Tess Misch

I tried a few homeschool groups near me and they seemed 'exclusive'. I get not knowing the newbie, but snubbing is a big red flag for me. Kids & adults were doing it.  It 's hard to find a friendly group w/o the drama of clique-iness.  We are all HS b/c we want better for our kiddos, not the same sh*t they got at B&M.  We attend events at the library, local events in the community; but we experience too much 'ick' in formal groups.  

We have our own adventures, experiences and learning well enough on our own right now.  But it would be nice for Mi and me to have some connections at some point.  I am not too desperate yet, as to just put up with the snark, but I really want him to have a few good friends, too.  -Tess

Jay Angler wrote:

Tess Misch wrote: For some reason, I cannot keep it going.  

I live in a mild climate, but it's very wet in the winter. I finally learned that for it to grow well, it needs to be against the south wall of the house, protected from the worst of the winter wet.

I don't know where you are Tess, but consider what micro-ecosystems are available to you, and maybe you can choose a spot it will like better, as well as being patient with it?

Good to know the direction best for growing.  I have a friend who has a HUGE rosemary bush right next to her front door and it is LOVELY.  We get wet winters here, where I am as well.  We do get some low temps, maybe a blast of snow or a storm, but mostly chill & wet.  

As of right now, I am apartment living and had terrible luck growing her in containers.  I started off with small ones, then moved to larger ones.  I think I just didn't have the depth of knowledge I needed at the time.  I spoke with the growers at the farmer's market and tried to get some insight, but they weren't helpful.  I want to try again, but will be taking the time to better understand the plant.  I love growing herbs as they have SO many uses, IF I can actually get them to grow.  

I feel horrible when I lose a plant, like I 'wasted' its life.  But I don't want to give up, I want to get better.  Something someone once said to me is that container gardening is more difficult than ground growing b/c the soils are so different in relation to nutrients & micro growth.  I may have to be patient until I can get a spot to grow my own food, at least some of it.  --Tess

I'd love to have my 10 (almost 11) yo grandson join in if this is still an interest.  He JUST found his love for reading and his writing could definitely use practice.  PM if anyone would like to join us.  We love nature, card & board games, hiking & camping and going on adventures.  We love reading adventure books and he loves to swim.  He also loves to draw and build with legos.   --Tess

Rosemary is one of my absolute favorite herbs, for nearly everything!  I have tried growing it both from seed and cutting, and even buying a small plant from my local farmer's market.  For some reason, I cannot keep it going.  I don't give up, as I really want to grow a nice plant some day.  I love what Jeff said, follow her pace.  I think I just got impatient & expected too much too soon for her growing time.  

More research and I will definitely check out the video!!  Thanks for that share, Jeff!  --Tess

I have used each rag for various cleaning jobs and they work wonderfully!!  My daughter had NO rags and now she can clean & not have to worry about wasting $$ on PT anymore!!  Yaayy!  --Tess

THANK YOU!!!  My very first badge!!!  --Tess

Here is my PEA Nest, make rags from old clothes submission.  

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
  - upcycle old clothing into rags

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide:
  - a before picture of the old clothing
  - an after picture of the rags made from the old clothing
  - OR a 2-minute video of you doing this

Please find pics below:  

I believe that I found the correct forum and hopefully I post it correctly!!  Here goes...

PEA (PEP) Tool Care - Sand Badge - Remove rust, clean tool, and oil.

Here are my pics of a pair of pliers and cutters.  I cleaned them, removed rust and used 4-in-one oil.  Thank you!  --Tess

Jay, I did this, too!  I have one of those peg looms. The tool didn't fit right or feel right in my hand (I have arthritis as well).  So I had to made a few adjustments to it.  Works like a charm now.  What is that saying: Necessity is the birth of innovation (invention?).  

This is awesome!!  Great thinking on your new tool!  --Tess

Paul, I can deeply appreciate what you said.  I have been single for, well since 2017, almost 10 years.  I had a lot of things happen to me when I was younger and trusting (for me that is my 'issue') people is next to impossible when it comes to more intimate relationships - deeper friendships, romance, commitments.  

I have a tendency to think similarly:  why a tat? why color? why where makeup? why drink?  Knowing it leads to later issues (potentially).  I also have always been nature focused, so I was always asking "why would you do that to Mother Earth?" or something along those lines.  

I've have embraced being single, as I love the freedom it offers me.  Do I miss having relationships? Honestly, for me, I don't think I really know what that is, I've never experienced that.  My only true comfort & stable relationship has been with Mother Earth, she has always been my comforter, healer and friend. I know that may sound 'cheesy' or weird or whatever, but humans (generally) have been my source of not feeling safe.  But I never felt scared or unsafe in Her embrace.

I also have less drama (not to say I am not dramatic myself at times).  But I have too much I carry of my own, I just don't want to carry anymore weight.  We have different experiences, I'm sure, but I get what you're saying to some degree.  I am truly happy for every person/couple who are together, safe & happy for the most part.  I never had the safety to experience that, so I never learned what it means to be the person to have someone safe in my life.  I am okay with that.

At my age, I am more focused on learning, growing, creating the permaculture way than being in relationships that require something I don't have to give. I love being around like-minded people, gathering for small events, meals, etc. I'm not by any means closed off to meeting others & having wonderful conversations, but as for me, well I'm that friend that if you need me, I am there; otherwise you can find me outside, in a book or creating something at home.  

I often come off as brash, cool or aloof.  Maybe...  but I just get straight to the point, and oftentimes that point is short & sweet.  I don't dilly around with lots of words or explanations.  I love talking about things of interest & learning something new.  But I am definitely not one to start a conversation, and at times, in all my awkwardness, I end conversations sometimes abruptly, but not with intent to offend or insult.  

Being an introvert, my social energy levels drain almost immediately in the company of others.  Ironically when I am speaking to groups or teaching or engaging others in some 'professional' manner, I have more tolerance. But boy, when I am done, I am running for the cozy comfort of alone time.

You are not alone, you are not weird (in my eyes). You keep doing you.  Being honest, authentic and holding to values is a vital & sadly, missing set of traits in our society today.  All the best to you in your journey of singleness!!  --Tess