Explaining the Subtitle

It has come to my attention that not everyone understands the subtitle of my blog as I meant it to be understood. "Doing the small magics everyday, because many small things become something big" is not meant to be self denigrating, nor self deprecating. It is a philosophy of life. If you are familiar with Aesop's Fables, I am the Ant in the "Ant and the Grasshopper;" the Tortoise in the "Tortoise and the Hare." If you are happier with the world of JRR Tolkien, I am the Galadriel of Trilogy, with her heavily guarded (but not always visibly so) borders and mirror, not the Galadriel of the stories in the Silmarillion, who sought Power and Rule Over others (carefully chosen capitol letters.). Or maybe more accurately, I am Samwise, the gardener and caretaker. This isn't the type of role that is lauded by modern society, if, in fact it was ever lauded anywhere, at anytime. There is little overt glory in such a role. I have skills and talents; there are things magical that I am very good at, but I try to avoid the need for big showy stuff by taking care of things before they require big and showy and NOW!


A story that once (maybe more than once) made the email rounds:

One day a man comes home from work to find total mayhem at home! The kids were outside still in their pajamas playing in the mud and muck. There were empty food boxes and wrappers all around. As he proceeded into the house, he found an
even bigger mess. Dishes on the counter, dog food spilled on the floor, a broken glass under the table, and a small pile of sand by the back door. The family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing, and a lamp had been knocked over.He headed up the stairs, stepping over toys, to look for his wife.

He was becoming worried that she may be ill, or that something had happened to her. He found her in the bedroom, still in bed with her pajamas on, reading a book.She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"She again smiled and answered,
"You know everyday when you come home from work and ask me what I did today?""Yes," was his reply.
She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it!"

The story is a broad and amusing (to me) demonstration of my life and magic, my life of magic. There is little drama, no fanfare and certainly, no fame. I don't shoot fireballs out of my wand as if it were a roman candle, and I don't make claims to know or do more than I can back up. What I do is often not noticed until I don't do it, whether it is the strengthening of the wards, doing a healing, cooking a meal, seeing a client, doing herbal work, charging an amulet or nurturing my spouse or my daughters. As I do more, I find that I say less (DH may disagree!), which certainly puts me at odds with the common culture. I am not likely to leave a permanent mark on society, neither writing books, teaching students nor organizing public events. I suppose there is the slight chance of entering into and becoming part of the local mythology-and with that, I will have to be content. Content is fine. I am good at content.


With the coming of the New Moon on Friday (East Coast) and with Mercury no longer retrograde, I have several projects to start, and projects to go back to. I will be making incense sticks, and starting an amulet project for someone. There are several very patient people waiting for mail from me. Much of my "regular" life that was put down in December (MIL visit, my trip to New Orleans, Chanukah, Christmas, the Swine Flu, New Years) is being picked up again. Life is good. You think that doesn't involve some major mojo?

The Importance of Knowing, Not thinking that you Know; Or How to Raise the Morale of Our Vets

As some of you may know, my daughter and I go to belly dance classes together. Our teacher leads a dance troupe that is a not for profit charity, raising money for the local food bank and for a woman's shelter. The troupe also dances for audiences that don't have much opportunity for entertainment, such as nursing homes, physical rehab centers and veteran's centers. Last weekend, the troupe did a show at a home for disabled Vets.

As Sherri was dancing around the room, one of the men in a wheelchair spoke to her. She thought he said "can we keep in touch?" Which, she said later, was a sadly frequent request at some of these shows. The music was loud, so Sherri leaned forward to ask him his name. Turns out, he hadn't asked what she thought he had.

He had asked "Can I touch?"

And since Sherri responded by leaning forward and toward him...

He did.