texture: mullein plant and wool

http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.co.nz/
rough texture of the mullein leaf, and nice soft texture of baby wool

Can this plant be Mullein? Four years ago, the Water Engineer spotted this unusual giant plant that looks like a big flurry cabbage plant. We spotted another. He has caught some of my blogging interest and suggested I take photos of them, and we got Sam's hand to show how big it is.

I just read some articles of Mullein that it is a common weed. Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has long been used in herbal medicine, especially in remedies that aim to soothe the respiratory tract. These remedies involve the use of mullein's flowers and leaves.

I google searched for Mullein and found a lot of very interesting and educational entries.

One day, in my garden, I saw a baby mullein plant, and was so excited. I dug it up and transplanted it in a terracotta pot. I killed it through neglect.

I like this for today's meme. The texture is flurry. The leaves are quite thick.

We provide support to families of premature or sick full term babies as they make their journey through Neonatal Intensive Care, the transition home, and onwards.
We are committed to supporting these courageous families, the people who care for them, and partnering with organisations and people who want to support us.
We are dedicated to making a difficult start to life that little bit easier.

The 'Neonatal Trust' was originally established in Wellington in 1986 by two families with extremely premature babies, The Neonatal Trust became a nationwide network of five regional trusts and one over-arching national trust in 2009.

Our Mission
The mission of The Neonatal Trust is three-fold:

1. The primary focus is to support parents who have had a baby in a neonatal unit.
2. To provide assistance and support to children and the families of children, who are or who have been patients in a neonatal unit.
3. To support the education of neonatal staff and the advancement of medical research relating to the activities of the neonatal units.

Become a Volunteer

 My friend Megan inspired me when she said she was knitting a baby blanket for a Sands angel.  I used to knit a lot, but have stopped because I spend too much time on the computer. Lately, blogger had a lot of trouble, and it was too much hassle trying to load the photos. So I decided to do what Megan is doing,. I walked to the local craft shop, and it was difficult trying to tell the lady that I was going to knit for a dead baby.  As I knitted, I chatted with Megan on the Facebook.

I told Megan, I don't want to knit for a Sands angel, I will knit for a living angel, and see how I could take it to the hospital. 3 days of frantically knitting, I finished it. It would be what I told fellow blogger, Sarawakiana, my knitting teacher would have told me, CHE DIOU, in Chinese meaning, undo, undo. but I was donating it , so I didn't bother to undo. The tension isn't too good, the next one would be better.

 I found on the internet, the neonatal website and called. A very friendly voice answered. She even offered to come and pick it up. But I wanted to go and visit NICU, the last time I went was last year when I went with Dr Aftimos to deliver my book, Diary of a bereaved Mother. Andrew was in NICU for 55 days in 1989 in a different hospital.

Here is Chanelle, showing what the neonatal trust does. She says, they always welcome volunteers. I know where to go during my next long holiday. Chanelle was a NICU mum, Hers is a successful story. Her twins stayed at NICU for 3 months. They are noe 4 years old.

In order to become a volunteer, please fill out the below form.
Volunteer Registration Form (Word Document, 161kb)
Please note, you may be required to undergo a Police check to become a volunteer at the Neonatal Trust. 

Make a Donation

Direct Credit / Internet Banking / Phone Banking

Thank you for your support of The Neonatal Trust.
If you would like to set up either a one-off or regular donation to the Neonatal Trust please contact your own bank by either:

• logging in online (Internet Banking)
• calling the bank toll-free (Phone Banking)
• dropping into a branch

You will need the following information in order to set up either a one-off payment or to set up a regular donation:
Our bank account details:

Bank Account Number: 12-3142-0347708-50

Name of Bank: ASB Bank Limited

Branch: Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

Please include your NAME in the Reference panel
Please include the CODE in the Code panel according to which Trust you wish to support:

NZL – The Neonatal Trust (New Zealand)

AKL – The Neonatal Trust (Auckland)

HLZ – The Neonatal Trust (Waikato)

WLG – The Neonatal Trust (Wellington)

CHC – The Neonatal Trust (Canterbury)

DUD – The Neonatal Trust (Otago)

Cheque Donation

Thank you for your support of The Neonatal Trust.
If you wish to make a donation by cheque, there are three simple steps to complete:
1. Please make your cheque payable to:

The Neonatal Trust New Zealand.

PO Box  9366

Marion Square

Wellington 6141

New Zealand

2. Please indicate to which Trust you would like your donation directed.

• The Neonatal Trust (New Zealand)
• The Neonatal Trust (Auckland)
• The Neonatal Trust (Waikato)
• The Neonatal Trust (Wellington)
• The Neonatal Trust (Canterbury)
• The Neonatal Trust (Otago)

3. Please include your contact details (either email address or postal address) so that a receipt may be issued to you

Please note:

1. If no preference is indicated your donation will be given to The Neonatal Trust (New Zealand).
2. The Neonatal Trust (New Zealand) is the overall governing body for the five regional Neonatal Trusts in New Zealand.
3. All the Trusts are registered charities with the Charities Commission.
4. That 100% of your donation goes entirely to benefit either

• neonatal families in need and/or
• the purchase of equipment or furnishings in Neonatal Intensive Care Units that directly benefits neonatal families and/or
• the professional development of neonatal nursing staff and/or
• medical research into neonatal care.

Thank you very much again for your support of The Neonatal Trust.
You can be assured that your donation will help to make a difficult start to life that little bit easier!