In the heart of Boonville

On Main Street, in Boonville MO, is a delightful little shop named "Celestial Body"

My friend Anne Harmon has an exotic collection of imports from India, and a lovely collection of handcrafted aromatherapy lotions, creams, infused oils, customized aromatherapy blends... and a massage room, a reflexology room, even an aromatherapy steam cabinet for the ultimate in detoxing. I envy her the blending bar - something we never managed to create when we had our shop.

We had lots of fun playing "scratch and sniff" with some of her creams, lotions, and hydrosols that I'd not tried yet; discussing sources for essential oils, and just generally doing the kind of "shoptalk" that those who love and work with the oils get to indulge in when we meet a kindred spirit.

Anni has created an oasis of natural healing in the middle of central Missouri.

After our visit, her husband Wayne was generous enough to take us out to Starr Pines, the organic Christmas tree farm where Anni raises and distills the herbs that star in her hydrosol collection. But those pictures are grist for another post.

Gateway to the West

Some of you know that I'm taking the first vacation in more years than I can count. Yesterday morning we packed the car with far too many suitcases - but probably forgot something we'll desperately need. Last night found us in Boonville, Missouri (home of Celestial Aromatherapy's Anni Harmon) We're going to visit Anni later this morning and I hope to have pictures of her shop or farm, or both.

Yesterday we crossed the Mississippi at St. Louis. First time I've seen the crossing in daylight. I had been told I had to see the Gateway Arch. Now I know why. It was stunning, breathtaking, almost magical. And too tall to fit in my camera!

Now, folks, you have to remember I'm a city girl. I think I could easily fall in love with small towns in rural Missouri! As a city girl, though, I had no idea that the restaurants would all be closed at six o'clock on a Sunday evening. I think I know why Anni loves Boonville. Main Street is charming, and old fashioned and lovely. Not a Wallyworld in sight.

Missouri law must allow Casinos! (I live in a state where gambling is illegal, and really had to resist the lore of the slot machines. Learned almost 40 years ago that I will keep putting money in them until it's all gone!)

For reasons unknown, BellSouth, which normally handles all my OUTBOUND email, is refusing to acknowledge the same logon that works beautifully from the office or my home. If I owe you email, it may be two weeks before I can send it!