I Have a Letter M in my Palm in Both Hands

I Found this article on My Face Book just recently - Interesting, since I have the letter M in both palm of my hands. 

My Left Palm-photo taken today

My Right Palm-photo taken today

DO YOU HAVE THE LETTER M IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND?

Palmistry💥 is an ancient method of predicting the future and interpreting a person's personality from the pattern of the lines of the hands. Sometimes these lines can form even numbers and letters. One of these letters may be the letter M, the meaning of which has been investigated by many mystics.

As many believe, the lines on the palm reveal our character and destiny. The letter M is assigned to truly special people. They are endowed with extraordinary intuition and represent the ideal partners for any business.

If the people you love have the special letter M on the inside of the palm, you have to know that you cannot mock and you cannot lie or deceive that person in any way.  Being very intelligent and intuitive, people with the letter M in the palm of their hand easily realize that they are being lied to or deceived.

Women who have the letter M on their palm have a stronger intuition than men, even those who have this letter. They are gifted with the power to manage and overcome any obstacle in life, and they know how to exploit the resources and opportunities that are offered to them.

The letter "M" on your palm can also mean:

• Leadership skills

• Joy

• Excellent opportunities

According to popular tradition, this sign is characteristic of the prophets ... So if you have this letter in your hand, you are really a special person! Some people hold it in one hand and others in both.

Martin Santos, Follow Weird & Unusual Things for more interesting things. Credits: Quantum Physics and Kabbalah

PERSONAL NOTE: In My Younger Days, I used to Read People Hands and Practice the Art of Palmistry after seriously reading and studying two books on the subject. It was so much fun and I was a very popular person in my high school/college years because of my knowledge of palmistry. 

I also learned Feng Shui from reading it in several books.  Feng shui literally means “the way of wind and water”: “feng” means “wind” and “shui” means “water.” Feng shui can refer to the art of placing items within a room, but you can also say, “It's good feng shui to …,” meaning it creates a good environment to arrange or place items in your home in a certain way.  I have a dozen books on the subject and I am still practicing the art of Feng Shui today. 

Lastly, My Poem of the Day. 

"Dreams, like whispers in the quiet night,

Igniting wishes in soft moonlight.

In the canvas of sleep, a boundless sky,

Where fleeting thoughts and fantasies fly."

Here's my previous postings on Palm-Reading and Psychics:

💥https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2014/02/psychics-and-palm-readers_3.html

Related Posting:

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-ratio-of-your-ring-and-index.html

And Here are the latest palindromic dates for your information.

My Word of the Day- Polymaths

Time for My word of the Day! A lot of you love this series based on your comments. My heartfelt thanks to all my THD friends who were concerned of my low energy, lethargy and lack of spunk this last a couple of days. I feel a little better today, but the pain is not 100% gone.       

Benjamin Franklin is one of the foremost polymaths in history. Franklin was a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer and political philosopher. He further attained a legacy as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States

A polymath (Greek: πολυμαθής, romanized: polymathēs, lit. 'having learned much'; Latin: homo universalis, lit. 'universal human') is an individual whose knowledge spans a substantial number of subjects, known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.

Embodying a basic tenet of Renaissance humanism that humans are limitless in their capacity for development, the concept led to the notion that people should embrace all knowledge and develop their capacities as fully as possible. This is expressed in the term Renaissance man, often applied to the gifted people of that age who sought to develop their abilities in all areas of accomplishment: intellectual, artistic, social, physical, and spiritual.

Polymaths include the great scholars and thinkers of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, who excelled at several fields in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts. In the Italian Renaissance, the idea of the polymath was allegedly expressed by Leon Battista Alberti (1404–1472), a polymath himself, in the statement that "a man can do all things if he will". Well-known and celebrated polymaths include Leonardo da Vinci, Robert Hooke, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Al-Biruni, Hildegard of Bingen, Ibn al-Haytham, Rabindranath Tagore, Mikhail Lomonosov, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alan Turing, Benjamin Franklin, John von Neumann, Omar Khayyam, Charles Sanders Peirce,  Henri Poincaré, Isaac Asimov, Nicolaus Copernicus, Johann Weikhard von Valvasor, René Descartes, Aristotle, Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, Averroes, Archimedes, George Washington Carver, Hypatia, Blaise Pascal, Africanus Horton, Wang Wei, Isaac Newton, Pierre-Paul Riquet, Leonhard Euler, Émilie du Châtelet, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Florence Nightingale, Bertrand Russell, Nicole Oresme, Thomas Young, Sequoyah, Thomas Jefferson, Pierre-Simon Laplace, and Maya Angelou.

Here's my photo of the Day(A Chair Cover). The David B Katague Clan with oldest grandson, Ian Katague King and Youngest Granddaughter Carenna Katague Thompson. 

Front Row: David and Macrine ( RIP)

Back Row: From Left to Right: Ian, Dinah, David E III (RIP), Ruth Carver Katague, Dodie, Carenna and Ditas ,2015 

Ten Reasons Why "David" is Awesome

💚

•TEN reasons why "David" is so awesome: ( From My Face Book Page Today)

The Statue of David embodies the city of Florence, symbolizing independence and strength in the perfect image of youthful beauty. Michelangelo's David took on new meaning shortly after its creation as both a symbol of the Renaissance and a representation of the city itself.

1. The colossal figure is 17 feet tall, equivalent to a 2-story building. It was carved into a huge marble block of Carrara.

2. The block that was cut was damaged. Two sculptors were tasked with the commission before Michelangelo took control, but neither could successfully work the poor quality stone provided.

3. David's way explained the limitations of the stone. He is slim and his head is pointing to the side because the block was too narrow for him to look forward. Their contrasting position explained a hole that already existed in the marble between the legs.

4. Miguel Angel was only 26 when he started and 28 when he finished. He was already one of the best sculptors alive at the time, having completed the "Pietà" with total disbelief of Rome when he was 24 years old.

5. It was originally meant to sit on the ceiling line of Florence Cathedral. When completed, it was simply too beautiful, and big, to be hoisted up there, and instead displayed at the Palazzo della Signoria.

6. Modern studies have found that it is anatomically perfect, except for a small muscle missing in the back. Michelangelo, who studied anatomy scrupulously, knew this, later wrote that he was limited by a defect in the marble.

7. The jugular vein in David’s neck is bulging, appropriate for someone in a state of fear or excitement (as the young shepherd would have been). Miguel Angel obviously knew this was a feature of the circulatory system, but medical science didn’t document this discovery until 124 years later.

8. It was stylistically innovative. Previous interpretations of David, such as those of Donatello and Verrocchio, represented him victorious over the already murdered Goliath. Here, he is on the precipice of battle, his intense gaze and frowned forehead representing a contemplative moment.

9. David represents the idealized male form and proportion, a common theme in classic Greek sculpture. But Michelangelo's work is much more naturalistic, rooted in anatomical understanding that far surpassed the Greeks. David is both a beautiful representation of the ideal, but surprisingly real, a defining achievement of the Italian Renaissance.

10. Today, about 1.5 million people visit David each year. It has lived in the Accademia Gallery in Florence for 150 years, since it was moved inside in 1873 to protect it from the elements.

As expected, David won the admiration of the great Renaissance artist and historian Giorgio Vasari:

"When everything was finished, it cannot be denied that this work has taken the palm of all other statues, modern or ancient, Greek or Latin; no other work of art is equal to it in any way, with such fair proportion, beauty and excellence was finished by Miguel Angel."

My Own Miniature David-not made of Carrara Marble but still awesome! 💚I have viewed the actual David Carrara Marble at the Museum in Florence, Italy several decades ago during my younger years.

💚David is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture, created from 1501 to 1504 by Michelangelo. With a height of 5.17 metres (17 ft 0 in), the David was the first colossal marble statue made in the early modern period following classical antiquity, a precedent for the 16th century and beyond. David was originally commissioned as one of a series of statues of twelve prophets to be positioned along the roofline of the east end of Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze), but was instead placed in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria, the seat of civic government in Florence, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504. In 1873, the statue was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, and in 1910 replaced at the original location by a replica.( From Wikipedia).

Sound Bathing in Yoga and Its Benefits

My first exposure to Sound Bath in Yoga was about 2 years ago. My youngest daughter Ditas  is a Yoga instructor ( Kundalini). When she was still residing here in Sacramento she  introduced us to this yoga practice. https://www.esalen.org/faculty/ditas-katague

I did some search and here's what I learned about Sound Bathing and it Benefits. Have you experienced sound bathing? If so, I like to hear from you.

What is sound Bathing? A sound bath is a full-body meditative experience where people lie down and listen to resonant sounds. It often involves singing bowls, which create an echoing sound that ‘bathes’ people.

Some people refer to sound bathing as a healing practice. However, while studies suggest it may help people relax, there is no evidence it heals or treats any medical condition. The origins of the practice are also unclear.

Some proponents of sound bathing claim it helps people with various concerns, such as stress, processing emotions, or unblocking chakras. Chakras are centers of spiritual energy or power, a concept that comes from Hinduism. 

A sound bath usually involves lying down on a mat and listening to highly resonant, immersive music. Sound baths usually happen in a group setting, but a person can also do a sound bath alone at home. 

Just as a typical bath involves a person immersing themselves in water, a sound bath attempts to immerse a person in sound, so they feel enveloped in it. In most cases, the bath involves singing bowls, which are small bell-like instruments that create a resonant tone when a person strikes them.

Where does the practice of sound bathing come from? 

According to the Tricycle Foundation, which is a Buddhist nonprofit, the origins of both singing bowls and sound baths are unclear.

There is a common misconception that the practice must come from Tibet because singing bowls are sometimes known as “Tibetan” singing bowls.

While sound and music have long been part of religious practices in Tibet and other East Asian countries, chimes and bells seem to be more prevalent. However, a Japanese instrument called a rin is similar to a singing bowl. This may be where the Western understanding of singing bowls originated.

Despite claims that sound bathing is ancient, the practice that exists today may have emerged from contemporary Western or New Age spiritualism.

Benefits of sound baths

Most of the evidence about the benefits of sound bathing is anecdotal. Proponents of this practice claim it is relaxing and meditative and may promote spiritual well-being.

Only a few studies have explored sound baths or the use of singing bowls, but what does exist suggests that the practice may offer some health benefits. 

For example, in one 2020 study, 105 participants took part in a single 40-minute long sound bath. Following the sound bath, all participants showed reductions in negative mood and increases in positive mood based on a positive and negative affect (PANAS) rating scale. 

The 20 participants who agreed to heart rate monitoring saw a decrease in their heart rate.

A 2018 randomized, controlled studyTrusted Source assessed the effects of music using singing bowls on 60 people awaiting surgery. The participants either listened to music or wore headphones without sound. 

The music group showed lower measures of anxiety based on an anxiety inventory. They also showed slight decreases in heart rate variability, suggesting lower anxiety and stress. 

A small 2020 meta-analysisTrusted Source included four prior studies on singing bowls. The authors concluded that there was evidence their use could lead to general improvements in well-being, including reductions in distress, anxiety, depression, and pain. 

In some previous research, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate also improved. However, the studies were small, and the review’s authors emphasized the need for more research. 

A 2016 observational studyTrusted Source of 62 adults found participants reported lower tension, fatigue, depression, and anger after singing bowl meditation. The effects were strongest among people new to this form of meditation.

Who are sound baths suitable for? 

A person might be a good candidate for sound baths if: 

• they feel comfortable meditating or would like to try meditating 
• they are interested in group meditation
• they are realistic about what sound baths can and cannot do

However, some people may not get on well with sound baths. This includes those who:

• find intense sounds stressful or overstimulating
• have migraine with noise triggers
• have hearing aids, as the sounds may be uncomfortable

People who have a mental health condition may want to speak with a doctor before trying a sound bath, as they can be intense experiences that bring up both pleasant and unpleasant feelings. For complete details visit:

https://www.shantisom.com/en/blog/what-is-a-sound-bath-and-its-benefits/

Lastly, Here's One of My Favorite Poem of My Younger Years: 

"Come live with me and be my love"

By Christopher Marlowe

Come live with me and be my love,

And we will all the pleasures prove

That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,

Woods or steepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon the rocks,

Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,

By shallow rivers to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant posies,

A cap of flowers, and a kirtle

Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool

Which from our pretty lambs we pull;

Fair lined slippers for the cold,

With buckles of th purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,

With coral clasps and amber studs:

And if these pleasures may thee move,

Come live with me and be my love.

The shepherds' swains shall dance and sing

For thy delight each May morning:

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me and be my love.

The Holdovers-One of My Favorite Movies for 2023

I have the above movie on my to Watch List for about 6 months ago. But I have been busy with my blogging activities that I totally forgot about it until last night. It was Oscar nominated for best Picture,  Best Actor and  Best Supporting Actress. Da'Vine Joy Randolph got the best supporting Actress Award in this movie.  The movie was overshadowed by Oppenheimer and Barbie.  

The following is one of the numerous positive reviews and I am reporting it, since I agree 100% of what is written in this review. If you have not seen it, I urged you to watch it. I am rating it a 4.5 Star out of 5.0 and will not be a waste of your time.  The movie is funny at times, sad at times, but feel-good. It's a story that almost all can relate to and will really touch your heart. It deals with so many themes, but mainly grief, the past, family, and what makes a person who they are. It's also very original and has a great script, cinematography, and soundtrack. 

One of my favorite movies of 2023, as well as one of the best of the year darkreignn29 October 2023

"Let's just get this out of the way now - when it comes to writing this review, I'm probably a little bit biased (and a little bit drunk, currently, but that's besides the point). You see, I have an affinity for indie coming of age movies, and "The Holdovers" is basically an indie coming of age film, so it may - or may not - come as a surprise to you that I absolutely adored this picture. So, with that little preface out of the way, it's time for me to gush over this movie.

Starring none other than Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, Giamatti plays a professor at an all boys boarding school where, over Christmas break, he has the misfortune of looking over a group of boys, one of whom is named Angus, played by Dominic Sessa. After a rocky start, where Paul clearly doesn't get along with any of the boys, making his disdain clear and evident, he eventually finds himself alone with Angus - as well as with the school's cook, Mary Lamb, played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph - in an unexpected chain of events. What occurs after is a slice-of-life style piece of cinema that allows broken people to find comfort in each other's company.

"The Holdovers" is, without a doubt, one of my favorite movies of 2023, as well as probably one of the best movies of the year, as well. This Christmas-themed gem doesn't hold back on the drama, delivering a thoughtful blend of comedy, coming-of-age storytelling, and a touch of romance - all wrapped around a very raw, human plot-line that virtually everyone can relate to. I'm no spring chicken myself, but I found myself deeply connected to both main characters - one who is older and basically dejected with life as he knows it, and one who is younger but who feels lost, aimless, and disconnected from both family and friends. And admittedly, not everyone will have a direct parallel to these experiences, but even if you don't, you're in for a story that's bound to tug at your heartstrings... and make you laugh out loud in the process.

This is a high-quality movie - from the impeccable acting to the beautiful on-location cinematography to the relatable, thought-provoking plot, every element is executed with pinpoint precision and finesse; it's a testament to the art of storytelling on the silver screen. Director Alexander Payne knows how to create an artful film, and "The Holdovers" is no exception. It's at once indie and art-house while simultaneously being mainstream and easily accessible; in short, it's a film for everyone that actually feels like a genuine crowdpleaser instead of a pandering mess.

I'm having a difficult time describing what I liked about this movie, and the reason is because I liked almost everything about this movie. So why the 9 out of 10 rating instead of the perfect 10? Literally the only thing that's holding me back is because I would've liked a touch more romance; yes, there was romance here, but a bit more would've pushed me over the edge into 10 out of 10 territory. Besides that, this is basically a perfect film, one that I loved, and one that has become one of my favorite movies of the year, if not of all time. I am genuinely looking forward to rewatching this, and I can't wait until it becomes closer to Christmas so I can view this on my own TV, cuddled under blankets, with a glass of whiskey, and bask in the absolute heartwarming experience that is "The Holdovers." My recommendation: Do yourself a favor and watch this as soon as you can - you won't regret it".

Meanwhile here's my picture of the Day:Tree Reflection

Sacramento, California- My Former Home

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT THD!!!!👴👴👴  

Today, June 1, is exactly one year of my downsizing move from Fair Oaks, CA ( Eastern suburb of Sacramento) to THD💚, Walnut Creek. CA. You would think that after one year, the trauma/pains of my downsizing has been completely erased on my memory. On the contrary, once in a while, I missed my vegetable and flower gardens, huge space ( 2200 sq ft)  and neighbors in Fair Oaks. 

So today, I promised this will by last article about my former home and residence, so forgive me for reminiscing my former residence in Fair Oaks in this blog as follows:  

The David B Katague Clan resided in Fair Oaks, a suburb East of Sacramento from 2002 t0 2023. After my retirement from FDA ( Washington DC), I decided to retire in the Sacramento area to be near my youngest daughter, Ditas  and her daughter, Carenna.  Ditas was at that time working for The Governor's Office in the Capitol in Sacramento (see photo above).  Currently, Ditas is Associate Director for Communication, Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/bios/ditas-katague.html Much of California’s history can be told through the story of its capital city. One of the oldest incorporated communities in the state, Sacramento has been the backdrop to many major historical moments, from the discovery of gold on Jan. 24, 1848, to the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Old Ironsides, a watering hole and performance venue in Southside Park, is the oldest bar in the city, and was apparently the first Sacramento establishment to receive a liquor license after Prohibition ended, according to the paper’s research. Also on the list of venerable businesses was The Sacramento Bee itself, originally named The Daily Bee, which celebrated the 167th anniversary of its first printed edition this month. For more Sacramento history read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento,_California Meanwhile, Here are some photos of my former residence in Fair Oaks, CA( eastern suburb of Sacramento) where my family and I resided for over 21 years prior to my move here at THD. These are actual photos ( not digitally altered) after I clean it up for the Open House. It sold in 30 days. It was not an easy decision to down-size, but life must go on. I missed my gardens and space, but it has done its purpose, so Be IT!   8167 Treecrest Ave, Fair Oaks, California Here's My Quotes of the Day:  Home is Not a Place, But in the Heart! 💚Lastly, I have been calling The Heritage Downtown (THD) in Walnut Creek, my home since last June 1, 2023. So far, I am very happy here! 1.Latest  News The Oakland A's moving to Sacramento https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/as-officially-leaving-oakland-after-2024-will-play-in-sacramento-through-2027-until-vegas-stadium-is-ready/ 2. Sacramento is one of the Top 50 U.S. cities on Money’s list of the best places to live in 2024, The Sacramento Bee reports. The list cited the city’s “vibrant cultural scene” and specifically mentioned Crocker Art Museum, B Street Theater and the Farm-to-Fork Festival.