Tag Archive | The Paw Stops Here

Life is to be enjoyed

Jun24

I have not written since a week before Mother’s Day. There is so much activity going on, that I am having so much fun, that I haven’t stopped time to write. But here I am now. I wanted to let you know what is going on. First of all, for Mother’s Day, David gave me an IPad! I had been wanting one for a while. I have been using my Ipod touch to record songs, but it is over 3 years old and couldn’t get the great software out there and the screen is a little too small for me to use the controls on the interface. So now the screen is so big and I have two great programs on my IPad-Studio MiniXL an 8 track recording studio and a program to write the chords and words for writing my songs. It has a scrolling device so I don’t have to carry my heavy songbook with me when I perform. I am also using my IPad for editing videos with the IMovie AP. it is so easy to use. The IPad is truly an amazing lifestyle tool.

I also got an IPhone and am now replacing my Sony Handicam. The quality is so much better. There are also accessories so you can attach extra mics and a tripod. I am streamlining my equipment so I only have to take my IPhone and a tripod-Amazing.

The trip to Mendocino was very fruitful. I had a wonderful time singing at the Mendocino Center. There was a lady who is a fellow animal activist and said that when we come up we can use her guest apartment. And I will be going up to Mendocino on a semi-regular basis. I am producing a new show up there called “The Paw Stops Here in Mendocino”. I shot my first show in May. I interviewed Kevin Williams who is a docent at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse along with his dog Dillon. Dillon is a very cute Boucion mix and has a lot of charisma. He even has a blog talking about life at Point Cabrillo and to get the word out about the proposed closure of the list of parks in California, for which Point Cabrillo is on the list. Kevin talked about what we can do so that doesn’t happen.  We can change this. It would be a shame to not have access to these beautiful places. Show your voice and support.

I also interviewed Christine Olson Day who is the manager and owner of Gallery Bookshop in Mendocino. For 18 years, they had a store cat named Colette. She talks about the way Colette touched so many lives. It is so touching. Last but certainly not least. I interviewed the manager of the Surf Motel. This motel located on the main street of Ft. Bragg has been around for over 60 years. It is pet friendly. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. Tune in when the show airs. I am also going to put it on my YouTube channel. I will send the link when I finished editing it.

I am also getting ready to do another concert for Any Dog Rescue. I love doing my animal activist work through song. It is such a gift for me to give back in this way. I feel I am living the life I have always created in my mind. I am using my gifts as a singer, painter, writer, peaceful animal activist. I wake up with joy and excitement for the new day. who knows what wonderful experiences will come to me today.

It can happen to you too. Breathe in and out. Focus on your joy; focus on things that make you happy. Focus on things that fill you with Gratitude and Grace. It is these very things that will come into your life the more you think about them. It raises your vibration, lowers your stress. When life throws you a curve. Recognize that your experience what you think about and your attitude about it. Yes, life is to be embraced, experienced in the present and enjoyed!

The Realization of life

Apr26

I can create possibilities into Realities.

I took this title from a song I wrote. The name of the song is “The Realization-this song will be be going on my next CD. This is the 3rd step of what we “New Thinkers” call Affirmative Prayer. Actually I believe it is technically called “Recognition”. This is the step you are declaring that what you want in your mind is already here. When you name it and claim it-it is yours. I was telling a friend the other day that I feel as If I walked through the door of good fortune and many, many things are coming into my life. I have a wonderful job making a good income and working in a wonderful location-my home. In this job I utilize all my talents in fulfilling ways. I work for people who I respect who respect me. This is a dream job. I am also pursuing my interests as a singer, painter, writer, animal activist, photographer and videographer and getting paid. I have a loving marriage with a man who is fun to be with-has a good outlook in the world; he loves and respects animals as much as I do. He still knows how to make me laugh and can make me feel shy as if we were first dating (although we have been together almost 13 years. We have a close-knit multi-species family. Besides humans, cats and rabbits living in our house we have many plant babies. As I have gotten more tuned in, my plant babies will call me when it is time to water them.

I am not writing this with an intention to brag but to declare that when we realize that all good things deserve to come to us, that is what we receive. In Science of Mind, Reality means, your personal truth. So if I believe I can make money doing things that I love-I do. If I believe I deserve to be loved by a loving, sweet, sexy man with a generous heart, then he shows up (he did 34 years in high school and then reappeared in December 1999-I married him in 2001). If I can believe I can meet interesting people for my TV show, I do. If I believe that when ever I have a challenge I will be led to a solution-it comes in at the perfect time.  This Reality is not only for the “chosen few” it is for anyone who is willing to go out of their comfort zone and open up to the possibility that you truly can create a life you enjoy. This consciousness came in for me in little bits and pieces at first, then as I got comfortable recieving, more and more things came in a consistent flow. Yes I have so much to be grateful for, I Realize this, accept this and claim it. And so it is!

Spring is just around the corner and my spirit is already blooming!

Mar19

Flower Deva Spirit, Watercolor, glitter paint, ink

Spring is the time for rebirth, renewal. I love this season. I can feel the energy of new growth all around me. I have a new CD, “Let Their Voice Be Heard” being released on March 25th along with the concert at the Vallejo Spiritual Center for Living;  new job, new position serving on the Board of Trustees at my church. I am still having fun producing my show, The Paw Stops Here. My husband and I are still loving and liking each other. My 4-legged kids and I continue to evolve in our relationship. They listen more because I listen more. I had a conversation with a friend and said if you want to know how to communicate with your animals better, all you have to do is quiet your mind and listen.

The concert is shaping up nicely. Ed Rosenback, Lee Wingfield and myself were interviewed for the local paper, the article came out yesterday, http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_20201200/vallejo-church-concert-is-all-animals Rich Freedman did a great job and jokingly referred to us as Peter, Paul and Mary; I love their music so that was a big complement. This Friday, I am being inteviewed on the local Radio Station, OZCAT (that seems appropriate, being that it has Cat in the name!) I put a PSA on my TV station, VCAT (another name with cat in it, is this a theme?) My life is unfolding as if someone waved a magic wand and said what ever you want, just wave your wand and I do because the words I speak and declare is my wand (thank you Ernest Holmes).

Because my life continues to flow in harmonious ways. I know I am allowing my good to pour in. The CD and concert, My new job, my loving marriage, the great relationship I have with all our Four-legged kids-All these things are telling me that I am in alignment with the flow of spirit and the Law of Attraction is responding.

I have another opportunity to give my “Let Their Voice Be Heard” concert in San Francisco. There are things in the works for the Mendocino area. I love doing my spiritual work It is a jo(y)-not a jo(b).  What is pouring into my life is an example of what can happen when you open your arms to receive and ask. That is what Jesus meant when he said, (I am paraphrasing) all these things I do you can do also. As a way of sharing my gratefulness. I want to close with a blessing:

The love of the  Infinite Presence is with me today and always. It flows in everything I see, I feel,  touch and I am one with this loving source that created me.

So I declare today that I continue to bless my gratitude that is flowing in my life right now all the love, the prosperity, the beauty, the joy is everywhere present and I also declare that every being on the planet also has the gifts of the Universe pouring in and as the waking mind of all the beings of the planet acknowledges this simple truth, the gifts are revealed in the perfect way.

I am so grateful for the many ways it manifests in my life and for all my brothers and sisters on the planet (in what ever form they are in).

So I release these words of joy to the Universal Mind of the Infinite Presence and I know that my words come back to me multiplied abundantly.

And so it is!

 

Come one, Come all to my concert

Mar11

I finally got the PSA (Public Service Announcement) to play on my station, VCAT, Channel 27. I just wanted to share with you all. It is also on YouTube right now. Here it is without any further delay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4P2ZEdFMMo

CD Cover for Let Their Voice Be Heard

March 25th is almost here!

Mar10

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It is getting close to March 25th, the day of the concert. I am nervous, yet excited. I am working on a Public Service Announcement to air on VCAT, the community access station I am a member of. I currently have a show airing on the station titled, “The Paw Stops Here”. This is another way to get the word out. It is coming together nicely. I am struggling a bit. I caught a cold and have been staying home nurturing myself and resting. So I am taking it easy. I am very pleased with the flow of this PSA. When it is all done, I will post it here and on YouTube. If you are not able to attend, please keep in mind you can still contribute to Loma Vista Farm. They do so much good good work for the community. They teach people how to honor and respect the land and animals, how to grow your own vegetables, environmental education. Many schools go there on field trips. Many kids would not be exposed to this otherwise. So I am happy to help raise funds for this worthy organization. For more information about the concert check out the Visions Alchemy Visionary Events. To find out more about Loma Vista Farm go to www.lomavistafarm.org

There is more to come. Stay tuned!

Life is what happens when you are making other “Concert” plans

Mar9

I borrowed this phrase from my hero and spiritual muse, John Lennon. He was a Visionary peace activist. When He and Yoko did the bed-in for peace, my take on it was that they were saying when you focus on peace and advocate on a non-violent level, those are the results you get. It is how the Law of Attraction works. When you focus on what you want to happen, your thoughts turn in to vibrations that the Universe matches and those are the results you get.

I know I have digressed. I am really here to talk about my upcoming concert to promote my new CD, “Let Their Voice Be Heard”. I have the concert line up. A reporter, Rich Freedman, is going to do an article in our local paper. I have sent out all the Evites, I designed the posters. There have been some changes with our guest singers, but this is life, it changes all the time. someone once  said, “Change is great, routine is lethal”. So when circumstances came up and two of the original singers had to bow out gracefully. We made some changes.

Our new line up of singers are (besides myself) are Lee Wingfield, Alex Richardson and Ed Rosenback. They all share the passion of bringing better understanding between all beings on the planet.  I feel so blessed and grateful for sharing the stage with these talented, people. When we work together, it is all play. There is an infectious enthusiasm that creates wonderful nuances to the arrangements I created and turned them into something even more magical and poignant.

Lee Wingfield,(L), Alex Richardson, and Ed Rosenback

I am even more confident that what is being created is part of the shift that is occuring to  all beings on the planet.  Animals are being more open to many new behaviors that we didn’t see before. They are now feeling safe to let their true personalities come out. They know that there are humans who really want to listen to what they have to say. This concert project is a small part in the cosmic grid we are all on. I have this inner feeling that all who attend the concert will be filled with the spirit of love, compassion and embody the feelings that animals want to share with us. They will feel it as they listen to the story these songs. They will experience the spirit of the animals who will be here to fill the void with these new insights. And everyone who attends will be sending these out to other beings on the planet. This is the path of the peaceful warrior, our shield is our words and our swords or arrows are our words. If you are not able to attend this event, please hold a space of love and peace at 1:30 to 3:00PM, PST to move the message of our concert.  You are needed to keep the new movement going. Remember we are all connected to each other.

Kitty forgetting where the litterbox is, who you goin’ call?

Feb2

My husband sent me a link to an article in the SF Chronicle this morning. It was an article on a well known cat animal behaviorist, Marilyn Krieger. I was pleasantly surprised and happy that other people are spreading the word about this very gifted cat behaviorist. I have met Marilyn and two of her cats, Sudan and Maulee. I interviewed Marilyn for my show, The Paw Stops Here.

Marilyn uses clicker training as well as positive reinforcement. She is very thorough and direct. I love that about her. When it comes to changing the stressful, frustrating experiences that could result in giving your cat to a shelter or worse yet, turning them out to fend for themselves, you can’t mince words. You have to be honest. The quicker the better. When you understand what your cat is telling you, there can be miraculous changes and you will form a deeper bond. Cats as well as other animals really respond, when they know you are hearing them, and they will repay you with more snuggles, purrs and head rubs. It becomes a harmonious household.

Cats have so many myths running out there. “you can’t train a cat, cat’s lack warmth and don’t know how to be affectionate…….black cats are unlucky….” the list goes on and on. But I am not here to keep the myth going. I am also a cat evangelist.

I became a cat convert when I was in my 30′s and I adopted my first tabby, Oscar. Oscar was the kind of cat that loved humans and would be the cat ambassador when anyone would come to our house. He had a quiet dignity and warmth and even people who didn’t normally like cats responded to him. He was my best friend and if I was having a bad day, he would come up and nuzzle me as a way of saying “it’s going to be alright, Mom.” Oscar lived to be 5 years. He had FIV since he was a kitten, which I didn’t know until he started exhibiting symptoms.

It was very hard seeing him go through that. We even set up a room where we would give him IV fluids. Within a very short time, his little body started shutting down and we had our vet release him from his pain and go back into spirit. He now is one of my animal allies. He helps me with my healing work with animals. He comes to me always dressed up in a Mourning suit. He appears to me 6 feet tall. Big enough to really give me a hug when I need it.

Through Oscar he taught me about acceptance, love, optimism, and letting go of a loved one when it is necessary. He gave me a great gift.

Fiona, Left and Moon taking a nap

In our own household with 3 cats with very distinct personalities, there is always negotiations going  on throughout the day. Sometimes my 9 year old, Oski, will want to keep playing with his sister, Moon, who is going on 13 and she says stop. We intervene when we have to. But Oski listens when I use my “growl voice” and he will stop. We only intervene when I see there is a stalemate. But most of the time we let them work it out. Our youngest cat, Fionaage 6, is best buddies with Oski. She is the only one who really gets Oski and she is also the only one he listen’s to.

Oski, left, and Fiona

Rounding out our family are our two mini lops, Reggie 4 and Buster 3. We will talk to the cats and the rabbits as if we are talking to humans. We apologize if we aren’t getting their communication or if we accidentally step on their tails. This closeness and acknowledgement keeps our home a

Baby Buster

harmonious one.

When I read the article about two cats that weren’t getting along and one of the things that Marilyn commented on is that the pet parents didn’t have different levels for the cats to lay on or sit on. In our house, the cats have places to lay on to look out the window. We don’t mind that they sleep on the furniture, so there are many levels and different territories for them to claim and re-claim. What I have noticed is that they take turns in the different areas of the house and sometimes they compromise by sleeping together. That is always a photo op. and it shows that they like each other.

If you want to see the interview I did with Marilyn and see how Maulee and Sudan jump through hoops, sit for a treat or even seeing Sudan open his cat carrier, go inside and close the door, tune in. My show, The Paw Stops Here airs Mondays and Saturdays 5:30 PM, PST. If live in the Vallejo, CA area you can tune in  on Channel 27 for Comcast viewers and Channel 99 for AT&T Viewers. If you don’t live in the area, you can tune in on our website, http://www.VCAT.TV.

If you would like information on Marilyn Krieger’s new book, Cat Fancy’s Naughty No More, or to schedule a consultation go to http://www.thecatcoach.com

Let’s help their voice be heard

Jan26

Together we can let their voices be heard!

Yes, I am calling all rescue groups to be a part of my concert series. You can talk about your organization, the good work that you do and how we can help our organization. You will receive %40 of the proceeds to generate financial funds to support your Mission Statement.

One of my visions for my CD is to go out into the community all over the country and promote the message of love, dignity and respect for all animals on the planet. I heard the many heartbreaking stories of how animals are misunderstood. That if only the pet parents had stopped to observe their animals body language or taken their pet to a trainer, that many animals would have been able to stay with their people and not ended up in a shelter. Or if people who adopted a certain breed because they liked the way they looked, but didn’t have a clue about the personality traits of the dog, cat or rabbit. Then they decided that they had no time for training, the time and expense of proper grooming, or wellness checks at the vet. They gave up on their pet and took it to a shelter or worse yet, let it run in the wild, thinking that their natural instincts would get them through it.  When I was working for a pet food store in the bay area, I had a customer who got a labrador from a breeder, but she didn’t have time to train the dog, the dog got destructive, so she took it to a shelter. She came into the store to buy things for her new puppy, hoping this time it would work!

I saw many of these dogs and cats that ended up  at the Humane Society of the North Bay . I  worked with Bobbi Durston helping dogs to get over their fear of humans. I observed the body language of perceived aggressive cats and knew that they needed a more gentle voice or patience for them to let them know I was an ok human. That is why I was so grateful to have the opportunity to work with the cats using the Open Paw Program. We saw cats who were normally afraid of a male presence allow a young man to pick her up and take her back to her kennel.

This is why this CD project is so very important to me. I truly believe if we want to bring out awareness and raise the level of understanding and compassion that all humans have. We must be the change. and part of that change is allowing us to focus on the experiences we want to see in the world. We can raise the consciousness of how animals are treated if we focus on the positive results we want to create.

If you want to participate in this wonderful journey to let all animal voices and your organization be heard. Please go to my Contact Visions Alchemy page and let’s make this happen.

We Can Let Their Voice Be Heard

Jan22

My new CD-This is 10 years in the making!

One of my life long dreams is coming into manifestation. I have recorded a CD to promote peaceful co-existence between all humans and animals. The name of the CD is titled “Let Their Voice Be Heard”. It is a collection of 10 songs. These songs have been written over a 10 year span. This is part of my work as a peaceful animal activist. I have worked with animals at the local humane society for over 5 years. I learned how to use the Emotional Freedom Technique on animals that were shy or fearful. I produce a show on TV called “The Paw Stops Here” that brings awareness to the public how great and amazing animals are and I interview pet parents about their four-legged kids. I have been a volunteer instructor for the Open Paw Program for Cats.  It is training program for animals in the shelter. We teach them that humans are great beings so they feel comfortable around us and show their true personalities so they are adopted quicker.

What I have come to learn from working with animals is they have a tremendous capacity for love-giving and recieving. They communicate with us if we are willing to listen. And we can be surprised when we take the time to observe how they think and process information. I have one cat who uses sign language to tell me when he wants to sit on my lap and when he is hungry. I am meeting more and more pet parents who have feline and canine siblings in the same family and they co-habitate peacefully. My brother, Gabriel has an Australian Shepherd named Tucker who raised a kitten named Madison who is now over 2 years old. There are so many stories out there, I can probably live another 40 years and I still won’t hear them all.

I am using this CD to help raise funds for shelters, rescue groups and organizations that promote peace and wellness for animals. I am going to use the concerts across the country and raise money for these organizations. A percentage of the proceeds from the concert will go back to one of these organizations. I have my first concert coming up in March (I will list the event on my “events” page) If you can’t attend you can still donate something to the organization. I am so grateful that things fell into place the way they did. if you go to the “Botticelli Woman Productions” page, you can hear a sample. I am so grateful. It is true if I am open to my dreams I can “dream” them into manifestation.

You Never Know When It Will Hit

Jan18
On of my Botticelli Woman Art pieces

This is a picture that sends Joy to the observer

Since I have been living a six sensory life, as Sonia Choquette, one of my favorite authors puts it, I find myself guided by my intuition 70% of the time. When I do I experience many happily unexpected surprises. My guides send a thought glimmer to me and if I am conscious and follow it, magic happens. I do believe it magic. One of the reasons my blog is called Visions Alchemy is because I believe when I change my vision to create good things, my thought is alchemically changed from thoughts to things. I see this as magical. I also use the elements of paper, glitter, stones, watercolor pencils and change them into my art.

The “it” I am referring to is intuition. Intuitive messages comes in so often that if I am not in the present moment, I miss it. but it is ok, because the inspiration will come in when it is the right time. And the times I listen, amazing things manifest. I often say “is this really  happening?’ Am I seeing things clairly?” I have learned to be conscious of eliminating the phrase “I can’t believe…’ because it can change the experience.

The latest experience happened this past weekend. I heard an intuitive message to go to the Marina area in San Francisco. I love the energy of the city of St. Francis-the patron saint of animals. It is fitting to me because I am also a peaceful animal activist. I thought would be a good opportunity to interview pet parents and their four-legged kids for my show, The Paw Stops Here.

Sunday, I woke up, My nose was congested, a sinus headache was coming on because of the weather. I knew that being out in this cold wind of the Marina area may cause the congestion to increase. But I kept hearing “go to the Marina”. So David and I set off for the city.  I was on a mission, so my perceived discomfort was over ridden.

When we got to the Marina, it was cold and a bit windy, but I got  lost in the scenery. I took footage of a group of friends playing soccer. Someone else flying a kite that looked like a dragon. There were not many dogs around. Maybe because it was still too cold to be out. But I wasn’t discouraged. I loved being an observor. Finally I saw a young couple with a  dog who had a wavy coat. I loved their energy, even though I was far enough to feel like a giant compared to the pet parents and their dog Ginger. I was attracted to their playtime together both parents taking turns throwing the  ball for Ginger to chase.

Ginger eyeing her favorite ball

Ginger's Mom, Angela

I did a short interview with Angela Tobias and she told me how Ginger came into their lives. Ginger is a Goldendoodle. Very playful and boy did she love her ball. Angela said that this particular ball is always in the car. She chased the ball so quickly, it was like someone lit her tail on fire-very impressive. When I mentioned that my show is in Vallejo and they could still watch the show by going on our website, Angela said that she and her husband work at Kaiser Vallejo. She is a nurse and he is a doctor. What a small world! Of all the people in the park, I chose them. It was a fun interview. Angela has a very sweet, boyant personality and well spoken. She is someone whose energy you want to be around. I am sure her paitents love her.

When we had finished with the interview. There was a young boy with his dog. She looked almost like a smaller version of Ginger. Her name was Georgia. Since he was here with his dog, and Georgia and Ginger were having fun running around together, I asked Jack, Georgia’s person if I could ask him a few questions. He said he could talk for a short time, he had to get Georgia home.  They adopted her from a breeder.I was later to find out that even though their parents would have liked to adopt a dog from a shelter, because of the allergies to dog fur in the household. Georgia was a good fit.  Georgia is only 13 months old and knows her name and comes when she is called. I asked Jack if they took her to a trainer. He said that his twin sister got a lot of information from different books she researched. Jack said his family lived close by the Marina.

A place to find comfort food at a comfortable price

Park Chow on 9th Avenue was my husband and my favorite date place.

I felt I had gotten enough footage for my show and we headed out to our favorite restaurant, Park Chow. I love this restaurant. it serves yummy, comfort food at a comfortable price. We decided to have breakfast even though it was past noon. I ordered basic eggs and potatoes and an English muffin. David ordered the Blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon. The pancakes were gigantic. they sprinkled some powered sugar on them and were garnished with blueberries.The eggs were cooked just right and they were lightly seasoned with what I detected a hint of garlic. I highly recommend this restaurant. Of course I have nostalgic feelings when David and I were dating, this was our favorite date place.

Before we left, David needed to stop at the bank and I was waiting. I had to keep moving so I could warm up in spite of the icy breeze using my face as a target. There was a Kiosk that held a free magazine about San Francisco called Northside San Francisco. For some reason, my intuition said, “Pick it up”. I love reading about San Francisco so I opened the lid and took one. There on the cover was a family standing in front of the Golden Gate bridge. The photo was also taken at the Marina. I didn’t pay much attention to it at first, but there was an article that did peak my interest it was a story about a former company I worked for, Pet Food Express.

I decided to pick up a latte for the road, so we chose Starbucks. I got 2 gift cards for Christmas, I might as well use them. I ordered a Chai tea latte. As I was waiting. I looked at the cover of the magazine again. This time I noticed the photo of the young boy, he looked familiar. It was a photo of the young boy I interviewed earlier in the day! Then I looked at his father, he looked familiar too. I saw the caption that identified the family. The man’s name was Tom Sinkovitz. He is a newscaster on KRON, Channel 4 in San Francisco!

Georgia's brother, Jack

How synchronistic it was! The first people I interviewed worked in Vallejo. Jack Sinkovitz, The young boy I interviewed was on the cover of a magazine and his father, Tom Sinkovitz, is a newscaster for Channel 4 in San Francisco.  I still feel there is more to this than what is here in the moment. Iwill keep my eyes and ears open to see what other things are to be revealed from this. Just another demonstration, that I never know when my intuitive mind will send me important messages. I just need to be open. BTW, when I air these interviews on my show I will let you know when to watch. Don’t live in Vallejo? You can still watch my show on our website, http://www.vcat.tv on Mondays and Saturdays at 5:30pm

Georgia is ready to play