tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4469225558537362492024-03-04T23:09:29.870-08:00Messages from MarciaMarcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-33776125194312816312022-09-23T19:49:00.005-07:002022-09-24T05:33:27.521-07:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>HANDLING THE HOUSE </b></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>BACKGROUND</b><span style="font-size: large;">: In 2011, I inherited a 20-acre parcel in Central Illinois. I did not want to grow GMO corn and soybeans, so lived in Urbana for 2 years while detoxifying the soil with alfalfa. In October 2013, I put a Riley modular home (3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 1300 sq ft) on the property. The acreage had NO trees! [See photo in blog #14] When I moved to Florida, I rented out the house.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mid 2019 I sold the farm to my mentor; however, the house was not included in the sale. The third tenant turned out to be “undesirable.” I gave him a 60-day notice to move, but then the COVID “scamdemic” hit, and Illinois did not allow evictions. Thus he was there another 2 years, during which he let weeds in the west yard grow to 5+ feet and “trash” trees to grow to 8+ feet—a veritable jungle!!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6tA1rLqvcfMrlibU3wOmA8QW1SS8dXkxvAIQj2mMtvpXQKZ-Jdq0HtUHrFhF9wN7P6uDhmF7zsK-albULek8BN-7xHvWsaIkrbZ2xVIsuEBmKiww8dP7z7NnTU6t10IQjOBnZkYTphkf9hK5S6sMRHw2D10mV5Xlig4iEosj_uh08Xb860dD8gBmlA/s983/Cable%20dish%20in%20jungle.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6tA1rLqvcfMrlibU3wOmA8QW1SS8dXkxvAIQj2mMtvpXQKZ-Jdq0HtUHrFhF9wN7P6uDhmF7zsK-albULek8BN-7xHvWsaIkrbZ2xVIsuEBmKiww8dP7z7NnTU6t10IQjOBnZkYTphkf9hK5S6sMRHw2D10mV5Xlig4iEosj_uh08Xb860dD8gBmlA/s320/Cable%20dish%20in%20jungle.JPG" width="293" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice the cable dish buried in the weeds and trees! </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKTi_nKcZQ13QqwW-brxFsZo8wCNmPrXZ5iXF-3BdBVkvGncAidRJKFO2L-M_BCnqYcUNtQLSbjcT7piJTBkujLpebmLZIeHNIk_2TtsvEfHL0KmdyDvg_SMCQ_4lAAkqSUHtQ2EbzCcYZnjtOJ7_BUMtwlVQIYVVcQSdQXm1Fzsk7Qz6rH-Y3cEGeQ/s2016/junk%20Sept%202022.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKTi_nKcZQ13QqwW-brxFsZo8wCNmPrXZ5iXF-3BdBVkvGncAidRJKFO2L-M_BCnqYcUNtQLSbjcT7piJTBkujLpebmLZIeHNIk_2TtsvEfHL0KmdyDvg_SMCQ_4lAAkqSUHtQ2EbzCcYZnjtOJ7_BUMtwlVQIYVVcQSdQXm1Fzsk7Qz6rH-Y3cEGeQ/s320/junk%20Sept%202022.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>T<span style="font-size: medium;">here was lots of trash all over the place. Willow trees surrounded the solar lamp on the corner. Chad FINALLY moved out in July 2022. Good riddance! It was very hard on me to know that my property was an eyesore. Even though my sister had sent me some photos, I knew I needed to GO there, figure out what needed to be done, and get the place fixed up and put on the market. The estimate was around $6,000. Miraculously, a friend who had sung in my L.A. Choir for over 20 years and had recently moved to Clearwater loaned me the money! </span><p></p><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I replaced my perpetually flat tire and left Clearwater at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept 2</span><sup>nd</sup><span style="font-size: large;">. I usually stay with my friends</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Scott and Silvia in Atlanta, but ironically they were in Clearwater for services. Fortunately, they connected me with Charles, who is renting a room there. Amazingly, he did not display upset when I arrived at 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Nice guy!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday's drive took me through Chattanooga, Nashville, Louisville, Indianapolis, and finally to my house--only to find the door jammed! Jane let me sleep on her living room floor. (She didn't want me to stay there due to the difficulties she has handling her husband, who has Alzheimers.)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know how when you take off on a trip, you spend the first 20 minutes or so wondering what you might have forgotten. Well, when I went to put on my work clothes, I realized what I forgot—my work bra! Sister Jane came to the rescue and loaned me a black lace bra that she never wore. So for a week a worked and sweated in a black lace bra. How funny is that?! (Sorry, no photo—in the bra, or in my work clothes, camo cap, no makeup.)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Matt, who I hired to do repairs, unjammed the door Sunday morning, at which point I moved my stuff in—sorta like “camping out.” It took a few days for me to realize the HVC system was not working. Was in the 80's when I arrived; but a few mornings later I woke up and it was 55 degrees! Brrrrrr!</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I met Duke (a retired biology teacher and prepper) in 2012. Gave him a “mayday” call. He came right over with his chainsaw, started cutting down the “trash” trees, and got a burn pile going. Then we got rained out. Meanwhile my old rain boots fell apart (literally!), so I drove the 15 miles to Urbana and purchased some work boots--and light bulbs, which I then installed—thanks to Jane's loan of a ladder.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">My house did not have wi fi! Yikes! Felt like a teenager whose parents took away his cell phone. It's hard to remember a time in my adult life when I had no source of music or news (alternative media, of course). Maybe when traveling through the mountains of Bolivia with my college orchestra and the bus broke down!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next day I continued feeding trees, branches and weeds onto the burn pile and splashing diesel fuel ($120 worth!) onto it to keep it going... not easy. Duke brought over a tractor with front bucket and back mower (“bush hog?”). Picture the guy with the big toys, and the old lady with the Japanese hand sickle.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">People kept stopping by—mostly neighbors noticing the smoke, but happy to see the place getting cleaned up. Randy and his daughter brought me 4 apples from their trees. He then originated that he wanted to talk to me … got into a bit about how he's not happy with either of the 2 major political parties. I of course promoted the Libertarian party and he was receptive. :-)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Tuesday Matt, Josh and I picked up tons of junk from the yard and they hauled it away. Plus I had to keep the burn pile going. On Wednesday I went to Rich's Restaurant (2 miles away in Ogden) for a Country Omelette, plus email. Took photos of the damage done by Chad, e.g. holes in doors. He told me initially that he didn't do drugs, but I think he was lying.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY0wmLwPuQrjCbC8MBmrJMD4XSvBcoZT359b_v0_FOB0Q6Y5FLYCqyUx0OeFoqbObXeW7P-leE7JWJVQ2fdDanOU8xaTebEoykcQyTrgCOZe5i_SOMEXEGLhNnE-xeKKMFTIm3eJTujZG5KGtZXuKN6FoMhA46VWdau4lD6jXq-IDo5Z0URnWgSVJyQ/s933/Hole%20in%20door.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY0wmLwPuQrjCbC8MBmrJMD4XSvBcoZT359b_v0_FOB0Q6Y5FLYCqyUx0OeFoqbObXeW7P-leE7JWJVQ2fdDanOU8xaTebEoykcQyTrgCOZe5i_SOMEXEGLhNnE-xeKKMFTIm3eJTujZG5KGtZXuKN6FoMhA46VWdau4lD6jXq-IDo5Z0URnWgSVJyQ/s320/Hole%20in%20door.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Thursday Matt and Josh trimmed the front bushes and power washed the house, which removed the mold. Looks so much better! Around 5:30 I was out front clearing the vegetation off the pavers I put there years ago when a black pickup pulled up. Kent DeMay introduced himself and asked about the house. He seemed very interested, but after thinking about it for a few days decided against buying it.</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Friday neighbor Andy said for $60 he'd come over with his chain saw and take out the willows that had engulfed my solar lamp. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4qzRvSwtd--iDbapBsMEZL841lHHmwjr2H6bu2VHUwhyYTUPf1eXnATCcUqAOZvSF2v9p0MewEmobxVVpnEy1LtKgVF2NPYEnuXT9JVvPcKXsVCRVQSiuGH_vYlOJ50lxl4vcK6MiEvQnGnNlWBFOIMIf_8Z2yq1FkH1XTknWQR6M_txGn8ObgkQ6w/s1200/Lantern%20n%20bur%20oak.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4qzRvSwtd--iDbapBsMEZL841lHHmwjr2H6bu2VHUwhyYTUPf1eXnATCcUqAOZvSF2v9p0MewEmobxVVpnEy1LtKgVF2NPYEnuXT9JVvPcKXsVCRVQSiuGH_vYlOJ50lxl4vcK6MiEvQnGnNlWBFOIMIf_8Z2yq1FkH1XTknWQR6M_txGn8ObgkQ6w/s320/Lantern%20n%20bur%20oak.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">He arrived with his 2 grandsons who hauled the trees and branches over to the burn pile. They're being home schooled which somehow made me more willing to pay them.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the goals of the Savanna Institute is to return the land to its natural savanna. Bur oaks are native trees, but most have been destroyed by the farmers. A past president of the University of Illinois started a legacy program to give out free bur oak saplings in exchange for the recipient making and turning in a map of where they were planted. Bob and I planted a dozen in 2014, but I could only find two that survived. :-( The one by the solar lamp is over 8' tall! Hurrah! </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Duke helped me uncover part of the septic area. I'm worried, however, that there are some trees growing over the leach field pipes. We finally found the two big compost bins Bob built out of pallets, and I filled with weeds and mulch. The pallets were all moldy, so we burned them. Duke agreed that there was some good composted soil left—which I'd been wondering about. (I love “growing soil!”)</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I spent till dark clearing vegetation off the front pavers. After 6 years dealing with Florida's sand “soil,” it was wonderful to see the rich black Illinois soil! </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">For my 79</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">(eeeeeek!) birthday on 10 September, I decided to do NO manual labor. Had my first good night's sleep since arriving. (Note that I was sleeping on three 1” foam pads, which still wasn't enough to prevent hip pain when I slept on my side. Think “Princess and the Pea”!) Note that to get up in the morning, I had to roll off the mats, crawl over to a chair and use that to raise myself to a standing position. Made me feel old. :-( Managed to wash my hair despite having no shower curtain!. Bacon and eggs at Rich's, plus a free birthday treat--chocolate cake with mousse and a candle.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Received a theta birthday email from daughter Ashley with a bunch of photos. Grandson Atlas is 2 now and VERY cute! Big bedroom eyes. Ashley says he sings all the time. Are we surprised? </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbo9Niz81qNftem1gsuv2ON56n-iZCISXjq4FmwEYUXQVYxuDCac_ftjQ-NU1rKfEHR3BHqFbS-9MDekEAwFxV4VEUFwMKnwru0ILlii-YWk4TYgImhz2CQpKI_ucKaHE9AGDO5XGtBhVy1c3UEEujvEYk6q-Yt88Y98ESCeLgqQ_E-Nw4Qa_c4DlAw/s929/Atlas%20n%20puzzle_Sept%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbo9Niz81qNftem1gsuv2ON56n-iZCISXjq4FmwEYUXQVYxuDCac_ftjQ-NU1rKfEHR3BHqFbS-9MDekEAwFxV4VEUFwMKnwru0ILlii-YWk4TYgImhz2CQpKI_ucKaHE9AGDO5XGtBhVy1c3UEEujvEYk6q-Yt88Y98ESCeLgqQ_E-Nw4Qa_c4DlAw/s320/Atlas%20n%20puzzle_Sept%202022.jpg" width="241" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My good friend Paul Schneider, who runs the Champaign-Urbana Mission, treated me to lunch—2-1/2 hours to catch up! Then off to the store to buy myself a $5 pair of gardening/work gloves for my birthday. (The three pairs I brought were full of burs!)</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Jane (one year older) and I grew up playing piano duets and Scrabble. We both get great pleasure from this. When I got to Jane's, she said Don had been very problematical all day and she didn't think he would let us have our fun. I exuded as much theta as possible, comm'd with him as best I could, and we ended up getting to play quite a few duets and TWO games of Scrabble! Theta win!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">One very good thing that happened was the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth, which ends the period of suppressive British Admiralty Rule and allows the U.S. to return to being a Constitutional Republic. Three Huzzahs!!!</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I worked on the yard by myself (endless weeds, endless work!) all day Sunday. Duke and I did more work on the west yard on Monday. </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJU2hJYFfIRyPyD-9ajM7vmFFd6DHQrc3SL7FdbXOS4eQIuNGCmP3al9OoJwqHnm3YmlNa3kq9ict98SA9AjZC6v8vPQSbqeclsa6pLzo6B-rWkxgQkYQFgp1xpHy6jfWRqSqcAloAUB6XZXrleO_1zW5qaqovVvI5CLjKKmc97Q9b80zWFkYUvMnsaw/s1000/Burn%20pile.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJU2hJYFfIRyPyD-9ajM7vmFFd6DHQrc3SL7FdbXOS4eQIuNGCmP3al9OoJwqHnm3YmlNa3kq9ict98SA9AjZC6v8vPQSbqeclsa6pLzo6B-rWkxgQkYQFgp1xpHy6jfWRqSqcAloAUB6XZXrleO_1zW5qaqovVvI5CLjKKmc97Q9b80zWFkYUvMnsaw/s320/Burn%20pile.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> Created a second burn pile. Burn, baby, burn!! </span><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">A realtor, came over on Tuesday and spent a couple of hours discussing the house/property and filling out the listing contract. </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then Duke and I finished up the west yard. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMAH7F9kiAdwEvchKU5Kj1jDoN-1UYYTycPb-QXAegRW4GQKqkR1Fce17pY6ug0EZpOHX3yrzuJ6BlFVYc2rOAv9ew8usk9mtutNBokpOVsHuwCGgcc2LFUTSI0rKSRMiE4TvyQt7gxqdZtpp7gMrE-LOGz42WADkkq4fdHkCkWJqb05ko924s4uc5w/s1400/Ogden%20house%20west%20yard.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1400" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMAH7F9kiAdwEvchKU5Kj1jDoN-1UYYTycPb-QXAegRW4GQKqkR1Fce17pY6ug0EZpOHX3yrzuJ6BlFVYc2rOAv9ew8usk9mtutNBokpOVsHuwCGgcc2LFUTSI0rKSRMiE4TvyQt7gxqdZtpp7gMrE-LOGz42WADkkq4fdHkCkWJqb05ko924s4uc5w/s320/Ogden%20house%20west%20yard.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He then needed to drive the tractor/mower to his home 6 miles away. “Can you drive my truck?” he asked. Hmmm... I suppose if in 2011 on my way to Illinois I drove the big U-Haul truck for a bit, I could probably drive his pickup—which I did. Well, okay, I was following him so only going 20 mph. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX-h-NtvwPr8Hn8zEoOe7FP38EJxOaHoThtDao0B43JV_wuRPZr61YvyUexstKjsZrG5F8kCLbp6bqhutDHXHFYPKEGDfwzMTEdEdkcKv5OiBAyoP1XZFa7oErDvSDHZBe7Y2Rz9S0pkW2Qam--hJYwSAs8GxcIrHBQHblX_kXJEIRWpS4r0sfsq2Jg/s1400/MP%20driving%20Dukes%20truck%20Sept%2022.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1400" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX-h-NtvwPr8Hn8zEoOe7FP38EJxOaHoThtDao0B43JV_wuRPZr61YvyUexstKjsZrG5F8kCLbp6bqhutDHXHFYPKEGDfwzMTEdEdkcKv5OiBAyoP1XZFa7oErDvSDHZBe7Y2Rz9S0pkW2Qam--hJYwSAs8GxcIrHBQHblX_kXJEIRWpS4r0sfsq2Jg/s320/MP%20driving%20Dukes%20truck%20Sept%2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> It was hard to find the words to thank him for all his help without which I would have been in deep doo-doo! I'm going to write a really good commendation for him. (He didn't even know about commendations!)<p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I then spent till dark uncovering all the pavers in front.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjsr5U7LHwLp3KxSqfAXIpaZUSvGGcdXaSWszxP5_9odmcSx_FKAQsA3XK9-ikHLXkIhw22XEhdtPZxM2A-Spo1pFd1PQjGSBSih8cYbAKJiCtQonX6LU1aTMn_caI5xi_IN_tFjrfMghfhCcpO0rw22dBj_K7g8kYVrmq1bOGatfdhlIddJwCDZ2uA/s900/Pavers%20Sept%202022.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjsr5U7LHwLp3KxSqfAXIpaZUSvGGcdXaSWszxP5_9odmcSx_FKAQsA3XK9-ikHLXkIhw22XEhdtPZxM2A-Spo1pFd1PQjGSBSih8cYbAKJiCtQonX6LU1aTMn_caI5xi_IN_tFjrfMghfhCcpO0rw22dBj_K7g8kYVrmq1bOGatfdhlIddJwCDZ2uA/s320/Pavers%20Sept%202022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">By now my body was saying, “That's it! Enough is enough! Leave now before you twist your ankle on a tree stump, or fall face first into the fire while heaving a big tree branch like a javelin!” Having lined up who was going to do what to get the house listed, I decided I could return home. (Would you believe it's costing me $3400 to get the interior of the house mudded, primed and painted?! And another $660 to fix the HVC. Oi vey!)</span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday morning I returned the stuff Jane loaned to me; then relieved her of 6 boxes of my stuff that she was storing in her attic. Packed the car—challenging, but I did it. Then stopped back at Jane's for a few duets and a final Scrabble game. She told me that Don threatens, nearly every day, to jump off the bridge in front of a big truck. It's understandable to me that he's suicidal. Jane thinks if she put him in a facility, it “would kill him.” They are both trapped! Sad. Collateral damage from the unconventional war which includes chem trails, GMO food, etc.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Headed off around 4. Stayed all night at a somewhat rundown EconoLodge in Franklin (So. Indiana). I was surprised that the lady quoted me $70. I inquired about a senior discount, and she got it down to $60. The lights in the room were very weird in that there were not standard light switches—so I got in bed thinking I'd have to try and sleep with the light on; but some 5 min later, the light went off. How did it know? Or was it a poltergeist?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a treat to shower and wash my hair—with a shower curtain. Crossed the Ohio river into Louisville. Then lunched in Elizabeth Town. [Note that my mother's name was Elizabeth Franklin Loeffler Swengel—so slept in Franklin and lunched in Elizabeth Town—in memoriam to Mom!] Then Nashville, Chattanooga. Made it to Atlanta around 10.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Left around 8 Friday morning. Note here that to prevent leg pain, I stop at nearly all of the rest stops, do my pilates exercise, and “PP” (Preventive Peeing”) so as not to have to pee when I'm driving. Passed Macon. Lunch at Shoney's (salmon teriyaki) north of Valdosta. Cheered when I passed into Florida! Dinner at Cracker Barrel south of Ocala. Arrived home around 8:30 in heavy rain. Whew!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a joy to be back in my own comfy bed, and back to my organic food, keto diet, and life routines. So there, my friends. Hope I didn't bore you—too much!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love, Marcia (818) 552-2211</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a>marpo3344@gmail.com C</a><span style="font-size: large;">learwater, FL</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-15760746029737708982018-12-26T20:04:00.002-08:002018-12-26T20:04:33.692-08:00LIFE IN FLORIDA<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
LIFE IN FLORIDA </div>
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As many of you know, I was blogging 3 or 4 times a year during my 4-year period in Illinois. My last blog of November 2015 explains why I decided to move to Clearwater, Florida. I hit the ground running, and still am not able to keep up with all my activities. I wanted to find a better blog site, but ran into technical difficulties, so finally decided to go back to my old one so you all won't think I've disappeared off the face of the earth!</div>
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Fortunately my long-time L.A. friend, Shellah, had her Clearwater house come up for rent. I grabbed it and moved in! I have one long-term roommate (Linda from Wisconsin), and have had a few different people in the other bedroom. </div>
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I haven't had the time and money to do much “farming” in the yard, but have dug a couple of holes for compost, put in a moringa tree, lemon tree, a few aloe vera plants, some veggie plants in containers, plus a few decorative plants. Grabbed an old tire curbside, “planted” it in my line of sight when I sit at my computer and look out the window, and put some colorful plants in it. My friend Sioux showed me how to plant creeping peanut ground cover between the sidewalk and the street—a work in progress.</div>
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Daughter Ashley married her longtime sweetheart, Ethan Pierce, this last July. I flew to Portland for the wedding, which was lovely. Shortly after, they bought a house, so I'm very happy for her/them. Ethan's mother has moved to Portland, so they now have some family there. </div>
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You'll not be surprised to hear that I connected up right away with the Libertarian party affiliate here in Pinellas County. In 2016 I attended the state convention in West Palm Beach and the national convention in Orlando; then the 2018 national convention in New Orleans. I'm getting to know more and more of the “players,” both state and national. Tom Woods is one of my favorites!</div>
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My church volunteer activity is, of course, directing the choir. It's not as big here as it was in L.A., and fewer prestigious gigs, but we're growing. Cousin Eric recently sent me the following link (1 minute) of a 3-year-old girl standing behind a choir in rehearsal and directing away. You just KNOW that she was a choral director in her past life! So cute! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5-CiG0XmoI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5-CiG0XmoI</a></div>
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After having very short hair for the last 15 years or so, I decided to let it grow out and see what the natural curl would be like in a humid climate (it's not much in a dry climate). It's going through various stages, but at least I'm saving money (I'm not coloring it either!). </div>
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A friend recommended using<a href="http://www.thumbtack.com/">www.thumbtack.com</a>to get more piano students, and it is indeed doing a good job of sending prospects my way. However, they tend to make an initial reach, to which I respond, but then they do not respond back! I'm having to get ever more clever at what to say to get them to connect. Fortunately I'm a persistent cuss! I have about ten now and need to double that! </div>
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Between teaching, my Scientology courses and spiritual counseling, the choir, Libertarian activities, and a little R&R thrown in, life goes on at a breathtaking pace. I apologize for being so out of touch and <b><i>very much look forward to hearing from you all!</i></b></div>
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May the rest of your holidays be wonderful!</div>
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Love, Marcia</div>
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(818) 552-2211 <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></div>
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812 Grand Central St, Clearwater, FL 33756</div>
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P.S. By the way, there is now a Scientology TV station—accessible on DirectTV 320, or on your computer at scientology.tv. Lots of interesting and uplifting content.</div>
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Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-9493767656869292432015-11-21T18:17:00.000-08:002015-11-21T18:17:02.888-08:00Leaving the Farm<br />
I want to let everyone know that I am planning to move to
Clearwater in early January. I'll let you all know when the move has occurred. I thought I was in
Illinois to stay, but various factors came together that caused me to
change my mind. Following are my reasons to move:<br />
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The next phase of
creation to make Lockie Farm a demonstration site for restoration
agriculture (ala what Mark Shepard, author of “Restoration
Agriculture” is doing) is to add in livestock (cattle, pigs,
chickens, etc.) grazing between rows of woody perennial polyculture
(chestnut trees, fruit trees, hazelnut shrubs, grapes, and various
kinds of berries). I do not have the resources for this next step,
but, more importantly, I do not have the interest to do it myself.
My basic purpose is more to bring sanity to government.<br />
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I recently attended, as did 320 others, an awards dinner for the Prairie Rivers organization where Mark Shepard was the keynote speaker. During the cocktail hour before the dinner, I managed to speak with Mark for over five minutes. When I told him I was Case Study #1 with the Savanna Institute, he shook my hand and gave me a great acknowledgement--and then acknowledged me publicly during his speech! Cool to now personally know "The Man"! <br />
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I have found
a young couple who are passionate about restoration agriculture and
interested in furthering the creation of Lockie Farm. Therin and Abby (see photo) will rent the house and continue to nurture the 5 rows of Woody Perennial Polyculture and 323 hazelnut shrubs around the perimeter. They will be growing lots of food on the 1/2 acre around the house, including planting into the hugelkultur beds. They'll likely get chickens going in spring. <br />
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I will be leasing the remaining 20 acres to Kevin, my mentor, who will plant more rows of trees/shrubs/berries leading to the creation of silvopasture, with livestock grazing between the rows. <br />
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The next courses (many) I
need to do in Scientology are only offered in Clearwater, Florida, so
it makes sense to move there. </div>
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I'd like to work
more closely with the computer person for The Affinity Exchange, who
lives in Clearwater; plus there are more chances for expanding that
business by living there. </div>
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When I was in
Clearwater in 2011, I started the Scientology Choir there. I would
probably pick up the directorship again, which would be enjoyable. </div>
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The Libertarian
Party is pretty strong in Florida, so I would volunteer with them to
further my interest in bringing sanity to government. </div>
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Hopefully,
it will be easier for me to find a “mate” while in Clearwater. </div>
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AND... it'll be easier to stay in touch with all my friends from everywhere since so many people go to Clearwater! </div>
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To my Clearwater friends: I'm looking to rent a room, or share a house, ideally in a house with a yard that has, or could have, a garden. If you have any leads, let me know. </div>
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Love to all, Marcia Powell<br />
(818) 552-2211 (cell)<br />
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Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-27162899269285033432015-10-16T17:05:00.000-07:002015-10-16T17:05:01.237-07:00Growing Season #2 on Lockie Farm
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#18) – October 16, 2015 – </b></span>
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“<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Growing
Season #2 on Lockie Farm”</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My
last blog was April 12<sup>th</sup>—the beginning of spring. For
those of you who remember reading about last year's battle with the
superweeds, I am happy to inform you that my plan worked, i.e.
cutting them at ground level if I couldn't pull them out by the roots
and then dumping 3-4” of wood chips on the stumps. That did kill
most of them. The ones I had to pull up this year were in the areas
where some flooding had occurred, and some patches out in the
adjoining alfalfa. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In
May I purchased two beehives and packages of bees. Had to shout out
a HELP! To the Central Illinois Beekeeper Club page on Facebook,
resulting in an amazing beekeeper named Mike coming to my rescue.
The bees are for the plants and the environment, so I'm happy for him
to do the work and sell the honey for his exchange. He gives me my
percentage of yummy honey for my personal use. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As
food for the bees, in late March I scattered Dutch white clover seeds
all over my yard and some into the WPP (Woody Perennial Polyculture)
rows, praying they would make their way through the mulch, take root,
and grow. Some made it; some didn't. But, as you can see from the
photo, the green clover beautifies my front yard. (Remember, I chose
not to have a grass lawn.) I've earmarked a section of my property
to plant native/pollinator plants next spring. Doing my bit for the
bees! :-) </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
son of an L.A. friend, who visited me for 9 days in May, helped me
plant strawberries on the septic lines, but they all died. :-( We
also took down the four [ugly] raised beds, and use the dirt for some
vegetable garden rows. Then we created a little patio of bricks on
the west side of the house. Bought an antique red pump from my
bro-in-law as a decoration, and added an arbor vitae tree and some
shrubs as the “necklace” for that side of the house. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">June
was unusually wet. One day/night we got 6”! The irrigation ditch
rose so high it reached the bridge I-beam, which stopped the corn
husks, beer cans, whiskey bottles, styrofoam, and other junk. To
prevent this stuff from ending up in the Gulf of Mexico dead zone, I
recruited my friend Tracy and we pulled some up with rakes; then I
braved the wicked current, waded in and got more. Felt so righteous!
But the bad news was that the 6” rain took out the seeds I had
just planted into my new square foot garden. :-( </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Another
downside of all the June rain was that my farmer was not able to do
the first cutting of the alfalfa/grass. It grew so tall it both
shaded the WPP and pulled nutrients away. Once he did cut it, I had
to go out with my newly purchased weedwacker (you should/ve seen lil
ol me trying handle that baby!) and take down the “fringe.” </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Met
a fellow, Brent, in August who was good enough to come out many
evenings and lend a hand in exchange for some home-cooked organic
dinners—plus my delicious blackberries. Together we rescued the
poor struggling hazelnuts from the tall alfalfa/grass all around the
property. Brent also dug up a lot of grass clumps which were close to
the WPP plants, which we put over in the rows of poplar trees as some
extra mulch. Plus we together managed to get the dried up paint (and
big spiders!) out of the (ugly) 300-gallon bin in front of the
garage; put it in the pickle buckets I've been getting for free from
Burger King and used them to create a border on the SW side of my
yard. We used lead pipes to roll the still heavy bin over to where
the others are along the road. What a win to then be able to put a
beautiful big pot of geraniums where the bin had been. It's been
interesting to find out just how important aesthetics are to me. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
September I hosted my first Savanna Institute Field Day. Was
misty-moisty, so glad that all 20 attendees were able to fit into
chairs in my garage. Told them what all I was doing, especially
about the Woody Perennial Polyculture and restoration agriculture,
and then did a quick tour, followed by refreshments. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
Field Day motivated me (well, Pete Havranek) to create a website for
the farm: <a href="http://www.lockiefarm.com/">http://www.LockieFarm.com</a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As
I think you know, I have long been concerned that GMO food causes
adverse health effects. There is a new book entitled “Altered
Genes Twisted Truth” by Steven M. Druker that is probably the
definitive work on the issue. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While
we're on the subject of health, I have just watched the first four
episodes (of 9) of “The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest”
created by Ty Bollinger. I highly highly recommend watching the
series. A couple of years ago I made the decision to NOT do
chemo/radiation were I to be diagnosed with cancer. This data
corroborates this decision. </span>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzPUN3diqjcGvj0vk4QmRa6KHK203yhL3jJhvbRbhRmHLpP6BueDe7ohHCr1heNbN_1WYPTc9K9uIzDodEOEWkksiUzwoDYrh-fw3RY-oDHi1ltlqm8sij3f8PR-8fHZnOWLscrybvzn0/s1600/Family_beach_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzPUN3diqjcGvj0vk4QmRa6KHK203yhL3jJhvbRbhRmHLpP6BueDe7ohHCr1heNbN_1WYPTc9K9uIzDodEOEWkksiUzwoDYrh-fw3RY-oDHi1ltlqm8sij3f8PR-8fHZnOWLscrybvzn0/s320/Family_beach_2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Drove
to the Outer Banks in North Carolina at the end of June to spend a
week with family at a lovely beach house. Ashley and Ethan flew out
from Portland. Ashley's leg was in a cast from an accident she had
(walking down stone stairs in the dark!)--broke the tibia, fibula,
and ankle—not good, especially since she is a massage therapist!
She is finally now out of the boot and able to walk with a cane—and
drive. Yea! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sister
Jane and I continue our lifetime Scrabble tournament (she's ahead),
and we can play a ton of piano duets from half a dozen different
books. Also enjoyed some family get-togethers at the pond. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Attended
the Illinois Libertarian Convention in August—always informative
and enjoyable. Had a booth at a couple of local festivals and
garnered 50 new names. More and more people these days are turning
to the Libertarian party. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Am
still on a quest for a “mate.” There was a fellow in Lincoln,
Nebraska... we needed to meet, so each drove halfway and had a long
lunch in Williamsburg, Iowa. Not a match, but a new friend made. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And,
of course, people continue to match up through the Affinity Exchange.
See success stories on home page: <a href="http://www.affinity-exchange.com/">www.affinity-exchange.com</a>.
Please refer your friends! </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH_afPEGRei4IR0mL4gdaQ-uRU3vzbPEe128OLJlI_JN065KrhVwe6dc9YipFTOfS6Ag-9jFnFa3QA8yIwShd_oXquemguaRLUgDpRXbBavdR2NExShoZXfv9b4jfeV8x6cspIVbrXLNE/s1600/Max+n+Katya_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH_afPEGRei4IR0mL4gdaQ-uRU3vzbPEe128OLJlI_JN065KrhVwe6dc9YipFTOfS6Ag-9jFnFa3QA8yIwShd_oXquemguaRLUgDpRXbBavdR2NExShoZXfv9b4jfeV8x6cspIVbrXLNE/s320/Max+n+Katya_2.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope
you all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
write and give me an update on <i><b>your </b></i>adventures.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love
to all, Marcia (217) 582-2112 home (818) 552-2211
cell </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.comO"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">
or </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: small;">marpo3344@gmail.com</span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">and
<a href="http://www.lockiefarm.com/">http://www.LockieFarm.com</a> </span>
</div>
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Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-75225305579667157712015-04-12T20:07:00.000-07:002015-04-12T20:07:34.578-07:00The Winter of Less Cold and Less Ugly
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#17) – April 12, 2015 – </b></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Winter of Less Cold and Less Ugly”</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
year ago I titled my blog “The Winter of Cold and Ugly.”
Fortunately this winter was less severe, and, thanks to last summer's
efforts to beautify the property, a little less ugly. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Never
has the arrival of spring meant so much to me. For the first time
(this lifetime), I planted some bulbs in the fall, and now they are
just starting to flower! So exciting! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
my last blog of November 17, I had spent the summer pulling and
mulching the dreaded “superweeds.” Throughout the winter, as I
received more truckloads of wood chips, I would “suit up” and
spread the mulch over the ½ acre around the house—my personal
“playground.” Got inspired one day while mulching and wrote a
3-page humorous essay on the art and science of mulching relating to
my B.A. and M.S. degrees. Let me know if you'd like to read it.
I'm told it is funny...</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One
very cold day, a new horse-owning friend brought me a trailer load of
horse manure. Had to wait a few weeks until the compost in my two
big compost bins unfroze enough to add the manure. Manure is like
gold to a farmer! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">How's
my WPP (Woody Perennial Polyculture)? Looks like most of the plants
survived the winter. There are some berry rootstocks that are
iffy—I'm waiting to see if some root suckers show up. Last
Tuesday, I paid a professional to graft scions (a detached shoot or
twig containing buds from a woody plant, used in grafting) onto the
fruit trees so that they will bear edible fruit. He then instructed
me to pull the mulch away from the rootstocks to prevent fire blight.
Yikes! (The pic is of a grafted apple rootstock, with budding berry
plants in the background.) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYgpbnaUYqVI-zUq7ZlFDlzRFZBajTgqWjztiF_r9VGt9xLTwewjc4YHjht1-QeJjRYbArCsWkdA5SiB7i7yef6ArUcM8-g86ilUwmds85Lm5FqSjpLMwdb6VBHDTlK3aNXndvUVA3kHg/s1600/20150412_152325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYgpbnaUYqVI-zUq7ZlFDlzRFZBajTgqWjztiF_r9VGt9xLTwewjc4YHjht1-QeJjRYbArCsWkdA5SiB7i7yef6ArUcM8-g86ilUwmds85Lm5FqSjpLMwdb6VBHDTlK3aNXndvUVA3kHg/s1600/20150412_152325.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
donated $15 to the Arbor Foundation and received 10 blue spruce
seedlings. Sister Jane and grand-niece Katie helped me plant them
down at the pond where they will be sheltered for a year or so; then
I will transplant them to my property. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
friendship with Dave Christian did not evolve into a relationship,
but we parted good friends. I posted a local ad and currently have
a very nice married man renting the master bedroom for 4 nights a
week to lessen his commute. I AM now looking for a more permanent
companion—either gender—who would enjoy sharing a lifestyle such
as mine. If you know anyone, please have them contact me. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mid
March I drove to Clearwater to receive a few days of counseling.
Managed to arrive just in time to catch the end of the choir
rehearsal. Good to connect with them again. Was able to attend an
inspiring graduation event—heard Kelly Preston speak, no less! I'm
now set up for the rundowns re survival, which I plan to do next
January. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
friend had told me about the book “The Fight for Immortality” by
Peter Arthur. I was able to read most of it while in Clearwater, and
found it VERY good, especially the way he works truth into it. One
of my on-going policies is to support our artists; so I highly
recommend you buy it, read it, and then encourage others to as well.
Similary with Neal Fox's new DVD and CD entitled “Conspiracy”--truth
delivered on the aesthetic wavelength via his songs and art. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Politically,
I was one of nine Libertarians in the state who ran for an office in
the local elections held on April 7<sup>th</sup>. Living out in the
country, my only option was to run for the Ogden grade school board.
My campaigning was pretty low-key--made up my own flyers and
delivered them to the houses in Ogden (850) and Royal (350).
Introduced myself at the Ogden Village board meeting, and spoke to a
dozen people at the seniors' luncheon. Didn't win (only got 9.44% of
the votes), but it was a good learning experience and earned me some
name recognition in the community. Will probably give it another shot
two years from now.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Note
that I consider the presidential elections to be pretty much a “dog
and pony show,” with the outcome being determined ahead of time by
the global elite. Thus I encourage people to concentrate on
political matters in their state, county, and city. Strengthening
the Libertarian party these days gives those disenchanted with the
D's and R's an alternative. The party IS growing, which growth also
can influence the platforms of the main parties. Blah-blah...
soapbox... blah-blah... :-)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
few months ago I sent some messages to retirement homes about
performing, but got no responses—until the end of Feb, when the
Windsor of Savoy contacted me about doing an hour's show. I had
finally connected with a very good singer only 3 miles away from me,
and we worked up some songs. However, at the last moment her back
went out. It's an older audience, so I gathered up a bunch of
popular songs from earlier eras and played “Name that
Tune”--including some back and forth communication between them and
me. Fun all around, and the feedback was such that they plan to book
me again. Yea! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And,
of course, people continue to match up through the Affinity Exchange.
See success stories (e.g. Holly and Mike below) on home page: <a href="http://www.affinity-exchange.com/">www.affinity-exchange.com</a>.
Please refer your friends! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwNwy3XzRwasLevQmmpii86wC2NLjRMhiG4RxlCxUgLxedrUyfWLY1xXe81r_y72zRlkXMtFWV07UNCqGS1xefCkgRTNd0nYDRrNUEz2av0GnDE-3j_QO8oDjbV243JB1B_vKj_mGHuyI/s1600/Holly+and+Mike+(331%2Bof%2B563).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwNwy3XzRwasLevQmmpii86wC2NLjRMhiG4RxlCxUgLxedrUyfWLY1xXe81r_y72zRlkXMtFWV07UNCqGS1xefCkgRTNd0nYDRrNUEz2av0GnDE-3j_QO8oDjbV243JB1B_vKj_mGHuyI/s1600/Holly+and+Mike+(331%2Bof%2B563).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope
you all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
write and give me an update on <i><b>your </b></i>adventures.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love
to all, Marcia (217) 582-2112 home (818) 552-2211
cell </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.comO"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">
or </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: small;">marpo3344@gmail.com</span></a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
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Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-50499667106095049792014-11-17T20:25:00.001-08:002014-11-17T20:25:42.074-08:00The Summer of Superweed Hell!
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<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#16) – November 17, 2014 – </b></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Summer of Superweed Hell!”</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
last blog was July 5th, two months after planting the WPP (Woody
Perennial Polyculture). My mentor, Kevin, came to visit, checked the
plants and informed me that they were being stunted by the weeds.
Furthermore, the weeds happened to be “superweeds”--weeds that
have become resistant to Roundup. Turns out these plants (the
species I have is waterhemp) can grow 1-2 inches A DAY (!) and each
plant has some 500,000 seeds per plant!! Eeeeeeek! Conventional
farmers are indeed freaking out about them because Monsanto's
herbicides do not kill them. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntJNbQkVkdgsjRLXNM9HySXqoWoEBZcLR3TE8oVJqMDQAkQoZXZLGV-pf_hv_S9FPWv_e4b1e6w2EbGicAeSlda4pjVI5m118_NZxJc8-FfYPA7qvukpmT4mUg7jZ_Xg-196f2H0oXOZw/s1600/WPP+Row+4-S+before+weeding+7-31-14_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntJNbQkVkdgsjRLXNM9HySXqoWoEBZcLR3TE8oVJqMDQAkQoZXZLGV-pf_hv_S9FPWv_e4b1e6w2EbGicAeSlda4pjVI5m118_NZxJc8-FfYPA7qvukpmT4mUg7jZ_Xg-196f2H0oXOZw/s1600/WPP+Row+4-S+before+weeding+7-31-14_small.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
war started by my paying a couple of guys to come in with their
weedwackers and fell the majority; but they could not get to the ones
right in the rows of plants. These I had to pull up by hand, or, if
they were too big to pull, sickle them off at ground level. Then I
had to smother the ground with 4-5” of wood chips to (hopefully)
smother the stalk root and kill it. Plus, I found that a few weeks
after the weeds had been “wacked” (instead of pulled), they grew
new sprouts and so needed to be sickled. Thus from the 2<sup>nd</sup>
week in July up until yesterday when it snowed, I spent from 2 to 4
hours a day weeding and mulching! (One positive by-product: I've
lost some 10 lbs and am really buff!) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CUW8pLTEvpqL49BKDVlmA5djCCyFLDr29CNEr7qkfgVSERjDYPHW1QHeaHgv6Mld6SiOO_lPiJF8Fgvz0L3yhqj_JZ4p0c5wrJMt7MyNfZYc0lB3wGfJEQ_oEB5ppt7l8sxs1mhgUNoV/s1600/WPP+Row+4-S+after+weeding+7-31-14_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CUW8pLTEvpqL49BKDVlmA5djCCyFLDr29CNEr7qkfgVSERjDYPHW1QHeaHgv6Mld6SiOO_lPiJF8Fgvz0L3yhqj_JZ4p0c5wrJMt7MyNfZYc0lB3wGfJEQ_oEB5ppt7l8sxs1mhgUNoV/s1600/WPP+Row+4-S+after+weeding+7-31-14_small.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While
I battled the superweeds, my garden did its thang, producing a bumper
crop of cucumbers, squash, lettuce, kale, kohl rabi, carrots, beans.
Somehow I went through life not realizing that pickles come from
cucumbers. Duh. Anyway, I got a recipe for breaded pickles, which
Bob made, along with some relish. Now I like eating pickles. Ended
up giving away a fair amount of produce to some local food banks, as
well as getting ideas on how to market next year's produce. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmCwlxkoKkA4jm-7UNah4CnGmbKpAbpgXrP20xxoxFToJKM7s3CrkLo8a8Yk5q-yZ7cWe9tCSmQ_ZKwr9YwfSmne6_BdLr3Mv4ll0X0ts24fLethaFw8_24K_-pBwuCCitPMGNB3RQy-E/s1600/Garden+bounty+Sept+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmCwlxkoKkA4jm-7UNah4CnGmbKpAbpgXrP20xxoxFToJKM7s3CrkLo8a8Yk5q-yZ7cWe9tCSmQ_ZKwr9YwfSmne6_BdLr3Mv4ll0X0ts24fLethaFw8_24K_-pBwuCCitPMGNB3RQy-E/s1600/Garden+bounty+Sept+2014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile,
in September I attended the Illinois Libertarian Party convention in
Chicago. Turns out I was #6 in the state in terms of collecting
ballot access signatures (540) (deliver what is needed and
wanted...). At the final meeting, going over some bylaw changes, I
noted an error in grammar. So they voted me in as Deputy Secretary
for the state party. Okay... why not?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
fought a major battle to get our seven candidates for state offices
on the ballot. It was such a pleasure to be able to vote for them on
Nov. 4<sup>th</sup>. The percentage of people in Illlinois who voted
Libertarian was way up from previous years. I perceive a groundswell
occurring towards Libertarian viewpoints and candidates. Will
continue working with my county chapter to grow the party. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Readers
of my earlier blogs know that Bob Lawrason, a permaculture designer,
came to stay with me last December to help create Lockie Farm—rain
bins, hugelkultur, compost tea, worm compost, biochar, bone salve,
etc. I learned a lot! Both of us being single, we checked each
other out, but in the end determined that we were not a match. So I
checked out a great online dating service—the Affinity Exchange
:-)-- and sent out a message to Dave Christian. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although
originally from St. Louis, he was at the time in the Philippines
working with his son. Thus began an online courtship—challenging,
as the normal sequence is to connect online, then meet asap to see if
the “chemistry” is there enough to pursue a courtship. Anyway,
we finally met on Oct 10<sup>th</sup> when he returned to St. Louis.
That meeting went well enough that we decided he should move in with
me so we could continue the courtship—again, backwards, as the norm
is to pursue the courtship to the point that you determine that you
should live together. Oh, well—I've always been an adventurous
spirit. Meanwhile Bob moved to Michigan where he can continue his
career as a permaculturist. Dave started learning how to weed and
mulch waterhemp. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdL6027Au4qJOfmY4QTxF41nBxOV07dO4qrFvMvjhiz8CpoEYkpGrKtqAihoP3S4V0eVCdpRGIi4lSWs_06iq_vpORiy9ScvF52snr3_7M0gzT91iCmj7nEJMwhuNJcmOtMTtqWIfvuaX/s1600/Dave+pitchforking+mulch+10-12-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdL6027Au4qJOfmY4QTxF41nBxOV07dO4qrFvMvjhiz8CpoEYkpGrKtqAihoP3S4V0eVCdpRGIi4lSWs_06iq_vpORiy9ScvF52snr3_7M0gzT91iCmj7nEJMwhuNJcmOtMTtqWIfvuaX/s1600/Dave+pitchforking+mulch+10-12-14.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One
day, working at my computer, I noticed a black sedan slowly backing
up down my road, which is a dead end … strange... FBI? CIA? Come
to get me...?? So I dashed out and spoke with the driver. Turns out
he's a local farmer who was really curious about what I was doing. I
got his number so I can invite him to my open house next summer.
Anyway, that prompted me to get a little sign made with my phone
number so curious people can call me and stop by. Knowing that
little sign would not survive the winter winds, Dave helped me attach
it to a board and some posts. I transplanted a couple of ornamental
grass plants my mortgage broker had given me and then purchased some
fake red berries and “planted” them in pots to add a splash of
color. I've come to realize how important it is to me to create
beauty as well as a sustainable farm. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pGnmAKpFMNNwDsXgxrQVQ91Vb3s9YZgdi6CesHcjErfWxd6jblYPN3g7km8t_K2r8ZYKBenREiB6UfLYsHlPx69TVIAZQEkTGwfYyQZ4hWj5HF0jv5pDDe6wyp-m14KseXMCWj-t_Zaf/s1600/Lockie+Farm+sign+w+red+berries+Nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pGnmAKpFMNNwDsXgxrQVQ91Vb3s9YZgdi6CesHcjErfWxd6jblYPN3g7km8t_K2r8ZYKBenREiB6UfLYsHlPx69TVIAZQEkTGwfYyQZ4hWj5HF0jv5pDDe6wyp-m14KseXMCWj-t_Zaf/s1600/Lockie+Farm+sign+w+red+berries+Nov+2014.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
Affinity Exchange continues to help people match up. (Please do
refer your single friends.) And I'm up to four regular piano
students (need more). </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
advice: continue your spiritual growth; donate to the people who are
fighting the chemtrails; eat organic/local and avoid GMOs; avoid
flouride and vaccines; invest in hard assets; be politically active;
know your neighbors and help build community. I continue
to recommend <a href="http://www.thrivemovement.com/">www.ThriveMovement.com</a>
as an excellent source of information and advice. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope
you all are flourishing and thriving in these challenging times. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
write and give me an update on <i><b>your </b></i>adventures.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh,
and it would be great if you could subscribe to my blog so I could
take you off the email list. <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love
to all, Marcia (217) 582-2112 home (818) 552-2211
cell </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.comO"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">
or </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: small;">marpo3344@gmail.com</span></a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-66402325595938053042014-04-06T19:59:00.001-07:002014-04-06T19:59:43.593-07:00The Winter of Cold and Ugly<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); widows: 2; orphans: 2; }P.western { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; }P.cjk { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; }P.ctl { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; }A:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); }</style>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#14) – April 6, 2014 – </b></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Winter of Cold and Ugly”</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In my last
blog of Dec. 5, I had just moved into my new house on my 20 acres of
alfalfa. But first, regarding the title of this blog, it came from
“The Winter of Our Discontent,” title of a novel by John
Steinbeck, from a quote by Shakespeare. Anyway, my plan was to ride
my bicycle from the house in Urbana to the new house, but from
November to now, there has not been a day warm enough to do that!
I'm sure you all heard the term “Artic Vortex” to describe the
weather in the Midwest and Northeast. It was indeed non-stop cold
and wind and snow. So that's the “cold” part. The “ugly”
part </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXViJYJRUkpdCMhJfpQU-QphJguxCVOtlwQdoBWcNKB02DIEyqLnhTZDvkSclbxYQbMGnCfcmmtoLlXUDuk7QqRWoAsXy3uhtigvNZuD5TKulDMCustPmg-Xai5Z-ZiDr3TAtUCzO_50Z/s1600/House+before+landscaping+03-20-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXViJYJRUkpdCMhJfpQU-QphJguxCVOtlwQdoBWcNKB02DIEyqLnhTZDvkSclbxYQbMGnCfcmmtoLlXUDuk7QqRWoAsXy3uhtigvNZuD5TKulDMCustPmg-Xai5Z-ZiDr3TAtUCzO_50Z/s1600/House+before+landscaping+03-20-14.jpg" height="173" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">refers to not having been able to do any landscaping, so there's
this poor little house surrounded by ugly dirt and mud—no trees, no
flowers, no green. </span><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bob
Lawrason, <span id="goog_819934166"></span><span id="goog_819934167"></span>a permaculture designer, </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHyHbpA1IRVtjp667GGGfk-Sy2DDbVv2G-dzNpXOicsgPw-drslGoc7flwnyQ6pdVNLkhZNO61C1x-_uqx1wk9ruyEvteD5uuvem8Kai4WhUhO576nIO365aWVMJRc-JH8xHkplDY37k5/s1600/Bob+L+smiling+03-30-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHyHbpA1IRVtjp667GGGfk-Sy2DDbVv2G-dzNpXOicsgPw-drslGoc7flwnyQ6pdVNLkhZNO61C1x-_uqx1wk9ruyEvteD5uuvem8Kai4WhUhO576nIO365aWVMJRc-JH8xHkplDY37k5/s1600/Bob+L+smiling+03-30-14.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">arrived on December 12—a cold (5
degrees!) snowy day. He spent the last 20 years in Florida, so
probably the only thing that saved him was that he grew up in
Michigan. The day he arrived he put together a cabinet for my
bathroom, and then attended an orchestra concert with me in the
evening! Immediate points. :-) We then got 6” of snow—I HAD to
make a snowman! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQaBk4DlnmU2zWOFYPqSX3oYVQXedwiNC7lRML0rzjwJQ67CMs0L_jYG0VYqx1aQS2WBdbvL2Ffb4XCqmRKtO6qq7oSNSuAuXIhE78kN7OzuZjICi0tz59vyn6gslrgrMqNYoSNvotc9k/s1600/Bob+and+snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQaBk4DlnmU2zWOFYPqSX3oYVQXedwiNC7lRML0rzjwJQ67CMs0L_jYG0VYqx1aQS2WBdbvL2Ffb4XCqmRKtO6qq7oSNSuAuXIhE78kN7OzuZjICi0tz59vyn6gslrgrMqNYoSNvotc9k/s1600/Bob+and+snowman.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Thus came about “Corky,” a poor drunk leaning
against the “DEAD END” sign by the driveway. </span>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bob fit
right in with the family at Christmas, playing Bananagrams and
napping with the dogs. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO2y4qOVYVxjaV0Noo7bCF0U5ay2z4cjgybCjH2nB9I5hKIOp2BsPMx2bszx5ZM0ay47kLUm_UElvVmEa28-FZBVeVa1SvSP8SmPa-kgpL_eWOmAzEpPZ0km4AcQDmXO33hAtOy3WUSRi/s1600/Bob_claude_Murray_Dec+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO2y4qOVYVxjaV0Noo7bCF0U5ay2z4cjgybCjH2nB9I5hKIOp2BsPMx2bszx5ZM0ay47kLUm_UElvVmEa28-FZBVeVa1SvSP8SmPa-kgpL_eWOmAzEpPZ0km4AcQDmXO33hAtOy3WUSRi/s1600/Bob_claude_Murray_Dec+2013.JPG" height="320" width="284" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Not being
able to work outside, I/we spent many, many hours creating the inside
of the house. Here's a photo of the "island"--the piano and futon couch back to back with a drop-leaf table on the north and a wine-rack table on the south.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxfJFxapfxe0BHlFLOr5Pyqi-CFBVtNrmCeVo7RjeoxLQIVS9F7-yMfXNlTPms65tZdzZOo8ztqyC9hXfQdMYehBKVlIO6dli3tZP6SWZu_5nLZEUO3pk3EZFGCP8KoN_qNHF5-UQ4HFC/s1600/Island+04-06-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxfJFxapfxe0BHlFLOr5Pyqi-CFBVtNrmCeVo7RjeoxLQIVS9F7-yMfXNlTPms65tZdzZOo8ztqyC9hXfQdMYehBKVlIO6dli3tZP6SWZu_5nLZEUO3pk3EZFGCP8KoN_qNHF5-UQ4HFC/s1600/Island+04-06-14.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Spent many hours sorting 50 years of music and putting
it in a kitchen pantry cabinet I bought and converted; also many hours
spent gathering, framing, and putting up a Family Photo Wall. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrfZcg7ec_-hP2gmmVrmfIo_OSfFlDBwHteFyh6LgBLmrJ_Yd8pL1ajNHhyENE_29Dv1yYhBNhyphenhyphenDtLjhwa6S-diT739JDXh-NDb7RcdaZ1krl4Fcv_DdlckP3REpICH3S43_cBaHKUujZ/s1600/Photo+wall_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrfZcg7ec_-hP2gmmVrmfIo_OSfFlDBwHteFyh6LgBLmrJ_Yd8pL1ajNHhyENE_29Dv1yYhBNhyphenhyphenDtLjhwa6S-diT739JDXh-NDb7RcdaZ1krl4Fcv_DdlckP3REpICH3S43_cBaHKUujZ/s1600/Photo+wall_small.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hosted our
first dinner party—Tom, Sue and Jake Smith, the people who have
been farming the alfalfa. Please remember that I'm not a cook.
However, I had purchased a book of vegan desserts, so chose the
brownie recipe. I swear EVERY ingredient was “exotic”! And I
used a blender instead of a food processor. Miraculously, they
turned out good. Bob roasted the pasture-fed chicken from our friend
David who runs the Bane Family [organic] Farm nearby. It was so
enjoyable to be able to sit, eat, talk (Jake even played the piano)
in a lovely quiet ambiance with no feeling of being rushed. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A book I
read recently advised eating organic liver twice a week (!). Bob has
never liked liver, but I bought some from David, who also passed
along a recipe which calls for soaking it in milk first. Result:
Bob liked it! So did I. I'm at twice a month now. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although
one's tendency is to hibernate when it's artic cold, Bob and I braved
the weather to attend seminars, forums, meetings and such in order to
meet more people who are actually doing something to improve the
environment. We are now official “River Rats,” having attended
the Prairie Rivers Network's workshop on how to lobby. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I started
the winter with a Californian's viewpoint that the weather would not
stop me from doing what I wanted to do, but I had to “eat crow.”
On Sunday nights I would drive 1-1/2 miles to my sister Jane's house
to watch “Downton Abbey” (yes, I am addicted). But one Sunday
there was a mighty blizzard. I called her up and told her I was
going to make some snowshoes and walk over. She laughed and said
“Don't you dare!” Hard to do, but I finally gave up. Another
instance was an orchestra concert—Bob and I got dressed up, got in
the car, drove the mile to the freeway entrance, and then Bob refused
to go further. He has done racecar driving in the past, and I saw
him handle the car weeks earlier when we did a full spin-and-a-half
on an icy street in Urbana, so I capitulated and we went home. Sigh.
Then there was the time I drove to town for a Lady Landowners
meeting at the Farm Bureau. It started snowing heavily just as I
arrived, plus there was lightning and thunder (in the middle of a
blizzard??!!), so I bade them farewell and got my tushie home pronto.
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Since we
have no trees, there is NO windbreak for the house. We've had winds
up to 55 mph, which have resulted in many shingles blowing off. Plus
these high winds create all kinds of odd noises that make it hard to
sleep. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I read
somewhere recently that a weather expert said “There is no normal
weather anymore.” See <a href="http://www.aircrap.org/">www.aircrap.org</a>
for some data. I missed a global protest day against chemtrails last
January, but have vowed not to miss the next one. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bob spent
a lot of time doing a design for Lockie Farm. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVboak9Cy0ffGNCiDi0u-ASdTwU3VovdEP_Y-YNEgUYWk4RoF2daop1xEkJsKtC6hbHT19bQr9vCKDmV3RAi4sxtvcliMnsS4DzI8DlD-zaFpYdF70jWo6q_D2KfxzJsmJzT4E5RkE9GpZ/s1600/Lockie+Farm+design+Feb+2014+(small).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVboak9Cy0ffGNCiDi0u-ASdTwU3VovdEP_Y-YNEgUYWk4RoF2daop1xEkJsKtC6hbHT19bQr9vCKDmV3RAi4sxtvcliMnsS4DzI8DlD-zaFpYdF70jWo6q_D2KfxzJsmJzT4E5RkE9GpZ/s1600/Lockie+Farm+design+Feb+2014+(small).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">(Lockie is a family
name—my grandmother, sister, and niece are all Lockie's). I am
Case Study #1 (see <a href="http://www.savannainstitute.org/">www.SavannaInstitute.org</a>,
Lockie Farm), for Woody Perennial Polyculture. I've paid for 2 acres
($5000 per acre, on credit cards, gulp!) of trees/shrubs/berries.
Roundup was used last October to kill the alfalfa, as I was led to
believe there was no other way to kill it. Bob freaked, so we're now
remedying the situation by digging up the top 3” and then putting
purchased compost in. Bob set up and is making “bio-char” which
he will add to the soil to bring microbes and such to enrich it.
The planting will be done at the end of April. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The other
day he came in from many hours of moving dirt in 40-degree weather
and said something about the “… alfalfa-treated Roundup...” Of
course, he meant to say “Roundup-treated alfalfa” --anyway, the
verbal typo tickled my funnybone; took me awhile to stop laughing. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There were
a couple of days recently that were above 50 degrees, so I took the
opportunity to start going door-to-door with my music teaching
flyers. Have a new student starting tomorrow. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ogden is a
small town of 850. Between Ogden and Urbana is the town of St.
Joseph, which is around 4000. A friend invited us to attend meetings
of the new “Love Your Neighbor” group that has started up there.
That's what we're all about, so we're enjoying interacting with this
group. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We're also
starting to meet some of the local farmers. “Restoration
Agriculture” by Mark Shepard is an brilliant book published last
year about how agriculture should be done. We're on a mission to get
farmers enlightened and inspired to start transitioning to this
method of farming. Thus I gambled and purchased a case (28 books) so
that I could get them into people's hands at a lower price. Have
sold 10 already! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We've
found that the parcel of land just south of us is owned by the Sadler
Family Trust, along with more parcels elsewhere in the area—290
acres in all. That trust terminates next March, and the
beneficiaries (my relatives!!) want to sell. Well, guess what's
percolatin' in Marcia's little head—yup! Put together a consortium
of some kind that will result in that land being owned by people who
will use restoration agriculture methods! Let me know if any of you
are interested. And, let me add, if you know if any young people who
are still trying to figure out what to do with their lives, please
let them know about sustainable farming. It is sooooo needed and
wanted!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of course
I continue to run The Affinity Exchange. There are now twenty
success stories </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPaiLGuHcjDG_51VcrtYwnK2Z5wQNwPO-c7rQykTLsEcUCZW0-beb8R_MJjgYVLXqgC5Exh_jw32H6VvUgRiKQjx0U1j4mD-sz6kvZzR3KIzcjyDQP9WG_NM-dLyAPHwWIx20ngqX7Y9s/s1600/Holly+and+Mike+(331+of+563).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPaiLGuHcjDG_51VcrtYwnK2Z5wQNwPO-c7rQykTLsEcUCZW0-beb8R_MJjgYVLXqgC5Exh_jw32H6VvUgRiKQjx0U1j4mD-sz6kvZzR3KIzcjyDQP9WG_NM-dLyAPHwWIx20ngqX7Y9s/s1600/Holly+and+Mike+(331+of+563).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">on the home page, <a href="http://www.affinity-exchange.com/">http://www.affinity-exchange.com</a>.
Anyone can go there and read them. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Overall,
even though there are still numerous threats to our survival, I'm
feeling more and more optimistic about the good things that are
happening to bring down the “bad guys” and allow us to create a
better world. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope you
all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
write and give me an update on <i><b>your </b></i>adventures.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh, and it
would be great if you could subscribe to my blog so I could take you
off the email list. <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love to
all, Marcia (217) 582-2112 home (818) 552-2211 cell </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.comO"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">
or </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: small;">marpo3344@gmail.com</span></a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-61948460977565322212013-12-05T10:06:00.000-08:002013-12-05T11:02:42.045-08:00MOVING!<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); widows: 2; orphans: 2; }P.western { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; }P.cjk { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; }P.ctl { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; }A:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); }</style>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article – December 5, 2013 – Moving!</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Picking up
from my last blog of Sept. 15, a neighbor and I drove 60 miles to
take a tour of a 20-acre organic farm. They had cows and pigs in
addition to growing produce—even a small food forest and bee hives.
Very inspiring! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLi8k9UNBdM4dgL-p9WlGnt3kf-tFPgmgdqXyNMpOyk5IHEM8Tf94VHhyphenhyphenTKTANLYPysWeg-gyiiGo7wYjPrBAgNldghSjTbSMwUJ5mQ29plarL41vyvNkrFyl49rlSzE_F9UXMJRKKHcHE/s1600/PrairieEarth+farm+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLi8k9UNBdM4dgL-p9WlGnt3kf-tFPgmgdqXyNMpOyk5IHEM8Tf94VHhyphenhyphenTKTANLYPysWeg-gyiiGo7wYjPrBAgNldghSjTbSMwUJ5mQ29plarL41vyvNkrFyl49rlSzE_F9UXMJRKKHcHE/s320/PrairieEarth+farm+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I was the
first to sign up as a “case study participant” in the Savanna
Institute program. Kevin and his team met me at my acreage and we
laid out the 6 rows where next spring we will plant 2 acres of food
forest. Exciting!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of course
I continue to run The Affinity Exchange. I recently uploaded another
six success stories on the home page,
<a href="http://www.affinity-exchange.com/">http://www.affinity-exchange.com</a>.
Anyone can go there and read them. More to come! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In late
September the chairman of our county chapter of the Libertarian Party
and I drove to Chicago for the state convention. I learned a lot and
got to meet the “players.” One of the speakers was Thomas Woods,
a main contributor to the documentary “Nullification.” He is
currently working with Ron Paul making videos for Ron's home
schooling program. Our chapter continues to show films once a month.
We've shown G. Edward Griffin's talk about the REAL war on terror,
and, most recently “Take Back Your Power” about the adverse
effects of smart meters. Also, my Letter to the Editor about the
party got published! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Finally
attended a County Board meeting, just to get some reality on them.
Met the fellow who will be my representative after I move. You can
be sure I'll be getting to know him. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
October, my daughter Ashley and her boyfriend, Ethan, paid us a short
visit on their way to Toronto. A neighbor generously loaned me her
guitar so Ethan could play for us (he's very good)—which inspired
grand-niece Maddie to take up guitar! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5cYUopWWTnTmdB10_WSXfCifLlyH0JffwwvGV38xE0FfKjQ7NAYAeaDYkFXZCysc2BFQO_OLiozvQgyAtTimmLISfdLdIJCuS42Di3iYgphR0toyuLlbzV2bz0d67YEQMVUkRzPY2N7/s1600/Maddie_guitar_Eth_Ash_10_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5cYUopWWTnTmdB10_WSXfCifLlyH0JffwwvGV38xE0FfKjQ7NAYAeaDYkFXZCysc2BFQO_OLiozvQgyAtTimmLISfdLdIJCuS42Di3iYgphR0toyuLlbzV2bz0d67YEQMVUkRzPY2N7/s320/Maddie_guitar_Eth_Ash_10_13.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While at
sister Jane's, we discovered that they have 3 pear trees loaded with
delicious pears, inspiring a pear-picking party. Took what family
and friends couldn't use to the local food bank (hate to see good
food go to waste!). </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Found
myself “shucking” some dried green bean pods one evening so that
I would have the seeds to plant next spring--felt very “primordial.”
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After
showing my Urbana house to numerous people (I have to sublet it till
August), I finally found a young man who seems like a “perfect
match” for the house. Since it was taking longer than I
anticipated to finish my Ogden house, I leaned on the interested
parties and managed to pull off signing an “Early Occupancy”
agreement which allowed me to move on November 12th. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgco1a58ncG237ki9qboX1DqVMHdBEN-4Mz2KhXZHblq5bodoteO0Q80p4nqXIwW8yRlJlE-z1-AAjVAar-mW8dtkgFp7k_U1-GI7F_XFyacPzhnm7PHXzkOCiAU3k5NZcLCKoiCYrG7U/s1600/Jane_Katie_helping+pack+11-11-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgco1a58ncG237ki9qboX1DqVMHdBEN-4Mz2KhXZHblq5bodoteO0Q80p4nqXIwW8yRlJlE-z1-AAjVAar-mW8dtkgFp7k_U1-GI7F_XFyacPzhnm7PHXzkOCiAU3k5NZcLCKoiCYrG7U/s320/Jane_Katie_helping+pack+11-11-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
wonderful sister Jane came with my grand-niece Katie and helped me
pack. There was snow on the ground on moving day, temperature in the
20's! And the new house did not yet have power and heat! I had to
sleep at my sister's house (1-1/2 miles away). </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The next
day I had to unpack just enough to pack for my next day's trip to
Florida. I was prepared with a bread pan, tea candles, and 2 clay
pots to heat the house enough to work; but—miracle of miracles—the
power company arrived 2 days early and turned on the power, giving me
both heat and light. Whew!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Early the
next morning I drove to Indianapolis and took a flight to Tampa.
Spent the next few days in Clearwater attending the big events for
the grand opening of the new building. Was great to be able to take
the tour and truly grasp the magnificence of the building—not to
mention what will take place in it! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm06QKY082U9Xg53qhJszYJ5ykH4ZrxOIqgguSXtDdh-lgPyMm2jEL89OCCwryOoyHP5oGhUW1pEuNxxhRVGXczm-owjJrS3We8AkkM4JtVfuw3dKgTyxrM0NZq6Y52TOPAMSx8AvQ7nEf/s1600/Dressed+up+for+Flag+event+11-15-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm06QKY082U9Xg53qhJszYJ5ykH4ZrxOIqgguSXtDdh-lgPyMm2jEL89OCCwryOoyHP5oGhUW1pEuNxxhRVGXczm-owjJrS3We8AkkM4JtVfuw3dKgTyxrM0NZq6Y52TOPAMSx8AvQ7nEf/s320/Dressed+up+for+Flag+event+11-15-13.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Enjoyed seeing old friends,
making new friends, and meeting with some of the choir members there.
Got to stay with my friend, Koreen Brennan, who is a leader in
Permaculture (Google it). Also met Bob Lawrason, another
permaculture expert, who is going to relocate to Illinois, become my
roommate, and help me create my sustainable farm.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Arrived in
Indianapolis at midnight and couldn't find my car. I cried. A nice
young Latino fellow took pity on me and drove me around till we found
it. I tried to be very quiet entering my sister's house at 1:30
a.m., but they forgot and thought I was a burglar. Lucky I didn't
get shot! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Up early
the next morning to be at my new house when the guy came to hook up
my internet. Plumbing still wasn't hooked up, so had to make a trip
to Jane's house when nature called. Finally got a message that the
guy had come and I wasn't there. I cried. Called the company and
told them to tell him to come back. He never arrived. Finally found
out he went to the wrong house 3 times. Then I realized I have not
yet put up my mailbox, so there was nothing showing the house number.
Duh. So the next day I waited all day for him to come, only to find
out at the end of the day that all the tech guys were in Gifford
repairing the lines that were downed by the killer tornado on the
17th!! (Gifford's only 8 miles north of my place!) Finally on
Friday I got hooked up! My laptop allows me to do the irreducible
minimum, but only on my desktop can I do everything I need to do. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Plumbing
finally got hooked up (yea!); appliances got installed; bought food,
and finally started to feel at home. The “a place for everything
and everything in its place” project took over a week, particle by
particle. Hanging pictures on the wall, and placing my “objets d'
art” around added the finishing touches. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A local
public radio station interviewed me (45 min) as the person in charge
of the Thrive Movement in Central Illinois. Of course, afterwards I
figured out how it could have been better. Overall, even though
there are still numerous threats to our survival, I'm feeling more
optimistic about the good things that are happening to bring down the
“bad guys” and allow us to create a better world. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope you
all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
write and give me an update on <i><b>your </b></i>adventures.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love to
all, Marcia (217) 582-2112 home (818) 552-2211 cell </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.comO"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">
or </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: small;">marpo3344@gmail.com</span></a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-32206339643288070512013-09-14T20:43:00.001-07:002013-09-14T21:04:09.489-07:00Summer 2013<style type="text/css">
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#12) – September 15, 2013</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">First, the
news: The world actually DID end. The government covered it up. </span>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My concern
about the world situation continues, but some recent inflow leads me
to hope that the “White Hat” coalition may indeed be succeeding
in taking down the “Black Hats.” It's still wise to have some
food and water stored, just in case. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was
when I first looked at the “TAKE ACTION” part of the
<a href="http://www.thrivemovement.com/">www.ThriveMovement.com</a>
website that I noticed that Monsanto headquarters is in St. Louis.
Then and there I postulated that if there was ever a protest held
there, I would drive down. The opportunity came on May 25th, the
worldwide March Against Monsanto day. Six of us drove down and
marched with 600 others in the cold drizzle. It was a photo of me
with my sign that got picked up on Reuters! Deep breath... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsGVMrRQH9nxjQpeaEuUxKu3lZxDtrwLsb3sRqKtagGajw-gRv0vmN9f8EWfxqUkmYF-cSdxXTV1qYw8Y0lNDFDXfC9i6ykBTeUdwepacI_SKY6Y0WWusNxlM9FOQkgUF_7htC9fIOB5/s1600/MP+and+Nancy+with+Monsanto+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsGVMrRQH9nxjQpeaEuUxKu3lZxDtrwLsb3sRqKtagGajw-gRv0vmN9f8EWfxqUkmYF-cSdxXTV1qYw8Y0lNDFDXfC9i6ykBTeUdwepacI_SKY6Y0WWusNxlM9FOQkgUF_7htC9fIOB5/s320/MP+and+Nancy+with+Monsanto+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Also marched in
the local July 4th parade with the Moms Against Monsanto group. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The
University is doing a research project on the relation of nutrition
and memory. I was chosen because I'm in such good health. After one
memory test, the guy looked up and said, “No one has ever gotten it
right the first time!” And yet, when I filled out the big long
computer questionnaire about what I eat, there was no way to note
that I eat ORGANIC! Needless to say, I wrote to the head of the
project about this outpoint. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In June a friend and I drove 50 miles north to tour Stelle (www.Midwest Permaculture.com) and see firsthand a rain garden, aquaponics, and other aspects of sustainable living. So much to learn!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyU6JleEpzazloeb7j2lCLVul3zT_HJm2eIa2IKAP8G_CrDSaqj5_pYqRXYkSGwgkk_P-PPB1gwa_ZUtDFlQao0UyJJmI7XpKrbeCHlOoJzLz3NNXcSnaT7C4dazNlKq4thnjljZHkuReG/s1600/Aquaponics+at+Stelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyU6JleEpzazloeb7j2lCLVul3zT_HJm2eIa2IKAP8G_CrDSaqj5_pYqRXYkSGwgkk_P-PPB1gwa_ZUtDFlQao0UyJJmI7XpKrbeCHlOoJzLz3NNXcSnaT7C4dazNlKq4thnjljZHkuReG/s320/Aquaponics+at+Stelle.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend,
Lee Kessler, recently published her third book in the White King
trilogy, “White King and the Battle of America: The Endgame.” In
her well-crafted novel, she presents a solution to the threat of
global economic meltdown that is nothing short of brilliant. Please
go to Amazon, get it, read it, and promote it to your friends. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In
addition to the Affinity Exchange and my 3 music students, I
continued to have the part-time job of helping Frank complete his
dissertation in soil science. He called me today to say his diploma
arrived. Well done, Dr. Hagen! Now just a little more work to create
a couple of articles to get published in journals (what every
university wants).</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My 70th
(yikes!) birthday was September 10th. My present to me arrived on
September 12th... my new (modular) house! Hope to move in by
November 1st. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYG8s-0NcIDmwl7HcHESRTRhH8H1H1oAvORJV3L0X3aU3RanKnQJJm9PRSXK0c9fvujkwwwoDdkonLZHFXh-IBbW-YvO9XWNViSs5-S9YtzYkERtgmPsk_bkQQGN5xpTymMwxL9DgrL05/s1600/House_backing+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYG8s-0NcIDmwl7HcHESRTRhH8H1H1oAvORJV3L0X3aU3RanKnQJJm9PRSXK0c9fvujkwwwoDdkonLZHFXh-IBbW-YvO9XWNViSs5-S9YtzYkERtgmPsk_bkQQGN5xpTymMwxL9DgrL05/s320/House_backing+in.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now my
next challenge is working out how to get the funds to purchase trees
and plants for my food forest. <a href="http://www.savannainstitute.com/">Www.savannainstitute.org</a>
tells about the Woody Perennial Polyculture that is being researched
at the University of Illinois. Kevin, who is doing his PhD on this,
founded the institute. By signing up as an active participant, he
and his team will help design my food forest, will purchase and plant
the trees/shrubs/berries, and then do followup consulting. Feels
like a good match!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile
my 2013 yard garden was waaaay better than last year's. I harvested
and ate quite a bit of produce, and gave some away. And, most
important, learned a lot. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzOZ8vueVbMw34-nHRin9uXTr71gAhUOt2G4WKheAWG4j8_xAAx0GkQU5e8rXT2laUFwnaJca4d6GZccuIcTTO3seLJbdVpWNWB60agPvw5Y6Cg7yEPI_aUsEOx2X93V1XHRJYDU9vn1e/s1600/harvest+8_11_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzOZ8vueVbMw34-nHRin9uXTr71gAhUOt2G4WKheAWG4j8_xAAx0GkQU5e8rXT2laUFwnaJca4d6GZccuIcTTO3seLJbdVpWNWB60agPvw5Y6Cg7yEPI_aUsEOx2X93V1XHRJYDU9vn1e/s320/harvest+8_11_13.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally
broke down and purchased my first bike helmet as I'm biking more.
Maybe by the time it comes to move (18 miles away), I'll ride my bike
out rather than risk it being damaged in a moving van. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx25MEp1WK9dN7NqSbzXL13565nNxqsG8OK1ESkupUXPw3xqZXZHxi3RsH9XLf0FjYc3riAPJYnHuUO7SyQq5XOBWAxdNCM1G8K4Ox5AtglE6LypuF0ndD87jisbVbgPJaleOVvIv_pKD/s1600/helmet+08_04_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx25MEp1WK9dN7NqSbzXL13565nNxqsG8OK1ESkupUXPw3xqZXZHxi3RsH9XLf0FjYc3riAPJYnHuUO7SyQq5XOBWAxdNCM1G8K4Ox5AtglE6LypuF0ndD87jisbVbgPJaleOVvIv_pKD/s320/helmet+08_04_13.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I continue
my role as Secretary for the local Libertarian Party. At my urging,
we put up a booth at the local Sweet Corn Festival and pulled in 43
new names! I'll be attending the Illinois State Libertarian Party
convention next week in Chicago. Meanwhile, I continue to encourage
everyone to subscribe to and follow the lead of www.DownsizeDC.org.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In July,
Ashley (my daughter) flew to Indianapolis, where I picked her up and
we drove to the Outer Banks (Kitty Hawk, NC). Every other summer we
join my niece and her family, plus a couple of old family friends, at
a big beach house and enjoy a week of beach, sun, swimming,
ping-pong, cards, Scrabble, Bananagrams, and lots of visiting. Of
course my 16-yr-old nephew beat me at ping-pong, but I made him sweat
a couple of times. Thanks to my laptop, I was able to stay current
with the business. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghmrSdUKFsbtvpuIpt56uqQjDMTfEgKXGnmKDnjFOIbog-lmJus9xyN1Pd5NisuGMtgKy2Z8NsBNqcpPUwBoWlAQmasfPUZ_9wQQQ-z9Qn7xx3cEvd2qg0bSoxOWCMiqujjx-wdQDPfbv/s1600/Ashley+w%E2%81%84flowering+trees_April_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghmrSdUKFsbtvpuIpt56uqQjDMTfEgKXGnmKDnjFOIbog-lmJus9xyN1Pd5NisuGMtgKy2Z8NsBNqcpPUwBoWlAQmasfPUZ_9wQQQ-z9Qn7xx3cEvd2qg0bSoxOWCMiqujjx-wdQDPfbv/s320/Ashley+w%E2%81%84flowering+trees_April_2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was
great having a lot of time to visit with Ashley. She is a successful
licensed massage therapist in Portland, is now living with her
boyfriend, and just became the lead singer in a new 3-person band! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Saw
Kenneth Branagh's production of Mozart's “Magic Flute” at the
local Art theater—quite a work of art! For those of you familiar
with the rock group REO Speedwagon, did you know they came from
Champaign-Urbana?! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you
all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Please
write and give me an update on <i><b>your </b></i>adventures.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Love to
all, Marcia (217) 607-0632 home (818) 552-2211 cell
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Or
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-69739398587563815922013-05-05T13:33:00.001-07:002013-05-05T16:47:59.041-07:00Spring (#2) in the Heartland<style type="text/css">
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#11) – May 5, 2013</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Picking up
from my last blog of January 12th, (to read earlier blog articles, go
to <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>),
I am enjoying my 2nd spring in the Heartland. Truly beautiful! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuxDD-zKivB1HdKMr6t8ssZXLodQYKJeSXa7Hzw6ow2cLeyyRXf-VSGMNK-375Ty_R2627bCQZNEUzFPhMpGYxh_nUFNzEP83OP7hyphenhyphenTdV6GkGN-L2GHPe_Z6iYh2iS0wLtvWrtNZNNRO5/s1600/Tulips+5-1-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuxDD-zKivB1HdKMr6t8ssZXLodQYKJeSXa7Hzw6ow2cLeyyRXf-VSGMNK-375Ty_R2627bCQZNEUzFPhMpGYxh_nUFNzEP83OP7hyphenhyphenTdV6GkGN-L2GHPe_Z6iYh2iS0wLtvWrtNZNNRO5/s320/Tulips+5-1-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Duke, my
gardening consultant, rigged up a grow light in my little cellar and
showed me how to plant seeds into trays. First I let them germinate
in my house, then I put them under the grow light, then into the
greenhouse where I transplanted them into bigger containers, and,
finallh (once the weather was warm enough) transplanted them into the
soil. Whew! Labor intensive, but worth it, as I already have a
bunch of edible lettuce! Despite the unusual amount of rain here (a
relief after last year's drought), I've managed to get some other
veggies planted as well. I'm way ahead of where I was last year. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I've put
up my “EAT YOUR YARD” sign. Now and then the little kids from
the neighboring grade school walk past my place on their way to the
nearby junior high. I was out gardening when I heard little voices
saying “Eat your yard,” and realized that they will ask their
teachers what it means, and (hopefully) share it with their parents.
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
project of helping (mostly typing and sentence structure) Frank with
his dissertation (soil science) is ongoing, but we can now see the
light at the end of the tunnel. The pay for this work is helping me
pay for all the extra programming that was done for last year's
Affinity Exchange merger with FreeSpirit Singles. We've been working
together for a year now and it's going well—always more people
getting hooked up! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another
big project is getting a house on my property. First I had to solve
the problem of getting the mortgage from the house Stephen and I
purchased in 1981 (!) off my credit report! Happy to report a done
on this. Then I had to complete my taxes so the mortgage banker had
official data about my financial scene. Without going into the gory
details, I learned that because of the 2008 mortgage debacle, the
regulations these days are very stiff (pendulum swing). Even though
I had down money set aside, my income is such that they could only
loan me a small-ish amount. I was hoping to do a straw bale house,
or earth-berm, or something that would make an eco statement; but the
banks won't loan money for a non-conventional house! I cried. But
it is very important for me to live on my land as soon as possible so
I can start creating the sustainable farm. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After a
few sessions with the salesman at Riley Homes, we worked out how I
can get a modular (manufactured) 3-bedroom home with a 2-car detached
garage. I'm hoping things move along such that I can move in no
later than October. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
addition to letting the Land Connection organization know I'm looking
for a young farmer, I posted a listing on a website out of Iowa that
matches landowners with wannabe farmers. If any of you know of a
young man with a passion for organic farming, now is the time to
connect me with him. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As for my
“activist” activities, I attended a 2nd Amendment rally at the
state capital in Springfield in January. Wore my “blizzard boots”
and Tibetan cap (still a So Cal wuss!). Then again in March I
boarded one of 2 buses and again went to Springfield—this time both
marched AND lobbied the State legislators re gun rights. A week
later, I was back at the capital, this time lobbying for Food and
Water Watch—legislation calling for labeling of GMOs, as well as
saner laws regarding composting. Right now if Sally across the
street threw her produce scraps on my compost pile, we would be in
trouble with the law!! That truly made my jaw drop! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Campaigned
for a Republican for Mayor of Urbana, but he lost. Always a learning
experience, no matter the outcome. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I continue
my role as Secretary for the local Libertarian Party. Last night we
hosted a showing of the documentary “Nullifcation—the Rightful
Remedy” about the 10th amendment. Great film! Now that we know
where and how to do this (local library), we can host more movie
nights. Enlighten! Enlighten!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimmZ9uJHwelGW5DZN6CAXG116O-jzVATveThylv3TuelCRC-pFZ521afTVW_fYwFGgk7u-cYsxl8NEV61rxCgeWujlctIYEdRKUJheqwRon68Y72eF535rNhwNIeFa6ZcyQ-S1st_F9kO/s1600/Leo+on+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimmZ9uJHwelGW5DZN6CAXG116O-jzVATveThylv3TuelCRC-pFZ521afTVW_fYwFGgk7u-cYsxl8NEV61rxCgeWujlctIYEdRKUJheqwRon68Y72eF535rNhwNIeFa6ZcyQ-S1st_F9kO/s320/Leo+on+rug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile,
during the cold winter, I noticed feeling lonely now and then.
Therefore when someone in the neighborhood posted a notice about
giving away their cat, I decided to help her out. Leo is 5 years
old, orange and white, longhaired, and very handsome! He stayed
under the bed for the first few days, but gradually came out and got
oriented. His front paws have been declawed, which is good since he
does bat at me now and then. He's gradually getting friendlier.
Anyway, I can share the events of the day with him. I always say
“Leo, guard the house,” as I leave, and “Hi, Honey, I'm home!”
when I return. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What with
my continually backlogged emails, my reading is still done in “dead
time.” Nevertheless, I manage to get some books read. Amazingly,
everything I've read for the last year is by someone I know! My
sister Jane (Creason) finished co-authoring the last book my father
wrote, entitled “Conspiracy,” which, like his other books,
emphasizes the importance of a proper education system. She did a
great job! Also highly recommended is “True Tails” by Jon
Soeder, who writes about his ability to communicate telepathically
with animals. After finishing it, I tracked him down and had a
lovely phone conversation with him. And now I'm reading “I Hate to
Say Goodbye” by Ruti Ydovich, a long-time friend. It's about her
life growing up in Israel, and it is marvelous! All of these books
are on Amazon.com</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Saw a
local production of “My Fair Lady” with my 11-year-old voice
student and her mother, which made it even more fun. Saw “The Late
Quartet” about a string quartet, and shortly thereafter “Quartet”
about an operatic quartet at the local Art theater. So still getting
some culture—there's more here than I have time for! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope you
all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
write and give me an update on <i><b>your </b></i>adventures.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love to
all, Marcia (217) 607-0632 home (818) 552-2211 cell
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Or
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-86359596539088564062013-01-12T16:54:00.002-08:002013-05-05T15:26:05.160-07:00Into the New Year (2013)<style type="text/css">
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<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#10) – January 12, 2013</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Picking up
from my last blog of October 30th, (to read earlier blog articles, go
to <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>),
I am glad all went well in December 2012 and we're all still here to
welcome the start of the Age of Aquarius! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
results of the November election did not surprise me. As an election
judge, I felt that it was as it should be as far as our work went,
but I have no idea what went on further up the line. I was
disappointed, but not surprised, that my local candidate did not win.
Two days after the election, I attended the meeting, and became the
Secretary for, the local Libertarian Party. My attention now is more
on bringing sanity to government at the local level. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My friend
Duke helped me erect a greenhouse in my yard—more correctly, I
helped him. We've strapped it down with a couple of anchor straps,
and, so far, it has not blown away. The plan is to start growing
seedlings, probably in February. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWCcw6AQBTcz8gAxSUdCcUJQQ3wHFwLft41jN6rsb6dqpcEpiBMXb9oq_tC8_AgcOxV4V8ry0Wa5Nflptt5WIiX6dXkro7M3HV03mg2wXyzJrY9o6w1FUH-HtzvwARPObpdu1UEvpWcao/s1600/Greenhouse+in+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWCcw6AQBTcz8gAxSUdCcUJQQ3wHFwLft41jN6rsb6dqpcEpiBMXb9oq_tC8_AgcOxV4V8ry0Wa5Nflptt5WIiX6dXkro7M3HV03mg2wXyzJrY9o6w1FUH-HtzvwARPObpdu1UEvpWcao/s320/Greenhouse+in+snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then Duke,
who is also my gardening consultant, showed me how to prep the ground
for the upcoming growing season. For $100 I got 5 cubic yards
(ladies, that's a LOT) of garden compost from the local landscaping
recycling center. That led to the purchase of a little red
wheelbarrow (almost as fun as a little red wagon!) Had to then mix
the compost with the existing dirt, create the raised beds, then
cover them with straw for the winter. Learning, learning!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Just
before I left L.A., I read about a contemporary opera composer,
Daniel Catan, who is composing operas in the style of
Puccini—something I had postulated a few years earlier! The
university opera company did one his operas, so you can be sure I
attended. Very enjoyable, indeed. The local movie theater carries
the “Met Opera Live on Screen in Cinemas” productions, so I've
seen a couple of those. In December I attended a number of choral
concerts, all very good. No lack of culture here in the cornbelt! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A number
of months ago I had posted an email to the local neighborhood
association about my survival club (Thrive) meetings; then later on I
had a letter to the editor published about the good quality of music
in town. Signed it Marcia Powell. Realized later I should have
signed it Marcia [Swengel] Powell in case anyone would remember me
from the 60's. Still, Peggy somehow put the pieces together and
wrote and asked if I was in Gaburo's choral group back in '67. We
met for breakfast and got re-acquainted. She has since become an
attorney, works for the University, and has a lovely house on
Pennsylvania Avenue (“professor row”). It was a nice validation
that she then later on invited me to her New Years Day party, which
I thoroughly enjoyed. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Spent 3
enjoyable days of the Thanksgiving holidays with my niece and her
family at their beautiful big home in New Albany, Indiana (across the
river from Louisville, KY). Went with my sister Jane and her
husband. Jane enjoys driving, and I found I was able to sit in the
back seat and read a book—a novel by an attorney friend here in
Urbana. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Had a date
with a fellow from northern Illinois who is an arborist. He drove
south and I drove north meeting in the middle for a nice meal and
conversation. Liked each other, but found a “fatal flaw”--I will
not leave my 20 acres down here, and he will not leave his 40 acres
up there. We're both creating good projects on our land, so... fair
enough. Had to drive home in a blizzard (went along at 3mph at one
point!), which was its own adventure! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then came
a day in mid December where I started helping (for an hourly fee)
Frank with his PhD dissertation in soil science. He's a new
Scientologist, so wanted to help him do this so he can get work and
get a life! Anyway, had to confront a lot of science terminology.
Then that same evening, I attended a meeting of the local gun club
(my cousin is a member and talked me into going) where a couple of
guys did a show and tell about army stuff from the Civil War. MORE
misunderstoods! Probably the most MUs in one day in my whole life!
(I survived by recognizing and labeling them.) </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From that
day on, I've spent many many hours working with Frank (still am). My
FB posting on 12-25 read: “I can probably safely say that I'm the
only one on Planet Earth who spent 4-1/2 hours on Christmas Day
helping edit a PhD dissertation on soil contamination in ordnance
zones! Fortunately I could do that because Christmas with my family
starts tomorrow.” Spent many happy hours with the family for the
next 3 days. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As always
I do my book reading in “dead time” (stop lights, bank lines,
etc). Am currently reading “The Elephant Whisperer” by Lawrence
Anthony. It truly is a Must Read—by adults, but especially by kids
in high school. It really raises your reality and affinity for
animals and nature. “Babylon's Ark” is also great (all found on
Amazon). </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Affinity
Exchange is rolling along, continuing to improve the site. Recent
marriages: Wayne and Anel, Alejandro and Thisbe, Ray and Sheri, Jeff
and Rosy, Oliver and Carmen. Also shared a success story from Loren
and Liz who met through AE years ago and, 10 years later, are
continuing to enjoy a stellar marriage. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ashley
continues to earn a reputation as one of Portland's best massages
therapists. She is now living with her boyfriend, Ethan (a step
closer, maybe, to me becoming a grandma some day?...)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To wrap
up, although I do think we're entering into a new and better age,
what is uncertain is how much damage the “dark forces” (i.e., the
global elite) might effect before they go down; thus I continue to
advocate being as prepared as possible for anything, and help others
do the same. First priority: STORE FOOD!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope you
all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
stay in touch.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love to
all, Marcia (217) 607-0632 home (818) 552-2211 cell
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Or
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-69671124535893110092012-10-29T21:19:00.000-07:002013-05-05T16:08:36.936-07:00Fall in the Heartland<style type="text/css">
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<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MARCIA
POWELL -- Blog article (#9) – October 30, 2012</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Picking up
from my last blog of August 12th, (to read earlier blog articles, go
to <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>),
I/we survived the drought. True, some seeds I planted never came
up—I think because I didn't water them enough early on. But the
alfalfa being grown on my 20 acres survived and was harvestable. I
do continue to see a lot of chemtrails in the sky and continue to
believe that the weather is being “geo-engineered.” Just an hour
ago I read an email saying that Hurricane Sandy was geo-engineered
(HAARP) and is part of the power games going on. Eegads! I just
take in the data and put it in my data banks for further
evaluation—and continue to prepare for anything.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I was
15, a fellow named Henry Monteith told me to read “Autobiography of
a Yogi,” which started (continued) me on my spiritual search. He
also showed my family pictures of the UFO that crashed at Roswell.
He left town and we did not re-connect until a month ago (55 years)!
He said he was thinking about me 3 days before I got the urge to look
him up and found him via the internet. He's a PhD physicist and
still very into helping to wake up mankind. He found his soulmate at
age 60 and has written a book about cosmological soulmates.
Interesting reading. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Attended
the opening event of a community garden, and last Saturday the
kickoff event for the new local currency. There's a lot of people in
this town doing very good work which aligns with my goal to help make
Champaign County a sustainable community. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB2wudan3nr7mKDU1qxcQUlrv5xbKK6tF1kqWW_w1d_1vmdQmdAJzacnCliue8GCmHrI1P5R-8L_pIogJqijEDZApA_irSV_wdKPKPZL54NhYDcoNUJ5WmdTHuu7PARnoGIfDSpZSfHaK/s1600/Community+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB2wudan3nr7mKDU1qxcQUlrv5xbKK6tF1kqWW_w1d_1vmdQmdAJzacnCliue8GCmHrI1P5R-8L_pIogJqijEDZApA_irSV_wdKPKPZL54NhYDcoNUJ5WmdTHuu7PARnoGIfDSpZSfHaK/s320/Community+garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Food
and Water Watch organization has sent a paid organizer to this city
to start the campaign to label GMO foods in Illinois. Yea! I hope
Prop 37 passes in California, as that will help us with our campaign.
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Probably
like many of you, I was appalled at what the GOP did to Ron Paul at
the GOP Convention in Tampa. It resulted in my decision to help grow
the Libertarian party. Between now and Nov. 6th I will continue to
campaign for Rob Meister in the hopes of getting him elected to the
Illinois State Assembly. As mentioned in my last blog, the citizens
of Illinois need to break up the power of the House Speaker, Mike
Madigan. There is more and more press (e.g. Chicago Tribune) about
this, which gives me hope. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One way
the local symphony orchestra raises money is to have “Taste of
Elegance” parties at beautiful homes. I've been to a couple—always
good for meeting new and interesting people. Have been to some great
concerts. One featured the orchestra, a big chorus, and 7 great
soloists singing Leonard Bernstein's “Make Our Garden Grow”
(listen to it on YouTube). Omigod! I almost sobbed out loud! Had
to dash home and write up the experience. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Am taking
the Hubbard Dianetics Course so as to know how to deliver Dianetic
auditing as done when the book first came out in 1950. Delivered my
first session a few days ago! I continue to help the local Mission.
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After
years of thinking about it, I finally decided to exercise my 2nd
amendment rights, so have purchased a revolver (for self defense) and
taken the NRA basic course. There's a lot more to all this than I
had realized ... another adventure!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Achieved
another goal I've had for a long time—learned how to grow sprouts.
It's quite easy, really. My gourmet salad is even healthier than it
was! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But my
life is not perfect, witness a recent incident with my computer. A
fellow convinced me I should switch from Windows to Linux operating
system and that he could quickly and easily do it. Well, after 2
weeks of computer-hell, I had to send my beautiful Toshiba laptop
back to the factory and purchase a desktop so as to keep working. Oi
vey! The Toshiba is back now, but I'm going to have to pay my <i><b>new</b></i>
computer guy to synchronize it with the desktop for use when I
travel. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Okay, so
you probably want to know if I'm still single (smile)... yes, I am,
but I have been dating a bit--just haven't met the right guy yet. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
Affinity Exchange continues to get products, so please continue to
promote it to your single friends. Have a few piano students now,
ages 8, 11, 60 and 70!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Recently
sister Jane and I drove to Galesburg (IL) for a family get-together.
Met relatives I didn't even know existed! Nice, since my family
tends to be smallish. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To wrap
up, I think this is a highly unusual time in history. According to
Henry, we're at the end of the 1000-year period that transitions us
from a 24,000 year period of “darkness” to a 24,000 year period
of “light.” Apparently the Mayans in South America on Dec. 21,
2012 plan to celebrate the start of the new period. Sounds like a
good plan to me. However, I think the “dark forces” (i.e., the
global elite) are still trying to cause a lot of destruction, so I'm
trying to be prepared for anything, and help others do the same.
First priority: STORE FOOD!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Again, if
you’re not already familiar with <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.thrivemovement.com/">www.ThriveMovement.com</a></u></span>,
I hope you will take a look at it. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If you
know of anyone interested in helping me with my sustainable farm, and
possibly a sustainable community, please give them my contact data. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hope you
all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)! </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
stay in touch.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love to
all, Marcia (217) 607-0632 home (818) 552-2211 cell
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com"><span style="font-size: small;">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</span></a></u></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Or
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></u></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a></u></span>
</span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-4837546545833816642012-08-12T18:59:00.002-07:002013-05-05T16:16:10.187-07:00Summer in the Heartland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blog article (#8) – August 12, 2012</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Picking
up from my last blog of June 2<sup>nd</sup> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(to read earlier blog articles, go to <a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a>),
the big (bad) news is the Midwest drought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After watching the “What in the world are they spraying?” documentary, I
realized that this drought (and the Texas drought earlier) might well be a
result of “geo-engineering.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oy
vey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(my favorite Hebrew term meaning an
exclamation of dismay).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s very sad
seeing the crops die and the trees and bushes (all plants not being watered by
humans) all crying out for water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
watering my yard garden, I am keeping most stuff alive, but some has not come
up at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Funny
incident last week… when my gardening consultant came by, I was about to ask
him when I could expect to see a beginning cucumber when he reach beneath the
foliage and came up with a 10-inch cuke!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How’s that for being a “green” gardener (play on words, ha, ha!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I’ve
been passing out flyers in the neighborhood for months, and finally now have
five piano students—only 1 directly from the flyers, but hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outflow = inflow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, musically, my cousin Beau and
completed rearranging “The Joy of Creating” so that there is an SAB (Soprano
Alto Baritone), as well as making the existing SATB version even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve assigned myself the hat of helping start
choirs in all the Ideal Orgs, so what is needed is music in SAB versions so as
to circumvent the problem of scarcity of tenors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve purchased the Sibelius music program but
have yet to learn it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">My
old friend, Lea Frechette, and her husband and son came through on their way to
Indiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to put them up for
the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun to visit with L.A.
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re all invited to visit the
Heartland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">West
Urbana, by the way, was recognized as one of 10 of the greatest neighborhoods
in the U.S.! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://urbanaillinois.us/posts/2012/08/west-urbana-recognized-great-neighborhood">http://urbanaillinois.us/posts/2012/08/west-urbana-recognized-great-neighborhood</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
head of the Libertarian Party here (a colorful lady with lavender hair) is
researching moving to Costa Rica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
reason (among others):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t do
drones.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My plan is to talk her into
staying here and setting things to rights.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">There
was this repeated ad on NPR radio by this Rosenstein guy who made a documentary
about a lady whose case went to the Supreme Court and changed the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out back in 1965 I met Dannel McCollum
through a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2008 he published
his book entitled “The Lord Was Not on Trial” about the Supreme Court case
about prayer in the schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was his
mother who brought the case to trial (related to his brother) and prompted
Rosenstein’s documentary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, Dannel
remembered me, responded immediately to my email, and we had an hour meeting
the very same day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was mayor of
Champaign for 12 years, so definitely someone I was interested in getting to
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Am
continuing to work with the local GOP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Upgraded to a smart phone (finally!) so that I could download an app
that allows me to walk a precinct—the program gives you the order of houses—and
enter the survey data directly into the phone, and thus into the party’s databanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty nifty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gotta master it so I can then instruct my volunteers how to do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I’ve met with the Sheriff, and
with the assistant to my Congressman; plus I’ve had a phone conversation with
my mayor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Another
funny political incident … Mike Bost is a Representative to the Illinois State
Assembly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A vote was coming upon a bill,
and then he was told the Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan, had just sent down
a revised bill—20 MINUTES BEFORE THE VOTE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When it was Bost’s turn to speak, he had a “meltdown”—i.e. a heartfelt
protest about Madigan’s shenanigans (hey, that was clever!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was video’d and went viral on
YouTube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to Champaign-Urbana to
speak at a fund-raising event, so I decided to go and meet him personally (as
one of my goals is to take down Madigan, as I’m getting that he is a suppressor
to the State).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I showed the video to my
daughter Ashley, who was visiting, and, knowing I was going to talk to him, she
said, “Mom, ask him if he’s going to get mad again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get mad again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get Madigan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Play on words, get it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So clever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I told him, and he said, “Thank you, Ashley.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope he uses it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ashley
(28 now and a massage therapist in Portland) and her boyfriend, Ethan, came to
Illinois for a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His family live in
the Chicago area, so they spent a few days there, then came down here for a few
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He teaches guitar and does sound engineering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We bonded when he found out I could sing most of “It Can’t Happen Here”
from Frank Zappa’s “Freak Out” album (1969).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was amazed to find a young person who was familiar with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We
finally had time for Ashley to tell me about her trip to Southeast Asia last
fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoyed hearing about her numerous
adventures, and proud of her for confronting and dealing with various
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a growing up experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her massage therapy practice is blooming—tech
plus all her positive vibes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
relatives from Southern Indiana came up, and we all spent a very hot day in
Jane’s pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Checking up on my physical
condition, I dove off the pier at the north end of the pond and managed to make
it to the south end (about 100 yards)—not exactly challenging Michael Phelps’
record, but I was proud to make it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If
you’re not already familiar with <a href="http://www.thrivemovement.com/">www.ThriveMovement.com</a>,
I hope you will take a look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was no existing group in my area, so I have started one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I called my “Survival Club” will now be
my Thrive Group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hope
you all are flourishing and prospering (thriving)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Please
stay in touch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Love
to all, Marcia <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(217)
607-0632<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>home<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(818) 552-2211<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>cell<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-29614541142720930402012-06-01T20:05:00.000-07:002013-05-05T16:24:50.292-07:00Spring in the Heartland<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blog article (#7) – June 2, 2012</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Picking
up from my last blog of April 14<sup>th</sup> (to read earlier blog articles,
go to <a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a>),
the BIG NEWS is the “merger” (technically, an affiliation) of The Affinity
Exchange with Free Spirit Singles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
recently wrote a 4-page history of The Affinity Exchange so that my clients
could understand the why’s and wherefore’s of the recent changeover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make a long story short, FSS was my
competitor/nemesis for ten years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
these years, I would often say to myself, “If only I could talk with his
computer programmer…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that is what
I did last October in Clearwater, and dear Hermann duplicated my viewpoints on
why the existing competitive situation was a lose-lose scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He convinced Rob to propose an affiliation,
we worked out the details, and the changeover occurred on May 12<sup>th</sup>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDtL_aRMUJg5UpFSJdehjuqjqVOmnq9ZtyMnzGj53aYHJS7E9nU1aXDYcyn7KejHzBfeafnmkIRHAZJNfoo1EBtxkXxZgCzMgqkXG37w1DZ8Cn4-xujXS9ZQzfv6fXGHaNiYYMSuuu7IE/s1600/4121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDtL_aRMUJg5UpFSJdehjuqjqVOmnq9ZtyMnzGj53aYHJS7E9nU1aXDYcyn7KejHzBfeafnmkIRHAZJNfoo1EBtxkXxZgCzMgqkXG37w1DZ8Cn4-xujXS9ZQzfv6fXGHaNiYYMSuuu7IE/s320/4121.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Moving
thousands of profiles from one dating service to another wherein the sites are
not the same is, as you can imagine, a computer programmer’s nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, Hermann is the hero of the hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t perfect, and we’re still handling “stuff,”
but it’s working and my AE members (and myself!) are getting through the “trauma
of change.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Now
I can get to work on some promotional ideas I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I hope all my friends will
continue to refer their friends who are single and looking to <a href="http://www.affinity-exchange.com/">www.affinity-exchange.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a combined database with two different “portals.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual, ANYONE can join. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I’ve
been passing out flyers in the neighborhood for piano students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brenda Porter, a 60-year-old black lady, is
my first student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love teaching her! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Does
anyone remember when I lived in Eagle Rock, worked at a law firm downtown,
bicycled to work, started the club for people who biked to work downtown, and
was interviewed on NPR radio?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, well
I bicycled most of my life until I moved to Hollywood and didn’t have room for
a bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now, many years later, I’m
riding again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had to buy a brand new
Schwinn (yellow-green, of course) in order to get the color and size I
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had to be comfortable enough
and have enough gears for me to be able to ride to my sister’s (20 miles) in
event of not being able to drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About
my 3<sup>rd</sup> ride, I put my foot wrong-way-to on the pedal and took a
spill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two bloody knees!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Felt like a 12-year-old.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I got right back on and didn’t let it
deter me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I
paid a guy with a roto-tiller to dig up my south yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then dug trenches to create raised beds for
the seeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve planted radishes, beets,
peas, broccoli, carrots, different kinds of lettuce; plus transplanting some
tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and garlic brought to me by a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few plants are showing themselves, and I’ve
started weeding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, the joy of pulling
a weed out by the root!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
thought:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kids should be planting gardens
and getting rewarded for getting the weeds out with roots intact (difficult,
actually).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On
Memorial weekend, I drove to Jane’s for an impromptu weenie roast at the pond
with my nephew and grand-niece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
drove past my 25 acres (green with alfalfa), it suddenly looked VERY big—way bigger
than it had last January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized it’s
due to my yard gardening experience of dropping microscopic seeds into tiny
holes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I start growing vegetables
there, I am NOT going to be using a big tractor and planting machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone know a young couple who wants to make
a career as organic farmers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’m
serious… living in the Heartland is where it’s at.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA9B_FK8DbTAHbn7JVgXOKj8AMf3IUqxJrm7_zNeC5nk7rRck2NZ_GCE3-h1LJkhUxU5mSgdSSjcvsspKDen2B_WzG-npo2wVkMXsET16VPOds6UBxolrCmXtqK183GM_VNxz1tX-jxfD/s1600/EAT+YOUR+YARD+sign+4-24-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA9B_FK8DbTAHbn7JVgXOKj8AMf3IUqxJrm7_zNeC5nk7rRck2NZ_GCE3-h1LJkhUxU5mSgdSSjcvsspKDen2B_WzG-npo2wVkMXsET16VPOds6UBxolrCmXtqK183GM_VNxz1tX-jxfD/s320/EAT+YOUR+YARD+sign+4-24-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">My
yard now sprouts a lovely sign reading EAT YOUR YARD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m compiling a list of people in my
neighborhood who are growing veggies in their yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 2<sup>nd</sup> meeting of my Survival
Club will be on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I
recommend that everyone should watch the movie on <a href="http://www.thrivemovement.com/">www.ThriveMovement.com</a> and follow the “What
To Do” recommendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My food storage project is up to about 3 weeks
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have some rice and beans… now have
to learn how to cook ‘em!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
weather here is positively <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">entertaining</i></b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was shopping at my food co-op a few weeks
ago when a sudden thunderstorm hit, followed by the tornado sirens going off,
followed by a rainbow that looked like it sprouted from the parking lot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few days ago it was in the 90’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning it was in the 50’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main thing we need is more rain. Now, how
did that rain dance go… ? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can water
my yard garden, but we’re not set up to water a 25-acre field. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Went
to a protest meeting regarding a coal company wanting to put a coal mine in the
area here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way, Jose!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonder if I’ll have to put my body in front
of a bulldozer …?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Per the Thrive movie,
people know how to build free-energy machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We just need to get the Banksters to stop suppressing the tech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">As
for my political work, it’s fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ron Paul’s “submarine delegate strategy” is fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, I’m busy getting to know the
Players in Champaign County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have attended a Teaparty event, and an Occupy
meeting just to find out who they are and what they’re up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of my goal is to get these small diverse
groups working together on the bigger issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll be working on a couple of political campaigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Illinois government is in sad shape, so
that’ll continue to be an ongoing project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plus I want to participate in some way in the city and county
government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So,
dear friends, learn to grow food, see to your survival basics, pay more
attention to your local government, get to know your neighbors, disconnect from
the mega banks, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>invest in silver, and,
as the author of “Crisis by Design” says at the end of each chapter of his
book, “Keep your ammo dry.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Please
stay in touch.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Love
to all, Marcia <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(818) 552-2211<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>cell<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-65361125223849610142012-04-14T14:20:00.000-07:002012-04-14T14:21:30.406-07:00Life in the Heartland<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Blog article (#7) –<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>April 14, 2012</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Two months since my last blog article… time flies when you’re having fun!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Actually, I’m somewhat amazed how much I am enjoying life here in Urbana, Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One factor is probably that I’m doing a lot of creating in numerous areas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">As I think most of you know by now, bringing sanity to government is my biggest passion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Illinois Primary was March 20<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With the Ron Paul group, I ended up walking 3 different precincts—definitely a learning experience.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A couple of years ago someone had sent me an article about how important precinct committemen are, and now I’m beginning to get subjective reality on that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">In the same way that Ron Paul, basically a Libertarian, is running as a Republican, I am “joining” the Republican party here and should soon be appointed as an official precinct committeeman.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I start imagining what the world would be like if precinct captains actually took a lot of responsibility for the people in their precinct and their welfare along the eight dynamics.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Little third dynamics within the larger groupings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The “ex-officio” head of the Ron Paul group graduated and got a job in DC, so looks like I am sliding into his shoes and taking over the leadership.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yea!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Last weekend I gathered up Ron Paul signs and flyers from the group members, loaded them into my car, and made a trip to southern Indiana to visit my niece and her family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They just bought a piano, so I took Maddie (age 12) a book of violin solos with piano accompaniment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also showed niece Lockie how to coach Maddie on beginning piano. After the kids went to bed, I helped them hide the Easters eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good being with family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">When I left Urbana I still did not have a contact person for the Ron Paul stuff, but Scott came through and I connected with a guy in Indianapolis who allowed me to drop the stuff off at his house while he was at church Sunday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mission accomplished!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Afterwards I realized what a true grassroots action this was—the Illinois supporters helping the Indiana supporters all on their own, no connection with the campaign people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">As for the whole Ron Paul saga—and it IS a saga—it’s quite an eye-opener for me to confront that there really is voter fraud going on in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Note:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I got trained and was an election judge for the Primary.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No fraud in OUR polling place!) <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our meetup group leader was instrumental in getting Ron Paul to come to the U of I and do a rally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Over 4500 people attended.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was in the 3<sup>rd</sup> row, about 25 feet away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He spoke with no teleprompters and a lot of heart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So even if he does not win the candidacy, a movement is underway that I expect will have some positive influences on the political scene.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Last Thursday night I was able to meet and talk one-on-one with the head of the local Libertarian Party.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She also is on the Party Boards at state and national levels, so is a great person to get data about that party.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Yesterday I made up and got printed some little flyers encouraging people to go to <a href="http://www.fairtax.org/">www.FairTax.org</a> and become supporters of the National Retail Sales Tax.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ll be passing these out at the post office as people go to mail their tax returns, and also at the teaparty rally tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">While on the one hand I am working to bring sanity to government, on the other I am working on survival/preparedness things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A couple of the Ron Paul supporters own a house walking distance from mine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have built a geodesic-dome-type greenhouse in their back yard!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We’re going to form the nucleus of a Survival Club in this neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">If you have not already watched the movie on <a href="http://www.thrivemovement.com/">www.ThriveMovement.com</a>, please do so.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s 2 hrs 12 minutes, so prepare accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Their suggested solutions seem sane to me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">As for getting back to Clearwater, what with spring coming along, I’ve started to pass out flyers regarding piano lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My first student starts next Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course, I continue to run The Affinity Exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>More on that in my next blog.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The “Small Farm Wannabe” course taught me how much I don’t know about organic farming!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Especially enjoyed the field trip to two small farms nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mass to go with the significance!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sue and Tom, my cash/rent farmers, have planted the alfalfa.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I HAVE to talk about the weather … </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">So many of my friends live in either California or Florida where the weather does its thing, but seldom does it majorly affect your life and activities. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now when I hear the weather report on the radio, I pay attention.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Illinois had a record-breaking mild winter, with 80-degree weather in March.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, into April, instead of warmth and spring showers, we’d had temperatures below freezing and a drought!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thus can I lie awake at night worrying about my little alfalfa seedlets.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Having built up quite a reference library on gardening, and having found some people nearby who garden, this coming week I hope to start my own yard garden.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m strongly encouraging everyone I know to learn how to grow food. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Attended a great concert a couple of weeks ago—Mandy Patinkin and Nathan Gunn, singers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tonight will hear the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra with a new lady-friend from the Republican party.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There’s way more cultural events here than I possibly have time for, but it’s good havingness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">On Feb. 25<sup>th</sup>, Paul, the local mission holder, and I and two other guys drove to Cincinnati for the Grand Opening of their new Ideal Org.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lovely!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Their chapel is big AND HAS A GRAND PIANO!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Guess who needs to get a choir started there?!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Love and best wishes, Marcia<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-42683778997588818792012-02-17T19:18:00.000-08:002013-05-05T16:30:17.927-07:00Getting established<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> 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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blog article (#6) – February 17, 2012</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have added some names to my email list, so if this is the first blog article you are receiving, I suggest you go to <a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a> and read the previous articles (5) before reading this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">My last blog of December 24<sup>th</sup> found me staying at my sister Jane’s house (the house I grew up in) in the country 17 miles east of Urbana, Illinois (population 110,000—a college town).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas was a fun family affair what with Jane’s two kids and their kids (and one big dog!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Next project:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>find a place to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was an experience!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just when I thought it might be impossible, I turned to Craigs list (yes, Urbana has a Craigs list) and made a call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The landlord said he and his friends were having a party at the house, but come on over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the hour’s visit, complete with birthday cake, I wrote him a check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What closed me was that he said I could dig a garden in the south yard, and could have a cat if I paid a pet deposit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The house, built in 1908, only has 774 sq feet—just a shoebox of a house—1 bath, 1-1/2 bedrooms… sorta strange, but I’m working with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kitchen is like a cockpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floor sort of “undulates,” so nearly every piece of furniture has to be shimmed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Curiously, the house number is 808, and when I give directions, I say “…go south on Lincoln and then turn left on Oregon where the AXIOM sign is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the house is walking distance from where my grandparents used to live, as well as from a house my parents had briefly and where I lived for one year during college; so I’m truly “back in the ‘hood.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On New Year’s I saw the event at the local mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ended early enough that I could catch a community choir concert at a local theater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>70 voices; good quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some day I’ll meet the director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In the past, I think all my moves occurred in hot weather, so it was a unique experience to move in 25 degree weather, with actual snowfall before we were through!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the 6 weeks since then, I have been working on getting the right furniture and then “a place for everything and everything in its place.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Challenging, but rewarding when done!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Shopped the local piano stores, then again checked Craigs list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drove to a town 30 miles away to see a Yahama upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had sat in a living room for 30 years without being tuned!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Playing it was painful, but I took a chance, talked the guy down to $800, gave him cash, and then called the moving company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cost another $265 to move it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Held my breath till the piano tuner came and gave me her evaluation—it would take more than one tuning to bring it up to snuff, but it was otherwise in pretty good shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gambled and won!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">An old friend, Andy Lobue, paid me a visit (flew in from PA).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I put him to work moving furniture (the only way I could get everything in my bedroom was to put the bed in the middle of the room—different, but it works!) and hanging pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had fun renewing our friendship while getting some stuff done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">To accommodate my full LRH materials library, I had to order two custom-made bookcases in addition to one I purchased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No room for a couch, so purchased a Queen Anne chair to accommodate a visitor, or a rare sit-down-and-read moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I get a reading lamp and footstool, the house will be pretty well “finished.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you all are invited to come visit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The winter here has been unseasonably warm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mid January there was a major lightning and thunder storm!! (Global Weirding.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had one major snowfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trouble with living on a corner lot is that you have TWO sidewalks to shovel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pulled a muscle in my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before that pain subsided, I slipped on the ice on my front concrete steps and whacked my back. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a learning experience!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I think I have now come to realize that I am no longer living in Southern California—or Florida, for that matter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I purchased a high quality Needak rebounder—bought one that folds up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just finished reading the accompanying booklet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highly recommend it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all have work to do and need to live as long and healthily as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On the last day in January I figured I’d better go to the mall and get some winter stuff before the January sales ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got a $200 coat for $60, boots half price, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring on the blizzards!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Krannert Performing Arts Center is only about 10 blocks from my house and has really great performances of all kinds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went to an MLK event there (100-voice gospel choir!) a few weeks ago, and a few nights ago I went to hear the St. Olaf’s Choir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These young people are able to say, “I memorized a Bach Cantata—IN GERMAN!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would not have believed it had I not seen/heard it myself!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a link …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>watch and weep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAa3NC1Fuc4</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I attended a free showing of a documentary about ending Black History Month, followed by a discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am gathering data about this community—what are the issues? Who are the leaders?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On Monday nights I attend the Ron Paul meetup group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have agreed to be a precinct captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no backoff on knocking on doors, but I do hope it’s not TOO cold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My landlord is a Democrat but allowed me to put a Ron Paul sign in the yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">One of the people in the Ron Paul group is a young man who is running for the Illinois State Assembly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a great one-on-one meeting with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be fun to help in his campaign. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Finally met Tom and Sue, the couple who are “cash-renting” my 25 acres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next three years we’re growing alfalfa as the first step in transitioning the land and rebuilding the soil in preparation for doing sustainable farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gives me time to learn what to do next. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Am enjoying meeting with the people at the local Scientology mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For starters I’m volunteering to work on central files and addresso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Finally, please know that my daughter, Ashley, (currently living in Portland) finished massage therapy school, is licensed, spent two months in Thailand learning Thai massage, and now has been hired by both a wellness clinic and the college itself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a compliment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a proud mama.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Please write and catch me up on what you’re doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Love and best wishes, Marcia<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(217) 607-0632<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(new home phone)</span></div>
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Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-66878812215702196892011-12-24T08:02:00.000-08:002011-12-24T08:03:13.500-08:00Home Sweet Home<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Blog article – December 24, 2011</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">In my last blog of September 23<sup>rd</sup> , I relayed the good news that I started upper level 5.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did indeed complete that level, which is a big win.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, my resources were not enough to stay and get onto upper levels 6 and 7 (sniff).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">As mentioned in my last blog, I did get the Clearwater choir established.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By the time I left, the core choir numbered around 25.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>More people are planning to come aboard in January.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Best of all, I found someone who is EXCITED about being the musical director (David Dempster), and someone who is EXCITED about being the Executive Director (and a lead baritone) (Nick Anderson), and someone who is EXCITED about being the choir’s Communicator (Rebecca Weiss, who I first met on the ship in 1971!), and someone who is wearing (maybe not excited, but doing it) the librarian hat (Rick Crites).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And Maddie Pfeiffer is not only a lead alto, but also a musical director and in charge of the young persons octet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And Paul Polivnick, a professional orchestra conductor has agreed to help train the musical directors in conducting techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What a team!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">This choir went from nothing to performance level capability in about ten weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Truly a miracle!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are now in communication with the L.A. choir, which is also doing well under the leadership of Anoush Nevart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When the new “mecca” building has its grand opening (probably some time this spring), I/we are postulating that when people tour the building, the choir will be in the chapel singing beautiful music.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The choir could number 60-80 people if all the singers in Clearwater are joined by singers from L.A., and other places in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My plan is to be a consultant for choirs in Scientology churches all over the world in relation to how to get started, what to sing, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">In addition to making a lot of progress spiritually, I met a lot of wonderful people from all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This makes Marcia, “The Connector,” very happy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Shellah Garrett is doing a marvelous job of keeping the political forum group going in California.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Brett Miller, curiously enough, like me grew up on a farm near Champaign-Urbana, and, like me, is now an upper level Scientologist actually doing something to bring sanity to government.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He’s way ahead of me, and an inspiration as to how to go about it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So Florida is in good hands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, I’ll have to see what I can do in Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">And, yes, I am now back in central Illinois, currently staying with my sister Jane while looking for a place to live.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a 1200 mile drive from Clearwater to Urbana.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Left CW around 2 on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A major accident occurred south of Gainesville that actually stopped all 3 lanes of traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Myself and others sat on the guardrail for nearly an hour, them talking, me reading my book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stayed at a motel in Valdosta, GA; then on Wednesday, rolled through Macon, Atlanta, Chatanooga, Nashville, Bowling Green, Louisville, and made it to my niece’s house in New Albany, Indiana, by 10 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Slept 9 hours (!), had a good visit, and made it to my sister’s house by 4:00 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She still lives in the remodeled schoolhouse we grew up in, so it is truly Home Sweet Home.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Indiana gang (4) drove up, so Christmas will be with them, plus my nephew and his wife and 2 daughters, plus my brother-in-law’s sister and husband, making a total of 13!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Note that I’m usually in L.A. at Christmas due to all the choir performances, so this is quite a change.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Daughter Ashley completed her 2-1/2 month trip to the Far East (Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea) and is now back in Portland building up her massage therapy business, and, of course, doing some singing for fun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Now I gotta find a place to live, promote the Affinity Exchange, starting learning how to transition my 20 acres to sustainable farming, help grow the local mission, etc. etc. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">To All:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Best wishes for wonderful holidays and a new year that is better than the last!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Love to all, Marcia <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(818) 552-2211<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>cell<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Or<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-60425636470032422482011-09-23T17:05:00.001-07:002011-09-23T17:05:48.854-07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Blog article – September 23, 2011</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Picking up from my last blog of Aug 20<sup>th</sup>, the big news is that I did indeed recently make it onto upper level five!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(For my non-Scientology friends, please know that I can’t really explain what this is, but just know that it is a BIG DEAL.)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My life is pretty routine—wake up (6:15-ish!), exercise, eat, do my counseling or training, come home in the evening and do my work, go to bed, wake up, exercise, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I especially enjoy my lunches in the Sandcastle Restaurant—right on the water with a great view of the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But better than the view even is the pleasure of visiting with old friends and meeting new people—always a win for Marcia “The Connector.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I did, however, decide I should get the Clearwater choir up and running.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I knew there were some good singers here, but no one was taking on the job of getting them organized, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I started networking and found a classical cellist (Joan Lunde) who was willing to let us rehearse in her living room where she has a grand piano.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So now I’m promoting and hope to have a decent group show up this Sunday evening.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">It was good I arrived in Florida in July, as then I knew the heat would be getting better (i.e., less) as time went by.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most of the time I’m in air-conditioned buildings, so it really wasn’t that bad. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now the days are averaging 91 degrees instead of 94.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I’m getting used to the almost-daily rain and lightning storms.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The downpours usually last only 10 minutes or so, but yesterday I got caught in my car for 30 minutes!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Of course I had a book in my car and so enjoyed a little “enforced” pleasure reading!)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Otherwise the main challenge environmentally is not stepping on the little lizards (from 1” to 4”) that run across the stepping stones on my way to my car.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My friend Paola Lombardi has wanted to have a “Marcia’s-in-town” party ever since I arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We finally found someone who has a BIG house, so the party will probably be on October 15<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s open to Affinity Exchange singles and also to my personal friends, and anyone else who wants to come.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They just need to let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Anyway, that’s the update.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you send me an email and I don’t reply immediately, please understand that it’s hard for me to keep up, so don’t take it personally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I DO want to stay in comm with everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Love to all, Marcia <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(818) 552-2211<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>cell<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Or<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/">http://messagesfrommarcia.blogspot.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-64550643167631560932011-08-20T16:53:00.001-07:002011-08-20T16:53:49.738-07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Blog article – August 20, 2011</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Picking up from my last blog of July 17<sup>th</sup>, I enjoyed six days in a big house on the beach in North Carolina with a bunch of family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My sister Jane and her husband Don just celebrated their 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I flew Ashley out from Portland so she could spend some time with her Midwest family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Took a spill playing basketball one evening—bruised my cheek, ribs, and took some skin off my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I asked myself what you’re probably asking-- “What are you doing playing basketball at 67?!”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Couldn’t come up with a logical answer…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Packed my car for the trip to Florida, put ‘er into gear, and… gravel started flying as the wheels spun into the sand under the gravel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Had to call a tow truck to pull it out!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It spit gravel for the next 20 miles!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Made it to Orlando in time to have a lovely dinner with my cousin Beau and his friend Jill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In addition to being a talented pianist, composer, and arranger, I find now he is also a talented cook!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I look forward to seeing him more during my stay in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I am renting a little room in my friend Sioux Hart’s little house—the one with the big alligator in the front yard.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a couple of houses away from the Pinellas Trail—a great place to take my walks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">For those who don’t already know, the “Mecca” of Scientology is in Clearwater.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People come there from all over the world for the upper levels.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve run into many old friends here and have now made numerous new friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My goal is to do the training and counseling needed to get onto upper level 7.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It will probably take me till at least January, maybe longer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once I accomplish that, I will take up residence in Illinois (Urbana). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My schedule is pretty intense—studying/counseling all day, and doing my work (Affinity Exchange) and life stuff in the evenings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hard just to keep up with my email traffic, so if I don’t answer your communication right away, please understand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The weekend of August 13<sup>th</sup>-14<sup>th</sup>, I flew from Tampa to Indianapolis, rented a car, and drove to Urbana, Illinois for my 50<sup>th</sup> High School Reunion!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was fun connecting with people I hadn’t seen for 50 years!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stayed all night at Jane’s and drove/flew back the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Speaking of Jane, I recently got to read her two books, “The Heron Stayed,” and “When the War Came to Hannah.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although her target audience is young adults, every adult I know who have read them really like them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Go to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">www.amazon.com</a> and enter her name: Jane Creason, and they should come up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, while there, enter her son’s name, Todd Creason, as his new novel is there:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“One Last Shot.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A very good read as well!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">For those who know my daughter Ashley, she is preparing to leave on September 14<sup>th</sup> for a 3-month trip to Thailand where she will be training in Thai massage, plus some time to tour the country. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">For my Scientology readers, I am making progress on my preparations for upper level 5.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My next blog may well be when I start that level, as that will be a red-letter day!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Another accomplishment was making donations to the International Association of Scientologists and achieving the status of Patron.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many good things are achieved worldwide by these donations, so I’m proud to help mankind in this way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Love to all, Marcia <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(818) 552-2211<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>cell<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:Marcia@affinity-exchange.com">Marcia@affinity-exchange.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Or <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><a href="mailto:marpo3344@gmail.com">marpo3344@gmail.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-42239121736173937012011-07-17T19:25:00.000-07:002011-07-17T19:27:58.127-07:00From Illinois to North Carolina...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> 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mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Blog article – July 17, 2011</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Well, dear friends, I managed to handle <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>most of the items on my “Do in Illinois” list.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The day I left, I got up at 6:30 and started packing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Took till 6:30 p.m. (!) as I had to decide what to leave in Illinois and what to take with me to North Carolina and Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For weeks I’d been worried about it all fitting into my little Mazda—but, by golly, it DID!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">For years I’ve had a problem with leg pain when I drive over 45 minutes, so wasn’t sure what to expect driving 1000 (approx.) miles by myself!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The M.O. was to stop at every rest stop, take off my shoes (grounding—heard of it?), lie on the ground and do a series of exercises.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Might’ve looked funny to passersby, but it worked!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">These rest stops are really quite beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, I realized how irritated I get when the toilet flushes on its own.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s like, Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who said I was ready to flush?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then it’s done before I get the paper thrown in, causing the next person to think it hadn’t flushed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So they flush again, which WASTES WATER!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I just read the issue of “Yes!” magazine about the planetary water shortage, and we all need to stop wasting water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Anyway, I asked myself if these AFT’s (Automatic Flushing Toilets) are run by electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If so, what happens if the electricity goes off?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eeeeooooou!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe I’m just becoming a reactionary conservative in my old age… or maybe it’s just that I want to be CAUSE OVER FLUSHING.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So now I’m into the game of it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>First I have to learn to recognize an AFT—like pay attention when I first walk in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Is it me against the robot, or not?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also I think it’s important not to lean forward, which can lean to premature flushing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And maybe wiping from the back will prevent it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I recall previously being irritated by this phenomena, but I think it was after a movie and I didn’t have attention units to put on the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s what driving alone across the country does—allows you to put attention units on previously unimportant matters.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh well, it’s always good to have another game to play!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Anyway, Kentucky is beautiful, as is West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was hard to enjoy the corn and soybeans in Illinois, as I think soy is not that healthful, nor is corn and its products.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I just went to ask.com and asked about the ethanol issue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Didn’t have time to research it properly, but intend to, as I think there’s downsides to it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Part of my work in Illinois was to figure out what to do with my 22 acres.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For starters, I plan to grow alfalfa (hay) next growing season as a way to start the transition to sustainable farming.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">As I got further and further east, I enjoyed seeing animals grazing on grass (as opposed to eating grain in huge cattle farms)--and other crops being grown, and BIG farmers markets.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">You may or may not know I’m somewhat of an NPR (Natl Public Radio) junkie.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But as I was driving across the sound to the Outer Banks, I realized I wanted to hear beautiful music to go along with the beautiful scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Realized again the beauty of small white fluffy clouds in a blue sky, over green foliage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think it’s most beautiful in a ratio of 2/5<sup>th</sup> clouds to 3/5<sup>th</sup> blue sky.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Isn’t it odd that I’d think that way… go figure… (tee hee) ?!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Miraculously, my sister and husband (one car), niece and family (another car), and I all managed to arrive (without caravanning) at our destination within an hour of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stay tuned…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Love to all, Marcia<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(818) 552-2211<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>cell<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-21332923241270280092011-07-04T19:41:00.000-07:002011-07-04T19:42:44.863-07:00Life in the Heartland<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> 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name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Thought I was going to leave for Florida on July 5<sup>th</sup>, but decided it was silly to drive to Florida and then, a few days later, drive to North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thus, I am staying at my sister Jane’s until we all leave on July 14<sup>th</sup> for a family reunion at the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She and Don have been married for 50 years!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then I’ll drive to Clearwater, arriving around July 25<sup>th</sup>. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My sister and her husband live in the house I grew up in—the remodeled schoolhouse—so I’m back home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don has surrounded the house with many beautiful trees, and he and Jane spend hours each week mowing the grass for the ½ acre plot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Quite lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nearly every morning I take a 2-mile walk, watching the birds and rabbits, and the corn growing by inches each day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Too bad it’s Monsanto GMO corn!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Read another article about Monsanto’s suppressive activities—really yucky—raises my activist hackles!)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Am continuing my research re what to do with my land.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Met with a great lady who lives nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She has 20 acres, raises some livestock and sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Shears the sheep herself and spins yarn!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Chickens, organic garden, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She works with the Land Connection, training new farmers, and trying to match absentee landowners with aspiring farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course, I’m going to try to improve their “matchmaking” program.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Found out about an intentional community about 50 miles away, but will probably not have time to visit them until my return to the area.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you’re not knowledgeable about intentional or sustainable communities, Google it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m getting more and more into it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Wanna make a plug here for a magazine entitled “Yes!”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Google it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Anyway, I’ve found the local health food store, and a different store that sells jicama, as well as some organic produce. (Was amazed at how difficult it’s been to find romaine lettuce!) <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So my rent this month is making salads for my sister—plus a few piano lessons and allowing her to beat me at Scrabble (if you believe THAT one…?!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She’s been wonderful about allowing me to stake out a corner of the living room for my “office,” and having a bunch of bankers boxes there as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I’m chipping away at my Inbox, which got pretty backlogged, as well as doing various projects.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Interstate route 74 went through our land back when I was 10 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When they dug the hole to build the bridge, it was in our land, so Jane and Don own the pond. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don has done a great job of landscaping it over the years, plus my Dad built a “pavilion.” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don created a roasting pit. There’s a couple of piers out into the water, and some fish in it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yesterday we had a pond party with a bunch of relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Went off my diet and had a couple of hot dogs, baked beans, slaw, roasted marshmallows, cupcakes and rootbeer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It caught up with me at midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Had to read magazines until I stopped blowing my nose and could breathe again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Went to the local 4<sup>th</sup> of July parade in the nearby town (1600 people) of Oakwood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lots of fire trucks and tractors and local beauty queens and a few ex-Marines.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Parades nearly always make me choke up—this one no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But in addition to the “normal” restimulation from soldiers marching, there’s an additional misemotion related to these lovely people who are pretty clueless about what’s REALLY going on.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Following the advice in “Crisis by Design,” I made an 80-mile trip to purchase silver coins from a dealer that my brother-in-law recommended.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then I buried them and drew a map (just kidding—sort of…)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Purchased the AquaRain water filter so if I had to, I/we could drink the water from the pond.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Please, my friends, take steps to prepare for any possible disasters.)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Am glad Don is a good shot—he could keep the family alive eating rabbits, pheasants, etc—plus the fish in the pond.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I get back, I plan to have him teach me how to shoot—and fish. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Stay tuned…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Love, Marcia<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(818) 552-2211<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>cell<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-50573091008689407692011-06-21T18:09:00.000-07:002011-06-21T18:10:45.227-07:00Marcia's Trip to Illinois<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">MARCIA POWELL --<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>TRIP TO ILLINOIS --<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>JUNE 2011</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"></span>Dave Fauser (my driver) and I picked up the 26-foot U-Haul truck, hired one Mexican (Juan,) and the 3 of us unloaded Dad’s stuff out of storage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Returned Juan and went to my place.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Got the neighbor boy, Garin, to agree to help (paid).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We worked into the night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I put Dave to bed on my bed, and I worked ALL NIGHT packing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even then, it took us all day to pack the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We barely fit everything in, and then the concern is if we packed it well enough to survive the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Makes me appreciate professional movers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then we had to go to U-Haul and get my car onto the trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then back to the apartment to clean it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I left the piano with Ralph, still hoping I can find a buyer for it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave and I actually headed east at 6:45 p.m. Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stayed all night at Clarion Inn in Indio.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sat. 6-11</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still had ¼ tank of gas when we left Indio, figuring we could find a station soon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A sign said “Chicarro,” 10 miles, but we saw nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kept going, and the gauge went into red, 30 miles west of Blythe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We pulled over and were about to use a call box when a policeman came by.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He advised us to just keep driving until we actually ran out of gas, and then call 9-1-1 for a tow truck.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So we kept going--and made it to a station!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On fumes and postulates, probably.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Whew!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>Ran into a traffic jam in Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then had dinner in Globe, AZ.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Planned on <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>taking route 60 to get to Doc Shillington’s place in Datil, but the staff at the restaurant advised us not to take the Sand Canyon road at night, as it has a lot of hairpin curves—challenging with a big truck towing a car.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So we got the last room in town—a huge paraplegic room—for $60!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sun. 6-12</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave did the driving from Globe to Low Show, AZ.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Had a lot of hairpin turns going down into and up out of Sand Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then we found out Rte 60 was shut down because of the big fires in Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had to decide whether to make a big detour in order to visit Doc Shillington.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Decided it was worth it, so we drove north, then east, and then back down to Rte 60 and east to Datil.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>Doc met us and had us leave our truck by the Freeway.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He then drove us to his place.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has purchased 5 acres with a house.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He’s handled the water problem six ways.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Showed me his green house; also the underground shelter he’s building.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He thinks problems could arrive as soon as August or September—solar system stuff, as well as economic collapse.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He gave me some names of others doing sustainable living, but there are very few in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to help network and get more people going on it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>Left after a couple of hours visit and got to April Fletcher’s in Tijeras, NM, around 10:30.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Went right to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Mon-Weds. 6/13-15</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the morning we walked around her 10-acre property where they are thinning the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She has data about toxins and pesticides (her field).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Differentiated between “organic farming” and “sustainable farming.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>More to learn!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>Got on Interstate 40 and headed east.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I drove for a couple of hours.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No leg pain, but the seatbelt cuts across my throat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hard to keep it down to 55 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>Crossed north Texas and headed to Oklahoma.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave got tired before we got to Oklahoma City, so we got off the interstate in El Reno and looked for a motel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Drove way out of the way, meandered through the city, and no motel!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally gave up and got back on the interstate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>THEN saw a motel!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oi vey!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kept going to Okla City, and stopped at the first motel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Full.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>2<sup>nd</sup> one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Full.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>3<sup>rd</sup> one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Full.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I felt like Mary—no room at the inn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I asked why, and they said “Summer.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Summer?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sounds weird to a Californian.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyway, we finally found a room in the Clarion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Took some doing to get the truck parked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Got to bed at 1:30.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>Took off Tues morning with the goal to get to Jane’s before midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did another 2 hour stint behind the wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Rolled through Joplin (saw one house damaged by the tornado) and St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Had dinner south of Effingham.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Made it to Jane’s 2 minutes before midnight!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Went right to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>Was awakened Weds morning at 6 by a thunderstorm!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Welcome to Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fortunately, it let up, so we rolled the Mazda off the car trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Felt so good to drive my car!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Went first to U-Haul to turn in the car trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Asked them where to find day laborers to unload the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They didn’t have any there!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Suggested Home Depot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>None there either.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They suggested Lowe’s, but none there either.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I started stopping customers going in and out of the store.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No one knew anyone who wasn’t working (I thought there were a lot of people unemployed…).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally, someone said to call Manpower.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That wasn’t appropriate, so they suggested Labor Ready.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They were also an overkill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I told the lady I was about to cry, and she suggested The Time Center on Market and Washington—a homeless shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Found two guys—Joe and Roger, and off we went to National Mini Warehouse on Anthony near Lincoln in Urbana.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We went to work and unloaded the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was challenging because I had to figure out what to put where so Jane and I could get to what we need to get to. Then to U-Haul to return the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Had to go get gas. It POURED down rain, then the sun came out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Drove Dave to the bus station and bought him a ticket to Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I then went back to the storage unit and figured out what I needed to take to Jane’s.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Trashed her house with all my boxes and stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She’s being wonderfully tolerant. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>To wrap up, as of 6-21, I’ve found where to shop for organic produce, had the first meeting with my new attorney regarding the legal cycles, met with a neighbor who knows a lot about gardening and sustainable living, started my list of Midwest people, and am working on my business as well as backlogs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>AND just lived through my first tornado warning!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Love to all, Marcia<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(818) 552-2211</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">marcia@affinity-exchange.com<br /></span></p>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-38856285043041911622011-05-26T21:59:00.000-07:002011-05-26T22:10:52.720-07:00May 26, 2011: Am working away on my list of things to do to prepare for my move to Illinois. Inherited some farm land, so need to live there and handle it and be with my family there. <br /><br />After handling some legal stuff, I'll pack my car and drive to Clearwater where I'll rent a room and stay there for some upper level services. Then back to settle in Urbana, Illinois. <br /><br />Saturday night, May 28th, is the Affinity Exchange party at Hagit's house in Tarzana. <br /><br />Sunday night, May 29th, is my going-away party with choir and friends. '<br />Place: Screen Animation guild building at 1105 N. Hollywood Way (just north of Magnolia), Burbank 91505. Everyone's invited. Just RSVP and let me know what you can bring for the potluck. I'll be putting on a little "show" ... few laughs maybe...<br /><br />On Saturday, June 4th, I'm driving to San Jose for a Bay Area Affinity Exchange party. <br /><br />Then start packing, rent the U-Haul, and prepare to head east on June 8th. <br /><br />A couple of days ago I shot the footage for a video which will go on www.Message-from-Marcia.com, and also will go up on U-Tube. After it's edited and up, I'll post it on my blog. <br /><br />Quite a job trying to say goodbye to all my wonderful friends here in L.A. Hopefully this blog will help me stay in touch with people and let them know my adventures. <br /><br />Love to all, Marcia<br />marcia@affinity-exchange.comMarcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446922555853736249.post-46761307708385842022009-10-09T22:36:00.000-07:002009-10-09T22:42:53.170-07:00First Message from MarciaHello! <br /><br />The best way to know who I am is to read the Booklet on my website:<br /><a href="http://www.message-from-marcia.com/">www.Message-from-Marcia.com</a> <br /><br />I also own and have run (for 20 years now) the Affinity Exchange dating service:<br /><a href="http://www.affinity-exchange.com/">www.affinity-exchange.com</a><br /><br />Below is an article I wrote, which is on my Message from Marcia site.<br /><br />ABOUT THE WORD “PERFECT”…<br /><br />“I want to find the perfect match.” <br /><br />How many times have I heard this, having been in the matchmaking business for 20 years?!<br />It sorta makes me shudder. Why? I guess because it hits my “unreality” button. Well, it’s probably not a button. It’s probably because I consider that “perfect matches” in this day and age on this planet are pretty rare. <br /><br />I must say that there are a lot of Affinity Exchange marriages that are doing very well over long periods of time. Then, on the other side of the coin, AE has been around long enough for me to have witnessed some breakups. (Happily the percentage is WAAAAAAY below societal norms.)<br />I prefer the term “good workable relationship”, or something along those lines. <br /><br />How does one define a “workable relationship”? Various ways, of course. But one that I came up with was a relationship in which the times the partners make each other happy are more than the times they make each other unhappy. Just do the numbers! <br /><br />Few people are “perfect.” So I encourage people in a courtship to ask themselves if they can live with the other person’s imperfections. The courtship should go on long enough for those imperfections to manifest. Thus one can determine if they are “livable withable,” or not.<br /><br />Another piece of advice: If the relationship does not work AS YOU [BOTH] ARE, end it, rather than assuming the imperfections will be handled. They probably will… some day… but remind yourself that you don’t know when or how long it will take.<br /><br />This leads to another piece of advice: I suggest that in your profiles you refrain from going on and on about all the incredible qualities you are looking for in your ideal mate. By all means put these in your own personal ideal scene writeup. But keep your profile more open, like: “Woman. Looking for man.” (Tee hee. Joke. Sort of…)<br />Happy courting!<br /><br />Love, Marcia<br />(818) 552-2211<br /><a href="mailto:marciap@affinity-exchange.com">marciap@affinity-exchange.com</a>Marcia Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350308784357252959noreply@blogger.com0