July 9, 2011: This is one of the last entries in the old system. I'm finally getting onboard with joomla. I just hope like heck I don't foul the whole thing past redemption! That said, the shop is all full of good stuff, sales are starting a little early, and lots of new stuff has packed the shelves! Drop in to take a look - pick up some New Chapter (15% off the whole line!) and perhaps some suki. Suki is made in Northhampton, MA, in business since 1988, and super pure, recognizable ingredients- 15% off the To Go kits- a 1-2 month supply for less than $30!
July 2, 2011: Confessions of a weed-loving gardener.... Um, well, it's like this... Beyond any usefulness a plant may have, I find weeds (at least many of them) to be fascinating visitors. It's rather like someone knocking on your door one fine lazy summer afternoon, who you allow in for a chat. Now, you may not even know the person, but your visitor may be a prim elderly lady with a lovely flower-covered hat and the manners of a Duchess. Spritely, intelligent, a witty conversationalist, an absolute gem of a new-found friend. The next tap on the door may produce a rowdy head-banger rock star type, all arms, legs, adenoids and attitude. No manners, no real engaging personality, just loud spiky emotion. Oh, and he broke your favorite teapot, kicked the cat, and bit the dog for good measure before he slouched out again. Along those same lines, what visitor set down in a patch of soil I may want to mow? One year, Elecampane came to visit- stayed a while and moved on. Another year, Virginia Dayflower invaded - hasn't left in more than 10 years! Milkweed is another plant I have problems mowing- it's monarch butterfly habitat. And Queen Anne's lace- such a dainty old lady nodding half asleep in her lace cap in the heavy summer sun. In the rough green between the road and the parking lot is an absolute sea of tiny pink-white flowers. The leaves are negligible, but the flowers are gorgeous. So, I look half-soused this holiday weekend as I try valiantly to mow around as many of my visitors as I may. I just can't bring myself to hack down some perfectly delightful visitor in the pursuit of a perfect lawn. So, drop by and say hello to all new things inside and out! (I'll tell you where the rock star crashed so you can ignore him). Happy Holiday- and be safe!
Gadzooks, I see a stale site! This just isn't good, and again, I'm sorry. Here's the scoop: I'm going to bring Joomla in after July 4 (like on July 5) and will build the new site. I'll archive the old site and will load the ancient history back on in bits and pieces. Going forward, the site will be fresher and better laid out.
June 20, 2011: In outdoor news: the pigshed is gone - yay! and the barn roof is replaced, as is the shed roof. What a glaring example of why building permits are required. It isn't a case of governmental greed but an attempt to keep everyone safe. But... all that is fixed and a new roof is snugly in place.
In having the contractors put in the post & rail fence on the north end of the parking lot, a lost concrete slab was found. Yep, and old farm building from before 1948 or so. I found its twin under the pachysandra and another one by a huge yellow birch. My shoulders ache from striking those slabs! I have a forsythia hedge in place, adding more good things, and have completed the realignment of the picket fence for the physick garden.
Indoors: New face care, pure and wonderful, from Mad Hippie and more good face care for young women under 20. Suncatchers from Samsell Art Glass and expanded jewelry by Bear Spirit. More good incense from Triloka. Pure, raw, organic, cold-processed aloe juice and aloe juice with essiac herbs, The aloe is grown and processed in Texas, and the company headquarters are in upstate NY. Incredible extracts to help UTI treatment. I, um, moved a few pieces of furniture (again!) and now have more room for more good things. Drop by to check it out!