Fun Friday ~ Love that Lenny!!!

"Are You Gonna Go My Way?"

I was born long ago
I am the chosen,
 I'm the one
I have come to save the day
And I won't leave until I'm done
So, that's why
you've got to try
You got to breathe and have some fun
Though I'm not paid,
 I play this game
And I won't stop until I'm done
But what I really want to know is
Are you gonna go my way?
And I got to, Got to know
I don't know why
We always cry
This we must leave and get undone
We must engage
and rearrange
And turn this planet back to one
So, tell me why
We got to die
And kill each other one by one
We've got to hug
 and rub a dub
We've got to dance and be in love
But what I really want to know is
Are you gonna go my way ?
And I got to, Got to know

"It Ain't Over Till It's Over"

http://youtu.be/TmENMZFUU_0

Have an awesome weekend all!!!!

My sister, the Zen Witch

Allow me, if you will please, to tell you all a little bit about my sister, Bliss (although some of you may know her by her Wiccan name, Willow from previous posts).  You see, Bliss is a Zen Witch. Now first of all, I certainly don't pretend to know everything about Buddhism (or Wicca for that matter), but for the purposes of this post I shall try to explain to you exactly what a Zen Witch is. A Zen Witch, quite simply, is someone who practices Buddhism while also embracing certain aspects of Paganism/Wicca by incorporating both into their spiritual path. 

Going back quite a few years ago, I first met Bliss while working together for the same company. Neither one of us were following any path in particular at that time, but we soon realized that we were searching for something for years that we could never put our finger on or a name to.  Finally, we both discovered Wicca and began studying and practicing every single day. Although we considered ourselves Solitary practitioners by definition, we very much enjoyed celebrating the Wiccan sabbats together. After all, we already had a very close friendship between us and Wicca was something that we shared passionately.

She later moved away from PA with her now hubby of many years and eventually felt a strong connection to Buddhism along the way. A couple of years ago, she finished her Wiccan studies and found that the combination of her Buddhist beliefs and her Wiccan background were a wonderful combination.

Personally speaking, I can understand why. Although I admittedly have very limited knowledge of the Buddhist way, Bliss had explained to me some of the "basics" of the Buddhist life after which I could also see many similarities between the two belief systems.

Even though she has never cared much for "titles", she does very much indeed consider herself a Zen Witch at heart. "Zen Witch" ~ I really do love that name, and she wears it well!

A little PA Dutch for you ...

As some of you may already know, I am the daughter of a Pennsylvania Dutch family and; therefore, grew up hearing quite a few different words and phrases as a child. For better or for worse, I have heard these words so many times over the years that I could never forget them or their meanings even if I tried! LOL!!!

Here are just a few words and their meanings (as best I could define them in English, that is) that I still remember to this day ...

Wilkum (vill-come) - welcome (pretty obvious, right)
Katz (kaatz) - cat
Hount (huunt) - dog
Furschtain (fersh-stane) - understand
"Du bischt?" (doo bish-t) - "How are you?" or "How be you?"
Kum esse (coom-essa) - come eat!
"Cumst du here" (comest do here) - "come you here"
Dunna wetter (doon-ah-wetter) - bad weather
Dopick (dopp-ic) - clumsy
Schuslik (shuss-lick) - this describes someone who is carelessly rushing and not taking their time.
Wunanosik (woon-ah-nosick) - nosey
Umlikelick (umm-like-lic) - stubborn or bull-headed
"Du Gut in himmel" (do gutt in himmel) - "Dear God in heaven"
Schlek (sh-leck) - junk ( as in "junk food")
Die musik (dee musick) - the music
Peensik (pean-sick) - fussy or picky person
Daresent (dare-sent) - better not or "dare not"

And, of course, perhaps the strangest phrase of all and one that every PA Dutch child has heard growing up:

"Kanst du mikka funga?" ("Caan-st do micka fung-ah")
("Can you catch flies?")

"Ya, wusse hukabliba!" ("Yaa, vussie huck-a-blibe-ah!")
("Yes, when they sit still!")

Yes, I suppose you could say that my childhood was a tad "different" to say the least? LOL!!!

Into the Mystic ~ Just Beautiful

Friends with Benefits ...

The other day, my long-time, dearest friend Judy-B contacted me on Facebook about a good friend of ours named Laurie whom we have both known for many years now. She told me about an up-coming benefit that one our friends, Jerry, will be having for Laurie. Laurie was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Since her insurance does not cover all of her medical expenses, Jerry decided to host a "Poker Run & Benefit Party" next Saturday for her.

Count us in!!! My mother battled breast cancer a few years back and, fortunately, her doctor caught it early enough that she only lost a portion of her breast and gained (thank the Devine Goddess) many more years of her life so far.

One of my favorite pics of Judy-B, my sister and twin soul Judy (Rhiannon), and me circa 2002 

It's been quite a few years since Judy-B and I have seen Laurie and I am only too happy to be able to be there for her in one way or another. We are currently trying to round up all of our friends and family to join us as well.

Fun Friday ~ Flower Power

Happy Friday everyone!!! Even though I was born in the 60's and the music I listened to growing up was pretty much from the 70's era, I always considered myself a bit of a Flower Child at heart. I thought I would share these two really cool vid's from the movie soundtrack to "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."  I love the Madonna song, "Beautiful Stranger" and the other song is R.E.M.'s version of the song, "Draggin' the Line" which is an excellent remake actually!!!

"Draggin' the Line"

http://youtu.be/CsV0V5YHQXc

Here's wishing everyone a fabulous weekend, Baby!!!

Huge Hugs, Stacy and more "Thank You's!"

Be still, my heart! After I had gotten home from work today, I received the most special surprise gift from my friend Stacy of MagicLoveCrow!!!  A gorgeous Zen Lady original piece of art from the very talented Simona Cordara of her site Timeless Rituals, compliments of sweet Stacy of course, and a card with an adorable owl on it!! This could not have come at a better time as I have been feeling a bit melancholy as of late. Thank you so very much, Stacy! I LOVE my mermaid and can't wait to frame her!!!

And do you remember my friend and reiki client, Britnee and her awesome daughter Kylie? Kylie is the owner of Neicy, the cutie pie kitty cat that I sat for about a month ago.  Well, today she e-mailed me some very cool pics of Neicy and the girls ...

Neicy 'n' Kaley (Kylie's baby sister) enjoying the view from the front door

My Kylie-girl posing as a little diva! LOL!

I love this one!!

I feel so very blessed to have such wonderful, caring, loving people surrounding me! It is times such as these that make me realize that life is good!!

Love and Blessings to all ~

Kim