I taste like Bread. I am a staple in almost everyone's diet. Friends like me are a complement to any other friends I get on with almost everyone, remaining mostly in the background, but providing substance when it would otherwise be lacking. What Flavour Are You?

BREAD? I get bread? I was hoping for Vanilla or Coffee or something else, but bread? Like everything else in life, it could be worse.

Good morning, friends.

I was feeling overwhelmed and anxious and decided it was time to meditate. I'm organizing another spot in my roon with Robin stuff and became overly emotional. So I lit some Opium incense and a spice candle, repressed thoughts of wanting to fix a drink, and begin my routine.

I crossed my legs, began head and neck rolls and cried for about 20 minutes. All of a sudden I was consumed with these words-- "You will have all the strength you need". I answered back, "No more-- no less", as if to extend the message I'd received and, of course, received no further enlightenment. Aloud I said, "I will have all the strength I need." Nice. I am at peace now. I really need to nurture this feeling, wrap my heart around it. I recited my favorite quote-- ( which some of you may be tired of seeing me type over the years...haha )

When you come to the edge of all the life you know, Faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: Someone will be there to catch you or you will be taught to fly.

...and I will have all the strength I need.

I really owe you guys a visit. I've not visited any blogs in a few days. Robin and I are finalizing our plans to go to Nashville and we're going to stay in a nice hotel and swim and eat at good restaurants and just make the best of our time together; just the two of us.

Lunabar Moon Almanack for Thursday, September 22, 2005
Phase: Waning, Disseminating Moon. Age: 19 days 6h. 13m.
Ascending Node is at 14� Aries.
In the 12th� of the Constellation _ Taurus, the Bull;
& in the 4th� of the Signe ` Gemini, the Twins
Souths: 4:29 morn. Sets: 12:09 eve. Rises: 9:41 eve.

The Fall Equinox is also known as: Alban Elfed, Autumn Equinox, Cornucopia, Feast of Avalon, Festival of Dionysus, Harvest Home, Harvest Tide, Mabon, Night of the Hunter, Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Witch's Thanksgiving.

Autumn Blessing
On this day of balance�between hot and cold, light and dark�we can find balance in an autumnal blessing. Use a white and a black candle, placed side by side, for this ritual. Breathe in the glow that comes from the equal balance of day and night. Decorate your sacred space with fruits and grain and harvest leaves, as you slowly speak this verse:

Protection covers me and mine,
Abundant gifts grow from Nature divine.
Mabon comes with
balance dear,
The second such time of the year.
Second harvest abundance flows,
Through our labor the storehouse grows.
We fill our stores through harvest Moon,
For winter�s cold is coming soon.
Harvest brings both hope and fear,
Harder times are drawing near.
Bless this house with abundance clear,
And bless all who are dwelling here.
Strength of the cycles
For all to see,
Bringing color to land and tree.
Red, yellow, brown, and amber,
Dress the forests, preparing for slumber.
My spirit embrace the dwindling light,
I am ready now for the longer night.
Protection and safety there will be,
As the wheel of the year turns, blessed be.
The balance now is
perfect and right,
Preparations made for Demeter�s night.
Searching she goes and searching she will be,
Till Kore�s return to you and me.
Mabon�s magic dances in me,
Autumn blessings to all,
So mote it be.

--By Abby Willowroot

When you're terminally ill, so much of your recovery is dependent on a healthy mental outlook. Robin doesn't seem to have a good outlook. She's almost embracing each gorey detail and I'm so tore up about her I can just take talking about it in small doses. I should be more supportive. She's always talked a lot about her health issues to everyone and when it's this serious, it cuts like a knife right through me. But there's really no rules of ettiquette when you're this ill. If you want to talk doom and gloom, you certainly have the right. It just makes it very hard on the loved ones. She's my only sibling and I've always felt like her protector and now I find it hard to listen to her. I want to focus on recovery, the chemo, and her getting well. Maybe she does need to wallow in it awhile and then we'll move on to solutions.

Daughter dear is still asleep. She went to a football game last night with friends and was home by 11. Hubby and I were discussing decadent pastries and breads and he decided to go to the bakery on Main Street and see what they have good this morning. Since moving to Hendersonville, we really enjoy the quaint Main Street vibe here. Literally. It has a thriving night life with several outdoor cafes and a few little clubs that have live music so it's always lively. The old bakery has an old wooden plank floor and is a small, shotgun style building. I'll have to look for some photos of our little Main Street. Can't wait to see what hubby comes home with.

UPDATE - 10.42am
Hubby came home with a box of goodies. I'm more of a plain jane when it comes to food where he loves all the fruits and frills and extra flavors, etc. He brought home key lime cookies, wedding tea cakes, coconut squares, lemon bars, date bars, bear claws....that's all I believe. I'm eating a coconut square and it's SO rich, I can't tell you how rich it is. I could only eat half of it. Maybe have the other half tonight. Excuse me while I drift off into sugar shock......mmmmmmmmmmm

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Seeing my daughter walk through the door. At 17, she's often gone more than she's home.
2. Going out with the girls or a friend enjoying each other's company. Either going to flea markets, out for coffee, or just visiting.
3. When my dog, Buddy, comes over to be scratched behind the ears and then smiles at me.
4. When my sister says she's having a good day
5. A phone call from my 83 year old Mother
6. Fresh, clean, fragrant sheets from the dryer
7. Saying grace together with my family
8. Counting my blessings
9. Hearing my husband pull into the drive. Since the time we were dating, I sitll get a churning in my tummy when he comes home from wherever.
10. And last, but not least...my relationship with my blogging friends, who are appropriately 10's. When I'm having a bad day and want to shut the doors and ignore the world, I can always count on you to know when I need that special word or support or encouragement. Many of you I've now known for years and consider you part of my sanity, and a part of my family, especially the SusanJayne visitors. xoxo

Now, invite six others to do the 10 things.....hmmmmm, well.....jump in there and don't be shy. I guess we've just about gotten everyone.

via Shirl, a definite 10.

Robin, my sister, got her biopsy results back from that large mass covering her liver. It's cancer. So she'll return to Vanderbilt and undergo chemotherapy soon.

Please keep those prayers coming....

Take the quiz: "What kind of eyes do you have? (with pictures)"

Eden
You have eden eyes. Eden is the color of water. Your eyes symbolize your great flexibility. You are a creative person. You can think of many good ways to get your point across to people as you have very good communication abilities. When someone feels down or is hurt, you have the remarkable ability to help them and heal them. If you have too little going on in your life, you may be withdrawn and depressed, timid, manipulative, unreliable, stubborn, or suspicious. Some words to describe you: peaceful, sincere, affectionate, tranquil, intuitive, trustworthy, pure, loyal, healing, and stable.

Hmmmm. I DO like the picture.

Good morning, world. Coffee IV, stat.

So we have the funny and the serious tonight.

From Bill Maher--
New Rule: When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to know in months. "27 Months." "He's two," will do just fine. He's not a cheese. And I didn't care in the first place.

My sister, Robin, has gone down to Vanderbilt, an extraordinary medical facility and university in Nashville, TN, about those lumps in her abdomen today. A biopsy will be performed to determine if the growing lumps are cancerous. Her procedure is for Tuesday, I believe. Please keep her in your prayers. Many blessings to you all.

Skye returns from her Ozzfest concert today. I bet she goes straight to bed because they didn't get much sleep.

I have to admit that the Captain (our last name is Cook--get it?) and I had a really nice relaxing time alone together. We came out of parent-mode and reverted back to two people dating again, so that's kinda nice. He picked up some Mexican takeout from an authentic family restaurant across town for us and we watched a movie together. Then later kissed me goodnight and went downstairs to sleep in his quarters, and I upstairs in mine.