Amber Michello

Judith Browning wrote:thanks!
that makes me wonder how an eventual electric pump will handle iron then?

Is there a consideration or available option with your setup for a sediment filter prior to the pump?

So much great info. And so true that it is so personal, and so dependent on where we are in our healing journey-which changes and evolves in every moment.

I was diagnosed in both ankles with osteoarthritis at the age of 13. Lots of falls and related junk. Tried many remedies. Sam e was hard. Sharks cartilage. All sorts of things. At 32 they diagnosed it in my neck as well. At 34 I was clear- no signs of any osteoarthritis anywhere.

For me- it felt like it came more with what was a release of emotions and spiritual work. A lot of yoga, a lot of meditation, a lot of quiet and dedicated internal work and barefoot under A LOT of trees. A lot of time management and being careful to witness where I was giving way too much to others. Learning more about truly getting in touch with my own body.

At the same time, I was practicing things I had for years, Ayurvedic diets on rotation, acupuncture treatments monthly. I still drank wine and ate pizza and pasta, cheese and bread and goodies and meat on occasion, but all was in moderation. Very little strength training as I was healing a deep neck injury. So who knows the combination, the timing, the exact cause and effect. Simply that it does not have to be a life sentence.

Chinese medicine says liver is governor of joints (sinews to be exact which control joints) this would lead to herbals that affect liver perhaps being effective here. It’s always balance. Enhancing one thing too far can throw other things out. Balance and rotation. Liver is also spring- looking into seasons of organ systems is helpful in adapting diet or practices.

There are movement therapies directly created for joint- Ba Duan Jin is particularly effective for joint/tendon. And sounds for the liver.

What is right for you in the moment will feel the most calm and serene. Here’s to that coming along! Thanks again for the collection of what has been helpful or could be helpful. A little database of goodies is always a nice thing to dip into.

Theyeastconnection.com is also a great resource for attacking the sugar monsters. Practical insight and they’ve been at it for a few decades now.

Nancy Reading wrote:

Amber Michello wrote:We received a book of the persons choosing and then were meant to send any book we loved to the next person with a note.

Oh I like that idea!
Amongst my sentimental clutter I have a tin with letters that my husband and I exchanged before we were married and lived in different towns. I somehow don't think a text or email would be cherished in the same sort of way !

Nancy. Those are amazing memories. I agree. I have cards from my grandmothers and seeing their handwriting is th e most precious. I have a lot of old letters that they saved from people and there’s just a feeling. It is beautiful that you and your husband took that time with one another. A practice long gone by I think. Such a beautiful way to develop your connection together.
There’s some amount of anticipation and excitement in waiting on the mail that we miss a lot without that as well. There’s so much to it. I am all for letter writing being a time honored tradition that doesn’t stop. I also love receiving postcards. The ultimate in giving without anything in return and telling someone you were thinking about them while you were busy out in the world, and took the time to buy, write, and find a way to send it. The postmarks from other places are fun as well. Very different than email.

If someone is smarter than me in figuring out the dynamics of that book swap, it would be fun. And between a bunch of permies it would be fun to send a ‘non permie’ book….. if that’s possible for anyone?! I find all of my books generally have to do with some part of my ‘work’ and it’s hard to get myself back into things I love for the simplicity like stories or poems or plays. Reading simply for the sake of reading and allowing something to be stirred up.

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:Hello Amber, and welcome...!

I have a number of penpals I exchange hand-written letters with, and when I mention it to the "uninitiated," responses range from they think it strange, or exotic, to completely beyond them. Keep the postal service alive, says I.
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Stephen. Thank you. I love it! I miss letters. I’m eager to get settled at the next general temporary-ish landing place to get a mailing address there so I can begin the letter writing again. I once was a part of a list where people submitted their address and everyone was given a random person’s address and then a who’s next. We received a book of the persons choosing and then were meant to send any book we loved to the next person with a note. I can’t remember the logistics of it’s the name of the person who sent me the book or what I sent. But I do remember the book I received, the way I felt from the letter that was in it. And how much I enjoyed it in a way I may not have otherwise. It’s been over 15 years and random things will spark that warm memory of a complete stranger taking the time to share a piece of something that inspired them with me.

I’ve been a part of many letter writing activities for shut ins or people that just need a pick me up and would love to have more of those opportunities! Thank you for providing these things in the world. It is a special gift. And so real to read handwritten words. A true gift.

Matt,
Smart creatures these birds are. I had a bunch of robin that took refuge building around my place in VT. The neighbor would run them off and take down nests and I just let them play. They never hurt anything around my place, helped eat the berries and played with the chickens and made cute babies. I heard people say they wouldn’t come to the same nest twice, but they reused 5 of them this Spring from last year. 3 of them on the porch right over the cabin door. I am not smart enough about robin to know. They are sweet. Birds tend to make good guides. I find certain kinds showing up at really significant times and I hear myself saying things like ‘time to go…’ and only later realizing it was because of their presence. Like road markers, leading the way of decision and timing. All is well listening to the crack boom of storms and watching rain in the south today, although it is thick and sticky air outside. The roosters were calling before the thunder would hit hard. It was an interesting one.

Yay! The fun guys! I have weird purple one I can’t identify, and just a real pretty one. Ideas?
Note: I am not a mushroom person so I am very clueless, I have asked mushroom people and tree people and can’t find an answer.

Riona.

Thank you for the warm welcome. And the tips. I enjoy nice people and nice conversations. I don’t mind things that provide challenge or depth, but nice is a nice place. I’ll play with nice. It does seem like a wonderful community and I’m not sure what inspired me to come out of the shadows after…… um….. an embarrassing amount of time, but I’m grateful for the interactions here. And all of the wonderful information. I’ve found myself laughing, crying, saying ‘oh my gosh yes’ to a challenge or solutions, and being overall amazed by the community and creativity.

I also think I saw that you sing? At ren faires? This sounds like a fun thing.

Hi Emmett.

What a beautiful journey you are on! Take your time. Feel the land. It will speak to you. That’s the greatest piece of advice I’ve ever gotten and my best guide in any project. I completely agree with outbuildings. I built a real small ‘cabin’ that will one day be a shed/barn with no water inside to eliminate water damage. I built a second outbuilding just for water. This was also in a very cold region and I planned far ahead for winters when I would not be at the property for extended amounts of time.

Consider features that will reduce the potential for mold, keep in mind the materials you use and maximize your insulation and storage space. My favorite thing in tiny spaces is built in features. Double walls that can be used as storage/shelving (although I have to account for far too many books!)

And- planning for the potential is always good. I have been through some strange injuries that cause me to think about ‘can I reach that overhead’ ‘can I bend over to pull that plug out of the wall’ ‘what if that light bulb goes out and I can’t  get on a ladder’  ‘how much will I have to move out of the way to get to that one thing I need’. All of the camp cabin outlets are at 36-42”. All light fixtures low. Things we generally take for granted that really matter, not just in aging, but life. I’ve had these considerations from the age of 27 and am so grateful to see little things in a little bit of a different light.

I love the concepts you are throwing out. That outdoor kitchen is gorgeous! It looks like you are creating a true home with a very loving and welcoming feel to it.

What are you thinking about for heating?

So exciting! Enjoy every moment of planning and creating. There’s a world of possibility. You’ll know what’s right for you!

Hi

I would love to learn more about this. I will be in the area here soon and looking for some wonderful places, people, and resources.

Thanks.
Amber.

Laurel.

I am sorry to hear about your challenges. It happens so often to become a struggle to find respectful practices, and the ones we resonate with well.

If you have not yet, perhaps look into visceral manipulation. It is a very precise, very non invasive, self healing focused practice that can have profound effects on pelvic structures, and you may be onto something with the knee being related to visceral restriction. We see that very often.

Check out www.iahp.com to find a therapist in your area, or ask around for a good therapist.

Best in your healing world. It’s inside you- the right supportive environment and modalities will find you. You are determined in your journey and that is a major step. Chronic pain management in a natural way is a beautiful and challenging life! Thank you for being an example and advocate for yourself in it.
I also agree with the very deep grounding things. Super effective for activating our healing energies.