Ichabod's Day

Channeling my best Claire Fraser (see previous post and Outlander) I continued to tend my herbs through the summer of the first year and experimented with drying techniques. I couldn't get on with the dehydrator and managed to ruin a few stored herbs through mildew. Went back to the age old hanging and  air dry - although slow it was more thorough. Lesson 3: the racks of the dehydrator are great as air drying racks for smaller herbs and flowers (and doesn't use electricity). The fridge was starting to fill with small jars and metal tins of "stuff" (lip balm, salves and tinctures mostly)  so I started to get the word out there about my potions (you can still see a list of what is available here) I mainly used my facebook personal page and my Skip's Legacy page and I'm thankful to say that a  few friends made some orders which felt great. Setting up paypal etc was surprisngly easier than expected and over the next few months a decent amount went to a...

Last year I decided to bite the bullet and take up something I have always wanted to do but never quite got around to. I decided I was going to become my very own version on a Hedgewitch. I say "my version" as https://wiccanspells.info/wiccan-pagan-articles/hedge-witch/  states that there is no one consensus as to the definition. I am not: - able to see into the future (much!) - particularly in touch with the natural order of nature - but like most I can spot the seasons changing ;-) - able to read cloud formations - worshipping any kind of deity I am: - developing a broad knowledge of plants and herbs - interested in the healing properties of plants and herbs -a lover of folklore - a creative thinker (even if my skills don't always enable me to follow through with ideas) I suppose I align myself more with the old crone of the village in times gone by. A wise woman maybe a more flattering picture (whatever cap fits!). So, inspired in no small way  by Cla...

For many years I have been fascinated by the Moon gazing Hare. It seems particularly prevalent in Norfolk (my adopted soul home) and can be seen adorning cards, tea towels and in the more skilled arts and craft fairs displaying the wares of talented artisans working in wood, metal and soft materials.On a recent trip I treated myself to one, finally, and many have been asking what it is? I decided a blog post might be in order.  A useful blog I found put it very well: https://sentiayoga.com/blog/2018/8/26/the-story-of-the-moon-gazing-hare There is a history of hares being linked to the moon which is almost universal (you'll find stories of Hares and moons in Japan and China, Mexico and through Europe) and goes back to ancient times. Whether or not hares really gaze at the Moon is not really clear, but it certainly follows the moons evening progress, as an animal who is usually most active in twilight hours and certainly, we have long been fascinated by ...

I have recently re-started my fund raising efforts for selected animal charities. I have a number of gifts for you to look through to see if you would like to purchase to help me in my endeavours. There is quite an eclectic mix of things ranging from knitted egg cosies, pins and broaches through to Distant Reiki sessions, stopping through a few products made from my own home-grown herbs . Please feel free to take a look under the "Gifts for Donations" tabs at the side of the blog. I will add/remove products as I progress through the seasons and through my interests in crafts and wellbeing. Many thanks

My Grandad (front right) Thomas Stephen Card This weekend I have managed to catch up with a few BBC programmes that have been made using digitally remastered material from interviews done in the1960s  with those serving and living through World War I. Photographs and interviews which give a clearer insight into what it must have been like 100 years ago this year since it started. There are many acts of remembrance planned this yea r, I for one will be scattering poppy seeds in a few weeks time. I was inspired to write the following using some of the words spoken by the old soldiers during the programmes, it just somehow seems the right thing to do: For those at the front, keep the home fires burning, Say the right things and  try to understand. They were the longest of hours and the shortest of hours. For those at the front, Remember. For those at the front, without action it's really rather fun. There's German voices singing "C'mon over Tommy" - p...

On a rather quick jaunt to France recently to stay with my sister I fell in love with a troglodyte!  Let me explain .. previously I thought this was a derogatory term for someone who was stuck in the past, someone who actively avoided and even discouraged progress. I know this because a rather erudite school friend used to call everyone this back in '79 as we started 6th form - and I thought this was the height of cool. As I got older (and possibly wiser - hmm not sure!) I also realised that maybe they did exist, common definitions talk about cave dwellers and ancient races- H.G.Wells' 1895 The Time Machine's Morlocks were perhaps based on this race of people? So, how could I possibly, in 2013 meet one and fall for one? It all began one warm Thursday morning.......after 10 years Ryanair have finally decided to fly from Manchester to Tours which is where my sister now lives (having had the house for 10 years before moving across fully earlier this year). Now I had ...

I have thought long and hard before writing this post. Partly  because by sharing this I am sharing something very personal and partly because I tend not to use this blog (my personal one) to share "serious" issues. So why am I about to share some very personal information you may ask? Well, given the circumstances and what has been happening to me over the last 9 weeks I feel I have a strong message and one that I want to make everyone aware of. So, what am I about to share? Well, nothing too revealing or salacious. Facebook friends may have an inkling on some of the status updates and link sharing I have been doing, and of course many close friends and family will know - 9 weeks ago today I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. It was a total shock!! Following a routine blood test I was called in to discuss the situation and was booked in for a glucose tolerance test. It was this test that confirmed the diagnosis. Apart from the shock, and the ineffective way that bad...