Haikai Challenge 136: late cherry [blossoms*] (osozakura) & dVerse OLN

A sunny clearing deep in the woods — a small tree, cherry: May blossoms. Apple buds wait for first act’s cherry’s dance — sweet petals on wind Late cherry blossoms — I smell them before seeing tender sweet blushes. Honeybee’s secret stash behind the hedge — cherry promises. Mourning doves lament under the cherry tree…

#SLS — Any Day Now, by Chuck Jackson

Jim Adams is the gentlemanly host of Song Lyric Sunday.  Jim says: This week we have on Song Lyric Sunday Alone/Confined/Depressed/Isolated  /Restless/Solo as the prompt words, a topic that seems to relate to the pandemic that we are all dealing with. Here are the “rules”: • Post the lyrics to the song of your choice,…

#MM — Saturday Mix — Cry from the darkness

Cry from the Darkness When all that is is up for profit A call for prophet needs pierce the sky Tortured, twisted souls will never rest Until wrest from darkness by the light       Sarah Weejars is the host of Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie’s Saturday Mix.  Sarah says: This week we are seeing double with…

A2Z 2020 — essential oils — V — Valerian

This is an herb that was once considered magical, probably because of its hypnotic properties. All varieties of valerian appear to be sedatives. – Valerie Ann Worwood   Valerian (valeriana officinalis) Plant appearance: tall herb 5 feet high, dark leaves, long stems; flower heads comprising many small white flowers with a pink tinge. The roots…

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #132 — Fear is the mind-killer

The first tale I thought of for Reena’s prompt today comes from a book I read so many years ago, “Dune,” by Frank Herbert.  Youtube is a marvelous treasure-trove on any topic, so I went looking to see if I could find where someone recited the passage that has stuck in my mind and become…

Two Hung Low

After another night of staying up way too late (4 a.m.) it was noon by the time I made rounds around the house, opening blinds, sliding doors, turning off the heat and night lights, and getting the new pot of coffee started while yesterday’s cup from the pot warmed in the microwave.  I opened the…

A2Z 2020 — essential oils — U — Umbellularia californica (CA Bay Laurel)

California Bay Laurel has long been valued for its many edible, medicinal, insecticidal, and ceremonial uses throughout its range by native cultures including the Cahuilla, Chumash, Pomo, Kashaya Pomo, Miwok, Yujki, Coos, Concow, Maidu, Costanoan, Yukok, Tongva, Tolowa, Ohlone, Karuk, Karok, Mendocino Indians, and Salinan people. – from Tree Girl California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica)…