Thoughts, Prayers and a Sad Thing Because Sometimes Life Isn't Sunshine and Lollipops

Yesterday worked into one of those days where Step A led into Step B which led into Step C. No hopping and skipping around, except to return the wrong computer cable and purchase the correct one from a different source. Since both stores were close to home, it wasn't a major thing, and I ended up with one that is functional and does exactly what it needs to do - charge my phone overnight. A rather important function. 

Do any others of you remember the "Flying Fickle Finger 
of Fate" award? From the old Rowan and Martin segment 
of "Laugh-In" in the late 1960's? 

I remembered everything at the store, and also had a chance to catch up with what's happening with Phil's wife when I chatted with one of the other Produce department guys. It's a very sad thing, such a quirk of fate. Phil got married to the love of his life last year in May. The day of the wedding there was a huge, unseasonable hail storm that caused everyone to rush into the after-wedding tent for shelter. It was something to laugh about, and I think all of us figured that this might be getting all of their bad luck out of the way so that their lives together would be fabulous. And indeed, it started out that way. 

They had an outdoor wedding with a large tent for the 
reception to follow. The wedding was fine, and they were 
just gathering into the tent for the after-wedding meal, 
toasts and dancing when the hail started coming down. 
The guests ended up holding the tent poles stable and 
holding up tent edges. It was crazy. We all said that if 
that was the worst their married life would throw at 
them, they were lucky to get it all out of the way early. 
But we were SO wrong. It was just the first volley. 

After about six months, however, she started feeling quite poorly and went to the doctor where there was the start of nothing but bad news. A tumor was found in her abdomen - a fast-growing and very aggressive cancer. After trying medicines to shrink or kill the cancer, surgery was decided upon and she underwent a very aggressive surgery in the late summer/early fall. Then there was a long recovery, and loads of chemotherapy, with hopes that any remaining tumor would shrink. 

Push that red area down more and you've basically 
got her cancer. All of her stomach and intestines 
are involved in this. By now she's had almost 
everything removed, but the cancer refuses to 
give up and the drugs aren't working. She's back 
in the hospital again, and this may well be the 
final time. She's started bleeding internally 
and isn't taking well to the medications. 

It didn't. It continued to grow, and now she's spent most of that first year of marriage in the hospital, where she is once again. The doctors have done almost everything possible, and she's fighting valiantly, but it's looking like this is something that she won't survive. Although she was able to be home for a couple of months, she hasn't been healthy for most of the past year, and she's back in the hospital again. They've been married for slightly longer than one year, and I think they've spent a total of one month together away from hospitals and sick beds. They've spent every penny they had on this, and ran a fundraiser to try and help with the hospital bills in April (I'm told it was quite successful, but don't know any specifics). I think she's in end game right now and that she won't live to be released home again, and it will totally break this sweet, smiling and delightful man who is so very much in love with his bride. 

It's been a hell of a first year of marriage for Phil and 
his bride. I don't think they've been able to spend more than 
one week together since their honeymoon, and she's spent 
more time in the hospital than at home. Such a sad situation. 

Why talk about such a sad thing at 3:45 am? Well, why not? Everywhere in the world today there will be some people who are experiencing great sorrow and worry. Let's all turn our thoughts today to healing - healing for individuals, as well as for larger groups of people. Let's turn our thoughts of healing to the land and the world as a whole. We can all use some positives in our lives, and healing mantras and vibrations can never be too few or too soon. With hopes that you have a wonderful day, I'm off for another magical outdoor swim as the sun rises. What an excellent way to greet the day! Slava Ukraini. 

A Bit of a Downer Post Today - Prayers and Kind Thoughts Appreciated

It's finally Saturday and starting next week, my schedule will be back to "normal", at least for the foreseeable future. But the future, as we all know, is so changeable, and my family has been hit with some of that change over the past few weeks. 

Change - it happens to us and around us all the time, and 
much of the time it's good. This time ... not so much. 

I think I mentioned that my oldest nephew, Michael, was at the family holiday get-together but left quite early. He's been fighting possible cancer and was due for a more invasive check the following day. He was in a great deal of pain, and the VERY high-end pain pills they had him on weren't working well. So he missed seeing his middle two brothers by about an hour because he just needed to go home and get back to bed. 

Michael had been diagnosed with cancer of the 
appendix, and was on pain-relief medications 
while jumping through the insurance hoops to get 
tests done and treatments approved. He was due in 
to see his doctor for a colonoscopy the day after our 
party. That would let them know the extent of the 
cancer and how they needed to proceed. 

He saw his doctor the following day for more tests, and those results have come back. My oldest niece, the one person who keeps us all together and in the loop, sent a general email out to a long list of people and relatives yesterday, updating us on Michael's condition as it currently stands. It's not good. 

According to Catie, "...He can't have surgery right now because the cancer is not just in his appendix. It's also in the fluid in his abdomen, in part of his liver, and the lower part of his left lung. Because it's in too many places right now for them to go in and do surgery, they've decided to place a port and get him started on chemo." Apparently he's waiting for that appointment and has no idea how many treatments will need to be made, nor the outcome. Apparently the doctor did say that surgery might be a future option. 

So, it's the right-hand panel "Usually found when it 
has already spread to other organs." that is the case 
with my nephew. And that's a very BAD thing. Since 
Michael didn't mention that possibility except in brief 
passing, I don't think his doctor had talked much about 
it. But ... it turns out that's exactly the problem. *sigh*

Of course, this isn't good. It wouldn't be good news for anyone, and the family is appropriately worried about him. I'm just grateful I had a chance to see him and give him a good hug. I might not be able to do that again for quite a while. Catie will keep all of us informed, which will make things easier on Michael and his wife - they'll only have to keep one person up-to-date, Catie will do the rest. I married into a small family that because a huge one because my sister-in-law had eight children, and we're all close. And, of course, that doesn't count other uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. from their father's side of the farmil, most of whom I either don't know at all, or have met only once or twice in my life. But I'm close to my nieces and nephews and their children, and I know this is hitting all of us like the proverbial "ton of bricks". Any thoughts or prayers you might have that can be sent in Michael's direction would be very appreciated. 

I know that whatever happens will happen, but it never 
hurts to ask for a bit of divine intervention. Thanks 
to all of you for being friends who are there for me. I suspect 
I'll be relying on that support through this upcoming year 
of changes. *hugs*

Monday we can return to my more upbeat posts once again. Meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back on Monday ready to start another week. Slava Ukraini and חיים למען ישראל.

A Hawk, Lillies and Prayers for Kei Again

I'm going to have to make a bit of time to write today because the latest prompt for LJ Idol is due tomorrow and I don't want to be eliminated for not having put out a tale. I know the direction I want to go with this prompt, it came clear to me yesterday but I didn't have any time to devote to it. Yesterday was a VERY busy day, and I didn't get half as much done as I wanted to do. Still, I got the majority of things I needed to complete done, so all things, it was a good day. 

Can you see my hawk? It was letting me get quite 
close to it, while it carefully watched all around it. 
It was very aware I was there, but didn't seem 
bothered by me. 

Most important to me was getting my hummingbirds restocked on nectar. I should have done this late Tuesday, I knew it was low, but I did it on Wednesday afternoon and the greedy little things had just about eaten it down. I got that restocked, however, and settled down in my chair on the patio to watch the feeder for a bit when I saw it - one of my two hawks, perched on a branch in my upper back yard, cool and comfortable. 

After a little while, it shifted a bit. Now you can 
see the white speckled breast of the hawk as it 
looks over towards the neighbor's yard. It left to join 
it's companion shortly after this photo. 

I actually was able to get fairly close to it before it switched to a different branch and I returned to my chair. So I'm sharing a couple of hawk photos with you today, as well as a photo from the garden. We don't have much in bloom right now, but the lillies are quite lovely, so I thought I'd share those. 

We don't have a lot blooming right now, 
in fact, this year has been extremely 
disappointing because the ground 
squirrels and moles have really done a 
number on the yard. But the white 
lillies are blooming right now, and 
they're quite lovely. 

Shortly after I resettled on the patio, I heard the second hawk call to the first one, and saw them fly off south after prey they had spotted. It's too bad they're not into mole diving. I sure could use something to go after the moles that are eating up my yard this year. I've never had such a bad year for moles and they're digging everywhere. It's more than likely the main reason our plants have had problems this year. 

Please continue to send positive thoughts and 
prayers to my friend Keiless who is still 
in hospital after more than two weeks, and 
still doing poorly. We need lots of positive 
prayers. I'll know more at the end of 
next week when a mutual friend flies over 
to be with her family in this difficult time. 

Have an excellent Thursday. I'm off to the pool for my final swim of the week. I'll be back tomorrow and as always these days, Slava Ukraini. OH ... and please continue your prayers for my friend Keiless who is still in hospital and still NOT doing well. Another mutual friend will be flying out the end of next week to see her and help her family during this difficult time. I'm holding them in my thoughts and prayers and ask for you to also spare a kind thought for Kei's recovery and return to her home and loved ones. 

Wrapping It Up - The Year and Gifts

Holiday cards have been arriving at my door and I'm totally delighted. Tomorrow I'll try to post a list of those whose cards have been received in a general "Thank You" for brightening my holidays. It'll be a nice way to celebrate the eve of Solstice. But for now, instead of "Visions of Sugar Plums", I've got mental lists of what still has to be done before the weekend. 

I'm not this fancy. Usually I slap on some paper and leave it
at that. No bows or fancy do-das for me. However, that doesn't
mean I can't appreciate a pretty wrapping job. These are
just lovely (as long as there aren't mites in the pine cones). 

All of my gifts have been purchased and shipped (if needed). I still have to toss some wrapping paper onto Chickie's, but that's no big deal. I also have to wrap other gifts for DH, but again, no hassle. I'm picking up our Christmas Ham (Honey-Baked Ham - soooooo good) on Thursday morning along with our annual Candy Cane Pie. DH will pick up a standing rib roast late in the week for our Christmas dinner. I leave that up to him - he's much better at choosing beef than I am, and it's expensive, so better he pays - LOL. 

Apparently this is a British set of screen printed heavy-weight
paper along with stenciled cards and candy-cane
string. It's quite beautiful and festive. 

I don't decorate my house - barely decorate my store. I love decorated homes, but for a few years there had three stores to decorate plus my house. I got burned out and haven't recaptured the "fun" part of decorating again. The family holiday get-together will happen on New Year's Eve this year, and we'll actually attend! Usually they hold family things on Saturdays and since we work that day, we always miss out. This year they switched days to accommodate us (I'm very grateful) so we'll be there. Everyone is bringing a dish to share. I'll be doing mini-meatballs - either Bar-B-Que or Sweet and Sour. Nummy! 

I think I'm really enjoying the more rustic and "natural" look
of brown paper, but here they are also wrapping some
packages in burlap. What a cute idea! 

Things are winding down. Solstice arrives on Thursday morning - the ending of one year and beginning of the next. Momentous things can happen on celestial holidays, I'm praying, as I always have and always do, for peace and understanding. Perhaps I should shift my prayers to "Patience". Maybe that's something that's needed more than Peace. Maybe Patience coupled with a desire to actually listen and negotiate in good faith could resolve this knife's edge we are standing upon into a wide platform leading into a future into which we could all walk side-by-side as equals. I know - I'm dreaming again ... sigh. 

Here, the addition of a bright garland makes a standard butcher
paper wrapping so special! Using interesting twine, painting
pine needles onto the paper, or using pom-poms and
a glue gun can also dress up plain paper into something
extra special. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday. The pool is calling me and since I'm going into this holiday season at a new weight low, I'll keep on keeping on and I'll be back tomorrow. 

Winter is Coming - Cards, Protests and the Homeless

I'm heavily into holiday card making and having so much fun! Yesterday before my weekly chat with Aearwen, I cleared some space and started work on the envelopes. I wasn't sure how it would work passing through my printer to apply the addresses, so I tested the first one, and it worked really well. You could probably have heard my relieved sigh all the way to Shirebound's house in far away California. I was good to go.

I was afraid that the envelopes wouldn't survive
the printer, but my test one worked beautifully!
Huzzah! 

All things considered, they went quickly. They are embossed and then colorized with distressed inks. I did the inking portion while talking with Aearwen. By the time we wrapped up at hour later, my thumb was dyed a dark purple/green from handling the ink pads. The color seems to be embedded, so I'll be colorful for a while. The envelopes are SO CUTE! I'm dancing on the moon. I just love it when a spark turns into a reality that I didn't even envision a week prior.

See that swath of white in the center of the map? That's the
"Winter Weather Statement" that's espected to hit the
Dakotas and Minnesota within the next 48 hours. Today
is beautiful and warm, tomorrow will be ooky. 

The first big snowstorm of the season will be tracking across the Dakotas and on into the upper portion of Minnesota and Wisconsin over the next 24-48 hours. Although I'm thinking about sweeping the snow off my car and driving on slippery roads with drivers who haven't faced longer stop times and less secure footing for months, I'm also thinking about those whose outdoor lives are about to change.

The tribes have been gathering peacefully. They pray, they chant,
they sing, they support each other. The government has set
dogs against them, threatened them with weapons, arrested some
of them, and assaulted others. As with most protests in my life,
I'm totally on the Indian side in this one. If I didn't have a shop
to run, I'd be out there too, freezing in tomorrow's snow alongside them. 

There are a lot of people at Standing Rock protesting the abrogation of Sioux treaty rights by the oil company who wants to exercise their right-of-way and put a pipeline through lands under stewardship of the Sioux people. Members of many different tribes have joined the protesters in their peaceful protest, including several personal friends. It's going to start getting hard, now. The weather will mean great hardship for those camping out on the flat prairie lands. These people will need your prayers and support now, through the spring, more than ever. Would you like to know a little bit more about the protest? Just follow the link.

The statistics are frightening.
20%-40% of all homeless youth identify as LGBT.
Many homeless youth have either
been kicked out of their homes or aged out of foster home
programs and have nowhere to go. This is NOT the
way to treat children and young people. Actually, of
course, it's not the way to treat anyone of ANY age. 

My thoughts also turn to the homeless - those homeless by choice and those homeless by circumstance. The northern states are harsh places to be homeless in the winter. We lose people to the weather every year. Too many of them are LGBTQIA youth who have either run away from dangerous home situations or been kicked out. Although shelters exist, they are always filled quickly, and there are few that offer shelter during the daylight hours. We need more places of safety, especially for homeless teens.

Winter in Minnesota means pond hockey with backyard and neighborhood
outdoor skating rinks for pickup games. Here's a Minnesota back yard
rink. Just a few kids getting together to skate after school. 

So, despite the fact that many people look forward to putting on their hockey skates and their cross-country skis, I look at the snow with some dread. The season of winter joy can also be a season of great pain.

Happy Thursday to all. Project Runway tonight, so hopefully I'll have ample time for a recap for you in tomorrow's blog. Have a wonderful day, and be kind.

Prayers for Matt

Friday, April 1st, was going along normally until mid-morning when I got a text from my friend Liz, telling me her hubby Matt was in the hospital. Thus started a roller-coaster of emotions, travel, changed plans, and lots of prayers.

Matt is a young man, a father of six, who was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in August last year. He was also informed that it had spread into his bones. Since he had been under 50, he hadn't been routinely screened for prostrate cancer, but he was the exception to the average, having the cancer at a younger age. Although offered the option of chemotherapy, he decided to attack the cancer with diet changes and it seemed to be working. At least he said it was.

But apparently he was actually experiencing a high level of pain. Thursday night he was in his recliner watching television and had been experiencing a lot of back pain. He called out to his wife in a panic at about 2:00 am, being unable to feel his legs or support his weight and experiencing a high level of back pain. After contacting an ambulance, he was taken to the hospital for an MRI and some tests.

When Liz texted me in mid-morning, he was just being taken in for the MRI. The results were not good. By the time we visited him last night, he had undergone two more MRI's and a CT scan. His prostrate cancer has now formed masses in three places around his spinal column, causing extreme pain and blocking the nerves leading to his legs.

So he'll now be in the hospital for 6-10 days and today (Saturday) he'll begin an intensive course of radiation therapy. It should, ideally, shrink the tumors and minimize the pain, but it may well be too late. DH is very upset - he doesn't have a lot of male friends left. We're beginning to experience the one fact of growing older - that friends we have loved have died before us and we are becoming more solitary and insular as a result. I'm fortunate, I have friends who are still active and in contact with me frequently. But DH's friends - Bruce, Steve and Rich are all gone and his social network is dramatically shrinking.

So if you happen to have time over the next day or two, or week or two, please send out some White Light for Matt, a husband, a father, and a fighter. He's not going to give in to this without a fight, but your kind thoughts and prayers would be appreciated and may help. I'll be back on Monday, have a good weekend.

Sometimes Joy is Ellusive

Many of you have been reading my blog for a long time - years in some cases. The last third of 2014 was taken up by frightening news from my dear cousin "M" whose spouse had been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. "R's" cancer had spread throughout her chest cavity and after two difficult sessions with chemo and radiation, she went in for surgery around the Holiday time, and then had to return for a final session of chemo and radiation after the beginning of 2015. But things looked good - very good. Her chest was declared free of cancer and "R" was well on the way to healing and returning to health.

My cousin "M" is on the left, her spouse "R" on the right. 

Two days ago I noticed my cousin posting from a hospital. Seeing that there was a Caring Bridge post, I went in to find out that "R" had been having trouble with balance and steady walking so they had gone in for a check-up and MRI. Unfortunately the MRI confirmed that "R's" cancer had spread and now was found throughout her brain. The doctor recommended a ten-day course of radiation therapy which will begin on Wednesday, but to be honest, it's just gaining some time. Things don't look good. My cousin "M" sand that the two of them are talking a lot and laughing a lot, and that just makes me tear up.

In 2013 they went on a cruise, a delayed honeymoon. They had a wonderful
time in the warm waters of the Caribbean. 

If any of you could spare a thought or send some white light to them in this difficult time, I would really appreciate it. I know they could use all of the good thoughts possible and I've seen what amazing things can be accomplished by multiple prayers before. I know well that all things must end but I'm just hoping their ending can be pushed off a bit longer.

This picture was from 2003, before they were married. 

I apologize for the mood crusher this morning, but if it is the season of hope, then I'm going to hope good things for the two of them. Have a great Tuesday, I'll be back tomorrow.

My New Year's Wishes for All of You

I'll be working a short day today and will be taking the 1st and the 2nd of January off. I'll be poking my head in, reading fic and (hopefully) writing some as well, but I won't be posting on my blog until the 3rd when I have to return to work once more. So I want to take this opportunity to wish all of my readers and f-list friends the following:

by RC Gorman, a total character. I knew him (not well) and I knew his
sister who happened to live up here (much better). They were both fun,
talented, outspoken and imaginative people.

May you walk in beauty during the year ahead...

* * *

Japanese sharing their sorrow one year after the tsunami.

May you share your joys and sorrows with caring ones who surround you...

* * *

Be kind to others, but treat all with dignity and respect.

May you be kind to others - two footed, four footed, winged or crawling...

* * *

Cherish others because they are your support while you support them.

May you be cherished by others...

* * *

Allow yourself to shine. Don''t think about what others may
say, just help as you can and be true to yourself.

May you allow yourself to shine during the year to come. 

* * *

I look forward to continued journeys with all of my friends in 2014.

I look forward to sharing your journey for another year. 

With A Little Help From My Friends

I did a photo post a few days ago - fountains and interesting buildings - and the single building that evoked the most commentary was the large stone building with the dragon's head. I had no idea where the building was located, but my ex-fiance came through on that - it's in southern Colorado. I have a lovely link for all of you where there are many interior and exterior photos. I guess this is one more reason for me to try and get back to Colorado for a trip. I need to do on-site research for my novel next year, visit my cousin who just moved back there from California, and now I need to drive south and visit a castle. Great! Now to just find the time...that's going to be the harder thing.

Here's a lovely side view. The dragon head actually breathes fire once a day. The
building is available for weddings, etc., although no alcohol is allowed and
any rooms used must still be open to the general public. It is all built by one man.
Here's a link to the owner's website and information about the Castle. 

I'll be speaking to another estate sale agent today about my father-by-marriage's possessions. He tried to phone me yesterday, but we were absolutely swamped at the store (I'm very grateful - it was nice to be super busy for a change) and I asked him to phone me today instead. I don't know if he will be able to do any more than the other agent who went through the place a week or so ago, but I wouldn't mind a second opinion.

My in-laws were solid middle class - no antiques, no great artwork, no
jewelry worth anything, but there is a pool table, a Victrola, some general
stuff and low-end collectibles. I doubt it's worth much, but I'd like a
second opinion because it would be a lot easier to have someone else
take care of all of this for us. 

In the early 2000's we bought a used Chevy Blazer for cheap - really cheap. It had a rebuilt engine and a good sturdy body. The guy who sold it to us was a friend of our youngest nephew. They had met while in automotive repair class together and formed a friendship that still is strong today. He is interested in getting "Beast" back and we are happy to transfer the title to him if he can get it out of our driveway. So, he's planning on coming by on Sunday with a new battery to drive it to his home, we'll give him the keys and the signed title, and it will once again be his baby. He said that he thought rebuilding the truck would be a great project for his seven-year-old son to share with him. I will just be happy to have a driveway again - I guess I'm easily pleased - LOL.

It's Saturday so most of you are enjoying the first day of your weekend. Deadlines are looming - SinS stories are due within the next two weeks or so and I'm sure there are other projects breathing down each of your necks. But take a small amount of time this weekend to thank the Powers for a totally fabulous world to live in and tell those closest to you how much you love them. It's worth taking the time for something positive.

Spinning Wheels and Ending Lines

The final day of the mountains for Le Tour today. Tomorrow will be a flat stage for the ride into Paris from The Louvre with a first-time night podium finish. But today the boys will still have their work cut out for them. Today's final day in the Alps is punishing with three Cat 3 peaks, one Cat 2, one Cat 1 and it ends with the HC Col Annecy-Semnoz. It's a killer stage and the time gaps will increase again. Froome is still in the yellow and if he ends today in yellow, he'll be on the top step on the podium in Paris tomorrow. I'll probably miss the actual ride into Paris, I'll be at the wake for my father-by-marriage, but Chickie is recording it and maybe can pass me a copy so that I can see the ending sprint. Here's the profile and map for today's stage...

What a course they have for their final day in the Alps today. Only
125 km, but unrelenting in intensity. Just look at the profile of the
final col below... 

It's a serious climb for the end of the Alps. I think
the riders will be happy to be facing the final
day tomorrow.

So as we prepare to bury my Father-by-Marriage it seems like we are spinning our wheels while hurrying up to wait. The wake is tomorrow afternoon. DH wrote down words to say, but he's not sure if he (a) can say them without breaking down, or (b) wants to say them at all. But it's a help to write them down anyway so either way I'm fine with it. He's found a suit that he can fit into, although he think he'll have to wear the same suit for the wake on Sunday and the funeral on Monday, and I have a closet full of black clothing since I wear black all the time. No problem there.

I'm just spinning my wheels right now...

I'll have to sit through a whole bunch of prayers. The local parish priest who knew my father-by-marriage is coming to lead prayers an hour into the wake and we'll have a funeral mass the next day. As I've joked to several friends, I'm always rather surprised that the entryway of the church doesn't burst into flames as I pass into the building. I'm uncomfortable with all of the prayers, but he was a devout Catholic man and he would be happy with them. I'll keep quiet, hold the Powers in my heart, and remind myself that the god being portrayed by the prayers is only a single aspect of the greater Power. I'm OK with that, just have to be focused.

Power is everywhere, I just have to remind myself of that.

I was thinking back over my own family lineage early this morning. I come from a small family of Jewish origins - people who ran from the Nazi forces during World War II. (My Native American family adopted me as a member when I was already adult, so that's quite a bit different.) The majority of my family were killed in the War. It was Hitler's goal to eliminate the Jewish people. I guess, in my family, he succeeded - a generation or two out. I have no children of my own - never wanted them. My closest relative, my cousin, is a lesbian in a long-time committed relationship and they never adopted or had children either. The only person in my "immediate" family is my other 'cousin' - the daughter of my Godmother - and she had two children. So my line ends with me.

This picture of the entry to Auschwitz is more current than many
photos that are out in cyberspace. My grandparents were killed here.

If I was open to accepting guilt for this, I certainly could, but I'm actually quite at peace with my decision. If there is anything that passes on after I'm gone, I hope it's my artwork and my writing. As for me, I'll be the dust that causes you to sneeze or that gets pulled into the corn or wheat as part of what allows them to grow strong. I'm quite content with that thought.  Have an excellent weekend.

Something Beautiful After a Day of Horror

I needed something really exceptional and beautiful before diving into a post about the Oklahoma City tornado, so put aside some time and look at this video of the 2013 Earth and Sky Photo Contest. When nature turns on us it is always a bane to my soul to remind myself of how much I love her and how stunning she can truly be.

Give yourself a treat and look at these exceptional photos.

The storm that hits the US most frequently is the tornado and we have a lot of them - more than any other land mass in the world. Yesterday a big one hit just south of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and it's been devastating for the people who were caught up in it or who are dealing with the aftermath. This is only the beginning of the tornado season for us - it goes until November. I send prayers and White Light to those who are injured or who lost loved ones in this storm. The possessions - no matter how dear or how rare - can be replaced, but the people are unique and irreplaceable.

Although this picture was taken within the past day, I don't
know for sure if this was the specific tornado that hit Moore, OK.

Moore, Oklahoma, a southern suburb of Oklahoma City has been hit by tornadoes in the past - at least two prior times since the late 1990's, but this one really hurt. There is a high death toll - at least 91 confirmed dead, with at least 20 of those being children. Now, I know that in the scope of world tragedies this is not at the top, but in this country it is significant. We don't live in a war zone, we aren't experiencing extreme famine or water shortages, we don't have revolutions in our streets (at least not yet), so a death toll like this from a severe storm is of great moment to us.

I have lived in Tornado Alley for most of my life, but the National Weather
Service is expanding the borders of the alley toward the east. Driving through
the alley in the summer months we always kept the radio on local channels to
hear any weather advisories coming through and try to avoid the problem areas.

I am of the belief that every death should be mourned and remembered. Every child should be mourned by a mother, every parent should be remembered with fondness by a child, every person should be missed and remembered by someone else. I know that's an ideal - there are bad parents who abuse or torture their children. There are bad children who abuse others, or kill them, or who destroy themselves through drug use or crime. And then there are the forgotten ones - the ones who have successfully dropped out of sight and memory, living in the grey zones - under the bridges, sleeping under cardboard over grates for heat in the winters.

This tornado actually hit the bottom section, just below Oklahoma City. For those
who are unfamiliar with the US, looking at this photo and the previous one
may help you get a handle on where this happened and how it relates to other
places you may know better.

But do we, as human beings, have the right to pick-and-choose our prayers for others? Aren't these - the ones we would condemn or overlook - as deserving of our thoughts and prayers? That's the dilemma of those who "pray for others". I've carried a sacred pipe in the tradition of the Red Road for almost twenty years now. Each prayer ends with 'Mitakuye Oyasin - We Are All Related", a prayer for "All My Relations". That means everyone without exception - worldwide. So when something horrific happens, like the Oklahoma City tornado, my heart bleeds because those injured were also my parents and also my children. That is my personal meaning of faith - good or bad. Mitakuye oyasin.