A Touch of Nature - 09/01/06

Here At Bluebird Cove

We've been enjoying so many butterflies, especially the Monarchs. My auntie mentioned that looking at a Monarch makes you realize where they got the idea for stained glass. That was a great comparison. They are such a work of art.

The Monarch here came from the chrysalis beside it and it's on what we call Butterfly Bank here at Bluebird Cove. The small bank by the mailbox was designated as a butterfly depository of eggs since we transplanted a number of native meadow plants from nearby before they developed the area.

Milkweeds are the only plant that butterfly larvae (caterpillars) will eat, so it's very important to protect such plants. We were grateful that the developer allowed us to take as many plants as we wanted from the field. The exciting part is that these are plants that have been used to making it on their own and that was needed for this area down by the road since it's not easy to get water to it.

Earlier this year we received a cash gift from some dear friends I've mentioned before. Louise and Charlie Allred. Charlie made the steel Butterfly Bench that is such a treasure to us. Louise loves butterflies so it was very appropriate that we used that cash to have Bluebird Cove designated as one of the Monarch Watch certified way stations. The local paper did an article on us with photos and this Monarch photograph was included. Our picture was taken in front of the sign we also purchased with the gift cash.

Hopefully this sign will cause others in our neighborhood to think about not only butterflies but other species that need a little help from us in the crazy world of "progress."

Several of the many walkers that come by have already asked to see the garden and other friends in the community have asked questions.

Take some time to look over the Monarch Watch site and see if you can make a bit of difference for these beautiful creatures.

Nature Makes Us Happy

Intuitively, we know something in us responds to nature, even as most of us live our workaday lives further and further removed from flora and fauna. Learn why contact with animals, plants and nature may be a potent antidote to stress, distracting us from worrisome thoughts, reducing anxiety and lowering blood pressure. Here's a great article to share with friends and family: www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/happybynature.cfm

Wildlife Q & A

Q: If I find a wild animal in distress what should I do?

A: Safely contain the animal. Put the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place and immediately contact Project Wildlife or a wildlife rehabilitator/center near you.

Bugs As Food

Imagine sitting down to the dinner table and being served a bowl of thick, slimy larvae. It's enough to make most Americans' stomachs turn. But in other countries that same meal makes people's mouths water. Entomophagy—the consumption of insects—has been around for thousands of years in some cultures. Today, it is estimated that more than half the people of the world eat a variety of flying, crawling, and biting bugs. Not only do these insects apparently taste good, but they're an inexpensive and nutritious food source. Read the entire article here: news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0416_040416_eatingcicadas.html

Almost Free Animal Food

We have an orchard only a few miles from our home. The couple that owns it moved here the same year we did and planted apple trees. We've seen them growing and this year we've picked a bushel and a half so far.

When I went to pick the second time I asked if I could also fill a couple grocery bags with fallen apples for the wildlife. They allowed me to do so and only charged $2 for both bags. I was so excited. All of our critters have been having a grand time. I put out a buffet one evening of watermelon and apple halves and in the morning there wasn't a scrap left. I couldn't believe it.

Think about some local places that may have "fallen" fruit or vegetables that your backyard wildlife would love to have. This time of year the wildlife are already storing up calories for the long winter, so they will appreciate anything extra you can offer them.

New Kids Site on Farm Animals

FarmSanctuaryKids.org is a site where children can learn about farm animals, vegetarianism, play games, share writing and artwork and more. Learn about animal behavior, biology and social structures and take quizzes to test knowledge. Visit the Creation Station, a special place where children can share your stories, drawings, essays, paintings, and poems with other kids who care about animals.

Website: www.farmsanctuarykids.org/creation_station.htm

The Season For Birds And Berries

Now is an excellent time to set out fruiting plants if you live in the southernmost sections of the country. Gardeners in the northern tier and mountain states can plant in the spring. But in the rest of the country, you should wait until autumn before adding a little spinach to your backyard.

"Fruits are very important for overwintering birds," says Christopher Whelan, an avian biologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey. According to Whelan, many insectivorous birds change their diet in the fall and winter. Woodpeckers, thrashers, quail, robins, waxwings, mockingbirds, bluebirds, grouse, catbirds, thrushes and even chickadees and titmice turn to berries when the weather gets bad.

Read the entire article on the National Wildlife Federation site:
www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/birdsandberries.cfm

Ways to Get Greener

Give It Away

Don't trash the outdated clothes and tv and computers, washing machines and kitchen appliances. There are people who would be grateful to have them. Check out www.FreeSharing.org and www.FreeCycle.org online where you can share what you have for free. Make sure you mention in your ad that they have to pick it up if you do not want to deliver it.

Ditch the Paper Towels

Forty percent (40%) of trash in U.S. landfills consists of paper products. We are destroying not only our forests, but the boreal forests that our songbirds breed in. In spite of the digital age, our paper use has increased by 46%. Paper towels comprise the largest portion of paper waste in landfills. If everyone just switched to 100% recycled paper towels, one million tons of used paper would be kept out of the waste cycle every year! Better yet, use cloth towels and rags.

Natural Herbs, Supplements and Essential Oils
Natural herbs and supplements bring the powerful world of nature into your body for health and healing. We've been using herbal remedies since the late 70's and have been so blessed by them. It's been our full-time business since 1982.

We'd appreciate you shopping with us.

Herbs and Supplements by Health Topic

Nature's Sunshine 100% Pure Essential Oils

Detoxify Your Soaps and Cleaning Supplies With Sunshine Concentrate!

This environmentally-friendly cleaning and washing concentrate is nothing less than wonderful. We've used it for 15 years for laundry, hand soap, pet baths, soaking produce, dishwasher, cleaning, and a multitude of other uses. This product has saved us money and health. No more "itch" of chemical soaps. Read more about Sunshine Concentrate.

Biodiesel Fuel for Your Car

Learn the Benefits and Find Suppliers
www.biodiesel.org

Recipes to Make Your Own Biodiesel Fuels
www.biodieselcommunity.org

Conversion Kits
These allow you to use straight vegetable oil in your car. Here's a few sites that sell them.
www.frybrid.com
www.greasel.com
www.plantdrive.com
www.greasecar.com

Musing on Nature

A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings, while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves. No wonder the hills and groves were God's first temples, and the more they are cut down and hewn into cathedrals and churches, the farther off and dimmer seems the Lord himself. ~ John Muir

Pets Are Part of Our Nature at Home

This is our Squeek. She loves the screened porch and we made a little patch of earth for her in a large litter box by filling it with dirt and planting some of her favorite grasses in it. If she liked catnip we'd put some of that in there too, but she's one of those kitties that doesn't care about catnip.

She's an herbal kitty since she was diagnosed with Stage III FIV in February. Prognosis was not good since the vet did not expect her to live out the rest of that week. That was over six months ago, so we're very happy with what VS-C and THIM-J and Spirulina are doing for Squeek, and she seems so eager to take her herbs that we sprinkle on her food. She gets a bit of Vitamin C and E also several times a week.

Our friends comment on how healthy she looks and she's more playful than she ever was. We use Healthy Pet Net food to ensure her immune system is not weakened by chemicals and bad ingredients that are in many pet foods today. We never know how long we will have our pets, but we're very grateful to be able to make a difference in Squeek's life to keep her around for as long as we can.

Pet Supplements Catalog by Health Topic

Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies

Nature's Heartworm Program

Healthy Pet Corner for Birds, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Rabbits and Reptiles

New! Healthy Pet News

Adopt A Pet - Search For One Near You

The Frugal Life - Living Well With What You Already Have
Living more simply is a great way to effect change in your own personal environment and it helps the planet. The Frugal Life website has lots of ideas on getting back to basics. They also provide a free newsletter twice-monthly and a forum where you can ask questions or search for information. Visit The Frugal Life site.

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Copyright and Reprint Information
© 2006 Donna L. Watkins

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 L. 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 L. 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.