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| Monarch- Karin Bubas I had an opportunity to model for a co-worker of mine a few years ago. Please check out the rest of her beautifully haunting photographs. |
THE STARFISH POEM
Once upon a time there was a wise man
who used to go to the ocean
to do his writing.
He had a habit of walking
on the beach
before he began his work.
One day he was walking along
the shore.
As he looked down the beach,
he saw a human
figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think
of someone who would
dance to the day.
So he began to walk faster
to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw
that it was a young man
and the young man wasn't dancing,
but instead he was reaching
down to the shore,
picking up something
and very gently throwing it
into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out,
"Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused,
looked up and replied,
"Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked,
why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out.
And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that
there are miles and miles of beach
and starfish all along it.
You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely.
Then bent down, picked up another starfish
and threw it into the sea,
past the breaking waves and said-
"It made a difference for that one."
The Meadow
In the meadow of the valley,
Where wild flowers are roaming free.
There are multitudes of colors
And their backdrop forest greens.
There I sit and watch reflections
Of the clouds above the lake.
And the creatures drinking from it,
A deer, a swan, a snake.
To accentuate this beauty,
Are the mountains far away.
That rise above the woodlands,
“Look up” they seem to say.
While climbing one great mountain,
I see the meadow that’s below.
Looking even now more lovely,
Than when I was below.
So when you’re in a valley,
Looking up, you’ll want to climb.
But you’ll see that this new vision
Is no more lovely than what’s behind.
Let’s plan while on our front porch
As we both sip lemonade,
To go exploring in open meadows,
And leave behind this cooling shade!
Won’t you join me in my meadow?
Let’s delight in all we see.
And frolic in the sunshine,
As our love grows by degrees!
Where wild flowers are roaming free.
There are multitudes of colors
And their backdrop forest greens.
There I sit and watch reflections
Of the clouds above the lake.
And the creatures drinking from it,
A deer, a swan, a snake.
To accentuate this beauty,
Are the mountains far away.
That rise above the woodlands,
“Look up” they seem to say.
While climbing one great mountain,
I see the meadow that’s below.
Looking even now more lovely,
Than when I was below.
So when you’re in a valley,
Looking up, you’ll want to climb.
But you’ll see that this new vision
Is no more lovely than what’s behind.
Let’s plan while on our front porch
As we both sip lemonade,
To go exploring in open meadows,
And leave behind this cooling shade!
Won’t you join me in my meadow?
Let’s delight in all we see.
And frolic in the sunshine,
As our love grows by degrees!
Robert Edgar Burns
The Swing
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
Robert Louis Stevenson
Rose water
Rose water is one of the oldest ingredients in beauty care. Below I have added my very simple rose water
recipe. Rose water is a mild astringent,
reduces inflammation, fights wrinkles and it soothes and re-hydrates the
skin. The soft, gentle fragrance is said to be
antidepressant and to have aphrodisiac properties! Look at Cleopatra and her seduction of Anthony! She used to bathe in baths of ass's milk and rose petals to achieve her infamous youthful glow. ( I cannot promise Anthony will be waiting at your bedstead after you emerge from your beauty bath, sorry..)A few different uses for rose water:
- Make a refreshing spray for your skin, a room or your linens
- Soak a cloth or cotton pads to be placed over sore, tired eyes
- Make endless homemade beauty products!
- Add rose water to your bath for a sensual, relaxing soak and you'll come out literally smelling like a rose!
- Cooking! yes, cooking :) Many wonderful recipes can be found in Indian cooking
The Rose Petals
- Although you can use fresh rose petals, dried petals will give you a much stronger scent.
- Only use the rose petals. Please compost the stems and all other parts.
- If you're using fresh petals make sure they are from an organic source. Roses are usually heavily sprayed with chemicals so the roses you got from that special someone who bought them at a florist are NOT the best choice, especially if your rose water is going to be used on your skin or in cooking!
- If you want to know how to dry rose petals, it's very simple as well. Simply put your petals (loosely) into a brown paper bag and hang the bag in a well ventilated room. They should dry quite quickly depending on how humid your home is.
- Don't have rose petals? You can make lavender water the exact same way! Lavender is great for skin care also and has it's own beautiful scent.
- One simple rule here: Only use fresh, spring water or better yet, distilled water for your rose water recipe.
1. Collect your roses. If possible, harvest pesticide-free roses from your own garden. However, if you must buy roses from your local florist, please rinse the petals in cool water to remove any chemicals. You may also be able to purchase dried rose petals or lavender in your area.
3. Boil 2 cups of spring water (or distilled water) and pour the hot water over the rose petals. Cover the bowl with a lid or plate and allow the rose petals to steep for 30 minutes.
4. Cover a wide-mouthed jar with a piece of cheesecloth and pour the rosewater into the jar. Please Compost the rose petals rather than tossing them in the garbage.
5. Keep your rose water in the refrigerator to preserve it.
Rose water is one of the few ingredients that is guaranteed effective, versatile and doesn't burn a hole in your pocket. Always have a bottle made in your cupboard and enjoy its natural and holistic value. Sooth your senses with its aroma :) Enjoy!
My fascination for forest fungi came in my early childhood years. I cannot attribute my affection for them to a single thing , but a combination of my love of fairies, elves, forests, mushroom soup and saying the word itself "MUSHROOM"....
I, myself have have never gone mushroom hunting. Here in Beautiful B.C. Canada it has become increasingly popular to forage mushrooms. Being a "mushroomer" is on my bucket list now after having read The Savoury Mushroom by Bill Jones of Deerholm Farm outside of Duncan BC.
Hey! diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
After numerous years camping with Girl guides and Brownies and then camping with family and boyfriends I believe I have perfected the art of roasting a marshmallow. I don't know that I could ever get more than three "layers" from a single giant marshmallow though and have yet to meet anyone who could. Marshmallows for me are only eaten in a camping, firepit, outdoor situation. They take on a whole new identity with the carbonization from the flames, the smell of the wood burning, the stick driven through its side. IT's the beauty in finding the sweet spot in the fire, not the flame but a nice hotspot of glowing ember to tan it. ahhhh, the nostalgic image of roasting marshmallows!
Some uses for lavender
*Soothe minor burns by applying 2–3 drops of lavender essential oil to the affected area.
*Rub lavender essential oil on dry or chapped skin to moisturize the affected area.
*Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in closets and drawers to scent linens and repel moths and insects. Or make dried sachets of it like my mom :)
*Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on a wet cloth or dryer sheet to deodorize and freshen your laundry.
*Diffuse lavender essential oil to minimize seasonal discomforts.
*Rub a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your hand and spread over your child’s pillow to help them sleep...or on your own pillow! Ive put some drops into unflavoured lip balm and mixed it and rubbed it on my temples to help headaches too.
*Diffuse or inhale lavender essential oil to calm your mind, body, and spirit after a hard day’s work.
Find Cat's cradle how to and other string games here:
A comment on futility perhaps?
Pieter Breugel the Elder
"man pissing against the moon" 1559.
love it. ♥
