Hi, folks!
The shop opens at 1pm. Winter hours are 1-6pm Thurs.-Mon. Featured photo by Beth Kattleman.
[posting at 6:30pm] Rain gauge at noon on 4/7 – Dry. The day started with blue sky and stayed there. Driving into the shop with blue sky above and the beautiful color of the river and bay reflecting that was awesome! 60F, wind at 104mph and gusting, AQI 12-44, UV4. Chance of rain 42% today and 37% tonight. Today’s showers should be over by sunrise, but there’s a small to tiny chance of them all day. Looks like a damp week. Today(50/40) small chance of showers. Sat(49/39) same, increasing overnight, Sun(46/37) more showers up to 1/2 an inch, Mon(47/40) rain, 1/3 inch, Tue(48/39) am showers, Wed(49/41) rain 2/5 inch, Thu/Sat(52/42) gradually decreasing chance of showers, 1/2 an inch over 3 days. 6 firespots.
Long note today, from back to Monday evening!
We were very late heading home Monday. We decided to get a bunch of stuff finished instead of leaving it for Thursday, the way we often do. Once we were home, we had leftovers for supper and turned in. I got a little done in terms of laying out projects that night, which in hindsight was wasted time.
I had forgotten that Tempus had a doc appointment in Corvallis in the morning. We had to get up at 9, and I hadn’t slept well, so that was a struggle. We made coffee at the shop while we were putting things together for the trip, then were rolling right after 10:30.
We stopped at DQ to grab something breakfast-ish. I guess a chicken sandwich and cheese curds is breakfast? The sky was blue with white, puffy clouds…and shining right in my eyes as we headed north…. Once we turned onto 20, I thought that wouldn’t be an issue…. the sun moves, though. 🙂 Spring is definitely sprung! So many trees are in bloom! …and a lot that have started to leaf out through the blooms. Then I started noticing catkins on various trees, and maple blossoms, with the leaves coming on behind.
Why did ODOT decide to plant ivy, cottoneaster and broom along 20? Those are invasive!
We missed Ellmaker which was a problem for my need of a pitstop. We finally ended up at the McD’s in Philomath. The next thing I started nothing were some of the old orchards along the way with lichens, leaves and blooms all together. I kept wishing that we had the time to stop and pull out the camera.
We ended up hunting around for the hospital. I had completely forgotten where it is and things have changed, also. The area is building up! We finally got there, but had to hunt for parking and it was far enough that even with my walker my knee decided I was lunch. Oof.
We didn’t have to wait but a few minutes and it was all good news, although initially put rather badly. Having a doctor tell you “There’s nothing I can do.” can give you a really upset stomach before he explains! What it is, though, is that things are ticking along just fine, and Tempus needs to have another appointment in a year to check on things. Iow, no problems! So we set out for home again, really tired.
Tempus hadn’t gotten any sleep, just a couple of naps over Monday evening into Tuesday, then the drive out and back. Oi! I was sleepy enough that I was starting to babble, which at least keeps him awake, but I sound like an idiot.
As we started back out 20 the sun in our eyes, already. We turned onto 34 in Philomath to go to Gathering Together Farms. I’ve missed getting to stop there. This time of year their salad mix is to die for! I also picked up: shallots, leeks, radishes, a monster cookie for Tempus (no walnuts for me!), orange cardamom bread (and he got a share of that…. lovely!) The lady there actually remembers me and we talked recipes and cookery. Maybe I ought to get my “odd recipes cookbook” done?
We rolled back to 20. It’s less than a mile from the turnoff. I kept exclaiming about the sun on the mossy trees. A few mile miles on I let out a squawk and said, “Don’t hit the baby ent!” There was a broken-off sprig of pine, “walking” on its needles across the highway! I guess it was the wind from the cars, but it was putting one cluster in front of the other like a good little entling! Then I saw the “white tree”. It was a distance away across a field at the base of a bunch of very dark pines. At first I though I was looking at a dead tree with the bark peeled off, but as we got closer I realized that it was simply in bloom from top to bottom! That was a 30 foot tree, at the least! There were lots of Mayapples coming up and even more horsetails.
Eventually we got to Toledo and then the curve where you can see the ocean. Why is that such a feeling of relief when I see it? Instead of turning for home we went to Fred Meyer’s. Tempus snoozed while I shopped, picking up some seeds (forgot the chamomile!), a couple of plant dishes, two tiny tomato plants and some easter candy.
We finally made it home and Tempus was staggering. There was an egret in the Eckman outflow, fishing again. I cooked supper…. a pasta/cheese casserole while Tempus went in to sleep, then I followed him when that was ready and in the fridge. I was back up when he started getting ready to head out for the bulk route (that’s what made Tuesday such a rotten day for this trip!) I got him fed and he had his monster cookie, some chips and a little bag of malt eggs for the trip. He decided not to take a sandwich.
I did some small hand-sewing, then gave up and took a book to bed. I was up and down during the night, but out cold when he got in and didn’t wake until 1pm. He didn’t get up until 6! I did some prep on vegetables and had a cup of the broth from the vegetable soup with a buttered roll, then later made some souper rice (canned soup with instant rice….) in case he’d rather that.
I did my time in the garden…. about 3 hours, all told, making a hugel-culture kind of thing in a pot (kitchen scrap, no oil/meat) with dirt on top and planted my purple carrots. After that I did a bunch of plant tags. Otherwise I was mostly weeding. Our neighbor gets enthusiastic with his weed-whacker, so I get a lot of grass. The dandelions I don’t worry about, since we eat them…. Stinky bob, though… Dang that stuff gets everywhere! I’m mostly weeding it out of the mint and oregano, but I have a pot of irises that I need to get after that’s got plants of it big enough to harvest. I also need another harvesting basket at home, so I can bundle stuff for drying as I go.
Well, he made coffee and then we had the pasta for supper again, finishing the batch. We spent quite a long while talking about things. Both of us were still in pretty bad shape. I hadn’t the heart to make him drive to the shop and back so I could do the newsletter, which is why he did a notice instead, and then I did it when we got to the shop. We went to bed again around 9… or I did. Not quite sure when he turned in.
When I got up I worked for a bit, then took my tablet back to bed, since I was dealing with cold feet. When he got up I made my radish and cheese spread (lovely radishes!) and had a bunch of salad. I was moofling over not having any blue cheese salad dressing. I’m going to have to do something about that, but the radish spread will do for now. It was always a spring treat when I was growing up, when the first radishes were big enough to harvest. It’s butter, cream cheese and radishes with a little salt, maybe chive or onion or garlic. (recipe is below!) I used garlic, this time. I have another beet and horseradish spread to do, too, but I want to food processor clean, first. Dunno if that’s happened today or not.
Eventually I went to bed. Tempus apparently had a rough night. He had to stop and nap, repeatedly. He got in at a reasonable hours and we got moving at noon so’s to get a couple of small chores done. I got a few pictures of the plants. He’s out doing laundry at the moment. We had some people in shopping early on, but it’s been quiet, since. I’ve been writing on this most of the day. I got the newsletter for the 7th out, early on. …and I spent a little while downloading some more magazines to my tablet. …and a little while playing when my ability to concentrate gave out…. and some working on photos.
Ok, he’s back and I’m still not done. Eek! Needing to get home, so he can do the bulk route and we can eat beforehand! Today I’m hoping we’re going to be in better shape. If he doesn’t have to run in to Newport he’s going to be making bread. I’m going to get back to work on the book piles. I’m starting to see the bottom of them, which means he’s making a trip to storage in the next few days.
Fern Fiddles by Beth Kattleman on 4/5/19
Today’s Plant is the Linden Tree, tilia species. It is also called lime tree (no relation to the fruit) and basswood. It is the national tree of many countries, particularly in Central Europe, (the Czech Republic!) where at one time it was sacred and councils met at the sacred linden, just as in the British Isles they met at an oak. The wood is widely used for carving and for guitars. The inner bark of the tree has been used in making fabric. The flowers, which smell delicious, are used in teas and perfumes and a valuable honey is derived from them. The flowers, leaves, wood, and charcoal (obtained from the wood) are used for medicinal purposes. – Feminine, Jupiter, Water, Taurus– Bark used for protection, leaves and flowers for immortality. Good Fortune, Sleep and Love. Hang branches over the door for protection or grow in the garden. Use in love spells/mixtures and protection spells & incenses. Mix equal parts Linden and Lavender flowers and place in a sachet under your pillowcase to relieve insomnia. Keep Linden on a table to release the energies needed to keep the spirit alive and healthy.
Hana-matsuri (flower festival) is the name in Japan for the celebration of the birthday of Siddharta Gautama Buddha. It’s not a national holiday, but celebrated within the temples. The tradition of bathing the altars is interesting. On the festival & practices http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha%27s_Birthday on Japanese festivals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuri on Buddha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha
Spring hours are 1-6pm Thurs.-Mon., although we’re often here later as the days get longer. Need something off hours? Give us a call at 541-563-7154 or Facebook message or email at anjasnihova@yahoo.com If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open! In case of bad weather, check here at the blog for updates, on our Facebook as Ancient Light, or call the shop.
Love & Light,
Anja
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Today’s Astro & Calendar
Moon in Cancer
Waxing Moon Magick – The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or healthy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 4/16 at 11:55am. Waxing Crescent phase – Keywords for the Crescent phase are: expansion, growth, struggle, opportunity. It is the time in a cycle that you gather the wisdom learned in the new phase and communicate your intention to move forward. Light a candle. Write or read an affirmation. LISTEN & ABSORB. Commit to your goal. God/dess aspect: Maiden/Youth, energy and enthusiasm – Associated God/dess: Artemis & Apollo, Mayet/Djehuti, Freya/Frey. Phase ends at the Quarter on 4/8 at 11:48pm. Waxing Gibbous Moon – From seven to fourteen days after the new moon. For spells that need concentrated work over a ¼ moon cycle this is the best time for constructive workings. Aim to do the last working on the day of the Full moon, before the turn. Keywords for the Gibbous phase are: analyze, prepare, trust. It is the time in a cycle to process the results of the actions taken during the First Quarter. During this phase you are gathering information. Give up making judgments; it will only lead to worry. Your knowledge is incomplete. Laugh. Analyze and filter. LOOK WITHIN. God/dess aspect: Maiden/Youth, but in the uncommitted phase, the Warriors – Associated God/desses: Dion, Dionysius, Venus, Thor. Phase ends at the Full on 4/14 at 11:55pm.
Over and done are the planetary triangles and bunchings that have been highlighting the early dawn. Venus, Mars, and Saturn now form an expanding diagonal line., From now on it will just get longer and longer and will continue lengthening until, by late summer, it extends all the way across the dawn sky from east to west — always in the same order as here.
Arch of Spring 2014 (ignore the planets)
The first-quarter Moon this evening forms a tall, nearly isosceles triangle with Pollux and Castor above it: the two top stars of the Arch of Spring. The Moon is about 8° from each. The stars are 4½° apart. The rest of the Arch of Spring consists of Procyon to the stars’ lower left, and Menkalinan and then bright Capella farther to their lower right.
With the still-waxing Moon now lighting up Gemini, let’s look north again this evening in search of the galaxy NGC 4449, located in Canes Venatici the Hunting Dogs. This 9th-magnitude galaxy covers about 5′ and has a high surface brightness, making it relatively easy to observe, particularly in larger scopes, which bring out its rectangular shape. This odd galaxy is classified as a Magellanic-type galaxy because of the resemblance it bears to our own Large Magellanic Cloud. In a large (11-inch or bigger) scope with high magnification (250x), you may be able to glimpse the galaxy’s irregular central halo, as well as several brighter regions of star formation throughout.
NGC 4449
To find NGC 4449, look about 3° northeast of Chara, the Hunting Dogs’ 4th-magnitude beta star. Alternatively, you can sweep 15° south of Alioth, the third star in from the end of the Big Dipper’s handle, which sits between the Dipper’s cup and the famous double star pair of Mizar and Alcor.
Mars and Saturn glimmer to Venus’s right. They’re vastly fainter, almost identical at magnitudes +1.1 and +0.9. Mars, however, is more orange than pale yellow Saturn. They pass each other by about ½° on the mornings of April 4th and 5th; see the illustrations above. Bring binoculars in case dawn is getting too bright.
Runic half-month of Ehwaz, 3/30-4/13 – Ehwaz, the horse; time of partnership between humans and Nature, as between rider and horse. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 55
Sun in Aries
Goddess Month of Columbina runs from 3/20 – 4/17
Celtic Tree Month of Fearn Alder Mar 18 – Apr 14
Color – White
Planting 4/7-9
©2022 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright
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Celtic Tree Month of Fearn/Alder, Mar 18 – Apr 14. Fern (FAIR-n) Alder – The common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner) is common along lowland rivers, where it grows with aspens, poplars, and willows. Like willows, alders sprout from stumps. This allows them to regenerate after heavy flooding. In protect sites they may grow to 20 m (65 feet) tall. Their leaves are more blunt-tipped than most North American alders, which look more like the grey alder (A. incana (L.) Moench). This species is more common in the mountains of Europe, and is not restricted to moist soils. Like ashes, European alders are not widely cultivated in North American (they are often sold as black alders), but several native species are. Alder wood is said to resist rotting when it is wet, and was the wood of choice for pilings in many regions. Alders are members of the Birch family (Betulaceae).
Fearn – Alder Ogam letter correspondences
Month: January
Color: Crimson
Class: Cheiftain
Letter: F, V
Meaning: Help in making choices; spiritual guidance and protection.
Ogam letter correspondences to study this month – Ailim – Silver Fir
Month: None
Color: Light Blue
Class: Shrub
Letter: A
Meaning: Learning from past mistakes; Take care in choices.
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Tides for Alsea Bay
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Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
~ /Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
F 8 High 5:16 AM 6.6 6:44 AM Set 2:48 AM 35
~ 8 Low 12:51 PM 1.1 7:52 PM Rise 11:09 AM
~ 8 High 7:53 PM 5.3
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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – Every day is a second chance.
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Journal Prompt –
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Quotes
~ Every exit is an entry somewhere else. – Tom Stoppard
~ The artist is the lover of Nature, therefore he is her slave and her master. – Rabindranath Tagore, Indian Bengali poet
~ I have made but one mistake. – Roman Emperor Titus; enigmatic last words, September 13, 81
~ If you want to be happy, be. – Leo Tolstoy
Gladness is born of the April weather,
And the heart is as light as a wind-tossed feather.
Who could be sad on a day like this?
The care that vexed us no longer is. – Eben Eugene Rexford (1848–1916)
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Beltane Magick – Recipes
Anjas Radish and Cheese Spread Recipe – adapted from A Taste of Czech Tradition cookbook which you can purchase here.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/3 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup grated radishes
- 1 Tbsp. chives
- Salt to taste
Directions
- Cream butter, add remaining ingredients and mix well. (I use a food processor.)
- Serve on various bread or crackers.
- We found that it tasted better cold, after a few hours in the refrigerator.
You can get your copy of A Taste of Czech Tradition at the Czech Heritage Club. We’ll be happy if you let them know we sent you and make sure to subscribe (below) so you don’t miss any of the other scrumptious recipes we’ll be sharing!
Dandelion Delight – http://crystalforest3.homestead.com/beltane.html by Patricia Telesco
This lovely spring tonic makes good use of pesky weeds to rejuvenate the body with earth’s reawakening. Dandelions are high in vitamins, and legends claim that Hecate once entertained Theseus with dandelion water.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups dandelion petals
- 1 gallon orange juice
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- Ginger Ale (optional)
- Clean off the dandelion petals with cool water.
- In the meantime, warm the orange juice and lemon together, then add dandelions.
- Make certain you only have petals (no green parts).
- Add the sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved.
- Strain juices
- Chill.
- Add ginger ale for a light, bubbly drink.
VARIATIONS: Prepare this recipe with lemonade instead of orange juice, and the juice of one orange instead of a lemon. This is a refreshing, purifying quality and, poured over crushed ice, is wonderful on a hot summer day.
MAGICKAL ATTRIBUTES: divination, wind magic, wishes and goals, communicating with the Spirit world.
Creamy Cornmeal and Pumpkin Porridge – Serves 4 – http://crystalforest3.homestead.com/beltane.html
This rich porridge is silky smooth, almost like a custard. You can use any kind of milk–rice, almond, oat–here. However, almond milk has a nutty flavor that works well with the pumpkin and cornmeal. When buying canned pumpkin puree, make sure to avoid brands with sweeteners. The label should have just one ingredient–pumpkin.
- 2 cups almond, rice, or soymilk
- cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Maple syrup
- Whisk milk and pumpkin together in medium nonstick saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally, over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, stir cornmeal, ginger, and salt together in small bowl.
- Whisk in 1/2 cup cold water until smooth.
- Whisk cornmeal mixture into simmering pumpkin mixture.
- Cover pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until thickened and hot, about 5 minutes.
- Divide porridge among bowls and drizzle with maple syrup to taste.
- Serve immediately
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Silliness – Sniglet – Any word which should be in the dictionary but isn’t. – frust (frust) – n. The small line of debris that refuses to be swept onto the dust pan and keeps backing a person across the room until he finally decides to give up and sweep it under the rug.
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