La Luna’s World

All Hallows = Halloween

All Hallows was the Celtic New Year. Samhain was the beginning of winter and celebrated as the New Year. (Don’t break out the champagne and party hats yet.)

The Celtics believed the Samhain was considered a very magical time when the dearly departed (dead) walked among the living. From October 31- November 2 the Celtic’s consider this time as an in-between time, no time. During these dates it was like a party at the Castro. Men and women dressed unusually, practical jokes were played, and children went from door to door asking for sweet breads nut and fruit. There are several versions, of the reason that costumes were worn.

1. Costumes were worn to scare the dead away

2. Costumes were worn as part of the celebration of the festivals

3. Costumes were a form of practical jokes

These in-between days were the time the dead would pass from this world to the next. The departed were not feared by the public, but were honored in this celebration. It was believed the veil was thin between the living and the departed. At this time one could pick up some valuable information from the departed.

A turnip would be carved and candle placed inside, it was believed that the candle would burn longer; this was used during the nights of the celebration.

Later when the European immigrated to the US a pumpkin took the turnips place.

The Catholic Church entered the scene during the 5^th century. They adopted the day November 1 st as All Hallows Eve. The day the Saints were honored. People would go door to door and offer prayer to the family for sweet cakes. They believed the dead were in limbo at this time and the prayers would help the departed transition to the next world. If they were denied a treat, no prayer was offered and it was considered bad luck for their loved ones.

Now when those little ones ring the doorbell and you’re dropping the treats into their cute little bags you know just how All Hallows- Hollow-e’-en – Halloween started. In olden days, adults went out trick or treating too. So if you feel inclined grab your pillowcase and call me, we’ll head out together

This weekend we checked out haunted houses.  Through the magic of the Internet, a few creative and kind families put on a haunted house for the public.  On Saturday we went to the Cursi Haunted House in Concord.  We were ushered into the garage and seated by some pretty creepy creatures, and waiting our turn to enter.  Once inside a man in a space- suit was sprawled out on the floor.  I guess hazardous gas.  No I did not eat any bean burritos before entering.  Next thing I know the space man was grabbing our legs and got up and chased after us.  I grabbed big sis and threw her towards the space man and we ran out of the room into another room with hanging mummies.  Mean while the strobe lights are full force.  Next we entered into a colorful polka dot room, ooow pretty! A polka dot man came through the wall and scared the hee-bees out of me.  We walked out to an open space where a nurse was on a table with an electric saw dangling over her.  A doctor submerged from around the corner where a BBQ was taking place, a BBQ of body parts.  Yuk!  We were invited to part take, and given little packages of dental floss just in case parts got stuck in our teeth. A little boy in a scary costume gave us a poster of a horror movie.  All in all this was an excellent production.
On Sunday we went out to a Haunted House in Walnut Creek.  This one was out in the boonies, that was eerie being so dark and all.  I did not really want to go.  We walked up to the house and the family was not ready for us.  The father asked us to hold on and I just wanted to leave.  He came backed and asked us to come over so he could try out his guillotine on us, we declined. Then he proceeded to sharpen his ax on an electric sharper.  OK really creepy.  We watched his daughter enter a box and turn into a skeleton, dance and then turn into a skeleton.  Next, we were ushered into a room where there was a laboratory; it was very hard to see.  The man offered Chee a small beaker of liquid to drink.  Chee put it up to her lips and I almost had a cow.  Luckily she did not drink it.  The man told her to keep it, and use it.  It is a love potion.  Give it to the person you love and make sure after they drink it, you are the first person they look at.  Chee took the bottle.  How do you tell your teenage daughter to give the man back his stuff right in front of him? We fumbled through dark spaces tripping over stuff and all you hear was rustling then someone would jump out and scare you.  I was so glad when it was over.  It was not done very well, but it creeped the bee-gee-bers out of us.  They asked for money, which was weird, because the website said it was free and fun. (False advertising, not fun or free) We dropped what $ we had in our pocket and left really fast.  Yes, never to return.

This morning while trying to work up a sweat, I had the TV on to keep me company.  Sometimes it makes the time go by faster.  They had a piece on why American use to much gas and what you can do to cut down the amount of gasoline usage.  They showed a bunch of overweight people getting into their cars and driving off.  I’m thinking along the lines oh yeah, they want us to start walking or use public transportation.  Wrong….
Because Americans are so overweight we use more gas… So this is another campaign to make us feel horrible about ourselves.  It was not enough that they brainwashed us to believe in order to be beautiful you must be skinny.  Not to mention that the size 12 several years ago is now the XXX Large.  I think it is a little odd that the media is preaching to us to lose weight and almost every other advertisement on TV is about luscious, creamy, better tasting, 30 % more product for your money, in your face…FOOD.
Ok, there is a hole in that segment they did this morning on fat people = more gasoline use.  What about CARPOOLS? Do we stop carpooling, cause all those people in one car = Weight galore = wasting gas?  Yeah, researchers of these clips, we are not all gullible… We have brains with our slightly enlarged waistlines.

Help wanted…
NASA Seeks Volunteers to Spend 3 weeks in Bed.
Compensation: $6,100 for 41-day study
NASA Space Center is conducting experiments on counteracting the effects of weightlessness. This is to simulate a zero gravity environment.
All you have to do is lie down for three weeks in bed with your feet about five inches higher than your head.  You will have to eat propped up on your elbow, use bedpans and shower lying down on a waterproof bed.
Caution, this simulation can cause weaken muscles and bone.
But wait, you get a little excitement every day; a one-hour ride on a centrifuge bed that spins about 30 times a minute to simulate gravity.
Guess what, NASA needs 30 people to conduct the study; unfortunately they only have 10 people.
So if you have a 3-week vacation coming up and cannot decide what to do, and you just want to rest and relax.  Check out the NASA offer.  To sweeten the pot you get paid.

I was away for a few days.  It was sure a treat.  I went to visit my cousins, aunt and uncle, in Salt Lake City.  The trip was really to see and enjoy my family.  That is exactly what I did. Thank you very much guys for everything, I really miss you.

I was driving in the car with Py and I said hey remember that song Clevon , by Elton John. Py looked at me like I just descended from another planet, yeah I nick named our other brother after the song Clevon. he said what…no La Loca, oops Luna that’s Levon. Oh well, anyway I think it’s religious song, I never knew Elton was religious This is the meaning of the song; this song depicts the United States after a holy war has occurred and a theocratic government has couped and taken power. Levon was on the side of the religious faction, which is why he named his child “Jesus.” Levon’s “war wound” was received during the war, and his son was born on Christmas Day during the peak of the war, when “the New York Times said God is dead, and the war’s begun.” Since Levon fought for the new religious government he receives special treatment; that is why Levon sends Jesus “To the finest school in town.” (Mike – Binghamton, NY). So we found the song and listened to all the words and for your enjoyment here they are ladies and gentlemen Mr. Elton John! Hey do you want to sing along with me?

Levon wears his war wound like a crown

He calls his child Jesus

'Cause he likes the name

And he sends him to the finest school in town

Levon, Levon likes his money

He makes a lot they say

Spend his days counting

In a garage by the motorway

He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day

When the New York Times said God is dead 

And the war's begun

Alvin Tostig has a son today

And he shall be Levon

And he shall be a good man

And he shall be Levon

In tradition with the family plan

And he shall be Levon

And he shall be a good man

He shall be Levon

Levon sells cartoon balloons in town

His family business thrives

Jesus blows up balloons all day

Sits on the porch swing watching them fly

And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus

Leaving Levon far behind

Take a balloon and go sailing

While Levon, Levon slowly dies

Channel 76 the fitness channel. Because of the battle of the bulge, I arise every morning early to work out. I used to ride the bike or walk. But it is so dark now at that hour, so I resorted to the TV. I tried videos, belly dancing, modern type of dance and walking. I grew tired of those and tuned into the fitness channel. Every morning they feature a different exercise session from hip-hop, yoga, weight training, kicking boxing, dancing and the list goes on. They are really designed for those who have experience in that particular exercise. Stretching with some yoga was the last one I attempted. I felt pretty good while following along. But a few hours later I was in pain, my hip and lower back. I hope no one else hurts himself or herself trying to keep up with the cool, beautifully sculpture body of men and women wearing matching work out outfits.

All I can say is there is nothing like a good brisk walk and a wonderful ride on the bike.

But really what I love is a nice warm berry pie with vanilla ice cream. Fresh bake bread with a pad of fresh butter, a bag of cashews, or a Cadbury milk chocolate bar, oh heck I could go on forever. At last taboo, those goodies can only to be taken in moderation.

This is a continuation of yesterday’s blog.  I always say it is such a small world.  Among the millions of people who occupy this planet the same people I have met in the past will surface in the present or the future.
The little down’s boy,  (I’ll call Rascal) that was my assigned student at the high school, I knew his mom when I was a teenager.  We hung around in the same circle; she was a few years older so my older brother probably had more of a friendship with her.  She married a nice enough young man and had two boys.   The last boy, Rascal turned out to be more than they could handle.  So the father left and it was very unpleasant.  Rascal’s mom met and married a man 25 or 30 years her senior, plus he was a different race.  Which caused quiet a scandal in their family.  She was very happy in her marriage, but her life was dictated by Rascal’s behavior and health problems.  I would talk to her in the parking lot and her eyes were so sad.  She was truly just tired of the roller coaster ride with her son.  She opened a little second store and the business is still going great.   She had two things going for her, her marriage and business.  Then her husband got cancer.  He was in and out of the hospital.  The cancer went into his bones, I saw him a few times and he was just fighting to live.  He was about 76 years old.  He was her rock.  Later I found out he passed away.  I thought oh, it must have been really hard for her to take care of two sick people.   Barely a year later I heard that Rascal’s mom died under mysterious circumstances.  Apparently she was on prescription medications, was found walking down the street in the middle of the night, a person Rascal’s grandmother knew saw her and picked her up.  They took her to the grandmother’s house.  The grandmother got Rascal’s mom comfortable and called some friends over to help.  Rascal’s mom passed away a few hours later.  Something was so fishy about that story.  Why didn’t they call 911, or take her to the emergency room?
Once in a while I will be driving down the street where the grandmother lived and I swear I can feel Rascal’s mom presence.  Eerie huh.  I always say that to the girls when we drive by that area, I wonder if it scares the hee-bee gee-bees out of them. Rascal’s mom was a pillar of strength, someone who I admired.  She had a very difficult life and did her best, she was a successful women.  The heart is strong with love, without love it grows weak and fragile. I just wanted to honor Rascal’s mom. Rascal is in a group home; he is a grown man now. One of the days I will run into someone who knows Rascal, and they will fill me in on his adventures.

I was out walking at lunch.  A squirrel and I locked eyes and I smiled and waved.  That got me to thinking about a story I heard while I was working at a high school from one of the students.  He came across a squirrel that had a leg injury.  They took the squirrel in and let it mend.  They had a set up in the family room a cute maze like area and the squirrel ran free.  When the squirrel got better they tried to let it go, but it would not leave.  So it became the family pet.  I was sitting in Art class while the student was telling the class the story.  The student I was with started yelling that the squirrel storyteller was a lair and continued to do so for weeks after that.  That was why the boy brought in photos of the squirrel in his family room, but that did not stop my student.  Those were days when I was a working in a special ed. program.  The program was set up to intergrade severely mentally challenged students with the average students in a regular high school. The students that were in the program were Down�s syndrome, autistic and cerebral palsy kids.  I was assigned to a young Down�s syndrome student, with multiple medical problems.  They needed a nurse close by when he was in school.  He spent most of his time at home or in a hospital.  This little tike was so obnoxious, demanding and mean.  I think his mom brought him to school cause she was tired of dealing with him. I would cringe on the days when he came to school.  We would start off ok, but then he would get up in the middle of the class and wonder around then out the door.  I would follow him trying to talk him into coming back to class.  He would speak of dying and watching his mother being abused and other weird out there stuff.  The first couple of times I was very sympathetic and kind, listening to every word with concern.  But, it got old really fast and I soon realized it was one of his many games.  He never quiet made it through a whole day of school (10am-1: 30 pm). I would always end up calling his mom because he stated he was so sick and would probably die.  The problem with that was that he was ill, but you could never tell just how ill.  He had crone�s disease, took some heavy-duty pain meds and wore a poop bag, (colostomy bag) He had problems voiding (peeing) and would sometimes straight cath himself. But his mom said that he had set times to do that and it did not include school times. Yeah sure!  I cannot tell you how many times he would have these lengthy spells in the bathroom and I would have to go in to find him completed naked just standing there. Ugh!

When he was not at school everyone just sighed with relief. The other students were really a kick, and fun.  They were the happiest kids out.  Sometimes you would have occasional tantrums, but only when they didn�t like their aide.

On a whole I really did not agree with the program.  It was really hard for these students to sit through sociology, biology, foreign languages and all these upper core classes.  There is no way that they could understand or retained any of that material.  They had fun in PE, art and cooking.  The whole programs purpose was to have all the students mesh together, like a melting pot.  What happened is a small amount of students accepted the special ed. students, the rest of the students pretended they were not there.  I think the program is great in elementary school.  Little children are alittle more accepting of differences.

So what does this have to do with saying Hi to a squirrel at lunch? That is me, I always get off on these different tangents.

Yesterday we were over at Macy’s. Doing the, you know … Shopping thing. Chee loves to try on all these funky outfits. We were walking by the dressing rooms and there were a bunch of people standing around the TV. Macy’s did a cool thing; they installed TV monitors and a sitting area for the people who wait for other people who are trying things on. They were broadcasting on the earthquake in Hawaii. I waited for more information like where and if it was volcanic in nature. The news people are all prattling away with not much to say except the same thing over and over, Big Earthquake in Hawaiian Islands.
I had to go to the Internet to find out where, when, volcano, and etc.
It happened on Sunday at about 7 AM and it is reported as follows, a 6.6 quake hit 10 miles north-northeast of Kalaoa, a city on the west coast of the island of Hawaii; the Hawaii quake was centered 24 miles below sea level. The after shocks are felt around the other Hawaiian Island.

Ok, where are the tsunamis. They have been having lots of after shocks. So I turned to Mr. Wizard computer and found out the following information.

What causes a tsunami? An earthquake, with a magnitude 7.0 or greater, can generate tsunami. Earthquakes moves plate tectonic, which causes a change in the water level of the ocean. Plate tectonic move slightly up and on top (vertically) of another making a lot of water rise up. When a lot of water rises up it cause a lot of big waves under the top of the ocean, the waves move at extreme speeds, the average being about 450 miles per hour. A tsunami is born.

A non-tsunami earthquake occurs in the ocean floor in which the tectonic plates tend to slip horizontally against each other. Because water is virtually immune to the horizontal shearing motion of the ocean floor in these regions, little water is displaced.

Ever since I was little I’ve had dreams about swimming at the beach and a tsunami occurs. So generated by fear, I’ m always curious of these phenomena.

But, the way I look at the earthquake situation is the earth builds up a lot of gas and every once in a while it lets out a huge fart. So we just have to duck, cover or run. Whew that was a big one…

My heart goes out to all the islanders.