Màiri Campbell ~ Seanachaidh
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Life, Migraines and Gardening

19/4/2015

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PictureHappy baby Cherry Tomato Plant
     I hope that everyone has been having a wonderful weekend so far. Here in the Pacific Northwest we are having an amazingly warm, sunny weekend. Since getting a new to me, vehicle I have been able to get out and do some things that have been missing from my life for a couple years now.
     Yesterday I went and picked up one of my best friends and then headed to Bellingham for a day of hanging out together and shopping. I had forgotten the wonderful feeling of freedom one has when they have the ability to go and pick up a friend and just goof off all day long.
     Today has been spent getting my newsletter prepped and ready to go out later today – part 69 of my David and Ragnhild story. After getting that done, I got the joy of having a migraine try to sink its claws into my brain. I’m so tired of having these vile things. They started when I was twelve so for the last thirty-four years of my life I’ve had to deal with them. I think I’ve served my time, they can go away now.
     Thankfully it is spring time, so I can get outside and do some gardening. I have found over the years that even with some of my more severe migraines, being able to get outside and sink my hands into soil and play with my plants helps to reduce if not completely alleviate a migraine for me. I spent a few hours outside ripping out weeds, picking up after the dogs, pruning shrubs and mowing the lawn, and now the migraine is gone (Insert happy sigh).
     My husband has left for a few hours for training with his taekwondo instructor. Little does the poor man know that once he’s home he’s going to be helping me move some large flower pots so that I can repot three mint plants. I also need to get some radishes, carrots and the rest of the potatoes planted.
     While weeding, I did find that where I had planted potatoes last year, it would appear that I missed digging them all up, and they are growing again. Score! I’m hoping that they are the Viking Purples as those ones are so yummy.
     I was given a tiny cherry tomato plant by a lady while I was at work one day. Sadly she had been in an accident and when she had come the next day to clean her car out the poor little plant had been tossed about due to the accident. She asked where a trashcan was so she could throw it out, and I told her that all the plant needed was some water, love and repotting. She grinned then handed me the plant and told me to have fun. I brought the poor little thing home and set him up in the front kitchen window with a water tray under it for a few days, and it perked right up. I trimmed off the broken branches and a couple days later I replanted him outside.
     I am happy to say that the sad little tomato plant is doing much better now and seems to be very happy outside in the five-gallon bucket that I planted it in. I do need to get one of those tomato cage things for it before it starts getting too big. Last thing I want to do is damage its roots if I can keep it from getting blight or any other nasty things.
     What are some of your favorite things to plant? Flowers? Veggies? Herbs? And does gardening help you to relax and feel better?
     May you all have a wonderful evening and a great upcoming week.
Blessed Be.


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Three photos of the potato plants that I planted a week ago and a photo of a couple of the plants that are coming up in the area that I had planted potatoes last year.
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Life gets crazy

12/4/2015

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PictureMy new to me 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
     The last few weeks have been crazy busy. Between work, trying to get the tiny garden area I have prepped, my husband working 6 days a week – 10 hour day with 3-4 hour drive each day – we finally found a vehicle for me.
     So thankful that we managed to obtain a vehicle for me last Saturday, we went to a local auction up in Bellingham and obtained a wonderful 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. I am so happy with this vehicle! I have room for more than just one other person, and it is outfitted for travel with the dogs now too. My wonderful husband used some foam mat flooring in the van for me. I asked him to help me put in some in front of the back seats and along the aisle way between them to protect the carpeting from the dogs nails and to help keep it cleaner. He went above and beyond for this task the foam flooring is all the way around the seats; it is snuggled up nice and tight in the areas the dogs would be on the floor. He even placed it in the cargo area behind the back seat.
     Our girls completely approve of the van too. They have room to move without being on top of one another unlike in the extended part of our truck. I even found seat covers for the back seats as well that are easy on/off and are supposed to have something like a rip-stop feature to keep the dogs toenails from ripping them up. Sadly I have yet to find covers for the two front seats; these will be a bit more difficult as there is an airbag built into the outside portion of each of the front seats.
     I’ve also been busy making bread with my new to me bread maker. The Saturday before Easter we had a dinner to go to with friends and I took two loaves of bread along with a regular sized cheesecake and nine mini cheesecakes. Everyone loved the herb bread and thought it was great that the herbs had come from my garden. Today I made a loaf for tonight’s dinner this one will have chives and oregano that was freshly picked this morning. Our mailman told me yesterday that any time I want to use him as a guinea pig that he will be more than happy to oblige me. Lol, I had made him a loaf earlier in the week that had freshly harvested mint as well as some Rosemary that I had harvested last fall. Another thing that I am trying with some of my fresh herbs is making herb-infused wine. I should know in a week or two how that turns out.
     Spring Quarter classes also started last week, and I’m signed up for a full three credit QuickBooks class for work. Now the joys of finding the balance of getting my independent class work done – it’s an online class – along with getting writing done on my books, getting my newsletter done and ready to go out every week. On top of all the other everyday mundane things that have to be done – honestly with  how crazy the last two weeks have been I’m even more in awe of my girlfriends that juggle the whole stay at home mom gig with all the different things they have to do with their kids! Ladies you are absolutely amazing!
     We are also having to start getting things ready for the upcoming Scottish Highland Games season and, for me, that means there is a ton of paperwork to get done. Not only to get us into the games, but also all the different informational sheets that we provide in the tent at the events.
     I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and may the upcoming week be kind to you all.
                                                                                  Blessed Be.


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On the lot just prior to the auction starting.
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These seats now have covers on them. Tala is looking into the back where my hubby is putting the foam flooring down.
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Puppy approved.
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Herb-infused wine. The pretty bottle has leaves from my chocolate mint plant in it. The clear bottle has regular mint leaves along with rosemary.
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Exploring Human Design:

8/3/2015

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Exploring Human Design:
Astrology for a New Paradigm

By Janet Hickox

Janet Hickox is an Astrologer, Human Design Coach, and Host of Living Astrology TV on the Empower YOU TV. She specializes in readings that empower individuals to live their authentic lives. Request a free Human Design chart by going to her website at www.living-astrology.com. She can be reached at (360) 399-1122. 

     I love astrology! There is no doubt in my mind that I was destined to become an astrologer. I am also certain that I was designed to share with the world new, exciting and eye-opening astrological concepts in an easy to understand, practical and useful way. Such is the purpose I have in mind today. I am speaking to you from a certainty that comes from having discovered my authentic self, Truth, and purpose through an astrology called, Human Design.
     Human Design is the synthesis of 4 Ancient Wisdom Traditions and 2 Sciences – the Chinese I’Ching, Jewish Kabbalah, Hindu Chakra system, Western Astrology and Quantum Physics and Human Genetic Coding. Making it even more mystical and magical is the fact that the entire system was transmitted to Robert Alan Krakower through a spiritual experience he had in Ibiza, Spain during the Harmonic Convergence in January 1987. A voice told Robert that this system – Human Design – was crucial to helping people on the planet make vital shifts in consciousness for the evolution of humanity. He spent the next 25 years traveling the world teaching and developing Human Design until his death in 2011.
     Human Design is one of the most important tools we have to move us forward into these new paradigm times. First and foremost, Human Design teaches us to LOVE ourselves by learning the Truth of who we are designed to be and how we can live our authentic life and destiny, serving to improve our self-worth and self-esteem. Human Design shows us how to act with awareness, deliberation and courage according to our own personal Type, and by doing so we learn to honor our energy, our feelings and emotions. Empowering each of us to, “Know Thyself,” allows us to find a way to love and accept others as well. My Human Design teacher, Karen Curry wrote in her book Understanding Human Design, The New Science of Astrology: Discover Who You Really Are (Hierophant Publishing, 2013), “Human Design is not about changing yourself. It simply gives you the tools to journey back to a deeper understanding of your gifts, your wisdom, your drive, and your vulnerabilities, which can set you free from old, self-defeating patterns of thinking and the judgment of others. It gives you a new perspective so you can see the beauty and magnificence of who you truly are.” My own personal experience with Human Design has opened me up to a sound decision-making strategy based on who I am designed to be, which has brought me into alignment with my true nature. Living out my True self has made my life easier and empowered me to pursue my passions.
     Human Design is complex, yet there are three key pieces that are easy to understand and can have a profound positive effect for each person. Let’s take a closer look. Unlike Western Astrology’s circular chart depicting planet placements by degrees of signs, Human Design is made up of three component parts, The Birth Chart, Body Graph and Keynotes.
     The Body Graph is comprised of 9 Energy Centers that resemble the Hindu Chakra system. It is from these centers that your Type emerges based on what centers are defined (colored) or undefined (white). Within each Energy Center are numbers, which we call Gates. They are related to the 64 Hexagrams of the I’Ching. These gates form connections between the Energy Centers and further define an individual’s personality characteristics. When the Gates between Energy Centers are connected they form Channels. The interconnected channels or their lack of being interconnected further help define your Type.
     The Keynotes section of your Human Design chart shows the key information gleaned from your Body Graph: Type (which includes your Life Theme and Strategy), Profile- Incarnation Cross and Inner Authority. From this information alone a Human Design astrologer can give you an easy to understand reading of your life map.
     The Birth Chart is comprised of two columns of numbers, one black and one red, with symbols for the planets between them. The numbers relate to the Gates within the Body Graph, and it is from this chart that the gates in the Body Graph are defined. The black column of numbers are based on your actual birth date and become the personality traits that you are familiar with in yourself. In Human Design we say that these are “conscious” traits. The red column of numbers are based upon a date that is 88 astrological degrees or approximately 90 days before your birth. These are the more “unconscious” traits that you are carrying within your Soul. In fact, the date of the red column is said to be the date that your Soul entered into your body. Your family and friends may recognize these traits in you before you actually do.     
     The first key to understanding your Human Design is discovering what Personality Type you are. There are 5 Personality Types in Human Design: Manifestors, Generators, Manifesting Generators, Projectors and Reflectors. Each Type has a different way of operating in the world and has a unique decision-making strategy. This knowledge alone rocked my world and fundamentally impacted my success in connecting to my authentic self. Here is a short description of each Type.

To continue reading about Human Design click here

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Story updates...

1/3/2015

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   While doing research for my David and Ragnhild story I was contacted by a wonderful person in Malta. They have supplied me with some images of newspaper clippings talking about Ragnhild and a few even have Lady Ragnhild in them! And one is a image of a painting that she did. I am over the moon about this! I finally have a face to go with the name and am thrilled. Images are below the post.
   While I am working hard on this story I am also working on the next story for my Forever Fey series. I got a sneak peek at a part that will be coming up within the story… I’m not at this point yet but when a character shares something you write it down when it is shared. lol Here is the sneak peek for you (please remember this is rough draft just pounded out and no edits done).


     Ashleigh felt her breath catch in her throat when Bran took her hand. He was magnificent with his dark hair and brown eyes so like deep pools of chocolate with small gold flecks. Her stomach dropped and heat pooled deep with her most private areas as he brushed a kiss across her knuckles she felt herself become damp.
     Bran smiled as he raised his head after kissing Ashleigh’s hand, her pupils had dilated and her scent gave away her arousal. “It is a pleasure to meet you Ashleigh,” he voice rumbled low in his chest, his eyes boring into hers.
   “It’s a pleasure to meet you too Bran.” Ashleigh flushed her stomach flipped at the deep gravel tones of Bran’s voice. Malcolm had warned her that Bran would have an effect on her lady bits but this was ridiculous. She watched as Bran’s eyes changed from their deep chocolate to a more golden color. Her eyes widened as she watched the small gold flecks grow, spreading so that Bran’s eyes were now golden amber.
    Ashleigh’s reaction was affecting Bran and let that show in his eyes, he knew they were changing color and he watched with amusement as the woman in front of him tried to fight her basic urges.


   I hope everyone has had a good weekend and I wish you all a great upcoming week.

Blessed Be.


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Stop the bullying...

1/2/2015

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     It is a sad thing to see what had started out as a friendship turn suddenly to something that has a person apprehensive to open even a simple email. People disagree about things all the time... right? Right.
     Why is it that some people think they have the right to tell others what they can or cannot do? Who they should and shouldn't respect? Things like that are an individual's right. It should be dictated by that individuals own views and beliefs -- not by what others, or society, tell them it should be. It is our differences that make this world NOT be absolutely boring.
     But some people, despite stating that they have let things go will use any little perceived slight to attack another person. They misread something because they only took the time to skim the letter, email, what-have-you and see what they want to see within the text of the document.
     Even when told “You misread that. Please read it again.” they do not always do that and continue on with their angry tirade. I don’t understand this nor do I understand bullies. Others have tried to explain it to me with the excuses of: Oh that person is going through this, that, or whatever. Or the ever popular: That is just who they are, don’t take it personally.
     Whenever one individual is constantly misreading things from a specific individual, When things like that have happened so often and has been spewed outward directed at one individual… how is that individual not supposed to take it personally? How are they to attend events where there is a great chance the bully will be there?
     How are they expected to enjoy and learn from an event when they are concerned the bully will take the opportunity to change from written verbal abuse to face to face verbal abuse or worse… physical abuse? This bullying is not a secret; others have bore witness to it. When confronted by others the bully has been contrite, apologetic and gone so far as to state that they didn’t realize that what they were doing was being perceived in that manner and they would work on being a better person.
     People say to just avoid the bully, call them out on their behavior, to stand up to them even. What does one do when all of that seems to be to no avail? What does one do when a third person brings the bully into a conversation and the bully uses that as an excuse to start yet again in their assault against the individual person?
     I am asking these things because I personally know someone going through this very thing. It has been going on for over a year and despite trying to avoid the bully. They still want to attend events and completely miss the group of individuals that attend these specific functions. But they do not go because they don’t want to deal with the bully. Last time an event was attended the bully kept physically getting into the personal space of the person they were targeting. Even going to far as to try and stroke their arm in the manner a friend would do. All the while the bully is saying, "I miss our friendship. Why can't we be friends. Even if you don't like me I like you and still want to be your friend."
     Not being able to attend the events has become somewhat detrimental to the person’s well being. I am at a loss as to what they should do. The idea of obtaining a restraining order is a bit much for them, as that would mean they themselves would not be able to attend the group functions without being in violation of the order. They have completely removed the ability of the bully to contact them be it by phone, email or Facebook.
     Thank you all for letting me vent. Perhaps a solution to my friends’ problem will be found and all will be well again. Only time will tell. I hope you all are having a safe and fun weekend.

Blessed Be Everyone.


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    Màiri Campbell lives in WA with her husband and their three dogs

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