Shocking Act of Animal Cruelty

Last night I was up much later than usual. I was standing in my kitchen with the light off, looking out the window. I saw a man walking and a small animal walking near him. He moved closer to it and was watching it. I thought it was someone taking his little dog out for a late night walk. Then, the man ran over to the animal, jumped up into the air and came down on it. As I stood there, frozen in horror, the man stomped the animal to death. I ran outside and stood on my porch under the porch light staring at the man. I can’t express how horrified and shocked I was. Considering that a link between animal cruelty and violence toward humans has been well established, running outside was perhaps not the safest thing to do, but I wasn’t thinking clearly.

I’ve never seen such an alarming display of brutality in my life. I stood there staring at the man as he turned to walk away. He saw me staring and turned back to say, “Dead opossum.” Still completely shocked, I said, “Oh.” I quickly recovered myself and then said, “So it’s okay to do that to a opossum?” He just kept walking.

I stood there frozen, trying to process what I’d just seen. It happened in an open alley next to my house. It was dark and I couldn’t see the man’s face, what he was wearing or any identifiable aspects. By the time it occurred to me to call the police, he’d already left the alley and I hadn’t seen which direction he’d gone. I wasn’t even sure the animal he’d killed was actually a opossum and not a cat or dog. Would that have made a difference? Maybe a little, because of the trust factor. Dogs and pet cats trust people, for the most part. Stomping any animal to death is an act of extreme violence, maybe more so when it’s totally unprovoked. Doing it to a companion animal who has no reason to distrust or fear humans adds an additional layer of betrayal.

Opossums, on the other hand, have a different handicap when it comes to avoiding dangerous humans. Everyone knows that opossums “play dead” when frightened, which may be a workable strategy to avoid animal predators but is less effective against humans – to say the least. What many people aren’t aware of is that the opossum has no control over it. When they're attacked, they fall over and appear to be dead or to have fainted. They can’t help it. Unfortunately, they remain awake and their cognitive function is not hindered.

Of course, I was trying to make myself less appalled and more able to go to sleep by rationalizing that at least it wasn’t a kitten or a puppy, but it really doesn’t matter. The fact is, that man viciously killed a defenseless animal. I can only hope that knowing someone saw him do it will prevent him from doing it again.

Easy Things to Do to Help the Planet

I thought I'd share the simple, easy, no- or low-cost things I do to help the planet. I'm hoping to inspire others to do the same things!

What I do to help the planet:

Work from home four days a week, which saves the 35 mile (one way) commute.
Bring my own cloth bags to the store (mine live in my car so I don’t forget them).
Recycle.
Turn the water off while I brush my teeth.
Turn off unused lights.
Unplug unused appliances, including the tv and microwave.
Buy organic.
I don’t eat mammals – no cows, pigs, sheep, etc.
I drive a little car that gets really good mileage (but I sure do miss my Wrangler!)
Click a day to feed animals in shelters, protect the rainforest, etc.
I use Blackle as my home page.
Donate time, money and goods to organizations that protect the environment and/or animals, such as Defenders of Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy.

I get e-mail alerts and then sign petitions and send e-mails to policy makers from such organizations as Greenpeace, The Wilderness Society, and the World Wildlife Fund.

My long distance carrier is Credo, formerly Working Assets. They donate a portion of your phone bill, at no cost to you, to progressive causes. You get to vote to decide who they donate to and how much they send! How cool is that?

What can you do to help the planet?

Bigger, Better, Goth!

I just put a couple of new Goth magnets up in my shop!



Elizabeth Bathory, known as The Blood Countess, may have more to do with Bram Stoker’s Dracula than Vlad the Impaler. Notes about her were found in Stoker’s papers, so he’d certainly heard of her!

In 1610 Hungary, local authorities began investigating the disappearance of local girls. Transylvanian Countess Elizabeth Bathory was subsequently imprisoned, walled into a tiny room with only a small slot to pass through food. In 1614 she was found dead in her cell. She’d been charged with murdering hundreds of young women, believing their blood would keep her young and beautiful.

This magnet features a pendant of the creepy Countess Bathory, made by handmadehorrors.etsy.com. The Countess is flanked by three genuine onyx replicas of her own black heart, accompanied by a cool little skull.

Put this spookycool magnet on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, in your office or even in your car.

The lining of this magnet is a deep red abstract watercolor, inside a round tin with a glass top.

The magnet is 2 ½” (6.4 cm) across and 1” (2.5) deep.







Check out this cool goth magnet. It’s got genuine black onyx hearts, a pewter bat and a skull inside. It also has three clear acrylic gems to give it a little sparkle. Put this spookycool magnet on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, in your office or even in your car.

The lining of this magnet is a deep red abstract watercolor, inside a round tin with a glass top.

The magnet is 2 ½” (6.4 cm) across and 1” (2.5) deep.

I'm # 866



It's an experiment to see how long it will take to get 
1,000,000 blogs to list themselves on their site.

Taurus

We're coming up on Taurus in another week. Time to showcase the bright, shiny, brand new 3D Taurus magnets. So without further ado, heeeerrrrrreeeeeee's....Taurus!

Taurus is an earth sign and this magnet celebrates the 2nd sign of the zodiac! It would look great on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, in your office or even in your car. It makes a great gift for the Taurus in your life.

The lining is watercolor painting in rose pink, inside a round tin with a glass top. The glyph for Taurus is on the inside of the glass, so handling won’t smudge it. Also on the inside are a sterling silver Taurus word bead and four genuine peridot stones. Peridot is associated with Taurus as are the colors pink and green. The outside is wrapped with a barely there light green ribbon. A strong magnet is attached to the back.

The magnet is 2” (5.8 cm) across and 1” (2.5) deep.
Available for purchase at Luminosities.

The lining is watercolor painting in rose pink, inside a round tin with a glass top. The glyph for Taurus is on the inside of the glass, so handling won’t smudge it. Also on the inside are a genuine malachite stone, four genuine peridot stones and the word “May.” Malachite and peridot are both associated with Taurus and of course May is a Taurus birth month. The outside is wrapped with dark green ribbon. A strong magnet is attached to the back.
Available for purchase at Luminosities.


The lining is watercolor painting in rose pink, inside a round tin with a glass top. The word “Taurus” is on the inside of the glass, so handling won’t smudge it. Also on the inside are the glyph for Taurus in copper wire, copper being the metal associated with Taurus. A genuine rose quartz stone rests beneath the glyph. The outside is wrapped with barely there pale green ribbon. A strong magnet is attached to the back. Available for purchase at Luminosities.

Puppy Mills - Today on Oprah

Today on the Oprah show, an expose on puppy mills. Puppy mills are a horrific problem. Puppies from puppy mills are frequently unhealthy, with serious physical issues "...including severe malnutrition, rotting teeth and severe periodontal disease, extreme matting of fur sometimes leading to skin lesions, mange, flea, tick, and parasite infestations, and serious foot and leg injuries from living an entire life on wire mesh flooring. Female dogs in puppy mills are typically bred at every opportunity until they are physically spent and can no longer reproduce. Puppy mill dogs live out their entire lives in tiny enclosures, never having a chance to get out of their cages for exercise or socialization." (ASPCA)

Please join me in thanking Oprah for using her considerable influence to expose this cruel and horrifying issue.

Presenting Suzanne Gonsalez of Ravenwolf Gallery

Brody Dalle is said to have once lamented the current dearth of art that makes you go, “What the fuck?” Not, “what the fuck is that” but the kind of what the fuck that makes you stop and stare, slack-jawed. The kind of art that grabs you somewhere inside and shakes you all around while you’re momentarily completely discombobulated.

I’d like to present an artist whose work causes that reaction in me. I’m having a little trouble articulating just what it is about her work, but I can stare at it for a long time. I want to get close to it, to the point of finding myself scooting closer to the monitor, peering intently.

So far, I’ve only managed to get one little ACEO, shown below. If you like her art, you better snap it up now, because when I win the lottery, her shop is going to be empty. Bwahaha!

Without further ado, Suzanne Gonsalez of Ravenwolf Gallery:

Click on images to visit the artist's shop

My ACEO

Face of the Gypsy

Ode to Wychwood

Tapiz de Suenos
(Tapestry of Dreams)

All above images copyright 2007- 2008 by Suzanne Gonsalez

Lion love

You gotta see this. A lion greets a woman who rescued him as a cub. It brings back memories of my time at the sanctuary, though I never experienced anything quite like this!

http://www.telestereo.com/Archivos/video.swf

Healing Magnets!

Brand new healing magnets at Luminosities!

The lining of these magnets is a green abstract watercolor with clockwise (sun-wise) spirals drawn in blue gel pen. The outside is wrapped with a green ribbon, green being a healing color. Powerful magnets are attached to the back.

Put these charming magnets on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, in your office or even in your car.

The magnets are 2” (5.8 cm) across and 1” (2.5) deep.

This magnet uses symbolism and the power of stones to surround you with healing energy. Lapis lazuli is said to be a powerful stone with both physical and mental healing properties. The stone you see here is a gorgeous dark blue with flecks of gold.

The Egyptian ankh is a symbol of life and the silvertone ankh in this magnet fits in well with the healing theme.


This magnet uses symbolism and the power of stones to surround you with healing energy. Amethysts are believed to carry healing properties and the three genuine faceted amethysts you see are a deep purple color.

As a symbol of transformation and renewal, the pewter dragonfly charm adds to the theme of healing.



This magnet uses symbolism and the power of stones to surround you with healing energy. Bloodstone is believed to be a powerful healing stone. The stone you see here is a deep green and red.

Butterflies are symbols of transformation and the butterfly sticker in this magnet invites you to transform into a being of beauty and health.

See more images or purchase now at Luminosities.

Got Pisces?

Three Pisces magnets to choose from at Luminosities!



All three of these magnets are loaded with Pisces symbolism. The colors used in the painting on the lining and the ribbon colors are associated with Pisces. Dolphins, of course, are associated with Pisces too. Amethyst is a Pisces stone, so the high-grade genuine amethyst stones in each magnet also fit the Pisces theme. Two of the magnets have the word "Pisces" on the inside of the glass top (protected from smudging) and one has the glyph for Pisces instead.

These 3D Astrological Magnets are available for purchase at Luminosities. Grab one quick, for the Pisces in your life!

Oompa, Loompa Doompadee Dee
Someone bought another magnet from me

Oompa Loompa Doompadee Doo
If you are wise, you’ll buy one too

What do you get when you buy a magnet
A 3D piece of assemblage art
What sign are you, I have zodiac too

What element do you like most
Tell me and I’ll make it and post

Oompa, Loompa Doompadee Dah
I’ll ship to you whether near or far

Oompa Loompa Doompadee Doo
Hurry up now and get one for you!

Luminosities

I'm Featured on Knitting Dragonflies!

Check out Knitting Dragonflies

I'm featured! Yay!

Stop by her shop, Dizzy Dragonflies, too, and check out her cool pirate quilts!

Wolf Crisis

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has released an updated rule concerning the wolves in the northern Rockies. Under the new rule, more than 750 wolves, which is more than half of the region’s wolf population , could be killed, even though this wolf population is still supposed to be protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Something to consider - every time you eat beef, you put money in the pockets of those behind attempts to eradicate the nation's tiny wolf population.

Love Spells, Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, new loves spell magnets! These would make great Valentine's Day gifts!


A love spell in a magnet! This magnet uses the magick of stones, color and essential oil, plus the power of words. What a great Valentine’s Day gift!

With red, pink and white, this piece utilizes the colors of love. It contains genuine rose quartz which attracts love! A little heart charm adds to the love vibe. To further emphasize the point, there is a little word bead that says, “kiss.” Inside is a tiny drop of rose essential oil, also a love attractor.

Put it on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, in your office or even in your car.

The lining of this magnet is red fiber paper, inside a round tin with a glass top. The outside is wrapped with a white ribbon with little red hearts.

The magnet is 2” (5.8 cm) across and 1” (2.5) deep.

Available for purchase at Luminosities


A love spell in a magnet! This magnet uses the magick of stones, color, essential oil and images. What a great Valentine’s Day gift!

With red, pink and white, this piece utilizes the colors of love. It contains genuine rose quartz which attracts love!

With red, pink and white, this piece utilizes the colors of love. To further emphasize the point, there is heart charm with the word “loving” and a red cloth rose. Inside is a tiny drop of rose essential oil, also a love attractor

Put it on your refrigerator, in your bedroom, in your office or even in your car.

The lining of this magnet is red paper embossed with multiple hears, inside a round tin with a glass top. The outside is wrapped with a red ribbon with little white hearts.

The magnet is 2” (5.8 cm) across and 1” (2.5) deep.

Available for purchase at Luminosities

Are You an HSP?

What’s an HSP? HSP stands for Highly Sensitive Person. HSPs are easily overwhelmed with stimuli in their environments. Typically, HSPs are physically and psychologically more susceptible to sudden or loud noises, bright or flickering lights, a lot of ambient activity and/or crowds.

Along with being easily overwhelmed, though, come some wonderful traits. HSPs also tend to be “…highly creative and productive workers, attentive and thoughtful partners, and intellectually gifted individuals.” Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D, author of The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, goes on to make these points:

• This trait is normal--it is inherited by 15 to 20% of the population, and indeed the same percentage seems to be present in all higher animals.
• Being an HSP means your nervous system is more sensitive to subtleties. Your sight, hearing, and sense of smell are not necessarily keener (although they may be). But your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply.
• Being an HSP also means, necessarily, that you are more easily overstimulated, stressed out, overwhelmed.
• This trait is not something new I discovered--it has been mislabeled as shyness (not an inherited trait), introversion (30% of HSPs are actually extraverts), inhibitedness, fearfulness, and the like. HSPs can be these, but none of these are the fundamental trait they have inherited.
• The reason for these negative misnomers and general lack of research on the subject is that in this culture being tough and outgoing is the preferred or ideal personality--not high sensitivity. (Therefore in the past the research focus has been on sensitivity's potential negative impact on sociability and boldness, not the phenomenon itself or its purpose.) This cultural bias affects HSPs as much as their trait affects them, as I am sure you realize. Even those who loved you probably told you, "don't be so sensitive," making you feel abnormal when in fact you could do nothing about it and it is not abnormal at all.

Take her HSP self-test and find out if you are an HSP.

Kind-hearted folks needed for fellow Etsyian!

I have a very dear friend that is in danger of losing her only mode of transportation due to hard luck in the employment arena.

She does NOT know I am doing this - I reckon she will soon. I

This fellow Etsyian is a huge part of my own inspiration, and is an inspiration to MANY more of us! She is a fellow member of the street team EAST, and has a heart that out-sizes most of the hearts I have the pleasure to know!

If you are looking to spend a little bit of money today, have a gift you need to pickup or just a little something fun yourself, visit her shop! She has a plethora of wonderful things and having purchased many from her myself, I can attest to wonderful pricing, QUICK shipping and fantastic quality!! She also takes custom orders and will change a button to a magnet if you like.

For all things Nerd and Geek - Visit the Realm!

Vote to WIN!!

****EarthPath Artisans Winter Wonderland Challenge****

Heart your favorite entry in the Winter Wonderland Challenge and win an EarthPath Artisans PRIZE PACK! You can find the entries HERE!

The item with the most hearts wins! There will be a random drawing from among the voters who voted by hearting for PRIZE PACKS! there will be FOUR prize pack WINNERS!

If you want to take a shortcut and just vote for me, go HERE hehe

Witchvox Front Page!

I'm on the front page of Witchvox again! The article is Caring for Your Feline Familiar. How exciting!!

Fantastic New York Times article about Etsy

The NYT has a fantastic article about Etsy! It covers everything from the philosophy behind not only Etsy, but much of the DIY, handmade movement.

It includes interviews with the founder of Etsy, the most well-known Etsy success story and other driving forces.

Read it here:

New York Times

Forgive me if I'm pleased with myself

I apologize if this sounds like bragging, but I am totally digging this new ring I made for myself! It's bright, it's bold, it's electric blue! It's wrapped in sterling silver wire and I love it!