Out of the Fog

I feel a bit like Frankenstein in that old movie where you hear the dr exclaim "It's ALIVE!!!" Six weeks of a sinus infection and bronchitis will do that to a person. And while I was too wiped out to focus as much as normal on my druidry studies, I did learn a few key things in one of my chosen paths of study, herbalism. Echinacea is a powerful and effective herb and one of nature's own antibiotics. Side effects are minimal. However, one key side effect that seems to be underreported is that it is considered a weed, and if you have allergies to say, ragweed, it may not be a good choice for you. Wondered why it made my ears itch! LOL! Elderberry syrup (from black elderberries only!) is some sour tasting stuff. However, if you mix it with a small amount of grape juice you really can't taste it. Which made me realize that it basically tastes like really sour grape juice on it's own. It's another one of the powerhouses offered by nature, especially for respiratory and sinus. However, to be most effective you have to start taking it early on. If you wait until you've been ill for 3-4 weeks and are pretty sick, it basically will keep you from getting worse. It may help you get better, but it takes a while. I admit after 6 weeks I got fed up and went back in to the dr for antibiotics.

The husband and I have tried our hand at making mead. It should be ready around April 25th, just in time for Beltaine! Hopefully it'll be decent!

Lot's of good discussions with our local Pagan friends. One other has followed the Norse Gods, but not really the tradition. Since my mate and I arrived he's been looking more into it and would like to start up a kindred. Also, the local Pagan organization has some changes coming up and a lot of potential. Not sure how involved I'll get, but right now I'm trying to look up various grants they may be eligible with given their 501 (c)(3) status. They talked a bit about having their own place. I could totally see a large building on about 10-15 acres, a 2-4 acre grove, a large fire/ritual circle, gardens to wander through, a decent greenhouse and a large community garden area. We'd like to get speakers in like Diana Paxson and John Michael Greer, but no idea how to go about that, what they'd charge or when we'd even have the facility up. But I'm working on it!

This is a short one tonight. I still have a blasted headache I can't seem to shake.

Yours from the wind in the trees
Soifra