Monday, February 05, 2024
Monday Monday
Sunday, December 31, 2023
New Year's Questions
2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions/goals for 2023, and will you make/set more for 2024? What are they? What are your new ones?
3. Did anyone you know give birth? Or get pregnant?
4. Did anyone you know die? Or have a serious illness?
6. What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023 (doesn't have to be a physical thing)?
7. What date from 2023 will remain etched in your memory and why?
8. What was your biggest achievement this year?
9. Did you get sick or injured? Anyone you know?
10. What was the best thing you bought?
11. Where did most of your disposable income go (money left over after you pay for food, transportation and shelter)?
14. What do you wish you would have done less of?
15. What was your favorite new TV program? Movie? Album/Songs? Or if you didn't pick up any new ones, what are you still watching/listening to?
These came from Sunday Stealing; there seemed to be two entries for this week or else I'm simply confused.
Friday, December 29, 2023
Friday Mish-Mash
No one has become ill since Christmas, when we had an accidental exposure to the Covid virus. We have been following the CDC recommendations, which are: if exposed to Covid, mask for 10 days, and on the 5th day, take a Covid test. If negative, continue to mask (but you can stop worrying - they don't say that, but I inferred it) until the 10-day period is over.
My husband, my mother-in-law, and I all took at-home Covid tests this morning, and we were all negative. None of us have had any symptoms. Well, I always have sinus drainage and nasal issues, so it's not easy to tell with me sometimes, but I'd not experienced anything out of the ordinary. We have no plans to go anywhere until next week, so I think we're good. Hopefully, I am not speaking out too soon.
We haven't taken down the tree yet. I never know when to take it down. Usually, I take it down when I tire of it. Sometimes that is before New Year's Day, sometimes not. I know there is folk lore about when to take the tree down, but I don't pay attention to that. I've done it all sorts of ways and never noticed a change in my luck for good or ill.
There are still hundreds, if not thousands, of starlings flying about. They are not congregating at the bird feeder, so I don't know what is going on. They all rise en masse, flutter about for a half-second, and land again. It's like one big hive mind of birds milling about in the front yard. They are also quite noisy. It's a bit unnerving to see so many flitting about, covering up the fields, and filling the trees. When the flock flies over the house, it sounds like a little plane.
Cold is seeping in as the temperatures drop. We have a slight chance of snow. I am not expecting that to happen, but one never knows. We could wake in the morning to a world covered in white stuff. Or maybe it will only rain.
A new year brings changes, I hope. I just never know if they are for good or ill.
Saturday, November 04, 2023
Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Monday, July 31, 2023
My Name in Elvish
Tuesday, July 04, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
I Want Pockets
Friday, March 31, 2023
What AI Says About My Blog
This is what the Bing AI says about this blog:
Your blog is called Blue Country Magic and it is hosted by Blogger. You write about various topics such as music, memes, holidays, and personal experiences. You have been blogging since 2007 and you have a loyal following of readers who comment on your posts. You also share photos of your life in the country and your pets. Your blog is a reflection of your personality and interests. I think your blog is interesting and engaging.😊
I think your blog is interesting because you write about a variety of topics that show your perspective and opinions. You also share personal stories and anecdotes that make your blog more relatable and authentic. You have a sense of humor and a positive attitude that shine through your posts. You also interact with your readers and respond to their comments.👍
From ChatGPT:
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Sports
Monday, January 30, 2023
Something . . .
Tells me I need to see my doctor.
Something in the way my ears hurt.
I don't want to leave my house
I don't want to see her now.
(Music refrain)
That I don't really feel well
Something in my eyes tells husband
That I need to go today
to the doctor right away
What's going on, what's going on?
If I knew then I would say,
I would say and not see someone today.
And all I have to do is make a call
Something in the things I am feeling
I don't want to leave the house
I don't want to leave the house
Monday, January 23, 2023
General Update
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
The Shortest Day of the Year
Today is the Winter Solstice. The sun sets here at 5:03 p.m., and after that, the daylight will slowly begin to last a little longer.
In ancient cultures, this day marked the death and rebirth of the Sun; it's always been a time of festivals, bacchanalias, and ritual. Some of the most fascinating old monuments were built around the Solstice, such as Stonehenge.
Often on the Solstice, I do a tarot reading at tarot.com, just for the fun of it. I don't take these things seriously, but sometimes they give me something to think about.
Today's reading was rather eye-opening:
There are some major cards in this reading - The Hermit, The Devil, The Sun, The Emperor, and The Empress in particular.
The Hermit is familiar to me - I draw that card a lot - but I don't recall ever drawing The Devil and certainly not in conjunction with other major cards. I don't think I've ever drawn The Emperor and The Empress in the same spread, either.
The Empress card indicates there is someone in my life - or someone coming into my life - whom I should strive to emulate, while The Emperor card indicates that someone with power and influence may soon be interested in my abilities.
The Devil, however, throws a big rocky rock into the pond of my life. This card demands raw energy and suggests drastic change. Some force will both attract and repel me at the same time. This card indicates a creative and chaotic time, provided I have the courage to move forward.
The Sun card indicates I can fulfill a dream, maybe even change my world.
Given the cards thrown here, it looks like forward movement is going to require some strength on my part to withstand the forces that want to hold me back.
The Hermit in the position of Higher Power is particularly important, for it indicates I'm trying to wean myself of addictions and distractions. Oddly, I have already begun this, most especially by trying to rid myself of my video game addiction. I've told all of my fellowships I will no longer be playing after the first of the year. I am working to set aside something that part of me holds dear and another part kind of loathes because it is non-productive.
The other cards support this view that I am in a time of change, but one where I will need downtime to recharge before I hustle back into the game. It looks a bit like a battle of three steps forward, two steps back, but that means that I will eventually reach a goal.
I'm just not sure what goal it is I am going for, though I think I may have an idea.
We'll see if the Solstice brings me a bunch of brighter tomorrows.
Happy Solstice to all!
P.S. If any of you are tarot readers and want to chime in on what you see above, feel free!
Monday, December 12, 2022
When the Internet Goes Down
Addicted. It's an appropriate word for the way I've felt most of the weekend.
It rained, and my internet first became spotty, then died only to occasionally revive itself.
I couldn't blog, couldn't play video games, couldn't look up answers to questions. Oh, some of it I did on my phone, but I have a very low data usage plan, so I couldn't spend a lot of time on that doing things I'd otherwise do with the wi-fi.
There went my plans to watch the new Louise Penny series, Three Pines, on Amazon. No streaming without the Internet.
So too my plans to write blog posts in advance, although the main thing that stopped me there was anxiety and nerves. I could have written the posts in MS Word and saved them to cut and paste later, if I'd really been desperate.
Mostly it was knowing I couldn't do things that made me want to do them.
Strange how that works, eh?
We still have a landline, and that also went dead. Old fashioned, I know, but my husband had to have one for work - it was in his contract - and the landline number is the one on his business cards, still. So, we keep it, and many things are tied to it.
I had medicine called in for refills, so I couldn't get the call from my pharmacy to know when to pick things up because it's tied to the landline. I couldn't look it up online, either, to see if it was ready.
Some online shopping awaited my attention too - a pickup order for Sam's Club, a little something I thought about for my husband (and no longer remember because I didn't write it down and couldn't order it the moment I thought of it).
The internet has us all tied to a way of life that is very different than it was 25 years ago. It's amazing how much it has changed the way we function and operate.
Being old, I knew how to entertain myself - there's always house cleaning and a book - but still, I noticed the lack of internet in my routine.
I felt off kilter. It also frustrated me to think I'm so dependent upon a computer and access to the outside world.
It really is a time suck, and my husband, who seldom is online, is probably far better off than I am, addicted as I am to my online reading and adventures.
Thank heavens it's fixed. Now if I could only get a fiber line and stop using DSL.
(I tried to visit Saturday 9 and Sunday Stealing blogs during the small windows when I had service. If I didn't get around to you, I'm sorry!)
Friday, November 04, 2022
Dona Nobis Pacem
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
What Did I See?
Friday, September 09, 2022
Stuff I Want to Remember
Queen Elizabeth of England passed away yesterday at the age of 96. King Charles III now reigns there.
The FBI searched the home of a person who should never have been president in the first place in August.
States rights have consequences even for rich people (Bannon).
The Supreme Court tossed out Roe v. Wade by handing it back to the states.
The redistricting process in most states is gerrymandered.
Republicans have not won the popular vote in about 40 years (I need to look this up).
The policies of Republicans are not popular with the majority.
Hillary Clinton still has power and influence even though she's no longer involved in politics (but her emails!).
The news today is the same as it was 100 years ago, so breathe deep and move on with your life.
What will be, will be.
Monday, August 01, 2022
The Happiness Challenge
Bluebird of Happiness |
Friday, June 10, 2022
Birthday Tarot Reading: Tarot.com
SELF
THE MAGICIAN
SITUATION
ACE OF WANDS
CHALLENGES
SEVEN OF WANDS
RECENT PAST
TEN OF SWORDS
HIGHER POWER
THE SUN
NEAR FUTURE
QUEEN OF COINS
BLOCKERS & INHIBITIONS
FOUR OF WANDS
ALLIES
PAGE OF CUPS
ADVICE
THE TOWER
LONG-TERM POTENTIAL
TEN OF WANDS
You have a talent for creating something from nothing.
The Magus symbolizes imagination, creativity and an inventive nature. Your unique intelligence and talent for clever experimentation is a valuable asset. The Magus serves as a catalyst, an agent of change. His influence is a fresh breeze blowing through any situation.
So be playful, and stay open. Don't limit yourself, the possibilities are endless. Try things, see what happens and correct your course as you go. Tease open the minds of those who are watching to see what you will do.
You have an opportunity to help bring a group to a single, harmonizing focus.
The Ace of Wands in this position reminds us of certain unifying truths. One of these self-evident truths could be coming into focus around you at this time. Perhaps you are being called upon to witness or facilitate the gathering of the collective mind into a single focal point. Such situations are both awe inspiring and educational.
You have an excellent opportunity to rally the troops if you remain non-competitive. Apply yourself for the sake of the collective good and maintain the kinds of high standards that inspire people.
An opportunity to surpass past performances can be enjoyed; rivalry and vindictiveness are indefensible.
When the Seven of Wands is in this position, stay focused on surpassing your current record of performance in a clean, fun, energized way, avoiding the snares of stressful competitiveness. Resist falling back on negative comparisons, vindictive thoughts or actions that disable emotional energy.
Rivalry and petty one-upmanship is not your style -- no matter what people may expect of you. Don't lose your focus, which should be fixed on securing a "personal best."
You are moving forward from a devastating time, gaining distance from tragedy.
With the Ten of Swords in this position, you are just emerging from a very difficult time in which it was necessary to confront the end of a cycle or some kind of dead end. Things will never be the same. With this card, a sense of tragedy can hardly be escaped, but at least with it in this position, you are moving on.
Tragedy is in the past; its influence is waning. You are securing some distance from the defeated state that once prevailed. You are feeling better now. Be grateful. You are healing and things are going to be getting better.
The exceptional circumstances that surround you are the natural result of pure motives and hard work.
Higher Power is blessing you with a shower of rewards. Relax and absorb them. Acknowledge that you deserve it. Let your self-image be enhanced by what the outer world and your spiritual guides are telling you. They are happy with your performance, the value you bring to the world and the optimism you stimulate in others. You are serving as a shining role model. Whatever you touch turns to gold. Even though such a state can't be maintained forever, the residual effect of these blessings will help you deal with the new temptations, challenges and twists of fate.
Be prudent. Concentrate on what is most realistic and practical when it comes to your immediate prospects.
With the Queen of Coins in this position, you will soon have a chance to test your dream against reality. The effort and time you have invested in some enterprise or relationship is about to bear magnificent fruit.
We shall see how sensibly you behave when there are no external limits on where you spend your energy, talents and money. To maximize what is good about the Queen of Coins, you should focus on what is practical and sensible. Invest your energy and resources wisely. Otherwise her more exuberant side could take over and your gains will degenerate into one long, expensive party.
Don't allow your independent streak to prevent useful teamwork from happening.
When the Four of Wands falls in this position, it indicates alienation from the very people with whom you could share creative work. No matter why you chose to isolate yourself or to hold your energy back, it is now clear that you will not be fulfilled until you emerge again.
Take action to find those like-minded souls you have been missing and renew your efforts to pursue your dreams.
Don't overlook seemingly unimportant individuals; you may need their expertise.
The Page of Cups in this position serves as the eyes and ears in situations of power, and humbly gains the trust of decision-makers. With that in mind, never assume that a person's worth is based on rank.
This card holds the key to unlocking a mystery or solving a puzzle. It can inform you about certain developments, motives and patterns of behavior that will greatly advance your goals. The energy of this card can discover information you can't normally get. Be respectful of this service. You can benefit from what It knows.
You are the one to serve as a catalyst for change.
With the Tower card, think of yourself as an agent of transformation. This self-sacrificing role is likely to create stressful situations. Your vision shows you that a radical change has already been unleashed by forces much larger than mere mortals, and therefore you are no longer resisting.
Now you may be at the forefront, acknowledging and accepting the bracing presence of the future bursting in on the present. Try to mediate the harsher parts of the changes as they unfold, so the most vulnerable are the most cushioned. Acknowledge yourself, as well as the others in your life, who are offering their resources to usher in a better future.
Closure will come as you complete your mission with confidence.
The Ten of Wands in this position reveals your potential to complete a long time mission that is very close to your heart. If you continue to stay your course, repeat your energetic efforts as much as needed, and build a solid body of accomplishments, you will succeed at fulfilling the goal you set long ago.
Closure is sure to come, freeing you for other endeavors. The process will have raised your self-esteem. You will possess the confidence of a person who can target an ambitious goal, work toward it systematically and achieve it in no uncertain terms. This experience will give you a strong foundation of trust in yourself, personal strength and reliability.