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Cynthia Brian


Severe Storms + Additional 2023 Garden Trends

Posted by Cynthia Brian on January 20, 2023
0
Empowerment
Severe Storms + Additional 2023 Garden Trends

“Hope and faith flower from the cheerful seeds of the old year to the sprouting garden of the new year’s dawn.”

~Terri Guillemets

For the past three-plus weeks, Californians have endured intense storms (bombogenesis) with strong winds and extreme precipitation. Substantial atmospheric rivers caused flooding, mudslides, debris flows, and power outages. Rock-filled dry creeks are raging, trees have been uprooted, and many residences required sandbags as protection from the heavy showers.

 

I am grateful for the rain and only wish I had personal reservoirs and underground cisterns to capture the run-off as my barrels and buckets are overflowing. Despite the torrents, the drought is not over. We need more rain.

Weeds and seeds are sprouting everywhere. On my hillside, orange and yellow self-seeded calendula plants are blooming while poppy plants are peaking through the soggy soil.

 

I have begun weeding daily, even in the downpours, as the small seedlings are so much easier to pull. A regular reader and an Ambassador for the Fire Adapted Community program wrote me to encourage gardeners to start pulling out non-native, invasive, flammable, and difficult-to-control Brooms including Cystisus, Gentista, and Spartum while the soil is soft. For those big broom plants that are difficult to eradicate, local fire departments have a special tool available to lend to the public which will pull out these unwanted invaders, including the taproot.

The Garden Media Group’s Trend Report for 2023 suggests that age 100 will be the new 50. I like that idea, although it does seem to be a bit of science fiction at the moment. In any case, gardening at age one hundred will require raised beds to avoid having to bend over as well as provide a manageable height for wheelchairs.

This year, classic columns, statues, boxwood hedges, and iconic Greek gardens offer inspiration, especially with Gen Z.

 

Stone walls, archways, and olive trees are in demand. For a timeless arrangement, roses, agapanthus, cyclamen, and water-wise succulents are included in designs as key plants. A staple of Greek design is gravel gardens, excellent choices for large and small spaces, requiring minimal maintenance in drought times.

Arbors have graced gardens throughout history. They provide shade and add a focal point to any landscape design. Although Greek decor will be progressively popular, when considering an arbor, select one that will complement the style of your home and garden. Choose durable materials that will withstand the weight of vines.

Climate action is also addressed in the trend report. The first hardiness zone map was drawn in 1960 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The country is half a zone warmer since the last map was updated in 2012 indicating that the climate velocity of heat will increase 13 miles per decade. Our earth’s climate is projected to warm by an additional 11 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of this century. Planting climate-resilient trees will be one way to combat this warming planet. Reforestation produces clouds that cool the climate. Trees sequester and store carbon, conserve energy through their shade, decrease stormwater runoff, filter air pollutants, and reduce urban heat. It is critical to plant the correct trees in the correct places to increase biodiversity and resilient ecosystems. Hiring a gardening coach or arborist for specific zip codes will become increasingly important.

Orange is the designated color of the year. Orange has spiritual connotations deeply rooted throughout history. In Buddhism, it is the color of perfection and illumination. In Confucianism, it is the color of transformation. In Hinduism, Krishna’s dresses are orange. In Western culture, orange is considered earthy, amusing, exciting, and warm. It is also the preferred pigment for prison apparel. Showcasing plants with orange or terra cotta hues will be the rage in garden centers this year.

Although we don’t need to implement suggested trends, it’s always beneficial to understand what is happening in the world. With a new year ahead of us, we can plan how we want to spend the next eleven months and how we want our landscapes to look and operate.

Attract wildlife, especially birds, to your property by enticing them with native plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers. These will provide a consistent source of food throughout the year. Hang feeders, nesting boxes, fountains, and birdbaths to welcome these avian guests who will pollinate and protect your yard.

What’s happening on my property right now? Listening to the cascading waterfalls, thunderous creeks, and croaking frogs brings joy to my heart.

 

Watching the birds find shelter throughout my landscape indicates these feathered friends call my garden home. Newts and salamanders are frequenting my pond. My camellia tree is full of buds and blooming.

Pink Bergenia brightens the understory of shrubs. The thirty-seven-year-old olive tree boasts big black olives, although I am not planning on harvesting them.

 

The hillsides are carpeted with sprouts of wildflower seeds scattered in the fall. Sage and Madeira are dazzling companions.

 

The grass is emerald with new growth. Deciduous trees fascinate with branches of architectural interest. Lemons, limes, and tangerines knocked out of trees by the rains are gathered daily to use in the kitchen.

 

The ground is saturated and unable to drain quickly. Retaining walls, gravel walks, and sandbags are protecting my home from the deluge. Thousands of narcissi blossoms scent the air. The heavy pruning of rose bushes will commence soon.

 

Indeed, with the stunning storms, hope and faith flower from the cheerful seeds of the old year to the sprouting garden of this new year’s dawn.

I am grateful. Stay safe and weather the storms.

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. Happy January!

Photos and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1624/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Stunning-storms-and-2023-Garden-Trends-Part-two.html

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store  For an invitation to hang out with Cynthia for fun virtual events, activities, conversations, and exclusive experiences, buy StarStyle® NFTs at https://StarStyleCommunity.com

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

https://www.GoddessGardener.com

Hop to it!

Posted by Cynthia Brian on January 15, 2023
0
Empowerment
Hop to it!

 

 Miracle Moment®

“I have a rabbit’s foot, a four-leaf clover, and a lucky charm. The only problem is, none of them become effective until I do.”

~Ziggy


A Message from Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian

As we welcome in the Year of the Rabbit, it’s a perfect time to focus on empowerment and encouragement.  I have adopted and raised bunnies since I was a little girl and find them to be smart, sweet, strong, affectionate, and fast. Rabbits are one of my favorite creatures. People born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious. Does this describe you?

Empowerment is about giving people the tools and resources they need to take control of their lives, to make their own decisions, and to create the future they want. Encouragement is about providing support and motivation to help people achieve their goals. Together, empowerment and encouragement can help us all to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

In the coming year, let us all make a commitment to empowering and encouraging those around us. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, a colleague, or a stranger, we can all make a difference by offering a helping hand, a kind word, or a listening ear.

One way to empower others is by giving them a voice. This can be done by being an active listener and providing an opportunity for them to express themselves and have their opinions heard. Encourage them to share their ideas, thoughts, and feelings, and create an environment where they feel safe and respected.

Another way to empower others is by providing them with the resources they need to succeed. This can be done by sharing knowledge, providing access to education, or offering financial assistance. Encourage them to take risks, to learn from their mistakes and to strive for their goals.

Finally, let us all endeavor to be a positive influence in the lives of others. Encourage others to be their best selves, to believe in themselves and to be resilient in the face of challenges. Let us be a light in the darkness, a beacon of hope, and an inspiration to all those around us.

As we hop into the Year of the Rabbit, aspire to assist, support, and motivate those around us, while being empowered and encouraged in return. When you are your unapologetically authentic self, service to others is easy. Every one is unique and everyone counts.

 

No matter how many lucky charms you have, until you go into action to be affective, nothing will be effective.

For 2023, I pledge to welcome, support, listen, value, and encourage our constellation of stars through kindness, inclusivity, generosity, and gratitude.

Will you join me?

Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and for the world.

Happy New Year!

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


Words To Remember

by Karen Kitchel

I asked many people this important question: “What was something said to you that you will never forget?”

Here’s a sampling of the responses:

“When I grow up, I want to be you.”

 “Your mental health is more important than maintaining a toxic friendship.”

  “I do believe in fairies. And Santa Claus. And leprechauns. Don’t let the magic go away.”

“If you don’t believe in miracles, miracles won’t happen.”

“Life’s most difficult issue, which causes so much pain, is learning to say goodbye.”

“Don’t say ‘good-bye’. Say ‘farewell, until we meet again.’”

“Never say never.”

“Everything is possible when you are willing to work to achieve it.”

“Be brave.”

“Take measured risks.”

“Be the Star You Are!”

What words will you speak today that may empower someone to remember?

Karen Kitchel who penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com


Do You Want to Help? Here are lots of ways to make a difference.

  • Send a tax-deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memorial for a loved one.
  • Buy a unique NFT to hold, share, or sell.

  • Buy our books by the case or as singles through our office
    Be Empowered with the Be the Star You Are! series
  • Buy our “Read, Lead, Succeed!” T-Shirts to give as gifts.

  • Donate air miles
  • Sponsor or advertise on our radio programs

  • Donate goods that can be auctioned off at an event
  • Make BTSYA a beneficiary of your UNITED WAY donation
  • Sponsor an event making the charitable beneficiary
  • Buy or Sell on eBay through GivingWorks
  • Shop online at thousands of stores by using one of these sites that give back:

Amazon

Amazon Books

GoodSearch

                Giving Assistant

IGIVE

Humble Bundle Digital Content

  • #Giving Tuesday PayPal adds 1%, Donate at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
  • Volunteer time
  • Become a Benefactor
  • Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in the name of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
  • Donate rent money for our storage space

Please join our Galaxy of Stars and support BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® with your contributions and/or ask your company to be on our team. Visit our creative community at http://www.BTSYA.org for book reviews, news items, newsletters, and press pass clips.


 

 

Small DONATIONS Make a Big Difference to Others:

Decrease Violence. Increase Literacy.

$25 provides 5 new books.

$50 provides 12 new books.

$100 provides 28 new books.

Donate via Paypal Giving Fund

https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

or Visit www.BTSYA.org

SEND CHECKS TO:

 

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®

PO Box 376,

Moraga, California 94556

Make a donation via Paypal Giving Fund

View a partial list of beneficiaries we have served.

All donations are tax-deductible according to law. A tax receipt will be emailed to you for all donations over $25.00


Be a Honey Bunny! Welcome, support, listen, value, and encourage others!

Happy Hopping!

With gratitude and encouragement to make 2023 a great year!

https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/hopping-into-2023

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The Garden of 2023!

Posted by Cynthia Brian on January 9, 2023
0
Empowerment
The Garden of 2023!

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Audrey Hepburn

Where did the year go? It seems like only yesterday that I was writing gardening goals for 2022, and it is already 2023. Time to start anew!

Happy New Year!

 

Every year, the Garden Media Group releases trends for the forthcoming year. The Garden Trends Report for 2023 is aptly named, I Believe in Me! Individuality and access to critical resources will be in vogue throughout these next twelve months. As an Empowerment Architect, I resonate with this craze outlined for 2023 and hope that personal expression and self-reliance will become a style, not just a fad. Our choices and lifestyles need to reflect who we are as individuals so that we become our unapologetically authentic selves in service of others.

When it comes to designing any interior or exterior place, I have always believed that to fully function for the family, the space must be personalized, reflecting the colors, shapes, objects, and souvenirs that are meaningful to the individuals living in the location. We need to feel comfortable, secure, relaxed, and rejuvenated. Home is where our heart resides. Cookie-cutter installations may be magazine-worthy, but they won’t necessarily showcase the depth, passions, and character of the dwellers.

As we begin to plan for 2023, learn about the forthcoming trends, but decide what resonates with you. Just because something is au currant, it doesn’t mean that it will empower everyone. In part one of my interpretation of the Garden Media Report, I’ve chosen a few gems that may trigger a positive possibility for you.

The report shares the smart benefits of the garden green industry which has gone electric or battery-powered more quickly than any other industry, including electric vehicles. Mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws, and other electric equipment accounted for 17% of the gardening sales in the United States in 2022. Smart garden tools are becoming as critical to gardening as shovels and picks, especially for those who are just entering the gardening arena. Although I have not tried it yet, there is a new smart device on the market that is a weeding robot. Solar-powered, it lives in the garden chopping weeds. Now that is an innovation I will be checking out as weeding my landscape requires grueling work for months on end.

Another huge trend will be shopping online for garden products. Many companies are offering not only plants for sale but identification and information for various plants. It is as easy as taking a photo of a flower, leaf, tree, or other specimen and clicking a button. Several matches will appear on the app, but it is up to you to determine which is the correct one. Other garden apps provide tips on how to plant, when to plant, and where to plant as well as healthy recipes for harvesting crops.

Because of the housing crisis with buying a home being out of reach for numerous people, ADUs (accessory dwelling units) have become popular in the past year and will continue to be in demand. Container gardening will linger as a major trend as gardens and patios become smaller. Vertical gardening, trellises, fences, and living green walls will be integral to adding privacy and protected places to enjoy nature.  Millennials and Boomers are embracing vintage and mid-century patio furniture including wrought iron, retro lawn chairs, and pagoda umbrellas.

In the section called Super Agers, the Garden Trends Report boldly states that “In 2023 and beyond, 100 is the new 50!”  I’m not so certain that this is a truism, but it does bode well for gardeners who want to continue being active with tilling, filling, and thrilling with nature long into their golden years. Accessibility options such as raised beds, wider paths for wheelchairs, and plants at levels that don’t require bending will allow anyone to enjoy the outdoors.

 

When it comes to plants, tropical and exotic are the favorites for all age groups. Orchids, bromeliads, anthuriums, birds of paradise, cordylines, Ficus, palms, philodendrons, and peace lilies are only a sampling of specimens that are attractive to Gen X, Y, Z as well as Boomers.

I speculate that water features, especially creative fountains based on individual themes, will be a big focus this year. Besides the health benefits of the negative ions that running water provides to humans helping us refocus and recharge, birds and wildlife rely on them in the backyard garden for bathing and drinking.

These are just a few of the projections for our outdoor enjoyment for 2023. In my next column, I’ll offer more suggestions. Believe in tomorrow. Plan to plant a garden.

Live to 100?

What’s on your list?

 

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. Happy 2023!

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now atwww.cynthiabrian.com/online-store 

 

For an invitation to hang out with Cynthia for fun virtual events, activities, conversations, and exclusive experiences, buy StarStyle® NFTs at

https://StarStyleCommunity.com

 

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

 

Share StarStyle® Empowerment

https://www.GoddessGardener.com

Do Good with an End of Year Tax Deduction

Posted by Cynthia Brian on December 30, 2022
0
Empowerment
Do Good with an End of Year Tax Deduction

happy-new-year.jpeg

Miracle Moment®

“Do all the good you can

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can

To all the people you can

As long as you ever can.”

Great Non Profits


A Message from Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian

For twelve consecutive years, ever since the inception of Great Non Profits, Be the Star You Are!® has been honored as a Top Non Profit by Great Non Profits and Candid, formerly known as Guidestar. We don’t take this award lightly.

The volunteers work diligently to consistently provide the highest level of service to the programs we provide and the outreach we serve. Teen radio hosts, Book Reviewers, Researchers, Content Providers, Event Volunteers, Disaster Relief Workers, Social Media Ambassadors, Book Review Director, Kindness Coordinator, and many others from around the world show up to provide their talent, skills, time, and efforts. At Be the Star You Are!®, we truly care about the development and empowerment of our volunteers as much as the people we serve. Teen volunteers indicate that their involvement with Be the Star You Are!® has played a pivotal role in their positive development and growth. As the Executive Director, I am proud of our volunteers and the work we all do to make our world a more kind and inclusive place.

And we do all of this through individual and personal donations and a 100% volunteer staff, including myself. We don’t receive state or federal funding. We depend on YOU!

We are grateful to the donors, sponsors, and supporters who have contributed financially to our mission of empowering and encouraging women, families, and youth. Thank you, thank you!

As we say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of our galaxy. We look forward to continuing the journey together.

If you want an end-of-year tax-deduction, or just want to make a final donation, you can easily do that online through PAYPAL Giving Fund, with no fees. DONATE here: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Checks can be sent to Be the Star You Are!®, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556

At the end of this newsletter, you can read a summary of a few of the accomplishments of this grassroots, all-volunteer charity and other ways you can help.

From all of us, to you and your families, continue shining.

May 2023 be the best year ever!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


Turning over a new leaf

by Shubham Acharya

Another year has gone by, and a new one approaches. Starting from Christmas through the new year, the air is filled with such a festive feeling and a renewed sense of hope that it is almost tangible. The new year presents a strange paradox, on the one hand, we are elated for the fresh chance we are given, followed by disappointment when we inevitably fail to fulfil the laundry list of new year’s resolutions we undertake. So, this new year, let’s keep things simple and instead of making a list, let’s follow the tagline, “A little something for me and a little something for you.” Do something for yourself—take a trip you’ve always wanted to take, buy a gadget you’ve always wanted to buy (within reason, of course!)—as a reward for surviving the previous year, and do something for someone less fortunate than you, whether economically or in terms of family: spend some time with them, lend a sympathetic ear to their problems, as little and as much as you can to alleviate some of their pain and return some of your festive happiness and hope. Lastly, I wish you a very happy and prosperous new year 2023!

Shubham Acharya is an IT professional, passionate about history and antiques living and working in India. He loves reading books and collecting antique coins. As a Be the Star You Are!® volunteer in Mumbai, he believes strongly in women’s empowerment and children’s literacy. Shubbam writes: “My mother was a teacher in a government sponsored school in one of the poorest localities in my area, so I grew up very aware of the importance of education and literacy in changing people’s lives. Having said this, I fell in love with the Be the Star You are!® motto ‘To be a leader, you must be a READER’.”


Bragging Rights!

With no paid staff and all volunteers, since receiving our 501c3 status in 1999, Be the Star You Are! has:

Served 555,927 individuals and families

Donated to 118 organizations

Logged 670,999 volunteer hours and growing

Distributed $2.1 million plus in resources

Broadcast 2200 unique hours of positive programming through radio broadcasts.

Published 5 signature award-winning books, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers, No Barnyard Bullies, and Miracle Moments®,

Written and published over 2530 book reviews in collaboration with The Reading Tuband Express Yourself!™ Creative Community.

Interviewed over 2500 authors, experts, and celebrities.

Honored by the California Assembly for 20 years of community service. 

Nominated for the California Governor’s and First Lady’s Service Awards

Honored with five-star ratings as a Top Rated Non-Profit by GuideStar and Great Non Profits for the Women’s Empowerment, Arts and Culture, and the Arts Appreciation Campaigns since 2010.

Be the Star You Are!® encourages and supports its volunteers to GROW people.

READ the congratulation letter from California Assemblywoman Catherine Baker 

READ recognition letter from Assembly California Legislature Assemblymember, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

2021 Founder Cynthia Brian honored and featured on the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll celebrating outstanding individuals who improve the lives of others.

2022 Founder Cynthia Brian honored and featured on the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll celebrating outstanding individuals who take action to create change in communities

3 original films by volunteers accepted into International Earth Gratitude Festival: Cynthia Brian, Ruhani Chhabra, Sharanya Roy

BTSYA


Do You Want to Help? Here are lots of ways to make a difference.

  • Send a tax-deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memorial for a loved one.
  • BUY an unique NFT
  • Buy our books by the case or as singles through our office
  • Buy our “Read, Lead, Succeed!” T-Shirts to give as gifts.
  • Buy a unique NFT to hold, share, or sell.
  • Make $100 donation and receive our 3 signature books
  • Donate air miles
  • Sponsor or advertise on our radio programs
  • Donate goods that can be auctioned off at an event
  • Make BTSYA a beneficiary of your UNITED WAY donation
  • Sponsor an event making the charitable beneficiary
  • Buy or Sell on eBay through GivingWorks

  • Shop online at thousands of stores by using one of these sites that give back:

Amazon

Amazon Books

GoodSearch

                Giving Assistant

IGIVE

Humble Bundle Digital Content

  • #Giving Tuesday PayPal adds 1%, Donate at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
  • Volunteer time
  • Become a Benefactor
  • Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in the name of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
  • Donate rent money for our storage space

Please join our Galaxy of Stars and support BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® with your contributions and/or ask your company to be on our team. Visit our creative community at http://www.BTSYA.org for book reviews, news items, newsletters, and press pass clips.

SEND CHECKS TO:

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®

PO Box 376,

Moraga, California 94556

Make a donation via Paypal Giving Fund

View a partial list of beneficiaries we have served.

All donations are tax-deductible according to law. A tax receipt will be emailed to you for all donations over $25.00.



Thank you again for being stars in our universe. Enjoy a happy, healthy, blessed New Year! And remember to do all the good possible, always!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


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Lights at Night

Posted by Cynthia Brian on December 29, 2022
0
Empowerment
Lights at Night

“The best Christmas trees come very close to exceeding nature.”  ~Andy Rooney

 

Everyone who knows me understands that I am a nature girl. I spend as much time outdoors as possible in all weather conditions. As I meander around my property, I am always investigating the trees, pondering the possibilities for Christmas décor. When December rolls around, there is nothing that gives me more joy than admiring the twinkling lights that illuminate landscapes, glow on houses, and glimmer on Christmas trees.

 

My family tradition has always been to decorate every inch of the inside and outside with holiday fervor. Growing up, my dad used to joke that for extra excitement, we could watch the electric meter spinning wildly. Our ranch house and surrounding gardens were adorned with thousands of lights, Nativity scenes, sleighs, Santa, elves, reindeer, snowmen, candles, and whatever else was over-the-top festive. Because we lived on a farm in the boondocks, as kids we believed we had to light the night so that Santa would be able to find our house in the deep darkness.

 

https://www.CynthiaBrian.co

 

Because my children have flown the coop and have their own homes, I’m not as crazy as earlier in my life with my holiday embellishments, although my extended family still goes all out. My brother’s and nephew’s houses could win awards with for creativity and innovative illumination.

 

Trimming a Christmas tree is an active sport. Whether we cut a tree, buy a living tree, erect a fake tree, or bedeck a houseplant, festooning our holiday bushes is as varied as our personalities. It doesn’t matter if a tree is perfect or off-kilter. What matters is the meaning of the moment and the joy it delivers during the season. Every year I adorn my aging fiddleleaf fig tree at the base of my stairwell with lights and ornaments as it has grown too large to move. In another room, the Christmas cheer is enhanced with a glistening, garlanded tree as well as freshly cut greenery with flowers from my yard. What makes all trees sparkle and shine are the twinkling lights, clear or colored.

 

Fresh greenery indoors creates the feeling of Christmas, especially with aromatic boughs of fir, pine, redwood, spruce, and cedar. If you have any conifers in your yard, this is a great time to trim the limbs to use to decorate your porch and patio. Holly is a traditional plant to use in garlands, wreaths, and centerpieces, however, any berry-bearing bush adds color and whimsy to arrangements. All evergreens are welcome to create long-lived wreaths and centerpieces including clippings from boxwood, bay, magnolia, and pepper trees.

 

In The Art of Living, Wilfred Peterson wrote that “Christmas is not in tinsel, lights, and outward show. The secret lies in an inner glow.”  My feeling about the tinsel, lights, ornaments, and outward show is that these accruements provide the inner glow of joy to my world.

 

Delight in my photos of these beloved, bejeweled Christmas trees and bright night lights.  Whatever you celebrate, I wish you seasonal sparkle, and happy health.  Glow forth to savor being home for the holidays. There are more than twelve days to celebrate!

 

Happy New Year!

 

Photos at https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1622/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Night-lights.html

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now atwww.cynthiabrian.com/online-store  For an invitation to hang out with Cynthia for fun virtual events, activities, conversations, and exclusive experiences, buy StarStyle® NFTs at

https://StarStyleCommunity.com

 

 

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

Share StarStyle® Empowerment

https://www.GoddessGardener.com

At Christmas….

Posted by Cynthia Brian on December 19, 2022
0
Empowerment
At Christmas….

 

Miracle Moment®

“This Christmas…

Mend a quarrel.

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Write a letter.

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth.

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise.

Forgo a grudge.

Forgive an enemy.

Apologize.

Try to understand.

Examine your demands on others.

Think first go someone else.

Be kind.

Be gentle.

Laugh a little more.

Express your gratitude.

Welcome a stranger.

Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love.

Speak it again.”

Howard Hunter


 

A Message from Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian

Although published more than twenty eight years ago, I have lived by the credo in this Miracle Moment® for a lifetime.  The holidays are the opportune time to share our love, encouragement, kindness, and generosity.

On behalf of everyone here at Be the Star You Are!® as well as StarStyle® Productions LLC, I take this moment to wish you the brightness and joy of this season of light. No matter what your race, religion, culture, or belief, as humans, we are all one. This is a time to come together, be gentle, and express gratitude.

I am personally grateful to everyone who has supported Be the Star You Are!® with their time, money, and ideas. For those who want to make an end-of-year contribution (and get a tax-deduction) there is still time. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES:  https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504. Send a check:

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

There are many other ways you can help including buying NFTS, shopping through Amazon Smile, or visiting our online store to purchase our books and tank tops.

My Christmas wish for you is that all your dreams and wishes come true. Savor this sacred time with family and friends. Thank you for being part of our galaxy and we wish you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023.

With love and gratitude,

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza, or whatever you celebrate-from my family to yours….ENJOY!!!

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


 

No Barnyard Bullies is a Favorite

If you’ve been reading StarStyle® Empowerment for a bit, you may recall that the Kindness Coordinator for Be the Star You Are!®, Karen Kitchel, purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, for an entire class in Minnesota. She recently emailed me this, which definitely made my day.

Hi Cynthia,

Just wanted to share a little happening in Kindergarten today.  I started one-on-one reading of little five-page paper books with all the kids   A student wanted to read with me so I told him he could pick any book, and we would read it together.  He came back with your book and proceeded to read every word.  I was amazed!  I also pointed out how you, the author, signed the book.  Loved seeing him smile.

All because of you…

Big hugs,

Karen

So many people have sent photos of kids enjoying the book. The illustrations by Jensen Russell are superb. Book two will be published in 2023. To purchase autographed copies now, visit

http://www.StarStyleStore.net

 

Buy No Barnyard Bullies

 

No Barnyard Bullies

No Barnyard Bullies No Barnyard Bullies No Barnyard Bullies
No Barnyard Bullies No Barnyard Bullies No Barnyard Bullies
No Barnyard Bullies No Barnyard Bullies No Barnyard Bullies
Everyone loves No Barnyard Bullies

SANTA DAY at 5A…the North Pole in Town

The weather was miserable, blustery, cold, and pouring rain, yet Santa and his reindeer made the trek to Moraga. Excited families arrived with children anxious to write letters to Santa, sit on his lap, do crafts, and enjoy treats. Thanks to Mark Hoogs State Farm Insurance, www.TeamHoogs.com for sponsoring Be the Star You Are!® and to 5A Rent-a-Space for asking Be the Star You Are!® to participate annually. Linda Pfost of  5 A Rent a space wrote:

Hi Cynthia,

You and your helpers are such a pleasure to work with. Thank you for your positive energy!

Have a wonderful Holiday!

Volunteers Sharanya, Keerthi, and Sophie were amazing elves! Thank you ladies for making the day fun and special for children. Watch Keerthi’s great video on Instagram of Santa Day at https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/.

 


Meet the Newest and Youngest Reporter on Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, Milan Bains

 

Milan is an eleven-year-old sixth grader at Highland Middle School who loves looking at structures of buildings and high rises and hopes to one day be an architect. He has played violin since he was 5 years old and now plays for the school orchestra. When you don’t see him playing his violin he is probably playing on the tennis court. From a young age he has loved games whether it was Candyland as a four-year-old, Uno with his cousins (fellow teen radio reporters Nihal and Kirpa), or competitive chess at school. Milan loves math and is challenging himself in accelerated math every day at school. MIlan loves anything that involves technology and innovation and hopes to share some of this passion during his teen radio segments. He is super excited to be part of the “Express Yourself Teen Radio” team with his segment “Well-rounded!”

Listen to Milan’s first interview on the topic of Climate change on the Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/140750/climate-change


 

NFTS for the Holidays

If you are looking for a whimsical and fun gift to give to an internet savvy collector, check out the spectacular NFTS at www.StarStyleCommunity.com.  Each NFT depicts one of five characters drawn by talented illustrator, Jensen Russell from Cynthia Brian’s new children’s book, No Barnyard Bullies. You own your purchased unique and original NFT which you can trade or sell.

When you purchase an NFT, you become a member of the StarStyle® community. As a member, you are entitled to participate in exciting events exclusive to the community including hangouts, storytelling, book readings, sneak peeks, classes, discussions, and good old down-on-the-farm fun, all virtually from the comfort of your couch.

Best of all, you will be making a difference by empowering women, families, and youth through increased literacy and positive media messages as all purchases benefit Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 charity.
Get your NFTS today! www.StarStyleCommunity.com


SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

There is still time to buy gifts and make a difference. We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

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2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_a

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3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

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5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store:

http://www.starstylestore.net/

 

StarStyle Store

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6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

  1. Everybody wants an NFT! Get yours today athttp://www.StarStyleCommunity.com


    DIRECT LINKS

    BTSYA cuff Bracelets

    Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

    About Us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us

    Programs: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs

    How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

    Blog: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog-1

    Events: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events

    Contact us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact

     

    Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES:  https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

    https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inhttps://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-in
    Top Rated non Profit

    https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-333388 and https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-in

     

    BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® is proud to be honored as a TOP NON PROFIT for numerous consecutive years.

     

    We THANK YOU for making that happen!


    Rejoice like the angels and celebrate love.

     

    Season’s Warmest Greetings!

     

    Speak your love! Speak it again!


    Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity

    PO Box 376

    Moraga, California

    94556

    https://www.BetheSTARYouAre.org

    http://www.BTSYA.org

    Share StarStyle® Empowerment

Nature’s Holiday Ornaments

Posted by Cynthia Brian on December 19, 2022
0
Empowerment
Nature’s Holiday Ornaments

“There is material enough in a single flower for the ornaments of a score of cathedrals.”

                                                            John Ruskin

Like so many Americans, the day after Thanksgiving I pulled out my stored Christmas décor. I’m not one to shop on Black Friday, preferring not to fight the crowds for sale items that I don’t need. Instead, I chose to bask in the deliciousness of autumn by spending time meandering around my garden with my adopted animals in tow, deciding where to display my holiday treasures. It was a beautiful clear, warm day with a gentle breeze that tickled the leaves to fall like feathers. Songbirds caroled as hawks circled above in the air currents.  As I inhaled the fragrance of pine needles, I exhaled joy and gratitude for such natural splendor.

What I realized was that Mother Nature had already decorated my landscape for the holidays with colorful leaves carpeting the flower beds and blooming white chrysanthemums imitating snow.

The merry berry bushes of nandina, cotoneaster, and pyracantha were chock full of fiery red fruit favored by wildlife.

Hachiya persimmons resembled bright orange ornaments hanging on the near-bare branches. I mistook a lone red pomegranate hanging from the golden-leafed tree for a crimson Christmas bulb.

Sprays of yellow Meyer lemons glowed like sunshine, while azalea bushes sported leaves in rainbow hues.

I climbed the hillside steps to marvel at the multitude of cherry-pink pistache berries flanked by the redwood tree that the squirrels had not devoured this year. In the foreground, my weathervane of a prancing deer reminded me of Dancer flying through the night sky.

I hung gold and red giant ornaments on my Japanese Maples. They glistened in the afternoon glare, yet these trinkets made by humans could not compare to what Mother Nature had already designed.

Many people seek a Christmas tree or Hannukah bush to brighten their homes in December. Every tree is a perfect tree, even those Charlie Brown ones, especially if a child chooses. If possible, buy a living tree that can be placed on your patio after the holidays are over this year and be reused for the next festivity. Or any tree can be decorated. I always light up my fiddle leaf fig tree and fill it with ornaments and garlands. Fig trees are terrific for keeping indoor air fresher.

When considering trees, it’s essential to also think about safety. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year over 15,000 people ended up in the emergency room due to decorating falls, burns, cuts, strains, and electrical shocks.

Here are a few suggestions to decorate safely:

ü  Light your yuletide with the freshest tree whether you buy a tree from a lot or cut one yourself. Look for ultra-green needles that are not falling off the tree. Shake the tree and if the needles stay put, you have a winner.

ü  If your tree is not a living tree, soak your tree for 24 hours before installing it and keep the basin always filled with water.

ü  Keep all trees, branches, and flammable decorations away from fireplaces, radiators, and high-traffic areas.

ü  Hang stockings on chimneys only when there is no fire burning.

ü  Buy new lights that have been tested by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Make sure that lights for your garden are labeled as outdoor capable. All lights need good wiring, devoid of any broken or cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections. Only use extension cords that are designed for the outdoors and beware of the number of light sets that may be attached.

ü  Never add electric lights to metallic ornamentations as you could be exposing yourself to electrocution.

ü  When climbing ladders, use the buddy system.

ü  Unplug lights and all electrical devices whenever you leave the premises and especially when you go to bed.

Goddess Gardener December Garden Tips

ü  CONSIDER purchasing a living Christmas tree instead of a cut one. Garden centers have a selection of cypress, pine, fir, and even rosemary clipped to resemble a Christmas tree. Place your tree in a charming copper container or wrap it with festive fabric. Live trees will survive year after year and prices are reasonable.

ü  FERTILIZE shrubs and trees after all the leaves have fallen to provide food to last for the season.

ü  RAKE the overabundance of leaves in your gardens to add to the compost pile.

ü  RESEED lawns with Pearl’s Premium Ultra Low Maintenance Lawn Seed if you are keeping a lawn. The roots grow down to six feet with 75% less water, and no chemicals are needed which keeps children, animals, pollinators, and biodiversity safer. Pearl’s Premium lawn seed sequesters 10 times the carbon compared to shallow root grass. Best of all, scatter it over your existing grass to outcompete everything. www.PearlsPremium.com

ü  GATHER pinecones, berries, twigs, and grasses to add to your arrangements.

ü  ATTRACT birds to your backyard throughout the cold months by keeping feeders filled and baths ready.

ü  PICK persimmons, pomegranates, quince, and lemons to use in displays and holiday cooking.

ü  PRUNE dormant fruit trees including peach, apricot, prune, plum, apple, and pear. Save the wood for barbecues next summer.

ü  LIGHT up your decorations with battery-powered twinkle lights, or other outdoor lights set to timers. Trees trimmed with lights inspire delight.

ü  HARVEST cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

ü  ALLOW rosehips and berries to remain on the bushes as holiday bird feasts and picturesque ornaments.

Nature provides enough material to decorate the holidays with ornaments as glorious as cathedrals. Embrace them as part of your festivities.

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. Happy Holidays!

 

All photos ©Cynthia Brian

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com.

 

Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store  For an invitation to hang out with Cynthia for fun virtual events, activities, conversations, and exclusive experiences, buy StarStyle® NFTs at https://StarStyleCommunity.com

Buy No Barnyard Bullies for holiday Gifts! A great present for kids. https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com https://www.GoddessGardener.com

Parks, Plants, and Peace

Posted by Cynthia Brian on November 28, 2022
0
Empowerment
Parks, Plants, and Peace

“Landscapes move us in a manner more analogous to the action of music than to anything else. Gradually and silently the charm carries over us: the beauty has entered our souls we know not exactly when and how.” Frederick Law Olmstead

It was in the 1860s that America’s pioneer landscape architect brought calming, pastoral public areas to urban dwellers with his design of New York’s Central Park. Throughout his life, Frederick Law Olmstead, designed 100 public parks and recreation grounds and his successor firm has seen the development of over 1090 parkway systems over the last 100 years. With all his parks, he planted peace and tranquility for posterity.

Post Thanksgiving, it is finally feeling like autumn with cooler and crisper air, turning leaves, and stressless strolls through bucolic parks. Our climate is changing and as gardeners we struggle to keep pace.

November is the best time to begin planting spring-blooming bulbs. I picked my first bouquet of narcissi of the season on November 1st before I had even begun planting any other bulbs. Once the ground chills to about 55 degrees, start the process of planting naturalizing narcissi as well as other bulbs in well-drained sandy loam where they’ll receive at least six hours of sunlight daily.

With our dense, nutrition-lacking California clay soil, we need to amend it with sand, peat moss, and compost before digging the holes. All flower bulbs require neutral PH soil around 7.0 to develop a strong root system that supports flowers. Mother Nature is busy spreading her wild seeds via the wind, birds, animal fur, and even our stocking feet. Most flowers need the next few colder months to rest and germinate. Before the geese head south, walk around your yard to ponder what you’ll want to improve, include, edit, or change for the spring. Our year of outdoor work is winding down as our celebration of gratitude approaches. Work off the calories of the holiday season with garden chores in preparation for a respite this coming winter. Head to the park to unwind, encounter stillness, and appreciate beauty. Listen to the music of nature.

ü  PROTECT plant roots by mulching your garden.

ü  TURN the soil in your vegetable garden, pull out any unwanted growers such as mint, add buckets of compost, and plant a nitrogen-rich cover crop like fava beans or clover. Blanket the ground with straw and continue mulching until planting time in spring.

ü  SUPPRESS weeds while enriching the soil by laying newspaper (three or four sheets) on your bare earth. The newspaper will biodegrade and the zinc in the ink adds nutrients to the mulch. Cover with straw, leaves, or wood chips to continue adding nutrients.

ü  GRIND fallen leaves with a mower to reduce particle size and increase decomposition time.

ü  DIG up bulblets of mother bulbs with numerous offshoots. Separate and replant in other areas.

ü  SOAK ranunculus and anemone tubers in tepid water overnight or for at least three or four hours before planting three inches deep and six inches apart in well-draining soil in full sunlight.

ü  PLANT spring bulbs beginning this month. Make sure you have refrigerated your tulips and crocus for at least four weeks before being dug. The best bulbs to plant for spring radiance include:

Daffodil: Hardy in cold or warm climates. Daffodils grow great in pots, too!

Tulip: Also great in containers. Group like colors together for the greatest impact.

Freesia: Magnificently scented in a rainbow of colors.

Ranunculus: Cottage-style flowers with peony-like blooms.

Hyacinth: Tough, fragrant, growing in sun or shade.

Iris: Purple, blue, white, yellow, and mauve Dutch iris make great cut flowers.

Anemone: Single or double colorful tubers prefer light shade.

Crocus: Only a few inches high, you’ll know winter is waning when they sprout.

ü  FORCE hardy flower bulbs of amaryllis, freesias, and paperwhites for Christmas blooming by potting them in sterile, neutral PH potting soil in an area where they will enjoy a temperature of 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit with good air circulation and low humidity. Give them a big drink of warm water, tamp down the soil, and do not water again until green sprouts. Amaryllis will sprout spectacular shows within eight weeks.

ü  CUT stalks of peonies to ground level and discard the cuttings as they are not good for compost. If your peonies didn’t bloom, they may be planted too deep. Dig them up this month, rework the soil, and replant ½ inch higher than the soil level.

ü  COOK a pan of cubed winter squash with rosemary for a healthy and satisfying autumn inspired side dish.

ü  TURN OFF sprinkler systems. Water by hand when necessary.

ü  LOWER mower height as lawn growth slows. If you didn’t fertilize in October or earlier in November, fertilize now with an organic fall blend.

ü  GUARD against an unexpected frost by watering deeply and covering susceptible shrubs with burlap, fabric, or blankets the afternoon before the cold arrives.

ü  REDUCE your garden work out by seeking out plants that are identified as “compact”. Look for tags that say dwarf, patio, knee-high, tiny, or baby in the variety name. If a plant tag says “perfect for cut flowers” it will grow to be too large for a small space.

ü  PICK pomegranates as they ripen or split. Harvest persimmons on trees that are being ravaged by birds and squirrels even before they are ripe. Leave on the countertop to ripen as needed.

ü  VISIT our local parks to inhale autumn aromas and savor the sensational fall foliage.

2022 marks the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmstead. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we can add his legacy to our thankfulness list for introducing America to the beauty, tranquility, and necessity of experiencing nature through the development of idyllic parks in towns and cities.

 

Let us also give our thanks to the hard-working volunteers of local garden clubs who have planted a multitude of bulbs that will blanket our roadways and hillsides with glorious blooms come spring!

My gratitude to YOU for reading my garden musings. Savor the peace of parks this season with friends and family and celebrate the melodic beauty of our rural landscapes.

 

Pace, plant, pick, and protect!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Saturday December 10th is Santa Day at 5 A in collaboration with Be the Star You Are!® charity. Come get your photo taken with Santa and his elf plus book signing of the children’s book, No Barnyard Bullies, the perfect holiday gift delivering kindness. Thanks to Mark Hoogs of State Farm Insurance (www.TeamHoogs.com) for sponsoring BTSYA. Info: www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-events

 

Happy gardening and happy growing.  Happy Final Days of Fall!

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com.

 

For holiday gifts, buy copies of her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures along with her garden books, Growing with the Goddess Gardener and Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul atwww.cynthiabrian.com/online-store 

Buy Cynthia Brian’s Books

Cynthia Brian’s Book

For an invitation to hang out with Cynthia for fun virtual events, activities, conversations, and exclusive experiences, buy StarStyle® NFTs at

https://StarStyleCommunity.com

 

Cynthia is available for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

Share StarStyle® Empowerment

 

https://www.GoddessGardener.com

Autumn Aromas

Posted by Cynthia Brian on November 11, 2022
0
Empowerment
Autumn Aromas

autumn orchard.jpeg

 

By Cynthia Brian

“Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day!

Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree…”
~Emily Brontë

 

When it rained this past week, did you smell it? The scent of earth mixed with fallen leaves and decomposing plant matter signals the transition of the seasons. On the calendar, autumn began on September 22, 2022, but it wasn’t until November that I inhaled this intoxicating aroma that brought back childhood memories of the end of harvest, jumping in piles of leaves, and blazing bonfires. 

golden leaves of Japanese maple.jpeg

In just a week, it seemed that so many trees changed their wardrobe from vibrant green to sunset colors of amber, gold, red, bronze, and yellow. The “foliage show” is late here in California, yet it is glorious. As the leaves turn, they also drop, blanketing our landscapes with a marvelous source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and nutrients that the soil craves.

Carpet of leaves.jpg - 2.jpeg

As much as you want to tidy your garden, refrain from raking the leaves into your green bin. Leave a layer of leaves on the ground to encourage the photosynthesis process in the natural circle of life. If leaves are too big, mow or cut them and add them to a compost pile with food scraps, lawn clippings, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other biodegradables. After a few months, you’ll have a rich mulch filled with worms and beneficial microbes to add back into your garden at no cost to you. When you add organic materials to your soil, you are providing food for the organisms that improve soil aeration and drainage while reducing soil compaction. The nutrients will release over time

As we inhale the delicious flavors of fall and experience the cooler temperatures, it is also time to perform tasks in preparation for winter.

Autum fall foliage.jpeg

AUTUMN CHORES

ü  CLEAN patio furniture before storing or covering it for the season. It is especially critical to remove bird droppings left on your umbrellas, hammocks, or other furniture.

ü  TURN OFF sprinkler systems.

ü  CHECK for any irrigation leaks.

ü  LEAVE leaves where they fall, spread them around your garden, or add them to a compost pile. 

ü  FERTILIZE grass, especially when it is going to rain.

ü  REMOVE debris, sticks, and weeds from garden beds.

ü  PLANT cover crops to fix nitrogen. Fava beans, mustard, and clovers are excellent choices.

ü  PICK pumpkins, apples, guavas, squash, and any fruits or vegetables left hanging before frost and rain.

pumpkin growing.jpeg

ü  DIVIDE overgrown clumps of perennials such as daylilies, agapanthus, iris, or naked ladies. Move them to other locations or share them with fellow gardeners.

ü  COVER any exposed soil with straw, grass clippings, aged wood chips, pine needles, or even shredded newspaper to reduce weed growth, moderate soil temperatures, retain moisture, and reduce erosion over winter.

ü  BUY six packs of perennials including columbine, carnations, penstemon, and coral bells.

ü  BRIGHTEN your fall garden with pops of color from pansies, cyclamen, violas, Mums, stock, Iceland poppies, and primroses.

primrose close up.jpg.jpeg

ü  FIND favorite fall color trees to add to your landscape where selections are vast at your local nursery.

ü  SCATTER California wildflower seeds including poppies and lupines and sow seeds of sweet Alyssum, bachelor buttons, forget-me-nots, and milkweed.

ü  DEADHEAD roses for continued blooms during the holidays.

red roses.jpeg

ü  PRUNE dead branches from trees and shrubs. 

ü  BEWARE hungry coyotes have been on a rampage killing poultry, cats, and small dogs. Keep your animals and small children safe.

ü  ENJOY the many colors of lantana blooming throughout fall in purple, orange, red, white, and yellow.

purple lantana.jpeg

ü  GET READY to plant bulbs towards the end of the month for a spring show.

 

IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

During a cold winter, there is nothing better than knowing that you have organic, tasty, greens and vegetables growing right outside your door. Fall is the best time to get these nutritious edibles going for a bountiful harvest in the new year. Most of these plants prefer extra nitrogen. Side-dress them with a balanced fertilizer as they grow.

Plant seeds or seedlings of:

Varieties of lettuce

Asian greens

Spinach

Arugula

Swiss Chard

Chicory

Kale

Cress

Beets

Cabbage

Radish

Broccoli

Broccoli rabe

Carrots

Cauliflower

Kohlrabi

Peas

Turnips

Make sure to plant shallots and garlic now to harvest next summer.

 

NOT TO BE MISSED

Saturday, November 12th from 3-5 PM, I’ll be in-person reading, telling stories, and signing books from my new children’s book, No Barnyard Bullies, at Point Richmond Art Gallery, 145 West Richmond Avenue, Point Richmond, California, 9480. Families with children are welcome. If you have purchased an NFT from www.StarStyleCommunity.com, you’ll be given a gift.No barnyard bullies book signing.jpeg

Monday, November 21st at 2 PM, I’ll be hosting a “Thanksgiving is Every Day” celebration via Zoom for members of the StarStyle® Community. Buy a StarStyle® NFT today that benefits Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity and participate in numerous exclusive experiences designed for members only. www.StarStyleCommunity.com

 

Although I don’t like the darkness that descends so much earlier when I still have so many chores to complete, I am reveling in the cooler days that allow for laboring longer with less strain. Digging in the dirt in fall bequeaths the most luscious autumn aromas…musty, musky, intoxicatingly earthy. I wish I could bottle it!

Thank you to so many readers who sent me notes of healing. You touched my heart and my spirit, and I am very appreciative. I am following my own advice. Each day anew…and a wee bit slower!

Go outside and breathe in the fragrance of fall and know that, as gardeners, we will be resting soon, along with Mother Nature.

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing!

 Photos and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1619/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-The-musty-sweet-smell-its-fall.html

cynthia -brian- fall--tecoma chicklet orange stock.jpeg

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store  For an invitation to hang out with Cynthia for fun virtual events, activities, conversations, and exclusive experiences, buy StarStyle® NFTs at https://StarStyleCommunity.com

Cynthia Brian'Growing with the Goddess Gardener book copy.jpg

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

https://www.GoddessGardener.com

Low Literacy and voting

Posted by Cynthia Brian on November 1, 2022
0
Empowerment
Low Literacy and voting

Vote with kindness.jpg

StarStyle® Empowerment

How Low Literacy Affects Voting

Post Halloween Messages from Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity

Cynthia Brian
16 hr ago


 

MIRACLE MOMENT®

Thanks for reading StarStyle® Empowerment ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

“With our thoughts, we make the world.”


~ Buddha


 

A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

Halloween is almost over and we hope it was fun, safe, and spooky for all the kiddos! I love seeing all the costumes and the houses decorated for this very favorite holiday.

Now it’s time to get down to the importance of literacy and your vote.

According to U.S. Code §10508, any voter who requires assistance to vote because of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be assisted by a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter’s union. Yet with redistricting and the numerous new State laws targeting people of color and other minorities, voting for people who struggle to read is challenging. According to ProLiteracy, more than 35 million adults in the United States cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third-grade level. An estimated 63 million adults only read between a sixth and with grade level. Children of those parents have a 72% chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves. Parents are our first teachers.

Understanding a ballot is difficult when one is a proficient reader as many of the statements are confusing. When a person has low or no literacy skills, knowledgeable voting is almost impossible. Some states have required those who need help to sign an affidavit explaining why they need assistance. Other states do not allow voters to bring sample ballots to the polls and some states limit the number of voters a volunteer may assist. Even when federal courts strike down these restrictions, states create more obstacles.

Voter suppression is real, yet voting is a right of all Americans. The cost of illiteracy to American taxpayers has climbed to $250 billion a year. When someone can’t read, they are excluded from innumerable activities that allow them to function as a human or to reach a level of success. Many are forced to live in poverty. Our prisons are filled with illiterate inmates.

The midterm elections are upon us. Carefully read the sample ballots and if you know someone who has difficulty reading, read the information to them.

Although our young children cannot vote, READ to them daily. Reading to kids early on can help to boost literacy rates over the long term. An estimated 77% of children who are read to are more likely to read or attempt to read on their own, versus 57% of kids who don’t have regular story time at home. Growing up in a literacy-rich environment will one day enable them to be voters who understand what’s on the ballot.

In California, one proposition on the ballot that is not contested is Proposition 28 which will provide the arts to our students. As a mom, actor, author, artist, and coach, I’m asking you to Vote YES on California Proposition 28 on the November 8 ballot. If passed, Proposition 28 will funnel nearly $1 billion annually in new funding to arts and music education in our PreK-12 public schools. All without raising taxes!

A well-rounded education might start with language and math, science and history. But it is not complete without the arts, and on that score, too many California schoolchildren are getting shortchanged.

When the state budgets get tight, arts and music programs are often the first to go. As a result, barely 1 in 5 California elementary schools have full-time art and music program.

Children deserve an opportunity to discover and develop their creative talents. Plus, research shows that students in art classes tend to do better in other subjects and are less likely to miss school. Arts education also correlates to better mental and physical well-being.

For the adults reading this newsletter, remember your vote matters. The political environment has been especially hostile, negative, and violent this season. Study the reference guide to familiarize yourself with the ballot. Vote for the people, policies, and programs that will create a better environment for our nation, our states, and our communities, as well as for you.

READ and VOTE!

Have a SAFE and Happy Halloween!

 

With gratitude,

  • Cynthia Brian
  • Founder/Executive Director
  • Be the Star You Are!®
  • PO Box 376
  • Moraga, California 94556
  • Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org
  • https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
  • http://www.BTSYA.org
  • DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Cynthia on Points of Light Inspiration honor Roll: https://www.pointsoflight.org/inspiration-honor-roll/2022-2/


 

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INSPIRE KINDNESS

by Karen Kitchel

This election season can create stress and division, but it also presents an opportunity to inspire kindness with our words and actions.

The Inspire Kindness organization captures many ideas to make the world a kinder place.  They offer some good tips to inspire kindness in conversations.

Be kind today, tomorrow, and always!

Karen Kitchel who penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com


 

EXPRESS YOURSELF TEEN RADIO’S NEWEST REPORTER

Alix Erlij

Alix Erlij is a senior in high school in Los Angeles who loves all things food! She operates a restaurant review blog and Instagram account called “Sweet and Savory LA” and works at AOC, a well-known farm-to-table restaurant. She also is a volunteer for CCAP, Careers Through Culinary Arts, the managing editor of her school’s newspaper, the leader of a feminist club at her school, and the captain of her water polo team. Alix hopes to share the importance of food and doesn’t hold back any of her strong-willed opinions about restaurants! Her first report is about her favorite picks for Los Angeles Restaurants on Halloween or whenever. Tune in at https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/140013/halloween-and-great-la-restaurants

 


CYNTHIA BRIAN HONORED ON THE POINTS OF LIGHT INSPIRATION HONOR ROLL

https://www.pointsoflight.org/inspiration-honor-roll/2022-2/

The Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll was created to celebrate acts of service, kindness, and civic engagement by individuals who create change in communities around the world. It recognizes the people who take action, in both large and small ways, to improve the lives of others. This year, more people are volunteering, using their voices, giving back through work, and taking action when they see a need. Points of Light honors Cynthia Brian, Founder/Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity on this year’s Inspiration Honor Roll. Uplifting stories show how in communities worldwide, the power of people continues to drive the world forward. See the honorees: https://www.pointsoflight.org/inspiration-honor-roll/2022-2/

 


 

PEAR FESTIVAL A GREAT SUCCESS

Thanks once again to our volunteer coordinator, Sharanya Roy, and our two sponsors, Lamorinda Weekly Newspaper and MB Jessee Painting for helping Be the Star You Are!® create another fantastic event for families. Our volunteers were kept busy with activities for kids and attendees enjoyed the festivities.

Thanks to everyone who bought books and donated. We appreciate you!

No Barnyard Bullies , based on a true story, is the latest book with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!®. Pick up your copies today. They’ll make great holiday gifts that encourage KINDNESS and INCLUSIVITY.


 

 

NOT TO BE MISSED!

Buy an NFT for $99 to support Be the Star You Are!® and you are entitled to a bevy of exclusive experiences only for members of the StarStyle® Community.

Check out: https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

 

Mark your calendars and get ready to have fun! Here’s what’s coming up:

Sunday, November 6th, 1pm PT/4pm ET – First ZOOM hangout with Cynthia Brian and Special Guest

First ZOOM hangout with Cynthia Brian and special guest, illustrator Jensen Russell. Find out the true story about the animals behind the book No Barnyard Bullies and how the illustrator interpreted the events. Ask questions and get answers.

 


 

Saturday, November 12th, 3-5pm PT – In-Person Book Signing

In-Person Book Storytelling and Signing at Point Richmond Art Gallery, 145 West Richmond Avenue, Point Richmond, California, 94801. Come meet Cynthia, enjoy refreshments, art, and a FREE gift to NFT holders. Bring the kids and the family!

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  • Monday, November 21st, 2pm PT/5pm ET – “Thanksgiving is Everyday”
    “Thanksgiving is Every Day” Zoom discussion about how to be grateful with Cynthia Brian

     

     

  • Sunday, December 18th, 4pm PT/7pm ET – Virtual Wine Experience and class
    Virtual Wine Experience and class with Sommelier Heather Brittany

  • Buy your NFT today and support Be the Star You Are!®https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

     

  • HELP CONTINUE THE POSITIVE WORKS! DONATE TODAY!
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    OUR INTERNATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS!

    Both Radio shows

    Be empowered, motivated, energized, informed and amused.Truthful, heartfelt, and engaging topics and guests!LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated onSundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.VISIT

    https://www.StarStyleRadio.com

    for our line-up of topics and guests.

    SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

    2020 Amazon smile logo

    2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

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    3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

    4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

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    5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store:

    http://www.starstylestore.net/

    BTSYA 3 book series

    6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4


    DIRECT LINKS

    BTSYA cuff Bracelets

    Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

    About Us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us

    Programs: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs

    How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

    Blog: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog-1

    Events: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events

    Contact us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact


     


     


CYNTHIA BRIAN
OCT 28
1
© 2022 Cynthia Brian

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