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Love and Light from HEALING Creek
Tuesday February 26, 2008
TRUSTING YOUR OWN STORY
Want the best possible insights on recovery? Look at your own life story. Paying attention to your life is the best addiction and recovery education possible.
Theory is good, but experience is the only proof.
Only low spiritual self-esteem keeps us from seeing the grandeur of our own story. Low spiritual self-esteem is the belief that everyone else's story is full of courage, wonder, and beauty, but not our own. It fails to recognize that God is as active and powerful in our own lives as He is in others. Low spiritual self-esteem blocks us from the truth we need to move forward in our recovery.
Truth, of course, comes in different flavors.
One type of truth is intellectual and abstract, while another is lived and specific. They each serve an important but different purpose. Intellectual understanding of addictions and recovery is important because nothing is gained by crowning ignorance.
We all must find and follow the truth about recovery as it plays out in our own lives, or we will forever be running to others, hoping they can deliver us from the uncertainty we find within.
The type of truth that is lived is found in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, which Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members affectionately refer to as the "Big Book." The heart of the Big Book is the personal truth spelled out in the experiences of the stories.
Nothing is real until it becomes personal.
This is what makes recovery real.
If You've Been There, You Know
I encourage you to honor your story no matter how many bad times there may have been. Our story is all we have. It is the raw material we are given to make our existence a thing of beauty. What we have made and can make of those bad times, as bad as they may have been, shall be the most glorious part of all.
We have been there, and we do know. And what we have gained is priceless wisdom earned the only way wisdom is ever earned-by going into fire to get it. We all must leave a gift of blood at the spot where wisdom is won. Isn't that what wisdom has cost you, the price of blood?
If ever a college or university program were created that supposedly conferred wisdom, what would it look like? How would that class be conducted? What would the participants have to do to get their Ph.D.s?
You know. You probably already have a Ph.D. in life.
Everyone in recovery who gets up each morning committed to "practicing these principles in all our affairs" knows. Like you, I know and treasure many people in recovery who may be only semi-literate but who are geniuses in the ways of a life well lived. I seek out these giants so I can stand next to them hoping some small portion of their light may rub off.
They are the glory and the treasure of the program. They have learned and in learning have become more than they ever thought possible. And we have learned! Look at your journey. Look where we have been and what has happened and what splendid lessons we have taken away from the fire.
If you've been there, you know:
What it means to be broken. You know the soul-saving lesson of having lost it all so that you may be opened up for more riches than you ever thought possible. We know what it is to hit bottom, to have no idea of where to go or what to do and so are forced to surrender to a Power greater than ourselves. And from that surrender, we are able to lay claim to a Power that truly is without end.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
The indescribable agony of watching someone you love die an inch at a time from addiction and realizing there is nothing you can do about it. Or worse, thinking there is something you can do about it and that, in fact, you are responsible for the person's sobriety. (Even though half the time you think if the chemicals don't kill him or her, you will.)
But learning, I mean really learning, that we aren't in control of anyone else. None of us are. We love most genuinely by allowing and insisting the other reap the consequences of his or her own behavior.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
To stop judging others. Our job is not to judge others but to show up with compassion. Our own walk has taught us well enough to seek mercy rather than strict justice. Who are we to cast stones at one another? We learn from the inside out, from having been there, from the responsibility and incomparable honor of being at the other end of the rope when another reaches out for help.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
God never sleeps and God never leaves. God is even more patient than this disease of alcoholism and addiction. We were never lost because God always knew where we were and was always waiting for that opening to help us get up.
We know what a tap on the shoulder is all about. We know what it means to be found. Many of us can tell you the day, month, year, and sometimes even the hour and minute when we heard that Voice. We know by experience that touch of the divine picking us up.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
There is no such thing as being hopeless or beyond recall because we were too far gone to be saved. Yet here we are. Imperfect, to be sure. Full of faults and defects and perhaps with a haunted house for a head. But here we are. Upright. Looking forward. Willing to be used in any way our Higher Power wishes to use us in reaching out to others. Knowing in our deep-heart that there is no situation that cannot be made better and no human being beyond the reach of grace.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
As we move through those first agonizing meetings and begin to nibble at the banquet that recovery is, we come to glimpse the possibility that maybe, just maybe, we can win at life. Maybe we don't always have to be the one standing outside in the dark watching others feast on family, fun, and friends. Maybe I, too, can find a way inside. Maybe I, too,can have a seat at the table, and maybe this program is the way. Maybe I can learn that I, too, belong.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
The greatest treasure life has to offer is not measured in numbers. It is not about material baggage but rather the quality of our friendships. No amount of money can equal the quality of friendships formed in the program. We all know that.
There are those we see or meet in the program whose appearance alone assures us that everything is okay. We are okay.
We'll be fine. They, too, have gone through the fire. They know and understand the power of a smile, a nod of recognition, or the subtle squeeze of a hand. They, too, understand the immense power of friendship. And they take the hand of another and then another still. That line of linked hands, souls, and lives goes forward and backward as far as our minds can travel. And God is the glue that holds us all together.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
We don't have to be perfect to be acceptable. We learn that anyone who demands perfection of us is not to be taken seriously. We are all past imperfect. We learn to love ourselves despite and even because of the crooked timber with which we are made. We come to understand the need to treat ourselves as we treat those whom we love. And when we fail to do so, as we surely will, rather than flog ourselves as in the old days, we learn to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start over again. We learn to trust that God is in charge and is taking care of us.
How much is that lesson worth?
If you've been there, you know:
The promises are for real. Love, peace, self-respect, or family (whether it be an old one or new one) is possible. It is available. It is accessible. We learn that the hardest lesson in recovery is not to give love but to receive it. The greatest gift we give one another is to allow others entrance into our lives. And we learn to stop pushing that love away. For if God is love and God is in people, each time we pushed others away, we also pushed God away.
How much is that lesson worth?
We have been there, and we do know. And what we have gained is priceless wisdom earned the only way wisdom is ever earned-by going into fire to get it.
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I had a pretty open conversation this weekend. I took a chance, hoping that maybe I could help. I had heard all the "talk" about "disappearing blogs, comments and posts", "conspiracy theory PMs sent by wicked evil doers" and I went anyway.
I had the conversation out in the open, but the end of the conversation was deleted! It was a good ending ... a conversation that ended on good terms and deserves to be shared ... somewhere ...
A deleted public comment is NOT an attack PM, no matter how anyone else wants to see it. I hate the idea of my words being twisted later to hurt someone else or stir up another silly story of witches being attacked (my last comment does refer to my lack of knowledge and concern for witchy things) so I am sharing it with all of you.
If I was out of line, I am inviting the rest of you to tell me, out here in the open where I prefer to talk.
No hard feelings Katie ...
Original Post: Blogs
These days I spend most of my time confined to my house in bed or sitting in my chair and to kill time I do a lot of reading. I read books, magazines, on line newspapers from England and Scotland and of course blogs here on Blogstream. I really enjoy reading some of the newer blogs because along with checking in on old friends that I have made here on the stream to see what is new with their lives, I like to see how the new people here on the stream see things. This week a couple of the newer blogs have shut down and I miss them. I keep thinking about one thing, wouldn't this site be rather boring if every one of the blogs were identical. That is what appears to be happening here. A new and exciting blog appears and suddenly it goes away simply because of a few people and their dislike of either a new person arriving or the topic of the blog. I don't agree with every thing that appears here on the stream but I read them because I like variety in my life. It seems that every time a new and exciting blog shows up, people almost salivate at the chance to drive that person away. Then when they do leave, we are all the losers because a fresh viewpoint has been driven away for whatever reason. I always wondered why some here seem to crave the same vanilla blogs that offer nothing. Those blogs seem to be around forever while the new and exciting disappear . Is it jealousy on the part of others that drives them away? Is it the fear that so and so wont be king or queen of the hill any longer because now they perceive a threat coming to their kingdom from a new arrival?
Every one of us was new here at one time and the reception that we receive differs. I will never forget the reception that I received here, I left a comment on an established blog and the comment came to me to stay away because "I don't want children to comment on my blog". That was an exact quote from an established blogger who daily writes about nothing more controversial than the temperature change or how horny she is. Gee.....thats exciting stuff to read isn't it. Yet this woman continues almost daily to comment on a blog that is written by a girl 4 years younger than myself.
Blogstream is not a private country club reserved for a few, it is open to everyone, if you don't like a blog then dont read it ! What gives you any more right than the new person to be here ?
A good and decent man was driven off Blogstream yesterday and I miss him and his blog. This man put his life on the line for several years during the Vietnam war and he did so to protect the right of all of us to speak as we feel. He fought for that woman to continue to write about how horny she is, as well as my right to write about whatever I wish. Is this the way we repay the people that put their lives on the line for us? Well, the vanilla lovers won and he is gone and we are all the poorer for it because now instead of a variety here we are all stuck with the same old flavors. I just want to say Thank you Paul for your blog, it was great while it lasted. There, I said my piece.
Katie,
What did you think this post would accomplish?
If you really see other people this way, it says way more about YOU than it says about anyone else.
You seem like you are settling an old score and using some poor Vietnam Vet to do it.
I do not believe there is anyone salivating to run anyone else off.
That is nonsense.
People come and people leave because that is what's best for them.
Katie, let me be very clear. I am disagreeing with you, but I am not attacking you.
I'm trying to help.
You are saying there is a monster under the bed and I am turning on the light and saying, "See? There is nothing there!"
It doesn't matter to me if you want to post 1,000 times about all these jealous, salivating, vanilla, horny people!
*shrug*
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and you are entitled to your's,
But from all the vanilla protest posts on Blogstream today, I don't think you accomplished much.
*shrug*
Hugggggggggggggggggggggz you anyway,
Taylor
Hi Taylor, I simply spoke my opinion in this post, the vietnam veteran in question happens to be the father of a friend of mine who i happen to see every day. Please do not consider me so naive as to tell me that these messages do not and have not happened here on the stream, they were here long before i ever got here and being on the receiving end of them on several occasions i know what it feels like. I named no names nor did i make reference to any blog whatsoever, so if some took offense then that says to me that what i said struck a chord in the people who took offense to what i said. I myself have been told to not comment on certain blogs here because "I dont want children commenting on my blog" (exact quote). I more than anyone value the freedom of people to express their views whatever they may be, I have never forbidden anyone from commenting on my blog, yet, i am not allowed that same privalege. Just as the vanilla protesters are banding around their group of friends, am i not allowed the same right to speak up on behalf of a friend? It seems to me that there is a great double standard on the stream, some can say whatever they please and insult in every way conceivable but when someone else speaks up in defense of friends and of themselves, they are tagged as the problem starters.
Katie,
I didn't say there weren't mean people in the world or here on Blogstream. I said I don't believe that there are people trying to drive other people away from Blogstream.
I am also suggesting that there may have been a more productive way for you to honor your friend and express that you miss somebody. You could have done a tribute to your friend with a wish that he come back some day. I miss people too, but blaming someone for them being gone won't make my friends come back or make me miss them less.
I trust that when people leave, they leave because it is best for them. I always hope they will come back, but I understand if they choose not to.
I am not talking to anyone else right now. I'm talking to you. If you want to be one of those who wants to say whatever you please and insult in every way conceivable, it's your choice. Somehow, I don't think you'd choose it.
Hugggggggggggggggggz,
Taylor
Hi Taylor, I apy tribute to my friends dad every day of every week as he has been a great friend to me. The man has amazing stories to tell and he is a superb writer. I would also like to clarify something here, yes, no one knows more than I do that there are some mean people here on blogstream. This whole things started when Paul shut his blog down because HE had received some messages from fellow veterans that his writings were bringing back bad memories that they had tried to forget. Rather than continue to continue causing pain for some he shut his blog down. Myself and Celtic mist tried through our blogs to get him to come back. The statements that Celtic mist and myself both said were twisted way out of proportion and that is what started the whole thing. The people who are leading the charge on the vanilla protest also wrote that they had "heard" that this man was impersonating a vet. That is tactic number one, trash the reputation of an honorable person. Why didnt they have the courage to say that to his face, instead they go back to their blogs or through an alias, insult the man behind his back. I, use mmy full name on my blog, so didnt Paul, yet the ones who attacked him use names on blogs to which nothing can be traced. I also have to wnder why you, who have never left a comment on my blog before suddenly show up today about this issue. You are welcome here at anytime, but i have to ask about the timing about this. I did not attack anyone on this blog, i did not name names nor did i ridicule anyone, yet my nationality has been ridiculed , the big question for you to answer should be why are the people leading the charge with the vanilla protest upset. is it their guilty conscience? or is it just another pathetic attempt in a long history of attempts to get me off the stream. Why is it that when i make a vague reference to vanilla blogs, the very crowd that have been on my case since my first day here seem to be the ones who are outraged by my statement?
Katie,
I actually have left a comment here before. Check your history. It will be there even if you deleted it. You have left a comment at my place and I have quoted you and posted pictures from here in past OVERHEARDS.
I don't do anything suddenly. I'm 50 years old. If I have something to say, I'll say it to your face.
What your saying now is a little different than your post.
If a vet left because he didn't want to trigger other vets ... It didn't have anything to do with what you say happened to you. They are two different issues.
You ask, "Why are people angry?".
I can't speak for anyone else, but I will tell you my opinion. People aren't stupid. They know when someone is jerking their chain.
You claim to be defending a Vietnam Vet to a lot of people who actually lived during the Vietnam War. Most of us have lost family or friends ... even husbands in Vietnam. You saying that other people don't care about Veterans is bound to piss people off. They forget you're only 20 and don't know have any idea what Vietnam was all about. You don't realize that you are talking to people who lived and suffered through Vietnam.
They will have strong opinions too.
I don't feel guilty about telling you the truth, and the truth is you have made an issue that had nothing to do with you all about you.
Celtic Mist is older. Let her explain it to you.
Hugggggggggggggggggggz,
Taylor
Taylor, you did not see the messages he received, I saw them as well as two other people so please do not tell me that I do not know the difference between a normal message and an angry message. I was defending a friend from people who did not have the guts to put their comments in public. And...before you say to post these negative messages, let me remind you that last summer I did just that and do you know what happened? the very same people who made that demand filed complaints against me with pioneer for posting confidential messages and violating the terms of service . All some and i repeat, some want to do is to cause trouble and they take pleasure in doing so. You know damn well who i am talking about too. you can tell from the vitriol in their posts exactly who they are. I apologize to you for the statement that you had never left a comment on my blog before, i forgot about that being seen comment. As for my age and Vietnam, I am completely aware that I was not alive during the war but i have learned about it from someone who was there. As for asking Celtic Mist , if you listen to the gossip spread by the very same people that are leading the vanilla protest, didnt you realize that me and Celtic mist are the same person? That rumor was started and spread by an individual here on the stream who had a stat counter hidden in her blog and she knew damn well that celtic mist and myself are two different people from different parts of the country, yet she deliberatly spread that rumor on her blog and via pm. So....who is yanking who's chain?
Katie,
I am not here to speak for anyone else. I came here because I thought I could help you.
You are right. I haven't seen any PMs. Even if I had seen them, I would not have reacted the way you have. I write about ABUSE and RECOVERY. I get angry, emotional PMs all the time. They are NOT angry with me. They are hurting. I write about HEALING because I want to help people heal. I can't do much more than encourage them in this forum, but I won't be able to do anything if I only see their anger. Anger is just FEAR. It's not personal here. How can it be? We are all strangers! It's always about what the other person is going through.
I understand that you are upset but a man who survived the Vietnam War doesn't need you or anyone else to stick up for him. It insinuates that he isn't strong enough to speak for himself.
Katie, you can read about the war, watch movies about it, hear accounts from vets, but you will never know what all of us went through then. It doesn't mean you haven't had some meaningful conversations, but you didn't live it. There is a difference. Let me give you an example. You know how 911 effected every single American profoundly? Your children will not understand the way you do.
I came here to talk to you. I hoped to give you a rational point of view other than your own. I wasn't involved or privy to the stuff last summer so I can't be much help there. Sorry. I suggested you speak to CM because you have expressed a great deal of trust in her and apparently, I have not earned your trust or respect ... yet.
Huggggggggggggggggggggz,
Taylor
Hi Taylor, I am not angry or upset at all, simply disgusted by a certain pathetic few here that continue to use reprehensible methods to accomplish their desired end. Believe me, no one knows more than I that Paul is quite capable of dealing with whatever problem comes along. I would like to remind you about one particular incident that I know you remember as it happened on your blog. One saturday night, a blogger started a major blow out concerning some list that had been drawn up and who was on that list, that woman made an absolute fool of herself. The next day she apologized for the stir that she had created and do you remember who she blamed for starting the fight....she blamed me. She claimed that she had read something that was written by me and that it got her so upset that she couldnt control herself. That should tell you something about the character of some here when they are incapable of taking responsibility for their own actions. Everything is always someone elses fault in her eyes.
As for trust, I believe that trust comes with familiarity and in time that will come I am sure.
Katie,
What happened on my blog between me and another blogger is officially WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE. The woman you are referring to apologized. In my book, it takes a pretty big person to say they are sorry. I never knew the details about what happened before she got upset. It was something about one witch being mad at other witches ... What does any of that have to do with me? I am not a witch! I have NOTHING to contribute to a witch argument. Sorry. I didn't care then and I don't care now.
It happened over six months ago ...
If you were in the middle of it, maybe, it's time for you to let it go?
I appreciate having this conversation with you, but I have other things I need to do. I hope you have a good week. Take care.
Hugggggggggggggggggggggggz,
Taylor
Remember, I am asking you to critique me, not anyone else. I don't mind submitting my words for public scrutiny, especially if they might be twisted later. You will notice that I didn't answer every statement. It's because I had no opinion, one way or the other. I can't comment on something I wasn't involved in.
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Monday February 25, 2008
I had fun doing OVERHEARD this weekend and am glad that some of you liked it. It's kinda fun gathering little gems here and there to share. I admit I have my favorites, but I do try to branch out. Some of you have your favorites too. If I missed somebody, tell me! It's a nice break for me and hopefully it's a chance for you to meet other bloggers too.
Next weekend, I want to put in some Irish things, so if y'all have IRISH stuff, pass it on! Thanks!!!
What was I writing about last week? Oh yeah, the FOUR AGREEMENTS ...
1. KEEP YOUR SPEECH IMPECCABLE.
Your words have power ... the power to bless or curse so why not use them to bless yourself and others? It's easy to give in to random negative thoughts, to judge, to criticize, to doubt, to worry, to fret, but what if all those negative words had gone unsaid? What would happen if we were committed to making our speech more authentic and infused our words with more wisdom and integrity? What if we always meant what we said and said what we meant?
2. DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY.
What people say to you says more about them than it does about you ... good or bad. People can only see the world the way the world has treated them. If the world has been kind to them, they are kind to you and expect you to be kind. If the world has been cruel to them, they will be cruel to you and expect you to be cruel. Maybe it isn't even about being kind or cruel ... Maybe, we just crossed their path at the end of a really bad day?
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3. DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING.
Things are the way they are. Good or bad, this is where we are ... to learn from THIS moment. We are cheating ourselves when we assume we know why people, places and things are the way they are. Assuming only creates emotional poison and unnecessary drama. We will all know what we need to know when it is the right time to know it. Think of the trouble in our lives we could have avoided by just stopping ourselves from making assumptions!
4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST.
We can practice the FOUR AGREEMENTS every day. Some days will be good. Some days will be not so good. Our circumstances may change. Our energy level and insights might fluctuate but we can still ALWAYS DO OUR BEST.
The first agreement says to be careful of your own words. The second agreement says to be careful of the words of others and to take everything you hear with a grain of salt. The third agreement encourages us to keep an open mind ... to learn from further observation and study rather than to assume we already know the answers. The fourth agreement recognizes that although we will try very hard, there will be times when we don't communicate effectively, where others may truly mean to do us harm and assuming nothing is almost as blind as assuming everything ... so for those moments when circumstances are not perfect, we can only do our best, accepting that we are all still learning.
Doesn't the whole notion feel like a big sigh of relief? It's like four ways to give yourself and others a break ... to take life less seriously so that you can enjoy life's mysteries, learning as that mystery unfolds.
I do not receive or adopt these FOUR AGREEMENTS as a religion any more than I would adopt Dale Carnegie's book, HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE as a religion! I think any positive outlook that helps us re-frame our life is another way to enhance our faith and beliefs. The Four Agreements are a tool to be used to bring out the best in each of us, to uncover our authentic self, to live our best life ...
Does it sound too good to be true? It's like anything else. If you use it, you might feel better. If you don't, you'll never know. How much time have you wasted worrying or fretting about why someone did or said something or what someone was thinking?
I wasted TOO MUCH time asking why.
I wrote posted this before, but I was reminded of it again this weekend. Sometimes, Blogstream is like a sociology experiment, where we all play a small part. It's always interesting to me. I love watching us grow! Here is how The Four Agreements could impact something as small as the Blogstream experience:
1. KEEP YOUR SPEECH IMPECCABLE.
You have just read someone's post. You have a funny thought, a question or a comment. Would it change anything if you took a little extra time to make sure that you are understood by the other people reading your comment? Being impeccable or having integrity just means looking at your comment out of context. How does it sound when it stands alone?
2. DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY.
Have you ever gotten a weird comment and you weren't sure what the other person meant? I have gotten a few. I used to assume the worst. Today, I assume the best. I choose to believe that the other person may have just chosen the wrong word, or left a word out. If I find myself puzzling over it too much, I will sometimes ask what they meant. Every time I have asked for clarification and the other person chose to answer, I was always surprised at their answer. I am just as capable of hearing someone wrong as they are capable of saying something wrong!
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3. DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING.
I have heard a lot of people worry or fret about one person "pretending" to be more than one person. In a way, most people pretend to be someone they are not, so what difference does it make if you talk to me as Mary one day and Maggie the next? I don't care what name you use! Most people on the Internet don't use their real name anyway! I will be polite to all of you. Be whoever you want to be! Use your imagination! What difference is that to me?
I think it's funny when people get all caught up in "knowing the whole story" because no matter how much time and research you spend on any topic, no one can ever know the whole story. If the people who live with us can't read our minds, total strangers sure can't! I don't want to read your minds anyway! I like reading your blogs!
I don't care what you choose to write about. It's up to you!
It's interesting to see what you will choose ... so whatever it is, go ahead! I'm listening.
4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST.
I try to put my best foot forward. It want to be kind. I try to be fair. I am NOT Gandhi or Mother Teresa.
I have strong feelings about some topics. I have gotten caught up in a few storms here. I regretted it ... These days, I am like Switzerland ... neutral ... I am not emotionally attached to any disagreement or their outcomes. You all are grown-ups. If you got yourself into it, you can get yourself out. I trust you to work it out. Most of you are really great people!
I read Blogstream like I read the Sunday paper or a magazine. I stop at the things that interest me. I pass by the things that don't. I figure everyone else does the same thing. I don't expect to be interesting to everybody! I'll do my best!
The Four Agreements give me four ways to give myself and others a break ... to take life less seriously so that I can enjoy life's mysteries, learning as that mystery unfolds.
See you in the funny papers ... er ... I mean, on the Stream!
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Saturday February 23, 2008
OVERHEARD & SEEN
DIAMONDS IN THE STREAM
SPECIAL INVITATION
Blogstream is going to have our own discussion Group.
Pup has agreed to host it!
Sign up at Oprah.Com.
Buy the book (Amazon.Com has a good price)
First Class starts March 3.
You are all welcome to join us at:
"A New Earth" Discussion Group by Puppy
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live
(Point Of Grace)
Strange Phrase Indeed by Kristin
A Jesus' Alien on Earth by Praywithhope
"There is no wilderness so terrible, so beautiful,
so arid and so fruitful as the wilderness of compassion."
Thomas Merton, The Sign of Jonas, p. 324
radicaldiscipleship by AZRONmusic.. is.. the constant.. The Glue that holds people together..
Scratch Radio by Scratch
 Time is my body’s enemy. Time is my spirit’s friend.
Second Chances by Coloconnect
ok pupster, load up the spaceship we're going home (to Mars)...
these earthlings have done found us out!
Ice on the Windshield by -ice-
The Library Cat by Bookworm
Do you believe in miracles?
Yep I am one.
The Inner Sanctum... by PolarBFor a discussion on SCIENCE vs. GOD, you might like reading at:
The Way I See It by dustmac
under the post: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The Back Road Drifter...... by River rat
Your life in ONE word: Joyful
View From The Bluffs by Anexplorer
IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!!!
AND TIME FOR THE SATURDAY NIGHT BLOG CRAWL
 It starts, as always at:
Bella's Gotta Brand New Blog! by Bella
To Go Beyond by Celtic Mist
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Celtic Mist is hosting a drumming circle at her place at 8 'o clock tonight.
The public is invited.
I made a new blog for pictures until I get this one re-instated....
here's the blogstream link.
The Back Road Drifter...... by River rat
Come on over and see my new and improved pictures of the Ohio back roads.
The River Rat by River Rat
Describe your background on your cell phone:
Tay (first daughter) has her pic on there right now.
When Lulu (second daughter) gets ahold of it, it'll be her pic. LOL
My Soap Opera Life by Secret - Victoria's First
Sole's In A Suit!!!
 One in Six Billion by Sole's Denounce
When you retire will you continue to live where you do
or move to another state?
RIGHT HERE...I AM ALABAMA BORN...ALABAMA BRED
AND WHEN I DIE, I'LL BE ALABAMA DEAD...
INSIDE THE FLAME by ^BELLE^
Ordinary Stuff From Ordinary People by Pilar
A real love story is rarely about real life,
it's usually about which one of you can tell the best stories
in order to keep the other one from getting mad.
Deb's Diddies... A Wandering Mind by deeej
The Back Road Drifter...... by River rat
LIFE ACCORDING TO CANDY
1. Life is like the lottery: You can't win if you don't play.
2. Mistakes are something that will happen and when they do remember...
if you're gonna dance, you have to pay the band. Then move on.
3. Life is messy. Learn from and remember your last mistakes
so that you won't step in that pile again.
Just make sure you are wearing some good boots...just in case.
4. Surprises pop up all along the way.
Make sure your vehicle has tires with good tred and traction
so you can maneuver quickly
and be ready to change direction fast.
Whatever Blows Your Skirt Up by Candy
The White Lodge by John, the Squabbler
A Canadian is generous and Canadians have helped out
just about every other nation in the world in their time of need,
never asking a thing in return.
Canadians welcome the best of everything,
the best products, the best books, the best music,
the best food, the best services and the best minds.
But they also welcome the least -
the oppressed, the outcast and the rejected.
Bits and Pieces by gjwlegsHere in Texas, my tulips are about two inches high.
The daffodills are blooming and the birds are singing every morning.
Heidenheimer by Heide
You saw a couple in an intimate pose, right?
Interestingly, research has shown that young children cannot identify the intimate couple because they do not have prior memory associated with such a scenario.
What they will see, however, is the nine dolphins in the picture! So, I guess we've already proven you're not a young innocent child.
Now, if it's hard for you to find the dolphins within 6 seconds, your mind is so corrupted that you probably need help! OK, here's help: Look at the space between her right arm and her head, the tail is on her neck, follow it up. Look at her left hip, follow the shaded part down, it's another one, and on his shoulder...
Life's Lessons Endings & Beginnings by Mouse
I saw the woman's pubic area first,
then my eyes immediately shifted to the dolphin
on either side and finally to all the dolphins.
I never saw the man at all.
What does that tell you?
Whit's Whittlings by Whit's Whittlings
I saw the dolphins first.. no really I did..
I barely even noticed the guy behind the
hot chicky and the handful of hooters..
You believe me doncha ...
Echoes From The Tomb. by Scratch
Life's Lessons Endings & Beginnings by MouseDOES THIS MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG?
Watching Oprah the other day,
Carson (can't remember his last name) of Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, is a guest.
He has a new show called, How To Look Good Naked.
He is working with 2 women on their self image.
During one portion of the show,
he takes them shopping to update their look with a new wardrobe.
Standing there holding up a rather large green purse he says:
Here is a tip. A big purse makes your butt look smaller.
That night, I dreamed I had a purse the size of a Volkswagon.
INSIDE THE FLAME by ^BELLE^
The Back Road Drifter...... by River rat
Our newspaper asked for readers to send
in their autobiography in only six words!
Here are my six:
Hello! Live. Grow. Love. Laugh. Pray.
What six words tell the story of your life, Streamer
Momma Never Told Me by Rita B
Blessings. God. Pray. Love. Listen.
A Jesus' Alien on Earth by PraywithhopeLaugh . . . love . . . read . . . study . . . visualize
. . . perform (random acts of wack and wonder).
Living and Dying in 5/4 Time by Captain Morgan
 "A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts"
or
"Dear Lord,
Bless this coconut which I am about to receive."
The Dog House by Biggie T
A cannibal was walking through the Amazon jungle and came upon a restaurant operated by a fellow cannibal. Feeling somewhat hungry, he sat down and looked over the menu...
+ Tourist: $5
+ Broiled Missionary: $10.00
+ Fried Explorer: $15.00
+ Baked Democrat or Grilled Republican: $100.00
The cannibal called the waiter over and asked, "Why such a price difference for the politicians?"
The cook replied, "Have you ever tried to clean one? They're so full of crap, it takes all morning."
Lou's World by Miss Lou
ChickenLittles by LilLadyReg
What weapon/s suit your personality, habits and abilities
BRAINS AND BOOBS.
(OH, RELAX......I ONLY USE MY BOOBS AS A WEAPON ON THE YANKEE
....AND...I DON'T WANT TO BRAG...BUT THEY WORK EVERY TIME....)
INSIDE THE FLAME by ^BELLE^THE WAL-MART CAT
A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off
the tail of her cat which was hiding in the grass.
She rushed her cat, along with the tail over to WAL-MART!
Why WAL-MART?
HELLOOOOOOOOO!
WALMART is the largest re-tailer in the world!!!
Same time next year by Madie
Who made you laugh this week?
Belle always make me laugh!!
My Soap Opera Life by Secret - Victoria's First
 Bella's Gotta Brand New Blog! by Bella
At least 4 inches of snow and lots more dropping.
I ran back in the house and yelled at my daughter to look out a window.
I knew when she did cuz I heard "HOLY CRAP!"
yep...she got up and ready for school and didn't have to go!
Daily Changes by HeatherScot
I used to get really depressed during winter.
Now I just get highly annoyed,
like having to clean a foot of snow
off my car tomorrow morning.
Whispered Promises by Whispered PromiseIce storm en route all over Nowhere, Indiana.
I dream of Spring & can barely wait.
But I insist-there is a light at the end of all of our tunnels.
Sharecher by sharingcher
Tomorrow is the full moon.
I can feel creativity and see the images that I wish to create ...
MacKenzie's Inner Fire by Mackenzie90I want to work hard and keep the money I make for my family. I want to have choices in the health care I decide to utilize and I want those health care providers to cater to me, to take care of my needs, not be beguiled by red tape and control. I want to be healthy enough not to need so many medications. I want to feel safe and proud. I want to choose the education I feel is the best for my children without having to pay astronomical prices for it. I want a President who felt his or her pride from childhood. I don’t want someone who is on the way up the learning curve. I want control and high ethics. I want leaders who will help us all raise our standards, our expectations of ourselves, and our intelligence and our morals. I don’t want extreme tolerance. I want safety, pride, allegiance and comradeship.
That isn’t too much to ask of the greatest nation in the world!
Is it too much to ask of ourselves?
I don’t remember everything, for sure, but what I do remember are the things I’ll never forget.
"Gentlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace . . . Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" Patrick Henry
Thoughts Cafe by seeingpeople
 The Back Road Drifter...... by River rat
(I have felt this way too!)
Why did my parents instill such a work ethic in me?
It only seems to supply me with extra guilt!! lol
Typin2u's Thoughts by Typin2u
Gecko's dog, Traveler can be seen at
Big Island Paradise Life by Gecko
THE KILLER BIRDWell, my family had seen the tell tale signals of Polly, the 75-year- old parrot handed down from my great aunt Willie Belle Story Raines Roden to my grandparents and finally to us. Although we didn't visit Auntie often, we had heard Polly would grab ya if she could. And there was her evil chuckle . . .
Once my grandparents had inherited the bird, it was obvious that a cunning devil spirit had arrived ... Bright green Polly was lovely. She cocked her yellow head, cooed sweetly, and strutted with real grace. Her cage acrobatics were excellent too - a feathered Flying Wallenda!
Living in her cage in my grandparents' kitchen, Polly soon found a source of major amusement: taunting Bampaw. Bampaw & Polly waged a roller coaster duel for years. He'd imitated a growling gorilla with bared fangs while poking her cage with a cane. She'd shriek and stretch out dagger talons to snag him. With false teeth protruding (his) and open beak bouncing (hers), you could almost see a family resemblance . . . They'd whip each other into frenzies. Hard to say if this was parrot abuse or grandad abuse - they seemed evenly matched.
Finally, Bampaw moved too slow while cleaning her cage bottom and Polly struck! She locked her jaws around the palm of his hand and wouldn't let go. It took two people to get her off, with stitches, shots and a permanent scar for my grandpaw. Thereafter, he was more cautious. There was respect in his contempt. While spinning recipes for parrot stew, he'd declare that she was a tough ole bird - just like him.
When we inherited Polly, Mom laid down strict ground rules and located the bird in a safety zone in our kitchen corner. Present day friends have questioned the wisdom of bringing this convicted maimer into a house with small children. At the time, there was no question. Polly was a relative, she'd been in our family since before Mom was born. Everyone had weird kin - this was ALABAMA. Besides, Polly was much more entertaining than any of our other relatives and didn't eat one tenth the amount of Aunt Ida Mae.
(Source: Lee Marrs Tales)
Whit's Whittlings by Whit's Whittlings
there are a couple of people I know that I prefer talking to a parrot over,
and there are a couple of people that may as well be parrots.
Whispered Promises by Whispered Promise
For all the women who have been there, are there now,
or someday will be ... and the men who love us ...
Ain't it just grand being a Woman!!!!!
Exhaling by SammyJoTHIS and I do mean ALL of THIS
wasn't something God did to me But did FOR me.
Vegas: a Beautiful Disaster by VEGAS
Life is as much about dancing in the rain
as it is waiting for the storm to pass.
LaLePoP' by lalepop'IF YOU MISSED THE ECLIPSE LAST WEEK ...
My Life On The River by dixie
As we left the meeting, a lunar eclipse was nearing the 3/4 mark.
We stood in the cold winter night,
warmed by the meeting and the vibrant exchange of ideas
that followed and
watched the moon turn red.
View From The Bluffs by Anexplorer
The Back Road Drifter...... by River rat
Spirit of life
come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the
Stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea,
move in the hand, giving life the shape
of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of life, come to me, come to me.
overthemoon by n. lynnEDITOR'S NOTE:
If you feel like I missed
a really good comment or quote
said by you or anyone else,
Tell me about it
so I can add it to next week's post!
There are a lot of diamonds in this Stream!
Next Week:
I will try to keep it IRISH for
St. Patty's Day
All ideas are welcomed.
Do you have a good Irish joke?
An Irish blessings?Some neat art?
(using my BEST Irish accent)
"Lord knows, I could use the help!"
Pisces - Water - compassion, imagination & sacrifice
Feb 19 to Mar 20
Feb 23 ~ Mr. Blog of Happily Ever After by Mr and Mrs Blog
Feb 28 ~ Deb's Diddies... A Wandering Mind by deeej
Feb 28 ~ Out of the mouth of Spud by Pamela
March 1 ~ Lucy's Hubby
You can leave greetings at Lucy's place:
Lucy. by Lucy.
March 6 ~ Go Heels by Rusty Dusty
March 6 ~ A New Day by happyornot
March 8 ~ Bella's Gotta Brand New Blog! by Bella
We have a lot of birthday cake!
Special Thanks To Healing Creek's Pink Ladies
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Many Blogstream members are there
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