'The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun'

If you have been over at Roger's The Oxford Inklings, you will know there was a group before the Inklings. Before the Inklings, before the Hobbit, Tolkien led a group on Northern Mythology where they spoke Old Norse and read the old myths to each other. Late into the night around their coal fire they walked in the cold expanse of the north. Lewis when he came to Oxford, learned of this group and was thrilled to finally find kindred souls.

How did this slip by the real Tolkienites. We had read about this for years, and now here it is. Enjoy, be inspired, be enriched!

The site address is in the list: Through the Shire Gate.

Top 4 Organic Sprays

Use of organic sprays are more friendly to the environment. They are comprised of common organic materials, soaps and occasionally other environmentally friendly materials. They are often home brewed recipes that you can make and save money along the way. Or, if you are not inclined to make up a batch of your own, they are readily available at most garden supply stores.

If you have a "recipe" for home made insecticides or fungicides, please email us so we can share it with others and do our part for the environment!

1. Insecticide Garlic Spray

Ingredients:
1 Garlic Bulb
2 Cups Water
1 Gallon Water

Instructions:
1. Take an entire garlic bulb and two cups of water and blend in blender.
2. Mix at high speed for 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour into a container and set aside for up to one day.
4. Strain liquid through a cheese cloth.
5. Mix liquid with one gallon of water.
6. Apply liberally on top and bottom of leaves.

2. Insecticide Soap Spray

Ingredients: Liquid Dish Detergent

Instructions:
1. Put one tablespoon of dish detergent per gallon into a sprayer.
2. Apply liberally on top and bottom of leaves.
3. Re-apply after rain or one to two weeks.

3. Hot Pepper Spray

This can be used to repel, deer, rabbits and other pests from your flowers and some vegetables. Note, use caution with vegetables as a peppery taste may remain on the fruit.

Ingredients:
6 Hot Peppers, the hotter the better
2 Cups Water
1 quart Water

Instructions:
1. Put hot peppers and two cups of water into a blender.
2. Mix at high speed for 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour into a container and set aside for up to one day.
4. Strain liquid through a cheese cloth.
5. Add liquid into a one quart container. Fill container to top with water.
6. Apply liberally to plants. Re-apply every week to two weeks or after a rain.

4. Fungicide Powdery Mildew Spray

Ingredients:
1Gallon Water
3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Bleach
1 Teaspoon Dishwashing Liquid

Instructions:
1. Snip and remove leaves that are worst affected.
2. Mix ingredients with water.
3. Spray remaining leaves top and undersides.
4. Apply a heavier dose on leaves that have signs of infection and only lightly on unaffected leaves as bleach can actually harm and discolor the leaves.

Extremely important:
Do not use too much bleach! Use no more than 1 part bleach to 10 parts
water. We hesitate to recommend using bleach as it can harm your plants if too much is applied. Use it at your own risk and try to avoid spraying it on healthy leaves.

Got Milk?
Some scientists believe milk has germicidal properties, and is effective against Powdery Mildew?
Hard to believe? Try it out.

Others

Marigolds and Nasturtiums are commonly grown as companion plants as they keep pests away. Try putting some of the leaves and stems in your blender. Let it soak for a day, drain, add water to dilute and apply liberally.

If you are in to experimenting, look up other companion plants and give them a try. You just might invent a new recipe to share with us!

The Gospel According To Tolkien

I just read one of the finest, clearest and simplest views on Tolkien's world view and his work.

Just click on the Title above to go to the post and enjoy! It will blow you away.