Ancient Mystic


The Goddess Flora


Flora, Roman Goddess of flowers, begins her appearance in the spring soon after the first frosts melt, with the appearance of the crocus. The festival of Floralia is still celebrated from April 28th through May 1st,
and has a correlation with the May Day festivals of pagans everywhere. It is a fertility rite associated with both sisters, Flora for the birth of the flowers and Fauna for the birth of the spring lambs and other animals.

In Roman mythology, Tellus, Goddess of the Earth had the two daughters, and they had small temples for bringing flowers and small animals for honouring their contribution to the plants and animals that made up the food stores for the people of Rome. (Tellus is closely associated with the Greek Goddess Ceres and has her own festival held from January 24-26 to set out offerings that the frozen ground would once again yield food for the coming year.) Flora is also identified with the Greek Goddess Chloris (See where we get the name "Chlorophyll"? The naturally occurring chemical that causes plants to grow green.)

Fauna is associated with the Greek mother earth Gaia Goddess and had temples built in her honour as early as 268 BCE, or Before Common Era, which is a term largely, used by pagans and neopagans everywhere who choose to use it rather than B.C., or "Before Christ". The Goddess Fauna has her own festival which is called Fordicidia and is traditionally held on April 15th, when cows are just getting ready to bear their calves.

A very simple way for today's practitioners of the mother earth faith is to celebrate Imbolc on February 2nd (The Roman Catholic Church changed it to "Groundhog Day" when they were trying to convert pagans to Christianity. It was thought that if they were allowed to keep some of their holidays and simply twist them slightly it would make the conversion easier) to observe that the winter was ending, and to celebrate both Flora and Fauna along with other fertility

Goddesses on May Day May 1st every year as a symbol and hope that the coming months would bring fertility and prosperity. Flora, Roman Goddess of flowers, is honoured during these celebrations with the wearing of a crown of flowers in the hair; while Fauna is honoured with the letting loose of rabbits (Hmmm Easter bunnies?)

By: Kirk VandenBerghe & Sandy Breckenridge of HeartCore Corporation

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net



May Issue 2010 - Contributors

Contributors

May Issue 2010

In Alphabetical Order

Anne Maura

Ansa Edim

Bob Formisano

Brandon

Chris Reynolds

Christopher Scafidi

Clare Jackson

Dave Berry

Debra Young

Donna Kaye

Edain McCoy

Gregory K.

Helen Heard

Janice Collins

Jessica Simpson

Judi Rosen

Kara Elsberry

Kirk VandenBerghe

Liz

Louise Kana

R. Morgan Griffin

Robert Kilian

Rosemary Peters

Sandy Breckenridge

Sky Tayler

Suzzane McNab

Tarah DeSantis

Tilly Rivers

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out

www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Release a Balloon


June 14 2010

Release a balloon day.

Pick your favorite color of balloon; write the name of the person you have lost due to cancer on the balloon and at exactly 6 PM EST- release that balloon at the end of your driveway! Let's fill the sky with color for all those who fought, and are fighting Cancer. Let's show them that we will NEVER forget their courage. PLEASE pass this along!

Thoughts From An Empty Mind



Thoughts From an Empty Mind

Relationships...Part One...What is a Relationship After All?

It will be harder than we thought it would be when it started. It is more than compromise. It is embracing our differences. Respecting each other's values. Listening to each other's hearts and allowing for tenderness towards each other. There has to be humor in life and in relationships. We have to see the lighter side and the silver lining or we are hopelessly under some serious cloud cover.

Copyright@2004 Judi Rosen

"A Summer in the City by the Sea"

Relationships...Part Two...The Truth of the Matter

We are all looking for a man or woman who will challenge and inspire us intellectually; a mate who will ignite the Roman candles of passion in our soul, and allow us to pursue our own agenda, as we allow them to pursue theirs, ready to compromise rationally when there are conflicts, as there inevitably will be; a playmate who is in touch with his child/animal at his core and ready to let that feral creature romp with our child/anima, climbing mountains, swimming seas, having sex, pushing the envelope of the male/female connection. Or, to borrow Yeat's metaphor, "to be the dancer who leads me into the dance of life". D. H. Lawrence came up with the best metaphor for an ideal relationship -- "two separate planets, locked in a mutual orbit". Between the ideal couple there is powerful, undying attraction, but no abdication of identities. You have to be happy together and happy apart. Too many people look to their mate to fill up holes in their life and holes in their hearts. That never works. Your love and loyal support should strengthen and refresh your mate to fight their own battles, but they have to be fought alone.

If you can share a good bottle of wine, a conversation that seemingly never wants to end, that feels as effortless and playful as two dolphins sporting together, that opens minds and eyes to truths you'd always known, but were now being made to understand, as if for the first time, through the honest passion and clear vision of another.

Then the intellectual and the physical part are easy. After a month or two together, you can tell almost for certain, if you have found someone who will always fulfill you on these two planes. Either you delight as much in hearing their thoughts as they delight in hearing yours, or not. Either you can satisfy each other sexually, or not. That's the easy part. The hard part is whether you are compatible spiritually...whether your mate can allow you to fulfill your own agenda and you can allow them to fulfill theirs. This is because the workings of the human heart are such a mystery. No one really knows exactly why we do what we do or feel what we feel. We all spend our lives trying to figure this out. We get glimpses of the truth, and come to partial understandings, but the soul remains, on the whole, a mystery. The only way to discover if you are truly compatible with someone on this level is to live together and find out if it works on a day to day basis. And even then, you can't be certain, because people change. Some things you just have to take on faith.

~Judi Rosen~

Copyright@2004 Judi Rosen

"A Summer in the City by the Sea"

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to recieve your free copy of MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net


That's The Spirit

It is that time of year again. If you are Canadian eh, the good ol’ May two four weekend signals the arrival of summer. Cottagers and campers head off in hopes of warm temperatures, blue skies and that crisp fresh wilderness air. So what shall we take along to keep our “spirits” high? Here is what I would bring;

Beer:

Canned variety and lots of it! For me it is king cans of Budweiser. It brings me back to my childhood when we would venture to Traverse City Michigan and spend two weeks camping at the State park. It is a traditional US style lager, but brewed in Ontario.

It is light golden in colour, lightly hoppy and malty with a light body. Goes great with everything. It is a great camping lager! Plan on 1 case per day. A great place to keep it cool is a stream or do the city thing and bring a large cooler full of ice.

Carolyn’s Irish Cream:

When camping I like to start my day with a “special” coffee. My excuse is unlike milk or cream Carolyn’s doesn’t need to be kept cool so it doesn’t go bad. I find Carolyn’s a little smoother than most and less expensive than the bigger brand. One glug in my coffee and my morning starts off just right by the fire!

Mott’s Classic Caesar: If beer isn’t your thing there is nothing like a spicy Caesar. Motts Clamato spicy Casear comes in a can for weekends like these. They are lighter than the glass version and are ready to drink instead of mixing it from scratch. Some of you will still want to bring along the celery and rimmer but I am roughing it!

Smirnoff Ice:

At this point many of you are still looking for something that is portable and light and still has that sweet overtone. Smirnoff Ice is the answer. Available in cans (you must be getting the theme by now) this cold shot of sweet love will keep you happy. A winner with the ladies from the day it was released. It citrus flavours and nose are very refreshing. Buy lots to share and keep them chilled.

Boxed Wine:

Many wine aficionados turn there nose up at boxed wine but for camping there is nothing better. It is light, will last, and doesn’t require a corkscrew, not to mention easy to dispose of the empties. My choice is Three Thieves Bandit Pinot Grigio. It will go with many a meal, is good on its own and will satisfy many a palate. I recommend getting some good plastic glasses for the trip. It is straw coloured, lightly sweet with apple and pear notes. You may need 2 to 3 boxes to get you through the weekend!

As always enjoy responsibly, share with friends and clean up the campsite. Be good to nature and we will all have a better life.

Cheers!

Clare Jackson

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM go to http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/


Sweet Nothings

Coyote Run - Can a moment in time change a life time?

Jacqueline stood gazing through the huge bay window at the cattle yard in the clearing. Three cowboys were mulled together, riding in on magnificent black stallions.

As they dismounted she was able to study them more thoroughly. Hats, jeans, boots, silver spurs - they wore the typical cowboy garb. Of the three, one had claimed preferential attention. He was taller and more muscular than his companions and appeared to be in charge. Could this be Trent Cannon, she silently pondered, the owner of Coyote Run?

Jacqueline faded into the massive den, her blue eyes fastening onto the two small children playing by the empty fireplace. Their mother, Sari Longfellow had hired her to piece together the family memoirs jumbled inside of the huge chest in the attic at Coyote Run. A work area had been established for her benefit which included a large oak desk, overhead lighting and a miniature library which she intended to stock with personal research material.

Sari had vanished into the kitchen, wanting to speak with the housekeeper regarding the evening meal. She had suggested that Jacqueline wait in the den, telling her that the ranch house was a vast structure and she didn't want her getting lost before she had even started the project. Sari had promised a lengthy tour of the house after dinner.

Jacqueline liked Sari, a tall blond-haired woman who spoke her mind. Sari and her two children were staying with her brother Trent while her husband was on a two-week business trip and she had decided this to be an opportune time to oversee the project. Jacqueline looked forward to working for her.

The children, Chelsea and Jeremiah were admiring an exquisite glass bull which they had removed from the fireplace mantle aided by an overstuffed velvet chair. Jacqueline smiled as she watched the young siblings.

"Look, Jeremiah! You can see through him," Chelsea pointed out to her small brother and he anxiously helped her steady the glass object. She continued, "He's like a looking glass...all but his two blue eyes."

Jeremiah's small hands reached out to poke at the embedded blue stones, unintentionally knocking it from his sister's grasp.

Jacqueline watched helpless as the glass collided with the stone fireplace and shattered into a thousand pieces.

Chelsea jumped from the chair, assessing the damage and little Jeremiah went into a crying fit, his voice sounding over-developed for a five year old. It was deep and very loud.

"Chelsea! Don't move!" Jacqueline cautioned, going to the child as swiftly as possible, overstepping the glass - but not quite as she felt something pierce her foot through the soft sole of her shoe.

Ignoring the stab of pain she concentrated on the children's safety, re-anchoring Chelsea in the chair beside her brother.

"It's all right," she assured, patting their small hands for reassurance. "It was an accident. You aren't hurt, are you?"

They both managed to shake their heads negatively, Jacqueline relaxing in the process.

Chelsea swallowed hard and winced her tiny mouth telling her, "Uncle Trent is going to be so mad at us. Mean old Ms. Fargo got it for him."

Jacqueline tucked a strand of the child's hair behind her ear and asked, "Ms. Fargo?"

"His old girlfriend."

Jeremiah reached out and pulled Jacqueline's hand urgently, adding, "We can't ride the ponies now."

At that, they both started crying.

Jacqueline transferred them one by one to safety telling them, "Sure you can. I'll explain the accident to your uncle. Just don't worry about it anymore." Then, "Now scoot so I can clean up the glass before someone gets hurt.

"Gee, you're swell," Chelsea eased out, a smile lighting her face.

Jeremiah simply nodded his head in agreement, and then they both sped away, the matter of the bull completely forgotten.

She was picking up the larger pieces of the shattered bull when a deep voice greeted her from across the room. "Is everything okay?"

Jacqueline spun around, her eyes connecting with the cowboy whom she'd assumed earlier was Trent Cannon. My, up close he was a handsome brute

Trent narrowed his eyes, seeing the barrage of glass for the first time. He'd been too captivated with the lady's backside to notice until now.

"Whoops, you're in trouble now," he eased out and he watched her stiffen. Tall, too. He liked that.

"This isn't what it appears to be," she tried to explain, but he only waved her words aside.

"It's perfectly okay," he told her, coming towards her. "That crystal bull has been a thorn in my flesh for two long years. Reminds me of my old lead bull that died last spring. Same blue eyes." He paused and held out his hand, introducing, "Trent Cannon. And you're?"

Jacqueline accepted his hand, elating, "Jacqueline Roberts. Your sister, Sari hired me for the family project."

"Ah, yes," he nodded in realization. "Funny. I was expecting more of an old maid type rather than....well, we'll leave it at that."

Jacqueline's eyes were taking in every inch of his rock-hard body, locking her findings into memory. With effort she told him, "About this. The kids were curious and it was an accident. They were very upset about the loss and they fear that you'll ban them from the ponies."

"So - it was the little banshees," he laughed and Jacqueline found his laugh pleasing. In fact, she doubted if there was anything about this cowboy that she wouldn't find pleasing.

Trent eased out, "I don't know why they would think I'd be angry. It was an accident."

Jacqueline eased out, "The children said it was a gift from your girlfriend, Ms. Fargo." She nervously shifted her foot, a pain shooting up her leg and she expelled a cry.

“She managed to gaze down at him, for she had been in a great deal of pain just before he had secured the glass. "Thank you, Mr. Cannon-"

"Trent," he told her. "As far as the lady killer goes-"

"Lady Killer?"

"Ms. Fargo," he elated, his mouth dusted with a mocking smile. "It was a whirlwind relationship - hello, goodbye. What a nut. And yeah, she did make a gift of the bull, then sent me the bill for it shortly afterwards. It's been a family joke - so we'll have to find something else to josh about now."

Trent extracted the paisley banana from around his neck, then applied it to her foot to stop the bleeding, telling her, "It's clean." But his mind sure wasn't. He hadn't seen anything this pretty and good smelling since Ms. Raggedy's blue ribbon apple pie at the country fair last year.

"I think the bleeding has stopped," she eased out, glancing down at Trent's large hand which was lassoed around her slim foot.

But he didn't want to let go yet, Trent silently argued. She was soft. Beautiful, soft, sweet smellin'

He told her, "I'll call someone to clean this up, okay?"

Jacqueline nodded and was surprised as Trent inquired in an offhanded tone, "You married?"

She managed to negatively shake her head, flattered by his interest.

"Engaged?" he tacked on, wanting to cover all his bases.

"No. There's no one," she added, her mouth curving into a beautiful smile, her heart in her chest. She'd never met anyone so confident, so forward and determined. And she liked that.

"Well, let's see if I can change that," Trent told her, marvelling about the power of attraction.

Ten minutes earlier, he hadn't known Jacqueline existed. And now, well....he couldn't imagine his life without her. Let the journey begin.....

You okay, pretty lady?" Trent asked, looking at the glass on the floor, then scooping her up in strong arms. She was wearing soft soled shoes and he suspected that she may have already found a piece of stray glass.

Before Jacqueline knew what was happening, Trent had scooped her up in his arms, placed her in the velvet chair, removed her shoe and extracted a chard of glass

~Sky Tayler~

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

Pet Place


Pet Place

Buddies at first sight.

St. Bernard named Roux, a basic ingredient in all Cajun Cooking.

Boxer male Puppy, named Deuce, after New Orleans Saints Running Back.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Picture taken 15 minutes after dogs had first met.

Photo submitted by:

Christopher Scafidi

If you would like to have your pet featured in Pet Place send a picture, name(s) of pets and location to editor@mainstreetmagazine.net

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Pennies - Stories

The Flashlight and the Outhouse

When I was about seven years old, I had an unfortunate incident while camping involving a flashlight and an outhouse.
To make a long story short, I had to pee before going to bed. Being a kid
and lacking any common sense, I attempted to unzip my fly and pee while holding the flashlight in my hand.

Well, I fumbled the flashlight ended up in the deep void of the pit toilet.

Fearing I was in deep trouble, I broke down in tears as I walked back to the campsite
and prepared to break the news to my parents.

My mom was amused by the incident while my dad traumatized me further by threatening to lower me into the toilet to retrieve the still illuminated flashlight.

I still go camping with my parents every year
and three decades later, I am still reminded to not drop the flashlight in the outhouse. I am happy to say that is no longer an issue since I now use a headlamp.

And I will say that I am always sure that it’s snug on my head whenever I use the outhouse!

~Brandon~


We caught a... skunk?

My first camping trip was with my grandparents when I was five years old. They were determined that I should have the "ultimate camping experience." So, we went swimming in a lake, tried (unsuccessfully) to catch our dinner, and then tried (successfully - unfortunately) to catch a "pet."

My Poppa propped a box up on a forked twig, tied a string to the twig
and stuck a carrot underneath. Then we snuck back into the tent and waited for our rabbit to come. Finally we heard a noise! There was something in our box!

We pulled the string excitedly, proud that our plan had actually worked. And then we crept up on the box, gently raised the lid,
and got sprayed by a skunk. After that moment, the only thing I remember is bathing in tomato juice and have my sisters tease me for smelling bad.

My gr
andparents were shocked that I begged them to go camping again, and even more shocked that my parents agreed after the fiasco on our first trip. But although it had a pretty stinky ending, my trip is definitely memorable.

~Liz~

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Moving Forward

Are You Green With Envy?


Have you ever been jealous of a friend? Do you dwell on envy or jealousy instead of focusing on your own life? Jealousy may be a natural emotion for many of us, but when you focus on the success of your peers too much; it becomes obsessive and detrimental to how you value your own life.

A good illustration is the movie "Envy". In the movie, Tim and Nick are best friends, co-workers and neighbors. When Nick invents something that makes him rich, Tim is extremely jealous. He devotes his time trying to undermine Nick's success. Meanwhile, while Nick and his wife are enjoying their new riches and happiness, Tim's relationship with his wife and family is falling apart. He can't concentrate on anything but his neighbor's success, and consequentially, his own life is falling apart. This is an example of how uncontrolled jealousy can be detrimental to your health, life, and happiness.

Concentrate On Your Emotions
What is causing your jealousy or envy? Why are you jealous? It is likely that a lack of self-confidence is the source behind your envy. Step back and take a look at your own feelings. If you are insecure, the lives of other people may seem glamorous when you feel you have nothing to brag about. Remember that while you're angry at something someone else has, the reverse may be true: there may be people who covet something you have!

Channel Your Jealousy
Instead of wallowing in jealousy or envy, use your friend's success as inspiration to create your own! Use your jealousy as motivation to move you into action. If you're jealous of a fit person, begin an exercise routine. If you're jealous of a coworker who was recently promoted, ask your supervisor what you can do to get promoted as well and work towards that goal. You, too, can be moving up the career ladder, but you have to be open to change and constructive criticism.

Count Your Blessings
Envy is shallowness. You're focusing too much on material things rather than the quality of your life in other terms. Think rich not wealthy. When you're wealthy, you have a lot of money. When you're rich, you're rich in many other things: relationships, family, career, quality of life, and the list can go on and on. Think of what you have to be happy about instead of what others have. You will be surprised at how many blessings you can count!

Think of The Negative Side
Envy is painful, self-destructive, and self-inflicted. No one can make you jealous; you are the one who thinks jealously. As mentioned above, try to ignore those envious tendencies and focus more on your own life and success stories. Envy is definitely self-destructive. You may become obsessive, following the progress of and living vicariously through someone else. You have your own life to live, so stay positive!

You Are Unique
Admiration does not have to mean envy. Instead of wishing you were in their position, be happy for them. Say "Good for you!" and move on. Don't live in constant comparison with others. Don't compare yourself or your achievements, don't judge yourself that way. You are different and no one should be compared to you. You cannot be someone else; you can only be yourself. So work on being the best "you" that you can be! Cherish your individuality. Remember that, people will always have you will want, but focusing on that want can bring you down. Instead, focus on your personal strengths. Focus on your own goals, ambitions, and dreams.

~Ansa Edim~

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the May Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises


To learn how to get your free copy of
MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net