We just watched Fantastic Fungi on Netflix and it was awesome! Mushrooms have so many applications from breaking down oil and plastics, to bug control, to immune support and maybe the next antibiotic that slows a pandemic! Mushrooms can save the world.
The documentary explores studies on Turkey Tail for cancer, Lions Mane for dementia and of course the magical Psylocybin for depression and anxiety.
Once again, regenerative agriculture comes to mind where fungi and bacteria benefit the life of our soil, plants, animals and climate.
I’ve started using mycorrhizal fungi when we put a plant in the ground because it helps the roots reach out into the soil and bring back nutrients. It also holds water. And sequesters carbon. Good stuff!
Found a dried praying mantis at the front door yesterday; it was a blue moon. Does anybody know what that means? LOL
I don’t often post about the pandemic; I prefer to focus on finding my joy. But when I do, you’ll find me reading Matt Shapiro’s blog Marginally Compelling. I got hooked and recently became a subscriber for access to all of his content. In a recent post, I appreciate the reminder that it’s NOT ABOUT MORALITY!!
-Matt Shapiro, Marginally Compelling
I sense from his writing that he is an independent thinker. He’s not trying to control or scare anyone. Shapiro is driven by curiosity and critical thinking.
I encourage you to subscribe to his newsletter! Or read some of his public posts and get hooked like I did. He does a monthly update for each state by region; check out his post for July. Here is one that talks about how Friends Don’t Belong in Buckets.
I also found this video to be a helpful reminder of the importance of maintaining proper perspective; it’s about Covid vaccinations and base rate fallacy.
For the last year, I am using an RSS reader for news. This let’s me pick the sites I follow and avoids me watching a news PROGRAM. I reserve my TV time for important shows like:
Love Island UK/AUS/USA, Catfish, 90 Day Fiance, Before the 90 days, Happily Ever After, the Other Way, Darcey & Stacey, the Single Life, the Family Chantel, Married At First Sight USA/AUS, Sister Wives, sMothered, Extreme Sisters, Welcome to Plathville, My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Seeking Sister Wife, Return to Amish, So Freaking Cheap, You, me & my Ex, Total Divas, Total Bellas, Miz & Mrs, Below Deck Med/Sailing, All Real Housewives franchises, Shahs of Sunset, Summer House, Southern Charm, Don’t Be Tardy, Vanderpump Rules, Marrying Millions, Family Karma, Doubling Down with the Derricos, the Farmer wants a Wife, I love a Mama’s Boy, Unexpected, Lost Resort, Camp Getaway, Toddlers & Tiaras…
Since I learned to feed my lemon tree three times a year, it gives me fruit! Right now the fruit is still green and camouflaged in the leafy canopy. I checked in with my tree yesterday and noticed that some of the “branches” were not woody or thorny; they were suckers that need to be pruned. Without the suckers, more energy can flow to the fruit-bearing branches.
I cut and bundled the suckers in my hands and as I did, a soft hint neroli tickled my nose! The tree is not flowering yet, but looks AND smells like it’s getting ready.
As I enjoyed the sensory experience of these prickly branches, I remembered being in the kitchen of a client and his wife. We were sitting at the island and she was heating up dinner for him and the contractors who were working out back. She had beautiful citrus trees and grape vines covering her yard. As I admired them, she told me that both lemon and grape leaves make a nutritive tea. She served me a cup with honey.
I’m going to make lemon leaf tea!
It was quite the epiphany. I removed leaves from the stems, then washed and dried them. I weighed 2 ounces of leaf into a 1/4 gallon mason jar, poured boiling water to the brim and sealed with a lid for 4-12 hours. When I popped the seal and strained the tea it was an amazing almost neon yellow color! And the flavor was just as inspiring- a harmony of light, lemon and leafiness. Next time I’m going to crush the leaves a bit before brewing.
It’s hard to find any information about lemon leaf and it’s preparations or beneficial qualities. If you have any stories or recipes, I’d be happy to hear them.
This book changed my perspective on every social interaction I’ve had since. I feel like I cannot unsee what it showed me! Every one can benefit from reading this e-book, “Stop Being a Victim! The Secret to Inner Happiness” by Sharon Stewart. It’s affordable, short and life-changing. I highly recommend!
I wish I could buy this in print. It is definitely worthy of the home library. Here are some excerpts that really resonated with me:
Well, we rearranged the entire house this week and deep, DEEP cleaned the thing as we went!
It all started when I had to move the dining room table to make space to pin a quilt. But before I got to pinning, it turned into a yoga space. So then I had to find a new yoga spot with room for the trampoline. Then the sauna got shifted, and the couch too.
Elvis the cat was nervous with all the upheaval, but once it all settled, he approved of the changes. Can you tell that he’s the boss? Now we are happy campers with a yoga space, a basted quilt that’s ready for quilting and a quilt fort for Elvis!
Clafouti makes a comeback cause it’s cherry season!
This delightfully simple little custard is so yummy when served cold with my iced coffee for breakfast.
I pitted a bag of cherries, but didn’t have any milk. My neighbor saved the day by delivering me a Mason jar of “borrowed” milk, so I doubled the recipe and gave her a dish. It’s fun to share!
Then we went to practice for our Rock Painting Band and enjoyed clafouti for dessert- after the ham and cheese Hawaiian rolls marinated in butter, Dijon, Worcestershire and onion.
Don’t worry, I served it with a salad that featured sprouted lentils and pepita. Now that’s a good day!
Space Case 