June at last

So life goes on. It has its great days and it has its down days. The trick always is how to balance those all out and keep an even keel--to appreciate it all.  So I had an other reoccurence of hay fever yesterday with all the wind and pollen, now that the rain has stopped. I used the last of my stinging nettle capsules, and thought I would do a little research on how to make my own stinging nettle concoction.  That intrigued me as I like to be self-sufficent.  So I just needed to find some stinging nettle, harvest and dry the leaves, make them into a tea, and it would serve as a natural anti-histamine. So last night after dinner, with Emory and Lucas in tow we headed up to Butterfied Canyon. Surely there would be some stinging nettle up there.  We parked where the road is blocked (still blocked due to the snow higher up-- I'm sure) and walked along the stream (a raging torrent right now). Emory and Lucas loved the adventure until Emory had to go to the bathroom. I found some plants that looked kind of like stinging nettle, but wasn't quite right. I thought about going over to Yellow Fork Canyon, where I knew some grew, but the bathroom emergency precluded that.  We drove through Herriman with me scoping out the roadsides, and sure enough there was a patch.  I got out and cut some of that using gloves, bucket, and sissors. We drove to Petersons Market, ran to the restroom, then picked up some milk and a pack of cookies for a treat and headed home.  Fun  little adventure. Now I just have to let it dry enough and then make it into some tea.  We'll see if it all works, and I will report back. 
Update on the chickens. We had another fox kill. Had a hen that wanted to sit on a nest for hatching purposes--trying to be broody. We didn't put her away at night for 3-4 nights. The fox took advantage of that situation, and the chicken was gone the next morning.  Mad at the fox, and mad at myself.  We get so lacidaisical (sp?) about things and get caught.  Another lesson learned.  I am trying to be really diligent, and this just reinforces why I should be.  Can't ever let your guard down. 
Another thing I have been trying to do, is to get my food storage up to date and even over the amount needed. Know the extra will probably be of use for others.  It takes money, but I was thinking yesterday that I make sure I have money for things that supposedly are important to me, but what would really be the most important in time of need? The new piece of furniture or food?   So it is the proverbially you'll come up with the money if you really need it.  I just have to move it to a high priority.
 Casey turned the big 40 last week. Had a great get together at their home--a surprise to Casey thanks to Helen and her efforts. I don't see myself as the mother of a 40 yr old--but there's the proof.  And I was the other party there at his birth you would think I would feel his 40 yrs. I still see myself in way like this 18 yr old at BYU. I am grateful for Casey, as for all my children.  They are each special and I love them.

                                    Just a kid at 18 yrs in 1969 at BYU

Memorial day hike along the Jordan River trail at point of the Mtn--Kay,Derek & boys, Sean, Beth, Roy, Finn and I--one of the best days in a long time. We had attended the memorial service at Camp Williams. Really nice way to remember our fallen soldiers.