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Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Keeping Our Cool
July 3, 2017
— 1 Comment
best wishes
To whom can we look for guidance in crisis?
The sea is full of troubled waters and dying fish
Our battles and embroiled excuses do not end with ISIS
Our future floats lifelessly on the surface, a futile wish
For earth to find the harmony needed to stay alive
While we argue viciously about every possible decision
Blindly contradicting truth only helps ignorance thrive
Time leaves us with fewer options to complete our mission
#WeekendCoffeeShare Memoir Moments
July 1, 2017
— 8 Comments
raw borscht on ice
If we were having coffee this weekend I would invite you to drink iced tea while enjoying the last of my three blooming jasmine varieties. The yard is again scented with that sweet jasmine flavor that carries well in a breeze. You will want to observe it from the front window while we chat because the heat out there is harsh. Sit back and relax in the air conditioning while I pour your favorite iced tea. I also have two kinds of raw fermented borscht for you, which restores your electrolytes and adds probiotics to your diet. It is like a floating salad suspended in beet juice and kvass. It cools you and helps you keep balance in the heat. I also think it is yummy, but you can decide for yourself. The cucumber and dill will remind you of pickle juice.
If we were having iced tea this week I would tell you I decided to join Audible for a year because the subscription was discounted heavily. For $100 a year I have access to books and podcasts that make my new job a dream. I can do my job and listen to books without distraction. It is a wonderful two birds with one stone situation. I finished the book on biological biodiversity, then knocked off a book about writing by Jeff Goins, and have started The Power of Memoir, by Linda Joy Meyers. This book is inspirational to me because I have studied my family history for years, and written a few very short poems about the ancestors (who were poets themselves). I have wanted to write historical fiction, but never attempted it. Ms Meyers lays out all the steps needed to write a riveting memoir, some of which I have done, like the genealogy research. I was inspired by the book to use my grandmother as the subject this week of my short fiction in response to Sue Vincent’s Thursday prompt. I think I can apply what I am leaning from this generous and well written instruction to my own writing. It can unlock many stories for my future. I recommend the book to all writers, even if you do not plan to write a memoir. She covers technique we all need to remember.
The Power of Memoir
I began my weekly #WeedWednesday feature with a post in the lab at the grow where I work. The short, warm up, educational piece was well received by readers. It is fun and easy to do, and it informs me as well as the audience. There is so much advancement in the science of medical marijuana that I will have much material to cover on this subject. I plan to interview the experts about the plant varieties and all the ways we process the plant to create various therapies. There are new developments all the time, so I doubt that I will ever run out of material for that segment.
How did you spend the week? Have you made progress with your writing, or with your life? Have another glass of tea and fill me in on the details.
#WeekednCoffeeShare
Thanks for joining me today for tea and borscht. Stay cool, and preserve what you still have of your political cool. It looks like it will be needed for a long time in the US. Wishing all the sentient beings everywhere independence and time to savor it. Please visit our hostess, Emily, from Nerd in the Brain for more coffee and news. Read, write, comment, or just drink lots of digital coffee with us every weekend.
#WritePhoto Flights Of Fancy
June 29, 2017
— 15 Comments
flight of fancy
Her troubled mind had conjured up some frightening scenarios. She sat for hours wringing the hands that had once been so productive and accomplished. Her memory played cruel tricks on her as she tried to survive without her husband. Ernie had taken care of certain aspects of life that had always been a mystery to her. Although my grandparents ran a farm together, sharing the heavy work load, my grandmother was in the dark about the family finances. When she became a widow and could no longer stay alone at her farm it had been sold. Her life of relative freedom came to an end. She lived in institutions or at her children’s homes, never really settling. She missed independence even though she could barely manage daily tasks without a great deal of assistance. She disliked the feeling of being a houseguest, or even a child, of her son’s family. She had lost her matriarch status, and had to defer to her daughter-in-law. This life in suburban Pittsburgh was foreign, and cold. She rarely went out, and when she did she was fearful, even with her family. She lost her ability to relax. Anxiety was her only companion.
When the sun set she sat in the back yard in silence. This time to herself was spent every day engaging in bird watching. She had little sensitivity to human emotions, but was tuned into nature like a trance. She could feel the spirits of each bird soaring. Their playful flight brought a rush of feelings from her youth, from her most sorrowful, as well as her brightest times. She could sense that her own spirit was close to a threshold. She sometimes thought her spirit left her body and explored the sky above her for a while. As darkness fell the caregiver arrived to guide her into the building. Her lightness of being vanished as the door closed behind her. Perhaps tomorrow will be the day she finally takes off for eternity. She feels as if she has already spent an eternity here.
#writephoto
This fiction is written in response to this week’s photo prompt from Sue Vincent’s Echo. Join us each week to read, write, or submit your own take on the Thursday prompt.
#WeedWednesday CO2 Extraction
June 28, 2017
— 3 Comments
Welcome to the first edition of cannabis college. I plan to present a short informative post each Wednesday about the current state of development in the science of medical marijuana. Much has changed, and I anticipate more science based therapies will be developed using cannabis in the near future. I work at the Desert Bloom Re-Leaf Dispensary grow, where we grow indoor and outdoor crops. In the lab and kitchen we produce a wide range of products, which is expanding as new products are tested and developed for the patients. I am new on the job, and learning more every day. I know I am curious about all the varieties being grown and the products on the market. I hope to enlighten both myself and the gentle readers in this series on the science behind this growing industry. Patients now have amazing control of dosage and specific medicine for various conditions. I want to find out more about this, and share what I learn with you.
Justin McKenzie is one of our head growers, with years of experience in growing and processing cannabis. He was good enough to join me in the lab to answer some questions about CO2 extraction. This is the beginning process for many end products. Next we will cover butane extraction in the lab, then go to the kitchen to see what happens there. I am very curious about all the new ways to micro dose cuisine.
Juliana in the kitchen
Henry Smith, Tenth Great-Grandfather
June 28, 2017
— 1 Comment
Ye History of Ye Town of Greenwich
My tenth great-grandfather, Henry Smith, was born in 1619 in St. Mary-Adermanbury, in London,England. He died 5 Jul 1687 in Stamford,Fairfield,CT. He was a minister. While no proof positive exists for the name of his first wife, circumstantially it is quite possible that she is Ann Jackson, who came to America [of record 27 Jul 1635] on the ship “Princess”, along with (a) Henry Smith; he age 22; she age 23. The age of 22 for Henry Smith of the ship “Princess” equates to a birth year of about 1613, the probable birth year of Henry Smith in this writing. In the absence of a verifiable source for this theory, Ann Jackson is placed in this writing, but with question. I am descended from his second wife, Hannah:
Henry Smith (1619 – 1687)
10th great-grandfather
10th great-grandfather
Hannah Smith (1636 – 1674)
daughter of Henry Smith
daughter of Henry Smith
Sarah Knapp (1669 – 1750)
daughter of Hannah Smith
daughter of Hannah Smith
Ebenezer Mead (1692 – 1775)
son of Sarah Knapp
son of Sarah Knapp
Deacon Silas Meade (1730 – 1807)
son of Ebenezer Mead
son of Ebenezer Mead
Abner Mead (1749 – 1810)
son of Deacon Silas Meade
son of Deacon Silas Meade
Martha Mead (1784 – 1860)
daughter of Abner Mead
daughter of Abner Mead
Abner Morse (1808 – 1838)
son of Martha Mead
son of Martha Mead
Daniel Rowland Morse (1838 – 1910)
son of Abner Morse
son of Abner Morse
Jason A Morse (1862 – 1932)
son of Daniel Rowland Morse
son of Daniel Rowland Morse
Ernest Abner Morse (1890 – 1965)
son of Jason A Morse
son of Jason A Morse
Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)
son of Ernest Abner Morse
son of Ernest Abner Morse
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse
I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse
Rev. Henry Smith arrived in Charlestown, MA from England in 1636 (according to Savage). By 1648 he was in Wethersfield, CT. with his second wife and children from his first marriage. Henry was described as a gentleman from a good family. He was the patriarch of what was considered one of the best sustained and accomplished families in New Engalnd.
He was the first recorded minister in Wethersfield, but his ministry was not a happy one. Mr. Clement Chaplin, a Ruling Elder of the church was a man of wealth, prominent and influencial with a majority of the congregation. For many years he involved Henry Smith in difficulities to the point the conflict wa before the General Court. After a long examination of the merits of the case, in 1643 Mr. Chaplin was fined 11 pounds for libeling Henry. But Mr. Chaplin continued to harrass Henry with carious civil suits until again it came before the General Court. Henry was again exonerated and vindicated by the court. Although the conflict did not completely end, there was no further serious issues. However it is believed the the strain of the trails and harrassment brought Henry to an early grave in 1648.
Pequod War
Heritage Inn, Hospitality And History
June 27, 2017
— 1 Comment
rose garden
patio
patio
rose garden
The Heritage Inn in Snowflake, AZ is perfectly positioned in the middle of an historical neighborhood. Surrounded by restored buildings, the Inn stands out because of the flower gardens. The luscious rose collection welcomes guests at 161 Main Street. The ample shaded front porch is home to a couple of active humming bird feeders, vintage furniture, and charming outdoor art. One is instantly transported to a specific time. The decor throughout the inn reflects the historic legacy of this well restored home. Portraits of the original inhabitants and some traces of their story remind the visitor of the founding of this small town. We stayed in the Mary Maude Porter room, named for one of the first inhabitants of the home, which had been built in the 1890’s.
pioneer home
front porch of the inn
German baby for breakfast
Bob at breakfast
We went to Snowflake to escape the heat and go to a lavender farm that was having a festival. The heat followed us up the mountain, so the relief was not forthcoming from mother nature. We decided not to go out to the farm because it was just too hot to deliver what we wanted. Instead, we investigated the little town of Snowflake, then the adjacent town of Taylor, and checked in to the room a little early chill in the air conditioning. The weather was pleasant enough to take a stroll in the evening, and we walked around the museums and historic homes that were not open on Saturday. There is a good display in the small Heritage Park next to the inn that details the founding of the town and the families who developed area.
Our room had a French door that opened onto the patio, where a fountain decorated a lovely garden. Tables and chairs are placed for guests to use for relaxing, or for breakfast service. We chose to eat by the fountain in the morning, when the weather had cooled down a bit. Our fancy table setting and gourmet breakfast in the cool setting gave us what we had come to experience, a complete change of pace. When I travel I am looking or something different from day to day existence. The hosts of the Heritage Inn, JoAnne and Craig, give guests superior service in an elegant atmosphere of private, historical chic. We liked the feeling of elegant leisure, and plan to return when we know the weather will be cooler. Next time I will plan ahead and arrange to see the tour of the historical homes. The tiny town has much to offer the history buff, and the Heritage Inn offers superior accommodation from which to see it.
fountain patio
restored forge
history museum
#TeaTuesday Rooibos Jasmine
June 27, 2017
— 5 Comments
my front yard jasmine
my front yard jasmine
my front yard jasmine
I am drinking some iced rooibos tea lightly laced with natural jasmine flavor. Rooibos Jasmine tea is a floral tea for special occasions. I love it, but find it is a taste for which I have to be in the mood. The taste of jasmine is slightly lighter than the typical black jasmine tea. The caffeine free rooibos herb from South Africa has a toasty, nutty finish that also distinguishes it from the typical jasmine tea. I am enjoying it today because I am also enjoying the last of three jasmine varieties that bloom in my front yard over a period of about 2 months. This Asian Jasmine plant is close to the front door and the walkway, so visitors are wafted with the strong scent when they approach the entrance to our home. Come on in and try the jasmine tea.
The thirst quenching qualities of this delightful beverage are awesome. The lingering floral taste is refreshing and invigorating. I normally drink this tea hot because the aroma from the cup is a major part of the experience. The heat releases the smell for the drinker as well as anyone in the room at the time. It is never cloying or overbearing on the floral notes. The perfect amount of flavor picks up, but does not cover, the taste of the herb. Over ice the floral notes come across as much more muted, with less of an aroma. The jasmine hits you after you swallow the cold version of the drink.
I like almost every rooibos and honeybush tea blend based on the fact that the herbs themselves are healthy and delicious. This floral version is great for any time I feel particularly floral. It goes with sweets in my mind, but I suppose I could imagine it with savory foods like goat cheese. I drink it solo for the good feeling of the floral aromatherapy. Try it if you like a caffeine free flower shower in your tea time. It perks me up and makes me feel a little decadent when I taste it because the jasmine flavor is so rich and exotic.
Jasmine
#WeekendCoffeeShare Elevation
June 24, 2017
— 8 Comments
soda pop crash
soda on the road
Globe, AZ
If we were having coffee this morning I would have to serve you motel breakfast….I am on my third cup of coffee because I had to come to the lobby to make contact with the WiFi this morning. I don’t bother with the food at motel breakfast because powdered eggs and Danish pastry is not my style. In a couple of hours we will proceed to the Show Low, AZ farmer’s market when it opens at 9 am. I will find some tasty cuisine that suits my vegetarian fresh food habit.
Motel Coffee Today
We left the heat in Tucson for a couple of days of relief. The drive up here included two detours/delays caused by traffic accidents. In Oracle, AZ the road had been blocked to clear a crash, so we had to drive around the incident. The route took us through San Manuel. a deserted town that used to have an underground copper mine. These copper towns belong to the companies, so when the mine closes, the entire town closes. It is eerie to see the remains of what was once a center of industry. I was particularly struck by the “country club”, an 18 hole golf course that has been abandoned for about 10 years. Large dying trees and expanses of dust where there once were golf greens are a strange echo of the past. There is still an airport in San Manuel, which only existed so copper executives could fly in and out of the place. From that ghost town the winding roads we traveled took us through several copper mining towns with open pit mines still in operation. These isolated towns owned completely by copper companies are the present day versions of Tombstone and Bisbee. The abundance and wealth produced in them does not tarry very long in that place. Miners do dangerous hard work and have to live in a town where the company owns the only place they can even buy groceries.
When we started to leave Globe, AZ we were advised that the road to Show Low, our destination, had been closed to clear a crash. We decided to drive back to town and discover Globe rather than get stuck in a line of cars waiting for a wreck to be cleared. That was extra fun. We cruised the neighborhoods on our way to the old downtown. I loved the old homes and the old downtown is in good shape. There are chain restaurants and stores on the main hi way, but individual shops, galleries and eateries are thriving in the downtown. We ate a really good lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and lingered trying to wait out the problem on the road. It was a good call because we did have to wait about 20 minutes at the site of two semis that were scattered on the road and the mountain. It was not clear how it happened, but both large trucks were full of soda pop, which has been collected. We saw the giant tow truck pull the overturned semi back onto the road. The crew was expert, and still had hours of work ahead of them when they let our lane of cars drive through to Show Low. I was happy I had neither been in the soda pop truck or the cars stuck in the beginning of this wreck. Compared to what..right? A few minutes delay on a day with no plans is not a big deal.
We will drive to Snowflake, AZ later this morning to discover a new part of the White Mountains. The lavender festival awaits. I have read that the area contains sinkholes and unusual geological shapes. The sinkholes have been use by Native Americans as well as the Mormons for amphitheaters. The Petrified Forrest is close, but I refuse to go back down in elevation because the heat actually followed us up here. All the days last week and next week have been and will be a high of 85, which is dreamy . However, both of our days up here the temperature will reach 97….There is air conditioning, and we will use it. We are still very pleased to get out of Tucson and see all the amazing geology and botany on this drive. It is gorgeous, if a little bit too hot.
If we were having coffee at the Best Western Pony Paint Motel in Show Low, AZ, I would invite you to come along with us today. If you are too busy to tag along I will update you next weekend about the events of this weekend. My writing is going well. I am really enjoying the tea review posts more than I expected. I now have infinite material for my Tuesday posts. I will never run out of teas. I am listening to a book Bread, Wine, Chocolate, The Slow Loss of Foods We Love, which is fascinating. I am being influenced heavily by what I am learning about our lack of biodiversity. I recommend it to anyone who eats or drinks. We all have a part to play in saving biodiversity on earth. Some of us do it by careful consumption of the foods we want to save. The author’s detailed and accurate descriptions of flavors have inspired me to expand both my vocabulary and my sensitivity. This is helpful in developing my tea language. I am enjoying it.
Bread, Wine, Chocolate
If we are having motel coffee this morning I would promise a much more gourmet selection of digital beverages next week. Coffee is one of the subjects covered in this book. If you are a real coffee lover you might like to learn more about it by reading ( or listening to ) Simran Sethi’s discoveries, who traveled all over the world to research this book.
#WeekednCoffeeShare
Thanks for joining me this morning. Please visit our hostess, Emily, at Nerd in the Brain, for the full shebang. Visit with writers for around the world and keep up with our movable feast here. Join the party every weekend on twitter using the hashtag #WeekendCoffeeShare.
Transcendence
June 24, 2017
— 1 Comment
metal
Over the edge of the chasm the hot molten metal poured
The danger loomed larger as the sound of engines roared
The door to hell was opened quickly without warning
There is little time to make amends and none to take flight
Running, tired and thirsty, taking refuge until morning
Revealed our footprints and our trail in the broad daylight
If we did not find another way our demise would be assured
That is how we found transcendence and finally were cured
#WritePhoto Tunnel Vision
June 22, 2017
— 10 Comments
apparition
Crawling on our bellies through the mud, James Bond style, we quietly exited the castle. Our scuba gear was hidden in the brush at the end of the tunnel. We had the documents we needed to prove the identity of the spy we had come to investigate. Her tricky double agent status had fooled us into thinking she was interested in helping us. As we proceeded with some caution we discovered her true intention was theft and subsequent sale of our defense plan. Ever since that covert meeting at the tavern she had turned up in curious ways. We sensed that we were being followed, and took pains to put her off our scent. Finally we discovered the source of her power and wealth. She was fully funded by the Inquisitors, and was expected by her masters to defeat us through espionage.
Our island was infiltrated by the Inquisitors without our knowledge. The slow trickle of foreign settlers all claimed to be loyal to our mission. The last island in the sea that was not ruled by a conglomerate was to be our Eden. We planned to live in harmony with nature, cultivating the plants, the social customs, and the laws that would preserve our tiny paradise. Refugees from all over the world had journeyed to our island to take part in this bold social experiment. Science and politics had failed us when they combined to dominate the world. Our diet had been reduced to just corn, potatoes, and animal fat. We were starving on many levels. The abundance and freedom we once cherished had been sold. Humanity had sold itself for secure employment in a mysterious system that enslaved the populace. Now our survival would depend on our ability to weed out those who intend to destroy our culture.
The justice system had been corrupted, but there was a single official who retained both integrity and power. The Judge Most High still had the ability to rule in favor of morality. He told us that with evidence he could convince the other rulers to allow our culture to survive in freedom. Some of the most powerful rulers had started to think they had gone too far with the total control of agriculture, environment, and religion. They feared creativity had been wiped out forever to feed the factory machine. They feared the automaton nation might eventually become too weak to survive under the strict and repressive circumstances. They wondered if nature was angry at the killing of all her diverse species for the sake of “markets”.
We managed to sneak away, but wondered if we could make it to the Judge Most High without being caught. We saw a hazy figure blocking the end of the tunnel that lead out to the beach. At first we could not distinguish if the figure was man or woman, friend, or foe. We continued in silence with deep anxiety, wishing for the best. Finally we saw that the Judge Most High was waiting for us. Our fate was sealed. Either the Judge Most High was truly an ethical figure, or we were about to turn over evidence to a double agent. There was only one way out of this predicament. It was show time.
#writephoto
This story is written in response to Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo photo prompt this week. Tune in to read, write, and comment here. It is fun to see how many differences there are in the responses.
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