Here’s a little sprinkle of alchemy from Mother Earth.
I grew these flowers: Forget-Me-Not, Zinnia, Calendula…with seeds collected from last season’s blooms. It’s a satisfying project to participate in the circle of life, almost like I gave birth to them, which in a way, I did.
It’s not just me: A query about saving one’s seeds reveals this: Harvesting garden seeds offers a deep connection to the natural world, to become more self-sufficient, and to witness the unique adaptations plants make over time to their specific environment. It also provides a sense of continuity and independence from commercial seed companies.
Yes! I do so love FREE things!
I try to save as many seeds as I can in the veggie garden, too. Cilantro and tomatoes perform well, as do certain types of lettuce. Cucumbers and members of the squash family won’t produce true to type if they’re hybrids, but it’s fun to experiment.
June is full of color around here. Soon enough, it’ll be too dry and everything will turn drab and brown, but the joy continues because I’ll salvage the seeds for next spring. It’s the circle of life all over again!
I’m beyond ecstatic to report this awesome news that for the first time evera California Scrub Jay momma is building her nest here at Casa de Enchanted Seashells.
I’ve been feeding a Scrub Jay family for a long time and they’ve become so trusting that they eat out of my hand, but I’ve never before had one take up residence. The birdhouse is in a fruit-bearing mulberry tree and it’s going crazy this year. Sometimes I harvest all the fruit and make jam and cobblers; haven’t decided if I’ll do it again this season.
I can’t wait to hear and see the babies! Scrub Jays are known for their high intelligence, particularly their abilities in memory, problem-solving, and social cognition. They excel at hiding and remembering food caches, learn new tasks by applying general rules, and even appear to understand the perspective of other jays when deciding where to hide their food.
If that wasn’t awesome enough, check out this (uncommon) Common Yellowthroat OR American Goldfinch–I can’t identify it for sure. I was able to snap a few pictures as they snacked on spent lavender blooms.
Written by Bill Janovitz, this nearly 600 page New York Times bestselling biography of Leon Russell, Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History was a gift from the original Angel Boy.
I don’t think he (or the Angel Kids) quite understand my passionate interest (read obsession) with the one and only Claude Russell Bridges (Leon Russell), but he’s supportive in his own way, although he wouldn’t play “A Song For You” on our piano because he said it had been too long since he tickled the ivories and it might have looked simple to play, but it was a very complex piece of music and he didn’t feel he could do it justice. Or at least that’s the excuse he gave me.
So…this BOOK. It’s comprehensive, it’s respectful, and it delves into areas of Leon’s life that even I didn’t know. Yes, there’s some sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but the overarching theme of Leon’s life and music is LOVE.
The life path that took a child born with cerebral palsy during the Second World War, who overcame his physical challenges to become a classically trained pianist — and was catapulted to the top of the music scene–is inspirational. He was and always will be the Master of Space and Time — a visionary.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is from his friend and fellow musician, Ann Bell:
“One night everybody had gone to bed, and it was about four o’clock in the morning. All of a sudden, I woke up; I could hear him playing. It was a classical piece; he’s in the living room, where he had a piano, and he’s playing this piece that’s forty minutes long, from memory. There was no sheet music. I sat down on the bench, and I didn’t say a word. I just thought, ‘They didn’t understand the depth of his well.’ And when he was done, I was crying. He goes, ‘Girl, what’s wrong witchoo?'”
From the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The definitive New York Times bestselling biography of legendary musician, composer, and performer Leon Russell, who profoudly influenced George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, and the world of music as a whole.
Leon Russell is an icon, but somehow is still an underappreciated artist. He is spoken of in tones reserved not just for the most talented musicians, but also for the most complex and fascinating. His career is like a roadmap of music history, often intersecting with rock royalty like Bob Dylan, the Stones, and the Beatles. He started in the Fifties as a teenager touring with Jerry Lee Lewis, going on to play piano on records by such giants as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Phil Spector, and on hundreds of classic songs with major recording artists. Leon was Elton John’s idol, and Elton inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Leon also gets credit for altering Willie Nelson’s career, giving us the long-haired, pot-friendly Willie we all know and love today.
In his prime, Leon filled stadiums on solo tours, and was an organizer/performer on both Joe Cocker’s revolutionary Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh. Leon also founded Shelter Records in 1969 with producer Denny Cordell, discovering and releasing the debut albums of Tom Petty, the Gap Band, Phoebe Snow, and J.J. Cale. Leon always assembled wildly diverse bands and performances, fostering creative and free atmospheres for musicians to live and work together. He brazenly challenged musical and social barriers. However, Russell also struggled with his demons, including substance abuse, severe depression, and a crippling stage fright that wreaked havoc on his psyche over the long haul and at times seemed to will himself into obscurity. Now, acclaimed author and founding member of Buffalo Tom, Bill Janovitz shines the spotlight on one of the most important music makers of the twentieth century.
I give this book all the stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and tophats 🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩
In my opinion, if you don’t know who Leon Russell was, you should, and reading Janovitz’s biography is a good way to learn about him and to be amazed at his musical genius. You’ll understand why he’s referred to as the Master of Space and Time.
Leon Russell and the GAP band on The Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack:
Americans began to recognize Memorial Day in 1868, and the country established it as a federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day and I remember we’d always buy red paper poppies to wear. This day honors the sacrifice and loss of those who served and died in the military, while Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military.
World of Love Hearts
While everyone is honoring the fallen heroes on this Memorial Day, how about the Vietnam veterans who have FALLEN through the cracks?
Did you know there are thousands (maybe more) of Vietnam veterans who were injured during active duty — it’s called a “service-connected injury” — but have no idea they’re even eligible for disability benefits?
Did you know that for those same veterans who have learned they’re eligible, that the entire process to obtain their rightful benefits is such a messed up, convoluted, horribly humiliating process that many of them give up or die before they’re compensated? These are veterans who are in their late seventies or eighties and shouldn’t have to spend their final years fighting for what they deserve.
If you check out some of the veteran disability websites or Reddit, you’ll learn that the overwhelming number of disability applicants are denied and try again and again to establish their legitimate claims — some have waited more than SEVEN YEARS to be approved by a nebulous “board“.
This “board” that makes these decisions are cloaked in mystery. No one at the VA (Veteran’s Administration) will disclose who they are. There is zero transparency.
Some say “Have you contacted your congressperson?” and that’s another rabbit hole of dead-ends. Even though someone I know is represented by one that claims to DO EVERYTHING to help Vietnam veterans, when you ask for specific help, they claim not to be able to do a thing and offer a list of worthless phone numbers for assistance. That’s just another way for government to not do their job–even though that’s the platform they campaigned on.
It’s incredibly disheartening.
As we honor fallen veterans, don’t forget the ones who are still here, suffering; often homeless, and definitely underserved. They’ve fallen through the cracks.
There’s a huge difference between being childlike and childISH. I’ve been (wrongly) accused of being childish or of not “growing up” (whatever THAT means) when the truth is that I’ve retained the quality of childlike wonder and joy regarding the world we inhabit — especially when it comes to simple things like a butterfly or a seashell or whales or stargazing or a spectacular beach sunset. At the end of the day, these things are what’s important, at least for me.
Hermann Hesse, poet and author of “Siddhartha”, wrote about this same character trait:
“All children, as long as they still live in the mystery, are continuously occupied in their souls with the only thing that is important, which is themselves and their enigmatic relationship with the world around them.
Seekers and wise people return to these preoccupations as they mature.
Most people, however, forget and leave forever this inner world of the truly significant very early in their lives. Like lost souls they wander about for their entire lives in the multicolored maze of worries, wishes, and goals, none of which dwells in their innermost being and none of which leads them to their innermost core and home.”- Hermann Hesse
We should never ever lose the part of us that points up to the sky and says, “Look at the moon!”
Here’s another point of view; not so sweet, but wild and ferocious…
Picture me as I lay in bed nearly asleep, when a medium-sized bison lumbered into the room and as gently and quietly as he could, placed his two front legs on the bed, and jumped up. He turned around a couple of times to get comfortable and laid down heavily with a grunt — his hairy body almost completely on top of me as he took up most of the bed, which isn’t surprising due to his size. I scratched his head between his curved horns, and we both fell asleep.
That was a dream, not real life lol. What the heck was that all about? I have a vague recollection of other animals in bed with us, but the bison is the one that garnered most of my conscious/unconscious attention.
Bison are known for their strength. Bison are very fast, hard workers, dominant, trustworthy, and protective. Dreaming of a bison could represent one’s inner power.. Dreaming of a big, strong buffalo could symbolize having a protective heart for your loved ones.
AI says that the bison itself often symbolizes abundance, manifestation, and strength, while the bed suggests rest and safety and peace of mind. In this context, the dream might be hinting at the need to embrace abundance, appreciate your resources, and find comfort and security in your life.
Crazy, right? What’s even crazier is that I wasn’t at all surprised to see a bison in the house. Sleeping with me seemed normal, although I’d bet in real life, a two thousand pound bison would probably have broken the bed. But thanks to a magical dream state, the bed was fine.
I guess that’s where my subconscious brain goes when it’s a palindrome day — 5-20-2025 — and according to Alex Myles, this palindrome date holds powerful mirrored energy—a sign of balance, alignment, and divine timing. It is a reminder that everything is coming full circle, and what you have been waiting for is finally starting to fall into place.
This is a day to believe in miracles and trust that the Universe is working behind the scenes to bring you what you need, in ways you never saw coming.
This is a powerful time for balance and reciprocation. What you give out is returning to you. If you’ve been giving love, kindness, time, and support, you’re going to see it come back—maybe through people, opportunities, or quiet moments of joy. This is your reminder to allow yourself to receive. You do not always have to be the strong one, the giver, the fixer. You deserve love and support, too.
This energy also brings a strong sense of harmony. Everything is starting to align: your heart, your path, your goals, and your healing.
I’m not sure how all those vibes brought a bison into my bed, but I’m open to the message — whatever it is!
May’s birth flower is Muguet de Bois, Lily of the Valley. Every year on my birthday, my mom would give me a brand new set of Coty perfume and dusting powder. I felt SO grown up! I savored its divine fragrance as long as I could, and then stashed the empty bottle in my drawers to scent my clothes.
A favourite flower in my garden to see, if you ask me, just has to be The Lily of the Valley. Known to be the May Lily, this sweet scented, dainty white bell represents a return to happiness and innocence. How delighted I be to see my Lily of the Valley, as blooming it be in ye month of May. Often found neath leafy bushes, or hidden away within the nooks and crannies. Tread carefully mind. As under its flapping green leaves you’ll find its wee white bells dangling on a tiny stem. The Lily of the Valley symbolises Pure Love…They say Lucky in Love it be that’s why it be tradition for brides to have Lily of the Valley amongst their wedding flowers. There be many an old Myth told about the faery folk and the Lily of the Valley. In Ireland it is known to be “The Faery Ladder”.
Little thoughts written by Athey Thompson Photos taken at home by Athey Thompson
I can do hard things but successfully birthing sourdough starter eluded me every single time.
This isn’t funny. One day I say I’m not giving up and the next day I want to toss it out (again) and NEVER try.
I gave myself an ultimatum to attempt it ONE MORE TIME and then give up forever.
Here’s what worked for me: I stopped going crazy following all the scientific recipes and stopped reading the voluminous numbers of posts and pages and websites and YouTube videos dedicated to creating the proper sourdough starter and did it my way, kind of haphazard and casual. I mean if people had been baking with sourdough starters for hundreds of years with zero technology, how difficult could it be?
I’m happy to report that my efforts finally worked. I don’t have any pics of the starter because it’s really not impressive; just a blob of a bubbly and fermenting flour and water mixture.
The real beauty is the reward for my perseverance, I baked it in a standard loaf pan to make it easier to toast. It rose like a cloud and tastes absolutely perfect. Crusty and rustic with a soft, chewy, sour interior texture.
I don’t remember the recipe I followed but the only ingredients are flour, water, salt. It takes a very long rising time, the longer the better for more sour flavor. I let it rise for twelve hours, so it’s definitely not a quick bread, but worth the wait, trust me!
All I have to do now is continue to feed the starter I’ve saved in the refrigerator and I can have sourdough all the time.
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 