So It’s Raining Again. 🤗 That Means It’s Time To String Another Necklace. That Makes 1 Single

Of course inspired by my own states beauty. Nature in any form is amazing. Check out the greens,yellows, browns and granite grey and sky's blue gray.

Love this photo. I’m dropping off a supplies arrangement of jewelry bead/craft station. Sharing is caring!

My diagnosis of Interstitial lung disease in 2018 was a bummer. Didn’t know how or why my immune system began attacking my lungs. Doctor did tell me no more cutting or sanding stones. Should have worn a better mask. I had become so wary of the medical establishment, especially complaining about my trouble breathing for several years, and just being told it’s my allergies or my Asthma. Problem has always been my very sensitive immune system and various reactions to most chemicals, even perfumes and makeup. Thankfully my only food issue was dairy.

The biopsy didn’t offer any markers that I might benefit from newer treatments or studies. The possibility of lung transplant was mentioned, then not again after the biopsy. What was prescribed were steroids, limited time then onto the drugs used for anti rejection as in the case of transplants. Hmm. So I forgo the steroids the dr prescribed and I began a more alternative medicine choice. Started meditating more, trying to be as positive as possible, and releasing my burdens to the universe. I ate only organic non GMO foods, more vegan dishes, less sugars, 0 white sugar or white starchy foods, drank planets of water, only a glass of wine maybe once a month, till I stopped partaking of any alcohol.

I slowly added and increased doses of Mullen tincture for my lungs and cough. Still use her works nicely for me. Wild green onion, and other plants used for the lungs. I used more organic teas and less caffeinated products. Started mushrooms supplements. Ate more of them too.

My buddy gifted me a ceremonial healer. Like my grandpa used to do for people. It felt good. My mind set was of, I had a pretty good life and was filled with gratitude for a wonderful family, best husband, kids, and especially that my mama had lived with us throughout my kids lives. She journey on 2016, my grief was hard. So if I was going to go I wanted it to be naturally. And for 3 years my lung disease was progressing slowly, tho I could feel it.

I’ve seen several alternative physicians and herbalist talk about how drug industry and most conventional medicine folk are in cahoots and just wanna increase their profit margins our expense. Heck so are they, be it in an alternate respect. It’s become a huge industry too. It’s a capitalist society after all.

Anyway as Covid hit I began to think how so many were also being affected by lung disease. So many perishing, alone and too often rapidly. Early on we became mask wearers. My family cared that much about our health. They said it was to protect me. 💖

Then a day before thanksgiving, for his 61 birthday my hubby had been up and working, he exclaimed the pain in his neck and back so bad he drove himself to hospital, collapsed paralyzed, rushed into emergency surgery to rebuild his neck, Happy Birthday! Also found cancer. He was there during the holidays, all that time we could not visit because of COVID restrictions. He passed within weeks. We were left unprepared, emotionally and financially. He thought he’d have time to plan since I was had been given 3-5 yrs, and I was clearing the third. Ya just never know!

Tho it’s going on 7 months since he joined the ancestors, we’ve found our footing and our grief is less consuming. Our anxiety less frequent. That’s a blessing. My own health condition made me think I needed more time on Mother Earth, so after 3 years of the alternative path, I returned to my lung specialist and this time I chose to take his medicine. I had even waited till the doctor could answer my concerns about the COVID vaccine for me. I took my 2 Pfizer COVID vaccines, waited till the second dose was in my system a bit longer before slowly building up to the prescribed Prednisone dose. The Steroids facts and side effects list is long, it will lower immune system. Here’s what I can say, after 2 weeks the pain I had in my chest for over a year, causing more frequent vomiting and discomfort had begun to ease, now a months worth of doses it’s almost gone, it must be helping with the inflammation. I even can again work in my garden, and walk around with more energy. I’m not in the clear, there is nothing that will cure me. Maybe just help me along for a few more seasons. So yeah people have to do what they feel is right for them. I so far have.

I’ve even had a spike in creative energy, I’ve done some jewelry repairs and redesigns. That’s very invigorating for my spirit. I sure do enjoy stringing along, in more than one respect, so to speak. 😁

Beads galore. When I’m uninspired I still throw beads out on the work table then it doesn’t take long to get going on a new project or two. These are what was left after I finished a few new festive pieces I just posted. So before clean up I separate by color group, as what may catch my eye. I‘ll bag these up and may change my mind before the next project. That’s the beauty of doing your own thing. I like using strong beading wire, mixed metals, leather, hemp. I love turquoise, shells, various gemstones, crystals, bone and recently acrylic beads. Oh and good strong crimp beads a must. Not to mention the glue. There are so many options out there I decided to limit my products to mostly North American regions. I remember when I first started I purchased some Chinese turquoise and wasn’t too pleased. Then I learned a few of my vendors were selling me Chinese stuff too. There are some quality gemstones mined in China. However knowing the distance it’s traveled made me reconsider and stay within our continent. It’s a big one anyway. Did I mention it’s very relaxing and therapeutic? Well for my emotions and mind. My back and fingers get sore but it’s all worth it. So yo...May you find your bliss as I have.

Love this!

Stray cat breaks into Lynx’s enclosure at zoo

(Source)

Mexican chunky turquoise with silver accents, handmade clasp. And an inlaid oyster shell from New Mexico. Spiny oyster disks of orange, red, and purple, with Mexican turquoise disks and a handmade clasp n accents in silver.

Funky 29 inch long single strand of carnelian,Baltic Amber, n Mexican turquoise with pure copper metal beads n wire n handmade copper clasp.

New longer necklace. Inspired by our natural environment. Mother Nature rocks! Even some shells at the neck to bring in the sea. Is it a bit heavy? Yes but we’ve been heavy on Mother Nature. Just wear her graces with pride🤗

Monika Lue Designs turned 5 today!