Category Archives: Reflections

Time Marches On

Reflections, spring

Wow! It’s hard for me to believe that March is over already. I have to tell you that despite the chaos that is going on around the world in many ways things here haven’t changed.

Let me show you.

Spring has sprung –

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– things are greening up as they always do.

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Trees are beginning to bud.

 

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Chives, daffodils and Irises are awakening from their winter nap.

 

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There is no longer ice on the pond. But there is mud everywhere.

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Strawberry leaves are turning green, as are thyme, oregano and some others that I do not have photos of.

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The garlic is sprouting. 🙂

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Our gardening season has begun. The first seeds we started currently reside in our dinning room along with some of our house plants. My husband set up extra lighting for them.

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Here we have nasturtiums, calendula, and marigolds. Since only a few marigolds sprouted I replanted them two days ago. All of these will be used as companion plants within our garden to keep various pests away. Since this is the first time we will be doing this I plan to report the results in future posts.

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Last week my husband spent countless hours building our hoop house. “It’s not pretty” he said but as long as it’s functional we agree we can live with it. He worked until dark on Friday to get it put together before the rain arrived on Saturday and the wind on Sunday. If it could pass the weekend weather test we would be ready to start using it this week.

With a few adjustments it did withstand the heavy rains and 40-60 mph winds we had over the weekend. As I write this he is preparing to plant lettuce, spinach, swiss chard and cabbage.

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On Thursday, when he was still in the building process, he had some help. Peanut (the cat) who hasn’t been around much this winter stopped by for a visit. He and Ranger spent some time getting acquainted.

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This chickens are very happy this time of year. They enjoy a diet of bugs, grubs and fresh greens.

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The farm had been drying up a bit but the rain that came Saturday caused puddling and ponding all over again.

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That is a typical spring in Michigan.

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Perhaps it was also the rain that brought this crayfish out. When we crossed paths in our back field on Sunday he had no objections to me taking his picture.

While our world has changed so drastically in just the last few weeks I find peace in looking at the ways that it has not changed.

What things in your life have not changed?

Will you be planting a garden this year?

 

 

 

55 things # 14 – An Earworm

55 Things, Reflections

Click here to learn more about my “55 Things” and here to view previous posts in this series.

This song that I haven’t heard or even thought about in ages started playing over and over in my mind on Monday and has stayed with me through the week. It’s not driving me crazy like earworms sometimes do, in fact it is just what I needed this week.

When I looked the song up on YouTube I was surprised to learn that Anne Murray was the original artist. Did you know that?

55 Things # 13 – Mom Turned Upside Down

55 Things, Reflections

Click here to learn more about my “55 Things” and here to view previous posts in this series.

Many years ago, when my children were young, and I was a much younger, divorced mother juggling a fulltime job and raising 4 daughters, I had a ring (I am not even sure where I got it). It was just an inexpensive piece of costume jewelry and it had the word MOM on it. I was never sure how to wear that ring. Should I put it on so when I looked at my hand I could read the word MOM, or was it better to wear it so that when others might look at my hand they could read it?

One day while looking at the ring I saw the word “MOM” turned upside down and I read the word “WOW”. I then thought about how many times while performing my “Mom” juggling act I felt like I was running in circles, doing the splits, or turning cartwheels and summersaults. Sometimes it really felt like I was upside down.  It suddenly occurred to me that those were the times that I was really WOW. (Wow is defined as an exclamation: expressing astonishment or admiration.) Juggling in itself is challenging at best but juggling while standing on your head is an amazing feat.

I had planned on writing this post some time during this year and with all things our world is experiencing right now I thought that there might need to be some Mom’s that need to hear this. I am sure that there are many Mom’s out there who feel like they are trying to juggle while standing on their head right now and if you are one of them I think of you and say WOW. I admire you and applaud you.

If you are reading this but are not currently a mom trying to raise kids during these challenging times feel free to pass this message along to someone who is and give her the encouragement she needs and the acclamation she deserves.

 

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My Gang

Thanks for reading and be well.

 

 

Not Just Elderberry – More Information On Cytokine Storm

Reflections

Once again I will reiterate that I am not a medical professional. If you have health concerns please consult with your doctor or health professional. They have the ability to diagnose your condition and determine the best course of action. I’m am, however, sharing this information because I fear that my earlier post about having a strong immune system could have devastating results for some people. After reading fellow blogger Joni’s recent article about The Great Influenza and this article on cytokine-storm I am retracting my “motherly advice”.

I will no longer share information or advice about health or well being either my personal practices or things that I have read.  I will leave that to the professionals.

This is the message I received in an email letter from herbalist Jim Mcdonald –

“Everyone is wondering – rightly – “what do we take for the coronavirus?” While there are numerous theories and ideas, the truth of the matter, at this point, is that we don’t entirely know. There’s so much we don’t know about COVID-19.

But there are things we do know, about the body, about supporting fever and immune responses, and about working with the person and not just the disease they’re responding to. As I study cases and as I’ve begun to work with cases, what’s clear is that people are responding differently: some people have high fevers, some people respond with low grade fevers. Some people have more pronounced upper respiratory issues, while other are just feeling it in their lungs. Some people are safe managing the infection at home, and some will need medical intervention. It’s clear that we can’t make one size fits all suggestions, and clearer than ever that truly holistic, energetic considerations need to be made when choosing a course of action.”

That letter along with a discount offer on his Foundations in Holistic Immunity series can be found at this link.

Personally I will now refocus my energies on things like garden planning, soap making, and taking care of myself, my husband and the boys.

I will also continue to pray for strength, wisdom and well being for all.