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A TOUCH OF NATURE
April 1, 2004 Issue

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DONNA'S COMMENTS
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My car was in the shop this week so I got to do some walking to get places.
I actually have neighbors that offered a car or a ride, but it was a great
excuse to walk. I can't seem to walk just to say I've had a walk for the
day. I need a good reason and destination. Our office is 2 miles away by
car, but there's a short cut through the woods, so walk I did on a beautiful
morning.

I chose the cedar forest for my route. Cedar offers a smell that seems to
relax and make you want to remain in the woods. I was tempted to sit down
and scratch my work list, but I kept my feet moving while my head looked all
around and upwards in search of an owl. I saw evidence of one along my
path. No sight of the owl, but by the time I reached the office I felt I'd
renewed every cell of my body.

People really need to walk more! It's much too easy to get in the car and
drive.

Slow Down! Walk When You Can!
Donna

EARTH DAY - APRIL 22

- DEAD LINK REMOVED - Search for local events in your area and find a place to get involved. It's
one day out of every year! Do something to make a difference!

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CRITTER FACTS
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I've been hearing the frogs when we have our windows open. I love frogs!
There's a pond across the street and the sounds at night lull me to sleep.
It's great fun to watch the miracle of change from frog eggs to frog.
Terrific for children also since you can do this indoors. If I leave a
large plant saucer of water on a log, I'll be sure to notice tiny wiggling
wormy looking things in it within a few weeks. Frogs will lay their eggs in
a dish of water when there aren't any other pond options nearby.

I absolutely enjoy watching them grow and change. There are some tips
needed to make sure they are successful in the process. Enhancing their
chance of making it to frog stage is a very rewarding task to me.
Here's a site with lots of good information if this is a project you'd like
to prepare for this year.

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THOSE AMAZING BIRDS!
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The songs have been building in the woods behind us. We now have purple
finches nesting on our front porch. I made a wreath before Christmas for
the door and when it had dried out, I put it up on a hook at the roofline of
the front porch after putting some heavy cardboard on the back of it to
cover the hole. It didn't take a week until birds were checking it out and
purple finches took the lease. They're nesting now and I expect to see some
baby finches in a couple of weeks.

BIRD QUESTION:
A baby bird fell from the nest and I touched him. Will the parents reject
their chick now?

ANSWER:
It's a myth that birds abandon their chicks if touched by humans. Unlike
other animals, birds have a poor sense of smell. They wouldn't even know if
their baby has been handled.

Just put the baby back in the nest. If the original nest was destroyed,
hang a wicker or woven stick basket close to the original location. The
kind of basket that flower arrangements come in. They allow rain to pass
through so the birds don't drown. Watch for an hour or so to make sure the
mama bird returns and finds the chick(s). If they don't return, call the
nearest wildlife rehabilitator.

Here's a link to find one

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RAINFOREST FACT
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In Southeast Asia, traditional healers use 6,500 tropical plants in
treatments for malaria, stomach ulcers, syphilis and assorted other
disorders.

Our rain forests are so important!

Click here to help rainforests with a free click. Register for email reminders.

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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE- Restoring the Balance
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TOP 10 BENEFICIAL BIRDS FOR YOUR YARD AND GARDEN

One of nature's best defenses against garden pests, bug-eating birds, are a
welcome addition to any habitat site. Check out this article, "Ten Birds
That Help Control Garden Pests" to identify beneficial birds for your region
and how to attract them to your backyard. Get a jump on the summer by
planning ahead for your own bug-eating army.

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NATURE'S BOUNTY FOR US
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Nature offers essential oils with potent properties that can be used in many
areas around the home. For health, bath, beauty, and household cleaning
supplies. Here's our featured recipe for this issue:

JASMINE PERFUME RECIPE

1 drop Jasmine
2 drops Sandalwood
1 drop Ylang Ylang
1/2-1 t. Massage Oil
1 roll-on bottle

Blend massage oil and essential oils and apply as perfume to pulse points.

Read more about the benefits of these oils, find other recipes, and purchase oils.

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" GREEN" INFO- Making It a Way of Life!
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GREEN DECORATING

Paint:
When buying paint and other decorating products, choose ones that are
environmentally friendly. There's a wide range of low-odor, water-based
paints on the market that contain less solvents and volatile organic
compounds. They're easier to use, less polluting and they won't stink the
house out. There are also paints made from plant or mineral bases and
solvent-free paint and varnish strippers.

Be careful if you're removing old paint (pre 1950) - it could contain lead.
If you're not sure, wear dust masks and protect your skin.

If you've got half a tin of paint left over, don't clog up your cupboards.
There are dozens of local schools or community projects that can put it to
good use. Don't forget to keep a small jar of it for touch-ups. It will
keep you from having to repaint as often!

Flooring:
Use natural materials for your flooring if possible, but make sure they're
from a sustainable source. Bamboo flooring is a grass, not a wood. Bamboo
produces new shoots each year and is individually harvested from controlled
forests within three to five years. Because bamboo has an extensive root
system constantly growing underground, it replenishes itself naturally. By
using bamboo you help to preserve the habitat of endangered wildlife, unlike
the harvesting of other hardwoods. Cork is a good natural product to use -
you'll be supporting sustainable integrated plantations that provide
important animal habitats. Linoleum (lino) is also making a comeback. It
is made of vegetable linseed oil and natural resin, is hard-wearing, easy to
clean and has antibacterial properties.

The backing materials and glues used in conventional carpets cause pollution
during their production. Natural alternatives like sea grass are not only
eco-friendly, they're also very trendy! If you prefer a traditional carpet,
try to find one with a woven rather than a rubber backing. You can also
choose from wool and sisal for a better option.

Draperies/Upholstery/Linens:
Use natural fibers for curtains and upholstery. The same goes for bed linen
and towels. Cotton is one of the most sprayed of all crops so try to buy
organic. Better still, reuse old material. Look out for curtain swap shops
and visit charity shops for some good deals.

Go retro:
If it's old to start with, it won't go out of fashion. Buying antiques is
the most up-market form of recycling and can also be a good investment. If
your budget is limited, check out the small ads in your local newspapers for
good solid second-hand furniture. If you don't buy new, you'll be saving on
production, transport energy and raw materials.

Finishing touches:
Ceramics, pictures and other decorative objects can be bought second hand at
yard sales, charity shops or antique dealers.

Article Sources:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.ecowise.com

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MUSINGS: POETRY & PROSE
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O Lord, how great is the number of your works! in wisdom you have made them
all; the earth is full of the things you have made.
There is the great, wide sea, where there are living things, great and
small, more than may be numbered.
There go the ships; there is that great beast, which you have made as a
plaything.

All of them are waiting for you, to give them their food in its time.
They take what you give them; they are full of the good things which come
from your open hand.

--- Psalm 104:24-28

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GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR PLANET
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TECHNOLOGY BEING USED TO PROTECT WOLVES FROM FARMERS

Scientists from a New York-based wildlife group and researchers from
Wisconsin say they have developed a high tech way to predict where wolves
might prey on livestock, perhaps allowing farmers to prevent the attacks.
Timber wolves killed 20 cattle and 24 sheep on more than a dozen farms
across northern Wisconsin last year.

The Wildlife Conservation Society said using geographic information system
(GIS) mapping, it developed maps of Wisconsin and Minnesota suggesting
problem spots for wolves.

Adrian Treves, a scientist for the group, said he was optimistic the maps
can be used to reduce conflict between wolves and people, so that wolves
won't be needlessly killed to solve the problem.

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to somebody you know. It's how we grow! Thanks!

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DISCLAIMER:

The content, suggestions, and web links in this newsletter are for
informational purposes only and not necessarily endorsed by our sponsor "The
Herbs Place.com" This is a personal publication by Donna Watkins. The ideas
and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by
anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna Watkins or
" The Herbs Place.com" be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from
any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its
publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or
defamation..