Monthly Archive: December 2004

Another wonderful day spent with my Kayla.  Every day is a good
one, even when one of us is sick.  She continues to amaze me with
the depth of her love.

I got a couple of comments from her family to pass along.  I
suppose it shows that they are TRYING to realize that I exist. 
One is from her “sister-in-law” (her term), Stephanie.  Stephanie
left a private message in the Guestbook on my website.  Of course,
she said some not very nice things, and somehow feels she has the
knowledge to declare, “I don’t think you’re a real witch
anyhow…”  Hmmmm.  I’ve studied lots of religions, and
joined more than a few of them, have read more “scriptures” than anyone
I know except Beth, my best friend, ex-wife, and guru, and Stephanie
thinks SHE’s the expert on religion.  (By the way, Kayla says
Stephanie is her COUSIN, not sister-in-law.)

We also got a couple Christmas cards from her family (in one
envelope).  The first was signed by her dad, mom, and little
sister, and didn’t mention me other than making it clear that their
good holiday wishes were for Kayla only.  The other was from her
brother, and it said it even better.  “Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year, KAYLA.  Drop dead and burn in hell Moss.”

It really bothers me that people who feel they are REAL Christians (and
are more than willing to point out how most churches are NOT “real”
Christianity) seem to know nothing about the love of Christ.  The
way I read the Bible, Jesus went to the least-understood and lowest
level of society.  He sat down and had dinner with them. 
There is not one word in the Bible about him preaching to them about
their sins, or condemning them.  Even the woman (harlot) at the
well, he talked to her gently and pointed out her actual lies without
judging her, and gave her the opportunity to stop doing what she had
been doing and follow his example.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”  Y’all don’t have a CLUE what
a “real” Witch is (I’ve been an Initiated Wiccan for almost 22
years)… and are acting as though you haven’t a clue what a “real”
Christian is.  I have treated Kayla with all the love and respect
and caring in my soul, and she has more than returned it. 
Why?  Because her family has always treated her like she was not
only stupid but also the cause of all THEIR problems.  I treat her
like she is the light in my life, which she truly is.  Which is
why she keeps trying to tell them how happy she is with me.  I
can’t begin to say how happy I am with her.

Hmmmm, What Would Jesus Do?  I’d like to have a real conversation
with her family.  To date, besides the card from her brother
quoted above, I have had her brother call and shout at me about what he
would do to me if I ever hurt his sister (something he has a lot of
experience doing), and her father yelling at me to stop calling her or
he’d report me as a “stalker”.  I would point out that I never
ONCE called Kayla without her asking me to, usually just prior to my
phone call.  I have treated her like the warm, wonderful, loving
woman she is.  Of course, when I told her brother on the phone
that she had treated me nicely online and I just wanted to be nice to
her, his response was, “THAT’S THE SICKEST THING I EVER HEARD!” and
hung up the phone.  Maybe that’s why his relationships haven’t
done that well, and why he hasn’t married his girlfriend even though
they have two children together– he hasn’t a clue how to be nice to
anyone.  I would point out that both of these phone calls were
before Kayla left Missouri to come live with me.  They also lied
to her about what they “learned” about me, trying to scare her out of
moving, and have continued to blame her for all their problems even now
that she is no longer there.

OK, that’s enough carping for one blog entry.  I truly love
Kayla.  My family and friends have accepted her.  Her best
friend has accepted me and we talk on the phone every week.  Open
your hearts and you’ll find a person who is deeply in love with his
wife and treats her well.  She is my greatest blessing, and I
fully intend to be hers to the best of my ability.

Many thanks to my online friends, especially spikymuffin, Irishlass,
and Tootie Liversprinkles, who continue to share their life with me and
accept my life as it is including Kayla.  (Hey, flamez, ya haven’t
written for a while!)

Hugs,
Me

DEEP OBSERVATIONS ON LIFE

 When I die, I want to die like my grandfather, who died peacefully in his sleep.  Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.”
–Author Unknown

Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: “Take two aspirin” and “Keep away from children.”
–Author Unknown

“Oh, you hate your job?  Why didn’t you say so?  There’s a support group for that.  It’s called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.”
–Drew Carey

“The problem with the designated driver program, it’s not a desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it.  At the end of the night, drop them off at the wrong house.”
–Jeff Foxworthy

“Relationships are hard.  It’s like a full time job, and we should treat it like one.  If your boyfriend or girlfriend wants to leave you, they should give you two weeks’ notice. There should be severance pay, the day before they leave you, they should have to find you a temp.”
–Bob Ettinger

“My Mom said she learned how to swim when someone took her out in the lake and threw her off the boat.  I said, ‘Mom, they weren’t trying to teach you how to swim.'”
–Paula Poundstone

> “A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men.  I just want to say to the authors of that study: “Duh.”
–Conan O’Brien

“Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant??  I’m halfway through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my God… I could be eating a slow learner.”
–Lynda Montgomery

“If life were fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead.”
–Johnny Carson

 “Sometimes I think war is God’s way of teaching us geography.”
–Paul Rodriguez

 “My parents didn’t want to move to Florida, but they turned sixty and that’s the law.” –Jerry Seinfeld

“Suppose you were an idiot … And suppose you were a member of Congress… But I repeat myself.”
–Mark Twain

“Our bombs are smarter than the average high school student.  At least they can find Afghanistan.”
–A. Whitney Brown

“You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘My God, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!'”
–Dave Barry

 “Do you know why they call it “PMS”?  Because “Mad Cow Disease” was taken.
–Unknown, presumed deceased

Well, we got the 3rd and last roll of film back from our
handfasting.  Got some different perspectives, thanks to John6
using my camera.  We still don’t have digital copies of the 2nd
roll, taken by Sabra, but I’ll post them on my website as soon as I get
them.  The good news is all the good photos are posted on my
website, Hippo Haven — the bad news is I’m looking a lot older than I feel.  I’m working on a lawsuit against the guy who did that painting in my closet.

Here’s the latest picture:

Hugs,
Me

Reflections on Government

1)  Suppose you were an idiot.  And suppose you were a member of Congress.  But I repeat myself.  – Mark Twain

2)
 I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is
like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the
handle. – Winston Churchill

3)  A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. – George Bernard Shaw

4)
 A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which
debt he proposes to pay off with your money. – G. Gordon Liddy

5)
 Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on
what to have for dinner. – James Bovard

6)
 Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people
in rich countries to rich people in poor countries. – Douglas
Casey

7)
 Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car
keys to teenage boys. – P.J. O’Rourke

8)
 Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to
live at the expense of everybody else. – Frederic Bastiat

9)  Government’s view of the
economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:  If it moves, tax
it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  And if it stops moving,
subsidize it. – Ronald Reagan

10)  I don’t make jokes.  I just watch the government and report the facts. – Will Rogers

11)  If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free. – P.J. O’Rourke

12)
 In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as
possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.  – Voltaire

13)
 Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean
politics won’t take an interest in you. – Pericles

14)  No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. – Mark Twain

15)  Talk is cheap … except when Congress does it. – Unknown

16)
 The government is like a baby’s alimentary canal, with a happy
appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other. – Ronald
Reagan

17)  The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings.  The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery. – Winston Churchill

18)  The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. – Mark Twain

19)
 The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools. – Herbert Spencer

20)  There is no distinctly native American criminal class, save Congress. – Mark Twain

21)  What this country needs are more unemployed politicians. – Edward Langley

22)
 A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong
enough to take everything you have. – Thomas Jefferson

Here’s the letter I sent out with my holiday cards; hope you enjoy it.

Hugs,
Me

December 8, 2004

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Holidays!  We hope the past year has been a good one for each of you.  It was the best year ever for me.

I have now been free of all prescriptions for over a year.  I have
been helping many other people learn how they can do the same.  I
feel better than ever, thanks to the other things I am doing for my
health.  I am running 6 online groups and two local self-help
groups.  Some years it has felt that I would never get to this
point, and that I would feel miserable all the time.  I do not
trust a psychiatrist to look out for anyone’s interests save those of
the pharmaceutical companies.  My website
(http://moss.witchesgathering.com) has the information on what I have
replaced these harmful drugs with.

Anyhow, I have been feeling better and better, and have been getting
more involved in the community, both local and online.  I am
currently managing 4 websites and am building a commercial website for
my old friend Blind Lemming Chiffon (blindlemmingchiffon.com).  I
am on two local non-profit boards and consult on another one.  I
have re-connected with my local/regional religious community, and have
gotten many comments on how much better and happier I look.

And on top of everything else, there is a wonderful lady named Kayla
Dodd in my life.  This time I’m healthy enough to enjoy it and not
have my so-called “disease” get in the way of my relationship. 
Kayla moved here in October and we were Handfasted in early
November.  Everything is simply wonderful between us.  She
has found work in the area, and is very motivated to contribute in
every way to our relationship.  She has gained the love and
confidence of my friends as well.  I’m still getting used to the
“us”-ness of the situation, and I’m sure next year’s letter will be
jointly authored.

Last December, my ex-wife Beth contacted me, and we have renewed our
friendship.  We love and trust each other more than we did when we
were married, 15 years ago, and she has become friends with Kayla (she
has known Kayla longer than I have been involved with her), and has
been looking out for both of us.  I am still in contact with
Laura, my most recent ex, and Janet is talking to me as well; several
ex-girlfriends are also maintaining contact.  I’m glad to be able
to maintain friendly relationships with people who have been a part of
my life.

While my finances are improving, I was not able to get out to L.A. for
my grandmother’s 100th birthday, and it could be another couple years
before I can manage a visit on my own.  When I woke up from my
doctor-induced stupor, I found myself pretty badly in debt; with much
help from my parents and newly-learned levels of responsibility, I have
cut it by more than half, and should be mostly out of debt in another
two years.  I know y’all don’t NEED to know this, but it is
another sign of my growing health.

My performing career has taken a stutter-step forward.  I had two
major concerts this year, at science fiction conventions in Raleigh and
Asheville.  I’ve sold a few more copies of my CD and lyric
books.  A student at UNC-Asheville asked to record me in the
school studios.  The result wasn’t great, and most of the
recordings were lost in the computer, but one song survived the
experience.  My friend John Blackwell is also “threatening” to get
his studio together and finish the job, and Blind Lemming Chiffon has
offered to underwrite part of the project in exchange for my work on
his website.  It would be good to get some professional recordings
of my music.  I may be getting old, but I can still make music.

Speaking of which, it is hard to believe I’m 52 now.  I don’t feel
it at all, unless you ask my back and ankles.  If you had asked me
when I was 30, I would have thought that I would never make it this
far.  Now I’m looking forward to another 52 years (one friend has
prophesied that I have another 58 to go; wishful thinking?).

Here’s hoping the coming year treats us all as well or better as the
past one did.  Thank you all for being a part of my life.

Hugs,

YOU ARE MANDRAKE

What herb are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Well, I lived through another birthday.  You remember that hymn,
“Ancient of Days, Who Sitteth Throned In Glory”?  That was written
about me, LOL.  Yup, I’m getting older… I still know SOME dirt
that is older than me, but not much.

Still, I feel pretty good.  Had a great year, starting last
December 3rd when my 3rd ex-wife contacted me and started a wonderful
friendship, got back together with my SerpentStone Family, met my sweet
Kayla and handfasted her… everything has been wonderful
overall.  I’ve also been off the psych drugs that were helping to
mess me up instead of helping me, for more than a year.  The
things I’m doing instead are working wonderfully, and I’m more involved
in the community than ever.  Not to mention a WHOLE LOT HAPPIER.

Yesterday, Kayla and I went out shopping to Tuesday Morning.  If
you have a Tuesday Morning in your town, do yourself a favor and check
it out.  It has lots of really neat stuff that thee and me could
never afford — but the people who COULD afford them didn’t buy them,
so they are now at Tuesday Morning on closeout.  This is NOT Big
Lots, the stuff is so much cooler.  All we bought were some Betty
Boop plates and bowls for Kayla and a new wallet for me, but it was so
much fun looking around. 

After we got home, I got cleaned up a little and we went to see a
professional basketball game.  The NBA has a small 6-team minor
league called the NBDL, and Asheville has a team.  We were playing
Fayetteville tonight.  No contest, and almost nobody showed up for
the game.  Might have been a hundred or so fans.  The
cheerleaders were not very good, the halftime show was a local high
school gymnastics club, and the game was never close (OK, Fayetteville
got as close as 6 points behind, but 26 was more typical).  We
have tickets for the Ashevills Aces minor league hockey game on the 1st
of January.  Hope it’s more entertaining.  At least we can
say we HAVE hockey — the NHL is still locked out and not a single game
has been played this year.

We’re going to church again in the morning, the local church is very
eclectic but very spiritual.  I wonder what Howard has for us
today.  Gotta come home and watch the Panthers again, win or
lose.  Probably will have to sleep sometime.  And Monday is
Laundry Day, while Kayla has some calls to make about a job.

Oh yeah, Kayla GOT A JOB, yayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!  She has to call
Monday to see if her uniform is in, and then they are talking about
scheduling her for lots of hours.  I’ll miss her, but the money
will be nice.  LOL forgot to mention she’s going to be working at
McDogfoods.  Maybe they’ll put her in a Hamburglar suit,
hehehehehehe.

Guess that’s it for now.  Oh yeah, I have a student again. 
She will be Dedicating on the 3rd of January.  I think we have
class on Monday.  Probably going to do a viewing of “The Wicker
Man”.

Love you all.  Irish, hope you get your family problems ironed out… or a new family…

Hugs,
Me