Te kudasai

てください

geisha III by CarolSchiffStudio

The word for please in Japanese changes according to context.  Onegai shimasu is formal and polite and suggests the speaker is asking a favor.  Nanitozo is extremely polite and rarely heard.  Douzo means something like "please go ahead and do X" and is often used in the phrase "this way please" (kochira e douzo) 

Choudai means something like "please do X for me," and is considered fairly casual in Tokyo dialect.  Choudai itashimasu means the same as itadakimasu.  Kudasai means "please," "please do X for me," or "please give me X"

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_say_please_in_Japanese#ixzz1GmVK43jj

Please let us continue to support those in need in Japan.
Please let us not forget the global implications of our hunger for energy.  
If the fires of the nuclear melt-down are averted this time, how many more can be averted?  German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is being blasted for shutting down some aging reactors and imposing a moratorium on three-month moratorium on the extension of the life span's of Germany's nuclear facilities.

You can also support artists in Japan by shopping here...artists on Etsy

For the month of March, I have pledged to donate 20% of my store profits to relief efforts to the Miharu project. 

 original paintings by Nancy Erickson Dutmer

Rice Lake Wisconsin artist, Nancy Erickson Dutmer, is a supporter of the Miharu project: here is a recent post from her facebook page:

We have cans for donations around Chetek and Rice Lake for the sister city, Miharu, Japan. They are housing thousands of people and running out of supply. Please stop at these locations and donate!
Chetek: Keg and Kork, Lampert's Lumber, Ohde's, Antique Mall, Horton's Hardware, Bob's Grill
Rice Lake: Bowling Alley, Moongate, various banks, Kwik Trips, Thyme Worn Treasures, Bath and Bodyworks, Casa Mexicana Marketplace, Badger Brew, Public Library, Coffee Coral and Lehman's. Thank you so much.  If you would rather send funds direct, send to :
RLIFA
PO Box 1
Rice Lake, WI
54868

Ashes to Ashes

image courtesy of http://blog.beliefnet.com

I haven't abandoned all of the ceremony I was raised in.
But today, rather than dwell on the above dire reminder, and getting a daub of dirt on my forehead, I am anointing myself with one the six Gems of Para Yoga.
Some lemon ginger green tea to stimulate the agni fire and digestion in the belly, and some nice deep breaths to get the bhuta or spiritual fires ignited.

I have just completed my last of six Monday morning classes with Tanya of devanadi yoga studio in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis.  It was so refreshing and healing to take a class just for me, though I have translated some of the meditations and asana into the classes that I teach.  

I also treated myself each week to a trip to the Great Harvest Bread Company for a loaf of Oregon Herb or Parmesan Artichoke or a blond brownie...yum!

What ceremony have you incorporated into your life recently?

March into Spring

this little cutie is courtesy of RunningBugFarm

I am ready to be done with my winter gas bill.

For last three months, my natural gas bill has averaged 160.00

That's with the combination of an efficient new furnace with the thermostat set at 58 degrees at night, 64 degrees during the days and burning wood occasionally. 

I am ready to march into spring!

We celebrate my friend Justin's 18th birthday March 6th

and Richard's 38th birthday March 31st.

you callin' me a liar?

I am delighted to celebrate my 700th sale in iones'Attic

by offering 15% Off of Everything through this weekend.

a nice little March 1st present was finding that my equestrian shoe horn had made front page