I have no words

NEVER ENOUGH....DEXXTER

Bedside Manner

Honestly, this is the most impressive video I have seen today! What a fantastic doctor! When I was a Laboratory Supervisor and headed a 6-man crew...there were 5 on-your-feet stations that I rotated my crew through every week. We, too, would be groovin' and movin' to music that was played throughout the Lab...it was fun and a fantastic mood-lifter from the tedium of day-to-day tasks. You can be a total consummate professional, but still have fun!

Auditory Bliss

Ok,  I admit it. I will spend hours and hours on YouTube perusing all types of music just to find something that so moves me emotionally that I want to jump right out of my skin and just BE the emotion itself that I am listening to. (insert Exhale here) I want it to touch every fiber of my being succinctly in a 'wild abandon' type of way. My heart, my mind, my soul and my spirit all must be engaged and coalesce so that all my senses crescendo at once under the spell of such auditory bliss. Just think 'love on steroids' and that will give you the perfect metaphor for what these beautiful creative musical expressions can do to you holistically. Here is just a small sample of the plethora of choices out there from talented artists from all over the world (or perhaps out of this world, too.) Enjoy the bliss!

Tom Day....Peaks

Tom Day...Who We Want To Be

Rufus Du Sol...Innerbloom

Alpha 9...Come Home (Intro Re-edit)

Bluesolar...Believe in Me (Chill Out Mix)

Jerome Isma ae...Underwater Love

Oleg Byonic...Away (Forgotten)

Avoure...Voile

Chrome Sparks...Still Think

Jean Luc Ponty...Stay With Me

INFJ Door Slam

Valentine's Day 2020...but , not necessarily "Happy" for everyone!

Watch this video to get insight as to why:

***Dedicated to all those with broken hearts on this most romantic of all days***

ASTROLOGICAL LIBRARY GO FUND ME CAMPAIGN

Help me help others in their quest to learn Astrology

by donating via the link below:

Astrological Library Go Fund Me Campaign

PHENOMENON

This 1996 movie 'Phenomenon' spurned me to start my own business, Phenomena, which is now  in it's 20th year as of January 1st! To hear an incredible inspirational tune from the soundtrack, please click on the song below:

Dance with Life...Bryan Ferry

Change in the Air

This picture was taken on the last day of summer at the La Quinta Civic Center Park. It was such a perfect day with some cloud cover, comfortable temperatures and pleasing vistas. Fall was lingering just over the horizon of time and even though I was there by myself, somehow I felt an uncanny sense of anticipation. Perhaps this was due to Pluto getting ready to go direct again on October 2 at 11:39 pm Pacific Time. Whenever Pluto makes a move it spells

 M-A-J-O-R-- L-I-F-E--C-H-A-N-G-E 

and this was all too true for me on this date. Although Pluto moves extremely slowly and has been transversing back and forth over my natal Sun in Capricorn for quite some time now,  I don't think I realized the full ramifications of how things were unfolding until today. When Pluto wants to pull back the curtain of power in your life, there is absolutely nothing stopping it. For instance, when Pluto went over my Moon some years back, I lost my mother. Now that it is traveling across my Sun I am happily and unexpectedly losing myself  this time (thanks also to Uranus tip-toeing ever so closer to my lucky Jupiter in senses-loving Taurus.) This has created a colorful kaleidiscope effect that morphs in to exciting new discoveries each and every day, and I can't stop watching!

Remembrance

On Saturday I attended the last day of the Route 66 Exhibit at the La Quinta Museum. I experienced a lot of yesteryear nostalgia and felt a bit melancholy for having even existed through that many decades of this particular road's golden era.

 It occurred to me that each individual is their own museum, too. We store away memories only to be discovered once again at some future date in the attic of our minds. Perhaps in the future we will only need to hit some sort of 'replay' button in order to experience whatever memory we choose; much like we can do with recorded music of today. Perhaps we will be able to manipulate the outcome scenario of the memory, as well, to be in accordance with what we desired of that experience in the fist place. One can only hope.

Something occurred on this date 1/3 of my life ago that I wish I could entertain the thought of  being able to change the outcome of. But alas, I am a mere slave to the memory, only. It's permanently etched in to my soul and luckily I can still  replay, remember and treasure the record of its essence whenever I so desire for the rest of my life if I wish...simply by pulling it out of my memory bank like a book selected from library shelf.

YANNI...TO THE ONE WHO KNOWS

REFRESH

Sometimes we have to find respite wherever it might be hiding, just to refresh a bit. It's not all that elusive, really. It surrounds us...but you just have to pause long enough to let your senses take over from the logical overload of every-day life. That is just simply getting back to your natural self. To attain that state, I just need to see, hear or touch water in some way, and then the contemplative games begin. What is your trigger to refresh?

Here's some other FANTASTIC tracks from Eastern Odyssey after hearing 'Critical Mass' that I have immersed myself in lately in order to refresh. The overlays and timbres are decadently rich for the auditory palette.

SANCTUARY (great to drive to)

IVORY TOWER  (I feel like I'm in a movie theater with this one)

GREAT DIVIDE (found during the dream state)

VOYAGER (the journey to fully awake via beat)

COLOSSUS (yes to other-worldly)

KONG (overtones of belly dancing meets spy vs. spy)

First it was Enigma, and then E.S. Posthumus and now Eastern Odyssey that is definitely energy transference music...the power of 'E'!

To my surprise this little furry ball of fun was wandering outside my abode with no owner in sight. He was just a playful pup that I could see was well taken care of. But, alas, he only had a collar and no ID tag. This was on a Saturday night so there was nowhere to take him to see if he had a chip. He was very thirsty (after all it's the Desert!) and hungry. I posted on the Nextdoor neighborhood app hoping his owner could be located, but because he was so darn cute I didn't give any physical description because I wanted to make sure he got re-connected with his correct human. Low and behold after an hour had passed I heard some young lady walking through the complex calling out a name. Now she was very lucky I happened to be home and happened to be observant of both the dog and her. This is just a reminder to make sure your pet has the proper ID and is chipped because they can't tell us who they belong to when they get lost. Yesterday was National Dog Day, by the way.

Easy Going

Shade was possible to find in the Desert last week during National Psychic Week! This little spot just reminded me of that. Southern California has an easy going ambience and "feel" to it. It takes a little time getting used to that, but it's addictive. After awhile you start living inside the word "relax." The following YouTube musical selections really remind me of the Greater Palm Springs atmoshere, so far. Enjoy!

            

MISHEGAS...EPISODES

TOURIST...ELIXIR

ANDRE AGUADO...LUMINOUS

MARSH...ESTES

JONES MEADOW...ENZO

EASTERN ODYSSEY...CRITICAL MASS

***My adorable new grandson was just born during this particular National Psychic Week (ironic) and he's extremely easy going making me one happy MiMi***

Tonight, Tonight, Tonight

What is a Black New Moon?

Click on the link above for a quick and simple explanation of tonight's event that won't really be seen all that well (since it's a New Moon and in shadow, anyway.) Those that reside in the Western Hemisphere are the only ones that will be able "see" it, this time around. Keep in mind, also, that the video was used to announce the 2016 Black New Moon. I'm CONFUSED already. You can blame the culprit, Mercury Retrograde, for that.

Good riddance to Mercury Retrograde, also. tonight! Just when I think I have experienced every single communication/technology faux pas that exists during any given MR, a horse of a completely different color comes galloping in. This time my regular cell phone (that was deactivated because it's screen was being replaced)  received all my voicemails and some text messages.  And the exact same model phone that was activated during the repair, did NOT...
go figure! That is just plain weird. Now I'm DAZED and CONFUSED...what else is new?

Art.Imitates.Life

Or...is it the other way around?...life imitating art? Hard to say which came first in this concept, the chicken or the egg. Regardless, it is all about creativity no matter how you look at it. Without that essential "spark" sprinkled with some kind of passion, our existence could possibly be totally meaningless. So we strive to fill our days with those things that bring us the most joy. We do the essential things that are required of us, sure, but after that...what is it you can't wait to experience? What drives your curiosity? What floats your boat? Make time and take time to strive for and pursue that which gives you the feeling of your own unique completeness as a human being.

Click the link above to listen to another thought-provoking instrumental track by the talented artist, Enamour.

Preparedness

Hey...nothing says "welcome to California" better than back-to-back earthquakes...unprecedented! Given the 6.4 magnitude quake on Independence Day and last night's 7.1 shaker, I decided it was time to take stock of my emergency supplies tub. When I lived in WA,  I experienced 4 good shakers in 40 years, so I was stocked with stored water and ample wood for cooking outdoors, along with all the equipment and items to be self-sufficient for awhile. But since I had moved to CA on June 1, the only thing I had done was move the emergency supplies tub to an area that it could be easily accessed. In light of the last few days' events, I got busy today and got both my home and car prepared. Thats one of the keys to preparedness...DO IT NOW, NOT LATER! There are tons of lists out there to help you prepare for any kind of disaster, but I would like to suggest 5 items that I think are must-haves:

1. A flashlight that you shake to generate power

2. A portable radio that you hand-crank for power

3. A water filter that you can literally drink from any 

kind of water source out in the field

4. A well-stocked First Aid kit (mine can supply 25 people)

5. Flint, matches or any other kind of fire-generating implements

I hope my small list is enough to get you inspired to create your own disaster preparedness kit or tub. Stay safe out there.

 

Love Syndrome

ENAMOUR...LOVE SYNDROME

Click on the song above to hear this fantastic track!

Literally every time I have gotten into my car since moving to the Greater Palm Springs area a month ago, I have heard this song, 'Love Syndrome.' It really represents  the easy-going, care-free, sunny atmosphere of this area. This valley is multi-faceted with layers of activity that are deliberately designed to give one a sense of "hometown community" within a nuance of sophistication.  What a delightful combination THIS is. I wasn't sure how I was going to adapt to the desert after 40 years of living in the lush Pacific NW...but I am already enjoying the charismatic charm of the surrounding mountains at twilight, the genuine friendliness of the residents, the sounds of the cicadas, the beauty of the ever-blooming bougainvilleas, the glistening palm fronds in the breezes and the occasional quirky roadrunner or tiny hummingbird that visit right outside my door. Kismet meets Shangri la...perfect.

Bittersweet Symphony

My absence, here, has been precipitated by more than 30 hospitalizations over a 2-year period for a dying family member. Life, for me, has changed a great deal, especially in the last 5 months since the loss. During these many months,  music played a big part in keeping me both calm and energized whenever it was required. The daily sojourns between hospitals, rehab centers and home afforded me ample time to keep focused via these auditory-stimulating means...thank goodness! Soon, I will share what songs touched my psyche in a wide array of emotional context.

Then, early this morning, I awoke from a dream of  hearing the rushing waters of a beautiful,  multi-faceted waterfall...the fresh waters churning in multiple locations at various low heights was a delight to see in itself...but, then came a grand specimen of a horse slowly walking through the shallow waters at the precipice...it immediately made me feel refreshed, rejuvenated and uplifted.  I never dream or think about horses, so this is a first...

Sights and sounds, alone, can do wonders to stimulate the soul...

Good Riddance 2016!

Vid

EMMA HEWITT...COLOURS

I was inspired by the sheer perfection of this music today. So I thought I'd share. Enjoy.

© 2016 Debbie Ballard (text only)

Loaded: Summer Solstice Full Blue Moon

It was shy one day of 30 years ago that we last had a configuration like this...June 21, 1986 to be exact. If you are old enough, can you remember what was happening in your life back then?  If you can recall what the significance was of the precipice you were standing on at that point in time, it can serve to inform of what you can possibly expect this time. As an example from my own playbook, 30 years ago I was preparing to enter in to higher learning that would systematically channel my life in to a rich variety of medical career experiences...all uniquely different, yet nevertheless intertwined.
Again I stand on a related precipice, but with a much different focal goal in mind: retirement. I'm exploring and analyzing what it is I want to channel my energies in to at this point in time...for the next 30 years. With 16 hours of daylight today I'm taking every moment available to hone in on that which the Moon in Sagittarius gives naturally as a gift: emotional optimism, lofty thought processes that stir the soul, travel and higher learning of reality...and of the spirit...but I'm doing so at home (Sun in Cancer is responsible for that!) As I embrace this change, I look forward to the opportunities that shall be afforded, with the same anticipation that I had 30 years ago. The more things change...the more they are the same, eh?

© 2016 Debbie Ballard (text only)

Milestones keep piling up!

When you get to be my age, your life eventually becomes like a tremendously huge mountain consisting of heaped up rocks. Each rock represents some milestone in your life that affected you so much it became a memory. Some of the rocks in my pile from days gone by have been like a dated treasure trove. It's as if I came upon some that I hadn't picked up in years and all of a sudden discovered them again. For instance, there's the rock that is 50 years old when I won a violin solo scholarship but also got to experience the music of Jefferson Airplane, Cream, Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar's sitar in person and in recording. That one had a certain vibration to it. Then there's another rock I took that I gazed at in amazement which reminded me that I have had the same email address for 20 years... there was and is and will be a LOT to write about that. There's the fascinating rock from 45 years ago in which I graduated high school; I guess you could call it the 'coming of age' rock...and then 15 years hence I would embark on higher learning once again; shaping my life for the next 30 years definitely for the better, yet yearning for quite a different dream. Next to each other were rocks of association like the 40 year-old rock in which I took my first flight in an airplane across the country alongside the 20 year-old rock in which I took my first flight across the pond called the Atlantic. Both filled with excitement and anticipation along with a bit of fear and trepidation.  There's the first time rocks and second time rocks and third time rocks...marriages, children, friends,  jobs, deaths, adventures, tragedies, ecstasies. There are rocks and stones and pebbles and gravel and boulders and sand and it's simply so infinite it can't quite be measured; the never-ending memories of someone's life. Some of those rocks I don't really want to pick up or overturn again, but I do anyway, just to remind myself of the feeling that each of them possessed.

Mt. St. Helens finally erupted 36 years ago today. I was a young, pretty woman of 27 then. Although I was in awe of this once-in-a-lifetime stupendous geological event, I was also really sad that beautiful Sunday morning when she decided to blow her top. You see, it was rather a metaphor for me personally.  My fiancé of 2 years was taking another gal to the company picnic instead of me on that day, so that event marked the end of something...both for the mountain and for me. It wasn't my first ending, nor my last, though.  I worked for the company that day in May rather than watch the romantic goings on of my ex-fiancé and his new female toy in front of all my co-workers. My manager kept me sane by talking me through the tearful situation enough so that I could, at least, function in the supervisory role of my own department. When the volcanic event occurred, the ash was gathered in plastic test tubes by my manager as he made his way to Eastern Washington to help his parents save their orchards. When he got back, he gave all the employees these test tube samples filled with the infamous ethereal ash. I kept mine for 13 years, but I finally returned it to his youngest daughter...at his funeral. I told her how special he was to think of his co-workers on that historic day while he was on his way to help his own family. I wanted one of her own memory rocks to show the character of her beloved father. Something she could pick up and look at again and again, if she wanted to.

By the way, my ex-fiancé and his new squeeze didn't last. There is some justice in the world, after all!

So...whatever memory rocks are on the mountain of your life, they are yours to keep or they are yours to give away...in writing this I am choosing to share mine with you.

© 2016 Debbie Ballard (text only)

Thirst for rain

Today it finally did what it does best in Seattle...it rained. Never having this many raindrops fall since April of this year, I definitely thirsted for rain. With temperatures for days on end in the 80s and 90s making all the local flora lose their characteristic "emerald city" magnificent greens...and sacrificing their parched branches and tendrils that became victims to the most gentle of winds....ah, finally a good soaking that drenched every living thing in relief! From within the warmth of inside, watching the rejuvenation happening outside, the freshness put me in a different sphere of contentment and placed my mind in a perpetual state of contemplation. From that first driblet on the window...to the steamy mist rising from the earth...to the trickle of flowing rivulets...to the puddles that celebrated each new droplet reverberating patterns of solace...the altruistic joys of rain!
ADDENDUM:
From October 2015 to March 2016, we ended up getting 43 inches of rain...normal for this time period is 26 inches! I thirst for rain no more.


©2015 Debbie Ballard (text only)