Woodswalk with the Mushrooms

Little Man, Seth and I went woods walking yesterday. We’d just been on an Foraging walk with Mike Ather last weekend…and, because of that, were especially aware of the mushrooms: SO MANY MUSHROOMS. Although I’ve studied the herbs and plants for many years, mushrooms have never been my thing—or let’s better say…I’ve stayed away because I know the subject is soooooo vast. So, I rested in my space of not-knowing…and felt ok about that. Until now. I totally keep in mind that something like 93% or more of them are poisonous. Probably so many know this…but it’s all new to me…and I find it a fascinating and miraculous world. Hard not to stop, marvel, ask questions and take a pic. If anyone is aware of specific mushroom walks in our area, please let us know. With love, Serena

Wandering and Witnessing

Yesterday, I drove over the gap to visit the Valley. Was delivering and oil blend for a friend. Oh my! The Valley was a rush and bustling. I was called to visit the trees and herbs of the farm, but made it no farther than the East Warren Market. Lovely to see the new sound board at WMRW. Expensive but yummie food purchased downstairs. Sights of lovely friends with masks…popped up and down. I miss much about the Valley, but my travels were a bit unnerving. Sending blessings to my home of 26 years. Blessings to my great friends whom I miss sooooooooo much. Blessings to the mountains and rivers…and winding roads. May you all stay well.

Although I Have No Place to Garden

Gabriel Jimenez @gabrielj_photography

Although I have no place to garden, I continue to study all I can. Always, when I had the farm, winter was a time for re-grouping, planning, assessing was worked and what did not—what I missed and want to remedy, etc… The seeds arrive. I think of succession and draw. I read about compost and teas and mulches and microsystems—ground covers and companions…bugs and worms, fungi and bacteria. I get so excited when I return to this phase of gardening: it is so new, so fresh…after months of “sleepy” non-soil time.

This year, I return to Gaia’s Garden by Tony Hemenway. “What does die each year is recycled within the ecosystem, with almost no loss. Nearly all of life’s products, from tree trunks and deer bones down to insect wings and bacteria cells, are recyclable. Nature assembles and breaks down, dissolves and renews, using the same material over and over, leaving no landfills and toxic dumps in her wake. In nature, there is not such thing as waste. Everything is food for something else, connected in life and death to many other species.”

So good! So miraculous! So perfect.

So, I study to remind myself to honor this: to replenish as I reap (even in my haste to harvest). To recall the nature of nature—and nourish it. I smile from ear to ear at the thought: back in the dirt, on my knees, covered with soil. I love the soil as someone loves the sand and the beach. Take me there…

Today, My Heart Broke

Today, my heart broke, as it has many times since I left the farm. Sometimes, it’s my ache for the trees: the towering and powerfully protective, symmetrical Ash Guardian; the bountiful, soft and nurturing apples (five of them…all of different sorts: the great, so very old, maples from which we tapped the pure sap water; the prolific elders, dripping with hope and the promise of good health…always; the lilacs, mock orange and roses with blessed scent and stunning beauty. The So-Many herbs in their various gardens. I miss them all. Mostly, right now, I miss being able to “tuck them in” with prayer, gratitude and a soft hand…for the winter.

But what stole my heart today was the memory of slaughtering my last sheep: my companions for years. The ones who made their babies, the ones who protected—the ones who were so tame and so loyal. I did not know how to give a proper ceremonial goodbye. My heart aches with this pain. I could not speak. I could not express to the greatest depths of my being…how much they meant to me. They were my family. And I chose to let them go…at the hands of another.

They never left the farm while alive. For that, I smile just a wee wee tiny bit. I was the last one to touch them—in whatever form that was.

My throat closes. I feel a overwhelming pressure. My head hurts. The tears well and overflow…with such magnitude, such strength …. like the flooding waters of the river gently carving softness into the hard and jagged rocks: over time, I will heal. Over time, I will soften.

My gratitude to my babies: I miss you all so. I thank you for every moment you breathed and walked across and along the land and paths. If, in your power, you can show up to me — in one way or another, I’d love to know you are home.

The Farm...goes along

A very beautiful place. How Magic! I have big gratitude :)

This past week’s been a hard one, but we roll along. I am so grateful for the resilience of my farm family: the sheep, chickens and ducks who withstood the bitter cold—and the dogs and cats who nursed me through hypothermia and a mysteriously e-coli-like bug. I smell spring in the air!!! :) yesssssssssss And I enjoy the now. You? xoxoxo with love love and more love…