June Ahern's Blog, page 29
January 30, 2011
A Special Read - Give-Aways
January 27, 2011
There's Names & Then There's Names.
When I was young I didn't like my name and told my mother so. She suggested I change it. I tried out Jackie (Jackie Kennedy was the first lady then) but ended up keeping June, my name.
Having the same name as a month encourages a lot of teasing. I've heard all the jokes about that plus being serenaded the June songs – "June is bursting' out all over!" And, June Bug - pllleeaaazzzz.
There was a big hoopla from my birth about my name. My father didn't like it either. He would say that it was a pagan, a heathen name and not a saint's. Later in life I told him that I'd be the first Saint June. Of course I didn't say that I'd not be a Catholic one, but a Wiccan/pagan saint. I'm working on it..and my novel, The Skye in June, was created from that family story.
What's the story behind your naming?
Our names have meaning. Mine, besides being the sixth month of the year, is derived from the Roman goddess Juno, the goddess of marriage – the Great Juno Moneta guarded over the finances of the empire and had a temple on the Arx, which was the mint. I'd like to be Mama Bank. June also means youth – again, me… forever young. What does your name mean?
How do you feel about your name? Say your name aloud a few times, in different tones and inflections. Sit quietly and chant it softly. Feel the vibration within your body. Now say it out.
Does it ring true for how you think or see yourself? Your name has a power and the sound of it influences the ears of those who hear it. They "see" you through hearing your name. Tomorrow change the way you say your name and be aware of any other kind of reaction from people. Let me know how it goes.
Many people have changed their names by choosing a new one or shortening the original name to match their self –image. This also influences the reactions from others toward them.
What does your name say about you? In numerology my name is a number five. J 1 + U 3 + N 5 + E 5 = 14 = 5.
The number five denotes change, flexibility, movement, and can be scattered and chaotic at times. Also is associated with adventure, travel, education and flux. I must say that it does describe my personality. My maiden name also totals a number five.
I like to match the numbers with the tarot cards' major arcane symbols. My name would look like this:
I wonder what your name would look like?
BOOK READERS IN UK - Goodreads.com for a free copy of my novel, The Skye in June. Details at www.juneahern.com
January 20, 2011
I'm a Bleepin' Bloggin' Failure
I learned something today - I'm a blogging failure. I didn't follow the rules - again. Will I ever learn?
I read that to gain an audience - readership - for your blog, you have to blog daily! You have to let your readers know they can count on you to show up and tell all, complain, blame, shame, opinionate! and please, do bare your deepest darkest secrets and greatest dreams and wishes. This way you connect with your readers or some might hate you or your opinions enough to comment. After all it's about comments. Of course most readers of one's blogs, don't comment.
Just do it consistently - each day - okay, take a weekend off - go on vacation - MAYBE.
Jeez! There's that consistent thing again! It haunts me, more than my worst vampire entity does. Up until last week I used to point my Gemini fingers - blaming the "twins' two minds" many thoughts, which way they go - and my standard "here today, gone today, round n' round I go. " Why take my readers down that rambling path of my inconsistent thoughts? 
Can't blame the twins anymore with the newfound astrology news: I'm now a Taurus - - s-l-o-w and c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t - there's no reason for not blogging everyday, or even once a week.
Maybe I just don't think all my daily life and thoughts - which are numerous - need to be laid out each and every day. I do have a life, as scattered as it might be and I know my readers have a life outside the blogging world of "here's my pain, here's my insight, here's my gripe". They don't need to check in with me everyday - they're not my mother.
p.s. Daily Bloggers - remain a bit of a mystery. Maybe a friend will call to hear all about your day.
Off to cast a spell. Did you read an excerpt from my novel yet? See Wicked Behavior At Holy Savior to your left and Eureka! San Francisco at my site www.juneahern.com - My novel's an ebook at Smashwords.com- & kindle at Amazon.
January 3, 2011
Old, New & Whatever 2011
I've got some ideas of what 2011 can be like for me if I square away my plan and set it's course.
Old Goals With New Focus: Step up the stairs Step by Step
Be consistent with blogging - stay on a weekly schedule. I was reminded by blogger Julie Hubert, Big Girl Bombshell. Julie and I will be doing a radio show on Sunday, January, 23 '11 - 8 to 10 p.m. PST - KGGV. 95.1, The Bridge, Guerneville, CA - She Said - Women Writers with host Berdalee (Roberta Schepps) to discuss the plus size for blogging as a platform for authors - especially self-published ones. This will be a very educational and fun show! The show streams - please join us!
Resume book parties. I took a "wee break" but on the road again and with bonny Scotland as my focus. So many of my readers there have been encouraging me to "come back hame."
Weekly writing on the sequel of my book - another request often made by readers of my story. They wanna know - what then?
This will be set around an easy to manage schedule, one of my most important New Year's goal. I'llfollow my own advise - sfcoaching.com/ask the coach
New Goals: Be Adventurous 
• Long overdue and much requested: work on a CD of The Skye in June
• Vbook on YouTube as my audience love the Scottish brogue when I read from the book. Do you know what the Scottish phrase "sair fecht" means? I have many Scottish wording in the novel.
Dear Readers - which chapter would you like me to read from?
OH! And for pete's sake, June! Get that 2011 Winter predictions on your blog, will ya?
I have the visions, now must type them for you. Are you ready to know?
December 31, 2010
Hogmanay - Scottish New Year
Hogmanay (pronounced hugmene) is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year's Eve and Day in the Scottish manner. It is, however, normally only the start of a celebration which lasts through the night until the morning of New Year's Eve and Day.
There are specific rituals and special foods as the shortbread to the left. More about rituals and foods are in my excerpt from my novel below.
The Hogmanay custom of singing "Auld Lang Syne" " has become common in many countries. "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional poem reinterpreted by Robert Burns , which was later set to music. It is now common for this to be sung in a circle of linked arms that are crossed over one another as the clock strikes midnight for New Year's Day, although it is only intended that participants link arms at the beginning of the final verse, coordinating with the lines of the song which contain the lyrics to do so. Typically it is only in Scotland this practice is carried out correctly.
People travel to Scotland from all over the world to participate in the country's special holiday.
As a Scottish immigrant living in San Francisco my family celebrated Hogmanay – Scottish New Year with many rituals and special foods. I had to include it in my book.
Excerpt from 'THE SKYE IN JUNE" by J. Ahern
Hogmanay in San Francisco
Cathy dunked her cloth into the bucket and stopped washing the bay windows as she meditated over the soapy bubbles and remembered past New Year's Eves in Scotland. The days before the event were always very busy with giving the house a thorough cleaning, as was the tradition. It was thought that starting the New Year with a tidy and neat house would bring good luck. Besides hauling the carpets downstairs to the backyard for a hard beating to clean them, all bedding and curtains were taken to the steamie, as Laundromats are called in Scotland. On the family's last Hogmanay in Glasgow, it was decided that Annie was old enough to help out while Granny B watched the young bairns. Cathy and Annie pushed the baby pram[1] crammed full of curtains and linens along the streets, meeting other mothers and daughters on the same journey.
After waiting in line in the December chill they bought a ticket to enter the huge steamy room, smelling of wet clothes and soap. The steamie was full of women and girls, laughing and gossiping as they scrubbed their laundry on the washing board. Piece by piece they scrubbed up and down in big sinks filled with hot water, and then wrung it all out by hand. They hung the laundry on wall racks for drying, and placed larger items in big, hot cupboards that were pulled out of the wall. The gossiping and joking never stopped. The work was hard, but the excitement of the upcoming holiday created a festive atmosphere.
In reflection, Cathy realized how much she missed those times, especially the companionship of her mother and sisters-in-law at the holidays. Still, she as was excited as the girls were about the party. With every wipe of the window, she assured herself that her family would be blessed anew.
A loud thump from her new Westinghouse washing machine on the back porch of the flat interrupted her daydream. The sheets must all be on one side, she thought as she tossed her washrag into the pail and went to deal with the problem.
# # #
June proudly presented Mrs. G with an invitation to their party. "It's for your whole family," she exclaimed.
Mrs. G accepted the invite, saying that she, her daughter Tesia and her son-in-law would be most honored to attend. Later that day Mrs. G insisted to Cathy that she and Tesia would like to help with the preparations. Cathy gladly accepted, relieved to have the women's help as the things that still needed to be done overwhelmed her.
Jimmy and Sandy painted the living room and hallway a fresh coat of white paint with deep green on the wainscot and molding. Cathy used Mrs. G's sewing machine to make drapes and curtains for the bay windows. She chose a rich burgundy color for the drapes that went well with the green paint and lacey white curtains that would go beneath them.
When all was finished, Cathy and Jimmy watched their girls dance around with glee, exclaiming, "We have a house like a rich person." They indeed felt richly blessed with their new life.
The most welcomed gift of all was Mrs. G's offer to make new holiday dresses for the girls. At first Cathy declined the generous offer, having noticed how easily the old woman tired. But Mrs. G insisted. She worked at her kitchen table making the dresses. June helped by running around the table and tidying up unused material and pieces of thread.
Once the dresses were finished, the old woman invited Cathy down to look at them. "I make a party dress for you, too," Mrs. G said, pointing to a dress hanging on the back of a door.
What Cathy saw, took her breath away. She ran her fingers gingerly over the fine French stitching on the hem of a dove-gray satin dress that had an authentic store-bought look. In an unusual display of emotion, Cathy threw her arms around the surprised old woman.
As the day grew closer to Hogmanay, they shopped up and down Castro Street for the essential ingredients for the special Hogmanay foods that they would make.
Laughter and gossip erupted anytime the kitchen door opened as the women prepared the feast. When Cathy related funny tales of the steamie, the other women laughed heartily. The girls listened with merry curiosity as the adults reminisced about "home," each telling her own story about life in Poland or Scotland.
With the cooking underway, Mrs. G and Tesia agreed with Cathy when she said it was good that the girls would learn the proper preparation of the Scottish foods.
"We must not forget our customs," Mrs. G said adamantly. The other women nodded their heads affirmatively at her wisdom.
When it was time to bake the sweets June helped Annie roll out the dough for the cookies with a large rolling pin that Granny B had gifted Annie, before leaving Scotland.
The girls happily tested the freshly baked buttery shortbread, sugar cookies and the Dundee cake—a Hogmanay special. Mrs. G showed them how to decorate the cookies with sugar frosting by dipping a butter knife into hot water and carefully running it over the top of the frosting to give it a shinny glaze.
"Mommy, see how fancy," Maggie said, surveying the platter of cookies.
The women sipped glasses of sherry that would later be used for making the trifle pudding, which was a favorite holiday dessert made with cake, peaches soaked in wine and boiled custard poured all over it.
The baked goods were stored away and attention was turned to the main courses. Stewed meat with thick brown gravy was placed into deep pans. Annie used Granny B's rolling pin to make a thin crust for the top of the pans. She then brushed a raw egg across the top so it would bake to a perfect golden brown, just the way Granny would have wanted it.
By the day of the party, steak pies, a large ham, the delicate trifle pudding and other delicious holiday foods lined the shelves in the Frigidaire, ready to be heated up when needed.
With the kitchen work finished, the girls hung colorful streamers throughout the flat, and dangled fun paper party hats from them. Jimmy held Maggie up to hang a piece of mistletoe at the front door. This custom was not for kissing, like at Christmas, but to prevent illness in the household.
It was a fun time in the MacDonald house. Since many of the guests also had young children, the party would start in the early afternoon of New Year's Day. The girls were so excited they stayed up until midnight, giggling and talking before falling asleep. The next morning they hurried home from the special New Year's Day Mass to change into their party clothes, readying themselves for the guests arriving at noon.
Cathy brushed each of the girls' hair until it shined, or, in June's case, laid down and stayed in place with two pretty yellow barrettes on each side. She decorated her other daughters' hair with ribbons the same color as their dresses.
Annie wore a forest-green dress with gold threads running through it. Maggie wore a dress of plush cranberry velvet, and Mary donned a soft champagne lace dress that emphasized the gold in her brown eyes.
"Oh Mary, we must get a picture of you for Granda! You look lovely," Cathy said.
June's royal blue tunic and white blouse vividly accentuated her blue eyes and red hair.
"Heel, toe, heel, toe," June said gleefully as she tap danced into the living room to show her father her new outfit.
"You're beautiful, pet!" he gushed over her.
June's heart soared, and her face radiated with joy from the rare kind attention from her father.
Cathy, too, had on her new dress. The dove-gray satin dress had three large onyx buttons on the bodice that ended at her waist, cinched smaller by a wide black belt. The skirt puffed out with help from the petticoat borrowed from Tesia. The wide v-neck collar showed off a necklace of cut glass that sparkled like diamonds. The necklace was a surprise Christmas present from Jimmy, who usually gave her practical gifts.
"Cocktail, honey?" Jimmy called out from the kitchen. The girls, who were in the kitchen opening Coca-Colas, giggled at his use of the word honey, an American endearment.
With her satin dress swishing, Cathy entered the kitchen. Jimmy whistled, "My God, woman, you look smashing! You'll be the belle of the ball," he kissed her cheek, not wanting to mess up her red lipstick.
The girls stared at their mother in awe. Maggie said she looked like a movie star.
With the chime of the doorbell, everyone ran off to greet the first guest. They hurried into position, eager to view the first footer waiting downstairs at the door to the building. They were ready for a dark-haired man to walk through the door, signaling good luck in the New Year. What they saw was Sandy's thinning blonde hair as he stepped over the threshold and into the lobby of the building.
"Sandy! For God's sake, get out, man!" Jimmy yelled down to him.
The mistake was Mark's fault.
It had been pre-arranged by Jimmy that the first foot would be Ian, a Scottish friend who was a tall man with black hair. But before Ian could step into the building, Mark had pushed ahead of him. As Sandy reached past Ian to pull his son back, he had stumbled through the door when it opened. As fate would have it, light haired, balding Sandy was the first person with a foot in the MacDonald's building on Hogmanay.
The girls hung over the banister booing boisterously at Mark as his father backed out, dragging his son by the scruff of the neck. Ian bounded up the stairs. Hoping to smooth over the error, he adamantly protested that he did indeed have the first foot in the flat. He handed Jimmy the traditional Hogmanay gifts.
"Fattie brattie Marky," said Maggie mockingly when Mark dashed by.
Huffing and puffing, Nancy arrived at the top of the landing and, in her loud American voice, scolded the Scots on how silly they were to be so superstitious.
A stout Scottish woman coming up behind her said, "Wheesht, silly woman."
At first, guests were a bit sober from the unexpected event but it didn't last for long. The adults soon had a few glasses of cheer and the party began.
More guests arrived, singing out the traditional Hogmanay greeting, "A good year to you!" They brought gifts of food and spirits—whiskey, malt beer and gin. As the day went on, the story about the blonde first foot made its rounds and the celebrators kidded about what kind of bad luck might befall the MacDonalds in the coming year.
Inspired, June rushed down the hallway and came back into the living room with the picture of her angel and a roll of Scotch tape. She asked Uncle Sandy to put it up on the wall. When it was secure, Ian's wife exclaimed, "Look. Doesn't it remind you of back home in Skye? Especially around the Dunvegan area?"
"Aye, could be. Och, with those flowers, could be anywhere in Skye," Sandy answered, returning to his plate of food and glass of whiskey.
June looked at him curiously, wondering, Flowers in the sky? Maybe Uncle Ian is like me. Maybe he can see things other people don't. She reminded herself to ask Mrs. G if she ever saw flowers in the sky.
The mood lightened and the singing of Scottish songs became the main activity. Each person had a turn to entertain by singing a favorite tune. Before the party ended, and in keeping with another Hogmanay tradition, the adults and children stood in a circle crisscrossing hands, right over left, and sang the famous Scottish song, "Auld Lang Syne." June was bewildered as the adults' laughing voices changed to sad tones. Some of the women cried openly as they sang together, "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and the days of auld lang syne!"
[1] Pram – Short for Perambulator; a large, ornate baby carriage.
For more excerpts Wicked Behavior at Holy Savior and Eureka! San Francisco please go to www.juneahern.com
December 29, 2010
The Pimp Got My Mojo Going
Recently I've thinking of casting a spell - one to clear up my writer's blog, to help my finish the sequel to my novel and give direction to the screenplay an actress asked me to write for her. I start, I stop, I sit, I lose confidence....
I need some passion, support, something - direction.
Will I get it in 2011?
To the Valley I go with my Pimp 
The spell must have been cast in the ethers and astro plane for a result manifested before I laid my altar and chanted the words.
It happened one stormy dark night (like two nights ago) as I was meandering through the web I came across a fun and for me, interesting blog page. It is for authors and I found some answers to my uncertainties. Reading Eric - the pimp, I guess you'd call him - helped me realize how out of it I've been as far as feeling like an author. Out of it especially since my sister's death in April - but the pimp put me back on the corner and I'm peddling my book The Skye in June again.
Long story longer...he had a contest for a guest blogger while he went on holiday. I wrote something, not really thinking I'd win (nor did I edit it). I did. Wow! So, Tuesday, January 6 come on over to Eric's stable of authors and read my blog on ebooks. Check it out the blog on Tuesday January 6, 2011 at Pimp My Novel
Wish me luck!
Please read a chapter of my book on links to left Wicked Behavior at Holy Savior and/or at my site www.juneahern.com = Eureka! San Francisco.
October 30, 2010
Talking to the Dead Halloween Ritual
Not if you follow some ancient beliefs about this special celebration. In ancient times Halloween (Holy Eve or All Hallows) and the days following November 1st - All Saints’ Day - November 2nd - All Soul’s Day or Day of the Dead, were more than fun; it was a sacred time of the year for people such as the Celts to honor their elderly, ancestors and dead. Festivities and rituals of these three days can be found in Celtic paganism history and later Catholicism holydays combined pagan beliefs with saints. In the Celtic pagan tradition it was thought that the veils between the two worlds - the living and dead - thinned so that spirits of the dead could float through or walk the earth to visit their living relatives. Then they crossed back over to the “underworld”.
During the spirits’ visit spooky things happened, as you can imagine. The living would dress-up in hopes that some spirits wouldn’t recognize and haunt them. But if they wanted the spirits to visit they would invite them with a similar ritual below.
To connect with the spirits of your loved ones to say hello and/or ask a question do this beautiful sacred ritual.
Gather: Pen (perhaps a favorite color) and paper
Flower – any kind
Photo of deceased
Incense – pleasant plus helps create a mood
Candles – white, black and orange – white – clear visions, black - spiritual unknown and orange for season and color of renewal
Burning vessel – ashtray or cauldron and matches
Glass or bowl of water – signifies the other world and also can douse any fire mishaps.
Sweet & beverage – Symbolic gesture for visiting spirit guests
Table or clothe on floor – to lay the above upon.
Chair - optional
Or you can do it simply by lighting a white candle, place it in a window along with a treats and add a chair for a spirit to sit and visit. Remember to snuff candle before leaving the room for the night.
For a few minutes quiet your self, then say, ‘Only good can enter herein.’ Perhaps add a prayer to the Divine to bring forth healing, loving energies to you and protect you from negative fearful thoughts and/or energies. After all it is Halloween and negative energies/entities can roam free along with your loved ones’ spirits.
Next - make a list of all of those who have passed, and how they affected your life. I write thanking my departed loved ones for all they gave me - love - support etc and to my ancestors for bestowing blessings upon me such as the abilities and talents that help me living fully.
You can fold the paper, keep it overnight and bury in earth or burn it while performing your ritual. As the paper burns it turns to smoke rising up and is symbolic for sending your thought to the mental psychic airwaves. Doing either is ‘mailing your message’.
Peer into the water, relax and connect to the psychic mind - perhaps an image will form or a memory will be recalled. After that, invite your spirits to visit by taking your white candle, sweets and beverage to a window so as they walk the earth they will see the light and recognize you (home.)
Stay as long as you like, thinking of your loved ones, talking to her and him. If you hear, think or sense a message was given, take note it for later examination. Or, after your ritual (remember to snuff the candles and incense), you might dream about the spirits, as this is an easier way for them to communicate.
Spirits often can’t get through to their loved ones because the grief is so strong. To your best ability, endeavor to be calm, upbeat and peaceful. You might get a message for another (relative or friend). If you do, share it.
Spirit communication is often stronger when conducted in a group - even two people - so perhaps a relative and/or friend might want to do this ritual with you to share in the experience.
Wishing you a merry frolicking good time and a cauldron full of blessings.
In my novel, "The Skye in June", the main character communicates with the dead, her angel and the living telepathically. Read more at www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
October 19, 2010
Shopping at San Francisco's Woolworth Store
Growing up in San Francisco some of my most enjoyable memories were trips downtown to shop at Woolworth’s Department Store. The building was on Market Street and wrapped around and up Powell Street. Woolworth was such a San Francisco experience that I just had to include it my book, The Skye in June. See an excerpt below.
The store was filled with just about everything you'd ever want to find; clothing, beauty products, sewing goods,inexpensive jewelry, so much stuff!
Perfect for Christmas shopping where my money would be spent carefully. I’d jump on the number 8 Castro bus at 19th and Castro with usually a sister or two and head downtown for fun. My wallet would be filled with money saved from babysitting. The first floor was tight to walk with aisles or counters and in the basement was Budgies, Canaries and gold fish –– gifts I bought at one time or another for family. It took hours to shop. At the end of the shopping I’d go upstairs to the lunch counter –– always busy –– for a Patti-melt and milkshake or a burger and coke. Afterward, if there was time, we would take a cable car ride (no lines back then - just hop on.)
From "The Skye in June"
The grinding noise of the cable car’s brakes as it slowed to their stop was ear piercing. June stood and took hold of the metal pole. She swayed outward as she readied herself to jump from the platform when they reached the intersection of Powell at Market Streets. The thrill of hanging out of the cable car and the feel of the brisk wind against her face had charged her energy. She felt a sense of freedom. As they lurched to a stop, she hopped off and hollered to her mother, “Did you get a transfer?”Cathy nodded a “yes,” and gingerly stretched out a foot to get down from the cable car. June took hold of her hand to help her mother. Arm in arm, they walked over to the Woolworth’s department store on Market Street to look at the items for sale in the window.
Please read more chapter excerpts www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
September 25, 2010
Autumn Time Predictions
WITCHES LOVE THE AUTUMN TIME - FOR AFTER ALL THIS IS WHEN WE FLY WILDLY AND SEE SPIRITS CLEARLY. BELOW READ THE ORANGE MESSAGE FOR HOW TO RECEIVE A FREE PSYCHIC IMPRESSION FROM WITCH JUNE.
Autumn full of bold colors: brilliant gold, lovely yellows, lively oranges complimented by deep earth browns, rusty red and quiet greens. The night comes quickly and the cold lingers longer – time to think and dream, enjoy hearty soups, hot teas and memories of summer days gone by. A time for remembering...
September 20, 2010
I love the changing of all seasons for they bring new ho...
I love the changing of all seasons for they bring new holidays, beauties of nature although autumn is my very favorite time of year. The deep colors of browns and the vivid reds and golden yellow seen in the leaves and fall fruits and vegetables created an excitement of the joys to be shared in the season.
The days become shorter as the nights grow longer; giving me more time to snuggle in bed, enjoy a warm fire and silly as it might sound, take a walk in the nighttime. When I walk around...
