Check out this bit of news!

Iowa Rocks!

This is just awesome! Ok, I know it's just a district court...but I sure hope Iowa's Supreme Court rules the same way.

Onward, great progressive state! NOT!

I feel like the world has stopped. Parents are freaking out because kids are playing tag on the playground? Parents are concerned because their children are being chased against their will? Schools actually kowtowing to parents and outlawing the game of tag "in favor of alternatives with less physical contact?"

Sometimes I think I'm being ridiculous here because I might feel the same as these parents if it were my child. I mean, I'd split the world in two if it would save my kids from being unhappy. However, I'd also be doing my kid a disservice if I fought their battle every time they felt wronged. At some point, shouldn't I be teaching my kid decent coping skills for those life moments when things don't go their way?

But...is a game of tag going to be terribly damaging to a child's mental well-being? Those same parents grew up playing the game themselves...and they are OK? Maybe? Maybe not - I guess tag is a game that turns kids into neurotic parents. One thing I know for damn sure...my parents never would have called the school to bitch about a game of tag. They can't even make it over to my house now to help me clean up a water-sodden basement. Not that I'm bitter...

I wonder what's next? Duck Duck Goose will be outlawed soon because kids feel left out when they're not picked.

School Bans Tag

I wasn't able to stay up last night for a complete moonrise. Nine o clock rolled around, and it was bedtime.

However, I did take a moment to watch the illuminated tops of the trees sway in the breeze saying to myself "I am the child of the Light. I search for all that is good. I grow nearer to the Divine. I nurture all that is living and growing." This was to honor the moon.

Then, to honor the coming waning of the moon I said "I am the child of the Dark. I search for discernment. I grow nearer to the Divine. I nurture all that is resting and dormant."

Then I read from my BOS part of the "Charge of the Goddess," the very last bit, that is.

Then I hit the pillow and had an excellent night of sleep.

Ahahaaaaa! Found this little something-something in my stack of papers. It was written by one of the elders of the coven I was part of in Minnesota. We chanted it during a midsummer ritual when we consecrated our new circle space. For some reason, it is a very powerful piece for me. In fact, I may use parts of it tomorrow night at my private full moon observance.

We are the children of the Earth. We search for beauty in all things. We grow nearer to the Divine. We nurture abundance and bounty.

We are the children of the Air. We search for creativity, intellect, and awareness. We grow nearer to the Divine. We nurture education and communication.

We are the children of Fire. We search for courage, desire, and strength. We grow nearer to the Divine. We nurture passion and change.

We are the children of Water. We search for emotions and the hidden. We grow nearer to the Divine. We nurture cleansing and reason.

We are the children of Light. We search for all that is good. We grow nearer to the Divine. We nurture all that is living and growing.

We are the children of the Dark. We search for discernment. We grow nearer to the Divine. We nurture all that is resting and dormant.

We are the children of the Divine. We are blessed.

1. Doing some early-morning grocery shopping with my three-year-old and realizing our shopping cart was filled with mostly fruits and vegetables!

2. Smelling the fresh dill and cilantro in the produce aisle. I love those guys.

3. Smelling some awesome applewood-esque scent as I took out the trash last night. I have no idea where it was from or what it was, but yummy. Earthy.

4. Clearing out/sweeping off our screened-in back porch. I'm going to go do some school work out there after I finish here.

5. Opening all the windows in the house in the last two months. Lovely breeze, sounds of trees, and fresh-cut grass smell everywhere I go.

So, mostly, olfactorily speaking, a pretty excellent weekend.