Wortcunning

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[hope-for-the-planet]

The DIY Solar Revolution Is Coming to U.S. Balconies

As utility bills climb, a growing number of states are adopting "balcony solar" — portable, affordable kits that can knock up to 20 percent

I've previously posted stories about balcony solar in Germany and Utah. Now 28 US states and Washington DC have bills in the works to move DIY balcony solar out of the legal gray area it currently occupies and fully legalize it. You can track the bills' progress state by state here.

These are solar panels that can be plugged directly into regular household outlets in order to offset household electricity use with no utility approval, expensive installation, etc. Depending on the size of the panel and local energy prices, they can save up to $40-$50 a month and pay for themselves in as little as two years--and there are organizations like Bright Saver that work to provide free panels to low income families!

From the article:

For Phillips, balcony solar is more than a means to save money; it’s a step toward a healthier future. She’s a third-generation native of the Bronx, an area disproportionately burdened by noxious pollutants. “I was actually hospitalized with an asthma attack last year,” Phillips said. ​“For me, anything that we can do to green our power grid, to reduce pollution, is a matter of justice — especially for people who live where I live.” Phillips has been talking to friends and family about her mini power plant. ​“Everybody wants one,” she said. States simply need to pass their portable solar bills to open the floodgates, Phillips noted. “I can’t wait to see solar panels peeking out of everyone’s balcony.”

[southern-skies-southern-dust]

Cabin at Asheville Botanical Garden, Asheville, North Carolina. Photo by Lorien Lucero.

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[infear-of-rot]

[ncwortcunning]

Herbs for meate and medicine in North Carolina

An adapted version of a talk I gave at Duke Homestead State Historic Site in Durham, North Carolina, in June 2012.

[vincekris]

[thecupidwitch]

Herb's Properties

Basil:  money, luck, prosperity, happiness

Bay Leaf: energy, cleansing, can be charged with almost any intention

Camomile: Caring, kindness, luck, growth, self-love growth, confidence, avoiding negativity, happiness

Cinnamon: passion, quick success, fire magick

Chia seeds: Growth, health, kindness, Property

Chilli flakes:  Pride, confidence, power, strength, Passion

Cumin: Courage, bravery, protection, loyalty

Dandelion: wishes, charisma, success, good luck

Dill: sexual love, luck, protection

Eucalyptus: cleansing, healing, purifying, relaxing, comfort

Fennel:  hate, anger

Flax seeds: Prosperity, growth, new beginnings

Ginger: fiery passion, success, and personal power

Jasmine: love, dreams, sensuality, luxury and kindness

Lavender: love and attraction, purification, relaxation, restful sleep

Nutmeg: luck, Health, Fidelity, Love, Prosperity, comfort, loyalty

Oregano:  comfort, love, warmth

Paprika:  Pride, confidence, power, strength

Parsley: Cleansing. purification

Peppermint: healing, purification, love and energy, cleansing, prosperity

Poppy seeds: protection, intuition, self-assurance, hexing and cursing

Rose: love, beauty, harmony, romance, attraction

Rosemary: cleansing, purification, wisdom, protection

Sesame seeds: Prosperity, growth, health, nurturing

Spearmint: love, cleansing, renewal, blessing

Sunflower seeds: happiness, growth, joy

Thyme: beauty, strength, courage

Turmeric: confidence, creativity, energy

Vanilla: love and sexuality

tip jar

[effervescentrainbows]

Great reference ❤️

[forestoflys]

How to Dehydrate Herbs

This is my first post on my newly-minted digital grimoire, so I thought I'd start out with info I already know. Here's a short little guide on how to dehydrate herbs and other materials at home in your oven (if you have one). I usually dehydrate fresh materials instead of hanging them as firstly: I have a cat who will find a way to reach anything I hang up to dry, and secondly: there are some materials I don't feel comfortable leaving out in open air as they will likely rot. Also, it just saves on drying time.

Steps:

1. Grab whatever you want to dehydrate whether it be fruits, peels, herbs, veg, or (my favourite) eggshells.

Important Note: DO NOT EVER put plants which are known to be toxic or whose origins are unclear in your oven. It's never worth it.

2. Place your items on a sheet pan with parchment paper underneath (there may be lingering oils on the pan, but if you are okay with that feel free to skip the parchment).

3. If your oven is fancy and you have a dehydration setting, great! Use the recommended temperature. If not, set your oven between 160-190*. I usually set it lower, but if you're short on time it will work higher.

4. This is the most crucial step: keep your oven door slightly ajar in order to let moisture escape. However, very importantly DO NOT EVER LEAVE YOUR OPEN OVEN UNATTENDED (or your closed one, for that matter), especially if you have an older oven. Basic fire safety applies here.

5. The process usually takes around 2 hours if you are dehydrating thinner plants, but may take up to 3-4 if you are dehydrating something thicker like citrus peels or fruit slices. Either way, be prepared to wait a bit. You will know they are done when you can easily crush them if plants or they are breakably-solid if peels. With eggshells they will be brittle anyways, but it's nice to dehydrate them to more easily grind into a powder and also to kill any lingering bacteria.

6. Store herbs as you usually would in a container away from sunlight. Enjoy!

Sources:

Printer's Ornament (Chiswick Press, 192)

[x-miles-x]

Imma have to start dehydrating shit for the gods !

[ncwortcunning]

[maureen2musings]

throughdarkforests

[noctelya]

[ncwortcunning]

The best plant-based milks for the planet

Determining which plant-based milk is best for the planet depends on your focus: water, greenhouse gas emissions or land use. Production, tr

The best plant-based milk alternatives with their environmental impacts evaluated.

[ncwortcunning]

North Carolina

Current state-level drought information for North Carolina: .

Drought Matrix and Conditions for North Carolina

[ncwortcunning]

Different Types of Drought | WeatherBug

Let's break down the different types of drought.

Usually when there is a lack of rain for a prolonged period, we think of that as a drought, but drought can actually be broken up into different types to explain differences in regions and their needs. Let’s break down the 5 different types.

Meteorological Drought

Meteorological drought can be considered the source of all the other types of drought. It is defined as a lack of precipitation over a certain region-dependent duration. For example, the Desert Southwest can go longer without rain than the Pacific Northwest before drought sets in.

[maureen2musings]

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Outerbanks

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