Hello friends and family, Occasionally I will fall onto a topic that I just jump down the rabbit hole with and obsessively research every infinitesimal detail I can get my needy claws into. The very first and deepest passion for knowledge revolved around world myth whether I got it from folklore or religious dogma it was all scrutinized and cross analyzed. At the root of things most ideas repeat over and over and over again. What is unique and not translatable from region to region is represented in old world medicine. From witch doctors, parish priests, to medicine women, they all heavily relied on herbs and spices available to them as well as spirituality. Being agnostic I focused on more of what was actually used more so than the idea of what our souls are about. “All curatives can become poison, and some poisons can be made into cures” I learned on paper that foxgloves otherwise known as digitalis although deadly can be manipulated into heart medicine. That it was water hemlock that did in Socrates. That hydrangea can tell you the pH levels in soil by the color of their petals. All random bits here and there but all from books, none of the lore I knew could really be applied very well to the waking world. The herbal workshop this weekend at the strouss ranch helped to knit faded information back into something cohesive while adding to it. The example that stands out strongest is a weed that grows locally with periwinkle blue flowers and tough stalks. I only ever heard people say “it’s a weed” that’s an explanation that is a steady fall back for a lot of people to use. It turns out that weed is chicory, when I heard the name suddenly American literature about the civil war came back like a kick in the face. Chicory root used to be roasted and ground to be used like artificial coffee when rationing went into effect. It has other useful properties but it’s the one plant that really stuck out in my mind. Also going up the road to ukonom lookout there are bright red berries that look to me similar or the same to raspberries but they taste soooo much better. Now I know that those are thimbleberries. I haven’t absorbed all of the knowledge because it was a hefty amount of information at one time but the saturation of words and thoughts makes my mind and heart sigh in contentment. It used to be normal for women to know basic curatives to look after loved ones in their time of need. Somewhere along the way in the pursuit of wealth, our country lost a lot of its practical culture, including knowing how to make our own syrups for coughs, and stomach problems, or salves for bug bites or burns. After plant identification there was a demonstration on how to make various teas, powders, and balms. It was beautiful and surreal to be in such a well-stocked workshop. From the bundles of lavender and lemon verbena drying overhead to the burgeoning wire racks, every scent was pungent. Each item made was useful. This feeling of awe is probably just the first gnawing of a neurotic nature but I think it will be more useful than other things perused. What better way to be of use than to ease pain and improve good health? Yesterday I thought I was just going to sleep and lounge and absorb more fully the previous day, thankfully Danielle saved me from my slothful nature. We picked a gallon and a half of blackberries, made chocolate chip cookies and had a lovely bunch of girl talk. Afterwards I went for a walk in the water in upper camp creek, came home and cooked in bulk a few different things for the week and finished last minute chores as needed. I never thought this month in particular would ever have peace or happiness to it again but the universe and good company has proven me wrong. This is a wonderful time of year. I love you all dearly and in this moment particularly so to Maria Strouss, and Danielle Stepien,
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 07:21:02 +0000
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