After all that blooming and a gorgeous sunny day...it was snowing when i went home last night. Very messed up. Of course, if i hadn't been out, i'd have never known, because the sun is shining and the wind is blowing and now there is no trace of white outside.

I played some pool last night and listened to music and talked with friends and was a regular socialite for a change. I suppose that i was wintering as a hermit and have finally started to come out of my shell. Now if i can just stay on task today and get the needed stuff done...~w

The flowers are blooming, the flowers are blooming!! Today the sun is threatening to come out from behind the clouds after a few days of good ground soaking rain. During the time of the clouds the trees have started blooming and the crocus and daffodils and hyacinths are popping up all over. It must be Spring!! I kinda feel the same way myself. After a few days of cloudy mental consternation i feel like i'm starting to see my way through the maze i created for myself.~w

By the way, since today is the vernal equinox, a big cheerful "Hello!" to Spring and Happy Naw Ruz!

People have made careers out of teaching people to use language in a way that helps them to get people to do what they want them to do. In fact, if you have time to study languaging there are plenty of conferences to attend. So, while some people may be said to "speak from the heart" there are plenty of people out there who are learning to effectively speak with intention. However in close relationships that "intention" can become a problem. We stop listening, and instead use words to build a wall of protection around ourselves. Or, we say only what is needed to get the result that we want. It's where black and white suddenly become gray and the difference between the truth and a lie is merely perspective. The thing is, that is when the fear starts to seep in and undermine us with feelings of guilt. Once the slide down the slope of half-truths begins, it becomes harder to speak openly and honestly again. Suddenly our mental energy becomes consumed with secretiveness and protection from being "found out." So, it seems like world peace must start within each individual. If each of us works to be open and honest with ourselves and the people around us, we reduce the amount of fear and blame in the world.~w

By their openness, people dedicated to the truth live in the open, and through the exercise of their courage to live in the open, they become free from fear.

--M. Scott Peck, M.D.

Why am i always in a hurry by the time i remember i've forgotten to blog?

Keeping outta mischief, but busy.~w

Well, after listening to Edmonia's music, i went down to Jack of the Wood for some bangers & mash for dinner and listen to a bit of traditional irish jig and reel music (the woman had a really cool fife). I won a hat in the drawing and after chatting with friends a bit, made it an early night. I have shows to do in town today as well as the usually office busy-ness of a Monday, so i need to get moving....~w

On a heavier note, i woke to a phone call from my mom this morning with some sad news. Edmonia Jarrett, who i sang with in the Shades of Praise gospel choir and who i even had the fortune to sing back-up for with some other choir members at Jazz Alley in Seattle, passed away last night from lung cancer that had spread to her brain. My friend Matthew, who got me into the choir, said "you know she was happy if she was singing." Since i can't make the vigil, i decided the best way to honor her would be to listen to her CD. I seem to remember following her around at choir functions hoping that some of her sassy, gutsy, genuine spunk would rub off on me. I can almost see her now ascending to heaven up a marble stair case in a blue sequined gown waving a well manicured hand and smiling down to us as she sings Cora's song "I'll meet you on the other side..."~w

After working up a sweat moving my friend to her new apartment yesterday i found myself nauseated. I'm not sure if it was the heat, the work, the fact i hadn't eaten all day, or a touch of the flu. In any case i skipped going out last night in favor of breaking the fever and trying to get some rest. I feel much better this morning. I guess it was my body's way of putting on the emergency brakes and getting me to catch up on some much needed sleep. As long as i don't drink too much green beer tonight i should be okay.~w

Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
in the palm of His hand.