Eventually the Truth Always Comes

I love this story, even though it is sad because it reminds us that Truth comes in different forms and sometimes when we least expect it.
Thanks to Buddhism Kalachakranet Organization
THE LOST SON
"A young widower, who loved his five year old son very much, was away on business when bandits came who burned down the whole village and took his son away. When the man returned, he saw the ruins and panicked. The took the burnt corpse of an infant to be his son and cried uncontrollably. He organised a cremation ceremony, collected the ashes and put them in a beautiful little bag which he always kept with him.
Soon afterwards, his real son escaped from the bandits and found his way home. He arrived at his father's new cottage at midnight and knocked at the door. The father, still grieving asked: "Who is it?" The child answered, it is me papa, open the door!" But in his agitated state of mind, convinced his son was dead, the father thought that some young boy was making fun of him. He shouted: "Go away" and continued to cry. After some time, the child left.
Father and son never saw each other again."
After this story, the Buddha said: "Sometime, somewhere, you take something to be the truth. If you cling to it so much, even when the truth comes in person and knocks on your door, you will not open it."

If you think you have nothing to learn from this story because it has a Buddhist context, read this:
"Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist;
use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are."
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Okay, here I go again!

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

What's Goin On?

I'm with Cluny Camillo; what's going on around here? Okay, family, send me an e-mail!

I'm from South Philadelphia

Okay, this one is really funny! You've got to take this test!
P.S. I'm from Arkansas.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Philadelphia Your accent is as Philadelphian as a cheesesteak! If you're not from Philadelphia, then you're from someplace near there like south Jersey, Baltimore, or Wilmington. if you've ever journeyed to some far off place where people don't know that Philly has an accent, someone may have thought you talked a little weird even though they didn't have a clue what accent it was they heard.
The Midland
The Inland North
The South
The Northeast
Boston
The West
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Cluny Camillo & Cuervo Sebastian: Deux Chats Extraordinaire!

I know you've all been waiting for these. I believe that they are in chronological order. Just look at how these cats have grown!
The big news: Cluny Camille is Cluny Camillo!
Cluny is a boy!!! The vet happened to notice (happily) when we took him/her in to be spayed and he ended up neutered!
The pictures are over the last 3 months or so.


Cluny loves to stretch out! This is the way that he sleeps! Only he usually has his front legs over his head so that he's stretched out end to end!They do love each other most of the time!
They look so little here!Cluny has discovered how to go under the bed, then climb up the back of the headboard to get to where he sleeps - stretched out across the middle of the bed horizontally.


The bathroom belongs to the cats now. A favorite activity is throwing anything into the sink, and everything onto the floor - especially my hairbrush.


Look at those blue eyes! And at Cuervo's little pointed chin!

Cuervo is fascinated by water. A nice little steady stream can delight him for hours. (Of course, he drinks from the sink also.Of course, he'd prefer to drink straight from the faucet, and he often wistfully paws the knobs trying to turn the water on. If he ever learns how, we'll have a water bill from hell.


This is still Cuervo's favorite place to sleep - all night.
This morning, they were waiting for me. Cluny wanted me to SEE the hairbrush going on the floor, and Cuervo wanted the water turned on.
Doesn't this give you a new visual for "couch potato"?
Why Cluny is licking his lips, I've no idea unless he's doing it for the camera.
He does tend to pose, and he's very accustomed to getting his picture taken. Look at that lovely tiger-striped tail - he's so proud of it!
These cats are so clever, so beautiful, and so loving!
My life is now punctuated by the sound of purring; I measure time by the sound of kitty mews.

Why I've Been Busy!

Okay, all my friends and family. Here is why I haven't been writing the way that I should. I've fallen in love! Here you find the objects of my affection:

Cuervo Sebastion was given his first (and used) name when the few first times he meowed, he sounded like a crow cawing. If we had to rename him today though, we'd probably have to call him "squeaky." Cluny is Cluny Camille, named after, well, that's obvious, and the Camille is from my niece. I do use both names for her. She seems to be a bit older than Cuervo; she is a bit bigger, but still a kitten.
The two cats are unrelated, but get along very well together. They love to play although at first I was afraid that they were fighting since Cluny likes to make a lot of noise. However, I soo n learned that she was the aggressor most of the time. She sneaks up on Cuervo, then does a backflip and lies there as though she is helpless (ha!) while Cuervo unwittingly attacks.
Both cats are in love with my laptop; they want to chase the cursor. They know they aren't supposed to walk on the laptop, so they will lie on my lap with their heads where the mousepad is (I use a real cordless mouse though, but sometimes they do give me a bit of inteference.DH was extremely happy because they both took to Darwin's old spot immediately; they also both regard his sink as their own private drinking fountain and get a bit perturbed when there isn't water in it. Darwin must have left a sign around somewhere that said,"Fresh drinking water this way" because they both slurped up the water without any prompting and have been going `there ever since. Oh, the little backwards apostrophe that you see in front of the word "there" in the sentence before is Cluny's contribution. She's just joined me, and had to step on one key at least to see what would happen. (The first day they both stepped on so many that my laptop shut down and when I turned it on again, all, ALL, my bookmarks were erased!

Well, Dakota, Darwin, we miss you, and thought you'd like to know what was going on here. I hope you both are having fun in the big city while these country cats stay close to home!
By the way, they have found "mousie", you know, that yellow furry mouse with the long tail that got lost a long time ago. Mousie suddenly reappeared and we still don't know where he's been. But he must have been to a spa because he's very active now!

cats pets animals photos kitten kitty

The Experimenter

I know, I know, - another test!
you're a Type 5 - The Experimenter

Friends, family, and colleagues probably appreciate your probing intelligence and open-minded approach to life. They're also apt to know that when they come to you with a problem, you can be counted on to give them a carefully considered answer based on keen observations. As an Experimenter, you're likely to be seen as a capable and competent individual with a visionary outlook.

Being a member of this type puts you in good company. Renowned painter Georgia O'Keefe, with her reclusive nature and intense focus on her craft, and Albert Einstein, with his groundbreaking theorems and unprecedented view of the space-time continuum, were also Type 5s.

This means that compared to the eight other Enneagram types, you have a strong sense of perception as well as a curious and innovative mind. In fact, like many Experimenters, you have a strong drive to understand how things work.
Go Enneagram Test

Find beautiful and unique handcrafted jewelry at Cluny Grey Jewelry and watch for our new look!
enneagram tests Cluny Grey experimenter

Advocating Creator

Advocating Creator

It's Been A While, I Know

Yes, I am going to continue with this blog; I've just been too busy!! We will take up with the Armadillo and myself on the Algarve after we look at the Turtle's graduation pictures.

Where I've Been

create your own visited countries map

Sorry I haven't written for a while. Shoulder is still hurting; getting ready for Leslie's Rhodes graduation.
And for all of you who have deplored (and snidely laughed at) my bagphone from about 1991 - I'm gettin a phone that is like everyone else's - I can actually put it in my purse! It's a hand-me-down; I'm getting Jeff's old phone because he just updated to a sleek black thing. I just have to activate it (soon) and change from my old bagphone.
Ah....it's the end of an era!

The Cluny Chronicles cell phone graduation maps Weblog Cluny Grey Jewelry

Me, Illogical?

How Logical Are You?
Go take this test to see just how logical you are. Then, I'll tell you my score if you'll tell me yours!

Weblog logic philosophy Cluny Grey Bracelets

Smile, Smile, Smile

Getting DH to smile is almost impossible. Doesn't he look as though he has the weight of the world on his shoulders?

husband picture The Cluny Chronicles

Religious Test: Do You Pass?

Oh, boy! I did my best to answer honestly, and here are the results. I think that it is interesting that I have more in common with Islam that Roman Catholicism, and that Catholicism is last on the list, especially when one considers my reverence for the rituals, the happiness I have in a cathedral, and how much I enjoy attending mass, not to mention my fascination with the lives of the saints and early martyrs and my collection of retablos and other Christian art. I also thought I would rank higher on Hinduism, though I not surprised at all about the Buddhism.
Be blessed! Peace to All!
Cluny

Your Results:

The top score on the list below represents the faith that Belief-O-Matic, in its less than infinite wisdom, thinks most closely matches your beliefs. However, even a score of 100% does not mean that your views are all shared by this faith, or vice versa.
Belief-O-Matic then lists another 26 faiths in order of how much they have in common with your professed beliefs. The higher a faith appears on this list, the more closely it aligns with your thinking.

1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
2. Mahayana Buddhism (97%)
3. Unitarian Universalism (93%)
4. New Age (92%)
5. Liberal Quakers (83%)
6. Reform Judaism (80%)
7. Hinduism (77%)
8. New Thought (74%)
9. Bah�'� Faith (73%)
10. Theravada Buddhism (72%)
11. Sikhism (70%)
12. Scientology (68%)
13. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (68%)
14. Jainism (59%)
15. Orthodox Judaism (59%)
16. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (58%)
17. Taoism (55%)
18. Orthodox Quaker (53%)
19. Islam (48%)
20. Secular Humanism (46%)
21. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (33%)
22. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (33%)
23. Seventh Day Adventist (27%)
24. Nontheist (25%)
25. Jehovah's Witness (21%)
26. Eastern Orthodox (19%)
27. Roman Catholic (19%

I did expect to score high in the Hindu and Buddhist religions since I know I have commonalities there.
By the way, I am going to take the test again, and watch how I "weight" each answer more carefully; I don't particularly like being branded a "Neo-pagan." Good, very interesting test. To take it, go to:
Religion Test



religion Christianity Personal Islam Weblog Neo-Pagan Buddhism God Catholic Hindu

Okay, Is This Getting Weird Yet?

Above you see one portion of one of my bedroom walls; it is covered in religious art. A couple of people were in my house not long ago and I saw them looking at the walls and I thought, uh, oh, have I wandered into the weird with all of my artifacts?
The top painting is an original retablo, or folk art work made by someone or commissioned by someone to say thank you to God for some boon or miracle. It is done on tin and still has the nail hole in the top where it was nailed to a church wall or to some kind of display in the church. Below that is a plaster replica I got of an icon from a monastery on the island of Patmos in Greece; I love it because it is an icon, I bought it in Greece, and it has my favorite colours of peach and gold. To the right of it is a tryptych that I received from my son and daughter-in-law who are living in Portugal. They know how much I love religious icons (I was terrified I would lose it on the flight home somehow). I love this one for itself and because they gave it to me.

In this picture you can still the two "santos" or little wooden statues of saints that I have on the pedastels on either side of the mirrour. Beautiful colours delight me! (These santos are reproductions).

Finally here is a portion of my bedside table covered more artifacts: an old religious card framed in a mother-of-pearl style and rhinestone decorated frame that my sister Gaye bought for me (she's gotten me lots!). In front of it is a little firgure of the Virgin and Child I got in Granada, Spain, a lovely old metal framed Madonna that my daughter-in-law got for me from Portugal, and next to it a silver tryptych with a gold Madonna inside that I bought in Seville, Spain. To the right is my favorite porcelain bisque Infant of Prague figure - bought for me by my sister Gaye. He has on a peach robe edged in gold and he has blue rhinestones in his crown; I have never seen another one like this with blue rhinestones. It is a real treasure to me. My newest acquisition is the little blue and white church (you can't see all of it in the picture) that my daughter-in-law brought me when she came to visit from Portugal this week.
Okay, so is this weird or what? And if you think that this is weird, wait until I post pictures of the things in my study, the den, and the living room. This is a collection, but it is certainly a "loaded" one, not just with my memories.
Have I overdone it? (You can't even see all the rosaries I have, and, by the way, I'm not, nor was I reared, a Catholic).
Cluny Grey The Cluny Chronicles religion Madonna Virgin art artifact Portugal santos retablo icon Catholic Cluny Grey Jewelry

Okay, I Know, Enough Already (But I Love These Things!)

You Have a Melancholic Temperament

Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything. You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult.

What Temperment Are You?

life daydreamer Cluny Grey Jewelry introvert

Okay, So It's Been A While!

Imagine having to pack up not only this cut glass, but twice as much that you can't see! We're selling a lot of it, somehow, but it will still have to be packed! Oh, and I haven't even mentioned yet the huge heavy furniture that has to be dealt with.
Sorry I haven't posted here lately, and I do mean to continue with "Travels with My Aunt" the Armadillo's saga of motoring and testing the beverages around Spain and Portugal. But meanwhile, my father-in-law's house has been sold and there is an unbelievable amount of work to be done to divide the various things in the house and deal with the cut glass. Also, my DIL just arrived last night from Lisbon to spend about a week with us and the cats. Meanwhile, Valentine's Day is coming up and I need to get the jewelry made and posted if I am to sell it for that holiday.
The Turtle is doing great in D.C. (more than great; one Turtle that never gets flipped on her shell, but so far lands on all fours with tail wagging and little head poked out curiously). The Armadillo has moved into a house in Fayetteville, and I'm waiting (anxiously) to hear from him about it. I've got to get there and to D.C. in the next month or 2 and I don't know how I'm going to do it!
Travels with My Aunt Armadillo weblog The Cluny Chronicles cut glass

Am I Cool Or What?!

Your Life Path Number is 11

Your purpose in life is to inspire others Your amazing energy draws people to you, and you give them great insight in return. You hold a great amount of power over others, without even trying. You have the makings of an inventor, artist, religious leader, or prophet. In love, you are sensitive and passionate. You connect with your partner on a very deep level. You have great abilities, but you are often way too critical of yourself. You don't fit in - and instead of celebrating your differences, you dwell on them. You have high expectations of yourself. But sometimes you set them too high and don't achieve anything.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

Cluny Grey Life Weblog

Surprise!!!

How evil are you?

The Last Letter from Lisbon

Yes, it is the last letter, since we'll be flying home tomorrow morning and I have no idea when I'll ever be back in Lisbon. This was my 5th trip here and I've grown to love the city; it's a human-sized city, seemingly small in many ways, with much to see and do.
Last night, as a fitting farewell of sorts, we went to Parreirinha de Alfama and heard fado, the mournful national folk songs of Portugal. Fado is what jazz is to New Orleans, the blues are to Memphis and Mississippi. We heard 4 great fado singers, and the 2 oldest women were definitely the best. Son says that fado is sorrow and anguish born out of experience, so it makes sense that one must be older to sing it well (These 2 ladies were in their 60's-70's). In a crowded part of the old Alfama we walked out into a square, then through a doorway down into a long low-ceilinged room that was whitewashed and had blue tiles. We ate dinner first: delicious sea bass; in honour of the Armadillo, I washed it down with a bit of vinho verde, even though it wasn't the right season for it. It was still good though.
So tomorrow we do nothing but fly and fly and then make the drive home from Memphis. Lisbon has so much: the sea, the city, the hills, proximity to many places; I just wish it were a little warmer in winter! The Cluny Chronicles

Third Letter from Lisbon

Let me tell you what not to do when you are in another country and you want to make every minute count: get sick. I haven't had a cold for over 10 years, but last Tuesday I had the grandmother of all colds just to make up for it. I didn't get out of bed until Saturday, and then during a visit to El Corte Ingles, I got so overheated, I went to bed again when I got back to Son's. But though weak, I'm ready to go to the Chiado, Baixa or wherever, and I've got to make the next 4 days really count!
We're going to go out to lunch in a minute, and believe me, I am starved to death! Thank goodness I waited until after Christmas to get sick! I'm looking forward to some good Portuguese food, but not necessarily bacalhau (cod) as it is seldom fresh. During the last few days, I was too sick to work on jewelry, even read, so I am now going stir crazy.
Since it's Monday, all the museums are closed, but I may see if I can go to the Alfama and go to the Cathedral de Se, a Romanesque church that may be the oldest in the city.
cathedral Lisbon Portugal