3 Bells Indeed

Ironwing Tarot ~ 3 of Coins/Bells

Ah, the Ironwing, where passion in a subject plus talent plus dedication to the long haul form a whole.

If it were easy everyone would do it
When the going gets tough the tough get going
Talk? Or do?

Tomorrow begins a Do that has been simmering on the back burner (do nothing space) for five or six years. With the help and encouragement of three teachers. 3 Bells indeed.

Ironwing Tarot Lorena Babcock Moore 2004, self published

Hearth And Home

Hoi Polloi Tarot ~ 4 of Wands

Hearth and home. Often unappreciated and underrated if we think of it at all. Hell if we have to be there and it isn't a place of safety and shelter but rather danger and harm. Missed like a limb or child if torn from us.

Our home probably looks better today than at any time in the nearly 50 years since it was built. Maintenance has finally caught up with all it's needs, we finally have the time for the pretty part of keeping up the property. I called a drone photographer yesterday to see if a from-the-sky photo could be arranged. Something to look back on and admire when the day comes hearth and home ownership is no longer in the cards.

Published as The Tarot, 1972, Hoi Polloi Inc. NYC

Lemon Blue Conclusion

Halloween Tarot ~ 9 of Coins/Pumpkins

All's right with the world; we have a new family member this week, Rudy the Lemon Blue Old English Game Hen bantam rooster. Our charming rooster Peanut died last fall, a shock to us, and to his little banty harem. They got progressively shyer and flightier and seemed to lose their commonsense entirely.

So we went to the poultry swap Saturday and after looking over the studly parade settled on Rudy. His two trump cards being small and gentle. Two days later, the little girls are friendly and calm again, coming up to take dried worms and cracked corn from our hands. Minding his admonitions and appreciating his generous notice of and sharing of the most succulent tidbits. A wonderful 9 of Coins conclusion. Welcome to our family Rudy.

Halloween Tarot Lee/West, U.S. Games Systems 2003

Too Fun To Be Legal

New Palladini Tarot ~ Queen of Wands

Fully developed wand, her hair, clothes, jewelry, pose, and background well thought out, all peak of perfection. Never achieved it myself, but my strongest efforts were probably around age sixteen or seventeen. That driving urge to fit in, not show weakness or a crack where bullying or shame or being less than (what?) might insert and cause embarrassment.

Being embarrassed seemed the worst thing in the world in that enclave of fitting in. Yet none of us really did, it was the six of us, in solidarity that helped us survive that age. In honor of my Frankendecken week, a favorite memory was the Halloween midnight horror movie show at the D and R Theater. Too Fun To Be Legal.

David Palladini/U.S. Games Systems 1997

Cheerful Death

Tarot of Little Secrets ~ Death

A cheerful Death; perhaps the Raven is a jokester. "She'd be happy to know she didn't die with bed hair".

I'm reading The Bookseller's Tale by Ann Swinfen, set in 1353 Oxford England following the bubonic plague which began in 1347.

This card and that book makes me wonder if our family were closer, if I'd be less concerned about building and maintaining our little family plot at the cemetery? I'm guessing it wouldn't have crossed my mind at all. A grim thought to have lodged in my mind, another layer of guilt spread.

Live With That

Tarot of Little Secrets ~ 3 of Swords

I carry my litany of sorrow with me, like a punishment I think, for what should have and easily could have been. I carry my grief because I cannot let it go, I carry my fear because I am human.

But when I drew this I thought "I've got nothing for this card today, life is good and I'm happy." My pulmonary doctor called me yesterday and said "congratulations you are officially lung cancer free, we can close the book on this dark chapter". I can live with that, literally. 

Hankering

Tarot of Little Secrets ~ 4 of Coins

If you have it others want it. If they have it, a hankering sets in.
I can understand why the idea of communes and communism catch on, it seems like life would be so much simpler if everyone was equal.

Which never happens. There has to be someone to stir the commune, organize the crops, pay the taxman, which seems to lead to helping themselves to children. In communism the old men just pick up the takings and get even richer and more powerful.

So here he sits. Save it and be damned by his neighbors. Spend it and be damned by his neighbors. I vote save it and let the neighbors eat cake. Spending it foolishly just puts it in the rich man's pockets. My personal bee in the bonnet. 

Multitasking

Tarot of Little Secrets ~ 2 of Coins

Multitasking seems second nature for women.
I wonder when I'm doing all this stuff, am I doing any of it well? 

Particular

Tarot of Little Secrets ~ 5 of Coins

Mutual support. One thing most everyone looks for regardless of our current station in life. Snowbirds flee to Mexico then huddle with other US snowbirds. Chess clubs. I'm meeting  a stranger for coffee this morning, why her? She is a quilter. If she were a rodeo rider, home schooler, militant anything? Probably not. Probably must surely not.

If I met those people by chance on a bus? I'd probably find them fascinating and enjoyable. But never follow up for coffee. Humans...gotta have their particular support group. 

Confidence

Tarot of Little Secrets ~ Queen of Cups

Confidence. That hair (seamoss?) swinging out like a model's...how much confidence do you think it takes a creature who lives underwater to sit and pose like this?

As a child, when completely out of my element I'd clam up, hunker down, become invisible. As an adult with new jobs new interests I learned it was to my advantage to be in front, ask questions, get my money's worth. But confident?

That is a tough one, and why she is Queen and gets the big bucks. More power to her.