Saturday, October 31, 2009

I am staying home and leaving the porch light on

Jalál (Glory), 16 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Saturday, October 31, 2009 about Sunset Pacific Time

Normally, we go out on Halloween night; however, tonight I'm staying home and leaving the porch light on. I bought candy (probably too much candy, because I always buy too much candy). I bought candy that Mom and I will eat, so if there is any left from Halloween night there won't be a problem. I'll put the leftover candy in the freezer and we will eat it a little at a time.

Halloween candy
brings back childhood memories
Grandma made cookies.

As a child, I enjoyed Halloween, but now it's just another day. When we were growing up my Grandmother would make cookies for the Trick or Treater's. All the neighborhood kids would come to our house because they knew they would get homemade cookies. Grandma enjoyed making the cookies. The neighborhood kids enjoyed getting the cookies and their parents didn't have to worry because they knew who made the cookies.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

A hot chocolate day

‘Idál (Justice), 13 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Wednesday, October 28, 2009 about 3:17 PM Pacific Time

It's a hot chocolate day in Las Vegas. The wind is blowing lowering temperatures inside and outside the house.

Hot chocolate day
Las Vegas wind chill factor
sun and dancing trees.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Short autumn days and early morning trash collection

Fidál (Grace), 12 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Tuesday, October 27, 2009 about 7:35 AM Pacific Time

Tomorrow is Wednesday and the trashcans have to be on the curb by 7:00 AM. The days are getting shorter, so I am going to take the cans to the curb tonight before sunset. If I wait until morning, the trashcans will remain in the garage because in autumn and winter it is too dark before 7:00 AM to lug the cans to the curb.

The morning's darkness
lengthens evening's to do list
the trash must go out.

Monday, October 26, 2009

As I watch the sun set in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 11 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Monday, October 26, 2009 about 6:00 PM Pacific Time

I watch sunset in
Las Vegas remembering
sunset in Blackwell.

Sunset always brings back memories of Oklahoma. Sometimes I remember sunset at Lake Blackwell. Sometimes I remember sunsets in Blackwell. Today I am remembering a sunset I witnessed at my grandparents home.

It was autumn. I was outside playing in the yard. Grandma liked us to spend as much time outside as possible. It was getting close to dinnertime and Grandpa had just came home from work. I think it might have been a Friday because we always went to my Grandparents' house on Friday evening or Saturday.

I don't remember how we got to their house, perhaps we walked. We did a lot of walking when I was a child. My two brothers, my sister and me walked together. As I said, it was sunset and Grandma called us in for dinner. Why I remember that particular sunset I don't know.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Tests, Difficulties and Dentures

Jalál (Glory), 9 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Saturday, October 24, 2009 about 2:24 PM Pacific Time

I found out long ago that life is full of tests and difficulties, which assist in the development of my soul. These tests and difficulties help me develop spiritual attributes. These tests and difficulties come in expected and unexpected ways.

I never expected to encounter difficulties with my dentures. The problem I have is the denture adhesive; I have not found a denture adhesive I can use. I have to accept the possibility that I may not be able to use safely any type of adhesive to hold my dentures. If that is the case, I am going to have to learn to use my dentures without an adhesive.

The problems I am having with my dentures is to help me develop a spiritual attribute. I am not sure which spiritual attribute, but probably persistence. I still have a couple of different types of denture adhesives to try. I am also learning how to eat again; I am learning to chew my food slowly. One advantage of chewing slowly is enjoying the taste of the food.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Another Autumn Day in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 8 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Friday, October 23, 2009 about 5:07 PM Pacific Time

Another nice autumn day in Las Vegas, The inside temperature ranged from 72 to 78 digresses today. I don't know the temperature range outside the house. I have a new digital thermostat, which shows an accurate temperature reading and it's wonderful.

I don't have to guess at the temperature any more. I just check the thermostat to see precisely how warm or cold it is in the house. There are other things I need to get fixed around the house, such as the plumbing. Actually I think the plumbing will be the next item on the agenda.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

It finally feels like Autumn

Istijlál (Majesty), 7 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Thursday, October 22, 2009 about 2:30 PM Pacific Time

Today felt like fall, it didn't look like fall because the leaves on the trees are still green. This morning the temperature in the house got down to 72 degrees, which is a nice fall temperature here in Las Vegas. I checked the thermostat a few minutes ago and it read 75 degrees. I doubt that it reaches 80 today. October is half over and it's just starting to feel like fall.

Fall in the Las Vegas
desert temperatures descend
winter approaches.

I put one heavy quilt on the bed, however I suspect I may have to put one of the lighter blankets under it before the end of the year. It doesn't get as cold here as it did in Oklahoma, but the temperatures do reach the freezing point of water once or twice in the winter. Therefore, I think I'd better prepare for it now. I don't like getting up in the middle of a cold night to find another blanket.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The door to the coat closet keeps coming open

‘Idál (Justice), 6 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Wednesday, October 21, 2009 about 9:30 AM Pacific Time

The door to the coat closet in the hall keeps coming open. We (Mom and I) find it standing open, close it and then find it open again. At first, I thought it was the cats, but now I've decided the reason is related to the change in temperature as the day and night progress.

I sure the issue has something to do with the fact that the entrance to the attic has no cover on it. I'm going to have to get a cover for that entrance. I don't know when I'm going to get the cover because I don't know how much it is. I'll call the people who service my air conditioner and get their advice.

Monday, October 19, 2009

The idea is to focus

Kamál (Perfection), 4 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Monday, October 19, 2009 about 1:27 PM Pacific Time

I have a lot of work to do in the next few days. Therefore, I am going to have to focus on the moment. Whatever I am working on at the moment is the focus. I get interrupted about every five minutes or less, so focusing is becoming difficult.

All right, this is my own fault. I am behind and have to catch up, therefore, I get interrupted more. The farther behind I am the more interruptions occur. The closer a deadline is the more interruptions occur. I suspect it might be a law of the universe or at least one of Murphy's Laws.

When interruptions occur I can ignore them, put them off and deal with the issue later, or deal with the issue immediately. Lately, the interruptions are the type I have to deal with immediately. Perhaps this is part of the process of transformation or dealing with tests and difficulties.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

A cloudy Sunday in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 3 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Sunday, October 18, 2009 about 11:40 AM Pacific Time

It's a cloudy Sunday in Las Vegas. I haven't checked the weather forecast, so I don't know if rain is predicted. I doubt that it rains, the clouds don't look like rain clouds.

White clouds hide blue sky
morning becomes afternoon,
do I miss the rain?

Friday, October 16, 2009

Feast of ‘Ilm

Istiqlál (Independence), 1 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Friday, October 16, 2009 about 10:13 AM Pacific Time

Mom and I went to the Feast of 'Ilm, the Feast of Knowledge, last night. The drive to the 19-day feast was enjoyable. I found the location of the Feast without difficulty. Feast was a nice change after a stressful day.

The fruit of knowledge
consumed sentence by sentence
a new month begins.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

How is the climate in your neck of the wood?

Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Thursday, October 15, 2009 about 7:06 AM Pacific Time

Climate and weather
warm, cold, hot, dry, in between
life lives in climate.

Is climate changing?
We have to ask the question
for our survival.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

I bought some Halloween cookies

Jalál (Glory), 14 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Saturday, October 10, 2009 about 1:59 PM Pacific Time

I bought a tray of two dozen Halloween cookies yesterday. The cookies are chocolate and vanilla decorated like carved pumpkins. There are enough cookies to last several days because the only one's in the house are my mother and myself.

I had two cookies for breakfast this morning. I found one disadvantage to having false teeth and eating cookies. I can't seem to bit off a piece of the cookie. I think the issues is getting used to the dentures and I'm sure I won't have this problem very long.

I solve the problem this morning by dunking my cookies in my coffee. I like to dunk my cookies in coffee, so not being able to bit off a piece of cookie isn't a problem. Dunking a cookie in coffee changes the taste of the cookie and the coffee.

Chocolate cookies
and hot coffee for breakfast
morning happiness.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Morning Coffee

Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Friday, October 9, 2009 about 6:22 AM Pacific Time

Brand doesn't matter
it's the choice of beans, the blend
mornings aroma.

I realized this morning, while I sipped my first cup of coffee I realized it's the blend and not the brand I look for when I buy coffee. The coffee I'm drinking now is French roast, which I like. However, I don't always buy French roast sometimes I buy a different type of roast or even blend of beans.

Thinking back to my childhood and Grandpa, I'm not sure what blend he bought. I remember seeing a couple of different brands of coffee. I know Grandpa bought blends that were dark, rich, and strong.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

I Want Halloween Cookies

Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Thursday, October 8, 2009 about 4:15 PM Pacific Time

I want cookies decorated for Halloween. I want cookies decorated with orange pumpkins carved to resemble smiling faces. I want cookies decorated with black cat designs. I haven't found any cookies decorated like that in the stores. Of course, I haven't went into very many stores this October.

Halloween cookies
smiling orange pumpkin frosting
coffee is perking.

I want Halloween cookies to eat with a hot cup of coffee. I want Halloween cookies to drink with a tall cold glass of milk. When I was a child, Grandma always baked us cookies and served the hot cookies with a cold glass of milk.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

My Grandmother Baked Cookies

Halloween cookies
chocolate peanut butter
baked fresh by Grandma

I remember Grandma's cookies. She baked cookies for all the neighborhood kids on Halloween. Grandma celebrated every occasion by baking cookies, pies or cakes. She always made sure that there were cookies for the neighborhood kids who came to the house any time of the year. Grandma liked to bake.

I have too much work to do to sleep tonight

‘Idál (Justice), 11 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Wednesday, October 7, 2009 about 4:47 PM Pacific Time

I reset my virus scan to begin running at 11:00 PM. That's when I want to get off line and take a meditation break. If I fall asleep while I'm meditating then so be it. I feel like getting something accomplished.

This afternoon, I feel better then I have in a long time. I think that's because I'm eating more meat. Today Mom fixed chicken with carrots and green beans in the fry pan. I always feel better when I eat meat.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Sunday, October 04, 2009

After a windy morning

Jamál (Beauty), 8 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Sunday, October 4, 2009 about 2:08 PM Pacific Time

The wind blew this morning. The gusts were strong enough to rattle the letter slot on my screen door. It sounded as if someone were tapping at the door, but it was just a wind gust. I like sitting in the house and listening to the wind. The wind sounded happy as if it were laughing.

Wind blowing litter
down the middle of the street
perfume of laughter.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Monday I have techs coming in all day

The plumber is coming to fix the pipes to the bathtub on Monday. The guy who does the yearly checks on the central air unit is coming on Monday. I am staying home all day Monday, so this weekend I need to get a filter for the air conditioner. I am not sure what else I need to buy perhaps soda or a jug of tea. I have enough water, but we do not have soda.

This weekend between writing, I will clean the bathroom. I also have to go to the laundromat; however, I think I can put that off until Sunday. I have no desire to do much driving this weekend. I have to do some driving, but I can select where I want to go. I cannot drive and clean the bathroom at the same time.

The tub is the problem. The water is slow draining from it and when I used the plunger, it brought up stuff from the drain. Now I have to wash the tub, perhaps I should go to the laundromat on Saturday. That way I can wash the rags I want to use to clean the tub and while the cloths are washing, I can walk down to the supermarket to get a filter for the air conditioner.

A Cool Autumn morning in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 6 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Friday, October 2, 2009 about 6:17 AM Pacific Time

The thermostat reads 75 degrees, but it feels colder then that. The central air did not come on all night. If the temperature is like this the rest of the month, I will turn the cool air off. It is not cold enough for heat at night, so I will turn the unit off entirely. I need to contact the people who service it to see when they, but I don't think they do that until the end of October or the beginning of November.

Morning's pleasant chill
encourages exercise
warm the body up.