Commonsense took hold of me a while ago. I was planning to dive right in and knit the pretty shawl (it is a lace type pattern in a lace-weight yarn) despite my lack of knitting experience. Then I thought about it for a while (trying to work up the courage to begin) and came to the conclusion that perhaps I should try something a bit more challenging than a dishcloth first.
So I have purchased a couple of skeins of 'Serenity' sock weight yarn in Paprika and am planning to knit a pair of socks. The yarn is beautiful- 50% superwash merino, 25% bamboo, 25% nylon. I think it is supposed to be a self-striping yarn which would be a bit fun!
Then I took the wrapper off the skein of yarn and read the knitting instructions and felt rather overwhelmed. Now I am working up the courage to begin the socks! There are all sorts of things about dividing stitches on needles and redistributing stitches and "slip slip knit".
I am determined to do this however. It will be wonderful to have pretty warm socks to wear in addition to more knitting courage with which to start the shawl.
04 October, 2010
11 September, 2010
Taking care of ourselves
Tonight's reading is card #56, Gloominous Doom. This is a card about the ways we engage in self-defeat, -destruction, -pity. It is a state of being we get ourselves into, and are the ones who have to then get ourselves out of. We have the power to choose to stay in this destructive pattern, or we can choose to overcome it.
This card indicates a need for us to see that these things are our own- no matter how we ended up with them, it is our own issue which we have to accept in order to change it.
You have an opportunity right now to change those habits which are self-destructive. You have an opportunity right now to be a positive (not negative nor pessimistic) support for someone else going through this stage.
Positive feedback, positive outlook, stay focused on that goal of making changes for the better.
Until we change our attitudes and behaviors, so the entry on Gloominous Doom states, we are in essence cursing ourselves. May all of you identify and seek to rid yourselves of the self-destructive elements in your lives and embrace the good things.
This card indicates a need for us to see that these things are our own- no matter how we ended up with them, it is our own issue which we have to accept in order to change it.
You have an opportunity right now to change those habits which are self-destructive. You have an opportunity right now to be a positive (not negative nor pessimistic) support for someone else going through this stage.
Positive feedback, positive outlook, stay focused on that goal of making changes for the better.
Until we change our attitudes and behaviors, so the entry on Gloominous Doom states, we are in essence cursing ourselves. May all of you identify and seek to rid yourselves of the self-destructive elements in your lives and embrace the good things.
01 September, 2010
Faery Words of Wisdom
One of my favorite forms of communication with other realms is the Faery's Oracle (Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth). This is a lovely tool which eases the pathway of understanding between human and faery. I've really enjoyed my journey with these cards and the thought came to me to share them with you. So once a week, or thereabouts, I will ask the Oracle what it wishes to say to my readers; and then share the message with you! I'll be drawing a single card to keep things simple.
Card #1, Unity (reversed)
- union, mystical experience, spiritual home
The primary message of this card in a reversed position (according to the accompanying guidebook) is that the person(s) may be focusing more on the gaps between them and others, than on healing those differences. The message is one of taking steps towards reconciliation, healing and connection.
My personal impression- The image on this card is full of motion predominated by the color blue. There is an inner light and the entirety is luminescent. When we clear away the conflicts that consume our energies we are free to pursue what brings us closer to the divine: within ourselves, within others, the Divine itself. To become beings of Light.
Card #1, Unity (reversed)
- union, mystical experience, spiritual home
The primary message of this card in a reversed position (according to the accompanying guidebook) is that the person(s) may be focusing more on the gaps between them and others, than on healing those differences. The message is one of taking steps towards reconciliation, healing and connection.
My personal impression- The image on this card is full of motion predominated by the color blue. There is an inner light and the entirety is luminescent. When we clear away the conflicts that consume our energies we are free to pursue what brings us closer to the divine: within ourselves, within others, the Divine itself. To become beings of Light.
"In Unity there is trust, love, and ecstasy." -Jessica MacBeth
23 August, 2010
Needlework
This is the time of year when I feel swamped with yard and garden - and putting up all the yummy treats that are so bountiful. This past week or two I have been making myself take some time to just relax and slow down, to savor the season before it is but a memory.
I'm re-reading the Adept series by Katherine Kurtz & Deborah Turner Harris. When I am busy I find it easier to re-read books I enjoy because then I don't have to try to keep all the characters and plotlines straight. Earlier this summer I was doing a re-read of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
But what I'm really glad about is that I've picked up Egyptian Sampler again. I've been working on this piece, off & on, for at least two years now I think. Currently I am working on the backstitching in the border sections. On the top half of the chart. Once I get the two side sections backstitched then I can roll the fabric up and start stitching the bottom half of the chart.
This means I am nearing the half-way point (minus beading) and I am so excited! Progress! When I get to the "time to roll the fabric" I'll take photos. Trying to fit it in the scanner while still on the scroll frame would be crazy, so I'll wait to scan the piece until after it's completed.
I have an Eagle Scout emblem to stitch when I finish this, and then I can embark on the Egypt Garden Mandela by Martina Weber. And I'm really excited to start on that one! So luxurious, with all the gorgeous silks and crystals and things.
I'm re-reading the Adept series by Katherine Kurtz & Deborah Turner Harris. When I am busy I find it easier to re-read books I enjoy because then I don't have to try to keep all the characters and plotlines straight. Earlier this summer I was doing a re-read of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
But what I'm really glad about is that I've picked up Egyptian Sampler again. I've been working on this piece, off & on, for at least two years now I think. Currently I am working on the backstitching in the border sections. On the top half of the chart. Once I get the two side sections backstitched then I can roll the fabric up and start stitching the bottom half of the chart.
This means I am nearing the half-way point (minus beading) and I am so excited! Progress! When I get to the "time to roll the fabric" I'll take photos. Trying to fit it in the scanner while still on the scroll frame would be crazy, so I'll wait to scan the piece until after it's completed.
I have an Eagle Scout emblem to stitch when I finish this, and then I can embark on the Egypt Garden Mandela by Martina Weber. And I'm really excited to start on that one! So luxurious, with all the gorgeous silks and crystals and things.
14 August, 2010
Reusable canning lids & tasty treats
We invested in some Tattler canning lids this summer and I have canned my first batch of goodies using them. I found the process no more bothersome than the Ball/Mason lids** although I have to say I kind of miss the "ping!" sound of the metal lids sealing. The jars all sealed properly so I suppose there isn't much else to say. For something as exciting as a reusable lid I'd expected to have a lot more to chatter on about! When a jar of food gets opened I can examine the rubber rings and such. They get washed and dried and put away until the next time you need to use them.
Bought some corn from a local farmer and put up a dozen pints of sweet corn. And today I'm making peach jam. I bought Pomona's Pectin which is a citrus pectin activated by calcium so I can use as much or little sweetener as I wish. I've not used it before... the worst that can happen is the end consistency won't be jam-like. Still edible and delicious though! I'll be adding a splash of rum and possible a dash of vanilla.
Also on my list of preserving projects is making something out of the rosehips. I have old roses, the sort people plant for the big flowers, which set crab-apple sized hips. I'm pondering a syrup as we don't actually eat a lot of jams and jellies. A rosehip syrup could go on pancakes & waffles, or be added to tea for a little extra flavor & vitamin C & sweetness. Hm..
My compost+potting soil-in-buckets tomato growing project is working well, except for the calcium levels not being what they should. I've seen some signs of blossom end rot which is most likely because the watering method was essentially just washing nutrients right on by the roots and out the buckets into the ground. Which was facilitated by my lack of properly mixing all the bucket ingredients prior to transplanting my seedlings. Learning curves, and am I ever thankful that my literal survival hasn't been dependent upon getting it right, right now.
**I feel I should elaborate about this. I -personally- don't find this more fiddly. Many people, however, probably would. With the metal disposable lids, you have them waiting in boiling hot water while you fill your jars. You put the tattler lids & rubber rings in scalding hot water while you fill your jars. Pretty much the same so far.
Next, you wipe the jar rims clean (very important step, if you skip it, don't expect 100% seal rates). For metal lids you put a lid on, and then a metal screw band gets put on and tightened (not wrenched super tight, just hand-tightened), and then the jars go in the canner.
For the tattler lids, you put a gasket on the plastic lid and then put them on the jars, put on a metal screw band just like you would for the metal lids, hand-tighten, and then *back off 1/4 INCH. In other words, you tighten it all the way and then loosen it that 1/4" smidge. Then the jars go in the canner.
After canning, jars with metal lids get taken out and set to cool on the counter and when cool the metal bands come off. Tattler lidded jars, however, as they come out of the canner you need to tighten the metal band the rest of the way, and then set them to cool.
The tattler lidded jars need to cool completely (12-24 hours) before you take off the metal screw bands.
So, yes, a bit more fiddly, on a literal level. Mentally for me, it isn't that big a deal. I am a fiddly canner. The lid stuff is a lot less hassle than monitoring a pressure canner! (Which isn't too bad if you have a chair or stool to sit on and a good book to read, and remember to look at the gauge every couple of pages in your book).
And then too, there will be the extra fiddly-ness later what with needing to be careful in removal so as not to damage the gaskets or lids or jar rim (use the backside of a butter knife to gently pry them open); and to not stretch the rubber gaskets when washing them.
I guess a lot of people prefer to just hurry through everything and anything which adds steps to a process is something they strive to eliminate. Canning for me is a Slow Process. If I wanted to hurry I would just go to the store and buy cheap tinned food.
Anyhow, I had realized that my post about the lids might be misleading regarding the amount of "bother" involved with the reusable lids. Hence the addendum. I'll report back over time about this product as I am actually rather curious to see how well it keeps a seal over time, if removing lids causes a lot of damage, how well actual reusing of the lids works and so forth.
Bought some corn from a local farmer and put up a dozen pints of sweet corn. And today I'm making peach jam. I bought Pomona's Pectin which is a citrus pectin activated by calcium so I can use as much or little sweetener as I wish. I've not used it before... the worst that can happen is the end consistency won't be jam-like. Still edible and delicious though! I'll be adding a splash of rum and possible a dash of vanilla.
Also on my list of preserving projects is making something out of the rosehips. I have old roses, the sort people plant for the big flowers, which set crab-apple sized hips. I'm pondering a syrup as we don't actually eat a lot of jams and jellies. A rosehip syrup could go on pancakes & waffles, or be added to tea for a little extra flavor & vitamin C & sweetness. Hm..
My compost+potting soil-in-buckets tomato growing project is working well, except for the calcium levels not being what they should. I've seen some signs of blossom end rot which is most likely because the watering method was essentially just washing nutrients right on by the roots and out the buckets into the ground. Which was facilitated by my lack of properly mixing all the bucket ingredients prior to transplanting my seedlings. Learning curves, and am I ever thankful that my literal survival hasn't been dependent upon getting it right, right now.
**I feel I should elaborate about this. I -personally- don't find this more fiddly. Many people, however, probably would. With the metal disposable lids, you have them waiting in boiling hot water while you fill your jars. You put the tattler lids & rubber rings in scalding hot water while you fill your jars. Pretty much the same so far.
Next, you wipe the jar rims clean (very important step, if you skip it, don't expect 100% seal rates). For metal lids you put a lid on, and then a metal screw band gets put on and tightened (not wrenched super tight, just hand-tightened), and then the jars go in the canner.
For the tattler lids, you put a gasket on the plastic lid and then put them on the jars, put on a metal screw band just like you would for the metal lids, hand-tighten, and then *back off 1/4 INCH. In other words, you tighten it all the way and then loosen it that 1/4" smidge. Then the jars go in the canner.
After canning, jars with metal lids get taken out and set to cool on the counter and when cool the metal bands come off. Tattler lidded jars, however, as they come out of the canner you need to tighten the metal band the rest of the way, and then set them to cool.
The tattler lidded jars need to cool completely (12-24 hours) before you take off the metal screw bands.
So, yes, a bit more fiddly, on a literal level. Mentally for me, it isn't that big a deal. I am a fiddly canner. The lid stuff is a lot less hassle than monitoring a pressure canner! (Which isn't too bad if you have a chair or stool to sit on and a good book to read, and remember to look at the gauge every couple of pages in your book).
And then too, there will be the extra fiddly-ness later what with needing to be careful in removal so as not to damage the gaskets or lids or jar rim (use the backside of a butter knife to gently pry them open); and to not stretch the rubber gaskets when washing them.
I guess a lot of people prefer to just hurry through everything and anything which adds steps to a process is something they strive to eliminate. Canning for me is a Slow Process. If I wanted to hurry I would just go to the store and buy cheap tinned food.
Anyhow, I had realized that my post about the lids might be misleading regarding the amount of "bother" involved with the reusable lids. Hence the addendum. I'll report back over time about this product as I am actually rather curious to see how well it keeps a seal over time, if removing lids causes a lot of damage, how well actual reusing of the lids works and so forth.
06 August, 2010
Of crafts and Summertime
I have a lot of projects on my various lists that have been sitting dormant most of the summer. Summertime is filled with the growing things- vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers. It is a time of furious picking (the speed, not the emotional state of mind). A time of drying bundles and bundles of herbs, more than it would seem a person could possibly ever want or need to use.
When summer is nearing an end and the children are preparing to start the new schoolyear, I usually feel a sense of urgency. It is an "oh no, already?! It can't be!" sort of a feeling. The garden has another solid month of growing time and possibly another month beyond that if the cold weather holds off.
But the season shifts palpably in these next few weeks and then I really feel the squirrel instinct kick into high gear. Is it some latent genetic trait that ensured the survival of my ancestors through the cold dark harsh winters? Is it remnants of a full and carefree childhood filled with gardens and pantries full of jarred sunshine? I don't dwell too much on where this instinct arises, I merely am at its mercy.
In these brightly lit long days I find myself labeling jars with delightful things such as "dried lemon" and "clover blossom"; things which promise a hearty nourishment in the deep winter such as "dried turnip" and "raspberry jam". I find myself doing daily yard checks and picking yet another small bundle of mint to dry for tea, a check to see if the nasturtiums are budding (the pickled buds make a delightful substitute for capers and the blossoms add such a yummy zip to a salad). A few things are setting seed and the songbirds are feasting on the bounty.
It is a busy time- the plants run rampant everywhere needing a constant vigilance to keep them within their bounds (or in the case of weeds, removed and exiled).
There too are all the family summertime activities which fill the hours and days with much excitement and memory-making.
Very little in all this leaves much room or energy for the hobbies I also love. The cross stitch, the scrapbooking, reading, making music, learning herbs & essential oils, sewing, weaving, or my latest... knitting. I was given the most awesome advance birthday+christmas gift: fine wool yarn, needles, and a pattern (and stitch markers too!) I'd been wanting to make a shawl and now I'll be able to. When I have time. And when the weather isn't so hot that the thought of wool yarn gives me heat rash, LOL!
If I can get my camera working I will take some photos of herbs and things to share.
When summer is nearing an end and the children are preparing to start the new schoolyear, I usually feel a sense of urgency. It is an "oh no, already?! It can't be!" sort of a feeling. The garden has another solid month of growing time and possibly another month beyond that if the cold weather holds off.
But the season shifts palpably in these next few weeks and then I really feel the squirrel instinct kick into high gear. Is it some latent genetic trait that ensured the survival of my ancestors through the cold dark harsh winters? Is it remnants of a full and carefree childhood filled with gardens and pantries full of jarred sunshine? I don't dwell too much on where this instinct arises, I merely am at its mercy.
In these brightly lit long days I find myself labeling jars with delightful things such as "dried lemon" and "clover blossom"; things which promise a hearty nourishment in the deep winter such as "dried turnip" and "raspberry jam". I find myself doing daily yard checks and picking yet another small bundle of mint to dry for tea, a check to see if the nasturtiums are budding (the pickled buds make a delightful substitute for capers and the blossoms add such a yummy zip to a salad). A few things are setting seed and the songbirds are feasting on the bounty.
It is a busy time- the plants run rampant everywhere needing a constant vigilance to keep them within their bounds (or in the case of weeds, removed and exiled).
There too are all the family summertime activities which fill the hours and days with much excitement and memory-making.
Very little in all this leaves much room or energy for the hobbies I also love. The cross stitch, the scrapbooking, reading, making music, learning herbs & essential oils, sewing, weaving, or my latest... knitting. I was given the most awesome advance birthday+christmas gift: fine wool yarn, needles, and a pattern (and stitch markers too!) I'd been wanting to make a shawl and now I'll be able to. When I have time. And when the weather isn't so hot that the thought of wool yarn gives me heat rash, LOL!
If I can get my camera working I will take some photos of herbs and things to share.
27 July, 2010
Neem
Last I wrote I was talking about the aphids in my tomato plants. I visited several nurseries with no luck in finding ladybugs. One person helpfully said a person could order them online (which is only helpful if you are willing to wait however long it takes to ship the critters). So I bought neem and a spray bottle and a few pots of small flowers because they were lovely as well as being at a discount since it was getting near the end of the 'bedding plants' season.
Once home I read the instructions on the neem and it was full of dire caution about not spraying when the honeybees were out because it would kill them off. Yikes! I decided I would have to go out after sundown and then just never got around to it.
This weekend was "rearrange pots in greenhouse" and as I was tying up the tomato plants with twine (simpler than cages in a greenhouse especially when you put off doing it so long that the plants are huge) I noticed that there were hardly any aphids. Curious indeed. I had put some diatomaceous earth out to combat the severity of the ant situation which did not eliminate the ants but seems to have decreased their numbers. I'm not sure if it was the lack of enough ants to farm them or if it was predatory insects, but yay!
I have seen hornets, wasps, hover flies, lacewings and ladybugs in there.
Lesson learned- have patience. Not everything requires an Immediate Fix.
Once home I read the instructions on the neem and it was full of dire caution about not spraying when the honeybees were out because it would kill them off. Yikes! I decided I would have to go out after sundown and then just never got around to it.
This weekend was "rearrange pots in greenhouse" and as I was tying up the tomato plants with twine (simpler than cages in a greenhouse especially when you put off doing it so long that the plants are huge) I noticed that there were hardly any aphids. Curious indeed. I had put some diatomaceous earth out to combat the severity of the ant situation which did not eliminate the ants but seems to have decreased their numbers. I'm not sure if it was the lack of enough ants to farm them or if it was predatory insects, but yay!
I have seen hornets, wasps, hover flies, lacewings and ladybugs in there.
Lesson learned- have patience. Not everything requires an Immediate Fix.
24 June, 2010
Bugs
Not a very inspired title, but I couldn't think of anything clever. I'm hoping the beneficial bugs (aka praying mantis) hatch soon. We bought a thing that looks like a cocoon or something made out of crystalized honey sorta, which purports to be a praying mantis egg sack. In theory, after temperatures rise above 75F then in approximately two weeks hundreds of baby mantis spring forth into the world and commence dining upon the banquet the home gardener has so kindly prepared for them. Well, the package didn't say that exactly, but the stinkin' ants have been farming aphids in my greenhouse tomato plants!!!
I may go buy a batch of ladybugs if I can find anyone who still has some. I know they just end up flying away back to wherever they hatched from, but if I let them loose in the greenhouse they can fatten up on my bug banquet first.
As if the bug issue in the greenhouse weren't excitement enough- this evening it finally cooled down enough to be pleasant garden weeding weather. And that's when all the mosquitos that are lurking in the beans decided to come out for a bit of Human Snack.
I decided it's just as easy to put on a hat and weed when it's warmer out, and am now indoors sipping tea and reading Tolkien. Just after I post this that is.
I may go buy a batch of ladybugs if I can find anyone who still has some. I know they just end up flying away back to wherever they hatched from, but if I let them loose in the greenhouse they can fatten up on my bug banquet first.
As if the bug issue in the greenhouse weren't excitement enough- this evening it finally cooled down enough to be pleasant garden weeding weather. And that's when all the mosquitos that are lurking in the beans decided to come out for a bit of Human Snack.
I decided it's just as easy to put on a hat and weed when it's warmer out, and am now indoors sipping tea and reading Tolkien. Just after I post this that is.
09 June, 2010
Rainy Days
We have had a cool and rainy spring this year. The summer so far looks to be more of the same. A couple of nice warm days but the forecast is for cooler temperatures (even lows in the 40sF at night, eep!)
This is great weather for transplanting as the baby plants don't have to face the shock of hot dry weather while they're stretching out new roots in all directions. The flip side is that many of them seem to be waiting for the warm sunny weather to really start putting on growth.
At least the columbines I started from seed last year survived the winter and are blooming prolifically!
This is the kind of weather where a person can leave all their windows open day and night, bake pies with abandon, curl up with a good book and a mug of hot tea, and be pleasantly comfortable the entire time. (Not having a need to run either the furnace or the air-conditioning is another advantage to mild weather.)
I'm contemplating whether to take some time for myself and read, or stitch, or start a new knitting or crochet project; or whether to tackle the start of doing an inventory on the bits and bobs I have in my pantry and linen closet and such.
Such terrible decisions, hah!
This is great weather for transplanting as the baby plants don't have to face the shock of hot dry weather while they're stretching out new roots in all directions. The flip side is that many of them seem to be waiting for the warm sunny weather to really start putting on growth.
At least the columbines I started from seed last year survived the winter and are blooming prolifically!
This is the kind of weather where a person can leave all their windows open day and night, bake pies with abandon, curl up with a good book and a mug of hot tea, and be pleasantly comfortable the entire time. (Not having a need to run either the furnace or the air-conditioning is another advantage to mild weather.)
I'm contemplating whether to take some time for myself and read, or stitch, or start a new knitting or crochet project; or whether to tackle the start of doing an inventory on the bits and bobs I have in my pantry and linen closet and such.
Such terrible decisions, hah!
27 May, 2010
Mugwort Tinctures
On the 11th May I picked a bunch of fresh mugwort and set about experimenting. I've wanted to try tincturing herbs for a while now and felt that this would be an herb useful to practice with. In part because the resultant tinctures would not be used for ingestion.
It had rained so the mugwort was already free of dust and dirt and I just shook it off well and let it dry a bit in the colander. Then I picked the leaves off the stems and distributed the herbs into three eight ounce jelly jars. The jars were full, but not packed tightly.
I used white vinegar, canola oil, and vodka (not mixed together!!). Filled each jar nearly to the rim, and then capped with a lid and ring and shook them well. The oil filled jar I set on my kitchen windowsill and the other two went into the dark pantry in the basement. They've all been giving a gentle daily shake since then.
Today was "straining day"! Using a handy-dandy glass measuring cup and a fine mesh strainer, I set about opening, straining and re-bottling the tinctures.
First one to open was the vegetable oil tincture. PHEW! Did that ever stink like a half-rotted swamp!! Lesson: when tincturing in oil, next time use DRY herbs. That got dumped out. Total loss.
Then I opened the vinegar tincture. After straining the liquid is a very pale color and the scent while strongly vinegary has a hint of something else. (Duh, mugwort, haha). The vodka tincture is darker in hue and has a mugwort-y scent with a whiff of alcohol to it.
The vodka and vinegar Tinctures of Mugwort are tucked away in my supply area and I am sure I'll find plenty of witchy uses for them.
I think I'll try some culinary or medicinal tinctures next.
The vodka tincture is on the left, the vinegar tincture on the right.
It had rained so the mugwort was already free of dust and dirt and I just shook it off well and let it dry a bit in the colander. Then I picked the leaves off the stems and distributed the herbs into three eight ounce jelly jars. The jars were full, but not packed tightly.
I used white vinegar, canola oil, and vodka (not mixed together!!). Filled each jar nearly to the rim, and then capped with a lid and ring and shook them well. The oil filled jar I set on my kitchen windowsill and the other two went into the dark pantry in the basement. They've all been giving a gentle daily shake since then.
Today was "straining day"! Using a handy-dandy glass measuring cup and a fine mesh strainer, I set about opening, straining and re-bottling the tinctures.
First one to open was the vegetable oil tincture. PHEW! Did that ever stink like a half-rotted swamp!! Lesson: when tincturing in oil, next time use DRY herbs. That got dumped out. Total loss.
Then I opened the vinegar tincture. After straining the liquid is a very pale color and the scent while strongly vinegary has a hint of something else. (Duh, mugwort, haha). The vodka tincture is darker in hue and has a mugwort-y scent with a whiff of alcohol to it.
The vodka and vinegar Tinctures of Mugwort are tucked away in my supply area and I am sure I'll find plenty of witchy uses for them.
I think I'll try some culinary or medicinal tinctures next.
The vodka tincture is on the left, the vinegar tincture on the right.
15 May, 2010
Audiobooks
One of the things I enjoy doing is crafting, whether that be cross stitch or knitting, scrapbooks or crochet (indeed all manner of crafts tickle my fancy). I also enjoy some sort of background sounds. Movies just don't work well for this as I'm not so clever that I can watch the movie at the same time as I watch my hands. Listening to music or the radio programs is a pleasant option.
Our local library recently signed up with a state-wide audiobook network that allows patrons to download audiobooks for free from their website (rather than checking them out on cassettes or cds).
Our library participates using the Overdrive Media Console (link). The thing that really pleases me is not having to worry about late fees due to forgetting to get books back to the library on time. Each audiobook I download will automatically 'expire' at the end of the lending period.
Something other people really like is that they're able to transfer the books to their portable devices and listen to the books "on the go".
In looking at OMC's website, it appears that the service is available in a lot of countries, so you can check to see if your local library participates. Countries I see listed are Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.
It also offers a search of digital booksellers if one wished to purchase the audiobooks instead of just borrowing them.
Our local library recently signed up with a state-wide audiobook network that allows patrons to download audiobooks for free from their website (rather than checking them out on cassettes or cds).
Our library participates using the Overdrive Media Console (link). The thing that really pleases me is not having to worry about late fees due to forgetting to get books back to the library on time. Each audiobook I download will automatically 'expire' at the end of the lending period.
Something other people really like is that they're able to transfer the books to their portable devices and listen to the books "on the go".
In looking at OMC's website, it appears that the service is available in a lot of countries, so you can check to see if your local library participates. Countries I see listed are Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.
It also offers a search of digital booksellers if one wished to purchase the audiobooks instead of just borrowing them.
13 May, 2010
Potting Up
Some days I have no ambitious plans at all. My non-ambitious agenda for the day:
So far I've walked the dog, gotten middlest to school, applied food & drink to those who were hungry, and caught up on blog-reading. The little plants really do need potted up as they have about exhausted their space in the starter cells. Also, I think the nighttime temps should be high enough now that everything can move out to the greenhouse instead of perching on my fridge. I might bring the nightshade family indoors at night for a while yet (the peppers, tomatoes and eggplant). THAT will entirely depend on whether or not I actually remember to do it. Intentions excellent, follow-through haphazard.
I'm very glad to see more pleasant weather in the forecast though. It's been quite a long couple of gloomy rainy weeks hereabouts.
- walk dog
- brush dog
- pot up baby plants
- take some plant-ish garden-ish pictures
- cheer on oldest at track meet
- feed and water children regularly
- sleep
So far I've walked the dog, gotten middlest to school, applied food & drink to those who were hungry, and caught up on blog-reading. The little plants really do need potted up as they have about exhausted their space in the starter cells. Also, I think the nighttime temps should be high enough now that everything can move out to the greenhouse instead of perching on my fridge. I might bring the nightshade family indoors at night for a while yet (the peppers, tomatoes and eggplant). THAT will entirely depend on whether or not I actually remember to do it. Intentions excellent, follow-through haphazard.
I'm very glad to see more pleasant weather in the forecast though. It's been quite a long couple of gloomy rainy weeks hereabouts.
10 May, 2010
Preps for the spiritual
I read a lot of blogs about preparedness and talk with people on the subject, and yet for all that I seldom hear or see much about spiritual preparedness. Now, don't panic, I'm not going to go on a conversion spiel!
What I'm pondering is --- while spirituality and faith live "within" the self, and one doesn't actually need all the trappings and such, many of us have faiths that are made more vibrant and meaningful with our tools and trappings and things. Elements of worship or practice that we would perhaps feel lost without.
And yet... how many people do you know who have "stocked up" on the things that would be needed if, gods forbid, society fell apart and you were essentially left on your own to make sense of things? Granted that's a worst-case sort of scenario, and we'll likely always have some manner of community with which to continue on even if "things fall apart".
But I read about people storing 2+ years of freeze-dried foods for the entire family; people buying weapons and ammunition; people investing in farms and seed and animals. In all of the reading and the talking, I've yet to come across mention of building up a supply cabinet of, oh, that very handy match-light charcoal for incense. Or learning about how to grow one's own magical herbs. Or how to make your own religious trappings like candles, icons, rosaries, robes, prayer books, and such.
No one can take what is in my head, and I can live my faith without the "stuff". But.. but. Wouldn't it be comforting to have a song book, or special oils, candles to light, the comforts of the religious rituals we embrace? And I would guess that all of us who are spiritual do have rituals, even if they aren't formalized or acknowledged as such.
I remember someone once blogging about what they needed to grow or raise in order to be able to eat a traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner in a post peak-oil world. I love the world I live in. But I don't believe we'll always live this way, just as no civilization ever continued on forever.
Change is in the air. I'm hoping we all are able to network, to learn, to be ready, to be the brave who carry traditions forward in the face of adversity if adverse times come to pass.
My challenge for myself is this:
I figure a year or two worth of 'stuff' (such as incense charcoal) would see me through any sudden societal change, and give me the time to learn how to make my own or adapt my spiritual practices to what I had available. If the other people in my faith community were to do likewise, we would have enough to meet our needs with plenty left to share with others.
What I'm pondering is --- while spirituality and faith live "within" the self, and one doesn't actually need all the trappings and such, many of us have faiths that are made more vibrant and meaningful with our tools and trappings and things. Elements of worship or practice that we would perhaps feel lost without.
And yet... how many people do you know who have "stocked up" on the things that would be needed if, gods forbid, society fell apart and you were essentially left on your own to make sense of things? Granted that's a worst-case sort of scenario, and we'll likely always have some manner of community with which to continue on even if "things fall apart".
But I read about people storing 2+ years of freeze-dried foods for the entire family; people buying weapons and ammunition; people investing in farms and seed and animals. In all of the reading and the talking, I've yet to come across mention of building up a supply cabinet of, oh, that very handy match-light charcoal for incense. Or learning about how to grow one's own magical herbs. Or how to make your own religious trappings like candles, icons, rosaries, robes, prayer books, and such.
No one can take what is in my head, and I can live my faith without the "stuff". But.. but. Wouldn't it be comforting to have a song book, or special oils, candles to light, the comforts of the religious rituals we embrace? And I would guess that all of us who are spiritual do have rituals, even if they aren't formalized or acknowledged as such.
I remember someone once blogging about what they needed to grow or raise in order to be able to eat a traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner in a post peak-oil world. I love the world I live in. But I don't believe we'll always live this way, just as no civilization ever continued on forever.
Change is in the air. I'm hoping we all are able to network, to learn, to be ready, to be the brave who carry traditions forward in the face of adversity if adverse times come to pass.
My challenge for myself is this:
- examine what my tangible goods religious needs are
- decide which elements of those needs are things I do for myself and which I out-source
- determine if it is reasonable to learn how to do some of the things I currently spend money for someone else to do
- stock up on supplies of those things I feel I can't/won't be able to make and can't/won't want to be without
I figure a year or two worth of 'stuff' (such as incense charcoal) would see me through any sudden societal change, and give me the time to learn how to make my own or adapt my spiritual practices to what I had available. If the other people in my faith community were to do likewise, we would have enough to meet our needs with plenty left to share with others.
02 May, 2010
Spring's the Thing
We had a few days of glorious weather, sunny and almost too warm. Now we are having a spell of windy chilly weather with intermittent rain. I am glad that I haven't ignored the 'average last frost date' data this year and planted anyway in the delusional belief that my fervent wishing for summer will keep the last of the chilly spring weather away!
The seed starts are coming along nicely and I should be able to move things into my unheated greenhouse before long.
The unexpected garden challenge this spring is the addition to our family of a lovely dog. Who loves to dash about the yard with abandon and who would take digging in the dirt as an invitation to dig right along with me. I will need to devise a fencing scheme that keeps her out, lets me in, and doesn't look ugly. I'm not asking for much, lol!
The valerian, columbine and chocolate mint I planted last year have all come back up this spring. The valerian and columbine I started from seed, so those are especially gratifying. The mint I planted into a spot where if it spreads it won't cause problems, and I'm really hoping it spreads wildly because it is a delicious mint.
My raspberries, mugwort, chives, thyme, tarragon have all emerged from their long sleep; and the who-knows-where-they-came-from Johnny Jump-ups in the garden are blooming madly. I see my scheme to let the borage go to seed and thus never buy borage again has worked, as there are a plethora of little fuzzy baby borage plants emerging as well. Roses are putting out leaves, and a few of the iris have lovely green leaves.
I didn't plant the iris. They were already here, victims of being seeded over with grass at some point. I've tried to rescue them, but have had limited success (and only a couple of blossoms). I'm going to relocate the ones that have survived in one last effort at saving them.
I need to prune the sage and see how well the lemon balm is coming up.
So much to do, so little time!
The seed starts are coming along nicely and I should be able to move things into my unheated greenhouse before long.
The unexpected garden challenge this spring is the addition to our family of a lovely dog. Who loves to dash about the yard with abandon and who would take digging in the dirt as an invitation to dig right along with me. I will need to devise a fencing scheme that keeps her out, lets me in, and doesn't look ugly. I'm not asking for much, lol!
The valerian, columbine and chocolate mint I planted last year have all come back up this spring. The valerian and columbine I started from seed, so those are especially gratifying. The mint I planted into a spot where if it spreads it won't cause problems, and I'm really hoping it spreads wildly because it is a delicious mint.
My raspberries, mugwort, chives, thyme, tarragon have all emerged from their long sleep; and the who-knows-where-they-came-from Johnny Jump-ups in the garden are blooming madly. I see my scheme to let the borage go to seed and thus never buy borage again has worked, as there are a plethora of little fuzzy baby borage plants emerging as well. Roses are putting out leaves, and a few of the iris have lovely green leaves.
I didn't plant the iris. They were already here, victims of being seeded over with grass at some point. I've tried to rescue them, but have had limited success (and only a couple of blossoms). I'm going to relocate the ones that have survived in one last effort at saving them.
I need to prune the sage and see how well the lemon balm is coming up.
So much to do, so little time!
22 March, 2010
Sproutlings!
The pansies and chamomile have begun sprouting! I wasn't sure how well the chamomile would germinate so I sprinkled a LOT of seeds per plant cell in my seed-starting flat. I don't know why on earth I thought they would be less likely to sprout just because they are nearly microscopic in size, LOL!!
Have misplaced the camera or I would take some photos (not that they would be exciting yet, given the barely-sprouted nature of these sprouts).
Something I love about this time of year is that the weather is so variable. Today for instance it has been cloudy, chill and rainy. So rather than clear flower and garden beds outdoors I've been staying cozy indoors with a hot drink and my stitching. Mmmm.
A little chill in the air is nice when doing vigorous yard-work. I don't, however, enjoy working in the rain unless I absolutely must.
It will be curious to see what sprouts next. In this round of starts there are also bunching onions, sweet Williams, eggplant, bee balm, gaillardia, four o'clocks and snapdragons.
I'm a bit of a wild and irreverent gardener. Flowers and veggies and herbs get tossed together and planted wherever they seem they ought to be. And that means a riot of color everywhere, and tasty things to eat tucked into any corner of the yard at all. Love it!
There is a certain beauty, too, in a well-ordered strictly vegetable patch or decorative floral/herbaceous border. I enjoy looking at such gardens, and even spending some time in them. But what makes my soul sing is something a bit less structured, a bit more wild.
End of the month I'll start some more seeds. Each year I try something new, both in plants to grow and methods of gardening. This year I'm experimenting with Gardening by the Moon. I'm also trying onions, new varieties of peppers and tomatoes, and a few more herbs.
Ahhh, Spring!
Have misplaced the camera or I would take some photos (not that they would be exciting yet, given the barely-sprouted nature of these sprouts).
Something I love about this time of year is that the weather is so variable. Today for instance it has been cloudy, chill and rainy. So rather than clear flower and garden beds outdoors I've been staying cozy indoors with a hot drink and my stitching. Mmmm.
A little chill in the air is nice when doing vigorous yard-work. I don't, however, enjoy working in the rain unless I absolutely must.
It will be curious to see what sprouts next. In this round of starts there are also bunching onions, sweet Williams, eggplant, bee balm, gaillardia, four o'clocks and snapdragons.
I'm a bit of a wild and irreverent gardener. Flowers and veggies and herbs get tossed together and planted wherever they seem they ought to be. And that means a riot of color everywhere, and tasty things to eat tucked into any corner of the yard at all. Love it!
There is a certain beauty, too, in a well-ordered strictly vegetable patch or decorative floral/herbaceous border. I enjoy looking at such gardens, and even spending some time in them. But what makes my soul sing is something a bit less structured, a bit more wild.
End of the month I'll start some more seeds. Each year I try something new, both in plants to grow and methods of gardening. This year I'm experimenting with Gardening by the Moon. I'm also trying onions, new varieties of peppers and tomatoes, and a few more herbs.
Ahhh, Spring!
16 March, 2010
As the Drum turns
A drum carder for carding fiber, that is. I got to play with one yesterday, and while I don't much care for the feel of fiber still "in the grease", I absolutely love drum carders! I have little patience for much of the "fleece to yarn" process, and if I had to hand card a fleece to spin it into yarn in order to knit or weave garments to keep me warm... I'd have to migrate or freeze, LOL!
But my preference is still strongly for acquiring yarn already in the state known as yarn, not as fleece or rollags or plies or any of that.
What is fascinating to me is how each of us have arts and crafts that call to us and really resonate with us, as individuals. My good friend loves all this fiber & fiber processing stuff. Loves it. Like fish love swimming.
Truly, I can see the appeal of carding and spinning. There is a rhythmic hypnotic quality to it that is pleasant. Getting lost in the pile of rollags and the rhythm of twisting fiber into plies and time flitting by, "coming to" when you reach the end of your pile and realizing an afternoon or morning or evening has been whiled away and glorious beautiful beginnings of yarn are on the bobbin.. that does sound a bit alluring.
But not as alluring as just giving the fleece to my friend who loves this stuff and some day getting back something that looks wearable! :)
But my preference is still strongly for acquiring yarn already in the state known as yarn, not as fleece or rollags or plies or any of that.
What is fascinating to me is how each of us have arts and crafts that call to us and really resonate with us, as individuals. My good friend loves all this fiber & fiber processing stuff. Loves it. Like fish love swimming.
Truly, I can see the appeal of carding and spinning. There is a rhythmic hypnotic quality to it that is pleasant. Getting lost in the pile of rollags and the rhythm of twisting fiber into plies and time flitting by, "coming to" when you reach the end of your pile and realizing an afternoon or morning or evening has been whiled away and glorious beautiful beginnings of yarn are on the bobbin.. that does sound a bit alluring.
But not as alluring as just giving the fleece to my friend who loves this stuff and some day getting back something that looks wearable! :)
11 March, 2010
I suppose I ought to begin
I've been trying to decide what sort of blog I want to write- something herbal, something crafty, something personal, something gardenish. I just cannot make up my mind!
The one thing I do know is this: there are so many fingers of shadow in the world that I want this place to be one where seeds of joy and light are sown.
How on earth I'm going to accomplish this I've no idea. Other than to just begin, I suppose.
It is spring where I live. The crocus are emerging, the ice and snow retreating, and I'm dreaming of seeds and soil, gardens and greenhouses (literally! Had a lovely dream last night about beautiful glass seed beads mixed in with my potting soil.)
All things seem possible in Spring.
Welcome, and Blessed Be.
The one thing I do know is this: there are so many fingers of shadow in the world that I want this place to be one where seeds of joy and light are sown.
How on earth I'm going to accomplish this I've no idea. Other than to just begin, I suppose.
It is spring where I live. The crocus are emerging, the ice and snow retreating, and I'm dreaming of seeds and soil, gardens and greenhouses (literally! Had a lovely dream last night about beautiful glass seed beads mixed in with my potting soil.)
All things seem possible in Spring.
Welcome, and Blessed Be.
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