So I have tried twice to blog this week and both times the blogs have turned into articles. I have submitted one to Celtic Whispers, Spirit One, Wise Pagan, The Daily Spell and Witches' Voice. We'll see if anyone bites. One of the blogs turned article is going to be submitted for print publication. I'll let you know when and if it gets picked up.
Speaking of print magazines, Modern Witch Magazine has signed me to be a regular contributor to this new publication. I will be presenting features and a regular column entitled Ask a Pagan Parent. I have been working with the editors there and have really enjoyed the experience. Their first issue is out around Beltane, 2008. Be sure to ask your local store to carry this new, cutting edge magazine.
The other things that has happened recently, is that I have slide into a new computer. Some may have heard that my Husband Priest's computer caught on fire (literally!) about six months ago. I smelled and saw thick black smoke and went charging into the office to find my Husband Priest sitting beside his tower, reaching his hands into the flames and pulling out the hard drives. I run for a towel to smother the fire and ask him why he didn't worry about putting it out. "I can lose the computer, I just can't lose these hard drives!" he shouted as we both worked to put out the flames.
Since that time, my Husband Priest has been down a computer. He has a laptop provided by his work (naturally); however, he tries to keep his work and home computer use separate. He hasn't been able to do this for the past six months. My tower is upgradable and much younger than the inferno tower. We have been talking for months about replacing my computer with a laptop and sending my tower over to Stone's desk. Last weekend, we finally did this. Additionally, Stone purchased a laser jet printer so I wouldn't feel bad about printing entire chapters of my book to proof.
When we got home, Stone let me borrow his ergonomic mouse. It is wireless type and allowed me to navigate the new computer a bit easier than the touch pad would. Needless to say, he is never getting it back. I would not have thought it could make such a difference; however, I was totally wrong. I became so fond of this mouse, that I can see an ergonomic keyboard in my future.
I went from Windows 2000 to Vista and the latest version of Office. It has taken some getting used to and has been, at times, very frustrating. Stone who has been working in these environments longer than I have, has had to bale me out a few times, which irritates me. However, I am getting the hang of it. For the first time in my life, I am using my computer to track my schedule. I didn't like doing it because I couldn't take the computer with me. Now that I am mobile, it has changed everything.
I continue to study Geomancy and Sacred Geometry in my "spare" time. Tree Bear took the flue this week and we got back his allergy results. It turns out he is allergic to cats and only cats. I was sure it was dogs. Of course, the only animals we have are cats. Cassandra and Moriganna have been with us for years and I just can't see getting rid of them. Tree Bear, however, had their bags packed, ready to go and buy a pure breed dog of some kind. We have had to stave him off. His bedroom door is shut for now as we try to assess what can be done. Any suggestions are welcome!
Which brings me to my last little bit of news for the day, Cassandra has been acting very strange. She has been extremely protective of Stone and I. Last night, Stone and I were both working after putting Tree Bear to bed. We hear Cassandra meowing her hello meow as she comes into the office. Stone looks over his desk and bursts into laughter. I lean around mine to see Cassandra carefully presenting us with a AAA battery. She goes over to Stone who praises her for her "catch." I retrieve the battery and put it where it belongs. She then gets up on Stone's desk where his architectural drawings are and sprawls out, her obvious reward for capturing and delivering a AAA battery.
Cassandra has also decided that Stone's trashcan is her new hideout and can be regularly found in it asleep. Go figure. I guess it is the talk of having to find them other homes that makes me sad. When I am writing all day by myself, it is these girls that keep me company. I regularly talk to them and when I get upset they come running to calm me. I hope we can find a way to keep Tree Bear healthy and our familiars with us. The kitten picture in this blog is Cassandra. Moriganna is her daughter and is in the framed picture. We kept the black cats because that is what witches have – naturally!
