We have a new corporation! Her name is Isis Augusta Inc. She was incorporated in NC for the purpose of distributing BathyDerm, the tincture that Aggie used to control her MRSA staph infection.

In addition to removing her MRSA, it removed her herpes, as well as the age spots from my hands and arms. We are very proud to say that, during testing, we have had positive reports from several folks, including help with hemorrhoids, rosacea, and eczema. People with no skin problems experienced softer, more youthful looking skin and hair.

There will be some testimonials on our new website, bathyderm.com, as well as information on how to get the product or even to become a dealer. (Aggie wants you to know that she had to put it together in a couple of days to meet my demands, and she is working on a more professional site.)

Everything is moving slowly and smoothly, and Aggie is healthy again. Everyone who has tried BathyDerm has had good things to say about it.

Think Green
Blessed Be
Cougina

The Healing Baths

Apartment 96

Our reason for settling in Houston was to have access to a bathtub! That, and to avoid the cuts and scrapes that are a part of bicycling for hours every day. When my (Aggie's) MRSA infection reactivated, it became Cougina's number one action item, and his plan formed around these healing baths.

The MRSA egregor (thoughtform) is powerful. Friends who were familiar with MRSA told us about people they knew who could not prevent recurring infection. One friend was even afraid to have me in her house! While the American doctors we contacted all said that MRSA, once activated, was for life, Cougina located a Chinese herbalist who was claiming a 100% cure rate, not just remission, but total removal. What did we have to lose?

The herbal tincture that we prepared contains several herbs, steeped in alcohol according to a process that has been passed down within a family for generations. The bath process is to add the tincture to a bathtub full of water, and to soak in it for a few minutes. It is important to follow the instructions, because at least one of the herbs is a noted poison. I was to have a bath every three days for six months. (And, hey, what a pleasure after going two months without one!)

Cougina and I have now been taking the baths for almost two months. Until the other day, our only clue to my progress was Cougina's perception that my health aura had returned to its former vibrance.  However, while I am to avoid breaking my skin for the duration of the baths, test time had come. As we were out riding this past week, I got too involved in sightseeing, and forgot to watch for curbs. Splat - I got a couple of minor scrapes. Earlier that day I bumped my right shin into my pedal and got a cut almost identical to the one on my left leg that had produced the second infection. Later that day, I sliced off a thin layer of skin on my finger while slicing a carrot.

Good strawberry!

I treated all of these with alcohol and an over the counter Neosporin type cream. I did not use the strong antibiotic cream prescribed for MRSA. The scrapes on the knee and the cut on the finger have healed just like the old days. (I have never before bothered to do any washing or treating of cuts, taking quick healing for granted.) (Check out that knee in the photo.  A scab or two like this has always reminded me that I am enjoying my life.)

The cut on the shin tells me that the MRSA is not completely subdued. The scab that formed was a little soft, and part of it blistered for a day or two. However, the MRSA seems to be on its way out. The last time this happened, the scab grew to the size of a quarter, and it was with difficulty that I managed to bicycle two miles to the doctor's office, once I realized that it had been around for two weeks.

89 year old Cougina's age spots disappeared from his hands in two baths. Other people have had some wonderful results also. I will write about that next time.

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
AGGIE and COUGINA

Fortune Smiles: Settling in Houston

As described in the previous post, sometime in mid-January I (Aggie) got the flu that was going around. Nighttime temps were projected to be in the high 20's, and our source of free firewood had just about been exhausted. Cougina decided that it was time to leave Quartzsite. Though I didn't feel like a road trip, Cougina was set on it, so we loaded up our bicycles and the rocking chair he had bought me for sitting in the booth, and headed for Houston. Cousta (our name for our pickup), performed like a champ with her 340,000 miles. She was the first of a series of smiles from  Fortune. After four days of easy driving (a two day trip when I am healthy), we were in Houston on a Sunday.

We rented a room for a week at Studio 6. We acquired the herbs needed, and began preparation of the bath tincture to combat my MRSA. We also spent a few days driving around town, window shopping places that we couldn't afford. On Friday, we toured two apartments that had been advertised on Craigslist. One was a no-no, with tattooed gang members on the property.The other one became our home that afternoon.

Our Timbergrove apartment is $695 per month, all bills paid, for a 650 sq ft one bedroom apartment, in one of the most attractive (to me) neighborhoods in Houston. Inner Houston real estate has become hot, and my old neighborhoods are getting too congested and expensive. Timbergrove is at the edge of that development, with a view of the downtown skyline, yet out of the congestion and traffic problems. Our apartment is surrounded by far more expensive places, and also situated on White Oak bayou, with a bike/running trail and a park right outside our back door.Yes, the place is old, but it has brand new tile on the floors and in the bath, and fresh paint. It's perfect for us.

I signed the lease and picked up the keys at 4:30 pm on Friday, came back to the motel, and started perusing Craigslist for furniture. All we had for home furnishings was a rocking chair and a few plastic spoons. I inquired about a nice solid wood dining set for $50. The woman invited me to come look at the other stuff the next morning. It turned out that  a Tanglewood (Bush Senior's neighborhood) estate was being emptied, and we managed to get almost all of the home furnishings that we needed for $450!

This included the oak table with two leaves and six chairs, leather couch, upholstered armchair, end table, bookcase, lamp, large mirror, two paintings, radio, two nightstands, barbeque, and outdoor table. For the kitchen, we now had Mikasa china for 8, everyday hodgepodge of dishes and flatware, 3 sets of glassware, coffee pot, pots and pans, serving bowls, three vases, broom, etc. All of this was of the quality you would expect to find in the home of an older person in an upper class neighborhood. We called my strong young son, who came to help us move the heavy stuff, made a few shuttles to the apartment in Cousta, and voila, we had a furnished apartment in less than 24 hours! The next morning, we checked out of the motel and took the bicycles to the new place. Dear friends also contributed an area rug, a desk, a juicer, sheets, pillows, clothing, plants, etc.

I haven't expounded on the details of living with a gas grill and a cooler for a kitchen, a share in a rented portapotty for a bathroom, and a wood fire for heat. While I miss sleeping under the stars every night in a bugless, virtually rainless place, it was physically demanding, especially with my health problem. I hope that I have shown you what a gift it was to fall into a comfortably furnished place so cheaply and easily. And just in time for the first bath!

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE

Quartzsite to Houston via Pickup

After losing all our belongings in the fire in October 2012, we spent a few months in Quartzsite, AZ, sharing a vendor booth with our dear friend Eric.

We haven't mentioned that, just before the fire, Aggie had contracted MRSA, the antibiotic resistant, recurring staph infection. It got into my system through a thorn that got deep into my knee. When the doctors finally figured out what it was, I got the right antibiotic and it was gone in ten days. Just a few weeks later, I scraped my shin on my bicycle pedal. After a couple of weeks, I realized that it wasn't healing. On top of that, I had an ear infection. Off to the Quartzsite clinic for another round of antibiotics and topical antibiotic for the shin.

It was obvious that it wouldn't take too many more of these infections to destroy my health. Cougina started researching and found a Chinese herbalist who thought the MRSA could be permanently removed from my system, because he had had many previous successes. The only catch was that I needed to take regular baths. We were living outdoors in Quartzsite, and the only bathing we had access to was the shower at the laundromat down the street.

We began to make plans to settle down, in order to have access to a bathtub. We found a charming 1985 Toyota pickup, with 340,000 miles, for $1000, that could take us where we decided to go. We gave her a new battery, two new tires, a cleanup, and a coat of grey primer. Aggie loves her 5-speed transmission and her narrow body. The owner promised 30 mpg, and, sure enough, she did that on the highway.

As we discussed where we would settle down, Quartzsite was having its winter cold spell, and Aggie ended up with the flu that was going around. Fortunately, our trusty pickup was ready to go. We hopped in and drove to Houston. After a week in our usual Studio 6, we found an apartment and settled in.

Up next, a look at our apartment in Houston...

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE

A New Look in Jewelry.

We have set up a vendor booth in Quartzsite, AZ for the winter, partnering with silversmith Eric Karas. At left, you see Eric's first piece using gemstones. These are a 21.5 ct pink topaz and 7 ct yellow aquamarine, set in 999 silver, which contains more silver than 925 sterling. These stones are reclaimed from the fire, so they do have cracks. However, they would still be effective for empowering prosperity or successful conception and  childbirth. We are asking $225.

Cougina is also ready to make jewelry once again. We have a tray of newly purchased gemstones, wire, and tools.

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE

Sleep Setup Review: Big Agnes Big Creek 30 and Thermarest NeoAir Trekker

Since the recent fire, we have had the opportunity to re-purchase all of our gear. Having been forced to rethink everything on our gear list, it seems a good time for a few reviews. I'll start with sleeping bags and air mattresses, as we are so delighted with our setup.

We reordered the same Big Agnes bag, the Big Creek 30. We have what is probably a classic outdoors couple's problem. I (Aggie) can barely stay warm with all my clothes on in a 4-season down bag, and Cougina likes to keep even a cheap synthetic unzipped to prevent overheating. However, we wanted to sleep together, not separated by walls of insulation and ripstop (i.e., separate bags)! Last summer, when Cougina insisted that my pristine Western Mountaineering down bags must go, and wanted to get a $59.95 special suitable for children's sleepovers, this is what I came up with.

Big Agnes: Great Idea, Good Execution

https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Bag/bigcreek

I haven't found a couple's bag that approaches the concept of the Big Agnes. It's a doublewide, modified mummy. That is, the footbox is somewhat narrower than the top, but not a lot. So, it is a compromise between minimal weight (my ideal) and freedom of movement (for C). There are full-length zippers on each side, so that I can keep my side closed, and Cougina can let cool air in on his side. There is an adjustable elastic cord that can draw the head covering over my head, while he leaves his open.

The Big Creek utilizes the same design concept of all Big Agnes bags, in that there is no insulation on the bottom. BA's contention is that one crushes the fill that he lies on, rendering it useless for insulating, and therefore, useless weight. Instead, there is a slot on the bottom to slide in your pad or air mattress. Having tried it, we both like it. When I feel too cool, the sensation comes from above and around, rather than below me. Also, staying put in the bag, rather than sliding around on a mat, adds more comfort than I expected.

It specs out at 4 lb 7 oz, a weight that I can live with. Still more than my two down bags, but I won't feel so badly when C spills or walks on it.

Does the bag really work down to 30 degrees? We were looking for a 3 season bag, because we spend a lot of time in the desert summer where it is quite warm at night. However, we knew some cold nights were coming. Lately, we have been throwing the bag out under the stars. No tent. No clothes. A set of old sheets as bag liners, for comfort next to our skin, and to keep our grime off the bag. (When touring, we cut the sheets to fit the bag and sew them together at the feet with a shaped footbox.) The bag kept us warm enough with temps in the 40s and 50s. Although I got a little too cool toward morning, C still had his side unzipped. For the last few days, temps have been in the mid 30s. C zipped up his side of the bag, and we have both used the head covering part of the time. It has taken both a heavy wool blanket and a lightweight synthetic patchwork quilt (thrift shop purchases) on my side only, to keep me toasty warm. Obviously, we wouldn't carry all that extra weight when touring. Then, I will probably wear underwear on cold nights and perhaps look into a down blanket.

The less-than-perfect aspect of the bag is that the zippers, as you can find other reviewers saying, really take special attention to get tracking and not catching fabric, which is not a fun thing in the middle of the night. Also, the head covering is nothing like the glove fit I had in my single mummy bag.

However, frequently, one of the first remarks in the morning is about how much we enjoy this bag. Most often from Cougina, who really wanted to prefer the $59 bag, but must admit that he is not cramped in the bag, and yet has the feeling that we are "two bugs in a rug."

What completes the setup and makes it so very sweet are the NeoAir Trekker sleeping pads. I will review those next.

THINK GREEN
BLESSED BE
AGGIE and COUGINA

Phoenix Rising

As expected, we are recovering nicely from our fire losses, thanks to the support of wonderful friends. We have posted recovery status at CovinCovina Hermiticia...

Phoenix Rising

Thank you for your support in prayers, words, and donations.

BLESSED BE
COUGINA and AGGIE