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Taking Stock
(by Alexandra Heath - October 12, 2009)
Well, you know that the season has changed, when the cats, instead of hunting in the morning for that late-dining mouse, are instead curled up in a basket by the fireplace. And so it is that we embrace these lovely crisp fall mornings and sunny, cool days. After the triple-digits of just a few weeks ago, it seems such a relief, just to be outside for most of the day doing garden chores and enjoying the changing colors.
As I pull up the spent melon and cucumber vines and start preparing the garden beds for the fall crops of broccoli, spinach, garlic, onions, and Brussels sprouts, I’m in a contemplative frame of mind. These are the days I’m inclined to take stock—of where I’ve been, what I’ve accomplished during the past year and what I want to do differently in the coming year. Maybe even what I’d like to try—just for fun—during 2010. (Right now I’m thinking about belly-dancing classes!)
First, I’d be in much better shape in the garden, if I had kept a garden log or journal of my tasks and experiments. It would be a matter of flipping a few pages to discover how much of what was planted, and when, and the result of the harvest from that crop. Instead, I’m left with imperfect memory and vague recollections of just what I did. Next year, I say, I’ll keep a garden journal. It isn’t difficult or even time-consuming; it just has to be done!
Some things were disappointments, like the variety of oats that just kept growing but never seemed to set grain heads. I finally pulled all of it out of the bed and ran it through the shredder. Better compost than tying up a garden bed that could be put to productive use. I did have some spectacular successes, as well. Sweet, juicy watermelons that were RIPE when I harvested (and ate!) them. Lovely, round, fragrant melons. Right now there are three fat round winter squash sitting on the kitchen counter. Rose hips are drying in a basket on the table by the window and rows of bright red jars of tomato sauce crowd the shelves. What riches!
This past year was full of learning for me—the garden is a wonderful and gentle teacher. I watched my burdock plant sprout from seed, grow ever taller in the summer heat, set flower (and burrs), and then die back to the ground. It was a lesson in life-cycle; one lesson that is critical for herbalists to learn well since plants must be harvested at just the right time to create the tinctures, creams, teas, syrups and decoctions that help us humans deal with sickness and physical ailments.
I noticed that the burdock flowers were similar to those of the milk thistle, which grows wild on the land. Well, of course, they are both in the same botanical family, the Asteracea, along with sunflowers and dandelions. These are lessons learned in the “long run”, from observation and association over time. All the information about burdock is in a book, but nature gives a much deeper and more lasting teaching, one based on appreciation and first-hand knowledge.
During this next year, I want to expand on that knowledge, increase my repertoire of herbs that I know intimately. I’m also learning about focus, narrowing my field of vision about possibilities so that I can master a subject rather than remain a dilettante, someone who samples a little of this and a little of that, but never really KNOWS much about anything. So, this coming year I’m focusing on herbs for women, perhaps a half-dozen that nourish and tonify those female places in ourselves that we tend to neglect or push aside in order to care for our families, our jobs, our homes.
Who knows, I may develop a whole line of naturally grown, holistic herb preparations for women during 2010! I’ll keep you posted on my progress. In fact, you might want to take the time to reflect on how YOUR year has been and how 2010 could be greater, happier, more productive that you can even imagine from this vantage point as we wind down to the year’s end!
New Moon Herbs
“Bringing plants and people together”
Oroville, CA 95965
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