I missed this one in June but I'm glad I backtracked. More new details to tuck into my herb journal about a favorite plant. We have a native species here in WV (Hypericum punctatum) that I like even better than the traditional European one (Hypericum perforatum). Such a gorgeous ruby colored oil it creates.
I had the perforatum for a while--the oil was red-orange, as I recall and stained anything it touched--including skin. I didn't try to dye with it, but I'm sure it would have been an excellent dye plant. :)
I was just thinking that I should make some smudge sticks from the beautiful sage I have growing. And some lavender sticks once they blossom. I started Forget Me Never last night - oh my - I cannot wait to finish my workday and dinner so I can continue reading! Thank you for this, and for China's short stories, and for everything you do!
You're very welcome, Pamela! I know that you stay informed about ongoing herbal research. I learned so much about those cognitive-support herbs when I was writing FORGET. I was just thinking about the mainstreaming of those herbs in the past few years. When I began writing the books, people were mainly interesting in culinary herbs. That's all changed.
Enjoyed your background on St John’s wort, essential oils and making smudge sticks. For over worked muscles, I blend Marjoram (for muscles), Birch (Bones), Helichrysum for pain into Jojoba oil. Works quickly and creates a warming feeling. Like your recipe for smudge bundles. Have made them for women’s circles to bless a new home and cleanse the inside from negative emotions and bring calm to new home owner. Our first home we held an Open House shortly after moving in and a Scottish friend play bagpipes in each room to bless the house, while another two friends walked the outside praying peace and joy for all who entered. There was much of both in that home and we have carried the practice forward for each home. Even smudged our RV’s when we bought them.
Pamela, your muscle oil sounds a treat! Thank you for sharing it and your housewarming rituals. I do love a good piping! We had two brothers in our neighborhood who were members of the local Scottish bagpiper's guild, and they were often heard 'taking their pipes outside'. I loved it!
A lovely ritual, Pamela! I can just imagine the house reverberating to the pipes--and feeling (I also imagine that houses feel: ours does) as if it were opening a whole new chapter. Thanks for the mention of helichrysum. It's not as well known as marjoram or birch.
Unfortunately Helychrism is mote expensive than Birch, Marjoram and Lemongrass (for ligaments), which are my go to oil blend for stiffness, joint and muscle pain. I have a diffuser near desk that I use when creating and writing filled with Fir Balsam and Frankincense to help me focus.
My favorite oil for work-time is rosemary. I've used it in a diffuser and on the bulb in my light. Currently, I'm using it in an inhaler. I bought a set of refillable DYI inhalers and have filled with various oils, kept at places in the house where I work/relax/sleep. For me, they make a difference.
Re SJW, I seem to remember taking capsules some years back for ‘anxiety and mild depression’. Meant to tell you, Susan, I’ve read Forget Me Never and (as usual! Does she ever shut up??) have things to say, but I’ll hold back until more of the gang have got and read their copies. But thanks so much, you’ve helped me through a frustrating episode.
It'll be a while--many are on long library waiting lists. But we could open a (no-spoilers) discussion thread on the book and people could jump in whenever.
Hold that thought! Still wrestling with well things, then there’s the deck. But today some needed windows were installed and I think 🤞the last unnecessary credit card has been canceled 🎉 The sun is shining, the cistern is full, it’s Aleta’s turn to cook dinner - phew
I will be watching my St John's Wort that appeared in the front garden to see when it first blooms. Possibly a measure of climate change.
I am happy to report that the cedar waxwing flock has returned. I counted 17 yesterday morning before we got a driving rain that drove them into wherever they go when it rains. This morning we are expecting scattered showers, but the branches of the fig and goumis are dancing with birds. An annual delight! I missed picking strawberries yesterday, so I'm about to go disturb the birds long enough to gather two days worth of berries.
Patricia, I seem to remember that you have an Oso tree or two. If so, I know the cedar wax wings love those berries when they turn dark purple. So do the robins! You must have your strawberries under netting to keep all of the birds away.
The Oso trees are at the NW corner of the property where we don't see them as much. the house and the garden in front of it are in the SE quadrant of our acre. It would be nice to spend more time in the wild corner to see what is going on, but mostly I leave that to the wild things.
I don't have the strawberries covered at all. They are mixed in with some other plants, so might not be so obvious among the dandelions, salsify, california poppy, blueberry bushes, gopher weed, spring bulbs that are dying back and gladiolas that are coming on strong. So far, so good. I picked over a quart today.
Oh, lucky you, Patricia--fresh local strawberries! Those in our supermarket are pretty but tasteless (to me, anyway). I had to look up goumi. Not a plant I know. The waxwings aren't finding fruit this early, are they? Ours show up in January, in time for juniper berries. I lost my SJW in the drought/freeze, but remember that it usually bloomed here right around the solstice.
Susan, I agree about the store strawberries. I really do not want berries as big as my fist no matter how perfect they look. And I certainly want berries that sing with summer flavor! Luckily June is strawberry and raspberry season around here and we have had a pretty good spring. Though at the moment we are getting in on the northern tail of Patricia's windy rainy weather. Hang in there Patricia. They say we will be sunny and close to 80 by the weekend! 😎🌈✨
St John's Wort goes where it pleases. I had it in many places when I first had the property, and it gradually disappeared. All attempts to deliberately grow it failed. But here it is, 6 feet from the front door, this year. Yours may return when you least expect it.
I wound up turning right around with my empty collection bin because we got a sudden rain shower. The rain just stopped and a chickadee is harvesting salsify seeds. It's just gotten within a few feet of the window. This is so cool!
Goumi is one of those plants you get to know if you take a permaculture course, because it is a nitrogen fixer. The berries are OK, a little astringent so not appealing to many humans. I like it but my wife doesn't. I planted it on either side of the fig to supply both nutrients and shelter while the slower-growing fig got established. Cedar waxwings were an unexpected blessing.
Happy June Susan! So many good things in this post. I agree with you about the uplifting spirit of St. John's Wort. Even as a preschooler I was charmed by the bank of St. John's Wort that grew along our driveway. They seemed like yellow stars against their dark green leaves. Our house was a many-times over, remodeled 2-bedroom bungalow that very likely was little more than a miner's shack or something similar originally. It had a large pot-bellied oil stove in the living room that my mother had to light with little bits of paper set aflame and dropped down into 'the pot'. Each time crossing one's fingers that it would 'catch'. The house had been lived in by a very singular tall black woman who owned a good deal of land in the area and was known to have walked her property toting a rifle or shotgun. It is said that she inherited the property from a lover who was politically well known in Seattle in the early 1900's. Anyway, near the house was also one of the biggest holly trees that I have ever seen. It benefited from our septic system! There was also a rather grand patch or rhubarb that grew nearby. In reflection, I wonder about the planting of the holly tree and the St. John's Wort and who might have been wanting their protection? Without knowing any herbal history, I must say I always felt protected there. Also want to thank you for both the Orange Bunt Cake and Indian Pudding recipes! I will be giving them my best GF makeover sometime over the summer!
I often wonder about plants that stay in our memories, especially early memories, like your St. JW and the holly. (I have a memory of French marigolds in my mother's tiny border.) In a more magical age, we might be thinking of plant spirits, guides, totems.
Lovely that you know a little about that early home and the woman who lived there and left a story behind. That's a privilege that not many contemporary children will enjoy.
If you do come up with a good GF re-do of that cake, please share!
Properties that have history are wonderful! People tell us stories about the original owner of our land. He was a bit notorious, and I should write some of the best ones down. He'd make a good "color" character in a book. Not enough drama to build a whole book around, but the kind who succeeds in muddling the plot.
Love those kinds of characters--fun to work with. And who knows? They may have enough backstory to warrant a longer look.
Here, our previous residents were longhorns--our land was part of a huge ranch. Before that, the nomadic Tonkawa trekked through. There are several substantial digs of prehistoric campsites just a few miles away.
I missed this one in June but I'm glad I backtracked. More new details to tuck into my herb journal about a favorite plant. We have a native species here in WV (Hypericum punctatum) that I like even better than the traditional European one (Hypericum perforatum). Such a gorgeous ruby colored oil it creates.
I had the perforatum for a while--the oil was red-orange, as I recall and stained anything it touched--including skin. I didn't try to dye with it, but I'm sure it would have been an excellent dye plant. :)
I was just thinking that I should make some smudge sticks from the beautiful sage I have growing. And some lavender sticks once they blossom. I started Forget Me Never last night - oh my - I cannot wait to finish my workday and dinner so I can continue reading! Thank you for this, and for China's short stories, and for everything you do!
You're very welcome, Pamela! I know that you stay informed about ongoing herbal research. I learned so much about those cognitive-support herbs when I was writing FORGET. I was just thinking about the mainstreaming of those herbs in the past few years. When I began writing the books, people were mainly interesting in culinary herbs. That's all changed.
Really good stuff about St. John's Wort. I had no idea.
Enjoyed your background on St John’s wort, essential oils and making smudge sticks. For over worked muscles, I blend Marjoram (for muscles), Birch (Bones), Helichrysum for pain into Jojoba oil. Works quickly and creates a warming feeling. Like your recipe for smudge bundles. Have made them for women’s circles to bless a new home and cleanse the inside from negative emotions and bring calm to new home owner. Our first home we held an Open House shortly after moving in and a Scottish friend play bagpipes in each room to bless the house, while another two friends walked the outside praying peace and joy for all who entered. There was much of both in that home and we have carried the practice forward for each home. Even smudged our RV’s when we bought them.
Pamela, your muscle oil sounds a treat! Thank you for sharing it and your housewarming rituals. I do love a good piping! We had two brothers in our neighborhood who were members of the local Scottish bagpiper's guild, and they were often heard 'taking their pipes outside'. I loved it!
A lovely ritual, Pamela! I can just imagine the house reverberating to the pipes--and feeling (I also imagine that houses feel: ours does) as if it were opening a whole new chapter. Thanks for the mention of helichrysum. It's not as well known as marjoram or birch.
Unfortunately Helychrism is mote expensive than Birch, Marjoram and Lemongrass (for ligaments), which are my go to oil blend for stiffness, joint and muscle pain. I have a diffuser near desk that I use when creating and writing filled with Fir Balsam and Frankincense to help me focus.
My favorite oil for work-time is rosemary. I've used it in a diffuser and on the bulb in my light. Currently, I'm using it in an inhaler. I bought a set of refillable DYI inhalers and have filled with various oils, kept at places in the house where I work/relax/sleep. For me, they make a difference.
I picked up my copy of Forget Me Never when my order was delivered to an independent bookstore near me. I am just starting to read it.
China and I hope you enjoy it!
Re SJW, I seem to remember taking capsules some years back for ‘anxiety and mild depression’. Meant to tell you, Susan, I’ve read Forget Me Never and (as usual! Does she ever shut up??) have things to say, but I’ll hold back until more of the gang have got and read their copies. But thanks so much, you’ve helped me through a frustrating episode.
It'll be a while--many are on long library waiting lists. But we could open a (no-spoilers) discussion thread on the book and people could jump in whenever.
Hold that thought! Still wrestling with well things, then there’s the deck. But today some needed windows were installed and I think 🤞the last unnecessary credit card has been canceled 🎉 The sun is shining, the cistern is full, it’s Aleta’s turn to cook dinner - phew
A someone who also lives on a well, I'm sending you 'all better soon' thoughts too Lynne!
Thank you, Sandy! All good vibes gratefully accepted 😍
Sending well-things thoughts--sounds like other issues are progressing!
Thanks, Susan 😁 Hoping it’s an uptick 🤞
I will be watching my St John's Wort that appeared in the front garden to see when it first blooms. Possibly a measure of climate change.
I am happy to report that the cedar waxwing flock has returned. I counted 17 yesterday morning before we got a driving rain that drove them into wherever they go when it rains. This morning we are expecting scattered showers, but the branches of the fig and goumis are dancing with birds. An annual delight! I missed picking strawberries yesterday, so I'm about to go disturb the birds long enough to gather two days worth of berries.
Patricia, I seem to remember that you have an Oso tree or two. If so, I know the cedar wax wings love those berries when they turn dark purple. So do the robins! You must have your strawberries under netting to keep all of the birds away.
The Oso trees are at the NW corner of the property where we don't see them as much. the house and the garden in front of it are in the SE quadrant of our acre. It would be nice to spend more time in the wild corner to see what is going on, but mostly I leave that to the wild things.
👍
I don't have the strawberries covered at all. They are mixed in with some other plants, so might not be so obvious among the dandelions, salsify, california poppy, blueberry bushes, gopher weed, spring bulbs that are dying back and gladiolas that are coming on strong. So far, so good. I picked over a quart today.
That sounds so beautiful! 🤩
Oh, lucky you, Patricia--fresh local strawberries! Those in our supermarket are pretty but tasteless (to me, anyway). I had to look up goumi. Not a plant I know. The waxwings aren't finding fruit this early, are they? Ours show up in January, in time for juniper berries. I lost my SJW in the drought/freeze, but remember that it usually bloomed here right around the solstice.
Susan, I agree about the store strawberries. I really do not want berries as big as my fist no matter how perfect they look. And I certainly want berries that sing with summer flavor! Luckily June is strawberry and raspberry season around here and we have had a pretty good spring. Though at the moment we are getting in on the northern tail of Patricia's windy rainy weather. Hang in there Patricia. They say we will be sunny and close to 80 by the weekend! 😎🌈✨
St John's Wort goes where it pleases. I had it in many places when I first had the property, and it gradually disappeared. All attempts to deliberately grow it failed. But here it is, 6 feet from the front door, this year. Yours may return when you least expect it.
I'd love to see it back again!
I wound up turning right around with my empty collection bin because we got a sudden rain shower. The rain just stopped and a chickadee is harvesting salsify seeds. It's just gotten within a few feet of the window. This is so cool!
Goumi is one of those plants you get to know if you take a permaculture course, because it is a nitrogen fixer. The berries are OK, a little astringent so not appealing to many humans. I like it but my wife doesn't. I planted it on either side of the fig to supply both nutrients and shelter while the slower-growing fig got established. Cedar waxwings were an unexpected blessing.
Happy June Susan! So many good things in this post. I agree with you about the uplifting spirit of St. John's Wort. Even as a preschooler I was charmed by the bank of St. John's Wort that grew along our driveway. They seemed like yellow stars against their dark green leaves. Our house was a many-times over, remodeled 2-bedroom bungalow that very likely was little more than a miner's shack or something similar originally. It had a large pot-bellied oil stove in the living room that my mother had to light with little bits of paper set aflame and dropped down into 'the pot'. Each time crossing one's fingers that it would 'catch'. The house had been lived in by a very singular tall black woman who owned a good deal of land in the area and was known to have walked her property toting a rifle or shotgun. It is said that she inherited the property from a lover who was politically well known in Seattle in the early 1900's. Anyway, near the house was also one of the biggest holly trees that I have ever seen. It benefited from our septic system! There was also a rather grand patch or rhubarb that grew nearby. In reflection, I wonder about the planting of the holly tree and the St. John's Wort and who might have been wanting their protection? Without knowing any herbal history, I must say I always felt protected there. Also want to thank you for both the Orange Bunt Cake and Indian Pudding recipes! I will be giving them my best GF makeover sometime over the summer!
I often wonder about plants that stay in our memories, especially early memories, like your St. JW and the holly. (I have a memory of French marigolds in my mother's tiny border.) In a more magical age, we might be thinking of plant spirits, guides, totems.
Lovely that you know a little about that early home and the woman who lived there and left a story behind. That's a privilege that not many contemporary children will enjoy.
If you do come up with a good GF re-do of that cake, please share!
Properties that have history are wonderful! People tell us stories about the original owner of our land. He was a bit notorious, and I should write some of the best ones down. He'd make a good "color" character in a book. Not enough drama to build a whole book around, but the kind who succeeds in muddling the plot.
Love those kinds of characters--fun to work with. And who knows? They may have enough backstory to warrant a longer look.
Here, our previous residents were longhorns--our land was part of a huge ranch. Before that, the nomadic Tonkawa trekked through. There are several substantial digs of prehistoric campsites just a few miles away.