10 Amazing Lessons from

Albert Einstein:

1) Follow Your Curiosity
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

What piques your curiosity? I am curious as to what causes one person to succeed while another person fails; this is why I’ve spent years studying success. What are you most curious about? The pursuit of your curiosity is the secret to your success.

2) Perseverance is Priceless
“It's not that I'm so smart; it's just that I stay with problems longer.”

Through perseverance the turtle reached the ark. Are you willing to persevere until you get to your intended destination? They say the entire value of the postage stamp consist in its ability to stick to something until it gets there. Be like the postage stamp; finish the race that you’ve started!

3) Focus on the Present
“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

My father always says you cannot ride two horses at the same time. I like to say, you can do anything, but not everything. Learn to be present where you are; give your all to whatever you’re currently doing. Focused energy is power, and it’s the difference between success and failure.

4) The Imagination is Powerful
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Are you using your imagination daily? Einstein said the imagination is more important than knowledge! Your imagination pre-plays your future. Einstein went on to say, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” Are you exercising your “imagination muscles” daily, don’t let something as powerful as your imagination lie dormant.

5) Make Mistakes
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Never be afraid of making a mistake. A mistake is not a failure. Mistakes can make you better, smarter and faster, if you utilize them properly. Discover the power of making mistakes. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, if you want to succeed, triple the amount of mistakes that you make.

6) Live in the Moment
“I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.”

The only way to properly address your future is to be as present as possible “in the present.”
You cannot “presently” change yesterday or tomorrow, so it’s of supreme importance that you dedicate all of your efforts to “right now.” It’s the only time that matters, it’s the only time there is.

7) Create Value
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."

Don’t waste your time trying to be successful, spend your time creating value. If you’re valuable, then you will attract success. Discover the talents and gifts that you possess, learn how to offer those talents and gifts in a way that most benefits others. Labor to be valuable and success will chase you down.

8) Don’t Expect Different Results
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

You can’t keep doing the same thing everyday and expect different results. In other words, you can’t keep doing the same workout routine and expect to look differently.
In order for your life to change, you must change, to the degree that you change your actions and your thinking is to the degree that your life will change.

9) Knowledge Comes From Experience
“Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task, but discussion will only give you a philosophical understanding of it; you must experience the task first hand to “know it.” What’s the lesson? Get experience! Don’t spend your time hiding behind speculative information, go out there and do it, and you will have gained priceless knowledge.

10) Learn the Rules and Then Play Better
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

To put it all in simple terms, there are two things that you must do. The first thing you must do is to learn the rules of the game that you’re playing. It doesn’t sound exciting, but it’s vital. Secondly, you must commit to play the game better than anyone else. If you can do these two things, success will be yours!

EducoPark.com © 2010

Inspiration For Challenging Times...

For the last 7 years, I have had the privilege of being the caregiver for my mother. It intensified last year to the month, and a year later I am now able to get back to me.

I am/was the beloved daughter, the night nurse, the comforter in the middle of the night... I became the mother. I stop working and moved back to my childhood home so it's been a lot of upheaval and change in the last few months... but I wouldn't change a thing.

Care-giving of a parent is a special calling that we all must go though if we are fortunate enough to still have them in our lives... The trick is not to be consumed by it.

Care-givers syndrome is very real!
Remember... It's the care-giver that usually gives out before the patient.
So take time to BREATHE...

Now I am on my way back, with a whole new outlook on who I am becoming... the ongoing journey. I am re-inventing myself, my business and adjusting to my new lifestyle.... As usual, The Universe sent me this poem at the perfect time... Now, I pass it on... Hope you enjoy.


When I Loved Myself Enough

by Kim and Alison McMillen
All Photos by Gail Oliver©2010

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is "AUTHENTICITY".

As I began to love myself, I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.
Today I call it "RESPECT".

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it "MATURITY".

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time,and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.
Today I call it "SELF-CONFIDENCE".

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it "SIMPLICITY".

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is "LOVE OF ONESELF".

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is "MODESTY".

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it "FULFILLMENT".

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection...
"WISDOM OF THE HEART".

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know "THAT IS LIFE"

Sylvia Silk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles, CA, USA

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence
automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson

Happy New Year

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF...
PUT YOUR OXYGEN MASK
ON FIRST!
gail oliver © 2009

I rarely get real personal here on my blog, at least not the details. As much as I really covet my privacy,
I had to share my most recent and very personal experience, in part for healing and in part for the benefits of a good catharsis.

After months of bizziness, feeling like Superwoman: caring for and managing a parent with dementia, an officer of the Board of Directors of a foundation and on the board of a higher education facility, juggling 5 graphic design clients, teaching yoga just to name a few... Anywho, I awoke last week with total numbness and severe nerve pain on one side of my body, slurred speech and a left facial droop (as they put it). I was needless to say rushed to the emergency room in a full blown panic.

They thought I had had a stroke... not good! As it turned out, after a CT scan, Ekg, Full Blood work up, IV stint, 2 MRI’s, and hours of waiting in a cold arse room, it was concluded I did not have a stroke... Instead, I have the full blown effects of an over stressed life... an overly FULL PLATE. I was lectured and prescribed some things if needed (I don't do pharmaceuticals, but that's a different story), and put on complete rest with no stress what-so-ever for a few weeks. Whew! ... But STILL...

How ironic this is since I had just started Taking Time For Myself.... remember last months blog? I had just pulled back from most of my duties and obligations, hired help for my mother, finished half of my design jobs, turned phones off at 10pm, started walking again, started doing my creative stuff just for pleasure... Hell, I even ran into some friends at the park and went fishing last week. I was making a concerted effort to have a life.... I meditate and journal, I practice deep breathing, do yoga, eat right...Who’d a thunk?

Imagine where I’d be if I didn’t do these things? ..............on second thought, lets not.

Well the body is a funny thing (and I know this). While you are in the throws of the hustle and bustle, you deal with it, you perform, you handle your business. The minute you sit back to take a breath, your body nuts up and rebels from the lack of balance in our daily lives... As it tries to right itself, it shuts down. Sometimes briefly and sometimes permanently. If you are lucky, maybe you just end up with an auto-immune dis-ease like Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes Type 1, Narcolepsy, Myasthenia gravis, Hashimoto's disease, Psoriasis, Graves' disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Vitiligo, Scleroderma, Primary biliary cirrhosis, Endometriosis, Autoimmune hepatitis, Alopecia areata, Crohns Disease...... ewwww!

Stress accounts for about 75%- 80% of all diagnosed illnesses... So I have attached some information on stress for you to explore....

The top 3 common dis-eases that are due to Stress are:

1. Heart Disease
2. Strokes
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Live Long, Prosper... and CHILL, it ain’t worth it!

Stress Reduction
By Jake Lawson | 07.19.09

What are sources of stress?

Change of any kind can induce stress due to the following reasons:
Fear of the new, the unknown * Feelings of personal insecurity * Feelings of vulnerability * Fear of rejection * Need for approval * Lack of tolerance for ambiguity * Fear of conflict * Fear of taking a risk * Fear of developing trust * Fear of inability to cope with changed circumstances

Individual personality characteristics that can induce stress include:
Low self-esteem * Feelings of over-responsibility * Fear of loss of control * Fear of failure, error, mistakes * Fear of being judged * Lack of belief in being good enough * Chronic striving to be perfect * Chronic guilt * Unresolved grief over a loss or a series of losses * Chronic anger, hostility or depression

Interpersonal issues that can induce stress include:
A lack of adequate support within the relationship * A lack of healthy communication within the relationship * A sense of competitiveness between the parties involved * Threats of rejection or disapproval between people * An inability to be appropriately assertive * Struggle for power and control in the relationship * Poor intimacy or sexuality within the relationship * Chronic conflict and disagreement with no healthy resolution * Over-dependency of one party on another * A troubled person who refuses to recognize the need for help

System (family, job, school, club or organization) issues that can induce stress include:
Lack of leadership * Lack of sense of direction * Uncooperative atmosphere * Competitive atmosphere * Autocratic leadership * Unclear expectations * A chronic sense of impending doom * A lack of teamwork * Confused communications * Developmental disability or chronic ill health of one or more members.

Is all stress bad?
Not all stress is distress: a certain amount of stress or pressure is necessary and shows a positive adaptation being made by a person. This is called eustress.

Bad or negative stress is called distress: the negative physiological and emotional response when stress is intense and unresolved.

There are three degrees of stress:

Low: This is distress leading to boredom, fatigue, frustration or dissatisfaction.
Optimum: This is eustress leading to creativity, problem solving, progress, change, learning and energetic satisfaction.
High: Involves irrational problem solving.

What is the definition of stress?
Stress is defined as a person's response to his environment. Stress is measured in terms of arousal or stimulation. As such, stress must be present for a person to function.

Each person has his own normal (homeostatic) level of arousal at which he functions best. If something unusual in the environment occurs, this level of arousal is affected.

There are three phases of arousal:
Phase 1. Alarm phase: When an unusual (or stressful) event occurs, the output of energy drops for a short period as the event is registered in the person's mind.
Phase 2. Adaptation phase: Next, the output of energy increases above the normal level; arousal is heightened as the person seeks to deal with the situation. Adaptation responses available to humans include physically running away, fighting, freezing (self immobilization), suppression emotion or learning.
Phase 3. Exhaustion phase: Finally the person's available energy is expended and his capacity to function effectively is reduced.

What is the stress/relaxation physical response cycle?
Signs of physical response include:
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, perspiration, pupil dilation and muscle tension. In the state of chronic stress, heart rate, blood pressure and respiration are chronically elevated.

The signs of relaxation response include:
Decreased heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, pupil dilation and muscle tension.
A stress management strategy involves evoking the relaxation physical response on a regular, daily basis.

Personal Life Events Analysis
To learn the level of stress (distress) in your life, circle the value at the right of each of the following events if it has occurred within the past 12 months:
Event--Value

Death of spouse--100
Divorce--73
Marital separation--65
Jail term--63
Death of close family member--63
Personal injury or illness--53
Marriage--50
Fired from job--47
Marital reconciliation--45
Retirement--45
Change in family member's health--44
Pregnancy--40
Sexual difficulties--39
Addition to family--39
Business readjustment--39
Change in financial status--38
Death of close friend--37
Career change--36
Change in number of marital arguments--35
Mortgage or loan over $10,000--31
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan--30
Change in work responsibilities--29
Son or daughter leaving home--29
Trouble with in-laws--29
Outstanding personal achievement--28
Spouse begins or ceases working--26
Starting or finishing school--26
Change in living conditions--25
Revision of personal habits--24
Trouble with boss--23
Change in work hours or conditions--20
Change in residence--20
Change in schools--20
Change in recreational habits--19
Change in church activities--19
Change in social activities--18
Mortgage or loan under $10,000--17
Change in sleeping habits--16
Change in number of family gatherings--15
Change in eating habits--15
Vacation--13
Christmas season--12
Minor violation of the law--11

How to analyze your score:
Add the number values. If your total score is more than 150, find ways to reduce stress in your daily life so that your stress level doesn't increase. The higher the score, the harder one needs to work at staying physically well.

Suggested uses for personal Life Events analysis:
1. Become familiar with the different events and the amounts of stress they promote.
2. Put the list of events where your family can easily refer to it several times a day.
3. Practice recognizing the stress level when one of these events happens.
4. Think about the meaning of the event for you and identify your feelings.
5. Think about the different ways you can adjust to the event.
6. Take your time in arriving at decisions.
7. Anticipate life changes and plan for them well in advance whenever possible.
8. Pace yourself. It can be done even if you are in a hurry.
9. Look at the accomplishment of a task as a part of ongoing daily living; avoid looking at such an achievement as a stopping point. Congratulate yourself and push ahead.
10. Recognize that your internal mechanism of coping with stress is directly tied to how your health and well being will be influenced by it.

Note: This scale is derived from the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Scale. Holmes, T. & Rahe, R. (1967) "Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale," Journal of Psychosomatic Research, vol. II.

What is personal progressive relaxation?
Learning to relax:
You may have grown to accept a certain high level of stress and anxiety as "normal." You may be unfamiliar with what it feels like to be relaxed, calm and unstressed. With progressive relaxation you learn what it feels like to be relaxed, you learn to increase relaxation to a new level. By doing this you not only improve your physical well being by reducing hypertension, headaches and other physical complaints, but you improve your mental state by reducing stress, anxiety, irritability and depression.

About this Author

James J Messina, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with more than 35 years of experience counseling individuals and families. Messina, who specializes in adult and children psychotherapy, serves as Director of Psychological Services at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla. He has a private practice in Tampa and is also a member of the American Psychological Association.

For more info: http://www.livestrong.com/article/14656-stress-reduction/

Take Time for Yourself...
Ignite Your Wanderlust

The last few weeks have been dizzying... bizzy, bizzy bizzy... I’m sure all of us are experiencing some sort of overload, our day to day responsibilities to our children, career, businesses, parents, finances... Where are we in this mix? We fend off the bombardment of negativity broadcast daily on TV, the internet... etc.
OH my God!
What’s his name is testing nukes and missiles, Osama Bin Laden is spouting more BS threats (I still can’t believe they can’t find a 6’5” guy on dialysis with a satellite phone in the desert), GM is bankrupt, Chrysler is sunk... and so on and so on...

What Do You Do for Yourself as Not To Go NUTZ?

A lifelong friend of mine called me the other morning out of the blue and said “We’re going to lunch at 12 noon, I will pick you up.” CLICK! I’m glad I had awaken at 5:30am and was finish with all my work projects and responsibilities for the day... talk about divine timing...

Off we went to steal the day! It was a beautiful day, clear and in the high 60’s as we headed up the coast... Just perfect! We parked on the side of the road, took a few deep cleansing breaths of the ocean air as we exited the car, all the stress melted away in almost an instant, and we went into the quaint little fish place. We ordered a delish lunch of grilled fish, salad and potatoes a bottle of Chard and found a table under some palm trees on a cute private deck (only because it was more of a walk than the main deck) ... As we ate and chatted, we were both amazed at how we both had allowed life and all it’s “IT” to suppress and almost kill the creative inner child we both once exuded in all our glory a few short years ago... caregiving of a parent, restarting a business, civic obligations and in her case caregiving of a parent and her family and her job. When did WE, of all people, get so serious? Hours later and after another bottle of wine with dessert, as we wandered the local corner boutique, and the canyon... We made a pact, not only are we setting aside a day a month to just hang out, but that we, from this moment on, will rebirth our inner child and act on our creative impulses. Man! that was the best therapy ever and cheaper too. Oops! it’s 6:30pm and we were late picking her kids up from school....that darn traffic! Back to reality.

I had been in the process of getting back to me, expressing my creative side... But now it’s not just an option on the back burner, but a need as great as air to my Soul. I am in the process of converting my dining room into my art studio where I can bring the outside in and why not? I can’t wait to play!

She’s Baaaack! Ain’t nothin’ but a “G” thang bay-bay!

© Gail Oliver 2009

Ignite Your Wanderlust

Wanderlust – in its original translation from German, this word meant “to enjoy the hike.” In English, we’ve borrowed this term and altered it a bit to mean a “desire to journey.” So you could say our entire life is one long journey with each moment extending into the next, building upon what has already been created. With each step we venture forth into an unknown realm; with each word, each thought, and each action, we participate in the unending creation of the universe. Life’s impressions flow through us, and we distill them through our intellect and define them through our ego.

We get to choose our interpretation. Sometimes our life conditioning clouds or influences the moment, our interpretation, and our response. But nevertheless, our own individual view of life is the only interpretation we have. Our personal journey is THE journey and we have a choice: dive in and celebrate the journey or back up, freeze, or complain about it. When we find ourselves feeling constricted, jealous, or fearful, or we are looking outside of ourselves for answers, it is evident that we have chosen to view the journey with a less-than outlook that comes from an interpretation of lack or scarcity. When we find ourselves feeling expansive, abundant, and affluent . . . then it is clear that we are seeing our journey from the perspective of love.

Regardless of our interpretation, in each moment the journey continues . . . and we have the opportunity in that instant to take a step towards abundance, expansion, and wanderlust – to learn as we grow, to see each moment as a guidepost of the journey, and to know that only from a place of openness does our world grow.

Right now you probably know someone in a state of constriction (it may even be you). They are in pain and fear; they feel doubtful and they do not believe in themselves or in the divine god or goddess that rests within. They may be exhibiting panic, stress, anxiety, greediness, selfishness, aggressiveness, or just plain meanness. Know that in any moment, this could be any of us. The antidote is unconditional love. The remedy is finding out what your heart is longing for. The cure is wanderlust . . . opening to the unknown, if just a little bit at a time.

The true journey is learning to see the world with fresh eyes. This is our daily path to freedom and expansion. Enjoy your journey . . . wherever it leads.

Staff, Deepak Chopra Wellness Center © 2009

Welcome to Spring!

Seeds of Intention
Eat What you Sow

The Power of Intention
Seeds of Intention
by Deepak Chopra

Intention is the starting point of every path in life. It is the force that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love. Intention generates all the activities in the universe. Everything that we can see – and even the things we cannot – are an expression of intention’s infinite organizing power.

As the ancient Indian sages observed thousands of years ago, our destiny is shaped by the deepest level of our intention and desire. Once we plant the seed of an intention in the fertile ground of pure potentiality, our soul’s journey unfolds automatically, as naturally as a bulb becomes a tulip or an embryo becomes a child.

Nurture your Intentions Here a few recommendations for using intention to the highest possible benefit:

Set your intentions high.

Aim to be a saint and a miracle worker. If you know that the goal of inner growth is to
acquire mastery, then plant the seed for mastery as soon as possible. Don’t strain to work wonders, but don’t deny them to yourself either. The beginning of mastery is vision; see the miracles around you, and that will make it easier for greater miracles to grow.

Unmask your false intentions.
False intentions take the form of guilty desires: I want someone else to fail. I want to get even. I want to see bad people punished. False intentions can be elusive, but you will notice their existence by the feeling connected with them – a feeling of fear, greed, rage, hopelessness, and weakness. Sense the feeling first, refuse to buy into it , and then remain aware until you find the intention lurking beneath.

Nurture your intentions every day.
Everyday life surrounds us in a swirling chaos, and it’s easy to fall into the grip of our ego’s fears, demands, and confusion. You need to remind yourself – daily – of your intentions and purpose. Some people find it helpful to write down their intentions and review them each day; for others, periods of regular meditation and prayer are invaluable. Find your center and don’t let go of your intention until it feels centered inside yourself. Detach. Intend for everything to work out as it should, then let go and allow opportunities and openings to come your way. Don’t listen to the voice that says you have to be in charge, that constant vigilance is the only way to get anything done. The outcome that you try so hard to force may not be as good for you as the one that comes naturally.



Eat What You Sow
Gail Oliver © 2009

Every May for the last 20 years, for Mother’s Day, my gift to my Mom has been an edible garden, the gift that keeps on giving.

We spend the day playing in the garden... eating fresh strawberries, giggling and getting dirty... The usual crop was 3-4 different varieties of tomatoes, herbs in a lovely herb pot, strawberries and miscellaneous veggies that tweaked my curiosity at the nursery....

Last year, I got industrious and added miniature fruit trees in the mix. I planted an avocado tree, a blood orange tree, and a red plumb tree. I also planted collard greens and edible flowers (pansies, marigolds, astumerias (sp?) and nasturtiums.

On my patio this winter (always mild in Southern Cali) I planted big pots with lettuces, red and green romaine, watercress, curly lettuce, curly spinach, red kale, and other colorful varieties...yum! It’s kinda cool to be able to go pick my own fresh and “organic” salad right out my back door...

The Surprising Benefits?

I save about $5-8 a week the equivalent of 2 containers of organic salad mix from the market. It never gets old or limp if I keep it past the expiration date....ooops. I don’t run out of salad, I no longer waste salad greens... I only pick what I need, I don't get bored eating the same salads all week... I can mix them up, it’s always fresh and it has much much more flavor than salads picked a week ago and then shipped in cold storage to the market...

Soooooo, I started sowing seeds to transplant in my mother’s garden later this month.... I sowed: multi colored beets (Obama doesn’t know what he’s missing ;-), multi colored carrots, Kentucky bush beans, more curly spinach, brussels sprouts, and cherry tomatoes (sown from my coolest neighbor’s crop last year). I will also plant 2 other varieties of tomatoes, broccoli, broccoli rabe, swiss chard (the colorful kind) and my coolest neighbor is giving me a starter blackberry vine from her big BB vine. Planting all these goodies will give my mom something to fuss over and nurture every morning, and me something to share with her. I am looking forward to reaping all the benefits of a tasty harvest this spring and summer.

Now I know Michelle, our First Lady has gone public with her White House Victory Garden, but why not follow her lead? It’s a great lesson for your kids and the kid in you (a great reason to play in the dirt and mud). It’s a great way to show your loved ones you care about their health, after all, your garden is organic and there are no mysterious and/or harmful pesticides on your mini crop unless you put that crap on them. It will save you money. You get great satisfaction from knowing you are being green.... no plastic bags, no packaging, no waste, and you only pick what you need to prepare.

Every thing old is new again...
Thanks Grandma Mamie, for teaching me how to garden...
I paid attention!

Good to Know Stuff About Gardening...

Vegetables need 7 to 8 hours of full sun daily. Cool season vegetables get by on 6, some can even be planted in partial shade.

Framed Bed Soil Recipe: 50% existing garden soil, 25% aged manure, 25% compost or humus

Gardeners in tropical regions plant & grow cool season vegetables in fall and winter.

So you are looking out the window at 2 feet of snow wondering what you can possibly do now to start your garden the first thing to do is place your seed order. When your order arrives, it may still be too early to plant the seeds outdoors, but many cool season vegetables can be started from seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the frost free date in your area.

Some transplants can be put out a few weeks before the frost free date as well. Now I foresee the comments from readers in the Deep South already, “This doesn't apply to me!” Well, you are right. You are already midway through your cool season vegetable garden time frame, but there is still time to plant. A great resource for you is www.FloridaGardener.com.

On the flip side, gardeners in the extreme north have such a short growing season that they will plant their cool and warm season vegetables practically side by side.

Last Frost Dates by Zone
Zone 3 1 May / 31 May
Zone 4 1 May / 30 May
Zone 5 30 Mar / 30 Apr
Zone 6 30 Mar / 30 Apr
Zone 7 30 Mar / 30 Apr
Zone 8 28 Feb / 30 Mar
Zone 9 30 Jan / 28 Feb
Zone 10 30 Jan or before
Zone 11 Free of Frost throughout the year.

Before you start sowing seeds and planting it's important to know what the last frost date is in your area. This will determine when your spring growing season begins. There are several on-line sites where you can find this information using your zip code or by checking frost dates of near-by cities. These are average dates that may differ slightly year to year but they give you a basic window of time in which you can create a planting schedule. Another good source of local, reliable advice is your area's County Cooperative Extension Service or check with knowledgeable members of local gardening clubs I don't want to mislead you, even though many of these vegetables are regarded as cold tolerant, they can all be wiped out by a sudden, severe drop in temperature. It's important to be prepared with something to drape over the crops if an overnight cold snap is expected. Simply cover your crops with newspaper, old sheets or frost blankets. Just remember to remove the covering the next morning.

So that brings us to just what types of vegetables should we plant.

Here is a list of common cool season vegetables with a few tips to help you produce a bountiful spring garden.

Arugula – Sow seeds in the garden as soon as soil can be worked in spring. They will germinate in about 7 days and are ready to harvest in 3 to 4 weeks. For a continuous harvest, sow seeds every 2 weeks until temperatures heat up.
Beets – Sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Beets prefer a well-drained, sandy soil. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers as this will encourage top growth at the expense of root development. As with all root crops good soil aeration is key to uniform, robust development. Consistent moisture is also important. Keep areas weed free to avoid competition for nutrients.
Broccoli – Broccoli seed can be sown directly in the garden 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area or set out transplants 2 weeks before the last frost date. The ideal day time temperature for broccoli is between 65 and 80 degrees. Feed the plants 3 weeks after transplanting into the garden. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer.
Cabbage – Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last front date or plant transplants in the garden 2 weeks before that date. Direct sow in the garden immediately after the last frost date. Cabbage plants are heavy feeders that require fertile soil rich in organic matter and consistent moisture.
Carrots – Sow seeds in spring about 2 weeks before the last frost date. Carrots need deep, loose soil to form a robust root. Keep the bed weeded to avoid competition for nutrients from other plants. Too much nitrogen will result in forked roots. When the seedlings are about 2-inches tall, thin them so there is about 1 to 4-inches between them. Cover the shoulders with mulch or soil to keep them from turning green and bitter.
Collards – Collard transplants can be planted 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant in fertile, well drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. Rich soil encourages rapid growth and tender leaves, which are the best tasting collards. English Peas – Direct sow in the garden 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. They will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40 degrees F. Seedlings will survive a late snow and short periods of temperatures down to 25 degrees F.
Kale – You can plant kale in early spring, about 3 to 5 weeks before the last frost date. Cover with frost blankets during severe cold. Similar to collards very fertile soil is ideal to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves.
Kohlrabi – Kohlrabi is similar to a turnip, but is actually related to cabbage. Set plants out 4 weeks before the last frost date. Protect young plants from freezing temperatures with a frost blanket. Cool temperatures enhance the sweet flavor. Lettuce – Sow lettuce any time in spring when the soil is workable. Lettuce is more sensitive to cold than other cool season vegetables and should definitely be covered during cold snaps. The ideal day time temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees. Fertilize with fish emulsion, which is high in nitrogen. Lettuce will grow in partial shade and actually appreciates the shelter from intense late spring sun.
Onions – Onions can be grown from sets, small bulbs, or transplants, which look like scallions and come in a bundle of 60 or so. Either method should be planted in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Long-day varieties are suitable for Northern gardens and short-day varieties can be planted in the South. Place time release fertilizer in the planting hole so that it is close to the roots. Follow the fertilizer's label directions.
Potatoes – Greening of grass is a good indicator of when to plant potato sets, dried potato pieces with 2 to 3 eyes. In my zone 7 garden that occurs in March. Soil should be loose, fertile and well drained. As the tubers mature, cover with soil to prevent burning.
Radish – Sow radish seeds in the garden about 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area. No feeding necessary, but soil should be fertile and well drained. They are quick to mature so check them regularly. They are ready to harvest as soon as they are of edible size.
Spinach – Spinach seeds can be sown over frozen ground to germinate as the soil thaws. Transplants can be set out 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Fertilize when the plants are about 4 inches tall. Spinach prefers very fertile soil to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves. Once the days get long and warm it will bolt, meaning that it grows tall, blooms and becomes bitter tasting. For grit-free leaves select plain leaf varieties such as Giant Nobel and Olympia.
Swiss Chard – Swiss Chard is one the more beautiful vegetables in the garden. Bright Lights and Ruby are favorites for adding color to the garden and the dinner table. Plant or sow seeds 2 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Thin to 6-inches apart when seedlings are 3-inches tall. Water regularly.
Turnip – Plant 2 weeks before the last frost date. Any well-drained soil will do. Consistent moisture is key for healthy root development. Although it is not necessary, the greens will be the most tender if you plant in a fertile soil.

I got this information when I googled Organic Spring What to Plant. Sorry I didn’t get the link....
my bad!

Follow Your Passion...
and Be Happy.

As I was shopping last week at the Annual African American Art Market in Lost Angeles, where you are exposed to hundreds of artisans, fashion designers, hand made crafts, and such for about 2 weeks. I met a woman... as we shopped for unusual but cool attire, we got to talking. She asked what I did... I responded with my usual, Jamaican Enterprises schpeel, graphic design, yoga, artsy stuff, foundation stuff, grantwriting ect. Her response became the theme for this February blog. She said she was a retired teacher (noble profession), and looked me in the eye and said “wow, how nice that you do what makes you happy.... I’m trying to get there too.” She might have been a year older than me.

As I thought about her this past week, I thought, how many people are spending their lives being secure but not happy.... hummmmm. What is happy worth? What is security worth? And if we are doing what is our passion and it makes us happy, how great is that?.... They say, “if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.”

Of course being a Virgo... I kept on thinking....How many creative people are out there trapped in the illusion of being secure with many losing their jobs as we speak.... And how many are frightened to venture out on their own and embrace their passion? And all the while, short-changing themselves from their true potential....After all, God & The Universe will support you if you have faith and your heart is in the right place. Or, you can work for someone else, and be the subject of the new phenomenon, the disposable workforce/society.

I have heard friends say they need to get the benefits, mainly health benefits.... ???.... As a culture here in the US, we tend to put car insurance above health insurance... I hear, "I feel we shouldn't have to pay for it".... WTF!...So let me get this straight, your car is more important than your body temple... again,..????... Insuring a high end car (with the average car costing $25,000.00+) is more important than your health, the health of your wealth (home, savings, investments, family) and so on and so on. I think they have it twisted, after all, you'd never expect anyone else to pay for your car insurance... Health insurance may be a scam, but for $150 bucks a month or more, you won’t lose your life or home. So let’s see the logic, I’ll get a job and suffer through it to be secure, I'll put my health and wellbeing in someone else's hands, be at someone else’s whim, control, and well.... whatever helps you sleep at night.

Right now, the world economy sucks.... People are being terminated quicker than I’m writing this. So why not put your God given gifts and talents to work for you? Dare to trust your gifts and be happy. You may find you have something someone needs and wants...What do you have to lose? Yourself? And who’s more important?

Gail Oliver©2009

Create VS Consume


An Obituary in The Times

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come from out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; And, maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses preaching politics from the pulpit; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. His 4 stepbrothers survive him; I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
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40 Golden Tips for
A Better Life in 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose today is to __________ '

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice Meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. - Appreciate their genuine nature, strength, and innocence. For real!

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan Salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away (like any class) but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Nature heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often (Or email them notes of a personal nature).

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for ______. Today I accomplished ______.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Breathe

May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but Happiness come through your door!
unknown