Tag: Personal

Smiling Moon, Sparkling Light… Amazing Walk

‘Smiling Moon, Sparkling Light’ photograph by Peter Paul Hattinga Verschure

‘Smiling Moon, Sparkling Light’ is my name for this gorgeous photograph. The night sky looks like it is smiling, it’s cold and crisp with warming light. Another magical gift from Creator. This beautiful photo was taken January 8 in Deventer, The Netherlands by Peter Paul Hattinga Verschure. You can see more of his work at pphv.eu.

January 10 was full moon 10:27pm EST. Space Weather reported that this is the biggest moon of the year about 14% wider and 30% brighter.

Went out side at 3:30am 1-11-2009, it was cold 38° F and clear. I was greeted by a fabulous full moon with a corona around it. Photo above left is my shaky capture, the colors are wonderful, soft and sweet. It is 1-11-11 a day of Opening and Becoming.

An amazing walk…

On Friday January 9, I walked. It was magical. So much depth, color and texture. The clear blue sky was never ending, the sun warm, breeze cool and it was about 60F degrees. Perfect! The sunlight played through branches. Pine needles literally sparkled, as if laughing with joy.

Stopped to look at a tall juniper, the top covered the sun… to my amazement a rainbow ring appeared closely encircling it. When I moved and looked again it was gone. A flock of ducks flew over head talking… talking… it seemed of the glorious day unfolding. Gathered near a pond on the fairway, 100s in number, were Canadian geese eating, talking and playing. Was it tag? I watched a while. One would run up and tap another on back or side and run away. Seeming to say, “Your it!” Then they’d tag another and another… all the while honking cacophonously. Love was pouring from everything, everywhere. Tears began streaming down my face.

I walked on. Heard the cawing of ravens. Looked up, 3 were circling. No 4! But there are flashes of white on one. That’s not a raven, it’s too big. I looked closer. Oh, oh it is an eagle, a bald eagle! First one I’ve seen here in about 10 years. More tears flowed. Such a blessing and message from Creator. “Spirit moves. The time of initiation is complete. Change occurs… will be seen soon. Trust the process and know all is well.”

The eagle flew above me for about a mile, circling, drifting higher… lower… then winked out. Couldn’t spot him again. Wet cheeks, shuttering in awe I lift my arms to the sky and say a prayer of thanks to Creator for all the many blessings in my life. What a magical day.

~Bonnee

January 11, 2009
12/18 The 12 Days Of Christmas, John Denver
‘The 12 Days Of Christmas’ John Denver & The Muppets

Wonderful, happy and fun! I love this clever rendition, makes me laugh and smile. Used to watch the Muppets’ Christmas specials every year, so is a walk down memory lane for me. Hope you enjoy it.

John Denver, Song: The 12 Days of Christmas, TV special: A Christmas Together with John Denver and The Muppets (1979). Nominated for an Emmy and winner of the Director’s Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety. If you’d like to own a copy on DVD you can buy it at missedmovies.com. Words: vary widely, Music: Traditional English, 18th Century carol.

‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ is traditionally attributed to England but may have a French origin. Date of first performance is unknown, however it was sung as early as 16th century in Europe and Scandinavia. The chant may have had it’s origins as a ‘memory and forfeits’ game where the person who forgets the verse has to pay penalty of a kiss or sweet.

The actual 12 days of Christmas are usually December 26 through January 6 in England. Sometimes Christmas Day is included as one of the 12 days, sometimes not. Most often the 12 days are attributed to the twelve days from the birth of Christ (Christmas, December 25) to the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6, or the Twelfth Day). You can learn more about the song at Hymns and Carols of Christmas or wikipedia.

My 12 Days of Christmas – This year the Holidays are very tight financially so I decided to make all my gifts and pamper myself while I’m at it. Went to a local art gallery, saw a lovely leather bag I would have loved to buy. Its’ cost $1,500. Rather then grumbling about the price, it inspired me to create my own and one for a friend too. Mine is still in the works, photo right is the other one.

This year my Christmas will be filled with wonderful treats, songs, love and things which make me smile. Just for fun, wrote about my inexpensive indulgences to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas. It goes something like this…
- On the first day of Christmas, I made this gift for me, a handmade leather satchel
- On the second day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the third day of Christmas, I’ll do this just for me, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the fourth day of Christmas, I’ll do this just for me, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the fifth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the sixth day of Christmas, I’ll make this just for me, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the seventh day of Christmas, I gave this gift to me, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the eighth day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the ninth day of Christmas I made a treat for me, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the tenth day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the eleventh day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the twelfth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, twelve lovely flowers, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
Have a wonderful Holiday! May your days be filled with treasures!

John Denver given name Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), born in Roswell, New Mexico was a singer, songwriter, performer, actor, environmentalist and humanitarian. At eleven he was given his grandmother’s guitar, took guitar lessons and joined the boy’s choir. At twenty he pursued his dream career and the rest is history. You can read more about him at: johndenver.com or wikipedia.

The photo above left of Christmas Bling is by Light. Light Traveler (August 1946 – July 2003) photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler’s gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan
December 18, 2008
All Bound UP…. no more!

This week I wanted to share with you my journey through some natural remedies, what worked and why I began searching for something in the first place. On with my story…

Ever since I was born it seems I’ve been constipated. Whoops can I blog about this??? Anyway, I used to use all the common and OTC remedies like laxatives, psyllium husks, fiber, prunes, citrate of magnesia, etc. Think I tried them all. Fiber bound me up even more, most laxatives were way to harsh and I never understood the fascination with prunes. Didn’t work at all. So I’d go once a week, if lucky, and usually felt miserable. The picture is the little wee me at 3. Awe! Was I ever that young?

In 1986 went to the doctor, he poked and prodded around my abdomen. Couldn’t find anything. Suggested some tests. Through ultrasound they found I had gall stones. I was completely asymptomatic but they wanted to take out my gall bladder. Was told that ‘I was a ticking time bomb and if I didn’t have surgery one day I’d have an attack and may die as a result’. Oh my GAWD!I asked my doctor if there was an alternative to surgery. He said not that he knew of and if I found one he wanted to know. I began searching and found a natural gall stone flush which I did several times. Saw the little green stones in my stool… it worked!Told my doctor about it. He was amazed and said, ” I still think you need surgery.” Hummm. My conclusion… he was fixated on surgery, rather then the cause of my constipation. Seemed there was nothing else he could offer. So I opted to keep my gall bladder and went on my own personal search to end my constipation. Looked to natural remedies, various colon cleansers and herbal laxatives like Cascara Sagrada. They worked about as well as the OTC I tried, but didn’t fix the cause.

In May 1989 I traveled to Sedona, AZ for a week long healing retreat at the Healing Center of Arizona. I wanted clarification that a decision I made was on target. I wasn’t really looking to be healed, rather wanted to experience everything I could. The week was filled with all sorts of treatments, crystal healing, ‘Life Healing’, massage, veggie diet, acupressure, past life regression, daily walks on the land and nightly dancing. It was a veritable feast of alternative treatments, joy and fun. I met lots of folks who felt like family and felt truly at home. It became clear that my decision was on target. I felt full of energy and purpose.

Fast forward… January 1992 started a 3 year spiritual journey traveling and camping all over the country without a stationary home. Well you can imagine the effect traveling and camping in the backwoods had… hummm, no private bathroom to sit and cogitate. In early 1993 made a brief stop in Sedona where I met a chiropractor. Told him about my constipation and he suggested a product he sold called ChiroCleanse. I bought a box and tried it… was a miracle! It moisturized the stool, was gentle and effective. The main ingredient was Cassia Angustifolia. But I couldn’t find it anywhere else so was still in a bind… so to speak. Blush, ahem.

On another trip (1994) through Sedona I met a man who had the same difficulty. He used Laci Le Beau Super Dieter’s Tea and enemas. I opted for the tea, thank you. It was widely available at health food stores and contained Cassia Angustifolia which I already knew worked for me. Everything was good in my life. I drank a cup of poop tea, as I affectionately began calling it, every night before bed.

Back in Sedona again (early 1995) rented a room for a couple of months from a woman who talked about the value of coffee enemas and green juice fasting. You guessed it! I did a week long fast with daily coffee enemas and poop tea too. Even opted to do another gall stone flush in the process. I felt squeaky clean as a result… but, afterward was still bound up. The only thing I didn’t try during all of this was a colonic.

Fast forward again… in 2004 a friend suggested I read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Are you thinking, “What that heck does Outlander have to do with any of this?” Well it was one of the steps that lead me to a solution. In the ‘Outlander series’, Jamie and his Scottish comrades protest the lack of oatmeal in their diets because they swore it kept them regular. When I read this a bell went off. I added oatmeal a couple of times a week which made a difference. Then another friend suggested I add ground flaxseed too and sent me some to try. It also made a visible difference.

In 2006 still doing nightly poop tea and oatmeal with ground flax… I began wondering about long term deleterious effects of the tea on my body. I didn’t notice any, but hey 13 years of doing any herb nightly seemed excessive to me. Enter my x-husband, his fiancee, son and great aunt. While they were staying with me for a couple of days he let me try some ionic minerals which he took daily and swore by. He mentioned that too much gives one loose stool, so gave me a smaller dose. Wow such an effect. I stopped drinking nightly poop tea. I bought some of the same product he suggested online, used it up and started looking for a local source. Ended up buying ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops and taking 1/2 teaspoon in orange juice daily. I thought the minerals would be a replacement for the nightly tea and most likely I’d be taking them for the rest of my life. Wrong! After 8 months of taking a daily dose, my body started having reactions after I took it. This was an indication the body had enough so I stopped altogether. I thought I’d have to go back to poop tea again. Joyous surprise… I haven’t taken any more tea since.

I continue to eat a bowl of oatmeal with ground flax regularly. I haven’t been constipated at all. Thank God for small miracles!

Here’s a couple of oatmeal/flaxseed recipes I created:

Bonnee’s Yummy Breakfast Oats (microwave or stovetop) for 1 serving

1/2 cup regular organic oatmeal, 1 cup filtered water, pinch of sea salt, handful nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.), handful pumpkin seed (shelled), handful sunflower seeds (shelled), handful chopped or whole dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, apricots, dates, etc.), 1/4 to 1/3 cup ground flax seeds.

Microwave: Put all ingredients except flax into large microwave safe bowl. Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add flax, stir and serve with real maple syrup or vanilla almond milk.

Stovetop: In a small stainless steel pot bring water and salt to a boil. Stir in oats cook till soft about 3 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl stir in flax meal, seeds, nuts and dried fruit. Serve with real maple syrup, vanilla almond milk or whatever you like.

Bonnee’s WoW Soft Oatmeal Cookies

Bake 350° 11 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen 2″ cookies.

1 cup organic whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup ground flax, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 lb. (1 stick) organic sweet butter, softened, 3/4 cup packed brown cane sugar, 1 large organic egg, 1/8 cup organic unbleached sugar, 3/4 tsp real vanilla extract, 1-3/4 cup organic oatmeal, 1/2 cup mixed raisins, gogi berries and dried cranberries (softened in hot water and drained) and a handful of each pumpkin seed (shelled), sunflower seed (shelled) and chopped walnuts.

Sift together flour, salt, spices, baking powder and soda. Stir in ground flax seed, set aside. In another bowl cream butter, add sugars and beat until smooth and creamy. Add egg and vanilla, beat until well incorporated. Slowly add sifted flour. Dump in oatmeal, nuts, raisins, and seeds mix to incorporate well. Drop by tablespoon onto Silpat, parchment or greased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool 2 minutes on sheet and transfer to cooling rack. Enjoy!

Conclusion: My chronic constipation seemed at least in part to be the result of a mineral deficiency. When the minerals were balanced my chronic constipation was gone. Hope my discoveries and journey were interesting and helpful.

Caveat: Always use discernment with everything in life. Never ingest something to which you are allergic and ask your doctor’s advice before trying something new

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

October 16, 2008
the dove

~a poem by Bonnee Klein Gilligan

Yes dear friend we all get hurt

   and others they can stir up dirt.

In love or out it matters not

   for human love is not what’s sot.

We look here and we look there

   and try to find love everywhere.

But what we find is half at best

   and breaks our hearts, perhaps the rest.

It’s not the love we’re seeking friend

   it’s half at best and in the end

We remember what we’ve lost

   at such a great emotional cost.

It’s God’s love, not the human kind

   that fills us with a gift Divine.

And when two in this space of love

   find each other, they find the Dove

This is the gift, these are the plans

   this is what our God demands.

To love like God, with heart and Soul

   and open up… let go control.

Connect with body, soul and mind

   into a place of Love not blind.

but wholly seeing, holy knowing

   this is the seed that God is sowing.

To love each other like God loves us

   and this my friend takes perfect Trust.

It takes letting go ways of thinking

   that hem us in and keep us sinking.

And letting go of future and past

   for these are false and do not last.

Now is all we have to love in

   so open gentle heart… begin.

Love opens us to possibilities

   and tears down all of our hostilities.

It heals all wounds, and mends all harm

   so let go the past, let go alarm.

Open up to life and love

   and live again, fly like the dove.

Open to God’s Divine Plan

   live in Love and hand in hand

Heart to heart and soul to soul

   watch the Divine gifts unfold.

Beautiful is life with of love

   it is the magic of the Dove.

October 3, 2008
How Green am I?

This weeks blog is about me and how my green life is going. Been getting progressively greener since March. My organic veggie, earth friendly roommate moved out beginning of July, so I’m living alone again. We won’t be laughing, dancing and singing round the house together anymore. Sniff, sniff. I thank her for getting me on board with a greener way of life.

I live in a very small community of about 4,000 mostly elderly folks. We’ve got a beauty salon, senior center, doctor, massage therapist, chiropractor, realtor, small clothing store, restaurant and post office all in our little town square. It’s so cute. The photo left is of the square. Across the street is an 18 hole golf course with clubhouse and restaurant. Don’t know the meaning of the words healthy food. Look at you like you’ve got 2 heads when you ask for a veggie anything. Say what???

Anyway, I walk to the Post Office everyday. It’s about 1/2 mile from my house. The nearest grocery store is about 10 miles via interstate. There’s no public transportation and because there are no back roads bicycling is out. Weird I know. ‘Sides I don’t have a working bicycle. Have a 1997 Honda Civic hatchback which gets about 40 mpg most of the time. Feel fortunate. Keep tires inflated and only drive when necessary. I’ve cut trips into town down to about once or twice a month. Would like to go more… feelin’ a bit deprived.

When I go in for a shop, I buy water in bulk too. Have 5 gallon bottles. Cost is only $1 for 5 gallons. Won’t drink the tap water, would if I could but, it tastes bad and is full of minerals and other unmentionables. It’s called aggressive water cause of how fast it builds up like rock formations on everything it touches.

Still using locally grown or organic produce and eggs mostly. Grow many of my own herbs. The photo right is sage in my garden. Buy rice, beans, grains, flours, oatmeal, salt, sugar and spices in bulk. Store them in quart or 1/2 gallon canning jars. Use organic dairy products such as milk, butter, yogurt, and cream cheese. But cheese is a different story. Started baking and making lots of food from scratch including bread. Have a bread machine that looks like R2D2. Makes terrific bread. Bake my own cookies too. That way I know what’s in ’em. Taste better, cost less and there’s less packaging to deal with.

Never ate much meat but now it’s a flavoring agent, because I like the taste, instead of the the main ingredient. Mostly I cook vegetarian. Been trying recipes from around the world like Pad Thai and curried coconut veggies. And I’m eating lots of fresh organic salads with greens, shredded beets and carrots, pumpkin and sunflower seeds and lemon juice. Never thought I’d say I love salad… but I do now. The food tastes different, fresher and more alive. But the odd thing is I’m not wanting to cook and eat very often. I just noticed I was hungry and thought ‘Is it time to eat again already?’ What’s up with that?

I’m still using eco-friendly dish liquid. Right now it’s Bio Pak Ultra with tea tree and aloe, Green Apple scent. Works great, but don’t like the smell much. Will try a different green kind next time. Or might buy the Dishmate Almond, I liked it. I’ve noticed my hands like these products better too. They aren’t rough and dry any more. And my dish sponge still smells nice. I do the dishes by hand, don’t have an automatic dishwasher. But I think I run the water too much. More then is frugal. So I’m not perfect… humph.

Haven’t noticed a change in my electric bill since my roommate left. But we’d already cut way back. I’m cooking a bit more and I’ve got an old 2001 Dell with a big fat monitor that’s on at least 6 hours a day so I can keep blogging. Wondering about that. Sure, it’s EnergyStar rated, but I know it sucks power. And it’s slowing down real bad and making growlin’ noises too. Materializin’ a new laptop. Visualizing myself using one, concentrating, focusin’ every day… poof… new laptop. Poof… old computer gone, in that order please. Thank you. Whole bunch of poofin’, no materializin’. Sigh, what’s that ‘Secret’?

Keep blinds closed and ceiling fans on. Air conditioners off except when it gets really hot a couple hours in the afternoon. Have switched off the power strips mostly. I forget once in a while. The old TV, VCR and DVD players are unplugged all the time cause I don’t ever watch them. The clock on my stove doesn’t work. Don’t own a coffee pot. Drink tea with milk mostly. Heat a mug full of water in my electric teapot. The microwave has a clock. It’s the only one in the kitchen. Don’t have a cell phone or power charger. Think I’m doing pretty good with all this stuff generally. Conserving, doing what I can. Writing about it and telling my friends too.

Now we’re all on board the green train to conscious change.

Oh yeah a P.S…. ants invaded my house again. Did a cinnamon treatment inside and out. Worked great for all rooms except my bedroom closet. I must have missed a spot or something. Those buggers invaded my laundry basket and chewed holes in two of my favorite tee shirts and a pair of undies. Now they look like Swiss cheese. Rotten ants. Had to get out the artillery… big guns. Read about cornmeal killing ants. So I put some out. They took it back to the nest and I haven’t seen ’em since. Not very compassionate. Pppppffffftttttt!!! Good riddance!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

July 31, 2008