I was reading on facebook the other day. My friend KiKi posted a comment..... " It was time to dream new dreams to get to watch them come true.".......
It struck me how wonderful the world has been to me these last few years, and how many amazing people and adventures I have been on as of late. I have learned alot the past few (5) years about plants, deepened into relationship with them and my Herbal community. Sitting in a little conservative town in the center of Washington State, I sometimes wonder what the heck I am going to do with all this passion, knowledge, and insight. I am called to it, just as I was called to be a Mother, to be a Chef. I love it, and there is no separating myself from being an "herbalist" in my daily life any longer. It informs how I view my world daily in my musings, my interactions, and my personal beliefs, and my politics. So this is a big thank you to those teachers and friends, who have been a part of this journey, and a wish list included for the future, to get to watch new dreams come true.
To my ancestors, who reminded me through learning from the plants that we always have teachers. To my Huna Kumu Kanalani, for setting me on the path of apprenticeship. To my mom, she is a naturalist at heart, she is a keeper of sacred ground and lover of trees. To my Nana, She loved roses, who in her parting from this world gave me a gift that was used to start my herbal journey. To my sisters, Kally and Lyn, both keepers of sacred lands, Thank you for allowing me to walk your sacred spaces. To my dad, a farmer, and lover of the dessert. Thank you to my children, for drinking my tea.........
Thank you to my first formal herb teacher, Suzanne Jordan, of Cedar Mountain Herb School. The way you teach about plants, where they live, is priceless. To that amazing spring/summer apprenticeship Group! Ellen, Kate, Carrie, Whitney, Cassandra, Myrha,........ all of you, you are still held close in my heart, and I love it when we get to chat even if it is only on line! What an amazing group of women! You inspire me.
To all the teachers at The School of Traditional Western Herbalism. Matthew Wood especially. He is a Master, and I am honored to sit at his feet and learn, anytime that can happen. I am a "Woodist" plain and simple. (I see a T-shirt design coming on.....)
Scott Kloos, I am so thankful for your sharing of Plant Spirit Medicine. Thank you for being true to yourself, and showing me how that is possible. Paul Bergner, I have learned so much from you, and I hope to be able to live up to your standards. Margi Flint, I think I reference your book more than any. You are a wonderful teacher, and I am deeply grateful for the time I have got to spend learning from you. Chris and Hanna, thank you for taking all the time and care to make this school possible........ I can't wait to see the new teaching space..... :)
To my dear friends Dina, TJ, Alyssa, Coko, Chris, Matthew, Lynn, Mikey (Carrie and Kate) and the rest of my classmates through this school. What an honor it is to talk plants with you.
Herbal conferences in AZ. Martha Burgess, Mimi kamp, Charles Kane, Eric Yarnell...... to name a few.
Grandmothers council, What an example of how to truly be in community. Learning plant medicine from Flor De Mayo, Grandmother Julieta, and Grandmother Rita. Red Spider Woman, in asking you about Tobacco: holding my hand, you looking into me, saying, "so, you want to know about Tobacco huh...." with the eyes of spirit....... a moment in my life I will never forget. Thank you Grandmothers.
So whats next? I have a few people I hope to get to study with someday.......... Sevensong...... I fell like I learn from you quite often, you do a great job of educating anyone who wants to take the time to learn. I would really like to do an herbal first aid class with you. Jim Mcdonald....Calamus..... what can I say? Aviva Romm...... I am making Tinctures right now to help with pretussis. I live in Grant Co. WA. Where the outbreak was so bad last year,Thank you.
Charles Garcia, I have fallowed you for a few years, Curadoism is a system that speaks to me, and your realism is refreshing. "Give Care". I will try sir.
Kiva and Jess, you and Plant Healer are the only reason I would think about buying a "kindle" or whatever the things are called so you can download books and read them....... your words speak to my soul, and give me hope for the future.
It is with a full heart, I sit here and dream new dreams....... Happy New Year Everyone!
