Microsoft: Laughing all the Way to the Bank

I like to mess around with digital graphics. And I'm a little bit of a computer program geek. Granted, I don't know much - just a little of this, and a little of that - enough to have fun with various programs.

This is why a program manual is a necessity for me.

In the past few years, I have noticed that fewer and fewer program manufacturers give the customer an actual printed manual. The trend has moved to online manuals and tutorials.

But now, some of the manufacturers are not even doing that!!!

They have a new scheme. Forcing the customers to muddle their way through and figure it out for themselves, or even worse, forcing them to resort to buying a printed manual.

This is a great scheme folks. These people are laughing all the way to the bank, I tell you!

Yesterday, I broke down and bought Microsoft Office Publisher 2007.

Yea me! Lucky me! Just think of all the neat stuff I can do now!

Well, yes, if I knew how. Publisher does not have an online manual included with the program. They do have a few online tutorials, but heck, there's nothing like a hard copy manual with an index.

So, I went to Amazon and looked to see if they had a "For Dummies" for Publisher. Yes, they do:

$16.49 brand new.

But, ah ha - look what else they have for $16.49:


So, here's the missing manual!

Microsoft is smart. They see the Dummies folks making money on the manual writing business. So, they figured they'd compete.

They now have a Microsoft Press, and it publishes the Step by Step series for all of its products!!!

Microsoft - you suck.

You know what I'm going to do?

I'm going to let everyone I know put the software I bought on their computer.

Heck, I might even sell it for a nice discounted price :)


Image from acctaxpayers.com

Okay readers. I'm off to Amazon to buy the Dummies manual. I refuse on principle to buy any manual from Microsoft Press.

I'll put my new Publisher manual on my bookshelf next to this one:

Pelee Mum

Berries!

"...though I spilled my store of ink, you need not trouble to send more, as one of the men has shown me an ingenious receipt for a serviceable substitute made from the season's last blackberries. So am I able to send 'sweet words' to you!" ("March" by Geraldine Brooks)

Greetings of Peace Dear Readers:

Eid Mubarak and sweet words to you all/Ameen.

... The season's last berries.

In my area of Pennsylvania, our early summer was cool. My tomatoes didn't turn red until late August due to lack of hot, humid days and nights.

My berries bushes that I planted last fall didn't give me berries right away either. Since I just planted the bushes last year, I figured I wouldn't get many berries until next year.

But, just as the tomatoes were at their last, an infusion of berries appeared. I have been getting a pint or so every other day. Insha Allah next year will be a real huge harvest!

Here are this year's:

Alhamdulillah!

Many Poetic Voices, One Faith

As the 2009-2010 director of the Islamic Writers Alliance (IWA), I am proud to present our new anthology, Many Poetic Voices, One Faith which was just released!

I have also contributed two poems to this anthology: The Last Sermon - Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah, 10 A.H. and Far From the Family Fold.

Okay, enough bragging, Masha Allah. About the anthology (from its back cover):

"Many Poetric Voices, One Faith is your window into the world of Islam through poetry! Come on in and find out what's waiting here for you inside the attractive cover designed by talented IWA member artist, Nazaahah Amin. The award-winning poems written by Karen English, Marwa Elnaggar, Camilla Sayf, Corey Habbas, Julinar Diab, and additional poems written by 31 IWA member poets are enlightening, entertaining, and rich in a diversity of topics from a point-by-point description of a soul mate to a sonnet-ode dedicated to a loving and missed mother; from vivid reminders and poetic verse awakening us all to the evils of domestic violence to heart-wrenching reminiscences of the plight of the Muslim convert; from beautiful English renditions of the traditional and ancient Arabic ghazal to the plight of eighteenth centry slaves; from a thought-provoking rendition of life from birth to the grave and beyond; from a thoughtful insight into the signifiance of a single raindrop to a very moving and heart-warming dedication of life from a long-gone friend. All this and much more is waiting for you when you read the poetry of our IWA poets' many voices and their one faith, Islam."

Title: Many Poetic Voices, One Faith

Author: Islamic Writers Alliance

Pages: 118

Format: 6 x 9 paperback
ISBN: 978-0-9819770-0-3

Reading Levels: Teen and Adult
List Price: $8.95

If you would like a copy for an Eid gift or just for your own pleasure, you can order it from me. Send a check or money order for $8.95 to me at:

S. E. Jihad Levine, Director
Islamic Writers Alliance
P.O. Box 299
Sunbury, PA 17801

US Orders Only
Shipping and Handling is On Me!!!

Oh Joy - Here's a Bright Idea - Family I'tikaaf Night

I received this in my inbox:

From: Muhammad Alshareef info@discoverulife.com
Subject: Idea: Family I'tikaaf night ...
To: "Safiyyah" Jihadlevine@yahoo.com
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009, 5:01 AM

Safiyyah, Idea: Family I'tikaaf night!

Why not head out to the Masjid tonight as a family and spend the whole night worshipping Allah?

If you have younger family members, just make sure they are by your side and not disturbing anyone and you should be alright.

In sha Allah, it'll be an unforgettable family experience, and may be so enjoyable that everyone may wish to do it again and again!

With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef http://www.postramadan.com/AlMaghrib Institute, 1 stafford Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 1B9, Canada

Now - Brother Muhammad: I love you dearly for the sake of Allah (swt) and enjoy your emails in my inbox. And may Allah (swt) reward you for publishing what you deem to be a great suggestion/Ameen. But -

THIS IDEA IS INSANE!

If Jumuah and Eid prayer are indicators that sisters will keep their children by their sides so that they do not disturb others while they are trying to worship ... well, joy, I'll bet we all look forward to being tortured by these kids the whole night while trying to worship in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan.

And don't anyone try to claim that they will fall asleep!

And how is it a "family" i'tikaaf night when the little darlings will not be with BOTH mommy and daddy, as a family, but will in fact probably be in the women's section? And if the darlings do run around and end up in the men's section, they will probably be chased back to the women's section.

Jeez - it used to be that even sisters didn't go to the masjid to do i'tikaaf. We used to bring food to the men while they were there.

I know. I know. I'm a Ramadan Grinch!

Okay, Brooke - tag, you're it!!! loool.

Canna Lillies

Sister Zakiyyah, my dear friend, gave me some canna lilly bulbs this past spring. I waited and waited for the bulbs to come up. Nothing. Then, almost overnight, look what happened (kind of remind you of the green tomates post, lol?)!



Here are some of the blooms up close. I have coral, pink, and yellow ones. The yellow one with the tiger-looking pattern kind of reminds me of orchids a little bit!



Jazaka Allahu Khayrn dear Zakiyyah. You were right: they are breathtaking, Alhamdulillah!

Language - The Mysterious Access to Allah?

As Salaamu Alaikum and Greetings of Peace:

Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim readers, and hello to everyone else.

I have been so busy at the prison, trying to get everyone, staff and inmates, settled in for the month of Ramadan. The holy month creates a huge change in prison routine, so you can imagine how the initial week or so makes everyone a little crazy, lol. So, forgive me if I have not responded to comments and such. Anyhow...

I have been thinking about language a lot lately. Why? Because I just ordered a Qur'an with French translation for a Cambodian inmate.

Inmates (as well as Muslims in the street, especially re-verts) try to pepper their speech with Arabic. For example, if I ask an inmate "how are you?" I am likely to get "tayeeb" as a response. The correct response for a woman would be "tayeeba" but "tayeeb" is what inmates learn through the various generalized Arabic books and Arabic expression charts that they have access to. I also get "naam" as a response to questions I ask. Or, "shukran" as an expression of thanks or gratitude.

Inmates are always asking me how-do-you-say questions about the Arabic language, to which I have to tell them I-don't-know-but-I-can-find-out-for-you-insha-Allah."



Personally, I have learned how to make salaat in Arabic because it is required. (Anyone who disputes this, perhaps it is a post for another time.)

And I have learned my surahs in Arabic. Granted, I do not know many, but the ones I do know I feel that I can recite as perfectly as I am able, Alhamdulillah.

Subhan'Allah.

I admit that I am resistant to learning Arabic for any purpose other than religious ones. Why? Well, it's not that I have anything against Arabs or the Arabic language, it's just that it's not a priority for me. I did make it a priority to learn how to pronounce the letters of the Arabic alphabet properly, and it is a priority for me to learn more surahs, but not to speak the Arabic language in general. I refuse to run around replying "naam" or "lah" to questions asked of me.

Perhaps this resistance has roots in my childhood. My father was Jewish, and my mother was Catholic.

In the synagogue, children were pressured to learn Hebrew.



And in Catholic Sunday school, children were pressured to learn Latin.

All synagogue services were in Hebrew, and Mass was celebrated in Latin (although the Catholic church has changed that).

Is access to God dependent upon one's ability to speak a certain language? Especially one that is not their own? Jeez!!!

Before anyone accuses me of being a Muslim heathen, can you answer the following questions?

Are we, as Muslims, required to learn the Arabic language? Do the People of Paradise speak Arabic? Will Allah speak to us in Arabic in Jennah?

Many Muslims will answer "yes" to these questions.

But, I did a little investigation.

According to Shaykh Al-Munajjid from Islam QA, specifically, Fatwa No. 83262:

"There is no mention in the Qur'aan or in the saheeh Sunnah - as far as we know - of which language is spoken by the people of Paradise. What is narrated concerning that is a hadeeth which is not soundly narrated from our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and some other reports (athaar)."

Here is the hadith that has been narrated:

"It was narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, al-Haakim, al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan and others that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Love the Arabs for three reasons, because I am an Arab, the Qur’aan is Arabic and the speech of the people of Paradise is Arabic.”

You can read the full discussion of this hadith in the fatwa, but it also relates:

"Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: in what (language) will Allaah address the people on the Day of Resurrection? Will Allaah address them in the tongue of the Arabs? Is it true that the language of the people of Hell will be Farsi and that the language of the people of Paradise will be Arabic? He replied: Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. It is not known what language the people will speak on that Day, or in what language they will hear the words of the Lord, may He be exalted, because Allaah has not told us anything about that, nor has His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It is not true that Farsi will be the language of the people of Hell, or that Arabic will be the language of the people of Paradise. We do not know of any discussion of that among the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), rather all of them refrained from speaking of that because speaking about such a thing is discussion of something unnecessary… but there was a dispute concerning that among later scholars. Some people said that they will be addressed in Arabic and others said that the people of Hell will respond in Farsi, which will be their language in Hell. Others said that they will be addressed in Syriac because that was the language of Adam and from it stemmed all other languages. Others said that the people of Paradise will speak Arabic. There is no basis for any of these ideas, whether on the grounds of common sense or in any report or text, rather they are mere claims that are devoid of any evidence. And Allaah knows best and is most Wise."

Hmmm ...

Arabic is the language of the Qur'an, so we must study enough Arabic to accomplish the goal of reading and comprehension of the Qur'an. And there is sound saheeh hadith to that end:

The People of the Quran are from Best of People:

‘Uthmaan said that the Prophet said: “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others.” [Al-Bukhaari]

There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran

As a Hadeeth (prophetic statement) in At-Tirmithi proves: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allaah, he will have a reward, and this reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that 'Alif, Laam, Meem' (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that 'Alif' is a letter, 'Laam' is a letter and 'Meem' is a letter.” [At-Tirmithi] So increase your recitation of the Quran to gain these merits, as well as the following ones.

The Reciters of the Quran Will Be in the Company of the Noble and Obedient Angels

‘Aa'ishah related that the Prophet said: “Indeed the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]


So dear brother or sister Muslim, do not let the Shaytaan (Satan) give you false excuses, such as 'I am not an Arab.' or 'It is not in my language.' This Hadeeth is a firm proof against these whisperings.

Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allaah, whether you are an Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allaah without holding back or offering excuses! Surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Quran once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Quran.

One's Position and Rank in Paradise is Determined by the Amount of Quran He Memorised in this Lifed compehending the Qur'an.

For all of you non Arab Muslims like me out there:

May your rewards be doubled as you increase your Arabic knowledge of this deen during this blessed month of Ramadan/Ameen!

A Morning of Weeding

While I was growing vegetables and herbs, and tending to my garden, look was what piling up in my flower beds:

Here's an example:

Flower bush (forgot the name) before (yeah, there's one underneath all of that!):


After:

After I cleared the above bush away, I then started to pull the brown leaves from the day lilly bushes - until I saw this guy (look in the middle of the picture):

Mostlypurple: is this a Praying Mantis? Does it bite or sting? Ewwwwwww ...

Oh oh! I think "it" saw me! Time to move on.

See this hole in the cement?

Heres a close-up of it:


You'll never believe it, but there was a small fragile weed in there. I merely reached in and easily pulled the weed out. When you think about it, this is truly a miracle from Allah (swt). A little tiny fragile weed - but so strong that it can push itself up through cement and actually crack the cement. SubhanAllah!

I also saw a HUGE spider, no lie, about the size of a silver dollar (remember those?) with a little "thing" on it's tail that was the size of a small black bean!

When I pulled the weeds from around the lavender, I discovered bumble bees sleeping under the weeds. So, thats where they go at night! They weren't real happy that I woke them up :)

I never wear gardening gloves, and I usually garden with those rubber clogs on, but after today, trust me, I will be wearing gloves, shoes, and socks!

It's a shame, because I enjoy having my hands in the earth, and having skin contact with what I grow. In case you're wondering about the risk of getting Poison Ivy from gardening this way, don't worry! I bought some special soap in the gardening center. It contains Jewel Weed which is the only thing that cleans off the oils from the Poison. I use it immediately when I come into the house from gardening.

But Alhamdulilah. All the work and gardening "dangers" are truly worth it when you get results like this:

(I just noticed that Blogger uploads the images a little darker than they are. My originals do not look this dark. Oh well.)

Canadian Geese

What a lovely surprise I encountered during my hot summer morning bike ride!

I'm not sure what they were eating, but imagine my delight that they let me so close to them with my camera!

I live on an island. Yes! An honest-to-goodness island! Allah (swt) has truly blessed my husband and I to live here. I was born in the Bronx and my husband was born in Philadelphia. We discover new miracles every day that we are here!

The Canadian Geese are a refreshing change from the pigeons of America's large urban areas.

I did know a man from the Bronx once who fed the pigeons by hand. Every morning they would fly through the window bars and hang out on his living room floor.

He really loved his "friends."

"Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are signs for those who believe." (16:79)

Finally! The Tomatoes Turn Red!

Remember this post? Where I was lamenting my green tomatoes in my garden? Fearing they wouldn't turn red before the critters got a hold of them?



Well! Look now! After making a huge pot of spaghetti from scratch (including with green peppers and basil from the garden), eating tomatoes at every meal, and giving bags of them away to the neighbors, I still have these on my sun porch:








I'm running out of sunny places to put them, Alhamdulillah!

What Attracts Inmates to Islam?

("Shahadah" - Image from Islamicfinder.org)

In my previous post, Mezba commented that he is curious about what attracts inmates to Islam. Mezba: I thought that your question merits a post of its own.

Why inmates "convert" to Islam or any other religion is a complex issue. Insha Allah I can attempt to address a few of the factors here.

When people come to prison, many, for the first time in their life, are presented with opportunity. They can take a good look at themselves and gain insight into why they ended up in prison. They can then take advantage of the programs that are available in many US prisons. I am aware of the fact that many prisons have no programs or other means of improvement for inmates, but most prisons have some. And practically all of them have a chapel or a chaplain.

Where I work (state prison), we have an awesome chapel program, Alhamdulillah. If inmates are committed to a prison where there is a Muslim chaplain, part of the Muslim chaplain's job is to "be there" for all inmates, regardless of their faith group, or even if they have no faith group. The Muslim chaplain often develops deep relationships with non Muslim inmates, so it is natural that some inmates may become attracted to Islam through their relationship with the Muslim chaplain. State and federal prisons are a little different than city lockups and county prisons because inmates are incarcerated for longer periods in the state and federal facilities. Thus, inmates have an opportunity to be exposed to Muslims and Muslim chaplains.

In city lockups or county prisons, inmates are usually exposed to Islam and Muslims through other inmates, or programs provided by outside Islamic groups. Sometimes, inmates come to chapel programs and activities for something to do, and then Allah (swt) touches their hearts, and they give Islam a closer look.

In a state or federal prison, inmates sometimes come to Islamic chapel activities (Jumuah, tahleem, Arabic classes, etc.) to get out of their cells, or to be with their friends. Sometimes, inmates come to Islam because they want to participate in the Eid feast. Many Muslim chaplains have observed that inmates desiring to be Muslims increases during Ramadan. In women's prisons, some inmates will desire to be Muslim so they can have a hijab. Further, some inmates want to be part of the "other." Some inmates see Islam as an anti-establishment religion, and want to be part of it.

But, those are some of the nefarious reasons. For the most part, inmates change their religion because they are seeking. Because they are lost in life.

Many inmates (and even people in the general public) have problems with the religion they were born into. When an inmate tells me that they want to change their religion, I ask them why they want to leave their own religion. Sometimes, people have had negative experiences as a child with religion. Many inmates reject the tenants of their own religion. For example, many tell me that "I never did believe that Jesus was God anyhow."

Inmates have challenges in all major areas of their lives, and the spiritual area is no exception. Some inmates believe that changing their religion is the answer to their problems. Some don't realize that if they don't change themselves, they merely enter their new religion carrying all of their baggage from their lives into the next faith tradition.

Islam can bring structure and discipline into a person's life. It also affords a person an opportunity to accept personal responsibility for their life. The very essence of tawheed is the Believer's direct relationship with Allah (swt) with no partners, intercessors, or helpers. In Islam, a person is only responsible to Allah (swt).

But - the biggest reason that inmates are attracted to Islam?

It is because inmates give dawah! Big time, Alhamdulillah! Either directly, or indirectly by example.

Some inmates give dawah by setting a positive example of being a Muslim. Believe it or not, many non Muslim inmates never really knew any Muslims well before coming to prison and ending up being cell mates with a Muslim. If the Muslim inmate is a person that exhibits good Islamic character, prays five times a day in the cell, etc., where the non Muslim can observe all of this, well, it makes the non Muslim see Islam and Muslims in a different light - perhaps for the first time in life. It provides the non Muslim with an opportunity to ask questions.

Why are inmates (or anyone else for that matter) attracted to Islam? Well, as Muslims, we know that Allah (swt) makes Muslims. A person can give all the dawah he wants, and if Allah (swt) puts a veil over the person's eyes, ears, and understanding - well, that person is lost.

Whatever reason, the Muslim chaplain is blessed to be in the unique position to see the miracle repeated over and over again, Alhamdulillah.

When it Rains, it Pours!

(Photo copyright 2009 by S. E. Jihad Levine, All Rights Reserved)

"By (the winds) that scatter dust; and (the clouds) that bear heavy weight of water; and (the ships) that float with ease and gentleness; and those (angels) who distribute (provisions, rain, and other blessings) by (Allah's) Command; Verily, that which you are promised (i.e., Resurrection in the Hereafter and receiving the reward or punishment of good or bad deeds) is surely true. And verily, the Recompense is sure to happen."

Surat Adh-Dhariyat 1-6

Some of you who have read my blog for awhile know that I am a Muslim chaplain in a state prison for women.

I work on Fridays and Saturdays, usually about 8-10 hours a week.

On Fridays, I have individual sessions every fifteen minutes or so from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

Yesterday, it poured down rain in central Pennsylvania. It was a real jihad driving to work. Many cars were pulled over, waiting for the storm to let up some so they could continue driving safely. But, alas, it didn't let up. So, I plugged along slowly figuring that I would sit in my car once I reached the prison parking lot, and pray for Allah (swt) to let me at least get into the facility without getting soaking wet.

Alhamdulillah, when I arrived, the storm slowed to a steady drizzle and I was able to get to the Chapel relatively dry. I had planned ahead and brought extra socks, so I was cool!

We had our tahleem from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, and the women were able to return to their buildings before the rain started coming down again. REAL HARD!

I settled into my office, figuring that my appointments would not show up, and fired up my computer so I could get some paperwork done. Imagine my surprise, when three out of my four appointments arrived.

Why did these women brave a super thunderstorm to come to the Chapel to see me?

Well, the first one wanted to say the Shahadah.

So, did the second one.

And ... so did the third!

All three wanted to become Muslims, Subhan'Allah! So much, that they were willing to get drenched in a thunderstorm to say the Shahadah!

Oh, I was so thrilled! Allah (swt) has blessed me abundantly. But, there is no greater blessing for me than to be able to look in the eyes of someone who has just said the Shahadah, into the eyes of someone who has no sin, who is a spiritual child.

I always tease them after they say the Shahadah. I do the usual, "Mabrook! You're now a Muslim," to which they respond with a huge smile. We hug, and then I gently touch their chin and tilt it toward me. I say, "Did you know that when a person enters Islam by saying the Shahadah, that all of their sins are forgiven (believe it or not, most of them don't know this)? Let me gaze into your eyes. I love to look into the eyes of a person who has no sin!"

It is an intimate moment. You can't imagine. And I have been blessed as a Muslim chaplain to see it over and over and over again, Alhamdulillah.

When inmates write to me and tell me that they want to become a Muslim, I send them a package of materials, and I schedule them for an individual appointment with me (I have to change prison records). More importantly, I include a note that says something to the effect of "I will see you on Friday, at 10:15 am, Insha Allah, but don't wait until then! If you are sure that you want to become a Muslim, all you have to do is say the words of the Shahadah, with conviction, that are on the handout in the package I am sending you. Then, we will talk more when we meet, Insha Allah."

For some reason, most inmates want someone to witness their Shahadah, to "give" them their Shahadah. Although this is not required in Islam, some new Muslims feel more comfortable saying their Shahadah in front of me, or at Jumuah in front of all of the Muslim women.

I believe this comes from their Christian heritage, where baptisms or "being saved" are witnessed.

Anyhow, three women came to Islam at our prison yesterday!

Allahu Akbar!

In the almost two years that I have been a Muslim chaplain, I have seen our Jumuah list double, Alhamdulillah!

When it rains, it pours!

"When comes the Help of Allah, and Victory,
And thou dost see
The People enter Allah's Religion
In Crowds,
Celebrate the Praises
Of thy Lord, and pray
For His Forgiveness.
For He is Oft-Returning
(In forgiveness).

Surat An-Nasr 1-3

May Allah (swt) bless and reward our new Shahadahs and all of our incarcerated Muslims/Ameen!

Lazy Hazy Daze of Summer

As Salaamu Alaikum and Greetings of Peace:

Insha Allah this finds everyone well and enjoying the summer. Before we know it, the blessed month of Ramadan will be upon us, Alhamdulillah.

I have been real busy trying to recover from my trip to ISNA, and also trying to clean up my extensive to-do list.

I am the kind of person who ends up way over her head, unintentionally, because I have a problem saying "no." However, I am learning little by little how to say "no." It is very important to me; not only for my own peace of mind, but for my personal integrity.

Anyhow, the garden is one thing I cannot ignore or put off. To do so creates a whole lot of extra work. And my garden is my sanity saver! This year, my garden is rather larger than I'm used to (or maybe it's a combination of age and MS), and I forgot how labor intensive gardening can be. But, it is definitely worth the effort, Alhamdulillah.

Hubby and I have been eating fresh green beans, yellow squash, and cauliflower. Not to mention all of the herbs I have planted and frozen for future use, Insha Allah.

I bought a "food saver" that seals the plastic bags for the freezer, and also bought a nice chest freezer to hold the goodies for the winter!

Here are a few pics:

1. Dill flowers. Aren't they lovely? They remind me of Queen Anne's Lace flowers. Soon, Insha Allah, I will be able to collect those wonderful dill seeds. I can save some for planting next year, but I plan, Insha Allah, to use them for cooking, too. I have been cooking with dill leaves since the plants came up. Once someone cooks with herbs from their own garden, they are never again content to use that dried up stuff in the bottles that can be purchased from the store.

2. There is also stuff growing around that I did not put in (we just bought this house a year ago). Does someone know the name of this tree or bush? It grew from a few inches tall to what it is now (up over the garage) in about a month. The "flowers" are nice though.

Here's a picture of it's "flower" up close:

3. My tomatoes! Urargggg! Why won't they turn red? I have nice big tomatoes on the vines, but they won't turn red. I looked online and learned that it is a "waiting game." But, I'm not sure how much longer these tomatoes can wait. The plants are so heavy, and I've tied and staked them more than once. We had two real strong rain storms here in the past week or so (did I mention that my bathroom roof was leaking? Ya Allah).

I also red online that you can pick green tomatoes and ripen them in the window without compromising anything on the taste. I never had success doing that. When I picked them green, or even a little pink, and ripened them in the windows, they always tasted a little acidic. (Don't even mention doing fried green tomates or relish with them; I've tried it, and hate it, lol.)

And finally, this little flower was poking its head up from below and between the vegetables and weeds. Anyone know its name?


Well, as you can see, I love gardening.

This winter, Insha Allah, I'm going to plan and design a real nice one for next year. I've learned some valuable lessons this year, and Insha Allah next year will be bigger and better.

Yusuf Islam

Image: Copyright © 2009, S. E. Jihad Levine, All Rights Reserved

Yusuf Islam was at the ISNA Convention in Washington, DC this year.

I got a shot of him signing his CD An Other Cup.

For those of you "old heads" and non-Muslims, Yusuf Islam is the former Cat Stevens!

Yemeni Plane Crash

As Salaamu Alaikum Dear Readers:

Ah, what a beautiful photo, but my heart goes out to this sister.

I know I said I was on a blogging break, but this story broke my heart and I just wanted to write a few words about it.

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilahi Rajioon.

May Allah (swt) grant His comfort and mercy to all those dealing with this test/Ameen.

More Fractals

Blogging Break

I have been so crazy busy, and it doesn't look like it's going to get better in the next month or so. I am involved in a lot of exciting projects, and Insha Allah, will tell you more soon.

In the meantime, I'll post fractals as I do them. Digital art has been a blessing for me. It's one of the fun things I do for myself :)

Night Vision