What Can You do With a Dead Sock - 4 Ways to Recycle a Dead Sock

One of the ways that I build abundance and resiliency into my lie is by recycling items that most people put into the trash. This is especially true of cloth and clothing. The tragedy is that after these items go into the trash, money is spent on paper towels and other disposable supplies that will also go into the trash. Old shirts, socks, and jeans can easily be given a second life when we give them a second look with the eye of possibility. I keep a small tote of worn out T-shirts and socks in the closet so I can grab what I need without a fuss. So here’s four easy ways to use a dead sock.

1 - Attention Getter, Play Catch, Cat toy

2 - Power Cord Keeper

3 - Packing for Fragile Glasses

Tuck the toe of the “dead” sock into a large glass. Wrap the top around the outside of the glass. Slip a smaller glass inside the larger glass. Pack the pair in a storage box or shipping box.

4 - Bandage for Scrapes, Bruises, and Poison Ivy

If you want a bit more help in creating these ideas, check out the article on Buy Me a Coffee by clicking the link. While you are there, if you leave a tip, it would help me to build the library of ideas and how to.

The Circle

When I was young, one of my favorite shows on TV was Cosmos. Yes, I know how that dates me. At the time, I was fascinated by the infinite wonder of the universe and our beautiful home. Possibly the greatest contribution that Carl Sagan made to my life, and I would argue, possibly to our human culture, was to eloquently touch our imaginations with how finite and how infinite our lives, planet, and potential truly are.

This is a lesson that is both timely and timeless.

The diameter of the Earth is 7,926 miles. It can be photographed its entirety. To Voyager, which is near the edge of our solar system, the sun looks like another star in a field of stars. The Earth is clearly finite with finite resources. These are the same finite resources that this planet has had since its formation 4.5 billion years ago. These are the same resources that were utilized by the early life forms 3.7 billion years ago.

And yet, the paradox is that life still exists.

The Earth rotates in an infinite cycle from day to night to day again. We go from spring, to summer, to autumn, to winter, then back to spring. Life is born, it grows, and fades. Then the next generation is born. Life renews.

That which is finite becomes infinite. That is the miracle of life. The resources cycle from one form to another, from one use to another, from one life to another. In a system that is sustainable, that glass of water that you drank today was at one time enjoyed by a dinosaur. The steak and potatoes that you had for dinner thrived from soil created by the mammoths.

And that is the miracle. Energy is neither created or destroyed. It just changes form. When the resources (the energy of life) are allowed to cycle infinite possibility develops from finite resources. The calcium, iron, carbon, nitrogen, and water pauses for a minute in one form to play, then it moves on in the never ending spiral of beautiful evolution.

And there it is. We are a piece in the puzzle of the sacred gift of life. All that was, all that will ever be on this tiny ball dancing through space is in that potential. The gift of life is in the flow.

The past is connected to the future by holding hands with the present.

THE CIRCLE

Old woman, middle aged woman, young woman, baby. The family had gathered on this day, as it had many times in the past, but one was missing. Her presence was felt, her spirit and energy filled the space. It was in the front of the 1940’s vintage stove that always seemed to have a pot simmering. This day, the middle aged woman was tending the soup. At the old pine table, the young woman could see the old woman rolling out noodles, or was it doughnuts. The young woman had helped with both. The old crochet throw was draped over the ancient sofa, waiting to warm old shoulders. The wringer washer sat neglected in the entry. It hadn’t been used in a few years…

The rest of the story is available as a download on Buy Me a Coffee

And for a little bit more

Events

September 7 - Log Cabin Days in Ashtabula, OH, USA

September 8 - Grandparent’s Day

September 13 - Friday the 13

September 16 - Mexican Independence Day

September 17 - Full Moon, Chinese Moon Festival

September 21 - International Peace Day

September 22 - Autumn Equinox

September 24 - Rosh Hashanah

September 27 - Native American Day

October 2 - New Moon, Next Newsletter

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, is a powerful medicinal plant that is native to the Eastern half of the United States of America. It usually grows as a large shrub that is about 15 feet tall and 15 feet in diameter. Its small yellow flowers put on a bright and sunny show in late fall or early winter, just when the landscape is coming into the dark and dreary time of the year.

This shrub is an under story plant of the forests of North America. It prefers part shade and moist, rich soils. It is usually found on the north facing slopes. If you are going to grow witch hazel, it should be planted on the north side of the house on in the shade of taller trees.

Witch Hazel is an herb of ancient use by the Native Americans of the eastern woodlands from southern Canada to Florida. These first inhabitants of this land used preparations of witch hazel to soothe skin irritations, insect bites, burns, and as a wound wash. It was used to soothe sore throats and coughs. It is astringent and anti-inflammatory.

Most of the preparations of witch hazel that are found in your favorite first aid section are made with isopropyl alcohol and are for topical use only. The old way of preparing witch hazel was to boil the bark and leaves in water for a decoction. The bark and leaves can also be steeped in vodka for a tincture or in oil for an ointment. As always, before using any herb, do your research and check with your medical provider.

I make many of my own remedies. Learning this art is one practice of sustainability and resiliency. This shrub is one good place to start. If you forage or grow your own plants, learn how to harvest sustainably. Understand the growth habits of the plant and how it propagates and how fast it regenerates.

For an article on the energetic properties of witch hazel, check out the article on my website

Seahorse

One of the bell weather animals of the seas is the seahorse. These mystical and magical fish can be found in tropical and temperate coastal waters around the world. There are close to 50 species of seahorses living amongst the sea grasses, coral reefs, and mangrove roots. One of the smallest of these species is the pygmy seahorse at around ½ inch tall. Among the largest is the Australian big bellied seahorse at around 12 inches tall.

These fascinating fish suck up large amounts of tiny crustaceans and plankton with their tiny tube shapes snouts. Because they have a digestive tube instead of a stomach, the must eat almost constantly. Although peaceful and calming to observe, the seahorse has been described as a voracious predator. This makes them one of the keystone species in the ecosystems where they are found, even though they are sparsely distributed.

One of the most unusual characteristics of the seahorse is their mating and procreation habits. These normally solitary fish come together on a regular basis for a graceful dance of the mated pairs. The female deposits the eggs in the brood pouch on the male. The male then fertilizes the eggs and carries them to gestation. After 14 to 45 days, depending on the species, the eggs hatch and the young seahorses are expelled from the pouch. Experts estimate that less than 1% of the newly hatched seahorses survive to produce young of their own.

Most species of seahorses are on the decline right now. Because they live in shallow waters, anchored to the sea grasses, they are vulnerable to troll fishing and other disturbances. They are also sensitive to habitat loss and climate change. Other threats to the seahorses include capture for the pet and curio trade.

There are a number of things that we can do to protect these fascinating creatures that have touched our hearts and imaginations for thousands of years. The first is to not participate in the commercial trade of these beautiful animals. The second is, as a society, protect their critical habitats. Possibly the most important decisions that we can make to protect these fish long term are to live a more sustainable life. And take steps every day to reduce the plastics and pollutants that pass through our lives, take steps to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses that we pump into the atmosphere. These glasses are warming the atmosphere, warming the oceans, and acidifying the sea waters.

For more information, check the resources at the end of the newsletter.

For a discussion of the symbolism of the seahorse, click the button to go to the article on my website.

And I'm Not The Only One

Here are a couple of places to find more information.

Right now I am reading Braiding Sweet grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Sources and resources for information on seahorses:

projectseahorse.org

The Seahorse Trust

Ocean Conservancy

Some one I'm following:

I usually give a shout out to someone that I am learning from. This month I want to encourage you to spend an afternoon with one of your elders. What stories and wisdom do they have for you that will help you build a future?