May’s Full Flower Moon

The Flower Moon reminds us that the most beautiful blossoms have deep roots — as this lunation is receiving a motivating push from subterranean planet Pluto, which could catalyze some deep emotional excavation. 

To honor this beautiful full moon, which the Lakota call “Moon Of The Green Leaves”, here are some of my favorite flower photos…

All photos by Enchanted Seashells

(Some content curated from Bustle)

Honest Review: Zoflora Concentrated Disinfectant

I’m always on the hunt for the best cleaning products and I was truly excited when I learned about Zoflora from my British DIL.

If it can disinfect and successfully clean up after my two feral grandkids, that’s all the recommendation I need!

I don’t know the reasons why, but the UK often has better products (and TV shows) than we do here in the States and this popular cleanser is one of them, proudly claiming to have been made in Yorkshire since 1922.

I’ve always cleaned with Lysol and PineSol because that’s what my mom used and while they definitely do the job, I’m pleased with Zoflora’s results, plus it’s a nice change from the piney medicinal smell.

Here’s an interesting fact: Zoflora was originally developed to kill germs and eliminate odors in public spaces like dance halls and cinemas.

The fragrance is a beautiful arrangement of exquisite rose and rich violet, with layers of white musk, precious woods and hints of green citrus.  

My DIL’s mom brings her a couple bottles when she visits because we thought it wasn’t available here, but I found some at Walmart online and quickly placed an order which should arrive this week.

It’ll be enough to last a while because it’s concentrated. In a spray bottle, dilute one capful of Zoflora to 400 ml/ 13.5 ounces of water. Generally, dilute one part Zoflora in forty parts water for larger cleaning jobs.

If you have pets, be extra careful using this product. Always ensure pets are excluded from the area when using Zoflora, don’t let your furry family onto newly treated floors or surfaces until they are completely dry. FYI: Zoflora products are not suitable for use in aquariums, vivaria, or other housing where reptiles are kept.

Zoflora Concentrated Disinfectant, a multipurpose disinfectant:

  • Zoflora kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses such as E-Coli, Salmonella and Influenza
  • Zoflora contains patented odour elimination technology, and our fragrances are tested to last at least 24 hours, leaving your home beautifully fragrant
  • Zoflora disinfectant can be used on floors, baths, tiles, taps, worktops, drains, dishcloths, toilets & potties. Safe for use on hard surface pet areas.
  • Zoflora is a concentrated disinfectant that can be used neat or diluted in water. 500ml of Zoflora makes almost 20L of full-strength disinfectant.
  • Our fragrances are crafted by expert perfumers with premium ingredients to bring luxurious scents to your home. 
  • https://www.zoflora.co.uk/

Since it seems as if the rains are over and we’re back to normally dry SoCal weather, it’s time to wash the windows, screens, and tracks — and initiate other heavy spring cleaning projects inside and out. I can’t wait to pull on my rubber gloves and begin scrubbing (said no one ever except me haha!).

**This is an honest review. I did not receive any product or compensation from the company. I have used Zoflora myself and wanted to share my positive experiences.

Forest | For Rest

From The Celts Royalty FB

This is so cool! I love word play like this and it’s also a simply authentic, profound observation.

Forest = for rest.


Dogwood and Lilac

“Come spring, in the shaded forests near my home
Blooms the elegant and lovely dogwood tree…” — Shakespeare

“In another world and another day.
Moonlight turns the purple lilacs blue.
..” — Conrad Aiken

These are two of my favorite flowers. I really wish they thrived in Southern California, but sadly, they don’t. I have to see them in photos from the Pacific Northwest and try to recollect the alluring fragrance.

The Lilac Fairy, Cicely Mary Barker

Do You Wonder, Too?

I wonder
What would we do
If upon the flicker of a light
Our dreams did come true

A Little Poem by Athey Thompson / Art curated from Pinterest

Forest is Mother

The ultimate mother...

Be my mother, I said to the trees, in the language of trees, which can’t be transcribed, and they shook their hair back, and they bent low with their many arms, and they looked into my eyes as only trees can look into the eyes of a person, they touched me with the rain on their fingers till I was all droplets, till I was a mist, and they said they would.       (Emily Berry, Canopy: Stranger, Baby)
Photo by vanesa ayala on Pexels.com

Happy Mother’s Day!

Is “Of Course” The New “You’re Welcome”?

Of course!

I’ve become obsessed with observing how often people say “of course” in response to “thank you” or any other expression of appreciation. Have you noticed it, too?

For example, I was at the market and said thank you to the person who bagged my groceries. He said, “Of course.”

Later, a neighbor gave me a cool puzzle for the grandkids. I texted “thank you.” She responded, “of course”.

Someone else helped me find a particular section of rugs in TJ Maxx and when I told her I appreciated the help, she responded, “of course.”

This all happened in the same day because it seems as if no one says “you’re welcome” EVER –just “of course.”

Is it rude? Is it polite?

OF COURSE I did a little research…

Here’s the query: Is it rude to reply “of course”?

‘Of course’ by itself means obvious, expected. So when someone says ‘of course’ instead of ‘you’re welcome’, the feeling is “it’s obvious that I would do that because I want to do that’. It seems to be a friendly communication, BUT IS IT?

In fact, it’s a big search on Quora…

Why do millennials often say “of course” instead of saying “you’re welcome” when you thank them?

You can respond to someone who says “of course!” after you thank them by expressing your gratitude again or by acknowledging their kindness. For example, you could say “Thank you again, I really appreciate it” or “You’re so kind, thank you.” This shows that you value their response and appreciate their willingness to help.

What about people who respond “no problem” in response to “thank you”?

I like this following points of view:

“You’re welcome,” is the correct short answer. “Of course” implies entitlement. Even the currently popular, “No problem,” implies imposition.

Both of those answers imply “It’s all about me, not you.” I think it’s another sign, indicative of more and more egregious narcissistic behavior creeping into our society on a daily basis.

Regardless of the following ways to respond to “thank you” and you can call me old-fashioned, but I’m going to stick with “you’re welcome.” That’s the only one that feels right to me.

Do you say “no problem” or “of course” or are you like me and reply with a simple “you’re welcome”?

rachelsenglish.comhttps://rachelsenglish.com › youre-welcome

darkness

“If everything around seems dark,
look again, you may be the light.”
Rumi

Credit Enchanted Seashells

Sometimes all we need is the perfectly petite flower of a fragrant geranium to change darkness to light; sadness to joy — and sometimes WE are the light.

Today is World Naked Gardening Day!

The first Saturday in May is World Naked Gardening Day.

We’re encouraged to wear NOTHING but a sunhat and sunscreen, to pick up a trowel or a rake, and seed and weed au naturale.

Why garden naked? Our culture needs to move toward a healthy sense of both body acceptance and our relation to the natural environment. Gardening naked is not only a simple joy, it reminds us–even if only for those few sunkissed minutes–that we can be honest with who we are as humans and as part of this planet. and that’s also a definitely NOT ME, whether it’s “world wide” or “worldwide”! Curated from https://naturisteducation.org/wngd/

Today, you’ll find me in the garden, fully clothed, planting peas and beans and mixed leafy greens.

However, if YOU choose to celebrate in your birthday suit, DO NOT send pics!

Enjoy!

soul colors

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.

Marcus Aurelíus

It seems like a good day for a mindful reminder that when we THINK love, we BECOME love.

Our inner world—our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes—shapes our outer reality.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is pexels-photo-220502.jpeg

As within, so without.