The Time Traveller's Wife

In March, while in Columbus, Georgina visiting Phyllis and Gil Stephenson, Phyllis gave me a book.

I have always been fascinated by the time travel concept and have seen other movies about the subject so I was anxious to read this book.

The Time Traveler's Wife is the debut novel of American author Audrey Niffenegger, published in 2003.

It is a love story about Henry DeTamble, a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and about his wife, Clare Abshire, an artist, who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences. Clare and Henry's passionate affair endures across a sea of time and captures them in an impossible romantic trap that tests the strength of fate and basks in the bonds of love.

A movie of the story, with stars Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana was released in 2009. Now I will need to see this movie. 

The Mystery of 2012

I just finished reading the 2007 book "The Mystery of 2012".

It was a book on what the leading authorities on the 2012 phenomenon presented their insights about about this year.

The essays were written on the Mayan Calendar and the mystery from every angle on spirituality, economy, ecology, and science.

Predictions and revelations from several prominent thinkers may make you read it again and again.

Pick up the book and read it for yourself. It will make you think and ask questions.

New Foods.

Tasting different food is very good for you. I am amazed at the new things I've tried.

While vacationing in Southeastern US I saw outlets named “Boudin an' Cracklins”. I wondered what what kind of businesses they were. While touring the Tabasco Factory in Louisiana on Avery Island I got my first taste of “Boudin”, a rice and pork mixture with Tabasco sauce wrapped in an intestine casing. All along the South Louisiana there were restaurants and stores named “Boudin an' Cracklins” The “Cracklins” are fried pork skins. Another favourites is beans and rice. They are obviously one of the main courses here.

An other surprise was while shopping in a Texas grocery store I noticed there were cactus pieces along with the fresh vegetables. Now, this I never saw before. I bought a piece and added it along with collards stir fry dish I made for supper.  I since learned how good and how popular cactus is.  It has been eaten for centuries in many countries and are found in Mexican specialty markets. Cactus contain beta carotene, iron, a good source of Vitamin C, calcium and some B vitamins.

Here is a recipe:

Cactus Over Fish

1/2 cup of cooking oil

1 clove of garlic (chopped)

1 teaspoon of chili powder

1 cup of flour
1 pound of filleted fish

1 cup of diced and boiled cactus

1/2 cup of water (from the boiled cactus)
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced

2 teaspoons of lemon juice

salt to taste

Heat the oil in a frying pan, sauté the garlic until light brown, and then remove the garlic pieces with a slotted spatula or spoon. Combine the chili powder and flour in a bowl and roll the fish in the mixture. Fry the coated fillets until they're golden brown . . . add the water (be careful to prevent spattering—pour in just a bit at a time). . . reduce the heat . . . and cook the fish for a few minutes longer. When the fish flakes easily, remove it from the pan and serve it smothered in cactus and topped with sliced egg, lemon juice, and salt.

Collards I learned to eat at Full Circle Family Farm in North Carolina.

Until next time Discover it Live it 

Experiencing Louisiana

We spent three days in Lafayette, Louisiana in a KOA Kampground The short stay gave us a taste of the area and culture. 

We visited Acadian Village which gave us an account of the expulsion of the French families who arrived  from Nova Scotia, Canada  during the 1700s and settled along the Bayou in Louisiana in 1763-1785. In the Church there was a list that was presented from the Canadian Government naming all the names of the French who were sent here. Among the names was Bertrand. Could this be part of my history? 

In the evening we walked over to the Information Centre across the road from the KOA to a Cajun Jam Session We were there for 3 hours listening the a volunteer group of enthusiastic musicians, young and old. The instruments they played were  Cajun accordion  Cajun fiddle  triangle   guitars

The atmosphere was electrifying as each player put their heart and soul into the music. A couple of young men from England arrived later on to video tape the group. Each were filmed as they played. It will nice to be able to see the final production, only if we knew where to find it online. 

Reflections of the Dance in the Valley

I have been reflecting on what I've learned and how I've been touched by our 3 month stay with Leon, Geni and Kayla on Full Circle Family Farm and Meditation Center, Black Mountain, North Carolina. 

A deeper appreciation of nature and the land is just one of many feelings I have received from our time there.

The people who are living there are doing a dance with the earth, the seasons and the universe. As I watched I saw the timing of the daily tasks that needed to be done.

Everything has it's season. This winter cutting down of the trees in their non-growth stage was important. They will be used for lumber, growing mushrooms and firewood. The new cleared area will be used for the saw mill and the chickens will clean up the under growth and fertilize the soil.

The breeding of the one group of goats for the birth of new ones in six months. We missed the birth of 8 baby goats.

February is the time to planting seeds for the coming this years crop of vegetables. In the outdoors beds that had cover crops on them for the past few months onions and leeks have been transplanted.

A winter crop of lettuce and kale has been growing in the larger green house.

The feeding of the bees of sugar water.

The making bio-char to mixing it into the compost. Here is what bio char can do for the growth of corn!

The rhythm to the winter season is now going into spring.

I have been touched by the friendliness of the people of The Eco Village of Earthaven. Many have been drawn to this community, looking for a place to live and call home. They all are down-to-earth, quiet, simple living people young and old.

A February Day in the Life of Farmer Leon

Every minute of the day is accounted for on Full Circle Family Farm, Black Mountain NC.

Starting with early morning goat milking.  One day the breeding of a couple of the goats took place. This is done every six months so a baby goats arrive at intervals during the year.  The chickens are well fed with corn grown on the farm. 

Then off to clear a few trees off a piece of land. Once the trees are cut he trim off the branches and piles them up, ready for Bio-Char burning on a rainy day. Leon says that it is the best time to burn as the flames will not spread and are easy to be controlled. After an hour's or so work Leon is soaked to the bone and dirty from the soot. It is then put on the old Ranger truck and hauled to the compost area. Preparing the compost needs turning The cut logs are then stacked in different piles, for milling into lumber, for fire wood and for growing shiitake and reishi mushrooms.

The bees are fed sugar water. This keeps them until the weather warms up and they came find flowers.

By the time 6:00pm comes the goat need milking again and the chickens are closed up in their roosting house.

All through the day Leon can find time to talk to any one who walks by or needs advise by phone. No wonder he is ready for bed at 8:00pm!!!!

The “38 Club”

There are two interesting, well educated, women who are renting a house on Full Circle Family Farm . Carole (Carley) and Ohbeeb, were born the year I was, 1938. I'd say this would makes us “kindred spirits” and now we are members of the “38 Club”

Carley is a Massage Therapist and also study Perm-culture. She and her husband had worked for the Marriott Hotel. She travelled in Europe about the same time I did and still does allot of travelling.

Ohbeeb is involved with an organization call “Balanced View. Her sister lives in Calgary and has travelled in Canada.

I booked a Massage with Carole. On arrival to her home she invited me to have a warm tub bath. Now that was a great opportunity, as a shower is the only bathing method that is available to me. So to soak hot water, with Epsom salt, was welcoming.

Carley worked on me for 2 hours! I was not in any discomfort when I arrived, but the type of massage she does touched areas that had been forgotten and were very tense. The method she uses is called SOMA and Rolfing massage. It was a different type of massage from others I have experienced. She massaged my face, neck, feet, hands, and as well as the rest of my body. She comes highly recommended indeed as she has over 30 years experience.

She suggested a “must see” place on the rugged coast of California along Highway #1, 90 miles south of Carmel, CA, called Big Sur-Eastern Institute. The Spa there is situated on a cliff along the ocean and the massages area is enhanced by the sounds of the waves hitting the shore.

Here are comments that they wrote in our guest book when they stopped by our RV:

“Welcome to the ongoing world of endless journeys! Enjoy every moment,

Carley, 25 Full Circle Trail, Black Mountain NC”

“Dearest new friends and neighbours, here in NC, Calgary and the world! Yes, adventuring in the greatest pleasure, growing our gusto and sharing the gift of ourselves. What fun!! What great benefits , my passion” Love Ohbeeb 25 Full Circle Trail, Black Mountain NC