that I wanted to do but did it as a last resort to help a loved one. I don't understand addiction but have witnessed it with several individuals so I know there is something to it. I personally believe addiction can be solved or changed by shifting your mind set . I will stop doing X and put in the effort to stop doing X. The key is to want to make that change. If you don't want it, it cant happen. As a wiccan we believe when doing spell work one needs to have intent. You need the intent to make things happen followed up with working to achieve the goals you set out to achieve.
Its difficult to sit and watch someone not want to change when addiction has taken over their lives; to watch them hang on to influences that hinder their recovery and alienate themselves from almost everything they had in their life. You need to ask yourself how far are you willing to go to save said person. Like I said I went beyond what I really wanted to do but felt it necessary.
The control a person can have over another is both sickening and sad.  How that control is gained is equally if not more disgusting. IMO people that do these sorts of things should be quarter-horsed.  (and no i don't feel bad saying that). However, knowing that control is there can possibly work to change a bad situation that was fueled by the controlling techniques. Yes, I decided I would reach out to this individual as a last resort. If this individual helps  is another story. Either way it doesn't hurt to ask especially to save a loved one.

First Real Post

Who I am. and How I got here.

Throughout our lives we have dreams. Dreams of becoming something big or someone famous. As times goes on those dreams are usually shattered by reality, a reality that isnt your own but by someone's perception of what reality should be. Their reality has a trickle down effect that impacts your ultimate goals and desires. Life isnt about what everyone else wants for you. Its about what you want out of life, your happiness, and your achievements. Once you are sidetracked from your initial dreams it is often difficult to find the path back. It only takes one person to help you reach that path.

Introduction

Since it seems so many people are blogging these days i decided to jump on the bandwagon as well. Im sure no one will read this anyways which i totally get because i don't read blogs. So why am i doing this? who the hell knows. I think of doing things then just do them without giving it much thought. I highly doubt that i will post much (if at all) after this initial post.

If i do post here is what you can expect:
1) Discussions about my everyday life
2) Concerns, in-site and rantings about environmental issues
3) Political rants
4) Stupid and childish commentary
and finally
5) lists. Lists of what? we will have to see. Maybe groceries? Maybe to do lists? Not quite sure yet