I quit social media a few years ago.

I am the only person of my generation that I know who is not addicted to the phone.

After a lot of thought, I decided to go back on. I devised some personal rules to help keep it a positive in my life rather than a negative.

1. Only use social media mindfully, and with purpose. This means, no mindless scrolling while waiting for the bus.

2. I shall never mention a brand name. I would never want to be confused with a wannabe influencer, spouting homemade capitalist witchcraft.

3. I refuse to participate in the hate. This means, no nasty comments (even if they deserve it). Use social media to compliment the heroines and heroes rather than bash the villains.

4. I pledge not to post photos of my children online, until they are old enough to consent to it.

Shetland Hardy Plants: Narcissus

The Narcissus or Daffodil is a top performer in Shetland. A large patch that my great-grandmother planted still blooms every spring, 30 years after her death. No one tends to them except the Shetland Ponies.

Plant the bulbs in October to December (before first frost) for spring flowers.There are literally thousands of varieties available; some have double blooms, others have a classic trumpet shape. They come in white, orange and peach and even pink, if you are not fond of the classic yellow.

Narcissus Hillstar – Photo belongs to the RHS website
Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown’ – Photo belongs to the RHS website
Narcissus Sir Winston Churchil – Photo belongs to RHS website
Narcissus ‘Sailboat’ Photo belongs to the RHS Website
Narcissus “Tamar Fire” – Photo belongs to RHS website
Avalanche – Photo belongs to garden world images
Narcissus ‘Curlew’ – Photo belongs to the RHS website
Narcissus “Indian Maid” – Photo belongs to the RHS website
Narcissus Dickcissel – Photo belongs to the RHS website
Yellow Cheerfulness – Photo belongs to the RHS website
White Cheerfulness – Photo belongs to the RHS website
Narcissus “Rising Star” – Photo belongs to the RHS website

The varieties pictured here are all highly scented. Click on the photo to learn the flowers name.

I have found that the more common varieties tend to open earlier in the year. The miniature varieties have bloomed as early as February, here in Shetland. The early blooms are always a welcome sight, after a dark winter.

It was discovered the Daffodil has a medicinal chemical in it called Galanthamine. The plant is now being harvested to create a breakthrough medication to treat dementia. Traditionally the plant had other medicinal uses. The Daffodil is even written about by Nicholas Culpeper (1616 – 1654), the famous herbalist, astrologer and doctor:

‘Yellow Daffodils are under the dominion of Mars, and the roots thereof are hot and dry in the third degree. The roots boiled and taken in posset drink cause vomiting and are used with good success at the appearance of approaching agues, especially the tertian ague, which is frequently caught in the springtime. A plaster made of the roots with parched barley meal dissolves hard swellings and imposthumes, being applied thereto; the juice mingled with honey, frankincense wine, and myrrh, and dropped into the ears is good against the corrupt and running matter of the ears, the roots made hollow and boiled in oil help raw ribed heels; the juice of the root is good for the morphew and the discolouring of the skin.’ – Culpepper’s Complete Herbalist

Poetry to Grieve Brussels Attack

I wanted to share a video, which includes several lines from the poem Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. I recorded this film the morning of the Brussels Attacks.

Read the complete poem here:  http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/still-i-rise/

After the terrorist attacks at Charlie Hebdo, I reacted with self-censorship. I shelved some projects which I thought were perhaps dangerous to continue with. After the recent terrorist attacks in Europe’s capital, I feel a great push from within to not censor myself anymore, come what may.