gypsy apologue: December 2010

12/22/10

MIA & Honored Experience

I haven't been posting much lately. This time of year is always kind of hectic for me. The whole shenanigans of the holiday season is hard for me, due to the fact of my moving towards a less hectic, noncomsumerist life. My beliefs usually do not coincide with what a lot of others believe, so I spend most of this season trying to be tolerant of everything that is going on. I try to do a lot of yoga, journalling, and meditation, though, this year I have done a lot less. I have really felt the urge to be somewhat removed and internalized this year. I guess it may have been from having a lot on my mind and just really trying to find a connection of myself to the natural world.

I went to see my family in Virginia the past week and spend some time with them. I have to say I am awfully proud of them for not going overboard with the gift giving this year. I have been trying to get them to adhere to my suggestion of keeping my gifts at a minimum for the past few years and it seemed to have finally worked. I did get a few things I needed for our new place (which hasn't been mentioned yet- more on that in the coming days) and a few things on Etsy that I wanted. I also received the funds to buy my LED hoop from Cosmic Hooper I have been eyeing: Yay!! I am ordering it within a few days. Would LOVE to have it by my bday which may not happen.

I love this pic!! From the Washington Post

The most unfortunate thing about when I went back to VA was that I travelled all day yesterday on the Solstice instead of having the time to experience and meditate on what this time of year means for me. I did, however, get the utmost honor to be witness to the full lunar eclipse on the Solstice. I have always been interested in astrology and the heavenly bodies, so having this chance to experience something that people haven't experience in almost 400 years was just so amazing to me. I truly felt not only honored, but blessed. I thanked the Divine for that chance a multitude of times while sitting there, watching this natural occurance happen before my eyes. It was quite a beautifull thing.

I may not post very much again in the next few weeks; we are going on a little personal vacation and also will be moving into our new house the beginning of the year. I am going to pick back up on the 30 Day Challenge after the new year and will also be posting more about hooping and spirituality. I have quite a few exciting things to share in the coming weeks.

May you all have a blessed holiday season and safe travels to those who are in route. Until next time, peace.

12/9/10

Life's lessons

It has been a while since I have posted, pretty much stringing my 30 Day Challenge along quite well. I have been really busy, though and some unexpected events have had me lagging along. My boyfriend is leaving for Virginia tonight until next week, while I am in the midst of getting ready to leave myself within the week. It has been extremely cold outside (single digits) and I have not been able to hoop much. I think this weekend I am going to come to my work to have a good long, indoor session. I really need it.

I had been pretty down since Monday. I saw a dog get hit by a car right in front of my eyes. It was the first time I had ever witnessed anything like that. I have seen dogs after they got hit by cars, but not the actual event. I was on my way from work to the grocery store when I saw a dog weaving back and forth between the lanes of the main road I live off of. I pulled over into a drive way in hopes that I could call him over to me to check to see if he had a collar with a information tag so I could get ahold of the owners. All seemed well when I saw him cross over to my side of the road. I thought I could grab him, but as soon as that thought crossed my mind he darted right across the road again getting hit by a truck.

The look of his helpless face in front of the truck caught in the headlights played over and over in my head. I immediately started to pray for him and his family. I then called 911 for them to call animal control in hopes of any chance he wasn't dead, they could save him. I look back over to the dog andmy boyfriend is standing over him, moving his body out of the road. It was my boyfriend's boss that hit the poor dog on their way home from work. His boss was crushed, being a real dog lover. It was super slick out and the dog literally ran out right in front of him.

The dog, of course, didn't make it. They came and picked up his body, but the images we burned in my head. On my way to the store, at the store, and that night I cried. I cried a lot. Almost to the point where you would have thought I hit him. I just felt so bad that I couldn't keep that from happening. I prayed that night before bed and asked god to tell that dog I did everything I could to help me.

The next day I was still bummed about it. I decided I was going to dedicate that day's yoga practice to him. I found a heart opening sequence to do because I thought that was pretty appropriate. I sat down and set my intention on that dog and the happiness and wellness of all the animals in the world. I praticed harder and deeper than I ever have in my whole four year yoga practice. It made me feel a lot better. I visualized him playing with my dogs that have passed. I saw him crossing happily over the rainbow bridge to a better place.

Thinking about that night I still get a little sad, but this whole situation helped show me that my yoga practice can help me make it through these hard situations; well, that and a hell of a lot of praying.

This isn't extremely interesting, nor enjoyable to read, I'm sure. But I will leave you with the poem of the Rainbow Bridge in hopes that you may find comfort in knowing that any of your animals that have passed, are now happy and joyful.

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE POEM

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Peace, love, and happiness.

12/5/10

Continuing...

So, to re-establish my participation in the 30 Day Challenge, here is-

The Dukes:

My dad, me, and my momma

Here is a picture of me and my parents taken about two years ago. I couldn't find one with all three of us in it so I thought I would use this one. It is in front of a restaurant we use to frequent when I lived in Virginia. I believe this was on my mom's birthday. I started calling my parents The Dukes when I was in high school and, well, the name has stuck. My dad's listed as Father Dukes in my phone and my mom as Ma Dukes. My parents got quite the kick out of it and even they have each other in their phones as "The Dukes." :) My dad is an engineer and, along with his dad (my grandpa duh), built a lot of the interstates around where I used to live at. My mom is a nurse and has been for over 25 years. I had my first real job working with her as a receptionist at the doctor's office she works at. I had such a great time working there. It was nice because we got to go out to lunch everyday and have nice talks. I love my parents and they have given me so many things in life; including the wonderlust that is instilled within me and for my love of animals. Thank you both.

Now on to the recipe of the week.

Organic Peanut Butter Cups

Makes 12 cups:

1 cup creamy natural peanut butter

1/2 or less of organic powdered sugar

2 cups organic chocolate chip cookies (or carob chips for vegan)

1/4 tsp sea salt
12 paper muffin cups

Cut the tops off the muffin cups. I folded them in half and then snipped across. You could also probably use some paper cups if you would like and you have them on hand. You are not baking these so they do not have to be oven safe.

Heat 1 1/2 cups of chips in a small sauce pan over low heat. Make sure that you do not get distracted (that means no hoop citying while baking, Kelly!!) because you have to really watch and make sure you do not burn them. Stir pretty continuously until all the chips are melted and you have a nice, creamy consistency.

Using a spoon, paint brush, or basting brush, spread the melted chocolate evenly into the muffin cups, being sure to fill all the cracks in the cups. This is NOT as fun as it sounds; it is actually quite tedious and at time hard. I placed then in muffin baking pans and it made it a ton easier. In the end, it was kind of fun to paint the tins with chocolate; mainly because I kept dripping it on me and then licking it off :) shhh... Place in freezer and let harden, about 10 minutes.

After the chocolate has almost hardened, combine the peanut butter, salt, and powdered sugar and either microwave or heat up in a sauce pan (I only had one small sauce pan so I had to, unfortunately, nuke the PB). Stir until nice and creamy. It is a little complicated to get the powdered sugar fully distributed. I would maybe recommend adding a little sugar at a time. After it has cooled slightly, start filling your lovely, hardened cups. Do not overfill, you still have to put the rest of the chocolate on them.

After you have filled them with the peanut butter, rewarm your chocolate saucepan and top with the remaining chocolate. I couldn't get them covered very nicely so I just swirled them. I think it looks a lot cooler like that anyways :P. Before you start digging in (and you will want to, trust me, after smelling all that yummy, cooking chocolate for the past few minutes), stick them in the freezer for about an hour. If you can't wait, we will all understand.

After they have hardened, enjoy!! Now, I know these are not healthy, but we are allowed to indulge every once in a while, right? And if you are craving some Reese's (like my boyfriend was), at least you can make your own, controlling what you put in there. You can always sub the powdered sugar for splenda, stevia, or xylitol. I'm sure it would come out similar. You may have to heat those up a little to prevent the cups from becoming grainy. I leave you with a picture of my love enjoying his organic PB cup. And a rare one at that with him actually smiling!! He hates pictures. :)

Peace, love, and hoops- SG*

12/4/10

Beginning of Time- Science and Religion

I've been super busy these past few days; new house shopping, my boyfriend was sick, and working a lot. Therefore, I have been slacking on posts and on the 30 Day Challenge. But, I wanted to post the pictures that I took at the Origins Museum that my boyfriend and I went to last weekend. It was a very interesting exhibit, especially being that it came to Wasilla. Supposedly, the guy who owns all of the materials actually is a proctologist in Wasilla, but the exhibit travels around the world.

Religion