Friday, December 31, 2010

Forecast for January 1, 2011, Saturday

Today's Tarot Card is the Star. The allotment of resources is the lesson of this card. You must place what is needed where it is needed and not waste your time, money and efforts.
There are no aspects today for us EST people. The PST people get one at 11:21 PM that is an easy aspect giving you a solution to a restriction.
This is New Year's Day and the end of Kwanzaa.
Best wishes everyone!
Remember, the Salamander is open for business today!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Year's Eve and Day Special

SPECIAL:

Wheel of the Year Reading

New Year's Eve and Day only.

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Forecast for Friday, Dec. 31, 2010

Happy New Year's Eve! Stay safe out there! Have fun! We will be having some sparkling white grape juice. I really love that stuff. I love champagne, too, but the temptation to drink the bottle is too great. Instead I opted for a lemon meringue pie. I like that more.
Each and every day it seems the cats remind me that I am not the superior species. Last night it was Napoleon's turn to take me down a notch or two. I have had a running battle for over 30 years with cats over my water glass on the night stand. First I tried putting a coaster over it and they just nosed it off. Then I went to the German hinged cups and they proved those were breakable. I tried the sippy cups with a straw and they bit the straw making it unusable. I went to bottles and they knocked those off and rolled them under the bed. Then I thought I had the ultimate solution in Contigo. They don't break, they hold a lot of water and the lid doesn't come off.
Ahhhh, but what I neglected to notice all summer was Napoleon studying physics. He would lick the sides of the Contigo as I filled it with ice and water and it would sweat. All night he would have his version of ice water. Then the winter came and I stopped putting ice in it and it stopped sweating. I thought I was safe until this morning when I discovered Napoleon understood the principles of osmosis. The water travels up the inside of the Contigo container and creates a little pool in the sliding part that closes the container. That is the perfect little drink for Napoleon and I have been drinking Napoleon cooties for who knows how long now! There is no way I am ever going to win this war.
Today's Tarot Card is the Lovers. Okay, now really be careful out there. Things always look better with alcohol until the next morning. There are worse things you can catch than Napoleon cooties.
The Moon is Void of Course from 2:57 PM to 8:21 PM EST when she enters Sagittarius making us more young at heart and playful. However, you may be asking yourself why on earth you accepted that invitation during the Void of Course, particularly since it starts during a Neptune and Uranus aspect. Oh, and be really careful of hitting "reply all". It is a very romantic morning when everyone female is picking out the little black dress. By afternoon, emotions are happy, money is flowing and abundance seems around the corner. Then old Neptune brings out the rose colored glasses and the deception but Uranus in Pisces makes you certain you are seeing clearly. By late afternoon, Chiron arrives to teach you a lesson about living by the River Nile. You will reap what you have sown and it all turns out okay as elders and authorities may actually rescue you.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Forecast for Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010

I have gotten so used to getting a good night's sleep that one night that didn't go so well, I forgot to take my meds, and I am totally shot the next day. This after a lifetime of not sleeping well affects me like a ton of bricks! Not only that, but one eclipse and my whole sleep pattern is disturbed. I must be getting old.

Today's Tarot Card is Justice. Legal matters turn out in your favor and in favor of justice being served.
Mercury goes direct at 2:21 AM EST but don't breathe easy. It doesn't exit the storm until January 4th. I don't see any reason not make some resolutions and move forward on them. However, a recent study shows that if you have never had success making resolutions, that is probably not going to change.
This is an easy day when energy flows well. If you are tyring to dig up some dirt on authorities or elders, this day could bring success.

I some times wonder about our huge display case in the shop. I bought it at a discount place because something at fallen through the top and broken all the glass shelves. It took over a year to get it delivered because they kept losing it! Then it took another year to get the shelves and then they were the wrong size. We had to whittle the side supports to get them in. We went through three tries at getting the side glass before giving up. Today we decided George would cut a piece of clear plastic that we use in windows for them. This stuff is unbreakable so don't even think about throwing something at it unless you want it to bounce and whack you in the head. That was when we found one of the glass pieces and I promptly cut two fingers open handling it.
Then I was trying to clean the glass with the new organic (cheap) glass cleaner and it wasn't even clearing the dust off. That was when I started gagging and coughing and discovered I really had an identical bottle of Hot Shot insecticide not glass cleaner. All clear liquids look alike.I went to BJ's and got good old BLUE Windex as I am never making that mistake again. I have been sick ever since. Then I scratched one shelf with the big quartz point. Yes, quartz does cut glass! It seems every time I try to do something with that case, something happens to it or me. Anyone want to buy a haunted dark wood China display cabinet???? You will regret it.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Forecast for Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010

The weatherperson promised it would be warmer tonight. I think they lied.
Today's Tarot Card is the Empress. If I get this card in a personal reading either the person is going to gain weight or become pregnant. In a general reading it means comfort, opulence and generally: nesting. So, home, family, hearth and a good book are the desires of this day.
The Moon is Void of Course from 10:05 AM to 3:49 PM EST. Look on the bright side. At least you can make it to work without a bunch of addled people trying to run over you. For a good week and a half, elders and authorities do want to hear about art, beauty or fairness. If they do, you will get blasted! All they want to hear about is how you are going to save money.
This is a very psychic and dreamy morning. Romance is in the air but it is not a realistic romance. That will bring a lot of emotional irritation. And then you will see the karmic lesson in all of this ending with you not liking what you have sown. A little hint here: if you are nasty and critical of people all year, don't expect to be deluged with invitations for a New Year's Eve party. They have sobered up from Christmas.
The Moon enters sexy and sneaky Scorpio at 3:49 PM EST. People are sharp tongued, inquisitive and deceptive under this moon. Don't do or say anything you don't want used against you at a later date.
For those of you in the Pacific time zone, Mercury goes Direct at 11:21 PM PST.
I must stop taking delight in watching people reap their just rewards. All those who voted for the wonderful corporate lackey we now have governor actually thought he was going to help the middle class. Let's see, recommendation one was bring back the Voucher program, greatly expanded, to destroy the public schools. Suggestion number two is reduce unemployment benefits because people aren't spending enough time looking for those nonexistent jobs. To put the cherry on that sundae, his staff misquotes a study by a former Obama economist done during the period of low unemployment by using the lowest end figures and not considering the high end of the spread. The bigger the lie, the more people tend to believe it. I don't know who said that, but it is sure proving to be true. Keep in mind, unemployment compensation is not a hand out. It is an insurance program that your employer has paid into every month on your behalf as mandated by law! This is not welfare. So the theory is by reducing the amount of the payments which are a max of $275.00 a week...a little hint here...George used to make over 100,000.00 a year and he doesn't get that payment, but a much lower one.....are too much and that will force people to look harder for a job (also called a fantasy in Florida) and stop Florida from borrowing money from the Feds to make the rolls and hence balance the state budget on guess whose back. Oh, and they want to put all the unemployed out doing public works. The only problem with that is, when do you look for work and how do you show up from your interview when you are picking up garbage in the local park??? Didn't think about that, did you?
You know something folks....the tax rate doesn't matter one iota when you aren't employed or making any money, but you are about to find that out so I'll just wait for you to catch up.
This morning I stumbled upon a marvelous invention. I normally awaken unable to bend over, in excruciating pain and the back pain never really lessens that much over the course of the day. I have osteoarthritis of the spine and the rest of my body. Nothing really had worked and this morning, something did. In fact, I have been virtually pain free in my back and able to bend and twist all day without pain. Unfortunately, I don't have the money for a patent or to even make a prototype, but I certainly stumbled onto a miracle.
I wonder how many other miracles are sitting out there, like mine, and no one ever benefits from them.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Forecast for Tuesday, December 28, 2010

I seem to be losing everything on the planet. Every time I reach for something, it is gone. I am about to lose my mind...no pun intended.
Today's Tarot Card is the Knight of Wands and the Eight of Cups Reversed. An old friend returns to the fold.
After quite a blow up in the afternoon with authorities or elders, the way to get around rules and regulations becomes apparent and by later tonight you are talking again. It is a little hard to swallow the line: "I was just kidding or giving you a hard time." I really wouldn't buy that one myself.
We left the plants covered at the Cosmic Salamander as it was quite cold when we arrived. This is our day off but I had to get my nasal rinse and...I needed jump rings at Michael's. Shoot...where is that package of jump rings. Oh no, not something else going missing.....!!!!!!  I QUIT! Oh, there they are. I think I need to sign off and take a nap. Perhaps that cappuccino mix had a little too much caffeine in it.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Same old, Same old

A lot of people thought they elected a new "outsider" governor but it looking more and more like they actually elected Jeb Bush again. Of course, no one was voting, well no one with ethic or a brain, for old Jeb after the Florida defit and the thousands of dollars in clothes his wife "forgot" to declare upon reentering the country from a French shopping trip. Yup, those Republicans really believe in buying American.
Anyway, the lastet shot from the Jeb Bush cannon is Gov. Scott trying to resusitate the old school voucher programs under the banner that it gives the power back to the parents. What his party would like you to forget is why the original amendment was declared unconstitutional.
You see, under the Florida State Constitution, the state is mandated to provide an education to the children of its citizens. This establishes not only the public school system but the method of funding it. This method of funding it is through property taxes. So....it is not the parents who provide the funding for the education of their little darlings, but every retiree, company and childless person in the state of Florida who owns property, residential or commercial. So, no parents...IT ISN'T YOUR MONEY. It's my money and my cats do not attend school. My business has no children and it pays for your child's education. So, you are not entitled to my tax dollars to pay your child's private school tuition.
When these hare brained ideas come up, you really should ask yourself: "Who wins?" Politicians, particularly from a corporate base, don't do anything for your benefit. Who wins? Right off the top, private schools. Keep in mind that private colleges advertising heavily on TV are being investigated for fraudulent claims right now and of course crying foul. These school and colleges are big business and big contributers to campaigns.
Who loses? YOU! Your Children. First off, that voucher isn't going to pay for one year in private school. It is going to take money from Public Schools that desperately need it. If enough people pull out of the system, the Public Schools go broke. Then what happens?
I have lived in countries with no public education system. The illiteracy rate was more than 80%. There was a tiny middle class. Mostly you had the rich and the poor. The poor couldn't read or write. Have you ever wondered why they publish the candidate's photo next to place to check off your voting preference in so many countries. No public education system and no one can read or write. Once we tank the Public Education System, we eliminate the middle class. On the other hand, we are doing are darned good job of it anyway. Did you know that these lovely tax cuts for the rich and famous actually raise taxes for the lower middle class and that is going to be everyone who lost their jobs????

UFO Abduction Support Group

Cosmic Salamander's Alien ASG " Abductee Support Group" now meets on the First and Third Sundays of the month. From 19:00-20:00 hours.




Come by and share your experiences, fears or hopes with George, better know as Control in C.S. UFO AA network. We treat this serious subject with understanding and light humor. Cost is $10.00 per meeting or $100.00 per year. Free Coffee or Tea is always on. Meeting are in the C.C. Garden so bring what ever you need to stay warm. We furnish free Mother Ship repellent for the area during the meetings. Contact Control at ufo@cosmicsalamander.com for more info.

Forecast for December 27, 2010, Monday

Being off the cable and satellite grid and forced into antennae mode which is rearranged by the roof dwelling raccoon on a regular basis, I do not get many TV channels or any with predictability. Imagine my surprise when our good friend Maris posted that Dade and Broward Counties are under a FREEZE warning. This is SoFl. We aren't supposed to freeze. If I were partial to white sheets, the shop yard would look haunted, but unless your ghosts wear flowered sheets, it doesn't. Life is strange at the Cosmic Salamander.
Today's Tarot Card is the Eight of Pentacles reversed. It's time to multiply your efforts in making money. Figure out how to do it once and sell it at least twice: legally. That is how you create wealth.
The Moon is void of Course today between 7:21 AM and 12:38 PM EST when it enters Libra. Oh, what a fitting start for Monday morning; a bunch of lost, distracted and confused people on the highway! Be careful out there!!!! Early morning dreams of loss bring confusion upon awakening but they are not prophetic, they are just your subconscious fears manifesting in your dreams. You will reap your just reward but you may not like the lesson that came with it.
After the Moon enters Libra, the emphasis shifts to beauty over function. Ambivalence is the key word as Libra weights all the options and never manages to reach a conclusion. Thus, later tonight, authorities and elders squash all plans of change that would have benefited you or artistic pursuits. Life just isn't fair.
Of all my cats, Napoleon holds a grudge the longest. This morning he was still beating on his sister for playing with HIS TOY late last night. Let us not mention that the casualty in this war my bedroom.  She is in hiding or the witness protection plan. I know not which. Napoleon is in possession of the bed. I have a lot of work to do before I get to sleep tonight but at least tomorrow the Salamander is closed and I can sleep in.
As you get older, more things just aren't worth the effort. I saw something on sale I would like this morning in the paper, but I just couldn't see fighting the crowds to get it. Tomorrow, I will venture out as I need to refill my antibiotic nose wash, but only because I HAVE TO. Otherwise I would not leave the house and shop until January 2nd.
Having the shop completely alarmed and under surveillance cameras gives us a measure of security until I come in, plug in the code and hit one key with the edge of my finger causing all the alarms to go off and then you have to.....you know the drill....explain how stupid and clumsy you are to a snickering stranger.

MIssing Persons Alert

Yes, I just realized we are missing people: HUGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE! I'm not joking! We need to do something. People have just plain disappeared.
I don't know why I didn't notice this earlier as it was as obvious as the nose on my face.
First, we had the huge tax cuts for the rich that cost us $800,000,000,000.00 in tax dollars and raised the deficit by $800,000,000,000.00 (that's 800 billion) and no Tea Partiers on the street corners. I mean, they were burning Medicare Cards, blocking traffic and screaming their heads off about adding an alleged (the numbers were a little faulty on that one and someone forgot to take income into consideration) $17,000,000,000.00 to the deficit for Obamacare. Now you think they would show up when $800,000,000,000.00 was about to be added to the deficit in unnecessary tax cuts for the rich, wouldn't you?
Now, I have to admit, I really became concerned when the vote on 9/11 responders' health care came up and the Republicans were blocking it. These Tea Partiers are "super patriotic Americans" and the 9/11 Responders were our first line security force that were injured. Shouldn't those protesters have been on the street corners screaming "Socialism" and we are being undermined by weak livered Progressives (ooops, I meant Republicans) by not supporting our heroes? Where was Palin? Where was McCain? Where was FOX? Where are the Protesters wrapped in American Flags? Where is everyone?????
Oh my, you don't think it is possible they really aren't missing and all those rumors spread by the Radical Liberal Media about bussed people to Tea Party Protests and pay checks for waving signs could possibly have been true???? Well, if it's not, we really need to fill out some missing person's reports. I suggest we use a copier because we are going to have a lot of paperwork to fill out. I guess the Insurance Corporations had enough tax deductions for the year. Oh wait, it was their executives that were benefiting from that nice cushy rich man's tax break, wasn't it?
Have you folks figured out you were being played yet or are you still sniffing NASCAR fumes off the mufflers? By the way, brake fluid works better.....my father was a mechanic....in more than one way.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Forecast for Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010

George is talking about building a fire out back to celebrate. Okay, now does my fire insurance cover this? Probably.....
Today's Tarot Card is the Four of Swords reversed. No rest for the weary today. Those sales start early. The Salamander doesn't open until 2 PM so you can sleep in and shop here.
The morning starts with a lot of talk about reaping what you sow and continues for a couple of days as authorities and elders try to make you change your ways. Right now they have the power so you may not have a choice in the matter. Energy is really high this morning and you can get a lot done. Socialize in the late afternoon and evening. Just be wary of the evening hours as people are a  little moody and their comments may be hurt.
Kwanzaa begins today.
They say that having the windows open for 15 minutes a day cuts down on pollutants. Obviously, THEY do not have allergies. I sneezed for 5 minutes straight. Now I have choked on a hot popper because of another sneeze and I have a sinus headache. THEY DO NOT HAVE ALLERGIES. Unfortunately, Bitwit is glued to the window sniffing and I don't have the heart to close it she is enjoying herself so much. I swear her nose moves as much as a rabbit's does.
We really do not find it amusing that just about every time we have young adults come to the shop, some of our decorations disappear out of the yard. The local Fae do not find it amusing. The Spirits do not find it amusing. I seriously doubt if the sticky fingers are going to find their life amusing either......Sorry folks, but everything here is charmed and placed for a reason and with the permission of the Loci. Moving things is a really bad idea.....I even ask permission before I move things.
Oh, our little tree, Norman, lost his hat when I brought him home. Today I went to fill the bird feeders and as I reached for the bird food, there was his hat. He is now wearing it and I am really suspicious as to which local Fae was wearing that hat for last night's celebration....

Friday, December 24, 2010

Forecast for Saturday, December 25, 2010

Just helped a gentleman in a panic when he discovered his relative married a Wiccan and he had NO IDEA what to buy for the holidays. You can't go wrong with our line of merchandise. I'd love to find it under the Yule tree with my name on it. Remember, in the store we take Mastercard and Visa. On the net, Paypal takes everything. You don't need an account. I keep saying that because people think you do. They are just a gateway like my machine I swipe your card through and so far, I have not heard  of them ever being hacked. Can't say the same for a few banks.....
This was a pleasant contrast from the rest of today: Dear Goddess, if I get one more group of young adults looking for stuff to smoke I may give them something to smoke. No, you can not smoke, snort or otherwise imbibe Dragon's Blood Incense or ink! Though I've got say, snorting the ink would give me the giggles for a week or two as you tried to get it off you! Trying to take Bitwit's bag of catnip may give you a name change to Claud Balls. Bugging me will cause warts. I am really, really good with warts and I have a backlog I have removed for people.....They have to go somewhere, you know.
Remember, we are open the 24th and 25th until 9 PM even if you just need some company. I have some soy eggnog....ooops...that keeps people away. I have coffee and tea, too.
Okay, today's Tarot Card is the Four of Cups. Offerings of love are the fare today. Enjoy and stop worrying about tomorrow.
You might be better off not opening any gifts until the Moon enters Virgo at 10:14 AM EST. Okay, it will make you pretty critical, but the previous aspects make you annoyed, confused (the moon is Void of Course from 4:28 AM to 10:14 AM EST) and really teary if you don't get what you think was promised. Now, come afternoon, the sun comes out, emotionally, anyway. You are feeling good, practical and ready to map out all the changes you are making in the new year to solidify your financial position and create abundance.
Mercury goes direct on the 29th and moves out of the storm on January 4th. Things will be looking up.
And I am making my yearly money tree, so drop by the shop to see it next week and to put your name on it. This brings a funny story about last night to mind. I have been waiting for Target to reduce their holiday merchandise and hoping they would still have a black tree left. Black absorbs and attracts so it is an excellent base for most any working. I proudly made it to the counter with the little black tree and the clerk started to freak. Why do I want a black tree? Just then she noticed my earrings are a witch stirring a cauldron and the credit card machine instantly went into reset mode when I swiped my card and she had to input it manually. I don't think she wanted to know why I wanted a black tree after that.....but she sure was really, really nice....
Now for the HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT I promised. We paid the mortgage off on the building today, just after Noon....about 12:30 for your astrologers. Finally, we ended the Mercury Retrograde cycle George bought it under! We also now own the .5 acres behind the building bordering the Hillsboro Canal. We can have a labyrinth, mini-fairs and events now! I am already planning the grape arbor! No more mortgages on anything! We own everything but Vanwitch free and clear. We have worked our tushes off to get to this point for 40 years and it has not been easy. Party to follow!!!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Forecast for Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

I am determined to exit here at a normal hour today so I can pick up a few things from the craft store. I need crimp beads!
So, Today's Tarot Card is the Wheel of Fortune. Major change is in the air. Finally things seem to be moving!
You may wake up early out of a nightmare. It is just the left over stuff from the past few days, nothing really prophetic. So get a cuppa and relax. Or if you are like me, you'll take your BP meds and stroke Napoleon. The morning brings some release from restriction. Although the noon hour is social, watch what you say. People are listening and taking notes. There will be a lot of talk this evening. The mood lightens and finally you are having a good time. Be playful.
The spread I was talking about last night is Brummel and Brown. I think you will really like it.
This afternoon I made some Greek Yogurt for Napoleon and myself for lunch. I take the yogurt, mix a Truvia Package in it with some vanilla extract. Then, I added walnuts and raspberries. Napoleon thought it was so good, I was late getting in so he could lick the entire bowl. I have so spoiled that cat.
Everyone is fascinated with the Blue Sage. It is so minty and nice to smell. Remember, you can put smudge sticks out in some water and relight them at a later time. You don't  have to burn the whole thing at once. Goddess, some of these 8 inch ones would set off the smoke detectors!
There will be a big annoucement this weekend and that is all I am going to say.....

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Forecast for Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010

Today's Tarot Card is the Heirophant Reversed. Things are a little unconventional today so be ready for the unexpected and strange.
The wee hours of the morning are strange. First things are both muddled and a little psychic. Then a pleasant surprise comes out of all the mud. Unfortunately, the lesson is totally lost simply because you may be to tired to see it.
The Moon goes void of course at 2:25 AM EST and enters Leo at 7:51 AM EST. Suddenly, all the world is a stage and everyone wants to be the lead. By midmorning you are fed up to your chin with egotism, me first and selfishness never noting you are displaying some of that, too. By late afternoon, elders and authorities are more into refusing to make changes on the basis of "I can refuse" more than for anyone's good including their own! Don't you just looooove a Moon in Leo?????
Some days I am certain that Bitwit speaks English. I came in with a chicken from BJ's as George and I are still totally wiped out from yesterday and should not be allowed near fire or sharp objects. I sat it on the stool and admonished her not to get into the bag while I got the rest of dinner out of the Vanwitch. She meowed all the way to the door and I ended saying, "Now don't you touch that chicken bag, you hear me?" For that, she whacked me on the top of my shoe, looked at me like - do you think I'm thick or something? - and let out a yeowl as punctuation. When I came back with the salad, she was sitting, looking at the chicken with a pout going on, but she hadn't touched it.
I tried a new "butter" spread tonight that is made with yogurt and supposed to have 40% fewer calories and fat and no transfat. It is delicious! You need to try it.
I have also been using Truvia as a sweetner. It is sweet. However, it has no taste at all which really demonstrates how much flavor sugar imparts to your food. Now you can really taste the tea!
I also got these organic flax seed bars at Costco which have cinnamon in them. That should be good for you. I have confirmed tonight that they have one additional property: gas!!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Forecast for Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010

It has been a busy day starting with the Eclipse in the wee hours and ending with the Solstice Ritual.
Today's Tarot Card is the Sun reversed. Feelings of not quite being yourself tend to overwhelm you today. perhaps laying low would be a good idea.
Few days start with such lovely feelings of good will and optimism and then hit a brick wall. Arguments within the family as to how to decorate, what to buy and so forth start early. And the annoying whining continues into the night. If you can rise above all this, a nice aspect from Jupiter to Pallas just might bring you a really nice present.

Lunar Eclipse

I am lucky to live so close to the Glades that the west is dark most nights. As I rode home, the Moon followed me overhead and called to the Fae blood in my veins...come old one, join in the Wild Hunt. The Moon is full. This will not happen again in the time of man. Come before she disappears into blood and reemerges cleansed. Alas, no black steed carried me forward, just a purple bicycle and so I was forced to decline the offer and to remind them that no animal would I bring into Sidhe. They must choose another target for the hunt if I am to join, an adversary worthy of my talent. And so off they went chiming in that the affairs of man are not of their interest. I did not remind them that we are so few due to the affairs of man. It is not my place to remind them, only to mourn them. They may never learn the lesson of isolation. They may never understand the savagery of mankind in a world they see as so beautiful and bountiful.
Later in the wee hours of the morning, I escaped my warm bed to see my Lady once again. This time she was red and black whether angry or in mourning, I do not know. I am wise enough not to try and understand the Goddess. Her mind exceeds mine by a few trillion stars. As I watched, I did as my ancestors would have and lit a candle to stave off the darkness. She hung high in the western sky, not affected by the glow of "civilization", framed by palm fronds. As I watched her, I was taken out of the jungle that is my home and to the desert and knew that my ancestors had watched this very scene in fear for their lives. They survived as will I.
Suddenly, there was a bright flash from the East and shooting star appeared and died in the sky. My candle was ocean scent and to my east is the Atlantic Ocean. I shall take that as a good omen on a night when so many dark omens fly in the minds of men.
When I entered the house I found my two little boys anxiously awaiting me at the door. Napoleon, wearing his tux of ying and yang, and Boogaboo, in solid black, worried about their mother on this cold night. But, my joints suddenly ache much less than they have all day. I shall prepare my hot shower and retire to my bed to ponder all the feelings of the night as Luna returns in her silver spendor and the Solstice is upon us. Tomorrow the dark reigns supreme in the longest night of the year and prophecy will be mine.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Forecast for Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Happy Winter Solstice. The Solstice begins when the Sun enters Capricorn marking the shortest day of the year.
Today's Tarot Card is the Ace of Swords reversed. Taking aggressive action is not a good idea today.
The Full Moon is at 29Gemini22 at 3:13 AM EST. It also goes void of course at that time. When it enters Cancer at 4:22 AM EST the void of course ends and the emphasis shifts from intellect to home, hearth and family for a couple of days. The Sun enters Capricorn at 6:38 PM EST.
For a couple of days, a flippant attitude will get you some harsh words. Don't play with other people's feelings.
The afternoon finds elders and authorities firmly entrenched in their ideas and unwilling to make changes. By later tonight you will be ready to blow your top! Family arguments will abound!
I decided to look at Monday's influences to see what suddenly started making me so sick at around 6 PM. An inconjunct to the sign my Moon is in indicates a general feeling of unease and since Pallas, the scythe,  was involved, it may have been the apple I ate or the organic cinnamon bar. I'm betting on the apple. The a nice square of Jupiter to my Sun Sign brings gas to my stomach and finally I can expect the trine to Neptune, my ruler, by late tonight to really confuse things. I will have learned my lesson with a trine to Chiron from the Moon sitting on my ascendant by late night or....never eat an apple quickly. Yes, astrology does work and unfortunately like most things, it works way better in hindsight.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Forecast for Monday, Dec. 20, 2010

Tuesday is a very important to us Druids: The Winter Solstice and this is major: it is also an eclipse. Go out to this link to read all about it:

It only happens every 456 years!

Today's Tarot Card is the Knight of Pentacles reversed. It is a good day to a look at how much you are spending because you are going to have a hard time recouping it! This isn't the year for a big holiday blow out if you can't afford it.
Teachers will find the emotional reactions to their lessons really surprising over the next couple of days.
Dreams may provide you with the method to solve problems. This evening you are not happy with what you have earned and an expected bonus does not arrive. This is not a reason for cross words or an emotional outburst. Roll with the punches and know everyone is hurting...well....everyone not in the millionaire's club. Later tonight a little meditation will show you the karmic reason behind all that is happening. A little medication may make it easier to swallow. Anyone got some mead???
There will be a healing and predictive ceremony at the Cosmic Salamander at 6:38 PM EST on Tuesday evening. Winter Solstice is our traditional time for the old Druid (me) to deliver predictions for the New Year. George will be holding the healing ceremony. Come and enjoy yourself. Just remember, if you don't compliment the Bitwit on her new collar, your new year will include a scratched up leg.

 

Solstice-eclipse overlap first in 456 years

Solstice-eclipse overlap first in 456 years

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Forecast for Sunday December 19, 2010

A rainy, turning cold, day in Sunny SoFl. If you are a tourist, you got one good day. It wasn't like this before but it has been getting colder sooner every year with global warming. I am looking at planting peaches, apples and hazelnuts soon. Think of the climate as a pendulum. When it gets unbalanced, it swings from side to side, extreme to extreme, until it settles down at a new midpoint. That is what the weather is doing. Gaia tries to cool off the overheated summers with freezing winters.
Today's Tarot Card is the Knight of Wands reversed. Friends are not the friends you thought they were. Ever hear the phrase: fair weather friends? Well, you have populated your life with them.
This is one aggravating day. You can't seem to get things started, changed or on track and you have no idea why. There is a lot of playful talk and no commitment. Just chill out and assume nothing is getting done so you are taking a mental vacation day.
Remember, the Cosmic Salamander is open 2 Pm to 7 PM today for that last minute shopping.

Friday, December 17, 2010

What advice would you give if you had children.

First off, if I had children they would have grown up multi-lingual and cultural and probably be in another country by now. Since I didn't and you asked about your children, I would offer the following advice.
1. Learn to speak at least 2 more languages. Spanish and Chinese would be good choices.
2. Learn as much as you can about other cultures and countries so you can pick a good one to live in.
3. Start saving for your college education, in cash, under your mattress.
4. Get a passport.
5. Start applying to foreign universities. An English education is really expensive now but it always sells in the commercial world.
6. Become a banker as they have a license to legally steal.
However, I have told my cats to work on their hunting skills as mommy may not be able to afford cat food much longer.

A Night that should live in Infamy

Last night, the House of Representative rubber stamped a bill sent through by the Senate Republicans and Chicken Crap Democrats that adds $858,000,000,000.00 to the deficit and debt and in Jay Inslee's words:
"Last night, at around midnight, I voted "no."


I voted against adding $858 billion dollars to the debt in exchange for a bill that will do little to stimulate the economy. Against erecting a fiscal monument to George W. Bush by enshrining his failed trickle-down economic policies in stone. And against giving a tax bonus to multi-millionaires while passing on a huge debt to our grandchildren."

This monument to the failed economic policies of George Bush A and B and Ronald Reagan is 50 x's the cost of the previously proposed Health Care Bill before it was watered down and the Public Option removed! When you are talking 50 x's 17 billion dollars you are talking a LOT of MONEY!

This bill creates not one job, builds not one road or bridge (the majority of which are collapsing in this country), funds not one child's week of education, feeds not one person, saves not one home in foreclosure nor helps one small business. It does keep checks coming for 13 weeks for the unemployed that were in the first batch of lay offs. It does nothing for the next batches and that is at a cost barely in the millions. It does make certain Mr. Gotrocks children can inherit their over one million dollars at a tax rate normally given to the poor unwashed that make under $100,000.00 a year. It also makes sure Mommy and Daddy don't have to pay more taxes than the great unwashed that make under 250,000.00 no matter how many millions they get in bonuses for running the banks of this country and the world into the ground with risky investments. Hey, you don't mind if they do it again, do you? I mean you voted for these Yahoos that passed this bill. You must be feeling really proud as you collect that unemployment check and try to cash it at the soup kitchen.
You must be so very proud today.

Forecast for Saturday, December 18, 2010

I no longer know what day it is. Remember, we are open Friday and Saturday until 9 PM and NOW we are also open Sunday 2 PM to 7 PM. Closed Mondays...I need some Napoleon time! I mean, the mood he was in yesterday and I was only an hour late getting home!
Today's Tarot Card is the High Priestesss. The answer to practical problems and questions is spiritual. Reconnect with your maker.
This is going to be a very legally deceptive time. It will also be a time when spiritual nougats of wisdom are delivered electronically.
Mercury backtracks into Sagittarius affecting travel, higher education and travel. It is hard to get a fair shake under these influences.
Even though it is the season, no one really wants a surprise this holiday season. Oddly enough, at the beginning of the week George was apologizing for not having a surprise for me for Yule and I said this was one year I didn't want any surprises!
Blessed be the helpers and teachers for they will be rewarded this season. There will be a couple of days of legal communications until you are ready to smack a government official.
The Morning Hours bring you rewards from past efforts and they are more of a sentimental value than monetary. Late afternoon finds thing confused so be very careful out there on the highways. Trying to help someone will get you rebuked. People are generally short and aggravated. Between 4:37 PM and 10:37 PM EST the Moon is Void of Course so everything is going backwards. After the Moon enters Gemini at 10:37 PM EST we can stop holding our breath as things start to move once more.

Lessons from the School of Hard Knocks

If the word cheating is used in a sentence, you will eventually be the recipient of the action. Never expect any one to treat you better than they treat other people.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

The War on Small Businesses

Yesterday I showed you some of the ways big businesses actually make a profit off taxes that just cost the small businessman money in accounting paperwork. Today I'm going to show you some of the more subtle ways the small business is being put out of business. I am not talking the overt methods like Wartmart, but the very small things that keep you out of business.
I have been fighting with the County for 7 years, trying to put up a sign to no avail even though a previous sign was in the same location. The only change would be the wording.This is because the county passed an ordinance that prevents anyone but a licensed sign company from putting a sign up. This doesn't affect the big box store who has no intention of running out with a hammer and nails and painting their own sign. It only affects the small business that doesn't have a thousand dollars to waste hiring a sign company with NO GUARANTEE they will be able to do the job. I have lost $700.00 to sign companies when they gave up fighting with the County.
Now, take the story of my friend whose life long dream as been to open a nursery. He was doing well out of his backyard until guess who showed up: ZONING NAZIS. As a result he needed to move all his plants out, rent a location, get licenses and so forth. To do this, he needed a landscaping contract that was coming up with the city. He placed what he considered to be a rock bottom bid and lost to another nursery. When he had a friend in City Hall find out what the company bid, he discovered the bid did not even cover the cost of the potting soil to grow the plants let alone the labor to put them in the ground. Thus, I was sent to find out what was going on. My first stop was the wholesale garden supply where I knew I could wheedle information out of the owner. Hey, pretty young red head in a room full of old men...you know I made a good spy. The answer I got was simple. All the nurseries were owned by accounting firms taking a tax loss on them. So they were bidding below cost to take a loss on the jobs to get a tax deduction for all the big bucks they were making off small businesses handling the paperwork no one but an accountant could understand! I think that is a double screw job.
A few years later, I went out to rent a location for my store. After I was turned down at multiple locations, my friend decided to find out if the rejection was because of the type of store or something else. So, she began to call the same Realtors planning to open a "dress boutique". Could you find a more benign business? She got the same turn down and finally caught one owner and threatened to sue him for discriminating against female owned businesses. Well, it was enough to put the fear of something in him and he blurted out the real reason I could not rent a bay around town even though there were plenty open. As long as the occupancy rate was at 40%, he could take a tax loss on the shopping center without drawing the attention of the IRS. This is the same reason why in September I was offered 3 months free rent at a Mall, no lease, no obligation, just so it would look like the Mall was occupied and then in January my store would be evicted and they would start all over with the tax scam.
All these scams are putting the legitimate small business out of business or preventing it from getting into business. Between the tax scams, the licensing requirements that often require a lawyer to sue the city to get your business license (now called a business tax in Broward County), the small local business is an endangered species even though its income stays in the community whereas your big box stores are shipping the majority of their income overseas.....This how we get a huge deficit.

Forecast for Friday, 12/17/2010

Yup, I'm early today. Got a ton of stuff to do and thought I would get one thing out of the way while the old brain was actually functioning.
Today's Tarot Card is the Two of Swords reversed. Stalemate finally ends and you move forward. YES!!!!
Those on the east coast may awaken in the middle of the night and those of the west coast may have trouble getting to sleep. For once it is not worries but plans that keep you up. However, there is an unplanned consequence. Those dark circles under your eyes have people wondering what you really were doing last night. Be evil. Keep them guessing. This evening, money verses the desire to make pretty conflict and you don't get the decorations you wanted. Now would be the perfect time to hone your artistic abilities.
In case you are wondering about the closed eyes. The digital flash goes off a few milliseconds before the camera takes the pictures giving the cat time to close his eyes against the light.

Lessons from the School of Hard Knocks

Any time you hear the following phrase tumble from your lips:

"He/she is really not a bad person...."

get a double espresso and wake up! He/she is that bad a person or you wouldn't be in the position of defending him/her. Stop and think, of the people you know who really are good, nice people, how many times have you had to defend them to someone else?

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

How come I never get ahead???

Some one asked me that question and I answered, "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer."
Just from a small business person's point of view, let me explain.
Let us begin with the touted equalizer: government bidding. Sure, you can cut your profit to the bone and win a contract but can you afford to wait at least 30 days to be paid after you deliver. How do you pay your rent, electricity, phone, suppliers and employees while you are waiting for that check to come it? If you are making over a million bucks, those things are petty cash. When you are a small business, they are your bottom line.
Now, let's talk about taxes.
Sales tax: you don't charge it, you just collect it. For me, it is no big amount of money. BUT, if my gross sales are a million dollars a month and I collect 6% on that, I have $60,000.00 to put in a bank and earn 1.5% or more interest on that month equalling a profit of $900.00 a month for doing nothing and the state will give me a $300.00 credit for filing early making me 1,200.00 for doing nothing. And if I pay quarterly, I make even more money. Wouldn't you like to make that much extra money every month?
It's the same thing with income tax. You see that hit every paycheck. But the executive or self employed, pays quarterly, so all that tax money coming out of your pay check every week is theirs to play with for three months and when your pay check is in the millions, that a lot of money to play with. Not only that, but depending on the deal they have with the government, that money coming out of your pay check may not go to the IRS instantly. They may be using your tax dollars and only paying them in quarterly.
Going back to the executive, there is one more boondoggle you are not going to have. By scheduling the majority of their yearly pay to arrive in December as a bonus, they cut their tax liability to bone for the rest of the year and then take the hit on April 15th for the maximum amount providing they haven't found some lovely deductions by then. They wouldn't have that kind of money if they didn't have those deductions.
Your kids are going to pay a hefty estate tax and (I just got this amount from a lawyer last week) $2,400.00 to probate your will. There is no way out of that in Florida. However, Mr. Gotrocks, has his money in a foundation that is paying his kids a salary each year so they avoid all that nasty estate tax and if they get hit with it, well, they only have to pay 35% now. George was explaining how Jackie O got around the estate tax by making a deal with the IRS....Oh yes, if you have money, you can actually make a deal with them rather than spending 20 years in jail. The inheritance for her kids was placed into a charitable trust that paid out X amount of money to charities each year with the children as the executors of the estate. They made more money in interest off the foundation's money waiting to be distributed than the estate was worth to something like the tune of 10 times the original value. So instead of paying those nasty estate taxes to us, they made money off the money in the estate. Do you have any more questions as to how the rich get richer?
My parents, probably like your parents, bought into the lie that this was the land of opportunity. Work hard, you get ahead and your children will do even better than you. You will do better than your children. Both my parents died bankrupted by medical bills from cancer due to smoking because they fell for the "How sexy it was" advertising campaign by the tobacco industry. The tobacco industry executives are not hurting for money. The advertising executives are not hurting for money. The hospital just expanded and the doctors that treated them are doing just fine. They lost everything. Yup, that's the way capitalism works...enjoy it.
That is just the tip of the iceberg.

A Modest Proposal

And I might add, a very simple one.
If anyone were really interested in closing down the "pain clinics" that are nothing more than legal drug pushers, the solution would be very simple and require no laws. Are you interested?
The way they fly under the radar is by having the doctor sell the medication for cash on premises.
All the drug company would have to do is refuse to sell to anything other than a licensed pharmacy with a licensed pharmacist and limit the amount of narcotics an independent pharmacy could buy in one month. Bingo...no more Stop and Drugs in business. Prescription Drug problem under control.
Giant pharmaceutical company takes a BIG hit in the old pocket book as death rate drops.
Now, are you wondering who the drug pusher really is, yet?
I've been accused of inciting class warfare by calling the rich, well, rich. BUT, how many of these millionaires made their money legally or ethically? How many got their money through a nice leg up by the local politicians while the little guy got knocked out of the contract bidding process if there was a bidding process at all? Is it totally a coincidence that a law gets passed preventing the all new regulations from going into effect the day before the regulations on "stop and drugs" were to go into effect? If you think so, then you believe no one in the Florida Congress was aware that regulation was going into effect the very next day. Now it sits in limbo. It is pretty much without fail that when a well dressed person pulls out a wad of cash to pay, they say, "You won't have to report this. It's cash."
HUH? I report every sale. It has to balance against my inventory book and my sales tax collection record and my purchase records. Then, all of those feed into the IRS, not to mention my bank records show up to the IRS. How exactly do you not report income unless you are doing something illegal or have a nice account in the Cayman Islands. Personally, I can't afford to swim (I'd have to buy a swim suit) to the Cayman Islands much let alone have a bank account there.
The bottom line is that if you manufacture narcotics that are highly addictive and you make it easy for people to distribute them and for addicts to buy them, whether you are in a three piece suit or a pair of leather pants with a feather in your hat weighed down with gold chains, you are a drug lord and a pusher. End of story.

Forecast for December 16, 2010, Thursday

I was so sick and cold last night that I lay in bed shaking with two really hot cats on me. I didn't awake until after one today as I was sick. I am on the mend but my voice is pretty much shot.
George is happily activating my Android phone with CREDO and now going on to his. We gave ATT the boot for supporting Tea Party candidates. Yes, I will vote with my wallet. So, on to the forecast....
Today's Tarot Card is the Six of Wands Reversed....finally people are paying you money after so many months of you just writing checks!
The Moon enters Taurus at 1:49 PM and neither a borrower nor a lender be because no one is giving up anything that belongs to them. Wait for Gemini to get concessions.
Try to remember your dreams this morning because they could be really important and prophetic. The answers to why you seem to have inherited this mess are in them. Lots of communications about money, property and taxes from authorities and elders arrive after sundown and you may like what you hear. But, the Sun in Sag squaring Jupiter in Pisces doesn't bode well for the Peter Pans of the world. Grow up or pick out a bridge to live under. These are serious times. Oh, and just in case you have forgotten the oldest lesson around: You can't buy any one's love no matter how young they are.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

forecast for December 15, 2010, Wednesday

I think the cold weather has slowed my brain down. I almost forgot to do the forecast.
At Sundown, Ashura begins.
The Tarot Card for the day is Justice Reversed. This is not a fair day. Do not even get a parking ticket. Legal matters escalate easily.
Trying to get dressed too fast results in a mismatched miasma. Take your time. Everyone else is already late. Just remember, everyone has their own taste so avoid snarky comments. Late tonight you may wonder why and the answer tends to be: you reap what you sow.

A Message from Michael Moore

"Why I'm Posting Bail Money for Julian Assange (A statement from Michael Moore)




Tuesday, December 14th, 2010



Friends,



Yesterday, in the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, the lawyers for WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange presented to the judge a document from me stating that I have put up $20,000 of my own money to help bail Mr. Assange out of jail.



Furthermore, I am publicly offering the assistance of my website, my servers, my domain names and anything else I can do to keep WikiLeaks alive and thriving as it continues its work to expose the crimes that were concocted in secret and carried out in our name and with our tax dollars.



We were taken to war in Iraq on a lie. Hundreds of thousands are now dead. Just imagine if the men who planned this war crime back in 2002 had had a WikiLeaks to deal with. They might not have been able to pull it off. The only reason they thought they could get away with it was because they had a guaranteed cloak of secrecy. That guarantee has now been ripped from them, and I hope they are never able to operate in secret again.



So why is WikiLeaks, after performing such an important public service, under such vicious attack? Because they have outed and embarrassed those who have covered up the truth. The assault on them has been over the top:



**Sen. Joe Lieberman says WikiLeaks "has violated the Espionage Act."



**The New Yorker's George Packer calls Assange "super-secretive, thin-skinned, [and] megalomaniacal."



**Sarah Palin claims he's "an anti-American operative with blood on his hands" whom we should pursue "with the same urgency we pursue al Qaeda and Taliban leaders."



**Democrat Bob Beckel (Walter Mondale's 1984 campaign manager) said about Assange on Fox: "A dead man can't leak stuff ... there's only one way to do it: illegally shoot the son of a bitch."



**Republican Mary Matalin says "he's a psychopath, a sociopath ... He's a terrorist."



**Rep. Peter A. King calls WikiLeaks a "terrorist organization."



And indeed they are! They exist to terrorize the liars and warmongers who have brought ruin to our nation and to others. Perhaps the next war won't be so easy because the tables have been turned -- and now it's Big Brother who's being watched ... by us!



WikiLeaks deserves our thanks for shining a huge spotlight on all this. But some in the corporate-owned press have dismissed the importance of WikiLeaks ("they've released little that's new!") or have painted them as simple anarchists ("WikiLeaks just releases everything without any editorial control!"). WikiLeaks exists, in part, because the mainstream media has failed to live up to its responsibility. The corporate owners have decimated newsrooms, making it impossible for good journalists to do their job. There's no time or money anymore for investigative journalism. Simply put, investors don't want those stories exposed. They like their secrets kept ... as secrets.



I ask you to imagine how much different our world would be if WikiLeaks had existed 10 years ago. Take a look at this photo. That's Mr. Bush about to be handed a "secret" document on August 6th, 2001. Its heading read: "Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US." And on those pages it said the FBI had discovered "patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings." Mr. Bush decided to ignore it and went fishing for the next four weeks.



But if that document had been leaked, how would you or I have reacted? What would Congress or the FAA have done? Was there not a greater chance that someone, somewhere would have done something if all of us knew about bin Laden's impending attack using hijacked planes?



But back then only a few people had access to that document. Because the secret was kept, a flight school instructor in San Diego who noticed that two Saudi students took no interest in takeoffs or landings, did nothing. Had he read about the bin Laden threat in the paper, might he have called the FBI? (Please read this essay by former FBI Agent Coleen Rowley, Time's 2002 co-Person of the Year, about her belief that had WikiLeaks been around in 2001, 9/11 might have been prevented.)



Or what if the public in 2003 had been able to read "secret" memos from Dick Cheney as he pressured the CIA to give him the "facts" he wanted in order to build his false case for war? If a WikiLeaks had revealed at that time that there were, in fact, no weapons of mass destruction, do you think that the war would have been launched -- or rather, wouldn't there have been calls for Cheney's arrest?



Openness, transparency -- these are among the few weapons the citizenry has to protect itself from the powerful and the corrupt. What if within days of August 4th, 1964 -- after the Pentagon had made up the lie that our ship was attacked by the North Vietnamese in the Gulf of Tonkin -- there had been a WikiLeaks to tell the American people that the whole thing was made up? I guess 58,000 of our soldiers (and 2 million Vietnamese) might be alive today.



Instead, secrets killed them.



For those of you who think it's wrong to support Julian Assange because of the sexual assault allegations he's being held for, all I ask is that you not be naive about how the government works when it decides to go after its prey. Please -- never, ever believe the "official story." And regardless of Assange's guilt or innocence (see the strange nature of the allegations here), this man has the right to have bail posted and to defend himself. I have joined with filmmakers Ken Loach and John Pilger and writer Jemima Khan in putting up the bail money -- and we hope the judge will accept this and grant his release today.



Might WikiLeaks cause some unintended harm to diplomatic negotiations and U.S. interests around the world? Perhaps. But that's the price you pay when you and your government take us into a war based on a lie. Your punishment for misbehaving is that someone has to turn on all the lights in the room so that we can see what you're up to. You simply can't be trusted. So every cable, every email you write is now fair game. Sorry, but you brought this upon yourself. No one can hide from the truth now. No one can plot the next Big Lie if they know that they might be exposed.



And that is the best thing that WikiLeaks has done. WikiLeaks, God bless them, will save lives as a result of their actions. And any of you who join me in supporting them are committing a true act of patriotism. Period.



I stand today in absentia with Julian Assange in London and I ask the judge to grant him his release. I am willing to guarantee his return to court with the bail money I have wired to said court. I will not allow this injustice to continue unchallenged.



Yours,

Michael Moore

MMFlint@aol.com

MichaelMoore.com



P.S. You can read the statement I filed today in the London court here.



P.P.S. If you're reading this in London, please go support Julian Assange and WikiLeaks at a demonstration at 1 PM today, Tuesday the 14th, in front of the Westminster court. "


I have to agree with him. Without transparency in our government, we have NO POWER because we have NO KNOWLEDGE! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Forecast for Dec. 14, 2010, Tuesday

Remember the Cosmic Salamander is open today from noon until 6 PM and maybe later if the owners don't flake out on you. We have more than just metaphysical items. We have some lovely jewelry including some great earrings.
Today's Tarot Card is the Knight of Cups. Love is in the air. Smile and be kind to one another and you will find it.
The Moon enters Aries at 2:15 AM EST ending the void of course and burning through the weepy emotional state we have been in. Things get started under Aries, not finished. This is a day of conflict energies. Arguments and harsh words are the morning fare with strong opposition to changing anything. Tempers really flare around noon and elders and authorities are in a super bad mood. The more you push, the more push you will get back. Not even a Venus aspect can save this evening. Call it an early night and curl up with a good book. At least a book can't talk back.

2 logic problems

I'm having a problem with 2 logic problems. Need help.
How can 17 billion dollars for health care be mortgaging our children's futures and 500 billion in tax cuts for 3% of the population + 25 billion in estate tax repeal not be?????
Oh, my second problem.
How is borrowing from China to finance Health Care worse than ex president Bush borrowing money from China to finanace 3 wars: Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan?
If you have to  mortgage your children's future wouldn't you rather it be for something they can actually use?
By the way, Social Security will now run out of money before most of you retire in like 5 - 10 years as Republicans included a provision in the bill to create a "holiday" from Social Security tax effectively reducing its funding and eliminating its balanced budget, you know, like they did with Clinton's balanced budget when Bush created those tax cuts for the rich and 3 wars.....
Tired of hearing Bush's name??? Gee, I was that way one month into his presidency. Enjoy your poverty.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

April 15, 2012, Dear Friends,

I thought I should write this letter while you can read it. By this date, the Internet, due to the efforts of the big telecom giants, that contributed so very much money to elect the Tea Party and Republican candidates you voted for, have privatized the net and you are paying through the nose for email as nothing is free any more. Unfortunately, you don't have any money and you probably couldn't afford phone service anyway.
I wanted to tell you how sorry I am and offer my condolences on the deaths of your relatives. It's too bad they couldn't afford the medical care and supplies for their heart condition, diabetes or high blood pressure but you were so very worried about mortgaging your children's futures. Oh, and sorry to hear about little John's diabetes but I am certain he will be able to get around with only one leg and that push wheelchair. I mean it's not like you have a job to go to and don't have the time to carry him around.
Now that he is at home, or at least in your car, with you full time, things should be easier and your family is much closer together. I'm also sorry they closed the public schools in your area, but Gov. Scott, who you supported, reinstated the Jeb Bush voucher plan and you did put your child's state funded money toward that private prep school. Guess you really should have worked out a budget based on being a Walmart greeter instead of the professional job you used to hold, but that's your short sightedness. Well, that was what you said when so many people lost their homes due to risky investments by the people who funded the candidates you voted for.
I'm sorry I can't give you the latest NASCAR updates but I never really followed that sort of thing and anyway, when this all started in the old Bush administration, I dropped Satellite and Cable to save money. Oh and about the job you asked about, I'm sorry about that too. When Alex Sink wasn't elected, I knew I wasn't getting the tax breaks for small businesses and incentives to hire, so we, like the other small business owners, scaled back our business plan to just involve us and no part time or full time employees.
I can't really give you any tips on grocery shopping or where you can get a free lunch. I started an organic garden like Michelle Obama suggested and we get most of our food from it. The cats are learning to like to vegetables.
I'm also sorry about turning you down to pitch the tent in the yard after they threw you out from under the bridge, but you know how zoning is about those things. Most of the repossessed houses in my neighborhood are boarded up and patrolled by Wackenhut so you might want to rethink that squatting idea. You know how those banks are...Oh heck, of course you do...you voted to give them those big tax breaks in 2010. How is that working out for you?
You do understand I am part of the middle class that disappeared. You might want to approach some of those rich folks for some trickle down because I'm pretty tapped out since they privatized social security in 2012 and determined if you were breathing you should be able to work.
I'm afraid I don't have any tax preparation tips either. Yes, it was a mess when they changed the tax rate in the middle of 2011, but once again, you really should have seen that coming. You voted them into office. Fortunately, I pay quarterly so I instantly absorbed the the tax increase. Oh, yes the IRS can repossess your car in Florida.
Well, it was nice hearing from you but the cats caught a rat and we are roasting it for dinner. It is almost done. They go well with iguana tail and fresh tomatoes from the garden.

Depopulation of the Gulf Ensues, Follow the Money Trail

Depopulation of the Gulf Ensues, Follow the Money Trail

Forecast for December 13, 2010 Monday

If I got yesterday's date wrong, it was a hard day. It has been a hard weekend. May next week be better!
Today's Tarot Card is the King of Wands, Queen of Wands and the Ace of Cups reversed. You may lose a married couple as friends today.
The Second Quarter Moon begins at 8:59 AM EST in Pisces. Reassess what you started with the New Moon and make adjustments for success. This is an unexpectedly lucky day when you reap what you have sown. The Moon goes void of course at 7:35 PM EST and has an unexpected consequence. Elders and authorities get off their behinds and actually DO something! This will be one surprising day!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I just can't stop laughing.....

New from the DCCC:

"Meet Your New (Old) GOP




They're not even sworn in yet and the incoming House Republican Freshmen class is already looking a lot like the same old GOP that voters fired in 2006. Here is a quick recap of the incoming Republican House Committee Chairman:



Representative Hal "Prince of Pork" Rogers to chair the House Appropriations Committee, who pushed through 135 earmarks at a cost of $246 million in the past two years alone.

Representative Dave Camp, someone best known for protecting tax loopholes that reward big corporations for shipping American jobs overseas, to Chair the Ways and Means Committee.

Representative Spencer Bachus, chief Republican negotiator of the tea-party hated TARP bailout to lead the House Financial Services Committee.
 
 
AND
 
at least nine incoming Republican Freshmen have hired K Street lobbyists as their top aides."
 
Rolling on the floor laughing. Ignorance is cured with facts but stupidity is terminal.

Forecast for December 13, 2010, Sunday

Ah, Friday the 13th falls on Sunday this month.
Today's Tarot Card is the 8 of Wands Reversed. Friendships offered may be one sided with you doing all the "friending". Beware of "fair weather" friends wasting your resources.
A chatty over night resulting in some social invitations creates regret in the morning. This is a nice way to say not to pick up things in bars as they will look really different in the morning and it is too cold to jump out the window. Ooops, it's your house!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Black Rice Health Benefits - Nutrition - Women's Health Channel

Black Rice Health Benefits - Nutrition - Women's Health Channel

We bought some at a Chinese grocery and have been winging it on the cooking because the instructions are in Chinese. It is GOOD!

Forecast for 12/11/10

Oh....I like that date!
The Ten of Swords is the card of the day. Back stabbing abounds, so watch your back.
If you tune in carefully in the early AM you will be able to understand your karma. The Moon enters Pisces at 1:41 PM EST ending the void of course that started the day. By evening, authorities are more prone to listen to your side of things and by late night you really can make some changes. Communications could drag into the wee hours of Sunday morning. Don't lose this opportunity!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Dryadds

Dryads are tree spirits, spirits of the trees or spirits living in trees. Not every tree has a Dryad and some trees have more than one Dryad. I was very surprised to see a number of Dryads in a Dracena that is trying to grow into tree form. When it has a foot in diameter base, I think it has tree status. Anyway, every night the Dryads would appear to me, often more than one and always male. The later part made me a little curious and then.....This photo is doctored in no way at all!
The other day I decided to fill the bird feeder on the other side of the Dracena as the cold weather had knocked down the weeds nicely. I was minding my own business and I saw this. I will leave it up to you to draw your own conclusion but George was practically rolling on the ground laughing....

Forecast for December 10, 2010

The Devil: It is time to consider getting rid of responsibilities, work and ideals that are not yours. Stop doing other people's work. Free yourself so you can grow and prosper! Take credit where it is due!
Mercury officially goes retrograde at 7:04 AM EST, though considering the week of the storm, can it get worse????? The morning is a good time to put the lights up as your taste in decorating is at a high point! By afternoon, you will be getting compliments! Secrets are well kept by authorities and elders, but that may not be a good thing.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Just in from Sen. Bernie Sanders - Social Security Cut in Compromise

President Obama is right about one thing -- Republicans in Congress are holding the middle class hostage.




We have a $13.8 trillion national debt, a collapsing middle class and the most unequal distribution of wealth of any major country. With all this in mind, Republicans in Congress say they will block tax cuts to the middle class and block unemployment benefits to more than two million families unless the President gives huge tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.



Their behavior is morally bankrupt. It is reprehensible.



But instead of challenging the Republicans for their absurd demands and their outrageous tactics, the President gave them virtually everything they wanted.



I cannot and will not support this deal. I will do everything I can to uphold the promise made to the American people to end the Bush tax cuts for the rich.



Join me and my friends at Democracy for America today and sign our pledge calling on Congress to reject this deal.



One of the most underreported parts of this deal is a cut to the Social Security payroll tax. In just one year, over $120 billion of revenue will be cut from Social Security under the President's compromise plan, weakening the program and virtually guaranteeing benefit cuts in the future.



Make no mistake about it. Social Security has not added one dime to the national debt and this cut will only embolden Republican attempts to privatize the program and increase the age of retirement. Social Security is a vital safety net for all Americans and a cornerstone of our commitment to protect the middle class.



We are not alone in standing against this compromise. Republicans are holding the middle class hostage and the American people know it. I come from a small state and yesterday my office received more than 1,000 calls on this issue, with over 90% of them in opposition to this deal.



Last night, thousands of DFA members joined me on DFA Live where we had a lively discussion on this issue. One thing was clear to me during that call -- DFA members nationwide want Democrats to stop this deal and fight for the middle class, working people, senior citizens and the unemployed while making sure that millionaires and billionaires are not given massive tax breaks.

Forecast for December 9, 2010

The Hanged Man: Major decisions need to be made today, so think things over carefully.
The Moon is now in Aquarius and even though the only aspect is a square to Venus, it is a good aspect. Just keep in mind when the other person says they just want to hook up, you are not getting a permanent relationship or even a relationship no matter how much plotting you do. This is an excellent day to research on the Internet if old Mercury will let your computer stay up.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Forecast for December 8, 2010: Wednesday

Three of Swords: Heart break and sadness. I think everyone is feeling a little bit of that right now, along with betrayal and just plain worry.
Dear Goddess, Mercury is in full swing. I got my order from Vista Print and they sent me another company's rack cards! I really needed those cards.
The Moon goes void of course at 8:07 PM EST and doesn't enter Aquarius until 2:30 AM tomorrow. A void of course is like a mini-Mercury Retrograde. I am definitely calling it an early night!
Venus in Scorpio sextiles Pluto in Capricorn. Normally, Venus transits are all good, but this one brings out the sneaky side of authority figures with closed door meetings and you don't find out what they did to you for weeks...
This is a good day to reap what you have sown. The afternoon is best for expansion and making money.

The Truth About Free Questions and Cheap Readings.

You might want to print this out if you memory is as bad as mine.
When you see an ad offering one free question it is a come on. These con artists use that free question you are going to ask to access whether you are worth conning by finding out how much trouble you are in and how desparate you are. If you aren't a good mark, they aren't interested in wasting their time with you. If you are, they will be more than willing to take you for 10 grand or more.
Cheap readings are also a come-on in more ways than one. As a store owner, I have learned the hard way that people who claim they just want to help people with cheap readings tend to be con artists. The most frequent con is the old timer trick. Just before the timer is about to go off the "psychic" sees something important you have to know. You have to buy more time to find out what. You would be surprised how many times a rational, intelligent person will fall for that one. There never is anything important. The con artist really loves cash clients, as I found out the hard way. To keep the store owner from finding out what they are doing, they lovingly offer to take the money up to the counter for you so as not to "break the continuity" of the spiritual message. The money goes in their pocket.
The second con is to sell you more services....just 250.00 more dollars in cash will bring your lover back, whether want them or not. It costs soooo much more because the "psychic" has to go to 7 churches to light 7 candles for the prayer to work. I pulled out the yellow pages one day and showed a woman that weren't 7 churches with candle lighting services in town. I think the Baptists would get a tad upset if you lit a candle on their altar.
The third con is to use the reading to find out what your problem is and then approach you several days later with what seems to be a real business offer. The favorite con is debt reconcilliation and credit report clearing. People, your credit card companies will only talk to you or a lawyer and the only way to clear your credit report is to pay your bills. Anything else is flushing your money down the toilet.
The fourth con is suckering you in with the "powers of the psychic" to cause things to happen. Legally this is called an implied threat and there is nothing the police can do for you. After telling you that really unpleasant things have happened to people who didn't help or displeased this person, they then change the subject for a few minutes. Then they hit you up for money. The implied threat is that the same fate will befall you if a money order doesn't arrive post haste, but legally you are drawing that conclusion, they never actually said it.
There ain't no such thing as a free lunch and psychics have to pay their bills, too. So avoid the cheap readings, go to a reputable psychic and get a real reading. They aren't going to sucker you into more and more time, or more and more readings. Unless your life is really in turmoil and....this is super important....YOU REALLY ARE MAKING CHANGES.....there is no reason to get a reading more than every three to six months.
Do not judge a readers' ability by the length of the reading they are offering. Judge the reading by the acuracy of the information. Most con artists have the gift of gab or they wouldn't be con artists. They subtly pump you for information. That takes time. The only thing I will ask you is the name you are called by and some times, your birth sign to see who the cards are showing me if a lot of people are involved. If things are getting really confusing I might ask your occupation. I think I've done that once.
And lastly, if you see a phone line reading for over five dollars a minutes, DO NOT CALL. A super high price doesn't guarantee they are any good. It pretty much guarantees the opposite. Fame is no guarantee of ability, just the knack for advertising one's self shamelessly.
But, and really this is the last word, if you are uncomfortable with the person, get out. Your own psychic ability is warning you something is not quite right there for you. It may not be bad, just an incompatibility, but it will guarantee a not so good reading.

Monday, December 6, 2010

7 People died yesterday, today and will die tomorrow....needlessly.

In the state of Florida, due to the proliferation of "Pill Mills" 7 people die each day from prescription drug overdoses. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. The active ingredient in Percodan and percocet and endocet is Oxy, as it is in Oxycoden. The difference is the carrier in the pill. In Oxy, the carrier is naproxen sodium or Alleve. This over the counter drug enhances any drug it is taken with, hence, that is the reason oxy is so much more powerful than its other forms. BUT, naproxen is a dangerous drug. Just read the side effects someday: kidney failure is the biggest, pancreatic failure, liver failure and so forth. In other words: Death, slow and painful. When my doctor discovered I was taking 1 naproxen twice a day, not even the recommended dose of 2 twice a day, he promptly ordered kidney, liver and pancreatic function tests for me and I will be retested every four weeks as long as I take this drug for arthritis. It is the only thing that works on osteoarthritis. A doctor friend of his had suffered kidney failure from taking the recommended dosage a month earlier! This was a DOCTOR!
Those figures of 7 people do not contain the number of people dying due to kidney, liver and pancreatic failure caused by prolonged overdoses of the carriers in the top three drugs. Their death certificates just read kidney failure, liver failure or pancreatic failure, not drug overdose. So, the real death toll is unknown.
On November 23rd, the Republican legislature, drunk with power, overrode a veto by ex-Governor Chris and were blessed by new Governor Scott, that kept the pill mills in business. It has made it next to impossible for state health officials to regulate "pill mills"because they are a cash only business. They over rode this veto 1 day before the new regulations were to take effect allowing regulators to demand records from them. Hummmmm.....Gee, did a few famous Republican Tea partiers need their pills?
Now, not even a stupid Republican would vote for putting "pill Mills" in business. What they voted for was a law that at first glance was designed to crack down on expensive business regulations. Regulating the "pill mills" was just an unfortunate side effect along with the 119 people that have died since their little oops.
The stupid person was the guy who voted these yahoos into office thinking they were about to save tax dollars. Why you ask? Well, let's take a look at the law they passed to save us money.
This law requires legislative approval of any law that will cost more than 1 million dollars over 5 years to implement. First off, that is chump change: $20.000.00 a year. No law is going to come in under that wire, so every law, local or otherwise, must now be approved by the Republican Legislature. Feeling warm and fuzzy yet?
It gets waaaay better. In order to prove the worthiness of a law, a feasibility study that calculates the comprehensive cost over 5 years containing the adverse impact over five years on (1)economic growth, (2)competitiveness, (3)employment investment (hiring people), (4) job creation or (5)regulatory costs. Too bad no one calculated how much it will cost to propose a regulation change. I estimate the study to see if a regulation has to go to the Republican legislature will cost around a quarter to half a million dollars and I am a book keeper with a good handle on prices. .Just think about how much it cost to spend a half hour doing your taxes last year with a clerk at HRBlock and multiply it by 16 and then by about 60 days and that figure by at least 3 because a CPA will have to sign off on this work.
Are you feeling really dumb yet? Every proposed rule change in the state of Florida will have this price tag, not just the ones that hit the million dollar mark. Those will cost more as they have to be prepared for the Republican legislature.
Now, agencies like the those who regulate health care do not have the personel or expertise to do these studies. They will have to hire outside accoutning firms that specialize in this kind of work. You will find them neatly clustered in the state capitol owned by big donors to the Republican Party, but we all know that is just a coincidence because those people are saving us money...RIGHT?
Ron K. our previous Democratic senator had an office staff like more elected officials. The average yearly salary in a Democratic office is $40,000.00 with the manager making around 70,000.00 if that. The average price of a Republican staff member is over $90,000.00 with the manager and key members making over $140,00.00 a year. This represents by electing the budget cutting Republicans a saving of.....well, I was a math major and I can't even massage those figures....Are you feeling really stupid yet???
Well, there is more. Last year Charlie overrode a bill passed by the Republican legislature that required a woman to have an ultrasound before terminating a pregnancy, the price of which is at least $700.00, effectively removing the right to choose from all poor and most middle class women. Insurance is not paying for that ultrasound. The pro-lifers rejoiced. What they failed to see is that the state of Florida is now populated by huge chains of medical test facilities doing ultrasounds, MRI's and CAT scans. These are private businesses and guess who they were donating to? Yes, your local Republican candidate because this law would have been a windfall for them. And what is a woman going to see on this ultrasound at less than four weeks? Basically a fish because that is the stage of development an embryo is at. Most of us squint at these things even at 3 or 4 months as the proud parents beam at the new baby. If someone doesn't show it to us, we sure can't see it. I try to not say the words: looks like a tadpole to me. Are you sure that frog turned into prince charming? You can be sure that law will also be revisited because the private health care industry contributed big time to the Republicans you voted for. If you aren't feeling really screwed by now, I can go on.....but in the meantime, another person just died from an overdose of pills he received at an unregulated "Pain Clinic". Oh, and those figures do not reflect the number of people dying in West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky from the pills purchased here and taken back there for sale. The Republicans are very moral people, aren't they? Personally, I'm feeling a little sick.

Forecast for Dec. 7, 2010

The ten of swords reversed. The good news is no one is trying to stab you in the back. The bad news is you are tempted to do the stabbing. That will get you a lump of dung for Yule. Hey, coal is expensive. Hairballs are free.
Today is the Islamic New Year.
Mars enters Capricorn at 6:49 PM EST. Energies become more cautious and restrained. It is hard to get things started and it seems like there are more rules and restrictions than ever. By late tonight you blow up over all these problems so try to keep your cool.
Unless you really have someone who may have a real emergency and need you like a child or parent, you might want to consider turning the phone off early this morning. People get really chatty and inane in the wee hours, like 3 AM.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

It has been some week

It has been some week at the Salamander. This was our first week open since our grand reopening on Black Friday. It has taken some getting to used to.
First off, Napoleon's nose is totally out of joint. He situates himself on the scratching tree in front of the living room window before I get out the door and doesn't leave his post until I return. Then he comes in the bedroom and lays just his head, leaning on me and purring when I get home. And finally, I get the Look of Pain. Where guilt is concerned, that cat is better than a Jewish mother! George has suggested bringing him to the shop but I quickly pointed out that as he and Bitwit fought for supreme cat ruler of the shop, the casualty would be the SHOP! There would be nothing left with two huge cats flying around!
Bitwit, Isis and Loki are beside themselves having humans around. Loki comes down and parades for all the women. No touching is allowed but he will demonstrate his beauty and his huge fluffy tail. Then he walks off and waits for offerings. None have a arrived but he remains ever hopeful. Bitwit now must check my breath and George's breath first thing to make certain we are not eating all her cat food. You learn very fast to brush your teeth before coming in because she will try to pry your mouth open and scavenge food. She is the first cat breath-a-lizer. Isis is up in years and she is just enjoying having a clear shop floor and a soft chair.
Aside from the felines, two opossums seem to taken up residence at night along with the crazy raccoon that lives in the palm tree and eats all the baby coconuts. Howler (feline) is happy to get regular meals on time. Howsler has learned to follow us from the house to shop and beg for a second meal! He takes the short cut that if I took it, a few neighbors would be really upset at Vanwitch driving through their houses. At first we thought it was another cat until I noticed the distinctive swirl on his back leg. I believe that is called double dipping not matter what the species. We have two resident ring necked doves demanding the bird feeder be filled every couple of days. Now you know what keeps me so busy first thing.
Old and new customers have dropped by. I have the hours on the answering machine which apparently was a total waste of breath as I have messages saying they are in the parking lot and no one is here. We are closed on SUNDAY AND MONDAY! I swear, I cannot make that more clear.
The shop is slowly getting straightened out. George is working his tail off moving things. New stock has arrived and new boxes and displays are here. I have been setting them up and am proud I managed to use a screw driver as that tends to be my downfall. I can never keep it in the slot. So, drop on by and say Hi!