Just spent the last two days at the Mother Earth News Fair surrounded by like-minded people… okay, some not-so-like-minded people. You know the types, the ones that answer their cell phones right in the middle of the presentation and carry on a conversation… boy, do they get my goat (needed an excuse for a goat picture ;0}) I was there to listen to the presenter, not their cell phone conversation!
Isn’t she a sweetie? [Instagram]
I was there seeking that information that catapults you from unsure to I can do this! I went from workshop to workshop, hoping that this one would be the one. I gathered some tidbits here and there… but for the most part, I didn’t learn anything new. In a few situations, I felt like I knew more than the presenter… SO, have I already hit the I can do this! point and am simply procrastinating putting it all into practice? Am I allowing myself to be herded along with the other sheep … not wanting to stand out in the crowd? (wait for it, wait for it! I just needed another excuse for an animal picture ;0})
good thing I don’t have a farm, cause she would have come home with me!! [Instagram]
So now what?!
What do I do with the tidbits I did collect? Do they just get added to the ever-growing to-do-list? How? How do I use this new information to catapult myself to that next level? Well, I know the answer! I need to apply it!! I need to stop taking notes (not to be confused with documenting or data collecting) and start doing! I need to start scratching some things off my to-do-list!! Will you help me… remind me, if I post my list here?
- create a seasonal calendar/journal when and how to harvest wild foods/herbs - photo journal?
- create a bio-time journal – daily weather and temp / what is in bloom and stages of vegetation - add images
- learn one herb at a time and spend 1 year with it – learn its seasons - don’t think I’ll be able to limit myself on this one ;0}… too much urgency here!
- add more medicinal plants to hedgerow - keep bee foraging in mind
- create two more herb beds
- harvest medicinal plant material
- make medicines and use them - create a document that lists the medicine and its uses
- dial-in my food-producing plant guilds - document it with images
aquaponicsjust can’t add one more thing right now- plan and plant for year-round vegetable harvest - decide how to extend growing season (plastic, old windows, grow lights)
- increase diversity and variety of plants (even within a species)
- plant existing plants (believe me, there are a lot!)
- get the garden beds weeded and planted
- share my knowledge and experience – teach a class (that one is scary!!)
- celebrate!!
I think that is enough for now ;0}
wow, impressive list. my favorites are “make medicines and use them” and “celebrate!”
Such a great list! As a herbalist, all those notes make me smile! I’m very curious about your stories about making your own meds and pictures of everything, I hope I can see more of it later on. :) Good luck!
you may regret that hope ;0}
I can go a little picture crazy!
Kari Ann,
I know about those lists of “wish I would do’s.” I have many of them filling up notebook after notebook. In my case they are essay ideas or, much more frightening, BOOK ideas. I read, I gather, I note, I plan, I make lists – and am now finally at the burbling over stage. Now I find I need to make those dreams a reality and just DO IT. Sounds like you’re there too. Do it! Write about it and share right here how it goes and what you learn.
We’re listening and we’ll be here to remind you to keep after it :)
Hugs,
Victoria
thank you Victoria…
all I can really say right now is: thank you!…
my heart is overflowing…
I see I am where I need to be!
your encouragement is accepted and embraced!
Sounds like it was fantastic! I really wanted to attend- but was out of town =( Can’t wait to hear what you take on!