Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The morning after...

That title could mean a lot of different things!  But this is the morning after the rain.  See my rain gauge?  Six tenths!  Not bad...

This was the sun coming up this morning as I was trying to repair the greenhouse before the birds figured out the whole top of the door was swinging like a farmhouse double door!


We keep thinking we will move the fence gate down in this area for the RVs to come through to our hookup, but the big rains always leave us with a lake!

Vegas got bored watching me work, and went to chase the lizards while I was feeding the chickens for Wyatt, who was having a slumber party with Papa last night.

Well, I for one, must feel thankful for the clouds left over this morning.  They give me a chance to work with little breaks from the sun.  So on that note, I had best get back to it!

Wild day at the Marana Farmers' Market

Tuesday afternoon at the farmers' market in Marana, the people were wonderful as always.  There were five groups selling, the others had been scared away by the heat, I believe!  The customers were fun to talk with, and as the first hour passed, we all talked about our hopes for rain.  Then we watched it begin to roll in!

It only threatened in the distance at first, and as we know here in Tucson, it can look as though it is headed straight for you, then go the other way and leave your gardens without a drop!  But as it grew in front of us, I snapped a quick photo of my booth.  Lots of soaps and herbs!

Then the storm got serious.  We began taking down tent from those who had brought them as a precaution, and as soon as we did the lightning got too close, and Marie called it.  As we began packing up, the wind came through and sent things flying!

One of the great things about the farmers' market, is the people.  The gentleman who was singing even stopped to carry a box to the car for me.  We were all packed and headed out when the rain opened up.  This farmers' market is up at the Marana town complex, and it is on the far North end past Tangerine, where we start to see the dust storms.  When I stopped at the sign to turn to the frontage road back to Tucson, I caught this quick photo of the dust storm building at the Northern border of the monsoon storm.

Sad the farmers' market was cancelled, but everyone is safe.  What a wild day!  It was a drive through rain and power outages, but I picked up Bailey at the mall where she and her friend had gone to see Brave, then came home to see to the animals in the storm.  Come morning time, comes the real digging out!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Adopted Mama

This Spring, we ordered in some baby chicks.  As you know, Wyatt was working on his Science Fair project for next year, where he ordered in 25 cornish cross broilers, a number of red broilers, and some Delawares. In order to round out the order for the minimums, we added 5 California Greys and 5 Black Australorp pullets.
The cornish cross chickens had to be kept separate from the others do to their growth rates and other issues.  The Delawares and the Red Broilers did fine with the others for the first few weeks, but then with the differences in growth rates and needs for space, they needed to be separated from the other two breeds.
The California Greys and the Black Australorps were the last to be ready to move outside, but still needed the protection of a full pen.  The bantam pen was plenty big enough, and the chickens very mild tempered, so we put the little pullets in there to let them grow out some more before moving them to the big pen with the older laying girls who can be a bit fussy.  The older White Faced Black Spanish hens took to the babies quickly, one deciding she was a surrogate mother.

A few weeks ago, we felt that the pullets were ready to move up to the big pen.  There is no roof on that pen, and they are free to roam as they with, though the hens generally sleep in the tree above their pen, or in their nesting boxes in their barn.  The night we moved them, the hen that had taken to acting as their mama hollered for over an hour while I was outside working with Wyatt and keeping an eye on them.  By morning feeding, they were lined up outside the bantam pen asking to go back in to their mama, now much smaller than they were.  They are doing better now, and a few have moved in to the big pen, but these photos are from last night.  The young ones are lined up on the North fence to the garden, as closed to their mama hen as they could be.  Funny, so many researchers believed for so long that animals didn't form lasting relationships!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Yet another update on the single baby... (Yep the one in the contest!)

The single baby is doing well.  The mama hen lets it wander farther and farther away from her each day, but she is always looking. It had me curious, since often the mamas stop looking after the chicks at night, leaving them to themselves.

While I was at the end of the porch watering a little before sunset tonight, the single chick was playing in the rocks, then working its way up into the tree for the night.  Here it is.  Remember, you can guess as many times as you like, and the contest is about guessing whether the baby is a pullet or cockerel, and what color the baby Phoenix will be.  So far, most (but not all) of the guesses involve the chick being a cockerel, but several different color patterns.  When is the last date to guess?  I had initially set that the first winners would be chosen on Independence Day and Labor Day, so the deadline for the first round of prizes is July 3rd.

So, back to the growth of the baby...  The little one worked its way back up into the tree.

See the little one nestling in at the top of this photo near the trunk of the tree?  Well, the mama might not be snuggling with the baby at night now, but she is very close at bedtime.  See the mama hen close to the bottom of the shot, about a third of the way in from the left?

Well, for now, she is still doting on her little one, even as it grows and spreads its wings. Kinda fun to watch. really.  So feel free to add to your guesses.  They are such fun to read and I will share them all when I do the first round of prizes.  Have a great night!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Our First Day at Marana Farmer's Market!

Yesterday was the first time our soaps were available at the farmer's market in the Marana town complex.  There is a beautiful courtyard at the end of the Marana Health Center building, complete with a lovely fountain.  Boy was it hot there!  It was a small day at the market, many vendors stayed home to relax in the shade, I think, but the folks who came out were lots of fun to talk with, and even had some sepcial requests for me to pack for next week!


Wyatt is apparently going through a phase where he doesn't like his photo taken, so made the face above while sitting under the umbrella.  But other times, he had fun talking to customers about his favorite soaps(Lavender and Cocomango) and shapes (apparently they should all have chickens on them according to Wyatt), and discussing his favorites herbs we had available- no surprise here- chocolate mint!

The photos I got of Bailey were rather blurry, but both kids helped talk with customers.  Bailey had quite a talk with a  kind woman whose daughter had similar allergies to hers, though more nut allergies, so we talked about formulating something special for her daughter based upon her likes and needs.  The kids were also very efficient in helping set up and tear down the little booth.  I cannot say that I have ever been able to pack the car and head out that quickly before.

So it was a quiet day, out in all that heat, but a good one!  Great folks and silly kids.  We will be there again next Tuesday, along with the folks with the fresh veggies, and likely many other vendors!  



Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Random Acts of Kindness

I was reading this neat little article in a magazine.  It was about random acts of kindness, and I love those.  Paying it forward always makes me feel good.

The quote from Audrey Hepburn got me going:
"It's that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second.  This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up."

I always dig it when good folks lead the way in this world!  Glitz and glamour never did preclude basic manners and the need to make the world a better place!  So I sat down at dinner last night, asking the Charlie and the kids about their favorite way to brighten the world around them.  Thought I would share, and then see what other thought.

To be honest, I thought the kids might talk about when they take animals to visit at schools or care homes, or some of the really cool outreach things they have done.  But it was the little things they seemed to like the most, and that came through in answers from them and their father.

Wyatt Clay said he likes to look for people who seem lonely and take time to introduce them around or befriend them- at activities where there are cliques or on the playground at school.  He said smiling and talking to others seems to really brighten their day and make them feel better.  What stands out to me about this one is that he is very introverted and doesn't worry about popularity or hanging out with kids outside of school.  His best friend has always been his dog.  I don't know what all that means, but I find it rather interesting.  He also mentioned holding open doors, and when he sees moms at the farmers market struggling with stuff and offers to carry stuff to heir cars.

Bailey says it always brings a smile to folks when she holds open doors, and carries things, not expecting to be waited on.  With all of her leadership background, I thought she would say something about  the cool things they do for outreach and community service.  But she kept coming back to the little things, like picking up garbage and looking after others.

Charlie loves those Hunter Who Care cleanups.  Local hunters go out into the desert and pick up garbage, getting the mounds of water bottles and backpacks and garbage out of the desert so the wildlife can live and pollution can be a little less.  But he also said his favorite things are when he holds open doors and stops for stranded motorists.

As I sit here, I don't really know what my favorites are.  Growing up, I loved making May baskets from paper or strawberry baskets, and leaving them on the neighbor's doorsteps, or taking cookies to new neighbors.  I have had the opportunity to do many different things with the children, and I admit I like those better than the over sized things that can sometimes feel a bit contrived.

Back at county fair these two boys from another club happily stood with my son and helped him carry his birds through auction, pumping their fists for him as the price topped previous records.  The were so good with my much younger boy who was going through his first auction and learning the ropes.  Seems like nothing, but plenty of others could not have been bothered to help someone else.  And they did so with a smile, and an open heart.

So sure, I like feeding other people's parking meters downtown, and taking cookies to folks to cheer them up.  And I like big days of taking animals to visit shut ins, and teaching young children about animals or fitness.  But the little things really do give me hope in the world, that maybe the golden rule is still alive and well.  Guess I learned something in the typing.  Now it's your turn!  Share your favorite way (or ways) to pay it forward, and what matters to you!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

An evening's work, a reminder of blessings.

I have to admit, in the evenings, I am exhausted.  Between teaching and my own training, running things here and the gardens and projects- I am beat in the evenings.  Being so tired, I always prefer to get my greenhouse work in before dark, especially because holding a flashlight and a watering can is just odd.

Today was no different.  I taught Pilates this morning, and spent about an hour in the gym with Bailey afterward.  That was fun, think we will do it more often.  She was suggesting taking Zumba together next week, too!

We ran a few errands, then headed home for chores.  While Bailey worked on Vegas and her room, and catching up on email from while she was away at camp, I cleaned and did a few loads of laundry.  Charlie had requested tacos and ice cream for his Father's Day treat, and set up the burner outside for me to make his tacos away from the kitchen.  We had a nice dinner as a family.

We got to call and chat with my Dad for Father's Day, and then while Wyatt worked with some educational games, I tied my shoes and promised ice cream when I came back in.  I love the part of the year when the rain fills the barrels, and I dip watering cans in to water my pots and greenhouse.  Wandering back and forth, from the barrels to the greenhouse, I glanced up at the sky.  Where last night had been filled with angry clouds, tonight there was a beautiful blanket of stars.

Wyatt loves to sleep out under the stars.  I like to look at them and remember how small and insignificant my petty little problems are, even when they weigh me down.  So working out there, under the stars, I count my blessings, gather my purpose.  Hope there is something that does that for you.  Have a good night!

This isn't the stars, but another beautiful sight I get to see in the evenings.  Have a wonderful week, hope you make it count!  Hugs to you all. =)

Saturday, June 16, 2012

And the monsoons are here!

The rain came today!  It sprinkled at first, then came down like crazy sideways!  So excited for the beginning of the rainy season!
This is out the front window, the rain was going straight from left to right...

This is out the back door, looking at the big chicken pen behind the swing set.  The wind was going from right to left, and swirling!

This is the North East corner of the back porch.The water barrel I put out was right under the spout, but the water was fanning out around it as the rain swirled.

This video is from the kitchen window.  The rain came pouring through the window as I was out putting out the barrels, but wasn't too bad for cleaning up. The banging you hear in the video was hail!  So much water, the entire Northbound side of the road was flooded, I wonder how long before it all sinks in?
Hope the video works for you!

This was out rain gauge this morning- 1.75inches.  So how was the rain at your house?

Friday, June 15, 2012

Another way to beat the heat...

In the heat of the day, I set to baking the second cake for Saturday's family celebration.  I turned both coolers on, gave silly Vegas a treat, and Wyatt said he was off to take  nap.  I encouraged him to read until he fell asleep.  I walked by to see what he was up to, and had made it all the way to taking a photo, when the camera made noise and this was his reaction.  Are we sure he isn't already a teenager?

Oh, well.  At least he is hooked on another book.  Heard something on the radio yesterday about borrowing kindle books from the library, I suppose I will have to figure that out this weekend, as he has informed me he has a list of Boxcar children books coming up next.  Hope you like the photo, and hope you are having a wonderful day as the first official day of summer, and the first official day of the monsoons ambles our way!


Sunday, June 10, 2012

A Best Friend

My friend puts a disclaimer on her blog.  For this post, here is mine:  some of this is hard to write, so hard to read and not suitable for everyone.  Parents, read first.

Everyone needs a best friend.  That someone special in this world who is with you no matter what.  When things go south, or you get in trouble, or the world just seems to not go your way, your best friend is there.  You don't have to be anyone other than you.  They accept you just as you are.  Some folks find their best friend in kindergarten, or their first day at a new school.  Some folks meet them in dance class, or on the football field.  For some reason, you are just placed together.

Wyatt's best friend was waiting for him here when he was born.  When I began working for the Tohono O'odham reservation, Charlie was out of town hunting.  Bailey was in her first time at day care.  Day one was hard enough.  Day two was 9/11/2001.  I couldn't even believe that was happening.  By that Thursday, when my boss was late on a humanitarian mission, down at the livestock complex trying to patch up a dog who had been hit by a car, I didn't know what to think.  By that afternoon, I was driving he and the dog to the vet.  The dog was a little brown mutt maybe three months old.  She didn't go shocky by the time we reached the vet.  She never even complained.  My boss was going to take her home, then to the Reservation vet the following day, and called his wife to say he was bringing her home.  His wife, several months pregnant at the time, was not having that.  Charlie was out of town and it seemed like she would be on her way back to her rightful home in a couple days, so she came home with me.

I took this dog, with two casts which needed redone daily, into the house and set her down, telling Callie Jo and Vegas that she was temporary and we needed to take care of her.  They were so good.  I sat there, in the living room floor, trying to tell Bailey Noelle that she could not get attached to the little dog, who likely had a home somewhere, picking ticks off her and explaining why I had to do it.  The little dog went to work with me the next day, but the Reservation vet was not to be in until the following week.

Before long, treatments were going along at home and Bailey thought for sure she was going to be a vet.  I tried asking folks all around if they knew where the dog belonged.  Everyone laughed at me.  There are just so many stray dogs out there.  Callie Jo was Charlie's dog, who I had begged for when we first married.  My partner in running the house, but Charlie's dog.  Vegas was Bailey's, he picked her out himself when she was almost two.  Before I knew it, the staff I worked with had named the little dog as Hopper Spark. She got medical care out there, and was growing.  I was too- I was pregnant. When Wyatt Clay was born, Callie Jo officially let Hopper have a human.  According to Hopper, Wyatt could do no wrong.  He tugged on her floppy ears, laid with her, on her, and slept alongside her.

Hopper's front leg didn't heal quite straight, but she got along fine so it was easier on her body to let her run around like that then put her through surgery that likely would not work.  It never slowed her down in chasing rabbits, or barking at cattle across the street, or anything else she wanted to do.  As Wyatt crawled, she was right beside him, as he learned to walk she was there too, he always had a soft spot to fall or someone to hold on to.  And a hand full of fur (UGH!)

Charlie was gone a lot back then, the war was going and his unit would send him off to support planes who were flying to train the pilots headed overseas.  As Wyatt got into his toddler years, he withdrew a good bit. He began stuttering at one point, and when the kids made fun of it, he stopped talking altogether.  His sister always knew what he wanted, so he got by without speaking a lot.When we finally got him to speak again, and then to read, he spoke and read to Hopper.  He would come home from school and she would meet him at the gate, they would run around and share a snack, then lie in the floor and talk about their day- the same kind of one-sided conversation a mama has with her little one about what they did today or how their day was.  They would play pretend in the back yard side by side, creating dirt bogs and picking flowers for mama, rearranging all the yard art.
If I left the house and came home without Wyatt, Hopper would go to his door of the car, then back to mine.  If he wasn't with me, she would follow me around grunting like she fund me to be an unacceptable mother, leaving my children off places.  Once he was back I was out of trouble.  Then she was back to stealing eggs, sneaking up on hens to scare them, or stealing shoes and burying them for Charlie to find.
Around here, dogs aren't merely livestock, but also members of the family who work alongside us.  They help us with guarding the children and animals, rounding up loose animals, keeping unwanted folks away.  No one reaches across our fence without permission.  Not twice anyway!  And delivery men know to wait for me to come to the gate.  While they will defend without drawing blood if they can, the one thing they bite first and ask questions later about is the kids.  While they can be a bit over the top, as a military wife, I appreciate the help.  They know I am in charge, I train them.  And I don't ignore them when they bark, there is most always a reason.

It was really tough losing Remington so suddenly at Christmas.  She was my best worker, at only five years old.  We have had a really rough Spring following that, with the viscous bullying of Bailey coming to a head with some adults who we had thought we could trust trying to really tear her apart.  Around county fair time, Hopper and I started having allergy issues.  I tried the homeopathic stuff first, since she already had valley fever and was on an aspirin regimen for the front leg.  But I wasn't getting anywhere, so Wyatt said that he would help me get her to the vet as soon as he got out of school.  (She was an amazing escape artist when it came to the vet, but would be very good if Wyatt was there) The last Friday of school, her right eye was really red near the tear duct.  The kids helped me look, because she could look that way from rolling her eyes at me if she didn't want to eat dog food, too.  They agreed that it was different, but it was Friday, so we agreed that first thing in the week, after the holiday Monday I would call the vet.

Monday night, around three am, Hopper had a seizure.  I called the vet when they opened, and they worked her in for an emergency appointment.  I wanted her to see her regular vet, as I was so upset about the stress on Remi when she had gone in to the all night emergency vet, and the regular one had all the records on her previous health issues.  Dr Porter asked about the seizure and looked hard at the eye.  She agreed with me that we needed to look at a valley fever flareup, and wanted a full blood panel but wanted to sedate her and look at her tonsils and see if she could do a needle aspirate of the eye.  Since we were an emergency work in, they wouldn't get to her right away, so they let us sit with her in the side of the lobby until they were ready for her.  Wyatt cuddled her, and while the other dogs wanted Wyatt's attention, they respected Hopper and that she was lying there not quite like the others.  We got Hopper home in time for me to dash off to work, with instructions for the kids.  The vet had put her back on the fluconazole for the valley fever, as it couldn't hurt, and gave her pred to get her started as an anti-inflammatory an help her body start to fight whatever it was while we waited on blood work.  Dr Porter was worried though, she had begun to bleed from her nose and the eye was not just an infection or anything simple- she needed to see the blood work to see what was next.
Waiting for the blood work was like a roller coaster.  Her titers were up, but the weekend docs who looked at the results were trying to see what the differences were with the original infections she had had, but the staff needed to dig more paper out since some numbers were missing from going paperless. But then, the valley fever would not be the cause.  After another seizure, I spoke with the vet again.  She said that a CT Scan was the only way to conclusively determine what was going on in the eye, but with another seizure, and more blood from the nose, and the the improvements in the eye already reversing, she felt that regardless of what it was, it was moving fast and we likely didn't have much time. I asked about keeping her comfortable for what she had left, and the vet told me we might only have a week left, but she could get some pain meds together.  She began them on Wednesday, but the seizures were happening more.  
Wednesday an Thursday, Hopper wanted to play outside, like usual with her brother, so we just always took turns going everywhere with her. My mother in law came to sit with she and Wyatt on Thursday so I could take Bailey to town for a workshop.  I got home and she was having another seizure.  It wasn't fair to let Hopper hurt so much.  Wyatt understood that.  But then that night, she vocalized to me when she would not eat.  I thought she might be complaining of pain for the first time in her eleven years.  Then she stole my chore shoe from next to the back door and showed me.  I laughed.  So in the morning,  I called the vet.  They made her an appointment for four.  I called my in laws to see if Wyatt could come over for the afternoon.  
We loaded everything in the car, and made Hopper a spot in the back seat.  As we drove in to town,   Hopper sat up and looked around, giving Wyatt attention and looking at Bailey.  She tried to eat the treat Wyatt had for her, but really just gummed it and move it around the seat.  We got to the library where the workshop was, and Bailey took a minute to say good bye to Hopper.  She opened the back hatch to grab her bag and the computer, and Hopper cocked her head at Bailey over the back seat.  Bailey choked back the tears and smiled at her as she said goodbye one more time.  We drove to my in-laws, and Wyatt said goodbye to his best friend one last time, then go out of the car with a deep breath.  I knew Jon would keep him busy.

 I drove to the vet, and carried her in.  I stood her at the desk while I signed us in, but instead of trying to escape she was ready to walk down the hall.  I scooped her up and sat her on the bench, trying to love on her calmly.  The techs who had been so nice the week before came to pet her and comfort us.  Then the one asked the other to carry her.  They were going to put in an IV, then settle us in a room until the doctor came in.  The girl at the desk set me in a room so I wouldn't have to pretend to be okay when other patients came in.  A couple minutes later, they came to get me.  She had given everything she had to looking okay with the kids, and her body had gone into a seizure when they took her back.  

I know in my heart that Hopper Spark had eleven great years with us, and that she worked hard and cared very deeply for her boy- for all of us.  I know she is with her sisters, Callie Jo and Remington, playing up above without having to hurt anymore.  But we miss her, nonetheless.  I am a better person for having had her in my life, and Wyatt was so fortunate to have her for a best friend.  Her hit and run kisses, her paws hanging over the edge of the retaining wall watching us do chores, her goofy but defiant looks as she stole things in plain view of us be it for attention or just because, her claiming of all the beds stacked together like a queen- all hallmarks of who she was, who she remains in our hearts forever.  Love you, girl!



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Group Dust Bath

We have shared a number of ways to keep your cool and pass the time during these hot days of early Summer.    Wyatt Clay likes to make ice cream, and play in the hose or the hot tub.  Sometimes the chickens like to have it made in the shade, taking over chairs and water on the back porch or under trees.
Rolling around in the dirt and dust doesn't sound very good to me, but chickens love it.  It is just another way they stay cool, and help keep dust mites and the like off their skin.  I know it sounds off that rolling in dust would keep mites from the dust off, but a lot of things in this world sound a bit counter intuitive to me.  Nevertheless, we also oil their legs to help with the scaly legs mites, etc.  There are almost always holes around the pens from the chickens digging their way down to moist, cooler soil.  Here, the ladies found a happy spot, and all started digging in together!  I can recognize Abbie, Liberty, Jalympics, and just a bunch of feathers flying!  Thought I would share the photo for fun.  Have a great day!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Update on the little single baby...


I have no idea why the photo still won't turn straight, but I am leaving it anyway, as it shows the white edging on the wings.  I took these the night before last when working outside at sunset, thinking it would be fun to give folks the opportunity to keep evaluating their guess and making more!


This baby likes to run around in the garden with its mama, I am making slow progress in fencing them out of it, but until then...


The mama and baby have really taken to sleeping in the tree above the side walkway near the garden, along with Jalympics, Fly and a few others.  They spooked when I pulled out the camera near them, so the photos are a little crazy!


Here is the little one running away...


Then standing and looking at its mama for direction...


Then I got them to sit still with the flash on, the baby chick's head is behind the leaves on the bottom left.


Here you see the baby's head more, the mama's head less... followed by below where they had run off by the garden.


Remember, this contest is about guessing whether this baby is a boy or a girl (cockerel or pullet) and what color pattern you think it will eventually be.  Enter as often as you like, and suggest what your desired prize would be (certain soaps, scrubs, earrings, eggs, etc).  Have fun with it.  That is what it is all about, rather than taking life too seriously!


Sunday, June 3, 2012

So does she look guilty or sweet in this picture?

For those of you wondering how Miss Hopper Spark is doing, I figure a picture is still worth a thousand words. =)
Silly Hopper seems to be improving, the swelling in her eye is down a little and her appetite is back up.  We are waiting on more tests results, but for right now we are hoping I was right when I thought her Valley Fever was flaring up.  
Yesterday, she was lying on the rug at the back door and wagged her tail at me as I was sitting at the computer.  I couldn't resist snapping the picture, as somehow she had gotten a white feather on her nose.  The feather was just perched there, with her ears forward and her tail slapping the wood floor.  Silly girl.  She has more energy than she had those couple days when Wyatt and I ran her to the vet, despite the over attentive doting of her little boy.  Tomorrow we should hear more about her tests results, but glad she is hanging on until then.
Well, she has Vegas at my side demanding dinner, so I suppose I should get on with things, but I thought I would share the photo.  Hope you are having a great night!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

The Good Things...


Positive thoughts, positive posture…

I am trying to get back to more yoga and wellness posts on the good old farm blog.  I was thinking the other day, when I began the latest semester at Pima, about what other new students had found helpful, and how I could employ that in edging this group into their practice.  When I have taught the long classes, those one hour and forty minutes in length, sometimes they tire quickly and get sore. 

I recall one day last fall, I took a longer lead in for the class.  They took time in setting the intent for their practice in savasana, and I asked them to select the good things happening in their lives in the last day or so.  I asked them to focus on them for a moment as they allowed their breath to come naturally.

Funny, we did more work on the floor at the beginning of that class, and still had a good intense set of standing work with asanas, yet it seemed as though the shoulders looked more relaxed to me, as I was checking posture and adjusting the class to the needs of the group. After class, several of them commented to me that they felt it was easier to work with the more advanced postures that day, one girl said it was great, and that focusing on the good in her life seemed to make all the difference in the world in her posture, letting go of her stress.

Reflecting on that class, I have thought about whether the good spirit with which the students approached the class could have made that much difference.  To be honest, when we are more positive, we do tend to stand taller.  This cn allow the rib cage to more fully receive the breath.  Also, standing taller improves balance, as the joints are more properly stacked and aligned.

A friend of mine keeps the most insightful and positive quotes on her facebook status quite regularly.  When I see them, it helps me adjust my own attitude and remember my intent in my day.  So, need a great place to start?  Stop and think about the good things in life which you are thankful for.  Focus on those, and allow your spirit to shine through.  Your posture, and you outlook, will likely thank you!

Friday, June 1, 2012

My Minty Experiment...

This is part of an experiment I am working on.

The chickens, which Charlie said had to be free range, ate all of my porch plants!  They have done this a few times, so the pots on the porch are more regularly used as nesting boxes.  I am looking to stop this, but initially the goal was to set up the greenhouse, then enclose the gardens.  I am making progress again on the gardens, and began rooting some trimmings of mint and other plants earlier this month.  
This is the spot in the kitchen window where I root cuttings in glass jars.  For all the peppermint looks brown, it is actually sending off the best root beginnings of all the groupings.  So my present plan is to root these, which are Sweet Mint, Peppermint, Chocolate Mint, and a couple flowering plant varieties, then try them in pots on the back porch to see which the chickens will allow to grow.  Wish me luck, I may need it!  The animals here seem to have very strong minds!  The dogs are the best behaved, but then again the mama trains them! (That's me, yep!)
Have a great day! Time for me to get some work done on that garden enclosure before we reach the 108 degrees the weather forecast has promised.  Hope the allergy pills finally kick in - the smoke from the New Mexico fires is kicking my keister this morning.  Again, make it a good one, and do something good to make the world a better place today =) !