Alana Rose

r ransom wrote:
My problem is that Grammarly was great.  But it is faltering.  It's getting buggier with every update and the help desk has moved from  helpful to "well, no one else complained." and "we're giving you what you want"…

What is helpful are options like Grammarly - plugins that I can use to help me navigate this world of words.  Without it, I'll probably go back to being near-functionally illiterate which I don't want.

It’s 2026. You are still making such valuable permie contributions. (I’ve personally shared your posts and YouTube videos with others over the years.) What are you using now? Have you found a reasonable solution? (If not, maybe one of your fellow Permies with an outrageously larger salary than you can simply gift you what you like and need. Help build a gift economy of sorts.)

https://www.da-le-ranch.com/

Go team, go!

S Rogers wrote:if only there was cheap gluten free ramen.

I buy the Lotus Foods: organic millet/brown rice ramen from Costco (12 count for $8.79 right now.)

It is gluten free. It’s not “instant” or “cheap” but it’s nourishing and satisfies my ramen cravings.

I sometimes cook it and add it to soup or add meat and green vegetables for more of a stir fry.

Perhaps a NOT so unusual purchase over 40… my first 3 pack of readers from Costco. I have a new compassion for all my friends who’ve been using glasses for years.

I’ve met gentle souls in volunteer roles serving domestic violence survivors (women and children), grief groups, church/religious organizations, and through friends of friends.

These gentle souls often have higher levels of empathy for hurting people and/or animals and/or have experienced suffering/loss.

No “romantic” relationships have come out of them, yet. But one of my gentle soul friends and her husband did think of me when their single male friend was looking for a wife of good character who was educated and wanted to start a family. This was a huge compliment, even though it never ended with us meeting.

Lastly, find other gentle souls by being one :) but be one with discernment and healthy boundaries, so as not to get taken advantage of by those looking to simply use and exploit others.

Well, I added rosemary essential oil to my next batch of gel. Many bloggers and YouTubers said the flaxseeds could be boiled a 2nd time. However, the 2nd time, the gel was much less gelatinous and not strong enough of a hold for the initial gel application (in my opinion.) But it could be good for adding daily for a bit of a refresh.

Well, I’ve had a couple more broken hearts since I wrote this post, but God is kind. He heals and restores.

I have gratitude that I live in a beautiful place and I’m physically able to provide for myself.

I am not doing as many homesteading/ permaculture projects as I’d like, but I do find time to experiment and integrate some creative endeavors into my daily life.

I was recently able to meet my celebrity crush as he led a foraging school. I’ve since harvested and cooked some cactus that grows nearby naturally. I’m looking at my surroundings with new eyes, scoping out edible “weeds” and wild medicinal plants.

I’m still praying that God has a suitable life companion for me and that that man would appreciate who I am inside and out.

I appreciate being a part of this online community. It encourages me to continue to live more naturally and authentically, even when societal pressures are promoting materialism, vanity, and a very unnatural way of living.

Blessings!

Thank you so much for posting this Nicole! I was thinking of doing some very basic wet felting with my 4-6-year-old students using cookie cutters as molds.

These were some videos I plan to mimic:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sBZ-cokSVoo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hX0AoAX7EvE

Would you still recommend the same type of wool for these projects?

Do you think they could add some embroidered details to these felted shapes fairly easily?

I am interested in doing some small 3 dimensional animals that they could use as toys… it looks like needle felting might be better for that?

(I’m still swooning over your felled chickens!)

I have been embracing my waves/curls. I really enjoy making/using homemade flaxseed gel better than products I’ve purchased at the store. A simple search should lead you to videos or write ups about flaxseed hair gel. I boiled 1/4 cup of whole flaxseeds in 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes (stirred consistently) and then strained the seeds from the gel. Next time, I will try the no cook soaking method to make the gel.

I love the gentle hold and natural feel of the curls with the flaxseed gel.