Field Notes from Jess ~ Rewilding in 2021 | Week 48/52 | Fall
Nov 21, 2021
Field notes from Jess ~
Rewilding in 2021 | Week 48 of 52
Fall Forage + Farmer Bill + Wild Mountain Man Dana
Good times with my new friend Bill and Dana Anderson 
I was intrigued by Bill from our initial phone conversation. He is an absolute character and I love how he loves his cows. They each get hand-fed treats and a hearty rub behind the ears daily. He invited us to his farm and greeted us with warmth and hilarious stories along with an anecdotes for good living.
During our tour Dana discovered an abundant patch of chickweed growing. We pulled some to eat and of course offered a handful to the cows . All parts of this tasty wild-growing plant are edible and supports digestion, has anti-viral properties and offers vitamin C.
After a very sweet farewell to Bill, Dana and I headed out for some foraging at a local trail. We ate Siberian Miners lettuce and found a few red huckleberries. We observed copious amounts of Usnea growing throughout the forest which is anti- microbial and anti-viral. Also called “Old mans beard”, Usnea is a lichen and is well-regarded in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds and inflammation. It’s great for making tinctures ~ rich in usnic acid and polyphenols.
The forests of the Pacific Northwest in the fall are wondrous. Magic land! Both Dana and I were enamored with a particular fallen log that was home to a brilliant fungi. So very intelligent in its display of beauty. Dana is a man with great wisdom and more playful energy than most. He loves and explores the natural world with great reverence and curiosity. I am so grateful for his friendship and mentorship.
There is a joy in discovering the wild plants that grow all around me. This same wonder and excitement exists as I reach out and take the initiative to meet new and interesting people. These folks are everywhere! Rewilding expands into our interpersonal relationships with fellow humans. There is so much to learn and take in from our elders, our neighbors and the many unknown kindred spirits living all around us. We thrive with human engagement. These connections nourish our Soul just as the offerings of the forest give so abundantly to the health of our mind and body.
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