Tuesday Ramble

Look at the stream, there are rocks in its way. Does it slam into them
out of frustration? It simply flows over and around them and
moves on! Be like the water and you will know what harmony is.

Zen saying

What a gorgeous Tuesday morning it is.  Clear skies, warm temperatures.  Nothing will keep me in today, and I refuse to let anything stress me on a beautiful day like this.  Even New York City buses.  My day yesterday started out fine...until I left the house to catch the bus.  I left the house early because I wanted to stop at Pathmark before going to the Center.  I only had a small bit of tonic with quinine left and was having a hard time finding it.  I've not found it anywhere but Pathmark, and it does seem to be working. Someone mentioned that it might be nothing more than a placebo effect.  I don't think so.  I did a bit of research and discovered that quinine was once used for muscle spasms until taken off the market.  They don't feel that the amount found in tonic is dangerous.  But even if it is a placebo, it is working and that is what counts.  

So, back to my story.  When I step out of the house, I see that the bus is down the block so I pick up my step.  When I reach the corner, the bus passes me by, but there are three ladies waiting to board.  "Hold the bus, please," I cry out as I hurry across the street, but as soon as I reach the opposite corner, the driver closes the doors and begins to pull out. But then he stops, and I think he is stopping for me so I pick up my pace again.  Just as I get two feet from the door, the driver pulls out.  I was furious.  I know that at least ONE person on that bus had to have seen me and didn't say a word. Even moreso I'd hate to think that the bus driver saw me through one of his many mirrors and taunted me like that.

I made this for dinner last night...Peruvian chicken, rice, beans, and veggies.  This was hubby's plate.  Mine was not so full.  And mine was already eaten. I don't play when it comes to food.  Seriously though, I like to eat early.  Gain too much weight by eating late.  Hubby, on the other hand, eats about 8 pm, and he can use the weight.

Anyone catch the season finale of Vikings?  I don't think I have ever enjoyed a finale so much.  Kudos to the writers for catching us all off guard.  Such a surprise ending to a great season.  I've already watched it three times. I think one of my favorite parts was when Ragnar asked Athelstan to teach him one of his prayers and as they knelt and recited the Lord's Prayer as the scene shifts to the landing of the ships that carry warriors who have come to wipe out everything and everyone related to Ragnar.  Kudos to the actors who do such a great job of bringing the ancient Vikings back to life and the directors and everyone else involved who have made this one of the greatest series on television.

So much so that I am currently going through withdrawal, and the thought of waiting until 2015?  I've decided that I am going to use this time wisely.  I hope to watch the entire series over again from Day 1.  There are always things we miss the first time around.   I also plan to read up on the history of the characters as well as learn more about  Germanic religion and mythology.  These were my ancestors.  They lived in violent times, yes, but they lived, and they survived, and because they survived I am here today.  

First stop for me is 'Travels Through Middle Earth: The Path of a Saxon Pagan' by Alaric Albertsson.  From the description:

Tolkien's enduring vision of Middle Earth was largely inspired by the worldview of ancient Saxon Pagans. In this pagan guidebook, Alaric Albertsson presents a complete introduction to Anglo-Saxon cosmology, deities, spirits, and rituals.

Travels Through Middle Earth offers practical information about the Saxon Pagan path, including many ways to incorporate Saxon rituals into contemporary spiritual life. Discover the húsel, a basic ritual for honoring personal ancestors, the Gods, and dwarves and elves. Learn how to set up a wéofod, the Saxon altar, to connect with the Gods. Also covered in this handbook: the concept of wyrd and how it shapes your destiny, the holy tides and how to celebrate them, rites of passage, worship, magic, and even instructions for making mead.

Needless to say, I find that once I pick it up, I cannot stop reading.  A very good starting point and highly recommended.

And with that, it is time to head on into the shower.  Hoping today to make it to Pathmark so I have to get out of here early again.  Be safe and have a wonderful day.