~~Joyfully Pagan in June~~

[wombatclay]

I didn't see another thread sooooo...

Already the shrill lark is out of sight,

Flooding with waves of song this silent dell, -

Ah! there is something more in that bird's flight

Than could be tested in a crucible! -

But the air freshens, let us go, why soon

The woodmen will be here;

how we have lived this night of June!
 

The poem is by Oscar Wilde, the title is Garden of Eros, and you can find the whole long glorious story of pagan happenings in the days and nights of June here.

Anyone planning their Summer Solstice celebrations?  This site looked pretty nice with glorious waldorf/nature pictures to go along with the fun suggestions.  There's also a nice discussion of Litha/Solstice here and a list of recipes on the Pagan Soccer Mom blog here.

[wombatclay]

Still hot as blazes, but it's supposed to cool down to a seasonally appropriate 70 or so by the weekend.  And it's the Ithaca Festival this weekend!  And dd2's 4th birthday!

So it'll be fun even if the weather is still evil.  LOL

[_ktg_]

subbing - but also running out of work, so I will be back after I kick off my shoes and run through the grass a couple of times!

[Valerie.Qc]

Subbing!

I hope I'll be able to follow this thread... Crazy month!

[Maiasaura]

I'm here, I'm here! I don't know why, but I was a page or two behind in the May thread. I stopped getting notifications, even though I haven't changed anything. GRRRR.

So, we are not going to PSG, though I really want to. They've changed their venue yet again, to Illinois, about an hour west of Chicago. I've never been up that way. It sounds gorgeous. BUT-- it'd be a two-day drive each way, and that means two motels, 4 days worth of gas, and we just can't justify it this year. Too much money.

So here's what we're doing instead: http://ncpagansoutdoors.com/pagan-wilderness-weekend-2011/ We went to this a couple times when ds was younger, and I know the people that started it. It looks to be turning into a mini-PSG only local and way cheaper, so I'm down with that

I have not got my tickets yet for MA I am still waiting to hear from the ex-roomie on whether or not she can help me out! I am afraid to book a flight until I know. I don't want to get stuck with tickets and not have childcare. That would suck in the worst way.

Good news, though! GREAT news, actually. There is a recapture tax with my loan, BUT, I have to meet all three criteria in order to get hit with the tax, and I only meet one So, selling my house is a go! I can put it on the market! This is one area where not making a profit is a good thing. LOL.

[sweetsunshine85]

subbing

[vydalea]

Hello, ladies!    I've been lurking around your message board for a month and thought it was high time I revealed myself!  I started getting to know more about paganism as I did my Treasure Map this year and have found it to be very much in line with my hybrid mishmash of beliefs.  I have already learned so much from you ladies!

My daughter, Z, is just a year old and my biggest concern was how to go about celebrating major holidays.  Her grandparents get her Easter baskets, etc. and I wanted to make sure that she knew OUR meaning behind it - which was when I came here to MDC and sought out you all.  So I bought my Celebrating the Great Mother book and have gotten many wonderful ideas here.  (thank you!)

It turns out DH and I have been very pagan-centered for years, we just didn't know the name for it! haha.  We did a baby blessing/welcoming ceremony at a local park for Z which was kind of like our "coming out" to our parents that we were NOT raising Z in a Christian tradition.  Our families commented that they were amazed at the beauty and closeness to their own spirituality they felt.  It was really an amazing and important day for us. 

I'm starting to plan our very first summer solstice celebration and look forward to learning more ideas here and sharing!! 

[wombatclay]

Welcome vydalea!  Glad you've joined the circle!  :)

Maia- that's great news about the tax and the local gathering (though boo hiss about PSG and being in limbo about MA).

Circle o' Life- one of our chicks has gone to the coop in the sky... they don't have names yet since they're still pretty much uniform in looks/attitude but we think this chick was the "bottom rung" of the flock and was killed by the other birds.  Chickens can be fairly nasty/cannibalistic and "hen pecked" isn't just a phrase... they really will peck each other to death if things go "wrong", and, well, looks like things went wrong.  :(  Fortunately DH found the remains before the kids went out... he said it was pretty messy.  On the up side, the new coop is nearly done... floor and roof and two walls are up.  Just two more walls and some chicken wire and they can move in!  We'll still be working on it though... it needs shingles, paint, windows, and other "pretty stuff" but yay!  I'm a happy camper and I think this coop will rock!  The floor is 8ft X 12ft (the sloped roof makes it 8.5ft in front and 6ft in the rear) and it'll be divided into sections.  The actual "chicken habitat" is 8ftx4ft (again with 8.5ft roof sloping down to 6ft), stacked roosting branches, and nesting boxes.  This is chicken wired off from the remaining 8x8 section that will hold feed, bedding, lawn tools, storage, etc.  Sweet!

weather- the cold front last night gifted us with a mid60s brilliant blue sky breezey day.  Of course, tonight it's supposed to dip into the 30s so there's a "price" for the cool but still!  After a few days of 90 I'm willing to pay.  I just hope the plants don't get shocked.

Oh!  The parade/festival theme this year is Midsummer's Night's Dream!  Perfect run up to Solstice.  :)

[_ktg_]

Ugh Clay - sorry to hear about the loss of a chick and the coop sounds so spacious for the chicklets. Of course you'll need to post pictures when you're done!  Have you considered putting/submitting the plans to Ana White's blog?   I'm drooling over a couple of projects there, which I hope will be completed this summer (a nice dining table and benches!!)

Welcome Vydalea! 

Is everyone from our circle in MA ok?  I just saw this morning about the tornadoes which tore through the state yesterday.    Keeping everyone in my thoughts right now with this and hopefully we can get through this violent spring.

Maia - sorry to hear about PSG, though I still want to check it out but the price is steeeeeeep.  Awesome news about the house and the recapture tax.  Hopefully you can book those tickets soon for MA.

I'm getting excited as I'm about to get my first batch of milk kefir grains (from a wonderful MDC momma) and now I'm looking into water kefir too so we can boost our probiotic intake as a family.  I'm pretty sure the boys would benefit from this greatly with their tummies (especially DH). 

Off to my last of work for this week as I'm taking Friday off to get ready for DS1's birthday party on Saturday.  I can't believe he is going to be 5!!!??!!  I'm shocked to see that the time has flown by.  Family is coming into town and even our very close friends from Seattle, (actually they are J& S's "god/dessmommas") though they are coming for a funeral  but now they want to go to the party. 

Happy Thursday to everyone, and happy new moon too!!

[Maiasaura]

Sunshine, your profile pic is so cute!!

Originally Posted by vydalea Hello, ladies!    I've been lurking around your message board for a month and thought it was high time I revealed myself!  I started getting to know more about paganism as I did my Treasure Map this year and have found it to be very much in line with my hybrid mishmash of beliefs.  I have already learned so much from you ladies!

Welcome and MM! My ds is 10yo, and in hindsight-- oh my, I wanted to do so much for him, but now I realize that 1yo is way too little to absorb anything Even two is, IMO. I did start "waking up" the trees and all, on Imbolc, with him, at around 2yo, but I don't think he remembers it. We did a baby blessing too, at 6mo old, though my family of origin was not there. My mom was kind of mortified that I didn't have him baptized, though she's not really religious (it's just What You Do). I said "why would I do that?" and she sputtered and said "well...um...to save his soul!", to which I replied that in my faith tradition, we don't believe the soul needs saving. End of conversation.

Now that he's 10, though, he is thinking about taking Catholic lessons, and if he did, he'd have to go and get himself baptized. He likes the ritual of Catholicism, but he thinks grown-up church is boring

Originally Posted by wombatclay Circle o' Life- one of our chicks has gone to the coop in the sky... they don't have names yet since they're still pretty much uniform in looks/attitude but we think this chick was the "bottom rung" of the flock and was killed by the other birds.  Chickens can be fairly nasty/cannibalistic and "hen pecked" isn't just a phrase... they really will peck each other to death if things go "wrong", and, well, looks like things went wrong.  :( 

Oh, no yeah, "pecking order" comes from that, too. Poor little thing. Glad your DH found it first. The coop sounds sweet! Nearly big enough for a studio apartment

Originally Posted by _ktg_ Is everyone from our circle in MA ok?  I just saw this morning about the tornadoes which tore through the state yesterday.    Keeping everyone in my thoughts right now with this and hopefully we can get through this violent spring.

Maia - sorry to hear about PSG, though I still want to check it out but the price is steeeeeeep.  Awesome news about the house and the recapture tax.  Hopefully you can book those tickets soon for MA.

Yeah, I was on the phone with M every 10 minutes making sure he was OK. He's on the 2nd floor, and couldn't get out either door because the hail was blocking them shut. So I said "What are you going to do??" and he said "Eat ice cream"

Steep? You think? I think it's an incredible deal considering what you get. I can't imagine getting away with that kind of price for any other vacation. You'd have to spend the money for food anyway, for a week, and all the workshops and music and what-not are free, once you're in. You'd have to spend the gas money anyway. You'd have to pay for lodging and food and whatever. I dunno, I think it's a sweet deal, always have. I just can't justify the gas this year, and the two motel stays, and road food.

Yeah, I am VERY stoked about the recapture tax not being an issue. Plus, because of some mistakes, it looks to the IRS like I made $96,000 the year I bought my house (as IF!!!! I sure wish.) so there's no way my income will look like "significantly more" than at closing. And I will have to take a hit on the price of the house-- I can't even list it for much more than, say, $10K LESS than what I paid for it. So yeah, I think I'm in the clear

As for MA-- my ex roomie hasn't called back yet. I really, really need to cement a caregiver so I can get tix before they skyrocket! I'm pretty anxious, but trying to leave it to the Universe.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

 I just can't justify the gas this year, and the two motel stays, and road food.

You did know that I was halfway between you and PSG, didn't you?  I do have floor space.  But then there's that gas thing. :/  How did it go from $3.89/gallon one day to $4.15/gallon not 3 hours later?

Still waiting to hear back from the job interview.  And funding at work.  And a spot in an alternative school for ds.  Did I mention that I hate waiting?

Oh well... there's a local shaman who is doing an open house in a few weeks and I've decided to go.  http://laughingwomyn.com/index.html  The vet told me about her and nothing about the vet is coincidental or accidental (I emailed the shaman with these thoughts and she pretty much agrees).  So it must be IMPORTANT for me to go, right?

[Aeress]

I am a day late to the thread, glad it wasn't pages long.

Chickens- my girls would love to have some, me, not so much. :)

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by bluets You did know that I was halfway between you and PSG, didn't you?  I do have floor space.  But then there's that gas thing. :/  How did it go from $3.89/gallon one day to $4.15/gallon not 3 hours later?

Man, well thanks for the offer! I wish I'd known that a couple of weeks ago. Sigh. Next year, though, I shall take you up on it, perhaps. Whereabouts are you again? Indiana somewhere, yes?

And YES, on the intuition.

My ex-roomie can not take care of DS this time Now I don't know what I'm going to do-- I want to hurry and book a flight before they get uber expensive or get gone altogether! I only have maybe two more options. I emailed one and hope to hear back today. The other doesn't get back into town till Sunday, from a cruise, and I'm sure she won't want to discuss future childcare issues on the day she gets back. I wonder if she has her computer with her...maybe I should email...hmm...

I was pretty low and depressed about this, and then M got on cam with me and said, in no uncertain terms, that I'm putting out to the Universe that it won't happen, and that I should change my

mantra to say "It'll happen; it'll get worked out somehow"... and he's right. Please, mamas, put out some positive vibes for us that I'll get childcare and get to book my flight in the next day or so!   Oh, please, Universe, let this work out the way I hope it will

Oh, also-- since the moon is waxing (or almost) do y'all think it's a good time to hire a realtor? Now that I know I have the go-ahead to sell, I want to get a move-on about it! Naw, I'm not impatient much Not so much as you, bluets, but still. About this one thing, I'm so, so tired of waiting. I'm so tired of long-distance.

[kittywitty]

Welcome vydalea!!

Maia- So sad! I hoped to meet you! I hope to go, but the price is a lot for me this summer and it's a 6 hour drive in a van with no a/c, so I don't know if we'll be able to go. Dh's summer classes don't have enough students, so that cuts out a major part of our income (over $3k) and my ex stopped paying child support. So we are utterly broke.

[DaughterOfKali]

A warm welcome to Vydalea!

Such scary and wild weather (tornadoes) yesterday.  One story in particular makes me so very sad.  A mom died while saving her 15 yr old daughters life.  The mom laid on top of her daughter in their bathtub.  The house was leveled and the mom died from all the debris falling on her.  It's just so awful.

The devastation to an area not used to tornadoes like this is hard to watch.

I ask everyone here to light a candle (or send positive energy/prayer) for those who went through the MA tornadoes yesterday.

My town was lucky.  By the time one of the storm cells got to us, the air had cooled way down and took most of the chance for a tornado away.  We did get a nasty storm though.  We've had large trees down on my street and the next street over.  Roo was terrified for hours.  He slept late this morning and had an upset tummy on and off for most of the day.

[DaughterOfKali]

Forgot to mention:  I'm going for a MRI Friday morning.  The doc office called me this morning and said the orthopedist is concerned about something so they got me in right away.

I just want to find out why my back hurts so darn much.  And I hope that it can be easily managed.

[sweetsunshine85]

Maia~ Thanks!

Tornados~ The storm was pretty scary here yesterday. There was golf ball sized hail and a funnel cloud formed in town, but never touched down. Very scary! Praying everyone is safe!

Been so busy lately. Possible love interest, tree medicine project, plant medicine classes, 40 hour work weeks, lots of doctor appointments....

[Valerie.Qc]

Welcome to Vydalea!

Maya, good vibes for booking the trip asap!

I have to work but I'm afraid of the drive... I've injured my tailbone and every bump in the road is a torture.  Hope my chiro can take me in very soon!

[Maiasaura]

Hugs, DOK. I was wondering about you, and witchygrrl, too. I saw a YouTube video of a couple of-- sounded like college boys, from the language, but who knows-- taping the storm while in the car, near Springfield. Crazy. The funnel was right in front of them, mighta been MassPike but I don't know that area well enough. Cars were stopped on the highway while everybody just sat there in their cars wondering what to do. Then it passed over the highway and they kept going. Yikes.

Originally Posted by kittywitty Maia- So sad! I hoped to meet you! I hope to go, but the price is a lot for me this summer and it's a 6 hour drive in a van with no a/c, so I don't know if we'll be able to go. Dh's summer classes don't have enough students, so that cuts out a major part of our income (over $3k) and my ex stopped paying child support. So we are utterly broke.

Oh, I thought for some reason you were within an hour or so. Yeah-- hopefully next year! I'd like to meet you, too! No a/c, well, you don't want to get too used to that anyway, because there is none camping at PSG, but then again...yeah, getting INTO a/c after the week is over is a really nice treat. Ick on the brokeness...I understand.

Thanks for all the vibes, mamas. I emailed my friend who's on the cruise but I haven't heard back yet, so maybe she doesn't have her computer after all. Oh, wait-- no, she has a desktop Drat. And I haven't heard back from ds's martial arts teacher, either. It will work out, it will all work out, yes it will, I will be out there come hell or high water. On July 3rd, OR the 5th through the 11th. I don't care which but I will be there.

[mommamanjari]

Thanks for posting the links Clay. Good ideas there.

Hi Vydalea!

Maia, I hope you find a sitter & good luck selling the house.

Good $ vibes to you Kitty.

DOK, may your MRI results be positive!

A section of a butterfly wing found its way to my doorstep. I brought it inside. There is a picture of a butterfly on my TM. I also put a tent on there & we bought one a week ago for half price! And there is a pic of people jumping in a sprinkler, Guess what. I ran through a sprinkler with one of my best friends from high school. We used to always stop and do that if we saw one on. One of my big TM themes is to fix up the yard and I don't know where the $ is going to come from. I got 6 plants for $75. It barely makes a dent in the space and now I've spent the gem & mineral show cash. Oh, well, dreams manifest in their own time. Now I'm wondering about butterfly symbolism. Google!

Prahlad has allergies & the children's claratin does nothing to clear him up. He sniffs all night & won't blow his nose. Any suggestions?

Be well!