Since May, I’ve had ever so many thoughts and memories I’ve longed to share, but life happened and days grew long and busy. One of my tasks, a prioritized favorite, is tending my gardens. In the front garden, beneath the canopied trees, is my woodland garden. There, you’ll find varieties of ferns, Jack-in-the-pulpit, yarrow, bleeding heart, trillium, trout lilies, columbine, and bluebells woven among other woodland plants. In the back yard is the kitchen garden full of vegetables. Along the fence near the beehives is my witch (medicinal) garden, tea garden, and kitchen herb garden. Behind the kitchen garden is the pollinator garden for our serenity and a haven for birds, butterflies, and bees. Then, of course, there are flowers and grapes and trees. Gardening and preserving the harvest keeps me busy, thus, a blog neglected.

Apothecaries thrill me. If there’s ever an old village museum, I head for the apothecary. Plants and their healing properties is magical, really. So, I’ve been in the process of building an apothecary in my home. Herbs and plants have been harvested. Now, I’m putting them into sweet jars and bottles until I’m ready to use them. Some will be blended into teas, others into salves and tinctures. There’s something so pure and primal about the old ways of healing. And, I’m a healer, so I’m drawn to the old and natural. Real magic. Healing tea.

For a while now, I’ve followed lovely Rose (Nolemire) on social media. She inspired me to tend my blog as I carefully tend my garden–in other words, to keep up with it. For as long as I can remember I’ve carried so many words inside. Instead of speaking, I’ve tucked the stories down deep inside. They’re finding their way out now. Thank you, Nolemire, for sharing your creativity, your words, your beauty, and your inspiration. I love how you said in your blog that your words there are like a diary you share with the world.