Cool Weird Plants!

Self Heal

Heal All

If you look this plant up on the internet you will find a lot of information regarding the medicinal properties of the plant. 
I see it all over the place, it grows in the pastures and in the forest.

The next two bushes had me going for a while. I started to pay attention to different bushes growing alongside the back roads that Charlie and I walk on a year or so ago. I walk past them and note their differences. 

The funny thing is, I had no idea that there were so many kinds of plants/bushes located within a mile radius of where I live.

At first I just noticed the flowers on these bushes and made a mental note to keep an eye on them. I thought I was seeing the 'same' plant or bush in two separate locations. 

When I stopped to really look at the leaves on each bush and photographed them so I could see the difference, I discovered they were not the same at all.

The thing that struck me, was the berries looked very similar.

Nanny Berry

Highbush Cranberry

I know that I have shots of the Highbush Cranberry from last fall. When it changes color, it is simply stunning!

I will have to wait to see what the Nannyberry bush looks like in the fall.

Ninebark

In the fall, the Ninebark leaves turn dark purple-ish and quickly dry up and fall off. Perhaps this fall I can get a good shot of them.

Winter Ninebark seeds:

The seeds are very distinctive while the bark and plant itself blends in with the plants around it.

Meanwhile back in the pasture, there are a few of these plants with cheery yellow blossoms on them. The mules don't eat them and they don't seem to spread too fast.

This is St. John's Wort:

An herbalist friend of mine showed me this plant years ago. Apparently some consider it a small shrub that comes back year after year and can be very slow to spread. That is fine with me, if the animals don't eat it, then it isn't really a good plant to have in the pasture.

However, I read that it is another one of those plants with medicinal properties. The scientific jury is still out on if St. John's Wort actually does everything the herbalists claim it does.

One last weird plant that is actually a lichen and not a plant. I didn't notice these right away as they were also in the pasture growing on a mound of moss which surprised me.

Pixie Cup Lichen:

According to different 'googled' sites, this too has medicinal properties. Imagine if we could find great medicinal cures just growing around us?

I am sure these little guys were in hiding for the past few years. They live in a wet environment which is certainly something we've had this year.

The more I learn, the more I know that I have so much more to learn.

Setting goals and boundaries

Sometimes just a change in pace and setting up goals are what could be needed for changing a person's outlook. My outlook.

Tai Chi is another tool to use. Rich and I did it together for a while to assist with his depression and PTSD. He felt relaxed and in a better place after we did a 30 minute lesson together. It was put on by the VA mental health folks in Madison. We had received a video to practice with at home. It fell by the wayside of course.

However, I transferred the mindfulness relaxation exercise to my computer files so I could bring it up later. 
I'd forgotten all about it until another blogger mentioned Tai Chi.

I was not brought up to be open to things like Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi. Hard work was our exercise and tension release.

Now I'm a bit more open to other ideas. Why not? After 3 days of Beginner's Yoga and giving myself a mindfulness break, I am feeling quite chilled out.

I set boundaries for us too. My hikes will be on Thursdays weather permitting. I messaged my hiking pal with that info too. I'm not going to constantly rearrange my hike times for his schedule. [This was a helpful tip from my son]

I felt stuck in a rut like a little gerbil on a caged wheel. Perhaps these things will help. I don't feel so stuck right now. Not much has changed other than an attitude adjustment and of course making some goals.

Morning view from the porch

Evening view to the west

Today's events include a hike at KVR. I'll be doing a quiet relaxing hike with Charlie while exploring a new trail. Well, a new trail to us.

Below: Long lens across the field to my neighbor's lower yard. I guess these does want to play soccer!

Sticks and some stones

It looked warm and toasty the other day, but looks can be deceiving. I went for a walk into the valley because it was so windy 'on top' of the ridge.
I was browsing for some interesting 'sticks' for my winter collection of 'stuff'.

I sat by the creek and listened to the wind above. By sitting very still I was able to glimpse trout again. I wonder where they go when it gets really cold?
I thought about how my Grandmother Pearl used to take us for walks and we'd collect milkweed pods and nobbin' knockers.

I gathered a bunch of small stones from the creek bottom to take home. I wasn't exactly sure what I'd do with them, but I took them anyway.

Yes, a self shot. Camera on a tripod with a timer.
I was filling my pockets with small stones.

I did figure out what I would do with them later. I painted a plastic flower pot gold and put the rocks in it. They will help stabilize the small branches I put in them.

These are some of the branches I've already done. I'm stacking them in a corner right now until I figure out how to work them in with the Christmas Chair and old crates I have.

I found one bunch of Milkweed pods and need to find another. I'd like to give some to one of my friends so she can have a 'winter bouquet' too.

I discovered that spray paint holds dried Yarrow together and keeps the Self Heal plant together also.

I have a couple of more ideas for some leftover boards. "Ho Ho Ho!", "Snow", and "Thanks".
I think I rearrange my little bundled sticks every day. I haven't settled on how or where I'm going to use them. However they look pretty neat inside an old wooden sewing machine drawer.

I will have to get a photo of that soon.