Internal Affairs

June 24, 2024

Wake the interior wizard by casting a light

Set aside the temporary weapons of rigidity

Give room and respect to the dark warnings

Proof of presence will be necessary

to enter the premises

Color Bath

June 24, 2024

Absorbs the energy and power from tides

Receives the imprint of imported populations

Takes the anticipation of the visitors

Turns it all around at the end of each day

Changes are constant

We capture fragments

Distillation

June 23, 2024

I’m a student of the recently deceased monarch of aromatherapy, Jeanne Rose. Her deep knowledge of plants and their uses has been catalogued in her many books and articles. In person the lessons were vibrant and full of interesting stories. Her teaching was thorough and engaging.

I learned distillation from her over the course of three workshops. She taught absinthe distillation at the Hangar One Vodka factory in Alameda, CA. My introduction was to an alcohol for which I have a strong aversion. It served for teaching purposes, but I had no appreciation for the final product as other students did.

Next we distilled lavender in a large wood burning still. This was labor intensive and took a long time because the vessel was so large. We began on the farm for harvest and a lesson about the process. The class then proceeded to the still to observe the way it all happens. The hydrosol that day was very much to my liking. The whole day was luscious as well as educational

The photo above was taken at an orange grove near Solvang, CA, where we met to learn distillation of orange blossoms. We harvested blossoms by the bucket, as my fellow student shows above. Jeanne walked around teaching and guiding us through the process. This day was beyond delightful with heavily scented activities throughout the day, from harvest to final hydrosol.

Learning distillation has helped me to understand how the universe works. I am forever grateful for her friendship and her knowledge. She was a wonderful teacher.

Zsa Zsa and Her Fam

June 20, 2024

I recently had the extreme pleasure of meeting Zsa Zsa the Basset Hound from the Greater Idaho. She came to Carlton to stay with her human family accompanied by her 3 progeny, Meatloaf and Mister are her twins. Winnie is a sister born of the same father at a different time. What a wild and funny group of characters they are. They were visiting a house in Carlton that had been their mom’s childhood home. It’s a rental now, so they chose it as a place to celebrate the mom’s graduation from the master’s program at University of Oregon.

It was my first time staying with a Basset Hound, and I was looking forward to spending time with those ears. I found out that they are so much more than just adorable ear dogs. They have a nose second only to the Bloodhound in sensitivity. They never stop nosing around. Four full time noses active all over the place is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

They love to play with each other and with toys, but do not discriminate well between the two. Once attached to something (like a stick) their tank like strength and determination is astonishing. Being low to the ground gives them extra advantage in tug of war. They have big bursts of energy and are asleep most of the time ( like all dogs).

Being a Rover sitter gives me great opportunities to meet new people and dogs. Zsa Zsa and her charming brood introduced me to the wonders of Basset Hound life. It was a wonderful and enriching day. We had a real good canine time.

Resources

June 20, 2024

Reflection on resources allows exploration

Into distance and horizons not yet imagined

All phenomena that are enumerated

Are stuck within definitions and exclusions

Going beyond that which can be counted

Is the adventure we intend to discover

Beet Kvaas for Health

June 15, 2024

A few years ago I worked at the Tucson farmers market for Suzette Smith, owner of Garden Goddess Ferments. She has developed her business and no longer sells at the Tucson market. It was fun to give people samples of fermented raw vegetable products to try.

The experience has enhanced my health significantly because Suzette taught me how to make beet kvaas. The customers who came from eastern Europe had their own recipes that came from their cultures. This drink is much more popular than I had imagined. Now that I have been on the stuff for many years, I can never imagine going without it. We drink it daily.

It’s easy to make, starting with some of the last batch to stimulate fermentation. It’s the most simple formula for improving bodily health that I know. Beets, salt, and water become a magical elixir. If you’re not interested in fermentation as a hobby, you can purchase high quality kvaas from Suzette at Garden Goddess. She delivers.

Ruta Graveolens

June 12, 2024

Ruta graveolens guards the back door

Herb of grace, a protective plant,

Repels insects and unwanted company

Keeps the threshold clear and clean

An herbal bath of rue cleanses the aura

Immersed

June 11, 2024

We have been surrounded by whirlwinds

Sunk by the undertow of useless data

This was all done in the name of progress

Like many terrible popular ideas in the past

We allowed sensational performances

While ignoring the obvious questions

Reckoning

June 10, 2024

The bill is expected to be significantly higher

Than our resources can withstand

Yet the pattern we have carved out for ourselves

Is a deepening rut of fewer choices

We have created some stories that trap us in regression

If we listen to the ancestors they warn of disastrous possibilities

It’s time to stay highly aware and still

Floral Focus

June 6, 2024

Flowers say festive, flavorful, fun is afoot

Ripe fruit with honey in a bowl

Pairs well with fizzy drink, exotic garnish

Summertime music calls for a picnic

Bright warm morning followed by delight