Our beloved dog died unexpectedly in December. She was always very religious, loved to meditate and often tried to eat Buddhist books, incense etc.!
The note, on yellow paper, really cheered me up. Thank you.
While on the subject of animals and moving on I’d like to report on Suzy, the veteran traveller from Florida. She has landed on her paws and is happily settled with an adopting family on the West coast. And her person has settled too. Both starting new lives. Good fortune.
The good news is that if you’re still coughing, according to a “cough suppressant” study performed by London’s National Heart and Lung Institute,” theobromine significantly outperformed codeine to stop a cough — whether from a cold or a chronic cough.
The good news nature of this item is that theobromine is an active ingredient in — ta-dah — Chocolate! The info I picked up today goes on to say that 2 oz. of dark chocolate (for an adult) should be eaten to stop coughing. Dark is superior to milk chocolate because dark contains more of the good stuff.
Books are rarely part of my life and now I’m surrounded by them. Dipping in, but not staying long. Still unwell, it’s not so easy to concentrate for any length of time. Computer’s at the menders. Replacement computer so so. Still surrounded by books but loosing touch with where I am for lack of suitable markers. (and I NEVER turn over the edge of a page, except for paperbacks.) Then I remember a posting on The Logogryph about bookmarks.
And, since I’d ran out of things to mark my places, in all of these books I’m surrounded by, I resorted to the unthinkable. (unfortunately I’m not able to upload the photograph of my handiwork,) I cut up my favorite inspirational card, of a hut on stilts, into three strips. Perfect bookmarks. And, if I arrange them just so, I can still see the roof poking out like one half of a smile.
Thanks to Tom for the posting and to all of those enjoying sub zero temperatures in Edmonton, Canada.
This last couple of months we’ve made a regular routine of reciting the ‘Sandokai’ together at our home altar after breakfast and we’ve been touched by Tora’s evident interest in what is going on. Soon after we begin saying the scripture he comes and sits beside us and often adds a few ‘meows’ of his own.
Felix religiosus? Iain of Little House in The Paddy ponders on the motives behind his cats behaviour. Great photograph of Tora too.
Allendale Baal (Barrel) fire ready for the off at midnight on New Years Eve.
Allendale Town. New Years Eve. Men with lighted tar barrels on their heads parade through the streets in the Tar Barrel Ceremony. Yes, the barrels are on fire! The the Baal fire in the center of town, where cars usually park, is lit. (Melting the tarmac perhaps?!!) People come from far and wide to watch. Then they go home to bed.
We on the other hand have no bonfire, or tar barrels. Sit and meditate from about 7.30 pm. Before midnight everybody may offer incense and make three bows of gratitude for the past year. Have a sedate ceremony at midnight. Afterwords everybody is given an apple or cake, or similar. Make three more bows asking for help in the coming year. We then strike the big bell a total of 108 times and go to our beds.
New Years Eve can bring on the melancholy (defined as thoughtful sadness) like nobodies business. Years ago that was the case for me. Now? By the time 1.00 am comes I’m just tired.
Where ever you are to welcome in the New Year, take care.
Practice Within The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives
