The Rules
#1 I must return to the woods any bits I don’t use.
#2 I cannot take but a few steps off the path.
#3 I will not break anything.
#4 I will pick up equal parts garbage to forage material.
#5 I will not be rushed, walking in the woods is holy to me.
Photo taken by my dear friend Laura Russel gathering some darling aster seed heads.
Photo by my friend Laura Russel of me feeling if there was any bark about to fall, there wasn’t and I am ok with that.
This lovely person named Katie called me and asked me if I would be willing to “make something not FTD” and “something wild” and “actually really what I would like is for you to simply go into the woods and forage something.” I felt so lucky she called me. Absolutely I will.
I read his obituary. And he was like me and maybe like you. We are more comfortable in the woods, well than maybe anywhere else. We walk slow, look, listen and think and not think. Where we find peace, wonder, and connection to what is holy, perfectly imperfect and simply right here.
This was last week and I feel I’ve found something and something has found me. I am so happy to offer this alternatively. No stupid plastic crap garbage (well I will be picking up garbage as I forage so actually there is garbage;) no flown flowers, no floral foam, just a simple and striking celebration of this Earth for someone who loved Earth.
Photo by me, completed wreath of 100% foraged materials in Michigan in February.