The Onion Snow

"This is ridiculous," I huff.

"It's the Onion Snow," Michael replies, "Don't worry, it doesn't last long."

"Onion Snow, what the hell is that?!"

"That's what the late snow that comes in April is called, Onion Snow, because farmers have already put in the onion sets by now."

"I guess growing up in Emmitsburg and helping Mom in the vegetable garden is where you heard that, but that's a new one to me."

"Yep, when you have eight kids, you learn to do as much as you can to make a buck stretch."

"Well, you want to know what I call this crazy snow?"

"What?"

"I call it the, Are You Fin' Kidding Me Snow!"

"Seems like a long title, but okay," Michael replies. Thus the conversation ends.

Yeah....snow. One day, okay maybe. But, I'm on day two of the White Death as my friend, Pete, calls it.

I like snow. Really. But, when you have to hunt for the scraper in April so you can clear off the car?! That's just stupid. If you saw our chaotic garage at the moment, you'd understand how stupid it actually is. But, who wants to leave a snow scraper in their car after March?! By the way, I wish to acknowledge the wonderful work done by Michael in clearing off both chariots this morning before he left. Thank you, My Husband!

I have birds out at the snowed feeder actually seeming a bit puzzled. Can birds wonder, "WTF?!" I'm certain that's what I hear them chirping as they hop about in its depths, making tiny powder puff explosions. Okay, that's kinda' cute...

Cheeky B., the chipmunk is bummed. All that white makes him very easy to spot while he opportunistically feeds at the bottom of the bird feeder. Easier for Rory to go ballistic at the door in an attempt to get at him. I've had to yell at him, "Okay, that's enough," about a million times already. No, not an exaggeration...well, maybe a little...

And, here's the biggest question about the snow in April: Why do we Humans insist on complaining or even making a topic of conversation about the weather?!

Is there one among us who has the power to do a damned thing about it, ever? Not even The Queen of The Universe can do more than regally, "Humph!" Which I will do immediately following this pointless missive. Discussing the weather is equally pointless. Does it ever do a thing to achieve a desired meteorological outcome?

We will go grab our second cup of coffee, stand at the palace window, (okay, it's just the kitchen window, but please don't ruin our illusions/delusions.) We will watch out over the kingdom, and all our woodland subjects out there in the white. We will pull Ourself together in our most commanding QoftheU voice and bellow, "Order! We insist on order in our Universe, immediately!"

And, in the returning silence we consider, if we insist on order, guess it's a good time to go and make the royal bed; it's the only order we're likely to conjure. For, We note the snow is still there. Verily, We are not amused.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka The Queen of The Universe

Mommy, Where Do I Come From?

It's too soon for our Livy to wonder the same thing all children eventually contemplate. I mean, look at her sign, she is only three glorious months old. But, I know that it's just a question of time before this child of ours wonders, "Where did I come from?"

I'm never certain what sparks that question. Is it a curious contemplation about the tactical parts of how any Human Being is created, born, and arrives on Earth? The parts that make us declare, "Icky!!," when we hear how it all happens. The mechanics of it sound horrifying when you're first told, don't they?

Or, is it the spirit beginning to become aware that it has arrived for another course of development in this Life Learning Lab?

Perhaps, a combination of both?

Or, maybe it's just the psyche's niggling need to know where it fits... to have confirmation that it 'belongs'. Is part of something. A member of the tribe. Singularly cared about and cherished.

However it comes about, our Olivia will most likely pose her questions, initially with Laura since we women seem to be the first source tapped for these deep questions. And, my Lar-Lar will consider carefully before she answers, "Well, you come from Mommy. You have my eyes. You have my pointy chin...the same chin you can see when you look at Grand Dad Glenn, and Great Aunt Holly."

She'll continue, "You have my same sunny disposition, but yours is different because you also come from Daddy. And, Daddy is after all Daddy...."

Yep, that's the answer. Olivia is a fabulous blend of the constant, sunny beauty, and depth of character of Laura. And she'll share the love of life, family, friends, value honor and loyalty, and the glory of simply being, thanks to Eric. Thanks to her Daddy.

This is Livy's fabu father. And, this picture gives you an idea why we all adore having him as part of our family. He's absolutely fun. But, in that quiet, unexpected way that really makes you hysterical when one of his pranks confirms that he's actually quite a character. Like a Scud missile....quiet, but always on target. He cracks me up!

The other reason I love Eric is that he adores both of his girls. Completely. His entire family is the center of his world. And, he's one of those men who has a magic heart. The kind that expands and expands to include more people in his love and care.

He's a cop. Sees a lot. Deals with even more. He could allow all the negative energy he deals with regularly to tarnish his view of this world. But, he doesn't allow it. Somehow, despite the daily evidence to the contrary, he realizes the beauty being alive holds. He is a gentle warrior who makes a difference every day. To all of us, certainly. But, also to the community he protects and serves.

My Dear Olivia, you come from very good energy, indeed.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka Aunt Holly/Great Aunt Holly

Questions That Begin With Why

In response to yesterday's post, my esteemed friend Mark commented, "This is sure happening a lot lately. The way we've become so disconnected from one another may be at the root." And, like a great many things Mark has said to me, it gave me pause for reflection. He is often the spark that causes me to take internal journeys wondering about the state of things and wondering what I can do to make things better. Easier. More Human.

What do you think? Do you think he is right about this? Is the seeming increase in acts of violence, that actually surprise us in their severity, a by-product of being disconnected? How does this happen?

Is it the fact that we live with computers and gizmo's? That we walk around with iPods stuffed in our ears instead of consciously interacting with those around us? That we are 24/7 available to everyone due to cell phones? Or can it truly be all technology's fault?

Is it that we are Human Beings about to evolve once more into a brave new world? One that we can't yet define...one that is close but presently seems filled with uncertainty? Is it the increasing pace of life? The fact that we seem to be living on hyper-drive? Is it, as I have suggested, that we live in fear? Fear makes us crazy if we are exposed to it for too long without resolution.

Is it, perhaps, because most of us seem to be relatively cut-off from our spiritual center? Not a building, but a part of our souls. That many of us no longer have a working moral compass to guide our actions? That internal mechanism, which unfailingly points us toward True North.

Do most of us even contemplate our relationship with Spirit? What form that takes? What observances we should have as regular parts of our lives? Do we have rituals that help us easily recall our connection to Spirit? Those moments when we make certain that we speak with Source...and listen for Source to whisper back in our hearts and ears.

Do we even know what we believe? Are you willing to quest to find the means and mechanism to further the relationship with the God/Goddess of your understanding? If the traditions you were raised in, no longer fit how you view The Divine, have you gone on a pilgrimage to find the space and place to be in close relationship? Do we understand the difference between religion and spirituality? For, while these most certainly are not mutually exclusive concepts...they do not always reside together.

One may be done without....one is critical to being a real Human Being. But, which one is which is not for this writer to decide. You must know the answer for yourself. The answer is different for each of us...and we must want to define it for ourselves.

What can be done? What should we attempt? How do we each, as individuals, help? Can we help at all? Or, is this unsettled time part of the process? Something we must wade through to get to a better place? A better way of being?

If you're astute, you'll notice that in that entire barrage of questions, there's not a "why" question in the bunch. And, that's because of something else my wise friend Mark once said to me, "I have no answers to questions that begin with 'why'."

And, neither do I.

When it comes to emotional situations. When it comes to the difficult times. When it comes to the hard parts of life, we have a tendency to want to know, "Why?" And, I find that these questions must go unanswered. There are no answers to emotionally charged, "Why's?" No matter how long I ask it, no matter how long I allow my brain to chase it round and round. So, I've stopped asking Why, or at least limit how many times I do.

Instead, I successfully consider:
How can I make today better?
What can I do to help you?
When is a good time to get together?
Where do I stand in relationship with Spirit?
Who is my brother; who is my sister?

Spirit, only, knows the answer to all Why questions. So, I lovingly turn you over to those capable, embracing hands for answers. And, I caution each of us to not get stuck in the Why. Your energy will do more to find answers that benefit all of us when you ask better questions.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly