mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Reverse Culture Shock, Being Home
August 2, 2014
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- aloe
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- cactus
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- sky
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- cactus
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- tostadas
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- lucha libre
Travel is exciting and broadens the mind. I love to go, but I love to come home even more. When I compare my ease and comfort at home with life on the road, even at wonderful places, I am always pleased that I live where I do. My midtown location makes it simple and fast for me to shop for anything I want. I am surrounded with very high quality body workers and Chinese Medicine practitioners. My esthetician is the best in the world, and her practice is just blocks from my home. I miss my pool and giant jacuzzi when I travel because it is private and rarely used by anyone but me. I go in the morning during the summer and have the water all to myself every day. I do like the pools at my health club, the Tucson Racquet Club, in the winter months because they are heated and next to a steam room. This time of year (August) nothing pleases me more than to walk around the corner and have hours with the private pool all to myself. I have never been anyplace else where this is true.
I am happy to be back in my kitchen. Dining and tasting all over town has its merits, but whipping up anything you want to eat because you can is better. I am a good cook, and have brought some of the flavor ideas home with me that I learned in my neighborhood of East Austin. I met more than one great craft cocktail maker who have given me new ideas for shrubs, punches, and custom soda drinks. I tasted some pickled veggies that made sandwiches pop, and are very easy to prepare and keep on hand in the fridge. I was served the best mac and cheese which was baked in the same black cast iron pans I use at home to bake bread. I will knock off the black bean, jicama, avocado, romaine salad from El Chilito and it will be as if I never had to leave Manor Rd.
The University of Arizona students will come flooding back into town, but there are fewer of them than at University of Texas. While I was on holiday the new tram opened downtown which will make our transportation system much fancier and desirable. The students will now be able to tram all over downtown to drink, then tram back home without getting behind the wheel. This new attraction will be fun for us also. We plan to ride down to check out some of the new businesses along the tram line very soon. There is still plenty to discover right here in Tucson. I am shocked at how much I love my hometown.
Travel Time
July 16, 2014
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luggage
Time may be finite, but I notice that it can expand and contract based on circumstances. When I am home I always have some day to day chores waiting for me. Being busy is not my style, but I do cross items off the to do list in a regular fashion. Planning is big for me, but it often leads to changing plans. I drive very little by choice, so on line shopping is a big friend of mine when I am not supporting local businesses. My routine includes time with friends, my dog, and my neighbors as well as tending the garden and running the house. I find excitement in studying my ancestors, history, culture and the arts. I rarely need to go anywhere to stimulate my imagination and creativity. I had a long career as a travel agent, so I am very able to make choices and plans that suit my fancy in terms of a destination. I like to spend my holiday time involved in activities I either can’t do at home, or just don’t do at home. Some of my favorite vacation features are:
- Natural bodies of water..of any kind, with a strong preference for hot springs
- Sporty, creative community
- City life..I like nature just fine, but I don’t want to stay in it
- Shopping of an unusual, artistic nature
- Music
- Museums, art, science, anything
- Historical societies
- Graveyards
- Interesting cuisine and agriculture
My budget for both time and money is set free during holiday times. I look for new ways to spend both that I have never done. I do a lot of research before i visit a place. I usually have a long list of possible places I want to go, and then let the weather be the deciding factor. I need some rainy day plans as well as some perfect day plans. My main goal in traveling is to flow into a new schedule, a new culture, and a new rhythm based on what I discover. I usually do some reconnaissance on foot to see what the neighborhood has to offer before I set out in a car. I study maps and read reviews to help me decide what to investigate. It is a perfect combination of very well informed and not obligated to anything. I am looking forward to doing this for the next to weeks in Austin, Texas, live music capitol of the US. I hope my gentle readers will enjoy the trip as you come along for the ride.
Aroma in History
June 28, 2014
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BasilThere is a long history of perfumes and incense used in ceremony and in popular culture. The Ancient Egyptians used many fragrant oils in the embalming process. It is said that when King Tut’s tomb was opened 3000 years after it had been sealed the urns still gave off the fragrance of frankincense and other spices. Ancient Greeks called all the aromatic products they used aromata. Athletes were anointed with scented oils before competing, and bay leaves were burned at Delphi to induce trance in the priestesses who foretold the future. The Romans raised the popularity and awareness of aromatherapy to new heights. Scented oil massage was the ritual ending at the communal baths in Julius Caesar’s time. Many Roman holidays involved great quantities of scented materials. Rose petals were strewn before men of stature as they walked, and perfume was sprayed on spectators at games. In China the herbal tradition is rich and deep, and it includes the use of oils extracted from plants. They believed that the extraction of the oil liberated the soul of the plant.
Artemisia vulgaris is used in Chinese medicine for moxibustion. In ancient China some people could afford a special room for childbirth. It was called the Artemisia room because the plant was burned during labor to attract kind spirits to the mother and child. The first uses of romantic plants in Chinese healing practices date back to about 2000 BC in The Yellow Emperor’s Book of Chinese Medicine. In Japan incense and the formal art of burning it is taken seriously and used in religion. Special schools, still in existence today, teach the art of Kodo, or perfumery.
Druids burned incense for ceremonial rites, and the Celtic people continued the use. Juniper was used frequently to banish spirits for healing or magic. In Britain monasteries grew medicinal herbs and shared knowledge of plants with other monks. The Crusades brought new plants and remedies traveling back from the Holy Land with the Knights Templar and others. The plague was a time when aromatic plants were used in amulets and strewn to deter fleas, the carriers of the dread disease. The Renaissance brought even wider use of perfumery and aromatic oils in healing.
Today we have many products and options available to us. The availability of pure essential oils is much more widely enjoyed than it was 10 years ago. Products for skin and hair that contain pure oils also abound. Bath sachets, herbal teas, and hair rinses are easy water based ways to absorb botanicals through the skin. Using oils can be simple too. Simply place a few drops on a cotton ball or piece of cloth and take a whiff. Here are a couple of common and inexpensive oils to try:
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is uplifting and reviving. It has antidepressant and antiseptic qualities. Use when you need to focus, or to relive headache or flu symptoms. It is contraindicated for continual use, as it can then sometimes act as a depressant. For occasional nervous tension or digestive problems basil has been shown effective.
- Peppermint (Mentha peperita) is popular and easy to find. It has antiseptic and cooling properties that make it perfect for using on the feet. The oil is effective in treating a number of digestive problems, and when used in a steam inhaler can ease asthma and bronchial issues. Travel sickness can sometimes be relieved with a few drops on a hanky used as an inhaler. It is a stimulant so it wakes up the brain enhancing alertness and ability to concentrate.
Staycation on Earth
June 17, 2014
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cheers
hotel dog
The earth appreciates that I need less travel in my life that I did when I was younger. I was a carbon hog, flying all the time. I enjoyed it and will not regret it now that I like staying at home better than ever. I got while the getting was very good, and now I fly with much more selective purposes and goals in mind. I saw a lot of the world, and plan to see more of it. I also plan to concentrate on the wonderful options available in Arizona that require little time in transit. I like the idea of maximum tourism time and minimum time on the road. We have stayed at resorts around Tucson and in Scottsdale that make us happy for different reasons. These days any hotel stay has to include our coon hound, Artemisia, who is a hotel fan. A short get away with the dog that includes some dining and walking in nature works as a retreat for the whole family. I usually like to get in the water, but since I do that at home all the time it is not my first priority when looking for a weekend location near home. There are many benefits the staycation offers the holiday maker as well as Mother Earth:
- Save travel expenses
- Save travel time
- Overpack if you want, no penalty
- Bring foods and drinks with you to suit your tastes
- Invite local friends to join you for happy hour or a hike during your stay
- Bring pets, no drama
- Supports jobs in our own vicinity
- Can introduce new restaurants or entertainment venues for future enjoyment
Consider a place near home that makes you want to get away, but not very far away. You might find you will come back from holiday much more rested and perhaps in harmony with the earth.
Celebrating the Muses
June 13, 2014
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Apollo and the 9 muses
In Greek mythology the nine muses are daughters of Mnemosyne. She was the muse of memory. Zeus slept with her for 9 nights, resulting in the birth of the 9 muses. They were raised by Apollo and a nymph in a secluded atmosphere. They became completely dedicated to the arts. Each was in charge of a different aspect of culture:
- Calliope-epic song
- Clio-history
- Euterpe-lyric song
- Thalia-comedy
- Melpomene-tragedy
- Terpsichore-dance
- Erato-erotic poetry
- Polyhymnia-sacred hymns
- Urania-astronomy
June 14 is celebrated as the birthday of the muses. Have you ever tried to invite a muse for a visit in your creative world? I have wanted to be more poetic since I discovered my Pilgrim poet ancestor, Mistress Bradstreet. I made some effort in April to write a poem each day, but I think the missing piece is the muse. I have trudged away at the poems without inviting a spark or a mystic inspiration to reach into the creative process. I have assigned myself the job of poet, but have not consulted with the poetic energy that inspires and makes art possible. Words themselves need a creative current or tradition on which to flow, or the audience will be left flat. I love comedy the best, although Mistress Bradstreet was more about sacred hymns. Next time I go out into the world I will ask Thalia to accompany me to find the humor in what I experience. Which is your favorite muse? Could you call on them to enhance your creativity more often? I know I could.
Full Moon Fever, Superstitions
June 12, 2014
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chart of the day
This week is special because the full moon and Friday the 13th are falling at the same time. Just a few minutes after midnight on Friday, EDT the full moon will brighten the sky. For astrology buffs this moon holds aspects of jubilance and caution. For sky watchers the visual effects will be stunning, since the full moon is close to the summer solstice. Much ado is being made about the combination double whammy of the date and the moon, but I want to point out that if you live west of the Eastern time zone in the US or Canada, our full moon will happen on Thursday the 12th. I am in that lucky group. Our full moon party will be free of any other beliefs about dates. Here are some of the perils we may escape:
- To begin any new project is folly on Friday the 13th
- Cleaning or changing the bed brings bad luck
- Signing contracts on this day will doom the agreement
My parents were married on Friday the 13th, which was also my maternal grandmother’s birthday. Since she was not in approval, or invited, I think my parents might have meant it as a prank. The most significant thing that happened in history on that day was the Battle of Guadalcanal. I can’t say that it was lucky or unlucky for the marriage, but they did not divorce. The contract they initiated on Friday 13 Nov, 1942 lasted until death did them part in 2004. My parents were either bold or not superstitious. I consider 13 to be a lucky number. Do you have reservations or feelings about the upcoming full moon and the meaning it has in your life?
Pax, Goddess of Peace
June 6, 2014
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The Roman goddess Pax is in charge of peace. When I think of Romans the first words that come to my mind are army, Latin, and empire. We did not translate Latin peace poems in school. We studied the Gallic Wars. We think of Roman soldiers at the crucifixion of Jesus, and building aqueducts and roads to Rome. They were strategists and conquerers the likes of which the world had never seen, and some might argue we have not seen since. They were organized. They believed in slavery and blood sports. They are famous for gluttony and excess. The United States is often compared to the Roman empire for some pretty obvious reasons.
Celebrations were a big part of Roman culture, and Pax has three holidays a year dedicated to her. The olive branch, a symbol of protection, safety, and peace was used to crown citizens’ heads for this holiday. She is the daughter of Justice and Jupiter. She is often depicted with a cornucopia, a symbol of abundance. The Romans believed that prosperity and peace reside together and depend on each other. The days dedicated to honoring Pax included processions, music, poetry, and olive branches for everyone. Today when we march for peace we are actually expressing anti-war ideals. We stop short of truly giving honor to the power of peace. The Romans managed to conquer the known world and hold processions for peace at the same time. If we look deeply into our current ideas about peace we might notice that we mean peace on our own terms, or peace by conquest of our enemies. This is a core issue that could shatter our empire.
Rosalia, Holiday of Roses
June 4, 2014
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- a rose
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The rose has been celebrated for fragrance and beauty. It is a symbol of the goddess Aphrodite. The Romans used garlands of roses and violets to commemorate the dead. Rosalia was a time to decorate with roses to show respect for the ancestors. The rose originated in Arabia where it was cultivated for perfume as well as for landscaping purposes. Crusaders brought plants back with them when they returned to Europe. This very popular flower continues to captivate our attention in gardens and in perfumery. The symbolic power of the rose is still in use as well. I found a Rosalia party in Maine, here in the US. The Maine folks will make a batch of rose mead, among other DIY rose products. Here are a few ways I have found to include roses in my life:
- rose flower water in cooking and cosmetics
- rose petals in bath sachets
- rose flower essence
- roses in tea
- roses as ingredient in bitters
- cut flowers
The roses I cultivate are Lady Banksia, or Tombstone roses that spread and like the very hot climate in Tucson. In season they yield many small white and pink flowers that I use for making flower essence. They are fragrant, and in an essence, very tasty. I drink the essence straight up rather than preserve it with alcohol. The taste is delicious. Many hybrid roses are without scent, so I usually prefer the old style, strong smelling, varieties. To preserve that smell for later use, simply spread the petals out in a single layer and dry on a basket in the dark until dry. I store herbs in paper bags or glass jars. The scent lasts longer if you use glass.
Eros and You
January 14, 2014
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Eros Ramazzotti is my favorite Euro pop star and this song was his first giant hit in Europe. I had not seen this video story of his quest to find the love of his life. It is like a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt in which the destination is not known, but clues are gathered. This love story has dream qualities in which strong symbols compel him to continue the search. The Roman god Eros was involved with much mystery and trickery. Eros fell in love with Psyche but concealed his identity while he courted her nightly. His mother Aphrodite was jealous of Psyche’s beauty, and wished her harm. The story has many dramatic twists and turns but in the end the couple does marry and live happily.
Eros has a sexual spark, but it can represent beauty, vitality and flow of life. When a person place or thing turns you on it reminds you of the vital force within your own body. To be sexy or feel attracted is to confirm your own mysterious connection to love and your destiny as a lover. To follow each tiny vital impulse would prove too much, but how can we be sensitive and respond when true love calls? It is possible that only at the end of your life will you be able to look back and identify your true loves, your true dreams, and your true beliefs? Is the treasure hunt for love so subtle and full of mysterious layers that we can only understand in retrospect? What will you hunt for on Valentine’s Day? Where will you find Eros?
Sounds and the Soul
December 23, 2013
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Sound is a powerful meditation tool. Chanting has been used around the world by all people to celebrate and honor spiritual beliefs. All the senses are engaged in the holiday customs of now, with little time to be still and know why we are celebrating in the first place. If you are a singer in a choir or caroling ensemble this is a time when you can share music with others in many ways. I love to hear acapella choral music because it requires intense listening on the part of each singer. There is much rehearsal to arrive at the harmony and balance each musical piece requires. Gothic architecture creates superb acoustics for this art form which is still popular in religious services. If you have no gothic cathedral, elegant concert hall or well rehearsed choir, please enjoy this heavenly break from your daily routine. Harmony, in my mind, is the greatest of all human achievements.
