Cure the Stress

I've been dealing with heightened levels of stress as of late. This is mostly due to recent health findings that I have been struggling with for several years now involving bone infections. This allows for depression to enter my life though I try hard to work on my emotions with the situation. I've been turning to healing methods involving Reiki, crystals and herbs for the emotional difficulties. They have worked quite well, but it is finally time to add more to this routine. Epsom salt! Yes, it is time for a nice relaxing and detoxing bath. Below is my personal recipe that I use when the stress of daily life just gets too much or I just wish to relax.

Bath Salt Recipe

1/4 cup sea salt

1/2 cup baking soda

1 cup Epsom salt

5 drops lavender oil

Want to know more about the health benefits of Epsom salt? Check out this link.

Jack Frost On Vacation

I am starting to wonder if Jack Frost went on vacation this year. Our Winter in East Texas hasn't been much of a Winter. It had become chilly for several days in December, but now flowers are in bloom all over the land and the local trees have started putting out their buds. It seems Spring is about six weeks early this year. It makes me raise and eyebrow in confusion. Nothing like this happens without a strange result down the road, which is what worries me.

At least there is positive side effect to this weather. Last week, I began starting seeds indoors for my vegetable garden and my father's. They sprouted just yesterday. Due to the lovely weather outside, they are safely able to spend the peak hours of the days outdoors to soak in some natural light. I can not wait until Spring has fully arrived and a trip to the local plant nursery is necessary. I look forward to it every year.

Neighborhood Walks

Since Chi's disappearance, I've been taking more time out of my day to walk around the neighborhood. At first, these walks were in hopes of finding Chi so to take her back home, since I was unsure of her ability to adapt so quickly to living outdoors in her natural environment. Now it is mostly for myself to get outside and exercise more. After my last two surgeries, I've been a bit more withdrawn from nature and the outdoors. It wasn't on purpose. It was just my way of avoiding any extra pain from walking outside on uneven ground. However, due to searching for Chi, I have learned that I am able to walk a little better and without as much pain than I had realized.

I've now decided to make it my New Year's resolution to walk more outside. This way I can get some exercise as well as take Chi some food to leave out by her tree for my own peace of mind. It seems that even her leaving has brought me lessons that without her, I may never have learned. Its funny how life plays things out.

Chi Surrounded in Nature

The squirrel I had found back in the month of November has found herself out in nature. It is where she belongs, but her departure was not intended by any means. I've been known to take Chi outside on my shoulder. Generally, she is quite satisfied with perching there until we wander our way back inside. The most she ever wandered off to was 5 ft away sniffing the items on the porch. However, yesterday I took her a bit farther from the porch than she was accustomed too. Jason came out to meet us and she playfully jumped back and forth from his shoulder to mine. At some point something frightened her and she jumped to the ground. Next thing we knew she took off across the street, behind a building and up a tree. I was terrified. She had never been outside for long and least of all for the night.

We tried to coax her down, but she refused to budge. After dark fall there was little we could do. We retired for the night. I woke up earlier than normal to go in search of her. I found her hiding in a tall oak tree behind a house at the end of the street. I offered her pecans and called to her. She ignored me and continued to hide in the tree where she was considered safe. Finally, she moved out of sight and that was the last I saw of her today. I'm not sure if she will come back or even knows where "home" is. What I do know is that she made it through the night and that she is at the age where they commonly leave the nest. There is a good chance her natural instincts will kick in and she will survive.

However, I still worry about her and always will. I was, in a sense, her mother. I dread the idea of her not finding a shelter against the Winter weather or having enough food. At this point there is not much I can do except  pray and leave food out for her. So that is what I shall do. Hopefully, I will see her again. She won't be hard to tell from another squirrel. She seems to be the only gray squirrel in the neighborhood as all the others I've seen were fox squirrels. If she comes to my feeder or climbs a nearby tree - I'll know its her.

Where ever you are Chi, you will always be in my heart. I love you.

The Sun is Shining

The sun is shining outside and today I was well enough to enjoy it. I went out into town with my Mother and niece for the later half of the morning. I really enjoy their company on days like today. It is a beautiful day and although it is Winter the weather is nice outside. Truly a benefit of living in the Eastern parts of Texas. The weather doesn't get too chilly until about January.

Jason and I also aided our upstairs neighbor in treating a wound on her feline friend. Her vet instructed her on wound cleaning, but kitties can be rebellious when dealing with these types of issues. I did Reiki on the feline while they did the cleaning and wrapping of the infected location. Chelsea was very surprised at how calm the cat remained during the ordeal. Reiki really seems to have this affect on injured and sick animals. I believe they sense the energies and realize that those around them are only there to help when it is used along with medical treatment.

After the kitty was taken care of, I then tended to my potted plant garden. My catmint and peppermint, which I purchased at the fall plant sale, are thriving. I had to relocate them into bigger pots. I did this for the sage I have growing as well. The sage was planted from seeds back in the Spring. I'm very pleased with how well it has grown and my ability to keep it healthy. This has been the first year I have truly tried to grow herbs. Next Spring I hope to start up more from seed. Makes it where I can hardly wait the coming of Spring and all the new possibilities it will bring for my gardening.

The Healing Sun

The sun has amazing healing benefits. My great grandmother used to tell my mom and me this. I figured it out for myself years ago when I had come down with a cold that I couldn't shake. I crawled out side and just laid in the warmth of the sun. My mother insisted I must have been very ill to have gone into the sun light like I had. I wasn't known for sunbathing. After that day, I have continued to use the sun's healing abilities.

Today was one of those days. I have not been getting out of my home as much as a should, so upon attending a holiday party I caught a cold. I have always had a weak immune system. So while I was visiting my mother today, I sat outside on the back steps to soak up some healing rays. The warmth hit me and instantly I felt a little better. My mother then insisted that I go onto the swinging bench and lay down for a bit to get all the vitamin D I could. I did. 

Before long I was in dreamland and Jason came outside to join me on the swing. He rubbed my back and told me to just rest until I felt better. I napped for about half an hour like that. It was the best nap I have had in a long while. It was a very peaceful and joyful moment even though it was all due to me catching a simple cold. Goes to show how many moments that are worth remembering come at unexpected times.

Winter with a Squirrel

It seems that the Goddess had a very unique plan for me this Winter. A month ago, I came across a little squirrel. It laid on the ground motionless huddled next to a piece of fire wood. She was so young that her eyes had not opened yet. Jason and I took her home with us since we had also found a sibling already dead.

We named her Chi, which is Japanese for energy. The name suits her well as squirrels are an active creature. She has come to believe I am her mother and finds it amusing to climb up and down me as I do my cross stitching. Chi also fancies the Yule tree in our living room, but that comes as no surprise.

So aside from getting ready for the Yule Sabbat, I have been learning first hand about my little animal totem and enjoying her company. I do believe though that she enjoys the hand picked acorns over my company at times. At least this year's Yule Sabbat is bound to be filled with laughter and entertainment on a level I have yet to have seen before.