Whiteley Creek Homestead

chaga mushroom

Dick was reading ArbLIFE Spring 2014, a publication that we receive in the mail through our Northland Arboretum membership. (The Northland Arboretum is a 583-acre nature preserve located within the city limits of Brainerd/Baxter. It is the site of a former 40-acre landfill that closed in 1972.) He showed me an article titled, "A Fungus Among Us... Can it be a Cure for Cancer?" This wood decaying mushroom species, that is found on birch and other trees in cold climates, is the chaga mushroom. (Photo source: wikimedia.org)

According to the article, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is researching the chaga mushroom's potential in helping the body slow and stop the growth of cancerous tumors and reduce the toxicity associated with radiation. It has also exhibited antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and an ability to stimulate the immune system. It is generally ingested as a tea. A locally made chaga tincture to add to water can be purchased at the Northland Arboretum. Life Preserver Natural Foods in Baxter stocks chaga chunks with tea instructions enclosed inside the package. A hand-harvested herbal tea blend that I received in one of my monthly Birds Eye Tea shipments contains chaga mushroom.

The ArbLIFE article cautions... "Widespread chopping of chaga conks off of trees threatens a delicate ecological balance. A solution to over-harvesting chaga is cultivation. Cultivation is a sustainable practice, while commercial harvesting of wild chaga is making this mushroom harder to find."

blood moon

Dick and I began watching the full lunar eclipse at 3:00 a.m. Eastern/2:00 a.m. Central, which was when it reportedly peaked. I snapped this photo at 3:21 a.m. Eastern/2:21 a.m. Central. We did not see the intense blood-red hue that some witnessed, but this coloration was commonly reported, too.

My meager point and shoot... its limits pushed beyond. But a story it does tell of two people waking from a perfectly good sleep to watch an event. Together. In the quiet of the night.

 

laundry day

Not so much changes. If we choose for it not to. Letters and laundry. Two examples. An email is quickly deleted after reading. A handwritten letter is cherished from the moment it is retrieved from the mailbox and often saved to reread over the years. Laundry can be a dreaded task to complete as quickly as possible or it can be savoured as a cup of tea. It's about being in the moment. Allowing oneself to sense what is all around. Beyond the task itself. Hanging laundry to dry on a line outside in the coolness of the morning, when the birds' chorus is lively, and the dew still wet on the ground. A dryer may be less effort, but what are we missing? The photo below is one of my favorites. It is Dick's mother. The setting is the backyard of the house where he lived on the dividing line between Crosby and Ironton, twelve miles northeast of Brainerd. His family moved to Brainerd prior to the start of his 4th grade school year, so this photo was taken in 1957 or earlier.

I have a mission, now. To seek photos of my mother and grandmother hanging laundry on their clotheslines. To hang on my wall. Together. To tell a story. Personal and historical. To document change. Or encourage lack of it.

origami market bag

Springtime. Farmer's markets. I'm in. With a few simple folds and some quick stitching, I've got the sweetest bag to hold freshly cut ruby red rhubarb and asparagus, deeply hued leafy greens, a dozen farm fresh eggs (to fill in until my hens begin laying), a loaf of homemade sprouted grain bread, a jar of raw buckwheat honey, and a bouquet of wild flowers for my table.   

Here's where I snagged the brilliant tutorial: http://lolanovablog.blogspot.com/2013/06/origami-market-bag-tutorial.html Today, Jo-Ann's offered a senior citizens (60+) discount of 20% off your total purchase. I cringed to think that I am now considered a senior citizen, but I'm good with the saving money part. For this project, I chose linen from the home decor section. The weight is suitable, the earthiness of natural fiber appropriate, and it was discounted 40%. A total savings of 60%. 1 easy-to-follow tutorial + 1 yard 54" wide fabric = 2 multipurpose bags.