We Are All Just Prisoners Here

Still waiting for my first four to grow up and got a couple new eggs that are about to hatch. hehe

Trying out this dragon egg thing. Hmmm

By Scottie Johnson

If you are a serious gardener, you spend lots of time outdoors. And, for sure, you would rather be tending your plants than swatting mosquitoes.

While there are many things you can do to keep mosquitoes away, there are some plants that will beautify your yard and help repel mosquitoes.

As one more way to keep mosquitoes away from you and your yard, try planting these attractive plants.

HORSEMINT
Horsemint has a scent similar to citronella. Horsemint grows wild in most of the Eastern United States, from Mexico, Texas up to Minnesota to Vermont. It is partial to sandy soils and will grow in USDA Zones 5-10. Native Americans used it as a treatment for colds and flu. It has natural fungicidal and bacterial retardant properties because it's essential oils are high in thymol.

ROSEMARY
This wonderful herb we use for seasoning is also a great, natural mosquito repellant. It has been used for centuries to keep pesky mosquitoes away. Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean, so it likes hot, dry weather and well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10, and must be grown as a pot plant in colder climates. If you happen to live in a part of the country where rosemary does not grow, you can get a good quality rosemary essential oil; mix 4 drops with 1⁄4 cup olive oil. Store in a cool, dry place. When it comes to fresh plant oils as natural mosquito repellants, there is every reason to have the plant in your yard, if they will grow in your area. It is an inexpensive and attractive way to boost the appearance of the landscape and have natural mosquito repellants on hand as well.

MARIGOLDS
Organic gardeners have used marigolds as companion plants to keep aphids away. Mosquitoes don't like its scent any better (and some humans feel the same way). Marigolds are sun-loving annuals that come in a variety of shapes and sizes for almost any landscape. They are quite easy to grow from seed.

AGERATUM
This charming little bedding plant contains coumarin, and mosquitoes detest the smell. It is used in the perfume industry and is even in some commercial mosquito repellants. Don't rub ageratum on your skin, though. It has some other less desirable elements that you don't want to keep on your skin in quantity. Ageratums are annuals, and they come in a muted blue and white that compliments most other plantings.

MOSQUITO PLANTS
There are two types of plants that are called mosquito plants. One is a member of the geranium family that was genetically engineered to incorporate the properties of citronella. Citronella only grows in tropical places, but it is a well known repellant for mosquitoes. This plant was created to bring the repellant properties of citronella into a hardier plant. It will grow where any geranium will thrive. Many have questioned its usefulness as a mosquito repellant, but it is attractive enough to warrant planting for it's ornamental value.

The other kind of mosquito plant is agastache cana. Its common names include Texas hummingbird mint, bubblegum mint, giant hyssop, or giant hummingbird mint. As you might guess, hummingbirds are quite attracted to it. It is a New Mexico native, also found in parts of Texas. It is, in fact, a member of the mint family and its leaves do have a pungent aroma when crushed. In its native habitat, it is perennial, and is usually hardy in USDA Zones 5a-9a. It blooms late summer to early fall, so it catches hummingbirds on their annual migration. The long, medium pink flowers reel in butterflies as well.

CATNIP One of the most powerful mosquito repellant plants is ordinary catnip. Recent studies have shown that it is ten times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. It is a short lived perennial throughout most of the United States. It is easy to grow from seed, and quickly reseeds. Aside from its intoxicating effects on cats, the leaves make a very soothing tea.

With all of these plants, the leaves must be crushed to release the aroma. Otherwise mosquitoes can't smell them. And, with rosemary and catnip, you can simply crush a few leaves and rub on your skin and clothing to enhance the effect.

So, next time you are revising your plantings, consider using some of these attractive plants to do more than just enhance the landscape. You can have pretty ornamentals that also drive mosquitoes away.

Scottie Johnson is a life long mosquito warrior and freelance writer dedicated to eliminating mosquitoes from her life. She is also an organic gardener.

Haven't posted in a while. Life has become so freakin' busy. I have gotten some of my garden out. Still have a bit to go. Can't wait to have some fresh veggies. Work is still overwhelming. I am hoping that something will happen at the university soon. I can't take this two job thing much longer. And, it is making me so tired I don't want to write. I have hundreds (literally) of ideas for articles and no time or energy to write them. I have been writing a few gardening articles, though. They seem to do very well this time of year. I would like to write some religious articles for my pagan pen name. ::sigh:: Hopefully soon, I can.

We had a nice Memorial weekend at home, just the seven of us. LMAO Me and my sweetie and our 5 furry babies. The kittens are growing so fast. Chewy is going to be huge, we think. His paws are really big for his current size. I hate to say it, but he is my favorite. I fell in love with him when he was about 3 weeks old. He snuggled into my armpit and it was true love for me. LMAO His mom is my second favorite. I have a soft spot for orange tabbies. Must be something from a former life. Maybe I was an orange tabby. :D

So, anyway, still doing ok. Still working my ass off. The usual. :D

Hope everyone is doing great and had a great holiday weekend.

::hugs::

Reasons to Have an Herb Garden

Today I planted 4 geraniums and 24 moss roses. Just a drop in the bucket, probably. LMAO

My Associated Content Articles can be found here and here. Yes, I have two profiles. One is for more pagan stuff. The other is for everything else. :D I write about gardening, natural remedies, diabetes, cooking, sewing, some pagan stuff, and a few miscellaneous articles. Please have a look if you are so inclined.

It's Friday night. I'm home alone with no vehicle. Battlestar Galactica is on tonight. Our satellite was fried by the storm earlier.

On a much happier note, my sweetie was not fried by the earlier storm. But, lots of buildings around him were. There was a tornado that went through in KY where he is working. I've only been able to talk with him once since it went through. Text messages won't even get through. The cell towers are down up there. But, he is ok, and the school where he works is ok. Other than that, I have no idea.

OMG How good does this sound?!?!

Tex-Mex Cheeseburgers

1 1/3 pounds ground beef
4 teaspoons minced green chilies
2 1/2 tablespoons diced Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetable oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat grill. Place ground beef on plate and gently spread apart with 2 forks. Sprinkle chilies over top; dot with cheese. Lift mixture and fold it over on itself. Gently shape into 4 patties, three-fourths to 1-inch thick, pressing any showing cheese pieces back into meat.

Brush grill grid lightly with oil. Grill burgers over medium-hot heat 3 minutes on first side, then 4 minutes on second side for rare, 5 to 6 minutes for medium-rare. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Makes 4 cheeseburgers.

Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies and Sinus Pain

Ok, business first. :D

Two new articles
How To Decide What To Plant In Your Garden
Get Your Garden Plot Ready For Spring Planting

And to be nice I will cut the rest.( Read more... )

I found a recipe for a great cough syrup. Chop up fresh garlic, onions and ginger root. Place a layer in a wide mouth mason jar, add a layer of sugar (organic is best), add another layer of garlic, onion and ginger, then more sugar. Keep layering until the jar is full. put the top on the jar and set it aside for 4 or 5 hours. The sugar will pull the liquid out of the roots and make a syrup. When you need to take some, just tilt the jar and get some syrup with a spoon. Take as often as needed. It keeps for about 6 months to a year on the shelf, no refridgeration is needed.
All the roots are good for viral and bacterial infections.

So... I have a really good memory. LOL It annoys people sometimes. I know the HP of the coven said they were going to have a new moon ceremony Friday and that we could do my dedication then. NP. I just needed a ride. So, now she is saying Sunday, which is perfect for me because I can drive myself. But... I know she originally said Friday. LOL I'm so OCD sometimes. It doesn't really matter and it worked out better anyway.

So, my dedication is Sunday, probably around 6 pm central time. So, if you can spare a thought, please send me some positive stuff if you so choose. :D Just so I know you are there. LOL I'm actually so excited I can barely sit still. And, it is 4 days away.

This recipe is simple and as good as it sounds, provided you use high-quality ingredients ( fresh tomatoes and basil, real Parmigiano-Reggiano ) and are careful not to overcook the pasta or sauce. You just want to warm the ingredients, but each should maintain its own identity so you taste each of them distinctly.

Salt
1 pound dried capellini ( angel hair ) pasta
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large red beefsteak tomato, finely diced
1 yellow beefsteak tomato, or another red tomato, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup sliced basil
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
Freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and boil until al dente, approximately 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a wide, deep, heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the red and yellow tomatoes, garlic, and basil, and cook for 1 minute.

Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the tomatoes, basil, and garlic. Add the cheese and butter, season with salt and pepper, and toss well to melt the butter and incorporate the ingredients. Divide among wide, shallow bowls and serve hot. Serves 6 as an appetizer, or 4 as a main course.

Source: The Red Cat Cookbook

On LJ, I have several communities and several journals. I think on here I'm going to combine the whole mess into one. Here I will post recipes, spells, crafts, random thoughts, memories, book reviews, natural remedies, pimpage of my writing and various other endeavors, and anything else I have a mind to. I'm not going to let it get into such a huge and unmanageable task as my LJ's are.

Another thing I just thought you should know.

:D

Source: Mirboo Garden
Ingredients: 2 Tomatoes
1/2 Red Onion
1 Jalapeño Pepper (green or red)
1 tbs Cilantro
Juice of 1 small Lime
Salt
Directions: 1. Chop Tomatoes, set in bowl
2. Dice Red Onion, set in bowl
3. Dice Jalapeño (remove seeds), set in bowl
4. Chop Cilantro, set in bowl
5. Pour in Lime Juice
6. Add Salt to taste
7. Mix together
Add fresh orange juice or coriander for variety.

It is very hard to count drops coming from an eye dropper going into a squirming kitty's mouth.

Just thought you should know.

:D

So, we started using the herbal medicine this morning. Chewy took it fine. Tinga was not happy. But, hopefully she will forgive us quickly. They have to have it 4 times a day. LOL At least they are making it to the litter box. Apparently, their brother Cassius is not so lucky. But, then, he is taking the chemicals the vet prescribed. Which may be perfectly fine. Again, we'll see. :D Our kitties still have a lot of energy and are still incredibly cute.

Spring kitchens are airy, fresh places where we feel stimulated, energized, alive with possibilities. The first step in making our kitchens places of inspiration is old fashioned spring-cleaning. Even those of us who loathe housecleaning as a tiresome, thankless, repetitious, and endlessly boring chore can learn to enjoy the process of marking our territory with magick.
( Read more... )

Not sure why, but I suddenly feel the need to list this stuff. These are jobs I have gotten actual money for performing.

Secretary
Receptionist
Cook
Cashier
Photographer
Typesetter
Graphic Designer
Assembler
Inspector
Bookkeeper
Shelf Stocker
Chicken Chucker
Sewing Machine Operator
Records Clerk
Telephone Operator
Writer
Musician
Singer
Manager
Cleaning Lady
Data Entry
Filing
Proofreader
Run Errands
Payroll Clerk
Hand out samples
Meat Wrapper
Candy Packer
Advertising Manager
Substitute Teacher


I have worked in factories, offices, fast food, colleges, high schools, elementary schools, newspapers, retail stores, convenience stores, car dealers, print shops, grocery stores, and probably more I cannot think of right now. There were many years I got more than 5 W-2's. I have rarely gotten only one per year.