Monday, July 27, 2009

Poetry and Philosophy


Well I've run dry on topics to post about so I'm going to try something new, or rather something I had started before but never explained or developed further.

From time to time, I'll post some of my favorite poems. I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts
on them : if you like them, what they mean to you, what you think the author was trying to convey.

What makes poetry so interesting is it's interpretation is, or can be, subjective, what it coveys to you may not have been what the author envisioned at all.

When you take into account how our language and culture has changed over time, frame of reference can be difficult to grasp.


Poetry is an art no doubt. If you think about the English language, how much description do we use today as opposed to 50-100 years ago? This loss is to make things more precise (and faster) and fit into objective frames, but does it? Is it better to have a technical description of something, or a detailed description, which engages the minds eye more? Why is it important to engage imagery?

With that tidbit of philosophy, I leave you with this:


Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

you can find more of his poetry here

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Dog Pictures

So I haven't posted in a few days!! Haven't really had much to say or thought about any topics I want to write about.. In the mean time I'll post some pictures of Gabby.


Gabby was our first Weim and is by far the best dog I've ever owned. She had the rule of the roost until we brought Josh home.. She still hasn't forgiven us for that :)

We still miss him dearly

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

VWC 2009 !!

Helen and I are headed to Vermont Witchcamp 2009 on August 22.. We'll actually be leaving Springfield around the 19th as its a long (1500 Mile) two day drive.

Hopefully we won't run into any car problems like last year.

We had a wonderful time in spite of it though. We were taught a lesson in humility and of community.


I decided to take the "scenic route" through the mountains and got a $3000 repair bill in exchange. I hit a rock and tore the oil pan, didn't realize it and burned up the turbo charge.. OUCH!!

So I whip out our trusty cell phone we bought for emergencies.. No Signal!!


Here starts our lesson in humility.

We live in the Midwest where it's everyone for themselves. We were very surprised when people actually stopped and ask if we needed help, and even called a tow truck for us.

The tow truck guy was kind and ask where we were going. We told him and he phoned his wife to see if she could give us a ride.. Sure no problem!!

We didn't realize it at the time but it was 30 miles one way from where we broke down to his shop and another 40 one way to our camp. Now that's customer service!!

We had some misunderstandings the first few days of camp for a few reasons, 1) our first time at any type of pagan event, 2) we were very upset and worried about the car, and how much it was going to cost, and if we were going to get home.

The community was very understanding of our situation and did their best to help wherever they could.

Our mechanic told us he should have a new oil pan and have it installed by Wednesday (our damage occurred on Saturday) so we started asking for rides right away, giving folks a few days advanced notice to maybe give "those flatlander newbies" a ride. Well, Wednesday came and went with no call. Thursday we got a call saying the oil pan was done but we would need a new turbo unit and he could have it next day.. "It'll be $1395 for a used one or $1400 for a new one" is what he said.. Hmm... lets go new..

He ask when we were leaving and we told him Saturday is when camp was over..He said he could have it finished "sometime this weekend". We still didn't have any offers for a ride and were starting to get nervous. We made an announcement to the group (with the help of one of the organizers) and had several people willing to give us a ride.

Fast forward to Friday after dinner. The cook told me that the mechanic called and left his home number and we need to call him right away. Naturally I though "Shit, what else could be wrong?" Turns out he wanted to know if we'd give him a ride back to his shop if he brought us the car... DUH!!

So he brought us the car and we took him back to his shop, paid the note, and give him a nice tip for his and his wife's trouble.. Let him know we were very pleased and that that kind of service is unknown in our part of the world.

Needless to say, camp started to feel like home and family.. and we found an honest mechanic to boot.. Enough so that we decided to do it again this year.

This year I hope to get a little more involved with the paths and community that are available. I've volunteered to be a new camper buddy.. whatever that means. Seems, since we've camped before we're the people to ask.. I don't mind ,I love helping people..


Blessed Be

Monday, July 20, 2009

What this blog is about?

I just realized I've had this blog a while.. though I haven't been active on it much till recently. I guess I should take a bit of time explaining why I created it, why I chose the topic of paganism, and why some of the post may, to the casual reader, appear to have nothing to do with paganism.

I've created this blog basically as a way to air some of my views. We are in the buckle of the bible belt and, while there are some pagan groups in Springfield, they tend to be quite conservative for our tastes.

I came to paganism in a round about way really. I was raised Southern Baptist and knew from about the age of 10 that it wasn't my thing. Then I met Helen when we were both working at a video arcade. She was reading tarot for a friend when I walked in and freaked out.... LOL.. Now after a few years and some research I've got most of the nasty taste of organized religion out of my mouth and mind.

I have to say once I started reading about pagan beliefs it was like "wow, I didn't know other people believed this too!!"

I'm still what I'd call a 101 person, but I do feel like I've learned quite a bit.

Now, as I see it all things, in some off the wall way, are related to paganism.. from mundane task to ritual. Though I'll be the first to admit.. some of my post may go more political at times.. OTOH.. typically they are still related to human rights/environment/etc so technically still pagan venue :)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Afternoon In The Park

As Helen wrote we had a wonderful picnic at Close Memorial Park. This is one of many Springfield Area Parks. And really, when you get down to it the parks, the Ozarks Greenway Trails, and the Public Library are about the only thing the area has going for it. Those are the few things I'll miss after we move. But I digress.

The day was lovely.. Really nice and cool for this time of year. More updates later, I'm off to mow 'The Elders' (Helen's mom & dad) acreage.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Pentagram Poem

© Pentagram Poem By Don Scroggins

East is where it all begins
the smell of rain on the air
life awakens from winter slumber
springtime is here, peace abounds
love is on the breeze

South is the passion
the strength
the resolve
the warm embrace of summer

West is reflection
thoughts of past seasons
preparation for the coming winter
red and yellow, orange and gray
leaves dropping, counting down days

North is the Earth beneath our feet
wintertime time to sleep
warm thoughts to spring
grounding and giving strength

The center is spirit
God and Goddess
Parts of all
All around us

The circle binds all together
It is the circle of life.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

New Blog

Helen and I spent the better part of today messing with blogger... I'm reasonably versed in HTML but not CSS or Blogger Code. So believe me when I say we spent HOURS.. trying to get the moon phase java bit to work.. sheesh.. Turns out after all that crap all we needed was to copy the code into a gadget!!

Shameless plug


Be sure to check out her blog

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A breath of fresh air

American Clean Energy And Security Act of 2009 passed the house.


As usual I'm behind the curve on the news but it is great news.

Be sure to write to your senators and let them know where you stand on this bill.. after all you are one of their constituents.

you can go to here to see results and who voted for/against it in the house.. be sure and send them a thank you or a fuck you as the case may be ;)

And now for a book recommendation














I'm about half way through this book and Highly, highly recommend it. Most complete and detailed history ...

also currently reading "the chalice and the blade" another good work