catspage

cat and angelica flowers

2010-07-13T18:30:00.001-07:00

cat and angelica flowers
Originally uploaded by Sheri ~

Last week sitting with the plants of Southern Oregon was magical. Yerba Santa, Silk Tassel, Angelica and Aralia.
Within me arose the desire to be pampered, preened and filled with bliss. Bringing these feelings forth in my day to day life is a constant invitation to feel the bliss that is already in my life and to make requests and be open to be cared for by the people and forces that love me.
I am filled with gratitude.

Mahonia Medicinals – Launching a new Herbal Business

2010-06-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

These plants have been ethically wild crafted and/or grown without pesticides in a friend's garden. They are harvested, processed and stored with love and reverence to their innate value and spirit.

I'm giving some common medicinal properties for your reference. Since I'm not a doctor, please do not use them as a medical diagnosis. This information is shared with the understanding that you are ultimately responsible for your own health and well-being.

Cleavers: Kidney & urinary tract support, lymphatics, skin, oversensitive nerves, breast tenderness, edema
Dandelion root: Diuretic, liver cleanser, spring tonic, digestive stimulant, breast tenderness, sedative
Echinacea: Immune stimulant, good for overworked and exhausted people, acne, boils, increases white blood cells
Oregon Grape: Anti-bacterial, liver support, digestive bitter, dry skin & scalp, sugar cravings
Stinging Nettle: Nutritive, high in minerals, adrenal & kidney support, stress, internal bleeding, tonic
Western Red Cedar: Antifungal, antiviral, immune stimulant, skin growths, warts, sore joints & muscles, respiratory, stomach pains
Devil's Club: Anxiety, stress due to trauma
Plantain: drawing agent, abscessed teeth, trush, inflammations, sore throats, kidneys
Lemon Balm: digestive, sedative, restful sleep, nervousness, headache, sweaty palms
Fomitopsis Pinicola A common NW shelf mushroom, immune support
Rosemary: headaches, stimulating, mental clarity,improves circulation, cold hands& feet,liver, remembering, fat metabolism
Yarrow: blood balancer, toothache, ears, gums, high fever, healing the wounded healer

I'm always making more medicine so check back from time to time to see what's been added to the list.

* * * Prices * * *
Tinctures: 1oz $12 (in organic grain alcohol)
Forest Healing Salve: small $5, large $15
(cedar, usnea, rose, calendula, yarrow, olive oil, beeswax – wound healing, soothes itchy, dry skin & burns, antimicrobial)
Cedar Cottonwood Salve: $10 (antifungal,soothes aches and muscle soreness)
Cedar Leaf Powder: $5 (antifungal, antiviral for foot, body, babie’s bottom or tea)
Cedar Leaf Oil: $3 small, $16 large (in organic olive & coconut oil, soothes skin and smells wonderful)

Grateful for the Natural Abundance all around us

2010-06-08T22:30:00.000-07:00

I had in mind a remedy that might help heal a friend's broken arm.
On my bike ride home, in the rain, I remembered a patch of young Horsetail nestled in a permaculturing neighbor's yard. After I picked a good handful, I turned back to my bike and saw a thick stand of Comfrey.
Now all I need is some Nettles, and there are three bunches hanging in my kitchen.
Perfect! What abundance we all live in.
Tomorrow the broken arm will be supported in its mending process.

herbal medicine

2010-06-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Plants I have met in the woods or gathered in gardens around town have been lovingly made into medicine by me. I have tinctures, salves, oils, flower essences and powders.
Each week I feel inspired to make more and slowly I've accumulated quite a store of them.
The time is ripe for getting them out into the community so they might support those of you who feel drawn to them in your healing and your growth.
Keep an eye out for a list soon to come here and after that a website dedicated to the herbs that heal. If you want some sooner I'd be honored to talk with you about that.

Big Plans

2010-04-16T03:40:00.000-07:00

With summer around the corner and the plan to take a break from working at the free school, the question arises "what is next?"
I'm really enjoying my spinning class that I started teaching last week, so I'll give that another go around soon.
I've started doing Reiki again, just a little as a trade, but I could see myself putting some energy into getting that started again.
I've been contemplating leading a group of teens out into the woods to connect with nature together.
And of course there is working with the plants.
hmm, big plans. nope don't have any of those really. In a way it's a relief. I can dream and ponder and try things out until the next place settles.

2010-03-03T23:39:00.001-08:00

With the speed of light I can now post from my phone. Will I end up posting more often this way?

Last gogo day

2010-03-03T23:10:00.001-08:00

Last gogo day
Originally uploaded by artfulblogger

Gogo's, besides appealing to the part of me that loves cute, little, plastic figurines, gave me an in with this group of boys I hardly ever connect with. I know they stole them, cheated each other and fought about them, but I'd keep them around just the same.

life in the fast lane

2010-01-05T23:03:00.000-08:00

Waiting for pumpkin pie to bake.
It's just what I needed while relaxing at home after a profound encounter with thuja plicata. The great Western Red Cedar. Mother of all trees in the Pacific NW.

Much unlike by big brother who just won (another) national sit ski race. He's in his big push to prepare for the Olympics coming up in Vancouver. Chris Klebl

Where does my fast lane lead me? Deep into the crevasses of my soul as I listen to the wisdom of the plants.
There is in me this desire:" I want to be a healer!" It's been there for many years and I'm still figuring out exactly how it's going to live itself out. Somewhere between Reiki and herbalism. Working with the body - mind - soul and our relations with each other and the earth. Somewhere in there is a profound transformation waiting for all of us and life as we know it. Somehow I will weave the bits of my spirit consciously into this dance and if I can I'll try to weave yours in too (if that's what you want).

Spinning

2010-01-02T23:36:00.000-08:00

It's been a year since I last posted here.
I've been busy, apparently.

Now I'm envious of other people's amazing blogs full of all their work and adventures and have decided that perhaps it's time for me to do a little writing and reworking.

And then to take some photos of my spinning and knitting and weaving. Too bad I just gave away my most recent project to Jelli. Matching orange skirt and arm warmers for her doll.

I finally finished the third skein of brown Alpaca, that I started at least 2 years ago.
And now I'm working on some dyed cotton to make myself my very own first pair of socks. Joshua and V have each gotten 2 pairs already.

all I could ask for and more

2009-01-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

after almost a year I find the time and the inspiration to write. many months I spent in the virtual world of WoW and now I am taking a break and all of a sudden there are other things online I find myself interested in.
Reading Inkheart, or Tintenherz, as the German original is called I am reminded of the ease with which our words create worlds. How much simpler it is to enter these worlds than it is to extricate ourselves from them.
But here we are, millions of people connected through the immediate communication of the internet with the unfathomable ability to create something entirely new and what are we going to create?
Can we create a world that has room for all of us? For all of us people, all of us animals, all of us plants?
Besides finding new ways to talk with people I have discovered new ways to talk with plants; and listen to them.
Many months now I find myself guided to learn of the plants and people of the Amazon rainforest. One of the most fertile areas of the world and a place upon which we all depend for oxygen and medicine. And now the door opens for me to go and visit. To see first hand what life is like there. To smell and hear and taste this treasure.
What will I do with the knowledge I find? What have I been doing with all the bits and pieces I have collected and the complex images I have created in my mind and heart?
Some bits flow easily from my mouth when I spend time with the kids in my care. Other bits are harder to assemble into something I can share.
I have learned from my own body such wisdom and peace. She knows all these things. So many experiences are stored in my muscles, nerves, heart, ... that my conscious mind has been unaware of. When I sit quietly I can listen. I hear a kind voice grounded deeply in love and connection with all that is guiding me. The more I listen and follow the sometimes obscure and irrational guidance, the more I find myself in beautiful places, in deep conversations with people I love. The more peace I feel.
I have followed you here and I will follow you again. To the ends of the earth. To my home below the soil of Portland, where I am protected and connected. To new worlds and experiences beyond my wildest dreams.
Thanks you. This is all I could ask for.

musings

2008-01-23T20:49:00.000-08:00

these past few months have been a new level of getting to know myself.
unveiling layers of old beliefs with the Work by Byron Katie; exploring the mother who I am and whom I know in so many women in the image of Mary, mother of God; researching the ancient teachings of the I Ching
and, perhaps most importantly, listening to the voice of Peace within me.

so much of my life, the little choices, the directions in healing, the books I read and people I talk to - is all guided, perhaps even orchestrated by something greater and sometimes I can hear her speak.
I lack a proper name for it. God, Higher Self, All that Is, Allah, ... who I speak to, who I listen to ... the name is not so important but rather the message and the feeling that comes with it.

my path of discovery has lead me to listen to the plants, to play with the children, to sit in silence, and what have I found?

over and over again I find peace. I find the Truth in the moment contained within my own thoughts.

and then comes the challenge, the way to integrate all of this into my life, and to share with others what I have found in a way that makes sense in a way that makes a difference. still searching still finding the depths of connection that come in this most remarkable life I am a part of. we all have a message, a contribution to make

what is it? what am I here to express?

how about you?

yeah

The Village Free School on the radio and video

2007-10-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Now we are into our third year and are developing some notoriety in our town. Click on "Kids Learning" to hear some really cool interviews with staff and students from the Village Free School.

check out their website

http://destinationdiy.com/

and look up Episode #21: October 18, 2007: Kids Learning

and here is a random Friday on you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKH4wnFe56s

etsy adventure

2007-07-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty excited to say that I am finally venturing out into the world of online sales with my very own etsy account.

www.catscozies.etsy.com

it's just getting started and may take some time to develop

Love that Free School

2007-04-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

I really love the free school. Lately I've been into drawing and teaching drawing and the kids are enjoying it too. It's a wild and crazy place.

This is what V and I look like in a meeting.

One of the mom's has been taking great pictures. Have a look at more
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artfulblogger/sets/72157600105876489/

musings with cold hands and miracles

2007-03-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

the babe asleep I catch up on computer work.
amazing how much fun these "tools" have locked away in them, I can spend several hours a day just maintaining my email, myspace and blog
and as you can see I haven't made it to the blog all that frequently of late
and now my hands are cold

This morning I awoke to join the miracle sharing call.
Day 2: I notice what I hear.
It is about being aware of what attracts me the most. Am I listening for miracles, peace and love, or am I listening for stories, turmoil and fear?

Really truly, my life is such a miracle. I get paid to have a great time with a bunch of wonderful kids and adults. The beautiful rain is falling and washing Portland clean and now I get to go relax and read a book.

For more about Miracles and the lesson of the day click on
http://www.effortlessprosperity2.com/community/dailylesson.php

dating?

2007-01-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine recommended it and I think it's lots of fun.
Not dating itself, but this online service.

They ask you thousands of questions, many of which I haven't contemplated for a long time and then they match you up with people. I just went on it for entertainment and to meet some new people and woah, it ate up an entire evening.

Well, I don't want to leave you out of the fun so check it out and be my friend.

http://www.okcupid.com/karma?me=cataratat

Klein Bottle hats

2007-01-08T16:32:00.000-08:00

My new entertainment comes from blending abstract math and knitting. Well, it's not that new really. I previously knit a Moebius scarf and crochet a hyperbolic plane. But the klein bottle hat is really the most useful and fun, so now I'm on my third one. All the relatives want them now.

Just in case you didn't know a Klein bottle is a 3 dimensional object that has only one surface and no volume, but it can still contain stuff, like a head.

http://www.kleinbottle.com/

sit skiing

2007-01-08T16:26:00.000-08:00

If you don't know what it is, or are just curious I recommend you take a peek at my brother's website. He competes around the world with other skiers and I think it's pretty cool.

www.chrisklebl.com

new format

2007-01-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

So I changed to the new blog format, which I do like quite a bit.
But I lost all my photos in the process and I doubt I'll go back in and put them all back. So sad :)

2006-12-30T16:57:00.000-08:00

The Enchanted Doll impressed me so much today that I had to share it with you.

A young Russian woman living in Vancouver makes these amazing porcelain dolls and their elaborate beaded costumes. www.enchanteddoll.com

2006-12-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

Today I awoke with the startling realization that there is just so much more that I want to do than I'm ever going to have time for. Isn't life delightful.

2006-12-12T00:31:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been in the presence of a young animal, a dog or a small child or a possum perhaps? And there just was this urge to get down on your knees and invite it to play. To move this way and that and entice and withdraw, touch and nudge, until the two of you were rolling and frolicking about together. Well, I know I've had that experience and sometimes it is the most alive and present experience in the world.
V. and I get to do it a fair bit in fact right on the living room floor, or chasing each other around the park, even making faces across the dinner table can have that element of deep connection and communication under the hilarious laughter.
There is someone else who's had this experience. He's had it a lot. His name is Fred O. Donaldson and he coined the term "Original Play" to describe it.
There is a group here in town who holds space and practices is regularly and I've been a few times to remind myself and expose V. She just loves it.
We went again last Saturday to the "Play after Play" where we saw a short play put on by just three people and mainly just their bodies and the sounds they could make with them as props. It was really funny and sweet and after that they roll out the mats and invite the kids on to them to play. It was so much fun. Viridian was totally delighted and came back for more over and over.
We've been taking time to move responsibilities and things out of the way and get down on the floor to play more and more since then.
My words can't fully describe it and neither will Fred's, but they have a website anyway that can point in the right direction. Enjoy http://originalplay.com/about_us.htm

2006-12-12T00:23:00.000-08:00

I woke in the night to the sound of wind whipping through the chain link fence and water splattering the windows. Nighttime carries an impressive thickness in the air. As if darkness where denser than light. And I breathe in the power of my own experience; Life flowing through me and around. Here I stand in the midst of the being of being and awareness is reflected back to me from all around.

2006-12-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

I am currently greatly enjoying the tales of His Dark Materials: The Subtle Knife

what an adventure to follow Lyra through many worlds.

Cool Games

2006-11-10T01:19:00.000-08:00

Today my friend sent me to this site with really cool games. I don't usually like games that much but these are different. Easy enough for me to figure out and cute little pictures. I particularly liked the panda and the snow rider.

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/

I think I've been on the computer too long today. But I just couldn't fall asleep and I've been having so much fun with blogging and putting photos online and linking stuff. It may not look like much yet but I've spent many hours learning over here.

2006-11-07T22:24:00.000-08:00

Contemplation. Today I felt like the weather;
wind blowing, rain falling, sun shining, water leaking through the walls
extatic,alive, angry, content, confused
and the light was so bright as it shone under the clouds and lit up the golden trees with it's glory
and the colors were brilliantly surreal under the grey sky at noon
water filled the streets with puddles side to side
I love living in Portland in the fall

Baby Possum

2006-11-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Baby Possum
Originally uploaded by kittycat323.

Last summer we went to our neighbor's house to bake fish and bread in his oven. The sourdough took a long time to rise so I ended up sitting out in the back yard until late at night watching the oven and talking. All of a sudden we heard this crinkling in the leaves and there were two baby possums. Don caught one and we contemplated keeping it as a pet or perhaps giving it to someone we know.
But who wants a huge carnivorous rat in their house?
So he walked a block away to release it. In the meantime three more babies wandered by. I think they live in his basement.

2006-11-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

What a week as a parent. And that is just one layer of my experience. In the background is this seed set by a book with a suprising title "Busting Loose from the Money Game" which really isn't that much about money.
How about the thought that the whole Universe is a creation of my Consciousness. As I walk around in the blustery wind and see all the leaves on the trees in their infinte beauty and the cars with all their techno complexity am I really supposed to believe that on some level I created it all.
Now there's something to chew on.