A Crunchy Life - May 2019 Newsletter
HAPPY MAY!!
What I am excited about
Vampire Weekend's album release yesterday. Two songs have already been released from Father of the Bride and they have caught my imagination. Harmony Hall is one of those songs that could be about so many different aspects of our society and our own personal experiences that I am glad Ezra Koenig won't tell us what he wrote it about. Excited to hear the rest of the album.
What I am thinking about
Disney has brought to life a grown up Christopher Robin who is anything but the boy we knew him to be in the A. A. Milne Winnie the Pooh stories. Portrayed by Ewan McGregor, Christopher Robin is a man who is stuck - stuck in a job that is all encompassing and keeps him from enjoying life with his wife and daughter. Through an adventure with Pooh, Christopher learns that "nothing leads to the most amazing something." While intellectually I know it is Disney's way of capitalizing on my generations sentimentality, I can't help but reflect upon the reminder that comes through so loud and clear - stop. breathe. be present. feel. play. live.
What I am listening to
Tending Seeds is a podcast by Sara Schuster. Sometimes you discover an Instagram and podcast that is so comfortable it feels like you are speaking with an old friend. That is exactly how I felt the first time I listened to Sara. Her IG and podcast chronicles her journey as a homesteader and herbalist near Nashville. When listening I feel like we are sitting down, having tea, and just talking. I come away so inspired for this year's plantings. Her most recent podcast entitled, "Planting Frenzy," is a good introduction to how she approaches her podcasts and contains a word of advice for anyone considering buying a home.
What I am reading
I have been taking an online class through Boston University this semester and now that it has ended (yay!!) it is time to read some fiction for a bit. The Overstory by Richard Powers is the Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction and was Shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize. It is a novel that explores the relationship between the human and non-human world. The first two sentences hooked me right away - "First there was nothing. Then there was everything." For more on the book visit Richard Powers website.
What I am learning
Since early April I have been participating in an herbal self-study facilitated by Lisa Whitesell. After reflecting upon my herbal journey I realized that I only know one side of herbs, their energetic side. I’ve never really taken the time to stop and truly study them. To get to know them in a deep and rich way. To look closely at their structure – their petals, leaves, stems, roots, seeds, etc. To see their parts individually as well as part of a collective. To be able to distinguish them at a family level. To look with intention to understand. So Just like I exercise to keep my body healthy, strong, and fit, I have been exercising my brain through my herbal self-study. I have been making it a priority, just like physical fitness. Daily focus every day. My intention is to learn more about these herbs that I love. To learn all of their sides and develop a deep and rich understanding of them. For more on how I brain science led me to the herbal self-study check out my blog post from 12 April 2019. For more about Lisa Whitesell and her herbal self-study visit her Instagram - Herbs and Lore Apothecary.
I want to hear all about you and what you are interested in so that I can tailor these newsletters to your interests, too. How is the beginning of spring in your part of the world? How are you being intentional each day? What are you doing to awaken after this long winter? This life is messy and it is all we have so let's support each other.
Love.
Karen