Very Strange & A Dog Story

My Horoscope for today says:

"Keep expectations high and, more important let people know exactly what they are. A Leo person in particular won't disappoint."

The Leo person's horoscope says:

"When you see the value in a thing you can't help but sell it. You'll make a fantastic buyer, agent or promoter. Scorpio and Libra people are honored to call you "friend."

I really do hope it is true. I know this Scorpio is honored to call a Leo "friend"

I have no idea whether the following story is true or not but I liked it and wanted to share it with the 30 or so people who read my blog. Thanks to Sone for sending it. Be Loved, Hugs,  j

A GREAT DOG STORY

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you
don't, and you may even decide you need one!
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was
a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a
weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their
luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck
his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would
come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and
there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys.
Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very
particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer.
Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact,
she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double
mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled
with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky?
Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog
through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary
thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him.
The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors
had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks.
Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog
just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When
she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even
make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife
comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when
she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and
she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand
what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt
heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary
realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with
every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing
dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved
mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his
love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living
again, walking further and further together every day.

It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky?
He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but
Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember...live every day to the fullest. And never forget....
the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones
with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They are the ones who care for us.

Interesting Horoscope/ Stardust

The Zodiac

Let me start out that I do not normally read my horoscope in the newspaper. In the first place, I don't believe that the "stars" have anything to do with anything. In the second place I don't believe that a generic horoscope can possibly be accurate. With that said they are "spot on" once in awhile. The horoscope for Scorpio (I was born November 13, 1941) says:

"Relationships may hit rocky ground, which ultimately can cement the bonds of love. Home in on all the things you have in common. Instead of seeing where you differ, see how you agree."

I hope it is correct. but you can see it is pretty generic.

It is also interesting to read the horoscope of my friends. Leo and Sagittarius seem to fit what a couple of friends are going through as well as good advice for Cancer (my sister) Jon's (Virgo) seems ok for him also.

Then there is the one in the paper for me today.

"Did you know your sign is associated with eagles as well as scorpions? Eagles don't hang out in flocks and prefer to hunt alone. You'll have luck now whenyou do the same."

Yes, I did know that. I was always told that the Eagle nature represented my spiritual nature and the scorpion my sexual nature (Scorpio's are very sexy (Yeah right)) The comment of not hanging out in flocks does describe me. I am much more comfortable in a very small group of two or three others. I don't enjoy going to one group that I am involved with because some sit at one end of the table and you can't talk with them if you are on the other end.

Mother used to hate it when two of her friends would come over and the husband would talk to me about one thing and the wife to her about something else. I guess I inherited that from her. We both love our friends but I really prefer being with them in small groups.

Speaking of Mother, she was a Pisces, my sister a Cancer and I am a Scorpio. All three are "water signs" and are supposed to get along well together. For the most part we did.

I find it interesting to read the characteristics of a scorpio. Here are some of mine from the site linked earlier:

Scorpios are the most intense, profound, powerful characters in the zodiac. Even when they appear self-controlled and calm there is a seething intensity of emotional energy under the placid exterior.
...In their everyday behavior they give the appearance of being withdrawn from the center of activity, yet those who know them will recognize the watchfulness that is part of their character.
... Their tenacity and willpower are immense, their depth of character and passionate conviction overwhelming, yet they are deeply sensitive and easily moved by their emotions. Their sensitivity, together with a propensity for extreme likes and dislikes make them easily hurt, quick to detect insult or injury to themselves (often when none is intended).
...They are too demanding, too unforgiving of faults in others, perhaps because they are not aware of the shortcomings within themselves, and extravagantly express their self-disgust in unreasonable resentment against their fellows. They do, however, make excellent friends, provided that their companions do nothing to impugn the honor of which Scorpios are very jealous. Part of the negative side of the Scorpio nature is a tendency to discard friends once they cease to be useful, but the decent native is aware of, and fights this tendency.

Some of these characteristics I can see in myself. I am deeply sensitive and I am easily hurt. Sometimes when no hurt is intended. My true friends help me get over myself. Others get tired of me and leave. So I am alone a lot of the time. Sometimes I am alone by choice because I don't really feel wanted. Yes, that is the way I feel inside. Crummy but that is the way it is. I was told recently that I needed to exercise to help my diabetes.

Dr. Horowitz said:

Find buddies to be active with (establishing a support network can be very helpful for adhering to a life-long more active lifestyle). The good thing is EVERYONE knows they should be more active – so it might not be hard to find friends to jump onboard. Try to find several friends for this network, because if you just rely on one friend it is easy not to be active if they happen to be busy .

I realized that I have no "buddies" that I could call on to do this. I have friends but I try not to force myself on them (usually) and rely on them to contact me when they want to do something. I generally go out to movies or out to eat alone - (that eagle nature again) I don't call people on the phone nor to I enjoy talking on the phone a lot. I would much rather sit with a person and visit with them.

I think that this probably has something to do with the fact that I never married. I am not complaining about that. The very idea of a commitment of that nature scared the bejesus out of me.

So I am stuck with me as I am. My true friends will see that and stick with me because they know that I can be a great friend. If not, I guess I will be the loser but I've been there before and I will get by.


I went to a movie tonight. Needed to get out of the house and escape. Stardust is a delightful film and had me enthralled. Just what I needed - unless it was a hug.

Hugs, jcs

Elephant Story

Thanks to Rick B for this entry. Since I am not currently in the mood to write this will have to do.


Sometimes these "heartwarming" stories are a bit too sappy for me but this one is truly interesting...

In 1986, Mikele Mebembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University.

On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Mikele approached it very carefully.

He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mikele worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Mikele stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Mikele never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Mikele was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mikele and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mikele, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mikele couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mikele summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mikele's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.

Probably wasn't the same elephant.

Bummersville

                                                                            .....

From a friend

To good not to share. j

A Masonic Order

The Holy Order of High Priesthood

The Holy Order of High Priesthood is an ancient Masonic Degree. It can only be conferred on a Companion who has been elected as High Priest of his local Chapter. It is conferred once a year at Grand Chapter and is really a nice degree that teaches important lessons.

It is based on the meeting of Melchisedec, king of Salem, the priest of the most high GOD and Abram (Who later became Abraham, the founder of the Jewish religion). Abram had been out a warring to rescue his brother Lot who had been taken captive. Upon his return he met Melchisedec who greeted him as a friend and Brother and fed him bread and wine. Abram gave him a tenth of all of his spoils. By this we know that Melchisedec was a powerful man. We also read about him in the book of Hebrews "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizcdec." Jesus was said to be a priest forever after the order of Melchizcdec.

The Order has been a part of Royal Arch Masonry in America almost from the beginning of the General Grand Chapter in 1797. If interested you can read a rather lengthy history of the order at the University of Bradford Website here.

Two obligations that the newly anointed High Priest takes are to share with his Companions and to let go of animosity. Two qualities which we all should cultivate. (I do better with the sharing one.) They are also Masonic virtues which are re-emphasized in this degree.

On an interesting side note to this. I received this Order in April of 1974 after being elected High Priest of Joshua Chapter #127 R.A.M. here in Ames. At that time I had a Mormon family in my classroom and enjoyed them very much. One day I mentioned to Mrs. A that I was High Priest of my Chapter. She mentioned that her Husband was a High Priest after the order of Melchizcdec in their church. I told her that I had just received that degree at Grand Chapter. That was the first time I was aware of the Masonic/Mormon connection. It seems that Joseph Smith was a Mason and it appears that he borrowed liberally from the Masons when he set up the rituals of his church. Just as Moses borrowed from the Egyptian Religion. You can read about the Mormon High Priesthood on this page.

I have a great respect for Mormons. They are dedicated, caring people and are good citizens in our country/world. Or at least the ones I have met are. Come to think of it you could say that about most Masons so I guess we have that in common.

So I congratulate my three friends who received the Order this week-end. I hope they will derive much benefit from having partaken of this ancient ritual.

 Hugs, jcs.