An Aussie Maple Leaf, adrift on the wind… | Scattered thoughts, brief moments.
A Versatile Little Maple Leaf…
Featured / wordynerdbird	/ Leave a comment
Many people don’t realise that, in addition to being both hilarious and generally fabulous at life, I’m also a published author and an avid reader.
If you’re interested in those things, you’re welcome to follow me at:
Book Squirrel A blog about books, authors, new releases, and generally bookish stuff.
WordyNerdBird where I blather on a bit about life as a writer, reader, word nerd, teacher, and director.
Shakespeare Nerd where I fully indulge in my love for Shakespeare’s works, and try to help others appreciate and understand them better.
WordyNerdBird Writes where I publish my new writing as a “road test” for the next book!
Where The Wind Has Taken Me A blog about the places I’ve visited and things I’ve seen.
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I’m very happy with my first attempt at making my own lip balm!
There are myriad recipes for DIY lip balm on the internet. Some of them were very complicated, and every single one is a bit different than the others, even if they have the same ingredients in them.
In the end, I decided that proportion was the thing to get right, and the more straightforward I could make it, the better!
40g pure Shea butter
Melt the Shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time.
When it is all melted and no wax pellets remain, stir in essential oil.
Pour into small pots or tins.
It will set at room temperature, but that will cool and set faster in the fridge.
When set, the lip balm should be opaque white and smooth in appearance.
This recipe makes approx. ten small tins.
It set really well and has a nice, smooth consistency.
The smell is quite neutral and only faintly minty.
It feels lovely on my lips, with a delicious little tingle from the peppermint.
I love the fact that this has no chemicals in it!
I’m very happy to be reusing tins and containers that I already had. I simply used some decorative tape to cover the lids.
March 25, 2020 March 25, 2020 / wordynerdbird	/ Leave a comment
This week, as one of my “I’m staying at home, so I’m going to make the time useful” projects, I made my own hand sanitiser.
Sadly, in this time of corona virus and panic buying/hoarding by selfish people, there’s no real need to explain why.
While there are several recipes in circulation on the internet, the one I used was given to me by my local natural health practitioner. I chose this recipe because it included Vitamin E oil to nourish and moisturise the skin.
The original recipe had 1/4 tsp of vitamin E oil, which I doubled in the hope of preventing the nasty dryness and itching that I experience with so many of the commercial products.
In the interests of making my lotion as cleanly as possible, I used room-temperature water out of the kettle, which had been boiled that morning.
I don’t really like overly floral fragrances, so I chose something more aromatic and spicy: a blend of bergamot, sweet orange, cinnamon, cardamom and clove which not only smells really nice, it is strong enough to counter the smell of the alcohol and fragrance the lotion without being overpowering.
In a bowl, combine aloe vera gel, vitamin e oil and essential oils.
Add water and alcohol, mixing well to combine.
I used two 100 ml containers that I bought specifically for this purpose, as they are different from any of the other bottles or tubes of stuff in my house, and therefore won’t be confused with anything else.
I also clearly labelled them, so that everyone in my house knows what is inside.
I have been using this sanitiser for two days and have no dermatitis or nasty reaction yet. This is a very good sign, as I have sensitive skin and tend to react quickly to anything it doesn’t like.
Four Years Migraine Free: A Happy Anniversary Indeed!
Photo Credit: JillWellington on Pixabay
Today is the fourth anniversary of my daith piercing. That also makes today the fourth anniversary of the last of the debilitating migraines and chronic severe headaches that had plagued me consistently throughout my teens and adult life.
I don’t think I could ever forget the surprise and shock when that migraine— which I had had for five days— was gone within an hour of the piercing being done. I had definitely not expected that to happen!
I also still remember the profound sense of clarity and awareness the following day when I was in the classroom and completely headache-free — an entirely new experience for me.
The niggling fear and suspicion that it couldn’t last and that the next migraine was lurking around some corner, waiting to accost me and steal my new lease on life, was a feeling that took some time to overcome.
That hasn’t happened yet, and while I realise that day might yet come, I no longer actively think about it.
I am so incredibly thankful for the difference in my life that one piercing made. I am also thankful to my professional body piercer for her expertise, and for having taken the time to learn how to use her art for therapy and healing.
February 22, 2020 February 22, 2020 / wordynerdbird	/ 1 Comment
So, I recently visited my friendly local alternative health practitioner and asked, “What can you suggest to help me sleep?”
She suggested Vetiver Oil, diluted in fractionated coconut oil. The instructions say to apply it under both big toes and to the wrists, to inhale deeply on going to bed, and to reapply on waking through the night.
Extracted from the roots of vetiver grass, vetiver oil is useful for calming emotions and relaxing the body.
The first night, I did doze off more easily. I also smelt like I was sleeping in the very damp leaf litter on the floor of a forest that didn’t get enough sunlight. Inhaling it deeply wasn’t anything I needed to do consciously — that was unavoidable! It is not an offensive smell, but it is distinctive and perhaps a little strong.
On the second night I decidedto just go with it under the big toes, and I added a dab or two on the inside of my ankles instead of my wrists – I figured the circulation is near the skin there, too, and I wouldn’t find the smell so strong there. I found that it still helped me to drift off and the smell of the oil was not so pervasive.
On the third night, I followed the same routine as the previous night. I also used some lemongrass oil on my fingers and hands for pain management, as I often do through the day. It wasn’t my intention, but I found the lemongrass balanced and lightened the vetiver quite effectively. That was a happy accident!
I have been following that routine for a couple of weeks now, and while I still don’t fall asleep quickly, I have observed that drifting off is gentler and generally doesn’t take as long as it has done in the past.
Having experienced difficulty falling asleep for as long as I can remember – even before the onset of fibromyalgia, it’s fir to say that any improvement is welcome.
Fibro-my-Sunday.
February 16, 2020 / wordynerdbird	/ 1 Comment
Image by Jordan_Singh on Pixabay
My plans for today are not optional. That is a luxury rarely available to me.
When I woke up, though, I realised my body has other ideas:
Me: “Come on, legs. You can do it!”
My legs: “No. We can’t.”
My legs: “Fine. But we’re going to make you suffer.”
My back: “I’m with them.”
My fingers: “Us too!”
I got up and showered. I needed the hot water for my back, but the water hitting my skin was painful.
I dressed, but then had to change into something made from softer fabric that didn’t hurt my skin so much just by being against it.
I downed my medications, hoping they would work quickly. They didn’t.
I drank my coffee, hoping the caffeine would make a difference. It didn’t.
I can’t take any more pain killers for hours. I can have more caffeine, though, so that is definitely happening.
This is one snapshot of one morning. One morning that is complete typical of many others in my life, and in the lives of other fibromyalgia sufferers.
And now, I am off to a full day of rehearsals that I have to attend because I am the director.
Today is going to be an exercise in perseverance and in drawing upon my actor’s craft. The role I play today needs to be motivated and excited, and able to project that motivation and commitment into my cast and crew.
I cannot fall over. I will not fall over. That is, at least, until I get home.
Tell you what, though. I’m glad my other half is cooking dinner, because I’m already exhausted.