SMUDGIN' AND STUFF

Using Sage to "Smudge" is a simple and powerful way to clear your energy field and remove negative energy from the area. You can smudge with sage, cedar, lavender, and many other herbs. Sage comes in several forms but I suggest that white (desert) rather than the green garden sage be used.

Smudging is the process of burning the dried plant and fanning the smoke over your body with sacred intention. You should also smudge the area in and around where you intend to do your sacred work. Smudging is best known as a Native American ritual, but it is found in other cultures as well.

Smudging is a simple way of thanking the earth and purifying a space. Variations of smudging are found in cultures throughout the world.

Sage is used to purify the mind, body and spirit before praying. It is also used to purify sacred items such as pipes, and eagle feathers. Some may use it to purify their homes, offices, cars and some carry a small amount of Sage in a pocket or medicine pouch to insure personal and spiritual safety.

Sage is burned to drive out bad spirits or feelings and is valued for its aromatic properties. As the smoke rises so does the negative energy. If you are cleansing a room or house, try to open the windows and let the smoke carry the negative energy right out the window.


Me: I am bringing my smudge stick to Dallas this weekend if you want a real life Choctaw to smudge your new homes......I know. It just keeps getting weirder.

Me: Native Americans "smudge". My grandmother smudged my house a couple of weeks ago and I can do yours because I am an Indian woman and head of the household.

Rebecca: Bring a truckload of that s#&% down here.

LeeAnn: No idea what a smudge stick does but it better not get my new couch dirty!!!

MY WISH FOR YOU......

Me: Let's say our prayers.

Betty: Hold my hands momma and you go first.

Me: Lord's Prayer.

Betty: Star light, star bright.......give this wish I wish tonight.

Me: What was your wish?

Betty: MORE PINK CURTAINS.

NEW FROM ITALY

My friend Giulia sent me this video recently and I find it beautiful and incredibly sweet. He died from cancer complications in 2006. The girl is his wife and from what I can understand "he longs for nothing but her." Enjoy!

AND DANCE BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON

There was a full moon Friday night (thank you Farmer's Almanac) so Betty and I decided to 'campout' in the backyard. We made a huge pallet with a ton of soft blankets and fell asleep under the stars. Note to self: Mattie Mac and Cody Mac will wake you up especially if they have been drinking.




Saturday morning I turned the coffee pot to 10 cups and cooked breakfast for my peeps. My parents came over and we had mimosas. Note to self: Mattie Mac hates turkey bacon. And then all hippy hell broke loose. My mom, Betty and I spent the day in my herb garden. We made lavender body scrubs, rosemary and peppercorn olive oil and echinacea and marigold tea (because who drinks echinacea and marigold tea? this girl). We laughed, we worked and we made some damn cute stuff. It felt amazing to be in the sunshine and dirt. Note to self: Cutting things with a three year old lefty requires much patience.













Saturday evening we had steaks and relaxed. Betty made a marigold pie and we danced on the stoop by the pond.



On Sunday my Honey came to smudge my house(blog and pics to follow). Everyone cooked lunch together and we set up Betty's pool. We had a smoked tenderloin with rosemary mashed potatoes and a cold cucumber salad. It was DELIGHTFUL. We spent the rest of the day watching the World Cup. Note to self: Abbey Wambach is a badass. Later I made fajitas smothered in Mattie's delicious guacamole and we sat by the pond all evening while Betty went on a 'froghunt'.

Something about this weekend changed my prospective. Perhaps my heart has been fluttering around looking for a place to rest. Perhaps, I never REALLY thought about living in Spearman for the rest of my life, and maybe I won't, but it's time to bloom where you're planted. BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED. Perhaps, I am simply getting to know myself better. Being around my mom and grandmother reminds me that this earthiness in my soul is not just a characteristic; it is a gift and Betty has it too. Some sort of Indian fire burns in her heart as well and I know she will shine a light on this world like no other. There is a twinkle in her eyes which has not gone unnoticed. It's all around her. This brightness that changes your day and melts your heart.

I don't really believe I am a hippy. I have good hygiene and I don't do drugs. What I do believe is my blood runs ChocTaw. DAMN. CRAZY. INDIAN.



Note to self: Mattie's eyes are very sensitive to the sun since Lasik.

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU-LLANO 2011

THE ONE YOU FEED

Big circle people. Stick with me.

From my bff:

An old Cherokee Indian was speaking to his grandson:

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil–he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good — he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a long minute, and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

My baby sister got engaged this weekend. Her senior picture rests on my dashboard and I look at if often. WWMD? What can I do today that will inspire her? How can I make her proud. She looks up to me and I need to let my life speak. Let your life speak.......

As I drove this weekend, I looked at Mattie's picture and I heard the words open your heart. It is time to open your heart. Your heart has been closed long enough. Your heart has spent enough time broken. Open your heart.

And I was reminded of a fortune I once opened which said, "Those who do not fight do not conquer." And at that very moment I knew. What would Mattie do? What has Mattie done? She has fought for herself. She has fought for love. And at that very moment I knew. I knew it was time to go to the mattresses. Fight for the goodness inside of you. Open your heart. Let your life speak.

And so this week, a very dear chef friend of mine with a black mohawk and freckles is coming to cook for me.

Which one will win? The one you feed.

KEEP A TRUCKIN'

I have had a rough week. There have been a couple of days I have wanted to punch something and scream out, 'WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO EFFING HARD?' which I didn't and that totally leads to wanting to bawl my eyes out from holding it all together which I didn't. Some weeks are just like that I suppose. Sometimes you feel more lonely or angry or sad. Sometimes it is just EFFING HARD because it just is. Sometimes you need to ask God for a little extra help so I have been.....all week.

And then you round the corner and see that the very first tomato you have ever planted by yourself in your whole life is ripe and ready. And you pop that sucker in your daughter's mouth and she squeals with delight AND MAN DOES IT FEEL GOOD.

And shortly after you ignore a phone call from an unknown number which leaves you a voicemail and when you check said voicemail there is a message from Coffee Memorial Blood Center identifying the exact hospital where your blood was sent to save a life AND MAN DOES IT FEEL GOOD.

And on the very same day you realize you submitted an assignment.....to a professor.....at a college. You're a college student again AND MAN DOES IT FEEL GOOD.

And you order flowers for your sister for her birthday and you make a roast for your Nanny and you kiss your sleeping baby and you tell your heart and soul to keep a truckin'. NEVER NEVER GIVE UP you hear Winston Churchill say. NEVER NEVER GIVE UP.

And then just like that, you start to feel better. You start to remember how gosh dang good life is. How blessed you are and how much God loves you and if you will just ask, if you will just whisper His name, He will give you all the help you need.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama