A2Z 2020 — essential oils — Z — Zanthoxylum acanthopodium

In the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 7(4), October 2008, pp. 581-586, an article titled, “Herbal remedies among the Khasi traditional healers and village folks in Meghalaya” provides first hand information on the herbal remedies practiced by the rural folks of Meghalaya. During the study, out of several known herbal plants 54 plant species…

#FF — For the first time

I’d allowed myself to be talked into attending the farce of a wedding, then reception. The dunce cap napkins said it all. Everyone knew Melinda’s marital pattern of marriage-to-millionaire followed by unfortunate-death-of-groom, then whirlwind-romance-leading-to-engagement-with-next-rich-dupe. She forgot what number Harold was: 4? 5? Even my hard-boiled cynicism couldn’t ignore how Melinda and Harold looked at and…

A2Z 2020 — essential oils — Y — Ylang Ylang

Historically, ylang ylang has been used in both the East and the West. In the Philippines, where the flowers grow naturally, healers have used this oil in ointments to treat cuts, burns, and insect and snake bites. In the Molucca islands, people used the oil as the main ingredient in Macassar oil, a hair pomade…

dVerse — Lake Michigan between Ludington and Manistee, MI, USA

These photos were taken on one day in July 2013 at Lake Michigan. Bob and I had driven his motor home north, heading towards Ludington. I was the map captain, and I noticed a small park not too far north, between Ludington and Manistee. We followed the map and discovered a perfect little park. Set…

Tick Tock Tuesday #29 — Rockfish

I believe I first saw this animated video at a film festival in 2004.  Nowadays Pixar and other animation production companies work magic that seems like it’s always been around, but that is not the case.  When I saw “Rockfish” for the first time I was mesmerized by it.  I returned to it again and…

A2Z 2020 — essential oils — X — Xiang Mao (lemon grass)

Xiang Mao is known in Taiwan as the “aromatic grass of rapid enlightenment.” It has been used for centuries as the source of aromatic oil in perfumery, flavorings, and traditional remedies. It was traditionally used to freshen household air, enlighten the mind, and moisturise skin. It was also used in folk remedies for its calming…

dVerse — haibun –Basho

Friends and celebrated poets Li Po (Li Bai) and Tu Fu (Du Fu) lived in the seven-hundreds. They sipped wine together and toasted the moon in bamboo groves. Almost a thousand years later, Basho became a poet of his time. Basho published under different names, including one that meant “green peach” as a sign of…