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?

Scrunchy neck scarf finished!

Scrunchy, soft, warm winter neck scarf is finished! Took me 10 weeks!

All the yarn is my own homespun. This was a delight to work with!

The pattern was a simple K1, *(P1, K1), *repeat across. I did this on 6's.

I am excited to not only have re-taught myself to knit, but to have finished a
project entirely in my homespun, homespun made for the project, and no pattern!
There should be a rights of passage badge for this!

How about rights of passage badges in the fiber arts! I like that idea!
First handknit pair of socks, first successful lace project, etc.

I will have difficulty parting with this to the person it was made for.