Winter Walk Day 4

Jsut as I had met the needs of Rachel, here she is meeting the needs of Megan.
My daughter is only 17, and has had soem issues with nursing, but she has hung in there and I , as the mom and grandma have attempted to give a helping hand but in an as hand off approach as possible.
The look of Meg looking at Rachie's face jsut warms me to the core of my soul

Winter Walk Day 3

I often think of mothers in war stricken countries or those with terrorist threats. My heart grieves for the devastation of people over religion, power and greed.

The young girls that are taken from their families and put into prostitution rings.
Do we really think we are above this happening to us in the US? or in any modern country.

How another human can decide the destiny of another for their own personal gain or sexual fulfillment is evil. And there is no pain on this earth deeper and more difficult than a mother losing her child.

THIS WORLD NEEDS HELP-HOPE-PEACE
This is my prayer continually

This stake is made by a group of activists in nearby Fayetteville. I want to create a peace garden one day, but until then, this is what I have to remind me of my greatest desire. World Peace

Winter walk day 2

Why keep rabbit droppings in a jar? Well you see my friends, they are magic pellets. Pop one in your mouth and help your dry throat and lungs. They dont taste too bad.

These are elecampane, slippery elm and a wee licorice root balls. lol

Winter Walk to Valentine Day 1

It is an interesting thing.....winter cold with Valentines day on the heels, the typical hot and passionate overtones that holiday conveys. It almost seems more like a spring holiday, do you think so? lol

The post I share today will be a few pix simply because it needs to be seen with a few pix.
It is the creation of my studio-it happened kind of out of the blue and random, yet I have needed this space for so long and now have a place to create without being shoved outside, in the basement unattached from the household, or covering the kitchen table with cloths and then my work everywhere.




The thoughts that come are from a heart of gratitude to my sweetheart for building me such a sturdy table, all the painting he did this weekend and allowing me this space.
But the strongest is that you have to beleive for what you need as well as taking steps to make it happen. And when you cannot take those steps, for whatever reason,
keep beleiving things will work out....quite often it will when you do not expect it

Winter Walk to Valentine day 0

Taking care of my girls. I am a blessed soul.

The Studio-the evolving room of questions

The studio. An exciting place to store my stash so that my family can continue functioning in our tiny space.
It will be a work in progress
I need a table! lol


Here are the old trunks my Grandmothers husband made years ago when he was working for the carpenters union.
I am trying to get them revived. Difficult being able to make time to get all my tasks done, but it is fun even hto things are tore up right now in the process.

Herbalism at the Core our Souls

It's 3:30 am and the house is still. Complete darkness sourrounds me the only sound comes from the rythmic breathing of my family.

I question why I am up at this time of morning.
The holidays have left us slightly worn and exhausted. The stepkids came for the holidays and mid trip one battled the flu and the other one progressed into strep throat after returning home. My youngest broke out in chicken pox. A week before that, the flu was making its way around and one child missed his Christmas party.
There have been things creep up very near to me and I can feel its grip trying to enter in. Immune boosting herbs have been my allys. Warming teas daily which I keep warm all day on my woodstove for a sip anytime I need. Garlic and ginger abound in our meals. Socks on my feet and stocking cap on my head if needed.
When you are the one who admisinsters the healing, there is no time to get sick.
So many depend on your hands to be their loving channel of light in the grey of illness.


Sleep is an essential health care need in the winter. Many animals we see in nature hibernate at this time. The daylight hours are not as plentiful in the season. I often wonder if electricity were not an option for us, would we sleep more in the cold winter?
My body naturally wants to sleep and when the alarm goes off each schoolday, I find it difficult to arise.
So why am I up now?
I beleive the instinctual herbal voice inside knew the call to action this morning. My 7 year old has the worse case of chicken pox I have ever encountered, and he, such a tender soul in nature, would struggle with the discomfort.
I lightly crawled out of bed to put my love into action. No logs were needed for the woodstove this morning, as a slow fire burned all night long. I began a pot of delicious fair trade arabica coffee as a wonderful treat for myself and my sweetheart.
A chicken was ready in the fridge to be used in the care and nurture of my sick boy.
The sounds of home now were of washing and slicing vegetables and opening jars of astragulus and kale. Garlic was pressed and all the scraps I have saved all week were brought to the pot. A litle turmeric was added to add immune stimulating abilites and antioxidants in the cold weather we are experiencing.
This is the foundation of everything we do. Preparing nurturing foods to help the body and soul using herbs and spices to support our intent.
Throughout the day I will admister other herbal helps to address the symptoms of my little man's sufferings as well as keeping the rest of my family strong and vigorous against the foreign invaders that try to creep into our bodies and take over.
Herbalism is at the core of my being. An intuitive voice that speaks inside to guide me on what to do and how to do it. And this day I find that it speaks even as I sleep, waking me to the labor of love needed before the busy world is active.
I am humbled and greatful that I heard the voice. I am better prepared for the work ahead for the sake of those I love. Influenced by the traditions of old. Embracing the wisdom of new information we have available in these modern days. Weaving lore and fact in a daily common sense approach to life. The journey for me always begins where my heart beats strongest. That is caring and nurturing my family.
The task for the day has begun to support health.
Now the laundry must be done. And breakfast made for those that will leave our sacred space on planet earth to learn or work.
An ordinary person I am with an understanding of something magical and wonderful. I am an herbwyfe. It is a river that runs to the core of my soul.