Sparta Abú

I can't wait to see the movie about the 300 at Thermopylae. Finn calls it "violence for intelligent people." But I first read stories about King Leonidas and his amazing last stand when I was a child. My local library had a whole shelf of historical fiction set in classical Greece - not sure if by different authors or not - including stories about a young woman who became the Pythia or priestess of Apollo (the one who foretold the Greek victory of the Battle of Salamis), growing up in Sparta, a boy who sacrificed his life to Artemis and so on. This is what I think is incredible: Leonidas and his men believed that they would die a glorious death and be remembered forever. And they were right. Because here we are, still talking about them in the 21st century!

Queen of Chaos

No, not Marge Piercy. Me. I just cannot get my act together. Toodling and bumbling all the way. Getting things done in minute increments: income tax, grant proposals, housework, finances, humdrum boring stuff. And not a tap of writing. The other day I decided to go AWOL. Stepped right out of my life and into a big fat novel. Didn't do a thing all day but read. Finished at 6:00 a.m. the next morning. This is the book. It is FABULOUS. Marge Piercy is fabulous. Set in a Jewish ghetto in 16th century Prague and a Jewish 'free town' (as opposed to the domed cities run by corporations) in 21st century post-global-warming North America, it presents a sweeping vision of the future along with a love story between a gorgeous cyborg/golem (who considers himself a Jew) and the woman who is helping him to blend into humanity. The only other book I have read of Piercy's is Woman on the Edge of Time, which is terrific also. I love that she can be lefty political and feminist while also telling a terrific story. The book makes you think big thoughts ... and yearn for your very own cyborg. Sigh.

Total Gross Out

Omigod, I just totally grossed myself out. Watched a little youtube video about a female praying mantis eating the male alive right after they had mated. She started with his head. And I just had my supper! I can't believe I watched it. Right to the horrible end. He even tried to get away, headless, but she caught him. Chomp. Chomp. Chomp. If you are like me and you just have to look follow the trail ... no, not of blood. I started by googling simondale because I was trying to find out why the link wasn't working from an earlier blog. (The site must be down.) Then I clicked on the Stumble Upon listing for simondale and got IMichaels who first posted simondale. He's the one who has the video on his blog list. Look, if you must. Shudder.

Happy Easter!

On this gloriously sunny summery day, heading off to a family egg-hunt and lunch. Here are some lovely spring croci sent to me by Gertrude Mueller Nelson, a Jungian Christian wise-woman healer/writer I met at the Mythic Journeys conference last year. Her website is www.gertrudnelson.com.

Bag End

Look at this: www.simondale.net/house. A hobbit house in Wales. It's a bit like a friend of mine's house in Co. Monaghan which I will post photos of as soon as I take the pictures. This is only magic, though.

Moon Women

Fell into chaos the last few weeks and got nothing done (aside from workshops up North, see Book Blog.) Today was far too beautiful a day for working, all summery sunshine. Went into the mountains with my moon women friends and lit a fire and communed with Mother Earth. Magic. Then off to meet another friend at a small castle by the Roundwood Reservoir. Sat in the garden drinking tea. Now must clear my desk. Back to work tomorrow.