40 degrees plus

I hadn't expected to see the sun or to delight in 45 degrees which after the below freezing past two days, felt like spring. The morning reluctantly spent shopping after qigong was successful - little t-shirts to bring True, dress for Pearl and cotton sheets for DR house. Home, home to wags and barks and meows and as ready for a walk as they were. Quick crackers and avocado and blue cheese and off we went to the river. Our second walk was shortly after the first, to the mailbox where we met Robin. Our phones are out; Robin was able to rouse a technician who is working on the problem. 
Now lazy on the sofa with Katrina and Mr Lee. Made a crustless quiche for dinner with blue potatoes, onions and broccoli, yogurt, eggs and cheese. One of the new people coming to qigong slipped on ice and broke her arm in two places (she was washing her car in the 30 degree weather!). From what Beth said, it sounds like she could use some homeopathic Bryonia for the pain. Bryonia (hops) can be a very useful remedy when there is pain from the least movement, a desire to protect wound from jar. A remedy useful for inflammation, where there is dryness and great thirst; irritability, desire to be left alone. 

Thinking Heavy in the Cold, Thinking Light

Warmer today after two mornings in the 20s. Wild goose qigong at the river while dogs nose the river bank. Stamping on the heaved earth. Trying to find good remedy for cold in the nose; Schussler tissue salt, Kali Muriaticum seems to be helping immensely. Shortly after the first dose on Friday, swollen glands deflated! "Without the presence of this salt no new brain-cell formation would take place!" (Boericke & Dewey's bk on 12 Tissue Remedies of Shussler). I think I needed this remedy years ago. "It is found in the blood in greater quantity than any other inorganic salt except its close relative Sodium chloride (Nat-mur)." Interestingly, it is the principle remedy for smallpox - controls the formation of pustules; in that vein, to be considered in cases of herpes, shingles, lupus, measles, hoarse cough and glandular swellings. 
This has prompted a closer study of all 12 tissue salts and some other of the Kali remedies. I have recently suggested Silica for a friend. A remedy which I think of when treating an infant who seems to be failing to thrive, with difficult dentition. Interestingly, Silica is an excellent remedy for gum disease in adults. Mentally, people who need Silica, are very detailed oriented. I now think that their physical state (difficult assimilation)  correlates with their tendency to take copious notes and tape classes, repeating classes without retaining skills. These folks are cold, prone to wearing hats, lack vital heat. There is a lack of 'grit."

 This is where I go when I feel too cold! The green house is heavenly with the blooming lemon and lime, festive with the riot colors of the blooming geraniums. A break from my study.
Another tissue salt which I find useful is Ferrum phosphoric, which if taken at the first sign of inflammation can prevent full blown head cold. "Iron (ferrum) is the biochemical remedy for : 1 The first stage of inflammations.
2 Pains that are worse from motion and better from cold.
3 Hemorrhages caused by hyperaemia.
4 Fresh wounds cause by mechanical injuries." 
The mental symptoms with call for this remedy include "trifles seem like mountains, annoyed at trifles!" 

a 2 snake day

From the looks of the first snake I caught in the act of swallowing an egg, his or her body stretched across all three laying nests, this was not the first stolen egg. I grabbed it behind the unhinged jaw with egg (squeezing slightly to expel the egg) and managed to pull it out of the nests. Back in the house after several attempts (snake did figure 8's and loop de loops, more contortions that imagined), I was able to get the six foot long strong body into a cotton bag with tie. Mr. Lee accompanied me on a drive down the road to drop the thief, far enough away that I don't think he'll be back soon. However, just a half hour ago, I surprised a smaller black snake in the act of closing its jaw around an Americana pale green egg (I know because I was able to expel this egg also). I suspect these snakes were in cahoots. But I did not drive this snake as far afield. I will have to be more vigilant. 
What was more disturbing today was an incident involving Mr. Lee and I am unsure what other varmint. On the way back from our walk to the river, Mr. Lee exuberantly ran ahead (his usual manner). But shortly after I crossed the last creek crossing, I saw Mr. Lee, tail down and limping. He was so distressed that instead of walking slowly beside me, he implored me to carry him! As soon as I got into the kitchen, I got out the tincture of Ledum and gave him a dose of 30C. He lay on the floor chewing at his front right paw. I looked at it to see if it was swelling badly as I remembered that Mindy had seen a cooper head in the same area of the path. There was some swelling, but I could not find a bite. Nevertheless, because of his restlessness and the heat of his paw, I gave him a dose of Cenchris (copperhead). Soon afterwards he jumped up on his chair and napped. He seems fine now. I can't imagine that it was a copperhead bite - but I am thankful that he has recovered from whatever did attack his paw. 
I had planned to do some other things today - none having to do with snakes...

Lost October

Maybe not the whole month, but a good chunk is gone, as are most of the leaves, with my eyes on my computer screen. Many days have been grey, too many for my spirits liking. I've fallen into a quasi addiction to The Voice; I don't know why: the camaraderie of the judges, the music (?), tears, the possible steal. Vapidity. I was glad that the blue house was at the beach and missed four days of drizzle. 
Finally, I have nearly solidified my schedule for poll greeters on Election Day - the only black hole spinning in Pilot. I exaggerate. Next year, I have vowed, I will gladly help someone else do this job. 
I suspect that I will wake to frost and no more Impatiens; this morning ice covered the windshield of the truck, the deck was slick, some of the zinnia's petals burned. I filled the house with flowers from the blue house. The air was clear blue blue. Working on a case, interesting one, pulling out my folder of Herscu letters and reading up on Veratrum Album.
And this evening Ez and Sofia on Skype; Sofia saying, "nanee" and kissing the screen. I kissed the screen too, then pressed my cheek to my screen! ha! 

  

 

One Dead Hen yesterday

It wasn't the black and white hen (Dominick) whom I thought was sick, huddled by the feeder, not roosting with the others. But snug in one of the nest boxes, was one of the black hens, eye sunk in , dead. She's now on a bier of branches part way up Red Bud. I wouldn't mind if a coyote took her; but I didn't want the dogs to, so I flung her on the pile. I doctored one of the ducks who limped in their yard as if one leg had been half frozen, or so I imagined. I gave the duck some Agaricus (good for frost bite) and put it in the chicken house. Duck is doing well. What a marvelous feeling of duck in my hands like a warm pillow; I wanted to rub my cheeks against its feathers.

 

Christmas

I never cease to be delighted by the thoughtfulness and humor of my children and their spouses! Ezra and Jen created a most apt mug and t-shirt for me after another of my impromptu homeopathic lectures. The mug reads: "Let's talk about homeopathy" and the t-shirt: "Trust me, I'm a homeopath!" I fill with giggles when I look at the mug and shirt and wonder if I am a bit like a used car salesman in my rants on homeopathy, trying to sell a discipline which has sadly been upstaged in America by glitzy pharmaceuticals. I've attempted to tone down my passion, failing mightily on occasion. At best I can recognize that I am getting carried away and apologize and even laugh! A very Merry Mary Christmas or whatever.

Sharp-shinned hawk

Yesterday afternoon I was on the phone when I heard a thud and recognized the sound of a bird hitting the glass door. It was decimals higher than usual, no chickadee or gold finch. I looked out to see on my doorstep my cat, Katrina, staring into the face of a small hawk who was leaning back on his talons moving his head back and forth almost in a twitch. I opened the door quickly and quietly and scoped up bird, who did not fight my stealth. I kicked the door closed as I turned to my cabinet with Arnica and Aconite and other remedies for just such an occasion. Managing to hold this small beautiful raptor with his (or her) bright yellow legs (which I take as a sign of youth) with one hand, I unscrew the Arnica vial and touch the dropper to the beak. Then I look for a box to place him in for a rest. I see only the sky blue bucket which is a close fit. As he rests I put some water in a saucer so that I can add Aconite. But when I pick up the hawk, he opens his wings and it is all I can do to hold him from taking off inside. I walk to the door, open it, step onto the deck and lift the bird up, loosening my fingers. Hawk takes flight - makes a circle and is gone. 
I can't find a picture of the bird in my small guide, but on line I find him:

 

too lovely outside to dither

I had planned to be here more often; yesterday and today, sunshine and 50's tempted me away. I am soaking my throat in the morning sun thru the glass doors in the kitchen. I do Qigong in the sun spot. When the dogs and I trudge up to the blue house, I do Qigong in the direct sun by the green house as it is usually a warm windless spot and I swing on the way home on the "mood swings."
Happy. And today my new boots for mucking about; sorry for the photograph being such a blur but I couldn't use the flash with the mirror and my old camera doesn't allow me to set it up for a picture (no timer).
A baby and mother come out for homeopathic consultation; precious not yet toddling baby girl who smiled and waved from her mom's lap. You wouldn't know that she's not much of a sleeper, waking every 3 or 4 hours; I noted her red lips. She's curious, loves to explore; looks like Sulphur will help! (She's also had cradle cap and rash over much of the lower body.)
Clouds are gathering this afternoon.
Five eggs today!

Horses Prove Homeopathy Works

This is my first horse client! I have never met him in person and I did not receive this photo until AFTER I treated him via telephone (he lives 100 miles away). Blue had an unfortunate habit of shying from the least prompt and trying to run off. It was a sudden alarm response, no warning to the rider. After considering the case, asking a few more questions, I suggested Belladonna. It worked wonderfully for Blue. Years later this same horse lover called about another horse. This case was a bit more complicated; but by the second phone consultation, I knew the remedy and mailed a dose. This mare was "hormonial" and posing ("squirting") for the male horses in the pasture. The remedy worked and this horse who was uncontrollable is now riding the hunt. Recently I helped with a third horse, a handsome large fellow who has won just about every prize possible in the ring. But is now retired and had developed ulcers and edema of all legs; it was a frightening issue and the vet had been unable to help. I considered an end of life remedy of incredible breath, and the horse is now doing very well with years ahead of him!
These horses were not cured by placebo. Homeopathy works. I am no horse person; I do not own a horse. When a twelve year old at summer camp, I took riding only to slide down the neck of the horse when the horse decide to chomp on grass by the side of the rink. I did not see nor touch any of these horses. I have never met their owners! It is very satisfying to see how powerful homeopathy is.

busy time

Whatever element, planet or person marks me, I do not know, but I have been busy with new homeopathic clients of late. Most wonderful to hear that a horse in Charlottesville is doing well after a remedy; unfortunately the remedy was given after the owner took a terrible fall. The mare had a striking manner of posing for other horses in the field; she was "over sexed" and had been treated with hormones which did nothing to stop her aggressive behavior. A dose of Platina turned her around and her new owner now rides her in the hunt.
Have an appointment this evening and one tomorrow. Yesterday a smiling delightful infant who you would never guess had an ear ache; mr lee was in on the consult!
I now have four raised beds Baldwin assembled in the garden yesterday. I have been hauling pine needles from the woods and leaves, straw with goat pellets from old chicken house and a bale of peat moss for each. Will give me something to work on as long as the weather permits this December - and I can plant my tulip bulbs safely away from the moles!

Learning of super tonics

My most favorite super tonic of late is chia seeds, but yesterday I discovered a new super tonic: hemp seeds. It has long outraged me that the United States has outlawed the growing of hemp! Grown in Canada and elsewhere - probably everywhere but here (here because it is a weed - but not cultivated). Besides the obvious benefits, one of which is hemp paper which would save untold trees, hemp seeds are high in protein and contain all nine of the essential amino acids (like flax). These potent seeds have the power to treat nutritional deficiencies caused by diseases such as Tuberculosis or cancer; hemp seeds are anti-inflammatory. Adding hulled organic hemp seeds to your diet (eat plain - taste somewhat like walnuts, a bit greener or add to salads or other food) will correct any long standing issues with blood flow, help reduce blood cholesterol, reduce the chance of arterial thrombosis and more - lots more! Hemp seeds contain a perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid for cardiovascular health and general strengthening of immune system! Here's a near free source of food, good source, and in America we can't grow it. Must be because the Pharma folk can't patent it. Of course, the surveillance helicopters can't distinguish hemp from its sister MaryJane.

flu update

Follow up on swine flu; my teacher, Paul Herscu has a website on his on-going study of flu - at this point the genus epidemicus for this flu is Nux-vomica (if symptoms fit this remedy picture, especially serious chills, high fever with sensitivity to light, odors, noise). However, the remedy may morph.

I enjoyed the meeting today with young mothers and Alicia (midwife) - talking about homeopathy and watching the children interact! It was helpful to have 3 two year olds to explain how different the personalities of kids can be and how they can need different remedies. Alicia's girls with their red hair like their mom are just lovely to watch. hope to hear from some of them.

talk to midwives

sun into the hollar tho the wind artic (i exaggerate - 20 degrees)
i am working on a talk to midwives and young parents
about homeopathic remedies and their scope
which is incredible
from promoting labor when it appears to have stopped
to curbing nausea during pregnancy
to stopping hemorrhage
or panic or discouragement