And, Now I Am God?

 I don't think so. However, there is a lady in Indiana who must be under that illusion.

As many of you know, I have an Etsy shop that started as a store front for my photography. These days it has morphed into a showcase for my art. But, I digress.

This Hoosier purchased a needle point pattern of a picture of a "Sharry Baby Orchid". As soon as the purchase went through I sent her a digital file (via the email listed on her invoice). This file included the pattern of the image, the image itself, and a list of color threads that would be needed. I did not hear from her for over a week. And, I didn't think anything of it.

Well, that was until I received an email from her today. "Hi Ann, I bought it wrong. Can I return it?" I replied asking what the issue was. Did she intend to buy a copy of the photograph? Did she want a painting of the photograph? Did she select the wrong image?

Imagine my surprise when she replied: "[When I] Search for the name of the plant and think it shows that it is a living plant."

I went back to reread the listing to make sure there was no confusion in the description. There is no reference to a live plant. There is nothing that would lead someone to infer that I was selling a plant. On the list of "Item Overview", the first line reads "Handmade Item". It continues to list it as a painting, a photograph, an original piece of art work, a needle work pattern. I was confused.

When I replied to the customer that the description was very clear and no where in it was a reference to a living plant, etc. the customer sent an email back stating, "I didn't pay attention to shopping on this website for the first time."

It went back and forth, with each message from the customer asking for a refund. Finally I granted the refund, stating that I did not think I was required to do so, since the description was clear and the customer plainly stated that she didn't pay attention, but I would do so anyway.

As I read through the thread of emails, I came to the conclusion that since the customer commented that the listing appeared to be a living orchid plant and it is clear in the item overview that it is a "Handmade Item", I must be God, the creator of heaven and Earth. Well, at least on the third day when God created the dry land, seas, plants, and trees. 

However, since I am a mere mortal, unable to create any carbon based item, the world must settle for my art. The world goes on and the customer received her full refund, which was much a do over $8.95. 

More than Energizer's Bunny

 I often feel as if I am having a 'low energy day'. This can be due to bad karma, lack of sleep, or just plain laziness. But, in truth, in addition to my PF Flyers (which gave me energy to run faster and jump higher),  just what is energy?

According to the Chinese we all operate on "Energy".  Biologists have known for centuries that the human body runs on energy from the calories we consume. In America, unfortunately some of us consume more calories than we can use. In my case I blame this on a genetic disposition I inherited from extremely large great aunts I had on both sides of the family. No offense Auntie and Aunt Ginny - God rest your souls. But, I digress.

There is Cosmic Energy,  thought to be a vital source that animates all forms of life and maintains the balance of the entire cosmos. 'Cosmic' being the English translations of the Hindu term shakti.

The study of physics is based on the the Seven Forms of Energy: Mechanical, Heat, Chemical, Electrical Radiant, Nuclear, and Sound. Perhaps I could expound on these theories had I paid more attention in Mr. Hall's 8th grade Physics' class.

Then there is Esotericism, the belief that inner and secret forms of spirituality and alternative  medicine  that defy measurement are distinguished from the scientific form of energy." This is  exemplifed by Wicca's "Cone of Power,  Voodoo's belief of universal energy (that a soul that can leave the body during dreams and spirit possession), and the Christians' belief in the spiritual and healing powers from the energy of God.

So our world, as well as our souls, are at the mercy of energy, whether from Butter and Bacon, Shakti, Einstein, Minerva, Glenda, or God Almighty. 

May the Force be with you.

God is a Man

 If you ever questioned the gender of God (as in the God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth), there is little doubt in my mind that God is a man. Now, I do not base this on the male identity assigned to him in the Bible, or God Forbid (no pun intended) that he is a he because the Bible says so, rather I consider his actions. 

Take child birth for instance. If God were a woman, this would be a condition regulated to both sexes. She would want the man to truly appreciate the pain and agony of birth. Not that women do not appreciate or love the joy of bringing a new life into the world, why limit the joy and pain to one gender.

If God were a woman, there would be no disparity among the genders. The centuries of women being socially and politically held down by men, would never have been an issue. There would be equality among the genders. All people, male and female, would have every opportunity known to man. Those last words, just another reference to the domination of men. If God were a woman, the reference of "mankind" would most likely be "to men and women". Should we applaud the term "mankind" as the inclusion of the female gender  - as a kind of man? I think not. The references never end.

Speaking of the the male tense. If God were a woman would the Declaration of the United States state "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . . "  I doubt it. Neither the words "woman" nor "she" are mentioned in the text of that document. 

As for the US Constitution,  the Equal Rights Amendment (the ERA) was first drafted in 1923, it took until 1972 before the amendment to the US Constitution was passed by the (predominantly male) Congress. Finally in 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Amendment, the number needed to enact the law. However, in the long 49 year arduous process, 5 states have since rescinded their ratification. Most stating that the amendment is unnecessary, that women are included in the reference of "Man". Isn't that magnanimous of them. 

Oh, there have been considerations, such as "Lady Liberty". Not to mention hurricanes that were all given female names. Well, that was until 1978 when male names were added to the rotation as a notion of "equality".

Which brings us to the question of "Mother Nature" and "Mother Earth".  These references date back to the wisdom on the Mycenaean Greeks in 12th or 13th century BC. However, once again, these personifications refer to the planet Earth, a small speck in the cosmic world, unlike the almighty God, who reigns over the entire universe.  

In Genesis 1:27, it reads "So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him". According to the Bible woman was an afterthought, created from the rib of the male. Perhaps in his own wisdom, God foresaw procreation, and needed someone else to handle that burden.

Don't get me wrong I am not a feminist, just someone opining on the state of the universe. However, one must remember, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature". But then again, that was from a commercial for margarine, an imitation of butter. At least women are given credit in this instance of sense and good taste.