Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Starting a new thread as Feb Feature: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! is getting too slow-loading for some members.

So Hillora, I remember your telling me that you’re going to be making one friend per day –or was it week?
Where are you with that?

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, Meenakshi and Hillora - we were invited to share a favorite blog - and one that’s been fun the last few days is Mother Mary’s party for her 3rd anniversary on Gaia.

That one may be slow loading too - the graphics are great :-).


bright blessings -


Sylvia

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Thank you Sylvial ; can you also take a look at Hillora’s blogs and place a link to one that is your favorite? This is what the game is about. And we still have a surprise for you when you do that!

I’ve enjoyed Mary’s blog too. And have linked it in this group: Re: Celebrating Gaia anniversary- Mary’s 3rd

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Kathy - Thank you for lighting these beautiful candles! It’s gloomy and cold here today, and they really brightened my day!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Ok, I’m game and love surprises.
Here’s the link and my response is enclosed in the comments.
Suffering a “spiritual bypass”…giggle

peace and love…
~lars

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, Lars - Thanks for the insightful response. Very wise!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I love where the game is going.
Lars, just waiting for Hillora to be back–perhaps from her college studies, as we learn from the blog that Kathy linked us to [thanks Kathy!]; or from her work at the Sanctuary for feral cats.
Hillora’s blog on   What’s been motivating you recently? shows her  various activities.

Then the surprise shall be revealed!

I have a further idea:if you link a blog here; please let Hillora know that you have done so, when you leave a comment on her blog. Thank you!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, folks - ok [blush] having misread the original notice - let’s try this again.

I really enjoyed Hillora’s blog on hope as a recurring theme.

bright blessings -


Sylvia

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Sylvia, so sweet of you  to come back with another link ((((((())))).

I like that blog too; and realized I can link a blog of mine to hers, and with all this linking going on; there’s so much to explore.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Synchronicity Rules! The fact that you are exploring my blogs/journal entries is very flattering, and I love to hear all of your comments and insights. I have just spent several hours this afternoon editing my blogs/journals for a final project which I am working on for both my Trechnology & Society (Humanities) class and for my Introduction to Communication class. I am preparing a presentation on self-publishing technology and social networking as a means of connecting with the world. I am putting together a small self-published book of my blogs/journals from Gaia to give out to the class members, to demonstrate how easy it is to produce a professional-looking finished product as well as to show that you really can get your words out there, and connect with readers. With Siona’s permission, I am including an appendix listing many of the Questions and reflections which she has come up with, in hopes of encouraging others to think about what really has meaning to them. Gaia is such a beautiful example of the best that people can be, and I really want to share it!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

My favourite Hillora blog is where she talks of her purrpose with a delightful pic of eighteen or so cats having a party /a feast or a celebration, kinda like a Gaia for animals of a feline persuasion. And I want to lead Hillora to the inspiring story of my first cat Pluff who is the mascot for the surviving souls pod where Hillora has posted many interesting stories, as has Meenakshi

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hillora, this is absolutely amazing. When this new thread started, and I was mailing out the letter to the members; I thought: we should have a theme; so that it’s not just because the first thread is slow-loading.

A few came to mind, but this one sort-of came out of the blue. Perhaps we’re reading each other’s thoughts! Blogs in our mind. I’m loving that.

What you are doing with your blogs is quite interesting. Are you going to self-publish through one of the different online publishers?

C.G., who was featured last month, had given some tips on publishing. I can see we can get some from you too.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hope and Simplifying….I loved the it is not what you have,but who you are….so many people hide behind materialism..who are we as our naked selves ??  One day I will learn how to make a link !!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Self-publishing

Yes, I plan to self-publish with Lulu.com. It’s really easy, and reasonably priced. It’s a print-on-demand service, wherein they print only what you want to order. You can put a link on your website or blog, send people there, and they can order directly as well. Or you can have your book listed on Amazon.com, for your customers to order. It’s a very good way to get your words in print, and even if you were selling your book to a large publishing house, you would have to market it yourself anyway. This way, you get something like 80% of the price of your book, and you may sell fewer copies, but that’s only limited by how much work you want to put into it.



I’ve heard of people who self-published a book just to get it out into the world, then had someone in the industry see it and offer them megabuck contracts. Not a bad way to start out, if you ask me!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Self-publishing

I have some experience with lulu; and I think that as long as there aren’t too many illustrations, the price can be kept “reasonable”. I like their option of allowing cheaper e-book versions as well.

Have you used them before, Hillora? Or published a book?

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hillora, here’s a tip for you and other newcomers:

Once in a while, you can click on
What’s
Hot / Active on the Gaia tab [see the left frame ]. This tells you which blogs, discussions, quotes, photos and so on, are very active right now.

I did that today, and what do I see?

Nice, huh?
========================================

Hottest Discussions

Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Posted on Feb 18th, 2009
by Meenakshi
in Gaia Networking - Enhance Your Community Experience

Starting a new thread as Feb Feature: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! is
getting too slow-loading for some members. So Hillora, I remember your
telling me that you’re going to be making one friend per day… More »

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

How very, very cool! Thanks for telling me - and all of us! - about this!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Linking

Waterheart/Ralph, I think you meant this one?
What has been a recurring theme over the past few months?

Here’s how to link text. And a more detailed description by OM in the How Tos group

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi!
I recently made friends with Hillora and am getting to know her. Both of us happen to love stationery - papers, pens, pencils, crayons etc! As a child I remember praying for new pencils, erasers and color pencils. Hillora, do you have any sweet childhood memories of wanting simple things…?

Warm hugs and best wishes for studies
Seema

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Yes, Seema and I are completely sympatico regarding our adoration for fine papers and marvelously colorful writing implements. As soon as I get my camera working again, I am going to take a picture of ALL of my writing instruments - it’s quite a pile! Then I think I’ll donate them all (or most) to the local home for abused children, or the domestic violence shelter. I have way too many!!!



I adore fine papers, as well. Deckle-edged, vellum, onionskin, handmade with flowers and leaves imbedded in them, rice paper, and a thousand others - I can never get enough pretty papers. But at least I use them to make beautiful cards and bookmarks from, so I don’t feel too guilty about collecting so much.



As a child, I remember being entranced by rocks. We had a family rock collection, which I would play with for hours. I would arrange them and play games with them and gaze deep into their secret hearts. Even now, I adore the beautiful things of the earth, as Tai and I have spoken of elsewhere in the groups on Gaia.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I love paper art and art on paper.
Jen Stark is my newest favorite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYf5UqJa_O4

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, Hillora - I have a banker’s box of markers, pencils, etc - including the most treasured contents - some of my original box of 64 Crayolas - from about 35 years ago - not bad, when I have to work to remember where I left my shoes about an hour ago [wry grin].  I’m not willing to give them all away though - I have way too much fun digging in periodically.


And I *love* paper.  Mostly because it can turn into such pretty and fun shapes - since I’m an origami addict.  You’ve probably seen some of my creations - on my profile and in my photos.  I have such fun with different textures, weights, and types of paper - many of them are good for folding - I just have to figure out what and how.  There’s a couple more bankers boxes of paper [sheepish smile].

And feel free to jump in to any of the discussions that interest you on the Earth Treasures pod


bright blessings -


Sylvia

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Seema, THANK YOU for coming over! What a delightful little tid-bit to share about you both. May I join the party? Not crayons as much, but I love stationery. What’s it about stationery shops, I wonder?

Hillora had warned us that she may not be able to come as often as we’d like;  but she’ll be here again soon to reply to posts.
=======================================

Here’s a question I’d asked:

Q: How has being on Gaia changed your off-line life? 
Hillora’s response:
I definitely spend more time on the computer than I used to, but my class
schedule allows for extended breaks between classes this semester, so
it’s no difficulty to get online. 


Q:  How does your life offline impact your presence on Gaia ? 
Hillora’s response:
 I feel that my Buddhist practice has given me a clear outlook on many of
the issues which affect not only my life, but that of many other
members, thus allowing me to offer encouragement to others. I have
endured many hardships throughout my life, and overcome them, which
gives me a definite point-of-view about many situations which affect
other people as they did me.
=============

Questions? Responses?

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Yes, I am trying to seek out at least one interesting, resonating person each time that I am on Gaia, and befriend them. As I figure it (and remember that Time and I are not good friends!) I have been on Gaia about 64 days, and so far I have connected with 43 wonderful people. So I’m a little behind, but by the end of this year…

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Wow, this is quite interesting about paper. When I was a market planning consultant, helping people with their brochures and marketing pieces (in days before the Internet) one of my favorite aspects of my work was helping them pick a beautiful, interesting, different, appropriate paper stock for their business cards, brochures, etc. One that helped capture something about them, too. I used to hang out at the paper stores, and learn all the huge variety of papers available.
But I’m not as much of a paper freak as the rest of you, I’m not into the rice paper, the truly artsy papers. And, I left that work many years ago. But I still like cool papers.
Blessings, OM

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

You know, I truly feel that the invention of paper was one of humanity’s greatest accomplishments. There’s nothing like the feel - or smell - of a beautiful piece of paper! I cringe when I hear people say that we are entering an era of paperless technology…

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, Hillora - I’m hoping that technology will move us in the direction of being able to appreciate and enjoy paper better - in contrast with being overwhelmed by floods of advertising mail, bills, receipts, etc as happens to me (and I think a lot of people in the US) currently.  I find being able to use the internet to get directions, pay bills, etc *really* wonderful - and that frees some of my energy for origami and other creating with paper, gemstones, markers, etc [happy look].


peace and blessings -


Sylvia






a picture of my favorite elegant washi (origami) paper :-)

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I love it! How absolutely gorgeous that paper is! It’s funny, but I just got an assignment in my Humanities class (Technology & Society) to write a paper about my favorite technology and three reasons I couldn’t live without it. I immediately knew that I had to write about paper, and paper-making technology. Truly, when I hear talk of the “paperless technology” I just cringe! Paper is such a beautiful, symbolic, and visceral thing that I wouldn’t want to ever be without it. (Not the “junk mail” kind, though!)

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Enjoy your friends! Slow and steady is a good way; specially if you like to read their blogs or see their photos. Sometimes, I feel there isn’t time to do justice to them; but at other times, there aren’t as many friends’ blogs as you may imagine!

How do you like to interact with your friends, Hillora–through mail, grapevine, or do you like to read their blogs and photos regularly?

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I think that I’m best at interacting with my friends via email, usually. I love the grapevine feature, too, because it feels like a special little gift each I read what someone has written. I haven’t had a lot of time to read blogs recently, but I plan to catch up on that ASAP.
 
It may be a feature of having Asperger’s, or maybe just a personal mental quirk, but throughout my life it seems that I am happy just knowing that people who I care about are out there in the world somewhere, even if I don’t keep up with them constantly. It’s a different kind of connection, maybe, but I truly feel connected “through the ether” or maybe in dreams. It seems that my friends are always with me, always in my thoughts, always by my side, even when I am not in touch with them through traditional means.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hillora, you and I are definitely on the same wavelength on that one, today. If you wanted to go by my blog on silence, you’d see why. But actually, even if you didn’t, it doesn’t really matter, does it? As we’ve already connected here.

I wonder if it will help, when you make friends, to let them know that emailing – messaging as we sometimes call it on Gaia– is your favorite form of keeping in touch. We had a discussion on friends once, and I know that some people felt bad if a friend hadn’t reached out in  blogs to them, or messages, or grapevine, in a while. Once in a while, I write a message on my status to my friends; to let them know that I am reading their blogs or thinking of them or whatever. Words help. I have a sense that you’ll be good at that too ;p

Let’s hope that people keep Filling in the silence with their own friendly thoughts!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

How true! I am going to take your suggestion to heart and IMMEDIATELY change my Status to alert everyone to my return from CompuHell!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Phew! Yes, that really WAS something. So your Feb feature has moved into an early March feature. Thank you so much for being involved and keeping in touch with me on email.
Thinking about what was happening to you, and how you couldn’t get online to your thread, It also helped me to start a new discussion: Open doors and windows:offline<—>online

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, Meenakshi - I discovered the “friends” tab under “Blogs” on my left side navigation bar recently - and that’s helped me a lot in keeping more current.  Otherwise I was relying on “Friends’ Activity” updates and missing a lot since there’s only a few items listed there at a time.  One thing about that tab though - if folks put a lot of graphics into their blog - it takes a heck of a long time to load given that I’m using dial-up - and that discourages me from using it.


bright blessings -


Sylvia

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia

I asked Hillora:What do you most like about Gaia?   How are you helping to maintain/enhance it? 

HIllora answered: The positive attitude of the members, and the fact that everyone - while living “real” lives - is trying to create a better world for everyone
on the planet. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Any follow-on questions/comments? Pl Reply to Post

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia

Q: What do you not enjoy about Gaia/wish would change? How are you helping to change that?   

Hillora: I haven’t discovered anything yet that I do not enjoy. I don’t have the
time to take advantage of all the features, but overall I think it’s a
great experience.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope that by  now you’ve been able to use some more feature, Hillora. But I think just knowing they are there, is a help, and sometimes we’ve to decide to stay with the ones we’re most comfortable with, so we can do justice to them.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia

I keep discovering or being invited to join new groups, and they’re all so wonderful! I recently joined the Deep Ecology group, which I believe is fairly new, and became very inspired by one of the threads, so I’ve been “playing” there when I can. I really enjoy the thought of building an ideal community, with the input of everyone in the group to form a cohesive, workable society.
 
Other than that, I haven’t been able to do a whole lot this month, as my college courses become more absorbing. One great outgrowth of my experience here on Gaia, however, is that I am able to use it to form the basis of an assignment for my Intro to Communications class. I am doing a speech about the positive aspects of social networking to make ourselves and our world better for everyone, including a really nifty Powerpoint presentation which I’ve put together. Definitely another A+ in my roster!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia

I guess that’s because, Gaia is also part of our “real lives”,
Hillora.
And part of trying to create a better world for eveyone on the
planet, is also part of our reality.
Here, we have the avenue to converse and network with like-minded
people, and the chance to spread our dreams and sow our seeds of hope.



:) Sandy

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia

Sandy, remember when you were featured in this group?

I found it really heart-warming when you said :”I have had some wonderful responses and email giving me guidance, wisdom and courage and it has enriched my soul and helped me immensely.
My friends on Gaia have been kinder and more caring towards me than
in any other place in my life and I am so grateful.”

I think the feeling is mutual. You reach out and touch people in different ways, too.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia

Thankyou Meenakshi -and yes, I remember well.
The caring responses I received from members, when I was going
through a really rough time, was over-whelming.



If I can give one little of that back, to someone in need of comfort,
I always will be there for them.
As you yourself are, your presence is always a warm comfort to me.
You always seem to “pop up” with the right, kind words, and that right time!



I hope Hillora continues to her  friendships here, and I am very glad that
I am one of her new friends too.



:)

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia

You are all such a blessing to me! I remember when I was completely alone in my life, unable to connect with or reach out to anyone. This amazing web of friendship which connects us all is the greatest gift which the Universe could bestow!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia balancing

I was thinking about this the other day “everyone - while living “real” lives - is trying to create a better world for everyone on the planet. ”

We all have variously busy lives off-line. Working at home, perhaps in offices or other workplaces, or even if we’re traveling and so on… contributing to the bettering of our lives and those of others; or perhaps getting stressed, maybe stressing others out!

Most people would like to come to Gaia, and be able to de-stress. Sometimes, people come here and need/ask for help or support. We’ve to all learn ways to balance this give and take: to help, and ask for help if we need it; to give advice when asked, and sometimes, take it whether asked or unasked; to “escape” into a sanctuary, but also work to keep it so.

Sometimes, that balance can go one way or the other; when give and take is not balanced; and we begin to seek more outside ourselves than we expect out of ourselves. When we seek change outside, but not within.

From observing experiences of myself and others I can say that finding this balance– between giving and getting support and enjoyment here—that’s what we all need to learn in this community.

Coming to think of it, this is what we’ve to learn in any aspect of life. Hmmm, your thoughts made me take off…
Thoughts,  Hillora? Others?

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora! Gaia balancing

Yes, that is so true! I have found great satisfaction and feel like I’m doing some good in the world by seeking out those people who seem to need help and encouragement, as expressed in their blogs or threads/postings in groups. After all, I’ve been through some stuff in my life which was definitely difficult to deal with, learned from it, and survived to become a better person. If I can say something which can help someone else find their way to a brighter, better place in their life, then it’s a wonderful thing to share.
 
As for de-stressing, I love to play in the groups, or get out my crayons and coloring books and get creative with Seema, Kathy, Sandy, and you, too, Meenakshi! I’ve got a beautiful Faery coloring book which you might like, or the Mythical Beasts, or even the Cats one. Can you take time off to color with me today? (Before I go back to work on my English homework?)

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Thanks Sandy. The community is such a source of ongoing support if we allow ourselves to be open and balanced, as you are showing: giving as well as receiving. A judicious mixture of both, and each person feels empowered. Right, HIllora?

I wonder Sandy if you could cruise over to your new friend Hillora’s blogs and link one here that you particularly liked?

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Do you know, I’ve been through so much in my life (Asperger Syndrome, brain surgery, poverty, loneliness) that I have triumphed over, and moved beyond, that now I want so very much to share the secrets of happiness with everyone! It seems that since I started to see things as challenges and not as problems, that everything has become so much easier. And I tell you this as Truth - the Universe WANTS us to be HAPPY!!! If we open ourselves up to it, the blessings just come flooding in, without end!
 
Bless you all for sharing my life, and welcoming me into this wonderful world!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

A beautiful reminder, Hillora:

the Universe WANTS us to be HAPPY!!!

Q:  What’s the biggest benefit you have received/ you expect from the Gaia community?

Hillora: A sense of connection to the wide world, and people of diverse backgrounds.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

This one has to be my absolute favourite Hillora blog ,
http://mythicalcat.gaia.com/blog/2009/2/somewhere_between_14_and_500#comments
 
 

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

That IS delightful. And for all of us who feel we’re ageless, the words take us back and forth into age and then spiral out again. Heady ride you take us on, Hillora!
I’m going to request you to let me quote from this on the 50+stars group: [thuogh each verse and line is eminently quotable]:

”At fourteen
            I couldn’t become thirty
At twenty-nine
            I couldn’t imagine forty.
At thirty-five
            I swore that was enough
                        thank you very much.
            And started counting backwards.
At seventy
            I would be one again.
                        I lost count.”


Reminds me: our mutual friend Zephyr / Poeticspirit may want to throw in a line about this. I’ll go grapevine her.


Thanks for the link Sandy. I had read the poem but see that I hadn’t made a comment!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, yes very cool poem, I try to see the positive whatever age I am, as we age it’s good to stay young at heart and open minded.. My partner is 13 years younger than I and we have been together  10 years, most friends are younger too. Like OM i am close to 70 and still very active, at this age it’s use it or lose it!!!!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Please feel free to share my words with anyone who could benefit from them. I’m here to share, and help weave us all together! We make such a beautiful web…

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Cool poem. I can remember when 6th graders seemed unimaginably big and old, to me. LOL !!

Now, being almost 70 seems like a joke. Meaningless. Especially as I expect to live to 600 !!

Blessings, OM

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

600? Absolutely! If not in this body, then in the next one…

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Thank you Meenakshi….I will have to practise a bit…..love to link .

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Rocks! I love pebbles; specially river stones. My great-grandparents lived in Dehradun, a town in the foothills of the Himalayas. Homes there have river pebbles in their driveways! And a little mountain stream flowed through the front.

What’s a favorite childhood memory of yours, Hillora? Did you enjoy the outdoors?

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I remember going camping in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York every summer, and living like a wild thing. I still feel most happy and nurtured in the wide woods, and live in a very secluded country setting even now. Cities are so unnatural and foreign for me that I stay away from them as much as possible. Even growing up, I knew that someday I wanted to live in a cave in the woods surrounded by animals - and look! there am I!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Adirondack mountains? Ah…beautiful!
Image source

And cave…Here we are!were!
Image source

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I was wondering where Hillora was; and she’s just sent me a short note to say that she’s offline right now. But she’ll be back as soon as possible to respond to her messages.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Dear Hillora,
Hi and welcome and good to get to know you! I’m rather new to this group and you are the first person of the month I actually took a closer look at - not even, I basically read this thread and its part 1 and looked at your profile briefly (will be back!) and wow, you seem like such an interesting person! I can’t wait to hear/read more about you. I’m glad you’re enjoying Gaia so much.

And by the way - I’m a big stationary and an even bigger cat lover, too. I started “pen palling” when I was in primary school but even before I did I collected pretty rubber stamps, special pens and pencils and beautiful letter pads. The stationary section in stores is still hard for me to pass by even though unfortunately I hardly ever write letters any more and stopped being creative with pens and pads. I still buy pretty stationary and cards.
Cats I’ve lived with since I was 4 and couldn’t do without. Currently, I can’t live with my cat because I’m living abroad and I miss him terribly. I dream of cats almost every night. Always. Kudos for the great work you’re doing!
And for being so open and appreciative of having been diagnosed with Aspergers. I remember how many many years ago, on a ferry boat from Sweden to Germany, I read a article in a magazine about an autistic boy. I was so fascinated by it. I don’t know what it was but it just spun around in my head for a very long time. I hadn’t heard of Aspergers until recently when it “was featured” in a German soap opera (erm, yes, a bit sad maybe that this has become a source of information for me). Will be happy to learn more about it by reading your entries.

Thanks for being here!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Thanks, Jenny! While I was “away” an article about the cat sanctuary came out in our local newspaper. I’m going to try to paste the link here, as well as to a couple of other articles about me and my endeavors recently. Hope you like them!

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20070321/NEWS/703210326

Oh, well - it looks like I could only copy one link at a time. I’ll put the others on my profile page shortly…

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hillora’s still off-line; we’ll continue her feature till she returns.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Just wanted to thank you, Hillora, for an outstandingly wonderful dialogue with you this month. You have been so generous in sharing yourself deeply with us, and we are all enriched and expanded because of that. Plus, it was all fun for all of us, including you I think, which is super !!

We’re going to keep track of you, and look forward to your continued contributions all over Gaia, and may you discover even more great places and great people here, and may you come to love this place as much as I do !!

Hugs, OM Bastet

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Thank you, OM, for your warmth and blessings! I have really enjoyed it all on Gaia. In fact, I am delivering a speech accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation tomorrow night in my Intro to Communications class, entitled A Better Way of Social Networking for Ourselves and for Our World. If I can figure it out, I’ll add it to my profile page for your edification (it contains several pictures which I found surfing the Web, which were posted by more talented people than I!).

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Yes, that’s what it’s about. To know that each of us is featured on Gaia through our blogs, profile, comments, photos and links. And we can stay in touch with each other that way. How strange it seems when a friend goes off-line! And yet this is something that can happen at any time, and we’ve to use various ways while waiting.

I’m off to message Hillora, as she may be able to get an email notification.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

It does feel strange…thats how used to reading and connected we all become.What a beautiful thing that wide range of connectivity,with profiles,blogs, photos and pods to to visit and read about life…share life stories with dear friends…sitting on the porch of Gaia..more Chai ?…..waiting creates patience…14kbyts is a test ….Chai is good……….miss you Hillora…

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi Hillora, Meenakshi and everyone else here. 
I have been finding it hard to keep on top of whats going on in Gaia and totally forgot this group. My work and study and family all have a bit to do with that. I also sometimes find navigating around Gaia especially when my computer is on a ‘go slow’ a little difficult. But I’m glad I found my way back  here. What a wonderful conversation. I’m wagging work again for the morning because am finding everything overwhelming and my neice from England has arrived and I want to spent some time with her  before she flies out again.
Just wanted to say that I think you Hillora have so much talent and its great you have been given the opportunity to express it here.
Its also interesting to meet the wonderful people who have been drawn to comment here. 
Sorry I waited till the end before I connected but I know we are all here to catch up with anyway.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Thanks for keeping my seat warm…The Chai is delicious, and just the thing to warm my frozen fingers on such a cold day! Will this winter never end? I think that I’ve solved my “connectivity” problems at last, and have my restored computer back in my eager hands! I have to tell you all how amazingly interconnected all of the strands of my life have become…Each class at college overlaps its subject matter with the others, from Humanities to Sociology to Communications, then connects to Gaia, and to my Buddhist practice, and to the cat sanctuary, and on and on. This life is such a blessing!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

brought the chai tea…
for refills.  Welcome back.  I am over here to catch up on your articles. ~K

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Mmmm! Good! The sun is just setting here, dropping slowly behind the horizon beyond the brown grass and freezing water of the saltmarsh behind Figure Eight Island. I’m going to spend a short while longer here at my cat-sitting home, before packing up the ‘puter and heading home through the cold. Brrr!!! But I’ll be back tomorrow, I am VERY happy to say! Take care!

Loving the tea set!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Your connectivity problems helped me to start a discussion here [could’ve sworn I posted this here a while back!]. If you have some thoughts to add there, it’d help.


Open doors and windows:offline<—>online

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I have discovered that using Mozilla Firefox gets me on whereas Internet Explorer does not.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hi, Hillora - interestingly, using my Mac laptop - I have weird glitches on Gaia with Firefox right now - Safari is working better for me.  


So who knows - I do like Firefox a lot - but flipping between them at least gives me a work around.


peace -


Sylvia

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

I sure am glad you discovered something that works, Hillora!

I’m having to use IE for some things, FF for others, and Chrome for yet others. No one does it all here in Gaia right now. Bummer !!!!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

What is Chrome? I haven’t heard of that one…

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Firefox works very well for me, actually. Still exploring Chrome–here’s a link to a group here, Hillora.

Chrome Browser User Group

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

and for those with Mac there is a new beta test on Apple for Safair 4

press picture
I have been using it for 2 days with no glitches and you can see all of your history in pictures on the browser.  Its still in test mode but like Crome… a  new toy that helps navigating the Gaia site easier.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Arrrgh! After the virus which bolloxed up my ‘puter, and getting it repaired/reloaded, with windows 2003 instead of my windows 2007, and today trying unsuccessfully yo reload my 2007 (seven hours in Hell!) I am going to try to beat the oncoming rainstorm home and put away the bag of deer feed which I left on the patio… Thanks for program info!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Dear dear, Hillora, so sorry to hear of your computer woes !!!

If you didn’t make it in time to keep the deer feed bag dry, I am sure the deer will help you clean up the wet mess, hahahaha.

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Now I begin to understand the urge to chuck one's computer out of a third-floor window! I actually got so desperate that I went and bought a new 'puter yesterday, which I'll be returning tomorrow. Impulsive, yes!!! (or desperate…) But luckily when I got home, I found that the program had FINALLY loaded (only five hours it took!). So I'm keeping the old workhorse - for now!

The rain never materialized, so I got the feed inside safely. The poor deer are so hungry that they've started coming into my garden and browsing on the trillium and other plants, so I'm putting out hay as well as the corn now. I love knowing that while they're feeding on my handouts - and garden! - they are keeping their distance from Men with Guns. This is a sanctuary, after all, for everyone!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Yeah, there's a computer store here in Seattle that sells refurbished PC desktops for $100 (probably without any software loaded.) They are becoming almost disposable, haha.

Good thought about the deer. I love knowing that, too – that they are in a safer place when at your place.

Hugs, OM

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Hillora, whenever you're ready with those links… You do such unusual things: feeding deer and feral cats. What a combo! You 're an angel to them, that's for sure.

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

After much travail (and numerous failed attempts on my part) here are the article links (cross your fingers, squint you eyes, and…)
<br /><br />

 

 
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090228/ARTICLES/902282986

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20081110/ARTICLES/811100301

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080319/NEWS/803190346

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20070321/NEWS/703210326

 Hooray! I did it!!!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Wow! This has been such a wonderful experience, being the Featured Member for February (and beyond…). I have really enjoyed this, getting to know everyone and sharing my “wisdom” (gag! choke!giggle!). This has been a real honor for me, and it helped me to define a little more of who and what I am - always a good thing! And despite the limitations of my computer and access problems, I think it's been fairly productive and interesting, for me at least! I am looking forward to seeing where my Gaia friendships go next, and hope that you'll all be on the journey with me. Blessings to all!!!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

What a gift you're leaving this feature with, Hillora. How completely lovely to see your photo and read about you. I've just seen the first one, but had to come and say that you have been such a lovely, engaged guest on this Feature.

I have enjoyed getting to know you better, and you have shown the many reasons that you are so inspiring and delightful. I know that the friendships you've started will stay with you and journey with you; and even those who just read this thread in future, will know that they met a completely unique and amazing human being.

Hillora, you are
Helper extraordinaire to wild animals
Inspiring to all on Gaia
Loving and
Lively
Optimistic
Responsive and
Awesome!

You know, even though I 'll keep speaking to you; I”ll really miss this feature with you. You really are special.

And as it says on your status: Please join me! http://www.teafortwo.info

I will!

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Yes, High Fives all around. So long, but not Goodbye. It's been absolutely wonderful, this shared conversation with you Hillora, and everyone, and I feel very happy about it all. It was broadening and delightful.

See you around Gaia, Hillora !!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Feb Feature2: Exploring Gaia with Hillora!

Blessings to you all!!!