#book flowers online orange county

[kissedbytulips1]

10 Best Factors to Consider When Choosing a Flower Delivery Service in Costa Mesa

Choosing a reliable flower delivery service in Costa Mesa, or any location, involves considering several important factors to ensure that you receive fresh, beautiful flowers and excellent customer service. Here are ten factors to consider:

Quality and Variety of Flowers:

Look for a flower delivery service that offers a wide variety of fresh, high-quality flowers. They should have options for different occasions and preferences, such as roses, lilies, tulips, and seasonal blooms.

Delivery Options and Speed:

Consider the delivery options available, including same-day or next-day delivery. A service with flexible delivery times can be beneficial for last-minute orders or specific delivery requests.

Delivery Locations:

Ensure that the flower delivery service serves your specific location in Costa Mesa. Some services may have limited delivery areas, so it's essential to check if they can deliver to your desired address.

Price and Value:

Compare prices to find a service that fits your budget while providing value for your money. Be cautious of hidden fees or delivery charges that can significantly impact the total cost.

Customer Reviews and Ratings:

Read customer reviews and check the service's ratings on trusted review websites or platforms. Positive reviews and high ratings are indicators of reliability and customer satisfaction.

Customization Options:

Look for a service that allows you to customize your flower arrangements or add extras like chocolates, balloons, or personalized messages to make your gift unique.

Customer Support and Communication:

Evaluate the customer support provided by the flower delivery service. They should be responsive to inquiries and provide clear communication about the order, delivery status, and any issues that may arise.

Return and Refund Policies:

Understand the service's return and refund policies. A reputable service should have a fair policy in case you are not satisfied with the delivered flowers or if there are any issues with your order.

Sustainability Practices:

Consider choosing a flower delivery service that follows sustainable and eco-friendly practices in sourcing and packaging their flowers. Look for certifications or information on their commitment to sustainability.

Experience and Reputation:

Research the service's background and history. An established flower delivery service with a good reputation in the industry is more likely to provide a reliable and quality service.

Security and Payment Options:

Ensure that the website and payment process are secure. Trusted payment options and encryption methods protect your personal information and payment details.

Local vs. National Chains:

Decide whether you prefer a local florist or a national chain. Local florists may offer a more personalized touch and knowledge of the local area, while national chains may have wider selections and consistent quality standards.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when choosing a flower delivery service in Costa Mesa or any other location, ensuring that you receive fresh, beautiful flowers and a pleasant shopping experience.

[bethestaryouareradio]

Coming Alive

“I went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown. For going out, I found, was really going in.” ~ John Muir

Walking around my property, I am in awe of how quickly my landscape has come to life. Within just a couple of weeks, the garden has awoken from its deep sleep blanketing the hillside with lush green grasses and fantastic flowers. The frogs are croaking, the birds are chirping, and the bees are buzzing. Despite the continuing rain, nature is waking up from its soggy slumber.

My garden is a living laboratory where I design borders to include a diverse mix of plants including bulbs, perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, and vines. Originally my color palette was strictly pinks, purples, blues, and whites, but over the years I have acknowledged the beauty of all color combinations. Daring forms and textures are welcome as I attempt to create a naturalistic style. Taking cues from Mother Nature, I encourage self-sowing specimens (thank you calendula and nigella) and I prefer my landscape to be full, a bit crowded, and wild.  Rocks, stones, and gravel are incorporated into the scheme while vintage used bricks delineate the paths.

If you’d like to create a garden that respects the natural world, here are a few tips that may help.

1. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Shrubs and trees provide structure. Bulbs pop up as surprises, especially at this time of year. Perennials are the main attraction with annuals affording the colors you desire throughout the year.

2. Always plant in swaths or groups. Repeating the groups coalesces and unifies the look.

3. Invite specimens that you like to self-sow. Allow plants to grow as they would in nature without your assistance. Don’t fret when stray flowers appear in an area where you didn’t plan to have them grow. Whimsical is fun.

4. When it comes to coordinating colors, be open to the bold and beautiful. I never thought I’d like so much orange and yellow in my landscape, but the combination of daffodils, calendula, and poppies has changed my mind.

5. Strive for balance. A clipped hedge is wonderful surrounding a formal rose garden, or outlining a driveway, yet when a garden is too heavily manicured it appears almost fake. Allow for some spillers, fillers, and thrillers. Add elements of awe.

6. Use containers for a variety of plants, including small trees. I have an Italian white peach growing in a container that boasts beautiful bright pink blossoms with fluorescent yellow oxalis underplanted. It is quite the unexpected showstopper. As a bonus, when the peaches are ripe, they are easy to harvest.

7. Orchestrate seasonal displays with plenty of colorful and textural annuals, perennials, grasses, and bulbs. Natives and carefully chosen non-natives will thrive happily together. With a plentiful variety of plants, pollinators will call your garden home and become your trusted helpers.

What’s Blooming Now?

*Bradford pear, plum, and peach trees

*Azaleas and camellias

*Daffodils

*Tulips

*Calla lilies

*Bergenia

*Calendula

*Cyclamen

*Muscari

*Iris

*Primrose

*Lilies of the Valley

*Christmas cactus

*Periwinkle

*Oxalis

*Freesia

*Viburnum

*Hellebore

*Jade

*Salvia Hot Lips

*Potato Vine

*Chinese Fringe

*Mustard

Numerous other plants are budding and will be gracing our gardens soon. Stay tuned!

The Goddess Gardener’s March Garden Guide

For more gardening advice for all seasons, check out Growing with the Goddess Gardenerat https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/books. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3, celebrating its 25th year of serving the world. 

Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. 

Her newest children’s picture book, Family Forever, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store.

Check out Cynthia’s inspirational, motivational, and uplifting books. https://www.cynthiabrian.com/books

Share StarStyle® Empowerment 

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com  https://www.CynthiaBrian.com

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[beaboutitpress]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Publication Date: November 2020

Press contact:  Alexandra Naughton, zinebeaboutit@gmail.com

Publication Announcement:

BE A BOUGH TIT by Richard Loranger

Be About It Press is proud to announce the publication of a new collection of poetry by Richard Loranger, titled Be a Bough Tit. Looking around at all of the hard-bitten, angry titles and work that’s been emerging of late, and for good reason, we thought it would be an excellent time to release a collection grounded in joy, whimsy, and hope as an antidote for the age in which we’re living. Though not without its dark corners, this book shows a personal, plainspoken side of this accomplished writer which, when challenged, strives for the positive. The title itself, purposefully a pun on the name of our press, speaks both to the type of language-play in which Loranger revels, and the sheer exuberance of seeing life as a strange, alien creature in song: a bird on a bough.

Especially if you’re in need of a remedy to the bleaker side of life, but also if you could use a lift with a dose of the real, give yourself a taste of this work. We think you’ll come back for more.

ISBN: 978-0-9986012-5-0

from Be About It Press

Richmond, CA

https://beaboutitpress.tumblr.com 

Available for purchase at: https://checkout.square.site/buy/VWBQA4ZI3NEYYHXPXPH4Y34O

KIND WORDS FOR BE A BOUGH TIT

“Richard Loranger’s Be A Bough Tit is an affirmation in dark times, it is a reminder to live, to notice the small pieces of beauty when it feels like it’s all burned up. Be A Bough Tit brings lightness to a time of dark poetry. While we have written of our abusive relationships, abusive politics, pandemics, and oppression, Loranger reminds us to celebrate. He starts with a play on words and sounds with the title. He’s taken the name of indie press Be About It and turned it and us into the joy of a bird on a branch, from there we are reminded to sing and soar. 

These poems force us to look so deep inside we are staring at our own marrow, we are talking to our own cells, and those of the fruit flies that harass us. This collection is like quarantining in solitary while traveling the universe—without stepping outside, it’s a guide to get us through these tough times while timeless in the delicious and irreverent morsels he feeds us.”

- Cassandra Dallett, author of Collapse and A Pretty Little Wilderness

“In Be A Bough Tit, Richard Loranger has created funny, philosophical and profound odes to everything from coughs to colonoscopies.  He waltzes into the minds of animals, insects and inside the marrow of human bone, ‘into the molecules holding the bone together, whipping around, vibrating, full of vast empty space…’ Loranger’s poems touch us like ‘silk sand mist wind flame..’ and in subtle ways inspire change.”

- Wanda Phipps, author of Mind Honey, Field of Wanting: Poems of Desire and Wake-Up Calls: 66 Morning Poems

“In this book Richard’s imagination goes everywhere at once, and brings you there. You’re there in the feast of flowers, the universal purpose of a fruit fly, in his overwrought refrigerator. He’s got one simple rule, which is perfect, and impossible to follow. These poems make sense, like life makes sense, or not.  They’re fun, and impossible, and inventive, and I love them.”

- Bruce Isaacson, Founder, Zeitgeist Press and Emeritus Poet Laureate of Clark County, Nevada

“Richard Loranger’s charming chap-book is a cornucopia of list poems, concrete poems, odes, prose poems, imperative poems, and economical gnomic utterances. The unifying subject matter is wide and apropos: what it means to be human and to exist in this world.”

- Natasha Dennerstein, author of Turn and Face the Strange, Exit, Diva, and Seahorse

AUTHOR AND PRESS INFO

Richard Loranger is a multi-genre writer, performer, musician, visual artist, and all-around squeaky wheel, currently residing in Oakland, CA. He is the founder of Poetea, a monthly literary conversation group. His publications include the books Be a Bough Tit (Be About It Press, 2020), Sudden Windows (Zeitgeist Press, 2015), Poems for Teeth (we press, 2005), and The Orange Book (International Review Press, 1990); ten chapbooks including 6 Questions (Exot Books, 2013) and Hello Poems (we press, 2001); and work in over 100 magazines and journals. He curates the reading series Babar in Exile, and the queer talk and reading series #we. You can find more about his work and scandals at www.richardloranger.com. 

BE ABOUT IT PRESS is an independent literary publishing house based in Richmond, California. Be About It was established in 2010 as a zine and now publishes poetry collections in print and online.

[romanceismycallingcard]

50 questions tag!

I got tagged by @bl-crossingtheline​! Hello darling! Sorry I’m so late on this. Needed a good block of time and then I just kept forgetting. 😜😂

Questions:

what color is your hairbrush? Aqua/Teal

name a food you never eat: Brussel sprouts. And fish.

are you typically too warm or too cold? Um... in winter I’m just perpetually cold. I prefer to be on the warmer side. But as I’ve gotten older that’s changed a little bit. But I don’t know if I’m like always cold or whatever.

what were you doing 45 minutes ago? lol eating fresh home made sour dough bread with my family.

what’s your favorite candy bar? 100 grand bars

have you ever been to a professional sports game? yes. a hockey game with my family and brothers’ hockey teams. 

what’s the last thing you said out loud?: My brother was leaving so I yelled BYEEEEE HAVE A NICE DAY from my room and he said NO~! YOU HAVE A NICE DAY! so then I said FINE IF YOU’RE FORCING ME TO. lol. That was one of our nicer interactions 😂

what’s your favorite ice cream?: anything with caramel or maybe moosetracks. Or just plain vanilla cuz it’s classic, yummy, and underappreciated.

what was the last thing you had to drink? milk

do you like your wallet?: Yes! I do! I found it years ago at a thrift store and it was just perfect for me. It’s black with a pretty metal thing with engraved flowers on it. It zips closed AND there’s a coin pouch inside. And it’s the kind that folds in half rather than the kind that looks like a clutch purse which I’m really glad about because the clutch purse shaped ones seem to almost never be quite the right size - either too big or too small and sometimes the latch breaks so then it just flops open. :P

what’s the last thing you ate? sour dough bread

did you buy any new clothes last weekend? um.... no. But i did this last Friday cuz I had to pick up some things from Walmart and I impulse bought a $10 dress that looked comfy and light weight and casual and I can wear it on days when I don’t want to wear pants. I didn’t have a good dress for days like that before.

what’s the last sporting event you watched? uh...... i don’t. Unless my friend showing me a two minute compilation clip of the danish (i think?) sport of jumping over rivers with a pole counts. or unless watching super junior perform counts. 

what is your favorite flavor of popcorn? butter + salt or white cheddar

who’s the last person you sent a text to? real texting it was a mom I babysit for. But more recently than that I was messaging blue (musicdramalove) on tumblr.

ever go camping? my family used to go camping a lot - like at least once a year. But we haven’t for several years now since all my siblings and I are adults now. I think I might’ve gone with friends a couple years ago though. idk.

do you take vitamins? nope. If I get sick, I drink a looooooot of orange juice.

do you go to church every sunday? yeah

do you have a tan? not right now. hopefully I will by the end of summer (if not June)

do you prefer chinese or pizza? chinese (but pizza’s good too)

do you drink soda through a straw? not unless I order it at a restaurant and it’s in a glass. But that’s rare. I usually order water or sometimes a cocktail.

what color socks do you usually wear? I have a set that’s cream, a couple greys, and white, and I have a set that’s cream, grey and light pink.

do you ever drive above the speed limit? heck yeah. Usually I keep it to about 5-10 above. But it also depends on what streets I’m on.

what terrifies you? Failing at working a career job or living a miserable life or being alone forever with no one to take care of me when I’m sick.

look to your left, what do you see? my purse on the floor next to my dresser

what chore do you hate the most? scrubbing my shower/bathtub.

what do you think of when you hear an australian accent? steve the animal guy or liam and chris hemsworth or KJ Apa or Rebel Wilson. Or the other day when I was talking to my nanny kiddos about accents and the girl and I could do decent-ish british accents but absolutely failed at an Aussie accent

what’s your favorite soda? root beer

do you go in fast food places or just hit the drive thru? depends on the day or sometimes the line of cars in the drive thru

what’s your favorite number? 4. idky but I’ve always thought of it as my lucky number. Plus I just like it. It’s even. It’s small. 2 + 2 = 4 and 2 x 2 = 4.

who’s the last person you talked to? my brother when I was yelling bye to him.

favorite cut of beef? yeah i really don’t know or care

last song you listened to? We by Yesung

last book you read? honestly can’t even tell you.

can you say the alphabet backwards? YES I CAN AND I’M VERY PROUD ABOUT THIS

favorite day of the week? mmm..... saturday because I usually see my friends on saturday and also refuse to do homework on saturdays.

how do you like your coffee? with a big scoop of hot chocolate powder and quite a bit of half and half. sometimes I forego the chocolate powder but my preference is to have it. 

favorite pair of shoes? oooh..... I love my shoes. I have so many that I like. um... okay I’m gonna say it’s this one pair of brown heels I have. They look kinda like leather, orangey-brown, 4in tall heel, and they’re almost like ankle boots because the material goes to just below my ankle. They look amazing with skinny jeans.

time you normally get up? mm..... somewhere between 8 and 9 I guess if I wake up naturally. But I have to get up at 6:15 for work and 7am on days when I have church bc I’m head of nursery (but church is at 10am and online cuz quarantine)

sunrise or sunsets? hm.... I guess sunset bc it sets behind the mountains and it’s gorgeous.

how many blankets on your bed? rn 1 really light one cuz summer’s basically here.

describe your kitchen plates? white with a red and grey design on them with a red border on the edge

describe your kitchen at the moment? currently a mess bc things are being moved around and sorted and everything is everywhere. Other than that, it’s got a sink, fridge, oven, dishwasher, you know, the uszh. 

do you have a favorite alcoholic drink? mm.... right now I guess my go to is a moscato wine. I think that’s my favorite thing right now. You can call me a wimp but hey it’s a step up from Mike’s hard mango punch. I also really like mules.

do you play cards? yes.

what color is your car? silver. and it annoys me bc it looks like every other unimpressionable unremarkable unmemorable car out there :p

can you change a tire? .............................................no.

your favorite state/province/county/etc.? MINE

favorite job you’ve had? my babysitting job for a neighborhood family. I’ve been babysitting them for about 7 years now and I have been with them for two of their kids’ births and I’ve gotten to watch them grow up and develop personalities and learn about life and it has been such a fun experience and blessing to me.

how did you get your biggest scar? okay so I don’t know about biggest, but the one that I’ve probably had the longest and is still clearly visible is one that’s on my foot. It’s about a cm long and is about an inch or so in from the base of my second toe on my right foot. I got it when I was... I think a sophomore in high school when my family visited my bro and sis-in-law out of state for Thanksgiving. I went to grab a bottle of sparkling apple cider out of the fridge but, in the process of grabbing it or moving something aside or something, the bottle of sparkling cider fell out of the fridge onto the tile floor right next to my foot and SHATTERED. I was frozen in shock. Didn’t know what to do. Felt embarrassed and felt bad about the broken bottle and mess. I didn’t even realize until my mom and sis-in-law were cleaning up the floor around me that there was a small shard of glass somewhat embedded in my foot. I don’t remember feeling any pain from it. I think I was probably still in shock. But I still have the scar. 

Tagging: I don’t really know and I’m tired so ANYONE WHO WANTS TO 😊

[tipsycad147]

50+ Fun Family-Oriented Pagan Activities for Winter

Winter is a time of inner reflection, but it’s also a time of family, feasting, and fun. Here are my favourite fun, family-oriented pagan activities for winter. Time to get out the mittens, mugs, and mistletoe! Whether you celebrate Yule, the Winter Solstice, or Christmas, these pagan activities may become traditions for your family. Keep in mind, you’ll see Christmas mentioned in this article, because many of us grew up celebrating Christmas and have blended the Winter holidays to meet our family’s needs and traditions. Just because the term Christmas is used, doesn’t make a tradition any less pagan. In fact, most of the Christmas traditions originate from older pagan traditions! Feel free to adapt each tradition and name to fit your beliefs and preferences.

DISCLOSURE: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you information about the paranormal and paganism.

50+ Fun, Family Pagan Activities for Winter!

1. Candles in the Window

An Irish custom for centuries, placing candles in the windows guides your loved ones home in the winter months. It also invites the sun’s return. My grandmother did this every Christmas and it was a tradition I always loved.

2. Cloves in Oranges

Who doesn’t love the clove and cinnamon scents of the winter holidays? There’s a winter tradition of sticking cloves into oranges which is called pomanders. Pomanders date back to Medieval times and were used to ward off infection and bad odours. Hang cloved oranges around the house to scent your home and also draw in abundance. Cloves represent success and the oranges summon the sun’s return.

3. Bake Cookies

Whether you call them Yule or Christmas cookies is up to you, but baking cookies is a tradition for any family who loves sweets during the winter holidays. Let your kids decorate gingerbread and sugar cookies. Use cookie cutters in the shapes of stars, Santa, and his reindeer to represent the night sky, Odin, and his steed.

4. Advent Calendar

Advent Calendars are a fun way to countdown to Yule and/or Christmas. Instead of using candies for each day’s gift, replace with natural items like crystals. Advent means “coming” in Latin. Christians think of it as the coming of Jesus, while Pagans think of it as the coming of the sun.

5. Christmas Lights

The winter nights are long and dark, hence the tradition of Christmas lights. They light the way plus work sympathetic magic in inviting the sun’s return. Hang them up on the house and around the interior of your house. And don’t forget to go on a car ride around the neighbourhood to see all the beautiful light displays!

6. Cider or Mulled Wine

A cold night can always be warmed up with a hot cup of cider or mulled wine. Give the kids the hot apple cider with a stick of cinnamon and an orange slice, and let the adults partake in mulled wine with cloves, star anise, cinnamon and oranges. The Norse peoples used to refer to Yule as “Drinking Yule”, so why not let it live up to its name?

7. Women’s Christmas

The Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) is also called Women’s Christmas in Ireland. Its tradition in County Kerry and County Cork to allow the women to have a day out on the town, while the men do the housework and cooking! Honour the women in your life, as you do the Goddess, and give them a day off for Women’s Christmas this winter. It’s also tradition on this day to take down Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree.

8. Gingerbread House

Gingerbread originated in Germany in the fifteen hundreds. If you have German ancestry, honour their memory by making a gingerbread house with your family.

9. Reindeer Food

Odin was known to ride his steed, Sleipnir, through the skies on winter nights. Sleipnir is thought to be the original “Santa’s reindeer”. Reindeer were sacred animals to Siberian shamans. Make reindeer food with the kids and leave it out for the reindeer on Christmas or Sleipnir on Yule.

10. Cookies for Odin & Santa

Whether you celebrate Yule or Christmas (or both), leave out a cookie offering for Odin on Yule and/or for Santa on Christmas Eve. The tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa clearly originated in leaving sweet offerings to appease the winter gods in the old days.

11. Caroling

Caroling has ancient roots that go back further than we know. “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” Going from door to door, singing blessings to the people inside in exchange for a cup of hot cocoa or a round of applause? Sounds like you’re bestowing good luck and abundance in exchange for offerings to me! Caroling is the newer version of traditions called mumming and wassailing.

12. Offerings to the Winter Fairies

They say there are a different set of fairies for each season. In the winter season, wouldn’t it be nice to set out offerings for the winter fairies? Frosted cookies and hot beverages would be greatly appreciated by the wee folk. This makes for a fun tradition with the whole family. Set the offerings outside on a tree trunk or somewhere in the garden. This is one of those purely pagan activities

13. Holly & Ivy

Decorate your house and hearth with holly and ivy. Holly and ivy as Christmas decorations predates Christianity. Our pagan ancestors used evergreens to decorate hearth and home for a couple reasons: to keep the “warmth” of the earth alive in their home and hearts, to ward off evil spirits in the winter, and to bring abundance in the new year. In new pagan traditions, the Holly King and Oak King battle it out on the Winter Solstice and the Oak King wins! He represents the return of the sun/earth/summer.

14. Gaze at the Winter Sky

Sometimes the sky looks so clear on a winter’s night. Spend a minute or two gazing up into the sky – notice the brilliance of the stars and the darkness of the black space between. If the moon is out – praise her for her light and glory. Wish upon the north star.

15. Wassailing

A similar/same tradition as caroling, yet wassailing in apple orchards is believed to provide a good harvest in the coming year. Wassailing is basically singing to the trees, honouring the spirits in the trees, and ensuring a plentiful bounty of apples in the coming year.

16.  Yule Herbal Sachets

Make herbal sachets full of Yule and Christmas spices to hang around the house. Cinnamon, clove, star anise, and apple serve to sweeten the air, plus bring abundance in the coming year to your home. Choose herbal sachet bags of red, green, silver, and gold.

17. Sun Bread

The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. But the following day brings hope with the sun’s glorious return. Bake bread in the shape of the sun to celebrate the sun’s return to the earth. Recipes and instructions can be found online. Eat and partake in the sun’s warmth and abundance for the year to come.

18. Pinecones

The pinecones have dropped. Hopefully you collected some last Fall! Now you and the family can decorate them with silver and gold spray paint and glitter OR decorate them like Christmas trees and hang them on the tree!

19. Winter Solstice Spiral

The spiral symbol represents the never-ending cycle of life, death, and rebirth and did so for our ancient Celtic ancestors. On a snowy day, go outside and create a spiral made of evergreens and stones to honour our ancestors and the great cycle of life. It also makes for gorgeous photos and a lovely offering to the winter spirits.

20. Resurrection Flower

The Resurrection flower is also known as the Rose of Jericho. It is a tumbleweed and desert plant that seems dead, until soaked in a bit of water then springs back to life! It’s used in hoodoo tradition to bring abundance if 5 coins are placed in the water along with the resurrection flower then the water is used to wash one’s front door. Keep the resurrection flower all year, then add water in the winter to represent the return of the sun and renewal of the earth.

21. Yule Altar

Clean, consecrate, and re-decorate your altar to honor the Winter sabbats, gods, and spirits. Choose evergreen garland, red and green candles, and silver candle holders to name a few.

22. Yule Log

The Yule log is steeped in ancient tradition. Choose a log and decorate it with greenery. You can even carve out holes to use as candle holders until it’s time to burn the yule log. Traditionally, it was burnt slowly over the course of the 12 days of Christmas then a piece was saved to light the next year’s yule log. That piece of the yule log was thought to ward off misfortune in the coming year.

23. Yule / Christmas Tree

The true origins of the Christmas or Yule tree are heavily debated, but I think its clear bringing an evergreen tree into one’s home is an ancient pagan thing to do. Whether to preserve the tree’s spirit through the winter or to bring life into the home, the Yule tree is a popular tradition during the winter holidays for many people, religious or not.

24. Books on Xmas Eve

In Iceland it’s called Jolabokaflod or “Christmas Book Flood.” This tradition is about giving each other books as presents on Christmas Eve and then staying up late that night to read them. Give your family books this year and read them together as the Icelanders do!

25. Yule Bock

A Northern European tradition that dates back centuries is the Yule Bock (Yule Goat). Scholars believe it is tied to ancient Germanic paganism, the Harvest, and/or the Norse god Thor. Make your own yule bock out of hay and red ribbon. If it’s small – hang it on your tree. If it’s large – place in random places around the home.

26. Christmas Wreaths

Make your own Christmas wreath out of evergreens like holly or spruce. Hang on the front door for good luck and Christmas cheer. The Christmas wreath is thought to date back to ancient times as a symbol of eternity or divinity (circular shape and evergreen).

27. Hot Cocoa

Drinking hot cocoa is a sweet tradition that all kids love…and many adults. This sweet treat has surprising pagan origins. Sources say the ancient Mayans or Aztecs invented hot cocoa as a drink for royalty.

The ancient Mayans invented hot cocoa…make and drink it as one of the sweetest pagan activities in the winter!

28. Gifts

Without falling into the cycle of mindless consumerism, giving gifts to loved ones during the winter is a time-honoured tradition. During a season of cold, bleak days, gifts can cheer us up and bring us closer together. Choose to give gifts with meaning. Special framed photographs, experiences, etc. instead of useless objects that will end up at a thrift store or at the dump.

29. Fruit & Cinnamon Garland

Another fun seasonal craft is making your own garland out of fruits and herbs. String together dried orange or apple slices along with star anise and cinnamon as a beautiful, rustic piece to hang on the mantle or around your home. This is a simple craft the whole family can do!

30. Simmering Potpourri

Want to make your house smell like Yule? Try making a simmering pot of potpourri on the stove this year. Its as simple as adding cinnamon sticks, orange slices, star anise, and cloves to a simmering pot of water.

31. Sun Decor

Bring back the sun by decorating your altar and home with sun decor. Find sun plaques online, or make your own from felt and hot glue.

32. Oranges in Stockings

My grandmother used to add oranges to our stockings at Christmas. This tradition is said by some to be a Christian representation of the gold thrown down the chimney by St. Nicholas; however, pagans know it as a nod to the end of winter and the sun’s return (think citrus – sun).

33. New Winter Holidays

Add a different winter holiday to your winter repertoire. Depending on your culture, there may be a holiday you’ve never celebrated with pagan roots.

34. Bonfires

Not only does a bonfire keep us warm on winter nights, it also reminds us of the same element our ancestors used to survive the winter months. Without fire, we might not be here. Roast marshmallows and sing Christmas songs together this winter.

35. St. Stephen’s Day

One of those “other” winter holidays we discussed previously, St. Stephen’s Day is celebrated the day after Christmas Day. In Canada, it’s called Boxing Day. Whatever you want to call it, make your own tradition of celebrating this winter holiday in your own pagan way.

36. St. Lucia’s Day

St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated in Scandinavia and is thought to be a more modern Christian celebration of St. Lucia who was once a pagan goddess. Perhaps she had another name, perhaps not. The Grimm Brothers say St. Lucia as another representation of the ancient goddess Berchta. It was originally celebrated on the Winter Solstice, giving it a clear pagan foundation.

37. Dough Ornaments

Another craft tradition centred around the Yule tree – try making dough ornaments with your kids and family members. Stars and suns add a perfect pagan touch to the tree.

38. Ghost Stories

Traditionally, winter was thought to be the season following Samhain (Summer’s end) where spirits roamed the earth…particularly dangerous spirits. Ghost stories were once told around the fire. Bring back the ghost story tradition this winter!

39. Oak King and Holly King

If you have a family of thespians, assign roles to your family members, print out a script, and put on a play of the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. You could even make special costumes for the event! The winter solstice is when the Oak King takes over rule of the earth, winning against the Holly King in battle.

40. Feast on Yule

What’s one thing we love to do as human beings? Eat, of course! Feasting during the winter holidays has been going on for thousands of years. Long before the church’s rise, our pagan ancestors feasted during the winter as a way to “lighten the mood”, bring the tribe together, and thank the gods for a bountiful harvest. So feast on Yule!

41. Feast on Christmas

See above. Already had a feast on Yule? Throw another feast on Christmas!

42. 12 Days of Christmas

Once upon a time, Christmas was celebrated over a span of twelve whole days! Where do you think the song comes from? Also called Christmastide, the celebration of a holiday lasting more than a few days is said to originate before the rise of the church but was adapted by the church to make conversion easier. Who doesn’t want to celebrate Christmas longer? Do something simple for each of the 12 days of Christmas starting Christmas Day and lasting until January 5th.

43. Charity

Nevermind religion, giving of your time or goods to those in need feels good during the holidays and teaches kids a wonderful morality lesson of compassion and kindness. The holidays are about community and giving.

44. Story of the Baker’s Dozen

There’s an old tale about where the baker’s dozen comes from. It involves Saint Nicholas, an old witch, and a baker in New Amsterdam (NYC). Read it to your kids by the fireside.

45. Story of La Befana

Continuing on the lesser known Christmas stories, children in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world might have never heard the story of the Christmas witch – La Befana. If you live in Italy, you will know the story. La Befana is a witch who gives presents to children on Christmas Eve. Read the story and add the tradition to your home!

46. Story of the Perchten

Does your family like scary stories? Read and tell the story of the Perchten, a horde of scary monsters that parade through the streets of Germany, Hungary, and other countries during the winter holidays, scaring off evil winter spirits. The Perchten are named after the germanic goddess Berchta – read their story here.

47. Christmas Movies

One of the best things about the Winter season is all the family-oriented Christmas movies on TV. Watch a different winter movie each weekend together. Our pagan ancestors put a huge emphasis on family. Elf, Rudolph, and The Santa Clause are just a few of my family’s favourites.

48. Cuddle

More emphasis on family, but also to keep warm, make time to cuddle up with your favorite person this winter.

49. Letters

Have the kids write letters to Santa or Odin and send them “up the chimney” (aka leave it on the fireplace/mantle) or send in the “mailbox”.

50. Mistletoe

Mistletoe is steeped in pagan history. The Druids found mistletoe to be a sacred plant because it grew on their holy tree – the oak. Mistletoe was banned from the church because of its pagan associations for many years. Hang mistletoe in the house and when two people are caught under it together – they’re supposed to kiss so goes the old custom.

51. Goddess Ritual

With Santa, the elves, and Odin getting all the attention during the winter holidays, don’t forget to include the Goddess in your holiday fun. Write and perform a ritual dedicated solely to the Mother Goddess. Perform on the Winter Solstice or on the Full Cold Moon.

52. Snow Fun

If you live in a region that gets snow in the winter, why not get outside in warm clothes and enjoy the winter landscape? Go sledding, build a snowman, have a snowball fight, and make snow angels! Bundle up and enjoy Mother Earth in her glistening, snowy glory!

https://otherworldlyoracle.com/50-fun-family-oriented-pagan-activities-for-winter/

[thattay]

My Favourite Albums and Games of the 2010s

ALBUMS 100. Revolution Radio - Green Day 99. Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend 98. Good Kid M.A.A.D City - Kendrick Lamar 97. Pure Heroine - Lorde 96. Black Messiah – D’Angelo and the Vanguard 95. Let’s Rock – The Black Keys 94. Harmonicraft – Torche 93. Treats – Sleigh Bells 92. Sempiternal – Bring Me The Horizon 91. Painted Shut – Hop Along 90. No One Ever Really Dies – N.E.R.D 89. Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino – Arctic Monkeys 88. Lonerism – Tame Impala 87. Malibu – Anderson Paak. 86. Boarding House Reach – Jack White 85. Greatest Hits – Remo Drive 84. Help Us Stranger – The Raconteurs 83. Infest the Rats Nest – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard 82. Vessel – Twenty One Pilots 81. FM – Vince Staples 80. The Hurry and the Harm – City and Colour 79. Trouble Will Find Me – The National 78. I Am Easy to Find – The National 77. Afraid of Heights - Wavves 76. Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg 75. Arizona Baby – Kevin Abstract 74. I Think You Think Too Much Of Me - EDEN 73. Harry Styles – Harry Styles 72. Strange Desire – Bleachers 71. Here and Nowhere Else – Cloud Nothings 70. The Balcony – Catfish and the Bottlemen 69. Lemonade – Beyonce 68. Flower Boy – Tyler the Creator 67. Morbid Stuff - Pup 66. Meliora – Ghost 65. Cuz I Love You - Lizzo 64. Beauty Behind the Madness – The Weeknd 63. Some Nights – Fun. 62. The 1975 – The 1975 61. V - Wavves 60. Picture Show – Neon Trees 59. Little Dark Age – MGMT 58. When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go – Billie Eilish 57. + - Ed Sheeran 56. Hungry Ghost – Violent Soho 55. Lost in the Dream – The War on Drugs 54. Watch The Throne – Kanye West & Jay Z 53. Hurry Up We’re Dreaming – M83 52. Home, Like No Place Is There – The Hotelier 51. Run the Jewels 2 – Run the Jewels 50. Trench  – Twenty One Pilots 49. IGOR – Tyler the Creator 48. Gone Now - Bleachers 47. Every Open Eye - Chvrches 46. FIDLAR - FIDLAR 45. El Camino – The Black Keys 44. The Physical World – Death From Above 1979 43. Ye – Kanye West 42. Saturation 3 – Brockhampton 41. Blurry Face – Twenty One Pilots 40. Run the Jewels 3 – Run The Jewels 39. Death of a Bachelor – Panic! At The Disco 38. Megalithic Symphony – AWOLNATION 37. Attack on Memory – Cloud Nothings 36. Starboy – The Weeknd 35. Too – FIDLAR 34. 21 – Adele 33. Ginger – Brockhampton 32. Damn. – Kendrick Lamar 31. Splendour and Misery – clipping. 30. Emotion – Carly Rae Jepsen 29.  Channel Orange – Frank Ocean 28. Brothers – The Black Keys 27. Melodrama - Lorde 26. Plastic Beach – Gorillaz 25. Blowout  - The So So Glos 24. Prequelle - Ghost 23. Colouring Book – Chance the Rapper 22. Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts 21. …Like Clockwork – Queens of the Stone Age 20. Blunderbuss – Jack White 19. A Brief Enquiry Into Online Relationships – The 1975 18. Blonde – Frank Ocean 17. Habits – Neon Trees 16. Because the Internet – Childish Gambino 15. There Existed an Addiction to Blood – clipping. 14. Go Farther in Lightness – Gang of Youths 13. AM – Arctic Monkeys 12. Pony – Rex Orange County 11. To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar 10. Blackstar – David Bowie 9. Transgender Dysphoria Blues – Against Me! 8. Yeezus – Kanye West 7. Awaken My Love – Childish Gambino 6. Random Access Memories – Daft Punk 5. Suck It and See – Arctic Monkeys 4. Iridescence – Brockhampton 3. Danger Days – My Chemical Romance 2. Celebration Rock - Japandroids 1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West GAMES  50. Rainbow Six Siege 49. Batman Arkham Knight 48. Dragon Age Inquisition 47. Bastion 46. Heavy Rain 45. Luigi’s Mansion 3 44. Assassin’s Creed 3 43. Inside 42. LA Noire 41. Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 40. Battlefield 3 39. Until Dawn 38. Control 37. Doom  36. Modern Warfare 35. Valiant Hearts 34. Return of the Obra Dinn 33. Firewatch 32. Cities Skylines 31. Alien Isolation 30. Skyrim 29. Cuphead 28. Assassin’s Creed Origins 27. Outlast 2 26. Telltale’s The Walking Dead 25. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End 24. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 23. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag 22. Dishonored 21. Horizon Zero Dawn 20. Death Stranding 19. Rocket League 18. Overwatch 17. Super Smash Bros Ultimate 16. Spider-Man 15. God of War 14. PT 13. Grand Theft Auto V 12. Portal 2 11. Batman Arkham City 10. Papers Please 9. Hotline Miami 8. Red Dead Redemption 7. Minecraft 6. Super Mario Odyssey 5. The Last of Us 4. Outer Wilds 3. Red Dead Redemption 2 2. The Last Guardian 1. Bioshock Infinite

[aoimoku12]

About Me Tag!

Was tagged by the lovely ladies at @god-damn-it-liz , it was really fun to read about you guys, and thanks for tagging me. So, here we goooo!

How Tall are you?

I’m 5’6, I’m considered short for my family as everyone is roughly between the heights of 5’8 - 6ft, even the women!

What Colour and Style is your Hair?

My hair is just above my chest and and underneath my collarbones, so that weirdish length, but my hair is naturally thick and wavy so it can look at lot shorter since it kinks up. My hair is a mouse brown sort of colour, on the lighter side.

Do you wear glasses?

All. The. Damn. TIME. I have to wear them, unless I’m doing sports where I have to take them off and suffer or I’m going to sleep.

Do you wear braces?

Nope, and I’ve never needed them. Weirdly I wanted them though when I was a kid.

What’s your fashion sense?

Ho Ho hoooooo b o y. This is a tricky one. It’s a mixture of things, but mostly vintage, grunge, or sweet but elegant outfits. I’m all over the place with my fashion, and I always have to think the day before what I’m going to wear. I’m indecisive af.

When were you born?

21st of September, I’ll keep the year a secret. But I am a Virgo! So heya Taurus’ and beware Sagittarius’! 😂

Where were you born and where do you live now?

South of England, the Suffolk county. Although I was born in Norfolk, I live in Suffolk.

What school do you go to?

Thank god I dONT. My high school was crap, like, literal crap. Students disappearing, fights, drugs, holes in the walls, bathroom doors being broken, people not even making it to the bathroom (yuuup), and the crippling b u l l y i n g, even by teachers. Got reported to my head of year by another teacher, why? She felt “uncomfortable” because someone used my preferred name to her accidentally 🙃. I go to college now.

Do you like school?

High school? No. College? Eh. I’m on an art course so 95% of my class are females, 4% are guys and then there’s me (whatever I am), so there can be a lot of beef, fakeness, backstabbing, etc. So I’ve basically not left high school, but i definitely prefer college as I can express myself very freely.

Favourite subject?

Definitely art back in high school, my teacher was a little - harsh shall we say, but she wanted us to pass so she had to be honest and push us to the best of our abilities. So I’m forever grateful for her doing that.

Favourite TV show?

I don’t really watch TV, but DEFINITELY RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Favourite Movie?

LoTR’s Movie series, can’t choose one man I just can’t 😂.

Favoure Books?

Milk and Honey, The Sun and Her Flowers, I hope this reaches her in time, The Witch doesn’t burn in this one and The princess saves herself in this one. They are all beautiful poetry books that tackle very raw, sensitive subjects, I highly recommend each of these books but I recommend ‘I hope this reaches her in time,’ the most. It’s a beautiful poetry book that personally hits very close to home, and although the book can be pretty sad, the endings for all of these books are always filled with hope, forgiveness, self love, and most importantly, moving on. These books aren’t for the faint hearted, and due to their contents, please only read them when you’re in a stable place mentally and emotionally.

Favourite past time?

Napping lol, and messing around on social media. If not, some good ol’ Youtube. Maaaaybe some art if I’m inspired.

Do you have any regrets?

Not being with my dog and the rest of my family at the vets when he was put down.

Dream job?

Concept artist, if not, freelance artist if my partner or both of us are very stable financially.

Do you like shopping?

Only for clothes, if not, I’ll be listening to music. Y’know just kinda following along putting whatever I need in the basket or shopping trolley. 9/10 though my parents shop for us all online. We don’t really go to big retail shops anymore.

What countries have you visited?

America, Spain and Cyprus.

Scariest nightmare you ever had?

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

Being raped in a Halloween scare house and the rapist’s accomplice holding my boyfriend down so he couldn’t help me. I was also lucid dreaming the whole time so I was fully aware. Yeah. My nightmares are quite fucked up.

Any enemies?

..Oranges. Can’t stand the texture of them. Shit makes me GAG. And spiders, sorry but fuck spiders. Wasps too.

Any significant other?

Yup! My partner and I have been together for just over a year now. Anniversary is on the 29th of April. 🥳🥰

Do you believe in miracles?

Hmm, yes and no. I don’t believe in the concept OF a miracle, but I do believe if someone works hard enough for what they want they could live in the fantasy OF a miracle.

How are you?

Tired, it’s 11 pm where I am as I’m finishing this lol, but I’m pretty Gucci.

Gonna tag some uuuuuhhhhhhhhhh WIZARDESS HEART FOLKS sorry if you’ve already been tagged

@wizardesssheart @wizardessheartprincess @klausgoldsteins @lizzylunawizardessfanfics @donetorhasslichliebe

[bethestaryouareradio]

Sacred Spaces

“Nature is the original church. Worship there daily.”  Alan Cohen

If we have learned anything from the pandemic of the past eighteen months, it is that our greatest blessing is to be able to go outdoors to breathe fresh air. Many people choose to hike the hills, walk the reservoir, or take a jaunt to the ocean to calm nerves and preserve sanity. For those of us fortunate enough to have a garden, balcony, porch, or patio, we can open a door to escape the confines of lockdown.

The majesty of Mother Nature rivals the most exquisite man-made cathedral. Throughout my landscape, I have designed special areas that stimulate my senses, inducing a sense of tranquility and connectivity with the natural world. I have dubbed these my “sacred spaces”, places where I can meditate, watch the wildlife, listen to birdsong, commune with the breeze, rest my weary legs, take a nap, or just sit and contemplate life. My “sacred spaces” provide a structure amidst the chaos, a respite against the turmoil of the times.

We can expand our living environment by crafting outdoor elements that nurture our spirits, emotions, and bodies. Here are a few of my favorite strategies to help gardeners recast their yards into a serene, yet lush oasis. 

Water

The sound of water is immensely soothing. Listening to the gurgling of a fountain or the rippling of a stream heightens my creativity. Birds splashing in a birdbath bring a smile to my face. A pond with a recirculating pump provides a happy home for frogs, and if deep enough, fish. 

Hammock

Hanging a hammock from two trees is the ultimate in shaded relaxation. I have double hammocks strung between a giant magnolia and Japanese maples. There is nothing quite like swaying in the hammock looking up at the light as it dances between the branches. The colors of the leaves are forever changing. For an afternoon nap on a hot day, a hammock provides a piece of paradise.

Swing

I’ve installed a metal garden swing behind my pond flanked by orange Birds of Paradise and midnight blue agapanthus. By adding comfy cushions, I can silently swing while listening to the aerating pond and watching the aerial antics of squirrels spiraling through the loquat tree. 

Tables, Chairs, and Benches

Throughout my landscape, I have placed multiple tables, chairs, and benches in specific areas to encourage me to take a break from the hard labor. A wooden picnic table under an apple tree begs me to take a lunch period. A bench facing the hills beckons me to behold a doting doe with her twin fawns as they forage. A small rocking chair in a cozy nook allows me to remove my mud boots and watch the sunset.

Paths and Walls

Whether you use gravel, bricks, decomposed granite, pavers, or flagstone, creating paths throughout the garden allows for interesting patterns and yard exploration. Because I believe in recycling, upcycling, and repurposing, I always utilize whatever materials are available when I’m building stairs, paths, or walls. A former built-in redwood bench is turned on its side to be reused as a retaining planter box. Used bricks add a separation element to the revamped below-deck walkway bordering the tangled wisteria forest. 

Pergolas, Gazebos, Decks

A deck is always a great gathering spot. A gazebo or pavilion is a stately structure to sit, embrace the view, and offer gratitude for outdoor rooms. On my deck, under my grape, wisteria, and bower vine-covered pergola, I unwind after a long day by soaking in the hot tub. This is my prayer place as I gaze at the twinkling stars above.

Plantings

The selection of specific plants is critical to the overall color and scale of any garden. My goal is always to witness botanical interest 365 days a year through express attention to the trees, flowers, shrubs, bulbs, vegetables, herbs, and bushes. Every season brings a change to the landscape. Roses bloom for nine or ten months when regularly dead-headed. Perennial sweet peas flourish with their pretty purple pea heads from spring until autumn. Pink naked ladies pop up to smarten the summer soils when most other plants find it too hot to shine. Deciduous trees such a Japanese maple, pistache, crape myrtle, and liquid amber offer spectacular autumn colors.

When you think about creating your sacred spaces, make sure you are bringing the indoors out and the outdoors in. Expand your home environment by mimicking and mingling colors, patterns, themes, and shapes through both areas. Great design amplifies your emotional well-being. Rediscover forgotten or overlooked spots. Feel the vibes as you develop your scheme keeping comfort and safety at the forefront. Use your imagination to unearth the endless possibilities.

Mother Nature is the original church. When we honor Her, we will attain a more balanced life with peace as a bonus gift, no matter what is happening around us. As this latest Delta variant spreads its dangerous virus tendrils, I urge everyone to talk with their physicians, listen to the science, and get vaccinated. Discover your sacred space, breathe, and spend as much time outdoors as possible. 

A Be the Star You Are!® volunteer from Minnesota emailed me “I go for walks on our nearby trail as often as I can because it’s a way to escape to nature, and I know how you feel about that!  So off I go.”

Off you go!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Saturday, September 25th, Be the Star You Are!® will participate in the first live event at the Pear and Wine Festival with a booth sponsored by the Lamorinda Weekly(www.Lamorindaweekly.com) and MB Jessee painting (www.MBJessee.com). Wear your mask and visit us! Details at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-events

Phots and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1513/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Sacred-spaces.html

Press Pass: https://blog.voiceamerica.com/2021/08/18/sacred-spaces/

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. 

Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com.

Buy copies of her books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD and special savings.

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.

Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

www.GoddessGardener.com

[suetravelblog]

Oregon Wildfires 2020 – usatoday.com

Surely, we can all agree that 2020 has been a filthy little year! With over three months to go, it’s painful contemplating what more havoc might come. After an extended trip abroad, I returned to the US in December 2019, with no idea about what was soon to follow in 2020. Long flights are difficult, and I cringe when recalling the 20+ hour flight from Dubai to Seattle with fidgety, sneezy passengers from all corners of the world touching everything as they wandered throughout the aircraft.

Wuhan Novel Coronavirus – New Scientist

Covid-19

The March Covid-19 “lockdown” wasn’t fun, but since I’d been on the move for a long time, I was content with extended quiet days in one familiar space. I feel great compassion for people who caught the virus and those who have suffered untold economic and physical pain. Tragedies continue to play out worldwide as new side effects surface and second waves begin occurring in the UK and throughout Europe, it’s a sad and disturbing, with hope for a vaccine but no clear end in sight.

I wanted to volunteer and help, but that wasn’t wise. Like everyone, I sat at home and watched dramas play out online and via cable television, shuddering at the thought of what might happen next.

Oregon Fires

To further complicate an already complex environment, in September hellish forest fires struck Oregon – a tragedy for humans, nature, and animals. Although I’ve experienced wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington – nothing quite like this!

The fires began when a storm brought historic high winds and lightning which wreaked havoc along the West Coast. Some of Oregon’s most beautiful mountainous areas are lost. It’s devastating and will take years to recover. These fires have changed the State of Oregon forever. Tragic stories told by brave survivors and firefighters are heart wrenching.

Red suns, dark skies thick with smoke, and toxic ash-filled air are part of the other-worldly experiences we’ve endured over the past few weeks. Friends in San Francisco relate goosebump rendering stories of a surreal, fire-ravaged environment.

Recently, we’ve had rainstorms in Oregon – unusual for September – and even shriveled up rhododendrons are perking up again. It’s pure delight hearing the sound of raindrops, finally opening windows, and standing outside taking a deep breathe! Sadly, with the rain, flash floods are predicted in areas already devastated by fire.

Firefighters Western Wildfires – The New York Times

Cleanup is next, in accordance with approved guidelines. Everything in sight is coated with ash!

2020 Presidential Election

There are no words to describe the prolonged abuse Americans are suffering in regards to the 2020 presidential election. It’s the nastiest, most mean-spirited campaign in history. I was out of the country during the two previous elections, and thought I’d done what was necessary to vote absentee – discovered I had not.

Voting from a foreign country is supposed to be easy, but it wasn’t. While traveling, you may not have a mailing address or access to a printer, scanner, or fax, at least I didn’t. My attempts to get setup for voting online while traveling abroad threw things off balance. Later, when back in the US and waiting for a ballot for local elections, I realized it wasn’t coming via hard mail or email. While trying to sort it, I got bounced back and forth between national, state, and county election officials, none of whom were particularly helpful in figuring out what ran amok. I almost gave up, but voting is vitally important, so I persevered and went in person to a local voting office to cast my vote. Oregon was a vote by mail state long before I moved here in 2007.

Traveling in a foreign country during a presidential election is nerve wracking. Especially with endless negative media exchanges between news commentators and politicians flashing on computer and television screens everywhere. I was embarrassed to be an American, and with all the vicious vitriol, felt uneasy and vulnerable like citizens in some third world countries.

These days, it seems political campaigns begin the day after a presidential election ends and continue non-stop for four years until the next one occurs! The public is endlessly pummeled with partisan ads and nasty media coverage. It’s too much. Surely there’s a better way!

Map Portland-Eugene Area Fires – Wildfires Today

Peaceful Diversions

During super stressful times and when outside sources of entertainment are unavailable, people need peaceful diversions. I’ve found a few and rediscovered some as well.

Gardening

Although I have “basic” gardening done during my travels, there was a ton to catch up after being gone for over a year. Being surrounded by mini skyscraper-sized fir and oak trees on a little less than an acre is idyllic, but it also means there’s never-ending maintenance. The landscaping is on a hill, so that adds another level of tricky. Pruning, weeding, and cleanup has taken time and still isn’t finished, but visible results make the hard work worthwhile.

My back-landscaping leads into the woods, and deer, naughty squirrels, chipmunks, and wild turkeys are abundant. No matter how many times I’ve spoken to them :o) – they continue working against me by foraging, digging, and eating everything they find appealing. I’ve spent a fortune on deterrents and am now using Tabasco sauce – mildly effective but it seems the animals enjoy some spice with their food!

Orange Fire Skies Over San Francisco Bay – Sky News

Yoga and Hiking

I’m working on a personal yoga routine and started using wrist and ankle weights, which are making a noticeable difference. Gravity is cruel, and trying to counteract it is an endless process. Finally, I’m getting into a workout routine that works for me, and I look forward to it.

With the fires, hiking in nearby areas is curtailed temporarily. Over the summer, I took a few extended hiking trips which will be the subject of future blog posts.

Fire Ravaged Oregon Town – Star Tribune

Watercolor Painting

I began watercolor painting again – fruit and flower still life. Took lessons years ago, but never made much progress. Some scenes are setup in my small painting area, others are from a collection of art books, and a few were created using photos and media shots found online. Painting is a great way to relax and focus! I’ve shared my paintings with friends and have no illusions of talent but feel comfortable with my work. A few recent paintings are attached.

Five Apples

Apple Trio

Gran Manzanas Roja

Solo Sunflower

Pumpkins

Four Tomatoes

Candy Apple

Apples from Above

Animal Shelter Volunteer

I hope to start volunteering for a local animal shelter, fostering animals needing a temporary home until they can go up for adoption. With traveling, it’s difficult to have pets, so fostering is perfect. It’s been some time since I fostered, so I need to take a class first and hope that happens soon. Understandably, they’re busy after the fires.

Cooking

It’s fantastic to be in my own little kitchen again, with a familiar stove and cooking utensils. Cooking in an alien kitchen (7 of those on the last trip) can be frustrating. You often just give it up or do something simple, like pasta. I’ve enjoyed home cooking, and whatever is in season is on the menu. Surely Covid-19 restrictions are creating new chefs all over the world.

7 Recipes to Wow – faithhopeloveandlucksurvivedespiteawhiskeredaccomplice.com

Travel Again

Of course, I’m eager for another travel adventure. When is the question? As a friend says, staying healthy and active until things normalize is the only thing you can do.

Best to all!

Covid-19, Fires, Elections, and Peaceful Diversions Surely, we can all agree that 2020 has been a filthy little year! With over three months to go, it’s painful contemplating what more havoc might come.

[wallpapernifty]

This Story Behind Hot Poker Plant Will Haunt You Forever! | Hot Poker Plant

Watch for babyish spotted lanternflies

Kniphofia ‘Backdraft’ PPAF – hot poker plant | hot poker plant

This year’s new crop of spotted lanternflies accept been hatching and in the abutting few weeks ability be apparent ample around, attractive for breakable adolescent bulb beforehand on which to feed.

It’ll be a first-time acquaintance for a lot of Harrisburg-area gardeners as this bug has now been accepted in a absolute of 26 Pennsylvania counties, including Cumberland, York, and Perry as able-bodied as Dauphin, Lancaster, and Lebanon, area lanternflies already were accepted to be.

Spotted lanternflies were aboriginal apparent in 2014 in Berks County. They’ve back beforehand into about all of southcentral and southeastern Pennsylvania, additional as far west as Beaver and Allegheny counties.

Red Hot Poker Seeds – Uvaria Mix – hot poker plant | hot poker plant

The aboriginal stages of this avid Asian acceptation don’t attending annihilation like the inch-long adults with the characteristic set of orange-red spotted wings that can be apparent back the wings are absolutely open. (The adults’ wings are gray with atramentous spots back closed.)

In the aboriginal three stages of a lanternfly’s activity – alleged “instars” – the bug is about the admeasurement of a ample beat and is atramentous with white, sometimes-hard-to-see spots. That’s what to attending for now.

By the fourth instar, lanternflies are hardly beyond and about-face a added apparent red with white spots.

Red Hot Poker – Torch Lily Value Bag – hot poker plant | hot poker plant

They again morph into aerial adults in July afore dying in abatement afterwards the females lay eggs for the abutting year.

Penn Accompaniment University and accompaniment Department of Agriculture admiral are aggravating to accumulate clue of area spotted lanternflies accept confused in adjustment to anticipate their spread.

Penn Accompaniment Extension says that one way home gardeners can advice is by “banding” a timberline or two. The address involves wrapping three-inch-wide bands of adhesive flypaper (available at accouterments and farm-supply food or online) about copse about four anxiety from the ground.

Kniphofia uvaria – hot poker plant | hot poker plant

Sticky bands on timberline trunks are acceptable at capturing adolescent spotted lanternflies.

The cardboard captures the adolescent lanternflies as they attack to ascend upwards in chase of a abounding snack.

Penn Accompaniment has both a video and a actuality area on timberline banding.

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It recommends abacus an alien bandage of craven wire or screening a few inches out from the bands – alluringly covered with cheesecloth

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Buying flowers online is an easy and quick method to show a special someone you care, without getting to invest hrs searching to obtain the right flowers. With easily delivery, an excellent selection of flowers and traditional bouquets can be found at prices which are very affordable generally. Getting a particular kind of floral arrangement in your mind helps narrow lower your buying process.

Customers should know the extra taxes, service charges, flower delivery details after-sales support. Some online florists range from the delivery cost within the cost proven for every floral arrangement. Other online stores add some charge for delivery whenever you achieve the take a look at, right before one enters your payment details. For 24 hour deliveries you'll be needed to pay for a little extra. It's also wise to see if the online florists delivers flowers on weekends and holidays. Occasionally for example Valentine's, A Birthday, and xmas book your orders ahead of time rather of buying in the last second. You will have to possess the recipient's complete name, address and phone number ready while buying flowers online. It may be beneficial to create in advance the content you need to send combined with the flowers you buy. For more information on the best flower bouquet, visit our website today!

Before you decide to provide your charge card details, make certain the website is utilizing a secure server. With the aid of a safe and secure server, all of the private information that you simply furnish including charge card figures, names, addresses, and telephone figures is specifically encrypted inside a secure code and therefore isn't open to other people because it passes within the Internet, until reaching your online florist. When the order is positioned, it is important to either print an order confirmation, or note lower an order number. Also keep track from the customer services telephone number from the online florist. To benefit from the different discounts and special deals that online florists offer every so often, it's suggested to join up and be people of these sites. Want to know more on orange County Florist? Do not forget to visit our website.

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What To Seek In Prom Venues Orange County

Today's prom evening venues are actually only confined through your creativity and also prom spending plan. If you wish to generate an unforgettable activity suitable for teen prom nobility, start by finding the supreme prom venue.

Where to Search For Prom Locations

Requirement activity areas as well as one-of-a-kind venues require sophisticated reservation, specifically if you live in a city or rural site. Plan to book your site 6 months to a year earlier.

Criterion Prom Venues Orange County

Proms are actually frequently held in the exact same areas as other institution dancings or wedding receptions. Any type of some of these locations can easily frequently be booked absolutely free or cheap and totally completely transformed with the ideal ornaments and also household furniture:

School gym

Lunchroom.

Amphitheater.

Feast venue.

Fire hall.

Big spaces in restaurants.

Unique Prom Venues Orange County.

If you have the freedom to get imaginative with your prom place, consider unthinkable venues including:.

Local area zoo.

Group camping ground lodge at a condition park or camping area.

Local area fish tank.

Botanical gardens.

Rooftop terrace.

Vacant shop.

Private yacht or riverboat.

Outdoor coastline structure.

Fortress or even mansion house.

Large collection.

Closed off parking area.

Outdoor event area.

Nature center.

Unfilled storehouse.

Look At Traveling Opportunity.

Certainly not all high school students drive, indicating moms and dads might be providing the transportation. As a result of this, you don't intend to prepare for your prom to be too far. Search for a location within 30 minutes of the secondary school. The exact same is true for little ones taking limos and automobile solutions charged by the kilometer.

Maintain Protection in Thoughts.

Everyone recognizes prom is actually supposed to become enjoyable, however it also needs to have to be secure for teens. Steer clear of any kind of venues that might be hosting various other adult celebrations on the very same night including lodgings with various feast spaces. Seek places with a significant party room and also very few various other areas teenagers may sneak off to.

What Prom Venues Orange County Ought To Include.

Like other sizable party celebrations, prom spaces need to have to feature space for resting, dance, a DJ, meals, and beverage terminals. Create a listing of the various parts you plan to contend your prom and also try to find spaces that suit your setup.

Room for Every person.

The first thing you require to examine in possible prom venues Orange County is the area's capacity that is actually available to rent out. It ought to comfortably fit the maximum volume of folks that can be participating in. Examine the number of tickets sold for prom recent three years and find the standard of those numbers to estimate the number of people who will join this year.

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The best Value.

If you decide on an area away from your institution, there is actually certainly the location will certainly take up a sizable section of your finances. Minimize other expenses through picking a site that consists of some or every one of these products in to one cost:.

Tables, chairs, and also bed linens.

Meals and also cutlery.

Alcoholic beverages and starters.

Attractive aspects like candlesticks and pots.

Seller reserving services such as protecting a DJ.

An occasion coordinator to pioneer on designing.

Spectacular Features.

To make it simpler on prom chaperones, seek:.

Bathrooms that join the centerpiece room.

A separate entryway or even entrance near the occasion room.

Well-maintained and kept exterior as well as interior.

Well-lit, risk-free neighborhood.

Venues with no pub.

Teen-Friendly Food selection.

Many teenagers are worthwhile a whole lot to attend prom, so food they are offered must show the cost. Pick either a sit-down, buffet-style, or even family-style meal if you feature one along with foods items and also cocktails like:.

Stand out and also mocktails.

Bite-sized desserts.

Cookies.

Mini hamburgers.

French french fries in a mug.

Exquisite pizza.

Discovering the Perfect Prom Place.

Supplying this all fits within your prom budget, the upcoming intervene organizing the prom is deciding on a time. If this was already decided, you simply require to make sure the preferred prom location isn't reserved for the opted for time. If it hasn't been decided on yet, it refers to coordinating the accessible venue dates and the accessible days for the school.

Prom Place Benefit.

Now when it relates to the prom venue extras, "Some hotels and resorts call for that you opted for a prom DJ, prom band, prom flower shop from their checklist of providers along with whom they possess exclusive contracts or even arrangements along with. If so make sure to request their ideal list. If it is a prom band or even prom DJ you are looking at, request for a demo or even go hear the band just before you make a decision.".

" And also don't overlook," says "request certain advantages like a set or a room to serve as online or nerve center. You may ask for a free of charge space for the prom coordinator to stay in or even where pupils can easily head to collect yourself. Simply make certain this space is actually staffed along with a liable adult whatsoever times. As well as don't be afraid to let the feast supervisor recognize that you are taking into consideration other prom web sites.".

Prom Food Selection & Food.

Right now when it relates to the dishes, Sharon points out that budget definitely dictates whether your dish is actually offered buffet style or sit down. However, although cafeteria type provides you another opportunity to be neighbored by your peers, you must beware when selecting buffet-style dishes. "At that grow older, ladies can worry in heels and also mishaps can easily happen while getting to and from the smorgasbord and the desk. Along with a sit down dinner, those forms of crashes are minimized.".

Whether you opt for cafeteria or even take a seat, perform not be daunted due to the price per person. The things on the prom food selection can be haggled or even changed for low-cost however delicious food selection selections. Likewise, talk to whether pops consist of in the price per person and ensure you carry out not overlook to feature in your prom budget plan. Allow your banquet supervisor find out about unique dietary worries of pupils in your course.

Prom Internet Site Décor.

The grander your prom, the a lot less you could invest in designs. Nevertheless, what main feature or even streamer can take on crystal light fixtures, silk valances, or picturesque backgrounds? Knowing this, you may choose easier, cheaper designs or even focal points.

You may even combine what your class has carried out en masse throughout the year. Sharon remembers her personal prom board utilizing aspects coming from their senior excursion as a motif. Some other concepts for decorations include: balloon arcs, metal confetti, rainbowlike curtains, crepe streamers, blossomy bed linen, crowns, landscapes, and banners.

🎧 Listen to our podcast: https://pod.co/podcastlive/the-ultimate-checklist-for-prom-venues-in-orange-county

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Fall Harvest and Bulb Buying

“Tickle it with a hoe and it will laugh into a harvest.”  English Saying

 Every September I think about two major garden projects that transpire throughout the autumn season: harvesting and bulb buying.

 Fall boasts a spectacular bounty of pears, Asian pears, grapes, apples, tomatoes, tangerines, blackberries, walnuts, kiwis, and more. The last of the peaches and nectarines are being picked while festivals celebrating the end of the fruit and vegetable collections transpire throughout the next two months across the United States. 

 We also kick off fall by thinking about what bulbs we’ll want to plant for spring. Alliums, daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, iris, snowdrops, muscari, and fritillaria top the lists of many gardeners. 

 Let’s get started on this month’s workload! 

 Fruit and Vegetables

 What do we do with all the produce that is harvested? Besides eating your fruits and veggies fresh and raw, autumn is a plum time for canning, freezing, pickling, and drying the season’s extra yield to enjoy during the winter months when “fresh-picked” is not possible. Use a dehydrator to dry apples, peaches, tomatoes, and pears. Put grapes into an ice-cube tray, add water, and make grape cubes that are pretty and delicious in drinks. After cooling, freeze batches of various fruit sauces that have simmered in a pot with a dash of salt, sugar, honey, and/or vinegar. For canning and pickling, check online sources for simple recipes and make sure to follow the safety requirements. Making jams, jellies, pies, and chutneys is easy and fun, especially when you involve the kids. Next to Christmas, harvest time was always a favorite family experience when I was growing up.  

 Although my vegetable garden did not return the abundance I had anticipated for the year, my fruit trees overcompensated. I’ve been slicing crunchy apples into salads, sauces, compotes, soups, and making crumbles, pies, and crisps. Peaches or nectarines with fresh cream is one of my favorite breakfast treats. For a refreshing and invigorating weekend cocktail that I call Sunday Sensation, try this beautiful and delicious combination. It can be made with or without alcohol.

 Sunday Sensation

In a clear pitcher, muddle cut pieces of peach and nectarine. Add slices of an orange, tangerine, and Meyer lemon. Stir in a shot glass of Campari or Aperol for an alcohol infused drink, add ice cubes, and top with sparkling wine or Champagne. For a virgin sensation, use a cup of orange juice topped with sparkling water or apple cider. Garnish with sprigs of basil and mint leaves. 

Yummy!

 While you are enjoying your Sunday Sensation, it’s time to contemplate the bulbs and rhizomes you’ll plant this fall for a spring showcase. Bulbs can be planted mid to late fall in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Daffodils can be planted anytime and anywhere. They are especially great in areas where deer roam as the deer are repelled by them. There are so many varieties of tulips for early, mid-season, and late blooming that it may be best to peruse bulb catalogs to get an idea of the specimens that speak to you. All tulips will need six weeks of refrigeration before planting so it is doubly critical that you decide on what to buy now. For rock gardens and borders, you may be thrilled by Water Lily tulips that naturalize when left undisturbed. When you want exotic-looking tulips, consider the flamboyant Parrot or Peony flowering tulips. If you want to force flowering, single or double early tulips are the most well-known as well as Species and Triumph tulips.

 Forcing How-to:

Plant bulbs in well-draining pots in October, place them in the dark for 12-14 weeks while chilling at 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Gradually move pots to filtered sunlight to allow sprouting and acclimation. Water as needed. 

 Ponder the Pollinators:

Happy bees stay in our gardens helping nature thrive. By planting bulbs in colors most attractive to the bees­­­­––blue, purple, white, and yellow––fresh food is provided for them after winter when they need it most. The best bulbs for bees are allium, anemone, camassia, corydalis, crocus, fritillaria, Galanthus, hyacinths, muscari, tulips, and scilla. 

 Best Way to Plant Large Quantities:

Most people plant bulbs in groups of five to seven spaced six inches apart and buried four to five inches deep. However, if you want to create a bold and beautiful impact with large swatches of color, try trenching. You can mix bulbs or use one variety or one species.

 Dig a long five-inch deep (or whatever depth the bulb packaging indicates) trench wherever you want to make your floral statement. It can be straight or made into a circle or pattern. Add soil amendments if your ground is clay and hard. Arrange a minimum of a hundred bulbs with the pointy side up. Cover area with soil and mulch. Water, wait, and WOW!

 After blooms fade in the spring, cut the flower stalks to allow the bulbs to conserve energy for the next year while the foliage continues to flourish. 

 Hose Repair:

Every time I or my siblings telephoned my Mom during a summer or fall day, the first words out of her mouth were “I’m busy. I’m pulling hoses.”  That line became a code sentence for us whenever we were doing manual labor that others may not think was important, but what was critical to us. This past summer, to save water by not turning on my irrigation system, I found myself pulling actual hoses daily. By spot watering, I was able to water deeply and accurately, but it was arduous work pulling those heavy hoses. Several tore or broke during the process and I mended them, giving them new life. I have always repaired frayed or cut hoses and figured everyone repaired theirs when necessary. But then I saw a couple of hoses in the recycle bin area of a client’s yard with new hoses sitting next to the front faucets. They didn’t realize that hoses are easily repaired with inexpensive parts. If your hose is damaged, head to the hardware store to buy either a female or male coupling. If your hose is broken in the middle, you can buy a connector. Cut off the damaged hose part with a shear or sharp knife. Use a Philipps screwdriver to open the connector. Push the new female or male plug into the hose and tighten the connector with the screwdriver. Test the hose. It will be good as new. I tend to use more female couplings than males, so I always buy extras.

 Tickle your garden with a hoe and you’ll have a great harvest. Come visit me at the Pear and Wine Festival in Moraga at the Be the Star You Are!® charity booth on September 25th and pick up some free goodies. Laugh on!

 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Saturday, September 25th, Be the Star You Are!® will participate in the first live event at the Pear and Wine Festival with a booth sponsored by the Lamorinda Weekly(www.Lamorindaweekly.com) and MB Jessee painting (www.MBJessee.com). Wear your mask and visit us! Details at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-events

  Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. 

Photos and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1515/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian.html

 Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com.

Buy copies of her books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD and special savings.

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.

Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

www.GoddessGardener.com

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