Fireweed
Fireweed is a pioneer. Its tiny seeds ride the wind like parachutes and begin new life where fate carries them. Even in clear-cuts, roadsides and burns, fireweed plants itself and rises up – stately, steadfast and strong. It rarely stands solo. Fireweed builds a thriving plant community through spreading seeds and lateral root networks. In summer, rose to violet-colored flowers bring immeasurable beauty to stark landscapes. They are so papery thin that they appear luminescent. I blush sometimes when I take a close look. They remind me of the tender blaze of love, or a sweet encounter that...
Read MoreIt’s Berry Season
At last it has arrived – the moment we wait and wait for. Summer – warm and liberating. And nothing epitomizes summer like berries. First jewels of salmonberry lighting up the forest, red huckleberry making my lips pucker, the intoxicating smell of ripe strawberries, savoring the crunchy sweetness of thimbleberries, blackberries dripping off the vine. Berry stained fingers and berry stained lips. This is the gift of summer – and I celebrate its juiciness. I am busy packing away this sweetness. I freeze strawberries and raspberries to put in smoothies and oatmeal. Bake blackberry pies...
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