Memories of Blue

I remember BLUE, an abundance of blue! From the age of four, I remember!

Da knew where all the Wild Highbush Blueberries were! Our entire family would walk old rutty, hidden roads, or windy deer paths to patches of these flavorful orbs.

 Lake Jones was a favorite destination.  We would conceal where we were heading as best we could.

Out behind the sand pile, the old road, to another barely perceptible old road, not even a dirt road.

We carried our pails, and walked silently for a while. through swampy areas, dragonflies, deerflies, dusty areas.

when we reached the edge of the lake where there was a knot of trees, with large rocks, the smell of warm grass, and sweet fern delighted me. I love Sweet Fern! 

Da  motioned for silence and to stop.  He waited a minute, then selected me, gave the 'walk silent' sign, and I followed close behind his tall legs.  We crossed the open grass, tall grass, so tall for my wee four years, I couldn't see past Da's legs. Near to the stand of blueberry bushes, he stepped aside.

There, a few inches in front of me,  grass was down in a tangle, larger than me! Da told me to put my hands into it. It was warm!  Very warm! He explained that three doe and two fawn had just left.  This was where they had slept last night. I felt such Honor!

 Da called for the others.  He led me to a spot under the edges of four bushes, gave me three pails, told me to sit there.  I sat there and picked without having to move to another spot.  Looking up, all I could see was blue and green! My family all about me, but out of sight in the bushes, the sound of plunk, plunk, ehoing back to me.

Da had tall pails, with metal handles.  He would loop his belt through the handles of six pails.

With two pails directly in front of him, he gently pulled handfuls of sweetness into them.  When they were full, he would move them over, pull the other two to the front, and continue.

The walk back was a concentration on counting each step, to distract from the pain of the heavy pail handles pulling at the base of my small fingers.  Crows called from the overhead branches when we reached the shaded treed sections of the old road.

Later, at home, the blueberries were gently rinsed.

My mother's bed faced two windows, each letting in lots of sunlight.  Towels were laid out on the bed.

We lazily rolled the blueberries dry, removing any stems or undeveloped ones.

Blueberries were placed into containers and delivered to neighbors that had requested them.

Mom would take a quantity to Hugo's store across the street, trade them for flour and sugar.

Soon we were eating her wonderful blueberry pies and muffins!

(Mom had been a private chef for a wealthy family)

All these years, I desired to have my own blueberry farm, organic highbush!

I live in the hills now, only a few miles from a pick-your-own, organic, berry farm!

Recently, my friend/neighbor Michelle and I visisted this farm. It was a sin to walk away and leave so many blueberries behind.

Delia, Michelle

 Michelle makes delicious blueberry jam. We had a great time, tasting and picking, tasting and picking, laughing, and enjoying the other pickers. We each picked four quarts.  I froze three for the white time.

When the past folds into the present!

OH JOY!  Wonders of the universe have allowed reconnections with ladies from my elementary school years, the village!

We gathered at a restaurant, were quite a raucous crew!  The excitement was wonderful!

Denise, Mary, Barbara, Delia

Seeing familiar faces, recognizeable faces, long-wished for faces is exhilerating!

Photos were passed around, by several of us at the same time!  Conversations started new conversations! Photos were taken by the dozens! 

We want to stay in touch!  Imagine!?

"Time it was, time it was, oh what a time it was...preserve your memories, there all that is left you."

Comments were made about the value of friends from the early formative years.  Why are these so special?  Perhaps, it was ventured, these were the people that accepted you as you were?  We were innocent?

We talked of the school principal, Mr. Lemire, he taught 5th and 6th grade, and his ruler!
We talked about how we each got scattered to the downtown schools.

It is wonderful to see these people; their lives, children and grandchildren! Something about seeing them again, and those wonderful, hold-tightly hugs that make me feel complete!  Soothed and excited at the same time!
Yet, it brings other memories back, also!
And, I can't help but wonder what my life might have been if we had stayed in touch.

My Emerald Playground.

Spring Ebbs

Swords of light green new growth, up to a foot long,  now blend into the lush green of the mother plants.

Trees are draped in their emerald summer gowns.

                                                          Leaves wave as I pass.

                                                         Do they remember me?

                                                       Birds sing to them in joy!

Paterned Cows lay upon the dewy, juicy grass in shaded slanting meadows.

                                                           Why isn't milk green?!

My drive to work is through a tunnel of green, so many shades of green!

                                            White clouds come to admire the scenery.

Farmstands are open, revelling in the early production!  Plants are confused.

July blooms are here. Green is interspersed with white daisy, with tiger lilly!

Nights have been very cool, days sweltering! 

Behind in rainfall. 

 Rivers have dwindled.

The deer like it here!

You can see and feel  the Chi Energy of Ferns! 

There must be a Fern Deva nearby!

  Ruth has a fondness for the Laurel. 

It is Laurel time here in the woodlands.

Cinnabar always sounds exotic.

Cinnabar, so exotic.  As a child, I thought it was an exotic wood, possibly an aromatic like frankincense or myrrh!

Alas! it is a stone, rather, a gemstone!

Back when I wore Bellbottoms with mirrors and embroidery, I worked a bit polishing stones and cutting stained glass.  This person gave me a necklace of agate.  I wore it until it totally gave out!  Wrapped all the pieces in a bandana and kept them for a few decades! 

When I began to make jewelry again, I found the bandana. I decided to mix these with jasper, cinnabar, and onyx.  Going mostly by an artist's feel for color, design, and size, I was unaware of what I was really doing!

Cinnabar is for stimulating dignity, vitality and power. It is effective in removing obstructions, furthers ones assertiveness, while eliminating aggression. It is helpful in community work.  It is assistive in remembering the "giving" qualities of the Divine!

Jasper is the "supreme nurturer". Jasper is here to bring joy and substance to others, assisting others to release the bonds of constraint.  Jasper also protects against negativity, and helps one to be grounded.  It balances the physical, emotional, and intellectual bodies with the etheric energies.

Agate for smoothing dysfunctional energies, and to both transform and eliminate negativity.  It provides for perceptiveness to situations and awakens ones' inherent talents and adroitness.

Agate balances phyusical, emotional and intellectual bodies with etheric energies!

Onyx for banishing grief, enhancing self-control, and to stimulate the power of wise decision-making.  Onyx to encourage happiness and good fortune!

Onyx helps one to follow the path alone, promoting the recognition of personal strengths and assisting one in understanding of the reality of the moment.  It helps one become the master of ones own future!

(These qualities are excerpted from the book, 'Love is in the Earth, A Kaleidoscope of Crystals, updated' by Melody)  I love these books!  I highly recommend them!

At this time in my life, I am accepting charcoal gray into my colors.  I enjoy the delicate, oriental carving in these cinnabar beads.

I decided to keep, and wear the necklace. 

Currently undergoing several 'challenges', I was amazed by how timely this choice, and how relevant these stones are!  I expect their similar natures will only enhance thier qualities, powers!

When the cows come home...

I set out on a walk down the lane Saturday evening.  On the Western Horizon, the aura of coral pink called to me.  It resembled the old tinted photographs.  It was to be a magical evening!

Along the manicured lane, I found one lonely, stunted phlox in bloom.  I stopped to give it some attention.  The good Indian in me said, look farther!  Over the banking, a few feet from the pile of slash and trash was the back of a very healthy Trillium!  A purple Trillium!  My sister and I had played among the Trilliums, Mayflowers, and LadySlippers throughout our childhoods!

I walked on, turned toward that sunset aura, and came to the crossroads.  There were a few of the cows nearby.  I turned down the hill, approached the fence, and the cows came running.  More, and more of them appeared out of the woods in back.  they approached me, but would not come any closer than 8 feet.

A cow would blow, I would blow and shake my head slowly.  We kept on like that for sometime, with lots of eye contact! I became aware of the calling of the Redwing Blackbirds by the fire pond.  As the evening progressed, the Robins chimed in.  Soon the peepers created the rich base for this ensemble.

I walked on to the fire pond.  There, the gold straw, dried pale, against the darkening waters, was interrupted by the black with red of my favorite bird.  I must paint, I must paint, I must paint!

It was all so vibrant!

the job of the artist

"The job of the artist is to uplift man's soul"
from the George Gallo movie, 'Local Color'

In elementary school, they taught us the names of the colors...
red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black.

At home, I learned these in French, before I ever went to school.

At home, I learned the names of the colors...
crimson, vermillion, burnt umber, sienna, turquoise, spruce, lavender, indigo, cobalt, sky, silver.

My mother had been a private chef for a wealthy family in Vermont, the Townsends.  The Townsends planned a trip to Europe.  They had my mother move to Boston with them, while they prepared for their trip.
When they sailed off, my mother remained in Boston. While there, she took Art Classes at the Boston Museum of  Fine Art. 
She was quite good, too!

After she died, I had a braid of her hair, and one charcoal of an Indian Maiden with braids.

We were poor, had no television much of the time, so mother and Da would gather us around the kitchen table and teach us art!

One of the reasons I am not a successful painter, is that my mother painted.  One of the reasons I am a Fiber Artist, is that she did not weave or spin!

They taught us how to do good art.  Composition, depth, shadowing.
They also taught us not to do art, not realistic, no money.

I struggle to reconcile this.  Yet, I have no choice! 
The expressions jump right out of me!  I YEARN! 
I go to museums, I get up real close, I live those brushstrokes! 
Yet, I have not had adequate training.

I can sketch well.  Once, as a child, I found some Pitcher Plants along the shore, sat down and did a sketch.  My father was overwhelmed with me! One, I had not picked or crushed them! Two, I made a wonderful likeness!

I have tried painting at two times in my life.  Hardly enough.
This movie was a mirror of the need to say something in color and texture!
I will buy an easel to take on my walks.

An Irish Lad goes away on adventure

Some people are larger than life.  Some people just sneak up on you, surprise you with their quality, their depth!

My good friend and neighbor, Paul, is leaving today.  He is off to the West on an adventure.

I am sad.

Paul helped me move in, fixed my favorite antique oak bureau, provided lots of laughter and song. Paul is a Giver, a Doer.

I trust Paul.  Lately, he has been the majority of my 'safe' people. I will miss Paul.

This photo of Paul is at the Glendale Falls.  He is sitting at his favorite spot, enjoying the power, sound, spray, colors and movement of the long falls.

Paul, May the Sun rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back...!

black onyx and porcelain beads

Perhaps it is the cool, smooth sensation to my fingers. 
Perhaps it is the weight, or the colors.

Perhaps it is the enjoyment of focus! 

Perhaps it is all of these, and other things I cannot fathom.

I love beads!  Natural gemstones, semi-precious, and hand-made.

In the past, I deeply indulged myself.  I have quite a collection! 

There is work to do! 

To soothe over my indulgences, I sold several necklaces.

For a while, I made necklaces customized to a persons' astrological profile,

or chakra or spiritual needs.  To get through the six years of my divorce process, I made a one-of-a-kind necklace to give me courage and strength.

Here are my fourth and fifth pieces. 

These were inspired by a dark-haired woman that attended fundraisers at the Boston Museum of Art.  I used black onyx for class (and for grounding), hand-painted porcelain,

and brass spacers, gold-plated clasps.

If I were wealthy, they would call me eccentric.

Without the wealth, I am eclectic.  As you will see in future posts about my jewelry.

Walking to stones

We walked.  We walked everywhere.  No car. 
We walked in the woods, we walked around the lake.
We walked to the woods, we walked to the lake.

Da had long legs, so he was usually way in front, often out of sight. 
It was O.K. He taught us how to look for a snapped twig, or some disturbed grass. 
Never even considered getting lost!

Many times, we walked to stump pond and blueberry island.  This took us along the main road to New Hampshire. 
Each time we went through this area, he would point Northwest, and tell us about the abandoned quartz mine deep in the woods.  I wanted to go there, really wanted to go,! He always said that I was too small, and a female, so I would not be able to get there easily! (?) 
If he only knew the places I was going alone at my tender age!?

So, what was left was a lifelong need to find that mine!  At least a love of rocks, gemstones! 

My sister and I would spend away the time gathering tiny bits of garnet from  sand in our front yard.  We loved the red, and that, if t pieces were larger, they would have some worth. 
Was this like panning for gold?

I collect rocks, my sister collects rocks. 
Now I want to collect, and to 'know' the rocks of our earth.  I have several good books. 
I have some apophilite, stilbite, ruby, quartz, malachite, and a herkimer diamond. Currently, I wear a kionite.

I want to go to mines and find my own.  So much to learn!

Today the Postmistress, Cyndi, gave me two quartz crystals she 'mined' in Arkansas!

I have been a maker of necklaces from semi-precious stones.  It is one of my artistic, creative outlets.  I will post some photos here soon.  I realize I never introduced myself to the blog community as an artist!

Origins of the word Gorgeous

I appreciate Lexicography.  But I like to have fun with it, too.

Here is a photo of the Chesterfield Gorge, in Chesterfield, Massachusetts.  Gorge is Gorgeous, yes?

the East Branch of the Westfield River runs through deeply glacial carved walls of a Schist chasm, according to 'Little Bang Theory'.  All I know is they are stunning, attractive, large!

These photos were taken over a month ago, when winter still held on, just before the notable runoff went through.

I played in this gorge back in the early '70's, with my friends.  I will be writing a synchronicity story soon about these friends.

Yellow Gold like blaring trumpets

When I die, I want to be surrounded by glorious color!  Scrumptious, unexpected color from nature. These must have been nice people, don't you think?

The budding time

Now is the budding time.Trees up here have removed their winter gowns and stand naked waiting to be dressed in tender greens.

Have you ever noticed that nature begins the warm seasons with strong yellow-golds in forsythia and daffodil, and ends the warm season with the same tones in goldenrods and in the leaves of birches?

I gaze out at the wooded hills and watch the rapid changes.  Seeming rows of red tips on the maples, alternated with evergreen. Each day more red gives heathered hue to the canopy and to the underbrush.  Spring belongs to the Impressionist style, the changes come so very quickly!

I wonder what it feels like to the woodlands.  To me, standing here gazing, it all looks warm and still.  Yet the energy, the rapid cell division and specialization is amazing!  Each day is a new scene!

Forsythia have just bloomed this week. Yet, 300 feet closer to sea level, the crocus and forsythia have been bloomed for two weeks already.  1,000 feet closer to sea level, there are...Magnolia!

All around my apartment are shallow beds of bulbs in a hurry to reach up green.  It will be a delightful surprise!

My own perennials have shivered through the winter, high in the woods of Huntington.  I was unable to cover them with leaves last November.   I will visit them in a week.  This will be a surprise, also.

I feel the need to find a better home for them.  Where they are now, I cannot haul enough water to them.  Nor can I shower them with apreciation daily.

I know that they are visited by the wild turkeys, and the quail.  Birds sing to them, too.

Roll ye old River...

Frothing, mudded rivers grasp at their banks, intent on taking tree and rock along in their fearsome ride to the sea.

It is awesome, and raucous!  The power, the speed, the potential, is for me, a water sign, intensely attracting!

The East Branch of the Westfield River has a large watershed.

In the book, 'Only One Cummington', William M. Streeter writes of these waters, "flowing on ledges of mica slate, soapstone, chlorite, actinolite and talc".

I have been to an old, tiny mica mine near to the Knightsville Dam.  It is strange to imagine this flaky material, or the soft talc forming resistant ledges!?

Water falls, water floods, water flows!  The remaining snow in the woods is melting, the incessant rains are pouring, this increased flow of water causes me to take the high road, the long way around to come and go from work and home.  Waters are over the road on my usual route.

Water is very familiar to this area.  In the Pre Paleozoic Era (50 to 75 million years ago), this was a great expanse of water, more than likely part of the sea!
(The Geological History of the Connecticut Valley, by William J. Miller.)

Years past, I lived in Butler County, Pennsylvania.  In early spring, we would drive north to the upper Monongahela River.  The ice floes were almost the size of trucks, and were all jammed up with each other.  Floods would occur behind this jam.  Should the jam manage to move downstream, it would, and had taken out bridges!.  Each spring The Engineers would dynamite the ice jam, to facilitate the flow of smaller pieces, and release the backup or waters.
This is what we drove to see.

Then, we would race down to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, park the car, walk out onto a bridge.  From this vantage, we watched.

Whole mature trees, docks, cabin boats would swirl by, or accumulate in snags as this water pummelled itself continuously against the reinforced river banks, and the bridge supports! Exciting!

Just downstream of these Pittsburgh bridges is the confluence of the Monongahela and Yogiogheny Rivers, forming the Ohio.  At the confluence is Point State Park.  Here was Fort Pitt, and the rich history of settlers, soldiers, and Native Americans.

It was said that the Huron, and the Iroquois knew how to canoe and portage all the way to the Ohio from the Great Lakes, by way of the Monongahela Watershed.

I welcome the waters, the sculpting force of ages.  I celebrate it!

Signs of spring, and What?!!!

These several weeks, there has been much talk of signs of spring.  For me the thrill has been the liquid throat call of the red-wing blackbird from Pepper's Marsh. The abundance  of  free flowing water, in its' cacaphonous rush to the Connecticut River and then to the sea!

What I did not expect...  Driving home on Fairgrounds Road, which follows the East Branch of the Westfield River some, is wooded, windy: there in front of me was a woman standing in a wheeled rig, holding the ropes to a dog team! These white, fluffy dogs were repeatedly veering off the road, possibly seeking softer earth for their paws.

This reminded me of an Autumn in Vermont, beside the Connecticut River.  Aunt Irene and I were enjoying tea and conversation in the living room.  I was enjoying the scenery.  Down the paved road came several students from Dartmouth College.  They were on roller skates, in ski position, using ski poles to push themselves along! Dartmouth College Ski Team, in training.

So, can I expect, some winter day, to see bathing suit clad people doing backflips into snow!

Green is gaining ground over the dead yellow-browns of lawns.

Spring...continued. 

I went to the Sugar House on Sunday.  On the way to the South Face Sugar House, a Grouse hen slowly crossed the road in front of my car.  With each step, her head bobbed forward.

It was a cold day.  I parked the car, and there was snow falling! 

Spring?

Spring's Opening Curtain

Rivers roil,

ravage river banks.

Nature rushes

to be ready

for Spring's Opening Curtain.

In every rill and rivulet,

every branch and brook,

waters dance and leap;

Over rocks

Over water

as a can-can dancer

swishing petticoats

The  woodlands tune up

 with the tones of

red-brown,

and purple-gray

in tender branch and bramble.

But, where is the conductor?

Delia Nash

Spring! Colors! Smith bulb show

A myriad of colors and welcome fragrances, entrance you as you walk through the greenhouses at Smith college.

This is an Annual Event. Each March they open the Horticulture Greenhouses to the public.  Each year, I go!  An Artist's Date!

Within are gathered an array of blooming bulbs.  Freesia is my favorite fragrance! There are several Orchids, and a multitude of Tulips! 

Here and there are groups with harmonizing colors, over there, and above may be an arrangement of deep contrast to excite you! 

Plenty to see, and breathe!

A welcome signpost that Spring will be soon, and there will be flowers and trees in bloom, soft moist air, and birdsongs!

After my lingering walk through the greenhouses, I went for a walk at the pond where I found an old friend!  We had a wonderfu visit. 

                   

Just love this serendipity!

How many shades of yellow are there, anyway?

Wearing a camera around one's neck is also a way to have fun, be helpful, and meet people. 

Twice, I was asked to take photos of people with their cameras!

As you can see from the bottom photo, nature is not shy!                                                   

Yipes Stripes!

Which one is your favorite?

Wind whirls wildly over the winter

Wind whirls wildly over the white world.

Moonlight makes magic of the mountain meadow.

She comes.

Thirst tempts her through the thorny thicket.

Brook bounds boldly past bright birches.

She comes.

Picks her path on padded paws,

past pine trees.

Eyes, ears alert to evenings activities.

She comes.
Rounds the rocks, head raised.
Drinks deeply of dark waters, defying danger.

They come.
Beyond the brook, beckoning to each other.
Stand in shady snow, searching the serene scene.

She watches.
Tilting their tawny necks, long tongues lap racing water.
A rough cough, then retreat from the raging river.

They go.
they wend west, white tails down.
Puncturing snow with pointed hoofs.

She goes.
Wind whips wisps of white powder into punctured snow.

Delia Nash, 2010

The Fishing Academy

Imagine that!  Well a nice man named John Hoffman did several years ago.  He decided that his love of fishing could be beneficial to children, children that might otherwise have nothing to do, could use their time to get into trouble, or be out on the streets.

I first met John several years ago, through my daughter.  He often took her out onto the ocean to fish.  See earlier post about how fishing is genetic.

He has maintained this dream, this effort for many years, and is seeking our help. 

John's Fishing Academy will be having an Auction to raise money to continue.  Could you contribute something wonderful to entice bidders, or attend and seek out that something unusual for a good cause?!
http://www.thefishingacademy.com/

On this site, you can view photos of children fishing, from various events.

Old Man in the Tree

As I was enjoying the beautiful winter storm, the way the snow had clung to the branches of the old Maple was amazing! Must have been twelve inches of snow along the top sides of the large branches! The way it was adorning and obscuring the tree brought out the face, as though it had a shock of white hair on its' head. You will have to look closely to find it.

"I'm CCCCold!"

Winter Storm becomes Photo OP

Amazing, one day we got three or four inches of snow. The next day we got 2.5 feet of snow, then rain. The next day three more inches, and then four inches the day after that! This morning it was snowing again! Are we importing from Siberia? I predict another two weeks of this, and we will have our own glacier here!

It is wonderful, though! Sparkling and pure! Here are some photos from where I live...

A Sudden Turn-Around

Anticipating this past weekend, with the Orchid Show, the Choral Concert (free), and the launching of the book by the Kangaroo Dyer, at Webs I was feeling good about life.

Saturday arrived, the day of the Orchid Show, and the Choral concert. By noon, I was aware that my teeth hurt, and my face was swelling up. Well, that might all go away in two or three hours, I thought. In another hour, I was in throbbing pain from the upper left of my mouth!

I decided to skip the Orchid Show. Another hour, and I realized that I would need a few soft food items from the Health Food Store, as well as some Rescue Remedy. I drove the 40 minutes to the Health Food Store. I had been shoppping for about five minutes, when I realized I was no longer in full command of my legs, my walking, or my mind! Yes, must be a fever! I grabbed what I could think of and manuevered slowly to the check-out, and out to my car. I waited to compose myself, and drove home. Now chills! So, I would not be going to the Choral concert, either.

By evening, I was throbbing, fever and chills! One hum-dinger of a tooth problem!

Struggled through the night, to find myself slightly better in the morning. I knew that I would have to deal with this, so I would be missing the book launch, also!

Supportive phone calls to my sister (was and LPN) and my friend, Cyndie convinced me to go to the Emergency Room.

I have an extremely sensitive system and cannot take aspirin or tylenol, or most dental products. My doctor recently retired, and I have not found a Wholistic dentist in this area!
The last time I went to a Wholistic Dentist, it was a difficult 4 hour drive each way.

The ER DR. was totally confused and frustrated. He asked me what I wanted them to do for me! They have a difficult time understanding that some folks cannot, and or do not wish to have medications. Everything he would have given me was something that I cannot have. So we settled on Penicillin, as it has been more than 15 years since I have had that. And on Codeine without the Tylenol, or aspirin.

Hungry, there was no time to try to find soft food, I had to get to the Pharmacy before it closed at 6 P.M. Didn't matter, the Pharmacy could not fill the 15 mg. of Codeine. They do not carry it.
I asked if they could give me the 30, cut them in half, and only give me part of the prescription. They could give me the 30, if they had this, but I would have to get a new prescription, and they would have to order this, as they had none in stock. He called around and no other CVS had a 30, and none of these carried 15's. From there, I rushed over to Stop and Shop, and they do not carry the codeine, either!

Another 2.5 hours at the ER!? No! I would go without!

Monday, I called the clinic in Turner's Falls, which is how I found out that even though my Doctor had come back from retirement, she was not seeing patients like before, but doing specialty home visit. I would need a new Dr.!? She is the only one with the records of my reactions to certain antibiotics. After 40 minutes of answering questions to the Dental Clerk about my condition, she stated that they would call me back. She left me a message stating that they could see me in two weeks!?? I called back, left a message stating that I was an emergency, this needed to be done now. I have never heard back from the. (it has been four days now.)

Finally tried to reach the Hilltown Medical Clinic, called three different times, and could not get through. Bit the bullet, so to speak and went ahead to schedule an extraction with the Ct. Valley Oral Surgeons. They could extract the tooth the next morning, but I would have to pay in full at the time.

From the Penicillin on Sunday and Monday, I developed a massive migraine, and eyestrain.
I needed more items from the Health Food Store, and would try again to get the pain killer prescription filled. I went to a Wallgreens, the clerk at the Pharmacy said that they had the 15's, and entered me into their system. Two minutes later, he says they do not, they do not even have the 30's, unless I want to go to Springfield. He called around and found a Pharmacy in Florence that had 30's. Then he encouraged me to go back to the ER desk and explain the prescription need. He said I should not have to wait 2.5 hrs.

I dragged myself to the ER, waited about 25 minutes, and had the new prescription. Scurried to Florence, waited another 20 minutes, and had my pain killer!

The next morning, Tuesday, I showed up to have the tooth pulled. We were in a snow storm for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday!

The Dental numbing agents that I tolerate, also don't take any effect on me. The regular ones give me reactions, and trigger my PTSD! Especially Lidocaine, the one with the least side effects for me, and the most success getting me numb. Lidocaine can put me into another very frightening world, a place I do not want to be. So I was praying hard as I entered the office.

People were leaving, and the clerk explained that she had left a message on my cell phone ten minutes ago. The Dr. had been called to the ER to an emergency. I had no phone call, or message! Anyway, we rescheduled (tentatively) for 2 in the afternoon. A whole day for dread and anticipation, or for prayer. I went to work for a few hours.

At two, we were able to do this. The Dentist began to approach my mouth with the numbing needle, and I shouted, What are you using?! He told me and asked if there was a problem. I had to embarrassingly try to explain simply that I might have difficulty coping with this, just be kind and patient with me. He was uncertain as to how to proceed. I said I had to do this. I could feel the Angels' Assurance that it would be alright.

He was able to remove the large tooth without much difficulty! The whole thing was faster than the ER! Soon, I was standing to pay the bill, when my whole being began to tremble and shudder. I had to sit down and wait a while for it to subside. Was it the Hypoglycemia, or the reaction to the Lidocaine!? In the past, I was unable to move my legs in a normal fashion for about a week after Lidocaine!

I started the drive home, planning to bunker down with the penicillin, and the codeine, and the soft yogurt (which I am allergic to). Amazing to me in my condition, I had the presence to remember to think to slow down a bit when I got to the top of the hill coming out of Goshen. When I arrived at the top of that hill, an ambulance was coming from the other direction with the lights flashing. I slowed, and pulled to the side a bit. The road conditions were bad due to the snow storm we were in. After the ambulance passed, I pulled slowly back into the lane. The front wheels slipped on the ice, decided that the car should instead head straight for the middle of the road. I steered into the skid, the back wheels began to spin around, the car was now sliding downhill and across the lanes, and the back spinning around. Soon the energy of sliding toward the guiderails at the hillside, and the energy of the back end of the car sliding down the road were equal. I knew that I would be all right. I could feel the assurances of the Angels!

Yes, the car finished with a light thud sideways against the packed snow at the guardrail. It all ended lightly, easily. My car was in the other lane, oriented uphill, just the opposite of where I was going. I was not injured, there were no cars in that other lane for me to slide into!

Only a bit of damage to the paint job near the rear tire. A man stopped to check on me and the car. It was amazing! Absolutely nothing that I could do! And all that time still biting down on the gauze in my mouth. Two difficult circumstances in one day, and neither of them a problem, not like all the events leading up to them!

I am now eating some, and doing quite well, barely needing the Codeine!

Sunnies and Sunny Disposition

Batch two is up and edible! Delicious! Often the Cotyledon push the hull to their folded tips, and at the right moment, you can see the hull fall off.

I was updating a friend, a long-time organic farmer about my Sunflower Greens.

He restores old farm equipment. His comment was, "Soon, I will need a tractor!"

Now imagine the shoehorn apartment, with barely West light, with a tractor inside!

I have sold 4 ozs. of this batch and have a small order for another oz.

Dilemna, suddenly there are Sunflower Greens available at the Coop, and at Whole Foods!

Ironny, again...I was shopping at Whole Foods, and suddenly my cart was gone! I searched for it and found it, (I tie knots in the bags, instead of using those metal and paper twisties). The only item that had been added to my cart was a package of organic Sunflower Greens! Angels at work again?

I will have to see about getting Organic Certification for my tiny operation, so I can get a price worth the tiny effort! Next batch is planted.

birches in winter scarf

Here is the current scarf project.

My friend at Rustique Gallery keeps referring to winter as Black and White, and my friend at Ixchel Bunny keeps referring to duality.

So here is my black and white and shades of gray scarf. .

Imagine the birch tree bark, with the deep pure snow in the background.

Skating in Spring Village

Skating is all around me. the Daily Hampshire Gazette just did photos of the skating rink in Florence, MA. Olympic Skating is on T.V., and in the Olympic news.

In Spring Village, where I grew up, Mr. O'Donnell would have the fire department flood a section of the Mill field, so it could freeze and become a handy skating rink. He was a very nice man, and had an employee with many children (French Catholic?) that lived in the village.
This provided them, and the rest of the village with healthy outdoor activity.

The local boys would keep it clear of snow. This was probably due to their own interest in playing Hockey. They played a lot of Hockey. It was sometimes dangerous to be skating.

One year, Mr. O'Donnell had the Fire Department flood two separate spots for skating rinks. This made skating much safer.

The rinks were near to street lights, often we enjoyed skating in the evening. All ages, all socio-economic levels (though the spread was not that great in this little ethnic mill village) took part.

My older brother went on to sideline as a Hockey Coach or Teacher. I have a photo of his youngest boy skating at four years old in Hockey gear.

Beyond this field near the road, tucked away in the small section of woods off Mill Circle, was a pond. This is where my sister and I would often go. It was quiet and private. We enjoyed the wildlife while we skated about, and the walk home was shorter than from our lot at the Square Piece. It was often twilight when I would remove my skates to prepare to leave. Twilight reflected on darkening ice, evergreens and sparkling snow enclosing it, as though it were a mirror in a green and white frame. I yearn for this place, and it's colors, it's privacy, the stillness, the refuge.

Green Green, it's green Sunflowers

Sunflower Greens! So many Sunflower Greens. My neighbor Paul stopped by and I made him a packet to take home and eat. When he spotted the greens growing in the window, his eyes got real big. He used to eat these in California. He showed the packet to a neighbor, whose friend was over.

By the time I brought some of the greens in to the local store to sell, everybody already knew about it! Excitement and enthusiasm! I have sold three small bags now. My first $6.oo!

The second batch is in the oven, so to speak. Soaked, sprouting, planted, and in the dark for these next two days. Should have these ready by Saturday or Sunday.

My body feels better, I have been eating the Sunflower Greens for five days now. Delicious! It helps keep the system alkaline, as well as good digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals, chlorophyll!

I have spent lots of money to do this. Bought glass bakeware to plant in. the organic growing mediums, and still need to work out the grow light issue. I do not have enough sunshine in my West facing French Doors.

Take Two sticks, and call me in the morning.

Give a boy/girl scout two sticks and the scout will give you fire!

Give a knitter two sticks and the knitter will give you something to keep you warm!

Difference is you can cuddle the thing the knitter makes, and oogle the colors for years! Pass it on to someone else, also! And in this day of consciousness about sustainability!!!??? Well, you can remake the item, or frog it and reuse the yarn, etc.!

Yes, I am knitting again! This time for the neighbor that helped me move and helped to fix my antique bureau. I love saying 'Thank You' this way!

Mary Alice B. suggested the stitch pattern, and I am using natural colors of charcoal, gray and white. These are WEBS yarns, cause if I took the time to spin for this project, it would be mid-spring before I finished knitting.

And, one thing leads to another... I am already planning to crochet a curtain for the entry door window in mohair, in periwinkle blue and related tones. I'll have to reteach myself to crochet, also.

So all this means that I am in pain, locked up with 'knitter's neck'. Yes, the peaceful, quiet art of knitting has it's injuries, also!

I went to 'drop in' knitting and crochet at Webs today for the first time! The ladies are making spring garments! Proof that there will be spring!

Growing greens gratefully II

I have germination! A good percentage of germination! I have run out of containers!

The roots on the sunflowers are larger than the original hulls. The cellular division and specialization always fascinates me! I will place these out of the oven today. They are ready for the sun and photosynthesis! Then they will be green! Oh Boy! Oh Boy! I am hungry for things that are good for me.

Sherry says that I will have to market these, I will have so many! Maybe so...Hmmmm....

Growing Greens Gratefully

Happy Day! Today I planted the sunflower seeds to grow greens indoors. I am so happy! It feels so right to me to be planting and tending and loving living things! These will give me protein, flavor, and vitamins and minerals! Preparing and planting them feels like an active prayer.

I have only done this twice, a few years ago, and have watched someone grow these that learned from Anne Wigmore.

Let's see what happens...

The directions on the can were very abbreviated.

1. Soak for 6 to 8 hours. (doesn't seem to be enough for something in such a hard hull, so I soaked for 20 hours). I also soaked about three times the amount I needed this first batch, so had to search for things to grow in.
(Many resource sites are growing in plastic, as was my friend that learned from Ann Wigmore. I felt funny about this, so I searched my brain, and finally decided to try Plexiglass baking pans.
Let's see what happens.)

2. Plant in an inch of soil. Well, how close together can they be? Do I press them into the soil?
Do I cover them with some soil? I may have them too close together.

3. Keep covered, moist and in the dark. Well, having prepared so many, the only place I can
keep all of these for this stage is in the oven. This covered thing makes me think the ready
plastic trays could make life easier!

Should be app. five days from now. Will have to remember to get spinach, and balsamic vinegar.

In addition to the quandary of what to plant these in, is the quandary of grow lites for these and for my African Violets. I do not want fluorescent! Seems like that is all there is out there for grow lights! Fluorescents are bad for me, but are bad for you, also. Most Day Cares are not supposed to use them around the children, I won't subject pets to them, so I won't subject my plants to them, either.

I have found 60 watt full spectrum grow bulbs, but would have to jury rig up the fixture situation. I could use any full spectrum bulbs from Chromolux, but again jury rig the fixtures.
This will all be in my living area, so want it to look nice.

Anybody got a line on a good natural light, or non-fluorescent full spectrum solution?