America's 236th Birthday

Happy Birthday, United States of America!!

On July 2, 1776, the brave and wise men of the second Continental Congress voted for Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

On July, 4th, 1776, the Congress, risking their very lives, signed the Declaration Of Independence. This was the moment of birth for our great and noble nation. This document, along with our Constitution, may be the greatest in the history of our nation, if not the world.

We have come a long way since that day, 236 years ago, but we still have much to work on as a nation and people. We must be vigilant, for we do have enemies both foreign and domestic, but also always work for that more perfect union that the founding fathers wanted for this nation.

We, as a nation, should never take the freedoms and rights we enjoy for granted. Many, even today, around the world don't have them. Freedom comes with a price. Over the years, countless numbers have given their own lives to maintain what the men who wrote and signed the Declaration Of Independence and Constitution started. Many in my family, both birth and adopted, have served in our military, no matter if they enlisted or were drafted. Many others have served in their own way to help this nation. I believe that my work as a political activist is a form of service to my country. During your own celebrations, please take a moment to remember those who have served and continue to serve our nation in any way.

No matter if you are a Socialist, Green, Democrat, Justice, Independent, Republican, or Tea Party, today is not for partisanship, but to pause and remember that, despite our different views and cultures, we are all Americans.

Being born in Boston, and growing up around New England, I have visited many of the major points of history on the way to becoming our own, free nation. A field in Lexington - Concord, Old North Church, Bunker Hill, Paul Revere's House, Old South Church, the site of the original Boston Tea Party, and many more.

My children and I will spend some time talking about the history and why the 4th of July is special, but we'll be celebrating as well. Although I'm not 100% sure what we'll do, most likely we will have a cook-out of some kind, watch some baseball, take a swim, and maybe even a quick visit to This Is The Place Heritage Park. In the evening, we are going with some friends to Sugar House Park, here in Salt Lake, for Utah's largest fireworks show.

I don't think we'll be setting off any personal fireworks ourselves. It's legal here, in fact this is the first time the new law that allows airrels is in effect. Many government officials are asking people to refrain from setting off fireworks, because it's so hot and dry, and many wild fires are still burning within the state. On top of that, I am sure many people will be setting them off all over the valley and state despite the warning.

"Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. " - Wikipedia

Enjoy your celebration, have fun, and be safe.....

Wheel Of The Year: Midsummer

Midsummer marks the time of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, the height of the sun's power. And though the hottest days of summer still lie ahead, from this point onward we enter the waning year, and each day the sun will recede from the skies a little earlier." - Edain McCoy (pg 149, Sabbats: A Witch's Approach To Living The Old Ways)

Also known as Litha, this Sabbat is the 6th of eight turns on the Wheel of the Year.

Midsummer is the high point for the Green Man or The Oak King. For soon, he will give himself as a symbolic sacrifice to show us that death is part of the natural order of life. For after death, comes rebirth or the summer lands.

Fire plays a key role at Midsummer, from giant bonfires to lighting a few bright yellow candles, and anything in between that is safe for where you live and/or practice.

With Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Summer Solstice is now forever connected with fairies in the mind of pagans and non-pagans alike.

Rituals and Magick are important in the life of a pagan, but can be very different as well. It greatly depends on your path, traditions, coven, circle, family, or if you practice solitary.

The following is a Family Ritual that is found in The Pagan Family by Ceisiwr Serith:

"For this ritual, the barbecue will substitute for the bonfire. Pour the charcoal into the barbecue and soak it with lighter fluid. Put the grate on and on top of it a pot of water (you can use the same pot you used for May Day, but be careful of plastic handles. They can melt). Nearby put the lighter fluid, the matches, and an aspergill.

When everything is ready and everybody is around the barbecue, establish sacred time. Then the father (or the oldest male present) says:

" 'Today the wheel has come to a special point.

Since Yule the light has been growing.

At Ostara the light became greater than the dark

and it kept on growing.

It has grown until today: Midsummers,

The middle of the light time.

Tomorrow the light will start to fade

as the wheel turns to darkness 

until it is Yule again.

But today it is bright 

Today the sun is high

Today the world is warm and bright 

and we celebrate this with fire.

The Lord Sun blazes above

Our fire blazes below.' "

He lights the fire (with one more squirt of lighter fluid first.) When the flames have died down a bit, everyone can take an aspergill, dip it in the water, and sprinkle everyone else with it. Then take the pot off and, after it cools, water your garden or a tree with it. While waiting for the coals to be ready, a water fight would be a good idea. Then barbecue."

Blessed Be
Goddess Bless America, and all Nations )O(

Happy Father's Day

My family and I would like to wish all Dads a Happy  Father's Day, and also to the single mothers who have to fill both roles..

I was adopted at age 10, so I have a birth father as well as the amazing, honorable man I consider and call my dad.

Less then a month ago, I almost lost my father. He was in the hospital and, at one point, he needed to be resuscitated 3 times with CPR and paddles.

I'm very happy to tell you he is on his way to a full recovery after a few surgeries.  As I write this, he is at a rehab center, and looking forward to returning to his retirement complex soon.

For this reason, Father's Day has become more important to me than in past years.  It has also caused me to reflect on our relationship, and just how much my father means to me.

My Dad and I are two very different people. We often see things differently as well.  My mom was often the peacemaker. Since she passed away 3 years ago, we have had to work hard on our relationship.  It's not always easy or fun, but always worth it.  We have come a long way together.

I'm so thankful for all that he has done for me.  I will never forget that he, along with my mom, chose me to adopt. I wasn't the easiest child to raise growing up, and that is a large understatement.  I still have my moments.  He does a lot for my children as well.

One of my dad and mine's favorite family stories is from when I was newly adopted.  My grandfather had run my dad down over something new he was trying.  I took offense, and got in his face about it.  This was just something you didn't do to my grandfather; no one dared to confront him.  Anyway, when things calmed down, my dad got his first apology from his own father... we often laugh about it now.  In fact it was one of the first things he talked about with me after coming out of surgery.

When I was growing up, most Saturday's were time with dad.  We went to local high school football games, to attractions in the area, to state parks, out for ice cream or McD's, and much more...  we had some crazy adventures together.  Some of my favorite memories are going to the beach in Stonington, seeing where he lived as a teen, and taking a ferry ride across the Connecticut River.

I try to have many adventures with my own children.  I really hope I'm helping to create great memories that will last a lifetime. Maybe they will be inspired to have great adventures with their own children in time.

My father is an amazing man.  I love him so much!  I'm now hitting that stage in life where I've stopped fighting being like my parents, and instead realize it's not a bad thing that, in some ways,  I'm just like him.

Again, have a most joyous Father's Day,
Goddess Blessing )O(

Spinach Provencal

The following recipe has a great family story attached to it....

One Thanksgiving, my grandparents along with my favorite aunt headed to another family member's house who was hosting this holiday feast.

As the story goes, the hostess, was upset that this dish was not what she would call a "traditional" dish for this meal. My personal reaction to this was to only eat this dish for my meal that afternoon.

Anyone who knows me, knows my great love of meat. So, this was making a major statement even at a young age.

Later in life, I have made this for my children, and my former in-laws. Everyone, who has eaten this Spinach Provencal it has become an instant classic, and they requested it often. If you love garlic and cheese, this is for you!!

Ingredients 
2 lb. fresh spinach

1 large onion

1 to 3 cloves of garlic

olive oil

2 eggs, beaten

1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh grated parmesan

salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions
1) Wash and drain well the spinach leaves carefully, breaking off the thick stems, and the hard work is over.  Chop the onion and mince the garlic (or put thru garlic press). Heat the olive oil in a very large kettle and saute the onion and garlic in it for a few minutes. When the onion is transparent, add the spinach and cover tightly. In about 2-4 minutes the spinach leaves will be reduced to a fraction of their former bulk, and you can stir them in with oil and onions. Cook a few minutes longer and remove from heat.

2) Butter a medium size baking dish (I use a glass, 2qt). When the spinach has cooled slightly, stir in 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 of the grated parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and pour mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.

3) Bake in 375 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes, and serve steaming hot

Serves: 4 (as a main dish)


Note -- The picture in this entry was taken from the internet after an image search on Goggle