Forest Therapy

Recently stumbled upon a fun article from The Japan Times. Here's an excerpt:

For stressed-out workers, this may someday be a doctor's prescription: Walk around in the woods.

Scientists in Japan have been learning a lot in recent years about  the relaxing effects of forests and trees on mental and physical health. Based on their findings, some local governments are promoting "forest therapy."

You can read the full article here:
 http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080502f1.html

Meanwhile, we in western Pennsylvania are getting our first good snowfall. It's been snowing so steadily that the birds aren't even venturing out to the feeders, and the lavender plants by our drive are nearly buried. Here's what we saw when we went out to cut a Christmas tree:

 It's cold, too, but with shoveling to do, and walking to work, I - for one -

Won't stay indoors!

Have a happy and beautiful holiday season. Thanks for everything, from everyone here at Earth Sun Moon Trading Co.