Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Nap Time On The Lake 52921” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.
The cold misty rain falls subtly around the big lake as the big blue truck comes to halt. I managed to keep it mostly inside the lines. As I set my parking brake the little female duck runs to greet me. There’s no doubt in my mind that she remembers the truck that tossed a little food out for her throughout the winter. I had to explain that this time I had not been to the store yet and would be sure to bring extra the next time. Just beyond the curb the rest of the flock is bedded down for the afternoon. A busy morning of foraging and looking cute for the tourist crowd has worn them out. The time has come to close sleepy eyes and visit the world that lays within dreams. A good rest is needed to build strength for following kayaks and quacking for giggling children in hopes of a few crumbs. I think that it’s a good idea for me as well.
Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days
Announcement 2.0
For those who have been following me on Facebook and know of the struggle content providers have to get circulation from big tech I’ve been recommending for people to adopt MeWe as a social media platform. One of the problems I’ve run into on MeWe is that people don’t know how to navigate the platform. So to help with that I’ve created a permanent page on my website as a basic Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe I’ve tried to anticipate all basic questions there and You can bookmark the page to have as a reference and if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me. I do still have a day job and I help admin several pages on both platforms so replies might be a little slow but I will answer you.
We also have the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe that is set up as a fully functional community. There you’ll not only be able to see and connect with me but you can also make your own posts and interact with each other.
Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!
To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.
If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.
I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplyuse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.
Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographerThank you again for your support of my page!♥️
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Hawthorne 52221a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact.
Please remember that Forage Friday is presented as trivia and not to be mistaken for medical advice.
I imagine that my Celtic ancestors would have been able to tell us as much about hawthorns as they could hazelnuts. The tree is a European native and has been known to live as long as four hundred years. In a time before the kings when the clans elected chieftains and elders the hawthorn would have been a family heirloom. It’s a member of order of Rosales and like roses is known for the foreboding thorns that gaurd it’s boughs. Some types of hawthorn have branching thorns that look like a miniature version of honey locus thorns and others bare branches that look as if they grow bayonets. I’ve not decided wich specific brand of hawthorn in in tonight’s Feature Image but I’m leaning towards cockspur hawthorn which is nativetoNorthAmerica. For Forage Friday purposes it really doesn’t matter much because all hawthorns yield edible berries. However, the seeds can actually be deadly. Like others of the maleae tribe which is the apple tribe the seeds contain a type of cyanide. Now when I eat apples I eat seeds and all and have never suffered any kind of ill effects. But I only eat a few apples. So I only ingest a tiny amount of seeds and there’s a purposes for that and it’s best covered by a certified expert. However just to satisfy curiosity the substance known as amygdalin only occurs in very small amounts in apples. It’s estimated that at minimum one would need to consume 150 crushed apple seeds to be harmful. Some studies have shown that in such low amounts as would be found in the occasional single apple can help to prevent some cancers. (Please seek expert advice before consuming apple seeds or any other herbal remedies for that matter.) So let’s think about it for a minute. Apples are not hawthorns and therefore may contain a much higher dose of amygdalin. When amygdalin reaches the small intestine it’s converted into hydrogen cyanide and thus a deadly poison. If an adult accidentally swallows a seed or two it’s not considered to be a big deal. But if a small child swallows the same amount then it could have dire consequences. I don’t say this to scare people away from hawthorn. It’s a cultural staple of our ancestors. Just don’t eat the seeds.
After careful removal of the seeds the berries can be eaten raw but one of the favorite ways to enjoy it is to make hawthorn jelly. There’s a little timing involved. The hawthorn is rich in pectin and has the most pectin just when it’s first ripe. As the berries age they become more sugary and lose pectin. For those who are interested in self-sufficient living having access to a few hawthorn trees means growing their own pectin. A writer at Eat The Weeds UK has provided an interesting recipe for hawthorn jelly and so rather than steal someone else’s work I am providing a link to their original content .
Famed SAS survivalist Ray Mears has a no cook method for making not only a hawthorn jelly but a way to dehydrate it in the sun. The example he provided on set was still edible after three years.
In addition to the berries hawthorn provides edible leaves, flower buds and even the young shoots are edible. All of this in combination with the potential for using the thorny tree as a protective trimmed hedge makes hawthorn a great option to have on the homestead.
Typically when I cover the medicinal values of a Forage Friday plant I draw on decades of reading and YouTube videos but tonight’s source is Mount Sinai. According to them hawthorns can help treat an array of cardiac problems including irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, chest pain and even heart failure. The included that even the leaves and flowers are used. This brings up an important point. Even though the hawthorn provides a powerhouse of food values for people who are already on medication for heart problems hawthorn could represent a hazard of over medication. So please consult a physician if you’re in this category.
That’s all I for tonight’s Forage Friday. Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.
Announcement 2.0
For those who have been following me on Facebook and know of the struggle content providers have to get circulation from big tech I’ve been recommending for people to adopt MeWe as a social media platform. One of the problems I’ve run into on MeWe is that people don’t know how to navigate the platform. So to help with that I’ve created a permanent page on my website as a basic Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe I’ve tried to anticipate all basic questions there and You can bookmark the page to have as a reference and if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me. I do still have a day job and I help admin several pages on both platforms so replies might be a little slow but I will answer you.
We also have the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe that is set up as a fully functional community. There you’ll not only be able to see and connect with me but you can also make your own posts and interact with each other.
Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!
To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.
If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.
I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplyuse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.
Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographerThank you again for your support of my page!♥️
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Pause 52521a” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.
The little alcove stands as a hidden world near the highway. Only a few short steps away the big trucks roar by with tons of wood, coal and steel with nothing but the white line to serve as the barrier. On one side of the line life flies by controlled by the schedules that demand to be met and bright yellow metals. On if which is merely reflective paint adorned by commanding black lines in bold clarity. The living things are bound to machines and hurled towards the goal by controlled explosion within the heart of a mechanical beast. The thunder of wheels echo loudly in a mimicry of living. But on the other side walls of ivy covered stone gaurd the secret sanctuary. Damselflies float in the constant breeze that follows a small stream as it cascades its way through ancient hills and spills into the pool. The drumming of droplets on the earthen floor envelopes everything that flies, floats or stands within the isolated realm of the pool. And those who free themselves from the exploding world of iron and asphalt can sit quietly by the pool and find a moment of tranquility inside the barriers of stone. Breathe deeply and know that you belong here for at least a few moments.
Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.
Announcement 2.0
For those who have been following me on Facebook and know of the struggle content providers have to get circulation from big tech I’ve been recommending for people to adopt MeWe as a social media platform. One of the problems I’ve run into on MeWe is that people don’t know how to navigate the platform. So to help with that I’ve created a permanent page on my website as a basic Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe I’ve tried to anticipate all basic questions there and You can bookmark the page to have as a reference and if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me. I do still have a day job and I help admin several pages on both platforms so replies might be a little slow but I will answer you.
We also have the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe that is set up as a fully functional community. There you’ll not only be able to see and connect with me but you can also make your own posts and interact with each other.
Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!
To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.
If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.
I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplyuse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.
Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographerThank you again for your support of my page!♥️
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Skipper And Sage 52621” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.
Warm humid air seems to pool in my little sanctuary. The thing about humidity is that it really carries whatever scent is in the area. Even after all these years I can still step out into the warm evening air just before dusk and smell the lightning bugs before I see them. But there’s more. A slight shift in the mild breeze brings a sweet mint like aroma from the edge of the creek. I’ve been blessed with increasing numbers of butterflies within the past few years and this year was no exception. The little skipper butterfly zips through the air at thirty five miles per hour. His reflexes are are on par with cheetahs making it easy to dodge the twigs and leaves. His only focus was the wild sage and its sweetness. Neither the sage or the butterfly are particularly spectacular. The butterfly is one of most common and the plant is considered a weed by most. And yet together they both enhance my daily life on this mountain. Common isn’t the opposite of beauty. It means that you’re life is so blessed that a day without simple treasures is unusual.
Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days and.
Announcement 2.0
For those who have been following me on Facebook and know of the struggle content providers have to get circulation from big tech I’ve been recommending for people to adopt MeWe as a social media platform. One of the problems I’ve run into on MeWe is that people don’t know how to navigate the platform. So to help with that I’ve created a permanent page on my website as a basic Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe I’ve tried to anticipate all basic questions there and You can bookmark the page to have as a reference and if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me. I do still have a day job and I help admin several pages on both platforms so replies might be a little slow but I will answer you.
We also have the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe that is set up as a fully functional community. There you’ll not only be able to see and connect with me but you can also make your own posts and interact with each other.
Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!
To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.
If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.
I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplyuse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.
Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographerThank you again for your support of my page!♥️
Hello Friends! Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Fresh Air And Sunshine 52221” and is available for purchase by clicking the thumbnail and reaching out to me on the contact page.
With the late Spring chill driven out by the waking sun the urge to move about overcomes the restless soul. It’s that time of year to kick off our shoes and feel the soft grass around our toes. We don’t really need any particular plans or agenda. Just a day away from goals and the demands of the outside world. Turn off the TV and put your mobile device in airplane mode for a while. Allow the sun’s warmth to soak in and be caressed by the passing breeze. We may not be able to hold back the flow of time but we can just let the day take its own form. Even if it’s just for a little while. Mankind is a solar powered being. The energy we get from our food comes from the light. Light purifies the water we drink and strengthens our bodies. Doesn’t it make sense that we should make time to get out into the light occasionally? And doesn’t it seem like a day in the light adds life to our day? So let me encourage you to take advantage of the warm day and spend a little quiet time in nature.
Good night friends and be blessed throughout your days.
Announcement 2.0
For those who have been following me on Facebook and know of the struggle content providers have to get circulation from big tech I’ve been recommending for people to adopt MeWe as a social media platform. One of the problems I’ve run into on MeWe is that people don’t know how to navigate the platform. So to help with that I’ve created a permanent page on my website as a basic Basic Beginner’s Guide To MeWe I’ve tried to anticipate all basic questions there and You can bookmark the page to have as a reference and if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me. I do still have a day job and I help admin several pages on both platforms so replies might be a little slow but I will answer you.
We also have the Lloyd’s Lens Photography Discussion Group on MeWe that is set up as a fully functional community. There you’ll not only be able to see and connect with me but you can also make your own posts and interact with each other.
Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!
To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.
If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.
I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplyuse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.
Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographerThank you again for your support of my page!♥️
LLOYD'S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC 