Running Errands

There is a nature center not too far from my house.
I drive past when I have errands to run west of me.
Wildflowers grow in the fields surrounding the building.

Today when I drove past I stopped.
I felt as if I were in a painting.

The Tickseed Coreopsis is native.

The Parks and Recs department in my city is working with the
K.C. Wildlands organization to preserve the wildlands in our city.
I am looking forward to learning more about this group.

I filled my thermos with hot water before I left this morning.
I was out and about and hydrated!

Tulip Tree

I noticed yesterday when I walked up the street
my neighbor's tree was in bloom.

I had never noticed this tree before.

My tree book says it is a Tulip Tree
also known as a Whitewood Tree.


It is native to eastern North America.

There were many bees!
While I was photographing the tree my neighbor came out.
I asked him if he knew what type of tree it was and he did not.
At home I opened my tree guide.
I was able to identify the leaf and than the flower.
It is fun to be able to id another tree.
I am learning,
slowly but surely.

Peonies

Two of the older neighbors, that are gone now,
once were gardeners.

I checked on their peonies this morning.

They held up well through the weekend rains.



I visited with another neighbor.
She still has children at home.
Her passion is gardening.

She said she was going to divide these peonies.
I asked for a slip. I will find a spot to grow one of her peonies.

Just in case.
We never know.
It has been too many years since I asked for a slip.

Wild Ginger

Under the Redbud tree wild ginger grows.

It is in bloom now.



The heart shaped leaves of the Wild Ginger
go nicely in the heart shaped bed and
with the heart shaped leaves of the Red Bud.




It is native to my area but has become scarce.

It is a ground cover.



I have found I am not able to go walking every day but I still want to get some exercise in. So I began walking rapidly in place each time I go to the bathroom. I walk fast too, for one minute. I go to the bathroom at least once an hour (all that water and good herb tea).

Most days I am up at 7am and to bed at 10pm. One minute, 15 times a day!
I hope to build up to two minutes.

Medicine Garden

My Doctor challenged me to grow my medicine.
I planted one area in my vegetable garden with Echinacea
I planted plants and seeds.
Some will be ready this year for harvesting and drying.



I wonder if I have enough space to grow all the Echinacea
I need for my tea plus enough for the butterflies and the birds.
I have Purple Cone flowers growing in a few spots already.
I will keep a journal.
I will try.



The Camomile (Chamomile) is in full bloom.
It is at peak and ready for harvest.



It is so pretty,
hard for me to cut it all down.

I decided to harvest half of the Camomile for my winter teas.
I will keep some for fresh herb tea now and some for a kitchen bouquet.
It feels good being back with my herbs. I am delighted.
It is time to allow my herbs to heal me.

To Cave Springs

I walked up to the little wooded area near my house,
Cave Springs.
A pair of Eastern Kingbirds greeted me.

I looked to see his red crown but he kept it concealed.

She was keeping an eye on me.

The woods were filled with bees!


While I was out walking I saw a neighbor.
We talked for half an hour.
I had not seen her since last November.
We had catching up to do.

From the tip of my head....

to the tip of my toes, inside and outside,
I am out of alignment.
I call it being, "Out of whack."

I am partaking in all sorts of yummy treatments.
Back into whack treatments.

My doctor would like me to grow my medicine.
She would like me to fix my teas from my herb garden.
My Purple Cone flowers have always been for the butterflies and the birds.

I have been thinking about this.

Thinking about growing a medicine garden.
Thinking about growing enough for the birds and the butterflies and the bees and me.
There is more than enough for everyone
including me.

I am going to do this. I am going to grow my medicine. I am getting back into whack.

Walking In May

There is a storm coming in.
A strong wind is blowing from the south.

I walked early just in case
the rains began sooner than forecasted.



I walked in the cemetery.
I wanted to visit the Hawthorn tree on May Day.
I do not know if the Hawthorn is native to my area or not.
It is the traditional May Day tree.




There was a funeral going on near the tree.
I walked the other direction.
The Maple tree is native as is the Crab.

The winds are picking up.
The May pole ribbons are dancing and weaving.

I am feeling so much better. I have some vitality again.
It is nice to get out and walk.
It is nice to be in May.