Another "Disengagement" + A Little Light on the Subject

Hello again,



Well, another Big Name of the Boomer Generation has "disengaged" from this world. Wilson Pickett of Mustang Sally & Funky Broadway fame passed on the other day. What's happening this winter is anyone's guess, as well as why I always feel compelled to report such information. Whatever the case, I do feel that Wilson's passing deserves note. He was one of the pacesetters in what's now called Pop Culture--made the word "Funky" OK, and got all of us excited about Ford's Mustang--wonder if Ford every acknowledged Wilson's influence on the success of the Mustang? Surly "Mustang Sally" boosted Ford Motor Company's sales! Wilson was also instrumental in mainstreaming Motown Sounds. The strictly "Top 40 Crowd" woke up and realized that theirs wasn't the only kind of Pop Music and got into the groove with Wilson's music--- 'cause everybody wanted a Mustang of course. If my aging memory serves me right, Top 40 got more soul after Mustang Sally; White kids started dancing funky, and the good times of the 60's and 70's were launched into full swing.



Hearing one of Wilson's tunes still brings back the excitement and optimism of youthful vigor--let's not forget it! You gave us some of our best memories, Wilson; go on groovin', Bro down those Funky Golden Roads.



Valentine's Day is just under three weeks away. Ever wonder where this holiday came from? Valentines Day is a hangover from the fertility celebration of prehistoric Europe. When you think about it, it actually makes sense. By mid-February, days are noticeably longer. Our ancestors, who were a lot closer to Nature since they didn't have the benefit of electricity or motorized travel, noticed that animals were starting to mate. This fact brought hopes of Spring fertility--Food!



I used to always get the creeps whenever I read about our ancestors' ancient fertility rites. But think about it. What do we do at the first sign of longer daylight hours? Some universities have added an additional shorter winter break--the young folks start their frolicking. We've even figured out a way to save electricity with daylight saving time--giving ourselves the illusion of more daylight. All this makes me think that we're still closely connected to Nature--even those like yours truly who admit to not even liking picnics. Somewhere in our brains the need to celebrate Earth's reawakening lingers. We still need to throw off winter's sleep and solitude and start connecting to our fellow humans. So wake up! Let the sap rise and start planning for Valentines Day.



Onward and Upwards,

~Paula

The Winter of Our "Disengagement"

19 January 2006

Hello again,



Hope all have settled into the New Year, and that things are moving along smoothly. Before we know it, we'll be swapping valentines.



I've warned readers many times, so here we go again with one of my favorite subjects:" Where does the time go?" But really, another year has just passed us by, so please bear with me--again.



Recently, while surfing the Web, came across notices of the passing of some of the "big names" from the 60's and 70's. Nipsey Russell, The Poet of Day Time & Prime Time TV died this past October at the age of 80. Nipsey, a fellow Libra, was one of my absolute favorites as a kid--even named one of my cats after this illustrious poet. The thing that I really admired about Nipsey was the fact that he was a Black (the politically correct term at the time) comedian who didn't make a big deal of the fact that he was Black. He never tried to cover it up, or gloss it over; being Black was just a given--part of who Nipsey was. He simply presented us with Nipsey, the funny poet who could point out everyone's foibles and make us laugh at ourselves as well as at him--true Libra charm. Wherever Nipsey is now, he's showing 'em how to lighten up--see things as they are but don't be afraid to share your thoughts and have a good laugh.



Another funny man also changed his address permanently in early December. Richard Pryor, the bold, gregarious, and totally irreverent Sagittarian flagrantly broke every convention of stand-up censorship in the early 70's. Even some of us liberal, progressive co-eds felt that he was a bit too vulgar, explicit was the term we used. For a long time, I found in strange that Richard had had a religious upbringing--at least as far as beliefs were concerned. But hey, Sagittarius is the sign of expansion, breaking boundaries; and he certainly did that! Yet, how many folks knew that Richard was an animal lover? When I heard of his passing, took a look at his official web site, and there it was--a PayPal for animal welfare contributions. I've decided that inside this rebel was a real moral spirit that just had to learn some things the hard way while flagrantly flinging back at us things we said among ourselves when we thought no one was listening--at least parents or profs. Wherever Richard is now, I'm sure he's letting 'em have it, but for sure they've made him clean up his act.



And yet again, I'm aware of how long it's really been, that we Boomers are now witnessing the passing of the "Big Guys" from our era, and approaching our own Winter. Wonder what the Bloggers will write about us?



Onward an Upward,

~Paula

BFT now has a new Sister Blog

Hello, Everyone,

BFT now has a new Sister Blog, "MoonTrekking". From now on, all astrological posts will appear on MoonTrekking. BFT will of course continue in its normal esoteric style.

Visit often and enjoy!

Onward through the fog,
~Paula Gaon

The Beauty of A Virtual Sale

Check out BFT's New Home Page

Final Clearence-2006 Calendars **** Winter Zodiac Shirts

Mythical&Magical Creatures **** Wayout Weird Stuff

Prints: Modern Inspirational

Astrology With Common Sense

Happy New Year!
Wishing all a happy, healthy, prosperous, and peaceful New Year.

The holidays are behind us; the fattening meals eaten and diets started. Crowds in the stores have thinned and those same stores are getting ready for physical inventory. If by chance you'd like to shop the department store sales, you're likely to find everything picked over, the only sizes that remain in winter clothing are either those track suits that would only fit one of the Munchkins or King Kong. In a few weeks, the stores will bring in Spring clothes, but hey, we've got at least a couple of more months of winter; and not many of us plan on hibernating, right?

Don't despair. BFT has the exact same fashion and designer items you saw during the holiday shopping madness on sale now. Track Suits, Hoodies, and Sweat Shirts have all been drastically reduced; in the same variety and choices as before the holidays.

Get your 2006 Calendars yet? No? Again, from my experience, what's left in the stores now are those saccharine designs that nobody wants, right? So, click on over to BFT for something really unique--and I promise, no saccharine whatsoever.

High Tech does indeed have its advantages; a missed opportunity isn't missed--you can come an hour late and a dollar short and still get exactly what you want!

Happy Shopping!

~Paula