Ruminations from the Temple

Do you have a cabinet filled to overflowing with those flimsy plastic shopping bags? Well, I do too, but they will be going away with this year's Passover cleaning! And I won't be accumulating more, either...I've discovered these fabulous shopping bags at Fred Meyer! When the stores all started coming out with the fabric-type reusable shopping bags, I bought some of them - heck, they were only 99 cents a piece. But, I hated them! They just are too flimsy to work well, not to mention the fact that my kids threw a couple of the plastic bottom inserts away (they don't work well at all without them!) So, back to the regular plastic bags I went, but I hate them...don't we all?? They rip at the most inopportune times, if you load them too heavy, just carrying them could cause great discomfort for your hands. But, I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone these things; we ALL hate these bags! I had been attracted to the brightly designed tote bags made out of tarp...

March is almost here, and with it is my commitment to producing new jedi tunics for the upcoming convention/parade season of trooping. Just thinkin' about it makes me smile! Gosh, better get the craftroom cleaned up to switch gears from rubberstamping to sewing!

I just saw this on Special Report (Fox News). I was stunned and thought it worthy of posting. Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, who goes by the name Dr Fadl, helped bin Laden create al-Qaeda and then led an Islamist insurgency in Egypt in the 1990s. But in a book written from inside an Egyptian prison, he has launched a frontal attack on al-Qaeda's ideology and the personal failings of bin Laden and particularly his Egyptian deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Twenty years ago, Dr Fadl became al-Qaeda's intellectual figurehead with a crucial book setting out the rationale for global jihad against the West. Today, however, he believes the murder of innocent people is both contrary to Islam and a strategic error. "Every drop of blood that was shed or is being shed in Afghanistan and Iraq is the responsibility of bin Laden and Zawahiri and their followers," writes Dr Fadl. The terrorist attacks on September 11 were both immoral and counterproductive, he writes. "Ramming America has be...

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things... It was a good day, despite having a duel with my sinuses. I believe I'm getting the upperhand, however, and want to continue with positive thoughts. So, in that vein, I submit the following good things: E-filing the taxes for this year...and getting a little back for my effort. Ibuprofen - it's definitely a good thing! Good friends who believe as I do and aren't afraid to say so. A beautiful and loyal friend to workout with - everyone needs that! Feeling a little bit more fit. Marking things off the do-list. Knowing that spring is coming! Finding the perfect yoga videos. It's a great thing when my children get along and cooperate! Being able to inspire someone - what a thrill! Fabulous meditation time. A good night's sleep. Being a part ...

My favorite rain-drip picture :-)

An interesting shot of the old Olympia Brewery in our state's capitol.

~A meandering ramble about how I hate to be put in a box~ For this abstract soul, living within the contraints of a box is unthinkable. Doing something just because that is the way it has always been done, or thinking a certain way because a certain group finds it acceptable has always been a rub for me. I find this most prevalent in religious circles, but it exists in other secular groups, as well. You could be in the Jewish box or a Christian box, or how about a Republican box or Democrat box. There is also the conservative box or liberal box, the environmentalist box or materialistic box. Oh, there are so many boxes for people to live in and put others in....ugh! These are the days when men...seek the comfortable and accepted; when the man of controversy is looked upon as a disturbing influence; when originality is taken to be a mark of instability; and when in minor modification of the scriptural parable, the bland lead the bland. ~John Kenneth Galbraith Even though I do not ...

Yes, I've been rather busy as of late. I suppose it's because nothing has really been going on, or perhaps it's the winter duldrums, but I have a rather full LTC box! Wanna trade? If so, send me a message over on Atlas Quest, and we'll get a trade set up. Not familiar with letterboxing, Letterboxer Trading Cards (LTC) or Atlas Quest? Find out all about it by clicking the Atlas Quest link on the side bar. I look forward to hearing from you!

Some of the finest soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) pose for me on my way up Mount Carmel in 2005. Yeah, it was a few years ago, but I'll never forget that day...or Israel. Am Israel Chai!

This evening is the first meeting with a couple from the shul that are renewing their wedding vows - seven years of marriage and seven kids later (yes, it's a blended family), they have decided they need to do things up right. I'm honored to have been asked to coordinate the celebration! I think about my own wedding; Rob and I decided to tie the knot officially on Kauai, Hawaii, at the beautiful Kauai Lagoons. The ceremony took place in a beautiful gazebo that was out over one of the lagoons. It was the most beautiful place I have ever been - flowers and lush green trees, lovely landscaping, birds singing and the air smelled like fruit and flowers. It was rather hot that day, and poor Rob was wearing black tails...ah, how handsome he was that day. The thing I remember most was the vidographer and photographers telling to kiss again; every pose, "OK, now kiss!" We were laughing - we probably had never kissed so much in our year long relationship as we did that da...

Well, more than one photo, really. How in the world do I choose from all the FABULOUS pics that we took on the Biggest Road Trip Ever? As we come up on the one year anniversary of the trip, I am longing to hit the road again (but, that's not really new!). Here are some of my favorite shots from Arches Nat'l Park (Utah). I makes me feel warm just lookin' at them!

Just for fun, I thought I'd showcase some of my latest LTC creations... Doodley-doo Blue LTC - featuring a carve from a friend's doodle and lots of masking. Cody LTC - carved image of a photograph I took while visiting Cody, Wyoming last summer. Point Robinson Lighthouse LTC - another image carved from a photograph I took while visiting this quaint lighthouse here in Washington State. The coloring is achieved using woodless colored pencils (I just love those!) Tiger's Eye LTC - I carved this stamp quite a while ago, and just couldn't come up with a good design for an LTC. Finally, after dusting it off and trying again, I came up with this. The eyes are colored with pencil then covered with a liquid paper glaze to make them look more realistic. So, I wish I actually owned this shirt! My Favorite Shirt LTC, for the Shirt Rack III swap. Yet another carve and LTC of my favorite Star Wars character, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I titled this one My Hero LTC. It is stamped on osnaberg fab...

This weekend has been full. A few notable gems to be hoarded for further pondering... surprise diamond earrings one giant loaf of challah early morning drive to Miracle Ranch a leisurely hour of killing time reading in a park some friendly sarcasm to start things off the comfort of the liturgy a word search of diversity a crisis of smashed toes three stamps carved another drive to Miracle Ranch potential skewering narrowly avoided conversing with eyes-only the protection and care of close friends the understanding of my Padawan the music of Harry Connick Jr. sharing the joy of the old dances with some really good dancers sisterly conversation over the best mongolian grill the fact that you can never have too many shoes *nodding* Now, that's livin'...

Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy. Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect. Jedi respect all life, in any form. Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy. Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training. I like to call myself a Jedi. I feel like a Jedi on quite a number of occasions, dress like one whenever I can (for troops, of course!) and regularly remember Jedi wisdom from the numerous books I have read containing Jedi philosophy. Yeah, I know...it's all just made up, but I have to see the value. I believe we can learn a great deal from literary sources, Star Wars authors included. I have pondered where George Lucas came up with the idea of Jedi...thinking about various cultures from around the world that may fit. I have also wondered if he had knowledge of a certain type of people that are more intuitive than the norm; there are certain personality profiles that would suggest this idea. I stumbled upon the ...

I am a maker and collecter of Artist Trading Cards. In my world, we call them "Letterboxer Trading Cards", because they are made by letterboxers and they must have a hand-carved stamp featured on the card. I have made hundreds, even thousands of these cards, and enjoy the hobby immensely (samples shown are a few of my cards). I also collect them from other artists and letterboxers, and have a collection numbering (also) in the thousands. So, here's the confession: I HATE LOGGING THEM! Yes, that's right, I said 'hate'. I know, that's pretty strong, but it is the only way I can adequately describe the feeling of dread that comes over me the second after I enjoy receiving them in the mail. If I were a disciplined person, I would immediately make my way to the computer, sign into to my favorite letterboxing site and let these wonderful friends know how much I love their efforts, thus easing their minds that their hard work arrived safe and sound in my care. Bu...

Mwahahaha! Take that, you've been hacked!! Of course, you could never guess who this hacker is, because I am just too sneaky. Have fun trying to figure me out!

Man, this bloggy thing is way too much fun! I would have never thought that I would have so much fun sharing pics, quotes, art, Scripture and my own meager thoughts all in one place. I tend to get bored easily, so changing things is a way of life for me - this format is perfect! lol! So, check back often - there will always be something new to see. "It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." ~Alan Cohen ps. In my searching for great quotes of wisdom, etc., I found this interesting tidbit: In his later years Pablo Picasso was not allowed to roam an art gallery unattended, for he had previously been discovered in the act of trying to improve on one of his old masterpieces. (unknown) *chuckle* Meditate on this, I will.

Today I feel good, I feel strong. Quiet, but good. The Tu b'Shvat celebration went well yesterday. There was lots of good food to eat, friends to shmooze with and everything went off without a hitch. We did not have a big crowd this year, for some reason. That's OK, I like cozy :-) This winter has been rather slow. The weather has been cold and dreary, lots of snow off and on and just plain boring. However, I have the distinct feeling that this time is now passing away, and things will start to warm up again with activities and purpose. I have been asked to coordinate the celebration of renewing vows for a couple in the shul that have been married for seven years. Only a short six months to get that all planned and details in place. Also, Purim is coming in just three weeks or so, with Passover quickly on it's heels. Norwescon is also approaching, which means a bit of sewing will have to take place before April, and my mother is making sounds like she wants to tak...

In honor of Tu B'Shvat, I'd like to remember the Land today. Baruch HaShem

In preparation for the celebration of Tu B'Shvat tomorrow, a pic of last year's goodies. The new year marking for the trees, we gather to enjoy the fruits and nuts of the Land and each other's company. Almonds, figs, dates, pecans, carob, olives and of course, wine....mmmm! Am Israel chai!

One year ago, I was taking this picture. It's the bridge at Newport, taken from the Embarcadero Resort across the bay. Amazingly, the photo did not do justice to the beauty of reality. I'm longing for the beach, I've realized. Haven't been since the turn of the new year, and even then we didn't get much actual beach time because of the cold, wintery storms. Just this morning, the boys left for a day at the coast, to go clamming...the season is open, apparently. Funny, we don't eat clams and even Rob does not like them, either. They like to go dig and then give them to my Dad, who just LOVES them! It's pretty physical work to get them, and he can't manage anymore. When I was a kid, we spend so much time at the coast. We dug clams, caught surf perch and trapped dungeness crab in our little star nets off the pier. My dad liked to call it "livin' off the land" except that we still needed to eat fresh produce. I definitely had my fill of seafood...

Well, as if I needed more motivation to continue to keep up this blog, as opposed to the one on MySpace, I just tried to post a little blog over there to alert my faithful readers of the change. However, just as I clicked 'publish' it disappeared...popped, just like a soap bubble floating in the air! This is not the first time this type of thing has happened; the worst was on the Biggest Field Trip Ever. I had spent 45 minutes waxing eloquently on the sights we had seen (on a time-limited hotel computer), excitedly clicked publish, and it all disappeared in the blink of an eye. I can't even begin to describe how upset I was...::sigh:: I am thinking that the reliability of blogger is better...let's hope so. If you know differently, please don't tell me yet; let me live in my happy little bubble for a bit longer, OK?

Just wanted to put it down in writing: 1. I believe America is a good place, had well-meaning and wise founders and founding principles. 2. I believe in G-d; I don't tell anyone else how to believe, and do not judge how others choose to worship as long as it doesn't involve persecuting others or beheading anyone. 3. I believe that it is my responsibility to try to be better and a more honest person than I was yesterday. 4. I believe the family is sacred. I and my spouse are the ultimate authority under G-d when it comes to my family. 5. I believe that if you break the law, you pay the penalty...no matter who you are. 6. I believe I have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but that is not a guarantee of equal results. 7. I work hard for what I have, and I will share it with others that I choose when I choose, should I choose. I believe the government cannot force me to be charitable. 8. I believe that it is not un-American for anyone to disagree with ...

Zeitgeist, the signs of the times, aren't lookin' real good right now. For the past couple of days, I've been under the weather. I don't know about you, but when I'm sick, I usually end up watching quite a bit of television. Unfortunately for me, I don't like sitcoms, soap operas or reality shows particularly, so I end up watching the news. And I have to tell you, it isn't good. Our new president has admitted to 'screwing up' in his nominations of two cabinet positions. That's forgivable, but gosh, let's not have people in high-ranking positions have tax evasion problems, OK? And, how 'bout that stimulus plan? I thought we were taking a stand against unneeded pork spending? Someone needs to give our lauded Speaker of the House a swift kick in the well-suited behind, if you ask me. I am so disappointed at the corruption in our government...it just seems so much worse than usual. Or perhaps when the other party is in power, they are...

A dear letterboxing friend who resides in New Mexico has a fabulous blog where he publishes a photo each day. He posts fascinating photos that give a unique insight into what he sees and how he thinks - most impressive. I'd like to do the same, however, I know that I would not keep up with it on a daily basis. I will post a 'photo-of-the-day' periodically, just for fun. Here's one to start...of our very fluffy Toulouse.

The current version of my Jedi attire; just got to wear it again for a fun troop at the Seattle Center.