Articles (Blog)
Posted on July 28, 2018 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
 
Aren’t these beautiful?  
 
They are Dr. Wyches heirloom tomatoes.  We grew them from seeds this year, and they are doing great. 
 
Oh, yeah, they taste good too.  I’m just more about “pretty.”
 
HAPPY GARDENING!!
Posted on July 27, 2018 2:00 PM by Jon Opsahl
To all my friends who look to the stars and the heavens for their guidance and inner/outer reality.
 
Here is a short review of the cycles of the Moon.
 
The stages of the Moon are symbolic to planting a garden. The first stage is the planning or planting stage. The second stage is the working or growing stage. In this stage you tend the garden, keep the weeds out, water and nurture it. The third stage is the harvest. Here you reap what you sow, which is karma or destiny in action. The last stage is the plowing under and preparing for the next cycle.
 
The cycle of the moon is symbolic of the 3 stages of manifestation: plan, execute, harvest.
 
The new moon is the beginning of the cycle: plan.
 
The first quarter is the working or tending stage, leading up to the full moon.
 
The full moon is analogous to the harvesting phase. This is where you reap the benefits of your creation - where you digest your endeavors - judge/analyze them to see if you got everything that you needed, or if you need more clarification.
 
The last quarter is the wrapping up of the harvesting phase in preparation for the next planning or creation stage. This is equivalent to the elimination process. Here you keep what you need and eliminate the waste.
 
Today is the full Moon in the sign of Aquarius.  The exact time is 4:20 pm. The Sun is 180 degrees, in the opposite sign of Leo.  
 
Here is what Aquarius is about:
 
Aquarius’s key phrase: I know and keyword: imagination
 
Positive characteristics: independent – inventive – tolerant – individualistic – progressive – artistic – scientific – logical – humane – intellectual – altruistic
 
Negative characteristics: unpredictable – temperamental – bored by detail – cold – too fixed in opinions – shy – eccentric – radical – impersonal – rebellious
 
Aquarius is ruled by Uranus and represents the freedom urge (“divine discontent”). Its keyword: the awakener
 
We are now entering the Age of Aquarius, just as the 70s song sung by the Fifth Dimension. Primarily it is about the age of information....and it is accelerating exponentially.......so my advice is to buckle up and stay tuned and stay aware, because we are only on the tip of the sword when it comes to technology.
 
Aquarius is about the coming together of humanity in a cooperative, harmonious, and peaceful manner of love and brotherhood. It is when the whole of humanity works for the good of ALL and the Earth itself.
 
Aquarius is also about high technology.....and that is why our technology has been literally exploding for the past 100 years, especially the past 50 years.
 
Computers and the Internet are a perfect example of the Aquarian age. Via the Internet all of humanity can network together and share information......albeit truthful or deceptive.......all Air signs.....Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are neutral in their information that is available to humanity.......it is the manner in which the information is used by mankind that determines if it is positively or negatively used........and as always the sword cuts both ways.
 
Here is a great definition of the now emerging Age of Aquarius:
 
Humanity is now entering the Age of Aquarius...….a time when a new civilization will be born, based on enlightened humanitarianism and on a science using new technology and new forms of energy.  This will mark the beginning of a thousand years of peace, which was spoken of in the biblical Book of Revelation.  The intuitive, clairvoyant faculties of humanity will be highly developed, and universal brotherhood will be established in practical reality.
 
As for when our solar system will be fully aligned with the constellation of Aquarius......that won't occur until the around the year 2350.....so we have a ways to go, but as it is plain to see, right now humanity is struggling with releasing the old Age of Pisces (Old Testament) and trying to adjust to what is coming (New Testament). The struggle will continue until humanity will eventually split into two groups......those who can release their past of the things that have stalled their evolutionary consciousness development and embrace the New Order of consciousness …..and those who can't release that which impedes their evolving consciousness into the next higher paradigm of our rightful place in the order of the cosmos.
 
One more thing to consider when examining the Age of Aquarius.......there are two different and distinct forms of high technology.......the obvious outer technology of our physical world.......and the less considered but just as important inner technology, or spiritualism/religion. That is the true technology of humanity that will lead him out of the wondering desert and back to the garden of Eden.
 
Now, let's put these together: Full Moon and Aquarius.
 
The full Moon is the time of harvest. Whatever you started at the previous New Moon cycle, it is now time to collect the efforts of your work and enjoy them. If you accomplished everything that you set out to do.....then congratulations......you can now start planning for the next New Moon cycle. If you only accomplished part of what you wanted to do, now is the time to evaluate what needs to be done in order to fulfill your plans and endeavors. If, on the other hand, something went wrong during the two week period between the New Moon and the Full Moon.......or you were attempting to fix something that was previously a problem or a challenge, then it's a good time to see if you have the necessary understanding to “zero” out any misunderstandings or problems.......no matter what they may be......relationships, financial, not enough time to do what you want, problems at work, not sticking to a diet, not getting enough exercise, negative habits.......essentially not accomplishing what you set out to do.
 
The main themes with Aquarius are technology and working with groups of people.......the group creativity and compatibility.
 
One final note.....a perfect example of an Aquarian society is either a beehive or an anthill. Each bee or ant has a unique function........but they work for the BETTERMENT of the whole beehive or anthill. Just think about the state of our current society in comparison.......we have a very long way to go!  
 
GO HOWL AT THE FULL MOON, HAVE FUN!!!
 
Posted on July 17, 2018 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: General
 
We were at Meeks Park on Sunday , and saw this little family out on the water.  We asked to take their picture, and they all smiled.  They were having a great time, and Dad was doing ALL the work.
 
What a fun way to spend a summer day!! 
 
Happy Fathers Day!!  Oh, wait, that was in June.  Well, for these kids, it was Sunday.
 
HAPPY DAYS!!!
Posted on July 16, 2018 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
 
The Echinacea this year is BEAUTIFUL!!  It's all the way across the front of our house and down the stairs to the bottom deck.  
 
Best of all:  the deer don't seem to bother it (too much.)
 
HAPPY GARDENING!!
 
 
 
Posted on July 15, 2018 8:55 AM by Mark Conde
This morning we were treated with the antics of four fawns coming together to hang out in our yard. It seems the moms brought them together to hang in a day care unit.
Here are the four of them mowing my lawn!
And this buck from last year is going to have one heck of a rack!
and not to be outdone, Mr turkey showed up for his share of corn!
Posted on July 13, 2018 10:45 AM by Jon Opsahl
Categories: General

2018 will have three new moon supermoons in a row, which are defined as new or full moons at or near their closest to Earth for that particular month.
 
2018’s new supermoons fall on June 13, July 13 and August 11. Thus this next new moon on July 13 is a supermoon; in fact, it’s the closest and largest of the three.
 
New moon falls precisely on July 13, 2018, at 2:48 UTC; that is July 12 at 10:48 p.m. EDT, 9:48 p.m. CDT and so on.
 
Happy Super Mooning!
Posted on July 13, 2018 10:00 AM by Jon Opsahl
Categories: General
Today is Friday the 13th.......uh-oh......not to worry.......no bad luck here......it's ALL good!  : )  
 
Historically Friday the 13th has to do with the attack, capture, and torture of the Knights Templar by the Catholic Church on Friday the 13th in the year 1307.  The reason for the attack was due to the fact that the Templars had gained too much power, thus threatening the power of the Catholic Church.
 
The next time it will occur is September 13th 2019.........you have a whole year to prepare........get busy!   
 
 
Posted on July 13, 2018 9:30 AM by Jon Opsahl
To all my friends who look to the stars and the heavens for their guidance and inner/outer reality.
 
New Moon in Cancer
 
The New Moon occurs when the moon and the sun are in alignment, when looking from the Earth's perspective.
 
Friday, June 13th at 10:48 pm, the New Moon will be in the sign of Cancer. The New Moon cycle is the time of new beginnings. It's an excellent time to initiate new plans, projects, desires, dreams or any other forms of creativity.
 
Cancer is the first of the three water signs, including Scorpio and Pisces. Cancer represents the liquid form of water.......Scorpio the solid form (ice).....and Pisces the gaseous form (mist – fog – steam – clouds)
 
Cancer’s key phrase: I feel and keyword: devotion
 
Positive characteristics: tenacious – intuitive – maternal – domestic – sensitive – retentive – helpful – sympathetic – emotional – patriotic – good memory – traditional
 
Negative characteristics: brooding – touchy – too easily hurt – negative – manipulative – too cautious – lazy – selfish – sorry for self
 
Cancer is ruled by the moon
 
Moon represents: domestic, nurturing urge keyword: emotions
 
The Moon’s influence in a person's chart is very important because it is the closest body to the Earth, and moves through the zodiac rapidly. It goes through each sign approximately every 2.3 days.
 
The Moon is responsible for all feminine principles: mother – wife and women generally. It governs instincts – moods – phases – receptivity – fluctuations – feelings – habit patterns – reflex actions – personal interests – desires – needs – growth and fertility – impressionability – consciousness and the need to touch. Its action fluctuates and changes. It rules liquids – commodities – sailing – brewing – nursing – tradespeople and the public in general.
 
The Moon is the unconscious side of the personality, the set of habits and instincts. It is the constantly changing personality that responds and reacts to external stimuli. The individual's feelings and emotions interfere with the development of creative self-expression because of accustomed patterns of behavior, and the person shows vulnerability to aggressive forces by withdrawing for protection. The Moon is the herd instinct that finds safety in numbers. It rules the past and the nostalgia associated with the past, and therefore it is inclined to follow tradition. It is the need to feel wanted; hence it represents emotional security. It attracts the individual to matters that require attention and to people who require protection. The Moon is maternal love rather than romantic love and demands ownership of affection to satisfy emotional insecurity.
 
The Moon’s position in the horoscope represents those aspects of human behavior that depend upon automatic responses, whether they be the familiar motions of driving a car or irrational stimulus-response actions based on past experiences (past life experiences also), which the individual cannot consciously remember. The Moon represents inertia of character or the tendency to go on behaving and living in the manner to which one is accustomed. A consciously directed effort of the will is required to change these automatic response patterns. Often, these patterns are inappropriate, and even dangerous, and serve only to impede the individual’s success and progress. Such patterns are apt to be irrational and aberrant. Usually they are based on past experiences that have been re-stimulated without the individual’s conscious, rational awareness. The Moon in the horoscope represents something to be outgrown and overcome through a conscious awareness of one's self expression.
The Moon moves quickly through the Zodiac and like a mother hen is always checking to see if everything is all right. Where the Moon resides in your chart is where you are subject to your emotional ups and downs.
 
The New Moon is a good time to initiate projects around the house....try a new recipe, start a new sewing project, begin any new project. Experiment with the key words and definitions, and apply the Moon's characteristics to your life.

 
Have fun!
 
Posted on July 10, 2018 7:58 AM by Mark Conde
Categories: Health and Wellness
Folks,
You all know that the ticks are bad this year. I think its related to the water and heat we are seeing. So here is a quick link to a CDC site I use to remind myself how to lower the exposure to them and deal with one should it connect with you.
 
 
Note that the technique for removal is important. By pulling them away from you around their head areas you are less apt to squeeze their stomach contents back into you. So notice the diagram in the article about removal.
 
Now I have always been curious how they get on you. I actually saw one run up a board I was reaching for and do a springing back flip right on to my pants from around 2 feet away. That was amazing to see and I never realized they actually jump at you. 
 
I can tell you that the DEET sprays really do work. In another experiment I saw them literally run away from an area I sprayed with a deterrent. 
 
Now we are one of the neighbors who encourage deer to come visit with us. Deer are one of the major carriers of the blacklegged tick which is a primary host for Lyme disease. Mice are also a significant carrier. I worry a little less about this because the primary area these are found and Lyme disease is prominent is in the Northeast and Midwest. I still would not go hug a deer but worry less about Lyme disease here in the south.
 
So use that bug spray and look for the little buggers when you work outside.
 
mark
Posted on June 28, 2018 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: General
Aaa
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