Friday Roundup

Well, another Friday has rolled around.  Weather-wise, it hasn't been the best of weeks. Amazing the amount of storms we had this winter. And now another one on the way.  Hoping that it changes course and leaves us with the minimum amount of snow.  I did go to the Center yesterday.  Only a handful of people were there. It WAS still pretty icy out.  There wasn't enough people for bingo so the intern held a small reminisce group. We spoke about the things we did in the snow when we were children, times when snow was fun and not something to fear.

So, what did I accomplish this week?  Actually, not much of anything.  The weather held me back from meeting with the social worker to discuss the appeal for my penalty.  I also didn't get a chance to apply for free legal services that are available to help me fight these pension woes. As time goes on, and they find more and more reasons not to pay me MY money, I have begun thinking about asking for compensation for all they have put me through.  The emotional turmoil has been taking its toll, and I believe they should pay for it. I know that is a pipe dream, though.  To do so I would have had to be seeing a doctor, and I haven't been.  But, that is just a thought.

Wednesday wasn't a complete flop.  I applied for food stamps.  Discovered that one can apply on line and then get a telephone interview so I figured 'what the heck', and I went for it.  I really hadn't had much hopes about receiving benefits, or if I did, receiving next to nothing, because I was about $25 over the limit.  But, then I did some research and discovered that they have raised the income limit.  Keeping my fingers crossed here.  That will be a big help.

So, what is on my plate this weekend?  To be honest, not much.  Saturday I will probably head to the market and the fruit stand to stock up...just in case we are snowed in....again.  Sunday morning I hope to attend Church. I don't pay much attention to the religious doctrine.  Instead I look to the past and the spirituality that the ancients attached to the various rites and practices.  Speaking of spirituality....

Recently I read a wonderful book on Celtic spirituality, 'Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life' by  Kenneth McIntosh. Here are a few quotes from the book.

From "Water from an Ancient Well": 

"When we begin to perceive life flowing together in a continuous sacramental stream, even the passage of time can serve to remind us of our connection to God. Scripture tells us 'There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven' (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Living in our technologically advanced age, however, we sometimes ignore the changing seasons. We create artificial environments for ourselves, and in winter, we simply turn up the heat, while in summer, we crank up the air conditioning. Riding a bike to work—or walking somewhere daily—gives us opportunities to appreciate the seasons anew, but even the view outside our windows, the changing patterns of sunlight and darkness, snow and rain, leaves and bare branches, can all remind us that larger forces are constantly at work in the world beyond our small realms."

 "The ancient Celts felt a sense of longing—almost of homesickness—for the spiritual realm, and they often expressed that yearning in terms of thirst. They regarded wells, lakes, and rivers as “thin places,” gateways to other realms where they experienced magical healing. . . . When the Celts were introduced to Christ, they discovered . . . further reasons to associate spiritual blessings with flowing waters."

For the ancient Celts—both pagan and Christian—circles were important spiritual concepts, as well as the shape of their physical dwellings. In incantation or in prayer, the caim (spiritual circle) was an important means of supernatural protection. The full moon was also a caim—a sacred circle endowed with spiritual protective power—as was the mightier blazing sun. In the Celts’ minds, the circular rath that provided physical security would have had an obvious and natural connection with the symbolic circle of spiritual protection provided by magic or prayer.
And in all these cases, the circle itself was only a vessel for the real source of security: relationships with kin and kindred cosmic forces.

 The ancient Celts opened their hearts to the living creatures with whom they shared their lives, allowing God to speak to them through dog and horse, bird and deer. They were humble enough, joyous enough, curious enough, and loving enough to see animals in a way many of us have forgotten. Like St. Bonaventure, they knew that "every creature is a divine word that proclaims God." For them, as for Thomas a Kempis, each animal was "a mirror of life." May we too learn to see as clearly!

A truly wonderful book.  If you get a chance, check it out.

Have a great weekend.  See you all on Monday.