mitzilou-2's Blog

Noah's Ark !
Nov 20, 2009 | 8:46 AM PST

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark

 

1.  Don't miss the boat.

2.  Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3.  Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

4.  Stay fit. When you are 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

5.  Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6.  Build your future on high ground

7.  For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8.  Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. 

9.   When you're stressed, float awhile.

10.  Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titantic by professionals.

 

 
So, no matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting !

 

 

 

 

 

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GREEN CORN DANCE
Nov 20, 2009 | 4:36 AM PST

The majority of the North American Indian tribes had a commonality with their corn crop. There were complicated rituals that accompanied  the planting and harvesting of crops.  There were three celebrations for their corn crops~~~~~

1. The Planting Ceremony

2. The Harvesting Ceremony

3. The Green Corn Ceremony

The Green Corn Ceremony was the annual rite of renewal or purification dedicated to the god who controlled the growth of corn.

The most sacred ceremony was the Green Corn Dance.  The Green Corn Dance took place when the corn ripened in autumn marking the end of the year.

During the four to eight day ritual ceremony~~~~~The Sacred Fire was destroyed and replaced with a new fire to symbolize the new year.

Included in the rituals were~~~~~

Fasting, feasting, bathing

also included in this ritual was a thorough cleaning of all living areas.

My Late Autumn Garden
Nov 19, 2009 | 5:58 AM PST

I wrote this a few days back as I walked about my garden ............

 

My Late Autumn Garden~~~~~by Mitzilou

 

What a quiet hush in the air........

 

   Hear only the cracklings and rustling of leaves as I pass.........

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With bittersweet memories that hopefully will last..........

 

 

Viewing the last few survivors of my plants............

 

    Lingering spots of colors I do savor as I glance.............

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         Startled by the sudden small bird taking off into the brush...........

 

>So solemn and still now my garden does rest.

 

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THE BALLAD OF GREEN BROOM
Nov 17, 2009 | 4:03 AM PST

Last night I was looking at garden songs and happened upon some very old songs and this one caught my eye and I thought it was so cute that I wanted to share it~~~~

 

 THE BALLAD OF GREEN BROOM

There was an old man lived out in the woods,

And his trade was a-cutting of broom, green broom,

He had but one son without thought without good

Who lay in his bed till't  was noon, bright noon.

 

The old man awoke one morning and spoke,

He swore he would fire the room, that room,

If his John would not rise and open his eyes,

And away to the wood to cut broom, green broom.

 

So Johnny arose and slipp'd on his clothes

And away to the wood to cut broom, green broom,

He sharpen'd his knives, and for once he contrives

To cut a great bundle of broom, green broom.

 

When Johnny pass'd under a Lady's fine house,

Pass'd under a Lady's fine room, fine room,

She call'd to her maid:  "Go fetch me,"  she said, 

"Go fetch me the boy that sells broom, green broom!"

 

When Johnny came into the Lady's fine house,

And stood in the Lady's fine room, fine room,

"Young Johnny " she said, "Will you give up your trade

And marry a lady in bloom, full bloom? "

 

Johnny gave his consent, and to church they both went,

And he wedded the Lady in bloom, full bloom;

At market and fair, all folks do declare,

There's none like the Boy that sold broom, green broom.

 

 

 

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Corn (Indians main food source)
Nov 16, 2009 | 5:55 AM PST

Corn was a very important crop for the Indian people of the Northeast woodlands.  

It was the main food in their diet and consumed at every meal.

There were many varieties of corn~~~~white, blue, yellow, and red.

Some of the corn was dried to preserve it for use during the winter months.

Dried corn could be made into a food called hominy.

To make hominy~~~~1. The dried corn was soaked in a mixture of water and ashes for 2 days.~~~~ 2. After the kernels had puffed and split open, then they were drained and rinsed in cold water.~~~~3. Then, the hominy was stir-fried over a fire.

Corn, however, was often ground into a corn meal, by using wooden mortars and pestles.

Corn meal could be used to make~~~~cornbread, corn pudding, or corn syrup.  A special dessert was made by boiling corn meal and maple syrup.

Besides being the main food source, all parts of the corn plant were used. Nothing was thrown away or wasted.

The husks were braided and woven to create~~~~masks~~~~moccasins~~
~~sleeping mats~~~~baskets~~~~and cornhusk dolls.

Corncobs were used for fuel.    Corncobs, also, were tied unto a stick to make a rattle for ceremonies.  Darts were also made from the corncobs for a game that was played.

Corn----Beans----and Squash
Nov 14, 2009 | 11:21 AM PST

The three plants~~~~corn, beans, and squash have such a harmonious relationship is why they are called~~~~

THE THREE SISTERS

Corn, beans, and squash over many centuries have been planted by indigenous people.............

Corn and beans were planted together in mounds. The beans (a climbing variety) used the corn stalks for support. And in return, the beans provided nitrogen for the corn.  Beans have the very unusual ability to draw nitrogen from the air, and put it into the soil. Corn needs a lot of nitrogen to grow well. Squash was grown in the space between the mounds, and it's long vines and large leaves covered the ground which helped to prevent weeds from growing there and to retain needed moisture in the soil. Also, the prickly hairs of the squash vine detered pests.

Iroquois Legend of
Nov 13, 2009 | 5:09 AM PST

Iroquois Legend of "The Three Sisters" 

The term  "The Three Sisters" emerged from the Iroquois creation myth.

It was said that the earth began when "Sky Woman" who lived in the upper world peered through a hole in the sky and fell through to an endless sea.  The animals saw her coming, so they took the soil from the bottom of the sea and spread it unto the back of a giant turtle to provide a safe place for her to land. This "Turtle Island" is now what we call North America.

Sky woman had become pregnant before she fell. When she landed, she gave birth to a daughter. When the daughter grew into a young woman, she also become pregnant by the West Wind. She died while giving birth to twin boys. Sky woman buried her daughter in the  "new earth." 

From her grave grew three sacred plants----------corn, beans, and squash. These plants provided foods for her sons, and later, for all of humanity. These special gifts ensured the survival of the Iroquois people.

"The Three Sisters"
Nov 12, 2009 | 6:13 AM PST

The Iroquois Indians believed the crops of corn, squash, and beans were very precious gifts from the "Great Spirit", and each was watched over and protected by one of the three sister spirits.  The three sister spirits were called the------

DE-O-HA-KO  or   " Our Sustainers"

According to Iroquois legend------corn, squash, and beans were three inseparable sisters who only grew and thrived together.

The three sisters were the three main agricultural crops of some of the Native American tribes of North America.

Early settlers would never have survived without the gift of  "The Three Sisters."  The knowlege and wisdom of  "The Three Sisters" given to the settlers is the story behind our Thanksgiving celebration.

By retelling the stories and performing the rituals, Native Americans, passed down the knowledge of growing, using, and preserving------"The Three Sisters"  through generations.

to be continued..............

Gardening Seasonal Affective Disorder ! (GSAD)
Nov 9, 2009 | 6:45 AM PST

You may need to seek help for this disorder if you find yourself with the majority or all of the  following symptoms of withdrawals .............

 

  
1.  Are you checking the mailbox several times before the mail has actually run looking for seed/plant catalogues ?

 

2. Do you obsess over photos of your garden plants and hang up snapshots of your babies all over the house ?

 

3. Are you stockpiling up on garden supplies (potting soil, seeds, fertilizer, clay pots, gardening tools, etc. ) for the up and coming garden season.

 

4. Do you have a Christmas list posted for the family just for yourself~~~~and it states in bold letters~~~~CHRISTMAS GARDENING PRESENTS ONLY !!!!

 

5. Are all your dreams at night  about dirt and sweat and tears and backache and mother earth and father sun and sister moon and brother something or other...............and running to and fro are bunnies, deer, groundhogs, neighbor's cats, and Sid, the squirrel !

 

6. Did you consider asking a few toady-frog friends in the garden to overwinter or hibernate in your home  ! 

 

7. Does your family find you sitting by the back door,  holding on to your garden trowel, with a half-crazed look on your face more times than they care to remember ?

 

8. Do you have the first day of spring down to the last day, hours, minutes, seconds !

 

9. Do you find yourself out in the cold talking to your garden and fighting back tears saying.........so, too, this time will pass !

 

10. Is your family seriously thinking about putting you somewhere if they hear you scream out...IS IT SPRING YET !!! .....one more time !

 

If this sounds familiar then you probably are suffering from gardening seasonal affective disorder (GSAD), or you could be a blooming idiot!   

 

Enjoy your winter !

 mitzi

 

 

 

Thank you !
Nov 6, 2009 | 10:15 AM PST
I just wanted to say a special thank you to all who showed compassion towards me in my blog about losing my two cats. I'm so sorry to hear about your loses of your beloved cats also. My other two cats are older now, and I dread their passing also. Taz is 12 years old now and Mia is 10 years old. You all are such a wonderful, thoughtful, supportive, and compassion group of people, and it has meant so much to me knowing you all and having you as friends.  I love you guys and take care,    Karen

Mitzi (Lou) and Tascha
Nov 5, 2009 | 6:41 AM PST

I lost another cat this past Tuesday, and it was devastating. I'm happy though that  she  is not in any pain now. Her name was Tascha. But, yesterday, a year ago, I lost my Mitzi and sometimes I teasingly called her Mitzi-Lou. I have never loved any other pet as much as I loved Mitzi. I used her name for my site here in remembrance for her. She had tumors in her liver. She had gotten very sick and the vet gave her steroids to take, and she perked up for quite awhile. When, I brought her home when he had put her on steroids and she started feeling better,  she came up to me on the couch and rubbed and rubbed me on my face, and nibbled on both my ears, and then she nibbled on my chin like she was so happy to still be with me. There was just a connection with her that I cannot explain and her lost is still very painful. She had such cute and enduring ways about her. A month later,  after her passing, there was a stray young cat on my daughter's porch,  who I took home and named , Tascha, and she brought me joy.  I felt that she was a gift from heaven for me because she reminded me of Mitzi a little bit. She was young and playful and made me laugh. Well, she left me the day before Mitzi's passing last year. Both of them I had to put asleep. I have two other cats, named Taz and Mia. I love them very much also, but Mitzi was just so close to me and my heart. And, since Tascha reminded me of Mitzi, I think, I was trying to find another Mitzi.  But, no other cat will be another Mitzi. 

 I love you Tascha  !

I love you Mitzi  (Lou)  !   

Cottage Halloween Bash !
Oct 31, 2009 | 3:35 PM PST

HI ALL !

THE SPOOKS ARE SPOOKING !

THE WITCHES ARE WAITING FOR THE WITCHING HOURS !

THE BATS ARE GOING BATTY !

THE SKELETONS ARE SHAKING THEM BONES !

THE SPIDERS ARE SPINNING WEBS !

THE WITCHES'  BREW IS BUBBLING !

AND EVERYTHING IS SET FOR A SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN NIGHT !

 

You are welcome to come to Mitzilou's cottage tonight for the Halloween Party~~~~come in costume~~~pick a dance partner~~~eat at the outside picnic tables~~~I'm the one dressed as Satchquatch~~~I stick out like a sore thumb~~~can't miss me~~~my dance partner is the dern old skeleton ! The party starts at dusk and I'll be keeping everyone informed of what's happening as the evening progresses~~~~Mitzi

PS. I forgot to tell you that Mitzilou's cottage is in the forums in the section called Over The Garden Gate (I mean Fence) !

 

 

 

 

 

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Halloween Poem by Mitzilou
Oct 31, 2009 | 12:00 PM PST

I wrote this last night for Garden Guides members for Halloween~~~~

 

  
Spooky spiders are weaving webs~~~~don't let them, however,  jump into your beds !

Ghastly ghosts are floating about~~~~don't let them, however,  into your house !

Creepy cats, all  black, running across your path~~~~don't let them, however,  pounce upon your back !

Wicked witches are stirring up magic brews~~~~don't let them, however, put you in their stews !

Beastly bats are flying high as they dare~~~~don't let them, however, get into your hair !

Scary skeletons are hanging in the closet~~~~don't let them, however, pick your pockets !

 

Be safe~~~~not sorry~~~~this Halloween night~~~~because Mitzilou warned you all right !

 

Happy Halloween !

Witches and Walmart !
Oct 29, 2009 | 11:39 PM PST

We left off where Esmeralda and Hazel had plowed into the store manager.  Well, they knocked him out completely as a dead as a doorknob ! Then, the apparel manager finally caught up to them, but they made a super quick bee line off to the food section and flew up and down the aisles, and at the same time snatched up a few items on the way--------sardines, Doritos, pig's ears, sauerkraut, ham hocks, pinto beans, beef tongue, Oreos and who knows what else--------and customers were screaming with fright, fainting, and making a mad rush to the exit doors ! Then, a security alarm went off and the intercom said---------We have a WITCH ALERT----I repeat-----a WITCH ALERT----calmly  head to the main exits and leave the store immediately !  Well, as everyone was vacating the store-----Esmeralda and Hazel remembered (duh!!!) that they came to get Witch Hazel, so off to beauty aids they flew and discovered-----dern, they were plum out of it  ! I wonder why !!!  So, they head to the check-outs, but the cashiers were long gone------so, they thought----well, we got some freebies of foodstuffs here, and headed for the exit------but, dern, the security was waiting on them outside and threw nets on them and caught them------and then off to the police station they went. And guess who was woke up in the middle of the night to come to the police station to pick up a couple of jailbirds------yep, it was me in my pj's, bunny slippers, and curlers !   So, I bailed them out and got them back to the cottage. Later, we got the message that they were banned from Walmart for all eternity or till hell freezes over  ! 

 So, all of us at the cottage wish you a safe and Happy Halloween !      mitzi

WARNING !!! WALMART has Wicked Witches !
Oct 28, 2009 | 6:06 AM PST

Ok-------We left off with the two wicked witch cousins staying with me at the cottage---------Esmeralda and Hazel------- trying to get me to run out------once again------on the stormiest night on record to get another bottle of that dern Witch Hazel for their disgusting wort problem of theirs!  I put my foot down and said-------NO  WAY........NO HOW !!!  WELL, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER-------they got their trusty brooms out, dusted on some extra cobwebs, and put them witch's hats on and flew the coop to get their dern Witch Water.......I mean Witch Hazel.  And, my last thought there when they took off was-------Gosh Dern-----Walmart will never be the same !   So, they sailed off 90 miles per hour----and got there lickity split !  First thing off the bat, they knocked into the cart boy and knocked him for a loop, with the row of carts sailing off helter skelter through Walmart's parking lot.  And, let's just say that a few customers were dodging projectile carts coming at them from all different angles.  And there were a few casualities, but let's not even go there right now, ok?! So, of course, they flew through the entry door like two bats out of hell, and  the poor door greeter will never be the same-----she was left laying on the floor flatter than a pancake, but what a trooper----she still waved her arms and smiled at all customers that stepped over her to get into the store !  In the meantime, the witch cousins were sailing through the women's apparel section and had clothes wrapped all over them from dresses, jeans, blouses to even underwears !  The apparel manager was pulling her hair out and took off after them. Well, they flew down the center aisle of the store like two totally crazed maniacs and skidded right into, yep, wouldn't you know it, but  the store manager of our local Wally World  !   To be continued.............

 
Happy Halloween !   mitzi