Articles / Events / Informatin / Stories from Gail

• Healing Pages - free healing offer, healing oil formula, thoughts to help find healing
• Life Experiences - some funny, some sad
• Sharing Knowledge - Herbs, Recipes.....
• Special Pages - Native Americans, quiltings, cooking, ghosts.....
• Wonderful Places to visit - Gardens, citys, short vacations....
• Fun Things for Children - Things to do, games to play, stories and poetry by children....
• Poetry - My own poetry

• SouthernPRIDE archive files - published online (by Gail) from April 1997 - 1999, some really good stuff here!
• Dr. Robert L. Carroll - Dr. Carroll was one of the more senior of the post-relativists, though of course not senior to Nikola Tesla.

HEALING PAGES
Reiki Energy Healing - An offer of Distant Healing to any that are in need
God has had a great presence in my life of late, and I feel compelled to share this form of healing with others, and to offer freely, help where it is needed. May you all be blessed in your life.
Healing oil mixture - secret formula never before shared
This is a special recipe I discovered after years of study. It has helped me and hundreds of others find healing. I've decided to share it with anyone that needs it. May you all be blessed in your life in all you do.
Perceptions - determines how our memories are stored, and creates our reality
As I mature, I realize more and more that our perception creates our reality. This perception is also frequently the cause behind disagreements with others, and illness in our body. Two people experiencing the same event from different perspectives, will have completely different memories of what occurred, yet while different, both contain a truth of the actual reality.
All that we go through makes us who we are
Just some thoughts I shared, stirred by a comment I heard on a TV show. Funny how little things can make the mind ramble on. If you enjoy my writings, I imagine you'll find something useful in this. God Bless.
Pain / Sedation tea blend
The following tea recipe is something I thought I’d share with anyone suffering from chronic pain. I created it for a friend, and over the past few years it has been very helpful for him. I hope you will find similar results if you are in need.
Health Benefits of White Silkie Chickens
The White Silkie chicken is a very unusual chicken. Besides their beauty, friendliness, and their ability to adapt, they have amazing health benefits. Chinese have recognized this since before the 7th century!
Home Remedies for common problems
I’ve been into alternative healing, and natural remedies for nearly 30 years. Over the years, I’ve made notes on some of my favorite findings - and now, to save you years of research, I’m sharing some of my favorites with you - some for use on people, some for use on animals.

LIFE EXPERIENCES
Joys and Sorrows of Motherhood
After being awakened in the middle of the night by the cry of an infant, I was reminded of many nights like this in years gone by. So of course, instead of going back to sleep - my silly butt stayed up and wrote an article.....
Trauma, pain, suffering, blood, life barely holding on......
The following article is sad at best. 2 young men in a horrid car accident, critically wounded. I share the next day in our lives, mostly for therapy for myself to help me deal and remain stable emotionally, part to ask for prayers. Please, pray for these boys, and for their family. This file will be updated regularly over the next months as Chris heals, following his progress and needs.
Just for fun - a page to introduce you to all my babies on the farm!
As my babies provide me such love, laughter and fun every day - and also comfort when I need it - I thought I’d share a page all about them - who they are, photos of the lovely gals and guys - and well, just a page of my chickens, turkeys, guineas, pigs, and the kid of course!
Anorexia - The Silent Killer
So many people don't understand how dangerous Anorexia can be, or how it destroys a person from the mind out. It really is a mental illness, and without help, it's victims will die. My niece was one of those victims, and my sister gave her daughter to me, crying as she left - praying to God I'd be strong enough to help her find her way before it was too late.
It’s Never Too Late to Live
Growing up I never really had to opportunity to know my paternal grandpa. I only saw him a few times as a child, and then did not see him again for 20 years. I cared for him the last summer of his life, and in that summer, I discovered I was related to a wonderful man. I was blessed to share those weeks with him and will remember him always. He gave me history, I gave him life.
A Day in the life of "Dizzy"
A true, but strange tale - of a day in my life, and YES! It really did happen!
Embarrassing Moments
Have you ever found yourself in one of those embarrassing moments, caught up in some activity that you would have never imagined being part of even in your dreams? Yet, somehow, perhaps you opened your mouth too much or stuck your foot in it one time to many. Who knows for sure what you did, but there you are, about to experience life to the fullest, in its most embarrassing aspects. That's where I found myself one sunny day in April.
Level of care in hospitals
Sometimes you get such a level of care that it causes you to stop and realize how truly blessed you are to be in a place of quality. I wish that all hospitals could give the level of care found at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri.

SPECIAL PAGES
Capturing the Spirit - Art from Madeline Carol
Art is a wonderful thing to enjoy - but even more so, if you get a chance to really understand the artist. This article shares both the artist and some of her work.
An American Tradition - Quilting
Quilts have long been a tradition in America. Early settlers made the patchwork quilts from necessity - and some are truly beautiful - heirlooms to be cherished. This article shares some brief history on the American tradition - and some photos of quilts made by the author.
Holiday Spirits - from stress busters, to amazing recipes
Whether it's the holiday season or not, this article is filled with wonderful thoughts and recipes. The most unusual recipe being the Stollen - a cherished recipe from the very heart of Germany. If you only make it once, it's worth ALL the effort!
Do you Believe?
After a chance meeting with Nancy Rhyne, author of numerous books of Southeastern ghost tales, I discovered she does not believe in the ghosts she writes about! Made me wonder - and led to the meeting of people with real experiences with a real spirit. What is real? What is imagined? Perhaps we each have to decide that reality for ourselves.

WONDERFUL FUN PLACES I’ve been - that I would encourage you to enjoy if you get a chance!
Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
For the lovers of art and nature - here is a wonderful combination of both. Found near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - 9000 acres filled with beauty - bronze, lead, stone... sculptures of many sorts placed gracefully throughout a beautiful garden. To spend a day walking through this land is to be close to heaven. Enjoy the photos and information.
Native American Powwow
This is an article I wrote for my ezine - SouthernPRIDE - in April, 1997. As there are still wonderful Native American powwows to go to across America, I thought it would be a wonderful piece to share. If you have a chance - every chance you get - you should attend a Native American powwow. Such an event will touch your soul if you allow it to do so.
South Carolina Artisans Center
If you happen to find yourself near Walterboro, South Carolina - you need to find a couple hours to tour the South Carolina Artisans Center. It will flood your heart with many wonders! Some of the most amazing artisans are featured in this historic facility.
A British Flag Flies Over South Carolina
Most people think of traveling to a specific place - but sometimes, thanks to the wonderfully talented historical reenactment groups, we can not only travel to a place, but to a time..... so come, travel to South Carolina, back to the 18th century!
Touring Savannah, Georgia
Want to spend a day trip visiting Savannah, Georgia? There is history, art, warmth, and beauty in every corner, but there is also contrast almost everywhere you look.
Russell Cave National Monument:The Southeast's Most Complete Record Through Time
Russell Cave, designated a National Monument by President John F. Kennedy on May 11, 1961, is a record of over 9,000 years of almost continuous occupation by early Native Americans. This extraordinarily long record makes Russell Cave a significant archaeological and historical treasure provides enormous amounts of valuable information concerning the lifestyles, habits, developments and advancements of early Native Americans in the Southeast.
Winter Vacation on the Beach, Edisto Island, South Carolina
Sometimes it's the simple, spur of the moment, trips that leave us with warm memories. Many people save all year for a huge vacation - but how many just take a day or a weekend when the chance permits, and just go somewhere new? This article is a story of one of those last minute trips that turned out to be wonderful.

FUN THINGS FOR CHILDREN
Games and Toys from the Middle Ages
In my younger years I used to participate in a group called SCA - a group that portrayed the Middle Ages. Myself, I am the Lady Isabella, 11th century England. Part of my persona involved dealing with children and required lots of research on toys and games from the period - thus the article. If you find some of the wording to be odd - well, it is appropriate to the SCA reenactment.
Active Games from the Middle Ages
This is a handy listing of games to play with children. Even though the listing was created for SCA reenactment events - it's still lots of fun to play these today! I've used it many times with my Girl Scout troups as well as children at SCA events - loads of fun! And while the children learn to play a new game, they can also learn a little bit of history!
Top Ten Things To Say And Do When Your Kids Say, "I'M BORED!"
Written for the mom that has a kid whining to her about being bored - lots of suggestions for things to do!
The Swamp, by Roy, age 8
Inspired by a trip to Magnolia Gardens. We were going across the swamp. Then I realized a large gator was headed right for my 8 yr old! Without thinking, I leaned into it (putting my face & camera within 2 feet of his jaws) - then as I clicked the camera I screamed - "ALLIGATOR!!!!" - not sure if it was the flash, or the scream in his face - but he backed into the water and we hurried to the safety! The photo is that gator. Interesting how events affect children.
The Magical Golden Guinea Pig, by Roy, age 9
Children have such wonderful imaginations! This is a story my 8 yr old son created using bits of reality with some thrown in make believe. A fun read!
Humanimals, written by Roy, age 8
This is an adorable story of acceptance. Written by an 8 yr old child. If only we could all see with such eyes.
Vulnerability ~ Reyna Lang (my daughter) at age 16
A lovely poem written for SouthernPRIDE, April 1998, by Reyna Lang (my own daughter) at age 16. SouthernPRIDE had many contests, to which children (with permission from their parents) submitted their words. All rights belong to SouthernPRIDE/Gail Ann Curry. As SouthernPRIDE is no longer online I thought to share these words with you here. Do hope you enjoy the poetry from the hearts of children.
The Blooming Rose ~ by Reyna Lang (my daughter) at age14
A lovely poem written for SouthernPRIDE, April 1998, by Reyna Lang, my own daughter, at age 14. She asked it be included in the 1998 issue. SouthernPRIDE had many contests, to which children (with permission from their parents) submitted their words. All rights belong to SouthernPRIDE/Gail Ann Curry. As SouthernPRIDE is no longer online I thought to share these words with you here. Do hope you enjoy the poetry from the hearts of children.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE
Herbs, What are they? And why grow your own?
I've studied many modules of healing these past years from necessity. In time I will try to share all that I've learned, but for now, we will begin with a study of herbs. Most medicines had their beginnings in plants. They provide our basic nourishment, and medicine for when we're sick. In the ideal would, we would care for the plants, and they for us. Everything you need in life is around you - just open your eyes and your mind, and discover.
Individual herb pages (give me time, this list will build) -

• - - Alfalfa - Not just food for horses - also nutritious and medicinal!
• - - All-heal - Once Hailed as a Universal Panacea, versatile, safe and effective
• - - American Passion Flower - primarily for sedation and pain relief
• - - Angelica - A sweet candy delight with amazing healing properties!
• - - Anise - so sweet and gentle - and with sexy undertones! Ohh la la!
• - - Bacopa - Bacopa for the Brain! --> Give your brain a boost with Bacopa!
• - - Baikal Skullcap - for cancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunoprotective, lowers BS & more
• - - Calendula - not one of the major medicinal herbs, but it does have its place in the medicine cabinet.
• - - Chicory - Another long forgotten herb, good food, good medicine, good coffee!
• - - Chives - What to do with Chives other than salads and baked potatoes?
• - - Dandelion - Can’t have enough in the yard!!!! REALLY!
• - - German Chamomile - gingivitis, ulcer, flu, colds, sinusitis, insomnia, sedative, stress, anxiety & more
• - - Gynura - for diabetes, hypertension, high-cholesterol, rheumatism, viral ailments, and other illness.
• - - Mullein - Great for Coughs, Respiratory Illness and more!
• - - Yarrow - a wonderful herb for healing and medicine. Never leave home without it!

Now, for who I am....

If you're here, I suppose you must be curious about who I am? Lets see, perhaps some stats on this 'dizzy' lady? - hmmmmmm... who am I?... good question. Does anyone ever really know who they are? Ok, here goes.... I'm me, yeah, you read it right, me - quiet, shy, tired me - have 5 children (ages 12-34) and 9 beautiful grandchildren - a handful for sure. I actually raised 5 other children along with my own - they call me mom, and I love them dearly. Have taken control of my life, and am rebuilding and figuring the meaning behind the word 'sanity' - haven't figured out yet if such a thing really exists in my life? But then, a person really has to wonder, who sets the standards for what is "sane"? - oh yeah - 5 ft 3 inches if that matters, and weight - gimme a break, what lady advertises her weight?

History - I was raised the 4th child of 6. Daddy was a Baptist Minister, working as a missionary to service men. Moved a lot as a child - between daddy being in the Navy, then working as a missionary - don't remember too much stability there. Married young, and it lasted for 22 years - then, life changed. Lots more moves - over 19 in the next 10 years - I finally quit 'running' and settled in Hannibal, Missouri. Took a while to sort life out, but it's feeling 'sorted' now, and I have direction in my life. My purpose on this earth is to heal - myself, the earth, and others.

Now - things I like - that's easy. I DO know what I like! I LOVE children (one would hope so having so many, eh?) - and I love to bake. I make birthday and wedding cakes on occassions. Great fun. Baking and creating with my hands is so gratefying. I also love to quilt and sew, have won numerous tri-county, and even national awards for my quilts. Owned and operated a quilt business for a while in the late 70's and early 80's. Sold a few quilts in a national magazine too! Basically just love doing things with my hands, definately not afraid to learn new things. I also enjoy poetry and creative writing of many sorts.

For work I've covered a lot of bases of experience, did lots of babysitting as a teen, then went to work in a sewing factory. Spent the next 22 years as mom, while also operating two different businesses from my home - first a quilt shop - "The Patchwork Shop", then a web design business "PRIDE", which published an ezine called "SouthernPRIDE" for 3 years. Then life changed..... big time...... went to work in a factory making blocks for engines, then on to a Level 5 male maximum security prison - as a guard... ... then FINALLY I discovered that my own natural talent for helping and healing people could also be my way of life, so got a job as a caregiver for people with disabilities, then went to nursing school and became an LPN. I still maintain Michael Modzelewski's website, and most likely always will, but for the most part my current work is mostly about healing (with an occasional cake, quilt. or article thrown in for pure pleasure!).

I am an LPN doing home care for an agency and love it! My primary patient is a 19 year old with Muscular Dystrophy and Severe Infantile Autism. I work with him 3 days a week. My second job I do on my own. I go to the homes of elderly, and provide foot care while also checking on their general health and safety - each visit takes from half an hour to 2 hours, depending on what they need. I am working on continuing my education even further, and besides being an LPN, I'm also certified in Reiki, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and EFT. I'll learn other skills as time allows.

Of course I've also got a farm now too - with LOTS of animals! We've got turkeys, chickens, guineas, pigs and a dog! Working on raising enough food to provide for both ourselves, and our animals, so that we can all eat organic! Plus it's part of a program to provide food for two of my sons with brain injury from the wars - Army says that if they can eat a true hunter/gatherer diet for 7 years, it can reverse the damage. Sure hope so! Meanwhile we focus on 3 types of chickens - Silkies (highly medicinal with sweet meat), French Black Copper Marans, (best tasting chicken) - and Delawares, (lay xlg brown eggs year round AND they taste yummie!). For turkeys we have Blue Steel, Red Bourbon, and Narragansette. Of course our animals procurement began by accident - started out hatching some turkey eggs for a friend, then a person here or there had chickens and such they didn't want or couldn't take care of - so they found a home here... then there was a piggie, then another, and another...... took in nearly 100 animals that needed homes and figured it was time to get serious and call ourselves a 'farm'. Thus was born "Nature's Magical Farm" - a place where good things come from! We still have our 'hand-me-down' critters - but we focus on raising the particular breeds for food and eggs. What we'll do with the piggies? Dunno... thinking that 'Burger Butt' (the biger of the lot) makes a fine guard pig! - Meanwhile, here are some fun photos from the farm from this past year.

I love the outdoors too - a long walk in the evening along the river is divine. Even sitting on a covered porch in a really tremendous lightening storm watching the lightening, listening to the pounding rain, and occassionally putting my face out to let the water fall on it is great fun. .... oh I do love a good summer evening spent like that. The child in me comes out and if not for the lightening and thunder I could run up and down the street barefoot laughing giddily like a child.

Now, in reference to the links above - I've put an archive of most of my articles from SouthernPRIDE online, hosted on Nature's Magical Farm. I linked a few of my favorites above. Plus I'll be writing many more articles, ongoing ... and as I do, I'll link the articles in here, and on my primary domain -> Nature's Magical Farm so come back now and then and see what's new! I expect to be publishing 1-3 articles a week, so do come back often!

- and last, a thought to leave you with....

Whether your day is a good one or a bad one, if you can smile your way through it, it'll be a better one.....