I've only seen these a handful of places and have been looking for a set myself for years.  While I'm not entirely well-read on the subject, I have checked out a scholarly source, wikipedia, and am here to report on the reasons you should hang prayer flags in your own yard.

The flags originated from the Buddhist tradition, perhaps in India.  Although the original flags were perhaps used in battle, they have now spread throughout the world as a symbol of peace.

The five colors represent the five elements.  Blue/sky/space, white/air/wind, red/fire, green/water, yellow/earth.

The center of the flags usually features a "strong horse" carrying jewels.  The horse, or "Ta," is the symbol of speed and the transformation of bad fortune to good fortune.  (This I find particularly interesting as my fortune has this year turned the corner.)

The Tibetans believe that the flags do not carry prayers to the gods, rather that the wind blows the prayers from the flags and spreads their good will and compassion throughout the entire universe.

The prayers of the flag become a permanent part of the universe as the flag colors fade from exposure to the elements.  The Tibetans hang new flags alongside the old, welcoming life's changes, and acknowledging that all beings are part of a greater circle.

Approaching our last night in "Chateau St. Peter," things are looking a little...well...lets just say I'd walk away with anything living and leave the rest to nature.

Although I did my best to make this hole look like home, when you pile it all up (just as fast as your three year old tears it apart) it looks like a bunch of junk.  Thats where I'm at.  Around eleven last night (way past my bedtime), I left things at this...hoping it would all make sense in the morning.

While a little brighter and THANK GOD without the snow predicted, the haphazard mountains remain, and it looks like I need one more trip to the grocery store to beg for free boxes.

We've been hitting up the produce employees hard this week.  Omar (wears a white shirt indicating management), is our usual box retriever.  He lets us roll right in to the bowels of the grocery store and practically get our own.  When Omar isn't there, Axel isn't afraid to announce, "Mom, thats not the right guy."  But, beggars can't be choosers and whatever Omar's substitute hands over, we're happy to fill with our...crap...ok, worldly possessions.

The movers come tomorrow.  Will I be ready?  Depends on Axel's agenda for the day.

Recognize this?  It's that pile that you're not really sure what to do with.  Call it the "junk drawer" exposed.

While stealing thirty seconds to finish a "project", I thought all was well in Axel's make-shift "sink car wash" this morning.  He LOVES washing his toys in the bathroom sink, and although it leaves an afternoon of mopping, it's usually worth it!  

Since I know my boy well, and am fully aware that he will not go potty without an announcement, a mysterious FLUSH alerted me to trouble at the car wash!  Tentatively I opened the door (as only a boy mother knows how) and was greeted "hey mom," from a kid covered to his elbows in wet toilet paper.  The sculpture on the toilet seat turned my instant rage into sudden fits of laughter.  hmmmm...what to think about that?!

Soooo gross, in a dry-heaves kind of way...but that didn't stop me from saving it for Jahred to enjoy.  I also made it clear that he would be cleaning that up.

Maybe the kid needs a pottery wheel?

The floods already having claimed one victim right here on HWY 169, the Minnesota river is also claiming playgrounds, roads and homes.  Makes you wonder...should I be building an ark?  Also...should MN Dept of Transportation stop building highways next to rivers?

So I realize my delay in blogging has been my unconscious attempt to wait until I had magical news for you all.  The breaking announcement that Jahred has found the job of his dreams, that we are finally moving into that house where we can regain our sense of "home"...that alas, struggle has paid off and a "higher education" really is worth the wait and sacrifice.

I'm giving up on my staring contest with "what I feel I am owed" and I'm admitting to you now (and to myself) that I do not, nor have I ever lived in the "Magic Kingdom".  I live in a world where the hard work is plentiful, the second guessing is never-ending, the wine is rarely poured (too expensive), and I wake up most days thinking just for a second that I live somewhere else.

Today we received a call that Jahred has missed yet another job opportunity.  This one was a hard blow.  We not only did all the right things, the resume was a knock-out, an interview "thank you letter" was sent, plus we had the "who you know" element on our side.  I have to believe there is a greater purpose to even this, and am preparing a pep talk on that subject for tomorrow morning.  The pressure stands because this is at least the 1000th appearance of "motivational speaker me", and I need to bring something a little different to the table.

There you have it.  I am breaking my "blogging" silence and knocking my ego off it's pedestal.  Because I realize now that we don't live in the "land of nod", that must mean that we live in the real world.  I choose to believe that only in the toughest of realities, "magic" may not exist but "miracles" most definitely do.

From my true life to yours.  Keep your eyes peeled, and don't count your chickens before they hatch.

So I get the crappy picture award...but that was the only thing crappy about tonight.  I was emotionally unprepared, but at the pinning ceremony this evening, the capstone was placed on years of stress and struggle.  It's officially over...or to be cliche...just beginning.

In a strange compilation of "congratulations" and "graduation" Axel couldn't wait to tell Jahred "Happy Gradulations" as he returned to his seat.  Our small little family spent most of the ceremony reading Axels "book of the day," "Mice are Nice," but just because we weren't listening doesn't mean we weren't grateful.  Before Axel was even brought breech into this world, Jahred started his Nursing School journey and as Axel approaches three, there is relief in accomplishment, and ultimately relief in finishing what was a struggle to even begin.

Tonight we rest...happy campers.

It's becoming well known that the wooded property surrounding my parents home is a safe haven for wayward animals.  Aside from human neighbors (also related to us) who insist on "thinning the herd" contrary to my strong opinions, many non-deer species have found their way into the area in search of salvation.
  
Until last weekend we felt it was a solo mission...saving the animals...that was until we came across something we simply didn't know how to save.  Originally tagged as a Muskrat because of it's size, thanks to my $100,000 degree in Biology, I later identified our new stray as a baby Beaver.  For the second week in a row, Jahred, Axel and Oscar came across this poor soul.  On their first encounter, Jahred simply placed him back in the river with instructions to "find his family".  Last Saturday, in the early a.m., Oscar came across this little guy again, trying to climb the bank in the opposite direction of the water...RED FLAG.  This little mite needed help...and help we found.

Immediately I got on the phone and discovered that the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was the place to bring your average abandoned Beaver.  Jahred and Tyler set off on the thirty mile trek to meet the welcoming staff at the center.  Amazing heart is poured into this selfless organization.  Really, if you need a non-profit to add to your X-mas list, this would be it!  They welcomed our friend, tail wound and all, and honestly gave him the best care they could.  Here is their blog post about our little guy.

Sadly today as I called to check on him, the volunteer who answered the phone relayed the message that things didn't end well for our friend.  The way she handled the fatal news can be appreciated by true animal lovers...she was extremely kind, I could tell that she too was grieving.  Yes, we were invested in this little guy, yes, it is a heartbreaking loss and yes, his life did make a contribution.

For all of you in the Central Minnesota area who come across a member of our wildlife family in need, don't hesitate...every bird and beast is worth our effort.

Beaver    Age: unknown
On Tuesday, November 23rd
our beloved forest friend died
peacefully, surrounded by tree
hugging friends and care givers
alike. He will be missed by the
dog who tried to save him, the boy 
who had never met a Beaver,
and the family who only knew him
for a short time.  He is survived
by mammals big and small.

While shamelessly shopping at Walmart for the Poly-Fill stuffing I regularly use, I happen to come across one of the most disturbing pieces of merchandise.

For just $5 (which is about the amount of change found under the car seats of a pervert) you can purchase something to lure children to your car.  Is the old "hey kid, would you like some candy" not working anymore?  Is it necessary to roll out the black and orange carpet and entice children with banners, ghosts and the "6ft of hanging decoration"?  I really can't say this enough...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I was so shocked to see this piece of trash that I took a picture (despite the odd looks from the cashier).  Really, nothing says Walmart like making an extra 5 while compromising morals.  Does the name Jacob Wetterling mean nothing to these people?

So, this year, while taking your kids out on the town, it's not so much the treats you need to worry about, it's the man turning tricks from the back of his Prius.