Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Happy Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas everybody! I decided today was the perfect day to start up my daily Shinrin-Yoku [forest bathing] again! Even though most of the forest is gray and brown, 
there are still bits and pieces of green and signs of life! And the best thing is that it makes me feel so much better every time I do it! While I was out in the woods, I looked down at my feet and realized how long it had been since I had taken a walk through the forest...I could tell by the number of colored strings [from long hours sitting at my sewing machine] and fuzz on my shoes --- signs of being inside way too much! So today, I'm starting over again...not only for me, but for Wayne and for my overall well-being. The birds beckoned me on, even though they were tucked away in the high branches of the trees...I could still hear their songs and their gratitude for the seeds and nuts we provide for them all Winter. 
The forest floor was littered with lots of "Christmas Fern" --- namely due to them being the last ferns that are still green when Winter arrives...and that the shape of the fronds resemble Santa in his sleigh [not so sure about that, but it's what I've been told]
The pond is rimmed with ice that resembles feathers
And lots of Rattlesnake Plantain is hiding under the leaves
There are also several logs still covered with Turkey tail Mushrooms
And the forest floor is littered with Cranefly and Putty Root Orchid leaves that will shoot out blooms next Summer!
But towards the end of my walk, I asked God to show me a sign that everything will work out for the best and that life is good and that there is nothing I can do or say to change things that happen...just then, I looked down and saw part of a Turkey Tail mushroom that had, somehow, gotten broken off a log. When I picked it up in my hand, I saw an Angel...that's when I knew it was the sign I needed to see today
And then, when I walked up to the front door, I saw someone else that needs, and deserves, my undivided attention
Not to mention
Ahhhh --- Life is good when you see the good in life! 

Merry Christmas!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world" ~ Dr. Seuss

Monday, December 24, 2018

Merry Christmas Funk!

It don't even feel anything like Christmas to me this year. Even though I got to spend time with my friends and my family last week, once again, my Mother sucked out all of my positive energy with her selfish ways. I can't decide if I should try, once again, to mend a broken relationship with her, because she is getting old and won't be here forever, or if I should finally just let it all go. My sister finally let it stop bothering her, but I can't seem to do that. The way my mind and spirit work is that, once somebody has that much power over me to suck out my energy and put me in a huge funk, I can't even deal with them anymore, on ANY level. Maybe I need to seek professional help, or maybe I just need to finally realize that I am enough and that whatever rude, mean, cruel, ridiculous reasons my Mother has for not wanting to see me are HER problems, not mine. I've never felt like she really loved me or my sister...she just played the part and used us for her benefit when she needed us. I don't even think she knows how to love, or is capable of it. I don't think it's her fault, just how she's always been. She don't realize how it makes us feel with her hateful ways and I can no longer be a part of it. I don't want her to die, but often wonder what I would feel like if she did...would I have a huge weight lifted off my heart and my spirit...like an end to the constant chipping away of my feelings for her...it just eats away at me. I'm always reading quotes and poetry and really try to live and breath the words. This one, in particular
 makes so much sense to me. I'm only sad about things that have already happened, things that I can never change, or do anything about. And then I'm anxious about the future, thinking my Mother will all of a sudden be a loving, caring, nurturing human, after 80 years of not being any of those things. But HOW do I just "live in the now". That's going to be a challenge for me, but I'm going to make it a new way of thinking for me --- my life depends on it! I can't keep going down the rabbit hole, because I'm afraid I will end up stuck down there and never come out. And life is worth so much more than that to me and so worth it. Thanks for reading my ramblings...here's a picture of Broc, Paulette and our new precious puppy, Skye! 
Merry Christmas! 

love and peace always ~ Kathy

May you have warm words on a cold evening, A full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door. ~ Irish blessing 

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Had to share this!

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"your voice can change the world"

Monday, February 19, 2018

Shinrin-Yoku [Forest Bathing]

So how many of you have heard of this?  I read an article about it a little over a year ago and purchased a little booklet on how to go about it...I've found that I really didn't need the booklet, nature was my teacher, all along!  My last post was about not being able to find any good blogs or articles geared towards us [insert throat clearing] maturing ladies!  I mean, how many of us are going to start doing CrossFit or Kick-Boxing?  Really?  Not me!  But, I do know the benefits of some type of daily exercise --- how good it is for us...as well as Vitamin D!  So, "forest bathing" --- what the Japanese call "Shinrin-Yoku" is not new...it's been around forever!  It's basically just the daily practice, or at least weekly, or how ever often you can get into the woods, of "bathing" in nature...letting the sights and sounds of the forest take over and you just sit and listen and take it in.  And I just read this article today about "How Being In The Forest Actually Boosts Immunity, According to Science" --- I mean, SCIENCE!!  Who argues with Science!
When you breathe in the woods, you are inhaling a cocktail of bioactive substances released by plants. One of these groups of substances is called terpenes. They're usually emitted from leaves, pine needles, tree trunks, and the thick bark of some trees. We absorb these gaseous terpenes partially through our skin, but especially through the lungs. Terpenes also flow out of bushes, herbs, and shrubs among the understory, along with mushrooms, mosses, and ferns, too. Even thin layers of foliage on the forest floor emit them. So, safe to say, if you're outside and can see any sort of tree material, you're getting a dose of terpenes."
--- and it's so true!  The above photo was me today, sitting in the forest, next to my little pond, having my coffee and soaking up the sunshine.  It's hard to stay mad, sad, or disgruntled, when you can listen to the birds singing and the breeze blowing and watch the squirrels foraging for acorns, or whatever else they are looking for this time of year.  
"Forest bathing has also been found to enhance something called natural killer cells, another defense against diseases like cancer. Those who spend merely one day in the forest will have more natural killer cells in their blood for seven days thereafter. Those who are in the woods for two or three days have elevated levels for another 30 days. It's incredible to think that we get these long-lasting health benefits simply by existing in the woods. We don't have to go on a trail run or rigorous hike (though those things are great too); just breathing and being in communion with trees is enough."
And, if you're lucky, you might even find a little pond full of frog eggs...like mine is, right now!
And this time of year, you are bound to find some wildflowers popping up
So get out there!  Take in some nature, breath in some fresh air and listen to the birds singing!  You'll be glad you did!  And please, share your experience with me!  I would love to hear about it!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." ~ Proverb

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Are we too old for blogs?

Probably most of you, like me, subscribe to numerous blogs and podcasts that fill our inboxes every morning with hints, tips and smart advice.  I don't know about you, but lately I'm feeling really old when I read most of the posts...these days it seems like all of them are written by much younger women that give advice on motherhood, menstrual cycles, clothing that I could never fit in ever again in this lifetime and shoes that have heels so high I could literally kiss the Moon while wearing them.  
[photo of the full Moon lunar eclipse Wednesday morning]

And really strange and uncomfortable looking furniture.  And plants literally ALL OVER the place [looks like a freaking atrium].  Don't get me wrong, I love plants too, but I mean, really!  And makeup and hair products geared towards 30 somethings. And how to make baby food and how to land the perfect job [I already know how to do that ~ lol].  Where are blogs for older women...like me?  I need to read about how to keep from igniting under the sheets every night at 1 o'clock am.  I need to read about the most comfortable underwear for women over 50...and I'm not talking about revamped thongs for older broads!  I need to read about comfortable, practical shoes and clothing for women over 50 [and shoes that don't look orthopedic].  I need to read about practical yoga positions and poses that don't involve animals or standing on my hands.  I need to read about bathing suits, and hair products and REAL food that don't give me stomach-aches...for women over 50!  Where are these blogs?  Have I just not run across them yet, or am I just getting too old for blogs [insert long sigh].  Please leave me a comment here if you know of any blogs geared towards us "Queen Mothers" over 50!  And yes, we have earned that title, ladies!   And I'm thinking I might just start my own "Queen Mother" blog about these real issues!  What do you think [sipping prune juice while typing]?  

Leave your comments here and I will be sending a special prize to the person that links me to an awesome new blog for "Queen Mothers"

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Stuff your eyes with wonder...live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds.  See the world...it's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories." ~ Ray Bradbury 

Friday, January 19, 2018

Seek and you shall find!

So I don't know about you, but I've been collecting plants most of my life!  Some of the plants I've had for years and years...like this gorgeous Schefflera
that I have had almost 37 years!!  When I gave birth to my son, Broc, it was sent to me in the hospital by the company I was working for.  It has been through it's ups and downs, moves [lots of moves], freezes, heat waves, bug infestations, you name it --- but it has kept on going!  It looks really gorgeous right now, but I have noticed some aphids on it and promptly sprayed them with Neem oil!  We'll see!  It always perks up when it gets moved back to it's outdoor Spring and Summer spot!
And then there are these gorgeous African Violets that I've had for at least 30 years!  Every Spring I propagate them and give the babies away to friends for birthdays, housewarmings and condolences
In fact, that's what got me thinking when I realized how much I wanted a "Pilea Peperomioides".  I remember reading a blog post, years ago, that talked about plants and how to "properly" acquire them for longevity.  The article said that in order for a plant to be properly loved and, therefore thrive, it must be one that you acquire as a gift.  I started thinking about that and it really makes sense!  Every plant I have that has been given to me has thrived [or at least is still alive].  Just about every plant I "purchased" has never lived.  Although, I do have a few plants I purchased that were almost dead and I rescued them from the "scratch and dent dead plant area" at various garden stores.  So, I thought I would just throw it out there on facebook yesterday to see if anyone actually had a "Pilea Peperomioides" that wouldn't mind snipping a couple of leaves off of for me!  Sure enough, before the night was over, my sweet friend, April says "I have one, you are more than welcome to come by tomorrow and take a cutting, or two"!!  So...long story short [sorta short]
  And both of the leaves fit perfectly in the empty Elderberry Syrup bottle that was headed to the recycle bin today!  And, by the way, that syrup is amazing!  My son sent me a bottle of it when I was sick recently ... check it out!  The Louisiana Fire Cider is amazing, too!  

Stay Warm!  Spring is almost here!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour." ~ William Blake

Sunday, January 7, 2018