Guest Post Featuring Franscud

Blog Site: Caught In The Stream

Dated: Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Not wasting a chance to reference T.S. Eliot

Today marks the 119th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Stearns Eliot, the great modernist poet and dramatist probably best remembered for his controversial work The Waste Land. Published in 1922 and arising out of the devastation of World War I, many associate the poem with a post-bellum European mood of despair and a sense of societal spiritual decay. Hidden in the complex verse is a seed of hope, however; one that I too try to grasp in our own time of overwhelming cynicism.

There is much about life in 21st century America that makes me imagine a wasted future: Our economy mired in fossil-fueled denial; Our resources consumed by endless war; Our fears stoked in hate filled fantasies; Our rights eroded by violence addicted leaders; Our minds undone by our own indifference; Our souls corrupted by false righteousness.

What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow
Out of this stony rubbish? Son of man,
You cannot say, or guess, for you know only
A heap of broken images, where the sun beats,
And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief,
And the dry stone no sound of water. Only
There is shadow under this red rock,
(Come in under the shadow of this red rock),
And I will show you something different from either
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you;
I will show you fear in a handful of dust.
(Lines 19-30)

Within that seemingly barren context, though, there is a real possibility for change and growth. Our fatalistic attitudes lag behind the pace of positive social developments; feeling alienated, isolated, and alone behind our self-built prison walls we are blind to the new empowering opportunities for connection, belonging and shared experience. For within the dying carcass of old habits grows the germ of a new idea. By casting aside our former modes of seeing, we can envision a new world sprouting through the cracked and arid earth.

In this decayed hole among the mountains
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
Over the tumbled graves, about the chapel
There is the empty chapel, only the wind's home.
It has no windows, and the door swings,
Dry bones can harm no one.
Only a cock stood on the rooftree
Co co rico co co rico
In a flash of lightning. Then a damp gust
Bringing rain
(Lines 385-394)

Click here to see the full text of the poem

Originally Written and Posted by franscud

Permission to Reprint Granted to Binding Ink

Informed Voters Make the Difference

Know the 2008 Presidential Candidates: Democrat, Republican, Other

Visit Vote Smart for each Candidate complete bio, etc.

2008 GOP Presidential and Democratic Candidates Issue Stances. Listed are each Candidate Stance on all these Important Issues:

Abortion
Budget & Economy
Civil Rights (same-sex marriage, school prayer, etc.)
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy & Oil
Environment
Families & Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade Government Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure & Technology
Jobs
Principles & Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War & Peace
Welfare & Poverty

Get Informed, Make A Difference

Signed Author

Someone Left The Cake Out In The Rain

Using Blog Interviewer's new widget Blog Rush, a widget to rush traffic to your site; I found this post called The War on Cakes that almost explains the incompetence of our Nations' politics, real sweet. Than toward the end the post goes flat and gets real sap soggy, like what happened Bro?

I’m not promoting the blog itself, just the post. However; if you want to use the new Blog Interviewer widget, write me so I can send you an invite and ndpthepoetress earns credits!

Signed Author

It Was Blogged To Happen-Women

Long ago whence I first began posting on my blog site and what seemed like a lengthy time afterwards, I received my first comment. Excited, I followed the link from my Commenter and found a wonderfully delightful blog site, now called In Search of Isis. There were posted poems, posts with humor, and much more enjoyment in-between. Since; I have had the pleasure of reading many posts at “In Search of Isis” and amidst the written words, I caught small glimpses of a man known only as eastcoastdweller. A guy with vast interests such as being intrigued with insects, petrifiedly saving a loathsome bat, he has a fondness for the classics, poetry, music, and he is a man addicted to cigarette smoke. In his own words, he is a “capnolagiac -- a man who finds a woman's smoking to be incredibly, intensely erotic.” A man who perhaps one day may “summon the courage to pay some hotel room escort to blow her cigarette smoke at me until I die in ecstasy from a secondhand nicotine overdose.” Yes, my Friends this is the spectacular one of a kind, eastcoastdweller! A Guy who realizes that “men who love Women love Their ears right along with the rest of the miracle that is Her.”

Throughout his various posts I have had the pleasure to experience this Gentleman’s mannerism of articulating his great respect, admiration for us Women and our sites. Since his sidebar links have lengthened to include a number of Women’s sites. And so recently eastcoastdweller has decided to expand his Blog Site to include all us Woman! In his own words:

New concept for this blog

I had an idea this morning, an exciting idea – perhaps fueled in part by my happy mood since Sweetie’s sinus infection appears to be very minor this time. Thank heaven for Advil and the 24-hour Walgreen’s that sold it to me late last night. I’d crawl into hell on my hands and knees or at least make a middle of the night drive for my Goddess’ sake.

This blog exists to celebrate, adore, empower, uplift and rejoice in the magnificence of, Women. Not just magazine models – all Women, for every Woman in the world is beautiful in Her own way, a being of incredible power and potential and worth.

That is why I exist, too, to share this important message, and it is my joy and my passion.

Lovely red-headed Dawn (whose blog I have not visited in a day or two – sorry Dawn, I promise to visit tonight!) has offered me technical guidance in setting up a website that will be dedicated to the above goal, in a way that a blog cannot.

But this blog will continue along with that site. And I had an idea this morning to share the steering wheel.

What if Isis could become a true community where trusted Ladies who visit here often, could have posting privileges alongside me, posting whatever came into Their brilliant minds, plugging Their own delightful blogs shamelessly, adding appropriate links, adding resources that They, as Women, believe are important for other Women?

Can you imagine the cybervoices of possibly hundreds of Women, sharing each other's concerns, offering advice on everything that matters to Women, right here on this little blog?

I am so excited about this idea that I could burst. What do you all think?

Related post: Progress of "For the Love of Woman"

I am happy here at Binding Ink to share the news with you all that "For the Love of Woman" has been launched! And I invite each and everyone to please come and enjoy!

"For the Love of Woman"

“A circle of Sisters on the web and a few blessed men who rejoice to know Them. A safe place. A helpful place. For the glory of Women, the progress of Women, the uplift of Women and the health of Women in body, mind and spirit.”

Co-Authors:

...Kat

-Jeane Michelle Culp

yek

Christy

Laura Stamps

PixieDust

Nadiyya

Lyn

Lone Grey Squirrel

eastcoastdweller

Carmen

Dawn

Labor Day Working Together

Labor Day, a Federal Holiday Day for the Working to be off from their daily chores. A three day week-end for some! Yet for many this is just another day, as they must work. For that we Thank them, especially those in the Military whom are unable to enjoy this time, as they continue to uphold their duties to America and all us Citizens. Even on this Holiday, the “Mission of Love” continues to spread throughout the Blog World - Blogosphere on the Wings of The Blog Fairy and from our hearts. For Love is not a task, rather a gift to everyone - every day; around the internet and beyond; as such a precious gift flows into our daily lives. And so as some celebrate this Holiday, let us not forget all the Armed Forces nor Love; let us continue to work and work together, unite-united hand in hand!

LETS WORK TOGETHER


Let's Work Together by Canned Heat

Together we'll stand
Divided we'll fall
Come on now people
Let's get on the ball
And work together
Come on, come on
Let's work together
(Now now people)
Because together we will stand
Every boy, every girl and man
People, when things go wrong
As they sometimes will
And the road you travel
It stays all uphill
Let's work together
Come on, come on
Let's work together
You know together we will stand
Every boy, girl, woman and man
Oh well now, two or three minutes
Two or three hours
What does it matter now
In this life of ours
Let's work together
Come on, come on
Let's work together
(Now now people)
Because together we will stand
Every boy, every woman and man
Ahhh, come on now...
Ahhh, come on, let's work together...
Well now, make someone happy
Make someone smile
Let's all work together
And make life worthwhile
Let's work together
Come on, come on
Let's work together
(Now now people)
Because together we will stand
Every boy, girl, woman and man
Oh well now, come on you people
Walk hand in hand
Let's make this world of ours
A good place to stand
And work together
Come on, come on
Let's work together
(Now now people)
Because together we will stand
Every boy, girl, woman and man
Well now together we will stand
Every boy, girl, woman and man

The Blog Fairy Is Now The Queen of Angels

(In Loving Memory Of Francesca Faerie a tribute from Gracie Belle - Her Beloved Daughter...)

Blue Ribbon Bloggers “In loving memory of our beloved Blog Fairy the 1st, Francesca” A place for all who love The Blog Fairy.

“There will be memorials here and remembrances. We welcome and encourage all of you who would like to contribute your remembrance, memorials, or thoughts about this wonderfully loving Lady, "The Blog Fairy" to post at the Blue Ribbon Bloggers.


This is a sad time throughout the blogosphere and World, as all fairy wand plants and flowers bow their heads to weep with us. For the news has been made official, The Blog Fairy of the legendary “Blue Ribbon Blogger Award”, has gone on. We may call this death and wrestle with the repercussions that tug mournfully at our hearts. The Blog Fairy however; would probably refer to this as merely trading in her glistening Fairy Wings for a larger pair that represents the true Angel she is and was to everyone. Perhaps The Blog Fairy knew these Angel Wings awaited her, as on her MyBlogLog profile she posted a quote "The Land of Heart's Desire" by William Butler Yeats; "Faeries, come take me out of this dull world..." Ultimately, The Blog Fairy has “rode upon the wind, ran a top the disheveled tide, and danced upon the mountains like a flame”. And as we honor The Blog Fairy, let us surround her Family and Friends at this time with Universal Hugs. Especially “Gracie Belle, beloved daughter of Francesca and grandaughter of The Earth Fairy”, whom now carries on The Blog Fairy tradition of “sharing love and enlightenment to those who believe”. Please join in the embracement of Gracie Belle, the Blog Fairy II at MyBlogLog. We would also like to thank Zubli Zainordin, whom shares in this journey with Gracie Belle to continue, “Francesca, The Blog Fairy's mission of love”.

In honor, love, and great respect for The Blog Fairy, Zubli Zainordin wrote this poem, that with his permission I am proud to share with all:

“In Memory of My Love of Francesca Faerie”

Who is the man;
among all men.
Who on earth walks;
nearing 50 still love he could not freely talk;
And what love feeling as a whole or even in the beauty of a rose - contained in its bud, blooms, or its stalk.
The searching and researching
has been a tinkle almost endless;
The more eager the pursuit the less is the gain nevertheless.
A total change a turning point;
after her touch…wholesome love I know, I feel, and I experience enabling all breaks I can now easily joint.
That is after she came into my MyBlogLog a garden;
She gracefully subtle moving into my life without any sign to be of a sudden;
Three times does she privately say;
She embraces me warmly in her loving me so that I no longer go astray;
As I open more my mind and my heart in her I do progressively trust;
She then gives me the giving of all the gifts like to her this is a must.
How short was the moment we spend enjoying love as love really and actually is;
the flow is surely one of an ease.
As my eyes on her and then moving to view the huwmen in total;
Her last will I did not understand the one that is placed at this social networking portal;
I only taste the meaning after she already pass no longer at my side;
Her pain inside I did not see while I was enjoying her shinning light outside.
The Code, The Love Message, The will she placed in my responsibility;
I am now love, sharing this with you to the ultimate joy of my ability.
She may no longer seen beside me visibility is somewhat shut;
Yet in the realm of invisibility she shall continuously be seen, as a purity of light in my memory a castle not a hut.
And a vibration within my heart continues to sound beautiful;
As I carry on her mission sharing all her loving with you to the full.

August 24, 2007 1:08 AM

sharing her ~~~ Kasih Dan Sayang! ~~~ just for you…

Zubli Zainordin (She Walks In Beauty A Welcoming Of Gracie Belle The Blog Fairy II)

In honor of all the lives The Blog Fairy has touched and as a gift to Gracie Belle The Blog Fairy II, I would like to form a “Blue Ribbon” link to all posts People wrote about the wonderful caring Blog Fairy and her legendary “Blue Ribbon Blogger Award”. Please if you are not on this list and have a post, please contact me, ndpthepoetress so I can add your link. Thank you. To begin, below is a small yet far from complete list, as I will continue to add links throughout the day, etc.:

Blue Ribbon Bloggers

A Nice Place In The Sun
A Writer's Edge
A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
Binding Ink
bobbarama
Christy's Coffee Break
Climate of our Future
Coffee2go
Life With Heathens
Lynda's Loft
Marzie
Mimi Writes.....
My View of "It"
Santa Claus
The Impatient Blogger
The Kat House
The Painted Veil
Twist & Skewer
Zubli Zainordin

*From Sprite ..."may her angel wings still carry the faint jingle and sunlit glint of the forest dwellers -- albeit larger and much more beautiful!"

This Tribute to Francesca Faerie, The Blog Fairy and her legendary Blue Ribbon Blogger Award is Now Proudly Displayed:

Praises To Blog Fairy The 1st

Additional links to this Tribute are always Welcomed

Have a link? Add your link!


Related Posts: Who Is The Blog Fairy?!

Poem Death of A Star

Long ago whence the World initially formed

Lady Love fell atop the blanketed blackness

Embracing all Lovers who were to be left heartbroken, in hopeless despair, with trampled dreams

Her jagged nails grasped achingly into the night, parting holes throughout the ebony sky

Peering down onto Earth with questions of why rummaging in her head

She wept an eternity as the first rain quenched the barren ground far below

And with every single tear drop, one crystallized star molded in each desolate opening

Throughout history, to some the stars are a delight, a wish I may – I wish I might, a guide in the night

But these twinkling ornaments are clearly from her above

Whence in eons, fueled by smoldering embers of loves nevermore, many stars simply die

Shattering exploded pieces of broken hearts across the sky

And so when I per chance see their stellar remains, I’m reminded that Lady Love weeps for those like me.

By © - Jeane Michelle Culp

Related Posts:
Abuzz over dying stars by Francis Scudellari

Google Technorati Promote Your Blog!

I am now a proud Member of the Blogging Den! The “Blogging Den is a place for all like-minded bloggers to hang out, promote their blogs and post reviews! You can join blogging den as an author today!" Mail aayush and request your Membership. (Aayush Bhatnagar is an Engineering Student at the University of Bombay.)

About the Blogging Den:

“This blog is an effort to unite all my fellow blogger friends ! Let me explain the concept of blogging Den.

Aayush will add authors to this blog, who will in turn promote their blogs at blogging den. They can also submit posts about any topic they find interesting. They can tag their blogs under their relevant category.

The blog authors will be free to promote their current blogs..quite obviously..and tag their blogs, along with their friends' blogs. The authors can write about anything they like to, and leave a link back to their blog. This will increase their GOOGLE Page Rank and TECHNORATI authority. Feel free to comment on other's posts as well.” … read more…

The Blogging Den includes the Blogging Den FORUM! The topics are:

Introduce yourselves!

What's your blog?

General Discussion (Discuss the things you love!)

Interesting posts!

Blogging help (Help other bloggers with their problems.)

TECHNORATI ZONE (All things Technorati! Fave each other!)

Exchange Links here!


With all these terrific features to promote your own Blog, why not join in the fun and opportunities by becoming a Member!

Smoking Addiction

Not something Santa would approve of, however; I do smoke cigarettes despite being diagnosed and treated for bronchitis, asthma, borderline COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and knowing one Family Member has emphysema. Throat cancer Patients have a laryngectomy, “which involves removing the larynx, inserting a one-way valve in its place and diverting the air flow to a hole cut into the back of the throat ¹." Many People have seen or heard about these Patients whom smoke, simply cover this hole in their throat and continue to inhale the tempting rolled substance.

The fact is that cigarette smoking is more than a habit. Smoking is an addiction. A habit is “a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance ²." Where as an addiction is a “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful ³." Without the poisonous psychoactive drug nicotine, smoking would merely be a habit.

A Friend of mine, currently 67 years old; has smoked for over 40 years. Recently she tried the prescription Chantix to help her quit smoking. The drug caused a few nightmares, treatable oral blisters, and bland taste buds. However; within less than a month she had succeeded in not smoking. Quickly her oral blisters healed, her taste buds returned to normal, and to date she has not smoked.

“How does CHANTIX work? First, you have to know how nicotine works. There are receptors for nicotine in the brain. When smoke is inhaled, nicotine attaches to these receptors. This sends a message to a different part of the brain to release a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine gives a feeling of pleasure. But it only lasts for a short time. The body wants to repeat this feeling. Based on research, it is believed that CHANTIX™ (varenicline) works by activating these receptors and blocking nicotine from attaching to them. However, CHANTIX does not contain nicotine ⁴."

In other words, Chantix blocks the pleasure factor in the brain. I am uncertain in doing so, what other pleasures this medicine may block; such as over indulging in food… Perhaps Chantix is a modern oral lobotomy. The fact is, the drug worked for my Friend and I am in hopes to soon try this prescription.

Meanwhile, these memories plague my mind. A Co-Worker had minor chest pains. Thinking such maybe a heart attack, he drove himself to the Emergency Room. However; before going in, he admitted wanting one more cigarette, so he sat in his truck and smoked. Later that day, after his initial examination, he underwent heart surgery for a placement of two stents.

Once, a Gentleman in a wheelchair whom also merely had the use of two arms from the shoulder blade to above the elbow, had taped on one of his arms a fork. He asked me to place a cigarette in-between the fork prongs so he could smoke.

Perhaps you have similar stories or posts about smoking. If so please share them here.

Ultimately, I think Dennis Leary, (“a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated American actor, comedian, writer and director. He is known for his often angry comedic style and his frequent chain smoking⁵.”) surmised this addiction best when he said:

“You could have cigarettes that come in a black pack, with a skull and a cross bones on the front, called tumors and smokers would be lined up around the block going, "I can't wait to get my hands on these f** things! ⁶"

Related Posts:

Thank yourself by not smoking by Francis Scudellari




Footnotes:
1. United Bristol Healthcare
2. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
3. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
4. CHANTIX™
5. Wikipedia
6. Dennis Leary

Art What Do You See?

What does this say, mean, represent - if anything to you?


Drawing by - Jeane Michelle Culp
(drawn using the pc mouse and the program MS Paint)
A technique inspired by ANANDI

Loving Flowers

Do you ever wonder where love goes once two People separate due to any circumstance? Into the memory; perhaps to remind us of once finer days or to haunt us while trying to mend anew. For love can never truly die, only be unable to blossom any further. Many a flowery seed are scattered and planted on this Earth. However; not ever single one of those seeds develop or grow to their full potential. Other flowers are often made stagnate by weeds. Take the daffodils for example.

“Daffodils have been known for thousands of years. They figure in the myth of Narcissus, which is another name for the daffodil plant. Narcissus fell in love with his own image in a pool of water, and was turned into a flower. The drooping head of the daffodil flower represents Narcissus staring at himself in the water.”

Narcissus may have taken self-love to the extreme, however; salvageable may be an important point from this Greek Mythology. Perhaps one must first love themselves before being able to love another. For a flower thrives via nurturing elements, mutualism (wherein both species benefit from the interaction) – not by means of codependency (parasitism wherein one organism benefits and the other is harmed.) Therefore; elaborating on love yourself first, perhaps a person also needs to be contented with themselves as not to depend or rely on another to fulfill that void in oneself and so on. If one can not give themselves these things or more, one should not expect another to make up for self-lack. Hence, allowing mutual adaption to coexist in a relationship, thus benefiting each other not out of want, rather interaction.

According to TheFreeDictionary, “A famous land version of mutual symbiosis is the relationship of the Egyptian Plover bird and the crocodile. In this relationship, the bird is well known for preying on parasites that feed on crocodiles which are potentially harmful for the animal. To that end, the crocodile openly invites the bird to hunt on his body, even going so far as to open the jaws to allow the bird enter the mouth safely to hunt. For the bird's part, this relationship not only is a ready source of food, but a safe one considering that few predator species would dare strike at the bird at such proximity to its host.”

And so here’s to flowers and their essences. Perhaps there is truth in the Bach Flower Remedies. “ Flower essences are dilute extracts of various types of flowers and plants that are used to treat animals and people. They are similar to homeopathic remedies in that they are diluted and potentized to make them more effective than just using the original flower as a herbal extract. The person who first developed the original flower remedies was Dr. Edward Bach, a famous English physician. He developed the Bach Flower Remedies when he was working as a homeopathic practitioner and devoted the last years of his life to researching and developing his remedies, from 1930 onwards. He wanted to find a simpler form of treatment that would not require anything to be destroyed or altered.

Dr. Bach believed that diseases of the body come about as a result of imbalances or negativity at the level of the soul, and by correcting the problem here healing would result and the body would heal on all levels. The flower remedies act to balance in harmonies in the emotional and spiritual body, and bring about a gentle healing by bringing the body back in balance with itself. They act almost a catalysts to cause healing. There were originally thirty eight Bach Flower Remedies that at that time Dr. Bach felt would correct all imbalances that were possible. There are remedies such as Holly which he found would heal the state of anger, and open the heart, and remedies that deal with a variety of other emotions from lack of confidence to over enthusiasm and impatience.”

After all, scented flowers do seem to soothe the memories of the heart. As well as from flowers, there seems much can be learnt about life, living, and love.

e.e. cummings - in time of daffodils

in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me