R E F L E C T I O N S

Short Story and ACEO Painting by JFM I enlarged this miniature painting to show the detail. Note: (c) Copyright belongs to JFM Tonight I listen to the howl of the wind as it swirls around the manor trying to find a way in through the cracks and crevices of its ancient stone walls.  Looking out of the tower window I  watch the winter storm blow in off the ocean waves below.  The surf is pounding against the shore and the jagged rocks on the beach, trying to climb the bluff and leaving an icy world on everything in its path...I also see something else! Then the sounds begin. The mournful sound of wailing that starts outside of the windows and then reaches inside these ancient manor walls. As has happened many times before, I hear the slow, steady shuffle of someone climbing up the stars from the floor below. Whatever is out there on the stairway gets closer to the old tower room where I went when the storm began. A soft moan reaches my ears and my hands trembl...

I enjoyed watching the movie Red Lights a few days ago. After hearing Simon Silver played by Robert De Niro say: "We called Ptolemy insane, we spat in the face of Galileo, we burned Giordano Bruno... What did we need? What do we need in order to learn? "   I decided to do some research on Giordano Bruno, the less famous of the three. Bruno believed that the stars in the sky were really other suns with their own planets. He said that support for such beliefs in no way contradicted scripture or true religion. From Wikipedia: "Giordano Bruno lived 1548 – February 17, 1600. was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, mathematician and astronomer. His cosmological theories went beyond the Copernican model in proposing that the Sun was essentially a star, and moreover, that the universe contained an infinite number of inhabited worlds populated by other intelligent beings. (My highlights) After the Roman Inquisition found him guilty of heresy, he was ...

From one of my favorite blogs. Here's her link:   Teresa Evangeline Original source: http---www.worldofhummingbirds.com-nest.php

"I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff, and his legitimate successors, and also devote myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing my life to defend them if necessary. I take on these same duties with regard to the Sacred College of Cardinals whenever the See is vacant. Furthermore, I promise to the Captain Commander and to my other superiors respect, fidelity and obedience. This I swear! May God and our Holy Patrons assist me!" Now that a new pope will soon be in the Vatican, I was curious about the Swiss Guard.  I thought they were only for parades but they do protect the Pope and with modern weapons.  They often work undercover in plain clothes.   Some Details: Guards must be at least 5' 8", under 30 years old, unmarried, attended Swiss military school and be Catholics with a good reputation in their parishes. "Swiss Guards travel everywhere with the Holy Father; the plainclothes bodyguards you see aro...

I edited my photo of one of those decorative plastic snow flakes that stick to the inside of a window. Some clouds floating across my backyard:

My first Holy Communion outfit. I saw some old black and white photos on the  ~Stonehouse Cottage Potpourri~  blog and I remembered wearing a large white bow tie at my first Holy Communion. My Mom and Dad and Brother Anthony. I searched through the basement until I found this photo. Notice the matching white shoes. Imagine wearing that outfit as an adult! It would definitely be more embarrassing than it was back then! My father's hands on my shoulders gives me a warm comfortable feeling.  I must have felt his love and protection and my mom was always there for me whenever I needed her. My brother was my steadfast companion. We had some arguments just like all families but I was lucky to have them. One day I intend to organized all the old photos but right now it's not a top priority.

This is the top part of my plant. It's a "Zebra" plant. Aphelandra Squarrosa is the official name.  I'm not familiar with the botanical names of plants.  The name was on the tag that came with the plant . This is where it was attached. Here is a closeup.  I put the top in some water. Is this what's supposed to happen when the plant grows or is it a disease?  Originally the flowers were bright yellow.  Will the top grow into another plant? If anyone knows please leave a comment.