Take me out to the ball game!

My first foray in to the the 42 list was....... #9. Attend a Brevard County Manatees Baseball Game. I loaded up the kids, one of their friends, "Super Hubby", and my good pal, Jessica and off we went.

We had tickets to sit on the berm, which is behind left field. We brought chairs to sit on and the $12 ticket, also included all you can eat burgers, hot dogs, chips and ice cream. This made "Ender" very happy! During the 7th inning stretch, Manny the Manatee, takes all the kids under 12 for a run across the field. "Ender" was also very happy with that!

The weather was great, warm and breezy. The Manatees were trailing 2 to 0, in the bottom of the 7th, when Manatee 2nd baseman, Greg Hopkins #14, hit a home run! It landed on the berm and "Ender" grabbed it! He was so excited and yes very very happy! His big brother, Rabbit, took him over to the dug out and Hopkins said he would sign it for "Ender" as soon as the game was over! An error by the other team allowed the Manatees to score two more runs, in the bottom of the 9th! Manatees win!

"Ender" got the ball signed, and we went home. We had a blast and we will be doing it again sometime soon.

42 Things to do before 42!

Here is the list for the next year! As always, you are welcome to join me in any of these activities! I start tonight with the baseball game with Family and my good pal, Jessica! When I finish something on the list, this time, I will try to do a small blog post about it! But no pressure, some will get them, some won't!:-)

1. Visit Spook Hill
2. Go to the rodeo
3. Get a tattoo
4. Go to Dinosaur World
5. Have a garage sale and empty the garage
6. Go to Sanibel Island
7. Go on the Orange Blossom Express
8. Run a 5K
9. Attend a Brevard County Manatees Baseball Game
10. Take a belly dancing class
11. Go rafting or tubing in North Florida
12. Attend Miami Pagan Pride Day
13. Take the test for promotion to Detective
14. Go to Key West again
15. Go on a Haunted Ghost Tour
16. Build a spiral herb garden
17. Volunteer with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society
18. Go see The Molly Roger Roller Girl
19. Visit Mt Dora
20. Go see Classic Albums Live
21. Visit the Dali Museum  in St. Pete
22. Teach Reiki level 1
23. Make a fire pit in backyard
24. Volunteer at The Women's Center
25. Dragon Con
26. Visit Blowing Rocks Preserve
27. Start a Spiral Scout Group
28. Present Workshop about Pagans to Police Academy
29. Take Matt to St Augustine for a pirate adventure
30. Make Officers of Avalon a 501c3
31. Get on the bone marrow donation list
32. Give blood 6 times
33. Watch the Mama Sea turtles lay eggs
34. Leave a large tip to a server and leave a thank you note
35. Watch the baby sea turtles hatch
36. Start a garden project with the kids from PAL and BCC Environmental club
37. Buy a pair of cowboy boots
38. Get a drum and learn to drum
39. Trip to Atlanta
40. Write two articles for magazines
41. Make homemade dill pickles
42. Take the F.B.I. Statement Analysis Class

Birthday Demands!

The other day in shift meeting, the subject of my birthday came up, because I am the only female and I am older than a lot of my squad.

Cops are strange, the more we like you, the more we tease you. I know some will say that is a form of bullying but it is not. I love my squad and they love me, we have to develop close relationships, it's a survival thing. We have to be willing to put ourselves in life threatening situations and trust that our squad mates have our back. It's easier when you care deeply for each other. You also can't help forming a bond with people who have been with you through apartment explosions, car accidents, almost shootings and the occasional loose pig or alligator in the neighborhood.

So, our Lieutenant told me Happy Birthday since we are off on my actual birthday. And the jokes began. They ranged from old lady jokes, and threats of practical jokes all shift, then someone asked what did I want "Super Hubby" to buy me. S.H. is an officer in the next town over so my whole squad knows him, very well, at work and off work too.

I had no answer. This prompted lots of discussion about the squad wives and things they have asked for....when one guy said "More like demanded!" We all laughed but it got me thinking....... I am not a demanding sort of person. I like to do for my friends and family, it's how I show love. I go with the flow. But shouldn't my birthday be different? Maybe I should ask for just a bit more on this special day.

I wrote out a list of Birthday Demands and gave it to S.H. and the boys. They looked confused but I told them, this way there is no pressure for a gift or trying to even figure out what to buy, in the first place. I am hard to buy for, my interests change like the wind and I am always trying something different.

My list is very simple.

1. I get to sleep in as late as I want. (I made it until 8 AM, I couldn't lay there any longer! LOL)

2. I am not responsible for my regular morning routine of chores...putting out the dog, lowering the a/c, making the coffee, getting the paper, and making breakfast. (Simple, I know but nice to not have to do them!)

3. We will go out for breakfast. I am the only one who LOVES going to breakfast, so today we will go!

4. I will be on the computer writing, playing games, looking at Facebook or watching cat videos as long as I want with little to no interruptions except in an emergency! :-) This means missing digits and/or blood. This also includes if I am reading a book, out in the garden, at my Altar, or meditating!

5. I will be doing no chores, so the dishes, laundry, cleaning the litter box, cooking and anything else that resembles work will be done by others or will wait until tomorrow!

6. My phone will be off all day so no work call ins or fires to put out with any of my groups, volunteer places etc. If it's a true emergency, people know to call S.H. to get to me.

7. I will be taking the time to bring my laptop to get fixed, which I have been putting off, to do stuff for others. I love my laptop, I want it fixed. Today is that day! :-)

8. S.H. and the boys will be ready to do whatever crazy thing I decide we should do today with little to no complaining! Yes, that may mean going to that lecture on Backyard Chickens at the library tonight! :-)

9. If I choose to watch TV or see a movie, it's my pick. I know it's hard for the guys to give up control of the remote but they will be okay, this one time.

10. Any and all of these demands are subject to modification at any time, at my whim, so buckle up guys, it's my 41st Birthday!

After I wrote out the list, I saw one of my favorite places, Florida Wildlife Hospital is having a fundraiser all week, so I will be going to get a pizza and have 20% of my bill go to them....I "demand" you do the same if you live in my area! LOL. The Birthday Girl (girl...41...not quite) has spoken!

And if your Birthday is coming up, make your "Demands List", you deserve it!!!!

41 Things Birthday Update!

I only completed 22 things this year. The completed ones are in bold and underlined. Last year I managed 25 of of 40!

Some things like the learning archery and fencing...I took a few lessons in both, I would  not say I learned them but I did try them and it was super fun!

Thanks to my friends who help get me motivated and come along for the ride! As always whatever, I did not do, this year, will get added to the 42 list. Also, I have decided if something doesn't get crossed off the list in 3 years, I will take it off, it must not be that important.

1. Learn Archery
2. See Buddha the turtle get released back into the wild
3. Go to the rodeo
4. Get a tattoo
5. Build an aquaponics system  in the house
6. Have a garage sale and empty the garage
7. Lose 10 lbs
8. Go to Sanibel Island
9. Pagan Food Drive for "The Women’s Center”
10. Run a 5K
11. Grow more heirloom seeds or unusual foods
12. Take a belly dancing class
13. Go rafting or tubing in North Florida
14. Go to FPG
15.  Learn to use a sewing machine
16. Go to Cassadaga
17. Go on a Haunted Ghost Tour
18. Build a spiral herb garden
19. Get Reiki attunement level 3 
20. Go see The Molly Roger Roller Girl
21. Visit Mt Dora
22. Go see Classic Albums Live
23. Visit the Dali Museum  in St. Pete
24. Teach Reiki level 1
25. Make a fire pit in backyard
26. Re-do garden Altar
27. Fight HOA about chickens!
28. Visit land in S.C.
29. See an ADF Ritual
30. Present Workshop about Pagans to Police Academy
31. Visit Morikami Gardens
32. Get DNA done
33. Go to Jacksonville Pagan Pride Day
34. Go Vegan for a month
35. Learn Fencing
36. Learn to make hpyertufa pots
37. Put in application for C.O.G.
38. Start a garden project with the kids from PAL and BCC Environmental club
39. Buy a pair of cowboy boots
40. Get a drum and learn to drum
41. Volunteer

The Dark Moon and The Clootie Tree

I did my dark moon circle by myself, this past Friday....out by my oak tree in the backyard. I have built a cairn at the base of the tree and I have turned that awesome oak into a clootie tree. I had seen several in my travels, and always thought they were beautiful.

In parts of Britain, Ireland and northern Europe, there is a tradition of fastening a piece of cloth to trees, usually oaks, near the holy wells. The oak  tree is a symbol of long life, wisdom and health. I did see them in many those places but I also saw a version of it at Ephesus, in Turkey. An entire wall by the House of Mary. Here’s a picture.....very impressive!

 

In Celtic traditions, a ‘Clootie’ or ‘Cloot’, ‘Clought’ or even ‘Cloughtie’ is a strip of cloth, rag or ribbon is dipped in the water of the spring or well and offered to the tree or Deity.  This is done as prayer or wish to cure an illness or solve a problem. The cloth is tied to the tree, and as it fades and disintegrates over time, so does the sickness or issue.  Another way to incorporate this into a practice is to make a Wish Tree, where offerings are hung on the branches or placed by the spring or well. These offerings may include a coin, stone, charm, necklaces, medals, beads and any symbol of your faith. 

My tree is a bit of both, it has cloth, beads, shells, whatever strikes my fancy. I only started doing this about 6 months ago, so feel free next time you visit my home, to bring something to the tree. I can see it from my dining room window, and it never fails to make me smile. Here is a picture of my tree. Please ignore the huge blue rain barrel. :-)

So, last night, I stood out by the tree, cast a circle and then just stood there...listening to the night sounds of my backyard. I didn’t ask for anything or do any ritual...just hung out with the tree and in that way, was one with nature and my God and Goddess. I did say Thank you for all my blessings, and friends and the all around great life I have been given.

41 Things Update!

With 2 months and 9 days to go, I have completed 17 out of 41 things...I had better get moving! :-) The competed ones are the ones underlined and in bold! Thanks to my friends who help get me motivated and come along for the ride!

1. Learn Archery
2. See Buddha the turtle get released back into the wild
3. Go to the rodeo
4. Get a tattoo
5. Build an aquaponics system  in the house
6. Have a garage sale and empty the garage
7. Lose 10 lbs
8. Go to Sanibel Island
9. Pagan Food Drive for "The Women’s Center”
10. Run a 5K
11. Grow more heirloom seeds or unusual foods
12. Take a belly dancing class
13. Go rafting or tubing in North Florida
14. Go to FPG
15.  Learn to use a sewing machine
16. Go to Cassadaga
17. Go on a Haunted Ghost Tour
18. Build a spiral herb garden
19. Get Reiki attunement level 3 
20. Go see The Molly Roger Roller Girl
21. Visit Mt Dora
22. Go see Classic Albums Live
23. Visit the Dali Museum  in St. Pete
24. Teach Reiki level 1
25. Make a fire pit in backyard
26. Re-do garden Altar
27. Fight HOA about chickens!
28. Visit land in S.C.
29. See an ADF Ritual
30. Present Workshop about Pagans to Police Academy
31. Visit Morikami Gardens
32. Get DNA done
33. Go to Jacksonville Pagan Pride Day
34. Go Vegan for a month
35. Learn Fencing
36. Learn to make hpyertufa pots
37. Put in application for C.O.G.
38. Start a garden project with the kids from PAL and BCC Environmental club
39. Buy a pair of cowboy boots
40. Get a drum and learn to drum
41. Volunteer

Turtle Update!

On February 19th, I got a call from Sea World saying that "Buddha" was going to be released the next day and they wanted me and the other officers who help save him there for the event!

We drove out to Sea World and found out we were going to be filmed for the TV show "Sea Rescue" that is on ABC on Saturday mornings!!! Uh, no thanks! I let my fellow officers do all the talking and I just hung out with the turtle, who was renamed "Lazarus" by Sea World staff, because he almost died so many times.

Here are the Sea World crew doing a final weigh in and measure....then into the truck and off to the beach we went! Doesn't he look like he is smiling!!!

We arrived at the beach and carried him down and he took the long way but ended up in the ocean, where he belongs!! Here is a Video....I do not know when the episode of Sea Rescue will be aired,  but I will let you all know. Here is the crew, the officers involved (I look very short in this picture!) and a lady from The Sea Turtle Preservation Society!