"State of Balance"
​It’s a beautiful morning. Cool with a light breeze, sun shining. Everything appears to be coming back into balance. 
 
Millie is moving better, that’s a relief.  After breakfast, she limped around the yard finding the scraps I flung over the upper deck.  William came into the pig pen a bit further this morning for breakfast but left after sniffing around.  The smell of the vets that came for Millie’s procedure on Friday must still be lingering. Mr. Drama will be Ok. I predict he’ll be in his bed tonight.  
Chicken stopped losing feathers finally after treating her for mites and now is eating better. I finally found the meal worms Fred picked up for her so she’s happily pecking at breakfast with sprinkles of crunchy, stinky worms. The garage family is coming into balance.
 
 
Looking towards the herd, I see Molly is playing “Chase me” with the little goats in the dry-lot. It makes me smile to see my lonely goat playing with friends. Alfred is resting flat out soaking up the sun this morning on the scrap hay we dumped from unloading wagons yesterday. The steer loves fresh hay bedding. Bella noticed I left the pasture gate open, so she’s grazing without the herd in the pasture.  That’s a big deal for her as she used to be anxious without her posse. None of the rest of the herd has any clue where the horse has gone so they hang tight with Alfred. 
 
 
Greg, the cat is not liking his food lately.  I think he’s getting plenty of fresh mice from the hay shed as he comes for his usual feeding time more out of habit then necessity these days. He’s just checking in. He left before I could get to his turn for breakfast this morning. I refuse to fuss over the cat, he chose to live here, I didn’t rescue him. He’s not a pet, he’s something else, a drifter perhaps or a roaming lover.  I appreciate his independence. I give his uneaten food to Millie.
 
My attention goes to the people in the house. They are sleeping in, well-deserved rest after a long year of teaching and serving other’s in their jobs. My part is to create a relaxing space for breakfast.
 
Today’s breakfast will be on the deck; omelets, sister Sue’s cinnamon rolls, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit, and strawberry pie. I drink coffee, and put together a puzzle waiting for the guests to wake up but move to the deck to journal and listen to the birds singing and flitting for sunflower seeds I’ve spread out on the railing.
 
This moment here on the deck, witnessing my animals in a state of contended ease helps me relax.  I wish I could just be in a chronic state of relaxation. I’m not there yet, but I’m feeling my way towards it.
 
At Crow Moon Healing Bed and Breakfast, we do our best to support people in having a relaxing stay and come back to their own state of balance. 

​“Puzzling Times”
 
I just assumed puzzles were for winter, when the days are short and cold.  I began to notice that the guests that came in the winter months enjoyed working on my puzzles and to be honest I liked the support with them. I had upped the ante on my puzzles, getting larger ones, sometimes a 1,000-pieces and some didn’t have defined borders.  I’d start to feel stuck, then guests would come and magically parts of the puzzle would be put together. This happened so often that I got a puzzle board with drawers and ordered more puzzles from Amazon. I like bright colored, whimsical ones with animals and I like larger pieces, easier to see if they accidently fall on the colorful area rug. It doesn’t always work. Most of my puzzles end up with a piece or two missing which I can only assume got sucked up into the vacuum cleaner.
 
This Spring I continued with puzzles and I noticed that guests really do like to sit with them. Puzzles can be a solitary activity or they can be a group activity. I noticed that people can make conversation while working on a puzzle or be comfortable being together in silence working on a puzzle. Puzzles are calming and stimulating. With people so often buried in their phones, disengaged it’s so special to see people do something as simple and complicated as a puzzle being quietly present.
 
Last week, I started a puzzle, 750-pieces that had no defined border.  It was of a farm scene with a piggy playing hide and go seek with a puppy, cat, horse, cow, and baby chicks.  Adorable and bright art work in larger pieces made it easy to distinguish what pieces belonged where but the shapes made it challenging to fit the pieces together.  A guest came for an extended stay, visiting a sister with Cancer and getting together for another sibling’s birthday.  She was in need of some quiet time and the puzzle was the answer.  She made great progress with it during her stay and she felt bad as she put it “for taking it over.”
“No, no, that’s what the puzzles are for,” I assured her.  She thanked me for allowing her to work on the puzzle.  
The next day, a different guest, a boy of eight, worked on the puzzle.  He didn’t have much time to spare for the puzzle, although he wished he had. He put the kitty together, the animal I had been struggling with earlier that morning. He proudly showed me what he had gotten done while his mother and brother were packing the car. 
“Great job!” I exclaimed.
“This is the best bed and breakfast I’ve ever been to!” He announced. “Because it’s my first one! But I’ll always compare the rest to this one.”
 
Connection through puzzles.  Isn’t that interesting.  At Crow Moon Healing, we believe that connection can be as simple and beautiful as working on a puzzle.
 

Whether you'll looking to get away for a change of scenery or wanting  a retreat, consider Crow Moon Healing Bed and Breakfast. Here are some recent reviews from guests staying at Crow Moon Healing.  You may want to come and stay yourself!

"Karen is situated right near Baraboo, close to skiing and so many of the other interesting things the area has to offer. And she fits right in. She’s every bit as interesting as the surrounding area, and her breakfasts are out of this world. Her place is situated in some beautiful country and it’s filled a very peaceful and charming atmosphere. She made a sweet potato egg bake the last morning we were there, and my mouth now waters at thought of it.
Thanks so much for the stay, Karen! Jill and I had such a great time. We had planned to go out last night but ended up staying in because your place was so relaxing."
Matthew, Chicago Illnois 
March 2022
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And we get repeat customers!
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"Another amazing stay at Crow Moon Healing. Karen is the best host we have encountered  and you cannot feel more welcome in her home. The accommodations are so comfortable, the food is delicious (portions are generous), and the scenery is beyond comparison. Sunset is an absolutely magical experience in this valley, and her menagerie of farm animal friends make this a one of a kind setting. We skipped the soaking tub this time for lack of time, but that is a wonderful experience, as well. We will certainly be back over and over to seek refuge from our lives. You will leave transformed and well-rested, no matter what your reason for coming."

Scott 
March 2022


 

Newsletter January 2022
"In the Moment"
 
I felt I was a child again as a crouched down to reach under the stairs in the barn.  I was offering a small can of cat food to the young, feral cat crying out.  As my gloved hand got closer the kitty gave a slight hiss but changed to a soft mew of gratitude to the nourishment I was offering.  Scaredy Cat, as I’ve named it, is either just slightly feral or really, really, desperately hungry to allow my hands to get so close without bolting.  I believe the kitty is less afraid of me though then of Greg, the resident cat. 
 
In moments like this, I don’t worry about catching the cat or the expense of vet care or Greg’s response to having an invader.  I’m just a girl, making a new friend, a friend who is in need of a friend. I’m kneeling with hope in my heart while fear is turning slowly to trust with the cat. The background noises of Bella’s soft nostril blows, Alfred’s hay munching and Mae Mae’s quiet bleating supports this moment. In this beautiful space, I’m transported to my childhood where I believed I had the ability to become friends with all the animals on our farm.
 
“Mew” was the response from Scardey Cat and she began devouring the food before I even move away.  It’s sweet and magical moment that perhaps will lead to other magical moments.
 
As I stand up, I’m once again an adult, strategizing capturing the kitty, and worrying about the cost of veterinary care and how Greg will be affected by the presence of another cat. I’ll need to trust, like Scaredy Cat, that Crow Moon Healing is the place where she belongs.
 
 
 
 
 

​December Newsletter 2021
 
“Quiet Time”
 
Whether it’s sitting with the pair of amethyst cathedrals in the early morning hours before daylight with a cup of tea, or working on a fanciful puzzle for small intervals of time, quiet time is like a mini-oasis for me. Although my mind is easily scattered, latching on to obligations, and concerns, these moments of soft focused attention, with no seemly purpose or deadline brings me back to myself.
 
I am surprised when a whole cup of tea is drunk in serenity or that in a matter of days a puzzle is brought to wholeness with intermittent moments of attention. This wasn’t always possible for me in years past as my mind pushed a to-do list. “Being” productive had value but not just “Being” quiet.
 
I’m beginning to crave quiet time.  It’s more of a necessity then a want.  Everything that needs to get done, gets done, but in the moments of quiet activity or inactivity, is where I discover contentment, gratitude, and kindness towards myself and others.  
 
“Being Quiet” is a prayer, a remembering of who I am. At Crow Moon Healing, we support guests in experiencing their own version of “Quiet Time.”

​November Newsletter 2021
 
“Can I have the recipe for this?”
 
I cringe when someone asks me that question.  Not because I’m resistant to giving out my secrets but it’s because I don’t have an exact recipe to share.  Being a creative person, who is also one of those “Use it up” kinda girls (Thanks Mom!) I never really make the same thing twice.  The basic recipe might be the same but if I’ve got cream cheese, the muffins might end up with cream cheese filling. Or if I think it needs a lift, I’ll put a streusel on top.  If I want a second flavor I’ll replace the vanilla with a lemon or orange zest. I might add more cinnamon or other spices to compliment what is being created. All the different muffins you see on my Facebook page come from one basic recipe, mostly. Whether it’s raspberry streusel, cranberry nut, apple cinnamon, blueberry lemon, or banana chocolate chip, chances are its humble beginnings started from my base recipe.
 
I also get creative with recipes when dietary preferences of guests come into play.  My basic muffin recipe is dairy free and doesn’t have cane sugar for sweetening, but it can be tweaked so it’s also gluten-free and vegan. And I can lower the sugar by swapping out Monk Fruit syrup for the maple syrup.
 
People who don’t enjoy baking think it’s got to be hard to manipulate recipes, but for a someone like me who sees recipes as inspirations rather than a set of rules and guidelines, it’s creative and fun! 
 
I’ll share with you my base recipe I use for muffins.  
 
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
 
Makes about 9 to 12 medium muffins (I use larger muffin tins, so it makes about 5 or 6)
 Preheat Oven to 350
 
In a bowl combine:
1 C. mashed banana (I do this whether it’s a banana muffin or any other muffin)
2 eggs (vegan option- 2T. ground flaxmeal with 6T. water (or juice), stir and set for 5 minutes before adding to banana.
¼ C. maple syrup 
2t. Vanilla 
 
Another bowl combine:
1C. Almond flour
1C oatmeal flour (gluten-free oatmeal if needed)
1t. baking powder
½ t. cinnamon
¼ t. salt
1/3 C. mini-chocolate chips (Dairy free chocolate chips for vegans)
After stirring the flour mixture combine it with the banana mixture, just til moist and put in greased muffins tins.
Sprinkle with a few chocolate chips
 
Bake for 20 minutes (I do 25 minutes because I use the larger muffin tins)
 
At Crow Moon Healing, were all about inspiration and creating!
 

“Meet Millie”
 
Every animal that comes to Crow Moon Healing has a story and Millie’s no different.  I wasn’t actively looking for a pig, William’s enough piggy for our small crew, but when I heard Millie’s story, I said, “Yes to the pig.”
 
Kim wasn’t actively looking for a pig either, but when she found a box on her doorstep with a tiny pink pig with the umbilical cord still attached, she was compelled to do her best to help it survive.  Millie was tiny, possibly a runt, and she needed help.  Kim used her knowledge from her vet-tech years to support the little girl.  She also reached out to the Lodi vet clinic for support.  AND FYI, I love the vets there! Millie did great with Kim’s loving care, but Kim lived in town.  She couldn’t keep a pig. She needed to find Millie a permanent home.
 
It got around to the neighbors that Kim had an adorable pink piggy and Millie became a little celebrity, with many visitors stopping by to hold and pet her, many whom never were that up-close to one before. Millie even visited the local nursing home! But Millie, although very friendly, well-behaved and potty-trained, was getting bigger.
 
The vet’s guess was that Millie was a Yorkshire, a commercial-sized pig breed and this little bundle was going to get three-feet tall and 400 to 500 or more pounds in the next 10 months or so. Unfortunately, Millie’s days of being carried like a baby in Kim’s arms and riding in the car was going to come to an end soon.
 
Kim knew she had to rehome her little piggy but when she toured and talked with local pig farmers, she wasn’t happy with Millie’s future quality of life. This is how I got involved.  A friend of hers, talked to a neighbor of mine and I got word that there was a pig in need of rehoming.  Without knowing Millie’s story, I gave out my number to be shared, thinking I could perhaps be of support but not wanting to add to my crew.
 
When Kim called, she was desperate and when she shared her story of Millie, I was moved.  All the love, time and energy she put into this tiny piggy so she would survive was to a sad end as there was no place for her where she could continue being loved and cared for.  My heart went out to Kim and Millie but I asked her to try a local farm sanctuary first. 
 
Within days of talking with Kim and offering Crow Moon Healing as a back-up, Kim had an unfortunate experience of having the police being called to her house. Although the officer had sympathy for the situation Kim was now in need of rehoming immediately and the farm sanctuary wasn't taking any animals.
 
Crow Moon Healing Bed and Breakfast is a place for people to come and get away from the hustle and bustle of life, to find respite and quiet. Part of the experience for many of the guests is the interactions they have with the farm animals that live here.  The money that is brought in from the bed and breakfast supports the animals that live here. Millie, is now another member of the crew!  She’s currently adorable! AND, is in need of a big pen! Thank-you to present and future guests for supporting Millie! At Crow Moon Healing we support Millie and her mom, Kim.

August Newsletter 2021
 
“International Traveler”
 
I’m a homebody, not much into traveling, but since we opened the Bed and Breakfast, I’m getting an opportunity to experience other countries through the guests that come to stay.  Just this summer alone, I’ve heard stories from immigrants of Poland, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Honduras, Columbia, and Mexico. I’ve also heard stories from American’s that have traveled all over the world for their jobs. Africa, Central and South America, to Europe and to the Middle East.
 
I’m learning so much from the guests that come, about their culture, their own personal stories and how they came to America and their perspectives, that I’ve got a new appreciation for where I live, on this little plot of farm land, in Wisconsin and in this country full of opportunities.  It’s fascinating!  I’ve traveled the globe this summer without leaving home, the best way for a homebody to travel.  
 
At Crow Moon Healing Bed and Breakfast, we welcome travelers to come and rest awhile and feel free to share their stories of home and travel.


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 Upcoming Events at Crow Moon Healing !!!
 Shamanic Practitioner and Teacher, Debra Morrill 

2) TWO-DAY BASIC SHAMANISM WORKSHOP – SEPTEMBER 18-19

Connecting with Divine Spirit through Shamanism
A two-day basic shamanism workshop
Saturday, September 18, 2021  •  9 am - 9 pm
Sunday, September 19, 2021  •  9 am - 4 pm
Crow Moon Healing  •  6472 Breunig Road, rural Mazomanie, WI

From the beginning of time, indigenous cultures on every continent shared a shamanic spiritual view. Our forebears lived close to the earth, deeply in tune with her cycles and seasons, the elements and nature. In this connection, they found their spirituality. They believed that every living being had a spirit - not just people, but also animals, trees, stones and plants. They commonly traveled into the spirit realm to communicate and interact with power animals, spirit guides and nature spirits. Through exploring the basics of shamanism, we can rekindle our connection to the divine and develop our ability to communicate directly with Spirit to receive guidance on our spiritual path. This is a foundational class for future shamanic workshops.

In this two-day experiential workshop, we will: 

• gain comfort with accessing wisdom through the shamanic journey and explore the shamanic realms by journeying to the Lower and Upper Worlds
• meet a power animal and a spirit teacher to serve as guides in the spirit world
• practice a method of divination with natural objects and connect with nature spirits
• participate in a fire ceremony to release and transform energy
• experiment with the shamanic sounds of drumming and rattling

Fee: $375 with early registration by September 1 -OR- $425 after September 1. Meals included in the workshop fee: snacks, lunch on Saturday, breakfast on Sunday and lunch on Sunday. Dinner on Saturday evening is potluck style before the evening fire ceremony. Saturday night lodging is available on-site at no extra charge, or bring a tent and camp if you prefer. If you are from out of town and wish to arrive Friday evening, lodging is also available. This is NOT included in the workshop fee, so you would need to make arrangements directly with Karen McIntosh of Crow Moon Healing for Friday night.

To register or for more information, please contact Debra Morrill at 608-279-4319 or debramorrill6@icloud.com.

+ + + + + + + + + +

3) FALL DATES - “ENERGY ESSENTIALS FOR EMPATHS” (IN-PERSON)

Three one-day modules - sign up for Module 1 or all three! 

Energy Essentials for Empaths (in-person)
Module 1 - Saturday, September 25, 2021
Module 2 - Saturday, October 23, 2021
Module 3 - Saturday, November 20, 2021

All modules are from 9 am - 5 pm
Crow Moon Healing  •  6472 Breunig Road, rural Mazomanie, WI

These are trying times for everyone, especially for empaths. And these days, many more people are sensitive to energy. Crisis has a way of bringing our animal instincts to the surface. The ability to sense energy is a survival mechanism designed to keep us safe and ensure the continuation of the species. But we’re not meant to live in that place of heightened awareness all the time. It’s exhausting and draining to feel everyone’s pain and carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. 

Fortunately, we can learn to develop healthy energetic boundaries that enable us to be more comfortable in our body and energy field. Tools from psychic development, shamanism and meditation can help us develop healthy habits and permanent skills. This class is experiential along with group discussion and sharing. It is helpful to learn from each other and receive support. Appropriate for all experience levels - no prior experience necessary, although the ability to receive insight and intuitive information during guided meditations is helpful.

Participation in Module 1 is a pre-requisite for Modules 2 and 3. 

Module 1 - The Basics - Saturday, September 25, 2021
• connecting to Mother Earth and receiving her support in grounding
• the Recipe, a tool to start the day aligned, centered and protected
• working with a body protector power animal for maintenance of the energetic field 
• tools for healthy energetic boundaries 

Module 2 - Self Care for Empaths - Saturday, October 23, 2021
• neutral compassion and holding space
• tools for supporting others without taking on their energy
• identifying and releasing limiting agreements that allow us to take on the energy of others
• tools for cleansing after picking up heavy energy

Module 3 - Being Sovereign in the Body - Saturday, November 20, 2021
• maintaining seniority when under stress
• exploring our power 
• journey to nalparuna for body armor
• reciprocity and shadow work - taking responsibility for how our energy affects others

This is an in-person class at Crow Moon Healing, a spiritual B&B located just off Highway 12 halfway between Middleton and Sauk City, WI. 

Fee: $175 includes instruction and extensive handouts. Please bring a sack lunch. Our workshop site has full kitchen facilities. A $50 deposit is due in advance with registration. The balance is due the day of class. Payment may be made via PayPal or Zelle or by mailing a check. 

To register, please contact Debra Morrill at 608-279-4319 or debramorrill6@icloud.com.