wildcelticrose.net

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Yesterday was (by modern calendar standards, pish) the festival of Lughnasadh.

It is the first of three harvest festivals which celebrates the early harvests, berries, wheat and barley (which means BEER… Yay beer). It is also celebrated as Lammas or “loaf mass” after the wheat harvest.

Lughnasadh is not only a harvest feast in honor of Lugh of the Tuatha De Danan’s foster mother, Tailltiu, but also games (as part of the funeral celebration) It is also believed in some circles that the games (also believed to be the precursor to modern Olympic games) represent the battle between Lugh and Balor.

No matter which version one observes, it celebrates the harvest and involves food (often baked bread) and physical activity.

It occurs between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox

Although I don’t hold to a modern calendar for such things (come on people, our ancestors didn’t have them it was about the sun, moon, stars, plants and animals…) I ended up observing Lughnasadh yesterday despite it being the “assigned” modern calendar day.

I started out by waking up and baking, not bread (didn’t get my starter reactivated in time for actual bread) but scones.

Yummy tasty sconey goodness with blueberries. Quite fitting for Lughnasadh if you ask me.

I already updated on much of the harvest progress here

After that, was the “games” portion of the day, my best friend and I went for a five mile waddle (I couldn’t really call what I did after three months off training a “run”) out at Chambers Creek. I forgot how steep those nasty swtichbacks are. I only managed to run 2/3 of the way up before I had to stop and walk.

After a quick break for some liquid refreshment, another friend of ours came over for a shorter walk (he’s recovering from foot surgery) and we wandered over to the Chambers Creek Labyrinth.

After the run, the walk and the socializing, I needed to do something.

I needed to burn the lies (those who aren’t familiar with said terrible and life altering lies can read about them by clicking here)

After it was just Molly and myself, without ritual or pontification, I burned the letters and legal documents in her fire pit. The ashes were not scattered, they were not used for anything. They were stirred down to nothing, which is what I intend for them to be from now on.

Just before the burning, I plucked a tiny oak, still partially in it’s acorn out of some dry bark alongside the road. It would not have survived there. I carefully put it in a pot to bring home.

It is a Garry Oak, the only oak that is native to Western Washington or British Columbia. They don’t like to be transplanted because they send down very long tap roots; but since this one has a tiny tap root, was still partially in the acorn, and the weather is cool and moist, I am hoping for the best (just to be safe, I gave it a nice drink of vitamin b-12)

My neighbors Jim and Tony gifted me with a small Rowan (Mountain Ash) tree which I planted in the back.

The addition of these trees along with my Hawthorne that was already here gives me “Oak, Ash & Thorn”. As an added bonus, I already had Holly and Bay Laurel (Myrtlewood) on the property. I have the sacred Celtic Tree thing covered

The day ended with an interesting sunset created by the smoke from the fires in British Columbia (the smoke also gave me a killer sinus headache and caused me to miss roller skating that night)

this photo was taken by Jitvanzoo and appears on the KOMO news website

This morning was the “big day” for the back porch.

I went to Home Depot, measurements in hand to purchase screen doors.

Nothing in this old house is “standard” and I can’t buy a stock screen door. Getting one custom made is shockingly expensive.

I opted to just screen off the back porch with a retractable screen.

Now I can keep the back door open in the afternoon to bring in cool air from the cool side of the house and can sit out on the screened porch any time I like.

There is plenty of summer and indian summer left. I plan on enjoying this for a long time before winter hits.

BadKitty is somewhat curious but not overly excited about the new expanse of her domain.

Wishing everyone blessings of the season.

~L

Mood: Mellow

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Tomorrow is the day in which everyone claims to be “Irish” for a day. (Oh, did you know that St Patrick is believed to have been of Welsh descent?)

It’s a day where many of the self proclaimed Irish go out and drink too much and often behave like idiots. Much like New Year’s Eve, St Patrick’s Day is often considered “amateur night” due to the sheer volume of drunken idiots out getting their party on.

Like New Years Eve; it’s certainly not a night I’d be out on the road risking my life driving with the idiots, especially not on a week night, when I need to be up at 5:00 AM to go to work.

And then there’s the big debate (OK, it’s a big debate in some circles) as to if the alleged “snakes” that St Patrick supposedly drove out of Ireland really refers to the serpent symbol favored by the druids as he helped covert the country to Christianity.

I know many good pagan folk that boycott the holiday because face it, driving the earth centered religion out of the land isn’t a very nice thing to do so why “celebrate” it? (Hmmm, sounds a bit like US Thanksgiving doesn’t it?)

I know many peace loving people of Irish descent who wear red to protest the blood shed by religious war in Ireland and do not participate in the activities.

I know other people who wear Orange on the day in support of Irish Protestants.

It’s not only a holiday in which people often over indulge, but it is one that has some serious social, political and religious issues attached to it.

I’m becoming a fan of the term “Irish Day” rather than “St Patrick’s Day”. Although I am of Irish descent (and Scots and Welsh among others) I am not Catholic (nor Christian) and the only “saint” I have any relationship with is Brigid who was a Goddess long before she was canonized and her flame is still tended in Kildare Ireland. (interestingly enough, by nuns)

I wear green, not to choose a “side” but because I don’t necessarily want to be pinched. (oh, and I’ve been told it looks good with my hair color) and because, hey why not appreciate it for the Americanized celebraiton it is. I run in the Tacoma and (bigger and crazier) Seattle St Paddy’s Day races, which are about community and tradition (and good healthy fun/earning one’s beer) and attend Celtic festivals in Seattle and Tacoma (I listened to a bag piper in front of the Harp & Shamrock store today after work)

I’m going to celebrate “Irish Day” and let everyone else celebrate (or not) as they see fit. (much like I celebrate US Thanksgiving as a day to give thanks and share with friends rather than pretend that atrocities were not committed against the first nations people)

I enjoy Celtic music and a Guinness as much as anyone and will most likely walk to my neighborhood pub to listen to some music, drink a Guinness, complain that it’s too loud/noisy/crowded and go home early (did I mention that 5:00 AM wakeup call?) and come home to watch “The Secret of Roan Inish”

I hope everyone enjoys this day and that they do so responsibly; please don’t drink and drive and risk your life or the life of some innocent person on the road.

~L

Mood: Celebratory

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Today is a day that brings out some interesting emotions, responses and behaviors in people.

It is a day commonly set aside to celebrate romantic love.

It also (sadly) seems to bring out bitterness is many people.

“It’s a stupid holiday”, “Everyone stop posting pictures of you and your significant others on Facebook, it makes ME feel bad.”, “It’s nothing but commercialism and a scam perpetrated by greeting card companies”, and the ever popular “What about ME? I dont’ have anyone so I’m going to call it Singles Awareness Day.”

Seriously people, how does one day of celebrating love (with our without the commercial trappings) harm YOU?

Why would you begrudge friends and family who are partnered up their happiness and a chance to have fun with it?

This year, I do not have a romantic partner.

I am NOT sad about this. I ended a relationship that was not good for me and I am much happier and emotionally healthy for it.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t have love. I do have love, and lots of it. I have wonderful friends who have sent me cards in the mail, given me gifties at work, sent emails and text messages to wish me a happy day.

And I have a furry, funny, sassy, purring, snuggling, nose kissing BadKitty… (some folks dared me to try to get a snuggle picture without getting shredded when I was joking about posting a picture of she and I or she and my bike for “couples week” on Faceboook)

I had invitations to go do things tonight, but I decided to stay home and spoil myself instead (muscles needed a recovery day after yesterday’s mountain snowshoe adventure)

Really, if you don’t love yourself who else is going to?

I picked up some beautiful tulips from the market.

I also picked up some wonderful tenderloin filets to grill, fresh asparagus and of course, champagne. I enjoyed all of that with some of the whole wheat sourdough bread I baked on Friday.

For hors d’oeuvres I got some awesome Northwest alderwood smoked salmon and a nice brie.

I couldn’t forget my favorite valentine’s treat, chocolate dipped strawberries.

I picked up some fresh strawberries and some Ghirardelli dark chocolate to melt and dip them in.

The way I look at it, no one can make me feel validated (or bitter) but myself.

I’m happy for my friends that are in good relationships.

I’m happy for myself no longer being stuck in a bad relationship.

My life is full of endless possibilities, and I love an excuse to celebrate.

~L

Mood: Content

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Yesterday was Ground Hog’s day and one of the little vermin saw his shadow. If you go with Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania That means six more weeks of winter (as opposed to if he didn’t in which spring would come in sex weeks, WTF?)

Tell me this little guy isn’t saying WTF himself…

Of course, most groundhogs don’t agree with Phil’s prediction (and Groundhog Beauregard Lee in Georgia actually tired to escape)

Interestingly enough, when looking at lists of famous groundhogs, they are all East of the Mississippi.

Our marmots are smart enough to stay in their burrows and wait for spring when hikers and national park visitors to start showing up and dropping bits of their lunch.

In any event this is also the season of a much older celebration: Imbolc, Candlemas (or Brigid if you’re in Ireland) which are the observances that actually started the whole weather/season divination thing…

If Candlemas Day bring snow and rain
Winter is gone and won’t come again
If Candlemas Day be clear and bright
Winter will have another flight.

So the rodent(s) and our ancestors agree even if the rodents don’t agree with each other.

Although most people celebrated the day yesterday, February 2nd because it’s a convenient day on the calendar, the actual date this year is today, February 3 at 9:36 PM, (depending on your time zone), when the sun is 15 degrees Aquarius.

I tend to lean towards celebrating the old holidays on the astronomical date, not the calendar date (they didn’t even have our calendar when these celebrations started) but since these cross quarter holidays (as opposed to solstices and equinoxes) are more of a shift in seasons I just go with the flow.

How ever you do (or don’t) observe this turning of the wheel, may you be blessed

~L

Mood: contemplative

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OK…

I’ve been terrible about updating.

Work has been HELL, even more so than usual at this, our busiest and most stressful time of year (and no, I can’t talk about it other than the fact that it is in no way caused by my company, manager or co-workers; they’re all awesome) Life in general has been extremely busy and has had a bit of extra stress here and there.

I already posted about all my running and snow adventures in my Frostbite Falls update.

On Sunday, I went for a bike ride with the Tacoma Wheelmen. It was my first ride until some time in October.

Yeah… 38 miles with 2,691 feet of elevation gain. That was brilliant for my first ride of the season [eye roll]

We rode from Parkland, through Tacoma, down the Scott Pierson Trail and over the Narrows Bridge to Gig harbor for lunch and a beer at the Tides Tavern.

I finally got around to taking my Yule tree down. I left the lights around the top of the walls up because they aren’t holiday specific and it’s still dark and gloomy enough that they really help lift one’s spirit.

I keep my cards up all year long and have cards still arriving.

When I took the tree down, I moved the snowflakes to my windows. These will stay up until Spring (which is usually well after the equinox this far North)

My Christmas Amaryllis finally decided to bloom; it’s going to be gorgeous when it’s in full bloom.

After it’s bloomed out, I’ll give it to my best friend to plant in her garden.

Next year, I will be able to plant one in my own garden in my own back yard on my own property. [preemptive squee]

The credit clean up has been going well and my score is going up. It is so nice to be debt free for the first time since the abusive marriage and nasty divorce.

So far, it appears that I’m on track to buy a home in May (prices and interest rates should still be down) There are lots of cute little older homes on the market and there will be even more then (lots of ARM foreclosures expected in March). My mom’s mobile home is on the market and given it’s reasonable price and location it is expected to sell in 60 days, with escrow taking an additional 30-60 days. Right on track!

Tomorrow, I’m getting the camper shell/canopy/cap/topper I ordered put on my truck. I’ve had one on all my previous trucks (1978 Ford Courier, 1987 Ford F-25, 1995 Ford Ranger) just not on this one. WHAT was I thinking?

I ordered it around Christmas time and it has arrived. After spending a metric buttload of money on the slave cylinder, clutch and sensor for the truck, I decided to suck it up and get the shell for road trips (it’s nice to be able to pull over and sleep in the back), locking bikes and skis and moving since I won’t be getting rid of it any time soon. It will also help add weight to the back so I won’t need sandbags in the winter (or at least not as many) It was painted the factory color of my truck and has rails so that I can install a Yakima Rack for kayaks later on.

It will look exactly like this (only I think my truck Banshi is prettier than that one)

I’ll be sending text pictures from my phone while it’s being installed tomrrow.

There, I think I’m caught up for now.

And with that, I need to get to bed and get some sleep (unlike last night) to prepare for what is certain to be a helllish day at work tomorrow.

~L

Mood: Tired

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I’m going to concentrate on the good things that have happened in the last few days because sometimes, that’s all we can do.

New Years Eve started out with a FABULOUS First Night Celebration in downtown Tacoma. It’s great to live withing walking distance (only about a mile)

Even though it’s not Chinese New Year yet, the “Year of the Tiger” was rung in with great enthusiasm.

I am a tiger; perhaps this will be my year? I’d like to think so, and that’s the energy I’m going to put out there.

Speakeasy was a venue and we had a great lineup of performers, some of them Speakeasy members, so even though I bought a button, I spent most of my time there.

Angie, Suni and I kicking back and enjoying the vibe (note the lipstick on my teeth, one of the many reasons I rarely wear the stuff)

Aaron, Voxxy, Gene and I getting some air when the skies magically cleared and the blue moon graced us with her light.

I have more pictures of our wonderful speakeasy friends and First Night fun here…

I got up bright and early to head out to Steliacoom for the Resolution run. In case you’re wondering what crazy people look like; we’re here running through the often wet, and sometimes snowy or icy streets when most folks are in bed recovering from New Year’s Eve.

After a very brief bit of rest I headed up to Kenmore for Saul’s New Year’s (night) party. He was kind enough to let me crash on his couch since it was a long drive and we were going snowshoeing the next day.

It was great to spend time with old and new friends.

Saul never rests and is constantly organizing trips and events; I’m certain that we’re twins separated at birth…

More pictures of the party animals are available here:

the next day we went on a snowshoe and fondue trip up to Lake Keechelus.

It was a bit wet up there and a few folks didn’t understand that dogs aren’t allowed everywhere and when they are they should be leashed and their poop scooped, but that was all worked out and it’s all good!

A few more photos are available here:

After that great day, I was STARVING and my friend Jim was good enough to accompany me to Taquera El Guadalajara for Carne Asada (Mmmmm, Steak Crack)

The next day, I was up bright and early to go on a ski trip with Gene W.

We were going to go up to Hyak as I was breaking in new skis, boots and bindings, but decided to head further east where it was a bit colder and hit snow instead of rain at Easton.

Although the snow was a bit firm, we had new fluffy stuff falling all day and it was gorgeous! Here’s a shot of the Yakima River from the trail.

I LOVE my new skis, boots and NNN bindings.

Aren’t they SEXY?

I have NNN “auto” bindings so I just step and click; Gene has to bend over. HA! (no one’s complaining about an Ironman training toned butt)

It wasn’t groomed and there were some trail hazards.

Ooops!!!

We had a GREAT time!!!

And I didn’t even need to take any of the Advil he brought despite taking a couple of hard falls.

More pictures are and our Garmin track are available here. (it’s a slideshow, I have no idea why the title isn’t showing; just click the play symbol)

After we got Gene home to meet his other obligations, I met Dale at Joseppi’s for Spaghetti and Joe’s famous meatballs.

It was one heck of an AWESOME holiday!

Of course, I had to get back to real life today, but I think I’ll just end this post on a happy note focusing on the great weekend!

Happy New Year everyone!
~L

Mood: Energized

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For those who didn’t get one in the mail here is the online version of my holiday photo card and BadKitty’s bitter letter.

There’s even a bit of java script (ooh.. aah..)

Click Here for the Photo Card and Bad Kitty’s Annual Holiday Letter

Happy Holiday’s all!!!

~L

Mood: Holiday Happy

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Wow!

I’ve just now been able to sit down and summarize what may have been the best holiday season ever.

It started on Wednesday night (when I began a 4-day weekend) and a trip to Zoolights with Molly, Charlie, Erin and Andy.

I didn’t want to be “that person” with the SLR and tripod slowing the whole group up, but I did bring along my point and shoot and got a few pictures.

After that, we went to Cloverleaf Pizza. I can’t believe I’ve lived here over 11 years and haven’t been there yet. OMG Best (non wood fired) pizza in town!

Thursday was my Christmas Eve dinner; I had eight friends over, which is a full house in this tiny apartment.

I had my first ever (in 29 years of preparing these bad boys) “turkey incident”.

I generally “stuff em and forget em” pulling the foil off the breast to brown it about an hour before the critter is supposed to be taken out of the oven.

I was so “on it” I was going to have the bird out of the oven, potatoes mashed and gravy made before everyone got there so that I could relax and socialize.

I pulled the foil off and realized that I nearly had turkey tar tar. I smelled turkey the whole time because I was simmering the neck and giblets to make broth for the gravy.

I had set the oven to broil (top element only) to do something else earlier and never set it back to bake.

[slaps self on forehead]

Dinner was only an hour late (wine and chips & dip kept the ravenous crowd at bay) and it was delicious. It was a wonderful night!

Betsy & Lisa

Everyone wants to be in the kitchen

Diego & Lily make friends with BadKitty (yes, my evil cat actually stayed in the same room with a three year old; of course she was stoned on catnip at the time)

More pictures are here

Saturday afternoon/evening was brunch and dinner with an even bigger crowd at Molly & Charlie’s.

I also got a quick visit in with Knut and Alice because they left the satsumas I gave them at my house the night before.

Alice knitted me this awesome snowflake ornament to go on my tree.

My friend Jen sent me this lovely shiny beaded snowflake.

I received more snowflakes lovingly cut by hand in the mail.

These from John )top right) and the one on the bottom from Sophie (age 5)

I also received these new snowflakes (L) Charlotte, (R) Wendi

Here is the door with all the cards I’ve received so far; the farthest one has traveled being fron Cebu in the Philippines.

Sunday, was a trip up to the mountains and SNOW!!! (we Pacific North westerners like to keep our snow in the mountains where it belongs… OK, most of the time)

I went on an AWEOSME cross country ski trip to Cabin Creek

the rest of the pictures are here

On Sunday, spent most of the day in my moose jammies resting and recovering (and being a slug and LOVING it)

A little after 5:00 PM, I wandered over to the HUB to meet Angie and Suni for some girl time, wood fired pizza & beer. It was a GREAT evening!

I think this may have been the BEST HOLIDAY EVER!

But it’s not over yet…

Thursday night is the big First Night Celebration in Tacoma on New Year’s Eve. The Speakeasy Arts Cooperative is a venue and we have an AWESOME lineup!

On New Year’s Day (Friday), I’ll be doing the Resolution Run i and meeting with my triathlon club

After that, I’ll hopefully be picking up my new skis (after having the bindings mounted) and heading up to Saul’s place in Kenmore for a bonfire and party.

Saturday we’ll be snowshoeing up on Snoqualmie Pass.

Sunday, I’m planning on taking my new skis out for a test run at Hyak.

The 2009 Holiday season was the BEST EVER and 2010 is gonna ROCK!

~L

Mood: all Warm and Fuzzy inside

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I’m going to post about some happy things (because reading the local news right now is anything but)

Some more cards came in today’s mail. If you look to the left of the door below the pictures, I also got an Indianapolis Motor Speedway sticker from Beldar in (you guess it) Indy

Rumor has it that there are more snowflakes on the way

I also got my copy of the Washington Trails Association magazine and my “Cheeky Stellar Jay” photo was an editor’s favorite in the photo contest and was printed.

Speaking of magazines, I got a treat in the mail today. My friend Gar (the biggest supporter of my photography addiction/habit/career) gifted me with a subscription to Outdoor Photographer Magazine which is one of my favorites and is extremely useful.

Thanks Gar!

I’m not feeling particularly verbose at the moment. Work has been kicking my butt. It’s the beginning of the busiest season for me and there are extreme complications beyond anyone’s control that are making it even more challenging than usual. I am extremely lucky to have the best manager and admin in the world. I’d have ended up in the loony bin by now were it not for them.

Tomorrow is my last day at work this week, and I’m ready for a nice, long weekend. Yes, work will pile up (not too badly because Friday is a holiday and we may not have an afternoon mail run on Thursday) but it’s been stressy and I really need a break.

I’m cooking my Christmas dinner on Thursday night and will be having friends over for dinner.

If anyone in the area doesn’t have family close by or your plans or travel arrangements change, even at the last minute, you are invited to my place for dinner. Dinner is at 6:00 PM. People will probably drop in and out through the evening.

I didn’t get quite enough sleep last night, so I’m planning on spending the rest of the evening laying around like a slug and hopefully getting to bed early.

~L

Mood: Tired

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The sun (allegedly) rose at 7:55 this morning and it set at 4:21 PM. It remained dark most of the day, save a brief hour this afternoon, when the orb deigned to show its self to us.

The wheel has turned and the days will start getting longer again.

I made some choices to get rid of some things/issues/associations/grudges/people/debts/habits during the dark half of the year, and now I’m looking forward to bringing new shiny things into my life (and of course, nurturing the shiny things and people already in my life)

I will host a dinner on Christmas Eve for any friends that don’t have family in the area and those who have last minutes changes in plans/travel conditions.

Just because the wheel turned, doesn’t mean I’m done celebrating. I received some more snowflakes in the mail…

They are from: top left-Gar, Daria, bottom-Laurie

Here is the tree so far…

I got lots of wonderful cards in the mail as well; here’s the door

This last little bit of Solstice goodness, I totally stole from my LiveJournal friend Bodifox.

He posted the story Raven Steals the Light (I’ve used it for the children’s story at Solstice rituals in years past)

It is a traditional story from the Northwest Coast and Alaska.

I like this Northern Exposure version.

Not everyone knows this, but the town of ‘Cicily Alaska” is about an hour and a half from where I live, and is in fact Roslyn Washington (yes, I’ve been to The Brick)

and here’s the video that bodhi posted, another wonderful story of light in a magical part of the world…

and with that, I’m going to finish up an evening of relaxing and contemplating things.

Happy Solstice all…

Mood: Sunny

~L

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