March: A lion or a lamb?

Jamál (Beauty), 11 Bahá (Splendor), 170 BE - Sunday, March 31, 2013 about 3:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time

The wind is blowing this afternoon, but it is not roaring. March is not going out like a lion nor did it come in like a lion. March came in more like a disgruntled sheep then anything else. All month, the weather in Las Vegas has range from cool to nice; it never got too hot or too cold.

The wind blew, but not so bad that it knocked down trees . The wind blew hard enough to scatter trash along the side of the road, but not so hard as to get plastic trash bags caught in trees or oleander bushes. There were clouds, there was a bit of rain (at least, I remember finding a puddle in my driveway one morning).

All month the birds have sung and flitted from tree to tree. I just looked out my living room window and saw two bird flying across the sky. There is also a cloud that looks like a skeleton walking across the sky. That is the only clouds I see this afternoon. There is a strong breeze blowing because I see the limbs on the olive trees and pine tree waving. It is a nice day in Las Vegas.

The Last Saturday in March 2013

Jalál (Glory), 10 Bahá (Splendor), 170 BE - Saturday, March 30, 2013 about 5:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time

On the last Saturday in March,
the skies are partly cloudy
and the birds are singing in Las Vegas.

On the last Saturday in March,
the high temperatures are in the low 80s,
with low temperatures in the 60s.

On the Last Saturday in March,
the sun descends toward the west
while Las Vegas waits for Easter Sunday dawn.

A warm spring day in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Bahá (Splendor), 170 BE - Friday, March 29, 2013 about 6:25 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time

birds singing all day
a chilly morning becomes
a warm afternoon

This morning it was a bit chilly, without any clouds. This afternoon it warmed up and now the clouds are rolling in. After it warmed up, I went to the store to purchase a couple of things. I bought a chocolate bunny and some personal items. When I came home the car began making the odd noise again.

I am not sure what the problem is because it only makes the noise after I have driven the car for a while. I did not notice how long after I begin driving that the noise begins. It sort of sounds like metal on metal; unfortunately I will not have any money to take it to the mechanic until after April 3; however, I will call my mechanic on Monday to see what he says. I will avoid driving it this weekend and do stuff around the house.

on a warm spring day
it is nice to work at home
listening to birds

Midweek Reflections: Sleeping on the Couch

‘Idál (Justice), 7 Bahá (Splendor), 170 B.E. - Wednesday, March 27, 2013 about 10:55 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time

To say that I am tired of sleeping on the couch is an understatement. The problem is that I cannon sleep on any bed in this house and get a pain free and good nights sleep. I know the problem is the mattress, but I am not sure why I have some much pain when I sleep on them. It is possible they are too hard because I know they are not too soft.

I can eat before I go to bed and take a pain pill, but that does not help when I sleep in on the mattresses. I am (as I think I have written before) in less pain when I sleep on the couch or the love seat then in a bed. I am planning on moving out of this house sometime this year, so I am going to wait until after I move to get a new bedroom set or at least a new bed.

Even sleeping on the couch I do not get a good nights sleep, I am in less pain so the sleep is more restful. However, I usually wake up two or three times during the night, which does not encourage a good nights sleep. The only thing I can do about waking up two or three times is to change my bedtime and go to bed later. That helps most of the time, but not all the time. There are still some nights when I wake up every hour.

The longest journey begins with a single step

Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Bahá (Splendor), 170 BE - Tuesday, March 26, 2013 about 1:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time

They say that the longest journey begins with a single step, so I begin the journey of improving my credit today. I joined Credit Karma. I found out my credit score, while the score was scary it was not as scary as not knowing. Now that I know my score, I can take steps to improve it. Joining Credit Karma is free and sign up is easy.

After I signed up, I kept a note of my log-in, password, security question, and the answer. There was a time when I thought I could remember all those things, but I have to admit that my memory may not be as good as I thought. I can to this conclusion because the last time I signed into my bank account, on a different computer then I normally use, the website ask me my security question. I panicked when I had difficulty remember it, I did not forget the answer I just forgot how I spelled it. It took me a couple of second to remember. Therefore, from now on I keep a hand written copy of my answers.

Celebrating Naw-Ruz

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Bahá (Splendor), 170 BE - Thursday, March 21, 2013 about 2:10 PM Pacific Daylight Time

I went to the Naw-Ruz celebration last night at the Baha'i Center in Las Vegas. The first person I thought about when I walked in the door was my mother. Mom always enjoyed Naw-Ruz celebrations. When ever Mom and I went to a celebration, Mom always smiled because she was so happy. I enjoyed the celebration, I know Mom would have enjoyed the celebration this year as she as well.

I know that I will never be able to attend a Holy Day celebration or a nineteen-day Feast without think of my Mother. I am amazed at how many memories of the Feast and Holy Day celebrations are center around Mom. I became a Baha'i several years before Mom declared, but the ones I remember best are those that Mom and I attended together.

I cried last night because I missed Mom. I will cry at other Holy Day celebrations and Feast because I miss Mom. I will continue to attend because eventually the tears will stop and all I will remember are the good times Mom and I had together.

Why am I worried?

Kamál (Perfection), 17 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 BE - Monday, March 18, 2013 about 10:30 AM Pacific Time

Why am I worried? I think I did everything I could, so now I just have to wait for the agency I contacted to call me, but I am still worried. Why am I worried? I am worried because of the electric bill. Specifically, I am worried about the power company turning off the electricity.

I contacted the proper agency, which help senior citizens with these problems. No one has gotten back to me yet; however, it may be that they still need to process my information. I hope they get back to me before March 21 because that is the deadline to pay t he bill. I put the request in online (which is the only way those request are taken). I returned the e-mail application the agency sent me and now I am waiting for a phone call to let me know when my appointment is scheduled.

I know I should have contacted the agency earlier; however, I did not, so I just have to deal with the consequences of my actions and of being financially poor. In the mean time, I cannot focus on the worry because it will hide any other actions I can take. In addition, I will work online while I still have electricity and an internet connection. I will also pray, because prayer will assist in finding any other solution available.

To nap or not to nap that is the question

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 B.E. - Friday, March 15, 2013 about 12:40 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time

Today I got sleepy about 12:30 P.M. The same thing happened yesterday as well. I should take a nap, but if I doze I will not get anything accomplished this afternoon. I have too much to do to take a nap, at least a long nap. I might attempt a short one, the problem with afternoon naps is that they last longer then expected.

I could have another cup of coffee, it might or might not wake me up. I know coffee does not prevent me from going to sleep at night. Even if I drink a cup before I lay down it does not keep me awake. I have some grape juice in the refrigerator, which might keep me awake. Sugar will keep me awake before black coffee. I am not going to put sugar in my coffee, but I could try some chocolate in a cup.

To nap or not to nap, that is the question (sorry Shakespeare). Do I want take the chance of over napping? I am not sure a nap would help and it would cut down on the amount of work I accomplished this afternoon. Maybe I will just sit on the couch with my prayer book and meditate rather then take a nap. That way if I go to sleep, at least I will have accomplished something.

Reflections on the Season: Spring

‘Idál (Justice), 12 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 B.E. - Wednesday, March 13, 2013 about 1:30 P.M. Pacific Time

The temperature is warmer, birds are singing, and trees growing leaves; at last, it is spring. I turned the thermostat down to 66 degrees a couple of days ago. The heat has not came on since I turned down the thermostat, so I think about Saturday or Sunday, if the heat does not come on again, I will turn the unit off entirely. There is no use it being on since the days are so nice here in Las Vegas.

I think I will plan a picnic for this weekend, I only have one appointment on Saturday and I can call to council it. The weather is too nice to remain in the house for long periods of time. True, I have a lot to do around the house; however, I am getting the urge to go on a picnic. I also want to visit Mom's grave and see how the cemetery looks in the spring. I know how it looks in the winter because Mom's funeral was in early December.

Mom always liked spring and picnics. She enjoyed listening to  the birds sing, watching the people in the park, and interacting with friends. Mom's 92nd birthday is March 19; maybe I will go to the cemetery that day.

Getting used to the time change

Fiḍál (Grace), 11 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 B.E. - Tuesday, March 12, 2013 about Sunset Pacific Daylight Time

Daylight Savings Time went into effect on Sunday, March 10, at 2:00 A.M. I am still getting used to the time change. It takes me about five or six days to get used to Daylight Savings Time because my internal clock thinks it should be earlier then what the time on my cell phone or computer shows.

I do not wear a watch anymore. I have not worn one since 2010, the watch I did have I gave to my mother when I bought the cell phone. Mom put the watch away somewhere and I have not been able to find it. I suppose by now the watch battery has corroded and when I do find it, if I find it, I will have to throw the watch away. Oh well, I am not going to worry about that because I may never find the watch.

I use the clock on my cell phone, which has its advantages and disadvantages. I cannot look at the time when I am driving, so I cannot worry whether the traffic is going to make me late for an appointment. When I drive, I  put my cell phone in my purse so I cannot  answer it when it rings. In the car my purse usually set on the floor of the passenger side and it is too far for me to reach to pick it up.

Feeling better on a lazy Sunday

Jamál (Beauty), 9 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) - Sunday, March 10, 2013 about 1:15 P.M. Pacific Time

It is Sunday afternoon and I am feeling better then I felt this morning or yesterday. I was in a mental fog all day Saturday, I was depressed and did not accomplish much. This afternoon, the fog has lifted; the problem is that I do not know what caused the problem.  All though, it could be the fact that I am still in mourning for my mother.

I miss Mom so much and now that spring is arriving the feeling has increased. Mom's 92nd birthday will be March 19. I suspect that is the problem, I cannot celebrate it with her this year and I am not sure how I am going to celebrate the day or her life. The are certain days and seasons that seem to affect me more then others.

Spring was Mom's favorite season. Mom liked the sunshine, the flowers, and the warmer temperatures. Mom enjoyed going out to eat on her birthday. Mom enjoyed going to poetry readings, the nineteen-day Feasts, and Holy Day commemorations. Mom enjoyed getting in the car and riding around Las Vegas.

As I said, I am feeling better and the mental fog that concealed yesterday and this morning is gone. I want to cry and I want to eat strawberry pie. Strawberry pie was Mom's favorite desert. Mom also liked fried ice cream. I should eat one of Mom's favorite deserts on her birthday and then visit her grave.

The sound of rain in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 7 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 B.E. - Friday, March 8, 2013 about 1:55 P.M. Pacific Time

It is raining in Las Vegas and it has been raining off and on all day. I was in the kitchen washing dishes and I heard a strange noise that sounded like water dripping. I checked under the sink to see if the pipes has sprung a leak, but that was not the problem. The sound I heard was rain hitting the roof of the patio, I had to laugh. It has been so long since we had a good rainstorm in Las Vegas that I forgot what water sounded like dripping of the patio roof.

the sound of raindrops
dripping off the metal roof
of the patio

Thankful Thursday: March 7, 2013

Istijlál (Majesty), 6 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 B.E. - Thursday, March 7, 2013 about 3:52 P.M. Pacific

Time Today I am thankful

1. that I was able to purchase The Year Of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
2. that I was able to purchase a used clothes dryer because now the clothes are dried the same day I wash them
3. that I went to my grief counseling meeting last night
4. that I was able to pick up a free loaf of day old bread today
5. that I have a space heater to warm up the bathroom before I take a shower
6. that I had enough leftover coffee to warm up in the microwave today
7. that I have a copy of The Mourner's Bill of Rights
8. that it is not snowing here in Las Vegas
9. that the birds were singing this morning
10. that I found a box of light bulbs in the cupboard

Haibun-Haiku Tuesday: March in Las Vegas

Fiḍál (Grace), 4 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 B.E. - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 about 8:35 A.M. Pacific Time

scattered morning clouds
white ghost in a pale blue sky
birds and bright sunshine

March in Las Vegas is normally a pleasant time of year because the temperatures are not too warm or too cold. Sometimes there are strong, tree felling winds, but not this year. This year the winds are gently, leaf combing winds. March did not come in light a lion or a lamb.

March winds whispering
though olive, oak, and pine trees
birds sing joyfully

The old saying says that when March comes it like lion it will go out like a lamb; however, this year it felt more like a trotting horse. So there is no forecasting how it will go, all though it could go out the same way it came; unable to decided whether it wants to roar or bleat.

Free Write Sunday: Thoughts about Spring

Jamál (Beauty), 2 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 169 B.E. - Sunday, March 3, 2013 about 8:10 A.M. Pacific Time

This year, the vernal equinox and spring in the Northern Hemisphere occurs at Wednesday, March 20, at 7:04 A.M. (EDT), which is 10:04 A.M. (PDT).  At last, warmer weather or at least I hope it means warmer weather. The weather so far in 2013 has been weird or at least I think the weather we are experiencing is weird.

I am looking forward to warmer weather. I am looking forward to oak trees with green leaves. I am looking forward to moving to a new residence. I am looking forward to ice tea. I am looking forward to making sun tea.

The birds in my neighborhood are all ready proclaiming spring. Every morning when I go outside to pick up my newspaper a bird is singing. This morning it is a nightingale sing, but sometimes it is a sparrow or a mourning dove. This morning the wind is blowing scattering the dawn clouds, combing the weeds in my yard, and caressing the boughs of trees.

beautiful morning
clouds floating across the sky
sunshine and white clouds

Goal for the next 12 or 19 months

Istiqlál (Independence), 4 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há, 169 B.E. - Friday, March 1, 2013 about 8:10 A.M. Pacific Time

I have problems posting to this blog on a regular basis. There are several reasons for this, one of the reasons is finding subjects and themes.  Then there is the issue of time and interruptions that occur regularly. Therefore, I have decided that the best way to handle these situations is to plan to post every other day. I will also use specific themes for each day. The following is a list of those themes and will begin with the next post.

Free Write Sunday
Quote of the Week Monday
Haibun-Haiku Tuesday
Midweek Reflections Wednesday
Thankful Thursday
Poetry form of the Week Friday
Recyclable Saturday