Think on This

I wanted to pass this along. It's from the Association for Research & Enlightenment.

Depend more upon the intuitive forces from within and not harken so much to that of outside influences--but learn to listen to that still small voice from within, remembering as the lesson as was given, not in the storm, the lightning, nor in any of the loud noises as are made to attract man, but rather in the still small voice from within does the impelling influence come to life in an individual that gives for that which must be the basis of human endeavor; for without the ability to constantly hold before self the ideal as is attempted to be accomplished, man becomes one as adrift, pulled hither and yon by the various calls and cries of those who would give of this world's pleasure in fame, fortune, or what not. Let these be the outcome of a life spent in listening to the divine from within, and not the purpose of the life.

Edgar Cayce Reading 239-1

Weekend Goes By In A Blur

Last Friday night was the first time back to dancing since getting this infernal sinus infection. I wasn't sure what was going to happen but all turned out well. I didn't feel too weak or out of breath and had some good partners to dance with. I danced with one woman who, at one point said, "I'm too old for this." I looked at her and figured her for about 35, forty tops. Afterwards, I said, "Ok, I'm intrigued. How old are you?" We bantered a bit, trading smiles and quips. Turns out she was 56. I was going to say to her I hope I look that good when I get to be that age - but I'm already past that. Getting old(er) is strange.

We went dancing a month or so ago at a new place, for us, and it was the first time in a while that I felt old. Most of the dancers were lindy hoppers and almost all were in their early 20's. I felt like I had the energy to keep up but. . . it wasn't pleasant to be in a room full of people who were interested in dancing with their own "kind," and seeing myself as an other than they. Maybe it was just my perception and state of mind at the time. However, a month or so later, I still feel the same way.

Saturday night we went to a four star restaurant for dinner. Having a gift certificate took some of the bite out of the wallet. I didn't think the food was all that great, even with a couple glasses of wine. The cheesecake dessert was good, though. I ordered the petit filet mignon and shoestring fries. Julie got the crabcake appetizer. We split the wicked barbeque shrimp appetizer. My filet was served on this big white dinner plate. Imagine a little piece of meat, all by itself, on this giant plate. I almost burst out laughing. The shoestring fries came in this paper cone supported by a wire frame. After pulling the fires out of the cone we had them all over the table. At one point I started to say that the next time coming here I'd order...but then amended that thought to say: Well, at least I can now say I've been to a Boston 4 star; bfd.

Sunday we went to the Boston Museum of Science and saw the IMAX film Grand Canyon. I've never been to the Grand Canyon, but I can say that I've now seen parts of it that if I ever go in person I wouldn't see. Julie was kind of disappointed given that she'd been there and seen the beautiful sunsets and transformations of colors on the canyon walls, none of which were really represented in the film.

Now, Monday morning, it's back to work. In three weeks I'll be headed to Denver and its environs for a two week vacation. It'll be good to get away.

Books, Teeth & the Dog

Last night I finished reading the final installment of Harry Potter. It was a wonderful 3 week journey through the seven Harry Potter books. It is almost a shame to be done. I had a good time losing myself in the trials, tribulations, adventures, twists, and turns the stories took. I would recommend reading the books in order, though, and encourage anyone who wishes to go ahead and take the plunge. I think the series ranks right up there with the Hobbit trilogy.

Last week I went to the dentist to have my four front teeth crowned. It cost me just about $5000. By comparison, Dixie only cost me $200 when I took her to the emergency vet. I should have known not to give her spanish rice and a soft taco with her dry food. Poor dog. She suffered for several days.

Yesterday she got a bath that helped relieve the dry, flaky skin she has. I'm not sure if it's an allergy (which is what the vet thinks) or what, but I'm giving her atarax, which is for anxiety and also, oddly enough, for allergys. Julie seemed to think it would knock Dixie out; instead, it made her hyper - at least for the first two days. Now she's back to normal. She really felt good after the bath. Next is haircut time.

During the past two weeks I've been suffering from a sinus infection. Finally I went to the Dr. and got antibiotics. Now the pressure in my face has been relieved but the antibiotic makes me nauseous. I'm eating Activa yogurt to combat the nausea, which is a battle as I really dislike yogurt. I'd rather eat ice cream but that would feed into the sinus issue and keep me in this endless loop. So, I take the stuff to clear my sinuses, the stuff to clear up the infection, the stuff for in my nose, and the stuff to keep my stomach on an even keel.

Now that Potter's over, my next book to read, as part of the book club I'm in, is Suite Francaise. The book is a novel written during and of the beginning days of the the downfall of Paris in WW2. It was written by a published author of the time who ended up dying in a concentration camp. Her book, mostly finished, was "found" not too many years ago as an unpublished manuscript. It provides a good glimpse of the times in Paris during the early days of the german occupation.

The book I want to get to, A Thousand Splendid Suns, I won't be able to get to until I read The Peabody Sisters, which is book two on the book club discussion list. One at a time.