Here’s our next offering from Varda Branfman. Let’s hear you react!
Desire
Comes in the form of
Sunflower cookies
On a cold, life-seeking night
In October
Portland, Maine
Cookies, Ghettos and Desire – More Varda
May 25th, 2009
Varda Branfman Moves us through Poems
May 18th, 2009We are very excited that Varda has agreed to share several of her writings with us and here’s the first. Varda is a wonderful writer and poet that has been published in many places. Her book of collected writings, “In the Night I Remembered your Name” is one of my favorites.
We’re lucky to have her here in Jerusalem. Although Varda is a woman of substance with great spiritual depths, she brings out the fun in me. We have been frequently asked if we are sisters. Being the same good height, we are a great dancing duo at weddings. Her houseful of wonderful children and now grandkids is a inspiration. When I asked her how to describe her, she answered “a fool looking for wisdom!”
We would like for you to react to her poems and will be posting two more in the hear future. What do they bring up for you? See mine below and enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »
My Child and the Dentist from you know where!
May 17th, 2009We think that this one is important to share as it is all too common and many people still carry phobias from early dental experiences. I wouldn’t know of course 
…..
Dear Heliotrope,
After a few trials and errors, I finally found a good dentist for my strong-willed and very mature pre-teen. The dentist understands children and my child cooperates well with him, even for tooth extractions. When I brought him in this week for another tooth extraction (his baby teeth are messing up the alignment of his incoming teeth and he has one infected tooth), I discovered that the secretary had made a mistake and booked him with a new dentist. The new dentist seemed nice and confident, and as tooth extractions are familiar to my child, I decided to go ahead. I requested anesthetic gel prior to the anesthetic injection. The new dentist applied it, then without waiting said, “This may be a bit unpleasant”, and immediately stuck a needle deep into my son’s infected tooth. His moans were heart-wrenching (and this is NOT a kid who normally shows pain). Suddenly my son sat up, a look of deep betrayal on his face.
Noise Pollution – I just want to scream!
May 13th, 2009Is noise dangerous? We all know that the neighbor cleaning out that stuffed pipe at 11:30 p.m. is irritating… but dangerous?
Get the Facts:
The Jewish Woman, the Alchemist
May 13th, 2009The centrality of the feminine aspect in developing, actualising and perfecting creation is evident even in the opening passages of the Torah. The Hebrew language abounds with hints as to the importance of the feminine. The word for Creation (briyah) is its self in the feminine tense. Torah and Shechina (G-d’s indwelling presence) are both feminine. All of the items of service in the Holy Temple are either feminine forms or become feminine in their plural (shulchan/shulchanot, aron/aronot). As a part of the manifestation of the feminine in creation, we are required for our own development to explore what HaShem is telling us about the feminine. We are talking a bit one sided. examining mainly the feminine. But, after all that is our side to fulfill.
Grow your own Miracles in a Jar!
May 11th, 2009What you will need:
1. A coffee can or other suitable container
2. Lots of caring
3. A few friends
The Women to Women’s Fund
I want to tell you about the Heliotrope Women to Women Fund and see if you can get your own version rolling wherever you are. We want to hear about what happens!
Gemmotherapy–Plant Stem Cell Therapy
May 8th, 2009Gemmotherapy uses the embryonic portions of plants to create remedies that focus treatiment at the cellular level. The bud, rootlets, young shoots and inner bark portions of the plant contain primary meristems, or herbal stem cells. They contain the full potential of the plant.
Gemmotherapy remedies are prepared through special tincturing methods to preserve the potential of the plant material and are prepared in a 1D strength. As trees are the highest on the chain of plants, they are used for these remedies.
What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
May 7th, 2009Sarah wrote us, “My nephew was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. I am nervous of reacting in the wrong way and would like to know more about it so that I can be helpful and not just afraid of putting my foot in my mouth.”
Minda Miller of Alchemilla answers for us:
The Beauty of Slugs
May 7th, 2009One morning I arrived early at Heliotrope and decided to do a bit of much-needed cleanup of the outside plants. Even though it is wonderful tea, the nettle growing through the cracks was out of control. I plucked and listened to the birds and had an overall wonderful time.
Then, my morning tea hit and I had to “go now”. Whizzing into the bathroom and “assuming the position”, I looked between my feet and saw a nice, fat SLUG! There was no slug trail, just a slug! I stifled my scream (not soothing in a healing place!). Could it have been in MY UNDERWEAR?!
Pinworms
May 7th, 2009Another word for YUCK!
Unfortunately, we have had lots of recent calls for help with reoccurring bouts of pinworms that come back or are resistant to conventional treatment. Here’s all you need to know to be an expert. Many thanks to Minda Miller for her expertise in this article.
Read the rest of this entry »