DESERT GURL

Halloween in the desert

2009-10-26T17:57:00Z

We're ready for the little witches and goblins to visit us this Halloween. It was always one of my favorite holidays as a child. Parents in our neighborhood play it safe and drive their kids to homes where they know the residents. Or, they have special functions at parties, schools or churches for them to attend.

We try to give non-GMO candy that is not laced with herbicides. We also give fruit and homemade goodies. Trader Joe's and health stores offer alternatives. Living responsibly doesn't have to cost more...we just have to think it through...and do a little at a time.

Tip: When taking the little ones trick-or-treating, don’t supply them with a Halloween-decorated plastic bag or bucket. Those will likely be used only once, so choose a less wasteful option like a pillowcase or a cloth/canvas tote that is reusable year-round.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION:

GMO Halloween Candy: A Pesticide-Laden Horror
http://bit.ly/1tayul

Hope you have a safe and fun holiday!

The Great Illusion

2009-10-25T18:42:00Z

The Great Illusion

I found this wonderful site that is packed with beautiful images and wisdom of the ages. No matter what you have learned in life, you owe it to yourself to check it out. For the full message, you need to read all pages. It will be well worth your time.

One beautiful message to give you a glimpse:

Count all your blessings ~ not gold or position,
knowledge is wealth to the mathemagician.
Doubting is trouble and ignorance a curse,
strive for enlightenment ~ not a ride in a hearse.

Enjoy your weekend and I hope you see the magic around you!

Marion

Grab a mob...let's get to work!

2009-10-17T14:14:00Z

It's Fall in the desert...a welcome relief

2009-10-14T22:26:00Z

Fall has arrived with unusually cool weather for this California desert. I love the 70 to 80 degree days! It's good to see the coyotes again. They disappeared for over a year and I missed them. One of their favorite foods disappeared too...the rabbits. I'm beginning to see a few rabbits, but not many.

Living along the migratory bird path in California, I'm enjoying seeing families of birds I would not normally see traveling from Canada to Mexico for winter. Some of them are quite exotic. Next spring, they will travel back home to Canada.

COYOTES

While some of the inner city folks are afraid of coyotes (sometimes for good reason), we in the rural desert find them a welcome, everyday sight along with the other wildlife. They were here before we built our homes and cities, they are important to the delicate cycle of life, and we have much to learn from them. With California fires burning them out of their homes in the mountains, they will wander into urban neighborhoods looking for food. Where else will they go? Of course, people with small pets need to keep their animals close or they could be a warm meal for these predators. By learning to co-exist with wildlife, we will help heal the planet.

I spotted this healthy, young adult coyote yesterday across the field from my home around 7 a.m. still foraging for food. Notice the erect ears for listening with their super keen hearing.

The large, bushy tail distinguishes the coyote from most dogs. With his tail half raised, he is aware that I am watching him, but he's not worried about me.

Here is the same coyote pausing using the camouflage technique to blend into the environment so they remain hidden from searching eyes. During pursuit, a coyote may reach speeds up to 43 mph (69 kph),
and can jump over 4 meters (13? feet). To learn more about coyotes, visit this link.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK

I captured this image of a beautiful Sharp-Shinned Hawk one morning. I was alarmed to hear what seemed to be a big rock hurled at my bedroom window. Seeing the outline of a pigeon in full flight slammed into my window, I looked up and saw this hawk gazing at me, then purposefully turning his attention to the dazed pigeon on the ground. With speed and dexterity, the hawk lifted the pigeon over the fence to enjoy his catch.

The world is full of life and amazing creatures. Look up, look around and you'll be surprised what you might find!

'Capitalism' as Comedy and Tragedy Now Playing in NY and LA

2009-09-30T17:53:00Z

EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN should see this important movie. We know the system is broken, but Michael Moore tells us just how broken this system is. I hope you take the time to see it.

Tavis Smiley interviewed Moore last night. My notes below outline that interview since that segment is not available.

[My notes from interview with Moore]

Price we pay for this corrupt system...there is another foreclosure in America EVERY 8 seconds
Richest 1% have more wealth than the bottom combined 99% of us
Outrageous poverty rates, school drop out rates
40 million functional illiterates who can't read or write above 4th grade level
Rich have taken over our pensions
Americans don't know if they'll have a job in 6 months.

How did this happen?

We allowed the people with the money to control our country...both parties are responsible for letting this happen
In the 1980s, Reagan's "trickle down" theory - people believed they would actually benefit from this
We used to get school loans at 1% from financial aid offices. Reagan stopped that by putting school loans in the hands of the banks so we'd be in hock to the banks for 20 years or so.
Americans used to make money because they worked hard, created something. But we now have legalized greed where the 1% have taken our pension funds and played with that money (derivatives and other exotic terms). McCain and Republicans wanted to play with social security and medicare funds as well. They have crushed our funds for the last 10 years.
This is an immoral and wrong system for only the 1% to get everything from the rest of us.

Oversight?

Is somebody asleep at the wheel? Actually, the 1% have taken the wheels off. This vehicle is running wild over the cliff.
This deregulation began during the Reagan and Clinton Administrations. Bush got rid of the rest of the oversight and went hog wild.
We need restrictions in place to have oversight of the greedy. Greed is part of human nature and must be kept in check.
Lack of oversight legalizes greed. In their greed, 1% truly believes they are entitled to it all.
People who make money legitimately can't even borrow money to start a business.

Leadership

Summers, Geitner etal were instrumental in getting us in this mess. Hope Obama sees that those who created this mess know how to clean it up. This is why banks usually hire thieves for advice.
We went through the worst 8 years imaginable. Obama inherited a catastrophe. Wouldn't wish this mess on any leader.
In the campaign, Wall Street gave their money to McCain until they saw Obama winning. Then they turned around and gave their money to Obama. Moore still sides with Obama and thinks Obama will side with the people, not Wall Street.
People who are screaming at Obama already have health care.
If Summers and Geitner haven't turned the economy around in 1 year, Moore will be calling Obama out on this harder than ever, but at this point, he supports Obama.
With all the millions of people who voted for and support Obama, if he let's these people down, America will be in a grave mess.
Obama is still in charge...not his circle of advisors around him.
In his heart of hearts, he is going left if you look at his background and activities. This is why the right is fighting him so hard. Obama's instincts are right...and in the right place.
He has to be FDR...to hell with bipartisanship...has to fight for the people...must tell Summers and Geitner he will not enrich their friends.

Moore says he represents the people. He recognizes that no one is speaking up for the people in an effective way. He hasn't heard anyone say "Capitalism is NOT a democratic or moral system." He also says there is something evil about this system of capitalism. The people have no say in it...and that is not a democracy.

What can you do?

SIGN the Healthcare not Warfare Petition

SIGN asking your representatives to support HR 676

SPREAD THE WORD...Capitalism Did This

. . . . . . . .

You know where I'll be on October 2.

Fascism, Communism, Czars and Glenn Beck

2009-09-18T18:03:00Z

Kudos to the interviewer for not focusing on the most inciting signs or the folks with the most outrageous opinions. This interviewer is not sensationalizing these people or his or their views. Most of those interviewed seem sadly underinformed. Judge for yourself.

How do we as a society based on the decision-making power of an informed populace combat this problem? And if you're someone who supported the protests - what is the well-informed line being towed here?

Just asking...

The circus is STILL in town

2009-09-18T15:13:00Z

Yes boys and girls, step right up! You can have your very own GOP Clown College as a Flickr Slideshow! Not all clowns are created equal, but all these clowns are dangerous. Their talents range from low IQs, immorality, lack of character, liars all the way through to shameful American traitors. It takes alot of greed and hate to graduate from this college. Although there are some Dems who fall in this category, GOP Clowns juggle this act more, which is why they have their own college.

Just don't let this circus act ruin your weekend. Have a good one!

Enjoy the weekend!

2009-09-12T20:47:00Z

September 12, 2009

Here's something for fun...

Do you know what a FlashMob is? Check this out...finish until the end if you want to know more about how it was done...and enjoy!

Have a good, safe, healthy weekend!

Marion

PETITION: Censure Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

2009-09-11T20:28:00Z

September 11, 2009

Enough, already! It's one thing for citizens (townhall meetings) to go batcrap crazy. It's another thing for U.S. congresspeople to do it. Please sign this petition and share it with others. Your country will appreciate it.

Remembering September 11...911

2009-09-11T16:36:00Z

September 11, 2009

A date in common between Chile and the USA's "911". Video describes the fall of Chile's government in the '70s and how the US government and CIA was instrumental in this disaster.

Many thanks to my dear friend, Alba of Paris, France, for being my conscience and historical resource.

Keith Olbermann: "Joe Wilson, you're wrong!"

2009-09-11T16:05:00Z

September 10, 2009

9/10/2009: In a Special Comment, Countdown's Keith Olbermanncalls out South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson not just for his shamefulincivility in interrupting President Obama's health care speech beforeCongress but for being so glaringly, stupidly, publicly wrong.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) Proves Republicans Are Assholes

2009-09-11T15:53:00Z

September 10, 2009

What could possibly possess Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) to lose all respect for the office of the President of the United States to say to President Obama "You Lie!" in an extraordinary breach of decorum and protocol at the Joint Sessions of Congress?

Could it have something to do with the fact that Rep. Wilson's top campaign contributions come directly from health care professionals, the insurance industry, Big Pharma and lobbyists who work for them bringing direct cash his way?

The elephant in the room is raci$m. With all that Rep. Joe Wilson stands to lose, it is the deep rooted raci$m in the south at seeing a black man as president telling Wilson his gravy train is over that sent this idiot over the edge. Had this been a white man as president telling him the same, I doubt this outburst would have occurred. How dare a black man call him a “liar” for his lies and threaten to call him out on top of that! Wilson was right when he said he lost it. These are the same idiots who say “We want OUR country back!”

You can fill in the blanks as to how these people want their country back...

Should you worry about Swine Flu?

2009-09-10T19:30:00Z

I'm not a doctor or nurse, but I have been able to avoid the flu for over 10 years without taking a flu shot.

There's much discussion that this is a man-made virus to bulk up profits for the pharmaceutical industry. Rather than debate that issue, I will share with you what has worked for me.

I view all viruses, infections, bacteria and such in the same category as diseases. A good immune system built up through proper diet, exercise and spirit is my recipe to stay healthy. This list isn't complete, but contains the basics I use:

NUTRITION

* Avoid white sugar, enriched wheat flour (white flour), white salt. At a minimum, use these in moderation and as little as possible. I use Stevia and Blue Agave (natural sweeteners), whole grain bread and sea salt.

* Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) like the plague!!!

* Avoid refined, processed foods. The process uses chemicals and depletes the nutrients from foods.

* Avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated oils.

* Use olive oil (also good...sesame seed, flaxseed, grape seed and canola oils)

* Eat foods in the rawest state possible...fresh, steamed.

* Buy local, grow your own is best.

* Avoid red meats or eat minimal amounts.

* Pile your plate with fresh vegetables, small amount of starch, small amounts of poultry or fish.

* Eat lots of fruit. Eat fruit separate from other foods.

* Avoid milk.

* Eat nuts, legumes, salmon, tomatoes (tomato sauce is best), onion, garlic, olive oil, spinach, broccoli in your daily diet.

EXERCISE

* Yoga (improve strength and flexibility, control blood pressure, regulate breathing and heart rate)

* Walk every day (at least 30 minutes each day)

* Exercise and weight training

These suggestions are from Dr. Oz's "90-Day Live Longer, Feel Younger Plan"

Want to see what the organs look like when we don't take care of our bodies?

SPIRIT (mind-body connection)

* Pray or meditate on a daily basis, throughout the day. It centers and relaxes you, and slows the breathing. Stress literally kills us and these mind-body tools relieve the stress.

Beyond all this, whenever I feel a sniffle coming on or a lack of energy, I quickly do the following:

* Take "Airborne". It's an herbal concoction you can buy over the counter. It nips a bug before it catches hold.

* I take "Alka Seltzer Plus" an hour or two after Airborne. I do this every 4 hours until I feel safe from a bug.

The usual precautions apply:

* Cover nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw that tissue away.
* Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
* Alcohol wipes help, but should not be used often.
* Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. This spread germs.
* If you do get sick, STAY HOME! Don't spread your germs.
* Consider not shaking hands and hugging everyone

Warning signs warrant a visit to the doctor:

* Fast breathing, trouble breathing, shortness of breath
* Bluish or gray skin color
* Dehydration
* severe, persistent vomiting or coughing
* Not waking up or interacting with others
* Flu-like systems improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
* Pain in chest or abdomen
* Dizziness or confusion

Finally...

I received the below information in an email from a friend about H1N1 and thought I'd share it with you.

I don't want you to worry, but with all the hype and attention in the media recently concerning the spread of H1N1 virus, I decided to ring the Government's new Swine Flu Helpline yesterday just to check on what the symptoms are.

Basically, if you wake up looking like this...there's a problem...

So there you have it. Take responsibility over your health, but know when to get help.

Have a great day!

Wishing you Heaven in your heart, starlight in your soul, 
and miracles in your life in these miraculous times. 

Until next time, 
Marion

09 :: 09 :: 09 ... Imagine...a shift from "I"llness to "WE"llness

2009-09-09T22:52:00Z

The Vision

A deep sense of interconnectedness, or oneness, is at the core of decisions and actions that are life affirming and good for the whole. In other words, it will bring forth an environmentally sustainable, fulfilling and socially just human presence.

The omni present invisible field of electric and magnetic energy connects us all.

Energy follows thoughts and feelings. What we focus on is what we manifest and attract. These are the universal laws of manifestation and attraction.

Proven by quantum science.

By organizing a global 24 hour event with a focus and concentration on celebrating interconnectedness, we manifest and attract more of what we want on a global scale: a greater sense of interconnectedness as a foundation for a world that works for all life.

A shift from separation to oneness, a shift from Illness to WEllness.

The Day

On 090909 in every country at 9 AM in every time zone (starting in New Zealand), all people who are aware of interconnectedness and who are committed to translate that awareness into action are invited to practice interconnectedness as much as possible throughout that day. NOTE: You can practice interconnectedness any day of any year, all the time.

Visit this site for suggestions...

The Invitation

090909 is a celebration of interconnectedness.

In addition to consciously practice interconnectedness throughout the day we kindly invite you to:

Visit the site for suggestions...

Final thought from the video...NO INNER PEACE, NO OUTER PEACE.

Freaky Friday

2009-09-04T20:00:00Z

Petition - Now Is the Time to Tell Obama to Stop the War in Afghanistan - It Is Time to Bring the Troops Home

Petition - Will You Help to Secure the Future of 600 Indigenous Australian Vibrant Homelands?

"We all have equal rights to be clothed, to be sustained, to have shelter, and this also includes our homelands, big and small. These are places of significance to us, that have our song lines, where our names come from, where our dance comes from, where our art comes from, and where our law and culture comes from - it makes us who we are.

"Next week we are meeting with the Government to look at ways in which we can work together in partnership for our future in our Homelands. But we can only solve this together. When we walk into meetings at Parliament House, it would make us so confident to have thousands of Australians (and you?) there in spirit - then I'm sure they would hear us."

Please help by signing a petition to secure the future of these vibrant homelands

Soulgarden Horoscopes - Freaky (Full Moon) Friday

For years I have dabbled in Astrology. Soulgarden is a great find and gives great forecasts.

Try it. For fun...?

ARIES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V07oM1pLD9o
TAURUS:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eVuvSHvaks
GEMINI:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwwxsWrI4u8
CANCER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pndUQ10Dxw0
LEO:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jmBbuScdEc
VIRGO:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dctrrfxpRFQ
LIBRA:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwcHp75m5Y0
SCORPIO:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EpTrYTDNzA
SAGITTARIUS:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmRalA26-kY
CAPRICORN:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f17XeAmlJ4
AQUARIUS:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD9ebTpig1Y
PISCES:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVwD4F44s5k


Have a great weekend!

Wishing you Heaven in your heart, starlight in your soul, 
and miracles in your life in these miraculous times. 

Until next time, 
Marion

California continues to burn...hell right here on earth

2009-09-01T19:45:00Z

Trying to stay centered as fires rage all around California. The Acton fire is about 1 hour's drive away from me. The sky is eerie black with ash. 53 homes burned, 2 firefighters dead, thousands of homes threatened. The Station Fire is 5% contained with no let up for the next 2 weeks. One captain said if no rain, no let up. My heart goes out to these people. Please keep us in your thoughts.

This series of photos tell more than words ever could...

Station Fire

The wildfire also threatens an exotic animal preserve near Acton, Calif.

   Watching the flames in the hills above Acton...near me!

   A deer escapes the flames that have spread in three separate directions.

   A mother holds her daughters as they stand by their burned down home

   Firefighters sit with homeowner who stayed to protect his home.
   Gov. Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency and ordered
   evacuations for several counties.

   A night view of the fires along the ridgeline above the La Canada Flintridge area.

More images of the fire here

Current large fires in California

Red Cross - receive and give help

Sex Education? :: SC Gov Sanford Has More Explaining to Do...

2009-09-01T16:34:00Z

Sizzling: Mark Sanford's Evangelical GOP Fundy Chairwoman of State Board of Ed is allegedly an Internet Pornographer. She is an executive committeewoman of the S.C. Republican Party, as well as the woman responsible for drafting the party's education platform. Maybe some of the porn takes place in Argentina.

If this doesn't get Governor Sanford removed from office, I don't know what will. All this taking place in the upstanding, Conservative, Evangelical beltway of the south. Who would've known? I don't know about you, but I've had it up to here with the double standard, hypocritical attitude of the Christian Right-Wing, Moral Majority that doesn't practice what they preach.

Your thoughts?

Got an itch?

2009-08-31T23:55:00Z

This entry goes with my mood today. Enjoy!

Inspiration when it's bugger down here on earth

2009-08-28T15:54:00Z

Saturday. I love Saturdays. And though I'm retired and you'd think the days would run together, Saturday still feels extra special.

Saturday is such a relief after a bugger of a week. And this week seemed to be more so than usual. President Obama is on vacation and a fierce battle wages on to prevent his health care reform proposal from becoming law. The lies and fighting have become so vicious that historians are predicting this will be one of the biggest turning points in American history. I can vouch for that, as I try not to lose too many friends over this issue.

Then, Ted Kennedy died. We knew it would happen because he was terminal. But now? He's the grandfather of health care reform and he tried to stay alive to see it become law. I have several family and friends without health care insurance, so this battle wages close to my heart. One friend may die within a year or so if he doesn't receive care soon. Millions of people across America face this. That I gained five pounds this week, my daughter moved away and the tomatoes may have worms is so insignificant.

So this Saturday is very much welcomed from the storms of this week.

What's a girl to do?

I stay inspired. There's inspiration all around. For me, I watch the sun rise in this California desert, as the hawks fly in the morning sky looking for their next meal. Keeping the blinds shuttered, I put on the coffee and play some light jazz music that is not too loud to jar my husband from his sleep, yet just enough to rouse him gently with the soothing sounds.

A great cup of coffee. Step out on my patio. Take a deep breath of the desert morning air. Check the flowers. Are the tomatoes and herbs okay? Check to see if my husband is still asleep, or does the smell of coffee and music wake him? Call my daughter and tell her I love her. Go back to the patio with my coffee and watch the birds and dragonflies circle and flit here and there. August is the time of dragonflies. Did you know that?

I say a prayer. Grateful for my family, friends. Comfortable home. Fresh air. My health. I pray for others and the planet. This is not the moment to worry. I must help inspire the planet through my own serenity, the works I do and prayer.

I'm taking a mental vacation. Done this for years. I close my eyes and I can be anywhere on the planet. My best friend is now awake. We won't talk about the worries of the week. We pretend we are on vacation. Every Saturday for as long as we can.

I remind myself the Universe is unfolding as it should.

Galaxy song from Monty Python...thanks to my friend Janet for reminding me...

Let me know how you stay inspired.

Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy, Lion of the U.S. Senate, dead at 77

2009-08-26T14:00:00Z

from Politico:

Ted Kennedy, the liberal lion, dead at 77

Edward Moore Kennedy, Camelot’s youngest brother who never reached the White House but grew into the most accomplished legislator of his generation in the Senate, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port after a long battle with cancer.

“We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever,” the Kennedy family said in a statement sent to reporters just before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Elected first in 1962, the 77-year-old Massachusetts liberal was rooted in the civil rights and Great Society battles of that decade,but his enduring strength was an ability to renew himself through his mastery of issues and the changing personalities of the Senate.

Nowhere was this clearer than in Kennedy’s early support of Barack Obama in 2008, when the young Illinois Democrat needed to establish himself against more veteran rivals for the White House. Kennedy not only campaigned for Obama but, at risk to his own health, opened the Democratic National Convention a year ago in Denver and returned to Washington repeatedly last winter to cast needed votes to move the new president’s economic recovery agenda.

The arc between their careers was striking. Obama was born just a year before Kennedy came to the Senate in November 1962, and the younger man’s election as president marked an historic fulfillment of the civil rights debate in which Kennedy took part as a freshman lawmaker.

There were bittersweet moments too as the senator’s illness took its toll.

August found Obama vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard, just across the water from the Cape Cod home where Kennedy lay ill. And the senator couldn’t fully participate in the great health care debate, which had been his passion for decades and remains central to Obama’s legislative agenda.

As moving about the Capitol became more difficult, Kennedy didn’t return after an appearance in April. And despite early hopes, he was never strong enough to be the player he wanted to be as a health care bill moved through the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which he chaired.

Behind the scenes, Kennedy remained a force and had left in place a division of labor for the committee, which his old friend Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) helped to implement. Kennedy could typically work the telephones back to Washington for several hours a day as his energy permitted, and when the bill was finally reported July 15 after a marathon series of markups, he was described as almost giddy, laughing on the phone.

But Republicans complained that without Kennedy, Democrats were less willing to make the concessions needed for true compromise. As Senate action stalled before the August recess—and the national debate swung wildly at the grassroots level—Kennedy’s absence was felt more sharply.

This was one of the great ironies of the senator’s career. For decades, his liberalism and labor ties made him a butt of ridicule forthe right. Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) first came to Congress literally campaigning against Ted Kennedy liberalism.

But over time, that standing allowed Kennedy to be an agent for compromise, an independent actor with a penchant for deal-making that even annoyed his own party leaders. This was true on education, immigration and health issues in the past decade. No other single Democrat could provide such political cover for others when he opted to move to the center.

Kennedy was helped by his famous name and liberal credentials but also by his roots in an older, more clubby Senate that has virtually disappeared in the less personal, more partisan politics of today’s Washington.

Kennedy was third behind only two other senators in history — the late Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and West Virginia’s Robert Byrd —in the length of his tenure. Byrd, an early rival, rose higher in the leadership, but neither he nor Thurmond matched Kennedy’s legislative output. And Byrd, who grew closer to Kennedy over time, proudly boasts of one title they share: the only two men in U.S. history elected nine times to the Senate.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26443.html#ixzz0PICeSpcd