A Reminder, Once Again

This picture really is worth a thousand words . . .

Bee Mindful

This year there are so many more people gardening, I wanted to offer just a few words of encouragement.  There are many natural pesticides that do not harm bees.  Between toxic pesticides, herbicides, and pollen from genetically altered plants, the bees are simply under attack!  Although I haven't checked this for authenticity, Albert Einstein is credited with saying something to the effect, 'Without bees, within four years, there will be no food."  As, I said, I'm not sure who said it, I didn't and I'm not claiming credit, but it rings of truth, obvious truth.  I already know of farmers and land owners who "rent" bees to pollinate their fruit trees and vines.  I also know of beekeepers who will not rent their bees within two miles of Big Ag row crops.

For all of us small time operations, diluted dish soap is a great deterrent for caterpillars and worms, and many hand made soaps are biodegradable.  There are also various vegetables when planted near each other actually deter pests and marigolds make for a lovely garden edge while offending rabbits.  Human hair around the garden deters many nibblers and cayenne pepper discourages the squirrels.

We encourage our readers to share natural solutions, gardening tips, and remedies.

http://ecowatch.com/2014/02/07/epa-approves-another-pesticide-toxic-bees/

A Better Health Care Coverage

The need for believers to cease dependence upon earthly health care, I believe is becoming urgent.  I really don't think there's much more time to straddle the fence on this subject.  Not only are the Revelation references frightening, but human nature without G-d, is not terribly merciful or compassionate.  Health care in America is big business, big to the tune of nearly 400 billion per year, just in hospital costs.  Most health care facilities are owned by private sector business, yet 62% are non-profit.  Private sector business does not stay in business without a profit.

Time magazine and the Fortune 500 survey both confirm that the American pharmaceutical industry is and has been for years, the most profitable of all businesses in the US.

I've heard the argument for years that G-d has given all these health care providers and scientists the wisdom to provide all this care.  "Wisdom is a gift from G-d!"  Wisdom is listed as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but Scripture also says, what we have been freely given, we are to freely give . . . On the other hand, our Creator calls the wisdom of man, foolishness.  Either way, Scripture does not support the concept of the biggest industry in the US.  Over half of the bankruptcies filed, cite large medical expenses as the reason.  Where's the compassion in healthcare?

Nurses are mentioned in Scripture, but those nurses worked for a specific family, basically their entire life.   Nurses today, work for doctors and/or health care facilities, meaning they do not work for or answer to patients, they answer to the state that issued their license.

Israel was instructed to present themselves to the High Priest in matters of illness and physical issues.  We still have a High Priest.   We do profess He is our healer . . .

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Y'hshuwah the Son of G-d, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_United_States

Sorceries ~ Pharmakos

Did you realize in the Revelation, the term sorceries is translated from the Greek terms "pharmakeia" or "pharmakos?"  Both of which obviously provide the root word for pharmaceuticals or pharmacy.  Every entry pertaining to a form of the word pharmacy in Webster's Dictionary has it's origin in Greek.  For those who believe we are living in the end of days, is it possible that our social and cultural dependence upon "sorcery" is also a prophesied warning recorded by John?

Field Tested

All the products formulated at the Land of Goshen are tested before they are advertised for sale.  My friends and family have all enjoyed the slogan.

 None of our products are tested on animals, 

G-ma makes her family and friends try them!

There have been a couple of products, however; tested on animals now that our product line has expanded.  I didn't know how to test our pet product line without trying it on the critters.  Hank and Babe seem to really appreciate the tick and flea repellent.

The other product is called Mouse Grouse.  I love this stuff!  Living off the beaten path has innumerable benefits, but there is a drawback regarding mice.  Mice, like every other mammal seem to think it is their right to warm shelter and food.  So, as autumn leaves begin to fall, they do their best to secure winter shelter, namely barns and houses when possible.  I hate dealing with mouse traps, and I refuse to catch them live, to turn them loose in the timber and catch them again, when they return, so I did a bit of research.

There are herbal scents and essential oil aromas that mice find offensive.  After this last winter, they are some of my favorite fragrances.  By placing this formula by water pipe inlets, in closets, cupboards, and my laundry room, the indoor mouse population was nearly zero.  Monthly diffusion was not adequate.  I did do some testing, though and discovered, the scents and aroma faded after about 10 days, so once a week, on preparation day, as I cleaned, I replenished the Mouse Grouse dispenser.   The fragrance is non toxic, mice just don't like it!  

Mouse Grouse has been thoroughly field tested on field mice.

Free Time May Be Hazardous to Your Health

Somewhere in my past I remember a saying or quote that went something like this:
"If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do."
I'm not one to enjoy free time, so fortunately I don't have much.  I know people who can spend time doing absolutely nothing, and I simply cannot imagine that.  It's been years since I watch television or even attempted to watch a movie because I fall asleep.  Doing nothing seems to trigger my OFF switch.  Don't get me wrong, here.  I enjoy relaxing on my futon after a full day's work, and I enjoy awakening before dawn, knowing I don't have to get up for awhile longer, but that's all the free time I need.  I do like being active enough that I fall asleep within moments after going to bed, and I sleep well.

I don't like to sleep late and I don't like to go to bed early, and I don't want to just sit.  I do, however; rest on Shabbat.  From sundown Friday evening until the following sunset, I do no work!  I have enjoyed a good board game every now and again, with my Grandchildren, but they've mostly outgrown me now.  The reason I'm sharing all this introspection of free time, is because I truly believe the amount of time we spend with our brain in neutral reflects in our accomplishments and our aging process.

I'm not promoting workaholism, although, I'm not really sure that's a bonafide term.  I'm of the opinion, it was made up about the time society became sedentary, and those who had energy and wanted to keep busy, were labeled.  Of course, the almighty dollar played into that for some as well, but reality is, people weren't created to do nothing, we created to tend . . .  I looked up the word, tend:  1 take care of, 2 manage, 3 run.  

My Dad is a very active man.  At 75 years old, he was asked by a company that he contracted for, to oversee a rather large project.  With that contracted position, he still cut all his firewood, and last I heard, his garden was planned, but he was doing some fence repair on one of his places, first.  When he stops, he also, falls asleep.   My mom, on the other hand, is not so active, and she's pretty comfortable with plenty of free time, but her physical health is not so great. They began dating when they were 15 and 17, so for all practical purposes, they've been together their entire life!  Having been an observer of their entire adult life, I've been shocked at how dramatically different their aging process has been.  It's certain inspired me to "keep moving!"

A good diet and standard exercise are not all it takes to stay healthy.  One day of rest, the seventh, specifically is needed for a healthy spirit, mind, and body.   Activity and accomplishments feel good, they are actually energizing.  Too much free time, wears a body out!

Think Garden