Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Quote of the Day --  "It is with words as with sunbeams.  The more they are condensed, the deeper they burn."  ~ Robert Southey  -- My Stressful Story --  Some 20 years ago I made some big changes in my life. Up to that time my life was fairly unstable, unpredictable, heavy schedule, lots of responsibility, etc. - my childhood was painful alongside a dysfunctional family. I speak of that briefly only to say that the stress was pretty high before the straw landed on the pile - a car accident. At that time I hit a real new low - suicidal low - and was diagnosed with chronic depression. The first thing the experts told me about PTSD and depression was that I was not alone, my symptoms were common, that I wasn't "tainted" and there was a lot of help out there.  The next thing they commented on was that they always recommended getting outdoors, and they were thrilled to hear I did a lot of outdoor stuff prior ...

-- Quote of the Day --  "It always rains on tents.  Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent."   ~Dave Barry -- Camping Season --  Yes, it is camping season ! Yay! (sound of heels clicking and hands clapping). Dave and I always joke that it is time to help out the farmers and go camping... because it rains and storms like 80% of the time that we can get away! lol I see RV'ers driving our roads in bliss (while the rest of us wither in jealousy). So the call to sleep in the woods has come... but are you ready? Last year I realized how frustrated I was becoming in the stages of set up prior to leaving. There was just so much to be done around the home and office in advance of the time away, and all the preparation of food and clothes and... only to get there and get a cramp or something and realize you don't have any pain killers, no muscle r...

-- chatter --  As you can see, I've taken a few days off from the blog inadvertently, actually.  This last week has involved weeding, mowing, tending, trimming / shaping perennials and trees, plantings, compost sifting, garden bed preparation, seed ordering, spring cleaning, a garage improvement project, book edits ...and dealing with a rash of incoming product review requests and submissions for the blog - which reminded me that I needed to draw my attention to the blog. Whew! Since May 2004 I've been blogging every single day... up to this last year when I've relaxed, a lot. I love blogging and the networking it brings - but it also eats up a lot of time to manage, maintain and promote. As you know I've been in the crunch of finishing the last edits to the upcoming cookbook. With just a few pages of the main body of the book left to do, I'm feeling a sense of relief. Of course that still leaves the image insertions, formatting, cover design... so we are fa...

It’s Alive! The Living Soil  * Today's article, written by Andy Lopez of the Invisible Gardener, will help us understand about the relationship between the nutrients your plants need and biological activity in the soil. The article was edited by the blog owner, however, and a few corrections made. There are two ways to get minerals needed by plants: The first and fastest as well as easiest is to apply through foliar spraying onto the leaves and trunk. Trees and most other plants are much like humans in that they can absorb nutrients thru their "skin". Another way to get minerals to the plants is to provide it in the soil by adding compost, which is rich in minerals and bacteria. This is the main reason we make compost piles or bins - to provide the proper condition for bacteria and minerals to get together and produce these nutrients in the form that the plants can then use. ( *Blog Owner's Note: Remember a few days ago on this blog we talked about t...

Tips To Help Ease Worrying * Today's article was written by: "Richa" Have you turned on your television lately? If so, words like ISIS, Ebola, economy and Obamacare can send your blood pressure through the roof. It is difficult in today's world to keep from worrying. I've recently spoken with a number of friends who say they have trouble sleeping at night because their minds just can't shut down. With all of the stresses and strains on our lives these days it's no wonder people are weighted down with worry.  Worry is a dangerous animal. It lurks through our minds and then moves in and says a while. It fills us with self-doubt, fear, and sometimes even anger...all of which have significant negative effects on our health and well-being. So the question becomes, " How can we stop worrying? " There is a quote I love that states: " Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace ." T...

 Poetry  Yep - another fine day to share poetry! For those of you who are interested - Dave and I have 2 books of poetry out and you can find more via: http://brummet.ca/store.html Towards Understanding   The Sound of a Soul Have you heard the sound of a soul set free? The soul has may sounds, If you could hear them you'd agree. But the only sounds a mortal hears, Are the bitterness and the tears; The sounds of blame, fear and shame. But if you can, listen Listen close and hear The harmonious singing The beautiful sound ringing  From that same soul, once masked and held prisoner In the body you knew so long ago. Yes the body has been asked to leave, And it is alright to hurt and grieve. Just listen closer and you'll hear, That her soul is happier being free. Rhythm And Rhyme  A Thought Most of us are mixed of heart. Most of us have been torn apart. How much pain can one endure, ...

Of Asphalt and Cement There is a lot of new "green space" movements happening across the planet - schools and universities and even hospitals are increasingly putting in gardens.  A recent issue of the Seeds of Diversity magazine  shared several articles about school and college programs that work with seed saving organizations using grants, volunteers and donated seed to create new grow-out programs helping to ensure there will be a variety of plants available to future gardeners.  I read a post on Facebook that LA has passed a bylaw that reverses other, closed-minded laws…  laws that prevented people from growing gardens in empty lots and unused, uncovered (no asphalt or concrete) lots and spaces. Today, where ever they are allowed - people are taking up shovels and expressing creativity and concern for the environment and where their food is coming from by replacing front lawns (often unused space) into gardens. Restaurants are creating gard...