 Memorial Day 2012 was the most meaningful and memorable Memorial Day I've ever spent. We joined hundreds of volunteers to carry an enormous flag out onto the beach at Ocean City, Maryland. Those of us on the outside are visible but many more are underneath, ensuring that the flag would not touch the sand. The flag measured 45,000 square feet and weighed 850 pounds: the seamstress in me kept wondering where and how such an enormous flag could have been pieced. Betsy Ross would have been stunned! You can get a sense of the size of the stars from the picture on the bottom right. There was a reverence and strong sense of pride and gratitude as we carried the flag onto the beach. I thought of my grandfather who fought in World War I, and my dad who fought in the Korean War and World War II. There was a mix of civilians, and veterans from every branch of the service, some distinguishable by their t-shirts, and a few by their tattoos. Kudos to Ocean City, Maryland for hosting such a dramatic and heart felt tribute in memory of those who fought to ensure that we can live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless America!
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 Primula veris Gender: Feminine Element: Water Planet: Venus The cowslip, herb of Venus, always reminds me of my Dad. He taught me many valuable lessons over the years - this one was humility and a new respect for his wide range of knowledge.
In fifth grade we were formally introduced to poetry writing! I was thrilled, and shared one of my poems with my Dad. He praised the originality, but then noted my “iambic pentameter was off”. I was insulted, and not entirely convinced that he would recognize great poetry if he saw it! After an extensive search I found an obscure (I thought!) poem by the master, William Shakespeare. I copied it – omitting Bill’s name – and handed it to him. He adjusted his glasses, began to read out loud – "Where the bee sucks, there suck I” . . . A smile crept across his face and he handed the paper back to me, removed his glasses and without pause continued - “ in a cowslip’s bell I lie . . .” and finished reciting the entire sonnet by memory. Busted! Maybe in addition to being a calculus professor, he had learned a little about poetry. When I see cowslips, I'm reminded to be humble and not to underestimate the talents of others.  Chive blossom vinegar is a favorite and so easy to make! You’ll need:
 Podophyllum peltatum Nopodophyllum canadense morini genus meaning ‘duck’s foot leaf' Poison Gender: Masculine Element: Fire Planet: Mercury Folk Names: American mandrake, Duck’s Foot, Hog Apple, Raccoon Berry, Ground Lemon, Wild Lemon
 Cypripedium acaule
acaule - Latin meaning, stemless Gender: Feminine Element: Water[ Planet: Venus |
Welcome!! I’m Mikell (pronounced Michael). If you love spicing up your life with herbs, recipes, decorating and crafts, symbolism and rituals like I do, I hope you’ll sign up for my newsletter and free Enhancing Your Life with Herbs e-book!
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MikellMikell is a writer, artist and professional treasure hunter, finding the greatest treasures in the wonderful people who enter her life! |
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