The Second Day of Ayyám-I-Há

Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary), 165 BE – Friday, February 27, 2009 about 6:11 AM Pacific Time

It's day two of Ayyám-I-Há 165 BE and I am cleaning out one of the folder in my yahoo e-mail box. I removing old e-mail in the freecycle folder. There is quite a few old messages in that folder because I didn't check that e-mail folder for a couple of months or so. I have to get that folder completed emptied before I offer anything on freecycle this month or next month.

I have some books and other items to offer on freecycle. I will offer them, then if no one picks them up within a week I will donate the books to the library. The other items I'm not sure what to do with except the cloths. The cloths I can take to the women's shelter. The other things will have to go somewhere besides the trash, but I have no idea where to take them as yet.

I'm going to start cleaning the third bedroom in the house out after March 1 and I am going to have to find someone who wants the stuff Mom and I don't use any more. There is no use throwing something away when someone else can use it. My grandparents recycled everything they could. I'm getting to the point where I'm recycling as much as I can.

My Grandmother Made Grocery Lists

Every week on Wednesday or Thursday Grandma Newland would sit down in the kitchen and make a grocery list. Then one either Thursday or Friday, Grandma and Grandpa would go to the grocery store. Grandma never went to the store without a grocery list.

I'm going to have to get into that habit myself. Between rising gas prices and the economy I can't afford to make seven trips to the store every week because I forgot something. A grocery list would also cut down on unnecessary purchases. If I make a list and stick to the list then I won't buy anything I don't need.

I always enjoyed watching Grandma make her list. The first items she put on the list were those she remembered needing. Next Grandma would check the cupboards to see if she had forgotten anything. After that, she went to the laundry room and checked the laundry detergent and bleach. Grandma never forgot anything that she needed.

The First Day of Ayyám-I-Há

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary), 165 BE – Thursday, February 26, 2009 about 12:49 PM Pacific Time

Today is the first day of Ayyám-I-Há, so I checked the Gift Points I have on Homescan and ordered a coffee bean grinder. It will arrive in a few weeks, I hope around my Mother's birthday. When it does arrive, I will buy some whole bean coffee and make Mom fresh ground coffee. Mom will like that.

I would rather grind my own coffee, but with the economy, the way it is buying already ground coffee is more economical. That doesn't mean I cannot buy coffee beans for special occasion and then grind the coffee myself. Now that I have a larger coffee mill then the small grinder we've owned for several years, I will find more occasions to use it.

My problem with grinding my own coffee is measuring it. When I grind my own coffee, I either get it too strong or too weak. However, the new grinder will take care of that problem. The new grinder I ordered is much better then the one I have right now. After the new grinder arrives, I think I will offer the old one on Freecycle.

I'm not sure what type of whole bean coffee I will get Mom for her birthday. If I ask her, she is just going to tell me it really doesn't matter. Mom likes grinding her own coffee as much as I like grinding and making it.

Now I have to decide what to do for the rest of Ayyám-I-Há. Saturday we are going to a party at the Baha'i Center in Las Vegas. I know Mom will like that, because she enjoys going to the Center for celebrations.

I'm extra hungry this morning

Kamál (Perfection), 17 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Monday, February 23, 2009 about 7:24 AM Pacific Time

I don't know why, but I'm extra hungry this morning. I got up before dawn today, which is an achievement and rare for the past week or so. I took my thyroid pill and an hour later the other pill I take. When Mom got up I ate a bit, but that didn't satisfy me. In fact, nothing I've eaten this morning satisfies me and I'm not sure of the reason.

I have a couple of boxes of Hamburger Helper in the cupboard and about two pound of hamburger in the fridge. When I went to Food 4 Less yesterday to pick up my meds, I checked the meet counter and found a manager's special on hamburger. The price was too good to pass up so I bought enough ground beef to fix with two boxes of Helper in the cupboard. Perhaps it's the thought of having the hamburger today that's making me hungry.

I was going to wait until lunch to fix the hamburger, but I think I will do it this morning. I'll cook the hamburger and then add the Hamburger Helper. I may also add a can of green beans to it or something else. I normally add more to the meal then what the directions call for on the package. I am a creative cook and I enjoy seeing what other ingredients go with food I cook.

On a Friday Afternoon

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Friday, February 20, 2009 about 4:28 PM Pacific Time

On a Friday afternoon in February 2009, I contemplate the price of gas. I drove past a gas station today and gas cast about $2.18 a gallon. I have precisely $0.57 in change in my purse and about $1.55 in the bank. The gas gage in my car is setting close to empty. I am back driving on fumes and a prayer.

The car I am driving now is easy on gas, but I still need to put gas in the tank. I have some aluminum cans to see, but I am going to have to put gas in the tank to drive the recyclers. I am expecting a small deposit in my bank account around Monday. However, that does not help this weekend and I need about $39.00 to get some meds. I was supposed to pick the meds up today, I am going to have to call the pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist.

The money I had this week went to covering an automatic debt withdrawal from my bank account and paying another debt. Oddly enough, I am not worried, which is probably a good thing since I have an ulcer. I will begin a new job next month sometimes, but until then all of my money is coming from on-line work.

The interesting thing about the gas prices is that when my old car broke down the price of gas went down. Now that I have a running car, the price is going up again. I know it is just a coincidence, but it does give a person something to think about.

My Grandmother’s Mop

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:24 PM Pacific Time

My grandmother's mop was a large piece of cloth taken from her ragbag. The mop handle was wooden and on the end was a way to fasten either a cloth or a spaghetti mop head. My grandmother always used a large piece of cloth. I thank the cloth was from an old blouse or dress because when cloths wore out she put piece of the clothing in her ragbag.

I remember my grandmother's mop fondly. As a child, I watched her mop the floor. The way she mopped her floor fascinated me. Grandma always used a rag mop rather then a spaghetti mop. She put a new rag mop in about once every couple of weeks or perhaps once a month.

Grandma filled the mop bucket and then she put mop in the bucket. Before she mopped the floor she would wring the mop out by hand and then mop. She put fresh hot water in the bucket with each room she mopped. Sometimes grandma would put bleach in the water, especially when she mopped the kitchen, laundry room, or the bathroom. However, most of the time she used a pine smelling cleaner in her mop water.

I think I will find a mop handle like my grandmother used and try mopping with a rag mop. I may not like it any better then I like a sponge mop or a spaghetti mop, but it will be a different experience. A rag mop will be a lot easier to wring out then a spaghetti mop. Since I already know three ways I don't like to mop a floor maybe I'll find a fourth way.

Nine more days until the beginning of Ayyam-i-Ha

Kamál (Perfection), 10 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Monday, February 16, 2009 about 5:47 AM Pacific Time

Today, February 16, is the 10th day of Mulk and on the evening of February 25, Ayyam-i-Ha begins. Ayyam-i-Ha last from sunset on February 25 until sunset on March 1, since 2009 is not a leap year there are only four days in Ayyam-i-Ha.

I am not sure yet what I am going to do for Mom during Ayyam-i-Ha. I am still not sure where I will take Mom for her birthday on March 19. Mom says she wants to go out for prime rib or pie and ice cream. I still have a few days to decide for Ayyam-i-Ha; perhaps we will go out for prime rib.

Mom has cataract surgery on March 4 and then a follow up appointment on March 5. She has three doctors' appointment in the first week of March, so taking her out to eat before the appointments might be a good idea. At least it will take her mind off the surgery and the doctors' appointments.

Sunday and a New week begins

Jamál (Beauty), 10 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Sunday, February 15, 2009 about 10:38 AM Pacific Time

It is Sunday, February 15, the beginning of a new week and the day after Valentines' Day. Today the after Valentines' Day sales begin. There ought to be some good bargains today. However, the only things I would be, even remotely, interested in is the heart shaped boxes of chocolate.

I live in Las Vegas, the marriage capital of the world and the only Valentines' item I am interested in is chocolate. I love chocolate. Chocolate is my favorite candy. I doubt that I get any chocolate today. I may drive to the store later for something else, but not chocolate. My grandmother liked chocolate as well and my mother likes chocolate. Maybe I will get Mom some chocolate for her birthday March 19.

When I was a child, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, we made valentines card for our parents or grandparents. The grade school class esI was in always made mailboxes and the students exchanged valentines' cards. The some of the teachers insisted that each student put valentines' cards in every hand decorated mailbox in the class. Other teachers did not insist on that rule, but I always put valentines' cards in every students mail box. I remember how hurt I was when some of the kid in my class did not give me a valentine card, so I did not want to hurt any other student in that way.

Happy Friday the Thirteenth

Istiqlál (Independence), 7 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Friday, February 13, 2009 about 12:31 PM Pacific Time

Happy Friday the Thirteenth. All right, so Friday the Thirteenth isn't usually a time to wish someone happiness. However, this is the first of three Friday the Thirteenths in 2009 so maybe it's time to take a different view of the day.

There are three months in 2009 that begin on a Sunday. Any month that begins on a Sunday has a Friday the Thirteenth in it. Since this is the first Friday the Thirteenth in 2009 it's also Blame Someone Else Day. So you can blame your problems on someone else without feeling guilty today. This is the only day of the year that a person can do this. The rest of the year one has to take responsibility for his or her situation and actions, but today is different because one can officially blame someone else.

I don't know who comes up with some of these intriguing and weird holidays, but it has to be someone else. At least today, it's someone else's fault.

Analyzing my dreams – Part 2

All right, I didn't look far enough when it comes to money. I only looked on one page of the dream dictionary under M. I have a reason for not looking far enough, I was distracted by the view of the sky outside my living room window. Sunset is approaching in Las Vegas and there are clouds.

Sunrises and sunsets always distract me. However, when there are clouds in the sky the distraction is longer because the event is more beautiful. Right now, the sun is behind some clouds. The bright sunshine is filtering through some of the clouds and this makes the bottom of the clouds around look darker.

Anyway getting back to the meaning of money in my dreams, money has several meanings depending on what one is doing with it in the dream. I found money in my dream so that is supposed to refer to prosperity and success.

Analyzing my Dreams

Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Thursday, February 12, 2009 about 3:28 PM Pacific Time

I wrote yesterday that I dreamed about my father. It's unusual for me to dream about Dad, so I decided to see what dreaming about my father meant. Dreams having meanings and there are several on-line dream dictionaries. There are certain symbols in my dreams that I know what they mean. For instance water is a spiritual symbol and refers to spiritual events.

One of the dream dictionaries I discovered is dream moods. This dream dictionary interprets over 4,000 symbols and key words with over 12,000 meanings. I looked up father and the meaning had to do with security and self-reliance. I also looked up money, but didn't find anything about it. That's no big deal because when I dream about finding money, I usually get money a few days later.

I think I'm going to have to start analyzing my dreams, if for not other reason then they can teach me a great deal about myself. I also suspect that they will assist in the process of transformation. I'll check out the other dream dictionaries later and post their links as well.

I dreamed about my father last night

‘Idál (Justice), 5 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Wednesday, February 11, 2009 about 9:34 AM Pacific Time

I dreamed about my father last night. I have never dreamed about my father before. Normally, my grandfather, one of my brothers, or some other male acquatiance appears in my dreams, but not my father. Anyway, my father was in the dream and he offered to take my mother and myself to pick up food. I also found twenty-six cents in the dream.

In the dream, my father looked the way I remembered him. The last time I saw my father I was very young. I remember a tall handsome man. I have pictures of my father and he looked the same as in the photos. My father passed on to the next world several years ago.

I learned about his death by reading his obituary on the internet. That is a difficult way to learn about the death of a relative, but that is how I learned about his death. I wanted to meet my father before he died and say "I love you, daddy." However, now the only thing I can do is find his grave and put flowers on it.

I found a tin of cookies in the cupboard

Fidál (Grace), 4 Mulk (Dominion), 165 BE – Tuesday, February 10, 2009 about 8:51 AM Pacific Time

I found a tin of cookies in the cupboard when I was straightening out the canned food items. I remember bringing the cookies home around Christmas 2008. It's unusually for cookies to remain in the house for that long because we usually eat them up right away. However, I know what happened.

I put them in the cupboard with the canned goods and then put canned goods in front of them. I hid the cookies behind the cans of veggies. That's why I was straightening out the canned goods, so I could see what we had to use immediately. I'm glad I found the cookies because now we can have cookies and coffee for breakfast or cookies and ice cream for desert today.

Normally, one of us, either Mom or I, straightens the canned goods every couple of months or so. For some reason this year, I waited until February to do that job. I don't know why because straightening out the canned goods is the easiest housecleaning chore there is. All I have to do is take the cans out and put them in order starting with veggies and sauces then going to fruits. Maybe that's why I left it until February because it's the easiest job to do.

Monday February 9 is Toothache Day

Jamál (Beauty), 2 Mulk (Dominion), 165 BE – Sunday, February 8, 2009 about 1:17 PM Pacific Time

Monday, February 9, is Toothache Day. This is the day to educate yourself about the causes of toothaches and tooth decay. I wish I had known about this day earlier in my life because then I could have learned more about teeth, toothaches and tooth care.

As it is, after February 19 I am not going to have to worry about having a toothache any more. The dentist is pulling my remaining bottom teeth and the other half of my dentures put in. However, for those of you who still have all their teeth, I suggest you commemorate this day by making a dental appointment.

Make a dental appointment or an appointment to have your teeth cleaned. Then learn how you can save your teeth. Encourage your children to brush their teeth so that they can keep their teeth all their lives. They will thank you for it when the do not have to learn to use dentures.

Dentures are not difficult to get used to, there are, however, some adjustments that must be made. For instance, I cannot eat whole apples, carrots or some other raw vegetables without cutting them up into tiny pieces or cooking them. I enjoy raw vegetables, especially raw onions, which I normally do not eat unless I am going to stay home for the entire day.

Commemorate Toothache Day, but learning how you can avoid toothaches. I remember my Grandmother encouraging us to brush our teeth after every meal and every snack. She especially encouraged us to brush after having candy or ice cream of any kind.

Maybe it's the Rain and the clouds

Jalál (Glory), 1 Mulk (Dominion), 165 BE – Saturday, February 7, 2009 about 3:26 PM Pacific Time

I'm in a down mood today. Perhaps it's the rain and the clouds that cause this mood. It's been raining all day. I look out of my living room window and see the clouds. The rain has given me an idea for a character.

I think I'll call the character Rain and have him or her born on a rainy day. Someone born on a rainy day ought to have a rainy mood. I know the day has affected my mood. Of course, winter affects my mood.

It's almost spring, another few weeks and the first day of spring will arrive. That will help my mood. However, I still have a character with a rainy day personality to put in a story. Perhaps a Science Fiction story, all though I have started it out as a Fantasy story.

It raining outside, the ground is wet and the water is running down the street. The rain has lasted most of the day. I still have to decide if I want my character to be male or female. I started out with a male character. His father, since the story started as a Fantasy story, had the title of Lord. I'm not happy with the way the story is going.

Perhaps the problem is my mood and the cloudy wet weather. I took some papers to the garage to put in the recyclable bin and got my feet wet. All right, maybe I should have changed my shoes. The shoes I am wearing have holes in the bottom and the water comes through. Actually, that sounds like a good way to start off a story.

How would the son or daughter of a Lord of whatever the name of the kingdom feel about getting his or her feet wet? A rich person would react differently to getting his or her feet wet then a poor person. All right, I'm brainstorming here. I do that when I'm not sure about the character or the story. Normally I don't brainstorm on-line, but I needed a blog entry today.

I am one of the unprepared

I am one of the 35,000 homes in Las Vegas unprepared for the transition to digital TV. I am going to have to get a new TV, of course. However, not for a while because, according to a story in today's RJ Las Vegas stations will continue to use both digital and analog signals for the next four months.

This means I can shop around for a new TV or go to one of the TV rental places and rent to own a new TV. This is nice since I need a new fridge, before I get a new TV or go for satellite or cable. A new fridge is much more important then a new TV or one of the other options.

The TV problem solved, not that being without a TV would be a big sacrifice. I have an Internet connection and can get my news on line. Without a TV Mom and I would have to go back to reading books in the evening or something else as much fun. I enjoy reading and I could read Mom some of my poems or the book I'm reading now.

A Gray Day in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 19 Sultán (Sovereignty), 165 BE – Friday, February 6, 2009 about 7:34 AM Pacific Time

It's a gray day in Las Vegas. There is a breeze and cloud cover, so the sky I see when I look out my living room window is blue patched gray-white. I listened to the news yesterday and the weatherman said to expect rain in the valley and snow in the higher elevations.

I haven't been outside yet to see what the wind chill factor is, but I know one exists. Whenever there is a wind then there is a wind chill factor. People notice the wind chill more in winter then in summer. Since the wind chill makes the air colder it is more noticeable in the colder seasons.

In winter, a wind chill makes the day colder and more unpleasant. In summer, the wind chill makes the day cooler and more pleasant. I am looking forward to the summer wind chill and cool desert evenings when the sun set later and getting out in the front or back yard in the evening is fun.

Whatever happened to Old Paint

Kamál (Perfection), 15 Sultán (Sovereignty), 165 BE – Monday, February 2, 2009 about 3:17 PM Pacific Time

I remember a wooden rocking horse from my childhood. The rocking horse was painted white with black spots, like those you see on Pintos (the horse not the car or beans). The name of the horse was Old Paint. All right, I have to admit that the name wasn't very creative, but riding the horse was fun.

Old paint was a shared rocking horse, handed down from one child to the next. I don't know what happened to him. It was a long time ago and a lot has happened since I left Blackwell, Oklahoma. I don't know whether we just rode the rocking horse until it broke and it was tossed in the trash or we gave the rocking horse away.

Some people save all the toys from their childhood. They put the toys in attics or in basements and then give the toys to their grandchildren or great grandchildren. I don't have any of the toys from my childhood, except in my memories. In the process of moving from place to place, most of the toys were either lost or given away.

I still have the memories of my toys, of my grandparents, and even a few memories of my father. The memories remain, while the toys themselves are lost somewhere in the past and the people have passed on into the next world. However, I still wonder "Whatever happened to Old Paint?"

Rhubarb Pie and Ice Cream

Jamál (Beauty), 14 Sultán (Sovereignty), 165 BE – Sunday, January February 1, 2009 about 9:37 AM Pacific Time

Mom and I had rhubarb pie and ice cream for breakfast today. We went to Marie Callender's on Friday and bought a whole pie. Yesterday I went to Food 4 Less and bought some vanilla ice cream.

I have to admit that my grandmother might not approve of this morning's breakfast. When I was growing up, pie and ice cream were dinner desert items rather then a breakfast. However, I'm 62 and I don't eat the traditional breakfast anymore. Breakfast is usually whatever I have leftover in the fridge.

My grandmother made good rhubarb pie and she taught me how to make it. I don't make pies any more. It's much easier for me to go to Marie Callender's and buy a pie then make one at home. True I don't always get rhubarb pie, which is one my favorite pies. My other favorite pies are chocolate and banana (in that order).

It's nice to be able to go to a restaurant buy a whole pie and bring it home. I like to get Marie Calender pies because the taste like the pies my grandmother made when I was a child. I remember my grandmother's pies fondly, especially her rhubarb pies.

Grandma made rhubarb pie from the rhubarb she grew in her own garden. I always looked forward to harvest time in Oklahoma because I knew that Grandma would be making rhubarb pie. Now that I’m an adult I can have a slice of rhubarb pie anytime I want. All I have to do is go to the nearest Marie Callender’s Restaurant.