Don't Make it About Religion, Please!

There was a posting from a friend of mine who understandably after today's tragic killings, that people need to fight for freedom and preserving the "Christian way of life." I replied ( because it got my knickers in a slight twist):

It's not even so much the Christian Way of Life, It's the "sensible, kind, joyous, have common sense, manners and decency, take care of your neighbor, pitch in and help, be responsible, shoulder your burdens, carry on, accept and give kids (especially) consequences" way of life. It's the way of life that when your neighbor's house burns down, you help. When a flood hits, you help. when a child, old person or animal is suffering you help.

One of the basic freedoms of this country is freedom to worship your Higher Power as you wish. (That includes mathematical principles, the nature of the universe or not believing in a Higher Power if you're an atheist). I'm not a Christian but I can respect the "do unto others etc." way of life. Please, my dear, don't make it about Christianity or the "Christian way of life." It really has nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with humanity, and being humane, kind and responsible.

If anything the generation that came after the Baby Boomers doesn't get this, for the most part, and they should! Far too many of them are lazy, entitled spoiled brats. I'm talking 20 and 30 somethings. We Boomers raised them, so yes, our generation is partly to blame. I say this with all respect. My husband and stepson are non-active Marines and I believe they would agree with me.

We are all stuck on this Blue Planet together and we all need to get our collective heads out of our selfish, poor-me asses. I don't care if you are Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist, pagan, Buddhist, Hindu or worship cats underneath an oak tree.....as the old song goes, "come on people/ smile on your brother/ everybody get together/ try to love one another right now."

If you're going to be an selfish, stupid idiot and go around shooting people or blowing restaurants up or killing 100+ hostages, you're an asshole. I don't care what your faith is. There is no way that the Divine "told" you to do that. My dogs are better behaved than you are. My dogs are closer to the heart of God, Goddess, Buddah, Allah, "Hey You", the Universe (whatever) than you will ever be because they love unceasingly.

I"m hear to tell you; don't make it about religion. That what those f---kers from ISIS are saying, "It's all for Allah, their religion." It's not about religion. It's about humanity, being human, being humane. These killers (and please stop calling them "shooters"....it's just too nice a word) don't care about common sense, humane thought, and looking out for the other guy. They are stupid sheep, and that's an insult to sheep.

We need to hold the families of those victims here in the States and in Paris close to our hearts. They are the ones who need the best of us, the most caring and loving parts of us, the part that has not forgotten our humanity. We are those families, we are Paris, we are Colorado, we are Oklahoma, we are the Twin Towers. I pray, in my way, to the Great Mother of us all to hold those victims and their families in Her Loving Arms. I pray, in my way, for people to get their heads out of their asses too.

Blessings to all of you at this time of year which is important for so many cultures and beliefs. Mine included!

Amen, Selah, So mote it be!

An Unexpected Gift In My Inbox

Just when I was feeling pretty low about my professional entertainment career, I get this comment from professional travel photographer, Jad Davenport, on this photo I call "Nevada Storm."

"Wow! Mia, this is a great picture. You have terrific color (I love those dark, gray-blue clouds), great light (dappled light over the hills), the composition is spot-on, and the storm gives us the moment. There's even a tiny hint of clear blue skies right on the horizon. Storms often give us the best images because they make a place people have photographed before look different. Love the drama. Nice work, Mia!"

I really needed this, what a gift!

I am eternally grateful to the weather and my friends Dale and Paula for taking me here.
. Not bad for a color-blind girl, eh?

A lovely gift from my Higher Power.....

The Charleston Church Tragedy and Stupidity

Stupid is as stupid does.  Just sayin'

Here is a great article, hopefully you can see the Link: anti-intellectualis is killing america

The Dumbing Down of America has been happening for quite a while.  I will always maintain my opinion that Fundamentalism is a dangerous thing, especially when it affects politics and education.  "Keep 'em stupid," is becoming the norm.  Many aspects of Big Business and many politicians want people to be stupid, scared and reactionary.  We've certainly seen that in fundamental Muslim groups and we see it in America.  It's easier to control a herd of frightened, angry, lost people.

Charleston is just the latest example of fear and blind ignorance.  My heart bleeds for those people.

It's one of the reasons I might have a really hard time living in the South.  I'm too smart for most places.  I am well-educated.  I use Big Words.  I appreciate the arts and have respect for science as well as loving nature.

I believe that God's time is not necessarily human time.  How long could God's day be?  A nano-second or millennium.  Do you know?  No, you don't, now do you?

As for the Confederate flag flying over a state building, I have to ask why?  That is NOT the state flag or North Carolina or Georgia or any place else in the South.  The Civil War ended in 1865.  That is 150 YEARS ago!!  You don't see Germany flying the Swastika, now do you?   Their losses and bosses were much more horrific than the Civil War.  Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.

I hate to say it because the North was the winning side but I will exclaim, "Get over it.  Move on with your lives!  Stop drinking the Kool-aid"

We are 50 UNITED states, and so far, succession hasn't happened.  Instead of moaning on about it and reliving a tragic part of American history, why not join  together in brotherhood, with loving kindness and tolerance? That might be a much better, healthier option. People of all colors, denominations, sexual preferences are still human beings.  We all bleed red.  We all want a safe home filled with love and joy.  We want food on our tables and a place to sleep.

If you are going to quote your Bible as a justification for violence, perhaps you need to take Jesus as your example. He suffered the little children to come to him.  (I'm not a Christian but I have read the Bible cover to cover many times.)  Are we not all children of the Universe?  Do we not all share this Blue Planet together?  Are we not made of the same things: blood, bone and sinew?  Are we all not children of the Divine?

I for one, am so damn tired of ignorance and fear.  Fear within, fear without.  I think taking the wise words of my friend's English mum, "You're dead if you worry, you're dead if you don't.  So why worry?"  to heart is not a bad thing at all.

Wouldn't all this energy be better spent learning things?  Things like science, art, what makes the flowers grow?  It seems we've lost curiosity.  It seems we accept being fed whatever crap Fox News (for example) and the hate/fear-mongers are dishing out. It's like Germany in pre-war times and if you don't know about that, well, damnit you should.

Since when did worshiping in your place of faith (whether it be church or synagogue, a temple or underneath God's sky) become a shooting ground?
Truly, "Verily I say unto you: Love thy neighbor as THYSELF.  Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."  If you want to follow the Christ's teachings, that's a pretty fine place to start.  Your Christ would no more have taken a spear and gone into a Roman temple and killed everyone.

We have a limited time in our earthly bodies.  If you believe in Hell, Purgatory or Limbo, do you really want your soul to end up there?  Because being an ignoramus is sure as hell a great place to start.

Instead of expending your energies sowing hate, why don't you learn something new everyday?  A new word, a new song, a new way to build something?  Why not ask questions of people you don't know and find out about their humanity?
I am blessed to have many friends with many different belief systems: Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Pagan, Muslims and even those who don't necessarily believe in a a form of the Creator.  I don't get people that say science and faith are incompatible.  That's just well, ignorant.

Last Dragon's Blood Aftermath

I haven't blogged about the "c" thing for a while, but oh, this last one....after I was off the predisone....kicked my ass.  I wrote on Facebook.....

Dec. 16, 2014

"For the last few days, I've been wracking my brain trying to think of someone I personally know and would wish this c crap on.....and......nope, I don't think I dislike/hate anyone THAT much. 

This too shall pass. But for now, this last dragon's blood....it's kicking my arse! Literally and figuratively. Being trapped in the house is not fun. 

I've also been trying to figure out what the "lesson" is with this whole mess. 

The upside is people have been amazing and if I ask for help, they seem more than willing to help. So grateful for that."

A friend, Peg, wrote this......and I wanted to hang on to it......

Why does there have to be a lesson.....something to learn? Some go so far as to say God wants your attention....or here's another lie....God must be punishing you with sickness....Oh how great religion can be....so comforting....yes that is my sarcastic voice speaking. I believe life is life....just exactly that....life. God is in every moment we breathe in and out....He is in every moment, hear this....in all our moments His life lives in us and His life will continue on in us when we no longer take in breath. So.....in your quiet time of reflection....just let Him tell YOU all about it. He will ya know! Love and Hugs..

A Fall Evening

I feel this constant, burning need to be outside all the time, especially on my front porch.  I would imagine that I'm getting all the good weather before it's too cold to sit outside comfortably.

Tonight I'm sitting on my front porch.  It's near dusk, one of my favorite times of the day. It's when my vision is at its clearest and brightest.  The ice cream truck is playing the same merry tune as ice cream trucks did in my childhood. I see kids frantically biking home to hit their parents up for a buck or two.  (Ice cream sandwiches were ten cents when I was a kid.  Ah, inflation!) I hear the crickets' song and the breeze ruffles the tops of the trees.  It's not enough wind to move our four flags; they stand sentinel on their poles.  I hear kids bouncing basketballs, yelling, laughing and calling to each other.  I hear the neighbor's dog squeaking in concert with a train horn as it clacks and rattles on the tracks in the distance.  I lean back in our beat-up redwood chairs and let the sounds flow over me like a lullaby.

It's a soft night. It's early fall in my town.  It almost could be early fall when I was a kid in Lakewood.  I'm happy to be here, to be alive, to be present in this moment of almost suburban Americana perfection.  It doesn't have the glamour, bustle, vibrancy or movement of Chicago, New York or Paris.  It is a quintessential American small town. It's all good. I am content and blessed.  I'm alive.

Monday is infusion three of dragon's blood.  But that's then. For now this is a form of bliss.

Good-Bye, Old Paint

Goodbye our darling, trusted steed Miss Meon.  You took us to Montana and back, countless trips to Illinois and destinations elsewhere, carted dogs and bikes here and there.  You ran pretty darn well almost all of the time.  You were never an annoying, piece-of-crap car.

Meon in Montana

I apologize with all my heart for putting you in harm's way; for allowing you to be driven by people who didn't care nearly as much about you as we did.

I failed you, baby girl.

Your body will be pieced out and the rest of you will be junked.  You didn't make it to trade-in or had your body just give out, with too many repairs to sensibly keep you going.  Your end was ignoble and stupid.

Feb. 1, 2014

Your spirit and dependability will always be with us.  Maybe there is a heaven for a good car gone before its time.....Go in peace, little one.  We loved you.  You were a good girl.

Meon, Dodge Neon: 2005 - 2/1/2014

Coincidence In Marietta

I think this picture tells a story. 

But the true story is so incredible I couldn't make this up if I tried.... 

This past weekend I did a murder mystery in Marietta, Ohio. Upon arriving in this river town Friday, I walked along the shore. I viewed an amazing "god-sky" sunset, thinking about an old friend who had passed on early that morning. Her name was Susan Carr Berilla. I thought how lovely and fitting that the rays piercing through the clouds made the water iridescent, transcendent.  I felt close to Susan's spirit.  I could almost hear her laughter on the breeze. I know she was a person of deep faith but with her brilliant sense of whimsy she would appreciate the somewhat ironic beauty of this peaceful scene.  

I shed a few tears for an old, remembered friend. 

I heard soft guitar notes on the breeze and followed them. I chanced upon this young man, a budding songwriter home from Washington State. 

He played one of his songs for me.  I told him I was a professional singer, gave him words of encouragement.  I asked him, when he was famous to remember a singer named Mia Hess.
  
I asked him his name. 

His name was Dalton.

Dalton Carr.

No relation. 

No accident. 

The MM Collection: Some of the Orphan Songs

Still going through sheet music....Interesting, frustrating, fascinating, wondrous.

  The oldest one so far is 1909 or maybe 1904.  The newest one, I think, is Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin.  

I can't understand why these songs never made it into the popular song lexicon of the 40s and 50s.  I can't understand why I can't find recordings of these big hits!

*Yippee, Ki-ay, Buy A Bond Today (Really? it's a song about war bonds...can't find a recording of it!)

*I See Through You, 1945 (Darn those x-ray glasses)

*Oh My Lord (Well, at least not this 1944 version by Allen Ward)

*There's A Smile In Your Eyes (Well, for once he's not looking south....)

*Too Little, Too Late (no, it's about 30+ years before the one I know just floated in your brain..)

*Talking In My Sleep 1945 (Again???  Man, what did I say NOW?)

*Blue Clouds

*Hecky Darn!  (Aw, come on, really?  No recordings of this one?  Maybe if they changed the title to "Hell Damn" somebody might record it! It is billed as a "Novelty for 2 Men and A Girl."  There are so many ways that could go so wrong....)

*I Can See It Your Way 1945 (finally!)

*What, no HARLEM CASANOVA???

*I Wish We Didn't Have To Say Good-Night from a movie with Carmen Miranda called Something For The Boys.

*Wings To Wear Upon My Heart

*A New Ten-Gallon Hat (nobody wanted it?)

*Hoboken Hannah (Can't find her or any recording it....)

*Lonely Nights (And, no, no, no it's NOT the "Where would I be without my woman?" one.)

*Two Shadows In The Sunset.  It looks sweet....

*You're Gonna Hate Yourself In The Mornin'  (Many-a-time many folks has thought this...or received this friendly warning.)

*Somewhere There's a Rainbow (Obviously, not in the musical recording area....)

But today real startler was what was sure to be a sure-fire hits for someone in that era.  If Dean Martin can sing Hominy Grits (true) and another big singer of the time can warble out a tune called Salt Pork West Virginia, Why hasn't this one made the Big time?  How has this one missed in a era of Come-on-a My House and The Teddy Bears Picnic?

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MUCKLEFUTZENHEIM??

Say What???  Whositfuckin'him?

No, "Whatever happened to Mucklefutzenheim?"  That's the name of the song. Swear to God. Words and music by Jean Herbert...

And the research continues.  So far, I've found 512 songs corresponding to the sheet music.  Some of the songs are lovely.  I am gaining a grudging respect for Perry Como's library of songs he performed and the Three Suns annoy me at times.

A Prayer Circle August 22, 2013

Dear God, Father of All, Wisdom Divine….Yahweh, Adonai

Dear Son of God, Jesus, the Great Teacher….

Dear Mother, Divine Love…

Dear Angels especially the great Archangels ~~~

          Ariel: Lion(ess) of God, angel of the animals.

          Raphael: Healer, angel of love, joy and laughter, healer of animals & people

          Uriel: “God Is Light,” angel of vision, instruction, problem solving

Dear Father Sky and Mother Earth, Gaia.  We are your Earth Children, spiritual beings having this human experience…..

Dear Ancestors of all of us. You who have gone before us, back to the Divine.  Our grandmothers and grandfathers, parents, our ancestors.  All who are connected by blood or love of those who come together at this time in love, caring, positive energies and prayers….We ask for your guidance and support.

Dear Universe, Balance, Order, Good Judgment…..

Dear God of My Understanding, My Higher Power....

(That should cover just about everybody….of all faiths….)

Greetings! Welcome, all! 

Breathe deep!

We are come together, in time and space, at this moment to join our circle and clasp our hands and bow our heads in faith, reverence and expectation of All Good. We feel the connectedness of ourselves to others in the circle and the Divine.  We are all brothers and sisters here.

We ask that we be richly blessed and all that we will give out in prayer, energies, and acknowledgments come back to us in awesome, wonderful ways we cannot even comprehend.

We know You hear our prayers.

For what is prayer but seeking to renew our connection with the Divine, within and without?

What is prayer but focus and faith in Something Greater Than Ourselves?

Even though we ask for You to hear us at our time of need, You know You are always with us. We just need to remember this.

Rekindle our faith, trust and intuition.

You are in all forms yet we worship You in these forms…..

And so we begin.

For Krissi.

Tonight as the full moon wanes, we ask for our Sister Krissi, help and aid and strength. We ask that as the moon wanes and becomes dark, that her burdens and cares also wane and be lifted through the Divine who can carry all burdens.  We ask for her to be lifted in light and love.

We ask health, strength, comfort, cooling breezes, lightness for her and her family now and in the future. 

We acknowledge that Your white shield of strength will guard her from all negativity and that the great Archangel Michael stands for her.

We ask that her home be filled with harmony, light and protection. 

We claim knowledge that she and her family (humans and animals) are under the umbrella of Divine Love, harmony and safety.

We claim this for her and in your Name as she is a child of Divine Love, Life, Truth and Abundance.

Selah, Amen, So Mote It Be.

Breathe Deep.

For The Dogs Currently In Our Care.

We ask for all the dogs that have come under Krissi’s care and those of the Rescues Mercy’s Door and New Pawz Families be healed mentally and physically, and blessed in every way. 

We also pray for the cats as well!  (Isis would want us to pray for her children!)

We ask for Your hands of love to help make all these dogs whole. We pray for  understanding that miracles happen every moment of every day and that these precious souls are miracle-worthy.  As are we miracle-worthy.

We ask for your help especially for Pippa and Joplin at this time. 

We pray for all the puppies, so newly born into the human realm. We pray that they be blessed with health, joy, happiness and long lives in peace and harmony. 

We ask that You guide us as to how we can best help all these dogs and all the dogs who have come back to the Rescue. Since You are All Knowing, All Wise, we humbly ask to be shown the way and that our actions and footsteps be guided.  Even if the answer seems humanly negative or blocked, help us to know, without a doubt, that Love Divine is always the answer. 

Please help us to remember that even though God may seem to close a door, a window with blessings will always open.

Selah, Amen, So Mote It Be.

Breathe Deep.

For Those We Cannot Save.

We ask for grace and blessings and ease of passage into the Summerlands, the Rainbow Bridge, gateway to Heaven for all those dogs who cannot humanly or humanely be saved in this physical world.

Please fill us with Your love; help us to not feel as though we have failed these animals.  Love is never wasted even though it meet no return.

We ask for the great Archangel Azrael (who helps souls cross over) to be there for each dear one as they leave this earth.

We pray for humanity and compassion for those who perform this task and we acknowledge that You will bring these qualities to those humans.

As Jesus the Teacher so loved the little children, He too loves those dogs in need of safe passage.

Selah, Amen, So Mote It Be.

Breathe Deep.

For Homes.

We know that You are the Divine Matchmaker and you will bring dogs and humans together quickly, effectively and easily.

We pray and acknowledge positive and efficient networking on all levels, reaching beyond even our human comprehensive.  You are the Great Communicator!

We acknowledge and praise You because You have a perfect home and families for each and every dog now in our care and every dog that may come to us in the future.

We ask that the path be easy and clear for those homes to find each dog. We pray that any seeming obstacles be swept away, easily and completely. We pray and acknowledge that You are greater than any obstacle if that is the right home for that dog.

We pray for and acknowledge that through your Grace, that each home will be filled with harmony, peace and joy for all who dwell within: humans and animals alike. We pray to make manifest the paintings and pictures we have seen of saints and angels with all the animals gathered around them in harmony.  We acknowledge that through your guidance, this visual image can and will be manifested in these homes.

We ask for clarity, insight and good judgment as we review these homes and the people within them.  We know that You will guide our minds and hearts; that our intuitions will be clear and bright since You are the author of Wisdom, Love and Intuition.

We pray and acknowledge that the adopters will seek Your Wisdom and the wisdom of kind, compassionate, loving humans, vets, professionals and trainers.

We pray and acknowledge that Your Love will manifest itself in these dogs and their families, making their transition stress-free and easy. 

We pray and acknowledge that You will heal any anxiety in both humans and dogs.  Since You are everywhere, we know that Your healing hands will be with the dog since s/he too is never separate from Love.

We pray and acknowledge that every dog will be a blessing and a blessed member of the family for all of its life.

We pray and acknowledge that they will always treat, train and incorporate the dog in to their lives with patience, love and humanity for all the dog’s life. 

We pray and acknowledge that ALL of the homes for our dogs be their forever homes as Your love for us is never-ending.

Selah, Amen, So Mote It Be.

Breath Deep.

For Fosters.

We pray for all the foster parents, now and in the future.  We ask that as they have opened their homes and hearts, you will fill both with your Light and blessings.

We pray and acknowledge that more foster homes and families that we have need of will open up to us. We pray and acknowledge that You are providing an abundance of foster homes!

We pray for puppy caretakers and fosters.  We acknowledge that you will grant them patience, laughter, love, harmony and ease of house-training. And an abundance of newspapers and food.

We pray and acknowledge that Divine Love be present in each foster home and manifest Itself in harmony, peace, calm and joy.

We pray for the fosters to be able to release their foster dogs to their new homes with love and joy, knowing that they will always be a part of that dog’s heart.

Selah, Amen, So Mote It Be.

Breathe Deep.

For Abundance & Material Benefits.

We pray for and acknowledge Your Abundance and we will see it made manifest in the material realm for Krissi, her family, all the fosters, the kind trainers and all the dogs.

Abundance isn’t just on its way; it’s already here.  Open our hearts, arms and minds to it.

We pray that as each one of these gives of their time and talents that you will bless them hundred-fold in all ways: health, money, gifts of all kinds.

We pray to know that Abundance is ever-present and never ending as You are Infinite. We pray for freedom from chattering, limiting, negative talk and minds.

Selah, Amen, So Mote It Be.

Breathe Deep.

For Tolerance.

We pray to educate wisely: that all who hear our words will be moved and their minds will be opened. As You are Divine Truth, give us the words to speak. 

We pray that all those who hate and fear be flooded with Love and shown the clarity of tolerance, fairness and humanity. Open their minds to this thought: "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

We pray for the abusers, murderers and dog fighters, all those who have tumbled, walked or ran into the miasma of ignorance, hate and greed that Your blazing swords of Truth will pierce their minds and blaze through to their real hearts and open them to the Light Divine.  

We pray for the hoarders and their victims. 

We pray for the children of cruelty; that their eyes will be opened. We pray that through their pure hearts they will bring positive change to their families, friends, and communities.

Great Redeemer, we acknowledge your ability to turn even the most evil, hardened soul.

We acknowledge that the Wheel of Karma is in place.  

We pray that those who wander in fear and darkness find the light of Love and Compassion. 

We pray that all who love animals, especially those who love dogs of all kinds and breeds manifest harmony, kindness, joy, love and a spirit of cooperation towards each other.

We pray for strength, compassion and justice for all those involved in the human law arena: police, humane officers, lawyers and judges. 

We pray for human laws of fairness and compassion and tolerance towards animals to be made manifest in all communities throughout the world.

Selah, Amen, So Mote It Be.

In Closing.

We know, unerringly, that you have heard our prayers and that all of us, human and animals, are sheltered under your Wings.  We thank you for this opportunity to come together in brotherhood and sisterhood for we are all part of You and each other. As we came in peace, love and expectation, so we close our circle and raise our heads in praise and thanks.  Even though we are not physically together, our spirits have joined together.

The circle is ended but not unbroken. Go in peace.

We just thank You, no matter what we call You. Hail and farewell!

Blessed Be, Amen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Written by Mia Hess with a whole bunch of “divine inspiration.” Seriously. No B.S.

Thank you, Great One, for working through my hands and heart.

I am but the tool, You are the craftsman.

I know that anyone who wishes to use this will be kind and truthful enough to ask me if they may share.)