April Showers

What a great spring month April is. The greenest greens, the freshest smells, the cleanest feeling and so many green people peeping up through the ground! We've had some great rain to get the ground water levels where they need to be. Thankfully we don't have the wildfire problems so prevalent in Texas right now.
Unfortunately I've not had a lot of time to get out and remove the winter debris in the gardens, but the cooler temps have allowed the daffodils to have a long blooming period and the tulips are coming on so it really doesn't look too bad. This weekend we are off to Decorah to Seed Savers Exchange for the plant sale since we didn't do our own indoor seeding this year. We're looking forward to a weekend away.

It's All About Golf!

David has long wanted me to learn to golf so that we can go out together. This year I finally relented and immediately he bought me a starter Callaway starter set complete with a nifty lime green pull cart, to-die-for specs style golf shoes, glove, visor, towels and balls (as my birthday gift).

I've been reading about golf, watching tournaments, viewing Paul Wilson's tips and this week one of my "staycation" goals was to hit the greens. The weather has been very cooperative--not hot, not cold but juuuuuuust right. With lots of "rah, rah, rah's" from friends and family out I've gone.

Day 1: putting green at Redhawk for an hour or so of putting practice. Then over to the dreaded driving range at Emeis. The ways of a golf course are so foreign to me. I've learned about how to get a bucket of golf balls from the machine using tokens purchased at the shop and why using a real grass surface at the driving range is better than a pad. And what the blue, red and white flags are all about. The machine that the young lads drive around to pick up the golf balls is pretty nifty, too. But most importantly I learned how hard it really is to hit a golf ball properly!

Day 2: No woosy putting today--it was all driving range. I petered out after an hour using mostly my 8 iron, but also my 9 and one of the hybrids. I like that one the best.....

Line up the ball. Set feet straight with left at 25 degrees and right at 5. Grip club correctly (I tend to use an interlocking grip. Dunno why--just feels comfortable). Head up. Chest out. Swing from waist driving with legs. First left leg as back swing---no! not too high! Remember to rotate wrists. Don't drive with arms. That's like swinging a baseball bat. Don't try to hit the ball. Just relax and allow it to be in the way of the swing and it will be hit (well, part of the time).

I was pooped mentally and physically. I needed caffeine. I needed recovery. I needed rewards. I needed to watch more videos so that I could see what I was doing wrong.

Sigh.

I think that I'll be doing a lot of picking up my balls and walking to the next hole for awhile. Starting today back at Redhawk, easily the simplest 9 hole golf course in the Quad Cities.

2011 Garden Progress

This year one of my goals is to spend less than $300 on plants and seeds for my gardens while continue to experiment and expand the content. The seed sources that I'm using include Nichols Garden Nursery, Horizon Herbs, Seed Savers Exchange, Territorial Seed Company and Goodwin Creek Herbs.

I have 11 different gardens:
1. Vegetable--includes raised beds and in ground
2. Prairie Garden Mix that is along the outside of the fence along the road
3. Butterfly Garden in the front yard
4. Herb Garden
5. Round Garden--this will be a lavender garden this year. Last year it was a moon garden
6.Shade gardens under the sycamores and maple in the back
7. Border garden in the front of the house
8. New hosta bed under the red maple in the front
9. Rose garden
10. Multiple window boxes
11. Debby's Garden

I'm also going to do some potted plants again, only with a few changes. I bought some chickweed seeds to try in a pot and Debby's garden has a beautiful arbor that David built where I can have 4 hanging plants. I'm going to try some scented geraniums and other herbs in those.

Apthous Ulcers

Also commonly known as canker sores, these little eruptions in the lining of the mouth or gum are very painful and interfere with eating. The causes are unknown, though allergens, irritants and hormones are all suspected to be implicated. There is no cure and many people find their own home remedies that they swear heal the lesions. Canker sores are not contagious, but they can become infected, so keeping the mouth clean is helpful in preventing complications associated with infection.
Here is a remedy that is easy to make; soothing to the mouth and tasty and safe to drink!
1 tea bag chamomile tea
1 tea bag sage tea (generally available in the health food section of your grocer)
Tincture of myrrh (available from health food stores)
Honey--unpasteurized is best
In a mug, brew the tea bags in hot water for 10 minutes. Keep a lid over the cup to preserve the oils in the water.
Add 1 drop tincture of myrrh and 1 tablespoon of honey (or more if you like it really sweet).
Allow the tea to cool to a comfortable sipping/drinking temperature. It can be iced, if you prefer.
Sip the tea and use it as a mouthwash at least 2 to 3 times a day.

Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and the sage, honey and myrrh are antibacterial.

Cancer sores generally last 10 days. See if this will shorten that time and make you more comfortable!