210719 Deer Misty Mountains Toxic Soup

 July 19

Deer visited! They grazed by the wise witch for a short while, a fawn and his mother, still nursing, then two young bucks with beautiful little antlers followed. They were such a delicate caramel colour, dainty and fragile-looking, with small narrow faces, and skittish as can be, looking about more than grazing. They went on up the west meadow before long. We haven't seen much wildlife in the meadow, perhaps because Blackie runs free over the mountain, although I appreciate his presence as watchdog and friend. 

K thought the hummingbird feeder should be taken down because it is not natural. I have worried, too, that the birds must get nutrients from the flowers but only calories from the sugar water, so it may not be good for them. Down came the feeder and I have replaced it with flowers from Rain's garden. (At the farm they have plentiful cutting beds.) I will have to keep the supply up, and supplement it with the day lilies by the road while they last. I hope the little hummers will continue to visit us; I have grown fond of seeing them. Ah, one was just here sipping from the flowers! Oh dear! He came by again and looked for some time for the feeder, before going to the flowers. Sorry, little bird, it is for your better health.

Also on the wildlife front, a monarch butterfly caterpillar was on a milkweed plant by the rain gauge! I haven't been able to positively identify any monarchs but at least two have obviously been in the neighbourhood. I was beginning to think they didn't come this far east.

And here are the northern flicker mother and fledgling feeding on the apron by the car. They are in the woodpecker family, but peck at the ground instead of trees. They have a red patch on the back of their heads, although these photos don't show it.

     

Today has been a lovely day. Hazy, but warm with very little breeze. The mountains have been veiled in mists all day. Thunderstorms are predicted for tonight. I hope I hear them and wake up. I have been outside all day watching the hills and the birds.

*****

I am still feeling unwell, lymph nodes in my shoulders, neck and skull are still swollen and painful. My tonsils are swollen now and my throat hurts. My hair hurts. I have heard people say this but never experienced it. I want to cut it all off, it hurts too much. It has been three weeks since my second covid vaccine and I should be feeling normal again by now, but the symptoms just linger. So there is toxic soup on the stove. Toxic soup is toxic to viruses and bacteria, not people. It can be any soup you like, although a clear broth is best with or without meat, a meat broth or vegan. I often just use chicken broth or Lipton's chicken noodle soup. The toxic part is adding double onions, triple garlic, ginger root, turmeric, black pepper, and as many hot peppers, of any sort, as you can stand. It is an excellent cold and flu remedy. This, with lots of sleep and very hot baths, will have you on your feet again soon. You can also make toxic spaghetti sauce - omit the ginger and turmeric - using any red sauce you like. I am going to have a covid test tomorrow, to rule that out, although my only actual covid symptom is a sore throat.

Today I am taking it easy. I have been doing some exciting mosaic work, but I decided to go slow today and rest. Toxic soup and a load of laundry are enough. I must get better.

The sun is dipping below the ridge and soup is ready. Keep well. Thank you for visiting. 

Mumma Yaga