Relax With Reflexology

Putting the garden to bed August 28, 2010

Wow! What a lovely morning it  has been. I got busy after my coffee on the porch with Jesus and the hummingbirds. I headed out to the garden and pulled a few more dying plants. Then, I sprayed  neem oil on my crepe myrtle and under the cardboard of the area where I had the squash plants. This is where I battled with the squash bugs and  those grubs that ate into the vines. I have covered as much of the garden as  I can with cardboard to keep the weeds at bay over the winter. Cardboard is biodegradable and safe for garden use from what I have read. Next, I got aggressive and sprayed Round-Up all  around the perimeter of the garden and on the weeds. It is to warm today so I hope this will kill them as we go into Fall. The hope is that by next Spring the space will be in good shape to start again.

I need to think through some things about next year’s garden. What did I really eat and what measures am I willing to do to preserve my bounty? This year I made sweet pickles  which was a totally new thing for me and I froze some things but I really had too many cucumbers and maybe even tomatoes. The tomatoes did not do that great but I am not a big tomato eater myself. I do want to do more herbs. Now, I do know that I need to use the neem oil earlier and as often as I can for it to really work. It is not like Sevin or other pesticides but is much safer for me and my plants. It works slower and totally different.

So, what will the Fall bring? I hope it will bring time to linger over the last of warm  and cool days. I get a little melancholy in the Fall and some of it is ok. What are the stressors I need to let die in my life and what new things and people do I want to add? It is going into rest mode. I want to get some house repairs done before settling in for “the rest of winter.” That is often difficult for me because I am a Spring/Summer girl at heart.

What stressors do you need to put to bed or round-up and destroy? Think about it.

Sharon

Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist

Newbern, TN   Dyersburg, TN      Dyer Co.  TN

731-627-0053

“It is not deli meat.” August 22, 2010

Today, I had an argument with my cat. I don’t feed him from the table but when I fix a sandwich, I sometimes give him a little bit of deli meat. Therefore, any time he is around and I open the refrigerator, he thinks he is to be given a piece.

Today, I was fixing cream cheese and pineapple, but he was quite sure I was holding out on him. It wasn’t until I sat on the couch (Do single people eat at the table? Yes, sometimes.) and he half-way poked his nose in my vanilla wafer sandwich that he believed me.  “It is not deli meat!” I said again. He jumped down disgusted.

I do that with life some times. I think someone is not telling me everything or holding out something I need but they aren’t. That can cause unnecessary stress when I just need to take care of my own business. Sometimes though, it is a surprise for me and I get a “bite of deli meat” and a smile.

Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist

Newbern, TN     Dyersburg, TN      731-627-0053

Changes–How do you cope? August 14, 2010

I know several people who are dealing with change right. I am, too. This week, I started a new day job. It was a bit confusing but I am going to love it. It is an answer to my prayers and will even give me more time to do reflexology.

It is a new school year and some of my younger friends are off to college. Change happens. Count on it. Some people handle change quite well and others almost freak out. How does one increase coping power for change? I think that answer is as unique as we each are, but taking good basic care of ourselves will surely help. Of course, reflexology is always a good way to reduce that stress.

Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist

Dyersburg, TN    Newbern, TN     731-627-0053

“I’m a fixin’ to show you what freedom is” August 7, 2010

That was the word I got this morning at  my coffee on the porch meditation time with Jesus.  I said,   “Come on, then.”

I start a new day job on Monday and this week has been a blur of interviews and goodbyes and paperwork out the wazoo.  Have I been stressed? Yes but at peace, too.

I’m ready for some true freedom. I have worked too hard in my past to get free and now I just want to be free.

Relax With Reflexology

Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist

Newbern, TN    Dyersburg, TN     Dyer County, TN

731-627-0053

Checking out magnesium oil July 31, 2010

I’m currently using myself as my own guinea  pig for magnesium oil. Magnesium is suppose to absorb better via the skin rather than the GI tract. Maybe. I do know many of us do not get enough magnesium and that would probably include me. It is a fact that magnesium is so important for our bods. I’ve used Epsom Salt soaks for years for sore muscles and have taken supplements. This is certainly  a more convenient form.

It is also recommended that it be rubbed onto the soles of your feet for better absorption and the advantage of reflexology points already being on the feet. Maybe. I’m trying the magnesium oil from Health and Wisdom Inc.  I don’t believe they are making reflexology claims about it. I am not! I can not.  I don’t practice medicine–I just help people relax using reflexology.

I’ll get back with you with my opinion later concerning how I personally feel using it.

Sharon West, Registered Certified  Reflexologist

Newbern, TN  Dyersburg, TN

Faith & lemon ice box pies July 24, 2010

Life has been interesting lately. Many facets of my life are coming together so I have waxed philosophical .

My sister’s birthday is soon and I made her a lemon ice box pie, the kind with Eagle Brand milk. So, here we go:

“Faith is knowing that when life gives you lemons, God will turn it into lemon ice box pie.”  My slightly warped version of Romans 8:28.

Why I voted for Jeff Box for Dyer Co. Sheriff July 10, 2010

This is my revised blog from last week since I went to early voting on July 17th.

Today’s blog is not  the norm for me but when I “googled” Jeff Box after  the Candidates Forum  from the State Gazette,  all I found  at that time was a Topix entry.  I know we can go beyond Topix–a mix of opinions,  but just as often—lies. Jeff does have a Facebook page, so check that out. I bet it has more action now and has maybe changed finding him via Google.

I first met Jeff at church (First Christian) but that is not why I’m voted for him today at early voting. In fact, I found Jeff hesitant at first to discuss “politics” while at church. I said to him, “Wait, I asked you and I need to know why I should vote for you.” He smiled. We had an interesting discussion and I was impressed by his upfront attitude. I left feeling  that this was not just an ego-based decision on his part.  In fact,  I wondered why anyone would want to put themselves in harm’s way and even into the politics of Dyer County.  I believe he believes he is the most qualified person for the job and therefore, perhaps feels he must run. That is a most excellent reason to want this position.

Even after that, I chose to observe him to be sure about my decision and to talk to other family members that I have known before he chose to run. I like his family, but that is not the reason I voted for Jeff.

Last Saturday,  I got up and went to the breakfast at the Millsfield Volunteer Fire Station for Jeff Box. It was a good crowd. Oh yes, part of them were other candidates enjoying a free breakfast and “politiking”themselves, but many were neighbors and some just interested in finding out more about this man. Jeff was busy talking and  one could see that he is quite at home there.

Jeff  was humble about the Forum.  I told him he “did good” but we need  him to “google” better. We laughed about that and I told him I wanted to blog about his campaign today. He was fine with that.

I think he will and has  gone to places where  he might not be as comfortable  but knows we need him to be there anyway. That might make some un-comfortable, but all the more reason to be there. That’s what good sheriffs do.

I think Jeff speaks  with confidence but is not arrogant. Our sheriff has to be articulate and be able to speak to all types of groups. The sheriff has to handle the media as well as a terrified victim. The sheriff has to be able to represent us well in national as well as local situations. Jeff  Box can do that. The sheriff has to be open to new ideas but at the same time know what will  work in our community. Dyer County is more diverse than many like to think. While most people here have little contact with the sheriff’s department, you never know when you might need their help.

Most of the other  candidates are good men but I believe that Jeff stands out. He is taking this seriously because lives depend on it, but  I think he is striving for balance and the better direction. His job will be to defend and protect and to follow not just the letter but also the spirit of the law. Being the sheriff  is not just a head issue but one of the heart. My prayers are with you and your family  for protection, direction and some joy along the way. Go Jeff!!

Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist

Dyer County, TN   Newbern, Tennessee    Dyersburg, TN

“I don’t care if you don’t love me anymore.” July 3, 2010

“Some things are better left than understood,” sing the Mavericks in the song, “I Don’t  Care If You Don’t Love Me Anymore.” The song is on the “Michael” soundtrack. I dearly love the movie, Michael.

Today, my mission was killing bugs in my garden. First, I picked the veggies that were ready. Then, I watered everything. Next, I performed surgery on the squash plants to dissect worms inside two plants. Yuk. ( I did want to be a veterinarian  in my youth.) Then, I covered up that part of the plants with new dirt and then sprayed Neem oil all over the whole garden. Neem is one of the better, less toxic insecticides according to what I read. It will kill the gnawing sort of bugs but will spare the bees if not sprayed directly on them. Therefore I was up early to spray before most of the bees were busy.

Is that ugly for a healing person? No, I don’t think so. It is about boundaries. Now, if the bugs played fair and only ate a portion, then I would share. Really. My justification is that if the bugs kill the plants then the bees and I will lose out period and I have gotten into this pickling things with the cukes. I don’t understand why I can’t come to peace with these little eaters.  So, I don’t care if the bugs love me anymore. That is  growth for me as weird as that sounds. I AM  the gardener of this garden and I AM responsible to do my part in keeping it healthy and growing. Indeed, some things are best left than understood.

Now, I can RELAX.

Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist

Dyersburg, TN   Newbern, TN   731-627-0053

Happy 4th of July

Happy Birthday, America and Americans! What shall we do with our freedoms?

It is a great time to pause to celebrate. We get too busy for that it seems. I love a fun birthday party especially when it is done just for that person…or the country.

Pause, don’t stress out if you plan a big celebration. Let others help out and remember to enjoy it  yourself. If a quiet time, then rest and celebrate that you have that extra day off and relax.  Don’t let anything steal your freedom to relax. Relax, relax, relax.

Poise June 26, 2010

The word for today is poise. Do you have poise?

Poise is defined as:

1. balance, stability

2. ease and dignity of manner

3. carriage of the body

I also think of it as an easy confidence but not arrogant. It is an inner action that shows on the outside. It is a beautiful way to carry yourself yet,  natural. One can be poised  for  action or at rest. Free to be who you are.

The energy of Summer can be scattering and therefore, stressful. Balance of work and place is important in the hot, busy days of Summer.  Are you poised for joy?

Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist

Newbern, TN   Dyersburg, TN      731-627-0053