World Wide Healing.

Are you in need of physical or mental healing? On Sunday, June 23rd Healing Energy Community is holding an event for a world wide collective of energy healers sending out our healing light. Join in to either ask for healing or be an energy healer yourself.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE EVENT

~Magickal Graphics~     Read more about my energy healing methods HERE.

What I've Been Doing

So I've been pretty silent this week. Once in awhile I find that the world is too bright and too loud so I seek the darkness and solitude. When I was younger my mother was concerned that this habit was a form of depression. In reality it's just seeking distance from the over-stimulation the outside world forces upon me day after day.

So I've stayed in my little cocoon for now. Usually after these bouts of solitude I come out feeling refreshed, invigorated, and ready for new creative adventures.

So what do I do while in my solitude? Various things. This time, I've been playing a game. I use to play World of Warcraft many years ago. I played for about two years and enjoyed it a lot.

WOW, Level 80 DK. Character Name: Sassanach

I left WOW and the gaming community for a long time for a few reasons. Number one, is that I was bored. I use to play with my husband, but he quit the game. I played for some time without him, but it wasn't the same.

Then our finances changed and I couldn't justify spending the fee to play a game I was bored and not playing much.

I remember when I was younger and we had horses, while I was mounted on that horse the thing I loved the most is the solitude. It was just me and the horse. We had sort of a communication without speaking. I no longer have horses, or even access to ones I can pet. So I've been seeking a game that gave the full horse experience. There are not many choices out there that I liked. So when I saw the game Star Stable advertised, I checked it out. While it can definitely use some improvements, it's given me that solitude and peace I was seeking. I'm sure I probably won't play it for very long. I don't see me sticking with it two years like I did with WOW. But for now, it makes me happy.

Star Stable. Level 5. Character Name: Anja Stargren. Horse Name: WinterSong

Do you ever seek the peace of solitude? What do you do to pass the time?

Don't Abuse Dogs!

Most of the time I mind my own business. Especially where I live. I haven't made many friends and I like it that way. Today was a warm day and I decided to take the kids outside to play. Wyatt was wanting to play but a puppy was outside and making that impossible. It was likely a German Shepherd pup. I know he's going to grow way bigger than what our apartment complex allows. The limit here is 25 lbs. He kept nipping my son and Wyatt was having none of it. He cried and was scared of the dog.

So I took the dog back to the owner and asked could they please keep him in their area. The woman then turns around and starts smacking the poor dog in the mouth.

My dear readers, as much as I love to keep my nose out of other peoples business, I couldn't walk away. So I spoke up. I told her to stop hitting the dog.

Her excuse? She doesn't want the dog to bite her daughter so she's "teaching" him not to bite. That is about the dumbest statement ever. I feel sorry for this dog. So sorry that if it happens to wonder near my area again, it just might disappear.

I have owned and trained dogs my entire life. Dogs do not learn by physical punishment. Smacking the dog in the mouth is about the one thing you can do to ensure that eventually it's going to bite someone. I tried to keep my cool, but I was seeing red. There are a million other things I wish I had said to her. But all I said was, "Dogs don't learn by physical punishment. Please don't hit the dog."

Then I walked away. I knew if I didn't I'd start a fight. She wasn't willing to learn anyway, so it would have been pointless to try. But oh I feel sorry for that poor dog.

My Support to the Pagans of Pahokee

~Magickal Graphics~    

Some of you may have already heard about a Summer Solstice festival in Pohakee, Florida that is being held by Indigo Crescent Metaphysical shop. It's brought a lot of attention by some residents who are trying to infringe upon the rights of these Pagans to hold a Summer Solstice Festival.

I wish I could say I was surprised at the reaction from the Christian population. However I am not. It seems like this is usually what happens when you try to have a festival in small town America. 

A friend of mine who had something similar happen. She held her first annual Beltane festival in Shelbyville, KY and some of the residents were not happy. Christians stayed outside the ritual area and prayed for the Pagans, while the Pagans did the same for the Christians.

Eventually Shelbyville residents tolerated, if not accepted, the Pagan presence in the town, but my friend did eventually move her store to another city because of the hate and bigotry she encountered in Shelbyville.

Freedom of Religion does not mean freedom for ONE religion. It's never acceptable to try to stop a festival just because you feel it is wrong. 

If anyone is in the Pohakee, Florida area, contact the Indigo Crescent to lend your support. You can also contact them on their Facebook page.

If you're like me and not in the area, you can still get the word out. Share or re-blog this so this festival gets a great turnout!

Honoring Ancestors Through Media

So in my last post I pondered the question of media on the Internet and our descendants.  Hopefully in the many years to come we will still have the Internet, and then there comes the point where we have media stored from generations past.

Today I'm honoring my ancestors.I would want my own descendants to know that I have worked to create a better future by improving myself, my surroundings, and instilling the morals I believe will carry us into a better future. I would want my children to know that I love them and will look over them. I'd have them know me, not just for the dates of major events in my life, but the small details that make up who I am. In generations past we did this through stories past down from father to son. Yet so often those stories are lost, changed, or simply forgotten. That is why the Internet is going to change the way the new generation will connect with their past. Never before have we been able to look back 200+ years and see a video of our ancestor alive and well.

How do you think our social media will change future generations? 

Will they trace their ancestry through social media? 

What would you say to the generations that follow?

In Honor of Memorial Day: Family Tree

Today I've spent a large portion of my day researching my family history. I use to do this all the time. I'd get info on one ancestor, that opened up more information on another ancestor and before I knew it I had 20+ new people on my family tree. I just love that!

Ancestry.com gives you the option to pay for their service, but there are plenty of free websites also. Find A Grave.com is a great service. I've been comparing Find A Grave's information to my info on Ancestry.

Since today is Memorial day, I think it's fitting that I found a lot of war veterans in my family tree.

        

The Smiley Family was awarded an armorial ensign, by the Crown of England, based upon the courage exhibited by Thomas in battle. The motto translates as "Valor in Arms" or "Virtue with Power".

          The first war vet I found today began with Thomas Smiley, my 9th Great Grandfather.

Birth 1660 in South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Death 1689 in Londonderry County Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Thomas was a Williamite Defender during the Siege of Derry.  He died during battle and was awarded an armorial ensign by the Crown of England. Thomas had three sons - William, John (My 8th g-grandfather), and Francis - who sailed to America and served in the Revolutionary War.

Of course I found a lot of weird, funny, and sat facts as well. For one, couldn't they think of other names besides William, John, Francis, and Mary? When they did think of unique names, could they not think of something better - Archibald?! Really?

Then there are the infant deaths. So sad. :( Of course there's the large families. Two brothers had 9 children each.

And the discoveries that they were a bit naughty, such as a birth less than 9 months after the marriage. Hello hanky panky. ;)

I found a few who married their 1st cousins. That was pretty common really but the website always alerts you when that happens.


~Magickal Graphics~
Anyway, as I was going through this info and adding it in I began to wonder, in 100 years, is my descendants going to be adding facts about my life and death and wonder what kind of person I was? Because of this blog and other social media, will it be possible to actually get to know me through Youtube, Facebook and other media outlets? What will they think? Once digital information is out there it is rarely lost. Unless some mass deletion or apocalypses that crashes the entire Internet, I think what we put out there will (or at least could) last many lifetimes. Perhaps I'll make a video talking to my descendants and tell them a bit about me, and what I want to manifest that will change their way of life.

Have you created your family tree? 

Have a wonderful Memorial Day everyone! 

 

Donald K Smith. WW2 Veteran and my grandfather. Me pictured right.

 

Magickal Graphics

Robin's Cinnamon & Raisin Bread

My house smells yummy right now. I decided to make Cinnamon and Raisin Bread. So I'll share my recipe with you. I'm far from a Kitchen Witch, but a little baking with love always makes me happy; especially when I get yummy results!

I apologize for it being half eaten before the picture was taken! lol We could not wait.

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 packet Yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tsp oil. (Olive oil or Veg. oil.)
• 1/2 cup and 2 tbsp Sugar
• 2 tbsp Cinnamon
• 2 tbsp Nutmeg
• 1 cup Raisins
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks Butter

Directions

1.  In a measuring cup, 1 cup warm (not hot and not cold) water. Add 2 tbsp sugar and the packet of yeast to the water. Wait 10 minutes or until the yeast proofs. You'll see little bubbles and a foamy action at the top. If your yeast does not proof, its no good. Start over with different yeast. 
2. In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp oil. I used olive oil for this, only because it is healthier. Add 2 cups all-purpose flour and the contents of the measuring cup. 
3. Mix together so the flour and yeast mix is all worked in. You can use a mixer with a dough hook if you want. 
4. Add 2 tbsp Cinnamon and Nutmeg. 
5. After the dough is formed in a ball, flour your counter surface and place dough on the counter. Put a little extra flour on top. You may wish to flour your hands too. Kneed dough for 10-15 minutes. Dough should be pliant but not sticky. Don't work too much extra flour in or your loaf will be dense. 
6. In a bread pan, oil the bottom with 1 tsp oil. Place loaf in pan and flip it once or twice to coat it with oil. Place in a warm area and allow to rise. If you have a gas oven or an oven with a warm setting, this is a perfect place to allow to rise. Should take 1-2 hours. 
7. After bread has risen, in a separate bowl, 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 stick of butter. I added more cinnamon as well. I didn't measure, but it was about 5 tbsp. I like a strong cinnamon taste, but you can change the amount if you wish. Microwave a few seconds to melt the butter. Mix well. 
8. On your floured surface, roll out the bread dough. Place raisins along the top and pour the sugar mixture over top of that. I had some left over that I reserved for later. 
9. Roll the bread up. You should have enough for two loaves. Cut in half and place in oiled bread pans. Pour a little more of the sugar mix on top. Allow to rise another 1-2 hours in a warm place. 
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. If you tap the top of the bread and it sounds hallow, it's done. 
11. Transfer your loaves to a serving dish. I stacked one on top of the other, but you don't need to do this. Arrange them as you wish. 
12. In a saucepan, 1 stick butter, and either the sugar mixture you have left, or make more. Heat on high until it reduces to a glaze. 
13. Pour glaze over top of the bread. Allow to cool to room temperature and enjoy!