Archive for January, 2010

Venus, Ruler of Taurus and Libra, Retrograde

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Most everyone who is interested in Astrology are aware that Mercury moves into its retrograde position three times ayear for approximately twenty-four days each. Few are aware that other planets move into a retrograde position aswell.

Venus,  the planet representing beauty, love, luxury items, and money, is in her retrograde position for forty-two days and stationary for approximately two days before and after turning. A benefic planet, she is at her weakest when retrograde. Parts of the body signified by Venus are the veins and the kidneys.

For example, if Venus in transit is in its retrograde motion is approaching your natal Jupiter to form a trine or sextile,do not expect its benefits to be as favorable as they might have been if Venus had been direct. 

Excerpt from Timing is Everything; Astrology is the Key by Wes Alistair

Copies available at Trafford.com, http://www.weslynn.com and Amazon.com

WINDING PATHS

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

 

Winding Paths

by Weslynn McCallister

 Traveling down the winding paths

 of the memories of my mind,

 you appear a misty image,

 your breath still warm upon my cheek.

Visions of love and laughter,

 carefree moments we thought

would last an eternity, were

lost in the ravages of time.

Cherished memories of days gone by,

remain, never to be lost in the sands of time.

An excerpt from “ Shifting Sands” by Weslynn McCallister

Strange Objects in the Heavens

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

I just read this in my email from space weather and thought that some of you might be interested:

CURIOUS ASTEROID FLYBY: A curious object is about to fly past Earth only one-third the distance to the Moon. Catalogued as a 10m-class asteroid, 2010 AL30 has an orbital period of almost exactly 1 year. This raises the possibility that it might not be a natural object, but rather a piece of some spacecraft from our own planet. At closest approach on Jan. 13th, 2010 AL30 will streak  through Orion, Taurus, and Pisces glowing like a 14th magnitude star. Experienced amateur astronomers are encouraged to monitor the flyby.  Orbital elements, images, and more information are available on http://spaceweather.com

Something like this may give some of you who write sci-fi some ideas to build upon.

Researching Publishers

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

     After polishing my recent work, I have been 

researching publishers.  The best resource I have

 found is Jeff Herman’s Book of  Publishers, Editors,

and Literary Agents.

      When you feel your work is ready to submit,

 please remember to follow the publisher’s

 submission guidelines precisely.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Makes 112 cookies, but the recipe may be halved.

2  cups butter

24 oz. Chocolate chips

4  cups flour

2 cups brown sugar

2 tsp. soda

1 tsp salt

2 cups sugar

1 - 8 oz Hershey Bar (grated)

5  cups blended oatmeal

4  eggs

2 tsp Baking powder

2tsp. Vanilla

3  cups chopped nuts of your choice

Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, hershey bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Makes 112 fabulous cookies

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year filled with love, success, and happiness.

Following are positive quotes for the year ahead. I will be adding to these from time to time throughout the year.

January 3, 2010 

Where there is laughter there is always more health than sickness. -Phillis Bottome

No man is a failure who is enjoying life. – William Feather

Forget the past and live the present hour. – Sarah Knowles Bolton

Joy is not in things, it is in us. -Benjamin Franklin

We are new everyday. – Irene Claremont Castillego

One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listen to each other’s stories. -Rebecca Falls

When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy. -Samuel Goldwyn

Irene’s Peanut Brittle

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

To make syrup

 C Water

Dash of Salt

C of Raw Peanuts

Tablespoon Butter

tsp Baking Soda

tsp Vanilla

In 2 quart glass bowl combine:

Sugar, corn syrup, water, salt and peanuts.

Microwave (high) uncovered 5 minutes

Stir

Microwave (high) uncovered 13-15 minutes or until 300 is reached.