mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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8 Tracks, Playlists for All Occasions
October 11, 2015
— 1 Comment
You thrill me when you drill me
I have just discovered a new music app that makes me very happy. I was not shopping for a new one, but I found the tumblr blog for 8 tracks and had to try it. Each set of tracks is selected and curated by a member of the community. Titles and descriptions give a clue about the intention of the curator. An example illustrated above is You Thrill Me when You Drill Me playlist, a collection of jazz and blues from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. This collection of 35 songs includes some very funny lyrics. The staff chooses lists that are very popular to help you select new playlists to try.
I have heard no commercials interrupting my listening so far, but I have only used it for a couple of times. What I love about the offering is a chance to hear other people’s collections and combinations that thrill them as well as a chance to hear new artists and music. I have found almost all the tunes on 8 tracks are new to me. Some of the classical and relaxing style mixes are very artful and enchanting. There is no charge to use it, and the app is free. I look forward to using it at home and in the phone while working out or walking. There is a treasure trove of new music waiting for me in this app. Try it. You’ll like it, gentle reader.
8 tracks
Good Bye (not a good buy) Apple Music
October 9, 2015
— 4 Comments
Apple Music
I have just been informed that my free account has been closed by Apple Music. I am not very upset to learn this news. I have enjoyed using the streaming music service for the last three months, but determined that for me it is not worth $10 a month to keep it. I already have Amazon streaming music because I am a Prime customer. It serves my needs and then some. I don’t need every song on earth in my library. I just like to have variety and ease of use, which both these systems have. I did learn more about how to use streaming music and it now enhances my use of the Amazon system. Here are the discoveries I made during my free subscription:
- I like playlists with themes- I find new artists and remember old favorites by listening to playlists created by others
- I have a wider taste in music than I thought I did- I found some country, and hip hop artists I enjoy. Exploring jazz and world music can lead to many exciting new tunes I find pleasurable. Dance beats come in every flavor and size.
- Shuffle still does it for me- I use the service for walks and workouts. If I don’t want a certain song I skip it and go to the next selection. The random mix keeps me interested without needing much attention from me.
- Apple radio stations are still available to me, and they tend to be very well curated. There are short ads, but they have to be creative and funny to keep the listener from disconnecting. I will use the radio feature in the future.
Do you use streaming music services, gentle reader? Have you decided to pay for any of them? If you are a Prime member at Amazon I hope you will download the Amazon music app and enjoy your perks.
Amazon Prime Music
Margaret Lang, 9th Great-Grandmother
October 8, 2015
— 4 Comments
Lang Coat of Arms
My 9th great-grandmother was born in Dedham, Essex, England and died in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She arrived in Salem with her second husband by 1630, but had a hard life in the new world. Her husband abandoned her, but she won a suit against him for support in Rhode Island:
June 5, 1665 Rhode Island Records
“ Wheras ther hath ben a petition presented to this presant Asembly margrett porter the wife of John porter of This jurisdicyion of Rhod Iland &c; in which The said margrett doth most sadly Complaine that her said husband is destitute of all Conjugall Love towards her, and sutable Care of her; is gone from her and hath Left her in such a nessesetous stat that unavoydably she is Brought to a meane dependance upon her Children for her Dayly suply, to her very great griffe of heart. and the Rather Considering that ther is in the hands of her said husband a very Competant Estat for both ther subsistance; and Thervpon the said margrett hath most Earnnestly Requested this gennerall asembly to take Care of her and to take her deplorable Estate Into your serious Consideration, as to make some sutable provition for her Reliefe out of the Estate of her husband, and that spedily before both hee and it be Convayed away.
“The Court therfore Taking the matter in to ther serioues Consideration and being Thoroughly satisfied, both by Common fame and otherwise, That the Complaints are True; and that the feares premised of convaying at least his Estate away are not without grownds; and haueing a deep sence upon ther hearts of this sad Condition which this poore anciante matrone is by this menes Reduced into…bee it by the said Court and the authority thereof decreed and Enacted that all the Estate, bothe personall and Reall of the above said John porter, Lying and Being in this Jurisdiction is hearby secured as if actually seazed upon and deposited for The Reliefe of the aforesaid Complainant…untill hee hath settled a Competent Reliefe upon his ageed wife to her full satisfaction…”
Rhode Island colonial records
The following is excerpted from an article in The American Genealogist, July, 1998, Vol. 73, No. 3, p.180,
“Reconstructing Sarah (Odding) Sherman, wife of Philip Sherman of Portsmouth, Rhode Island,” by Patricia Law Hatcher :
The life of Margaret Lang Odding Porter was not one of stability. She was probably born by 1590 and married by 1610 to William Oddyn, a weaver.
In 1612 she was left with a small daughter, Sarah. Sometime before 1633, probably before 1629, she married John Porter, likely in Braintree. John and Margaret had a daughter, Hannah, probably born in England.
John, Margaret, Sarah and Hannah came to Roxbury during 1633, where they joined the church late that year. John Porter and his son-in-law, Philip Sherman ( Sarah’s husband ) were amongst those who broke from the Roxbury church.
Margaret was uprooted again, moving to Portsmouth, RI by 1638. Her life there was not a happy one as John abandoned her by 1665, moving to Pettaquamscutt and apparently taking up with another woman. Margaret was obliged to petition the court for relief. This court action was the last mention of her in the records.”
Margaret Lang (1590 – 1671)
is my 9th great grandmother
Sarah Odding (1609 – 1681)
daughter of MARGARET Lang
Eber Sherman (1634 – 1706)
son of Sarah Odding
Mary Sherman (1688 – 1751)
daughter of Eber Sherman
Thomas Sweet (1732 – 1813)
son of Mary Sherman
Thomas Sweet (1765 – 1844)
son of Thomas Sweet
Valentine Sweet (1791 – 1858)
son of Thomas Sweet
Sarah LaVina Sweet (1840 – 1923)
daughter of Valentine Sweet
Jason A Morse (1862 – 1932)
son of Sarah LaVina Sweet
Ernest Abner Morse (1890 – 1965)
son of Jason A Morse
Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)
son of Ernest Abner Morse
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse
Vampire Archetype, Draining the Life Force
September 30, 2015
— 3 Comments
The season of scare is upon us as the month of Halloween arrives. Vampires are popular mythical characters used in costuming, entertaining, and decor during this season. The classic tale of Dracula is the famous story of a vampire most people know and think of when drawing up this archetype. The vampire returns to drain the life from his prey each night until it is depleted.
In a larger sense the vampire can represent the dynamic present in some couples (or even nations). One partner can sustain the psychic or material needs of the other by allowing themselves to be drained. Today this can be seen outwardly in financial situations. Neediness is the bond between the two, and survival of the couple depends on an unspoken and unhealthy agreement. Financial codependence does not resemble sharing. It more closely parodies a horror flick.
The positive result of an encounter with the vampire archetype is an awareness that some person or entity can suck the living daylights out of your soul. The shadow vampire sucks energy from others to maintain approval. Once you recognize this character in yourself and others you can take appropriate steps to protect your own energy. You will then be able to perceive your own dependencies in a new light. Once the light of day has been shed on the entire drama it can be laid to rest.
Day of the Dead
October #Unprocessed
September 29, 2015
— 2 Comments
October Unprocessed
This is the sixth year of the October Unprocessed challenge, but the first time I have heard of it. This is an excellent idea for eaters of all stripes. Everyone can benefit from learning more about our food and how it is made. Diet is a hot topic, and many are the suggestions for improving it. I think the least complicated plan is the best. For folks who think fast food is the only way to eat this change might pose a bigger problem, but for my household this is not much of a stretch. At first I believed it meant I would use nothing prepackaged, but the definition used is not that tight. For this purpose unprocessed means something an ordinary cook could prepare with normal ingredients in a normal kitchen. It does not exclude foods prepared with minimum alteration. I can still be in the group while using my boxed tomatoes and jars of olives or pickles.
What will have to be banished for October?
- Fake meat-by far the costliest and least healthy of my junk foods
- Chips-unless I whip some up with freshly fried or baked tortillas
- Store bought bread-I can make all the bread we eat easily
- Bottled juices- fresh is better and much healthier for the planet
I am not opposed to buying help with food preparation as long as the product is not altered or preserved. I sometimes use baking mixes and some frozen pastry products, but for the month I will make my own pastry because it is much more cost-effective. It can be also be made in appropriate small batches for the two of us. Fall is an easy time to create fruit crisps, crumbles, and cobblers with the harvest. Fruit and cheese plates make lovely desserts without any fuss or bother.
I like all the support offered including dining options in popular chain restaurants. The sponsors and leaders are prepared to inform, uplift, and encourage anyone who wants to try to improve their eating habits. Rather than “going on a diet” this program is aimed at awareness and alternatives to the status quo. I am enthusiastically on board. I will finish off my beet and plantain chips with gusto before Thursday. What do you think, gentle reader? I think it is worth the effort.
bell peppers, unprocessed
Are You Rich? Midas/Miser Archetype
September 29, 2015
— 2 Comments
Each of us has a different scale by which to measure reward or gain. One man’s treasure is, indeed, another man’s trash. The movement toward minimalism and recycling is an uplifting worldwide trend to examine just how much we realistically need. Security is elusive as well as individually defined. One person may feel perfectly secure in a situation that another would find difficult or stressful. We are creatures of habit. Our spending and consumption is often kept hidden from ourselves in a self delusional zone. Many prefer not to confront financial reality until it rudely awakens us for some reason. Security is basically a figment of our imagination because life can deal out any card at any time.
The Midas/Miser character reminds us of the balance between enjoying our good fortune and maintaining high anxiety about loosing it. King Midas turns all he touches into gold. When he turned his daughter into gold he realized he had gone too far with his magical wealth creation. The miser archetype hoards possessions and emotions closely in the illusion that control is protection. King Midas, Mr Goldfinger and the hoarders on reality shows suffer from the same psychic complaint. Our culture has supported and praised the creation of wealth and consumerism as an economic religion. It is not a surprise that people have always had issues with gratitude and sharing. Now we die from diseases caused by over eating and leave behind a large pile of stuff that may have little value to others who inherit it. My own father was the spiting image of Midas when he died. I can tell you it is not a good way to go.
Insatiable greed comes with a full-time fear of decline. Sharing and fully enjoying the bounty life offers requires discernment. To know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em is a constant tightrope act. We have real needs and desires that must be met for our wellbeing. It is a fine goal to be healthy wealthy and wise. Presumably the wise part knows how to multiply the health and wealth by sharing it with others. As a global community we are learning this heavy lesson. Lifting everyone out of poverty is in everyone’s interest.
shadow financesSlave Archetype vs Abundance
September 28, 2015
— 1 Comment
Most of us are obvious slaves to something or someone. The joke is that we slave on without knowledge of our bondage because we obscure reality to ourselves. We make-believe the job, the society, the government, the neighborhood, or even our birth family are to blame for all of our trials and tribulations. We need a scapegoat for any misery directly attributed to our behavior, so we manifest some slavery that keeps us from being free. These masters of our fate are clearly visible and obvious to all everyone else, just as we can clearly see what imprisons other people. The trick is to catch our own slave at work undermining our confidence and freedom, diminishing our possibilities and talents. Once the bondage has been identified it can be put to much more fruitful use. We define both abundance and scarcity for our own lives. Each of us has a particular definition that includes hints to finding the enslaver we harbor within. There are certain qualities or practices we consider to be essential to our persona’s happiness. Those are the things to which we are enslaved.
The bright full moon and eclipse last night moved me to examine my own areas of shadow slavery. I have taken a fun break from home and routine lately, which gives new perspective on my personal habits and rituals. Returning home I directly experienced my own abundance and good fortune. I have comfort, joy, good fortune, friends and ease in my home. Although I had a procedure to remove a small skin cancer on my shoulder last week, my doctor’s office is right down the street and I have all the support I need from friends and neighbors. The wound is healing quickly with very little pain. I see this wound on my skin as a reminder of my abundant good fortune. I do need to care for it as well as trust in providence and doctor’s instructions to heal me. The way I treat this wound is a metaphor for the way I take care of my health for the future. It represents the value and the necessity of self care, and also shows how much we all depend on help from others to live complete lives.
Have you ever taken a look at your inner slave in action? Who or what is the master, gentle reader?
The Buddha
Fall Superfood, The Sweet Potato
September 27, 2015
— 3 Comments
sweet potato vine
My food prep practice has helped me introduce more variety into our diet and reduce waste. I don’t aspire to fit all my preparation for the week into one day, like many of the serious preppers. My goal is to consolidate my cooking in order to have a few days each week free from major kitchen cleaning. The reward is so valuable to me that it inspires me to improve my strategy. I believe 3 days at leisure with a selection of prepared meals available is ideal for me because I do enjoy cooking. My perfect style is like having a delicatessen at home that never runs out of treats. Sometimes specialty items can be purchased to fill in for home-made, but cooking from scratch is what I like to do and the way I like to eat. Trader Joe’s helps me a lot when I don’t want to fuss, but I have a goal of eating more whole foods.
This autumn season I want to develop some new variations on some old themes. Chowder, chili, and cornbread are on the menu for savory foods. Tapioca pudding and bubble teas are on the new frontier of desserts. I like deconstructing desserts, then building small portions when I want a bite. Deconstructing lends itself to food prep, since you can create the elements to be combined later as desired.
There is one healthy food I want to include more often in new ways. That food is the mighty sweet potato. Most of the dishes I prepared in the past were sweet, like soufflé or sweet potato pie. I recently tried a savory sweet potato salad with cilantro, bell peppers, cumin and chiles. That savory recipe has inspired me to experiment with the spicy/savory realm. There are good reasons to include sweet potatoes in your diet:
- Potassium rich
- Fiber source
- High in antioxidants
- Low glycemic index
This healthy root vegetable will be featured on our fall table in as many new ways as possible. What is your favorite sweet potato recipe, gentle reader?
sweet potatoes
No Place Like Home Wellness Plan
September 23, 2015
— 2 Comments
pure intention
My recent odyssey was perfect for my taste as well as my health. Winding up the last three days and nights in Desert Hot Springs gave me every chance to relax, release and renew in the water. The drinking water there is also excellent, so I came home hydrated and healthy. Taking a mineral water cure is always my favorite way to retreat to center and focus. Leaving home is a great way to assess which best and healthy practices to nurture, and which habits to eliminate. I was very lenient with my diet on holiday but did not suffer ill effects from a few days of extra alcohol and taste treats. We did not go overboard very much on the trip, and a little splurge is good for the attitude.
The first day of fall beckons to holiday celebrants to begin planning, singing, and collecting recipes. The Pumpkin Spice lifestyle is propagated everywhere, and obligatory holiday consumerism is praised as virtue. I am not opposed to merriment, gifting, or parties, but think it can all be done with less waste, more true spirit of giving, and some refined restraint. I plan to use this season of harvest and thanksgiving to clean up my act, my house, and my lifestyle choices. I am the only one who can give myself these gifts.
Now that I am home I have the chance to create positive new change:
- This fall I will limit myself to 3 alcoholic drinks a week
- I will go through my books and office to reduce clutter/clear space
- I will try at least 3 classes a week at the Racquet Club
- I will have acupuncture or body work every week
- I will write poetry and mine my dreams for self-expression
When the winter solstice arrives in December I want to feel happier, lighter, and more free. Three months of concentration on my wellbeing is an investment that will pay big dividends long into the future. This holiday present I am giving to myself is more valuable than anything I could be given by another person.
shadow selfie
California Heals
September 18, 2015
— 1 Comment
Mark 6:31
super staff
Miracle Springs Resort
Hot springs around the world have been used for healing purposes for centuries. The word spa is derived from a backronym (created in later times) in Latin, Salus per aquam, health through water. The meaning has been broadened to such an extent that today it is hard to know what it means. To me it still means drinking and soaking in mineral spring water. I have visited many spots around the world to enjoy balneotherapy and the benefits of drinking specialty water. On our road trip I am introducing my friend to the concept. We are staying 3 nights in Desert Hot Springs at the Miracle Springs Resort. This is the best deal I know for a mineral hot spring stay in the United States. There are small hotels and inns all around town with the water, but only this one, and the sister spa next door, to which guests also have access, offer so much space and so many different water temperatures available 24 hours daily. Nights under the stars are particularly wonderful in the pools.
My friend has just retired from work and had never experienced body work. I encouraged him to try it. He enjoyed his first massage tremendously. His therapist was excellent, according to him. Prices for services here are very reasonable, and I have always had good results. The hotel has upgraded some of the amenities since my last visit, and changed managers. The staff is professional, knowledgeable, and very friendly. The initiation of my friend has been very successful. He is quickly turning into a spa bunny.
If you think spa means nail salon, jacuzzi, or an all-inclusive week-long excercise program I urge you to think again. Health is our only real wealth. A few days of mineral water hot spring soaking and drinking can make a world of difference to your wellbeing.
Miracle Springs Resort
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