Friday Five A Bugs Life

Sophia posted this FF "As I was walking the beach today, I was surprised and delighted to find it swarming with ladybugs. The sweet little red beetles are one of my favorite insects and also my daughter's blogname--though as of this morning she was thinking of changing it to Butterfly. I'll keep you posted.

This got me thinking about spiritual insect trivia: Did you know that medieval mystics and theologians esteemed the bee for its dedicated work and transformation of ordinary ingredients into sweetness? That Spider Woman is an important creator Goddess to many Native American tribes? Or that Francis of Assisi was reminded of Jesus not only by lambs being led to slaughter, but also by worms (think "I am a worm and no man" from the Psalms)-- so he picked them up and took them out of stomping-vulnerable spots?!
In that spirit, this week's Friday Five is a magical mystery tour through God's garden of creepy crawlies!"

1. Ladybugs or ladybirds? Pillbugs or roly-polys? Jesus bugs or water skeeters? Any other interesting regional or familial name variations?
Lady bugs, Pillbugs, waterskeeters, can't think of any others.

2. Stomp on spiders, carry them outside, or peacefully co-exist?
Arachnoiditis! Stomp on them, crush them, get a tissue and smash the buggers! No Buddist I, in this situation

3. Favorite insect?
Maybe the Lightning Bug-is this regional-Ohio!

4. Least favorite?
Mosquito. They come for me. I'm the parakeet in the mine.

5. Got any good bug stories to share?
Once when I was about 7 I told my mother I had a bug in my ear.I could hear it moving around in there trying to get out. It was midsummer and I had been playing outdoors. My father scoffed. But my mother believed me! She put a lit flashlight to my ear and the bug found it's way out. True story!

The Retreat

The pictures you can find on google, amazing!

I went to the retreat this weekend. Let me clarify, it was a retreat sponsored by Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, the only LGBT synagogue in NYC and the largest in the world and the spiritual home of BL. It's the shul that refused marriage to us because I am not Jewish 6 years ago. (note, they did rent us the shul, but we had to hunt for our own rabbi, a lovely rabbi, Ellen Lippman who has her own synagogue in Brooklyn and a Christian partner.)

For a while, after BL joined, I attended services and became part of the community,and really enjoyed them and except for the Jesus problem, was considering becoming a member. Then the marriage issue came up. I mean, for Christ's sake! This is the only place of it's kind in NYC and embraces, orthodox to reform and plenty of people are coupled with non-Jews (as the head rabbi likes to call us.)

So I went to the retreat with a chip on my shoulder that just kept getting bigger as the weekend went on. I found that we were not in the usual accessible  cabins-that we usually have. This was Bl's fault. She forgot to ask. But they gave the extras of these to parents with children! and refused to switch one when they realized I needed one (I need a seated shower or I fall down.)

As you can see I was carrying around this big chip that had a tendency to grow.

I approached the new president to ask him about ways of making non-Jewish partners more welcome. He said "Well it is a Synagogue!" Ow, that chip was starting to hurt!

This will be my last retreat.

Friday Five May Day

Sally Writes" It is the first of May, or as I have been concentrating on dialogue with folk interested in the new spirituality movement this last week, it is Beltane, a time to celebrate the beginning of summer. The BBC web-site tells us that:

Beltane is a Celtic word which means 'fires of Bel' (Bel was a Celtic deity). It is a fire festival that celebrates of the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year.
Celtic festivals often tied in with the needs of the community. In spring time, at the beginning of the farming calendar, everybody would be hoping for a fruitful year for their families and fields.
Beltane rituals would often include courting: for example, young men and women collecting blossoms in the woods and lighting fires in the evening. These rituals would often lead to matches and marriages, either immediately in the coming summer or autumn.

Another advert for a TV programme that has caught my eye on the UK's Channel 4 this weekend is called Love, Life and leaving; and is a look at the importance of celebrating the seasons of life through ritual and in the public eye, hence marriages, baptisms and funerals.

I believe that we live in a ritually impoverished culture, where we have few reasons for real celebration, and marking the passages of life;"

So

1. Are ritual markings of birth marriage and death important to you?

Yes, absolutely. My xx birthday is coming up-not starting with a 5 or a 7, and I've been telling everyone who will listen in preparation for my imminent croning!

2. Share a favourite liturgy/ practice.

Well, I always did like the benediction because it was short. But I have been going to a women only ritual in a convent that has different rituals  every Sunday that they are held ( designed by the different women.)

3. If you could invent ( or have invented) a ritual what is it for?

I would like to see a ritual for a young woman's first menstruation. (I think theses exist, but are way underused.)

4. What do you think of making connections with neo-pagan / ancient festivals? Have you done this and how?

Not really. I have a friend who is a partial neo-pagan and have attended some of her rituals but they don't really resonate.

5. Celebrating is important, what and where would your ideal celebration be?

At my High School, this day was for the outdoor living rosary, with girls in pastel dresses instead of our dreary uniforms of plaid skirts and navy blazers. I'd like to celebrate Birthdays and marriage, once it's available for all!

PS, I'm on my way to a three day retreat held by BL's synogogue in CT at the Isabella Freedman Retreat Center. The place is really beautiful, the company can somewhat non-welcoming in my experience. Woo Hoo! These are the folks that wouldn't marry us. I better go pack.

Bucket List Friday Five

I've been thinking a lot about this as I have a BIG Birthday coming this July 25th. I won't say which, but it doesn't start with a 5 or 7. It does give a sense of urgency to things as I read the obits in the NY Times and see more and more people in my age group buying the farm, kicking the bucket-you get the point. Additionally, last year I had major surgery and went through the whole process of  signing all the papers that made beloved my unplugger (because even though we're married in Canada-in the eyes of the USA we are only good friends-sigh.) It kind of makes you think of these things.

So, Singing Owl said:

"It's a Bucket List Friday Five, Gals and Pals!
I wrote this Friday Five a while back but was unable to post it. Just saying, so you know I am not ill! :-) Actually I am heading out of town and will not be able to read your posts till sometime early next week, but I'll do so then. Have fun, and don't think too hard about this one. I figured we were due for some fun after Lent and Good Friday and Easter and all that churchy stuff!

Four days of being mostly in bed with a really bad case of flu (do not worry--I will give no detail) has me pondering the fragility of life. LOL! Death, however, has been cheated in my case and I am up and taking nourishment. In that vein of thought, do you have a "Bucket List"? In other words, from the movie of the same name, five things you want to see, do, accomplish, etc. before you kick the bucket?"

1. I would mostly love to have a place with a little extra room to do my projects and breath. We're in the process (almost typed processing-how about that? see the post before last) Make that one with refrigerator that makes ice cubes on the door.

2. I would like to do more traveling while I can still walk around and enjoy myself ( I have a kind of spinal cord injury see posts marked Cauda Equina Syndrome-and though it's not progressive, I use a cane and  aging seems to bring it's own problems like arthritis which is making things a little worse.)

3. Under traveling, how about France, more of Italy, London, and lets get fanciful Bali, Thailand  and there about, Australia. Cruising and in particular with Olivia . I've always wanted to sail from here to Europe. In my younger days I wanted to do a solo sail, not anymore.

4. I wish I could retire and volunteer as an art teacher. That was my first career. One that I never actually did.

5. I'd love to actually find a church that I love and feel a part of.

I may add to this but this is it for now and I have to go to work!

Easter Parade

As Joe.My.God would Say, double click to embiggen. I took the pics. It was a cool but sunny day. Next year I may make a bonnet!

So Difficult

I'm about to get ready for our marriage therapy session. I think this is session number eleven or twelve. Our presenting issue was lack of space in our tiny apartment. We lived well in two apartments in two states for 14 years, then got married and when we couldn't find a place to share-for reasons too sensitive to share here, I said, move in here. I have regretted that ever since. I lived here with another person once before and when she left, I said never again. I made a mistake. Was it too big a mistake?

I've been thinking about blogging about this for awhile, but have hesitated and have found that my blog is filled with meaningless blather. This is what makes me sleep way more than I need to. This is what makes me drag through my days. This is what keeps my individual therapist busy. Keep me in your prayers.

Friday Five the Appliance Edition

Sally posted this FF: "As I write this I am waiting for my new dishwasher to be delivered, it along with my washing machine and vacuum cleaner are household appliances that I consider indispensable! Others not so much, we decided not to replace our tumble drier when the old one finally gave out last year, and I can honestly say I haven't really missed it. My hubby Tim and I often disagree about which household appliances are really necessary and which ones aren't, we also enjoy a few luxury items, my one of favourites is a juicer, and Tim's is our all singing all dancing filter coffee maker- it has a thermos jug so the coffee stays nice and hot without the aid if a heat element."

My old High School friend MKC who just bought a fixer upper should enjoy reading these, so note to MK, go to Revgalblogpals in the right hand column and click to see who responded to the Friday Five. 

So being in a domestic frame of mind I thought I'd ask;

1. What is the one appliance you simply couldn't be without?

My Kitchen is so small ( drum roll///\\\"How small is it") A really a small box adjacent to the large shoe box that is my apartment, that it holds a refrigerator, cook top (don't think fancy here-four burners) oven, sink, some cabinets, a microwave, coffeemaker, Cuisinart, shelves, drawers and lots and lots of take out menus! The one thing I couldn't live without is my refrigerator because I love my cold beverages, not alcoholic.

2. What if anything would you happily give up?

I would gladly give up the section of wall connecting the room to the living room which would open up both rooms.

3. What is the most strangest household appliance you own?

It's a none electric appliance, but I have a little pair of scissors shaped like a little chicken, that belonged to my mother, that can cut the top off  of a soft boiled egg. I also have my mothers knives-she was a butcher and meat cutter.

4. What is the most luxurious household appliance you own?

Have you SEEN my kitchen?

5. Tell us about your dream kitchen- the sky is the limit here....

Start with one of those kitchens like Hazel had only updated, with a huge island and a refrigerator that does everything especially makes ice on the door. ( I don't even have room to make ice in the fridge!) Then go on from there...

She's really something!

NOM or "Gnome"

Some responses to the NOM commercial. I have not seen it on TV, which is-I suppose-why my TV survives.

Happy Easter

We're going to the Easter Parade after brunch with the adult godchild.