I'm feeling almost human again aftert a good night's sleep .I have been listening to wonderful sessions of Healing with the Masters during my morning meditation times and I can thoroughly recommend them.

Richard Moss is internationally respected as a visionary thinker, teacher and author of six books on transformation, self-healing, and the art of conscious living. More than 30 years ago, he left the practice of medicine after a life-changing realization to dedicate his life to help others realize their multidimensional nature and achieve self-mastery. His teaching bridges science, psychology, energy medicine, and spiritual/awareness practices. He is most well known for the deep experiential nature of his work where people learn holistically with their mind, body, and feelings.

Today , it was Richard Moss's talk , "The Mandala of Being" .
I noticed ideas familiar to me through  Psychosynthesis and echoes the teachings of Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie and Stanislav Groff.  All good stuff.

Check out www.richardmoss.com where you can also subscribe to his free e-course

http://www.healingw iththemasters. com/audio. htm

Healing with the masters

I've been dragging myself through the day feeling really sleepy. trying to keep awake and finally gave in around 5 pm and power napped for an hour, which did the trick, so now I feel normal and awake.

The Lady Moon is shining in through my kitchen window , slim and silver. I shall go and have a chat with her before going to bed.

Goodnight room , goodnight moon ........

An interesting thought from Neal Donald Walsch

....all change is change for the better.

There is no such thing as "change for the worse."

Change is the process of Life Itself, and that process could be called by the name "evolution." And evolution moves in only
one direction: forward, and toward improvement.

Therefore, when change visits your life, you can be sure things are turning for the better. It may not look that way in the very moment change arrives, but if you will wait a while and have faith in the process, you will see
that this is true.

When the sun had set , the crescent moon appeared A slim silver cresent. Beautiful , she was, elusive to my camera.

Laundry done , now relaxing to Dvorak's cello concerto

There is something so sumptuous, sensuous and soulfully soothing about the sound of this instrument .
Enchanting.
Blissful
Blessed be !

Mornin' all *yawns and stretches *
woke up 5 am this morning , the sun shining brightly through my south facing window
I'd forgotten to draw the curtains
Anway , decided to get up and make bread .
( dough mixed last night and left to rise )
Did the dishes from the night before ....
...and voila !
Breakfast , anyone ?

Sickness and death.

Death is an inevitable cycle. But sickness before death is a symptom of resistance. Most people think they've got to get sick to die. But, you could be like the cat who chooses to get run over. Or, you could just lie down in your bed, happily, one night, so content and thoughtless, wanting nothing in this physical world, and just reemerge into Pure Positive Energy... You can play it out any way you choose.

Excerpted from the workshop in Sedona, AZ on Saturday, August 27th, 2005 Our Love, Jerry and Esther.

I wonder... how do you KNOW when it is 'time to go Home ' and reemerge into Pure Positive Energy.... How do you know when to stop resisting ?

I was experiencing resistance to doing things early this week.. but that passed .. I think it passed as I observed it and embraced it ....

Hmmmmm......

Giving birth painlessly is also to do with letting go of resistance

WE CAN , play it any way we choose !

It's another glorious day Sunny, bright and warm. Best to make the most of it while it lasts. Summer like temperatures forecast for the next few days and then it will get cold again.

Birch pollen count is high, Maarja tells me. She suffers greatly from allergies at this time of the year. Cherry blossoms are out too in Kungsträdgården-the place is teaming with people admiring the blossoms and Japanese tourists taking pictures. I think Cherry Blossom time is very special to them... more so than for us.

I did not venture out AT ALL yesterday. Shame on me !! Had a lovely time enjoying the wonderful weather from indoors. Pottering around , fixing things, making a collage, feeding on the colours and then on nice meals when hunger made its presence felt. It really felt like a day off.

So now I am ready to face the world again.

*sips coffee*
Wash hair , get dressed and I'm off out to meet Maarja who needs a break from the worry and stress of doing tax returns.

That's it from me , apart from a thought about sickness, birth and death prompted by an Abe quote... another post.
TTFN love and hugs xxx

In 1990, NASA launched the Hubble Telescope, to facilitate the viewing of the dark places in our universe. So...

1. Do you believe in Life On Other Planets?
Yes of course

2. If you met an ET, how would you feel?
Delighted. I'd say " A pleasure to finally meet you and put a face to a name "

3. Do you believe that Mankind Humankind belongs among the stars?

Yes. Humankind , despite its failings has just as much right as anyone else.

4. Do you think we will colonise another planet in your lifetime?
I hope not. I hope that doesn't happen until we've learned to treat our planet with more respect.

5. Would you be prepared to accept the challenge of being a colonist on another planet, with all the possible hardships involved?

No. I do not want to be a colonist. wouldn't mind visiting though providing Scotty zooms me there and back

Does anyone here have experience of renting a car ?

My son, girlfriend Johanna and I are going to my niece's wedding in June and I have promised to escort mum there.

Mum lives in Bradford and the wedding is in Northhampton.

Now I don't drive, but J. does and we are thinking of renting a car for the weekend.

I've no experience of this - any advice or tips, anyone ?

Thanks

XXX

My sister D . writes :

Went to our local nature reserve to make the most of the sunny day. Saw some lovely birds but spent a long time watching some  EEE-NORMOUS rats qhich had made a burrow beneath some bird feeders. They were like small dogs with tails about an inch thick!!!

*curious mira googles  *

OMG  Giant rat caught in China, Look if you dare !

Feels like a really long day; sunny , bright , 18C , cheerful.

People get paid around the 25th so bars and cafés are bursting at the seams, especially ones by the water.

Prepared my tax returns and handed them over to Sven, who very kindly fills in the figures in the right places and actually enjoys doing it. Bless him a thousand times for this- his help is invaluable to me and I really really appreciate it.

After that , I got out my biggest kitchen knife and attacked the IKEA packaging, hacking it into smaller pieces which then went into a big black back and then down to the rubbish room.

Showed the scraps to the vaccum cleaner and continued to hoover the whole flat

Lunch from leftovers and then a walk into town to sit by water at Riddarholmen right next to Barbara Hutton's yacht , which will be the home for my visitors next week I'm sure they will love it.

A - S joined me there. She'd had a lousy day. Someone at work had accused her, quite seriously , of being an alcoholic. The nerve of it - especially when it isn't true. ( It's a dreadful and shameful thing to be , in Sweden)so anyway we shared a bottle of wine there and then , in an act of defiance I think

By 6pm we were feeling well and truly peckish so made our way back to my place , where I made tagliatelli and prawns and a delicious mixed green salad with cranberries and toasted pinenuts chucked in - surprisingly good

A-S tried the new sofa after dinner , found it comfortable and after an while of yaddah yaddah yaddah decided it was time to go home - only a few minutes away on the number 4 bus. The number 4 bus is great - as good as Nokkia , connecting me to my friends

So now I've washed up, had a lovely soak in the bath and am ready to pound my ear. Night night ...hope you enjoyed your day too

I use memories
and
don't allow memories to use me.

Care2's Earth Week Challenge

1) Give up all single use drink bottles. (Bottled water, sodas, etc.)
2) Not use paper or plastic shopping bags. Instead, bring your own canvas bags.
3) Save electricity by cutting back TV to an hour a day and turning the thermostat down by two degrees.
4) Replace two car trips with walking, biking or public transportation.
5) Go vegetarian.

And because making a difference requires all of us to work together, tell at least two people about this challenge and ask for their support. That way we can build a community of conservation.

For more information go to : http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/256349600

I did it

JOKKMOKK has now been assembled

*proud*

plasticflower .. come and help me with the chairs would ya ?

Not sure if you can see the pic .

A white " EKTORP" sofa , " YOKKMOKK " table and 4 chairs have found their way into my new home.

This after 2 afternoons at Ikea; sofa and table spotting and then today to collect all the pieces, pay for them and then have them shipped home. Delivery cost me an arm and a leg , but then, 6 flights of stairs ...... say no more.

The table and chairs are still in their flat pack ... so .. of you are handy with tools and feel like a bit of screwing ...meet me in the kitchen

Night night ....

Morning all ....
I have so many things I could be doing ....
....yet all I want to do is contemplate my navel and drift aimlessly down the river.

*get a grip mira * says my merciless inner slave driver shaking me by my shoulders like a limp rag doll

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin

These pictures were all taken with my broken camera. The viewing screen is completely blank so it is only now that I can see what I have taken

The plan was to walk from Hornsgatan and explore Årstaviken , a popular area , on the south side of Södermalm , by the water.

Yep .. down there .. I can see water ....

Signs of spring

This area is full of allotments. Around 1900s , Stockholm was very poor . People did not have much to eat. Renting an allotment to grow fruit and vegetables became popular among the poor. Later , as things improved , flowers started replacing vegetables and having an allotment became a hobby. Nowadays , people queue for years to get an allotment here.

*notes nice sunbathing spot on the jetty for warmer days in the summer.*

People working on their boats, soon to be launched.

I took this pic for the sign - but its too far away to make out what it says .

Sustenance - a hot dog stand. Nothing for me .

New apartments being built - they will have a fabulous view.

Some bridges

Heading towards Tanto Lunden now

Bought some caramelised almonds and had a chat with the Algerian man , in French. Those almonds helped get me up the hill .

Tanto Lunden. This is where I got lost last time and had to ask for directions. It was the same spot.

I seemed to be going in the opposite direction. Ringvägen , Zinkensdam and Hornsgatan not far now ........

Stockholm

Current: Clear
Wind: SW at 6 m/s
Humidity: 32%
8 degrees Celsius  NIppy . Brrr but , bright and sunny .

I shall venture out soon ...after breakfast
would be a shame to stay in
besides... I 'd like to explore the south side of Södermalm , the island I live on
pity my camera is kaput
I might take it anway and snap away - even though I can't see what I am shooting
can always edit later

good
That's the PLAN then
TTFN ... see you later
xxx

Nom nom

The prof and his lady cycled back whence they came after a lovely afternoon. I warmed them up with hot tea , and they fixed my venetian blind that needed rethreading . (far too complicated for Mira )

Then I made some salmon terriyaki with garlic and a sting of chili and stir friend veggies with jasmin rice . It was nice.

They cycled back and now I am enjoying a few delicious moments alone with a glass of port wine and creamy blue castello cheese ...
nom nom

Blogland is bootiful .


Been commenting and reading posts from my bloggity friends and feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
Connected , sort of
Sounds strange , but to me it really feels like you are all in the next room

Prof called to say they were running late, so I have about half an hour to spend with you all and radiate my happy love vibes around Blogland and make you laugh cos I spell things wrong and make Freudian slips all the time.
*sighs*

Took a lamp back that I bought yesterday - just was not right proving once again " When in doubt - DON'T "

Bought wine too
They didn*t have any nice Chilean sauvignon blanc so I got Nottage Hill ( always excellent ) and some French Vin Blanc ...Blanc Fumee.. smokey white ... that is

Also made the Prof a birfday card

That's it for now .. tune in again soon for love vibes from Miraland

'twas 32 years ago the Profs dad I welcomed him into this world

Time flies- seems like yesterday .
Zoom forward to today ...
Sun's out
Called Prof and sag SING for him
Ahem.. say no more
Meeting up in a couple of hours to go with the flow , which is what he desires , and fine by me.

Also called soul sister Gunilla , but didn't sing for her as she was not answering her phone - smart gal , she is texted instead.

So.... will be out and about all day but will check in later no doubt .

Have it so good !

.. feet , that is .. mine .. ouch ouch .

I went out walk about around 5 pm in search of pressies for my son, the Prof , who will be " filling years " tomorrow , as they say here in Sweden.

Odd requests , he had; a long metal shoe horn, one of those long parmesan graters .. a good one , and those wooden block things you put in your " good " shoes.

Well, daft time to go out as most shops close 6pm but quite a few were open until 7 pm.

I got two out of 3 Didn't the parmesan grater- was told they'd been sold out for a long time and wouldn't be coming in either ... can't be right .. can it ? Obviously not checked in the right placed. Department store ones won't do , I was told.

Anway , I walked a huge circle. By the time I got on to the ring-road I was tempted to hop on a bus, but since I only had one coupon on my strip of tickets left, I decided to grin and bare it and keep walking.

Blessed my bath a thousand times. RELIEF !!! There 's nothing quite like a hot soak.

Feeling peckish now - so will see what I can find to eat.
See ya'll later enjoy your evening

XX

Happy Birthday beautiful blumoon lady !

May your day be filled with love and laughter and a song or two . Here comes one now .....

(((((squishy hugs ))))

xxx

In the infinity of my life where I am,
all is perfect, whole and complete.

Awakening to love is what I am do each morning.
to live in harmony and balance with everyone I know.

Deep at the centre of my being is an infinite well of Love .
I now allow this Love to flow to the surface.

Love fills my very being, my every cell and atom, my body mind and consciousness.
Love radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied.
The more I use and give Love the more I have to give.
The supply is endless.

I use this endless supply of Love to heal what needs to be healed
I share this Love with my family, friends, neighbours, teachers, enemies and all sentient beings.

The use of Love makes me open and receptive to all the good in the Universe.
My heart is open and receptive to all good as I let go of striving and straining to get what I need because I know that everything I need and desire comes to me in perfect time.

I feel peaceful knowing that the Universe is on my side.

I love myself and therefore I forgive and totally release the hurtful experiences of the past.
I love myself therefore I live totally in the now , experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright, joyous and secure,

For I am a beloved child of the Universe and the Universe lovingly takes care of me now and always.
All is well in my world.

xxxx

Live Kryon Channelling
Madrid, Spain
March 21, 2009
"The Timing of the Great Shift"
As channelled by Lee Carroll for Kryon

http://www.kryon.com/k_channel09_Madrid1.html

"Carpet beetles" is the only translation that I've been able to find. They are cheeky little things , rascals that hide in drawers, cupboards, crevices in skirting boards and chew holes in your knickers, socks , jumpers, tops ...yea .. anythijng they find tasty .

There's a programme on telly where two eccentric women take on and tackle the most filthy homes. Great to watch and learn. I 'm reassured that my home is not no where near as bad as that and I really enjoy pick up tips and   putting them into practice.Apparently , these rascals , the "pälsängar" -  I wonder what their Latin name is ? - they don't like tar The slightest whiff  of tar or essential oils  drives them bonkers. SO .....a bit of string dipped in tar tied to a chair 's leg keeps the bastids away as does a few drops of essential oils on a c offee filtre placed in the cupboard Good eh ?

Enlightened I am !

I am also very very tired. The slap me happy shrinking session with Mr H usually knocks me out. I have exercises to do , based on pre - natal foeutus movements , which will help me cope with stress . - Sp tired was I , that around 6 pm I flopped onto my bed and slept soundly for at least an hour before preparing dinner of roast veggies with garlic and balsamico and a first for butternut squash which was fabulous .

Hope your day was good too 

Today is a good day ...I have decided

A " slap me happy " session with MrH awaits at 13:00. H the shrink , bless him , has moved to new premises. I hope I will be able to find him. It's been a few months since I saw him last and I have issues to untangle. Still, you never know with Mr H what will be thrashed around and untangled ....it will be a surprise.

Round about noon , which is when I will be on my way to being shrunk, I intend to tune in to Jo Dunning's www.jodunning.com ">ABUNDANCE PROJECT www.jodunning.com Might be totally spaced out by the time I get round spank me happy

What eles ?

I am reminded of Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfilment of Your Dreams

Today , being Wednesday , focus is on "The Law of Least Effort" - a favourite of mine

Nature's intelligence functions with effortless ease...with carefreeness, harmony and love.

And when we harness the forces of harmony, joy, and love, we create success and good fortune with effortless ease.

And so it is
Enjoy this day , I intend to

Tune in to prosperity tomorrow , 15 April around noon !

From healer , Jo Dunning ;

Dear Abundance Friend,

I would like to offer you a gift as a thank you for joining the free Abundance Breakthrough Project which will soon be helping people all over the world become more prosperous and abundant.

The gift is contained in the energy work which is offered in the included video. By watching this video you will receive the energy connection with the flow of Abundance so you can begin to enjoy a more Prosperous and Abundant life right now.

The more people already linked with Abundance by April 15th the more Abundance will circle the globe on April 15th.

When you click on the You Tube link below please also click to indicate this video as a favorite and give it a rating. This will help more people to see the video and be linked with the flow of Abundance right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llI8mCo3VlQ">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llI8mCo3VlQ

Please pass this email to as many people as possible. There is still time for them to be linked and to add their name to the Abundance Project list.

TO ADD YOUR NAME TO THE ABUNDANCE LIST GO TO: www.jodunning.com and click on the Abundance Project.

With love to you,
Jo Dunning

Mira is getting ready to receive all her good

I'm not a happy bunny right now

Dropped my canvas bag containing beloved two year old digi camera on the hard tiled floor of the loo.

sh** !!!

Poor thing has taken a few knocks , but I think this one was fatal

The screen has gone blank.

It still takes pictures though - only you don't know what it is until you've uploaded them into the computer

lackaday
I want a replacement ... and soon .... !!!

How can I live without a digital camera after a two year long intimate relationship ?

In other news ..... on arriving home ,  I looked in the mirror in the lift and saw somthing in my hair ......
...it was a needle from my acupuncture session earlier today ...I'd walked home with the thing still in my head

hip hip hurray !!!

love and hugs xxx

Often , when I blog, I bring a hot drink with me, which , by the time I get round to drinking it , is stone cold

Conclusion :

Time flies when blogging.

I must be totally absorbed and present in the activity of blogging and commenting

... readers please note

*sips cold drink*

" .....in loo of a classical education " reads one review.

Bought in Waterstones a few years ago and ever since abandoned, neglected and unread on a shelf in my bookcase, but not any more. Education is now first business of the day.

No. Now , visitors please note, this volume has pride of place on a shelf directly opposite the loo in my bathroom.

There is a volume ll now, I believe .

Prof rang just now to say they are running a teeny weeny bit late. Leaving now to pick up the car at Bromma and will buzz me when they are outside my door, which is good , as it gives me time to check emails and write this post

15C AND glorious sunshine wahhhhoooooooo

Made a broccoli cheese and mushroom pie to take with us , plus a bottle of vino ( didn't make that )

Happy Easter Bunnies , Eggs , chocolate and all the joys of spring to all .... see you later chaps , chapesses

((((hugs ))))

xxx

She's there again tonight, Lady Moon - I shall go and have a chat with her silvery brightness after this. Last night I dreamed a whole novel - it was like going to the pictures apart from total forgetting on waking. The whole story and characters disappeared *pooof* on opening my eyes.

Flicked through a book about Gustav Klimt during my morning meditation and read and learned bits about the artist whose pictures have been with me for over 30 years. I've just looked at the pictures in the book , not read any of it. It takes time to get round to doing some things

Next after doing two machine loads of laundry and changing the sheets on my bed, walked to Gamla Stan to meet up with Gunilla. Sat outside in the bright sunshine and later walked to Odenplan to Gunilla's place to pick up a few gifts; fullcorn pasta that G. doesn't like and I do, and some fabulous bath oil that I used in my bath this evening.

Going out to the country with the Prof and Lady J and will be meeting Johanna's mother for the first time.Exciting

All for now ... Lady Moon awaits xx

"Hello ", she says , "I 'm over here ".
I'd just put the phone down after talking to The Prof , back from Morocco.
Sure enough , there she is right in the middle of my bedroom window.
So I turn out the lights , sit on the trunk at the foot of my bed and gaze at her.
We had a lovely chat , the goddess and I .
She's as stunning and enchanting as ever, blessed be .

Feeling really sleepy today. Might be the after - effects of yesterday's acupuncture.

A postcard arrived from The Prof and his Lady have been holidaying in Morocco and are due home today. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Mikael phoned to say he was coming down to Stockholm either on Sunday or Monday - will be great to see him again.

And finally , I've been checking out Twitter to see what all the fuss is about and I must say , not much wiser. It's still a mystery to me.

It takes great courage for me to log on and check my bank balance , especially after purchasing necessary items like walking shoes and paying bills, but today I did just that and find to my great joy that I still have funds

*phew* sigh of relief

The sun did shine today and I snored through my acupuncture session in perfect Bliss.

Tomorrow is a Full Moon Day and I'm told by Moonwoman that it's "a knock your socks off kind of day" for double kites like me

Thank you Goddess and Universe for all your help in this !

As seen in Gåstorget, Gamla Stan ( the old town ) Stockholm . These chaps , made of bronze are a metre tall Heavyweights " Tungviktare "

1967 by

the sculptor Sven Lundqvist (1918-)

Has winter returned to Miraland ? Over a week of glorious sunshine and spring warmth is pretty good going though.

Apparently the pollen season has started already. Some of my friends are already exhibiting symptoms; much sneezing and watery red eyes. They are telling me to start taking antihistamines now. Hmmmmm .... but it doesn't feel the right thing to do since I'm feeling fine. My worst time is usually end of May beginning of June.Hmmmmmm. *places thought on a shelf somewhere *

In my dream last night I was making two curries. Why two , I don't know .. duplicity is my wont ? One spicy and the other mild , perhaps A lentil veggie curry would be very nice now that there is a nip in the air again.

I was looking through my Sainsbury's gourmet vegetarian cookery book the other day and there were some fabulous recipes that involved poppy seeds,( poppy seeds are great in chocolate cake ) and ways of cooking simple vegetables such as cabbage.

- spiced lentil purée
- baby broad beans with poppy seeds
- carrots with garlic and ginger
- artichokes dijonnaise
- cabbage masala
- stir- fried cabbage with mushrooms and beansprouts
- creamed celery with almonds
- spiced okra
- beetroot with orange sauce

mmmm ....

...my ECCO walking shoes, next to their box

I'm off out into the glorious spring sunshine.
A woman on a mission, I am.

Quest: To find a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
I am thinking ECCO

Ask and it is given ... I shall let you know how I got on ...later

xxx TTFN

Mornin' all ....another bright and sunny da ... and I am feeling just a little grumpy; irritated by the slightest little thing.

The  phone at home hardly ever rings and when it does it is usually a telemarketing call.
I was in the bathroom when it rang this morning and instead of rushing to answer it , I let the answering machine take over. Big mistake as whovever it was didn't leave a message either.
grrrrrr

I'll probably spend all day now speculating about who it might have been and why they were calling.
!!!! CURIOSITY !!!
So ..... was it YOU ??? ..... actually .. best not to call while I'm in this ratty mood ..........

Gathering my thoughts from yesterday.
“ Konsuln “ the opera ,like food,  is better the day after, after the marrying of flavours and the process of digesting.

Yesterday, as a spectator , I witnessed frustration , despair, rage, hopelessness .... all manner of feelings that I don’t usually experience willingly. The frustration of bureaucracy and filling in of endless forms is something we have all experienced.

So many impressions before, after and during the performance; anticipation , excitement of a visit to the opera ; being there, people watching , taking in the audience , silently judging , criticising and making up stories about people ......

The couple sitting in front of me , for example: scruffy middle-aged, silent , stern and serious , joined at the hip, critical looking.... sat silently and sturdy as statues throughout the performance. He had a big square head and round glasses. She dirty unwashed matted hair , ‘Critical pseudo- intellectuals ‘ I labelled them in my mind- and of course I could have been totally wrong..... but  there you have it .. I allowed myself to indulge .

At one point, precisely as I unwrapped a square of 70% dark chocolate , during a loud aria, she turns round and gives me ‘the look’ !!! It was the only time I saw her move.The woman must have super sensitive hearing, or else a special radar for chocolate ... I think  to myself.

Anyway ,back to the opera ....Konsuln (  Swedish ) Consul ( English ) by Menotti ,  directed by Farnaz Arbabi at Folkoperan ...highly relevant to today....addresses refugeedom and immigration policy and how inhumane bureaucracy creates victims.

“Even though Menotti’s opera dates from 1950, he depicts the never ending wait that many asylum seekers are forced to endure today,” says Farnaz Arbabi. " Set in an unnamed country , in our version, the consulate is  Swedish with refugees from countries outside the EU,” .

SYNPOSIS

John Sorel is active in the freedom movement and is forced to flee his country. His wife Magda tries to leave the country by legal means with their sick son. However, like all visitors to the consulate, she is forced to fill in form after form. Magda gradually disintegrates mentally and her tiny son falls into apathy and dies. Magda finally commits suicide to prevent John from returning and being imprisoned.

A MOST  dramatic  and realistic ending it is tooafter an amazing ranting , screaming , banging the floor with her fists in total despair .... Magda places the noose around her neck ( man dressed in black assists, fixing the invisible wire)  and we see her dangling there after the deed . *shudders* ... it is a relief to see her taking a bow minutes later  along with the rest of the cast.

Farnaz Arabi , Director , Magda throwing papers around ,  the annoying robot - like secretary was brilliant . more pictures here

Hiya blogland ...just logged on after a lovely day at the Opera and then a cosy meal back in Miraland with my good friend Maarja.

I am too tired to blog the details ..will leave that till tomorrow, but it was a very very interesting though heavy and depressing opera about the frustration of bureaucracy that can end in insanity and suicide. ( !!! ) Lovely music Don't quite know what to make of it all ..will sleep on it and maybe let you know tomorrow.

Always fun to see Maarja . Bless.

A FB friend, Claire ,  posted this and it sums up how I feel too. Night night xxx

The sphere of light is growing larger and larger
and brighter and brighter
like a thousand suns.
The light streaming forth leaks through
the clouds of the mind
creating a beautiful disk, Divine Mother
in its centre.

My eyes are absorbed in Her beauty.
My mind becomes intoxicated
by those streaming rays of brilliant white light.
I command my mind to remember all and
everything
to indulge just for a brief moment, just once
with all its power
to recall the smallest detail.

Light & Vibration : consciousness, mysticism & the culmination of Yoga / Swami Sivananda Radha
p. 132, ch. 14

From the painting
"The Garden of the Goddess"
the goddess

Well, the warm bright spell of the past five days is no more. We are back to winter and a cool cloudy and damp 7C

Got up at 9am this morning and next thing I know it is 10:30 and now noon.

I love pottering around , sitting and simply being with my thoughts. Now in the process of doing something about the living room and it starts with being there and letting thoughts wander regarding what I want in there, its purpose and colour scheme. I still feel at a loss as to what I want in there. Patience , Mira , all in good time. I keep flipping through glossy home magazines when I get access to them, dreaming and decorating in my mind.

Today, Maarja and I are going to Folkoperan , that is the " uproar " as my friend Roger , RIP, used to call it , the Opera. The beautiful thing is that I will be able to WALK there as it is only a block away !!

Maarja , who is a journalist and will being writing a report on the opera " KONSUL " so I get the honour and priviledge of tagging along. My job, she says, will be to help her keep calm as she tends to get nervous ( even though she has been doing this work for years and is extremely good at it)

Right .. off to wash my hair now and make a pie for afterwards.
TRFN Enjoy your Sunday xxx

Today was the warmest day so far this year; 20C they said on the news. We've had 5 glorious days in a row , but apparently it's not to last

Funny to see people stripping off , baring white flesh that seems to turn pink in an instant. Saw one man cycling half naked 

Me.. I went out without my coat today. The sun was bright and hot, but the air is still cold.

Saw the Lady Moon high up in the bright blue sky right in the middle of the highstreet around 3 o'clock this afternoon,looking quite round and gorgeous as ever. When she appears like that, I feel that she is appearing just for me and we so enjoy our little telepathic moments.

In other news ..... I collect my 500g of coffee ... a  moving  in present from ICA supermarket. Wasn't that nice ? I chose a dark roast Indian blend, that I've never seen before.

One of the worlds most exotic coffees, Monsoon Malabar was discovered by accident when a cargo of coffee beans aboard a wooden-hulled ship acquired a unique tang after being somewhat exposed to the elements during a particular monsoon while negotiating the Cape of Good Hope. Exposed to the monsoon winds for a few weeks the coffee flavors become richer and smoother. Monsoon Malabar coffee is full bodied , very low acidity with a spicy woody flavor.

Well .. I look forward to tasting it tomorrow.
btw .. I've not quite managed to control the " quote" function as you can see.....lackaday .....

What can I do to make a difference ? Poverty was the theme for Blog Action Day 2008 and like many others here in Blogland I took up the challenge to reflect and research.

I don't mind admitting it seemed like an overwhelming task that could easily result in doing nothing at all. We have all felt poor at some time or another but I doubt any of us here have had to walk two miles to fetch water to drink and then having to boil for it to be drinkable.

Peter Singer is an inspiring man who has some real concrete answers. Peter Singer,Philosopher is author of the book "The Life You Can Save "

"Will you do your part to save the lives of people living in extreme poverty? " he asks and in his book " The Life You Can Save" Peter Singer suggests a new public standard for a minimum that we should expect people to give. By pledging to donate the percentage of your income that meets the standard, you will be making a difference to the poor. But that’s not all: you will also be helping to change the public standard of what is involved in living an ethical life in a world that contains both great affluence and extreme poverty.

he Standard
Income Bracket Donation
Less then 68 000 GBP At least 1% of your income, getting closer to 5% as your income approaches 68 000 GBP
68 001 GBP – 96 000 GBP 5%
96 001 GBP – 249 000 GBP 5% of the first 96 000 GBP and 10% of the remainder
249 001 GBP – 391 000 GBP 5% of the first 96 000 GBP, 10% of the next 153 000 GBP and 15% of the remainder
391 001 GBP – 1 237 000 GBP 5% of the first 96 000 GBP, 10% of the next 153 000 GBP, 15% of the next 142 000 GBP and 20% of the remainder
1 237 001 GBP – 6 966 000 GBP 5% of the first 96 000 GBP, 10% of the next 153 000 GBP, 15% of the next 142 000 GBP, 20% of the next 846 000 GBP and 25% of the remainder
Over 6 966 000 GBP 5% of the first 96 000 GBP, 10% of the next 153 000 GBP, 15% of the next 142 000 GBP, 20% of the next 846 000 GBP, 25% of the next 5 729 000 GBP and 33.33% of the remainder

It's doable Please check out The Life You Can Save

Singer's argument:

* "Suffering and death from lack of food, shelter and medical care are bad".[3]

* "If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, then we ought, morally, to do it".[4]

* "It makes no moral difference whether the person I can help is a neighbor's child ten yards from me or a Bengali whose name I shall never know, ten thousand miles away".[5]

* "The principle makes no distinction between cases in which I am the only person who could possibly do anything and cases in which I am just one among millions in the same position".[6]

Had a wonderful acupuncture session today , back in my old stamping ground in Sundbyberg after which I nip into the local health food in shop in search of Neem toothpaste. ( My sister gave me a tube when I was in England and now I am hooked. ) This will sound like a commercial , but is quite honestly the best toothpaste I've ever tried. Natural too. Unfortunately I've not been able to buy it here  - despite ringing round and searching high and low. May have to order on line.

Anyway ..... while in the shop, who do I bump into but my old landlord who is just leaving having purchased one of these .....

NOT  the man ....... but  the  " bed of nails " he is lying on !  It's the latest fad here. I've talked to several people who swear they have become addicted to it . It is said to improve circulation and relieve aches and pains in much the same way as acupuncture. That man's not bad either ...he looks like a handy one to have round. I might go  back next week for my bed of nails

You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.

Franz Kafka

"Bring a good book"-comments La_Spice to miramaze in reply to the island of dreams post

I blurt out my response with such confident certainty it surprises and shocks me a little.

Like most people, I've always associated going on holiday or travelling with taking along a few books I've been meaning to read but I've noticed a change in my own habits these past few years.

Nowadays I prefer to soak up every moment of the adventure, be it pleasant, unpleasant or boring - I prefer to either experience it fully or daydream away.

What about you ?

Just thought you should know, Mira, you're one of my favorite people of all time.

Shhhhh -
The Universe

Happy April, Mira! This month we celebrate Earth Day (April 22nd), so it's no surprise that we're supporting Earth Day Network. Working to broaden the environmental movement worldwide and create a healthy, sustainable Earth!

$1 each goes a looong way - $118,000.00 raised so far!

Gifts from the Universe - Supporting Mother Earth!
Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ®
© www.tut.com ®

I do love our little talks, Mira.

So do I , dear Universe , so do I

There is a universal belief that one's reflection is a vital part of one's soul. It is said that reflective surfaces are soul catchers or doorways to the world of spirit. Buddhists accept that all existence is like a reflection in a mirror. Depicted in this card is a beautiful fairy seeking the deeper meaning of her existence. Unlike Narcissus, whose soul was trapped in his water reflection because of his vanity, this fairy is uniting with her \beloved self,\ or the aspect of her ego that is all loving. She sees in her own image the potential of sacred beauty. When we are ready for inner transformation, we come face-to-face with our true selves. Who is your true self? Are you radiant and glowing? This is a time of profound personal awareness and insight. Find a place of solitude and serenity and explore your hidden talents. Intuitive gifts strengthen you. Perhaps you can visualize your true face. As one Buddhist koan asks, \What does your original face look like?\

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marika Sun Seeker !! 

love and hugs xxx

A reading from www.ishalerner.com

On this day , 1977 (  I know 'cos it was 17 days before The Prof was born ) Prof's dad and I were walking around the centre of Stockholm and stopped to buy a copy of "The Guardian " . Foreign papers arrived on the day at some shops around the Central Station. We cast ourselves over the  7 page supplement  and I still have a yellowing copy of the paper somewhere .

San Serriffe

The Guardian published a special seven-page supplement describing the tenth anniversary of the small (nonexistent) island of San Serriffe. The island’s geography was named after printing terms. For instance, its two islands were named Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse, and its capital was Bodoni. Articles described the eccentric culture of the island.  Authentic advertisements accompanied the articles and played into the hoax. For instance, Texaco offered a contest for which the first prize was a two-week trip to Cocobanana Beach in San Serriffe. Kodak ran an ad in which it said, “If you have a picture of San Serriffe, we’d like to see it.” The Guardian reported that its phones rang all day as people called up requesting more information about the island. The success of this hoax was largely responsible for the flood of April Fool’s Day jokes that appeared in other papers in succeeding years. (See article: San Serriffe)