I had an amazing at-home birthing experience last week, and out of it came a beautiful baby and the life-giving placenta. The placenta is responsible for providing oxygen to the baby, discarding waste, and giving nutrients. The umbilical cord comes from the placenta and is attached to the baby’s belly. The placenta, bloody and bag-like, also resembles the tree of life within its design. Even though one can consume the placenta, I choose to plant it in a tree. My doula offered to do a placenta print, and so we did!
Tree of Life within the Placenta
Before I get to the placenta, I would like to talk about my experience with the doula.
My doula, Sarah with Sacred Cycle Doula, gave me pregnancy tea to help induce labor and support my immune system. Sarah (https://www.sacredcyclesdoula.com/) picked me up two days before my birth to take me on a walk on the beach. I expressed my insecurities, and we spent the time getting to know each other at the Samoa Dunes in Humboldt County. A doula is an emotional support person during birth. She helped me with my breathing during labor. Afterward, she helped me with my milk production by offering me a bulk serving of a soup made from coconut, sweet potato, and nettle. This sweet porridge-like meal worked wonders, and after a few days, with the help of Mother’s Milk Tea, my milk was abundant.
The day after my birth, we took the placenta out of the fridge and placed it on a chux pad to make the print. Using the blood still in the ziplock bag, she painted the placenta with it and, with a large drawing paper, she made a perfect print of the placenta that helped support, feed, and nourish my baby.
Placenta Print
I knew I wanted to plant my placenta. I initially was drawn to a lemon tree, but I couldn’t find one anywhere local in late summer. I settled with a Mutsu, green apple tree. I bought a large pot to put it in until we have found a permanent home. My husband, the farmer, filled the bottom of the pot with Fox Farm Soil. We placed the placenta inside and added another layer of soil before adding the tree so that the organ wasn’t directly underneath the tree. Then, we filled the rest of the pot up and watered it lightly.
Placenta in Apple Tree
The tree symbolizes the tree of life reflected on the placenta, as well as the journey ahead of my baby boy. It also resembles the change of the seasons that will make its leaves transition in color which will fall and regrow. The tree will provide fruit that helps nourish and feed its community, as I hope my son will foster to his. These are the reasons I choose to plant my placenta. Please comment below with what you did with yours!
Check out my “Unassisted” Birth Plan I wrote at 18weeks for a complete perspective of my birthing experience.
IG: the_glowing_expectant
I never thought the words “I do” would follow me beyond eloping. At the peak of my transition, I shouted, I couldn’t do it any longer, and my husband said, “Remember, your body is made to give birth,” and I responded, “I do.” After that, I knew I could do it.
My contractions started around 4 am on August 10th. My mom, Sascha, was visiting from San Diego. My due date was August 2nd, and I was now ten days late. As a first-time birther, I didn’t know what to expect. I laid in bed, and when I felt myself dilating, I went to the bathroom. Going back and forth would go on for the remainder of the morning. I texted my midwife at 7:32 am, “Feeling contractions. I think today’s the day. I’ll see you at one.” We had a scheduled visit for that afternoon, and I thought I’d ride the waves until then. My daughter, Halaya, stayed home from her school camp, and my mom prepared the house and catered to my needs.
When the midwife, Jami, came, I had her check my dilation. I was at 2cm, and she told me I was doing great as I paced the room and bounced on my birth ball. Her assistant, Elise, helped her bring in supplies and set up the bed with a mattress cover and sheets. They told me they had a 3 pm prenatal visit and that, as a first-time birther, I shouldn’t expect to have the baby until later that night or possibly the following day. They reassured me that they would stay locally and to call them when the contractions were stronger. Elise told me as she left to call Sarah, the doula, in a few hours if I needed help.
Sarah is a newer doula and was offering her services for the experience. I called her around 3:15 pm. It was hard for me to talk in between contractions, and I asked her to come within the hour. She got to my house at 4:05 pm, and I was in between being on all fours and the toilet. I was internalized and not speaking clearly. Sarah offered me water, broth, and labor-aid in between contractions, from which I could take only a few sips. I was throwing up and having a hard time keeping anything down. They were about three minutes apart when she timed my transitions, lasting about a minute and in a pattern. She would tell me later that they progressed very quickly from the time she was there. I yelled at her that I felt the need “to shit.” I went as far as asking her if the baby was coming out of my ass.
When I sat on the toilet again, I felt the need to push and a lot of pressure. I held onto my surroundings which was a sign to Sarah that I had the need to bear down and that it was time to call the midwife. I responded fiercely, “Call the fucking midwife.” That’s when the mucus plug came out.
Sarah said with beautiful big brown eyes that I needed to pant. We began to pant together. She asked me if I would get into the tub, and a little resiliently, I did so. There was a moment when I sunk into the tub, and I got back onto all fours when I felt the next contraction. My husband soothed me with kind words and petted my forehead. My daughter also came into the bathroom and kissed me but then left the room at my request. Then again, I sunk into the tub, but I couldn’t do it anymore and wanted out when the next contraction came.
I was back on the floor and saying “Oww” in rhythm while on all fours. My mom suggested that I go into the bedroom, but I couldn’t move and told her aggressively to leave the room. I gave a few heavy pushes, and Sarah told me to try not to push and instead pant while we waited for the midwife. I got my husband to walk me to the bedroom, where I’d have more space.
I got onto the bed, and there was no stopping me at this point. Halaya tried to come into the room, and out of fear, I asked her to wait in her room. With bulging eyes, I looked at Sarah to guide me through my breathing techniques. We did a few breaths out and a long awww sound to get things moving. I strongly depended on her at this point to guide me through my experience. My husband stood behind, waiting for the baby. He would tell me he thought the baby was also coming out of my rectum until he mentally corrected himself. The baby’s head began to crown after a few pushes. I gave a high pitch scream. Sarah reminded me, “lower tones bring the baby,” and I followed her lead. She told my mom to get the receiving blankets. There was a moment I couldn’t see Sarah, and I screamed her name. She returned to locking eyes with me, and we breathed through the rushes together.
Jeremy saw the baby’s head. The baby’s face turned purple, and he noticed that the cord was wrapped tightly around the baby’s neck. I didn’t feel the need to push suddenly and wanted to rest. My husband told me I had to push, and I responded that I did not. Sarah reiterated that it was vital for me to continue pushing at this time, and I did so.
Jeremy grabbed Malakai as he was sliding out at 5:01 pm. He said the baby had mucus draining from his nose. He untwisted the cord instinctually. There was a lot of blood, and the concern to call 911 arose. Sarah asked Jeremy and me, and we both rejected. The baby was behind me from in between my legs. J held the baby on its stomach to get it to sputter out the fluid. The baby was limp, and I requested they bring the baby back through my legs and onto my chest. I immediately swiped his mouth for mucus and patted the baby on the back. Malakai began to cry softly and was finally coming into his body. As I laid on the bed with my newborn, Sarah offered me a shepherd’s purse tincture to help stop the bleeding.
We all took a deep breath, and the midwife came about 5 minutes later. I was hemorrhaging, but I felt relieved that my baby was in my arms and we were all alive. Jami and Elise came into the room, shocked to see us all sitting calmly on the bed with a newborn baby. My mom got Halaya and brought her into the room. She was able to greet her new baby brother. Halaya smiled with excitement and gave baby and me a kiss on the forehead.
Jami gave me a shot to help with the blood loss. There was no tearing and I accredit it to a constant burning sensation that caused me to massage my labia frequently. After about 15 minutes, Jami recommended I sat on a stool and pushed out the rest of the placenta. I was uncomfortable, but shortly after squatting, it ejected out. After the cord stopped pulsing, we got two black candlesticks from my altar. Jeremy and I burned the cord together. Halaya watched while we sang tunes and waited for the cord to burn, which took about 5-8 minutes. Once the cord was burnt, we had a chance to settle, and Elise took the baby’s vitals. Halaya listened to the baby’s heart and lungs, and Elise weighed him at 7lbs 12 oz and his height to be 21 inches. He had long fingers and large feet.
Looking at my baby in my arms was so fulfilling. I said to Sarah that Malakai had an old soul. His cues warmed the room, and we all sat awe-stricken as the baby looked around at his new world. It took him a while to latch, but Jami ensured he did so before leaving the room. I filled my peri bottle with a homemade sitz bath extract and used it to soothe myself when I used the restroom.
Everyone went home before 8:15 pm, and we had the rest of the evening to enjoy as a family. My mom made eggrolls. Halaya held her little brother, and my mom sat with him on the rocking chair. We all reminisced about the excitement of the birth. We were all impressed with J’s quick actions to unwrap the umbilical cord, and my mom expressed her fear when she saw his purple face. I would look back on the helping hand Sarah offered me and the deep connection I felt with her as she helped me ride the waves of my birthing experience. In the end, our baby boy came out alive and well.
That night Malakai nursed for what seemed like hours. We tried to put him in the bassinet, but he wouldn’t have it. We moved him from the bassinet to the dock-a-tock in between us on the bed. He cried, forcing me to hold him on my chest as I tried not to drift off to sleep. He took a handful of loaded poops, a tar-like dark brown. Around 4 am when everyone was on cloud 9, I put him back in the dock-a-tock, cuddled next to my husband, and slept for a few hours.
I appreciate everyone that contributed and was so proud of my home birth experience. Reading all the books prepared me not to be afraid and ride my contractions’ waves. I wouldn’t give it up for the world. And even though they say your birth never goes as you planned, my birth unexpectedly went exactly as I had wanted.
If you are a Humboldt local here are my recommendations for birthing assisstants:
All of these woman were incredibly helpfully and I highly recommend their services for a spiritual and centered birthing experience.
Me: Hello Everyone, today we will be interviewing Fernando Rebolloso. Fernando, can you please introduce yourself and your social media accounts.
Fernando: Yes, my name is Mr.Rebelloso, also known as Medicine man or AKA. Blue Honey. Anyways the only social media account that I have is a sound cloud. You can type in my name in there. I’ll help you spell it out, Mr.Rebolloso, and you can find my mixes on there and whatnot, my music. Mostly my mixes, though.
Blue Honey
Me: Woohoo. What first sparked your interest in electronic music?
Fernando: Well, I was actually a kid when I first heard electronic music in the ’90s. I used to stay up until the middle of the night until 3 am with a tape recorder and tape deck trying to listen to Jam and Z 90, Alice DJ and Eiffle 65, all the European or just old school techno that everybody knows in the ’90s, you know the famous stuff. Then, later on in my early teens, I started going to raves, and that’s what sparked my interest. I went to Monster Massive. Monster Massive I saw DJ Ressa at Monster Massive, and he was killin’ it, and I was like, that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life, even if it’s a hobby or whatnot because people grow out of things or whatnot. But I’m still doing it, and I love playing electronic music, and my favorite genre is break beats, and my favorite artist is DJ Icey,and he is one of the artists that I love. He actually inspired me a lot in mixing and trying to produce and make remixes.
Me: How did you start DJ’ing?
Fernando: How did I start Dj’ing, well, I had a friend named DJ Drips in high school and I didn’t have no gear because my family was poor so I went to his family all the time because they had a lot of instruments and everything because they were churchgoers and his dad did the sound, so his dad had a lot of sound instruments and I got a lot of DJ gear and sound equipment, so his son and I started DJing together, but not really, he was really into hip hop, and I was into electronic music so he would let me come over and jam out and use his gear. Then, when I was like 19-20, I bought my own set of DJ gear. I started on STR-80s, and it had a little reverse switch and a bent tonearm, a one-a-be technique back then. And then I started playing records, and that’s how I started DJing in my early teens and twenties or whatnot.
Me: Awesome. What technology and programs do you use now?
Fernando: Right now I use, Serato and Pioneer. Those two. I like using the CDJ’s from the Pioneer record box. I’m pretty well versed because I grew up with the technology and the bugs that they’ve been trying to fix and all that stuff, and ya, those are the main two programs I’ve been trying to use, a record box and scratch Serrato.
Me: What inspires your music?
Fernando: What inspires my music? Well, that’s a tough question to answer. I believe everything that is going on in my life helps me write a story every time I Dj. But that’s when I’m doing like a programmed mix or a freestyle mix that everyone can enjoy on sound cloud. But when I go out DJ, freestyle, I’m mostly in the party mood and just want to see everyone’s booty shake. That’s what inspires me when I play live.
Me: I feel that. Where have you performed?
Fernando: I’ve performed a lot in San Diego, CA. I was one of the founders of Danksgiving San Diego for nine years. Rufio, you might recognize that name in San Diego. He’s the other founder. I’ve played at Spin Nightclub, I’ve played at the Fire Circle, I’ve played at Youtopia for a lot of years. In the beginning of my career, I played at a venue called Theater X. I was an intermission DJ. And also an after party DJ, in their underground storage area. There was like a staircase going underneath the building. I don’t know what you’d call that but anyways, a lot of places like that: small venues, small parties, the Jumping Turtle in San Marcos, CA. I played the Onyx room one time but mostly just a lot of random dessert parties, the Indigo Vertex, a lot of things like that.
Me: Cool! How has your style changed over the years?
Fernando: Well, I used to play a lot of acid breaks, but now I play a lot of booty breaks and quick mixing like hip hop style because I believe that today’s youth is so used to watching videos online and their attention span can’t keep attention to whatever they’re listening to- I totally forgot the question.
Me: It was, ‘how has your style changed?’
Fernando: Sorry, I’m a little stoned. It’s changed a lot from progressive to party, back to progressive. It’s like I said earlier on in the interview, it depends on how I feel and what’s going on in my life-
Me: -a wide range of genres.
Fernando: Oh yeah, exactly, you know Natascha. You’ve seen me play Drum and Bass, House.
Me: Some Oldies and Hip Hop stuff. How does your location and environment influence your music? You’ve gone through that a little bit, but do you feel differently in the desert than you would in Oceanside by the beach? What kind of genres and type of music interests you when you’re in these environments and locations?
Fernando: That does influence me a lot. When I’m in the desert, I feel more spiritual, and I feel more at one with myself for some reason. If I’m in an earthy environment, you know I am Hispanic, so anything tropical, that helps out a lot for sure. I play more jungly music, whatever is more earthy like the greenery around me and the ocean as well. I try to play more progressive when I’m on the ocean. Super progressive because the ocean helps me out a lot.
Me: Oh, I love that. What effects do you want your music to have on people besides shaking ass on the dance floor? What do you want them to walk away with?
Fernando: I want them to walk away with being happy. Or at least to say, Ohhh that was sickkkk. You know how you guys feel when you walk away from a sick ass DJ playing. I get that effect as well. Mostly I want them to walk away with a feeling of being fucking happy. I don’t know how to describe it. It may be progressive because I use progressive music in my booty breaks. I just want them to walk away with a good experience and that they had a good time on the dance floor, and that they communicated with people or whatever they’re trying to do. Mostly happy I guess.
Me: How does music influence your life? What changes does it bring into your world?
Fernando: Music has done a lot to me and my life. When I was a kid, I started off with classical music and then branched off into jazz, then rock, then hip hop, then punk, then street punk, and also like industrial and all that other stuff. It has a big influence on my life, and if music hasn’t been in my life, I’d probably be dead right now. To be honest, you know what I mean.
Me: It’s a lifesaver.
Fernando: There you go. It is a lifesaver. Thank you, Natascha.
Me: How does your lifestyle influence your music?
Fernando: My lifestyle is definitely pretty crazy right now. It influences my music a lot. Like I said, whatever I’m going through it helps me channel what I’m going through.
Me: How would you describe your lifestyle?
Fernando: Right now? As a nomad, as a traveler, a traveling musician maybe. That’s what I think. That’s all that I can describe as my lifestyleāliving one day at a time and living to the fullest.
Me: What advice do you have for novice DJ’s?
Fernando: Umm, practice, practice, practice, and play from your heart. That’s all I can really say about that. There may be some people that don’t like you playing from you’re heart, but then you’re going to reconnect to that one person that is having trouble in their lives, that needs you in their life. If you can change one person’s mind on the dancefloor, I feel like that’s all you really need. It’s great. I don’t know.
Mr.Rebolloso at a Triptych Event.
Me: That’s beautifully said. Where can we catch you next?
Fernando: Right now, I’m just doing online stuff. I’m hoping you can catch me back live anywhere, San Diego or in Eureka, CA, because right now I’m traveling between Southern and Northern California. I don’t know yet. I’ll keep you guys posted on my sound cloud. That’s all I can say is that you can catch me online right now until somebody books me again because of COVID and everything. You know how the world is.
Me: Check out Fernando on his sound cloud and book him! Thank you, everyone, for tuning in, and thank you, Fernando!
Eureka, CA: July 7, 2021: I met Ceak (pronounced like seek) painting on 2nd Street and F in downtown Eureka during the wind down of COVID about a month and a half ago. His outgoing personality and welcoming smile easily draws in anyone passing by. Hours can be spent, staring at his artwork, deciphering the larger picture. I had the opportunity to interview Ceak at my home while he was working on a tribute piece to African American Women athletes, starring Sha’Carri Richardson. This is what Ceak had to share.
Ceak, Monday’s with Michaele, and Myself in downtown Eureka.
Me: Today, we will be interviewing Ceak. Please introduce yourself and your social media accounts.
Ceak: Hello, my name is Ceak.I am a visual artist that uses paints, more than likely acrylic paints. You can find me on Instagram at @CeakKytrelll and @Visions_Channels_.
Me: Thank you very much! Where are you from?
Ceak: I am originally from Virginia, North of the seven cities. Shout out to them. Do I miss it? No. But, it’s cool to visit my peoples whenever I can.
Me: What is your history in art?
Ceak Kytrell
Ceak: My history in art is pretty much. I grew up drawing a whole lot in school when I was a young whooper snapper. I just sort of, I didn’t take any classes. It was just something I really loved doing. It gave me motivation and gave me energy. It gives me the feeling of life, pretty much, when I do it, and people like it, so I keep doing it.
Me: That’s beautiful. What style do you paint?
Ceak: Well, I don’t know, really. There’s a couple people that say I’m an impressionist. There’s a couple of people that say Im a comic. I do a whole lot of cartoon work or whatever. I just do what feels right as far as the colors is concerned.
Me: Can you tell us more about the colors?
Ceak: Well, for me, when many people ask me which my favorite one is, I can’t really say just one color because literally all of them. It takes every color in the spectrum to make what is so called one color, red, green, blue, yellow. Any color, it needs every color, every shade, every hue to make that one color. I can’t really say I like either one of them. My colors on my paintings reflect that, and they just come out as far as how I feel.
Me: I know you said you use acrylics but can you tell us a little more about the project besides acrylic on canvas? What else can we see you painting on?
Ceak: You can see me painting on wood, on a school, or painting pretty much anywhere. Anywhere I get an opportunity to paint, that where I choose to paint and everything. I paint on canvas, but it’s not limited to, and I’m not in a box as far as that’s concerned. I go where the art takes me.
Me: What influences your style?
Ceak: What influences my style is, I would say, a heavy background in a whole lot of comic book art, honestly. There is this one guy named Joe Jusko which I really love the way he brings out the characters that he displays, Julie, and there’s this one artist, I can’t believe I forget, people keep saying, oh yeah, Alex Gray, people keep telling me ohh you’re just like that. I swear to god I’m not trying to be like Alex Gray. I’m nowhere near his fucking talent, but yeah, he just sort of influences the flow of my art pieces sometimes. It’s really awesome, honestly. Me: Do you feel like your style has changed since you lived on the East Coast compared to the West Coast? Ceak: Absolutely. When I was on the East Coast, I was doing nothing but working my fucking butt off for people who didn’t really care. Over here, it’s kind of the same, but you can kind of feel the love more so out here. But maybe for meit has just been a growing journey experience. Nobodies really got to care about you for you to make who you are, who you are, and everything. It really boils down to what you want to do. You know what I’m saying? Your passions, your life, pretty much. It really has nothing to do with anyone else but you and what you’re trying to display in your art, you know. I see some of your art and stuff, and it blows me away some of the things that you do, you know. Keep doing it, keep going. For me, it’s just, like I said, a constant maturing and growing, what I know, and incorporating what you see.
Me: That’s awesome. What gets you in a flow state-
Ceak: Hahaha,
ME: -When you’re painting for hours at a time-
Ceak: Mushrooms!! Okay, I’ll stop.
Me: No, that’s okay. Be honest with it.
Ceak Kytrell
Ceak: It definitely has a lot to do with the people that I hang around. Shout out to Joel and Carol Lily and their children. Shout out to you, too. If I get around people who are generally down for being cool like that, it really motivates me to paint and continue to shine my light, my particular light, and just have a good, good camaraderie. That’s what helps me and motivates me.
Me: That’s awesome. How long does it take you to finish a painting?
Ceak: Depending upon the size, it could take me from a week to, it can take me from even a night, depending on how motivated I am, to a week, pretty much.
Me: Is that like a medium-sized canvas or like a large-sized.
Ceak: Yeah, it’s like a medium-sized canvas.
Me: So between a day and a week?
Ceak: Mmhm.
Me: Wow. Where do you see your art career in 10 years?
Ceak: Wow, thats a good question, actually. I don’t think of the future when it comes to my art. I would like people to. I would love it if, not necessarily be known, but like, it would be nice for people to want more of my stuff honestly and constantly gravitate toward it, you know. That’s crazy. I mean, ten yearsā¦. I’m thinking five. I’m thinking like one. Me: Okay, in five years, where do you see it in five years?
Ceak: I see myself blowing up in five years. I see a whole lot of people, literally, getting my stuff.
Me: That’s great.
Ceak: And wanting more of me.
Me: Absolutely.
Ceak: And all of that, my growth honesty, in my artwork. Maybe within five years-
Me: Well, in five years, it’s gotta look like Alex Gray.
Ceak: It has to be. It has to look like Alex Gray. Not that I’m trying to look like him but-
Me: When you’re painting everyday.
Ceak: He wants people to be influenced by his stuff, so- why not? Absolutely, I’m down. I’m definitely cool with that.
Me: Alright, we’re almost done here. Any advice to amateur artists?
Ceak: Hmm. Keep moving, keep going, don’t stop. If this is what you like to do, I know life happens, and I know that things will get in the way, but if you love doing it, don’t stop doing it. It’s the worst thing in the world. Sometimes, I’ve seen people have a great awesome talent. They show me their own stuff, or they do a little sketch, but their lives are pulling them elsewhere, and it’s okay. It’s what happens. It’s almost like a wasted god’s gift that you have, that you really need to capitalize on and that people will buy and people will gravitate to. They will love it. It’s the conundrum of the century. Life, you have all this talent. I’m not even talking about art or painting or anything. I’m talking about raw talent. They get left behind ’cause, not even left behind, but they let their artwork falter just because, simply because, quote on quote, people don’t want to buy it or see it or whatever. You should always sharpen your sharpest blade. You know what I’m saying. You should always keep it on point, on fire.
Ceak Kytrell
Me: You never know, huh?
Ceak: You never fucking know.
Me: Where can we catch you next?
Ceak: You can catch me- outside. You can probably catch me anywhere, I say anywhere, but that’s where I’m trying to take it too. I’m trying to expand beyond Arcata and Eureka. You know what I’m saying, but nine times out of ten you will see me in those areas. Yeah.
Me: Alright, thank you so much! I appreciate it! Anything else you want to add?
Eureka, CA: Saturday, July 3, 2021: Eureka took a beating during COVID as businesses shut down and the northern California community became a ghost town, until last night when the streets filled with people and the buzzing of open restaurants, busy business, and the echo of street musicians sung throughout the streets. The city was alive, and the wine was flowing abundantly as out of towners and the widespread Humboldt community united between C and H street. At nine pm the shops usually close and darkness fills the town but not last night. There was a pleasant resilience to go home, and business remained open, and people continued to roam and congregate on the streets of Old Town.
Starting on H street, I had the pleasure of stumbling into Art Center Space. The art gallery welcomes local artists to hang up their creations without a monthly fee. She asks the artist to sign a one-year contract with a 25% commission. The canvases blew me away, ranging from contemporary to abstract with no single theme. Prints in rows offered art for every type of collector to enjoy. Outside of Art Center Space, Eva Nebenzahl, a recent graduate from Humboldt State University, displayed her ceramic art. Hand-carved pieces to hold liquids of all kinds, her dedication to the trade shinned through the mugs with skulls and fish imprints and delicate, detailed leaves. Eva is on Instagram at @eva_nebenzahl.
On F street, the next stop was Sage Clothing, which showcased their resident oil painter from Ferndale, Shawn Griggs owner of Redeye Laboratories. His surf art style is a portal to a tropical island where the waves of detail wash away all problems. His warm and welcoming personality will inspire any artist to go home and paint with oils, a medium that gives in quickly to fine detail compared to acrylic paint. You can find Shawn on Instagram @redeyelaboratories.
Exploring Old Town is full of unique stores like Good Relations, which offered a comfortable LGBTQ environment, accompanied by exquisite tea vendors out front and an open artist studio hidden up a flight of stairs to the west. Gorgeous women (or men) wore classy lingerie and read sex-themed books through their glass windows in a steampunk/ Victorian fashion.
Lux Lounge, hidden on E street, was full of an all-women staff who pampered and gossiped every wonderer who entered. They can easily coax anyone into sitting in a chair and enjoying the amenities of the luxurious saloon. My most beloved local artist, Czeak, painted live. Last night he worked on a small-sized canvas, using a beautiful blend of reds and orange with acrylic. He painted a face emphasizing the breath in a multidimensional space. You can find Czeaks art on Instagram @visions_channels_. He is known for his unique new-age style and reasonable prices.
After dinner at Five Eleven (I recommend skipping the Fish and Chips and jumping straight to the Flat Steak), I was fortunate enough to wander backward and come across some of the most inspiring galleries yet @ 272 C Street. Here they are offering $5 Figure Drawing Sessions on Thursdays from 7-9 (707-442-0309.) If the hallway art doesn’t catch your attention, make sure to visitĀ Augustus Clark. The studio is full of thousands of hours of bright-colored artwork, paintings of famous musicians, popular film characters, eastern religious deities and gods, abstract statues, and 3-dimensional art. Besides his fun concepts and bright color styles, I enjoyed the multi-media elements and use of metallics and shiny paints.Ā
We were leaving, headed out the door, but something stopped me, and as my friends descended the stairs, I took a few more steps into the hallway to the very last door to find a studio still open. Ryan Jensen, a local impressionist oil painter from the bay area, draws his inspiration from nature, fishing, and his children. His self-portraits spoke to me and his ability to capture an image that can only be an astral projection. A thankful reminder of the great artists throughout time, Ryan’s name could easily accompany that list.
I got very exciting news last weekend that my friend is trying to conceive. I am pregnant for the first time and in my last trimester, and I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection with her longing for a child. I immediately wanted to set up a fertility care package. Influenced by my pagan practices, I researched candles, essential oils, vitamins, images, teas, and stones that contribute to conception. Here are some of my findings.Ā
STONES:
Stones that influence fertility include; Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Aventurine, Red Carnelian, Aquamarine, Fluorite, and Smokey Quartz. If you believe in the influence of stones, wearing these stones or having a piece on you or in a place where you see it often will manifest fertility within your life. Here is an overview of these stones.
Moonstone: (Sacral Chakra) Moonstone is known to create a happy home. It inspires passion, change, and new beginnings. This stone is known to help with circulation, skin, hair and eyes, and fertility. It will help a woman with pregnancy, childbirth, female qualities, hormones, and sexuality. It brings on compassion, calmness, and motherly qualities. It helps with oversensitivity, pessimism, and combats cycles/ repeated patterns. This stone will prepare mom to be with the qualities she needs to be birthed into motherhood.
Rose Quartz: (Heart Chakra) Rose quartz manifests creativity. This stone is good for keeping your organs healthy. It promotes fertility and a regular menstrual cycle. It also balances the sex drive and helps overcome sexual frustration. It helps with detoxing. This stone is good for relationships, romance, love, and forgiveness. It helps with childhood trauma and emotional wounds. Rose Quartz is a good stone for mom to overcome adverse events from the past and regain sexual drive and motivation.
Aventurine: (Heart Chakra) Aventurine is quartz with inclusions of mica that creates a speckled effect. This stone impacts leadership skills, decisions, stress, and yin/yang balance. It’s good for your muscles and heart. Aventurine aids relaxation, protects and soothes emotions, as well as, prevents energy vampires. This stone is good for helping mom make her own decisions and pushing away all the doubters.
Red Carnelian: (Sacral Chakra) Red Carnelian is used for emotional warmth, individuality, self-esteem, rebirth, and reincarnation. It offers courage and positive life choices, and it replaces feelings of abuse and neglect with love for life. It also promotes fertility and sexual drive, helps with lower back pain, arthritis, and depression. Red Carnelian improves mineral and vitamin absorption and ensures good blood supply to organs and tissues. This stone readies the body and heart for conception.
Aquamarin auf Muskovit
Aquamarine: (Throat Chakra) Aquamarine helps with communication and courage (it takes two to tango, and this stone may help break the ice that it’s time to start a family.) It builds tolerance and responsibility, which is necessary for a mother and father’s relationship. This stone brings calmness and compassion. It also influences spiritual awareness, development and reveals the truth about yourself. Nine months of caring around a child is a spiritual journey of its own. Mom to be should be aware of herself so that she can make the journey with confidence. This stone is suitable for centering and meditation, which will help with childbirth and should be practiced throughout the pregnancy.
Flourite: (Brow Chakra) Flourite comes in many different colors. It focuses on the mind and creates order out of chaos. It is used for decisions, relationships, and concentration. This stone is suitable for blood vessels, bones, spleen, and health issues such as early cancer, herpes, ulcers, weight gain, backache, and eating disorders. It also aides detox. This stone is suitable for meditation and helps with excitement and stress. As well as for mothers to be that have health problems that they are worried will affect or hinder childbearing.
Smokey Quartz: (Base Chakra) Smokey Quartz is used for vitality, intuition, survival instincts, male energy, and mental activity. Being pregnant is a natural occurrence. It’s what makes us populate, yet it can be a struggle that is overwhelming emotionally and physically for mom to be. This stone dissipates negative energy. It can help with overspending and will move the mother further in life. It is suitable for physical expression and sexual significance. IT grounds, relaxes, sedates, aids in meditation and dream interpretation. I struggled with vivid dreaming throughout my pregnancy, and this stone will help the mother understand where these dreams are coming from. This stone helps with negativity, anger, depression, despair, and grief. Many first-time moms might feel like they won’t make a good mother, and this stone will help them overcome those fears.
FERTILITYBRACELET
To make this bracelet I bought the beads from the Tailsman in downtown Eureka. I highly recommend stopping by their shop: https://talisman-beads.com/
A good pregnancy tea mixture includes Nettle Leaf, Red Raspberry Leaf Peppermint Leaf, Red Clover Herb, Lemon Balm, and Jasmine Green Tea.
[Disclaimer: The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.]
Nettle Leaf– Nettle Leaf is an incredibly healing plant that can be harvested along nature paths. It’s that sticky, sharp plant you’ve always avoided touching. Nettle Leaf contains vitamins A, C, D, and K. It helps boost calcium, potassium, iron, and sulfur in the body. It is excellent for fetal health!
Red Raspberry Leaf– Red raspberry leaf tea encourages pregnancy by balancing hormones and readies the body for ovulation when taken during the follicular phase. It tones the uterus and soothes the uterine tonic.
Peppermint Leaf– The peppermint leaf promotes fertility with Folic acid, calcium, and Vitamin A, B12, and C, along with other vitamins and minerals to create a relaxing and soothing effect. It helps to reduce stress levels and raises fertility by strengthening the female reproduction organs. It helps regulate ovulation and balances hormones.
Red Clover Herb– Red Clover Herb improves circulation and blood flow, strengthening the uterus and ovaries.
Lemon Balm– Lemon Balm is a strong herb to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. A woman’s body will struggle to conceive while under pressure. The body is naturally protecting itself. When mom-to-be is healthy and happy, she is more likely to conceive.
Jasmine Green Tea– Jasmine green tea works as an aromatherapy agent, soothing and relaxing the brain. It is rumored to increase sperm count for men. Green tea also increases ovulation, matures the egg, and causes the eggs to be more fertile. It reduces the damage caused by the woman’s environment with antioxidants and polyphenols while increasing immunity.
Until October of last year, I was using the menstrual cup for about six months before discovering I was pregnant. Before that, I used tampons during my monthly flow. These were uncomfortable for me, and I felt unsanitary throughout the day. I also wasn’t comfortable with disposing of them, they shouldn’t go down the toilet, and it was always a pain throwing them away in the trash because my dog would try to get to it (gross, I know.) I worked on connecting with myself spiritually when I made the switch. I would save my blood to give back to the Earth. My monthly cycle was right before the full moon, and I took advantage of this by giving my offering when the moon was full.
Using the cup not only cuts out the waste of using tampons (or pads), but it is easy and comfortable for me to dispose of (in the toilet, or my case, a jar for safekeeping,) washed (preferably in a sink or in the case of a public restroom, over the toilet with a water bottle) and reinserted. It never felt too deep or lost (which can very well happen with a tampon.) So not only did I feel cleaner, fresher, and more comfortable, I also felt more aligned with my flow. I was aware of the days to expect it, how many days I would be bleeding, even how much I had bled (you won’t get that insight with a tampoon.) I could wear the cup in the water without an issue and keep it inserted for 6-12 hours without it filling, spilling, smelling, or causing discomfort. I use the brand Dot Cup (I prefer the black one to the white), and it comes in a discreet carrying pouch. You can choose from three different sizes. There are loads of tutorials on youtube for comfortable insertion and distraction.
Gaia| Earth| Mother Earth
Giving blood to the Earth sounded eww to me at first, too. But once I had come to appreciate how much the Earth offers me (or how much I take from it), I realized that contributing back to the planet that aids me daily helped me feel more connected to my environment. Women lose 2-4 tablespoons of blood a cycle. Blood should not be stored longer than 3-4 days to avoid bacteria build. In my practice, I dug out a pile of dirt next to my ritual tree or within the forest and buried my offering there. This offering comes with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Blood is an attractive food for insects, according to an article on abc.net. Watering down the blood that is condensed with salt and other chemicals can be applied directly to plants as a fertilizer.
When my period didn’t come in October, I knew four days after my missed date that I was pregnant. Offering my menstrual cycle was a very beautiful experience for me since I felt that Gaia had shown her appreciation with the most magical gift of all, my first pregnancy. Later I would continue to give blessings to Mother Earth by offering herbs from my tea bags (something I drink a lot of while pregnant.)
I have gathered information from healthline.com about the cons of using tampons and pads compared to using the cup. In the worst-case scenarios, tampoons can cause toxic shock syndrome, which is life-threatening. They often can be uncomfortable, need to be changed frequently, can get stuck and forgotten inside the uterus, and the size of your flow can be more or less than the size of your tampoon. Tampoons have a significant environmental impact, with millions littering landfills every year. Tampons shouldn’t be flushed, and they can also irritate and dry out your vagina, causing pain and discomfort. Pads, on the other hand, can’t be used in water. It can lead to an odor throughout the day. They can shift out of place, wrinkle, and be uncomfortable. Their less discreet than tampoons or the cup, and you can’t wear them in a thong with G-string. The cup’s cons also include toxic shock syndrome in very rare circumstances. It can be irritable if not inserted or cleaned correctly and a possible chance of infection if your hands are not cleaned properly.
I wish someone had told me about the cup when I was younger, I would have liked to have taken advantage of it earlier in life, and I’m thankful now to have a tool that makes my period more comfortable and something honorable. I’m a woman, and I have this fantastic gift of giving birth. My monthly flow is something to embrace, not to be embarrassed over. It’s also a money saver.
This week I have explored three new locations to hike in Humboldt County.
I started in Sunny Brae, where I hiked trailhead 1, the Beith Creek Loop Trail. I came upon two beautiful creeks during a moderate hike followed by an intermediate upslope. This hike is full of giant redwoods and immerses its participants in a forest experience. In addition, this trail has a bike-friendly accomplice. Unfortunately, this trail gets some traffic since it is so close to Arcata and College of the Redwoods. Nevertheless, my dog and I thoroughly enjoyed this hike. It is the most challenging of the three listed. This is a dog friendly trail.
Sunny Brea, Trailhead 1
Sunny Brea, Trailhead 1
Sunny Brea
Next is Headwaters Forest Reserve, which is full of history and plant life. This 11-mile hike (to the end and back again) is a day’s missionā5 1/2 miles to the end and back again. The first mile is on a paved road that follows a stream. Along the way, there are signs posted to educate people passing by about salmon spawning and how the forest reserve came to be once an old logging road. There is a beautiful, wooden education building in the first stretch. Once the paved road turns to dirt, I find the path less crowded and have yet to pass another person after this point. There are some uphill sloops, but overall, the hike is an easy one to make. The path is pristine. Running water and the songs from the birds fill the forest. I worked on training my dog on this path because it is a beginners hike and I can communicate with her easily compared to the rough terrain of the forest. I recommend this hike for someone looking for an easy-going day hike. This is a dog friendly trail.
Headwaters Forest Reserve
Headwaters Forest Reserve
Headwaters Forest Reserve
I also made it to Agate Beach in Trinidad this week, a 32-minute drive from Eureka. We paid $8 for parking and drove through a rather large campsite to a parking lot on the coast. A beautiful view of the ocean awaited us when we got out of the car. From there, we hiked down a beautiful steep hill with gorgeous plants with a rather attractive texture. The trail was a little wet from running water. When we reached the bottom, there is a stream to your right where I left an offering of used tea herbs in thanks for any pebbles that we collect on the coast. Next, we walked down the nearly empty beach surrounded by redwood trees. The ocean seems to have less aggressive waves than on the beach in Eureka, but the tide comes in fast, so you have to watch out while collecting stones. We all got our shoes soaked. The stones are small in size but are what I was looking for during our walk. I brought some home to craft with for my Little Lost Forest store. This wasn’t a dog friendly trail.
Disclaimer: This article is directed toward empowering females in my life. Men have played an equally empowering role, but this article is focused on the unique relationship between women within our society.
What does woman empowerment mean to you? How do you see the women in your family, friends, society, or world inspire you or make a difference in your life? This article touches on a few women that changed my path in life, lent me a hand, or were there for me when I needed them most. If you feel like you have never been this character, I hope you read this article and understand that even one sentence, one piece of advice, one hug can be all a person needs to make a difference in the path that they walk.Ā
Googles Definition:Ā Women empowerment is the process of encourage on another. It can be defined in several ways, including accepting women’s viewpoints or making an effort to seek them out, raising the status of women through education, awareness, literacy, and training.
I always told myself to take the direct advice of an older woman. I’m not saying I always listened to my mom, but there was a time I was homeless and traveling with two older guys, and a woman came out of a gas station when we returned to the spot I had met them at, and she told me, “get away from these guys, I know them, and they’re no good.” So I left them after traveling with them for two months. I didn’t even say goodbye. Sure I missed them, and we were friends, but they just beat up the guy I had left my hometown with and left him in the last state we were in, so I figured she was probably right. A few years later, while I was still living out of my backpack, a woman walked from outside of her house to hand me $20 and told me to get out of LA. These women, who were strangers, influenced how I got off the street.
When I ended up in Florida, I met a woman who held onto my savings so that I could safely tuck away money for a boat-captain school that I wanted to attend. She was honest and encouraging. I asked for the money back before I could attend the school. She would later come back into my life through social media, saying how she felt like a mother figure toward me and how much she cared about my wellbeing since it seemed like back then, I was on a troubled path.Ā
A woman supporting a woman to be the best that they can be is what women empowerment means to me. In a community where competition drives young adults, uplifting one another helps support and guide other females within the circle. It brings prosperity and appreciation. It helps nurture self love, and neighborhood kindness. Ā
My best friend’s mom let me live with them free of rent for six months. She was always lovely when we crossed paths, and our interaction was always short and friendly. When my 25th birthday came, I asked her for advice. She told me always to wear sunscreen. Her advice has never left me.Ā
Now that I’m married, I dialed a friend who started a counseling service, asking her to guide me to become a more aware and present version of myself. We talked about my dreams, wants, and desires, and throughout our sessions, I saw many of these come true. When I struggled with my family, I confided in her. She had captured all my trust. When I felt complete, I ended the sessions, but the way she supported me made me have a tremendous amount of respect for her. Women empowerment comes with respect for an individual.Ā
When I got pregnant, a woman I had hardly spoken to in my circle reached out, offering me advice on my pregnancy whenever I needed it, something I wasn’t getting from my OB (on-call advice). She was not intrusive and nonjudgmental. She sent me and the baby clothes and gifts. When I hadn’t heard from her in a while and became shy to reach out, she sent me a message when I least expected it.
After I finished school, I was worried about losing momentum after doing very well for a few years. So I reached out to a woman in my class and asked her if she wanted to meet once a week to check on our progress out of college. Even though I’d like to think our interactions are an equal exchange, she has helped me keep on track, stay positive, and work harder.
If you feel like you don’t fit into any of these categories of the inspiring woman in my life, know that what you say impacts other people. Even if you feel like what you said wasn’t necessary or wasn’t received, there is a good chance that the idea or action will linger in that person’s heart for a long time. We are all inspiring, beautiful goddesses, and by reaching out a hand, you are helping someone take a step up who may have fallen flat without it. There’s a special bond between women in our society. We share ideas, lessons, and our cycles connect. Our paths intertwine. These interactions are not disregarded but respected as we grow together.
Easter is in a few days, and my seven (almost eight-year-old) daughter is finally old enough to use a hot glue gun, and so we dove into basket making in celebration of the spring equinox.
For this project, I shopped at JoAnns. There was an excellent sale for 60% off easter decoration and buy one get one free on flower arrangements. I purchased two bundles of artificial flowers ($14.00), a carrot ($4.00), and a bundle of hanging eggs ($4.50.) I purchased a large weaved basket at Walmart for ($5.00). You will also need a hot glue gun, some scissors, a knitting stick, and hemp. I had these items at home.
First, I had my daughter take a gander at the items we’d be using and had her design her basket in her head. Then, we started adding the flowers. I cut the stems off (I had to work through the wire), added a little bit of glue to the flower, and stuck it onto the front of the basket. Next, we used the knitting needle to make room between the weaves and tied the hanging eggs on securely.
I let my daughter do most of the work, only helping when she asked for it. She glued the carrot onto the side, and we secured it with hemp so it wouldn’t get knocked off. For any flowers with extra stems, I weaved the branch into the basket for additional support. I made sure we glued all the flowers on regardless of the stem held for extra support.
As you can see, she added extra flowers along with the handle. This project can be done with a variation of Easter decorations! I would love to have included a bunny cutout. At the top of the basket, she hung the single golden egg and used super glue for support.
The Easter Basket project was fun yet straightforward low-budget project that she will keep for the rest of her easter egg hunting years. It gave her confidence in working with a hot glue gun and her artistic ability to design and create.
Little Lost Forest 