So you think you are a Homesteader Part 2

So you think you're a homesteader ? Lessons from the Pilgrims- When we left them, the Mayflower & her consort "Speedwell" had returned to Dartmouth, England because "Speedwell" was leaking dangerously. The "Speedwell " was purchased by the colonists with the plan of remaining in America for their use. It was thought that she would be used for fishing both for the colonists as well as to generate revenue to re-pay their investors. At this point, c.August 24, 1620 "Speedwell" has been inspected and found to be "As open & leaky as a sieve". The colonists must decide whether to repair the vessel or proceed without her. Considering the money already spent on the ship, the need for transportation & the use of her in the new world, the decision is made to wait while repairs are made. This reminds me of the times I've bought used equipment, thinking that I "had to have it" and struggling to get it working right ! So remember this - a bargain isn't a bargain if it keeps costing you time & money ! Before you buy, can you make do while you save up for the right equipment?

-Unicoi Ludd

So You Think Your are a Homesteader-- Part 1

Aug 21, 2016

So you think you're a homesteader ? On this date August 21 1620, the ship "Mayflower" entered port at Dartmouth, England with her smaller consort "Speedwell". After 6 days at sea, the "Speedwell" was leaking badly and the colonists had to return for repairs. So remember, things aren't always easy, don't give up & don't give in.

-Unicoi Ludd

Laws of Nature in Dog Training by Boots N Lace

LAWS OF NATURE

ARE YOU BEING SELFISH AND SELF-CENTERED?

Laws of Nature defined by Webster:   a natural instinct or a natural relation of human beings or other animals due to native character or condition

Let’s look at Nature:

For everything in the world there is a cause and effect. We all know that. How? Neuton said “what goes up must come down.” Reference to the laws of gravity. The same is true in your dog.

Your dog WANTS to be a dog, your dog WANTS to be treated like a dog. Everyone who walks through our door loves dogs and say they love nature and the environment. If that is true, then wouldn’t you want to abide by the rules of Nature and what it needs to survive? Be honest.

Making your dog a human child is an emotional need inside the maternal instinct. We want everything to be safe, fed, and close by where we can easily protect it. Is it fair for your dog to have to fill YOUR emotional void, of wanting to have a human Child? Is it fair to expect a bird to be a dog? That is what you are asking of your dog. So we ask again, are you being selfish?

Let’s look at dogs in Nature: do the wild dogs in Nature have a human that keeps them safe, fed, and close by? No, they have their pack. That isn’t to say that we cannot keep our dogs in our homes, DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND THE MEANING. MOST of you keep your dogs physically ON you or next to you. Your Pits are lap dogs, your Chihuahua’s are purse dogs, your Dachshunds are clingy. Why?

We are responsible to do distance training with our dogs. They have to be ok without us. A lay and stay across the room WILL NOT HURT THEM OR YOU. Enforce that boundary. Give affection 50% of the time when asked. When you discipline your human child, you put them in the corner AWAY from you, right? When you make a correction on the walk, make it in a way the dog understands. When you talk to a child you use a high pitched voice, when you talk to a dog, one-word WHISPER is better. A hand signal with silence is perfection.

Please stop feeling sorry for your dog because you are giving it rules, boundaries, and limitations. What are human children called with no boundaries? Brats. Are you raising a brat dog? When you learned to color you got graded on coloring in the lines. Why? Well, wouldn’t that concept be a value to have when you got in High School and now you DRIVE BETWEEN THE LINES? Your dog does not NATURALLY know how to live in your home or be in public. YOU MUST GIVE THEM THE BOUNDARIES IT NEEDS TO SURVIVE! That is what Pack Leader does--provides coping skills in a completely foreign world!

Stop talking English. Dog’s do not speak English. Learn the language of DOG and use Dog-lish to correct your dog, giving it healthy coping skills in the human world with clear and consistent boundaries.

Are you understanding now why your dog does not respect you? Because you did not respect them. Honor the rules of Nature and give your dog what it desires from it’s Pack.

Then you can call yourself the Pack Leader.  

-BootsN'Lace, ABCDT

Behavioral Therapy Trainer

Teas and Smoking -by Stuck in the City

~Tea and smoking~

*Tea*
Also known as infusions, this is a great, simple way to deliver the medicine. It also makes it an easy solution for storage!

To store: Dehydrate until they crumble. Store as whole as possible and crumble as needed.

To make: put 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped mullein leaves in a cup of boiling water. Allow it to steep for a full 10 minutes. Strain REALLY well (mullein has tiny hairs that can irritate the throat if not strained out). Add fruit rind, honey, or lemon juice to flavor. Drink warm or chilled. Can be cooled and applied for topical use.

What is mullein tea used for? Wounds, Hemorrhoids, Colds, Flu, Asthma, Diarrhea, Migraines, Gout, Tuberculosis, Croup, Cough, Sore throat, Inflammation of the airways (bronchitis).

*Smoking*
Smoking herbs is a great way to get medicine you need quickly. Not all herbs are safe to smoke. Some are more beneficial when smoked.

To prepare: dehydrate mullein leaves until they easily crumble. It is best to give a rough chop or tear the leaves prior to dehydrating as mullein is a tough leaf. Crumble or use an “herb” or tobacco grinder (commonly sold in smoke shops) to grind the leaves.

To use: Place a small amount in a pipe or (gonna get a little redneck here) one side of a socket. Mullein may need to be relit a few times through the smoking process.

Why smoke mullein? Mullein soothes inflamed airways, infected lungs, and helps prevent dry couging and promote effective coughing. Smokers have used it to feel like they are smoking while quitting nicotine.

Stuck in the city

Salves -by Stuck in the City

*Salves*

Salves are umm… amazing. This one uses plantain (not the fruit) which is extremely easy to find. There are many many ways to make them. The general idea is slowly heating the oil with the plant so it absorbs the plant compounds. I will explain using a crockpot because it is easiest, but a double boiler works as well.

How to make it: Fill a jar with finely chopped plantain leaves. Cover with a neutral oil such as coconut oil. Place lid loosely on jar. Place a clean towel in your crockpot. Place jar on towel and fill crockpot with water up to 2 inches from the jar rim. Heat on low for a minimum of 12 hours, up to 24 hours. Once cool enough to handle, strain leaves out and discard. On a double boiler, melt 2 tablespoons of beeswax for each cup of oil. Once melted, pour in oil discarding the water that has settled to the bottom (some oil is bound to be tossed with it, but you DO NOT want water in the salve) and mix thoroughly. Pour into jars while still warm and allow to cool. It will firm up once it is cool.

How to use it: apply to affected area generously as often as needed.

What is it used for? Bug bites, nettle stings, minor snake bites that are NOT poisonous, rashes, minor cuts, poison ivy, sunburn, burns, and basically everything else that is a skin related issue. I use this stuff for EVERYTHING.

Stuck in the city

Herbal Tinctures -by Stuck in the City

~Herbal medicine- getting started~

There are 5 basic ways to make and use herbal medicines. In these examples, I will use mullein and plantain. Both are readily available, easy to identify, likely growing in or near your yard, and have no known drug/disease interactions. Meaning they are generally safe.

*Tinctures*

Tinctures are easy to make, a great way to pack a punch, and easy to take. I will use mullein for this example, but any tincture worthy plant can be used in its place.
What is it? A tincture is an extract made from herbs that is taken orally. There are other means of making one, but alcohol is the one discussed here as it is most widely used. It is generally administered under the tongue which makes it quick acting.
To make: chop up mullein leaves finely. Smaller cuts means more surface area is accessed. Place chopped leaves into a jar filling it roughly 3/4 of the way. Fill jar with alcohol. A minimum of 80 proof is required, vodka is most widely used and recommended. The alcohol will draw out the compounds in the plant and they will remain in the alcohol. Allow to sit for 6 weeks and strain. The remaining alcohol is the tincture.

To use: Depending on the plant, your dosage may change. Generally speaking and for mullein tincture, a dose is 5-10 drops (using an eye dropper) administered directly under the tongue. It can be diluted in juice or water if needed, but will not act as quickly.

What mullein tincture is used for: It is an AMAZING plant for coughs and stuffy noses. It also helps with Colds, Flu, Asthma, Diarrhea, Migraines, Gout, Tuberculosis, Croup, Cough, Sore throat, Inflammation of the airways (bronchitis).

Stuck in the city

Foraged Syrup from Nature -by Stuck in the City

*Syrup*

NOT the awesome sweet stuff (although, this is sweet) that is used to top pancakes and ice cream. I will get to that eventually because it’s awesome. This is cough syrup only MUCH MUCH better tasting and WAY better for you. Not only that, I don’t have to fight my toddler to take it and it actually works. No matter how sick she is, this stuff works and she’s back to normal within 10 minutes. It isn’t just hype. It is proven to work.

This does use elderberry in the recipe, but it is still interchangeable for your desired effects. The measurements would generally stay the same.

To make: Add 1 cup elderberries, 4 cups of water, and 1/3 cup of mullein to a pot. Use a potato masher (or whatever it’s called) and mash elderberries. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer until liquid is reduced by half. Allow to cool and strain through cheesecloth. Discard elderberry mix. Once syrup in entirely cooled, add 1 cup of honey.

Why and how? Elderberry syrup is proven to reduce cold and flu illness. Mullein is an expectorant which makes it so you have effective coughing. Both help reduce (or completely abolish) a stuffy nose.

Stuck in the city