Around Tulsa

     My friend Wes asked me to go around town to take pictures of his work this weekend. He is hanging at a few places this month - The Soda Shoppe, Doubleshot, Dwelling Spaces and Tulsa Body Jewelry. You may have seen these already or have wondered who they were by... wonder no more. Wes Jackson can be found here.

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Birdbrains

     I've been really flighty lately, dodging from one thing to the next and haven't had much time to breathe this month. As a result, birds came back into my sketchbook so here are some bird related doodles for you to check out:

A chicken dinner, that's what.

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The arcane alchemy of letter-writing

Whenever I have a friend go abroad or the semester starts up again and I have to say a few all-too-routine goodbyes, I always rediscover my love of writing, and especially receiving, letters. I can't explain what draws me to it exactly, but there's not another medium like it--email is speedy, SMS is mobile and handy for when you're lost downtown.

I just treasure something that seems almost intimate after using those other forms of communication so much; a letter is a physical thing that someone's written and touched and mailed away. Its length and the fact that you usually can't write as fast as you type makes you express yourself differently in them, I think. Also, emoticons are no substitute for little doodles in the margins or stickers. (Yes, I'm almost 22 but I still have some stickers stashed away.)

My friend Kat is teaching English in Japan at the moment and she sends me notes on the most lush stationary--brightly colored and finely textured. Alas there seem to be a shortage of stationary shops in flatland Tulsa, so I've been mulling over DIY options that are still inexpensive. I've considered cutting scrap booking papers into appropriate rectangles, of getting a stamp and ink pad. None of it quite quells my paper-y jealousy but it's better than nothing, eh?

When I'm lucky enough to have someone I want to write living close by me, I cheat the system and leave them notes instead. No stamp required.

I don't want to launch into a nostalgic episode about how letters were better, or about how we should all get email in our brains, because I don't think either of those things are true. However, I think it's refreshing to mix up the way we communicate with each other sometimes and give someone a reason to make a walk to their mailbox in this nice weather.

How to Decant Herbs + Calendula, Lavender and Shea Butter Balm

     So about one month ago I made a small batch of some calendula infused oil and a herbal liniment. The liniment is a nice mixture of lavender, chamomile, rosemary, sage and a few other herbs I can't remember. They've been hanging out on the windowsill ever since. This is a good place for them--they get lots of sunshine and warmth and I'm reminded to shake them more, which is an important part of the process. 

The calendula oil is on the left and the liniment is on the right.

Calendula flowers!

     Herbal oils and liniments generally need to sit for 6-7 weeks, but since it's been so warm lately, I only had to wait 4. I had this recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs picked out for the calendula oil, since it's good for many summer ailments, such as rashes, bug bites, sore muscles, and in general any skin problems you might run into this time of year. It also smells lovely and will cure dry skin any time of year. I'm going to post pictures of the balm-making process, but you should really check out Mountain Rose Herbs' site as well since they were so kind as to post the recipe.

It's fairly simple to make and I had everything but the cheesecloth lying around already.


To decant the herbs, just cut an appropriately sized piece of cheesecloth. Mine were a bit too small, so if you're using the pictures for reference, keep that in mind. Pour your oil or liniment into the cheesecloth after you've positioned it above a clean jar or bowl, and squeeze out all the excess.

You've waited this long, why waste any? It's the same for both the infused oil and the liniment.

Straining

A close up of the calendula flowers. Aren't they pretty?

     Next, balm time!

     Put together a double boiler--my choice bowl was in the wash, so I had to use a metal one. Be careful if you do this, as they get really hot. You probably knew that already.

     Melt all your ingredients except for the lavender essential oil: the calendula infused oil, beeswax, and shea butter. I find it helpful to grate the beeswax.

Melted oils and wax

     After it's completely melted, remove it from heat and stir in your lavender essential oil, about 20 drops. If it smells awesome, you're doing it right. To finish up, pour into a tin or small jar and let sit until hardened. You should have a lovely, healing balm afterwards.

The finished product!

     As for the liniment, I like to store it in a spray bottle, but you can do whatever is convenient. The spray bottle is nice because you can apply the right amount and rub it in quickly. It works very well when your muscles are just worn out completely. I carry both these things in my backpack when I'm hiking in the summer and they are wonderful aids.

Oklahoma Women's Health Status Worsening

I'm afraid that this post will depart somewhat from the adorableness of the last. Thank you, Robert!

My friend Julia runs an awesome blog, Oh Fuck Oklahoma. Recently I sent her an article published in the Tulsa World and she did a great job of highlighting the best points, you should go check it out.

The article concerns the recent drop in female life expectancy in this state. It dropped! While Oklahoma has obesity problems, it aslo has a lot of what I like to flatly call "sexism problems":

Quoting state Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa, who has authored a number of unsuccessful health-care bills that would have improved health outlooks for women: “When women are treated as second-class citizens, then you don’t need to think about our needs as much.” She also said the top problem she has faced in trying to push such legislation is that the measures are seen “as an infringement into the ‘sanctity of the family.’ ”

Our Anniversary!

As of this posting I will have been with my girlfriend and co-blogger Amelia for a year. As you might have guessed from our blog title, this place is an extension of our relationship and the shenanigans we get up to. Sometimes when something goes exceptionally well when we’re out together we like to say that it was because of our ‘daywalker powers’. It’s silly, but in a very real way these daywalker powers are exactly what keep me so happy with our relationship. Amelia has a way of being so buoyant and charismatic that great things happen around her. She is full of energy; constantly vibrant and fresh.

A basket of kittens has nothing on the cutepocalypse going on right here.

Have you seen ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’? If you haven’t you’ve probably seen a clip – it’s an old movie from the late 80’s that had animation overlaid on a live action reel. When I look at Amelia I picture her a lot like that, everything surrounding her goes slightly out of focus and she shines. That’s how completely amazing she is. Everything is made better with her around me. She inspires me to do great things; around her I want to be kinder, healthier and more creative.

This blog is a great treasure for me because I have someone so wonderful to write it with. Every day I look at a picture or a letter that she has given to me and can see her energy through it and I feel able to face the day. She has taught me what a pleasure it is to have a relationship with someone that makes you feel like half of a super hero duo. It’s a great thrill to have such a dedicated teammate to mess around with in my garden or in the studio.

Happy Anniversary, Amelia. I love you very much.

I've forgotten how to feed myself.

Recently I discovered a lecture by Evita Ochel, a holistic nutritionist. She takes on the question of what one should be eating, and her answer is overwhelmingly this: plant foods, whether it be vegetables, fruits, or nuts and seeds. She's particularly a fan of raw foods. If you have time to watch the video, I recommend it. Even if you don't think you could adhere to that kind of diet all the time, there are some wise tidbits within.

But even though the video was intended to quell my fears about what I should be eating, it only got me started down a line of thought that has always defeated me: who is right in this debate? What should I be eating?

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