A heart mom's poem

It can happen during utero,

Or sometime after birth.

The news that makes you tremble,

The news that shakes the earth.

"we hear a distinct murmur ma'am,

There's an issue with the heart

We're not sure your child's chances ma'am,

It's going to be a rough start"

You think "why me? Why us?"

As you try to choke back tears

Your world crashing around you,

While you're consumed by your worst fears.

That sharp pain in your chest.

The heart break, like a knife.

Watching your precious child

Fight so hard for their life.

The first few months are brutal,

You walk around like a zombie.

Endlessly wondering

"will my baby get to call me mommy?"

"don't worry, it will get better"

Is something you can't stand to hear.

It feels like everything is getting worse!

The end, it feels so near. 

Then suddenly the days,

Seem to get a little brighter.

As you stare with loving eyes

At your precious little fighter. 

You've never been so proud

Of one single little soul,

Gradually reaching milestones

And accomplishing their goals.

A heart moms journey

Is one that never ends.

Filled with support and compassion,

Of other heart mom friends. 

We all love a little deeper,

And care a little more.

Reminding ourselves everyday,

Of how much we can be thankful for. 

We were given this life for a reason,

And at times it can get rough.

But we use our kids as examples,

Of how to remain tough.

 

For us, strength is not a choice.

It's a lifestyle we have to lead.

It's what keeps us going,

And it's what our heart child needs.

           

  - Author Unknown

How to get rid of garden slugs organically

Snails and slugs have been the bane of gardeners for generations. And while over time, many methods have been developed to control these slimy pests.

Hand Picking

Hand-picking and disposing of slugs and snails does work, because if you gather up all the adults before they reproduce, things will get dramatically better, because the tiny ones you miss, don't do the most damage. Discard snails or put them in a bucket of salty water to kill them.

Setting Traps and Hunting

This method's goal is to coax snails and slugs out of the flowerbeds into what they think is a safe haven. In reality, it's a haven you're going to throw away every day.

Laying on the ground

·         Cabbage leaves

·         Citrus fruit rinds, moistened with water

·         Dry pet food

·         Stale beer

·         Mixture of yeast and honey

·         Dry cornmeal - it will kill slugs by expanding inside them

·         Sprinkle salt on non-soil surfaces (salt can easily kill plants and ruin soil quality)

Barrier to slow them down

Scratchy things such as crushed eggshells, sandpaper, cinders, wood ashes, and diatomaceous earth (this will need replacing if it gets wet).

Natural deterrent keeps them away

Red Bush tea (Rooibos), Mint tea

Why Slugs Hate Salt

The slug contains a lot of water, which is essential for its survival. Sprinkling with salt draws that water out, and the slug dies of dehydration.

Osmosis is a natural biological phenomenon whereby water passes from one region of high water concentration, through a semi permeable membrane to a region of lower water concentration.

Plants and salt

Salt in the soil or on plant leaves triggers osmosis too, this time within the plant cells. Water is drawn out of them to restore the equilibrium, and that’s why leaves burn and the plant eventually dies.