Hairy Martha

2011-02-09T09:51:00.000-06:00

It appears as if Hairy Martha has become bored with blogging.

2009-12-21T08:22:00.001-06:00

"What you think upon grows. Whatever you allow to occupy your mind
you magnify in your life. Whether the subject of your thought be good
or bad, the law works and the condition grows. Any subject that you
keep out of your mind tends to diminish in your life, because what
you do not use atrophies. The more you think of grievances, the more
such trials you will continue to receive; the more you think of the
good fortune you have had, the more good fortune will come to you."
--Emmet Fox from Make Your Life Worthwhile, 1942

Masquerade Benefit Ball

2009-10-14T07:23:00.000-05:00

To-Go Ware Stainless Steel Lunch Box: Otherï¿½Homeï¿½&ï¿½Garden: WorldofGood.com by eBay

2009-10-08T06:34:00.001-05:00

To-Go Ware Stainless Steel Lunch Box: Otherï¿½Homeï¿½&ï¿½Garden: WorldofGood.com by eBay

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Get the most out of your Food Stamps with GhettoGirl

2009-09-16T12:07:00.007-05:00

Hosting a cocktail party on a shoestring budget is easy! With a little help from Peaches, learn how to turn the nastiest rot-gut shit into an attractive and delicious cocktail, using a minimal of ingredients!

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Homemade horns or creative uses for okra

2009-09-16T11:54:00.005-05:00

Lend a southern flair to your Halloween festivities with Homemade Devil Horns made from Okra!!!!
Just cover the dried okra pods with wood glue to give them durability...

Let them dry for a few hours...

...and simply stick them to your forehead using a drop of Crazy Glue!!!

2009-07-07T08:12:00.000-05:00

Those who have abandoned their dreams, discourage yours!

Hot Springs Mobile Tomato Garden

2009-06-05T07:23:00.003-05:00

No garden space around the apartment!

2008-12-10T16:03:00.000-06:00

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.

Starry Heavens

2008-09-08T07:50:00.001-05:00

There is a beautiful saying by Kant. He says, “There are two things that have made a specially deep impression on me, the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.”

2008-08-19T14:47:00.001-05:00

2008-08-19T14:34:00.001-05:00

2008-08-19T14:28:00.002-05:00

Navajo Loom

2008-08-19T07:56:00.003-05:00

I am going to build a Navajo loom with some drift wood. My Schact jack loom is SO loud, it sounds like someone is throwing a cement block on the hardwood floor, again and again. The navajo loom will be quieter, and being an upright loom, I can push it up against the wall when it isn't in use! Now, if I could only find some Navajo women to help me clean all that llama fleece!!!

MaxTacos at Garcia's Garage

2008-08-19T07:05:00.004-05:00

Tacos at MaxTacos, at the corner of Grand and Central, Hot Springs, 71901, are some of the most authentic in town!

2008-08-19T07:05:00.000-05:00

2008-08-09T10:02:00.000-05:00

2008-08-05T18:42:00.000-05:00

2008-08-05T18:37:00.001-05:00

Biodynamic Tomato Pie

2008-08-04T16:41:00.003-05:00

Skylight

2008-04-15T17:58:00.003-05:00

Adding a skylight can be easy...

Greenhouse

2008-04-13T17:52:00.007-05:00

Before and after

Dinning Loom Table

2008-04-11T20:56:00.002-05:00

Spring Cleaning!

2008-04-01T06:41:00.004-06:00

Alan and I have been remodeling the living room...here is a sneak preview.

Faux marble, sponge painted with several goof paints.

A solution

2008-02-07T18:22:00.001-06:00

The solution is personal and local. Pay off your credit cards, convert consensus currency, including stocks and other ephemeral assets into real assets, become energy independent, farm, culture energy, demystify and teach. Have children, nurture everyone's child. Be naive sagely, don't believe, know. Openly face human power and point out evil, document it's effect with irrefutable evidence, point out good and do the same, in short, witness. Offer redemption, accept redemption. Celebrate life.
Rob McDowell

2008-02-04T08:53:00.000-06:00

"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue
of their currency, first by inflation then by deflation, the banks
and the corporations will grow up around them, will deprive the
people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the
continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken
from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly
belongs."
-- Thomas Jefferson

2008-01-23T16:20:00.002-06:00

"There is nothing good nor evil, only thinking makes it so." Mary Baker Eddy (or was it Shakespeare?)

"Perception is reality." Jan Westers

"There are three kinds of people: people who talk about people, people who talk about events, and people who talk about ideas." Printed on a truckstop placemat.

A starting point

2008-01-23T16:20:00.001-06:00

Halloween 2007

2007-10-28T16:50:00.000-06:00

Here are a few photos from Hot Spring's premier event of the season, Eli and Tabb's Halloween Ball:

Cob House

2007-10-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

The cob house has suffered from lack of attention. As much as I'd like to work on it, there are so many other projects that have priority.

Ginger

2007-10-22T08:52:00.001-05:00

Our friends, Jeff & Cin gave us this delightful ginger plant. We planted it in a washtub, gave it plenty of water and partial shade...look at the beautiful blooms! I've read that planting ginger in the soil helps fix nitrogen by promoting beneficial bacteria, nematodes, and fungi in the soil. Next year, I plan to plant it directly in the garden.

Cow Killer

2007-10-22T08:41:00.000-05:00

This thing looks like an ant--even crawls on the ground--but it's really a wingless wasp with a powerful sting, called a a Cow Killer.

Stars

2007-09-12T20:02:00.000-05:00

"There was a time when the stars spoke to man..."
Rudof Steiner

"...When the stars speak, man must stand still in silent awe."
Lilly Kolisko

Alan and I have been taking a closer look at astrology. There are two major kinds of western astrology, tropical and sidereal. Tropical astrology is a mathematical construct based on the celestial observations of the ancients. Sidereal astrology is geocentric view of where the stars appear today. It may seem like splitting hairs, but the Procession of the Equinoxes--over the span of centuries, will ultimately put Capricorn right in the middle of summer.... Here is my sidereal chart.

Broom Corn

2007-09-05T10:30:00.000-05:00

Broom corn seems easy enough to grow. It withstood the six-week drought, and didn't have much problem with pests. I've read that the seed is edible, if it is grown in soils that don't contain large amounts of arsenic, as broom corn is an "accumulator" plant. So, if you are growing broom corn near a fence made of pressure treated wood, as the wood ages it will leach its arsenic into the soil, which subsequent crops of broom corn will then accumulate. Some soils naturally contain arsenic... I don't know if mine does, so I'm a little afraid to eat to much of my broom corn.

Back Porch

2007-09-05T09:50:00.000-05:00

That old shed had been sitting in the front yard, blocking the view of the pond for what, four years? I decided to take it down. Since lumber is so expensive, I carefully removed each piece of wood, and saved most of the nails. Although I had no projects planned, I knew the wood would come in handy for something. The day after completion of the disassembly of the shed, as if by whim--I decided to build the back porch. Never has a project gone so easily! I had exactly enough decking, and just enough 2"x6"s, with nothing left over! Now I have to put more tar on the recycled chicken house tin roof, to keep it from leaking.

Hairy Martha's Sloppy Stone-work

2007-09-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

I've had a lot of projects this summer, the latest being re-building the green house's south wall. The rain running from the salvaged glass roof flowed down and over the wall, causing the (previously used) wood to rot. I'm replacing it with a slip-form constructed rock rubble wall. I've read about slip-forming ever since I first heard of Helen and Scott Nearing, but have never tried it. One quality of rock walls is that, if it is made out of local rock and stone, it will match the landscape. The rock wall will hopefully heat up during the day, and help warm the greenhouse in the night. We shall see. Perhaps the back porch will recieve walls of a combination of slip form and cob.

Alan has a new pet

2007-07-28T18:40:00.001-05:00

He hopped the twig!

Alan found this little bird on the ground near the grape arbor. The kitty was ignoring it, but it was flapping its wings and desperately chirping as if to say, "feed me!" He picked it up and put it back in the elm tree. Its parents must be dead, because they are nowhere around. I guess the little thing is going to have to live on the entertainment center until it's big enough to fend for itself.

The New Roof

2007-06-13T13:38:00.000-05:00

Alan and I finally got our roof up! What a challenge.

Podding Radish

2007-06-02T19:17:00.000-05:00

Not at all radishes are spicey hot roots. Some are seed pods that look sort of like greenbeans.

This variety, the Rattail Radish, was popular during the American Civil War.

Tiger Swallowtail

2007-03-23T17:38:00.000-06:00

Early flowering trees are such an important aspect of nature! Pear, hackberry, and quince provide much needed nourishment to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. I was fortunate to have captured this photo. Papilio glaucus is common in southern Arkansas.

Spring has come

2007-03-21T20:21:00.000-06:00

At long last, spring has arrived! I took advantage of the weather and prepared beds, planted turnips and radishes, dug holes and planted several flowering trees! At the close of the day I was graced by a maginficent dusk glow, with crescent moon flying high--points upward. I take that to mean no rain anytime soon (regardless of what the weatherman has said).

Spring Blooms!

2007-03-19T06:39:00.000-06:00

Here are a few things blooming in my neck of the woods!

Building without a permit

2007-03-07T08:03:00.000-06:00

This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania. The response is hilarious, but make sure you read the State's letter, first before you get to it.

The Dam SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County
Dear Mr. DeVries:
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:?? Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.! The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2006. Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on! the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions. Sincerely, David L. Price District Representative and Water Management Division.

Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries:

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. Price, Your certified letter dated 12/17/05 has been handed to me to respond to. I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane, Trout Run, Pennsylvania. A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond.?? While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris."?? I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose.?? I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic. As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity. My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers.
(2) Or do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?
If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.?? Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated. I have several concerns.?? My first concern is; aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation - so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer.?? The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect.??? In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling them dam names. If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers - but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English. In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream.?? They have more dam rights than I do to live near and enjoy Spring Pond.?? If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams). So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now.??? Why wait until 1/31/2006?????? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then. In conclusion, ?I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality, health, problem in the area.??? It is the bears!? ?Bears are actually defecating in our woods.?? I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! ? The bears are not careful where they dump! Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.
THANK YOU.
RYAN DEVRIES & THE DAM BEAVERS?

(copied and pasted from the BDNOW list)

St. Valentine's Day Outing

2007-02-25T05:54:00.000-06:00

The fog was frozen on the trees!

Geese

2007-02-23T19:38:00.000-06:00

Baby geese are the newest addition to the family.

The Global Shell and Pea Game

2007-02-20T09:54:00.000-06:00

Shocking in its passivity, the world is quietly watching to see whatthe United States will do about Iran. No one is willing to takeaffirmative action, draw the line, and say no; the US takes this astacit approval to go full steam ahead in moving to its next steptoward its conquest of the Middle East and its energy resources, inorder to control the world's economic supply. The war has never beenabout weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, or bringing democracy toa people who would greet the "liberators" with flowers. Prior to the"New Pearl Harbor" of Sept. 11, 2001, the US already had attack plansdrawn up and ready for a bombing campaign in Afghanistan. Theneoconservatives were merely the Bush cheerleading team, touting thewars freely across the media, in personal readiness of the increasedmilitary spending to come their way via massive defense contractcommissions, especially linked to the seemingly ever-threatened Israel.In 2001, the US was the Taleban's second largest donor; it gave $124.2million up until May. Ostensibly for agricultural aid and humanitarianassistance, such largesse was a seduction of the Taleban into allowingAmerican UNOCAL to build a pipeline from the energy rich Caspian Seathrough Afghanistan and out to the warm waters of the Gulf and IndianOcean. The Taleban rejected the offer. In August 2001, Christina Roccaof the US State Department warned the Taleban, "Accept our offer of acarpet of gold, or we bury you under a carpet of bombs." The Talebaninstead signed a deal to build with Bridas, an Argentinean company.The following month, on Sept. 11, the Pentagon and Twin Towers wereattacked and the US indeed bombed Afghanistan in October. HamidKarzai, former UNOCAL consultant and translator for the Taleban, wasinstalled as head of the country, the previous pipeline contract withArgentina was nullified, and the US was fully in charge.In 2000, Saddam Hussein had announced his own death sentence: He wasswitching the currency for oil in Iraq from petrodollars topetroeuros. Within a week of coming into office, Dick Cheney's secret"Energy Task Force" was examining Iraqi oil field and pipeline maps,and their priority No. 1, announced in May of 2001 stated, "MiddleEast oil producers will remain central to world security. The Gulfwill be a primary focus of US international energy policy." That'sdiplomatic speak for foreign national military policy and interest.Once having switched to euros, Saddam Hussein had cut the US out ofhis market, the second largest reserves in the world. Suddenly hisWMDs were "imminent" and America had to stop the potential mushroomcloud. In 2003, the US attacked the threatening and nowarmed-and-dangerous Saddam Hussein. They did find Saddam's chemicalweapons: A few baking soda boxes in one of his refrigerators.A year before the bombing of Iraq, the State Department demanded thatIraq "should be open to international oil companies", meaning the USA.The new Iraqi government voided all previous oil agreements with othernations and switched petroeuros back to petrodollars. This month thenew Iraqi hydrocarbon law goes into effect whereby the "internationalcompanies" such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Conoco-Phillips and RoyalDutch Shell, under Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), receive up to75 percent of Iraq's oil profits indefinitely until the companiesdecide they've been paid enough reimbursement for any initialrebuilding investments. After that, they will receive an unheard-of inthe Middle East 20 percent of profits, twice the industry standard.Mission accomplished.Six weeks ago, after a year of speculation, Iran changed its oilbourse from petrodollars to petroeuros. US rhetoric against theleadership of Iran was therefore ratcheted up in latter 2006. First,Ahmadinejad' s call to erase the Zionist political entity from thepages of time was translated in to "wipe Israel off the map", alarmingthe world to a specter of a new holocaust. Second, Iran's nuclearweaponry intentions were disclosed — a new imminent threat — but theAmerican taxpayers weren't buying that one so easily this time. Thus,the new story of Iranian supplies to insurgents in Iraq is told atbedtime (less than one percent of attacks on US troops in Iraq are byShiites).It's a new spin on the US Iran-Contra era: In 1980, the US sold armsfrom anywhere, friend or foe, to both Iraq and Iran just as long asthey would fight each other out. It did not matter whether they wereShiite or Sunni — they were all Muslims and who knew the difference?When it appeared that Iran was winning the Iran-Iraq war in 1987, theUS increased its funding to Saddam and supplied him with theintelligence he needed to attack Iran's navy.The US is selling the intended "non-war" on Iran as a religiousnecessity, Iraq versus Iran, Sunni versus Shiite. Don't believe it.Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice and William Gates have all visited theregion to alert Gulf governments to the threat from the Shiites inIran. They sold the threat of Saddam Hussein's attack on the Kingdomin 1990 by showing satellite images doctored to reveal amassing troopson the Saudi border.Leaders in the Middle East may want to believe that this is now allabout a growing Shiite crescent threat. A natural emotional reactiongiven historical animosity. The US wants the Sunni leaders to believethat it's about Islamic divisions, knowing fully it may appeal totheir sentiments. Moreover, America will supply whatever it can musterto convince Sunni leaders of precisely such a concern, evidencingwhatever it can to prove such a threat, as it did in 1990. And so itgoes again: Iran-Iraq all over. Let the Sunnis and Shiites fight itout whilst we carry on with securing that oil.US Air Force carriers are now in the Gulf. Extra Patriot missiles arein place, minesweepers sent out, and President Bush has ordered oilreserves to be stockpiled. War games took place in Alabama a year ago(STRATCOM Conplan 8022) theorizing a dirty-bomb attack, and aconsequential nuclear aerial response by the US against an un-namedAsian country. Reasons have been produced — Iranian arms killingSunnis in Iraq, which as any illegal arms dealer can attest shownothing but point of manufacture, not origin of. And, the Iranianshave dared to switch their oil trading currency to those pesky petroeuros.It's all about controlling the energy, religious or political threatssold as a shell and pea game of global proportions.Oh, and that Afghanistan pipeline that was supposed to have beenbuilt? One small problem: It hasn't been done. The only alternativefor the US is now to go through Iran's existing pipelines. Much faster.— Tanya Cariina Hsu is Saudi-US political analyst originally fromLondon. She lives in Riyadh.
by Tanya Cariina Hsu, tanyahsu@mindspring.com

Weaving with wire

2007-01-30T20:19:00.000-06:00

I've been having fun weaving with copper wire. At first, problems with tension made me think it would be an impossible project. I'm not sure what a metallic cloth would be good for, but it's fun experimenting. Perhaps a woven wire purse or a bracelet might be an exciting challenge.

After I get this little piece done, I've got a warp wound for a poncho, using a textured chunky weft on a loosely spaced warp. I'm thinking 6 -10 epi and a weft faced weave.

Since I began this project, the february 2007 issue of The Lapidary Journal printed an article about weaving and knitting wire. I think the stuff they had in the journal looked like crap, and I may abandon the project all together.

Scarfing a way

2006-12-07T09:30:00.000-06:00

I didn't think the colors blended well, but because of their illustrious character, they work well together!

THE HIGH WATCH: PART I: CHAPTER ONE

2006-12-06T07:47:00.000-06:00

THE HIGH WATCH: PART I: CHAPTER ONE

Chenille Scarf

2006-12-05T19:49:00.000-06:00

Good Stars! I found some chenille yarn at the thrift store!!! Not the best blend of colors, but I've wound a warp for a scarf with the plaid based on the Fibonacci code starting with 8, 13, and 21. We'll see how it turns out.

2006-12-04T16:36:00.000-06:00

When gays attack...

things get pretty!!!

Cold snap

2006-12-04T16:19:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure what the pods growing outside my window are called, but I love their wispy character! Reminds me of milkweed.

Woodbine

2006-11-22T19:26:00.000-06:00

Woodbine at Halloween

Prickly Pear Fruit

2006-11-22T07:54:00.000-06:00

There are lots of varieties of prickly pear. I assume they're all edible, but I'm really not sure. These purple things are the fruits of our local variety. Remove the thorns by rolling in sand, or singe them off with a mini-torch. Peel, scoop out the seeds (or swallow them)! Quite the tastey treat! Prickly pears are suppossed to be good food for diabetics. They help regulate blood glucose levels.

A good rick of wood

2006-11-22T07:38:00.000-06:00

Why does having a nice stack of firewood make me feel rich?

Logs to Burn

Logs to burn; logs to burn;
Logs to save the coal a turn.

Here's a word to make you wise
when you hear the woodman's cries;
Never heed his usual tale
That he's splendid logs for sale
But read these lines & really learn
The proper kind of logs to burn.

Oak logs will warm you well,
If they're old and dry.
Larch logs of pinewoods smell
But the sparks will fly.
Beech logs for Christmas time;
Yew logs heat well;
'Scotch' logs it is a crime
For anyone to sell.
Birch logs will burn too fast;
Chestnut scarce at all;
Hawthorn logs are good to last
If cut in the fall.
Holly logs will burn like wax,
You should burn them green;
Elm logs like smouldering flax,
No flame to be seen.
Pear logs and apple logs,
They will scent your room;
Cherry logs across the dogs
Smell like flowers in bloom,
But ash logs all smooth and grey
Burn them green or old,
Buy up all that come your way
They're worth their weight in gold.

Honor Goodhart, 1926

Biodynamic Horn Manure

2006-11-21T21:16:00.000-06:00

MMM! Look at this beautiful stirring!!!

Two links to biodynamic websites:
1. The Josephine Porter Institute
2. About Horn Manure and Horn Silica

A place for the down-and-out to gather...

2006-11-15T20:08:00.000-06:00

Our new wood burning stove

2006-11-15T19:11:00.000-06:00

After two years of waiting, we finally were able to cash in our our IDA account-government grant that I've been working toward. Most of the money will go toward a new corrugated steel roof, but this wood stove was a necessity! Using our old stove was like tending a fire burning in a sieve-full of holes. Opening its door only flooded the room wtih smoke, makeing for more dusting! The new puppy works so well! It's airtight, and virtually smokeless. I like to peer in at the fire through its glass door. It also has a built in fan that blows the heat around the room.

Mullien

2006-11-02T21:56:00.000-06:00

Everyone knows how difficult it is to grow tobacco--it's the tenderest of plants. He carefully prepared the soil, gently planted the seed, softly watered the sprouts, taking care to shade them from direct sunlight. After months of giving motherly care, it became blatanly obvious to the Emperess of Everything that his beloved tobacco plants were everyday common mullien.
Mullien can be taken as a tea to treat sore throats, coughs, bronchitis. I notice that it has similiar soothing properties to Slippery Elm bark.

Jerusalem Artichokes

2006-11-02T06:35:00.000-06:00

One of Hairy Martha's favorite wild foods is the Jerusalem artichoke! A relative of the sunflower, the Jerusalem artichoke bears edible tubers that taste similiar to water chestnuts! Hairy Martha and the Emperess of Everything enjoy eating them boiled with butter, as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, or raw with a bit of salt for a refreshingly nutritious snack. Jerusalem artichokes are easily grown in most types of soil. they don't seem to have many requirements except a little water in the driest times of summer.

"Unlike other starchy vegetables, the principal storage carbohydrate in sunchokes immediately after harvest is inilin, rather than starch. When consumed, the inulin is converted in the digestive tract to fructose rather than glucose which can be tolerated by diabetics." (Jonathan R. Schultheis, Extension Horticultural Specialist)

The Short Mountain Sanctuary

2006-09-21T20:06:00.000-05:00

Hairy Martha and the Emperess of Everything had a delightful, if short, visit to the Radical Faerie Sanctuary at Short Mountain. Although many of my friends were away for the summer, I had the pleasure of being asked to sit for a sketch by old friend, Jai Sheronda. Faeries and friends gather for a Sunday Night Pot Luck. Lucky for us, indeed! We were hungry after the long journey through Tennessee! Here are a few pictures of this beautiful place! Notice the fog in the hills above the barn. How Avalon-esque! Keep an eye out for faerie Sandor Ellix Katz's two books, Wild Fermentation, & The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved. He and I share an interest in pickling. Sandorkraut is more motivated than me in the writing department. He's currently touring Italy promoting The Revolution.

We bathe the World at the Majestic Bath House

2006-09-05T20:35:00.000-05:00

Stone Pillars

2006-08-29T20:32:00.000-05:00

standing stones rise up
bridge the gap from earth to sky
altar to the gods

Composting Toilet

2006-08-29T19:40:00.000-05:00

I've been reading about biodynamic agriculture a lot lately. One of the things Rudolf Steiner advised is that 'soil inputs' are best provided by the farm itself. He means, for example, that if cows graze fields of a certain farm, and eat grain from that farm, then their manure would be most beneficial, providing a situation-specific balanced blend of poop, for that particular farm. This would necessitate the keeping of livestock to create a self-sufficient closed-loop farm. Since my only livestock are three free-ranged chickens, I've come to realise that I am the animal on my farm, and therefore, I should compost my own manure. Many people would consider this gross, but I am not "many people." Besides, Jenkins, who wrote "The Humanure Handbook," assures us that, not only is humanure safe, but it is wholesome. In this way, I will complete the biodynamic circle of my particular farm.

By the way, in keeping with the principles of permaculture, all of the materials used for the composting toilet--including the toilet seat--have been recycled, except for the nails.

The Spirit of Detroit

2006-08-28T09:18:00.000-05:00

Feeling it!

Hamtramck Disneyland

2006-08-09T12:08:00.000-05:00

Hairy Martha and Alan had the pleasure of visiting Hamtramck's Homemade Disneyland. It's located in the Sobieski alley, two blocks north of the Ukranian Catholic church.

Pumpkin Blossoms and Bees

2006-07-20T19:53:00.000-05:00

I like to eat pumpkin-blossom fritters, made by dipping the flowers in a pancake batter, but this time of year, there are so few flowers for the bees to pollinate, I've decided to leave them for the poor critters to buzz around.

Bees in a flower

Hairy Martha's Garden

2006-07-20T08:09:00.000-05:00

Hairy Martha's House

Here are some pictures of Hairy Martha's garden. Gardening does something for the spirit. It's a pleasure to dig the ground, plant a seed, and watch it grow. It's rewarding to eat a cucumber, or piece of lettuce and think, "I grew this." I've been diligently building up the soil with compost, and using natural pesticides whenever possible. The plants seem to be responing well. I'm considering going "biodynamic."

Marsh Iris growing in a cauldron

A pumpkin hides from the sun

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick Hazelnut

Jerusalem Artichokes grow in the pumpkin patch

Cucumber vines

Winter Banana, a hardshell squash

Muscadines

Making of "THE MUMMY"

2006-07-19T21:08:00.000-05:00

At the spa, the girls and I made Renea into a mummy.

A Spa Moment

2006-07-12T14:01:00.000-05:00

Brenda, the senior cosmetologist at Spa at the Majestic, demonstrates the proper way to perform a pedicure.

She makes sure the new girls stay in line!

Get out of here, Hairy Martha! You've caused enough trouble already!!!

Peek-a-boo!

2006-07-09T22:13:00.000-05:00

They say that it's possible to see fairies by looking through a holey stone. I say, "you can see a faerie looking through this holey stone."

What is a Friend?

2006-07-06T16:51:00.000-05:00

What is a Friend

Multiple people that are close together
A consular in a most desprate hour
A guide to a better future
A roll model for the greater good
A tissue when you get in fights with important people
A vualt of valued thoughts
A trustee that you can believe
A pair of hands that will walk you through hardships
A set of ears that will listen
But what is a true friend?

A friend for life

Borrowed from: http://www.geocities.com/beme1248/web3/written-arts/poems/

Dr.* Tova

2006-07-02T18:08:00.000-05:00

Dr.* Tova is a massage therapist/health consultant who graduated from one of Arkansas' premier Massage Institutes. A proponent of her trademarked "Comptotament" technique, Dr.* Tova draws on years of experience as Hot Springs' leading bodyworker. Tune in to Hairy Martha for upcoming, "Chainsmoking with Dr.* Tova." During the interview she will discus a variety of issues such as, "Responsible Smoking for Children and Adults;" "Afraid of the The DaVinci Code: Is your faith really THAT Unsubstantiated?"; "Spa Therapies: Fact or Fiction? The Staight Dirt on Mud"; and of course, "Comptotament, or Work frustration out on a client and make them enjoy it!"

*not a real doctor

Mi amigo Mexicano favorito, Cesar Delgado Sanchez

2006-06-22T20:20:00.000-05:00

My friend Cesar, who lives in Córdoba, Vera Cruz, was kind enough to invite Alan and me to his city for a tour, and to his family home for la comida. His mother, Señora Sanchez de Delgado, made a scrumtious meal of caldo de res (boiled steer), tortillas, y tapas de cerdo en vinagre (pickled pig ankles) . It wasn't exactly to Alan's liking, but Hairy Martha ate heartily! Afterward, Cesar took us up in the mountains to Barranca de Mariposa, and to Ojo de Agua. We also checked out the Centro de Historia, frente El Ex-Hotel Palacio. The people of Córdoba son mas agradable y amigamente. It does't get the crowds, like Orizaba. Nearby Fortín de las Flores is one of México's flower cities (like Juchitán de Zaragosa, my favorite city), and México's highest volcano, the towering Citlaltepetl, can be seen from the city.

Tortillas with pumpkin flowers and cheese -tacos de flores y queso

2006-06-21T20:20:00.000-05:00

While visiting beautiful Fortín de las Flores, near the thriving metropolis of Córdoba, Vera Cruz, Alan and I took one of those twenty cent bus rides around town. I though the bus would go in a big circle, ending where we began. But no, we rode to the "end of the line." Luckily, there was a taco stand just waiting for us. This particular taco stand served tortillas with melted cheese, pumpkin blossoms, and epazote. My were they good. Hairy Martha would like to extend a warm 'thank you' to the cocinera who introduced me to the wonderful flavor of pumpkin flowers, "flores de calabaza!" ¡Qué rico y sabroso! Since returning to my own gardín, I've been making pumpkin flower frybread, and drying my extra male pumpkin blossoms for winter use. Alan says, "They taste like honey."

Hairy Martha and Zelda return from Mexico

2006-06-11T17:15:00.000-05:00

How Zelda loves her chickens! During our recent soiree to Oaxaca, we had two encounters with chickens. First, Zelda came across these lovely pink chicks at the Hotel de las Cocales. A few days later, in a gas station in Huatulco Santa Maria, we we're entertained by several chickens on their roost, in the gas station, watching telenovelas!!! Strange times, indeed...

Hairy Martha enjoyed a bowl of Caldo de Pescado, in scenic downtown Tuxtepec. Fish Heads are quite tastey, and shouldn't be wasted on the cat. Boil them with chili peppers, a tomato and onion, and ¡voila! fish head soup!

Zelda's Crabmeat Blintzes with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

2006-04-07T22:22:00.000-05:00

vadore

Unfortunately, other obligations will keep Zelda and I from attending Little Rock's Jewish Food Festival this year. We we're looking forward to dancing, and eating. Zelda was thoughtful enough to make blintzes for my going away meal. Zelda's non-kosher crabmeat blintzes are delicious and easy to make. Here's the recipe:
Asparagus Crab Blintzes with Roasted Pepper Cream Sauce
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup liquid, water and/or millk
salt

Combine all the ingredients, beat well, and make the crepes.

For the filling:
one tub ricotta
1 block cream cheese
1 egg
green onions
mushrooms
one bag or can of grilled crab meat
asparagus
salt and pepper

Blend the cream cheese, ricotta and egg. Add in the rest of the ingredients
Basically roll the filling on the blintzes like burritos, and fry them in butter. MMMM! decadent!

For the sauce:
heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper
crushed red pepper
roasted fresh red pepper

Puree the pepper, add to the whipping cream, add other ingredients and cook over medium high heat until it's reduced.

I can't begin to describe how delicious Zelda's blitntes are! Martha Stewart would love them!

South Beach Diet phase 2 and 3 approved

Easy Pineapple Upsidedown Cake

2006-03-24T12:42:00.000-06:00

Everybody loves...
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Cream together:
1/2 c. butter and 1 c. sugar.
Drain:
1 large can pineapple

Sift together:
2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
Re-sift.

Beat:
2 yolks and 2 whites separately.
Add a pinch of salt to the yolks, add them to the creamed butter & sugar. Add the flour alternately with 1/2 cup of milk. Fold in the egg whites and a teaspoon of vanilla.
Meanwhile,
Melt three tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in a heavy iron skillet. Arrange the pineapple in it. Pour the cake batter over the pineapple, and bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.
This recipe won the 1925 "Hawaiian Pineapple Company Recipe Contest." The Hawaiian Pineapple Company was later bought by Dole. Our Mexican friends loved it!

Lose weight with the South Beach Diet

2006-03-12T11:39:00.000-06:00

Here's proof that strict adherence to The South Beach Diet works!

Blind bee or beefly?

2006-03-12T00:09:00.000-06:00

Is this a blind bee? Is it trying to pollinate the outside of the quince blossom? Or is it a bee-fly?

Hairy Martha is Awash in Flowers!

2006-03-11T16:21:00.000-06:00

2006-02-14T11:45:00.000-06:00

A Hairy Martha Puplic Service Announcement:

Recycled Chickenhouse-tin Backsplash

2006-01-25T19:49:00.000-06:00

Dear Hairy Martha,
My bathroom looks so good now, thanks to you! Do you think we can do something to liven up my kitchen? I'd really like something to showcase my rooster collection.
Thanks again,
Zelda

Dear Zelda,
Here's what I've got in mind for you. Using some recycled tin and rusty iron, convert your kitchen to a chicken coop! Here are some picture of the finished project!

Use peanutbutter to fill any cracks that develope in the wood (Thanks for the tip, R.V!)

Florida Sea Shell Backsplash

2006-01-25T19:35:00.000-06:00

Dear Hairy Martha,
What should I do with my Florida shells? They're too pretty to throw away!
Thanks,
Zelda

Dear Zelda
How about creating a beautiful Florida Sea Shell backsplash in your bathroom? Just use a water-proof putty, such as MAPEI Premixed Adhesive and Grout,from the plumbing section of your local hardware store and glue your shells to the wall!

Spin Grass Roots

2006-01-25T19:33:00.000-06:00

After roots have been washed, they can be spun into a twine for weaving.

Chair Caning

2006-01-15T09:05:00.000-06:00

About five years ago, an elderly man in Norman, AR. taught me how to cane chairs. He taught me the plain weave. A few days later, I went to his shop and showed him how to do the twill weave. I've restored about eight chair seats. One was a rocking chair from one of the bathhouses in Hot Springs. The chair was quite old, and had no fewer than 18 coats of paint!
Weaving chair seats isn't difficult, but it does require dexterity and forearm strength!

If you have a seat you'd like caned, let me know! Follow my profile link in the upper right hand corner of this page to my email!

2006-01-14T21:08:00.000-06:00

Compost Compulsion

2006-01-10T18:12:00.000-06:00

MMM smells like compost! I have been having problems with ants invading the pile...I don't know how to dispose of them organically. Perhaps they're beneficial. Unsure about a game plan. I know the ants need to be out of it before planting time!

Smoked Chicken

2006-01-09T19:15:00.000-06:00

Hanging in the fireplace