“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.
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
“The more gratitude you show in life, the more you will have to be grateful for.”
A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN
America is a country of great abundance, yet, everyday most of us complain about the lack in our lives. Being human means that all of us, regardless of race, religion, economics, politics, or sex, will have difficult times and challenges to overcome. This is a plan that my daughter and I created together when she was a teenager.
It’s called, Thanksgiving is Today.
Take time to give thanks for the little things every day, not just once a year. Be grateful for what you have. When we are grateful, we are rewarded with a sense of honor and personal strength. Say “thank-you,” for every gift you receive, positive or negative, because everything in life is a blessing. Life may be giving you a lesson in appreciation. Learn to be grateful for everything. Gratitude exalts the heart and feeds the soul. Having an attitude of gratitude makes every moment shine brightly.
1. Say “Thank You”
During the next hour, say a sincere “thank-you” to everyone who does anything nice for you, your family, your friends, or the world. Write one thank-you note, and mail it.
2. Cook up a Treat
Create something nourishing, sweet, and delicious to give to a friend or loved one. Bake a cake and say “Thank you for being you!” The recipe for living a life of happiness is gratitude.
3. Create a Gratitude Journal
Find a beautiful journal to keep by your night stand and every night write down all the people, places and things that your are grateful for on this day. Date it. When you are having a bad day, re-read your entries. You’ll be surprised by all your blessings.
4. Learn to Receive
Allow others to feel good about them selves by giving to you. Learn to accept appreciatively and to enjoy the spirit of the gift. Sometimes the way you receive can be the greatest gift of generosity.
5. Write a letter
Letter writing is a dying art. Get pretty note cards and write a heartfelt “thank you” to those who have made a difference in your life…just because.
6. Party On
Throw a Gratitude Party and invite everyone you admire. What better way to say “thank you” than to eat, drink, dance, and be merry with friends?
7. Color My World
Get out your crayons and get creative. Make a collage. Cut photos and slogans from magazines to express your love of life. Make meaning from madness.
8. Offer Compliments
Beauty and grace are everywhere around us. When you “feel the love” say so. Compliment often and from the heart. You’ll be amazed at how wonderful you can make others feel.
9. Reward Yourself
Who is the most important person in the world? YOU! Before you can serve others, you must serve yourself. That means that you give yourself the gifts you need- more sleep, a hot bath, new clothing, a pat on the back, a romp with your dog, a glass of champagne, a luxurious vacation or a relaxing massage. The important thing is for you to get the message that you are important. You count. You are worthwhile. You DESERVE to be special. And then express your gratefulness for being the star you already are.
Everyday is Thanksgiving Day when you live, learn, laugh, and love in the moment. Thanksgiving is today. Share the abundance.
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens, 1812-1870, Novelist
On behalf of all the volunteers at Be the Star You Are!®, we THANK YOU for being part of our STAR family. We appreciate your ongoing support of our efforts to empower women, families, and youth while increasing literacy and positive media.
May you have a hearty, happy, healthy Thanksgiving with those you love.
With gratitude,
“To be a leader, you must be a reader. Read, lead, succeed!”
“No matter what the situation is…close your eyes and think of all the things in your life you could be grateful for right now.” — Deepak Chopra
THANKSGIVING RADIO BROADCASTS
To help you get into the spirit of this holiday of gratefulness, tune in to our two Be the Star You Are!® uplifting radio broadcasts: Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio and StarStyle®. Both shows air on the Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel, and are available wherever you listen to radio or podcasts including iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Tunein, Pocketcasts, and more.
On Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio Keerthi hosts this holiday favorite and surprisingly she is not a fan of Thanksgiving food because she is a vegetarian. But she is a believer in appreciation and thankfulness and offers several quotes to ignite our gratefulness. She interviews Kirpa and Nihal Gill who testify that Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday. They share their family traditions and meal preparations. Spending time with their extended family is the highlight. Kirpa provides some historical context to the holiday while Nihal encourages others to volunteer to help others less fortunate during the holiday season. Alix, our resident restaurant reviewer and foodie talks about the favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal…dessert and offers three places to buy the best pies and cakes. Alix makes our mouth water with her divine descriptions of the buttery crusts and creamy fillings. Keerthi is humorous, as always, with her wacky comments and fun improvisational tone.
On StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!®, airing LIVE on Wednesday November 23 at 4PM PT, Cynthia Brian hosts an hour of power in the StarStyle® playground with a program focusing on gratitude, Thanksgiving, overcoming pain, and planting peace. For holiday gifts that keep on giving, buy first edition autographed books at http://starstylestore.net and NFTS at https://www.StarStyleCommunity.com
Come celebrate the holidays as Be the Star You Are!® charity and 5 A Rent-A-Space bring the North Pole to Moraga. Children will write letters to Santa and talk to Jolly St. Nick. Buy gifts for the holidays with autographed copies of the new children’s book, No Barnyard Bullies while enjoying complimentary refreshments, music, and crafts for kids. The event is FREE! Lots of fun giveaways, too! Bring the family. BTSYA sponsored by Mark hoogs, State Farm Insurance, www.TeamHoogs.com. Thank you!
Location: 5 A Rent a Space, 455 Moraga Rd f, Moraga, CA 94556, USA
We often say thank you without even thinking about who we thanked or what just happened. Are automatic thanks valued?
If we think about the last time someone thanked us, can we remember who it was or what we did? Perhaps the person who wanted to express their gratitude was hoping they brightened your day. Maybe they did.
This week we are likely to spend a bit more time thinking about all the wonderful people who make our life better. You know who they are, but in case someone has slipped your mind, here are a few to consider:
Keep some thank you coins or notes in your pocket, and you will never miss an opportunity to say THANKS!
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
SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!
The holiday shopping sprees begin this week. We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.
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
7. BUY NFTS from https://StarStyleCommunity.com to trade, sell, hold, and be invited to exclusive experiences and events.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to live on this beautiful and astonishing Planet Earth. In the morning, I woke up with a sense of gratitude.” –Earl Nightingale
ALL WE NEED IS A THANK YOU!!
by Shubham Acharya
The show of appreciation is one of the most effective ways of motivating anyone. We may not realise it but when someone thanks us for our service, it fills us with a sense of accomplishment. We feel as if we made the other person’s life a little bit better. The power of gratitude is so profound that it forms the bedrock of employee motivation even in the cutthroat corporate culture.
There is reciprocity involved as well, we feel good in return after having thanked someone. Have you ever noticed that whenever you acknowledge the service of a waiter at a restaurant or thank a customer service personnel at a call centre, it immediately brings about a subtle change in their tone. We might not realise it, but that little extra effort goes a long way to improve someone’s day. They might be dealing with serious problems or simply having a bad day, but that simple ‘thank you’ might give them the fortitude to grit their teeth and battle it out.
So next time when the waiter brings your order say, “Thank You!”, when you accept a parcel delivery say, ‘Thank You!’, whenever someone offers you a service, no matter how trivial, remember to say, ‘Thank You!’. Our small token of appreciation will go a long way towards making this world just a little bit better.
Shubham Acharya is a Be the Star You Are!® volunteer in Mumbai, India who 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’.”
Nobody likes a bully. Not even in the animal kingdom!
Bestselling author, actor, and radio personality, Cynthia Brian, debuts her first book in the children’s picture book series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, with her charming true-life cadre of characters and endearing illustrations in No Barnyard Bullies, a colorful book about learning to be kind and inclusive.
No Barnyard Bullies follows a pampered piglet who lives in an apartment as she is re-homed to a barnyard filled with a variety of happy critters. Thinking that she is the Queen, she bullies the other animals until she is stopped by a tiny bunny who defends a three-legged goat from her attacks. Everyone is equal in Stella Bella’s barnyard where bullies are not tolerated, and inclusivity is the paramount number one rule.
This is the first book in the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures by Cynthia Brian and illustrated by Jensen Russell. Each book is 32 action-packed pages peppered with lively conversations between the species as they discover how to live together serenely and joyfully in a diverse barnyard. Colorful, animated illustrations of the characters bring the prose and poetry dialog to life with timely and timeless tales that are relatable to humans. The animal family of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures experiences complex encounters that challenge their integrity, individuality, and character while amplifying an assortment of expressions and original viewpoints to co-exist as a group. The barnyard animals address critical issues facing children including bullying, nature, power struggles, adversity, adoption, homelessness, creativity, justice, health, kindness, ethnicity, and being different through a cultural lens of hope and resolution. With visually rich illustrations, each picture book will inspire, motivate, and move children to appreciate all animals while learning the lessons the natural world teaches.
The goal of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is to instill in children wonder and awe of Mother Nature and her creatures as they participate in the escapades of the wild kingdom. Children are encouraged to love themselves exactly the way they are while living in peace and harmony with a barnyard of many colors and beliefs. Family is about whom you love and who loves you. In the series, the true tales will emerge from a variety of different animals, all with a prescription for living as better humans.
Like the Be the Star You Are!® series of books for teens and adults by Cynthia Brian, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures will illuminate a simple fact for kids–we were not created equal. We are far better than equal. We are unique. We are individuals. We each have the ability and the responsibility to use our talents, genius, and strengths to sparkle, shine, and make a positive impact in this small galaxy we call Earth. We must strive to be the stars we were born to be.
Proceeds from the sale of the books benefit the 501 c3 charity, Be the Star You Are!® empowering women, families, and youth through increased literacy and positive media messages.
Unique and original NFT’s available of illustrations with special perks and events at www.StarStyleCommunity.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-956503-92-0 print edition
ISBN-13: 978-1-956503-93-7 ebook edition
“What a wonderful book on such an important topic.” Jennifer Wake, Author and Newspaper Editor
ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR
About Author Cynthia Brian
Cynthia is a SAG/AFTRA actor, producer, radio personality, writer, speaker, and coach who has been adopting and rescuing animals since she was a child. She has published eight award-winning books, including co-authoring the New York Times #1 bestseller, Chicken Soup for the Gardeners Soul. Referred to by the media as a “Renaissance Woman with Soul”, Cynthia is the Founder and Executive Director of the top-rated nonprofit 501 c3 literacy charity, Be the Star You Are!® dedicated to empowering women, families, and youth. Since 1998 she has produced and hosted the popular international lifestyle radio broadcast, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® She also created and produces the young adult radio program, Express Yourself!™, where teens talk and the world listens. She lives on a mini farm with her husband and a menagerie of well-loved animals who inspired Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures true stories. Besides being a dedicated gardener and garden writer, Cynthia grows people. Her goal with this book series is to help children learn lessons in living through the lens of nature’s amazing animal kingdom. www.CynthiaBrian.com, www.StarStyleRadio.com, www.BetheStarYouAre.org
Jensen Russel, Illustrator
Jensen is an illustrator based out of Savannah, Georgia. She is currently finishing her last year as a student at Savannah College of Art and Design working towards a BFA in Illustration with a concentration in Publication. She currently works within children’s book illustration and editorial/commercial freelance. She has always had a taste for the strange and unusual and strives to incorporate this into her art in a way that is comforting and touches upon inner-child healing. Her goal in my art is to exaggerate the human experience and encourage others to feel emotions all the way through.
“Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade.” Rudyard Kipling
Gardens may not be cultivated while we are sitting in the shade, but on a hot summer day, there is nothing better than sipping an ice-cold lemonade while resting in one of my shadowy gardens.
This year the world has been experiencing the hottest weather on record. In the United Kingdom, July temperatures were as high as 25 degrees Fahrenheit more than normal. According to data from the U.S. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States sweltered through 92 of the highest recorded heatwaves while worldwide, records were broken 188 times during this same period. Scorching fires are raging throughout Europe as well as the United States as firefighters battle the blazes and populations evacuate minutes ahead of blistering disasters. The influence of global warming is dire as this rapid climate change portends a hotter future.
As much as I adore the sunshine, it is critical to make room for shade in our landscapes to shield our bodies and our plants from the scorching weather. Although most colorful plants prefer sunshine, we still can create a retreat from the rays that will be beautiful and restorative.
All plants need sunshine to photosynthesize. Most gardens enjoy the sun at certain times and shade at other times. It’s important to watch when that time is for your garden. Any area that does not get direct sunlight may be considered shade. When you read a label and it says, “Plant in full shade”, this means you must plant in an area that gets less than three hours of direct sunlight with only filtered sun the rest of the day. If the label reads “Plant in partial shade”, find a spot where there is more shade than sun. If you plant a specimen that requires full sun, it will not thrive in the shade. “Partial sun” means four to six hours of sunlight.
Most shade-loving plants are understory plants that grow under the forest or jungle canopy. In areas where redwoods provide acidic leaf litter, ferns succeed. Shade-loving plants appreciate rich organic matter. Plants grow more slowly in the shade because the lower amount of light they receive causes photosynthesis to be slower. The good news is that shade plants usually require less water.
Trees are the anchors of any shade garden. They can be evergreen or deciduous adding beauty and privacy to the landscape with interesting bark, flowers, fruit, and potential vibrant fall foliage while blocking the hot sun and keeping our homes cooler. Oak, magnolia, maple, redwood, weeping willow, birch, horse chestnut, pistache, walnut, and many other species are possibilities depending on the size of your site, long-term expectations, soil conditions, height considerations, and watering needs. A tree is an investment in the future that may outlive several generations. Before planting any tree, do your homework while getting input from your family on what the desires and needs for a tree are. For example, do kids want to climb or build a treehouse, do you want to hang a hammock, are you looking for seasonal flowers and fruit, is autumn color essential, are you seeking a privacy screen, is year-round interest important, or are you seeking a tree that accents your home’s theme?
Once you have an established shade area, it’s time to fill it with plants that will not only survive, but thrive in dappled, partial, or full shade.
Here’s a list of groundcovers, shrubs, perennials, herbs, and annuals that fit the requirements. As always, read labels before purchasing to determine necessary growing conditions and size at maturity.
Ajuga
Fern
Hellebore
Heuchera
Golden Creeping Jenny
Pachysandra
Tiarella Foam Flower
Vinca Minor
Hydrangea
Bleeding Heart
Begonia
Dogwood
Impatiens
Astilbe
Coleus
Caladium
Bee Balm
Hosta
Primrose
Foxglove
Aquilegia (columbine)
Arum Italicum
Azalea
Rhododendron
Fuchsia
Daphne
Heavenly Bamboo
Chinese Yew
Boxwood
Abelia
Japanese Pittosporum (mock orange)
Photinia
Tree Peony
Viburnum
Parsley
Chives
Thyme
Lemon Balm
Mint
Lawns: Growing a lawn in the shade is tricky. Fine fescue grasses will sprout in the shade. When installing a lawn make sure the seed mixture states, “for shade”.
Finally, once you have designed your shade shelter, install a bench, swing, hammock, or chair where you can take a breather to cool off during a sweltering afternoon or recuperate from digging deeply. Drink plenty of water, hydrate your plants, and admire your horticultural accomplishments.
Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia 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.
Buy copies of her books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD and special savings.
Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” Immanuel Kant
Our family has enjoyed an affinity for the animal kingdom for as long as I can remember. We loved creatures so much that we often named a pet for an animal of another species that they resembled. We’ve had dogs named Bear and Wolf, cats named Panther and Tiger, and even a horse named Spider, although he didn’t look like an arachnid.
In the plant world, botanists and taxonomists who name plants also look to the realm of animals using zoographical Latin or Greek-based names for various genera and species. Sometimes a part of the plant will remind them of an animal, or sometimes it is the marketing department of a plant breeder that comes up with the fun, and often humorous name for a new cultivar.
I walked through my garden giggling at the numerous “animals” that are growing. Trees, flowers, wildflowers, and even weeds bear the names of creatures. If you are looking for an amusing gardening endeavor to do with children this fall, ask them if they would like to plant an animal garden. Discuss their favorite critters, then research specimens to fit the bill.
Edit your list grouping plants that will demand the same soil, watering, and sun/shade conditions together in one plot or pot. Mix annuals and perennials for an ongoing animal parade that will last throughout the year. Engage in a creative craft project making nametags for each plant. (Popsicle sticks are traditional favorites) Because the weather is too hot and dry to plant in summer, it’s advised to wait for the cooler days of autumn to start digging a new garden. However, if you want to plant a few species in containers now, let the animal party begin. Make sure to follow directions on the plant tags and water frequently as containers lose moisture quickly.
Here is a partial list of the excitement to come with animal plants:
Lambsquarter
Cats Ear
Chickweed
Coyote Bush
Buzzard Breath
Duck Salad
Cockle Bur
Fleabane
Henbit
Goosefoot
Turkey Mullein
Horseweed
Pigweed
Prickly Oxtongue
Goose Grass
Foxtails
Cattails
Swine cress
Birdseye Pearlwort
Goosefoot
Fat hen
Dogwood
Elephant Ears
Catnip
Deerweed
Wolfsbane
Dogbane
Foxglove
Henbane
Horse Chestnut
Leopard’s Bane
Bee Balm
Monkey Grass
Donkey Tail
Butterfly Bush
Locust Tree
Cockscomb
Gopher Plant
Hen and Chicks
Pussywillow
Skunk Plant
Snake plant
Starfish Flower
Zebra plant
Lambs Ears
Bear’s Breeches
Trout Lily
Cardinal Flower
Deer fern
Deer tongue
Pigsqueak (Bergenia)
Dragon lily
Snapdrago
Catchfly
Foxtrot
Horsetail
Goats beard
Lion’s Tail
Lobster Claws
Mouse plant
Ox-eye daisy
Panda wild ginger
Pig butt
Rabbit’s foot fern
Porcupine Agave
Tickseed
Toad lily
Wormwood
Cranesbill geranium
Lion’s Ear
Turtlehead
Spider plant
Crabgrass
Scorpions tail
Flamingo flower
Kangaroo paw
Bunny Tails
Butterfly weed
Partridge Berry
Fishtail palm
Leopard’s bane
Zebra grass
Spiderwort
Squirrel cup
Wake robin
Dinosaur tree
Hedgehog echinacea
Cynthia Brian’s Mid-Month Gardening Tips
ü SPREAD a blanket on the lawn and look towards the heavens to see animal shapes in the clouds.
ü DRY herbs by hanging bunches upside down in a dry place, like a garage or shed. Dry lavender, sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Store the dried leaves in a jar.
ü DOUSE weeds with a concoction of white vinegar and liquid dish soap. To a gallon of the vinegar, add a capful of dish soap, shake in a spray bottle, and use proactively.
ü GATHER the seeds of fennel and cilantro after the flowers are spent. Dry the seeds on a cooking sheet. Cilantro seeds are called coriander. Both add flavor and texture to both sweet and savory recipes.
ü PRESERVE flat-leaf parsley, basil, and chives by freezing them in ice cube trays. Put a spoonful of the chopped leaves in each cell, add water, and freeze. When you want a dash of fresh flavor, pop an ice cube.
ü PLANT edamame and sweet potatoes, both warm-weather crops. The soil needs to be warmer than 60 degrees. Plan on harvesting edamame in 90-100 days when the pods are plump but still green for a heart healthy omega 3 boost. To make potassium-rich sweet potatoes sweeter, store at 90 degrees for two weeks after harvesting,
ü DEADHEAD roses, annuals, and perennials as blooms fade to keep them coming through frost.
ü GROW celery by rooting the base of your store-bought vegetable. Put the stub in a glass jar filled with water in a sunny location, then transplant the root to a container or garden.
ü HARVEST cucumbers and make an easy spicy summer snack as well as a soothing eye pack. Peel, slice, add red onions, rice vinegar, and marinate for one hour in the refrigerator. Save the peels to place on your eyes to eliminate puffiness after swimming.
ü WATCH butterflies pollinate your flowers as they flutter from blossom to blossom on monarda, tithonia, sunflowers, zinnias, butterfly bush, cosmos, alyssum, marigolds, thyme, oregano, and marjoram.
ü EXTEND your garden’s production with a second season planting of beets, scallions, kohlrabi, chard, broccoli, lettuce, peas, and carrots to carry your fresh offerings into late fall.
ü TOSS a salad comprised of edible herbs, tender leaves, and fruit from your garden including basil, sage, thyme, lovage, fennel, arugula, spinach, chives, chard, tarragon, kale, beet tops, lettuce, cilantro, parsley, sorrel, apples, and plums dressed with lemon juice and olive oil for a tasty jolt of mineral rich nutrition.
ü SHARE your excess vegetable and fruit harvest with the neighborhood and take the extras to the local food bank for those in need to savor.
Treat your animal plants with care.
Amuse yourself, your family, and your friends with your garden barnyard!
Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia 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.
Buy copies of her books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD and special savings.
Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.
“Like the hummingbird sipping nectar from every flower, I fly joyfully through my days, seeing beauty in everything.”– Amethyst Wyldfyre
After tucking a hibiscus plucked from my mother’s garden behind my ear, I was immediately the object of desire for a hungry hummer. The iridescent red crown identified the hovering nectar hunter as a male Anna’s hummingbird. The females and young have green crowns. What a photo op, but alas, no camera or iPhone in sight.
Of the known 331 species of hummingbirds, 27 types are found in the United States, and 14 reside in California. Hummers only live in North and South America. When most people think of pollinators, bees, butterflies, bats, beetles, birds, and moths may come to mind. Yet, hummingbirds are some of the greatest pollinators as they can visit one to three thousand flowers in a single day. As they whiz from flower to flower, pollen from the stamen sticks to their long bills and forehead as they feed. They prefer plants with tubular-shaped flowers and many plants have evolved (some with the help of human intervention) to be more attractive to hummingbirds with brighter colors, higher nectar counts, and daylight blooms. Because they have long, slim bills, hummingbirds can feed deep into chambers and cannulas that bees or other pollinators cannot reach. They also eat tiny insects and spiders that are detrimental to flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Native and navitar plants that are red, blue, orange, yellow, and purple are favorites. What is the difference between native and navitar plants?
Native:
• highly adapted to the climate and soil they are naturally growing in
• requires less babying (within their particular climate) than non-natives
• promotes biodiversity throughout your garden
• naturally resistant to local pests
• attract beneficial pollinators
Navitar:
• combination of the words ‘native’ and ‘cultivar’ (result of careful selection and crossbreeding by humans)
• wider variety of flower colors, shapes & forms
• incorporate different sizes of plant
• heightened insect or disease resistance
• select preferred hardiness
• main concern for – and argument against – is their lack of genetic diversity
Plants Attractive to Hummingbirds
Petunia
Calibrachoa
Catmint
Sage
Salvia
Penstemon (beardtongue)
Bee balm
Daylily
Fuchsia
Cardinal flower
Blazing star
Garden phlox
Lobelia
Weigela
Oregon grape
Azalea
Currant
Flowering quince
Trumpet vine
Trumpet honeysuckle
Bleeding Heart
Butterfly bush
Cardinal Flower
Columbine
Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus
Lupin
Purple Rhododendron
Zinnia
Lantana
Red hot poker (torch lily)
Echinacea
Delphinium
Crocosmia
Hollyhocks
Pink Bower Vine
Hummingbirds remain in landscapes that provide all the supplies they need to survive and thrive. Besides planting species that will feed them, there are other things you can do to encourage hummingbirds to hang around.
Bathing Fountain: Due to the sticky nature of the nectar, hummingbirds need to bathe frequently. They prefer running water in a shallow area. Bubbling fountains or misters are an important investment in their healthcare. They even will frequent sprinklers!
Nests: Hummingbirds do not nest in birdhouses. They build tiny, usually around 1 inch in diameter, nests camouflaged with lichen, moss, and spider webs. This makes them hard to discover. They can be 3-60 feet from the ground and sometimes as much as ½ mile from their favorite food sources.
Feeders: Place feeders in areas where you’ll be able to watch the frenzy. It’s best to have multiple feeders to reduce territoriality. Hang them high enough to be safe from cats or predators which include snakes, squirrels, and larger birds. Recommended height is at least 4 feet from the ground.
Recipe for homemade nectar:
*Boil 4 quarts of water and let it cool. Tap water is fine. Do not use distilled water.
*Dissolve 1 cup cane or beet sugar in the cooled water. Do not use any other type of sugar, artificial sweetener, or honey.
*Fill feeder ¾ full or however much is used within a few days.
*Store unused remainder in a closed container in the refrigerator for a week.
Maintenance of feeders: It is important to change the mixture every 4-5 days. If the weather exceeds 90 degrees, the nectar will ferment. Change it more often if it gets cloudy. Clean feeders between refilling without topping off. Many feeders can be safely sanitized in the dishwasher. Otherwise, use mild detergent, wash, and rinse thoroughly. Monthly sterilize the feeders in a solution of bleach and water.
Other Tips: To entertain all pollinators, maintain an organic landscape free of pesticides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizers. Your garden is their dinner table, and their daily dining provide the ingredients for your dinner table.
My garden is buzzing with every type of pollinator. As I sit in my office writing this article, a beautiful, black-chinned hummingbird with its shimmering purple and white collar was busy outside my window investigating my roses. Again, I couldn’t get an appropriate photo through the window screen and shutter, but the visit was enchanting.
See the beauty in everything and thrill to the metallic humming of the wings of these living hovercrafts. Fly joyfully through your day!
Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia 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.
Buy copies of her books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD and special savings.
Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.
Producing a successful radio broadcast is time-intensive, challenging work. The editors of Podcast Magazine chose 22 podcast and radio professionals to honor as Unsung Heroes in its March 2022 issue and Voice American Network veteran producer and host, Cynthia Brian, is among those being celebrated. Read about the Unsung Heroes: https://podcastmagazine.com/22-unsung-heroes-in-podcasting
Besides producing and hosting her weekly LIVE lifestyle broadcast, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!®, in 2011, through her company, StarStyle® Productions, LLC, Cynthia Brian launched a broadcast, Express Yourself!™ for teens, by teens, and with teens, completely unedited and uncensored under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity. She began by coaching five teens to be reporters and has now coached over fifty adolescents between the ages of 12-19 to be communicators and journalists. Cynthia produces every show, books the guests, coaches the teens to improve their performances, does the publicity, and she does it all without a salary…for FREE!
Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio is now in its eleventh year and has broadcast 620 podcasts. Cynthia believes in the voices and opinions of young people as the future of our world. Her hosts and reporters are asked to make a list of the subjects that interest them, then she finds the guests that will inspire and motivate the teens and listeners. Guests include a global roster of artists, authors, actors, celebrities, sports figures, Olympians, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, teens, and others making a difference. Her goal is to find permanent sponsorship and grants to keep this empowering, positive message program on the air.
Cynthia credits her team of professionals at the Voice America Network for making both programs sound and look first-rate. “After almost two decades broadcasting on the Voice America Network, we are one happy, dedicated family and I share this accolade with them,” exclaims Cynthia. With Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, Cynthia’s goal is to give teens a voice so that they can speak up, speak out, and express themselves.
“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Billy Graham
A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,CYNTHIA BRIAN
My Dad was my hero and my champion. My great fortune was to be born into a family where my parents deeply loved and respected one another and their five children. We were farmers, working the land from daybreak to dusk to feed others. At the time, as far as monetary means, we had little but we always were surrounded with love, encouragement, and home-grown fruits and vegetables. When my Dad came in from a day in the fields, we kids would fight over who got to dust him off with a broom. He was a humble, self-educated man who knew how to fix anything. We always felt safe when we were with Daddy. He’d saddle our horses, tighten our ski bindings, build our chicken coops and sheep pens, and take us on the control burns to mitigate fire danger. My Mom was his girlfriend and he treated her like a Queen. When he walked his girls down the aisle to be married, his gentle eyes shed tears of joy. He made everyone he met feel like the most important person in the world. When he died young, over 1500 people came to his funeral to honor this simple farmer who treated everyone with dignity and love.
My hands are rough and calloused from the years of driving tractors, cutting fruit, raising animals, and digging dirt. I wouldn’t have it any other way. By growing up on a farm under the tutelage of my Mom and Dad, I learned the importance of family, hard labor, responsibility, caring, and integrity. My Dad inspired me to live my dreams and help others reach theirs. He is the reason that I founded Be the Star You Are!® 22 years ago.
This week we honor fathers, those wonderful men who give so much of their talent, time, and treasures to help their children become the stars they were born to be.
Reach out to the Dads who make a difference every day in big and small ways. Show your appreciation. You can pay homage by making a donation in the name of your special father through Be the Star You Are!® In recognition donations can be made by check to Be the Star You Are!®, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556. A card honoring your wonderful man will be sent as well as a receipt. If you prefer to use Paypal or GiveButter, here are the links:
I will be forever grateful to my amazing Daddy for being outstanding in his field! He was the best of mankind and a role model for what a good person can be. Thank you, Daddy, for shining your light on me and so many others.
Happy Father’s Day to all the magnificent men who make this world a better place. We love and bless you.
WANT TO BE IN A SURVEY OF “Experiences of Children and Teens During the COVID-19 Pandemic”?
A group of researchers from NYU, University of Vermont, University of Ottawa, and University of Colorado Boulder is studying the experiences of school-aged children and teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are the parent of a child or teen ages 5-17 or are 18 years old, we would love for you to participate! The survey should take less than a half an hour and you can close and return to it at a later time if needed.
Feel free to pass the link along to those in your network with children and teens ages 5-17 or other 18-year-olds who may be interested in participating.
Please reach out to Gabriella Meltzer at gm2477@nyu.edu if you’d like more information or if you have any questions.
REMEMBERING DAD
I wish I could more vividly remember the afternoons when we ate popsicles together. Or the evenings drying dishes when I wore your slippers. A photo taken in the parking lot of an amusement park reminds me of the day I won a big plush dog, and how I couldn’t wait to show you. You were the most important person in my life.
Because you’ve been gone for more than 35 years, it’s hard to picture what I know were many days when you made me very happy. I didn’t know how I would go on without you in my life. But I did. And when I look up into the beautiful blue sky, I can almost imagine seeing your kind smile.
Happy Father’s Day Dad!
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
ARE YOU AN ORGANIZATION THAT NEEDS BOOKS?
Be the Star You Are!® has boxes of brand new books to donate to shelters, organizations, or charities in need. The books retail for $15-20, but to increase literacy, they are FREE to qualified groups. Shipping cost is $25 per box. There will be 10-12 books per box. If your group is interested, email info@bethestaryouare.org. We do not provide a list of the titles but will discuss with you the type of books that would be most beneficial. We have non-fiction and fiction, soft cover and hard cover. The shipping charge can be paid via PayPal or GiveButter. Details will be emailed to you.
GIFTS FOR DAD!
We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.
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
EDU_TAINMENT WITH BE THE STAR YOU ARE! RADIO
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 on
Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.
You’ll meet authors, actors, artists, activists, musicians, poets, scientists, educators, and other creatives. Enjoy our upbeat, authentic, and fun radio parties on the Voice America Network Empowerment Channel or wherever you like to listen.
Stay healthy and safe as you venture out this summer. Honor your father and have a wonderful Father’s Day. Thanks for being part of our Be the Star You Are!® galaxy.
Kristen Harper, a Health and Wellness Speaker, as well as radio show host on VoiceAmerica.com will be giving a speech at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona for students on November 26, 2019 from 7:00pm-8:30pm. This event will be hosted by the A S U ‘ s P H I H Q C L U B. Kristen will be speaking on nutrition, which she will emphasize the importance of an anti-inflammatory diet. Kristen Harper’s radio show is “Tips to Keep You Healthy, Happy, and Motivated.”
“Be the Star You Are!® (BTSYA) was not originally created to donate to disaster relief,” explains IBPA member and author-publisher Cynthia Brian. “It was founded as a literacy and positive media message charity to empower women, families, and youth by donating books and other resources to those who could not afford to buy them.”
Cynthia added disaster relief, though, when 9/11 occurred. “In 2001, my book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference (Ten Speed Press) was scheduled for a late August debut. I was booked to appear on a major TV show on 9/11 in NYC but a couple of days before the show, the producers rescheduled me to 9/18. Like the rest of the population of America, I was horrified by the terrorist attacks and just as sickened knowing that I was supposed to be in NYC that day.
“Besides being farmers, the majority of my family members are first responders: Chiefs, captains, firefighters, paramedics, police, CSI, heavy equipment operators. My dad was Captain in our valley volunteer fire department for 45 years and as a kid, I was on numerous burns, mostly control fires. Since BTSYA doesn’t provide blood, water, food, or medical, I called FDNY Family Crisis and asked if books, games, CDs, DVDs, puzzles, and other resources would be helpful to offer hope and healing from the trauma for all ages. They responded ‘YES, PLEASE!’ My teen volunteers and I went into action. I reached out to every author who had been on my radio show, as well as publicists, producers, and publishers who had worked on my TV and radio shows. In addition, I had acting clients and volunteers across the country who stepped up to spearhead collections in their areas. It was truly a national outreach program, and BTSYA was one of the very first charities to offer non-emergency assistance to the victims and survivors. Over several months, we shipped over 50 pallets worth $57,000 (in this relief effort and in general, books make up around 85% of donations). The program was called Operation Ground Hero.”
Be the Star You Are! went on to ship $27,000 in resources to schools, libraries, groups, and shelters for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. “Then the disasters kept coming: fires, tornadoes, and floods,” says Cynthia. “Disaster areas started reaching out to us to help. When Super Storm Sandy hit, one of our volunteers in New Jersey lost her home and we collaborated to ship $30,000 in resources. My son, who is a Captain with Cal Fire was on a Southern Cal. fire for 57 days without relief. Disasters are traumatic for everyone.”
Be the Star You Are! is completely volunteer-based, including Cynthia, and it’s now a year-round program. Donations can be made to the nonprofit by clicking here. If any publisher or author would like to be included on a list to donate and ship books for Disaster Relief or other tax-deductible outreach programs, they can send an email to Cynthia@Star-Style.com. All donations will receive a tax receipt for the contribution from Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 literacy and positive media charity.
Four Questions with Be the Star You Are!’s Founder Cynthia Brian
IBPA: Can you share three tips for other independent publishers who are looking to set up nonprofits related to their books?
Cynthia Brian (CB):
Don’t set up a nonprofit. Find one that is already in existence.
If I had known in 1999 what I know today about the challenges of running a charity, I would not have founded a nonprofit. The road is tough; the work is long and hard; funding is difficult; and the paperwork, emails, calls, and mail are unending.
After 20 years of leading Be the Star You Are!®, I am very dedicated to the cause of increasing literacy and positive media messages. I am still holding the goal of finding a volunteer somewhere in the world to create a software program that will provide an avenue to register aid organizations that need books with publishers who want to donate books and shipping companies that will provide the shipping. BTSYA would orchestrate this circle and provide tax receipts to donating participants and make sure that “rescued” books were sent to people who could benefit.
IBPA: Can you list three key lessons you’ve learned about how one can succeed as an independent publisher?
CB:
Giving a percentage of sales to a nonprofit improves your book sales. For all 8 of my published books, I donate a percentage to Be the Star You Are!® charity, and I put this information in each book.
Marketing and radio interviews are key to success.
Speaking engagements and radio interviews help with branding and making experts, which equals selling more books.
IBPA: How has it been beneficial to you to be a member of Independent Book Publishers Association?
CB: In 1998, I interviewed Jan Nathan when IBPA was called Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) on my radio show, StarStyle®. The interview with Jan prompted me to find out more about PMA, and I also had contracts for books with two publishers at that time, so I thought that learning about publishing was a great idea. When I joined the organization, I found the IBPA Independent magazine the most valuable resource. Since I am an acting and media coach as well as a radio/TV producer, I started submitting articles that were published, mostly regarding marketing and publicity via radio and TV. I also decided to professionally publish my book that had been very popular with actors, The Business of Show Business, using the new tools that I learned through IBPA. The book is now in its 14th enhanced edition and won a Silver in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards. I also found that going to a few IBPA Publishing University conferences was terrific to meet fellow members and get to know some of the staff. And this past year I offered a Publishing University Online webinar, How to Think Like a Producer and Interview Like a Star (IBPA members can watch this webinar for free by clicking the link above and logging into their IBPA profile).
IBPA: Do you have any new books coming out soon?
CB: I published two books in 2018, Growing with the Goddess Gardener (Book 1 in the Garden Shorts Series)and book 3 in the Be the Star You Are!® trilogy, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World.
My next projects will focus on the life lessons I’ve learned with adopting abandoned and abused animals over my lifetime. These will be books for young children, including picture books. I am looking for a fabulous publishing partner!
IBPA: Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing your story with the IBPA community, and for all the disaster relief work you do through your nonprofit!
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