Every piece of land holds innumerable stories. When we breathe deep and quiet our minds the language traverses into our bodies like gently moving mist. It’s delivered in a language only our bodies can speak. It is my desire for the knowing of such stories that leads me back into these misty mountains time and time again to the land that has cradled me since I was a babe.
Read MoreI long to see a renaissance of deeply meaningful traditions that encourage human connection, like the nature-rooted festivals of the Wheel of the Year. As a gardener and forager, I find the celebrations that invoke connection to self, community and nature to be much more rewarding than those centered around commerce. This Beltane I’ll foster community connection through hosting a bonfire and surprise-gifting May Day posies to friends and family. I want to capture the whimsy, magic, and community joy of May Day, so I crafted these beribboned paper cones to hold flowers. On the eve of Beltane I’ll surprise-gift these to neighbors, family, and friends by hanging them on them on doorknobs.
Read MoreEmbarking on a journey of seasonal living has been one of the most nourishing and transformational experiences of my life. Although, it required experiencing an intense burnout and breakdown in order for me to realize how important living closer to nature was for my health and happiness.
Read MoreWith lockdown restrictions lifting I find myself more than eager to venture farther from my home. For the past 10 weeks I’ve been confined to working from the couch, socially distanced walks in the park, and backyard solo hangouts. The flowering of springtime and the rush of snowmelt has forest trails and gushing streams beckoning my earthy soul. My legs crave rugged terrain to navigate, my lungs are desperate for fresh mountain air, and my heart yearns for the freedom of the wild. I’m not accustomed to being restricted as much as we have been these last few months, so with these reasserted freedoms, exploration off the beaten path is my goal for the day. This too, just like so many things these days, feels like a privilege and a blessing.
Read MoreWeeding has become an essential self-soothing routine these weeks at home lately. On the worst of days it’s a task to distract me. Other days it feels more like a sacred meditation, or an intimate dialog between me and Her. In this therapy session with nature, she reminds me that things are not always as they seem. Labels are deceiving. A “weed”, after all, is only a flower growing in a place where someone doesn’t want it.
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