“Love, which, in concert with Abstinence, established Faith, and which, along with Patience, builds up Chastity, is like the columns that sustain the four corners of a house. For it was that same Love which planted a glorious garden redolent with precious herbs and noble flowers–roses and lilies–which breathed forth a wondrous fragrance, that garden on which the true Solomon was accustomed to feast his eyes.“ – Hildegard of Bingen My husband says I seem to wake up craving roses and sleep dreaming of them. Maybe it’s because the scent and flavor of the beautiful historic and fragrant roses in... Continue reading

“My belief is that it’s the caring of the healer that’s most important, but no one’s going to be able to test for that.” —Stephen Buhner, Herbalist “I would never choose a healer according to whether or not they had credentials. I’d find someone through word of mouth.” Rosemary Gladstar- Herbalist Medicine plants heal more than the physical body. They help open our hearts, reconnect us with spirit and guide us in developing joyful relationships with the natural world. Deb Soule- Herbalist “The plants have enough spirit to transform our limited vision.” Rosemary Gladstar - Herbalist “Shamanic healers don't claim... Continue reading

Today I'm making the elderflower cordial that was taught to me by my dear friend Jane Toth, our dedicated Western Reserve Herb Society Garden Chair. Beautiful snowy Elderflowers have been traditionally used for centuries in German medicine. They are thought to have antioxidant properties as well as anti inflammatory and antiviral effects, which is why they're probably still used in this century as a popular remedy to help fight off colds and flu. Elderflowers can be brewed as an herbal tea as well, but Jane’s recipe is one of the best I’ve ever tried, and it produces a delicious sweet... Continue reading

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“Tra la, it's May, it’s May, the lusty Month of May That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray Tra la, it's here, it’s here, that shocking time of year When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear Whence this fragrance wafting through the air? What sweet feelings does its scent transmute? Whence this perfume floating everywhere? Don't you know, it's that dear forbidden fruit, Because…. It's May! It's May! The month of "yes you may," The time for ev'ry frivolous whim, Proper or "im." It's wild! It's gay! A blot in ev'ry way. The birds and bees with all... Continue reading

Once again, the great wheel of the year turns and faster than you can say “March Hare!” the Spring or Vernal equinox is upon us. True to the prose, March would appear to be coming in like a lion and out like a lamb, and none too soon for us Northerners! I don't know about you but I'm just so grateful to see the sun again! The first day of spring is a time to celebrate our rebirth and renewal, the soil is beginning to warm and the flowers are quietly emerging. When I still lived on our farm, I always knew when the Equinox was approaching because I had a beautiful pussy willow that would begin to bud out always around that day. I’d bring in armfuls of the fuzzy catkins and put them in tall vases all around the house. Continue reading

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“Jamie’s face, rather tired and worn, broke into a grin. “A son? The blessing of Bride and Michael be on him! A braw lad?” “Very,” I assured him. “I think he must weigh almost nine pounds.” “Poor lass,” he said, with a sympathetic grimace. “And her first, too. Wee Rachel’s all right, though?” “Rather tired and sore, but quite all right,” I assured him. “Shall I bring you some beer, while you take care of the horse?” “A good wife is prized above rubies,” he said, smiling. “Come to me, mo nighean donn.” He reached out a long arm and... Continue reading

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It’s that time of year! The merriment of the holiday season is over and winter has begun in earnest. As a way of winding down from all of the highs and lows of the season, so many of us seem to get sick on the 2nd of January! I’ve said for years that I truly believe that sometimes, catching a bug is our bodies way of trying to get us to relax for a bit! Periods of hibernation, or seasonal contemplation as I’ve taken to calling them are a must for keeping our bodies resilient in this world with all... Continue reading

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Memory of a Cosmic Heart By Greg Spalenka “And still after all this time the Sun has never said to the Earth, “You owe me” Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky” -Rumi Memory of a Cosmic Heart It is a wonderful time to be alive. I know that this may sound strange but I truly believe it. We are living through a time of unprecedented change and chaos. On our beautiful planet and possibly so many others yet unseen and unknown, life as we know it is shifting, evolving at an unprecedented pace. The... Continue reading

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Every now and then a dessert can render me speechless. This French Canadian Maple pie is simply the best pie that I've ever tasted. Nothing needs changing. The only sadness I have is that my father didn't live long enough... Continue reading

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