Michelle Bradley

My hubby gave our family a subscription to Scientific American”- which we are looking forward to reading. For my extended family I made cooling eye pillows- from fabric scraps that I’ve kept too long- you fabric-lovers know exactly what I’m referring to- and filled them with whole flaxseed and lavender… and for an alternate option, a few filled with balsam from northern MI and flaxseed.  After heaping them in a lovely pile and admiring my work, and the unique look of each one, envisioning each of my nephews, in-laws, etc. chosing one, I realized that a few of them have allergies, and will most definitely not appreciate the outdoor odors so close to their face.   Oops! Well, I will need to create a non-allergy version for next year, I guess. But they are lovely to hold and place on your eyes to relax at night or counteract a headache.  All this in addition to my failed attempt at crabapple jelly —- which lost all its pectin in the process.  It’s my first time canning- and I clearly need some practice!  Ha! Still, homemade gifts are the best.

I really appreciate this discussion. Though I'm in a city and do more reading and dreaming than practicing permaculture, I'll add this to the "carry confidence" discussion.  Two years ago, while walking to pick up my daughter at school, my 40lb husky/shepherd dog and I were attacked.  The first moment I recall was looking down on the two 100 lb pit bull/terriers mauling my dog.  The next moment I recall seeing was my two legs wrapped around the head of one of those big attack dogs' head.  We were both lying sideways on the alley pavement.  When all was sorted out- exchanged numbers, dr visits, etc. the "stupified" dog owner offered to pay me $300 for the $500 we had incurred. And after acknowledging that this was far from the first time his dogs had "misbehaved" he had the gall to tell me to "be more careful next time."  I gave him a quick and harsh lecture on his next time... and if I hadn't stepped in, I would have a dead dog.   So, women: Step In. You have more power and survivor instinct than you may know.  

DIY GAME:
Does anyone else receive random magazines around the holidays that are chock full of stuff to buy as gifts like semi-humorous T-shirts and themed stuff for Cat-lovers and book-lovers?  Don't know how I got on this list--I never order these types of things and I keep calling to get off their lists.  But as I browse the pages this year, I'm thinking of making a game.  I would cut out specific pictures and the brief accompanying description of whatever that item is, and glue it to card stock, manilla folder, or cereal box cardboard.  Using these DIY cards, I'd create the rules to run something like Apples To Apples, or Blank Slate.  Something akin to the type of game where whoever guesses the best item to fit what the other game player would want, wins.   It's not highly intellectually stimulating, but it'd be a fun way of creating friendly conversation.  My family likes these types because it can include the old and youngsters, all it requires is knowing the personalities of the ones you're with, and the ability to "sell" your point of view. Humor would be honored extra points, of course. Maybe the point system would reflect the ridiculous price tag the company is selling them for.  ??  Has anyone else has created games from recycled stuff?  Thanks!

Loving this post- and your/our common attention paid to reusing stuff.  My recent idea to reuse the soft plastic ring from a Quaker oatmeal cardboard tube: pull off the two rings from the lid and the top of the canister, pull one ring through the other a-la how I would double the length of a rubber band by looping two together, and continue this looping until a large net is woven together.  What use for the net?  Maybe a soccer goal for my son...? A trellis for climbing vines...?  Meanwhile the remaining cardboard is fire starter, etc.
 My next large bit of plastic waste to find re-use purpose for is the darn heavy bags our dog food comes in. I keep saving them... one a month. Why can’t they come in burlap like coffee bags? Maybe I can cut in strips and weave into a produce basket-?? I did that with brown butcher paper one year- from packaging padding- and the brown flex baskets were well received by my family.👍❤️  Although I confess to using a hot glue gun to adhere /secure the ends.