The last few weeks have been filled with much excitement. In addition to finalizing travel plans for my upcoming global adventures, I turned 42, and I heard that my colleagues voted to promote me to associate professor with tenure in recognition of my scholarship, teaching, and service. On top of all of this good news, …
Tag: backyard
I Promise Not To Kill You
My son was worried that my new interest in herbalism would expose us to all sorts of deadly dangers. I scoffed at him. But then I discovered Bitter Sweet growing in our side yard.
Searching for Aster
Everyone said to start by exploring what already grows in my yard. I wanted to learn about the vibrant New England Aster. It was much more difficult than I anticipated. Could the methods of the historian help?
Less Like Kudzu, More Like Plantain: Walking with White Man’s Footsteps
In Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, environmental biologist Robin Wall Kimmerer offers a beautiful meditation on the interconnection of human experience and the natural world. I found there were important messages here for me about my role as the descendant of settler colonialists, as a 21st century Pagan, and as a student of herbalism.
