Out of Hybernation

I've let this blog go too long without an entry. I never posted about my last harvet of blackberries and the great find of Hickory nuts. One of the reasons for the lack of blog entries here, is that i am still very new to what i want to create. The ideal of living simply, foraging and unplugging from the fast-paced world.

During the cold winter months, I bought more books to add to what i don't know(which seems like like alot). I still have so much to learn about foraging, but did play with banging rocks together to put an edge...the beginning of my flintknapping experience.

I tasted a piece of Dandelion green yesterday, what a strong bitter after taste. If it were cooked and cut with something else it might be a good meal. One thing I have paid attention eating out, si that if something is spicy, having something sweet softens the spicy taste, etc.

I had given up onusing laundry water to flush the toilet, it just doesn't seems practical. If I could handwash my clothes and hang them to dry, that seems a better idea. Then i can use the right amount of water and not electricity.

I will try to take on one thing at a time, so I won't get overwhelmed and not do anything at all.

Second practice making cordage

I was out, actually with the intent of foraging for this coming weeks food needs, but got side-tracked. I was right by the river, which really drowned out any sound of traffic, I love when that happens. Again, I used the same type of reed grass, like my first try.

The picture shows the three twisted pieces I patiently twisted together. It isn't the ideal cordage material, because one end is thicker than the other. From just these few tries i find that too stiff or too thin a material doesn't work as easily. It does work, but it takes times and for me the sound of the rushing water helped.

I say this here, i have never braided anything in my many years of life...until today. I had looked at the steps in a knotting book (which i didn't have with me, but really didn't need either). With my three cords I wondered how to start, then remembered that knotting the three ends together was the way to go. I used the fingers on my left hand to hold the knotted end, while I moved the three strands over each other and my left thumb to help keep the left cord taut.

Below is the finished product, i have to say it came out pretty good. I think the next step for cordage, is to be able to splice short pieces together and then braid them. Once i can splice I'll move on.

3 braid cordage

Three days.

I'll start off by saying that I wish i had pictures to share, for the last three days. I did have my camera with me(except for today), none of the pictures I took were that postable(postable, as opposed to postal).

My first day off, i went on a hike into a section of park, I had passed i don't know how many times over the years. I wondered if there was a way I could get to the open field, so i grabbed the packs, with my edbile plant books and camera and headed off. At first i didn't see a path, but found a bridle path led along where i was trying to go. I followed the bridle path for a bit, then scurried up this hill. At that point, I wished there weren't a busy road for miles, because i would have enjoyed the peace of the woods so much more. On I went, just to the edge of where the woods opened up at the beginning of the field. I had to turn around, after walking around, trying to find a way across the thick mud or the small stream that blocked my way. i will be back, the best areas are those less trampled by humans.

Second out...I decided to take on a hike I had wondered about, it would be a challenge with the high temperatures we've had here. It was more deer path than human path, but not impossible for a determined soul. Along the way i passed a few fisherman who had found a place away from the other holiday groups. After that I was up and down, through foliage and across slate -like rock. I kept my eye out for deer the whole time, eventually I did see some but don't have the pictures to share. I have to say, where the path led me, would be a great place to camp(as long as the rangers didn't catch you).

Then there's today, out doing errandsbefore i have to go back to work tomorrow. I didn't have my camera, just my books. I found a small Raspberry patch, but the fruit wasn't ripe. I was walkig around at different spots on the park, referring to my books, trying to find Lamb's Quarters and Nettle. I did find some similiar plants in the same family, but left them for now. I really want to forage what i "need" for the week and nothing else.

That kind of goes without saying, if you know Chicory grows along one road, you don't pull it out by the roots. I twisted some Daylily blooms off today, but left the plant intact. I have my eye on Wild carrot and some huge Thistle, those i will harvest in the coming weeks. I found some really good information on prepping acorns, that adds to what the books tell me.

I've found that it can be a little frustating trying to learn so much, stay safe and enjoy the journey. It is the same for every new skill we try to learn, that says alot about the human race. We are quick to give up and go for convenience, that same mindset that tells us, we should spend money to gain everything we need to survive.

Walk in the woods

Today i gathered up my foraging books and headed off to the park. It was a cooler day , than what we have had. I have found that i don't like the heat, which is funny, because I had a job for eighteen years where I was out in the seasons. Now that I work inside I like the cooler summer days and love the shade of trees.

The flowers in the photo are Chicory, the whole plant is edible and the roots can be a coffee substitute. I found them along a road that leads into the park, a road i have travelled so much , it was a surprise when i saw the Chicory growing. My eyes have been opened and I can't begin to tell you what to eat or not to eat. I am just learning, I will share what i learn along the way, that may mean i don't post that often. I have seen plenty of people trying to do something, find a group for peer support, but never get to doing what they set out to do.

On the cordage side of things, I have been learning more and have played a bit with the process. I hope to have more in the coming weeks on cordage...maybe a braided cord of some kind.

I almost forgot, the clover I brought home from my hike. Clover was the first wild plant i ever ate, whick i think i learned about from a camp counselor. That seems right now that I think about it, because i came home and ate clover in a nieghbor kids yard. That didn't go over well, because they told their parents...I don't remember getting in trouble for it though.

This brings me to a book i found on Amazon, about harvesting the wild. The write makes a statement about how we could sustain ourselves on wild plants, like we did before we thought people made food. Then i also saw a deck of cards with wild edibles on them. The three books i have and took with me today, don't all have the same info in them. So today i would look at something, look in one book, then check another for more info or better pictures/description.
I would love a concise guide, instead of multiple books.

wild strawberry patch in my yard

My Sagitarian Horoscope for today(and beyond)

Lay the groundwork for something really huge. On days like today, which are relatively easygoing for you, it's a good idea for you to start thinking about your larger goals and hopes -- and how you can go about achieving them. Rome may not have been built in a day, but you have quite a few days ahead of you to build almost anything your heart can imagine!