Good Start to a Busy Year

Merry Meet,

How have you been…crazy does not fit my week…insane, maybe…it has been a great week to start a busy year…

Massage has been good…clients getting to learn boundaries of new found motion in their own body is fun to help with…I am impressed with how far many of my patients…whether or not I am your therapist…please keep in mind that a positive attitude will aide in your recovery more than any drug on the market:)

School has been difficult…science is not an easy subject, though I do enjoy it…the teacher is nice…it’s just a lot to take in…her main focus is global warming or if you need to be politically correct- Climate Change…this subject is mainly due to greed and vanity…I get very snarky on the issue…I try to be as green as possible and I try to be an example…I am not perfect, but I work on it every day…maybe if more people stopped to think, maybe we could cut green house gasses down…3 generations down the line of humans would be ever so thankful to us for that- you see that is how long it would take before we cleaned up enough to notice, as we are now that polluted…

Chris and I will soon be releasing a new children’s series…since we have so many animals on the paddle, the series will have the paddle from the animals point of view…we are excited and happy to have American Boudica working again…

Impending Imbolc has the Circle a twitter…I will be making a fresh chicken dinner and a small bon fire…this year it lands on February 1…I am feeling very in touch with nature…I have faith this will be a good year

The paddle has been busy…I have made several appearances …Walter was missing our friends at Siesta Key Bike and Kayak, so off we went…always great service…the water was about 65f and the air about 80f…it was a beautiful morning on the water, Walt and I felt like we had the whole place to ourselves as no one was in sight except many different species of birds…we went ‘Walt’s Fish and Chips’ in Sarasota for lunch…I spoke to the waitress about the paddle and she donated a Beautiful ‘Pirate Haven’ T-shirt:)…Monday, Janice and I will be on the way to Crystal River…a Manatee Paddle is always fun

My new niece is due at any time now…my parents are quite excited and mom will leave for MA next week…I found the baby some pirate sox and Walter bought her a zippered, tie dye hooded sweatshirt…too cute…mom is working on a quilt…I have been told it is a girl and that upon birth her name will be Abigail…I hope to meet the child when I am on my paddle…it is my hope the mother will bring her to out to see me

I am quite sad to tell you that during the last freeze, I lost 5 of my fish…I am now down to 2…I have had them around 8 years…they will now swim in the forever pond…the last 2 seem quite sad

Oranges, Lemons and Limes...People often think of sailors and scurvy when you say it is good for your health and other vitamin C issues…people do not think about it as an antidepressant…the many compounds in citrus are good for the brain and the immune system

Well sweetie…I am tired and need to pack for the morning

Blessed Be,

D

Positive and Happy

Merry Meet,

I am glad to see you…how have you been…it is nice to put your feet up and unwind…I see you are getting ready for fall…thank you for picking up yellow and brown candles for me...

Massage is going well…the movement in my hands has seemed to politely request muscles to give up their tension and knots…my clients have been very supportive and are excited about the paddle

School…well this is the last week of ‘Introduction to Chiropractic’…I look forward to starting a new class on Sunday;)

American Boudica Publishing is still on hiatus…thankfully this hiatus is happening while England switches from analog to digital…this has made phone calls almost impossible…we are excited to be going back in the next few months…we will keep you posted

The paddle is going well…my shape has been changing and so have my muscles…much of the weight is gone…none of this is easy…I am neither stupid or naive…I can and will accomplish the 1350 mile trip at the pace I have set…I have seen the shark videos (and the dolphin rape ones too)…I have heard all the nay sayers (paddle forest paddle/ do you have life insurance/ your too old/etc)…now they can all hear me…either help me or get the fudge out of the way…if you really need to talk smack, do so behind my back…I no longer have time for negative bull crapp…the money I raise will go to something I believe in deeply…I am helping to educate thousands of children…I would rather take my chances doing something I believe in than sitting on the sidelines whining about the way things are…get it…was at the Dunedin causeway this morning…my first solo venture…was a lot of chop on the water…I got a real work out…I feel like I could break coconuts off my chest…lol…my camera went down, so I had to pick up a disposable…the manager of my local Walgreens gave me a break and I got a waterproof camera gadget for only $4- VERY COOL…I did not finish the roll yet…I am not sure how the pictures came out, since I took the pictures from the boat and the waves kept me bouncing…lol…Chris and I have been working on my Bio…

I met with Tami Longaberger earlier this week…what a lovely woman…I have high hopes she will help sponsor us…she also came up with the idea of a Kayak Basket with the Sunshine Paddle emblem burned into the lid with so much money from each basket sold going into a national fund for abuse victims…how VERY AWESOME is that…I have also been working on putting together North Carolina…with the hurricane some areas are still not up…as always looking for volunteers along the route…

call me (813)907-6279 or e-mail me…I do not do the text thing;)

Mabon falls on the 23rd this year…I found some cute candles from a few years ago…I will be making a full chicken dinner for feast that night...you are more than welcome;)

On the 26th I will be turning 46…I am actually feeling very cool about this…I have walked through hell and I made it…life is good…I am feeling happy about where it is going…yes it is hard, but anything worth having is…

Relaxation Herb Tea

1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves (not the stems, they're bitter), rinsed, lightly packed (about 20 leaves)

1/2 cup of fresh lemon verbena leaves, rinsed, lightly packed (about 10-15 leaves)

4 Cups water

Juice of 1 lemon

Bring water to a boil, add leaves and juice…let stand 5-10 minutes…strain and enjoy (hot or over ice)



May you be blessed,

D

What did Santa bring you?

Merry Meet,

What did Santa bring you (other than me;)…it has been nice to have a few days off…pull up a chair…I will get the cocoa and you grab the Yahtzee game off the shelf…yes, it is Peter Gabriel on the cd player…

My haul for Christmas was great…Tristan gave me a car…mom got me shirts, Longaberger dishes, silverware, sox and bras…dad gave me money…Dansir got me a bottle of wine and York peppermint patties…the clients got me cookies and hockey tickets…my friends gave me candles for the massage room…dale played came over and played board games with me…I made out like a bandit

Walter made me breakfast…he gave me a pedicure…he made the holiday dinner…very cool

All of my clients got a gift this year…I won on a lotto ticket and was able to share the blessing with them…I was happy to be able to do it...

Chris and I have been enjoying our down time…family is the most important thing

In the Circle of Boudica…several people donated their time and money…we helped 15 families in 6 countries total...not only with the meal, but also presents for the kids…thank you for being so generous during such economic times…in our prayer group this week was people of many faiths…goes to show it is not important who you call God…the important part is to call…

The weather here for Christmas was a balmy 78f…today it hovered are 55f with rain...brrr…we needed the rain…maybe my lawn will come back…at the moment, it is the brownest it has been in 10 years…next week I will start to pull up all grass that has died so I do not have a thick thatch…

What lessons did I learn in 2010 you ask…be VERY careful of all the new electronic gadgets with a cameras or microphones…hold fast to your beliefs…when you second guess yourself you were usually right in the first place…I don’t have time to be on a one way street (yes, with this I mean relationships)…to laugh is better exercise than going to the gym…there is life after children…there are many more lessons, but it is late…

How was your Christmas…did you get everything you wanted…do you remember when I used to wake the kids around 4 in the morning…I would start making the Christmas calls as soon as the kids were done…lol…this year I did not make most calls till last night or today

It has been a year to remember…feeling safe now…I have refound many of my friends…I made the dean’s list…I made high priestess…my second book is now on the market…I have retained all my clients that are above ground…I helped clean up an oil spill…my parents are still with me…I have a great husband…good kids…I got a cool car….hmmmmm…I have received more than Warren Buffet owns…I feel very fortunate…

Pure Air Spritzer

1/2 tsp Bergamot Essential oil

1/2 tsp Eucalyptus Essential oil

1/2 tsp Lavender Essential oil

2oz pure distilled water

2oz vodka (acts as a preservative)



Put the essential oils in a 4 oz Spritzer bottle and fill with vodka and water. Shake and use as often as you like. You can vary the amounts of oils to get the right scent for you. These three essential oils are said to kill hundreds of airborne viruses and bacteria. Just spray your home, office, hospital room, class room etc and enjoy the difference.



New Year’s Blessing

This Feast I shall leave on my doorstep all night. In my window one candle shall burn bright, To help my loved ones find their way As they travel this eve, and this night, until day. Bless my offering, both Lady and Lord Of breads and fruits, greens and gourd.

I am glad you had a good holiday…I too am tired…thank you for stopping by…I enjoyed the game…may you be blessed

D

Stress Reduction Starts at Home

I am happy to have time to run by to see you…yes, the pimpmobile is shiny…I have been washing her…she is a lot of fun to drive…I just rolled up to the drive thru with Electric Avenue blasting…the girls at the window gave me a strange look and started bopping to the music…just too funny


Though massage has been slow, a lot of the clients have been calling…through the holiday season appointments are spotty…by this I means either I am swamped or dead…nothing in between and always so much fun…lol…the new cds have me flowing…I do so love Van Morrison in the massage room, his older work is the best…next would be Dean Martin… My winter hours for massage are 10 am- 5pm, by appointment only (813) 907-6279...

Chris and I have had our attention focused on our book cover…we have had a crash coarse in Adobe software…thankfully Chris has good temperament (kept me from picking up the computer and throwing it across the room)…we hope to be complete by the end of the week

I just completed my class in Stress Reduction and Relaxation Techniques…I do not have the final grade yet, but I believe it is an A…YEA…I am really glad I took it…I love Everglades Univ. and value the education I am getting…back when I went to Sanford Brown Institute, I had an instructor who had gone there…I really liked what he taught and the way he taught it…he inspired me…my mom taught me education is what you make of it…I want to give my clients the best medical care I can…I feel all of these classes are taking me to the next level…like climbing a mountain…I can’t wait to see the view at the next rest area

Dad is home and getting the yard ready for winter…Mom is getting ready to post Longaberger Baskets and products…she has a collection of 25 years…she wants to make room to make more quilts…Walter is getting ready to membrane the roof and paint the house

The animals have been in quite a flum…the puppy that wandered into our life is a cute little terror…he attacks everything constantly…he reminds me of a gladiator, so I call him Quintus…due to his color dad calls him Gold…so I guess his name is Quintus Gold…Dad loves him and enjoys coming to take him out…Shinara has now gone into heat again…needless to say my mop is kept handy as cleaning is a constant at present…Chewy and Blue have turned into 2 whining bags of mess…at least the food bill will be down for a few weeks

Since we are coming into winter…this week, I will be closing the pool…I am sad about this, but know it will not be long until I am swimming again…I have cleaned out the gardens already, but will be planting garlic this week too…next week I will winterize the pond, so if you want some of the water for your plants bring me up some jugs…I will also be starting a window farm in the house…it will be neat to have fresh growing herbs and veggies all year round…the whole idea is very cool to me…

It is soon to be the American holiday of Thanksgiving…we will be celebrating ours a day late this year as it is when Tristan can come home for leave…Dansir will also be here after her trip to New Hampshire…Walter will be making the turkey dinner with my mom…I expect to see many of our family and friends…crapp, I need to pick up batteries for the camera

In the Circle of Boudica this week…I sit here crying because you all are so wonderful…I asked for a good energy a few weeks ago for some folks…as always you have come through…the babies are out of the hospitals…the young man got the job…and we helped a young couple to remember why they married…I feel really blessed…when we work together mountains can be moved…I am starting to prepare for Yule 12/21…I am looking for a beautiful oak log and holly branches to burn…it is a time when everyone should be singing and laughing…this year will be hard on many…please take time to make someone smile each day…it is the best gift you can give or receive…has anyone thought of the feast you will be cooking…I will keep you posted on my choices this year…a white candle should be burnt for an hour each evening from 12/01-12/31…its meaning is rebirth, hospitality and hope…a blue candle should be burnt with the white on the 21st …it means truth and peace…on that night both should burn until you go to bed…I can not wait to see the sky that night

Cranberry Tea

3 cups of natural cranberry juice (room temp)

5 black tea bags or 5 teaspoons of loose black tea

10 cups of water

5 cinnamon sticks

Honey (to taste)

Brandy (optional)

Bring the water to a boil

Add Tea Bags and Remove From Heat

Add Cranberry Juice, Cinnamon Sticks and Honey (let steep about 10 Minutes)

Add Brandy (optional)

Can Be Served Warm or Over Ice

This is a great pick me up to help us…the cranberry has great anti bacterial properties…black tea is well known for its antioxidant properties…water helps us hydrate…cinnamon and honey combined have amazing healing qualities…



I am happy to see you looking good…a little tired…I know life is busy, but make sure to get proper rest…I want to see you for many years to come…


Blessed Be,

D

Good Morrow My Flower

Merry Meet…you seem a little flustered…come sit with me…I made some citronella candles to keep the bugs away…how has your week been?


It has been a relaxing week…I got quite a bit done just the same…

The massage room has been deep cleaned and all padding washed…I pulled out and tested my paraffin tank and table heater…I will be placing my sombra order next week…if you need some let me know…it has been a busy week…I am looking for purple sheets…if you see some please let me know

We have opened the American Boudica Publishing Youtube page…tomorrow we will be taping and uploading…I am very excited

I have not found any good contracts up to bid on, but I am keeping watch

I have been on summer break this week from school…my next class up is computers…I am really thinking this will be cool…classes such as this teach some really cool tricks

I have started my seeds for fall crops - Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), Dill (Anethum graveolens) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)…it has rained for days…it is good as the ground can use it…I like the idea of the crape myrtle hedge to block the sun from the house…I will keep you posted as to how it works…

Since we have had so much rain, pool time has been limited…when I do get to go…the water has been freezing…this left me time to go through mail (snail and e) and autumn clean…I fixed hubby’s computer, made some great meals, washed the dogs and have been enjoying my time with friends

The stuffed shells were awesome…Walt felt special when I made him stuffed peppers…with so many fresh veggies around, I have started cooking ahead…pack it and stick it in the freezer…when I need instant food, pop it out of the freezer and into the oven…This way I cook 5 meals at 1 time…saves money and time…also because you cooked it, you know what is in it…I got into this habit when the kids were small and it has stuck with me…many meals lend themselves to this (meatloaf, casseroles, lasagna, stuffed shells, etc)…the herbs and spices really get the chance to penetrate…so if you are new go easy…

The Circle of Boudica is getting put together…I am happily awaiting my time…I feel really good about life…it is a unique experience and I am glad I get to be here at the start



Dill is a marvelous herb to the stomach and is really cool how its’ phytonutrients promote good skin…it is a strong herb…I love how the flowers pop like fireworks…very easy to grow in a semi sunny window



Dill Dip

3/4 c coarsely chopped fresh parsley

1/3 c chopped fresh dill weed (or 1tbsp dried)

1 c low-fat cottage cheese

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 c light sour cream or low-fat plain yogurt

1/4 c chopped green onion

1 tsp salt

freshly ground pepper

1Tbsp Honey (optional)


Well…it is time for me to go to bed…when you have time come visit again

Blessed Be,

D

Feeling Quite Purple

Thank you for making time to sit with me…it has been a great week…here have a glass with ice, I have gotten hooked on Simply juices…I have lime or raspberry lemonade…which would you like?


Let’s start with all the updates…

As I have been feeling quite in tune lately, my massage clients have really felt special…I have worked in detail on their bodies…we have been speaking on nutrition and moving in a positive direction…we have been looking for more natural ways of dealing with minor complaints…I have now used Homeopathy on 3 different situations (2 human and one dog) and found it to be effective part of treatment…my hands have been gliding in the muscle…I feel like the muscles just want me to be there...I have been getting into some old Peter Gabriel…as you can see, I really love my job…

School is amazing…I just finished ‘The Herbal Medicine Chest’…I have another A…I hope this old girl can keep it going…this is really a great way to go to school…the class is challenging and the other students keep you thinking…our teacher was waiting on his wife to have a baby the last 2 weeks…I think the whole class was pulling for her…lol…my next one up is a computer class…I wonder what new goodies I will get there…for the next week, I am on summer break…

American Boudica Publishing is a busy place…since I have next week off we will be working hard…Chris will be getting a video reading of chapter 1 From ‘American Boudica, Family Friends and Funerals’ posted…I will be posting one called ‘Massage FAQ’…we should have ‘American Boudica, Love is like an Onion’ on the shelf by 9/15/10…The website should be ready by 10/1/10…it is a lot of work…I am so glad for all the helping hands…Chris and I have gotten the Skype down to a science…often makes me feel like I am on that cartoon ‘ The Jetson’s ‘ with my video phone…some things are just amazing…I can remember when that was a futuristic thing, Damb am I old…yea, but I am still cute

I will be banging down some more doors to try to get more government contracts…I have been on hold with this as I had so much else going on…so much for a summer break…people going back to work is more important than me sitting on my ass…so I will not complain;)

I have started seeing the change of season…fall is on the way, but the heat is not abating…the flowers and bugs have changed…this has been the colorful grasshopper year…we have had green, red and yellow ones hopping and flying everywhere…their nightly song does not come through an MP3 player and is very comforting…I will be kind of sad to see them go…I am getting ready to cut down the lilies…the crape myrtles’ have taken well to their new home…I have 3 more to plant…I also have 2 extra if you want them

The kids are well…mom has been home for a few now and is getting back into the swing of things…dad has the yard looking right again…he had to rip up his tomato from the turvey thing because a caterpillar ate it…the heat of the summer, after such a cold winter…made some things beautiful and made other look half dead…I think it amazed us both how much came back…isn’t nature cool

We have let everything around the pond grow tall to protect the fish…the water stays clear and cool when the sun does not shine directly on it…I like to stand on the deck and watch when they eat…They have been liking all the bugs jumping in the water…you can here the snap across the water…their orange and white colors have been shining this summer…must be all the grasshoppers…

The cat has been wanting to be brushed a lot…he is starting to shed again…the dogs have been liking their weekly bath…chew bitems is so small when he shakes off, the tub does not even get wet…when Shinara shakes off, she soaks the whole bathroom…Draco just sits there and gives me the evil eye…he loves to get in the tub and hates to get out…the gliders have been quiet since the others have been gone…the last few nights they have been letting me play with them again…I guess I am forgiven…all in all not bad at the moment

I have been enjoying the new TV…I do not get to watch very much…as a matter of fact, I DVR everything…so when I do get to sit for a few, I can fast forward through commercials, I can watch 3 half hour or 2 one hour shows in and hour…it is quite cool to stream the Netflix…I have had great luck with it…the Wii looks quite cool on the screen too…it has been a lot of fun

The pool has been a challenge…a friend of mine mentioned a pool service…I was a little green with envy until I went out the next morning…cleaning the pool may not be everyone’s thing, but you can learn about the area you live in by what happens with the water…it’s clarity can speak to you of what is in the air…the bugs you remove let you know when to plant or cut…the back yard has been much greener than the front due to the humidity the pool gives off…I am addicted to my pool…lol…I still try for twice a day and for at least 20 minutes…it has really helped me keep going in this heat

I have been gathering wood for the induction ceremony…I am very nervous and excited

There was a haze across the moon tonight…this is never a good thing…I will pray t passes quickly…Walt called me about a broke fuel line and overtime has been called off…I will keep faith and make the best from it…

Are you in need of sleep…if so you can go to most local grocery store vitamin isles and find Valerian…as always ask you doctor, but it has been working for 100s of years…no need for heavy prescriptions doing damage to the body…it is also a pretty plant

Life is good…I accepted the fact many years ago sleep is not a requirement, life is…I have really felt great about where life is right now…its not perfect, but good none the less

It is my hope that this finds you with a smile…some good thoughts of your own…may you find at least 3 blessings in you life today (small ones count)…

Blessed be,

D, Cooper-Rooney, LMT

Thoughts from my estranged mind...

When you sit and think about your life...where does your mid go?

Mine finds itself wandering to a special forest...

If you had a beautiful kitchen and dining room and could invite anyone to dinner...who would you invite (the person has to presently be alive)?

I would start my list with:
Dr. Zahi Hawass, Simcha Jacobvici, Anthony Bourdain, Chris Bilton, Warren Buffet, Martha Stewart, Alex Sink, Ginny Brown-Waite...to name a few

I can picture an amazing 4 coarse meal...the conversation would sparkle with diversity

Yes, my mind is wandering through time again...okay, come back to this world...

I love the botany and herbology class I am currently in. I feel as though with all my Pagan training, I can excel here. I have enjoyed a lot of interaction with the other students. I have been encouraged to start speaking about such things. Here is one place where my priestess and healthcare training intersect. Many common herbs are around (and in my opinion should be used before pharmaceuticals)...I always think you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes in diet or supplements...I will however start posting some of the things I have tried and what I find it to work for...the gardener in me will give you those added notes also-

MINT- this is an easy plant to grow...those of you with a black thumb should do well with this as it is hard to kill...should ONLY be grown in a pot as it is highly invasive (across most of the country)...can be outside in summer/ sunny window in winter...as you pick leafs off for use (it will grow more and keep the plant healthy) keep in mind never to pick more than 1/3 the leafs from the plant in a week or it will die...this is a wonderful digestive aide and I have found it to work quite well for a sour or upset stomach or constipation...

For a really sour stomach...chew on 3-4 leafs

For Constipation...crush 2 leafs in coffee cup...pour hot water over leafs (add tea bag if you wish)...let stand 3-5 minutes...strain...

I have also made tictures for friends who do not have time to grow their own...for that- take a clean ball jar...you will need a wood dowel that fits inside and down to the bottom of the jar...put a few leafs at the bottom and crush them with the dowel...continue to add leafs and crush until the jar is 4/5 full...slowly add brandy until 3/4" from the top...put in a cool dark place and shake every few days for 3 weeks...strain and it is ready for use...will keep in a cool (not the fridge), dark place and should stay good for about 3 months...you could use 1T every 4 hours for adults or 1t every 4 hours for children...this can be added to 2 ounces of warm water...usually works fairly quickly

I have bought new components for the computer and I am not sure how to make them all work...I got this new thing called a speaker lens, but if i plug it in all sound goes away...seems like I can only plug in the speaker or the lens...I am sure I will figure it out...I am just stumped at the moment. I need to hook my web cam up and will not be able to do it until tomorrow. I love my new HP. The set up was easy and I love their customer support. I watched the walmart.com prices and got a great deal...I got the new puter and the Wii and had it delivered to the house for less than the computer would have cost at the store.

I rented 'Hasbro Family Games Night 2' for Wii from Bockbuster...I thought to rent it before I buy...the game sucked...can we say Blockbuster prices have gone through the roof...it would be cheaper to buy the games...Walt and I love the 'Hasbro Family Games Night 1'...I love being able to stream movies with Netflix and the Wii...for those who love the water 'Endless Ocean' is pretty cool...I am dying to try Monoply

The garden has been loving the overcast conditions and rain...it is overgrowing everywhere...it is too cool...I love this time of year...a rogue catipillar ate dad's topsy tomato thing...I hope it recovers...I can hardly believe all the damage 1 of those things can do. My ginger made a strong comback after this frozen winter as did the lilies.

My truck broke down last week...I bought a new altenator...went to the dump...when I get to the dump it stalls out and will not start...word today says its the fuel filter...I can not complain...she has over 230thousand miles on her...she has been a great vechicle to own...I think she has a few left in her;)

Time has come again for me to say I hope you all are blessed