tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14218298205324439532024-03-05T18:44:32.936-08:00YesterwaysBy Wiccan Witch of the Midwest - Rayven MichaelsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-38940534283402533002015-11-21T03:58:00.000-08:002015-11-21T03:58:00.663-08:00Words to Live By - Do You Know What Yours Are?When a person follows a pre-constructed religious path, all the tenants of faith are laid out for them and they have but to apply them to their life. However, when one creates their own spiritual path, they have to determine the tenants they live by on their own. Do you know what words you live by and why? Here is my list at this point in time of my life:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Do that Which is Right</b> (Blog post: <i>coming soon</i>)</li>
<li><b>Do as you will if it harm naught, but if it harm some, then do as you ought</b> (Blog post: <a href="http://yesterways.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-nuances-of-harm-none.html" target="_blank">The Nuances of Harm None</a>; In this article I address differing views of Harm None, my views on Harm None, guns, hunting and meat eating)</li>
<li><b>Just Enough</b> (Blog post: <i>coming soon</i>)</li>
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I will address each of the tenants above in depth in separate blog posts dedicated to each and link them here. As of time of writing this post, I have previously written a blog post on the Nuances of Harm None which I have linked to above, </div>
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Until the blog post comes, briefly in regards to Do that Which is Right, every situation has a *right* way to handle it but what that right way is may be different depending on the filters, life experiences and tenants of the person viewing the issue at hand. What is *right* to the greatest degree may not be pleasing to all parties in a situation. Occasions where 100% of the parties are 100% pleased is often not possible and the rare instances where it does occur would be cause for great celebration.</div>
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Just Enough means exactly that. Whatever remedy you take to solve an issue should be *just enough* to deal with the situation and no more. </div>
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Bright Blessings and may those you pray to watch over you,</div>
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Merry Meet and Merry Part</div>
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Rayven Michaels</div>
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Wiccan Witch of the Midwest</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-23842428013482623562015-11-05T20:40:00.000-08:002015-11-05T20:40:14.359-08:00Women Stand United -- Not Divided<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-49440713002313657072015-09-12T19:40:00.001-07:002015-09-12T19:40:39.747-07:00Embracing FallWelcome to Fall Ya'll. You will hear that alot around Oklahoma right now. I love the cool mornings and late evenings. To me this is the best time of year. But then I say that in the Spring also. But there is just something magickal about knowing it is Pumpkin time! And the beauty of the fall leaves, the smell of smoke from the neighbors fireplaces and cookers smoking meats. I can't eat meat anymore because of my tick borne illness Alpha Gal but I am one of the lucky ones that can at least enjoy the pleasure of smelling smoking meat even if I can't grab it up and have a mouth full.
With all this fall nostalgia going on, I had to break out Fall bling on my blog. I love the big tree!
Bright Blessings to All!
Rayven Michaels
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-85128327186388093832015-08-09T08:33:00.000-07:002015-08-09T08:33:43.761-07:00Recipes to tryI was perusing a Facebook food channel called Tasty and found some recipes that I don't want to lose track of, so I posted them here where we can all enjoy them. ;)<br />
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<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1619492128303430/"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1619492128303430/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1619492128303430/"></a><p>No-Bake Thin Mints You Can Make At Home</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty">Tasty</a> on Friday, August 7, 2015</blockquote></div></div>
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<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1619207828331860/"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1619207828331860/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1619207828331860/"></a><p>Easy Microwave Mug Cake</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty">Tasty</a> on Thursday, August 6, 2015</blockquote></div></div>
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<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1618287108423932/"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1618287108423932/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1618287108423932/"></a><p>Easy Baked Potato Chips (Hasselback Potato)</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty">Tasty</a> on Wednesday, August 5, 2015</blockquote></div></div>
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<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1618182485101061/"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1618182485101061/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1618182485101061/"></a><p>Pumpkin Protein Pancakes</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty">Tasty</a> on Tuesday, August 4, 2015</blockquote></div></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-1960504426986435262015-08-09T08:25:00.004-07:002015-08-09T08:25:54.623-07:003 Ingredient Nutella BrowniesI'm perusing recipes and found this lovely brownie recipe to try.<br />
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3-Ingredient Nutella Brownies<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty">Tasty</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1619211701664806/">Saturday, August 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-40683232297914785342015-03-21T22:11:00.000-07:002015-03-21T22:11:10.509-07:00Lemon EO WaterMy Young Living Everyday Essentials Oil kit arrived today. I am happier than a hog in a mud wallow! Right now, I am sipping a nice bottle of water that I added 2 drops of YL Lemon oil to. Not only does it taste good, but Lemon EO has lots of benefits to the body: detox the liver, clarify the mind, ease constipation, relieve heartburn and help with blood circulation. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd50id4cmFvqzCwJz5TjU3JRKoO04dK2hH-k9fqPBJGuN4F9uouIECBnfBfKIVCEIC-0-43LnL8qEosq8X1R9v4NRbYGw1BaCzPUd_SkJDGjTusYa0ywIRn_UMmiiRwVT3JY-FD6I5x0/s1600/Lemon+Oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd50id4cmFvqzCwJz5TjU3JRKoO04dK2hH-k9fqPBJGuN4F9uouIECBnfBfKIVCEIC-0-43LnL8qEosq8X1R9v4NRbYGw1BaCzPUd_SkJDGjTusYa0ywIRn_UMmiiRwVT3JY-FD6I5x0/s1600/Lemon+Oil.jpg" height="632" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-12998943228967707772015-03-19T20:11:00.004-07:002015-03-19T20:11:45.672-07:00Healing Power of Essential OilsI have been an avid user of herbs and oils since I was a young woman in my 20s. My first herb book is tattered and worn from all the use. Using essential oils was an inevitable next step since they are the essence of the plant in a highly concentrated form. No tea or tincture can match the power of an essential oil. And just a little dab will do you. Some of the oils can be applied *neat* or undiluted while others require being mixed with a carrier oil to avoid unpleasant skin reactions. If you ever get undiluted peppermint oil on you, trust me, you will remember it. And warning, water is NOT your friend when an oil stings. Water will actually drive the oil deeper into the skin and in some instances, intensify the sting.<br />
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My oil purchases were always haphazard in the past. I bought them from GNC or the health food stores. I always knew that some brands were better than others but I for a long time I never really seriously dug into the whats and whys of it all. But when I finally did take the time to do it, one name came up over and over again -- Young Living Oils. It didn't take long to convince me that they were my oils of choice. They have a fabulous *seed to seal process*.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4fB75TXRsJr9KO8Rf3Shye5D2uRcLaPPg5-NVcuW0eaRiQtNYrLLqt0MLV8XJPb8ZmxZTTRJlXHoh2SPJ0rgVrso6ZFA0JKgfFzqvm7QOXOjcoryj79FE4GpM_ddMtda3zWqHfbgZuY/s1600/Young-Living-Brand2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4fB75TXRsJr9KO8Rf3Shye5D2uRcLaPPg5-NVcuW0eaRiQtNYrLLqt0MLV8XJPb8ZmxZTTRJlXHoh2SPJ0rgVrso6ZFA0JKgfFzqvm7QOXOjcoryj79FE4GpM_ddMtda3zWqHfbgZuY/s1600/Young-Living-Brand2.png" height="340" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Information from the Young Living website)<br />
<blockquote>
<h2>
Seed to Seal</h2>
<strong>1. Seed</strong>
-Potent essential oils come from plant species that have been
authenticated by Young Living experts. Species certification involves
scientific research, field study, university partnerships, and on-site
planting certification. </blockquote>
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<strong>2. Cultivate</strong>
– Through cultivation on the four Young Living farms, Young Living
Essential Oils has mastered the creation of pure, potent essential oils.
The company takes this knowledge around the world to co-op farms to
certify that these farms’ growing processes meet Young Living’s strict
quality standards.</blockquote>
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<strong>3. Distill</strong>
– Young Living’s proprietary low-temperature, low-pressure steam
distillation process ensures that the beneficial plant compounds in
every batch of essential oil remain uncompromised during the extraction
process. </blockquote>
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<strong>4. Test</strong>
– Each essential oil must pass Young Living’s stringent testing to
ensure the optimal bioactive natural compounds are present. Young Living
uses its own internal labs, in addition to third-party audits, to
verify that international purity and potency standards are met and
surpassed.</blockquote>
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<strong>5. Seal</strong>
– Young Living completes the Seed to Seal process by carefully sealing
each bottle of essential oil before shipping them to members worldwide.</blockquote>
I'll be writing more on these fabulous oils and all the things you can do with them.<br />
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Bright blessings to all and<br />
May those you pray to watch over you <br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the Midwest<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-25847413160739138152015-02-22T07:22:00.001-08:002015-02-22T14:00:00.080-08:00Hostile Religions - Live in Peace - LIVEI've been reading a lot of posts and arguments regarding hostile religions. Many point to ancient histories documenting hatred and atrocities of many religions against another. It is sad but true that ancient peoples harshly dealt with one another and that religion was often used in judgment and persecution against people. What is of more interest and concern to me is religion in modern times and how we deal with our fellow man. Unfortunately, hatred and intolerance is still taught in many modern religions. How people mete out that hatred and intolerance is wide ranging. Some religions teach that people without faith or of differing faiths need *saved* and brought into the fold of the *one true god* while at the other extreme is to annihilate and remove from the face of the earth anyone who does not convert and honor their chosen god. The former is a disrespectful annoyance and the latter is a terrorist movement by radical extremists. <br />
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It is understandable that people with similar beliefs and lifestyles will group together and live somewhat peaceably in their commonality. However, when any group of people goes militant and believes they need to make conquests of nonbelievers either by peaceable coercion or force, they have crossed the lines of civility. When death is involved, they have crossed the lines of humanity.<br />
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Spirituality is a personal journey for each person and each person has the right to seek as they choose. No person should have the right to force their beliefs upon another. If a person wants to *witness* for their god/s, the best way to do so is to live as the best example one can be of the faith followed. People may then be drawn to that religious path or perhaps they will just honor you as a good and righteous person. All people do not feel compelled to follow a god of any type. This doesn't mean they are *lost* nor does it mean they cannot be just and good people in the absence of god/s. Too often religion is used as a crutch in the world to deflect responsibility for ones actions -- you will hear things like *it is the will of ----* fill in the blank for a god's name. The gods do not live our lives -- our lives are ours to live. I cannot imagine any god of any path desiring that we wipe out non-believers. I personally would not desire to follow such a god.<br />
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If a person is caught up in a spiritual path that makes mandates upon you to adjust your behavior and dress or be punished in this world and the next, then perhaps one should look up the meaning of a cult. When one loses their autonomous individuality and must synchronize with the members of a group with rules from prophets, they are nothing more than a puppet attempting to mirror the lives and actions of others. To me that is failing at life. If you choose to give up the right to live and make choices in your life and instead deliver all your decisions over to elders of a religion or even to a god then you have abandoned your gift of life. You are not living you are existing in fear and failure because those religions will have you believe that you are unworthy and must strive under the yoke of sins committed before you were even born.<br />
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Chose your spirituality wisely, make certain it is truly your choice and not one of coercion or indoctrination, make certain you retain the right to think independently and able to act in accord with your personal conscience, that you fully understand what is asked of you and not blindly following because you *must* do it that way, and most importantly be the most loving and best person you can be on any path that you choose to follow -- love and honor your fellow man/woman and their right to live their lives under their own conscience.<br />
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Bright blessings to all,<br />
May those you pray to watch over you,<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-52280430462243883932015-02-21T16:54:00.003-08:002015-02-22T14:00:38.596-08:00My new Labradorite braceletI love the Earthbound store. Every now and again, I venture in and prowl around to see if there is anything that intrigues me. Today I made a nice haul. One of my trophies was a labradorite bracelet. I admit the setting is cheap but decorative and looks nice. The big deal for me was the stone. I LOVE labradorite. It is a very amazing stone with lots of metaphysical properties. I've included a photo of the bracelet. I'm sad to say that the photo does not do the stone justice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjW1JQoY96wS6_EPMgbMQj_t8gEJPQTtZOxPKDk6RXFhz8CHoUxmmLCH3q_fIeY4KbMp1EvLlegO8TZX0DyPPm4wZM8xKkltAOgfuTbbmtEsE5tWrZl0xHwpz5dYk7ltErwTWIQFC_3M/s1600/11015816_916184711763100_622437855_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjW1JQoY96wS6_EPMgbMQj_t8gEJPQTtZOxPKDk6RXFhz8CHoUxmmLCH3q_fIeY4KbMp1EvLlegO8TZX0DyPPm4wZM8xKkltAOgfuTbbmtEsE5tWrZl0xHwpz5dYk7ltErwTWIQFC_3M/s1600/11015816_916184711763100_622437855_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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This stone has incredible metaphysical properties. Did I say that already? It is a seer's stone for sure. Here's a link to a website that gives a good accounting of all the wonderful properties of this stone:<br />
<a href="http://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/labradorite" target="_blank">Crystal Vaults</a>. <br />
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If you don't already own a labradorite stone, I strongly encourage you to consider doing so. You will be very glad you did.<br />
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Bright blessings to all,<br />
May those you pray to watch over you.<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-31464037131653390382015-01-01T15:55:00.000-08:002015-02-22T14:09:15.623-08:00Distinction of Justice vs. RevengeA loved one and I were having a conversation over dinner and the topic of justice vs. revenge came up. The world is certainly full of a lot of drama and with the ability to instantaneously respond to things via cellphones, computers and internet, many people have failed to acquire the habit of thinking things through. They *react* to things instead of contemplating and then *taking action*. There truly is a big difference. I once heard the analogy that our emotions are a horse and we are the rider. We can let the horse buck and fight and race about madly, or we can tame them and ride them with control.<br />
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My loved one stated that when people claim they want *justice*, what they really mean is they want *revenge*. I reflected on that and to some degree he was correct. But then I decided there truly is a difference between *justice* and *revenge*. Revenge means you want to lash out at someone that has angered, wronged or injured you. You immediately think, well, doesn't justice mean exactly the same thing? Yes and no. Here is the distinction that exists in my mind.<br />
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<b>Justice</b> -- the desire to persecute/punish someone for a wrongful act but to do so "within lawful limits". A common statement would be "throw the book at them" or "punish them to fullest extent possible under the law". Is it a form of revenge? Certainly. But it is done within the boundaries and limits of the legal system.<br />
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<b>Revenge</b> - the desire to get even by whatever means it takes. No limits, no boundaries. That's a pretty scary thought. For instance, you accidentally cut someone off in traffic or circumstances forced you to do so. Or perhaps you were in a selfish hurry when you did it -- the reason you did it is irrelevant for purposes of this analogy. So, you cut someone off in traffic and the next thing you know, they are chasing you down the highway, trying to run you off the road, perhaps shooting at you. Or they follow you all the way to your destination and then confront you or sabotage your vehicle. This is revenge. This type behavior has become so common place that it has been given a special name -- *road rage*.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://journeyingtothegoddess.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/libra-moonmomma.jpg?w=374&h=498" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://journeyingtothegoddess.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/libra-moonmomma.jpg?w=374&h=498" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goddess Themis -<a href="https://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/goddess-themis/" target="_blank"> click here</a> to read more on her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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How would a justice oriented person handle the same situation? They might choose to get the tag number and call it in warning that someone is driving sporadically/dangerously. A justice oriented person would work within legal bounds.<br />
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While revenge wouldn't necessarily fit well in a Wiccan system that honors Harm None, I believe justice could fit nicely. I have a strong belief in being a law abiding citizen and when someone doesn't abide by the laws, I firmly believe that justice should be meted out. So absolutely, if someone harms me or mine, my belongings etc., I don't have a problem seeking justice within the legal bounds afforded me.<br />
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For some, this will all seem to be semantics, but for me, it is an important distinction. The lines between two sides of something are often blurred and subtle. It is our individual responsibility to find those lines and determine where we stand.<br />
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Bright Blessings to All,<br />
Rayven MichaelsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-4707944230137889972014-12-31T16:24:00.003-08:002015-02-22T14:09:49.762-08:00Happy New Year! & New Year's Resolutions #HappyNewYearI'll start by wishing everyone a Happy, Prosperous, Joyful and Healthful New Year!<br />
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It's common place to review the past year on New Year's Eve and then make resolutions for the upcoming year. For me, the key is to make *realistic* resolutions. I could make a resolution that I'm going to make $1 Million Dollars in 2015, but unless I sincerely have a plan to do it or am willing to work at making a plan to do it, such a resolution is pointless. What I could do though is say I'm going to work on my prosperity in 2015 and then figure out what that means and how I can accomplish it. I can spend less by trimming expenses so that I end up with more money. I could work more hours. I could switch jobs. There are lots of things I could do to increase prosperity. The point is, resolutions have to have a plan to back them up or else they are just wishes or just an activity to do on New Year's Eve.<br />
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Here are my resolutions for the New Year:<br />
<ul>
<li>Make sure my loved ones know how much they mean to me and that I love them</li>
<li>Find joy and happiness in all that I do</li>
<li>Find time to read everyday</li>
<li>Stay in touch with friends more frequently</li>
<li>Advance on my spiritual path</li>
<li>Always be open to opportunities in whatever form they present themselves</li>
</ul>
I may come up with more but these are a good start and are things that I should be able to realistically accomplish.<br />
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Happy New Year and Bright Blessings to All!<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-2911789918326059782014-12-30T04:22:00.001-08:002015-02-22T14:10:33.461-08:00GJOYful Bears: Woodland Fairy Tree House 95% Complete!What a GORGEOUS Fairy House! I am inspired to make one of my own! Wish me luck. It's a huge undertaking but it will be worth it! And I have some awesome ideas.... Enjoy the article.<br />
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<a href="http://gjoyfulbears.blogspot.com/2013/02/woodland-fairy-tree-house-95-complete.html?spref=bl">GJOYful Bears: Woodland Fairy Tree House 95% Complete!</a>: I have been working on creating a Woodland fairy tree house since September, between creating bears & dragons. The house is for my tin...</blockquote>
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Bright Blessings!<br />
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Rayven MichealsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-57107941934147255312014-12-26T10:28:00.001-08:002014-12-26T10:28:11.121-08:00Yule Celebration 2014I'm a little late posting this on the blog. I realized I posted it straight to FB but not on the blog. This year, our Yule/Christmas did not revolve around money and gifts. The only ones we did buy gifts for were the two tiny tot grandchildren. This wasn't because we were being Grinches or without Yuletide Spirit. We opted to lead by example and not celebrate this season as Commerce Day, something my husband is fond of calling it due to an old Mac Davis movie. And there is a lot of truth to how Yule/Christmas is marketed -- anyone ever heard of Black Friday? I have never participated and have no plans to ever do so. However, I have friends and acquaintances that consider it the kick off event of their holiday traditions. To each their own. ;) As Grandparents now, we have decided to make the holidays more about family, traditions and memories. I think we got off to a very good start this year.<br />
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We had a great time at our family Yule/Christmas party. We had a humble
meal of brown beans, fried potatoes, hot rolls, tabouli, sauerkraut
relish, pickles, salad, dressing & chicken gravy. Nothing fancy and
no meat -- was an awesome meal for me - one of my very favorites. In the
summer we have garden fresh fried okra too but we enjoyed it without
the okra. We played games and had a good time. The Christmas memories
game was really fun -- enjoyable to see what things people reme<span class="text_exposed_show">mber
and how they remember them. Then we played a game where everyone had a
tiny gift bag with their name on it -- everyone put an anonymous note
about each person in the bags. Then you had to read your notes and
figure out who said it to you. Handwriting was helpful unless someone
else wrote the notes. LOL Anyway, if you got it right, you got to take
some treats from the treat bowl to go in your gift bag. We had two
perfect scores that figured out who wrote every note about them. It was
fun to see what people said.
Was a great day finished off with GiGi being a rodeo bull for the
Grandkids to ride alternating with being a sheep for mutton busting. I
surely worked off all the calories from my meal because the kiddos
dearly love their bull riding! LOL</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Since my path is different than my family, I did a quiet ritual in my backyard later when I got home. All in all, Yule was simple and yet wonderful this year. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">I am already planning for next Yuletide Season with lots of ideas for activities. We have an unused house in town that I think should become our family gathering spot. Decorate it full out for the holidays and have get togethers there year round. Now I am on a quest to name it. But that shall be a addressed in a different post...</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Bright Blessings to All,</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">May Your Day be Merry and Bright,</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">Rayven Michaels </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-89568427306939727842014-12-25T19:27:00.000-08:002014-12-25T19:27:24.124-08:00Blinging my Blog #checkoutmynewblogcolorsI got a bit behind on blinging my blog and keeping up with the seasons. My old colors were wintery but it was definitely a spring look. So, I finally sat down and winterized the look. Check it out! I think it's pretty... of course. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-23186987086248017102014-12-25T18:15:00.003-08:002014-12-25T19:32:44.878-08:00Living Without ElectricityWe've all found ourselves some time or another without electricity. It could have been due to a citywide power outage, a downed pole during a storm or caused by a vehicle accident, perhaps a blown transformer, a limb ripping down the personal power line to your house, perhaps even an off-grid cabin camp out, OR the one everyone dreads, a payment issue with the power company. And then there is one more reason a person might find themselves living without electricity -- CHOICE. Electricity is involved in such a large portion of our lifestyle these days that many cannot even begin to fathom the concept of willfully choosing to be off-grid -- but there are plucky individuals out there that make that choice everyday. My hat is off to them.<br />
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Regardless of *why* a person is living without electricity and whether it is short term or long term, it's good to have some ideas on how to cope.<br />
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The first thing that comes to mind for many is a backup generator of some sort. Those are usually gas operated, expensive to run and are quite noisy. Still, some people choose this route.<br />
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But what if you want some simple low tech ideas on how to get by? I decided to collect a few ideas.<br />
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Something that makes no electricity appealing is that it cuts out all the distractions in the house -- no radio, no TV, no computers. I don't really watch TV and never really have because as a young adult I always lived in remote areas where cable wasn't an option and we couldn't get an antenna tall enough to catch the free signal. My childhood love of reading naturally carried into my adulthood. I never missed television. Even now that I live in the city and subscribe to cable, I rarely watch it. I have contemplated shutting it off but on occasion I do like to binge on HGTV and some of the gardening shows. But truthfully, if I didn't have television, I honestly wouldn't miss it. I would be harder pressed to forgo the internet -- I do LOVE my internet. But if I were completely honest, it is a huge distraction that keeps me from living life fully. There are many chores that get neglected because I fall down the hole on the internet -- and I couldn't blog! But I could make better use of my internet time so that I wasn't online as much and still be able to blog.<br />
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Now, let's get down to lighting ideas. Here are a few of my favorites:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Solar light spikes.</b> Our local Dollar Tree sells these little gems for $1 a piece throughout the year. I just have to get there at the right time to snag them. I have purchased some that didn't last long while others were an incredible bargain and very long lasting both in the length of light they provided and the length of time they worked. They could be charged during the day and then brought in at night and placed in vases to hold them up and used like a flameless light. The neat thing about using these is that other than the initial investment to get them, there is no expense to use them. Just lots of remembering to place them out to charge.</li>
<li><b>Vegetable oil lights. </b>I save my used cooking oil to be used for emergency lighting. There are numerous ways to do this but most involve putting the oil in a heat proof container inserting some sort of wick. I have seen olive oil suggested but that is quite expensive and I happen to like recycling. Here are a few videos giving ideas on how to do this:</li>
</ol>
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<ol> This next video shows an oil lamp with an open flame which I personally would place some sort of open ended *globe* over to both protect the flame from the wind and to keep children and pets safe and to avoid items from accidentally getting close to the flame.</ol>
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These are just a couple of ideas. I will be posting more. Living a simple, cost effective life that brings me and mine closer together and allows us to thrive and survive safely in hard times is a strong priority for me.<br />
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Bright Blessings to All<br />
Rayven MichaelsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-78305213473090940522014-10-11T11:44:00.001-07:002014-10-11T11:44:08.300-07:00Just Me Being MeJust a picture of me being me. Went to Halloween Village last night and ended up with this look. I kind of dig the retro red cats eye glasses in combo with the blue hair. And the neon witchy wench top just completed the look. LOL<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-56914863867796354902014-09-27T21:31:00.000-07:002014-09-27T21:31:06.194-07:00Alpha Gal Dangers - Served Beef by MistakeMy Alpha Gal Allergy keeps me ever on my toes. Today we frequented our favorite Mexican restaurant. It is my *comfort food* that I reach too when times are stressful and it has been one truly stressful week.<br />
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Today I ordered a cheese enchilada and chile relleno platter. I thought that would be a nice change from chicken. Me eating chicken all the time make me feel sort of like Forest Gump eating Bubba Gump Shrimp - boiled, fried, stewed... you know the drill if you've seen the movie. :)<br />
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Anyway, as I was gabbing at hubs, I took a big bite of what was supposed to be my cheese enchilada, only horror of horrors, I found myself gnoshing on a big mouthful of beef and cheese enchilada. I know, I should have been more careful and looked at it before it went in my mouth but I was in unwind mode.<br />
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Six hours have passed now and no hive episode so I think I'm in the clear. Phew! But I'm keeping the epi pen close at hand just in case....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-67040748873330194542014-09-20T21:27:00.001-07:002014-09-20T21:27:21.741-07:00Natural Psychic Abilities Used Daily<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TM0ONwjC1YM" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-8789624340685935532014-07-29T09:40:00.000-07:002014-07-29T09:40:03.226-07:00Alpha-Gal / Red Meat Allergy -- What is it? #Alpha-Gal<div class="tr_bq">
As some may already know, I was recently received a preliminary diagnosis of red meat allergy also called mammalian meat allergy which is caused by an allergic reaction to a sugar present in red meat called galactose-alpha-1, 3- galactose, aka Alpha-Gal for short. This allergy is kicked off by bites from the Lone Star tick commonly found on deer. Living in Oklahoma, tick bites are a common occurrence if you are a country dweller or spend time outdoors. It is a given that you will experience a tick bite at some time. We have all been alerted to watch for telltale signs of Lyme Disease including the bulls eye rash, aches fever, etc., but never would I have thought my horrendous hives to an *unknown* food might be remotely related to a tick bite.</div>
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Although my allergist believes there is a strong probability that I have this affliction, I won't know with certainty until testing later this month. Either way, this experience has brought this disabling allergy to my attention and I am spreading the info far and wide in case there are others out there suffering without any idea what the problem is. Perhaps this will help connect the dots.</div>
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The positive outcome of this situation for me is that it has pushed me to work on my diet and make some long over due changes for a healthier lifestyle. If I get to put red meat back in my diet at some point, hurrah! If not, I'm going to be okay.</div>
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Here is an excerpt from the University of Virginia website that discovered the connection between tick bites and mammalian meat allergy. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763;">What exactly is this mammalian meat allergy?</span></b></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;">When certain people are bitten by ticks or chiggers, the bite appears to set off a chain of reactions in the body. One of these reactions is the production of an allergic class of antibody that binds to a carbohydrate present on meat called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, also known as alpha-gal. When a person with the alpha-gal antibody eats mammalian meat, the meat triggers the release of histamine. Histamine is a compound found in the body that causes allergic symptoms like hives, itching and, in the worst case, anaphylaxis (a reaction that leads to sudden weakness, swelling of the throat, lips and tongue, difficulty breathing and/or unconsciousness).</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;">In addition to the classic allergy symptoms, some of our patients report significant gastrointestinal distress or gynecological symptoms. These symptoms can take the form of abdominal cramping and pain, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting and in some cases uterine cramping with spotting. It is not uncommon for a patient who has anaphylaxis to lose consciousness while moving their bowels. Some patients have reactions that are characterized almost entirely of GI or gynecological symptoms while others may not experience these types of symptoms at all.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;">This allergy is different from other food allergies like peanut allergy in that the response is delayed. Unlike someone with a peanut allergy who has an immediate reaction when they eat a peanut, people with the alpha-gal allergy usually do not start having symptoms until several hours after they eat meat.</span></blockquote>
<b>For the complete article, visit:</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://allergytomeat.wordpress.com/frequently-asked-questions/" target="_blank">Frequently Asked Questions - A Resource on the Mammalian Meat Allergy from the University of Virginia </a></span></b><br />
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Bright Blessings and Blessed Be,<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-45071965742789665112014-07-27T17:33:00.000-07:002014-07-27T17:33:15.531-07:00My Vegetarian Efforts this WeekWell, I have spent the past week eating vegetarian -- mostly. I did have a lapse and eat some bacon today. I LOVE bacon. I am so thankful it didn't trigger an anaphylactic shock episode. I won't be eating it again anytime soon. There was a time I would have gladly eaten it daily but now it might end up being never....sigh. Perhaps since it is pork I will do okay but I don't want to risk my life to see. I am considering my lack of reaction a free pass that I better not push my luck on.<br />
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The rest of the week I ate lots of veggies. I ended up cooking a big pot of rice with lentils and using that as a base for various stir fry bases. I've enjoyed it but several days of basically the same thing in a row gets boring. I know, that is a shameful statement since there are people in the world that would gladly eat the same things over and over just for the opportunity to have anything to eat at all. But since I am blessed to have options, I want to exercise them.<br />
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So, today, I bought a cookbook called "Vegetarian Indian Food & Cooking". I have to say I am looking forward to trying some of the recipes. :) I love flavorful food with lots of textures and spices. I am especially interested in the bean cake/dumpling type foods so that I have a quality protein source if I am going to be absent meat.<br />
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I'll be sure to take pictures of my efforts in recreating recipes from this cookbook. Wish me luck. And send some luck to my Hubs too -- he is surely quaking in his shoes wondering what foul things might be pushed at him as I scramble to recreate my diet in the interests of good health and living.<br />
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Bright Blessings and Blessed Be!<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-16590473741790561152014-07-24T17:29:00.000-07:002014-07-24T17:29:01.025-07:00Call to All: Pray for Peace Vigil on Sunday - July 27 -- #PrayForPeaceWherever you are, whatever you might be doing, take a moment on Sunday, July 27 and let's all join together and *<b>Pray for Peace</b>* in whatever way you choose to pray - whether to deity or the universe or merely put out the energy and intent for peace to the world and to those in need. Do it anytime during the day or night on July 27 that is convenient for you to do so. Post a comment when you have done so and let me know where in the World you were. <b>Let's push some Peace out into the world!</b><br />
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Here's a little *mood* music if you'd like to listen to something when you do your Prayer for Peace -- It is *country music* and it has a *Christian flare* but the sentiment is awesome and is the same for all no matter what path we walk. I love the bagpipes at the beginning... ;p<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Pray for Peace! <3</span><br />
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Bright Blessings and Blessed Be<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the Midwest<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-40591521279239994992014-07-23T12:06:00.000-07:002014-07-23T12:12:21.102-07:00My Preliminary Diagnosis of Allergy to Beef due to Tick Bites!Wow! I have a preliminary diagnosis of BEEF ALLERGY caused by TICK BITES! This really set my head to spinning.<br />
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I recently had a life-threatening anaphylactic shock episode. I have experienced horrendous hive episodes since I was 14 yrs old and never really been able to settle on the cause, although we have always believed it was food related. I thought perhaps it was due to coconut or paraffin wax because the first time it happened I had eaten some homemade coconut balls made by my cousin. As years went on, I would have a series of episodes and then it would go dormant and not bother me at all for months or even years.<br />
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Oddly enough, I began to eat coconut pies, candies, fresh coconut, and dried coconut fresh out of the bag when cooking. No problems whatsoever! So there went my coconut theory. So, perhaps paraffin then which shouldn't be a problem I thought because I never eat paraffin -- that I know of anyway.<br />
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And yet, the hives would come back. I would wake up in the middle of the night to horrendous scratching and clawing and torture of hives. So WHAT was IT kept running through my mind. On one particularly nasty episode, I had eaten some cheap generic chips that we had bought for a barbeque. They were cooked with *palm oil* it said, so I decided *palm oil* was the demon that torments me. So I quit eating any chips that had the word *palm oil* anywhere on the label. Plus it helps that I'm not a HUGE chip eater. Just an occasional one -- usually holidays or a cook out, and I don't attend that many cookouts. So all was well for a number of years.<br />
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But they always came back unexpectedly!!!! Like an evil attacker in the night. And even worse, they accelerated in intensity and began to swell my lips and tongue. Now it was getting scary but I was always able to ride it out. Benadryl pills and liquid Benadryl became a staple emergency supply in our household. But even that eventually was not enough to save me.<br />
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In May, I ended up in the Emergency room fighting to breath. I had taken 5 Benadryl tablets in desperation and believe it or not, they gave me MORE Bendadryl after I was admitted. And followed that up with Epinephrin. The doctor grimly told me I had something that was nothing to play around with. I needed to find the source of my allergy because next time it could very well KILL me. That got my attention. I promptly made a doctor appointment to get a referral to an allergist.<br />
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Luckily I hadn't eaten a lot of things on the fateful day of my emergency room incident so I had recorded it all and kept it for the doctor. There were two odd items that I took a sample bite of only that I had never consumed before in my life. But that wouldn't explain all the past history. There had to be something I wasn't seeing. Perhaps a combination of things that is deadly for me. But what things?<br />
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When I got in to see the allergist nearly 8 weeks later, she saw a pattern immediately, and promptly warned me she was going to ask a very odd question of me..... had I been bitten by ticks recently and throughout my life. YES! I had. And then she asked, do you react to them with unusual intensity. YES! I do. They itch like the dickens and take FOREVER to heal.<br />
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Then she shared with me that she strongly suspicioned that I have an allergy called *alpha-gal* which is triggered by tick bites. Alpha-galactose is a sugar in mammalian meat that is in the fat as I understand it and therefore takes the body a while to digest it to the point that it breaks down and causes the reaction -- which takes 4 to 6 hours to happen and therefore, is why the middle of the night hive episodes after an evening meal of meat.<br />
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AND because I eat lots of cheese and chicken and not a lot of red meat, usually only very lean ground beef or a very occasional steak (like once every 2 or 3 years) when I do eat red meat, that explained why it wasn't a constant issue and was so sporadic. AND the fact that I have been a country dweller and outdoors person all my life, I do get bitten by ticks on an annual basis in the spring and summer. The nearer to a tick bite I consumed red meat, the more likely an episode would occur and the intensity to be severe because the tick saliva had sensitized my immunity system.<br />
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There is some contemplation that the allergy isn't permanent and goes away after a period of time -- IF no further tick bites occur to re-initiate the sensitization. In my case, however, the doctor has cautioned me that I should NEVER take the chance again because I live in an area where exposure to ticks is recurring and being bitten is inevitable. Given the severity of my last reaction, it wouldn't be worth the risk of dieing.<br />
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You may have noted at the beginning I said *preliminary* diagnosis, so this isn't confirmed until further blood work is done and other triggers are tested as well. But because of the severity of the issue, and the strong possibility of diagnosis, I have to live the next 30 days as though it were an absolute diagnosis. The upside is I get to try a lot of new foods. The down side would be, if it ISN"T a correct diagnosis, whatever it is that tries to kill me is still lurking out there. :(<br />
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So, what does that leave a person to do? I'm having to re-examine my diet and reinvent my menu which is long overdue with or without an allergy issue. It's going to be an interesting ride since I now have to source my protein from things other than mammalian meat.<br />
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Although I said *beef* allergy, it is actually ALL mammalian red meats AND although it is called *the other white meat*, pork is also out. So, no beef, no venison, no Elk, no pork (I LOVE Mexican carnitas...sigh....) -- If a tick will eat on it, I can't. UGH! The goods news is I can have fish, shelfish and chicken, ALL of which I dearly LOVE. The other neat thing is, this crisis is spurring me to finally do something I have considered for a long time -- to go vegetarian. I have a HUGE learning curve but I think I'm going to have fun with this adventure.<br />
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Today, I tried to make Dosas -- I didn't do too well. LOL But, hey, I'm an Okie in middle America so I am very uneducated to Indian cuisine. But I have eaten it often and LOVE it. They use lots of beans and legumes for protein sources which is also intriguing because those are dried items that a person could stockpile. If there was ever an emergency and food was a shortage, I would know how to eat very well and survive using dried goods. So, there's lots of upsides to this thing. :) It's all a matter of perspective.<br />
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If you don't know what Dosas are, they are a delicious crepe that is made from a batter using rice and lentils. Check out this article over on Veggie Belly:<br />
<h1 class="entry-title" style="color: #ff6600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 2.2em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.364em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.veggiebelly.com/2011/03/perfect-dosa-recipe.html" target="_blank">The Perfect Dosa Recipe (Rice and Lentil Crepes)</a></h1>
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I'll blog my progress as I go along.<br />
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Bright Blessings and Blessed Be,<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-40556568778621315652014-07-15T15:35:00.003-07:002014-07-15T21:00:21.628-07:00Children and the Mexican Border Crisis #MexicanBorderI try not to make posts on political issues because they are so volatile in nature, but I couldn't help but make this one. It is a plea to all to consider the wide and varied complexities to a tough issue our nation is facing.<br />
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What America has to remember is that *children* are our weakness -- we value them and pamper them in ways that other countries don't, won't or can't. As a consequence being spared from hardships and wars, our children are more mild and loving and have many perks and advantages that children of other nations do not. In other countries, children are *tools* -- they are sold into slavery, they are used as drug mules, they are even recruited and turned into militants. Children in such places can be deadly forces to be reckoned with as young as 7 or 8 yrs of age. It is horrendous and shaming, but it is the truth nonetheless. This is where our achiles heel is exposed -- if you wanted to invade the US, do not do it with an army -- send in the *children*. Many of the *children* crossing the Mexican border into the US are well above 7 or 8 yrs old -- more like teenagers and young adults. My heart bleeds for them, indeed it does. No child should have to live the way many children do whether in other countries or even children in the US that we turn a blind eye to and pretend does not exist in our Great Nation.<br />
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It is inevitable that the flow of children must be intercepted -- they must be checked for diseases that could cause epidemics if allowed to flow unchecked into the US; they must be checked for potential drugs hidden in their bodies to insure they are not *mules*; they must be intercepted to make certain they are not making their way into what equates to slavery in the agri-industry. They must be intercepted so that they don't become street people, homeless and hungry turning to theft or worse to survive. And they must be intercepted so that our already staggering economy does not plummet further than it already has. Do I begrudge these children a better life? Absolutely NOT. I wish every child on the planet knew love, health, happiness and had plenty to eat and toys to bring them joy.<br />
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Whatever is causing the problem of the influx of children crossing through the Mexican border needs addressed -- if America is the great nation that she claims to be, she would help Mexico and the home countries of the current influx of children address the underlying problems. If Mexico is guilty of opening its borders to 72 hour visas to allow immigrants from other countries to cross through without tendering its own aid to them other than to help them attempt to enter America illegally, that needs addressed. While the focus of the Nation is on the Mexican border, children in Chicago are living in a war zone, terrified to come out to play. But a blind eye is turned to that because it makes our Nation look bad while welcoming *refugee* children crossing the border is great humanitarian sound bytes. The issue has the nation at war among themselves -- those pounding the drum to stem the tide versus those pounding the drum to welcome the children with open arms. There are no easy answers.<br />
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America can only hold and sustain so many people before it hits a breaking point - how far away is that breaking point I do not know. But if there are scarcely jobs for the children leaving high school how much less jobs will there be if a neighboring nation pumps unwanted children across the US border, whether their own poverty stricken citizens or refugees from other countries? It is an extremely complex issue that must be looked at from all angles and not just a few. A big issue raised is how vulnerable our border is -- as I said before, any hostile entity with a warlike agenda has only to recruit a child army and send it in and we as a nation will be ill prepared for that scenario because of our moral high ground regarding children. We think of them as innocents -- sometimes they are not. Sometimes they are hardened, brainwashed products of a cruel environment and regime. It is a sad day when we must recognize that sometimes children could be wolves in sheeps clothing -- seeming innocents that could rise up and wreak wilful havoc. Am I saying that is the case with the children currently crossing the Mexican border into the US? I have no way to know -- I truly hope not, for thier sake and ours. But it should cause America pause for cause -- all peoples throughout the world do not share common values. And many have been trained to exploit weaknesses of their foes. America will never be capable of recognizing children as foes -- it is why so many of our soldiers come home mentally broken from war -- being confronted with children the same ages as their own fighting them in battle with weapons of destruction.<br />
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I wish I had answers. I truly do. The world is a complex place and there are no easy answers to its issues.<br />
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All I can say in closing is, Americans be kind to one another as you debate these issues. It is something that effects all of us and some more than others. Put your voices together for resolutions and solutions rather than name calling and angery blasts. We are the *United* States -- lets try to be *united* -- stand together to solve the problems WITHIN the US as well as those issues from without.<br />
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Bright Blessings to all....<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-90512893925264301692014-07-10T08:56:00.000-07:002014-07-10T08:56:04.145-07:00Making a difference...Making a difference....something we hear about a lot -- something we strive for. Sometimes we don't quite know how. Sometimes there are people who get so caught up in making a difference they don't really make any difference at all.<br />
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There is a person on FB that is quite outspoken to the point of hostile, crude and vulgar rants. She posts videos of violent world events and then rants at the world for being stupid enough to allow it to happen. But if she is in the world and she too did not stop it, then how are others worse than she? She rants that others are at sports events or home safely etc. living their lives with blind eyes and doing nothing -- but what is she doing? She is sitting behind a computer, scouring the internet for ugly events and then screaming at the world for allowing it to happen. But how is HER actions making a difference? Is it because she is calling attention to it? That by making people aware of the problems? Like we don't know or can't read? But how is the ugly tyrades supposed to motivate people to rise to help?<br />
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If a person wants to make a difference and has a cause they are championing, then tell me how I can help but don't rant at me and tell me how stupid I am because something happened across the world that I didn't stop and that I should be ashamed because I was in the safety of my own home eating ice cream or some such action while a heinous act went down. We can only make a difference within our sphere of influence. Figure out what your sphere of influence it, figure out the issues you can influence and do so. And for goodness sakes, pull people into helping instead of cussing them and alienating them.<br />
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Activists ACT -- Attacktivists just RANT. Activists make a DIFFERENCE -- Attacktivists just make ENEMIES.<br />
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Please people, when you champion a cause, try to truly make a difference and not just a big word splash that makes you feel better. Being bitter and ugly and shouting obscenities at people just contributes to the problems of the world and alienates those that might otherwise help. And always remember, "<i>Be the change in the world you wish to see." </i>Lead by example.<br />
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Bright Blessings and Blessed Be,<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the MidwestUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421829820532443953.post-7838197703506614662014-07-07T19:09:00.001-07:002014-07-07T19:21:20.228-07:00Public Face / Private Face -- Do the two ever meet?One thing I notice is that people have a public face and private face -- amusingly enough, that actually equals being two faced. I know when there are people we don't know, we might *scope out* or *creep* depending on the catch phrase of the generation you come from, to see what someone is like. I like to think that I pretty much post on my Facebook and my blog things that accurately reflect who I am. But that might not be true of all people. <br />
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I did a blog post on the Hobby Lobby ruling and remarked on the fact that it was based on religious principals awarded to a corporation and that this ruling could open up an entire can of worms with unintended consequences. Most notably that while that pendulum is swinging in the Christian direction and the higher religious percentage stands momentarily appeased, they will not be so happy when that double edged sword cuts both ways -- meaning that other religions can impose their religious beliefs into corporations and limit the lives others with beliefs that are contrary to their staunchly held Christian religious beliefs. Those happy with the ruling will not comprehend this until a situation bites them and trust me it will because it is the nature of people to exploit loop holes. I have worked in attorneys offices for nearly 30 years -- all cases are based on what a person can find a way to do within the law even if it is deemed morally wrong. Nothing is important until it becomes personal to someone. And this too will be the way of the Hobby Lobby ruling.<br />
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Because it is a hotly debated topic and people from many different groups are posturing on it -- Christians, Liberals, Conservatives, LGBT, Feminists, etc. -- it was pretty much a given that if someone happened on my blog post, there would be comments and very likely backlash at my position. And so there was. Firstly, the guy's comment was negative and derogatory -- he called me names and accused me of being a whore that should pay for my own birth control. I wondered what kind of person he was and decided to take a peek at the sort of stuff on his Google+ page. It was very bewildering. On the one hand, he posted lots of positive Christian stuff, and he posted other anti-religious stuff. He was anti-Obama. This all lead me to think he most likely is a conservative. Then I see that he also has very sexist videos regarding women -- hmmm, that would lead me to think he is anti-feminist and holds women in low regard except in a very sexualized way. It was a very disturbing mixture of posts that truly didn't show him to be a very well balanced person.<br />
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The one thing I did wonder is, if he isn't a Facebook friend, and he isn't a blog follower, how on earth does someone like him even find an obscure post like mine on the internet out of the millions and millions that must have posted that day? And why feel compelled to call me ugly demeaning names? He didn't post any thoughts behind what made him uphold his position other than he clearly felt if I was against the Hobby Lobby ruling that I was for sex without consequences which makes me a whore and I should have to pay for that. Wow! And these were words from a man that is holding himself out to be a Christian. And that is the crux of it right there -- it isn't so much Christianity that is flawed as it is some of the flawed individuals that follow it and the way the twist it up and represent it. Certainly *every* Christian is not flawed so, but when the vocal majority are, it is a very sad and very bad reflection on Christianity. I guess it is what it is.<br />
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I gave him a polite response and corrected his misunderstanding of me and my post. But it was all for naught. I do believe he was just a drive by negative poster that will never return to my blog page. And I have to say, he will not be missed. I don't have a problem debating issues or listening to the many and varied opinions on things -- who knows, they might even change my mind if they state their case well enough -- but I do have a problem with outright rudeness and hatred. The world is full of far too many of that type. I can get along with people that are different but being expected to tolerate people who are outright abrasive, rude and closed minded is more than should be expected of any person.<br />
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I wish him well. Perhaps he will live long enough for wisdom to cure his illness of ignorance and that his closed mind will crack open to embrace that there are more than just him in this world. We can hope.<br />
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Bright Blessings and Blessed Be<br />
Rayven Michaels<br />
Wiccan Witch of the Midwest<br />
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