Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Spring and Winds of the Shifting Times
May 19 and 20, 2012
It has been little over a month since I returned from California and my trip, the workshop in Social Permaculture and the experiences are so vivid and on my mind. It was some powerful work I did there and I have been able to teach some of it to my permaculture class taught through the Leon County Extension office. We have just wrapped up the spring quarter and I am once again so impressed and blessed with the students and what we are doing for our community. Will, Anna and Wendi are such wonderful people and I am truly enjoying this experience and have a lot of gratitude for what we are creating together.
Life is moving faster that ever before. I can hardly believe that it is the middle of May already. Sitting on my front porch (Wednesday) drinking my coffee thinking of how the morning showers use to come in June and July. The feel in the air is charged with energy and renewal as well as a healthy chunk of hope and rain for the garden. A friend of mine said in our student discussion group, "when the end times come you will not be able to know the seasons" it really feels like nature is taking her own and setting her own pace. I am enjoying it and watching the animals both wild and those on the farm. I am keeping a close eye on what is coming for us in the near future, for no one really knows.
I am still working at Ace and keeping the garden center beautiful with the help of Nelda, which I am very grateful for, she is a real charm and a blessing. I have begun to fall into that place on this job where I feel my contributions are significant, but also feel totally disrespected (by management) in my work and rarely acknowledged for my knowledge, wisdom and skills. I know my purpose there is much more than what I am able realize right now, but I am waiting for what it is I need to find or do there and why. I have been sent there for something? I love the customers and most of the employees. I really hate the drama and tension, the power games. Those that I help in the garden center come back to me again and again and give great thanks for my knowledge and skills. I had a customer ask me Wednesday if I was going to stay there to help with their gardening questions. My answer was "for a while, I am not sure where I will be called".
I have not been back to the Crystal Connection since I came back from California and I really miss working there, the customers and my Crystal Connection family. I drop in now and then and love seeing the customers coming to the new store. It is different but feels good. Business has been slow and Sunshine, Stan and Kelly are there. I hope that in the future business picks up and I can get back to work there. But I have been busy doing readings as well as with farm and work at Ace. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things I need or want to do.
On the Farm
We hatched out 20 chicks from our eggs and they have moved from the house nursery to the rabbit cage in the chicken pen. These will be used for food. We are presently hatching out more, last count was 23 and a few more tonight. We weaned the Goat kids Saturday and are milking three goats twice a day, about 1 gallon per milking. I have talked to a neighbor about making soap and lotion from our milk as well as using some honey from our bees. I am very excited about having soap and lotion from our farm. We are very proud to be able to eat a lot of what is from the land. Besides from making cheese and butter, I am now making yogurt from the goats milk. I gave Jamie milk for Wiley last week. Friday we harvested and extracted 9.5 gallons of honey. That makes 15.5 gallons this year so far. There is a big black bear that has taken out two of our neighbor’s hives. Fortunately it has not found it’s way to our farm, yet. We have set up the area with dogs and our hives are very close to the house, hopefully he/she has gotten it’s fill of honey and won’t be seeking our well protected hives.
We sold trees on our other farm to get the money to put a new roof on our house. It was not an easy decision to make but it will benefit us all in the end. I have never walked the land on our tree farm that I inherited from my Mother. The land off I10 was given to my grandfather by his mother. It holds deep pain and family wounds for me. But the day before we cut 19 acres I walked the land with Noah. He had told me about the stream and the beauty for years and I was brought to tears at the landscape, he has always called "Ferngully". They are not cutting the area around the stream, just the planted pines that are about 27 years old and we will replant by hand for the future. There are plenty of pines there and we will preserve the hardwood for the wild life. But a new roof has to be put on the farm house soon. A huge tarp is protecting it for now till we get this done.
We have had only one foal born this spring, a little colt that is really special. He has dark front feet and white back feet, his hooves are also the color of his hair. He is off one of Noah’s special mares and we have hope for him. Noah has gotten rid a few horses, two colts from last year and a gelding we got as a rescue but hopefully a few more in the next month or so.
In the Garden
Oh My, what a beautiful garden I have! My permaculture sheet mulched spirals are so awesome. The squash and zucchini are just lush and green. I am harvesting tons of beautiful squash. My beans still haven’t grown even though I have been diligent and planted them four times. But the cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, onions, basil, even the collards and mustards are so happy. I found a new way to water with flat sprayer hoses and set up my drip irrigation on the outer beds. But I haven’t had to use any of it for the past week, thank you rain! Even Noah is impressed even though he will not say so, he pulled the tractor up a few days ago so he could take photos from the bucket. It is really hard to get good photos since the spiral is hidden under the lush green of the vegetables. I have been playing with sweet potatoes, even though I totally ignored my red potatoes, I am excited about the vines of the sweet potatoes and can’t wait to see what becomes of my attempts. I planted them in a sandy area that doesn’t get as much attention as the spirals, but I am drawn there everyday. I still have garlic and tomatoes in my small garden and planted some sweet potatoes there as well, Noah tends that one when he is feed the animals but we will see what it produces from the rich composted soil where we had a horse pen a few years.
On my way back from California I met a really nice man originally from Kenya (Africa) now living in Seattle Washington, he told me about his Kiwi trees/vines and I was surprised and impressed with what he told me. A few weeks ago we got kiwi at Ace and I bought two pots that have both male and female plants in one pot. You need a pollinator to produce fruit. I am really excited about seeing what I can do with the kiwi and if it will be happy in my garden. The orchard is bright and green, I don’t think we will have plums this year for some reason but I expect lots of pears, grapes, oranges, lemon, figs and persimmons. The deer has all but eaten my nectarine tree.
In the Spirit World
For several days I have been really feeling and hearing the shifts happening. Moving closer and closer to the Summer Solstice I feel that the Web of Life and Illusion is being pulled to it’s limits. There are strands that are letting go and others that have become so tight and stretched that when the winds of time blow across them they sings. I first heard it outside my window and when I went outside to hear it was not there. I really started listening in deep meditation and it is becoming stronger and I am hearing it often now. You can see it in the world too. Things are being revealed. Things and people are letting go and others are running in fear. Others are making huge decisions in their lives. The ones I truly am afraid of are those that have no clue as to what is happening and when their world comes crashing down they will become dangerous. You hear everyday of people just flipping out more than ever before. Some end their lives and the lives of others. Some are just simply taking them selves out either intentionally or physically releasing through illness. Regardless it is happening all around us. I feel more connected and engaged with the world that ever before, because I know I have a mission in this new world. I don’t always know what it is, but I wake each day with wonder and gratitude. I do find those moments of fear and try to understand what and why I must question things. But I also trust in the Divine and that the truth will be revealed. As we had this discussion a few nights ago, "put on your oxygen mask first, before you try to help others" tighten up your seat belts because this next six months may be a really bumpy ride. I don’t know what is coming but I am very grateful to be here. My advice is, "Find you grounding cord and hang on, we are headed though the rabbit hole and what is in Wonderland may be something we never dreamed of. But I also honor those that choose to pass to the otherside, either for fear or because they just can't deal with the changing world. There are also others that need to help those here on this side of the veil. let us give thanks and gratitude everyday for the life we have here and to be alive in these time of great change.
OK, I have tried to post the photos but my computer does not want to download.... so I will try to post the photos on a new post.
It has been little over a month since I returned from California and my trip, the workshop in Social Permaculture and the experiences are so vivid and on my mind. It was some powerful work I did there and I have been able to teach some of it to my permaculture class taught through the Leon County Extension office. We have just wrapped up the spring quarter and I am once again so impressed and blessed with the students and what we are doing for our community. Will, Anna and Wendi are such wonderful people and I am truly enjoying this experience and have a lot of gratitude for what we are creating together.
Life is moving faster that ever before. I can hardly believe that it is the middle of May already. Sitting on my front porch (Wednesday) drinking my coffee thinking of how the morning showers use to come in June and July. The feel in the air is charged with energy and renewal as well as a healthy chunk of hope and rain for the garden. A friend of mine said in our student discussion group, "when the end times come you will not be able to know the seasons" it really feels like nature is taking her own and setting her own pace. I am enjoying it and watching the animals both wild and those on the farm. I am keeping a close eye on what is coming for us in the near future, for no one really knows.
I am still working at Ace and keeping the garden center beautiful with the help of Nelda, which I am very grateful for, she is a real charm and a blessing. I have begun to fall into that place on this job where I feel my contributions are significant, but also feel totally disrespected (by management) in my work and rarely acknowledged for my knowledge, wisdom and skills. I know my purpose there is much more than what I am able realize right now, but I am waiting for what it is I need to find or do there and why. I have been sent there for something? I love the customers and most of the employees. I really hate the drama and tension, the power games. Those that I help in the garden center come back to me again and again and give great thanks for my knowledge and skills. I had a customer ask me Wednesday if I was going to stay there to help with their gardening questions. My answer was "for a while, I am not sure where I will be called".
I have not been back to the Crystal Connection since I came back from California and I really miss working there, the customers and my Crystal Connection family. I drop in now and then and love seeing the customers coming to the new store. It is different but feels good. Business has been slow and Sunshine, Stan and Kelly are there. I hope that in the future business picks up and I can get back to work there. But I have been busy doing readings as well as with farm and work at Ace. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things I need or want to do.
On the Farm
We hatched out 20 chicks from our eggs and they have moved from the house nursery to the rabbit cage in the chicken pen. These will be used for food. We are presently hatching out more, last count was 23 and a few more tonight. We weaned the Goat kids Saturday and are milking three goats twice a day, about 1 gallon per milking. I have talked to a neighbor about making soap and lotion from our milk as well as using some honey from our bees. I am very excited about having soap and lotion from our farm. We are very proud to be able to eat a lot of what is from the land. Besides from making cheese and butter, I am now making yogurt from the goats milk. I gave Jamie milk for Wiley last week. Friday we harvested and extracted 9.5 gallons of honey. That makes 15.5 gallons this year so far. There is a big black bear that has taken out two of our neighbor’s hives. Fortunately it has not found it’s way to our farm, yet. We have set up the area with dogs and our hives are very close to the house, hopefully he/she has gotten it’s fill of honey and won’t be seeking our well protected hives.
We sold trees on our other farm to get the money to put a new roof on our house. It was not an easy decision to make but it will benefit us all in the end. I have never walked the land on our tree farm that I inherited from my Mother. The land off I10 was given to my grandfather by his mother. It holds deep pain and family wounds for me. But the day before we cut 19 acres I walked the land with Noah. He had told me about the stream and the beauty for years and I was brought to tears at the landscape, he has always called "Ferngully". They are not cutting the area around the stream, just the planted pines that are about 27 years old and we will replant by hand for the future. There are plenty of pines there and we will preserve the hardwood for the wild life. But a new roof has to be put on the farm house soon. A huge tarp is protecting it for now till we get this done.
We have had only one foal born this spring, a little colt that is really special. He has dark front feet and white back feet, his hooves are also the color of his hair. He is off one of Noah’s special mares and we have hope for him. Noah has gotten rid a few horses, two colts from last year and a gelding we got as a rescue but hopefully a few more in the next month or so.
In the Garden
Oh My, what a beautiful garden I have! My permaculture sheet mulched spirals are so awesome. The squash and zucchini are just lush and green. I am harvesting tons of beautiful squash. My beans still haven’t grown even though I have been diligent and planted them four times. But the cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, onions, basil, even the collards and mustards are so happy. I found a new way to water with flat sprayer hoses and set up my drip irrigation on the outer beds. But I haven’t had to use any of it for the past week, thank you rain! Even Noah is impressed even though he will not say so, he pulled the tractor up a few days ago so he could take photos from the bucket. It is really hard to get good photos since the spiral is hidden under the lush green of the vegetables. I have been playing with sweet potatoes, even though I totally ignored my red potatoes, I am excited about the vines of the sweet potatoes and can’t wait to see what becomes of my attempts. I planted them in a sandy area that doesn’t get as much attention as the spirals, but I am drawn there everyday. I still have garlic and tomatoes in my small garden and planted some sweet potatoes there as well, Noah tends that one when he is feed the animals but we will see what it produces from the rich composted soil where we had a horse pen a few years.
On my way back from California I met a really nice man originally from Kenya (Africa) now living in Seattle Washington, he told me about his Kiwi trees/vines and I was surprised and impressed with what he told me. A few weeks ago we got kiwi at Ace and I bought two pots that have both male and female plants in one pot. You need a pollinator to produce fruit. I am really excited about seeing what I can do with the kiwi and if it will be happy in my garden. The orchard is bright and green, I don’t think we will have plums this year for some reason but I expect lots of pears, grapes, oranges, lemon, figs and persimmons. The deer has all but eaten my nectarine tree.
In the Spirit World
For several days I have been really feeling and hearing the shifts happening. Moving closer and closer to the Summer Solstice I feel that the Web of Life and Illusion is being pulled to it’s limits. There are strands that are letting go and others that have become so tight and stretched that when the winds of time blow across them they sings. I first heard it outside my window and when I went outside to hear it was not there. I really started listening in deep meditation and it is becoming stronger and I am hearing it often now. You can see it in the world too. Things are being revealed. Things and people are letting go and others are running in fear. Others are making huge decisions in their lives. The ones I truly am afraid of are those that have no clue as to what is happening and when their world comes crashing down they will become dangerous. You hear everyday of people just flipping out more than ever before. Some end their lives and the lives of others. Some are just simply taking them selves out either intentionally or physically releasing through illness. Regardless it is happening all around us. I feel more connected and engaged with the world that ever before, because I know I have a mission in this new world. I don’t always know what it is, but I wake each day with wonder and gratitude. I do find those moments of fear and try to understand what and why I must question things. But I also trust in the Divine and that the truth will be revealed. As we had this discussion a few nights ago, "put on your oxygen mask first, before you try to help others" tighten up your seat belts because this next six months may be a really bumpy ride. I don’t know what is coming but I am very grateful to be here. My advice is, "Find you grounding cord and hang on, we are headed though the rabbit hole and what is in Wonderland may be something we never dreamed of. But I also honor those that choose to pass to the otherside, either for fear or because they just can't deal with the changing world. There are also others that need to help those here on this side of the veil. let us give thanks and gratitude everyday for the life we have here and to be alive in these time of great change.
OK, I have tried to post the photos but my computer does not want to download.... so I will try to post the photos on a new post.
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