Bower Boys Survival Tips: Stinging Nettles.

Another installment of Bower Boys Survival Tips. Jackson and Artie Bower are brothers in The Unmoving Sky and they're lost in the woods. This post is about what they might find for nourishment in the wild. Jackson knows of some things they could eat, being early April in the book it may be too soon for this super nutrient-dense plant.

Spring is here. Allergies and Nettles go hand-in-hand in my experience. 

This week I bought a hefty bunch of nettles (Urtica Dioica), squealing with delight when I spotted the last bundle on the farmer’s market table. 

It’s a short season for nettles. I felt lucky.

I use nettles tinctures quite often and have for years. It’s my go-to herb after years of study (reminder: I have a certificate in herb medicine from Peeka Trenkle).

I’m going to take you through the steps. It’s so simple!

1.    Buy organic, or pull from the earth where you’re sure there's no pesticide run off. You can use the herb fresh or dry.

2.    If using fresh leaves, chop into small pieces. 

3.    Stuff a clean mason jar with the leaves.

4.    Make sure to completely cover the leaves with 80/100 proof vodka, brandy, gin, or even apple cider. Do not allow uncovered leaves, or else mold. Add more alcohol if needed.

5.    Seal. Shake every day and let sit, anywhere from three weeks to six.

6.    When time is up, pour everything through cheesecloth and squeeze the excess.

7.    At this point, you can divide the liquid into smaller, preferably amber or blue bottles to protect from light damage. Store in a dark cool place.

8.    Don’t forget to label the jar with the date and what type of liquid was used for extracting.

My “Green Medicine” teacher (Peeka Trenkle) told us Nettles was practically a one-stop shop for people suffering from allergies, with its natural antihistamine.

This from Herb Wisdom: Nettle has been studied extensively and has shown promise in treating Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, gout, hives, kidney stones, laryngitis, multiple sclerosis, PMS, prostate enlargement, sciatica, and tendonitis. Externally it has been used to improve the appearance of the hair and is said to be a remedy against oily hair and dandruff.

                                               Caution

If using fresh nettles, make sure that the nettles leaves are young. Older nettles have the possibility of irritating the kidneys.  For this reason, many herbalists recommend tincture made from dried nettle tea leaves produced each spring and early summer.  Nettles should be organic and pesticide free.

                                                 Disclaimer

Always speak with your doctor first. This post is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice.

How Does Anger Serve Us?

Anger, sizzling frustration, burning coals of unmet desire. How do we tame it? In my novella, THE UNMOVING SKY, there’s anger, guilt, frustration, and regret. How does it serve us?  

Anger has its useful side. When something burns you up, ask yourself why? Are you angry with yourself, or another? Releasing control might help some situations, freeing your heart of this imprisoning temperament. But instead, get a microscope. Look closely at what is causing the initial frustration, before it leads you down a destructive path. 

I’ve had to deal with other people’s anger much of my life. But really, who hasn’t? I’ve been on the other side of the belt, bullying, or jealousy. Anger comes in many forms. Insecurity made be part of its seed. Often it’s a build up of several factors. Everyone has stress but how do you deal with yours? This is fundamental.

Our world has been led into some scary scenario’s being played out. This anger is very difficult to scratch: the collective anger. Many of us are frustrated with this election season, the state of the world, our dwindling resources, and those in power doing NOTHING to help our country or the rest of OUR suffering World. Though we protest, we have little control. So much anger everywhere. 

Once again, I bring us back to managing this anger and deep frustration.

A few ideas: 

Communication. This is top for me. I know much frustration, anger, and disappointment can be headed off by communicating, talking about the situation. Learning to understand others. Put yourself in their shoes. See the good first. 

I'm speaking from life experience, but for further discussion you can find help here:·   

From the experts at American Psychological Association, to help you understand your anger.

• Prevent Child Abuse America offers information to parents who need help controlling their anger.
• The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women offers intervention and support to victims of anger and domestic violence.
• The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers abundant information on anger resolution, creating a family safety plan, and identity protection for victims of anger and abuse.
•  A website listing of state hotline numbers for anger management services and domestic violence resources.

My Book News!

You guys!!! 

My Young Adult Thriller is making some moves!  And I'm so excited. 

***** Now Available for ‪#‎PreOrder‬ *****

The Unmoving Sky by K. L. Hallam - a chilling ‪#‎YA‬ ‪#‎Thriller‬ from Leap Books: SHINE.

There is nothing darker than the woods until you meet your worst fear.

Jackson Bower has a lot on his mind lately. His younger brother hasn’t been the same since his mother’s death. His father’s drinking is out of control. Then there’s Jackson’s girlfriend and the grief that ties them together even as it threatens to drive them apart.

He distances himself, hoping for a little perspective at the family lodge. But when their father gets drunk and dangerous, he and his brother escape into the woods.

Night creeps in, and the rains come fast. Artie slips down a ravine. He’s wounded and the brothers seek shelter in a cave, only to find someone else already taking refuge there.

A desperate man with plans to destroy their town.

Jackson must get him and his wounded brother out of the cave and over the mountain to warn everyone in time. Without getting them both killed first.

Pre-Order on Amazon!     At the fancy price of $1.99  

Review: I Woke Up Dead at the Mall

I Woke Up Dead at the Mall by Judy Sheehan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I needed a book to review and quick and remembered the title, I WOKE UP DEAD AT THE MALL, a title that startles you with a laugh. I opened up the sample chapters—and that first page took hold of me. Judy Sheehan’s voice is immediate and so funny!

Sixteen-year-old, Sarah, wakes up dead at the Mall of America. It’s in Minnesota! Still wearing the mango chiffon bridesmaid gown and murdered with no idea how or who would have killed her. It’s not as if she had a trail of enemy’s. She kept to herself and didn’t make too many waves. It’s been this way since her mother died years ago. Things haven’t been the same. Now it’s just her dad and his new girlfriend, Karen, a godsend, she’s helped Sarah and her dad reconnect.

But now, Sarah walks among the living, busy doing living people things. Mixed among the living are the walking dead. The walking dead move silently through the crowds unseen because they haven’t moved on. They’re still attached to the world. Sarah will be too if she can’t let go. Dissolve into ash, and never, ever return to Earth.

While at the mall, which is a sort of wait station, Sarah meets a couple other teens that were murdered and also last lived in New York City. We meet Bertha, the team organizer. Head honcho. She shows the teens the ropes. Each has quite a story of how they came to be there. There’s Sassy Lacey, Ancient Alice, Happy Harry (once cancer-stricken), and Nick, whose mind was “so different and intriguing”—and cute! They have some fun running around the mall (reminding me of Dawn of the Dead).

Before they move on, the teens must return to Earth and watch their funerals. This is supposed to help them let go of this world. Sarah uses her funeral to figure out who killed her. But Earth life still haunts Sarah. Her long-dead mother is visiting her dreams (the dead don’t dream) and neither knows why. She has unfinished business back on Earth. Will her new friends help?

Such a fun read. That last chapter made me gasp! I had chills and tears. I think teens (12-17) are going to gobble this up. The author has had theater training and you can feel this throughout the book. Very entertaining. Bravo!


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