Tuesday - day off

Yes, change is the key word in this era. How appropriate for us to come to grips with our darkest side - Greed - now in the autumn of 2008. This is the autumn of all we once knew. Everything and everyone who represents anything but love, compassion, hope, faith and caring for Mother Earth and her inhabitants will be gone soon. Old thoughtforms, old politics, old beliefs, old energy forms, old monetary policies - gone soon. The teachings of the Christ Consciousness are now coming to the forefront as was predicted thousands of years ago. The Second Coming or Rapture (as it is called in some circles) will be revealed as a time for humankind to open their hearts to the expansive energy of Love revealing the Christ and His teachings in all of us. As you look into the eyes of another from now on, look for the reflection of Christ. I urge you to release any fears you have as we go through these changes. We can no longer hold on to any of our former old beliefs. Please pray, meditate and give to others. Fasten your seat belt which is given to you by your Creator God. The belt is made up of the fabric of all those who give from their hearts to others. The threads are gold and silver strands of love - strong and enduring.

I took yesterday off to relax and rejuvenate. I have had a head cold and didn't feel up to facing the public. Today and tomorrow are my regular days off so I am feeling very good. I have appts. and duties but it is different. I am making sour-dough bread today. My Sis gave me some sourdough mix she bought in San Francisco on their recent trip there. This will be the third time I have used it for whole wheat bread. I share the loaf with Pete. It lasts us a week and is wonderful. Bashey gets a coiff tomorrow. He is in dire need. We have had Rosie with us again - this time for just 4 days.

I have posted some pics of the Slyboro Ciderhouse and Winery entrance as well as a shot of a bee's nest found in the orchard. You can see the apples inside the nest. The potatoes are from my "old tires" (I thought maybe I would dig little tires). Also see the shot of the list of apples we are picking now. May you feel sunshine on your shoulders, love in your heart and joy in your step.

It's Monday, First day of Fall

Greetings everyone! Sebastian has on his winter coat. He needs a bath too. Unfortunately, I have to have some of that coat cut off or he will be a tangled mess. He is a bit more clingy since I am gone a lot during the days I work. I am working today - have to be in b-4 11 a.m. Normally, I would have had the day off but I switched with a co-worker so I could go to BOCES substitute teacher orientation tomorrow. The temps are cooling off now and the colours around us are intensifying. I will take some photos and post them. The balloon fest was a huge success. Once again I didn't get over there but one of our visitors at the winery had taken numerous photos which were spectacular. What grand weather we had for it.

There is alot of work to be done around my house to prepare for winter. I know from the past that winter will come in quickly and I don't want to be taken by surprise. I lost numerous shingles from the barn roof during a recent wind storm. I also have to winterize the coach.

Pete has taken over much of the meal preparation for us since I have been working through the dinner time hour. Bless him for his flexibility. Today we are having Crockpot beef with carrots, squash,brocolli and beans from my garden. Yesterday, I brought home a bottle of Hidden Star wine from our winery to serve with the bar-b-q chicken he brought home from the Fish and Game fund raiser he worked at. Well, poor guy had to eat before I got there since I was late. Then I was so tired, I didn't want to waste a lovely bottle of wine on myself who would fall into bed right after woofing down my food. I will save it for a more relaxed time.

I am researching some type of portable garage for my car this winter. I don't want to shovel snow all the way to the barn especially early in the morning. My arthritic hands will not permit that kind of heavy work. Any one have any ideas about those garages?

My dryer just shut off - gotta go. More later.

Wednesday

Iam writing this blog from my own computer in MY VERY OWN HOUSE! Once again, hopefully this time, I have the right service. I have Wild Blue - the big blue satellite dish, on my roof now. Yuck but if it works, fine. Since I receive DirectTV, this is supposed to work as well. I have missed having my own computer on whenever I wanted to sit down and work. I know a few people who have this service and enjoy it. Now that I am working full time I also feel I can once again afford this service. Today is a day off - YEA!

I am enjoying my job at Hick's Slyboro Ciderhouse Winery. Yes, you read the word, "Enjoy". About time after that horrific experience at Panera Bread. I really was going downhill fast at that job. My body was sore everywhere and I was exhausted. Since I have an auto-immune disease for the last 12 years, maybe more, I have had to learn to pace myself and keep my stress to a minimum. You may ask, "What were you thinking"? Well, I'll tell you. After plastering two counties with resumes and applications for jobs for 3 mos. and getting two interviews only to be turned down for those 2 jobs, I was feeling very frightened and rejected. Desparate is a good word. When Panera called, I jumped at it. I really thought I could do it and obviously they did too or they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of training me. I tried it for 3 weeks and it didn't get better but it surely did get worse. The last day I worked, I fell asleep driving home the 15 miles. I went off the side of the road and was roused just before I hit a pole. I was very shaken. In fact, I haven't been back on that road since. I made the decision then. The following day, Hick's called about the job at the Orchard. An omen for sure. I also applied for a job as a teacher substitute in all the neighboring schools. That looks good too since I am going for orientation next week. My job at the winery is done at Christmas. The teaching jobs will fill in the winter. Winter?? That is another story, another challenge to be met.

No one who reads my blog has made any comments about the picture of the T-storm coming in over the mts. near my house. I think it is a wonderful picture. Those old mts. are always offering a spectacular show. Our trees are turning color now and the temps are cooling off a bit but the weather is wonderful. Sebastian has grown a thick coat. He won't have a problem with the winterweather. He and I were out walking early yesterday morning before I went to work when we came across a large (at least 4') black snake. It was dead but still a bit scary. I have lived with some very poisonous snakes in NC. I don't mind the non-poisonous variety as long as I see them first. This one had eaten recently, I hope the mice that are trying to get into our homes at this time of year. We left it there to see what would happen. Last night in the dark, we went out and it was still there undisturbed. This morning it was gone. I wonder if whoever killed it, came back for it. I did take pictures though just in case it disappeared. I know I have a large Redtailed Hawk here and a Barred Owl, either one could kill a snake of that size but the snake was very heavy to lift or maybe the predator was interrupted, who knows?

I have been gathering colored weeds and putting them in the grapevine wreaths I have on the back and front doors. I love the colours this time of year. I found I had some very tiny pumpkins of the brightest orange color as well as a tiny melon and squash. I have brought them inside and placed them at the feet of my ugly black and purple witch and my large wooden crow. My fall display! I will be dragging pine cones, leaves and branches, cat tails in here until snow flies. I was a hunter/gatherer in another life.

I hope you have been able to watch S&L or the video clip that is going around the internet of the Palin/Clinton ladies debating. It is very funny. The gal that plays Palin is perfect and I find it hard to tell who is who. I am sure we will see more of these two in the next 50 days.

It seems Greed is on the way out even if the greedy don't like it. This is the era of change - the old will be gone and the new will come in. This applies to all things. Change is totally necessary now if we are to survive and learn to love our planet and one another. I remember Christ saying in the Bible that the meek shall inherit the earth - we are getting there. For many years I have been preaching to those who would listen, doing my energetic healing work and practicing living a balanced, loving life. There are many of us who are doing the same and we were told there would be drastic changes from '08 - '12 but as time went on, I wondered if I would live to see it all. Now I think I will. What a ride!

The images here are of my second birthday picnic at Pete's house with his family. He is shown with his son Mark and grandsons, Dylan and Thad. The other is of Pete with his daughters-in-law, Laura and Mary Beth. His other son Danny is not pictured. The snake is no relation and is only shown for my readers benefit. If anyone knows anything about this type of snake, I would appreciate it.

May you feel the Love, the Healing Light from the Universe on your shoulders and in your Hearts -

Donna and Sebastian

Saturday morning

Hot off the press! Wednesday afternoon on my way home from work at Panera Bread in Queensbury, I fell asleep at the wheel, ran off the road and woke up just before hitting a pole. Thanks to my Angels who are always on high alert. I have been so tired even though I get 7 - 8 hrs. of sleep a night. The job totally stressed my mind and my body. It was rush, rush, rush all the time. I was the only older person on my shift so no one talked with me throughout the day. Actually, there was never anytime for small talk. It was all about getting the food out as fast as possible under some really disorganized conditions. I am sure that not all Panera's are the same. Management is too blame. But the next day I got a call from our local orchard U-Pick farm which is very picturesque and one of Rachel Ray's favorite autumn haunts. I interviewed, accepted a job in the winery called Slyboro Ciderhouse Winery and began work two days ago. I love it! I am still on my feet for 7 hours but there is no stress. I get to talk to people, give wine tastings and sell the wine. Apple wine that is. The winery is located in the former apple storage barn which is unique and quaint. I will find out if I can take some pics and post them so you can see. Hick's Orchard is only 6.5 miles from my house.

I have applied as a substitute teacher in the area schools too since the winery job ends around Christmas. Will keep you posted.

We have had a touch of frost and the trees are turning but the weather continues mild. I talk to many who are struggling in this economy. Please pray for those who are in pain and who live in fear.

Blessed be --
Donna

Tuesday evening

Sorry folks - this is going to be short. I have been working long days from the early morning hours at Panera Bread as a cashier. I am very very tired. My body is not used to the standing and my mind is stressed out. I feel like I am fog bound. I am the only oldster in the building, well nearly - we have an older man who is our dishwasher. I don't know if I will be able to continue with this job. Going to give it another week which will make three. I have applied as a substitute teacher in the BOCES system which regulates all the teachers in two counties. I think that will be less stressful and won't be full time.

Meanwhile, tomatoes, we have tomatoes - big ones, little ones and those roma in betweens. They are the most delicious fruits. I am totally spoiled for the store bought ones now. Picking one off the plant, holding it in my hand warm from the sun, rubbing it a bit and popping it into my mouth. Oh my!

I am off to bed now. More on the weekend when I am rested. I am at Pete's now and must head home. Bye