Halloween:

*****

Well, I got back on my computer tonight and am thankful for that...I think.
I seem to be aware of more awful things on line than from the news media.
This way I get a little bit of everything. Often I have heard about it days before it
reaches television as you have probably also noticed.

I went over to get a cappachino before settlin in for the night.
The streets are bare which could be scary but I am imagining most parents
at home passing out candy or walking with their children or at a party.

Children don't come to our area.
(We are probably too old and scary and don't wear costumes.)

I did get two pictures on my phone of my grandchildren who are in
great costumes. Hope their mommy or daddy post them.

I am anxious for tomorrow...All Saint's Day!
And for the next day...A Soul's Day.
Thank you God.

Giants Win Game:



*****

Yay!!
 The Giants won the second game and that's all I'm sayin for now.
I've been waiting here and good news can be exhausting...

"Could I have my treat now?"



Respect Life:

Everyone has a story to tell about life...

Planning or unplanned

Starting with expectations and joy

Hope with the greatest of desires for a baby...

Working with SIDS (sudden infant death) mothers

I can tell you there is no greater pain.

May we all recognize and respect life at all ages and stages.

Let us pray for all those families that have lost a child.

Visual writing prompt:

Visual Writing Prompt:



*****


Bubble Bug Eyes!

Halloween is my least favorite holiday!
I am at a loss of words and have another visual writing prompt.
I am looking forward to November 1st and the feast of all Souls.
Now that...I don't find spooky. I find it most comforting.



Visual Writing Prompt:

Starbucks:

*****
I was at Starbucks today and met a woman who happens
to live across from the original Starbucks in Seattle.
She offered to take my card and pass it around in that neighborhood.
I appreciated her PR for me in light of the latest release and
attention placed on the Boy Scouts of America that have been molested.

I can't remember a night in the news where there was no mention of sexual assaults.
This is the voice of the media. We not only need them but we need YOUR voice too.

Support the Survivor's Healing Center by purchasing either an e-book or a softcover.

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3129533

Mom:

Today is one of those unsettled days for me.
     I just plain miss my mom!

October 17,1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake:



*****

If you were here on that date it is doubtful that you have forgotten your
own experience on that eventful day of the earthquake.
I had a root canal at noon and figured I could return to work in the office
because I was numbed up. I planned to stay on and give immunizations to
the babies in the clinic but I could feel pain by that time and left for home.
I was on the freeway at 5:04 pm and thought my tires all went flat one after the other, totally confused by the feelings inside my car and my gut.
 I pulled over...as well as everyone else.

A convertible with college kids in it drove by all of us screaming
"earthquake, earthquake!" and then as if on beat we all pulled back onto
the center of the road and drove, carefully, thoughtfully to our destinations.

Did you ever hear about the "earthquake romances?"
I'd love to hear your story.
Did it last?

Happy Birthday to a friend  today!



Visual Writing Prompt:

Carl Jung:

"Everything that irritates us about others

can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."

Sunday, October 14, 2012 -The Gift:



*****

I learned this from the Baltimore catechism...
Question: Who made me?
Answer: God made me.
Question: Why did God make me?
Answer:  God made me to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him.



 I'm Catholic and live in California.

 I'm Catholic and retired.

I'm Catholic and a woman.

Gift your faith to your children-

                         My gift of a religious faith is a huge part of who I am.

Keep the Faith:



*****

Cancer is so limited-

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot suppress memories,

It cannot silence outrage,

 It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot steal eternal life,

It cannot conquer the Spirit.


                            "What cancer cannot do," The Senior Times



Afterword:



*****
"What occurred under my roof wouldn't leave me. It remained a
restless, stirring in my gut. I couldn't erase it or stand on the
street corners and bellow it out, so I re-lived my life in the
narrative. It was with non-judgmental support from a writing
group led by Ellen Bass that I revealed my nearly unbearable truth."

 Order the book today: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3129533

The Big "C" Word:

     It used to be that no one would say the word cancer. It was always
referred to as the big "C" word. Then after a several years it got it's voice.
That's what I am waiting for...I have not given up on the voice for the big fight against sexual molestation and incest. Some day it will be intolerable like cancer. We will all fight the fight together.  So, put your boxing gloves on and join in this campaign.

    Talk about it at home with your children. Teach them manners, tell them how to dress, what good foods to eat, how to do well in school and how important their bodies are...and there are parts that are never to be touched by anyone else including mommy and daddy!

     And all survivors will thank you for being a good parent.
     And all survivors will thank you for sparing another child.
                     We can do this!

      Thank you...from the mother of a survivor.

Pets vs Pet Peeves:



*****

There were several black cats slinking around my walking path tonight
but this one posted himself in the middle of the street and didn't feel much like moving.
After the flash of light from my cell phone he streched out on his belly near a house.

Are you a cat person?
A dog lover? Both?
Neither?

Let's talk!



Prayer Invitation Request:

Come Join us on Saturday, October 13, 2012 and say the Rosary at the

Santa Cruz Town Clock at 12 noon. No need to sign up...show up. If you

can't stop then do a drive by and honk your horns. We appreciate the support however you can give it in our request for intercession of our beautiful Blessed Mother. 

           America Needs Fatima. Check out any of the 9000 locations!

If you have been attending St. Joseph's in Capitola then you are familiar with what Fr. Wayne says after his beautiful homilies:

"Glory be to God, who can do infinitely more than you and I could ever ask for or begin to imagine.

Glory be to God, from one generation to the next, throught Jesus Christ and his holy church, today, tomorrow and please, God...always. Amen."

Brighten Your Day:

*****

Sometimes it's easy to brighten a day
and sometimes, it's not.
Do you ever entertain yourself?
My friend told me that I do it all the time!
I guess that involves finding humor,
decluttering, being kind to someone,
smiling, and moving around with a walk or riding a bike
or getting out the house can bring one out of a funk.
I call my friends and sharing it helps.

What do you do when you get into that space?

Thundershirts:

*****

I usually talk about protecting children from abuse and tonight I am talking about protecting pets.  My Herbie is terrified of fireworks. Last night I put him in his "Thundershirt" which makes him feel like he is being held and safe. He did great.

People have "comfort" clothes...things we wear when we're in a certain mood!
I bought a thick cotton shirt today with long sleeves and as soon as I put it on... it became a favorite! It's that kind of shirt you wash and pull out of the dryer, shape and smooth it with the palm of your hand and slip it on.
You feel like yourself!

What does your thundershirt look like??

Page 54:

" A week later, I sat in the waiting room with chatty expectant mothers-to-be and held a magazine in front of my face so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone. I was the mother of a dead baby, and the secret I carried was crazy difficult."

    "Under My Roof ~ A Mother's Story of the Heinous Crime of Incest"

Visual Writing Prompt:

                                     
                                      Get Ready...Get set...

St. Francis:

YOU Are Terrific:

 

Thanks to YOUR donations, the Survivors Healing Center of Santa Cruz provides the most comprehensive services for survivors in the United States!

 The "friends of the Center" want to tell you how happy we are in your fight against Child Sexual Abuse. Hope you get a chance to check out the website for SHC

and or click "like" on their facebook page.


 The royalties from "Under My Roof ~ A Mother's Story of the Heinous Crime of Incest," helps promote the 'mothers of survivors group' today.
If you are a mother, you are not alone. Call and get into this group...

Please also consider giving a donation of any size to help continue these services. Write a check today to the Survivor's Healing Center.

Survivors Healing Center
104 Walnut Avenue  suite 208
Santa Cruz, California 95060

tax ID# 94-1716354

THANK YOU

 

Picket Fences:



These worn out fences are in my old hometown. I stood
looking at them with a type of sadness of days, gone.
An ending to something once beautiful, familiar.
Containing, restraining or decorating,
it was someone's dream 50 years ago!

I think it's time to get a new dream...
I mean, replace the missing pieces, paint the fence, or
 tear it down, use it for firewood.
Do something.
Just do it~ like Nike says.



Women:

*****                  anonymous

Our hearts were certainly full after meeting last week with classmates.
It was a fun, memorable and satisfying class reunion.
God continues to bless our class and keep us connected...
We know this and are thankful.

Why not call a friend for coffee today!

The Little Flower:

Happy Feast Day St. Teresa
"The Little Flower"
Pray for us

Happy October:

I'm Back!!!

Don't ask me how I figured this thing out.
I still don't have my pix back but at least I can continue blogging.
It feels good. And I missed doing this although the break was a good one.
More tomorrow.
Many Blessings to all of you who hung in there with me.