tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19672066879136255402024-02-20T22:46:17.858-07:00O, Sweet NatureArt and Nature: Could there be a sweeter combination?OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-62662323883436933002024-01-15T12:22:00.000-07:002024-01-15T12:22:11.436-07:00<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Body Enjoyment</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How do you find the peace of the day? As I start off the day today, I have already woken with a feeling of relaxation and with with an accompanying sense of joy. It's NOT always this way. Sometimes finding the joy is a struggle and task. Right now, as I get ready to go for my 3 mile fitness walk, I realize that I <i>already have</i> a great joy in my own body. The sheer physicality of doing some exercise and then going to school to learn bodywork fills me with not only peace and joy, but a sense of wellness and accomplishment at both taking care of myself and learning about and truly feeling/identifying with my own body. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As infants, we gradually become aware of our own bodies--our bodies as separate from Mom's and something that we control ourselves. Younger children still feel an intrinsic joy of their bodies. They play with abandon and don't concern themselves with how they look or what others think of them. But when children start attending school, they gradually come under the scrutiny and criticism of other children their age and also of the adults around them. Little by little they begin to lose the joy of the body. Some children play games and sports that brings them strong feelings of control and independence of their bodies. Athletic types may take great joy in physically moving their bodies through space as well as learning new skills of movement. Those moments may bring great joy to them--body joy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Gradually, as children enter their teen years, they become even more aware and self conscious of their bodies in relation to others. It can often bring tension and even feelings of dislike for themselves. Our society plays a strong role in how individuals perceive themselves and how positive or negative they feel about their bodies. Society is harsh in its criticisms and light on allowing people to appreciate their own selves. Teens change dramatically in their body size and shape. For some, it is heady and disorienting. Looking into a mirror, they may ask, "Is this really me? Who is this? Who am I? It's hard to find joy when you are asking those kinds of big questions. </span></p>OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-87828238561667629082020-06-18T07:40:00.001-06:002020-06-18T07:40:24.812-06:00Go With the Flow of the Universe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The universe flows, I flow with the universe.<br />
<br />
"<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Being of service is merely being in flow with the Universe. The quickest way to fall into flow with The Universe is to allow it to use you."</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://rebeccacampbell.me/being-of-service-is-merely-being-in-flow-with-the-universe/" target="_blank">https://rebeccacampbell.me/being-of-service-is-merely-being-in-flow-with-the-universe/</a></div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-30125597461168431942020-03-09T08:20:00.001-06:002020-03-09T08:20:25.644-06:00"The Mushroom Hunters" by Neil Gaiman - read by Amanda Palmer with music...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ak6sdSAcNkw" width="480"></iframe><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This is an amazing short film and a subversive feminist celebration of science and the human hunger for truth. Inspiring to watch!</span>OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-55902753887725229252020-02-16T08:21:00.001-07:002020-02-16T08:21:25.092-07:009 brains, 3 hearts: Some wild facts about octopuses<a href="https://triblive.com/lifestyles/more-lifestyles/9-brains-3-hearts-some-wild-facts-about-octopuses/?fbclid=IwAR0Ybn8HR9Qd67BYPz50kZTnTLRUhnAfaVrWJ4fcF2_sQkUmtytR78cMoT4">9 brains, 3 hearts: Some wild facts about octopuses</a>OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-36593315380908811612020-02-14T09:01:00.000-07:002020-02-14T09:03:23.024-07:00Insects Art in Flower Petals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Colorful insects created from fresh cut flower petals, butterfly and beetle" border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="914" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04wiA91Gz9B5JWE4BJU20KJjTDOxTUfLHIbPhQ7kQQwfq6BwCAu5NMt4O5FcQX0qLvg9vX6CKxmVMC-OK9bmNJ3mfxi1TeRqU28wjQLrFZ4LhCcXZLP54xF8v9sbYeWDh3XwnIluPv1o/s400/Insects.png" title="Insects Art in Flower Petals" width="400" /></div>
<br />
These are delightful.<br />
<br />
Link here:<br />
<a href="https://mymodernmet.com/natura-insects-raku-inoue/?fbclid=IwAR23aFdpb2WgiXoY-cnBjOOT5iX9BfKTAw1FbBXk7cGJoMtvv2DYMLqimGQ">https://mymodernmet.com/natura-insects-raku-inoue/?fbclid=IwAR23aFdpb2WgiXoY-cnBjOOT5iX9BfKTAw1FbBXk7cGJoMtvv2DYMLqimGQ</a></div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-89953348302585326922020-02-13T12:59:00.001-07:002020-02-13T13:01:59.160-07:00The Blanket Octopus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OD6QHW_nMoQ" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The world can be rough. Politics, viruses, natural disasters. So here is a female blanket octopus to remind you that this planet is still a pretty amazing place.</span></div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-51774291678180269512020-02-12T11:38:00.002-07:002020-02-12T11:42:42.068-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
An ancient oak, survivor of many a storm. <span style="color: #404040; font-family: "helmet" , "freesans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Fifteen million trees were felled by the Great Storm which hit the south of England in 1987. </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "helmet" , "freesans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But the remarkable Turner's Oak in Kew Gardens in London not only survived the storm, but also changed the way that trees are cared for around the world.</span><br />
<a class="vxp-share__share-link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-51282656/the-oak-tree-in-kew-gardens-that-taught-the-world-a-lesson" style="border: 0px; color: #6bbd45; display: block; font-family: Helmet, Freesans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8125rem; line-height: 1.23077; margin: 0px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0.5em 5px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 243.1875px;" tabindex="-1">https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-51282656/the-oak-tree-in-kew-gardens-that-taught-the-world-a-lesson</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B1DWAomHN6OjtohlfNr5swbkJ1zpeb9-9g9tGLaWzWaQG8-iLIgm5EmxfVmMeQGImEvOurqAC7Pgm2tPJIUI3JDL83V4uQ6abd26k0BF7JbcAE2pFHQ20G2tikHEP4sKHKFikMCJykM/s1600/oak.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="503" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B1DWAomHN6OjtohlfNr5swbkJ1zpeb9-9g9tGLaWzWaQG8-iLIgm5EmxfVmMeQGImEvOurqAC7Pgm2tPJIUI3JDL83V4uQ6abd26k0BF7JbcAE2pFHQ20G2tikHEP4sKHKFikMCJykM/s400/oak.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-69700361624980461282020-02-11T19:37:00.001-07:002020-02-11T19:41:40.276-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YdCPHqQsw6j51pwkDEnjn9cz825ZYpnuTTrDjCV7MDSSP4AKAWbSLgY6XAOia7ILFHNCc97ppVBHgCduXkiRhiMpekkFqdqein4iexL4wCOtrjF2BnG0pIeG1dlYRmI6AwhP7-pzJ4E/s1600/crown-shyness-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YdCPHqQsw6j51pwkDEnjn9cz825ZYpnuTTrDjCV7MDSSP4AKAWbSLgY6XAOia7ILFHNCc97ppVBHgCduXkiRhiMpekkFqdqein4iexL4wCOtrjF2BnG0pIeG1dlYRmI6AwhP7-pzJ4E/s320/crown-shyness-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://mymodernmet.com/crown-shyness-trees-phenomenon/?fbclid=IwAR1GHXoEhqXJ74CXx3CzLVeQpZTcTPrWYZFVYoixbg0oiHLsHb5LALa3usg" target="_blank">Trees with crown shyness reserve space between each other</a></div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-24513702286288355632020-02-10T09:26:00.001-07:002020-02-10T09:54:34.893-07:00AMKK presents: Botanical animation "Story of Flowers" full ver.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vDpFyHmt0AE" width="480"></iframe><br />
<h1 class="entry-title" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Stunning 3-Minute Animation Beautifully Illustrates the Natural Life of Flowers</span></h1>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-7923997568282546732014-09-27T09:23:00.000-06:002014-09-27T09:23:26.958-06:00Plants R Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0u8CgKEm8Vu_cEfn_aAV61l35b-sc4Vf-m_vk7hAF4HZwQjMigy0LWpWZe4xKEtx0Wb8hndulYZ2OBW3NMhv4RfgmaQqKv-BGYirXnkPJuLbqGxoBomNIgzUPz_mAXB2FjO1bxaC6y4/s1600/LeafyPlants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0u8CgKEm8Vu_cEfn_aAV61l35b-sc4Vf-m_vk7hAF4HZwQjMigy0LWpWZe4xKEtx0Wb8hndulYZ2OBW3NMhv4RfgmaQqKv-BGYirXnkPJuLbqGxoBomNIgzUPz_mAXB2FjO1bxaC6y4/s1600/LeafyPlants.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Plants are so important to
humans, but really to all the life on the planet. All people feel a strong
attachment to nature. Nature, meaning plants, is what nurtures us, gives us
life, gives us the very breath we take in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Humans are here because plants are
our food. We eat them directly or we eat the animals that have eaten the
plants. Plants have starches, oils, sugars, proteins—all the building blocks of
life. It is only through plants and the photosynthesis that they have created
for themselves, that all other forms of life have evolved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I say that plants
are us, but really we are plants, we are from plants, we are all part of the
life force of planet Earth.</span><!--EndFragment-->
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-90753745134327497262014-09-12T07:42:00.000-06:002014-09-12T07:43:14.275-06:00Fiddle and Banjo Strike a Creative Spark <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHrln5tiQgFE3D9gOjxNZmWfghgJt3vyrXZcgQ35wO0CVZnSUHrhFJNXoXZYvfXlMT7VWTSuIpzjSArhGOFRsglKCgnZ80J8pgxYFF-fkiEr5Vatg0ICP3hvd_d2pLydfoLI-mZVRTHs/s1600/FiddleBanjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHrln5tiQgFE3D9gOjxNZmWfghgJt3vyrXZcgQ35wO0CVZnSUHrhFJNXoXZYvfXlMT7VWTSuIpzjSArhGOFRsglKCgnZ80J8pgxYFF-fkiEr5Vatg0ICP3hvd_d2pLydfoLI-mZVRTHs/s1600/FiddleBanjo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Old-time fiddle is toe-tapping music. I can’t resist and I
was head bobbing along with everyone else at the Fiddle and Banjo contest in
Lowell, Massachusetts. It’s a true contest, with prizes for the best fiddlers
and banjo players. More than 50 contestants from all over New England took the
stage. </div>
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The top fiddlers were hot and the banjo pickers were wild.
But, the lovely part of this fiddle fest is that it involves musicians at all
different levels. From what I could tell everyone was encouraged and supported,
even those who were not so experienced.</div>
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Kudos to each musician brave enough to take part—from ages
about 10 to about 70. Players wore everything from overalls, to Sunday bonnets,
to dreadlocks and droopy pants. The action on stage was uneven, as each
individual slowly mounted the stage and played their best pieces. But perhaps
the most exciting part took place offstage, in a back hallway. </div>
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As fiddlers and banjo players waited to go onstage, they had
a restless energy. With numbers taped to their arms, musicians began to play
together, in a circle, right there in the back hallway. Group improv—that is
where the energy of fiddle music comes from. By playing together a creative
spark happens. It’s so lively the air fairly vibrates with the excitement of
fiddles and banjos together. </div>
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This is the creative spark that music draws from both the
participants and from those listening. Musicians definitely feel it. But also
listeners get this creative energy, as well. But I think it is even more than
that. The players, the listeners, the audience all come together, each
essential, each bringing a greater energy to the mix. </div>
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Creativity is powerful. We all need to appreciate that
creative spark. We get it ourselves when we are the talent, but we also get it
vicariously when artists do their thing. It’s catching; it’s toe-tapping
goodness.</div>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-81803426472600989282014-08-05T05:57:00.001-06:002014-08-05T05:57:32.382-06:00Connecting to Joy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx1z7ycURAEehABRPgMtGcZSMLMupMuH_aM5yCbwtpxzn5D87tshj3tTh9I_6Ig202EoqXnnaqQRjPWWOqoNzMBqMX0mz3-5dz8KEgn0Y4ef4piqjSB4Ke5O0c_YNOEE8Cd_ZSB-muOc/s1600/Farmers+Market72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx1z7ycURAEehABRPgMtGcZSMLMupMuH_aM5yCbwtpxzn5D87tshj3tTh9I_6Ig202EoqXnnaqQRjPWWOqoNzMBqMX0mz3-5dz8KEgn0Y4ef4piqjSB4Ke5O0c_YNOEE8Cd_ZSB-muOc/s1600/Farmers+Market72.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
It's full summer, my work is going well, websites are taking on "personalities" of their own, my sculpture pieces are moving along, and my <a href="http://www.urbansketching.com/" target="_blank">urban sketching is still great fun</a>. I'm living in a wonderful place close to nature, next to a vineyard. Birds, animals, wildflowers, and trees surround me. It's a time of creative energies, comfort, and joy.<br />
A big revelation that I am on this summer is that all these "venues" that I create can express these things. I can share the good things with others. Somehow, everything that I do is flowing together and all I have to do is flow with it in joy, contentment, and happiness. It's a journey and more and more I want to share it with others and bring you along with me. Sometimes, especially on my websites, I follow traditional advice and try to sound "professional," which means writing in a manner of professional detachment, avoiding overly emotive sentiments. That is wrong. The internet is a new concept in the world, and I want to approach it in new ways. This is a heads-up to you my readers to tell you that I will be modifying some of my writings and approaches to websites and blog. That's all I have to say. Except this—Follow Your Joy. </div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-52171798935440734692014-07-07T16:35:00.001-06:002014-07-11T08:26:45.808-06:00Just Released!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXeNPPUwzuZemCy90Zl0e5Bjs8I2Dn4o23hXzFHwRwRYEZqHBeHSvylkb-JqoEEHSVeOxt3uFS0TA0ByUalDmFHim3zpS1ULHnlKDFrDV5XhHG6145BHAIeEQh-d8OxzbMYgE51H5Mb0/s1600/NewCareerCover.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></div>
<br />
<b>My new ebook </b>is out. I'm so excited that I got it finished and uploaded.<br />
<b>Find a New Career: Workbook and Guide A Creative Approach</b><br />
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Are you where you want to be in work and life? <i>Find a New
Career: Workbook and Guide is</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> a creative
approach to discovering your ideal career. Learn the steps you need to know to
confidently take charge of the direction of your life. This ebook is chock full
of exercises, quizzes, and hands-on learning. As a workbook and guide, it
whispers in your ear, gives you a push in the right direction, and sets you on
the first practical steps of the journey whether you are changing to a new
career or choosing your first career. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What you will learn in <i>Find a New Career</i><span style="font-style: normal;">:</span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Clarify
your decision-making process</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Take
solid steps to change your life. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Take
charge of the direction in which your life is going.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Set
life goals that make a difference.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Begin
the journey to achieve your ambitions, dreams, and desires. </li>
</ul>
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Use exercises and quizzes to analyze your core qualities and
personal values. Identify your work strengths and discover career options that
lead you to the ideal work that you can be passionate about. Find out how to
follow your joy to create a balance of work and life. It’s more than a career
guide, it’s a framework you can draw on for the rest of your life.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Interested? <a href="http://www.osweetnature.blogspot.com/p/moonshine-press.html">Buy it in PDF, Kindle, or, coming soon, NOOK.</a></div>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-89123003708470648312014-04-14T12:49:00.000-06:002014-04-14T12:49:53.859-06:00Domesticated Insects<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5da1ywKODYBk9US4-UJYT-VQ5_7vwuQJk9YZIJ3H39KB2ht04gFQbYWZP2ZBtwMuJFmjM5C33wFtg3i258aydf6sRGD0UhiXUSM0wwAD65MRv64QCwiyfAB0ieqf9Cq8YuKHMenMXt6Q/s1600/ST42InsectsImages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5da1ywKODYBk9US4-UJYT-VQ5_7vwuQJk9YZIJ3H39KB2ht04gFQbYWZP2ZBtwMuJFmjM5C33wFtg3i258aydf6sRGD0UhiXUSM0wwAD65MRv64QCwiyfAB0ieqf9Cq8YuKHMenMXt6Q/s1600/ST42InsectsImages.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A book I
have been reading was discussing the beginnings of agriculture in early
civilizations. It talked about plants, of course, in the beginnings of farming.
And it talked about the first animals that were domesticated as well. So—there
were domesticated plants, domesticated animals, AND the author also said,
“Domesticated Insects.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
phrase threw me, at first. Exactly what are domesticated insects? Insects that
are useful to humans? beneficial insects, such as pollinators in gardens? There
are many plants and animals that are useful to humans but are not considered
“domesticated.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What are domesticated insects?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first and best example provided in the book is the silkworm. The silk moth was
discovered first in China. It has been domesticated for more than 2,000 years.
For the silkmoth, this means it can no longer survive on its own in the wild.
It is cared for by humans, who also control its reproduction. The silk moth is
no longer able to reproduce on its own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second
example in the book is the honeybee. Although it is possible for there to be
honeybees that survive in the wild, most stay near human-controlled
environments—farm and field. Humans build their homes, provide suitable floral
foods, then reap the benefits of the hive—honey and beeswax. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
thought to myself, in all of 2,000 years, why only 2 species of insects are
domesticated? There must be more? This is the list I came up with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Domesticated Insects</u>: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Silkworm—Fully domesticated, can no longer live in the wild
on its own.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Honey bee—We build them hives, they give us honey, beeswax.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Semi-Domesticated</u>:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <i>Bred by people for products associated with them.</i></span><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
India Lac insects—Shellac<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cochineal beetles—Red dyes, placed into plant heads,
harvested.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Commercially Useful Insects<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leeches—Grown in captivity or collected for limited medical use<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flesh-eating Beetles—Grown in the lab for forensic work, stripping flesh from bones<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maggots—Grown in the lab for medical use<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nightcrawlers, fishing worms, earthworms in soil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ladybugs for gardens, eat aphids and other insects<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nematodes—one beneficial kind for improving soil, but others damage plants<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flatworms or cockroaches for H.S. science dissection<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spider silk? Is this even viable?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Pet Insects<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tarantula<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crickets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Up for consideration:</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
Ants?; Butterflies for aesthetics and collection; Tequila worm?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list
shows that there are really just a handful of insects whose products humans
harvest and use. A few kinds of insects are eaten on a small scale by some
cultures. Chocolate-covered ants aside, most are not eaten by humans. Insects
do not train well, or at all, despite the imagination of a “flea” circus. And
most are difficult or impossible for humans to control their reproduction.
Hence, most insects are not domesticable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are millions of insect species in the world—a true diversity of forms. Yet
still only the two are domesticated. Silk and honey, are wonderful, and I am
thankful to those insects for lovely fabrics and delicious, nutritious, food,
including the use of <b><a href="http://www.simpletens.com/honey-as-medicine.html">Honey as Medicine</a></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Insects, of course, are an extremely important part of our biosphere. They have
essential roles in all of nature. And, for humans, insects are fun to watch and
really quite fascinating. Perhaps we should try to value them more for their
entertainment value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-23803504067268459742014-03-28T08:54:00.001-06:002014-03-28T08:54:12.735-06:00Food As Medicine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr78ivYFu3uzzRRBYlIMfiMuwXG9DLBHjUDn0KaVn-HpNqa4ZvrHV3mGo9TR2yvnW66IOfDBD-OtBw90BG5ShpB2SQc3ejrgs-rCxZIJ1uExR9QSP6lVG-nZDbjVs5-vuAzd62D5hLJvE/s1600/ST41Honey.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></div>
<br />
We are lucky to live in a world where there are many options for health care and self care. Allopathic medicine or the conventional medical world of insurance companies. Homeopathic medicine, the opposite branch, that is holistically concerned. Herbalism that is the most traditional of medical concerns. And many other alternative medicine techniques that are becoming better recognized and appreciated. It is a good idea to choose the health care system that most suits you, and to pick and choose from all the systems for specific issues. Self-care is the way that we take on the responsibility for our own health. When we think of "medicine," our first thoughts might be about drugs and drug therapy, second we might think of herbs and herbal medicine preparations. But I also like to approach self-care by thinking of food as medicine.<br />
We all know that nutrition is important, that eating right is essential to good health. High quality, organic foods, make a difference as well. "Food as medicine" considers what we eat and how specific foods can affect our health issues. Some foods are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients that are preventative for problems such as cancer. (<b><a href="http://www.simpletens.com/foods-that-fight-cancer.html" target="_blank">10 Foods that Fight Cancer</a></b>). Some specific foods, such as honey or garlic, have antibacterial properties and can be eaten or even used topically for health issues. (<b><a href="http://www.simpletens.com/honey-as-medicine.html" target="_blank">Honey as Medicine</a></b>) Adding, or subtracting, particular foods from the diet is done in response to issues as they arrive. That is how to think of "Food as Medicine," and not just something to fill the belly and delight the taste buds.<br />
Food is health. The foods we choose to eat make us what we are. We can choose health-based diets (nutrition), and we can choose particular foods for specific health issues (food as medicine). Whenever I think about healthy approaches to life, I always end up back at the big three: Eat right, Exercise, Rest. And I always consider Michael Pollan's statement: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. A good idea.<br />
For more information, see the SimpleTens articles at <b><a href="http://www.simpletens.com/food-as-medicine.html" target="_blank">Food As Medicine.</a></b><br />
<br /></div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-68365339814306019712014-03-09T16:47:00.000-06:002014-03-09T17:04:27.900-06:00The Signature of All Things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IsFakrv-ZTB1-0UnyoM6c2A7ze9oQDiU8T-wAUnC343atYWyHnk2gKYfdg5AYVrsFlDJJtdWlwpyo0N_UCztuHFr-AG3ntM44gUppGvq2P9jO8kbVJlUlV0u6kqbPbxEXBpbT0SczdE/s1600/signature1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IsFakrv-ZTB1-0UnyoM6c2A7ze9oQDiU8T-wAUnC343atYWyHnk2gKYfdg5AYVrsFlDJJtdWlwpyo0N_UCztuHFr-AG3ntM44gUppGvq2P9jO8kbVJlUlV0u6kqbPbxEXBpbT0SczdE/s1600/signature1.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
For those of you readers who enjoy novels about science and/or art, here is an excellent book. "The Signature of All Things," is a well-researched book about botany and early botanical art. The author is Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote the book "Eat, Pray, Love," that so many of us read or watched on film. The Signature of All Things taps into the questing nature of nineteenth century naturalists. This is a time when naturalists have moved beyond the medieval mind and have started to observe and explore the world as the newly coined word, "science."<br />
The book explores the early sixteenth century writings of Jacob Boehme and the medieval connection between religion and all of nature. Writers and philosophers looked at items of the natural world as though the hand of God touched them all. They strove to discover this connected "signature" in all things. Seventeenth century naturalists, like Newton, began to focus more on observation of facts. Philosophers, naturalists were still often theologians by scholarship and nature. But by the early to mid 1800s, the world of information exploded to the point where one person, through study, could no longer learn it all. Individuals began to specialize in areas such as botany, geology, etc. Writers such as Goethe began to be interested in this new area of science. And forward thinkers, such as Darwin began to make connections and observations ushering in the brave new world of science.<br />
In her book, Gilbert follows the life and career of a Alma Whittaker, a woman caught up in the center of the botany world, and her relationship to an eccentric Ambrose Pike, extraordinary botanical artist of orchids. Taking place in settings around the world, this book is substantial and thought provoking. It is a sweet read.<br />
Ah, Nature and art...could there be a sweeter combination?</div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-82814458250979144092014-02-23T15:14:00.001-07:002014-02-23T15:14:40.408-07:00Haiku and Nature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfTwfMOgNHoUcgt3cr2ZJC84cwF1WjIiaI-B_Bt9mgLf_cztKASVZnTfUEvo4rtP3ObVE13AWo7ydMNEOJAKFEWMAd9tFVZrCXf-W4bObNkFS-pzPG5qVvgGi8r5zusGa9HoUPZvyvbI/s1600/ST35HaikuBamboo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfTwfMOgNHoUcgt3cr2ZJC84cwF1WjIiaI-B_Bt9mgLf_cztKASVZnTfUEvo4rtP3ObVE13AWo7ydMNEOJAKFEWMAd9tFVZrCXf-W4bObNkFS-pzPG5qVvgGi8r5zusGa9HoUPZvyvbI/s1600/ST35HaikuBamboo.png" height="320" width="201" /></a>Haiku is a very good way to keep in touch with nature. Haiku poetry is immediate and direct. You write about something striking you see in nature. The poem expresses how the event in nature moves you. The poetry form can be 5-7-5 syllables, or 3-5-3 syllables, or free syllables. This short poetry takes much time and care to find the right words. It must be both simple and expressive. It is a very attractive writing form for minimalists like myself. Here are some examples:<br />
<br />
Apples fall<br />
Sweet moldy dampness<br />
Fog enfolds.<br />
<br />
Empty nest up high<br />
In a thousand bare branches<br />
Smoky blue forest.<br />
<br />
Poetry like this is great for outdoorsy people. Sit at the beach and watch the waves while you write. Think about it as you ride your bike. You can compose it in your head as you hike. I like to speak it out loud as I drive long distances in my car. If you want to learn the form and become a poet, read this SimpleTens article: <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/how-to-write-a-haiku-poem.html" target="_blank">How to Write a Haiku Poem</a>.<br />
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and I would love to see some of your poetry.<br />
O, Sweet Nature</div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-48551852531928333702014-01-16T08:39:00.003-07:002014-01-16T08:39:47.661-07:00Could It Be a Better World?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2PrSU5y6ivYjO6Y-RSi8flvwyB_RO_yDLfsNAIhNWV-MvY2jQn5YNaSjIGbPrZvcqhLFtfTgB8FrHteGYIimWmijhjemAz0e-8zWIME6LLVIziRJlcMRcNVtIZ7W8oERc0OCOgLQyy0/s1600/ST33HappinessJump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2PrSU5y6ivYjO6Y-RSi8flvwyB_RO_yDLfsNAIhNWV-MvY2jQn5YNaSjIGbPrZvcqhLFtfTgB8FrHteGYIimWmijhjemAz0e-8zWIME6LLVIziRJlcMRcNVtIZ7W8oERc0OCOgLQyy0/s1600/ST33HappinessJump.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a new
phenomenon going on that the world has never seen before. I feel it most
intensely when I travel to third-world countries. It’s about world-wide
communication. It’s also about sharing information with your neighbors, as well
as about keeping in touch with family and friends. I’m talking about the
internet, digital technology, cell phones, and i-pads.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every place I travel,
even in remote spots, there seems to be internet and technology. This means
that everyone world over has access to the same information. Unfortunately it
is also the same popular culture. I like to call it “anywhere Earth” when I see
the same shops or restaurants like 7-eleven or Starbucks or McDonalds. However,
I think the most significant impact will come not from the adults like me who
now have access to information. I think it is going to come in the future, from
the next generations of the world population.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phenomenon I
notice is that teenagers, everywhere, are growing up with the same cultural
values. In the past, regions of the world varied so much that people are
different even if they come across the same information. Clothing, traditions,
education were different in every region of the world. Now, the generations
coming up all want the same clothing. They listen to the same world music. They
cultivate the same values towards one another. This has got to be significant
as these youth age and begin to take leadership roles in their various
countries. We will see what happens. What do you think? Will it be for the
better?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-5850969271124648742013-12-20T08:55:00.000-07:002013-12-20T09:43:51.581-07:00Feeling Chilled? Warm Your Core<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNpvQJyPqs__1_R1OWx3doz8dHjFcK6-2HE237ZJZeHeipyyOBl0EwaOUqY2mtA-4g10qNCZHFGqDusI-jZSNTaXqBNhyphenhyphenV5wLAV84Tk4qWyBFhQYuYZhR8MxOlfB4DAkxmtdvljtHLXQ/s1600/Woodstove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNpvQJyPqs__1_R1OWx3doz8dHjFcK6-2HE237ZJZeHeipyyOBl0EwaOUqY2mtA-4g10qNCZHFGqDusI-jZSNTaXqBNhyphenhyphenV5wLAV84Tk4qWyBFhQYuYZhR8MxOlfB4DAkxmtdvljtHLXQ/s200/Woodstove.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Are you
warm-blooded</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> or
cold-blooded? My friend asked me that question and I had to stop and think a
minute. For, aren’t humans all the same inside? We all tend to run about the
same temperature of 98.6, right. So it must be just a matter of perception,
perhaps better asked, Do you tend to feel warm or cold in most situations?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no doubt
about it, I feel cold. Not all the time, but I have noticed that when my
friends and family are in shirtsleeves, I have at least three layers on. When
they have to double up on shirt and sweater, I’m up to about five layers!
Before I begin to look like the muffin doughboy, I thought, maybe I should find
another solution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to reach
for the thermostat or throw a bunch more logs in the woodstove. Number one, it
would make the house too warm for others. Number two that would be energy
intensive and thus wasteful. Recently, I have been trying out a new solution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My work as an artist
and writer means that I either sit or stand for long periods of time. That’s
usually when I get cold—call it cold blooded, if you will. I noticed that my
friend J is a speedy, high-energy person. When she moves, she moves
quickly--fast paced, always on the go. She might call herself warm blooded. So
here’s the solution that I have discovered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever I start to
feel cold, I stand up and exercise for about 15 minutes. Sometimes its a brisk
walk around the office, sometimes I just go through pacing or dancing in place,
standing behind my chair. After about 10 minutes, I am warm through. The funny
thing is, that once I get to the 10-minute mark, I find it easy to go on to 15
or 20 minutes. This is great because for good aerobic benefits 20 minutes is
ideal. To be kind to myself on those “down” days, I’ll let it slide at 10
minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warming up by moving
is fantastic on many levels. First off, the warmth that I feel is lasting. I
won’t feel cold again quickly after my 10-15 minutes of movement. The warmth
radiates from the core, not from the outside. Simply putting on another sweater
doesn’t do the same thing. Second, it brings health benefits. Exercise is good
for you; we all know that. Even short periods of exercise are much better than
sitting or standing motionless for hours. Another thing I’ve found is that it
builds my energy levels. Although I may never run around and move as quickly as
J, I know that I have more energy after the brief exercises. Also, there is
definitely a boost to my concentration and focus, as well as my creativity.
These are all good things, simply accomplished, and this winter—I am sooo much
more comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Please stop by my website to see some of my tips about <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/">fitness and exercise in a balanced life.</a></span></div>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-69608542505105121612013-12-08T11:30:00.000-07:002013-12-08T11:30:14.085-07:00Stress and Joy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Stress and joy are opposite sides of the same coin. We all
have moments when we feel stress. And, hopefully, we all have moments when we
feel great joy. When asked, most of my friends have said that they believe the
opposite of joy to be sadness. But I believe it is stress. My reasoning is
this: Both stress and joy are internally driven conditions. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The looming deadline or the overbearing boss may be part of
your work experience. But stress is something you create inside you. You could
potentially face all those same conditions without a feeling of stress. We use
stress as a way of getting through rough or threatening conditions. It's possible to find numerous ways to <b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_715147328">Reduce Your Stress</a></b><a href="http://www.simpletens.com/10-ways-to-relieve-stress.html">.</a> But just
imagine for a moment, what it would take to deal with that deadline without
stress being a part of the equation. Perhaps you could face it by laying out
step-by-step actions, or even by ignoring the "deadline" and just
taking the project at your own pace, quick but not stressful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joy, on the other hand, should bring you happiness. People
often ask, How do you find happiness? Often their answers involve something
akin to winning the lottery so that they have money for everything they might want.
However, studies of lottery winners show that they are no more happy after they
win the lottery than before, and often it is the opposite. Winning makes them
less happy, and lottery winners have a higher rate of suicide than non-winners.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joy and happiness are internally created emotions. They are
not based on things that happen around us. They can be created inside you at
any moment, even in bad times. We see that time and time again in people who
have faced disasters or personal destruction. The happy factor returns quickly
to some people, while others dwell on the negative. I truly believe that joy is
something you can build inside yourself and keep with you most of the time, if
not always. It has taken me a lifetime, but I feel that joy and happiness are
mine to own and create at will.</div>
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</div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-90412655162945541552013-11-14T16:12:00.000-07:002013-11-22T16:13:31.029-07:00Tilting Windmills in Iowa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Driving through Iowa</b>, I have always loved the rolling hills of corn in long rows through the fields. It's been a few years since I've driven through on I-80, but this year as I was appreciating the beauty of small farms and their trees nestled in between the hills of corn, I came upon a new sight. As I dipped down and then up, I saw something strange poking up off in the distance. It was rotating windmill blades. First one, then another, then a whole cornfield full of them extending off into the distance. Wow! As I rolled up and down the hills, the turbines would rise into and out of sight. I found they had a unique kind of beauty to them. </div>
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I asked a resident Iowan about how much wind they get. He said, "It never stops blowing here." The wind energy turbines are a great way to put that wind to use! The farmers benefit from leasing small parts of their land. The energy consumers pay less for power. Wind energy is cleaner than fossil fuel energy and emits much less greenhouse gases. Iowa is only one of several states that are building up their grid with clean wind power. And it is the first state to get over 25 percent of its energy from wind. There are many more <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/wind-mill-turbines.html" target="_blank">benefits to making and using wind energy.</a> It's still a big experiment as to how much wind energy will serve to cut down reliance on foreign energy sources. It will be interesting to watch how wind power develops over the years as an alternative energy source.</div>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-40709641070671764482013-11-03T08:41:00.000-07:002013-11-03T08:43:41.184-07:00Healthy Life Actions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIH2vN1SBYn5KRllf8G-Y3f1d-6NZFm9crKcldM0YHExWu38Z1o4C608AZBRj3KXRh0sJ-iLWzFBClOgPuXdIt7pGudrjRMER6dYE_c28f2ZLtU22VFjHQE5eLTkrfEIdR1C2Sa-rBUI/s1600/HealthyLifeDiagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIH2vN1SBYn5KRllf8G-Y3f1d-6NZFm9crKcldM0YHExWu38Z1o4C608AZBRj3KXRh0sJ-iLWzFBClOgPuXdIt7pGudrjRMER6dYE_c28f2ZLtU22VFjHQE5eLTkrfEIdR1C2Sa-rBUI/s320/HealthyLifeDiagram.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<b>A healthy life</b> is a choice and an ongoing activity. I used to think a healthy body was a benefit of nature and a good genes. I've since come to the conclusion that pursuing a healthy life is something that one must seek out and actively participate. When I go online to look at health and medicine information, I've noticed that many of you are there looking up multitudes of small symptoms. It seems that many of us have lots of small health issues, aches, and pains that are part of our daily lives.<br />
For so many major health conditions and smaller health issues, I've noticed that the primary natural approach is to eat right, exercise, and rest. Does that sound familiar? It's the best approach to everything from <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/10-ways-to-boost-metabolism.html" target="_blank">losing weight</a>, to <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/foods-that-fight-cancer.html" target="_blank">protect against cancer</a>, to having <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/natural-skin-care-tips.html" target="_blank">smooth glowing skin</a>. I like to look at it as a three-pronged approach.<br />
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<b> Eat Right, </b>mostly organic, with whole grains, lots of vegetables and fruit, and simple high-quality proteins.<br />
<b> Exercise</b> with aerobic activities like running or biking, stretching with yoga or pilates, with posture corrections and breathing.<br />
<b> Rest</b> is a very important part of the mix and something we often overlook—plenty of good sleep, physical relaxation of muscles, and mental relaxation with meditation.<br />
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These are all steps that must be actively employed. We learn how to do them and then we practice them. Sometimes we are better at following, sometimes we backslide, always to come back to these three main elements of <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/" target="_blank">creating a healthy, vibrant life</a>.</div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-35537134525217456222013-10-20T14:14:00.000-06:002013-10-20T14:15:23.580-06:00Pass Me By<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky Mountains Backdrop</td></tr>
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I was on the dirt trail doing my small run along the reservoir when two young women runners jogged past me. They were chatting as they went, passed me easily. I run soooo slow. When I was younger I would probably have picked up my pace. Or I would have felt competitive and tried to catch them. But now, that's not my goal. I'm in it for Posture, Breathe, and Relax. My spine straight like a needle in a ball of cotton. My deep breaths expanding my <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/how-to-breathe.html" target="_blank">belly for diaphragmatic breathing</a>. And frequent check-ins to find the tension and relax muscles over all. I ran slow, but I ran almost three miles. And felt great afterwards knowing the biggest health benefits are by doing that long, slow mileage. Almost ALL runners are faster than me, so I won't say "Don't Pass Me By." I will say, "Go ahead, pass me by." I'm just inordinately pleased that it wasn't two women <i>walking</i> that passed me. </div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-10672658791712878672013-10-17T11:23:00.000-06:002013-10-17T11:23:10.445-06:00Tai Chi Travel Adventures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tai Chi, on a Beach</td></tr>
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When I took my first tai chi classes, almost 25 years ago, I immediately discovered the joy in practicing out of doors, in nature. At first, I just went to my local woodsy hiking place, Middlesex Fells in Massachusetts. I would walk the trail into the woods and then cut in off the trail, some place where no one would see. I'd find a flat clearing or sometimes a large flat boulder. Only need about 4 square feet to do the short form. Face the north and begin.<br />
I loved doing it outdoors! I have done tai chi on the beach at Wingaersheek (sp?) much like what you see in this photo by By Mike H from Seattle, USA <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Tai chi) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons</span>. And so whenever I traveled to a new and interesting place, I started doing a bit of tai chi at exotic spots. On Cape Cod, I went out to the end of a rock jetty on Nantucket sound and did it on a flat rock while the waves crashed in. I practiced it somewhere near San Diego on a wooden pier out over the Pacific, again with the lovely sound of waves. I did it in Japan, though inside, in my Riokan traditional Japanese inn room, bare with only tatami mats and a lovely nook with scroll and blossoms. I tried to do it in India, on the balcony overlooking the Dalai Lama's residence and monastery in Dharmsala, but I found it hard to concentrate (!!) and then the monkeys came. I practiced it <i>early</i> one morning in Burma in a lovely garden outside our room. And I did a few movements on a balcony over the MeKong River looking into Laos on the other side, with a full shiny moon above. I am NOT an expert in Tai Chi and I can't even say that I study it. I just do it. With joy.</div>
OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1967206687913625540.post-27254850179290909662013-10-14T10:44:00.000-06:002013-10-14T10:49:38.032-06:00Follow Your Joy Into Balance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Living a good life is very much about health. It’s
about eating right and about <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/motivational-quotes-for-fitness-and-exercise.html" target="_blank">exercise and fitness</a>. And yet, there is really so
much more to a healthy life; it’s about our activities, what we do with our
lives on a daily basis, and about the people we have in our lives. Paying
attention to all these things is what allows a balance in life. Some of the
daily activities that make up the bulk of our lives are some kind of engaging
work, family and social connections, active entertainment, healthy eating and exercise,
spirituality, the arts, and travel. We need all these elements in our lives and
for the best quality in life we need them in balance. That doesn’t mean that we
spend the same amount of time in each area, but that we don’t allow any one
area to be overwhelmingly dominant of our time and efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I struggle, like all of us, to find that balance.
Whenever I focus too much on any one area, I begin to feel the unbalance.
Whenever I neglect any one area, I feel unbalanced. For many years, as I wanted
to be a professional artist, I focused almost all of my time solely on art:
making art, looking at art, studying art and artists. I learned a lot about
art, yes, but also about myself since art is a foray into self. I did many
other things, such as travel through various areas of Asia. I studied lots of
interesting topics, such as history of plants and world religions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> But art by
necessity is a solitary occupation, and I focused on art to the exclusion of
allowing people into my life. And any activities I did, I only wanted them to
be connected to art. I did travel paintings. I would hike, but only far enough
in to paint a scene. I neglected exercise to better spend my time on studying
art. “Unbalanced” rang high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Now I’m spending more time at tai chi and meditation.
I’m running again and exercising. I’m connecting more with family and
rejuvenating old friendships. While studying art, I learned the importance of
following my joy. And this is something I can recommend for everyone. Follow your joy <a href="http://www.simpletens.com/index.html" target="_blank">into a balanced life</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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OSweetNaturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16868881926579411016noreply@blogger.com0