Practicing what I preach

My idea of a beautiful day--looking out over Bull Shoals Lake

Time for a change--mine!

For the last several years I have been joining what appears to be a movement toward a healthier lifestyle. Though the changes I'm making in my daily life are minuscule, I recognize that if everyone did just small things, the cumulative effect could become epic.

I'm starting a feature in CH Musings called "Practicing what I preach." I hope to share information, healthy recipes, and tips toward making life better for all of us. My hope is that others will join me with their own tips, ideas, and comments. Feel free to email me with your thoughts.

I'd like to explain why this is important to me. First of all, I'm nearing 62 years old. When I refer to a good life, it doesn't have anything to do with going out to dinner, seeing a movie, taking a cruise, or traveling in Europe. My life is much more simple than that. First, I couldn't afford those things. Second, I have no desire to do them. My desire is to make my life easier. I have already shared the things I enjoy in CH Musings; things like writing, quilting, gardening, watching the wildlife on our five acres. Mother Nature is my muse.

I am troubled by the direction the world is going. I abhor the marketing frenzy that has seemingly taken over. I believe billboards along the highway are ugly. I'd much prefer to see a pretty landscape. I hate commercials in a television drama. They are always at just the wrong time. I dislike the idea that a perfectly manicured lawn is pretty much mandatory in so many communities. In fact, I could be categorized as more of a wild forsythia rather than a neatly trimmed boxwood. I am really bothered that common sense has diminished, not just in our national policies, but often times in our own decision-making.

I believe one of the most important aspects of our lives, is our health. Beyond that, it is just great to feel good. I never watched what I ate or cared about such things until I reached that certain age. Perhaps that is what is meant by the golden age. It certainly isn't because life is beautiful all the time. Rather I believe the golden age is when the wisdom we pick up along the way begins to reveal itself to us.

There is no question in my mind that the food we eat and the water we drink must be of the highest quality to maintain our health. I feel that is sometimes in jeopardy. I don't think our food should be manipulated in a science lab. I dislike poison being put into canned goods just to make them pretty and keep them on the shelf longer. I believe in real, natural food. Fresh is best. In that regard, I am a fan of growing as much food as our own gardens can produce. My personal challenges in that regard are ongoing, but I refuse to give up.

I have never liked taking pills. I don't like artificial flavorings or chemicals. Sometimes it is harder to work through a problem without the quick fix, but often times working hard to achieve a desired goal makes the success all the better. Victory really is sweet.

These are the basic ideals that drive me. I have so much still to learn, but the resources are available. I can't say how many times I looked at some ingredient in the refrigerator and went online to see what I could make out of it. That has lead to some pretty wonderful things--things that I now make all the time.

Sometimes a solution to my problems are so simple, I wonder why I didn't think of it before.

For example, I went out to check on the garden. I Noticed lots of tiny flies on my tomato plants as well as some little worms eating the leaves of my radishes. I made up a natural pesticide that seems to be working.

Here's the recipe:

Natural Pesticide

6 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup of hot pepper--
2 cups of water

Combined these ingredients into a jar. Let it sit for 24 hours. Strain through a coffee filter and into spray bottle.

***

I didn't have hot peppers at the time so I added several tbsps of hot pepper flakes.

This will be my second application. My tomato plants are looking really good.
The spray smells strong, but in a natural way. It is so much more pleasant to smell garlic than that chemicals.

Gardening can be a challenge

Springtime Azaleas 

One of my favorite summertime tasks is watering the gardens. That is a good thing, because it never seems to rain at our house. I cringe when I hear news of flash flood warnings, 30 miles to the north or south of us. Here, nary a drop. This lack of rainfall is becoming habitual. We sure could use the rain.

While watering is my favorite chore, calling what I have 'gardens' may be a misnomer because since moving to the Ozarks, I have been completely garden-challenged. I used to pride myself on having a green thumb, but that was in Illinois, the land of perfect tilth in a rich, deep layer of topsoil. I really do miss Illinois dirt.

I have gardening successes now and then, such as my herb garden that is sporting a rosemary plant so healthy it may take over the entire back yard or the vinca that stands up to anything and grows and spreads wherever it can. I let it have its way, because it is alive, pretty, green, and has flowers. Besides, there are snakes living in it and I see no reason to disrupt their happy home. I can also grow hot peppers extremely well, which is one of my favorite things to grow and to eat. However, high achievement generally is not the norm. When I set out my first plants with all the hope and expectation of a new, novice Ozarks homeowner, I never counted on the animals that live in the woods eating everything I put into the ground or the extremely hot conditions that turn healthy plants into crispy critters, or the nitrogen-starvation in the soil that prevents anything other than trees to grow in my woodland landscape.

Still, I try. I will conquer this gardening thing!

I thought I solved my tomato gardening escapades when my husband built a lovely raised bed garden for me. Last year, I actually ate tomatoes, albeit not as many as I had hoped. Tomatoes will generally grow anywhere, except at my house.

The current condition of the many different heirloom varieties I've planted are now just sticks. Something is eating them, although I have no idea what. I can't find a single tomato hornworm, and I have checked at various times of the day. Thankfully I have tomatoes planted all over the place in pots on the deck, the patio, on the stairs--places the deer haven't gone yet. I refuse to be tomato-free this year. Whatever is eating the leaves is very curious. There are little drills in the dirt that look like ant hills, but with a large shallow hole the size of a marble in the center. I have no idea who is making those. I don't even know if they are coming from the surface and escaping under ground or if they are living under ground and coming up.

Flowers don't do much better at my house. My husband and I just spent some quality time moving landscaping bricks from the backyard herb garden. He recently enlarged it, to accommodate the rosemary. He used landscape timbers. Our aim was to build a small retaining wall, since our front yard is heavily sloped. We have tried various plants, but so far, the only thing that grows are lilies, daffodils, and irises. But there is another problem. The deer help themselves to every flower they see. They have even walked on the front sidewalk and onto the porch to grab something.

A flower garden in the making

Deer just make themselves at home here. I'm flattered, but stop eating my flowers!

I just planted some cone flowers--native plants--thinking they will do well. I've tried amending the soil with bone meal to add phosphorous and blood meal to add nitrogen. The plants were actually showing signs of life. I watered carefully every day during the hot weather. I woke up one morning and the flower heads which were just about to show color, were gone along with most of the leaves. It is my rogue deer friend, Sarah. Not only does she drink from the bird bath, as state in a previous post but she helps herself to flowers too. She and her friends have eaten every living thing that I've put in the ground. We have sprayed all kinds of natural products that promise to repel deer and snakes and chiggers and ticks, apparently to no avail.

This is disheartening, but it is also a learning experience. I will not give in. I will grow beautiful flowers and vegetables if it kills me.

Ozarks adventures with Sarah the rogue deer

Sarah, my rogue deer friend

The weather has warmed up significantly here in the Ozarks, after a long string of spectacular summer days. In fact, it is now downright hot outside, just like summer. So, my most important chore, aside from watering the plants is to fill the bird baths. We have three of them in the front yard, strategically placed so the birds can partake whenever they like. 

This morning, after I finished filling them, just as I turned to rehang the hose on its holder, I noticed my rogue deer friend, named Sarah after another creature that liked to call herself a rogue, watching me intently. I consider her a rogue because she seems totally fearless and is always by herself. She has even made her way onto the front porch to nibble on my plants. 

This morning, she kept eyeing me, almost as if to ask my permission to drink from the bird bath I had just filled. I began talking to her, of course telling her it was alright. While she is very bold when there is no one around, she was a little less so with my standing there gawking at her. She inched her way, always keeping her eyes peeled in my direction. Finally she made it all the way there and began to drink. She was thirsty alright, drinking all the water before running off into the woods. I filled it up again right away. This must be done several times during the day when it is this hot. Funny, I'm sure she'll be back.

I wish I'd had a camera handy, but alas, a photo of Sarah looking at me from a few days earlier will just have to do. 

It is this kind of encounter that keeps me pleased with our decision to move to the Ozarks. My husband and I absolutely love it here. Despite the challenge of trying to mix gardening and wildlife adventures, I couldn't be more pleased with the opportunity to be up close and personal with these beautiful animals. I love and respect all living things, except snakes. They have my respect; love, not so much. The deer though, are my absolute favorites.

Who could be mad at a face like this?

My friend the rogue deer who eats lilies and rose bushes

Despite all she and her friends have done to my gardens, my flowers, all living things I've tried so hard to nurture, I just can't be mad at her. The truth is I am in awe of her. She is beautiful. I like nothing more than to watch whenever I see deer in the yard. It isn't uncommon to simply stop what I'm doing and look out the window. On this day, this doe seemed to be posing, letting me walk out onto the front porch just yards away from her. It is like she brought her little one just to show off. There was no front foot stomping, no snorting, just a keen eye on my every move. That's OK.

At least that is my romantic version, as I'm still mesmerized by the sight of her. My heart is completely open to her as I watch her foraging in the front yard with her newborn fawn. In reality, she is probably trying to show the little one the ropes--to teach it how to sneak up onto the front porch and nibble on whatever looks green and tasty. Today, I shan't complain. I am awash in the essence of her. Never did I dream that I would live in the woods among the wildlife.

The following are more pictures of our encounter. 

Mama doe nuzzles her baby. Is it me, or is that devotion on their faces?

Like mother like baby, the two of them watch intently

What a beautiful animal!

Baby animals are so sweet and innocent. I wish her a long and healthy life

Backyard delight - twice in one week

Last week I lost lots of flowers due to deer, I believe. I didn't catch them in the act, but I recognize the tell-tale here-today, gone-tomorrow signs. They ate lilies, roses, a small Mimosa tree, some sedums, and the leaves of two coral bells. Ho hum, that is just life in the woods.

First ever crop of potatoes

I did have two really cool experiences this week though. 

First, was my first ever crop of potatoes. We planted only a few plants, but when the leaves started to die down, I pulled them up only to find these little gems attached. I've never grown potatoes before. I'm not sure why, but I think I might plant more of these in the future. They are effortless and the rewards are pretty exciting. 

First sighting of Red-headed woodpecker

The other really exciting thing that happened last week was seeing my favorite woodpecker at the bird feeder. We have Pileated, Sowny, Hairy, Eed-bellied, and even Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, but this is my first sighting of a Red-headed woodpecker here. 

The first one I ever saw was at Bull Shoals State Park. I was amazed at the colors. This is definitely not a good picture of him. I excitedly shot it through the living room window, quickly. I wanted to capture the moment and wasn't fussy about how it happened. Too bad the quality is not good because the colors in this bird were delicious. The scarlet red of the feathers on his head were gorgeous. The black and white were flawless and vivid. I nearly panicked to learn that we were almost out of suet. Hubby just returned from the store, suet in hand. I certainly hope red head comes back. I think I'll call him Lucy.

My life is becoming all about healthy food

My idea of a perfect breakfast 

Despite this not being a perfect picture, this is an image of a perfect breakfast.

It consists of two eggs over-easy, yolks in tact, swimming in hot sauce. The fruit are fresh, organic, homegrown peaches, I picked myself.

I've decided, that in my quest to eat healthier, I would forgo the toast with butter and jelly for a piece of fresh fruit to go with my eggs. I eat whatever is available. Sometimes it is fresh strawberries, but with these luscious peaches available, they made for a great morning addition. Who needs bread, gluten, unhealthy genetically-modified wheat when I can eat fresh, organic, homegrown peaches. To me, this is the kind of no-brainer that has become the guiding principle of my eating healthy lifestyle.

Unfortunately, there are setbacks. I am married to a junk-food junkie who still brings me my favorite potato chips from the grocery store. I'm not complaining. It is a lovely gesture. And the bags are the single-serve size. No matter the size, bags of chips are mostly air these days, so I don't think it is hurting me too, too badly. And for some reason, I love the flavor of Ruffles Sour Cream and Cheddar potato chips.

I will atone for eating them by making a great big salad for supper and no lunch. I don't mind combining lunch and supper. That seems to be the natural thing. I'm not really hungry for lunch, especially after such a great, delicious breakfast.

I have a little guilt over those beautiful peaches, though certainly not from eating them. My guilt is from picking them. This is the first year for our tree. I've since read that fruit should be pinched off the first couple years in order to establish the tree's roots. Well, here in Arkansas, I'm not sure I'll get another year, since all the deer in the neighborhood will probably eat the thing--they are eating everything else. I can't really complain too much about that. After all, we moved into their forest. We are fortunate they let us live here.

Because we just planted that peach tree last year. I was astonished that it had flowers this year, let alone

Home grown, organic peaches

peaches. I looked at it every day. Though it was quite a ways from the house, I could see the peach-colored fruit across the yard. I knew the dozen or so peaches on it were starting to get ready to be picked. Every day I looked at it until the other day, I didn't see my peaches. I thought the worst. As it turns out, I didn't see the peaches because the entire top half of the tree was leaning toward the ground, heavy with the ripening fruit. Immediately I picked them. They weren't quite ready, but I figured they could finish ripening on the counter. They did just that. The tree is now standing tall and proud once again, and my breakfast plate has a perfect companion to my over-easy eggs. Bottom line--life is good in the Ozarks.

Not on a plane, but how about snakes in the yard and on the porch

I didn't have snakes on a plane, but I had snakes in the yard and even one on the porch. For me, it was just as unnerving.

We noticed Timi fussing with something in the mint plants

What started out as a quiet afternoon when my husband and I were just sitting, talking on the porch, we noticed our cat Timi, enthralled with something in the garden. I figured it was the frog that had been creaking loudly for days. Come to think of it, I didn't hear it anymore. 

When I crept over to her, I heard a sound unfamiliar to me. Upon closer inspection, I saw a long black tail. Then as my eyes followed the figure, I realized it was a black snake--the kind I'm not supposed to be afraid of. Hah! This guy was as big around as my wrist. I looked all the way to the other end of the garden before I saw his other end. I was not happy. I tried breaking Timi's concentration; fat chance of that. I told my husband I didn't like having a snake in my flowers. If I didn't know he was there, and I was pulling weeds, I would have surely had a heart attack. 

"I don't want him there," I told him. He probably didn't hear me because he was laughing so hard, but I urged him to get the hose to at least squirt water at him to make him go back to whatever hole he crawled out of. 

By this time, our interest had deterred Timi and she started leaving. Maybe it was the word, 'water' that did it.

Bob was all curled up, probably weary of Timi's games

When John aimed the hose, Bob, the name we gave him and all snakes, as a matter of fact, started getting uncomfortable. Instead of moving away from the water, he began moving toward it. I had my camera, but I was more sissy than photographer at that moment, so I didn't get my movie. This would have been a great You Tube video. Oh well. I went completely the other way. So did John. He wasn't expecting Bob to come our way either. Bob slithered his way onto the porch. John kept spraying. He finally got to the end of the porch near the front door. By this time I was far away. I left myself enough space that I would be safe no matter which way Bob decided to go. What I wasn't prepared for was his practically standing up right next to our front door, seemingly looking for a way out of his dilemma and possibly into our house.  

"Oh no you don't," John said, squirting feverishly. He just related that Bob was at about the five feet off the ground mark. I didn't see that--thank goodness. I can't even think about what would happen if that serpent had made his way into our house. I bet our four cats would have enjoyed that. 

By this time, Timi had completely lost interest. She was onto bigger and better things--chasing lizards or something. She figured she had her fun terrorizing Bob and now it was our turn. Too bad Timi didn't realize we were on the receiving end of the terror. 

Bob did not like being squirted in the face so he retreated off the porch, not far from where my rocking chair sits. I have spent many a peaceful moment in that chair. No more! I'll always wonder if Bob is plotting revenge. 

Once all this commotion was done, John and I took our seats and talked about how unhappy I was to have seen such a huge monster in the peace of my front yard and on the porch of all places. 

All of a sudden we see Timi, at another garden. Oh no, deja vu! Sure enough, she was slapping at another snake, about the same size as Bob. John and I just looked at each other, wondering if that was the same snake. Couldn't be. While Bob was on the front porch I was watching intently. He would have had to pass me to get to the other garden. I knew that didn't happen. I think I would have noticed. This had to be a second snake, about the same size as the first. 

Here's Timi seeking out Bob 2

Timi kept slapping her paw at it. I heard that same noise--it was rattling its tail. I looked it up. Black snakes will rattle their tail like a rattlesnake, although they aren't venomous. Finally, Timi must have made some contact, because Bob 2 wiggled his way through the garden, into an open area, and into the woods. Timi followed for a while and then gave up. She found a quiet spot on a bench and went to sleep. We were far less calm.

We have lived here almost ten years and I have only seen a few snakes. Yesterday I saw two in one day. I have no idea what that means, but I'm hoping history never repeats itself. 

John got out the snake repellent and dusted the perimeter of the gardens and the porch. It is all used up now, so a trip to the garden center is in the plans.

A little while later, I insisted on breaking up a big pile of leaves next to the porch to make sure Bob was gone. He was. I got a long pointed hoe and ruffled up those leaves, ever so gingerly. Bob had disappeared as quickly as he had come.