Summer 2025

I am reminiscing as I approach my 79th year this October. Also reflecting on getting old. My first thought is about gratitude. My family is healthy: check. My garden is healthy: check. I have many friends: check. I am employed at a job I enjoy: check. A hummingbird just flew outside my window and hovered: check. I’m meeting up with my older daughter and granddaughter next week: check. I have a wonderful tiny house, built to my specifications that I love: check.

This gratitude is in context. Finally bowing to the wishes of my ex-husband and the reality of reaching 70 with responsibility for 16 acres of land in Philo I sold in 2018, moved to Boonville and built my own tiny house on land that I rent. I can walk to town which is a big plus. I have many neighbors I like. My beloved dog Bear died about two years ago (truly heartbreaking) - my cat Pounce de Leon is my accompanist is this current life performance.

After my move I rebuilt my life. To practice and teach as an herbalist I need a garden full of medicinal herbs. That doesn’t happen overnight; in fact after seven years I only now feel confident to venture back into teaching. Teaching is a necessity for many reasons. One reason I have only recognized after teaching on Sunday. Way back in 1973 Marge Piercy wrote a poem called “To Be Of Use”. One does what has to be done with purpose. If I am able to help others because of my herbal medicine knowledge, it is very important to me. Another reason to teach is financial because I spent my part of the land sale to build a home, leaving me dependent on a very small Social Security payment monthly, most of which goes for rent.

I have been poor much of my life and know how to live in poverty. The things that make me happy are the things for which I am grateful. Most mornings I wake to the sight of goldfinches at the Nyjer feeder, always a welcome sight. I am curious about what is newly blooming in the garden and what needs attention. I am useful to the herbs, flowers and vegetables in the garden and through them to the pollinators and visiting wildlife. To be of use to others, particularly during these times when friends and neighbors are threatened with the loss of support and our local hospitals and clinics are threatened with cuts, is really important to me.