More This & That

It is a truth universally acknowledged that until a woman reaches a certain age she does not qualify for certain discounts available to her elder sisters. Dear reader, I now qualify! Yes, indeed, yesterday I reached the big 55. A "dear" friend sent me, just a few weeks ago, a completely amazing list of all the discounts one qualifies for when reaching the ripe and wise age of 55. The majority of these are not publicized, but they are available if one asks for them - such as 10% off at various chain restaurants, etc. She also sent discounts for those 65 years and older as my darling other half reached that milestone a few months ago. Friends, they are so dear to one's heart!

As some of you know, I am married to a nice Jewish guy - in fact, due to the Jewish by injection factor, many of my Jewish friends tell me I'm more Jewish than any Jew they know! Hey, when I first married I intensely studied How To Run A Traditional Jewish Home by Blu Greenberg! Of course, for years I have been working on my own version, The Witch's Guide To Managing the Pagan-Jewish Home, but that is neither here nor there. It was inevitable with so many Jewish friends and in-law relatives, I would become one of the tribe - in my own way, of course! Anyway, the point of all this, I think, is that it is with delight that I discovered, from one of the many Jane Austen blogs I read, a new version of Pride and Prejudice - P & P, The Jewess and the Gentile by Lev Raphael! As the author says on his webpage, http://www.levraphael.com/pride-and-prejudice-jewess.html, get ready for Pride and Prejudice and brisket! (Now that's cute!) Our lovely heroine, Lizzy, is a nice Anglo-Jewish gal with attitude, Mrs. Bennet is a Jewish mother and Mr. Darcy is himself. Can it work? I immediately ordered it on my Nook - how could I resist? If it turns out to be as hilarious as described, I will order a hard copy for my collection of JA take-offs. I am beside myself - yes, again!

In other, less mundane news, Hekate's Night is the 13th and a full moon. We are planning a major ritual, of course. Since our little coven is dedicated to Her, this is a major celebration. I know many devotees around the world will be celebrating as well which will make for an energetically intense event. I will be posting a simple ritual to honor Hekate in a few days for those who wish to celebrate but have not done so before.

Later in the month, coinciding with the New Moon, I will begin a monthly women's gathering for discussion, meditation and even a little magick focusing on  the Divine Feminine. We will meet at Nature's Emporium in Coral Springs, Florida on Tuesday, August 30th at 7: 30 PM. If you are in the area and are interested in joining us, please see our Facebook page for further updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natures-Emporium/102956843131674

And now, after a day of napping, reading, talking on the phone and saying thank you on Facebook to all my family and buds who sent birthday wishes, it is time to take a few stitches to complete my day. I napped so much I'm wide awake! A cup of tea and some stitching is just the thing to relax. Perhaps a little music too, via iPod, so as not to disturb my other half. Yes, that does sound perfect.

Sweet dreams and...

Blessings nine!

Her (Jane Austen) needlework, both plain and ornamental was excellent,

and she might have put a sewing machine to shame.

She was considered especially great in satin stitch.

James Edward Austen-Leigh, 1871