mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
You can scroll the shelf using ← and → keys
Pen Pals With Pens, #InCoWriMo
January 25, 2017
— 3 Comments
The month of February, known for Valentine cards, is also the month for #InCoWriMo, international correspondence writing month. I have started a bullet journal to switch at least some of my writing to my own hand, but I am slow getting started on that project. I heavily rely on digital media to both send and receive everything. When I discovered this challenge to send or hand deliver one hand written note, postcard, or card each day for the month of February I was nostalgic for my old pen pal of childhood. My pen pal lived in England and was also a Brownie Scout. Many of my fellow scouts burned out fast on writing letters, but I stayed in touch with mine for several years. I started sending letters to Ann of England around second grade and carried on until about sixth, I think. I remember the gifts she sent me at Christmas, but I don’t remember what I sent her. I know there was an effort to make the gift represent America somehow. I also was forced to write to my grandparents and send thank you notes to anyone who gave me anything or invited me to go anywhere. I had to write a legal pad page of cursive every day at my father’s orders because I got a C in handwriting in school, which was not acceptable. I hated doing that intensely, but I adored buying fancy stationery and writing to my pen pal. I think I can revive the excitement by writing by and to people all over the world next month.
I know some dedicated print and mail specialists who make sure they stay active by sending letters and snail mail. My friend Marc Zazeela, @MZazeela, has been a logistics and shipping expert for his entire professional career. He knows all there is to know about sending anything anywhere at the best rate. He serves commercial and international clients, but is a strong proponent of sending handwritten notes. Hellen Rittersporn, @HELENSstudio, writes a wonderful blog all about letterwritting called Anchored Scraps in which she stays current with stamps, pens, history of correspondence and more. She is naturally on board for the February challenge, and has written this very informative piece on the subject.
There are many famous folks who want to receive letters, such as the Postmaster General of the United States. Many more of us not so famous people have set the intention of finishing this challenge by publishing our mailing addresses on the site for sharing. The website and e mail reminders you will receive when you sign up are very helpful and inspirational. They have designed a planning calendar to help you design a strategy, or just fill your dance card:
2017 calendar InCoWriMo
Now there is a crustacean on instagram running a contest associated with the program. countcrustaceo is running a contest to make things more interesting. Now you can’t say this is not fun:
What Are Health Savings Accounts?
January 24, 2017
— 1 Comment
HSA
I have had a health savings account at my bank for many years. It is a simple savings account earning little interest. My accountant advised me to contribute to it, and I did without understanding the full reason. Now that I am on Medicare, in a relatively safe position, I am extremely happy I have a hefty HSA. I can use it for any approved medical expense that is not covered by my insurance. To qualify in the first place I had to carry a high deductible health insurance policy. This virtually guaranteed all the expenses would be paid by me, since I never hit my deductible amount in a single year. Now that I am on Medicare I can’t contribute any more, but that is fine also. I believe I have just the right amount for my own situation. I was not taxed on the initial deposit and the expenditures always qualify as legitimate medical expenses on my taxes. I get to essentially write it off twice, even though it earns little interest.
There are few caveats, such as making sure the use you make of it is an approved expense under the law. I made a costly error couple of years ago by paying for some body work from that account that did not qualify. I paid an IRS penalty larger than the original payment, just to make sure I am in compliance with the law. Now I will never cross that line again, as I know the consequences. I did get a written prescription from a doctor for lymphatic drainage treatments, shiatsu, and reflexology at the U of A Supportive Care for Healing at the hospital. Without the written orders those treatments would not be allowed, but with doctor’s orders it is fine. The same is true of over the counter medicines or vitamin supplements. Make sure you have the doctor’s orders filed with your tax documents, just in case you need them. My plan and my HSA account is personal, so there is no other entity for me to satisfy other then the IRS and the bank where the account resides.
There are plans in which employers contribute to HSA as an alternative or supplement to insurance. The law creating HSA’s was signed by George Bush on Jan 1, 2004. Previous to that time a similar medical savings accounts existed for employees of small businesses. The present law is open to employers of all sizes, not just those with fewer than 50 employees. Now the HSA is being promoted as an alternative to health insurance. I am very pleased I have one, but it is no way an alternative for insurance. It is effective to the extent that it meets the individual’s needs. It can be spent on preventive care not covered by most policies, so it can upgrade the health care of the customer. It can be invested in a more lucrative way than my own interest earning savings plan at a bank. I have a debit card I use for all medical payments during the year. The feature I like the best is the full accounting of all the money I have spent on health care during a given year. The HSA bank statement is all I need to do my taxes at the end of the year and keep track of my health care spending. I am glad to have it, if for no other reason than ease of tax accounting.
Do you have a health savings account, gentle reader? Is yours done through an employer or is it a personal plan? I think it is a good idea, but there is much to know to choose the right one and deposit the right amount for your future needs.
IRS
Aquarius Sun Sagittarius Moon
January 22, 2017
— 1 Comment
Today it will really feel like Aquarius Season with the Moon in philosophical Sagittarius. She spent the night void-of-course in Scorpio and leaps into fiery Sagittarius before daybreak. The only aspect the Moon makes today is a bright, inquisitive sextile to the Aquarius Sun during the morning. Sagittarius and Aquarius are natural allies and share […]
via Sagittarius Moon says think big 1-22-2017 — Libra Seeking Balance
#WeekendCoffeeShare, Faith In Enantiodromia
January 21, 2017
— 1 Comment
#WeekendCoffeeShare
Enantiodromia is a concept made popular by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. Carl is known for being deeply difficult to interpret because of his writing style. He was first friendly but later became a rival of Sigmund Freud. If we were having coffee today, on the day of the women’s march on Washington, I would make an effort to explain this idea. I think if we look at the United States as an entity created by history we can see that our society has become more and more at odds with “the Other”. Carl explains this blame game as transference, or finding fault in others rather than looking into our own responsibility for any given situation. In personal relationships this is common, and now it is the norm for our politics. I have really been thinking hard about this as we approached the inauguration. I share feelings of doom and despair with many, but I am taking solace that we are establishing a new rock bottom from which we can only bounce. Our collective consciousness is a mess, in need of clarity and healing. The United States, the nation, is delusional. We need to face this fact and remedy the cultural issues that we have made such a big deal of establishing. Neither “other” is right. Both are out of touch with reality. This is another way Carl looked at action and reaction. He said there is not so much good and bad as real and unreal. The pendulum has swung to the outer limits of unreality now, and the center is strained to the max. Will it hold?
Please help yourself to tea or coffee, or a big glass of fresh grapefruit juice. It is rainy and cool out, but the wood stove is roaring and the armchair with the ottoman next to the fire is ready for you. Snuggle in and tell me how you are dealing with events these days. I stayed quiet this week, mostly because my car went to the shop for 3 days to be repaired. I wrote another short piece of fiction based on a photo prompt this week. It turned out to be very disquieting, haunted and macabre because my mind was on the national spirit. I am a bit surprised at my own darkness in these short stories. I guess it reflects by subconscious as well as my desire to make up stories. I thought I would be funny in fiction, but I am a bit of a horror writer, much to my own horror.
This is the perfect time for me to segue to enantiodromia, the phenomena. Simply put, it means that any force in overabundance will produce it’s opposite in order to keep nature in balance. If one single aspect of a consciousness is developed at the expense of all others, the equal and opposite reaction will be triggered by the extreme condition of the psyche. Often in individuals this shift precedes a breakthrough into a more integrated personality. Once the “other” is seen in a realistic light an enlightenment can take place.
In Jung’s own words:
The grand plan on which the unconscious life of the psyche is constructed is so inaccessible to our understanding that we can never know what evil may not be necessary in order to produce good by enantiodromia, and what good may very possibly lead to evil. (“The Phenomenology of the Spirit in Fairytales”, Collected Works 9i, par. 397)
I am placing all my hope in enantiodromia to save our society. We elected our shadow, and now we will be forced to view it, ironically against the backdrop of the White House. We can’t blame our shadow into evaporating because it represents (imperfectly) the ideas of “the enemy”. We have to meet it straight on, and see what part we have played in establishing it and then giving it power. This is deeper and weirder than just Republicans vs Democrats. This is real vs unreal, in which everyone has a little of each. We are codepending with everyone and everything. Our journey to balance will require enlightenment and compassion for all those “others”.
Diana hosts the coffee party each weekend from New Orleans. Please visit us to read, write, comment, or just consume a few cups of digital coffee. This party is a wonderful place to keep it real and share your thoughts in a safe, creative atmosphere. Thanks for dropping by this week.
Carl Jung
#WritePhoto, Dancehall Of Dread
January 19, 2017
— 14 Comments
#writephoto
In the darkest moment of winter, heaviness and despair falls on the land. Frightened workers huddle indoors, sharing the heat of a single stove in the dance hall of the dead. The musical sounds drift in from the streets, strings and horns and voices of the past kill time by serenading the future. The dance floor is void of happy feelings but full of feverish dread of the coming days. The waltz goes on forever, the tempo hypnotic, mind numbing. The dancers know all the tribal dances that have been danced for centuries in this place. Circles of spirited colors whirl above the floor. The walls vibrate with deep bass rhythm and drumming creatures representing sacrifices made to tradition. The swift current of time sweeps the crowd up in a cloud of memory and doubt.
The donkey shadow on the wall opposes the one of the elephant wearing a hat. The shadow puppets play the same parts forever, constantly changing costumes to deceive. The audience blends into the puppetry, never minding the strings attached. The glow from the streetlight illuminates the dancing puppets as they pass. The translucent quality of their weary bodies is briefly revealed for a moment. Darkness and bitter cold then quickly envelops each one in dread. Nobody knows if this is real or imaginary. This may be happening in the present, or we may be stuck in each other’s dreams. Is there an escape? Are we under a spell? Will this dance continue? Do we have a choice?
Visit Sue Vincent’s blog on Thursdays to find a photo prompt for fiction. Create your own story to go with this week’s image.
#writephoto
Wishing Tree For Year Of The Fire Rooster
January 18, 2017
— 1 Comment
The Chinese tradition of the spring festival celebrates the new year for two weeks around 4 February each year. In 2017 the celebrations will begin 28 January with the first official day of the rooster year falling on the 3 February. There is a custom of making a wish then throwing it up into a ” wishing tree”. The wish to carry us through the year is similar to a resolution, but also resembles a letter to Santa. We can celebrate this cool custom in our own private ways. If planning the year at the start includes a fresh start in health, wealth, career, family, and community, what will your wish be? The rooster is a confident, well dressed and chivalrous. He will not back down in a fight. He is known to, in fact, go beyond reason to get his way. The cock wakes up crowing and does not hold back criticism and domineering attitude toward others. Feathers will fly during this year, and egos will be bruised. The rooster is the most misunderstood sign of the Chinese zodiac, a heroic Don Quixote, taking on windmills of gigantic proportions. I wish that during the cock year you will learn to do less, but do it with precision and passion. Cock-a-doodle-dooooooooo
House Plant Happy
January 17, 2017
— 1 Comment
kitchen bromeliad
dining table
Growing plants is a joy and an art. I enjoy gardening outdoors, but lately I have been reading about improving air quality indoors with house plants. I used to have a large variety of plants in the house, but during the last few years I tried growing orchids. They are beautiful while blooming, but require very consistent and careful care in order to make them bloom again. I have killed a couple, and finally after over a year barren, one is sprouting a new flower. I will not expand on my orchid collection. I don’t think I have the appropriate amount of patience, and they don’t really want to live in Arizona. I read that lavender and English ivy are extra active at cleaning the air at night, so I bought those two for my bedroom. As soon as they were in place I noticed how happy they make me when I see them. I am sleeping very well, but am not sure the plants really contribute to that. They are cheery and alive. If I take care of them properly they will grow and fill my space with more fragrance and clean air. What is not to like? They are little happiness producers.
I did some transplanting and moving of the existing house plants before I ventured out to the nursery to purchase a few more living decorations. I did not want to splurge much financially, and even less on space. Lucky for me, small tropical plants were discounted as were the small bromeliads. My entire purchase, complete with new pots and saucers, and a new hanging uranium for outside, was just over $50. Now my whole home is upgraded. The green dashes of optimistic color cheer me up and remind me of the power of nature to survive. I do have a very green yard outside the windows, but bringing these little living jungles inside has changed my mood. I am uplifted by their presence.
Winter doesn’t last long in Tucson, but during the dark time of year we need a little light and cheer to remind us that spring is right around the corner. I fill the humming bird feeders and light the fire in the wood stove. while darkness turns slowly to light. I listen to beautiful music and light a few candles in the evening to create a cozy feeling. The plants have added a sweet touch to the space. Do you grow houseplants, gentle reader? Do you have a favorite?
Alexa’s palm tree
Heart Healthy Winter Drinks
January 16, 2017
— 1 Comment
Delicious ways to warm up the drink menu
Here are 10 comforting cozy drinks to sip on by the fire.
As a bonus they are heart healthy and easy on the waistline, in case anyone over-did the feasting 🙂
Mulled Cranberry Cocktail
Simply flavor cranberry juice with a little ground cinnamon and cloves, bring mixture to a boil, and then reduce heat to a simmer.
Dark Chocolate Cocoa
Use almond, soy, or hemp milk – that is low in saturated fat. You can also use fat-free cow’s milk or 1 percent milk. Make your cocoa with dark chocolate, this is an added health boost!
Spiced Cinnamon Cider
Wrap whole cloves and whole allspice in a small piece of cheesecloth and add it to a saucepan of apple cider along with a few cinnamon sticks. Set on a stove burner and turn the heat to low; the spices will bring out the flavor of the cider as it…
View original post 344 more words
Elizabeth Washington, Seventh Great-Grandmother
January 16, 2017
— 1 Comment
Virginia Colony
My seventh great-grandmother’s grandfather was John Washington of Surry Co, VA. (See the Washington information from Louise Ingersoll’s book.) She inherited 200 acres of Surry Co. land from her father. That land was sold 2/19/1734. After Sampson died, she went into NC to live with her son James. On 22 Nov 1757 Edward Goodrich, Isaac Rowe Walton and John Maclin, gentlemen, laid off and assigned to Elizabeth Lanier, widow of Sampson Lanier, deceased her dower of said Sampson’s estate.
She remarried after Sampson died. Marriage bond, dated 23 July 1758 on file Brunswick Co, VA, shows Elizabeth Lanier,widow, marrying Cuthbert Smith, and an order dated
27 Feb 1759 appointed Cuthbert Smith guardian of Rebecca Lanier,orphan of Sampson Lanier, and an order dated 5 Sept 1759 appointing Lemuel Lanier as guardian for Burwell Lanier, Buckner Lanier, Winifred Lanier, Martha Lanier and Anne Lanier.
My seventh great-grandfather, Sampson Lanier, was born in 1681 and died in 1743.
Third son of John Lanier, Jr. born Charles City County 1681 (by deposition made in Surry Co. March 21, 1738), first appears in contemporary records as a “Tithable” in the upper end of Surry County above Stony Run in 1701. Richard Washington’s will leaves 200 acres of land to his daughter, Elizabeth, and leaves to his son-in-law, 200 acres lying in the Isle of Wight. Sampson Lanier sold this land which is now a part of Southhampton County; in February of 1734, Sampson
and Elizabeth Lanier sold the 200 acres of land given her by her father. They moved to Brunswick County before 1740. Sampson Lanier was a Justice, a Vestryman of St. Andrews, and, at one time, on the School Board. His will, dated 8 Jan. 1743, was proved on 5 May 1743. It lists their children as Thomas, Lemuel, Sampson, Richard, Elizabeth, and James. He married about 1706 in Surry, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Washington (1660 Virginia – 1725 Virginia) & Elizabeth Jordan of Surry County, VA, and granddaughter of Major John Washington (born England 1632) of Surry County, VA. (See pp 40-41, Ingersoll.) She died in Pitt County, NC. Major John Washington was first cousin to Colonel John Washington of Westmoreland County, VA and was the Great Grandfather of George Washington, first President of the United States.
Elizabeth Washington (1689 – 1773)
7th great-grandmother
Elizabeth Lanier (1719 – 1795)
daughter of Elizabeth Washington
Martha Burch (1743 – 1803)
daughter of Elizabeth Lanier
David Darden (1770 – 1820)
son of Martha Burch
Minerva Truly Darden (1806 – 1837)
daughter of David Darden
Sarah E Hughes (1829 – 1911)
daughter of Minerva Truly Darden
Lucinda Jane Armer (1847 – 1939)
daughter of Sarah E Hughes
George Harvey Taylor (1884 – 1941)
son of Lucinda Jane Armer
Ruby Lee Taylor (1922 – 2008)
daughter of George Harvey Taylor
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Ruby Lee Taylor
Richard Washington’s will, dated November 9, 1724, leaves 200 acres of land to his daughter Elizabeth Lanier, “land where she now lives”; he leaves to his son-in-law, Sampson Lanier, 200 acres lying in the Isle of Wight. On March 23, 1732, Sampson Lanier sold the above 200 acres to the Vestry of Nottingham Parish, now Southampton County. On February 19, 1734, Sampson and Elizabeth Lanier sold the 200 acres of land given her by her father, and before 1740 they had moved to Brunswick County, Virginia. Sampson was a Justice, a Vestryman of St. Andrews, and at one time he was on the school board.
Sampson Lanier died about May 15, 1743 in Brunswick County, Virginia. Elizabeth died about 1773 in Pitt County, North Carolina.
#WeekendCoffeeShare, Reaching Conclusions
January 15, 2017
— 4 Comments
#WeekendCoffeeShare
Welcome to a rainy cool afternoon in Tucson. Please take a seat by the wood stove and let me know if you want tea or coffee today. I have expanded my tea collection to fully enjoy and celebrate National Hot Tea Month (January) by rotating white, rioboos, green, oolong, herbal, and chai in various flavors to warm the winter mood. The chocolate chai is very stimulating for those in a spicy mood. Help yourself to some blue cornbread in the skillet, and spread one of the many jams and jellies I have set out for our tasting pleasure. Relax, take a breather with your feet up on the ottoman and your warm drink at hand. Tell me about your week and your adventures. I look forward to hearing about your news and your writing projects.
If we were having coffee today I would tell you I am pleased to have written another short piece of fiction this week. I used a photo prompt rather than one of my ancestors as the subject. I had a good time with it, and plan to continue to write at least one piece of fiction each week this year. I think eventually I might be good at either mystery stories or fantasy style fiction. To keep me going I started a bullet journal to log ideas and find new subjects for my factual posts. I enjoy this too, but have not been very prolific at posting in it. My first journal is general purpose and small enough to carry all the time. I think the size is not ideal for weekly and monthly goals and planning, so I have pulled out a new notebook to begin a larger version tomorrow to go with my portable idea notebook. The large format will help me track my writing goals and develop story lines for fictional work.
I guess our story this week is our birthday month. Both my partner and I have January birthdays. His is in Capricorn and mine at the end of the month in Aquarius. We are downsizing our possessions, so no gift giving is in order for either of us. We like to go out for fine dining when we have an occasion to fête. Bob chose Feast, one of our favorite restaurants, for his lunch party yesterday. It was perfect. I tried to coax him into trying a new place, but he is the Capricorn, and was not into change at this time (or any time, for that matter). He pointed out that I can choose a place new to us for my birthday dining experience. I have a couple of weeks to decide between a few trendy places I have wanted to try.
There is a small gremlin attacking various working parts of my life. The filtered water spout the kitchen sink broke off and needs to be replaced, as does the filter itself. My vacuum cleaner dumped all the dirt on the floor when I started to empty it. The latch is broken, so when I take the canister out I must now always hold the bottom so it will not leak all over the floor I just cleaned. My Triberr feed has lost its mind and forgot to tweet for a couple of days. This digital tragedy is now being averted by manual tweeting of my tribe members posts. I hope this will be resolved quickly because the manual stuff is taking a load of time. Last, but not at all least, my car started saying service engine soon on the dash when we drove to lunch yesterday. It may have an electronic glitch, or a real need to be serviced. Sadly, this is not something I can jerry rig or do myself. The car has not been to the mechanic since last February, so I just hope it is not suffering from some major (expensive) ailment. My mechanic is located very near my home, so I pack my bike and drive home when I drop it off for service. I have my pressing business and shopping done, so I can live without the car for a few days if I must. I consider myself lucky, but still have my fingers crossed that this will be a minor repair, and the little demon who breaks stuff will leave my life of his own accord.
I have reached several conclusions about our national politics and my mission in life. I can contribute to and support change and justice best by doing it in my immediate vicinity. The inauguration ceremony may offer the perfect time to go out to a restaurant to enjoy off peak dining. I don’t plan to watch it, but will probably live tweet it for the comedy involved. The future will be a mixed, highly unpredictable bag. My place as a citizen and tax payer is not to jump to any conclusions, but to pay close attention to what happens now. At the conclusion of Trump’s presidency we can analyze how history is altered. Now we can only guess. We need to tune in and not tune out. Discernment has never been so important.
Stop by Diana’s blog to take part in the coffee share this week. Share your thoughts, your personal stories, with writers from across the globe who enjoy a digital hot beverage. Thanks for visiting with us today, gentle reader.
blue cornbread
mermaidcamp 