Counting My Blessings On This Day

Today is one of those days that only happen once a year. I'm never been bothered when my birthday comes around, I just tend to ignore it. Its sort of like New Year's Eve to me, for some people, NYE is a night to be wild and be out all night. For me, New Year's Eve has become a more solemn event. In fact, the passing of time is something I tend to view with great reverence and a touch of melancholy. The very second you took to read this last sentence is a moment in time gone forever. Life is of course, far too short, and we must cherish every moment. Rather than get worked up over passages of time, I try to count my blessings and live in the moment. 

On this day I took time to slice up some fresh, organic, locally grown strawberries. I had some heavy cream in the fridge, which I whipped up in the Kitchen-Aid mixer, which was calling out to be used, as it had been neglected for several months. I served up my strawberries in a crystal martini glass and topped it off with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream. Oh it looked so delicious. Even Sheldon walked over to check it out. As I sat enjoying my special treat, I paused to reflect on all the blessings I have been given. I am appreciative for everything I have, especially my health and full physical faculties. Having been so involved with National Guide Dog Month I've had the opportunity to see first hand how challenging life can be when you cannot see. I hope we do raise our million dollars this month. If you have not yet donated, you can do so online, just click here. (You can't blame me for working that plug in, can you?) In the meantime I shall savor this day that comes once a year and long after my strawberries are gone will remember the sweet taste of the life with which I have been blessed.
-Rick Rockhill

Spiritual Enlightenment on The Palm Springs Savant & Co Show

Today was the first episode of a new "Spiritual Enlightenment" series on my radio show, The Palm Springs Savant & Co on Blog Talk Radio. The mission of this new series is to provide listeners with a gateway to the Universe for self improvement. Throughout this series, I will welcome guests to discuss a range of topics, including psychic intuitives, mediums, spiritual counselors, healers, angel therapists, authors, artists, musicians, Astrology, tea leaf, Palmistry, Tarot, Chakras, aromatherapy, Reiki, aura colors, healing jewelry, crystals, reflexology and numerology. I do not claim to have any intuitive abilities, nor do I practice or follow every one of these methods. My role as show host is to present topics and provide listeners with the information to make their own decisions and choices in life.  The objective is to provide tools to help us improve our lives. What path are you on in your life? Learn what you can do to make a positive change for yourself, tune into this inaugural show and look for new show episodes.

My guest today was Joy Meredeth of Crystal Fantasy shop in Palm Springs, California. Crystal Fantasy is the leading destination in the California desert for gifts and serves as a spiritual center with an amazing array of information, crystals, books, jewelry, music, incense and so much more. If you want to understand all about Joy, check out her Attitude of Gratitude page on her website. This reminds us that it is important to count our blessings everyday. Remember that the Universe is always listening to us- when we send positive thoughts and words out, they attract positive energy.

During today's show, Joy also shared information about the 3rd annual Palm Springs Body Mind Spirit Retreat and Expo, October 2-3. The event features a "life changing weekend of inspiration and enlightenment" which features over 15 classes and workshops and 20 exhibitors including spiritual counselors, healers, wellness professionals, Reiki, Theta Healing, mediums, astrologers, tea leaf, palmistry, tarot, massage, aura photos, authors, artists, musicians, aromatherapy, jewelry, crystals, goddess wear, and more. Visit www.PalmSpringsBodyMindSpirit.com for more information.
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Happy Labor Day

Enjoy your holiday, wherever you may be.

Special Guest Actress Linda Gray on Sunday's Palm Springs Savant & Co Radio show

Tune into The Palm Springs Savant & Co radio show on Blog Talk Radio for my special guest, actress Linda Gray. She spoke about her upcoming film, Expecting Mary set for national release September 10. Of course millions of people know Ms Gray for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on TV's long running hit show Dallas. She is an award winning actress, an accomplished director and a United Nations Ambassador. Ms Gray earned an Emmy nomination for Best Actress, won several achievements including Germany's "Bambi Award" (similar to the US Academy Award), Italy's "Il Gato" for Best Actress, and voted "Woman of the Year" by the Hollywood and Radio Television Society. Her stage work includes "The Graduate" in London's  West End theater district as well as "Terms of Endearment", and started her career in "Love Letters". She has appeared in numerous other TV series and programs throughout her professional career.

I am honored to welcome Linda Gray to the Palm Springs Savant & Co radio show. Listeners will get an inside glimpse of her new role in Expecting Mary, due out in select theaters nationwide starting September 10th. Linda's fans will be delighted to know her radio interview can be heard around the world, on demand any time from the internet on Blog Talk Radio, or on podcast via iTunes. A special screening of Expecting Mary will be held here in Palm Springs Sunday September 9th at the Camelot Theater to benefit the Desert Aids Project. Be sure to tune in to this show and get the scoop on a film that is sure to impress audiences everywhere. Read the press release here.
-Rick Rockhill 
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A Visit from Miss Dragonfly

Yesterday I enjoyed my morning coffee on the back patio while doing a bit of work on my laptop. It was still nice and cool- the desert sun had not yet begun to bear its full force. I first heard the quiet hum of a pair of wings, delicate- yet fluttering at high speed. I turned my head gradually, and suddenly noticed a winged insect hovering over a plant in the garden. Admittedly, entomology isn't my specialty, so instead I'll just call this Miss Dragonfly. This creature was busy doing its job, but oddly enough when I noticed its presence, "Miss Dragonfly" fly over to me and hovered just 10-12 inches in front of my face. I sat still like a statue, watching and listening. The sound of her delicate wings were like a song. It was as if she were speaking to me. Then almost as suddenly as she appeared, she flew away to a nearby plant. I reflected for a moment on the beauty of what I saw and decided it was a good omen. I like to pay attention to the omens in this world. They are like guides, helping us along the path of life. This omen told me to listen to the universe. There are messages for us all, all we need to do is slow down and listen. This Labor Day weekend I intend to do just that. 
-Rick Rockhill

Three Lost Dogs Who Wandered into My Yard

Imagine my surprise the other day when three strange dogs wandered into my driveway. Sheldon and Duncan were outside, playing in the garden on the other side of the front gate. Luckily they hadn't seen these four-legged furry visitors. I was able to shoo them into the house before anyone got all barky at each other. John and I were very cautious around these three dogs, as they were unknown, but also because one was a Pit Bull. I like Pit Bulls, but some people train them to be aggressive. Not knowing how they had been raised, we were initially very careful. None of the dogs were wearing collars or identification, they looked healthy with nice shiny coats- these clearly were not stray dogs. After a few minutes it was clear that all three dogs were from the same home. They played with each other and knew each other well. They must have escaped and went on a stroll together exploring Palm Springs.
Sounds like fun, huh? Well not really. You see, it's 110 degrees here, not a hospitable climate for dogs to be wandering the desert. If they had been out all day it was very possible they could have died from heat exhaustion or dehydration. The dogs already looked thirsty, so I put out a bowl of water, which they quickly lapped up. 

John drove around the neighborhood to see if anyone was out searching for a dog, but with no luck. We took photos of the dogs to make signs about "Found Dogs". Soon, the city animal control arrived to pick up these three sweet dogs. We drove around the area, posting our signs to let someone know the dogs were safe and how to locate them. As luck would have it, while out posting signs in a nearby neighborhood, a young teenager saw us putting up the sign and realized it was about his three dogs! A sense of relief came over me, as the fate of the dogs became clear, they would be reunited with their family again. As an animal lover, I hate to see things like this. I always blame the humans for not properly looking after their pets. In the end, it turned out alright, but I couldn't help wonder what if...
-Rick Rockhill

Why More Guide Dogs are Needed

I mentioned in a prior post that September is National Guide Dog Month, and that I would be blogging regularly about it over the next few weeks. We're trying to raise one million dollars this month to help provide more guide dogs to people who cannot see.There are over 20 million people in the US alone with some kind of visual impairment. Being legally blind shouldn't mean a person has to move in fear, hoping not to stumble. The leading causes of blindness are cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration & diabetic retinopathy. In addition, 13% of our active military return home from war with eye injuries. Despite all this, only a very small percentage of legally blind people ever get a guide dog. Thankfully there are several accredited guide dog schools around the country who provide guide dogs to the blind for FREE. I've been involved with a local school here in the Palm Springs area, Guide Dogs of the Desert. They place guide dogs all over the country, although primarily within the South west region of the US. I visited their facility a few weeks ago to see the latest guide dog puppies, ready to be placed in the home of a volunteer puppy raiser for 18 months. Then they are returned to the guide dog school for formal guide dog training. I cannot imagine giving up a puppy after raising it like my own pet. I have such respect for the puppy raisers who can do that. I'd like to share this incredible video with you about guide dogs. It is 7 minutes, so settle in with a nice cup of cawfee and enjoy it. It's well worth your time to watch. 

If you would like to help and make a donation in any amount ($1, $5, $10, $20...) just go to www.petco.com/naturalbalance to donate online. Its fast and easy. Please consider helping today. I'd really appreciate it if you would also consider posting a link on your own blog to this post so that others can see this video. I need help to get the word out quickly so we can reach our million dollar fund raising goal this month.

-Rick Rockhill
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