Laurien Rose – ☆ One-of-a-kind all the time ☆

Celebrating Red Dead Redemption in Blackwater

Welcome to Blackwater. Population: 162. Traveling across Missouri, you see signs for this historic town driving I-70. But if you ain't from around these parts, you might only recognize it as the town where the Red Dead Redemption saga currently begins and ends. Having only visited Blackwater vicariously through the outlaw John Marston, Spence and I added it to our to-do list immediately after finishing our Red Dead Redemption 2 playthrough. Since it's less than an hour and a half east of Kansas City, we decided to make a weekend trip out there. The Friends of Blackwater host a May Festival while nearby Arrow Rock has a Birds & Bees Festival on Mother's Day weekend, making it the perfect opportunity to visit. We booked an Airbnb in the historic town of Arrow Rock, which I will write about in a separate post. As you can imagine, there aren't many lodging...Read More

Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center

As we drive toward the Plaza on 71 North, Spence points out a sign for the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center. I see nothing resembling a conservation center as I look out the passenger side window, just the concrete jungle of Kansas City which makes me wonder what the discovery center is and how it can survive here. A red-eared slider turtle enjoys the Anita B. Gorman marsh Although I've tried to remember the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center on our shared days off, it's always slipped my mind. But finally, I thought of it on a Friday afternoon before making an impromptu grocery run to get oranges for our new oriole feeder. Although there were no scheduled activities for the day, Spence, the girls and I had a blast checking out the living and taxidermied animals, replicated skulls and wandering through the gardens filled with native Missouri plants. Reila...Read More

Why We Installed an Alkaline Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

This post contains affiliate links rewarding us a small commission with each purchase. Water is an essential part of our daily lives. We often hear we need to drink more water. Keep hydrated! Eight glasses a day! Take a water break! But how do we get the most out of the water we drink? And what if the water from the tap just isn't tasty at all? [caption id="attachment_2058" align="alignleft" width="300"] 26.5 pounds of water, 24 pieces of recyclable garbage when you're done![/caption] For years, Laurien and I used to load up on packs of water from the grocery store with each grocery run including two enormous 24-packs of bottled water jammed under the cart. We paid around four bucks for them and lugged them home (they typically weigh more than 25 pounds). The taste was decent and the convenience of having cold water ready to grab and go was...Read More

How to Use the Taurus New Moon to Your Advantage

As the Moon begins a new cycle transitioning through Taurus, the cosmos reminds us to cut the Bull and do whatever it takes to fulfill our dreams, which is an indubitably tall order requiring us to: Quit bad habits and replace them with positive onesCut ties with negative influencesClean upGet rid of anything that no longer serves usBe straight with ourselves about where we currently stand Accept how much work lies ahead Create a clear and concise plan to accomplish it all Luckily, the Taurus New Moon is here to help. Paying attention to lunar cycles is important. In astrology, the Moon rules emotions. Its phase along paired with the zodiac sign it's transiting through shape the day for everyone. Taurus' influence on the Moon is strong, steadfast and stubborn. The Great Bull earned this reputation by knowing exactly what it wants and never settling for less. A universal lesson...Read More

April 12, 2019 Moony Musing

CANCER MOON TRINE NEPTUNE Think big as the Cancer Moon trines Neptune in rulership Pisces at 5:15 AM CST. A trine is a major astrological aspect occurring when celestial bodies form a 120˚ angle from four zodiac signs apart. Thought of as a positive aspect, the trine balances the energies involved. When a planet is in its rulership, it is currently transiting through the zodiac sign it governs. All 12 signs are paired with a planet sharing similar characteristics. The planets are like actors on a cosmic stage while the zodiac signs are their life essence. In this case, dream-ruling Neptune is right at home in intuitive Pisces. Our thoughts may be out of this world thanks to the imaginative influence of Neptune in Pisces and entrepreneurs may experience a surge of innovation. Under the influence of introspective Cancer (and Jupiter Retrograde), the emotion-ruling Moon has us paying careful attention...Read More

April 11, 2019 Moony Musing

MOON SEXTILE NEPTUNE Pay attention to your dreams and jot them down first thing in the morning. Dreams are the language of Neptune, the planet ruling the spiritual realm, whose energy is bolstered thanks through its current position transiting through its rulership, Pisces, as it forms a sextile with the Cancer Moon at 1:50 AM. When a planet is in its rulership, it is currently orbiting through the zodiac sign it governs. Each of the 12 zodiac signs is paired with a ruling planet with shared characteristics. Think of the planets as actors in a play while the zodiac signs represent the spirit influencing each of them. In this case, mystical Neptune rules the artistic genius Fish. A sextile is a major astrological aspect occurring when celestial bodies form a 60˚ angle, transiting two zodiac signs apart. During this aspect, the energies of Neptune and the Moon will work together...Read More

April 10, 2019 Moony Musing

VENUS CONJUNCT NEPTUNE Keep a notebook handy today 'cause it's time to get inspired under the 1:14 AM CST Venus conjunct Neptune in rulership Pisces. A conjunction is a major astrological aspect occurring when celestial bodies appear side by side in the sky with 0˚ of separation. This is generally thought to be a positive aspect because the energies cooperate and meld. When a planet is in its rulership, it is transiting through the zodiac sign it governs. Each of the 12 signs is paired with a ruling planet with shared characteristics. In this case, boundary-busting Neptune is paired with the ingenious Pisces, influencing intuition and the subconscious. Working on creative projects today will be incredibly pleasurable and rewarding, thanks to Venus' influence at this time so make sure you set aside some time to make. Harness inspiration from everything that you see and let your imagination run wild. Break...Read More

April 5, 2019 Moony Musing

ARIES NEW MOON Here to kick off Friday on a positive note is the Aries Moon conjunct Sun at 3:51 AM, forming the New Moon. When celestial bodies are conjunct, it means they are transiting through the same zodiac sign without 0˚ of separation. Generally, the planets will appear side by side in the sky but in this case, the Moon and Sun align almost perfectly, blocking the Sun to give the New Moon its dark, shadowy face. The energies of conjunct celestial bodies unify and strengthen one another. Moon rules our emotions while Sun symbolizes how we view ourselves. Under Mars-ruled Aries, we are likely to experience more confidence and motivation to actually get off our butts and pursue what we want. Whatever your New Moon ritual may be, make sure you utilize this energy during the next two weeks. It's a great time to get a headstart on...Read More

Aries New Moon

WHAT IS A NEW MOON? Representing opportunities for new beginnings and rebirth, the New Moon is the first phase of Luna's 28-day cycle. Its energy can be felt and harnessed for the next two weeks until April 19 while the Moon is waxing. Now is a great time to break old, bad habits no longer serving us and replace them with good ones. Consequences of our action or inaction and planted intentions will be present until this current Moon cycle comes to an end on May 4, 2019. This Aries New Moon occurs at 3:51 AM CST on April 5, 2019 and is auspicious when it comes to starting something new since Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. Take a moment to observe and reflect on your current state. Then, make a commitment to your mental, physical and spiritual health and wellbeing at this time. Change starts within....Read More

April 4, 2019 Moony Musing

MOON CONJUNCT CHIRON We can help ourselves by helping others today under the 3:03 AM CST Aries Moon conjunct Chiron. When celestial bodies are conjunct, it means they are transiting through the same zodiac sign separated by 0˚, appearing side by side in the sky which allows their energies to mingle and unify. Aries doesn't hold grudges. This is a good time to identify what is no longer serving us. Thank these ties before releasing them. The zodiac ram is headstrong and independent, capable of clearing the healing path before us or charging through to make a new one altogether. More than likely, we will be called upon to participate in a project that empowers others today. Take advantage of this opportunity. We are natural healers when it comes to the areas of our life requiring the most work. It's one of those taste your own medicine situations. The ram...Read More