Barefoot Gypsy Blog

Bad Eggs and Flood Dreams

2009-11-12T14:32:00.001-06:00

Bad Eggs

In all our years of having hens I have never had a bad egg. Eggs stay good for weeks as long as they're not to hot but even in the hottest part of summer they stay good with no refrigeration for at least a full week and more. Yesterday I was making eggs for lunch and discovered several bad eggs. One was very bad and smelled terrible, several others had odd sickly looking yolks and a few more still had very dense, almost reddish yolks. The latter reminded me of the dense yolks of ducks eggs, I could cut these raw yolks and they didn't run. All but the stenchful egg went to the animals and the bad egg went into the forest. Very odd, 7 bad eggs total and we've never had even one before. It seemed like an omen from a movie or book. Back in the day I reckon the neighbors would have toasted me for that very thing.

Flood Dream

we were living in a different house and it was winter like, snow and ice everywhere but not frozen solid. There was a tiny (ankle deep) creek that we had to drive over on our driveway but it had swollen to be waist high and about 20 feet wide. we had to drive over it but I knew it was frozen enough to be able to. We had the crow truck and needed food so Nik (who was an older teenager -very rare in my dreams) and I bundled up and jumped in the crow truck and drove to a place.

Along the way we saw that every low lying place was flooded. Some ravines and such probably 100 feet deep or more, filled with water just a few feet less than the higher dryer ground. There was a lot of snow everywhere as well and we had to be careful and drive very slow for fear of driving in the wrong place or sliding.

We came to a 3 way road, or at least where there were three places other cars had driven. as i drove a long gate just blew open across the road I needed. at first I intended to drive right through it because something felt wrong but then I realized that I knew who's gate it was so I tried to swerve but still hit the corner and bent it a little. I stopped the truck and got out to move the gate and noticed tons of gates, kennel panels, fencing of all sorts stock piled nearby and partially hidden by the snow. It felt wrong somehow, i felt angry but also frightened by it and yet, when i tried to imagine or think about what they were for it felt as if I was purposely being blocked from any thought of it.

The next thing I knew we were driving along again and came to a structure that looked like a medium sized metal cattle shelter, a metal three sided building with big plastic sheets covering the open side. There were two women inside whom i knew and I went in to get food.

The dream shifted

It began again in the same way tho I knew it was another day, maybe months or more since the last trip. It was very cold out but little or no snow on the ground. The driveway creek was still very swollen but seemed to have gone down a bit. there was still an ice bridge across it but I was worried about it holding. we needed food tho so we got in the crow truck and drove. when i drove onto the bridge it collapse and the water came up to the doors of the truck but I was able to speed across and no water got in.

The next thing I knew, we were at the metal building again, the same two women inside. I went in and filled three bags with canned foods and was talking to the women when another truck pulled up with 3 or 4 men. One of the women said I should go because they were low on food and they would want some of mine. I seemed to have my own stock of food there (why I would keep it there and not at my home ?). As I quickly took my bags to the truck another truck pulled in with a man and woman in it. At the same time raised voices came out from the building. thought to myself that i would take Nik and the food home and come back and help the women.

And then I woke.

11.5.9

2009-11-05T21:44:00.002-06:00

We've fallen gently into the bed of Autumn. The temperatures, like Summer, have been very mild. So much so that it worries my practical self, but then my daydream dancing self is overjoyed by every little thing and soon I forget to worry.

Forgetting to worry doesn't mean forgetting to prepare. It's more so that I can't help but find pleasure in the preparations. Maybe I don't take things quite as seriously as most other folks but then again, I don't dance in their shoes.

We had a wonderful Samhain, the house was full of guests (the kind you feel instead of see), we ate stuffed baked potatoes, chocolate cake and watched Wyrd Sisters. I am proud of almost everything Nik does but that he loves Terry Pratchett makes me proudest of all :) It's also something that both my sisters and I share, the books anyway.

The porch is almost finished :) just a little more chicken wire, a few boards cut down, a little nailing and some paint and the porch will finally be enclosed. Then it's about figuring out how to fit everything in. Two things have to fit for sure ... an area just for the cats to play and lounge in the sun, and a sitting area for me with rocking chair, tea table and soft throw rug. A place to contemplate my contemplations :)

Then a few more things before winter ... get the rest of the 6 foot fence up so that Hercules doesn't have to be chained up all the time. I loath that for him so much. And build him a bigger better doghouse. The goats broke down Star's giant igloo I gave him, so now he has Apollo's smaller house, which he fits in but just barely. The only thing I can think to do is build him one out of wood and sturdy enough for the goats to get on.

Those are the biggest things, and getting more firewood cut. You can never have to much and we rarely have enough ready ahead of time. One of these years I'll get it all cut up before winter :)

For now I'm off to have some irish cream in hot chocolate and watch some Catherine Cookson

Blessed night :)

Blessed Fall & Merry Samhain

2009-10-30T19:17:00.004-05:00

I cannot imagine being more blessed than we are this Autumn ...

A carpet more intricate and beautiful than any ever woven.

The gardens are being put to bed. The herb garden is about ready, just waiting for one or two more little green houses. the one in the picture is the rosemary and I have another almost ready for the lavender (which shouldn't need it but does. and maybe one for the garden sage which seems to not be rooted as deep or have as much wick as it should by now.

I bought a half bushel of apples the other day. We used to get free apples from windfalls each year but the trees we used to get them from are still recovering from a severe ice storm a few years back. Apples are such wonderful things. I'm making apple butter and apple sauce to can and pie apples to freeze.

We also made apple heads to dry :)

I made more elderberry scones.

And a large batch of Amish cookies.

.

.

And, we got our wonderful Blazer.

.

Merry Blessed Samhain
(((((((((((((( everyone )))))))))))))

10.27.09 New car, new day

2009-10-27T21:08:00.002-05:00

Today was so beautiful! Leaves a dance everywhere you look. A bright red leaf stuck to a window, a yellow and orange leaf adrift in the creek, a still green leaf resting on a large stone as if it had been laid there just so.

We finally have transportation again in the form of a 99 Chevy Blazer. It will be our going to town car and I hope the get the Crow truck fixed soon as well. It's a lovely, fancy thing. At first i couldn't figure out how to balance it with my old fashioned simple soul but, as he often does, Nik came to the rescue. He reminded me of my love for Firefly and Steampunk and balancing old with new. He said it was like when I wear my fancy skirt with my muck boots, it's different but it works for me. And indeed it does. So we have this grand new Blazer who will sit proudly next to the brave and beautiful old Crow truck, and all is well :) We're so very blessed!

And so the beautiful day became a beautiful evening, orange & brown with tiny blotches of green here and there painted on a backdrop of grays. Very vivid and alive but also quiet and subdued. A perfect evening for broom riding, cat petting and hot tea drinking. I may even let slip a cackle or two.

Merry blessings everyone :)

The Life and Times of Heroes and Heroines

2009-10-23T16:49:00.002-05:00

Sheri Dixon is a friend of mine altho that's not really accurate because she's much more than that. I trust her, and that is one of the greatest things I can say about a person. Beyond that, she is also one of my heroes.

This is her book, her journey, her story http://www.blurb.com/photo-book-contest/view_book/839411
If you have the time, please stop by and say hello, buy her book, vote in the contest, make prayers and send healing energy, lift her up a bit because her wings become weary.

I'm pretty sure she's never seen my blog and I doubt she'll ever see this post but I hope she'll always know that Nik and I lover her and hers, greatly.

Namaste my sister

10.18.09

2009-10-18T08:17:00.001-05:00

I woke this morning around 6:00am to the sound of Fox crowing and the smell of woodsmoke. What a magical way to start the day. My first thought of the day was how blessed I am to have this life :)

The way I go on about things people often think I haven't lived this way long, that it's all new to me. Aside from how long I've lived this life they're actually right, it is all new to me. Every autumn is a new autumn, and every morning a new and exciting beginning. I've always found it a lot like opening door after door and discovering what's behind each one. To experience life so sharply, so distinctly, over and over again is probably an asperger thing and if so, I feel blessed for it. My whole life I have felt and seen and smelled and heard the intricate nuances in each and every thing. Each delicate fiber in a spiders web, each glistening silk hair on a cat. It is to actually experience a thing I think. That of course has it's down side as well, to be to sensitive, to feel to much, to lose yourself in things that most people don't realize even exists.

It was 30 deg here in the Ozark Mountains this morning, it's 32 now at 8:00am. It's supposed to be in the high 50's and 60's for the next 3 or 4 days tho so no fire yet and a lot of work planned for the next few days getting things ready for the long rest.

More wood cut
wood stacked on the porch
chimney pipe swept (should have been done already)
hen house cleaned with extra hay added and an extra roost
run cord to henhouse and goat house for lamps
chicken pen cleaned and all cleanings put on the garden
porch cleaned and readied for winter
a/c out and covered
extra hay for all animal beds
the winter walls put back on Juniper rabbit's hutch
gutter cleaned and cover straightened out
antifreeze check on the poor crow truck
check heat strip and lamp in the well house
get animal covers up
gather kindling

The goat girls are in season and a neighbor down the road a way has a young Nubian Buck but now without the crow truck I'm not sure how to get them there. They also aren't in full heat but I'm hoping that being exposed to the male will cause them to. Of course they have to do what is natural for them but I need for them to be in season, mate have kids and give us some milk !

Todays menu: A light breakfast of toast with honey-butter and coffee. Lunch will be biscuits with hamburger gravy. Supper is baked ham, potatoes, green beans, carrots and cornbread. Dessert will be homemade Amish cookies and hot tea while I watch Coraline.

~ All Hallows Eve ~

2009-10-14T17:52:00.000-05:00

~ All Hallows Eve ~

Bless the night of Halloween,
A night for those who go unseen.
A time for them to cross between,
our world and theirs.

Tap, tap, their footsteps fall,
Those who heed the midnight call.
Arrive then, at the Samhain Ball,
and dance the night away.

Winds whisper secrets in the breeze.
Tendrils of smoke rise thru the trees.
Give us candies, if you please.
Tonight is Halloween.

Juli ~ Sept. 2006

I can't help reposting it :)

10.13.09

2009-10-13T13:39:00.000-05:00

It seems to rain most days now. It has seemed so for the last few weeks, 3 to 4 days of rain a week at least. I love the rain, I always have, it washes away the old so that the new can take it's first step. but it's not good for goat feet or preparing for winter. As soon as possible I need to build a much larger goat house in case this is the way of things to come. The goats and Herc need more room to move around and live when there's so much rain. The hens too.

Things are progressing slowly with the accident but they are progressing nonetheless. I have decided just to sign off on everything so that it can be done with. They say the poor crow truck is totaled but I intend to buy it back and we'll see what can be done.

In the last few weeks my computer crashed, I lost 180. dollars because of a mistake on my part and then the accident. It's been overwhelming and so strange but I know the result will be a very good thing.

................

About 2 weeks ago we switched from using any shampoo to using only baking soda and AC vinegar for rinse. The results have been very good and both our hair is healthier than ever. It does feel weird in the shower but it does seem to clean well regardless. My next step is to scent the baking soda. I don't mind it not scented but I want to see if I can without changing the way it works.

I wouldn't recommend it for people with oily hair altho you still should try it at least once and maybe it just helps balance the natural oils. I know my hair, which has always been a bit dry (even taking E daily), is no longer dry at all.

Also, adding herbs to the vinegar rinse is a wonderful thing. Altho I've just started using baking soda alone I have added it to shampoo for years and used vinegar rinse even longer. I keep an old bottle in the bathroom just for rinse and add rosemary sprigs to the main bottle. I use an old water bottle or plastic cup to add the vinegar to and then when I'm ready to rinse I fill it up with warm water.

Baking soda wise, I use 2 tablespoons for about 16 ounces of water. Nik has shorter hair and uses 1 T and no vinegar rinse. We both have very thick curly hair.

I'm still working on homemade dish soap and deodorant.

.....................................

The weekend before the accident I made some excellent finds at a yard sale ... i got a wash tub for 5.00 , a hammer for .25 censt, a small saw for .25 cents, a sheet to make a curtain with for 50 cents, a large roll of unused screen for 25 cents and a box of old wax and candles for free. And that is one of the ways we live so well on so little :)

Then this past weekend I found a large box of fabric for 1.50, none of it is really my style but as luck would have it, it's all the rage now for normal folk :) There is probably around 10 yards of about 8 different fabrics. As I was paying I could see all the cat toys and pillows I will make and sell.

...............

I had a dream the other night that someone was trying to get me to get my realtors license and that Nik and I found a baby pig. yes, I probably need to get out more.

.....................

At the last Farmers market before the accident i found myself, as I often do, staring off and daydreaming. I was shocked to realize I was daydreaming about having a mate *o* It would be a lie to say it never crosses my mind but when it does, it's just a fleeting thing and then i come to my senses. This time I came to my senses and still the thought lingered.

................

I managed to get a discounted blueberry bush from Lowes a few weeks back and we got it planted. I thought we needed two to produce but the guy said one produces fine if it has enough something in the soil. I think it's magnesium, I wrote it down somewhere. A Blueberry bush was high on my list of foods to get.

....................

Summer seems to have gone by more quickly than usual. Fall is my favorite season I think but there was so much i had planned that didn't get done.

Ah well, there's always next year. Merry Fall (((((((((((((( everyone )))))))))))))))

The accident

2009-10-01T21:21:00.002-05:00

Nik and I were in an accident yesterday. We're sore but fine, we both have mild whiplash and ache but it could have been so much worse. The poor woman who hit us went to the hospital but they said she would be fine too.

We were on a little highway and we decided to pull over and try to save a bee. I saw a small side road, put on my signal, looked in the rearview and saw 3 or 4 cars quite a ways back, I slowed and started to turn but I felt some bad juju, something didn't feel right so I sped up and kept going down the road a ways. I saw another little road and did the same thing, put on my signal, looked in the mirror and saw the same cars a little ways back (closer than before but not close at all), I slowed down and started to turn but again felt like something was wrong so I sped up again, looked up at the mirror and saw the red car speeding toward us and before I could say anything we were hit.

The crow truck was like a tank. It may not be fixable but it didn't look nearly as bad as the mini van that hit us. I thought it was a car but Nik says it was a small van. It's front was crushed into and under the rear of the truck and the truck wasn't even lifted off the ground. They had to use the tow trucks to pull them apart. The woman is very lucky to be alive, it looked like it broke her motor and pushed part of it back but not enough to pen or hurt her. Her engine was on fire for a while but a good man ran up and was able to reach into the motor and shut it down that way. The whole time gas was running out of the crow trucks second tank, which was completely full. A fireman said it was best that I had the tank full because it didn't allow fumes to build up which may have caused an explosion. Another guy told me that if it hadn't been for the broken fuel tank I probably could have driven the truck home. I don't know, it all looked bad to me.

Anyway, in the end all that really matters is that everyone walked away. I was whinning about the likely loss of the beloved crow truck today when i was reminded by some kind folk that things always happen for a reason.

Thank you Mother and Father, thank you to the people who did their jobs and thank you crow truck.

Namaste
Juli

MRSA staph infection

2009-09-28T16:15:00.000-05:00

MRSA staph infection

I am not a doctor in any way. Even with natural medicines it's always best
to consult your caregiver :)

MRSA is a dangerous antibiotic resistant staph infection. It's contracted
and transmitted in several ways and can be carried by persons with no
symptoms or signs.

It's very difficult to recommend anything without knowing a lot more about
the individual. Things like age, general health, allergies, illnesses,
other medications are all very important and should be considered.

However, If I were treating myself, here's what I would do...

Echinacea taken internally, which can be gotten in capsules at most health
food stores, easily grown, harvested and dried or used fresh. Echinacea
purpurea (purple coneflower) grows wild in much of the US. never wildcraft on
roadsides (very toxic) and never kill what you wildcraft.

All parts are medicinal. It's a good, natural antibiotic that generally
works well when things are resistant to mainstream medicines. I would use a
heavy dose, at least the maximum advised on the container 4 times a day or a
strong tea/infusion of a teaspoon dried herb to 8 ounces of water (steep
covered 5 minutes or more) 4 to 6 times a day or what you care provider
advises for a full 10 days. Echinacea can be sweetened with honey but never
cane sugar. Echinacea should not be taken for more then 10 days in a row and
after 10 days it's best to wait 2 weeks before starting again so as not to
build up a resistance.

Your care provider will know best :)

Honey, can be used on open wounds and taken internally. I would suggest 2
tablespoons 3 times a day and if using on wounds, added two to three times
a day. Bacteria cannot live in honey.

Cleanliness is of the utmost importance, so clean regularly as prescribed
by the care providers.

Pau D'Arco taken internally, can also be gotten in capsules or order in
bulk. It strengthens the immune system and also kills some bacteria. 1 to 2
capsules a day or as directed, or 1 strong cup of tea per day made from 1
teaspoon dried herb. This can be mixed with the echinacea and sweetened with
honey.

You can also often find valuable help and information by talking to
pharmacists. Call your local pharmacy and see what they can advise. Never take
anyone's word as the absolute truth, We can only say what we believe to be
truth, each body is different and may act differently to different medicines,
natural or otherwise. Know your own body and take all else as well meaning
advice.

Namaste
Juli

A supper at the Burrow

2009-09-19T19:26:00.000-05:00

Simple chicken stew, rich and full with thyme, black pepper, potatoes, carrots, onions, butter and a little water. Salad, flax bread and raspberry wine to drink. Vanilla cake and hot tea for dessert. We live a charmed life.

The chicken I canned myself last Wednesday, all of the herbs and vegetables came from our garden, except the potatoes which came from the farmers market. The butter I made myself from raw milk we buy down the road, the clean clear water from our beloved well. The raspberry wine was in trade, two bottles for 3 packages of flu tea. The salad came from the yard and garden, the flax bread from the bakery, the vanilla cake homemade and the tea, my own blend.

Sometimes I can't believe how blessed we are. But then, I think a blessing is very much about perception and I realize how much more blessed we are that we can perceive it thusly.

Elderberry Days

2009-09-10T15:01:00.003-05:00

Along with all the other harvesting, it's also Elderberry season :) Around here it starts the end of Aug and goes to mid Sept.. Right now the Elderberry bushes near us are loaded and the berries look wonderful this year.

The first batch we gathered went into our stomachs by way Elderberry scones and sprinkled on oatmeal. This batch and most of the rest will be dried for winter use, mostly in baking. I may also add some to berry jellies. I've had Elderberry wine and it's very good. I've made Elderberry mead as well tho i prefered the wine.

Unfortunately when they dry they end up about 1/4 the size so it takes a lot to make a little but they're so good and nutritious, they're worth it.

In spring we also eat the flower heads, they're excellent in breads, pancakes, waffles and fritters. Like Daylilies :)

They're kind of like tiny blueberries, shiny little black jewels just waiting to become something fine.

9.8.9

2009-09-08T00:29:00.003-05:00

I have been so busy and the years seems to have gone by so quickly. It really seems like time has sped up in the last few years.

The weather has been amazing and altho I do fear what it portends, I'm still really enjoying it.

Everything has been a bit odd and a bit off this year. The gardens have done fine but the veggies took forever to ripen properly and we're still waiting on some. The melons and summer squash still aren't ready. It may have to do with the very cool temperatures this year.

........................................... A box we made up for a family who lost their job.

We did finally get tons of sweet banana peppers and quite a few giant heirloom Mountain Gold tomatoes. Because of the CAT-astrophe with the plant starts I wasn't sure whish ones they were until they matured. We got quite a few Romas as well and are still getting some of each every few days. I love the Romas and eat them every way tomatoes are eaten. luscious little things, they are.

Lately I've been do a lot of harvesting and drying. Stringing tons of cayenne and a few jalapeno. Stared some canning and saving seeds.

....................................... One of several cayenne strings. They're very festive :)

I dry the herbs on drying racks or hanging. I I have tons of Mugwort, Oregano, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Sages, Mints, Chamomile, Mullein ... a little St Johns, Thyme, Bee Balm, Rosemary, Lavender, Horehound, Echinacea ...

................................................ The small inside rack I use mainly for seeds

I'm not sure why but I took a picture before I hung the herbs and forgot to take an after picture. *~*

I couldn't bring myself to nip the Jasmine buds this year so i won't have enough to sell and will probably run out in just a few more months. But they're so beautiful when they bloom out. I also left the honeysuckle which didn't bloom as proficiently as it usually does.

i also meant to dry more day lilies and put it off until it was to late.

I'm also gathering seeds and seed heads and so far have Hyssop, Echinacea, Oregano, Persimmon, 3 kinds of heirloom tomatoes, 4 kinds of peppers, Lemon Balm, Bee Balm, Peach, green beans, eggplant ...

I dug a bit of ginger and ginseng as well but it wasn't as ready as I had hoped. It is much to early anyway. I usually don't dig it until mid to late fall but I needed some so i carefully tool a little of each.

I made a batch of chamomile and lavender soap last week but sold out before the batch had even cured! i made a second batch with several sample bars to give away at the farmers market but it turned out odd. The larger bars seem fine but the smaller ones are sweating terribly. they never sweat this much and never for this many days after. These have been curing for 6 days and still sweating. I didn't do anything different so I'm not sure why. I may try putting them in the dehydrator and see what happens.

A few weekends ago we went to a tiny potluck and a woman gave me Persimmon seeds and some more Bee Balm and another dear woman gave me more cayenne and some japalenos :)

I can't remember if I mentioned it before but I've taught myself to knit ! I bought some knitted wash cloths at the farmers market a while back and loved them so much i decided to learn to make them. Besides knitting is a very useful skill to have. anyway, i went to the store and there was a book ... "teach yourself to knit" so I bought and did ! i've made two wash cloths and working on a third and have about 1/80 of a blanket knitted ! I do wish I could read and knit at the same time but I save the knitting for when I get a netflix and it works out fine.

My first dish cloth. It is a little wonky but not as bad as it looks. I forgot to take a picture of it dry. It did come out with a handy little hanging hole, i never figured out how that happend. The second one is even better :) I'll never wash dishes with a regular cloth again!

Wicket
Yes, the lad has issues

Where I'm From

2009-09-05T09:11:00.003-05:00

Today has been a day of contemplation, remembering and looking within. It seemed like a good day to repost this ...

Where I'm From

I am from Drive-ins and Dairy Queens, from Mom and Pop grocers and feed stores that smell of leather and molasses.

I am from the hills and hollows, from the deep greens and the rich browns of lush forests, and fields of freshly plowed earth.

I am from the Purple Coneflower, wild beautiful healer. From the Oak, whose limbs have sheltered generations before me.

I am from Sunday Dinner and family gathered, laughing. From my grandfather, Emmett, who lived to be 99 and taught me much of what I know. And from my great grandmother, Lilly, who rarely spoke but let me brush her long white hair.

I am from travellers and day dreamers, from artists and story tellers. From Irish rogues and Italian Witches.

I am from a belief in that which is greater than we. A respect of Nature and a love for all things. From the breath of God and the womb of the Earth herself.

I'm from the Ozark Mountains, from the South, from the ocean and the swamp. I am from Springfield and Romania, from so many places I've forgotten their names. I am from Tortillas and beans n rice.

I am from the man who met Pretty Boy Floyd and Indian Joe in a bar, asked what they were looking at and lived to tell about it. From the man who ran moonshine up and down these very hills over 80 years ago. From the man who talked to God.

I am from happy times and great sorrow, from intelligence and adventure, from loneliness and a sisters bond that cannot be broken. I am from more than I could ever hope for or dream of, and I can't imagine being from anywhere else.

Juli

8.26.09

2009-08-26T12:08:00.004-05:00

We've been so busy lately. Mostly good things tho :) And the weather has been like paradise :)

We have a very busy end of the week coming up, 2 or 3 Farmers Markets and a Peaceful Survivalist potluck. Today will be lots of baking, mostly more Flea Biscuits. I found better containers for them, not exactly what I was wanting but they'll work and are reusable.

Both of the dumped puppies got good homes, Thank the Makers !

....................

Obsidian (Sid) ..................................................... Jasper

We lost all 4 of our Royal Palm turkeys and I have no idea why. I'm going to do a bunch more research and try to figure it out so we can get more as soon as possible. They all appeared completely healthy, no sign of parasites at all, plenty of food and clean water (not to deep). The only thing that happened was that it stormed for 3 or 4 days in a row and they never went in their house. I may have to build them a covered pen to live in until they grow large ?

The vegetable garden has dwindled to almost nothing but the herb garden is at it's peak and so beautiful. I've got to get the big drying racks out and ready.

I'm also working to get a few cold frames built, one to use as a cold frame and one for a mini green house. I've lost the White Sage and Patchouli and almost all the Rosemary and I think it's because of the strange winter weather we often have ... ice storms and such. So I'm hoping the cold frames will keep them going until I can get an actual greenhouse built, which won't be until next year.

The goat girls are starting to come into their first season so i'm looking for a mate for them and more fencing to finish the whole goat pen.

Hercules is huge! only a few months older than those puppies and as big as me. He a giant sweet Panda Yeti :)

Merry day everyone !

Another Day, Another Dream

2009-08-13T04:49:00.001-05:00

~ I share my dreams because I think they're interesting, not because I think they have any prophetic value or any such thing. They're not in any way meant to foretell or warn or predict. I am just a woman who dreams, nothing more, nothing less.~

I was watching everything from above, sort of like watching a movie but not. I was never actually in the dream, which is very odd and very rare.

Everything seemed like the old west yet different, I knew it wasn't the past but the near future. everyone rode horses and most lived in tent houses. It was in the Ozark Mountains and there was a group of soldiers amassing. I was worried that there was war but soon found out it wasn't war at all.

There were 5 main people, 3 adult brothers (2 military and 1 not), their father (also military) and their mother (a First American).

The 1st brother was in charge of a group of soldiers at an encampment in the Ozarks. I thought they were getting ready for war but they were actually preparing for a great flood that was going to cover much of North America. They had taken local control and were building tent cities, stockpiling supplies and preparing other things.

The 2nd military brother was a messenger for the government and showed up on horseback with a message for the first brother but before he could give the message the father showed up. He was asking about the 3rd brother and saying that they must say goodbye to their mother and might not see her again.

Soon the 3rd brother arrived and he was dressed in skins, like a scout or tracker in an old movie. He told the first two brothers that he was going with his mother and "the people". Then their mother showed up with a man who spoke for her. He said they were ready to leave and that they would see "the people" top safety to the Appalachian mountain ridge. One brother asked why they wouldn't stay here and the speaker said that there wasn't enough room in the Ozark mountains to support that many people so they had to see these safely to the next mountains that would be safe.

The father rode up near the mother and she began to sing to him. I can still hear the music and some of the words in my head. It was a sing about a Spanish Rose. And then she took his hand and told him not to forget "there will be 7 layers". " there will be 7 layers, you must not forget." she said it several times.

Then the mother and the speaker rode away to the East and I could see a bunch of people gathered, waiting for them. 100's on people, on foot, in wagons and on horses ... they were getting ready to travel North East. The direction seemed important to me.

The 3rd brother shook hands with the other 2 and then with the father and he too rode off toward the North East.

The 1st military brother argued a little with the 2nd, wanting him to stay and saying where he was headed would not be safe, but the 2nd brother said he had to finish his job and make sure the message was delivered. He rode off to the NorthWest.

The 1st military brother and the father went to back to their jobs ordering people to prepare for the flood. They had sad hearts and much worry.

I woke with the feeling that I was thankful we would be safe here and the music of the woman's song in me head.

8.1.9

2009-08-02T02:48:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, when the moon is just so and the night lies gently across hill and hollow, I feel an anticipation of things to come. As if more than the sun will rise come morning. Not a prophecy come to pass or anything so grand. More like a small destined happening that might otherwise go unnoticed as just another breath in universe. Go unnoticed if not for that little feeling that stirs on night such as these. And I do wonder what will rise with the sun come morning.

We've had a great many happenings around the Burrow lately :)

We've set up for two weeks now at the Ozark Farmers Market. The first week we had no sales at all and often avoided and skipped over as people made their market rounds. We also had many "Herbs, hmmm". But the second week was very different, we hade several very good sales and many people stopped to look, take flyers and even ask questions. I look forward to next week now. We did well enough that if it continues I may close the etsy shop each summer and just sell at market.

I was going to take a picture or two of our little table and the market but forgot. Nik will try and help me remember next week.

The other day it was 10:10 pm when i looked at the clock to see if i should finish up and get to bed, which i then proceeded to do. After brushing my teeth and changing I looked at the clock once more before getting into to bed. It was 11:11. When i woke the next morning I glanced at the clock on the way to the bathroom, it was 5:55am. That afternoon i had to go into town and filled up the Crow truck, gas at the Murfin's station was 2.22.2 a gallon.

Life is so very interesting.

We've been working on enclosing the porch and have put some of the old doors to use there. I've also put those two new drying racks to great use and have been drying extra for market.

The mornings have smelled like Fall this week and the other day we passed a tree with the leaves falling in the breeze. It was very surreal and wonderfully strange.

A week or so ago I spent two nights in a row having several very small, short dreams. It was very odd and unusual for me. I usually have long dreams drawn out into episodes.

One was that I was looking for organic milk at Sams in a very short dress I made to wear as a long top. At first I was horrified to realize I didn't have jeans on but I needed the milk so then I just said hell with it and went on. then the dream ended.Another was that a guy I know disappeared and left a note telling his son to bring several boxes to me. I looked in the boxes and they were filled with envelopes. thousands of them. Many were empty but many others contained things like notes and jewelry and bits of fabric. I looked up at the son and the dream ended.And another was that there were many people gathered in a store and army or policemen wouldn't let any of us leave at first. Then a man in a different uniform came forward and said that some could leave and they started stamping peoples hands and letting those people leave. I looked at Nik and a man standing next to us and knew that none of the 3 of us would be allowed to leave. then i woke up. This is one of the very few dreams in which Nik was his real age. In almost every dream Nik it's very small like 5 or 6.There were 6 or 7 others as well.

last week we were given a bunch of poultry. Some people were moving and kindly gave us all their birds. 3 Muscovy ducks, (which i sold to pay for the gas money to pick them up. It was around 100 miles) 2 Toulouse Geese which we named Pierre and Coco, 1 Embden Goose I named Willamina, she's white and has blue eyes :), 7 New Hampshire Red hens and 1 Old English Crele Rooster which we've named Sir Didymus. Sir Didymus is very sweet but I'm not sure if we'll keep him because we do also have Fox and don't have the greenhouse built for them to live in and they can't live with the hens.

This week I'm hoping to be picking up 4 young Royal Palm turkeys. they're small for turkeys and a fairly rare breed. Beautiful white with black tipped feathers.

Royal Palm Turkeys from feathersite.com

Everyone else is doing wonderfully and we're all very blessed to have such a life :)

7.17.09

2009-07-17T23:52:00.001-05:00

Today was glorious ! I'm not sure if it ever got over 80. Very odd for mid July but wonderful just the same.

Fox, the rooster, is starting to mature and getting lovely iridescent sickle tail feathers. He'll have to have his own pen soon and we'll work on that this weekend as well as building Juniper a larger hutch. He's not aggressive at all but he's also not friendly. He acts like we're going to eat him if we even look at him. But I'm sure he'll be pet-able in no time :)

If one of the hens is broody in a few more weeks we may be able to have chicks this year afterall. I want them to be at least 2 months old before winter and it takes about a month (21 days) from fertilization to hatching. So if Fox is mature enough by the 1st week of August and we have a broody hen then we should have chicks this fall.

Earlier this week we got a bunch of old windows and some doors from freecycle. some will go to building the greenhouse, some to a cold frame, some will go to the goat house and milk room (eventually) and some will go to enclose the porch.

I also got two long framed screens which are perfect for drying racks. I was going to be making two new ones this year from screen doors but these will do wonderfully :)

There were 3 excellent old doors, two screen doors and a regular door. The old kind, very heavy and well made. I'm going to use them on the porch. I've had the crazy idea to enclose the porch using old doors so that I don't have to do any framing for screen.

Among the windows there were 3 odd long windows and I'll use at least one of those for a cold frame. Maybe all of them.

Then today, also from freecycle, I got several gallon glass jugs. I cut the bottoms off and use them as garden cloches or French Bell jars. I have some regular sized wine bottles but I wanted the gallon size. I'll keep a few back for mead (has to be made in a wide mouth but can be transferred to a jug after) and lavender water. The woman also said she can get plenty more :)

Thank you so much (((((((((((( Freecycle People ))))))))))))))))))) :)

I didn't make the Farmers Market this week. The muslin bags still haven't shown up and altho I ordered enough to get by from a different place, they didn't make it in time either. It must just have not been the right day to start selling there. And it does give me a week longer to prepare :)

We have a welder friend which I barter with a lot and he's made me a very cool iron sign holder. I'll try to remember to take pictures tomorrow.

I've gotten some individual herbs bagged up and I'll also be selling them from my etsy shop and website.

Blessed night all :)

7.11.09

2009-07-11T23:00:00.002-05:00

It was quite hot and humid today, I was thankful for the cool of the house. I'm often planning for when things are much different and I think the cool of the airconditioner will be something I miss greatly, second only to refrigeration and running water. The latter I hope to still have.

I cut most of my hair off today. I'm not sure why and I don't really like it but it will grow back and it is interesting to have it different. It was past my rear and now it's just barely past my shoulder. besides not liking how it looks I'm lazy and very used to tying it in a knot when I'm to hot. Now I have to have a clip or something. It should be long enough again for knot tying by next summer tho :)

I've helped another friend set up an etsy store http://sleepingdragon.etsy.com/ He's a neighbor and metal artist.

His bookends on my shelf

I've been twitting (I think that's what it's called) and altho it feels a bit odd it has increased the shop and item views. I'm OzarkGypsyArt there.

I've been working on getting ready to set up at our Farmers Market. Getting teas and herbs bagged up and ready. Still waiting on the muslin bags, I need to check on that, they're very late. I dug out my old folding tables and giving them some new paint. Gathering baskets for display and sheets for table cloths. I'm making a chalkboard sign from an old frame and piece of wood. I need to hunt up our folding chairs and de-spider them and give them a good air out. Hopefully I'll make enough for a good market umbrella or canopy, nothing fancy but sturdy and easy to use. Hopefully it will all be worth the fee at least but I feel like I'll do pretty well. There are quite a few more vendors this year but not one herbal vendor. I probably won't be selling soaps, there were at least 3 soap sellers already. But when it cools down a bit I'll take the candles and see how they do.

Herc is doing wonderfully and whatever it was seems to have gone it's way and he's gaining weight and feeling quite lively :) :)

Fox Redford is doing very well too and fitting right in. He's still young and hasn't matured enough to father any chicks. I need to calculate and see if chicks would have time to be big enough to survive the winter. We may wait until spring.

I hope everyone is doing wonderfully :)

For the love of Tortillas

2009-07-10T00:33:00.001-05:00

When I was a little girl we lived many years in Texas, often near the border of Mexico. That's where my mother learned to make tortillas, which became our main food staple throughout most of my childhood. They were our main bread, we ate them with almost every meal and sometimes they were the meal.
My mother would make a huge batch, 60 or more tortillas at a time, all those little balls resting under towels for their turn to be rolled out and cooked.

The first tortillas were always the best. My younger sister and I were almost always hungry and my mother would usually give us fresh hot tortillas. I loved those sacred first tortillas, there was something very special about them to me.

Now I make them myself and I still love them just as much. The simple basic recipe is perfect because it's so very versatile. As it is, the tortillas can go with anything, sweet, spicy, sour or bland, they fit right in. Over the years I've experimented by adding different things and discovered hundreds of different ways you can make them.

To the basic recipe some of our favorites adds are ...

cinnamon and sugar
garlic, onion and cayenne
garlic, some Italian herbs and ground parmesan
cayenne, chili powder and onion
sun dried tomato paste
chopped dried herbs
chopped dried spinach
chopped black olives

You can substitute up to half the flour with ...

corn flour (ground cornmeal)
oat flour (ground oatmeal)
whole wheat flour

(up to half because if the flour is too dense it won't cook properly)

You can make them as thin as you like or make them a bit thick for a heartier flat bread. I often make them double thick for that purpose.

You can make the tortillas into chips by cooking as usual, then brush with a little vegetable or olive oil, cut into wedges, sprinkle with things you like (the add list above works well) and bake for a few minutes in the oven until they're crisp. Our favorites for chips are parmesan chips, cinnamon-sugar chips and chips from the corn version.

Here's my mothers recipe and the only one I've ever used ...

Tortillas
4 c flour
1 T baking powder
1 t salt
4 T shortening (I have also used margarine and it worked fine)
1¼ c water
flour for rolling

Kneed together with hands working the dough well. Form 12 palm sized balls and set aside. Prepare a rolling surface and roll each ball out round and thin. In a large, dry skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, cook on both sides until done. Cool each tortilla seperately. Makes 1 dozen.

Now you guys experiment and share your favorites and what you come up with :)

7.9.9

2009-07-09T17:44:00.001-05:00

It's a bit hotter today but not to bad. High 80's and will likely reach low 90's by afternoon but with average humidity. Normal July summer weather I would say :)

Herc is doing so much better ! He's not completely fine but getting there quickly. I'm so glad, we were very worried about him. He's growing faster than any creature I've ever known. He's went from a little cuddly panda bear to a giant cuddly Yeti :)

The tomatoes have been strangely slow to ripen this year and I lost all but two of the heirloom tomatoes. My beloved white sage and patchouli didn't make it either but most everything else is doing well. The roma tomatoes have tons of fruit and the little heirloom yellow pear tomatoes have quite a few.

Next year i may try to plant a lot of a few things to sell and trade at market instead of a little bit of many things which just feed us for a few months each year.

Yesterday we were given a beautiful Rhode Island Red Rooster, we've named him Fox Redford and he's very sweet. I hope to get the garden fenced in soon so that he and Juniper can have the run of it during the day. Until I get a greenhouse built which I'll share with them as well.

First tho we have to get the rest of the goat pen fenced in, which is going slowly but at least it's going. Ruby and Matilda are about 5 months and look like small cows with their healthy fat four stomachs. They should be ready to have a date by October, if they're mature enough. Ruby has the maturity now, I hope Matilda catches up. Both are very smart and sweet and I can milk both now :) Of course I don't milk them, they have no milk. but we practice often so they'll be quite used to it.

And now I'm to go get more blackberries :)

7.5.9

2009-07-05T18:04:00.000-05:00

A strange day.

It's been wonderful as far as weather, only in the 70's all day, in July ! But for some reason I've been to tired the last few days. Sleeping fine, just tired and not feeling as I should. I'm also a bit worried about Herc but I'll keep treating him and making prayers.

The other day I started a twitter, which is an odd thing but I have seen a very large boost in views on my websites and etsy shops. I hope it leads to sales.

I've closed the herbal shop for now while I'm waiting on backordered muslin bags. I also closed the shop i opened for a friend. A bummer but I'm sure it's best.

There seems to be an odd vibe in the air making people uncomfortable. That's the best way I can explain it because they don't seem anxious or angry, just uncomfortable. People seem uncomfortable with themselves, their situations, where they are, where they're going and with most everyone else around them. I'm sure it will all work itself out tho :)

I started seeing the numbers again last week and they've continued but it happens so often now that it begins to seem quite normal. Nik sees them too and feels the same.

Speaking of Nik :) He had an eye appointment last week and he has 20/20 vision :) :) The doctor said he may eventually need glasses for reading but for now he needs nothing but to rest his eyes from time to time. I was very glad to hear that :)

Also last week we got a big wooden cable spool which I'm going to turn into a nice picnic table. I hope to get a few more large and several small to paint and use as outdoor furniture and goat gyms.

I hope everyone has had a great weekend and may we all be blessed with peace and balance.

Night Mother

2009-06-28T17:32:00.001-05:00

Firefly Night

2009-06-23T05:16:00.002-05:00

Some nights the flireflies outnumbered the stars.

Planting Rituals

2009-06-23T03:06:00.000-05:00

I think the mere act of planting is ritual. Carefully tilling the soil, burying each tiny new life in it's own little womb, beads of sweat falling down in offering, nourishing with Mothers milk (water), the sacrifice and joy of aching muscles, sun warmed skin, tired eyes.

Those simple acts all part of forgotten sacred ritual.

But I do also make prayers. Prayers of thanks, mainly.

My favorite gardening ritual comes in the deep of summer tho, when the plants are all up and healthy, the nights rise hot and humid and the rain falls straight down in big fat drops. Then I sneak out in the quiet of darkness and dance wildly among the plants and the earth and the rain, with only the wildfolk watching :)

Juli April 08