Christmas Cactus Heaven!

Here is my lovely Christmas Cactus! I have just purchased it... Wow, is my best comment! ©Allisonians

Blueberry Heaven! Sept/Oct Tasks 2013

I am back at the LPL and have got the Thoreau book I mentioned yesterday! All that talk about berries got me thinking. I looked in the deep freeze and sure enough there were blueberries. I don't go out in the mountains far enough for huckleberries. When I was a child up in Auburn, we could go out of my back door and find enough for a pie in 15 minutes. That beautiful cedar forest exists no more, but

my memories do. And blueberry is close enough for me. I also made Gingered Carrot Puree YUM~~~ ©Allisonians

Wild FRUITS, by HENRY DAVID THOREAU WRITTEN IN THE mid 1800's

Wild Fruits By Henry David Thoreau Published in 1999, Norton and Co. NY, NY This is a wonderful resource into the life/livelihood/acitivities of David Thoreau's young life. He died at the age of 44 from TB which they say was a common ailment of the time. He speaks of the Huckleberry and it's whortleberry family. There are wonderful descriptions and drawings. I am not a member of the LPL, but am using their internet today. So, I had a little time to look in my favorite section. the 500's. There is where I found this wonderful book. His sketches and notes published after his death are a wonderful portal into the life and times of the mid 1800's. He had presumably started a surveying busniess that cultivated into a love for botany. By mid-November he'd build a scaffold in his hat to carry specimens and carried a botanical guide. In here, spring 1951, his 'Common Place Book' was born. I didn't get very far in the book because my turn is here. I don't have lending privilages, but will see if my home town card with help. It's worth an ask, but I do have plenty at home. I am studying on my nutritional needs ©Allisonians whortleberry family http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whortleberry

Hello Fellow Blogger/mentees!

I have not posted here since last April in this year of the weird, 2013. It's been an interesting year INDEED.  Wish I could make all well.


                                                           NO R,    NO D


 Challenge.

My herb(s) of study chose me.
Nasturtium is my number one grow. From seed to 8 feet tall in 2 square feet of earth. Thank you mother earth!
I worked also in a 2.5' x 40' flower bed and the Cowlitz River.
I am without internet, get email on my cell; so... I will be slow on tasks and posting...
But I am excited to be here today!

I also had Purslane volunteer in my well worked old flower bed! So, it also chose me!
Missing my Dandelions, but picked some seeds for a new patch!
My eleven year old Mallow Root is SO happy on the island with wonderful friends!
As is my Evening Primrose, which we know I also planted throughout the Ocean Beach Hwy!
I have the seeds, so I will be planting as soon as possible.

Energy. Very interesting time of year and progression.  Will write at home and publish as I can! :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am working with carrot

Some soups...

Turmeric....

Ginger...

Clover..

within the vinegar and oils...

I won't have the ability to add photos for a bit, so WORDS it is!

Green Blessings and,
Love to you all!
Miss Allisonian



©Allisonians

Trillium; On Top of the World! Sorry it's blurry! But you get the gist...

©Allisonians



research list;
not used but interesting;
http://resources.curriculum.org/occ/trillium/tSearch.tcl?BID5=8621&lang=0&searchListType=fullrecordLTL&dev=&a=ok

I found Johnny Jump--Up, first time in a long time since I've been in the hills like these!

Johnny Jump-up,
Grab the ladle
Small and ancient on the table.

Rain and snow are gone for a while,
Here comes sunshine in
Johnny Style!

Be it willy, be it wily,
Like the fox and
As the spire!

Comes the sunshine!
Cold will go SOON!
Johnny recalls to us,
We're here for a while!
©Allisonians

John•ny-jump-up

Pronunciation: ( jon'ē-jump'up"), [key]
—n.
1. any of certain violets, esp. Viola pedunculata, having variously colored flowers.
2. a small form of the pansy, V. tricolor.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

Read more: Johnny-jump-up: meaning and definitions | Infoplease.com http://dictionary.infoplease.com/johnny-jump-up#ixzz2QHZjAjRm

Courtesy of;
http://dictionary.infoplease.com/johnny-jump-up

Purple Dead Nettle

I have noticed this plant around for a very long time. Today I cleaned out around a big old tree at a house that I am property managing. I found over 5 pounds of Clivers/Cleavers and this other plant looked so beautiful I took some. The property is going to be mowed so I am lucky I saw it before that is done, in fact I think I will go mow that back part with my little hand mower cause it is hard to get around and I think the tenants need help.

©Allisonians

Here is a link which has a way better photo than mine, so I thought I'd share. It's a great resource too.

http://www.radfordpl.org/wildwood/today/Plant_Spp_pp/PurpleDeadNettle.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nettle03.html

Here is a beer recipe I'd like to try;
Nettle Beer
The Nettle Beer made by cottagers is often given to their old folk as a remedy for gouty and rheumatic pains, but apart from this purpose it forms a pleasant drink. It may be made as follows: Take 2 gallons of cold water and a good pailful of washed young Nettle tops, add 3 or 4 large handsful of Dandelion, the same of Clivers (Goosegrass) and 2 OZ. of bruised, whole ginger. Boil gently for 40 minutes, then strain and stir in 2 teacupsful of brown sugar. When lukewarm place on the top a slice of toasted bread, spread with 1 OZ. of compressed yeast, stirred till liquid with a teaspoonful of sugar. Keep it fairly warm for 6 or 7 hours, then remove the scum and stir in a tablespoonful of cream of tartar. Bottle and tie the corks securely. The result is a specially wholesome sort of ginger beer. The juice of 2 lemons may be substituted for the Dandelion and Clivers. Other herbs are often added to Nettles in the making of Herb Beer, such as Burdock, Meadowsweet, Avens Horehound, the combination making a refreshing summer drink.

A Path to the banks of the Northern Cowlitz River

©Allisonians Please ask me for permission to use my photos

Northern Cowlitz River

This is sand is mostly ash from Mt. St. Helen's explosion in 1980.

©Allisonians Please ask me for permission to use my photos. Thank you!

Cleavers; or as Clivers. where it took me a while to find in her book's 'A MODERN HERBAL' mRS. GRIEVE TALKS FOR 2 PAGES ON..Of IT'S AROUND 3000 SPEICIES..."Many of these are of highest utility to man..."

Cleavers
Clivers 
                       HAPPY EQUNIOX AND SPRING HERE IN THE NORTHWEST HEMISPHERE


baby cleavers grew arms! 3.20.13

I celebrated the equinox with a small cup of pressed juice (about 1/10 ounce in water and some of it's maceration topically), a good book, and with a good sage smudge and a little A.H.  ...  very nice ... says Allison :D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In her book, A Modern Herbal, Dover Publications Inc., 1971 from her work published by Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1931,
I found some interesting information.

~~~~~
Some of the excerpts and my thoughts...

Her Seeds....
...best substitute for coffee....
~~~dry and simply roast on the fire~~~

Dioscorides said that the Greek shepherds used the stems to make a rough seive to strain milk and this is still done in Sweden today. Notes Mrs. Greive.

She says that the dry herb is good for insomnia.
..and the expressed juice is 3 oz. 2 times a day (but cautions it as a 'poweful' diuretic, and so diabetics should not use it), {and I would say that if you are having regular issues of digestion that you look at that first before using this} but it is used this way for scurvy, scrofula, psoriosis, and skin diseases and erruptions.
It is considered a purifier of the blood.

She says that,,, 'the roots will die red and that if eaten by birds will tinge theie bones."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I also found some wonderful etymology of my friend, Cleavers, in her wonderful account of the herb.


Origin of it's name;

"...very old origin,.."
Anglo-Saxon
Hedge-rife

Greek
Plianthropon

Greek
aparo(to seize)

"Specific Name"
aparine  {derived from the Greek name)

Loveman {is the Anglocized version of the Greek as well)

Goosegrass is in reference to the fact that it is known to be a fond food of theirs and other animals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mrs. Greive's says that, "the valuable drug, quinine,{a link with some caution info;http://www.ehow.com/about_5380885_benefits-quinine.html } , is furnished by several species of Cinchona, a Sourht American genus,"

She has much information on several varieties and looks to me as though it was widely used as such in her time and before.
The British version is of a different character, sounds like the cleaver that I know of.
Mrs. Greive says that,  '...the British representatives are all herbaceous plants, with slender, angular stems, bearing leaves aranged in whorls, or rosettes and small flowers. From the star-like arrangement of their leaves, all these British species have been assigned to the tribe Stellatae of the main order 'rubiaceae. All the members of this tribe, numbering about 300, grow in the Northern Hemisphere.
   Of the 15 British representatives of the tribe Stellatae, eleven bear the anme of Galium (the genus of the Bedstraws), and perhaps the commonest of these is the annual herb Galium aparine, familiarly known as Clivers or Goosegrass, though it rejoices in many other popular names in different parts of the country." (p.206)

©Allisonians Please ask me for permission to use my photos &/or writing

CleaveR Babies; A much betteR pictuRe, I have a few fRom last week that aRe exquisite, but am keepiNg them foR my peRsonal scRap BooK

baby cleaver buds among dew dropped grass blades...
 

CLEavERs
{TWoH}
PARTS USED; Aerial portions
ENERGY & FLAVORS: bitter, cool
SYSTEMS; AFFECTED: bladder, gallbladder
BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: A glycoside, asperuloside and other iridoids{...a class of secondary metabolites found in a wide variety of plants ...} also anthraquinone{is an aromatic organic compound with formula C₁₄H₈O₂.} derivatives
PROPERTIES: Diuretic, alternative, aperient, mild astringent
...one of the most effective diuretic blood purifiers known...
...treatment of all urinary, reproductive-organ inflammation, as well as hep., and vd...enlarged lymph glands, cystitis, psoriasis, and skin dis-eases and eruptions..."
the way of herbs, byMichael Tierra, C.A., N.D. 1980,1990 pocketbook health

my same baby cleaver patch today! ~~
 

 I believe that,,,,
Benefits of a given herb, or health/healing matter, written down from yesteryear onto the present per personal testiment; have different perspectives from different sources and their own little maps and lives and journeys. This intrigues me. I always love to map out the contrasts(to a point of conclusion or question answered, not to do it for sport). Their etymologies, as it were, with, not only it's(and all herbs', not to mention the links with creations and energies) name and origin, but with it's etymological development or demographic of sorts.
So, Mrs. Grieve, D.C. Jarvis, Jethro Kloff, Cascade Anderson Geller, J.D., John Kallas, Lee DuBelle(on eating style), several local herbalist and spiritual sources have helped develop my way of looking and have formed my personal etymology. {the list is not complete, just a top of my head way}.
SIDEBAR: and so the journey of me....I find this...{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic}...during my rewrite to add definition and source to my study....
One of the most important progressive word style and usages that I circumvent as a stand toward a new way of communication,,, the not said,,,which is a form/development of MY etymology, and, for what ever it is worth, my cleavers have been around a long time and so has it's use. From then to now is my process and the magic flows like this beautiful photo!  

The 1910, 1st edition, People's Home Library, The R.C. Barnum Co, Toronto, Canada
Cleaver p.319-320
"Action,--Diuretic, Aperient,
      Anti scorbutic"
            "{http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Anti-scorbutic}"

"Uses--Suppression of Urine, Kidney Troubles, Gravel, Tumors, Freckles, Erysipelas, Scarlet Fever, Measles.
 ...one and a half oz. herb to a pint of water, steep 2 hours. Take 2 to 4 ounces 3 to 4 time a day. Can be sweetened with honey or sugar. Take equal parts of cleavers, maiden hair, and elder blows (blossom) and steep in warm water for 2 to 3 hours and when cold drink freely for erysipelas, scarlet fever and measles. The tea made with cold water is good for freckles when applied locally several times a day."
Green praises to you Miss Green Cleaver~
©Allisonians Please ask me for permission to use my photos &/or writing

Baby Cleavers! I have found cleavers at my newest haunt on the Cowlitz~

baby cleaver

ye ol cowlitz

looking north up the ye ol cowlitz

©Allisonians Please ask me for permission to use my photos or writing

Salve; home made; using infused olive oils, fresh and dried herbs and pumpkin oil

I met Prunella, also known as Self-Heal and All-Heal, etc.,  several years ago. I went on a hike with an herbalist and met Prunella then. When I went home, I found it everywhere and within that year it flourished un-abound! I was in heaven and dried, sun tead, and tinctured to my heart's content. Since then it's become my ally.
      So, today I took some of my dried Prunella and used double infused olive oil.
   I had two different infused oils.
            One was infused lightly with Cayenne.
           The other, with lavender. The lavender was exquisite! I anguished using the last of it!
  I combined the two oils and added a bit of my
                       Potted Papfamiliarius Violet Leafs,
                       Prunella,
                      Calendula,
                      Kelp and
                      Fresh Ginger.
  I super saturated the herbs, i.e. I used more herb than oil.
  I, then, quick infused it.
  Meanwhile, I grated about an ounce of Bees Wax.
  I strained the oil from the herbs(I save this to use as incense and fire starter).
  At this point I make sure my jars (3-3oz. jars) are ready. (Clean and dry)
  Heat the oil at Medium Low.
  Add the grated Bees Wax to the oil.
     It only takes a few moments for the Bees Wax to melt and it's ready to pour.
     I poured off the oil into my clean, dry jars. Then I added to only one of the jars a bit of 
               Pumkin Seed oil(about 2 Tablespoons).
~~~SO, I HAVE TWO KINDS OF SALVE. YEAH ME! ~~~

Prunella, Calendula, Ginger, and Kelp double infused with ceyenne and lavender olive oil SALVE. Copywrite Allisonians 1.23.13
 

 Culpepper;   , explaining the name 'Self-Heal whereby when you are hurt, you may heal yourself,'  A Mondern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, Dover Publications, Inc., NY, 1931, 1981

©Allisonians Please ask me for permission to use my photos and/or writings, thank you!

A Sunday

Oats tea
Lavender wash
Went to the River
walked with the dog,
Walked around the neighborhood
Frozen, bright
       Day
Frozen black night.

©Allisonians

January Tasks that I have going, but not a completion;
My ally this year is dandelion, and my new earthly neighbor and friend Dock, and plantain galore.
I  am also sub-studying Prunella, cleavers, chick weed, marshmallow, mallow, cayenne, lady's mantle, evening primrose and honeysuckle.,.. and all of the earth's inhabitants that she reveals to me..
for now,,,
Working on gathering items for imbloc gift exchange...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
note to self; find your string! :D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I made Gypsy Fire Water mash/salsa 12.27.12

This is my version;
I use~
Onion, horseradish, ginger, garlic, cayenne;
 I use my blender and have learned that you blend the toughest parts first(horseradish and ginger)(I also add the acv to help it blend together.)
 Cover with REAL apple cider vinegar(acv), read your labels or make your own...
Bottle this in a good size bottle. What I mean by 'good size' is an appropriate size to fit your mix. I usually leave a few inches because I can ladle it out without spilling and I can add to it if I want to...
    As Lisa, my friend that taught me this says;
  Use any amount and quantity that stikes you! Then it makes it your own, customized. Many friends  and colleagues use all sorts of other ingredients, but I'll let them tell you about it. Please leave your GFW version and link if you'd like. thanks and. Please comment with your combination(s)! Thanks!
Lastly and most importantly;
To Store and Usage;
Refrigerate 2 to 4 weeks, but I use it right away too. So I make sure to make enough mash and vineger to have the fire water too.
At 4 weeks(I, personally, have waited quite a bit longer and even left it as mash water mix)
STRAIN the mixture and Bottle the liquid, I GUESS you can discard the mash, but I use it! It's amazing stuff

{I can't add photo's or I would here. Once I can add photos again, I'll add them to this,, wish me luck}

~~~BUT~~~
I, myself, use the mash right away and after it's sat. I have used it up to 4 to 6 months old. It is amazing. I just always scoop out what I need. I go to the refrigerator with my cup and don't even take the mash water out of the fridge ever, or only for the moment. It's kept at the refrigerated temperature always.
It is good for so many things, marinade your food, use as medicine... I added it too my gravy tonnight. You play with it and you will see!

I made a tiny bit of dock/tequila tincture to honor my new land/space on earth. It is very good too. Dock is a wonderful herb and easy to find information on. I will publish more in the spring...
There are many varieties of GFW and tincture/elixirs etcs..
©Allisonians

It's not my recipe! It's the Gypsy's, but I am one step closer to the Gypsy spirit for using it! It is good.

Today I am
Reaching, stretching,
Singing, Stretching,
Poised and here.

No competition
No inhabition
Listen
Quiet
Go
I

©Allisonians

Evening Primrose Progress

3-11-12
©Allisonians

4.11.12
©Allisonians

4.25.12
©Allisonians

In a quiet existence they move in our dreams!
In an extraordinary existence they dance without means!
In a sacred existence they move through in teams,
In all of their awareness without our means!
They grow on and under our existential schemes!
I am honored to know they exist just the same!
In whatever they do and why ever they be, still remains!
I am humbled to witness these beautiful greens!
©Allisonians

Matt Stone....:D On~~~~~

Prevent and Reverse Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
http://youtu.be/-WwqBN7TPvU

Things that make you go hmmmmm......

I don't know what you all think about this, but I am always looking at both and any other side of things that I can.
Additionally, if all of the supliments, and things; if all of this info was informative and accurate, why is it that we still have problems? Hm?
I don't know, and neither do others, or Matt wouldn't have this argument. I, too, have looked at many sides of these issues. I have tryed many ways and have had lots of counsel, but still don't know that much about this kinds of issues.
So, I share this for pondering. I hope it helps or at leasts gives some food for thought.
These are the issues that doctors love to talk about, but not drug companies, and other markets like these. I am no expert. Just thinking out loud.
Namesta! And cheers to all of you who also wonder, ponder, blunder and pick yourselves up and do it again! I commend you! You rock people! You Do! :D

Rethink Candida; i.e. glucose metabolism,,,, thank you to McT. :D

I have always had my dithers on this. It is nice to see that my thinking was there. I have known about the kinds of sugars. And remember to watch out for those gummy crocs! Hahaha....
http://youtu.be/km1h3WkteCU

Oenothera Evening Primrose Progress; I transplanted last

I have always looked to the uses of herbs and wondered, how could these ailments line up, or how could the plant work with a certain ailment and some seaminly different ailment? Do the ailments really  line up somehow? Do the plants have a pattern someway? Do the plants and ailments have some connection?
    I am not big into the scientific and medical dialogue only because of how I have seen it missused, or if that is too strong, maybe misguided is better. I also think we have a gap in proper care. It is a tough arena, but oh well, it is up for some great changes then! So, I ask the question. Asking that it not be put in scientific medical terms as much as in terms that foster hope and healing; love and kind progress! I ask that we become aware where we have become blind.
   I think that I really don't know exactly how to ask these questions in a consise manner, so I don't usually ask, but I am working on making it all make sense. Do you wonder if there are connections, patterns and courses the plants and/or the ailments have and/or plant and ailments might have this connection(for lack of better term) together, or in combination with each other? I do see little hints at this, but nothing blatantly straight forward. I may simply not be looking in the right places, or not asking the 'right' questions, or not surmizing properly.
   One thing I know from being an ill child is that I was /am bias and swayed from my illness and the care I recieved. Not that anyone person or group necessarily did anything wrong, it is just that I wasn't 'helped' exactly. Not that everyone wasn't trying, they were. My mother was taxed with her own issues and dealing with a sick child and she herself had issues in health and family that made her life pretty busy. She did her best and I still remember her love and care. Anywho, on to add my photos of my Oenoathera, Evening Primrose progessive photos. I hope I can find them in the right order. Here goes....

primrose 3.11.12  ©Allisonians

primrose 4.11.12 ©Allisonians

These I transplantes last late fall from the corner. My last gift from Dave. TY :D It's the anniversary of his mystery being found! You go mister! I miss you!

My cat, Roo, think I am taking his picture, Mr. Poser!
This is my herbal ally gift corner! Where my wonderful EP came from! 
©Allisonians 

And the rocky ground EP was born in! Close up of my herbal ally gift corner and a couple of the gifts I have left!
 Where my wonderful EP came from!
©Allisonians

Primrose babies I transplanted 04.06.12
©Allisonians

What they look like today!
©Allisonians

©Allisonians

Here is some www information;
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/o/oenothera-biennis=evening-primrose.php
The bark and the leaves are astringent and sedative. They have proved of use in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders of a functional origin, whooping cough and asthma. A syrup made from the flowers is also an effective treatment for whooping cough. The bark is stripped from the flowering stem and dried for later use, the leaves are also harvested and dried at this time. Evening primrose oil has become a well-known food supplement since the 1980"s. Research suggests that the oil is potentially very valuable in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, pre-menstrual tension, hyperactivity etc. It is also taken internally in the treatment of eczema, acne, brittle nails, rheumatoid arthritis and alcohol-related liver damage. Regular consumption of the oil helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the blood pressure. The seed is a good source of gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid which assists the production of hormone-like substances. This process is commonly blocked in the body, causing disorders that affect the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism. The poulticed root is applied to piles and bruises. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of obesity and bowel pains.

April Tasks; Dandelion (life long) Plant Ally Tinture and essence

April
Okay, okay. This is my lifetime herbal ally, Dandelion, Not,  Evening Primrose which is my this year's study aka herbal ally. I will post my photos and study for EP asap.

Essence

essence enlightened

tincture

©Allisonians

Update;
And so it happens; I finish a thought, have written it down, it forms a question that I am asking and by no understood thinking, I get a bit of news. Well this time it was in a post from Charlie! Thank you for writng this! It is wonderful!
So and gift to me and I will pass it on to you;
A free ebook;
Here's the link;
http://www.herbcraft.org/bitters.pdf?tw_p=twt

Myosotis sp. aka forget-me-not

©Allisonians

Myosotis sp.

For-get-me-not

I used to say,

Now I say, "Who knows me?"

How Did the For Get Me Not get it's name?

Here's a link that will tell you why~

http://www.wildflowerinformation.org/WildflowerFolklore.asp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some herbal usage links;

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/m/myosotis-alpestris=alpine-forget-me-not.php

WoW Webmed says it's uses, lungs and nose bleeds;

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-497-FORGET-ME-NOT.aspx?activeIngredientId=497&activeIngredientName=FORGET-ME-NOT

Whooping cough and broncitis;

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/m/myosotis-scorpioides=water-forget-me-not.php

And this from a tea company, oh my goodness:D;

Tea helps to reduce high blood pressure, smoothes the nerves and promotes restful sleep. It also promotes skin beauty and drank for slimming purposes. This tea can be mixed with rose bud, stevia sweet leaf or honey to enhance its flavor.

http://www.teacuppa.com/Forget-Me-Not-Flower-Tea.asp

That's all for now folks,

So, I now have forget~me~nots tea! I am a happy girl! My neighbor has been spraying chemicals like crazy and I am down wind from them. I didn't smell it, but I tasted it! I am sad, but have to live in a world, as we all do, with huge diversity. I don't know how anyone can dislike a dandelion, but I am bias and neighborly, well sort of. I will not miss this, but I know that diversity is everywhere and is what makes the world great as well.

Tootles :DPhoto is mine for the liking! HUgs and such :D

introducing {my first computer paint attempt} at ~ Dan de Lion ~

©Allisonians

He is not exactly what 'I' was going for, BUT he was a WHOLE LOT of FUN to quickly draw. Ah, the moon and all of it's splendor, kept me up to play! :D ©Allisonians

~~~Dan de Lion~~~

©Allisonians
Dan
can
De
be
Lion
Shinin'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

©Allisonians

Climbing the ancient wild rose; Honeysuckles journey

Honey Suckle loves to hug!

The rose, she likes to bite!

But somehow they can climb and climb,

To reach the highest heights!

Wish I knew how to get along like that,
But they do go their seperate ways at the top! :D

©Allisonians

Clover; Red Clover ~ Trifolium pratence: and Dandelion ~ Taraxacom

©Allisonians

©Allisonians

One of the most interesting parts of herbalism, TO ME, is that there is a whimsical magic that adds mystery and imagination.

Two things I have  noticed; The first is that I have always known, but didn't know where to put it. I have noted this from time to time when I am talking about herbs and my favorite and why that is. I notice that I don't remember the medical jargon. I am not privy to medical language. Nor am I too excited about medical social structures that are set here these days. I know there are wonders upon wonders, but there is also a very serious dark side. I know there is a dark side to the magic of herbs, but it feels more natural.
I am very imaginative, so I think of being in this forest. The forest of my dreams. I was fortunate to toddle in a great red wood forest where we lived when I was 3 until I was 8 years old. There I fell in ABSOLUTE love with the sound of the forest. Entering it was magical. I dreamed of things that I wasn't sure later didn't really happen or not. Those were great dreams. I have been back to that area and am sad to say that the forest was risen to develop more of the Boeing suburbs apparently needed at the time. ;(

So, relatively, I remember some old story about Dan de Lion. The cover had a white background which was minute compared to the rolling hill of a field of dandelion with Dan de Lion emerging henceforth. I knew it wasn't really ABOUT dandelions. It was about a lion. There were pastures of dandelions and if you looked just so, you could see the lion, who became the main character. This was a children's allegory about character building or some such. (I do need to see if I can find it.) But what is interesting to me, is that I am pretty sure it was a real story from my youth. The doubt created a wonderful mystery and the thought of writing a story myself. And whether or not the story(if it was for real) had only to do with character, or if the lion and the dandelion were only happenstance, or were they chosen? I know; who knows? But my point is that the question is exciting and magical!
 I have written a couple of little shorts in feiry(fairy) language which were full of allegory. My last computer or the one before that or one of my hundreds(or so it seems) of journals has a couple of the stories. I made fairy houses and wrote stories to go with. It was a great pleasure!

©Allisonians

Next is the clover; I've nearly lost my point on it. For some unknown reason the Latin name means something to me. I don't know what. It's familiarity is magically haunting. I don't/haven't thought too closely about it, I just know that when I think of Red Clover's Latin name, Trifolium pratence, it is familiar. Red Clover has been a smell and a beauty that I have loved since I can remember. They are my two life long friends! Leaving my Clover and Dandelion patches are the toughest thing I can think of. Of course, leaving my family is beyond words. But maybe I will find some magical wisdom if I focus on these ancient friends! I have always recognised Dandelion and (Red) Clover as very particularly important to me personally. I will take my own advice here to ponder and wonder for one more season and maybe next winter my story of who Clover and Dan de Lion are to me will unfold. If not, I sure as heck will be focusing on them in the next friendly patch(es) I see on my journey to the edge of the sea this season!


©Allisonians