I woke up early today and, with the graying hue of dawn and the hush that still enshroud the house, I settled on the couch.
Those calm moments are rare. I put my earphones in and hug my coffee as I tune in to the soothing voice of Robin Wall Kimmerer speaking of reciprocity and the concepts surrounding the Honorable Harvest.
The celebrated botanist weaves stories after stories using memories to bring forward ideas. I’m enthralled. With every word I feel my connection with the world grows stronger. I can almost grasp this kinship with all living beings, from trees to critters in ponds. In a world made scary by rising temperatures and sea levels, her voice is like a beacon.
With her, I explore ideas that soothe and heal. I find myself wondering how hard it would be to weave cattail grass. And then I wonder when I last stopped to look at them. It seems to me that it was eternity ago, when I was a child and we would break their ends open and marvel at the mess it made. It was such fun.
So, this morning, I rediscovered cattail grass.
Tale after tale, Braiding Sweetgrass has created a yearning to go play outside. To make peace with the natural world. To bring my son along with me.
When was the last time a book had such an impact on you?
Kimmerer, R. W., 2013. Braiding Sweetgrass. Minnesota, USA: Milkweed Editions