February Rain

Gray morning clouds foretell
a chilly day
and rain.

Winter angels carry
cold raindrops
depositing them
on Las Vegas
sidewalks and streets.

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First Friday in February 2017

Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 173 BE - Friday, February 3, 2017 AD about 12:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

It's the first Friday in February 2017 (alright, there's nothing like stating the obvious in a blog entry) and I have a busy month in front of me. I have a contest to judge, blog entries to write, and contests to enter. Not to mention I need to clean off my desk and the wooden television try next to the desk. I also need to keep a closer eye on the date. 

I just realized there is only one more day in Sulṭán. There isn't any excuse for this because I use the Baha'I date in one of my journals. I keep track of my goals on a nineteen day basis because it's easier to determine what I've accomplished and what I need to accomplish. Normally I'm more away of the day of the month and when the Feast Day arrives. That wasn't the case this month. Perhaps I need to change the way I keep track of my goals. 

I have to admit that the goal entry in my goals journal is a little crowded. I'll change that when I set up the new month's entry on Saturday or Sunday. I'll probably set it up on Sunday because Friday and Saturday are full. I'm going to post this now and get on with something else. I still have a couple of items to judge for the contest. I've set the goal of reading three or four a day so that I have them read and reviewed before February 20. 

Catching up

Jamal (Beauty), 3 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 172 BE - Sunday, February 28, 2016 about 10:26 AM Pacific Standard Time

I'm catching up
I'm finishing what I started
before going to the emergency room

On Friday, February 19, I attempted some early morning writing. I had to get offline because of stomach pain and the dry heaves. I went to the Emergency Room sometime between 11:00 AM and Noon. I don't remember when I had my friend drive me because I was in too much pain to care about the time.

On the morning of Saturday, February 20, I had an umbilical hernia repaired and was out of it the rest of the day. On Sunday, February 21, I was conscious of what was going on around me, but I didn't care. I got out of the hospital on Monday afternoon, February 22, and begin the recovery process. I wasn't able to sit at the computer or go online for any amount of time unit Wednesday, February 24, since then I've been attempting to catch up on my on line commitments.

Midweek Reflections on a Wednesday Afternoon in February

'Idal (Justice), 11 Mulk (Dominion), 172 BE - Wednesday, February 17, 2016 about 4:51 PM Pacific Standard Time

Wednesday afternoon
third week of February 2016
my mind has gone blank.

I'm attempting to write,
but my muse has just walked out
the open door.

I listen to the wail
of distant sirens,
I wonder what is going down.

I listen to the neighborhood
children playing
outside in the pleasant weather.

This morning
there were high thin clouds
flowing across the blue sky.

This afternoon cloudy,
with temperatures
in the high 70s.

Wednesday afternoon,
hump day
and the week is half over.

Questions about spring

Kamal (Perfection), 14 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 172 BE - Monday, February 1, 2016 about 4:20 PM Pacific Standard Time

The wind chill
penetrates my bones
winter cold
sends ice cycles up my spine:
When will spring arrive?

Will Punxsutawney Phil
be frightened by his shadow?

When will Mojave Max
come out of emerge
for his burrow
looking for Mojave Maxine?

When will this frigid wind
transform into spring's
warm breeze?

Saturday Summary: At the End of a Hectic Week

Jalal (Glory), 3 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 171 BE - Saturday, February 28, 2015 about 8:02 am Pacific Standard Time

The last week in February 2015 was a weird and hectic week. I believe part of the problem concerns the way I go about accomplishing my goals I establish. My housework goals need to bee more concrete, while I need to set a time limit on I know this because of what happened yesterday. I did some port housekeeping and editing in one of my books. I spent a couple of hours (I think) working on the same items and I got so mentally tired at the end that I could not think. When I do this type of work I have to set a time limit so that I have a break between editing sessions.

As for the housework, I am going to follow my mother's example on that. Mom always set a time limit on each task. If she did not get a task finished, such as cleaning out the cupboards, in the time allotted then she would continue the task either later in the day or the next day. Another thing Mom did is list the housekeeping chores she wanted to accomplish or had accomplished during the day (usually before she went to work). Mom always knew what she had finished and what she had to work on the next day or after she got off work. I should have known when she stopped doing this (after she officially retired) that something was wrong

Thankful Thursday: February 19, 2015

Istijlal (Majesty), 13 Mulk (Dominion), 171 BE - Thursday, February 19, 2015 about 3:16 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today I am thankful...

01. ... that the exterminator came to put traps out in the kitchen for the mouse I saw running through my apartment.

02. ...for coffee because it tastes wonderful while I am composing a blog entry.

03. ...that the February/March 2015 issue of The AARP Magazine arrived today.

04. ...for the bird that has been singing in the pine tree all day.

05. ...that there are beautiful thin white clouds sailing across the blue sky.

06. ..
.for beautiful warm and not hot weather we are experiencing in Las Vegas.
07. ...that I can have my door open so that I can look outside and watch the clouds sailing across the sky.

08. ...for the vegetables I have in the refrigerator to eat as a snack rather then eating sweets.

09. ...that I still have five bottles of ginger ale in the refrigerator to drink with my apple juice.

10. ...for the card I received through the mail today from a friend.

Foodie Friday: February is National Canned Food Month

Istiqlal (Independence), 19 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Friday, February 6, 2015 about 3:29 pm Pacific Standard Time

In honor of canned food month I am posting a recipe for vegetable soup made with canned vegetable. When using canned vegetable drain the liquid off before using it in soup or any other recipe because this will cut down on the salt. A friend of mind said she also rinses the vegetables before using them because that helps cut the salt, since I have not tried this I cannot say how well it works, but it is worth a try.

1 can of green beans
1 can of corn
1 can of peas
1 can of mixed vegetables
1 can carrots
1 can potatoes
1 can beans
7 cups of water (that is one cups of water for each can of vegetables). If you want more water then go ahead and add it.
1 to 3 dashes of Tabasco® sauce for each can of vegetables (This depends on how "spicy hot" you want your soup.)
1/4 tsp. of Mrs. Dash® Original Salt-Free Seasoning Blend (If you prefer one of the other Mrs. Dash® blends then go ahead and use it instead.)

Mix all the ingredients into an electric skillet or soup pan and heat. Stir the mixture occasionally until it is hot and then serve it with your favorite crackers or put it over rice.

Thankful Thursday: The first Thankful Thursday in February 2015

Istijlal (Majesty), 18 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Thursday, February 5, 2015 about 12:00 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today I am thankful...

01. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn.

02, ...for the walnut and maple pancake mix a friend sent me for Christmas. I fixed myself two of the hotcakes this morning for breakfast with an egg. I have enough left over for breakfast on Friday or Saturday.

03. ...that I remembered to get a small bag of flour when I went grocery shopping yesterday. I can now fix fried eggplant properly. The last time I fixed it I did not have the flower to bread it so it did not turn out the way it should.

04. ...for the sale on Folgers' coffee that Smith's Food and Drug had yesterday. I was able to purchase a container of my favorite dark roast for less then normal when I went grocery shopping on Wednesday.

05. ...that I am now able to pay my rent online, which means I do not have to go to the bank or leave the house on the third of each month unless I want to.

06. ...for the check I received through the mail yesterday because it helped me purchase some much needed items.
07. ...that I was able get some snack items (candy and sweets) from one of the food pantries. I have enough to keep my sweet tooth happy for a while so I do not have to spend money on snack items.

08. ...for the jugs of apple juice I have in the refrigerator because now I do not have to purchase juice for a while. This means I can spend money on meat, vegetables, eggs, and other staples.

09. ...that I only have to have the warm air on for a little while in the morning to warm up the house a bit after I get up.

10. ...for the beautiful sunshiny afternoon because it will be warm when I take the trash to the alley.

Spiritual Sunday: At the Beginning of a New Month

Jamal (Beauty), 14 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Sunday, February 1, 2015 about 2:32 pm Pacific Standard Time

At the beginning of a new month I sat in my studio apartment listening to the music echoing through the walls. The neighbor is playing his music, which is not spiritual or religious. I am considering getting earplugs so that I do not have to listen to it on Sunday. The music does not enhance or encourage a spiritual feeling. If I could afford something better then I would move, but living on a fixed income I am lucky to afford this place. As it is I am having difficulty paying the power bill.

That is enough complaining especially when it does not change my situation. The only thing I can do is pray and work. I can pray for my neighbor and I can work to increase my income. Eventually my situation will change, but it will not change as long as I continue to complain about it. At 68, I know that nothing stays the same. I know that God will open the way to a better life. I know that I am in this location and situation for a reason; I may not know the reason at this time, but God will reveal it to me as the days, the months, and the year advances.

At the beginning of a new month, I can feel a change approaching. I know that when I feel this way that something in my life has changed. Sometimes I do not know what that change is immediately. Sometimes I can see the change, but this time it is concealed from my eyes. I have to practice faith knowing that my situation is in God's hands and that God will take care of me.

Saturday Summary: At the End of a Good Week

alal (Glory), 13 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Saturday, January 31, 2015 about 2:02 pm Pacific Standard Time

The week of January 25 to 31 has been a good week. I created a new recipe which I posted yesterday. I have the To Do List for February 2015 completed. I still have an internet connection and electricity to my apartment. I my checking account was not overdrawn. I was able to pay for all the prescriptions I had filled. I was able to have my tag renewed and I have gas in the car. I have enough food in the house to last for a week or so. I have enough snacks to last a couple of weeks if I do not get depressed.

I ate chicken and rice today for lunch. This afternoon I am fixing the piece of beef I purchased at the supermarket. I put some sweet peppers and an orange in it. When the sweet peppers have cooked a while I will add a couple of apples and maybe a potato. Since I will not eat it today I may wait until I warm it up tomorrow or Monday to add the apples and the potatoes. I think I will add an onion as well, so I my put the onion in today instead of the other two items.

Thought on a Cloudy Tuesday Morning

Fiḍál (Grace), 3 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 170 BE - Tuesday, January 21, 2014 about 10:14 am Pacific Standard Time

I went to the kidney specialist yesterday, he told me that my kidneys are functioning at about 50% of normal. He also told me, that while I can't restore the lost function, I can slow the lose of function down, which is what I'm going to attempt to do. I have another appointment with this doctor in March and I have to get a blood test at his office in February.

I also have seven other doctor's appointments in February, which makes moving to Searchlight less of an option then it was. The appointments I have cover a four week period with two appointments a week. If I drive to Las Vegas and back to Searchlight that puts me and my car on the road for at least four hours each day. I'm not sure either the car or I could stand the stress. However, I'm getting flack about the apartment I decided to move to in Las Vegas, which increase the stress over moving.

All I want to do is move into the apartment and get my everything situated so that I have less stress. I'm beginning to doubt that here will ever be less stress in my life. Until recently, I thought I was a competent adult and capable of making my own decisions, but I'm beginning to wonder about that; especially with all the flack I'm getting.

I'm almost tempted to find an assisted living place where I have someone to watch over me at all times. At least, then I wouldn't be getting all this flack and no one would have to worry about me. All right, that's not a good idea, but I'm tempted. I'd be a lot less stressed if I wasn't getting as much flack. At this point, I think the best thing to do is stick by my decisions despite. All I need to do is stand up for myself and make my views clear to everyone giving me flack.

Setting up Doctor's appointments

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Thursday, December 5, 2013 about 1:44 PM Pacific Standard Time

I started on November 18, attempting to set up two appointment. I got one appointment, the one for the mammogram arranged almost as soon as I called. That appointment is for the early part of February 2014. The other appointment, was for wound care, which I was finally able to set up this week. That appointment is for December 12, 2013.

I went back to my doctor's office on November 26, for the results of a blood test. She gave me a referral to two specialist. One of the specialist called back on Monday and I made that appointment for the end of January 2014. I called the other specialist today and apparently my doctor's office has the wrong fax number, so now I have to call my doctor back and give them the proper fax number so they can send the paperwork that specialist needs to make my appointment.

I hope I can set that appointment up for January or February because I do not want to spend all of 2014 going to doctor's offices. As it is now, I suspect I will have to come into Las Vegas from Searchlight to keep the appointments I have already made. Oh well, that's life. I just need to take a deep breath and stop complaining because the only thing that complaining does is make  the situation worse.

February Wind

Fiḍál (Grace), 1 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 169 B.E. - Tuesday, February 26, 2013 about 1:35 P.M. Pacific Time

February wind
the last breath of winter blows
through green olive trees

the wind and the sun
whispering and shining through
olive and oak limbs

February ends
is the wind a lion's roar
or a house cat's purr

Cleaning out the coat closet

Kamál (Perfection), 5 Mulk (Dominion), 169 B.E. - Monday, February 11, 2013 about 3:17 P.M. Pacific Time

I opened the door to the coat closet today. Inside I found and removed an ironing board, two suitcases (one empty), and a briefcase. There are still several things in the closet, I remember seeing a bar stool with a back, and several piece of clothing plus two coats. I do not remember what else was in the closet.

I set up the ironing board and put the briefcase on top. I took everything out of briefcase and laid them on the ironing board. Most of the items are trash, papers that I have no use for; those I will throw away. Some of the papers contained copies of poems I have written. Since I do not intend to use this briefcase, it is soft sided, I will put some clothing items in it and donate everything to a local charity.

One suitcase is so heavy that I cannot lift it onto the ironing board. It is so heavy I can barely left it at all. It is my suitcase, so whatever in in it I put there. I cannot remember what this suitcase contains, but I need to find out because I need to put some of my clothes in it for storage. I do not want to give all my clothes away, but there I some I will not wear until later in the year.

Thankful Thursday: Ten things to be thankful for

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Mulk (Dominion), 169 B.E. - Thursday, February 7, 2013 about 10:15 A.M. Pacific Time

Today I give thanks for...

1. Hot black coffee sipped from my mother's favorite coffee cup,
2.  A grilled ham and cheese sandwich made in the electric skillet my brother gave me for my birthday,
3. A  daily newspaper that I can read while sipping my first cup of coffee in the morning,
4. The sparrows I saw yesterday when I parked in the parking lot outside my doctor's office
5. The nightingale I heard singing this morning when I picked up the newspaper,
6. The clear blue sky I see when I look out my living room window,
7. The storage unit that I am using to store my items in,
8. The bright sunshine casting oak tree shadows across the neighbors front lawn,
9. The powdered hot chocolate mix I use to make cafe mocha at home,
10. The powdered milk I mix to put on my cereal.

Is it really February already?

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 169 B.E. - Friday, February 1, 2013 about 6:20 A.M. Pacific Time

Is it February already? It seems like just yesterday most of the world celebrated a new Gregorian year, with fireworks lighting up the sky over almost every large city in the world. At midnight, 2012 passed and 2013 was born. Many people made New Year resolutions and, if they could, took a day off work.

It is February 1st, one-twelfth of 2013 is gone, but where did it go. January passed like a blink of the eye. Now it the time for each individual to ask the question "What did I accomplish in January of 2013?" I know I am asking myself that question. I look at the calendar date and realize that that Naw-Ruz, March 21st, is approaching. At sunset on Naw-Ruz, 169 B.E. will become 170 B.E. and I look at everything I wanted to accomplish before Naw-Ruz. Then I ask myself, What have I accomplished to date? Then I realize I need to work a little harder to accomplish the important things before Naw-Ruz.

Midweek Reflections on Calendars and Time

‘Idál (Justice), 12 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 169 B.E. - Wednesday, January 30, 2013 about 8:55 A.M. Pacific Time

February has 28 days this year. If it passes as quickly as January, then on February 27th or 28th, I will feel as if a tornado pass through my life leaving behind a jumble of unfinished task and goal. I have a 2013 Emergency Preparedness wall calendar from the Southern Nevada Health District beside me on my desk. All right, I know I am suppose to hang a wall calendar on the wall, but it does not do me any good hanging on the wall.

If I hang the calendar on the wall by the phone, then I have to go into the breakfast room to look at it. That is too far to walk while I am planning my February schedule. I have to plan specific housecleaning goals for February because I have a lot of stuff to get dispose of before Thursday, February 28. Some of the items I will give away, some I will throw away, and some I will put in storage. I also have to plan time to work online, but I think I will do that at night.

I want to get a few things accomplished in February. I do not want to reach the end of the month and feel as if a tornado struck leaving fragments of unfinished goals scattered in its wake. I know I have physical problems which prevent me from standing up for long periods of time, but that does not mean I am unable to do housework. The housework just takes longer especially when it comes to sweeping and mopping floors.

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.

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.