Richard Dadd

Richard began his life with a tremendously promising career as a distinguished painter.

 Of the seven children of Robert Dadd’s first marriage, three, Richard, George, and Maria were to become completely insane, while Stephen had a private attendant but little more is known of his circumstances. Robert the eldest brother, born 13, July 1813 practiced as a chemist for many years in Whitechapel. George was the youngest of Richard’s full brothers, born 13, December 1822. He was a skilled carpenter at Chatham Dockyard. He began to show signs of mental instability when he was 20 yrs old and in 1843, the same year that Richard became unstable. He was admitted to Bethlehem and stayed there until his death in 1868. Though both brothers were confined in the same hospital, it is unlikely they met. John, a half brother, born to his father’s second wife and the second of two boys, was born 24, May 1829. He was apprenticed to Robert and went to America to establish a popular drug store. 

St Michael

The name Michael means 'who is like God' and he was originally a Chaldean deity. He is most often depicted winged with an unsheathed sword. He is God's greatest warrior and slayer of the evil dragon. He is said to be the Viceroy of Heaven and to hold its keys. He ranks as the greatest of all angels and weighs the souls of the dead and holds in his hands, the scales of justice. He is the Archangel of Repentance and of Righteousness, Mercy and Sanctification. He is chief of the ranks of Virtues and the conqueror of Satan. He is the angel of death that leads the souls of the faithful to eternal light. 

His mystery name is 'Sabbathiel' He is credited as the author of the Psalm 85 and he is also credited with preventing Abraham from slaying his son, Isaac. The fire that Moses saw in the burning bush is said to be like Michael. Sarah and her husband Abraham were entertained unaware that they were, in fact, in the company of angels, not men. 

Byron Katie

The Work! I heard this expression from Gurdjieff and others,  but Byron Katie has her own take on it with questions! Katie was so depressed she couldn’t get up and felt she didn’t exist any more. She asks of your self judgment statements, is it true? Can you absolutely know it is true? How do you react when you think this thought? How would you be without this thought? 

1. Who angers, saddens, frightens, or disappoints you? What is it about them that you didn't or don't still like?

Eg., I am angry at them because they gamble all our money, saddened because they are worth more than a dradful life of gambling debts, frightened because of their anger and aggression, confused because I work hard and have nothing to show for it. (Name) doesn't listen to me. I am angry because he/she doesn't appreciate me. I'm angry because he/she doesn't care about my health. I don't like him/her because he/she argues all the time. I'm saddened due to his/hergambling debts

The Mother-in-Law - A Story

Scott Mann posted this story about his mother-in-law.

Sharon is my mother-in-law. She taught me it’s important work to see someone for who they are and not what you expect.

When I first met my mother-in-law, I had a hard time understanding her thick south Virginia accent.

And she seemed a little bossy in that southern passive aggressive yet polite way.

But I knew she was important to the love of my life, so I accepted her grudgingly as some of us do when family is forced on us. After 5 years I still didn’t really know her.

When my wife got leukemia at 30 years of age. Then our world was shattered and changed forever, Sharon very quietly moved, with her dependent Vietnam vet husband, into our house and became Michele’s caretaker too.

Over the last two years she bought most of the groceries, cooked almost every meal, did most of the laundry and cleaning, drove both dependents to almost every one of the 300+ doctor appointments, sorted tens of thousands of pills, and made sure they were all taken on time at every hour every day.

And she did this when she herself was diagnosed with cancer 6 months ago.

When she was getting a mastectomy and going through chemo.

Davey Arthur - A Story

These stories were told by Davey Arthur at his concert on Saturday, the 26th of February 1994 at Jacksons Lane.

The accordion player was reading the music they were playing all night. All others played by ear, old songs they have played for decades! They often take a new musician with them on tour to give them the oppportunity of learning the old songs and being part of the group in a concert setting.

Davey asked for a drink and the base player gave him a quarter inch of water in a glass. No-one laughed! The fiddle player played so hard he broke a string - he played his heart out that night - and every night. Davey said he and the guitar player swore they would never chase the same woman because their friendship meant so much. His friend gave up touring to get married! 

These Are The Hands - A Poem

  By Michael Rosen

These are the hands That touch us first
Feel your head Find the pulse
And make your bed.

These are the hands That tap your back
Test the skin Hold your arm Wheel the bin
Change the bulb Fix the drip Pour the jug Replace your hip.

Forecast Reading

From the Soulful Woman Oracle Cards by Shushann Mousessian and Gemma Summers, I have chosen:

Boundaries. “Boundaries are necessary and we all have them. They keep us safe and healthy, and without them, we are in danger. The reading states: "My boundaries are like energy doors that help me manage my life. At times, I have the doors open , inviting in blessings from others and my environment. At other times, I need to close them in order to replenish my energies, nourish my creativity, and defend my well-being. I feel good about having boundaries and for being able to say "No Thanks" because I know when I say "No" that I am expressing an important aspect of myself as a person. Having clear boundaries allows me to protect myself, nurture my intentions, and follow my true self. Boundaries are an essential part of self care. Affirmation - My clear boundaries allow me to protect myself, nurture my intentions and follow my true self."

Dreams and Dreaming!

"An uninterpreted dream is like an unopened letter"

Dreams and Dreaming Part 2: When we arrive at 60 years of age, we will have been asleep for 20 years and awake for only 40! Everyone dreams many times each night, but few remember their dreams. Dreaming is vital to our mental health and we cannot do without our dreams even for a few days. If you see someone’s eyes are moving under their closed eyelids whilst asleep, they are almost certainly dreaming.

Fascinating Examples:
The champion golfer, Jack Nicklaus had a dream where he swung the golf club in a new way. He tried it and won many tournaments. There was a mathematical genius in India, Svinivasa Ramanujan, who often saw handwriting on a screen that demonstrated new mathematical solutions and once he dreamed that a Hindu Goddess appeared to him and showed him a new formula.

The Dream of Cybele - A Story

It was a scramble to the cavern. We had been told of the pitfalls and given good instructions as to the position and size of the entrance. I had grazed my hand and the stinging continued as I neared the cave mouth. As I walked within, the blackness consumed me. There was uneven rock and gravel underfoot. I was amazed how clearly I could hear my laboured breathing and the rapid pulse of my heartbeat. The sound seemed amplified and the reverberation echoed around what could only be a vast chamber. I could smell the scent if wood smoke, slightly perfumed with pine resin. I reached out to touch the side walls. they were cold and smooth and hard, like frozen ice. I shivered in the chill air. As i took a few tentative steps forward, my eyes accustomed to the darkness. Within the cavern were extraordinary shapes, huge columns from floor to roof space - great mountains of rock with strange colours and hues. 

Meditation by Anne Yates - Your Garden

An interactive meditation presented by Anne Yates with words by Wendy Stokes
Make yourself comfortable and avoid interruptions, relax and imagine....