The wikiloops Zen Den

I'm a big fan of lavender, whenever I pass it in a garden I take a handful, smell it, crush it and keep it in a pocket as an emergency rescue remedy.
It helps you sleep - it is antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial - it is calming and lifts moods - it can relieve headaches and it's just beautiful :)
[img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/d9/e2/dcd9e296c165b92a2784152bd67eb089.jpg[/img]

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Well then, @Shamika I will cook and if we can get the rest of the gang camping in Southern England.... We'll get some rain and some very interesting music round the camp fire!

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mosquitoes hate Lavender too (they make some great lavender remedies in southern France). Mosquitoes hate bats too... I love bats,

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Sounds perfect, actually warming up baked beans and brewing tea on a camping stove can be fun, even I could manage that :)

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in my soap making days, i used to use lavender essential oils a lot for scenting soaps, etc. such a great smell <3

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I’m growing Lavender to keep spiders away.
Had to add Vermiculin to the soil so it drains water faster as the roots are prone to rot from excessive watering .

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I love Lavender. Reminds me of Southern France... <3

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Interesting thread, and good answers everyone :) Here's my try on these questions:

1) Is there a song lyric that really sums up life for you?

Hmmm, good one. I was about to say: "None really, life is complex, and if you're lucky then it's also long enough to have so many different stages..." - but with a bit of thinking, I'd probably say that I could be that "Fool on the hill" ;)

2) What works best to calm you down, words of comfort, a hug or being left alone?

All of these actually...

3) What situations might throw you into a panic?

If the cat is out without breakfast and isn't back after 24+ hours...

4) Have you got a favorite place in your home where you can chill out?

Depends on the time of day. In front of my computer, in an armchair, on the sofa, in bed...

5) Does stroking your pet bring your blood pressure down?

Most definitely. Especially if she purrs.

6) Is the garden a place of refuge for you?

Not really. It's too small, you can't look very far, and sometimes the neighbours are loud. Having to listen to only one side of a phone call isn't really Zen-like, since you can't simply *not* hear it (and assume/guess the other side's answers at all times) ...

7) Does keeping busy stop you over-thinking stuff?

Sometimes yes. If you're worried or in deep thoughts about something, and then go and clean your cellar, the problem(s) wouldn't have gone after that - but at least you'll have a clean cellar ;)

Same with bicycling or any other endurance-type sport (haven't tried marathon, as I have an atherosclerosis). That's Zen, sometimes...

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Your responses made me smile Wolfgang. I suppose you have to watch your diet and get exercise but it's hard finding the balance between mental and physical happiness and well-being.
I used to cycle everywhere, it was a real escape, but these days the roads are not so safe and my endurance is shorter.... Those lyrics should be changed to "Fools going up a hill" :)

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