Desert Messenger

22 www.DesertMessenger.com November 2, 2016 Traveling with Gypsy Jane There is no place like Quartzsite, Arizona which I affectionately refer to as "The Swap Meet Capital of the World." It's unique like Key West, Florida is unique. There's just no place like 'em. And just like Quartzsite is like no other place in the world, neither is the conversation here. On the dance fl oor at Silly Al's or The Yacht Club, the conversation between dances goes something like this: • So, where are you from? • So, is this your fi rst time here? • So, how many years have you been coming to Quartzsite? • So, where are you staying? • So, where's that? • So, how big is your RV? AND IN BETWEEN THE NEXT DANCE: • So, have you been to Silly Al's to hear the One-Eyed Romeo Band? • So, have you heard Donnie's Hot Country Band at The Yacht Club? • So, have you had the huevos ran- cheros at The Breakfast Corner? • So, have you been to the pancake supper at the QIA on Wednesdays at 5:00? • So, have you been to the Desert Singles on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the QIA? • So, have you had the home-made pie at Sweet Darlene's or their huge cinnamon rolls (without pecans or with pecans for a bit more)? • So, have you visited Celia's Garden, my favorite place in Quartzsite? • So, have you met Paul Winer at his "world-famous" book store? • So, have you met Billie, Penny, and Rosa, the helpful librarians at the funky Quartzsite Library? • So, have you checked out the AMAZING Desert Messenger small- town newspaper published by dy- namo citizen-activist Rain? • So, what DO you do while you're here in Quartzsite? AND THAT'S ABOUT IT IN QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA! P.S. I always excuse myself during the music break to dry my sweat- wet hair on the hand dryer in the women's restroom. It takes about three dries. I swear, I sweat more than any man I've ever seen. When I was younger, I was quite embar- rassed by my sweating, but now I just laugh it off and say, "Sure I'll dance with you if you don't mind a little sweat!" Everybody has things in their life which they wish were different. Mine is sweating. But hey! It's better than cancer! ~*~*~*~*~ "She has lost the art of CONVERSATION, but not, unfortunately, the power of speech." ~George Bernard Shaw ~*~*~*~*~* Jane's book is WANDERINGS: Living the Ordinary Extraordinarily (Stories from the Road). For an update on Jane's travels and writing, visit her website (janefi nley.com) and/or read "Traveling with Gypsy Jane" and "Poems from the Road" in The Desert Messenger (desertmessenger.com) beginning March 5, 2014 (contact: janefi nley@yahoo.com). by Jane Finley writer * artist * teacher (stretching, exercise, relaxation, meditation) Quartzsite Conversation Read Desert MESSENGER E-edition online @ www.MyQuartzsite.com READER'S OASIS BOOKS 690 E. Main - Quartzsite (one block east of Family Dollar) 928-927-6551 The Dandelion By Herb Mama We all know about the weed we once tried to get rid of on our lawns....many of us now think of it differently & know how benefi - cial it can be to our health! That is IF we aren't too late & poured too many pesticides & poisons on them in recent years. All parts of the dandelion are great for us. I have chosen the leaves/stems part to talk about. Dandelion greens are extremely high in Vitamins A, B, C, D, & K and high in the minerals calcium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, iron, manganese & potassium! They can act as a blood purifying agent and can be mild laxative for constipa- tion symptoms. Dandelion con- tains the antioxidant luteolin (a citrus bio-fl avonoid). They can stimulates urinary function to help fl ush out toxins (diuretic). Dan- delion promotes optimal digestive function, and supports normal bile production. Dandelion nourishes and boosts overall liver (hepatic) perfor- mance and can serve to protect the liver from damage. It helps with a sluggish digestive system so that the body can remove toxins & other waste quicker; as a result the liver doesn't have to work as hard. Dandelion can help main- tain normal blood sugar levels, and according to folk medicine, is a blood purifi er. Fact: the greens of the dandelion plant provide 535% of the recom- mended daily value of Vitamin K, which may be the most important source of any other plant-based food to strengthen bones, but may also play a role in fi ghting Alzheim- er's disease by limiting neuron damage to the brain. Dandelion greens also give the body 112% of the minimum requirements of Vitamin A, the antioxidant carot- enoid which is particularly good for the skin, mucous membranes & vision. There is also evidence dandelion greens might prove helpful in treat- ing AIDS & herpes. The roots show an ever-increasing possibility in the fi ght against cancer. However, dandelion can interfere with some prescriptions & that is called con- traindications...SO if you are taking lithium, quinolones or have aller- gies to the leaf or have endocrine impairment, do not take the leaves or any part of the plant until it has been discussed with your doctor. For more information, contact Dr. Michael Cole, D.C. or (602-791- 0584) Herbmama (580-490-1770). Visit our FB page Herbs 4 Health!! The information presented is provided for informational purposes only, it is not meant to substitute for medical advice or diagnosis provided by your physician or other medical professional.

• Cover