Some recent pozzies in my life

[Mandy Lawrence]

To say the last couple of years of my life have been gruelling would be an understatement. Not only have I had to struggle along with my own illness (which isn't particularly easy) but have had to try and care for and get the right care support for my father. It has been an uphill struggle with services, who have mostly refused to listen to my concerns. It culminated in my father attempting to take his own life a few weeks ago. I can't explain the torment and pain that has given to me...and I am very angry with services for not taking heed of my concerns when I raised them. I only hope (along with my commitment to trying to get him the right care) that things get better for him...which will have a knock on effect on me.

Anyway, that is the downside of my life. I have, in spite of the constant stresses and worries, tried to do some positive things for myself. Explained below.

Out of my disability living allowance, I bought a year's membership to Whipsnade zoo. I am an animal lover and would much prefer for them to remain free and in their native lands. However, man, in his infinite non-wisdom, has chosen to keep destroying that. So, I am comfortable when they are kept in captivity as long as the captivity provides a healthy quality of life that they can't have in their home lands. I am also a fan of Whipsnade Zoo because it does alot of conservation work.

On my most recent visit, with daughter and her fella, I was lucky enough to see the latest edition to the elephant family. She was four days old at the time. As yet she hasn't been given a name but she is a real poppet. When I saw her she was sleeping a fair bit and then getting up for a bit of a walk about and then lying back down for a snooze.

It was uplifting to me to know that a new calf had arrived because a couple of months ago, 2 of the other calfs died of a virus and that was heartbreaking. The new edition is a sign of hope (for me), in a world that could well do with more.

Another positive distraction has been attempting to make something of my garden. The soil is naff (understatement) but I have kept my grass cut. Yes, I have actually been mowing my own lawn!!! Maybe I shouldn't with dry discs in my spine but my view is...when it hurts too much then I will stop. I decided to brighten it up with some flowers. As stated before soil is naff so can't plant anything and expect it to grow so am using pots of varying shapes and sizes. My plan is to make my garden 'BEE FRIENDLY'. Bees are in real trouble, battling against a virus that is doing it's damndest to destroy them. Anything I can do to help them, I will. So I am buying lots of purple and pink flowers. Below is where I am at with my endeavour:

Yesterday, my daughter and fella took me out to buy some lavender. When I stayed with friends a few weeks back, I noticed that bees swarmed around the lavender in their garden. I have been told bees are partial to sunflowers too but will have to wait for Spring to grow the seeds. I have plans and want my garden to end up as my own personal Buddhist retreat.

You never know, this time next year I could have bees buzzing happily away as they collect pollen in my garden and that would be something really special for me.

[Mandy Lawrence]

Hi Brenda

I went to the shop yesterday. I originally went there a few years back because my daughter collects fairy ornaments. Since then, I go back every so often to get essential oils. Yesterday, I bought melissa because it smelt so lovely. I like lavender, jasmine and geranium too. I got one of the info sheets with the number for the Reiki lady. I will ring her later today. She asks for a donation of £10 which is arond 20 dollars. That is still cheaper than going to a private practioner. The next problem is how to get there but will sort that one way or another :>)

I never intefere with people and how they choose to live their lives or what support they seek. I only worry if someone tries to force me to do something or their actions are a threat to me. That doesn't mean I don't have opinions but I wouldn't force others to try and adopt them. People have to find their way through life as best they can. That is as good as it gets but is often helped by the kindness and care of others.

Thanks for the positive energy. I need a fair bit of that right now. I rung Dad and he doesn't want visits because he feels too ill. Later, I am going to help a friend clear a car park. It seemed a good idea at the time but that was now and before I had spent the afternoon and into the evening keeping a hyperactive Jack Russell happy.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Warm hugs

Mandy x

[Brenda - Split Rock Ranch]

Mandy,

Sorry you didn't make it to the zoo. Migraines are the pits! My chiropractor suggested Feverfew (an herb) several years ago and I tried it with amazing results. NO migraines the entire time I took it! Certainly worth a try unless you're allergic to it. Safer than the drugs, for sure.

I cannot take most drugs, either, so I search for alternative methods all the time. Herbs, energy, essential oils, etc. and I feel better now than I've felt in years. Of course the clean cool mountain air here helps, too. ;o)

We don't tell people not to take their medications. That is between them and their doctor. But the energy work is a great alternative therapy to be used with other therapies. Many people seek out those alternatives when they've tried everything else and nothing works.

And seeing what Reiki can do for animals is absolutely amazing. The nice thing about animals is that they have no preconceived notions or ideas about energy work and what it can or cannot do. They accept it for what it is.

I'm sending you tons of positive energy and many blessings!

Hugs
Brenda

[Mandy Lawrence]

Hi Louise

Have sent my address in private email and again I am sorry that I rambled on so much in it xx

[Louise]

Hi Mandy,

Send me your address for seeds.

Louise xx

[Mandy Lawrence]

Hi Louise

Is she just adorable?

Yes please, I would love the seeds. Do I have to wait to next year to plant them? If so, I don't mind. The garden is an on going project. I think Jill mentioned buddleia to me before but I forgot about that. I tend to forget a bit too often (and I can't blame that on my age ha! ha!). 'Black Night' sounds mysterious. Think I will go for that one.

Gonna head off back to bed now. Managed a bit of a little walk outside but am pretty tired and head still throbbing away so time for more zeds.

x

[Louise]

Mandy,

Love the picture with the Elephant really cute and I agree wiht you about the positive side of Zoos. They are doing a sterling job with conservation and breeding programmes for endangered species.

I have some seeds that I wont be using they are Hollyhock and Delphinium, would you like them? Also plant a " buddleia ", they are very easy to look after and will bring loads of butterflies and bees to the garden, you only have to prune them right back in February (or even every other year) and they are virtually indestructable, you can get them in a very dark purple called "black knight" or a light purple or even white.

Bye Bye, Louise

[Mandy Lawrence]

Sadly, didn't make it to the zoo. Got a migraine attack. I am sure Reiki would help me with that too.

I have problems with medications. I have tried several which are supposed to help people with Bipolar Disorder. None of them did. I also had a variety of anti depressants and last year was put on an anti-psychotic (none of those helped either). I tend to get all the bad side effects without any of the positive ones. Typical me!!

I take sedation, purely because it is the only thing that works. Know it is addictive but is a case of having to survive through each day best as I can.

When I have a better day, I will go to the shop and seek out the lady that does the Reiki. I think I am well over due some rebalancing :>) I like the idea of a wellness centre. Alot of people pooh-pooh these things but the amount of people I know on tablets that don't seem to help them makes me think there is more to wellbeing than prescription drugs. Granted many people need certain meds. My mum had to have heart tablets and medication for diabetes but I am sure most of the meds just clog up bodies with toxins. Ho hum. Anyway, now I am rambling Ha! Ha!. Let me know what progress you make towards running the well being centre. Am interested.

Bye for now

Mandy

[Brenda - Split Rock Ranch]

Mandy,

They offer a membership to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs (the highest mountain zoo in the world, I believe!) and when we lived in Colorado Springs we bought the yearly membership to the zoo and the kids (and we adults) loved it!

Oh, you're a girl after my own heart - lemongrass is my absolute all time favorite scent, ever! I should get some a try to grow it in the house (our growing season here at the ranch is very short due to the altitude of 8400 ft above sea level) but I'm afraid the cats would probably eat it before I got a chance to enjoy it. So far they have left my Oregano and Stevia alone on the windowsill in the kitchen but they have decimated Jim's spider plant...go figure.

I hope you can find the woman who does Reiki. I used to hurt so bad I could barely crawl to the bathroom every morning. Since starting the Reiki sessions, I am back to riding horses and seldom have that morning pain! I cannot take any of the medications - I almost died after taking ibuprofen so I can no longer take any of the NSAIDs for inflammation. Jim is going to attune me to Reiki so I can start my own Reiki journey! He already attuned our daughter. We're thinking about starting a Wellness Center offering Reiki energy sessions, workshops, attunements, crystals, chakra candles and my natural fibers. The Reiki works so well for the animals, especially horses. That is what Jim prefers to work with, is the animals, and the horses in particular, with the Reiki. Our 29 year old POA mare, Puff, has had constant problems with colic and she will walk in front of Jim, position herself and look at him, waiting for him to "do his thing". The Reiki is so effective for her. I started her on a new diet last summer, too, that has helped so she hasn't had a colic episode in over a year now (knock on wood).

Sorry, I'm rambling here...

I'll continue to keep you and your father in my prayers and hope that they can find a medication that will safely keep him well.

The kittens send their soft purrs and cuddles back!

Have a great day - hope you get to see the elephants today!
Brenda

[Mandy Lawrence]

Thanks Brenda

The annual membership to the zoo has saved me money already. You only have to visit three times and that works out less expensive than if you went and paid the normal entrance fee, each time.

If I can get my act together (Is one of those days when getting out of bed proved difficult) a friend is taking me to see the little elephant today. I love seeing all the animals but the elephants are my favs.

Thanks for letting me know about catmint. I had never even heard of it. Will try and get some. I love the smell of lemon grass so that is on my shopping list too :>). Sorry you are allergic to insect stings. Very dangerous. Therefore hoping that the insects keep safe distance from you and vice versa.

I have had Reiki in the past. I used to see a lady who practised in town but she moved to Canada. She was really good and I always felt more relaxed after the treatment. I got a slip from a shop in town, a couple of months back and it said that another lady practised it and donated the money she made to charity. She doesn't specify how much but asks for a donation. Problem is I lost the slip. DOH! Might go back to the shop and ask about it. I could do with something to ease the strain :>)

Thanks also for kind thoughts for my father. He is in an acute care unit at the moment and trying different medication. I am wary of medication but desperate times seem to warrant desperate measures. Certainly, I don't think he can be left alone and I am not well enough to provide constant care for him. Keeping in phone contact and going to visit him tomorrow.

Take care Brenda and give the kitties gentle cuddles from me

[Brenda - Split Rock Ranch]

Mandy,

Thank you for sharing the photo and the story about the new elephant calf. I hope she thrives! What a wonderful idea to get a membership to the zoo - I'm sure it is very therapeutic for you.

Your garden has a beautiful start to it and I love the Buddha statue! I have cat mint or catnip in my garden and the bees swarm all over it. I have to be very careful as I am deathly allergic to bee and insect stings but I love that my flowers attract the bees and the hummingbirds. But I love the smell of the catmint!

Have you ever heard of Reiki? It might be helpful in easing your back pain. I have compressed discs in my back from numerous falls from a horse as a youngster, and recently as well (couldn't give my horses up!) and degenerative arthritis as well, which has eroded the cartilage in my spine causing some pinching and grinding. My husband is a very gifted healer and a Reiki Master Teacher. The Reiki sessions he channels for me are so very helpful.

I hope that you can get the care your father needs to give him a better quality of life. My prayers are with you and your father.

Many blessings and hugs
Brenda
Split Rock Ranch