Introduction

I decided to start a blog to share ideas, invite comments, and make connections.  I feel like it is also a way to share my life, experiences, and lessons with friends and family with whom I'm not in frequent communication. 

I chose the title, Cheddar Fudge, Poison Ivy and the Ether within to represent several things in my life. 

Cheddar Fudge:  There is a place in Coos Bay, Oregon which sells home-made cheddar fudge, which when I tried, I instantly liked.  Most of my friends that have heard or tried it thought it was weird and didn't like the taste.  From time to time I liken myself to cheddar fudge when trying to explain personal preferences.  A lot of people like vanilla, and many like cinnamon, but cheddar fudge is something weird, unique and uncommon, and I happen to love it.  I like to think that I'm unique, weird and not for everyone, because that makes it easier to be happy despite the fact that I'm not living up to everyone's expectations.  I feel like self-happiness comes from understanding that you can't always make everyone happy, but you should learn to be happy with your life and self and to find peace in the fact that you are unique.  Many of my posts will probably address my thoughts on things that are uncommon or non-traditional, as well as thought processes that cause you to think outside of your regular box. 

Poison Ivy:  I've been a huge fan of the Batman comics and animations as well as the movies ever since I was a child.  One of my favorite characters is Poison Ivy.  Like Poison Ivy, I have a love for plants, and I take care of over 100 plants in my 2 1/2 bedroom, one bathroom duplex in Seattle.  Part of this blog will be research and discussion of plants, how to grow and care for them, possible medicinal uses, etc.  I simply love growing and learning about botany, so in a way, I feel like a male Poison Ivy, haha.

Ether within:  Ether was considered by peoples of old to be the fifth element, the element which is in the heavens.  To me, Ether represents many things: our desire to connect with God; our innate higher sense of learning and using a higher intelligence; our path to truth, knowledge, and sense of purpose; our spirituality; and our universal energy connection with each other and Nature.  I tend to think deeply on these ideas and love the idea of sharing them with others and inviting feedback.  To me, my spirituality and inner health is just as important as my physical health, so flushing out ideas that are stewing in my head is both therapeutic and stimulating.  I also enjoy hearing other people's ideas of the divine.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. -Mother Teresa