The Crooked Tree

If I were on the hit list of a thousand and one marauders
If the lynch mob's torches burned for only me
'Twould be worth the saving of even one son or daughter
From the grasping, greedy clutches of their crooked family tree

-Micol Kraft Day

This poem is dedicated to all those in situations where the family, tribe, society, club or group has so oppressed and brainwashed them beyond their own wills that they don't even know that they are being used and abused.

I pray that you will look inside yourself and find the strength to break free. I also pray that those trapped into repeating the cycle themselves will seek help.

For those with knowledge of abuse, sticking your head in the sand is the coward's way out. If you know of it, report it. If you get nowhere with your local authorities, go higher. Sometimes it seems so futile, and corruption seems to go all the way to the top, but don't let that stop you. Keep trying. Praying is good, but there are too many people praying for God to 'set the captives free' and they do nothing more to help. Take a stand! Make it known.

Things that go poof in the night

I've had several dreams that have woken me up out of a sound sleep lately. Here's one I had tonight. (It's almost 3:00 am as I am writing this)



I was in a hospital or doctor's office for a non-emergency medical issue of some sort.



I somehow knew the admitting nurse taking my vital statistics.



I became aware that she was doing something extra, in a bit of a panic-stricken mode.



She injected me with a needle in my lower side and started to inflate my abdomen with air.



She told me that she was taking me to the Maternity Ward and I was to act like I was pregnant.



She said it was so that she could get the drugs that they were going to prescribe for pain.



She threatened me if I didn't go along with the plan.



I told her that they were going to figure out the deception before they gave me any drugs.



This did not stop her and it only made her more panicky.



She wheeled me into the Maternity Ward and left me alone with the nurse there for a minute.



I quickly told the nurse what was happening, but saw her face go white, as she told me that the



Other nurse had returned and was standing just behind me.



I expected her to become violent and try to kill me, but instead, she just turned and ran away.





I could take this dream to mean several things, but mostly, I think the moral is:



Don't eat beans so close to bedtime.

Our Senses

I have keen senses. I've always been an observer of minute details when it comes to reading people. I never really understood what kind of skill that was exactly. Until recently, that is, when I began to understand that our bodies are created with all kinds of sensors and chemical triggers that are naturally occurring and a lot less ethereal than people make them out to be.

Now before I get any responses from spiritualists, ghost-whisperers, prophets or psychics, please be aware that I'm ONLY referring to natural chemical reactions and subsequent processing of that chemical information by our brains rather than any extra-sensory perceptions, so please do be open to what I have to say, as I'm not exactly going to knock one of your beliefs. Maybe you could see it as an addition only.

People have 'tells'. Gestures, expressions, changes in blood pressure, involuntary bodily reactions, and the most obvious, their words with which to communicate. They also have a more subtle form of communication. Chemicals that leave their bodies and float in the air, are able to be picked up and analyzed by another human or animal. It's been well-documented that dogs, for instance, can easily smell fear, danger and sometimes illnesses from these chemicals.

Have you ever seen a nature show where the mother gazelle is alerted of danger when it could still be miles away? Those ears perk up. The nose starts twitching. She senses the predator and can get her little ones to safety. Hopefully. (It's always sad when it doesn't end up that way.)

Then, there's the whole pheromone thing, of course. Their eyes meet across a crowded room. The attraction is so thick and tangible, it seems that you can cut it with a knife. That's because you CAN cut it with a knife! That's a scent, baby! It's a chemical. It's biological. It's not your imagination. You're feeling that feeling because someone is throwing off a chemical signal. Now, let the wife catch a whiff of that scent when she walks into the same room and...you're liable to be running as fast as that gazelle!

Our ears are amazing, too. You may have heard someone talking outside or in another room, not due to some 'super power' hearing, but through undetectable sound waves. Your brain still processes these sounds subconsciously. You may not be able to fully process the conversation in your mind, but you are left with an impression. Your brain keeps it on the shelf for future reference.

Now, there may be those who fear that all of this will lead people on some sort of a witch hunt and cause people to start projecting their fears onto others, or casting blame on others unjustly. Truthfully, there is always that danger when you're learning how to read people. We must learn to keep everything in check with reality and realize that everyone is indeed, innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Only, let it be known, that you will have opposition, as not everyone stands to benefit from these built-in relays and receptors. From pedophiles to poker players, there are those who would rather that you not develop your natural abilities to sense danger...or a bluff.

If you do make the decision to do something constructive with this greater awareness, and follow me into this journey into further self-awareness and a greater understanding of our senses, I have a few things that I have found to be extremely important to share with you.

Most importantly, keep your senses clear by doing the following:

Eliminate caffeine (You heard me right! Including chocolate and all teas and coffees but decaf. I only drink water.)
Significantly reduce sugar intakes. (It's hard to eliminate ALL sugars, but do your best.)
Reduce processed foods to a minimum. (I rarely eat them anymore)
Cook fresh foods instead of eating out.
Stay regular. (flushed of toxins)
Stay hydrated with filtered tap water. (preferred over bottled water that leaches chemicals)
Identify and eliminate air and food allergens that rob your sense of smell and make you tired.
Avoid perfumes and detergents that mask natural odors.
Of course, don't smoke, do drugs, or drink alcoholic beverages.

Have a comment? Leave one!

Keeping it real,

Micol

The Compass

I have been searching for a new job. It's really difficult to choose a path when I have such varied interests and skills, not to mention the potential to go back to school and learn a new trade altogether. The 'overwhelming' feeling of it all has brought to mind a dream from my childhood.

As a little girl, I had a recurring nightmare. In the dream, I found myself floating on a sea of arctic ice, with the calm, brilliantly-blue sea peaking out from under the puzzle-like slabs. I could easily walk from one slab to the next, as they were spaced closely enough together for safe travel by foot. Oddly enough, I didn't get the sense of being cold. It was completely quiet and surreal. The skies were crisp and midnight blue. There were no storms or waves threatening to toss me into a watery grave, nor abominable creature from which to escape.

How could such a serene surrounding inspire in me a terrible sense of fear?

As I stood there, turning to the North, South, East and West, I saw nothing but a frozen desert as far as my eyes could see. I knew that if I didn't choose the right way to start walking, I would be hopelessly lost and eventually die of starvation. It was a paralyzing fear. I could not start walking for fear of going in the wrong direction. I was trapped, yet I was completely free to leave at the same time.

I realize that in chosing my career, I must move forward this time. Not just for my own sake, but for the sake of my small daughter, now traveling with me into the vast expanse. She looks to me for direction. Trusting that I will know which path to take to lead us to safety. I must have the strength to say to her,

"Fear of the unknown must not stop us.
Fear of false steps must not stop us.
Fear of failure must not stop us."

I'm not afraid to move forward, for I have found my compass.

On the back is inscribed...

'Mother'

When I Am Free

Do you ever wonder why I stay,

When I am so controlled and stifled?

Do you wonder why I stay,

Midst your jealousy and rage?

My dream is that some day,

You will get bored with me and let me go.

Perhaps a rescuer will come and free me from your grasp.

Your soft, pseudo-caring grasp.

Your selfish, greedy, hoarding clutches that keep me all to yourself.

One day I will be free.

Though you will still control me,

For I will always love my beautiful, soft, manipulating captor...

Even when I am free

-Micol Kraft Day


I write this poem for those who are unable to express these feelings. I feel your pain, and you are in my prayers.

Love,
Micol

Doing the Mending

Yes, it's true. One of my favorite quotes is:

Use it up

Wear it out

Make it do

Or do without

That's an old saying from the Great Depression Era, I understand. Seems pretty appropriate in these times of repression, as well!

I was reminded of the quote yesterday, as I fixed the strap on one of my shoes with some super-strong glue. I thought of it again today as I stitched up an undergarment of mine that still has a lot of wear left in it, but had had a small rip.

I also like the saying, 'A stitch in time saves nine'.

I recall watching a cartoon when I was a little girl where Bugs Bunny sings,

"A stitch in time...will save nine...especially with a needle fine!"

I love to sing it to myself when I do some small repair job.

Do you get the moral behind that little ditty? If you repair a small hole with one stitch, it will save you from having to make many more stitches to repair the hole as it gets larger with wear and washing. As a fiber artist, I can truly understand why they used to darn socks and mend their precious handmade garments when they acquired holes.

We are all a bit more unattached to our pre-fab store-bought garments these days, but still, I would encourage you to set aside your mending projects in a little basket and pull it out as you wind down for the day. Work on your mending as they did back when there were no 'disposable clothes' or mass-produced goods. It should make you feel extra-proud to be so prudent, even though you may be able to afford to replace the item.

If someone asks you why you don't just go out any buy another one, you can wisely say,

"Waste not, want not!"


Hugs to the recyclers,

RecycleMicol

Dreams Do Come True

Here are shots of our banner and business cards for our fibertherapy group! http://www.fibertherapy.org/ The background is actually white. The photos were taken in the shade, so the colors are off, but you get the idea. We appreciate the hard work of the lovely people who made these promos and our new website possible:

My sister, Rachel Kraft, artist and graphic designer extraordinaire.

My husband, Cory Day, supporter of the arts, layouts/webmaster, and financier.

Joe and Jessica Dougherty, owners of Funky Finds, promotional goods providers and promoters of indie artists everywhere.

For your generous support, we thank you!