Good stuff

A couple of years ago I was able to take a hearth cooking class at the John C. Campbell Folk School. One of the things we made was raspberry vinegar. One would think ewwww, but it is extremely refreshing on a hot summer day. Here is a recipe for you to try:

1 quart raspberries
1 pint wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

Wash the raspberries, place in crockery container (no metal) and add vinegar. Place in refrigerator for 4 - 5 days. Then press raspberries through strainer as if you were making juice. For half a pint of juice add the 1/2 cup sugar then put it in a non metal pot and let boil until thick. Store in a glass container. When you are thirsty on a hot summer's day add a tablespoon or two to a glass of iced water and enjoy!

Instead of cooking the concoction on the stove we put it in a stone jar and placed it on the hearth, near the coals. It was delicious!

Home Remedy First Aid Kit

This is taken from from the Big Doctors Book of Home Remedies published by Prevention Magazine. This is to complement a conventional first aid kit in your home. Some of these I know about and perhaps you do too.

Cayenne powder: Just a little cayenne powder mixed with hot water can help stop bleeding, soothe ulcers, fight colds and flu, and clear chest congestions. (35,000 heat unit, non-irridiated powder)

Lavender or Tea Tree Oil: Both of these oils have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. You can use either one to soothe scrapes and burns, as well as reduce the stinging and swelling of bug bites. Just apply the undiluted oil directly to the skin.

Apple cider vinegar: You can mix a teaspoon in a glass of water to soothe an upset stomach; make a 50/50 solution with water and spray on sunbutned skin; or soak a bandage in the same solution and wrap around a sprained ankle. (I also learned that vinegar can take the sting out of jellyfish stings)

Peppermint tea: a cup of tea can ease a headache, soothe an upset stomach, and reduce tension. Diluted, it can even soothe a baby's colic.

Ginger: Giner is great for just about any gastrointestinal symptoms, including motion sickness, and morning sickness during pregnancy. Make a tea by steeping a tablespoon of ground fresh ginger in hot water for 10 minutes, then straining.

Carob powder: A tablespoon of this powder can quell dirrhea symptoms. Just add a dash of cinnamon and mixt it into water or milk.

Mild liquid soap: You want a mild, natural, nonanticacterial soap on hand for cleaning cuts and scrapes. (Recommended is Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap)

Hope this is helpful, especially to preppers as most of these items can keep.

Only two

For those of you who just can't live for a day without me (roflmao) you'll have to. I've done two pre-posts and my brain doesn't want to function any more so I'm stopping. There's one for the 28th and one for the 30th.

Thought for the day: You were wild once. Don't let them tame you. ...Isadora Duncan

Packing and posting

Ahhhh, today is the day I get to pack for the trip to Baton Rouge. I already have some stuff in my van....bedding box, backgammon board, small table. Just have to get the clothes etc. packed. No hurry, I'm not heading for my daughter's until late afternoon. We'll finish packing up the van and hitching up the camper tonight so we can get a fairly early start tomorrow morning.
I'm glad to be getting away. I've been feeling restless lately...out of sorts....you know. Wearing this boot on my left foot has hampered my ability to play outside in the garden and down at the pond. I sure hope it works on solving the tendonitis problem. I have things to do!
Okay, so now it's on to the adventure of learning how to pre-post. Don't have a clue what I'm going to put. Maybe some useful trivia.
Y'all have a safe weekend and, please, remember those who sacrificed their lives for us.

Had to get up earlier than usual this a.m. so I could have blood drawn for the yearly physical. I took a travel mug of coffee with me and as soon as those tubes were filled I had a sip. Ahhhh, the nectar of the gods. I'll go back this afternoon for the rest of the physical. Hoping my A1c is good and my cholesterol is under control. "

I'll be leaving Thursday with daughter and Someone to go to Louisiana. Her band has a gig there. I'm going to try to do some pre-posting ('cause I know y'all will miss me, lol). At least I'll get in some practice at it.

You have a beauty of a day and remember: "It may be true that you can't fool all the people all of the time, but you can fool enough of them to rule a large county."....Will Durant

I had a really nice visit with son and family yesterday. Because of the iffiness of the weather we stayed inside, but I got to see his finished pond from a window in the living room. A lot of work went into it and it's beautiful. There was a real frog sitting on a lily pad, lots (I mean LOTS) of tadpoles swimming about or resting on stones, some lilies in bloom, and fish. Because the windows were open we could hear the water. A nice background. The girls played by themselves in another room (they aren't very social right now) and grandson just wanted to be with daddy, although he did try to join the girls now and then and they weren't having it. All in all a good visit and I hope for another one soon.
Must finish laundry and do some cleaning today (yuck). I'm tired of looking at the mess. Wearing this boot on my foot will slow me down some but I'll get 'er done.
Y'all have a blessed day.

Going to have lunch with son and family today. Yay! I haven't seen them in months so it'll be interesting to see how much the children have grown, especially the grandson who was sooooo small when he was born (1lb. 11 oz.) a couple of years ago. Although I don't get to see them that much (the last time was 12/21) I at least do get to see them. It would be nice if it were a nice sunny day so we could sit outside, but no, it's raining. That's okay, we'll just visit inside.

"The mistake a lot of politicians make is in forgetting they were appointed and thinking they've been annointed."....Claude D. Pepper

The sky is crying (it's raining) and the ground is glad (I'm guessing). Looks like a get the laundry done day to me. I've read the blogs I follow, had my coffee, awakened somewhat. Now it's off to shower and start the rest of the day.

"You can lead a man to congress, but you can't make him think." ...Milton Berle

Don't have much time this morning. It's gallery day and I need to gather myself together. I wanted to let those who have been following that my friend who had the bilateral mastectomy is doing great. I had a short visit with her yesterday....she looks fantastic and says she plans on being back at the gallery, at least part time, starting next week. Wow! Her inner strength and fortitude are awe inspiring. I want to be like her when I grow up (lol).

The deer have just about decimated everything I put in the garden so I'm trying one of the uses of mustard Hermit Jim posted on his blog. I'll see if the pie plates smeared with mustard keep the buggers out.

Thought for the day: Get involved. The world is run by those who show up.

For those of you who are totally disgusted with the way the government is behaving towards unlawful (illegal is a sick bird) immigrants you need to go to http://wretha.blogspot.com and read her last two entries, then pass them on to others you know who are also disgusted. Mayhap they will pass them on and the entries will travel all over the U.S. I hope so. Also, Hermit Jim has an interesting post today.

To all who believe the government is wonderful: Go, lemmings, go!

So....I'm back home. Actually came back yesterday after perusing the bead show and purchasing a few things for jewelry making. I was plum tuckered out so I took a little nap and caught up on shows recorded while away. One of the ones I record is about hoarding. I guess I'll never understand how anyone could let it happen, especially since some of these people have careers that demand neatness and cleanliness. I do believe that my ex-son-in-law could easily become one as he seems to need to keep everything, even if it's useless. He needs to have "things" and will keep the boxes these "things" come in forever. 'nuf said.

Enjoyed the Renaissance festival with daughter and her Someone. Didn't buy much as I already have all the costuming I need and some of the things there are NOT made by the seller (especially jewelry). Watching the glass blowing demonstration was fascinating and the Birds of Prey presentation was really cool. Having a falcon come within an inch of your head while flying over is certainly an experience. The Andean Condor is the largest flying bird in the world, something I did not know nor had ever seen. While not handsome he was interesting.

All in all a good weekend. I'm looking forward to a good week (at least I hope it's good) and wish y'll a good week, too.

Gonna be away

I'm going down to my daughter's this evening and tomorrow we three adults (me, daughter and Someone) are going to the Renaissance Festival. I confess it will be nice not to have the Evil Genius with us, much as I love him. He flat wears you out wanting to go on all the slides and rides (disguised, of course, to look medieval) and we don't get to see all that we want to see. Perhaps this time we will. There are lots of fun shows to watch and, of course, one can spend a good amount of $$$ on stuff. The stuff will have to stay there as I don't need anything they have there, except perhaps food. Must have a fried pickle.
At any rate, I may or may not post these next two days. Sunday I'll be going to a bead show. Since my chainmail jewelry isn't selling I may go back to doing some beading and see if that will sell. The other problem is that I can't get the supplies I need for the chainmail because there is a turf war going on with manufacturers of the metal I use (Argentium) and the companies that make jump rings are out of the stuff. I suppose I could bite the bullet and make my own, but I'm essentially lazy enough to not want to nor do I want to buy the equipment necessary to do so. Or perhaps this is sign that I should move on to something else. Who knows?
Y'all have a great day and weekend. Do something for yourself. And remember: Not all who wander are lost.

Update on my friend....she's home. She says it's official....the doctor told her she's superwoman. At least now she can get some rest. I'll go visit in a few days....give her time to settle in.
Off to the gallery...

It's another damp day. The temperature has gone up some, though. Would really like to see the sun. The weeds are loving it out there, growing at a great rate. Irises are still blooming, which is nice. I'd forgotten how many there are. One of the few things the deer won't eat. My friend D came through her surgery with flying colors and even posted on Facebook yesterday morning, the day after her surgery. She is truly awesome. The week before her surgery she and her husband went to Gatlinburg for a law enforcement conference (he's police chief of their little town). There she saw a T-shirt she wanted to buy but he said no. The T-shirt said, "Yes, these are fake. My real ones tried to kill me." I think she should have bought it anyway while he was occupied in the conference.
It's going to be a lazy day today. I have things to do but they won't take much time. Keeping my fingers crossed for some sun.

Have a good day.

Tagged

I was tagged by Tatersmama the other day to put the 8th photo from the 8th folder of my photos in my blog and the write about the story behind it. Sorry to disappoint. I can't figure out how to get a photo into this here blog. I'll get my daughter to show me how, will write down the steps to success and then I'll complete the tag. Meanwhile, consider yourself tagged.
In other matters, my friend D is having her surgery today. I'll be sending energy her way and would appreciate you sending some also. To Jim and Tatersmama, thank you for letting me know you will keep her in your thoughts. As I've said before, I know way too many people with the big C. Makes me appreciate each and every day I stay healthy.

Have a good day, even if it is Monday.

It's Mother's day. I no longer have mine. She passed when I was 21....a long time ago. I'm a Mom. The word mother seems so formal I prefer the shorter word. I'll be one until I, too, go to Summerland. To all you mothers out there I hope you have a wonderful day. To all you children out there....appreciate her all year not just one day.

Remember: Every mother is a working mother.

Dancin'

Last night I went dancin' with friends. First, though, we visited one of the local restaurants for dinner.....yum. This was D's last dance before her surgery Monday. She's have a bilateral mastectomy and wanted a night of fun. And fun we had! You know, I know way too many people with cancer. But D's attitude towards her "adventure" (as she calls it) is one of optimism and learning. And everything she learns she has been passing on to us (in case one of us has to go through it, too). She worried that perhaps she was passing on too much information but we have all of us told her to keep on passing it so we can learn also. It's going to be a tough row to hoe but she knows that she has a circle of friends that will be there for her whenever needed. I hope her husband B understands that he, too, can call on her friends if needed. It isn't going to be any easier for him or their adult son. Men are very good at hiding their feelings only at this time I believe they should let go and let go. They should know that it's okay to rant and yell and cry at the "unfairness" of it. They should know that it's okay to be scared and to tell others that they are. But they probably won't. No, just keep being macho and hold it in. Not good, I say.
So I ask of you who read this to send positive thoughts toward someone you don't know. And with that I'll say....live today as if it were your last.

Not much to say today. Went to the gallery yesterday and finished a necklace. Went to knit group last night. Nothing on the schedule today.
Wednesday I did get the water lilies sprayed. Glad I got it done in the morning. That afternoon went to see the orthopedist. We agreed that the night brace and exercises weren't working so now I have a boot on for the next few weeks. If that doesn't work it looks like surgery. The only time I take off the boot is when I bathe. I've already noticed a difference in two days. This may just be what that poor irritated tendon needed.....a good rest. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Y'all have a gorgeous day.

Yesterday I did a bit of this and that. Tried to finish a sewing project but that didn't work out, especially since the local evil empire didn't have the fabric I needed. Oh well.
Today is kill the water lilies day (I hope). Yes, I know they're pretty when they bloom and all that, but they have been trying to take over the pond and that is NOT good. So I shall don the backpack sprayer and my waders and trundle down to do the dirty deed and hope not to fall in. I must say that I feel lucky that I am still able, physically, to take on such a chore. It seems the older I get the less steam I have to get things accomplished. No more out in the yard all day. Geesh, it's hell getting older. But we all do and I'm trying to face it gracefully. That doesn't mean I can't complain once in a while, though.

Today....think good thoughts.

It looks like it might be a nice day. There are weeds thumbing their ummmmm leaves at me, but I'll get 'em........eventually. Today I have other projects I need to work on. They'd bore you so I won't go into detail. Suffice it to say, they'll no doubt bore me too.
Came home yesterday with a tired brain. I do believe you can get more tired using your brain than using your brawn. Inputting data can be borrrrring and when what you are inputting hasn't been written up correctly, well..... I now understand why the co-director can get frustrated. It isn't as if the people writing up the sales slips don't know what they are supposed to do. Guess it's just a matter of PAYING ATTENTION!
I'm gonna go whack on some nails outside that are coming up out of some boards. It's gonna feel good.

Thought you'd like to know: Everything I say is fully substantiated by my own own opinion.

Rain

Was awakened at 4 a.m. by rain. I mean RAIN. Very serious stuff coming down hard and wind blown enough to wet half-way to the house on the porch. It's still raining and probably will all day...not that we need it. Not hard rain anyways. There'll be a lot of runoff with muddy streams in the ditches by the roads. I was awake for over an hour listening to it hit against the front window of my room and keeping my fingers crossed that there weren't any leaks anywhere. Not that I could have done anything about it. No leaks.....whew! I've had them before you see.

Off to the gallery to learn some bookkeeping in order to take that chore off the shoulders of the co-director.

My opinion of the government: Empty promises, calculated betrayal, sociopathic greed.....just another Monday.

Friday evening my daughter K, the Evil Genius, and J came up to spend a couple of nights. We were going to do a burn. I've had this big ol' pile of logs and brush for a couple of years, but never had the time to get it burned. Well, we were going to burn come hell or high water. Wouldn't you know the weather forecast called for rain. It did, but mostly as just a drizzle. Kept it nice and cool. What a lovely burn it was, too. Went all day and you could still see some glow Saturday night. There's a little wisp of smoke even now. Once it has cooled down we'll push what was on the very edge and didn't burn into the middle and burn it. What fun! (I'm just a pryomaniac at heart.....runs in the family). I'm glad it's done. Looking forward to clearing that area and growing green stuff even if it's weeds.
Family has gone home and it's very quiet here. Three turkeys in the yard. Think I'll sit out on the porch with a glass of wine and enjoy the evening.