Tuesday, December 26, 2006

New Years Count Down


This is from my archives, published originally on;

Thursday, August 31, 2006
For Sam

Having it Out with Melancholy
by Jane Kenyon

1 FROM THE NURSERY
When I was born, you waited
behind a pile of linen in the nursery,
and when we were alone,
you lay down on top of me, pressing
the bile of desolation into every pore.
And from that day on
everything under the sun and moon
made me sad -- even the yellow
wooden beads that slid and spun
along a spindle on my crib.
You taught me to exist without gratitude.
You ruined my manners toward God:
"We're here simply to wait for death;
the pleasures of earth are overrated."
I only appeared to belong to my mother,
to live among blocks and cotton undershirts
with snaps; among red tin lunch boxes
and report cards in ugly brown slipcases.
I was already yours -- the anti-urge,
the mutilator of souls.
2 BOTTLES
Elavil, Ludiomil, Doxepin,
Norpramin, Prozac, Lithium, Xanax,
Wellbutrin, Parnate, Nardil, Zoloft.
The coated ones smell sweet or have
no smell; the powdery ones smell
like the chemistry lab at school
that made me hold my breath.
3 SUGGESTION FROM A FRIEND
You wouldn't be so depressed
if you really believed in God.
4 OFTEN
Often I go to bed as soon after dinner
as seems adult
(I mean I try to wait for dark)
in order to push away
from the massive pain in sleep's
frail wicker coracle.
5 ONCE THERE WAS LIGHT
Once, in my early thirties, I saw
that I was a speck of light in the great
river of light that undulates through time.
I was floating with the whole
human family. We were all colors -- those
who are living now, those who have died,
those who are not yet born. For a few
moments I floated, completely calm,
and I no longer hated having to exist.
Like a crow who smells hot blood
you came flying to pull me out
of the glowing stream.
"I'll hold you up. I never let my dear
ones drown!" After that, I wept for days.
6 IN AND OUT
The dog searches until he finds me
upstairs, lies down with a clatter
of elbows, puts his head on my foot.
Sometimes the sound of his breathing
saves my life -- in and out, in
and out; a pause, a long sigh. . . .
7 PARDON
A piece of burned meat
wears my clothes, speaks
in my voice, dispatches obligations
haltingly, or not at all.
It is tired of trying
to be stouthearted, tired
beyond measure.
We move on to the monoamine
oxidase inhibitors. Day and night
I feel as if I had drunk six cups
of coffee, but the pain stops
abruptly. With the wonder
and bitterness of someone pardoned
for a crime she did not commit
I come back to marriage and friends,
to pink fringed hollyhocks; come back
to my desk, books, and chair.
8 CREDO
Pharmaceutical wonders are at work
but I believe only in this moment
of well-being. Unholy ghost,
you are certain to come again.
Coarse, mean, you'll put your feet
on the coffee table, lean back,
and turn me into someone who can't
take the trouble to speak; someone
who can't sleep, or who does nothing
but sleep; can't read, or call
for an appointment for help.
There is nothing I can do
against your coming.
When I awake, I am still with thee.
9 WOOD THRUSH
High on Nardil and June light
I wake at four,
waiting greedily for the first
note of the wood thrush. Easeful air
presses through the screen
with the wild, complex song
of the bird, and I am overcome
by ordinary contentment.
What hurt me so terribly
all my life until this moment?
How I love the small, swiftly
beating heart of the bird
singing in the great maples;
its bright, unequivocal eye.

From Constance by Jane Kenyon, published by Graywolf Press. © 1993 by Jane Kenyon.
*******
This year I will only be returning one item and that will be taken care of by way of the post office. Whoo hoo! One year I had to return seven different gifts and each of them went to different stores, pffft.
Today it was 82 degrees and absolutely gorgeous outside! I truly can not remember a more peaceful Christmas, spent with family and friends, surrounded by love, laughter and yummy food.
How was your Christmas? Please drive safely and don't drink and drive =0)

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N Posted by Rain at 12/26/2006 12:52:00 AM

3 comments from: Blogger pissed off patricia, Anonymous Anonymous, Blogger Rain,

Sunday, December 24, 2006

A Wish and a Prayer


A Wish

Here’s a wish for everyone
‘Tis the way of humankind
As we wait the coming of the dawn
In the darkness of the longest night.
May you always have a place to stay
May there be a fire to keep you warm
May your friends ever be with youIn the darkness of the longest night.
May you always have a song to sing
May you always have a tale to tell
May the light ever comfort you
In the darkness of the longest night.

- “A Wish” Patrick Sinozich , 1998


God, grant me the Serenity

To accept the things I cannot change...
Courage to change the things I can,
And Wisdom to know the difference.


Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time

Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things rightif I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.

Attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr

From our house to yours,

We wish you Love, Laughter and Peace

Merry Christmas One And All!

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N Posted by Rain at 12/24/2006 10:17:00 AM

5 comments from: Blogger Geoffe, Blogger TFLS, Blogger Damiel, Blogger Wally Banners, Blogger Politically Homeless,

Friday, December 22, 2006

Creches From Around the World

Nativity of Christ.
15th century.
Novgorod school.


Robert Campin.
Nativity.
c. 1425-1430.
Oil on wood.
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Dijon, France.



Matthias Grünewald.
Concert of Angels (left) and Nativity (right). 1510-1515. Oil on panel.
Musée d'Unterlinden, Colmar, France



Alessandro Botticelli.
Mystic Nativity. 1500.
Tempera on canvas.
National Gallery, London




Caravaggio.
Nativity with Saints Francis and Lawrence., 1609. Oil on canvas.
San Lorenzo, Palermo, Italy.
Caravaggio byname of Michelangelo Merisi.

Note: This painting was stolen in 1969 from the Oratory of San Lorenzo, Palermo

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend! Merry Christmas!

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N Posted by Rain at 12/22/2006 08:21:00 PM

2 comments from: Blogger Ang-ang, Anonymous Anonymous,

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Holiday Tips for Everyone


Bipolar Disorder: Family Holiday Tips Published in its entirety. I believe this article is good for everyone.


Does someone you love have bipolar disorder? Help them have happier holidays with these tips.

If you have a loved one with bipolar disorder, the holidays come with a lot of anxiety. You never quite know what to expect. But by being open and planning ahead, there are many ways to help your loved one -- and that can make the holidays happier for everyone.

  • Be direct. This is by far the most important suggestion when helping a loved with bipolar disorder. Don't just guess at how you can help; sit down and talk with your loved one. Ask what you can do. Ask how you can check in on them without being intrusive. Preferably, do it early -- aim for late October, says Ellen Frank, PhD, director of the depression and manic depression prevention program at the University of Pittsburgh's Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
  • Think about what's worked in the past and what hasn't. Try to recreate the aspects of past holidays that have worked and avoid those that haven't, says Raymond L. Crowel, PsyD, of the National Mental Health Association. For instance, if you see an unpleasant pattern -- like a happy holiday party that usually devolves into a nasty fight in the late evening -- reschedule things. Plan your dinner for earlier in the day and end the party before things typically go awry.
  • Offer to help. If your loved one with bipolar disorder is hosting a family dinner, pitch in early. He or she may really need assistance in planning it from the start. Once you get close to the actual date, arrive early to help with final preparations.
  • Pare down the guest list. A huge family gathering may be overwhelming for a person with bipolar disorder. If you're hosting, think about planning something more modest this year, especially if there are specific family members who tend to trigger mood swings in your loved one. In order to make it up to the people you didn't invite, get together with them after your loved one with bipolar disorder has left.
  • Change the venue. If holidays have been difficult for your loved one in the past, try mixing things up. Plan a holiday dinner out or a day at the movies. A change in routine could help keep everyone from falling into familiar patterns.
  • Think about limiting alcohol. If your loved one with bipolar disorder has problems with alcohol, find ways to de-emphasize it. "Some families decide that if a person has been having trouble with alcohol, they will have an alcohol-free holiday that year," says Michael E. Thase, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
  • Offer a place to go during a party. If you're hosting a get-together, offer your loved one a place to retreat to during the party if things get too intense. Having a place to unwind for a few minutes by lying down, reading, or watching television may make him or her much more relaxed.
  • Don't forget about your own needs. If you sacrifice everything for your loved one with bipolar disorder, you may just wind up unhappy and resentful. So try to strike a balance between what your loved one wants and what you want.


Accept your limitations too. No matter what you do, you can't single-handedly keep another person safe and happy -- whether they're coping with bipolar disorder or any other condition. Make sure to get help from other family members. You may benefit from seeing a therapist to help you tackle some of these difficult issues.


Published Nov. 14, 2006.
SOURCES: Raymond L. Crowel, PsyD, vice president, mental health and substance abuse services, National Mental Health Association (NMHA), Alexandria, Va. Ellen Frank, PhD, director, depression and manic depression prevention program, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburg, Pa. Michael E. Thase, MD, professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburg.


Thank you for the cartoon Benita! LOL


One Christmas party down, three to go! Have a wonderful day everyone! Please don't drink and drive =0)

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N Posted by Rain at 12/19/2006 12:52:00 AM

2 comments from: Blogger jules, Anonymous Anonymous,