Bluebirds, Butterflies and the Nether Realm Social Media

With winter approaching here in Calgary, I am reminded of how much I miss forms of communication that we use back in the Nether Realm.  Here in the Earth Realm we have tweets, texts and other social media but in the Nether Realm we rely primarily on bluebirds and butterflies.  They all fly, flutter and flit through the sky seemingly as free as free can be.  I love watching all of the butterflies and birds in the sky.  It's like watching a firework display in the daytime.  I'm always happy to see one of these creatures perched on my window sill.  They usually bring good news. 

 

It's just like the song "The Bluebird of Happiness" by Sandor Harmati, Edward Heyman and Harry Parr-Davies: 

Be like I, hold your head up high,
Till you find a bluebird of happiness.
You will find greater peace of mind
Knowing there's a bluebird of happiness.

And when he sings to you,

Though you’re deep in blue,

You will see a ray of light creep through,

And so remember this, life is no abyss,

Somewhere there’s a bluebird of happiness.

Charles Dickens wrote, “I only ask to be free.  The butterflies are free”. 

 But even bluebirds and butterflies have a responsibilities in the Nether Realm.  They are more than happy to carry out their duty as messengers of the Faye Clan. Back in the Nether Realm I would send off a blue bird and two butterflies in the morning.  The bluebird was for "The Parchment News" (who I also write for) and my butterflies went to my mother and my friend.  While I waited for my little messengers to come back, I had a cup of tea with a little breakfast and got ready for my day.   I usually got my return messages after I left my home and while walking through the Mystinia Forest. The butterflies would land on my shoulder to whisper in my ear. The bluebird would land on my finger to tweet his message. Often these creatures brought small gifts with them.  The last time I was there, I got a magic ring from a butterfly.  I wear it all the time and I consider it my totem.

When there is an emergency or urgency, we call upon the wisps.  These orbs of light are almost as fast as telepathy. Only Mystics are actually capable of telepathy but we do not use it for frivolous matters.  We Mystics are rarely concerned about whether or not we get a quick message because we know that we will get it when we are meant to.  Back in the Nether Realm, we view time very differently than the Earth Realm.  I find that the Earth Realm is really rushed. Like most mystics, I'm not a rusher.  I like to take my time.  So you see, the bluebirds and butterflies may not be as fast as an email but they are reliable and effective.  And we fairies love them!

  Like Carrie Bradshaw (from Sex in the City) says, "Don't settle for anything less than butterflies."We mystics don't settle for anything less but we like our bluebirds too.  My advice to you my favorite readers is to remember these words. These creatures are light, beautiful, and happy. Make time for the birds and the butterflies. 

 

Remembrance Day

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The poem of Flanders Fields honors the soldiers that are fallen in war.  These soldiers paid the ultimate price to preserve and protect our way of life.  But let us not forget the brave soldiers who are alive and are still fighting for our freedom.  Lest we forget, war is hell.  We lose good people to it and damage those who live through it.  I describe myself as a carefree spirit and many people have fought hard to make that possible.  So to all of you who have served our country...Thank you.

Monster Cookies

October is all about monster mayhem.  Monster movies, monster costumes and (as I have discovered) monster trucks.  Now that November is here and the festivies are done, we have to forget all of that until next year.  Luckily, I have a monsterously magnificient momento to remember the Halloween season.  A recipe for monster cookies.  Everyone is afraid of a monster but these monster's are friendly and yummy.  Don't worry they like to be eaten so its not animal/monster cruelty.   



You will need:

1 Angel Food Cake Mix Box (I prefer nice monsters)

2 Cups of M&Ms

½ cup of softened butter (take out first thing in the morning and let sit) 

½ tsp. vanilla

1 softened 8 oz. Cream Cheese Bar (take out first thing in the morning and let sit)

1 egg

Powdered Sugar

Food Coloring

Candy Eyeballs (I found these in Michaels but you can find them in any craft store)

Instructions

1. Beat butter, vanilla, egg and cream cheese together in a large bowl until fluffy.
2. Add the cake mix, then divide batter into bowls for the amount of colors you want.
3. Add food coloring for your desired color to each individual bowl and mix until all combined.
4. Divide M&Ms into different colors (This is optional) and add them into your cookie mix.  Stir
5. Put batter in refridgerator for 30 minutes to chill.
6. Take out of Refridgerater, roll into balls and dip in a bowl of powdered sugar.
7. Place the balls on greased cookie sheet and pat down slightly.
8. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes
9. Add candy eyeballs on while cookies are still warm.  
10. Eat, Exchange and Enjoy!

 

As you can see that these cookies are easy to make and are ready in a flash.  Kids love them (Don't worry.  They won't be scared), and they are very popular at bake sales.  You make one batch of these beauties and BAM!  Watch them disappear as fast as the last month does.  My mother always says to keep the monsters outside but these cookies are too good to pass up.  They are a friendly reminder of my favorite holiday.  How do you remember your Halloween?

 

 

Apple Peel True Love Reveal

Who wants to find out a little something about your future life partner?  There is a spell we use back home to find out who our mate for life is going to be.  The humans in the Earth Realm like to do this on Halloween but you can do this anytime in the autumn.   It is very simple. You take an apple and peel its skin off in one long piece with a paring knife.  As you do this, say:
 

This apple that I peel
My true love's letter I reveal
As it finds its way to the ground
Help my love mate's name be found
 

When you drop the peel it will land in the shape of the first initial of your true love’s name.  It is only a clue but now that you know the first initial all you have to do next is find your soulmate. 

At least you will be able to keep this in mind when you meet new people or look at your friends in a new way.  Now go on and have a glass of wine with your apple and cheese to celebrate. 

Screamfest is the Best!

Screamfest Entrance

The First and Best Haunted House

October is a great time for mystics. It is one of the few times we get to travel freely between the Nether World and the Earth Realm. Most of us try to get home to the Nether Realm to enjoy our huge party “Centennial Celebration”. Unfortunately, this year I was not able to be there.  Three of my dearest friends in the Earth Realm invited me to go with them to “Screamfest”. They told me that Halloween themed fun included games, rides and haunted houses. From what they said, I thought it might be a little dark but I was so homesick and feeling sorry for myself, I decided to give it a try.

Dragon Monster Truck Ride

The Magician

This is a very popular event and line ups are typically quite long. General admission is $25 but my friends recommended that I spring for the extra $20 to purchase a Speed Pass. So I did and received a bracelet and 16 tokens to use as I pleased. No waiting in line for me!

We entered the grandstand building and had a quick look around. We decided that we would explore the six haunted houses that were included in the price of admission first so headed outside where they were located. “What Lies Beneath” was the first house we toured and we were very impressed. At the end of the day, we decided that this was our favorite attraction.

 

As we explored the outdoor attractions, we found the “Monster Truck Rides”. Although it cost a whopping 12 tokens, we decided we had to give it a try. After a brief wait, the four of us climbed into the very front of the large vehicle. Immediately after buckling our seat belts, we began one of the most exciting rides of our life. The spins, skids, donuts and the speed are not something we encounter in our everyday lives. It was like riding a dragon except we did not actually fly. It only felt like it. I ran into an unexpected visitor from the Nether World.

Andromeda, Princess of Dragons

Shape-shiftng Gorilla Woman

Andromeda, the Princess of Dragons, is a minor celebrity in our world. She is named after Andromeda, daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia and the wife of Perseus. Andromeda was chained naked to a rock near the port city of Jaffa and Perseus rescued and then married her. She had a long life and many children. After her death, she was placed among the constellations in the northern sky near Perseus and Cassiopeia. Her namesake, the Princess of Dragons, is a bit of a loner but every now and again she does briefly visit the Earth Realm to walk anonymously and explore this world. We did get to speak to her and shake her hand but she had to leave rather quickly. She did not enjoy the crowds and all the noise. It was a thrill for me to meet her.

Mad House and Buried Alive

We went back into the grandstand building to experience the games, more rides and haunted houses. I tried the “Witches Brew Game” and the “Archery Game”. No prizes for me but I did have fun. We tried a couple of rides. “The Screamer” is an aptly named orbital apparatus that spins in every direction so fast that you feel you have entered another dimension. “Neighbors from Hell” was a 3D ride that required you to flee from hellish demons that are definitely out to kill you.  We toured the haunted houses “Mad House” and “Buried Alive”. We also saw zombies, a shape shifting gorilla woman, and a magician. We made it out alive.  Will you? 

 

The Screamer

In the 4 ½ hours we were there, we did not take in all the available attractions. This is not an inexpensive evening out. Admission plus 16 tokens cost $45. Visiting the outdoor haunted houses was included in admission and did not require tokens. The two indoor haunted houses cost 4 tokens each. Monster Truck Ride cost 12 tokens and other rides were 8 tokens each. Games were generally 4 tokens each. Food services were limited and costly so I did not indulge. I estimate my total cost to be $70.

Neighbors From Hell Ride

 

To enjoy the experience, it is necessary to leave your “grown up, responsible, judgemental, adult” self at home. Come prepared to laugh, scream, jump, and defend yourself and your friends with your purse if necessary and you will have a wonderful time. We all certainly escaped our real world and left with smiles on our faces. Will I go back next year? Absolutely.  It was Spooktackular!

Zombie Smiling

Loki the Vampire...Cat?

Loki the Vampire Cat.  See her on https://instagram.com/loki_kitteh/?hl=en

In the Nether Realm, we are aware that the Earth Realm has vampire bats.  Are there other animals that are vampiric? This is a mystery that many of us have been pondering for centuries.  There is a group of scientists in the Nether Realm at my old school, the University of Atlantis, that is trying to figure this out.  I may have the answer. 



Loki saying,"Hello!"  Say hello to her on https://www.facebook.com/Lokithevampirecat

There is a cat in the Earth Realm named Loki who just might be a vampire cat.  Her companion Kaet says she got this cute little critter from an animal shelter and has several pictures of Loki posted on Instagram, Facebook and other social media.  Although vicious-looking in her pictures, this unique cat has the sweet personality of most other kittens. Luckily, Loki has no taste for blood (that we know of), just kitty treats.  Still, I wouldn't make this feisty feline feral.  



Loki in a Bathrobe.  See her at https://twitter.com/loki_kitteh

With Kaets’s permission, I tried to look further into Loki's origin.  It is shrouded in mystery.  So I inquired about any missing cats in the Nether Realm who resemble Loki.  There are animals everywhere in the Nether Realm.  They are very well taken care of and comfortable but every once in a while, like me, they will run off and explore other worlds.  I wanted Loki’s friends, companions and family to know that she is well cared for and loved in the Earth Realm (if indeed she once lived in the Nether Realm).  I haven't heard from anyone in the Nether Realm as of yet.  I still can't help but wonder.  Is Loki from our world?  What do you all think?

  


 

Black Magic Smoothies

Feel like you are in a spell? Feel like you are in a web that is weaved so well? Like the song written in 1942 and sang by Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and even Marilyn Monroe in the movie “Bus Stop” says, it must be that Old Black Magic. As many of you know, I believe in kindness, compassion, joy and light. I am no fan of black magic. But with Halloween just around the corner and winter fast approaching, it makes good sense to take measures to improve your own health and strength.

So I have a solution for you. This “Black Magic Smoothie” will smooth over any spells or curses and help you avoid colds and flus. The recipe makes 4 servings but I like it so much it is really about 2 servings for me.

Ingredients

1 cup of black cherries

1 cup of blackberries

1 cup of blueberries

1 cup of greens (try spinach, kale, or Swiss chard)

2 cups of pomegranate juice

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

1/3 cup of black beans (optional)

Throw everything into a blender and blend really well. Drink and enjoy.  Put leftovers in a jar for the next day.

Hints

I highly recommend frozen fruits and vegetables. Unless they are in season where you live, frozen is a more economical and nutritional option. Less preparation and waste too. I often buy mixed fruits and pick out just what I want for a specific recipe.

The black beans are optional but they are the “secret” ingredient because they are magical. And not in the sense of “Beans, beans, the magical fruit.  The more you eat, the more….” well, you know the rest. More relative to the fairy tale about Jack and the Beanstalk. Beans provide a wealth of fiber and protein and help you feel full. And let's face it, they are delicious!

Remember that in the Earth Realm, we are more susceptible to illness and injury. We are approaching a season of superstition, cold weather, and change. Be aware, keep fit, and stay strong.