Bullying......

The story below was written by a young lady who is very important to me.....it happened on Friday.

"Yesterday, near the end of my lunch break, I was walking back to work from a little Chinese restaurant down the street.  I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings. I almost didn't see the huge truck coming up the hill with an equally huge blue flag sticking out off the back, proudly waving around "TRUMP: make America great again." I was just standing there, minding my own business, waiting for the light to change so I could cross the street.

Through the rumble of all the cars, I caught most of "Hey! I'd like grab ya by the pussy " and then he sped off.  I felt disgusted with myself. And so it begins... or rather, so it continues. So it worsens.

And I know I'm not the only one, and I definitely don't have the worst of it. So many people are reaping the consequences that they did not sow of having a president-elect normalize filthy behaviors. I am not an object to be yelled at, to be grabbed, or to be treated as anything other than a human being. I am disgusted by the people that do this. I am disgusted by the people who think this is okay. I am disgusted by the people who laughed when I told them about this incident. This is not okay. This not funny."

I must admit that when the election was over I wondered if bullying would hapen, would this 'fringe" part of our country feel empowered. Is this going to be the "new normal" because the president elect behaves this way, is it now "okay?"

I am sickened that this young lady was subjected to this behavior by an alleged adult.  I am sickened

the people believe they can treat another human being in this matter.  Even more troubling, a man verbally abusing a young lady. 

The most disturbing "piece of this" to me......is that she felt disgusted about herself.  Did you catch that when you read her story?  I did.  It jumped out at me.  A woman feeling that "she is something wrong."

I don't like bully's. Particularly a man abusing a women.  I have worked, in my business at empowering women for 20 years....but that's another story.

I don't care what you think.....as long as you don't insist I think that way.  You may be devoted to a religion....and I admire that.  But I don't have your religion.  I have my own.  I appreciate your strong feelings.....but please don't try to govern me with your "religious beliefs."  I don't share them.

When you point to the Bible as a reason for your feelings about lesbians, gays, queers, trans or bisexual folks I say to myself....I don't read that in the Bible.  I don't see that on the page.  I don't find that "judgement."  But, if you do....that's great, just don't try to govern me with your views.

And when you do judge me I immediately think, in that same Bible, is their not a commandment that says "judge not lest you be judged.

I noted a large evangelical population voted Republican.  I note that Mr. Trump is the farthest thing from Jesus you can possibly get.  Jesus was not a bully.  He was a Liberal pacifist.  

I note a lot of white woman voted for Mr. Trump.....and I have a lot to say about that....again....that's the next post - 

Until then, be kind to each other, grab the misfits, the dis-abled, the elderly, the ethnic and all the "strange ones" around you.....and give them a great big hug.  Bekind to each other.

And I will be doing the same - until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Identity Theft.....

I think this "term" puts a little fear in all of us.  It is horrible. All of the trouble to replace everything, montoring your credit to make sure it does not happen again....just a big hassle.

I recently became the victim of another sort of "identity theft" in the manner of a telephone scam Targeting my elderly mother, she received a phone call from her alleged "grandson who stated he had been arrested for drunk driving.  She was visibly upset so I got on the phone.   I became upset, my sister got involved, the mother of the kid was having a very challenging day but ultimately became involved, then my brother was called and began was making plane reservations to help the kid.   And in the end, it was a scam.  It is remarkable how these folks "suck you in" and the ball is rolling before you really stop...and think.

I see now all the questions "I did not ask."  That would have nipped this thing in the bud sooner.  At the end of the hour or so it took to figure it all out......I went through a variety of very strong emotions.  This is such a good kid, how did this happen and on and on..............it was exhausting.
My mother in the end, would not have been able to wire money.....these thieves were left out in the cold.  And yet still.....it was very very upsetting.

The really beautiful picture that emerged, on the other side, is what a great family I have.  In a crisis we all bonded together.  We were making plans, sticking to our phones, changing travels so we could be together, to support each other.  It was a quite lovely.  We know we have a crazy story to share on Thanksgiving around the table.

And one bit of advice I can give from this........when an unexpected, upsetting phone call comes in, ask a lot of questions.  Make sure it is really a crisis before you jump into crisis mode.  Just a thought for your peace of mind....and my own as well.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

www.moonmaidbotanicals.com

Changes.....

As we all know.......and some of us know more then others.....life is full of changes.

I have recently experienced a lot of shifting in my personal life and in my business life.  Sometimes I feel like I am twirling.......like the herbs in this bowl.  When this blend stopped twirling...it is a beautiful blend of minerals and wonderfulness.

I can only hope that life "behaves" the same way.  I have found, that is seems that all things happen "for a reason" and that usually, at some end, I see the "good in it all."



My business is changing.  I am amazed at the women who seem completely unable to live without my products.  The 2 little products I started making 21 years ago.....have become "essential" to at the very least, 100's of women.  I am amazed at the power of plants.  Yes....it is the Plants, not me.  I have my "role" for sure in the making and marketing and planning and social media and printing and....
Yes...there are a lot of "ands."  It's a busy little machine.

I have learned a lot.  I continue to learn, from the plants, from my peers, and from my customers.  I am trying to figure out how to best serve, how to best reach my customers.  I love to write.  So....I hope to develop this blog into a meaningful place to share what is happening with me, what is happening with MoonMaid, what is happening with the plants.

They talk to me regularly.  Some softly, some loudly, most are happy....sometimes a little grumbly.
Sometimes they ramble.....and before I begin to.....I shall call this the first of my weekly blogs.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Creating change.....

I learned a long time ago that I can be more effective at "change" from the inside...instead of battling from without.

I heard a young Bernie supporter, one who walked out of the DNC convention, I heard him say to an NPR reporter "it is not about Bernie, it never was about Bernie."  Quote.  What????? I say to myself.  What's the big deal about the DNC favoring Hillary?  (I don't know why it was anyway, did not the RNC not "favor" Trump).  What's all the noise.

Frankly, I have to say of these millenials.......it doesn't happen all at once.  You don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.  You have been saying for weeks it's the Bern.  Now it isn't?  Do you understand how "shallow" that seems?  Such an "I want it now generation and I shall have it now or else" generation.  Walking out....won't do anything.  If you think Mr. Trump will be better then Hillary, or that voting Liberatarian, or not voting will help, well, you are alas sadly mistaken.

I learned when I was a young anti-war protester in 1970 that making noise is wonderful.  It is fantastic to shake things up, make yourself seen.  It is also helpful to be able to put on a suit (which we did not generally wear then) to go to meet with government, local councils, school leaders.  It got us a lot farther.

I learned when I became a massage therapist that being "profesional" meant showing up and looking right.  I changed my name from Cyndi to Cynthia, I developed a uniform, I was always always on time.  This allowed me to be one of the more successful therapists in my area of Miami.

As owner of MoonMaid Botanicals I have learned that if I want to swim in the big pool I have to follow the rules of the "big boss."  In this case the FDA with labeling guidelines and rules, with standards I must adhere too.  A pain - but like I said I want to "swim."  I give discounts to have a large wholesaler, something I hear many small business owners say...they cannot afford.  Hmmmm, I wonder how I could have gotten so far without this decision.

To the point in the title of this post, in order for me to create change in my school, my community, as a professional therapist, as an herbalist trying to reach as many women as I can, I must do "create change" by following a steady path.  Sometimes I have to "put on a costume" that may not be my regular dress.  If it helps people to "hear me,"  what is the issue.

At MoonMaid, it all about "offering a change, a choice" to women who are experiencing "hormone imbalance" that comes with all sorts of unpleasant issues.  It is happening to younger and younger women, which increasingly encourages me to suggest to women "they change" some of their "habits."  Like using and cooking in plastic, having water in plastic.  It brings me to the "consciousness of plastic."  Or eating organic.  Those pesticides have "hormonal effects."  Can't afford organic, I say "how can you afford Not to."  These two things as well as other "zeno-estogens/environmentl estrogens" have a huge effect on your menopause, PMS, peri-menopause, even fertility.

 Women, we, Americans, want a "magic fix."  A pill, an herb, the perfect combination of this or that.  When I suggest to women that it will take more then my product, more then a tea, it will also take "change" in daily lifestyle habits, if you want any long term effects.  This is my humble opinion and 21 years of experience, of course.  We have to allow our bodies to "change gracefully."  We can take hormones, we can have "work," we can exercise ourselves silly, at some moment we "change."  We are softer, wider, older.

My mission is to help women embrace this "change."  Without cutting out body parts, without pills, without hormones, without "harshness."

It is simply a kinder gentler and more effective way.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Where did you go to school?

I was asked that question recently.   What first pops to mind is "what do you mean?  School of herbs?  College? ???"    It got me to thinking.  What school "did" I go to - to become the woman I am today.  The one "embodied" by the image below - that I have created just for this blog.

This got me to thinking.  I went to public school.  Which is where my high school classmates introduced me to "herbs" via dandelion wine.  Dandelions picked in my front yard.

I went to "junior college" where I studied pre-school education, got introduced to yoga, then went on to Recording Arts education - where I met these guys.

I went to massage school.

During a very successful massage career I started studying herbs. I happened upon starting a products business.  MoonMaid - for women with hormone imbalance issues.

And all the while I have been "doing" MoonMaid Botanicals - I have been learning from the "school of women."  While working with this very very intense "school" I have been attending the "school of herbs" to whom I give full credit for my success.

Without my customers, without the plants, I would be nothing at all.  That's the beauty of my work.
Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid

Very challenging day...

Today was an extremely challenging day.  I don't know about you, but sometimes living up to the image you see below.....is hard.  It just is.  It's not bad.  It is just hard to manage "it" and life at times.

In these moments, I try very hard to stay calm.  It seems without fail, some wise words flow across my "sphere."

And I drink nettles.  I have them growing here on my land.  So easy to pick and make an infusion.  And so very nourishing for frayed nerves.

My beautiful garden experienced some "harsh" and "unthoughtful" gardening, by someone who should have known better.  Things were damaged or destroyed...plants I was just about to harvest.  To this man - they were "weeds."  Weeds are useful plants that are often just growing in the wrong place.  In this case, they were in a fine place - this guy was unconscious.  And he won't be back.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

The past appears in the present....

I have been wandering around the garden today.......thinking of my old digs, and the beginning of MoonMaid Botanicals @ MomsHead Gardens.  It was amazing to see how many quirky cool things I left there.....And how many quirky things, how that "sense of style" followed me here to the Smoky Mountains.

Stuff I left @ MomsHead Gardens

Everything with a story.  The red formica table that I got for $5.  The iron chair that made a lovely plant container.  The table and the chair that got painted up and are called HappyChair and Table.  The unusual wrought iron kitchen shelf.  That is a piece that is quite unusual.  I've never seen another one.

Odd, pretty, special, magical

There are also a lot of quirky things around the garden here, just like at MomsHead.  The pattern of the "odd" continues.

Endangered species ginseng, goldenseal, blue cohosh and wild yam

And then there is are the beautiful plants.  Not only are there multiple and abundant species of endangered plants like ginseng, goldenseal, blue cohosh and wild yam...........there are so many other flowers, moss, mushrooms and fairies.

Each day is filled with wonder @ MoonMaid's Magic Botanical Sanctuary....or a name something like that.  I keep changing it.  Your input would be appreciated.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Where it all began.....Mom'sHead Gardens in Santa Rosa California.

 I recently went to Santa Rosa California...to Mom'sHead Gardens, which is a special spot that nurtured the beginning of MoonMaid Botanicals.  I have been thinking about that a bit, as I embark on blogging in earnest.  It is something I have wanted to do, think of doing but never seem to get to it.  I get to Facebook, Twitter, mostly via Instagram....but never quite to the blog.

This is a photo of the trailer where I began whipping up MoonMaid products.....and a map of the gardens.  The "sense of style" so to speak, very definitely influenced the way I have laid out my own gardens here in Cosby Tennessee.  As a member of United Plant Savers network of botanical sanctuaries, I have a desire to create a unique natural and cultivated "sense of humor."  Plants get that totally....in my opinion!!

It was right here that I began infusing oils and making them into salves and creams.  I made flower essences from the many many herbal flowers found here @ Mom'sHead.  I journeyed with the plants, they taught me hence I was able to "blend them into remedies."

I got to thinking about my brand, my remedies.  Who am I and why?  I am MoonMaid for women.  I am my products.  I am Me!!  I am herbs......which call me to mix them up in a variety of ways!!!  I came up with this "logo"  (the one you see below) as a way to represent "how I feel" about me, MoonMaid, the direction of my business, social media, and all of that "stuff" that keeps one in motion when one is self-employed, as I embark on this blogging journey.  An image to "remind me and inspire me."

Wild Yam

I left a bit of myself @ Mom'sHead.....and had a fun journey down "memory lane" photographing these things.  I noted that I have adopted a similar "style" here in the gardens.  MoonMaid's Magical Woodland Garden.  Nestled in the outskirts of the Smoky Mountains National Park.  A proud member of the United Plant Savers network of Botanical Sanctuaries.  Here, we passionately preserve and protect endangered native medicinal species.

Ginseng

                         Wild Yam and Ginseng are two of those plants.  Wild Yam is, additionally a major ingredient in MoonMaid's Remedies - our wild yam line for women experiencing hormone balance issues.  It is what keeps us going.

I am grateful for this beginning that is recognizing the real beginning of my business.  Until tomorrow - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Spring Wildflowers in the Great Smoky Mountains....

Spring is springing.  My land neighbors the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  The wildflowers here are some of the most abundant in the world.  We are well known for them.  I am so fortunate to have many many natives growing here in the woods.

Here are some violets and wild hyacinth or Grape Hyacinth

         And a few cultivated varieties too!!  Lots of color is in the garden beds here @ MoonMaid

 Trilliums are one of my great joys.  Here is a baby just unfolding.  I await the lovely yellow blossoms.  There are also other rare species here.  Surely trilliums, which are endangered, will deserve there own blog post.

 And the lovely dainty white ladies of the garden beds.  Snowdrop, bells and narcissus, just in time for Equinox and Easter.

And the yellows of Dandelions, one of my FAVORITE flowers.  And a lovely Forsythia, which my brother calls ForCynthia.  

And that is just the beginning of what's to come in the garden.  Coming soon - a YouTube channel with videos both of the gardens and "DIY's" for infusions, creams and much more.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

International Woman's Day.....

I think about women a lot.  MoonMaid's product line is for women, generally speaking.  As I deal with what I call "estrogen toxicity" in my work, on a daily basis.....men have come up to.  If the stuff in the environment is bad for we women....what's it doing to men? I have pondered for many a year.  Well that's another post....for the moment back to women.

I heard many "things" during this day.  NPR stories, moving posts on Facebook etc, and I observed the women around my community.  I thought of the many women I know, strong capable women in all sorts of ways.  Women who are running businesses, raising children, preparing for weddings, dealing with major health crisis.  So many women.  I have certainly pondered, how would the world look if women were in charge of things - and I am not talking about the current election cycle.

Instead, women are "kept out of", subjugated, controlled, belittled, and on and on.....in all sorts of ways in all types of circumstances (ie work, relationships etc), by our families, by our own beliefs.  I marvel at women who do it "in spite of."  The civil rights movement, young women in India, Afghanistan, mothers in Mexico who want more for their children, mothers escaping violence with the clothes on their backs.  It happens here, it happens everywhere.  Again, I wonder, if women were running the show.  Maybe someday.

At the end of this day I was reading, and getting ready to lay down and for some reason, I grabbed a pile of "tiny books" I have.  I was shuffling through them and I found this little gem.  I was filled with joy to hold it, to read the simple thoughts on each page, loving the simple art work.  A gift for me for this International Day of Women.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Botanical Sanctuary - Trees, Flowers and Herbs

Nettles are waking up under the leaf litter.  I could not be happier.

Mossy tree with baby wood nettle popping up underneath

This land, MoonMaid's Botanical Sanctuary, is expriencing a burst of Spring.  I have no doubt we will have another splash of Winter, as it always snows on the daffodils.  But meanwhile, it has been lovely.  

We have made some progress on getting our "Eco-Glamping Air B & B" going, and it won't take as much "resources" as first were indicated.  My friend from Arkansas, Leon, came for a week long visit and got so many things done.  He helped to create a space for the dry sauna I was given, from an already existing structure.  In fact, it was a structure I was going to tear down.

Leon and the CamperCarPort he revitalized!!!

Since I first moved here, I have tried to incorporate as much of what "is" into what this land is becoming, and this was another opportunity to do that.  The fact is, the pre-made shed I had in mind, could not be delivered down my rural driveway.  And, it turns out, I ultimatly need the "space" to encompass much more then I had anticipated.  That new office/massage/production facility is sometime down the road.  For now, the old camper will make a great space for the sauna.  By mid- June it should be delivered and installed!!  I can't wait.

The sauna that awaits in Florida

Additionally, I have found a local Yome, or dome tent, manufacturer!!  The cost is 1/2 that of those I had previously checked out.  The look of these is much lighter and brighter and I just love it.  It has allowed me to bring down the GoFundMe site, from 15K to $7,000.00.  Makes it feel more like I can get it done sooner then later.  The tent is just about $3000, then delivery, set up and all this clean-up!!!  I love a wind......but I hope they will keep at bay for just a little bit...........

Yome, Asheville North Carolina

I feel very excited and hopeful about all that can happen here on this land.  One "guest" at a time I look forward to sharing how I compost, recycle and support clean and green in as many ways as possible.  The opportunities to introduce folks to wonderful herbs and flowers makes my heart sing.   Check out the GoFundMe site  - if you care too.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

Out in the garden...

It was warm this weekend........after a week of 15 degrees.  I loved it.  The first flower appeared in the garden.  Luna is enjoying the weather as well.

LunaCat and a lovely crocus

I have been tidying up and sorting.  Suddenly I had a bunch of things that needed a place to hang.  I decided to "decorate this little funny maple before it leafs out.

I have not seen any yet, may favorite, nettle.  But I did find this little poem in a book i have.

I have wood nettles and true nettle.  Both are rich in minerals.  Tons!!!  An infusion of stinging nettle, either kind, is a great way to get vitamins and trace minerals, rather then a "pill."

I anxiously await Spring.  There are always some surprise "gifts" showing themselves, something new, it never fails.  There are always "treasures" just below the surface.  Even in a box of chocolates.  I  was first surprised to receive a box in the mail from a California friend.  Great treats.  I decided to take the bottom liner out to hang on my window for a "festive" change.  Below was this.  I love it!!!

Box O Chocolates

It pays to take a moment to look "deep inside."  I have been doing a lot of that this winter.  No point getting excited.  Things happen in their own time.....like the launch of BlueBliss Serum.  Thought it would be last February......it was just last week!!   Good things are worth waiting for........I hope!!!

It's back to the garden for now.  Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid

Bliss

It has been super cold.....and snowy for a week it seems.  A white winter bliss.......
 

And then today.....oddly warm and windy.  It always makes me restless, the wind.

I found this lovely book that has been keeping me company on cold snowy evenings.

It is a "companion" of sorts to the children's classic - The Velveteen Rabbit.  A story full of love, compassion, tears of fear and of joy, the Rabbit learns to be "real" when he is loved.  The broader story for we adults is to love ourselves.  This author has taken the stories and developed Principles.  Brilliant!!!  I have enjoyed it a lot.

Right on schedule - near Groundhogs day - the "eggs" suddenly appear.  They were not there Monday Febuary 1st - but they sure were February 2, early afternoon.  Despite the cold, I can see the little tadpoles growing larger each day.   An amazing example of the resilience and rhythm of the cycles of life.  

At MoonMaid - we are celebrating the long awaited "birth" of BlueBliss Anti-Oxidant Serum.  This moisturizing roll-on serum is loaded with anti-oxidants blueberries, MSM and Vitamins E, A, and C.  It delights the senses with our special blend of essential oils and flower essences.  Designed especially for "women of a certain age" and our changing skin.  On sale 50% off.

25% off by putting Pinterest or Instagram in the coupon box @ checkout.  And free shipping until midnight Febuary 15th.

Until next time - Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals