A Touch of Nature - 10/1/06
Here At Bluebird Cove
Thank you to those who are leaving comments on these blogs. I do get them by email, however since you don't enter your email address, I cannot reply. That's okay since I assume you are wanting to keep your email address private from Blogger.com, but I didn't want you to think I was not getting the emails or wasn't interested in replying. Let me say "THANK YOU" to those who take the time to comment. I truly appreciate it.
I am loving this Central Virginia weather. It's wonderful to be able to garden and not sweat. The small blessings need to be noticed to rejoice in them each day. Everything seems to be storing up for the winter. The hummingbirds, bees, squirrels and multitude of visiting birds are on a mission to increase body fat for the colder weather. We now have from 17-19 feeders depending on some being down for cleaning. Randal and I have also enjoyed the chilly nights to sit by the fire pit and talk while we watch the sparks fly from the fire and from our love, of course :-).
It's hard to get inside to work this time of the year, but at least we can work right by the windows with views of many of the feeders. Here's a photo of the view from my desk in the kitchen in May. We've since moved the feeders closer. What a delight to be able to virtually work from home. It's certainly a dream come true. We'd love to help you make that dream come true for you too. Get some ideas of what might fit for you from our list of home-based businesses.
I had quite an entertaining show right outside my kitchen window. Since I took the screens off I am able to stick my head out and every now and then I find something amazing to watch. A couple weeks ago I watched some Ants and Aphids and wrote an article on them for the Life's Lessons at Bluebird Cove Blog.
I have a friend and business associate arriving for a visit on Wednesday and I've been working ahead so I can take a lot of play time with her. We'll be heading out for the Blue Ridge Mountains the day after she gets in. One of my favorite spots is Raven's Roost. You can see why from the views. Here's my super favorite view from Raven's Roost with my honey in the foreground. You can't beat that!
We took a tour last week of an American Chestnut Restoration Project in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I'll take any excuse to go to the mountains! We are blessed to be only 45 minutes away. It was an interesting discussion about the blight that virtually eliminated the American Chestnut's importance in our country earlier in the 20th century and how they are working to produce authentic trees without the blight. There is more information about this tree at the American Chestnut Foundation's website and you can learn some things from the photo album of our American Chestnut Tour.
On the way back we stopped in Charlottesville at the Produce Market and not far from the central downtown area we saw a groundhog feeding beside the road. I had my camera with me so I finally got a photo of one of these guys.
We didn't have groundhogs when we lived down south for so many years, so it's been a treat to see them here in Virginia. We see them a lot along the sides of the road but as soon as you slow down they go flying down the hills. This one was obviously used to slower moving traffic since we were in a 25 mph zone. I think he's a real cutie. I had to study a bit on groundhogs after "meeting" this one.
Groundhogs
Also known as woodchucks, whistle pigs, and other names, this animal is part of the rodent family tied in with the Squirrel part of that family. Growing up in Pennsylvania we called them groundhogs probably because of PA being the state that has the groundhog nationally known for Groundhog Day. They are actually closely related to ground squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. They dig burrows which also provide excellent escape and hiding places for other animals in fields and sometimes woods if no other habitat is available. We've never seen any here at the wooded Bluebird Cove, but we have seen one down the street where there are some field type habitats.
Their fuzzy little 6-inch tail seems short compared to their 20-26 inch long body. Groundhogs have yellowish-brown to blackish-brown fur. Light-colored hairs in the coat give some individuals a grizzled appearance. Their two front teeth are broad and chisel-shaped like those of rabbits and squirrels, using them to cut vegetation for meals. Those meals are generally found within a half mile of their home range, preferring to stay close to the safety of its burrow. Their dietary preferences don't require it to travel far since they will eat grass, alfalfa, clover, dandelion, and even vegetables such as peas, carrots, fresh corn, beans and will even eat fruits. They use their front paws much like we do our hands to grab stems of a plant or to hold fruit while feeding. They are active mostly during the early morning and late evening, although the little guy mentioned in my comments was feeding both times in late afternoon in downtown Charlottesville.
These cuties have a muscular body, short powerful legs and sturdy claws, so they are an excellent excavator of burrows where they spend much of their time. When they make their burrow they will use the dirt to build a mound at the main entrance to the burrow, similar to the prairie dog. They use their strong forefeet to loosen the soil, then kick the dirt behind them with their hind feet. This is a photo we took of him on the sidewalk, so he's not doing any digging there.
They often dig many side tunnels and two or three back entrances. These "drop holes" are inconspicuous since they are not marked with a mound like the main entrance. Burrows are usually located in well-drained, sloping areas to avoid flooding.
Even with short legs, it can run pretty fast for short distances. Their predators are dogs, foxes and coyotes, although the young ones are prey for hawks and owls. They can climb well and use this to avoid encounters, being able to climb trees and even come down head first. When they are angry or cornered they chatter their teeth. They got the name of whistle pig because their alarm call is a sharp whistle. When feeding, they make a chuck-chuck sound which may be how they got their woodchuck name.
They hibernate in winter so they eat heavily in Summer and early Fall to put on body fat and prepare for Winter's hibernation. At this time their temperature drops from over 90 degrees into the low 40's and their heartbeat slows to 4 beats a minute from the usual 100. In the spring, males emerge from hibernation before females, and during February and March fight aggressively. After a 28-day gestation period, females bear young in April and early May. Litters average 3-4 young with newborns being blind, naked and helpless, so they remain in the underground nest until they're a month old. By mid-June or early July, they are ready to leave the home burrows and establish their own territories.
Skunks, raccoons and foxes remodel vacant burrows and use them to bear and raise young. Foxes may claim a burrow after killing its woodchuck owner. Rabbits often seek shelter in the dens especially during winter while the chucks are hibernating below. Animals pursued by predators or hunters also use the burrows as escape hatches.
Polar Bears Drowning in Arctic Thaw
Polar bears are drowning and receding Arctic glaciers have uncovered previously unknown islands in a drastic 2006 summer thaw widely blamed on global warming. Signs of wrenching changes are apparent around the Arctic region due to unusual warmth -- the summer minimum for ice is usually reached between mid-September and early October before the Arctic freeze extends its grip. Read the entire story online: news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060915/sc_nm/enviroment_arctic_dc (Do not add www to this address)
An Arctic schooner is going to be trapped in the Arctic for two years to investigate climate change and will be communicating via the internet. Read this story here: news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060928/sc_afp/russiafrancearctic (Do not add www to this address)
Beneficial Wasps
We have certainly been seeing a huge variety of wasps and bees this year. Each year we have more and more blooms and although I used to be afraid of bees, I can now bend my face down into the flowers beside them to pull off some dead leaves or seeds I want to collect. They are amazing little critters and such wonderful examples of diligence.
Here's a bit of information on the benefits of wasps from Creation Moments:
There are several thousand species of wasps that lay their eggs inside crop pests or use the pests for food. These wasps have become a popular form of natural pest control among farmers and gardeners. Researchers have now discovered that the wasps do more than simply feed on the pests or use them as food for their young. Typically the wasps will inject their eggs into worm-like pest larvae.
It has been discovered that the wasp eggs are coated with a virus that holds the pest larvae in the immature stage until the developing young wasps have no more need of the egg. The virus appears to move to an organ inside the pest larva and affects the insect's immune system. It also acts on the larva's endocrine system to take away the larva's appetite.
So the pest larva destroys less crop, and being starved for food, fails to develop into an adult. This gives the wasp eggs plenty of time to develop into young wasps who will finish off the pest.
Researchers are still trying to discover exactly how the virus's carefully orchestrated attack strategy works. However, clearly no creature nor the creation itself invented this strategy. It could only have been conceived and built by a Master Biochemist and Physician!
Reference: Raloff, Janet. 1985. Virus allows wasps to kill crop pests. Science News, v. 128. p. 22.
Finch Disease Survey - Birds Need Your Help!
This is the time of year we are seeing a lot of migrating finches. Finches were the first species to have a deadly problem with conjunctivitis. Cornell University has been tracking this for many years. Now with avian flu being linked to humans, it is important to continue the tracking of the Finch Disease.
Sick birds have swollen, weepy, irritated, or crusted-over eyes. Symptoms are easily discerned and the disease poses no risk to humans. Participants help to track the spread of this disease which gives "science" valuable data.
Will birds become resistant to the bacterium? Why are there seasonal fluctuations in disease prevalence? Will the disease spread to other species? Do localized "mini-epidemics" of this disease occur?
This American Goldfinch came through our backyard and although I try to capture the birds and take them to be humanely put down at The Wildlife Center, I could not get more than a photo of this one. Not all of them look this bad. You can be a key to helping these and other birds that the disease may spread to, by simply observing your backyard birds and reporting to Cornell online or by mail. You can learn more of the identifying signs and get more information at their website: www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi
Quick Bird Facts
Scientists don't know why, but most birds don't eat holly berries until late Fall or Winter.
Most birds eat during the day and sleep at night, but Mourning Doves takes short naps during the day.
Chickadees appear to be fast fliers, but their top speed is 15 mph.
By secreting a sticky fluid, Gray Jays can "glue" seeds and insects together into small wads that they stick to the sides of trees or inside cavities.
Winterizing Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat Site
Looking for a way to help wildlife during the winter season? Now is the time to begin thinking about it. Here you'll find tips based on where you live. Click on the area of the country you are in and get some specifics on what you can do to your wildlife habitat to help the critters and birds make it through the winter. Visit the site: www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/winterizing.cfm
Search a Topic
The A Touch of Nature Blog now has a search engine where you can access archived issues for the past 5 years.
Musings
"Every species lost means one closer to our own"
--Anonymous
"The rate of species loss has accelerated dramatically in recent decades and is probably greater today than at virtually any other time in the Earth's history. Most of the extinctions caused today are attributable to human activity and many could be avoided."
--Michael Bean, 1983
These quotes were taken with permission from the Extinction Memorial site. A very interesting site to visit. A friend of ours did the work and you won't find anything like it elsewhere online.
Ways to Go Green
Compost
Building a compost bin is easy, cheap and can drastically reduce the amount of trash you produce. Yard waste accounts for more than 20 percent of all trash in landfills and food scraps make up ten percent of your waste. Compost adds nutrients to your soil that nothing you will find at Lowe's does. Visit this site for more info: www.compostingcouncil.org
Cut Your Energy Costs
How many times have you heard to replace your lightbulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs? They cost a bit more but last years longer and use 66% less energy. Put it on your shopping list and then unplug energy-hogging devices like TV's, computers, VCR's and stereos. Standby power used in sleep mode accounts for 5% of the U.S. electricity use.
Take Your Own Bag
100 billion plastic shopping bags are consumed every year, none of them biodegradable. Plastic bags break down into small, toxic bits that leach into the soil and water sources. Carrying reusable cloth bags replace thousands of plastic bags over your lifetime. Here's a site for more info and to check out your options: www.reusablebags.com
Nature's Remedies
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. You can find products by health topic and get information for children and pets also. Our line of pure essential oils are 100% guaranteed for purity and potency.
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.
Pets Are Part of Our Nature at Home and We Love Animals
Free Samples of Pet Food, Supplements and Treats
These formulas are developed by Dr. Jane Bicks, a highly respected and nationally recognized holistic veterinarian and author.
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Read what others have used successfully from nature for their pets.
Nature's Heartworm Program
Yes, there are successful herbal programs.
Healthy Pet Corner
Resource site for cats, dogs, birds, horses, rabbits and reptiles.
Healthy Pet News
Complimentary professional email newsletter with great articles.
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.
Forward This Newsletter to a Friend
If you enjoy this newsletter, please let others know about it.
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.
Thank you to those who are leaving comments on these blogs. I do get them by email, however since you don't enter your email address, I cannot reply. That's okay since I assume you are wanting to keep your email address private from Blogger.com, but I didn't want you to think I was not getting the emails or wasn't interested in replying. Let me say "THANK YOU" to those who take the time to comment. I truly appreciate it.I am loving this Central Virginia weather. It's wonderful to be able to garden and not sweat. The small blessings need to be noticed to rejoice in them each day. Everything seems to be storing up for the winter. The hummingbirds, bees, squirrels and multitude of visiting birds are on a mission to increase body fat for the colder weather. We now have from 17-19 feeders depending on some being down for cleaning. Randal and I have also enjoyed the chilly nights to sit by the fire pit and talk while we watch the sparks fly from the fire and from our love, of course :-).
It's hard to get inside to work this time of the year, but at least we can work right by the windows with views of many of the feeders. Here's a photo of the view from my desk in the kitchen in May. We've since moved the feeders closer. What a delight to be able to virtually work from home. It's certainly a dream come true. We'd love to help you make that dream come true for you too. Get some ideas of what might fit for you from our list of home-based businesses.
I had quite an entertaining show right outside my kitchen window. Since I took the screens off I am able to stick my head out and every now and then I find something amazing to watch. A couple weeks ago I watched some Ants and Aphids and wrote an article on them for the Life's Lessons at Bluebird Cove Blog.
I have a friend and business associate arriving for a visit on Wednesday and I've been working ahead so I can take a lot of play time with her. We'll be heading out for the Blue Ridge Mountains the day after she gets in. One of my favorite spots is Raven's Roost. You can see why from the views. Here's my super favorite view from Raven's Roost with my honey in the foreground. You can't beat that!
We took a tour last week of an American Chestnut Restoration Project in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I'll take any excuse to go to the mountains! We are blessed to be only 45 minutes away. It was an interesting discussion about the blight that virtually eliminated the American Chestnut's importance in our country earlier in the 20th century and how they are working to produce authentic trees without the blight. There is more information about this tree at the American Chestnut Foundation's website and you can learn some things from the photo album of our American Chestnut Tour.
On the way back we stopped in Charlottesville at the Produce Market and not far from the central downtown area we saw a groundhog feeding beside the road. I had my camera with me so I finally got a photo of one of these guys.We didn't have groundhogs when we lived down south for so many years, so it's been a treat to see them here in Virginia. We see them a lot along the sides of the road but as soon as you slow down they go flying down the hills. This one was obviously used to slower moving traffic since we were in a 25 mph zone. I think he's a real cutie. I had to study a bit on groundhogs after "meeting" this one.
Groundhogs
Also known as woodchucks, whistle pigs, and other names, this animal is part of the rodent family tied in with the Squirrel part of that family. Growing up in Pennsylvania we called them groundhogs probably because of PA being the state that has the groundhog nationally known for Groundhog Day. They are actually closely related to ground squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. They dig burrows which also provide excellent escape and hiding places for other animals in fields and sometimes woods if no other habitat is available. We've never seen any here at the wooded Bluebird Cove, but we have seen one down the street where there are some field type habitats.
Their fuzzy little 6-inch tail seems short compared to their 20-26 inch long body. Groundhogs have yellowish-brown to blackish-brown fur. Light-colored hairs in the coat give some individuals a grizzled appearance. Their two front teeth are broad and chisel-shaped like those of rabbits and squirrels, using them to cut vegetation for meals. Those meals are generally found within a half mile of their home range, preferring to stay close to the safety of its burrow. Their dietary preferences don't require it to travel far since they will eat grass, alfalfa, clover, dandelion, and even vegetables such as peas, carrots, fresh corn, beans and will even eat fruits. They use their front paws much like we do our hands to grab stems of a plant or to hold fruit while feeding. They are active mostly during the early morning and late evening, although the little guy mentioned in my comments was feeding both times in late afternoon in downtown Charlottesville.
These cuties have a muscular body, short powerful legs and sturdy claws, so they are an excellent excavator of burrows where they spend much of their time. When they make their burrow they will use the dirt to build a mound at the main entrance to the burrow, similar to the prairie dog. They use their strong forefeet to loosen the soil, then kick the dirt behind them with their hind feet. This is a photo we took of him on the sidewalk, so he's not doing any digging there.They often dig many side tunnels and two or three back entrances. These "drop holes" are inconspicuous since they are not marked with a mound like the main entrance. Burrows are usually located in well-drained, sloping areas to avoid flooding.
Even with short legs, it can run pretty fast for short distances. Their predators are dogs, foxes and coyotes, although the young ones are prey for hawks and owls. They can climb well and use this to avoid encounters, being able to climb trees and even come down head first. When they are angry or cornered they chatter their teeth. They got the name of whistle pig because their alarm call is a sharp whistle. When feeding, they make a chuck-chuck sound which may be how they got their woodchuck name.
They hibernate in winter so they eat heavily in Summer and early Fall to put on body fat and prepare for Winter's hibernation. At this time their temperature drops from over 90 degrees into the low 40's and their heartbeat slows to 4 beats a minute from the usual 100. In the spring, males emerge from hibernation before females, and during February and March fight aggressively. After a 28-day gestation period, females bear young in April and early May. Litters average 3-4 young with newborns being blind, naked and helpless, so they remain in the underground nest until they're a month old. By mid-June or early July, they are ready to leave the home burrows and establish their own territories.
Skunks, raccoons and foxes remodel vacant burrows and use them to bear and raise young. Foxes may claim a burrow after killing its woodchuck owner. Rabbits often seek shelter in the dens especially during winter while the chucks are hibernating below. Animals pursued by predators or hunters also use the burrows as escape hatches.
Polar Bears Drowning in Arctic Thaw
Polar bears are drowning and receding Arctic glaciers have uncovered previously unknown islands in a drastic 2006 summer thaw widely blamed on global warming. Signs of wrenching changes are apparent around the Arctic region due to unusual warmth -- the summer minimum for ice is usually reached between mid-September and early October before the Arctic freeze extends its grip. Read the entire story online: news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060915/sc_nm/enviroment_arctic_dc (Do not add www to this address)
An Arctic schooner is going to be trapped in the Arctic for two years to investigate climate change and will be communicating via the internet. Read this story here: news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060928/sc_afp/russiafrancearctic (Do not add www to this address)
Beneficial Wasps
We have certainly been seeing a huge variety of wasps and bees this year. Each year we have more and more blooms and although I used to be afraid of bees, I can now bend my face down into the flowers beside them to pull off some dead leaves or seeds I want to collect. They are amazing little critters and such wonderful examples of diligence.Here's a bit of information on the benefits of wasps from Creation Moments:
There are several thousand species of wasps that lay their eggs inside crop pests or use the pests for food. These wasps have become a popular form of natural pest control among farmers and gardeners. Researchers have now discovered that the wasps do more than simply feed on the pests or use them as food for their young. Typically the wasps will inject their eggs into worm-like pest larvae.
It has been discovered that the wasp eggs are coated with a virus that holds the pest larvae in the immature stage until the developing young wasps have no more need of the egg. The virus appears to move to an organ inside the pest larva and affects the insect's immune system. It also acts on the larva's endocrine system to take away the larva's appetite.
So the pest larva destroys less crop, and being starved for food, fails to develop into an adult. This gives the wasp eggs plenty of time to develop into young wasps who will finish off the pest.
Researchers are still trying to discover exactly how the virus's carefully orchestrated attack strategy works. However, clearly no creature nor the creation itself invented this strategy. It could only have been conceived and built by a Master Biochemist and Physician!
Reference: Raloff, Janet. 1985. Virus allows wasps to kill crop pests. Science News, v. 128. p. 22.
Finch Disease Survey - Birds Need Your Help!
This is the time of year we are seeing a lot of migrating finches. Finches were the first species to have a deadly problem with conjunctivitis. Cornell University has been tracking this for many years. Now with avian flu being linked to humans, it is important to continue the tracking of the Finch Disease.Sick birds have swollen, weepy, irritated, or crusted-over eyes. Symptoms are easily discerned and the disease poses no risk to humans. Participants help to track the spread of this disease which gives "science" valuable data.
Will birds become resistant to the bacterium? Why are there seasonal fluctuations in disease prevalence? Will the disease spread to other species? Do localized "mini-epidemics" of this disease occur?
This American Goldfinch came through our backyard and although I try to capture the birds and take them to be humanely put down at The Wildlife Center, I could not get more than a photo of this one. Not all of them look this bad. You can be a key to helping these and other birds that the disease may spread to, by simply observing your backyard birds and reporting to Cornell online or by mail. You can learn more of the identifying signs and get more information at their website: www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi
Quick Bird Facts
Scientists don't know why, but most birds don't eat holly berries until late Fall or Winter.
Most birds eat during the day and sleep at night, but Mourning Doves takes short naps during the day.
Chickadees appear to be fast fliers, but their top speed is 15 mph.
By secreting a sticky fluid, Gray Jays can "glue" seeds and insects together into small wads that they stick to the sides of trees or inside cavities.
Winterizing Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat Site
Looking for a way to help wildlife during the winter season? Now is the time to begin thinking about it. Here you'll find tips based on where you live. Click on the area of the country you are in and get some specifics on what you can do to your wildlife habitat to help the critters and birds make it through the winter. Visit the site: www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/winterizing.cfm
Search a Topic
The A Touch of Nature Blog now has a search engine where you can access archived issues for the past 5 years.
Musings
"Every species lost means one closer to our own"
--Anonymous
"The rate of species loss has accelerated dramatically in recent decades and is probably greater today than at virtually any other time in the Earth's history. Most of the extinctions caused today are attributable to human activity and many could be avoided."
--Michael Bean, 1983
These quotes were taken with permission from the Extinction Memorial site. A very interesting site to visit. A friend of ours did the work and you won't find anything like it elsewhere online.
Ways to Go Green
Compost
Building a compost bin is easy, cheap and can drastically reduce the amount of trash you produce. Yard waste accounts for more than 20 percent of all trash in landfills and food scraps make up ten percent of your waste. Compost adds nutrients to your soil that nothing you will find at Lowe's does. Visit this site for more info: www.compostingcouncil.org
Cut Your Energy Costs
How many times have you heard to replace your lightbulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs? They cost a bit more but last years longer and use 66% less energy. Put it on your shopping list and then unplug energy-hogging devices like TV's, computers, VCR's and stereos. Standby power used in sleep mode accounts for 5% of the U.S. electricity use.
Take Your Own Bag
100 billion plastic shopping bags are consumed every year, none of them biodegradable. Plastic bags break down into small, toxic bits that leach into the soil and water sources. Carrying reusable cloth bags replace thousands of plastic bags over your lifetime. Here's a site for more info and to check out your options: www.reusablebags.com
Nature's Remedies
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. You can find products by health topic and get information for children and pets also. Our line of pure essential oils are 100% guaranteed for purity and potency.
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.
Pets Are Part of Our Nature at Home and We Love Animals
Free Samples of Pet Food, Supplements and Treats
These formulas are developed by Dr. Jane Bicks, a highly respected and nationally recognized holistic veterinarian and author.
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Read what others have used successfully from nature for their pets.
Nature's Heartworm Program
Yes, there are successful herbal programs.
Healthy Pet Corner
Resource site for cats, dogs, birds, horses, rabbits and reptiles.
Healthy Pet News
Complimentary professional email newsletter with great articles.
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.
Forward This Newsletter to a Friend
If you enjoy this newsletter, please let others know about it.
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.
posted by Donna at 9:59 AM
1 comments
