It can be easy to forget what season it is here. Sunday it was snowing, cold and windy. Today it is sunny and windy. The turning of the seasons from winter into spring is always kind of jerky, a sequence of shifts back and forth before finally opening up into planting weather and blossoming into the new growth.
Some of that new growth has been poking up for a while now, but the dips back down into low temperatures and snow remind us that we are still in winter.
I keep thinking that it is time to garden, but last year, it snowed until the end of May.
And this reminds me of how our own progress looks sometimes. We start moving forward and we have setbacks and speed bumps, then we get going again. Even though we may have a clear vision for ourselves, our path, our plan, our work, our pleasure, we still have to redouble our efforts at times to keep us getting to where we are going.
Our growth, just like the return of spring, is not always smooth. It goes in fits and spurts until finally the new growth gains momentum and stays up.
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Right Time, Right Place
Tonight I had a great time listening and dancing to some reggae music in a great theatre in Boulder. What makes it more interesting than just a night out with some good music was the fact that it was customer appreciation night sponsored by a company that sells supplies to indoor gardeners.
Of course there are all kinds of things that people take pleasure in growing indoors, like orchids, tomatoes, herbs, fruits and vegetables, but the real boom in gardening entrepreneurs came with the legalization of medical marijuana in Colorado.
After enjoying the pleasures of smoke illegally most of my life, it feels very interesting to be living here while this happens and watch the cultivation and consumption of smoke become on the one hand, a gourmet experience, and on the other, a sort of every day above ground business.
Growers have advanced their art so far that smoke is no longer referred to simply as smoke. It now has names for the various strains that these geniuses have cultivated.
Other companies may have customer appreciation golf outings or customer appreciation banquets, but how appropriate for the growers to have a customer appreciation night in a theatre with reggae bands.
I am just smiling about the whole thing. How lucky I got to happen to be living in a state just when legalization happened. It's a weird reality. A whole new crop of green entrepreneurs are doing their part to create local businesses to boost the economy. The reality kind of zings again when talking someone in another state where these things are not legal and they are still worried about hiding everything and not getting caught. And when you remind them that it is not that way everywhere any more, they go "oh, that's right. You're in one of the states where it is legal.
Eventually it will happen. Just like beer could not remain illegal forever. Eventually, politicians will wake up and decide that it is smarter to legalize it and make money taxing these new legal businesses instead of spending tons of money trying to prevent people from doing what they want to do and will do, no matter what their status is. One of these days there will not be legal and illegal states, and there will be customer appreciation concerts featuring reggae bands everywhere.
Of course there are all kinds of things that people take pleasure in growing indoors, like orchids, tomatoes, herbs, fruits and vegetables, but the real boom in gardening entrepreneurs came with the legalization of medical marijuana in Colorado.
After enjoying the pleasures of smoke illegally most of my life, it feels very interesting to be living here while this happens and watch the cultivation and consumption of smoke become on the one hand, a gourmet experience, and on the other, a sort of every day above ground business.
Growers have advanced their art so far that smoke is no longer referred to simply as smoke. It now has names for the various strains that these geniuses have cultivated.
Other companies may have customer appreciation golf outings or customer appreciation banquets, but how appropriate for the growers to have a customer appreciation night in a theatre with reggae bands.
I am just smiling about the whole thing. How lucky I got to happen to be living in a state just when legalization happened. It's a weird reality. A whole new crop of green entrepreneurs are doing their part to create local businesses to boost the economy. The reality kind of zings again when talking someone in another state where these things are not legal and they are still worried about hiding everything and not getting caught. And when you remind them that it is not that way everywhere any more, they go "oh, that's right. You're in one of the states where it is legal.
Eventually it will happen. Just like beer could not remain illegal forever. Eventually, politicians will wake up and decide that it is smarter to legalize it and make money taxing these new legal businesses instead of spending tons of money trying to prevent people from doing what they want to do and will do, no matter what their status is. One of these days there will not be legal and illegal states, and there will be customer appreciation concerts featuring reggae bands everywhere.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tastes Good Too!
My sisters have long made a habit out of shopping for their produce at the farmers market as a way of both getting high quality, interesting foods while at the same time supporting local farmers.
I do buy locally grown fruits and vegetables too, but I am not eager to get out of bed early on a Saturday when I don't have to.
You will notice that even the chain grocery stores will have signs up when produce is local. Personally, I am not so concerned about organic. For some items, I will go for it, but for some, I am not willing to pay a lot extra. To be certified organic a farm must be doing everything organically for several years, and I would see more sense in spending the money on organic leafy greens than say, potatoes or bananas. Just my opinion, of course.
I think that if you consider that some of these farmers who are taking the time to cultivate heirloom vegetables and different varieties are doing so on a smaller scale on a family farm, they are paying a lot more attention to what they grow and how they grow, even if it is not certified organic, and I think that is a good thing.
Most important I think is when you buy produce at the farmers market, the income goes directly to the farmer, and that helps them to make more profit.
One of the added bonuses is that at the farmers market you will find heirloom varieties, and vegetables and fruits that have surprising tastes, colors and textures.
That's a great added bonus for supporting local farmers and helping to keep jobs in the American economy. Every little bit helps, and it tastes good too!
I do buy locally grown fruits and vegetables too, but I am not eager to get out of bed early on a Saturday when I don't have to.
You will notice that even the chain grocery stores will have signs up when produce is local. Personally, I am not so concerned about organic. For some items, I will go for it, but for some, I am not willing to pay a lot extra. To be certified organic a farm must be doing everything organically for several years, and I would see more sense in spending the money on organic leafy greens than say, potatoes or bananas. Just my opinion, of course.
I think that if you consider that some of these farmers who are taking the time to cultivate heirloom vegetables and different varieties are doing so on a smaller scale on a family farm, they are paying a lot more attention to what they grow and how they grow, even if it is not certified organic, and I think that is a good thing.
Most important I think is when you buy produce at the farmers market, the income goes directly to the farmer, and that helps them to make more profit.
One of the added bonuses is that at the farmers market you will find heirloom varieties, and vegetables and fruits that have surprising tastes, colors and textures.
That's a great added bonus for supporting local farmers and helping to keep jobs in the American economy. Every little bit helps, and it tastes good too!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Common Bonds
When you walk in old neighborhoods where people have created gardens in their yard, they are almost always glad to talk about it. You stop and comment on an unusual flower, a particularly beautiful specimen, how well their tomatoes of zucchinis are going, and suddenly you find yourself in a conversation with a stranger. How easy that is.
If you know a bit about gardening yourself, you might pick up some new ideas or useful tips, and they might ask you questions. The really fascinating thing is the dynamic. When you ask people about something they are interested in, they open right up, and their is an opportunity for a pleasant experience.
So, of course, we are not all gardeners and we all don't want to talk about gardens, but extend this principle into other areas of interest. Often, when our interests are very specialized, we find ourselves going to meetings or events centered around this topic.
People are always seeking to connect that way. One of the beauties of gardening though is the simplicity. You don't have to go anywhere special, you just have to take a walk. Another beauty is that it is simple. When you are stopping to admire someone's garden, they may strike up a conversation if you don't. You are already complimenting them on their work, and everybody enjoys that.
Perhaps one other idea is as simple or universal. If you are walking your dog, other dog owners will usually be interested in talking about dogs.
How many ways can you use this idea? How much joy and peace do we spread in the world when we simply connect with other people with whom we have a common bond?
If you know a bit about gardening yourself, you might pick up some new ideas or useful tips, and they might ask you questions. The really fascinating thing is the dynamic. When you ask people about something they are interested in, they open right up, and their is an opportunity for a pleasant experience.
So, of course, we are not all gardeners and we all don't want to talk about gardens, but extend this principle into other areas of interest. Often, when our interests are very specialized, we find ourselves going to meetings or events centered around this topic.
People are always seeking to connect that way. One of the beauties of gardening though is the simplicity. You don't have to go anywhere special, you just have to take a walk. Another beauty is that it is simple. When you are stopping to admire someone's garden, they may strike up a conversation if you don't. You are already complimenting them on their work, and everybody enjoys that.
Perhaps one other idea is as simple or universal. If you are walking your dog, other dog owners will usually be interested in talking about dogs.
How many ways can you use this idea? How much joy and peace do we spread in the world when we simply connect with other people with whom we have a common bond?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
When Stars Fell to Earth
It has been wonderful to come home from work and relax in the community garden and patio with my neighbors from time to time. I like all of them and we have fun. We all work in the garden. The other night we all brought out some musical instruments and sang and played for a while. Some nights we grill and drink.
When I was a kid, summer meant lots of baseball, basketball, running through sprinklers and swimming. Bicycling too, although I have more memories of riding my bike to deliver a daily newspaper route than the kinds of riders we see all around us today. If there was one thing I would have done most back then, it was play baseball. Well, softball actually. That was a lot bigger where I lived. Chicago might have been the only city where we used to hit with bats but field the ball barehanded. When I lived other places they always used gloves. They always had this kind of astonished look on their faces when you tell them that you played ball without gloves.
Today, I have a different appreciation for a summertime feel. I do my workouts in the rec center where it is air conditioned and I have no risk of sunburn. I do, however find it very sexy when a woman is sweating a bit and it glistens on her skin. Gym sweat is one kind of aphrodisiac, and droplets that sparkle in the moonlight is another. I like the feel of the cool breeze in the evening, and the rainstorms when we get them.
Kicking back with a drink with some friends and neighbors as we watch the sun go down and the moon come up just has that summertime feel to it. We let go of any thoughts of work or stresses about it, and just talk and joke and get happy.
We tasted the first fresh tomatoes off the vine yesterday. I have been enjoying fresh basil in my lunches for a couple weeks now. I'm going to make a pitcher of cold infusion basil tea with a little citrus zest.
Don't seem to see as many lightning bugs anymore. I like them, and in the summers you could always count on seeing those magical little lights, especially when you have a background of trees and shrubs. There were times when there were so many that it looked like stars that fell to earth, only instead of crashing, they floated in the air around us.
Enjoy the taste of the fullness of summer. It is sweet, isn't it?
When I was a kid, summer meant lots of baseball, basketball, running through sprinklers and swimming. Bicycling too, although I have more memories of riding my bike to deliver a daily newspaper route than the kinds of riders we see all around us today. If there was one thing I would have done most back then, it was play baseball. Well, softball actually. That was a lot bigger where I lived. Chicago might have been the only city where we used to hit with bats but field the ball barehanded. When I lived other places they always used gloves. They always had this kind of astonished look on their faces when you tell them that you played ball without gloves.
Today, I have a different appreciation for a summertime feel. I do my workouts in the rec center where it is air conditioned and I have no risk of sunburn. I do, however find it very sexy when a woman is sweating a bit and it glistens on her skin. Gym sweat is one kind of aphrodisiac, and droplets that sparkle in the moonlight is another. I like the feel of the cool breeze in the evening, and the rainstorms when we get them.
Kicking back with a drink with some friends and neighbors as we watch the sun go down and the moon come up just has that summertime feel to it. We let go of any thoughts of work or stresses about it, and just talk and joke and get happy.
We tasted the first fresh tomatoes off the vine yesterday. I have been enjoying fresh basil in my lunches for a couple weeks now. I'm going to make a pitcher of cold infusion basil tea with a little citrus zest.
Don't seem to see as many lightning bugs anymore. I like them, and in the summers you could always count on seeing those magical little lights, especially when you have a background of trees and shrubs. There were times when there were so many that it looked like stars that fell to earth, only instead of crashing, they floated in the air around us.
Enjoy the taste of the fullness of summer. It is sweet, isn't it?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Our Schedule as a Garden
Sometimes the key to greater success is knowing when to quit something as well as when to start. For example, during this year, I took a careful look at which of the fairs and festivals were producing the best and worst results for me, and that made it easy to decide which events to keep doing and which ones to erase from my schedule.
While I considered the fact that this would leave some openings in my schedule, I decided that I would be comfortable with those open days, using some of the time to investigate other opportunities plus just allowing some downtime for rest and for fun.
I had a feeling that there were other opportunities out there, but sometimes my schedule was just too full to check them out, and sometimes the events that were filling up my time were not productive.
So here I am, half way through the year, and this strategy has produced better results than the previous year.
I am also in the process of cleaning out my email address book and reconnecting with people, and this effort is already bearing fruit, although I still have a long way to go.
Networking and brainstorming with other people has been a valuable part of this process, providing valuable inspiration and ideas.
It is a trap that we can fall into to think that if we are busy all the time that we will get the most results. That is only a partial truth. Being busy is good, but not all things are worth an equal effort.
Managing your schedule like tending a garden. Plant beds need to be weeded (Wait a minute! Not those weeds!) and pruned (trimming off the dead branches) in order to provide more room for new growth, and watered (giving your friends a little nourishment) so that they have material to create with when they draw down the sunlight and weave it into new greenery, flowers and edibles. Yes, it is even easier to find a few spots where we might even add a few more flowers now, and isn't that delightful? Just for the sheer variety of color, texture or fragrance.
It's easier to recognize what needs to be done using this example, isn't it? We can keep our schedule full of the activities we have been doing, and it is not until we stop and consider where our greatest growth has come that we recognize our next best area to focus on.
Our bodies are gardens, our schedules are gardens, our connections are gardens. Tend them and enjoy the beauty that flows and the results you receive.
While I considered the fact that this would leave some openings in my schedule, I decided that I would be comfortable with those open days, using some of the time to investigate other opportunities plus just allowing some downtime for rest and for fun.
I had a feeling that there were other opportunities out there, but sometimes my schedule was just too full to check them out, and sometimes the events that were filling up my time were not productive.
So here I am, half way through the year, and this strategy has produced better results than the previous year.
I am also in the process of cleaning out my email address book and reconnecting with people, and this effort is already bearing fruit, although I still have a long way to go.
Networking and brainstorming with other people has been a valuable part of this process, providing valuable inspiration and ideas.
It is a trap that we can fall into to think that if we are busy all the time that we will get the most results. That is only a partial truth. Being busy is good, but not all things are worth an equal effort.
Managing your schedule like tending a garden. Plant beds need to be weeded (Wait a minute! Not those weeds!) and pruned (trimming off the dead branches) in order to provide more room for new growth, and watered (giving your friends a little nourishment) so that they have material to create with when they draw down the sunlight and weave it into new greenery, flowers and edibles. Yes, it is even easier to find a few spots where we might even add a few more flowers now, and isn't that delightful? Just for the sheer variety of color, texture or fragrance.
It's easier to recognize what needs to be done using this example, isn't it? We can keep our schedule full of the activities we have been doing, and it is not until we stop and consider where our greatest growth has come that we recognize our next best area to focus on.
Our bodies are gardens, our schedules are gardens, our connections are gardens. Tend them and enjoy the beauty that flows and the results you receive.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Surprises in a Rose Garden
Just a short walk from where I live, there are a couple of beautiful public parks. One of them has a fabulous rose garden. There is a large variety of different colors and scents. Walking through it, there are constant delights to the senses.
If you simply sit on a bench, the breeze will carry the fragrance to you. Simple pleasures like these make life more enjoyable.
It was good that the city did it this way, as an outdoor garden in a park, rather than inside a conservatory, so that anyone can enjoy it any time, without paying an admissions fee.
Even though I like to garden, I did not know about all of these varieties, and I would guess that there are probably some that people are cultivating that are not included in the park.
Still, if you think you know what roses look and smell like, walking through a garden like this awakens the senses of sight, smell and touch. I found myself discovering that I didn't know that there were varieties of roses that looked and smelled like this.
Getting up late in the morning and then taking a walk to smell the roses seemed like a perfectly fine way to spend a holiday morning.
If you simply sit on a bench, the breeze will carry the fragrance to you. Simple pleasures like these make life more enjoyable.
It was good that the city did it this way, as an outdoor garden in a park, rather than inside a conservatory, so that anyone can enjoy it any time, without paying an admissions fee.
Even though I like to garden, I did not know about all of these varieties, and I would guess that there are probably some that people are cultivating that are not included in the park.
Still, if you think you know what roses look and smell like, walking through a garden like this awakens the senses of sight, smell and touch. I found myself discovering that I didn't know that there were varieties of roses that looked and smelled like this.
Getting up late in the morning and then taking a walk to smell the roses seemed like a perfectly fine way to spend a holiday morning.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Soft Summer Solstice
It felt appropriate to spend part of my Summer Solstice planting in the garden, then taking a relaxing bath.
The herbs are growing nicely and it is wonderful time to stop and give thanks for all of the wonderful healing energy they bring us and all the ways they add flavor and health to our lives.
The longest day of sunlight is also a time for gratitude for all that we have received. A time for gratitude for the people in our lives. A time for gratitude for health, love and abundance.
A time to light a candle and relax with a glass of wine and reflect on the polarity between this and the shortest day of the year.
In Shakespeare's play, this would be the magical night of the Midsummer Night's Dream. In Europe, May 1 is the first day of summer. Here they call the Solstice the first day of summer. Most years that seems too late, but this year, with snow until May, it feels like we just started summer.
In the fullness of life, there is much to be grateful for now. The wheel is turning.
The herbs are growing nicely and it is wonderful time to stop and give thanks for all of the wonderful healing energy they bring us and all the ways they add flavor and health to our lives.
The longest day of sunlight is also a time for gratitude for all that we have received. A time for gratitude for the people in our lives. A time for gratitude for health, love and abundance.
A time to light a candle and relax with a glass of wine and reflect on the polarity between this and the shortest day of the year.
In Shakespeare's play, this would be the magical night of the Midsummer Night's Dream. In Europe, May 1 is the first day of summer. Here they call the Solstice the first day of summer. Most years that seems too late, but this year, with snow until May, it feels like we just started summer.
In the fullness of life, there is much to be grateful for now. The wheel is turning.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Gardening With My Neighbors
I live in a small apartment building, and I know most of my neighbors. Everyone is friendly and we hang out a bit and stop to talk when we are coming and going, or at least to say hello.
It is a small building and there is just a small bit of dirt outside the backdoor, not big enough for anyone to call a yard, but enough room to plant a few things in the dirt plus room for a container garden.
One of my neighbors started by clearing the ground, and planted a few vegetables and flowers, then another planted a few flowers and some culinary herbs. I tried growing plants in my apartment last year, but that didn't work, so I brought out the flower pots I had and some potting soil. Tomorrow, I will go and get a few more plants, I am thinking that there is no such thing as too much tomatoes and basil in the summer. Other neighbors have pitched in and helped with the planting, and now there is this beautiful little garden and a table and a few chairs for people to sit and have a drink.
Sort of an impromptu community space that everyone is creating together. No one is in charge of anything, no one is organizing anything. Everyone is just doing something. All of this is in a space that would be no bigger than what a lot of people would call a small sized patio.
So we have this beautiful little common area where people just hang out and socialize and it really adds a lot to living in this place. It doesn't always take much to make friends with your neighbors. Maybe I am just lucky to have nice people for neighbors, but I think all of this just happened because everyone is just open and friendly with each other. Moving into this building was a really good choice. Nurturing the community spirit is a really enjoyable experience.
It is amazing what you can do with a small space,creative thinking and cooperation.
It is a small building and there is just a small bit of dirt outside the backdoor, not big enough for anyone to call a yard, but enough room to plant a few things in the dirt plus room for a container garden.
One of my neighbors started by clearing the ground, and planted a few vegetables and flowers, then another planted a few flowers and some culinary herbs. I tried growing plants in my apartment last year, but that didn't work, so I brought out the flower pots I had and some potting soil. Tomorrow, I will go and get a few more plants, I am thinking that there is no such thing as too much tomatoes and basil in the summer. Other neighbors have pitched in and helped with the planting, and now there is this beautiful little garden and a table and a few chairs for people to sit and have a drink.
Sort of an impromptu community space that everyone is creating together. No one is in charge of anything, no one is organizing anything. Everyone is just doing something. All of this is in a space that would be no bigger than what a lot of people would call a small sized patio.
So we have this beautiful little common area where people just hang out and socialize and it really adds a lot to living in this place. It doesn't always take much to make friends with your neighbors. Maybe I am just lucky to have nice people for neighbors, but I think all of this just happened because everyone is just open and friendly with each other. Moving into this building was a really good choice. Nurturing the community spirit is a really enjoyable experience.
It is amazing what you can do with a small space,creative thinking and cooperation.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Rose Colored Glasses
Rose colored glasses can help us be optimistic about our prospects, or they can give us a distorted view of what is coming, preventing us from seeing clearly. A person who is a visionary or a dreamer has probably had experiences with both views.
Looking forward brings those risks, but so does looking backward.
Some people look back at times past as if it were all wonderful, turning a blind eye to real problems or glossing them over.
It is lovely to have flowers in my life. I place fresh flowers on my table every time I read at a fair, festival or special event. I keep fresh flowers in my apartment. When I lived in a house and had room for a garden, I grew flowers. They add vitality and beauty.
There are all kinds and colors of flowers, so I don't know why the saying refers to rose colored glasses instead of orchid colored glasses, iris colored glasses, daffodil colored glasses, bergamot colored glasses, lavender colored glasses, crepe myrtle colored glasses, tulip colored glasses, lilac colored glasses, black eyed susan colored glasses or echinacea colored glasses. Those are all beautiful colors.
Anyway, there is a truth in this odd expression that people usually overlook.
To have roses grow in your garden, you have to tend those plants, pruning, protecting them from bugs, mulching, fertilizing, watering, and then eventually you enjoy the beautiful flowers. They don't just bloom all year round.
So too, for creating our future. It takes a lot of work to shape the events and relationships in our lives. It takes work to cultivate a career and a career change, which means that just like the rose garden we need to dig in and cultivate before we see flowers.
If we apply the rose colored glasses saying to our memories of the past, it wouldn't be hard to find examples of wonderful, sweet events, but the past also contained difficulties that we would not choose to relive. But there again, it may have been necessary to work our way through those difficulties in order to cherish the sweetness and happiness.
There is nothing so bad about rose colored glasses. We just have to keep the whole picture in mind. We need to be able to be optimistic while getting our hands dirty. That's how we get roses.
Looking forward brings those risks, but so does looking backward.
Some people look back at times past as if it were all wonderful, turning a blind eye to real problems or glossing them over.
It is lovely to have flowers in my life. I place fresh flowers on my table every time I read at a fair, festival or special event. I keep fresh flowers in my apartment. When I lived in a house and had room for a garden, I grew flowers. They add vitality and beauty.
There are all kinds and colors of flowers, so I don't know why the saying refers to rose colored glasses instead of orchid colored glasses, iris colored glasses, daffodil colored glasses, bergamot colored glasses, lavender colored glasses, crepe myrtle colored glasses, tulip colored glasses, lilac colored glasses, black eyed susan colored glasses or echinacea colored glasses. Those are all beautiful colors.
Anyway, there is a truth in this odd expression that people usually overlook.
To have roses grow in your garden, you have to tend those plants, pruning, protecting them from bugs, mulching, fertilizing, watering, and then eventually you enjoy the beautiful flowers. They don't just bloom all year round.
So too, for creating our future. It takes a lot of work to shape the events and relationships in our lives. It takes work to cultivate a career and a career change, which means that just like the rose garden we need to dig in and cultivate before we see flowers.
If we apply the rose colored glasses saying to our memories of the past, it wouldn't be hard to find examples of wonderful, sweet events, but the past also contained difficulties that we would not choose to relive. But there again, it may have been necessary to work our way through those difficulties in order to cherish the sweetness and happiness.
There is nothing so bad about rose colored glasses. We just have to keep the whole picture in mind. We need to be able to be optimistic while getting our hands dirty. That's how we get roses.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Bloom Is Off the Bud
You have to ask yourself why Colorado people who voted in favor of medical marijuana suddenly needed House Bill 1284 which effectively kills a lot of small businesses and sets up a system that only favors people with very deep pockets. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ritter recently.
Amendment 20 which made medical marijuana legal in Colorado, did not even mention dispensaries. Originally, it only named caregivers who would raise the plants would provide the medical marijuana to patients.
Obviously, since not everyone who would be a patient for medical marijuana personally knows a grower, storefront dispensaries sprang up, providing a place for these patients to get their stuff.
It was an entrepreneurial boom in Colorado for a couple of years after the passage of Amendment 20. People who have a green thumb decided to grow medical marijuana as a way to make a living. Some of them became caregivers who sold directly to patients, and some growers sold to dispensaries.
Given that so many businesses around here have been having a hard time due to home foreclosures, bankruptcies and such, and with businesses like IBM keeping busy with laying off American workers in Boulder so that they can hire more people in India to take over their jobs, it was a breath of fresh air to see something happen to stimulate new business start ups and create new employment.
Senator Chris Romer suddenly introduced and promoted the bill to regulate all these new businesses. What are the new rules?
Well, it clearly favors big operators.
Bill 1284 limits caregivers to five patients. That will certainly limit a person's ability to be a caregiver.
Growing plants is a full time job. They require constant attention to control temperature, moisture, humidity, nutrients, keeping clean of bugs, pruning, trimming, curing and so on. Being a caregiver is not the kind of thing you can do well as a part time hobby. So it makes sense to let caregivers have more patients and raise more plants, to give them more of a margin to make a living.
The new law also requires dispensaries to grow 79% of their own product and buy what else they need from other dispensaries. Up until now, small dispensaries have been buying product from independent growers.
How much money do you think it would take to set up both a dispensary and a growing operation and pay these fees?
A lot of the independent operators spent their savings and everything they could scrape together to invest in this new legal business opportunity, leasing property, buying equipment, hiring help. And now the playing field is tilted by who? Dispensary licenses could cost $18,000. Add to that the requirement to have a dispensary and growing facility that is properly equipped and has all the licenses, and you are looking at pretty hefty investments.
One aspect of the new law may reveal who is behind the changes to force many small operators out of business. The new law will permit one person to have multiple licenses for multiple locations.
I wonder if Senator Chris Romer, the primary sponsor of the new medical marijuana law, received substantial campaign contributions from individuals who will benefit from this unique aspect of the new law?
Interestingly, in Colorado, one person cannot have more than one retail liquor license. This is the stumbling block that prevents grocery store chains from selling liquor in Colorado.
So the new law says caregivers cannot serve more than 5 people, but one person could own a chain of dispensaries. Does anyone else smell something funny here? And I do not mean the bloom on the bud.
Amendment 20 which made medical marijuana legal in Colorado, did not even mention dispensaries. Originally, it only named caregivers who would raise the plants would provide the medical marijuana to patients.
Obviously, since not everyone who would be a patient for medical marijuana personally knows a grower, storefront dispensaries sprang up, providing a place for these patients to get their stuff.
It was an entrepreneurial boom in Colorado for a couple of years after the passage of Amendment 20. People who have a green thumb decided to grow medical marijuana as a way to make a living. Some of them became caregivers who sold directly to patients, and some growers sold to dispensaries.
Given that so many businesses around here have been having a hard time due to home foreclosures, bankruptcies and such, and with businesses like IBM keeping busy with laying off American workers in Boulder so that they can hire more people in India to take over their jobs, it was a breath of fresh air to see something happen to stimulate new business start ups and create new employment.
Senator Chris Romer suddenly introduced and promoted the bill to regulate all these new businesses. What are the new rules?
Well, it clearly favors big operators.
Bill 1284 limits caregivers to five patients. That will certainly limit a person's ability to be a caregiver.
Growing plants is a full time job. They require constant attention to control temperature, moisture, humidity, nutrients, keeping clean of bugs, pruning, trimming, curing and so on. Being a caregiver is not the kind of thing you can do well as a part time hobby. So it makes sense to let caregivers have more patients and raise more plants, to give them more of a margin to make a living.
The new law also requires dispensaries to grow 79% of their own product and buy what else they need from other dispensaries. Up until now, small dispensaries have been buying product from independent growers.
How much money do you think it would take to set up both a dispensary and a growing operation and pay these fees?
A lot of the independent operators spent their savings and everything they could scrape together to invest in this new legal business opportunity, leasing property, buying equipment, hiring help. And now the playing field is tilted by who? Dispensary licenses could cost $18,000. Add to that the requirement to have a dispensary and growing facility that is properly equipped and has all the licenses, and you are looking at pretty hefty investments.
One aspect of the new law may reveal who is behind the changes to force many small operators out of business. The new law will permit one person to have multiple licenses for multiple locations.
I wonder if Senator Chris Romer, the primary sponsor of the new medical marijuana law, received substantial campaign contributions from individuals who will benefit from this unique aspect of the new law?
Interestingly, in Colorado, one person cannot have more than one retail liquor license. This is the stumbling block that prevents grocery store chains from selling liquor in Colorado.
So the new law says caregivers cannot serve more than 5 people, but one person could own a chain of dispensaries. Does anyone else smell something funny here? And I do not mean the bloom on the bud.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Winter's Last Mask
The rain was wonderful this evening, and it will be great if it does not continue to turn into snow. Perhaps by the new moon on Thursday, the snow will just be in the mountains.
Rain sounds encourage softening thoughts, cozy evenings, quiet thoughts. Quiet jazz, a trumpet setting a mood in the background. A quiet book, one that prompts appreciative thoughts. Candles, incense, hot tea.
A card for this evening. A woman in a mask, not showing her face just yet. Like spring still masked by another cold snap. The masked woman is ready to share her gifts, but we have to be willing to accept them while she still wears her mask.
We are eager for the warmth of spring, the colors and scents of flowering plants, but for some reason, she is not ready to reveal herself totally just yet. She is aware of our mood, and she is tantalizing us. But she is not totally unreachable. She is eager to let herself go, ready to shed the winter mask. When spring comes, her energy will burst open and show us all the vitality and energy that has been hidden from our view behind that mask.
Winter wanted to make one last brief appearance before giving way to spring. She is being coy with us to remind us what the world is like without warmth, new growth, and the shaking of the sleep from all that is eager to emerge.
The growth of our seeds requires that the shells be opened, so that we can climb out and take on our new forms. Our businesses, our relationships, our efforts in all aspects are being drawn out of their shells, into the light and heat.
Rain sounds encourage softening thoughts, cozy evenings, quiet thoughts. Quiet jazz, a trumpet setting a mood in the background. A quiet book, one that prompts appreciative thoughts. Candles, incense, hot tea.
A card for this evening. A woman in a mask, not showing her face just yet. Like spring still masked by another cold snap. The masked woman is ready to share her gifts, but we have to be willing to accept them while she still wears her mask.
We are eager for the warmth of spring, the colors and scents of flowering plants, but for some reason, she is not ready to reveal herself totally just yet. She is aware of our mood, and she is tantalizing us. But she is not totally unreachable. She is eager to let herself go, ready to shed the winter mask. When spring comes, her energy will burst open and show us all the vitality and energy that has been hidden from our view behind that mask.
Winter wanted to make one last brief appearance before giving way to spring. She is being coy with us to remind us what the world is like without warmth, new growth, and the shaking of the sleep from all that is eager to emerge.
The growth of our seeds requires that the shells be opened, so that we can climb out and take on our new forms. Our businesses, our relationships, our efforts in all aspects are being drawn out of their shells, into the light and heat.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Second Full Moon for Expansion
This is the last full moon of winter, which certainly fits the weather we are having in Colorado, although in some parts of the country, like the Southeast, gardeners would have their seeds in the ground by now. Spring Equinox and the moon nearest it would be the time to have done your playing in the dirt and getting this year's garden started.
Folk names for this moon include Chaste Moon, which refers to the purity of the new garden at the beginning, its new start, and it can also refer to the power of a simple design. Worm Moon due to the warming of the earth, which brings the worms back up closer to the surface, which brings back the robins. Another is the Sap Moon, a time for tapping maple trees.
All suggest the richness we harvest from the earth, the gifts of nature which are abundant and well appreciated. When we work with her, much is available to us.
Even if you are not a gardener or a farmer, what seeds do you want to plant and nurture into growth in your life? Perhaps the seeds you are planting are to sprout a new career, a new job, a new relationship, a new activity or hobby that you have decided to spend time developing.
View this moon as symbolizing your opportunity to expand your life in one or more of these ways. Let us focus on what kinds of ways we can grow this year.
Spend a little time with the moon energy this evening. Reflect on the beauty of the night sky and how she inspires us. Moon energy is soft, lending itself to the nurturing aspect of our selves. When we harmonize our energies with the cycles of nature, we can become more effective. Ask any successful gardener how well gardening according to moon cycles works.
Gaze at the moon and notice how she fills our view and lights our world when she is full. As you bathe in this light, picture your own expansion and rising to your full glory in the enterprise of your choosing. Doesn't it make the hairs stand on the back of your neck and your eyes shine a little brighter?
Dig in and do the work during the time the moon slides into her waning cycle and then goes dark again and by the time she is full and radiant again, notice the advances you have made on your goals. Be encouraged by this cycle of life to take action, and expect the best results.
Folk names for this moon include Chaste Moon, which refers to the purity of the new garden at the beginning, its new start, and it can also refer to the power of a simple design. Worm Moon due to the warming of the earth, which brings the worms back up closer to the surface, which brings back the robins. Another is the Sap Moon, a time for tapping maple trees.
All suggest the richness we harvest from the earth, the gifts of nature which are abundant and well appreciated. When we work with her, much is available to us.
Even if you are not a gardener or a farmer, what seeds do you want to plant and nurture into growth in your life? Perhaps the seeds you are planting are to sprout a new career, a new job, a new relationship, a new activity or hobby that you have decided to spend time developing.
View this moon as symbolizing your opportunity to expand your life in one or more of these ways. Let us focus on what kinds of ways we can grow this year.
Spend a little time with the moon energy this evening. Reflect on the beauty of the night sky and how she inspires us. Moon energy is soft, lending itself to the nurturing aspect of our selves. When we harmonize our energies with the cycles of nature, we can become more effective. Ask any successful gardener how well gardening according to moon cycles works.
Gaze at the moon and notice how she fills our view and lights our world when she is full. As you bathe in this light, picture your own expansion and rising to your full glory in the enterprise of your choosing. Doesn't it make the hairs stand on the back of your neck and your eyes shine a little brighter?
Dig in and do the work during the time the moon slides into her waning cycle and then goes dark again and by the time she is full and radiant again, notice the advances you have made on your goals. Be encouraged by this cycle of life to take action, and expect the best results.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Labor of Love
It feels really good when you make something and after investing your time and energy into making it, you get feedback that it really has benefitted the people who have bought it and are using it? It feels wonderful. I love being able to get the acknowledgement. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of us could get more of this kind of result from our work? What kind of world would it be if all labors were labors of love?
Testimonials for
Magical Awakenings Comfrey Reiki Salve &
Magical Awakenings Attraction Oil
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "I burned my finger today on the wood stove, and I just put on your salve and the pain went away instantly! Your salve is awesome. I had a deep crack on my finger and it hurt. One day later it does not hurt and is almost healed! It’s funny how I got your salve yesterday and it has already healed the cut on my finger and the burn is healing!" ---Lora
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "Loving it as an eye cream so far! I also use it under my concealer. Smooths everything!" Mary Michael
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "Put the salve on my rough elbow and it is feeling much softer." ---Patti Auten
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "Hi Dan! I got the salve yesterday and I love it! I have a problem with really nasty, dark, dry patches on my hands during the winter that sometimes crack and bleed. I'm already seeing much improvement, and the stuff smells wonderful." ---Harusami
Comfrey/Reiki Salve & Attraction Oil testimonial: "I do love the salve and feel its soothing energy; use it as lip balm for now. The oil smells terrific and it lasts all day long. Interestingly, my daughter is fascinated by it and follows me around the apartment, saying hmmm. She is normally picky but loves the fragrance. I am going to start wearing it with intention starting today.” : )Lilou
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "I had really chapped lips after the Boutique Sunday and was using some other natural organic lip balm that I really like, but my lips were so chapped it just wasn't doing the trick. I tried the salve on my lips and a few hours later my dry cracked (and painful) lips were totally back to normal. Absolutely amazing results!" ---Cory Michelle Johnson
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: I put this salve on my dog's footpads to protect them from cracking in the cold weather. Since our cats go outside, I rub salve on their footpads too. It really works to help protect them because it penetrates the skin so well that even though they lick their feet, the salve has already gone in and done its work." --- Joanne
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "A friend who got some of your salve said that it is addressing her condition of rosacea (don't know how to spell it!). Also planning to use your Attraction Oil for setting some intentions for 2010 -- tis the season!"---Lisa
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonials: "Your salve makes a soothing balm for my nipples. Thank you!"---R
Attraction Oil testimonial: I got your prosperity oil yesterday and have been using it. I just received a call from one of the stores where I sell my soap and they want more!, In the 10 years or so that I have been making soap I have never received a call from a store, I always have to go there and ask them, this time they had asked me! I believe it is your Attraction Oil at work! Thank you! ---L
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonials: "Your salve has worked well for me as a wrinkle cream around the eyes. I also use it on my lips. And it is great protection for my hands and face in cold weather when I am not wearing makeup."---S
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonials: "I had a hairline fracture in my heel. My doctor gave me steroids, but I did not like the feeling of taking those, so I stopped taking them. As soon as I started using your salve, my heel started to feel better. when I went back to the doctor and he took another X-ray, the hairline fracture was gone."---J
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "It is incredible that the comfrey is grown by the same person who makes it into salve. Herbal medicine is always more potent when the medicine maker has interacted with the plant. It feels warming and soothing and helped my knee feel better right away." --- Elizabeth Willis
For ordering or more info, contact:
Dan Liss, 720-468-2624
pandan49@msn.com
Testimonials for
Magical Awakenings Comfrey Reiki Salve &
Magical Awakenings Attraction Oil
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "I burned my finger today on the wood stove, and I just put on your salve and the pain went away instantly! Your salve is awesome. I had a deep crack on my finger and it hurt. One day later it does not hurt and is almost healed! It’s funny how I got your salve yesterday and it has already healed the cut on my finger and the burn is healing!" ---Lora
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "Loving it as an eye cream so far! I also use it under my concealer. Smooths everything!" Mary Michael
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "Put the salve on my rough elbow and it is feeling much softer." ---Patti Auten
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "Hi Dan! I got the salve yesterday and I love it! I have a problem with really nasty, dark, dry patches on my hands during the winter that sometimes crack and bleed. I'm already seeing much improvement, and the stuff smells wonderful." ---Harusami
Comfrey/Reiki Salve & Attraction Oil testimonial: "I do love the salve and feel its soothing energy; use it as lip balm for now. The oil smells terrific and it lasts all day long. Interestingly, my daughter is fascinated by it and follows me around the apartment, saying hmmm. She is normally picky but loves the fragrance. I am going to start wearing it with intention starting today.” : )Lilou
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "I had really chapped lips after the Boutique Sunday and was using some other natural organic lip balm that I really like, but my lips were so chapped it just wasn't doing the trick. I tried the salve on my lips and a few hours later my dry cracked (and painful) lips were totally back to normal. Absolutely amazing results!" ---Cory Michelle Johnson
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: I put this salve on my dog's footpads to protect them from cracking in the cold weather. Since our cats go outside, I rub salve on their footpads too. It really works to help protect them because it penetrates the skin so well that even though they lick their feet, the salve has already gone in and done its work." --- Joanne
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "A friend who got some of your salve said that it is addressing her condition of rosacea (don't know how to spell it!). Also planning to use your Attraction Oil for setting some intentions for 2010 -- tis the season!"---Lisa
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonials: "Your salve makes a soothing balm for my nipples. Thank you!"---R
Attraction Oil testimonial: I got your prosperity oil yesterday and have been using it. I just received a call from one of the stores where I sell my soap and they want more!, In the 10 years or so that I have been making soap I have never received a call from a store, I always have to go there and ask them, this time they had asked me! I believe it is your Attraction Oil at work! Thank you! ---L
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonials: "Your salve has worked well for me as a wrinkle cream around the eyes. I also use it on my lips. And it is great protection for my hands and face in cold weather when I am not wearing makeup."---S
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonials: "I had a hairline fracture in my heel. My doctor gave me steroids, but I did not like the feeling of taking those, so I stopped taking them. As soon as I started using your salve, my heel started to feel better. when I went back to the doctor and he took another X-ray, the hairline fracture was gone."---J
Comfrey/Reiki Salve testimonial: "It is incredible that the comfrey is grown by the same person who makes it into salve. Herbal medicine is always more potent when the medicine maker has interacted with the plant. It feels warming and soothing and helped my knee feel better right away." --- Elizabeth Willis
For ordering or more info, contact:
Dan Liss, 720-468-2624
pandan49@msn.com
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Creative Evolution
This morning, I read an article about Sting performing a winter Concert in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The photo showed a bearded man dressed in 19th century clothes accompanied by Northumbrian pipes, mandolin and other acoustic instruments. His choice of songs was drawn from European early music and old English composers such as Purcell, Southwell, Warlock and Schubert. They say that he even sang in a lower range than is usual for him. All in all, a far cry from the musician who became famous for his performances with the band the Police. Reading the review made me wish I had been at that concert.
Creative people often evolve in unexpected ways. Author Walter Mosley initially became famous for writing detective novels set in Los Angeles in the 50s and 60s, then branched out to write science fiction. That's an unusual shift, and no doubt there are fans of his detective novels who didn't follow him very far into science fiction. Then again, he picked up other new fans because he did. And, of course, some fans like all of his work. Just like some of the people who enjoyed the music of the Police in years gone by might now be savoring the sounds of him performing in the context of an early music consort.
Many of us go through similar evolutions by following our creative instincts and pursuing work and projects for which we have passion and enthusiasm. In my own case, I am happy to just be a tarot reader, tarot teacher, a tarot dealer, a herbalist, gardener, past life facilitator and reiki healer. When people ask me if I would like to be a magazine editor again, I can honestly answer no. I successfully created and managed publications for years, but that was then. I have no desire to do it again. I am happy to be of service to people on a one-on-one basis. My life is simple in that manner of speaking and very fulfilling. I do have a busy schedule, but it all revolves around my reading schedule. It is an evolution.
I know that many of you are doing things right now that do not look like what you were doing a few years ago. That may puzzle some puzzle some people, but it is all part of our learning curve, our creative evolution.
Creative people often evolve in unexpected ways. Author Walter Mosley initially became famous for writing detective novels set in Los Angeles in the 50s and 60s, then branched out to write science fiction. That's an unusual shift, and no doubt there are fans of his detective novels who didn't follow him very far into science fiction. Then again, he picked up other new fans because he did. And, of course, some fans like all of his work. Just like some of the people who enjoyed the music of the Police in years gone by might now be savoring the sounds of him performing in the context of an early music consort.
Many of us go through similar evolutions by following our creative instincts and pursuing work and projects for which we have passion and enthusiasm. In my own case, I am happy to just be a tarot reader, tarot teacher, a tarot dealer, a herbalist, gardener, past life facilitator and reiki healer. When people ask me if I would like to be a magazine editor again, I can honestly answer no. I successfully created and managed publications for years, but that was then. I have no desire to do it again. I am happy to be of service to people on a one-on-one basis. My life is simple in that manner of speaking and very fulfilling. I do have a busy schedule, but it all revolves around my reading schedule. It is an evolution.
I know that many of you are doing things right now that do not look like what you were doing a few years ago. That may puzzle some puzzle some people, but it is all part of our learning curve, our creative evolution.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Herbalist's Path
I have long been interested in herbs and how they can help heal. So I learned how to blend herbs for teas. I learned how to make incense. Then I learned how to make bath salts. Then I learned how to make tinctures and salves. When I made things, I would give some to others to see how they liked it.
Each step of the way, people told me that they were enjoying the products I made. That was a double pleasure because I started out making these things for my own personal use. So to get these unsolicited comments when I was not trying to impress anyone or sell anything was a very satisfying development.
Enjoying working with herbs, in turn opened the path to gardening. Once I started gardening, I loved watching the plants and how they grew, and how they responded to the elements. I am still mystified by the way a seed becomes a plant and how they look when they flower, and the shape their leaves take. The textures, scents and colors are sometimes very subtle, and that adds to beauty.
It is fascinating the way the scent and taste change as you go from fresh to dried. As you make things, you notice how some herbs blend well with others,and how paying attention to their properties and characteristics. The folklore surrounding herbs is very intriguing.
The path to becoming a herbalist takes different turns for different people. The magic, healing and beauty of the plant world is a path of joy and discovery that rewards the traveler down this path in many ways.
Each step of the way, people told me that they were enjoying the products I made. That was a double pleasure because I started out making these things for my own personal use. So to get these unsolicited comments when I was not trying to impress anyone or sell anything was a very satisfying development.
Enjoying working with herbs, in turn opened the path to gardening. Once I started gardening, I loved watching the plants and how they grew, and how they responded to the elements. I am still mystified by the way a seed becomes a plant and how they look when they flower, and the shape their leaves take. The textures, scents and colors are sometimes very subtle, and that adds to beauty.
It is fascinating the way the scent and taste change as you go from fresh to dried. As you make things, you notice how some herbs blend well with others,and how paying attention to their properties and characteristics. The folklore surrounding herbs is very intriguing.
The path to becoming a herbalist takes different turns for different people. The magic, healing and beauty of the plant world is a path of joy and discovery that rewards the traveler down this path in many ways.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Attaction Oil & Healing Salve, Handcrafted
Over the years, many people have asked me if they can get some of the oils that I wear. They ask where they can buy them, but I blend them myself and have done so for years. All are blends of essential oils combined with jojoba and other fine carrier oils. My oil is called Attraction, because it is created with the intention of attracting whatever it is you want into your life. It will add energy to your desires, dreams and intentions and help draw it to you.
The healing salve I make is also handcrafted. I grow the plants, harvest them, then blend the ingredients and make the salve. I have given a few people free samples over the years. They have all reported excellent results with it.
Now because of all the requests, it is finally time for me to bottle some of these and offer them for sale. Only limited quantities will be immediately available because I have only made one batch of salve from the plants I raised last year, and there will not be another batch until after the next growing season when I have more fresh herbs that I have grown.
My experience is that there is a difference in the properties of products that are
handcrafted with a lot of love. Some of my energy goes into every plant that I grow, and in the preparation, blending and bottling of the products.
The same even held true for healing herbal teas made from plants I grew. I had friends who found that the herbal teas prepared from plants I grew produced more healing results than the ones they bought elsewhere. I was not selling these. I was giving them away. So when I gave away all I had grown, they had no choice but to buy more until my next growing season. There is an energy exchange between people and plants.
Yes, I am a reiki master, and perhaps that is the energy that goes into everything I make. It can also be the personal energy of a person who is an attentive gardener who communicates with his plants and sees the connective energy in all things.
With the oil blends, the batches are not identical, but they are always good. This is due to the variance in availability of the oils I prefer to use at certain times prompts me to slightly alter the blend rather than wait for certain things to get back in stock. Variances are subtle and delicious. I regard the constant tweaking of the blends to be a pleasure, not a problem. Personal attention goes into every dram.
I also make spritzers for aromatic air and after shave. If you are interested in obtaining any of these, let me know.
The healing salve I make is also handcrafted. I grow the plants, harvest them, then blend the ingredients and make the salve. I have given a few people free samples over the years. They have all reported excellent results with it.
Now because of all the requests, it is finally time for me to bottle some of these and offer them for sale. Only limited quantities will be immediately available because I have only made one batch of salve from the plants I raised last year, and there will not be another batch until after the next growing season when I have more fresh herbs that I have grown.
My experience is that there is a difference in the properties of products that are
handcrafted with a lot of love. Some of my energy goes into every plant that I grow, and in the preparation, blending and bottling of the products.
The same even held true for healing herbal teas made from plants I grew. I had friends who found that the herbal teas prepared from plants I grew produced more healing results than the ones they bought elsewhere. I was not selling these. I was giving them away. So when I gave away all I had grown, they had no choice but to buy more until my next growing season. There is an energy exchange between people and plants.
Yes, I am a reiki master, and perhaps that is the energy that goes into everything I make. It can also be the personal energy of a person who is an attentive gardener who communicates with his plants and sees the connective energy in all things.
With the oil blends, the batches are not identical, but they are always good. This is due to the variance in availability of the oils I prefer to use at certain times prompts me to slightly alter the blend rather than wait for certain things to get back in stock. Variances are subtle and delicious. I regard the constant tweaking of the blends to be a pleasure, not a problem. Personal attention goes into every dram.
I also make spritzers for aromatic air and after shave. If you are interested in obtaining any of these, let me know.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Green Dreams
Green dreams include renewable energy, locally grown, healthy foods, recycling and things along those lines. Green dreams include creating work that celebrates life. Green dreams include creating new kinds of work and new opportunities. Green dreams also include ways of making a living that work for everyone.
Green dreams also include living in a way that keeps us in touch with nature. Green dreams include harmonizing our energies with those of nature. Green dreams finds power in work with, rather than against.
Green dreams include visions of the future in which simple pleasures provide what we need. Green dreams include legalizing the well known weed.
Green dreams include sustainable living and at the same time, a way of living that we want to sustain. Green dreams include spirituality that celebrates nature and our nature. Green dreams include life not just as it is, but as we would like it to be.
Green dreams also include living in a way that keeps us in touch with nature. Green dreams include harmonizing our energies with those of nature. Green dreams finds power in work with, rather than against.
Green dreams include visions of the future in which simple pleasures provide what we need. Green dreams include legalizing the well known weed.
Green dreams include sustainable living and at the same time, a way of living that we want to sustain. Green dreams include spirituality that celebrates nature and our nature. Green dreams include life not just as it is, but as we would like it to be.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Becoming One With Your Dreams
Do you tend the garden of your self as well as you tend your garden of flowers? Is water enough to slake your thirst? Do you uproot the things that choke out the things you want to grow? Do you prune off the damaged branches so that the healthy branches can grow stronger?
Do you sing to soothe your soul and make up poetry in the dark when only you can hear it? Do you like the feeling of the rhythm in your body? Do you like the sound of rhymes in your ears? Do you give voice to your dreams to see who else has similar dreams? Do you sing for no reason and for all reasons? Does it feel good to shape the words, shape your feelings with your mouth? Does it feel good letting all that energy express itself through your throat? Does your voice reveal the real you? Or is it more?
Do you dance even when no one is looking or especially when no one is looking? Do you laugh at your self as well as at others? Do you find reasons to laugh at the slightest provocation?
Do you pursue your dreams with passion? Or did you quit dreaming because you have been disappointed before when you were not able to realize your dreams? Did you give up before you got what you wanted? If you had another chance would you go for it? Are you ready to give your self another chance? Are you ready to dream again and this time see if you can make it real?
What is the difference between dreams that are possible and dreams that are impossible? What will it take to move you in the direction of your dreams? What is the passion that you want in your life? Are you ready to speak for it now? Are you ready to receive it now?
Can you get up every day and say "I am looking forward to doing this?" Can you get up every day and say "This is what I like?" Can you get up every day and say "I am becoming one with my dreams?"
Do you sing to soothe your soul and make up poetry in the dark when only you can hear it? Do you like the feeling of the rhythm in your body? Do you like the sound of rhymes in your ears? Do you give voice to your dreams to see who else has similar dreams? Do you sing for no reason and for all reasons? Does it feel good to shape the words, shape your feelings with your mouth? Does it feel good letting all that energy express itself through your throat? Does your voice reveal the real you? Or is it more?
Do you dance even when no one is looking or especially when no one is looking? Do you laugh at your self as well as at others? Do you find reasons to laugh at the slightest provocation?
Do you pursue your dreams with passion? Or did you quit dreaming because you have been disappointed before when you were not able to realize your dreams? Did you give up before you got what you wanted? If you had another chance would you go for it? Are you ready to give your self another chance? Are you ready to dream again and this time see if you can make it real?
What is the difference between dreams that are possible and dreams that are impossible? What will it take to move you in the direction of your dreams? What is the passion that you want in your life? Are you ready to speak for it now? Are you ready to receive it now?
Can you get up every day and say "I am looking forward to doing this?" Can you get up every day and say "This is what I like?" Can you get up every day and say "I am becoming one with my dreams?"
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thunder Moon
Interesting that one of the traditional names for the July full moon is the Thunder Moon because of the tendency of sudden thunderstorms to blow up at this time of year. We certainly have had a number of sudden rainstorms this July. In fact recently we have had more than the usual number of rainstorms. Lots of lightning in the sky.
Another name is the Buck Moon for the new antlers that deer sprout at this time of year. Some people may also call it the Wort Moon, a word that comes from the Old English word, which in turn came from an old German word, healing green plants. That is why some of the old folk names for some herbs end in wort, like lungwort, liverwort, mugwort, St. John's Wort, spleenwort, sleepwort, dropwort, goutwort, and many others. At this time of year, many of these would be enjoying robust growth and people would begin harvesting and drying some for use during the fall and winter months.
These folkloric names for the times of the year are still useful for harmonizing ourselves with the cycles of nature. Even though many other things have changed in the world since people began naming the moons in this way, this knowledge can still be very useful to us, in both metaphorical and practical terms.
Another name is the Buck Moon for the new antlers that deer sprout at this time of year. Some people may also call it the Wort Moon, a word that comes from the Old English word, which in turn came from an old German word, healing green plants. That is why some of the old folk names for some herbs end in wort, like lungwort, liverwort, mugwort, St. John's Wort, spleenwort, sleepwort, dropwort, goutwort, and many others. At this time of year, many of these would be enjoying robust growth and people would begin harvesting and drying some for use during the fall and winter months.
These folkloric names for the times of the year are still useful for harmonizing ourselves with the cycles of nature. Even though many other things have changed in the world since people began naming the moons in this way, this knowledge can still be very useful to us, in both metaphorical and practical terms.
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