In North Georgia

Independence Day … to my pal Anne, it’s got a new meaning. After taking a bad fall and opening up her knee to the tune of 30 stitches, her mobility was compromised … making it very hard to be independent enough to take care of her more personal needs. We all take going to the bathroom pretty much for granted … until we can’t get there by ourselves, or worse, can’t get out of there without help!  Today, she got her independence back!

Our founding fathers weren’t heroes per se … several had questionable ethics (even by today’s standards), but they understood the value of INDEPENDENCE.

Of course, they sacrificed the homes and lives of thousands of native people, they invaded their country and land, slaughtered them and their children (even babies were butchered, and this went on until the 20th century!!!) … they claimed the land as “theirs” … and called themselves Americans. We celebrate our independence from tyranny this weekend … from foreign rule … and push under the rug the fact that this land we call home was stolen by invaders. We’re really sumpthin’ aren’t we? But … that’s a blog for another day.

Back to the freedom you celebrate today …

American Revolution – To most colonists, a subject’s right to be heard by his rulers was a basic one; it was part of the “natural law” philosophy of the Age of Enlightenment (read more) .

American historian Richard B. Morris, in his 1973 book Seven Who Shaped Our Destiny: The Founding Fathers as Revolutionaries, identified the following seven as the key founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.

These men, with the help of many, many others, put together a Declaration of Independence … upon which we built a country. (Great reading on the web about this time … read more The End of Compromise)

These Revolutionaries proclaimed that every citizen “is endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; …” (Let’s not forget this part … we hire these people to keep things in order, they get their power from US the taxpayers who pay their salary, it’s not the other way around.)

Just having this blog … and having the FREEDOM to say what I want, when I want, and not be afraid that some black (or white) cloaked strangers will come knocking on my door and kill my family for saying it … is an amazing freedom … one many others in this world may never realize.

I can talk about my feelings, reveal local government atrocities, share recipes … I can die my hair purple and wear white shoes all winter if I want to … it’s a FREE COUNTRY.

So, next time you buy a paper, read a blog, worship in public, vote, listen to the radio, send your kids to school, homeschool your kids … thank somebody. Thank a native American, the Universe, a soldier, a police officer, your mother, your god … anybody you like … just say “thanks” for all the freedoms you enjoy each and every minute. Remember … freedom is rarely free, and gratitude is a small price to pay.

Animals, Nature and Spirit Connect in Jeanne Webster’s novel “Strays”

This afternoon, during an impromptu late lunch with Nile and Micah, we met Claude, the husband of author Jeanne Webster, and were quickly drawn into a conversation about our human connection with the world around us … plant, animal, and mineral, our responsibility for its care and safe keeping, and the horror of what the oil spill is doing.

So as not to get on my soapbox about BP and others like them, I’ll move right on to Jeanne’s novel, “Strays.”

“Strays” is Jeanne’s (pronounced Jee-Nee) the third book and her first stab at fiction. It tells the story of Jean, a young woman unable to navigate her life, and her canine guide Max. As a storyteller, Jeanne has woven the tale around the stories and legends she grew up hearing about the purpose and meaning of the plants and animals.

Jeanne says in her blog: “When Jane finds herself literally hit over the head, she finds her answers in the guidance of another stray…a dog named Max. She’s drawn into a world beyond the busyness of her own thoughts and the chaos of life; one that opens her to her purpose the meaning of life.

All the wisdom and insight is delivered through the plants and animals that share this world with us. But much more than a story of talking animals and astute trees, Strays brings an understanding of what is enough, how we navigate and create our lives and what we miss by looking without instead of going within.

The stories in the book are old legends and tales I heard as a child, each brings with it a sort of “Ah-ha” moment. I have altered them slightly to fit the story, but they remain charming and wise. From the feedback, each reader takes away a lesson or perspective that changes the way they look at not only their lives, but life in general.

Some of what you will find in Strays are stories like how the dog became man’s best friend, why the Snake Society used to be just like ours, what changed them and what they may predict for humans. When you read it you will find out what the acorn represents and what your emotions are really telling you … all little secrets we, as humans, have managed to isolate ourselves.”

Click here to read an excerpt from the book and more information about the author.

Enjoy! straysthebook.com

I *really* don’t like mosquitoes. I say bad things about them, ridicule and harass them, spray myself with scents supposed to ward them off, and still, they insist on following me around … and worse, sucking my blood.

When they bite me, they invariably leave behind a nasty red welt, which continues to itch for a week … they bite behind my knees, and on my elbows … showing no concern for my privacy or discretion.

Today, I found a solution!! Don’t get bitten!!! After years of searching for a soap, spray, oil, patch, leaf … pleasant or non-smelling (to humans), and totally repulsive scent (to bugs) … today I found a natural, organic, herbal soap … right in my own backyard!!

It’s made with a proprietary blend of bug repelling pure essential oils, with a natural, fresh herbal scent and a pH balanced base of Castor, Coconut, Olive, Almond, Apricot, and Jojoba oils.

Ready?  It’s Shampoochie! Made right here in Sautee at Greenstone Soap, Kate tells me that several regular customers buy it for themselves! One landscapper says it’s the only thing that keeps the chiggers off, another lady gardener swears by it’s mosquito repelling properties.

Of course, we’re just sharing information … it might not work for everybody, but it can’t hurt … and the landscaper guy said he even washes his hair with it, and he’s got thick shiny hair!  ;-)

After being bitten, if you’re being driven insane from the itch (my excuse for radical behavioral changes) here are some home remedies you might try:

1. Rub a bar of soap over the itch. I just tried this (Shampoochie) and the relief was near instant. I used a dry bar of soap directly on the skin, but you can spritz the bite with water and then run bar of soap over area – or use a wet bar of soap.
2. Place a piece of scotch tape on the bite; or dab rubbing alcohol or ammonia on the bite first then stick on a piece of tape.
3. Hot water: Take a hot shower, or a hot bath, or apply a hot compress. As hot as you can stand it without burning you.
4. Ice cube, ice pack or very cold water. (I’ve never gotten much relief from 2-4 above, but others swear by them).

Dabbers For Itch Relief

The quicker you apply one of the remedies below, the faster the relief. These are topical suggestions, apply directly to the bite area.

• Nail Polish
• Strong tea mixed with rubbing alcohol
• Toothpaste (works for me)
• Mouthwash (works for me and not as messy as toothpaste). I also keep a spray bottle of this in the car, by the back door, and on the porch for a quick spritz before going outside. I keeps mosquitoes at bay and smells pretty good. The downside is that it only lasts 10-15 minutes.
• Vinegar (apply directly to bite or take a hot bath with 2 cups of vinegar in the water)
• Honey
• Underarm deodorant (solid or roll-on) – apply directly to bite area
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Tea: Use a hot tea bag or a cotton ball soaked in hot tea to dab on bite area

Paste Applications

Mix these fresh then apply to bite as soon as possible. The consistency should be nice and thick so it won’t run, yet will still stay in place on the affected area. You could also spritz bite with water then apply grains/powders directly (generously) and rub them in.

• Baking Soda & Water (works for me)
• Meat Tenderizer & Water
• Salt & Water (works for me)
• Epsom Salt & Water (could also do this as a foot soak if it’s the ankle/foot area affected)
• Tums Tablets: crush and add a few drops of water
• Aspirin: crush then add a few drops of water
• Aspirin – crush then apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol

So, Happy Father’s Day weekend to all you fathers, grandfathers, uncles, Dads, and male role models out there … thanks for all you do for us in the name of love.  Stay safe, and enjoy your day.

This month’s electric bill got me to thinking seriously about finding an alternate energy source. Our lives rely on electricity … our business couldn’t survive without it, and so, we pay whatever our local power company charges, without question.

We know that relying on coal, oil and natural gas threatens our future with toxic pollution, global climate change and social unrest caused by diminishing fuel supplies. Why not adjust our focus from the problem to the solution … and learn to thrive on the planet’s abundant supply of renewable energy.

Solar energy is virtually inexhaustible, and most importantly, we don’t have to wait for a new technology to save us. We already have the technology and energy resources we need to build a sustainable, solar-electric economy that can cure our addiction to oil, stabilize the climate and maintain our standard of living, all at the same time!

30 or so years ago, when I first considered alternate energy, the price to convert my home was *way* above my income level … but now, there are many many affordable options … kits, resources, documentation … whatever we need to eliminate that huge expense every month, and help to clean up the planet at the same time. In the 1830s, the British astronomer John Herschel famously used a solar thermal collector box (a device that absorbs sunlight to collect heat) to cook food during an expedition to Africa. Today’s technology allows us to do a lot more than cook our food with sunlight …

I did a little research this morning on the web, and found lots of *affordable* alternatives … if nothing else, some good reading for a rainy afternoon …

Stop being held hostage by the electric company! Despite relatively little investment in new power plants and equipment, the average consumer has seen their electric bill more than double in the past 10 years! Build your own wind and solar power system.  Click Here

High Energy Costs? Build your own solar panel and wind generator for less than $200!  Click Here

You can build your own Solar Panels, saving $1,000s off of retail price. Almost anyone can do this, even if you have no solar experience. This is a step-by-step guide that will show you exactly how to build your own solar panel system.  Click Here

How would you Like to UNPLUG your house from your electrical company, knowing that you are “100% Powered by nature” with renewable energy? Green DIY Energy … Click Here

Magnetic Generators that create 100% FREE electricity have been used by the Power Companies for years. Yet, they keep this hidden from you so that you keep on paying your electricity bills. “Would you like 100% FREE Electricity for your Home?” Click Here

Now you can build a single panel or a complete array of panels to power your home for a fraction of retail cost. If you’d like to learn exactly how to generate power and reduce your electric bill, then this is the perfect resource for you.  Click Here

Have fun! Do some research yourself … you’ll be amazed how many resources there are right at your fingertips!

School’s out, the daisies are blooming, and 2010 is almost half over!  Spring flew by … Summer Solstice is right around the corner, and it’s time for watermelon and popsicles.

A Celebration of Wine, Music, Art & Family Fun – Georgia Style!

THIS Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6, Three Sisters Vineyards celebrates the 9th year of presenting The Georgia Wine Country Festival with a slate of fine wine and music from the Crush Pad Deck.

2010 festival musical guests include The Buzzard Mountain Boys, The Georgia Waybacks, Cindy Musselwhite & Family, and Route 66, with a special appearance by The Appalachian Saint Andrew’s Pipe & Drum Corps.

Helen-Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race

The hot air balloon race will begin (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of 30 bright and colorful hot air balloons, in North Georgia’s Alpine Village – Helen. Race competitors and local flyers will take to the sky at 7 am on 6/4/10.

If the weather conditions are too windy or storms are forecast, the take off will be postponed until conditions are acceptable. While the competition to the Atlantic continues, other balloonist compete in local events beginning Thursday evening around 6 pm.

Local flying events will take place also on Friday and Saturday. The balloons will fly around 7:30 am & 6 pm each day (weather permitting).  Balloons will only fly for around 1-2 hours.

There will be many opportunities available to the public; assisting with the inflations, being a part of a chase crew, taking a tethered ride in a balloon or a champagne flight over the mountains.

Cinema on Sage

Cinema on Sage (Sage Street) is a free movie, projected on a giant screen and held outside during the summer months. Free fun event!  June 4, 8-11 pm, on  Sage Street, Downtown Square Toccoa, GA 30577

2010 Summer Arts Tour Open House next weekend!

Over 125 artists at over 35 participating businesses will demonstrate their talents and showcase their wares across four counties June 11 – 13, beginning Friday at 1:00 pm.

Meet painters, potters, jewelry makers, fiber, glass, metal artists, wood carvers, and flute makers … and watch them create magic right before your eyes.

Visit ArtsTour.org to plan your route or just head for the hills and look for the “Art Zone” signs!  While you’re touring, be sure to register at participating locations to win great prizes — theater tickets, restaurant gift certificates, landscaping, and even painting classes.

Stay the weekend in a cozy mountain getaway, dine at local eateries, and shop til your heart’s content.

June is a great time to be in the mountains … there’s always a cool breeze, and a beautiful view.