lessons from the garden {unwelcome guests edition}

original image by travellinggirl2010

Just like every other gardening season that has gone by, I have learned a few more lessons from/in the garden, and this year's theme has been unwelcome guests. Some of these lessons are from my own experiences and others are from friends. I thought that I would share them with you dear readers, so you may avoid future these pains. ;)

1. If you have a wild & witchy garden, it is probably a good idea not to have church ladies who happen to be formal garden aficionados over to visit during the growing season. They will try to exorcise you of the Devil, and exorcise your garden of weeds {read: anything that is not a peony, orchid or rose is fair game!} while you're inside getting drinks for everyone. 
2. Don't invite over self-professed design snobs if your patio furniture textiles happen to not match your tomatoes {luckily this lesson was taught in a friend's garden; if the design snob had come over to my place, they probably would have fainted at the sight of our "patio furniture", which is just camping chairs!}.
3. Light sensors and wielding gardening shears are good deterrents when dealing with drunken assholes who like to "water" your front garden after an evening at the local bar.
4. "Piss-off" plants are a great way to keep neighbourhood kitties from using your garden as a litter box {recommended by a friend}.
5. Earwigs are truly evil incarnate. This year they did a number on some of my young perennial plants and a whole bunch of my annuals. While I was a bit late, I found strategically placed traps {shallow containers with some water and a wee bit of olive oil} kept them under control.
6. Fences are sometimes not enough to keep thieves and peeping toms out of your backyard. Having lots of thorny bushes and nettles where they are likely to hop over the fence will make them think twice next time. 
7. And finally some advice from a friend {for fellow witchy folk}: having signage politely informing people that a witch resides at your place and that if people fuck with your garden, they may very well be blasted into next week. Apparently this has effectively kept the idiots who used to vandalize her garden on their best behaviour.

Have any tips or "unwelcome garden guests" stories? Feel free to share them in the comment section.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Veggies Owned by Monsanto {!!!}

I got a link from a Near North Locavore member to a blog post entitled Forewarned is Forearmed: Veggies Owned by Monsanto. The post lists all of the vegetable varieties that are apparently owned by Seminis, a company purchased by Monsanto a few years back. I had a look and my jaw dropped. Get a load of this:

Beans: Aliconte, Brio, Bronco, Cadillac, Ebro, Etna, Eureka, Festina, Gina, Goldmine, Goldenchild, Labrador, Lynx, Magnum, Matador, Spartacus, Storm, Strike, Stringless Blue Lake 7, Tapia, Tema

Broccoli: Coronado Crown, Major, Packman

Cabbage: Atlantis, Golden Acre, Headstart, Platinum Dynasty, Red Dynasty

Carrot: Bilbo, Envy, Forto, Juliana, Karina, Koroda PS, Royal Chantenay, Sweetness III

Cauliflower: Cheddar, Minuteman

Cucumber: Babylon, Cool Breeze Imp., Dasher II, Emporator, Eureka, Fanfare HG, Marketmore 76*, Mathilde, Moctezuma, Orient Express II, Peal, Poinsett 76, Salad Bush, Sweet Slice, Sweet Success PS, Talladega

Eggplant: Black Beauty, Fairytale, Gretel, Hansel, Lavender Touch, Twinkle, White Lightening

Hot Pepper: Anaheim TMR 23, Ancho Saint Martin, Big Bomb, Big Chile brand of Sahuaro, Caribbean Red, Cayenne Large Red Thick, Chichen Itza, Chichimeca, Corcel, Garden Salsa SG, Habanero, Holy Mole brand of Salvatierro, Hungarian Yellow Wax Hot, Ixtapa X3R, Lapid, Mariachi brand of Rio de Oro, Mesilla, Milta, Mucho Nacho brand of Grande, Nainari, Serrano del Sol brand of Tuxtlas, Super Chile, Tam Vera Cruz

Lettuce: Braveheart, Conquistador

Melon: Early Dew, Sante Fe, Saturno

Onion: Candy, Cannonball, Century, Red Zeppelin, Savannah Sweet, Sierra Blanca, Sterling, Vision

Pumpkin: Applachian, Harvest Moon, Jamboree HG, Orange Smoothie, Phantom, Prize Winner, Rumbo, Snackface, Spirit, Spooktacular, Trickster

Spinach: Hellcat

Squash: Ambassador, Canesi, Clarita, Commander, Dixie, Early Butternut, Gold Rush, Grey Zucchini, Greyzini, Lolita, Papaya Pear, Peter Pan, Portofino, President, Richgreen Hybrid Zucchini, Storr’s Green, Sungreen, Sunny Delight, Taybelle PM

Sweet Corn: Devotion, Fantasia, Merit, Obession, Passion, Temptation

Sweet Pepper: Baron, Bell Boy, Big Bertha PS, Biscayne, Blushing Beauty, Bounty, California Wonder 300, Camelot, Capistrano, Cherry Pick, Chocolate Beauty, Corno Verde, Cubanelle W, Dumpling brand of Pritavit, Early Sunsation, Flexum, Fooled You brand of Dulce, Giant Marconi, Gypsy, Jumper, Key West, King Arthur, North Star, Orange Blaze, Pimiento Elite, Red Knight, Satsuma, Socrates, Super Heavyweight, Sweet Spot

Tomato: Amsterdam, Beefmaster, Betterboy, Big Beef, Burpee’s Big Boy, Caramba, Celebrity, Cupid, Early Girl, Granny Smith, Health Kick, Husky Cherry Red, Jetsetter brand of Jack, Lemon Boy, Margharita, Margo, Marmande VF PS, Marmara, Patio, Phoenix, Poseidon 43, Roma VF, Royesta, Sun Sugar, Super Marzano, Sweet Baby Girl, Tiffany, Tye-Dye, Viva Italia, Yaqui

Watermelon: Apollo, Charleston Grey, Crimson Glory, Crimson Sweet, Eureka, Jade Star, Mickylee, Olympia

* Marketmore 76 is a very old cucumber-variety. If you are ordering it from a seller of heirloom veggies, check with the dealer to make sure the seeds were not purchased from Seminis/Monsanto. If you buy the seeds from a big-box garden center, odds are they were purchased from the evil empire.

{list thanks to Kevin Lee Jacobs}

Well shit, I have purchased more than one off that list. Fuckers will definitely not be getting my money again. And to be clear, no one is claiming {from what I have seen anyway} that these varieties are GMOs, however they are owned by a company who creates other GMOs. That and Monsanto is in the business of suing farmers for having their patented crops in their fields due to cross-pollination, contaminating organic crops for the same reason, threatening biodiversity of crops, and a whole host of other evil shit.

*rant done*

Kevin Lee Jacobs is right: Forewarned is forearmed. Help spread the word folks! You can double check the list right from the company website.

Sláinte!

Laurel

this is my kind of sunday sermon

Growing is Forever from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

a huge loss that has come way too soon.

The last few days I have been riding out an onslaught of emotional extremes...from shock to deep sorrow to bitter regret. And there are many others who are probably feeling similar emotions over the loss of Wendy Babcock.

On Wednesday in the wee hours I got a call from a friend to give me the news that had died. At first I thought that it was just a twisted joke or a hoax. Then I spoke with others who had spoken to the police and coroner, which both confirmed her death. A small part of me still hoped that it wasn't real. Then after the media started, I had to accept the truth.

Police have said that foul play is not suspected. For this I am relieved. This doesn't change the fact that her death is a tremendous and terrible loss for those of us who loved her on a personal level, or who were inspired by her and her work. For me it is both.

I can't seem to be able to muster the words that would be worthy to commemorate her or to display why so many loved her and were inspired by her. She sure enjoyed having her picture taken though, and there are plenty that I think depict these reasons.

She was a riot- Once she started her antics, even those in the foulest of moods would be in a laughing fit.

{from Wendy's Facebook}

Her winsome smile- Many will say that Wendy always wore a smile, and I think it was to a large degree to hide the sadness she felt just underneath the surface. But she loved to make others feel welcome and at ease, and one would feel that way once she flashed her pretty smile.

{from Wendy's Facebook}

Her warm heart- Even if she didn't have a penny to her name, Wendy would find a way to help someone she saw in need. And even though she was often going through a hard time herself, she would almost always be there if you needed someone to talk to.

{from Wendy's Facebook}

Her incredible strength- I think most can't really fathom what it is like to face the hardships that were piled onto Wendy, yet she kept on fighting.

{Wendy & Val Scott on the cover of Xtra!}

Her tireless advocacy- Wendy lived, ate, and breathed for social justice. She was especially dedicated to harm reduction and advocating for those with mental health issues, the homeless, drug users, sex workers, and reforming the child welfare system. She kept a fire lit under our asses to help us keep up with her.

{photo by John Bonnar}

Her outspokenness- She had no issues with being public and expressing her views, some of which were unpopular. She put herself out there, regardless of how it may have effected her personal life. Even in more low key situations, Wendy would take the time to try and educate folks and challenge ignorance and intolerance wherever she saw it.

{photo by John Bonnar}

Here are some beautiful writings by others:

RIP Wendy Babcock

Wendy Babcock: Advocate, activist, mother and friend

Remembering and Celebrating Wendy Babcock

Wendy Babcock turned pain to inspiration

Rest well my sister...til we meet again.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Standing Alone Trilogy

These are three interesting films that are about the Blood elder, Pete Standing Alone.

Sláinte!

Laurel

P.S. there is some footage of rodeos that I personally find very disturbing and cruel, otherwise I enjoyed the films.

*********

Circle of the Sun

This short documentary by Colin Low is an invitation to a gathering of the Blood Indians of Alberta - as the Sun Dance is captured on film for the first time. The film shows how the theme of the circle reflects the bands' connection to wildlife and also addresses the predicament of the young generation, those who have relinquished their ties with their own culture but have not yet found a firm place in a changing world.

Standing Alone

Pete Standing Alone is a Blood Indian who, as a young man, was more at home in the White man's culture than his own. Confronted with the realization that his children knew very little about their origins, he became determined to pass down to them the customs and traditions of his ancestors. This film is the powerful biographical study of a 25-year span in Pete's life, from his early days as an oil-rig roughneck, rodeo rider and cowboy, to the present as an Indian concerned with preserving his tribe's spiritual heritage in the face of an energy-oriented industrial age.

Round Up

This short film traces Pete Standing Alone's personal journey from cultural alienation to pride and belonging. As a spiritual elder, teacher, and community leader of the Blood Indians of Southern Alberta, Pete works with the youth to repair the cultural and spiritual destruction wrought by residential schools. At age 81, has come full-circle in his dedication to preserving the traditional ways of his people.

A Crack in the Pavement

I found these cute short docs over at the National Film Board {of Canada} webby and thought that some of our readers might enjoy them as well. :)

A Crack in the Pavement is a two-part video set that shows children, teachers and parents how they can work together to 'green' their school grounds and make positive changes in their communities.

A Crack in the Pavement: Growing Dreams This short documentary shows initiatives kids take to transform bare pavement into dream schoolyards. Some grow trees for shade, and vegetables for a food bank. Others build a greenhouse or a rooftop garden, while others yet construct a courtyard pond as an outdoor classroom and refuge for wildlife.

A Crack in the Pavement: Digging In This short documentary follows students from Toronto's Jesse Ketchum School as they take steps towards the greening of their schoolyard. Along the way they get how-to advice and inspiration from kids across the country; from Pauline Public School, where students raised $10,000, to Broadacres School, where a family of wild ducks found a home in their pond.

Sláinte!

Laurel

My Grandparents Join Our Ancestors

Just last week on July 14th, we buried my Grandparents together. They passed within two weeks of each other; both succumbed to the final effects of Alzheimer’s {my Grandfather on June 26th and my Grandmother on July 10th }.

They would have been married for 67 years on August 12th. After spending a life time of love together, it is only fitting that they are together in the Afterlife, their bodies buried only a five minute walk from the chapel that they were married in {their wedding pictured above}.

I was privileged enough to be with them at the end, along with other family. It is so hard to watch someone you love deteriorate, but I think it is important to have those you love around you during those times.

Their passing rites were quite beautiful and symmetrical. They both had their wakes, services and burials together. Us Grandchildren were pallbearers for both, and there are six of us altogether {three males and three females, out of their three daughters who had two children each}.

There were many different ‘odd’ things that have happened around the times of their deaths and the days that followed and continue to do so. Things that would make the most steadfast materialist wonder, not least of which my Grandparents clearly insisting on being buried together at the same time.

My Grandparents taught me so much in life and during their deaths, mostly about love. If one doubts that Soul Mates exist, they just need to look at my Grandparents as proof.

Love and live well.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Be Careful What You Wish For {!!!}

According to this article local farmers have been hoping for some relief for their parched soil. I can understand this, my garden has been pretty dry too. And of course I also understand that the farms are much more important than my humble patch of dirt.

Farmers, gardeners hoping forecast precipitation arrives

It's not often you find someone praying for rain or snow, but Dave Lewington is desperate and is willing to take whatever he can get.

The Lavigne farmer is counting on this weekend's precipitation to moisten his crops of peas, spinach, radishes, carrots and beets.

"The ground is very dry, actually bone dry," Lewington said Friday morning.

"We've been watching the radar and crying for rain. North Bay and Sudbury got showers, but we were missed," he said.

"It's never been this dry and if we don't get rain it will be hard to carry things through. Anything that is planted now, if there's no or little rain it will be hard to grow and they'll just develop more slowly."

This weekend might not bring much rain to the area, according to Environment Canada, however the agency was forecasting 10 to 15 centimetres of snow overnight Friday and today.

"I'm looking forward to getting some snow this weekend to moisten the garden," Lewington said.

Well, I think we should be careful what we wish for, because sometimes we get it, and more of it than what we were looking for.

Yesterday we had fallen branches because the snow was way too heavy {the one below is from one of our ash trees} and there might be more to come. We also lost power for almost the whole night because of other fallen branches. So did many other folks.

The only garden chores I will probably doing for the next few days is praying that the garden survived. Grrr.

I know in the larger scheme of things this is at the most an inconvenience, but it is a good reminder for me to frugal in my wish-making, perhaps even more so when it comes to the weather. ;)

Sláinte!

Laurel

Oh Canada ! Our Bought and Sold Out Land

Do you live in Canada? Then you might want to watch Oh Canada! Our Bought and Sold Out Land. You can watch it for free on YouTube and Google.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Integrity

Tristan & Isolde by Hughes Merle

I have been on quite a mission lately to find a good summary of what integrity is.

Personally I think that at the end of the day our integrity is all we have. We need it to be in tact to have healthy relationships, and it is very much affected by our actions. Our level of integrity will be with us long after we shed our physical form.

But what is integrity exactly? What does it mean to possess it?

I found this quote by Barbara De Angelis that I think answers those questions nicely {please note: that this is a rare instance where I would quote a 'relationship guru'!}:

Living with integrity means: Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships. Asking for what you want and need from others. Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe. {source of quote}

Perhaps a rare thing and I hope that you are all blessed with it! :)

Sláinte!

Laurel

'Goodbye Little Brother'...'Welcome Sweet Daughter'.

This week I ended up going down to Toronto last minute with a friend who was going down for a conference and asked me if I would like to tag along.

I was super stoked to see a couple of people who I haven't seen since I was in Toronto last year, and one of those people is an old friend who just had a baby a couple of weeks ago.

Little did I know while heading down that this would be a trip to learn some lessons on as too.

My friend and I checked into our hotel on Tuesday evening, at around 7:30pm. We chilled for a bit and went to bed pretty early because she had to get up early for her conference.

I called everyone I wanted to see the next day to solidify plans, including my friend who is a new mom. When I called her I got the horrible news that her little brother was gunned down in a home invasion and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. This happened at around the same time we got into Toronto the night before.

I know that it is customary to speak kindly of the dead {especially if they were murdered and died before their time}, so customary that it is probably a cliché...but her little brother was an awesome person, and he surely did not deserve to be murder by a band of thugs.

My friend understandably had to be with her family that day, so we ended up going by to visit her on our way back to the Bay on Thursday evening.

I met her beautiful baby girl and we cried together for her little brother. I noted that my friend really is holding it together for her family and for her new child.

Just before we left, my friend looked at picture of her brother and said, ‘Goodbye little Brother’.

Then she looked down at her child and said ‘Welcome sweet Daughter’.

My friend is an inspiring woman. Just by being with her for from that too short a visit I learnt that no matter what is thrown at you, you can still be strong if you need to be. I learnt that I need to stop being drowned in self-pity and get on with it.

If a woman who just lost a loved one to a vicious murder can still feel blessed, then surely I have no reason not to.

My heart goes out to her and her family, and she also has my eternal thanks.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Another Video: Aesop's Fables!

This is our take on 5 of our favourite Fables from Aesop:

The Stag & His Reflection

The Crow & The Jug

The Lion & The Horse

The Fox & The Crow

The Town Mouse & The Country Mouse

Sláinte!

Laurel

Moday Musing: Letting Go

Boy on White Horse from Theodor Kittelsen

I was re-reading a few write ups that I have collected about Kelpies.

The legend goes that Kelpies often disguise themselves as beautiful horses, and can be seen by water. When seen, there is an overwhelming desire to ride them, which often leads to the rider’s death as the Kelpie dashes to the water, and devours its rider.

When reading them it dawned on me that this is often what anger is like. It is so tempting to hold onto anger! It is an effective armour to keep around the heart for those who have been deeply hurt. But eventually you can be devoured by it.

I think that it would be fair to say that lately I have been a very angry person. In my defence, my anger is largely justified, whether talking about a local group who has plagiarized and/or misused a proposal that I wrote for another group 5 times in less than a year and lying about it {these are the times that I know about} to reliving some pretty serious transgressions that were committed against me in my childhood in preparation for trial.

Yes, my own anger is probably justifiable to most, but I am not handling all of this gracefully. I have been so tempted to smear the fuckers who have stolen my work and I have found myself hoping that the asshole who violated me has a long and painful death. This is the type of anger—no, rage—that can consume a person. It clouds your judgement and can make you over react to other things happening in the here and now. If it goes too far, it can make you give up on the world.

I am not ready to give up...I am ready to let go.

I know that the group who stole my writing will be their own undoing, as they are not too bright. Eventually they will piss off the wrong person or organization and either be ostracized or dealt with in a legal arena. This I do not have the time or energy for, and I have bigger things to contend with.

I have faith that my abuser will be found guilty. If this does happen, at the very least he will be put on Canada's sex offender list, and he will be publically known as a child rapist. That way I can put my own demons to rest, knowing that he will think twice before he does it again.

Clearly, I am not coming from a place of forgiveness, nor even relinquishing my anger. I suppose what I am letting go of is my desire for vengeance.

Hey, it's a step.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Farm Internships in Ontario

The better half and I want to start our own farm, this is our dream (or a part at least!). The thing is that we both have limited experience--his being from when he grew up on a small farm, and mine limited to gardening and horses--so we would really need to get more experience to have this come to fruition, that is if we're smart about it.

Lucky for us there is a wonderful organization called Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training in Ontario (CRAFT Ontario). Here is a blurb from their webby:

If you’re ready for a full, hands-on experience that will immerse you in ecological farming then you’ve come to the right place. In this website you’ll find everything you need to apply for a full-season farming internship that could launch your organic farming career.

CRAFT Ontario is your gateway to a farming internship experience that will change your life. Maybe your dream is to have your own organic farm one day. Or maybe you want to learn some food-growing and hands-on skills that can be applied in other careers and lifestyles. Whatever your long term goals are, a farming internship is a powerful experience that will equip you with the tools and insights to make a real difference in the world. You’ll never be the same again!

Many former CRAFT interns go on to have their own organic and ecological farms. Others pursue careers and lifestyles that promote sustainability and ecological renewal in other ways.

They divide the service areas into different regions, called nodes, and right now there are only a handful of farms in our area, and one in our immediate area that are participating. Recently Eat Local Sudbury received funding to start up a program called Farm Alliance, and the program is mandated to increase the amount of new farmers in Northern Ontario and have partnered up with CRAFT Ontario to do this. So hopefully we will see more host farms in the area soon!

We have not applied to any farms yet, as we are 'window shopping', and I have come to find that it is so hard to narrow it down to even 10! We can apply to more than one, so we do have that on our side.

There are farms that teach Permaculture, fruit growing, beekeeping, cheese making, milking, raising heritage breeds of livestock, marketing, growing veggies, greenhouse management, seed saving, preserving food, ploughing with horses and oxen, and a whole slew of other things.

With a bit of luck, this time next year I will be blogging here after a long day's work on one of these farms.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Luverly of the Week: The Stag by Wenzel Hollar

The Stag by Wenzel Hollar, 17th Century

This is an artwork featuring the main character from the Aesop's Fable The Stag and His Reflection (or The Stag and the Pool):

A stag had grown thirsty and went to a spring in order to drink some water. When he saw the reflection of his body in the water, he disparaged the slenderness of his legs but revelled in the shape and size of his horns. All of a sudden, some hunters appeared and began to chase him. As the stag ran along the level ground of the plain, he outdistanced his pursuers and beat them to the marsh by the river. Without thinking about what he was doing, the stag kept on going, but his horns became tangled in the overhanging branches and he was captured by the hunters. The stag groaned and said, 'Woe is me, wretched creature that I am! The thing that I disparaged could have saved me while I have been destroyed by the very thing I boasted about.'

Lesson: This fable shows people should not praise themselves for something unless it is useful and beneficial.

This and other Aesop's fables can be found here.

Words of Wisdom: Why Not?

A plant of 'sage' advice. Photo from Echter Salbei

It's always great to start off the week with a nugget or two of wisdom, and when I found this over at the Animá blog I thought this was most fitting.

So grab a cup of coffee or tea, and curl up for some good words!

Sláinte!

Laurel

Why Not?

by Jesse Wolf Hardin

(http://animacenter.org/)

When I was a young kid in military school, a wise teacher told me the most important question to ask in life was “Why?” His wise-guy student, however, insisted the real question of relevance was “Why not?” For example, why not let me take more electives? Or work ten hour days in order to have an extra day out of school? Why not let me make my own decisions, and then both deserve the rewards and pay the price for my actions? Why not give Sergeant stripes for initiative instead of awarding them for for silent obedience? Or give myself to a series of exciting adventures like my heroes in the books?

Some things never change. For example, I don’t need to ask why the banking system collapsed or why failed bankers give themselves millions of dollars in bonuses, nor do do I wonder why both political parties allowed them to run away with our hard earned tax dollars just like I predicted months ago. I and millions of others already know why this country is going to hell in a hand-basket, why most people care only about their credit card limits and WallyWorld shopping baskets, why nature suffers even at the hands of administrations with the best of intentions, and why even free-thinking citizens have been taught to believe that they’re insignificant and powerless.

More pertinent (or temperamentally impertinent) is “Why not”… as in why not grab the executives of disgraced conglomerate AIG, strip them of every ill gotten and ill deserved dollar, vacation house, racing horse and yacht, strip them down to a basic working person’s wardrobe and a single 1980’s Chevy family car? Why not let the poorly managed banks go bankrupt, and then see what takes their place? Why not develop locally based banks that loan only to – and invest only in – the local community and its needs? Why not purchase houses directly from the owners, with them carrying the loan? And why not get the heck away from credit for anything smaller than purchase of land, a business or home? Why not live on what we can really produce, spend only what we have, spend only our money instead of the money of our children’s children’s children? Raise gardens, wildcraft and barter?

Why not put the stress on local production, instead of worldwide markets? Export only finished goods instead of raw resources? Make decisions locally, for the good of the region? Why not build things to last, instead of making tons of crappy things that don’t? Why not be your own boss, believe in yourself, act to make your hopes a reality, buck convention to be your real self, risk income and credibility by fulfilling a crazy lifelong dream? Why not see getting fired as an opportunity to move to the country, or to get out of that townhouse and move into a cheap 20 foot fishing boat? Why not start creating a world different from the one being crammed down our throats, instead of remaining “victims” lost in a flurry of deadlines and narcotic cloud of banal television shows? Why not cleave to the “old ways” and values of the distant past, when what’s modern is often of no value and what’s new should be questioned?

Why not honor and defend the essential liberties and rights as spelled out in the Constitution, regardless of popular whimsical opinion, regardless of legislation and repression? Why not attempt the impossible, fight for what’s right, and stand up against all that isn’t? Speak the truth even if it’s problematic, goes against the grain of our standard-cut populace, or gets us into trouble? Why not voice our amazement, umbrage and outrage, to neighbors that need to hear it, so called “leaders” who don’t want to hear it, on pirate radio waves and in the columns of newspapers struggling to make it? Why not plant our urban yards with native plants, encourage flower boxes on every stretch of concrete, or even start tearing some of the suffocating concrete up? Put the earth first, and see ourselves as integral flesh and blood of that earth? What about standing-out for a change, instead of always fitting into some slot, or buying what we really want and need instead of what’s considered trendy and hot?

To quote country-western singer Dwight Yoakum in a line of one his hits, “Why, Baby, why not?”

(copy or forward this as you please…)

Guardians

Yes, I am certainly 'spiritual', and others would call me 'superstitious'. I believe that there are Those who protect us from harm; some people call the Spirit Guides, Totems, or Guardian Angels.

From my personal experience I have come to believe that Genius Loci can aid those who are stewards of certain areas, Ancestors and Totems can guide and protect you, and that it is possible to get this help from certain Deities.

Early yesterday morning I was having some coffee and reading an article online, while all of a sudden I got this strong pang in my stomach and heard in my ear 'Look yonder!' (heh, maybe reading too much Paxson!).

I stood up and looked out the window to my balcony (which faces a parking lot), and I noticed a strange flickering on the front end of a car not 20 feet from my balcony (we are on the ground level). At first I thought it was the headlights acting up, but then I saw that it was the beginnings of a fire.

The fire did get quite big, and if it had reached the gas tank, it would have least blown the windows out in my apartment. Not good if you were slumbering by a window, and not good when you have 4 cats in your family.

If it was one hour later, the sun would be almost up, and others would have certainly noticed it, but that was not the case.

The better half was calm and sane throughout the whole thing, and we got the kitties all packed up, and 911 was called. Our awesome firemen were here in less than 5 minutes and put out the blaze. Yay!

I feel terrible for the owner of the car. I would say it is completely unsalvagable. The car was quite old, and we figure it was probably the block heater (almost everyone is plugged in up here because it is so cold). Here are some photos (you can click to enlarge them):

I am just thankful that no one was in the car, and that no one was hurt.

Yesterday was a reminder that I do indeed have Guardians, and I am confident through blast and bane, myself and mine are well protected.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Clever Hans

Not to be mistaken with this lovely fellow, Clever Hans the horse, but this Clever Hans, of The Brothers Grimm


Illustration by Arthur Rackham, from a vintage The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales book

The mother of Hans said, "Whither away, Hans?" Hans answered, "To Grethel." "Behave well, Hans." "Oh, I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans comes to Grethel, "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. What dost thou bring that is good?" "I bring nothing, I want to have something given me." Grethel presents Hans with a needle. Hans says, "Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans takes the needle, sticks it into a hay-cart, and follows the cart home.

"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "Took nothing; had something given me." "What did Grethel give thee?" "Gave me a needle." "Where is the needle, Hans?" "Stuck it in the hay-cart." "That was ill done, Hans. Thou shouldst have stuck the needle in thy sleeve." "Never mind, I'll do better next time."

"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel, mother." "Behave well, Hans." "Oh, I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. What dost thou bring that is good?" "I bring nothing; I want to have something given to me." Grethel presents Hans with a knife. "Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye Hans."

Hans takes the knife, sticks it in his sleeve, and goes home.

"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "Took her nothing, she gave me something." "What did Grethel give thee?" "Gave me a knife." "Where is the knife, Hans?" "Stuck in my sleeve." "That's ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have put the knife in thy pocket." "Never mind, will do better next time."

"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel, mother. " "Behave well, Hans." "Oh, I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, I want something given me." Grethel presents Hans with a young goat. "Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans takes the goat, ties its legs, and puts it in his pocket. When he gets home it is suffocated.

"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "Took nothing, she gave me something." "What did Grethel give thee?" "She gave me a goat." "Where is the goat, Hans?" "Put it in my pocket." "That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have put a rope round the goat's neck." "Never mind, will do better next time."

"Whither away, Hans,?" "To Grethel, mother." "Behave well, Hans." "Oh, I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, I want something given me." Grethel presents Hans with a piece of bacon. "Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans takes the bacon, ties it to a rope, and drags it away behind him. The dogs come and devour the bacon. When he gets home, he has the rope in his hand, and there is no longer anything hanging to it.

"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans." "Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." What didst thou take her?" "I took her nothing, she gave me something." "What did Grethel give thee?" "Gave me a bit of bacon." "Where is the bacon, Hans?" "I tied it to a rope, brought it home, dogs took it." "That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have carried the bacon on thy head." "Never mind, will do better next time."

"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel, mother." "Behave well, Hans." "I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans." "What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, but would have something given." Grethel presents Hans with a calf. "Good-bye, Grethel." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans takes the calf, puts it on his head, and the calf kicks his face.

"Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "I took nothing, but had something given me." "What did Grethel give thee?" "A calf." "Where hast thou the calf, Hans?" "I set it on my head and it kicked my face." "That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have led the calf, and put it in the stall." "Never mind, will do better next time."

"Whither away, Hans?" "To Grethel, mother." "Behave well, Hans." "I'll behave well. Good-bye, mother." "Good-bye, Hans."

Hans comes to Grethel. "Good day, Grethel." "Good day, Hans. What good thing dost thou bring?" "I bring nothing, but would have something given." Grethel says to Hans, "I will go with thee."

Hans takes Grethel, ties her to a rope, leads her to the rack and binds her fast.

Then Hans goes to his mother. "Good evening, mother." "Good evening, Hans. Where hast thou been?" "With Grethel." "What didst thou take her?" "I took her nothing." "What did Grethel give thee?" "She gave me nothing, she came with me." "Where hast thou left Grethel?" "I led her by the rope, tied her to the rack, and scattered some grass for her." "That was ill done, Hans, thou shouldst have cast friendly eyes on her." "Never mind, will do better."

Hans went into the stable, cut out all the calves', and sheep's eyes, and threw them in Grethel's face.

Then Grethel became angry, tore herself loose and ran away, and became the bride of Hans.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Monday Musing {timely edition}: Lessons From a Feathered Visitor

Photos by Ken Thomas


Yesterday I had a Cedar Waxwing on my balcony railing, which is pretty odd, as I have never seen one there before, and they are not exactly plentiful like the crows and gulls.

Whenever I have a critter come into my life, I am keen to find out what lesson they might have for me. I believe that these animals are messengers and teachers, and there is plenty to learn from their lore and what they symbolize. Often people call these critters Animal Guides or Totems.

I scoured the web trying to find some lore about the Cedar Waxwing, and pretty much came up empty. So, turning to my trusty copy of Animal- Speak by Ted Andrews I found a small section of Waxwings.

According to Ted Andrews, Waxwings symbolize gentleness and courtesy, transformation and new consciousness, as well as mask-making and ceremonial wear.

He also calls Waxwings 'polite', and says that they are often sighted passing food to each other (learning how to share is a lesson I think that just about all of Humanity needs!).

Then he says that these are questions brought by Waxwings:

Are others extending the courtesy you deserve? Are you extending them the courtesy that they deserve? Do you need to start seeing yourself and others from a new perspective? Are you possibly not being gentle with yourself?

Well, definitely something to think about.

Sláinte!

Laurel