"There is a privacy about winter  which no other season gives you . . . In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."  Ruth Stout, HOW TO HAVE A GREEN THUMB WITHOUT AN ACHING BACK.  (1953)

 "There are no persons capable of stooping so low as those who desire to rise in the world."
Countess of Blessington, DESULTORY THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS  (1839)

"The freedom of man,  I contend, is the freedom to eat." Eleanor Roosevelt
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES

February Moons  7, Full;  14 Last Qtr; 21, New; Valentine's Day the 14th

March Moons  1, 1st Qtr; 8, Full; 15, Last Qtr; 22, New; 30, 1st Qtr  Spring begins March 20!

Updated Tuesday, January 30, 2012

Great news! Sue-Ryn's book is on sale NOW! It can be ordered by phone
and mail order, as a book order, or as part of a regular order.
More information below, or visit her book page.

MORE GREAT NEWS!
Free shipping on all US orders over $25 in February!!

We're getting a start on 2012, glad the pressure has eased up a bit. Oh, orders are still coming in, and there's plenty to do, but the pace is a little slower.
The winter has been strange. Less snow and cold than usual, several bouts of both rain and freezing rain and way too much wind. We'll get snow, then either rain or a thaw to take it away. The River has barely frozen, only to about what you'd expect from late November or early December.
But the woodstove is warm, and all the food we put away last fall and summer sure taste good; tonight was home baked bread, our own bacon and our own eggs, applesauce we put up last October, and homemade cookies for dessert.
The one wildlife call of note was an owl that only survived a couple hours after being hit by a car.
Sue-Ryn is gearing up for some upcoming shows--listed below--while keeping up on orders. The Troll is trying to write, and get over his obsession with Angry Birds.

Sue-Ryn's upcoming shows are below; click here for the full listing.
*Syracuse Psychic Fair, Febrary 18 & 19, Holiday Inn, Liverpool NY
Wilson Stephenson Benefit, Feb 25 10-4, All Souls UU Church, Watertown NY
*Canastota Psychic Fair, March 31 April 1,  Greystone, Canastota NY
NEW DATE for an upcoming show! Metaphysical Times Psychic Fair will be 
July 14 & 15, at the OCC Campus, Syracuse NY

Sue-Ryn's book is here! It has over 30 recipes for cooking, tea-sipping and bathing blends, from Apple Spices and Baba Yaga's Tea, to Vapor Bath and Venison Blend.
For more about the book, along with pricing,  check the page about it.

From Time to time I have needed an Animal Communicator. I first met Sally Gewinner at a small event in Fulton. At that time our old kitty Belle was showing some odd behaviors. Sally helped confirm my suspicions and figure out ways to help deal with belle's transition.         Since then I have called upon Sally for help with domestic pets and Wildlife too. Her gentle healing wisdom has always proved supportive of the animals in our care.         Sally still works full time as a teacher, but you can often find her at weekend psychic and holistic fairs in the central NY region. You can email her at sallyg1010@gmail.com or call us for her phone number if you need faster help or an appointment.                 

And now available, Kitty Magic Carpets in extra heavy-duty fabric--what we call the 'Sherman the Shredder' edition.  Want to check them out? Go to the Catnip Goodies Page There are also some new pictures of cats with their Party Animals  and Mr. Sardini Snakes on the Party Animals page.

Our old friend Cindy McGonagle of the Deva Books fame now has her own website!
You can find her at http://www.cindymcgonagle.com

A couple other links to people you should know and sites you should visit.
Sticks and Stones sells  some of my oils, lovingly hand-dug Herkimer diamonds, and
other gift's of nature. Run by John Lincoln-Lovely, his shop has some of my stuff.

Worth visiting is the Pets Page, a listing of tips and resources and books and links for the owner of animals  of every stripe, including information on fostering animals for people in the service.
If you are looking for a pet, be it a dog or cat or whatever, you will find a link on that page to http://www.petfinder.org
a place that can be  a world of help. That's how we found our Chloe.
Give an animal in need a home! 
What we really want is help making the page (pages, actually) even more useful. Got useful info? Regular mail it to us or email it to troll@hillwoman.com for possible inclusion.

Some more of the Troll's fiction is now available as downloadable versions
(for a modest price) online at Fictionwise. For more info, visit the Stephen L. Burns page.

A personal note from Sue-Ryn:
I frequently joke with customers, saying,  "Accept no substitutes," when asked if I am the Hill Womanwho has been around and selling herbs and scents for over two decades. Last summer a few people asked if I knew a few different people who claimed to be 'apprentices' or 'students' of mine.
While I know I have inspired and empowered many along their own herbal and spiritual paths, I have no apprentices, students (or acolytes, or subjugated minions, for that matter).
Anyone who claims to a student or apprentice is not being completely honest with you.

Feeling a bit isolated? Having a hard time finding things to help feed your spiritual side?
Desperately Seeking Serenity is a page listing some sources for books, music and more.
Check it out for a listing of catalogs and newsletters. Got suggestions for listings? Drop
us a line and let us know, please. Knowledge is best when it's shared.

As always, I'm grateful to the many folks who help keep Hill Woman grounded and growing;
the family and friends, the helpers both hired and volunteer.
I count such fine companions and co-conspirators as treasure.
Special thanks are due to each and every one of you who visits this site or reads my
brochure and accords me the honor and pleasure of serving you. Your encouragement,
kindness, and continuing support mean more to me than you will ever know.  And to
those who've visited, used, and  complimented this site, the Computer & Incense Troll
thanks you from the rubbly bottom of his black little heart.