Third Infinity

Whew! The holidays are over, the decorations are packed away, and the bills are rolling in from all the over-spending and increased heating bills. We won't discuss how much you over-indulged and now your bathroom scale groans when you come near. Right? Right. Let's get cozy by the proverbial fire, because we darn sure can't afford to go out for a couple of months, can we? Our ancestors suffered similar problems in the depths of winter, when privitation and bad weather weaned out the old, weak and sickly. The dark time of the year from fall equinox until spring equinox was a time of fear. Who would live or die? Would there be enough food in the larder to last until spring? Huddling around Granny, who'd survived year after year, seemed smart. Granny would happily share her wisdom and teach the survival skills Mama didn't have time to do. Mama was busy employing those skills, but Granny could afford to be patient and instruct the young in the legends and ways of The Pe...

No, I'm not kidding. I just found an article in one of my favorite green websites that touts the benefits of bamboo fiber bedsheets. According to the article, they're silky and soft, but have the power to absorb sweat. They're available at Bed, Bath and Beyond HERE. While I choked at the price of sheets for my king sized bed ($99!!!!) I might just have to splurge on a set in my favorite shade of blue. The bamboo fiber bath towels at $25 a pop are still pricey, but for an experiment in going green I wouldn't mind splurging for one or two of the linen colored ones for the master bath. I must say I do enjoy my bamboo cutting board ! I got it for a housewarming gift last year, and I used it almost daily. Bamboo is very sustainable. I have some at the back of my property, and unless we get out there several times a year to cut it all back, it would take over the yard. I love going green with bamboo. Lena

This guy is so good, I refuse to embellish. http://www.theseanachai.com/2008/12/20/a-podcast-for-the-winter-solstice/ His sense of humor is amusing. Lena

Seems an odd choice for a pagan blog, right? Well, if you haven't learned by now from all my previous posts that being pagan is all-pervasive in one's life, I'm sorely disappointed. Okay, I'll explain for the new guys. At this time of year, most of us are shut inside, and many of us pick up some sort of hand craft, needlework, or project to do. Some, if not all, of us do this in front of the television. We may enjoy a movie, a favorite tv show, or worst of all just use it for subliminal background noise. Even I caught myself humming mindlessly to ad jingles the other day while I sorted out my needlework silks for an upcoming project. (shudder) My kids are mostly grown and gone, but one or two return to visit or even stay on a temporary basis. However, even over the phone one of our favorite activities is "storytime." Two of us are published authors, two are book reviewers, and all of us love to share what we read. Three of us are famous for "storytime...

I'm having surgery on January 2. Busier than a flea at a dog show getting ready. Bear with me. Lena

If you've never made cloven fruit, now's the time to make this fun, fragrant and easy decorative fruit. You'll need: 1 nail (large is better) 1 bottle of whole cloves 1 orange 1 wire hanger to disassemble and use for a wire hanger. (Wire cutters may be necessary) Ribbon for decoration Powdered cinnamon (optional) in a deep bowl. (A small souffle dish is what I use.) Use the nail to punch a hole in the orange's skin. Stick one clove, stem down, into the hole. Repeat all over the orange as desired. The more, the better. Some cloves will break. Just set them aside for use in a potpourri or wassail. Once the orange is covered to your satisfaction, you may roll it in the cinnamon, if desired. I rarely bother, but it does increase the fragrance. Straighten the wire and shove it through the orange from the stem to blossom end. Use the wire cutters to bend the end at the bottom to secure the wire. Bend the top to form a hook to hang the cloven fruit where you wish, be it on the...

There are many traditions associated with the evergreen tree in the house for the holiday. Most, you've heard since childhood. I like the pickle ornament for the tree tradition. The kid who finds the pickle ornament on the tree on Christmas morning gets a special goodie. A smart parent makes sure it's a minimal reward that is best shared, like first pick of the morning cinnamon buns or something. I loved the wearing of Morris Bells. The ankle bracelet of bells and dancing around is so happy, very few can remain in a bad mood. When the time comes to cut the tree, cut a Circle in the earth around it with your athame and conscecrate it with salt and water. Then stand within the Circle facing the tree and explain to its spirit: O sacred tree Tree of rebirth Symbol of the Child of Promise I require of you Your uppermost branches That they may be adorned and honored This Winter Solstice. Tap on the uypper part of the tree trunk three times with a wand or athame to drive the spirit of...