Squirrel Food for the Powerful Soul – Part 1 of 5

 

 

 

The list of the 25 Feminist Anthems are not ranked in the article on billboard.com  by Allison Stubblebine.   I am presenting the list as Allison dropped them into the article.  The first segment is a direct quote from Allison Stubblebine’s article.   I will  quote the article description of the video, personally comment on the video,  provide a copy of the video for you to enjoy, provide the lyrics for the song, and finally I will provide herstory on the artist or group.

For me these are 25 women standing shoulder to shoulder challenging his story to make it our story.   No one is better than the other.  We are all different and we are all one.  When we stand together we are at greatest power. These women across time and tide are launching bright fireworks of defiance and love to illuminate the darkness of ignorance and oppression. 

Remember, when you look across at a female coworker you are her sister.  Sisters raise one another up.  Sisters are wise.  I go to mine for advice and warm kindness on rough day.  We as wise women stand together.  Women are stronger together.  We as wise women listen and rebuke aggressors and opposition together.  We as wise women acknowledge one another.  Be the love you want to receive in the world.  Be powerful.  Choose words powerfully.   Choose your actions powerfully.  Choose your deeds with honor and love…. as our daughters (and sons) are learning how to Love Powerfully at our hemlines.

Much of the information will be compiled from other sources.  All sources which are quoted have links to their point of origin.  All authors, bloggers, images and intellectual property is retained by the originators of said properties.  Thank You.

 

 

“”Bad Girls” – M.I.A.

M.I.A.‘s hypnotic slogan, “Live fast, die young/ Bad girls do it well,” came as a form of support for the Women To Drive movement in Saudi Arabia. Until just recently in Sept. of 2017, women were forbidden to drive motorized vehicles. “Bad Girls” and its car stunt-filled visuals predate the law change by five years. ”

by Allison Stubblebine 

“Bad Girls” song and video is a power ride of attitude and style.  M.I.A. was terrified due to all of the amazing and daring car stunts.  I could not tell that she was upended in the least by her daring stunts by M.I.A.   What a powerful woman.  Props to this rap Goddess who has a spicy silken nuanced voice.

I could not tell that  she was scared, as was stated by Kevin Apaza.   The video was an over the top mistress work ode to M.I.A.’s Lyrics, well played.  This video and the lyrics are all about power, Power, FEMALE POWER.  An excellent selection for the 25 Feminist Anthems, Allison.

 

 

Bad Girls

M.I.A.

 

Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well
Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well

My chain hits my chest
When I’m bangin’ on the dashboard
My chain hits my chest
When I’m bangin’ on the radio

Get back, get down
Pull me closer if you think you can hang
Hands up, hands tied
Don’t go screaming if I blow you with a bang

Suki Zuki
I’m coming in the Cherokee
Gasoline
There’s steam on the window screen

Take it, take it
World’s bouncing like a trampoline
When I get to where I’m going, gonna have you trembling

Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well
Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well

My chain hits my chest
When I’m banging on the dashboard
My chain hits my chest
When I’m banging on the radio

Yeah back it, back it
Yeah pull up to the bumper game
Yeah with a signal
Cover me, cause I’m changing lanes

Had a handle on it
My life, I broke it
When I get to where I’m going, gonna have you saying it

Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well
Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well

My chain hits my chest
When I’m banging on the dashboard
My chain hits my chest
When I’m banging on the radio

Get back, get down
Pull me closer if you think you can hang
Hands up, hands tied
Don’t go screaming if I blow you with a bang

Songwriters: Floyd Hills / Mathangi Arulpragasam / Marcella Aracia

Bad Girls lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Roba Music, Reservoir Media Management Inc, Imagem Music Inc

 

M.I.A.

M.I.A.
MIA in 2016
Born	Mathangi Arulpragasam 18 July 1975 (age 42) Hounslow, London, United Kingdom
Occupation	rapper singer songwriter activist record producer
Home town	Mitcham, London, England
Children	Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman
Parent(s)	Arul Pragasam Kala Arulpragasam
Relatives	Kali Arulpragasam(sister) Sugu Arulpragasam (brother)
Website	www.miauk.com
Musical career
Genres	Hip hop electronic dance world avant-pop alternative R&B
Instruments	Vocals drum machine percussion
Years active	2000–present
Labels	N.E.E.T. Recordings XL Mercury Roc Nation(former) Interscope Virgin EMI Showbiz
Associated acts	Diplo The Weeknd Madonna Cavemen Rye Rye Afrikan Boy Switch Blaqstarr The Partysquad Zayn Malik

Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam (born 18 July 1975), better known by her stage name M.I.A., is a British rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and activist. She is of Sri Lankan Tamil origin.^[1] “M.I.A.” is a play on her own name and a reference to the abbreviation of Missing in Action. Her compositions combine elements of alternative, dance, electronic, hip hop and world music. M.I.A. began her career in 2000 as a visual artist, filmmaker and designer in west London before beginning her recording career in 2002. Since rising to prominence in early 2004 for her singles “Sunshowers” and “Galang“, charting in Canada and the UK and reaching number 11 on the BillboardHot Dance Singles Sales in the US, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, three Grammy Awards and the Mercury Prize.

She released her debut album Arular in 2005 and her second album Kala in 2007, both to wide critical acclaim. Arular charted in Norway, Belgium, Sweden, Japan and the US, where it reached number 16 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and number three on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Kala was certified silver in the UK and gold in Canada and the US, where it topped the Dance/Electronic Albums chart. It also charted in several countries across Europe, in Japan and Australia. The album’s first single “Boyz” reached the Top 10 in Canada and on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales in 2007, becoming her first Top 10 charting single. The single “Paper Planes” peaked in the Top 20 worldwide and reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. “Paper Planes” was certified gold in New Zealand and three times platinum in Canada and the US where, as of November 2011, it is ranked the seventh best-selling song by a British artist in the digital era. It has become XL Recordings‘ second best-selling single to date. M.I.A.’s third album Maya was released in 2010 soon after the controversial song-film short “Born Free“. This became her highest-charting album in the UK and the US, reaching number nine on the Billboard 200, topping the Dance/Electronic Albums chart and debuting in the Top 10 in Finland, Norway, Greece and Canada. The single “XXXO” reached the Top 40 in Belgium, Spain and the UK. M.I.A. has embarked on five global headlining tours and is the founder of her own multimedia label, N.E.E.T.. Her fourth studio album, Matangi, was released in 2013, followed by AIM in 2016.

Arulpragasam’s early compositions relied heavily on the Roland MC-505music sequencer and drum machine. Her later work marked an evolution in her sound with rare instruments, electronics and unusual sound samples. Critics have acclaimed a distinctive style to her music. Lyrically incorporating a range of political, social, philosophical and cultural references that have defied existing pop music conventions, Arulpragasam was one of the first acts to come to public attention through the internet. She posted many of her songs and videos from 2002 onwards on platforms such as MySpace.

In 2001, she received an “Alternative” Turner Prize nomination for her visual art. In 2005 and 2008, M.I.A. was artist of the year by Spin and URB and Arulpragasam is named as one of the defining artists of the 2000s decade by Rolling Stone in its “Best of the Decade” list in December 2009. Time magazine named her one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2009. Esquire magazine ranked M.I.A. on its list of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century in January 2010.”  Wikipedia

 

 

 

“Hijabi (Wrap My Hijab) – Mona Haydar

“​Mona Haydar started her music career strong with this debut track. Hailing from Flint, MI, Haydar points out that it isn’t her responsibility as a Muslim to educate the ignorant on her beliefs, “Not your exotic vacation/ I’m bored with your fascination/ I need that PayPal, PayPal, PayPal/ If you want education.” ”

by Allison Stubblebine 

 

I have known of the amazing being Mona Haydar from when she first appeared on Facebook some years back.  She came up with the most simple solution to one of the most profoundly difficult social situations in this day and age in America.  The issue is social ignorance.   Social ignorance can easily churn into fear and then bubble up into hate.  Once hate takes hold of a human heart, then  the road to recovery will seem difficult.  Mona is joining us together in creating social Love as a moral imperative to dismiss ignorance and forestall the perpetuation of fear.

Mona Haydar Gods bless her soul in her sacred effort for raising the vibration of the planet and hearts to a symphonic choir of passionate Love  for her fellow human.  All praises to Allah, Danu, Bridgit, God, Cerrenunos, Deva, Ishtar, Brahma, Rama, Krishna, Ganesh, Grandmother Sky, Wakan Tanka, Hera, and all the other names of the faces of the divine to who hear my petition to guide and protect Mona as she lifts us all to the light of Love through her supreme Love.

I had no idea she could sing.   Mona has  wonderous skills with a turn of phrase which.  She wraps her words up nicely into her singing career.  When I saw Hijabi some months ago I showed everyone I knew.  I thought this was the coolest most powerful song I had heard in quiet sometime.  I am excited to continue to follow her work beyond her ask a Muslim stands.  I would like to attend lectures given by her.  I do hope she tours.

The video is perfection, from the women gathered at the bottom of a staircase, around   Mona,  symbolizing the ever ascending lives we lead.   To the women in the dark in all manner and style of hijab and head scarves, for me the darkness symbolizes ignorance about the hijab and Islam.  I love that the women in the video are in all manner of dress and modest clothing from Burqua, to Jibāb, to Abaya, and to Headscarf.  All of the women in this video are amazing.  Thank you for empowering us as sisterhood Mona.  This is my most favored video of the collection of 25 Feminist Anthems.  I heartily agree with Allison’s selection of Hijabi!

 

 

Lyrics for Hijabi (Wrap my Hijab)

 by Mona Haydar

What that hair look like
Bet that hair look nice
Don’t that make you sweat?
Don’t that feel too tight?
Yo what yo hair look like
Bet yo hair look nice
How long your hair is
You need to get yo life
You only see Oriental
You steady working that dental
You poppin’ off at the lip
And run ya mouth like a treadmill
Not your exotic vacation
I’m bored with your fascination
I need that PayPal, PayPal, PayPal
If you want education

All around the world
Love women every shading
Be so liberated
All around the world
Love women every shading
Power run deep
So even if you hate it
I still wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap, wrap my hijab
Keep swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis
Swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis

Me and my hijabi ladies
We was born in the eighties
So pretty like the Euphrates
And party like some Kuwaitis
Deeper than some diplomas
Current like some hot yoga
Takin’ back the misnomers and
Teleportin’ through trauma
Teleportin’ through trauma
Teleportin’ through trauma
I been stackin’ my karma
Nefertiti, no drama
Make a feminist planet
Women haters get banished
Covered up or not don’t ever take us for granted

All around the world
Love women every shading
Be so liberated
All around the world
Love women every shading
Power run deep
So even if you hate it
I still wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap, wrap my hijab

Keep swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis
Swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis

You’re just jealous of my sisters
These Mipsters, these hippies
These prissies, these Sufis
These dreddies, these Sunnis
These Shii’s, Yemenis
Somalis, Libnanis, Pakistanis
These Soories, Sudanis
Iraqis, Punjabies
Afghanis, Yazeedis
Khaleejis, Indonesians
Egyptians, Canadians
Algerians, Nigerians
Americans, Libyans
Tunisians, Palestinians
Hidden beyond the Mekong in Laos
Senegalese, and Burkina Faso

I still wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap, wrap my hijab
Keep swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis
Swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis

I still wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap, wrap my hijab
Keep swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis
Swaggin’ my hijabis
Swag-swaggin’ my hijabis

 

Mona Haydar

“BIO

Mona Haydar is a rapper, poet, activist, practitioner of Permaculture, meditator, composting devotee, mountain girl, solar power lover and a tireless God-enthusiast. She practices a life of sacred activism, poetry, contemplation and advocacy for living gently upon the Earth. She teaches classes, gives lectures, leads retreats and workshops, does readings and performs her work. She grew up in Flint, Michigan, graduated from the University of Michigan and has since lived in Damascus where she studied Arabic and Islamic spirituality then went on to live in the mountains of Northern New Mexico at Lama Foundation and then in the Redwood forest of Northern California.

Poetry and Music: Mona started writing her poetry as soon as she was old enough to write. One of her first poems in a kindergarten journal went: “I am mood. I am dude. I am Mona.” Mona transitioned from writing and performing her poetry to rap in 2015.

Her single “Hijabi” was a ground breaking debut with millions of views which featured Mona, 8 months pregnant with her second son, surrounded by an intersectional group of dynamic women as Mona sang “all around the world love women every shading” calling out racism and colorism. Mona’s second single, Dog takes on violence against women with lyrics which call out men in positions of religious authority who use their power to prey on young (and old) people.

Ask A Muslim: Mona and her husband, Sebastian set up a stand in Cambridge, Massachusetts with signs that read ‘Talk to a Muslim’ ‘free coffee and donuts’ ‘free conversation’ and ‘Ask a Muslim’ encouraging open and loving dialogue which garnered the attention of NPR, People Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Boston Globe among other media outlets.

In 2016 Mona was featured in a campaign by Microsoft called #SpreadHarmony which featured people working towards a more beautiful world.

Currently Mona is working towards her Masters in Theology. She lives in New York City with her husband, Sebastian and their two sons, Safi and Rumi.”

For more information on Mona Haydar 

 

Mona is the mother of Hope for “women round the world of every shading.  For me she is the closest being to Allah’s Hafaza for Love, though humans never become angels in the Islam.   I can only hope there is a Hafaza for Love in Islam.

I highly recommend the article on Verve about Mona that is magnificent and insightful.

 

 

 

“Thunder Thighs” – Miss Eaves

“Off the 2017 album Feminasty, “Thunder Thighs” was easily the body-posi banger of the summer. It’s impossible not to feel great when Miss Eaves declares chub as beautiful, as she raps, “Chub Rub/ The day is just heating up…/ So what?/ These boy shorts are inching up/ Thick thighs, sundress, I’m looking good.” ”

by Allison Stubblebine 

 

Goodness this video makes me grin ear to ear to ear.  Yes, that was one too many ears.  It is just that when I begin to relax my grin something else in the video goes and instills another grin on the way back down.  I LOVE this Video.  Miss Eaves is woman of wonder.  I adore her for including all ages in her video.  Thank you Miss Eaves for creating one of the true mistress works of our age.  Brilliant!   I wish I knew you personally.  You seem like an awesome Goddess.  Definitively qualifies for Allison’s 25 Feminist Anthems with an Ooooh wee !

 

 

 

Lyrics for “Thunder Thighs”

 by Miss Eaves

Chub Rub
The day is just heating up…
So what?
These boy shorts are inching up

Thick thighs, sundress, I’m looking good
Thick thighs, sundress, I’m looking good

Big Butt
These pants are tight enough
High cut
Want em to cover my gut

Mom jeans all day why you mad tho?
Mom jeans all day why you mad?

Thigh highs
Rollin on a downslide
Cause my
Thighs are thick and wide

Thick thighs they defy these tights man
Thick thighs they defy these tights

[Hook]
Thunder Thighs Thunder Thunder Thighs
Thunder Thighs Thunder Thunder Thighs
Oh my
Got them thunder thighs
Boom clack
They smack when I stride
Chub Rub
It’s hot thighs gonna touch
Chub rub
It’s hot but I’m not bothered

Thick thighs, sundress I’m looking good
Thick thighs sundress I’m looking good

Big Butt
These pants are tight enough
I’m stuck
They only go halfway up

Mom jeans all day why you mad tho?
Mom jeans all day why you mad?

[Hook]

Thighs thick
Thighs juicy…
Don’t be jealy
When my thighs shake. Ooooh wee !

Thighs thick, thunder thunder thighs thick

Thighs thick
Thighs juicy…
Don’t be jealy
When my thighs shake. Ooooh wee !

 

Miss Eaves

“Miss Eaves is the feminist sound storm of Brooklyn based multimedia artist Shanthony Exum. Her fierce femcee electro-pop-rap-dance-explosions were born as a phoenix arisen from the hot fire of both a band and romantic break-up, and she has since spread her wings and played music around the world. Miss Eaves’ brazen, patriarchy push-back, it’s my body, take-no-shit lyrics are rabid animals of honesty. “Hand down my pants I flick the bean. My boo ghost but I don’t need him. Five digits gonna make me squirm and scream. This is all on me.” She says in “Hump Day,” which was was featured on Glamour, Huffington Post and Refinery 29. Her 0 fucks attitude landed her an invitation for a European tour with collaborator and friend, Surfing Leons (Belgium) as well as a tour with Wheatus and MC Frontalot. She has also killed the stage at Tomorrowland, TomorrowWorld and Dour and Les Rockomotive.

Not only a beat slayer, Miss Eaves is a paper mache addict and a bad-ass with a glue gun. A true multi-media junkie, she directs and art directs all her videos plus designs her own merchandise. Drawing inspiration from Frida Khalo, Michel Gondry, MIA, Santigold and Sia she is determined to show the world she is about that DIY life. MC Frontalot once told her: “You aren’t crafty…this is too well-made to be just crafty. You are a fabricator.” And trust, she will take you on a rollercoaster through her imagination.

Miss Eaves’ latest, Feminasty, out on August 4, 2017, was a year-long labor of love produced by longtime collaborator KEISHH and recorded during a winter in Montreal, Canada, which is nasty cold. Feminasty plays on term Femi-Nazi and Janet Jackson’s line, “Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty.” It’s funny-as-fuck cutting commentary will melt your brain into a nasty pile of feminism. “All these little fuck boys All these little fuck boys. Dudes on my clit yeah, I’ve had enough boys.” This is how Miss Eaves rolls.”   Bio

 

“Amigas Cheetahs” – The Cheetah Girls

“Disney Channel was quite ahead of itself when it aired the girl-power-packed film The Cheetah Girls. The finale to the film’s sequel, The Cheetah Girls 2, upped the ante when the band enlisted the woman who was pitted against them for the entire movie to join them onstage to sing — in both English and Spanish — about sticking up for one another.”

by Allison Stubblebine 

 

Amigas Cheetas is a very happy bouncy song, as is to be expected from The House of The Mouse.  I am thrilled that Disney has created a genuine female empowerment song.  The Cheetah Girls made a funtastic bilingual tune.  Another enjoyable  and proper selection for the 25 Feminist Anthems by Allison.

For me I would have liked to have seen Disney make an effort to keep The Chettah Girls as a touring group, keeping the empowering message alive.

 

 

 

Lyrics for Amigas Cheetahs

The Cheetah Girls

No matter where we come from we can be ourselves and still be… one
Amigas cheetahs
Friends for life
The rhythm and each other
That’s what keeps us tight
Amigas cheetahs
Livin’ the dream
Nothing’s ever gonna come between us
Amigas
What could be any better than
Knowin’ someone will be there when
You gotta pour your heart out
Tell your secrets to
Someone who lets you be yourself
There when you need help
They’ve got your back win or lose

Amigas cheetahs
Friends for life
The rhythm and each other
That’s what keeps us tight
Amigas cheetahs
Livin’ the dream
Nothing’s ever gonna come between us
Amigas

Kickin’ it with ’em just for fun
Or when you need the 411
Someone who gives a shout out
When lose your faith
Just when you think nobody can ever understand
They’re right here to
Show you the way
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, oooooh
Friends for life

Amigas cheetahs
Friends for life
The rhythm and each other
That’s what keeps us tight
Amigas cheetahs
Livin’ the dream
Nothing’s ever gonna come between us
Amigas

Ya que estamos juntas
Estamos en un mundo
Donde somos uno por la musica
If we just believe it
You know we can be it
Nothin’ can stand in our way
Stand in our way

Amigas cheetahs
Friends for life
The rhythm and each other
That’s what keeps us tight
Amigas cheetahs
Livin’ the dream
Nothing’s ever gonna come between us
Amigas

Amigas cheetahs
Friends for life
The rhythm and each other
That’s what keeps us tight
Amigas cheetahs
Livin’ the dream
Nothing’s ever gonna come between us
Amigas

Songwriters: Jamie Houston / Will Robinson

Amigas Cheetahs lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company

 

The Cheetah Girls

The Cheetah Girls
Adrienne Bailon, Sabrina Bryan and Kiely Williams performing during the One World Tourin Jacksonville, Florida in October 2008
Background information
Origin	United States
Genres	R&B pop latin pop dance hip hop
Years active	2003–2008
Labels	Walt Disney Hollywood
Associated acts	3LW, Raven-Symoné
Website	myspace.com/thecheetahgirls
Past members	Adrienne Bailon Kiely Williams Sabrina Bryan Raven-Symoné

 

The Cheetah Girls were an American girl group consisting of Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, Sabrina Bryan, and Raven-Symoné. The group was created by Disney, and were made famous by the eponymous Disney Channel original filmand its sequels, The Cheetah Girls 2 and The Cheetah Girls: One World. The group has released three studio albums, Cheetah-licious Christmas, In Concert: The Party’s Just Begun Tour, and TCG and several RIAA certified Platinum albums including, The Cheetah Girls, The Cheetah Girls 2, and The Cheetah Girls: One World. All of their albums and soundtracks have debuted in the Billboard 200. The soundtrack to their first movie sold over 2 million copies.

The group has launched a clothing line, several perfume collections, doll lines, room decor, a book series and a video games line. The group has had three nationwide tours, Cheetah-licious Christmas Tour, The Party’s Just Begun Tourand One World Tour. The Cheetah Girls grossed over US$43 million from their second tour.^[1][2] They have sold over 3.6 million records worldwide with the help of producer Brennan Mills. ”

For more information see Wikipedia

 

Typical Girls” – The Slits

“British rock band The Slits were way too cool when they offered their feminist bangers to the male-dominated punk world. The song narrates ultra-lame things that typical girls are expected to do, before asking, “Who invented the typical girl?/ Who’s bringing out the new improved model?/ And there’s another marketing ploy/ Typical girl gets the typical boy.” ”

by Allison Stubblebine 

The lyrics are good and do qualify for the 25 Feminist Anthems.  I do appreciate the irony of the lead singer wearing stockings with garters for a video about typical girls.  I do appreciate at the end of the video the women of The Slits slathered  in mud and loinclothe,  then wandering off after getting a full  frontal of their mud caked breasts about mid video, thus making the antithesis of the typical girl.  The male drummer is also seen at the end of the end of the video in a row-boat sans togs.  I feel this was parity for the women getting nude.   I admit that I have a hard time with this song, as it has a hollow sound to the vocals.  I find the vocals, the recording and the edgy guitar notes nerve grating.  I am quiet sure the style of the music lends itself to further accentuating how Th Slits are NOT “typical girls”  My second to least favorite on the list, though entirely  apropos for the for the 25 Feminist Anthems selected by Allison.

 

 

 

Lyrics for Typical Girls

 by The Slits

Don’t create
Don’t rebel
Have intuition
Can’t decide

Typical girls get upset to quickly
Typical girls can’t control themselves
Typical girls are so confusing
Typical girls – you can always tell
Typical girls don’t think too clearly
Typical girls are unpredictable (predictable)

Typical girls try to be
Typical girls very well

Typical girls are looking for something
Typical girls fall under spells
Typical girls buy magazines
Typical girls feel like hell
Typical girls worry about spots, fat, and natural smells
Sniky fake smells

Typical girls try to be
Typical girls very well

Don’t create
Don’t rebel
Have intuition
Don’t drive well

Typical girls try to be
Typical girls very well

Can’t decide what clothes to wear
Typical girls are sensitive
Typical girls are emotional
Typical girls are cruel and bewitching
She’s a femme fatale
Typical girls stand by their man
Typical girls are really swell
Typical girls learn how to act shocked
Typical girls don’t rebel

Who invented the typical girl?
Who’s bringing out the new improved model?
And there’s another marketing ploy
Typical girl gets the typical boy

The typical boy gets the typical girl
The typical girl gets the typical boy

Are emotional

Songwriters: Ariane Forster / Paloma Romero Mc Lardy / Tessa Pollitt / Viviane Katrina Albertine

Typical Girls lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management US, LLC

 

The Slits Over the Years – Personality Shifts

 

The Slits
A reformed lineup of the Slits perform in November 2006
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Post-punk, dub, punk rock, experimental rock
Years active	1976–1982, 2005–2010
Labels	Island, Y, CBS, Narnack
Associated acts	The Pop Group, Dennis Bovell, New Age Steppers
Past members	Ari Up Palmolive Suzy Gutsy Kate Korus Tessa Pollitt Viv Albertine Budgie Bruce Smith Hollie Cook Michelle Hill NO Anna Schulte Adele Wilson

 

“The Slits were a British rock band formed in London in 1976 by members of the groups The Flowers of Romance and The Castrators. The group’s early line-up consisted of Ari Up (Ariane Forster) and Palmolive (a.k.a. Paloma Romero, who played briefly with Spizzenergi and later left to join The Raincoats), with Viv Albertine and Tessa Pollitt replacing founding members Kate Korus and Suzy Gutsy.^[1] Their 1979 debut album, Cut, has been called one of the defining releases of the post-punk era.^{[2] ”}  

For more from the wiki on The Slits click this link.

Squirrel Food for the Powerful Soul – Part 1 of 5

Blog post delayed.   Appologies.  Will be out Friday at 6 A.M.

Squirrel Food for the Powerful Soul

Welcome to my juicy five part series covering the 25 Top Feminist Anthems.  I just read and listened to the article posted yesterday on Billboard.com today 11/09/2017. The piece is by Allison Stubblebine .  I am breaking the list of 25 down into 5 videos per blog.  I will include comments on the videos.  I will also comment on my opinion of the music.  This should be enjoyable.

Here is the 25 Top Feminist Anthems compiled by Allison Stubblebine

1. The Slits – “Typical Girls”
2. Destiny’s Childe – “Independent Woman”
3. MILCK – “Quiet”
4. Play Swedish band – “ Cinderella”
5. Miss Eaves – “Thunder Thighs”
6. The Cheetah Girls – “amigas Cheetahs”
7. Mona Haydar – “Hijabi “(Wrap my Hijab)
8. MIA – “Bad Girls”
9. Kesha – “Woman”
10. Madame Ganhdi – “The Future is Female”
11. Shea Diamond “ I am Her”
12. Beyonce – “Flawless”
13. No Doubt – “Just a Girl”
14. Eurhythmics and Aretha Franklin – “Sisters are Doing it for Themselves”
15. Hiyele Kyoko – “Girls Like Girls”
16. Cyndie Lauper – “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”
17. The Regrettes “ A Living Human Girl”
18. Bleached – “Can You Dea”l
19. Bikini Kill – “Rebel Girl”
20. Christina Agulera and Lil Kim -“ C’ant Hold us Down”
21. First Aid Kit –“ You are the Problem Here”
22. Lily Allen – “Hard Out Here”
23. X-Rey Spex – “Oh, Bondage, Up Yours!”
24. Fifth Harmony – “Bo$$”
25. Tacocat – “Men Explain Things to Me”

Visioning… The Lake Isle of Innisfree by WB Yeats

The poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree in image and sound

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

by WB Yeats

Squirrel with Isle in background, much like Innisfree

 

Innisfree

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

Small Cabin on Innisfree, “of clay and wattles made:  Nine bean -rows will I have…”

 

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:

 

A depiction, possibly a wood block of an Irish bee hive

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee;

Bee pollinating Irish Heather

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

Slow dropping water over stone

 

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,

Veils of Morning at Innisfree

 

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;

 

cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer

 

There midnight’s all a glimmer, and a noon purple glow,

 

Noon Purple glow, said by Yeats to be the heather reflecting upon the water at noon, from a recording of W.B. Yeats reading his poem.

And the evening full of linnet’s wings.

 

Linnet’s wings

 

 

always night and day

 

I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear the lake water lapping

I hear the lake water lapping with the low sounds by the shore;

WB Yeats age 23 living in London heard  “One day on the strand I heard a little tinkle of water, so on a shop window a little jet of water balancing a ball on top.  It was an advertisement of cooling drinks. It set me thinking of Slego and lake water. ” The inspiration for  the finest of Irish poems

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey

I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

 

All images borrowed from the internet and all videos are linked to YouTube.

 

And finally

a unified copy of…

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

by WB Yeats

 

 

 

Red Squirrel (Acorn Thrower) in an Irish Glade

I do so ever hope that your reading of this Irish Masterwork was enhanced by my images and videos. – Acorn Thrower

The Faith of Ages… as old as a Great Oaks probably older…definitely older

 

A Druid Samhain… About My the symbol of my faith (Part 1 of 2) and my favorite holy day, Samhain (Part 2 of 2)

Part 2 of 2

 

 

Lets get right down to the Good Stuff

Harvest Image is from the North American Region of the Globe

pumpkins are not native to Europe.

Turnips were carved into lanterns for much the same purpose as pumpkins are carved and lit today.

 

*”Turnip lanterns,” and eventually pumpkins, “usually represented supernatural beings and, were used to chase evil spirits. Guisers” , children going about protected by costume used to deceive malevolent spirits and protect the children seeking treats or if no treats were given then the children would carry “used them to scare people, while in some cases they were set on windowsills to guard homes against evil.”

 

 

*”This term is also used for lanterns. The first stories about a trickster that was banned” from moving on to the afterlife. “His full name, Sean na Gealai, means “John of the little moon” or, with some modifications, “Jack of the Lantern.”

*from the Vintage News article Turnip-o’-lantern: Turnips were the original Halloween decorations Oct 20, 2016 Boban Docevski

 

There are  a number of different Druid Religious branches or in the more common vernacular denomination (if you are more Jedeo-christian) or tradition if yours lean pagan. There is signifigant variance in the branches of Druid ritual practices, as well as elemental relation. To that end I have found online copies of Druid Samhain rites and Nematons.  I will share them with you. I will also link t o their pages so that you can get more information on their particuar branch of the Druid Faith.

 

Squirrel so heavy with knowledge his weight felled a tree.

“Samhain Ritual Outline by The Druid Network

The altar is set up, food is laid and the fire prepared. Incense may be lit, music played and introductionsmade. The circle is laid out using the nearby natural resources, whether it bestones, twigs, leaves, etc. The ritual leader then casts the circle.

THE GUARDIANS
Here we ask the guardian spirits of the place and time their permission to work our ritual in their area-
Hail Guardian Spirits of this place! We come here in peace and with clear intent. We come here to celebrate Samhain. We ask, with respect, that you accept our presence. Hail Guardian Spirits ofthis place!

THE CALL FOR PEACE
May there be peace in theNorth! May there be peace in the South! May there be peace in the West! Maythere be peace in the East!

(each call for peace to be madeby the person who will be calling the quarter. If done in this order, the callfor peace will flow along the lines of the pre-Christian equal armed cross,also recognised by the Native Americans for their medicine wheels).

We who are gathered here, wecall for peace in this land. We call for peace in our hearts and minds andtowards our fellow beings.

THE CIRCLE CASTING
Sacred Ones, spirits of the birch and rowan, fir and ivy, honeysuckle and rosemary, dryads and devas, allyou who have heard our intention, we ask with respect that you encircle us know, branch reaching branch, leaf touching leaf, roots beneath our feetentangling, that our Circle may be strong, a nemeton of inspiration, reverence and learning, in the name of the Gods whose power we both breathe, we ask that this be so.

 

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(A moment is given to allow the devas and dryads to form the circle)

We give our energy to this circle, mingling and communing with those of the spirits of nature to create a sanctuary of peace.

(Energy is pushed out from theparticipants to mix and strengthen the circle).

Let all here draw their mindsinto the presence of their bodies, that thoughts may be melded with flesh,blood and bones, that the spirits of those gathered may be blended in onepurpose, one voice and one sacred space. Soul to soul, we weave our circle,spirit to spirit, that none may enter this sacred space but those who come intune with our intention and in peace. Soul to soul, spirit to spirit, we askthat this may be so.

CONSECRATION
The circle is consecrated by taking incense and water around the circle.

CALLING THE QUARTERS
I call upon the Spirit of the North, the Earth Mother, the Great Bear, to be with us in our sacred rite.

I call upon the Spirit of the East, the Skyfather, the Great Eagle, to be withus in our sacred rite.

I call upon the Spirit of the South, the Firebrother, the Great Dragon, to bewith us in our sacred rite.

I call upon the Spirit of the West, the Rainsister, the Great Whale, to be with us in our sacred rite.

THE SPIRITS OF PLACE
We call to the spirits ofplace, to those of Land, Sea and Sky, to those of the three worlds to be withus in our sacred rite.

CALLING THE ANCESTORS
We call to the ancestors of body, mind and spirit to be with us in our sacred rite. To our ancestors whosetears and blood, joy and happiness have been felt upon this land, whose songscourse through our blood, and whose spirit lives on through our celebrations,we call to you to be with us in our sacred rite.

CALLING THE GODDESS AND GOD
I call upon my lady of thestars and moon
To the Bringer of dreams andtwilight
I call upon my lady of the loom
The Weaver of fates in thenight
I call upon the Lady of theLady
The Singer of the Evensong
I call upon the maiden motherand Crone
The Goddess alive and strong

I call upon the Lord of the Sun
The Rider in the sky
I call upon the Lord of theWinds
To the Eagle as he flies
I call upon the King Stag
To the son, lover and sacrifice
I call upon the Lord of theWildwood
The God laughing, free and wise

THE DECLARATION

‘We come to celebrate Samhain, the most sacred of nights, when the veil between the worlds is thin.We give thanks for all that we have, and we honour our ancestors and the deadat this time. Let us now say a prayer for our dead, that they may journey tothe Otherworld safely, and that we might know them again some day.
(Prayers and thanks are said,either out loud or internally during this time of prayer).

Let us now cast off the worries and fears that shackle us to the previous year. For behold! A new year is uponus. With the blessing and strength of the Crone of Winter, we come forth tounburden ourselves to her, in preparation for the long winter ahead. We willneed our strength and conviction to see the winter through, and with herblessing it will be done.

(The Crone of Winter, The Cailleach will stand at the northwest part of the circle, before a cauldron. She lifts the cauldron and holds it between her hands. Members of the circle come beforeThe Cailleach and cast off their ties to the old world, figuratively orliterally throwing something into the cauldron Note: This should be flammable,if literally casting something into the flames, and non-toxic when burned. Ifsimply pushing energy, feelings or emotions into the cauldron, simply standbefore it and push them away from you, letting the Crone take them into thecauldron. When finished, simply walk away, without looking back until you areback at your place.)

The Cailleach then throws thecontents of the cauldron onto the fire. The chant begins:
“The Wheel turns, the fireburns” .

The Cailleach confirms that it has been done, and all are then invited to feast.

The Gundsdrp Cauldron of Plenty

A Samhain Feast Table

The Gundsdrp Cauldron of Plenty

 

THE FEAST

The food and drink is blessed.

The ale/mead/wine/juice isblessed.

Goddess, bountiful EarthMother, bless this and suffuse it with your love.

The bread is blessed.

God, powerful Sky Father, bless this and may it lend strength to us.

The drink is held high abovethe head. Thanks be to the land! The cup is then passed to the next person, whothe toasts and passes the cup to the next person. When all have drunk the firstperson takes the cup and pours a measure onto the ground or lake. Thanks be tothe Goddess!

The bread is held out before.Thanks be to the land! The bread is then broken and passed in similar fashion.A measure of bread is then laid out. Thanks be to the God!

Everyone raises their hands tothe sky – Free the spirit, free the land!

The food comes out and everyoneis invited to celebrate! NOTE: A SPECIAL SECTION OF FOOD IS TO BE LAID OUT FOR THE DEAD ON THEIR WAY TO THE SUMMERLAND, WHICH WILL REMAIN IN THE RITUAL SITEUNTIL MORNING WHERE IT WILL THEN BE COMPOSTED, SHOULD ANYTHING REMAIN.

Poetry, artwork and music should then be shared round the circle by those who have been inspired by thismoon and this festival.

When the feasting is done,honour and respect are paid to the Goddess and God, the spirits of land, seaand sky, the ancestors, the four quarters (those who called the quarters nowbid them hail and farewell in much the same manner as they were called), thespirits of the heath and of the oak and to each other. The circle is thenclosed-

We now return the energy that we have spent in creating this circle back to our bodies and souls and the landwhich sustains us, in peace and with the blessings of the God and Goddess. (Amoment is taken to release the personal power put into the circle.)

THE CLOSING
May the Spirits of this Placehave been nourished as much as their presence has nourished us. GuardianSpirit, we give you thanks. This celebration ends in peace as it began. May the blessings we have received go with us all as we depart this place, to nourish,strengthen and sustain us until we meet again. So may it be!

The rite has ended!”

 

Guardian Squirrel on the look out for spiritual interlopers.

 

I truely wish I could provide to you a sample of an OBOD Samhain rite.  OBOD celebrates eight religious festivals as per the wheel of the year. I cannot find one anywhere and I spent four hours searching.  Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD)

OBOD is in its 52 year as an international organization.  I believe they provided a Druid  to provide the opening blessing and invocation for the 2012 para olympics. The ritual of Fire was profound and amazing.  I have a deep and abiding respect for this organization, even though our beliefs do vary.

Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids

About The Order

The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids is a worldwide group of over twenty thousand members in fifty countries, dedicated to practising, teaching, and developing Druidry as a valuable and inspiring spirituality.

The Order was founded in Britain over 50 years ago by the historian and poet Ross Nichols, aided by the writer and founder of the Tolkien Society Vera Chapman, and fellow members of the Ancient Druid Order, which developed during the early years of the last century out of the Druid Revival which began about three hundred years ago. Read more

OBAD has a Facebook page 52,560 followers! That is quiet a bit more that their reported twenty thousand members.

I suspect that OBOD has no video, nor print medium for their Samhain, due to the fact Samhain is the holiest of holy days.

A total Blackout of a squirrel for OBOD Samhain rite!

 

 

 

Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship

Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship is a very different branch of Druid. The functional english translation of Ár nDraíocht Féin is  “Our own brand of Druidism”  They too regard the wheel to celebrate their holy days.  Ár nDraíocht Féin has a different perspective on the Sacred profundity of Samhain, thus many rituals are published online.

Here are a few:

Stone Creed Samhain Rite

A: The Statement of Purpose and Precedent

We gather here on the Feast of Samhain, the End and Beginning of the Sacred Year, the Time of Turning when the Dark Time begins. This is the Last Harvest. The fields lie empty, sinking into Winter^s Sleep and our larders hold what gain we have reaped from our labors.

As our forebearers did, so do we do now, and so may our descendants do in time to come. We are here to offer worship to the Lord of the House of the Dead and to the Queen of Phantoms; to the Gods, the Dead and the Sidhe; and especially to our honored dead here on the Feast of the Dead.

We offer to Donn the Dark One, the Antlered God who offers hospitality and peace to those bound for the Ancestors’ Country. We offer to Morrigan, the Great Queen of Battle and Sorcery; the Old Woman of Death and the Cauldron of Rebirth.

In this Season of Death we honor the Holy Dead as the ancients did, and we seek the Seed that will wait in the Womb of Winter. Now let us open the Ways Between…

B: Honoring the Patron Deities

To the Gods, the Dead and the Sidhe we offer welcome. All you Spirits who gather here with us, join now to honor the Patrons of our rite.

On the Night of the Scythe and the Skull, the honor-feast of Summer’s End, let us worship the Dark One and the Great Queen.

 

The Invocation of Donn

In the season of darkening, the Lord of the House of Death receives the Spirits in his Hall. He is Donn the Dark One, called Cernunnos the Horned One. He is the First Ancestor, the Torc Bearer, The Guardian of the Cauldron of Plenty.Hear us now, Horned One, Dark one, Receiver of the Dead, Granter of Rest, Patron of the Feast in the Land of the Dead. We your children pray you to come in, to let your gaze fall upon this Sacred Ground, to indwell our rite and give us your blessing.

We make due offering to you. We give you…

(offering made into shaft or offering bowl.)

Silver, that you grant the wealth of the Underworld, Source of All Potential.

(offering made to the Fire)

Oil, that the richness of the Land be renewed as our own lives are renewed.

(offering placed at the foot of the Tree)

Horn, that the beings who know you may bless us in the Season of Hunting.

Be welcome among us, Donn; Dark One, accept our sacrifice!

Donn

The Invocation of Morrigan

As the Earth falls into sleep the Queen of Spirits is choosing those who will go to the Cauldron of Rebirth. She is Morrigan, the Great Queen of Phantoms, the Chooser of the Slain. She is the Battle Raven, the Red Woman, Mistress of the Cauldron.

Hear us now, Red One, Great Queen, Lady of the Reaping, Cauldron-Witch of Sorcery and Prophecy. We your children pray that you be with us, that you look kindly upon our holy rite, that you come into our Grove and give us your blessing.

We give due offering to you. We give you…

(Shaft)

Precious stone, that the Bones of the Earth may be clothed again in life.

(Fire)

Whiskey, that the Waters of Life May flow in us and Spirit indwell flesh.

(Tree)

Feathers, that your raven Eye watch over us in the Season of Sleep.

Be welcome among us Morrigan; Great Queen, accept our sacrifice!

Morrigan, the Great Queen of Phantoms

Artist link

C: Honoring the Ancestors

On the feast of Samhain the veils between the worlds are thin. We call to our Beloved Dead, the blessed Ancestors, to join our feast and receive due offering.

Come to the Gates, honored ones; hear our call, we your children who remember. We offer you our worship, our reverence and our love.

You who fill the empty womb, you who cause the seed to spring to spring, you who fill the breast with milk, receive now these offerings, made in your honor:

Apples, the Fruit of Life and Death.
Pork, the flesh of the Sacred Sow.
Hazel nuts, concentrated meat of wisdom.
We offer these…

(some of each offering made to the shaft)

To the ancient heroes of the Pagan World; those men and women who did the bidding of the Gods for the good of the folk.

(offering made)

To the honored Dead of the passed year; those women and men of our folk who inspired and guided our whole world.

(offerings made)

To our own Beloved Dead, Grandmothers-and-Fathers, family and friends who have gone ahead, we honor you and grieve for you. (offering made)

To all of you we give these fruits and meats that you may feast in joy in the Land of the Dead.

Call to the Ancestors

Artist  Susan Seddon Boulet 

D: During the Praise Offerings

While the Praise Offerings are made, a wreath is passed among the people and all who wish tie a black ribbon onto the wreath in commemoration of their own dead. This wreath is then given to the fire at the Prayer of Sacrifice.

E: The Blessing

The Ale of Blessing flows in us, filling us with the magic of Morrigan and Donn. As the year turns, let us welcome the quiet of the Dark. Let the stillness of the land calm and satisfy our spirits, allowing us to receive the Harvest’s Bounty. Let the gain of the passing year be ours, to fill our lives with contentment. Let us welcome the Dead who wish to return to the living world, even as we remember those who depart. May we rest content as we pass the threshold of new beginnings.

The Death Song

(Repaganized from the Carmina Gadelica)

You go home this night to your home of winter,
To your home of fall, of spring, of summer,
You go home this night to the Turning House,
To your pleasant rest in the Land of Joy.

Rest you, rest, and away with sorrow,
Rest this night in the Mother’s Breast,
Rest you, rest, and away with sorrow,
Rest, O beloved, with the Mother’s Kiss.

In the Many Colored Land;
In the Land of the Dead;
In the Plain of Joy;
In the Land Beneath the Wave;
In the Land of Youth;
In the Land of the Ever-Living;
In the Revolving Castle, the House of Donn.

Rest in seven lights, beloved,
Rest in seven joys, beloved,
Rest in seven sleeps, beloved,
In the Grove of the Cauldron, Morrigan’s Shrine.

The shadow of death is on your face, beloved
But the Cauldron of Rebirth awaits you,
The threefold turning of your Fate,
When your rest has given you your peace.

So rest in the calm of all calms,
Rest in the wisdom of all wisdoms,
Rest in the love of all loves,
Rest in the Lord of Life and Death,
Rest in the Lady of Life and Death,

Till the Season of Turning
Till the Time of Returning
Till the Mystery of the Cauldron

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Squirrel contemplating how she is going to peel this apple for a Samhain Divination.

 

Shining Lakes Grove Samhain Rite – 1997

Written by Kami Landy of Shining Lakes Grove (SLG), with revisions by Rev. John “Fox” Adelmann and Rob Henderson.

Outline

• Fire, allies, tree fire well/opening
• Consecrate grounds
• Briefing-at parking lot: censing and apple
• Bonfire- Bardic & informal intro (call for stories)
• Final story with “statement of purpose”
• Fox’s warning about the night
• Remove Fox – Outsiders…
• Ana, Nature Spirits and Deities
• Invite people to enjoy journey
• Manannan, procession
• Offerings- food, etc.
• Ancestor invitation
• Fox blows horn for dead
• Dead blow horn and come in
• Praise offerings
• Dead lead dance. End by burning offering.
• Divination- Lisa: nut hulls
• Return- shared feast.
• Cauldron blessing
• Go back up hill- sing “Blood of the Ancients”
• Ana- returning thanks
• Build up the fire
• Collective thank you to Nature Spirits, deities
• Reconnecting meditation
• Final hug, “Walk with Wisdom”

Parts

• Greeter
• Purifiers- one smudging, one offering apples
• Storyteller/Bard
• Seanfhear (old man)
• People to call: Earth Mother, Nature Spirits, Deities, Manannan
• Servers for the dead
• Manannan
• 3 or 4 “dead”
• Drummers or musicians

Materials

• 9 woods for the fire such as: yew, pine, oak, birch, willow, rowan, apple, holly, grapevine.
• silver for the well
• 20-30 luminaria lining the paths to the upper fire and to the Nemeton
• Incense for purification: a mix of mugwort, sage and myrrh. Censer
• Apple slices dipped in lemon juice (or salt water)
• Lantern and bells for Manannan, conch for calling him
• Horn for the dead to blow
• Half-masks for the dead
• Throne for Manannan, draped in silver/grey and blue/aqua.
• Blanket, seats, etc. for the “feasthall” of the dead
• A low table near them, for folks to place momentos of their own dead
• Food, drink, etc. for the dead, in nice containers and with lovely tableware. Perhaps an enclosed candle for the center of their area.
• Cups and possibly plates for sharing the feast.
• Thing to pass during praise offering and then burn: a basket of nuts and apples

---

Two or three people, possibly the “dead” (dressed in mundanes), need to go to the Arb and redirect people to Botsford, then *quietly* come to the woods near the Nemeton and wait to be called.

At Botsford’s at 7:30PM, the fire lit at sundown, the Nemeton fire and well opened and hallowed ahead of the rite, and the Allies (Native American spirits) welcomed and invited at that time.

There should be a person with a candle lantern greeting people in the parking area, telling them that the ritual begins at the upper fire, with storytelling as befits the season, so they should prepare themselves for an otherworldly journey and proceed to the fire. On the path, there will be one person smudging with incense something purifying, opening and warning, such as a mix of sage, mugwort and myrrh. Another person will offer them slices of apple dipped in salt water or lemon juice the otherworld feast, gift of Manannan.

At the fire, begin with the Bardic invocation. This will be offered by Richard MacKelley, who then gets people singing and telling stories.

Storytelling

(various people – encouraged by the bard, Richard MacKelley)

Centering

Come! Draw near the fire, draw in.
Take it within you, draw in.
Taste the fire of inspiration
That is the fire within the head,
The gift of the gods that warms the spirit. But look inside now, to the deep upwelling well of wisdom
Stilling you, touching you from deep within the earth.
The year turns to stillness,
Look within at the spark of warmth in your center,
The life which nurtured, rests at the heart of your self.
Follow it, to the sheltered cave of birth,
And the deep pool of vision that lies within it,
Giving knowledge of ancient ones returning,
And of lessons learned and time to come.
See there, a shadowed glimpse of the sun-lit land, the summer land
Where the blessed dead feast and love
And test their skills in endless rounds of pleasure,
A life more bright than life.
Who shall you see there?
Who will come to you,
To tell you of the wonders they know in that place of many wonders?
Which dear one holds you in memory,
As you hold them, and cares still for your welfare?
See them in your minds eye, in the eye of the pool of vision,
And share with them love and honor, laughter and tears of healing.
Peace and blessing be on them,
And on us who greet them with song and story,
Feast and dance this day.
Beckon to the one you have seen, to join us for this time,
To be with us in memory,
In the realm of life as we reach toward them in the land of youth.
And taking with you memory of the beloved dead,
Of those who have led the way, return to the cave of birth.
See yourself looking into that deep pool of vision
For the spark of life’s warmth, and now turning outwards once again,
We call to them,
Come! Draw near the fire.

Samhain Bonfires

How Manannan brought the gifts of invisibility and immortality to the Tuatha De Danann. (Kami)

It happened, long ago, when the gods retired to the sunlit lands and made the gateways through the hollow hills, leaving the changing realm of life to the sons of Mil, that Manannan mac Lir brought to them certain gifts, that they might live forever unchanging and move unseen among the sons of men.

Now, many and wondrous were the gifts that the Tuatha De Danann had brought with them to Erin’s shores, and some of those they left for the use of humanity. Among those were the Lia Fail, the stone of kingship, which sat until the days of our grandfathers upon the hill of Tara. The well of Segais, the well of wisdom, which rises at the bottom of the sea, became the source of the river Boyne, from which those who dared might drink their fill. Gifted to Finn macCumhal was the inexhaustible crane bag, made from the skin of the woman Aife when she had been transformed into the shape of that bird, which held all great and magical treasures.

Other great treasures were lost beyond all finding, gone into the mists of legend. But in that time of change, three new gifts they gained. First was the cloak of mist which enabled the Tuatha De Danann to walk unseen among men. Second was the silver apple branch of Emain Abhlach, the plain of apples, which banished all sorrow and fatigue. So sweet was its sound that it entertained all who heard it, better than the finest of music. Third was the “Feast of Age”. No one who ate of it grew old, for as often as they were eaten, the pigs which made up this feast were renewed in the morning, and those who had eaten of them likewise. In this way did Manannan, gracious host, keep the Tuatha De Danann in the land of promise, and this gift is shared with the blessed dead, who come to sit among the gods. There they have the sweetest of wine and the best of foods, fierce fighting and acts of valor by day and all wounds vanishing by night so that there may also be eloquence and words of gentle love in that hall. And in time, perhaps those who died in this world that they may be born there, die in that world and are reborn to this, for did not the druid say; “death is but the middle of a very long life?”

Songs

From far across this mortal plain,
Mothers and Fathers of old,
We ask that you return again,
Mothers and Fathers of old.
To share with us the mystery,
And secrets long untold,
Of the ancient ways we seek to reclaim,
Mothers and Fathers of old.

It’s the blood of the ancients
That runs through our veins
And the forms change,
But the circle of life remains.

[encourage people to tell stories of their relatives and ancestors]

Final story: How Cormac macAirt went to Tir na nOg (Kami)

When Cormac mac Airt was king of Ireland, he was a good king and wise, his people prospered and he was greatly loved. And if he was well loved, his children is wife was adored. And if his wife was adored, his children were cherished even moreso.

One day, as he walked upon the plain, he saw a youth playing. This youth had shining hair so fine it was like silver, and cheeks red as apples, his eyes flashed and his smile could bring an answering smile from a stone. In his hand he carried an apple branch, and upon it were nine silver apples. As he shook the branch, the sound of bells rang out, so sweet and pure that Cormac stood to listen, and found the cares and weariness of the day lifted from him.

So deep his peace and pleasure, he determined to have this branch to bring the same to his people, no matter what the cost. He asked the youth what he would take for this branch, and the youth said that he would have Cormac’s wife and son and daughter upon the following day. Well, this shocked and saddened Cormac, for his family were the sun and moon to him, but a bargain is a bargain and he could not take back his word. So Cormac returned to his hall and told the people what had happened. There was much wailing and crying out, for the people were loath to lose their queen and heirs, but Cormac shook the branch for them, and they were contented and set at peace.

The next day, the youth came and took Cormac’s wife and son and daughter away, and the people began to wail again, but once more Cormac shook the apple branch and the people were quieted. So they continued on for a year. The work went faster, for whenever Cormac shook the branch all fatigue was swept away. There were fewer quarrels, for whenever tempers flared Cormac shook the branch and people calmed.

There was peace and prosperity among all the people at Tara, but after a year, Cormac was no longer contented. He missed his family more than the branch could soothe. So one misty Autumn morning he left his high seat and walked away Westward, following the path his family had taken.

After a day and a night and a day, Cormac found himself in an unfamiliar land. Bright were the colors, soft the grass, tall the trees, and the sound of birds was like sweet speech to his ears. As he walked, he came to places of wonder. First, he saw a group of men thatching a house with feathers. No sooner had they got one side done, but they saw that they were out of feathers and began to hunt for more. And while they sought more feathers, those of the first half of the roof would blow away, so that the task was never done. Cormac watched, but said nothing, for he could see no sense in this task.

Again he journeyed on, until he came to a place where a fire was lit for making charcoal, and a woodsman was dragging up immense trees. He brought one, and laid it on the fire, but in the time it took him to go for the second tree, the first was all consumed, so that he could never sit to warm himself. Once again, Cormac watched a while but said nothing, then journeyed on.

Next he came to a barren plain whereon he saw a giant head. Into the skull poured one great stream, and from the eyes and ears and mouth flowed five smaller ones, in all directions. He wondered at this marvel, and traveled on across the plain to where he saw a brightly lit and welcoming house.

The door was opened by a fine lady who welcomed him in with the cup of blessing and wash water for his feet. A table was set for feasting, and a grand lord sat in the high seat. On the hearth a pig was roasting, yet it showed no sign of being cooked at all. The lord said to him; “Be welcome to my house, Cormac macAirt, king of Ireland. Come, let me show you a marvel. You see that pig, roasting on the spit? Well it has this quality- that if four truths are told while turning it, it will be fully cooked.”

The warrior, his wife, a servant each told a tale, and their fourths were cooked, and then Cormac told how he lost his family, and the feast was ready. Then the warrior showed Cormac the golden cup with which he had been greeted and said; “You see this cup, well it has the property that, when three lies are told near it, it will break, and three truths told near it will make it whole again.”

They demonstrated it’s property by means of some nonsense, and when it was said to Cormac; “neither your wife nor your daughter has been unfaithful, nor has your son slept with any woman,” it came back together.

Then the warrior revealed himself as Manannan macLir and asked whether he and his people had been happy in the last year. Cormac told him truthfully that the people had been contented, peaceful and productive, yet missed their royal family almost as much as Cormac himself had missed them.

So Manannan told Cormac that they would soon be with him once more and said; “Many times have I visited your realm, seen and unseen. Many times have I invited you to visit me in mine. Not until now have I prevailed upon you to accept my hospitality.”

Then through an inner door came the most beautiful sight ever to meet the eyes of Cormac macAirt – his wife and daughter and son, smiling in joy to greet him. Together they laughed and wept and hugged, looked at one another long and deeply to see that all were well, and then they sat at last to the feasting. As the dined, Cormac told of the marvels he had seen while crossing the plane. Manannan explained them; the thatching of feathers were the words of poets, who gain no fame nor give any great thought to their words, so that they are all blown away and the world left unchanged. The log that burned before the man could cook his supper, was the work of those who labor for another’s gain, not gaining pride nor sustenance from their efforts. And the great skull was the well of wisdom, flowing into the head and being expressed by the senses.

A gracious host was Manannan mac Lir, and the best of companions his wife, and the night passed pleasantly indeed, but as the sky began to pale, Manannan made a gift to Cormac of the apple branch and the cup of truth, and sent the family off to bed. When they awoke, they were once more upon the plane of Tara, and a year had passed since Cormac’s leaving. Great was the rejoicing when they returned to the hall. And that is how Cormac mac Airt won the silver branch of soothing from Manannan mac Lir.

---

Fox, coming in as the seanfhear – the old man:

[wanders around the fire, muttering at people, then turns and tosses in some flash powder]

Hear me, children of this earthly realm;
Beware your words this night,
Beware of those who hear unseen,
Beware of hidden ways between
The world of the living and
The sunlit summer land.
It is a night of death,
The ending of the year,
The dying of the light,
The dimming of the sun’s great fire.
Do you not fear the darkness?
See shadows move within the forest;
Which is yet more fearsome. The
dark itself, or what is faintly seen in darkness,
Shadows and mysteries of past and time to come?
So have a care not to wander off your well-marked paths,
Nor speak lightly now of ones long gone,
For they may be among you at this turning of the year.
Beware!

Outsiders Invocation (Rob):

Begone, old man! You bring a note of confusion and discord to our ritual this night. We have not need of your scare-stories here. Leave the ordered circle of our firelight and do not return!

Seanfhear:

Ignore my warning at your peril. I have spoken to you, what comes after, none may say. I say to you again- go home, where it is safe and warm and bright, and do not trouble the wandering spirits with your foolishness. [leaves]

Call to Ana (Kore):

We’re the children of the earth, what have we to fear from any creature, living or dead? Trust the earth to continue, our River Mother Ana to preserve us in our place upon the earth, as she has always done. As long as we flow along with her, what have we to fear from the turning of time or any spirits out of time? They, too have belonged to the earth. Ana! Mother, You are with us this night, as every other, and we take joy in your fluid grace, slowing now and peaceful with the coming of the time of sleep. Share our journeys, as we journey on with you.

Call to Nature spirits (Matt): [a voice speaks up from around the fire]

You call us children of the earth. Then look to the first children of the earth, bear and deer and tree and salmon, eagle and raccoon and squirrel: hunters and hunted. They know well the cycles of life and death, and meet them without fear, for though there is an ending in death, yet there is in time a return. So let us be led by their wisdom, to take joy in life and adventure in death, to honor change and the steadfastness of life’s return. The spirits of nature shall lead and join us on our journeys. We welcome them among us. Hail to you who know the wisdom of the earth! Beannachai agaibh!

 

Deities (Raven): [standing up, addressing the fire]

 

And I call to the gods of our people, who instruct and protect us in all things. They will go before us to show the way, and guard us that our steps be sure and strong. We are a people of courage, of wisdom, of vision and adventure as our gods themselves. Therefore, I call to Lugh our father, Bile’ and Danu the first ones, Brid of the hearthfire, Ar’n the lusty and the Stag God who leaps in splendor unnamed, to be welcome in our rites and on our journeys, in this sacred day and time and place. Beannachai agaibh!

Rob: It is indeed a night of mystery. Let us call to Manannan to guide us, lest we be lost in the mists of change.

[hand out bells to people around fire]

Call to Manannan (Rob):

[blow conch]

Manannan comes, he comes
Even to our fire he comes.
From beyond the sea’s nine waves he comes,
From beyond the isle of Donn he comes,
Lighting the moonlit path of mist he comes,
Showing us hidden gates he comes,
Guiding his sacred guests he comes,
Leading the longed-for dead he comes,
To our calling,
to our greeting,
to our blessing
to our welcome,
[all ring bells]
To the feasting of the night of Samhain he comes,

[Pause. Wait for him to arrive.]

[Manannan (Marae) steps forward silently, lantern in hand]

Welcome, Manannan, honored lord, hallowed guest, high one, Failte romhat! Grey one, what would you have of us this night?

[Manannan gestures to everyone to rise and follow him]

 

Manannan Mac Lir

[begin procession, ringing bells for Manannan]

[Upon arriving at the Nemeton, people are quietly directed to bring food-offerings to the work altar, opposite the place of the dead. These ushers will sit to the right of the dead and be willing to help serve them.]

[people call to their beloved dead, led by Rob]

Seanfhear (Fox):

Come ancient ones from days long past, come you whose feet knew clay in recent years, come you who gave flesh to your children and you who give loan of this place, and you who teach the paths of spirit. Come, ancestors well-loved and long-remembered, Come! You who have been called by name, come and share in the feast.

[Fox blows horn for dead. Victor blows the horn of the dead.]

[The dead come and take their seats]

Wait! You call this a feast? Where are the offerings of hospitality?

[3 or 4 servers carry food to the dead]

Praise offerings (Rob begins):

We are honored to be here with you. I have brought an offering, a token of esteem, to convey love and blessing.

[does own praise offering, passes the basket]

[pass the basket, each person may make an offering as it comes to them, or merely add energy to it and pass it on. When it gets to the ushers. one of them carries it past the dead, Manannan and the Seanfhear to the next person. When the basket gets back to Rob, he will take it and place it before the dead. This is the signal to begin the final offering.]

Final offering: [The dead take up the basket and lead us in a snake dance – Fox begins the drumming for it.]

Song

You who dwell in the summer land,
Honored dead, join us in the dance.
By our side receive our love today,
Dance with us on this holy day.

 

Summerland where King Arthur awaits his return

[At the dance’s conclusion, the basket is taken to Manannan; an offering from the dead to their lord. He takes it, makes a gesture of acceptance, and passes it to the seer.]

Divination (Lisa): [The basket of nuts and apples is tossed in the fire and scried into for the message of the ancestors and the direction of the coming year.]

Seanfhear: [One of the “dead” whispers in Fox’s ear, who says:]

Those you have called here are pleased with your offerings of hospitality. They bid you share in the feast.

Return: [sharing the feast. People may continue to bring offerings to the dead or to tell stories about their loved ones or to suggest songs.]

Cauldron blessing – Seanfhear:

We thank you for joining us. It is long since we have been so well treated. But now the feast is ended. The living cannot thrive and grow in the land of the ever-young, as the dead cannot live anymore in the realm of time. Leave now, return to your proper place, and do not forget what can happen when you venture abroad on the night when the year turns to winter. Take with you as you go, your memory, and also if you dare, a blessing from the cauldron of health, wealth and wisdom, for you have shown honor as befits a good guest.

[Manannan will hand the cauldron to one of the “dead”, who will hold it by the gate out of the Nemeton so people can take what they need as they leave.]

[process back up hill]

Song

It’s the blood of the ancients
That runs through our veins
And the forms change
But the circle of life remains.

Ana – return and thanks (Kore):

We who have journeyed far from familiar ways, we thank you for keeping our place in the world we know. You have held for us a place upon the earth, the realm of life, and we rejoice now to greet you with love and honor, Ana, our mother, daughter of this ancient land. Though we may leave this place and return to our homes, you are ever in our hearts for you are the river of life to us and we do not leave your presence, within this world.

[build up the upper fire, we’re all freezing!]

Thanks to spirits and deities who journeyed with us (Matt): First children of the earth, ancient high and shining ones, you spirits and deities who have joined us on this journey, for your guidance and protection, your joyful awesome presence on this journey, no less for all the blessings you bring to our lives, we give you thanks and blessing and honor this day that marks the boundary- time of the year. Slan leibh!

Reconnecting Meditation (Kami):

So- we have journeyed far, within ourselves and between realms. Now we return to ourselves, to the ways and world we know, wiser perhaps, and comforted by contact with loved ones from across the endless sea. The gate now is closed, forms are firm, each place is but itself. And yet all realms adjoin; pass through the mists or the archway or cave, the twilight and shoreline, the boundary and wasteland can be the gate. All worlds are here. And so are we.

Song: Walk with Wisdom

 

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Turnip the Lights the Samhain rite is just getting going!

 

Even More Ár nDraíocht Féin Samhain rites.

 

How I was taught to honor the Druid Sacred Times.   Three Holy Days, Samhain, The Festival of Bridgit (Spring Cleaning’s origins), and Beltane, as well as One blessing of the (Festival of First Harvest,  test of champions, and handfastening time, known as Lughnasdh or rather the Taltian Games)

Druids Harvesting Mistletoe on the New Year

 

A Celtic New Year triquetra honoring the fact that we as Druids begin in the season of Winter as our day begins at Sunset.

In darkness and silence wisdom is more easily garnered. Our cycle of Life begins with Death, for the land is made fecund as decomposition of materials occur.

The Celtic Year begins at Samhain on the Third Day,   November 1.

 

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Next comes the Festival of Brigit, a three day Hearth Festival that is spent cleaning, clearing, and purifying of Hearth and Home. I prefer to call it Lady’s Day.  The First, Second, and Third of February, when we find out if more Winter will remain or skirt away on a pleasant warming breeze.

 

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Next comes Beltane beginning on April 30, May 1, and May 2.

 

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Then we swing round to the week long festival honoring the sacrifice of the harvest Goddess Taltiu and her games presented to honor her life by her foster son Lugh the Long Hand.  This is the festival of First harvest and the Taltian Games (the Celtic competitive games. The name of the competition has changed to honor Celtic Heritage, because many who now compete no longer honor the old ways. The Festival is now called the Highland Games.  It sadly no longer coincides with the Festival of Taltiu.  Druids would come and give a blessing to open the games and the First Harvest.

 

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The Harvest Foods from an American Samhain.

Now we complete the year. The final harvest is reaped, stored, and blessed to assure lasting through Winter and the lean times.  The feast table is laid out.  The Feasting occurs as we close out the Celtic Year.  Today’s Calendar this is celebrated on the 30th of October.   Then with bellies full we go to sleep and rise to the day that is in between.

 

We set out a place at the table with our loved one’s favorite foods and celebrate their lives.   This is the day we specifically honor those who have died this year. We also honor the ancestors during this time of contemplation and honoring.

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Candles can be lit in the windows to aid in guiding the spirits on their journey if they wish to return for a visit.  Be sure to empower the candles to invite specific spirits, as the veil is thin as to avoid spiritual lurkers.  The day of honoring our ancestors is October 31st.  We are grateful that they have moved on after learning the lessons they needed to learn.  We honor their wisdom, their humor,  and their love.

 

It is always good to hang a series of Spirit Ward Turnips or Gourds on the 31st of October for extra protection.

 

Much like the OBAD I do not publish my rites online.  I do observe Moon Cycles, as that energy is very useful.   I call and honor Land (all things manifest from sub atomic particles to planets and everything in between)  Land is represented by the World Tree and the staff  carry.   I call and honor Sea which is represented by the calling out to the nine waves, beyond which the divine lives, the ancestors also reside across the Sea.  I symbolically represent this by a simple bowl of water.  I call and honor Sky which is represented by the Sacred Fire into which messages are incinerated and rise to permeate and join with the consciousness of the Divine Oneness.  Land incorporates the traditional Wiccan elements, I do not call them, unless I am performing a Wiccan Circle.

 

 

 

 

 

The Faith of Ages… as old as a Great Oaks probably older…definitely older

A Druid Samhain…. About My the symbol of my faith and my favorite holy days. Part 1 of 2

Though not all druids are from the same branch of the oak tree. I will talk about the other druids of different branches our faith, in a later blog post in an effort to “get er dun’ “as it were.  Druids as a people of faith tend to have more group participation and much more focus on maintaining heritage of their faith.  There are under 10 branches of Druidry or Druid faith branches globally to my knowledge, but in the interest of brevity and getting on with the focus topic I will cover the symbol of my faith, how Druids honor Samhain, and what it means to us.

 

This is my tree spirit peeking out at you.

I love squirrels. They are forest tenders.

 

 

I will quickly do my best to speak quickly to the one symbol of my faith.  I will have to continue writing on Tuesday next week and post on Wednesday morn.

 

Triskelion

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Ancient Triskelions from the Celts of Gallia

 

 

 

Raven Tatoo Triskelion Design

Line Art Triskelion

Copper Jewelry Triskelion

Graphic Art Decal Triskelion 1

Graphic Art Decal Triskelion 2

Pride Triskelion Tattoo

Custom Designed Triskelion

Modern Triskelion

 

 

The Triskelion as a 5 pound in circulation 2017 coin of the realm

 

 

 

Triskelion on a water wheel on the Isle of Skye

 

 

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Triskelion on Churches across Great Britain.

Most of these churches were erected on sites holy to the Druids

The Triskelion was easy to adopt into the Christian faith to represent the Trinity, thus subsuming the locals religion and converting the Celts to a new faith.

 

My symbol, the druidic symbol has two names the Triskelion and Triquetra. Triskelion means “three-legged” A being with three legs always must be in motion, in action. This is the founding concept of my faith, as it is the faith of the Natural world. The natural world is always in motion. Always dying, seeding, growing, birthing, blooming, striving, flying, germinating, thriving, harvesting, seeding, and dying again and again, and again…. eternally turning the cycle of life or you may know the Latin phrase ad infinitum or in Gaulish it would be said infinitamente. All life begins and ends with death. Death is what fuels the next cycle, it provides fecundity of the materials that nourish the Earth.

 

Triquetra – the Trinity Knot

“Also known as The Trinity Knot. Like all Celtic knots the triquetra is constructed of one continuous line interweaving around itself symbolising no beginning or end, an eternal spiritual life.

The Celts favoured the idea that everything important in the world came in threes; three stages of life, three elements, three domains; earth, sea and sky, past, present and future. The triquetra is sometimes drawn weaving around a circle, symbolising the unity of the three parts.”

From Ireland Calling

 

Though I was taught the three domains are Land, Sea, and Sky.  I am unsure as to the awareness of the ancien Celtic people’s perception of Earth rather than Land, even though Druids were noted astronomers.

 

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Triquetra

 

 

The Public Face of the Triquetra

The Triquetra has been used in the media to portray Witches as Good, though it has nothing to do with Wicca or Witchcraft.

The Triquetra were used instead of a Pentacle, because the Pentacle is associated with the devil and evil.  The Witches in the Charmed series were good characters who did Hollywood magic.

 

 

 The Charmed Book of Shadows

(A tome that Witches and Wiccans keep the records of their spell research, spells, and rituals)

 

 

Symbols that regularly get mistaken for Triquetra or Triskelion

 A Tribal Valknut not to be confused with a Triskelion

 

Traditional Germanic Valknut, A symbol of the Asatru Belief

 

A Migi Mitsudomoe sp?

A Shinto “Fire Wheel”, another symbol that gets mistaken for a Triskelion.

This is a Shinto symbol of good fortune

A Druid symbol of good fortune

 

The end of Part 1 of 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Faith of Ages… as old as a Great Oaks probably older…definitely older

A Druid Samhain…. About my faith and my favorite holy days.

Raven Tatoo Triskelion Design

A taste in image of what is to come in the next 24 hours

I am choosing to be kind to myself and get to bed at a decent hour; as I have a huge event on Sunday to prepare for as well as a blog to complete as promised.

 

Philosopher Squirrel #6

 

“You must form a clear and definite mental picture of what you want; you cannot transmit an idea unless you have it yourself.”

— Wallace Wattles: American author

FOCUS

So, Friday July 8th;my husband and I were both having a particularly CRap Day. Which was initially made better by dinner and socialization out with my parents.

When one of those rare CRap Day;days happens that I get so beside myself I clean and organize. I sorted 2 boxes of the last 4 boxes from when we moved in 11 years ago. I found a treasure I thought I had lost. HAT PRIME or rather My favorite denim hat with a pocket on top. YES, HUGE SCORE!

I had always been told that an act of clearing brings the possibility of space for the possibility of revelation.

The revelation provided by the act of clearing those two nearly forgotten boxes was FOCUS.

When I asked the ONENESS what was I missing that can solve the challenge at hand and in my past. The one word I received was FOCUS.

More on Focus over the next few days and weeks.

With FOCUS in Mind I hereby state my FOCUSED intent to post Monday and Wednesday from this day July 11th (A really good day according to my grandpa…on the day of my waking to my walkabout in the world.)

Brightest FOCUS and Blessings, Acorn Thrower

Note: I found this post had not auto posted as per the Word Press auto post function. I have since found that posting twice a week is beyond my present abilities to work, and other important details. I will work to post twice a month Monday mornings. The Goal is to get up to weekly Monday mornings, once I can get Word Press to auto post as set up.

Philosopher squirrel #2

“You can have brilliant ideas, but if you cannot get them across, your ideas will not get you anywhere.”

— Lee Iacocca: Businessman, author, former CEO of Chrysler Corporation