The Becoming Of A Graceful Victorian Lady

"One must admire a man who dares to call it the way he sees it – even though his shortcomings may be the well-spring of his insight and wisdom.”~Mark Twain

The word becoming is a word I'm especially fond of as it demonstrates the method of something happening over time just as a continuous flow of water etches out the pathway of a boulder in the stream. I suppose I find speaking on womanhood, femininity, women inspiring women, housewife, motherhood, farming, artistry, authorship self-development and the likes, if I'm honest, quite exhilarating. For many years, I felt alone in my process. I've had moments of feeling disconnect from other women, and I heard it said once that what we struggle with ourselves is undoubtedly an accurate indication of our soul life’s purpose. Oh my, I wholly agree with that statement. I know I've found my lot, so that's something. As the years have wained, I know so many other dear women very much like me. The isolation, I'm sure, came at the start of giving birth to a lack of love for myself and limiting mindset beliefs aplenty. I have found that anything worth value at all rarely comes without a price.

I’ve been posting lovely small summaries on my Instagram feed of what prevails upon my mind to speak on becoming the woman I am today and the woman I continue to evolve into, which is sure to be a constant voyage for me no end. I look forward to it with enthusiasm; however, there is a tiny bit of discussion I’d like to speak about again regarding how I live daily. It never tires when frequently asked about my apparel, which is average at least three times daily when I’m at shoppes, market or about the village. A fortnight ago, twice, I was asked for my photograph to be taken. It is such a welcoming and delightful notion that the majority of my compliments stem from gentlemen. Women compliment me, but it never fails to twist the magic when nearly all males respect me with doting favour. My beloved gardener is such a dear soul and says it’s because of my stunning beauty by comparison, but I honestly think it’s because of my dress. And indeed, how could I find fault in my dear husband for being so fond of me? I shan’t think so, not for a moment. I manifested those sentiments early on, and they continue to display themselves in constant readiness.

I can’t nor would I state that I’ve always displayed myself with such grace, reserve and politeness, for I have not. I fully admit to losing my grip many times, and quite frankly, I’m not always one to hold my tongue. I’m instead a jumbled mess at times, and I’m sure on my voyage of true north, there are sure to be more days similarly. However, I am a human being and not a robotic stepford wife. I’m not ashamed of it neither. It reminds me of Tasha Tudors' quote where she quotes the famous author Mark Twain as she equates herself to the moon.

“Everyone is a moon and has a dark side which he never shows to anyone.”~Mark Twain

I should like to speak more extensively about holding space for ourselves as women, allowing others to be who and what they are without the emotion of alienation, and remaining steadfast in remembering that most of the Instagram feeds are not factual for many women, simply a scant glimpse. If we can respect women regardless of their subjective agendas, listen intuitively to our hearts, and remain splendid. Comparing with another (most especially on Instagram, where it seems to be quite prevalent) is simply a sign that there's internal work that must be rectified by women, most especially mothers with daughters. This notion is paramount in raising healthy-minded children/ girls, especially girls who become women that will give birth to children themselves. Mothers are essential in rearing confident, free-thinking human beings. I've known women who use the block button on Instagram like a remote control to their television. I wish to speak on this topic repeatedly as many avoid this as a viable subject worth approaching. It reminds me that there is a space for it in this big ole blue marble. For change to occur in the individual woman, we as women collectively must continue to broach the hard and avoided conversations.

There is a significant prevalence of comparison and an impulse to blocking folks on Instagram. I was in the thick of performing research for my book and decided to ask six of my close friends if they would participate in a kind of test for Instagram. What I found was stunning and familiar in every one of these women (who might I add they knew not of one another) is they all had similar feelings about Instagram. I learned many things that will be extensively written about in my book, which will be released next year, but I wanted to share a tiny conclusion. The women who were in the early stages of their transformation of enlightenment had less concerns in their emotional scale related to passive-aggressiveness. All six women carried similar trauma in feeling a lack of freedom, control and authority. I found that women who lack mental power, discipline, and a resounding tolerance for others (because they don't possess the patience for themselves) are most frequent in using the block button technique. Might you view it from this perspective? When someone blocks another, it's not anything to you nor I personally; it's that these individuals haven't found another way of accepting themselves. We most often (if we are the ones on the receiving end of being blocked) have tapped in on the individuals deeply rooted insecurities, causing a trigger to fire within the part of the brain that deciphers the act of whether to fight or flight. The stimulus is discomforting, an instinctual act of survival that invariably is used as a mechanism for dealing with lifes obstacles. It is sure to bubble up in another area of their life. Instead of accepting their lot and being responsible for their reality, they remain victims of their untamed mind. Their resistance to taking accountability for their displeasure is avoided by blocking said person/s. It may be so for a moment but not long-standing. What we resist persists. Dis-ease in mind creates disease in the body. One would do themselves an excellent service if they would uproot the emerging issue, stitch it up and let it heal. This (blocking method) has revealed quite a bit in the field of psychology, and I've found it to be fascinating. Don't take things personally. I hold out hope and healing space for those struggling by sending love unfeigned.

I will bang about this subject until a revolution occurs, for indeed it's springing forth at once. I see the unfolding of it around the bend. The new way to approach life will be a resounding push for authenticity, especially on Instagram. I've seen it play out.

{I weakened and bought a sheet set from ye olde stock shop Walmart, chucked in a scant of chambray blue dye and went to stitching in an attempt to accomplish an extra workday dress. I am chuffed to bits and deserve the word of achievement.

I determined to experiment with economical cotton, so if it was an epic fail, I wasn't out a few hundred quid having disembowelled my Victorian reproduction notions.} 

Do you approve of my efforts?

If you have ever experienced this distinct predicament, here are a few things to tick off to see if there's a matter you might be ignoring within that might do you favourably to latch on and dissolve. Only once we've admitted to something can we begin the process of healing. 

Go through your list of folks on four feed and unfollow those that do not bring value to the new distinctive version of you.

If you have folks blocked, unblock them and feel yourself at that moment. Does it evoke emotion within you? If so, acknowledge the spur they set off, receive the feeling and allow it to pass through you. Often it's merely permitting the emotion to flow through instead of resisting the aspect that feels uneasy. 

And lastly, if you aren't ready to unblock those you're resisting, that’s okay; be easy with yourself, and perhaps come back to the subject another day when you’re feeling mightier in tackling your fears and insecurities. We’re all in this together. I love you each. 

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

The Curious Mind of Raquel Carter {My Patreon Supported Series}

If you've been swimming along on my Instagram, you well know we have a real atmosphere taking its turn about for my Patreon supported series that will debut on June 8th.

I've been absent here on the blog as I'm in the depths of creating the series all by my little mermaid self, so there are many tasks to be accomplished. 

In the first episode of The Curious Mind of Raquel Carter, I'm going to take a stab at making a Victorian mermaid-inspired antique seed box along with seed packets and garden stakes. I hope you'll join me on June 8th, when the first episode will air. The information and how to join is to the right on my side panel. Tick your calendars! It's sure to be a jubilee! I chose the date to debut the first episode on Sawyer’s birthday. 

When creating my series, I will be using as many tools, devices and accoutrements as humanly possible that a Victorian woman would have demonstrated in the 19th century. There will always be a secret component quite tastefully displayed of mermaids enveloped into each episode. I'm thrilled to bits about this series; it's been quite the task behind the scenes labour but such fun! Indeed everything in life worth a hill of beans has a bit of work involved, yes?

How I Develop My Children’s Story Books

"I own a delightfully well-behaved rabbit, and I am very fond of books and have learned nearly everything that I know from them. However, of all the things books haven't taught me, I learned from Sir Oliver Twisty Topsy." ~Raquel M. Carter

The wind blew as heartily as ever, and once again, I felt the need to leap without care. So I got on and popped over to my favourite spot for contemplation. I didn't linger in my first jaunt for some justification as I knew this was not where I belonged. I was being led somewhere else, but where I knew not.

I had tucked my hair using kirby grips and placed my shell hat pin quite properly, clutched my basket with moleskin diary and fountain pen in hand and dashed off in pursuit of my fate to my following spot. I have had the spiritual nudge to contact a dear ol’ aunt and gather stories about my lovely cousin who passed away many moons ago. I have had the title of a storybook (The Tale of Sybrena Ewe), coupled with a few scant ideas; however, that is all I've come to write on that particular manuscript. It's about a darling little ewe who has a flurry for cleaning and making her cherished cottage the heart of a great matter. As with all of my stories, there's a promise in each one of them to deliver the goods of a lovely spiritual significance for you, the dear reader. 

These kind of moments are undoubtedly infinite intelligence whispering through the pines into my bygone sea siren soul. I know these moments pine away at me for just cause. If I stay sat, I'll uncover the treasured gem, for I know one's ship comes in over a calm sea.

This is the place I found just a scant ways from my folks at Carter Cottage. This victorian barn is the setting/home on the farm for Sawyer lamb and Johnny Lamb before being sent off on their adventure by Mrs Trotters.  

The interesting feature is that I originally began my little trip to the woods to gain an idea for The Tale of Sybrena Ewe but was led to find the setting for The Tale of Sawyer Lamb. Isn't that beguiling?

I dashed home like a dose of salts and began sketching. You see, I have had the manuscript for (The Tale of Sawyer Lamb) written for quite some time; {when Sawyer passed, I immediately began writing and composed it within four hours}, but whenever I would attempt the illustrations, I felt dead in the water. Until most recently, the ideas continue to flood in. I feel as though my ship has indeed come in and my treasure trove of illustration luck are ever-present.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

Rabbits, Gardens And Not So Penny Dreadful News

“Rabbits and gardens go together like springtime and rain showers, like seasides and mermaids.”

(An excerpt from my manuscript “The Little Mermaid's Transformational Tale.”) 

I shall say I'm having such a fun time creating and erecting our little Scarlette Rose Cottage. It's sure to be quite magnificent. It shall rain down a bit of sadness when we move to our forever home; however, I know everything is working silently and accordingly towards the great matter. 

On the first day of spring, my beloved gardener and I dashed through the gardens like a dose of salts. We've planted, transplanted, propagated seeds atop the usual accomplishments of a small potager and farm. I've mended chicken perches, tidied up the coop and run, laid fresh hay and set up the enclosure with essential oils to keep the chickens healthy and happy. Henny Penny has been rather ill for a time now, and I have yet to make the decision of having her put to sleep. I continue to grind rosemary in the mortar and pestle and put it into her food to ease her burden of pain. 

I've been actively working on my first introductory video for my Patreon series and tossing together the intro for the series. I'll be so lucky if I finish up and haven't worked myself into an early grave. I'm incredibly excited to finally get on with this excellent idea I've had for some time now. And although it didn't quite seem to work itself out until recently, I've learned to understand things come about at precisely the accurate times. It's quite charming how if I am fortunate enough to mind my manners and let items take hold all on their own, it'll be something to record in the books. It's so fantastic, and I am having such fun sharing the process on my wee little Instagram stories of all the little expeditions in creating The Carter Settlement bequest. I think most enjoy watching the process. Whereas the first few days there wasn't much participation, it has now become one of daily excitement by ‘my friends’ (as I like to call followers.) I believe the one creating such an element must first prevail in restorative enjoyment, a slow-living environment and a sense of placidness. There's something quite extraordinary about an affair of new adventures around the bend. I'm not making too much of it in the mind that I'm learning (still learning) to have fun and not set myself up for disappointment. So I feel that if I enjoy the journey and be straightforward about it, I'll have a much more excellent feel, and my excitement of mood will carry me through.

In my first episode, which I've not inferred the release date yet, I will explain what I'm doing straight away. If you're a longtime reader here, you know what the Carter Settlement is; a recreating of a victorian english countryside establishment erected with little shoppes, themed cottages of my book characters, gardens, a place where one will eventually visit and take a class, attend a small gathering, or learn how to do all sorts of homemaking self-sufficient accomplishments, etc. It is sure to be something of only fairytales are made. I am genuinely practising on Scarlette Rose Cottage, which will, in the end, be a charming little cottage for my folks. I plan to continue the vision at Jeffrey Shawn and my forever home. The reason for us beginning at my folks' house is that I wanted to get on with enjoying my life. We never quite know the forks in our paths, and after losing Sawyer, I've not ever wanted to put off living a dream based on a circumstance. Life is too quick, and the idea of wasting away precious time is nonsensical in my eyes and my heart. I know all of my attributions will compensate me tenfold. 

My first episode is about creating a victorian seedbox (with a secret mermaid twist) and how I made my seed packets and garden markers. I will share the printables (pdf) for the seed packets for my Patrons. I hope you'll get excited about this new voyage I've taken. The Carter Settlement is sure to be very exciting, especially if you enjoy watching something take hold in reality. I know i enjoy a bit of entertainment coupled with inspiration, knowledge and imagination. Who wouldn't love watching the creative process of erecting a victorian english countryside bequest? I know I'd take it like a shot! With little thatched-roofed cottages, farm animals, english gardens, crafts, building stone walls and all the sorts of how to make our dreams culminate. If you’d like to join Patreon, I'd love to have you. We're sure to make it a whale of a time! 

Our meals as of late have been easy affairs. I'm not much on elaborate repasts whereupon I'm in the heart of an enormous undertaking. So most nights, it's a reasonable supper such as Henny Penny Buttermilk biscuits, bacon, grits and eggs. Foods often don't appeal to me, provided I'm taken up with preoccupations of a delightful endeavour.

I can indeed feel a rise in my spirit, and I know I'm becoming an even more aligned person. I have come to recognise that my Mermaid Inner Being is going through another growth spurt. I continue to meditate and affirm beautiful mantras that make me feel wonderful.

At the weekend, my beloved gardener and I tore down more fencing to finish up the cottage floors. If you've seen my stories, you saw the videos of the brick hearth and the wood flooring. It looks beautiful thus far. 

Have a lovely day, and I will visit with you tomorrow. If you feel inclined, I would love to have you follow my stories on Instagram. I keep you abreast of everything I'm managing.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx 

The 21st Century Tasha Tudor With A Victorian Soul

“The further a society drifts away from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.”

Tasha Tudor kept her opinions about religion to herself. She was incredibly forward-thinking, and she wasn't the kind of woman many perceive her to be. She was a kind, gentle woman and a very matter of fact person and had buckets of tenacity. I suppose that's why I like her so much. People automatically assume I'm a religious person because of how I dress. I believe that was the case with Tasha Tudor as well. I have created new assumptions, but there was a time whenever I went out and about, I was frequently asked if I was Amish or they assumed I was religious and invited me to their church. Nowadays, I find it complementary and move along. I don't get upset or offended because I love folks, especially women in religion. That is called massive growth, my friends. I have a soft spot for them {smile}. Many Christians are the loveliest of people, and I hold many nearest and dearest to my heart.

My mum and I were having a chat over our tea yesterday morning, and she asked my opinion on a  religious topic. She was also asked this same question she posed to me by a family member, and then given my mums answer, they disagreed with one another. I wasn't in on their conversation. But let's say it became hot in the kitchen with those two. 

I, however, agreed with my family member. I share this because this happens when folks have strong beliefs tied to an insecure faith in themselves. It boils up,  explodes, a fight breaks out, causing a pissing match between family. No, that didn't happen with my mum and I {the pissing match part} because I've learned a bit about speaking on religion, what I believe, and my family respects me and my beliefs. They might disagree, but they know not to say anything to me. We have a mutual understanding. I will never back down from a question {if asked my opinion}, but I refuse to engage in a plot to take me down vibrationally. Like I've stated many times, that never happens nowadays as the old Raquel died a few years back.

I have learned to channel my energy and beliefs into learning for myself. I no longer give my opinions to others {out of the blue}, but if I'm asked about something, expect fully, and indeed, I won't hold my tongue. If folks want to know what I believe, they can read my blog or my books. It's for others to work out their salvation, not to start a debate. I say this is because as well-intended as folks are, if you aren't mentally strong enough, you'll be sucked in from old conditioning, sure-fire. I enjoy speaking about what I believe, and even although I'm no longer religious, I'm also not an atheist. I believe in higher consciousness (some call God, Jesus, universe, spirit, etc.). Everyone has a name for their deity. Heck, I will often refer to Sawyer as deity because he's now a sum of the whole part (if you will.)

When we are able to have self-respect for others, it's because we have deep respect for ourselves. I'm a huge advocate of self-respect. I'm not here to coerce others to believe me and what I think; I'm here to live my divine purpose, and those called will hear me. That's my concern. A few years ago, when folks would ask my opinion on religion, and I didn't give them the answer they wanted, they would become upset. It became a ghastly debacle. I understand that now on a much more precise level. It's normal for humans to bond over sameness, and many times religious folks are deeply fearful of standing alone in their truth. They find comfort in groups, and the reason for this is because they don't know what they believe when it's broken down. Or it's a habit to continue on and never question something that no longer resonates nor serves them. And look, this is all okay and fantastic. When I had a dreadful self-concept, I struggled deeply with this, but now that I've realised what I am, I am excited to see my mum and family members on their spiritual voyage. We're all on a journey, and all the journeys are uniquely wonderful and lovely. Diversity encourages change; hearing opinions also creates expansion, and that's why we are here. We are all one in unison with a collective purpose.

My mum is still very much a religious person, and I'm afraid I have to disagree with many things that my mother agrees on, and she's fully aware of that notion. She loves me, and I love her to bits. My point to be made is that you must become immovable, and your feelings must become unhurtable. When you live in your truth, you will boldly speak it. No one can shake you, not ever. This is why so many folks shift to and fro with their opinions. They do not have a strong foundation of who they are; deeply. However, I want to encourage and not discourage. It's just a matter of creating wonderful self-concept affirmations, and after perseverance of these new thoughts {which turn into beliefs}, we will all be robust and immovable landlocked humans.

“I dwell in optimism.” ~Raquel Carter

A View Of The Sea

"Rabbits and gardens go together like springtime and rain showers, like seasides and mermaids."~{An excerpt from my manuscript "The Little Mermaid's Transformational Tale."}

I began my morning per usual at the cottage, snuggled warm beneath my grandmama’s patchwork quilt still in bed. On the bedside table sat my kerosene lamp, all a glow, a pot of tea, and cinnamon raisin bread with clotted jam but something inside of me yearned for the smell of salty air, soft breeze and the cooing sounds of seagulls. I was mentally frozen. Not melancholic; however, something within me began to stir, and I couldn't shake it. So I decided straight away that I'd get dressed, pack my basket and drive to the ocean. The reason I know not. I'm not interested in why. There will be days like this; I reminded myself. Half the battle of breaking old mental beliefs that no longer serve will be the disembowelment of habitual thoughts detrimental to the soul. They creep in like a prowling black cat in search of a caught mouse at evenings dusk.

Even though as a landlocked, I know those bits are the portion of being a human, though I see the solution nowadays. I am also increasingly aware the purge is at hand and what a delight it is to relish it. I am such a strong woman today because of my fortitude, knowledge and perseverance to understand myself and how to properly propagate beauty in my life. It feels as though I'm walking through a field of heavenly lavender. The sky above me is powdery blue with seaweed lush green palms in the distance. Again, as I stayed sat on the plank deck overlooking the ocean, I recollected not to make too much of it. 

When our heart begins to stir, simply trusting our inner being will lead us to the most remarkable niches and, therefore, not invariably physical. However, be forewarned, we all can drink in the waters of the spirit to quench our minds of thirst, and so we must be willing to cup our hands and partake. Nothing is by force, {the universe abhors compulsion, but works in persuasion} and just as the ocean has the power to heal us, it also contains the capacity to drown us. Meaning I am the operant power of all that exists within myself to heal and take joy, but if I wallow in the misery of distressing thoughts, they will turn into a whirlpool and swallow one up.

I gathered my boots, tossed my paper sack in the rubbage bin, returned to the car, placed the windows down and began delightful affirmations of satisfaction and outright pleasure that once again I arranged to bring a smile to my countenance with a tickled joy bubbling over. I am my own best friend, and indeed, I know what's best for my soul. 

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

The Art Of Blogging For 17 Years (And 3 Reasons I Continue)

They say after you've so-called "hit it big", as in getting signed by a major publishing company or make the New York Times Best Sellers list, most writers become more inwardly drawn, lessen their posts, make them blander or either stop blogging altogether.

A Mermaid Mindset {How And Why Your Instagram Account Isn't Growing And How To Change It}

As of late, I've spent a lot of time on the ol' Instagram. I have found a new love for it, and that's saying quite a bit when I used to have an extreme disdain for it. I think I've found my niche. Nothing outwardly has changed as of yet, but I have changed. Allow me to explain because this will be of great value and delightful chunks of information, whether you are a social media person or not. There are life lessons here. 

Hilaria Baldwin's Accent, JLo & ARod Scandal {Let's Get To The Truth}

Hello, Darlings,

I had a gay ol' time in recording this podcast episode. I hope you'll enjoy it. 

I wanted to approach this in another way, other than the traditional type of celebrity gossip, we've heard no end. 

Cheers!

Most Affably Yours Til My Next Swim, Raquelxxx

 

My Tasha Tudor Lifestyle Of Slow Living And Establishing My True North

I laced up my black working boots, layered my underclothes (petticoat, bloomers but no corset today,) and placed my shawl upon my shoulders. I then gathered my basket of painting goodies and followed the cow path to my little chicken coop that now rests at my folks to spend the morning hours with my beloved chickens and one rooster. May, my one and only Plymouth Rock loves to hop onto my back and perch. I don't mind just so long as she doesn't make a mockery of me by doing her business. I've been lucky thus far, so no worries as of yet. Let's hope to keep it that way.

I enjoy taking notes of my hens; believe it or not, if you haven't had chickens as pets, they are quite personable. I always tell my relations, I cherish my hens and rooster for they are my golden geese (smile). I write stories about them, and profit immensely. It doesn't seem an equal trade. I'm fairing far better than my barnyard fowl. They do, indeed have splendid lives. They are cared for superbly well; I nurture them as if I would like unto my children. (Well, you know I mean, I've yet to display real clothing on them, only in my stories of anthropomorphism). They receive quite the luxury and will never be disposed of, although my older three no longer lay eggs. I assure you they will all be taxidermied when they have been laid to rest from biological casualties. I would have taxidermied Polly (my black Austrolorp and most favourite); however, the graphic way Polly was destroyed gave me no option for her preservation. I like taxidermy, and it was quite a popular recreation in the Victorian era. I want to taxidermy my pets because I plan to exhibit them sufficiently to display my legacy as an author and illustrator at The Carter Settlement bequest.

Do you care for taxidermy? I know Tasha Tudor and Beatrix Potter both enjoyed the idea similarly. To me, it's another form of art and preservation. Do you recall Tasha had a freezer full of casualties that she would semi defrost and pose them for painting? My most favourite was her Edgar Allen Crow (black crow) that she'd place atop her Christmas tree each year instead of an angel. Tasha was such a delight. I suppose that's why I adore her so immensely. Ever since I was in my teens, I've dreamt of living as Tasha, and now it's come to be.

I first was introduced to Tasha at the age of 13 or so. I'm nearly 50 (well, next year, I shall be), and I was captivated by her life, so I set out to become like her in many ways, I think I've become quite successful at it. The conundrum that I see women face in not realising their imaginations into displayed measures. Women compare and evaluate their lives based on others' acceptance. It seems so often they snatch a hoe handle on their desire. Still, then when confronted with real-life and living in the tangible world, they begin to wilt in reluctancy. This is only because of one's wavering confidence. Precisely why I created a cosy place to land; my blog. In travelling to my blog, It is a happy place for women (and men too). The world is in forlorn shortage of a diverse site of acceptance and tolerance of differences in one another. My blog is that place for many. I know it's received this way because I have numerous women visit me and send me emails of encouragement and feel-good sentiments. This is how the world is when women stand alone firmly (first and foremost) and then gain enough personal strength to stand alone in the world. This is the secret to creating a revolution of beautiful ladies who are loving, bold, confident and kind. And the virtues I just rattled off do not equate to being a particular, race or creed. It's merely a woman that loves dressing and living her life in the olden ways, with a mindset of awakening. We all must come to at some point in life, an awakening. A woman's requirements must be the priority, and that doesn't mean either-or, it means that she must place her desires, needs, and love of self before anyone else's. Can you imagine the impact this would make on our world? Influential women are sharing their truth with confidence and delight. Now that is a phenomenon! 

Raquel's Book 

I would be delightfully honoured if you would impose my name in the suggestion bin of your local bookstore, and inquire of your friends to do likewise. Perhaps query of them to sponsor a presentation/signing, or as your library to choose my book as a Community Reads Project. I also am available for author readings or as a lecturer instructing women with the pragmatic keys to creating a life they joyfully and creatively love.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

Cool As A Cucumber With An Unwavering Spirit

As the dew softly layover and enveloped the burnt green grass from the last evening's frost, my darling husband and I tucked ourselves in his chariot and made a route to see if we could nab all of our favourite spots for collecting our list of antiques. You see Jeffrey Shawn, and I have an agenda. It's one that profoundly entails all of the beautiful collected antiques we will utilise when we have landed in our forever home; a proper Victorian manor house on 40 plus acres. We haven't given birth to a time threshold, nor do we make haste in creating a detailed plan of how we will acquire such a vast desire as it's presently been cared for, THAT, we know for sure. The only requirement to receive a desire accomplished lies in the imagination. There is no need to inquire of anyone or anything outside of one's own wonderful human imagination. It's a technique I practice, and it works without fail. I feel obliged to teaching you how to do it for yourself in my next post. Jeffrey Shawn and I allow for the unfolding to naturally transpire as it's been fulfilled at the perfectly appointed hour. It is done! I'm am thankful beyond measure and have an unwavering knowing all that I desire I have received. One must entrust the process and not lean to understanding earthly imagining or anyone outside of oneself in fulfilling a desire. I have mastered how to manifest using the forces of God state consciousness and my power.

All that is required to manifest every desire is a knowing with solidarity. I'll share more in-depth in another post as I feel I can't do it justice with but a few excerpts. I feel happy with this knowledge in which today I possess because, for so many years, I was frustrated and felt powerless. The reason for this is that I was raised to believe (in theology) that to receive desires one must rely on outside sources, believe that all things come once in alignment or that desires were reliant upon another being (or a God in heaven). I was led to think If I wanted something, I would have to be worthy to receive, and that wasn't always a sure thing. What an untruth and so disempowering. Nowadays, I know that I AM the operant power. There is no one outside you nor or I in receiving our desires. Golly gumdrops! What an entirely potent and remarkable aspect to know! This knowledge has changed my life completely! I have been successful at every whim, and I will continue to only ascend from here. I will share more throughout this here ol' blog, as time progresses, (with accompanying videos) so you can look forward to those decadent delights.

I'm not sure that I had confided in you about Jeffrey Shawn and my ideas on finding a substantial piece of land with a Victorian or not, because, well truthfully, we hadn't pinpointed what we desired when we first moved in with my folks a year ago. It's been a bang-up with time proportions passing. It seems time has so quickly ratified. I can hardly believe it. It's been lovely spending time caring for my folks. I had moved abroad at age 18 and have been taken off since. I had always longed to live back in our little home town (Jeffrey Shawn too), but I was in my previous marriage, and our small province was never on the roster of places as an option of living nor raising a family which distressed me no end. I learned to push down my deepest ambitions, as that seemed the only way to keep peace within my relations. If I've learned anything, (and I've learned quite a lot) it's that being financially independent makes me feel so fortunate, and I love the sovereignty it brings me. Indeed, I've heard someone once say to me that being financially independent isn't always a useful thing for a marriage in which I refuted, "oh I wholly disagree". When a woman is equally (or above) the same money stream as her mate, it gives way for authenticity in a relationship. I am so happy because it frees my soul and Jeffrey and I know that we are together because we adore each other and not for some internal strategy of financial kickback. I frequently see it with women, and after my divorce, I had many women seek advice because this topic is ubiquitous in relationships. Often the women would confide in me that they are only in their current marriage because there are benefits of less financial struggle. I ask the question, is that kind of mental anguish worth it long term? No, in my opinion, it is not. However, I'm not one to judge, but I never fail to deliver the truth as I see fit if asked my viewpoint. I speak from experience that my mental state was no longer worth accepting infidelity (decades worth), control, loneliness and several other incompetencies. The superficiality, lack of empathy and respect was no longer sufficient. Wherein I ask you, how many women would remain in a disastrous union if they were financially stable of their own accord?

I would wager that we would begin seeing vast amounts of divorces. And if it's not the financial independence, frequently it's the amount of money the couple has acquired together (an image per se), which makes it rigorous in splitting. Frankly, it comes down to whether the money is more important than ALL other things. Pure and simple. Remove the leverage, and what is the desire? What is happiness worth? When a woman holds all financial abilities; it takes an extremely confident man. Often insecurity rises within men that have been raised in an old fashioned setting. Not always, of course, but I've seen this noticeably among many.

Let us shift now to planting.

Each year I plant cucumbers in our kitchen garden and tuck away numerous jars for future occasions. I put forth many years of bread and butter pickles. Still, my beloved gardener loves dill pickles no end, so when we wedded, I started making him the vinegar Dills, more specifically a knock off version of the Claussen vlassic located in the cold section of the grocers. Jeffrey Shawn is a gardener, and we now reside in Florida, so he will often take the pickle juice for drinking to fend off during those exhaustive work hours.

The simile for "cool as a cucumber" means calm, trusting and unruffled. The phrase originated in the 1700s because cucumbers are one vegetable that has a colder temperature than all the other vegetables.

Last week, I must confess my back was up, and I lost my optimistic footing; the complete opposite of cool as a cucumber, especially when observing our worlds state of affairs presently. I say this because if you are such as me and know the mysteries of the kingdom (now have a complete understanding of universal laws), you, too, see that feeling discord is a disastrous sentiment. What I can attest to is needing many naps to release that kind of inner conflict. I crawled down a few rabbit holes, and it was like dipping my finger in the palm of my hand and tasting poison, hence repeating the process regardless of my dissent—the madness of it all. I'll not do that again, at least I don't intend on it, I can assure you. I'm catching that before it gets that dreadful furthermore. It also created my anaemia to shoot off, and I hadn't dealt with anaemia issues since 2014.

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I should like to ask if you're consciously associating with other happy, optimistic, and unruffled people? Do others in your life continually remind you of all that is erroneous in the world? Is there constant complaints or rumination on their declining health or that of others? Are they convinced the world is going to hell in a handbasket? I pose these questions because folks we surround ourselves with are contagious.

I do not consciously remove myself from others, as there's no need to, the universe has a way of dividing and removing the souls that are not of the equal yoke. If one has noticed those who attempt to yank you down, perhaps it's time to seek a desire for more enriching relationships. Rather more honourably, strive to be a person who offers happiness and calm to everyone you encounter.

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I'm happy to have lovely pickles I put up from the garden last year, and I plan to make another batch in the next week.

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I love cucumbers, and I make a quite lovely cucumber salad, which I learned from my beloved gardener. After a long day of labouring, I thought I'd share the receipt with you a satisfying simple meal to have when one calls for a light supper. I make a loaf of sourdough bread, and honey butter to accompany. A few times I've prepared a piece of fresh-caught fish. Jeffrey Shawn is a darling because he always instantly comes home and cleans his caught fish and packs it away nicely in the freezer when he goes fishing. He packs it so professional it's as if it came from the fishmonger's.

My Beloved Gardener's Cucumber Salad

One cucumber peeled and cleaned (remove the inside flesh) and dice into small chunks.

One tomato cleaned of inside flesh and diced into small chunks.

Scant of green olives

Thinly sliced onion (thinly so it's see-through)

Two peppercinis (pour the juice over the salad) and then dice up

Farmers boy salad dressing

Ranch buttermilk salad dressing

Top with crumbled feta cheese

Salt and pepper

Enjoy!

I chop the remaining vegetable scraps and feed them to our chickens, and they immensely appreciate it.

Are you fairing well?

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx