The Angel Ladies

Tapestries

2012-01-22T20:56:00.001-05:00

Today in NOTL: Cold, pretty much seasonal...at 8 p.m. we're at 26F/-3C...but it will be warmer tomorrow.

It's been an interesting new year so far. I spent most of it sick but am so much better. It seems as though everyone has been sick since the holidays! So many people have told us the same old story - got sick right after the holidays and have had a tough time getting through it. I think I got off lucky!

Through my illness though, I have been very fortunate: my sweet cat has been sticking close to me, curling up beside me when I was in bed or on the back of my chair when I was sitting up. She's gotten a lot calmer since January - she even lets me pet her little paws and tummy, which is new for her. Usually she shifts her position and protects herself, but now, after 13 years, she's quite relaxed and calm as I pet her little paws and tell her what a good girl she is. Rescue animals sure need patience, lol.

Isn't it interesting how things go in cycles? Over the course of my illnesses, Deb has done a lot of healing work on me, for which I am profoundly grateful. Deb used to do a lot of healing work when she was a parish priest and now she's missing it.

I totally understand that. If you are able to relieve someone's pain, speed their return to health, and assist them to take meaningful steps to their healing, well...wow, that would be great! I don't think I ever really had a burning desire to heal, but experiencing the difference Deb's healing efforts have made in my own life, I am more than appreciative.

Deb has been re-evaluating the various healing modalities she's worked with over the years, seeing what has served her clients best and what has been less valuable to them. What she has done is to refine several healing techniques and therapies, integrating them into a seamless process.

She's tried it out on me several times, most notably in November, when a cold developed into severe respiratory problems. Even simple things would leave me gasping for air, triggering panic attacks - something I'd never ever experienced. Debilitating and terrifying, they left me fighting to breathe and afraid to do anything that might trigger another bout of gasping.

That was the first time she used the integrated system she'd devised to assist me. Over the course of two days, she gave me four treatments - and that was the last of the panic attacks. I was able to move more easily, breath more deeply, and the panic attacks were gone. Grateful didn't begin to describe my response!

So now, Deborah is planning to make herself available for healing in NOTL and the surrounding areas. Watch the newsletter for more info!

Chocolate - yum and yuck

2012-01-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

Today was cold, with just a bit of snow. Windy outside at 10 p.m.

The nice thing about knowing folks who work in the restaurant biz is that you know which places are clean and good to patronize - and which are not. We have inside scoops on many of the restaurants in Niagara-on-the-Lake and also a couple in Niagara Falls.

If you are coming to Niagara region, we can recommend with confidence Peller Winery restaurant and the Irish Harp, and Stone Road Grill. We have enjoyed their food and have never heard complaints about the quality of food or service from these. They seem utterly committed to excellence, from our observation and experience.

If you are looking for good candy, we wholeheartedly recommend Laura Secord Chocolates, located at the Pen Center in St. Catharines and Niagara Square in Niagara Falls. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, visit the Maple Leaf Fudge shop on Queen Street. We have enjoyed their candy and found the owners to be committed to quality and excellence in their product. We find other candy shops to be wildly overpriced for only so-so quality candy and their products haven't always seemed freshly-made.

I'm back at work, so be watching for a newsletter next week - and if you are not on the list, you can subscribe here.

Happy New Year, Friends!

2011-12-31T01:43:00.000-05:00

Today in Notl: A mild New Year's Eve today, with a high of 41F/5C and tonight's low only around 32F/0C.

As the New Year approaches, I am considering what resolutions to make, if any. Of course, the usual tempt me: lose weight, be more organized, take time for self, let my nails grow out, etc. etc. They don't appeal, though, as they all focus on what I'm doing wrong. So I asked the Angels for input. "What should I focus on in this new year?" I asked.

I was rather surprised to hear the answer. "Enjoy yourself more," they told me. I wondered if they meant for me to spend more time in play. They approved of playtime, as they approve of all things that increase our joy, but that was not what they meant.

"Enjoy your Self more," they explained. "Celebrate your self in your human imperfection and struggles as well as in your successes. Enjoy your talents and skills, but enjoy your development and growth as well, despite the challenges they create. Enjoy the personality you wear in your human guise, and enjoy the aspects of your eternal spirit that occasionally rise to the surface. Enjoy your Self, for Creator does so, always!"

So. Enjoy the Whoever-we-are-ness of ourselves. It's not always easy to enjoy the Jean-ness of me, but I will try harder.

And, in all my Jean-ness, I am not satisfied with only that resolution, so I think I will devote more time to my Etsy shop (absolutejeanius.etsy.com) and art generally. That should keep me out of trouble!

We Angel Ladies with a Happy New Year to all, and may the new year bring you only blessing! You - our clients, customers, friends, and visitors - are in our prayers every day without fail.

Now for New Year's!

2011-12-28T12:50:00.000-05:00

Today in NOTL: Cold and cloudy, with noon temps 22F/-5C, but the wind makes it feel more like 9F/-13C - brrr!

There's no snow forecast for today, but I'm seeing a snowflake every few seconds out there...so who knows? It reminds me of snowfall back home in Louisiana when I was a very young child. I remember Mama calling me to the window where she held my sister, only a few months old, and telling me it was snowing. I didn't see any snow but she encouraged me to look harder for something white in the air. It took awhile but I finally saw a flake or two falling before it turned to rain. Other years, it was easy to see the snow, and in a few memorable years, it was a respectable snowfall even by Canadian standards.

Had an interesting experience: a long-time client booked a reading and asked to use her time for a part-year ahead reading. In the thirty minutes, we covered six months. It made sense to me, as the farther you move from the present,the more outside energies affect the course of events, making near-time readings more accurate than longer term. I loved her idea so much that I gave her the reading free!

In a usual Year-Ahead reading, the first three months are usually studied in greatest depth, with subsequent months focusing more and more on the supportive and obstructive energies of each. At my client's request, we spent nearly equal time on all six months and it worked beautifully. The price was considerably less expensive than a full Year-Ahead reading, too, at less than half the cost. If you're interested, check my Year-Ahead Readings page.

In other news...Keep watching my Etsy page...I'll be uploading a few items today and this week. First to upload is a set of three 4x5 canvas collages which honour the stages of a woman's growth and which also reflect the maiden/mother/crone aspects, if you see the stages in that light.

I was delighted to observe an artist friend examining the piece, thinking it was encaustic (covered in wax). It isn't - I have been working to develop a sealing method that would have the look of wax without its fragility. I know, I know: wax artworks have survived the centuries, that's true. BUT wax is subject to deterioration due to heat, scratches, denting, etc. All art is fragile to some extent, but I just don't like the idea of the sealant adding another layer of fragility to an artwork I've laboured over for many -in this case- weeks.

So, that will be going up as well as some hand-painted original bookmarks. I have really enjoyed painting them over the past month or two, and gave a few as Christmas gifts. The wonderful reception they received has encouraged me to offer them via the web. I'll be offering a few other items as well, so check it out!

The Angels' End of the Year Message

2011-12-26T13:52:00.001-05:00

Today in NOTL: Cold with noonish temps a breezy 37F/3C under cloudy grey skies

Message for the End of the Year

Dear Ones,
After the festivities of your holiday, you experience the angst of the year's ending. You prepare to welcome the new year with joy, but within your heart is the inevitable tallying of the year now closing.

What have you accomplished? What have you failed to do? What dreams have lain untended, what goals unmet? As such thoughts fill your mind, it is easy for you to become morose and regretful.

Beloveds, there is no cause for regret!

Everything in your life serves the great and noble purpose of your growth and development, of your greater appreciation for and alignment to Love. Of necessity, then, even those actions which disappoint you are not mistakes but merely steps along your path to greater wisdom.

As you look back upon the year now ending, it is good to recommit to the goals and dreams you have not yet brought to life. Do not stop at this point, Beloveds, but continue examining your life.

What loving actions have you taken? What efforts have you made to better the world in which you live? How deeply have you cared? What sacrifices have you made for the good of others, and how vigilantly have you regarded yourself through eyes of loving appreciation and
understanding? How well have you loved yourself and others?

Beloveds, remain grounded in love, regarding all things through this benign lens, and you have much indeed to celebrate!

A Gift at Christmas

2011-12-24T19:51:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! Here is a story from my early teaching days, a story of the tremulous beauty of a child's trust and innocence. I hope you enjoy it.

It was the late 70s, and I was a young white teacher in a school riddled with problems. The facilities were poorly maintained, the ‘old guard’ among the faculty were shockingly blase, and the racial tensions among the black, white, and native American students often escalated into serious fights involving many students.

Having been raised relentlessly democratic by my parents, taught to respect all people and to look out for those on the fringe, the underdogs, I entered my classroom filled with ideals that frankly amused the teacher next door - a man with nearly twenty years experience who prided himself on doing as little work as he could. “Don’t wear yourself out,” he advised me. “The A students will get make sure they get their A’s, the flunkies will keep on flunking.” He shrugged.

His casual dismissal of the students floored me, which only made me part of his routine when I entered the lounge at my planning period. The last hour planning period was a plum planning time, and the other teachers were all veterans who’d ‘earned’ the perk. The teacher I replaced had been one of them but since her promotion to the central office had been made after scheduling had been completed, I had inherited her schedule with its prized end-of-day planning period.

If a school could have a happy hour, the last hour planning period was it. Little work was done by the vets, who chose to chat and party before going home. They viewed me as a newbie to be enriched by their perspective , and my neighbour teased me mercilessly for my idealism, working habits, and passion for teaching. “Here comes Porche,” he’d say. “She’s going to change the world, starting with 110 [my classroom number].   Come sit here and change mine!” He’d leer teasingly and pat the chair beside him while the others would laugh at my red face. And so it went.

In the classroom, I devoted myself to teaching not only reading but respect. I taught ladies and gentlemen, I asked for rather than demanded their participation, I recognized a raised hand with ‘Yes, sir?’ or ‘Yes, ma’am?’ I looked for opportunities to apologize to students, something other teachers seemed never to do. I was determined to have a classroom in which every student felt affirmed, validated, and free to risk trying - so many had given up long before I met them. In a school where my students - all too familiar with abuse and violence and disrespect already - were at the mercy of teachers like my neighbour whose casual dismissal and racism went unchallenged by the establishment, it wasn’t easy.

My dad was a union man who taught me that there were no small jobs, only small minds. The behaviours of other teachers at my school offended me, frankly, when I saw the state of their classrooms. Trash cans overflowed, with trash paper in corners, in aisles, spilling from the shared desks. The students, copying the behaviour of their teachers, treated the cleaning staff like servants; I hated seeing the men and women silently pushing the soft mops down the hall, ignored by staff and students.

Not here, I promised myself. Not in 110. All paper went into the trash can and when it filled, I sent a volunteer to empty it into the large can at the end of the hall. Paper on the floor?   If it was large enough to see, it was large enough to pick up and place in the trash can. “The cleaner is not your mama and not your servant,” I told the students. “She’s a working woman and deserves respect. We show her respect by making her job easier when we can and thanking her for her work on our behalf.”

It was a new idea for them. Like the teachers, they called her by her first name, something which in the South was recognized as a mark of familiarity or low status. I knew which it was, and I didn’t like it, so I called all the cleaning staff by title and surname. After all, they called no teacher by his or her first name, so why should we not accord them the same respect? The cleaners pooh-poohed the formal terms of address, but I was firm: I was setting an example.

All was not love-light-peace, though. My students were understandably suspicous, and my own stubborn personality did not allow me to overlook in one what I could address in another. Nor did it allow me to back away from a confrontation. Eventually, though, they realized that, firm as I was - and by firm I mean absolutely unyielding when I felt I was right - I was committed to fair play, equality, and the students themselves.

Some of the students got it quickly and became supporters; other students, more beaten by life, were slower to recognize my sincerity. One student, Robert, had gotten it quickly. A small boy, he faced some backlash for what other boys viewed as capitulation, but he was undaunted.

By Christmas, the room was festive with bright colours and sparkles. The mood was warm and relaxed as we worked our way through Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with a promise to let them watch an authentic version - as opposed to a cartoon version - when we finished.

One day, Robert came in bubbling with excitement. “Guess what, Miss Po’?” he asked. Beaming, he told me that he was part of a small group of singers who would be performing at the Christmas service at his church. “We’re going to sing, ‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee,’” he finished proudly.

I congratulated him and commented that I was not familiar with that particular carol. “It’s a spiritual,” he corrected me. “I can sing it for you,” he offered. I was delighted and accepted gladly, telling the class to quiet down for a holiday treat.

Robert went to the front of the class, calling a few names as he went. “Y’all come help me sing,” he ordered. “Y’all go to my church, you know it.” They demurred, hesitant to have their worlds blend in 110.

One of my girls got up. “I’ll sing with you. C’mon, boy,” she demanded, passing a few slaps to reluctant fellows as she went to the front of the room. In a moment, I had five black children standing hesitantly beside Robert, who took expert control.

“Y’all clap with me,” he told the class and began to clap. Then he began to sing the old song. I caught my breath with the purity of the children’s innocence as they sang, these children who knew far too much about sex and drugs, who had personal experience of violence and racism and inhumanity - yet who sang with a touching hope that hadn’t yet died.

The doorway filled with passers by who stopped to listen, and we all clapped enthusiastically when they finished. “Encore! Encore!” I called, explaining that I wanted them to sing it again.

They did, joined by a few of the students who’d refused earlier. This time they sang with even greater ease and comfort as they swayed and sang to our clapping, Robert doing a solo that would have done any Gospel singer proud.

Applauding, I went to the front of the room to shake their hands and thank them. “Aw, Lord, we made Miss Po’ cry!” exclaimed one of the girl singers.

“I only cry when something is really really REALLY good,” I told her and the beaming singers returned to their seats. I settled the class - who wanted to spend the hour singing instead of reading - reflecting that I too had been sent, sent to these young people for whom it was safer not to care.

We got back to Dickens, although I think he played second fiddle after my students had gifted us with their song. Of all the holidays I celebrated with my students, this shining day was the best: the day my kids opened a door and let me peek into the tender hearts they hid so carefully.

Here is a children's choir singing the same song.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T13:39:00.003-05:00

Christmas Eve in Niagara-on-the-Lake: clear, sunny, 32F/0C.

In honour of Deb's dislike of The Christmas Shoes song...

The Christmas BoozeThe Christmas Shoes

Comin’ up on Christmas eve, here I’m waitin’ in a stupid line
Looking for a hostess gift, wondering if I dare to skip out
Standing right in front of me, a well-dressed fellow anxiously
looking around, a bit confused
and in his hands he held some Christmas booze.

And his clothes were rich and fine,
every hair combed into place,
And when it was his turn to pay
I couldn’t believe what I heard him say.

“Miss, I want to buy this booze for my vicar please
It’s Christmas Eve and this booze is just her brand.
Could you hurry, please, I’ve got a long way to go
You see, she’s been ticked for quite a while
and I know some brandy would make her smile
And I want her to be mellower when she says Midnight Mass tonight.”

He set toonies down in a tidy stack
Then the cashier said, “Three more bucks you lack,”
He searched his pockets frantically
then he turned and he looked at me
He said, “Our vicar is the over-worked kind.
She needs some help so she can unwind.
Tell me, Sir, now what the hell can I do?
Somehow I’ve got to buy her this Christmas booze!”

So I lay the three bucks down, I just had to help him out.
I’ll never forget the look on his face when he said,
“Vicar’s gonna be so stewed!”

Miss, I want to buy this booze for my vicar please
It’s Christmas Eve and Hennessy X.O.’s her brand.
Could you hurry, please, I’ve gotta get to church on time-
You see, she’s been ticked for quite a while
and I know cognac would make her smile
And I want her to be mellower when she says Midnight Mass tonight.

I knew heaven's love was smooth like Hennessey
as he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that stressed vicar
To remind mewhat Christmas is all about.
@ 2011 The Angel Ladies

Artsy Day!

2011-12-12T13:39:00.000-05:00

Today in NOTL: At 1:30ish p.m.,we've got clear sunny skies and mild temps around 40F/5C.

I've set aside today for art, which is a good way to spend time when I'm battling a cold and not good for much else. I've been neglecting it for business, lately, so it will be fun to get back to it!

In the meantime, I've been working on articles and readings. It's time again to think about Year-Ahead readings! I love doing them and the repeat annual clients I have just shows me how valuable they are to others. I know how helpful they are to the Angel Ladies - I've been doing them for each of us personally and the Angel Ladies as an team for years and years!

If you are considering a Year-Ahead reading, have a 2012 calendar on hand when you call for your reading. Most calendars have spaces for notes for the month - use that space to record highlights of each month's details so you don't forget them. This tip comes from a client, actually, who called to tell me how helpful and accurate her reading was. She said she saw proof month after month as she read her notes and watched her month unfolding. I love getting happy comments like that.

Have I read for you? If so, consider sending me a testimonial at theangelladies [at] theangelladies [dot] com. Sadly, many of my testimonials didn't make it through the last computer crash. I love the angels, but their high energy plays heck with technology!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Did you catch the show?

2011-12-10T02:41:00.000-05:00

Yup, we're back on blogtalkradio! If you missed this morning's show about the Zechariah angel, check it in archive! Just scroll down to On-Demand Episodes and click the one for Friday, Dec. 9. Blessings to all!

Back in the Saddle...

2011-12-07T18:11:00.000-05:00

Today in NOTL: Cool and rainy with 4 p.m. temps of 36F/2C under twilight skies. Super!

Here at the cottage, we are busily getting ready for Christmas, making gifts and planning to get the place decorated for the season. Haven't begun listening to holiday music, but I've been enjoying holiday specials on tv.

I'm ready for Christmas. Last year, being the first holiday since we lost Dad, was bittersweet. This year should be better, though I know there will be a tear here and there.

In the meantime, I've been planning gifts. Many of my arty friends post their work on Facebook, and a group of them have a website called Wonderstrange.com where they sell their work - a mix of the deliciously strange and wonderfully whimsical. Also on their site are tutorials.

Now, I'm not much on tutorials, generally speaking - the reason for which will become clear shortly. Nevertheless, when my friend mentioned a watercolor tutorial, I was interested since I need all the help I can get, art-wise. So I checked, and omigosh, ornaments! I was entranced by them. They were oh-sooooo pretty and cool. I probably upped their webstats considerably, just going back to look and look.

The tutorial seemed clear and simple, so I decided to give it a shot. I printed out the templates and decided to try the crescent moons, so I traced it onto cardboard and carefully cut it out. I made a few of my own templates, too, and cut those as well.

Then I got a page of my precious 400 gsm watercolor paper, lovely thick stuff I've been hoarding as my supply of paper dwindles, and taped it down before painting my backgrounds. Watercolor dries lighter than it looks when wet, so they tell you not to be afraid of color as I usually am. Bearing that in mind, I was generous with color...

And then it dried. It was odd how the paint didn't actually lighten much at all. Well, I consoled myself, all my life I'd heard the expression 'blue moon' so my ornaments would just be REALLY blue moons. I carried on, cutting out my moons, drawing faces and adding dots.

It was then that I realized I'd cut all my templates facing the same way. The directions called for putting two moons back to back and stitching them together and so on. Needless to say, my all facing-left moons would not allow for stitching together. I had four front moons and no back ones.

So...necessity is the mother of invention, I hear. I'm not giving up. My moons will rise again! I'll post pictures when I figure something out...Cross your fingers!

Tidbit for the day: fruit flies are hardy little buggers. We received some fruit and voila - those annoying little flies that seem to accompany gifts of fruit. Schweitzer may have loved even the bugs but I am not that evolved. My fly swatter is at the ready should an opportunity develop!

Hope all is well - and fly free - wherever you are!

Collage...

2011-11-15T15:02:00.000-05:00

The black is simply a background...

2011-11-15T14:47:00.001-05:00

Yes, I haven't written in a while. Been tough, 'nuff said. Better now though and I'm back to painting! These are bookmarks I'm sending to the Elcho Christmas bazaar....

Whew!

2011-09-03T12:31:00.003-04:00

Today in NOTL: A beautiful end-of-summer day, with highs of 84F/29C under mostly sunny skies and a small chance of a smidgen of rain later.

Busy days! We've been working on plans for autumn offerings. Normally, we just plan such things out on our own, but we've been doing a lot of work with the Angels lately, so we invited them to our planning.

The Angels had a lot to say. While we tend to think in terms of workshops and courses - many of them extending over six weeks or more, their direction was for short short short. They also asked us to lower the fee so that more people could take the courses without dinging their budget.

The other thing they had to say was about me, personally. Before I was an Angel Lady, I was a teacher and academic therapist. I mentored young teachers and guided parents of dyslexic/ADHD/reading disabled/ornery students in my private practice. It was wonderful to be able to help students learn to read and comprehend, to study more effectively, to watch them earn grades that reflected their successful learning! I loved helping parents become more effective at home, guiding their children to more responsible behaviour in ways that honoured their choices without tolerating disrespect and chaos.

The Angels reminded me of the joy I had in my work, and it was indeed joyful and fulfilling. They noted that I will not return to the classroom as a teacher, but I can offer my assistance and expertise in other ways. To that end, I'll be offering my own stuff, possibly under the name Deb thought up for my artsy stuff: Absolute Jeanius. I see it as absolutely me-ness, but it plays on the phrase absolute genius which refers to a flash of insight. Insight is the name of the game of education, where we help kids find the genius within, so the name is a good fit for a lot of the things I do. There are a few others, though, under consideration.

So watch for the newsletter which we'll be sending out tomorrow or Monday! And in the meantime, have a wonderful Labour Day!

Deb's Birthday!

2011-08-31T11:15:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: Warm today, with a high of 77F/25C under partly cloudy skies. Luckily, there's a nice breeze, too.

Happy birthday, Deb! Hope it kicks off your best year ever!

Started the day with a lovely few moments reading poetry by E. E. Cummings. I need to spend more time reading poetry. If there's one thing I miss teaching, it's my poetry units (Fall in Love with Poetry and Poetry Springboard). I really enjoyed getting the kids excited about poetry and writing in general, actually. When we studied story structure, I'd get the kids writing their own story; I had to limit the story length to 15 pages (for my average and remedial classes and 30 for my honours class), single-spaced, because the kids had planned and plotted their stories so well the writing was fun. I used to have to hold them back from writing the stories because they'd get excited as we began the plotting process, but I'd make them wait till their story was completely planned. I really enjoyed that.

I'm thinking that today I'll do some writing of my own!

2011-08-30T12:03:00.001-04:00

Today in NOTL: Another mild day, with noon temps of 77F/25C, a light breeze outside, and sunny skies. Beautiful!

It's nearly Labour Day. School is already in session in many areas, and soon to begin here. I loved teaching, though I dreaded the first day of school as much as any student. Once I got past the first days of meetings and paperwork, though, I was in my element.

The worst days of school were ALWAYS the days of teacher meetings, when the administrators talked endlessly about the new trends they wanted us to incorporate into our teaching. Bleech. Most of the administrators in our community had only a few years of classroom experience; one honest principal, discussing his evaluation of my teaching, shrugged and said, "Let's face it: I can't tell you how to be a better teacher. I only taught three years before I became an assistant principal." He was still a rookie teacher when he was placed in charge!

I remembered that when I was watching The Talk last week. One of the guests was a woman who was violently opposed to the practice of 'last hired, first fired' when it came to teacher layoffs. "Why get rid of the most enthusiastic and energetic teachers?" she asked, and that does sound reasonable - until you think about the ramifications.

New teachers are undeniably younger than veterans and probably more energetic and enthusiastic. Do these make them better teachers though?

Let's move the discussion from the classroom to the hospital. New doctors are certainly younger and probably more enthusiastic and energetic than doctors with 10 or 20 years experience. Does that make them better doctors? Would you want a rookie surgeon operating on you?

As a veteran teacher, I didn't have the starry-eyed enthusiasm I had as a rookie. Instead, I had the competence and satisfaction of many years of successful teaching. I was enthusiasm, but I used it differently.

When I was a young teacher, I was more rah-rah in my approach and tried to get the students on board through the power of my own excitement and delight. Over the years, though, I learned how to generate THEIR enthusiasm not by being rah-rah myself, but by using discussion and activities and the sort of tricks and techniques good teachers learn - by experience and experimentation.

When I was a young teacher, the students' apathy and resistance had me gritting my teeth and promising myself a good cry when I got home. As an experienced teacher, I used their own apathy and resistance to break through to hope and willingness.

As an experienced teacher mentoring newbies, I know that 'last hired, first fired' is in the best interests of the students. Are their apathetic older teachers counting time to retirement? Certainly, but they are far fewer in number than the Talk's guest would like to indicate. Youth vs. experience? I'll take experience every time.

But school administrators and 'experts' are pushing this idea: "Let's keep the young, enthusiastic teachers and get rid of those fuddy-duddy old teachers who are locked into outdated teaching practices.' Administrators and education 'experts' certainly know the value of an experienced teacher, so why are they promoting this idea?

It's not about merit, though they may push that idea. It's not about excellence, either, or the welfare of the students.

It's about money. Although teacher salaries lag behind that of comparable professions, new teachers begin at the bottom of the pay scale. It's cheaper to employ a force of inexperienced teachers than to attract and retain a force of teachers with years of hard-won classroom expertise.

Like everyone else, schools are hurting for money. Where can they economize? The easiest way is to reduce the payroll - fewer teachers and fewer veterans. And who will suffer? The children, as always.

I was very disappointed to see this process promoted on The Talk. I hope people won't be fooled.

Back in the Saddle Again.....

2011-08-29T11:13:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: Sunny, with a few clouds, and mild. Today's high is a lovely 75F/26C with low humidity and a gentle breeze for fun. Another gorgeous day!

So now I'm feeling pretty much back - a little residual coughing, but otherwise ok. I'm doing readings again, which feels good.

I suppose I have to thank the awful cough syrup the pharmacist recommended for chest/bronchial issues. Having a history of allergy/bronchitis going back decades, I've taken a lot of cough preparations in my time. Prescription stuff, over the counter, natural remedies, home remedies - you name it, I've probably taken it at one time or another.

Other than my maternal grandmother's pineapple-lemon remedy for coughs and colds, cough syrup generally tastes awful. No matter what they add to it, it's all pretty much battery acid to me.

This new stuff, though - ! Omigosh, it set a new standard for disgusting. The first time I took it, it literally brought tears to my eyes. Think of a cesspool exploding on your tongue...and then filling your head with fumes that you can taste...that's the best I can describe it. As nasty as it is, though, it has worked better than other, more expensive preparations.

Moral of the story: Listen to the pharmacist!

Take Two!

2011-08-28T11:56:00.001-04:00

Today in NOTL: Cool and breezy, with our noon temp a brisk 68F/20C and winds at 18mph. A taste of weather to come!

So, back again, again! For new readers, this blog is written by Angel Lady Jean, though Deb makes the rare post at times. I apologize for taking so long to come back - this respiratory virus has been dragging on for weeks, and the coughing is just exhausting. New med is working beautifully, though, so that's a relief. Thank you so much, friends, for your prayers and good wishes. Greatly appreciated!

Being ill makes it hard to think and reflect or write or whatever. A lot of time is spent simply looking at the view from the window or watching tv or surfing the web - what we'd call wasting time, when one is well, seems to be the way of it when one is ill.

And what I've observed is that much of modern entertainment is based on conflict. Shows make book on whatever is rude, crude, and malicious. The infamous Jerry Springer show, back in the day, was largely ridiculed for its sensationalistic determination to highlight all that was low-class, ignorant, and ugly. Yet, here it is, still going strong, with other shows incorporating as much as they can of its approach to human drama.

Home shows are fun to watch, and a show I've enjoyed features a designer and realtor who work together to meet a homeowner's needs, giving the homeowner the choice of the current home now renovated or a new one. It was a fun show, but I notice that the recent offerings highlight conflict. Homeowners are rude and insulting; the two stars carp and snipe at each other.

Judgmental behaviour is a staple of day and nighttime dramas. On the soap opera I still watch, the 'good' characters are just as malicious and ugly as the 'bad' guys, but they preen and congratulate each other on how good they are. The real people on Big Brother are the same. Your actions, of course, are reprehensible - but when I do the same thing, it's noble and good. ?!

Other reality shows highlight ugliness as well. Storage Wars, a show about storage unit auctions, highlights ugly comments from arrogant businesspeople. Parking Wars, which follows parking authority workers as they enforce parking laws, highlights rude and ugly people. One might expect some frustration and even anger from owners of ticketed or booted cars, but I was amazed to see how often passersby insulted and abused the workers.

Unforgiveness has become a virtue, it seems, as the characters rail against their perceived enemies and keep their grievances raw and oozing - all, of course, while they ignore their own offenses. To remain in that place of unforgiveness, they must remain in the delusion of their own purity and goodness.

It's the Pharisee's approach to life: pose as the holy one, offering sacrifice in the temple and following petty laws, but keep hate and evil alive in the heart as you abuse others.

TV is a lot less entertaining than it once was. Thank goodness for books!

Back again...

2011-08-01T13:21:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: Warm but comfy, with a high of 86F/30C and only 55% humidity. Partly cloudy skies with a nice breeze. Gorgeous!

Thank you all for the prayers and healing energy...I'm doing much better. Still coughing a lot, usually through the night which is annoying (and tiring!), but I'm on the other side of it now.

One of the frustrations of being ill is not being able to read or write as usual. Between the fever and the respiratory issues, thinking just isn't my strong suit when I'm ill. As a result, I have spent a lot of the past month observing the view from the window and watching tv. Praying, too, but more on that another day.

TV, though...wow. It really became apparent how much of it is negative and a real disservice to the public. So much of tv celebrates conflict - the reality shows are full of it. I turned to the HGTV network, thinking that home shows would be peaceful to watch.

I found one that was interesting - a designer and a realtor compete to meet the needs of a family whose home isn't working for them any more. The designer renovates the home while the realtor tries to find the perfect house on the market and the homeowners decide which way to go. Interesting, I thought, and sure to be conflict free.

Oh, but no! The producers seem to encourage the homeowners to be oppositional and rude to the designer and realtor, which I suppose makes for better ratings. I just found it disturbing to hear the insults flying.

The shows I normally enjoy - Criminal Minds and NCIS etc - are in reruns and on constantly, pretty much, but they are so dark and violent. Not good fare for a sickroom.

The talk shows are mainly geared to the lowest, basest aspects of humanity - I refer to the Springer-style shows of course. Dr. Phil...well, he sounds like such a yokel and is so arrogant I couldn't abide him even if his shows weren't trying to put an Oprah-style veneer on base and low. Oprah, well, I'm tired of her. Her retirement from the Oprah show has been a long time coming, and it's never-ending. Please, Oprah, go into that good night and enjoy your retirement in private. The View is no fun, either, since I am not interested in hearing Elizabeth spout the teabagger party line.

Watching the traffic and passers-by through the window won easily over most of the tv shows, though as I improved I did dip into shows I don't normally watch.

I'm thrilled though to be able to string sentences together that make sens though - at least I hope they do! lol
It feels good to be back!

bleech

2011-07-14T15:44:00.000-04:00

last Wednesday, I got sick...so I apologize for not having upadated the blog or angel message. Look for them next week I hope. THank you for healing energy and prayers.

2011-07-06T10:28:00.001-04:00

Today in NOTL: Warm with scant breezes, our high today 81F/27C with rain expected later.

You have to wonder about people.

We enjoyed a lovely visit this week with our friends Stacy and Diana. Good company, lots of laughs, you know how it goes when friends visit.

As the conversation ebbed and flowed, talk turned to movies and Stacy recommended some movie or other to me, which I rejected as one that would make me cry. She denied that it was a sad movie, but I explained that movies needn't be sad to make me cry.

Which brought up the infamous Big story. You may have seen the Tom Hanks movie, Big. My sister loved the movie and urged me to see it. "It's a comedy," she told me. "I know how you love comedies." Trusting her, I watched the movie - and cried from start to finish. I found it incredibly poignant.

I was right, too. Just last week, channel surfing, I stopped on a show that looked interesting only to find myself getting verklempt. "What is this rot?" I thought, checking the online tv guide. Big! I knew that movie was sad!

Anyway, I explained all this to Stacy, who shared that she had cried at Toy Story 3. "Kids' movies are the worst,' I agreed, and she warned me not to watch TS3, as it has a sad part. I figured it would; those movies always do.

But Stacy was driven by the memory of that movie. Knowing I would never watch Toy Story 3, she began recounting the scene in which the toys end up on a conveyor belt to an incinerator and, being moved to their destruction, clasp each other's hands in solidarity. As soon as she began speaking, I knew what was coming would not be good. "Stop, stop!" I said. "Don't tell me or you'll have me in tears!" I was already tearing up.

Too late. Having begun the tale, choking back tears, she continued. Hardly able to speak, she finished the story, clasping her hands as the toys had in the movie. "No! Stop stop!" I begged her frantically, dabbing my eyes.

But no. She was gulping, I was gulping, the tissues were flying. Across the room, however, I looked up to see both Diana and Deborah convulsing with laughter. Deb's face was red with suppressed howls and Diana was shamelessly laughing aloud as Stacey and I fought to control our sobs.

Which brings me to my point. You really have to wonder about folks...

Speed Readings Day!

2011-07-05T19:41:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: Cloudy, breezy, and warm with a high of 82F/28C and chance of rain this evening.

We've been busy getting our Speed Readings Day organized. Three mini-readings, three gifts, three different readers - one low price. How cool is that? I'm really excited about the day because I have pulled off a coup.

Deborah does readings all the time for me and for family and friends. She reads my cards, does Inner Guidance readings, reads oracles and channels the Angels. Her schedule is so busy with weddings that while she will do readings for parties, she doesn't offer them as a regular service.

But she will for the Speed Readings Day! Hooray!

She had intended to be the Mistress of Ceremonies, keeping time and moving clients from reader to reader, despite my original suggestion that she do readings. Initially she refused and I agreed to look for another reader, and I did find someone - who was unable to make it on the 17th. (Ok, I found lots of readers, but I wanted someone light and grounded and superb. Yes, I'm picky when it comes to promoting other people. Very picky.)

I'd gotten Deborah to agree that if I couldn't round up a qood, experienced reader to be our third, she would step in as our Angel reader. Then we put it into the hands of the Angels and - voila! Deb will be doing readings!

When you book, you'll move through each of the readers and get a reading and gift from each one. We'll have cookies or something light for refreshments, and we'll have a drawing for one of Deb's magnificent Tree of Life pendants.

And we'll give a portion of the proceeds to the food bank, which is dear to our hearts...win win win!

Oh, my!

2011-06-30T12:59:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: Sunny, breezy, and lusciously warm with a high of 73F/23C...Lovely!

Today Deb is in Toronto, visiting with our dear friend, Bishop Patricia of the Community Catholic Church. What a lovely woman, and a strong woman of God as well. Bishop Pat has recently switched from a desktop computer to a laptop, and to our surprise, generously offered her old computer - newer than mine, however! - to me! The idea of a computer that loads quickly dazzles me completely. Thank you, Bishop Pat!

We are busily planning our Speed Readings day, Sunday, July 17. What is Speed Readings day? On SR day, you can book a session and get three different 15-minute readings from three different readers for one discounted price! Cool, huh?

We have Andrea Claire lined up. She is a local medium whom we are proud to call friend. If you like the Angel Ladies, you'll like Andrea - she's light and loving and a lot of fun. Andrea will offer short readings in which you can get messages from your departed loved ones.

You'll get a reading from me, as well. A fifteen-minute Angel reading is long enough to delve into one question, sometimes two, OR to meet your Angel.

The third reading will be more divination-oriented, either tarot cards, palmistry, runes, or other type of cards. We are still looking for a third reader for the 17th, though we have a reader who may become available for a later date. Naturally, you can be sure that the third reader will be loving and light-filled and upbeat.

Think of getting together with two friends for a Ladies' Day in Niagara...Pop in for your readings, then shop a bit, get a bit of shopping in, then relax at the lakeside or on at a sidewalk cafe. Book early so your appointments will coincide with each other. No waiting! What could be more fun?

Wonderful Wednesday!!

2011-06-29T13:23:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: A gorgeous day, a bit cool with a high of only 70F/21C under partly sunny skies. A little breeze adding to the perfection of the day....ah, Niagara!

Sorry for the lapse in blogs. Been having a few tough days, kneewise, so not blogging was the kinder choice, lol. Just what you need - whining! lolol

So! New York has approved marriage equality. Equality is a good thing, I think. The state has no reason not to allow gay couples the same rights as heterosexual ones. There is, of course, a backlash from folks who want to deny gay people equal rights, and that is coming strongly from the Roman Catholic front.

Bishop Dolan has been very outspoken in his opposition to marriage equality, despite the fact that RC priests would not be obligated to marry gay couples nor would RC parishes be required to host their ceremonies. It's not enough that no Catholic would be forced to become gay, to marry a gay person, or to speak out in support of gay marriage - he wants to make sure that gay people do not have the right to be married or anything else, from what I read.

This Christian opposition to equality for gay people puzzles me. Jesus was quite clear on divorce, but I don't see Dolan seeking to overturn divorce rights for heterosexual couples. Nor, for that matter, do I see bible belt states passing Defense of Marriage laws that refuse to recognize divorce. It seems to me that for a long time, only in Nevada was divorce legal, and despite the rejection of legalized divorce in the other states, Nevada divorces were recognized under the full faith and credit clause.

Jesus was quite clear on the division between state and spirit, as well. Render unto Caesar and all that. Yet Christians want to insist that the laws reflect Christian beliefs and values and the heck with those of other faith traditions.

Catholics, of course, do not accept the bible as the literal word of God but a rather the source of many spiritual truths - one source of many, actually. But what about the fundamentalists who DO view the bible as the literal, inerrant word of God?? Why aren't THEY railing against divorce and demanding the separation of church and state? Why aren't they demanding adequate monies for programs that serve the hungry and sick and poor?

How is it that Jesus followers ignore these dictates from the only-begotten Son of the Living God...and worship the dictates from the oh-so-human-and-only-human Paul and Leviticus?

If marriage is such an important word and concept, how important is the word Christian?? Far too important for unChristians to highjack onto very unChristian beliefs and actions, seems like.

So I think we need new words. Instead of Christian, let's call 'em what they are: Paulines and Leviticans. Leave the term Christian for people who put love first, as Jesus did. Makes sense to me!

Cloudy Friday

2011-06-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: Cloudy with rain expected and a high of only 68F/22C. A bit muggy.

Chuckling at Justin Bieber and Letterman last night. I think the kid needs some help. Press on him has indicated he's more obnoxious than adorable. Observing him on tv, I think to myself, 'Oh, boy, I'm so glad I didn't have HIM in my class!' LOL

I do try to catch Jackie Evancho when I see that she is appearing on one of the shows, however. Compare and contrast to Justin, lol.

There is, of course, an age difference. Justin is in his nasty teen years while Jackie is only eleven. Numeric age, though, isn't the issue. Gosh knows, we've all seen nasty eleven-year-olds, but Jackie behaves like any well-brought up kid. I can't imagine her throwing water balloons at the crotch of crew members!

I heard an interview with her father who said, basically, that when Jackie was performing, that was one thing but when she wasn't, she was just 'one of the kids.' How refreshingly normal and grounded. I suspect the appeal of Jackie Evancho has a lot to do with the upbringing she has received. Kudos to moms and dads who raise kids whose heads are on straight and who realize that, talent and income notwithstanding, they're just 'one of the kids.'

2011-06-22T12:12:00.000-04:00

Today in NOTL: Rainy and cool, with a high of only 72F/22C. I'd better get my sweater!

Lucky me! An artist fb-friend, Jillian Crider, is having a giveaway at her blog. I don't always remember to enter but I try and today my name was pulled from the hat for a surprise prize! With CanadaPost on strike, there's no telling when she'll be able to send it, but what fun to have a surprise heading my way sometime soon (note optimism!). Jillian's art is take-your-breath-away amazing. Take a look.

Mr. Murphy is in process of being groomed. He's a dog with challenges, I'll tell you. He gets woefully carsick like nobody's business, so even a quick trip to the groomer nearby is tough on him. Then...he gets stressed by the process, and it didn't help matters any that the last groomer he visited was very disgusted when he lost his lunch a couple of times during his visit. What a bleep she was. How could anyone who loves animals and works with them for a living look at a poor dog who's so scared he's losing it and respond with anger??

We found a wonderful groomer who came to the house in a mobile grooming van. Mr. M LOVED her! She did a fabulous job! Then we called for his next grooming and - nothing. They don't do that anymore; she's no longer there and apparently nowhere at all.

So now Deb is trying to groom him, which would be fine exc he won't let her do his ears or paws or even much trimming at a time. Argh. Makes a beagle look that much better than a cockapoo. Long hair is cute but it does take maintenance, sigh. Vacuuming after a beagle is a lot easier than dealing with a primadogga like Mr. Murph. If we didn't love that dog so doggoned much...he'd be in big trouble! lol

If anyone on the Niagara Peninsula knows a wonderful patient groomer who comes to you, please send the info along! I have a feeling it's gonna be a looooong hot summer for that dog otherwise. eek!