Witchy Woman

As I tend to my herbs - pruning them, drying the flowers and leaves, using them in recipes and salads - memories of the fictional character Peg Bowen of Avonlea linger in my mind.

Peg was an herbalist but the townspeople thought she was a witch.

Didn't the pioneers, the native people, and the ancients know the healing and medicinal properties of plants and roots?

Sure they did.

I know a little bit, just a very little bit.

I remember Peg and Archie Gillis butting heads over and over. He called her a witch. She played to his prejudice for fun, "A curse on you, Archie Gillis!" He'd blanch, tuck tail, and hurry away from her and her curse.

How something preciously harmless can be misconstrued as menacing is a sad telling of the ignorance we all possess in one form or another.

If it's witchy to adore the calming scent of lavender, or the pungent taste of basil, to be soothed by camomile tea, or induced to eat hearty from rosemary's aroma in a stew then call me a witch.

I won't curse you.

I promise.

It's encouraging to witness the return of herbalism, not that it ever really went away. It's gaining favor with a wider slice of the population, with those of us who are leery - read scared to death - of all the fine print/side effects of modern medicine.

Perhaps if we can overcome our preconceived notions about God's natural remedies as we re-evaluate our dependance on the drug industry we may not only become healthier, wealthier, and wiser, but we might live more balanced lives for treating nature with nature as much as we are able.

Day One

The work on the addition is officially completed. Of course there's still work to be done around the house. That's normal.

So I guess we are normal again.

Feels......odd.

:D

Clear Waters

On our winding way up the mountain to the old Bohemia Mining site we stopped to cool our toes in this stream. Clear cool water. How is it that fresh running water washes over my toes and my soul at the same time?

I am calm. I am relaxed. My words are balanced now, some offered 'out there', most remaining inside, germinating, growing like vegetables and flowers in spring gardens. Not quite ready for harvest.

My heart wears a peaceful face these days. Carefree. Optimistic. Satisfied.

Is it summer's kindness? Is it recent events? Is it the sun absorbing into my skin?

I'll take it, whatever the cause.

God speaks to me through the seasons and he's speaking peace today.

Jesse's Art

My little nephew is very creative. He's five. He enjoys putting objects together with much thought then studying how they look. He asked me to take a photo of this creation of his and of course I did. Jesse is a little master. He lives in the moment, embraces thoughtful living, and communicates his imagination well. I doubt he knows how much he teaches me every time I am with him. Such creativity, such intelligence, such engagement with life all around. I kid you not, his eyes shine with the joy of discovery. It's amazing. In the spirit of celebrating the individual and beauty as art in the every day let me just say...I love this kid.

CSA Box

Each Tuesday we pick up our CSA box in a friendly woman's garage five blocks from our home. CSA stands for Consumers Supporting Agriculture.

The local farm which picks, packs, and delivers our weekly box of goodies to the cool corner of this kind volunteer's garage has this mission statement on their website:

"We are a diversified organic family farm working to nurture the earth, educate our communities, and provide healthy food and healing herbs. We invite you to join us."

They've been true to their mission. We've been produce-educated and delightfully provided for since the first of June.

Here's how our Tuesday pick-up looks:

Cassie checks our name off the list.

These boxes are identically filled with produce for all who have signed up for the CSA program for the summer.

Cassie and I open the lid and peek in, breathing deeply, and sighing at the sight and scent of lovely food packed so carefully for us. (You can't see everything from this photo but today we received parsley, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, salad greens, zucchinis, blueberries, strawberries, and green onions. Each week is a different variety.)

Cassie transfers the produce from the farm's tub to our bags for transport home.
"Don't mind if I do!" Picked fresh this morning, these will not last long around here! Dessert of the healthiest sort.

Here's a peek into one of our bags.

No, Sammy didn't wait in a hot car. He and Caroline strolled the shady side of the street while Cassie and I picked up the goods. Each week his beagle nose sniffs at the bags like crazy.

A wonderful experience this has been for my entire family and me! Every Tuesday is like a little Christmas.

I hope you can find a CSA program near you, if you haven't already.

It's fantastic - on so many levels!

Gifts of Summer

I remember my grandpa saying grace: "And thank You for these gifts which we are about to receive."

Besides fresh produce from our tiny garden here at home, we receive a variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits each Tuesday from a local organic farm. Bounty! Pac Choi is one of our favorites...

...because of the soup we stir up.

Easy to make and beautiful to look at, this soup satisfies the senses and the belly.

Add to soup a garden fresh salad - and I mean garden fresh for most of it we harvest just a few moments before dinner time - and the table is set with gifts about to be received by hard-working men and women deserving of only the best. My family.

How I enjoy sharing the gifts of summer!

Another Gem from Mike

"Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past."
       ~ Tyron Edwards

This quote from Mike has special meaning for me these days. When one has many fingers in many pies well, there's bound to be wrong actions now and then. Learning lessons today from missteps along the way - whether mine or another's - is the best prevention for slip-ups tomorrow. 

No one wants life to be disagreeable, miserable, just plain heavy. No. Bright moments are necessary especially when the burdensome ones are really really hard. Getting it right now and then encourages my soul and soothes my weary emotions creating relief. And I hope it expresses to those I've wronged in the past that I've felt remorse enough...to change.

Thanks, Mike, for another timely quote! It helps.