We need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity.
~Sue Monk Kidd
With arms full of crates, I made my way to the open car trunk in the rising heat of what promised to be another sultry day. Once relieved of my load, I paused momentarily to fact-check myself. What had begun as a joy-filled morning of flower and herb harvesting had shifted into a drive to complete a mission. Tension stretched across my upper back, always my tell-tale sign that I am overreaching. I ask myself, what old story is playing out that is pushing me to reach beyond what is comfortable? My beloved yoga teacher Josephine repeats a favorite line in her classes, reminding us to stay within a range of comfort, ease, and joy. I think the comfort train departed without me on board.
Last April, my friend Mark, owner of Archway Farms, reached out with a fortuitous opportunity to sell our produce in his beautiful new expanded store. Mark has spent years cultivating a loyal local customer base with his pasture-raised, Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) certified offerings. As a vegan, I wasn't his ideal customer, but I could support his new vision of a local food hub.
In spring, everything feels possible. But in the midst of July, farmers and gardeners are stretched to capacity. Should I reconsider? If I look at facts, it is certainly a now or next year situation because this summer's abundance won’t be here to sell in fall. Mark is also less than a mile away, literally around the corner. While not financially motivated, at least at this stage, I am emotionally intrigued. There is nothing that brings this Cancer rising Aquarian more joy than to share my love of plants, food, and cooking good food with others. But another important fact is that it hasn’t historically played out well for me in business. My children would be the first to mention my brilliant Austin neighborhood-delivery baking company. A challenging endeavor, but one that provided me with powerful lessons that shaped future projects. Here was an opportunity to work with my passion in a different way. But I was already faltering.
In unwinding the answers to my questions, I discovered the problem wasn’t meeting my commitments but my desire to stretch myself beyond what is humanely reasonable or beyond what brings comfort, ease, and joy. My exuberance needed its own watchdog, and here’s a perfect example. Herb and Floral Finishing Salts. A fabulous idea, but did I really need a dozen different varieties? A walk through the bountiful garden beds had me longing to include it all, but that would mean 12 different labels and trays for drying each batch, and suddenly, I am overwhelmed, and all progress is stalled.
Hold on a minute, could there be something beyond my inner go big or go broke wiring at play? That’s when I recall we were all in the energy field of the Sun’s transit through Gate 62. I even wrote about it last week, the Preponderance of Small or Small Exceeding. I smiled, reflecting on the question of Hilary Barrett’s I had only typed out just days before, What small things can you do to meet a need? Small in this case sounds more like one finishing salt.
One variety could be limiting or freeing, depending on my perspective. I'll choose freeing. Then I had a memory of a delicious soup my mother-in-law would serve. When I asked for the recipe, she would say it was Weg durch den Garten Suppe, the path through the garden soup. That’s the finishing salt I would make! A mix of all my garden favorites. The best of summer with citrusy lemon basil, peppery nasturtiums, bright floral cilantro, spicy chives, earthy Greek oregano, honeyed borage blossoms, all chopped fine into my favorite French grey salt. And suddenly comfort, ease, and joy flow.
Having the resilience to pause and catch yourself in a habitual response is game-changing. I am not always so resourced, but this time, it allowed me to follow my inner experimenter and not get carried away. I'll let you know if it's sustainable as I build a following with the gifts from our garden. I’d love to hear your stories of what you were able to reduce in size and scope last week.
Until next week,
It's Here!
The Art and Science of Gemmotherapy: The Complete Guide
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Want to read this email on the web? Click here. I love Wednesday mornings in the Gemmo Forest. On this day, throughout the growing season, the guilds and gardens receive some very special love from our number one local fan, board member Alli Holte, and our multi-talented summer intern, Amiya Fornes-Sicama. These two women bring their positive energy and belief in something bigger than themselves each week through rain, bugs, humidity, and oppressive heat. A few times a month, we also enjoy...
Want to read this email on the web? Click here. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. Albert Einstein Dear Reader, The row of Bodegold Chamomile intercropped with onions was long overdue for a first cutting. It's nearly unimaginable that something so dainty and small could carry such potent medicinal gifts. The sweet lemony scent penetrated the air as I filled my basket. I wondered how this simple yet profoundly soothing sensory experience could be...
Want to read this email on the web? Click here. Dear Reader, In March 1986, the opening of a McDonald’s near Rome’s Spanish Steps sparked a protest. The protest grew and over time developed to what we know today as the Slow Food Movement, a grassroots network of activists in more than 160 countries. Although it did not curb the rise of fast food establishments, it built awareness around culturally significant foods and their preparation. Today, the program extends to support for growing those...
