Thursday, April 28, 2011

Huge Sale

In honor of Beltane, I am having a sale in my Etsy shop. Enter coupon code MAYDAY for 70% off. The sale will run from today thru May 1st (I'll close the sale on May 2nd.)

Should you not have an Etsy account, leave a comment here and we can work something out. Please DON'T post your address. Just tell me what you would like and I will give you an email address where we can trade contact information.

I am also flexible about prices, should you fall in love with a future listing.

I Survived Alabama Tornado Road 2011

I am alive and well, so is my family, and as far as I know, no one in this area suffered any damage. My phone service is still wonky but it's never fully functioning anyway.

We set a record for reported tornadoes and 40 people have died in Alabama. Please take a moment to light a candle and send some good energy to the South.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Gator Got Your Granny

Last night Kevin and I went to Yates dam because we like to watch the water. I saw my first alligator.

It was a small alligator. I think. I could only see the tip of its nose and its unblinking eyes. But there wasn't much distance between the nose and the eyes, maybe 7 inches, so I assume it was a small gator. I could be wrong. It never moved. It just stared at us which was freakin' creepy.

Kevin said the gator likes to sun on the the grassy bank. Several people have called the game warden, but since the gator isn't bothering anyone, the game warden won't come get the alligator. I think he's scared of it. Which I understand. I felt uneasy standing on the dock. I've been watching 'Swamp People' and I know gators can move.

We didn't stay long. I don't think Kevin liked the alligator either.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Maybe a Scottish Water Monster is a Bad Idea

This is a picture I really like:













But it was not until AFTER I printed it out, that I realized this is a kelpie.

Kelpies lure people onto their backs, then drown them. Some poor soul thinks they're getting on the back of a pretty little pony and only when it's too late do they realize they are riding to their death.

I've been wanting to embroider this horse/kelpie for a child's quilt- until I realized I might cause nightmares.

I think I'll have to find something else entirely for the child's quilt. And maybe the kelpie can go in my Etsy shop.

Maybe.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Witch of this Place- Fire

Yesterday's focus was Wind. And it was very windy. I took a short nap and heard the wind whispering to me. All sorts of information rides on the wind, and if you listen you will begin to know things.

I never did make my broom; none of the materials I had on hand seemed right. So I'm going to let the project simmer on the back burner of my mind until the right materials are present. Everything else on my list went well. I stuck to my diet, I did my household chores, and overall I had more energy and focus.

Today's focus is Fire- the cleansing, healing power of fire. To me fire represents south, heat, sex, and power. Today's project is to build a fire pit. I am releasing anything that is hazardous to me. Again, I have incense and a candle. My affirmation is I let the Power of Fire rebirth me.

Again, I sat on my front porch. Again I greeted the sun and heard the birds. No one drove by. The day seems a little muted to me. It's cloudy (but I did see the sun after greeting him), the birds aren't singing as loudly, and I can't smell the honeysuckle. But I feel sure that going outside every morning is a very important thing to do.

Friday, April 22, 2011

The Witch of this Place- Renewing Myself

I have been depressed lately. Yesterday, I got tired of being depressed. I decided I needed to be renewed. I wrote out some goals/projects/affirmations. I decided today would be an excellent time to start renewing. And when I got online, I saw a cool little picture on Google, which reminded me that today is Earth Day.
How did I forget about that? Could there be a better time to shape my life and claim my place? Awesome!

My goal was to greet the sun every morning at sunrise. Didn't happen this morning due to a low sugar. But it's okay, the sun will be outside all day. Part of being a witch is knowing how to work around problems. I went out at 7 with my coffee, sat on my steps, and thanked the sun for its heat, healing, and light. I bowed to the sun and had the distinct impression the sun bowed back.

I sat quietly, observing my front yard. I can smell honeysuckle. Birds are everywhere. I love the birds, they eat the bugs! My snapdragons are in full bloom. There is nothing more green than my mint (favorite garden plant, btw). My eggplants and tomatoes are slowly getting taller and thicker.

While I was sitting, one of my neighbors drove by. The most astounding thing happened- he waved. I don't think he's ever waved. But he did today and I waved right back. Magick is afoot! I feel like I can rule the world from my porch.

My focus today is on the wind. I think of wind as air, east (the direction of new beginnings), breath, and sweeping. So my project today is to make a broom. I never made one, but it looks simple enough. If all goes well, I may never buy another one because damn, brooms are expensive! I am releasing unpleasant odors, so that means burning incense (sandalwood) and mopping the floor. My affirmation for today is 'I let the Winds of Change cleanse and empower me.'

I also have a candle to burn. I'd like to burn one candle every day. Right now I am using plain white tea lights, but eventually I would like some little colored votives. Scent would be nice too.

Later, I'll post about my day and if anything unusual happened, like another unfriendly neighbor suddenly becoming cheerful. If you want to follow along, that's great, but please don't feel like you have to do exactly what I'm doing. Do what is right for you in your place. Maybe it's still cold where you live. In that case, you might want to focus on the sun instead of the wind.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Same, But Different

Ever imagine your ideal job? Mine is working for myself. I pictured a nice shop in historic downtown. I'd sell fabric I made and I would have custom orders.

The reality is I have an Etsy shop, not a brick and mortar store. I have lots of things for sale, but not many sales. My shop is stored in my closet. And today I did get a custom order. I have spent all day on it and I am yet to sew a single stitch.

I am trying to boost sales. I think it might help if I am more active in the Etsy community- marking items as favorites, replying to discussions, chat rooms, that sort of thing. So this morning I replied to a thread on a discussion. Which led to someone inquiring about what fabric I had. Then we got into me making an altar cloth. Cool.

I don't know what I'm making.

We just settled color about an hour ago. I'm waiting on dimensions so I can draw a pattern. Eventually, I hope, we'll get to price. And maybe, hopefully, Goddess willing, we'll agree on price and I can start work.

I check the board. I reply. I go sew other projects. I check the board. I think. I snap pics. I wait. I sew something else hoping I can sell later. I check the board. I reply. I wait some more.

All day.

I kinda thought that a custom order would be someone saying, 'Love this, but could you make a red one?' Of course, they would pay immediately. As I was making the red one, someone would order a blue one. Then I would have a few fabric or quilt sales.

I've been sewing for extra money for years now. But it has never been my sole source of income. It's never been my job. I've never had to breathe life into it, worry over it, wonder if I'll make money or not, basically, I've never had make an opportunity out of absolutely nothing.

Today is the same as if I had a real store. I would boost sales. I'd remind customers I was still in business. I'd think of ways to promote my store and services. But boy, is this different.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Just Kicking Around Ideas Here

How many of you would be interested in a blog giveaway? The prize would be something from my Etsy shop. I haven't picked a prize or worked out details yet, I am just wondering if anyone would be interested.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Alive & Well & Not Kidnapped by Aliens

Before I became diabetic, that's what I would say when it had been a while since I talked to someone. I'd call them up and say, Hi. Just wanted you to know I'm still alive and haven't been kidnapped by aliens! Now of course a dozen or so people call me regularly to make sure I'm not comatose. It's nice to know I am loved.

We had bad weather here last night. I was almost finished with a section on my Very Important Project. Then the wind started to blow, thunder boomed, and Halona's worried brown eyes appeared inches from my face. Storm, Mama! I spent the next couple of hours petting my shaking Labrador. We all need reassurance from time to time.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Freak

Kevin offered to take me out to dinner last night. He's trying to be romantic. I love him very much. I hate eating out.

We went to Golden Corral. I had never been there. I hate trying new places because I don't know what I can eat. At least when we go to Burger King I can pretend like all I really wanted was a cheeseburger and a small diet coke.

Ever the gentleman, Kevin told me to go to the buffet first and he would watch my purse. I wanted him to go first so I could watch and get an idea of what food was located where. Sigh. I walked around the whole buffet (luckily the place was almost empty) to get an idea of what I could eat. You would think a buffet would have lots of choices for a diabetic, but everything I saw had carbs. I finally settled on fried chicken (yes, carbs, but I rarely eat it), broccoli with cheese (little bit of carb) , and a green salad with light dressing (slight carb).

While Kevin went to get his food, I tested my sugar. The dinning room we were in was empty. While I got out my meter, a waitress started cleaning a table behind me.

My sugar was high, so I needed insulin. I'm at the table in the corner. It's sorta dark. I take my shot at the table, in my left arm. I heard the waitress say, 'Oh that's nasty!'

Part of me wanted to snap her head off. I wanted to say, Look, this disease is hard enough to deal with without you making me feel like a freak and I have a perfect right to live like everyone else! Another part of me thinks I should have snuck into the bathroom stall. On the other hand, diabetes is on the rise, surely there are other people like me, why do I have to hide my illness? But I know needles are freaky scary to most folks, I should be more sensitive to others feelings. But she should be equally considerate of my feelings and there was no need to express disgust out loud, nor should she have pointed me and my insulin out to two other servers.

Kevin urged me to go for seconds. Now what? Take more insulin? Pretend like I'm not hungry? I went back for grilled chicken. He asked if he could have dessert and of course I said yes, he's not diabetic. He came back with apple pie and banana pudding. I ate the grilled chicken and sipped diet Pepsi.

On the way home, I told Kevin what the waitress said. I think I made him feel guilty, but we're a normal couple and we should go out to eat sometimes. But I think next time I'm going to insist on a familiar place.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Sewing Box

Before...
My sewing box was a pile of thread. Today I wanted black. I dug around. I found red, pink, purple, green, dark blue, light blue, more pink. No black. I could have swore I just bought black, but as it wasn't to be found, I went with purple. But it really bugged me, I know I have black. So I took everything out and found not only black, but the lavender and variegated metallic I was looking for earlier in the week.

Annoyed with myself for buying what I already had, I separated everything by color, placed each color in an envelope, and smudged everything with incense.

So now...
I actually know what's in my box.

Rain, rain, go away, come back some other day

It looks like it will pour rain at any moment, so I may not be going to a cemetery today. I imagine there is nothing more miserable than tripping over a wet headstone only to land in stinging nettle. Unless the sun suddenly bursts from the clouds, I'm staying home.

I wanted to visit Ike's grave. Isaac was the family patriarch. He has a stone-stacked grave. At funerals, all the men would lay a rock on his grave. It didn't have to be a big rock, but they had to put something there as a sign of respect. So if I can get to the cemetery, I will be needing me a nice crystal.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Rolling Pin Collection

I love rolling pins. It's one of the few kitchen tools both useful and decorative. Plus they make good weapons should you ever need to crack a skull.
I said when I filled the wine rack, my collection was complete. Then I found a few more rolling pins so I'm using the basket until I get a bigger wine rack.

This one has a nice shape. I bought it at the indoor flea market. The cashier tried to buy it from me.

A gift from the Air Witch.

My collection wouldn't be complete unless I had one with red handles.
I bought this because it is huge! And heavy.

Of course I needed a vintage marble rolling pin.

This one can be filled with water for added weight.

Another glass rolling pin. Now they make them out of plastic, which I think is a shame.

This one...

...and this one leave designs in the dough.

These are the 2 most important rolling pins. My grandfather made the big one for my mother and the little one for me. I rolled out a lot of play dough with it. Actually, I still use it to make cinnamon rolls.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

The Witch of this Place- Essay 2, Working W/ the Dead

I decided the best way to start working with the dead is to visit cemeteries. I am determined to visit every single cemetery in Tallapoosa County. Yesterday I went to Shiloh Cemetery which is located on Hwy 50 just before Churchill Road. I picked Shiloh simply because I have never been in it. Shiloh is old, but it's still in use. The newer part is in better shape than the old section. There is no church. Cemeteries attached to churches are generally well maintained. Cemeteries that rely on the families to maintain them don't fair as well because most people are only willing to care for their own family plot.

I wasn't going to do magick, just to explore and get a feel for the energy. Still, I followed the rules, just to be polite. If you are going to do any kind of magickal, ritual, or spellwork in a cemetery, you must ask permission from Oya, Queen of Cemeteries. Stand outside the entrance and ask if you can enter. It really helps if you bring an offering for Oya. I had 9 pennies and 9 dimes. I asked politely and clearly stated why I had come. I heard crows, so I knew Oya answered me. Do not enter until you receive an answer. No answer means don't go in.

Always ask Oya for protection. You don't want anything following you home. It helps to wear some kind of protective jewelry. I wore an onyx necklace.

I made gravestone rubbings. I really like the art on old tombstones. New stones lack in imagination. I got a rubbing of a lily, a rose, a dove, ivy vines, and a masonic symbol. Every time I made a rubbing, I left a dime at the grave. You take something, you leave payment.

Most of the graves were so old the names had worn away. There were lots of children's graves, most of whom died before the age of 3. There were a few Civil War soldiers, and more women than men.

One stone was funny. I kid you not, the name was T. V. Land It was a woman's grave, and I made a rubbing of the name just because I was amused.

For each rubbing I made, I wrote the grave's name and dates on the back. If I decided to do anything kind of spellwork, I'll have a list of who is buried where. I'll make a file for each cemetery so my rubbings stay organized. This will be useful to any historians I meet who want to share information. Cemeteries tend to get lost. Families die out or move away, the trees reclaim the land, churches fall, and people forget. There were a few places in Shiloh that possibly contained unmarked graves. Places where plain field stones were laid out in rows, but the bushes and sapling grew all around. All those graves or just rocks? It's hard to tell. Without records we may never know.

When I left Shiloh, I thanked Oya for letting me visit. I asked that the dead remain in peace. I had good feelings about the place, so I didn't do anything else. If I had a bad feeling, I would have come home and bathed. That's a good idea anyway in the summer because of fleas, ticks, and poison ivy.

I know I will have to go back. I want to pick up trash and sweep off stones. I wish I had planned out my trip a little better so I could have been more prepared. For a cemetery trip, I usually bring trash bags, a first aid kit, paper and crayons, and a camera. Maps are helpful too. Sometimes cemeteries aren't marked. Also it gives you perspective- why did people bury the dead in this place? Was it handy? Did they live close by? Was this the first settlement? Sometimes cemeteries are way off in the woods with no towns nearby. What happened? Why did everyone leave?

I think next Saturday I'll go to a cemetery where my ancestors are buried. I like going on Saturday because people are in church in Sunday. Church-goers love to convert people. I hate that. I'm out there doing my thing, not bothering anybody and some busybody marches over demanding to know what I'm doing, like I'm trespassing. I usually say I'm researching my family tree. Then they question my linage. When they're satisfied I'm not worshiping Satan or vandalizing stones, they start telling me how great the church is and I should come next Sunday. And here's where things get sticky. When I say no, they get hostile. They want to know why. If I say I'm not a church person, they begin preaching. The best answer is usually to say I already have a church, but then I get asked where. And if I'm in the cemetery on Sunday, why am I not in my church? Saturdays are less of a problem.

Since people are nosy, I have never done a spell in a cemetery. I usually collect graveyard dirt and go home. The best way to collect graveyard dirt without being suspicious is to bring flowers. Pretend you are worried about the container falling over and add dirt. Then you can scoop up extra to take with you or later you can come back for the container which now contains graveyard dirt. You only need a little bit. A shovelful is overkill. If you are not using the dirt immediately, make sure you label it. All dirt looks the same in plastic bags. And don't forget the payment.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

I Can't Concentrate With That Man in the House

I lived with M at the beginning of my college career. It was awful. I had the Nazi English Professor from hell and worse, I had two of his classes, English Composition 102 and Great World Masterpieces I, back to back. I spent 4 hours every Monday and Wednesday with Dr. Death. I spent the whole weekend writing and writing and rewriting. He expected more from me because I was in both classes. In fact, the last paper I wrote for him was a combination of the final assignments from each class. It was a huge paper and I didn't have so much riding on a paper until I took 3000 level English classes.

I remember sitting on the floor of the study with piles of notes, textbooks, photocopies, and my power notebook. I had the door shut, M was doing whatever, and I was going to write the best paper Dr. Death had ever read. Then M came in.

'Whatcha doing?'

'Writing a term paper.' Hmm, where's my outline?

'What's it about?'

'Beowulf.' Where's my notes?

'That's the poem thing?'

'Hmm? Yeah.' Now I remember, I need to cite this...where'd that book go?

'Is that what you've been reading all week?'

'What? Yes, dear. Have you seen my library book?'

'Why? I thought you read it already.'

'I did. Now I need the book. I've got to cite this and I want to make sure I have everything correct.'

'What's a site? Like building? What does that have to do with anything?'

And so it went, every time I had a cohesive thought, M would ask a really stupid question and my brilliant insight into Old English epic poems would vanish. After an hour I was still on the same choppy paragraph, I lost my outline, and M found my library book but dropped it so I lost all my bookmarks.

I spent the rest of the night in the campus library.

My cousin told me her husband was not interested in any of her activities until it didn't involve him. Then he wanted her undivided attention. My mother told me the only time my father wants to talk is when she's reading. Mom said, 'You can't do your own thing when your husband is home.'

Over the years I have found this to be true. Here's what happens when you're not in love anymore- he senses you withdrawing and he becomes a helpless spoiled brat. He wants supper, he wants sex, your friends are bitches, he makes a mess, he spills Coke on the final copy of your perfectly typed essay, and he takes your wet clothes out of the dryer so he can dry his favorite shirt. He doesn't bother to dry your clothes so you are late to work the next morning because you don't have anything to wear.

Here's what happens when you're in love- he doesn't want you to wash dishes because he wants sex. As you are in the middle of vacuuming he offers to take you out to dinner. The moment you begin sewing a quilt, he suddenly bursts in with a party invitation. When the alarm goes off, you roll out of bed only to feel his arm pull you back because he wants to snuggle. It's very romantic, but you don't have time to pack a lunch.

See? It's the same either way. Nothing gets done.

Men don't seem to have this problem. I have never been able to talk Kevin out of a hunting trip. If he's doing something greasy and automotive, I cannot distract him. I'm not sure if he never makes plans, he makes iron-clad plans, or if I'm simply at the bottom of the totem pole.

I do spells when Kevin isn't home because nothing blows my focus like, 'Why are you burning yellow candles and walking in a circle?'

I've tried saying, Please don't disturb me right now. But then I hear him open every single drawer and cabinet door as he searches in vain for an item hiding in plain sight. I hear the thumps slams, and pacing footsteps. Annoyed, I'll say, 'WHAT ARE LOOKING FOR?' And he'll say, 'Nothing, Babe.' Stomp, thump, slam, thump, stomp.

'WOULD YOU BE QUIET!'

(Surprised) 'Am I bothering you?'

Silence. For all of 30 seconds.

I call to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the East RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, AND MORE RAIN IN THE FORECAST ALL WEEK.

I can't focus on air when the tv is screaming about water.

I try to be a good witch, I swear. I just can't cast a circle, invoke, or charm a damn thing when Kevin is in the house. He's wandered into my circle, knocked over candles, sent stones skittering across the floor and spilled herbs. I think this is why old witches always live alone at the edge of the forest. Everybody thinks she's a mean old hag, but really she had potions to brew.

Don't get me wrong, I love with Kevin and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I just want some parts of my life to be utterly my own and off limits. Like my altar, which currently has Kevin's tools laying on it. I see sacred space, he sees empty space.

I suppose I'll keep bumbling around him. Does anybody know if cordless drills are ruled by air or earth?

Friday, April 1, 2011

This is what I won't do

I've been looking for ways to be more efficient in sewing. I really love hand quilting, but it takes forever. I've thought about what to offer in my shop. I'm thinking about how much time to devote to sewing. I've cleaned up the sewing room. All expect for my desk. I have a problem with finishing things. Now I have a bunch of odds and ends in a pile with just enough room for me to type. While I'm in fear of my desk collapsing, I like the way the rest of the room looks. Aside from the big pile by the computer, the room has a very minimalist look. The sewing machine in particular draws me- I put all my tools, rulers, scissors, accessories, into the drawers. Nothing up top but pins. It looks more professional.

During this sewing room re-arrangement, my mind must have decided it needed a good shifting too. I had a strange dream about sewing. I was walking in open pastures and I met another artist who wanted to trade her paintings for my sewing. She had bought a little stuffed horse from my shop. The horse was covered in embroidery- flowering vines and hearts. She wanted more. Then someone was stealing from me and I had to steal all my things back. Everything that I made in the dream was an animal and all were covered with beautiful embroidery.

I spent yesterday afternoon drawing. I drew buffalo with symbols of abundance, horses with paisley patterns, and a dolphin with dreams. I'm still planning. Normally when I have an idea, I start work immediately. This time I'm drawing, thinking, letting the ideas simmer while I finish a few projects. I need to step back to make sure things are going to work.

I haven't yet settled on what I will do, but I can let go of some things. No more rugs. I wanted to sell some in my shop, but it takes way too long and I'm not that great at making them. Anything I crochet will be for my personal use. This is another too time-consuming task. I had thought about making jewelry but this is not something I'm passionate about. I have one necklace listed and it seems out of place. Jewelry making is fairly quick, but if I drag my feet about making anything I'm wasting time.

Today will be more drawing. And studying symbolism. I just figured it out- I'm trying to make decorative spell objects/animal totems. I wouldn't have grasped the idea if I hadn't taken the time to write about what's going on.