Monday's visitor

Some time ago my friend Dharma wrote about symbols and learning their hidden meanings.  To top this off, Stephanie, aka Trouble, has been talking about totems.  She has been working on hers and I admit I find it interesting in an unconventional way.  You are wondering what this is all about, I can hear your brains ticking.  Simple.  I posted some beautiful pictures yesterday of a dragonfly that landed on SF and stayed with her for about thirty minutes and then spent the next three hours on my knee, my fingers and my midsection.  So, when the little guy landed on my shoulder this morning while I was finishing up the pool brushing and adding the necessary chemicals before heading out I began to wonder why he was visiting me again, especially since the sun was not even up.  He was trying to tell me something and I needed to figure it out.


Symbolism of Dragonflies - As a creature of the wind, the dragonlfy totem represents change.  It's iridescent wings are incredibly sensitive to the slightest breeze, and so we are reminded to heed where the proverbial wind blows - lest we run into stormy weather.


Dragonflies are also creatures of the water, and any creature whose habitat is in, or around water carries symbolism relative the the subconscious, or "dreaming" mind and thoughts.

This is because in the animal world, water is symbolic of the subconscious mind ("deeper mind," "dreaming mind") and relates to the thoughts we have in relaxed/meditative/sleeping/subconscious states.


Quick-list animal symbolism of the dragonfly:

• prosperity
• good luck
• strength
• peace
• harmony
• purity

These symbolic meanings of dragonfly are particularly associated in Asian (Japan) and Native American (Plains region) circles.


Dragonflies carry messages that deal with deeper thought - and they ask that we pay attention to our deeper thoughts and desires.


Further symbolic insect meaning of dragonfly comes into play when we observe the dragonfly's mode of transportation as it skitters across the top of water surfaces.  This implies that our deeper thoughts are surfacing and we must be mindful of the outcome we wish to have.


The dragonfly is a reminder that when our deeper thoughts rise to the surface we must pay attention - there are lessons to be learned, and we are also reminded that what we think is directly proportionate to what we "see on the surface." ...In short, our thoughts (even the deeper ones that we might not be as in-touch with as we are with our conscious thoughts) are responsible for what we see in our lives - in our physical surroundings.


The dragonfly gives us a very powerful meditation tool.  Close your eyes, and focus on a thought - let it rise to the surface of your mind's ocean - see that thought float lightly up to the water's surface.  Now upon the top of a smooth, calm glass-like surface - visualize that thought moving across that water - sliding across - smooth and fast.


This exercise is useful when we want to visualize positive outcomes in a situation.  We see the thought of hope happily moving across an ocean of peace (peaceful mind) and skitting to a perfect outcome.


Lastly it should be noted that the Dragonfly lives a short life, and it knows it must live to the fullest with what it has.  This lesson is huge for each of us.  When you see a dragonfly, be aware of the gifts it has to offer by keeping its animal totem meanings in mind.


Being a cardinal water sign in the "regular" zodiac world I began to wonder if this little guy was trying to tell me he was a part of my totem and that I needed to pay attention, because he was very persistent.  Now I know I cannot devote my entire day to this pursuit; however, the information above has provided me with a foundation to build upon.

I asked myself if this was part of the planning that SF and I have been discussing with regards to retirement back to Tennessee, since he seemed determined to get both of our collective attentions.  Was he trying to get us to a new place in our relationship?  With so much information flowing through me I know I will need a cup of tea to relax my mind so that I can focus on the job at hand and return to the dragonfly when I am safely poolside this evening.

Interesting way to start my week.....

floating, soaring and drifiting

This beautiful dragonfly insisted on sitting on my knee most of the afternoon while SF and I swam.  Before we came in he let me take these pictures.

Tuesday Temptations

As promised, this edition of Temptations will be all about the pool, entertaining by the pool or simply water related.

As many of you know, I am a Cancer and we are generally ruled by two things:

1. Water
2. The Moon 

Because of these things, I am drawn to water and it is most certainly one of the best ways for me to rid myself of stress.  I can accomplish that in the garden tub, the shower, the pool or the ocean.  As long as I can remember I have always used water to help me sort things out.  A hot shower helps me relax and let things that trouble me dissolve and disappear down the drain.  A soak in the garden tub allows me to float off and concentrate on dreams or ideas.  The pool lets me escape or imagine, depending on what I need.  I think that is half from the water and half from the sun.  The ocean marries me back to the moon because of the tides.

As many of you may also know, I have been working diligently to get the pool ready to "open" for the season.  We have a salt water pool and having had both types I can say that I prefer salt water over traditional chlorine pools.  There were a lot of things for me to learn this past year but I am a fast study and I enjoy the work because I know that I can swim if the pool is maintained and ready.  SF has been a very patient teacher and we are fast becoming a finely tuned machine when it comes to the pool.

I have been looking at the poolside space this past year trying to decide what we need to do.  At present, SF's decoration of this area is spartan to say the least.  There is a table that seats six, complete with an umbrella.  There is also a side table with two additional chairs.  She also has a pub style table that seats four still in the box in the garage.  The furniture is functional but does not scream "use me".  I know that part of that stems from the fact that she does not view this as "living space".  We have begun to discuss it a little more, so when I get the chance, I show her things I would love to see us purchase.

Now, some of what I want is not practical, but it does have a romance feature and I'm all for adding romance where ever I can.  I mean, why not?  There are no children that live with us, so what the heck?  One such item would have to be this five-piece lounger. The canopy is a bonus that lends itself to privacy from the neighbors and the fact that it can be one whole unit or pulled apart for entertaining is a bonus as well.  Of course, I would also love this lounger.  It lacks the privacy factor but looks of so inviting.  Of course I be a lot less subtle and just get this.  I'm just sayin', it is a queen bed for heavens sake.....water, sun, adult beverages and a pool-side queen-sized bed.....oh my.

Now, I would also be remiss if I didn't show my outdoor living space idea that I have been pitching.  I think that a seating arrangement like this would be beautiful for the space.  With the weather that we have in Texas, minus hurricanes, we can entertain outdoors a lot longer than many parts of the country.  An arrangement such as this would allow us to enjoy the outdoors so much more.  If we were to add one of these or one of these, we would have no real excuse not to be out there a lot more.  Of course if I add this to the mix, then I would never have any issues.  We could watch sports or whatever from the comfort of the outdoors and never miss a beat.

All women will agree that sitting on the side of the pool with our legs in the water would be great if the surface of the outside didn't snag out suits, leaving our buts looking less than sleek.  Poolside has now gotten a lot nicer since I discovered these.   And you can bet that two sets (blue) will be ordered post haste.  Of course you can't be in a pool for long without wanting a float to rest upon.  We have to that are still fine, but why wouldn't I want these instead?  Adult beverage recipes included..... I would also accept these as alternatives, should SF frown upon the other suggestion.  Of course we could also get these or these but they are so plain.  We also need this to store them properly.

Now, I would be remiss if I didn't also include that I am looking at ways to make the master bathroom fell more like a spa.  With the one year anniversary of my moving in approaching, I felt that I needed to begin to make some more impressions in other rooms.  There is a fine line between SF's existing style and what I can change or add.  So much of what is here was specifically purchased when the house was designed and built.  The basic floor plan is still similar to the original; however, SF made numerous changes that make it different than any other house in the subdivision.  So my changes aren't earth shattering.  I would like to see a basket on the back of the garden tub filled with bath bombs, bubble bars, bath salts, luxury bar soaps and luxury bubble bath products.  Candles are the least of my worries, as I have lots of them and SF loves candles.  We have some luxurious towels already but we could both use a spa quality bath robe.  I haven't found any yet that suit the bill, so if you have a favorite, please let me know.

Ok, that's all for today.  By the end of this day I will have given both Sassy and Eraser their first baths outside of the year and brushed them.  All in addition to the daily job.  Have a great Tuesday!