One World - One Heart

I am participating in the One World-One Heart's 3rd Annual event, with bloggers from around the world. Rather than me trying to explain it all to you, I'll share an excerpt from Lisa, the creator of One World-One Heart:

Enter for your chance to win a free gift, by leaving a comment on this blog, before February 12, 2009. You do not have to be a participant in the giveaway to enter for a chance to win a free gift. But please do leave an easy way to be contacted.

On Feb 11th, 2 email addresses will be drawn, to receive an Herbal First Aid Kit from Healing Herbals http://www.healingherbals.org/Ouch.htm and the winners will be posted on Feb 12th. So be sure to include the email address that you can be contacted at, when you leave a comment.

Thank you for visiting with me, and I hope you enjoy your time here.

Pam
http://www.healingherbals.org/

Tulsa ice storm and feeding the wildlife

Day 2 of the major ice storm in January 09. Thank the Creator we still have power but that could change at any time, so we are as prepared as we can be, without having a generator, which I find hard to spend the money on, for a few days use each year. We have a gas fireplace, which I can also burn wood in, if necessary.

I always have extra food and supplies, flashlights with batteries, candles, and lots of warm blankets ! Last year, during the ice storm, Don had to work, Britt stayed with a friend who had power and I kept the house as warm as I could. I closed off the doors I could into the living room, kept the fire burning and was comfortable.

The schools are closed today and tomorrow, so as long as we have power, Britt will play on the computer, watch TV or just chill, and since I found out this morning at the doctor's that she has bronchitis again, for the 2nd time since Oct, this down time is a good thing for her. More on Britt later.

Back to the ice . . . I feed the birds, squirrels, rabbits and whatever other wildlife that comes to my yard (to the dismay of my neighbors, at times, lol). Today, I fed 3 times, because each time I looked outside, the birds were just thick, and I know with the cold, they need extra food and water. And today, I truly saw the circle of life . . . I heard what I thought was one of the jays that feed here, but when I went to look, I saw a beautiful red tail hawk, who had just brought down one of my doves that stay near the house. This may sound harsh, but the hawks have to eat too, and I have been supplying a virtual buffet to feed from. I expect, with this weather continuing, he will be back tomorrow for seconds.

First picture is yesterday afternoon, with birds eating in front yard, the second picture is the bush by the front door this afternoon and then there is the pic of my visiting hawk

Grateful for those in my life

Who make it possible for me to do the work I do as an herbalist. Oh, you thought I did it all by myself ? No, thank the Creator, I do not have to. In truth, if I was left to having to get everything done, I would be unable to do so. So, I want the world to know how thankful I am to have these people in my life.
My husband, who daily works without complaint and is there for me. My beautiful daughter, who is my joy in life, through all the trials and triumphs. My friend Nece, who is my business bouncing board, my website mistress, she who strengthens me with loving words.
My friend Jenny, who is always available to talk about gardening, or to jump in the truck and go foraging, or just to hang with, and talk to. Molly who is helping organize and clean and fill containers, etc, etc. My nephew, Benjamin who has helped me do so much yard and gardening details, he is my strong arms, he who gets to unload compost and spread it. My loving brother, who is always ready to go to coffee with me and helps keep sanity in my life !
And for my students ( and most are friends, too) who keep me on my toes, always having to study to keep one step ahead of them. And many of them will be apprenticing in the months to come, which will help both them and me :).
Oh, and to my 4 legged baby, who keeps reminding me, I must enjoy today for tomorrow will come soon enough.
I love you all
Pam

Albert Schweitzer:
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Gardening Jan 09

Gardening has begun in earnest around here. Over the last couple months, during the times it was warm enough, and I felt good enough, I was doing more yard cleaning and bed building. Yesterday I went to get a load of my favorite pecan mulch and was very disappointed. I have been buying this compost for over 2 years, because with the pecans hulls, mixed in, the soil is lighter and makes a great potting soil, plus the extra nutrition from the pecans themselves.

Due to the terrible freeze we had last winter, there was not much of a pecan harvest, thus no leftovers for making mulch. I am very sad ! But the good news is, the compost that Tiner's did have was so hot in the center, that you could not touch it !! Which means it is very active and my gardens will love it ! So the front yard is newly composted and ready for the spring. Pic is from my driveway, looking east, and yes, it is sloped.

Speaking of pecan, I also picked up my new floor for the main part of my house, beautiful pecan laminate. I am going to have the walls painted, then find someone to install the floor for me. I got enough flooring to cover my office, the great room, the front and downstairs bedroom's hallways. Hopefully, my house will be looking good for the spring classes that will be held in my "great" room.

It is another warm day in the 50's, so I have started watering and need to get out to it.