PaganPages

Do you know PaganPages? It's an online magazine or e-zine about all things pagan. I've been reading it for years now. Some time ago the editor invited me to become a regular columnist, to write about my pagan life. I was honoured and decided to give it a shot!

My first column is about who and what I am (in a pagan sense). You can read it here: Tink About it
But don't forget the rest, there are lots of interesting articles!

Breast cancer meme???

I have to get something off my chest... This week I got overloaded with requests to put a tiny heart ♥ on my Facebook wall. I am instructed to only send it to my female friends. The purpose: breast cancer awareness. We've seen earlier editions with posting the colour of your bra and other nonsense. I don't participate. Why not, you ask? Welll...

• First and foremost: breast cancer doesn't only affect women. Men can get it too! Read about it here. So why exclude men?


• Men have friends and relatives with breast cancer too, so if you want to raise awareness I ask you again: why exclude men?


• Awareness? Really? I can't see how that works. Everyone already knows it exists and that it's horrible. How can an annoying 'game' like this help? It doesn't give information, it doesn't educate people about breast cancer. 


• Have you ever thought how people with breast cancer look at it? I know people who have or had breast cancer (and knew some who died of it...) and most of them are against it, for different reasons. A survivor wrote this great post about it on her blog.

So... if you really want to help... Check yourself regularly. Donate to (or volunteer in) a cancer organisation. Raise money for cancer research. Support family and friends that are affected. Raise awareness by giving good information, share articles with substance. Or write one yourself like this woman did.
Thank you.

Pedigree

Pedigree?? Noooo, not the dog food, hahaha! My family tree...
I've taken up an old hobby, that I once started but never followed through: genealogy! A few years ago I downloaded MyHeritage, free genealogy software.

Lately I've been digging around the WWW. I'm trying to go back in time with both my family line (Van der Heijden and Slotemaker) and Ron's (Van Leeuwen and Verdikt).
I found out someone had already done the research for the Slotemaker family (my mother's family). I imported it in my files and shared some new info from our branch.

(click on the pic to visit the Slotemaker website)

Luckily a lot of archives are accessible online these days. That makes things a lot easier. First I added what I knew myself, then asked family members around me. The Van der Heijden family had been researched already and I got copies. I found the Verdikt family through 'smart matches', a very handy feature of the MyHeritage software. Facebook, Google, specialized genealogy websites and tips & tricks from people who are more experienced in this help me to get further, step by step.

Above is a print-screen image of the MyHeritage software. This is the main part, the tree itself. It is easy to work with, but I haven't discovered all of its possibilities yet. Practice makes perfect. Genealogy is sooooo addictive! Before I realize it I've spent hours searching, digging, asking, etc. And it's never done; there's always more to explore and find out!
If you want to take a look at the "Van Leeuwen - Van der Heijden Stamboom", follow this link.

Duke Taylor

I learned about Duke Taylor through his Facebook-page. He was a wonderful dog with a heart condition. On his page he raised awareness and tried to help other dogs in every way possible. Every day I checked in to see how Duke was doing, to look for new pictures and/or causes.

Unfortunately Duke lost his fight on March 4th. He has crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge. In the end he didn’t suffer and had the chance to spend the night with all of the family, one more time. Just like Duke, his tail was wagging and he was licking anyone who would be near. He was a fighter and kind soul. He was a champion, a very special dog. His family is hoping to keep his spirit alive and The Duke Nation (all of us fans and supporters) is keen to do so. His page will be continued to spread the word about animal causes and help other animals in need.

RIP dear Duke, you won't be forgotten!

I donated $ 10 in loving memory of Duke to help other dogs in need.
If you're willing and able it would be great if you do so too.
Any amount is welcome! Thank you.

Finally found!

I finally found my black panther statue! After years of looking, searching, asking... The black panther is my power animal or totem for as long as I can remember. I really wanted a nice statue, but most I found showed an angry panther, often with open mouth. I know they are predators, but still I was looking for something else. A few weeks ago I was surfing the web when I encountered BlackPantherAnimals.com. Wow, a paradise for black panther fans like me (they also have other animals though). After some consideration I decided to buy Black Panther On Rock and Tiny One. The postage costs startled me as always from the USA to here, but I really wanted to have this. Now that I found her, I couldn't let go... I'm very happy!
Bastet shows you how big it is:

Ceramic art

Some time ago I noticed a picture on Flickr by Suzie Ridler that showed a lovely ceramic bowl. I did some searching and ended up at Etsy. De Baun Fine Ceramics sells beautiful handcrafted bowls, incense burners and more. They have all been created by artist Diane De Baun. She has been working with clay since the early 80’s. Her websites are full of wonderful ceramic art, so it was hard to choose! After a while I had narrowed down my list to two bowls. I couldn't decide, so I just ordered both! Last week they arrived and I love them! The left one with cats and triple moon is 4 inches in diameter, the right one 4 1/2. I've put them on my altar.

Do you want to shop for yourself? Here are the links:
De Baun Fine Ceramics - website
De Baun Fine Ceramics - Etsy Store

Blogblast for Peace

Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. Won't you join us?

I first participated in 2008 with a globe filled with the word "peace" in a lot of different languages. This year I chose to speak for the innocent animal victims that suffer in the name of human wars.

New RW site!

Last week there suddenly was a countdown on www.robbiewilliams.com. A new site was on it's way! Monday I visited the totally renewed website and may I say: it's a lot better than before. Well-organized, easy to browse, no Flash-content and... the official forum is back! I haven't been forum-ing for a long time (any forum that is), but after my first visit I was hooked again. Oops, oh-oh..! I've kept in contact with some of the regulars on the old forum through social networking sites, but that's not the same. One by one everyone is returning to the official forum, the F-gang (F for Forum) is back in town!!
A new album is in the making and rumours say Rob will go on tour in 2010. I can't wait!

TT #96: online pagan shops

Thirteen pagan webshops I like to browse pagan shops online. Sometimes just reading, getting ideas, etc. but I also regularly buy pagan stuff online. I listed 13 shops I like. Most of them are in Great Britain, because that's cheaper in postage for me. Abaxion - USA, I bought my Millenial Gaia statue here, and some other stuff. They have a lot, but I especially like the statues. Astral Aspects - GB, I bought my Chakra Energy Generator Crystal here, and other things. I'd love to have this ring, but they only have one size left. Have you seen it anywhere else? Please tell me! Pagan Dreams - GB, 3 departments: The Craft, Jewellery and Incense. Cybermoon Emporium - GB, donates a portion of all sales to charity (for example animal welfare). I like the Charmed Kitty section! Druids Keep - GB, their incense and aromatherapy items are very good but there is more interesting stuff to find. Every Witch Way - GB, they have several things I didn't find in other shops. GaelSong - GB, I love their Circle of Cats candleholder. One day I'll order it. :) Lost Legends - Germany, 3 shops in one: ritual, MiddleAges, Gothic. My BOS comes from this shop. Pagan Magic - GB, great stuff and a lot of info in the online BOS-section. The Goddess and The Green Man - GB, I bought my Earth Pathways Diary 2009 here and more. The Gem Tree - GB, many unique things like their own jewellery designs New Moon Occult Shop - GB, a wide range of products and interesting articles / info Magick Rose - GB, a lot of stuff, very userfriendly website I know there must be many more interesting ones worldwide. Any tips for me? Let me know! It doesn't matter where it's based. ~*~*~*~ The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted Unfortunately the original TT website doesn't exist anymore.That's a pity, but I'll keep on doing TT's and I hope everyone else will. There's a perfect new hub : Thursday-13!

Look what I won!

Leanne Wildermuth is a very nice person and an amazing artist. I follow her for quite a while already. Every time she shares her work, I'm in awe. She's so talented. On her website you can have a look at her portfolio. She is specialized in lifelike, detailed custom pet portraits in oil, but also makes other beautiful paintings and pictures. I'm a big fan of her artwork. If I had the money, I'd let her make portraits or more of all my pets.

In 2009 she added a new feature to her blog: a weekly graphite portrait giveaway! Each week, one winner receives one 5×7 inch graphite drawing from their photograph. That was a chance I didn't want to miss. I decided to enter with my favourite picture of Foofur and added our story and the story of the picture. I so hoped I would win and I did!! The result is on top of this post. Isn't it great? I think so!

Leanne, thank you very, very much! I love the portrait! You are blessed with a special talent and share it so freely with everyone. You'll make someone very happy every week. Thank you!

TT #93: online pet peeves

Thirteen online pet peeves I like surfing, reading my favourite blogs, browse websites, etc. Sometimes bloggers and/or website designers (amateur AND pro) don't make it very easy to enjoy their work... pop-ups – I have pop-up killers, but still I get them from time to time. Even if the content is appealing I click them away. pop-unders – See pop-ups websites that automatically play music – I play my own music, thank you very much. Please add an immediately visible button to kill it! Or even better, make it an option to play in the first place. too much advertising – I don’t mind ads, my blog has them too. If I have to search through the ads to find the actual content, I give up very quickly though. unreadable text – Too little, unreadable font, colour… If you want me to read your website at least make the text clear! too busy background – It’s a BACKground, people! It shouldn’t get all the attention. If you really want that lively picture on the background, set the text in a box with plain background. page loading too slow because of content – I know you want to show everything you got, but if the loading takes too long I’m off to the next site. dead or wrong links – I hate those! I double-check every link I use and click old links regularly to see if the pages still exist. If you ever find one nevertheless, please let me know! writing in all caps – Especially when used with lots of !!!!!!! You’re screaming! No need to scream online. I won't listen to real-life screaming, so I won't read online screaming. stealing content from others – If you use content from another site, ask permission or at least mention the source. It’s unfair to get credit for something you didn’t create. And it is even more stupid if you copy and paste text without removing the language errors. use of unknown abbreviations – Everybody knows what LOL means, IMHO is fairly well-known too, but otherwise: if you use an abbreviation, explain it at least once after the first time it occurs in your text. back button switched off – I use the back button of my browser quite a lot. Why switching it off? I hate it when websites do that. I know there’s a solution (use the little arrow next to the back button), but still! long text without structure – If something seems to be interesting I’m willing to read a long text but without use of paragraphs, new lines, etc. that’s hard! Make it a bit easier for your audience! ~*~*~*~ The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted Unfortunately the TT website doesn't exist anymore.That's a pity, but I'll keep on doing TT's and I hope everyone else will. The link to the code doesn't work (comes automatically with Mr. Linky). Leaving your link is extra important now, so please do! update: There's a temporary solution: Thursday-13!

Dona Nobis Pacem

Blogblast for peace

Facebook

Long ago I started a Facebook profile, but somehow it disappeared. I never made a new one... until last Saturday! I heard (read) people talking (writing) about it and couldn't resist. And now I'm there every day. I found some pagan friends, Robbie fan-friends, joined some groups and so on... and on! It's so much fun, so much more to explore.

Are you on Facebook? Visit me here!

Bonewits seminar

Some time ago I had booked a seminar by Isaac & Phaedra Bonewits in Amsterdam. It was a 2-day seminar, but because of the Tink event (see post before this one) I had to miss the saturday. I found someone who wanted to take my place on saturday, but decided to go to the sunday sessions myself. I travelled by fast flying ferry and tram, but because of the Amsterdam marathon I had to walk the last part to Centrum De Roos.

Isaac Bonewits is a neopagan priest, magician, scholar, author, bard, activist, polytheologian and a leading experts on ancient and modern druidism, witchcraft, magic, the occult, and the earth religions movement. (read more here and here). In 2004 he was handfasted to tarot expert, writer and Wiccan Priestess Phaedra. Together they opened RealMagicSchool.com, where you can follow classes. There's also a free basic membership.

The theme of the morning session was "Ritual Critique Skills & Real Magic", which was very interesting. Isaac is a good speaker, has a lot of knowledge and sense of humour. Phaedra backs him up and adds her thoughts and/or experience. There was time for questions from the group and some discussion. Before lunch break Isaac signed my book: 'Best witches, Isaac'! :-)

During lunch I had a nice chat with Isaac and Phaedra. In 1970 Isaac graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in magic (and thaumaturgy), the first person ever to do so at a Westem educational institution. Unfortunately college administrators were so embarrassed over the publicity about his degree, that magic, witchcraft and sorcery were banned from the individual group-study program. I also found out that Phaedra is as fond of LibraryThing as I am! She has almost 2000 books in her profile!

The afternoon session was about "Neopagan Polytheology". I knew some things about it from Isaac's book 'Essential guide to witchcraft and wicca', but hearing it in real life is better. We mostly sat down, took notes and listened. Very theoretical and very tiring. It wasn't boring (on the contrary, very interesting again!), but at some point my head was full and I couldn't absorb anything more. After a break (with 2 Cokes) I could concentrate, but when we finished I was worn out. Nevertheless it was very worthwhile!

Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary

Some time ago I was dropping Entrecards and reading the blogs I visited, as I stumbled upon a post about the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in St. Pauls, North Carolina. They provide a safe place for blind cats that were deemed unadoptable by regular shelters and were going to be killed just because they are blind. They don't euthanize for space; it's only done if the animal is medically suffering and it is the advice from the veterinarian. They don't get any state or county funds, so they rely on sponsoring, donations and fundraisers.
The Meet The Cats page introduces all the current inhabitants (I spotted one named Cora! ;-) ) and their stories. All lovely kitties that deserve a good life. In the sanctuary they proof that life can be very good for a blind cat. See them play together, so cute! No need to kill them just because they are blind.
I really felt like showing my support so I looked into the ways to donate money. Your donations are tax deductible, encrypted and safe. Adopting one of the cats costs $30 a month, but there are a lot of other ways you can help too. You can even go shopping. Of course if you live in the neighbourhood they'd love to welcome you as a volunteer. I picked an item from their wishlist: I ordered and paid, the goods were delivered at the sanctuary. I got a nice e-mail and even a real thank-you note by snail mail.

NOTE: this is not a sponsored post! I simply want to give this very good work some extra attention.

TT #88: Entrecard blogs

Thirteen blogs I got to know through Entrecard Some time ago I joined Entrecard, a blogging network. You can drop your card to show other bloggers that you visited their site. Other sites can drop their card on your site too, and you can check them out. Entrecard uses a currency - Entrecard Credits (EC for short). You can use this currency to buy adverts on other sites. There are also forums that you can participate in. I met many familiar bloggers there I already knew from memes like TT and CoT and through other sources. I discover new blogs every day, just by dropping my card on their blog. Here are 13 of them, in no particular order (descriptions by the authors themselves)! Vixen's Den - A blog about a little of everything. Madness and mayhem. Mom, grandma, friend, wanna be poet and wanna be photographer. Witchy Mama - I am your average Witch living a spectacular life! Life being a Pagan mommy and raising my kids Pagan. This blog deals with spirituality, family, health, fitness, beauty well being, the environment and entertainment. From A Yellow House In England - This is a blog about the experiences of an American expat woman living in the English countryside and her adjusting to life in a new place. Luxor - A troublesome but sweet white Oriental Shorthair blogs about himself, his sisters, and human beans. Toltec Insights - I share insights from many spiritual traditions to help you remember it is your birthright to be happy no matter what and that you can create what you want when you want it. Obscure History - Pearls of wisdom about little known facts/events in history and day to day life. A little social commentary on current events is also possible to be found here as well. Dragonfly Cottage - Dragonfly Cottage is a place of rest and respite, solitude, and a life that is made up of animal companions, my writing, my fiber art, and communing deeply with the natural world around me. Margie and Edna's Basement - Margie and Edna are two elderly sisters, the oldest (and nosiest) residents of the fictional town of Jericho, KS. They are cranky and funny, and will share their opinions on pretty much anything under the sun. Sensory Overload - I'm looking to do book reviews, social commentary, and thoughts on current events. This is a departure from any previous blog I've had which mainly dealt in the humor genre. Photography by KML - features the fine art and stock images of photographer, Kathy Libby. KML specializes in Landscape and Nature photos. The stock photos include concepts, food, backgrounds, abstracts, sports, architecture, transportation, and people. Chica & Pumuckl - Funny Blog about two Funny Cats; two Egyptian Cats, first in Egypt, now in Germany. Celtophilia - Celtic music reviews, interviews, & opinions from two dedicated Celtophiles. Find new Celtic Music! Holy Cuteness - Holy Cuteness is a family friendly site which purpose is to brighten up your day ( if your day isn't bright already :-) ) with cute animal pictures and videos. Just 13 don't do Entrecard justice. There are so many more interesting blogs - I could make a lot of TT's! Check it out for yourself at Entrecard. You can find some of my favourites here. ~*~*~*~ Links to other Thursday Thirteens! ~*~ jenn ~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Anthony North ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Sue ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ After Hours ~*~ Phil's Grill ~*~ Army Mom ~*~ bernieq1 ~*~ geriatric nurse ~*~ SJ Reidhead ~*~ YummY! ~*~ Alice ~*~ Danielle ~*~ Dori ~*~ Marcia ~*~ the teach ~*~ Qtpies7 ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Gattina ~*~ Just Me ~*~ Alice Audrey ~*~ Chris ~*~ Penelope Anne ~*~ Mama Bear ~*~ Crazy Working Mom ~*~ Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Olive Riley (1899-2008)

“If a woman who left school in 1914, can embrace the internet in her 106th year, what is there you can’t do, friend?”



Some time ago I told you about Olive Riley, world's oldest blogger. I'm sad to tell you Olive has left us... At the age of 108 she passed away peacefully in the nursing home on July 12th. I was a regular visitor of her blog "The Life of Riley" and I will miss her messages dearly. I posted my favourite Olive-quote next to her picture in this post. Just one of her witty and wise sayings... She will be missed by her many many blogging friends all over the world. We all knew it was bound to happen, but didn't we all wish she would become at least 208 years old!

Farewell dear Olive!!

Dutch house cat adopts rejected red panda

A newborn Red panda from Artis Zoo in Amsterdam gets a special adoptive mother. After the cub was rejected by her mother, a domestic cat owned by one of the keepers took over the task of caring for the young panda. The cat now suckles the Red panda, in addition to its own four kittens. Within the European breeding programme, this is the first time that a Red panda has been suckled by a cat. Under the circumstances, the young panda is doing well. The animal constantly receives the greatest care, both from her keepers and from her adoptive mother, who lovingly treats the Red panda cub as one of her own. The baby panda was one of two cubs born to the Red panda female Gladys and her mate Werner. One cub unfortunately did not survive the first crucial days. This cub was already in a weakened condition when the two young pandas were first placed with the cat.
The Red panda, also known as the Lesser panda, lives in the bamboo forests of the Himalayas, as does its larger cousin the Giant panda. Pandas are an endangered species.
See live footage here (wmv-file) or here (YouTube)!

My slogan

While browsing Entrecard blogs I found this on Emilia's Illustrated Blog. I thought it was fun and tried it too. This came out for me:

Happiness is Tink-Shaped.

Enter a word for your own slogan:

Generated by the
Advertising Slogan Generator.
Get more Tink slogans.

What's your slogan??? You can post it in a comment or let me know when you put it on your blog too.

COT #12: eyes

CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers

who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week,

hosted by Gattina.

All three cats have beautiful eyes of their own, but they have different colours. Freyja has blue eyes, Bastet has golden or yellow and Maia's are greenish. I have tried to make good pictures of them, but that's not easy! Finally I came up with these:

Last week I finally added them to Catster (and the dogs to Dogster). Do your cats have their own page on Catster? Feel free to share it, so I can add them as friends!

Join the Catster community