Here and Now...What's Happening?

[Selkie]

The colt's foot flowers are up. They are the very first wild flowers to come up in spring, and they come up before their leaves. And the peepers are singing at night now. The night before last I heard one, lone peeper, and then last night, they were all singing

[araucaria]

They know where to look for alien life, now they’re telling us. No they don’t: there are thousands of people on this planet who claim to have a little knowledge and experience, but they never get asked; they’re just cranks or worse.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/sc...-10161694.html

[Violet]

Masons in Belgium. Here and there a joke, and of course everyone knows de Loge and not all members keep it a secret that they are members. However, today I found it strange to hear it discussed so openly and freely, and on national radio.

There's a prehistory to the story. In short: last week an ex-mayor committed suicide after news came that he was to go on trial for accusations of rape (English article) and confusion about the letter from court not being received by him (but he wasn't doing too well for the last - I don't know - five or more years - and also staying out of the spotlights). The woman accusing him, does so three years after the facts. Some people wonder why it takes three years to report a rape, including a psychology professor, at the University of Brussels, friend of the deceased politician (Dutch article).

This in turn led to a girl posting (on Youtube) her reason why she also waited three years to report rape, in addition demanding the professor's withdrawal from the university. The rector of the university then reacted to the press that he has reproached the professor for his inappropriate statements.

And now the masonry part, today that (national) radio show discussing whether or not masons are abusing their positions to protect each other? How does it tie into the story up here? Well, apparently, the psychology professor is a mason and apparently some people think it helped him get away very easily with this and other blunt statements about women in the past. Especially in his position in a study field which has as students mostly women...

I don't remember the guest speaker's name in the show. According to his view it is a fact that masons mostly hold the highest positions (many of which public) in our society and not by coincidence. There is an intentional drive to join de loge just to be able to climb up faster, he said. At this point, I'm checking the radio frequency to see if this is still national radio on. Yup.

He continues, from these positions it becomes a dubious matter when brothers hold to their oath of protecting each other no matter what, which - depending on who's abusing which position for which problem - may also include escaping the law. So, it's not just a hobby club. And adding that since many masons are also public figures and we are a democracy, in which transparency should prevail, it now becomes our business too and these people owe the citizens transparency of their workings and of their assets.

This seemed to me like quite an unusual discussion, mostly the naturalness with which the "facts" were brought in, I'm used to hearing people mock the alternative community for doing exactly the same thing.

[meeradas]

Ain't funny? Nope. Didn't come up with the gesture herself [look for a ted talk on body language].

[Playdo of Ataraxas]

Posted by Silkie (here)
[IMG][/IMG]

I thought I'd share this with you all, just because I like it and am proud of it I painted it about 3 years ago from a picture of a lioness that I found of the internet.

That's beautiful! It made me think of this bobcat I read about yesterday in Florida that caught a shark. It's so big I thought it was a panther with a bobtail:

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/...fish/25420533/

[Flash]

Posted by Violet (here)
Masons in Belgium. Here and there a joke, and of course everyone knows de Loge and not all members keep it a secret that they are members. However, today I found it strange to hear it discussed so openly and freely, and on national radio.

There's a prehistory to the story. In short: last week an ex-mayor committed suicide after news came that he was to go on trial for accusations of rape (English article) and confusion about the letter from court not being received by him (but he wasn't doing too well for the last - I don't know - five or more years - and also staying out of the spotlights). The woman accusing him, does so three years after the facts. Some people wonder why it takes three years to report a rape, including a psychology professor, at the University of Brussels, friend of the deceased politician (Dutch article).

This in turn led to a girl posting (on Youtube) her reason why she also waited three years to report rape, in addition demanding the professor's withdrawal from the university. The rector of the university then reacted to the press that he has reproached the professor for his inappropriate statements.

And now the masonry part, today that (national) radio show discussing whether or not masons are abusing their positions to protect each other? How does it tie into the story up here? Well, apparently, the psychology professor is a mason and apparently some people think it helped him get away very easily with this and other blunt statements about women in the past. Especially in his position in a study field which has as students mostly women...

I don't remember the guest speaker's name in the show. According to his view it is a fact that masons mostly hold the highest positions (many of which public) in our society and not by coincidence. There is an intentional drive to join de loge just to be able to climb up faster, he said. At this point, I'm checking the radio frequency to see if this is still national radio on. Yup.

He continues, from these positions it becomes a dubious matter when brothers hold to their oath of protecting each other no matter what, which - depending on who's abusing which position for which problem - may also include escaping the law. So, it's not just a hobby club. And adding that since many masons are also public figures and we are a democracy, in which transparency should prevail, it now becomes our business too and these people owe the citizens transparency of their workings and of their assets.

This seemed to me like quite an unusual discussion, mostly the naturalness with which the "facts" were brought in, I'm used to hearing people mock the alternative community for doing exactly the same thing.

Add to this that Masons are only male secret society, therefore depriving women of any possibilities of accessing higher positions in society as well.

[Flash]

Here and now

Writing from Orlando, Florida. My NH friend was going to Florida for a week in a time share, invited me, just had to pay half my flight ticket and my food. I thought after losing my job, not getting the new job after extensive interviews, I needed it so booked the ticket on Thursday for the following Tuesday morning.

I did not know that, in the meantime, I would brake up with my boyfriend after an awful week end.

And adding to the last week small surgery on my finger story wich was resistant to to analgesics and the tremendous pain that followed.

That was a tough week. I had not foreseen it at all.

I truly appreciate this week off with a good friend and one of her friend I was not acquainted with. We look like 3 older ladies having fun.

[Mikelodium]

Posted by Flash (here)
Here and now

Writing from Orlando, Florida. My NH friend was going to Florida for a week in a time share, invited me, just had to pay half my flight ticket and my food. I thought after losing my job, not getting the new job after extensive interviews, I needed it so booked the ticket on Thursday for the following Tuesday morning.

I did not know that, in the meantime, I would brake up with my boyfriend after an awful week end.

And adding to the last week small surgery on my finger story wich was resistant to to analgesics and the tremendous pain that followed.

That was a tough week. I had not foreseen it at all.

I truly appreciate this week off with a good friend and one of her friend I was not acquainted with. We look like 3 older ladies having fun.

I'm sorry to read that, Flash. It seems that bad things don't come alone. But things that hurt us make us stronger.

Best wishes from Spain.

[Selkie]

Posted by Playdo of Ataraxas (here)

Posted by Silkie (here)
[IMG][/IMG]

I thought I'd share this with you all, just because I like it and am proud of it I painted it about 3 years ago from a picture of a lioness that I found of the internet.

That's beautiful! It made me think of this bobcat I read about yesterday in Florida that caught a shark. It's so big I thought it was a panther with a bobtail:

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/...fish/25420533/

Thank you so much, Playdo

Btw, I saw the pic of the bobcat with the shark, and I thought the cat was a mountain lion at first, too. That cat does really look very big!

[Violet]

Posted by Flash (here)

Add to this that Masons are only male secret society, therefore depriving women of any possibilities of accessing higher positions in society as well.

Yes, so it seems. The official site's admission rules, short version:

Tot wie richt zich de Reguliere Vrijmetselarij in België ?

De Reguliere Grootloge van België richt zich tot alle mannen die direct of indirect elke dag opnieuw betrokken zijn bij de uitdagingen, projecten en vragen (sic) maatschappij van de 21ste eeuw en zij geloven dat er eerder iets dan niets is.
(from this source/linkto the official Lodge's site)

English translation:
Whom does Regular Freemasonry address in Belgium?

The Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium addresses all men who are directly or indirectly involved in challenges, projects and (?) issues of the 21th century society and they believe there is rather something than nothing.

Be there good times ahead for you, Flash...

[meeradas]

Totally unrelated, but i just found both very good and interesting:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=4hF2QL0D5ww

This is in English, despite the title:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=vhe60rpojDM

[ulli]

Tulip carpet in Holland

[protoflex]

Posted by Jean-Marie (here)
I woke this morning in the middle of a strange dream that I remembered. I was in a high rise hotel and there were dragons flying around outside. I was trying to pull the shades down and lock the doors because they were going to get in if they saw us. There were other people there with me, but no one I recognized. I was running and locking doors behind me. Two of them got in. They were small (no bigger than a horse) but I ran through a door and locked them out. At one point I tried to escape via the hallway and when I opened the door I was face to face with a white pale looking dragon. No flames, no fire. I was terrified and slammed and bolted the door.

Anyone good at dream interpretations????

Thank you!

-jean-marie

Very weird dream........

Same problem i have. You're running from chaos and in doing so you end up running from those you love in the process. You have to learn how to face the dragon, face all fears, to protect what you love, and to show your enemies that they will not trample you.

[araucaria]

Posted by ulli (here)


Tulip carpet in Holland

Can't see the pic, but this'll be my fault: we were making plans yesterday to go and have a look.

[Natalia]

Going to take a month break from PA and Facebook from tomorrow.

will spend more alone time in nature, and in the stillness of the present moment

See you later, and take care <3

[ulli]

Posted by araucaria (here)

Posted by ulli (here)
Tulip carpet in Holland

Can't see the pic, but this'll be my fault: we were making plans yesterday to go and have a look.

Lucky you, to be able to see those flowers in the flesh.
YET...Wondering what the carpet image would look like at ground level.
Maybe they offer trips in hot air balloons to get a better picture.

[RunningDeer]

Still ‘gone fishin’. I give a check-in. I don’t want to leave anyone out so I hit the “invisible thanks” button to you All.

Dragons come to me when I walk and sometimes they sleep behind the pine trees in my yard. Smiling guardians, but they know I need no guidance. So we’re good friends. Many are white...‘purity of spirit’ to my way of knowing.

If DRAGON shows up, it means:

• New phase of your life, one where you’ll be taking more risks and be more vulnerable, yet well protected.
• Past-life connection to a time when Earth-based spiritual practices were predominant.
• Entering into a period of considerable prosperity.
• Spend time in contemplation and you’ll receive valuable insights and inspiration.

If DRAGON is your POWER ANIMAL:

• Contemporary wizard, evolved spiritually and wisdom and skills strengthen with age.
• A commanding presence and carry yourself with an air of dignity and regality.
• Open-minded and accepting of other’s spiritual paths and of new ideas and possibilities.
• Enthusiastic and lots of vitality, that’s contagious.

RunningDeer

Posted by Jean-Marie (here)
I woke this morning in the middle of a strange dream that I remembered. I was in a high rise hotel and there were dragons flying around outside.
I opened the door I was face to face with a white pale looking dragon.

Posted by protoflex (here)
Same problem i have.

[RunningDeer]

FYI: Limor asks for prayers/good thoughts/healing energies. [see here]

Posted by Limor Wolf (here)
I will be most greatful for any prayers/ good thoughts/ healing energies that can be sent her way

Many Thanks,

Limor

<3

[eaglespirit]

Posted by Natalia (here)
Going to take a month break from PA and Facebook from tomorrow.

will spend more alone time in nature, and in the stillness of the present moment

See you later, and take care <3

Love, Love, Love Nature Spirits, Natalia...Enjoy!!!

I'm walkin' that path too...
a couple Family jobs to finish and then I'll be on my way to ECETI around the end of the month!

I'll be workin' their carpentry 'wish list' and BE connectin' with Nature,
Mountain and River and 'less-populated' style and onward with my personal 'spirit' quests right in front of me in the now : )

Aho!!!

[Mikelodium]

Here and now I feel devastated. My aunt is dying of cancer... I can't believe it yet, she was fine a week ago. She was just having some backache, and now is dying of backbone cancer.

She is a wonderful person, full of positiveness, used to work as a teacher and everyone loves her... Seriously, I can't believe it. She is like a second mother to me.

So so so unfair... So hard to accept.