R. Comes Back From the Province

R. is our second housekeeper--the first was L., whom we hired as caregiver when Ivy was very ill and spent three months in hospital. I had no direct hand in hiring either one--the gods and goddesses must have sent them to us.

I say this because both of them practice magic and taught me many magical techniques.

L. was a black witch who cast spells on her enemies. She eventually left us because she had immense family problems and did not want us to get involved in them. It was she, however, who took care of our family altar and columbarium and lit candles on it every evening at 6:00 PM and on appropriate holy days. She was well-connected with denizens of the occult underworld, some of whom we met and conversed with.

R. is a hedge witch. She has just come back from a two-day vacation in her province with a sackful of herbs, some of which we are to steep in oil, others to plant. Like L., she is able to perform hilot and other forms of alternative healing. I am going to need a bigger potions cabinet because of the resources she brings me.

I guess, "your house is yourself," but "your housekeeper is yourself" is also true.