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Have you heard of “Glimmers”?

6/7/2023

The world has changed dramatically in the past 25 years. Prior to 2004, there were no social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube. You couldn’t “google” something 26 years ago (although you could “Ask Jeeves” in 1996)! CNN was the first to offer a 24-hour news cycle back in 1980 although some say that the popularity of 24-hour news didn’t really take hold until the O.J. Simpson murder case in 1994 and 1995.

If you go back 30 years, folks subscribed to a print newspaper, listened to the radio for news updates and tuned in to their local news program on TV in the early evening or at evening’s end.

Today, our poor brains are inundated with a constant flow of information – good and bad, true and sometimes misleading. We constantly see a flow of picture-perfect lifestyles that can make our own lives appear dull, drab and uninspiring. Then there are the social media “trolls” who seem to get a cheap thrill out of cruel, hurtful comments.

You often hear that people are “triggered” by a comment, a news story or even a social interaction. Triggering can cause us to become hyper-vigilant. We can lose the ability to connect, to find joy.

Oftentimes, people believe that they will find their joy when a major life event occurs. I’ll be happier…. when I find my life partner, when I graduate, when I lose weight, when I land my dream job, when I retire and have more time. But, in fact, if we focus on those tiny moments in life that bring joy, we can actually work to reprogram our brains to be less affected by our triggers and gain more calm, more peace and tranquility.

Those tiny moments are called “glimmers”. And when you encounter a glimmer, you must take a few moments to simply enjoy it. These moments help to reset our nervous systems, improving both our mental and physical well-being.

Everybody’s glimmers are different. Here are a few of mine….

Whenever I take a drive into town, if possible, I drive past a farm with the sweetest Black Welsh Mountain Sheep. Just seeing the lambs and ewes grazing brings a smile to my face.

My crab apple tree is blossoming and looking pretty healthy despite its post-Fiona tilt.

I love to see the geese with their goslings at Rollings Pond in North Rustico.

Starting my day spending a few minutes with Gracey and Lilly – it amazes me how much they chatter at me!

And, of course, time spent with my fur babies.

A glimmer could be a favourite scent. I enjoy using my “Ewe Love” soap – it’s silky smooth and my personal favourite scent is Morningstar (Lavender Peppermint). Before a workshop, I’ll also use my “Ewe Love” inhaler in Morningstar. The lavender keeps me calm while the peppermint makes sure that I’m not so calm that I’ll fall asleep!!!

And of course, for me, knitting is a glimmer. The feel of lovely wool in your fingers. And the idea that you are making something from two sticks and a string never fails to astound me!

Glimmers can be found in nature, in music, in scents, in spending time with people who love and accept you, who bring you peace. In recognizing those small moments, every day can be filled with joy and harmony!

What are your glimmers?

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Earth Month and No Mow May – Does It Even Matter?

5/3/2023

April is becoming known as “Earth Month", with April 22nd set aside as Earth Day – a day when environmental issues are at the forefront. Well – we are now into May. But that doesn’t mean that we should forget about how our actions and lifestyle impact the earth!

Mother Earth is in our hands

It's "No Mow May"! Did you know that 1/3 of human food requires bee pollination? Simple changes in mowing can result in enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. According to Plantlife, just eight dandelion flowers produce enough nectar sugar to meet an adult bumblebee's baseline needs. So, if you're wondering why we won’t be mowing down our dandelions this month, it's because these beneficial weeds are often the sole source of food for our beloved bees in the early days of spring here in PEI.

No Mow May - a field of dandelions in PEI

I’ve read some information recently that, due to climate change, grass is growing longer and faster in the month of May than it used to. So, the conclusion was that “No Mow May” was detrimental to keeping a lovely lawn as it may be harder to mow at the end of the month. Well – I have a couple of suggestions! A non-profit organisation based in Detroit called “Bees in the D” came up with “Mow Less May”. Rather than not mowing at all (which may be against the rules in some jurisdictions), you simply mow less frequently in the month of May. You know those little yellow dandelions will poke their heads up within hours of mowing – and the bees will be thankful for that.

The life cycle of a bee

Don’t use weed killer on your lawn. Instead, water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Don’t cut your grass too short – thick grass deters weed seeds! And maybe we should look at moving away from yards that resemble manicured golf greens and instead plant more flower beds, fruit trees and shrubs, and veggie gardens.

A happy bumblebee

May 20 is World Bee Day! Here's a few fun bumblebee facts. Did you know that bumblebees don't build traditional hives? Instead, they nest underground or in thick grass or holes in trees. These nests only last one season. Bumblebees don't produce much honey - just enough to sustain their colony - but they are better pollinators than honeybees! If you see a bumblebee, be kind. They hardly ever sting. They will even give you a warning that you are truly annoying them by lifting a hind leg! Unlike honeybees who die when they sting you, bumblebees do not have barbs on their stingers and so they can sting more than once. But you really have to get them perturbed. I love it when I walk to the studio and see those fluffy little bodies enjoying the flowers in the morning sun.

Ewe Love Bumblebees and No Mow May

I also put out a shallow dish with marbles in the bottom, then top it up with fresh water. The bees can get a drink without drowning! Birds enjoy it, too.

We hold Mother Earth in our hands. We often wonder what can we do, what can we accomplish as just a single individual? If each person makes a few simple changes to their habits, the effects of these changes will build and grow and our planet will be happier.

We hold Mother Earth in our hands

What’s Fashionably On-Trend this Spring? Slow, Eco-Fashion!

4/5/2023

February is traditionally the month of summer wear “Fashion Week” events held in Paris, Milan, New York and London. Designers present their latest collections. Shows are attended by celebrities, models, the media and, of course, buyers. The latest trends – colours, patterns, silhouettes – are adapted into clothing that is manufactured at a price point that is more affordable for the average consumer. And of course, the designs are modified to become more wearable on a day-to-day basis. Then the whole process starts up once again for winter wear Fashion Week events in September.

(photo by @ann.winslow, courtesy of Jems Boutique, PEI)

It's fun, it certainly piques our curiosity, and it is designed to make us want to toss out last year’s fashion must-haves and load up on the latest and most desirable, on-trend items. Some retailers offer new clothing collections 12-24 times per year!

Did you know that, in North America, the average piece of clothing is worn only 4 times before it ends up in landfill? And most of it, including footwear, has been created out of petroleum-based, non-biodegradable synthetics. Recycling clothing is a wonderful concept but only 1% of all clothing is recycled into new garments. Most donated clothing ends up in landfills overseas.

More and more frequently, we are experiencing the impact of climate change. Our beautiful Island “cradled in the waves” is experiencing shoreline loss at astounding rates. And fast fashion is a major contributor to climate change. I certainly have become far more aware of what I wear, what materials my clothing choices are made of, where has it been manufactured. The feeling of being well dressed is certainly a boost to one’s confidence. So….what to do? Check out the slow fashion movement!

Over the past number of years, I have been purchasing far less. But I have been looking for timeless, classic, well-made pieces of clothing that can be worn for many seasons. I want clothing that is compostable, breathable, made of natural fabrics. I want easy pieces that can be washed – no drycleaning chemicals for me. And I want to have interchangeable wardrobe basics that can create a variety of outfits without having to have a huge number of pieces of clothing.

If you knit, crochet, weave, hook or participate in any fibre-related craft, you are already contributing to the slow fashion movement by creating quality pieces with a long lifespan.

Consider choosing wool for your projects. It’s compostable, fire retardant and regulates your body temperature – important if you are having hot flashes, or you have a newborn baby who is unable yet to regulate their body temperature. And thank heavens for sheep. By munching on underbrush, they can help to reduce the spread of wildfires. Their hooves aerate the soil. They convert plant matter into a beautiful fibre year after year. This fibre can be used in clothing, home insulation and furnishings and even in your garden in place of fertilizers and mulch. Their responsible shepherds ensure that absolutely no harm is done to these sweet creatures when shearing takes place. Have an older, perhaps arthritic pet? They love to cozy up on a wool blanket!

Lots of folks think that they are allergic to wool. I certainly did! I remember trying on a wool sweater and pretty much ripping it off my body because it was so prickly. Much of that itch factor depends on the breed of sheep, on how the wool is processed and spun, and even on the dye used! In many cases, it’s the lanolin that is in the wool, not the wool itself, that people are allergic to.

So let’s forget about that prickly, itchy sweater that your mom or grandmother made for you eons ago. And check out the beautiful wool fibres available from your local wool stores, mills and shepherds. We are not separate from nature – we are a part of it. With every small step we make, including choices for sustainable, eco-friendly fashion, we are reconnecting to nature.

You're never too old!!! OR - WHY 70 IS THE NEW 30

3/8/2023

A short while ago, I overheard a conversation where someone suggested that their friend try a new adventure. It wasn’t anything too frightening or life-altering. It didn’t require changing jobs, moving cities, getting married or divorced, having a child. It didn’t involve bungee jumping or parachuting or swimming with sharks. I was heartbroken to hear this person say “I’m too old.”

Many folks believe that, as we age, little bits of our brain start to die off. They believe that, the older we get, the less effective we are mentally. So, you can imagine how excited I was to read some information from the George Washington University College of Medicine that said “the peak of human intellectual activity occurs at about 70 years old, when the brain begins to work at full strength”. After the age of 60, it is far easier to use both hemispheres of our brain at the same time, helping us to solve more complex problems. In fact, if we strive to lead a healthy life, we won’t reach our mental peak until we are 80-90 years old!!!

But there is a caveat. If a person stops learning, stops taking on new mental challenges, the connections between our brain’s neurons simply disappear. Granted, the older you get, you may start to experience some forgetfulness, feel a little absent-minded. But that’s simply because our brains have an overabundance of information! Kind of like a computer that has used up most of its RAM, we need to let go of the unnecessary, especially if it is negative in nature and pulling us down.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, at the age of 60, you reach the peak of your emotional and mental potential. And this carries on until you are into your 80s.
So – pick up that new craft or hobby! Engage in new activities. Direct a play, go into politics, become an advocate, speak your mind! And, if someone has the audacity to say “Aren’t you too old to….”, be sure to let them know you’re just now hitting your stride!

SHOULD THERE BE A JULY ROCK CONCERT FESTIVAL IN CAVENDISH?

2/10/2023

MY LETTER TO THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF CAVENDISH

I am not against a rock concert in Cavendish, but I am adamantly against a second concert in the month of July.

The vast majority of businesses in the Cavendish/Stanley Bridge/Rustico area would agree that business comes to a standstill during the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. There is no increase in business for restaurants or accommodation providers because, with or without the concert, they would be fully booked in July. In fact, hosting concerts on back-to-back weekends in July would definitely result in a downturn in business. It is well known that residents and visitors alike avoid Cavendish during the CBMF. If a second consecutive weekend is also taken up with concert attendees, that is 2 weekends of lost business in the prime summer market. Those folks who may want to book a week-long vacation in mid-July will not do so because all of the accommodations will be booked up on the weekends. Accommodation providers are already reporting booking cancellations as visitors do not want to be here during a rock concert. While I appreciate the creativity of featuring an onsite culinary component during the Sommo festival, concert attendees will not be going to local cafes or restaurants to eat.

Onsite vendors will make sales but local businesses – the ones that make Cavendish and surrounding areas vibrant and interesting for the rest of the season – will NOT make money. Concert goers are not partaking in deep sea fishing, visiting local shops and artisan studios, attending local ceilidhs or theatre.

I don’t buy the suggestion that, once the Sommo festival is “established”, consideration will be given to moving the dates. Once it is established, patrons will be booking their accommodations at least a year in advance. The outcry from concert attendees due to a change of date will ensure that the July date will remain as established.

I also don’t buy the fact that it is so very difficult to gain interest in a concert series without an established brand or website and that the only interest could possibly be the weekend following CBMF. Any promoter worth their salt would be able to clearly demonstrate the success of the CBMF – that mega concerts can and are highly successful in Cavendish, that big names have headlined CBMF, that the promoters’ experience in successfully establishing CBMF points to a similar successful venture in creating a rock concert series.

While it may be true that CBMF has attracted a younger crowd than may normally visit Cavendish, beyond the festival(s) weekend(s), what would encourage them to return and stay in the Cavendish area for a longer period of time? They haven’t been to shops or restaurants. There is very little for them to do in the evenings. Rather than focussing on concerts that disrupt the already busy tourism season in the month of July, perhaps look to encouraging the development of pubs with live entertainment in the evenings. When folks dock at 8 pm after deep sea fishing, or when visitors have finished a leisurely dining experience, when they ask where they can go for some local entertainment, there is next to nothing available.

I have no doubt that, after the hard work that goes into hosting CBMF, the Whitecap Entertainment staff and volunteers are exhausted. Are they going to have the energy, the wherewithal, to host a second concert the following weekend?

If the Sommo concert series was held in June, university students would be finished their spring semester and would be available to staff the event. If it were to be held in the fall (September to early October), students are certainly free to work on weekends. And – because all of the shops and restaurants at the Boardwalk and Avonlea Village are closed following Labour Day, and because venues like Shining Waters close following Labour Day, there would be plenty of people who have been laid off and would be available to staff a major event in September or early October.

I agree that Cavendish can’t just be Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery, amusement parks and beaches. Guess what – it isn’t! Perhaps that is the focus of the “Cavendish Beach” area – stretching from approximately Shining Waters to Green Gables. However, the Resort Municipality of Cavendish and surrounding area is so much more than that! We encompass the businesses that are striving to extend the season beyond Labour Day. When guests express some surprise that we are open because they have heard that “Cavendish closes down after Labour Day”, we explain that it is that small stretch of “Cavendish Beach” that is closed and there is still lots to see and do from New London and Stanley Bridge to North Rustico and south to New Glasgow.

Is the Resort Municipality supportive of these hard-working small businesses – inns, cottages, restaurants, cafes, shops and artisan studios - or is their only focus on the big players, most of whom close their doors after Labour Day? By giving approval to host the Sommo Festival on the weekend following CBMF, it would be a clear demonstration that, in the eyes of the Resort Municipality, we don’t matter. Many, many business owners have spoken up about how hosting a second concert series in July immediately following CBMF would be detrimental to their businesses. They are supportive of giving the go-ahead at an earlier or later date, just not in the prime summer season. It is not a secret that any business in the tourism sector here in PEI has had a rough go these past few years. Hurricane Dorian started the downturn, effectively ending the season in early September, 2019. Then along came Covid and all of the shut-downs and restrictions. Just as we were seeing things pick up once again, along came Hurricane Fiona in the fall of 2022. Do you really want to add yet another event that will create a downturn in revenue for local businesses? A second concert festival in July will do just that. Your decision will let us know.

Are you "wintering"?

2/8/2023

By the time mid-February rolls around, are you done with winter? This has been a particularly strange winter here in PEI. Very little snow….and it’s often followed by ice pellets, rain and freezing rain. It doesn’t make for a pleasant winter at all. Just a rather icy mess. My niece’s husband broke his ankle heading outside to salt the sidewalk. My sister took a tumble on our driveway and sprained her ankle.

Another weather warning is in place for this weekend – more rain and ice pellets. Makes you just want to pull the covers up over your head, doesn’t it?

Well, every now and again, that’s not such a bad idea. We lead lives of such “busy-ness” – squeezing in work, volunteering or serving your community, raising a family, keeping a house in some semblance of order and, on rare occasions, taking a deep breath and getting ready to do it all over again. Striving to find and possibly even maintain some kind of life balance.

My “go to” is knitting – 100%. Some people meditate or do yoga; some folks go for a run (with or without a four-legged companion). Maybe you bake or play the piano or get lost in a book. I find that, if I don’t spend a little time each day relishing the repetitive rhythm of my knitting needles, my brain feels exhausted. And winter is the perfect time for knitting. The evenings are long and the temperatures are chilly. At the end of the work day, to curl up in my chair with a fur beast (or two) in my lap and work a few rows, perhaps lighting a lovely scented candle….well, to me, that is as good as a vacation.

We sometimes have to remind ourselves that we not only deserve to do those things that replenish our soul – we need to do so! Both the human spirit and physical body are no different than other living things in nature. You would not expect your garden to thrive without water, sunshine and nourishment. Your garden needs you to pull those weeds that will take over if given a chance. Crop rotation allows the garden to replenish its nutrients. We also need to nurture ourselves if we expect to be able to grow, to give, to love. And we need to be able to do so without any guilt.

When I read this piece by Donna Ashworth, it really resonated with me. With her permission, I am sharing it today.

It’s February – often the coldest and snowiest month of the year. Be gentle with yourself if you find you are “wintering”. If you allow yourself that time, your personal spring will most certainly return and you will face the longer days refreshed and ready to be the force of nature that you are!

what makes you an "islander"?

1/11/2023

Within the past couple of months, I’ve heard folks ask “How long does it take to become an Islander?” There is an old saying that, if you were born on the Island and moved away when you were 2 days old, you are an Islander. If you were born elsewhere and moved here when you were 2 days old, you are and always will be “from away”.

Being or becoming an Islander is, in my opinion, more about attitude than it is about where you were born. I lived "away" for many years and am so thankful to be home. Islanders are there at the drop of a hat to help one another. As a small business owner, I love the fact that it is so much less about competition with one another as it is about supporting and promoting one another so that we all succeed. If a person moves to the Island because they loved the atmosphere but then constantly complains that we don't have all the same amenities as they had when they lived in (insert any large city name....), that person will never be an Islander. If, however, they relish the fact that you know your neighbours, that a trip to the grocery store can take a long time because you run into so many folks you know, that if you get a flat tire on a rural road, someone will be sure to stop to help you out, that a visit to North Rustico to see the lights is a must-do Christmas tradition - then you are an Islander!

Islanders don’t ask folks “Where are you from?” in an effort to exclude those people “from away”. It’s more to find a connection, a commonality. Maybe your parents knew our parents. Many Islanders have lived away and enjoy hearing news about their old stomping grounds.
So, the next time someone asks you, “Where are you from?”, smile and simply enjoy the conversation!

DECEMBER IS A MONTH OF CELEBRATION

12/3/2022

Here on PEI, I am so thankful that December is a month full of holiday celebrations. The weather has turned grey, windy and cold. The daylight hours are so short. But homes are decorated with twinkling lights. Wreaths are hung, fir trees are decorated, from the kitchen comes the aroma of gingerbread or shortbread.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Rohatsu, Kwanzaa, Yule or Winter Solstice, New Year’s Eve, Omisoka, Hogmany – it’s important to remember that we are all looking to bring some joy and light into this world. As the New Year approaches, we look inward, reviewing habits that aren’t working or no longer work for us. We look forward into the new year with hope, with plans to make our little corner of the world just a wee bit better.

So my wish for everyone this holiday season is that we can all be accepting, considerate and supportive of one another. If someone wishes you a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Yuletide greetings, it is not meant to be insensitive or inconsiderate. The well-wisher simply wants to share some happiness. The past few years have been stressful – whether you’ve been impacted by Covid, hurricanes, personal health issues, financial worries. Let’s wrap our hearts in the delight of the season. The gifts of kindness and a smile are the best holiday gifts of all.

FASTEN YOUR own SEATBELT....and other self care tips

11/8/2022

As we approach the holiday season, sometimes life can feel a little overwhelming. If you have a full-time job, those responsibilities don’t stop just because the holidays are approaching. If you are raising a family, you want to ensure that they feel loved and appreciated even if you have a million things on your plate. Magazines and social media depict spotlessly clean homes, thoughtfully wrapped gifts, homemade treats, and holiday décor that would make an interior designer envious. In this wonder-world, there are no furballs, puppy accidents, dust bunnies or toddler tantrums.

Do you ever wonder how everyone else seems to manage it all? It’s not that you don’t want to take care of everything - it’s that sometimes it all feels like too much at once. I know I sometimes feel this way. This, my friends, is burnout.

During these times of burnout, we have to remember the old adage "You can’t take care of anyone until you take care of yourself". But how in the world do we do this? We don’t feel we are being selfish if we fasten our seatbelts when we get into the car. But taking time for regular self-care – well that’s something else entirely.

Human beings are amazing. Our bodies tell us when we need to rest. Our minds, our “intuition”, tells us when something isn’t quite right and we need to make an adjustment in our lives. But what do most of us do? We don’t want to say “no” or “I need to go in another direction”. Our guilty feelings convince us that we ought to do more.

But what if we did less? What if we took some "me time", if only for a day or even an hour or two? There are things known as “happiness chemicals”. Our bodies can actually create them! A little bit of self-care creates dopamine – the reward chemical. Giving a compliment or taking a few moments to play with a puppy releases oxytocin – the love chemical. Knitting, exercise or spending some time in nature creates serotonin – the mood stabilizer. And laughter and certain essential oils help with pain relief by releasing endorphins. So, just imagine every single day, taking a few moments to experience life’s everyday pleasures. A hug from a child, stroking a purring kitten, getting up from your desk and stretching your legs in the fresh air. No matter how stressful my day has been, an hour each evening with a fur-beast in my lap and my knitting needles in my hands just drains away any tension. And I love to reward myself with the scent of lavender at bedtime to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep.

Life will always be hard. Some days will feel overwhelming. Let’s stop saying, “There’s no time for that.” Because you know what? Not only do we need to feel our best in order to take care of ALL the things, but our loved ones deserve the best of us as well. Make time for rest, and in turn, make way for JOY.

MOTHER NATURE LOVES WOOL

10/15/2022

Late in the evening of September 23rd, Mother Nature expressed her extreme displeasure to climate change through Hurricane Fiona which ripped into Atlantic Canada. Here in PEI, Fiona toppled century-old trees that withstood Hurricanes Juan and Dorion, decimated the beautiful north shore sand dunes – the habitat of the endangered piping plover, downed power lines – cutting power to over 95% of Island homes. Three weeks later, there were still families in PEI without power. This is not a poor reflection on the work done by the crews from Maritime Electric and the many workers from other provinces who have been striving night and day to get everyone back on the grid. It is a reflection of the massive amount of damage caused by Fiona’s visit. (photo credit: Eric Stanley)

Less than a week later, Hurricane Ian slammed Florida and South Carolina as a Category 4 storm, causing death and destruction not seen since 1935.

In both instances, crops have been destroyed which will have a major impact on an already tenuous food security situation for many North American families.

The list of hurricanes that caused extensive damage to Atlantic Canada include The Great Nova Scotia Hurricane 1873, Hurricanes Hazel and Edna 1954, Hurricane Juan 2003, Hurricane Igor 2010, Hurricane Dorian 2019 and now Hurricane Fiona. You can clearly see how much more frequently these angry storms are occurring – and this increased frequency is due mainly to climate change. As the oceans warm up, more intense storms will make landfall in Atlantic Canada.

Is it too late to turn the corner on climate change? Biologist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough says, “While it’s true we can never go back to the stable, benign climate that enabled us to flourish for the past 10,000 years, I do believe that, if we act fast enough, we can reach a new stable state.… If we recognize climate change and the loss of nature as worldwide security threats, as indeed they are, then we may yet act proportionately and in time.”

We can’t rely solely on world leaders and the government to take the steps necessary to stabilise our climate. Each and every one of us must take action, must make personal choices.

One of the things we can do is step away from “fast fashion”. Did you know that, in North America, most pieces of clothing are only worn 4 times before being thrown away? This is due in part to the fact that fast fashion pieces are often poorly made and fall apart after being washed. The numbers are staggering – 10,000 items of clothing are sent to landfill every 5 minutes!

The majority of our clothing choices, both fast fashion and higher end pieces, are made from fossil-fuel based products such as polyester, nylon, synthetic fleece. Clothing made from fossil fuels do not breathe and therefore keep us neither cool or warm – just sort of damp and sweaty. When we wash them, small microfibres end up in our waterways. Fish eat these microfibres and end up starving because their bellies are full of plastic. These microplastics also have been found in placentas, stools and have even crossed the blood-brain barrier! (changingmarkets.org/fossilfashion) When we throw these clothes away, they remain in landfill for generations if not centuries. (photo credit: Antoine Giret)

Wool, on the other hand, is a 100% renewable resource. It creates a breathable fabric, keeping us warm in winter and cool in summer. A piece of wool clothing could be made completely without any reliance on fossil fuels. Sheep could be shorn manually, their fleece washed and spun by hand, then knit or woven into a piece of clothing. Any waste wool can be added to your garden to reduce the amount of water needed and to add slow release nitrogen and potassium. I’m not suggesting that we do away with mills. I am saying, however, that the environmental impact of creating wool fibre is far and away better than the creation of any synthetic fibre.

But don’t sheep, goats and cows, as ruminant animals, create methane? Yes, they do. Methane gas, however, is a short-lived gas that naturally breaks down in a few decades. CO2, on the other hand, which is a by-product of fossil fuels, is a long-lived gas which will remain in the atmosphere for millennia. Farm management practices like rotational grazing and selecting higher quality feed can reduce the levels of methane produced by ruminant animals.

Sheep are actually beneficial to the environment! Not only do they provide us with wool and meat, their split hooves act to aerate the soil by breaking it up, allowing new plants to grow. When they graze, they do not pull up the roots of the plants so these plants grow again and again. In areas where there is a great deal of dry underbrush, sheep have been brought in to graze in these areas to prevent wildfires! (photo credit: Campaign for Wool Canada)

According to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, wool has healing properties! If you suffer from rheumatism or arthritis, having wool next to your skin increases circulation which, in turn, decreases the pain (because pain decreases circulation which can make the pain worse). Wool bedding improves your sleep quality because wool helps you to maintain a constant core temperature. And, for those who are bedridden, woollen mattress pads can assist in the prevention of bedsores.

Just this morning, I was chatting with a guest who is a Reiki practitioner. She told me that it is so important to wear natural fibres like wool or linen as these fibres allow energy to flow along the surface of your body, unlike synthetic fibres which impede or possibly even block this energy flow. Reiki and knitting naturally go together. Reiki is enhanced by meditation. Knitting is not only relaxing but meditative as well. The rhythm of the knitting needles, the repetitive motion of the fingers and hands all contribute to a sense of peace and relaxation. Small wonder that knitting with wool is so wonderful! (photo credit: AffiePlass Fotografie and Campaign for Wool Canada)

October is Wool Month. Let’s celebrate this wonderful, natural, healthy, ecofriendly, breathable, flame and odor-resistant fibre! Is it any wonder that Mother Nature loves wool?

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