The next holiday coming up around here is my birthday in a couple weeks, and I’ve been thinking hard as to what I truly want. This may sound cheesy to some, but I actually want to go to Medieval Times. I’ve never been there, and I saw a commercial for $29.95 a person – much less than usual. I didn’t get to go to the Ren Faire last summer, so I figure too, it might calm a craving a bit until I can go this year. Ryan seemed gigged on the idea, and Ron and I agreed it’s a really good price. But, if we don’t go, there’s always a number of other interesting things we can do together.

The thing that’s always kind of sad is after a special day or event is over, because it goes from a high, especially on the anticipation level, to a low after it’s all over. When I return from fests like PSG, it takes a day or two to settle back into Mundania/reality. The Real World just doesn’t run like that, but at least I’m home again, back in my big, warm bed, and I get to start planning for the next fest, building up that high once again. It’s somewhat akin to when I check out the news but in reverse, as the top news stories are almost always lows. A running joke is when I flip on the evening news, I say,

“Hmmm… let’s see who died today.” Isn’t that how it always goes? The top news stories feature a tragic fire, the death of a celebrity, political corruption in one way or another or the general rebranding of the epitome of human evilness. A “slow news day”, where the first segment is a “fluff piece” rarely happens – at least not in a major city. Somewhere in the world, something bad happened, and it’s the job of the news anchors to either scare the crap out of me, tick me off or completely enrage me. If they didn’t do that, they couldn’t push whatever it is their advertisers are promoting.

Well, two pieces in this week’s news did just that:

- Fox Pundit: Women in Military Should “Expect” to Get Raped: What, what WHHHAAAAATTTTT?! That’s right, FOX political commentator Liz Trotta said our men shouldn’t expect to have any self control over their own bodies, and any women within arm’s length of them should count on being a forced piece of ass. Because, hey, it’s there. Why not go for it, right? All’s fair in “love” and war, especially when now women are getting more opportunities to serve in more direct combat positions. (Infantry and Special Forces positions are still not available to women, but I’m sure that will change in the coming years, once the DoD sees women are perfectly capable of doing the job.)

That rationale not only demeans the brave women in combat to little more than an appetizer tray at happy hour (and slut shames them at the same time for daring to “be a man in a man’s world”), but it equally demeans our men as clawed and fanged monsters by default. How DARE she? And Liz all but glorifies our military the rest of the time, so what’s the problem?

Don’t believe me? Watch for yourself what she said:

- Justice Department Will No Longer Defend Law Blocking Military Benefits For Same-Sex Couples: And yes, after I got enraged at the news once again, along comes a piece that built me up. It’s not a victory in the final sense, but it is a good sign that the times and overall climate are indeed changing. This also opens the door toward equal marriages within the military – a sovereign state.

The benefits in question, according to Holder, are “medical and dental benefits, basic housing allowances, travel and transportation allowances, family separation benefits, military identification cards, visitation rights in military hospitals, survivor benefits and the right to be buried together in military cemeteries.”

Did you catch that one benefit – housing? It’s basic housing benefits being discussed, which I am seeking clarification whether that includes housing on installations, but even if it is not, that’s an excellent start. And visitation rights in military hospitals – yes, yes and astoundingly YES! This should go without question! No one should be denied the right to be with those they care about the most at life’s most trying times – the whole “in sickness” part of any standard marriage vow. Even our simple city hall marriage had that included by the judge sitting at his desk.

And the other one right there at the end, the right to be buried together in military cemeteries – whoa! Jaw agape! Cue applause! This one I am especially fond of, because it allows a couple, any couple, to eternally rest together, perhaps strengthening their bonds in the hereafter. That benefit to me is one out of love more than anything else, and I applaud the fact the military is realizing that hey, people really don’t choose who they love – it just happens.

“And now for the weather – Tiffany?” (Heh, I just had to toss in a True Blood reference joke there!)

Well ladies and gentleman, that’s about all I have for you this week. I do have quite the busy weekend planned, and I need to get back to it. I hope this year’s PantheaCon is going well, and I also hope I will be able to attend next year. (My brother and his wonderful family lives not too far away, so I’d probably want to extend my trip out there to see them!) I’m working on something really big in the upcoming weeks that will grant us a lot more opportunities, and I have confidence in myself and in the Universe that everything will fall into place.

So have a wonderful week everyone, and don’t let the news get you down. Remember, there’s always a positive piece in there someplace!

See? Even his tag says he's awesome!

Good morning everyone and Happy Saturday once again! So, do you have any plans for Valentine’s Day? We’re not going out to eat anywhere, as Ron and I have discovered it’s just not worth it. All of the restaurants are booked, and even if we were to score a reservation, many of them run on a limited/themed menu that may not be what we want to order. And, because they’re so busy, we tend to get poor, rushed service. Sit down, eat up and GTFO. Not exactly romantic, and our pocketbook suffers as well. I get why the restaurants are in such a tizzy to get those booths filled; February is generally the slowest month in the industry, so they’re getting what they can while they can get it. But for us, it just isn’t what we want to do, so we’re staying in and making our own fabulous dinner and probably watching a good, classic movie. Hmmm… should we watch Dawn of the Dead? Goodfellas? Conan the Barbarian? Or, ooh! I know! Maybe even Pulp Fiction! Those are my ideas of good movies! I know the lines by heart.

I can’t imagine how hard it must be for those whose loved ones are a million miles away. What makes the separation a little less painful? These days, we have Skype and email to bring each other closer, but it is in the written form that truly speaks from the heart and resonates the greatest magick of all – love. Love is such a powerful emotion, and yet it is perhaps the most underrated magick in existence – a power that can be harnessed for the greatest good and can travel across time and space. Almost every story ever told, the great and the forgotten, has been themed around a love story, because storytellers know it is a power and an emotion that affects us all in some way. Great love stories involve a strong degree of sadness, struggle or tragedy, with or without the happy ending, because it is these stories that feel the most real.

I recently came across a series of Civil War era love letters are very touching and poignant. They offer us a glimpse into what their lives were like so long ago and yet how similar their lives are to ours. These letters from a Soldier, left on his laptop for his wife and infant daughter to discover, brought tears to my eyes. This series of letters, written by a young Soldier in Afghanistan to his mother and family, had me smiling and laughing out loud due to his choice of words, his misspellings and the obvious shift from boy to man. And the letter captured in this article, written during World War II and published during Vietnam, has me wondering what became of these star-crossed lovers. Did they meet again afterward? Did they build a life together? What happened to them?

For the ones you love this Valentine’s Day, consider giving the gift of your written words alongside the chocolates, jewelry, tickets or teddy bears. Even if you’re not exactly the poetic type and rely on a store-bought card to say how you feel, add a line your special someone will know comes from your heart. I like humorous cards, as they reflect my personality, though sometimes I will select a card that is somewhat more heartfelt. And when I write to people, usually via Word these days, I try to find an image that lessens the seriousness of my message. When I wrote to Ryan each day he was away, I closed the letters with funny pictures. There was the one about when I was sick, with Dr. House saying “It’s NOT lupus”. There was the encouragement letter that included the KISS Army scrubbing latrines. And one I’m particularly proud of, when I wrote about Ron and me going to his favorite restaurant on a date night, I included a taunt/tease in the form of a picture of their specialty hamburger – the one he loves, of course. Yes, this mom is an Evil Mom! That one apparently made the rounds in his platoon, with all the guys both salivating and saying just how wicked I can be. Muhahaha!

Now before I close, I know many of you have been waiting anxiously about the coupon count for the Clip for the Troops campaign. I finished up last night, and once again, we broke another record! $22,136.52! Holy Savings, Batman! And yes, we get another adoption out of the deal, so please welcome the U.S. Army post in Grafenwoehr, Germany! If you’re interested in helping out with the campaign, visit the site and feel free to ask any additional questions you may have. Again, the address is:

PNC Military – Clip for the Troops
Attn: Lori Dake
PO Box 306
Chicago, IL 60690-0306

I check the post office box downtown on the last Saturday of each month.

As some of you know, postage has gone up to $5.15, so if you can spare a buck to toss in with the coupons, or just want to help out in that department, I’d really appreciate it. In last month’s batch, a promised check for $80.00 came in from Addison, IL which I greatly appreciated, and it helped tremendously with covering that. THANK YOU!

Well, I do need to wrap things up. Have a great weekend and a wonderful Valentine’s Day – however you wish to celebrate it!

Tomorrow is Ryan’s birthday, so our weekend plans are pretty much devoted to him. He still hasn’t told us what he wanted for a gift, but at least he let me know what he wants me to make for his special dinner and what cake to pick out. (It’s chocolate on top of chocolate – yum!) I know we’re a bit different than most Americans, because even if it wasn’t a special day, we still wouldn’t be watching the Super Bowl – not even for the commercials. (That’s what YouTube is for.) Instead, our yearly ritual is to watch the Puppy Bowl instead with the kitty halftime show and then catch a movie or something. I suppose one could say we’re boring, but we’re happy, and that’s all that really matters.

So many other families are having a hard time right now, but the future is never set. I believe we make our own destinies, and we can help set the course by watching the signs, both the obvious and the ethereal. I was going through this week’s news feeds, which are looking pretty positive; allow me to share them with you:

- Post-9/11 veterans unemployment drops in January: And this is always a good thing to hear! But the thing is, I tend to question the accuracy of such reports, because unemployment rates do not factor in those folks who have fallen off the radar, such as folks who can only find part time work and those whose unemployment benefits have expired. But hey, I tend to be the optimist, so any good news is good news indeed.

- Vets finding jobs in health care industry: This comes as a no-brainer to me, because the healthcare field has nowhere to go but up. More people equates to more people who need medical care, and many of our vets have had training in caring for others. A friend of mine was able to get certification in under a year for hardly any of her own money going towards tuition, and I know two of our own who have recently become EMTs. So for those of you still looking for work, and if healing is intrinsic with your beliefs, then this may very well be an option for you.

- Administration unveils Veterans Jobs Corps: And here’s a way to assist in launching your new career!

And, if you have an independent streak like I do, there are legitimate jobs to be had working from home. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is currently seeking people in certain states to do at-home call center work, provided you have a high speed Internet connection and can handle dealing with the general public over the phone. It’s $11.10 per hour on a set full-time schedule, and you would be on their payroll (not 1099 work). So if you qualify, keep your eyes peeled for opportunities like these.

Good news, right? Yes and no:

- VFW: Retirement changes could hurt recruitment: I have pointed out before about the retirement package being switched over to a 401(k) system, and with the current economy, a lot of people have already lost faith due to seeing so many of these plans tanking. I am also one of those folks who scans the survivalist boards, and the common consensus is telling people to empty them out while they still have money, even at the risk of taking penalties, and investing in hard assets like precious metals (and not in paper form, either) and real estate. The thing with real estate is, many analysts say we haven’t yet hit rock bottom, although there is plenty of rural, cheap land to be had (as in less than $20k cheap for several acres!), many times in unincorporated areas. Parcels like those have the potential to be outside building codes and building permit requirement zones, meaning you can build your own home for a little of nothing. So if you’re drawing a small retirement and can handle that level of independence, there is yet again an opportunity presenting itself.

- Danger pay now calculated by the day: Okay, so this outright sucks, which while I think it’s rotten, I can’t say I don’t get it. The bean counters are questioning why combat pay is being paid out by the month rather than by the day, especially in cases where only one day was spent in combat. Sure, it makes sense, but like everything else in life, what looks good on paper isn’t always good policy.

And in other news this week…

- After success in St. Louis, more cities consider parades for Iraq vets: Just thought I would switch things up to something more positive. YES – a resounding YES – our vets deserve a parade. It’s good for morale for all of us, it’s the right thing to do, and for the bean counters, parades tend to generate income in a variety of ways for the cities hosting them. Talk about your win-win!

- Gay Ca. veteran sues over denial of benefits: With the DADT repeal well established, I believe the time is right to demand our military treat all personnel and vets equally, and that equality should include benefits. Here in Illinois, the healthcare applications are now inclusive toward gay couples who have entered civil unions. Maybe this case, perhaps with others following suit, will be the gun shot needed to ultimately knock out DOMA once and for all. May this couple, especially in their time of need, win their case and get the benefits they deserve.

- Lawmakers call for hearings into military hazing: Good! And if you click through to the article and read the comments, putting an end to hazing couldn’t come soon enough.

- Army rules Manning will face court-martial: Remember him? The guy (Pfc. Bradley Manning) who sent the mounds of classified docs to the WikiLeaks guy (Julian Assange), thus exposing, among other things, our military shooting innocent civilians? Yeah that guy. Welp, he’s being court marshalled over it. What does that mean? If he is found guilty, he could get life in prison for it.

- AF, firms seek UAV flights in civil air space: Y’know, there’s something about drones flying around in U.S. air that bothers me. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something that doesn’t quite sit well with me. Hmmm… What is it…

As far as what’s going on the home front, I’m still plugging away at counting up all these coupons for January’s haul. I’m almost finished, so I will for sure have the count by next week’s article. In the meantime, I did want to thank Palmdale, CA and of course Addison, IL – including the retirement community donating through Addison as well! The Clip for the Troops campaign continues to grow, and I again cannot thank everyone enough for participating! I love you, man!

And that’s it for this week. I hope you all have a Super Sunday and a Super Duper Week ahead!

How will you be celebrating? Will you be honoring Brigid? Will you be attending a gathering? What special meal do you have planned? Will you be making candles? I have heard it mentioned candles are a precious commodity for our active troops out in the desert, even the flameless variety. So, I’m genuinely curious how someone celebrates a holiday – one that celebrates the promise of light returning and is symbolized with candles – when there aren’t (m)any available, and making them is pretty much out of the question. I suppose one would have to be even more creative if he or she was in prison, unless there was perhaps a visiting chaplain who was permitted to bring them in.

While it’s true ritual items like candles aren’t necessary for practicing our various and collective faiths, but to me at least, not having candles for Imbolc is like not having a tree for Yule. It just seems… incomplete. Lacking. Missing that certain, special… something. It is for reasons, even simple ones, such as this, it is important for our Warriors, and equally for those paying back their debt to society, we have clergy available for them. As many of us know, there are currently no Pagan chaplains in the military and very few are working in the prisons in comparison to other faiths represented. While I get it we as Neopagans as a whole are a minority in this and every other country around the world, and thus the demand for chaplains of our own are much less than for those for other faiths, they are still needed. Pagans have children. Pagans get married. Pagans die. And, Pagans celebrate their lives and collective faiths between those times. Therefore, yes, there is a demand, and our brothers and sisters shouldn’t have to rely upon, say a Christian chaplain, to minister to them.

So who has taken up the call to champion this cause and serve? One such lovely woman, Kidril Telrunya, has spoken with me on the topic, and I’d like to share her works with you. Her duty as a Wisconsin representative for the American Pagans n’ Witches Association, founded in 1973, is to update the information on Pagans referenced by the military and prisons for their chaplains. She is seeking volunteers to help with the collection of information throughout all of the counties in Wisconsin and will be collecting all of the gathered info and will create a database. She will submit that information to the proper authorities to get it placed into the system.

The local volunteers she is seeking will be in charge of two to three Wisconsin counties each, to gather info and create a database of all federal, state and county government departments. Most information can be found in the local telephone book the rest of the information shall be found online, especially the jails and prisons.

Example:
- Business names, complete addresses and contact information.
- All city/town/village/township facilities.
- All county facilities, including the local jails.
- All state government facilities.
- All united states federal government facilities, in each volunteer’s area, including local jails.

Ms. Telrunya notates there are only a few people who run the main association, and there is one representative per state, with volunteers helping gather the necessary information. Should anyone wish to contact her who is interested to be a volunteer for Wisconsin or would like further information, her email address is lady kidril at gmail dot com.

Ms. Telrunya also states,

…as far as the Pagan military chaplains go, there is no set guideline on how active they have to be, but it would make sense that they would want to be active. It’s not going to be easy being a Pagan chaplain, lots of downs, but lots of ups, and to change the face of what Paganism is and can be in the military, it’s going to take a lot of hard work. Laying low on the back burner and letting people come to you wouldn’t really be the best method.

I applaud these efforts tremendously, and I trust the rest of our Community does as well!

Now as far as the efforts we have going on here with our Clip for the Troops campaign goes, this month is going to be yet another bell ringer! I have word there is another huge package of coupons waiting for today’s monthly pickup at the post office of over $20,000 worth! HOOAH! Those totals will be made available hopefully by next Saturday, and yes, I have someone who stated she would be volunteering to help with the sort. THANK YOU! I’m definitely going to need it! And too, tomorrow’s paper will have four inserts, which is a huge bonus. (I certainly do love those weeks, especially when there’s promise of plenty of food coupons! Show me the savings!)

So allow me to wrap up our housekeeping so we can high tail it to the post office and get to work. I hope you all have a wonderful Imbolc, watch those flames around curtains, little fingers and whiskers, and I’ll be back next week! Blessings to you and yours!

Are you like me and don’t fare well in colder climates? How do you handle it? I’m well-versed in the skills of layering up and plugging up the gaps in the window panes with silicone and anything lying around – adhered with duct tape. (That plastic stuff you use a hair dryer on? Naw, our cat tears right through that with a few indignant swats!) It’s no surprise then I find myself longing for summer: Camping, picnics, driving with the windows down and cute sandals. I will say though, little things like my comfort factor have me appreciating what I have that much more, even if we’re not all that well off than many others.

I think of those folks scraping by at this time of year, propping open the oven and flipping on all the burners just to add a little extra heat. Been there, done that, and without much thought behind the resulting insane gas bills. “They can’t turn off the gas until Spring!” is the reasoning, kicking the can further down the road. But what about the people who don’t even have that luxury? Some folks had their gas shut off last year (or the year before!), and now they’re taking the next step, becoming reliant on several space heaters, jacking up the electric bill. And what of those who already used up that? I remember running a kerosene heater in our apartment as a kid, having to crack open a window periodically to let the carbon monoxide escape and shutting it off at night while we slept beneath several layers of blankets.

But what of the folks who don’t even have a home as a luxury? Huddling around a kerosene heater, wrapped in the aforementioned layers, doesn’t sound all that bad. Sometimes, you can tell who’s homeless from a mile away, but there are others who are pretty hard to distinguish. Homeless people aren’t all “dirty bums sleeping on the sidewalk”; many look just like you and me, many times with their families in tow. They live in seedy motel rooms week to week. They couch surf from one place to another until their welcomes are worn out. They sleep in their cars, using public facilities to clean up. They go “camping” for several weeks at a time. And they ride the trains all night, switching at platforms so as not to get kicked out of the stations. I’ve been through varying degrees of homelessness throughout my life, so when I say “I get it”, I really do mean it.

Many of our vets are in varying degrees of homelessness, and I have actually heard some people say,
“Why didn’t they re-up or get a job?” as an easy answer to a complex issue. That answer only applies to those who have a network to fall back on and the mental/physical capacity to move on. What about all the other vets who don’t have that going for them, also known as luck? When I hear those types of comments, it makes me both disgusted and befuddled. Talk about your privilege showing! And when I hear comments like that, when a “warm day” is in double digits, and those same people have the privilege of being in a warm home sipping something hot and comforting, it tells me they really don’t have a soul – or a clue.

As an optimist, I’m going with the latter, that they just don’t know any better and perhaps need to be smacked with a clue-by-four. Okay, so there are options out there, such as the VA’s hotline (toll-free: 1-877-424-3838). And there are shelters, both for individuals as well as for whole families. And, many vets have kept in touch with friends and family willing to help until they can find their way. But again, these answers do not solve the underlying problem of homelessness. While there are some who say they prefer to be homeless than having to live and work like the rest of us, I can’t possibly believe the majority of homeless vets, which account for 15% of the homeless population, choose to “be bums”. And 15% of 23,000 vets counted means surely some of them are our Warriors from our Community.

So what is the answer then, especially now that it’s absolutely frigid outside? More shelters? More targeted jobs? More healthcare? More workshops and networking? More praying? I say it’s all of the above and then some. But the job is so big – what can we do? I was asked once at a job interview,

“How do you eat an elephant?” and my simple response was,
“One bite at a time – with a little seasoning.”

Besides the obvious and direct way by volunteering at a VA hospital, perhaps for counseling or honing job skills, if we’re employers, we can opt to give a vet with few civilian skills a crack at a basic position. If you’re concerned he or she won’t work out, start them off with jobs that won’t take too much time out of your day training them, like filing or basic janitorial work. (Let’s face it, no one likes [re]training!) When I started as a receptionist at a law firm, I was asked to go to court one day and see how I do. And guess what? I did so well at it I ended up becoming their paralegal and worked there for nearly seven years. Someone gave me a chance. When I applied for college, I didn’t pass their ACT requirements (my advanced math always sucked, even though I’m great at crunching numbers!), but they accepted me anyway, as I had seventeen letters of recommendation. Someone gave me a chance. And when I had no formal writing skills, I still managed to score several paid writing gigs, interviewing some of my favorite bands and fulfilling one of my several life goals. Why? Because someone gave me a chance there, too.

I have a Rawk Stah resume, but I didn’t write it all by myself; I had lots of people help me! If you’re good at writing resumes, perhaps you wouldn’t mind doing a freebie side project or two and helping a vet have a nice resume, maybe even going the extra mile and giving him or her a nice outfit you don’t care for anymore. And, after writing the resume, bless it and teach him or her how to handle an interview. At the window washing company, I have seen so many people coming in who obviously had no clue as to how to fill out an application, dress or present themselves, and it really saddened me. Our guys are blue collar workers, so we don’t expect them to come in wearing a suit and tie, but when I see grown men who struggle to fill out a basic application, similar to the types you can buy at an office supply store, I wonder why. Not being snarky here but rather frank and concerned: Didn’t anyone teach these guys?

If you know of a vet who is homeless and wants to dig themselves out, they may need even more than a chance, a resume and some clothes. They may very well need an address and phone number, and perhaps even a state ID and social security card. Hardly anyone is going to hire someone on the spot anymore, and even day labor companies need those basics. Everyone knows someone going through a hard time, and those of us who believe in Karma know very well how even a small extension of our time will come right back to us. Set them up online for an email account and voicemail retrieval number (they’ll need that on their resumes anyway) so they can check on their messages at the library. And, if you’re okay with someone stopping by periodically and don’t mind going the extra mile, accept their incoming mail until they secure their own place. Sure, you can always get a “street address” from private mail box companies, but they cost money.

And of course, we can always put in some time at a soup kitchen and donate clothes. If you’re donating non-perishable food for the homeless, keep in mind they may not have a lot of access to food prep stations, so try to keep your items toward the processed/ready to eat side. I know, it’s not the best food, and some of us wouldn’t even call it food at all, but when someone is truly hungry, a can of ringed pasta is better than nothing. Think cheap, quick and basic! When they get their own kitchens, even if it’s at a tent city, we can work on better quality food preparation. (Oh and too, if you’re donating to a tent city, they’re also in great demand for firewood!)

On that notion, here is yet another way our Clip for the Troops campaign helps! As I’ve said, when you’re clipping away, I don’t expect you to send me every coupon in the paper. (Tomorrow’s paper will have two inserts by the way!) Keep what you can use and send me the rest. This includes retaining coupons for that aforementioned canned, ringed pasta and buying some of that up when it goes on sale and donating it to your local food pantry. I know for some of us who are lucky enough to have those double coupon stores, that can mean (nearly) free donations! And, if you have the capacity, you can even go the extra mile and start your own food pantry, perhaps with handouts on how to move on to the next level. Start with your friends, family and coven members, then spiral outward. If you go to that length, cheerfully accept coupons in addition to everything else so you can keep building up your donations. We all give at the Pagan Pride events, and many of us are also very charitable around the holidays. But what about the rest of the year, especially now that it’s so bitterly cold?

Just thought I’d put out some more ideas into your heads on this super chilly day. Stay warm, help where you can, and pray to your Gods and Goddesses that even one vet will find their way today.

So maestro – drum roll please… (and yes, you have to watch all the YouTube clips before reading on…)
.

.

.

.

.

In 2011, we have adopted the following posts and bases, covering the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines:

Alconbury, UK
Ansbach, Germany (That’s right, another NEW adoption occurred in December! HOOAH! Woot-woot!)
Bamburg, Germany
Gaeta, Italy
Illesheim, Germany
Incirlik, Turkey
Iwakuni, Japan
Lakenheath, UK
Okinawa, Japan (Army)
Okinawa, Japan (Air Force)
Sasebo, Japan
Wiesbaden, Germany
Vicenza, Italy

Yes, the Pagan Newswire Collective now directly contacts thirteen (13) military installations overseas via the campaign, helping hundreds and perhaps even thousands of people in our own way – without preaching or guilt-tripping anyone. As I’ve stated before, it’s my hope and vision we will be able to directly, gently and positively touch the lives of every family out there, helping them help themselves put food on the table and get the sundries and other needs met, without as great of a reliance on food pantries and/or food stamps. I know what it’s like not having the basics covered, and having to use those services, while greatly appreciated, is a humbling experience, sometimes humiliating. (I remember having to endure a day-long revival dealie just to get a bag of groceries, with a Bible included and pestering follow-ups – natch.) The people who risk their lives for ours should not have to be subjected to that, so sending out coupons we either don’t need or can’t use really helps these folks maintain their independence, pride and dignity. So let’s keep it up!

For December, our coupon collection total came to…

.

.

.

.

.

.

$15,993.23! Yes! Another banner month for us and new record! Awesome!

And throughout the year, we have collected a total of…

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

(no scrolling now… that’s cheating!)

.

.

.

.

.

.

$50,121.41!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Over FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS collected in a little more than half a year! WOW! And again, that was done in about half a year, so for sure we can double that in 2012 and probably surpass it! How? Well, just by keep on doing what we’re doing, as well as to push the envelope further. Please pass on the message to your friends, family, coven mates, community organizers and hey, even your online buddies, what we’re doing, and see if they can’t contribute as well. All it takes is a little time and a stamp or two, or in the case of our good friends in Addison, IL, a giant priority box by getting an entire retirement community involved!

And yes, postage to all these places cost money, so here’s the total on that:
- $163.35, which includes the packs I need to ship out today! But that’s cool, because thanks to you fine folks, a total of $24.00 has come in ($3 I found just last night mixed up in some coupons while doing the final count! Thanks!), and Addison has a $80 check for me in the mail. No problem, I can wait. I’m the queen of patience. After all, I’m the one who took the time to find all those YouTube clips I asked you all to suffer through! Ha! Every penny collected toward postage is seriously, greatly, totally appreciated, because as you can see, we’re definitely growing, and I can’t handle it all by myself anymore. So if you send a pack of coupons, please toss a buck in the mix. I’ll find it (eventually? hehe!).

Welp, it’s been a long week for me, so I’m going to wrap things up, get in a couple hours of sleep and head down to the post office. Thanks again everyone, and keep on sending those coupons! It’s so incredibly appreciated! And by the way, I’ll go ahead and post the details for you so more folks can join in and help our military families overseas!

1) Like! the Facebook page and let your friends and family know what’s going on! This is an exciting venture that more people need to know about! Share early and often!

2) Help me spread the word by mentioning the campaign in your blogs and posts. If you do a podcast or are running a festival, please feel free to contact me (doom diva [at] yahoo [dot] com). I can go on all day about how couponing not only helps ourselves to great deals (including savings on organic fare and fresh and frozen fruits, veggies, dairy and meats!), but again, it actively helps those whose mission it is to serve and defend our country.

3) Send coupons! This is a campaign that is national, meaning you don’t need to even live near a coven or group to get involved, and you don’t need any real ability or skill. Kids can do this. Disabled people can do this. Our Elders can do this. All it takes is a little time and a stamped envelope. Mail your unwanted/expired manufacturer coupons to:

PNC Military – Clip for the Troops
Attn: Lori Dake
PO Box 306
Chicago, IL 60690-0306

I check the post office box downtown on the last Saturday of each month.

4) Drop a buck or two into the pot. So far, I’ve received $24 towards the postage, which is greatly appreciated, and I have received word a check for $80 is on the way. THANK YOU!!!! Mailing little slips of paper doesn’t seem like much, but paper is heavy, even newsprint, and each package has been costing me $4.95 to send. If you would like to donate via PayPal, please email me so I can provide you with the email account (my husband’s verified business account, so you know it’s safe!). Again, my email address is doom diva (at) yahoo (dot) com (I’ve had that address since ’98).

5) If you’re local, contact me about stopping by for a sorting party! We continue to grow, and I am having a harder and harder time doing this by myself. I live in the Logan Square area of Chicago right off the boulevard (by the “Christmas House“!), right by the expressway, with ample free street parking and plenty of nearby public transportation. I’m an awesome cook and would be more than happy to share a meal for your efforts. (Psst! We always have beer in the fridge and herbal tea on the kettle!)

So many people have said their one-word description of 2011 is “sucked”, and there’s a topper that came on New Year’s Eve: The potential for indefinite detention of U.S. citizens. I’m pretty indifferent to our President for the most part, as I voted against Palin when I cast my ballot for Obama. Among other things, I’m one of those crazy people who think people should only be hired if they have prior experience instead of “learning as you go” or relying on book-smarts or others. Therefore, I wasn’t cool with voting for someone without any military experience to become the Commander-in-Chief. Some days, I think he’s a pretty awesome guy, like the repeal of DADT, and other days, I wonder what the heck he was thinking. Yes, yes, he needed to get some funding for our military, but at the cost of our freedom? Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.

An article that appeared yesterday in conjunction with the cutbacks he made in signing the National Defense Authorization Act points out concerns a smaller military will put us in jeopardy. I’m all for a leaner, meaner military, but is it really feasible this late in the game? Reminders have been posted for Soldiers considering re-upping there will be fewer opportunities after January 31st due to some of these cuts. Again, just puttin’ it out there.

Now as far as a couple good changes for this year, I did want to share these:

- New law will expedite Soldiers thru airport security: This will include a family member as well, to the best extension possible, so yeah, I think this counts as not only a good thing, but one of common sense. My only hope is more common sense will be extended for everyone, because frisking Grandma is ridiculous.

- 2% increase to BAH: Good! Excellent! Fab-U-Lous! The increase is on an average, but most families should see some help coming down the pipeline very soon, if not already. As I’ve posted before, many folks are under the assumption the military takes care of every need, with the paycheck being almost like bonus cash. Ummm… errrr… not so much. Yes, Tri-Care provides free medical care, the commissary (grocery store) costs are slightly above wholesale with no sales tax, and BAH helps a good deal on housing costs, but ask any young family on a tight budget how much diapers and peanut butter costs. And as I’ve pointed out too, a spouse trying to get a job is extremely difficult due to all the moving around. Many employers don’t want to hire someone they worry will up and leave on a whim, because hey – no one likes training new people. (I’m sure the folks training me, while they do seem to like me, get annoyed with me constantly asking “dumb questions” and hope I’ll be out of my honeymoon period soon.)

- And lest I forget to mention, a new friend I’ve made at last year’s Pagan Spirit Gathering (which is now OPEN for registration!), Kidril Telrunya, announced she is “…now leading the State of Wisconsin in revising United States Military/Prison Chaplains Manual”. This is awesome news, especially for our military, because it sure would be nice for our Warriors to have a chaplain to confide in who truly gets them. I asked her to provide further details on her mission, which she was more than obliged to do once the dust settles. I’ll keep you all posted.

Have you been alerted to any new changes for 2012? Please do share!

And now onto couponing news!

Coupon Haul for December, 2011

Well folks, fiscal fourth quarter is officially over, and I’ve been very busy here at home getting up December’s coupon count for you all. I have everything sorted and separated, but I will need a few more days to count everything up. My canvas bags overfloweth! Just judging by my sorting and eyeballing, I can safely say we’ve at least come close to matching November’s totals of over $13k if not surpassing it, and I really thought it wasn’t going to happen. There were two weeks without any newspaper inserts, so my portion was on the slim side by comparison. Therefore, I’m counting on our end-of-year total to be around $50,000 worth of coupons! How cool is that?! It was our first year, and we didn’t even start until Memorial Day weekend, so I can only imagine what 2012 will be like!

I want to take a moment to thank the following who’ve generously donated for December: Leadville, CO, Frederick, MD, Westminster, CO, Gardena, CA, and of course Addison, IL (including the retirement community contributing to those batches!). In the batches, there was also $11.00 in cash, which I greatly appreciate, as it helps defer the cost of the packages I send out. I also wanted to share with you a thank you letter *we* received from the Army post in Wiesbaden, Germany. I scanned it into PDF format, which you can read by clicking here. (I Haz a Happee they addressed us as “Pagan Newswire” – proof our generosity does indeed garner some positive Pagan awareness without proselytizing in any way. We’re just ordinary, good people out to do good.)

I hope we’re able to make another new adoption! But what I’d really like to know is if U.S. commissaries accept coupons up to six months expired. The FAQ reads it’s true for overseas, but it does not specifically state what the policy is within the U.S. When it comes to coupon policies, I’ve come to find ambiguity means me winning at the register!

And I’ll go ahead and post again how YOU can get involved!

1) Like! the Facebook page and let your friends and family know what’s going on! This is an exciting venture that more people need to know about!

2) Help me spread the word by mentioning the campaign in your blogs and posts. If you do a podcast or are running a festival, please feel free to contact me (doom diva [at] yahoo [dot] com). I can go on all day about how couponing not only helps ourselves to great deals (including savings on organic fare and fresh and frozen fruits, veggies, dairy and meats!), but again, it actively helps those whose mission it is to serve and defend our country.

3) Send coupons! This is a campaign that is national, meaning you don’t need to even live near a coven or group to get involved, and you don’t need any real ability or skill. Kids can do this. Disabled people can do this. Our Elders can do this. All it takes is a little time and a stamped envelope. Mail your unwanted/expired manufacturer coupons to:

PNC Military – Clip for the Troops
Attn: Lori Dake
PO Box 306
Chicago, IL 60690-0306

I check the post office box downtown on the last Saturday of each month.

4) Drop a buck or two into the pot. So far, I’ve received $21 towards the postage, which is greatly appreciated, and I have received word a check for $80 is on the way. THANK YOU!!!! Mailing little slips of paper doesn’t seem like much, but paper is heavy, even newsprint, and each package has been costing me $4.95 to send. If you would like to donate via PayPal, please email me so I can provide you with the email account (my husband’s verified business account, so you know it’s safe!). Again, my email address is doom diva (at) yahoo (dot) com (I’ve had that address since ’98).

5) If you’re local, contact me about stopping by for a sorting party! We continue to grow, and I am having a harder and harder time doing this by myself. I live in the Logan Square area of Chicago right off the boulevard (by the “Christmas House“!), right by the expressway, with ample free street parking and plenty of nearby public transportation. I’m an awesome cook and would be more than happy to share a meal for your efforts. (Psst! We always have beer in the fridge and herbal tea on the kettle!)

And now, before I forget to mention too, since this always makes me happy, I received a couple more thank-yous from military folk in private emails. This is for another charity I’m involved in, Operation: eBook Drop, which provides free eBooks to military personnel. To date, over 100 free downloads of my book have been received, which is more of a light-hearted, how-to book on festivals. I hope more Pagan authors sign up for the program, because it’s another great way to gently promote positive Pagan awareness as well as provide something for our Warriors to read. If you want to sign up for free eBooks or want to donate your works, check out the site!

Have a great week everyone and until next Saturday, take care!

Do you have any resolutions? The old standbys are to lose weight and kick an addiction or vice, but perhaps you have a different goal in mind. Maybe you want to find a (better) job. Or go (back) to school. Or pay down/off a debt or three. Or master a new skill. Or travel someplace spiritually meaningful and fulfilling. Whatever you resolve to do this year, remember you have a whole year to do it. That’s 366 days – an extra day due to the leap year!

Whatever you choose to resolve, choose a goal that is hard but not impossible, and tell supportive people in your life about your resolution. If you’re significantly overweight, resolve to become healthier – not a supermodel. If you want to quit smoking, don’t beat yourself up if you cave in on a nic fit two days in. (I hear it takes many people seven tries.) And if you want to finally make that pilgrimage, reserve the time off and then start pinching pennies. And what if you “fail”? So what – there’s always next year, when you’re that much more determined to reach that goal.

Now for Ron and I, New Year’s Eve is a special night indeed, even if we tend to keep things low-key these days. You see, it’s our other anniversary. We met at a Meat Puppets show on New Year’s Eve sixteen years ago, beneath a full moon no less, and have been exclusive ever since. (Who says you can’t meet a nice guy at a bar?) Needless to say, “Backwater” has a special place in my heart, even if the song’s about heroin addiction, which is not at all romantic or beautiful. I vividly remember that night – the band’s lineup, that beautiful moon outside, what we were wearing and the conversations we had, and it doesn’t seem like all that long ago. Funny how time flies!

What does New Year’s Eve mean to you? Besides the obvious, to me it means a fresh start, and for many of us, a clean slate is definitely needed. I know so many members of my family and friends have been struggling to hold on to even the basics, where the light at the end of the tunnel seems to keep getting pushed back further and further. So many have begun to give up hope, falling off the rails that barely held them before. I say not to give up hope, to push that much harder, because I know from experience what it’s like to struggle.

Where I am now is certainly a far cry from the newspaper job I had when Ron and I met that very magickal night. It was so bitterly cold – my hair turned white, and the soles of my feet split in two, and all for mere $140 a week. But it was work, so I limped through it. And when I think of where I’ve come from, as a poor kid from a broken home in the inner city, with no car and oftentimes no phone, whose only friends were kids in sitcom families, where I am now is a huge change.

I can safely say I know what it’s like to struggle – to wonder if the food pantry will be generous enough, if the roaches will get into the food that wasn’t expired, if even used clothes can be afforded, and if rent and utilities will be paid. It’s because of that and more, I truly appreciate all the blessings the Gods have bestowed upon us. And too, it’s because of that I know there has to be something better down the road for my family and friends who need a leg up. It’s a new year – change is coming. Believe it! Faith not a four-lettered word.

To further illustrate the change for the better we’ve all collectively experienced, let’s look at some important pieces of news within the military this year:

- Death of Osama bin Laden: Whether you rejoiced or felt a quiet calm, one has to admit the world certainly did feel a little bit safer that day. Of course, it was pretty tense right before the President’s announcement; I was shitting bricks thinking the worst when all the channels went to that pending special report!

- Openly gay service member appointed to West Point board: Just a couple months after a former lesbian cadet was denied re-entry to West Point due to DADT still being on the books, our President made this appointment. Whether or not it was a token gesture, I feel this certainly made an impact on how our military views those who wish to serve as they are.

- DADT officially repealed: It took what seems to be a lifetime, but it happened nonetheless. Here’s hoping DOMA is next on the chopping block!

- Air Force Academy’s Pagan Circle news coverage went *positively* mainstream: What can I say? I’m so proud of our friend here at the PNC, Cara Schulz, for garnering some much-needed attention!

- Pagan Warrior Radio launched: If you haven’t tuned in to the podcasts live, be sure to download the archives.

- Orthodox Jewish Rabbi sworn in as military chaplain: When I saw this article, in addition to a Sikh Soldier completing basic training a little over a year ago, it had me thinking it won’t be long until a Pagan chaplain is sworn in as well.

- Iraq war officially ended: The troops are coming home in droves! Thank the Gods! A lot of people, including myself, are rather pissed there is no celebratory homecoming for them, but at least we’re out of that hot mess. There’s still Afghanistan, and Libya, and a host of other battles out there, but at least Iraq is over.

- Two women share first kiss upon Navy ship’s return: And speaking of homecomings, this beautiful moment was made possible thanks to the DADT repeal.

Do you have any points you want to share? Please do tell!

And before I wrap up for 2011, I wanted to make a special mention about our lil ole campaign we got going on – Clip for the Troops! We’ll be heading downtown for this month’s haul, which I’m not sure what will be there. December had the last two weeks with no inserts due to the holidays, so that may have put a kink in our totals for this month. But BAH! We’ve already amassed over $35,000 in coupon contributions since Memorial Day weekend, which is no small feat! THANK YOU! Please continue to contribute however you can; there are many ways:

1) Like! the Facebook page and let your friends and family know what’s going on! This is an exciting venture that more people need to know about!

2) Help me spread the word by mentioning the campaign in your blogs and posts. If you do a podcast or are running a festival, please feel free to contact me (doom diva [at] yahoo [dot] com). I can go on all day about how couponing not only helps ourselves to great deals (including savings on organic fare and fresh and frozen fruits, veggies, dairy and meats!), but again, it actively helps those whose mission it is to serve and defend our country.

3) Send coupons! This is a campaign that is national, meaning you don’t need to even live near a coven or group to get involved, and you don’t need any real ability or skill. Kids can do this. Disabled people can do this. Our Elders can do this. All it takes is a little time and a stamped envelope. Mail your unwanted/expired manufacturer coupons to:

PNC Military – Clip for the Troops
Attn: Lori Dake
PO Box 306
Chicago, IL 60690-0306

I check the post office box downtown on the last Saturday of each month.

4) Drop a buck or two into the pot. For November, I received $10 towards the postage, which is greatly appreciated, and I have received word a check for $80 is on the way. THANK YOU!!!! Mailing little slips of paper doesn’t seem like much, but paper is heavy, even newsprint, and each package has been costing me $4.95 to send. If you would like to donate via PayPal, please email me so I can provide you with the email account (my husband’s verified business account, so you know it’s safe!). Again, my email address is doom diva (at) yahoo (dot) com (I’ve had that address since ’98).

5) If you’re local, contact me about stopping by for a sorting party! We continue to grow, and I am having a harder and harder time doing this by myself. I live in the Logan Square area of Chicago right off the boulevard (by the “Christmas House“!), right by the expressway, with ample free street parking and plenty of nearby public transportation. I’m an awesome cook and would be more than happy to share a meal for your efforts. (Psst! We always have beer in the fridge and herbal tea on the kettle!)

So once again, HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s a fresh start!

All day yesterday, I was up baking cookies for tonight’s gathering with Ron’s family. His family is insanely huge, and their tradition is everyone buys for everyone – no Secret Santa. There’s no way we can afford that (not even to “just buy for the kids”), so for the past few years, I’ve baked gift bags full of a variety of cookies and hand them all out. Sure, they may not be video games or whatever, but at least I know they’ll be appreciated (somewhat?). Last year, I added sugar plums to the bags, and this year, Ryan made his famous ooey gooey brownies! Needless to say, it’s been hard to keep everyone from stealing them, including myself!

And on top of all the merriment going around, I got a call yesterday around 5pm for a dream job, and I start Tuesday! (“Yes Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus!”) It’s an office manager and bookkeeping position for a chain of designer fashion boutiques right here in Chicago. The location is just five minutes away from home and oversees over three hundred employees: Sales clerks, store managers, designers, models, seamstresses and of course the main managers and owners. I’m extremely excited about this incredible and unique position, and I have faith in myself I will do a great job right out the door. They use the same software I’m already used to working with, everyone I met was very kind and courteous, and oh my yes – SHOES! Purses! Jewelry! Beautiful dresses! I teased Ryan I’m going to need to take over his room as a second walk-in closet, as I’m sure I’ll be putting my employee discount to work.

So that’s how the Dake’s roll – how are your holidays going? I love reading everyone’s posts and hope to learn of new and exciting ways to make the Yuletide celebrations even more meaningful and fun. Even when times have been hard, we’ve always had each other, and that’s what’s important. And for many of our troops, they have been coming home in droves for the “Christmas Exodus” and also now that Iraq is finally over.

However, not everyone in the military is enjoying a homecoming, and it’s one of many sacrifices some of us may forget when we’re involved in our own festivities. I ask each and every one of you, wherever you are, to raise a glass to those still serving, and those we’ve lost, so we can send out positive vibes and let them know at the very least in spirit they are loved, respected and appreciated.

Pvt. Danny Chen

I hope we all learn to understand what words can do, what our actions can do, and yes – the NCOs who brought this upon Pvt. Chen are brought to justice. With 2012 fast approaching, I always see this as a time to resolve issues and look to the future. My one hope for the upcoming year is we all become just a little more tolerant and loving towards one another.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season, one of meaning, peace and comfort. Blessed Be to you and yours.

Happy Holidays!

A Christmas Poem for our Troops

Good morning everyone, and Happy Saturday once again! it’s been another busy and fruitful week for me – how about you? I’ve shed a good deal of unneeded stress from my daily go-around, and I’m in that optimistic sort of mood. (Then again, when am I not chipper?) Hmmm… perhaps it just might have something to do with the flag being lowered in Iraq? Perhaps, yes, that just may be part of my optimism all righty. But too, it’s the magick of the holidays that really excites me, and I hope everyone has the opportunity to share in the merriment in their own way.

For some, the holidays bring depression and loneliness, which is understandable. Folks may not have a loving family to spend the holidays with. They may not be able to afford the gifts they wanted to give. And for many, they may not even have a warm place to sleep on a regular basis. For me, the holidays have always had a special place in my heart, even when I was seven and Santa missed our home. That year, my brother and I wrapped our favorite toys in some leftover tissue paper and gave them to each other – just so we’d have something to open. That’s a very fond memory. (He gave me his Mighty Mo firetruck – the coolest toy evah!) I’ve done that several times over the years, giving my favorite stuff to people in exchange for their pride and joy, like the year in high school I gave my friend my vinyl collection (including a first-run Slayer “Reign in Blood”!!! – a super-duper collector’s item), and she bestowed upon me a beautiful leather jacket I always wanted but couldn’t afford.

Gift-giving, therefore, doesn’t have to be all about a luxury sedan with its annoying, signature jingle* or the latest toy craze; giving a part of yourself is oftentimes the best gifts of all. My husband’s family is HUGE, especially now that his many siblings’ children now have children of their own, and their tradition is to buy something for everyone – no Secret Santa. We can’t possibly afford to “just buy for the kids”, so I bake a few gross of cookies, put them in zippered baggies and wrap them in dollar store gift bags. I’m sure some of the kids think our gifts are lame, but I’m sure they’d think they were even lamer if the gifts were toys that were anything less than video games or silicone-enhanced dolls. (I tried giving story books one time, and that was a huge flop.) Meh, it could be worse; I could pull a Jimmy Kimmel on them for my own demented amusement. If anything, it would make for some fun conversation by the punch bowl.

Now I could go on and on about how we’re supposed to be grateful for what we have, and blah blah blah, but let’s face it – gifts are a big part of what makes the holidays. I don’t believe in guilt-tripping anyone, because it tends to create animosity more than anything. We as adults become a little more than disappointed when we receive craptacular bonuses (or no bonuses at all), as we feel unappreciated for the work we’ve done all year long. We may have a piece of shit car that barely gets us to our long-commute jobs. And, we may have a sadistic boss who (seemingly?) delights in making us miserable. But in the scope of things, our disappointments are, for the most part, #firstworldproblems, and it could always be worse. For those of us working, we could not have a job. For those of us who have family we cannot afford to visit, we could not have a family to even call. And for those of us who wish we lived in a better neighborhood or a better home, we could not have a home at all.

I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer but actually trying to convey we all can catch a glimmer of that Yuletide cheer fabled in a million stories. Do what makes you happy! If you have no one to spend the holidays with, make new friends and build your own, chosen family. Volunteer for, or donate to, a cause or project that makes you happy, be it a food pantry, soup kitchen, or, my personal favorite – Toys for Tots. Decorate your home with homemade crafts. (Scented pine cones, yarn and glitter cost hardly anything and really liven up the home!) Bake cookies. Attend an open Circle. Sing at a VA hospital. Watch your favorite holiday movies, be it “Bad Santa“, “A Christmas Story“, “Elf” or “A Miracle on 34th Street“. Construct, write and mail cards – there’s still time if you get them out by Monday!

Which hey – that brings me to another side story: One year, Dad told us “Christmas is canceled”, but I wouldn’t hear of such a thing. I went and bought a half dozen boxes of cards and a box of mini candy canes, giving them out to everyone in my various classes in high school. I received almost as many as I distributed and taped them all over the walls at home, along with stringing up the lights and decorating the tree we already had. Some of the cards were store-bought, but many were funny drawings on notebook paper – like the one the Sid Vicious wanna-be guy drew with Santa using the chimney for number two. That one certainly brought a smile to my face, as it did to my dad – Mr. Grumpypants. A smile is infectious, and it’s a gift we can all afford to give.

So, think of all the wonderful ways you can spread some of that magick around and have a wonderful holiday season and a Cool Yule, however you celebrate it. I’ll be back next week! Take care!

* Click it! It’s a funny parody link!