Experiments in Salvaging a Disaster

As of this writing it is February 27. Last November, we had a blizzard in this area that at times dropped 3 inches of heavy, wet, sticky snow per hour. And this was on trees and bushes that still had leaves. A few hours into the storm, The Bug and I went outside and I noticed that the elderberry and roses were being weighed down by the snow and were going to be severely damaged if I didn’t take action. I heavily pruned what I could to remove all of the leaves and the branches that were starting to break under the weight. As you can see in the video, it looks a little rough. At the time I tossed the trimmed branches t the side beside the bush with the plan to pick them up when I could get to them. We ended up getting 4 feet of snow over the course of 2 or 3 days.

The quick action that day saved the bushes and in just the past few days, enough of the snow has melted for me to start cleaning up. I got a surprise. The cut branches were starting to bud out. So the clean up became a salvage experiment. While I was at it, I took some cuttings from a lilac bush that I discovered is the scrub area. These two plants in this video are among the easiest to propagate from cuttings, so here goes. With an apology as to the quality of the video. I was working with one hand and using the other to video.

Here is the video on my YouTube channel.

Meditation Garden, Path Two

It important that we all seek out the truth. And when we do, we need to honor that truth in every way that we can. Garden path 2 of the meditation garden focuses on honoring the truth that we learn. In this is the beginnings of wisdom. It is a wisdom that is as old as the Earth herself and we can see that wisdom recorded in the stones and the ancient stories that are handed down through the thousands of generations. True wisdom leads to healthy self development that honors not only your own path, but the points of others as well.

As we contemplate ordering and planting those seeds in our gardens or enjoy the fruit of other people’s labor, it incumbent on all of us to remember the thousands of generations of wisdom that have generously been given to us. Every plant that you put in your garden is a product of your ancestors tweaking, observing, and selecting what characteristics would serve them and their descendants. The plants and the soil around you are products of millions of years of evolution to create the delicate dance that we call the web of life.

So, How do you benefit from the work of our ancestors? How do you benefit from the wheel of evolution? How can you nurture that which has been given to you? What happens when you turn over a leaf and observe what is on the other side? How can you develop a healthy relationship and interaction with the world around you?

Culinary sage supports the theme of meditation path 2. Here are some other plants to consider for this theme: grapes, sun choke, iris, St John’s Wort, sunflower, or any salvia.

A Brief History of The Goddess

If you but look

With the eyes of love

In every direction

The Goddess you see

And for a little bit more

Events

March 1 - Ramadan begind

March 4 - Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday

March 5 - Ash Wednesday

March 14 - Full Moon

March 17 - St Patrick’s Day

March 20 - Spring Equinox, Earth Day

March 29 - New Moon, Next Newsletter

Sage

Ah! Beautiful, aromatic, and flavor filled sage. This kitchen staple packs a punch of flavor, nutrition, and medicine. Common sage or garden sage is one species of the genus Salvia which contains between 700 and 900 species, depending on the source of information. The various Salvias can be found all over the world, but garden sage, Salvia officinalis, originated in the mountains around the Mediterranean.

This is a relatively easy plant to grow if you can give it lots of sun, warm conditions, and well drained and slightly dry soil. There are several cultivars of garden sage that vary slightly in hardiness and growth habits, so you should be able to find one that works for you. In general, they are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 10 and grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Sage is a moderately long lived perennial, but it tends to become woody and unproductive after a few years, so plan on replacing it every 4 to 5 years.

Sage can be used fresh or dried interchangeably in most cases. Use 2 or 3 time more fresh sage than you would use dried. When you harvest sage, simply cut the growing end of the branch when you need a bit of sage. Then chop up the sage leaves to add to your cooking. Sage can be preserved for later use by drying it, freezing it, or incorporating it into a vinegar or oil. To dry sage, I string it on a thread and hang it in a cool, dry place out of the sun. To make a vinegar or an oil, place the sage and cover it with the vinegar or oil and let it sit for a few weeks. This vinegar or oil can be used as a condiment or flavoring for a number of recipes.

Garden sage has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. It is high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. It was traditionally used to improve digestion, strength, and vitality. The ancient helpers used it to improve memory, cognitive function, and focus. They used it to promote oral health and skin health, and treat arthritis and joint problems. It seems to improve liver and kidney function and be protective of the nervous system.

Sage is one of the herbs used for women’s health. It was used to help ease menstrual issues, and menopause symptoms and challenges. It was used to ease child birth and dry up milk flow. It was sometimes used to regulate the menstrual cycle. It is important to note that sage contains thujone. It should not be taken as a medicine when pregnant or breast feeding.

Garden sage is a powerhouse f flavor, nutrition, and medicinal properties. It is well worth the time and space invested into a plant or two. For most people, one or two plants is plenty. Do not over indulge in sage if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or prone to seizures. Consume sage in moderation if you have other medical conditions as well unless you consult with your medical practitioner first. Always consult with a medical practitioner before you start an herbal regimen.

For the complete sage plant profile, click on this button.

The energetic properties of sage can be found in this article at Manitu Okahas Studio.

Crow

It seems as if crows are everywhere. That perception may not be too far from the truth. The four species of crow found in the United States are a pert of the family of Corvidae that are found on every continent except for Antarctica. They are closely related to ravens, rooks, jay’s, magpies, and jackdaws. Most crows are iridescent black birds of medium size. These birds gather into family groups called murders.

Love them or hate them, these highly intelligent birds are an important part of a balanced environment. They are omnivores that eat grain, insects, hunt, and scavenge. They can be a problem when the crops are about ready to harvest, as they are very canny about knowing what is almost ready to eat. They have a way of getting to the crop right before I do. I find myself sharing the pears, grapes, and blackberries with these little clowns. But they are also a part of natures clean up crew. They prefer to scavenge both animals that have died and food that has been discarded.

Where I am right now, there is a large flock of crows that nests in a wild area a couple of blocks from here. I truly enjoy watching them come and go during the day as they take care of their business. A few of them regularly watch me and my dog as we walk around the block. They tend to tease the dog as we make our way around. During the summer, they occasionally steal a feather or two from the red tailed hawks or the bald eagles that nest by the river.

It is no wonder that cultures around the world have both reviled and revered these beautiful birds. For me, they are a symbol of intelligence, creativity, tenacity, and adaptability. These magical birds remind me to stay true to my values and to live life fully with integrity.

For an article on the spiritual meanings of the crow, check out this article.

And I'm Not The Only One

Here are a couple of places to find more information.

Two books on growing herbs that I use for reference are:

The Rodale Herb Book

Growing and Using Healing Herbs by Weiss and Weiss

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