Sunday, February 28, 2010

What do I see from my window?

What do I see from my living room window? I see blue sky and clouds. I see the top of my garage roof. I see the wind bowing the limbs of the neighbor's trees.

This last day of February 2010 is windy, white fluffy or wisp of clouds move across the sky. The wind chill factor requires me to put on a ski jacket when I go outside. Since February is going out like a lion, does that mean March will come in like a lion?

The old saying goes, "If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb." That old saying does not mention February, the last full month of winter. The glory of March is the sun crossing vernal equinox. The beauty of March is new life, flowers and green leaves, warmer and longer days.

I look out my window and I see one of the neighbors walking her dog. She walks the dog every day. She walks him around two blocks and then returns home. She, I do not know her name; I call her the lady in the pink blouse because she always wears a pink blouse or a pink sweater. She wears a pair of dark slacks and a dark windbreaker.

Spring, winter, fall and summer she always takes the same route when she walks her large brown mixed breed dog. The dog always stops at the house on the corner to water desert plants. All right, we all know the dog does not stop to water the plants, he stops to mark his territory, but he always stops at the same house and marks the same plant.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

A Long Weary Day

Jamál (Beauty), 3 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary Days), 166 BE – Saturday, February 27, 2010 about 7:10 PM Pacific Time

It's been a long weary day. I'm tired, but not physically tired. I think the clouds have something to do with the way I feel today. I saw a sliver of blue earlier today, but then the clouds covered it.

I went to an Ayyám-I-Há Party last night at the Baha'i Center. Mom didn't go because she wasn't feeling well. I think it was something she ate, but I haven't figured out what it was.

This morning I picked up a couple of boxes of food, while Mom remained home and slept. Mom doesn't sleep well at night so I let her sleep this morning. She felt better when she got and after eating a little breakfast.
Happy Ayyám-I-Há

Friday, February 26, 2010

I finally joined Facebook

Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary Days), 166 BE – Friday, February 26, 2010 about 1:50 PM Pacific Time

I finally joined Facebook, I've thought about it a long time, but until my brother sent me an invitation I didn't join. I still have to do some work on some profile items. I put in my birthday (December 24, 1946); my hometown (Blackwell, Oklahoma); my high school (Shawnee, Oklahoma), and where I live today (Las Vegas, Nevada).

I also put in my portfolio at writing.com and my blogs on blogger. I still have a few items to put in like my favorite books, movies, and songs. I logged in both yesterday and today, I accepted some friends' inventions and became a fan of writing.com. I haven't participated in any of the games because I try to avoid most online games. I enjoy playing solitary games; therefore, sometimes I do play free online games, but not often.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Making Lemonade – Part 2

Fidál (Grace), 17 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Tuesday, February 23, 2010 about 5:05 PM Pacific Time

As I suggested in an earlier post, it seems I have an orchard of lemon trees planted in my backyard. This is figurative, of course, because my backyard isn't big enough for more then one tree. The lemon trees refer to tests and difficulties, which occur to help a person develop spiritual attributes.

My mother is 88 years old; she was born March 19, 1921 on a little farm in Oklahoma. I am 63 years old; I was born on December 24, 1946 in a hospital room in Blackwell, Oklahoma. My mother and I live in the same house in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yes, I am 63 years old and I still live with my mother.

Mom has several physical issues that require her to take daily medication. In some ways, Mom is still capable of taking care of herself. She can get in and out of the bathtub by herself, most days she fixes at least one of her own meals. Mom doesn't drive, so I take her where she needs or wants to go. In addition, she has short-term memory problems.

Recently Mom's doctor diagnosed her with mild or the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The doctor put her on a generic medication that appears to be working. There are other issues beside the Alzheimer's. I am my mother's caregiver. I never envisioned this job for myself. It has also taught me a lot about myself and has strengthened my faith in God.

Monday, February 22, 2010

On a Rainy Monday

Kamál (Perfection), 16 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Monday, February 22, 2010 about 5:42 PM Pacific Time

It rained this morning, when I went to bed about midnight last night it wasn't raining. I woke up and it was raining. We received about a half an inch of rain today. In addition to the rain the wind blew so we had a wind chill factor. It's nice to see so much rain because when spring comes the desert will bloom.

The desert around Las Vegas should be beauty. A lot of rain in January and February usually indicate a lot of flower and beautiful desert plants.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Making Lemonade – Part 1

Jamál (Beauty), 15 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Sunday, February 21, 2010 about 1:03 PM Pacific Time

Life isn't easy and I don't think it's meant to be easy because in this world we develop spiritual attributes. These spiritual attributes cloth a person's soul (spirit) when the physical body dies and the soul ascends to the next world. Each individual encounters tests and difficulties during his or her lifetime in this world. These tests and difficulties help strengthen the spiritual attributes, which go with the soul when it separates from the physical body.

Sometimes it seems instead of encountering one test or difficulty at a time a person encounters an entire orchard of them. I'm walking through one of those orchards of test and difficulties now. I suspect I have an entire orchard of lemon trees (figuratively) planted in my backyard, so the only thing I can do now is make lemonade.

Sometimes I feel it's almost too much to deal with, but I don't think God tests a person beyond his or her capabilities. I think the best way to deal with this orchard of tests and difficulties is to take one tree (one test) at a time, which explains the title of this post. Over the next few day/weeks, I'm going to be looking at some of these test and difficulties on individual basis, all of which concern conditions many people confront at present or will confront in the near future.

Friday, February 19, 2010

A bird sings on a cloudy morning

Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Friday, February 19, 2010 about 6:41 AM Pacific Time

We humans could take lessons from the birds. This morning when I went out after the Las Vegas Review-Journal, I heard a bird singing. I'm not sure what type of bird it was because we have sever different species of song birds in my neighborhood. The bird I heard wasn't close by so it must have a nest on another street, but he was singing joyously.

There are clouds covering the blue sky this morning, but the bird was singing anyway. Despite the clouds the bird was singing. The sun momentarily shone from behind some clouds and the bird continued to sing. Even when the sun went behind clouds, the bird continued singing.

The bird didn't care if the sun shone or the sky was cloudy because he was happy and going to sing. So often we humans look at the problems surrounding us or at a cloudy sky and decide we don't have a reason to be happy, which isn't true. A person can always find a reason for happiness. All we have to do is look at the world around us and we, like that bird, will find a reason to sing.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

All week the birds were singing

Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Thursday, February 18, 2010 about 3:28 PM Pacific Time

Every time I go outside this week, I have heard birds singing. One of the birds I heard is a nightingale I cannot identify the others. They have sung all week and fluttered around through the trees. Therefore, spring must be on its way.

Yesterday, I looked over in the neighbors yard and saw purple flowers blooming. I have no idea what the flowers are called. They are dark purple and they are beautiful. In addition, the limbs of the oak tree in that yard is pale green, as if leaves are about to grow.

I am looking forward to spring. I have had about as much winter and cold as I can take. Spring in Las Vegas is always nice, however, this year we have had more rain then usual. The desert should bloom and the flower are beautiful.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Midweek reflections Wednesday, February 17

‘Idál (Justice), 11 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Wednesday, February 17, 2010 about 11:32 AM Pacific Time

The week is half over; everything is supposed to be down hill from here. It's been an interesting week. Yesterday, February 16, I had to do a second virus scan of my computer because when I accessed a website I got a message about a virus. It takes my virus scan four hours to check my machine. During that time I took a nap and started two or three poems.

On Monday, I fixed chicken and vegetable soup. I used frozen corn, green beans, and sweet potatoes. The chicken I used was a roasting hen, which I took out of the freezer last week. I let the hen thaw in the refrigerator and on Sunday began cutting it up.

Sunday I fixed the legs with macaroni and then fixed the chicken and vegetable soup on Monday. I used garlic and onions in addition to a couple of other spices. I'm in the process of using the spices I have before buying any fresh spices.

I also started cleaning out the garage so that I can put my car inside at night. Spring is coming and we're going to have more birds then in the winter. The birds next in the trees I have in the front yard, so I don't want to leave the car outside at night.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Nice weather in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 10 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Tuesday, February 16, 2010 about 11:26 AM Pacific Time

The daytime temperatures in Las Vegas are in the 70s without rain. The nighttime temperatures are in the 40s, so it gets a bit chilly in the evenings and in the mornings, but a sweater or long sleeved shirt keeps the chill away.

Nice weather today
No clouds are promising rain
The sky is hazy

A hazy blue sky is normal in Las Vegas in the 21st century. I would like to see a real blue sky, like those I remember from my childhood. However, I don't think that will happen for a while, after all I live in a city and people drive cars.

Monday, February 15, 2010

I need a new body lotion

I'm going to have to read ingredients on the labels. I bought a body lotion, I thought I could use; however, I'm allergic to it. I gave the bottle to my mother, now Mom has two different types of body lotion she can choose between. I still need body lotion myself, preferably one that doesn't break me out.

I have dry skin. I need to use a body lotion of some type. The problem is I have sensitive skin and must be extremely careful about the type I use. I guess the only thing to do is go to the more expensive brands, but even some of those cause a rash; at least with me. I'm almost afraid to by any type of body lotion because I don't want to spend any more money on something I can't use.

Café Mocha with marshmallows

Kamál (Perfection), 9 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Monday, February 15, 2010 about 12:09 PM Pacific Time

All right, I admit that café mocha with marshmallows is a bit unusual. The explanation is actually simple. I make café mocha using hot chocolate mix and the last time I bought the box of hot chocolate mix it had the little marshmallows. Since that is the type of mix I have in the house that is the way I make café mocha.

When I bought the hot chocolate mix I didn't read the ingredients on the box. The only think I looked at was the price. That particular brand of hot chocolate mix cost less the other brands on display. I do read ingredients on some items, but when it comes to hot chocolate mix I usually by the cheapest box I can find because most of the time I mix the hot chocolate with coffee.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines’ Day

Jamál (Beauty), 8 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Sunday, February 14, 2010 about 12:50 PM Pacific Time

A Valentines' wish
For a heart shaped box of candy
Mints and chocolate

I don't have a heart shaped box containing mints and chocolate. I have a small box of chocolate covered mints by my computer, in the fridge, I have a chunk of bitter-sweet cooking chocolate, and on the kitchen counter I have some envelops of hot chocolate mix.

Happy Valentines' Day

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Valentines’ Day Approaches

Jalál (Glory), 7 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Saturday, February 13, 2010 about 4:15 PM Pacific Time

Childhood memories
of Valentines' Day in school
chocolate cupcakes

I remember celebrating Valentines' Day in grade school. We made mailboxes and everyone in the class gave each other Valentines' card. Someone brought chocolate cupcakes decorated with pink and red hearts; with the cupcakes, we drink milk.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Monday is the observance Presidents’ Day

Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Thursday, February 11, 2010 about 4:02 PM Pacific Time

Monday, February 15, is the observance of Presidents' Day. This means that a number of businesses will be closed celebrating Presidents' Day. It also means there probably won't be any mail delivery, the exception of course is e-mail and that arrives in my boxes every day.

There are numerous Presidents' Day sales, plus there are Valentines' Day sales, since Valentines' Day is Sunday, February 14. There are a lot of sales going on in Las Vegas this week, not that I can take advantage of them, but it's nice to know they are occurring because it means the economy is on the upswing.

Since most businesses are closed Monday, to celebrate Presidents' Day, that is a three-day weekend. It's a four day weekend if you happen to work in a government office that's closed on Friday. Just think a four-day holiday an exotic location or just four days out of town in an unexotic location. I would be happy with a day out of town and a picnic basket.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

I still don’t know the prognosis

‘Idál (Justice), 4 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Wednesday, February 10, 2010 about 9:34 AM Pacific Time

I had another ultrasound of my left breast yesterday, but I still don't know the diagnosis. It's possible the mass is benign, but it's also possible that it's malignant. I haven't gotten another appointment with the breast specialist yet.

There is another test that the doctor I saw yesterday wants done. I'll have that test and then probably a biopsied. After that, I don't know what will happen. The outcome of this situation is in God's hands. I can't spend the rest of the day, the week, or the month worrying; I'm just going to get on with my life and leave everything in God's hands.

I have most of my day planned, I'm going to take two or three prayer breaks and say the Long Healing Prayer. Today I have writing to finish, I have to go to the grocery store for cat food and bread, and I have to submit a poem to a writing contest. I think the secret to not worrying is prayer and work (in that order).

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

I'm feeling rushed this morning

Fidál (Grace), 3 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Tuesday, February 9, 2010 about 11:04 AM Pacific Time

I'm feeling rushed. I'm feeling anxious. I don't know why I'm feeling this way because the appointment for the ultrasound of my left breast isn't until this afternoon. I think part of the issue is the appointment or rather lack of appointment with the breast specialist.

The specialist moved her office and I have to make another appointment. I called three times and haven't heard anything back about the new appointment. I would really like to know if the mass in my left breast is something to worry about or nothing to worry about; I just want to find out

I'm going to put everything in God's hands and get on with my day. I still have several piece of writing to complete today. I just need to relax and stop worrying about the issue. I have other business to complete this week, which means driving all over Las Vegas.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Blue Monday in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 2 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Monday, February 8, 2010 about 6:28 AM Pacific Time

It's another blue Monday in Las Vegas. All though, this morning when I look out my living room window I see gray clouds, however, blue is the color associated with Monday. I'm not blue this morning, in fact, I'm in a optimistic mood today. I woke up in this mood and, despite the gray clouds I see, the mood is holding.

Monday's color is
Blue and outside my window
I see gray rain clouds

It looks like rain, I don't know how it feels outside because I haven't been out yet. I'm going to go pick up the paper in a few minutes. Then I'll know how cold it feels, I know the temperature; however, lately I've found that I perceive the temperature colder then stated on my desktop.

I think my sense of temperature has more to do with age and health then anything else. I'm 63 years old and in fair health. I could be healthier and then again I could be in worse health then I am. I'm thankful I'm in fair health. I'm thankful for a lot of things, which I'm not going to list today.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

More rain in the Las Vegas valley

Jamál (Beauty), 1 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Sunday, February 7, 2010 about 10:42 AM Pacific Time

It rained again yesterday and left a puddle of water in dry driveway. Eventually the puddle will dry up, I hope. It isn't that I don't like the rain, I enjoy it as long as I don't have to drive in it. I didn't drive in it yesterday, we stayed home last night.

It was raining when I planned to leave the house, so before I went out I called the gentleman I take to feast. He didn't go to feast and after watching the rain, I decided not to go myself. I stayed home and said prayers. I also wrote poetry about the rain.

Today it's cloudy or at least mostly cloudy. I saw blue sky this morning when I looked out my living room window. The only thing I see now is clouds, so I expect the rest of the day is going to be cloudy. I don't know if it's going to rain today, I'll just wait and see.

Friday, February 05, 2010

More rain in Las Vegas

It rained this evening in Las Vegas. In January, we had more rain then in all 2009, so it looks as if 2010 is going to be a wet year. All this rain should make spring beautiful, but before spring comes we'll have a lot of snow on the mountains.

Rain in the valley
And snow in the mountains
A beautiful spring

Thursday, February 04, 2010

I saw Snow on the Mountains this morning

Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Sultán (Sovereignty), 166 BE – Thursday, February 4, 2010 about 4:23 PM Pacific Time

Mom and I went out this morning; as usual, I caught a red light on the corner of Oakey BLVD. and Maryland Parkway. While I was waiting for the light to change, I looked west toward the mountains and saw a dusting of snow covering them. This isn't surprising since it rained in the Las Vegas valley in January, this time of year rain in the valley usually means snow in the mountains.

I liked looking at the snow. In fact, I like looking at the snow much better then I like driving or playing in the snow. When I was a child I enjoyed playing in the snow, but now it's much nicer to be inside where it's warm and watch it snow. It's also nice to watch kids play in the snow, but I'd rather be indoors looking out at the snow.

The only time I see snow is when I look at the mountains and they're covered with snow. We haven't had snow in my Las Vegas neighborhood in several years. If I want to see snow close, I have to drive to the lodge on Mount Charleston. I don't think I'll plan that trip this year, but maybe next year.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Another six weeks of winter

‘Idál (Justice), 16 Sultán (Sovereignty), 166 BE – Wednesday, February 3, 2010 about 10:43 AM Pacific Time

According to Punxsutawney Phil, a Ground Hog in Punxsutawney, Pa., spring is about six weeks away. We aren't going to have an early spring this year because Mr. Phil saw his shadow on Candlemas (February 2). It's a German tradition that early springs only come when a Ground Hog or other hibernating animal don't see their shadows on February 2.

Mr. Phil saw his shadow because he lives in Punxsutawney and not Las Vegas. If he lived in Las Vegas, he wouldn't have seen his shadow yesterday. Tuesday, February 2, was a cloudy day in Las Vegas. Shadows were rare or non-existent yesterday.

Las Vegas has hibernating animals, such as desert tortoises. Tortoises haven't came out of hibernation yet. They don't come out until it gets a little warmer and they are ready to mate. I don't think desert tortoises bother looking at their shadows because they would rather look for mates.

Now I have to put up with another six weeks of winter and chilly mornings. On the bright side the days are getting longer, which means more sunshine. More sunshine always heats the daytime temperatures and makes people happier. I've found that sunshine always affects people's moods for the better. Longer days also mean I can turn the heat off and the air conditioner off for a week or two.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

February looks like another cloudy month

In January, Las Vegas received more rain then in all of 2009. February looks like another cloudy month. I don't know if rain is predicted, the weather report I receive in my e-mail box didn't say anything about rain. The last couple of day there were high thin clouds covering the sky. These aren't the type of clouds that usually bring rain to Las Vegas, they just hide the sun and the blue sky.

Today is Ground Hog Day and I'm sure he didn't see his shadow. I haven't witnessed any patches of blue sky showing through the cloud cover. Of course, there aren't a lot of Ground Hogs in Las Vegas. We have desert turtles here, but I don't think Ground Hogs live in the area. This is a desert, despite the fact the we've had a lot of rain in the past few weeks; it's still a desert.

The flora and fauna in Las Vegas consist mostly of desert or mountain plants and animals. Any other types are transplants from other parts of the country. It takes a lot of work and water to keep non-native plants alive, the only exception to that is weeds. Weeds will grow anywhere in the country without difficulty.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Evening in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 15 Sultán (Sovereignty), 166 BE – Monday, February 1, 2010 about 5:47 PM Pacific Time

It's after sunset on Monday, February 1. Mom and I spent the afternoon in her eye doctor's office. The doctor evaluated her for cataract surgery on her left eye and scheduled the surgery for March 31, almost a month away.

Setting in a doctor's office all afternoon is tiring. I'm not sure how Mom feels about the surgery because we didn't discuss it when we came home. Instead of discussing the surgery, we ate dinner and Mom went to bed. Rather then fix anything here, we stopped at Port 'o Subs and bought one of the 2 ft. specials, which is enough for us to have two meals.

We ate half the sandwich tonight and saved the other half for breakfast in the morning. Tomorrow I have an appointment at 3:00 PM for an ultrasound of my left breast. My life is beginning to sound dull; I need to do something else besides go to doctors' appointments.