Sad But True

The climate is changing with what use to be normal rainfall
a thing of the past: Northern California has had only two
rain events this winter, via the "Hawaiian Pineapple Express,"
one in December and one in early February. March is predicted to be dry.
Sad but true, our artisian well is no longer running
and actually has not flowed for several years now.
Our small pond is dry, dry, dry, as you can see,
with moss growing where water use to stand.

Within my sadness is joy

Lying on the ground 

I can touch the heavens. --Rumi

Lying on this patch of native bunch grass brings me much joy. I can feel Mother Earth's
gently flowing energy beneath my prone body. While we humans continue to
pollute the planet, Mother Earth continues her gentle steadiness. Feeling her heartbeat
affords all BEings connection with her and with one another.

During this Summer like heat wave
in February I saw my first Pipevine Swallowtail
flitting about MuRefuge in search of
food and mate.

And this morning through the heavy blanket of fog I saw a badger crossing the field
South of MuRefuge. First the badger crossed the field from Northeast to the grove of eucalyptus trees while I was sitting on my zafu, then during breakfast the badger recrossed the field from the grove to the Northeast corner out of sight. "Badger: the Warrior Who Speaks the Truth. If Badger has chosen to appear to you, it is asking you to encourage that part of yourself that vigorously stands up for what you believe in....BEWARE of attacking an individual when the real enemy is their erroneous belief." 
from Spirit Animals by Victoria Covell and illustrations by Noah Buchanan. The badger's message to me this sighting is the BEWARE!

I fully realize I cannot change the "train wreck" happening on our planet. I love practicing rootedness and BEing here at MuRefuge. As my baseball idol, Ichiro says of BEIng an exemplar of baseball, "I lead by example" as I care for this small spot of land called MuRefuge.

No matter how much one may love the world,

one can live fully in it

only by living responsibly in some small part of it.

Where we live and who we live there with

define the terms of our relationship 

to the world and to humanity

--Wendell Berry

For discharging sadness and experiencing joy may we all

Joy

In the flower realm Calendula officinalis signifies "joy" according to Flora's Dictionary by Kathleen Gips. This joyful, sunny flower, aka Pot Marigold and not to be confused with Tagetes, has long been a favorite of herbalists. Penelope Ody In The Complete Medicinal Herbal gives a lovely brief overview of this versatile medicinal herb. The petals can be dried for Winter use. Fresh petals are edible. Gathering upon arising the Calendula blossom then pulling the petals from the center of the flower or disk, makes a wonderful addition to morning muffins for a joyful beginning to your day.

Here's the recipe I use:

1 1/2 C. organic sprouted flour - I like Kamut

1/2 C. organic maple syrup

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. soda

1/4 tsp. sea salt

2 organic duck eggs, of course you can use chicken eggs if duck eggs are not available to you!

2/3 C. organic low fat kefir milk

1/2 C. organic ghee

1/2 C. Calendula petals

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In another bowl, I like to use my glass quart measuring cup, beat all of the wet ingredients together. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ones mixing together well. Then fold in the Calendula petals being sure they are equally distributed. I have an old cast iron muffin pan which is well seasoned with organic ghee. Into this I spoon the batter, sprinkle with organic maple sugar and fresh Calendula petals then bake at 400 degrees for about 18 or 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The muffins release from the pan if they cool a few minutes first.

Serve warm for breakfast joy. OR take to the ball park for afternoon enjoyment. And they are also joyfully delicious with an afternoon herbal infusion of Lemon verbena, Lemon Gem marigold blossoms, Lemon thyme, Lemon basil and Lemon balm.

My Calendula plants are in what I call my confetti flower bed. I harvest Borage, Edible Chrysanthemum, Pineapple Sage and Calendula petals tossing them together then sprinkling the glorious colored confetti on a fresh, organic baby lettuce salad.

What's your favorite uses of edible flowers?