Snow in the Garden

While the middle of the United States is being hit with severe rain storms and tornadoes, I woke up to a light dusting of snow.


Thank you for sending cloudy weather my way. It looks like a great day to be in the garden.



Southwest gardening is a challenge to this Wisconsin woman.

Navigating the Garden

I've been busy with the backyard. We have four raised bed boxes and xeric design landscaping. Last year, Michael hired landscapers to bring in dirt, create the physical raised beds and make a riverbed landscape feature to drain away water from the roofs.

For over a month, I've been going outside most days, working with the weeds, soil, rocks and plants. The most difficult aspect for me is the sunshine. It's hard to believe that I would complain about the sun. Just one ray of sunshine on my face, arms or hands is enough to redden my skin in an instant. My red skin dries, cracks and bleeds. I feel as if I am in constant pain as my eczema creeps along my hands, wrists, face and neck.

It is easy to navigate garden the garden sun, working in the shade of the morning and in the evening. It is easy to schedule my days in the garden, wearing a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and gloves. Yet, I am frustrated. I am not certain that this rural Wisconsin woman belongs at 7400 feet above sea level. This is too close to the sun for me.

Santa Fe Snow

Yesterday, snow arrived in Santa Fe. It was comforting to have relief from my allergies to the juniper pollen. It was also nice to have a fire in the fire place and to create an oven roasted evening meal.



This morning, I drove Michael to the gallery, enjoying the snow scene on adobe and red earth. Even though I continue to long for Palm Springs, the freshness of snow on the Sangre de Cristos seemed to hit my refresh button to accepting living here in Santa Fe.



It was so much fun to see the animal sculptures wearing an accumulation of snow. Just last Friday, the parking lot menagerie was bathed in warm sunshine and vibrant spring blossoms,

Moocaite

I rarely make posts here, but I decided to add another to Mystical Gypsy, so that I can change the photo of myself from the dashboard, without removing the eczema blog.

The photo attached to this blog is a piece of polished Moocaite, a rock that is mined in Western Australia. About six weeks ago, I first noticed this rock at an outdoor vendor's table. It is the same table where I purchased a piece of Sugilite in June of 2008.

When I first saw the piece of Moocaite, I was drawn to it, but reluctant to make the purchase. During the following week, I thought of the rock. I even woke up one morning, believing I was dreaming of the rock from Australia. Because of my schedule, I had to wait several weeks before I could buy this piece displayed in the photo. I love it! The rock hound who sold this to me quickly made a cage for my new piece of rock. I wear it as a slide.

I expect, in the future, I will return to discussions of my eczema. The condition is not resolved, but I am in a place where I can go shopping or out to dinner with friends. Everyday is a tightrope walk to managing this condition.

Facial Eczema

Beginning 23 July, 2010, I suffered from severe facial eczema. I tried everything to resolve the issue, including regulating my diet, using Vedic Astrology, staying out of the sun, leaving my partner, modifying my vacation, going to allergists, dermatologists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, Tarot card reader and remote healing. I did other things, like chanting, cleansing breaths, no breaths and Reike. In a way, I found my best advice buried in Vedic astrology, the Rig Veda and time.

The biggest thing I learned is that with all of the herbs, all of the rest and all of the expert interaction and help that came my way, it was finding my own way that gave me the most relief.

I write this with inspiration from Secret Notebooks...Wild Pages, http://secretnotebookswildpages.blogspot.com/

Oct. 1, Honoring the Anniversar​y of Namadeva's Mahasamadh​i

Namadeva Acharya





Maha Ganapathi mantra:

Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Ganeshwaraya
Bhrama Roopaya Charavae
Sarvah Siddhi Bhrameshaya
Vigneshaya Namo Namaha

At our workshops and gatherings, Namadeva would play his tanpura and sing this 32-syllable Ganesha Mantra. As he would sing, one could feel the open heart space and taste the love as he sang. As people would assemble in the room, everyone would begin to sing, filling the room with love and devotion for the name.

Last October, days after Namadeva Acharya made the transition, many of his students kept a regular Narayanaya chanting practice. For me, OM Namo, Narayanaya became the mantra that filled every cell of my body. And of course, there were tears and sadness in all of my chanting. In the middle of the eleven days of chanting the OM Namo Narayanaya mantra, I found my heart break open with joy. Instantly, I started singing :

Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Ganeshwaraya
Bhrama Roopaya Charavae
Sarvah Siddhi Bhrameshaya
Vigneshaya Namo Namaha

From that moment on, I was filled with so much love, devotion and joy for my teacher and his Mahasamadi.

October first is also my birthday.

Roasted Hatch Chilies

It is a South West sign of the season. IT comes complete with aroma.






I hope Uma and J were able to shop at Santa Fe Farmers' Market on their trip to Santa Fe today.