Gratitude Lounge Welcome! We are glad you are here. This is an open space where everyone belongs, and everyone is welcome. Please introduce yourself as you feel comfortable and join in sharing your experience of grateful living. To get started you might reflect upon questions such as these: What am I grateful for? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? What are some blessings in my life (including ones in disguise)? How am I being supported right now? What connects me to wonder, awe, or a sense of the sacred? You are welcome to include images and links for videos to illustrate your reflections. Honor our Community Terms & Conditions Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Holly in Ohio2 hours agoHolly in OhioIt will be another hot day here. I went for a walk this early morning, while it is still cool, and I passed by my favorite tree in the whole world. It is a grand white oak. It would take three people, possibly more, to reach their arms around the tree. It is huge. And I have been hugging this tree since I was a little girl. I looked up, and saw my favorite tree is dying. White oak trees live between 200 and 300 years, and this beauty was planted in the 1800s. I wish I had gathered her acorns to ...It will be another hot day here. I went for a walk this early morning, while it is still cool, and I passed by my favorite tree in the whole world. It is a grand white oak. It would take three people, possibly more, to reach their arms around the tree. It is huge. And I have been hugging this tree since I was a little girl. I looked up, and saw my favorite tree is dying. White oak trees live between 200 and 300 years, and this beauty was planted in the 1800s. I wish I had gathered her acorns to plant. She is on a lawn, so the park’s people mow, and I’m not sure she has offspring. Most of her branches have brown leaves on them this year. I went closer to give her a big hug and a thank you and suddenly, I stopped in my tracks. There, only 18 inches from the ground, were two baby nuthatches clinging to her bark. They were a little startled by me, looking with glossy black eyes. The tree is so large, I circled wide and gave the tree a hug from the back. She’s so old… but still beautifully useful. 🌳 Read More 0 Reply Holly in Ohio23 hours agoHolly in OhioFor several years now I have been participating in Plastic Free July (sponsored by PlasticFreeJuly.org) by making a personal challenge in July, to find one more thing where I find an alternative to plastic waste. July is coming up. I wonder what I could pick? It might be time for me to do another trash audit to see what I am actually throwing away these days, but I suspect it is the bread and snack bags that come into the house, so I might make a commitment to bake more. I've been slacking on th...For several years now I have been participating in Plastic Free July (sponsored by PlasticFreeJuly.org) by making a personal challenge in July, to find one more thing where I find an alternative to plastic waste. July is coming up. I wonder what I could pick? It might be time for me to do another trash audit to see what I am actually throwing away these days, but I suspect it is the bread and snack bags that come into the house, so I might make a commitment to bake more. I’ve been slacking on that lately! 😋🍞🍪 Read More 0 Reply Drew Blanton1 day agoDrew BlantonI wish we could all be together in person. I never even met Br. David. Is he still alive? 2 Reply Mica23 hours agoMicaWelcome back, dear Drew. This place is such a gift, isn’t it? Warm wishes to you and all 🙂 2 Reply Drew Blanton23 hours agoDrew BlantonYes, and I hope it keeps on giving until the end of time. 2 Reply Mica23 hours agoMicaThe end of time – wow, Drew! When do you suppose time stops? 🙂 2 Reply Drew Blanton22 hours agoDrew BlantonWhenever Jesus Christ returns. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 day agoHolly in OhioSomeone in Admin referred to him as alive a few weeks ago, so yes, I think so. I wish we could be together, too, Drew, and I’d give you a big hug! 🤗 2 Reply Drew Blanton23 hours agoDrew BlantonJust telling me that makes me feel your virtual arms around me. Here’s one back. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio22 hours agoHolly in OhioAwh! Thank you! 😄 0 Reply Butterfly1 day agoButterflyYes, Drew, Br. David is still with us! He will be 96 years old on July 12th. What a blessing he is to the world for founding this wonderful website and for all the work he has done to promote peace and wellbeing🙏💖 4 Reply Drew Blanton22 hours agoDrew BlantonYes. I think t his website’s the most wonderful in the world, and I hope it’s still here for future generations. In fact, I think Walt Disney had the same grateful spirit that Br. David has. His parks are still with us today. I was in my mom’s womb when Walt Disney World opened. 0 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaRACHEL NAOMI REMEN – she wrote today’s quote – and the book, Kitchen Table Wisdom, which is a wonderful book 🙂 3 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomwonderful indeed! i love My Grandfather’s Blessings as well. life-changing books. thanks for letting me know. will wander over there now, Mica. 3 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaOh, good, lotus blossom. It looks like I read My Grandfather’s Blessings, too. My old brain forgets so much! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in OhioI enjoy people, especially diversity. The other night I couldn't sleep, and I got up and put on the television. I found an unusual program, produced by Conde Nast Traveler, of people from more than 70 countries being interviewed simple questions like, "How do you say hello in your country?" or, "How do people in your country count money?" They strung these short segments together, and I found I was enjoying the faces, the diversity, and I began laughing in the middle of the night. Here is one. I...I enjoy people, especially diversity. The other night I couldn’t sleep, and I got up and put on the television. I found an unusual program, produced by Conde Nast Traveler, of people from more than 70 countries being interviewed simple questions like, “How do you say hello in your country?” or, “How do people in your country count money?” They strung these short segments together, and I found I was enjoying the faces, the diversity, and I began laughing in the middle of the night. Here is one. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂 https://www.cntraveler.com/video/watch/people-reveal-how-to-tell-if-someone-is-from-their-country?c=series Read More2 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomi can see why! ‘our faces are like potatoes!’ i really enjoyed viewing this. i love to laugh. (Holly, how do you use emojis? i can’t find a button for it) but if i could – a laughing face right HERE. thanks 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in OhioIf you look around that website, you will find other great ones, like the one where they are making cat or dog sounds from their country. The people are just so cute! 🤗😀 So, I have a pc. If you have apple you might need Mica or someone else to advise you, but I press the windows key and then the period key, and a little window pops up. There are different "pages" to the window key, and a scroll on each one. You just click one or more, and then press return. And a fun thing I discovered ...If you look around that website, you will find other great ones, like the one where they are making cat or dog sounds from their country. The people are just so cute! 🤗😀 So, I have a pc. If you have apple you might need Mica or someone else to advise you, but I press the windows key and then the period key, and a little window pops up. There are different “pages” to the window key, and a scroll on each one. You just click one or more, and then press return. And a fun thing I discovered about it is you can search for emoji, too. You press the window and period keys and then just type what you are looking for, like “rainbow.” ( Leave out the quotations). There is a second way to get emojis that I think works whether you have a pc or apple, and that is to cut and paste emoji from this website: https://getemoji.com/ Read More2 Reply lotus blossom1 day agolotus blossomthanks, Holly. 💝 i have a Mac but the copy and paste works great. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 day agoHolly in OhioYour first emoji!!! YAY! 🤣💕 0 Reply Ose3 days agoOseSummer solstice tonight – may you all have a sound sleep and beautiful dreams, you all dear friends out there! Blessings to all of you. 7 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomblessings to you, Ose, for the winter solstice. outstanding photo. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in OhioOse, thank you! What a beautiful sunset! 🌻 2 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioGood morning! The house is pleasantly cool on the beginning of this hot day, and I am just back from a lovely walk around the block. I think I will make pancakes for myself this morning, as a treat. I found a WW!! rationing recipe a couple of years ago, that is very simple and doesn't need eggs, and I absolutely love it. Per person: 1/2 cup flour, a pinch of sugar, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of baking powder if you have it, and then enough milk to make the batter. I use saved bacon grease to...Good morning! The house is pleasantly cool on the beginning of this hot day, and I am just back from a lovely walk around the block. I think I will make pancakes for myself this morning, as a treat. I found a WW!! rationing recipe a couple of years ago, that is very simple and doesn’t need eggs, and I absolutely love it. Per person: 1/2 cup flour, a pinch of sugar, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of baking powder if you have it, and then enough milk to make the batter. I use saved bacon grease to fry it. It only takes me about 3 minutes now to mix it up, get half of the dishes done, and sit down to the table for pancakes. ☺ Whiskers – We found two grants to help us fix up our old house. The first was through our utility company, which helped us to update our furnace to a new 95% efficient one, and to get blown-in insulation. The second was through our county, and gave us a whole house electrical renovation. Considering we had a pipe in our bathroom wall for GAS LIGHTING, lol (no longer used), and knob & tube, we were very thankful for that, and didn’t have to pay one cent, which helped us have money for the roof and some plumbing. So go to your city offices and ask about grants, and ask through whatever company is providing your heating. The grants are not always low income based. The heating and insulation was through Federal money marked to reduce energy needs, as it is cheaper than say, putting up another nuclear plant. So give it a try! As for gardening, I also have a very shady yard, and there are walnut trees on the neighbor’s property to the south, which I could do nothing about. But my husband is Scottish, and in Scotland, they are big gardeners, even though it rains 250 days in the year and they don’t get a lot of sun. So I took heart by that, and realized that most vegetables grown in northern countries don’t need as much light… greens, Swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots, beets, rutabaga, onions, garlic, etc. The only vegetables that need more light are the “heat loving” ones: tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, corn. So where I do have tiny patches of sun, I put the tomato plants and peppers, and I have a shady raised bed between two walnut trees for greens, radishes, chard, carrots, etc. You can totally do this! 😊🌱🌱🌱 Thank you for the compliment. My garden is still wildish, as I was always working on gardens on other sites and less on my own. But I love that you have a great picture in your mind of it! I have the same in my imagination! 🤣 Read More1 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaBacon grease, Holly – that’s bringing up an ancient memory – we stored our bacon grease in the pancake syrup bottle, and the pancakes we made tasted so rancid. The next batch, too – then we realized we were putting the used bacon grease on them instead of pancake syrup. Back when we were newly weds. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in OhioOh my goodness! Mine does not taste like that, I promise! It doesn’t even taste like bacon unless I use bacon bits! It’s just clean, smoothe, creamy white, and I keep it in a little covered tub in the refrigerator, where it is a solid until melted in the pan. Hee hee! 🥓 1 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaYes! Why on earth would we have kept it at room temp?? It was about 1969, in our defense.. I’d assumed we’d been happily frying in it, but maybe it was just the waste disposal container. 🙂 ? 🙁 ? 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 days agoHolly in OhioYou were ahead of your time! 🙂 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaThanks, Holly, for the newsy update. A wildish garden sounds perfect, to me. And your home – pipes for gas lights! Knob and tube wiring – I’ve heard of that. Pancakes – yummy! Hugs – 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioHugs to you, too, Mica! I wish we could do pancakes together. I even have berries now, for on top! 🤗🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞Look, Mica! There is a pancake emoji! 😃 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaThank you Holly – so many pancakes – Yum! 🙂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioI made enough for everyone here, and they are all calorie-free! 2 Reply Butterfly4 days agoButterflyWishing you all a Happy Summer Solstice as I take a moment to be grateful for living on this truly beautiful and amazing planet 🌍🌎🌏💞 5 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomhappy winter solstice to everyone. thank you, Butterfly… 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaThank you, Butterfly – all 3 ‘sides’ of Earth – you included us all in your solstice wishes 🙂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioHappy Solstice, Butterfly! 😄 How lovely that you remembered! ☀🦋🌎❤ 1 Reply lotus blossom4 days agolotus blossomi was wondering if anyone has done the e-course with David Whyte? i just started this free course offered here. i have always loved his poetry. it is beautifully done, and very thought-provoking. 1 Reply Pilgrim3 days agoPilgrimI did David’s course some time ago. I have appreciated his work for a good number of years. Much food for thought! 3 Reply lotus blossom2 days agolotus blossomi am appreciating this space more and more. i am glad you enjoyed the course, Pilgrim. i look forward to learning more about a gentler way of living as i get older, turn a corner and head home. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioThe Waggle Dance I found another short clip that is more informational than this one, but this Remix is just so much fun, I found myself “bopping” to the beat! Enjoy, friends, the beauty and complexity of nature… 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaQuite wonderful, Holly! Thanks 🙂 Karl von Frisch was ahead of the times, attributing such intelligence to bees. The UCSB guy had the standard view of bees as dim witted [I’ll not name him..] 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioSo there were two rats in a Behavioral Psychology lab, and the one rat says to the other, “I’ve got these scientists well trained! Every time I press the bar, they give me food!” 😄 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaXD xD x-D X-D – I think the message was that they don’t work on this site – just like “:)” doesn’t give a smiley face in gmail 🙂 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaGo, Holly! And now you’ll be my guinea pig to see if these emoticons from wikipedia work. Laughing: XD xD x-D X-D Will there be 4 laughing emojis when I ‘add my voice’? Thanks for being my guinea pig, dear Holly! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in OhioOh no! They didn’t come through! Try again. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioToday I am grateful for feeling like I need less and I am attached to less. The last few days I have been working on getting my kitchen back together in some sort of order, and finding places to put things, and in the process, I have been able to put a number of things into the give-away pile that had previously been "precious." This isn't an intentional sorting right now, just casually deciding I don't like or don't use some things, and would rather have space. The kitchen is not done yet, but ...Today I am grateful for feeling like I need less and I am attached to less. The last few days I have been working on getting my kitchen back together in some sort of order, and finding places to put things, and in the process, I have been able to put a number of things into the give-away pile that had previously been “precious.” This isn’t an intentional sorting right now, just casually deciding I don’t like or don’t use some things, and would rather have space. The kitchen is not done yet, but getting much closer, and I am starting to sort my craft room, too, which had become a dumping ground for the kitchen things while I had the cabinets empty to paint. I am realizing how much this chaotic environment, which has been going on really since our whole house electrical reno a year and a half ago, how much it has been weighing on me. I am a dynamic creative type, who doesn’t like clutter and disorder… not a comfortable combination of personality traits! 😂 Anyway, the project progress. I have SOME things clean and fresh! I am so happy! Read More2 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaUnlike you, Holly, I have a 6-word autobiography that is “Quite comfortable with chaos and clutter”. But I did remove a few of the fridge magnets from the overly cluttered front of my fridge. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in Ohiohahaha! Well, AND you are a quilter, so I would expect a little fabric chaos to be quite helpful to the creative process! 😁 1 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaEspecially since I make improv quilts, Holly – though I did a big fabric sorting recently, and that also helped! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 days agoHolly in Ohiommmm…. fabric rainbows! 🌈 2 Reply lotus blossom4 days agolotus blossomi am a minimalist at heart, Holly. i so get your happiness when space is clean and fresh! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioYes! Though I’m not sure I will get near to minimalism in this lifetime, I think we are still kindred spirits! 😄❤ 2 Reply WhiskersJellie5 days agoWhiskersJellieHello, all! I just stumbled upon this site and forum a few days ago, and I’m loving it! Just wanted to thank all of you for your warm positivity. I actually quit social media several weeks back because I couldn’t stomach the negativity I kept coming across on those platforms. I’m so glad I found this community, and I’m looking forward to journeying with everyone through the gratefulness practices here. 4 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaWelcome, WhiskersJellie – indeed, this site is the one I visit almost daily, unlike the more famous social sites. Enjoy! 🙂 2 Reply WhiskersJellie2 days agoWhiskersJellieThank you for the warm welcome, Mica! It’s definitely a worthwhile space. I’m really enjoying reading some of Brother David’s reflections. I just listened to Oprah interview him on a podcast (though I think it was from several years back). Such wisdom. 1 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaYes, WhiskersJellie, Brother David is so wise and such a dear. I’m grateful to have known him for so long, mostly many years ago. I have a couple of his early books, too – “Gratefulness the Heart of Prayer” and, I believe, “A listening heart.” Enjoy! 1 Reply WhiskersJellie1 day agoWhiskersJellieOh I’ll definitely have to check out those books. What a blessing for you to have such an individual in your life! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioWelcome, Whiskers! I saw your message yesterday, but could not find time to reply. I paused my (very low budget) kitchen reno and did a quick house clean, as our house guest has arrived, today. Now I can relax! He is more my son’s guest than ours, but I have a good excuse not to open a paint can for several days, for which I am VERY GRATEFUL! 🤣😁 I soooo needed this little break! Gratefulness happens wherever we can find it! hee hee! 2 Reply WhiskersJellie4 days agoWhiskersJellieThank you for the warm welcome, and best of luck on your kitchen reno!! That is definitely something I want to get working on over here, too. We have some other home improvement projects we’re prioritizing over the kitchen, though, but I’m very much looking forward to just diving in to all of it and seeing the transformations! So glad you’re getting to enjoy a break, I’m actually taking one today, as well. You said it well, we gotta be grateful for these times of rest! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in Ohio😄 I hear you about prioritizing projects on a house. Mine was a c. 1894 "bargain."...i.e.... needed loads of work and not many wanted it! We've had our share of emergency repairs on it, too. I'm glad you are getting a break today, too. It was a lovely day here, and after dinner I was watering some grass seed when my son and his friend appeared. It was so much fun overhearing my son show off our wildish garden, as he doesn't usually pay much attention to it and has avoided spending much time ...😄 I hear you about prioritizing projects on a house. Mine was a c. 1894 “bargain.”…i.e…. needed loads of work and not many wanted it! We’ve had our share of emergency repairs on it, too. I’m glad you are getting a break today, too. It was a lovely day here, and after dinner I was watering some grass seed when my son and his friend appeared. It was so much fun overhearing my son show off our wildish garden, as he doesn’t usually pay much attention to it and has avoided spending much time in it. But now I know he is aware, and actually pleased that we grow food, and that I’m trying to put in fruit trees, berries, and other food perennials. I hope your prioritized home improvement projects go smoothly! This early morning I was trying to secure the tops on little corner shelves in the kitchen. Two stripped screws, a broken drill bit, and three bent nails later, I changed my plan and opted for wood glue! 😂 Read More1 Reply WhiskersJellie4 days agoWhiskersJellieI absolutely love that you have such a historical house! Ours was built between 1900 and 1910--for some reason the records on it are kind of sloppy! It did have some basic updates on it when we bought it a couple years back, but it definitely has the old home quirks that make you want to do some remodeling. Like poor insulation! Nevertheless, we love our little home and our historical area. I actually grew up living in old houses and they made such an impression on me that I knew I wanted to liv...I absolutely love that you have such a historical house! Ours was built between 1900 and 1910–for some reason the records on it are kind of sloppy! It did have some basic updates on it when we bought it a couple years back, but it definitely has the old home quirks that make you want to do some remodeling. Like poor insulation! Nevertheless, we love our little home and our historical area. I actually grew up living in old houses and they made such an impression on me that I knew I wanted to live in one of my own one day. I never get bored of driving or walking around the historic district of my town and picking out every architectural quirk and detail of all the beautiful homes. But the maintenance and redesigning must be the real test of love! And I’m so inexperienced with power tools, I probably would have reached for the wood glue from the start, ha! I love how nourishing and established your garden sounds. I loved having a veggie garden here while we were able to keep it. I’d like to build a few raised beds and try for another. We just have so many mature trees here, it makes it very challenging to find enough sun for a garden. But the Summertime leaf canopy over the deck is such a blessing! I do miss working with the soil, though. Anyway, I do hope your kitchen project continues successfully, and that you get a ton of enjoyment and accomplishment out of each day you give a little of yourself to it Read More1 Reply Butterfly5 days agoButterflyWelcome to Gratefulness, WJ 😊 3 Reply WhiskersJellie4 days agoWhiskersJellieThank you so much 💗! 1 Reply Mike S6 days agoMike SSometimes I see things differently Like this evening for instance Looking out through the screened in porch towards my neighbors house When the waning, evening sun falls lightly on the second story dormers with the roof left in darkness I have not seen that before. Now as the seconds and minutes pass by The entire house lies in shade Leaving only the trees behind lit up Until they too were wrapped in the arms of night. 6 Reply Mica5 days agoMicaThanks, Mike – I love how you shared your experience of sunset on the house – I’ll look for that in my condo some night. The view of the balcony would just have the shadow moving farther along the wall but then I can watch the shadows growing in the courtyard beyond! 1 Reply Mike S5 days agoMike SI think it’s a matter of seeing the new eyes-sounds like a principal in the gratefulness work. 2 Reply Butterfly6 days agoButterflyThat’s beautiful, Mike. Thank you for sharing 😊 2 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in Ohio🤗💐🌹 0 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SHaven’t been here in a long time. Just passing by to send greetings to you all I wishing you the best. Life has been both challenging and wonderful at the same time.💕 8 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in OhioWe miss you, Mike! I hope your health challenges are going well. You brought much wonderful poetry into my life, which is very much appreciated! 😄🌞🌺 0 Reply WhiskersJellie6 days agoWhiskersJellieThanks Mike! I’m brand new here, so it’s nice to get to hear from all the positive voices here. Hope you have a beautiful day!! 1 Reply Butterfly1 week agoButterflyHello Mike. Wishing you and everyone looking in a happy day 😊 3 Reply WhiskersJellie6 days agoWhiskersJellieHi Butterfly, I was one of the folks looking in, and wanted to say thank you for the warm vibes!! Wishing you find beauty all day long! 2 Reply Mike S6 days agoMike SThanks and nice to meet you 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaHappy me! I thought the website I needed was totally messed up, but eventually I discovered that there was an extra open internet window hidden behind the main internet window on my computer – so the problem was me, not the website. I do so much prefer to deal with problems caused by me, not problems caused by other that I don’t know how to deal with 🙂 3 Reply Butterfly1 week agoButterflyHaha Mica 😄. I find computers amazing and infuriating in equal measure! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioLol. I’m glad! 😄 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaMe too!! Just now I got an error msg that a website wasn’t available – I guess because I had clicked ‘send’ twice 🙁 ):, because I redid it and it worked 🙂 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioDespite sitting here with a hot, five inch bee sting reaction, today I am very thankful for our honeybees! Normally they are so gentle, that sometimes I sit right in front of the hive entrance, only three feet away, just to watch them, and they won't bother me. But yesterday it was terribly 🔥HOT🔥, and I forgot to vent the hives in the early morning, and instead did it in the afternoon when I noticed the one hive "bearding." Bearding is when many of them sit outside the hive at the entranc...Despite sitting here with a hot, five inch bee sting reaction, today I am very thankful for our honeybees! Normally they are so gentle, that sometimes I sit right in front of the hive entrance, only three feet away, just to watch them, and they won’t bother me. But yesterday it was terribly 🔥HOT🔥, and I forgot to vent the hives in the early morning, and instead did it in the afternoon when I noticed the one hive “bearding.” Bearding is when many of them sit outside the hive at the entrance. When I approached i saw something so incredibly beautiful… they were cooling the hive, in particular the brood (babies), by fanning air into the entrance. So picture thousands of honeybees in a small space, all landed, but all fluttering their wings. Their wings are so beautiful and almost transparent, so it was sparkling! It is hard imagining fairies being as grand as this! Anyway, I got the hives vented and went to close them again this early morning, but the one hive that had been bearding was still irritable, and they did not want me anywhere near… so one got me and of late I have been having a much larger histamine reaction. Sigh. It’s fine. It’s a part of beekeeping. They marked me. I’m “theirs.” 😂 Here is a photo of bearding… these are not my hives but I thought you might wish to see. I’m going back out to give the bees some fresh water. ☺ Read More 3 Reply WhiskersJellie1 week agoWhiskersJellieWhat a super cool experience! Sorry you got stung, though! There’s nothing quite like being out in nature to make the day feel worthwhile, especially when you have the good fortune to work with nature on a daily basis! What a cool picture, too, thanks for sharing!! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioWould you believe my arm is STILL a bit swollen? It’s a little tender to the touch, but otherwise doesn’t hurt anymore, and it isn’t itching. It is still discolored over six inches, but so very much better than it was! 😄 0 Reply WhiskersJellie4 days agoWhiskersJellieHow awful, I’m so sorry you’re still in pain! I wish I knew of some ointments you could use to help it heal up faster. I would think some aloe, or maybe even snail mucin, if you can get a hold of a decent cream or serum, should help. Maybe a little Benedryl or Cortisol cream? Hope it feels better soon! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 days agoHolly in OhioAloe is a great idea, and I have a lovely plant! My body has changed recently. I never used to get strong histamine reactions. A few weeks ago it was the midges that I reacted to, and I took Benedryl then, but it truly knocks me out and it took me a couple of days before I didn't feel sluggish from the Benedril. So this time I chose not to, as it did not and was not an emergency. I was able to take half a dose of Prednizone (I have no idea how to spell that), and it did nothing for the swelling ...Aloe is a great idea, and I have a lovely plant! My body has changed recently. I never used to get strong histamine reactions. A few weeks ago it was the midges that I reacted to, and I took Benedryl then, but it truly knocks me out and it took me a couple of days before I didn’t feel sluggish from the Benedril. So this time I chose not to, as it did not and was not an emergency. I was able to take half a dose of Prednizone (I have no idea how to spell that), and it did nothing for the swelling or discomfort, but I thankfully I did not have the typical itching, that was making me so crazy from the midge bites. Cortisol cream doesn’t seem to do much. I’m curious how and why my body changed, and have wondered if I changed my diet in some way, it might reduce the reactions I’m getting. There is unfortunately no science to my hunch, at least any I have found. Allergists just say that allergies can grow in intensity, or fade away. It’s all too mysterious! …and the bees still know I am “marked.” They don’t want me near the hive, though it seems they are less alarmed by my presence, today, and I was able to get closer before they got watchful of me. I decided not to try their patience! 😄 Read More1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 week agoHolly in OhioThank you, Whiskers! Do you get to spend time outside, too? It was a gorgeous day here today! It was so beautiful this morning, I even enjoyed hanging a wash out on the clothesline! 😊 1 Reply WhiskersJellie6 days agoWhiskersJellieYou gotta love those days that are so beautiful even hanging wash out is a joy!! I do get to enjoy time outside, Holly, thanks for asking. I live near a tidal river, and I’m very blessed to get to take drives through town to see the water. Actually, even my evening walk allows for a water view. It’s one of my favorite times of day, at sunset and right afterwards. I get to watch the sky light up over the water in orange and pink, and then I stroll the neighborhood and watch for bunny rabbits ...You gotta love those days that are so beautiful even hanging wash out is a joy!! I do get to enjoy time outside, Holly, thanks for asking. I live near a tidal river, and I’m very blessed to get to take drives through town to see the water. Actually, even my evening walk allows for a water view. It’s one of my favorite times of day, at sunset and right afterwards. I get to watch the sky light up over the water in orange and pink, and then I stroll the neighborhood and watch for bunny rabbits on the riverfront and fireflies all through the canopies of the wisteria-wrapped trees. That’s about when the frogs start their evening chorus. It’s all so magical. I admire your beekeeping work! I’d love to have a small farm out this way. It’s definitely a goal!! Do you keep other animals at all? Read More2 Reply Holly in Ohio6 days agoHolly in OhioDo kids count? 😂 ...just kidding. My kids are grown now and just one at home and not for much longer. I'd love to keep chickens, but my husband is highly allergic to eggs. I thought maybe one day I might try aquaponics for fish, but that would be an investment and I always have several open projects going as it is. We will see what the future brings. But I have been around farms with animals a fair bit, I've cared for horses, shorn sheep, used to have rabbits, ad I help new farmers and ho...Do kids count? 😂 …just kidding. My kids are grown now and just one at home and not for much longer. I’d love to keep chickens, but my husband is highly allergic to eggs. I thought maybe one day I might try aquaponics for fish, but that would be an investment and I always have several open projects going as it is. We will see what the future brings. But I have been around farms with animals a fair bit, I’ve cared for horses, shorn sheep, used to have rabbits, ad I help new farmers and homesteaders with some advice on their animals. It sounds so beautiful where you are! Is a tidal river like an estuary? I used to live in Kittery Point, Maine, and there are several estuaries there. We don’t have wisteria here, but we have fireflies, tree frogs, bunnies (all in my yard!) and yesterday on my walk a skunk crossed my path, right in front of me! 🦨 Read More2 Reply lotus blossom1 week agolotus blossomi got stung by a wasp last year on the bottom of my foot that swelled, itched and i thought i’d go mad! i am allergic to wasps. i do know we have stingless bees here. such good news since aus has more wildlife that can kill you- spiders, octopus, snakes..not to mention our great whites! ‘all a part of beekeeping’. well said, Holly. it sounds fascinating, really. 2 Reply WhiskersJellie6 days agoWhiskersJellieHi Lotus Blossom, I just scrolled past your fascinating words and had to stop to say, I am amazed by people who live in Australia! I live in the United States, and I’m wimpy enough when it comes to some of the natural hazards here! I couldn’t imagine living in a place like you do, with so many more!! But then again, Australia looks so unbelievably beautiful whenever I’ve read about it! What a fascinating place 2 Reply lotus blossom4 days agolotus blossomit sounds like i am living the life? i had to chuckle. perhaps i am beginning to do just that. trust me, it has taken decades. we arrived in Oz with three kids. my oldest was 13 and she hated it here. she wanted to go home and her depression began. as a mom, i went down with her. did we make the right decision? long story short, that same daughter is getting married this year. her engagement party is this weekend. and i am sure she is happy as that she stayed on and met the man of her dreams. th...it sounds like i am living the life? i had to chuckle. perhaps i am beginning to do just that. trust me, it has taken decades. we arrived in Oz with three kids. my oldest was 13 and she hated it here. she wanted to go home and her depression began. as a mom, i went down with her. did we make the right decision? long story short, that same daughter is getting married this year. her engagement party is this weekend. and i am sure she is happy as that she stayed on and met the man of her dreams. things have a way of working themselves out. if we can only believe that in moments of distress. i have had many of those moments. i am thankful for many reasons that i live here now, but homesick i was forever and a day. i miss Americans. i was super popular once, but not so much here. i agree with you, WJ, i used to sing, ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’ often! yes to culture shock! you wouldn’t think that in an English-speaking nation. but there you go. thanks for asking. i am glad you found many enjoyable things when you moved. about blue bottles? they are like the man of war but smaller and less venomous. sigh. have a great day. Read More1 Reply WhiskersJellie2 days agoWhiskersJellieWhat a beautiful story your daughter has, and you and your whole family share in! Congratulations to you all on the upcoming wedding! I completely understand your time of adjustment. I actually finally moved to a part of the state that my partner and I love. But we moved just before the pandemic hit, so it's been rough going making many connections out here. But even when we lived 6 hours west of here, I felt like a total fish out of water. We lived there for over a decade and it was very diffic...What a beautiful story your daughter has, and you and your whole family share in! Congratulations to you all on the upcoming wedding! I completely understand your time of adjustment. I actually finally moved to a part of the state that my partner and I love. But we moved just before the pandemic hit, so it’s been rough going making many connections out here. But even when we lived 6 hours west of here, I felt like a total fish out of water. We lived there for over a decade and it was very difficult for me to make friends. But I love what you said about how things have a way of working out, we should believe it more. God’s love shines through everything, doesn’t it, we just need some time and perspective sometimes to realize it. Anyway, thank you for that reminder. I struggle with quite a bit of anxiety, so your words were a deeply needed reminder and encouragement. I’ve been trying to practice mindfulness more, which does help the anxiety. This site’s resources help a lot with that, I’m so thankful I stumbled across it Read More1 Reply lotus blossom6 days agolotus blossomto be honest, whiskersjellie, i too am amazed! i have been here for over 20 yrs (a native new yorker) and frankly, the laid-back attitude kind of freaked me out. i still prefer to swim in the rock pools than in the ocean itself. i have been clobbered by surf, stung by blue bottles three times! and prefer safety to risk any day but i am learning to step out of my comfort zone one swim at a time. it is beautiful, but i miss squirrels, and fireflies (lightning bugs) but not so much skunks! i think ...to be honest, whiskersjellie, i too am amazed! i have been here for over 20 yrs (a native new yorker) and frankly, the laid-back attitude kind of freaked me out. i still prefer to swim in the rock pools than in the ocean itself. i have been clobbered by surf, stung by blue bottles three times! and prefer safety to risk any day but i am learning to step out of my comfort zone one swim at a time. it is beautiful, but i miss squirrels, and fireflies (lightning bugs) but not so much skunks! i think frogs are magical. 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