mermaidcamp

mermaidcamp

Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water

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Benefits of the Garden Arch

August 1, 2013 — 4 Comments

My visit with Michael Ray yesterday was fun and informative. Here he tells us about the benefits of the Nursetree Garden Arch:

I am impressed with his continual learning and improvement of his invention.  I have been through the prototype process with Floatli and know it is both fun and frustrating.  You can only learn through experiment.  I believe Michael has created a wonderful tool desert gardeners will be needing more and more.  A dozen years ago I bought 5 acres in Oracle, AZ with a gushing well, thinking I would grow food. When I sold the property last year the well was almost depleted for household use.  In a way I was lucky I did not plant a big orchard and then loose the water for it.  Today I garden in the city with an eye toward conservation of every kind.  The garden arch is an innovative way to save water and grow food.

Extreme Gardening

July 31, 2013 — 7 Comments

Michael Ray and I met at a small business group that meets at Tucson’s Ward 3 office once a month for a convo.  When I saw the pictures of his invention I wanted one.  After learning more in subsequent meetings, I asked to interview him about his gardening transformer, the Nursetree Arch.  He developed this water catching temperature controlling environment for desert gardeners who have climate challenges.  I love the way he can adapt his new prototype to the situation and economic needs of the particular client.

The fully decked out robotic arch in which Michael is growing papaya as well as brussels sprouts in Tucson on August fist is fancy indeed.  He is recording data to help him refine his work.  His outdoor garden benefits from his arch used as seedling starter in the winter.

Soul on Paper

July 30, 2013 — 3 Comments

Carl Jung, Leo Swiss shrink and alchemist, invited his patients to record their own visions as he did in his Red Book. He councils patients to record their visions in order to interpret the voice of the soul:

“Think of it in your imagination and try to paint it. Then when these things are in some precious book you can go to the book & turn over the pages & for you it will be your church-your cathedral-the silent places of your spirit where you will find renewal. If anyone tells you that it is morbid or neurotic and you listen to them-then you will
lose your soul-for in that book is your soul. ~Red Book; Page 216.

Today we have digital means of making art which I enjoy as self expression.  What Carl is talking about here, however, is hand on paper. He tells the patient to use good paper and art supplies to document all visions.  He explains that by drawing the vision the magnetism it contains is neutralized.  He suggests that the expression of the detail is an important way to build self understanding.  I will continue to enjoy my digital art making, but think it is time to spend more time with hand on paper.  I love to draw mandalas and other geometric patterns.  I wonder if I begin now if I can produce a Red Book worth saving.  Have you started your Red Book?

birth chart Jung

birth chart Jung

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

July 29, 2013 — 5 Comments

glass mosaic

glass mosaic

That is the question.  The ways to use twitter are varied and always in flux. My own use of the stream changes over time.  I started tweeting and Klout at about the same time, and quickly grasped the connection between the two.  Initially I met people on Klout  then followed them on twitter.  My twitter stream was full of Klout tweets about K’s I gave and received.  At some point I tired of this format and learned how to chat.  Again, there are many styles of chat on the blue bird.  Using hashtags the chat is found and followed. Here are some chat styles I have enjoyed:

  • #Usguys or #Smgirlfriends are examples of full time chats
  • #usguyschat or #Dadchat are examples of conversations at a specific time
  • live chat any event or show using predetermined hashtags, like #DWTS
  • breaking news will develop obvious hashtags, like #election, or #royalbaby
  • keyword follow like paddle board yoga will find specific subjects
  • Retweet and comment anywhere, any time

All of these styles will introduce you to other tweeps interested in topics you follow. You could think of chats as parties, and they are often promoted as such.  I have won wonderful prizes for participating in chats, and met interesting people from all over the world.  The best thing about a twitter party is that you can come and go as you please.  Protocol requires polite and on topic responses, but there is no required stay.

If you have not tried twitter and wonder why anyone would, think of it as a living reference library.  It reports news, connects like minded people, and facilitates discussion.  It is used as a distraction and used for nefarious purposes as well, just like all human inventions.  You choose the people and the subject.  If you choose to share digital #Coffee and #Bacon all day, that is your own business.  You are the master of your twitter stream; you can block any user and stalk anyone with a profile. It is as powerful as you want it to be.

Monsoon Color

July 28, 2013 — 6 Comments

The desert when it rains is a magical place full of excitement and drama. All of a sudden the sky opens; great thunder and roaring winds announce monsoon season. Color explodes while plants express gratitude for the long cool drink.  We enjoy the vibrant blooming while it lasts, and pray for more rain.

Robert Davis, Ulster to South Carolina

July 27, 2013 — 2 Comments

coat of arms Davis

coat of arms Davis

My 7th great-grandfather was born in Northern Ireland and came to South Carolina with Presbyterians.  He first settled in Virginia, then traveled south.

Robert Davis (1680 – 1770)

is my 7th great grandfather
daughter of Robert Davis
daughter of Nancy Ann Davis
daughter of Jean PICKENS
son of Margaret Miller
daughter of Philip Oscar Hughes
daughter of Sarah E Hughes
son of Lucinda Jane Armer
daughter of George Harvey Taylor
I am the daughter of Ruby Lee Taylor

Tradition states that Robert Davis was born in North Ireland, where he was married to Anne Pickens. Some of their children were born in Ireland, and they are said to have come to America about 1735 or a bit earlier. The know facts in America about them from Kegley’S Virginia Frontier records are as follows: Robert Davis first received 400 acres in 1735 in South Garden, among the mountains of the Branches of Hardware River in Virginia. At that time all this territory was in Goochland County, and is located in what became the extreme southern end of Augusta county. The same year he received an additional 400 agres in the same location. This section is actually in the Branches of James and Roanoke Rivers. Kegley shows that in 1746 Robert Davis received a grant of 300 acres on the west side of the Blue Ridge. On Nov. 22, 1746, one James Davis, received a grant of 626 acres part of a larger grant of 8,100 acres on Catawaba river. Kegley shows that in 1748 the Clerk’s fee book in Augusta County,Va. shows that Robert Davis, along with many others, is “not found”. This,says Kegley, is an indication of how restless the pioneers were on the frontier, moving from place to place and the county officials unable, or unwilling to keep up with them. Robert Davis seems to have lived a fairly quiet life while in Augusta as there are relatively few records of him. Hedid not trade lands, but witnessed a good many deeds for other eople showing who his friedds and neighbors were. Most other records of Robert Davis in Augusta are in connection with the settlement of the estate of Robert Crockett. North Carolina list of applications for land grants, show that on 1 October 1751, the following applied for land: Robert Davis-for 600 acres, William Davis-for 300 acres Robert Caldwell-for 600 acres, Andrew Pickens-for 800 acres. North Carolina had a law granting land only to people who came into the colony to live on the land. Applicatons,howerever were received in advance of actual removal. In 1753 Robert Davis made the statement in Augusta county that he planned to leave the colony. It was about this date or the next year at the latest that he arrived in the Waxhaw Section, along with others from the same ara in Augusta County. The land when granted was in the then constituted county of Anson which included most of western North Carolina. Source: THE DAVIS FAMILY ** With Crockett and Pickens connections. ** compiled by E. M. Sharp From research done by Mr. D. L. McWhorter of Bethel, North Carolina, in the Archives of the State of North Carolina, and in Mecklenburg Co. North Carolina. and Researched on the Pickens family by E. M. Sharp of Memphis, Tenn.

He served in the militia with his father-in law and brother:
Early Anson county records show the follow ANSON COUNTY, MILITIA COMPANY: Year 1755. Had 61 officers and men. Among those listed were: Captain – Andrew PickensLieutenant – Robert Ramsey Ensin – John Crockett Sgt. – Thomas Wright, Sgt. – William Geard, Sgt. – William King. Corporal – Alexander Crockett. Archibald Crockett, Andrew Nutt, George Davis, John Davis, Joh Pickens, John Linn, Joseph Pickens, Moses Davis, Robert Davis, Robert Crockett, Robert McClelland, Robert Caldwell, Robert Montgomery, William Davis, William Pickens and others.

Native Seed S.E.A.R.C.H.

July 27, 2013 — 5 Comments

I am a member of a very special organization in Tucson. Native Seed S.E.A.R.C.H is a source for beans, garden seeds, education, and many local products.  I support the mission and benefit from the close proximity of the store.  We eat a wide variety of beans and chilies.  The store carries the basic ingredients we use all the time in our diet.  The seed preservation is the most important aspect of the mission.  Today I planted 5 new plants I bought at the monsoon plant sale: 3 new watermelon varieties, a bell pepper and a special cucumber.  They are all vigorous and healthy.  I expect them to thrive in the rainy season, which was the point of the sale.  We can grow many vegetables and fruits until  frost, and if we protect them even longer.  I have harvested giant crops of green tomatoes in December.  These plant varieties are from Arizona and New Mexico, so they are adapted to our climate.  I look forward to my Navaho red watermelon.  You don’t need to live here to join.  If you live in other parts of the country you can enjoy the benefits of membership which will keep your garden interesting.

Empire Avenue, Rich and Famous

July 25, 2013 — 6 Comments

Michael Q Todd

Michael Q Todd

I am surprised to tell the gentle readers how much I love Empire Avenue. Yesterday I read a blog post by @mqtodd about Empire Avenue as an analytics tool. I had not considered joining before, but his logic convinced me to take a look.  Overnight I am a bizillionaire, and my account keeps refilling with magic money to buy shares in my fellow members. What is not to like?  The other interesting aspect of the magic currency, sometimes mixed with real money, is the way you can spend it on missions.  I have only done a few since I am less than 24 hours into my Empire building, but they are fun. I voted for an Estonian lady to win the best floral balcony in her town, for which she may win a trip to Spain.  She gave me a giant payment in E bucks.  Her balcony was very nice, so I had no problem helping her win.

People create groups and missions that promote blog posts, pages, Pinterest follows, or floral balconies.  The mission creator offers a payment from his own E bank account to the members who complete the mission.  It is efficient and there is no need to participate if this does not call to you.  In the meantime, your own stock value is changing based on others buying into you.  You then have E bucks to buy stock in other individuals.  It works like the stock market and has charts that are similar to track shares.  These people have my number (pun intended).  I have never played a video game, and am not at all tempted to control an avi in an action scene.  However, giving me an imaginary stock portfolio and people who want to play stock market is bait that surely does turn me on all the way.  I hired a fiduciary to handle my real life investments last year because the election campaign freaked me out too much to continue to handle my own investments.  They short the markets, buy commodities, and all kinds of crazy stuff that I will not in my lifetime understand.  I am happy with their services and with the time I do NOT spend watching the markets now. I am free to do more fun activity ……like in vest in a pretend stock market.

I am non competitive at one level, but when I see a chart of my own performance I sincerely want to improve.  Since this is not real money and my financial welfare is not at risk I could see myself going deep into the time investment.  As with all things, balance and control are needed.  It is a bigger thrill to learn that your portfolio value has quadrupled than to hear that someone gave you a K in tea.  I do not suffer from the ubiquitous FOMO although I participate in many social networks. This one with charts and value presents some danger to this cozy neutral situation.  I am now on the market and people are buying into me..hmmm. This is essentially what the rest of social media is too, strangers buying into you.  Mike mentions the social aspect, which I have already begun to feel from my shareholders and group members. I have always admired him for his bright green wig, and now I am his shareholder.  I love it.

Color Magic

July 23, 2013 — 3 Comments

Color has magical qualities.  Color plays a role in ritual, in design, and in folk medicine around the world.  In Feng Shui customs, cures, and auspicious building sites are color coded.  Color and love are symbolically entwined, intrinsically related. Emotions are influenced by color. What do your colors say about you?

  • Do you wear the same colors all the time?
  • Do you decorate with the same hues?
  • Is your wardrobe organized, or randomly stored?
  • Do you have strong identification with one color?
  • Do you have intense dislike of any color?

Look around today to learn more about your sensitivity to your surroundings.  An interesting exercise to try is choosing one color, then noticing how you encounter it during the day. Notice if it is in your food, your work, or your fashion.  Pay attention to the way you feel when you run into this color.  Does it throw you off balance in some emotional way? Does it have meaning of a symbolic nature?

Create Your Own Fashion

July 22, 2013 — 4 Comments

For years I made most of my clothing and a lot of the items for my home, like curtains.  I have always had very specific fashion requirements that were fostered by my sewing mother.  She achieved greater skill and ability as a tailor, but I know I got the idea, and perhaps some talent, from her.  My parents went to conventions with petroleum engineers all over the world.  Months before the trip my mother would make outfits for the event that included matching hats and shoes.  She often looked like QEII with all the matchy-matchy.  She did have clothes from stores, but her best stuff in the 1950’s was made with her own hands.

Last year I started sewing again because I own a big stash of fabric and two machines.  I found that creating with fabric  makes me happier than ever.  I used to sew because it was a cheap and easy way to create my clothing; ironically, now supplies are much more expensive, making it much less of a bargain.  The satisfaction is in the choices at each step along the process.  I do not need to buy any fabric, but rather need to use all the leftovers I have collected.  This is like going through the fridge and deciding to make soup based on what you have. You decide what makes it delicious.  It will be exactly to your taste.

Color and pattern work together in creating a design.  My fabric stash offers many different weights and composition in fabric.  I selected them because they fit into a color palette that matches other items in my wardrobe. I have both woven and knit to use in my fall collection. I will start by making a wrap skirt to keep it simple.  I am not in the mood for zippers.  I am seeking fairly instant gratification. I also want to use  my stash without buying any more fabric or notions.  I own some great buttons, and should get them out to see what they might enhance. The creativity of working with fabric, notions, and design is endless.  Evolving hand made fashion is especially fulfilling to me.  I may take apart some old garments and reuse my favorite parts of them too. I admire all the upcycled fashion I see being used in new ways.  Even folks who don’t sew or have a machine can find really cool designs to create from knit fabric, like tee shirts. Join the fun for fashion that expresses the real you.