Happy Heavenly Birthday, Dad

Since today would have been my beloved Dad's 89th birthday, I thought I would post one of his favorite songs. In fact, I sang it for him live one night while out at a local open mic night. Beautiful song, for the most beautiful dad (and human being) I have ever known and ever will know. I miss you each and every day, Dad ... I love you! 

A pic taken of my dad and me at his retirement party in 1994.

My dad as a child. He is the little boy wearing the cute bib overalls.

His graduation picture.

Dad when he was stationed in Germany while serving in the Army during the Korean War.  

Me and dad at my cousin's wedding reception in 1984.

Dad, Brett, me, and my mom taken at my wedding in 2001.

2012

Me and dad on Christmas Day ~ 2015.

One of my favorite pics of my dad.

"It felt like springtime on this February morning. In the courtyard birds were singing your praise. I'm still recalling things you said to make me feel alright. I carry them with me today now."

 ~ Sophie B. Hawkins ('As I Lay Me Down')

Food for Thought Friday

TBT: Appreciating Differences

I remember shopping at a local flea market a few years ago looking to buy a book on Jewish culture for my Wiccan friend as a Yule gift. I saw a used book stand and confidently walked up to the saleswoman and said, "Good day! I was wondering if you would happen to have any books on Christmas? I have a friend who wishes to learn more about his Jewish heritage." Of course, after I misspoke I immediately realized my "slip of the tongue." But before I had the chance to correct myself, she very sternly replied, "No, no it's Hanukkah, my de-ah, Hanukkah!" I promptly apologized and we both shared a little chuckle, deservedly so, at my expense.

The friend whom I am referring to is my very dear friend and our long-time solitary group member, Matthew.  When it comes to witches, some of us are what are considered to be a hereditary witch - meaning a witch who can trace his or her bloodline back at least three generations. Some of us are natural witches and some of us are even mixed with another faith.  Such is the case with my friend Matthew. He is a Wiccan; however, he also chooses to acknowledge his Jewish roots.  Traditonally in the Jewish religion, it is the mothers' side of the family which determines the faith of the next generation of children. Even though Matt's mother does not choose follow the Jewish faith, his grandmother did.



It is interesting to note that the six-pointed Jewish Star of David was originally a Pagan symbol known as the Seal of Solomon. In fact, the menorah, which is also associated with the Jewish religion, is often used by many Wiccans (myself included) during esbat rituals. The main reason for this is because of the number "9" which has long been considered a magickal symbol.*

(*Reference: "The Sabbats" by Edain McCoy)

Although I have been Matt's teacher in Wicca for all these many years, I am now finding myself learning from him as well. To me, one of the most beautiful things about Wicca is its' open-mindedness and willingness to learn from others. It is not solely a matter of education; however, it is also a case of appreciating each others' differences - whatever our heritage.

I HATE WINTER

 

Welcome to Monday, all - a Monday after a nasty snow and ice strorm none-the-less. I hope those of you out there who were affected by it as well got through it safely. Even though I did not have to work yesterday (or today) my husband did! He was "on call" for his job and of all the miserable freaking days to have to deal with the horrbile roads, he had to drive all the way to Warminster, PA in it! To begin with, Accu-weather really screwed up the so-called weather report and the snow started TWO hours earlier than it was supposed to. Needless to say, I was pacing the floors until I finally heard from him. He has his personal cell phone on hand all the time so I would try calling him periodically. When he doesn't answer after an hour or so of trying - I panic! Finally, he called me around 11PM and told me the roads were really bad, but he was on his way home.

Along with doing three loads of laundry, I also tried to pass the time with the Dollar Store Colorforms board games I bought last weekend while out and about with my mom ... 

"Candy Land" ...

And "Trouble" ...

The calm after the storm ... a slushy mess after a few hours of nothing but rain ...

As for today, I will take care of some indoor chores and clean up a bit. We just bought another heating pad for Chester the outside cat and he has been residing in the garage where he knows he will be safe and well fed - smart kitty!  

And finally, in honor of Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ...

Merlin says, "Stay safe and warm everyone!" ...

Three-day weekend

Greetings, friends. well it will be a three-day weekend for me as we have Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday holiday off tomorrow. Later on today; however, we are expecting bad weather. No one except for Mother Nature knows exactly how much we will truly get, but regardless I am glad to not have to drive in the crappy winter weather to go to work tomorrow! I had every intention of publishing this post last night; however, it took me 5 hours ... I repeat, FIVE long hours to do the P.I.T.A. (pain in the ass) Windows 10 updates on my laptop.  A ridiculously long time as far as I am concerned. 😖

Yesterday, I ran to the pet store for more cat food and litter - something I was completely out of as of Friday night so I had to go anyhow - pending bad weather or not. I even stopped off at the CVS across the road from my house to put together a nice little collage of Kyli's Sweet 16 celebration from last Saturday. They are fairly inexpensive so I made a copy for Kiki as well ...

Other than that, I did next to nothing the remainder of the day other than chill with the cats ...

Lazy day ...

If I get a chance, I might try to publish some snow pics later on tonight ....

Berks Alerts.

Winter Weather Advisory

Start

End

Sunday, January 16, 6:00 PM EST

Monday, January 17, 3:00 AM EST

Source: U.S. National Weather Service

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM SUNDAY TO 3 AM EST MONDAY... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northern and northwest New Jersey and east central and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...From 6 PM Sunday to 3 AM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation is expected to start as snow before quickly changing to a wintry mix and eventually changing to all rain.  

The "Tabby" Conundrum

Greetings and salutations everyone! This morning, I had to take Lady Tabitha to a pet groomer to get her messy matts and knots out of her fur. Since she has gotten older, she does not (or perhaps is not able to) groom herself like she used to. So, we needed to take her somewhere.

Somewhere? Hmmm, that was a bit of a problem because trying to find a pet groomer in my area whose main clients are dogs and would also groom cats is extremely difficult. First, I called the place that groomed her about two years ago when she had this same problem, but they were very rude and just plain jerks actually and refused to take her. So, next I called Pet Smart, but they needed proof of her current shots or else they would not take her either! Finally, I reached out to my friend Meg who suggested that I call another place that offers grooming services called "Pet Supply Plus." Well, they no longer groom cats BUT they were very helpful and gave me the name of a local groomer who happens to be close to my house called "Penelope's Pooches." 

Folks, this groomer is wonderful! They were so good with her and I was so very grateful. I made another appointment for May, in the event that I should need to take Tabitha again for a bath, etc. They even clipped her back nails and trimmed her tuffs of fur that grow out in between her feet/toes - this is very common with cat breeds such as Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest cats.

Poor baby, she was so bad that half of her body needed to be shaved - including underneath her shoulder blades. She looks like a little gray lioness. But, she is happy to be back home now safe and sound .... 🐱✂

She was so good and well behaved, the groomers just loved her! So, mommy rewarded her with a couple of cat treats after we arrived home!  

Thank you so much, Bianca at Penelope's Pooches!

.

The Big Day!

Yesterday was my Goddaughter, Kylianna's special Sweet 16 Celebration! The color scheme? You guessed it - PURPLE!!

As we entered the banquet hall building, there was a guest book on a long table with small wooden hearts and purple and silver markers so we could write a special message for Kyli on them and drop them in the bottom of the large heart ...

The inside of the hall was beautifully decorated with the tables all set up nicely ...

Everyone had such a great time and Kyli looked so lovely! Here she is posing with her younger sister, Kayleigha ... Love them both!!

🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

The food was prepared by many of the family members from hot meals to cold snacks ...

Oh, and just in case you are wondering WHO that cool guy is in the purple tuxedo? That is Kiki's (Kyli's grandmother's) boyfriend of many years now. His name is Brian and he is so much fun! lol

Kayleigha ("Kay Kay") with she and Kyli's younger brother L.A. ("Little Anthony") ...

Brian, Kyli, and Kiki! ...

Kyli enjoying a dance with her Auntie Kerissa (Kik's youngest daughter) ...

A family pic ~ Brian, Kyli, Kayleigha, Kiki, L.A., and Aydin (Kyli's two younger brothers) ...

There was also a really cool slide show set up on the stage of Kyli and family through the years ... They also had a DJ.

A pic of my Goddaughter and I! ...

Oh yes, and last but not least, both Kyli and Kiki share the same birthday month so I gave her a card and gift as well. A pic of my husband and Kiki ...

Since her official birthstone is garnet, I gave her a garnet bracelet which she wore the entire night ...

Here's to YOU, Kylianna! Love you to the moon and back! ...

🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵