In Real Life
July's Newsletter
June has been a time of gathering. I have walked the verges collecting mullein, mugwort and dried teasel heads before the council can strip them away. They now hang on the back of the door drying, ready to make torches for Samhain and smudge sticks for clearing and cleansing. The mix of sun and rain has resulted in a burgeoning lavender plant in my front garden and a healthy bunch of that has joined the mullein and the mugwort on the back of the door to dry.
As I walked down the verge to gather the mullein, tall, proud, bright yellow, foot long stems, I pondered if flip flops really had been a wise choice for the dry recently strimmed. stubbled edges of the roadside verge. I was reminded at this point of Gifu, the rune of gifts; what is it we will sacrifice for the gifts we are given. On this occasion, I exchanged thistle stung feet for my mullein and it was worth every scratch and hive.
This train of thought lead me back to last month’s newsletter and the quiet abundance I seek. Our modern lives present us with so many gifts. Take food shopping for example. By shopping online we save time and the plethora of products in bigger and bigger supermarkets gives us choice but what are we sacrificing for these gifts: a disconnect with our food, a loss of respect for the work that goes into growing it?
This isn’t a price I’ve been willing to pay for a long time and we try to buy our food from Riverford Organic when we can. Riverford ensure farmers are paid fairly, the produce is in season and that you know exactly where it comes from but you do pay a premium for this and it is a privilege and gift in itself to be able to.
In addition to the fruit and veg, for at least the last ten years, I’ve been shopping online for food, (other than the odd top up needed at the local shop). I sit at the computer screen and click, click, click. In the case of Riverford I don’t really have a choice, I can only order online, but I do have a choice when it comes to the supermarket. So this month I chose to reconnect with my food in the supermarket aisles.
Shopping in real life takes time but you get to smell the earthy solidness of the tomato plant’s oils. You can see clearly that your green beans may have travelled almost 2000 miles from Morocco and so perhaps choose to get broccoli grown in the UK instead.
The next one’s a bit of a weird one, the offers aren’t as shouty. Online the computer keeps insisting that you ‘complete’ the offer, alerting you to the fact that whilst you might not want both those pack of strawberries, if you get them you’ll save £2. Never mind that you are actually spending £1 more than you wanted to, to save £2 and that there is no way you’ll get through or need that many.
I heard Gifu, that morning as I walked along the verge in my inappropriate footwear and so, I’m giving up my time for the gifts and choosing IRL (in real life).
For July I invite you to take a basket and gather. Visit your local Pick Your Own, find the abundant blackberry patch and mugwort strewn verges, make a list and visit the market in town. Choose IRL.
Here’s what July’s posts (all being well) will look like:
6th - The Story Forecast
9th - The Tudors at Cowdray (this date may change depending on when I receive the photos from some marketing work I took part in)
13th - Legends of Britain - The Well Of St Keyne
23rd - The Storyteller’s Library
27th - Lessons From The Land
The posts in bold are for paid subscribers. Let me know what you’re looking forward to most! In the meantime, I hope July brings you light and abundance.
Plant Of The Month
Dark Mullein
Mullein is also known as witches’ torches, candlewick herb or hag’s tapers, as they can be dried and covered in wax, making an excellent taper or torch. I recently learnt that dark mullein is home to the rare striped lychnis moth and that these moths are currently only found in the far south counties of England. I now have three dark mullein in my garden in order to help their plight.
Mullein leaves were used as an alternative to tobacco during the German occupation of Jersey and conversely it can also be used for lung complaints such as bronchitis. As a poultice there is some evidence to suggest that it can be used on stray shot from shotguns, lodged in wounds as it will loosen the shot.
July’s Listen :
Alanis Morissette is, for me, from a time when things were simpler: no mobiles, no readily available world wide web just HMV and a healthy dose of teenage angst. Ironically she’s available on Spotify.
Upcoming Events For July/August :
28th July - Summer Storytelling at Weald & Downland Living Museum. Click here for more information.
1st, 4th, 8th, 11th, 25th & 29th August - Summer Storytelling at Weald & Downland Living Museum. Click here for more information.
2nd - 3rd August (TBC) - Villafest - Rockbourne Roman Villa
9th August - Roots & Rhythm Festival - Weald & Downland Living Museum.
For more information and to book me for your event, visit my events page using the button below.
Featured Paid Post:
The girls are laying well this summer, heat waves permitting, so here’s a little post I wrote last year when hen sitting a neighbour’s hens who lay all year round. Such over achievers ….
Egg Rustler
By the light of a gibbous moon I lift the silver latch on the freshly hewn gate. I follow the rain strewn path, up onto the wet grass, the water puddling around my boots as I walk purposely towards the coop, careful not to wake its inhabitants.
July’s Reads:
Above is a list of the books which, time allowing, I am hoping to read over the next month. I will be collating the books I read into one multiple book review post called ‘The Storyteller’s Library’ and will post it towards the end of April.