Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Not too long ago recycling was a patriotic activity.  No one was paid to recycle.  Everyone participated by recycling their waste metal, rubber, paper, and even fats.  Besides the usual glass, plastic bottles and aluminum cans; tools, clothing, toys and even clothing can be recycled.  Sending your unwanted items to a charity shop is a good way to recycle items.  But how about clothing that you have loved into a sad state?  How about mending those items or even up-cycling them to be loved again?  It's not hard to do but it does take a bit of time.  Be creative or traditional with your repairs.  Bold or subtle.  There is no right or wrong way, just be you.  Here are some samples of my mending and a couple of books to get you going.

Over view of three of my mending projects.

I loved the jacket with the fall theme, but found it a bit short in length and the sleeve.  So I added some lace to it.

My favorite pair of capris got a bit thin.  I added a bright patch with a bit of stitching over the top.

Typical spot for clothing to wear.  I added these elbow patches from my stash of fabric before they developed holes.  It looks good too!

Roberts favorite work pants. Patriotic theme patched up the rip and he's back to work.

Two of the books I keep on my self.  I also use the internet a lot as well.  "Make Do and Mend"  is a series of pamphlets  published by the British government during WWII when new clothing was in short supply.   "Mend it Better" is a much newer book devoted to interesting ideas for mending.

Have fun and happy mending.

An open letter

PTSD sucks!  And it's not just veterans returning from war that deal with it.  PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event.  Hurricane, floods, earthquake, tornado, and fire can have multiple victims.  But it can happen to a single person, like rape, physical, emotional or sexual abuse or even death of a love one.  Here in California we have witnessed devastating wildfires and you probably know someone that was affected by the fires.  So how do you know if someone has PTSD and how can you help?

Symptoms:

1. Intrusive thoughts such as repeated, involuntary memories; distressing dreams; or flashbacks of the traumatic event. Flashbacks may be so vivid that people feel they are re-living the traumatic experience or seeing it before their eyes.
2. Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that bring on distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it.
3. Negative thoughts and feelings may include ongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted”); ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame; much less interest in activities previously enjoyed; or feeling detached or estranged from others.
4. Arousal and reactive symptoms may include being irritable and having angry outbursts; behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way; being easily startled; or having problems concentrating or sleeping.  (American Psychiatric Association on line 2019)

Often depression is a large part of this order.  Telling the person to cheer up doesn't help.  Don't tell them how strong they are or will become from this.  Don't tell them that God has a plan or God will help them get through this.  Don't patronize or pity them, it only makes them angry.

Here are a few things that can help:

1. I believe you. (This is the most important).
2. I’m here for you.
3. What can I do to help?
4. I know that you don’t want to live your life in what feels like a constant and never ending state of pain and misery and I know that you ARE trying hard enough to get through it the best you can with what you’ve got.
5. What happened to you was never your fault.
6. What happened to you, should never have happened and you did not deserve that.
7. I admire you so much for the way you are dealing with it.
8. I am proud of you/your courage/strength.
9. If you need me for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me; I am and always will be here for you, to the best of my abilities.
10. You are not weak or bad or wrong, you didn’t deserve this and you could not have stopped it.
11. Thank you for surviving.
12. I’m sorry they hurt you.
13. You’re a good person.
14. If you need to talk, I’ll listen.
15. I want you to feel good and safe.
16. How can I help you feel safe?
17. You are loved and cherished.
18. It’s okay to be hurt and angry, these feelings don’t make you a bad person.
19. I won’t preach forgiveness at you.
20. What you are experiencing is real. I believe you. And I believe in you.
21. Your uncontrolled emotional breakdowns were not because you were a selfish, but because you were in an indescribable pain.
22. I’m proud/impressed with the progress you’ve made (maybe give examples).
23. Just tell me what you need and I will understand.
24. You are not alone, no matter how much it feels like it.
25. We will make it through this together.
26. I’m so sorry those things were done to you.
27. Its not your fault.
28. It is not your shame.
29. I love you and I wish I could take your pain away.
30. (Medium online magazine 2019)

It's hard watching someone you love go through the challenges of PTSD.  It's doubly hard if you are suffering from it and trying to help someone else as well.  If this is the case remember to be kind to yourself.  Reach out to others.  Connect with others who are also dealing with this double burden.

Remember it is not your fault and you are not alone.  You are loved.

No Words

Spring has Sprung

I haven't been around lately because the weather has been very wet.  It's hard to believe that California had 5 years of drought conditions.  This year it seemed like it was nonstop rain.  Now it's sunshine and warm weather, and the front yard is coming together.

You can just see the buds and flowers on the apple tree.  Two of our apple trees have 2 varieties of apples grafted Gala,  and Granny Smith.

The peach/nectarine/ apricot tree has fruit.  It started blooming in January which made the bees so happy.  I think I may have to thin the fruit however so that we have nice size fruit and the branches don't break.  

I bought 2 elderberry plants from Elderberry farms just a mile from the house.  I will be transplanting them into larger pots for the back yard. The tall plant behind the elderberries are miniature climbing roses that will go beside the front yard gate to create an opening to the yard. 

Last but not least a Hibiscus for the pergola. Right now I just have the one, but plan to get one for each corner.  

Check Out these Folks

I read several blogs and have them listed for you to visit. However here a couple of You Tube channels that I would like to share with you as well.  On of the first channels that I started to watch is Doug and Stacy Off Grid. i

Robert and I were lucky enough to meet this couple at the Heirloom Seed Festival in Santa Rosa, last September. They were funny and very gracious.  They live off grid in the Midwest in a small hand built cabin.  Go check out their you tube channel.

Another couple I enjoy watching is Heidi and Pat over at Rain country Homestead.  While they are not off grid, they enjoy the homestead lifestyle on their suburban plot.  Living a frugal, natural, healthy, and as self sustainable as possible.




 










Rain Country Homestead   

These sites and the blogs I have listed, inspires me or teaches me how to move toward  my goal of self reliance. Go find your inspiration.
Go find your insperationgardening,health and wellness, crafting and more.  Hop on over to their channel.  You won't be disappointed!