Carla Hinsey

Posted By Carla on July 13, 2010

Here are some new garden photos taken last week of my yard.

Mixed flowers in front garden

Front garden

Me and a friend with big sunflower

One of my yellow Angel Trumpets

More Sunflowers

Category: Plants & Gardening | No Comments »
Tags: Angel Trumpets, Brugmansia, Coneflowers, sunflowers

Posted By Carla on June 27, 2010

Sorry People, I was going to keep you guys posted on the progress of my garden, but some things have happened over the last few weeks that really took the wind out of my sails.  I had almost given up on my garden all together, but alas, things have gotten a little better here lately.

The weather here has been tremendous to say the least.  Hot and humid, storms have been building almost everyday in the afternoons for weeks now.  About a month ago a late afternoon storm blew through our region with heavy winds, rain and lots of hail.  The hail just about demolished everything in the garden.  It beat my sunflowers to a pulp, knocked down my Angel Trumpets, shredded leaves and knocked off new flower heads.

When I got home from work that night I was sure there wouldn’t be anything left of my garden.  It wasn’t until the next morning that I was able to inspect the damage and what I found just made me sick.  My husband tried to cheer me up, he told me in a month I wouldn’t even be able to tell that the storm had done any damage.  He said, “Yeah it looks bad now, but it didn’t kill everything.”  With a heavy heart I bucked up and started to clean up the yard as best I could.

After a few days things started to look a bit better in the yard and I was beginning to believe what my husband had told me.  The following week that all changed.

Right now we rent so there are a lot of things we have to put up with, like it or not.  One of the things we have to live with is some of the decisions that the managers make concerning certain things in this park we live in.  Last year a tree fell on a trailer and unfortunately it killed one of the occupants.  Since then, they have been crazy about all of the beautiful trees here.  They brought in a tree trimmer and cut out a lot of trees and trimmed a bunch of others.  They kept saying they needed to trim the only shade giving tree in our yard, a beautiful massive giant of a Tulip Popular.  We talked in length with the managers about the trimming of the tree.  Each time they reassured us that  they wouldn’t have it trimmed but just a little bit.  They would take a little of the top and trim some of the secondary limbs, they told us it would be alright.

The day finally came and the tree trimmer showed up just as I was walking out to go to work.  My husband was home and was going to oversee the project as best he could.  He talked to the trimmer, and was told, matter of fact, that he the trimmer, had been doing this since he was 12 years old and knew what he was doing.  My husband was skeptical, but what could he do, it wasn’t our property.   I have to say I was a bit nervous about the warfare of my plants as they were trying really hard to make a come back.  I watched in my rear-view mirror as I drove off to work, a little anxious to say the least.

When I got home from work that night and drove into the drive, my first thought was, “Where’s my tree?”  All I could see in the moonlight was a fat stick standing where my tree used to be.  As shocking as that was to me at the moment, the next morning just made me sick.  My husband was just as upset as I was over the entire ordeal, but there wasn’t anything we could do about it.  It was done, and by the way, the trimmers dropped branches all over my plants and took out some of the storm survivors, but they didn’t kill everything.

I’m including some pictures of my plants at the end of this post so that I can update you all with the progress of my garden.  My 2010 garden has struggled a lot this year, but what a fighter it has turned out to be!   I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Flower garden in the front

Sunflowers and Scarlet runners in new planter

Tomato garden

Sunflower

Category: Plants & Gardening | No Comments »
Tags: Angel Trumpets, Brugmansia, Gardening, spring garden, sunflowers

Posted By Carla on May 16, 2010

Spring is here and it is once again time to start this seasons garden.  This year I have added some new planters and can’t wait to get some new plants in.  In addition to new plots I have also expanded some of the older ones.  The soil here is not the best and each year I have to amend the dirt to keep my plants healthy and strong.  The soil is mostly clay and really only support native grasses, weeds, and wild flowers.  In the spring I add several bags of luscious black top soil and manure so that my plants will have the best chances to produce the most awesome flowers and fruits of the season.

New Flower Planter

This is my new flower planter.  I had to dig this one up and till the land as it was previously unused last year.  It didn’t take me too long, I spent about 4-5 hours using just a shovel.  I broke the ground and turned it over, afterward I amended the soil using 3 bags of top soil and 2 bags of manure.  I have several new plants this year and although this looks like a large planter I have already run out of space.  I have planted mammoth Sun flowers against the fence with Scarlet Runner Beans in between to fill in the fence for a natural privacy screen.  In front of  these I have planted Hollyhocks, also my strawberries, chives, oregano, and on the far end some of my Angel Trumpets.  In addition to my Purple Angel Trumpets, this year I have added some yellow ones.

Tomato & Pepper Planter

Another Planter we added this year is our Tomatoes and Peppers.  This one doesn’t seem to look that big, but again this plot had never been used and had to be tilled and the soil amended before planting.  My husband and I had started the digging but soon the project became bigger than either of us had expected.  A young friend of ours came over and finished the job for us and it only took him a few hours to dig and turn up the dirt, something that would have taken us days to complete.  That just goes to show there is something to say about youth .  Thank you dear Glenn for all your help!  In this plot there are 3 different varieties of tomatoes along with Jalapenos peppers, 2 varieties of green beans, and Cayenne peppers are planted in the tubs.  Actually this vegetable garden is my husbands and he has done all of the planting and tending.  Later, a fence will be added around the outside and top to keep the squirrels and ground hogs out of the garden.

Dieffenbachia I bring out in the summer

During the spring and summer months I bring my house plants out so that they can enjoy the warmth and humidity of our climate.  In this photo are 2 different varieties of  my Dieffenbachia.  They are both 3 years old and the larger variety has been producing flowers.  They really seem to love it  outside and they will stay out until the weather turns cool in the fall.  These plants bring some height to this corner of the yard where I don’t have anything to plant here as it stays in the shade most of the day.  This is a perfect spot for my shade loving houseplants.  This plant has grown so large I have much difficulty moving it in and out of the house, last year it grew to over 5 1/2 feet tall.  I’m planning to cut it back and root some trimmings to pot and give away to friends so that they may enjoy this plant as much as I have over the years.

Echinacea

Moving into the front yard I have many more mature plants and some older planters.  Here I usually just add more top soil to re-freshen the soil and add nutrients.  Last year I planted a few plants to add to my medicine cabinet, one of them was this beautiful Echinacea plant, also

Mint

known as a Cone-flower.  The next photo is one of 2 varieties of Mint that has done really well considering the long cold winter we had last year.  Actually I was really pleased to see my Echinaceae and mint had survived as I had lost several other plants.  It kills me when I lose a plant for any reason, but I suppose that is what happens when nature is in charge.  Since I have taken these photos I have added more seeds to this planter, but they are still very small and not showing much progress as of yet.  When they are a bit bigger I will up date with more pictures.  I am looking forward to a successful growing season and will keep updated photos as my plants grow.  It is still early in the season and we have many more months of  this growing season!

Category: Plants & Gardening | No Comments »
Tags: Gardening, healing with herbs, peppers, planting, tomatoes

Posted By Carla on April 16, 2010

Young Mullein Plant

Mullein is another wonderful herb that should be a must for your medicine cabinet.  I wanted to add Mullein to this post right after Coltsfoot as these two herbs combined together will give your body a huge boost when it comes to fighting respiratory aliments.

Some users have reported receiving  instant soothing relief to the throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs after a treatment of Mullein.  It is a mild natural narcotic herb that is not addictive and helps to reduce pain in the chest and throat allowing the user to sleep soundly through the night.  A benefit for the body as a whole is the boost to the lymphatic system especially the tonsils.  Mullein helps to loosen mucous in the lungs to help alleviate the tight sensation or heaviness in the chest.

Mullein Plant

I have been using Mullein and Coltsfoot for some time now to help with my bronchitis.  I mix equal parts of the dried herbs into a cigarette and then smoking them  just before going to bed or when I am experiencing extreme bouts of dry coughing.

I wouldn’t recommend smoking this herb if you are not a smoker as I believe that the smoke would cause more irritation to your lungs and throat then any benefit you would receive from the herbs.

In the mornings I drink a hot tea infused with the two herbs again in equal parts (about a teaspoon full of each).  Mullein offers a mild sedative affect on the body, so drinking the tea before going to bed will help you to fall asleep and get a good nights rest.

The only negative side affects of this herb is that over use or high doses can result in sedation of the person who may be sensitive to the herb.  If you experience lethargic sensations or heavy bouts of sleepiness, cut back on the dose or discontinue using it.  If you are under the care of a physician or experiencing  poor health consult a medical professional before using herbal remedies.  Some herbs are known to have adverse reactions with prescription drugs.

Category: Nature's Medicine Cabinet | No Comments »
Tags: herbs for respiratory aliments, Mullein, smoking herbs

Posted By Carla on April 5, 2010

Coltsfoot is one of my favorite herbs and is a MUST for your medicine cabinet.  With spring finally upon us, allergies and other respiratory aliments with chronic to acute conditions, can make this time of year miserable for many people.  Coltsfoot is a very diverse plant and can help sooth and treat many aliments such as asthma, bronchitis, cough, laryngitis, hoarseness, lung cancer symptoms, throat irritations, sore throat, and wheezing.

The active ingredient in Coltsfoot is called mucilage (containing about 8%) and is responsible for the soothing effect it has on the throat.  It leaves a coating that helps to suppress the cough and relieve respiratory conditions.  It is also used as a demulcent, expectorant and tonic and gives much relief in bronchitis as it has anti-inflammatory properties.  Coltsfoot has been used in Western herbal medicines and Chinese medicine for about 2,500 years.  The benefits of this herb have been known for a very long time, and even today it is widely used in many parts of the world.

Coltsfoot about to bloom

Coltsfoot is a member of the Daisy family and is native to Europe and it also grows wild in North America and the temperate parts of China. It is a tough invasive plant that lives in marginal soil, abundant in wastelands, along roadsides, and sand dunes.  The stem is covered with white downy fibers, the leaves are hoof-shaped, and the flowers are brilliant yellow.

Other common names that this plant is known by include the following: cough wort, horse foot, horse hoof, bulls foot, ass’s foot, foals foot, British tobacco, butterbur, fieldhove, and flower velure.  In Chinese it is called kuan dong hua.  The reference of the common name British tobacco comes from the fact that the leaves where used as a smoking tobacco to help with asthma and bronchitis without any of the bad effects of cigarette tobacco.

Flower in bloom

I thought the video was a very interesting addition to this post as it references Coltsfoot as an edible plant and shows another side of this well diverse plant.  I hope you enjoy watching it.

Whenever I come across any negative information on any of the herbs that I post to this website I will include it so that you may be able to make rational decisions about your health and actively seek alternative choices in the best way to look after your own well being.   Although I am a strong believer in natural medicines there are times that certain medical conditions require professional advice.  Whenever you are under the care of a medical professional make sure they are aware of any herbal remedies you are using.  The following is what I have found concerning adverse reactions when using Coltsfoot.

In years past the whole plant was used in making various remedies, but some recent studies claim that the roots of this plant have shown to increase the incidence of liver damage and cancerous liver tumors in both laboratory animals and humans.  Although this has not been scientifically proven, I would use caution in using this herb for long periods of time.  I would also strongly recommend that if you are in poor health and are under the care of a physician that you should consult with him or her before taking any herbal remedies, as there are some known adverse reactions to some herbs and prescribed medications.

Category: Nature's Medicine Cabinet | No Comments »
Tags: asthma, bronchitis, Coltsfoot, coughing, healing with herbs, laryngitis, sore throat

Posted By Carla on March 27, 2010

Carlie preening

Carlie, our 11 year old African Grey is not only an extremely beautiful bird, she is also VERY intelligent.  She’s not as out going as Dylon our male and usually takes a back seat when friends come over, as she is rather shy and doesn’t like a lot of attention.  Those that have met our birds just ewww and ahhh over Dylon, because he is an in your face kind of bird.  Not Carlie……..our sweet, lovable, little angel.  You have to get to know Carlie before she loosens up and shows her true self.  That true self is the most amazing creature I have ever come across.  Just looking at Carlie you can see what a beautiful bird she is, what you can’t see is the clever intellect behind that sweet face.

Here is an example of how smart she is, this actually took cognizant thinking.  Usually when Carlie and Dylon get up form their afternoon naps, their first treat is roasted peanuts in the shell. (we buy the jumbo size )  We usually give them 3 peanuts, I gave Dylon 3 average size jumbos and gave Carlie 2 average size jumbos and an extremely large jumbo almost twice as big as the others.  Now, get this, Carlie looked in her bowl and then dug around awhile and brought out the extra large peanut.   She had examined all 3 and she actually chose the larger nut.   What a clever girl she is!

Beautiful Carlie

These pictures shows what a real sweetheart she is.  Carlie doesn’t always have a lot to say, she’s not a real big talker, but she makes up for that with being a REAL big lover.  She can sing and dance but most of all she is full of love and kisses!  She is very mothering to Bob and takes extra care of him.  At times she does try to be the boss of him, but hey, isn’t that what a good mother does?  I hope one of these days she gets to be a mother to her own off spring.  She’ll make an excellent mother.  Hat’s off to you Carlie…..we love you!

For more information about these amazing birds please visit our website:  African Grey Parrots.             

Category: Animals and our Pets | No Comments »
Tags: african grey parrot, grey birds, pet birds, pets

Posted By Carla on March 26, 2010

Dieffenbachia showing bloom

I love my house plants and couldn’t imagine living with out them.  On of my favorites is the Dieffenbachia, it is also referred to as ‘Dumb Cane’ or ‘Mother-in-Law Plant’.  Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical plants in the family Araceae noted for their patterned leaves.  There are many different varieties of this plant and they all grow to different sizes and shapes.  I haven’t seen one that isn’t absolutely beautiful.

I just found out something about my  Dieffenbachia that I did not know.  This plant has been in my home off and on for years and for the first time ever I have one that is beginning to bloom!  I couldn’t believe it.  Imagine my surprise.   The blooms have not developed completely yet so as of right now I don’t know what they will look like or whether or not it will have a fragrance. So on that one I’ll have to get back with you.

Dieffenbachia I bring out in the summer

Dieffenbachia is a really easy plant to grow and does well in most types of light.  They like a bright room with diffused light but can also tolerate slightly lower reflective light.  They need high humidity so try to keep them misted often or put them on a humidity tray.  If you find a place they do well in your home leave them there as they don’t like to be moved around often.  Keep them out of a draft and you will have much success growing this plant.  If you are like me during the summer month I move most of my house plants outside into shady parts of the yard.  They do extremely well here where we live as the climate is very humid.  If you do this make sure that you keep them out of the direct sun light as they will burn very quickly.

The nick name ‘Dumb Cane’ comes from the ability of the plant to cause paralysis from the toxicity of the milky white substance that the plant excretes when the leaves and stems are cut or crushed.  The affliction is to the mouth and throat including the larynx, causing swelling of the tongue and throat making it difficult for a person to speak.  It can also affect dogs and cats.  We have parrots and I would assume they would be in danger as well.  Make sure to keep your pets away from this plant as it could cause serious risk to their health.  The milky substance can have a burning sensation on the skin as well, so make sure you wash after handling.

All and all,  Dieffenbachia is an awesome plant with stunning leaf colorization that range from spotted to almost complete leaf saturation of creams, yellows, and whites.  Some are small, while others can grow up to 5 feet plus.  Adding them to your home brings a soothing and homey feeling that’s hard to beat.

Category: Plants & Gardening | No Comments »
Tags: Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane, house plants, Mother-in-Law plant

Posted By Carla on March 24, 2010

Plant with peppers

I absolutely love spicy foods, especially hot peppers.  Every spring peppers are included in our garden such as Chile Peppers and Jalapeno Peppers and this year we are going to be adding Cayenne Peppers.  I have recently discovered how valuable the Cayenne Pepper is, and because of the medicinal properties of this pepper you definitely should add Cayenne to your Nature’s Medicine Cabinet.

Cayenne has so many beneficial uses and one at the top of the list is it can actually stop a heart attack.  Other common uses include relief of stomach problems,  arthritis, sore throat, respiratory ailments and it also helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and many other problems.  It aids in improving the blood circulation as well as boosts the body’s natural immune system.  Cayenne has many vitamins

Cayenne Pepper

and minerals such as E, C, K, B-complex, and organic calcium, potassium, manganese and dietary fiber that allows the body to heal itself naturally.  I just want to add some caution here, although I strongly recommend using Cayenne, over-use can cause some burning the next day in the rectum after a bowel movement.

I have been making a broth with the pepper.  It has cured my Tonsillitis and has help tremendously with an upper respiratory infection.  If you don’t have fresh cayenne peppers then you can use dried.  During the off seasons I do have trouble finding either forms of this.  In a pinch you can also use other parts of this plant which you can find in almost any grocery store.

Cayenne ingredients

I prepare a simple broth and drink a cup every day to help with over all general good health.  Starting with simple ingredients, this only takes a few minutes to prepare.  If you have trouble eating spicy foods this will take some time to get used to.  This recipe is easy to follow and easy to make.  You can make as much or as little as you want.  I usually make about 8 cups at a time as I drink it everyday.

Using either chicken or beef bullion cubes and 8 cups of water I add a 1/4 cup (you can add less if this is too hot for you) of crushed red pepper seeds in a tea strainer.  Add the water to a pan and bring to a boil.  The general rule is use 1 bullion cube per cup of water, if you prefer a stronger tasting broth you can add more cubes of bullion.

Boiling beef broth

Boil for about 10 minutes, then set aside for it to cool a bit.  I like to drink it while it’s still hot so usually I’ll pour a cup to have right away.  I store the rest in a plastic bottle in the refrigerator.   When I use that all up I make more.  Yes, and THEY say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! 

Category: Nature's Medicine Cabinet | No Comments »
Tags: Cayenne pepper, hot pepper, Nature's Medicine Cabinet, red pepper

Posted By Carla on March 23, 2010

Herbs have been around as long as the earth has.  Ancient civilizations have long since known the medicinal properties and uses of these herbs and it isn’t hard to find all of the information you need to know with a little research.  Herbs are very powerful and you must exercise caution when using natural remedies.

I have found that using herbs in a tea form is the easiest way to get the most benefit from the plant.  Depending upon where you live it may or may not be easy to find all of the herbs that you want to try.  You can find many of the dried plants by searching the Internet and there are many reputable companies that can ship just about anything you need.  Learning and understanding about natural herbs and their medicinal uses takes lots of time and most people don’t have the time to research them.  I will be posting some more common plants and what their medicinal properties are and what aliment is treated by that plant.

There are so many natural remedies out there that work much better than traditional medical teachings.  I just don’t understand why so many people would want to take a pill every time they get a sniffle or a cough.  The wide spreed use of anti-biotic is getting out of hand.  People need to experience some of the ills that circulate around the world.  If you never allow your immune system to be exposed to some things how are you ever going to develop anti-bodies to fight off simple germs.  We do not live in a sterile environment and we can’t avoid everything out there.

It’s time to return to Mother Earth!   We have to stop being a pill popping civilization and go back to Nature’s Medicine Cabinet.   I am going to close the post with a famous quote.

“Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence”…..Mourning Dove Salish, 1888-1936

Category: Nature's Medicine Cabinet | No Comments »
Tags: healing with herbs, herbs, natural remedies

Posted By Carla on March 1, 2010

I have been spending a lot of time this past week researching for my Novel.  This past year I haven’t had much time to spend on my book.  In February I was laid off from work so I hope to be able to spend time working on my Novel.

My plan is also to find the time to update my website and add more stories.  I have found so many interesting things while researching for my book that I will post some of this information here as I can’t wait for it to come out in my book.

Category: I am a writer | No Comments »
Tags: novel