Meredith Kendall's Blog, page 99

dandelions

Yes. I could eat them. "That one's a meal!" Wini exclaimed, as we ambled around Paris Hill and spotted a large spreading specimen.

One can eat dandelion greens, can them for later, or make dandelion wine.

I'm profligate. I waste them: toss them on the compost pile. I bought a lovely padded ergonomic tool and spent last weekend digging armloads out of my lawn last weekend. So easy to find: bright yellow flowers and wide toothy leaves. Satisfied with my effort, I lotioned my bruised hands. Then we had a nor'easter wind and rain storm and new ones blossomed. Today I pried stubborn roots out of the cold muck that is my backyard. Tonight I'll scrub my nails. Tomorrow I'll go to work with farmer nails again, bit of dirt here, little more there.

Meanwhile I'm remembering WS Wells of Wilton ME, who grew and canned dandelions. Check it out. Or Belle of Maine on FaceBook. [image error]

Reiki share

Felt the familiar throbbing in my hands as I placed them on Bertie's head. I was sharing Reiki with practitioners who I admire & respect, at our monthly meeting.

We talked for the first hour and a half. I so enjoy hearing the Reiki thoughts and experiences of others: intelligent discussion of one of my favorite topics. The teacher is the student.

Bertie was tearful when we went round with introductions. She's experienced a lot of losses recently. She needed some Reiki love and attention. She got a triple dose: a short session with three practitioners.

We had a guest speaker. He was erudite, educated, and engaging. He led us in a beautiful heart meditation.
B, the massage therapist and Reiki practitioner fixed the stabbing pain in my neck. N taught us a breathing/sound exercise to wake the pineal gland. Or maybe something else, so sorry, but B was doing trigger release just then and it was momentarily excruciatingly painful. But effective.

I love Reiki shares and will so miss it in May. Just can't seem to schedule it. Sometimes I'm too busy. Does that happen to you? It's good busy, but still. [image error]

4-18-12

So today was good. Spent the day with my super fab group of nursing students. Eight of them. Yeah, they're amazing. Educated, experienced, kind, capable, and committed. Way cool. Oh, and over half of them are Aquari. Aquariuses? Aquarians? (one of those).

Got up early. Ate oatmeal w berries. Guided 24 nursing students on a continuum of care. Started with a lecture with a palliative care nurse practitioner. Then a tour of an outpatient wholistic cancer center. Then a hospice house. Then late lunch at the local. I love being a teacher and love my students. They are superb human beings.

Spent time at home with dog. Weighed in @ WW. Lost 4.6 pounds, yay me. Bought a dress for my nephew's wedding. A summer wedding in Tulsa. Hot? Yeah, prob. Got a wash & wear, missoni-type zigzag print in black/white/gray in a satisfactory size. Have the shoes, good to go.

Then a local organizing meeting for a big fall fundraiser. Lots of people, pizza ( I refrained!), laughs, and a touching video clip.

Home again. Sat on the deck, 40-some degrees so a little cold, dusk. Fluff rooted around the grass and gardens. The leafus giganticus, spinach, kale, and peas are coming along nicely. Pansies and daffs too. [image error]

how to wash the dog

Gird self (wild ride, etc); she won't like it. Don't call her. Go get her. Pick her up and place her in the shower. Rinse with warm water.

Select organic shampoo. Or dog shampoo if you are so organized and prepared for such. Lather and massage, especially most needed areas. You know what I mean.

Release to wild. Or backyard. She won't shake in shower, of course, but will shake on expensive hickory hardwood floor even though you're holding the door open. Go out! Mop floor. She will shake again on deck (fine) and then will roll on grass vigorously, as though to dispense and cleanse of stinky organic shampoo. Hey, that was expensive! She doesn't care.

She looks like milkweed fluff when dry, and a chihuahua when wet. Her hair kinks and drips. She doesn't believe in being wet, and protests. She is not a water dog. She's a shepherd. She wants her flock to be together and safe: protected from wolves and thieves.

It was stressful and exhausting. Time to snore on her couch. Wait, is that wrong? I have a chair and she has a couch. hmm. [image error]

So sorry to miss your party, gathering, class, or worksho...

So sorry to miss your party, gathering, class, or workshop.

I'm such a hermit. I need solitude and nature to recharge. When I see you I smile, extend warmth, and talk ( I hope. I do, right?). I mean it and it's easy, as long as I have the requisite number of hours of above (nature & solitude). I need birdsong, breeze, and botany. I require water, waves, and wind. Find solace in contemplation,  cultivation, and canines. I also like to read, research, and write.

So I sincerely apologize to my extroverted friends who require companionship, constancy, and conversation. So sorry.

I like my ghost friends. The ones who I sometimes wonder if they exist. (They do) The ones who say they'll show up, but they don't . The ones who never write back, rarely show up when invited, and never invite me to parties. My mystery friends. When I see you we never stop talking. We connect. It's like I've known you forever. I love your energy. I get you. Thanks and see you next year or so. Maybe. See you in the ether. Much, love, your INFJ friend. ~ Reiki Nurse[image error]

online registration

Just registered my car online. I don't have to take time off from work, drive to City Hall, find a parking spot, and remember to bring all the correct items. I mean, City Hall is nice inside, all marble floors and columns. But really, this is so much easier.[image error]

volunteerism

Not a lost art. Not gone. Struggling, yes. So many people are way too busy, locked onto edevices, and rushing around from work to family, dear friends, and pets.

But there are volunteers out there. They strive to improve your life and their own. They care.

I had the honor and the pleasure of addressing a crowd of volunteers this evening. And if my dog didn't need me desperately ("Let me out! Feed me! Play with me!")  I would have stayed to thank them, hug them, and share a delicious meal with this wonderful group of caregivers.

Who volunteers anymore? Do you? Do I? (Well, yeah, I do. Wish I could do more. I volunteer at a cancer center and an assisted living facility.) Just saying.... if you haven't tried it, well, maybe you'd like it. My volunteer relationships and activities are some of the most rewarding parts of my life.

Maybe you think you have no special talents, no time. You know what? Just you is enough. Can you sew? Talk? Hold a hand? Hammer? Write someone's story? Teach the thing you know best? You can volunteer. Try it; it will make your heart happy. [image error]

Sweet potato fries

Scrub sweet potatoes. Slice into long strips. Lay on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and favorite herbs. Bake 45 min at 450 degrees, stirring once. Good with spicy ketchup.[image error]

Scalloped potatoes

Another recipe. Buy potatoes. Scrub in cold water. Slice as thin as possible. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil in casserole dish, layer potato slices with whole wheat flour. OK, now you need a real cookbook, but make a white sauce with flour, milk, and butter. Dump white sauce over potato layers. Optional: parsely and garlic. Bake 45 min at 350 degrees, covered. Yum. Happy Easter.

hard boiled eggs

Recipe. Buy dozen free range organic eggs. Saucepan, 1/2 full of water. Set on stove, burner on high. Put groceries away. Feed dog. Dump soap & laundry into machine. Check water. It's boiling! With large spoon, gently place egg into water. Place 11 more.

Wait for water to boil again. Turn burner to low or off. Let cook 12 minutes. Time to let dog out, put clean dishes into cupboards, take a shower. Eggs done. Rinse in cold water. Refrigerate. Lunch for week, alone or with salad.