A dark and spooky night. Taken last Halloween 2011.

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Themes For Gattina's Saturday Photo Hunting

February

4 twigs
11 vintage
18 circles
25 old

March

3 fluffy
10 power
17 creative
24 shoes
31 artificial

Mama Cat - She is very fluffy!

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Saturday PhotoHunt Themes:

February

4th ~ Flat
11th ~ Heart
18th ~ Point
25th ~ Loud

PhotoHunt

Photo Hunters

As I type this blog entry I am sipping on a cup of my morning coffee. It tastes especially good to me, because it is a fair trade product. "Fair Trade is a market-based approach to sustainable development, seeking to empower millions of disadvantaged producers worldwide while protecting the environment for future generations." You can read a much more in-depth article about it here.

I am far from perfect, but I do strive to be an ethical consumer. I buy fair trade products when available, and I will not knowingly purchase any product that comes from a factory farm even if it means spending a little extra money. I support local farmers, and try to only buy Ontario produce. I use water and vinegar to clean with instead of harsh chemicals. I rarely go to Walmart, and I won't buy my clothes there because I don't want to take the chance I'm wearing something that was sewn by child labourers. And I will try to buy Canadian made products because of our strong labour laws. I also refuse to shop at Urban Outfitters because of the extreme politics, and views held by owner/founder Richard Hayne that does not jibe with my own. I cannot morally shop from someone who financially supports staunch anti-gay politicians. I strongly support Canadian business, especially the small local independent shops. I buy second hand and thrift often.

I will, and have purposefully done without, non-essential items if it means my purchase will comprise my morals, and ethics.

I do all this because whether or not it is making a difference I personally feel better about the choices I'm making, and I do believe if we all shopped this way we would have a far fairer and more positive marketplace.

If you feel like I do you will want to have a listen to this radio program entitled Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory. It is enlightening, and will have you thinking about the actual price being paid in order for us to enjoy cheap electronics.

Image Source

Wordless Wednesday

Neda Agha Soltan and I shared a birthday yesterday. She was an Iranian philosophy student, who was engaged to be married, at the time she was murdered. Her friends and family describe her as a bright happy person who loved to sing, although her singing lessons were kept secret because she lived in a country that forbids women from singing in public.

Had Neda lived she would have been 29 years old.

You probably know Neda as the woman whose death was viewed by millions around the world via Youtube and other video sharing sources. She was filmed while lying on an Iranian street bleeding out after being shot by a thug.

I don't care the politics behind her death, only that a beautiful young woman died senselessly and tragically, because someone felt it was their right to be careless with and take another person's life. No one has the right to do that.

RIP beautiful lady .... you should not be forgotten.

Photo Source: Facebook

Had a lovely weekend get together with my girls to celebrate 45 years since my exit from the womb. Matthew made me a delicious, double chocolate brownie cake, and I had my fave pizza with anchovy topping! I was feted, and will be treating myself to a day at an upscale salon as part of my prezzies! The only thing missing was my Dragon-born niece Emma, and my middle kiddo who is away at Uni, but through the magic of technology could be here in spirit!

My b-day this year coincides with Chinese New Year and it is the Year of the Dragon! It is a Happy New Year in more ways than one for me, and the Dragon, which is considered to be the most auspicious and powerful of the 12 signs of the zodiac, is also one associated with high energy and prosperity. With this in mind, and a generally positive feeling about 2012 I have promised myself that I will work towards accomplishing a few of my goals.

My main personal goal right now is to find meaningful, and permanent employment, perhaps even start down a new career path. I have been researching, and exploring different options, and now I'm ready to go after something new.

I would also like to continue working on my studies particularly those related to PSI and consciousness survival, and finish up some projects that I have put on the back-burner. As a sun worshipper, I will use this positively charged year to work towards establishing my religion

I'm going to continue working on my health and getting fit so that I can repel 20ft into a spider filled cave with my sister later this year. I realise, that last bit might not be for some people, but hey these are my goals, I don't judge yours.

And finally I endeavour to start blogging every day, even if it is just sharing a photo or two. I have allowed social media like Facebook to take up too much of my blogging time, and I've missed the creativity and control that having an online journal provides.

So with that typed out I decided to see what the online horoscopes are saying for me this year:

From cafeastrology.com in part my year ahead

"This year, you are more inclined to put your ideas into action than usual. Good energy is with you for debate and mental work in general. Your mind is more active and clearer. You may be involved in frequent lectures, debates, and discussions. You tend to express your ideas more powerfully. Adventuresome travel may be part of the picture. You may be more actively involved with young people this year.

This is a strong year for learning and communications. You are able to find new insight into old problems, and your thinking processes during this period are likely to be especially original. This is a good year for projects involving technology or New Age topics. A subject or even a person can be especially inspiring, prompting you to explore new perspectives.

The year ahead is one of personal new beginnings. Your love life is enhanced by willingness to open up with others. Your finances can grow this year with better management. Learning and communications are especially strong, as you are open to new perspectives and interests, and you can easily find motivation to apply yourself to mental pursuits."

and from Phil Booth's Official Astrology:

"A troublesome issue has been causing you enough anxiety to last many lifetimes. You’ll soon discover that there is far less to fear than you think. A certain process is actually moving in a positive direction and it looks set to gain momentum as this year unfolds. It is leading you to a personal transformation and a well-deserved reward."

Since it sounds good, and definitely works with my goals, and plans who am I to argue!

So Happy New Year to me and you, and let us hope it is a good one for all of us!

A more grown up Maya (last week I posted a kitten pic) checking out the fresh cut flowers. The smell of fresh cut flowers is bliss to me, not so sure about Maya who may just be following her animal instincts in having to examine everything new that comes into the house.

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Themes For Gattina's Saturday Photo Hunting

January

28 dark

February

4 twigs
11 vintage
18 circles
25 old

March

3 fluffy
10 power
17 creative
24 shoes
31 artificial

Upcoming Saturday PhotoHunt Themes:

January

27th * Fluffy

PhotoHunt

Photo Hunters

Wordless Wednesday